Tri-County building project update provided, some questions remain but the date to vote is set as Oct 24, 2023 (audio & video)

Tri-County RVTHS held their 4th in a series of Community Updates to share information on the school building project on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

Tri-County Superintendent Karen Maguire opens the session and introduces each of the speakers. My brief recap is as follows:

• The current school is 'broken', per the MSBA process the building did evaluate options to renovate, renovate & create an addition, or rebuild. The rebuild option was selected as the most viable. 
• The cost today is shown as 284M. Franklin's portion will be calculated on the number of students attending Tri-County and currently estimated at about $2M (see handout PDF below) 
• Oct 24, 2023 is scheduled date for approval of the Tri-County school replacement project approval assuming that MSBA decides on a final cost during August
• When MSBA does approve the final cost, they should also provide the reimbursement expected, hence the bottom line for the district to pay
• Additional details will be provided after MSBA makes their decision
• After the October vote to approve the project, additional details for the cost per community can be developed
• It is likely that the first payments wouldn’t be due until FY 2026 or FY 2027
• The October vote will be conducted across the 11 communities at the same time, from 12 PM to 8 PM. The vote will be counted in aggregate and a 50% +1 is required for passage
• The MSBA process is out of step on a couple of fronts: (1) it doesn't appropriately account for Voc tech schools as distinct from 'regular' schools (2) the vote by the district doesn't mention how each community will fund it. Many (at least some) communities may require a debt exclusion. Measures to address these issues have been filed with the MA House & Senate and are currently in the committee process, what will happen to them remains to be determined

The slides shown during the meeting video are expected to be posted to the Tri-County page on Friday. Once the link is found, it will be added here. In the meantime, I did capture photos of the slides and speakers. Those can be found in one album ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wx3ST2CPAogW5cfV6

Presentation copy ->  https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/_files/ugd/7870a5_26e521f9652444a0be34c8dea278106f.pdf

Handout with estimated community share of the building project debt

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13cmnb-b84YcE4yxOLIed9VMpMqkdpWBW/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin TV did a live broadcast of the meeting from Tri-County and it is available for replay via YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/live/7SYEYsoyaAU

The audio of the meeting is also available ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1013-tri-county-rvths-community-update-4-06-15-23

Franklin TV video

 

Franklin Matters/wfpr.fm Audio Recording

Tri-County building project update provided, some questions remain but the date to vote is set as Oct 24, 2023

You're Invited: Graduating High School: Financial Adulting 101 Webinar – June 20, 2023 @ 3 pm ET/12 pm PT

Do you know a recent (or soon to be) high school graduate? Whether they're planning to go off to college in the fall, have a job lined up, or are still figuring out their next steps, there are some Adulting 101 basics that can help along the way. In this 30-minute webinar, we'll talk about understanding credit, how they can protect themselves from identity theft, and how to spot and avoid scams. To join the webinar on June 20, 2023 @ 3pm ET/12pm PT: URL: https://ftc.zoomgov.com/j/1601588579?pwd=RmlMd3JleXp1V0tIcmdMVnM5Rmhudz09  Webinar ID: 160 158 8579 Passcode: 546747 By phone: (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): +1 646 828 7666 US (New York); +1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose); +1 551 285 1373 US; 833 568 8864 US Toll-free Can't make the 6/20 webinar? We'll be offering another session on Thursday, June 22nd at 12pm ET/9am PT.  Thank You, FTC's Division of Consumer and Business Education

You're Invited: Graduating High School: Financial Adulting 101 Webinar

Family Support Center Open House - Saturday, June 17 - 9 AM to 3 PM

"Walk through these doors and you will never be alone"

 

We've been busy the last few weeks finalizing the opening of our Family Support Center! The Family Support Center aims to provide a safe and supportive space for family members who have loved ones that are impacted by substance use and mental health challenges. At the Family Support Center, we understand how isolating the disease of addiction can be and we deeply value peer support through our shared lived experience. 

Join us for our Family Support Center Open House!

We are so excited to share the world of family support with all of you! Join us:

Saturday, June 17 from 9 AM - 3 PM

- Meet others with similar lived experience

- Meet and greet with SAFE Staff and Family Support Center Volunteers

- Learn about codependency and the principals of Family Recovery

- Learn about available support including

          - peer to peer

          - grief and trauma counseling

          - section 35 support

- Explore available support groups including:

         - Families' Anonymous

         - Sibling Support

         - Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

- Hear about plans for our future including:

          - speaker series

          - wellness workshops

          - group outings and more

- Narcan training 

- Food, Drink, and Fellowship!

Where is the SAFE Coalition?

SAFE Coalition
31 Hayward St., Unit 2c
Franklin, MA 02038-0434
774 847 9474
http://www.safecoalitionma.org

Family Support Center Open House - Saturday, June 17 - 9 AM to 3 PM

"The work has to be the win"

FANNtastic story!

"On the 27th straight day of filming “Forrest Gump,” Tom Hanks was tired & worried. During a scene on the famous park bench, Hanks stopped & said to director Bob Zemeckis, “Hey, Bob…is anybody going to care about this movie? I don’t think anybody’s going to care.” Bob replied, “It’s a minefield, Tom. You never know what’s good…It’s a minefield! It’s a goddam minefield! We may be sowing the seeds of our own destruction.” Tom Hanks told this story after he was asked, “When I ask for a memory from your career, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?” He said that what Zemeckis said was true of every movie he’s worked on: “There’s never any guarantee...You do not know if it is going to work out.” Takeaway 1: Hanks is the 5th-most highest-grossing actor of all time. And yet, the stickiest memory of his career is the feeling of uncertainty. Rarer than talent or work ethic, the poet John Keats wrote, is the ability to step into and push through doubts and uncertainties. In 1817, Keats wrote a letter to his brothers to share this exciting realization. “At once it struck me,” Keats wrote, “what quality went to form a Man of Achievement … Negative Capability.” Keats explains that “Negative Capability” is “when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason.” Takeaway 2: Those who possess Negative Capability, who can sit with uncertainty, who can spend months or years in the minefield that is working on something while knowing that there is a real possibility no one will care about it—they often possess another quality. They do what they do, not as a means to some end (money, fame, awards, etc.), but for the sake of doing it. When asked about one of his movies that commercially failed, Hanks said, "I loved making that movie. I loved writing it, I loved being with it. I love all the people in it." As Ryan Holiday once told me, "The work has to be the win." You control the effort, he says, not the results. "So ultimately, you have to love doing it. You have to get to a place where doing the work is the win and everything else is extra.” - - - “Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get.” — Forrest Gump Follow

@bpoppenheimer

for more content like this!

Shared from Twitter-> https://twitter.com/bpoppenheimer/status/1669038411351482373 

“Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get.” — Forrest Gump

Franklin, MA: Wellness Update - June is Headache and Migraine Awareness Month

June is Headache and Migraine Awareness Month! 

The WHO places migraines as one of the 10 most disabling medical illness but fewer than 5% of suffers have been seen by a health care provider. Consult with your primary care provider if your headaches are increasing in frequency or severity, or are interfering with your usual activities so they can help create a treatment plan or refer you to a specialist.

Seek immediate medical attention if you're experiencing the worst headache you've ever had, lose vision or consciousness, have uncontrollable vomiting, or if your headache lasts more than 72 hours with less than 4 hours pain-free.

For more information visit: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/migraine 

Franklin, MA: Wellness Update - June is Headache and Migraine Awareness Month

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, June 16, 2023

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:30 am     DPW Stormwater Management 03-13-23

9:00 am     Frank's Musings: Joe Biden

11:00 am Senior Connection: Kitchen Gadgets Pt. 3

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs

1:00 pm     Drink Responsibly: Craft Roots

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 3

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

4:30 pm     Memorial Day 2023

8:30 pm FHS Senior Awards Night 2023

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am     FHS Jazz Cafe 2023

8:30 am     It Takes A Village: Hockomock Area YMCA

10:30 am FHS Varsity Softball: v Milford 05-22-23

12:30 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

1:30 pm     FHS Pops Night 2023

3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Needham 06-08-23

8:30 pm FHS Senior Awards Night 2023

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 06-08-23

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 06-08-23

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Stormwater Utility Fee Implementation July 1, 2023 (video)

Stormwater Utility Credit Application Available Now

Starting July 1st, 2023, the Town will shift from funding Stormwater services through the town's general fund, to a more equitable and sustainable Stormwater Utility Fee structure. Property Owners are encouraged to view the brief stormwater utility fee video created by the town to learn more about stormwater funding, use of stormwater funds and more. 

The Stormwater Utility Fee structure is a community based solution to a community based problem. It rewards residential, commercial, and industrial property owners by allocating up to 50% credit on their stormwater utility fee.

There is 25% credit for stormwater "treatment" and a 25% credit on stormwater "storage". Below is a brief breakdown of the available credits...

Stormwater Utility Fee Implementation July 1, 2023

Residential Credits	Commercial & Large Residential Credits
Rain Barrel Porous Pavement / Pavers* Gravel Driveways * Rain Garden Dry Well French Drain Other Subsurface Recharge System *Porous pavers and gravel driveways qualify for an abatement Apply for yearly renewal.	Rain Garden Bioretention Area Detention/ Retention Basins Sediment Forebays Deep Sump or Leaching Catch Basin Tree Well Subsurface Structures Apply for renewal every 5 years.

Property owners can review a complete Credit Manual created by the DPW online here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/final_stormwater_utility_credit_manual_5-30-23_signed.pdf

Please note: All small users will be billed a minimum charge of 1 billing unit.

You may access the Stormwater Credit Application online here: https://franklinma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1078

Want to calculate your Stormwater Utility Fee? Visit our Impervious Area Map and input your address: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5

You can learn more about stormwater via the Stormwater Division page on the website here: https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/stormwater-utility-fee-implementation-july-1-2023

The DRAFT 2023 Open Space and Recreation Plan - Open for Public Comment through July 12, 2023

The DRAFT 2023 Open Space and Recreation Plan is open for public comment through July 12, 2023.

You can find the plan on line ->     

https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/files/private/2023-draft-open-space-and-recreation-plan

You can submit your comments ->  https://forms.gle/SJZKH43xj6JkAVPX8

The DRAFT 2023 Open Space and Recreation Plan - Open for Public Comment through July 12, 2023

For additional info, please visit the Open Space & Recreation Plan page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/2023-open-space-and-recreation-plan-update

The DRAFT 2023 Open Space and Recreation Plan

Franklin Public Schools, MA: bus registration info

Pay-to-Ride registration is ongoing through the Aspen Parent Portal. While the deadline for a guaranteed spot has passed, we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible if transportation is needed. 

Full payment is due July 10, 2023 via Unibank's website. https://t.co/pYItSGGL3n  or ->   https://www.franklinps.net/district/transportation 

Shared from -> https://t.co/tUGkEx70ZV

Franklin Public Schools, MA: bus registration info

Master Plan Update Committee gets sworn in, goes over introductions, will split into 5 subcommittees for detail work (video)

The Master Plan Update Committee met for the first time on Wednesday, June 14 at 6:30 PM. Twelve of the committee present were sworn in, one was remote and will be sworn in later. The 13 member committee will split into 5 subcommittees each responsible for their own goals, workflows, and coordinating through the Planning Dept for support. 

The meeting video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/uQjupaOHK-o

The agenda doc is rich with links to the prior master plan and associated materials     https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/june_14_2023_mp_agenda_0.pdf

 The Master Plan update Committee page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/master-plan-update-committee

My notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF file ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XUd8eMitR2P9x6RrzkNklg-lPFYqa-tm/view?usp=drive_link

Note the meeting begins about 2:15 into the recording

Agenda for the initial Master Plan Committee meeting Wednesday, June 14, 2023 - 6:30 PM

Summer Reading 2023 Kicks off June 17

Welcome to the 2023 Summer Reading webpage! 

This year's theme is Find Your Voice! 

We are setting the stage for a summer full of fun adventures, and lots and lots of reading! Please enjoy this taste of what's to come!  

We will continue to add to this page as summer approaches! Summer Reading sign-up officially begins on June 17th!

Shared from the Summer Reading page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/summer-reading-2023-0

Summer Reading 2023 Kicks off June 17

School Committee agonizes over budget cuts, hears an update from Oak St and about the middle school school civics program (audio)

FM #1012 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1012 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares part of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the School Committee members, school district personnel along with some of the public were in the Council Chambers. Some members of the public participated via conference bridge.

Brief recap:

• Moment of silence to recognize the tragic passing of an FHS graduating senior

• During the Superintendent's Report, 2 highlights were shared. (1) a quick overview of the Spanish trip during Spring break. (2) recognition of three FHS outdoor track athletes for their accomplishments at the Meet of Champions

• Recognition of Michelle Kingsland Smith retiring for the 2nd time this year with 50 years of education experience. Recognition of Miriam Goodman's retirement as Business Administrator

• Middle school civics program provided an update on the process across the three schools and a student presentation from Horace Mann.

• The Oak St Elementary team provided and interactive question and answer update on the happenings and progress within the school this year

• The additional funds from the Town saves some positions but there are still 26.7 positions removed from the budget, 16 of which were enrollment related. The Committee agonized over the cuts, appreciating the effort and thought that went into trying to minimize the impacts of these. One member said as hard as it is this year, we'll look back to this budget next year as a good one. And that is not something to look forward to

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting June 13, 2023

 

Timing on the recording when each segment Starts

• Spain trip - approx. 12 minutes

• Girls Outdoor Track - approx. 20 minutes

• Michelle Kingsland Smith - approx. 29 minutes

• Middle School Civics - approx. 42 minutes

• Oak St Update - approx. 73 minutes

• Discussion Action Items (budget) - approx. 1 hour 56 minutes

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1012-franklin-ma-school-committee-mtg-06-13-23

--------------

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/june-13-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

Meeting agenda doc (includes remote participation info) ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_6-13-23.pdf

My notes captured during the meeting (in one PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q2Uwk3QIX9rejAPGl2offT65fqVLCOYf/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/EVNd_SfjvbY?feature=share

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting Agenda for June 13, 2023

The Franklin Veterans' Council is scheduled to Meet - Thursday, June 15 at 7 PM

All Franklin residents are invited!

The Franklin Veterans' Council will meet on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 7:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center.

All Franklin residents (Vets and non-Vets) who are interested in Veterans' events and activities are welcome!

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/june-veterans-council-meeting

The Franklin Veterans' Council is scheduled to Meet - Thursday, June 15 at 7 PM

Paradise Flyer scheduled to perform at the Farmers Market - June 16 from 2 to 6 PM

Who is ready for another Friday? Can we collectively agree to do a rain dance so we can have 4 hours free from rain this week???

We are excited to have Paradise Flyer with us this Friday preforming from 2-6 PM in the gazebo. 

Paid for through a grant with Franklin Cultural Council and @masscultural

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Ctcyto5pWwl/

Paradise Flyer scheduled to perform at the Farmers Market - June 16 from 2 to 6

Business coaching and real estate investment scheme targets Spanish speakers

Business coaching and real estate investment scheme targets Spanish speakers By Cristina Miranda Scammers are always looking for people to lure into schemes, in any language. The latest twist: scammers placing social media ads in Spanish, inviting people to free "seminars" where they'll learn how to profit from an online business or real estate investments.  But will you make money? Or is the company that is speaking your language scamming you? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/06/business-coaching-and-real-estate-investment-scheme-targets-spanish-speakers

Business coaching and real estate investment scheme targets Spanish speakers

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, June 15, 2023

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p   Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm   Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = Thursday

8:30 am         Veterans' Call: Steve Crouteau

9:00 am     DPW Stormwater Management 03-13-23

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Red Pepper Soup

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs

1:00 pm     Drink Responsibly: Craft Roots

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 3

3:00 pm Joe Landry: Restaurants & Bars

4:30 pm     Frank's Musings: Joe Biden

6:30 pm     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

7:00 pm     Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 3 - Hipnotics

8:00 pm Veterans' Oral History Project: Dave Cargill

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = Thursday

7:00 am     Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22

8:30 am     FHS Pops Night 2023

10:30 am FHS Senior Awards Night 2023

1:00 pm     Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-13-19

3:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Tennis: v Dover-Sherborn 05-19-23

7:00 pm     FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Wellesley 06-09-23

9:00 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 06-01-23

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 06-01-23

7:00 pm     Conservation Commission: LIVE, Chambers  819 1902 7332

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)