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Monday, August 7, 2023
Mass Councils on Aging: Aug 10 - Volunteerism as a Pathway to Employment
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The Guardian: "Back to the stone age: the sustainable building material we’ve all been waiting for…"
"It’s strong, plentiful and fireproof, as well as beautiful, yet stone has long been supplanted in the building industry by energy-consuming steel, concrete and brick. A trio of advocates for this age-old material say it’s time for a rethinkImagine a building material that is beautiful, strong, plentiful, durable and fireproof, whose use requires low levels of energy and low emissions of greenhouse gases. It is one of the most ancient known to humanity, the stuff of dolmens and temples and cathedrals and Cotswolds cottages, but also one whose sustainability makes it well-suited to the future. Such a material, according to a growing body of opinion in the world of construction, is among us. It’s called stone.Last week I sat in the roof garden of a hefty pile of masonry in central London, talking to three advocates of this magnificent substance: engineer Steve Webb, Pierre Bidaud of the Rutland-based Stonemasonry Company and architect Amin Taha. My initial request, driven by a journalistic preference for highlighting individuals, had been to meet Taha alone, but he pointed out that their work is a collaboration of different disciplines. The building on top of which we met is their joint creation: the six-storey, five-year-old Clerkenwell block where Taha has his office and his home."
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/aug/06/back-to-the-stone-age-the-sustainable-building-material-weve-all-been-waiting-for-amin-taha-groupwork-webb-yates-the-stonemasonry-company
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| Everyday luxury: affordable housing near Palma, Mallorca, built by Balearic social housing institute Ibavi, constructed from load‑bearing stone quarried locally. Photograph: José Hevia |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Aug 7, 2023
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Monday
9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews
11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM A More Perfect Union – Discussing American Politics and Current Events - Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, State Rep Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong hold a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
9:00 am SAFE Coalition: New Facility
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers
12:30 pm Drink Responsibly: Flat Breads
1:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Lobstah
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 6
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 1
3:30 pm Veterans' Call: PACT Act
4:30 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Safety on the Roads
5:00 pm Physician Focus: Alzheimer's
5:30 pm Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo
6:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 2
8:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 1 - Tweed funk
9:00 pm 4th of July 2023: Padula Trio + One
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = MONDAY
8:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Bishop Guertin 05-23-23
10:00 am FHS Graduation 2023
11:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1
12:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse v St. John's 05-11-23
2:00 pm Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-13-19
3:30 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing
6:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports
7:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball: v Oliver Ames 04-04-23
9:30 pm Public School Event: FHS Summer Music 2021
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = MONDAY
8:00 am Planning Board: 07-24-23
11:00 am Joint Budget Subcommittee 08-02-23
2:00 pm Planning Board: 07-24-23
7:00 pm Planning Board: LIVE, Chambers 890 4549 6770
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Sunday, August 6, 2023
A busy August for the Master Plan Update Committee and its subcommittees
There are several subcommittee meetings scheduled during the month leading up to the full Master Plan Update Committee meeting on August 23.
The Open Space subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug 8 at 7:00 PM
Subcommittee - Community Services
Event Date: Monday, August 14, 2023 - 6:00pm
Subcommittee - Land Use
Event Date: Monday, August 14, 2023 - 7:00pm
Subcommittee - Housing
Event Date: Monday, August 21, 2023 - 5:00pm
Subcommittee - Sustainability
Event Date: Monday, August 21, 2023 - 6:30pm
Master Plan Update Committee
Event Date: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 - 6:30pm
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| A busy August for the Master Plan Update Committee and its subcommittees |
Note: You can filter the Town calendar by committee to get the view as shown above
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| You can filter the Town calendar by committee to get the view of the month for a committee |
Franklin TV: Our Open Meeting – A Reminder - Aug 19 at 3 PM
It’s Happening. August 19 at Our Studio
by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 08/06/2023
This year our Annual Open Board Meeting will take place as part of a neighborhood block party at our 23 Hutchinson St. studios.
Join us, Saturday, August 19th at 3:00pm.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by August 12 to:
info@franklin.tv
It’s open to all Franklin businesses and residents. We’ll meet-and-greet and enjoy the day starting at 3:00 PM. Come hungry and enjoy some great food and music with Jamie Barrett. You can also tour our studios and learn about Franklin●TV and wfpr●fm. We’ll also review the past year’s progress and plans for the future. At our meeting you may cast a vote for new and/or renewing board positions.
Excerpt from FCCA bylaws: (Available on our website.)
Section 15. Election of Director by the Membership (a) Members shall be notified by the Clerk of the election of a director by the Membership at the Annual Meeting. Said notice shall be in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 4 of this Article IV.
(b) Any eligible voting Member may be nominated for election to the position of Director by: (i) Written notification to the Clerk no later than seven (7) days prior to Annual Meeting; or (ii) By nomination from the floor of the Annual Meeting made and seconded by no less than three (3) eligible voting members.
Thanks to our board members who contribute their time and energy to help make Franklin●TV all that a public access TV studio can be. If you would like to become involved either as a volunteer or to create your own TV or radio programs at Franklin●TV and wfpr●fm, just send an email to: info@franklin.tv with your contact information. You can also call us to discuss and explore your ideas. 508-541-4118.
Please join us at our Franklin●TV event. Again, it’s Saturday, August 19 starting at 3:00 PM. Our brief open board meeting begins at 4:00 PM. Come meet, greet, and learn all about local TV and radio in Franklin.
See you then.
And – as always –Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.And, thank you for watching.
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Middle School Visual and Performing Arts - registration is open
Hosted by the Creative Corner Art Studio
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| Middle School Visual and Performing Arts |
"Runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3-5:30pm. Choose how many days a week when you sign up! Only taking 35 students a day. Pick up options/group carpool from Annie Sullivan. Horace Man students can take the five minute walk from school to the studio located downtown. On early release days parents have the option to pay $30 extra for lunch.Drama Club is designed for students interested in learning more about the aspects of theater. This includes learning stage terminology, working on acting skills, set building, and costumes/makeup design. The Visual Arts will include working in different mediums over the system incorporated with the performing arts final presentation.A drama club gives students an outlet for interests that go beyond acting and leads to friendships across grades. With recent cuts in the art and limited options for middle school extracurriculars, Creative Corner Art Studio gives students that venue in a safe and nurturing creative environment to explore those hidden talents."
Continue reading the class information and register online ->
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| Middle School Visual and Performing Arts - registration is open |
Senior Center week ahead highlights
The daily schedule highlights for the Senior Center the week of Aug 7 through 11
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| Senior Center - Week of Aug 7 to 11 |
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| Senior Center - Week of Aug 7 to 11 - Mon |
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| Senior Center - Week of Aug 7 to 11 - Tue |
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| Senior Center - Week of Aug 7 to 11 - Wed |
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| Senior Center - Week of Aug 7 to 11 - Thu |
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| Senior Center - Week of Aug 7 to 11 - Fri |
Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvkK_0JAKZD/
Join the Cancer Fighting Pub Crawl - Saturday, August 26
Via Peter Willis:
What is a Pub Crawl? The definition of a pub crawl is: a tour taking in several pubs or bars, with one or more drinks at each. To A Remission Commission Team Member...a Pub Crawl is a fundraising an event that raises a lots of money for Dana Farber and the Jimmy Fund Walk! We are excited to announce that we are bringing the Pub Crawl back this year!
When? August 26
Where? We will start and end at La Cantina Winery, 357 Union St, Franklin, MA 02038
What time? Arrive around 1:00 p.m... you will get your wrist band and have an opportunity to quickly peruse some of our AMAZING raffle prizes and silent auction prizes!! Take a sneak below at our Nick Strong basket!! A huge shout out of thanks to Melissa Parr, Decor & More and Christina Gordon!! I will ABSOLUTELY be purchasing tickets for this basket myself!!
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| Cancer Fighting Pub Crawl |
There will be a cash bar at every stop, raffle prizes, a 50/50 raffle, a duck pool, silent auction and a day filled with laughter, friendship, and a whole lot of FUN!!! This is our biggest fundraiser for our walk!
We hope that you can join us! If you have attended one in the past...share a memory on this post! We love every memory that we have made with you! You can use the link below to purchase your tickets or you can Venmo me at @Debra-Honor! This will help us keep track of our 2023 attendees!!
We are walking NICK Strong in memory of our Dear Friend and Jimmy Fund Hero Nick Gaspar!! Please support us as we do our best to fight this dreadful disease!!!
Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/673832606/posts/pfbid02NVVfqZ266ndBGTkTvcSiuYVSvBSNS6azQAKM9uqeKuyrWxgUPnvg8G9xbCsT1PbWl/
Image shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvhap2wM-V_/
Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Monthly Meeting - Aug 8, 2023
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Franklin Post 75 Massachusetts Senior Tournament Cinematic (video)
Franklin Post 75 Massachusetts Senior Tournament Cinematic via Varun Desai (@Editorvar)
Video link -> https://youtu.be/EOMWUgbamTE
Fairmont Fruit Farm - "Touch a Truck & a Tractor" - Aug 12 from 10 AM to 5 PM
Fairmount Farms "Touch a Truck and a Tractor" is scheduled for Saturday, August /10 AM - 2 PM with a rain date of Sunday, Aug 13.
- sit & climb in them
- take some pics
- have fun
There will be trucks and tractors from around the farm along with a sandbox, mud kitchen, mining sluice, face painting, and lawn games.
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| Touch a Truck & a Tractor |
There will be
- food trucks
- ice cream
- beer garden
- live music
Where: at the Fairmont Fruit Farm at 887 Lincoln Street, Franklin
Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/events/1327885824483967/permalink/1327885834483966/?mibextid=Nif5oz
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| Fairmont Fruit Farm - "Touch a Truck & a Tractor" - Aug 12 from 10 AM to 5 PM |
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Escape Into Fiction appeals to local support to survive
"As a small business owner I have to constantly monitor our progress. So far this year we have met so many new customers and we have grown so much!!But the reality is that in order to stay where we are, right on Main St, and to continue in a healthy business pattern we will need to make sure we are making enough business.We’ve been asked many times, so I thought I’d share. Here are the numbers it will take for us to remain and stay viable.Shopping local matters. The store is asked almost daily for donations, participating in local events, and about employment. Without local support we can’t manage it all.Thank you for those who are already loyal! We are so appreciative"
Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CvfQanJL7mO/
Escape Into Fiction web page -> https://www.escapeintofiction.com/
#ThinkFranklinFirst
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| Escape Into Fiction appeals to local support to survive |
Franklin Food Pantry looking for two parents to help coordinate the Food Elves Campaign
The Franklin Food Pantry is recruiting for two volunteer District Parents for Food Elves in the Oak and Jefferson elementary school districts this year. The Food Elves Campaign is The Franklin Food Pantry’s largest fundraiser of the year!
In 2022, The Elves raised over $93,000!
Food Elves are middle and high school students in the Franklin community organized by, and working with, District Parents.
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| Food Elves Campaign |
Between December 1 and December 12, Food Elves pass out The Pantry’s signature purple envelopes and flyers to houses in their elementary school districts and set up their online pages to raise funds for The Pantry.
Food Elves are assigned to District Parents who help guide them through the process. District Parents are typically assigned 20 -30 students (depending on the district).
The District Parents play a very important role in the campaign! Six district parents correspond to the previous six school districts that our current middle and high school students attended:
• Jefferson Elementary School (recruiting)• Parmenter Elementary School• Oak Street Elementary School (recruiting)• Hellen Keller Elementary School• John F. Kennedy Elementary School• Davis Thayer Elementary School (now closed but students who attended still canvas in the Davis Thayer district)
What Does a District Parent do?
• You are the direct contact for the Elves who sign up in your district.• You assign streets to the Elves (The Pantry will provide street maps corresponding to elementary school districts).• Elves indicate their Elementary Schools when they sign up.• You help the Elves organize kick-off activities in the neighborhood....
o Distribute lawn signso Oversee envelope and flyer distributiono Help them to say thank you
• You sign off on community service hours (The Pantry will provide you with forms)• In-person Elves get 12 hours• Online Only Elves get 10 hours• You collect and deliver checks to The Pantry.
Elves can also choose to fund raise online only – you will not have any responsibilities to these Elves!
The Pantry will provide a staff contact to help District Parents.
Time commitment: November 1 – December 15
● 1 hour meeting with Pantry and other District Parents for kickoff● Meet with Food Elves to assign streets (in person at your home), give out lawn signs and envelopes● Answer Food Elf questions via email● Collect envelopes from Food Elves● Return envelopes to The Pantry
If interested in participating for the Oak or Jefferson district, please contact Jen Johnson at the Food Pantry. Her email is jjohnson@franklinfoodpantry.org
Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - August 8, 2023 - 7 PM
Franklin School Committee
August 8, 2023 - 7:00 PM
Municipal Building – Council Chambers
Call to Order Ms. Spencer
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Payment of Bills Mr. McNeill
C. Payroll Ms. Spencer
D. FHS Student Representative Comments
E. Superintendent’s Report
II. Guests/Presentations
A. 2022-23 Annual Report Draft
B. Summer Curriculum Review
C. Summer Learning Program Review
III. Discussion/Action Items
A. none
IV. Discussion Only Items
A. none
V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
B. School Committee Liaison Reports
VI. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your July 25, 2023 meeting as
detailed.
B. ECDC Surplus Books
I recommend declaring the list of books as surplus for ECDC as detailed.
VI. Good of the Order
VII. Citizen’s Comments
VIII. New Business
To discuss any future agenda items
IX. Executive Session - to return to open session only for the purpose of adjourning
A. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, Section 21 (a) (3) for the purpose of discussingstrategy as it relates to collective bargaining with the Franklin Cafeteria Union, asan open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of theCommittee, as declared by the Chair.
X. Adjournment
The agenda doc (including remote participation info)
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| Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - August 8, 2023 - 7 PM |
Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 055 - Senior Olympics, Independence Day, Hurtful Words, Homelessness (audio)
In this episode, the Franklin Senior Center Writers Group share stories, poems, and writings about hurtful words, Senior Olympics, Independence Day, Homelessness, and much more.
This episode aired on Franklin Radio for July 2023.
Audio file -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-055-senior-olympics-independence-day-hurtful-words-homelessness
Senior Story Hour - WFPR = The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group
Steve Sherlock hosts the Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more. If you'd like to join in person or remotely (via Zoom), contact the Franklin Senior Center to get on the mailing list.
Find more episodes here (or on your favorite podcast app) -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episodes
FEMA & FCC announce national test of Wireless Emergency Alert - Oct 4 at 2:20 PM
FEMA (@fema) posted Thu, Aug 03, 2023:
"@FEMA and @FCC will conduct a national test of the Wireless Emergency Alert and the Emergency Alert System this fall.
Cell phones, wireless devices, TVs and radios across the country will be sent a test alert around 2:20 pm on Oct 4."
additional details on the test: https://t.co/ke0EOoSYPK
Shared from -> https://t.co/QFet9BVXve
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| FEMA & FCC announce national test of Wireless Emergency Alert - Oct 4 at 2:20 PM |
OneFranklin: Recap of Wednesday's Joint Budget Subcmte Meeting - 08/02/23
Thank you One Franklin for attending last night's budget meeting! We were just about 200 strong (half in person and half zooming in) and our engagement was recognized and commended by our elected leaders. There is a link to the YouTube recording of the meeting at the bottom of this post.
We want to thank Tom Mercer, Chair of the Town Council, for bringing this group together to solve this financial crisis, and for his many years of leadership in Franklin. Councilor Mercer praised the One Franklin Committee's efforts to engage the community and went on to validate our initiative during his opening remarks.
"We are thrilled to see a dedicated group of folks that are ready to dig into the details of overrides and ballot questions…most in the community still have a lot to learn about the town's financial situation. Personally, I believe an override is needed just to continue the level of services provided to the community."
The meeting continued with our Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen's budget forecast, which is bleak. There is simply not enough revenue to support the services we have in town, and the deficit will increase over the next five years forcing cuts to all departments. The only debate was whether the forecast was too conservative and the outlook worse than anticipated as inflation (forecast at 2.5%)has shot up at rates of 7% in 2021 and 6.5% in 2022. In addition, Administrator Hellen identified several other potentially significant risks that are not accounted for in his budget (reduced state funding, increased IT expenses, etc.).
Department directors were asked about some of the most significant cost drivers in their expense budgets. DPW discussed how our lack of funding has caused our road ratings to go down. Police talked about how items required are not funded in their expense budget and instead must rely on the capital budget, which Franklin has in place for improvement projects (for example the new van for the senior center). Many will recall the staffing shortages that are affecting our police department as well, most recently losing two officers due to mandatory overtime obligations.
These were high level discussions, and more granular details will come as departments present to the full Town Council in the coming months. However, this session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee highlighted that it's not only our schools that are being forced to go without. Across the board our elected leaders continue to stress that the 'pot is not big enough'.
This is the starting point. Here is what we can expect, and what we all can do to support progress.
Our expectation is that the School Committee and the Superintendent will meet and begin to formulate the amount of money (above what was presented) they believe is required for an adequate school budget. They will bring this back to the Joint Budget Subcommittee. Concurrently, the Town Administrator will meet and gather information from the other municipal departments and do the same. For the sake of transparency, these amounts will specifically outline what the revenue will fund. The Joint Budget Subcommittee will facilitate this effort in order to bring all departments together and present an override amount to the entire Town Council.
This is not going to be an easy endeavor. It's crucial that we determine the correct number to bring forward for a vote, meaning we present the community with a number that is high enough to accomplish our goals, and low enough to be accepted. There are some that will find no number acceptable, and this is always the case. However, we believe that through education and transparency, our residents will show up unified in support of those providing our most essential services here in Franklin.
As discussed in last night's meeting, we want to ask the community to do their part in allowing this difficult and tedious process to be completed as quickly as possible. That said, our Superintendent and Town Administrator are expected to have little bandwidth for projects above and beyond this undertaking plus their standard professional obligations. One Franklin wants to support their effort every way we can.
Stay tuned for emails from OneFranklinVolunteers@gmail.com and spread the word! There will be upcoming events, activities and opportunities to contribute to the success of our goal.
We are One Franklin!!!
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| OneFranklin: Recap of Wednesday's Joint Budget Subcmte Meeting - 08/02/23 |
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