Some walked, some ran, they took the plunge to start the new year!
Additional photos of the event can be found at
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
2024-2025 Town Council and Town Administration Work Plan (draft for review at Council Mtg 1/03/24)
December 29, 2023
Memorandum
To: Town Council
From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator
Re: Resolution 24-01: Adoption of 2024-2025 Town Council and Town Administration Work Plan
Please see the attached DRAFT work plan for the upcoming 2024-2025 Council session. This list has been compiled by the town departments and reflects projects that have been financed and/or started and that fall within the capacity of the current town staffing structure. As you can see, the theme of the next two years is to finish what has been started, as well as projects that are currently awaiting legal approval, such as the Master Plan and Open Space Plan.
Please let us know if you have any questions!
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2024-2025 Town Council and Town Administration Work Plan
Last updated: January 3, 2024
The following are a list of proposed goals (not in any particular order) by the Town Council and Town Administrator for the 2024-2025 session.
Finance
● Review & approve biennial Town Finance Policies
● Review annual financial audit and OPEB actuarial
● Conduct a market analysis on Chapter 82 fees for service
● Authorize and manage final allotments of ARPA federal stimulus funds
● Approve annual capital budget for FY24 and FY25
● Approve annual operating budget for FY25 and FY26
● Evaluate and discuss the need for an override through the Joint Budget Subcommittee
● Commence collective bargaining prior to contract expiration (Summer 2025)
● Reevaluate and approve revised borrowing legislation for school and town facilities
Economic Development (To the EDC)
● Comply with the MBTA Communities law, including evaluating the potential of rezoning around Forge Park MBTA station
● Monitor statewide Housing Bond Bill & housing legislation relative to ADU’s
● Support and codify a grease trap bylaw with the Board of Health and Sewer Department.
● Discuss a 40R Bylaw
● Prioritize and/or implement recommendations from the Housing Production Plan and townwide Master Plan (pending approval of the Master Plan by the Planning Board)
● Execute Phase 1 of the branding & marketing analysis, including a refresh of the town and school websites
● Continue to research and discuss a home occupation business bylaw
● Research zoning relative to shared kitchen spaces
● Review and approve the Franklin Crossing Neighborhood zoning district (C-1)
● Collaborate with FPS, local, regional and statewide stakeholders to prepare for and market Franklin when the World Cup arrives in 2026 in Foxborough
Public Works
● Support and educate the community on the Beaver Street Interceptor project
● Develop a strategy to prioritize town infrastructure investments, including roads, sidewalks, stormwater, sewer, water and recycling
● Evaluate the need for a stormwater rate increase to meet the federal mandate
● Approve a new 5-year Water Main replacement plan
● Complete the state land swap and design the Recycling Center
● Implement the Water Tank Analysis Master Plan
● Apply for the next phase of Complete Streets grant funding
● Continue to fund and accept public ways
Facilities
● Support the staff in completing the backlog of funded or partially designed projects, including:
○ Municipal Building renovation○ Hire an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) to lead the Police Station Building project○ Restore the Cupola in the Franklin Historic Museum and hire an architect to reevaluate the Museum floor plan to create more flexible exhibit spaces○ Replace High School visitor bleachers and sound system○ Design and build the Senior Center Pavilion (also install sign lighting)○ Update the design of the Remington-Jefferson renovation○ Support the King Street Memorial Park rehabilitation
● Collaborate with the School Department on a Comprehensive Facilities Assessment
● Evaluate the reuse of the Davis-Thayer School by issuing a preliminary Expression of Interest and finalizing the property appraisal
● Work with Habitat for Humanity to execute the Purchase & Sale and Renovation of the Old South Church on Washington Street
● Apply for the next round of Green Communities grant funding
General Government
● Promote and educate on the new sidewalk snow removal bylaw
● Evaluate and discuss a Flag Policy
● Accept Municipal Disability Commission statute
● Execute Cannabis Control Commission’s unfunded mandates to comply with new permitting regulations and equity requirements for private cannabis companies
● Support School & Town Finance and HR departments’ reorganization, electronic personnel records integration, onboarding software, succession planning, MUNIS updates, and expanding LinkedIn recruiting and retention presence
● Research and evaluate a revised Family Leave policy
● Fund and lead a townwide Polco/NRC/ICMA scientific “Citizen Satisfaction Survey” to evaluate and help prioritize policy development and strategic planning goals
● Fund and Master Plan Maple Hill and Schmidt Farm parcels
● Prioritize Open Space and Recreation Plan implementation goals (once approved).
● Review and approve a Public Art Display Policy
● Establish a 250th Town Anniversary Committee
● Collaborate with Dean College to establish and build stronger relationships and support collaboration on shared initiatives
● Develop a strategy for the use of opioid settlement funds
Administrative (Presentations/Discussions)
● Establish an Ad Hoc subcommittee to review Town Council biennial Rules of Procedure
● Establish an Ad Hoc subcommittee to evaluate the Town Administrator annually
● Presentation update on the Franklin Ridge project
● Presentation on homelessness in Massachusetts
a. Discussion: 2024-2025 Town Council & Town Administration Work Plan
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8a._24-01_tc_and_ta_goals.pdf |
| 2024-2025 Town Council and Town Administration Work Plan (draft for review at Council Mtg 1/03/04) |
Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee - agenda for Jan 3, 2024 meeting
Franklin Public Schools
Franklin School Committee
Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee
January 3, 2024 - 5:00 PM
Municipal Building 3rd Floor Training Room
1. McKibben Demographic Report
2. Vision RFP Outcomes
3. Facilities Analysis RFP Outcomes
4. Review of Timeline
The agenda doc contains remote participation info -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/comprehensive_facilities_planning_subcom-1_3_24.pdf
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| Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee - agenda for Jan 3, 2024 meeting |
Last day to reply to the survey to help "Form Franklin's Future"?
"FORM FRANKLIN'S FUTURE" SURVEY - HELP US TO FORM FRANKLIN'S FUTURE!
Your participation in this survey is critical as we establish a vision for Franklin's future. Those who complete the survey can enter for a chance to win one of two $100 gift cards to local establishments!
Please access the survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3T7jshULa1s5NJUeYLW2mzE2EZ3nNBkJKJVFzJ7fvNxRTIQ/viewform
Surveys are due by January 3, 2024
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| Have you replied to the survey? |
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/form-franklins-future-survey-updated
Last days to try your hand at the "Year in Review" Quiz on the News in the Town of Franklin for 2023?
How closely did you pay attention to the Town of Franklin news during 2023?
A Town of Franklin "Year in Review" news quiz
10 questions (10 points each), and a bonus question (5 points).
Submit a valid email at the beginning of the quiz, and at the end of the quiz, you can select to receive how you did on the quiz sent to that email.
We'll keep the quiz open until January 7, 2024 and share the overall results.
Raillery Pub schedules 2nd Chance Band for Saturday entertainment
It's Tuesday, so it must be Taco Tuesday!
2nd Chance Band set to play on Saturday
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| Raillery Pub schedules 2nd Chance Band for Saturday entertainment |
Shared from the Raillery -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C1kuDSXu0tM/
Curbside trash/recycling schedule for New Year's week
CURBSIDE TRASH/RECYCLING HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
- (January 1-5, 2024) No pick-up on Monday, January 1
- 1 day delay the rest of the week
- Monday on Tuesday, Tuesday on Wednesday, etc...
- Regular Friday, January 5 pick-up will be on Saturday, January 6
When is the curbside tree collection scheduled?
On your normal pickup day during the week of Jan 8 through 12, 2024
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| Curbside tree collection scheduled for the week of Jan 8, 2024 |
And if you misplaced the Curbside Pickup schedule, you can download and print a new one -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_program_guide_2023-2024.pdf
Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Tuesday, Jan 2, 2024
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Tuesday
9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era
11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY
7:00 am The Black Box: Tappy Christmas 2019
9:00 am Mental Health: Amy Frigulietti
10:00 am Frank Presents: Jay Elias Pt 2
11:00 am Frank's Musings: Israel
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles
12:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta
1:00 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza
1:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes October November
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 8
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9
4:00 pm Riffin' on Main Street: James McLaughlin
5:30 pm Physician Focus: Telemedicine
6:00 pm Senior Connection: Disabilities Commission
9:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Legally Blonde
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY
7:00 am Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 1 12-11-18
9:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2023
11:30 am FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 05-29-21
1:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes October November
2:00 pm Mental Health: Amy Frigulietti
3:00 pm Public School Event: FHS Chorus & Orchestra 2023
4:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball v Foxboro 12-20-23
8:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Canton 12-20-23
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY
8:00 am School Committee: 12-12-23
12:00 pm Finance Committee: 12-13-23
2:00 pm School Committee: 12-12-23
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Monday, January 1, 2024
Senior Center events for the week of Jan 1, 2024
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Welcome 2024.
Here’s what’s happening to kick off the new year this week"
Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1hWVOLO-sl/
Special episode on the MA Climate Leader Community program with Ted McIntyre & Cobi Frongillo (audio)
FM #1122 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1122 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the output of The Climate Minute podcast episode hosted by Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist, where he and I talked with Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo. We met to record via the Zoom conference bridge on Thursday, December 28, 2023.
The key topic for this session is Cobi’s advocacy for Franklin to be part of the Climate Leader Community program established by the State of MA.
Our conversation covers the six criteria for this program:
Be a Green Community in good standing
Have a local body (sustainability committee, energy committee, etc.) that advises the municipality on clean energy/climate initiatives
Commit to eliminate on-site fossil fuel use by 2050 (municipal buildings/operations)
Create a municipal decarbonization roadmap
Adopt a Zero-Emission Vehicle first policy
Adopt the Specialized Opt-In building code
This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well.
If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.
The conversation runs about 53 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted and Cobi. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1122-making-sense-of-climate-37-12-28-23
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Link to the MA page on Climate Leader Communities -> https://www.mass.gov/info-details/climate-leader-communities
Links to other places you can find The Climate Minute
https://massclimateaction.podbean.com/e/what-does-it-take-to-become-a-climateleader-community/
You can listen to the #ClimateMinute on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-climate-minute/id589025783
You can listen to the #ClimateMinute on Podbean
https://massclimateaction.podbean.com/
You can listen to the #ClimateMinute on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/3UIZfLRoUQVLXUY2jMAsCk
** See the page that collects all the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html
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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 www.franklin.news/ or www.Franklinmatters.org/
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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| Special episode on the MA Climate Leader Community program with Ted McIntyre & Cobi Frongillo (audio) |
Coach CJ Neely says "Thanks to all who supported our trip"
FHS basketball Coach CJ Neely (@CoachCJNeely) posted Sun, Dec 31, 2023:
Shared from -> https://twitter.com/CoachCJNeely/status/1741477789784519041
"Awesome trip to Florida for the KSA Holiday Tournament. So much fun with a really great group of young men. 2-1 on the trip and excited to be back.
Thanks to all who supported our trip, helped with fundraising and assisted us in any way.
We are grateful! https://t.co/218zWd3O6s
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| Coach CJ Neely says "Thanks to all who supported our trip" |
Shared from -> https://twitter.com/CoachCJNeely/status/1741477789784519041
Board of Health - Agenda for Meeting, Weds, Jan 3 at 5:00 PM
BOARD OF HEALTH AGENDA
January 3, 2024 - 5:00 PM
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
● Reading and acceptance December 6, 2023
NEW BUSINESS
● BOH Scheduled Meetings for 2024● Humanitarian Crisis Update● Reduced Oxygen Packaging Policy● Topic of the month● Metacomet shared service grant regional inspector report● Metacomet shared service grant public health nurse report● Metacomet shared service grant epidemiologist report
CITIZENS COMMENTARY
ADJOURNMENT
Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->
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| Board of Health - Agenda for Meeting, Weds, Jan 3 at 5:00 PM |
History Photographed: "This too shall pass"
History Photographed (@HistoryInPics) posted Sun, Dec 31, 2023:
"For a quick moment, imagine you were born in 1900. When you are 14, World War I starts, and ends on your 18th birthday with 22 million people killed. Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until you are 20. Fifty million people die from it in those two years. Yes, 50 million. When you're 29, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%, global GDP drops 27%. That runs until you are 33. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy. When you turn 39, World War II starts. You aren’t even over the hill yet. When you're 41, the United States is fully pulled into WWII. Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people perish in the war and the Holocaust kills six million. At 52, the Korean War starts and five million perish. At 64 the Vietnam War begins, and it doesn’t end for many years. Four million people die in that conflict. Approaching your 62nd birthday you have the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tipping point in the Cold War. Life on our planet, as we know it, could well have ended. Great leaders prevented that from happening. As you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends. Think of everyone on the planet born in 1900. How do you survive all of that? A child in 1985 didn’t think their 85 year old grandparent understood how hard school was. Yet those grandparents survived through everything listed above. Perspective is an amazing thing. With so much happening right now and as 2023 ends, let's try to keep things in perspective, knowing that we will get through all of this. In the history of the world, there has never been a storm that lasted forever.
This too shall pass."
Shared from -> https://t.co/JyInPcL7PC
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| History Photographed: "This too shall pass" |
Vala Afshar: 60 life lessons to remember in the new year
Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) posted Sun, Dec 31, 2023:
"60 life lessons to remember in the new year:
1 lost money can be found; lost time is lost forever
2 to learn, unlearn, relearn and then change yourself is a superpower
3 you are not your job
4 networking is about giving
5 the best teacher is your last mistake
6 good …"
To continue reading the list follow this link -> https://twitter.com/ValaAfshar/status/1741455949087355021
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| Vala Afshar: 60 life lessons to remember in the new year |
Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Monday, Jan 1, 2024
- 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 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
8:00 am Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament
9:00 am FPAC Holiday Production: The Nutcracker
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles
12:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta
1:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Candy Apples
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza
3:30 pm Veterans' Call: Dave Hencke
4:30 pm Winter Wonderland 2023
5:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes October November
5:30 pm Winter Wonderland: Elvis Presley
7:30 pm Frank Presents: Jay Elias Pt 2
8:30 pm Frank's Musings: Israel
9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Ellis Paul
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY
8:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Mansfield 12-20-23
10:00 am Public School Event: FHS Chorus & Orchestra 2023
11:30 am Public School Concert: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2023
1:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes October November
2:30 pm Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament
4:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball v Foxboro 12-20-23
6:00 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing
8:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Oliver Ames 12-12-23
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY
8:00 am Planning Board: 12-18-23
12:00 pm Finance Committee: 12-13-23
2:00 pm Planning Board: 12-18-23
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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