Tuesday, January 16, 2024

"Migrants want to work. And employers want to hire them"

"In the midst of the migrant crisis, there is opportunity: thousands of new arrivals eager to find jobs that employers around the state are desperate to fill.

And these mutual needs are starting to be met. Migrants living in at-capacity emergency shelters are trickling into the workforce: packaging cooking oil in Ayer; caring for patients with developmental disabilities in Waltham; gearing up to clean hospital rooms in Salem.

But getting to that point has required a massive undertaking. After holding clinics to speed up the work authorization process, the state launched a job skills training program that allows migrants living in shelters to start learning — and earning a stipend — while they wait for the US government to issue them work permits, and just announced two new hires dedicated to connecting migrants with jobs. Workers from MassHire Career Centers are going into shelters to connect migrants with English classes and help them find jobs. And employers are opening their doors to shelter residents — donating space for training sessions and even hiring translators to assist new hires.

Salem Hospital has offered housekeeping jobs to six Haitian migrants living at a shelter nearby on the campus of Salem State University, and filling them would be a major milestone."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Register O'Donnell's "Suits for Success" Program Donates to Boston's St. Francis House

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell donated a carload of smart casual clothing, business attire, and wool coats totaling more than 100 articles of clothing to St. Francis House in Boston through the "Suits for Success" program.

The often-taken-for-granted suit or dress clothes hidden away in the back closet and only occasionally seeing the light of day may seem to some like an unfortunate necessity. However, for those looking to regain self-sufficiency, quality clothing can be that extra push they need and help them on the path to success. 

"These clothes will be put to good use and appreciated by the thousands who come to St. Francis House each year for a fresh pair of clothes in times of need," said Keri Thomas, St. Francis House Vice President of Programs and Services. "It is so valuable and necessary in getting individuals ready for the next step and help them to become more independent."

St. Francis House's mission is to rebuild lives by providing refuge and pathways to stability for adults experiencing homelessness and poverty. They aim to transform lives using a holistic approach to understanding and addressing behavioral health, housing, and employment needs.

Register O'Donnell's "Suits for Success"
Register O'Donnell's "Suits for Success"

 

Register O'Donnell's "Suits for Success"
Register O'Donnell's "Suits for Success"


Register O'Donnell remarked, "It is my great pleasure to deliver these clothing donations to Boston's St. Francis House on behalf of the residents of Norfolk County. I thank all those who donated to our 'Suits for Success' program, and I hope other local residents and businesses will consider making a clothing donation to their local nonprofit organization. Organizations like the St. Francis House are truly needed and are a great resource for the community."

St. Francis House has been aiding the community since 1984. They provide a range of services, including clinical care, behavioral health services, and job counseling. They also offer food, clothing, and affordable and low-threshold housing to those in need.

"Donations like this help ensure the physical and emotional safety of our guests and assist in the process of changing the trajectory of their lives and moving beyond homelessness," said Thomas. "It offers choices to people who have had total control of their lives taken away, and this is the final touch that can help individuals land a job and help them on their path to becoming self-sufficient.  

Since the Registry started the "Suits for Success" program in February 2009, it has distributed more than 11,200 articles of clothing to local charitable organizations.

The "Suits for Success" program, developed by Register O'Donnell, partners with groups like Interfaith Social Services of Quincy, Father Bill's & MainSpring of Quincy, the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System Voluntary Service Program, Circle of Hope in Needham, United Parish's Thrifty Threads, St. Vincent de Paul in Plainville, St. Francis House in Boston, Suits and Smiles in Jamaica Plain, InnerCity Weightlifting and New Life Furniture Bank of Massachusetts in Walpole to assist those who are in need of clothing as well as household items. The mission of "Suits for Success" is to collect donations of suitable clothing to be distributed to individuals who may need appropriate attire for employment interviews.

"During the past decade, we have learned that programs like 'Suits for Success' work," said O'Donnell. "This program has given many people a valuable resource to help them on the path to success and may ultimately help them achieve self-sufficiency. It is rewarding just to help others in our community who may be looking to take that next step in a search for a job or just have a suit to go to a wedding or other event."

If you would like to stay up-to-date on upcoming Registry of Deeds events, programs, and real estate information, you can sign up for our Registry email updates at www.norfolkdeeds.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/norfolkdeeds, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/norfolkdeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Tuesday, Jan 16, 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

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 Menthal Health: Donna Grady
10:00 am Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 1
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles
12:30 pm The Only Cure Is Education
1:00 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts
1:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 1
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10
4:00 pm Riffin' on Main Street: Thomas J. Lynch
5:30 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records
6:00 pm Senior Connection: Joe Landry
7:00 pm Pack 92 Pinewood Derby 2022
9:00 pm The Black Box: Disney Stars of Broadway

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 3 01-15-19
9:00 am MICCA Festival 2019
11:30 am FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 05-29-21
1:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
2:00 pm Menthal Health: Donna Grady
3:00 pm Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 1 01-28-19
4:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball v Wachusett 01-10-24
8:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Foxboro 01-09-24

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY

8:00 am School Committee 01-09-24
11:00 am Finance Committee 01-10-24
2:00 pm School Committee 01-09-24


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


Monday, January 15, 2024

"if America is to be a great nation (Yes), this must become true" (video)

Take a few minutes to listen to, or read, the "I have a dream" speech given by Martin Luther King in August of 1963.
"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. (My Lord, No, no, no, no) [applause] We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline."

The full text of the speech can be found here: https://freedomsring.stanford.edu/?view=Speech

 

 

TURNAROUND - On the Road With Salt (video)

The Town of Franklin’s Public Works Department searches for a better way to use salt in the winter. Yes, familiar folks in a great production summarizes road treatments for winter travel.

If you are curious about the squiggly lines on the roads before recent storms, you can get the backstory here.
"We’ve come to expect, during winter in New England, being able to get out and drive around, even in the middle of a snowstorm.  Town and city DPW’s are using more and more road salt to keep us safe from ice and snow.  But after a storm, that salt hasn’t disappeared.  As the snow melts, the salt will be washed away and into our groundwater and soils.  High levels of sodium chloride in the environment are dangerous to plants and animals, corrosive on our cars and infrastructure, and increase health risks to humans.

In this episode, Franklin, Massachusetts DPW director “Brutus” Cantoreggi describes how he has to manage both keeping the roads safe from ice and providing clean, salt-free drinking water to the residents.  Highway Superintendent Carlos Rebelo describes the DPW’s efforts – technological, policy, and communal – to reduce how much salt they put down in the winter."

Video link -> https://vimeo.com/873725151/37d37e904c 

TURNAROUND - On the Road With Salt (video)
TURNAROUND - On the Road With Salt (video)

Your help is needed to complete the Water Service Line Inventory

The Town of Franklin Public Works Department is undertaking a federally mandated survey of all customer service pipe materials and we need YOUR HELP to complete the Town’s Water Service Line Inventory!
To complete the survey and submit your inspection findings, please visit: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/013052aa261942bf8fd7050476189e64

Your help is needed to complete the Water Service Line Inventory
Your help is needed to complete the Water Service Line Inventory




FHS Gymnastics makes progress

FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) posted on Sun, Jan 14, 2024:

FINAL Franklin 129.85 vs Taunton's 136.6 

Franklin was defeated by a strong poised Taunton team this morning, always a great time competing against  them! I am proud of my team who progressed AGAIN from our meet against OA and up 2 more points. Our team continues to work things out give more of themselves, we are our own competition and we move the needle every meet. So many wins for us today! We haven't been a fully strong or healthy team since day one and watching these girls step up in ways they never thought they would have to, has been so amazing to watch. Progress is the name of the game for us and that is what we are focused on and having a blast doing it! I typically only highlight top 4's but there are so many deserving shout outs!!

FHS Gymnastics makes progress
FHS Gymnastics makes progress
VAULT - typically our strongest and we continued to deliver solid results. Couple of JV shout outs, Keira Bellunduno progressing to a 7.75 and Ansley Cummings with a 7.45! Ciara O'Brien getting stronger 8.15, Molly Chandler 8.35, Abby Robillard 8.4 and Ryann Chandler 8.7. 

BARS - we had so many improvements and adding in small things that were executed cleanly and they paid off. We went from counting 3 scores
last week in the 6's to counting 3 scores in the 7 's! Makayla Sanders up .1 from last meet 6.8, Ciara up .1 from last meet to 7.0, Kendra Love up .4 last meet to 7.2 and Abby R up .5 from last meet to 7.8 that may not seem like a lot but it's huge for us and the progress they are making!!

BEAM - name of the game is executing and staying on beam! Huge shout out to Bella Jacoby up .2 from last meet and NO FALLS! 7.5, Lilly Cardin put her flight back in and she landed beautifully and I'm so proud of her for going for it again! Teammate Ciara O'Brien debuted and did her job for her team with an 8.1, Abby R up .3 from last meet with an 8.25, Ryann Chandler rounding it out with a 8.35 and Molly C continues to be steady and land every skill with an 8.4 all scores that counted zero falls! 

FLOOR - is where we really shinned today! Kicking it off Molly D'Amato putting down her strongest floor routine and improving by .9 from last meet just shy of 8.0 (7.9) so proud of the work she put in!! Abby S still improving and up .3 for a 8.3 Molly C jumping up a full point to an 8.4,  Ryann C continues to work on her routine and put down a solid 8.4, Abby R up .6 for an 8.8 and Kendra up another .2 for an 8.8.

Major improvements they work hard, results are showing from their efforts they support each other and have each other's backs. Love this team!!

So proud of this team!  Keep working hard it's all starting to come together!! 

@FHSSports @FranklinHS @HockomockSports @fhsgymboosters @FHSPantherbook @FHSGirlsSports @FranklinMatters @MetroWestSports @KatCornetta 

Shared from -> https://t.co/Z9mqrHOrnF

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Monday, Jan 15, 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

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 SAFE Coalition: Task Force
9:00 am Ben Gardner's Boat
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles
12:30 pm The Only Cure Is Education
1:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Appetizers
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 1
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10
3:30 pm Veterans' Call: Steve Crouteau
4:30 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Safety on the Roads
5:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
5:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Acoustic X
7:30 pm Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 1
9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Seth Glier

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY

8:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Dedham 01-10-24
10:00 am Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 1 01-28-19
11:30 am Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 1
1:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith
2:30 pm SAFE Coalition: Task Force
4:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball v Wachusett 01-10-24
8:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v North Attleboro 01-11-24

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY

8:00 am Planning Board: 12-18-23
11:00 am Finance Committee 01-10-24
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  

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Events for Ben Franklin Book Week January 14-21, 2024

Tues. 1/16 Ben Franklin’s Journey from Slaveholder to Abolitionist AND African Son, a discussion. Local historian Jim Johnston and Historical Commission Chair, Alan Earls, will start the discussion with Jim regarding Ben Franklin’s initial acceptance of the institution of slavery and his eventual “conversion” within the context of the 18th century world, the Enlightenment, the Great Awakening, and the American Revolution. Jim will then take the story of slavery into the 19th century with a discussion of his novel, African Son*, which traces the fortunes of an African man who is enslaved in 1815 and has his survival skills tested in his new “home” in pre- Civil War Georgia…6:30 PM at the Franklin Historical Museum. FREE

Weds. 1/17 Ben Franklin Autobiography* LIVE Readathon at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, 9:30 AM on Ben’s Birthday, Jan 17 2023. Come and participate! Contact Alan Earls with any questions (alan.r.earls@gmail.com). FREE. Note, the ‘kick off ‘ speaker will be Franklin’s Congressman, Jake Auchincloss followed by State Senator Becca Rausch and State Rep. Jeff Roy.  Volunteer readers typically participate for 10-15 minutes in sharing this classic work of American literature. Completion times vary but the event will likely end around 5 PM. Sign up for a reading slot here or just come by to listen.

Ben Franklin Book Week
Ben Franklin Book Week

Weds. 1/17
SPECIAL Trivia Night at Teddy Gallagher’s on Main Street. The BEST TRIVIA NIGHT South of Boston happens on Tuesday Nights at Teddy Gallagher’s Irish pub in Franklin. In honor of Book Week, there will be an ADDITIONAL Trivia night on Wednesday, focusing on ‘bookish” topics — Come for the fun, bring your friends and a smartphone. 6:30 PM at 30 Main Street. See you there!

Thurs. 1/18 World PREMIERE, “The Boatbuilders” Pre-release Screening & Discussion Thursday January 18th. 6.30 PM Franklin Public Library. Join Director Gregg Seibert and Producer & Dean College Historian R. A. Lawson for a Pre-release screening of the first episode and Discussion of their new Documentary Series, “The Boatbuilders”! The docuseries uncovers the historical legacy and present-day impact of the boat building community, showcasing boatbuilders, sailors, and owners who speak to the realities of boat building today. FREE

Fri. 1/19 Get to know ‘Ben’s Books’ — Meet Reference Librarian Vicki Earls on the second floor of the Franklin Public Library, at the display case, at 2 PM for the story of the books Franklin donated to our town — what are they and how did they end up in Franklin! Attendees will receive a newly published, illustrated mini-book all about THE books! FREE

Fri. 1/19 BIG Library Book Sale. Friday, January 19th, 1:00 - 5:00 PM and Saturday, January 20th, 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. All books are just one dollar!

Sat. 1/20 Children’s Ben Franklin Story Time. 10:30 AM at Escape Into Fiction Bookstore, 12 Main Street FREE

Sat. 1/20 Ben Franklin, America’s First Scientist — a talk and demonstration by engineer-entrepreneur John Berg, on Saturday, Jan 20, 2023 from 10 to 1 at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St. FREE

Sat. 1/20 Bag Sale Finale of Library Book Sale. 1 PM to 4 PM  $5 per bag!

1/20 Vera Meyer and Ben Franklin’s Glass Armonica. Among Ben Franklin’s most amazing inventions is the glass armonica, a series of concentric, rotating crystal glass bowls that can be played (think of the sound of wine glass rims being rubbed). Mozart and others composed music for it. And Boston area musician and expert Vera Meyer will return to Franklin for a performance featuring many styles of music. Don’t miss the haunting, ethereal, and beautiful sounds of the armonica at the Franklin Public Library 6:30 - 8 PM. FREE (School St entrance)

1/21 Ben Franklin Considered and Reconsidered — an authorized showing of PBS interviews with modern leaders discussing the many facets of Ben Franklin. Sunday Jan 21, 2023 from 1-4 PM at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St. Audience members will be encouraged to continue the discussion! FREE

Check for updates -> https://benfranklinbookweek.com/

The Children’s Museum of Franklin to start with pop ups (audio)

FM #1136 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1136 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my conversation with the founders of the forthcoming Children’s Museum of Franklin; Meg Hagen and Erin Gallagher


Meg and Erin fill us in on their Franklin story, the idea for the museum, starting as a pop up or mobile museum for now to help build interest and community excitement.


There are opportunities to help volunteer and contribute in other ways as well as financially. The show notes contain links to their web page with their pop up schedule and contact and contribution forms.


Let’s listen to my conversation with Meg and Erin

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1136-childrens-museum-franklin-starts-with-popups-01-10-24


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


Franklin Children’s Museum -> https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/ 


Events -> https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/events 


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


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"


The Children’s Museum of Franklin to start with pop ups (audio)
The Children’s Museum of Franklin to start with pop ups (audio)

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for January 17, 2024 Meeting

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
January 17, 2024 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street


1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.
c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
a. Proclamation: FISH of Franklin
5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled
8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Discussion: Franklin Food Pantry Update - Tina Powderly, Executive Director 
b. Discussion: Homelessness Report - Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
 
9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 24-05: Termination of the Massachusetts Statewide Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund, as well as Dedication of Revenues Thereto, as Authorized by G.L. Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2023 (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-05 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9a._24-05_-_termination_of_and_dedication_into_the_opioid_settlement_stabilization_fund.pdf
10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
a. Migrant Housing Update
11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Budget Subcommittee
d. Master Plan Committee
e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee
f. Police Station Building Committee
g. GATRA Advisory Board
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting


Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for January 17, 2024 Meeting
Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for January 17, 2024 Meeting

FHS wrestling go 2-1 at Algonquin Quad meet on Saturday

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, Jan 13, 2024. 


Girls Hockey = Franklin, 3 vs. Westwood, 7 – Final
Nifty move by Julia Flynn moving the puck out from behind the net then putting it short side for the 🚨. Panthers trail 3-1 in the second.

Dennett to Flynn through the neutral zone. Julia finds top corner far side.  Panthers trail 4-2.

Julia Flynn picked up a loose puck in the D zone, took it the length of the ice and finished strong

Wrestling = Algonquin Quad (Franklin) 
Good day of wrestling in Algonquin, Franklin goes 2-1 with a wins against Westford Academy 57-21 and Algonquin 54-27 and a loss too West Springfield 48-34.

Pins from Charlton(1), Nash(2), Caccevelli(3), Sauer(2), Carlucci (2), Griffen(1),Rosenberg (2), Lawler(2), Large (2), Pritoni (2), Francois(1). OW goes to Roman Caccevelli with 3 pins  
https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1746237040411251177

For other results around the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com
FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Franklin TV: PEG in a Nutshell – 10

The State of Streaming Media - 2024

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 01/14/2024

The On-demand Streaming Video (SVoD) industry has been around long enough to have a history. The novelty is long-faded, and maturing is afoot. There were late-comers to the party. Predictably, most of these more recent arrivals didn’t survive because there wasn’t much growth opportunity left at the buffet table. Even the players with large legacy libraries are seeing profits dwindle. Today they struggle with the same issue that legacy networks and cable carriers do. Remember, Bill Clinton’s quip? “It’s the economy, stupid.”

In this case it’s the cost of programming – quality programs that folks will seek out. No one is making any money. Their business models are being ‘tweaked’ (optimized). That translates into higher subscriber fees, tighter password sharing limits, and/or also including – commercials. Note that you can’t skip over their ads.

The two big take-aways: New TV is becoming more like old TV, and like old TV, eventually there will be fewer streaming choices due to consolidation.

In 2018 I anticipated an asymptotic point would emerge in about 5 years. Today, the U.S. Cable TV homes that don’t have streaming service is only 5 percent. That statistic clearly indicates a no-growth market – saturation – the stable asymptote.

On-demand Streaming Video (SVoD) industry
On-demand Streaming Video (SVoD) industry
The SVoD industry average annual churn rate for streaming services is 50 percent, meaning many services are also struggling to keep their customers. Again, offering quality ‘binge-worthy’ programming – consistently – is costly. Further, binging is becoming restricted – fewer ‘full-season drops’ are giving way to ‘3 episode, teaser’ drops, then weekly drops that ‘encourage’ (force) subscribers to hang on longer.

What does all this mean for local studios like us? Cord-cutting was initially a way to save on home entertainment. However, it reduces our revenue from Comcast and Verizon. Over the next 5 years we anticipate some stabilization at a revenue reduction of about 10 percent. It means keeping our operating costs down while continuing to offer the most (and best) local programs possible.

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 
And – as always – thanks for watching.

 

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

Veterans' Council Meeting - January 18, 2024 - 7:00 PM

All Franklin residents are invited!

The next monthly Veterans' Council meeting will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street.

All Franklin residents interested in Veterans' activities and events are welcome to join us.

Meetings are held the third Thursday of every month.

For more information, please contact the Veterans' Services Office: (508) 613-1315.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/veterans-council-meeting-january-18-2024-700-pm

Veterans' Council Meeting - January 18, 2024 - 7:00 PM
Veterans' Council Meeting - January 18, 2024 - 7:00 PM

The Rainbow Connection: A 6-week Workshop at SAFE Coalition

Via Ted Cormier-Leger: 

Parents, LGBTQ teens and Allies- here is an exciting new opportunity in Franklin thanks to my friends at the Safe Coalition.  
Contact them directly for more information -> info@safecoalition.org
The Rainbow Connection: A 6-week Workshop at SAFE Coalition
The Rainbow Connection: A 6-week Workshop at SAFE Coalition


Mental Health Crisis series continues with discussion on Franklin Police response

"Yesterday (1/09/24) Clinicians Kallie Montagano and Sonja Wagner joined Dr. Anne Bergen for an interview on Franklin TV. 
They discussed the new Franklin Police Co-Response Program, what it’s like working alongside police officers, how they assist us on calls, trends they're seeing in our community, and how they can close the gap on those who need services."


Once the video recording is available, the schedule for Comcast/Verizon subscribers will be shared. 

Once posted to YouTube, that link will also be shared.

The current playlist on YouTube contains 3 video episodes ->  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbAODFjFPJ0xz0S1gE-frJKC3DuBz20PA