Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcommittee gets insights and next steps (audio)

FM #1157 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1157 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the FPS Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcommittee meeting held on March 13, 2024. The meeting was held in the 3rd floor training room. 

Participating in the room: D Callaghan, Supt. Giguere, Dr. Dutch, Dr. Rogers, P Marano, M D’Angelo, K Ham, and E Gallagher

Participating remotely: A Charles (for part of meeting)

Quick recap:

• Supt Giguere set up for Kate Jessup (?) Kaestle Boos  to provide her insights and findings as part of the tours and workshops, she has taken part of or facilitated

• Capturing the slides with photos (as they were shared), the presentation copy should be posted to the School page in the next day or so. When I find it, I’ll add the link here

The meeting runs about 65 minutes so let’s listen to the FPS Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcommittee meeting held on March 13, 2024.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1157-fps-comprehensive-school-facility-plng-mtg-03-13-24

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School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

Meeting Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/fps_comprehensive_facilities_planning_sub_committee_agenda.pdf 

Photo album of the slides shared -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/GasFSL4EuKTwduid9 

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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 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"

Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcommittee gets insights and next steps (audio)

Franklin High School Mock Trial Team Competes in Elite 8

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Principal Joshua Hanna and Assistant Principal Michael Walsh are excited to share that Franklin High School's Mock Trial Team competed in the state's Elite 8 trial at the Moakley Courthouse in Boston. 

The team of about 30 students is led by team captains Anton Sackley, Jacob Bowser, Carolina Rawan, Ahan Shetty and Liana Warnakulasooriya.

Street Law and AP Government teacher Johnna MacLean serves as the club's faculty advisor with help from Franklin native Andrew Kepple, who is the Assistant Clerk Magistrate at the Southeast Housing Court.

The team secured a spot at the Regional Trials after winning three trials in a row. Then, the team advanced to the Fab14 and secured eighth place, advancing the team to the Elite 8 trial on Tuesday, March 12*.

Franklin High School competed in this trial against Dover-Sherborn High School, Newton South High School, The Winsor School, Gann Academy, Malden Catholic High School, St. John's Preparatory High School, and Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School. 

"The team's work ethic and professionalism were remarkable," Superintendent Lucas Giguere said. "They've arrived to competitions with victory in mind," he said. 

This year's case is Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Maiyer Wahl, which is a criminal trial, and the team had to prepare both prosecution and defense roles. Their side of the case was only revealed on the day of the trial. The team performed outstandingly but lost by one point to Pioneer Valley, with a score of 101-100.

In addition to their successes this season, the Franklin Hill School Mock Trial team has had a history of impressive wins. Franklin High School has been to the Final Four round three times in the team's history and to the State Finals in 2019. 

"The students have thoroughly prepared for their trials, and their hard work has paid off," MacLean said. "We made it to the top eight out of 111 teams this season and I'm incredibly proud!"

* Updated via Principal Josh Hanna, the team lost by 1 point on Tuesday, March 12.

Does Food Count as a Basic Human Right? - March 17 at 10 AM

Join us for worship on March 17, as the First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) Food Insecurity Team, and their special guest, Tina Powderly, the Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry, explore their collective and personal journeys from focusing on alleviating food insecurity to that of Food Justice. 

Food Justice is the belief that access to food is a basic human right which can only be achieved if one advocates for structural change across the entire food system. Unfortunately, our current food system rests upon many inherent, deeply entrenched barriers to equity.  

This worship service will be interactive; if you have one, please bring your phone to voice your opinion on-line during the service.  All are welcome to attend, we look forward to meeting you.       

   

The First Universalist Society in Franklin is a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin MA. For further information about FUSF please explore our website at fusf.org or contact our Interim Minister, the Reverend Beverly Waring at 508- 528- 5348 or minister@fusf.org 

March 17, 2024  10:00 AM

First Universalist Society in Franklin

262 Chestnut Street Franklin MA

Does Food Count as a Basic Human Right?

Town Council approves Request for Expression of Interest to be issued for Davis Thayer, refers zoning change to Planning Board (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM. The agenda document can be found on the Town page -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-03-13_town_council_agenda_0.pdf

Franklin TV recorded and live broadcast the session to Zoom, Comcast/Verizon, & YouTube. The YouTube video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm3tlPhSrWw

Quick recap:

• Citizens comments were active, one person speaking against the potential reinstatement of the suspended DPW Director. The others speaking for. The matter might have been on the Executive Session agenda. We'll know for sure some time later
• The minutes for the Feb 28, 2024 session were approved
• The  Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-905 for Zoning Map Changes From Single Family Residential III To Business, An Area On Or Near King Street was moved to refer to the Planning Board by an 8-1 vote. Pellegri cast the one "No" vote
• Resolution 24-14: Direction for Issuance of Request for Expressions of Interest for Purchase / Lease and Redevelopment of Former Davis Thayer Elementary School, 137 West Central St was passed by an 8-0-1 vote. Jones recused himself from the discussion as his residence is an abutter to the property
• The results of the Request for Expressions of Interest are non-binding. Input is due back May 31. At which time the Advisory Committee will spend time in June/July to review and bring back their recommendation to the Council for approval and possible further action
•  Resolution 24-15: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Public Library ($4,817.48). "This donation is especially meaningful as it marks the final gift from the Franklin Library Association, which after 150 years of operation, has closed its doors"
• The Council entered Executive Session to not return to public meeting with a 9-0 vote via roll call. 

My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F_0S4RpGVb3mVuf_kutMg_uvXuW8zrvO/view?usp=drive_link

Video replay available for the Economic Development Subcommittee held March 13 (video)

Economic Development Subcommittee met as scheduled on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 beginning at 5:45pm. 

The agenda doc can be found -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-03-13_edc_agenda_.pdf

The meeting was recorded and live broadcast by Franklin TV to Zoom, Comcast/Verizon, & YouTube. The YouTube video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yNNjaJCSkg 

I was recording the School Committee subcommittee meeting upstairs that started at 5 PM and joined the meeting about 6:15 so my reporting won't be available immediately.

How did Norway become the electric car superpower? Oil money, civil disobedience – and Morten from a-ha | Electric, hybrid and low-emission cars | The Guardian

"More than 90% of new cars sold in Norway are electric. And it all started with some pop stars driving around in a jerry-built Fiat Panda

I’m kneeling on the snow outside the king’s house, impersonating a 1980s heart-throb, with a man named Harald and an electric car. It’s a situation that probably needs some explanation.

Harald isn’t the king, although the king of Norway is also called Harald; we just happen to be outside the monarch’s residence, a handsome red manor. I’m in Stavanger to find out how, in a world where transport contributes about 20% of CO2 emissions, Norway came to lead the world in electric car take-up. In 2023, 82.4% of private vehicles sold in the country were electric. In January, the figure was 92.1%. The goal is to hit 100% by next year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) ->   https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/mar/12/how-did-norway-become-the-electric-car-superpower-oil-money-civil-disobedience-and-morten-from-a-ha

Although Norway leads the world in EV uptake, its wealth is built on petroleum, which still accounts for 52% of exports. Photograph: Ryhor Bruyeu/Alamy

Sure ways to spot a scammer

Sure ways to spot a scammer By Jennifer Leach Scammers say and do things that can tell us they're lying — and they're not who they pretend to be. Of course, to hear or see those clues, we have to get past the panic scammers make us feel, thanks to the so-called emergencies they try to create.  And since scammers are convincing, that can be hard to do. But recent scams are costing people their life savings, so here are some sure ways to spot the scammer. Read more - > https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/03/sure-ways-spot-scammer

Sure ways to spot a scammer

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Thursday, Mar 14, 2024

• 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 6, Verizon 26) = Thursday

7:00 am Franklin Fallen Heroes

8:00 am Veterans' Call: VA Pension

9:00 am Jim Johnston: Ben Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr.

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini

11:30 am Comfort Food: Comfort Food

12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese

12:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Cookies

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 4

3:00 pm Riffin' on Main Street: Tom Mercer

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: The Road to TD Garden

5:00 pm Senior Scribblers

6:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 5 - Matt Stubbs Antiguas

8:00 pm Frank Presents: Brian Cousins

9:30 pm The Black Box: T3

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Remington Winter Music 2022

8:30 am FHS Jazz Cafe 2024

10:00 am FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v Boston College High School 03-09-24

12:00 pm Universe of Adolescent Sleep

1:00 pm Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

2:30 pm Community Arts Advocacy Day: A Discussion

5:00 pm MICCA Festival 2019

6:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: The Road to Tsongas Center

7:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball v Andover 02-29-24

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission 03-07-24

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee 03-06-24

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 03-07-24

7:30 pm  Zoning Board of Appeals LIVE, Remote  921 3911 4341

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Franklin Cultural District: Tarzan, Cinema 80, Library book sale, Winter Farmers Market & more as #arthappenshere

Wednesday, March 13

1:00pm Senior Scribblers (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm Friends of Franklin Library Meeting (Franklin Public Library)

Friday, March 15

1:00pm Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

7:30pm Tarzan (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

Saturday, March 16

9:00am Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Children's Museum of Franklin pop up (ticketed event) (Annie Sullivan Middle School)

10:00am Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Bag Sale (books by the bag) (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Tarzan (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

3:00pm Irish in America Concert (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm `Cinema 80’ Feature Films "The Lodger" (Franklin Historical Museum)

7:30pm Tarzan (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

Sunday, March 17 - St. Patrick's Day

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm Tarzan (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

Monday, March 18

9:00am Fallen Hero: Elton E Ekstrom (Franklin Veterans Walkway, Town Common)

Tuesday, March 19

7:00pm Trivia Night (Raillery Public House)

7:30pm Voice of Franklin, part of Toastmasters International (Franklin TV Studio)

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Find the full Community event calendar   https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:   https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

2 Dean College Events for Women’s History Month

Dean College is hosting two prominent guests in honor of Women’s History Month. These events are free and open to the public.

Femita Ayanbeku (right) Kenyatta Berry (left)

The first speaker, Femita Ayanbeku, will be giving a lecture on Wednesday, March 20 at 5:30 PM in the Trophy Room. Femita is a two-time USA Paralympic sprinter, motivational speaker, spokesperson for Fitbitand Ossur, and has numerous other achievements to her name. Femita graduated from Brockton High School and until recently, lived in Boston. She has overcome tremendous obstacles to achieve her goal of competing in the Paralympics and she is looking forward to sharing her story with us!

Our second guest, Kenyatta Berry, has agreed to share her journey and insight with Dean College and the Franklin community on March 27 at 5:30 PM, also in the Trophy Room. She has co-hosted 2 television shows on PBS, hosted podcasts (https://firesidechat.com/kenyattaberry) and (https://www.audible.com/.../Conversations-with.../B08K57MK4J), authored a book and contributed to numerous research projects, including the 1619 project. Kenyatta has a professional background in the law and technology but became a full-time genealogist more than a decade ago after she had been researching genealogy for years while holding down a full-time job in another field.

As an entrepreneur, genealogist, attorney, author, podcaster, television host, lawyer and tech expert, Kenyatta has a broad scope of expertise to share.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/tZWFcSyYwitsHrqc/

Tom, George, & David recap the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of March 6, 2024 (audio)

 FM #1156 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1156 in the series. 

This session shares a recap of the Town of Franklin (MA) Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. This recap was recorded via Zoom on Thursday, March 7, 2024. 

The recap of this critical budgetary meeting was conducted with:

• Council Chair Tom Mercer who also serves as the Chair of the Joint Budget Committee
• George Conley, Chair of the Finance Committee
• David McNeill, Vice-Chair of the School Committee as well as Chair of the Budget Subcommittee for the schools

Quick recap:

• Role of the Joint Budget Committee
• Reflections on the info shared in the meeting
• Next steps including schedule of meetings to continue to work on refining the FY 2025 budget

The recording runs about 51 minutes, so let’s listen to the recap of the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1156-recap-of-the-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-03-07-24

 

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Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D33RO5xYoUg   

Meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda_-_march_6_2024.pdf 

Presentation document link -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-03-06_fy25_budget_slides_jbsc.pdf

Photo album capturing the slides and meeting 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/b4HcchHohAs9vqrJA 

My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m42hRAFdfM-OX-brLa6epXiuEktOEeWU/view?usp=drive_link 

Additional info will be added to the FY 2025 budget page as the budget gets fined tuned over the next several weeks  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

Joint Budget Subcommittee page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee 

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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 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"

Tom, George, & David recap the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of March 6, 2024 (audio)

FHS boys basketball rolls into D1 Final over Catholic Memorial

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports playoff competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

Via Ryan Lanigan -> https://twitter.com/R_Lanigan

• A spot in the Division 1 state championship on the line inside the Rabouin Field House at Taunton High. #3 Franklin (24-1) taking on #2 Catholic Memorial (19-4). #hockomock
• End 1Q: Franklin 21, Catholic Memorial 16. Panthers cash in on some second chance points, Bradley Herndon with two hustle plays that led to a pair of buckets. #hockomock
• Half: Franklin 33, Catholic Memorial 29. Panthers had the lead up to 10 (29-19) before Knights closed strong. Henry Digiorgio with 11 pts, Sean O’Leary 9 pts 3 reb 3 ast. #hockomock
• Bradley Herndon has been incredible this quarter, playing with tremendous confidence. Now Caden Sullivan soars in for a tip in. Franklin up 53-37, 2:08 left 3Q. #hockomock
• End 3Q: Franklin 56, Catholic Memorial 42. Panthers win the third (23-13) by double digits, some massive momentum waves. O’Leary 14 pts, Herndon & Digiorgio 11 pts each, Sullivan & O’Neill 8 pts each. #hockomock
• Franklin had the lead up to 17 (59-42) but the offense has gone cold, missed a couple close ones. Knights with a 10-0 run including a bucket off a missed free throw. Franklin holding a 59-52 left with 2:15 left 4Q. #hockomock
• Final: Franklin 66, Catholic Memorial 52. The Panthers are headed to the D1 state championship game. Sean O’Leary 17 pts 6 reb 5 ast, Bradley Herndon 13 pts 7 reb 6 ast, Henry Digiorgio 11 pts 10 reb, Andrew O’Neill 11 pts (huge 4Q three), Caden Sullivan 10 pts 8 reb #hockomock

The other finalist will be determined by the outcome of their game later today. #1 Worcester North vs. Xaverian. The full MIAA bracket can be found -> http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=7008

The full recap by Ryan Lanigan on HockomockSports.com (subscription required) ->

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-book-spot-in-final-after-beating-cm/

Photo gallery -> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2023-2024/Winter-2023-2024/Franklin-Catholic-Memorial-Boys-Basketball-03-12-24

Boston Globe coverage -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/12/sports/franklin-boys-basketball-puts-its-offensive-flair-display-division-1-semifinal-win/

FHS boys basketball rolls into D1 Final over Catholic Memorial

Franklin is not alone in struggling to fund their schools & town budget

Via Boston Globe: 

"Nearly five years after Massachusetts lawmakers overhauled the state’s school funding formula, districts are struggling to balance their budgets for the upcoming school year, prompting many to consider cutting programs and staff or asking taxpayers to dig deeper. 

The chief culprit, district leaders and advocates say, is the high rate of inflation that hit the US economy in recent years, much higher than the adjustments used in the new funding formula that was revamped to reflect modern-day costs. 

The failure of the new formula to accurately capture inflation could be collectively costing districts hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, according to Colin Jones, deputy policy director at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, a nonpartisan research institute. 

Voters in Belmont, Harvard, and Westford will be considering hefty property tax hikes at the polls this spring, which, if they fail to pass, could result in significant cuts to school and town services. In Belmont, for example, if voters reject an $8.4 million override on April 2, school leaders have said they will need to close the Mary Lee Burbank Elementary School, eliminate dozens of teaching and other positions, and make deep cuts to extracurricular activities."

Continue reading the full article online (subscription may be required) ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/12/metro/massachusetts-school-funding-budget-cuts/

Franklin is not alone in struggling to fund their schools & town budget

Franklin Agway announces they will Close April 6, 2024

All good things come to an end.  Thank you for being a part of the story. Sales 3/8/2024 - 4/6/2024 MOST OF STORE ON SALE  March 8-16 20% OFF (excluding seeds and *) MOST OF STORE ON SALE  March 17-23 30% OFF MOST OF STORE ON SALE  March 24-30 40% OFF MOST OF STORE ON SALE  March 31-April 6 50% OFF Clothing and boots (except Sloggers) 50% All pots/planters 40% Select specials: Weber 22" Charcoal Grill $150 Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker $250 Galvanized Stock Tank $125 We will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays going forward. We will be closed Sunday March 31, 2024. *Excluding grain, livestock feeds, shavings, hay, straw and propane. All sales final. While supplies last. Dog food and wild delight bird seed rewards programs are still on. Thank you, The Agway Crew Copyright © 2024 Franklin Urban Farm Store dba Franklin Agway, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Franklin Urban Farm Store dba Franklin Agway 157 Cottage St Franklin, MA 02038-2403