"If you were a @HMMSLightning 8th grader the year the world shut down, YOU are graduating this year - and WE WANT TO SEE YOU!
Mark your calendar for May 22.
Please spread the word #Classof2024 https://t.co/ejH8dFUlj5"
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| Calling out for former HMMS 8th graders who are graduating in 2024! |
Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously approved $375 million in bond authorizations for statewide transportation projects, including the state's Chapter 90 program, which would create a reliable funding source for local infrastructure investments like roads, bridges, regional transit equipment and infrastructure, bicycle infrastructure, and electric vehicle infrastructure, among other things.
Projects funded by the annual legislation often improve quality of life for residents in every region of the state, and many play a role in environmental mitigation.
Every city and town in the Commonwealth would receive a share of $200 million in funding to be used on maintenance and construction of roads and bridges. $150 million would be allocated equally to six programs targeting specific transportation infrastructure, and $25 million would be allocated to cities and towns through the rural roads program.
"Getting around our communities is a fundamental part of everyone's day," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Whether the commute takes you on the sidewalk, through a bike lane, across a small bridge, onto your Regional Transit Authority, or to the T, your journey should be quick and safe. By passing today's legislation, we are empowering our cities and towns with the funding to make improvements to the infrastructure our residents travel on, regardless of where they go and how."
"Our transportation infrastructure is so vitally important to the state's economy, and this Chapter 90 funding addresses many outstanding issues in keeping the Commonwealth's roadways, bridges, and public transportation system in peak operating condition. I'm pleased that over $375 million has been allocated to municipal roadways, local streetscape improvements, and enhancements to our mass transit system," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
"Throughout our district, people and businesses rely on transportation infrastructure, whether roads, trains, buses, bridges, bike lanes, or sidewalks," said Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham). "I was proud to vote yes to put our state dollars to work for our communities."
Of the $375 million in total authorizations, the legislation would allocate $25 million to each of the following programs that target specific infrastructure areas:
A previous version having been passed by the House of Representatives, the legislation now awaits final enactment in each branch, before being sent to the Governor's desk for her signature.
Link to the actual legislative text -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4529
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| Senate Authorizes $375M for Local Transportation Infrastructure |
In accordance with MGL c.30B, it is the intention of the Town to enter a contract for the 2024-2025 school year with a supplier and distributor of paper products for the school nutrition program for the Franklin Public Schools.
Additional Information: Paper Products for School Nutrition Program
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/ifb-paper-products-school-nutrition-program
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| Paper Products for the School Nutrition Program - Invitation for Bid |
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Watch for early warning signs in your teen of an alcohol problem:
Shared from -> https://niaaaforteens.niaaa.nih.gov/signs-problem
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| Town of Franklin: April is Alcohol Awareness Month |
And if you do know of someone that needs help, reach out to the SAFE Coalition -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/
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| Deadline for ordering bricks for Veterans Memorial Walkway - April 15 |
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| FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com |
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| one slide from the HMMS presentation on curriculum flow & delivery |
Dear Chair Mercer, Vice Chair Dellorco and Members of the Franklin Town Council,Thank you for your time and dedication to our wonderful community. As we collectively face the financial challenges ahead, it's imperative to recognize the stark reality: The Town of Franklin is grappling with a $10.1 million shortfall, and the School Department will need a $9.3 million increase in Fiscal Year 2025 - $7.3 million just to maintain current service levels and an additional $2.1 million to stabilize and partially restore from cuts that were made last year.In an effort to fund the school budget, there's been a reliance on temporary measures such as one-time investments, deferred projects, and depletion of reserve accounts. However, these strategies obscure the reality: the annual cost of educating students has risen far beyond what a 2.5% increase can accommodate.On April 9th, 2024, the School Committee voted to approve the FY25 School Budget in the amount of $81,319,261. We are asking for the Town Council’s support to fully fund this budget that addresses the $9.3 million increase, up to and including initiating an operational override for the community to vote upon as a ballot question in time to fund the FY25 budget.We recognize the economic impact of this request for our community, and it is not a decision taken lightly; however, there are also consequences of inaction. Without intervention, we can anticipate a future of continued layoffs, overcrowded classrooms, rising user fees, a "pay-to-play" system for athletics, and a general decline in services across the board.Fully funding the School Committee’s approved FY25 School Budget will stabilize our budget moving forward, allowing the school district to maintain appropriate class sizes, provide much-needed mental health support, keep up with rising cost drivers and obligations, and continue to provide the host of educational services this community has come to expect. Moreover, the School Department can transition from a reactive budgeting approach to one that enables them to proactively implement meaningful changes which would result in a sustainable budget, fostering agility and efficiency in delivering education for years to come.Thank you once again for your dedicated service to the residents of Franklin and the betterment of our community. We look forward to our open dialogue and collaboration with you toward our common goal of making Franklin the most vibrant community it can be.Sincerely,Dave Callaghan Dave McNeill
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| School Committee joint statement made during Citizen Comment at the Town Council Mtg - Apr 10, 2024 |
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11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents
Wednesday, April 10
1:00pm Senior Scribblers
Thursday, April 11
7:00pm Night at the Museum Gala
Friday, April 12
10:00am Knitting Group
1:00pm Animals in the Spring
7:30pm James Montgomery Band with the Daybreakers
Saturday, April 13
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
10:30am Animal Affair
2:00pm Holi Celebration
3:00pm April Fool’s Concert
6:00pm Silent Saturdays: "Metropolis"
Sunday, April 14
1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:15pm Second Sunday Speaker
2:00pm Eid Celebration
Monday, April 15 - Tax Day/Marathon Monday/Patriots Day
Tuesday, April 16
10:30am Toe Jam Puppet Band!
6:00pm Table Top
7:00pm Trivia Night
7:30pm Voice of Franklin, part of Toastmasters International
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| Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here! |
• Convenient access to restrooms and trail maps for trail walkers• Sale of special hand-crafted ladybug items (key chains and book marks) created by local crafter, Rhondy Rosita, with all sales benefiting the museum.• At 11 AM, State Representative Jeff Roy will speak about the Ladybug kids and about the legislative process then and now – an informative topic for kids and adults!• The Museum will also be showing throughout the day, a short Chronicle segment about the Ladybug Trail and a presentation about the 1974 ladybug kids and the 1984 Kennedy School kids that went to the statehouse in 1984, for the 10th anniversary.• Vintage newspaper clips and ladybug outfits used by Franklin children in their 1974 ‘lobbying’ effort.• And, late in the afternoon, we plan to release live native ladybugs at the nearby Methodist Church garden as a finale for the celebration.• All Saturday events are rain or shine (the Downtown Partnership’s Trail Walk, however, has a rain date of Sunday, April 21). The museum will only be open for regular hours, 1-4 pm, on that day.
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| Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the “Ladybug” - April 20 |
