This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the 4 hour Council meeting in about 25 minutes (audio)

FM #1229 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1229 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 for the first of their 2 normal meetings for June.  Our schedules coordinated to talk on Thursday morning to recap the long 4 hour session the night before..

We look to focus on 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

• Electric Youth high point of session

• Verizon cable contract renewal

• Farmers Market licenses for La Cantina, Blisspoint Meadery

• Public Hearing on King St business zoning proposal

• Moved to second reading by 5-4 vote

• Final approval requires 6 Yes votes

• Friendly 40b approved by 5-4 vote

• Still needs to work through the permit process, etc.

• Zoning bylaws referral to Planning Board

• 3 measures regarding MBTA compliance

• Mixed use zoning definition

• EDC recommendation changed on parking minimums

• Still to come back to Council for discussion & vote

• TA Emergency shelter update

• No town funds spent for anything

• Schools reimbursed from State for their additional support costs

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1230-town-council-quarterbacking-06-06-24

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The Franklin TV broadcast 06/05/24  ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps1PnsDuPwE 

Agenda and supporting documents -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/june_5_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf 

My notes for this meeting  captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/190oyby8h5rC5ivDqN4lKAOV5PBP2UCM4/view?usp=drive_link 

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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"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the 4 hour Council meeting in about 25 minutes (audio)

Tri-County RVTHS Class of 2024 Graduation (video)

The Tri-County RVTHS Graduation 2024 was broadcast by Franklin TV on Thursday, June 6, 2024. 

The video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zz6vuSiGxI

 

Franklin (MA) School Committee newsletter for June 6, 2024

The June School Committee Newsletter was sent out this morning (06/06/24). Read the newsletter to catch up with what's been going on and what's to come.

Read (and download) Get your copy (PDF) here -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/franklin_school_committee_newsletter_-_june_6_2024.pdf

Miss a newsletter, check the archive for prior issues -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/school-committee-newsletters

Franklin (MA) School Committee newsletter for June 6, 2024

Fire Explorer program to be established here in Franklin, get info at the Fire Station during Strawberry Stroll today

Franklin Fire (@FranklinMAfire@FranklinMAfire) posted on Thu, Jun 06, 2024:

The Franklin Fire Department has teamed up with @HockomockYMCA and @MayflowerBSA to establish a Fire Explorer program in Franklin.  This program is for ages 14 -21.  

There will be an informational booth at the downtown Fire Station (40 West Central St.) tomorrow from 4pm-8pm.

Shared from -> https://t.co/4hEJrSEFro

Fire Explorer program to be established here in Franklin, get info at the Fire Station during Strawberry Stroll today

Franklin Recreation has scheduled it's first Pickleball tourney for June 15

Pickleball tourney

 

"Franklin Recreation is hosting it's first ever Pickleball Tournament!!! 

Register early! 

Spots are filling quickly"

Register ->    https://franklinma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29970

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/z4sVyP583dDYrfqL/

Have you checked out the Library line up for Saturday, June 8??

10:30 - Grown-Ups and Donuts! with music by Jamie Barrett

 

Grown-Ups and Donuts

 

noon - Shavuot Celebration! Enjoy ice cream, crafts, games, and stories as we learn about Shavuot! Presented in partnership with Temple Etz Chaim!

 

 

Shavuot Celebration

 

1:00 - As You Wish An Interactive Matinee = Adults & Teens! enjoy an interactive matinee of the beloved classic movie, The Princess Bride! Popcorn and props are provided! No Registration Required!

 

As You Wish An Interactive Matinee

Town Council tackles multiple zoning items in a long session (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 for a long session (approx. 4 hours). The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps1PnsDuPwE&t=1s

 Quick recap:

• Electric Youth high point of session

• Verizon cable contract renewal

• Farmers Market licenses for La Cantina, Blisspoint Meadery

• Public Hearing on King St business zoning proposal

• Moved to second reading by 5-4 vote

• Final approval requires 6 Yes votes

• Friendly 40b approved by 5-4 vote

• Still needs to work through the permit process, etc.

• Zoning bylaws referral to Planning Board

• 3 measures regarding MBTA compliance

• Mixed use zoning definition

• EDC recommendation changed on parking minimums

• Still to come back to Council for discussion & vote

• TA Emergency shelter update

• No town funds spent for anything

• Schools reimbursed from State for their additional support costs

The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/june_5_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

 

My notes for this meeting  captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/190oyby8h5rC5ivDqN4lKAOV5PBP2UCM4/view?usp=drive_link 

 

 

Electric Youth made their annual visit to perform an acapella song before their European trip

 

FREE Face painting at Strawberry Stroll

Free Face Painting

 

Free Face Painting Strawberry Stroll Friday ! Sponsored by Creative Corner Art Studio . Locally Owned Small Business.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/MzBApw5ahRueUkf2/

Jennifer Levine urges vote Yes 4 Franklin (video)

Jennifer Levine urges vote Yes 4 Franklin -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8QoEWbY8kc

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Friday, June 7, 2024

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel         (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:00 am     Metrowest Symposium: Sharing Identity on Social Media
8:30 am     Frank Presents: Michael Videira
10:00 am     Riffing on Main Street: Steve Sherlock
11:00 am     Senior Connection: Disabilities Commission
12:00 pm     Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad
12:30 pm     Cooking with Linda: "Marry Me" Chicken
1:00 pm     Strawberry Stroll 2022
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza
2:00 pm     New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 1
3:00 pm     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes May 2024
4:00 pm     Celebrate with Pride: Second Son
8:30 pm     Endless Konnections: Patience Noah Pt 2
9:30 pm     Circle of Friends: Garnet Rogers

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

7:00 am     Public School Event: Horace Mann Winter Music 2021
8:30 am     Mental Health: Raeleen Sullivan
9:30 am     Rec Basketball: 5th & 6th Grade Boys Championship
11:00 am     FHS Varsity Softball: v St. Paul Diocesan 06-01-24
1:30 pm     All-Town Showcase 2024: Band
3:00 pm     Arts Advocacy: How-Tos
4:00 pm     FHS Senior Awards 2024
8:30 pm     FHS Graduation 2024

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

8:00 am     Zoning Board of Appeals 05-23-24
2:00 pm     Zoning Board of Appeals 05-23-24

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, June 6, 2024?

Thursday, June 6

8:00am Early voting for Special Election (Town Clerk's Office)

8:30am Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting (Dean College)

4:00pm JF Kennedy School PCC fundraiser at Papa Ginos

6:00pm Remington Middle Sch Concert (Horace Mann Middle School)

6:00pm Franklin LGBTQ Alliance (Franklin Public Library)

9:00pm Steven Fritzsche (live music) (3 Restaurant)

** No Town Meetings today

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events    

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

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

Voices of Franklin: A letter to Franklin’s 65+ community from your fellow seniors

The children of Franklin are our town’s future citizens. They deserve the best educational opportunities. The children of Franklin are a joy to their parents and even the older population who no longer have school-age people in their own lives. We as senior citizens look back on the ways public schools have contributed in unique and important ways to our own personal development. As a group we urge a YES vote on the tax override, because our investment in education will pay dividends for decades.

Everyone knows from personal experience the profound impact that educational opportunities have had on their own lives. Everyone knows that the educational opportunities and social relationships offered by schools have a huge role in developing positive character traits and life competency skills. Everyone knows that providing for the needs of children is a financial commitment that extends beyond the individual household. Outside the family, children spend most of their waking hours in school.

For a multitude of reasons (many outside the control of our district) the Franklin Public Schools have been starved of funds for years. Again and again, our local school spending is discussed and shows to be dropping from 25th percentile, and now under 20th percentile when compared to all other towns in the Commonwealth.

Our heroic staff and teachers do excellent work with the funding they have, but could do so much more with adequate funding. Over the years, Franklin has reduced music, arts, and other activities, while class sizes have grown and fees to students have steadily increased. New technologies for teachers to master and cell phones in children’s hands present new challenges and opportunities that will require money to address.

Support for children with varying backgrounds, and the mental health needs of school age kids in a changing culture all require money. Modern day parents are facing challenges our generation never dealt with, and much of the responsibility to help these families falls to the public schools. We as seniors are committed to the value that it does indeed take a village to raise children.

We think back with gratitude on how schools have helped our children adapt to the challenges of life and learning-in ways that could not be accomplished by even the best parenting done in isolation.

The ability to collect public funds to adequately support public interests like the education of our children is critical to Franklin’s long-term health. The request for an ‘override’ of arbitrary tax limitations is consistent with information about the school funding that the town has made available for years. Furthermore, an override is consistent with current economic conditions such as inflation across industries. We should also acknowledge that Franklin’s real estate taxes are lower than most surrounding towns. While this may seem like a positive attribute, in reality it means we are allowing our town’s school system to decay. Franklin should not become a backward outlier in our region.

Many of us moved to Franklin for the high quality of our public educational system. Even though that specific time in our lives has passed, we understand and continue to support the belief that public education is the responsibility of citizens of all ages.

Signed by Seniors Supporting Vote YES for Franklin!

Signed by Seniors Supporting Vote YES for Franklin!

Shared from this PDF doc -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N-tr4PcrzpK0Pu8lbv5WHWPqttm1hNDC/view?usp=drive_link

Voices of Franklin: A letter to Franklin’s 65+ community from your fellow seniors

Many Override questions answered at Franklin Senior Center on Wednesday (audio)

FM #1227 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1227 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Override Q&A session conducted at the Franklin Senior Center on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen was joined by School Superintendent Lucas Giguere and School Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch to provide an override and answer many questions. 

Town Clerk Nancy Danello provided an update that as of that afternoon, 3700 ballots had been cast for the early voting on the June 11 Special Election. She was also there to answer questions on the election process but none were raised.

Many of the questions were asked by skeptics in the group. It seemed apparent that some myths were dispelled, yet despite the info, some seemingly were not changing their minds.  

The conversation runs just less than 2 hours. Let’s listen to the Q&A session on June 5. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1227-franklin-senior-center-override-qna-06-05-24

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Override Info page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy25-override-information 

FY 2025 Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials 

Citizen Discounts and Exemptions info page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/citizen-discounts-exemptions 

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

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters" 

Many Override questions answered at Franklin Senior Center on Wednesday (audio)

FHS boys lacrosse team tops Catholic Memorial for a spot in Elite 8

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

Boys Lacrosse = Division 1 = #9 Franklin, 11 @ #8 Catholic Memorial, 9 – Final

⭐️ Hansen 2🚨 2🍎

⭐️⭐️ O’Brien 3🚨

⭐️⭐️⭐️Mcevoy 2🚨 1🍎

https://x.com/FranklinHSLax/status/1798515583379771422

 

It wasn't easy, but @Franklin_Lax  moved into the Elite 8 with a win over  @CathMemKnights  in the  @MIAA033  D1 Sweet 16 on Wednesday. 

Quick recap & highlights from Luke Miller (milla media on IG & YouTube): https://bostonlax.net/miaa-sweet-16-9-franklin-11-8-catholic-memorial-9-panthers-beat-knights-to-reach-elite-8-video/   https://x.com/bostonlaxnet/status/1798557515422347378

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-06-05-24/

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

Master Plan Update Cmte schedules a Public Hearing for June 12 at 6:30 PM

What should be changed to improve Franklin over the next 10 years? 

 

The goals and objectives for the Master Plan should be available for review and comment. 

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/gTgJGcFw4hWRZLdD/

Master Plan Update Cmte schedules a Public Hearing for June 12 at 6:30 PM