Talking Franklin Arts, Culture, & Economic Development (audio)

FM #1301 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1301 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the 3rd floor Training Room on Thursday, October 24, 2024.  

Jamie and I were joined in the roundtable discussion by (in order of appearance):

• Cory Shea, Town of Franklin Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy

• John Ristaino: Franklin Cultural Council Chair

• Sue Cass: Franklin Cultural District Committee member

• Lauren Kloos & Roger Trahan: Franklin Farmers Market

• Raye Lynn Mercer: Artistic & Executive Director at Franklin Performing Arts Company

• Kayla Nisbet: Franklin Artist; graphic designer, muralist & new Franklin Cultural Council Member

The recording runs about 62 minutes. Let’s listen to this conversation on the new & exciting cultural happenings in Franklin. Audio link -> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin--A-Podcast-from-the-Town-Administrators-Office---October-24--2024-e2qcr9o/a-abjusse

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Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 

Cultural District page  https://www.franklinculture.org/ 

Cultural Council page  https://www.franklinma.gov/cultural-council 

Franklin Farmers Market page  https://www.franklinfarmersmarketma.com/ 

Franklin Performing Arts Company page   https://fpaconline.com/ 

A Wreath of Franklin sign up page  https://form.jotform.com/242634718318056 

Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 

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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!

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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"

Talking Franklin Arts, Culture, & Economic Development (audio)

Franklin Cultural District Committee is now accepting proposals for Cultural District Investment Grants

The Franklin Cultural District Committee is now accepting proposals for Cultural District Investment Grants until November 30, 2024. 

The Town of Franklin and Franklin Cultural District Committee (FCDC) have received a Cultural District Investment Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for fiscal year 2025.  

accepting proposals for Cultural District Investment Grants

The FCDC is announcing the availability of cultural district investment grant to FCD Partners for funding proposals for cultural initiatives planned in the district.

Please use the following link to apply and get information; Cultural Investment Grants: FY25 | Franklin Cultural District . If you have a project/initiative that will benefit and promote culture in our community and want to request funding, please complete the Funding Request online form.  

If you have any questions, please contact; John LoPresti, johntlopresti@gmail.com or Amy Adams, amyadams665@gmail.com.  All request for funding must be submitted by 5 PM on November 30, 2024.  

The FCDC will discuss and vote on the investment grant funding requests at its Thursday, December 12, 2024 committee meeting scheduled to be held in-person at the Franklin Public Library community room at 7 PM.

Cultural District Investment Grant info & application ->   https://www.franklinculture.org/cultural-investment-grants-fy25

Roy - Bailey: 10th Norfolk District Debate continues online (Part 2)

The Franklin Observer has an online debate in text being posted one question a week for 7 weeks between the 10th Norfolk District candidates; incumbent State Representative Jeff Roy and Republican challenger Charles Bailey.

Worthy of note are two items:

1 - the disclosure (finally) by the Observer editor

2 - to avoid changes to his response Rep Roy is posting his full answer on his web page which the Observer links to

Question 5 - Voter ID has been a topic of controversy. Some say, IDs are required for almost every kind of activity in our society, so why should a critical civic responsibility be any different, even if only to help assure citizens that the election system is secure? What is your position and what actions have you or would you take in this regard?  https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/276273/debate-print-between-charles-bailey-and-jeff-roy-5

Question 6 - What is your position regarding bringing back another override vote in Franklin and why?   https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/276924/debate-print-between-charles-bailey-and-jeff-roy-6

Question 7 - What can or should be done to provide housing for seniors that is actually affordable (as opposed to 55+ housing that still requires a robust middle- to upper-middle class income)?

https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/277542/debate-print-between-charles-bailey-and-jeff-roy-7

Questions 1 through 4 are available here ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/10/roy-bailey-10th-norfolk-district-debate.html

10th Norfolk District candidates; incumbent State Representative Jeff Roy and Republican challenger Charles Bailey (Franklin Observer image)

Police Station Building Comte gets project overview from OPM Joe Sullivan (video)

The Police Station Building Committee (PSBC) met on Wednesday, Oct 30, 2024 as scheduled. All 10 members were present. This is the start of the real work on the station. The Owner Project Manager (OPM), Joseph (Joe) Sullivan is in place and leading the effort per Mass General Law for projects of this size.

Quick recap:

• Committee voted to approve minutes of 3 prior meetings (1 as amended to correct attendance status of one person)
• Joe provided an overview of the project steps
• 7 architects submitted to the RFQ from which 3 firms were selected for interviews at the next meeting Nov 14 (a long session, 30min presentations, 15 Q&A, 15 mins briefing between sessions, and then after the scoring, it will take 2-3 weeks to settle the contract. Once contracted, then evaluation begins, what today's needs are, and then layer in flexibility for future requirements
• Site selection will be a key component, usually requires 4-6 acres to allow for security and proper public access, includes traffic studies to determine proper fit 
• Conceptual design, lay the building on the site to see how it works 
• Committee vote on key steps along the way, no Taj Mahal, just what you need Min of 3 cost estimates 
• Preliminary budget after conceptual design, let committee feel comfortable with the design and the associated costs. Design contingency is used for those next level details beyond the overall building structure costs, i.e. sprinkler, technology, outfitting the building, etc. 
• Construction contingency, listen to the recording to the story about the fill from 495 moved for the high school 
• Final costs not really available until the 90% design completion point. Furniture, fixtures, access control, evidence storage, (cover via Mass guidelines), record storage, cells for detained individuals, more holding cells than lengthy stays, technology to operate, etc. 
• Public forums will be an important part of the whole process, they need to be part of the solution. Everyone opinion matters. Need to do them regularly, likely 4-5 before done. Abutters meeting once the site location is narrowed or identified 
• Discussion on space requirements, will bring examples for next meeting to help explain the Boston city stations vs what we are needing, also space for training. Training room could also be used for community access Middleboro example mentioned. Training may also be a small revenue source for the Town, could become a mini center for the area on training
• Video of walk thru of the existing station desired
• Construction likely about 16-18 months, some will be asking 20-24, based upon size and quality of building will determine with the architect the time line Strongly suggest to start going after furniture to confirm pricing, etc. at 50% completed, start ordering the furniture or wait until 80%
• Commission agent, acts as a quality control over install and quality of materials as specified. Once we bid, after funding, 18-20 months, 2 months for punch list with dept in the facility to check it out, live it, resolve items before the construction force leaves the site
• Warranty cut sheet for dept, kept in a log what it is, who's responsible, who completes, and when. Mechanical equipment if not clear warranty is when it fired up, not when after the building is completed so could lose time on that
• Discussion on liquidated damages, need to prove in MA, it does cost something, contractors will price accordingly
• Track critical path to avoid damage issues. Pay req, monthly task, update on critical path at that point each time
• Assuming architect contract by end of year, next meeting with them is in January Wishes, wants and needs, start thinking about. Need a schedule of design, need to hit those milestones. Use that as a tool of differentiation among the candidates

Franklin TV video of the meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/live/EriYvnsyTO0?si=0TSXC0OswbrnnCT6&t=195

Meeting agenda ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-10-30_police_station_building_committee_packet.pdf

My notes in on PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ri3wYEfziwIAA31Ch4AVfCZAszny_kV7/view?usp=drive_link

Police Station Building Committee - Agenda for meeting Oct 30 at 5:30 PM

Three Franklin Middle School Science Teachers Present at Open SciEd Community Day

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and PreK-12 Director of Curriculum STEM Eric Stark are pleased to share that three Franklin middle school science teachers recently presented during an Open SciEd (OSE) Community Day, provided by the One8 Applied Learning Hub.

Franklin Public Schools is in its third year of implementing the OSE curriculum. As part of the district's partnership with the One8 Applied Learning Hub, teachers are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences implementing the OSE curriculum in their own classrooms. Teachers also attend these community days to learn and share best practices.

Franklin Middle School science teacher Jessica Ternullo presenting at an Open SciEd Community Day on Oct. 9. (Photo courtesy One8 Applied Learning Hub)

On Oct. 9, Franklin science teachers Jessica Ternullo, Emily Laliberte, and Danny Kelley facilitated two sessions at the One8 Applied Learning Hub Community Day event in Norwood.

The three teachers shared best practices with over 100 Massachusetts science middle school teachers whose districts implement the Open SciEd curriculum.

Ternullo and Laliberte facilitated a session on supporting all students in an Open SciEd classroom. Throughout their discussion, Ternullo and Laliberte discussed ways for teachers to make the curriculum accessible for all students. They included new strategies that can be incorporated into classroom routines, as well as different accommodations and assessments to utilize.

Franklin Middle School science teacher Danny Kelley presenting at an OpenSciEd curriculum training on Oct. 9. (Photo courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

Kelley and Ternullo held a session on strategies to support the use of driving question boards. They discussed the different strategies they have implemented in their science classrooms to enhance the use of driving question boards.

"I would like to thank all three of the Franklin teachers who presented for contributing to the Open SciEd community and for sharing ideas that will help the more than 40,000 students accessing OSE in Massachusetts become more thoughtful scientists, listeners, and creators," said One8 Applied Learning Hub Teaching and Learning Manager Heather Haines.

“I love community days because I always leave with awesome strategies and tools,” Kelley said. “The strategies I gain help me as a teacher with planning and curriculum design, and more importantly, they help me elevate students’ experiences.” 

“I feel as though the professional development I have received from OSE and the One8 Applied Learning Hub over the past three years is some of the most valuable and applicable that I have ever participated in,” Ternullo said. “It was such a joy to feel like I was giving back to that same community.”

“It was an honor to get to share some of the things that I do each day to make science accessible for my students,” Laliberte said.

Learn more about Open SciEd here.

Franklin Middle School science teachers Jessica Ternullo and Emily Laliberte presenting at an OpenSciEd curriculum training on Oct. 9. (Photo courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

Current Community Peer Openings at FX O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC)

Current Community Peer Openings

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) posted Wed, Oct 30, 2024:

ECDC Current Community Peer Openings https://t.co/X9cgPCRoYa 

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

Dean Dash 5K Sunday Nov 3 - Maple St closed from Red Brick to Franklin Springs Rd

"Franklin runners and walkers, please consider participating in the Dean Dash on Sunday. It is going to be a perfect day for a 5K race.  

As part of a class project, the students have developed the race and coordinated all logistics and promotion.  

You can sign up online or in person at Longley Athletic Complex. The race is Sunday, November 3 at 9 AM."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19RngLpTUy/

Also noteworthy as a result of the race schedule, the Franklin Police digital signs are up advising of road closure on Maple from the Red Brick School (Lincoln St) through to Franklin Springs Road on Sunday morning from 9 to 10 AM to allow for the race.

Dean Dash 5K Sunday Nov 3 - Maple St closed from Red Brick to Franklin Springs Rd

Lyon Landscape Nursery Christmas tree sale hours for November 2024

 sale hours for November 2024

 

"Lyon Landscape Nursery will be open again this year for farm fresh Christmas trees!  

We sell out quick so it's recommend you claim your tree early during our pre-tagging weekend. Dogs on leashes are always welcome.  

Cash and check ONLY!  

Full information shown in image. Hope to see you out there this year."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/71uEuD7aPLxazmAg/

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Friday, Nov 1, 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 Sons and Daughters of Italy: Carlo Geromini

8:30 am Frank Presents: Jeff Roy 10-09-24

9:02 am Frank Presents: Tamisha Civil 10-21-24

10:00 am Riffing on Main Street: Michael Walker Jones

11:00 am Senior Connection: Senior Expo 2024

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Green Bean Casserole

1:07 pm Tamisha Civil PSA

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta

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

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

4:00 pm State Representative Public Debate

5:30 pm Veterans' Call: VA Pension

8:00 pm Endless Konnections: Kevin Barthelemy

9:30 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Rob Lawson

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

7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2023

8:30 am Mental Health: Max Morrongiello

9:30 am MSAA Open Meeting 10-17-24

11:00 am FHS Track and Field: v Attleboro 04-04-23

2:00 pm FHS Winter Band 2022

4:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies

8:30 pm FHS Theater Company: Cinderella

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

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 10-24-24

12:00 pm Economic Development 10-16-24

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 10-24-24

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, October 31, 2024 ???

Thursday, October 31 - Halloween

7am Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library) 

8am Early Voting (Town Clerk's Office, 355 E Central St)

4pm 5th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church) 

5pm Halloween and History cemetery tour (Union St Cemetery) 

5pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

7pm Halloween Karaoke (La Cantina Winery)

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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Why are there multiple calendars?

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:

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/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

MassDOT Safety: Halloween driving safety tips

MassDOT Safety: Halloween driving safety tips

MassDOT Safety (@MassDOTSafety) posted Wed, Oct 30, 2024:

Drivers, whether you're driving or traveling by broomstick for #Halloween festivities, be extra careful in neighborhoods. 

Kids are 2 times more likely to get hit on Halloween according to @NHTSAgov.

Always #DriveSober. Designate a sober driver, call a rideshare, or take @MBTA.

Shared from -> https://t.co/Ld3AbCY1xa

Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for November 2024

Sun.  Nov. 3 – As Goes Franklin...a look at Franklin’s voting habits over the last 140 years…

Keyed up about the election? Learn about how and why Franklin has voted for presidents going back to the time of the Civil War!  Local history educator, Jayson Joyce, has been delving into archives and histories to learn about Franklin’s voting habits going back to the 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln (yes, he carried Franklin), with lots of other interesting bits about how the town has voted right up to the 2020 election. Also look for some other bits of museum ephemera and visuals relating to our political past, on exhibit until Thanksgiving...Museum is open 1-4 with the presentation starting at 1:15.  The event is Free.

Sat. Nov 9 and Sun. Nov 10 – Recycle Your Political Signs!

With the election over, unclutter your property and your town and bring your corrugated plastic signs to the museum for recycling. Neither the town’s transfer station nor the curbside recycling program can take the type of plastic used in these signs. But our volunteers will! Just stop by the museum during open hours, Sat 10-1 (with coffee and cookies while they last) and Sunday 1-4, and stack you signs neatly on our front steps. Please, if possible, separate metal legs and pile them separately!  There is no fee for this service. AND while you are at the museum, consider taking a look at some of the displays showing how Franklin has voted over the last 150 years in its presidential elections. Questions? Call Historical Commission Chair Alan Earls 508 560 3786 or email alan.r.earls@gmail.com.

Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for November 2024

Sun. Nov 10--Second Sunday Speaker Series: The Story of the Boston Floating Hospital

Franklin’s own John Kulig, MD MPH, Professor of Pediatrics Emeritus at Tufts University School of Medicine, will share the remarkable story of the “Boston Floating Hospital,” which literally took its first trip around the harbor back in 1894, providing fresh air and medical care to poor, sick children. That beginning eventually led to an on shore hospital and remarkable research, including the development of life-saving ‘formula’ for children unable to get mother’s milk. Through research, ingenuity, and attention to the needs of ailing children and their families, the hospital grew into a scientific leader, pioneering pediatric medicine. Kulig not only practiced at “Floating” he also was involved in the effort to write the history of the institution, which benefited not only Boston but many, many Franklin area children, over the years.

Sun. Nov. 17  “Third Sunday” Music at the Museum program features Greenwich Bay Brass

The Greenwich Bay Brass has been together since 2006. It is an all- volunteer, British style brass ensemble with unique instrumentation.  Based in Rhode Island, the GBB has made numerous appearances around the state including concerts at First Lutheran Church in East Greenwich, the Barrington Congregational Church, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Providence, and outdoor appearances at Hearthside House in Lincoln, and Wilcox Park in Westerly. Additionally, the ensemble has traveled to Massachusetts and Maine, with a concert at the historic Union Church in South Carver, MA and a joint concert together with the Salvation Army Brass Band in Old Orchard Beach, ME. The museum opens at 1 and the program will start at about 1:15. The event is FREE, but donations are always welcomed.

`CINEMA 80’

After a well-received experimental run from January to May at the Franklin Historical Museum, Cinema 80, captained by videographer and cinephile Chris Leverone, is back for another season of amazing free `Silent Saturday’ silent film entertainment on Saturdays at 6pm. The program is free but donations are encouraged.  The lineup for October includes:

• 11/2, City Lights – The often-comic misadventures of Chaplin's Tramp as he falls in love with a blind girl. Considered by many to be Chaplin’s greatest film.

• 11/9, The Big Parade – With a showing timed for proximity to Veteran’s Day, The Big Parade a 1925 American drama has been praised as one of the best and most realistic films about World War I. 

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10AM-1PM and Sunday afternoons from 1:00PM-4:00PM. 

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry.    Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508 560 3786.   

Visit us online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com