Community Preservation Cmte gets update on project status, funding status, sets next meeting for Feb 5 (audio)

FM #1342 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1342 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting held in the 3rd floor training room on Wednesday, December 18, 2024

 

Quick Recap -> 

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen providing an update, introduces Evan Lacasse as Deputy Financial Officer and budget analyst who will be picking up the details of CPA as things go forward

• Updates on current CPA funded projects:

• Cupola out for bid, should start next year some time

• Franklin Ridge about half financed at this point, starting infrastructure work in 2025

• Rod & Gun club didn't get funding, apparently did get their own funding

• Q on Davis Thayer, (old high school), Police Station Building Cmte hired architect, open house planned for current station, architect hired. Middle of 2025 should get to site selection. There are some issues with Parmenter, and with DT, so it will an interesting decision. DT page has the reports and expression of interests proposal, zoning would also be needed for most other uses (https://www.franklinma.gov/davis-thayer-building-reuse-advisory-committee). W Batchelor not liking the police station at Parmenter (not yet a decision). "no one can convince me otherwise"

• CPA funds could be used for historical preservation of Davis Thayer

• Review of the CPA fund status provided in the agenda doc

• Walking thru the 2nd page which shows the balances by category, expenses, encumbered amounts, etc. So we have at least $2M available

• Discussion on next meeting, Feb 5, 5 PM target for public hearing

• Money is one thing but town bandwidth is an issue

• Motion to adjourn, passes 9-0

The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen in.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1342-community-preservation-cmte-mtg-12-18-24/

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Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMyHAV9qzy8 

Agenda doc and CPA fund report status for FY 2025 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_-_dec_18_2024.pdf 

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1__-03pwdXow-qWVpqpwiXBBCKncQNmeD/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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"

Community Preservation Committee: Agenda for Meeting Weds Dec 18 at 5 PM

FHS girls & boys basketball teams top King Philip on Friday; swim meets postponed (video)

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, December 20, 2024 

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 61 @ King Philip, 35 – Final

– Franklin senior Caden Sullivan scored 12 of his game-high 22 points in the second quarter as the Panthers ballooned a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter into a commanding 31-15 halftime advantage. KP senior Tommy Kilroy scored six of his eight points in the opening eight minutes to keep the Warriors within one (8-7) but Sullivan got going in the second, Joseph Conlan (career-high 13 points) added a key triple and Zach Allen scored all of his career-high nine points in the first half to give Franklin a comfortable lead at the break. Conlan added two more threes in the fourth quarter and Wyatt Herndon chipped in with one as the Panthers ran away with the big win. Senior Jack Assini scored a team-high 11 points for KP.

Girls Basketball = King Philip, 52 @ Franklin, 55 – Final 

– Franklin nearly allowed a double-digit lead to slip for the second time in three days, but this time the Panthers were able to hold on and secure their first win of the season. KP got off to a great start as sophomore Tatum Morgan closed out an impressive debut week on varsity with eight points in the first quarter to put the Warriors up 13-6. Franklin’s offense clicked into gear over the next two quarters, combining for 44 points between the second and the third, to take a 50-35 lead into the fourth. Chloe Fales scored 17 of her game-high 20 points between the second and the third and the Panthers knocked down nine threes as a team. Foxboro scored 26 in the fourth to beat Franklin on Wednesday and the Warriors had a similar rally on Friday, outscoring Franklin 17-6. Morgan scored seven in the final frame and Katie Steirer and Cheyenne Murray scored four apiece. Senior Ella Bonacci went 4-of-4 at the line to help the Panthers hold on. Bonacci finished with 12 points and Mallory Santos chipped in with seven for the Panthers. Morgan scored under 20 for the first time in her career, but still finished with 16. Stierer added a career-high 12, Erin Berthiaume had 10, and Murray added seven points.

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/Pc7aBN-SCsA?si=S_8DOqU3VyHn5PAd&t=1321

Wrestling = Lowell Tournament (Milford, Taunton, Canton, Franklin)

"After day 1 of the Lowell holiday tournament 5 guys will be moving on to day 2. John Woodall and Riley Carlucci went 3-0 today moving to the quarterfinals and Caccevelli, Sauer and Rosenburger went 2-1 today putting them in the consolation of 16!!good luck to these wrestlers tmr!"

https://x.com/FHSWrestle/status/1870285053768429971

Boys Swimming = Franklin @ King Philip – Postponed to TBD.

Girls Swimming = Franklin @ King Philip – Postponed to TBD.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-12-20-24/

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

Children's Museum of Franklin adds Corporate Sponsors

via the Children's Museum of Franklin: 

"Joyfully announcing our newest corporate partners: @cesar.barbershop, a true Franklin destination , and @bostonnetworks, opening its newest location in Franklin next month!  

Thank you for your support and commitment to this community!"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B5jCPNpzf/

You can add your contribution too! https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/donate

Children's Museum of Franklin adds Corporate Sponsors

Franklin United Methodist Church - Christmas Eve service

Christmas Eve service

Via Franklin United Methodist Church: 

"Find joy in presence this Christmas!  

Join us on Christmas Eve at 7 PM as we recall the story of Jesus' birth, pray, sing, light candles, and rediscover the joy of being together."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/FranklinMaUMC/posts/pfbid02LdLg2RkjadPzq2yDDSwNec2cgB6AwHcdDo3ZpxEybkVjmvQcZipEkdqGBH1EcV7pl

Boston Globe: "The MBTA is plotting a revamp of the commuter rail. How will they do it?"

"State officials have been talking about offering far more frequent commuter rail service, powered by electricity, for years.

Now, with the MBTA’s current commuter rail contract approaching an end, it’s time to solve this riddle — to go from talk to action.

Mike Muller, the T’s commuter rail chief, made a presentation Thursday to the MBTA board about what it will take to revamp the entire system, and how the transportation industry has responded so far to requests for feedback that Muller’s team sent out earlier this year. The big question: to bundle or not to bundle? In other words, should the T hand over a long-term contract to one lead contractor, in charge of both running the trains and rebuilding the system, or break the contracts up?"

Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscription maybe required) ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/19/business/mbta-commuter-rail-contract-keolis/

Boston Globe: "The MBTA is plotting a revamp of the commuter rail. How will they do it?"

The Journalist Resource: "Our health editor dug through decades of research to address 15 common questions about fluoride in drinking water"

This week at The Journalist’s Resource we’re discussing the longtime practice of adding fluoride to public water systems in the U.S. as a community dental health measure.

15 common questions about fluoride in drinking water

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, avidly opposes fluorinating water.
 
Early last month, in a post on X, Kennedy called fluoride “an industrial waste,” and made unsubstantiated claims that the mineral is associated with a long list of health issues. He also posted that “the Trump White House will advise all U.S​. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.”
 
Meanwhile, many major public health organizations promote water fluoridation. In a scientific statement published in May, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the agency “promotes the safety and benefits of community water fluoridation as an effective, cost-efficient method for preventing tooth decay and improving overall oral health," adding that 1 in 4 American children living below the poverty level experience untreated tooth decay.
 
To help journalists and their audiences navigate the fluoride debate, JR senior health editor Naseem S. Miller dug through decades of published research to address 15 common questions about fluorinating water. Among them:

• Who makes decisions about water fluoridation? “Community water fluoridation is not enforced at the federal level,” Miller notes. “The decision of whether and how much to fluoridate public drinking water is made by state and local officials.”
• How effective is water fluoridation? “Years of research have found that water fluoridation prevents dental cavities,” Miller writes. “In the decades following the implementation of water fluoridation, the reduction of cavities in children was significant. However, recent studies show that the effect of water fluoridation has lessened since the mid-1970s with the widespread use of fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated mouthwash.”
• Is fluoride in water safe? “The main documented risk of community water fluoridation is dental fluorosis, a cosmetic change in dental enamel, mostly in the form of visible white markings on teeth,” Miller writes. She also provides a helpful rundown of what the research shows about fluoride and several other health issues.

To learn more, read “Here are the answers to 15 common questions about fluoride in drinking water.” 

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, December 20, 2024 ???

Friday, December 20

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)
• Fresh Floral Holiday Arrangements 4 Sale (via Instagram) 
• Franklin Art Association, Art Show & Sale (Norfolk Public Library)

10:00am  Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

8:00pm Jennifer Tefft & The Strange (live music - ticketed event) (New World Restaurant, Plymouth)

9:00pm David Weber (live music) (3 Restaurant)

**   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

This Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Committee meeting of Dec 10, 2024 (audio)

FM #1341 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1341 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. We recapped the School Committee meeting of Dec 10, 2024. 

 

We cover 

• Level based update on redistricting from Elementary, Middle and Early Childhood Dev Ctr (ECDC)

• Lifelong Learning update

• Discussion action items

• Trips to Japan & Hawaii approved

• Policies approved after 2nd reading

• End of year, outlook to Joint Budget and to 2025

The recording runs about 40 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1341-chalkboard-chat-12-11-24/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   

School Committee Meeting Info

• Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0JNS07rsB4 

• The agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5082504/SCAGENDA_12-10-24.docx.pdf 

• Meeting packet (other docs as they are released after the meeting will get posted here) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/december-10%2C-2024-sc-meeting-packet/730521 

• Redistricting update as a separate audio segment -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/redistricting-segment-from-school-cmte.html

• My full set of notes in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JnjmLo3gEfEVC1odtP4MnJLox38RYtGA/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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 Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Committee meeting of Dec 10, 2024 (audio)

Town Council recognizes Youth football teams, keeps Ben & adds logo, hears of forthcoming survey & more (video)

The Franklin, MA Town Council met on Wednesday Dec 18, 2024 as scheduled. 8 of the 9 members participated in Council Chambers,, 1 absent (Jones). Special vote to appoint Frongillo as temporary clerk for the meeting to be authorized to sign the documents (approved 8-0-1). 

An overflow audience filled the Chambers to start and then filtered away as their recognition section was completed.

Franklin TV video of the meeting available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/5h-UYum-TtQ?&t=132

The agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_-_dec_18_2024.pdf

Quick recap:

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Fourth and Sixth Grade Youth Football Teams -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/G8RxjgueNHCd5UcH8

Fourth and Sixth Grade Youth Football Teams

b. Peter Brunelli ->

Peter Brunelli recognition

c. Steve Carlucci https://photos.app.goo.gl/GAaiWxXj6nxTAQTR6

Steve Carlucci family & coworkers photo

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Agricultural Commission - Benjamin Rousseau

Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent) 

Annual License Renewals = Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent) 

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS

a. National Citizen Survey (aka Citizen Satisfaction Survey) - Kate Hinckley, Director of GIS   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8a._-_discussion_-_national_citizen_survey.pdf

b. Biennial Town Council - Town Administrator Midterm Goals Review - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator motion tabled from a resolution vote perspective as some of the goals will be noted as unable to complete due to funding/resource constraints.

c. Town Seal and Logo Presentation - Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator

after some contentious discussion, the vote to approve the logo passes 6-2-1 (1 absent)

vote to approve the logo passes 6-2-1 (1 absent)

d. The Distribution of Town Initiated Ballot Question Materials - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator; Mark Cerel, Town Attorney; and Nancy Danello, Town Clerk   

No real good way to accomplish this

Resolution 24-82: Adoption of Updated Fiscal Policies

approved after discussion around implication for directing school budget policy

Resolution 24-80: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent) 

Resolution 24-81: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,735), Senior Center ($130.02) , Fire Dept. ($1,515) Approved by vote 8-0-1 (1 absent)