Friday, January 17, 2025

School Committee recognizes FHS Cheerleaders, approves temporary naming for redistricting, gets update from Franklin TV (audio)

FM #1354 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1354 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Jan 14, 2024. 6 of the 7 members participated (6 in Chambers,  1 absent - Sompally).


Quick recap

  • FHS Cheerleaders recognized for winning multiple championships, approved for travel to the National Championship

  • Superintendent's report included multiple updates on redistricting efforts underway

  • FHS school update provided insights in the school year thus far

  • FHS Program of Studies update raised some clarification questions and at least one surprise that the community service hours added to the graduation requirements are not being monitored this year due to the budget cut that removed the individual who would have done that tracking. Community hours were being done by students, no one single person was tracking to ensure all the students were doing so this school year

  • Franklin TV provided an update on the programming provided to the community including the live broadcast of this meeting (across town, 2 school concerts were also broadcast and the FHS girls basketball game was also broadcast). revenue is dropping due to cable cutting, proposal at State Legislature on potential alternate revenue for cable operations, new Federal administration may attempt to dismantle the Federal authorization for cable broadcasting

  • Discussion action items

    • approved after much discussion as amended the notification on the temporary names for the schools as part of the redistricting

    • Capital budget modified from initial preview and approved

    • 3 policies for first reading approved to move to second reading

  • Update on educational expenses for the student from the emergency shelter. Quarterly reimbursement from DESE only used to offset the costs of educating these students. Reimbursement at rate of $104/per day/per student. The override had nothing to do with the education of these students. FPS does not use the operational budget to educate the student from the emergency shelter

  • Grants to the amount of $1.6 M were preview by the committee (document not part of the public set released prior to the meeting). Over what period these grants covered was not mentioned out loud.

  • Round of subcommittee updates

  • Motion to enter executive session, not to return to public meeting, passed 6-0-1 (1 absent)


The recording runs about 3 hours & 24 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1354-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-14-25/



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


The agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/fsc.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/january-14%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/742564


My full set of notes in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JdupV2TntAObJjwWAik_BBpoPfpLPHVH/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!

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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"

 

School Committee recognizes FHS Cheerleaders, approves temporary naming for redistricting, gets update from Franklin TV (audio)
School Committee recognizes FHS Cheerleaders, approves temporary naming for redistricting, gets update from Franklin TV (audio)

FHS girls & boys track teams both top Milford & Sharon in double dual meet on Thursday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Thursday, January 16, 2025


Boys Indoor Track (@ The TRACK at New Balance)
Franklin, 57 vs. Milford, 43 – Final
Sharon, 29 vs. Franklin, 71 – Final

Full list of boy's performances by event

Team scores for both boy's meets

Girls Indoor Track (@ The TRACK at New Balance)
Franklin, 73 vs. Milford, 27 – Final
Sharon, 31 vs. Franklin, 68 – Final

Full list of girl's performances by event

Team score for both girl's meets


For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

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

Town of Franklin: No Scheduled Trash Delay for week of January 20 - 24, 2025

Town of Franklin: No Scheduled Trash Delay for week of January 20 - 24, 2025
No Scheduled Trash Delay for week of January 20 - 24, 2025


No Scheduled Trash Delay January 20 - 24, 2025

Curbside Trash/Recycling will be picked up on your regular day!


Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/no-trash-delay-january-20-24-2025


For a copy of the curbside flyer ->  

FHS Science Olympiad schedules fund raiser Friday, Jan 17 at Panera

FHS Science Olympiad schedules fund raiser Friday, Jan 17 at Panera
fund raiser Friday, Jan 17 at Panera

 

"We are holding a Panera Fundraiser this FRIDAY! 
20% of the proceeds when you use the code FUND4U online/at the kiosk/in the app or show them the poster."





New snow plow finally arrives

New snow plow finally arrives
New snow plow finally arrives

via Town of Franklin (MA) DPW 

"Our newest snow fighting piece of equipment was delivered today! It is awesome!  
This truck was appropriated in 2022 with capital money. Over 19 months waiting for delivery.  
Getting the final touches on it, get it registered will be ready for next big storm."


Open House for the Tri-County Children’s Center - Feb 6

Registration and Open House for the Tri-County Children’s Center preschool program for 2025– 2026 will begin on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Applications can be found on the preschool’s website, TCChildrensCenter.com.

Appointments to view the preschool will be available by pre-registration using the link on our website. Open House will be held on Thursday, February 6 from 9:15-9:45 or from 10:15-10:45 a.m. at the Tri-County Regional High School in Franklin at 147 Pond Street. Parents will be able to view the laboratory preschool while children engage in developmentally appropriate activities. Attendees must pre-register and bring a valid picture ID to enter our building. For more information, please visit TCChildrensCenter.com.

Open House for the Tri-County Children’s Center - Feb 6
Open House for the Tri-County Children’s Center - Feb 6
Placement is limited to residents of the 11 towns within the Tri-County District, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole and Wrentham. Admission is decided through a lottery system. Registration will be made open to other towns if spaces are not filled by residents within the district.

The random drawing to determine which of the children registered will be enrolled will take place on Tuesday, March 6, 2025. The number of children registered has traditionally far exceeded the number of spaces available so the random drawing was established. Those names not selected in the drawing are placed on a waiting list.

Birth certificates for children being registered must accompany all registration forms. Registration is limited to those children who are at least age 3 years by September 15, 2025 for the three-day program. A $25.00 non-refundable registration fee is due at registration time. Enrollment is limited to two years or part of two years for the preschool program, as long as the child is age eligible.

Preschool sessions are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:20 to 11:20 a.m. for the three-day program. Tuition is $45* per week.. Class size is limited to 24 children.

Three teachers in the Tri-County Early Education Program supervise the preschool program, and are assisted by high school students in the Early Education Major.

*Subject to change

ROWBOAT scheduled to perform at La Cantina Winery, Saturday, Jan 18 - 7 PM

ROWBOAT scheduled to perform at La Cantina Winery, Saturday, Jan 18 - 7 PM
ROWBOAT scheduled to perform at La Cantina
"Join us this Saturday, January 18, from 7:00 to 9:30 PM, as we welcome an incredible new group ROWBOAT to the winery for the first time!

🍷 Pair their amazing music with your favorite glass of wine and our delicious tapas for an unforgettable evening.

🎤 You won’t want to miss this one! Gather your friends and make it a night to remember at La Cantina Winery.

📍 Franklin, MA
🗓️ Mark your calendars and get here early – seating is first-come, first-served!"

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DE2lPTPRiI2/



 

Announcing the 1st Annual Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit: Call for Artists

CALLING ALL ARTISTS:  The Franklin Art Association is collaborating with the Franklin Historical Museum to present the 1st Annual Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit.  This exhibit is open to all artists including student artists in Franklin and the surrounding areas.  There is no entry fee to participate.   

The exhibit will be held at the Franklin Historical Museum June 7 - June 22, with a registration deadline of May 23rd.  

Artists may request an entry form and exhibit guidelines by emailing the Franklin Art Association at faasecretary@gmail.com.  

So get those brushes and paints out and help make this first of its kind Franklin community event a huge success!


Franklin Art AssociationFranklin Historical Museum

Commuter Rail notice for schedule on MLK Jr Day January 20-21

On Monday, January 20th (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), all Commuter Rail trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.

Affected lines:
  • Newburyport/Rockport Line
  • Haverhill Line
  • Lowell Line
  • Fitchburg Line
  • Framingham/Worcester Line
  • Needham Line
  • Franklin/Foxboro Line
  • Fairmount Line
  • Providence/Stoughton Line
  • Middleborough/Lakeville Line
  • Kingston Line
  • Greenbush Line


Last Updated: Jan 13 2025 09:29 AM

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Friday, Jan 17, 2024

  • wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday
9:00am, 12:00pm, 6:00pm - Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00am, 1:00pm, 7:00pm - Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00am, 2:00pm, 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 Jim Johnston: Ben Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr.
8:30 am Frank Presents: KP Sompally
10:00 am Riffin' on Main Street: Erin Gallagher
11:00 am Senior Connection: Spaghetti Bolognese
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Banana Bread
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Salmon
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Game Day Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 8
3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1
4:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Twisted Sisters
5:30 pm Veterans' Call: Tune It Out
6:30 pm Matt York: Highway Men
9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Seth Glier

  • 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: Abigail Drake
9:30 am Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022
11:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v King Philip 01-11-25
2:00 pm Cultural Council: BT ALC Big Band
3:30 pm FHS Varsity Wrestling v Milford 01-08-25
8:30 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon
9:30 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

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

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 01-02-25

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 01-02-25


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
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Thursday, January 16, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, January 16, 2025 ???

Thursday, January 16

8:30am  State & Town Officials Office Hour (Franklin Senior Center)
6:00pm Band School of Franklin Winter Concert (Horace Mann School)
7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society Franklin)
7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio Studio)
7:00pm MA State of the Commonwealth - Gov Healey (Live streamed to YouTube)


**  Town Meetings today   **


ZBA Meeting - NO MEETING
Event Date:  Thursday, January 16, 2025 - 7:30pm

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Why are there multiple calendars?
What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
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

BEN's Bulletin: Master Plan Edition


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20240323_142015 1 (2)

BEN's Bulletin (01/15/25)

 

Happy new year! In light of tonight's Master Plan Committee meeting, we jump right into it with a special edition on Franklin's ongoing Master Plan Update.

As always, feel free to join our next monthly meeting (TOMORROW, 1/16 at 7pm) at Franklin TV or virtually at the following link: meet.ben4franklin.org.

The Master Plan

This edition, we're taking a quick break from BEN's Take on upcoming meetings to give you an overview of Franklin's ongoing Master Plan Update as it is nears completion. The latest (and potentially final) draft of the Master Plan can be found here.

Overview

  • A master plan is a strategic framework that guides the future physical and economic development for the Town of Franklin based on the community's vision and goals.
  • A municipality's Master Plan is submitted to the state according to their guidelines (MGL c.41 s.81D), which dictate a Plan must include the following elements: Land Use; Housing; Economic Development; Circulation; Open Space and Recreation; Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources; Community Services and Facilities; Sustainability; Goals and Policies; Implementation.
  • In 2023, Franklin formed a Master Plan Committee to update its last Master Plan from 2013.
  • The Committee - consisting of members of the Town Council, Planning Board, other Boards, and public - has been meeting regularly over the past two years and collecting feedback across numerous public meetings, hearings, surveys, presentations, staff discussions, and workshops.

What Excites Us

In general, BEN is highly supportive of the Master Plan as currently drafted and our members' input throughout the stakeholdering process has helped shape it into its current form. Here are five reasons BEN is particularly excited about this Plan:

  1. Boosts Housing Affordability
    • Supports upzoning and mixed-use neighborhoods to strategically increase housing options in smart locations
    • Promotes diverse housing types, including missing middle housing, scaled affordability requirements, and public housing funding
  2. Drives Economic Growth
    • Encourages strategic development to grow tax revenue and create job opportunities
    • Invests in infrastructure and cultural amenities to support businesses and enhance community vitality
  3. Enhances Connectivity
    • Expands transportation options to link neighborhoods with jobs, schools, and amenities
    • Develops walkable and bikeable paths to improve mobility and access across Franklin
  4. Celebrates Franklin's Neighborhoods
    • Strengthens neighborhood character with parks, walkable spaces, and local services
    • Fosters a sense of place by enhancing amenities and connections within neighborhoods
  5. Balances Growth and Preservation
    • Promotes sustainable practices to ensure new growth complements the town's character and long-term vision
    • Expands access to parks, trails, and recreational facilities to improve quality of life and promote community health

Upcoming Dates

  • TONIGHT (1/15, 6:30pm) - Master Plan Committee

    • Committee will review and approve a Final Master Plan for presentation and consideration before the Planning Board and Town Council
  • 1/27, 7:00pm - Planning Board

    • The Planning Board is the official approver of the Master Plan, according to the state.

    • While Board members have provided input throughout the process, they will have an additional opportunity to ask questions following a presentation.

    • We are encouraging our members to attend this meeting and, as comfortable, express support for the Plan's passage.

  • TBD - Town Council

    • Committee will present the Final Master Plan to the Town Council and public 

      Reach out with any comments or questions. Thanks!

      The BEN Brigade

      Know someone else who may be interested in this content? Please share!

      Ben 4 Franklin, 23 Hutchinson St, Franklin, MA