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| Franklin has early lead vs. Weymouth |
Souper Bowl Update!
Franklin Food Pantry has taken an early lead with 82 cans, outpacing Weymouth Food Pantry's 72 cans.
To keep our momentum going, we're counting on your support! This weekend, swing by your local grocery store, pick up some cans of soup, and drop them off at The Pantry, 341 W Central St.
Please place your donations in the purple bin on our loading dock!
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| Senior Center event highlights for the week of Jan 20 - Jan 24 |
"Here’s what’s happening at the #franklinseniorcenter this week.
We are closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day."
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| training on ice-related emergencies at Beaver Pond |
via Franklin Firefighters Local 2637
"Group 1 trained this morning on vital skills for responding to ice-related emergencies, ensuring we're ready for any situation this winter.Plesse use caution on the ice as there is now a hole that is marked with caution tape and cones. '
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| Ben's Bounty could use your "do dads and thing-a-ma-jigs" |
"Cleaning out and don’t know what to do with your extra do dads and thing-a-ma-jigs?
Consider donating them to the #franklinseniorcenter for sale in our gift shop “Ben’s Bounty”.
All money raised goes towards programming and scholarships.
Thank you!! Questions? Call 508-520-4945"
Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY
Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY
8:00 am Planning Board 01-13-25
12:00 pm Economic Development 01-08-25
2:00 pm Planning Board 01-13-25
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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| Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA |
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| What's happening today in Franklin? |
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| State of the Franklin Schools - January 27 at 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio |
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.
a. New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine, Located at 14 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 (Motion to Continue Public Hearing of New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine to February 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm - Majority Vote)i. See License Transactions #7a.
b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Signs (at C. 3.) - Continued from January 8, 2025i. Legislation for Action #9a
c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin- Signs (at E.2.) - Continued from January 8, 2025i. Legislation for Action #9b
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Budget Subcommitteed. Master Plan Committeee. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committeef. Police Station Building Committeeg. GATRA Advisory Board
a. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (all Town unions) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares.
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| New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License |
FM #1355 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1355 in the series.
This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 7 members of the Committee were present in Council Chambers on the 2nf floor of the Town of Franklin municipal building for this session (2 absent).
Many of the Town department leaders were present and participating as needed. School Superintendent Lucas Giguere participated as did Interim School Business Administrator Jana Melotti along with consultant Dr Bob Dutch.
Quick recap
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walking the committee thru the memo on the capital budget https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/04a._fy25_capital_improvement_plan_memo.pdf
Many clarification questions on what for when, as well as possible reallocation of the recommendation. Chart on free cash is for information purposes
First resolution on use of free cash for the capital budget resulted in a discussion around amending the amount and creating a technology stabilization fund but ultimately that did not get amended and it was approved as proposed by a 7-0-2 (7 for, 2 absent) vote
Second resolution on funding from the enterprise accounts was approved as recommended with the same 7-0-2 vote
Now to the Opioid settlement funds. Memo https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._opioid_settlement_funds.pdf and the Resolution for approval https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._1_-_resolution_25-02_-_opioid_funding.pdf
After explanation of the current funding and a look at future funds coming (approx. $1.2M) the vote to approve the resolution passed 7-0-2
Now to the "hold harmless" topic for Chapter 70 school funding. State house news article references a commission to look at school funding https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6b._with_new_term_dawning_spilka_eyes_k-12_funding_reform_primary_care_overhaul_senate_statehousenews.com_.pdf
We are currently getting $12m over what the school funding formula calls for. We are the 2nd largest hold harmless (Boston #1) A change to the formula takes time. Jamie has been warning of this for some years.
Approximately 18-20m of town costs for school functions go to the net school spending. accounting to determine the per pupil spending calculation. ** $27m for FY 2024 fiscal year is actual. Confirmed that 24, 25 and 27 for last 3 years
Long and complex discussion around the possible review of the formula
Folks see the buildings going up but the population has been flat. Great quote from Jamie (to clip later) on the wealth growth and the hold harmless getting worse unless we choose to pay more
The recording runs almost 2 hours and 30 minutes, so let’s listen in.
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1355-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-01-15-25/
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Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/yzii8AGsv7k?&t=234
Agenda and supporting documents for this session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/finance_committee_meeting_agenda_-_january_15_2025.pdf
My notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ArVXe5jDOAsetxonq0voW2eKTSe_XWN3/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"
Tough day of wrestling in Woburn today, Franklin finishes in 5th with 156.5 pts and 7 placers. Woodall 1st, Ellis 5th, Caccevelli 3rd, Carlucci 3rd, Sauer 3rd, Griffin 5th, Rosenberg 6th.
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| FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com |
