Town Council meeting of Jan 22, 2025 available for audio replay (audio)

FM #1362  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1362 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, January 22, 2025. All 9 of the members participated in Council Chambers. 

Quick recap:

• APPOINTMENTS - Police Station Building Committee - Andrew Woodward

• PUBLIC HEARING - rescheduled to Feb 5; 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

• PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION on Maple Hill and Schmidt Farm Update - Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation Director

• 2 Zoning Bylaw Amendments for Signs, first reading and approved to move to second reading

• 2 Zoning Bylaw Amendments for their second reading, and receiving unanimous final approval

• Grant of Underground Gas Distribution System Easement for work by Eversource at the Pump Station near the Recreation Dept.

• Approval of a donation for the Senior Center

• TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

• Emergency housing potentially ended by year end (if not sooner)

• New website, agenda issue for Jamie, kins to be worked out

• Senior Center heating issue, funding planned for ‘permanent’ fix

Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours and 10 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1362-town-council-mtg-01-22-25/

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Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/whUEjE1HPjY?&t=149 

The agenda doc -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01222025-1501 

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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"

Town Council meeting video available for replay - Jan 22, 2025 (video)

FHS girls hockey fall to Medfield 1-2 on Saturday (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 Saturday, January 25, 2025

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 1 vs. Medfield, 2 – Final

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

West Springfield Tournament (Franklin), 10:00AM 

- no results available at this time

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-25-25/

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

Franklin TV: Cooking in 2025

Learn to Cook, with Linda Waters

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 01/26/2025

Ingredients for Chicken Pot Pie filling, all ready for camera

On Thursday we began our 2025 production season of ‘Learn to Cook, with Linda’. The theme of the day: comfort food. The recipes: Chicken Pot Pie, Mac-n-Cheese, and Shepherd’s Pie. Whenever we record cooking shows in our TV kitchen it’s a vaguely Pavlovian experience. We tend to record three episoides in the normal course, and as each one is completed the production crew starts to salivate – drooling like Pavlov’s dog hearing a bell that signified food was at hand.

The ‘kitchen’ day is just one step in a production process that begins a week or so earlier. Linda begins recipe planning and lays out the ingredients and cooking instructions in PowerPoint. She provides a shopping list, and we then gather all the necessaries from local markets and farm stands. We make sure to buy and prepare enough for the production crew – lest they become ‘hangry’ – and mutiny.

A well-fed crew is a happy crew.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching. 

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.

And staying informed at Franklin●news.

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

Call for Artists to participate in the 1st Annual Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit

CALLING ALL ARTISTS:  

1st Annual Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit

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!

FISH of Franklin need volunteers - Can you help?

TRANSPORTATION AND TELEPHONE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Do you have one day a month to volunteer for FISH of Franklin?

FISH of Franklin is a non-profit organization of volunteers that provides transportation to medical appointments for Franklin residents who have no other means of transportation. Our local Franklin Chapter has been providing services to clients since 1973.

FISH volunteers are caring and compassionate men and women who devote one day a month to telephone and/or transportation for our FISH clients.

FISH of Franklin need volunteers - Can you help? 

To learn more about FISH volunteer opportunities, please call:

FISH of Franklin

508-528-2121

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BWZspvk84/

You can also listen to my conversation with Barbara Steele, Nancy Rappa and Terry Robbins, all with FISH of Franklin. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV Studio conference room on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1053-fish-of-franklin-celebrate-50-years-08-29-23

Reminder: Friends Of Franklin Library Fudge Sale - your order is due by Feb 6, 2025

Friends of the Franklin Library is partnering with The Fudge Lady of Uxbridge for our 3rd Annual Valentine's Day Fudge Fundraiser. You can choose from 17 delicious specialty fudge flavors, including two vegan and one sugar free option. Also, 15 of the 17 fudge flavors are gluten free.

Reminder: Friends Of Franklin Library Fudge Sale - your order is due by Feb 6, 2025

With Valentine's Day coming up, this is the perfect gift for that special someone, your friends, family, or co-workers. And don't forget to treat yourself, too!

All proceeds will help Friends of the Franklin Library continue to support and fund a variety of library-run programs, services, and initiatives at our beloved Franklin Public Library.

 This year there are two ordering options:

• Option 1:  Mail your completed order form + check to:
                    Friends of the Franklin Library, PO Box 147, Franklin, MA 02038

• Option 2:  Email your completed order form to fofl02038@gmail.com and  VENMO your payment to @FriendsofFranklinLibrary

Orders are due by Thursday, February 6th and will be available for pick up at the library during designated times Tuesday, 2/11– Thursday, 2/13.  

CLICK HERE to start your order!

The Friends thank you for your continued support!

Best,
Friends of the Franklin Library

Order form -> https://www.fofl02038.org/_files/ugd/9c642c_5bcfed6d9897404880a8bcdd379d9297.pdf

Consider taking this Country Line Dancing class Feb 13

Starts Thursday Feb. 13th

Line dancing is great exercise and really fun! Plus, it's a great way to meet people. Click the link below for all the info. For information and to register, visit: Community Learning Exercise & Wellness Classes

Lifelong Learning Institute - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street Room 137 | Franklin, MA 02038 US

Reminder: State of the Franklin Schools - Jan 27 at 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio

School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan and Vice Chair David McNeill will provide a brief presentation on the "State of the Schools" and spend time with Q&A.

State of the Franklin Schools - Jan 27 at 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio

Dealing with spam texts, emails, and junk mail

Dealing with spam texts, emails, and junk mail By Andrew Rayo If it's not scammers spamming your phone with texts or filling up your inbox with emails, it's your mailbox crammed with ads and other mail you didn't ask for. The junk messages and mail might seem endless, but there are some ways to help scale it back. Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/01/dealing-spam-texts-emails-and-junk-mail?

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, January 25, 2025 ???

Saturday, January 25

• No Trash/Recycling Delay scheduled due to MLK Jr Holiday Monday (Waste Mgt is doing catch up work for streets missed)
• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library) 
• Last days to buy Music Booster calendar raffle for February

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free) 

10:00am Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament & Sale (First Universalist Society Franklin)

10:30am Bookworm Bounce (Franklin Public Library)

11:00am Preschool & Kindergarten Open House (Sunrise Montessori School Inc)

1:00pm Bacchus Busters (Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions)

1:30pm FHS MA All State auditions (Shrewsbury High School)

2:00pm The Great African American Musicians (Franklin Public Library)

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

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Why are there multiple calendars?

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/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda for Meeting January 28, 2025

Franklin School Committee 

January 28, 2025 - 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order Mr. Callaghan

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan

C. Payroll Mr. McNeill

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. Middle School Math Update

B. Superintendent’s Recommended FY26 Budget Presentation

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. Relinquish Parmenter School

I recommend relinquishing possession of the Parmenter Elementary School to the Town of Franklin on August 31, 2025 in accordance with the MSBA notification timeline of school closure.

B. Policy - Second Readings/Adoption

I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed:

1. GBEB - Employee Conduct

2. JKAA - Physical Restraint of Students

3. JB - Equal Educational Opportunities

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. 2025-26 School Committee Meeting Schedule-DRAFT

B. ACCEPT Annual Report

V. Information Matters

A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the minutes from your January 14, 2025 meeting as detailed.

B. FHS Scholarships

I recommend the acceptance of $5,250.00 for FHS Scholarships as follows:

$250.00 from Johanna Jobin for the Jacqueline Schaeffer Scholarship

$5,000.00 from Thomas Wagner for the Thomas Wagner Scholarship

C. District Wide Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $225.00 from BJ’s Wholesale Club for District Wide in-house enrichment as detailed.

D. Music Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $3,102.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for In-house enrichment as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

 

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Executive Session

A. As per M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21 (2) To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective

bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel

X. Adjournment

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01282025-1531

Documents released for this session will be posted to the packet folder as they are released ->  https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/january-28%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/750840

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda for Meeting January 28, 2025