Thursday, January 30, 2025

First session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour at the Elks, Jan 30 at 7 PM

Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour
(Members of the Town Council, School Committee, and Finance Committee)
Thursday, January 30, 2025 = 7:00 PM

Franklin Elks


Agenda

1. Call the meeting to order & Pledge of Allegiance

2. Town Administrator and Superintendent of Schools Opening Remarks
3. Public listening session
Citizens are welcome to express their views or ask questions on matters of town or school budgets and finance.
4. Adjourn

Available to Comcast and Verizon subscribers as well at to YouTube at  https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall

The agenda doc can be found

First session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour at the Elks, Jan 30 at 7 PM
First session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour at the Elks, Jan 30 at 7 PM
First session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour
First session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour

Capital Budget Subcmte reviews the capital budget proposal & recommends to Town Council (video)

The Capital Budget Subcommittee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Jan 29 at 7 PM. All four members were present in Chambers.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU2Z065FX-g


Quick recap
  • Comments by the committee members opening the meeting, acknowledging the work of the Finance Committee, seemed like this could be a short session. 3 hours later, the meeting adjourned. All the budget items as presented were approved by 4-0 votes
  • The Town Council will now take these up at one of their February meetings
My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF

The capital budget proposal on the agenda for the Capital Budget Subcommittee Wednesday
The capital budget proposal on the agenda for the Capital Budget Subcommittee Wednesday

Capital Budget Subcommittee
Capital Budget Subcommittee



FHS boys hockey, girls & boys basketball teams all post wins on Wednesday (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  Wednesday, January 29, 2025


Boys Basketball = Franklin, 54 @ Mansfield, 47 – Final
Ryan Lanigan || HockomockSports.com Editor provides the game recap -> 
"Having accounted for half of Franklin’s scoring, it’s obvious senior Caden Sullivan had a massive night on the offensive end of the court.

But his biggest play just might have been on the defensive end.

The host Hornets had trailed by seven — which seemed like a lot more in this game — midway through the fourth but had clawed all the way back to make it a two-point game with the ball with a minute to go."


Girls Basketball = Mansfield, 32 @ Franklin, 48 – Final 
– Franklin put together an impressive defensive performance and, even with Lauryn DiGiorgio and Ava Bonney not in the lineup, the Panthers had 11 players score at least one point. Mansfield only scored 10 points in the opening half. Lena Malymina matched the Hornets on her own, scoring all 10 of her points in the first half, and Chloe Fales scored seven of her 11 points before the break to build a 25-10 lead. Sophia Foley scored eight of her 10 points for Mansfield in the second half, but Franklin never allowed the Hornets to make a comeback push and stay alone in first in the Kelley-Rex. Sophia Sacramone hit a pair of threes and scored six points and Mallory Santos had five in the win. Ella Palanza added eight points for the Hornets and Kaylis Diaz scored five.

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYbgn-360lQ&t=508



Boys Hockey = Franklin, 5 @ King Philip, 2 – Final
Josh Perry || HockomockSports.com Managing Editor provides the game recap:
"This has not been a typical winter for Franklin. The Panthers came into Wednesday night’s showdown with King Philip at the Foxboro Sports Center with a losing record, a negative goal differential, and right on the edge of the top 32 in the Div. 1 power rankings.

By the end of Wednesday’s game, one thing looked familiar – the Panthers were sitting atop the Kelley-Rex division and controlled their own destiny in the quest for a 14th straight league title.

Thanks to a four-goal second period, Franklin came from behind to beat KP 5-2 and move one point ahead of the Warriors in the division standings with two Hockomock games to go."

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 3 @ Norwood, 4 – Final
Three different Panthers found the back of the net but Franklin came up just short on the road against Norwood. Julia Flynn, Olivia Heger, and Hannah Auerr each scored for Franklin while both Flynn and Auerr each had an assist.

Gymnastics = Oliver Ames @ Franklin, 8:30
no results available at this time


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

FHS Winter Jazz Concert - Jan 29, 2025 (video)

The Franklin High School Winter Jazz Concert was held on Wednesday in the FHS auditorium. It was broadcast by Franklin TV to YouTube where the video is available of the performance.





Franklin High School Celebrates Student Success

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Assistant Superintendent Tina Rogers, and Principal Maria Weber are thrilled to share Franklin High School students' success.

From the classroom to the performance stage and on the athletic fields, Franklin High School students succeeded in academics, athletics, clubs, extracurriculars, and in the community.

"We are continually impressed with our students' dedication and determination," Superintendent Giguere said. "They work extremely hard and constantly exceed the day-to-day requirements expected of them. We are thrilled to celebrate their success stories."

Some of the highlights over the last few months at Franklin High School include the following:

Academics

Forty-seven Franklin High School students have either earned the Seal of Biliteracy or are in line to earn it when they graduate. The award recognizes students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by graduation. Last year, four Franklin High students were awarded college credit for earning the Seal. 
Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud

More than a dozen Franklin High School students participated in a Poetry Out Loud competition on Thursday, Jan. 23. Students recited two poems from memory during two rounds of competition. Senior Ella Mahoney won the competition and plans to move forward and compete at districts at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Sunday, March 9, at 1 p.m. For the next round of the competition, she must select a third poem from the Poetry Out Loud website to memorize. Sophomore Abigail Schmellick came in second place and will serve as a backup to Ella for districts.

Athletics

Franklin High School Athletics teams celebrated several successes in the fall 2024 season, including a Massachusetts School Administrators' Association Div. 1 2024 Fall Cheerleading State Championship. The Cheerleading team will compete at the national level this spring.
MIAA coaches
MIAA coaches


Three Franklin High School coaches received MIAA 2023-24 Coach of the Year awards: Boys Basketball coach CJ Neely, Unified Track coach Lisa Burger, and former Boys and Girls Swim coach Jess Pridham. 

DECA

The Franklin High School DECA Chapter participated in the regional Massachusetts DECA District Two Conference on Jan. 9 and 10 in Mansfield.

DECA Chapter 1
DECA Chapter
On Jan. 9, over 100 Franklin students competed in the Written Event, facing intense competition from more than 700 students across various districts, all vying for the top five spots in each category. Franklin advanced one individual and 14 teams to the next stage.

On Jan. 10, Franklin High School had over 50 students competing in the Role Play Event, which featured over 450 students from other districts, competing for the top five spots in each category. Franklin advanced five individuals and four teams.
DECA Chapter 2
DECA Chapter 2


Franklin DECA will proudly send over 50 students to the State Competition, which will take place at the Seaport Boston from Feb. 27 to March 1. The team aspires to advance to the International Career Development Conference in Florida, the pinnacle of DECA competitions.

Visual & Performing Arts

The Franklin High School Theatre Company (FHSTC), directed by Chloe Selznik, performed "The Outsiders" in November.

Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen
Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen
Twenty-seven Franklin High School music students have been accepted into the Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Orchestra. Eight students placed first chair in their sections. Eighteen of the students scored high enough to be recommended for auditions for the Massachusetts All-State Festival.

Franklin High School music student volunteers performed at various community events to help celebrate the holiday season, including performances at Walmart, Shaw's, and Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen.

In collaboration with the Salvation Army, Franklin High School Chorus members sang Christmas carols at Stop & Shop on two occasions, raising $484 for the cause.


Galentine's Day Bubbles & Rose Event at Pour Richard's - Feb 13

Via Pour Richard's posting ->
"Grab your friends and loved ones and join us for an evening of wine tasting and shopping with local vendors, artisans and small businesses.
Galentine's Day Bubbles & Rose Event at Pour Richard's - Feb 13
Galentine's Day Bubbles & Rose Event 
Current vendors:
🍷Wine vendor
👜Jill’s Luxury Leather Goods
⛓️Permanent Jewelry with Taurie
💍Park Lane Jewelry with Rachel
🍫The Fudge Lady
🧥ReVamped Threads by Julie (revamped jean jackets, blazers and more)
🪵 Micella Home (handmade cutting boards, wood trays and more)
💐 Kind Paws and Floral Services
All Vendor spots are full.
No Entry Fee
No RSVP "

Reminder: National Community Survey for Franklin, MA is out for those randomly selected. Please respond

Franklin has launched the National Community Survey - We want to hear from you! 

Reminder: National Community Survey for Franklin, MA is out for those randomly selected. Please respond
Reminder: National Community Survey
We need your input to help us make upcoming planning and budgeting decisions. Invitations have been sent to randomly selected households asking for feedback via The National Community Survey. 

In a few weeks, we'll open the survey to all residents. If you would like to receive an email notification for this community-wide survey, register now to become a part of Franklin's digital sounding board: polco.us/n/res/signup


Thank you for sharing your voice! 



Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Thursday, Jan 30, 2025

  • wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday

9:00am, 12:00pm, 6:00pm - Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  
  • Show 1 features the amazing Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers "Mojo" album.    Mojo is their 12th album released in 2010. Tom Petty wanted to make a Heartbreakers record after an eight year break that was as close to a live studio recording as possible. Check it out and enjoy the Mojo with The Vibe and Pauly G.
  • Playlist ->   https://tinyurl.com/TurntablePlaylists
11:00am, 2:00pm, 8:00pm  - Frank Presents – Notable Local Conversations
 
  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = Thursday

7:30 am Veterans' Call: Lauren Turner
10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports
11:30 am Comfort Food: Comfort Food
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies
12:30 pm CookwLinda_Chicken_111224F
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Game Day Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 1
3:00 pm Riffin' on Main Street: Jacob Juncker
4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
5:00 pm Franklin Art Association: Joyce McJilton Dwyer
6:30 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open
7:00 pm Frank Presents: KP Sompally
9:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Freedom Trail

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

7:00 am Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 3 01-15-19
8:30 am Lifelong Music: Band & Elementary Glee
10:00 am FHS Varsity Swimming v King Philip 01-25-24
1:30 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon
2:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
4:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Taunton 01-11-25
6:30 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing
9:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Medfield 01-25-25

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission 01-23-25

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee 01-15-25

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 01-23-25

7:30 pm Zoning Board of Appeals  REMOTE  968 3939 9695


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

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 ???

Wednesday, January 29

1:00pm Scribblers Writing Group (recording session) (Franklin TV Studio)
7:00pm FHS Jazz Concert (Franklin High School)

**   Town Meetings today   **


Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting
January 29, 2025, 7:00 PM


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

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

Dean College 2025 Summer Programs for Teens

Dean College Announces Its 2025 Summer Programs

 Registration Now Open for Pre-College and Summer Arts Institute

Dean College is excited to announce its summer program offerings for high school students, including three pre-college courses and two performing arts programs. Registration and additional information are now available at www.dean.edu/academics/summeratdean/.

Dean's 2025 summer programs include the following:

PRE-COLLEGE

Designed especially for high school students, Dean's pre-college programs offer a great introduction to life on campus, while getting a head start on college-level learning.

Sports Broadcasting—This program offers a unique opportunity for hands-on and classroom instruction in various areas of the industry, including sports radio, television, and play-by-play broadcast. Instructed by John Rooke, Director of The Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management—and the voice of the New England Patriots, New England Revolution, and Providence College men's basketball—this is a summer experience students won't find anywhere else. College credit is available to be earned through this course.

  • Session 1: Sunday, July 20 to Saturday, July 26, 2025
  • Session 2: Sunday, July 27 to Saturday, August 2, 2025

Podcasting—This program allows participants to create, record, edit, upload, and market their own podcasts. Students will learn in a hands-on environment how to utilize professional digital audio equipment and software and familiarize themselves with all major podcast platforms. The podcasting course is instructed by Vic Michaels, General Manager of WGAO-FM, Associate Professor of Communications, and a 30-year veteran radio broadcaster. College credit is available to be earned through this course.

  • Sunday, July 27 to Saturday, August 2, 2025

Social Media Influencer—This program introduces participants to the exciting world of social media content production. These emerging influencers will produce professional-looking videos, design brands, and partner with other content creators. Students will learn how influencers are made, from marketing strategies to content creation. Dean professors Dr. Liz Faber and Ursula Wefers bring a robust understanding of social media marketing to this program.

  • Sunday, July 27 to Saturday, August 2, 2025

SUMMER ARTS INSTITUTE

Dean's Summer Arts Institute offers students ages 14 to 18 the opportunity to learn from and train with esteemed performing arts faculty, in either a musical theatre or dance intensive. Both intensives run from July 27 to August 3, 2025.

Musical Theatre Intensive—One of the best summer performing arts programs in New England, Dean's Musical Theatre Intensive is an exciting week of studying acting, singing, and dancing with industry experts. Participants will also learn to choose repertoire effectively and gain skills in rehearsal techniques and casting calls.

Dance Intensive—Students at Dean's Dance Intensive will be provided with training in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and more. They will also have the opportunity to explore artistry, create choreography, and even perform an original work.

Both programs will include workshops in:

  • Physical conditioning
  • College prep
  • Resume writing
  • Headshots
  • Auditioning

Space is limited for all of Dean's summer programs. Online registration is available at www.dean.edu/academics/summeratdean/ and ends on Friday, July 18, 2025. 

Dean College is a private, residential New England college grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity for academic and personal success. A uniquely supportive community for more than 150 years, Dean has woven together extensive student support and engagement with exceptional teaching and innovative campus activities. Our graduates are lifetime learners who thrive in their careers, embrace social responsibility and demonstrate leadership. This is The Dean Difference.

 


 

  

dean.edu 

Capital Budget Subcommmittee to review the FY 2026 capital budget - Jan 29 - 7 PM

The Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Town Council gets to review and vote on the capital budget at their session Wednesday night.

The Finance Committee reviewed this capital budget among the items on its agenda at their Jan 15 meeting. The recap, audio and video links are available here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/finance-committee-approves-recommended_0799398139.html


FY25 Capital Plan & Subcommittee recommendations 
a. Town Administrator Memo  
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4098/2025-01-29-CBSC-Agenda---1a-FY25-Capital
b. FY25 Department Summary Requests & Capital Plans  
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4117/1b---Capital---Dept-Requests-and-5-Year-Plans
c. Quotes  
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4116/1c-Quotes
The capital budget proposal on the agenda for the Capital Budget Subcommittee Wednesday
The capital budget proposal on the agenda for the Capital Budget Subcommittee Wednesday

The Capital Budget Subcommittee agenda ->   https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01292025-1526

The meeting will be broadcast to Comcast & Verizon subscriber as well as to Zoom and to YouTube  https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall

School Committee gets details on middle school math curriculum changes, FY 2026 budget, & approves Parmenter release to the Town (video)

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. 6 of the 7 members were present in Council Chambers for the just over 4 hour session. 

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



Quick recap:
  • The middle school math curriculum program is being revised to meet MA Curriculum Framework guidelines and to beter meet the needs for a solid foundation in math for all students. Photos of the presentation were recorded into one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/73DtDSCgcRCPiPHz9
  • The FY 2026 budget was presented and mutlipe questions from the committee to clarify the details. $80M is being requested, 3.78% more than prior year but within the guidelines offered by the Town Administrator which also assuming successful passage of the possible override
    • The schools do achieve significant savings with the redistricting. 34 positions are reassigned within the district, 20 positions ultimately will be reduced. For the non-redistricted budget: it would be a >$6M increase from last year. About $3M more than level service that is being requested for this year
    • The budget timeline was laid out whcih includes a budget hearing Feb 4, School Committee vote on Feb 11, the Joint Budget listening sessions, before the Finance Committee hearings in April and Town Council hearings in May
    • What was not discussed, but is on the timeline, is the Town Council consideration of the possible override at a March meeting AFTER the listening sessions complete. The decision for yes or no on the override, and if yes, to determine a date and an amount are to be expected
    • Photos of the presentation were recorded into one album ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/URuuP6RLYXmtnR3G9
  • The decision to release the Parmenter facility to the Town was approved. Consideration of the alleged Parmenter family requirement for the land to be kept in school use was made but based upon Town Attorney advice that the deed does not include such a provision, the decision was made to proceed. Vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)
  • Three sets of policy modifications were made per DESE request to bring language of the policy into compliance with current requirements. Vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)
  • Motion to enter into executive session for contract negotiations, not to return to open session was made and approved. The vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)
My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

School Committee gets details on middle school math curriculum changes, FY 2026 budget, & approves Parmenter release to the Town (video)
School Committee gets details on middle school math curriculum changes, FY 2026 budget, & approves Parmenter release to the Town (video)