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

FM #1367 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1367 in the series. 

This session shares the Capital Budget Subcmte Meeting held Wednesday, January 29, 2025 in the Council Chambers. All four members participated. 

 

1. 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 votes to approve all recommendations were 4-0

The agenda doc https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01292025-1526

The recording runs about 3 hours , so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1367-capital-budget-subcmte-mtg-01-29-25/

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My full set of notes in one PDF ->   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNNvCsoWOmoEZ8ReL0iqH6B9MO9Moj96/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin TV video links -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/capital-budget-subcmte-reviews-capital.html

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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"

The "free cash" allocation overview for the capital budget proposal 

Capital Budget Subcommittee

FHS girls swimming take 1st (video), wrestling takes 4th place in Hock Championships; girls hockey posts a win on Saturday

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, February 1, 2025

Girls Swimming = Hockomock Swim Championships

Team Results

1. Franklin – 420

2. Sharon – 265

3. Attleboro – 234

4. Oliver Ames – 221

5. Mansfield – 206

Race Results

200 Yard Medley Relay

1. Attleboro (Zuri Ferguson, Samantha Provost, Ava Dougherty, Caroline Lynch-Bartek) – 1:53.45**

2. Franklin (Harikalal Birali, Taylor O’Neil, Kseniya Baghdasaryan, Sasha Baghdasaryan) – 1:53.80

200 Yard Free

1. Cora Shea, Sharon – 1:58.16

2. Ava Pecora, Franklin – 2:01.81

5. Elyse Ferreira, Franklin – 2:13.34

200 Yard IM

1. Feining Huang, Sharon – 2:10.04**

2. Kseniya Baghdasaryan, Franklin – 2:17.07

4. Molly McKinnon, Franklin – 2:31.82

6. Chloe Chew, Franklin – 2:5.60

50 Yard Free

1. Zuri Ferguson, Attleboro – 24.74**

2. Annie McLean, Canton – 26.03

3. Taylor O’Neil, Franklin – 26.13

4. Sasha Baghdasaryan, Franklin – 26.67

100 Yard Butterfly

1. Annie McLean, Canton – 58.82

2. Kseniya Baghdasaryan, Franklin – 59.63

5. Molly McKinnon, Franklin – 1:05.36

100 Yard Free

1. Cora Shea, Canton – 54.97

2. Harikalal Birali, Franklin – 55.85

3. Taylor O’Neil, Franklin – 56.18

500 Yard Free

1. Feining Huang, Sharon – 5:12.45

2. Samantha Provist, Attleboro – 5:24.39

3. Addison McDonald, Mansfield – 5:25.00

4. Ava Pecora, Franklin – 5:29.63

6. Bridget Travers, Franklin – 5:55.33

200 Yard Free Relay

1. Attleboro (Caroline Lynch-Bartek, Samantha Provost, Ava Dougherty, Zuri Ferguson) – 1:45.42

2. Franklin (Elyse Ferreira, Molly McKinnon, Bridget Travers, Ava Pecora) – 1:46.80

100 Yard Backstroke

1. Zuri Ferguson, Attleboro – 55.02

2. Harikalal Birali, Franklin – 1:00.07

3. Sasha Baghdasaryan, Franklin – 1:03.74

6. Keegan Wright, Franklin – 1:09.24

400 Yard Free Relay

1. Franklin (Kseniya Baghdasaryan, Ava Pecora, Harikalal Birali, Taylor O’Neil) – 3:46.80

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDmO6hwOBGs

For more on the meet (subscription required) -> 

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-girls-swim-championships-2025-results/

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 4 @ Stoughton/Sharon, 0 – Final 

– Eighth grader Olivia Heger scored a pair of goals to help the Panthers sweep the season series with the Black Knights. Kaitlin Johnson got what turned out to be the game-winner, assisted by Lily Santiago. Heger doubled the lead on an assist from classmate Cade Taccini. After Julia Flynn made it 3-0 with an unassisted goal, Heger netted her second on the power play, this time assisted by Haley Wernig. Izzy Brown picked up the shutout in goal.

Wrestling = Hockomock Wrestling Championships, (@ Stoughton)

"Great day of wrestling at the hockomock league tournament, Franklin finishes in 4th with 9 placers. Woodall 1st, Carlucci 1st🥇 Sauer 2nd, Rosenberger 2nd, Caccevelli 2nd🥈, Ellis 3rd 🥉, Carter 6th, Griffen 6th, Best 6th"   https://x.com/FHSWrestle/status/1885862952349151568

"2025 Hockomock League Wrestling Championship Team Results:

1. Milford - 241

2. Taunton 215.5

3. North Attleboro - 186.5

4. Franklin - 154.5

5. Foxboro - 145

Full results and a large photo gallery will be up on @HockomockSports by the end of the weekend."  https://x.com/R_Lanigan/status/1885790561832988737

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-01-25/

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

Franklin Public Radio: Eight Years Ago - Groundhog Day, Our Anniversary!

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 02/02/2025

Franklin Public Radio began broadcasting On-Air as wfpr.fm on 102.9 at 10:29am on Groundhog Day in 2017. We also stream our programming online at wfpr.fm. Since that time we haven’t missed a beat, operating continuously, 24/7/365.

 radio tower new extention securely placed in 2022

It has been eight years of local information and interviews by a growing group of on-air volunteers (our radio gang) and all that jazz. If you build it they will come. And indeed they have. This year we are expanding our radio schedule to include more opportunities for podcast-minded citizens to participate and broadcast their programming on the air.

If you have an interest and would like to produce your own regular podcast as a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly series, we can help – both creatively and technically. You can contact us by email at info@Franklin.TV, or just call 508-541-4118.

We also give a nod of congratulations to mark Lenzi and Kim Simone and their weekly program/podcast The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW). This year they are honored as First Place Winners by the Tastemakers Media National Academy for their programmimg. They have also been syndicated by PRX, the national Public Radio Exchange.

We maybe a small community radio station, but we have a big reach. People around the globe listen to our programs live, streaming from our website at wfpr.fm.

We’re local. We’re worldwide. We’re Franklin Public Radio, wfpr, 102.9 fm Tune in anytime.

And – Punxsutawney Phil’s 2025 prognostication? Eight more years and beyond of great public radio.

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

Town meetings on Wednesday (2/05/25): Board of Health, Master Plan & Town Council

Board of Health - February 5, 2025, 5:00 PM

https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052025-1543

Master Plan Committee - February 5, 2025, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052025-1544

Town Council Meeting - February 5, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052025-1546

Town meetings on Wednesday (2/05/25): Board of Health, Master Plan & Town Council

FHS Theatre Company holding clothing drive as a fund raiser thru Feb 13

FHS Theatre Company holding clothing drive

via the FHS Theatre Company 

Hello everyone!  

As a way to support our costuming department and future fundraising efforts, FHSTC is doing a clothing drive! Bring in any old clothing you may have to help support FHSTC!

All the details for this clothing drive are in the poster above. Please consider checking it out and supporting us!

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

Boston Globe: "In re-filed bill, Healey takes second swing to allow cities and towns to raise taxes on hotels, meals, cars"

"Governor Maura Healey on Friday filed legislation geared toward cities and towns that would cement the option for hybrid public meetings, and allow local leaders to raise the tax rate on hotel stays, meals, and cars in their borders.

The sprawling proposal, which Healey previewed to municipal leaders at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s annual conference in Boston last week, mirrors parts of legislation that Healey filed a year ago, which died in the Legislature.

Among those provisions she’s reintroducing are three tax proposals that her administration last year estimated could collectively generate more than $150 million in new annual tax revenue for towns and cities.

Boston Globe: "In re-filed bill, Healey takes second
swing to allow cities and towns to
raise taxes on hotels, meals, cars"

They include a provision that would allow towns and cities to collect a 1 percent tax on meals in restaurants and local stores, up from the current 0.75 percent maximum. Healey’s bill would also create an option for cities and towns to charge an additional 5 percent on the motor vehicle excise fee residents pay."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required) ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/31/metro/healey-municipal-bill-taxes/

or 

Link to legislation document -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/healey-files-mea/download

Link to Gov Healey's press release -> https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-files-municipal-empowerment-bill-to-enhance-ability-of-local-leaders-to-deliver-high-quality-services-for-their-communities

US Surgeon General's advice "We have to rethink what defines success and a good life"

Catching up to the message from the departing Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

"Today (Jan 7, 2025) , I am issuing my Parting Prescription for America—my final reflections as I complete my time as U.S. Surgeon General. It addresses a foundational—and urgent—question I have grappled with: what are the root causes of the pain and unhappiness so many are experiencing?

"We have to rethink what defines success and a good life"

In addition to more commonly discussed challenges such as economic hardship, mental health struggles, and uncertainty about the future, there is something else that has been missing for many people that is a critical driver of health and well-being: community.

The three critical components of community are relationships, service, and purpose. They comprise the triad of fulfillment.

Yet half of young people and a third of adults struggle with loneliness; formal and informal service have remained low; and an alarmingly high number of young adults say they have low or no meaning or purpose in their lives.

Rebuilding community will require a cultural shift to recenter our lives around the triad of fulfillment: relationships, purpose, and service. We have to rethink what defines success and a good life—and build our individual lives, institutions, and policies around that.

My Parting Prescription for America lays out a pathway for how we can make this critical shift. Community is a force for health and fulfillment. It is an antidote to division and despair. We need it more than ever. 

Read the full Parting Prescription at Surgeongeneral.gov/community"

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

You can find a copy of the full PDF message in the Franklin Matters archives

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ed_S8wqvKbcllN_KIU6PAZ1NsirTkYYB/view?usp=drive_link

Youth mountain biking club schedules Info Session at Library, Feb 25 at 6:30 PM

Youth mountain biking club schedules Info Session 

Bet you didn't know there's a youth mountain biking club here in Franklin. Minuteman Junior Cycling Club is for anyone in Grades 5-12.

Info session for the 2025 season - Franklin Public Library on February 25.

Lots of info can be found here in the meantime (including 2025 sign-up instructions): https://bit.ly/MJCCmtb

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ULaEER3mB/

Franklin Fire Dept hosted training session for Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team

Franklin Fire Dept hosted training session

Via Franklin Fire Dept:

"Yesterday we hosted training for our regional tech rescue team. Members of the department are assigned to this team."

Via Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team

"SCT Review - Franklin 

Yesterday our team held a structural collapse drill/refresher. First a review was given via PowerPoint, then the team broke up into squads building various types of shoring. This kind of training enhances our skills and prepares us to respond to a wide variety of incidents. One example would be a collapse incident similar to what happened in Weymouth earlier this week.

Thank you to Franklin Fire for hosting our drill this month, and thank you to all the team members who stepped up to lead stations."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/15JTeqDv4x/ (also has additional photos from training session)

Freezing? Maybe freeze your credit, too

Freezing? Maybe freeze your credit, too By Kira Krown New year, new chance to think about ways to protect yourself from identity theft. What's one way? Freeze your credit. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/01/freezing-maybe-freeze-your-credit-too?

Freezing? Maybe freeze your credit, too

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, February 1, 2025 ???

Saturday, February 1

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)  
• Fudge Fund Raiser for Friends of Franklin Library 

12:00pm Central District Jr. Music Festival auditions (Grafton High School)

1:00pm Painting for Adults (event full) (Franklin Public Library)

8:00pm Karaoke Night (Raillery Public House)

8:00pm Garden of Hedon Record Release Party (THE BLACK BOX)

**  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

In this Souper Bowl, everyone wins: "one quarter left, and the game is far from over"

via the Franklin Food Pantry 

"one quarter left, and the game is far from over"

"In true Panther Pride style, Franklin has reclaimed the lead in the 2025 Souper Bowl! The score now stands at Franklin Food Pantry 1,239 to Weymouth Food Pantry's 644.  

But as all New England fans know, there's still one quarter left, and the game is far from over!  

Who will emerge victorious in the 2025 Souper Bowl?!  

Get in on the action and donate cans of soup today"

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFoodPantry/posts/pfbid02UaSyA2RkL6ypPiE7CiVgNabyxKB54DFoBd8KSUFjCTgYFuy9KgLhEQSjrQ3DVYFdl 

2 School Committee meetings scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 4; the budget hearing (at 7 PM) is the one to pay attention to

Franklin Public Schools Contractual Negotiations (executive session)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 - 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02042025-1537

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Franklin School Committee

February 4, 2025 - 7:00 P.M.

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order                                             Mr. Callaghan

Pledge of Allegiance

Moment of Silence

FY26 Budget Open Hearing

Adjournment

Franklin School Committee Meeting (Budget hearing - Council Cambers)

February 4, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5247243/SCAGENDA_2-4-25_Budget_Open_Hearing.pdf

The budget book was mentioned as being available for the budget hearing. It is not yet posted (as of late Friday, Jan 31) to the FY 2026 budget page.

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/about-us/school-district-budget/fy2026-budget/728831

2 School Cmte meetings scheduled for Tues, Feb 4; the budget hearing (at 7 PM) is the one to pay attention to