Franklin TV: Chris Stearns - "NOW THEREFORE BE IT KNOWN TO ALL"

20 Years of Franklin Meetings

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 05/05/2024

"Whereas, Chris Stearns became employed by the Town of Franklin in 2004, when we managed the cable TV studio via our then Cable Advisory Board; and

Franklin TV: Chris Stearns

Whereas, even earlier – Since 1997 – a time when TV cameras were big, heavy, and needed lots of light – Chris Stearns was actively involved in pioneering Citizen TV through our local cable studio, starting with Charter Cable, as well as working at the Town's Comcast studio at 13 Main St., prior to joining Franklin TV; and

Whereas, throughout his years with the Town of Franklin, and Franklin TV, he has covered many meetings at the Town of Franklin’s old Town Hall, and still remains a steady and reliable producer and director of government meetings within the Town of Franklin; and

Whereas, Chris Stearns has adapted readily to the added challenges of the digital world, by adding Zoom access for folks at home, and online streaming in high definition, while working with a consistently positive spirit, week in & week out.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT KNOWN TO ALL

That Chris Stearns is hereby commended and recognized by the Town Council of the Town of Franklin for his twenty years of faithful and unwavering service to the community and to Franklin TV.”

Thanks. Chris. Well done.

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 

And – as always – thanks for watching.

Editorial note: And to think I report on about 100 meetings a year, he works to produce more than I do. My congrats to Chris! I depend upon his output for many of the meetings I don't attend to share. We all benefit from his work!

Chris, may the technical difficulties always be quick and easy resolutions!

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

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee Meeting - FY 2025 Budget Hearing - Part 1 of 3 - May 6 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Monday, May 6, 2024 = 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

a. April 17, 2024

4. “A Citizens Pledge to the Residents of Franklin”

a. Pledge document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/override_memorandum_of_understanding_final.pdf

b. Town Administrator/Superintendent of Schools Slideshow  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-05-01_override_pledge_presentation.pdf

5. FY25 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing:

FY25 Town Administrator Budget Materials website  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

a. General Government -

i. Departments: 111 Town Council, 123 Town Administrator, 131 Finance Committee, 135 Comptroller, 141 Assessors, 147 Treasurer-Collector, 151 Legal, 152 Human Resources, 155 Information Technology, 161 Town Clerk, 164 Elections & Registration, 171 Conservation Commission, 176 Appeals Board (ZBA), 177 Planning & Growth Management, 184 Agricultural Commission, 192 Public Properties & Buildings, 196   Purchasing & Central Services.

b. Human Services -

i. Departments: 510 Board of Health, 535 Disability Commission, 541 Council on Aging, 543 Veterans Services, 535 Disability Commission.

c. Culture & Recreation -

i. Departments: 610 Library, 630 Recreation, 690 Historical Museum, 691 Historical Commission, 693 Arts & Culture, 695 Cultural Council, 696 Cultural District Committee.

d. Debt & Interest -

i. Departments: 710 Debt Service - Principal, 750 Debt Service - Interest.

e. Employee Benefits:

i. Departments: 910 Retirement & Pension, 945 Risk Management (Liability Insurance).

6. Future Agenda Items

7. Adjourn

Remote participation info included in Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_may_6.pdf

Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin launches with 2 events (audio)

FM #1192 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1192 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with resident Lisa Oxford and Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo. We talk about the launch events for the Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin (BEN 4 Franklin). 

We talk about how the group

• grew out of last year’s Jane Walk
• subsequent conversations at Strawberry Stroll
• a meeting in August that drew about 30 folks
• the core group kept at it to work on a vision and mission, website, and initial event launch

The vision

We envision an inviting, diverse, environmentally sustainable, and fiscally strong Franklin where all can be engaged and find a home. We are aligned with the vision of the 2022 Franklin for All report.

The mission

We are an inclusive community advocating for a Franklin with abundant, affordable housing for all and walkable, economically vibrant downtown and neighborhoods that evolve in a fiscally-responsible manner.

Our conversation runs about 27 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1192-ben-4-franklin-launches-05-02-24  

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BEN 4 Franklin web page ->  https://ben4franklin.org/  

Launch party - May 10, 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio

Jane’s Walk - May 11, 10:30 AM starting from Franklin TV Studio

RSVP to a launch event or to at least join the mailing list

tinyurl.com/ben4franklin

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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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit www.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

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"

Launch party - May 10, 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio

Jane Jacobs' Walk - May 11, 10:30 AM starting from Franklin TV Studio

Master Plan Subcommittee and Committee meetings on the schedule for this week May 7 & May 8

On the one hand, having been there once upon a time, I understand how folks can miss, or not pay attention, to what's happening around the Town with regards to the key and critical discussions on our future. (The schools redistricting proposal or override being just 2 current topics.)

On the other hand, there are opportunities to at least be aware of what's underway so it is not a "surprise" when the output, after being crafted through multiple meetings, finally rears it's head and catches your attention.

I know. I was in your shows once upon a time. 

So for the sake of all of the residents and taxpayers, please be aware our future is in the hands of the "Master Plan Update Committee." "Our future" in that the goodness of the inputs they have facilitated will result in the action items that the Planning Board and Town Council will approve later this year (Septemberish) and then result in action items for the applicable Town departments, committees, boards, etc. to start to take action on over the next several years. 

At least until about 10 years down the road when the whole review and update process starts all over again.

• Master Plan: Housing and Economic Development Subcommittee

Event Date:  Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 5:15pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/housing_economic_development_subcommittee_-_05072024.pdf

• Master Plan Committee

Event Date:  Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 6:30pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-may_8_2024.pdf

Master Plan Subcommittee and Committee meetings on the schedule for this week May 7 & May 8

FHS Outdoor Track Results from the MSTCA Lou Tozzi Frosh/Soph Meet - May 3, 2024

Franklin High School Results from the MSTCA Lou Tozzi Frosh/Soph Meet | May 3, 2024

Franklin = https://live.mstca.org/meets/36695/teams/856111  

all others = https://live.mstca.org/meets/36695/live 

Boys 100m - Prelims

6 Stephon Reed Jr H9 • Yr: 10 11.51q 11.505

9 Ethan Pramod H2 • Yr: 10 12.32

50 Gavin Warnakulasooriya H4 • Age: 15 • Yr: 10 12.43

Boys 100m

6 Stephon Reed Jr H1 • Yr: 10 11.57

Boys 110m Hurdles - Prelims

28 Jacob Keras H1 • Yr: 10 20.85

Boys 200m

21 Ethan Pramod H6 • Yr: 10 24.87

Girls 200m

18 Jossie Camp H7 • Yr: 9 28.72

Boys 800m

11 Tucker Morin PR • H3 • Yr: 10 2:08.49

30 Ethan Riley H1 • Yr: 9 2:19.87

31 Nicholas Mitchell H1 • Yr: 9 2:20.11

Girls 800m

17 Victoria Courtright-Lim H2 • Yr: 10 2:35.73

Boys 1 Mile

15 Kyle Twomey PR • H4 • Yr: 9 4:48.65

18 Andrew Scotland SB • H4 • Yr: 10 4:53.79

Girls 1 Mile

6 Savannah Copeland PR • H2 • Yr: 10 5:48.21

Boys 2 Mile

16 Tyler Anderson H1 • Yr: 10 11:11.63

19 Adam Peng H1 • Yr: 10 11:21.19

Girls Discus Throw

11 Maeve Rolston F3 • Age: 14 • Yr: 10 83-00 25.30m

26 Monica McIntyre PR • F1 • Yr: 9 69-00 21.03m

29 Keira Fitzgerald F3 • Yr: 9 67-11 20.70m

Boys High Jump

– Stephon Reed Jr H1 • Yr: 10 DNS

Girls Javelin Throw

19 Eila Crochiere F2 • Yr: 10 67-10 20.68m

Girls Triple Jump

14 Jossie Camp F1 • Yr: 9 29-03.00 8.92m

11 Boys 4x100 Meter Relay 47.49 'A' • H3 • S. Reed Jr, G. Warnakulasooriya, E. Pramod, M. Feldman

25 Girls 4x100 Meter Relay 1:01.75 'A' • H1 • I. Walker, B. Kucich, N. Morse, R. Osman

7 Girls 4x400 Meter Relay 4:34.79 'A' • H4 • M. Markarian, S. Copeland, V. Courtright-Lim, S. Nappa

6 Girls 4x800 Meter Relay 11:25.71 'A' • H1 • S. Copeland, G. Stoddard, A. Godin, B. Vallee

Download a copy of these results -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GM6Zhn-S_kJU4v3LA8okTMubF1pUTj-B/view?usp=drive_link

FHS Outdoor Track Results from the MSTCA Lou Tozzi Frosh/Soph Meet - May 3, 2024