Friday, January 25, 2019

"it’s very much like you’re welding when you’re inside the helmet"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School recently received a state grant that will go toward expanding the school’s metal-fabrication program. 
The so-called Skills Capital Grant will allow the school to purchase new equipment, including the AugmentedArc - a virtual training simulator for welders and metal workers. 
Tri-County, which was among 31 schools to receive funding, was awarded $123,115. 
“We are grateful and honored to have been awarded this grant by the Baker-Polito administration and are looking forward to seeing our students graduate with the competitive edge needed to compete for exciting career opportunities,” said Tri-County Superintendent-Director Stephen Dockray."

 Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190124/tri-county-lands-123k-skills-capital-grant

The grant notification had been previously posted here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/tri-county-regional-awarded-123115-in.html


left-right are: Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kenneal, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Metal Fabrication Instructor Robert Pierangeli, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Vocational Director Cathy Rebelo, Governor Charlie Baker
 left-right are:  Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kenneal, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Metal Fabrication Instructor Robert Pierangeli, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Vocational Director Cathy Rebelo, Governor Charlie Baker
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Thursday, January 24, 2019

Finance Committee - Jan 15, 2019

My notes recorded via Twitter during the meeting


Jan 15
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2019-01-15_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

The documents for the Capital Budget discussions can be found
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xu_1JUPgKXNH8i9DhDZH7ZkfFk6tyFQp/view?usp=sharing

Note: the document is a single PDF file with 166 pages, so it will take some time to download/open.
The Finance Committee as it begins the Jan 8 meeting at the Senior Center
The Finance Committee as it begins the Jan 8 budget hearing (part 1) at the Senior Center
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FM #158 - Finance Committee sends Capital Budget recommendations to Town Council

FM #158

 This internet radio show or podcast is number 158 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the Finance Committee meeting held at the Municipal Building, Third Floor Training Room on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

The meeting is the second of two to review the Capital Budget by the Finance Committee. Today’s meeting will review the following agenda:
  • Schools
  • Facilities
  • Technology
  • Recreation

After hearing all the presentations, the Finance Committee will vote to recommend some or all of these (with or without modifications) to be brought to the Town Council for their review and vote.

 The complete agenda documents for Jan 15 meeting can be found on the Town of Franklin pages

 Jan 15
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2019-01-15_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

 The documents for the Capital Budget discussions can be found
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xu_1JUPgKXNH8i9DhDZH7ZkfFk6tyFQp/view?usp=sharing

Note: the document is a single PDF file with 166 pages, so it will take some time to download/open.

 The total meeting recording runs just about 48 minutes. Without further ado, here is the audio recording:





My notes recorded via Twitter during the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/finance-committee-jan-15-2019.html

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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

 How can you help?

 In particular, if you have an interest in real estate, zoning or construction, I would like someone to help us by following the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and or the Conservation Commission meetings. I’ll provide the guidance on note taking and sharing. You need to bring an inquisitive, open mind and willingness to learn and share.

 Overall:
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
If you don't like this, please let me know.

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

 For additional information, please visit 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 = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes
subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes
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FHS gymnastics posts two wins, wrestling and girls swimming post wins, girls hockey ties on a busy Wednesday

Via HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2019

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 5 @ Westwood, 5 – Final
– Cassi Ronan scored four goals to put Franklin into the lead, but the Wolverines clawed back in the third period to go in front. Amanda Lewandowski scored with 1:30 on the clock to earn the Panthers a point and keep them unbeaten on the season.

 Wrestling = Franklin, 64 @ King Philip, 12 – Final

 Boys Swimming = Franklin, 74 @ King Philip, 94 – Final

 Girls Swimming = Franklin, 100 @ King Philip, 70 – Final

 Gymnastics = Canton, 108.6 @ Franklin, 137.95 – Final
– Franklin sophomore Emma Owens and freshman Kate Rudolph placed first and second, respectively, in the all around to pace the Panthers. Owens scored a 35.55, including a 9.2 on the vault and 9.15 on the beam, while Rudolph had a 35, highlighted by a 9.0 on the vault and 9.0 on the floor.

 Gymnastics = Franklin, 137.95 vs. Medway, 131.4 – Final

 Boys Hockey = Canton, 3 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:
"After Canton stormed back from two goals down in the opening two minutes of the third period and with both teams create chance after chance in a fast-paced, end-to-end finish, both teams could have been forgiven for feeling content with going home from Wednesday night’s game at the Pirelli Veterans Arena with a hard-fought point apiece. 
But there was one more twist in this rivalry tale, as a Franklin defensive clearance ricocheted off the skate of the ref and fell right to Canton junior Johnny Hagan. The forward stepped in and ripped a one-timer over the blocker side of Franklin goalie Ryan Cameron to seal a dramatic 3-2 win for the unbeaten Bulldogs. 
“The kid’s got a 101-degree temperature but he wasn’t missing this one,” Canton coach Brian Shuman said of Hagan. “He just grinded it out, he didn’t want to come off the ice, and that’s just typical Johnny Hagan. He’s the fiercest competitor I’ve ever coached.” 
Franklin coach Chris Spillane was understandably frustrated to watch his team let a two-goal lead slip only two minutes after the second intermission."

 Continue reading the boys hockey recap
https://hockomocksports.com/hagan-caps-comeback-for-canton-boys-hockey-at-franklin/

 Click here for a photo gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Winter-2018-2019/Franklin-Canton-Boys-Hockey-1-23-19/

 For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-23-19/
FHS Ryan Cameron in goal as there is action around the net (HockomockSports.com photo)
FHS Ryan Cameron in goal as there is action around the net (HockomockSports.com photo)




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MassBudget: Video and Op-ed: Updating Education Funding and Helping Schools Better Serve All Children



  MASSBudget     Kids Count
January 23, 2018




Updating Education Funding and Helping Schools Better Serve All Children: Video Summary and Op-ed


Students have the best chance of succeeding when their schools have the resources to educate them effectively. As Massachusetts lawmakers gear up for the Fiscal Year 2020 budget debate, many are working to overhaul the state's school funding formula - known as Chapter 70 - which determines how much state funding our schools receive to support necessities like teachers, materials, and facilities.
When the formula falls short, communities with fewer resources are unable to make up the difference and their students' education suffers.
A comprehensive update of the school funding formula, after five years, could mean as much as $1.1 billion in additional aid per year for Massachusetts schools, according to a new video  from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget). We further explore these ideas in an op-ed in Commonwealth Magazine.
"The outdated formula does not reflect what it currently costs to provide a high-quality education. This has left many lower-wealth school districts with chronic understaffing, a return of class sizes of over 30 students, and fewer opportunities for our students to learn," said Colin Jones, Senior Policy Analyst and author of the report on which the video is based.
In the video, Jones summarizes the findings of his report, Building an Education System that Works for Everyone, which explores some ways lawmakers could update the formula.
"Even though Massachusetts has the most educated workforce in the nation, these opportunities are not reaching all our children. If we want to continue leading the country, we need to help close these opportunity gaps so all children can reach their full potential," said Marie-Frances Rivera, Interim President of MassBudget.

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER

15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108

Sent by mrivera@massbudget.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact




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FHS Jazz Performance Schedule

From the Pantherbook we find info about the Jazz concert held Wednesday night at FHS:
"If you enjoy this concert, or aren’t able to attend, there are many upcoming events like the Jazz Cafe on February 8th here at the high school, which also involves the middle schools. There are also some festivals in March, and on April 1 there is an event with the United States Jazz Ambassadors. 
For a music event with the whole town later in the year, come see the Franklin High School band accompany Kenny Hadley’s Big Band at the Black Box on April 30th. "

Read the full article at Pantherbook:
https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2019/01/23/swing-into-semester-2-with-a-jazz-concert/

And a teaser of their performance



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Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Franklin DPW: Catch Basin Clearing

Catch Basin Clearing

Crews are out working hard to clear as many catch basins as possible before the rain arrives! 

 If you're curious to see if you have a catch basin nearby, check out this web map to find it. Simply enter your address to zoom to your neighborhood.

 Snow Operations Map
http://townoffranklin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=338afb647d7d4c9fbba717b6c602d381


Shared from
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/catch-basin-clearing

Franklin DPW: Catch Basin Clearing
Franklin DPW: Catch Basin Clearing
a frosted and clear storm drain before the snow arrived
a frosted and clear storm drain before the snow arrived

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