Sunday, January 12, 2020

School Committee Budget Workshop - Agenda - Jan 14, 2020

School Committee Budget Workshop
Municipal Building - 3rd floor Training Room
6:00 PM

This meeting will not be recorded*

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

A G E N D A

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”


  • Call to Order 
  • Budget Workshop
  • Feedback – Legislative Forum Planning 
  • Adjournment

* unless prohibited from recording, I will be recording this meeting for audio replay. It is a room not prepared for video recording or broadcast.

You can download a copy of the agenda from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/agendas/scagenda_1-14-20-budgetwkshop_0.pdf

For reference:
the 2018 legislative forum is available for video replay
https://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=535
 
Notes from the 2019 forum were posted here (unfortunately, the technical quality of the audio was not worthy of sharing)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/02/notes-from-legislative-forum-feb-5-2019.html

Left to Right: Rep Jeff Roy, Senator Karen Spilka, and MASC Exec Dir Glenn Koocher
Left to Right: Rep Jeff Roy, Senator Karen Spilka, and MASC Exec Dir Glenn Koocher at the 2019 Legislative Forum
 

"addressing food waste in a new and innovative way"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Call it a shopper’s dilemma.

A supermarket bin is down to its last banana or head of lettuce, and the food looks a little tired. There’s a slight bruise, or the color isn’t quite right, and you can’t decide if it’s worth the risk to shell out money for something that could turn out to be a dud.

Harsha Prakki, 19, of Franklin, might be on her way to developing a product that could solve such a problem, and could even put $1 million in her bank account if she wins an upcoming international competition.

Prakki’s invention, which is still in the design stage, is a “sticker” placed on fruits and vegetables to indicate their freshness level. She said many consumers throw away food by the manufacturer’s listed sell-by dates, believing it’s no longer fresh. However, many foods can still be eaten safely, and her sticker is designed to guarantee how long food remains fresh enough to eat."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200111/franklin-problem-solver-focused-on-worldwide-problem

if the sticker is in any shade of blue, then the item is still within its freshness period, and good to eat
if the sticker is in any shade of blue, then the item is still within its freshness period, and good to eat

Middle School Glee Starts Feb. 3 - Register now

Lifelong Music Academy = Middle School Glee Starts Feb. 3rd!

Middle school singers and performers, spend an hour with friends singing and dancing to Pop music, Broadway music, and movie soundtracks!

· Mondays from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Franklin High School.
· Class begins Monday, February 3, 2020.
· Concert Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 6:00 PM.
· Tuition for the 13-week program is $160.00.


Register Online: www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com

Choose “Lifelong Music Academy” then “Chorus School”.

Middle School Glee Starts Feb. 3 - Register now
Middle School Glee Starts Feb. 3 - Register now

Saturday, January 11, 2020

FM #190 - Economic Development SubCommittee meeting - Jan 8, 2020 (audio)

FM #190

This internet radio show or podcast is number 190 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares Economic Development SubCommittee meeting held on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 in the 3rd Floor Training Room at the Municipal Building at 5:45 PM. (It was listed to start at 5:30 and I covered the Board of Health meeting which finished at 5:40 so I expected to get to this one late. However, I was able to get there just for the start.)
Discussion:
1. Zoning Amendment proposal:
a. Ground Mounted Solar Bylaw Amendments in residential Zoning Districts;
b. A house cleaning items in Mixed Business Innovation (MBI) district; and .
c. A housecleaning item in Accessory uses for Agricultural with Poultry to comply with zoning setbacks.

2. Lot line Clean up #1: Areas near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets.

3. Lot Line Clean up #2: Areas near Oak Street and Daily Drive.

The full agenda and documents released for this meeting can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/20200103133120366.pdf

Good insights on the solar farm business as background for the 1a agenda item

The meeting runs about 45 minutes, so without further ado here is the Economic Development SubCommittee of Jan 8, 2020.


https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDxP56KX




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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?  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 or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"



MountStMary_Solar2
The solar farm being installed at Mount Saint Mary's in 2013


Franklin Children's School Open House - Jan 25

Franklin Children's School announces registration for the 2020-2021 school year!!

Registration has begun and will run through January 31, 2020.

Franklin Children's School will be hosting an Open House on Saturday, January 25, 10:00 AM - 12:00 for families interested in learning more about the school. FCS is located at 900 Chestnut Street in Franklin.

If you are interested in setting up a tour, would like an application or have any questions, please contact Executive Director, Kim Barrett at 508-528-9378 or email fcskids@verizon.net.

Franklin Children’s School was voted #1 choice for Franklin preschools in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Readers Choice Awards!!!

For more about the school, visit their web page  http://www.fcskids.com/

Franklin Children's School Open House - Jan 25
Franklin Children's School Open House - Jan 25

FHS girls basketball, both girls and boys swim teams post wins on Friday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Friday.

Girls Basketball = Taunton, 18 @ Franklin, 66 – Final
– Ali Brigham scored 17 points and Olivia Quinn added 12 to help the Panthers continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Boys Swimming = Mansfield, 73 @ Franklin, 92 – Final

Girls Swimming = Mansfield, 56 @ Franklin, 107 – Final

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 52 @ Taunton, 83 – Final 
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"The Taunton boys basketball team delivered a message to the rest of the Hockomock League on Friday night.

At the expense of visiting Franklin, that message was sent loud and clear.

The Tigers, locked in at both ends of the floor from start to finish, had one of their best all-around games since joining the league nearly a decade ago, earning a dominating 83-52 win over the previously unbeaten Panthers.

“That was one of the best games we’ve played on both ends of the floor,” said longtime Taunton head coach Charlie Dacey."

Continue reading the game recap:
https://hockomocksports.com/taunton-boys-basketball-shines-knock-off-franklin/

For a photo gallery from this game.
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Taunton-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-01-10-20/












What an incredible group of FHS student-athletes!  What an incredible team culture!   Proud of these teams!!!  #pantherpride #proudprincipal

LAUGH MORE IN 2020! Let’s Laugh Today in Franklin - Jan 14

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Tuesday, January 14 and is now FREE!

LAUGH MORE IN 2020! 

LAUGH MORE IN 2020
LAUGH MORE IN 2020
Let’s Laugh Today in Franklin is on Tuesday, January 14th (and every second Tuesday once a month) from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. It is now FREE! Enjoy this delightful practice, appropriate for all ages and levels of fitness. 

Let’s Laugh Today in Franklin
Let’s Laugh Today in Franklin
When we laugh, we energize our bodies and revive our spirits. All that is involved is deep breathing and a few stretches, playful laughter exercises (no jokes or comedy), clapping and deep relaxation. 

It has many benefits besides the joy of laughter. It can strengthen the immune system, combat the negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. 

Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating. Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Master Trainers and Laughter Ambassadors, Linda and Bill Hamaker. See www.letslaughtoday.com for opportunities to laugh in other towns. If you have any questions, just e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com