Studio Two returns Feb 21 in Benefit Concert for HMEA - tickets on sale

Studio Two returns 
in Benefit Concert for HMEA 

Studio Two returns Feb 21 in Benefit Concert for HMEA

Friday, February 21, 2020

Tickets Now on Sale
 https://www.hmea.org/events/studiotwo/

THE BLACK BOX

15 West Central Street, Franklin, MA

Doors open @ 6:00 PM | Concert begins @ 7:00 PM

live music | dessert bar | dancing | raffle | door prize

New this year - get a reserved table up front

for 5 people with an extra $10^.00 donation!

All proceeds benefit the programs at HMEA that serve

children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Generously sponsored by Lippolis Plumbing & Heating, Walpole, MA

MassBudget: Four stories to watch in the FY 2021 budget debate

A summary of our series

Four stories to watch in the FY 2021 budget debate The process to create the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget begins this week with the release of the Governor's proposal. Some key items to look for in the FY 2021 budget cycle are whether the Commonwealth will have the revenue to fund important priorities such as the new law to overhaul K-12 funding, updates to our ailing transportation system and many other pressing needs. These issues were discussed in a series of recently released reports by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget). A summary of the series is in FY 2021 BUDGET PREVIEW: Four items to watch in the budget debate. "We have ambitious plans to revamp the way we fund our public schools and to modernize our transportation system. Now, it's time we fund these plans." said Marie-Frances Rivera, president of MassBudget. "These bold plans coincide with a year that is likely to see slower revenue growth. Unless we raise substantial new revenue, it will be difficult to accomplish these goals without shortchanging other important services." In the FY 2021 budget preview series, MassBudget examined: How lawmakers might deliver on a historic bill to overhaul the state's K-12 school funding formula. The bill gives lawmakers seven years to implement the formula. To both keep pace with inflation and phase in the new funding, lawmakers would need to provide about $303 million per year in additional school funding aid from FY 2020 to FY 2027. Whether lawmakers will fund needed upgrades to the transportation system or maintain the status quo. Mounting issues - from worst-in-the-nation traffic congestion to subway system failures - have turned up the pressure on lawmakers to address the state's aging transportation infrastructure. The budget is one way for lawmakers to signal their willingness to invest and innovate. Whether lawmakers will provide support to working families and those who need it most through the state's tax code. The Baker Administration last year proposed doing this through an increase of the state dependent deduction. But, for about the same cost, the state could provide better support for those who need it most through an expanded state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Whether the state will have enough revenues to fund the above priorities and others. The estimated revenue growth for FY 2021 is significantly slower than it has been in recent years. Further, changes to the tax code will take about a $650 million bite out of revenue in FY 2021 and even more in future years. The full series is posted on the Budget Resources landing page. Analyses of each budget proposal also will be posted on that page shortly after the proposal is released. MassBudget also will be monitoring any policies or budget items that will help ensure the state's tax system lessens (or does not exacerbate) income inequality. To track the funding and proposed funding for specific line items, see MassBudget's interactive Budget Browser. This tool will be updated shortly after each proposal is released. 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 1 STATE STREET, SUITE 1250 BOSTON, MA 02109

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 1 State Street, Suite 1250, Boston, MA 02109 Sent by rwilliams@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

"This video is a concern and similar to past viral videos that encourage unsafe behavior"

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

"The state fire marshal on Tuesday put all Massachusetts fire chiefs on alert that his office has already received reports of two instances in which teens trying to re-create a viral video have caused electrical system damage or fire.

Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said a video that’s gained attention on the TikTok app has encouraged teens to partially insert the plug part of a phone charger into a wall outlet and then slide a penny down the wall to make contact with the two exposed prongs.

“The result is sparks, electrical system damage, and in some cases fire,” the fire marshal said in a memo to fire officials around the state. “This video is a concern and similar to past viral videos that encourage unsafe behavior. You might reach out to local news outlets, school officials, and parent organizations. Alert them to this challenge, advise them to, not only look for signs of fire play like scorched outlets, but to have conversations about fire and electrical safety with tweens and teenagers.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200121/viral-video-prompts-fire-marshal-to-put-chiefs-on-alert

Editor's note:

Readers may recall that the Franklin School District dealt with a video also shared via TikTok recently. This app should not be on personal phones, especially those of our youth.

The app has been banned by the US Army, US Navy and other Defense Dept organizations are likely to follow suit. It is developed by a Chinese company and determined to have "potential security risks"

Why ban the app?

"As of mid-December, the Army began advising soldiers to stop using TikToK on all government-owned phones, Ochoa said. The U.S. Navy recently put out similar guidance, prohibiting the use of TiKTok on government phones, according to reports by Gizmodo and other publications.

The policy reversal on TikTok comes after the release of a Dec. 16 Defense Department Cyber Awareness Message identifying "TikTok as having potential security risks associated with its use," according to the message.

The guidance directs all Defense Department employees to "be wary of applications you download, monitor your phones for unusual and unsolicited texts etc., and delete them immediately and uninstall TikTok to circumvent any exposure of personal information."

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/30/army-follows-pentagon-guidance-bans-chinese-owned-tiktok-app.html

Link to article on US Army ban of app
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50952473

NY Times article on this Defense Dept action to ban the app
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/04/us/tiktok-pentagon-military-ban.html

FSPA Continues Children’s Dance Programming

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), currently celebrating its 35th Anniversary Season, continues its thriving Children’s Dance Program. Dance training at FSPA begins with an Early Childhood Dance Program designed to promote creativity and fun through movement. This introduction to ballet and dance encourages self-control, discipline, and proper classroom etiquette.

Creative Dance, a class for 3- and 4-year-olds, is an introduction to dance that explores creative movement, levels, shapes, tempos, and rhythms and develops coordination and locomotor skills. Props and stories are used to engage young children and to create a fun and active learning environment. This class presents a studio performance in lieu of the school’s Spring Concert. Students must be able to participate in class without parental presence and should be cooperative in a group situation. Three-year-olds must be evaluated in a class prior to registration.

Rhythm and Movement, a class for 4- and 5-year-olds, offers pre-dance instruction including exercises in balance, movement, rhythm, coordination, and creativity. Children begin to develop locomotor skills, such as skipping and galloping, and learn the structure of a dance class. Stories and props are used to engage young children. Listening skills are encouraged. Students must be 4 years old or have completed a year of Creative Dance.

Children’s Dance

Pre-Ballet is a primary course which allows 5-7 year-olds the opportunity to progress into any form of dance. Rudimentary ballet positions, as well as basic ballet vocabulary, are taught along with floor exercises, simple steps, and correct posture. A greater emphasis on musicality and rhythm is encouraged. Five-year-olds must have studied one year of Rhythm & Movement at FSPA or be evaluated and recommended for Pre-Ballet by an FSPA instructor.

Introduction to Ballet is for students ages 6-8 and begins a wider study of ballet vocabulary with a greater focus on correct posture and placement. The importance of concentration, self-control, and discipline are emphasized and necessary for the progression to Ballet I. Basic steps are performed in the center, across the floor, and in simple pathways. Students must have completed Rhythm & Movement and Pre-Ballet programs at FSPA or be evaluated for Introduction to Ballet by an FSPA instructor.

For more information on Children’s Dance at FSPA, call 508-528-8668 or stop by the school located at 38 Main St. in Franklin, MA. 

FM #194 - Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting of 1/15/20 (audio)

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 194 in the series, now collaborating with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This recording shares the Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting of Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020. It was held in the Municipal Building, 3rd floor training room. 

The four members of the Town Council that make up this committee chaired by Debbie Pellegri were all present. Matt Kelly, Brian Chandler, and Robert Dellorco you’ll hear as they take their turn asking questions of the department leads on the individual capital requests.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen begins with an explanation of the free cash for FY 2020 which is the starting point. To help follow along with the math, the starting point of ‘free cash’ is $3.482M. The set aside amount is $1.718M which leaves $1.764M for the capital budget.

The Finance Committee met twice in December to review and approve the recommendations. The Subcommittee now has their chance to review and approve of the $1.539M amount recommended to bring to the full Town Council for their discussion and approval. Yes, there is $124K left aside for the ‘second pass’ after the winter and the snow/ice budget expenses are fully known.

Ultimately, the subcommittee did approve all the requests so the full Town Council will get their turn at a future meeting. There was one condition on the School Committee amount approved; the numbers, as proposed, didn’t add up properly on the document and were not able to be explained fully in the meeting. The numbers will get sorted out (and corrected, if necessary) for the Town Council discussion.

Links for the capital budget memo and supporting documents are included. I include my Excel spreadsheet so you can see those totals and subtotals.

Agenda:
1. Free Cash Overview

2. Department Presentations

• a. School Department
• b. Facilities Department
• C. Recreation Department
• d. Technology Department
• e. Administration Department
• f. Fire Department
• g. Police Department
• h. Public Works Department

3. Final Recommendation of the FY20 Capital Plan

Capital Budget agenda document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/capital_budget_agenda_1-15-2020.pdf

Capital budget supplemental information
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/fy20_capital_plan_2_supplemental_materials_1.pdf

"This is a meeting of the Franklin Town Council Sub-Committee; under the Open Meeting Law, this subcommittee is a separate "public body" from the Town Council. Therefore, unless the Town Council has separately noticed and posted its own meeting, Councilors who are not members of this subcommittee will not be permitted to speak or otherwise actively participate @ this meeting, although they may attend and observe. This prohibition is necessary to avoid the potential for an Open Meeting Law Violation."

The Finance Committee reviewed and approved the capital budget over two sessions and the recordings for each session are available here

Finance Committee - Dec 10, 2019
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/fm-188-finance-committee-capital-plan.html

Finance Committee - Dec 17, 2019
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/fm-186-finance-committee-capital-budget.html

The meeting itself runs approx 1 hour and 40 minutes, so without further ado here is Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting of Jan 15, 2020.


Audio link --> https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HsdMJLTX
or use the embedded widget here




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


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?

• 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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 15, 2020

FBRTC: 2019 - The Year in Review

"As we look back, 2019 was a great year for the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) and the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT). Please click below to read or download our “2019 – Year In Review” newsletter to learn more!

As we look forward, there are many more exciting things to come, especially the long awaited Prospect Street tunnel in Franklin. We thank you for your support and are looking forward to another successful year ahead!"

2019 - Year in Review:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YhJEP-G5c-SCuA0Mc17cKT3XRvQr3T4D/view?usp=sharing

For more about the Rail Trail Committee  https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

the long awaited Prospect Street tunnel has been funded. This is a design rendition

FHS gymnastics team posts a win at Attleboro

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Monday.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ Austin Prep, 3 – Final

Girls Gymnastics = Franklin, 133.60 @ Attleboro, 124.50 – Final


For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-01-20-20/

FHS gymnastics team posts a win at Attleboro