Franklin Residents: Stormwater Information Sessions Scheduled

Storm water Information Sessions

The Town of Franklin is holding three storm water information sessions to educate residents on the facts of storm water and the financial impact. Come meet Ben Franklin and learn more! Ben will be at all 3 events.

• Friday, March 6, 2020 8 - 10 AM in Town Council Chambers
• Wednesday, March 11, 6 - 8 PM at Franklin TV
• Saturday, March 21, 11 AM - 1 PM at Franklin Library

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/storm_water_8.5_x_11_in_0.pdf

And yes, it is true that Ben will provide the ruff overview! (sorry, that was too good to pass on!)

Franklin Residents: Stormwater Information Sessions Scheduled

Come to the in-district meeting with State Rep. Jeff Roy THURS, FEB 20!

Hey, Franklin residents!

Some 350 Mass Node members/Franklin residents have arranged a meeting with Jeff Roy on Thursday, Feb 20, and we want people to come!

The Senate in the State House has just passed some significant climate legislation and now the pressure is on the House to match it. State Rep. Jeff Roy has co-sponsored the 100% Renewable bill (thank you very much!) since the beginning of this legislative session, but the bill is still stuck in committee and we need to have it voted out favorably so it can be voted on the floor. We also want the carbon pricing bill, also stuck in committee, voted out favorably. We are meeting to ask Jeff Roy to ask the leadership to do that.

For Jeff Roy to seriously consider talking to committee leadership about these bills, we need a lot of people to show up at the meeting!

This is 2020 and we're running out of time for major climate legislation to be implemented! The state legislature needs to step up NOW so please help make that happen by coming to the hour-long meeting.

DATE: THURSDAY, FEB 20
TIME: 8:30-9:30 AM
LOCATION: FRANKLIN SENIOR CENTER, 10 DANIEL MCCAHILL STREET, FRANKLIN.

Please RSVP to this email if you can come so we can anticipate the numbers. The more who come, the more he'll listen to us! Bring your neighbors!

Thanks!

Carolyn Barthel and Ralph Halpern, Coordinators
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node

Come to the in-district meeting with State Rep. Jeff Roy THURS, FEB 20!

Reminder: “Taming Technology for Community Members” - March 18

Presenter: Kevin Martin of “Nerds to Go” of Franklin

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 18, 2020. 6:30 pm

Location: Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., Franklin, MA

Talk Content:
At a time when our community might reap the benefits of the Internet and technology to keep in touch with grandchildren, classmates and long-time friends, they are often leery of the new electronic landscape. From computers to smart phones to smart speakers - people can get overwhelmed!

The Franklin Odd Fellows are hosting an informal presentation on “Taming Technology for Community Members”. Kevin Martin will explore how to stay safe on the Internet and enjoy some of the key components and resources.

Martin has more than two decades of experience working in technology – from advanced electronics in submarines in the U.S. Navy to IT executive positions in the private sector.

The Internet offers a boundless amount of useful and interesting information and access to the world. Unfortunately, technology is also a daunting new landscape to many people. This presentation is intended to outline both the security and scope of technology.

For more about Nerds to Go  -  www.nerdstogo.com
For more about the OddFellows  -  www.franklinmassoddfellows.org

“Taming Technology for Community Members” - March 18

In the News: mental health care reform introduced; Cannabis Control Commission releases tracker

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

"Each making a deeply personal case for improving access to mental health care, Senate President Karen Spilka and Sen. Julian Cyr helped roll out a significant reform bill Thursday, Feb. 6, that seeks to improve access to care by identifying gaps in the mental health system, enforcing equity laws and requiring insurance coverage for many emergency services.

Spilka, who called the proposal “decades in the making,” shared how her own family struggled with her father’s mental health decline following his service in World War II, and Cyr described the obstacles he has had to overcome as a gay man to get treatment for depression and anxiety.

The state codified “mental health parity” into the law 20 years ago, and yet for close to two decades advocates and legislators have been frustrated by stories of people struggling to gain the same access to mental health care as they can for their physical health. Many patients can’t find providers and don’t know where to look, Cyr said, and if they do find a provider must wait for an appointment and often struggle to afford the care.

“We have laws and we have values that say mental health must be treated the same way physical health is, and yet we don’t do it,” said state Sen. Cindy Friedman, D-Arlington, one of the bill’s authors."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200211/sweeping-mental-health-care-bill-unveiled

"Curious about which towns and cities have banned adult-use marijuana, or where cannabis delivery is allowed?

The Cannabis Control Commission, a five-member board tasked with nearly everything marijuana in Massachusetts, has created a new tracker on its website, in a bid for more transparency.

“By compiling the status of adult-use cannabis across Massachusetts in one central location, the Commission has furthered its commitment to implementing a regulated industry that is transparent and accessible to a wide range of stakeholders,” Commissioner Kay Doyle said, in a press release. “This resource will provide local leaders with a basis to share information around planning and zoning best practices, simplify license applicants’ search for a host municipality, and keep the public up-to-date about the progress of legalization in our state.”

The new tracker is focused on how the state’s 351 cities and towns have zoned marijuana. Visitors to the tracker can see if a community has banned the adult-use sale of the drug, put a cap on the number of licenses allowed in town, whether delivery is allowed, and if the town is one of the state’s pilots for social consumption."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200210/3-maps-how-massachusetts-communities-are-zoning-for-marijuana

Go directly to the Cannabis Commission page
https://mass-cannabis-control.com/new-municipal-zoning-tracker-increases-insight-into-local-adult-use-cannabis-developments/

Recap of School Committee meeting Jan 28, 2020

The Franklin TV video is available for replay on the Town of Franklin page
https://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=716


Superintendent's Report
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/superintendents-report-to-school.html

Documents released for this meeting can be found
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/january-28-2020-school-committee-packet



My notes reported live during the meeting

• Live reporting: Information Matters to Closing/Executive Session

 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/live-reporting-information-matters-to.html

• Live reporting: Discussion/Action Items - Discussion

 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/live-reporting-discussionaction-items.html

• Live reporting: Guests/Presentations

 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/live-reporting-guestspresentations.html

• Live reporting: School Committee - Jan 28, 2020

 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/live-reporting-school-committee-jan-28.html

Homework Presentation - Jan 28, 2020 from Franklin Matters

screen capture of a slide from the Student Service Workshop held before the School Committee meeting

Live reporting: Consent Agenda - Closing

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 28, 2020 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
C. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $4,264.00 from Franklin Music Parents for in-house enrichment as detailed.
D. Oak Street Gift
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,145.00 from the Oak Street PCC for in-house enrichment as detailed.
E. MA All State Music Festival Trip (recurring)
I recommend approval of the request of Diane Plouffe to take music students to the MA All State Music Festival in Boston, MA on March 5 – 7, 2020 as detailed.
F. Baseball Field Trip (recurring)
I recommend approval of the request of Mr. Peri to take FHS student athletes to Cooperstown, NY from April 19 – 20, 2020 as detailed.
G. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $800.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips as detailed.
H. Davis Thayer Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips as detailed.
I. Annie Sullivan Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from the Annie Sullivan PCC for in-house enrichment as detailed.
J. ECDC Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from the Franklin Cultural Council for in-house enrichment at ECDC as detailed.
K. Keller Gr. 5 RW Zoo Field Trip
I recommend approval of the recurring Keller Grade 5 field trip to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on May 7, 2020 as detailed.
L. 3rd Grade Music Field Trip
I recommend approval of the recurring JFK/Parmenter 3rd Grade field trip to The Veteran’s Auditorium in Providence, RI on May 19, 2020 as detailed.

motion to accept, seconded, passed 6-0


VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Executive Session

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

motion to enter Exec Session, not to return, seconded, passed 6-0 (via roll call)


XI. Adjournment


The documents released for this meeting can be found online. Some documents will be posted after the meeting.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/february-11-2020-school-committee-packet

Live reporting: Discussion Action Items - Information Matters

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Policy – 2nd Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of Policy EEAE – School Bus Safety as discussed.

motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0


IV. Discussion Only Items – none


V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)

Budget subcommittee
reviewed status, competitive salaries, exit interviews
attract student teachers to gain experience as substitutes

Community Relations
Legislative Forum held Feb 4
no next meeting scheduled

Facility analysis
population data coming at Feb 25 meeting
report on facilities underway, could be available in month or two
next meeting Feb 23

Policy
meeting Weds, Feb 12 and March 25

PCC
meeting times changing from morning 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, to see who comes


B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

Substance Abuse Task Force
booklet available at meeting

School Wellness Advisory
met this morning, SAWAction plan set
listen to FPS voice for the SWAC topics


VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

McKibben Assoc on demographics forecast
FY 2021 budget first draft