Ask Franklin Matters: You ask the question, we'll get the answer!

New form to "Ask Franklin Matters" a question about the Town of Franklin. You ask the question, we'll get the answer!

Some of the questions may get queued for the regular Franklin Matters Radio show with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen.

Form link -> https://forms.gle/inzMdvBuQoaiM6ke6

** Anonymous questions are NOT likely to be answered **

Ask Franklin Matters: You ask the question, we'll get the answer!

Town Council - Rep Roy - Office Hours - Feb 20 - 8:30 AM

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Town Council Office Hours

Franklin Senior Center

10 Daniel McCahill Road, Franklin, MA

Third Thursday/Monthly 8:30 AM

The Town Council will be holding monthly office hours at the Franklin Senior Center. One or more Councilors, along with the Town Administration, ​may​ be present for this standing time for seniors, their families and residents to ask questions, discuss issues of concern or just enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee!

Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/2020_town_council_senior_center_monthly_hours.pdf
 

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 Representative Jeff Roy
Franklin Office Hours

Franklin Senior Center

10 Daniel McCahill Road, Franklin, MA

Third Thursday/Monthly 8:30 AM

Have any questions or concerns about your state government? Please join me at office hours!

All office hours are open to any residents of Franklin and Medway who may have questions or concerns that they wish to bring to my attention. Walk-ins are welcome; no appointment necessary. James Gay, my staff director, will be accompanying me.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Follow the Facebook event
https://www.facebook.com/events/181589206267181/

Town Council - Rep Roy - Office Hours - Feb 20 - 8:30 AM

FM #208 - Jamie Hellen on Municipal Aggregation

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 208 in the series. We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

During the Town Administrator’s Report segment of the Town Council meeting, Feb 12, 2020, there was a good piece of news. Municipal aggregation is finally here with a good deal.

What is municipal aggregation?

“It seeks to aggregate consumers in the Town to negotiate rates for power supply. It brings together the buying power of over 32,000 consumers. Furthermore, the Town seeks to better manage energy prices.

Participation is voluntary for each eligible consumer. Eligible consumers have the opportunity to decline service provided through the Plan and to choose any Competitive Supplier they wish.“

On your electric bill, there are two sections, one for delivery services, and one for the cost of the electricity itself. With aggregation, Franklin has just signed a contract to deliver electricity at a cost of only 10.5 cents for three years. This is one, an improvement over the current rate (around .14 cents) and two, confirms the rate for three years.

This is a good deal. More will be forthcoming on this as we get closer to Sep/Oct 2020. There will be additional information shared, info on how to opt out (accepting a rate other than the 10.5 cents confirmed for three years), etc.

Let’s listen to Jamie Hellen talk about the municipal aggregation deal at the Town Council meeting.

Additional info will be provided at the Town Council meeting on March 4, 2020.

Links to the archives for prior posts on municipal aggregation which was initially approved by the Town Council in 2016 are provided in the show notes


Audio file  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d8099baa-7dc9-49c7-b55a-cfdb619a52d2

From the archives:

Aggregation Plan released for Town Council meeting review and discussion
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/municipal-aggregation-program.html

Link to Municipal Aggregation docs on Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation-documents

Embedded copy:




From the Town Council meeting where this was approved
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/03/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

Aggregation Presentation doc - March 9, 2016
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-community-choice-aggregation-program

Franklin Community Choice Aggregation Program from Franklin Matters

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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?

• 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"

FM #208 - Jamie Hellen on Municipal Aggregation

FM #207 - Technology Director Tim Rapoza - Feb 11, 2020 (audio)

FM #207

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 207 in the series. We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

At the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Feb 11, 2020, Technology Director Tim Rapoza presented a detailed overview of how his department supports and enables all of Franklin’s technology needs (both Town and schools).

Of all the updates on Technology that I have seen over my years of reporting, this is the most comprehensive and easily the most up to date as it contains all the current numbers.

When you stop to think about it, the Town of Franklin is really a service organization. Yes, it is a government entity with Town and School separation on some items (one of the key collaboration points is technology).

The Town exists to provide services to its residents: education, fire protection, police and other emergency response, roads maintained and plowed, recreation, library, senior services... The list is extensive.

These services are delivered all or in part with technology. How is it done? Let’s listen to Tim explain. The recording includes the Q&A with the School Committee and runs approx. 62 minutes.

School Committee Chair Anne Bergen introduces the agenda item. Superintendent Sara Ahern provides a more detailed intro and overview while Tim set up his laptop.

Links to the Town of Franklin Technology page and to the presentation document are included in the show notes so you can follow along.

Technology page:  https://www.franklinps.net/district/educational-technology

Presentation doc link: https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/technology-presentation-2112020

Presentation doc:

Technology Presentation - 2/11/2020 from Franklin Matters

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




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"

FM #207 - Technology Director Tim Rapoza - Feb 11, 2020 (audio)

FHS girls basketball top Cathedral to win the Comcast Classic; Brigham named Hockomock Player of the Week

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

** Girls Basketball = Franklin, 73 vs. Cathedral, 56 – Final
– Franklin closed out a perfect regular season with its second straight 17-point win against a highly-ranked opponent at the Comcast Classic. Ali Brigham scored 16 of her game-high 22 points in the second half, but she also got plenty of help, as Franklin got another strong team effort in the win. Megan O’Connell scored 16 points and Olivia Quinn had a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

For other results around the Hockomock League on Monday
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-02-17-20/


** Player of the Week: Ali Brigham, Franklin Basketball

"Franklin senior Ali Brigham has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for Feb. 9 through Feb. 15. Brigham is the 21st player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2019-20 school year and the 10th for the winter season.

Brigham, the reigning Hockomock League MVP and HockomockSports.com Player of the Year, powered Franklin to another dominant week, as the Panthers closed out a perfect run through league play and made a statement with a big win against fellow Div. 1 state title contender Bridgewater-Raynham. In the process, Brigham has closed in on 1,600 career points, putting her in range to pass Kelly Meredith’s school scoring record (male of female) of 1,632.

“Ali has transformed our program,” said Franklin coach John Leighton. “She is a special athlete who draws the attention of every opponent. Yet, she welcomes the challenge. Ali has looked out of double teams to create offense through her teammates. As a coach it is very rewarding to have a player of Ali’s caliber who is always seeking to improve.”

Continue reading the Player of the Week write up
https://hockomocksports.com/player-of-the-week-ali-brigham-franklin-basketball-2/

Player of the Week: Ali Brigham (HockomockSports.com photo)

St. Mary's Women’s Faith Formation Group - March 7

The St. Mary's Women’s Faith Formation Group invites all interested women to attend a monthly program based on Bishop Robert Barron’s critically acclaimed “Catholicism” series. Our next meeting will take place on March 7 from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Sacred Heart Hall in the lower church, located at One Church Square, Franklin, MA. 

We meet on the first Saturday of each month. The videos are independent segments, so it is easy to join us at any point in the series. 

Come with an open mind, a willingness to share in informal discussion and a desire to learn more about our Catholic faith. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

St. Mary's Women’s Faith Formation Group - March 7

Franklin Library: Avoiding Age Discrimination - Feb 18

Avoiding Age Discrimination: 

A Workbook for Baby Boomers

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 - 6:30 PM

People often worry about age discrimination when seeking new employment, spending an inordinate amount of time convincing themselves that they are no longer relevant in the workforce. We will address how job seekers can overcome age bias and turn their fears into selling points. This workshop is free and open to the public.

Shared from the Franklin Public Library page
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/248413

Franklin Library: Avoiding Age Discrimination - Feb 18