Cancellation of Franklin Democratic Town Caucus - March 19

The previously announced Franklin Democratic Town Caucus on March 19 that was to be held at the Elks Club in Franklin has been canceled until further notice.

Massachusetts Democratic Party (MPD) Chair Gus Bickford issued the following statement: 

"In light of guidance provided by state officials at this afternoon's press conference, MDP is temporarily suspending all caucuses scheduled to take place."

FM #223 - Stormwater Utility Fee Info Session 1 - March 6, 2020 (audio)

FM #223 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 223 in the series.

The Town Council Stormwater Utility Fee Subcommittee held the first of three information scheduled sessions to review the proposed stormwater utility fee as a response to the Federal mandate required by the EPA MS4 regulations.

Subcommittee Chair Melanie Hamblen presided over the presentation and discussion. Councilor Eamon Earls joined her. Councilors Dellorco and Jones are also reported to be on the subcommittee but were not present for this session.

Franklin Police dog Ben Franklin made a special appearance.

The presentation was led by DPW Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi, GIS Coordinator Kate Sjoberg, and consultant Jean Haggerty. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen was key among the other participants. Those who had questions or comments identified themselves for the broadcast.

The audio segment runs almost 2 hours, so let’s listen in to the presentation and discussion of the stormwater utility fee. https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyBRS1pX






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The handout can be found online at the new Stormwater Division page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/ms4_permit_-_quick_facts.pdf

Visit the Stormwater Division page to review the mitigation plan as well as the MS4 itself  https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division

Visit “Soak it up Franklin” https://www.soakitupfranklinma.org/

The presentation is not yet available on the Town of Franklin page. When it is, I’ll add the link here


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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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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Franklin Police dog Ben Franklin made a special appearance

FHS girls basketball team keeps winning, head to State D1 Final Saturday

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com provides the game recap:

"When asked if the loss to Springfield Central in last year’s state semifinal game, three days short of a year before Tuesday night’s semifinal at Worcester State, was being used as motivation by his team, Franklin coach John Leighton dismissed that idea, saying that his team had already moved on.

“None, not at all,” Leighton explained. “We moved on and buried that. We celebrated winning the sectional championship with the three seniors from last year. Otherwise, you kind of live in past glory and it doesn’t motivate you forward.”

The Panthers can continue to look forward, as they pulled out a 55-43 victory against a feisty Minnechaug, which upset Springfield Central in the West final, to advance to the first state title game in program history. At the final horn, there were smiles and some cheers, but Franklin players reacted like it was business as usual.

“It’s the farthest that Franklin has ever been,” said senior Ali Brigham. “We make it this far, we’re not going to stop now. We wanted to make it to the championship game, which we did. It feels good to be there but that was an ugly game so hopefully we’ll be a lot better in that game.”

Continue reading the game recap:
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-girls-basketball-keeps-perfect-season-alive-and-heads-to-final/

For a photo gallery from this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-Minnechaug-Girls-Basketball-3-10-20/

For other results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-03-10-20/

Franklin senior Ali Brigham scored 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to help the Panthers beat Minnechaug and advance to the program’s first ever state title game. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

In the News: Baker enacts state of emergency over coronavirus

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts as the number of people who have tested positive for the new coronavirus in the state jumped by 51 to 92.

Of that number, 70 are connected to a meeting held by biotech company Biogen at a downtown Boston hotel. At least six are currently hospitalized.

Baker said the state of emergency will give him greater power to take actions like shutting down events with large gatherings of people or gaining access to buildings or stockpiling protective gear if needed without getting bogged down in existing paperwork requirements. Baker is also restricting virtually all travel by executive branch employees and encouraging teleworking. There are about 42,000 executive branch workers. Baker urged companies and organizations to consider adopting the same measures.

“At this time the number of people infected and requiring medical attention is very much within our health care system’s capacity,” he said. “The purpose of moving forward with these measures now is to act before the numbers increase.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200310/baker-enacts-state-of-emergency-over-coronavirus-positive-tests-jump-by-51-to-92

The audio of the recent Board of Health meeting can be found here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-216-board-of-health-meeting-march-4.html

Coronavirus Information Portal
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/attention-franklin-coronavirus.html  

Coronavirus Information Portal

Hockomock Area YMCA Hosts Food Drive To Help Feed Families

The Hockomock Area YMCA welcomes donations to the sixth annual Stop &a Shop Healthy Futures Food Drive, which will take place at all three Hockomock Area YMCA branches and at locations within the community March 9th to April 15th. This work is part of the Y’s Healthy Futures Initiative, a commitment to promoting physical activity and nutrition to improve health outcomes for youth and communities, which is generously supported by Stop & Shop.

Over the last year, the Y has worked collaboratively with school districts and food pantries to create take home food programs onsite at local schools. Today there exist 34 school-based pantries in Bellingham, Franklin, Hopedale, Mansfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, North Attleboro, Plainville, Sharon and Wrentham alone—representing a 90% increase in one year. While local food pantries provide a critical service in our communities, school-based food pantry options can complement community offerings. 

Hockomock Area YMCA Hosts Food Drive  To Help Feed Families

These models allow students to discreetly access a supply of healthy food directly from their schools, especially prior to the weekend when there are often challenges with reliable sources of healthy meals. Additionally, school personnel who know the children and families in the district can help to identify those who may be in need of this service or who may not be comfortable accessing a traditional food pantry.

Collections from the food drive will be delivered to the schools by YMCA staff and volunteers and will go a long way to reduce child hunger and alleviate household food insecurity. Having healthy food available at schools removes challenging barriers to food access for busy families, such as long work hours and transportation. Members of the community can directly support local students by donating healthy, kid-friendly food to the 2020 food drive.

Suggested items include: oatmeal cups/packets, macaroni & cheese boxes/cups, granola bars (nut free whole grain preferred), applesauce or mandarin orange cups (no added sugar), whole grain crackers, tuna pouches in water (low sodium), Progresso chicken soup (low sodium), rice boxes/cups, Barilla Ready Pasta and pasta boxes. Grocery store gift card donations can also be made in person at the YMCA Member Service Desks.

MBTA Commuter Rail: track information will be removed from South Station terminal boards 1 min prior to departure

"Starting Wednesday March 18, the track information will be removed from South Station terminal boards one minute prior to departure. This is an important effort to improve passenger safety and to ensure trains depart on time. 

Be sure to allow sufficient time to safely board your train. Please follow all conductors instructions and remember that only crews are permitted to open doors."

Last Updated: Mar 10 2020 10:35 AM
https://mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts

a station board photo from my archives 2016

Live Reporting: Information Matters through to Closing (Executive Session)

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 subcom - support strategic plan, obligation to taxpayer to be efficient
class size - equitable?
number of administrators at high school to justify role and need
departments have to be creative; need to better present that to Town Council
students with serve needs and challenges don't go to charter or private schools

faciltiies communications meeting at HMMS
about 35 reviewed the info with line graphs
5 phase plan outlining the process, visual format on website 

community relations - meet SchCom March 25
at library
May 29 - mini-Franklin event planning underway
Apr 17 - Senior Center 

Policy - not meeting on the 19th, meeting on the 26th

transportation, MJ to join Tim and Anne

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

Substance abuse at the SAFE site in Norfolk
SWAC - march 24


VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items
School Committee budget hearing
ECDC, and middle school improvement plan update
SOA vote


VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 25, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
B. ASMS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $650.00 from the Franklin Cultural Council for in-house enrichment at Annie Sullivan Middle School as detailed.
C. Oak Street Gifts
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $8,336.25 from the Oak Street PCC for in-house enrichment and field trips for Oak Street Elementary School as detailed.
D. Oak Street Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Allison Fuller to take 3rd grade students to The Veteran’s Auditorium in Providence, RI on May 19, 2020 for a performance as detailed.
E. SATF - Hidden in Plain Sight Grant Award
I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the Norfolk District Attorney for in-house enrichment as detailed.

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0 (Oak St trip moved to a future meeting per opening comments)

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 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 executive session, seconded, passed 7-0 via roll call


XI. Adjournment

The file released for this meeting can be found online at the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/march-10-2020-school-committee-packet