Franklin Matters

Sunday, June 14, 2020

FM #300 - Talk Franklin with Jamie Hellen, Anne Marie Tracey 6/12/20 (audio)

FM #300 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 300 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about
Re-opening

Recreation summer brochure
Restaurants outdoor dining

FY 2021 Budget

Town Council schedule 6/17-18
Senior coffee hour Rep Roy and Town administration - 6/18

Capital budget

capital vs. operation

Economic development

inclusionary zoning

Graduation parade

And close with some cultural comments about Gary Clark Jr, blues guitarist and a new album just released by Norah Jones

The recording runs about 48 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hyyy3D27

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Recreation Summer Brochure
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/summer_brochure_2.pdf

FY 2021 budget info
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials

Town Council meeting info for 6/17-6/18 as discussed is not yet available, will be shared as soon as it is

Gary Clark Jr https://www.garyclarkjr.com/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/garyclarkjr

Norah Jones new album
https://www.amazon.com/Pick-Me-Up-Off-Floor/dp/B085HJ889S

or her web page https://www.norahjones.com/

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We 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 something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I 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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new basketball hoops installed at Fletcher Field

Pantherbook: "What Will Fall Sports Look like Next Year?"

Sharing this article with an FHS student view on what fall sports might look like

"With Massachusetts beginning their staged reopening, many kids are wondering what their sports seasons will be like next year. Many questions are up in the air like, ¨Will we have to wear masks? Or will there even BE a season?¨ Pantherbook reached out to try and help ease your concerns.

Freshman Cameron Sawyer played soccer for FHS this year, and is looking to play again next year. According to Cameron, FHS soccer is beginning their captain’s practices but will limit the group to 10 people and have no contact practices. This helps to fit social distancing guidelines and helps prepare athletes for a possible season.

Cross Country runner Katie Barrow is working on the summer training program her coaches distributed via Google Classroom. There are three options for runners and each includes a very descriptive schedule for the summer."

Continue reading the article online
https://franklinpanthers.us/sports/2020/06/12/what-will-fall-sports-look-like-next-year/

Pantherbook: "What Will Fall Sports Look like Next Year?"

Jay Horrigan talks with HockomockSports.com about the Top 20 Teams of the Decade

"Enjoy this show which is about the Hockomocksports.com Top 20 teams of the decade with a focus on the Franklin teams on the list. It is long because there was a lot to cover but a great show. Thanks to Ryan Lanigan and Josh Perry. Wish Kevin Papa was able to join us but it was graduation week."

View the video on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jay.horrigan/videos/10158974752379617/

Jay Horrigan talks with HockomockSports.com about the Top 20 Teams of the Decade

#2 - FHS girls soccer
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/hockomocksportscom-teams-of-decade-2.html

#5 - FHS girls basketball
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/hockomocksportscom-teams-of-decade-5.html

#8 - FHS boys hockey
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/hockomocksportscom-teams-of-decade-8.html

#16 - FHS girls lacrosse
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/hockomocksportscom-teams-of-decade-16.html

#17 - FHS wrestling
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/hockomocksportscom-teams-of-decade-17.html

"The MMA has long advocated for an increase in Chapter 90 funding"

While Chapter 70 is State funding for schools, Chapter 90 is State funding for roads. Franklin depends heavily upon both sources. So this from the MA Municipal Association (MMA) is an important bit of news:

"The Senate yesterday passed a bill that would allocate $300 million to the Chapter 90 local road and bridge program, a 50% increase over what has been available to cities and towns in recent years.

The vote took place in the Senate’s first formal session since its members agreed earlier this week to new rules for remote debate and roll call voting.

The House and Senate are now both on record in support of the $300 million funding level for the reimbursement program – a top MMA priority.

The House had increased funding for Chapter 90 in the $18 billion transportation bond bill it passed in early March, before the COVID-19 state of emergency. Following a months-long interruption in legislative business, the Senate chose to pass a separate Chapter 90 bill for fiscal 2021 in order to avoid further delays in getting notifications to cities and towns so they can plan projects.

The House and Senate must now work out their differences before passing a bill that includes Chapter 90 funding."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/senate-approves-300-million-in-chapter-90-funding/

Lincoln St construction project was part of the road maintenance plan

Updated USGS digital topographic maps feature more trails

"As we approach summer, President Trump has designated the month of June as “Great Outdoors Month” and USGS maps are the perfect resource as you head outside and explore. Updated US Topo maps and other mapping products now make the planning and navigation of your next outing easier. Recent partnerships with other federal, state, and non-governmental organizations have allowed the USGS to feature additional trails and major recreation points of interest on our digital topographic maps.

Collecting Trail Data From Partners

The USGS has become an aggregator of national trails and recreational features. The National Geospatial Program (NGP) at the USGS has been seeking and leveraging partnerships with other agencies and organizations by making their data available through USGS mapping products and services. These contributions and collaborative efforts have resulted in the addition of more than 210,000 miles of government maintained trails to the Nation’s topographic base maps."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-maps-will-help-you-explore-great-outdoors

US Topo maps
https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/national-geospatial-program/us-topo-maps-america

Updated USGS digital topographic maps feature more trails

Senior Center Coffee hour with Town Officials, Rep Roy - June 18

The next virtual meeting of the coffee hour for the Senior Center is scheduled for Thursday June 18, 2020 at 8:30 AM. Members of the Town Council, Town Administration and State Rep Jeff Roy are scheduled to participate.

Topic: Senior office hours with Franklin officials
Time: Jun 18, 2020 08:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81046375325?pwd=TWJSMXhzSjVleFZZNXBucWcyS1VLUT09

Meeting ID: 810 4637 5325
Password: 777767

One tap mobile
+13126266799,,81046375325#,,1#,777767# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,81046375325#,,1#,777767# US (New York)

Follow the Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/1639075786353990/posts/2617413861853506/