Monday, October 26, 2020

FM #373 Town Council Mtg - 10/21/20 (part 3 of 3) (audio)

FM #373 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 373 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full three hour plus meeting into three segments:
- First - covers the opening through the appointments and pinning ceremonies, including the presentation/discussion on nationalGRID and their response to power outages during storms (1 hour and 20 minutes)
- Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Beaver St interceptor, which could become the largest public works project the Town has taken on other than building a school (50 mins)
** Third - covers Subcommittee reports through Legislation for Action and ultimately to the close of the meeting (64 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to the presentation document.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Oct 21, 2020 (64 mins) (part 3 of 3)  Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H6x5mVcK


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Town Council agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/october-21-town-council-agenda

Beaver St Interceptor presentation
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._presentation_-_beaver_street_interceptor_.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/town-counil-meeting-recap-oct-21-2020.html
--------------
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!
------------------

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

hydraulic flow diagram of the Beaver St interceptor covered in detail in Part 2 of the meeting audio
hydraulic flow diagram of the Beaver St interceptor covered in detail in Part 2 of the meeting audio

 

FM #372 Town Council Mtg - 10/21/20 (part 2 of 3) (audio)

FM #372 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 372 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full three hour plus meeting into three segments:
- First - covers the opening through the appointments and pinning ceremonies, including the presentation/discussion on nationalGRID and their response to power outages during storms (1 hour and 20 minutes)
** Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Beaver St interceptor, which could become the largest public works project the Town has taken on other than building a school (50 mins)
- Third - covers Subcommittee reports through legislation for Action and ultimately to the close of the meeting (64 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to the presentation document.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Oct 21, 2020 (50 mins) (part 2 of 3)  Audio file =  
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-372-town-council-mtg-10-21-20


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

Town Council agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/october-21-town-council-agenda

Beaver St Interceptor presentation
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._presentation_-_beaver_street_interceptor_.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/town-counil-meeting-recap-oct-21-2020.html
 

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


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!
------------------

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

screengrab from the Beaver St Interceptor portion of the meeting
screengrab from the Beaver St Interceptor portion of the meeting

FM #371 Town Council Mtg - 10/21/20 (part 1 of 3) (audio)

FM #371-372-373 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 371-372-373 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full three hour plus meeting into three segments:

  • First - covers the opening through the appointments and pinning ceremonies, including the presentation/discussion on nationalGRID and their response to power outages during storms
  • Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Beaver St interceptor, which could become the largest public works project the Town has taken on other than building a school (50 mins)
  • Third - covers Subcommittee reports through legislation for Action and ultimately to the close of the meeting  (64 minutes)


The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to the presentation document.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Oct 21, 2020.

(1 hour and 20 minutes)  Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDK6Bm5K


 

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

Town Council agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/october-21-town-council-agenda

Beaver St Interceptor presentation
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._presentation_-_beaver_street_interceptor_.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/town-counil-meeting-recap-oct-21-2020.html    

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

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!
------------------

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

 

Police Dept Retiree - Doug Nix and family
Police Dept Retiree - Doug Nix and family


FM #370 Board of Health Mtg - 10/21/20 (audio)

FM #370 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 370 in the series.

This session shares the Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The discussion centered around one net new business attempting to open for business without being properly prepared to file the documentation required to open and operate during this pandemic period.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and the Board of Health page.

The meeting runs about 60 minutes, so let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting for Oct 21, 2020   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HB2v0fYK


 --------------

Meeting agenda:
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/franklin-ma-board-of-health-agenda-oct.html

Board of Health page  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

--------------
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!


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

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

 

screen grab of Board of Health Mtg 10/21/20
screen grab of Board of Health Mtg 10/21/20


In the News: Rausch vs. Kelly in Senate race; case count over 1,000 2nd day in row

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

"In 2018, Sen. Becca Rausch, D-Needham, defeated incumbent Republican Richard Ross by less than 1,700 votes. Franklin Town Councilor Matt Kelly, R-Franklin, is vying for her spot this year.

On Nov. 3, voters will choose to either re-elect Raush, 41, to her seat on the state Senate to serve thousands across Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex counties, or incomer Kelly, 42, who has served on the Franklin Town Council since 2010.

Kelly, 42, calls himself “the common sense candidate” because of his experience on the Town Council, as a small business owner, marriage to a public school teacher and being the father of two girls, he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
 
"The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported an additional 1,097 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the statewide total to 147,210.

This marks the second straight day that state health officials reported 1,000-plus newly confirmed coronavirus cases. The last time that happened was May 20-21.

The daily positivity rate -- the rate of new cases diagnosed among those newly tested -- is 6.45%, which is the highest mark Massachusetts has seen since May 30 (7.32%)."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
Detail reports from the COVID-19 page for the State of MA
 
 

"The project was not always easy"

From the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)

"Twelve towns in Franklin County and one in Hampshire County have come together to form a municipal electricity aggregation program with the goal of combating climate change and providing residents with more renewable energy options.

The 13 towns – Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Gill, Huntington, New Salem, Northfield, Shelburne, Sunderland, Warwick and Whately – recently entered into a 41-month contract with municipal energy consultant Colonial Power Group to develop and manage the Community Choice Power Supply Program, with Dynegy Energy Services to supply electricity.

The aggregation program allows the towns to purchase electricity as a group, giving them greater bargaining power when selecting their supplier. The towns were able to select a range of different renewable energy products to offer their residents, with each town deciding its own default option from the portfolio assembled through the bidding process.

“It’s something that would be very difficult for a tiny town to do, but because we could get multiple towns together, we could make it work,” said Conway Selectboard Member Bob Armstrong, who leads the project. “We were able to get a bid that was lower cost than Eversource, and which offered more green options – something that we had promised the towns.”

Continue reading the article online
 
From the Archives:
 
February 12, 2020 in this audio segment of the Town Council meeting, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen talked of the contract and bid price reached (finally)
 
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
 
 
 
municipal aggregation program
municipal aggregation program
 

World Economic Forum: "The Future of Jobs Report 2020"

Given the economy currently in turmoil due to the pandemic and the Franklin School Dept soon to release their "Portrait of a Graduate", this report is timely and insightful.

"The Future of Jobs Report provides the timely insights needed to orient labour markets and workers towards opportunity today and in the future of work. Now in its third edition, the report maps the jobs and skills of the future, tracking the pace of change and direction of travel. This year we find that while technology-driven job creation is still expected to outpace job destruction over the next five years, the economic contraction is reducing the rate of growth in the jobs of tomorrow. There is a renewed urgency to take proactive measures to ease the transition of workers into more sustainable job opportunities. There is room for measured optimism in the data, but supporting workers will require global, regional and national public-private collaboration at an unprecedented scale and speed."

Download your copy of the PDF report https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020 

or read my shared copy here:

 

World Economic Forum: The Future of Jobs Report 2020"
World Economic Forum: The Future of Jobs Report 2020"