"As the coronavirus pandemic intensifies, is there any safe way to celebrate Thanksgiving? We asked four experts to tell us about their plans and the science that shaped them."Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Staying Safe This Thanksgiving during COVID-19
MBTA: Thursday - Commuter Rail notice for Thanksgiving
The Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day, 11/26. Regular weekday train service will resume on Friday, 11/27.
On the Lowell and Franklin Lines, Sunday train service without disruptions will run on 11/26. Weekend bus shuttles will resume on both lines on Saturday 11/28.
On the Rockport Line, bus shuttles will continue to operate between West Gloucester and Rockport.
Last Updated: Nov 23 2020 10:02 AM
https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable
MBTA: Thursday - Commuter Rail notice for Thanksgiving
Monday, November 23, 2020
FM #395 Town Council - Budget SubComm Meeting- 11/18/20 (audio)
FM #395 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 395 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Town Council Budget Subcommittee meeting held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Budget Subcommittee and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the public was remote via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Quick recap:
- "incredibly good news" on FY 2021 budget compared to what had been feared in June 2020
- Added back $75K to both Town Clerk and Recreation budgets based upon requirements and changes due to the pandemic
- Adjusted new growth number back upwards and then recommended to set aside $850K in the Budget Stabilization account. This had been emptied by withdrawals to balance the recent budgets
The full show notes also include my notes taken via Twitter during the meeting as well as the agenda and associated budget documents released for this meeting.
The meeting runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen to the Budget Subcommittee meeting. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HWHd5tyS
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Budget Subcommittee agenda and supporting documents: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/budget_subcommittee_agenda.pdf
Town of Franklin Budget page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget
My meeting notes
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/town-council-budget-subcommittee.html
Photos captured during the meeting and shared with the Twitter thread can be found online https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ksn5Q4qwUrcJ3Eq36
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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
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"
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| sheet showing the two additions of $75 and the set aside of $850K |
FM #394 Finance Committee Mtg - 11/17/20 (audio)
FM #394 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 394 in the series.
This session shares the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 17, 2020.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Finance Committee and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the public was remote via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Quick Recap:
- The Finance Committee gets an update on the Beaver St interceptor, effectively a shorter and concise review of what the Town Council received at their Oct 21, 2020 meeting.
- The finance options are expected to be ready in January 2021. It is likely that the sewer rate payers will absorb the cost of the project as the sewer fee is user based. A better understanding of how much will be revealed in January.
- The balance of the meeting was discussion on topics for future meetings.
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and my notes.
The meeting runs about 70 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting for Nov 17, 2020. audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HNC3mSdS
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The Finance Committee posted agenda including the interceptor project presentation document https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/franklin-ma-finance-committee-agenda_14.html
My notes of the meeting https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/finance-committee-meeting-recap-nov-17.html
The Oct 21, 2020 Town Council meeting segment with the Beaver St interceptor presentation and discussion https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-372-town-council-mtg-102120-part-2.html
Photos of the meeting shared via Twitter can be found in one album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fHPczB9FKC5P67U16
--------------
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
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"
 |
| key graphic depicts the sewer gravity flow along with the depth of the access points |
Reminder: Candidate Night - Nov 23 - 7:00 PM
The
four candidates for the open Town Council seat will meet in a live
broadcast for a candidates night moderated by former police chief Larry
Benedetto.
The candidates (ballot order)
- Alan R. Earls
- Cobi Frongillo
- Gregory R. Chiklis
- KP Sompally
- Three options for watching the candidates night - Monday, Nov 23 - 7:00 PM This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29 #SECN1123 1/3
- Three options for watching the candidates night - Monday, Nov 23 - 7:00 PM = use your web browser to watch the Live Stream https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream #SECN1123 2/3
- Three options for watching/participating in the candidates night - Monday, Nov 23 - 7:00 PM = Connect via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83643671854 ) #SECN1123 3/3
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| Reminder: Candidate Night - Nov 23 - 7:00 PM |
"Healing Power of Gratitude Challenge”
Dear Residents of Franklin,
This week many will be away from family and friends, unable to join together for the holidays. This week, let's spread gratitude & thanks and help each other remember the good!
Recently, Russell M. Nelson, global faith leader, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave a message of hope and healing while calling upon the world to increase prayer and gratitude.
I am excited to share his brief message with you, and ask that as a member of the Franklin community, you consider taking part in his "Healing Power of Gratitude Challenge".
The challenge from Nelson began with, "I invite you—just for the next seven days—to turn social media into your own personal gratitude journal. Post every day about what you are grateful for, who you are grateful for, and why you are grateful. At the end of seven days, see if you feel happier and more at peace. Use the #GiveThanks
This week many will be away from family and friends, unable to join together for the holidays. This week, let's spread gratitude & thanks and help each other remember the good!
Recently, Russell M. Nelson, global faith leader, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave a message of hope and healing while calling upon the world to increase prayer and gratitude.
I am excited to share his brief message with you, and ask that as a member of the Franklin community, you consider taking part in his "Healing Power of Gratitude Challenge".
The challenge from Nelson began with, "I invite you—just for the next seven days—to turn social media into your own personal gratitude journal. Post every day about what you are grateful for, who you are grateful for, and why you are grateful. At the end of seven days, see if you feel happier and more at peace. Use the #GiveThanks
The next part of the challenge encouraged those of faith to offer daily prayers of gratitude.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlcILxGmVrI
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/russell.m.nelson/videos/2150464655087765
The challenge has 2 parts.
For 7-days during November 21, 2020 through the 28:
Turn your social media page into a gratitude journal using #GiveThanks. Post every day about what you are grateful for, who you are grateful for, or why you are grateful. Share experiences, remembrances, and people you are grateful for. At the end of seven days, see if you feel happier and more at peace. Use the #GiveThanks.Say daily prayers of gratitude.
I will be participating in the #GiveThanks campaign and sincerely hope you will consider joining with me to share a message of hope and gratitude with others in our community.
With appreciation,
Alisa Hansen
Inside the "district comprehensive review"
Ok, so my last name is Sherlock, and with a title like "The dog that didn't bark in Brockton", I'll admit that the article caught my eye.
That it was also about the DESE district review process got to me read it.
That it steps through a serious argument that highlights the dysfunction among the various agencies of MA government responsible for "education", makes this a worthy read.
"So it was that I was interested to read an article that the Brockton Public Schools District Review Report was out (three weeks ago: I am behind!) from the Department's pre-pandemic visit in early March.
Brockton, of course, is the fourth largest school district in Massachusetts and home of the plaintiffs of both the McDuffy and the Hancock legal decisions. When it comes to gaps in school funding, thus, Brockton is a kind of ground zero. Brockton also was the nationally lauded district for closing the achievement gap without becoming a "drill and kill" sort of school system. What happens when those two things are true of the same system, decades or so on?"
Continue reading Tracy's article online
Franklin is not listed as having a recent DESE review published (Franklin County is but we all know that is not us). https://www.doe.mass.edu/accountability/district-review/
I do have in the archives a "Coordinated Program Review" being announced in Oct 2015. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/department-of-education-review-to-be.html
I also have in the archives note of a DESE visit in Dec 2009 for a 'fiscal review' https://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/05/fm-68-week-ending-51610.html and here https://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/01/fm-54-week-ending-11710.html
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| From the 2018 "Tale of Four Cities" presentation You are reading correctly that it is a 414 teacher gap. |
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