FM #431 Town Council 'Quarterbacking' - 1/07/21 (audio)

FM #431 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 431 in the series.

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting: OK, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.

 

Our conversation runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen in.  Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HZclszbS

 

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Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-06-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf

Hazard Mitigation presentation doc  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._hazard_mitigation_presentation_2020_update_presentation_handout.pdf

Hazard Mitigation Plan
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._hazard_mitigation_0.pdf

Beaver St summary document  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._21-02_beaver_street_interceptor.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/town-council-meeting-jan-6-2021-recap.html  

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

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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Franklin High School Music Achievements - Central Districts recognizes 26 students

26 Franklin High School Music Students were accepted to the Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Chorus, and Orchestra

Twenty-six members of the Franklin High School music program virtually auditioned and were accepted into the 2021 Massachusetts Central District Honor Ensembles. Twelve of these Franklin High School students received All-State audition recommendations.  

 

Due to the pandemic, the festivals will look a bit different this year. Rather than performing in a large ensemble, those students who received All-State recommendations are invited to perform in a virtual masterclass.  This means that they will perform a solo in front of a virtual audience and receive feedback from a highly respected music educator.  All other Sr. District students will have the opportunity to observe these masterclasses.  
 
Accepted into the Central District Band will be Karah Brandanese - Clarinet, Thomas Bradley - Trombone, Simon Brooks - Tuba, Nipun Goel - Trumpet, Derek Halet - Trumpet, Carley Johnson-Pellegri - Bassoon, Joel Keller - Tuba, Ryan O'Rourke - Euphonium, William Olbrys - Trombone, Prem Pendkar - Alto Saxophone, Lola Richardson - Flute, Anton Sackley - Percussion, Zachary Simms - French Horn.
 
Franklin High School students performing with the Central District Jazz Band will be Colin Manocchio - Trombone and Ian Richardson-Bass.  
 
Selected to perform with the Central District Orchestra is Aadit Bhatia - violin, Christopher Broyles-viola, Shreya Choudury - Violin, Kyle Formato - Cello, Chai Harsha-viola, Jossalyn Mascio - Violin, Grace Newton - Violin, Weylan O'Connell - Bass, Sarayu Vijayanagaram-violin.
 
Accepted into the Central District Chorus is Claire Bauer. 

 

Franklin High School Music Achievements - Central Districts accept 26 students

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 14, 2021

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis 

Subcommittee Meeting

 

January 14, 2021 - 5:30 PM

Virtual Meeting (Link in agenda)

 

MEETING AGENDA

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

 

• Approval of past minutes (12/9/20)
• Discussion:

○    Review and discuss Stage 1/Phase Two data from district (includes staffing considerations, transportation factors, district map, financial considerations, physical distancing factors)
○    Outline next steps

Agenda doc contains the connection info https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda_dt_subcom_1.14.21.pdf

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 14, 2021

Distinguished Service Award from MAEA for FHS' Brenna M. Johnson

Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) tweeted on Mon, Jan 11, 2021:

I am honored to share that I received the Distinguished Service Award from MAEA. This award is born out of the continued support of amazing colleagues, a strong administrative team, and phenomenal students who make going to work each day easy & inspiring. Thank You! @MassArtEd

Shared from Twitter:   https://t.co/Vx7R1ZmC2t

Among the many good things Ms Johnson does for FHS, she is the coordinator of the student Empty Bowls Club. The Empty Bowls Club is working on bowls for this year's fund raising effort. 
 

You can listen to the interview we did last year as they pivoted to do a virtual event instead of the empty bowls dinner. 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-263-fhs-empty-bowl-club-stars-50420.html

Distinguished Service Award from MAEA

FHS boys hockey tops King Philip 6-1 on Monday

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results: 

Boys Hockey = King Philip, 1 @ Franklin, 6 – Final 

– Franklin scored three times in each half to pick up a key two points in the Kelley-Rex division title race. CJ Jette scored the opening two goals, the first assisted by Justin Magazu and Dom Lampasona, and the second by Patrick Dolan and Will Sheehan. Magazu then scored just before the end of the half on an assist from Justin Abely. Ben Jarosz (JT Dwyer), Declan Lovett (Dylan Marchand), and Ryan Sicchio (Aiden Hunt, Christian Shabbick) scored second half goals for Franklin while Jack Paterson made 27 saves in net. 

 

For other results around the Hockomock League 

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-01-11-21/  

 

FHS boys hockey tops King Philip 6-1 on Monday

 

Boston Herald gymnastics preview references FHS team

Kat Cornetta (@KatCornetta) tweeted on Mon, Jan 11, 2021:

Happy High School Gymnastics Season! Thank you to all of the coaches who helped me with this year's high school gymnastics preview. Franklin, Masco, Wakefield, BR-WB, Newton boys co-op are on my list to keep an eye on this year. https://t.co/9UTPIAStoB

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatCornetta/status/1348668774078164993

Direct link to the Boston Herald article preview of this season's gymnastics teams

https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/01/11/gymnastics-preview/

 

Boston Herald gymnastics preview references FHS team

 

Boston Globe highlights housing changes coming if Gov Baker signs new law

The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) tweeted on Mon, Jan 11, 2021: "New law would require high density housing near T stations https://t.co/cRAFw4Yf7V"

"For years, housing advocates have argued that one of the smartest ways to tackle Greater Boston’s housing crisis is to make cities and towns that are served by the MBTA build more housing near subway and train stations.

Last week, their wish was granted. At least for now.

Tucked into the 101-page economic development bill passed by the Legislature at the end of its session in the wee hours of Jan. 6 was a measure that would require municipalities served by the T to allow denser housing in at least one district near a station. It’s a measure that could eventually create thousands of apartments and condos in Boston-area suburbs, if it gets Governor Charlie Baker’s signature."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/11/business/new-law-would-require-high-density-housing-near-t-stations/ 

Direct link to legislation document awaiting signature

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H5250

The move should be approached cautiously to avoid unintended consequences (like gentrification). This was highlighted at least in 2014 with this Boston Globe article:

"Trains can make neighborhoods, by connecting residents to jobs and enabling an intensity of development that isn’t possible in places where residents are handcuffed to their cars. But trains can also break neighborhoods, because gentrification often comes hitched to the back of a rail car. If a city greets new transit with indifference, the most vulnerable residents around a new station don’t stand a chance of remaining in their neighborhood.

Boston is facing that dynamic because subway-like rail service will soon come to the Fairmount Line. The city is scrambling to find a way to harness the Fairmount’s economic potential without triggering runaway gentrification."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/07/15/making-fairmount-line-gentrification-proof/KB568Ymham1MCS6iY7bPgM/story.html