Tuesday, February 9, 2021

“Arts and culture is inherently a social justice medium”

 

"The life story of Michael Bobbitt is probably very similar to what he would like to replicate for residents statewide as he takes over as the executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Bobbitt, as a young boy growing up in Maryland just outside Washington, DC, was exposed to the arts, took a strong interest, and built a career around music, dance, and theater. Now, as the state’s top arts official, he hopes to foster an environment in Massachusetts that would allow similar experiences for young people across the state."
Continue reading the article online
 
Listen to The Codcast interview with Michael: https://soundcloud.com/massinc/codcast-2021-2-8-mixdown
 
Visit MA Cultural Council on the internet at   https://massculturalcouncil.org/  
 

 
 

Monday, February 8, 2021

FM #456 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 - P3 of 3 (audio)

FM #456 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 456 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, one member of the Council was remote along with the public via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full two hour forty five minutes meeting into three logical segments segments:

  • First - covers the opening through Finance and borrowing update (53 minutes)
  • Second - covers the  storm water utility fee (1 hour and 12 minutes)
  • Third - covers the SubCommittee reports through to the close of the meeting (approx. 40 mins)
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Feb 3, 2021
Audio file = https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/735ef912-b78d-4d3b-8299-0592a86ab891/fm-456-tc-mtg-20210203-p3of3.mp3


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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-3-2021_town_council_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Finance presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/tc_borrowing_debt_presentation.pdf

Stormwater proposal doc for discussion
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._storm_water_presentation.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.html 
-------------

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!

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

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

FM #456 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 - P3 of 3 (audio)
FM #456 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 - P3 of 3 (audio)

 

FM #455 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 - P2 of 3 (audio)

FM #455 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 455 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, one member of the Council was remote along with the public via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full two hour forty five minutes meeting into three logical segments segments:

  • First - covers the opening through Finance and borrowing update (53 minutes)
  • Second - covers the  stormwater utility fee (1 hour and 12 minutes)
  • Third - covers the SubCommitte reports through to the close of the meeting (approx. 40 mins)
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Feb 3, 2021
Audio file = https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/cbed6d02-74b8-4c9b-aaec-d1c99fec7759/fm-455-tc-mtg-20210203-p2of3.mp3


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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-3-2021_town_council_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Finance presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/tc_borrowing_debt_presentation.pdf

Stormwater proposal doc for discussion
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._storm_water_presentation.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.html 
 
-------------

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!

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

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

 

FM #455 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 P2 of 3 (audio)
FM #455 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 P2 of 3 (audio)

FM #454 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 P1 of 3 (audio)

FM #454 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 454 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, one member of the Council was remote along with the public via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full two hour forty five minutes meeting into three logical segments segments:

  • First - covers the opening through Finance and borrowing update (53 minutes)
  • Second - covers the  stormwater utility fee (1 hour and 12 minutes)
  • Third - covers the SubCommitte reports through to the close of the meeting (approx. 40 mins)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Feb 3, 2021

Audio file = https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/87474f53-5502-4719-9873-025065e917e1/fm-454-tc-mtg-20210203-p1of3.mp3


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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-3-2021_town_council_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Finance presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/tc_borrowing_debt_presentation.pdf

Stormwater proposal doc for discussion

https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._storm_water_presentation.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.html  

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

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!

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

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

FM #454 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 P1 of 3 (audio)
FM #454 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 P1 of 3 (audio)


FM #453 Town Council 'Quarterbacking' - 02/03/21 (audio)

FM #453 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 453 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 38 minutes, so let’s listen in.  Audio link = https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/d74075ea-f5a9-41ec-a8a0-a8068827dcb5/fm-453-tc-quarterbacking-20210203.mp3

--------------
 

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-3-2021_town_council_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Finance presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/tc_borrowing_debt_presentation.pdf

Stormwater proposal doc for discussion
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._storm_water_presentation.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.html  

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

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!

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

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

 

FM #453 Town Council 'Quarterbacking' - 02/03/21 (audio)
FM #453 Town Council 'Quarterbacking' - 02/03/21 (audio)

"recommendation that the DT facility be closed for FY22"

"After completing a comprehensive closing study for the Davis Thayer School, the Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis subcommittee has voted to present this final report to the Franklin School Committee with our recommendation that the DT facility be closed for FY22.
Additionally, we also recommend that the Franklin School Committee establish a standing subcommittee focused on creating a Master Facilities Plan to address other facility needs in the district."

Respectfully submitted,
 
The Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Sub-Committee:
Elise A. Stokes
Mary Jane Scofield
Judith Pond-Pfeffer
 
 
The full recommendation document and action item for the School Committee discussion on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021:
 
Full School Committee agenda for Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021
 
Davis Thayer Facility Analysis page
  
"recommendation that the DT facility be closed for FY22"
"recommendation that the DT facility be closed for FY22"


3 FHS Student works selected for MAEA juried Recognitions Exhibit


"Three students from FHS were accepted into the MAEA juried Recognitions Exhibit: Kashish Singh, raku fired organic form; Millie Chalk, altered metallic teapot; and Katie Sawyer, a teapot set.
 
Congratulations! We are all so proud of you! @FHSPantherbook @MassArtEd @FranklinHS  "
 
Shared by Brenna Johnson, (Art Educator at Franklin High School, Advisor of The Empty Bowls Club, Co-Advisor of NAHS, Supporter of all things Franklin): https://t.co/7ztmuSYfvm
 
Follow the link to Twitter for a more full size photo of each of the items
https://t.co/7ztmuSYfvm 
 
3 FHS Student works selected for MAEA juried Recognitions Exhibit
3 FHS Student works selected for MAEA juried Recognitions Exhibit