"they need to get their own minds out of crisis mode"

"They’re calling it a “lost year.”

On and offline, parents are trading stories — poignant and painful — about all of the ways that they fear their middle schoolers are losing ground.

“It’s really hard to put my finger on what happened exactly,” said Jorge Gallegos, whose son, Eyan, is in the seventh grade in Washington, D.C.

When Eyan was in fifth grade, he had a lot of friends, Mr. Gallegos said. He was home schooled for sixth grade, and he seemed to thrive.

But spending this year at home because of the pandemic has just been too much."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/11/health/pandemic-middle-school-mental-health.html

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - April 14, 2021

 
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29.  This meeting may be recorded by others. 
b. Chair to identify Council Members participating remotely

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- None Scheduled

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Diane Daddario, MD

5. APPOINTMENTS
- None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm
- None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc. d/b/a Shaw’s, Change of Manager, 255 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott
b. Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Actuarial Update - Dan Sherman
c. GATRA - Mark Sousa, Executive Director
d. Downtown Commercial Zoning District & Commercial Zoning District 1 Parking requirements

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 21-22: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with the Town of Foxborough for the Town of Foxborough to Provide Emergency Motor Vehicle Technician Services (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-22 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
COVID-19

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
 - None Scheduled

ADJOURN

Note: 
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The meeting packet for the Council meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-14-town-council-agenda

The one PDF with all released docs and connection info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/4-14-2021_town_council_agenda_-_web.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - April 14, 2021

FM #507 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 04/08/21 (audio)

FM #507 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 507 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?

We cover the following key topics

• Public hearing on street acceptances
• DPW presentation
• Capital budget items
• Complete streets policy
• Two bylaws for First readings
• One bylaw for Adoption

The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.
Our conversation runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen in to my quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e50da152-baa8-4100-b299-6747442ab4fb

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Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-7-town-council-agenda

DPW overview presentation doc
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/dpw_town_council_presentation_4_7_2021.pdf

My notes from the Town Council meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-town-council-meeting-apr-7-2021.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/  or www.franklin.news/

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 #507 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 04/08/21 (audio) 

Tri-County RVTHS Honor Roll

The Franklin students on the honor roll for Tri-County RVTHS

Download a copy of the listing here:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UwhQdfEcvFwRLqTHrH_yDzr5T0m52n9b/view?usp=sharing

Tri-County RVTHS Honor Roll

FHS football tops Oliver Ames 41-3 on Saturday

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:  

Football = Oliver Ames, 3 @ Franklin, 41 – Final

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-04-10-21/

FHS football tops Oliver Ames 41-3 on Saturday

Who painted the murals at the Ray Memorial Library?

"Ever wondered about the artist responsible for the murals at the Ray Memorial Library? Join local Franklin historian and author, Alan Earls as he enlightens us on the history of this remarkable Artist.

Email adoggett@franklinma.gov for the link to attend this zoom event on Wednesday April 14th at 1 PM."

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/2876383245965016/

Who painted the murals at the Ray Memorial Library?

Yes, #ThinkFranklinFirst Gift Cards are reloadable

To answer a frequently asked question: YES! Think Franklin First Gift Cards are reloadable! Bring your card to our amazing partner, Dean Bank, and add funds anytime! (Cash only!) 

Keep one ready to use in your wallet at all times as a reminder to #ThinkFranklinFirst!  

Status update: we have sold over $47,000 worth of gift cards! Thank you for the support!

Do you have one to spend? Visit www.franklingiftcard.com for a current list of participating businesses!  

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/109645590402552/posts/491291672237940/

Yes, #ThinkFranklinFirst Gift Cards are reloadable