The Franklin Downtown Partnership is busy preparing for the 18th Annual Harvest Festival scheduled for Saturday, Oct 2, 2021.
Visit the Downtown Partnership page for updates https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/
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| 18th Annual Harvest Festival scheduled for Saturday, Oct 2, 2021 |
As we approach the local election for Nov 2, I share this statement from Tracy Novick, School Committee member of Worcester, MA. The section shared here is a brief piece of her full comments (link provided). I think this provides great insights for potential School Committee candidates. Tracy makes this statement with 15 years of experience. Experience that is worth learning from.
"I first think it’s important to note that this is our job. School Committees in Massachusetts under MGL Ch. 71, §37 are described as having four core responsibilities, one of which is “to select and terminate the superintendent.” This is not the job of interest groups, of business interests, of non-profit entities…it is the job of the Worcester School Committee, period. I intend, and I believe my colleagues intend, to do our job, as it is our job to do.
It is the governance of the school committee that determines the direction of the district. I have heard it said that the superintendent is a reflection of the school committee. In selecting the superintendent, the school committee expresses a set of values and communicates the level of professionalism the committee expects of its employees. It ultimately also determines the quality of the education the district delivers to students.
Second, the most important thing that any committee needs to do in conducting a superintendent search is tell the truth to their community. If they intend to appoint an internal candidate, they should say so. If they are going to do a full, inclusive national search, then they have the responsibility to not only say so, but to do so.
The Worcester School Committee will conduct a full, inclusive national search, period. "
Read the full statement here -> https://who-cester.blogspot.com/2021/09/my-remarks-on-tonights-vote.html
FM #596 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 596 in the series.
This session shares the Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 1, 2021. The meeting was conducted in hybrid mode, most of the Board and Health Dept members in person at the Municipal Bldg and others via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Chair Bridget Sweet opened the meeting and reviewed the usual protocol for conduct of such remote meetings during this pandemic
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda, the Board of Health page, and my notes from the meeting.
The meeting runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting.
Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/30e18466-f7c9-40c4-a573-16c51b73946e
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Meeting agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/boh_agenda_09012021.pdf
My meeting notes
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-franklin-ma-board-of-health.html
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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
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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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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| Tune it out program at a meeting in July |
"I grew up in Franklin, MA so I always knew the true legend about how in 1778, the town changed the name from Exeter to Franklin, in honor of Benjamin Franklin, in the hopes that he would donate a bell for the church. He never donated money, but sent books instead, which the town debated how to use. In the end, they formed a library where every member of the town could read equally.
This started the first public library in the United States. Those books still reside in the Franklin Public Library today. And I know that Benjamin Franklin spent time in Boston during his youth, but I had no idea how often his name would come up while searching the online collections of the MHS. I’d like to share with you a selection of my favorite items and stories I have come across about Benjamin Franklin."
Ben's books are indeed on display at the Library. Photos from the unveiling of the new case can be found online -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/BuBL0ZVshZR0vxXP2
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| "Those books still reside in the Franklin Public Library" |
Job fair on Wednesday, September 15, from 2 to 6 PM at the Lawn on D in Boston. It is an opportunity for local jobseekers to connect directly with Massachusetts employers such as Citizens, Procter & Gamble, AT&T and many more. It is an in person job fair in downtown Boston as you will see below.
Please share this invitation and registration with job seekers in your network. You can view the event landing page here. All event on-site logistics are being organized by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and Lawn on D Powered by Citizens.
Event landing page -> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/job-fair-at-the-lawn-on-d-tickets-168434412863
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassConvention/status/1433103119622287373
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| Job fair on 9/15/21 at The Lawn on D in Boston |
To Receive This Newsletter Monthly or Other Town Notifications, Please Click Here.
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| Read the Franklin Senior Center Newsletter for September 2021 |
"In the handful of weeks since the town's election season was opened, a flood of potential candidates has flowed through the municipal building taking out and returning nomination papers.
As of Aug. 30, a total of 35 residents have taken out papers for positions on five boards and for town clerk. Twenty of those have already returned their papers.
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NOTE: In cooperation with Franklin Matters (www.franklinmatters.org), we invite residents to submit questions they'd like to have asked of the candidates as the election proceeds. To submit a question, visit: https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/you-can-help-determine-questions-asked.html"
Shared from Wicked Local -> https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/country-gazette/2021/09/01/keen-interest-town-office-filling-franklins-november-ballot/5667100001/
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| Wicked Local: "Franklin ballot filling up. Dozens of candidates eye town offices" |
