Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Add MBTA bus drivers to the growing list of driver shortages

"THE MBTA is paring back service on 31 bus routes and the Mattapan trolley because it doesn’t have enough workers to provide the scheduled service.

Starting December 19, T officials said some service will be added on a handful of routes, but overall service levels during the winter will be declining by about 3 percent to reflect a large dropoff in the number of drivers available. The transit authority on Monday put out a call on Twitter for more drivers, saying 300 positions need to be filled. "

Continue reading the article online

Add MBTA bus drivers to the growing list of driver shortages
Add MBTA bus drivers to the growing list of driver shortages



 

MyFM 101.3 Wins Coveted “Station of the Year” Award

“I will never take winning this award lightly or for granted.  To win this award once is an amazing accomplishment, but to win it a record 11 times is simply unheard of in the industry.  I can’t say enough about my staff, our listeners, fans and followers, and all the local partners we’ve developed over the years” said Tom McAuliffe, owner of MyFM Media. 

With a commitment to community, and a little light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, MyFM Media launched their first ever MyFM Quest for the Best Contest.  This initiative was designed to inject some serious positivity back into the community by shining a spotlight on the incredible local businesses who have endured, innovated, and found new and better ways to serve their customers and clients during the toughest economic period in almost 100 years.

The MyFM Quest for the Best Contest simply exploded and grew into the biggest promotion this region had ever seen with over 1,200 local businesses nominated in over 234 categories, and then over 256,000 votes in just 2 weeks!  

“We believed our listeners, fans and followers were sick and tired of toxic politics and pandemic talk and we were right.  I think this was the number one reason why the judges from the Wyoming Broadcasters Association selected MyFM,” McAuliffe said.

"The Station of the Year Award is the one award that every station strives to win.  It's the most cherished station award the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association presents,” explained Jordan Walton, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association.  “My FM 101.3 truly epitomizes what 

LOCAL radio, and service to the community is all about, and we're proud to salute them with this honor for a record 11th time.”

“The Station of the Year” award is presented annually by the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association to the most outstanding radio station in the Commonwealth, and is open to all of the more than 200 radio stations.

The “Station of the Year” award is given to the top station in Massachusetts that exemplifies overall excellence in all phases of operation.  The judges, members of the Wyoming Broadcasters Association, cited MyFM 101.3 had experienced extraordinary growth of audience, client base, but most importantly, MyFM was providing exceptional service to their listeners, community officials, and local organizations.

About MyFM 101.3

My FM 101.3 & WMRC 1490AM have been on the air since 1956, making it one of the oldest, continuously locally owned and operated radio stations in Massachusetts. 

Tom McAuliffe II owns and operates the station with his wife Megan. MyFM 101.3 is located right “In the Heart of It all” between Boston, Worcester & Providence with a population exceeding 750,000 people.  For more information of the station visit MyFMMedia.com.

 

MyFM 101.3 staff photo
MyFM 101.3 staff photo

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Results of the survey on candidate information available for the Nov 2021 Biennial Election

The following is the output from the survey conducted after the 2021 election. There were 146 anonymous responses. While the number is low (compared to the total votes cast) to the extent that these folks (likely engaged) took the time to do so, the insights should be useful. 

There were 4 questions asked
1 - My voting action for this election was via: ballot type (a required question)
2 - How well prepared were you with information on the candidates to make your vote? (numerical response required on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high)) (optional)
3 - What information did you find the most useful? (please be concise in your answer) (optional)
4 - What information do you wish you had? (please  be concise in your answer) (optional )

voting actions pie chart
voting actions pie chart



rating distribution chart
rating distribution chart


My takeaways
Continue to provide the info in advance of early voting (to the extent that the candidates cooperate)
Continue to enable/incentivize the candidates to provide their info
Continue to be as transparent as possible about the sources of info
Expand to provide transcripts as a regular feature for the audio/video interviews

While there is feedback looking for more of a ‘summary’ or table to simplify the candidate positions, I personally would hesitate to do so. 

I have provided the open-ended responses in three PDF files.
Both responses together (good for insight into the individuals’ responses, if blank, there was no response)
Two files, one with each question response listed together, this should enable a view of common themes such as there may be

Results of the survey on candidate information available for the Nov 2021 Biennial Election
Results of the survey on candidate information available for the Nov 2021 Biennial Election


Finance Committee Meeting - Agenda - Dec 8, 2021

Finance Committee Meeting on December 8, 2021

Agenda
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes:
a. October 13, 2021
b. November 10, 2021
4. 2022 Finance Committee Calendar
5. Community Preservation Act
a. Sample CPA Plans
b. Sample CPA Applications
6. Open Meeting Law discussion
7. Future Agenda Items
8. Adjourn


Please find the agenda and links for the upcoming Finance Committee meeting posted here: https://www.franklinma.gov/node/51/agenda/2021

Agenda doc (PDF) (including remote connection info) ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_12.8.21.pdf

Finance Committee Meeting - Agenda - Dec 8, 2021
Finance Committee Meeting - Agenda - Dec 8, 2021


Franklin Board Of Health - Agenda - Dec 8, 0221

Franklin Board Of Health
Duly Scheduled Meeting
Wednesday, Dec 8, 2021 - 5 PM

Located in the Town Hall Training Room, 3rd Floor or 
Join Zoom Meeting


AGENDA
1) Reading and Acceptance of November 3, 2021 meeting minutes
2) OLD BUSINESS
  • 27 Winter Street
3) NEW BUSINESS
  • The use of existing septic tanks in repair or upgrade situations discussion
  • Monthly meeting dates for 2022
  • Monthly health observances on the website
  • Metacomet Shared Service grant regional inspector report
  • Public health nurse update
  • Metacomet Regional Epidemiologist update
  • Chairman opens the floor for any other new business
4) CITIZENS COMMENTARY
5) ADJOURNMENT

The agenda doc with remote connection information can be found

Franklin Board Of Health - Agenda - Dec 8, 0221
Franklin Board Of Health - Agenda - Dec 8, 0221


Paula Lupien - Named 2020-2021 MIAA Gymnastics Coach of the Year

Franklin High School is proud to announce that Paula Lupien has been named the 2020-2021 MIAA Gymnastics Coach of the Year


“Earning this prestigious honor does not surprise me in the least. When it comes to coaching, Coach Lupien is the total package”, states Athletic Director, Tom Angelo. “I attribute the success of our Gymnastics program to Coach Lupien’s meticulous attention to detail, her love for her student-athletes, and overall dedication to the coaching profession. 

Paula Lupien
Paula Lupien


The 2020-2021 winter season was Coach Lupien’s 5th year at the helm, culminating in an undefeated season, a Hockomock League title, and a 1st place finish in the Hockomock League Tournament. A professional member of USA Gymnastics, Coach Lupien’s primary goal is to build trust with her athletes and to bring out the best in themselves by setting a high bar and accomplishing their goals. “Paula is an incredible person who embodies everything that is right about the coaching profession. We are so fortunate to have her as part of our coaching staff”, states Tom Angelo. 


Over the past 5 years, Coach Lupien has involved her team in various community service projects in and around Franklin, MA. Some of these projects include Blankets for Cancer, Toy/Pajamas/Blanket drive for children in foster care, a Franklin Food Pantry drive, distributing holiday wreaths, and hosting gymnastics clinics for Best Buddies, and area youth programs.


The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association selects their “Coaches of the Year” based upon excellence in character, impact upon students and community, and coaching credentials. 


Coach Lupien will be honored by the MIAA  at a celebratory awards banquet in January.




Paula Lupien: 2020-2021 MIAA Gymnastics Coach of the Year! 
View Press Release -> https://t.co/CmfFvSY9hJ  
Shared from Twitter ->  https://t.co/nap1l7nde8

FHS Principal Hanna's Mask Update - 12/5/21 (video)

FHS Principal Josh Hanna with an update on the mask policy waiver implementation is scheduled for Monday, Dec 13, 2021. "Be respectful and kind to each other"

Direct video link -> https://youtu.be/XTbO3ktoLsA