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| Sign up for the Shamrock Walk for Refugees - March 19 |
This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
The recording runs about one hour and thirty minutes (1:30 )
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of March 2, 2022 Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-745-town-council-meeting-03-02-22
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Agenda document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_-march_2_2022.pdf
My notes from the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V68RACg-cfE7DL80uaXkOSwQhTPWL2yC/view?usp=sharing
Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/town-council-quarterbacking-with-tom.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 www.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!
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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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| FM #745 - Town Council Meeting - 03/02/22 (audio) |
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In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Supt. Evaluation, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy and Space Needs & Facilities Analysis Sub Committee)B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, (SATF) Substance Abuse Task Force, (SWAC) School Wellness Advisory Council, SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council), DEI Committee (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion).
- A. Approval of Minutes - I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 8, 2022 School Committee meeting and February 16, 2022 Special School Committee Meeting as detailed.
- B. FEF Gift - I recommend acceptance of a check for $12,000.00 from the Franklin Education Foundation as discussed.
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.b. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with non-union personnel.c. Executive session pursuant to M.G.L. c.30A, §21(a)(1) to consider an Open Meeting Law complaint against public officers, namely the members of the School Committee, filed with the Committee by Kyle Thompson and dated February 3, 2022.
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| FY23 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget |
In an effort to meet the Commonwealth’s climate goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the House of Representatives today (03/03/2022) passed legislation to further develop the offshore wind industry in Massachusetts. The legislation will also modernize Massachusetts’ electrical grid and energy storage infrastructure, and create thousands of new jobs.
“I’m immensely proud of the steps that the House took today to ensure Massachusetts remains at the forefront of renewable energy development,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “Not only will this legislation help us reduce our carbon emissions and combat climate change, it will also spur economic development, modernize our energy infrastructure, and create thousands of new jobs in the process. I want to thank Chairman Roy for his hard work in advancing this legislation, as its passage today was undoubtedly a critical step in the right direction.”
“I am thrilled that today the House passed legislation crucial to the development of a strong offshore wind industry in Massachusetts,” said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. “Massachusetts waters have the greatest offshore wind potential out of the contiguous U.S., and this legislation will ensure that the Commonwealth is prepared to harness that energy while also creating a just and robust local economy, educational opportunities for our residents, and critical upgrades to our energy infrastructure without causing undue harm to our coastal habitats or maritime industries.”
“An Act advancing offshore wind and clean energy” (H.4515): (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4515)
The legislation creates parity between electric and natural gas, imposing a charge for natural gas consumers to support renewable energy, similar to the charge electric customers currently pay. At a little over $1 a month for the average customer, this is estimated to collect $23 million a year over the next 10 years to support the Commonwealth’s transition to clean energy. By diversifying Massachusetts’ energy portfolio, Massachusetts will become more energy independent and less reliant on imported natural gas that is susceptible to volatile price spikes, thereby helping to stabilize ratepayer bills in the long term.
“An Act advancing offshore wind and clean energy” (H.4515) passed the House of Representatives 144-12. It now goes to the Senate for their consideration.
Link to the legislation -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4515
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| Massachusetts House Passes Legislation To Boost Offshore Wind Development, Reduce Carbon Emissions |
