- Town Council: Tom Mercer, Brian Chandler, Melanie Hamblen, Cobi Frongillo
- School Committee: Dave McNeil, Ruthann O'Sullivan, Paul Griffith
- Finance Committee: George Conley, Natalie Riley, Nicole Corbisiero, Lauren Barnes
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Letter to Joint Budget Subcommittee from Town of Franklin Department Heads - Dec 17, 2024
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
This Chalkboard Chat recaps the Joint Budget meeting & the need to begin discussions now (audio)
FM #1313 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1313 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with School Committee Vice-Chair Dave McNeill. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via the Zoom conference bridge on Thursday, November 7, 2024. We recapped the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of Oct 23, 2024.
We cover
The budget work continues with Joint Budget revelation of $3.7M shortfall
Reorganization provides minimal savings, mostly in Facilities on Town side
Level service means no additions to current budget which was significantly cut and added fees due to the failed override
Ultimately the Subcommittee came together that there is a significant hole for FY 2026
Town to add their wish list to go along with the Tier 2, 3, & 4 cuts as presented in June
School to bring updated figures forward months earlier than normal
Subcommittee to work through the wish list to get to the needs, review priorities
Town Council committed to discuss an override question (yes or no) at a February 2025 meeting; assuming yes, then also to set date, and choose an amount
No reason not to begin discussions with community around the minimum shortfall and how to handle it
The recording runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1313-chalkboard-chat-recaps-the-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-11-07-24/
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Contact info for Dave McNeill -> mcneilld@franklinps.net
Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting
Agenda for Oct 23, 2024 session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/jbsc_agenda_revised_oct_23_2024.pdf
Franklin TV video of session -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWmbJdKWrAY
wfpr.fm audio of the session -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/10/joint-budget-subcmte-meeting-oct-23-24.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
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do
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!
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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"
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
The Town Council meeting of Oct 30 gets condensed to 34 minutes in this Quarterbacking session (audio)
FM #1306 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1306 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Tuesday, November 5, 2023.
• ok, what just happened?
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
Topics for this session
Fire Department - Swearing In of New Firefighter / Paramedics
• Paul Schleicher Jr.
• Michael Dumican
• Corey Rafter
• Steven Osorio
• Shea Hurley
The Police Department had 2 Promotions, Both sworn in by Town Clerk Nancy Danello
• Lieutenant Michael Colecchi
• Sergeant Cody Landry
Rescission of Prior Approval of Transfer of Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License, Heeru Corporation d/b/a DeVita’s Market.
License Modification - Change of Manager of a Section 15 Retail Package Store License: Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc. d/b/a Shaw’s.
Franklin Children's Museum - Meghan Hagen & Erin Gallagher, joined by architect and Brad Chaffee, Camford Property Group.
Resolution 24-63: Gift Acceptance: Senior Center ($100)
Resolution 24-64: Town Council Approval of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds ($8,304)
Friendly 40B Policy Update introduced by Jamie in response to what has been heard from the community.
Joint Budget recap - Council action item at a February meeting to determine Override vote (yes/no), if yes, date, if yes, amount
The recording runs about 34 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Council meeting of Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1306-town-council-quarterbacking-11-05-24/
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Town Council agenda Oct 30, 2024 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_october_30_2024_packet_2.pdf
Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNbkQwNvQkA
My notes captured during the meeting and now in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zqgR9Lc2lYE9H3f8WOor2CoM-XPxaUG3/view?usp=drive_link
--------------
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
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do
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"
Saturday, October 26, 2024
School Committee votes to allow 54 former DT students & siblings not to redistrict at a cost of $75K (audio)
FM #1295= This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1295 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Oct 22, 2024. All 7 members participated in Council Chambers.
Quick recap:
Decision on the overall redistricting proposal was approved at their last meeting but one aspect of that 'tabled' to this meeting: the choice on how to include the former Davis Thayer students. The motion had been amended and then tabled for further clarification on the total number of students involved. The number grew in the time between meetings so if the parents of former DT students choose to stay with Keller rather than move to the new district, they (1) provide their own transportation for the duration of their students' elementary education (2) the district comes up with a net new teacher for one year (approx. $75K) to pay for the increase in enrollment in the new north elementary rather than the south. With the approval (by a 4-3 vote) tonight, the District will now be contacting those affected parents who will need to make a decision in the next couple of weeks. The numbers provided for students covered by this opportunity are if all choose to take it. One would think that providing the extra transportation (rather than taking advantage of the district busing) would result in not all taking this choice. We'll see how it works out.
A change to the calendar for this school year was approved to add 3 half days in June to provide a block of 4 half days to enable the teachers and other personnel time to pack for the move before the school year ends. As the override failed, this is one of the consequences of the lack of money the district has to operate. The vote to approve was passed by 6-1 after a motion to 'table' the decision for 1 meeting failed by a 3-4 vote.
Approval of the goals for the superintendent passed by a 7-0 vote.
Consent agenda was passed by a 7-0 vote.
The recording runs about 2 hours & 55 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1295-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-10-22-24/
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Franklin TV -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ff3Vn-2hi0g?si=0REBBEJdliJoXiyW&t=186
School Committee agenda -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/4941932/SCAGENDA_10-22-24.pdf
My notes for the full session are captured in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F633bBHQYfntqvuKD_XocZBsiRQouF1j/view?usp=drive_link
Photos of the Davis Thayer decision information can be found in one album ->
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ow3w1ZoXM7dDrMD88
-------------
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
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do
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"
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School Committee votes to allow 54 former DT students & siblings not to redistrict (audio) |