Live reporting: Franklin TV

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS 
» Cable TV
Ken Norman, Dr Ann Bergen, Peter Fasciano, Executive Director

Dr Bergen
talking about the scope of the drug issue here in Franklin
has gathered multiple resources to put together a show

Jeff Nutting
talked of the video being put together by Cable TV to advertise the Town

Peter
5 short videos, 90 - 2 mins each

(hopefully will be able to share the videos sometime sooner than later)


Vallee - why don't you consider hiring a part-time reporter to cover the news

Norman - we have tried but not given up on, we have things we want to get done. We have three channels and we want you to watch them. The school channel covers all the schools. The Community channel provides Ann's program. The government channel broadcasts the town meetings

We have made investment into the studio, now we are investing in the equipment to operate the studio. It will take several years to get what we want done.


Kelly - I think the videos really hit home on what we wanted. The big thing is to get the word on the street to get folks to watch them. Maybe use the sign in the center of town to help spread the word. Light years from where we were several years ago.

Bissanti - if someone would like to see those videos, how do they do that?

Norman - those are meant to market the town

Nutting - hook up with a trade show next month to put them on a CD and hand out. They are separate so they can cover multiple points

Norman - we have been awarded a 100-watt license to run a radio station. We have not yet done construction on the antenna, hopefully will be up in about 18 months. It will be used to broadcast these meetings and other original radio shows.

Frasciano - there are changes coming with the FCC that may allow us to get to a 250 watt broadcast. We do have plans over time to get to a radio broadcast. One of my highest priorities to get our programs listed on the TV guide. We are willing to do what we need to do so it won't just say "local access". There is no reason why a local broadcaster can't comply if we provide the details. My hopes are high.

Norman - we have had preliminary talks with the Milford Radio station. We are a non-profit and they are a commercial operation. There are some technical issues to work through but we are continuing the discussion. They are active with the Senior Center program.

Live reporting: Town Council - May 20, 2015

Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Williams, Dellorco
Absent: none


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– 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.


C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS 
» Tri-County School
Councilor Pfeffer talked of the presentation made to the Tri-County students yesterday and posted here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/franklin-town-council-honored-students.html


D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Gail Cherdon
commenting on the gas pipeline proposed
safety issue and health concern
nurse of 47 years, worked with patients of black lung disease and other lung diseases
the safety issue is most acute and dramatic
pipeline would transport fracked gas through MA to the coast for export
the export will increase the cost of gas for US consumers
Gov Baker has approved of the payment for the pipeline through fees passed on to the consumers
with another winter like this year, we could be in trouble
it was supposed to be going under the Charles River multiple times, now apparently it is going once, that is once too often
there are currently 10 natural gas pipeline explosions in the US
the pipelines currently there are old and need of repair
getting the feel that this is a 'done deal'
if that was so, I wouldn't be here nor would I be a nurse

I am saying this to further educate ourselves and those who are not here

Henry Maddox, 90 Elm St, Franklin, MA
built here 40 years ago using Franklin contractors
currently abutters to the powerlines and gas line
they have an obligation to maintain the lines
we insist that they don't use herbicides on the property
what would they do to our wells and water?
Spectra wants to put in a 30" line
would go right through the driveway and take down all the trees we have grown over the years to block out the power lines
the story is changing constantly, we don't know what to believe
we would like to sit on our back porch and listen to the birds and trees and not construction equipment
we are concerned about the fracking they are doing
methane in the atmosphere is a lot worse than CO2

There is a hearing on May 28th



G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
» British Beer Company – Change of Manager- 7:10 pm

motion to approve transfer as outlined, seconded, passed 9-0

(return to citizens comments)

Christine Mann, Dover Circle

went to the meeting at Hawthorne Suites about the pipeline

lots of incredible speakers but no answers to any questions

they took a lot of notes but no answers to any questions

they'll get back to our engineers

something about Jun 11th on the website, they are writing feverishly

one man from Western MA was quite explicit about references to laws being broken and they have no answers to the questions

E. APPOINTMENTS
3. Resolution 15-28: Creation of a Horace Mann Statue Committee
motion to approve committee, seconded, passed 9-0
there is a signed P/S with a proposed closing date of Nov 30th

» Horace Mann Statue Committee
motion to approve committee membership, seconded, passed 9-0
see names in the agenda
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-may-20.html

F. HEARINGS
none

Franklin Town Council honored students at Tri-County Regional

The Town Council of the Town of Franklin honored students at Tri-County Regional for their construction of a home on Beaver Court. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting visited Tri-County on Tuesday, May 19, to present an Award of Excellence to the school's Carpentry, Electrical Wiring Technology, and Plumbing and Hydronic Heating programs. 

The award, which is signed by Franklin Town Council Chairman Robert R. Vallee, recognizes the students for exhibiting the skillful application of their trade in building a three-bedroom, two-bathroom Ranch home on Beaver Court. 

Tri-County, in partnership with the Franklin Municipal Housing Trust Fund, began the project in April 2014. The town paid for the materials in exchange for a home that meets affordable housing qualifications. 

While the finishing touches must still be added to the home, Franklin officials wanted to honor the seniors who contributed to the project prior to graduation.

Franklin officials honored Carpentry students and instructor Jeremy Barstow
for their construction of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom Ranch on Beaver Court.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham

Memory Café Offered For Caregivers & Their Loved Ones

Thursday, May 21

3:00—4:30 pm at the Franklin Senior Center

Memory Cafés are places where people with Alzheimer’s or a related disease can go with their caregivers to socialize and have fun with others in a similar situation. 

Please call Elaine at 508 520-4945 for more info.

Franklin Senior Center

Fundraiser for the Horace Mann Middle School today from 3:00 - 9:00 PM

Pizza or ice cream?

If either is desired tonight, then you can help a good cause!

Spruce Pond Creamery/Franklin Flatbreads are doing a fundraiser for the Horace Mann Middle School today from 3:00 - 9:00 PM.

Print out the flyer (JPG) shown here and show when you pay for your purchase today.

Infographic: Every Kid Needs a Family

Every Kid Needs a Family    Kids do best with the support of a loving family. As our child welfare system develops strategies to help our most vulnerable children, it has a number of opportunities to provide kids with supportive families.  One is to help families that are living in precarious circumstances by providing the supports they need to care for their children in a safe and stable environment.  When a child does need to be removed from her immediate family, she can be placed with a grandparent or other member of the extended family (called kinship care). Finally, the state can seek to recruit more foster parents who can provide good homes to children who would otherwise have to live in group homes or other institutional settings. Every Kid Needs a Family: Giving Children in the Child Welfare System the Best Chance for Success, released today by the national partner of MassBudget's KIDS COUNT project, explores strategies for providing more children in the foster care system with the opportunity to grow up in a family.  The progress on these issues in Massachusetts, and the continuing challenges, are described in MassBudget's recent report Family Ties: Exploring Massachusetts's use of Kinship Foster Care for Children in the Child Welfare System and a related report by KIDS COUNT Advisory Council member the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute: The Ties That Bind: Strengthening, and Reducing Racial Disparities in, Kinship Foster Care in Massachusetts. The infographic below shows that Massachusetts is below the national average in giving children who are in the child welfare system the opportunity to live with members of their extended family.  This contributes to more kids leaving the system (aging-out) without the support of a permanent family. And unfortunately, when kids age-out without this support they are less likely to finish high school and more likely to end up homeless or even in jail.   The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

FRTC - Scholarship Award

Once again the Franklin Republican Town Committee has taken the lead in providing opportunity for Franklin students. The FRTC is pleased to announce that they have offered a $500 scholarship for their annual Scholarship contest. The winner of the scholarship will be announced at the FHS Awards Night. The applicants submitted 500 word essays specific to the following quote:

“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.” Patrick Henry

The quote is attributed to Patrick Henry, one of the most respected patriots in United States history. Mr. Henry is not only one of our most admired founding fathers but was also an influential champion of Republicanism.