Monday, March 18, 2019

Mural Artists invited to showcase their work in downtown Franklin

Artists are invited to showcase their work in downtown Franklin! Last year, the Franklin Downtown Partnership began offering opportunities to local artists to paint murals in the alleys throughout downtown Franklin. The Partnership is expanding those opportunities this year.

Artists who are interested in creating pro bono murals should email the Partnership office to request a submission packet. Artists will be asked to submit portfolios and ideas for murals once the committee decides on the theme for each alleyway. Submissions will be juried by the Artist Alley Committee.

Joining the trend toward public art, the Partnership’s goal is to turn the uninviting alleyways into alley galleries. Boarded up windows and rusted doors in those alleys create ideal canvases for painting.

Mural Artists invited to showcase their work in downtown Franklin
Mural Artists invited to showcase their work in downtown Franklin 

Franklin Library: Companion Planting and Design - Mar 19

Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens will talk about Companion Planting and Design at the Franklin Library on Tuesday, March 19 at 6:30 PM.

Franklin Library: Companion Planting and Design - Mar 19
Franklin Library: Companion Planting and Design - Mar 19


This was shared from the Franklin Library page
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/blackstone-valley-veggie-gardens-0

Sunday, March 17, 2019

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - Budget Hearing #1 - March 18

Note the start time for this meeting is 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers

AGENDA

1.    Call to Order
2.    Public Comments
3.    Approval of Minutes


4. FY20 Budget Presentations:
Dept. 
Classification
Police
210
Public Safety
Fire
220
Public Safety
Dispatch
225
Public Safety
Inspections
240
Public Safety
Animal Control
292
Public Safety
Tri-County
390
Education
Norfolk Aggie
395
Education
Street Lights
424
Public Works
DPW
440
Public Works
Enterprise
450
Enterprise
Health
510/525
Human Services
Council on Aging
541
Human Services
Veterans
543
Human Services
Library
610
Culture and Recreation
Recreation
630
Culture and Recreation
Historical Museum
690
Culture and Recreation
Historical Commission
691
Culture and Recreation
Memorial Day
692
Culture and Recreation
Cultural Council
695
Culture and Recreation
Town Council
111
General Government
Town Administration
123
General Government
Finance Committee
131
General Government
Comptroller
135
General Government
Assessors
141
General Government
Treasurer/Collector
147
General Government
Legal
151
General Government
Human Resources
152
General Government
Town Clerk
161
General Government
Elections
164
General Government
ZBA
176
General Government
Planning/Conservation
177
General Government

Facilities
192
General Government
Central Services
196
General Government
Debt Service
710/750
Debt Service
Employee Benefits
910
Benefits
Liability Insurance

5. Adjournment

Trust Fund Balances Update
945
Insurance
 General Stabilization

$ 6,033,178
 Recreation Fields

300,453
 Open Space Acquisition

1,113,432
 Budget Stabilization

390,527
 Free Cash

744,091
 Fire Truck Stabilization

206,506
 OPEB

4,689,433
 Property Acquisition

265,696
OPEB Obligation as of 6/30/18 (PAYGO): 
 74,059,736



The agenda document can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/3-18-2019_finance_committee_agenda_0.pdf

The details for the FY 2020 budget being reviewed can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/proposed_fy20_operatingbudget.pdf

time to reflect as we find puddles around us: What do we want Franklin to be like?
time to reflect as we find puddles around us: What do we want Franklin to be like?

Town Council - Summary and notes - March 13, 2019 "need more than a bandaid"

The Town Council meeting Wednesday was a roller coaster ride. Opening with elation and joy on the new police officers sworn in, one promotion also recognized and the canine member introduced - Ben Franklin.

five new police officers introduced
five new police officers introduced

five new police officers sworn in by Town Clerk Teresa Burr
five new police officers sworn in by Town Clerk Teresa Burr

five new police officers pinned by family members
five new police officers pinned by family members

The newest canine member Ben Franklin is as cute in person as he is in photos
The newest canine member Ben Franklin is as cute in person as he is in photos

The meeting took its gloomy turn as the fiscal budget situation was reviewed with challenges all around and not enough funding to do what is needed. How it will be resolved remains to be seen. There was mention of the 'override' word but more in context of a necessity for FY 2021 than for this budget cycle. Which would mean that unless it becomes a reality, the school budget which was just approved by the School Committee on Tuesday, March 12 will need to be reduced by about $2.6M to meet the funding available. 

Oh in case you didn't catch it previously: the school budget is meant to be level funded and the additions were prioritized to meet 'critical' needs (not all of which we added to this budget). So while it was proposed to be a compromise on critical needs, those will need to be further compromised to meet the current funding.
L - R: Mark Cerel, Jamie Hellen, Jeff Nutting
L - R: Mark Cerel, Jamie Hellen, Jeff Nutting

As the meeting got into the Legislation for Action the discussion around a potential bylaw change to be referred to the Planning Board started tip toeing in legal waters. The Council was cautioned by Attorney Mark Cerel to be careful in their comments and replies to Joel D'Errico as he has a current suit against the Planning Board for a proposal that would potentially be affected by this measure.

There is more in this matter than was revealed in the meeting. The zoning bylaw had been before the Council a couple of years ago to change from R4 to R5. Now it is back again, to be changed back to R5. Why was not fully explained, or if it was, I missed it. I will need to go to the video replay for this as soon as it is available from Franklin TV.


The official "Actions Taken" as published by the Town can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_council_actions_taken_for_march_13_2019.pdf


FHS Goes to Europe: Mattress Fundraiser - March 24

Via Pantherbook, we share the news of the mattress fund raiser at FHS next Sunday, March 24.

"On Sunday, March 24, the group of FHS students participating in the trip to Europe will be participating in a mattress fundraiser from 10 AM - 4 PM.

What is a Mattress Fundraiser?
 
On the day of the fundraiser (March 24) the FHS gym will turn into a showroom filled with all different types of mattresses, including name brands such as Simons Beauty Rest. People who come in on this day will be able to purchase a mattress, pillow, sheets, etc to benefit these FHS students. The mattresses are discounted up to 50% as well, and there are options for delivery. A portion of each individual mattress’s sale will go straight towards the FHS trip."

Continue reading about the mattress fund raiser
https://franklinpanthers.us/student-life/2019/03/11/fhs-goes-to-europe-mattress-fundraiser/

FHS Goes to Europe: Mattress Fundraiser (Pantherbook photo)
FHS Goes to Europe: Mattress Fundraiser (Pantherbook photo)

School Committee Recap: School Budget proposal approved, yet funding insufficient

The School Committee meeting was a long one as the ECDC, and elementary schools walked through updates on their School Improvement Plans (SIP). The District Improvement Plan goals 2 and 3 also received an update from the Central office. Lots of progress and accomplishments under challenging circumstances.

Then the Discussion / Action Item section rolled along and the committee voted to approve the expense budget and salary budget in separate votes for FY 2020. Only a few changes from what had been reviewed and had evolved over the several weeks leading up to Tuesday.

Then Superintendent Ahern revealed that the budget as approved was likely about $2.6M over what the Town can fund. The Town Council meeting the following night (Wednesday, March 13) would begin the overall Town budget discussion and how to address the shortfall.

Stay tuned for the on going budget discussion. What we want for our children and the Town of Franklin depends upon what info is forthcoming and how it is received. 

Participate in the Budget hearings or at least tune into the meetings. Worse case, follow the updates here and don't be shy in asking good questions.



The Superintendent's Report:



Kelly Kelty, Principal of ECDC presented a mid-year update on the School Improvement Plan (SIP)



Principals/Vice-principals presented a joint update on the Elementary SIP


Elementary SIP Mid-year Update - March 12, 2019 from Franklin Matters

The Central Office (Superintendent Sara Ahern, Asst Supt Lucas Giguere, Dr Joyce Edwards, and Paula Marano) presented the joint update on the District Improvement Plan (DIP)



My notes are reported live during the meeting can be found in the links below


School committee meeting March 12, 2019
School committee meeting March 12, 2019

Newcomers and Friends Club: April Meeting Update

Not just for Newcomers . . .

Come join your friends and neighbors at the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club monthly Meeting. Meet us upstairs at "3" Restaurant on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:30.

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club is a non-profit social and service organization. Our purpose is to extend a welcoming hand to both newcomers and existing residents. Our goal is to promote good fellowship within the community through social and charitable activities. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends, develop lasting friendships and give back to the community where we live.

No need to RSVP, just join us! We are a multi-generational club offering a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities with an emphasis on fun and camaraderie. As a member driven organization . . . your ideas count and we want to implement them!

Newcomers and Friends Club: April Meeting Update
Newcomers and Friends Club
Residents of Franklin, or any surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers organization, are welcome to join us the 2nd Wednesday of the month (occasionally we switch Wednesdays to accommodate holidays or speakers). 

We run our meetings September through May. We meet at "3" Restaurant, 461 W. Central Street, Franklin, upstairs in a private room. Complimentary hot appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available.

Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year. Look for us on our website www.franklinnewcomers.com, or on our Facebook page or on Meetup.com, Franklin Newcomers & Friends Club

Town Council - Summary - Video Link - Feb 13, 2019

The Town Council met on Feb 13, 2019. I was able to participate remotely for a bit as I had a work conference call scheduled for 8 PM.

The video replay of the meeting is available
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=618

The official actions taken document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_council_actions_taken_for_february_13_2019.pdf

The agenda and docs released for the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/02/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-feb-13.html

Dept of planning/community development Director Bryan Taberner does overview of proposed mixed business innovation zone
Dept of planning/community development Director Bryan Taberner does overview of
proposed mixed business innovation zone



School Committee - Recap - Feb 19, 2019


The documents released for this meeting can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/february-12-2019-school-committee-packet-documents

screen capture of the homework presentation
screen capture of the homework presentation