FM #201 - Franklin (MA) School Committee 3rd Annual Legislative Forum - 2/4/20

FM #201

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 201 in the series, that we are now producing in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

The School Committee held their third annual Legislative Forum on Tuesday, Feb 4, 2020. In the Lecture Hall at Franklin High School, School Committee Chair Anne Bergen opened the session. Superintendent Sara Ahern provided some opening remarks before handing the microphone over to Denise Spencer who facilitated the remainder of the forum.

She introduced Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator Rebecca Rausch, and Representative Jeff Roy. Each had a few minutes for opening remarks before answering questions prepared by the School Committee and then questions from the audience. About 60 people participated for this Forum, more than each of the prior two Forums.

Without further ado, here is the recording for the meeting approx. 80 minutes

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-201-school-committee-legislative-forum-feb-4-2020

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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I 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 this, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

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"

Denise Spencer moderating the discussion

Register Now for Kids' Corner February Vacation Events

Special February Vacation Events

REGISTER TODAY

All classes are at Franklin High School

February Vacation Painting Class Grades 4-7
What a great way to spend an afternoon and have some creative fun! Students will paint and take home their own piece of art.

• Thursday, February 20

Kids' February Vacation Cooking Camp Grades 4-7
It's February vacation and it's a great time for cooking camp! For 3 hours each day - over 3 days, students will enhance their kitchen skills and learn complex techniques like searing, sautéing, folding and more.

• Tuesday - Thursday, Feb. 18, 19, 20

For more information visit: www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com

Register Now for Kids' Corner February Vacation Events

In the News: homeless shelters up for Franklin discussion; autonomous vehicle safety standards evolving

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"When Town Councilor Andrew Bissanti heard that two men in Franklin were sleeping outside after a house fire back in October, he was “shocked.” 

Upon a deeper look, he discovered that at least 30 others are sleeping in similar conditions in town. 

“I suspected it, and I’ve seen it in other cities, but I really never knew it to be the extent that I recently found out,” said Bissanti, who is seeking to increase resources for those without places to stay in Franklin with other town officials. 

The Town Council is set to take the issue up at its meeting on Wednesday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200206/franklin-officials-to-discuss-increasing-homeless-resources-in-town

"For the first time, the U.S. government’s highway safety agency has approved a company’s request to deploy a self-driving vehicle that doesn’t meet federal safety standards that apply to cars and trucks driven by humans. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration granted temporary approval for Silicon Valley robotics company Nuro to run low-speed autonomous delivery vehicles that were designed so they can’t carry humans. 

Nuro’s vehicles won’t be required to have side and rear-view mirrors and other safety provisions. Also not on the safety feature list; windshield wipers, steering wheels or brake pedals. 

The vehicles previously were subject to federal standards for low-speed vehicles that travel under 25 miles per hour. Those didn’t need steering wheels or brake pedals and didn’t have to have human backup drivers. Nuro’s battery-powered vehicles can be monitored and controlled remotely by a human operator, if needed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200206/us-lets-autonomous-vehicle-bypass-human-driver-safety-rules

Matt Kelly announces campaign for State Senate Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex district seat

Feb 5, 2020

Dear Friends Across the District,

For the last 12 years, it has been an honor and privilege to serve as an elected official for the Town of Franklin, including a period as Chairman of the Town Council. Public service at a municipal level gives one a deep appreciation for the complexity involved in government and a rare chance to get to know thousands of fellow citizens. Their concerns have become my concerns.

Today, I am formally announcing my next step in public service, where I look forward to representing all the people of the sprawling and diverse Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex senatorial district—which includes Attleboro, North Attleboro, Plainville, Wrentham, Norfolk, Franklin, Millis, Sherborn, Natick, Wellesley, Needham and Wayland—as its State Senator.

When I originally decided to run for Town Council, Franklin faced an unclear path for the future, plagued with issues such as uncontrolled growth, sewage and water challenges and a skyrocketing budget. During my time on the Council, I've had the chance to help make changes for the better by listening, applying commonsense and a willingness to work across political divisions.

Now the district and the state face a similarly daunting list of challenges that include crumbling transportation infrastructure, broken state-funding formulas and a lack of reliable services for the many among us struggling with opioid addiction and mental health issues.

In this election year, there is tremendous focus on national politics. Here in Massachusetts, under the leadership of our Governor, we are proving that bipartisanship is possible. But more needs to be done. A legislature that is dominated by only one party is not a legislature that reflects the population of the state as a whole. Nor is it one that can produce the balanced government we need to thrive. There are simply too many insider deals decided only along party lines rather than with open debate and accountability.

I know the majority of voters in this district are fed up with narrow agendas and a lack of concern for the bread-and-butter issues that each of our community's face. As Senator for the Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex district, I will make sure I represent everyone – from Attleboro to Wayland – and fight to make sure our voice is heard on Beacon Hill. My experience in Town Government has made me deeply aware of these issues and of the important role the state can play in solving them. So, I ask for the support of all the voters to give me the opportunity to truly make a difference on Beacon Hill for our district.

I hope for your support in the months to come and at the polls in November.

Matt Kelly

MattKellyForSenate.com/

Download your copy of the announcement document
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZkJtWncwRXF5WWNnN0VLZ3V2ZUdNVnN0UnJj/view?usp=sharing

Matt Kelly announces campaign for State Senate Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex district seat

FM #200 - Pellegri and Bissanti on PO Box issue

FM #200

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 200 in the series, that we are now producing in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

Town Councilors Debbie Pellegri and Andy Bissanti joined me in the Franklin studio to talk about the drive through postal mailboxes at the Post Office in downtown Franklin.

After we sat to record this, the Boston Globe published an article on the Post Office and law enforcement agency efforts to address fishing for mail. As you hear in the interview, this is one of the two reason for the Post Office moving the mailboxes in the drive up.

"A task force of investigators from multiple police departments are working with the US Postal Service to crack down on thieves who are stealing mail from blue mailboxes in the Greater Boston area and communities in Eastern Massachusetts, authorities said.

“It’s out of control,” said Wellesley Detective Mark D’Innocenzo. “It’s very widespread.”

There are currently 15 to 20 open investigations in Wellesley alone, he said.

The thieves go “mailbox fishing,” typically using string attached to a glue mouse trap or a plastic bottle covered with sticky glue to pull envelopes out of mailboxes. They then “wash” (i.e. erase the writing) on personal checks, rewrite them and cash them, and use the victim’s bank account information to forge even more checks, he said."

Continue reading the Boston Globe article online (subscription maybe required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/04/metro/police-departments-mass-targeting-thieves-stealing-mail-out-mailboxes/

Without further ado, here is the recording for the meeting approx 17 minutes

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-200-pellegri-bissanti-on-po-box-issue

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Contact information for the individual Town Councilors https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council

Send a single message to ALL the Town Councilors
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/webforms/send-message-entire-council


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I 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 this, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"

FM #200 - Pellegri and Bissanti on PO Box issue

FHS boys hockey skates to tie and wrestling posts win at St John's Shrewbury

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Wednesday

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 3 @ St. John’s Shrewsbury, 3 – Final
Goals by O'Neil, Marchand, and unidentified per Twitter stream

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 0 vs. Algonquin, 2 – Final

Wrestling = Franklin, 39 @ St. John’s Shrewsbury, 30 – Final
"Pins by DiFilippo, Sauer, and Sackley" per Twitter


For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-05-20/

And via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports

Congrats to Kenny Sauer on his 100th win! (@FHSWrestling photo)

39-30 win over St Johns Shrewsbury. Pins by DiFilippo, Sauer, and Sackley pin. @FHSSports

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) February 6, 2020

Congrats to Kenny Sauer on his 100th win! #dynasty #babynut @FHSSports @HockomockSports pic.twitter.com/a5Eefy75bO

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) February 6, 2020

13:30 left in First and FHS draws first blood. Oneil with the tip in goal , assisted by @joeyleblanc03 and Marchand. @FHS_Puck 1 St Johns High 0

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) February 5, 2020

8:49 left in first FHS gets another by Dillon Marchand assisted by @shea_hurley9 and @conor0neil @FHS_Puck 2 St Johns High 0

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) February 5, 2020

End of one FHS 2 St Johns High 0

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) February 5, 2020

St Johns scores with 5:20 left in 2nd . FHS 3 St Johns High 1

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) February 6, 2020

14:08 left in 3rd St Johns scores. FHS 3 St Johns 2

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) February 6, 2020

St Johns ties it up with 8:22 left in 3rd . FHS 3 St Johns 3

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) February 6, 2020

An Evening With Kristi Kirshe = Feb 12, 7 PM

"Excited to announce an Evening With Kristi Kirshe @FranklinHS alum & member of @USARugby"

When: Feb 12, 2020 7 PM at FHS Auditorium

An Evening With Kristi Kirshe = Feb 12, 7 PM

Excited to announce an Evening With Kristi Kirshe @FranklinHS alum & member of @USARugby ! @FHSSports @Fhsglax @fhsgvbasketball @fhsgvsoccer @HockomockSports @KirsheBar pic.twitter.com/e8DLZGk03H

— Pantherbook (@FHSPantherbook) February 5, 2020