FHS girls basketball gets past Holy Name to book place in D1 Central Final

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap for the FHS girls basketball team win vs. Holy Name in the D1 Central playoffs.

"At the end of the first quarter in Tuesday night’s Div. 1 Central semifinal at WPI’s Harrington Auditorium, Franklin coach John Leighton brought his undefeated team together and explained that even though the Panthers had just played one of their worst quarters of the season they only trailed by six and had plenty of time to rebound.

“Holy Name is a tremendous team,” Leighton said after the game. “They came to play. I thought they got the jump on us in the first quarter, but at the end of the quarter we said okay that’s probably the worst quarter we’ve played in a very long time and we’re in the game.”

Things improved markedly in the second quarter to pull Franklin within one of Holy Name at the half and then the Panthers found their stride in the third quarter. After scoring 21 points in 16 minutes in the first half, Franklin poured in 21 points in the third quarter alone to turn a one-point deficit into a 13-point lead.

Thanks to that big third quarter, Franklin pulled out a 59-42 win over the Naps. It was the third win of the season for the Panthers against Holy Name and sends them back to the Central final for the second year in a row, this time to face Natick."

Continue reading the game recap:
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-girls-basketball-finds-second-gear-to-book-place-in-final/

For a photo gallery from this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-Holy-Name-Girls-Basketball-3-3-20/

Franklin junior guard Erin Quaile helped to shut down Holy Name’s star guards Jaini Edmonds and Grace O’Gara, as the Panthers advanced to the Div. 1 Central final. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Get Involved/Volunteer: High School Teens

Teen Corps Free Leadership and 

Job Training Program Kicking off at the YMCA

The Teen Corps Program, which is a free 10 week leadership training and volunteer program providing extensive training and work experiences to youth will launch March 12th at the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Bernon Family Branch in Franklin. All area high school teens are invited to participate.

Teen Corps Program

Teen Director Ross Gemba will hold a parent information meeting next week: on Thursday, March 5, 2020 from 6:30-7:00 p.m. at the Franklin Y (45 Forge Hill Road). Teen Corps focuses on keeping the Y's up-and-coming leaders connected with each other and spreading values into our communities. TCs meet weekly to be trained in areas including: best practices when applying for a job, dressing for success, working with children, and more. You will earn 40 hours of work experience and 10 hours of training. An ideal program for teens who aspire to become YMCA staff in the near future or are forming a resume for post-high school plans and acceptance into clubs.

Job Training Program

Train with co Teen Corps participants on Thursdays starting 3/12/20 (6:30PM-7:30PM) in: CPR & First Aid, Resume Bootcamp, Customer Service 101, Landing the Job, and more. Participants will be expected to attend all events and do four hours weekly of in-YMCA volunteering; this is a great way to learn skills from multiple departments. Runs 10 weeks (no meeting on 4/23) at the Franklin Y.

Questions may be directed to Ross Gemba at rossg@hockymca.org or by calling the YMCA at 508-528-8708.

About the Hockomock Area YMCA:
Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

Franklin Odd Fellows: “Taming Technology for Community Members” - March 18

Presenter: Kevin Martin of “Nerds to Go” of Franklin

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 18, 2020. 6:30 pm

Location: Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., Franklin, MA

Talk Content:
At a time when our community might reap the benefits of the Internet and technology to keep in touch with grandchildren, classmates and long-time friends, they are often leery of the new electronic landscape. From computers to smart phones to smart speakers - people can get overwhelmed!

The Franklin Odd Fellows are hosting an informal presentation on “Taming Technology for Community Members”. Kevin Martin will explore how to stay safe on the Internet and enjoy some of the key components and resources.

Martin has more than two decades of experience working in technology – from advanced electronics in submarines in the U.S. Navy to IT executive positions in the private sector.

The Internet offers a boundless amount of useful and interesting information and access to the world. Unfortunately, technology is also a daunting new landscape to many people. This presentation is intended to outline both the security and scope of technology.

For more about Nerds to Go  -  www.nerdstogo.com
For more about the OddFellows  -  www.franklinmassoddfellows.org

“Taming Technology for Community Members” - March 18

FM #214 Superintendent's Recommended Budget for FY2021 (audio)

FM #214 -This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 214 in the series.

The School Committee meeting of Tuesday, Feb 25, 2020 featured, among other items, the first look at the school budget for FY 2021. Remember, we are currently operating in FY 2020 which runs through June 30, 2020. The Fiscal Year 2021 budget will provide funding for the next school year as it covers July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.

The Superintendent's Recommended budget came out of the gate asking reasonably for the critical needs to be met. Some several hundred thousands of other requirements didn't make the 'critical' cut. There is another $1.2M in unmet needs NOT included in the budget as shown.

The math problem comes into this as the whole of Franklin's budget can only grow about $3M. So even if the critical needs budget was desired, and ALL of the $3M went to the schools. One, that leaves police, fire, DPW, Library with no increase for anything over what they had least year. Two, that also means $900K of the critical needs doesn't make the budget this year.

Of course, the gap will get resolved before the budget is finalized in June, the real question is how. What and where will the cuts come from? Expecting $3M to be 'found' is unrealistic.

Both School Committee Chair Anne Bergen and Superintendent Ahern outline that this is the start of the budget process. The last page of the presentation doc (shared here so you can follow along) provides the next steps timeline.
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/fps-fy-2021-superintendents-recommended-budget

The budget discussion segment of the meeting runs approximately 35 minutes so without further ado, let’s listen as Superintendent Ahern and School Business Manager Miriam Goodman present the first look at the school budget for FY 2021.  Audio file -https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HWPDngJX




----------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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 this, 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/
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"

screen capture of a budget slide during the meeting presentation

Franklin Board Of Health - Agenda - March 4, 2020.

Franklin Board Of Health

Duly Scheduled Meeting And Public Hearing Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 5:00 PM - Room 106

AGENDA

THIS MEETING IS BEING RECORDED. THE LISTING OF MATTERS ARE THOSE REASONABLY ANTICIPATED BY THE CHAIR WHICH MAY BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING. NOT ALL ITEMS LISTED MAY IN FACT BE DISCUSSED AND OTHER ITEMS NOT LISTED MAY ALSO BE BROUGHT UP FOR DISCUSSION TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

1) Reading and Acceptance of February 5, 2020 minutes
2) PUBLIC HEARING
• Amend Chapter 193-4:Keeping of Animals Regulations Restriction on number of fowl and application

3) OLD BUSINESS

• Chairman opens the floor for any other old business

3) NEW BUSINESS

• Future projection for PSC contractual budget
• Update on the 105 CMR 665.000 Minimum Standards for Retail Sale of Tobacco Electronic Nicotine Delivery (END) Systems
• Coronavirus Disease update
• Eversource Energy Vegetation Management Plan

4) HEALTH DIRECTOR’S REPORT

• Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

5) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

6) ADJOURNMENT

Next Board of Health meeting will be Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 5:00 pm


This agenda was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/agenda-3-4-20.pdf

Franklin Board Of Health - Agenda - March 4, 2020.

Town of Franklin E-Newsletter - March 2020

Town of Franklin E-Newsletter

March 2020 Edition

The March edition of the Town of Franklin E-Newsletter can be found here http://bit.ly/TOFmarch

Town of Franklin E-Newsletter - March 2020

You can also subscribe to receive your copy directly via email   https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe


March 2020 e-Newsletter
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/tof_newsletter_march_2020.pdf

Franklin Primary Results - Live Broadcast scheduled for 8 PM

The Franklin Public Radio team is busy preparing for the live broadcast of the 2020 Primary results. The broadcast is scheduled to begin when the polls close at 8 PM.

We'll have some background material with the Franklin Town Clerk Teresa Burr and Assistant Clerk Nancy Danelo that was prepared when we sat for an interview in February.

We'll have some commentary from some of those gathered to hear the results. Following the results annouced by Teresa, we'll have some reflections on what the numbers tells us, if anything.

Tune in on the radio dial at 102.9 or from anywhere with an internet browser at wfpr.fm.

Franklin Primary Results - Live Broadcast scheduled for 8 PM

MMA to hold Conference to address housing challenges in small, rural communities

"The Massachusetts Housing Partnership will hold a conference on April 16 in Hadley to address the housing challenges faced by small and rural communities in the central and western parts of the state.

The Western Massachusetts Housing Conference, co-sponsored by the MMA, will focus on using data to support housing needs, housing rehabilitation, affordable home-ownership opportunities, distressed and abandoned properties, senior housing and community outreach and coalition building. It will also address the findings in last October’s Rural Policy Plan, prepared by the Rural Policy Advisory Commission to identify rural areas’ needs and the specific challenges they face.

The conference is geared toward officials, volunteers and municipal and nonprofit employees. Event sponsors include the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

It will be held at the Hadley Farms Meeting House, 41 Russell St., from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The cost is $30 for municipal planners, volunteers and nonprofit employees, and $50 for people from for-profit organizations. Breakfast and lunch will be provided."

Link to more information and registration
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07egwfo5d509ce092f&llr=myxae4jab

Shared from the MMA page:
https://www.mma.org/conference-to-address-housing-challenges-in-small-rural-communities/

Basic Entrepreneurial Workshops - Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - FREE

SEED Corporation

and

Bristol County Savings Bank

in Cooperation with

U.S. Small Business Administration

United Regional Chamber of Commerce

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center

& SCORE

present FREE

Basic Entrepreneurial Workshops

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Registration: 9:00 AM

Session I: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Session II: 1:30 – 4:30 PM

Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Franklin Municipal Building

355 E Central Street, Franklin, MA

Please RSVP by Friday March 20

SESSION I: Learn the Fundamentals of Planning, Preparing for, and Financing Your Business

SESSION II: Learn to Understand Financial Statements and How They Help to Determine the Health of Your Business

________________________________________________________________

To register, contact SEED Corporation at 508-822-1020 x 318 or email jmello@seedecorp.com

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ILMhkrsDNNPLaCGnwTo-4Ew5GnDRXCx9/view?usp=sharing

Basic Entrepreneurial Workshops - Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - FREE

"everyone should do their part to stay healthy and prevent the spreading of germs"

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

"The state Department of Public Health Monday night announced a presumptive positive case of COVID-19, known as the coronavirus, contracted by a woman who recently traveled to Italy.

The woman, in her 20s and who lives in Norfolk County, had recently traveled to Italy with a school group, according to a statement issued Monday night by the state agency.

The woman was recovering at home. According to the agency, the woman’s test results came back positive Monday evening.

Specimens will be sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and, if confirmed, it would be the second confirmed positive coronavirus case in Massachusetts since the outbreak started in the United States in January. In its statement, the agency said the risk to COVID-19 remains low in the Bay State."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200302/state-health-officials-announce-new-presumptive-positive-case-of-coronavirus


Qualified resources:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

MA Dept of Health   https://www.mass.gov/influenza

Franklin Board of Health  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

"4 updates on Super Tuesday by Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin"

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

"Local election officials have been advised by the state’s top election overseer to be vigilant about cleaning voting booths, swapping out pens shared by multiple voters and having extra poll workers on call as public health concerns over the spreading coronavirus collide Tuesday with the 1.85 million people expected to vote in the presidential primaries.

Secretary of State William Galvin said Monday that he does not think the virus, which has been confirmed in one patient in Massachusetts but has kicked off widespread concern about the risk of infection, will have any real impact on the elections but advised local clerks to be prepared all the same, and to make arrangements for voters who are self-quarantining themselves out of an abundance of caution.

“Obviously, we do not think it’s a reason for people not to vote, but it has led to some concerns that are quite legitimate,” the secretary said. “If you go through the process that average citizens will involve as a vote, they’ll come to the table where they check in, they’ll get a ballot which they will handle by themselves, they’ll use a pen -- which usually is provided by the local election officials and may be used by multiple voters -- and then they will proceed to a compartment, mark the ballot and, having concluded that, will put it in the box.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200302/4-updates-on-super-tuesday-by-massachusetts-secretary-of-state-william-galvin

The article mentions polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM, that applies to elsewhere around the Commonwealth of MA. Polls in Franklin open at 6:00 AM. All precincts vote at Franklin High School.

"4 updates on Super Tuesday by Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin"

Franklin Residents: Voting Information from the Town Clerk's Office

Voting Information from the Town Clerk's Office

• The Massachusetts Primary Election is on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at the Franklin High School, located at 218 Oak Street from 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• The Town Clerk's Office will be CLOSED on Tuesday, March 3, 2020

 
 https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

Franklin Residents: Voting Information from the Town Clerk's Office

FM_#213 Jamie Hellen at the Senior Center - 2/25/20

FM #213

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 213 in the series. We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen visited the Senior Center to provide an outlook on Franklin and answer questions for the audience of about 25 folks.

Director Karen Alves introduced Jamie. Jamie put aside his notes as he felt it would be good to go ‘off the cuff’ with his remarks and then take questions.

The talk goes about an hour and forty minutes including the question and answer period. You’ll hear some banging during the recording, Jamie addresses it during his remarks. As it was a good weather day when this was held, it also was a good time for some roof repairs to be made before the rains came.

Without further ado, let’s listen to Town Administrator Jamie Hellen at the Senior Center.  Audio file https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HNlMs2bX





------------------

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 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/
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"

Director Karen Alves introduced Jamie Hellen at the Senior Center, Feb 25, 2020

Mind-Body-Spirit at St. John’s - a three part series

St John’s Episcopal Church in Franklin, MA presents a three-part series entitled "Mind-Body-Spirit". This free series of seminars, workshops, activities, and demonstrations is open to the community and welcomes anyone interested in enhancing their well-being.

MIND

March 22nd & 29th 2 PM–4 PM

If you are experiencing stress and anxiety, come learn how Dr. Trudy Good, a clinical psychologist with 12+ years of experience,
can help. Join us for Dr. Good’s seminar and workshop to learn about how our minds deal with stress, mindful practice (the science behind it and its practical application to your life). Learn self-care for managing stress and how mindfulness can help.

BODY.

April 26th 12:30 PM–4 PM

Looking for new ways to care for your body? Come to St John’s Health and Wellness Fair. Register to enjoy a free, catered lunch.
Explore healthy eating habits, new exercise routines, and ideas for preventative care.
Enjoy samples of healthy and tasty snacks. Learn about nutrition, and watch demonstrations from award winning nutritionist Tricia Silverman. Participate in activities to learn first-hand how you can take better care of your body, including sessions on T'ai Chi, Yoga, and Zumba.

Take a minute (or 10) to relax with a free chair massage. Learn more about acupuncture and get a confidential health screening to check your blood pressure, glucose, and more.
Leave feeling relaxed and more in control of your body.

Mind-Body-Spirit at St. John’s

*BODY SESSION BONUS*

Enter to win door prizes and raffles for gift vouchers to local vendors, including:
a 3mo fitness membership or 6-mo individual tennis membership to Adirondack Club-$220 value

• a $175 Gift Certificate to Franklin YMCA
• Free Trial Week Passes to Franklin YMCA
• a Ninja personal blender and to-go cup
• a Whole Foods gift certificate
• a Healthy foods gift basket
• a fruit infuser water bottle
• and MUCH more!

SPIRIT.

May 17th 2 PM–4 PM

Allow Ethel Fraga, a highly respected mindfulness-based stress reduction instructor, centering prayer presenter, and a spiritual director, to guide your spirit in understanding and connecting with the sacredness of life.
Ms. Fraga has been a student of contemplative spirituality for 52 years and practices meditation daily. Learn from her how you can enrich your life through Christian Contemplative Practice.


All events are free, but registration is highly recommended. Childcare and refreshments available at all events.
To learn more visit: http://stjohnsfranklinma.org/
To register, or to learn more, please contact: Amali De Zoysa (508) 528-2387
St John’s Episcopal Church-237 Pleasant St. Franklin, MA 02038 stjohns.mindbodyspirit@gmail.com


Download your copy of the flyer here or from copy embedded below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tEanB4_hkwj2YEWqHcOnipyUiBY8giYu/view?usp=sharing

School Committee meeting recap - Feb 25, 2020: Demographics report available; budget outlook presents math problem

The two major topics from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 25, 2020 were the first look at the demographics study report and two, the Superintendent's Recommended budget for FY 2021.

The demographics report is provided below along with the presentation document. There is a second review of the report scheduled for Thursday, March 5 at the Horace Mann Middle School cafe at 7:00 PM.

The demographics show the student enrollment decline will continue to drop from the peak of 6300, currently 5100 to about 4500 before settling and eventually rising again. The factors and assumptions for the numbers are provided. The two critical factors to maintain the numbers projected are keeping the mortgage interest rate under 5% and having existing home sales reach 275 units per year. If either of these factors change, the numbers would be off. If, for example, the home sales don't reach 275, the enrollment likely would continue to drop.

More discussion around the numbers will be forthcoming. This is the first of two steps to help decide the future of Davis Thayer. The second piece is due in an April time frame and is the facility analysis. What are the space requirements to provide the education to the current and projected enrollment and how do the existing facilities provide that space?

My back of the scrap paper analysis says a building can be closed, if the enrollment does continue to drop, perhaps even two could be closed. What the facilities analysis shows will be key to understand what is needed and how we can provide it. Stay tuned.

The Superintendent's Recommended budget came out of the gate asking reasonably for the critical needs to be met. Some several hundred thousands of other requirements didn't make the 'critical' cut. There is another $1.2M in unmet needs NOT included in the budget as shown.

The math problem comes into this as the whole of Franklin's budget can only grow about $3M. So even if the critical needs budget was desired, and ALL of the $3M went to the schools. One, that leaves police, fire, DPW, Library with no increase for anything over what they had least year. Two, that also means $900K of the critical needs doesn't make the budget this year.

Of course, the gap will get resolved before the budget is finalized in June, the real question is how. What and where will the cuts come from? Expecting $3M to be 'found' is unrealistic.

Additional details from the meeting can be found in my notes recorded live during the meeting in the links below.
 
Meeting docs

You can also find the demographics study on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/demographic-presentation

FPS Demographics Presentation from Franklin Matters

Assumed to be supporting documentation for the presentation
(was not referenced during the meeting but was posted to the packet web page)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/enrollment-forecast

FPS FY 2021 Superintendent's Recommended Budget from Franklin Matters

Also available on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/supt-rec-budget-presentation

My meeting notes

• Live reporting: New business to Closing (Executive Session)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-new-business-to-closing.html

• Live reporting: Discussion/Action Items - Discussion

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-discussionaction-items.html

• Live reporting: Recommended budget FY 2021

 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-recommended-budget-fy.html

• Live Reporting: School Committee - Feb 25, 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-school-committee-feb-25.html

The future of Davis Thayer is being studied this year