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Saturday, May 9, 2020
Senate President Karen Spilka: The latest updates on COVID-19
"it may not be pretty, but this is the situation we’re in”
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200508/spilka-local-budgets-may-not-be-pretty
The FY 2021 budget will definitely be a challenge for Franklin. It has been part of the weekly conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. The Budget Subcommittee met on Monday, May 4. The Joint Budget Subcommittee (School Comm budget team, Finance Committee, and Town Council Budget Subcommittee) will meet on Monday May 11.
Budget Subcommittee audio
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/budget-subcommittee-notes-may-4-2020.html
Talk Franklin with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - May 1
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-260-talk-franklin-with-jamie-hellen.html
The Town of Franklin budget page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget
"There are many possibilities for how lawmakers might tackle next year’s budget, Senate President Karen Spilka said, but the pandemic’s shocks to state revenues may mean the idea of passing one-month budgets while a full spending plan is developed would need to look different than it has in the past.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
The economic turmoil created by the COVID-19 crisis began as Beacon Hill’s budget season approached - typically, the House passes its budget in April and the Senate in May. The final budget is due by July 1, the first day of the new fiscal year, though lawmakers have often negotiated beyond that deadline and passed “one-twelfth” budgets that allocate enough money for a month of operations, based on the previous year’s spending.
With the normal timeline thrown off course and the pandemic’s full economic impact not yet quantified, it’s still unclear when the Legislature will take up the fiscal 2021 budget or what its bottom line will be.
The set of emergency rules the House adopted this week gave the House Ways and Means Committee until July 1 to report out its version of the budget, and S&P Global Ratings said in a recent bulletin that it expects Massachusetts to adopt a fiscal 2021 budget this summer."
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200508/spilka-local-budgets-may-not-be-pretty
The FY 2021 budget will definitely be a challenge for Franklin. It has been part of the weekly conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. The Budget Subcommittee met on Monday, May 4. The Joint Budget Subcommittee (School Comm budget team, Finance Committee, and Town Council Budget Subcommittee) will meet on Monday May 11.
Budget Subcommittee audio
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/budget-subcommittee-notes-may-4-2020.html
Talk Franklin with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - May 1
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-260-talk-franklin-with-jamie-hellen.html
The Town of Franklin budget page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget
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| "it may not be pretty, but this is the situation we’re in” |
You may be eligible for SNAP benefits
AlertsMA: Need help buying healthy food? You may be eligible for SNAP benefits. Visit Mass.gov/covid-snap for more information and how to apply.
"You may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) administers SNAP benefits. SNAP provides a monthly benefit to buy nutritious foods.
To get SNAP, you must be low-income and be a U.S. citizen or legal noncitizen (restrictions apply). Eligibility for SNAP benefits depends on financial and nonfinancial criteria."
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| You may be eligible for SNAP benefits |
PEW: The State of Trust, Facts, and Democracy
Stat: 59 percent: The percentage of Americans who say they have little to no confidence in the public’s political wisdom.
Story: As the new year—and an election year—begins, we turn to data on our democracy to learn more about how Americans view institutions and civic life today. Host Dan LeDuc speaks with Michael Dimock, president of the Pew Research Center, about the latest research on trust, facts, and democracy in America.
Listen here https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/01/10/the-state-of-trust-facts-and-democracy
Story: As the new year—and an election year—begins, we turn to data on our democracy to learn more about how Americans view institutions and civic life today. Host Dan LeDuc speaks with Michael Dimock, president of the Pew Research Center, about the latest research on trust, facts, and democracy in America.
Listen here https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/01/10/the-state-of-trust-facts-and-democracy
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| PEW: The State of Trust, Facts, and Democracy |
Friday, May 8, 2020
Silkroad with Yo-Yo Ma Livestream is TODAY! - 4:00 PM
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Town Council denies Dean College liquor license; approved trash/recycling fee increase
Briefly:
The agenda and associated documents can be found online
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-may-6.html
- The Council denied Dean College a liquor license to replace the daily/event based one they request up to 30 times a year. No issues ever over the years of this process, yet fears of future problems prevailed for Council vote. With one member absent, the vote was 4-4 hence failing
- The water resource map was updated as a formality and necessary to correct technical errors, this was approved as the last legislative item for action
- The coronavirus update by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen still seems inadequate for at least one Councilor. The plan was released for the phased re-opening of Town operations but it seems to have been not enough
- The trash recycling fee increase was approved 8-0-1 (1 absent, 8 for)
- Action on the Community Preservation Act was punted to a future (June?) meeting primarily for tworeasons, Pellegri's absence and concern over the 3% proposal, although the Council still seems to want to put it on the November ballot. And they have time to do so by voting to approve before October
- Real time reporting underway for Town Council meeting tonight, #tc0506
- 8 of the 9 Council in attendance tonight (Pellegri absent) approx 26 total participating at start of meeting #tc0506
- Motion to approve minutes of March 22; seconded passed 8-0-1 via roll call (1 absent) #tc0506
- Jackie Maciel lives on Elm St regarding COVID-19 data as published, raising problem with the #s as reported; towns being held hostage by the cities. Makes reference to AG Barr. #tc0506
- Next item water resource map update for hearing, had been discussed in time BCE (before coronavirus era) required per state DEP, really a house cleaning item. #tc0506 TA Jamie Hellen provides update, No cost to it. Up to 29 participating now
- Need to update map due to zoning requirements for the water resource protection, a developer had a proposal stopped to an inaccurate map #tc0506
- Dean college license application for liquor as discussed in last meeting back up for discussion, and revised since last time per discussion. Modifications to address items raised last time. New license would replace the daily ones they had been using #tc0506
- Discussion continues, side issues of future, and safety, and would this license then lead to a brewery desire? No, not desired by Dean, trying to simplify the license process for the Town and Dean #tc0506
- Annual license actually provides more oversight and protection (than the 30 x daily licenses) which is what some Councilors are asking for but appear to be getting confused by the side issues they raise #tc0506
- TA Hellen provides summary and updates to various points raised during the discussion. #tc0506
- Roll call vote on the amendment to add the restrictions to the motion, passed 8-0-1 (1 absent) vote on measure itself: Bissanti no, Chandler no, Dellorco no, Kelly no, motion does not carry as it finishes with a 4-4-1 (1 absent) #tc0506
- Moving on to coronavirus update, up to 98 cases, approx 20/week. Plan on return dept by dept shared last week including Library contactless pickup/take out #tc0506 all Beaver St services open next week, only brush this week
- Councilor Jones asking for the plan when the TA already said that is further away. There is NO public access under the first wave of the plan released. Not ready to make those decisions, discussion still underway #tc0506
- Moving on to Community Preservation act, recap of what's been done to get here. Did include 3% surcharge along with the common exemptions, if to out on ballot for Nov, need to decide by October. #tc0506
- Concern on the 3% item, maybe go lower initially. Get it passed, and perhaps after we have had success raise it later. Bissanti asking for delay to allow Pellegri to participate. #tc0506 most community went with 3 for the additional match/round of funding available
- Can getting kicked down the road on this item, seeming for and mostly for 3% but deferring to Pellegri for her to weigh in at a meeting in June #tc0506
- 1- Budget subcomm update on discussion 5/4 with follow up meeting on 5/11 at 5:30pm #tc0506 2- EDC meeting on inclusionary zoning held, another to be scheduled meeting notes and audio posted
- Legislation up now, Bruins Grant of $75K for Fletcher field of basketball street hockey court under construction #tc0506
- Acceptance of gift passed 8-0-1 (1 absent) #tc0506
- Recycling/trash fee increase up for 2nd approval; chart of fees over the years shared previously, still below what we had been paying before we started single stream, vote 8-0-1 (1 absent)
- Next 5 items all up for approval are for the resulting agreements with various negotiation groups. First passed 8-0-1 (1 absent) these were discussed in executive session last week. All should pass by same vote hearing that. Second does
- Third passes, same vote; fourth passes, same vote and fifth passes by same vote - see agenda doc for details vote via roll call 8-0-1 (1 absent) #tc0506
- Zoning bylaw amendment 20-854 passed by 8-0-1 (1 absent)
- Wouldn't due justice to the council comments with this method of notes, listen to the replay for details. #tc0506 thanks to residents for patience and compliance during this. Thanks to the first responders for their work helping us all!
- Motion to adjourn, seconded, passed via roll call 8-0-1(1 absent)
The agenda and associated documents can be found online
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-may-6.html
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| screengrab of virtual Town Council meeting 5/6/20 |
HockomockSports.com: Teams of the Decade #16: 2014 Franklin Girls Lacrosse
HockomockSports.com has compiled their "Teams of the Decade" listing and started revealing them this week working up from #20 to #1. In the 16th slot we find the FHS Girls Lacrosse team.
Team: Franklin Girls Lacrosse
Year: 2014
Record: 19-4-0
2014 Kelley-Rex Division Champions
2014 Division 1 East Champions & State Semifinalists
"In the life of any top program, there is a moment that takes a team from being one with potential to one that should be considered a threat to win a title every season.
For the Franklin girls’ lacrosse program that moment came in 2014. The team not only reached its first sectional final but also won the program’s first trophy, a springboard to the Panthers being considered among the state’s top teams every season.
“We had talented players and players who really wanted to take it to the next level,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igoe Guarino, who was in her second year as the head coach in 2014. “They kind of got a taste the year before and then just set high goals and worked hard.”
In Igoe Guarino’s first season in charge, the Panthers went unbeaten in the league and won the Kelley-Rex division title outright (after sharing with King Philip the year before). Franklin was emerging as the dominant force in the Hockomock, which would be borne out by eight straight league titles and more than 80 straight league wins (and counting), but there was a desire to see the team compete at the state’s highest level against the likes of Westwood, Needham, Wellesley, and Notre Dame Academy. "
Continue reading about the 2014 FHS Girls Lacrosse team
https://hockomocksports.com/teams-of-the-decade-16-2014-franklin-girls-lacrosse/
Team: Franklin Girls Lacrosse
Year: 2014
Record: 19-4-0
2014 Kelley-Rex Division Champions
2014 Division 1 East Champions & State Semifinalists
"In the life of any top program, there is a moment that takes a team from being one with potential to one that should be considered a threat to win a title every season.
For the Franklin girls’ lacrosse program that moment came in 2014. The team not only reached its first sectional final but also won the program’s first trophy, a springboard to the Panthers being considered among the state’s top teams every season.
“We had talented players and players who really wanted to take it to the next level,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igoe Guarino, who was in her second year as the head coach in 2014. “They kind of got a taste the year before and then just set high goals and worked hard.”
In Igoe Guarino’s first season in charge, the Panthers went unbeaten in the league and won the Kelley-Rex division title outright (after sharing with King Philip the year before). Franklin was emerging as the dominant force in the Hockomock, which would be borne out by eight straight league titles and more than 80 straight league wins (and counting), but there was a desire to see the team compete at the state’s highest level against the likes of Westwood, Needham, Wellesley, and Notre Dame Academy. "
Continue reading about the 2014 FHS Girls Lacrosse team
https://hockomocksports.com/teams-of-the-decade-16-2014-franklin-girls-lacrosse/
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| HockomockSports.com: Teams of the Decade #16: 2014 Franklin Girls Lacrosse |
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