In the News: Eversource plan unnecessary; Polar Park construction resumes

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

"Citing a lack of evidence and need, an independent consultant hired by the Select Board has concluded that Eversource’s plan to replace a 3.7-mile natural gas line that runs through Hopkinton and Ashland is severely flawed.

Eversource is looking to decommission about 4 miles of underground piping that runs through Ashland and Hopkinton and place new 12-inch pipes alongside them.

In Ashland, the gas pipeline runs for 2.5 miles and intersects through more than 80 residential parcels, the Chestnut Tree Apartments and a number of environmentally sensitive areas, including portions of the wetlands and the conservation-restricted Great Bend Farm Trust. The company says the project is needed to address pressure drop problems and provide a more reliable and consistent flow of natural gas to customers in Greater Framingham.

In June 2018, Eversource filed an application with the state’s Energy Facility Siting Board, an agency that reviews large scale energy projects. In its application, the company also included preliminary information about an alternative under-street route should the Siting Board deny its request to place the new pipes on the existing easement."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200511/ashland-consultant-says-eversource-pipeline-project-is-unnecessary

"City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. has given the OK for work to resume this week on some construction projects here, Polar Park being one of them. What happens next, what does the resumption of work mean for the immediate and longer range future?

That’s a different story.

In a prepared statement, Worcester Red Sox chairman Larry Lucchino said this:

“While we look forward to resuming the construction of Worcester’s new ballpark, we recognize that precautions, health, and safety remain paramount. We will support our local construction workers, and we will abide by the conditions set forth by our leaders to ensure an environment that complies with their public policy and expert medical recommendations."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200511/polar-park-construction-set-to-resume-but-impact-of-six-week-delay-remains-uncertain

Real-time Reporting: Joint Budget Subcommittee - May 11, 2020

I took my notes via Twitter for this meeting. See bold items at end of Twitter stream for my summary (if BOLD not visible - last three tweets)

• Real-time reporting underway for Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting #jbsc0511
• Multiple Town Councilors attending but the restriction for only Subcommittee members to speak remains in place, the others can observe/listen but can not speak #jbsc0511
• Pellegri missing meeting due to health (recovering from surgery and doing well). #jbsc0511
• No stabilization funding left, balance was used for the FY2020 budget, no help there. Big factor is what State aid will be, used Gov Baker's as the starting point #jbsc0511
• Q on how the $118m came to be, what drove the split by department? On municipal side, could talk to more details, some things were already in play, no magical %. BoH has a minor increase but under the circumstances, they are being asked for more #jbsc0511
• Metrics looked for to help judge the numbers, actually only an increase of $1M over last year. Call data for police/fire available, likely to put an appendix, much has been published before but not likely all in 1 place #jbsc0511
• Phased approach, rocky road to the FY2021 budget, we'll look at again in 6 months or when things change, #jbsc0511 the structural budget issue is/was here, schools were looking for $3.9m over FY2020, when the town as a whole only gets $3m. And then the pandemic came!
• Superintendent providing overview on schools side, budget put together from level service, then layered with critical needs; some of them added, some not. This is what the SchComm recently approved #jbsc0511
• Updates to budget coming to SchComm Tuesday, revision coming, still being talked of, Sue happy to have sidebar on metrics being looked for. #jbsc0511 we need to tell the story, conversations were happening before pandemic
• FHS accreditation report had many pluses and raised some key issues; i.e. around providing support for new careers available, need to address gap and show progress; private school issue of taking cream of the crop, while Spec Ed falls on town #jbsc0511
• Bullying, vaping, mental health, behavioral challenges all of these are not just school problems, they are Community and society issues, they existed before the pandemic, look at a community when the schools go down #jbsc0511
• Schools have similar background on numbers showing history, Jamie will try to address these in the summary but the doc may not come out less than 100 pages, effectively a question of what value add is it? #jbsc0511
• The conversation needs to get to the community, there is only so much we (on the Town or Schools) can make adjustments to make a difference. The dynamics are not new #jbsc0511 there is something not right, the dog can't chase it's tail forever
• #jbsc0511 did not close out promptly at 6:30 Eastern that the meeting ended (1 hour duration) and mostly a waste of time. Metrics request mentioned last week; SchComm to see some revisions to their budget at meeting Tuesday, otherwise, nothing new
• Big Q remains: if cuts are coming, Where? What depts, Town or Schools? and given timeline of FinCom meetings 5/27-28, 6/2 - 6/4 and Town Council 6/17-18; what personnel (if any) need to be notified and what contractual requirements are there for such notifications? #jbsc0511
• #jbsc0511 if as mentioned, you either cut or add funding, cuts are seemingly inevitable; timeline as I recall is passed for possible override discussion/vote. so we'll suck it up and then look back in year (per Chair) and "say we did a good job"

The thread on Twitter can be found here (search for the tag #jbsc0511)
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23jbsc0511&src=recent_search_click

Real-time Reporting: Joint Budget Subcommittee - May 11, 2020

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 12, 2020

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Per Governor Baker’s Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A sec. 20, the public will not be allowed to physically access this School Committee meeting. Members of the Public can access the meeting via remote conference. The School Committee reserves the right to implement additional remote participation procedures and will notify the public of these procedures as soon as practicable.

LOCATION: Remote participation via ZOOM Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81357494092

Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 813 5749 4092

A G E N D A

“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.”

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance 
Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. Videos from FHS:
Senior Boys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6CYmDrTWxE 
Unified Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSgg6RDHcd8
B. Class of 2020 Commencement, Paul Peri and Bill Klements, Franklin High School
C. Facilities Study - Craig Olsen and Brian Solywoda, Kaestle Boos Associates

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. School Choice Vote
I recommend not accepting any new school choice students for the 2020-2021 school year.

B. Refunds of Fees due to COVID-19 Closure
I recommend that the School Committee refund fees for select programs as detailed.
Spring Sports Fees for 2020 Transportation Fees to Seniors by $35

• Lifelong Learning Solutions fees since March 13, 2020 and summer fees if programs are cancelled
• Lunch balances over $10 to seniors, unless families transfer funds to younger siblings

C. Policy - 2nd Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of the following policies as detailed;
JFABD (New) – Homeless Students: Enrollment Rights and Services JFABF – Educational Opportunities for Children in Foster Care
JBB – (New) – Educational Equity

D. Policy - 1st Reading
I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading as detailed: EBAB (New) - Pest Management
EBC - Emergency Plans

E. Adjusted School Calendar
I recommend adjusting the 2019-2020 School Calendar so that the May 8, 2020 professional half-day is adjusted to be Friday, May 22, 2020.

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. FY21 Budget Discussion
B. Draft School Committee Schedule

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 28, 2020 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
C. Scholarship
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Peter Baglione for a FHS Scholarship as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Executive Session
A. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN, FEA/Cafeteria, FEA/ESP, FEA/Secretaries, FEA/Van Drivers as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.
B. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(2) to discuss strategy in preparation for negotiations with Non-Union Personnel.
XI. Adjournment

PDF form of the agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/agendas/scagenda_5-12-20.pdf

Documents released for this meeting
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-12-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 12, 2020

Podcast Recommendation: Neil Pasricha's 3 Books

In these pandemic times, it is a challenge with so many changes yet uncertainty looming around us. Opening a book can take us to another world, away from this. We can escape for the time the book is open and we're able to devote time to it. A book from Stephen King,  or JK Rowling, or Philip Pullman can take us away. 

On the other hand, I recently finished "The Great Influenza" by John M Barry to help understand the time we are in. The book is thoroughly researched. It was an easy read albeit a tough topic. I was glad to have reached the end sooner than I thought. According to Kindle, 35% of the pages were notes, bibliography, etc.

Two key quotes from the book to share:

"And a severe influenza pandemic would hit like a tsunami, inundating intensive-care units even as doctors and nurses fall ill themselves and generally pushing the health care system to the point of collapse and possibly beyond it. Hospitals, like every other industry, have gotten more efficient by cutting costs, which means virtually no excess capacity—on a per capita basis the United States has far fewer hospital beds than a few decades ago. Indeed, during a routine influenza season, usage of respirators rises to nearly 100 percent; in a pandemic, most people who needed a mechanical respirator probably would not get one."

"For if there is a single dominant lesson from 1918, it’s that governments need to tell the truth in a crisis. Risk communication implies managing the truth. You don’t manage the truth. You tell the truth."

So having read that, I needed to escape. I turned to listen to a podcast and Neil Pasricha's 3 Books came up in the queue. This episode was released a couple of weeks ago and while I am close to current, I am still behind. This episode was an emotional one because it acknowledges where we are, how we are dealing with this pandemic.It was timely to listen to.

"Look up to the sky.

It’s a slowly waning crescent before Chapter 52 arrives on the exact minute of the new moon next week.

So why this special episode of 3 Books?

Well, like the “cultivating calm during coronavirus chaos” episode we released a month ago, it’s because we are swimming in wholly unprecedented seas. I am feeling stress around coronavirus and I can tell by your DMs, tweets, comments, and voicemails to 1-833-READ-A-LOT that you're feeling it, too."

Episode page https://www.3books.co/chapters/corona2

This as you heard, is not a 'normal' session of 3 books. I will recommend subscribing to the podcast. You can go back to the beginning and come forward if you have the time and desire. So many of the people he talks with are not 'well known', yet the conversation is an adventure into books, and life, and what those three books mean for the person being interviewed.
 
Neil's home page  https://www.3books.co/

"The Great Influenza" page at Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Influenza-Deadliest-Pandemic-History-ebook/dp/B000OCXFWE

Podcast Recommendation: Neil Pasricha's 3 Books

Once Upon A Town: The Fletcher Block - Franklin, MA

Eamon McCarthy Earls and Joe Landry talk about the Fletcher Block in downtown Franklin, MA. Today, the Rockland Trust Bank is located there.

https://youtu.be/XvOn6UTfbDM

Franklin's Cultural District Partners Meeting - May 12

The Cultural District Committee is excited to invite Franklin's Cultural District Partners to our quarterly Partners Meeting. Much has changed since our last meeting, but we need to keep moving forward. 

The zoom meeting link is provided below. We look forward to seeing you on the 12th.


Topic: FRANKLIN CULTURAL DISTRICT PARTNERS MEETING
Time: May 12, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88613211434

Meeting ID: 886 1321 1434

One tap mobile +19292056099,,88613211434# US (New York)

Dial by your location +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 886 1321 1434
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kd7NsS42bz


Bryan W. Taberner, AICP
Director of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-1352
Phone: 508-520-4907
Fax: 508-520-4906
Email: btaberner@franklinma.gov


The agenda was posted previously
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/franklin-cultural-district-partners.html

Franklin's Cultural District Partners Meeting - May 12

Blast Back To The 80s... "Wake up with Mr Barrett"

Tomorrow at 8:00 AM ... TuNesday ... 80s ...

watch HERE: https://youtu.be/idIFEQ1XMsQ

subscribe HERE:  https://www.youtube.com/user/Geetarmann

Thanks so much!

Jamie