Thursday, November 26, 2020

Virtual Franklin Turkey Trot - TODAY or anytime

Get ready to burn off those Thanksgiving calories before dinner AND give to the Franklin Food Pantry (https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/).

This year the Franklin Food Pantry is holding its 9th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot 5K as a virtual race. The turkey trot will still officially run on Thanksgiving morning, November 26th, but you can run or walk your own personal 5K when it is most convenient for you. Once you have finished the race, you can post a picture on social media sharing that you completed your run and use the hashtag #turkeytrot2020

To register, go to http://www.franklinturkeytrot.org!

All proceeds from this event go directly to the Franklin Food Pantry to provide quality healthy food to hungry families in our local community. In 2019, the over 1000 entrants, donors and sponsors raised almost $21,000! 

We hope you will still join us and register to support this great cause!


-- 
Krystal Whitmore
Race Director
www.franklinturkeytrot.org 


Note: Franklin Matters is proud to sponsor this fund raising effort for the Franklin Food Pantry.

 

Virtual Franklin Turkey Trot - TODAY or anytime
Virtual Franklin Turkey Trot - TODAY or anytime

Boston Globe: "Baker’s $50 million effort to help small businesses is wildly oversubscribed"

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest for Franklin:
"Governor Charlie Baker’s two new grant programs to help small businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic have been swamped by applications, essentially ensuring there won’t be enough money to go around for everyone who sought the help.

Working through the quasipublic Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp., the Baker administration unveiled two programs in October offering a combined $50.8 million in grants, aimed at helping small businesses endure what’s expected to be a tough winter.

One program, backed by $40 million, offers grants of up to $75,000 for businesses with as many as 50 employees; the other, with $10.8 million, provides grants of up to $25,000 for businesses with five or fewer workers. The latter program also requires that the owners who apply have below-average incomes.

Mass. Growth Capital stopped accepting applications last week. At that point, state officials said, more than 10,000 applications had been received for the two programs, which are being funded by federal dollars. About 37 percent were for the program to help businesses with five or fewer employees, although a few businesses applied to both programs."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 

Franklin Recreation: Reindeer Holiday Drop Off Class - Dec 21

"DATE CHANGE: The Reindeer Holiday Drop Off Class will now occur on Monday December 21st"
https://t.co/bT4XKEiiD0
 



Franklin Recreation: Reindeer Holiday Drop Off Class - Dec 21
Franklin Recreation: Reindeer Holiday Drop Off Class - Dec 21

"Perhaps the path to healing begins with three simple words: Are you OK?"

By

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

CommonWealth Magazine: "The Legislature’s ‘black box’ committees"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"After months and even years of public debate, the fate of six key pieces of legislation is now in the hands of just 29 lawmakers.
The lawmakers are charged with resolving differences between House and Senate bills dealing with the state budget, police reform, climate change, economic development, health care, and transportation bond funding.so-called conference committees on which these lawmakers serve are “black boxes” whose inner workings are unknown.
Rep. Denise Provost of Somerville, who retires in January after 14 years in the Legislature, said on the Codcast this week that many of her constituents have been asking her about progress on bills in the House-Senate conference committees. She said she has to explain that she doesn’t know.

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Representative Roy's letter to "correct erroneous comments"

Continue reading the full letter with the embedded PDF copy (below) or download the PDF to read on your device  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bz1oGOYjaogjCrxjeWCBq72RyPhq4ywd/view?usp=sharing

 

Thomas Mercer, Chair
Franklin Town Council
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038


RE: November 18, 2020 Town Council Meeting


Dear Chair Mercer:

I am writing to correct erroneous public comments aired at the Franklin Town Council meeting on November 18, 2020. Specifically, I am referring to comments from Councilor Kelly who called into question the work of Franklin’s legislative delegation. I know that Councilor Kelly attempted to clarify his remarks later in the meeting, but I feel it is important to correct the record so that the citizens of Franklin have a clear understanding of the delegation’s commitment to the community.
 
Let me begin with a discussion of Franklin’s receipt of state aid over the years. Contrary to the assertions made, the state has not decreased aid to Franklin. In fact, Chapter 70 aid, the largest component of state aid to Franklin, has increased annually despite precipitous drops in student enrollment over the last 10 years. The spreadsheet and charts included below show that since 2009, Franklin student enrollment has gone from 6,254 students to 5,236 in 2019 (a drop of over 1,000 students). During the same period of time, Chapter 70 showed drops following the
recession in 2009, but increases in every year from 2012 on. The impact of the drop in student enrollment as compared with the increase in Chapter 70 funds is shown most clearly by the increase in per-pupil expenditure from 2008 through 2019. That is, in 2008, Franklin spent $9,146.71 per student and in 2019 that figure was at $14,276.06. That represents a 56% percent attributable to the advocacy of your legislative delegation. "
 
 
 

 

Audio and notes of the Town Council meeting of Nov 18, 2020 can be found here
 
Town Council chair Tom Mercer opens the meeting
Town Council chair Tom Mercer opens the meeting

 

 

Franklin, MA: Job Opportunities for Finance, DPW, and Police

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.  

Purchasing Agent - Finance Department   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/purchasing-agent-job-posting-nov242020.pdf

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/dpw-hmeo-posting-nov242020.pdf

Executive Assistant - Police Department   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/executive-assistant-police-jobposting-nov2020.pdf

Recycling Center Laborer - Department of Public Works   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/recycling-center-laborer-posting-august172020.pdf

Substitute Custodian   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/sub.custodian-posting-july272020.pdf

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/application_for_employment_-_town_of_franklin.pdf


Franklin, MA:: Job Opportunities for Finance, DPW, and Police
Franklin, MA:: Job Opportunities for Finance, DPW, and Police

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Budget Workshop - Dec 1

Franklin Public Schools
Franklin School Committee
Budget Workshop
Tuesday, December 1, 2020  =  6:00 PM

 

Call to Order 
Discussion

1.    Budget Development Process and Timelines
2.    FY 22 Priorities
3.    Per Pupil Expenses  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qegibWEASNACal1hmpFV_ciRZXHkEjGFJXXQqrwpRs8/edit#gid=164888986
i.    What would the budget look like?
ii.    What additional enrichment services would be funded?
4.     Unfunded Mandates -- Quantified, Where Possible  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rhjSDdp42EMubSTyeGpyh1jSsTNeDNxQ/view
a.     Cost Analysis of Selected Unfunded Mandates (not all inclusive)  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dM6rRxMs3HzOCb6HKXf0vnF7UpP6r1T86Gt30ptS7hw/edit
5.    Medicaid reimbursement information
6.    New Business -- January Budget Workshop
a.    Revolving accounts
b.    Special Education Process and the budgetary impact
c.    Budget drivers
d.    Student teacher ratios

Adjournment 

Agenda doc and connection information

 

Superintendent Sara Ahern updating the School Committee at a recent meeting
Superintendent Sara Ahern updating the School Committee at a recent meeting

Panther TV: Q&A on the FHS hybrid model (video)

"Check out this Q&A with @MrHanna_FHS about our hybrid model. Lots of your questions answered here!"

 

 

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Nutrition Infographic


"Franklin Public School SWAC (Student Wellness Advisory Council) is sharing this infographic to provide our families with some helpful nutrition tips!  #swac #nutrition #healthychoices  "
Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/jCzTgrmLun
 
Other info from the SWAC can be found at


helpful nutrition tips
helpful nutrition tips

The Franklin Food Pantry Distributes 220 Thanksgiving Meals

The Franklin Food Pantry gives thanks to our community for helping us fulfill 220 Thanksgiving baskets for our neighbors. Our neighbors received a turkey, potatoes, vegetables, rolls, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, coffee, choice of an Apple or Pumpkin Pie, and a Yankee Candle votive to help make their meal festive.

We couldn't make so many Thanksgivings extra special without the help of the following business and individuals who reached into their hearts and pockets. Thank you to b.Luze Hair & Makeup, Big Y, Yankee Candle Wrentham, Franklin Stop & Shop, The Franklin Interfaith Council, Greater Boston Food Bank, Working Moms Social Club, Dell, and the community members who purchased off of our Amazon Wish list.

If you want to donate to the Franklin Food Pantry, please visit their page  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

 

Some of the Franklin Food Pantry Staff and Volunteers that distributed Thanksgiving Meals
Some of the Franklin Food Pantry Staff and Volunteers that distributed Thanksgiving Meals

 

 

MA Office of Campaign and Political Finance - local election reminder

Don't be the candidate who 'remembers' at 3:00 PM that a critical report is due at 5:00 PM. Yes, Franklin is one of the 300 communities with a local election in 2021. We'll be voting for Town Council, School Committee, Town Clerk and other elected boards and committees.
 
"There are nearly 300 towns in Massachusetts with municipal elections early next year. If you're thinking of running for town office, email us at OCPF@cpf.state.ma.us for educational materials. #mapoli "
 
Shared from The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance which administers the state's campaign finance law. https://t.co/lr6hJ9CZub

Uncovering the 'real Thanksgiving story

From the Worcester Telegram & Gazette we shared the following:
"The traditional story of Thanksgiving, and by extension the Pilgrims  — the one repeated in school history books and given the Peanuts treatment in "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" — doesn’t start in 1620, with the cold and seasick Pilgrims stepping off the Mayflower onto Plymouth Rock.

It also doesn’t start a year later, with the Pilgrims and the native Wampanoag all sitting together to “break bread” and celebrate their first successful harvest and a long, harmonious relationship to come.

It doesn’t start there because those things never happened, despite being immortalized in American mythos for generations. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)


Tuesday, November 24, 2020

FM #397 Town Council Meeting - 11/18/20 - P2 of 2 (audio)

FM #397 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 397 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the public was remote via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full three hour plus meeting into two almost 90 minute segments:

* First - covers the opening through the meeting minutes approvals, one appointment and then the discussion on nationalGRID and their response to power outages during storms (1 hour and 28 minutes)

* Second - picks up the Legislation for Action, most of the discussion falls during the bylaw to create the Community Preservation Committee. The public portion of the meeting closes as the Council goes into Executive Session to hear the latest on the ‘spear phishing’ incident. Reportedly, the community will be provided an update at the Dec 2 meeting. (1 hour and 19 mins)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Nov 18, 2020. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HXnrnzzS

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/11-18-2020_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

Agenda details with individual documents https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/november-18-town-council-agenda

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

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 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" 

Town Council chair Tom Mercer opens the meeting
Town Council chair Tom Mercer opens the meeting

FM #396 Town Council Meeting - 11/18/20 - P1 of 2 (audio)

FM #396 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 396 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the public was remote via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full three hour plus meeting into two almost 90 minute segments:

* First - covers the opening through the meeting minutes approvals, one appointment and then the discussion on nationalGRID and their response to power outages during storms (1 hour and 28 minutes)

* Second - picks up the Legislation for Action, most of the discussion falls during the bylaw to create the Community Preservation Committee. The public portion of the meeting closes as the Council goes into Executive Session to hear the latest on the ‘spear phishing’ incident. Reportedly, the community will be provided an update at the Dec 2 meeting. (1 hour and 19 mins)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Nov 18, 2020. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDvK4P8S

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/11-18-2020_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

Agenda details with individual documents https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/november-18-town-council-agenda

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

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 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" 

Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides an update on the Dec 5 special election
Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides an update on the Dec 5 special election