Sunday, April 18, 2021

FM #514 - Economic Development SubComm Mtg - 04/14/14 (audio)

FM #514 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 514 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: two of the Economic Development subcommittee members, Town Administrator and key personnel, were in the Council Chambers; two Subcommittee members joined the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Quick Recap:

  • A couple of agenda items from meeting Apr 7 not covered in time allotted, so this session was added also in a meeting slot before the Town Council meeting. Discussion was healthy and in the time allotted
  • Grants submitted for a variety of work desired, what can or should get done with or without grant discussed
  • NuStyle back in discussion as the prior agreement to sell ultimately fell through; who will buy (and how) is best case scenario as the Town would spend more than a private party would to clean up the 'brown field' and we don't have the money to start the clean up with

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 63 minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting. 

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/65d06bea-41c3-478d-ba94-f025f0481e66


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I hope you enjoy!
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FM #514 - Economic Development SubComm Mtg - 04/14/14 (audio)
FM #514 - Economic Development SubComm Mtg - 04/14/14 (audio)


Honey Dew Donuts selling special scholarship donuts

"For a limited time, the two Franklin Honey Dew Donuts locations are selling special scholarship donuts sporting Franklin's school colors!"
#fdp
#honeydew
#scholarshipdonuts https://t.co/5KgZW0vfFz
Shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership tweet:
(https://twitter.com/FranklinDowntwn/status/1383475360667365384?s=03)

Honey Dew Donuts selling special scholarship donuts
Honey Dew Donuts selling special scholarship donuts


Saturday, April 17, 2021

Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - April 2021

"Please find the April Edition of the FPS District newsletter posted here! conta.cc/2RF65Xg  
We hope everyone enjoys a fun and safe April Break week!"

Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - April 2021
Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - April 2021

Recap - Board of Health Meeting - Apr 14, 2021

Quick Recap:
  • Homebound individuals were provided vaccine coordinating with Fire Dept. Additional to be done on hold due to J&J 'pause'. VA Clinic to be held at Senior Center on Apr 17 for veterans and family
  • Grant application submitted for some services to be delivered regionally
  • Home on Winter St now bank owned, home on Jordan Rd now being demolished by owner (which is also creating another problem)

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #boh0414

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh0414&src=typed_query 

The agenda doc for this meeting can be found


  • Board of health meeting underway, real time reporting via Twitter #boh0414
  • Home bound distribution via Fire Dept covered some folks, some others identified later. Currently on hold due to the 'pause' with J&J vaccine #boh0414
  • Regional approach vs shared services, grant submitted for shared service approach. Less than 10 days to turn grant proposal around. Pending grant approval #boh0414 VA clinic for veterans and spouses at Senior Center; VA run on Sat Apt 17. Comms through social channels
  • #boh0414 recommendation of a proclamation in thanks for services of one of Franklin's doctors who supported the clinics tirelessly. Homeowner doing the demo of the home on Jordan Road, half down and all in backyard. (Another problem).
  • Bank to take ownership of Winter St property #boh0414 Motion to adjourn, seconded, passes 3-0 via roll call. A pause between meetings, Economic Development subcommittee up next at 5:45 PM.

Audio recording to be available in day or so

Recap - Board of Health Meeting - Apr 14, 2021
Recap - Board of Health Meeting - Apr 14, 2021



Earth day Lecture Apr 22 - preregister before Tuesday, Apr 20

Hello, 

I wanted to remind everyone about the upcoming lecture on April 22 at 11:00 AM via Zoom. Join Dr. Jessica Pisano, Professor at Dean College, for a special Earth Day Lecture. This talk will focus on the impact of current environmental practices on emerging public health trends. Please use the link below to register. Tuesday, April 20 will be the last day to sign-up


Dr. Pisano has also pre-recorded a series of videos which are posted on our website: https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc (find links below).  Watch these informative videos prior to the lecture and Dr. Pisano will answer your questions!

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Erin Rogers 
Director, Franklin Senior Center

10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038
508-520-4945 (phone)
508-520-4917 (fax)

Video links

Earth day Lecture Apr 22 - preregister before Tuesday, Apr 20
Earth day Lecture Apr 22 - preregister before Tuesday, Apr 20


Recap - Economic Development SubComm Meeting - Apr 14, 2021

Quick Recap:

  • A couple of agenda items from meeting Apr 7 not covered in time allotted, so this session was added also in a meeting slot before the Town Council meeting. Discussion was healthy and in the time allotted
  • Grants submitted for a variety of work desired, what can or should get done with or without grant discussed
  • NuStyle back in discussion as the prior agreement to sell ultimately fell through; who will buy (and how) is best case scenario as the Town would spend more than a private party would to clean up the 'brown field' and we don't have the money to start the clean up with

----

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #edc0414

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edc0414&src=typed_query 


Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VYYiLMPgyGuf7xtx5


The agenda for this meeting can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2021-4-14_edc_agenda_.pdf

  • Economic development subcommittee meeting underway, real time reporting commences #edc0414 Jones, Bissanti in Chambers; Hamblen, Frongillo remote.
  • Community planning grant opportunity, state has been changing grant process overtime, expression of interest applied earlier; MassWorks grant submitted for Grove St/Washington intersection among other items. #edc0414
  • State hasn't provided guidance yet on the downtown project before making any zoning changes to avoid missing out on incentives #edc0414 we need to take a comprehensive approach to zoning, hoping for MAPC to help us with this.
  • "Incremental changes don't scare me, if they can be beneficial, then we should consider it. Having alignment in the long term approach is great". #edc0414 did mention the Beaver St interceptor, in case, down the road, there may be a grant for something like that
  • #edc0414 June 2 is a deadline for certain grants, other grants are due later this year (Sep). Top complete streets possible projects in Jun $1.9M year to date, $10m over past years. Shared listing of a current report from treasurer.
  • #edc0414 how does zoning tie to grant money? Best to get a 3rd party assessment of zoning to bring about proposals to gain better consensus. MAPC has specialist that can do this and help us. Can cover the multiple issues (complete streets, affordable housing, parking, etc.)
  • There are a lot of options to incentivize development, someone coming in could help us with all of that. #edc0414 moving to agenda item 2; NuStyle property highlighted on map
  • Did have a deal with an adjacent landowner with conditions, summer/fall of 2019 visited owner to confirm conditions, it didn't work out and deal fell through. #edc0414 was on list of things to do for 2020 and then COVID-19 hit. So we have time for a discussion on this
  • Did apply through EPA for grants on clean up, once you start, you're in it. Where did this fit in the finance ladder? #edc0414 if you can see past the clean up, it good land and heck of a location. Is a liability, not increasing but not reducing either. Needs $s and imagination
  • NuStyle was put on as an issue that is a long term problem to be addressed. #edc0414 need to assess contamination on property and adjacent, and confirm costs to remediate. Land use study may help to provide a set of options
  • "let's just get rid of it" Jones #edc0414 "it is a waste of a property that could be worth something" "giving it or selling doesn't absolve us of responsibility" for the location, likely upwards of $1.5M per Bissanti Hellen - There is specialized stuff in this arena
  • A private entity could redo the site cheaper than the Town could. #edc0414 a delicate issue. Motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0 via roll call Another pause between meetings, Town Council up at 7

 

Recap - Economic Development SubComm Meeting - Apr 14, 2021
Recap - Economic Development SubComm Meeting - Apr 14, 2021

FHS volleyball tops KP to take first Hockomock Cup title

Volleyball = Hockomock Cup Final

KR2 King Philip, 1 @ KR1 Franklin, 3 – Final

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"After splitting two regular season matchups and sharing the Kelley-Rex division title for the second year in a row, it was fitting that the final game of the volleyball season would see Franklin and King Philip battle it out, not just for the bragging rights, or to win the season series, but also to being home the first Hockomock Cup title.

After jumping in front by winning the opening two sets, Franklin was nearly forced to a decisive fifth set but the Panthers rallied in the fourth, winning six of the final seven points, capped off by a cross-court spike by senior Ally Bonnet-Eymard that snuck inside the line, to seal a 3-1 (25-15, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21) victory.

“The girls never took a single day for granted,” said Franklin coach Samantha Elliott. “They have been 100 percent committed to play, so for them this wasn’t just the first Hock Cup, this was their championship and they’ve been working that way all season.”

Continue reading the game recap:

For other results around the Hockomock League on Friday:

Photo gallery can be found here

The Franklin volleyball team poses for a picture after beating King Philip in the Hockomock Cup Final. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
The Franklin volleyball team poses for a picture after beating King Philip in the Hockomock Cup Final. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)