FM #545 - Community Preservation Committee Mtg - 05/18/21 (audio)

FM #545 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 545 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting held Tuesday, May 18, 2021

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Committee members were in the Council Chambers, other members joined the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee meeting held Tuesday, May 18. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/33ee06e9-bb5d-4547-a818-de42694a4c65

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

Meeting agenda -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_for_may_18_2021.pdf

Recreation presentation doc

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/community_preservation_committee_2021_rec.pdf 

Recap of the meeting ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/community-preservation-committee_19.html 

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

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/ or www.franklin.news/

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"

Rec Director Ryan Jette presenting to the CPC

Recap: Special Town Council Mtg -> public hearing set for June 9 to discuss right of first refusal process for Maple Hill property

Quick Recap:

• The Town Council met in an executive session to review and determine dates for public hearings on the Maple Hill property and right of first refusal
• June 9 is the official public hearing by the Town Council. This meeting will provide additional details on the property and the right of first refusal process
• The June 15 meeting of the Community Preservation Committee and the June 16 meeting of the Finance Committee will also be opportunities for the community to discuss and provide input. 
• No decisions will be made at these June meetings. The Town has 120 days to decide.
  

----

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  #tc0519

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc0519&src=typed_query

 

The agenda doc for this meeting can be found

https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-05-19_town_council_agenda_1.pdf

• Town council up next at 7 for an added session to review the right of first refusal for the Maple Hill property. Mostly to be done in executive session. So it will be interesting to see how that works with Zoom. They are supposed to come out and make a statement before closing
• Town Council agenda doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-05-19_town_council_agenda_1.pdf #tc0519 includes the connection info
• Meeting opens #tc0519
• Motion and second to go to executive session. Passes 9-0 So they put us all back in the Zoom waiting room. We will sit and wait until they come out and let us back in again. Stay tuned! #tc0519
• Note: The recording of the ‘real’ meeting time will exclude the approx 60 minutes of silence (Tweet time stamped at 7:08 PM to enter executive session; tweet announces return at 8:05 PM)
• Resuming at approx 8:05 PM #tc0519
• Required public hearing date set Jun 9, 7 PM #tc0519 full agenda is not yet set. Overview presentation on right of first refusal (process) by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. In person participation will be limited due to construction at building, register individual ->
• Representing, Zoom capacity expanded to 300 to accommodate the hearing and any speakers. Jun 15, Community Preservation Committee will consider, as well as Finance Committee on Jun 16 #tc0519 there will be time for considerations
• There is no final vote or decision on Jun 9 ( or the other public meetings) #tc0519 Motion to adjourn, seconded, passes 9-0 Thanks, that's all for tonight, catch you next time!

 

 

Recap: Special Town Council Mtg - May 19, 2021

Community Preservation Committee continues to learn, this time the learning was about Recreation

Quick Recap:

• Presentation and overview of the Recreation program, how it does, what it does, what are some of the future projects that could be funded from CPA funds when available
• Committee will need to determine the overall requirements and set up an application process for formal consideration before recommending choices to Town Council for approval. Still have housing and historical areas to complete the round of subject areas
  
• Funds will not be available until 4Q 2022.
  

----

 

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  #cpc0518

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23cpc0519&src=recent_search_click  

 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/vwT19i7LgxUavXFH8

 

• Community Preservation Committee Meeting coming up at 7; agenda has connection info https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_for_may_18_2021.pdf #cpc0518
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen opens with a quick update on the Maple Hill status. Town council has a special meeting Weds 5/19. After their executive session, an announcement and timeline for the right of first refusal will be shared #cpc0519
• Rec Director Ryan Jette provides an overview of the recreation programs. First youth field hockey program in MA started here. #cpc0518
• Community garden, disc golf; concerts on the common, movie nights, food trucks on tap for this summer #cpc0518 training for sports officials, CPR, etc... Playground monitoring done regularly, typical lifespan of 20 years.
• New playground at Beaver Pond getting wood chips on Weds should be open for the weekend, targeted for 5-12 year old kids Wish list for consideration #cpc0518
• Programs are used by young and old, it is a huge draw for the Town and well utilized by many of the residents. #cpc0518 participation of sign up usually around 6,000 and that doesn't count those where sign up is not required (pickel ball courts, hiking/walking trails)
• There will be competing demands for the CPA funds which really won't be available until 4Q 2022. #cpc0518 What will we spend on? What will we save for to have when a 'big' one comes along? All worthy discussion points for the CPC to understand and work towards a plan
• Demographics okay a role, yes. What will the post pandemic look like? Some speculation on which way it goes, should be positioned to handle what comes. Recall too that some of these changes won't be as dramatic (overnight) #cpc0518
• Committee will need to develop the balance of demands and funding. Consider diversity in fields too, i.e. a cricket field. Actually, plans underway at JFK for a cricket field this summer. #cpc0518 Application process will need to be developed ->
• Still need to hear from housing and historical to complete the round of info gathering, then you can start to look at what might be. Open applications, see what comes in and then prioritize for an eventual Town Council decision #cpc0518
• Motion to adjourn, second, meeting ends. That's all for tonight, catch you next time! #cpc0518

 

Rec Director Ryan Jette presenting to the CPC

FM #544 - What does the Franklin Education Foundation do? - 05/06/21 (audio)

FM #544 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 544  in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Pandora Carlucci and Joni Magee, Board members of the Franklin Education Foundation (FEF). We had our conversation via virtual conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about how the FEF supported the Franklin education with supplemental grants to teachers for educational enhancements. The grants total more than $400,000 since 1997.

Pandora was one of the founders of the FEF. 

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Pandora and Joni. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7bb1628c-d589-4617-9b5d-d82a463ebd07

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

Franklin Education Foundation =  https://www.franklined.org/

About page = https://www.franklined.org/about 

Volunteer = https://www.franklined.org/get-involved/volunteer 

Donate = https://www.franklined.org/get-involved/donate 

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

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 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/  or www.franklin.news 

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"

 

FM #544 - What does the Franklin Education Foundation do? - 05/06/21 (audio)

Your Franklin Questions Answered - May 20

There are 2 opportunities to get your Franklin questions answered on Thursday, May 20, 2021.

at 8:30 AM  Coffee with State Rep Jeff Roy and Town officials

Please pre-register here and you will be sent an email confirmation and link

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kdu2spjsiGtx0AUbmkjiKA_LqhIZK9G8L

at 1:30 PM  Franklin Matters Q&A with Steve Sherlock

email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend

 

Your Franklin Questions Answered - May 20 - part 1

 

Your Franklin Questions Answered - May 20 - part 2

Town of Franklin, MA: Pop Shop application now open

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Tue, May 18, 2021:

Are you a small business owner looking to "pop up"? Our Pop Shop application is now open! We will be opening our very first location at 70 East Central Street (Rt 140) in mid-June! 

We are accepting applications for vendors here https://t.co/TMZCxFvJvp Reach out with questions! https://t.co/fbwn9vJLqM

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1394684681564696576

Town of Franklin, MA: Pop Shop application now open

Franklin, MA: Policy SubCommittee Meeting - May 20, 2021

School Committee - Policy SubCommittee Meeting

Virtual Meeting (Link in agenda) 

May 20, 2021 - 6:00 PM

 

I.    Electronic Distribution of Approved Policies

1.    GBEBA - Staff Research Projects
2.    GBEBC - Gifts to Staff
3.    JIA - Staff Research Projects
4.    Policy Distribution Folder

II.    Discussion of Policies sent to School Committee

A.    IJNDB - Acceptable Use Policy
B.    IJNDB-E1 - Acceptable Use Student Agreement 6-12
C.    IJNDB-E2 - Acceptable Use Student Agreement K-5

III.    Policy Revisions & New Policies - New Discussion Item

A.    Review Covid-19 Policies in accordance with the Governor’s revised orders
B.    Continued Review of Policy Manual

 

Agenda doc = https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/5_20_21_policy_sub_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Policy SubCommittee Meeting - May 20, 2021

FHS baseball, boys tennis, and girls outdoor track teams all post wins on Tuesday

From HockomockSports.com and Twitter we share the FHS spring sports results:

Baseball = Franklin, 13 @ King Philip, 8 – Final 

– Franklin’s offense stayed scorching hot to start the season, pushing across double-digit runs for the third straight game and fourth in the last five contests. Ryan Gerety (triple, three runs, RBI) and Nate Goode (double, triple, two RBI, three runs) spearheaded the attack with three hits apiece while Chris Goode (triple, two RBI, run), Jake Fitzgibbons (three RBI, double), and Jack Marino (two runs, two RBI) each had two hits. Jacob Jette got the win on the mound, allowing four runs while striking out seven.

Softball = King Philip, 8 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 

– King Philip got off to another strong start with a pair of runs in the first inning and went on to score in the third, fifth, and seventh to complete the sweep of Franklin. Charlotte Raymond had another stellar showing at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double and a triple, knocking in one run and scoring three times. Sophomores Libby Walsh (home run, two RBI, two runs) and Sarah Cullen (two runs) each added two hits for the visitors while Meg Sherwood slapped a two-run triple and had a sacrifice fly to score a run. KP had a strong showing defensively behind pitcher Emma Sheehan. 

 

Boys Tennis = Franklin, 5 @ King Philip 0 – Final

 BACK TO BACK 5-0s vs KP. The boys are now 6-0 in the season. Man of the match goes to Vayshnav Malhotra for second singles and Drew Mahoney for third singles.  https://twitter.com/_fhsboystennis/status/1394810939606802434

 

Girls Tennis = Franklin, 1 @ King Philip, 4 – Final

 

Boys Outdoor Track = Taunton, 70 @ Franklin, 66 – Final

 

Girls Outdoor Track = Taunton, 31 @ Franklin, 105 - Final 

 [Girls Sprg Varsity Outdoor Track] Franklin HS defeats Taunton HS, 105 to 31.   Via Twitter https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1394828623497027585

 

From the Track "throwers" Twitter account:

• In Discus action- 8 PRs from 12 throwers. The Boys with @JacobBowser7 taking 1st,@ConnorVeilleux and@AndrewJ52949175 coming in 2nd and 3rd. For the girls@Kate22Taylor takes first and moves up to #3 on the FHS all time list and@lilydeforge11 takes 2nd.  https://twitter.com/fhs_throwers/status/1394813567044628484

 

• In the shot put... 14 of 21 throwers hit PRs. The girls  with@Kate22Taylor winning, @lilydeforge11 coming in 2nd and@HaileighF19 coming in 3rd. For the Boys@JacobBowser7 takes 1st and@karl_gruseck takes 2nd.  https://twitter.com/fhs_throwers/status/1394810628213284869

 

• In Javelin action. Congratulations to @niki_poutre for taking 2nd and Kim Marchese for taking 3rd in the girls competition. Congrats to Coleman Flynn for taking 2nd and @nick_c_1 for taking 3rd in the boys competition.  https://twitter.com/fhs_throwers/status/1394808772476948485

 

 

For all the results around the Hockomock League 

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-18-21/

 

Congrats on the win today over a very talented Taunton team!! And...A big thank you and congratulations to our Seniors!! Happy Senior night!!

 

Middle school music program - sign up now open

Join Band, Orchestra, or Choir. The QR code shown in the photo works to bring you to the sign up page. 

Or use this link ->  https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/middle-school-music/home

Middle school music program sign up now open

Franklin Area Nonprofit Network - Action/Updates in advance of Meeting May 24

** Action ** -> there is opportunity for groups to sign up to share about their work in this round of introductions for the May 24 meeting

• Sign up here  => https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/2021/05/reminder-sign-up-for-introductions-at.html

** Action ** - opportunity still open for participation in the 'steering committee' for this group as we navigate our way forward to supporting nonprofits servicing Franklin. 

• Contact Bo Kinney at bokinney@benspeaks.org

Update 1 = MetroWest Nonprofit Network (MNN) has announced a certificate program in nonprofit management  https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/2021/05/new-nonprofit-management-certificate.html

We will likely schedule to have Anna Cross, of MetroWest Nonprofit Network at a future meeting to talk about what they do

Update 2 =  The Mass Nonprofit Network has scheduled their annual awards ceremony for June 23. Registration available online => https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/2021/05/ma-nonprofit-network-2021-nonprofit.html

This might be a good opportunity to see who is doing what around the state. 

Update 3 = Friendly reminder to check out the listing of nonprofits   https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/p/area-non-profits.html

Use the form to make updates, changes, or additions

https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/p/directory-addchange.html

The Franklin Area Nonprofit Network page is now live and functioning

CommonWealth Magazine "Should state parks be funded with user fees or tax dollars?"

 

"STATE FUNDING for the agency that oversees parks fell by $4.5 million over the last 12 years, even as expenses kept growing. To make ends meet, the Department of Conservation and Recreation has had to capitalize on its assets, collecting more and more revenue from those who use the parks or lease space in them.

Two recent examples illustrate the trend. DCR recently began moving ahead with plans to start charging for parking along roadways it owns in Revere and Cambridge. Most of the new parking meters were installed along Revere Beach Parkway, which abuts the nation’s oldest public beach.

The agency also hiked nightly camping fees for out-of-state visitors to the state’s parks. The camping fee for out-of-state visitors to the state’s premier parks jumped temporarily from $35 to $75 last year and was made permanent this year.

Both moves make political and practical sense. Charging for parking is a way of making users share in the upkeep of beaches and parks. Charging out-of-state residents far more than in-state residents for campsites is a way of pushing the cost of upkeep on to those who don’t vote here and whose complaints are likely to fall on deaf ears."

Continue reading online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/should-state-parks-be-funded-with-user-fees-or-tax-dollars/

 

 

"today this action does not rely on federal money"

 

"THE HOUSE APPROVED a proposal Tuesday that aims to relieve employers this spring from major unexpected unemployment system costs, while punting the decision on whether to deploy one-time federal funds to address a benefits system that sagged under the weight of pandemic unemployment.

In a move that business groups described as a solid first step, representatives voted 157-0 to shuffle the distribution of unemployment claims costs so that they can be covered over two decades of borrowing and so businesses will not be in line for huge bills in the short term.

After weeks of review, the House on Tuesday also revived plans for an emergency paid leave program that would make participants eligible for up to one week of paid leave if they or a family member needs it to deal with COVID-19 issues, including self-isolation, seeking a diagnosis, or obtaining an immunization. The House sent the bill to the Senate after rejecting amendments to the measure sought by Gov. Charlie Baker."

Continue reading online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/house-gives-businesses-unemployment-insurance-relief/

 

Direct link to House Legislation ->  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3702

 

 

Boston Camera Club: The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views

Experience The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views A 250-ft Long Photo Exhibition at Fan Pier

The Boston Camera Club invites the public to view 88 large-scale photographs displayed in a series along an entire city block at Fan Pier on the Public Green in Boston's Seaport District

Free and open to the public from Memorial Day weekend through November 2021

May 17, 2021 – BOSTON, MA – The Boston Camera Club this week announced The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views, an outdoor photography exhibition on the Public Green at Fan Pier in Boston's bustling Seaport District. Spanning an entire city block at Northern Avenue and Marina Park Drive, the photo banner exhibition will run from Memorial Day weekend through November 2021. 

For the first time in the club's history, the imagery of BCC members will be on display outdoors in an immersive exhibition featuring 88 images printed on a large-scale banner, 5-feet high and 250-feet long. One image from each participating member's submissions was selected, and expertly sequenced by curator Emily Belz. Each image speaks to the next by subject, color, composition or use of light to form a bridge, creating a compelling visual experience, honoring each individual's view as well as that of the collective whole.

"It's a joyful experience for me to curate connections between photographs, pulling out what are sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden, and sometimes even humorous, parallels between pictures," said Belz. "Indeed, in this installation each photographer presents a Unique View and a meaningful contribution to this collective public art project," she added.

This project has a companion website, www.BostonCameraClub.photos, featuring an artist statement from each photographer and creative contributions from community groups from across the greater Boston area, including: Actors' Shakespeare Project; Boston Latin Academy Photography Club; Boston Latin Academy 7th Grade English Language Arts class; Mission Hill Women's Writing Group; Never Too Late to be a Poet; Rehearsal for Life; and Zumix. Participants from these organizations contributed poems, prose, audio, video, and artwork in response to the exhibition's photographs. All viewers of the banner and website are encouraged to share their own reactions on social media using the hashtag #BCCPHOTOBANNER.

"The community partner collaborations enhance the viewing of the individual images as does the professional sequencing of photographs on the banner," said Boston Camera Club President Tom Hill, who noted that the project was entirely conceived and developed by club members. "Collaboration with these community groups has built bridges among artists of all ages who would not otherwise have had opportunities to connect within the greater-Boston community. The timing of the exhibition could not be better and will supplement the diversity of outdoor art in Boston at a time when residents, workers, and visitors are breaking out of their pandemic cocoons." 

The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views is generously funded by Tufts Medical Center, Blue Hour Photo Ventures and two anonymous gifts. The Boston Camera Club is especially thankful to the owners of Fan Pier for warmly welcoming the photo exhibition to the Public Green.

About the Boston Camera Club

Founded in 1881, the Boston Camera Club is dedicated to the advancement of photography as an art and a science. The club currently has over 150 members, ranging in experience from novice to professional, from all over the greater Boston metropolitan area. Meetings are held weekly and include photo competitions, critiques, educational lectures, and studio portrait sessions. Additionally, the club sponsors exhibitions, field trips to local points of interest, and special events and workshops led by well-known photographers. For more information on club activities and membership, visit www.bostoncameraclub.org or connect with the BCC on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

 

The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views