Sunday, January 9, 2022

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - Jan 11, 2022

Franklin School Committee
January 11, 2022 - 7:00 PM
Municipal Building – Council Chambers 


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. Student Services Presentation – Paula Marano, Ellen White, Jennifer Graveline

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. ACCEPT Education Collaborative Revision of Capital Reserve Fund Maximum
Balance
I recommend approval of the ACCEPT Collaborative to increase the maximum
balance of the Capital Reserve Fund from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 as detailed.
B. FY22 Capital Requests
I recommend approval of the FY22 Capital requests as discussed.
C. Revised FY22 Budget
I recommend approval of the revised FY22 Budget in the amount of $67,820,825
as discussed.
D. Unified Basketball Field trip
I recommend approval of the request of Lisa Burger to take 10 Unified Basketball
students to Orlando, Florida from June 4-12, 2022 to represent Massachusetts in
the USA Special Olympic Games 2022 as detailed.
E. Policy Elimination
I recommend elimination of Policy GDJ - Support Staff Assignments and Transfers
as discussed.

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. COVID Status Update

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Supt. Evaluation, Budget,
Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, (SATF) Substance Abuse Task
Force, (SWAC) School Wellness Advisory Council, SEPAC, DEI Committee
(Diversity, Equity & Inclusion).

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 December 14, 2021 School
Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Parmenter Gifts
I recommend acceptance of 2 checks totaling $688.31 as detailed:
$613.31 DCU Adopt a Class Program – Supplemental Supplies/Curriculum
$75.00 Leuders Environmental, Inc. – Supplemental Supplies
C. Keller Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,553.67 from O’Connor Studios for
Supplemental Supplies as detailed.
D. Wagner Scholarship
I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 for the Wagner Scholarship as
detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills    Ms. Spencer

IX. Payroll     Ms. Stokes

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 unit 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)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the Chair so declares.
C. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A §21(a)(2) to conduct collective bargaining with nonunion personnel as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the Chair so declares.
D. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(2) to conduct collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the Chair so declares, and to return in Open Session.
XI. Adjournment


Meeting packet folder (all other documents released for this meeting) ->

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - Jan 11, 2022
Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - Jan 11, 2022


FM #691 - January 6 Vigil (on the Town Common) - 01/06/22 (audio)

FM #691 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 691 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Jan 6 VIgil held on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022 on the Franklin Town Common. The vigil was organized by the Committee to Protect Our Democracy (CPOD), a subgroup of the Franklin Democratic Town Committee, as part of remembrances scheduled across the country.  


The master of ceremony Justin Bates introduces all the speakers.


The recording of the vigil runs about 45 minutes.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-691-jan-6-vigil-01-06-22


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The text of the remarks by State Representative Jeff Roy can be found ->

https://jeffreyroy.com/2022/01/07/remarks-at-jan-6-vigil-in-franklin/


Milford Daily News/Wicked Local coverage of the event can be found -> 

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/country-gazette/2022/01/07/calls-action-franklin-vigil-reflects-capitol-attack/9135123002/

Photos of the event can be found in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/T7zBkexGeqhjZqmw5

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


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"


Rep Roy giving his remarks at the January 6 Vigil (on the Town Common)
Rep Roy giving his remarks at the January 6 Vigil (on the Town Common)

FHS girls hockey post win over Dedham 2-1

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Saturday: 

Boys Hockey = Canton, 2 @ Franklin, 1 – Final 
– Canton sophomore Brian Middleton scored the game-winning goal with just over three minutes left in the third period to help the Bulldogs avenge its loss to Franklin from earlier this season, this one in league action.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 2 vs. Dedham, 1 – Final 
– Franklin picked up its second win over Dedham in the past two weeks, this time with a 2-1 decision in regulation. Julia Flynn and Shaw Downing (from Maggie McCaffrey) scored for the Panthers while Izzy Brown had a great game in net to earn the win.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-08-22/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Franklin.TV: Merry Mid-January?

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 01/09/2022

Now that the holidays and their distracting festivities are in the rear-view it’s time
to face the music. (dramatic soap-opera style organ stinger) Winter is really here.
Pop a Swiss Miss Cocoa pod in the Keurig and break out the mini-marshmallows.

Cozycurl up with your fave creature comforts until Punxsutawney Phil (our fave
creature)says it’s over. All eyes (and hopes) rest on Gobbler’s Knob come Feb 2.
Valentine’s Day?

A blip on the romance radar.

President’s Day and the faux excitement of Fantastic Car Deals?
Mercantile noise.

Merry Mid-January?
Merry Mid-January?
I gaze out the window with a wistful longing for
Spring while light snow wafts its hypnotic dance.
It looks postcard perfect – for minutes at a time.
A seductive illusion in the first glimmer of dawn.


Last month’s merry has lost its luster for many.
This is when merry matters more. Resolved For
2022: Keep some merry throughout the Winter
and across the year by rendering small bits of
kindness here and there where possible.

Go on. Engage. Perpetrate frequent, deliberate,
wanton, random acts of kindness.

In so doing, we can make 2022 a wonderful year,
perhaps even in spite of itself.

May 2022 smile warmly, kindly upon us all.
And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf     

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 01/06/22 (audio)

FM #690 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 690 in the series. 


This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of January 5, 2022: 


  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


We cover the following key topics

Recognition of Franklin Library Association

Town Council Goals Session 2022-2023

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

Economic Development Subcommittee

Legislation for action

A gift acceptance

Approval of a prior year invoice

Executive Session, and recusal


The recording runs about 22 minutes:


Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 


Let’s listen to this recording of Town Council Quarterbacking Jan 6, 2022

Audio file ->  
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-690-town-council-quarterbacking-w-tom-mercer-01-06-22


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Town Council Agenda document ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_mtg_agenda_-_jan_5_2022_0.pdf


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


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"

 

Chair Tom Mercer reading a proclamation recognizing Franklin Library Assoc
Chair Tom Mercer reading a proclamation recognizing Franklin Library Assoc

Andrew M Bissanti, 64

"Andrew Mario Bissanti, 64, of Franklin died peacefully January 7 at Milford Regional Medical Center. He was the husband of Christina M. (Lombardi) Bissanti.
Arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com)."
former Councilor Andy Bissanti at an EDC meeting in Feb 2021
former Town Councilor Andy Bissanti at an EDC meeting in Feb 2021


Franklin Library: Girls who code - parent open house - Jan 11, 2022

An open house for parents to answer questions about the Girls who Code" program offered at the Library is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 11, 2022 from 7 -8 PM

If you want to attend this remotely, please email Mitzi at mgousie@minilb.net


Franklin Library: Girls who code - parent open house - Jan 11, 2022
Franklin Library: Girls who code - parent open house - Jan 11, 2022

Shared from the Library page

Franklin TV schedule for Sunday, Jan 9, 2022

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = SUNDAY

7:00 am Reflections: 01-03-16
8:00 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Charlie Harrington
9:30 am Grace Baptist Church: 12-19-21
10:30 am Whole Health Visions: Life Coaches Pt. 2
11:00 am Senior Connection: Sleep
11:30 am Once Upon A Town: The Post Office
12:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Fire Safety
12:30 pm Ben Gardner's Boat
3:30:00 pm SAFE Coalition: PSA
4:00:00 pm The Only Cure Is Education
4:30 pm We The People January 6th Vigil
6:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Kyle Brodeur
7:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Roberto Morbioli
8:00 pm Reflections: 01-03-16
8:30 pm Santa on the Common 2021
9:00 pm U. S. Army: Jazz Ambassadors 04-01-19

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) =SUNDAY

8:30 am It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club
10:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Longmeadow 12-31-21
11:30 am Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 1 12-11-18
1:00 pm Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2019
2:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v King Philip 01-15-21
4:30 pm ArtWeek: Ed Iannuccilli
5:30 pm SAFE Coalition: Kyle Brodeur
6:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Milford 01-05-21
9:00 pm FHS Varsity Swimming: v Mansfield 01-25-21

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf     

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Saturday, January 8, 2022

#LoveFranklin - Open Mic Night at THE BLACK BOX - 12/08/21 (audio)

FM #689 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 689 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the #LoveFranklin Open Mic Night held on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2021 at THE BLACK BOX.  


The evening master of ceremony duties were shared by MacKenzie Atwood and jamele adams.


The original raw recording runs an hour and 36 minutes. You’ll be listening to the edited version which is shortened by about 12 minutes. 


Key reasons for shortening the recording (1) to spare your ears the jarring sound of cleaning the microphone between performers. (2) A couple of the audience participation exercises were shortened. (How much indistinct audience/crowd noise can you listen to?). 


One percussion performance added at the last minute during the evening was also shortened. The percussion exercise was good to be in while it happened but would have been headache inducing to listen to. So we spared you that. No other performance was shortened or edited in any way.


Let’s listen to the Love Franklin Open Mic Night of Dec 8, 2021.

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-689-lovefranklin-open-mic-night-12-08-21


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The lineup for the "Love Franklin" Open Mic Night at THE BLACK BOX


1. jamele adams - poem

2. Mia Magliari - All I Ask by Adele

3. Audrey Olmstead - She by Dodie

4. Hope Guanga - If I knew by Bruno Mars

5. Mackenzie Atwood - Back In (self written poem)

6. Joe Maple and Audrey Olmstead - Can't Help Falling in Love with you

7. Meghan Whitmore - Her Personal Story

8. Andrew Mitchell - Crisis by Joshua Bassett

9. Maria Zaki - Complainers by Rudy Francisco

10. Steve Sherlock - Poem: Variations on the theme of "A dark and stormy night"

11. Hope Guanga - Crocodile Rock by Elton John

12. Judi Perez - percussion exercise


jamele closes with a recap of some of the audience inspirations


More information about the Freedom Team can be found online -> https://www.franklinfreedomteam.org/


More of my poetry can be found at quietpoet.com/ 


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


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"

 

for the 'selfie exercise' with Meghan Whitmore
for the 'selfie exercise' with Meghan Whitmore

Pantherbook article on this event -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/pantherbook-lovefranklin-open-mic-night.html

https://franklinpanthers.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_0466.jpg
Pantherbook: LoveFranklin Open Mic Night - Dec 8, 2021

State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy: Remarks at Jan 6 vigil in Franklin

Jeffrey N. Roy (@jeffroy) tweeted on Fri, Jan 07, 2022:
"Remarks at Jan. 6 vigil in Franklin https://t.co/IDvOlgjVtS"
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1479418690005348353

"As Senator Rausch indicated, our day in the Massachusetts Legislature started with finishing the work of the 191st General Court on January 5, 2021.

We passed multiple pieces of legislation on the final day of the session. This work included wide-ranging pieces of legislation, including one early item that was a resolution for Franklin’s Frank Liotta, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Another piece that passed around 2 AM was a law I had been working on for two years on the prevention of campus sexual violence.

We worked until around 5:00 AM on January 6, and I finally went to bed exhausted to get some sleep."

Continue reading Rep Roy's remarks here ->     https://jeffreyroy.com/2022/01/07/remarks-at-jan-6-vigil-in-franklin/

Audio of the event will be ready for publication and sharing this weekend. Franklin TV also captured a video recording. When that is ready for airing, I'll share the schedule.

State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy: Remarks at Jan 6 vigil in Franklin
State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy: Remarks at Jan 6 vigil in Franklin

Milford Daily News/Wicked Local Franklin coverage

Recap: Economic Development Subcommittee becomes a "plus group" as it starts "Franklin For All" zoning study

Quick Recap:
  • The promised zoning study for downtown Franklin kicked off at this meeting branded as "Franklin for All". Emma Battaglia, Senior Housing and Land Use Planner from MAPC, provided an overview of the project and Community Engagement Plan
  • "The EDC will serve alongside two representatives from the Planning Board, Greg Rondeau and Beth Weirling, and one representative from the ZBA, Bruce Hunchard, to form the “EDC+” “Franklin For All Steering Committee”
  • Stay tuned for focus groups and forum sessions (dates and times in the doc linked below) as the study works through its process.

-------


As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting via the Zoom conference bridge. 

 

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ShPnhpjx3tMBNRR76


Note: for some reason, the way the presentation was displayed via Zoom, it did not enable me to go full screen to view each or any of the slides. So while I usually can grab some 'screen captures' that was not possible for this meeting and we will need to wait for the presentation doc to be posted (as was promised).


The presentation doc is available -> https://www.mapc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Frankling-for-All-Steering-Committee-Meeting-1-Presentation.pdf


The Twitter hashtag #edc0105 can be found online The thread begins with  

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1478864954082177030


  • Shifting zoom to the #edc0105 meeting in progress
  • Emma from http://mapc.org presenting #edc0105 meeting agenda doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/1-5-22_edc_agenda.pdf
  • Newsletter included the ink to the new 'Franklin for all' page referred to. Slides not previously shared. Not able to screen grab with current view of this hybrid meeting #edc0105
  • Link to new Franklin for all page https://mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/… #edc0105
  • Communication materials to be developed for sharing, forum coming  Mar 7, 2022 #edc0105 
  • Opens ? To committee, need to define terms used, as Franklin center can mean multiple things. Will this address design too? Yes
  • Alternative trans methods? Through infrastructure aspects
  • Q on what can be done to address recalcitrant property owners? What can be done to get the owners to the table and involved? How do we get Dean involved too? #edc0105 Jan 24 forum with owners key. Presentation doc to be posted to ToF page later
  • How do you involve stakeholders that are not here? Aware of opportunity at forge park, owner not interested currently. That is a larger area of concern given the other stakeholders required. MassHighway, etc. #edc0105
  • Motion to adjourn, passes via aye vote and meeting ends. Up next Town Council at 7 #edc0105


Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days


The Community Engagement Plan can be found in the full agenda doc (linked above) or in the extracted section -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/franklin-for-all-community-engagement.html

Emma Battalgia, Senior Housing and Land Use Planner from MAPC
Emma Battaglia, Senior Housing and Land Use Planner from MAPC


02038.com: "Million dollar homes shock no more in Franklin, MA"

Realtor Warren Reynolds has some very interesting statistics on the real estate market in Franklin, MA as he looks back at 2021. A worthy read especially to help inform the ongoing discussion around Franklin housing as well as the need for more affordable housing in Franklin.
 
"Highest home sale in 2021
The highest price paid for a single-family home in Franklin during 2021 was $1,677,900. While decidedly small potatoes in many of the affluent communities throughout Greater Boston, it was the highest price ever paid for a home in Franklin listed on MLS-PIN. 
Before 2021, Franklin’s record-high sale price on MLS-PIN was $1,577,000, which was set in 2020. 
Franklin’s sale price record broken five times in 2021
What’s most noteworthy about 2021’s housing market in Franklin is that the town’s record-high sale price set in 2020 was surpassed FIVE times just one year later in 2021!"

One of the key markers in the demographics study done for Franklin Public Schools in the number of annual home sales. The ability for housing to turnover is one of the factors for population. Franklin had dropped in annual sales during 2020 and has recovered to more of a recent volume with 332 sales.

The number of single-family home sales in Franklin recorded on MLS-PIN during 2021 was significantly higher than the previous year’s total
The number of single-family home sales in Franklin recorded on MLS-PIN during 2021 was significantly higher than the previous year’s total


Continue reading his recap of 2021