Town Council meeting recapped & more as we join TC Quarterbacking with Talk Franklin for this session (audio)

FM #888 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 888 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the combined Town Council Quarterbacking session with our "Talk Franklin" conversation. I am grateful for the alignment of the schedules to have Town Council Chair Tom Mercer along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Asst Administrator Alecia Alleyne. We conducted our conversation via conference bridge.  

Topics for this session

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

• Becki Carloni - Franklin Fire Department 

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

• Presentation: Recreation Department, Ryan Jette, Director of Recreation

• Discussion: Davis-Thayer Reuse Committee   

LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 

• raise to minimum wage & 

• Increase in opportunity for veterans to take advantage

• If a disabled veteran, can have a family member do the work for the benefit

• budget adjustment prior to tax rate hearing

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

• Franklin Open Space and Recreation Plan Process   

Town Council teasers

• Tax hearing coming Nov 30

• Old South Meeting House

• Annual license renewals

The conversation runs about 45 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom, Jamie, and Alecia

Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin-with-the-Town-Council-e1rfsjn

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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Town Council page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council 

Nov 16, 2022 agenda -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-nov-16.html

Nov 30, 2022 agenda ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/nov_30_town_council_agenda.pdf

And the Doug Flutie anniversary was indeed on Nov 23, 1984 (the day after we recorded this session)  https://www.boston.com/sports/college-sports/2019/11/22/doug-flutie-hail-mary-miracle-in-miami/ 

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

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"

Town Council meeting recapped & more as we join TC Quarterbacking with Talk Franklin for this session (audio)

Franklin Public Library: December 2022 News & Events

Library Hours

The Library's regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The library will be closing at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23rd, and Saturday, December 24th for Christmas Eve. The library will also be closing at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 31st for New Year's Eve. The library will be closed on Sunday, December 25th and Monday, December 26th for Christmas Day (observed).

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, December 9th ,  1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday, December 10th , 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!

Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, December 10th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!
 

Volunteer Tutors Needed for ESL & Adult Literacy Program

The Franklin Public Library is starting an English as a Second Language and Adult Literacy Program to serve Franklin and its surrounding communities. If you have the time and interest to help adult learners improve their English, reading, writing, speaking and listening, please consider volunteering!

To volunteer, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, have patience, and be able to speak English clearly. Prior teaching experience is not required. Volunteer Tutors will be given training and all supporting materials will be provided. The time commitment is one orientation session, 18 hours of tutor training, and to meet with your student 2 hours per week for one year. Volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at kshipala@minlib.net, or fill out the registration form on the library's website .

 

Volunteers Needed for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Volunteers are always needed for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs… better known as VITA and TCE. Many volunteer roles are available. You can help as a greeter, an interpreter or a computer specialist. Most of all, we need tax preparers!

Learn more & Sign up at: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers

For more information, please contact Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net .

 

From the Friends of the Franklin Library...

The holiday season is upon us, and we have a lot to be thankful for this year. Like so many, the Friends took some time to reflect on the past year and the activities we've been fortunate to participate in.

Here is a look back at some of our highlights:

• 200 museum passes for The Butterfly Place
• National Library Week - Library Staff Appreciation Brunch
• In-Person event with Nancy Rubin Stuart author of Poor Richard's Women: Deborah Read
• Franklin and the Other Women Behind the Founding Father 
• Annual $1,000 Friends of the Franklin Library Scholarship to a graduating FHS '22 Senior
• Farmer's Market Booth with Summer Bucket of Fun Raffle Prize 
• Harvest Festival Booth with over 400 books given away
• Raffle Baskets at this year's Health Fair
• Comics 4 Culture teen event 
• Tables and chairs for the library's new outdoor patio space

Were you able to enjoy any of the above programs or find yourself frequenting our Library? Why not play an active role in supporting the amazing programs offered to our local community. Here are ways that you can show your support:

1.      Become a Friend! We would love to add more Friends to our group. We have several committees which you can choose from or be more of a supporting member. 

2.      Make a donation in the name of your favorite bookworm. Have that one Franklin person on your holiday list who is hard to buy for? Why not make a donation in their name that will support their local library?

3.      Take advantage of your company's employee match program. Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage employees to contribute to charitable organizations.

All membership dues and contributions are tax deductible and will go directly to supporting the Franklin Public Library's collections and programs.

To join the Friends or make a donation, CLICK HERE.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/december-2022-franklin-library-news-events

Franklin Public Library: December 2022 News & Events

Rainbow Café Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 2:30 PM

Hello All,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I hope to see you all tomorrow at our Rainbow Café at 2:30 at the Franklin Senior Center.  One of the items I would like to discuss is our upcoming Winter Wonderland Event.  I am hoping our Rainbow Café will be willing to decorate a fabulous tree for the event.  

I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.  Please feel free to share this event with others in the community who might be interested.

Thank you,

Ariel

Rainbow Café Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 2:30 PM

--

Ariel Doggett

Respite Coordinator

Supportive Day Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Trash not picked up Monday, Nov 28 will get picked up today

Via the DPW alert: 

"Please see map highlighted with impacted area. Collection of these areas will continue today (Tuesday)."

Trash not picked up Monday, Nov 28 will get picked up today

Shared from the DPW page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/2022-waste-bans/news/franklin-trash-completion-112822

Shop Small, Shop Local (video)

As a member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, you know the importance of shopping small and local! 

This is a video The Partnership recently produced promoting shopping local!

Video link ->  https://youtu.be/V01bMdW543A

Shop Small, Shop Local 

State level election turnout for mid-term 2nd lowest in history

"Slightly more than 2.5 million registered voters cast ballots in Massachusetts for the Nov. 8 election, besting projections thanks to far more people voting in person on Election Day than expected, state officials said Monday.

Precisely 2,508,298 people voted in this month’s general election, and their numbers accounted for slightly more than 51 percent of the state’s registered voters, which still was one of the lowest shares for a state election in Massachusetts history. But by sheer volume, it marked the second highest number of ballots cast in a midterm election, topped only by the 2.7 million who voted in 2018.

Secretary of State William F. Galvin earlier this month had projected that 2.2 million voters would cast ballots, a number that would have marked the lowest turnout by percentage in at least seven decades."

Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/11/28/metro/about-25-million-people-voted-midterms-massachusetts-far-surpassing-projections/ 

CommonWealth Magazine coverage

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/in-person-election-day-voting-boosted-turnout-to-2-5m/

one of the lowest turnouts for a state election in Massachusetts history

Franklin's turnout is on par with what recent history shows

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Nov 29, 2022

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Tuesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM  Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder 

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

7:00 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Ted Reinstein

9:00 am It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club

10:00 am Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo

11:00 am Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta

11:30 am Senior Connection: Maggie Gundersen

12:10 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies

12:40 pm Sandhya: Eclairs

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 7

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9

3:30 pm The Only Cure Is Education

4:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2

4:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Roberto Morbioli

5:30 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records

6:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Festivals & Community Celebrations

7:30 pm Joe Landry: Downtown Franklin

9:00 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2021

9:00 am Public School Event: Horace Mann Winter Music 2021

11:00 am Arts Advocacy: Fundraising

12:00 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18

2:00 pm It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club

3:00 pm FHS Varsity Volleyball: v Barnstable 11-12-22

5:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer v St. John's Shrewsbury 11-13-22

7:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2

8:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Soccer v Wellesley 11-10-22

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY

8:00 am School Committee: 11-22-22

12:00 pm Finance Committee: 11-09-22

2:00 pm School Committee: 11-22-22

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)

Hear about green banking and more in this Making Sense of Climate episode with State Rep Jeff Roy - 11/15/22 (audio)

FM #887 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 887 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. For this session we were joined by State Representative Jeffrey Roy. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Tuesday, November 15, 2022.  

In this episode we covered the following topics: 

• Green banking, what is it?

• Smart metering, better able to manage use by knowing what and when it is being used; rebate potential for off-peak use

• Grimsby, England and video segment on 60 Minutes; Franklin Sheet Metal part of the developing ecosystem being built to support green energy

• Building net zero stretch code opt in, pilot with 10 communities to gain lessons learned; Clean Heat Report due Nov 2022

• How Will it be working on climate legislation with the new Governor

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 59 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted and Jeff  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-887-making-sense-of-climate-19-11-15-22

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Grimsby, England and 60 Minutes video segment

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/wind-energy-grimsby-england-60-minutes-video-2022-10-16/#x 

Elton John “Grimsby”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7K3ddSNGbA 

Link to Channel 5 piece on MassSave -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/representative-roy-addresses-masssave.html 

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.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"

Windblade testing at Wind Technology Testing Center

Franklin Police have some advice on how to "Prevent Porch Pirates"

As the cold winds and dark afternoons draw closer so do the Porch Pirates…

We’ve already experienced several calls involving swashbuckling pirates stealing packages off people's porches. 

how to "Prevent Porch Pirates"

To deter Porch Piracy you can:

1. Schedule delivery times to a time you know you’ll be home

2. Request a signature for high-value packages

3. Regularly track all shipments

4. Get to know your neighbors and see if they can grab your deliveries for you

5. Display a home security sign or other security deterrents

6. Get a big dog

7. Install a doorbell camera or other outdoor cameras

Remember….only you can prevent Porch Pirates this holiday season. If you find yourself victimized by these seasonal pirates or think you see these pirates in action, give us a call at 508-528-1212.

Shared from Franklin (MA) Police Dept Facebook page ->

https://www.facebook.com/100064353536794/posts/pfbid02r2n4w3THNmbks9JSXLJVdrBcEwHweBFayvL7rqqH8V1TPhZL8YFtuic4mHgnbvRdl/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Nov 28, 2022

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Monday

9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Todd Monjur
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews

11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM A More Perfect Union – Discussing American Politics and Current Events - Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, State Rep Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States

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

8:00 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins

9:00 am Veterans Day Luncheon 2022

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies

12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs

1:00 pm Comfort Food: Comfort Food

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 7

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9

4:00 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records

4:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2

6:00 pm Veterans' Call: PACT Act

7:30 pm Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo

9:00 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Horace Mann Winter Music 2021

8:30 am Sons and Daughters of Italy: Carlo Geromini

10:30 am Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18

12:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Soccer v Wellesley 11-10-22

2:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini

3:00 pm All-Town Showcase: Band

4:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer v St. John's Shrewsbury 11-13-22

6:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2

7:00 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Wachusett 11-11-22

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = MONDAY

8:00 am Planning Board: 11-21-22

12:00 pm Finance Committee: 11-09-22

2:00 pm Planning Board: 11-21-22

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)

Conversation with Franklin (MA) School Superintendent Lucas Giguere - 11/17/22 (audio)

FM #886 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 886 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my first recorded conversation with Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere. We had our conversation in person at a Central Office conference room in the Municipal Building on Thursday, November 17, 2022. 

At a high level our topics were

• 5 months in, how are you doing?

• Student behavior, reaching out to parents & community for help

• Vaping, substance use

• Social media and critical conversations

• Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) deep dive and overall program

• Redistricting approach and process has started

The recording runs about 39 minutes  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-886-franklin-ma-school-supt-l-giguere-11-17-22

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Superintendent’s page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent 

Superintendent’s letter to parents & community ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/10_25_22_supt_report_to_sc.pdf 

Critical conversations videos ->

• Substance use and Mental Health Forum -  https://youtu.be/3CIOXT3BlMU 
• Social media - https://youtu.be/vhhfGFJkXPI 

DEI page (with link to plans, etc.) -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/diversity-equity-and-inclusion 

Redistricting page -> https://www.franklinps.net/school-committee/2023-redistricting-advisory-committee

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

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"

Franklin (MA) School Superintendent Lucas Giguere