This Town Council "Quarterbacking" session condenses the 11/30/22 meeting to about 28 minutes (audio)

FM #891 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 891 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 Nov 30, 2022: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Presentation: Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department

6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm

a. Franklin Tax Classification Hearing

b. Resolution 22-77: Tax Classification Residential Factor

c. Resolution 22-78: Tax Classification Open Space Exemption

d. Resolution 22-79: Tax Classification Small Business Exemption

e. Resolution 22-80: Tax Classification Residential Property Exemption

f. Resolution 22-81: Tax Classification Senior Means Tested Exemption

g. Resolution 22-82: Declaration of Town-owned Property Containing “South Franklin Congregational Meeting House” Located at 762 Washington Street as Surplus and Authorization for Disposition (Sale) to Old Colony Habitat for Humanity

h. Resolution 22-83: Downtown Parking Lot Kiosks Authorization  

i. Resolution 22-84: 2023 Town Council Meeting Schedule

k. Resolution 22-85: Public Property Naming & Memorial Installation Policy

Our conversation runs about 28 minutes:

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

Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Dec 1, 2022

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-891-town-council-quarterbacking-12-01-22

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

Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->

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

Watch the Franklin.TV video replay on YouTube -> https://youtu.be/FXWkMcix63s

My notes in one threaded PDF document

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uTxaQe3MXLug8od6xq5C_bqLzbDLoEjY/view?usp=share_link 

My 4 key tax rate charts as discussed in this session

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/good-news-tax-rate-is-going-down.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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

South Franklin Congregational Meeting House

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - meeting - agenda - Dec 7, 2022

Board of Health

Wednesday, December 7, 2022 - 7 PM

3rd floor training room

AGENDA

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

• Reading and Acceptance of November 2, 2022 meeting minutes

OLD BUSINESS

• Reflexology regulations public hearing
• Administrator assistant update

NEW BUSINESS

• Risk-based retail food inspections discussion
• PHEP representative letter
• Food waste program
• Metacomet shared service grant regional inspector report
• Metacomet shared service grant public health nurse report
• Metacomet shared service grant epidemiologist report

CITIZENS COMMENTARY

ADJOURN

The agenda and remote connection info can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/agenda_12-7-2022.pdf

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - meeting - agenda - Dec 7, 2022

Adaptive Hockey Games at BFCCPS scheduled for week of Dec 5

Students in Grades six through eight at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School will participate in an adaptive sport called Volt Hockey during the week of December 5th.  

"Volt Hockey, played in power wheelchairs in Europe and Canada, came for the first time to the United States with chairs to Boston on November 8, 2021. There are very few sports that allow individuals with disabilities with both upper and lower body mobility impairments to compete. Volt Hockey, being brought by the nonprofit Boston Self Help Center, is expected to excite and encourage individuals with disabilities to play this indoor, 4 on 4, street hockey like game. Expectations are high that this will then spread across New England and the United States as did a similar sport that the nonprofit sponsors, power wheelchair soccer." (source: https://bostonselfhelpcenter.org/adaptive-sports)

The opportunity has been coordinated by Helena and Helge Liedtke, parents of two BFCCPS students and founders of SPace2Thrive,as well as Christopher Heater the Director of Co-Curricular Education and the Physical Education Coaches Patrick Anderson, Julie Bradley and Marjorie Burke.  Equipment has been donated for the event courtesy of the Boston Self Help Center and Boston Whiplash team.  You can learn more about this adaptive sports program on this flyer

Volt Hockey wheelchair

This activity has been arranged to help all students feel included, most especially BFCCPS' own Vivienne Liedkte, a member of the BFCCPS Grade 8 class who shares. "I love Volt Hockey because I am free to be myself and I feel like I can actually do something good as an equal team member."

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School is an inclusive, vibrant learning community where integrity, knowledge and resourcefulness define our students and empower them to serve the greater community with confidence.  As part of our school's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) and in line with our school's pillar of character education, we are thrilled to offer this opportunity to our students as a demonstration of the virtues of both justice and fortitude.  

You can learn more about  SPace2Thrive and their mission to create spaces where children with and without disabilities and their families can connect and engage in a way that creates an environment of compassion and equality for everyone to thrive, learn from each other and grow beyond limitations. (source: http://www.space2thrive.org/mission)

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does. www.bfccps.org

Franklin.TV: Think Franklin First

Shop – Easily, Wisely, Locally, Lavishly, Lovingly 

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 12/04/2022

If you need to find great gifts that’re useful/pretty/comfy/tasty/fun/awesome etc. then shop no more. You’ve ready found ‘em.

These Franklin area shops and services are ready to deliver stocking stuffer smiles.

Drive less. Keep more jingle in your pocket. Just Think Franklin First. Easy-peasy.

(No need to give it a second thought. Done.)

Visit:  https://franklingiftcard.com/

Questions? Call us. 508-541-4118. 

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 

And – as always – thanks for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) 

online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Wine Barre 02038 - Dec 8 - 7 PM at Intermission

Join us for Wine Barre 02038 December 8 from 7:00 - 9:30 PM!  

Adults are invited to stop by Intermission for wine and charcuterie boards by Kim Rezendes! (21+ welcome) 

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CloaEiNLubt/

Wine Barre 02038 - Dec 8 - 7 PM at Intermission

Lights at Dean College turned on (video)

The lights at Dean College were light on Thursday, Dec 1. This brief video captures the highlights of the festive occasion.

Shared from Instagram ->  https://www.instagram.com/tv/ClrWGzqOZTA/

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dean College (@deancollege)

Dean's entrance to Awpie Way

Industrial revolution not sustainable

Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) tweeted Sat, Dec 03, 2022:

"Something to think about:

The Earth is 4.6 billion years old. Let's scale that to 46 years.

We have been here for 4 hours. Our industrial revolution began one minute ago.

In that time, we have destroyed 50% of the world's forests. This is not sustainable."

Shared from Twitter  https://t.co/sqQKxvPl4H

Industrial revolution not sustainable

Franklin Food Pantry busy this season serving our neighbors and getting ready for the new building

We hope you are having a happy and healthy holiday season! The Pantry is very busy with Holiday Distributions, Turkey Trot, Food Elves and getting our new home ready for our neighbors!

While Franklin is considered an idyllic residential setting, it is not immune from food insecurity. Almost 10 percent of Franklin's residents aren't sure where their next meal will come from. This isn't happening to someone else in Franklin, 

it is happening to us. 

rendering of the New Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry distributed 26,292 bags of groceries last year to more than 1,100 people in more than 500 households. Many of our neighbors shopped more than twice per month in order to make ends meet. Demand for our services has grown from 150 households per week to more than 180 households per week in the last few months. Franklin Food Pantry's FY2022 statistics show just how much work there is to do and how prevalent food insecurity is in our area.

The Pantry has been fortunate to enjoy our current space for the last 13 years, thanks to the generosity of Rockland Trust. However, we have outgrown our space and cannot expand our programs and services to accommodate the increasing need. The Pantry purchased the Edwin's building at 341 West Central St. and you may be wondering exactly why we need this building.  

It's not about the building, 

it's about what we will do in the building! 

In our new space, we will: 

• Preserve human dignity with private client meeting rooms. 
• Expand programs and services through partnership and collaboration. 
• Create a warm and welcoming space that honors local history. 
• Increase the client shopping area offering more food and product choices. 
• Increase community engagement through workshops and trainings. 
• Ensure safety and ADA compliance with accessible walkways and interior lift 
• Grow our weekend backpack program and increase mobile pantry sites. 
• Save time and money with thoughtful and cost-effective design. 

We can't do this without support from YOU – please look for information about how you can contribute to The Pantry's Campaign in the coming months or contact Marsha Tait at mtait@franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

YOU have the power to create a better 

community for everyone by contributing to 

The Pantry's campaign: 

The New Franklin Food Pantry: 

Nourishing Neighbors, Building Community 

Updates for the new Franklin Food Pantry Building  can be found online ->

https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building-updates/

Community Preservation Committee meeting scheduled for Dec 6 at 7 PM

Community Preservation Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 6, 2022 - 7:00 PM

Agenda:

1. Approval of Minutes

a. October 4, 2022

2. 2023 CPC Meeting Schedule

3. Town Administrator Project Updates

a. Red Brick School House

b. King Street Memorial Park Design

4. Finance Update:

a. 2022 CPA Trust Fund Distribution

b. Community Preservation Act Fund Balances

5. Executive Session:

a. Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Public Body

The agenda doc and remote connection info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-12-06_cpa_agenda_packet.pdf

Community Preservation Committee meeting scheduled for Dec 6 at 7 PM

Town Council accepts Elk Riders donation, sets tax rate, approves sale of South Meeting House and more (audio)

FM #890 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 890 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. 7 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers, one member remote (Pellegri) and one member absent (Dellorco), hence all votes were via roll call.

Quick summary of meeting:

• Accepted donation from Elks Riders for the Veterans Services and Veterans Fund

• Held the Tax Classification Public Hearing prior to approving the single rate at 12.58%. Overall residential assessments rose approx 17% resulting in the drop of the rate from 14.05 to 12.58. There were a series of votes to complete the formal process to set the rate for this Fiscal Year 2023

• Approval to sell the Old South Meeting House to the Habitat for Humanity to convert to a single family affordable housing was granted by the Town Council to allow the Town Administrator to complete the paperwork and actions for the transaction

• Formal approval to purchase the new kiosks to be used in the town parking lots to implement the parking bylaw changes approved in the prior meetings was granted

• The Town Council approved as amended the calendar year 2023 meeting schedule. The one change was from Apr 9 to Apr 26. The document also included the Finance Committee and Community Preservation Committee proposed meeting schedules for reference. Those groups need to respectfully approve their own schedule

• The policy to formally call out the process and approvals required for naming any public property was approved. It had been referenced many times that such a policy existed but when it was looked for it could not be found, hence this is now in place.  

The recording runs about 1 hour and 50 minutes, so let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on November 30, 2022.

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-890-town-council-mtg-11-30-22

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

Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->

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

Watch the Franklin.TV video replay on YouTube -> https://youtu.be/FXWkMcix63s

My notes in one threaded PDF document (one correction, on the vote for the single tax rate my notes said the no vote was cast by Chandler when it was really Sheridan. Twitter doesn’t allow for editing tweets hence this note of acknowledgment.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uTxaQe3MXLug8od6xq5C_bqLzbDLoEjY/view?usp=share_link 

My 4 key tax rate charts as discussed in this session

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/good-news-tax-rate-is-going-down.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"

Members of the Elks Riders presented a donation to the Veterans Fund

Winter/Spring Registration is OPEN at Lifelong Community Learning

Looking Forward To Seeing You Soon

Lifelong Community Learning Winter/Spring Registration is OPEN Lifelong Community Learning View our exciting offerings & REGISTER! Hope you can join us! For additional details visit: www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Lifelong Learning Institute - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street, Room 137, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Wine & Chocolate? Yes, let's try some - Dec 8

Wright Old School Chocolate will be joining with Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits on Thursday Dec 8 at 7 PM. While wine is a good choice, there may be other alcoholic drink pairings offered to go with the chocolate. 

We expect to be casual and informative white enjoying each others company.

For more about Wright's Old School Chocolate you can visit their page ->   https://wrightoldschoolchocolate.com/

Pour Richard's was featured recently in our Shop Local for the Holidays series

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/the-shop-local-for-holidays-series.html

Wine & Chocolate? Yes, let's try some - Dec 8

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Winter Art Showcase - K-12 students display their art work - Dec 6

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) tweeted Fri, Dec 02, 2022:

"T minus 4 days until our Winter Art Showcase! K-12 students from across the district will display their masterful creations.  

Swing on by the @FranklinHS media center Tuesday, 12/6/22 from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm to join us in celebrating the artistic talent of our students" 

Shared from Twitter ->  https://t.co/vecT9L166p

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Winter Art Showcase - K-12 students display their art work - Dec 6

Franklin Senior Center schedules Winter Wonderland - Dec 15

Franklin Senior Center (@FranklinSrCntr) tweeted Fri, Dec 02, 2022:

Enjoy driving/walking around the Senior Center to view beautifully decorated trees & lights, visit with Santa, live entertainment, Hot Cocoa & Cookies, and more! 

Free to the public and fun for the whole family-an event you don't want to miss! #winterwonderland #community #lights 

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/wKyz0iL1vB

Franklin Senior Center schedules Winter Wonderland - Dec 15