Franklin Cultural District: choices for this holiday weekend as #artshappenhere

Going into the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, a variety of events to take part in. 

Wednesday, January 11

11:00am - Mobile Monthly Food Pantry (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm - Franklin's Newcomers Meeting (Escape Into Fiction)

Escape Into Fiction

Thursday, January 12

7:00pm - Wine Barre 02038 (Intermission Café)

Friday, January 13

5:30pm - Moxie (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

67 Degrees Brewing

Saturday, January 14

10:00am - Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free) (Train Town Franklin on display)

10:30am - Winter Time Story Time (for all ages) (Escape Into Fiction)

12:00pm - Raina's Plate Taproom Tailgate (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)

5:30pm - Lincoln St Groove Project (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

8:00pm - Viva Las Elvis Tribute Concert (live performance) (THE BLACK BOX)

Sunday, January 15

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free) (Train Town Franklin on display)

Monday, January 16 = Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 17

6:00pm - Dean Neighborhood Alliance (Dean College)

6:00pm - Reception and book announcement (Franklin Library Assoc history) (Franklin Public Library)

6:30pm - "Ben’s Donation at 245 - an Exploration of the Role of Libraries in America’s Democracy, Then, Now, and in the Future" (panel discussion) (Franklin Public Library)

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Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

The Franklin TV video recording of the School Committee meeting 1/10/23 is available (video)

The Franklin School Committee met on Tuesday for 3 hours & 15 minutes. The Franklin TV recording is available via YouTube. 

Video link ->  https://youtu.be/YUW5pojSym4

The agenda doc contains info on remote participation

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_1-10-23.pdf

All the documents released for this meeting (some after the meeting) can be found in one folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-10-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

My Twitter notes are here in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Gyl1CsepTlIidRXDbeVU7GOf4M_lzqz/view?usp=share_link

My recap and the meeting audio will be available in the next couple of days.

The Special Education portion of the meeting was lead by (L to R) Asst Supt Paula Marano, Jennifer Graveline, and Andrew Duquette

Both FHS girls and boys basketball teams top Sharon on Tuesday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below. 

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 78 @ Sharon, 51 – Final

 – Franklin had a dominant showing in the second half, pouring in 22 points in the third and 23 more points in the fourth to run away with a big win over Sharon. The Panthers established a 33-25 lead at halftime but the offense came to life with eight players finding the scoring column in the second half. Junior Sean O’Leary stayed hot on the offensive end with a game-high 25 points while senior Ben Harvey had a stellar game with 15 points, including 10 in the second half. Justin Allen hit a trio of three-pointers on the game and scored 10 of his 13 points after the break and Geino Scaringello added a pair of threes and 10 points total. Jacob McLoughlin led a balanced scoring attack for the Eagles with 10 points while Matt Baur and Nate Katznelson each had nine points.

Girls Basketball = Sharon, 31 @ Franklin, 73 – Final 

– Thirteen players got on the score sheet for the Panthers, who won for the second straight game. Franklin took a 29-15 lead into the locker room, but scored 44 points in the second half to pull away for a convincing victory. Katie Peterson scored 15 points for the hosts, including 11 of their 19 in the third quarter. Sasha Tracey had nine, all in the second half, and Bridget Leo, Caelyn Leonard, and Lizzie Newman each finished with eight points for Franklin. Jasmine Davis scored a game-high 21 points for the Eagles, continuing her impressive junior season. Carmen Leonardi chipped in with six, all in the third quatter.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 0 vs. Algonquin, 3 – Final

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-10-23/

FHS Panthers

Pantherbook: Student Spotlight - The Tyler Morrill Story

Ryan Martin has a great profile of Tyler Morrill:

"You’re in the championship. With the gold medal on the line, the score is tied. As the clock winds down the few seconds it has left, your teammate zips a pass in your direction. You nail the shot as the buzzer sounds, sending everyone into a frenzy: You are a champion.

The narrative has been dreamed of and practiced by countless kids on turf fields, ice rinks, and courts around the world. For Franklin’s Tyler Morrill, the moment came to fruition last June as he was a part of the Franklin Unified Basketball Team. Morrill’s buzzer-beater in the Special Olympics final crowned Franklin the Gold medalists.

“I was so confident I was going to make that shot!” Morrill said, grinning."

Continue reading the article at Pantherbook ->

https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2023/01/09/student-spotlight-the-tyler-morrill-story/ 

Morrill (far right) stands with the FHS girls' varsity basketball team prior to their game against Wachusett

Tri-County RVTHS Computer Information Systems Students’ Win Gold and Silver Placement in Statewide CyberPatriot Competition

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School CIS sophomores and juniors competed in the state round of the CyberPatriot competition in December. CyberPatriot is an educational program created by the Air & Space Force Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines that are critical to our nation’s future. At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation’s largest cyber defense competition that tasks middle and high school students nationwide to secure virtual networks.

The statewide competition was held on December 9, 2022 and two teams from Tri-County RVTHS placed in the Silver and Gold Level of the State Competition. The Competition is comprised of several rounds and teams are slotted into Silver, Gold, or Platinum tiers after the first two rounds. Sophomores: Conor Cadorette from Franklin, Corey Ball from Medway, William Godfrey from Seekonk, John Raymond from Franklin, and Cayden Bourassa from Seekonk placed 1st in the Silver Level and will move onto semi-final regionals to be held January 20th and 21st. Juniors: Tristan Poirier from North Attleboro, James O’Brien from North Attleboro, Noah Renner from Norfolk, Troy Casto of Seekonk, Sean Vengren of Walpole, and Cameron Jones of Plainville placed 8th in the Gold Level.

Back Row: (L to R) -> William Godfrey (Seekonk)   Corey Ball (Medway)   Conor Cadorette (Franklin)

Seated: (L to R) -> Cayden Bourassa (Seekonk)  John Raymond (Franklin)

The CyberPatriot competition allows students to gain hands-on experience of securing a virtual network. Students are asked to find and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities in virtual operating systems then using a proprietary competition system, teams are scored on how secure they make the system. “The CyberPatriot Competition is an opportunity for students to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom to a simulated real-world situation. Students gain experience and confidence through the program which is invaluable,” stated Kimberly Zogalis, CIS Instructor.

For more about Tri-County visit their page ->  https://tri-county.us/

Tri-County RVTHS Students’ Planning for the Future

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) worked in collaboration with Tri-County RVTHS Legal and Protective Services Career Major to introduce interested juniors and seniors to the variety of employment options available after to them after graduation. Students in Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Electrical Wiring Technology, Plumbing & Hydronic Heating, Engineering, HVAC&R, and Metal Fabrication were welcome to sit for a brief conversation with Director of Recruitment Jennithan Cortez and Recruitment Specialist Jevon Brown-Simpson.

Cortez and Brown-Simpson spoke to the students about the opportunities available in the fifteen different facilities throughout the state as an excellent way to get their foot in the door after graduation. The students learned what a typical day would consist of, benefits available including pension and tuition reimbursement, union membership, salary and work culture. The students and instructors were able to ask questions and were encouraged to reach out for assistance with the application process if necessary. Brown-Simpson commented, “This was by far the best experience I have had recruiting. Your students were great, and the entire format was very conducive to our objective of meeting all the programs. I want to highlight how impressed Director Cortes and I were with the entire experience.”

Culinary Arts

The DOC stayed to host an Open House “Job Fair” for interested Tri-County alumni. “This program showcased the variety of employment opportunities available for our students they may have not considered otherwise. Whether they are looking for employment directly after high school graduation or want to attend college, the DOC offers a range of careers that fit well with the Career Majors Tri-County offers,” said Brenna Ferrick, Legal & Protective Services Instructor and organizer of this event.

We drove around New England looking for EV chargers (and the best doughnuts). It was easier than we expected. - The Boston Globe

"In Massachusetts, the share of registrations for electric cars has more than tripled since 2019 and represents 5 percent of all new cars registered in 2022. It’s a similar story across New England and across the country.

But there’s one big adjustment to owning an electric car: EV drivers cannot rely on the century-old ecosystem of a gas station around every corner. Instead, they need to plan their trips based on the availability of a growing but still spotty network of charging stations. Tesla has built its own network of widespread and speedy chargers but, at least for now, they’re only accessible to Tesla EVs.

The build-out of charging infrastructure is critical if the region wants to successfully entice millions of car owners to make the switch to electric and slash climate-warming emissions. After all, drivers aren’t likely to ditch their gas vehicle if they’re going to have to worry constantly about running out of charge.

To test the current state of EV infrastructure, we took off on a 400-mile road trip across New England in two typical — but quite different — electric cars. One of us (Aaron) drove a Kia Niro EV purchased a year ago while the other (Sabrina) rented the flashy Tesla Model 3 Performance."

Continue reading the article online at the Boston Globe -> (subscription may be required)  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/10/science/we-drove-around-new-england-looking-ev-chargers-best-doughnuts-it-was-easier-than-we-expected/

Aaron Pressman and Sabrina Shankman at Donut Dip in West Springfield while on their journey traveling New England in EVs. CARLIN STIEHL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Tickets On Sale Now: HMEA Presents Studio Two | A Tribute to The Beatles

The Beloved Event is Back!

Live at THE BLACK BOX in Franklin, MA on Saturday, February 25, 2023, HMEA Presents Studio Two: A Tribute to the Early Years of The Beatles! All tickets include event entry, door prize drawing entry, access to the cash bar, raffle area, and complimentary dessert bar. Reserved tables with premium seating now available! Door Prize valued at $500 Raffle Prize Packages valued at $250 and up Learn More | Purchase Tickets Benefits include free event tickets, bonus raffle and door prize tickets, and an exclusive opportunity to meet the band! With sponsor levels starting at just $100, there's something to meet every budget! View Sponsor Opportunities Set up for the event, greet guests, sell raffle tickets, take photos, and help with other important volunteer roles. Volunteers receive free event admission, 10 free raffle tickets, 1 door prize drawing entry, access to the dessert bar, and as much time on the dance floor as they'd like! Must be at least 15 years of age to volunteer. Volunteer shifts can be flexible, depending on ability and availability. Questions about volunteering? Contact Sam Shepherd sshepherd@hmea.org Sign Up to Volunteer All proceeds benefit the programs of HMEA, supporting more than 5,000 children, adults, and families throughout MA and RI. HMEA's mission is to teach, support, and empower people with developmental disabilities, and their families, to live meaningful lives of their choice. Thanks for your support!

HMEA | 8 Forge Park East, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by hmea@hmea.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Space Needs and Facilities Assessment Subcommittee - Jan 12, 2023 - 5:30 PM

Space Needs and Facilities Assessment Subcommittee

Virtual Meeting, link in agenda

Agenda

1. Call to Order 
2. Redistricting Working Session Update 
3. 1/17/22 Redistricting Advisory Committee Prep

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda_space_needs_and_facilities_assessment_subcommittee.docx.pdf

Space Needs and Facilities Assessment Subcommittee - Jan 12, 2023 - 5:30 PM

Good graphic on significant US climate events during 2022

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) tweeted on Tue, Jan 10, 2023:

"In 2022, the US experienced 18 billion-plus dollar weather and climate events. 

Over the last ten years there's been one event on average every 3 weeks: compared to the 1980s when there was one every 4 months.  "

https://t.co/a1UAKo4wSS  or -> https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/

https://t.co/Lxnsu1tD9P  or ->   https://twitter.com/KHayhoe/status/1612860893632630812

Good graphic on significant US climate events during 2022

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, Jan 11, 2023

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

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)

• This slot features my conversation with  Scott Martin, Jim Downs, & Mary Clermont of the Hockomock YMCA as talk about their 50th anniversary and programs they provide to the community   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/discussing-50th-anniversary-of.html

10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock

Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

• This hour features my Town Council Quarterbacking session with Council Chair Tom Mercer as we condense the Jan 4, 2023 meeting https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/town-council-quarterbacking-gets-inside.html

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

7:00 am         Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta

7:30 am         It Takes A Village: Danny Lagarce

8:30 am         Veterans' Oral History Project: Dave Cargill

10:00 am ArtWeek: Art + Music

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Appetizers

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad

12:30 pm Sandhya: Donuts

1:00 pm         Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Medical Marijuana

1:30 pm         Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

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

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 11

3:30 pm         ArtWeek: Ed Iannuccilli

4:45 pm         Veterans' Call: VA Pension

6:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Jeff Roy

9:00 pm The Black Box: Beth Leavel

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

7:00 am         Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

8:30 am         Franklin Rec Basketball: 3x3 Tournament Game 4

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins

11:00 am FHS Winter Chorus & Orchestra 2022

12:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Wachusett 01-04-23

2:30 pm         FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Mansfield-OA-Foxboro 01-04-23

5:00 pm FHS Winter Chorus & Orchestra 2022

9:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v East Greenwich 01-01-23

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

8:00 am Town Council 01-04-23

2:00 pm Town Council 01-04-23

7:00 pm       Finance Committee: LIVE, Chambers, 871 6325 6771

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)

Greater Franklin Virtual Career Fair - Feb 8, 2023

MassHire Career Centers and the Town of Franklin Veterans Services have collaborated to provide job seekers of all backgrounds and experience the opportunity to virtually apply and meet with a variety of employers throughout Franklin and Surrounding Areas. 

Using the Premier Virtual platform, MassHire Career Centers will work with Job Seekers and Employers to make those important connections at your convenience from your own home!

Date: Wednesday, February 8 2023 

Time: 4:30 to 6:30 - General Public

Veteran Job Seekers receive early access!

Free for all job seekers and employers.

Step 1: Register for this event through Premier Virtual: Career Fair Registration Link 

PLEASE NOTE- All attendees must also be registered in Mass JobQuest as you need your JobQuest Job Seeker ID to complete your registration. Please visit: https://jobquest.dcs.eol.mass.gov/jobquest/LandingPage.aspx to register.

Step 2: Create Your Profile

If you have already participated in a Premier Virtual Event:

o Your profile will be saved and just needs to be updated.

If you have not participated in a Premier Virtual Event:

o Please follow the instructions provided by Premier. It is important to have a digital version of your resume ready to upload.

Once registered in Premier, a MassHire Representative will be in touch with all event details including the complete list of participating employers

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share with others

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Uno6czzFJ2uuPg5wZ1gcfwu5olDlQQFv/view?usp=share_link

Greater Franklin Virtual Career Fair - Feb 8, 2023

Town of Franklin: FY23 Capital Plan Proposal

January 6, 2023

To:    Finance Committee

From:  Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

Re: FY23 Capital Plan Proposal

Please find the attached Capital Plan for FY23, as well as the five-year capital plan from each department as required by the Town Charter. Included with this memo is a sheet with the 20-year free cash history. The average is $3.26 million over the past ten years and $2.75 Million over the past 20 years. FY22 an unusually large year in excess, unspent revenue due to the continued adaptation around symptoms from the pandemic.

From the certified total, there are several policy commitments that eat into the total right off the bat, most notably contributions to stabilization accounts (per town policy) as well as the usual recommendation from staff to hold revenue for annual snow and ice removal. See narrative below for more specifics.

These recommendations are Round 1 of the FY23 Capital program. Once we know the final totals of the winter costs for snow removal, if there are remaining funds, staff will propose a “Round 2” Capital later in April. Traditionally we have used this excess to fund road and infrastructure projects.

The following is an overview of certified free cash status for FY23:

FY23 Capital Plan Proposal

a. Town Administrator FY23 Capital recommendations memo -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_memo.pdf

b. FY23 Department Summary Requests & Capital Plans  -   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/capital_requests_5yr_plan_sheets.pdf

Can we talk? Understanding Real Estate at the Senior Center Jan 12, 2023 at 11 AM

Via Ted Cormier-Leger:

"As a real estate agent, I get asked a lot about the state of the housing market. Buyers are worried about mortgage rates. Sellers want top dollar for their home but wonder where they will move to. People 55 and older are thinking about downsizing but sometimes do not know where to begin.

So please join me and Bob Melone on Thursday, 11am at the Franklin Senior Center. We will keep it light, fun and informal. And it’s FREE. Thanks! "

Ted Cormier-Leger, Realtor

Suburban Lifestyle Real Estate (Franklin office)

617.686.1265

Shared from Facebook -> 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3354744654795537/

A staggering real estate statics drove my recent conversation with Ted Cormier-Leger   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/real-estate-inventory-statistic-centers.html

Can we talk? Understanding Real Estate at the Senior Center Jan 12, 2023 at 11 AM