Ad-hoc Town Administrator Review Cmte meets briefly to move formal review to Council (audio)

FM #925 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 925 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Ad Hoc committee for the Town Administrators Review. The meeting was held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 in the 3rd floor training room. I recorded this audio in the room. 

Subcommittee Chair Tom Mercer opens the meeting. Councilors Robert Dellorco and Glenn Jones participate. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and HR Director Karen Bratt are also in the room.

• Live reporting from the TA Ad-hoc Review Cmte meeting starting now, Chair Mercer, Councilors Dellorco Jones present along with TA Jamie Hellen and HR Director K Bratt

#tareview0125

• Summary draft provided to subcmte related to the Council goals discussed earlier this year (1/4/23) meeting. Credit to the staff recruited and operating under Jamie and to the work accomplished, Jamie happy to be here with these circumstances #tareview0125

• Nothing to add to the goals, other than the new committees, #tareview0125

• Per Jamie, looks great as drafted, we have a great team. Going to full committee for formal approval at the Feb 1 meeting, motion to move to Council, approved by 3-0; motion to adjourn, 3-0

The meeting runs about 8 minutes, so let’s listen to the Ad Hoc committee for the Town Administrators review meeting. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-925-tof-town-administrators-review-ad-hoc-cmte-mtg-01-25-2

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Agenda doc (no remote participation info) ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2023-01-25_ta_evaluation_agenda.pdf

My notes from the meeting

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xdviRoGYvAeeKXjBEeq6iRkbip9eI79_/view?usp=share_link 

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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"

Ad-hoc Town Administrator Review Cmte meets briefly to move formal review to Council (audio) 

Franklin Health Department: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

It is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. It is a common cancer in women and is prevented with vaccinations and screening.  

Learn more: www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

UN Report: "Our world is in a state of fracture – the social contract is broken"

Local Return (@LocalReturnRI) tweeted Thu, Jan 26, 2023:

"There is perhaps no stronger evidence of the pressing need to redesign our global system than the fact that a global health crisis doubled the wealth of the 10 richest men in the world while sending upwards of 120 million people into extreme poverty."

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/LocalReturnRI/status/1618665173698629632

Direct link to the full or overview of the report ->

https://www.unrisd.org/en/library/publications/crises-of-inequality

UN Report: "Our world is in a state of fracture – the social contract is broken"

  

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Jan 27, 2023

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

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

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

7:30 am    Madalene Village Environmental Review

9:00 am    Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo

11:00 am    Senior Connection: Sleep

12:00 pm    Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad

12:30 pm    Sandya: Pasta

1:00 pm    Physician Focus: Alzheimer's

1:30 pm    Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta

2:00 pm    New England Candlepins: Show 3

3:00 pm    Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 7

4:00 pm    Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Cookies

5:00 pm    Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture

8:30 pm    The Black Box: Wicked

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

7:00 am    Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022

8:30 am    It Takes A Village: Danny Lagarce

9:30 am    Franklin Rec Basketball: 3x3 Tournament Game 5

11:00 am    FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Medway 01-13-23

1:30 pm    Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 1 12-11-18

3:00 pm    SAFE Coalition: Critical Conversations

7:00 pm    FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Canton 01-17-23

9:00 pm    FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v King Philip 01-21-23

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

8:00 am    Zoning Board of Appeals: 01-19-23

2:00 pm    Zoning Board of Appeals: 01-19-23

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)

Get your Soul, Blues, & R&B fix with Diane Blue this Saturday, Jan 28 (8 PM) at THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX welcomes back Diane Blue with Joe Bargar and the Soul Providers! Ms. Blue is a soul-stirring vocalist and skillful harmonica player whose powerful delivery of Soul, Blues, & R&B is captivating. Her performances are charismatic and heartfelt, whether fronting her own world-class band, or singing alongside master Bluesman Ronnie Earl. Ms. Blue is the first female member of Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. She is prominently featured on the band's five most recent celebrated records (including co-writing credits).

Diane's reputation as a stunning entertainer has led her all over the United States and tours of Europe where audiences enjoy her traditional and original songs alike. A multi-nominated and award-winning artist, she performed at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tennessee in 2019, and competed at the 2011 International Blues Challenge.

Diane has shared the stage with many greats including Muddy Waters' guitarist Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson, Irma Thomas (the Soul Queen of New Orleans), and the late Big Jack Johnson (Mississippi) who called Diane a "monster on the harp." Ms. Blue tours in the U.S. and abroad as a featured performer, in addition to her duties with the Broadcasters. 

Tickets available online or by calling the box office ->  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1652

Get your Soul, Blues, & R&B fix with Diane Blue this Saturday, Jan 28 (8 PM) at THE BLACK BOX 

Historical Museum Fights Inflation with Silent Saturdays - Feb 18 & 25, 2023

The Franklin Historical Museum will take a wild and hilarious trip back in time to the heyday of silent films in the 1920s with movies by Harold Lloyd – the great comic genius.  And they will save you money, too.  When Harold Lloyd films were shown in Franklin a century ago, a ticket cost a quarter – but at the Franklin Historical Museum, the showing is FREE.  

If you’ve never experienced the fast-paced and sophisticated humor of the silent era, you are in for a treat at this FREE, all ages show. Kids and adults will be entranced! The Museum opens at 10 AM on Saturday and the film will be shown starting at 11:00 and finishing by about 12:30. The museum closes at 1. 

• Showing on Saturday, Feb. 18, Safety Last!, (73 minutes) a 1923 American silent romantic-comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. It includes one of the most famous images from the silent-film era: Lloyd clutching the hands of a large clock as he dangles from the outside of a skyscraper above moving traffic. 
• Showing Saturday, Feb. 25, The Freshman, (76 minutes) a 1925 American silent comedy film that tells the story of a college freshman trying to become popular by joining the school football team. It stars Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston, Brooks Benedict, and James Anderson. It remains one of Lloyd's most successful and enduring films.

Be sure to enjoy these School Vacation week treats!

Historical Museum Fights Inflation with Silent Saturdays - Feb 18 & 25, 2023

"Train Town Franklin" scheduled to run through Feb 5, 2023 at the Franklin Historical Museum

The Franklin Historical Museum will exhibit the first in a series of annual dioramas entitled, “Train Town Franklin"- which will feature a Historical Exact replica of the area around the train depot, circa 1932, a time when the rhythm of the daily trains set the pace for a small New England Town - and news from 'down at the depot' was the news everyone wanted to hear! 

Young and old will be captivated by this miniature look at "the way we used to be". The structures in this exhibit are built to exact scale from photographs and films taken from that period. Franklin native, and former Town Council Chair, Scott Mason utilizes his historical knowledge and model building skills to bring this exhibit to life!

The exhibit will run through February 5, 2023 and will be open to the public every Saturday 10 AM - 1 PM  and Sundays 1 PM - 4 PM with the exception of holidays.

"Train Town Franklin" scheduled to run through Feb 5, 2023 at the Franklin Historical Museum

You can view the photos of the exhibit that I have taken in my visits

https://photos.app.goo.gl/63swENWgBkK4xMrh8

Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/historical-commission/events/420166

A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister: 027 - Defining Faith, The Importance of Having It & Kathy's Departure (audio)

In this episode, Dr. Pandora Carlucci and Jay Horrigan are joined by Reverend Juncker, Reverend McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith, what it means to have faith, why faith extends beyond religion and announcing Reverend Kathy McAdams departure from the program.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b46c4b63-aed8-47b5-bf1a-15d77fbfe3f4

A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister Walk Into A Radio Station

A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister Walk Into A Radio Station - WFPR 

Bringing More Faith Into Your Day Jay Horrigan and Dr. Pandora Carlucci join Pastor Juncker, Reverend McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their congregations and how listeners can embrace faith in their own lives.

Find all the episodes in your favorite podcast app or online here ->
https://priest-rabbi-minister.captivate.fm/episodes 

Franklin School Committee reviews FHS program of studies & approved Westboro for membership to the Accept Collaborative (audio)

FM #924 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 924 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers with six members present and one member (M Whitmore) remote. Hence all votes were via roll call.

School Committee Chair Denise Spencer opens the meeting at 7:00 PM. 

Key items on the agenda

• Update from Supt Giguere on the Inclement Weather Policy, now that we have had some weather to deal with, a reminder on the process, how it is coordinated with DPW, Police and Fire. Additional details posted on FPS page (see link below)

• FHS Program of Studies - Principal Josh Hanna presented an update on the program highlighting some changes to add courses, and answered questions from the School Committee. He acknowledged as he began that this was the results of a whole team of effort, many of whom were out and about tonight with student activities. The PDF of my notes captures screen presentation pages. The presentation doc should get posted soon to the meeting folder so you can find additional details

• Accept Collaborative presentation - E Stokes recused herself from this portion of the meeting to avoid a conflict of interest. The presentation provided an overview of the services and work among the collaborative to support the needs of the students in the district. This was all in advance of a discussion and vote by the Committee to approve the application of Westborough into the Collaborative (each member needs to do so, it was mentioned this is the first of a few). The Committee voted unanimously (6-0-1; 6 for, 0 no, 1 - recuse)

• Proposed school committee meeting calendar and Accept Collaborative report were among the items for discussion only

• The Committee did enter Executive Session not to return to open meeting

The show notes contain a link to the full agenda and to my notes & photos captured via Twitter during the meeting. 

The recording runs about 1 hour and 40 minutes, so let’s listen to the Franklin School Committee on January 24, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-924-town-of-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-24-23

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School Committee page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

Inclement weather page -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/weather_2022_2.pdf 

Video link -> https://youtu.be/6f53S5iyXpU 

The agenda doc contains info on remote participation -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_1-24-23.pdf 

All the documents released for this meeting (some after the meeting) can be found in one folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/january-24-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

My Twitter notes are here in one PDF file ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pWMoZmkmt2nkhBczlP0QYMBbBVPrew5d/view?usp=share_link 

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

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/

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"

FHS Principal Josh Hanna

Inclusionary zoning moved to Town Council by unanimous Economic Development Steering Cmte vote (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee "Plus" met as scheduled on Wednesday in a longer session and they accomplished in the longer session what they had not been able to do in their shorter session; have a healthy discussion and bring multiple topics to a conclusion. 

After multiple votes to narrow down the choices on a couple of items in the table, agreement was reached and the full inclusionary zoning referral was made unanimously.

The Franklin TV replay for this session is available ->   https://youtu.be/HukEWlkid6Q

The agenda doc for the meeting can be found here ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_jan_25_2023.pdf

The audio and my recap will be available in a couple of days. In the meantime my notes via Twitter can be found in one PDF here ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/19389zqBsU2LEnQMp64-WnpJKMFJHB5W8/view?usp=share_link

All seven members of the committee were present in the Council Chambers

"Major investments to shift away from US car dependency would have benefits"

Daniel Aldana Cohen (@aldatweets) tweeted:

"We got so sick of hearing about all the lithium we need to carpet the roads w electric cars. So we did the 1st study to quantify alternatives. Leading w mass transit, ebikes, and urban density cuts lithium demand by up to 90%, while slashing carbon & giving us mobility & freedom. https://t.co/g77RwmXtIi"

The Guardian article highlights the study 

"The US’s transition to electric vehicles could require three times as much lithium as is currently produced for the entire global market, causing needless water shortages, Indigenous land grabs, and ecosystem destruction inside and outside its borders, new research finds.

It warns that unless the US’s dependence on cars in towns and cities falls drastically, the transition to lithium battery-powered electric vehicles by 2050 will deepen global environmental and social inequalities linked to mining – and may even jeopardize the 1.5C global heating target.

But ambitious policies investing in mass transit, walkable towns and cities, and robust battery recycling in the US would slash the amount of extra lithium required in 2050 by more than 90%.

In fact, this first-of-its-kind modeling shows it is possible to have more transport options for Americans that are safer, healthier and less segregated, and less harmful mining while making rapid progress to zero emissions."

Continue reading the article in The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/24/us-electric-vehicles-lithium-consequences-research

Introduction to to the report ->

https://www.climateandcommunity.org/more-mobility-less-mining

Link to the report itself ->

https://www.climateandcommunity.org/_files/ugd/d6378b_3b79520a747948618034a2b19b9481a0.pdf

Found via Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/aldatweets/status/1617918544712462337

 the lithium we need to carpet the roads w electric cars

1st study to quantify alternatives

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Jan 26, 2023

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

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p   Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm   Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents 

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

7:30 am    Veterans' Call: VA Pension

9:00 am    Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture

10:30 am    SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports

11:30 am    Comfort Food: Comfort Food

12:00 pm    Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad

12:30 pm    Sandya: Pasta

1:00 pm    Physician Focus: Alzheimer's

1:30 pm    Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta

2:00 pm    New England Candlepins: Show 3

3:00 pm    Joe Landry: Grocery Stores

4:30 pm    Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo

5:30 pm    Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 7

7:00 pm    Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 1 - Tweed funk

8:00 pm    Community Arts Advocacy Day: A Discussion

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

7:00 am    Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 1

8:30 am    SAFE Coalition: Critical Conversations

12:30 pm    Franklin Rec Basketball: 3x3 Tournament Game 5

2:00 pm    Public School Concert: Sullivan Winter Music 2019

3:30 pm    Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 7

4:00 pm    Metrowest Symposium: Sharing Identity on Social Media

7:30 pm    FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 01-05-23

9:30 pm    Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 1 12-11-18

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

8:00 am    Conservation Commission: 01-12-23

11:30 am    Finance Committee: 01-11-23

2:00 pm    Conservation Commission: 01-12-23

7:00 pm    Conservation Commission: LIVE, Chambers 874 7447 0020

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 Cultural District: #artshappenhere as January winds down

January is coming to an end already and although there seems to be less events on the calendar the #artshappenhere continues! 

Wednesday, January 25

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (recording session at Franklin TV studio)

6:00pm - HeartStopper Book Club (Middle-High School) (Escape into Fiction bookstore)

Friday, January 27

5:30pm - Blue Jazz Trio (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

Saturday, January 28

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

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am - Train Town exhibit (HO scale replica of Depot Station) (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:30am - Lunar New Year Celebration (Franklin Public Library)

12:00pm - Cousins Maine Lobster (food truck) (La Cantina Winery)

3:30pm - Best Buddies Students vs Staff Basketball Game (fund raiser) (Franklin High School)

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

8:00pm - Diane Blue (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

Sunday, January 29

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm - Train Town exhibit (HO scale replica of Depot Station) (Franklin Historical Museum)

3:00pm - Women In Business Meeting (Escape Into Fiction bookstore)

Tuesday, January 31

2:30pm - Rainbow Café (LGBTQ+ community) (Franklin Senior Center)

6:00pm - Poetry for the People - January (Escape Into Fiction bookstore)

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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!