Monday, April 24, 2023

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Apr 24, 2023

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

9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong
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

9:00 am     Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament
11:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs
12:30 pm Sandya: Crepes
1:00 pm     Cooking Thyme: Spring
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta
2:00 pm New England Candlepins Fall 2018 Show 1
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7
6:00 pm Veterans' Call: John Milot
6:30 pm     Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta
7:00 pm     Frank Presents: Chris Woolf
8:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 4 - Dicenso Clark
9:00 pm School Committee Legislative Forum 2023

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

8:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Bishop Feehan 04-18-23
11:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
12:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Medfield 04-18-23
3:30 pm     FHS Chamber Music 2023
6:00 pm Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament
7:00 pm     School Committee Legislative Forum 2023

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

8:00 am Planning Board: 03-27-23
12:00 pm OSRP: 04-20-23
2:00 pm Planning Board: 03-27-23
7:00 pm     Planning Board: LIVE, Chambers 846 9409 4573

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)

Sunday, April 23, 2023

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for April 26, 2023 meeting

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL
Agenda & Meeting Packet
April 26, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers
355 East Central Street


1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled.

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM
a. Transfer of Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License and Approval of Parth Patel as the Manager - Marlboro Food, Inc. d/b/a 7-Eleven 37380B, Located at 664 Union St.  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6a._1_-_7-eleven_legal_ad_application_redacted.pdf
i. See 7: License Transactions (a) below

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. Transfer of Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License and Approval of Parth Patel as the Manager - Marlboro Food, Inc. d/b/a 7-Eleven, Located at 664 Union St.   
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._1_license_transaction_-_7-eleven_transfer_of_section_15.pdf
b. Robert Vozzella / La Cantina Winery - Farmer-Winery, Farmer’s Market License   
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7b._license_transaction_-_la_cantina.pdf
 
8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Discussion: Open Space & Recreation Plan Update - Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation Agent and Natural Resources Manager   
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._1_-_memo_-_osrp_presentation_.pdf
b. Discussion: Display of Flags on Town Flagpoles or Property   
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._flags_0.pdf
9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 23-28: Town Council Approval of County ARPA Funds
(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-28 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._23-28_arpa_700k.pdf

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Budget Subcommittee
d. GATRA Advisory Board
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The Complete Agenda 109 page doc 

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for April 26, 2023 meeting
Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for April 26, 2023 meeting

Five Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention

As adults, perhaps our biggest responsibility in our lifetime is to protect our children, and the uncertainty of the world today has made that more important now than ever before. 

Statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that 1 in 10 children in the United States are sexually abused before their 18th birthday, typically by someone they know and trust; and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that 1 in 5 children will be solicited sexually on the internet. Child sexual abuse is happening regardless of age, gender, race, religion or socio-economic class.

But these are not just numbers. Behind every number is a child, a child who has been robbed of their innocence. A child whose life will forever have been changed by the heinous act of an adult. We owe it to our children, and we owe it to their future, to do better. 

As part of our commitment to social responsibility to the communities we serve, the Hockomock Area YMCA, along with YMCAs throughout Massachusetts and across the nation will be sponsoring Five Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention, a campaign committed to raise awareness and inspire adults to take an active role to protect children from sexual abuse. 

While child protection is our Y’s number one priority every day, this critical campaign will run from April 24th through April 28th as we approach summertime, and will shine a collective spotlight on how everyone can do something to prevent child sexual abuse. 

Our Y will share information and resources each day to our members and community partners about how adults can prevent, recognize and respond to child sexual abuse situations to keep children safe.

Help us prevent child sexual abuse through Know, See, Respond.  When adults know how abuse happens, see the warning signs, and respond quickly to prevent abuse, they foster a culture of child abuse prevention. Together we can bring awareness to the issue of child sexual abuse in our communities and have important conversations on how we can all work together to prevent it from happening. Please join our YMCA to spread important awareness and resources with your social networks and family and friends around this devastating epidemic.

Our YMCA is proud to have partnered and collaborated with school systems, municipalities and other human service organizations throughout our service area to help bring awareness, education and training regarding this issue. We remain committed to this collaborative cause and our effort to be part of a community-based prevention movement.  

Please visit one of our three branches to sign a pledge to protect kids all year long. We invite you to wear blue on Wednesday, April 26th, to show your support of protecting all children from sexual abuse.

For more information and resources, visit our website at hockymca.org/child-protection or email protectkids@hockymca.org. In addition to reviewing our online resources, the community is invited to a no-cost Bystander Training at Plainridge Park Casino on Monday, April 24th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

As responsible adults, we need to give children a happy, healthy and safe childhood. Our world needs them, and they need us. Let’s give them the childhood they deserve.    

Jim Downs
CEO, Hockomock Area YMCA

Franklin TV: New Normal is Not Normal!

We, the People – are Aimlessly Angry.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 04/23/2023

Recently I sat with a long-time friend about to retire. In our casual conversation I
switched to my ersatz ‘Mr. Media’ voice.

“Annnd, we’re back live discussing Bob’s upcoming retirement – wrapping up a career after 16 years behind the counter at his most recent job. Tell us, Bob – What was the best part of a day on the job?”

“The People.”

– Interesting – and what was the worst aspect of your workday?

“The People.”

He went on to explain that in the normal course of any day there were folks who were gracious, civil, kind. There were also people who were horribly rude, angry at the world, and not the easiest to satisfy. As a general take-away, Bob saw that the more recent exchanges with his clients were trending in the wrong direction.

“These days more people seem to have a longer face; a shorter fuse.”

Our New Normal has taken on an impatient impertinence – a subtle, simmering of background frustrations. These can emerge as displaced anger that pervades the day-to-day of everyday – of ordinary life.

True, that each of us carries our own bag of personal frustrations. We can begin to move our personal New Normal in a more positive direction. Through the smallest acts of simple thoughtful civility, we can reframe our day, our general outlook.

We can choose to be a positive moment in someone else’s New Normal. Even the
smallest exercise of social graces can make our own New Normal all the better. What is our normal – new or otherwise? It can be what we choose to make of it. We can be those people who are remembered as the best part of someone’s day.

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   


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

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 052 - Sproing, Love Poems, Egocentricity, and more (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group share stories, poems, and writings about How Spring Has Sproing, Poems of love, Egocentricity and more.
 
This episode aired on Franklin Radio for April 2023.
 
 
Senior Story Hour - WFPR = The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group
Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more. 
Find more episodes here (or on your favorite podcast app) ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episodes
Senior Story Hour - WFPR
Senior Story Hour - WFPR
 

MMA: "Newly enhanced BioMap available to support local conservation efforts"

"The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy have enhanced an online resource, known as BioMap, that identifies critical lands and waters throughout Massachusetts most in need of conservation.

For more than 20 years, BioMap has been an important tool for proactive and high-impact conservation by state agencies, land trusts, municipalities, non-government organizations, academics, and other partners.

BioMap identifies the most critical habitats for rare species and the diversity and abundance of plants and wildlife. These resilient and intact ecosystems and landscapes are essential for both nature and people in the face of climate change."
Continue reading the Article at the Mass Municipal Assoc page ->

Go directly to the updated BioMap and explore the interactive map and other resources provided  -> mass.gov/BioMap.

All you need to know about the stormwater utility fee & what to do before July 1, 2023 (video)

All you need to know about the stormwater fee commencing July 1,2023. We get into the development of this fee since 2008, the EPA unfunded mandate, the increasing costs that Town is absorbing, how the utility fee structure will make management of these costs more equitable and fair going forward.


We talk about the  GIS information you can use to confirm your impervious coverage, and the steps you can take to apply for credits or abatements.


My thanks to Derek Adams, Stormwater & Environmental Affairs Superintendent; Kate Sjoberg, Director of GIS, Town Councilor Melanie Hamblen, and last but not least, Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi, DPW director for their help in preparing this video overview. Thanks also go to Chris Flynn and Chris Leverone of Franklin TV for their work recording and editing this video.



Video overview link -> https://youtu.be/klrXLBQJmoE 




Credit manual (draft) ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/draft_stormwater_utility_credit_manual_rev_3_10.24.22_watermark.pdf 


Impervious Area Map  ->  https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5 


Video archive 

DPW Stormwater Management 05/22/2019 link -> https://youtu.be/N5k353qtAig


DPW Stormwater Management 03/06/20  link -> https://youtu.be/oNQVHT-Xl48 


DPW Stormwater Management 03/11/20   link -> https://youtu.be/SIiXKBcnDeY 


DPW Stormwater Management 09/09/20  link ->  https://youtu.be/nc-CkfeD4M8


DPW Stormwater Management 05/22/19

   

 DPW Stormwater Management 03/06/20

   

 DPW Stormwater Management 03/11/20 

   

 DPW Stormwater Management 09/09/20 


FHS boys lacrosse fall to St John's Prep on Saturday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, April 22, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.


Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 8 @ St. John’s Prep, 16 – Final 
– Franklin stayed close with the top team in the state through three quarters before Prep put the game away late. Luke Davis continued his strong start to the season with two goals and two helpers, while Jayden Consigli had a hat trick and Tyler Sacchetti added a pair of goals. Justin Alexander had his toughest test of the season but won 15-of-28 face-offs. Michael Galvin made five stops in goal and Matt Corvi added three saves.

For other results around the League

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Empty bowls tickets on sale - May 18

Empty Bowls is 4 weeks away (Thursday, May 18 from 6 to 8 PM)

We will have a meal of bread and soup and every attendee gets a beautiful handmade bowl created by the FHS Empty Bowls Club to remind them that somewhere, someone's bowl is empty 

This is a family friendly event and we hope to see you there!

Click here to purchase tickets 


Empty bowls tickets on sale - May 18
Empty bowls tickets on sale - May 18 

Shared from Facebook -> 

Pew Research Center: "Podcasts as a Source of News and Information"

"Key takeaways
  • Podcasts are popular: About half of Americans have listened to a podcast in the past year, and one-in-five of those listeners say they listen to a podcast nearly every day
  • Listeners turn to podcasts for entertainment, learning, and simply to have something to listen to while doing something else
  • Comedy, entertainment, and politics are at the top of the list of topics that podcast listeners say they regularly listen to
  • Most podcast listeners say they hear news discussed on podcasts – however, just one-in-five listeners say they listen to a podcast that’s connected to a news organization"

 

Poynter: Podcasts as a Source of News and Information
Poynter: Podcasts as a Source of News and Information

Continue reading the study results -> 
 

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Critical Conversations - Perspectives on Student Wellbeing - Apr 26 at 7 PM

Join us on 4/26/2023 @ 7 PM in the @FranklinHS Auditorium for our Critical Conversations event. 
Engage with our Keynote Nicole Clermont and our panel of community members as they reflect and offer various perspectives on managing stressors. 
Event details -> https://t.co/9KZMd6mrIL   or https://www.franklinps.net/district/events/93856
Shared from -> https://t.co/0D1Et4ldDV

Critical Conversations - Perspectives on Student Wellbeing
Critical Conversations - Perspectives on Student Wellbeing


Critical Conversations - Perspectives on Student Wellbeing - Apr 26  at 7 PM
Critical Conversations - Perspectives on Student Wellbeing - Apr 26  at 7 PM

Senator Rausch Celebrates Earth Month With Legislation To Drive Climate Action And Environmental Justice

This Earth Month, Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) joins community leaders, activists, and experts to raise awareness about environmental protection work targeted at achieving our Commonwealth’s climate action goals. Earlier this term, Senator Rausch, who serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources, filed several bills to decrease carbon emissions, improve air quality, reduce plastic pollution, and build a more sustainable future for all.
“Climate change is among the greatest challenges of our time, and we must address it immediately and comprehensively,” said Senator Rausch. “The robust climate action we need must enhance our recently enacted legislation by further reducing dangerous carbon emissions, curbing single-use plastics that pollute our environment, restoring air quality, and enhancing environmental justice.”

Single-use plastics such as bags, bottles, and utensils are produced using fossil fuels and have detrimental effects on the environment, marine life, and public health. Moreover, less than 10 percent of existing plastics are recycled. While nearly half the municipalities in the Commonwealth have adopted single-use plastic bag rules, it is estimated that Massachusetts residents use more than 2 billion plastic bags per year and statewide plastic reduction legislation has yet to pass.

An Act to reduce plastics (S.570), filed by Senator Rausch, seeks to reduce single-use plastics in the Commonwealth by enacting a uniform plastic bag ban, disposable food service ware limits, and a permanent statewide car seat recycling program. The Plastic Reduction Act would also create an Environmental Protection Trust Fund to support environmental justice populations and small businesses in their transition to environmentally friendly products.

As the Plastic Reduction Act expands on the successes of municipalities, this session’s updated Better Buildings Act (S.2178) builds upon prior successes at the state level secured by Senator Rausch and a broad coalition of environmental experts and activists. With large building energy reporting requirements already enacted into law, this bill would create statewide energy efficiency standards for existing large buildings, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting our ongoing climate action efforts.

Greenhouse gas emissions damage the planet’s ozone layer, leading to negative impacts for human and environmental health. Just last week, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued an air quality alert across eastern and northeastern counties in the Commonwealth, asking people with heart or lung disease to reduce prolonged exposure outdoors as they are at greater risk of health complications from increases in ozone levels. Air pollution remains a silent killer in Massachusetts, responsible for an estimated 2,780 deaths in 2019. “Large buildings account for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts. We must use every tool in our toolbox to address the serious
 
harms of air pollution on residents of the Commonwealth. The Better Buildings Act is necessary climate action legislation to improve energy efficiency, replacing fossil fuel heating with cleaner alternatives,” said Senator Rausch.

Senator Rausch also filed legislation to improve air quality through converting school buses from diesel fuel to electric (S.2288), and address equity in water quality and access through comprehensive data collection and analysis about water shut offs, tax liens, and unaffordability (S.2177). Each of these bills address existing issues that disproportionately impact environmental justice communities.

Senator Rausch’s climate legislation takes a multifaceted approach to addressing climate change through an equitable, data-driven lens. These bills now await hearings before their respective legislative committees. For more information on Senator Rausch’s legislative portfolio, visit https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/RLR0.

First elected in 2018, Senator Becca Rausch represents the Norfolk, Worcester, and Middlesex District, comprised of Bellingham, Dover, Franklin, Medfield, Milford, Millis, Needham, Norfolk, Plainville, Sherborn, and Wrentham.

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda for their meeting scheduled for April 25, 2023 at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee 
April 25, 2023 - 7:00 PM
Municipal Building – Council Chambers 


Call to Order Ms. Spencer
Pledge of Allegiance 
Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Payment of Bills Mr. McNeill
C. Payroll Ms. Spencer
D. FHS Student Representative Comments
E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. Remington Middle School Highlights
B. Redistricting Analysis Report

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. MS Grand Canyon Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Greg Rakovik and Nick Goldman to take 8th graders to the Grand Canyon from 4/15-20/2024 as presented at the last meeting.

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. None

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your April 11, 2023 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
C. Oak Street Recurring Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Brad Hendrixson for 2nd graders to travel to Providence, RI to Roger Williams Zoo on May 26, 2023 as detailed.
D. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,154.00 from music parents for in-house enrichment as detailed.
E. Jefferson Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $14,609.95 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business
To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Executive Session
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the ESP/LPN, unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

X. Adjournment

Agenda doc with remote participation info ->

Meeting packet folder ->

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda
Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda

FHS baseball tops Framingham 8-0 on Friday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, April 21, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.


Baseball = Franklin, 8 @ Framingham, 0 – Final
Franklin 8, Framingham 0. WP-Campbell (4inn,H,0R&6Ks). Campbell, Shaughnessy (2inn,4Ks) & Cashin (inn) combine for the shutout. Offensively, Chin (3-4,R,2B,2RBI) T.Bellan (3-4,2B,2RBI) Bonetti (PH 2B,2RBI) Sidwell (3-4,2R). Next up: Mon. (4/24) Franklin @ North Attleboro at 3:45pm https://twitter.com/FHSCoachZBrown/status/1649470977011511296

Softball = Franklin, 4 @ Needham, 6 – Final


For other results around the League

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

"Aftersun" film opens the 3 film pilot at THE BLACK BOX, Apr 25 at 7 PM

Since the 2005 closure of the beloved Zeotrope Theatre, there has been an absence of steady programming for our local cinephiles.

With a generous Mass Cultural Council grant from the Franklin Cultural District, Town Councilor Cobi Frongilllo, in collaboration with THE BLACK BOX, is piloting a 3-film monthly series to assess the local appetite for more regular independent, arthouse, foreign, and classic film screenings! The films will show at 7 PM on the last Tuesday of April, May, and June; all three will be screened at THE BLACK BOX (15 W Central St, Franklin, MA 02038).

Our first film, Aftersun (2022), will be screened on Tuesday, April 25th. The moving coming-of-age drama from debut director Charlotte Wells explores the protagonist's memories of a childhood vacation with her father. It was named the best film of the year by The Guardian, IndieWire, and Sight & Sound, and earned Paul Mescal an Oscar nomination for Best Lead Actor.

Popcorn and other refreshments will be available for purchase. This is a pilot program, so we request some patience as we build out and improve the cinematic experience. 

Tickets will be sold at the door for a suggested $5 donation. All are welcome!

More about Aftersun can be found ->  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aftersun

"Aftersun" film opens the 3 film pilot at THE BLACK BOX, Apr 25 at 7 PM
"Aftersun" film opens the 3 film pilot at THE BLACK BOX, Apr 25 at 7 PM