Franklin LGBTQ Alliance Newsletter - announces meeting May 4 at Library & much more

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of contents please visit ->  https://clt1481579.benchmarkurl.com/c/v?e=1631088&c=169B6B&t=0&l=8D3B5715&email=EzLHeeT1tDJtr809keNR6jEpo6Rh3jZAc8ZIo9ZXAK0%3D

Join us for our monthly meeting AND book club discussion!

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance In this newsletter we include an invitation to our next meeting and community events, including our second book club discussion, and include opportunities to get more involved. You're Invited to our Upcoming Meeting   When: Thursday, May 4th at 6:30 pm Where: In-person and Virtual In-person: Franklin Public Library 118 Main St, Franklin  Virtual: Please email FranklinLGBTQAlliance@gmail.com if you would like to attend via Zoom.    After the business portion will decorate cupcakes with  Dawn Ruggio, FLA Member and local pastry chef!       Celebrate With Pride - Get Involved! We are having a booth at the Franklin Farmers' Market in June! Sign up to work the table with us Friday afternoons by clicking here  CALL FOR CELEBRATE WITH PRIDE VOLUNTEERS!  Fill out the survey if you are interested in volunteering 6/25 or helping us plan the event! SURVEY Are you a vendor or organization that wants to a booth at CwP? Local businesses can sign up here! Non-profits and school groups can sign up here! We are also looking for entertainment! Please email franklinlgbtqalliance@gmail.com If you are not on our email list, sign up to receive future emails with this form.  View this email in your browser    franklinlgbtqalliance.gmail.com@email.benchmarkapps.com 90 Hayward Street Franklin, MA 02038

Town Council approves inclusionary zoning & first reading on sewer rate increase among items on a full meeting agenda (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 for their regular meeting and covered a number of items. One of the major achievements was the passage of the inclusionary zoning bylaw. This was one of the action items from the Franklin For All project and a significant accomplishment.

Among the other news worthy items on the agenda were

• All alcohol license approved for Sierra's Brick Oven Pizza
• Corporate record license changes for both Longhorn Restaurant and the 99 Restaurant were approved
• Financial Audit report for FY 2022reveals a clean report, no actions, no management letter, the Town maintains their AAA rating status
• Presentation from the Charles River Pollution Control District
• Update on the long awaited Beaver St interceptor, bids came in below expectations, sewer rates will rise and remain to pay for the 20 year borrowing costs of this major infrastructure project
• PFAS regulation increases proposed by EPA can cost us significantly. Well 7 is currently offline, more wells may be in jeopardy of shutdown due to increased monitoring. Yet, PFAS is still being made, is a forever chemical and is major concern for future water supply quality and cost thereof

The full agenda and documents associated with it can be found online ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-for-may.html

Franklin TV's video recording of the meeting is available for replay on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/live/mhRDmkdk7og?feature=share

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF. My full recap and the meeting audio will be ready in a couple of days ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gWiBSq_Q8vMNIUKv32jeLQtMypvF8fTb/view?usp=share_link

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda for the May 3, 2023 Meeting

Economic Development Subcommittee reviews and sets priorities for remainder of year (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee of the Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday evening beginning their session at 5:30 PM (before the full Council meeting at 7).

Franklin TV broadcast the meeting and the video is available for replay on YouTube ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/IEFqlGhx-ho?feature=share

The meeting agenda can be found here ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2023-05-03_edc_agenda__0.pdf

My notes will be available later. I arrived late (approx. 5:50) having been recording the Board of Health meeting in the training room which began at 5 PM.

Economic Development Subcommittee - May 3, 2023 - Agenda

Take this action to protect your bones

Don't wait for a bone break — get tested for osteoporosis.

Many people with osteoporosis don't know they have it until they break a bone. If you think you may be at risk, talk with your doctor about getting a bone mass measurement. This test can help prevent or detect osteoporosis at an early stage, when treatment works best.  Medicare Part B covers a bone mass measurement once every 24 months (more often if medically necessary) — at no cost to you when your doctor orders it. Learn More Along with getting tested, here are more ways to keep your bones strong: Eat foods that support bone health, like leafy green vegetables and fish Exercise by doing weight-bearing activities, like strength training or hiking Don't smoke, and limit your alcohol consumption Remember: Your risk of osteoporosis grows as you get older. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 20 men over the age of 50 will develop osteoporosis, so it's important to take steps early to help protect your bones! Sincerely, The Medicare Team This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Take this action to protect your bones

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, May 4, 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

8:30 am     Veterans' Call: John Milot

9:00 am     The Black Box: A Magical Night of Disney Classics

10:30 am Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Spring

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm Sandya: Crepes

1:00 pm     Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta

2:00 pm New England Candlepins Fall 2018 Show 1

3:00 pm Joe Landry: Restaurants & Bars

4:30 pm     Frank Presents: Chris Woolf

6:30 pm     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

7:00 pm     Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 4 - Dicenso Clark

8:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Leigh Schoberth

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

7:00 am     Public School Event: FHS Summer Music 2021

8:30 am     Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22

10:30 am School Committee Legislative Forum 2023

1:00 pm     FHS Chamber Music 2023

3:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball: v North Attleboro 04-24-23

6:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball: v Attleboro 04-29-23

9:00 pm ArtWeek: Art + Music

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 04-20-23

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 04-20-23

6:00 pm OSRP:  LIVE, Chambers  869 2774 3147

7:00 pm Conservation Commission:  LIVE, Chambers  839 0006 3168

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: writing, baseball literature, art & jazz all on one day shows #artshappenhere

A one day sample shows writing, baseball literature, art & jazz. To this all on just one one day shows #artshappenhere. Check out the variety for the remainder of the outlook!  Recent update -Earth Day celebration at DelCarte rescheduled to Sunday, May 7

Wednesday, May 3

Senior Scribblers - writing group

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin Senior Center)

1:00pm - Dean College Lecture Series: Literature of Baseball (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm - Franklin Art Association (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm - FHS Jazz Concert (Franklin High School)

Thursday, May 4

10:00am - Writer's Quiet Space (Escape Into Fiction)

2:00pm - What is wrong with my Houseplants? (virtual) (Franklin Public Library)

LaCantina Winery

6:00pm - Ken Barney (live music) (LaCantina Winery)

6:00pm - Papilia's Wood Fired Pizza (food truck) (LaCantina Winery)

6:30pm - Franklin LGBTQ Alliance - monthly meeting (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm - 350 Greater Franklin Node (climate change group) (First Universalist Society of Franklin)

Friday, May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

5:00pm - Cinco de Mayo Fiesta (sold out) (LaCantina Winery)

6:00pm - Criminals & Beauty Queens (67 Degrees Brewery)

Saturday, May 6

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

10:30am - Jane Jacobs Neighborhood Walk (start at Franklin Town Common)

Jane Jacobs Walk

10:30am - Jamie Barrett Concert (Franklin Public Library)

11:00am - Class of 2023 Commencement (Dean College)

12:45pm - World Labyrinth Day - Walk for Peace (First Universalist Society of Franklin)

4:00pm - Laura May duo (live music) (LaCantina Winery)

6:00pm - Sudden Odd Behavior (67 Degrees Brewery)

Sunday, May 7

9:00am - Earth Day Celebration @ DelCarte Recreation (Conservation Commission)

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

7:00pm - Interfaith Teen Climate Change Meeting (St John’s Episcoal Church)

Tuesday, May 9

1:00pm - Dean College Lecture Series: Creative Writing  (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm - Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Cmte Meeting (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:00pm - Yankee Quilters (Emma’s Quilt Cupboard)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Franklin Art Association Art Gallery

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!

School Budget Subcommittee hears of the five areas for budget cuts, avoids bus fee increase for now - 05/02/23 (audio)

FM #986 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 986 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the 3rd floor training room. Remote participation was enabled for this session. 

Chair Dave McNeill opened the meeting. School Committee members Dave Callaghan and Denise Spencer were present. Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Business Manager Miriam Goodman also participated.

Quick recap

• Business Manager Miriam Goodman provided the recap of Superintendent budget recommendation that went before the School Committee, they increased it, the Town Administration released the budget allocation as only $1M over prior budget so they are preparing to reduce by $2.3M accordingly

• Proposal before the subcommittee was in five categories:

• Reducing investment initiatives

• Reducing services

• Reducing positions

• Shifting some expenses to grant funding

• Increasing some revenues

• Discussion ensued by turn, around the subcommittee members, to clarify points on each of the five categories, and specifics within each

• All of this is preliminary as the Finance Committee hearings (Schools on May 10) may result in changes, and or the Town Council hearings (May 24 & 25) will lead to the final number needed to adjust

• Notifications of personnel reductions would need to be made before June 15, more likely to make them before that (i.e. mid to late May)

• One adjustment finally made was to increase the use of circuit breaker funds by $20K to avoid raising the bus fees, as the bus registration process commenced this week

• Next meeting set for June 6 at 5:30 PM to review and prepare for full committee meeting on June 13 at which point the final budget needs to be approved

The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.

The recording runs about an hour and 40 minutes, so let’s listen to the Budget Subcommittee meeting of May 2, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-986-school-cmte-budget-subcmte-mtg-05-02-23

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Budget Subcommittee agenda

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda-bsc_5_2_2023.pdf 

FY 2024 Budget information -> https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget 

My notes in this ThreadReader PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NqQcbDBh_wrg0PYqDajgFmKgu9LKK-Ya/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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

School Budget Subcommittee hears of the five areas for budget cuts, avoids bus fee increase for now - 05/02/23 (audio)