Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Redistricting vote fails by 6-1 vote at Franklin School Committee Meeting (video)

The School Committee meet on Tuesday night at their regular meeting. They heard an update from the Keller Elementary School, and update on the District Improvement Plan, and voted 6-1 on an amendment to the original motion, to effectively do nothing for redistricting. The 6 votes all talked of the need for the master facility plan, but although that was included in the original proposal before them, the minor adjustment now was passed on in favor of doing nothing. 


FHS girls & boys tennis teams, girls & boys outdoor track teams post wins on Tuesday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.


Boys Tennis = Milford, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final 
– Franklin took a pair of wins from both singles and doubles, all in straight sets, to secure a 4-1 win over visiting Milford. Junior Jay Gorgas took a 6-3, 6-2 win at first singles and senior Tyler Fitzpatrick added a 6-1, 6-1 win at second singles for the Panthers. The team of Eric Tomaino and Ahan Shetty added a 6-2, 6-1 win at first doubles for Franklin, and the Panthers’ second doubles team of Andrew Amante and Pritam Sompally finished victorious at 6-0, 6-4. Milford sophomore Corey Rattray dropped only one game in a 6-1, 6-0 win at third singles.

Girls Tennis = Franklin, 4 @ Milford, 1 – Final 
– Franklin swept singles action and added a straight-set victory at second doubles to pick up a win over Milford on the road. Izzy Trull (6-0, 6-3), Chloe Essam (3-6, 6-2, 6-1), and Brooke Taylor (6-2, 6-1) were all victorious in singles action for the Panthers, and the second doubles team of Shriya Rajesh and Tanvi Shah earned a 6-2, 6-1 win for Franklin. Milford’s first doubles tandem of Ava Merrill and Lily Bogonis emerged from a tight battle with a 7-5, 7-5 win.

Boys Outdoor Track = North Attleboro, 48 @ Franklin, 88

Girls Outdoor Track = North Attleboro, 42 @ Franklin, 94
Big wins over North Attleboro today in Franklin on Senior Night! Boys move to 3-1 with an 88-48 win and the girls go to 4-0 with a 94-42 win! https://twitter.com/FranklinXCTrack/status/1656108543483817986

For other results around the Hockomock League

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Electric Youth "Funraiser" Featuring Motorboat with Phil Fox, Friday, May 12

The Electric Youth will benefit from a "Funraiser" featuring Motorboat with Phil Fox, Friday, May 12 at 8 PM. 

Motorboat - 6X WMRC Local Music Award winning cover band (yeah we're as surprised as you are!) we guarantee a healthy dose of magical musical shenanigans covering everything you wanna hear! Bring your dancing shoes - you’re gonna need’m ;)

Doors open at 7:30 PM

Tickets available at THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!

MA Senate releases their FY 2024 budget

May 9, 2023

Dear Members of the Massachusetts State Senate,

     For the fifth time as Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, I have the honor to present the Committee’s annual recommendations for the General Appropriations Act—the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 2024) Budget. 
     Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka for her ongoing friendship, sage counsel, steady leadership, and continued confidence in me to lead the Committee as we work together to move Massachusetts forward towards a more inclusive and resilient post-pandemic future. 
     I would like to also thank our partners in the House, Chair Aaron Michlewitz and his team in the House Committee on Ways and Means, and in the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz and his team in the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. Without their collaboration, cooperation and partnership throughout the budget development process, support for our residents, our communities, and our long-term economic health would not be possible. 
     Together, over these last four years, we have carefully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and its many challenges. Adapting to a new normal utilizing an approach rooted in collaboration with our partners across state government, we addressed urgent needs and protected our most vulnerable populations. We maintained stability, built up our reserves, and made meaningful investments to support an equitable recovery for our people. 
     It was an approach that worked. Today, our Rainy Day Fund is projected to close FY 2024 with a historic balance of $9 billion, and we have $1.7 billion in surplus resources available for future use. More recently, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) ratings agency upgraded our state’s bond rating, a recognition that our long-standing adherence to sound fiscal discipline and efforts to reinforce the Commonwealth’s economic foundation is paying dividends.

Continue reading the Message from the Chair - Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair, Senate Committee on Ways and Means online =>    https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateWaysMeansBudget 


Mass Municipal Assoc covers the budget release ->  https://www.mma.org/senate-budget-committee-releases-fiscal-2024-proposal/


Senate President Karen Spilka and Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues. (Photo by Bruce Mohl)
Senate President Karen Spilka and Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues. (Photo by Bruce Mohl)

"making RTA buses free attracts more riders, improves service, and is easy to implement"

THE STATE’S 15 regional transit authorities, long considered a transportation afterthought on Beacon Hill, are suddenly all the rage.

RTAs, which operate local bus networks across the state outside the MBTA’s service territory, have long had a line item in the state budget. After adjusting for inflation, however, the state’s basic operating support for the RTAs actually declined 5 percent between fiscal 2016 and 2023, according to the left-leaning Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.

But now the RTAs are poised to get a chunk of the $1 billion in projected revenue from the millionaire tax. In her budget proposal, Gov. Maura Healey proposed using $25 million from the millionaire tax money to support the RTAs. The House upped that number to $70 million, and the proposed Senate budget contains $100 million, a tenth of all projected funding from the new tax.

The $100 million in the Senate proposal includes $56 million for direct operating support, $25 million for innovation grants, $4 million for accessibility grants, and $15 million so each of the RTAs can launch six-month, fare-free pilots on their bus systems.
Continue reading the article at CommonWealth Magazine ->

Why does this matter? GATRA is our regional transit authority (RTA)


News Literacy Project: "News literacy in the age of AI"

Via the News Literacy Project:  
"Chatbots like ChatGPT that are built on generative artificial intelligence technologies — a set of algorithms that can “generate” content based on a large dataset — have captured the world’s imagination. Reactions to this great leap forward have ranged from enthusiastic to alarmed.

This technology is evolving rapidly and to keep up we must understand its powers and perils. Generative AI can help us automate mundane tasks or supercharge our online searches, but it could also be weaponized to create and spread disinformation at a dizzying pace.

AI will impact the digital landscape in ways we have yet to imagine. But we do know that news literacy skills and knowledge — like checking your emotions before you share content, consulting multiple sources or doing a quick reverse image search — will be more vital than ever."
The News Literacy Project has compiled a set of resources to define AI and to help determine how to identify it. https://newslit.org/ai/

News Literacy Project: "News literacy in the age of AI"
News Literacy Project: "News literacy in the age of AI"

Winning Ways with MIAA: 2 part series on Referee Shortage (video)

Our (Franklin TV) most recent show with the @MIAA033 and @RpearsonMIAA_MS talking about the referee shortage. YouTube link -> https://youtu.be/PzZL9WFFRHQ


 

 


Here is the second part of our show with and Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Part 2 youtu.be/tInilW-49BU via

 


Jay Horrigan & Pete Royce
Jay Horrigan & Pete Royce


Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, May 10, 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)


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 point.

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)

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

7:30 am     It Takes A Village: Chris Nayler
8:30 am     OSRP: Public Hearing 04-25-23
10:00 am The Black Box: Newsies
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lasagna
12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese
12:30 pm Sandhya: Homemade Cheez-Its
1:00 pm     Eat Around The World: Peru
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 1
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 8
6:00 pm Veterans' Call: PACT Act
6:30 pm         Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing
9:00 pm MIAA: Girls and Women in Sports

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

7:00 am     FHS Jazz Cafe 2023
8:30 am     Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22
10:00 am Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament
11:00 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
12:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Mansfield 05-03-23
2:30 pm     FHS Girls Varsity Tennis: v Hopkinton 05-20-22
5:30 pm     FHS Varsity Softball: v North Attleboro 04-24-23
9:00 pm Universe of Adolescent Sleep
10:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Tennis: v Attleboro 06-10-21

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

8:00 am Town Council: 05-03-23
12:30 pm Economic Development: 05-03-23
2:00 pm Town Council: 05-03-23
7:00 pm     Finance Committee: LIVE, Chambers  871 9646 2279

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)

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Town of Franklin, MA: Disability Expo scheduled for May 20

The 2023 Disability Expo is scheduled for individuals with disability, support persons, community partners, and more. It will be held at the Franklin Senior Center on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Representatives are scheduled to be on site to share a variety of resources regarding disability services that are available.

Questions? call Disability Chairperson Mary O'Neill at 508-440-1265

Download the flyer to share or as your reminder




Town of Franklin, MA: Disability Expo scheduled for May 20
Town of Franklin, MA: Disability Expo scheduled for May 20

Finance Committee - last of 3 budget hearings - May 11, 2023 at 7 PM

Finance Committee Meeting 
Agenda & Meeting Packet 
Monday, May 11, 2023 = 7:00 PM


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

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. FY24 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing continued...
FY24 Town Administrator Budget Materials website
a. Public Safety:
i. 210 Police Department
ii. 220 Fire Department
iii. 225 Regional Dispatch
iv. 240 Inspection Department
v. 292 Animal Control
4. FY24 Town Administrator Operating & Enterprise Budget Final Recommendation.

5. Future Agenda Items

6. Adjourn


Finance Committee - last of 3 budget hearings - May 11, 2023 at 7 PM
Finance Committee - last of 3 budget hearings - May 11, 2023 at 7 PM

FinCom gets the "must watch" summary from Town Administrator Hellen as budget hearings open Monday (video)

The Finance Committee conducted the first of 3 budget hearings on Monday, May 8, 2023. 

The opening 38 minutes or so is a "must watch" summary by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. He provides an overview of the budget starting with the revenue forecast, the key expense drivers, the adds to the budget and sets up for the department heads to answer the detailed questions that may arise later in the meeting.


FY24 Town Administrator Budget Materials website  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials


The audio will be available in a day or so.


Finance Committee - first of 3 budget hearings - May 8, 2023 at 7 PM
Finance Committee - first of 3 budget hearings - May 8, 2023 at 7 PM

FHS girls & boys lacrosse, girls & boys tennis, and baseball & softball teams post wins on Monday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Monday, May 8, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

Stoughton, 1 @ Franklin, 7 – Final 
– Senior Ryan Gerety led off the bottom of the first inning and the Panthers never looked back in a “Senior Night” victory over the visiting Black Knights. Gerety finished 3-for-3, adding a double, a walk, and two runs while senior Jase Lyons added two hits, two runs, and an RBI in the win. Senior Derek Terlwilling went 2-for-2 with an RBI, senior Luke Sidwell had a hit and a run scored, senior Koen Bonetti added an RBI and a run scored, and senior Evan Cournoyer had a single in the win. Junior Henry Digiorgio went 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBI, and a run scored. Junior Matt Miller earned the win, tossing four scoreless innings, scattering three hits and a walk, striking out five. Seniors Zach Ramaswamy, Dillon Cashin, and Eisig Chin combined for three innings in relief and five strikeouts. Hunter Malkin went 2-for-3 for Stoughton while Sean Farley tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in relief, striking out two.

Franklin, 10 @ Stoughton, 6 – Final 
– The Panthers overcame a four-run deficit as its offense roared to life late to earn a key win over Stoughton. The Black Knights pushed five runs across the plate in the bottom of the third to make it 5-1 but Franklin answered with six runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth to secure a win on the road. Carly Johnson-Pellegri went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, three RBI, and two runs scored and Sarah Boozang went 3-for-5 with a triple, two RBI, and three runs to lead the way offensively. Reece Allen chipped in with a pair of hits and a pair of RBI in the win. Freshman Sophia Sacramone came in and just the door for the Panthers, tossing two scoreless innings in relief with no hits or walks allowed and five strikeouts. Jill Powers (run), Anna Hobbs (two hits, two runs), and Alyssa Edwards each had two RBI for the Black Knights while Julia Monaghan had two hits and a run scored.

Foxboro, 3 @ Franklin, 18 – Final 
– Franklin exploded for 13 goals in the second quarter and never looked back in a win over visiting Foxboro. The Panthers held a 2-0 lead after the first quarter but caught fire in the second and staked a 15-1 lead by halftime. Luke Davis scored all five of his goals in the first half and finished with eight points, Tyler Sacchetti (three assists) and Ravin Chaudhury (one assist) each netted a hat trick, and Jayden Consigli finished with one goal and three helpers. Conor Noone, Jon Sacchetti, and Tony Sulham each scored once for Foxboro.

Franklin, 16 @ Foxboro, 6 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap ->
"Just inside the final minute of the first half of Monday afternoon’s division leader showdown at Sam Berns Community Field, Cate Noone picked of an errant clearance to get a free run on goal, cutting the Franklin lead down to just two. As the final seconds ticked off, the Panthers had a chance from close range but Audrey Campbell came up with a big kick save, one of her five stops in the game.

It was just a two-goal lead at the break, as close as any Hockomock team had been to the Panthers at halftime this season.

On the visiting bench, Kristin Igoe Guarino had a frank conversation with her team about how things were going, while the Warriors carried their momentum into the second half and, with 19 minutes to play, Foxboro had the lead down to just one. The home fans were starting to believe that the upset was going to happen.

Franklin found another gear. The Panthers would lose only one draw from that point forward (winning 18-of-23 for the game) and rattled off nine straight goals, turning a close battle into a 16-6 win, extending their long league unbeaten streak by another game and clinching at least a share of their 13th straight league title."

Franklin, 4 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final

Stoughton, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final 
– Franklin won in straight sets at third singles and first doubles and took two more wins in three sets to secure a win over the visiting Black Knight. Brooke Taylor didn’t lose a game in the first set and went on to win 6-0, 6-4 at third singles, and the sophomore tandem of Brooke Daniels and Sydney Tolonen didn’t drop a single game in a 6-0, 6-0 blanking at first doubles. Junior Chloe Essam overcame a one-set deficit at second singles to earn a 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 win while seniors Allison Bagley and Kelsey Maguire emerged from the second doubles match with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win. Stoughton junior Ally Lada added another impressive win, taking a 6-4, 7-5 win at first singles.

For other results around the Hockomock League

Sophomore Julia Flynn looks upfield after scooping a ground ball during Franklin’s 16-6 win over fellow league leader Foxboro. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
Sophomore Julia Flynn looks upfield after scooping a ground ball during Franklin’s 16-6 win over fellow league leader Foxboro. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Franklin High School Newsletter for week of May 8, 2023

FHS Newsletter @FranklinPSNews  -> https://t.co/uwT8O1KEyn

Franklin High School Newsletter for week of May 8, 2023
Franklin High School Newsletter for week of May 8, 2023


Reminder: "The Life of Horace Mann" - Second Sunday Speaker Series at the Historical Museum - May 14 at 1:15 PM

In May, we celebrate Franklin’s Favorite son, Horace Mann. Our Second Sunday Speaker Series presentation will be The Life of Horace Mann. Born in Franklin and commonly known as the Father of American Education, Mann’s life from a young farm boy from Franklin, braiding straw for pennies to Brown University, to the State House and beyond is a story our town can be proud of. An educator, lawyer, abolitionist, orator and statesman, Mann gave much to many in his short life. Learn about his family life in Franklin, his education, friends, loves and his strong desire to establish free education to all. 

Horace Mann
Horace Mann
Join us for the presentation Sunday, May 14th. Doors open at 1:00, presentation starts at 1:15. Then join us for coffee and cake as we celebrate the 227th birthday of Horace Mann. COVID-19 prevented us from celebrating Horace’s 225th, and he hasn’t quite forgiven us!

Visitors to the museum are asked to bring an item for the Franklin Food Pantry. Personal items such as shampoo/soap/razors/toothpaste, etc. or individually wrapped paper towels, among other items would be welcome. 

We also encourage visitors to browse our gift shop and make a purchase in support of the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum and the programs they support. 

The museum is located at 80 West Central Street, is wheelchair accessible and entry is always free.

You can also visit the Historical Museum on the web at
http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/   

or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038

Rising Stars Cabaret at THE BLACK BOX, Saturday, May 13

THE BLACK BOX Cabaret presents a special cabaret revue spotlighting the talents of promising young singers this Saturday, May 13!

🌟This annual Rising Stars Cabaret is presented in an intimate, nightclub atmosphere with professional accompaniment.

🎫 Tickets available at THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!