Notice of Second Reading - Bylaw Amendment 23-897 - Sewer Usage Rates

Notice of Second Reading - Bylaw Amendment 23-897 - Sewer Usage Rates 

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/notice_of_public_hearing_-_bylaw_amendment_23-897_-_sewer_usage_rates.pdf

Notice of Second Reading - Bylaw Amendment 23-897 - Sewer Usage Rates

Town of Franklin: Request for Written Quotes - FIP Tank Mixer Replacement and Sediment Removal

Request for Written Quotes - FIP Tank Mixer Replacement and Sediment Removal

In accordance with MGL c. 30 section 39m, it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of a company for the purposes of Elevated Water Tank Mixer Replacement and Sediment Removal at the Franklin Industrial Park (FIP) Tank in the Town of Franklin.

Additional Information:  FIP  Tank Mixer Replacement and Sediment Removal Project

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/request-written-quotes-fip-tank-mixer-replacement-and-sediment-removal

Town of Franklin: Request for Written Quotes - FIP Tank Mixer Replacement and Sediment Removal

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, May 11, 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: PACT Act

9:00 am     The Black Box: Newsies

10:30 am Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament

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     Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 1

3:00 pm Joe Landry: Restaurants & Bars

4:30 pm     Frank Presents: Nick Remissong

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

7:00 pm     Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 5 - Matt Stubbs Antiguas

8:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Joe Landry & Scott Mason

• 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

2:30 pm     FHS Varsity Softball: v North Attleboro 04-24-23

4:30 pm     FHS Varsity Baseball: v Canton 05-01-23

9:00 pm Universe of Adolescent Sleep

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 05-04-23

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 05-04-23

7:00 pm Finance Committee: LIVE, Chambers   814 8589 3375

7:30 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: LIVE, REMOTE  810 8899 0348

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: POPS night, 5K walk/run, graphic novelist panel, & plenty of music as #artshappenhere

Wednesday, May 10

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

6:00pm - FHS POPS Night/8th Grade Side by Side Concert (Franklin High School)

7:00pm - St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group

La Cantina Winery

Thursday, May 11

6:00pm - Dave Penza (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

7:00pm - Massachusetts Anti-Bullying Laws Workshop (Virtual)

Friday, May 12

3:00pm - Battuto (food) (67 Degrees Brewery)

6:00pm - Jamie Barrett (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

7:30pm - FHS Music Awards Night (Franklin High School)

8:00pm - Motorboat with Phil Fox - Electric Youth "Funraiser" (THE BLACK BOX)

8:30pm - FHS Senior Movie Night (Franklin High School)

Saturday, May 13

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

10:30am - Rail Trail Race (SNETT - Grove St)

11:30am - Cornhole Tournament (67 Degrees @ The Cellar - Wrentham Village Mall)

12:00pm - Pen to Picture: A Graphic Novelist Panel! (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm - Sips & Dips (67 Degrees Brewery)

Rising Stars Cabaret

4:00pm - Emily & Nick (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

4:00pm - Red Apron Charcuterie (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - The McCrites  (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - Rising Stars Cabaret (THE BLACK BOX)

Sunday, May 14   Mother's Day

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

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

1:15pm - Second Sunday Speaker - Story of Horace Mann (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:00pm - AK Cody (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

Franklin Historical Museum

Monday, May 15

5:00pm - In the Newsroom with NBC10Boston/NECN's Susan Tran (virtual) (Franklin Public Library)

Tuesday, May 16

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

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

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!

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. 

Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/W-9CbY5MeDY?feature=share

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-9-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_5-9-23.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qB4ZIFXY9R4zNJ5hxoHrLnt242ECaUsN/view?usp=share_link

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda

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

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-09-23/

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!

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

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/

Common Wealth Magazine covers the budget release ->    https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/senate-budget-embraces-in-state-tuition-for-undocumented-students/

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 ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/senate-budget-boosts-rta-funding-backs-fare-free-buses-2/ 

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

https://www.gatra.org/

GATRA GO United Is An On-Demand, Same Day, Affordable, And Accessible Public Transit Service Serving Franklin

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"

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

@RpearsonMIAA_MS

and

@MIAA033

Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Part 2 https://youtu.be/tInilW-49BU via

@YouTube

 

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)

• This slot features my recent conversation members of the FHS Empty Bowls Club in preparation for their fund raising dinner May 18 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/the-empty-bowls-club-talks-about.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 point.

• Mark & Kim welcome back Vince Anter, the host of "V is for Vino," a popular YouTube series about wine  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

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 Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We condense the Council meeting of May 3 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/town-council-quarterbacking-condenses.html

• 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)

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

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X4DNe9MyhUQg6unJUrjtZwsHS71Ssbwh/view?usp=share_link

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/commission-persons-disabilities/events/428281

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

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/may_11th_fin_com_agenda.pdf

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