Franklin's Event Outlook: May 12, 2023 to May 18, 2023

Music & food, add a little exercise with the walk/run, and there is plenty to do in Franklin this weekend. Find out more about Horace Mann and his story on Sunday as #artshappenhere in Franklin.

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)

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)

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)

Wednesday, May 17

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

5:00pm - Wine & Charcuterie Experience (tickets req'd) (La Cantina Winery)

Thursday, May 18

8:30am - Town Council Office Hours (Franklin Senior Center)

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

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

6:00pm - Nick Gaspar Fund raiser (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - Son of Sams Pizza (food truck) (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - FHS Film Festival (FHS lecture hall)

6:00pm - Empty Bowls Dinner (tickets req'd) (Franklin High School)

6:30pm - Rain Garden Workshop (Franklin Public Library)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

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's Event Outlook: April 21, 2023 to Apr 27, 2023

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Receives National Recognition for Commitment to Empowering Students

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (BFCCPS) announced today (May 11, 2023) that it has been recognized as a 2022-23 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. It is one of 212 middle schools across the U.S. to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW Gateway. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S.  

“When BFCCPS expanded our STEM program was a new feature of our school. Project Lead the Way has been a wonderful addition to our curriculum that has helped define the space and program, inspiring students to work creatively to solve complex challenges, and embrace the best aspects of a classical approach to education.” - Joe Perna, BFCCPS Head of School

The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, BFCCPS had to meet a variety of criteria such as a certain percentage of the student body participating in PLTW Gateway, participate in two or more units during their time at school, offer at least one PLTW Gateway unit at each grade level, and have strategies in place to ensure equitable access to students.

• Have more than 50 percent of the student body participating during the 2021-22 school year
• Have 25 percent of students advancing to high school participate in two or more units during their time at the school
• Offer at least one PLTW Gateway unit at each grade level
• Have strategies in place that support reasonably proportional representation with regard to race, ethnicity, poverty, and/or gender

Research shows that the middle grades play a pivotal role in influencing high school, college, and career success. During this transitional time, it’s crucial to provide students with access to relevant, engaging, and real-world learning experiences that illuminate the range of career paths and possibilities available to them. Whether designing an automated robotics system or solving a mysterious disease outbreak, PLTW Gateway students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and develop a passion for and confidence in STEM subjects.

“We are proud to recognize the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School for their commitment to providing students with exceptional educational experiences while ensuring equitable access to PLTW programs,” said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. "We congratulate them on this achievement and celebrate their important work empowering students with the knowledge and skills to succeed, not only in STEM subjects, but also more generally in life and career."

Nine students in our Grade Eight program will be representing BFCCPS in a Project Lead the Way Showcase on May 19th at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. Three teams all created their own Apps on MIT App Inventor to show to industry experts. Students are now in the process of creating a tri fold board to explain their design process. This is a huge event with over 1,000 students. 

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School is part of a community of PreK-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporate and philanthropic partners across the country united around a passion for providing students with inspiring, engaging, and empowering learning opportunities. For more information about PLTW’s recognition program, visit pltw.org.   

BFCCPS Receives National Recognition for Commitment to Empowering Students

About Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does. For more information visit our website at www.bfccps.org 

About Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a mission-driven organization that is transforming the learning experience for millions of PreK-12 students and thousands of teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. Approximately 12,200 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.

FInCom closes out budget hearings, hears of plan to add $800K to school budget this summer (video)

The Finance Committee closed out their series of budget hearings on Thursday with insights from the public safety sector (police, fire, dispatch and inspections). Town Administrator Jamie Hellen closed the the session with an outline of how the Town can add to the School budget allocation approx. $800K to bring it to just above the average that the Town has provided, not counting all the other funds the School budget gets directly or indirectly.

He also provided the next steps for what the Town and School officials can do to address the systemic deficit that the school budget faces. Note the Town and School officials are the paid Town and School staff. The Town Council and School Committee members as non-paid volunteers are covered by the same restrictions in the event of an override vote that state law lays out for the paid employees.

The Finance Committee voted to approve the budget as proposed and discussed during the hearings. The Town Council will likely do the same at their May 24 & 25 hearings. During July/August, the additional funding can be added or shifted to the School budget to minimize the cuts the School District will need to make to bring their $3.3M request down to match the Town allocation of approx. $1.8M

Now while the attention may have been closing out on what to do with the school budget, the case for additional 4 police (first since increase in staff since 2000) was made in a compelling and convincing manner. 

Police schedule issue slides (presentation to be put on the Town page, in meantime, here are photo captures) ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/aTNXkpBvjedWPKqU6

While this budget includes the additional 4 police officers, in the near future the case is already made for at least an additional 2, if not 4, to correct the scheduling impact.

On the Fire Dept side, they are adding an EMS captain and 1 fire fighter paramedic in a step toward adding a 3rd ambulance full time. This would allow for the 3rd ambulance to be staffed for the business hours five days a week. To fully staff the 3rd ambulance for all shifts would be an additional 8 (for a total of 10) which we currently can't afford. 

Why do we need the 3rd ambulance? The call volume has been growing for years and exceeded 5,000 calls for the first time in 2022. 44% of the calls are medical and result in an ambulance transport of the patient to a hospital. The frequency of getting 2 calls at the same time has been increasing, the frequency of getting a 3rd call at the same time has also increased. Not a new issue but the time has come to take steps to address.

Jamie's slides with the plan for "next steps" for the School budget (presentation to be put on the Town page, in meantime, here are photo captures) ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/dMZ92X98eWdrABoS9

Franklin TV YouTube link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/cAvlHmmmccQ?feature=share

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

My notes can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ByHzZZz4KS0i985Vf4ncWVnJE8d3j7iu/view?usp=share_link

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

FHS boys lacrosse tops St John's Shrewsbury 18 to 7 on Thursday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Thursday, May 11, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 18 vs. St. John’s Shrewsbury, 7 – Final

– Franklin senior Jayden Consigli scored in every quarter to help the Panthers pull away from visiting St. John’s Shrewsbury. Consigli scored a team-high six goals and had two assists, helping Franklin turn a one-goal lead at the end of the first quarter (5-4) into a four-goal lead (9-5) at half and a seven-goal advantage (13-6) going into the fourth. Luke Davis added five goals and one helper, Tyler Sacchetti (three assists) and Drew Hansen each scored twice in the win, and Eddie O’Brien notched three assists.

Davis: 5G, 1A Consigli: 6G, 2A Sacchetti: 2G, 3A Hansen: 2G O'Brien: 3A Alexander: 18-28 on faceoffs https://twitter.com/FranklinHSLax/status/1656824826680541192

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-11-23/ 

https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1656801937654796289

Panther TV: FHS Film Festival - May 18, at 6 PM

Our annual FHS Film Festival showcases student work from all media classes. 

Come and support our media students next Thursday @ 6 PM! https://t.co/THldIEJKLW

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1656305123700666371

Panther TV: FHS Film Festival - May 18, at 6 PM

Panther TV: This week's Panther News (video)

"A preview of next week's Film Festival, club news, and a sports roundup... on this week's Panther News! @FranklinHS @TOFranklinMA @FranklinPSNews @FranklinMatters @FHSSports @FranklinHSXC"

https://t.co/jlky5vgRBs via @YouTube

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1656707849668509709

Franklinites: Spend a few minutes with this "must listen" summary from Town Administrator Hellen on FY 2024 (audio)

FM #993 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 993 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the opening 35 minutes or so for the Finance Committee meeting (and first of three budget hearings for the FY 2024 budget year). The meeting was held on Monday, May 8, 2023. 

Quick recap:

• The first 35 minutes or so are a “must listen” for any Franklinite to understand the scope of the revenue and cost drivers for the FY 2024 budget

• Town administrator Jamie Hellen walks through the revenue and cost drivers for the budget effectively in 35 minutes or so 

The “must listen” recording runs 37 minutes, so let’s listen to the Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provide the intro to the FY 2024 budget discussions at the Finance Committee meeting May 8, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-993-finance-cmte-must-listen-bh1-05-08-23

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Meeting agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_8_fin_com_agenda_0.pdf 

FY 2024 budget information -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

My notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y71rUvK3Sdu79B7DnN5vIdC4tDa9zOXG/view?usp=share_link 

Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 

YouTube recording =>   https://www.youtube.com/live/WHWL2ods9d8?feature=share

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/XpAFzF4Z97irFB6s5 

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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"

Spend a few minutes with this "must listen" summary from Town Administrator Hellen on FY 2024

FinCom gets the FY 2024 summary from Town Administrator Hellen as budget hearings open Monday (audio)

FM #992 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 992 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting and first of three budget hearings for the FY 2024 budget year. The meeting was held on Monday, May 8, 2023. 

Eight members of the Finance Committee participated (1 absent - Hansen); 6 present in the Council Chambers, 2 remote. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Comptroller Chris Sandini, Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone and all the department heads except for those associated with public safety (police, fire dispatch, & inspection) scheduled for Thursday (5/11). 

Quick recap:

• The first 35 minutes or so are a “must listen” for any Franklinite to understand the scope of the revenue and cost drivers for the Fy 2024 budget

• That segment will be made available separately just because it is such a good summary, it should not get forgotten or lost in any other shuffle

• Many interesting tidbits of info along the way from this or that department

The meeting recording runs 2 hours and 5 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting May 8, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-992-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-1-05-08-23

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Meeting agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_8_fin_com_agenda_0.pdf 

FY 2024 budget information -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

My notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y71rUvK3Sdu79B7DnN5vIdC4tDa9zOXG/view?usp=share_link 

Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 

YouTube recording =>   https://www.youtube.com/live/WHWL2ods9d8?feature=share

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/XpAFzF4Z97irFB6s5 

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

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"

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

What can be recycled? Franklin DPW has your answer

Franklin's recycling process is recognized across the State as one of the best thanks to the participation of all of us. The three word mantra "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" still applies.

The Town page is full of helpful information on what and how ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste

Quick links

• Beaver St recycling center hours -> https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/news/beaver-st-recycling-center-hours
• Waste Management has a new page with information linked to from the Town page ->   https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle-right 
• The curbside schedule PDF for reprinting ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_program_guide_2022-2023_0.pdf

What can be recycled? Franklin DPW has your answer

CommonWealth Magazine: "New study calls WooSox stadium a bad deal for Worcester"

"The WooSox may have hit a home run with huge attendance numbers at their new home in Worcester, but a study says the city has whiffed when it comes to shelling out public dollars to fund the team’s new stadium. 

The Red Sox Triple-A farm team moved from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to Worcester in 2021, setting up shop in Polar Park, a new $160 million stadium owned and largely paid for by the city of Worcester. 

Last season, the team’s second year in Worcester, the Worcester Red Sox drew more than 500,000 fans, second among all 120 minor league teams in the country. And the WooSox arrival has unquestionably contributed to the upbeat buzz about the state’s second-largest city. 

But Robert Baumann, an economics professor at College of the Holy Cross, says the stadium still adds up to be a loser for the city’s finances. In a new paper, Baumann and co-author J.C. Bradbury, an economist at Kennesaw State University, conclude that Polar Park will cost the city $40 to $60 million over 30 years."

Continue reading the article at CommonWealth Magazine

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/new-study-calls-woosox-stadium-a-bad-deal-for-worcester-2/ 

Direct link to report ->  https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4443118

Open PDF in your browser window ->   https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID4443118_code1813071.pdf?abstractid=4443118&mirid=1&type=2

CommonWealth Magazine: "New study calls WooSox stadium a bad deal for Worcester"

Franklin Health Department: Wellness Update - Melanoma Awareness Month

It's Melanoma Awareness Month. Schedule regular skin exams & if you see anything that looks suspicious, contact your doctor. 

Visit: cdc.gov/cancer/skin

Franklin Health Department: Wellness Update - Melanoma Awareness Month

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, May 12, 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

9:00 am     Frank Presents: Nick Remissong

11:00 am Senior Connection: Kitchen Gadgets Pt. 2

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 Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

5:30 pm     OSRP: Public Hearing 04-25-23

7:00 pm     The Black Box: Newsies

8:30 pm MIAA: Girls and Women in Sports

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

7:00 am     FHS Jazz Cafe 2023

8:30 am     It Takes A Village: Chris Nayler

11:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Tennis: v Hopkinton 05-20-22

12:30 pm Universe of Adolescent Sleep

1:30 pm     Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22

5:30 pm     FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Milford 05-14-21

8:30 pm School Committee Legislative Forum 2023

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

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 04-13-23

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 04-13-23

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)