350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, June 1

Please join us for the next meeting of the 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Thursday, June 1, 7:00-9:00 pm.  This will be a HYBRID meeting: you can attend in person, or join on Zoom.  

 

Those of us who have been meeting in Franklin have enjoyed the chance to come together. We hope others will do the same. 

 

·       Location of the in-person meeting: First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. 

 

·       OPTION:  Join on Zoom   

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09

Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274

Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

As always, we will discuss 350 Mass' campaigns for 2023-24, and review local and statewide developments and opportunities in climate and energy advocacy. 

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, June 1

 

Here are a few additional items and actions for your attention:

• 350 Mass Campaigns:  We are now focusing on two priority campaigns: Make Polluters Pay and Emissions Free Buildings. Learn more here.

• The two campaigns are joining for a double-header Legislative Briefing, Tuesday, June 6, 1:00 PM. Here's how to help:

• Sign up to join the hearing virtually.
• Use this toolkit and call on your legislators to attend the June 6 hearing! If you like, you can register to join others during an Action Hour on Zoom to reach out to your legislators, Thu, Jun 1, 11:30am-12:30 pm.
• Read testimony by 350 Mass' Political Director Cabell Eames about why we need to Make Polluters Pay. Want to stay up to date on that campaign? Follow @polluterspayma on twitter!

• Read about other upcoming events in the 350 Mass Event Calendar, and in the Climate Weekly email (sign up for it here). 

• 350 Mass and other local groups are joining the national campaign "End the Era of Fossil Fuels," with events across the country June 8-11. The Boston event will be a Poetry Procession on June 9. Learn more and register here. 

Please try to join us for Thursday's meeting. If you have questions or items for the agenda, you can contact the Node coordinators, carolyncbarthel@gmail.com and/or

ralph.halpern@comcast.net. We will send a reminder on Thursday.

 

Make a note: Our regular meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Next meeting: June 15.

Thanks. 

 

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017   

50+ Job Seekers: Workshop - June 1 on Part-time work by choice

This free program is available through a grant from the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) Hello, Job Seeker! We have an exciting 50+ Job Seekers event this week you won't want to miss! Thurs, June 1st, 10:00 - 11:00 am  Part-Time Work By Choice: Tips for Finding and Maintaining Part-time Professional Work Savvy Seeker Series: Panel with Leanne Rodd! According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the total number of people working part-time voluntarily - 22 million in January 2023 - is now almost six times the 4.1 million who are working part-time but would prefer full-time hours. Driven by caregiving, burnout, and the economic realities of inflation, the part-time work landscape has shifted dramatically with more opportunities for those seeking flexibility. During this panel discussion, we'll talk about recent shifts in the part-time landscape and hear tips for finding and maintaining part-time, professional jobs, including: - Tips for finding part-time opportunities - Job attributes that work well with a part-time schedule  - Negotiating a part-time schedule for new/current roles - Setting clear and positive boundaries for work hours and deliverables - Effective communication strategies - Pros and cons of working part-time This panel discussion is offered by 50+ Job Seekers in MA, co-presented with Encore Boston Network, and hosted by FlexProfessionals, a Boston-area talent resource specializing in flexible, professional roles. Leanne Rodd, Director of Talent at FlexProfessionals, will moderate the discussion. Register Now Check out our Current Openings page for job opportunities! Website: https://50plusjobseekers.org/ Questions: Email us at 50plusjobseekersadmin@mcoaonline.com

Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging | 116 Pleasant Street, Suite 306, Easthampton, MA 01027 Sent by 50plusjobseekersadmin@mcoaonline.com in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

_._,_.

Franklin Public Schools, MA: bus registration deadline - June 12

"Guarantee a spot on the bus for the 23-24 school year! June 12th is the deadline for registration & initial payment. 

Seating is not guaranteed after the registration deadline. 

Help us, help you and register your child today! 

Register and learn more: https://t.co/pYItSGGL3n "

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1663568870379077632

Franklin Public Schools, MA: bus registration deadline - June 12

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, May 31, 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 the What you Need to Know About Stormwater session we conducted in March to prepare for the stormwater fee beginning July 1, 2023  ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/what-you-need-to-know-about-stormwater.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.

• In this episode hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore diluting wine with soda  https://soundcloud.com/user-492543397/episode-238-diluting-wine-with-soda

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 the Memorial Day Ceremony on the Town Common https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/town-of-franklin-memorial-day-ceremony.html

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

7:30 am     It Takes A Village: Hockomock Area YMCA

8:30 am     FPAC: Broadway in Franklin 2022

10:00 am DPW Stormwater Management 03-13-23

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Red Pepper Soup

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs

1:00 pm     Eat Around The World: Peru

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2

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

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9

3:30 pm     Strawberry Stroll 2022

4:00 pm Veterans' Call: Steve Crouteau

4:30 pm     FHS Senior Awards Night 2023

7:00 pm     Ben Gardner's Boat

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

7:00 am     FHS Jazz Cafe 2023

8:30 am     FHS Pops Night 2023

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman

11:00 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

12:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Bishop Guertin 05-23-23

2:30 pm     FHS Varsity Softball: v Milford 05-22-23

5:30 pm     FHS Varsity Baseball: v North Attleboro 05-16-23

9:00 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

10:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Tennis: v Mansfield 05-15-23

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

8:00 am Town Council: 05-24-23

2:00 pm Town Council: 05-25-23

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)

June 2023 Franklin Library News & Events

June 2023 Franklin Library News & Events

Library Hours

The Franklin Public Library will be closed Monday, June 19th for Juneteenth. The Library's summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday hours will resume after Labor Day.

Featured Database

Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union, an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization. Since 1936, CU's mission has been to test products, inform the public and protect consumers. It is a comprehensive source for unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health and nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Access to this database is limited to Franklin residents.

New Materials

Check out the latest additions to the library's collection!

Book Sale

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, June 16th, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday, June 17th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!

Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, June 17th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!
 

Franklin Library ESL & Adult Literacy Program

The Franklin Public Library has started an English as a Second Language and Adult Literacy Program to serve Franklin and its surrounding communities.  Volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the registration form on the library's website or call 508-520-4941.

Massachusetts Center for the Book 2023 Reading Challenge

June: A book set in a country you've never visited

Do you have a cozy reading corner you've been wanting to spend more time in? Do you have a group of friends who like to select books together? Maybe a little constraint helps you choose what to read next.

If you are looking for a fun, unique reading challenge to take on in 2023, Massachusetts Center for the Book has you covered.

Check it out today! https://www.massbook.org/readingchallenge

There is so much happening at the Library in June, I can't put it all here at once. You'll need to visit the Library page for the remainder ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/june-2023-franklin-library-news-events

June 2023 Franklin Library News & Events

Franklin Democratic Town Committee schedules Annual Caucus - June 3 at 12 PM

The Franklin Democratic Town Committee is gathering on Saturday, June 3 at 12 PM for the annual caucus, electing 16 delegates to serve at the Massachusetts Democratic annual convention. 

All registered democrats in Franklin are eligible to serve as delegates and all are welcome to attend. Come see democracy in action and get to meet some local Democratic leaders. 

Please email the Committee Chair, Rachel Plukas at rlplukas@gmail.org if you have any questions or need assistance with technology or transportation.

For more about the Franklin Democratic Town Committee ->    www.FranklinDemocrats.org

Franklin Democratic Town Committee schedules Annual Caucus - June 3 at 12 PM

Town Council approves FY 24 budget after 9 hours over 2 nights, plan for schools to get $700K more (audio)

FM #1000 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1000 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, May 25, 2023. All 9 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers.

The first budget hearing did not complete on Wednesday evening, so Thursday's session opens to complete the first hearing and then starts the second hearing. When the second hearing completes, the legislation for action commences to record the various approvals as noted below.

Quick recap

• Police to add to their staff to alleviate a scheduling issue that should help reduce the overtime cost and help moral by reducing the amount of forced overtime

• Fire to add to their staff to help provide a third ambulance for coverage during four days of peak call volume. The staff increase is partially offset by additional ambulance revenues

• Senior Center gets approval for a van driver for half the year as a step towards full time 

• Town administration gets approval for a shift from an assistant town administrator to a Deputy Administrator along with a half year funding for an Arts & Culture Director

• The Franklin school budget gets an increase of approximately $700K over the $1.1m initially allocated. These funds will be part of a two resolution vote being scheduled for the June 7 Council meeting. 24 school personnel positions were cut this week by the School District to meet their expected budget shortfall of over $2M. Some of those are due to the continued declining enrollment, some of those can be restored with the additional funds being allocated. As was made clear a few times during the hearings, the Town Council only provides a line item of funding to the Schools. The School district and School Committee have the full responsibility for choices on how that money is spent

• The Joint Budget Subcommittee will begin meeting (schedule TBD) to work on a strategic plan to address the systemic issues across both the Town and Schools budget requirements. There was consensus on increasing the revenue. Some of the increase can come from a variety of measures (storm water fee, sewer rate increase, zoning changes to increase density, etc.) as well as consideration of a possible override ballot question. In order to get to the override question, the amount of increased revenue (i.e. property taxes revenue) needs to be explored and agreed to put before the taxpayers for their approval. There are already a number of increases planned (or expected) and that needs to be part of the consideration.

Planned

• storm water begins July 1, 2023

• sewer rate increase for next three years beginning July 1, 2023 to pay for the Beaver St interceptor replacement. Construction along RT 140 begins later this year

• possible debt exclusion for Tri-County RVTHS building replacement (amount expected in Aug 2023, vote anticipated in Oct 2023)

Expected

• water rate increase to pay for PFAS mitigations

• potential debt exclusion for renovation of Davis Thayer (DT) for town use (to make it ADA accessible). Decision on potential use anticipated by Dec 2023 from subcommittee appointed to determine recommendations

• potential debt exclusion for new Police station or renovation of existing, committee appointed and soon to begin work on this; their work will include the DT decision as applicable

• potential operational override to address systemic revenue issues

The recording runs about 3 hours and 42 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on May 25, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1000-town-council-fy-24-budget-hearing-2-05-25-23

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

The full agenda and documents associated with it can be found online ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_25_2023_town_council_agenda_1.pdf

The Fy 2024 budget document folder ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

The Franklin TV video replay for both sessions is available

• Wednesday -> https://www.youtube.com/live/P5MzuZ7r7gA?feature=share 

• Thursday -> https://www.youtube.com/live/BLXhaMDHJDk?feature=share 

My Twitter notes captured during the meetings can be found here

• Wednesday ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hmk9G_oo0RXsmkV0KOiHADAXXgXbNGxk/view?usp=drive_link 

• Thursday ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1haEf0ELqCsOMNlz0labwYxe8yBtqsoN9/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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"

Town Council approves FY 24 budget after 9 hours over 2 nights, plan for schools to get $700K more (audio)

FHS baseball tops St John's Shrewsbury 6-0 on Monday

"Move aside hamburgers and hot dogs. Take a seat macaroni and potato salad.  

On Monday, the top item on the Memorial Day menu for the Franklin High baseball team was soup. 

Courtesy of Austin Campbell. 

The Franklin High junior left-hander, whose teammates call him “Soup” due to his last name, dished out a stellar performance on the mound as Campbell nearly collected a no-hitter in a dominating 6-0 win over Saint John’s (Shrewsbury) at Franklin High. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required) 

https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/sports/high-school/2023/05/29/austin-campbell-near-no-hitter-franklin-baseball-win-saint-johns/70266982007/

Franklin 6, St. John’s Shrewsbury 0. WP-Austin Campbell complete game shutout (7inn, H, 2BB & 13Ks)! Offensively, Gerety (2B, R) Lyons (1-3, R,RBI,BB) DiGiorgio (2-3,R,2RBI) Jarosz (HR,R,2RBI) Sidwell (2-3) DePaolo (R,RBI). Franklin finishes reg. 19-3. Next up: MIAA State tourney. https://twitter.com/FHSCoachZBrown/status/1663270359246749706

“Soup had a great game. I think it was one of his better ones. He was dealing to everyone; he was dominating today.”