MMA: "Governor signs economic development plan"

"Gov. Maura Healey yesterday signed the administration’s first economic development plan, which aligns its economic development priorities, funding and legislative initiatives within three main areas of focus: investing in the fundamentals to enable economic growth; retaining and attracting talent; and supporting businesses.

The plan will likely provide a foundation for an economic development bill expected to be filed by the governor early in 2024.

At an unveiling event on Dec. 6, Gov. Maura Healey said the plan — Team Massachusetts: Leading Future Generations — outlines a strategy to “put us on a path to future success by powering short- and long-term economic growth, retaining and attracting the world’s best talent, and supporting our businesses,” particularly in sectors like climate technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing."

Continue reading the article at MMA -> https://www.mma.org/governor-signs-economic-development-plan/

Find the Economic Development Plan online -> https://www.mass.gov/economic-development-plan   or direct to the PDF download  ->  https://www.mass.gov/doc/economic-development-plan/download

The press release for the Economic Development Plan ->    https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-announces-2023-economic-development-plan 

the PDF download  ->  https://www.mass.gov/doc/economic-development-plan/download

Franklin Library: Kid's Paint Party - Dec 16

Saturday December 16th 1:00 - 3:00 PM

FOR KIDS AGES 5-11!

Join local instructor Denise Palmieri for this step-by-step paint party specifically for kids! All materials will be provided and you'll get to take home your very own penguin masterpiece!

REGISTRATION REQUIRED!! The same painting will be taught at the December, January, and February events - please only register for 1 date.

Register here -> https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=FRANKLIN&curName=2023/12/16_Kid%27s_Paint_Party

Franklin Library: Kid's Paint Party - Dec 16

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/kids-paint-party-3

MassCEC: Deadline Extended for Neighborhood Electrification RFI

Deadline extended until January 12, 2024

View this email in your browser Request for Information: Neighborhood Electrification The Neighborhood Electrification RFI submission deadline has been extended until January 12, 2024! MassCEC seeks stakeholder interest and input in potential neighborhood electrification demonstration projects. For purposes of this Request for Information, "neighborhood electrification" is the strategic electrification of the building stock and decommissioning of the natural gas system in defined geographic areas—such as street segments, neighborhoods, or zones—to leverage cost-effective opportunities for electrification  over reinvestment in the gas system (e.g., pipeline repair). Given the Department of Public Utilities' "Order on Regulatory Principles and Framework" in its 20-80 docket, we are extending the RFI submission deadline until January 12, 2024 and adding an additional question in the RFI to give respondents an opportunity to respond to the implications of the order on neighborhood electrification efforts. This RFI does not commit MassCEC to offer any program associated with neighborhood electrification, award any funds, pay any costs incurred in preparing a response, or procure or contract for services or supplies. MassCEC welcomes responses from all stakeholders. In particular, we are hoping to gather perspectives from utilities, municipalities, large landowners (e.g., universities or affordable housing owners), technical experts, legal/regulatory experts, community-based organizations, and advocacy organizations. Thank you for your time and insights! Learn More & Provide Input Our mailing address is: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center 294 Washington St. Suite 1150 Boston, MA 02108 USA

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Friday, Dec 15, 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 6, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

9:00 am Frank Presents: Jay Elias Pt 1

10:00 am Riffin' on Main Street: Erin Gallagher

11:00 am Senior Connection: Joe Landry

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

1:00 pm Physician Focus: Winter is Coming

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 6

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

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

5:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Wrentham 350

8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Cheryl Wheeler

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 2 03-14-18

8:30 am Menthal Health: Donna Grady

10:00 am FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Beverly 11-03-23

12:30 pm ArtWeek: Art + Music

1:30 pm Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

3:00 pm Critical Conversations: Social Media

5:30 pm FHS Varsity Swimming: v Taunton 01-13-22

8:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer: v Milford 10-26-23

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am  Zoning Board of Appeals 11-09-23

2:00 pm  Zoning Board of Appeals 11-09-23

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Sustainability Subcommittee schedules their meeting at the Winter Farmers Market - Dec 16

Did you catch that the Master Plan - Sustainability Subcommittee has scheduled their regular meeting at the Winter Farmers Market on Saturday, December 16, 2023?

It may be one of the longest meetings for a subcommittee that I have seen but should provide opportunity for us to stop by and talk with the members of the subcommittee during the market open hours from 1o AM to 2 PM.

The full agenda doc confirming this is ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/sustainability_-agenda_2023-12-16_0.pdf

Cool graphic put together to create attentions to this meeting at the Market:

Sustainability Subcommittee schedules their meeting at the Winter Farmers Market - Dec 16

Graphic shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/100069087412655/posts/pfbid0zCRAyq3Ddq4NgE5cHGQjxLniNQTcbTdyd2KpzpwjQdWhkNxHuYaP6eb9oHqDnPF2l/

And have you responded to the survey yet?

Survey link -> https://forms.gle/NCfcPF6mAr2yLw8n9

Finance Committee takes a 'deep dive' (sorta) into the Faculties budget (video)

The Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023. The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4WDEAYIeJU

6 members participated, 4 in Chambers (Chair Conley, Hamilton, Riley & Nagel), 2 participated remotely (Keophannga & Sansoucy)

Quick recap:

• State revenue forecast for FY 2024 not meeting expectation, no cuts yet per Governor, does likely mean less revenue for next years budget although local aid is usually one of the last to get affected, something to stay tuned into
• Budget hearings for May 2024 were confirmed as May 6 for General Government, May 8 for Public safety (Police, Fire, & Dispatch) and DPW (water, sewer, storm water) and Schools on May 15. Proposed meeting calendar to be updated with this decision
• Discussion on the list of facilities provided, yes it is facilities not just the buildings
• Extended discussion on the solar farm which we don't own but for which we own the electrical output and which leads to credits on the Town electrical bill that are used for multiple other electrical improvements, upgrades
• This turned into a discussion on the heating efficiencies of some buildings; FHS for example was built with better insulation and the walls are R40, vs. the 3 middle school complex buildings are rated R19. This means the heating cots for those buildings are higher due to the less efficient (i.e. insulation factors)
• While mentioned in passing that the Master Plan Committee has a subcommittee on facilities, and the Schools are working on their long range comprehensive facilities plan, there was not further details added at this time. Members of the School Committee and Central office were present but did not get to provide any additional info
• The 10 year projection of expenses across the buildings was split evenly between Town and School per Chair Conley. It was not discussed how these expenses would be funded. It was mentioned that the Facilities budget is the first to get hit when a budget shortfall is needed to be adjusted for. Projects get postponed until funding is available (hence the listing of projects that exists, some of which have been awaiting for some time)
• Discussion on the 10 year report of grants received by the Town and Schools. These made for interesting reading although some of them are not purely "grants" (i.e. the cable access fees are included, they are present due to the accounting for them). One quick takeaway from the grant report is that the Town has been quite successful over time in obtaining grants and while they will continue to do so, the grant amounts are not sufficient to really make on impact on either the Town or School budget. Averaging approximately 4 million (combined Town & School) on a $150M budget is small change

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vn59WoX94X8yvI0CFWCqw1X6A9m5ePjd/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda for meeting Dec 13, 2023

Master Plan Update Committee -video replay for Dec 13, 2023 meeting (video)

The Master Plan Update Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 - 6:30 PM in the 3rd floor conference room. The meeting was broadcast via Franklin TV on the Pride or education channel (the Town Hall channel had the Finance Committee meeting).

The video is available for replay via YouTube ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jJ6gJOOzCc

The meeting agenda can be found on the Town page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-december_13_2023.pdf

And have you responded to the survey yet?

Survey link -> https://forms.gle/NCfcPF6mAr2yLw8n9

Master Plan Update Committee Dec 13, 2023

FHS girls hockey team posts a win on Wednesday

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023. 

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ Catholic Memorial, 4 – Final

CM 4 Franklin 2. McEvoy and Paterson with goals.  Wagner 45 saves. 

https://twitter.com/FHS_PuckCoach/status/1735123618370117714

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 6 @ Stoughton/Sharon, 1 – Final

Panthers extended the lead to 6-1 on a by Nina Iannuzzi; shot from the point. 

That’s our final score. Great team effort today.

https://twitter.com/FHSGirlsPuck/status/1735084925252927705

Wrestling = Franklin, 27 @ Milford, 54 – Final

Tough loss at Milford 54-27. Pins from Nash, Carlucci, and O’Connell. OW goes to Charlie Nash  https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1735099149962330284

For other results around the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-13-23/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Franklin High School: Important Information and Dates

Important Information and Dates

Calendar subject to change so check back often !

 

• New Student Registration >> click HERE
• Moving? Complete a Change of Address form >> click HERE
• Withdrawing your student from Franklin Public Schools? click HERE

DATE	EVENT
Dates/Times subject to change	School Year 2023-2024
December 22	Half Day of School - PD Day
December 25 - January 1	No School - Holiday Break
January 10	FAA Information Night 6-8 PM in the Library/Media Center
January 15	No School- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 16	Half Day of School - PD Day
January 17	FHS Jazz Concert-FHS Auditorium @ 7PM (snow date: 1/18)
February 2	Half Day of School - PD Day
February 8	Concert Hour Recital @ 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM in the FHS Auditorium
February 12	Panther Pride Night for current Franklin 8th grade students
February 19-23	No School - Winter Break
February 28	Half Day of School - PD Day
February 29	Jazz Cafe @ 7:00 PM in the FHS Cafeteria
March 12	All Town Showcase-Chorus & Orchestra FHS Auditorium 6:00 PM (Snow date 3/14)
March 13	All Town Showcase-Band FHS Auditorium 6:00 PM (Snow date 3/20)
March 28	Half Day of School - PD Day
March 29	No School - Good Friday
April 11	FHS Chamber Concert @ 7 PM in the FHS Auditorium
April 12	Half Day of School - PD Day
April 15-19	No School Spring Break
May 1	FHS Jazz Concert @ 7 PM in the FHS Auditorium
May 22	Oskey @FHS Auditorium - for seniors only- 7 PM
May 27	No School - Memorial Day
May 31	Graduation for the Class of 2024!
June 14	Last Day of school with NO SNOW DAYS used

SNOW DAYS 2023-2024:

Shared from -> https://www.franklinps.net/fhs/news/important-information-and-dates

 

Franklin High School: Important Information and Dates

"Range Anxieties" shares the experiences of Representative Roy's electric vehicle

Jeffrey N. Roy (@jeffroy) posted on Wed, Dec 13, 2023:

Fighting climate change with electric cars isn't working like we hoped. https://t.co/GOV1rbcVAQ via @BostonGlobe

 

This is a topic of keen interest to Representative Jeff Roy. He also has a new blog "Range Anxieties" where he shares his experience with his electric vehicle including the lack of charging stations (in MA especially along the major roadways.)  

What is Range Anxiety?

"Range anxiety is the fear of driving an electric car and running out of power without being able to find a charging point on time to replenish the battery. Thus you fear being left stranded. You worry about where you can charge on long trips, how long charging takes, whether the charger will be available when you get there, whether the charger is working, whether it is producing enough kilowatts, and how much will it slow you down on these cross-country trips. Indeed, range anxiety is considered to be one of the major psychological barriers to large-scale public adoption of electric cars."

You can find Range Anxieties here -> https://rangeanxieties.com/

The Boston Globe link was shared from Twitter ->   https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1734901853601603615

https://t.co/GOV1rbcVAQ via @BostonGlobe

Worthy reads on School Funding Topics via Tracy Novick

Two pieces from Tracy Novick on school funding that are worth reading. 

In the first, she takes the Boston Globe to task for misrepresenting the issue using a report that doesn't explain where it's numbers are sourced from. https://who-cester.blogspot.com/2023/12/in-which-globe-misses-plot-on-education.html

In the second, she created a thread in Twitter that I captured in one PDF for easier reading. The explanation of a maintenance budget for facilities was timely having just come from the Town of Franklin Finance Committee meeting where they did a "deep dive" on Facilities. As interesting as the meeting was, some of the members were missing, so it seemed overall to be missing the insights a real "deep dive" could have had (my 2 cents). Tracy's thread ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tY76jH2h5Oag9k5gb9Nmw4hP3BCbwYYI/view?usp=drive_link

Actually you can also go to the top of the thread to better view the GIFs  -> https://twitter.com/TracyNovick/status/1735067955459694708

Worthy reads on School Funding Topics via Tracy Novick

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee - agenda for Jan 3, 2024 meeting

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin School Committee

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee

January 3, 2024 - 5:00 PM

Municipal Building 3rd Floor Training Room

1. McKibben Demographic Report

2. Vision RFP Outcomes

3. Facilities Analysis RFP Outcomes

4. Review of Timeline

The agenda doc contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/comprehensive_facilities_planning_subcom-1_3_24.pdf

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee - agenda for Jan 3, 2024 meeting

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Thursday, Dec 14, 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 6, Verizon 26) = Thursday

8:00 am Veterans' Call: VA Pension

9:00 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Wrentham 350

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: New Facility

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Fish

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 6

3:00 pm Riffin' on Main Street: Erin Gallagher

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

4:30 pm Veterans Day Luncheon 2023

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

8:00 pm Frank Presents: Jay Elias Pt 1

9:30 pm The Black Box: Newsies

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = Thursday

7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022

8:30 am Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

10:00 am FHS Varsity Swimming: v Taunton 01-13-22

1:00 pm All-Town Showcase 2022: Band

2:30 pm ArtWeek: Art + Music

3:30 pm Critical Conversations: Social Media

6:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Soccer: v King Philip 10-13-23

8:00 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 2 03-14-18

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 11-30-23

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee 11-29-23

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 11-30-23

7:00 pm Conservation Commission: LIVE, Chambers  843 6043 2016

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Franklin Cultural District: Yankee Swap, Girl Scout Cookies, Humbug!, Train Town 2 & more as #artshappenhere

Wednesday, December 13

7:00pm Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club (Yankee Swap) (Escape Into Fiction)

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

Thursday, December 14

4:30pm Winter Wonderland (Franklin Senior Center)

Winter Wonderland

5:00pm Local Vendor Holiday Event (Birchwood Bakery)

6:00pm Annie Sullivan Middle Sch Concert (Horace Mann Middle Sch)

7:00pm Brian Cabral (live music) (Raillery Public House)

Friday, December 15

6:00pm Backyard Swagger (live music) (67 Degrees Brewing)

7:00pm Box Groove (live music) (Raillery Public House)

Saturday, December 16

8:30am Girl Scout Cookie Sale (outside US Post Office Main St)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Train Town Franklin; Part 2 (Franklin Historical Museum)

4:00pm Laura May (live music) (67 Degrees Brewing)

7:30pm Humbug! (ticketed event) (Franklin High School)

Sunday, December 17

7:30am All you can eat Breakfast (Franklin Rod & Gun Club)

11:00am Girl Scout Cookie Sale (outside Learning Express)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Train Town Franklin; Part 2 (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:00pm Humbug! (ticketed event) (Franklin High School)

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

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)

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!