Franklin (MA) Matters

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee budget hearing, the second of 3 sessions conducted on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The 3rd session is scheduled for May 15, 2024. Then the Town Council does their budget hearing over 2 nights, May 22 & May 23. The departmental budgets covered were:Public Safety:210 Police Department220 Fire Department225 Regional Dispatch240 Inspection Department292 Animal Controlb. Department of Public Works (DPW):Departments: 422 Public WorksEnterprise Funds:450 Water440 Sewer434 Solid Waste460 StormwaterThe meeting runs about 1 and 20 minutes. Let’s listen to the second of 3 budget hearings.--------------The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/kRJStUo28Q8?si=YQQ8EPTnnAz3XMJe&t=61 The agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-05-08_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf Follow along with the budget voting doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites

This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion at the Franklin TV Studios on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.We talk about Reviewed the regular open hours, and month ending holiday timesLibrary events for May 2024Special eventsKiddos, or “littles”FamilyAdultsThe show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended..The recording runs about 20 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Mitzi Gousie’s email -> mgousie@minlib.net Franklin Public Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library May Newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/may-2024-franklin-library-news-events Library Calendar of Events ->  http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/F/FRANKLIN/ekp.cfm -------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Fran

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee budget hearing, the first of 3 sessions conducted on Monday, May 6, 2024.  The 2nd session is scheduled for May 8, the 3rd and final session scheduled for May 15, 2024. Then the Town Council does their budget hearing over 2 nights, May 22 & May 23.Quick recap:minutes of the April meeting moved to May 15 meeting for approvaldiscussion on the override and pledge doc, led to approval by 8-0-1 (1 absent, Grace)  vote via roll callCommittee then proceeded line by line through the departments, some questions raised, answered, some departments not questioned (Recreation for example touted as a 'net zero,' everything they are allocated for they return in fees raised)discussion on net school spending, how some budget expenses are on the Town side, some on the school side, all does get rolled up into net school spending annually by DESE with reporting from Town and School. The FY 2023 net school spending report coincidentally I

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We met to record in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.  We continued making sense of climate by working through a listing of article links accumulated since we had last talked. The links are included in one PDF shared below.This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  The conversation runs about 44 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted.--------------** See the page that collects all the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html Links for our discussion in one PDF doc -> https://

This session shares my conversation with Franklin Education Association (FEA) President Donna Grady. We recorded this talk in the Franklin TV Studios on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The Franklin Education Association (FEA) is the union representing all the educational personnel in the Franklin School District. Donna is the unit president and has been for 8 years. She teaches kindergarten at Keller, previously Jefferson, and has been teaching for 35 years.We talked about education today in the Franklin schools from elementary to middle school to high school. The nature and challenges of teaching our wonderful kiddos through the grade levels.The recording runs about 55 minutes.--------------Donna’s school contact info -> gradyd@franklinps.net Franklin Education Association web page -> https://franklin.massteacher.org/ -------------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 publ

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) Economic Development Subcmte Meeting conducted on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.  The meeting was held at the Municipal Bldg and conducted in a hybrid manner. Chair Melanie Hamblen, Councilors Brian Chandler & Cobi Frongillo were in the Council Chambers. Councilor Sheridan was absent.The meeting was scheduled to begin at 5:45 and actually started at 5:55 (not 6:55 as is announced by Chair Hamblen). There was technical difficulty with the Zoom video but not with the YouTube video or any channel audio. Turned out to be a setting in the meeting set up that turned the video off for this session. (Duly noted for future sessions).  Quick summaryCurrent policy across Health Dept, Building Inspection and DPW calls out the requirements for grease traps for commercial use. Those policies would be combined into one Town bylaw to formalize and remove possible confusion or contention as to which one takes precedence.The draft bylaw was recommended to

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo and resident Lisa Oxford. We talk about the launch events for the Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin (BEN 4 Franklin). We talk about how the group grew out of last year’s Jane WalkAnd subsequent conversation at Strawberry Stroll, a meeting in August,The core group kept at it to work on a vision and mission, website and initial event launchThe visionWe envision an inviting, diverse, environmentally sustainable, and fiscally strong Franklin where all can be engaged and find a home. We are aligned with the vision of the 2022 Franklin for All report.The missionWe are an inclusive community advocating for a Franklin with abundant, affordable housing for all and walkable, economically vibrant downtown and neighborhoods that evolve in a fiscally-responsible manner.Our conversation runs about 27 minutes.    --------------BEN 4 Franklin web page ->  https://ben4franklin.org/  L

This session shares the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in 2 parts. All 9 councilors took part in Chambers.Part 1  (~2 hours)Covers the first hour of the meetingCitizen CommentsApproval of Minutes - March 13, 2024Proclamation: Chris Stearns, Franklin TV Police Department - Introduction of Mental Health Clinician Caroline FerrisAppointment to Conservation Commission - Nicole ChiaramontePresentation: FY23 Financial Audit - Scott McIntire, Partner, Marcum LLPAnd then skips past the Override presentation to jump to the citizens comments on the override and then the closing of the meetingPart 2 (~ 2 and a quarter hours)Includes the entire section of the joint presentation by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere including the Council question and answersMany department heads also spoke for the pledgeLegislation for ActionResolution 24-19: Override Pledge to the Citizens of FranklinResolution 24-20: Setting Date of Proposition 2 ½ Override BallotResolu

This session shares the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in 2 parts. All 9 councilors took part in Chambers.Part 1  (~2 hours)Covers the first hour of the meetingCitizen CommentsApproval of Minutes - March 13, 2024Proclamation: Chris Stearns, Franklin TV Police Department - Introduction of Mental Health Clinician Caroline FerrisAppointment to Conservation Commission - Nicole ChiaramontePresentation: FY23 Financial Audit - Scott McIntire, Partner, Marcum LLPAnd then skips past the Override presentation to jump to the citizens comments on the override and then the closing of the meetingPart 2 (~ 2 and a quarter hours)Includes the entire section of the joint presentation by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere including the Council question and answersMany department heads also spoke for the pledgeLegislation for ActionResolution 24-19: Override Pledge to the Citizens of FranklinResolution 24-20: Setting Date of Proposition 2 ½ Override BallotResolu

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting of Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in 2 parts. All 7 school committee members took part in Council Chambers. They broke briefly at 5 minutes for an Executive Session and returned about 10 minutes later. That portion of the audience audio was excluded to simplify the recording.Part 1 Covers the first two and one half hours of the meetingStudent pledgeFHS Student updatesExecutive Session & returnPresentation on Comprehensive School Facilities Plan (redistricting)Questions and discussion from the School CommitteePart 2Covers the remaining 2 hours of the meetingEntire citizen comments and question period5 minute break to allow crowd to leave before resuming meeting agendaInterim Business Administrator Appointment (voted to approve appointment)Override Memorandum of Understanding (discussed but not acted upon as it needs collaborative work)Discussion Only Items - ACCEPT 3rd Quarter ReportInformation MattersA. School Committee Sub-Committee ReportsB. S

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting of Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in 2 parts. All 7 school committee members took part in Council Chambers. They broke briefly at 5 minutes for an Executive Session and returned about 10 minutes later. That portion of the audience audio was excluded to simplify the recording. There was also a 7 minute break after the citizen comment section of the redistricting discussion before completing the meeting.Part 1 Covers the first two and one half hours of the meetingStudent pledgeFHS Student updatesExecutive Session & returnPresentation on Comprehensive School Facilities Plan (redistricting)Questions and discussion from the School CommitteePart 2Covers the remaining 2 hours of the meetingEntire citizen comments and question period5 minute break to allow crowd to leave before resuming meeting agendaInterim Business Administrator Appointment (voted to approve appointment)Override Memorandum of Understanding (discussed but not acted upon as it needs col

This session shares the Comprehensive School Facility Planning Subcommittee meeting of Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Subcommittee Chair Dave Callaghan, Al Charles, Erin Gallagher, Supt Lucas Giguere, Asst Supt Paula Marano, Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch, Facility Director Mike D’Angelo, and Facility Deputy Director Kevin Hart participated.Summarized topics of the discussionReview of the feedback from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, website being updatedDiscussion on how to handle the former DT students/familiesDiscussion feedback session (to be posted as a workshop) for School Committee, confirmed Saturday, May 4 at FHS, also scheduling a session on May 7 at 6 PM (location TBD).Discussion on demographics trend and new visual createdDiscussion on some of the after school activities, like track which can’t realistically be done with the 3 different schools but could with the one combine middle schoolThe meeting recording runs about 26 minutes.--------------Agenda for this session ->  https://ww

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) Board of Health Meeting conducted on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.  The meeting was held at the Municipal Bldg and conducted in a hybrid manner. Chair Bridgit Sweet was remote. Members Jeff Harris and Kim Mu-Chow were in the room with the Health Department personnel.  My notes:Dual recording sessions underway; in board of health meeting, recording in progress for the school's comprehensive school facility subcommittee down the hall. Meeting in hybrid, Chair Sweet remote, members Harris & Mu-chow present with health staffHousing task force update, work on abandoned property in conjunction with Attorney General, 21  Country Club Blvd owner passed, going to court to get a receiver assigned so outstanding  actions can be taken care of.Avian flu update, flu now infecting cows, raw milk can spread the flu. Highly discourage consumption of raw milk. FDA, CDC advising PPE for dairy workers to help prevent spreadInspector reportNurse u

This session shares the Franklin School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting of Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Subcommittee Chair Dave McNeill, Dr Paul Griffith, KP Sompally, Supt Lucas Giguere, & Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch participated.Review of the Joint Meeting held on April 24 with the Town Council.Once the Town Budget was released for FY 2025, and after returning from school break, they looked at what fees and cuts would be up for consideration for providing coverage to balance the $6.3M shortfall assuming there is no override, or if there is, it doesn’t succeed.The meeting recording runs about 48 minutes.--------------Agenda for this session ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/franklin_public_schools_budget_sub_committee_meeting.pdf My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1be0w7r_ryIsluDaxxpSSiTz6lwn9sxw5/view?usp=drive_link PDF file proposed fee increaseshttps://drive.google.com/file/d/

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti, Conservation Agent Breeki Li Goodlander and Recreation Director Ryan Jette on Monday, April 29, 2024.    We get a very brief recap of current events (it’s all about the budget) and jump right into Earth Day and the other activities of the Conservation and Recreation departmentsConservationProjects more this year than lastFriends of Conservation group formingRecreation Growth in participation Field upgrades at Fletcher & King StBeaver Pond has a new kayak launchWe close out with discussion and laughter around the Top 35 songs about weather https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Eu2npqGS0fH9N0Uc0iB5WCitoawIMFdJ/view?usp=drive_link Our conversation runs about 41 minutes.    --------------Contact info: for Jamie & Amy -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator Conservation page ->  https://www.franklinm

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Brenna Johnson, Franklin High School art/ceramics teacher and Empty Bowls (EB) coordinator. We met to record in the ceramics room at FHS on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The FHS EBers introduce themselves as we go around the table: Kira Magliari, Senior, EB Social Media, continuing a family tradition of participating in Empty Bowls, has made a Silent Auction piece, helped make the Jeff Roy Project this yearAllie Maccalous, Senior, EB President, in AP3D Ceramics this year, assists in running Empty Bowls administratively each week, has made several Silent Auction pieces over the years, helped with the Jeff Roy Project this yearBridget Kennedy, Senior, EB Secretary, in AP3D Ceramics & Independent Study in Ceramics this year, has made several Silent Auction piecesThe conversation runs about 35 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with the FHS Empty Bowls Club leadership team--------------Tickets for Empty Bowls -> https://interland3.donorp

This session shares the Special School Committee meeting of Thursday, April 25, 2024. Chair Dave Callaghan, Al Charles, Dr Paul Griffith, Ruthann O’Sullivan, KP Sompally, Vice-Chair David McNeill were present; Erin Gallagher was absent. Candidate for the interview is the current assistant to the business administrator, as an interim position appointment. Janaina Vasconcelos-Melotti is here to present her background and answer questions.The meeting recording runs about 60 minutes.--------------Agenda for this session ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/sc_special_mtg._agenda_-_4_25_24.pdf My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lPQG_l9gieATruY5JDCh1u4QEkXZhNMX/view?usp=drive_link Franklin TV Video was recorded but it is not yet available (not sure why).-------------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 session shares the Comprehensive School Facility Planning Subcommittee meeting of Thursday, April 25, 2024. Subcommittee Chair Dave Callaghan, Al Charles, Erin Gallagher, Supt Lucas Giguere, Asst Supt Dr Tina Rogers, Asst Supt Paula Marano, Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch participated.Review of the feedback from the focus groups on visioning and portrait of the graduate were reviewed.Facility proposal outlined with 2 options on how to handle the elementary schools. Option A to keep the facility as K-5, Option B to split the K-2 and 3-5. Option B would introduce a transition and put aside. It also did not align with feedback from the focus groups.Much work remains to continue to flesh out the plans, adding the detailed long range plan as well as the implementation details. Assuming this does gain full committee approval it would begin implementation no earlier than Sep 2025.Subcommittee recommended to bring Option A forward to the School Committee meeting Tuesday, April 30. The meeting recording runs

This session shares the Joint Town Council & School Committee meeting of Wednesday, April 24, 2024 in 2 parts. All 9 Town Councilors and all 7 School Committee members participated.  Many town and school department managers were also present in the first couple of rows of the auditorium.Over 400 folks were in the FHS auditorium, another 2-300 were online via YouTube at one point or another (and that tallied 800+ unique individuals by the time the meeting ended).Part 1 Covers the first 90 minutes of the meetingTown Administrator Jamie Hellen presented the FY 2025 budgetSchool Superintendent Lucas Giguere accompanied by Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch presented the school budget and issuesPart 2The remaining 1 hour and 40 minutes covered the public comment and question section. Speakers were allocated 1 minute, most kept to the point.--------------The Franklin TV broadcast of the 3 hour plus session is available for replay on YouTube ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/xMN27_nBPUU?s

This session shares the Joint Town Council & School Committee meeting of Wednesday, April 24, 2024 in 2 parts. All 9 Town Councilors and all 7 School Committee members participated.  Many town and school department managers were also present in the first couple of rows of the auditorium.Over 400 folks were in the FHS auditorium, another 2-300 were online via YouTube at one point or another (and that tallied 800+ unique individuals by the time the meeting ended).Part 1 Covers the first 90 minutes of the meetingTown Administrator Jamie Hellen presented the FY 2025 budgetSchool Superintendent Lucas Giguere accompanied by Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch presented the school budget and issuesPart 2The remaining 1 hour and 40 minutes covered the public comment and question section. Speakers were allocated 1 minute, most kept to the point.--------------The Franklin TV broadcast of the 3 hour plus session is available for replay on YouTube ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/xMN27_nBPUU?s