Franklin (MA) Matters

This session shares the Town of Franklin (MA) Joint Budget SubCommittee meeting held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers. Remote participation was enabled for the public for this session. The Joint Budget Subcommittee is composed of the 4 members of the Town Council, 4 members of the Finance Committee and 3 members of the School Committee (to avoid a committee quorum for each of the respective bodies).Chair - Tom Mercer, Brian Chandler, Cobi Frongillo, and Melanie Hamblen of the Town CouncilGeorge Conley, Nataqly Riley, Nicole Corbosiero, and Lauren Nagel of the Finance CommitteeDavid McNeill, David Callaghan, and Denise Spencer of the School CommitteeQuick recap:Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided a brief update on FY 24, change in new growth coming, reduction of $250K, implications remain TBDSchools updated some of their numbers, starting to plan for FY 25, to include the 4 years after, due approx.. Mar/Apr; looking into comparable communities (i.e. Ho

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of October 11, 2023: ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?We cover the following key topicsDiscussion: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin by Inserting Chapter 147, Snow and Ice, Removal Of  Migrant update – nothing major is newJoint Budget Subcmte Mtg• Brief update on FY 24, change in new growth coming, reduction of $250K, implications remain TBD• Schools updated some of their numbers, planning for FY 25, to include the 4 years after, due approx.. Mar/Apr; looking into comparable communities (i.e. Hockomock League)• Next Joint session in Jan 2024Our conversation runs about 27 minutes. Let’s listen to thi

This session of the radio show shares the Town Administrator’s Report segment from the Town Council Meeting of Oct 11, 2023. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides an update on the Migrant Housing status.  The report segment runs about 8 minutes. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, October 11, 2023--------------Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administratorTown Council agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_oct_11_2023.pdf Update from Sep 20 meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant_20.html Update from Sep 6 meeting ->https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html Notification on migrant temporary housinghttps://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/ma-notifies-franklin-of-plans-to-house.html--------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Fr

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 as scheduled.  All seven members were present.My notes were captured remotely as I viewed the meeting via the Zoom connection.Quick recapSuperintendent's report. FHS game for thanksgiving at Fenway Park, tickets through Red Sox. Professional dev 10/18 and an early release day, Nov 7 full professional dev (election day)Anticipating approx. 40 students from the migrant housing enrolled in school by the end of this week. State providing funding to compensateHiring, a few positions; open 1 special Ed, 7 special Ed aids, (other info being shared)Joint Budget Subcmte meeting Weds 10/11 at 5:30 PM, planning on an update on the currentFY24 budget. Some info to be shared with SchCom before the meeting (as it will be public during the evening session). Anticipating quarterly disbursement from State on migrant fundingECDC School Improvement Plan up next. Andy Bernabei, new principal, came in from Marlboro. Appreciated the help from his staff in mak

This session shares my conversation with Town Clerk Nancy Danello conducted in her office at the Municipal Building on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. We talk about The Tri-County election October 24The biennial Town of Franklin election includes the debt exclusion to fund the Tri-County building The show notes include links to the Town Clerk page and to the Tri-County information.The recording runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Town Clerk’s page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk Tri-County new building page -> https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/ Tri County School Building Project - Karen Maguire, Tri County Superintendent (presentation to Town Council) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._tri_county_presentation.pdfBuilding update meeting in June, 2023 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/tri-county-building-project-update.html Tri-County Election Announcement  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-cler

This shares my interview and discussion with MRN Diagnostics CEO Dr. Greg Chiklis. Our discussion was conducted on site at the MRN facility in the Forge Park Industrial Park.What is MRN’s mission? The role of the MRN’s Clinical Research Division About the clinical research studies that are currently available (Ageros, Leidos)Studies are handled by an experienced team of clinical coordinators who follow stringent protocols to ensure the safety of our donors and the integrity of our studiesDonors will receive compensation for each study that they participate inCreate the Biorepository for future studiesHow we can get involved in one or more of these clinical collectionsFor more information on how you can take part, please contact us at (508) 384-0033 or email collections@mrndx.comThe recording runs about 36 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Dr. Greg Chiklis.--------------Home page for MRD -> https://www.mrndx.com/ Clinical Collections Flyer -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PYwt

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Monday, October 2, 2023.  In this episode we cover the following topicsFirst Monday in OctoberGas pipeline expansionBikes and batteriesLinks to the articles we talk of are collected 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 49 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted as we help ‘make sense of climate.’--------------Links to articles referenced:First Monday.in October…SCOTUS may rule on Chevron Deference… Thomas is bought?https://www.propublica.org/article/clarence-thomas-secretly-attended-koch-brothers-donor-events-sc

This shares my conversation with Rick Rollingcross. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV Studio on September 21, 2023. Rick provides his short story, and as a retired psychologist advocates for additional tools in the toolkit to deal with time away from screens. He has a regular session at the Senior Center for “diamond painting” which he describes during our talk. He also advocates for walking a labyrinth. Sessions on diamond painting are available through Tri-County Continuing Education.Our conversation runs about 15 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Rick recorded Sep 21, 2023--------------Tri-County Continuing Ed catalog for the Fall of 2023 -> https://a9m535.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BROCHURE-8.30edit1.pdf --------------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.

This session of the radio show shares the Tri-County RVTHS new building information session held at the Franklin Public Library on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.Tri-County School Committee members Peter Wiernicki and Jen D’Angelo presented, assisted by a Facilities Representative.The current school is 'broken', per the MSBA process the building did evaluate options to renovate, renovate & create an addition, or rebuild. The rebuild option was selected as the most viable The cost today is shown as 284M, MSBA will reimburse 29%Oct 24, 2023 is scheduled date for approval of the Tri-County school replacement project approval by the 11 community members of the Tri-County districtThe October 24 vote will be conducted across the 11 communities at the same time, from 12 PM to 8 PM. The vote will be counted in aggregate and a 50% +1 is required for passageThe 11 individual communities can make their own decision on how to fund the expense of the new building. Franklin has chosen to do a debt exclusion to raise the

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin Municipal Bldg on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. At a high level our topics were:School improvement plansFuture session with Dr Tina RogersLearning stylesBudget work started at meeting before the School CmteFuture session with Dr DutchUpdate on Thanksgiving game at Fenway and reminder on good sporting behavior  The recording runs about 33 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation with our school superintendent, Lucas Giguere--------------Superintendent’s page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent School budget ->  https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget District Communications -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent/pages/district-communications-2023-2024 Fan expectation reminder -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/9_26_23_fan_expectations_reminder

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of September 20, 2023: ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?We cover the following key topicsThree appointments to individual committees were unanimously approved.  a. Council on Aging - Collette Ferguson  b. Finance Committee - Heather Sanscoucy   c. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Kimberly Mu-Chow Franklin Elks Riders presented a donation of $1k, the Franklin Elks Bingo donated $10k to the Town of Franklin veterans servicesCouncil goals review, a long list of accomplishments, a list to be proud ofThe funds previously allocated for purchase of a new ambulance were authorized to be paid to the vendor to

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Tuesday, September 19, 2023.  In this episode we are joined by our MA State Representative Jeffrey Roy,. Jeff provides insights from his trip to Ireland his visit to the offshore wind turbine construction underwayhis efforts with legislation underway Along the way we find out about the Northern Ireland Parliament not having met in 3 years and the origin of Robert's Rules of Order in New Bedford.Links to the articles we talk of are collected 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 55 minutes. Let’s listen to my

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. All 9 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers. Quick recap:Three appointments to individual committees were unanimously approved.  a. Council on Aging - Collette Ferguson  b. Finance Committee - Heather Sanscoucy   c. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Kimberly Mu-Chow Franklin Elks Riders presented a donation of $1k, the Franklin Elks Bingo donated $10k to the Town of Franklin veterans servicesCouncil goals review, a long list of accomplishments, a list to be proud ofThe funds previously allocated for purchase of a new ambulance were authorized to be paid to the vendor to hold the contract and avoid a price increase - Resolution 23-54: Ambulance Transfer & AppropriationThe Council discussed and approved placement of the debt exclusion to fund the Franklin portion of the Tri-County RVTHS new building. The question language approved was as

This session of the radio show shares the Town Administrator’s Report segment from the Town Council Meeting of Sep 20, 2023. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides an update on the Migrant Housing status.  The report segment runs about 27 minutes. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2023--------------Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administratorTown Council agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_sept_20_2023.pdf Update from Sep 6 meeting ->https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html Notification on migrant temporary housinghttps://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/ma-notifies-franklin-of-plans-to-house.htmlFranklin TV video of Town Council 09/20/23 meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/live/bF13Dgn_6qs?si=UQh6elNMORZvbLln--------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Frank

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" session with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Deputy Administrator Amy Frigulietti. We had our conversation in the Municipal Building on Monday, September 18, 2023.  Topics for this sessionFinance Cmte recapMigrant updateMunicipal AggregationTown Council outlookOpen Space plan Council goals updateTri-County ballot questionDemolition bylawSpring St decommissionThe recording runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Amy on Monday, September 18, 2023.--------------Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administratorTalk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin Finance Committee agenda for 9/13/23 ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/finance_committee_agenda_9.13.23.pdf Town Council agenda for 9/20/23 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_sept_20_2023.pdf --------------We

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Amber Baur, Franklin Food Pantry regular volunteer and recent addition to the Board of Directors along with Laura Du, Food Pantry Client Services Manager. We had our conversation in the new location of the Franklin Food Pantry at Edwin’s. We talk about the happy news that the Food Pantry has their own home, finally. While they are appreciative of the space Rockland Trust has let them use for many years, their needs had outgrown the space. The shower curtain that had divided the intake process within the room in the former building is now replaced by an office and regular doors/windows.We talk about how the role of volunteers is critical to the successful operation of the Food Pantry assisting our neighbors. How the new facility enables the Food Pantry to better meet the needs of our neighbors in welcoming and treating them with the respect and confidentiality they deserve.Disclosure: during the conversation you will hear about my background with

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee member Dave Callaghan and Dave McNeill. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Friday, September 15, 2023. Our primary topic was a recap of the School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Sep 12. We covered the opening of schools for 2023-2024 teacher and staff hiring status District improvement planbudget impacts on middle school afterschool programs, etc. International trip approval and equity issues it raisesupcoming subcommittee meetings Info on the Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee and communications with other committees, subcommittees, to ensure all awareThe recording runs about 36 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with Dave Callaghan and Dave McNeill.--------------Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net Contact info for Dave McNeill  mcneilld@franklinps.net School Committee page

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 as scheduled.  Six members were present (1 absent - Bernstein).Quick recapUpdate from Superintendent Giguere on school opening, so far good, academic year has opened in heat which everyone worked through, over 800 faculty, over 4600 studentsSuccessfully hired all teachers, down to 11 ESPs needed, 2 open spots for interventionists, thanks to all who were part of the processMigrant housing update: refers to the press release, DESE also alerted District, families joining on a staggered basis, approx. 25 school age children with the families already housed, collaborating to enroll, register and get them welcomed to the schools, funding assistance to be provided, dollars remain unconfirmed. Updates to be provided as info is availableIntroductions of the new administrators from around the districtNext up, the district improvement plan (DIP), slides not yet posted to the meeting folder, so pix will be captured for an album to be shared as we

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers; Frongillo participated remotely, hence all votes were via roll call. Quick recap:APPOINTMENTSa. Design Review Commission - i. Andrew Prattb. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - i. Jayaprabha Vijayaraghavan Both appointments were approved via 9-0 votes c. Fire Department - New Employee - i. Jack Lennon: Firefighter/Paramedicd. Fire Department - Promotions• Thomas Konieczny: Battalion Chief• Paul Molla: Captain• Laurie Kaye: EMS Captain• Matthew Kelly: Lieutenant• Michael Berthiaume: Lieutenant• Jonathan Chalk: Lieutenant The Fire Dept had a bunch of promotions and one new hire to swear in and recognize. The promotions are competitive and occurred over time as other members left or retired creating a domino effect, hence they were batched to be all done at once. Photo album of the ceremony can be found -> &

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee (EDC) held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 in the Council Chambers. The EDC talked about snow removal on a hot Wednesday in the Franklin Council Chambers for their regularly scheduled meeting.The proposed reintroduction of the sidewalk snow removal bylaw which was rescinded in 2017 was initially discussed at the August EDC meeting at which one member was absent. All four participated this time, 3 present in Chambers, one via remote connection.That the bylaw hadn't been present for 6 years apparently had wrought enough interest to make it to the Council's objectives, hence this discussion.The committee could have decided to do more research before forwarding to the Council, or done nothing (effectively continuing the status quo of the past 6 years). They did end up moving it forward without recommendation for a full Council discussion. Some additional research will be done by Town staff in prep for a future