Franklin (MA) Matters

This session of the radio show shares Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in the Council Chambers. All 7 members participated; (6 in Chambers, 1 remote (Gallagher).Quick meeting recap:Horace Mann Middle School provided an update on their school year , goals and objectivesThe School Committee voted for their budget totaling $81,319,261.00. Now they need to work with the Town Council to fund it all or in part and deal with the resultsJoint meeting April 24 at FHS Auditorium with Town Council and School CommitteeThe School Committee voted unanimously not to accept new School Choice students for the 2024-2025 School year. Not a change, likely to be possible in future depending upon school district long term planning results available later this year (i.e. redistricting)Voted unanimously to adopt policy JFABB – Admittance of Foreign Exchange StudentsMy notes captured via Twitter are available in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nL3N1QI_hV-xrY0VllU2iZyJw4HOREcK/

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti, School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, and Asst Superintendent Dr Tina Rogers on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.    We get a brief recap of current events and the dive into the major discussion of the budget and the timeline around its final development. Information on the key questions that remain to be answered are discussed. Budget timeline:April 9 - School Committee vote on school’s budgetApril 12 - Town FY 2025 budget releasedApril 17 - Finance Committee meetingApril 24 - Joint meeting of School Committee & Town Council at FHS AuditoriumMay 6, 8, and 15 - Finance Committee budget hearingsMay 22, 23  - Town Council budget hearingsWe close on a lighter note with discussion and laughter around the Top 20 songs about schools .https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AEq1QElhBShhGAMjH-S_uEceAfNPftlC/view?usp=drive_link Our conversation runs about 55 minu

This session of the radio show shares the Arts & Culture Subcommittee of the Town Council as they released their final report on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.  The meeting was held at the Council Chambers and broadcast by Franklin TV via cable (Verizon & Comcast), as well as Zoom and live stream to YouTube.   Chair Cobi Frongillo, members Melanie Hamblen and Ted Cormier-Leger.Cory Shea, new Director of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy introduces what she is up to in her early days here.The meeting runs about 45 minutes (brief tech difficulty in the opening minutes with an echo was resolved).    --------------Meeting  recording on YouTube ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPz7IPBOqAc Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/1._arts_culture_20240130_170221_0000.pdf Arts & Culture subcommittee report -> https://www.franklinculture.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif596/f/uploads/arts_culture_20240403_19

This session of the radio show shares the Comprehensive Schools Facilities Planning on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.  The meeting was held in the 3rd floor training room and recorded by Franklin Matters.    The meeting runs about 58 minutes   --------------Meeting agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/1._arts_culture_20240130_170221_0000.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. 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 neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowThrough this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.For additional information, please visit www.franklin.news/ or  www.Fran

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) Board of Health Meeting conducted on Wednesday, April 3, 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.  The meeting runs about 23 minutes.    --------------Board of Health page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department Meeting agenda ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/boh_agenda_4.3.24_-_google_docs.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. 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 neighborsIf you don't like something her

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, March 26, 2024.  We continued making sense of climate on an almost extemporaneous discussion similar to what we recently had. The list of articles we drew from:Nature article - Are we all doomed? https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00790-6  Office of Energy Transformation https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-establishes-nations-first-office-of-the-energy-transformation False info from activists on whale impact for wind power https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/25/science/activists-use-whales-to-fight-wind/ MBTA to improve battery/electric efforts  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/24/metro/battery-powered-improved-service-could-be-coming-to-ts-commuter-rail-in-2027/ This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin MA School Committee Special Meeting conducted March 26 to provide committee members and the community with an update on the Comprehensive School Facilities Planning underway. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers. All seven of the School Committee members were present.Quick recap:Supt Giguere set up for Dr Fran Locker  to provide her insights and findings as part of the workshops, she has facilitatedCapturing the slides with photos (as they were shared), the presentation copy should be posted to the School page in the next day or so. When I find it, I’ll add the link hereThe meeting runs about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Let’s listen to the School Committee Special Meeting held on March 26, 2024.--------------School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee Meeting Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/sc_special_mtg._agenda_-_3_26_24.pdf Supt Giguere overvie

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio studio on Monday, March 25, 2024. The School Committee had their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. We recap that meeting in our discussion. The major item of the meeting was the public hearing on the school budget.  We spend time on that as well as the Comprehensive School Facilities Planning work also underway which has long term budget implications. Topics:Superintendent Recommended Budget for FY 2025Comprehensive School Facilities PlanningSchool budget vote scheduled for April 9The recording runs about 35 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan.--------------Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee Superintendent’s Recommended budget -> https://www.

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on March 19, 2024. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers. All 7 members of the Committee were present in Chambers. Quick recap:FY25 Budget Open Hearing  (presentation doc not posted but the full budget book is available ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy25_complete_budget_book.pdf)2 quick points from School Committee member Paul Griffith during the Q&A for the presentation, I paraphrased here but go listen to what he said:Great clarification questions from Cmte member Griffith Go back and listen (via the YouTube link) for his points on the class size as well as the support services (i.e. personnel titles) some legally required if not morally to provide the proper education for each studentIf we are looking at the bare minimum of level services across the Town and schools, given the Town expected revenue, it is not whether there should be an override,

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 Monday, March 18, 2024.We talk about Reviewed the regular open hours, and month ending holiday timesLibrary events for April 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 32 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Mitzi Gousie’s email -> mgousie@minlib.net Franklin Public Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library Library Calendar of Events ->  http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/F/FRANKLIN/ekp.cfm Stellarium - open source sky viewing software https://stellarium.org/Eclipse viewers -> https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters -------------We are now producing this in collaboration

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, March 12, 2024.  We continued making sense of climate on an almost extemporaneous discussion similar to what we recently had. The topic list:State of the Union, Inflation Reduction ActConservation land, rewilding to restore carbon balanceGulf Stream, and implications of climate changeBoston Globe article on smart electrical panelsStranded asset, reuse with geothermal possibleTotal eclipse, April 8This 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 47 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted.--------------Bos

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with the leadership team of the National Art Honor Society. Amy Edson, FHS Art teacher, and club advisor. The leadership team students introduce themselves as we go around:  Raena, the President of NAHS and leading the Singapore roomAllie, the Vice-President, and leading the Spain roomGia, the Data Manager, and leading the Columbia roomChristine, the Social Media Director and leading the Sudan roomWe had our conversation in one of the art rooms where the Create Art Around the World will be taking place. Thanks to the Franklin Cultural Council for the grant to enable this event for free.Let’s listen to this conversation about the kid friendly (and did we say, “Free”) Create Art Around the World scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. --------------FHS Clay Studio Instagram account -> https://www.instagram.com/fhs_claystudio/ More about the Franklin Cultural Council -> https://www.franklinma.gov/cultural-c

This session of the radio show shares the FPS Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee meeting held on March 13, 2024. The meeting was held in the 3rd floor training room. Participating in the room: D Callaghan, Supt. Giguere, Dr. Dutch, Dr. Rogers, P Marano, Mike D’Angelo, K Ham, and E Gallagher, Participating remotely: A CharlesQuick recap:Supt Giguere set up for Kate Jessup (?) Kaestle Boos  to provide her insights and findings as part of the tours and workshops, she has taken part of or facilitatedCapturing the slides with photos (as they were shared), the presentation copy should be posted to the School page in the next day or so. When I find it, I’ll add the link hereThe meeting runs about 65 minutes so let’s listen to the FPS Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcommittee meeting held on March 13, 2024.--------------School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee Meeting Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vy

This session shares a recap of the Town of Franklin (MA) Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. This recap was recorded via Zoom on Thursday, March 7, 2024. The recap of this critical budgetary meeting was conducted withCouncil Chair Tom Mercer who also serves as the Chair of the Joint Budget CommitteeGeorge Conley, Chair of the Finance CommitteeDavid McNeill, Vice-Chair of the School Committee as well as Chair of the Budget Subcommittee for the schoolsQuick recap:Role of the Joint Budget CommitteeReflections on the info shared in the meetingNext steps including schedule of meetings to continue to work on refining the FY 2025 budgetThe recording runs about 51 minutes, so let’s listen to the recap of the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting.--------------Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D33RO5xYoUg   Meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda_-_march_6_2024

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Town Councilor Glenn Jones. Glenn is currently Chair for the Master Plan Update Committee. They have been working diligently for the past year to revise and update the “Master Plan” for Franklin. The Committee is preparing for the Open House event, March 23. To be held at Dean College, 60 School St from 11 AM to 3 PM. Refreshments will be provided by Dean College.We talk through the Master Planning process and what remains ahead of them.The audio recording runs about 45 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Glenn on the Master Plan and come to hear more on March 23 at Dean College.--------------Master Plan Update Committee page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/master-plan-update-committeeInventory Report (Updated) -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_master_plan_inventory_assessment-rev_03-07-2024_ia_with_maps.pdf Event info for March 23 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/town-fra

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan and Ruthann O’Sullivan. We had our conversation via the Zoom conference bridge on Friday, March 8, 2024. The School Committee had their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. We recap that meeting in our discussion as well as get their insights on the Joint Budget meeting as well as the Comprehensive School Facilities Planning work also underway. Topics:Superintendent Recommended Budget for FY 2025Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting March 6 started the formal process to develop the FY 2025 budget including the decision around a possible overrideThe recording runs about 42 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan and Ruthann O’Sullivan.--------------Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net Contact info for Ruthann O’Sullivan  osullivanr@franklinps.net School Committee page => https://www.franklin

This session shares the Town of Franklin (MA) Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers with a huge crowd and multiple folks tapped in via Zoom. 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, Natalie Riley, of the Finance CommitteeDavid McNeill, Paul Griffith, and KP Sompally of the School CommitteeQuick recap:Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School superintendent Lucas Gigiuere jointly presented the story of the town and school budgets as they initially create a 10.1 million deficit to be resolvedNext steps outlined as this is the start of the discussion and fine tuning of the budgetThe show notes contain a link to the agenda, the Franklin TV meeting vide

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, February 28, 2024.We talk about Reviewed the regular open hours, and month ending holiday timesLibrary events for March 2024Kiddos, 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 32 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Mitzi Gousie’s email -> mgousie@minlib.net Event highlights we covered in this conversationhttps://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/march-2024-franklin-library-news-events Franklin Public Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library Library Calendar of Events ->  http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/F/FRANKLIN/ekp.cfm Stellarium - open source sky viewing software https://stellar

This session of the radio show shares the output of The Climate Minute podcast episode hosted by Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We met to record in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.  The topic thread we talked of as we continued this making sense of climate discussion was the most extemporaneous that we have had. Ted turned the tables around and interviewed me to find out about my trip to Uganda and we discussed the climate implications of some of the lessons or highlights I shared. 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 58 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted.--------------Links to references made during thi

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, February 18, 2024. All 9 members  of the Council participated (1 remotely). Most of the first 2 hours was spent on a healthy conversation around the proposed zoning change from residential to business for two lots on King St near the Fire station. The Council after spending almost 2 hours listening to the proposal (no specific business use was proposed) (the real question was should the lot be residential or business?), the Council decided to take "no action". This move allows them to refer the zoning change back to the Planning Board which while they had a quorum discuss this previously, the recommendation came back with only 3 votes, not the full 5 of the Board (due to the recent election).Quick recap:Brownie troop 64085 led the pledge as part of the work on the Democracy badgeThe minutes for the Jan meeting were approvedThe OPEB financial report was presented and reviewed, we are in a better