Thursday, March 28, 2024

Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Ergonomic Gardening

The Franklin Garden Club will sponsor a program on “Ergonomic Gardening” on Tuesday, April 2, at 7:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA.  The program will be presented by Mary Panda, an experienced physical therapist. The program is open to the public at no charge. 
 
Panda has been a practicing physical therapist for 45 years and a certified hand therapist for 32 years. She is an an avid gardener and belongs to the Ashland Community Garden and Mass Horticulture Society. Her talk will provide tips on taking care of your body and preventing injuries while enjoying all the benefits of gardening. 

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, became a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts in 2015. 

Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Ergonomic Gardening
Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Ergonomic Gardening

Franklin Residents: Hydrant Flushing Begins April 1, 2024 (a coincidence, not an April Fools joke!)

Hydrant Flushing Begins April 1, 2024

Hydrant flushing begins the week of April 1, 2024.

Hydrant flushing is conducted annually to improve Franklin's water quality and fire flows. Some hydrants will be flushed in the evening hours on weekdays and in the morning on weekends, while others will be completed during the day.  Hydrant flushing will continue depending on water availability and system pressures. 

Residents may experience temporary water loss or discolored water while hydrants are being flushed in their area. Even though the water may be discolored, it is still safe for human consumption.

For daily updates on which areas are being worked on, click here.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/hydrant-flushing

Franklin Residents: Hydrant Flushing Begins April 1, 2024
Franklin Residents: Hydrant Flushing Begins April 1, 2024

School Committee gets an update on the Comprehensive School Facilities Planning underway in Special Meeting Tuesday (audio)

FM #1163 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1163 in the series. 


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 facilitated

  • Capturing 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 here


The meeting runs about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Let’s listen to the School Committee Special Meeting held on March 26, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1163-franklin-ma-special-school-committee-mtg-03-26-24



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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 overview -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/csfc_march_2024_update.pdf 


Photo album of the meeting & those slides Dr Locker shared -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/GasFSL4EuKTwduid9 


My notes captured during the meeting via Twitter in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ahFGCJkEf71dEhqzWJgV6e01tP1Hx70z/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"


Dr Fran Locker presenting to the School Committee
Dr Fran Locker presenting to the School Committee

Comprehensive School Facilities Community Forum - April 8 at 6 PM

Franklin Public Schools
Franklin School Committee
School Committee Special Meeting
Comprehensive Facilities Planning Community Forum


When: April 8, 2024 - 6:00 PM
Where:  FHS Cafeteria


Agenda
  • Comprehensive Facilities Planning Community Forum


Agenda doc (no remote participation for this workshop)

Comprehensive School Facilities Community Forum - April 8 at 6 PM
Comprehensive School Facilities Community Forum - April 8 at 6 PM

Rep. Jeff Roy worked with Empty Bowls on a Silent Auction item

Yesterday Rep. Jeff Roy worked with Empty Bowls making a ceramic tray for the annual fundraiser on Thurs. May 23rd, 6-8pm in the FHS cafeteria.  
Tickets go on sale Monday through the pantry’s website.

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/johnsonb_ms/status/1773168494613323797

Ticket for Empty Bowls -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/emptybowls/

Rep. Jeff Roy worked with Empty Bowls on a Silent Auction item
Rep. Jeff Roy worked with Empty Bowls on a Silent Auction item

Riffin' on Main Street: James McLaughlin (video)

Kenneth "Ken" Elmore, the President of Dean College, has a series of video interviews called "Riffin' on Main St."  In this episode, he has a conversation with Franklin Fire Chief James McLaughlin. 



Celebration of Arts and Culture: A Recognition of Grants and Funding Recipients - April 4, 2024 - 7 PM

Celebration of Arts and Culture: 

A Recognition of Grants and Funding Recipients 

Franklin Cultural Council and Franklin Cultural District Committee would like to invite you to the Celebration of Arts and Culture: A Recognition of Grants and Funding Recipients!

Join for Music and Dance Performances, Congratulatory Remarks, Light Refreshments, and Networking Opportunities!

April 4, 2024 at 7:00PM

Alumni Memorial Hall, Dean College*

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/celebration-arts-and-culture-recognition-grants-and-funding-recipients-april-4-2024

Note: Alumni Memorial Hall is also called the Trophy Room. It can be reached via the entrance at 60 School St. Gym to the left, Hall to the right after entering  Dean campus map -> https://www.dean.edu/maps-directions/

Celebration of Arts and Culture: A Recognition of Grants and Funding Recipients - April 4, 2024
Celebration of Arts and Culture: A Recognition of Grants and Funding Recipients - April 4, 2024

One Franklin could use some "Lit volunteers" for their Literature Campaign

Via the One Franklin group:
"Are you a parent/grandparent/caregiver for a school aged child in Franklin? 
One Franklin could use some "Lit volunteers"
One Franklin could use some "Lit volunteers" 
Do they take the bus? 

Do they play a sport, play in the jazz band? Are they in a club? Are you?

Do you want to help spread awareness about this budget deficit, but have no time to give? 

Our team is looking for those with no time to give for 'Lit(e)' work by creating a team of "Lit Volunteers" to drop off literature (see what we did there?) Their purpose will be to drop off information to fellow parents/caregivers, friends and neighbors. 
People who you probably already see at the bus stop, playground, soccer field, etc... or perhaps you could help by dropping some literature off to your child's classmates or neighborhood (no door knocking, just door hangers). We drop the printed materials right to your home when they're ready to go out. 
Many hands make light work, come be a part of the solution! Please fill out the form below if you want to help. "

Find out more about One Franklin at -> https://onefranklinma.com/

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

  • 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

7:00 am Fallen Heroes Pt 2
8:00 am Veterans' Call: Dave Hencke
9:00 am Jim Johnston: Ben Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr.
10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Grillin'
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies
12:30 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Valentine Cards
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 5
3:00 pm Riffin' on Main Street: Katherine Kennedy
4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts
5:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture
6:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 2 - Paul Kelly
8:00 pm Frank Presents: Corey Shea
9:30 pm Franklin Art Association: Dave Kaphammer

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

7:00 am Public School Event: FHS Jazz Cafe 2023
8:30 am All-Town Showcase 2024: Band
10:00 am FHS Boys Varsity Basketball State Finals 03-17-24
12:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Flowers for Algernon
1:00 pm All-Town Showcase 2024: Chorus
2:30 pm FHS Theater Company: Cinderella
5:00 pm Lifelong Music: Band
6:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts
7:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball v Andover 02-29-24

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission 03-21-24
12:00 pm Economic Development 03-13-24
2:00 pm Conservation Commission 03-21-24
7:30 pm Zoning Board of Appeals  LIVE, Remote  922 2930 5453

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

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Franklin Cultural District: Speaker, juggler, magician, egg hunt and more as #artshappenhere

Wednesday, March 27

1:00pm Senior Scribblers (recording session at Franklin TV/Radio Studio)

5:30pm Kenyatta Berry (Dean College)

7:00pm Laugh Boston Stand-Up Comedy Show (Glen Pharma)


Thursday, March 28

1:00pm Henry the Juggler (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm Franklin Art Association Opening Reception (Escape Into Fiction)


Friday, March 29

1:00pm Mike Bent‘s AbraKIDabra Show (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Party for the Pantry (sold out)


Saturday, March 30

9:00am Fallen Hero: W. Franklin Lynch (Veterans Walkway, Town Common)

10:00am Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:30am Egg Hunt on the Library Lawn (Franklin Public Library)


Sunday, March 31 - Easter Sunday

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)


Tuesday, April 2

6:00pm Franklin Garden Club - meeting (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm Trivia Night (Raillery Public House)

7:30pm Voice of Franklin, part of Toastmasters International (Franklin TV/Radio Studio)


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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)

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

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!
Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

Comprehensive School Facilities Assessment - Status Update March 26, 2024

Throughout the 2023-24 school year, we have been working towards developing a master plan through the Comprehensive Facilities Assessment Subcommittee. Our goal is to provide a short-term and long-term vision that utilizes our assets strategically and fiscally responsibly. 

We are in the process of conducting that plan through the comprehensive assessment of school facilities. This is a follow-up to last year‘s redistricting assessment.  It was voted not to redistrict then and recommended that we broaden our scope and look at the district as a whole. 

Since then, we have updated our student enrollment forecast using the 2020 census data with post-pandemic figures using McKibbon and associates who conducted the last forecast.  We have also used the KBA Facilities Assessment Report 2020 as a foundation upon which to develop further.  This report outlined several options for Franklin's future. Some of these options were deemed not viable at the time due to the need for a long-term master plan.  KBA Architect Kate Jessup conducted an educational adequacy assessment of our buildings to determine the suitability of each school and the spaces within it. For example, more information was needed to account for specialized programming within the district. 

Dr. Fran Locker and Associates have been overseeing all aspects of this work with the goal of delivering a master plan with recommendations to the School Committee this Spring, 2024.  They most recently facilitated Portrait of a Graduate Application and Educational Visioning workshops in March with representative stakeholder groups.  

On March 26th, Dr. Locker will provide an update to the entire School Committee on the process. We will then host stakeholder forums in early April, which will serve as a mechanism to gather additional input from various stakeholder groups.  Forums are scheduled to take place in April 2024.

This spring, Locker and Associates will develop a final report that will include organizational options to best educate all students and present recommendations to the School Committee. 

Once again, our goal is to provide a short-term and long-term vision for the Franklin Public Schools by utilizing our assets strategically and fiscally responsibly.  While facilities assessment and budget are intertwined, it’s important to emphasize that school reorganization or closure alone will not address the district's funding deficit. However, they could play an integral role in developing a more sustainable budget.  

We are committed to this process, which will help us plan for the future and explore all options. 

We will continue to share information as we move forward, including posting all presentations and reports here.


Comprehensive School Facilities Assessment - Status Update March 26, 2024
Comprehensive School Facilities Assessment - Status Update March 26, 2024

Dave & I recap the School Committee budget public hearing and prep for vote on April 9 (audio)

FM #1162 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1162 in the series. 


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 2025

  • Comprehensive School Facilities Planning

  • School budget vote scheduled for April 9


The recording runs about 35 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1162-chalkboard-chat-03-25-24



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Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 


School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 


Superintendent’s Recommended budget -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/recommended-fy25-budget


Budget book -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy25_complete_budget_book.pdf 


03/19/24 meeting Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_3-19-24.pdf 


Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-19-2024-school-committee-meeting 


Franklin TV video for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YXw4dnXUqk 


Franklin.News summary (with audio link) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/school-committee-gets-details-on_01811056112.html 


The “Chalkboard Chat” image was the result of a joint collaboration with Mickayla Callaghan. Thank you!


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


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"


Dave & I recap the School Committee budget public hearing and prep for vote on April 9 (audio)
Dave & I recap the School Committee budget public hearing and prep for vote on April 9 (audio)