This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers (D Pellegri - absent unable and to participate).

Quick recap:

• License ownership changes for the alcohol license at The Curry House were approved
• Health Director Cathleen Liberty provides insights on the Metacomet Health Alliance and the benefits to Franklin  
• The inclusionary zoning proposal back from the Planning Board review was moved to a second reading, one step closer to approval
• The 3-part package of zoning changes for accessory dwelling units was moved forward from the EDC Plus recommendation with a contentious somewhat modification to refer to the Planning Board for their review. It will come back to the Town Council for their review and potential approval vote sometime in the near future
• FY 2024 budget should be ready for review by Friday, with the Finance Committee and Town Council hears set for May

The recording runs 2 and 40 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on April 12, 2023. 

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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_april_12_2023.pdf 

Metacomet Health Alliance presentation -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._presentation_metacomet_2.pptx.pdf 

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OcCY239kVmLdAiMS2FFZSMQyS7JWcCoZ/view?usp=share_link 

My quick notes and the meeting video -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/town-council-moves-inclusionary-zoning.html 

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

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...

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer in our Town Council Quarterbacking session. This is one of the series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior night’s Town 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 Apr 12, 2023: 

• ok, what just happened? 
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• Police Station Building Committee
• Second readings on lot line changes, the last bulks ones for now

• Public hearing on the inclusionary zoning changes back from Planning Board, move to second reading
• Accessory dwelling unit bylaw proposals referred to planning board

• Budget coming out Friday, hearing schedule set for Finance Cmte May 8, 10, 11 & Council for May 24, 25

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Our conversation runs about 32 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council Quarterbacking session recorded Apr 13, 2023

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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_april_12_2023.pdf

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OcCY239kVmLdAiMS2FFZSMQyS7JWcCoZ/view?usp=share_link 

My quick notes and the meeting video -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/town-council-moves-inclusionary-zoning.html 

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

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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This session of the radio show shares part of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the School Committee members, school district personnel along with some of the public were in the Council Chambers. Some members of the public participated via conference bridge.

Quick recap:

• Recognized swimmers from the FHS girls swim team
• Heard from an update Jefferson on their "Wellness Wednesday's"
• Voted to add to the Superintendent's budget proposal the $480K originally marked as 'left out'. The amendment to add this passed by 6-1 after a lengthy discussion. The overall budget passed 7-0. Next step will be the Finance Committee budget hearings on May 10. Followed by the Town Council budget hearing May 24
• Entered executive session to hear an MOU for the FEA to which they returned to open meeting and approved by 7-0 before closing the meeting after 10 PM without extending their session per their recently changed protocol

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting April 11, 2023

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Agenda document -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_4-11-23.pdf

Packet folder contains the documents released for this meeting (some will be posted AFTER the meeting - per School Committee policy)

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/april-11-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes captured during the meeting (in one PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Dggz5jO854jCpN33uFlNuL29hEOEJuD/view?usp=share_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"

This session of the radio show shares the 5th Annual Franklin, MA School Committee Legislative Forum held on Monday, April 10, 2023.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: School Committee members, key guests, and the public were in person in the Lecture Hall at Franklin High School. Others participated virtually via the Zoom webinar set up.

Senator Becca Rausch, and State Representative Jeffrey Roy participated in this 5th annual Forum

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are included in the show notes. The recording runs about an hour and forty-five minutes, so let’s listen to the Legislative Forum held April 10, 2023.

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Agenda doc  https://franklinps.net/district/events/93796

My notes  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oUmnGWn3v7UrVk-2xU1aXisoca6aB07x/view?usp=share_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/

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"

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Thursday, April 6, 2023.  

In this episode we covered the following topics: 

• Steve & Ted exchange greetings
• Steve reads a recent poem he wrote partly in response to the IPCC report
• Healy appoints new DPU
• Oil hides behind whales to oppose wind
• How to be involved locally 

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.  

Our recording runs about 49 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted 

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Links to articles referenced

Link to the Jorie Graham article that got me to read my own poem

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/05/jorie-graham-poet-to-2040-book/673493/

Steve’s poem “This Branch” https://www.quietpoet.com/2023/03/this-branch.html 

What does IPCC mean for MA?  https://blog.greenenergyconsumers.org/blog/the-latest-ipcc-report-what-it-means-for-massachusetts-rhode-island     

Healy appoints new DPU

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/03/17/science/with-new-commissioners-healey-aims-reshape-an-agency-seen-critical-climate-reforms/  

Oil uses astroturf groups to oppose wind https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/04/05/metro/whale-tales/ 

“Ministry for the Future” book link  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ministry_for_the_Future 

Miles Howard links as mentioned

https://massclimateaction.podbean.com/e/day-lighting-a-river-is-good-for-the-city-and-the-soul-the-climate-minute/

https://massclimateaction.podbean.com/e/urban-hiking-on-the-frontiers-of-climate-change-the-climate-minute/

https://www.bostontrails.org/about.html

Justin Bean link https://www.justincbean.com/

Grid impact of Green hydrogen

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/634abba43f1e2f4dfd5e07dc/t/6400f4e00845db41f84ddc36/1677784292826/GridImpactofGreenHydrogen+-+3-6-2023.pdf

rewilding

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Two board members participated, 1 in room (Cochrane), 1 remote (Sweet); hence roll call votes, with 1 absent (Harris). Health Dept staff present were in the 3rd floor training room. 

Quick Recap:

• With a short Board present, shifted the tobacco regulations to the next session
• Inspector’s report, Nurse’s report, Epidemiologist report all touting volume and some issues but nothing major, copies of their report pages are now included in the meeting packet
• Question on new inspection alignment; not implemented yet, still using same process as before
• Question on when the Health Fair is scheduled? May 24 at the Franklin Library from 3 to 6 PM

The meeting runs about 15 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting Apr 5, 2023.

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The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/04.05.23_agenda_and_packet.pdf 

My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UVJozV_zimvunaFHBADhoj2LJypzaDr3/view?usp=share_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"

A special cross posting of a "Chapters with Jim Derick" episode, Running with Hank

Caleb Daniloff is a Boston area writer who has written an article entitled "Running with Hank; How my daughter’s rambunctious mutt saved my sanity while she was lost to the darkness."

In this episode we speak with Caleb and Chris Daniloff about their experience as parents of a daughter suffering from Substance Use Disorder, the life saving help they received from the Peer Support group Learn to Cope and the principals of family recovery.

Links

Runners World Article -> https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a42915598/how-running-with-dogs-helps-people-suffering-from-addiction/

Learn to Cope -> www.learn2cope.org

Herron Project -> https://herrenproject.org

This session of the radio show shares the School Committee - Space Needs Subcommittee meeting held hybrid, some in the 3rd floor conference room on Monday, Mar 27, 2023, other virtual via Zoom webinar. (P-present, R-remote)

SubCmte Chair - Al Charles (R); committee members - Denise Spencer (P), Elise Stokes (R); Central office support - Supt Lucas Giguere (P), Business Manager Miriam Goodman (P) Recording by Sherlock (R)

Brief recap: (caution, albeit brief I believe I have the gist of the discussion  - the audio is available to listen to all the nuances and final options)

• Received an update from Supt Giguere on status with KBA
• Group listened, discussed each individual's preference for their recommendation, two were somewhat close, then as discussion ensued, and clarifications arose things seemed to change on who was where; fortunately as time permitted, they did clarify an option, then a second, and an ‘amendment’ to that one, ultimately it came to two options for vote as recommendation
• First, buffer for Sep 2023, expanded to including incoming K students, redistricting per storymap in 2024
• Second, same as first but allow DT families to choose where they would go beyond 2024
• Vote was 2-1 in favor of the first option 
• Consider the recommendation to be redistricting for 2024 with an option for those in the ‘buffer’ per the storymap, to opt to move early to where they would end up. For example, a DT student now at Keller but would per redistricting would go to Oak/Horace Mann, could choose to go early (2023) rather than wait until 2024

The current schedule calls for a presentation/recommendation at the April 25 meeting with a School Committee vote at their May 9 meeting.

The recording runs about 1 hour and 35 minutes, so let’s listen to the Space Needs discussion on Mar 27, 2023.  

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Meeting agenda =>  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/spaceneedssubcom-3_27_23.pdf

My notes for the meeting => https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jgXOBBOiLb36JIyvv4-bV8nAd1t4CSP_/view?usp=share_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....

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee & Steering Committee meeting held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in the Council Chambers with 6 members participating; 5 in person in the Council Chambers, 1 remote via Zoom.

“Franklin For All” Steering Committee (or EDC Plus)

• Chair Melanie Hamblen, Cobi Frongillo, Pat Sheridan (Town Council)
• Greg Rondeau, Beth Wierling (Planning Board) 
• Bruce Hunchard (Zoning Board of Appeals) - Remote
• Glenn Jones (absent)

Quick recap:

• A revision to the posted document for discussion was handed out to the committee members (not found on Town page as we go to press)
• There were effectively three proposals requiring a vote, one on the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) definition, one on the use table and one on additional language
• After some discussion, motion made to move the three to the Town Council, seconded, during discussion, Frongillo provides language to amend the definition as he is getting two answers to a question and the clarification is required. Amendment get s 3-3 (Frongillo, Hamblen, Sheridan for; Hunchard, Rondeau, Wierling no) vote, meaning it does not pass
• Frongillo makes a second amendment which also get a 3-3 vote (same alignment as prior 3-3 vote) and doesn't pass
• The vote on all three finally comes and it passes 5-1 (Hunchard no)
• Motion to adjourn, passes 6-0 via roll call

The recording of the meeting runs just under 2 hours.   

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The agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_-_march_22_2023.pdf

Franklin TV YouTube video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ozRdixrzzWQ?feature=share 

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wOGwxXtTBfvVfeY8Fct0lcsidm1mMz7A/view?usp=share_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

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers with all seven members present. 

School Committee Chair Denise Spencer opens the meeting at 7:02 PM. 

Key items on the agenda

• Recognition of several FHS studnets
• Parmenter Elementary update & presentation
• Superintendent's recommended budget for FY 2024

The show notes contain a link to the full agenda and to my notes & photos captured via Twitter during the meeting. 

The Committee entered Executive Session on a negotiation discussion and did return to public meeting. I did not capture that portion of the meeting.

The recording runs about three hours, thirty four minutes, so let’s listen to the Franklin School Committee on March 21, 2023.

I split the audio into two sections

• #963 - Part 1 - covers the opening of meeting, FHS student recognitions, Parmenter presentation (less the musical audio segment - approx. 5 minutes), and then the closing of the meeting after the budget presentation (net of 1 hour and 25 minutes)
• #964 - Part 2 - the entirety of the budget presentation  (2 hours) 

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

The agenda for this meeting can be found

 https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_3-21-23-rescheduled.pdf 

The Packet folder contains the documents released for this meeting.

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-21-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet-31423-was-canceled-due 

My notes captured via Twitter and compiled into one PDF doc ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M6IGtXDw0VLVnIMOjr4XvMpAguwCEGWg/view?usp=share_link

YouTube video link for this meeting -> (to be available after the copyrighted music section is edited out)

Presentation documents now available:

• Parmenter  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/parmenter-highlights 
• School budget FY 2024 https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/budget-presentation-3 
• FY 2024 budget book -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/fy24-budget-book 

Photos from the meeting (mostly screen shots of the presentations not yet posted to the packet folder)  

• Parmenter presentation -  https://photos.app.goo.gl/VmB9Gcrg5NutxX2V7 
• Budget presentation -