Franklin Matters Radio

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Finance Committee Chairperson George Conley, and School Committee Vice-Chairperson Dave McNeill in this special edition of Chalkboard Chat. We met to record this conversation virtually on Monday, May 20, 2024.  We talk about School budget updates for the Finance Committee budget hearingImpact if the override failsRedistricting approach convinced George to go for the override Reminder to cast a vote on or before June 11The conversation runs about 32 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Dave and George.--------------Contact info for George Conley  geconley47@gmail.com Finance Committee page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee Contact info for Dave McNeill   mcneilld@franklinps.net School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee School Budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget Town FY 2025 budget narrative  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy_25_budget_message_narrative_updated_links_2.pdf Town FY 2025 budget book https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_ta_budget_book_v2.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.Franklinmatters.org/ If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 audio recording of the Franklin, MA Town Council FY 2025 Budget Hearing #1 conducted on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. All nine members of the Council were present:The recording runs about 4 hours and 7 minutes, so let’s listen to this FY 2025 budget hearing #1 of May 22. --------------Agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_22_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdfMy notes via Twitter ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O69NgV1ANM3iJq5TFUm4ALkGmbTMc_sD/view?usp=drive_linkThe Franklin TV recording is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/C0UvopOrvAs?si=ezmittWmAMR1wLpk--------------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 Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 is the audio recording of the Franklin, MA Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting conducted on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. All four members of the subcommittee were present: Chair Debbie Pellegri, Vice Chair Bob Dellorco, Ted Cormier-leger, and Brian Chandler. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Deputy Administrator Amy Frigulietti.This short meeting was not set up for remote participation nor for Franklin TV broadcast. I did get there to make the audio recording available.2 items on the agenda: one the approval for use of free cash for the operating budget. Not a usual occurrence but requires approval. The formal vote will also be part of the Town Council meeting Thursday as they close the budget hearing.The second item was the creation of a stabilization account to set aside funds for the potential purchase of a building that wouldn’t be covered by the funds available from the Community Preservation Act. There was a brief discussion on this and then the vote to create and allocate the remaining $200,000 from free cash as the start point for funding the account.The vote on both measures was 4-0. The recording runs about 12 minutes, so let’s listen to this capital budget subcommittee meeting of May 22. --------------Agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/capital_budget_subcommittee_agenda_-may_22_2024.pdfMy notes via Twitter ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qs6pSNutdDmwhQUh7t5v7OR9Q3mInkq0/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 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 Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 Marcella DiChiara, Franklin resident and cook. She was selected to participate in season 3 of the PBS show “The Great American Recipe.” We met to record this conversation virtually Friday, May 17, 2024.  We talk about How she got selectedLearning Sicilian cooking from her motherThe show experience (no spoilers)Queue for the first show June 17 at 9 PM EasternThe conversation runs about 24 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Marcella.--------------Follow Marcella on Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/bostonhomecooking/ The Great American Recipe show page ->  https://www.pbs.org/show/great-american-recipe/ Press release shared on Franklin Matters -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/franklins-marcella-dichiara-was.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 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.Franklinmatters.org/ If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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. We met to record in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.  We continued making sense of climate by working our way from the trade restrictions on electronic vehicles (EVs) just announced to transportation issues, walking, biking and then briefly to zoning as a means to change our world for more sustainable living.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 39 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted.--------------Trade restrictions on EV  https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/may/14/joe-biden-tariff-chinese-made-electric-vehicles White House fact sheet https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/14/fact-sheet-president-biden-takes-action-to-protect-american-workers-and-businesses-from-chinas-unfair-trade-practices/ Smoot Hawley Act   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot%E2%80%93Hawley_Tariff_ActCHIPS Act   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHIPS_and_Science_Act International Monetary Fund on Border Carbon Adjustmentshttps://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2021/09/24/Border-Carbon-Adjustments-Rationale-Design-and-Impact-466176 Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin (www.BEN4Franklin.org/ )Audio mentioned during #44 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/building-equitable-neighborhoods-for_01632997446.html ** See the page that collects all the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.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 neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowThrough this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.

The Franklin (MA) Finance Committee conducted their 3rd and final budget hearing on the FY 2025 budget on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Seven of the nine members of the Committee participated, one remotely, so all the votes were via roll call.  Quick recap:Town Administrator Jamie Hellen briefly covered the Tri-County and Norfolk Aggie budget items. Their representatives were unable to participate this year.Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Business Administrator Dr Dutch, and School Committee Vice-Chair Dave McNeill presented from the table. Asst Supt Paula Marano provided updates on special education programs and answered those questionsAs the budget has been presented a number of times, there was an attempt to provide the "readers digest" version, and they were mostly successful.Some changes noted:They did provide an update on the migrant funding from DESE, a check for $335K+ was just received and another to account for the 72 students currently in the system is expected in June. These funds can only be used to support the migrant students and are not in the budgetThe transportation increased projected earlier at 1100 was reduced to $500 per student and to compensate, the number of FTEs potentially laid off would increase from 30 to 47They also presented an outlook on the funding to be allocated assuming the override does pass. The schools would get the $6.3M in the first year, and then $4M plus in each succeeding year The committee then votes to approve the series of resolutions to provide the fund accounting for the budget. Only one vote received a "no", all others passed by the 7-0-2 (7 for, 0 against, 2 absent)Water rate increase was approved for the next 2 years (Council still needs to approve)Curbside pickup rate increase approved (Council still needs to approve)Stormwater fee increase approved (Council still needs to approve)The recording runs about 2 hours & 34 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------The meeting agenda ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-05-15_finance_committee_agenda_packet.pdf Franklin TV video replay available on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nQoCPNfd4A&t=53s My notes in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1glI98EwFQFhgMW0OFeAJ6ZrSFGBxMusm/view?usp=drive_link Photos of the presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/3wrikZJytiS2QUbV6 -------------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

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. All seven members of the Committee were present in the Council Chambers. Quick recap:8th Grade Grand Canyon Trip highlights shared with video (the musical soundtrack accompanying the video was removed from broadcast to avoid copyright issues)8th Grade Grand Canyon Trip approved for next school year Comprehensive School Facilities Analysis recommendation reviewed with a presentation providing some updates to outstanding questions, and the timeline for which other questions would be answered. Committee approved by a 5-2 vote (Griffith, Sompally). Based upon their comments, the 2 no’s were more about the timing of the decision and not the proposal itselfAt the end of the discussion when it was clear, there wasn’t going to be public comment, one angry resident shouted and threatens committee and superintendent as he leaves not wanting to wait for citizens comment period at the end of the meeting agendaRecommendation not to accept Foreign Exchange Student for the 2024-2025 School year as discussed per policy JFABB was approved by 7-0 voteAppointment of Supt Giguere as the district representative to the BICO & ACCEPT Collaboratives were both approved by 7-0 votesThe Consent Agenda was approved as detailed by a 7-0 voteMotion to enter into executive session, to return, voted to do so, 7-0Returned about 5 minutes later to formally adjourn the meeting by a 7-0 voteThe recording runs about 3 hours & 8 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/Z_VS764gV7I Agenda doc  ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_5-14-24.pdf Presentation document -> https://www.canva.com/design/DAGEwcyeRSE/So6vIujJUIxoF7237YIYRQ/view My notes in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H_9miqWTxMmpUP1B2Lh27BqexDQZG8xb/view?usp=drive_link Photos of the presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/jkazREcUCkXHJ6gS9-------------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 Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @...

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Police Station Building Committee meeting held on Monday, May 13, 2024. In this meeting, they conducted three interviews with firms to select the Owner Project Manager (OPM). There is a brief overview of the process, then the three firms (Vertex, Collier, and CHA) are interviewed. There are brief recesses between each interview. That recess audio section was removed and replaced with a brief bit of musical interlude. The three firms in order of appearance were Vertex, Collier, and CHA. CHA was the unanimous choice as the top firm. Vertex second, and Collier third.Town Administrator Jamie Hellen will commence negotiations on contract with CHA and assuming it is successful, the project will proceed. If not, the second vendor will begin negotiations.The recording runs about 2 hours & 45 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Building Committee page => https://www.franklinma.gov/police-station-building-committee Agenda for this meeting -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-05-13_police_station_building_committee.pdf The Franklin TV video for replay -> (link not found)My notes in one PDF doc -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IYmIjfa06AaXhyGGWWr6d9-vHYtUrWb2/view?usp=drive_link Photo albums of each presentationVertex -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/QAHNUAKMe3KtpSXE9 Collier -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/nkhvKpi88J16rAJP9 CHA -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/LiSr8T5XiJTgWpQc7 -------------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 Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 message from your Town Clerk's Office,There will be a Special Election held on June 11, 2024 at the Franklin High School from 6 AM to 8 PM. Absentee/Early Voting is being held now in the Town Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Call 508-520-4900 with any questions regarding the Special Election.

This session shares my conversation with Town Councilor Ted Cormier-Leger. We had our discussion in person at the Franklin TV & Radio studios on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. We talk about The schools’ redistricting proposalDavis Thayer and ‘Expression of Interest’ proposals due at end of MaySocial media not the proper place for accurate info or civil discourseUnfortunate timing of multiple events coming togetherBudget & the override scheduled for June 11Affordable housing and the real estate marketThe recording runs about 48 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Contact info for Ted Cormier-Leger -> tcormierleger@franklinma.gov Town Council page => https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council -------------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 Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 shares my conversation with Jeff Nutting, former Franklin Town Administrator and now retired. Or really, having fun while ‘failing at retiring.’ We had our discussion at the Franklin TV Studios on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. He is keeping busy with interesting temporary municipal positions in a variety of communities.We talk about●     His insights on the current Franklin situation○     School redistricting plan○     Override vote scheduled for June 11○     Riding with Phat Tuesday in prep for his 18th Pan Mass Challenge○     Various volunteer effortsThe recording runs about 47 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Jeff Nutting’s PMC fundraising page -> www.pmc.org/jn0077-------------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 knowThrough this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.newsIf you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via the Zoom conference bridge on Thursday, May  9, 2024. We talk about The redistricting proposal scheduled for May 14 voteThe school budget & the override scheduled for June 11And we close with a recognition of mothers on this Mother’s Day weekend.The recording runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen in.--------------Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net  School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee  School budget ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget Redistricting page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/comprehensive-school-facilities-assessment -------------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 Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 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/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_ta_budget_book_v2.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.Franklinmatters.org/ If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 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 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 Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 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 had downloaded in answer to a question last week. The link is provided below The conversation runs about 2 and a quarter hours. Let’s listen to the first of 3 budget hearings.--------------The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gUpsku8VOg The agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_may_6.pdf Follow along with the budget voting doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_ta_budget_book_v2.pdf My notes captured in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUBq2dVYhvNtq8VA3dREQESDo3U4awWM/view?usp=drive_link The net school spending report for Franklin (so yes this does include charter school students) ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-flBF-M1oNTIzcOTMjc7CDmYR9QEkWt2/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 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.Franklinmatters.org/ If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael...

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://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNwjgXLcm3N3nmkjgApehEq0nITcRvz-/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 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.Franklinmatters.org/ If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 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 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 Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 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 be moved to the Town Council for their review and approval. This one would not need to include the Planning Board for review.The meeting runs about 26 minutes.    --------------Economic Development Subcmte page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee Meeting agenda ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-05-01_edc_agenda_packet.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.Franklinmatters.org/ If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 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/  Launch party - May 10, 7 PM at Franklin TV StudioJane’s Walk - May 11, 10:30 AM starting from Franklin TV Studio--------------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.Franklinmatters.org/ If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe 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 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 BallotResolution 24-21: Proposition 2 ½ Override Ballot Question --------------The Franklin TV broadcast of the 4 hour plus session is available for replay on YouTube ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9nkmKHkrxA Agenda and supporting documents for this session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fixed_tc_agenda_v4.pdf Joint presentation doc-> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/4b._2024-05-01_override_pledge_presentation.pdf My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fv18ylsYtYhbaSiLXkEDkZLQkm8C-2Q1/view?usp=drive_link Photo album with the slides as captured during the presentation on Wednesdayhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/dDxgDMFrcXDaNqR78 -------------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 Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe music for the intro and exit was provided by