Saturday, July 3, 2021

4th of July Celebration - Saturday, July 3 - schedule

Franklin 4th of July Celebration 

Saturday, July 3
12-10 pm: Rides and food booths open (WRIST BANDS FROM 12-5PM)
First Annual Franklin Blues Festival: 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm
2-3:15 pm: Padula Trio Plus One (Franklin’s own playing jazz/blues standards
4-6 pm: Slam Allen Band (blues, soul and R&B to deliver a powerful performance)
6-8 pm: Mike Crandall Band featuring Bruce Bears ( blues & swing music)

 
Check July 4th Coalition Facebook page for schedule updates 

Visit the July 4th Coalition page to donate and for other information

Franklin July 4th Coalition 

carnival rides as they were being set up for the 4th of July Celebration
carnival rides as they were being set up for the 4th of July Celebration


Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Agricultural Commission

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRANKLIN AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION

The Franklin Agricultural Commission was officially established in 2018 after a group of residents who were interested in promoting local agriculture organized a steering committee to find most effective way to promote and sustain our local agriculture and farms. Working with the Town Administration and Town Council the AgCom was formed with the mission to preserve, revitalize, and sustain the Franklin agricultural industry and its lands: encourage the pursuit of agriculture, promote agricultural- based economic opportunities, and protect farmland. The Agricultural Commission is a 5-person appointed commission with 2 associate members. In 2020 we welcomed new Associate Member CJ Koshivas from Fairmount Fruit Farm.

Although the Covid 19 Pandemic greatly curtailed our efforts in 2020, the AgCom has maintained an active presense in the community. We have kept our AgCom page on the Town of Franklin website up to date with information about our local farms and other initiatives. Our Facebook Page is also active in keeping the public aware of what is going on in our Franklin Farm Community.   On the Facebook page we feature videos and pictures of local farms and other agricultural events and keep the public aware of what is happening and how they can support our local agricultural community.

Early in the Pandemic we reached out to local farms to see if there was any way that we could offer them assistance. Our farm community banded together to support each other and the citizens of Franklin working to make healthy and local food easily available. Fairmount Fruit Farm brought in new local vendors and worked hard with a curbside pick up and delivery program. Local citizens were key in supporting these farms and we hope that these partnerships and local interest in farms will continue to grow stronger in the future.

The pandemic has paused the expansion of our Pollinator Pasture project, but we are ready to go when it is safe to work in groups again! With the wide and often discriminate use of pesticides in our society, bee populations have been declining. Pollinators are vital to our food supply and our Pollinator Pastures are a no spray, no mow area planted with native bee friendly plants where pollinators can feed without worry. The project has been very well received and we are excited to expand to additional sites, work with our schools on adding Pollinator Pastures to some of the school grounds, and to add a certification for private Pollinator Pastures so residents can help the bees at their homes too.

In an effort to educate the public and reduce the use of pesticides in the community we have also worked with the DPW to create an opt out list of sidewalk glyphosate spraying. We were excited to add additional properties to our original list of 180 properties that opted out of DPW glyphosate spraying. We will continue to work with the Town and DPW to find healthier and more environmentally friendly ways to keep the Town of Franklin looking nice in the coming year.
 
Saving our remaining Farmland and Open Space are important to the AgCom. We continue to work with the Town Administrator, members of the Town Council, SNETT, Metacomet Land Trust, and concerned citizens to find ways to conserve and preserve the open lands in Franklin. We are hopeful that the passing of the CPA will assist in this endeavor and look forward to working with the CPC committee to improve the Town of Franklin.

Members of the AgCom have been active in advocating for Agriculture both in town and statewide. We are a member of the Massachusetts Association of Agricultural Commissions (MAAC) and have attended MAAC annual meeting and Boot Camps on a variety of agriculture related issues. We have quarterly meetings with AgComs from surrounding towns and work with them to support and promote our agricultural industry regionally.

Although the Covid 19 Pandemic has made it more challenging to meet some of our goals, the Agricultural Commission is excited for the future. We have created some great programs that we will continue to build upon and grow and are grateful to have increased interest and awareness of our local farms. We have big plans and invite the citizens of Franklin to join us on our mission to keep our families and our environment healthy and to increase the visibility and viability of our local Franklin Farms and help us introduce farming to the next generation.

The full Annual Report for 2020 can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Agricultural Commission
Franklin Annual Report - 2020:  Agricultural Commission 

SAFE Radio: Cope (audio)

In this episode, Jim Derrick and Dr. Anne Bergen talk with Detective Mike Colecchi from the Franklin Police Department about substance abuse and a community approach to getting Franklin residents help. 


Listen to SAFE Radio at 102.9 or wfpr.fm on Tuesdays at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM

Subscribe for other episodes via Google Podcast (or your favorite app)


Franklin, MA: The Railroad in Franklin (video)

This video is about the history of the railroad in Franklin 

video link = https://youtu.be/EbdvtS9SzH0


Friday, July 2, 2021

4th of July Celebration - Friday, July 2 - schedule

Franklin 4th of July Celebration


Friday, July 2
6-10 pm: Rides and food booths open
8-10 pm: Duppy Conquerors (testimonial to Bob Marley’s spirit and his music)


Check July 4th Coalition Facebook page for schedule updates 

Visit the July 4th Coalition page to donate and for other information

Franklin July 4th Coalition 

  

carnival ride as it was being set up for the 4th July Celebration
carnival ride as it was being set up for the 4th July Celebration

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Clerk's Office

REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE
The Town Clerk’s Office is dedicated to providing friendly, professional service to all citizens. I am extremely proud of how well my staff performs and responds to the demands of the office.

HISTORY TOWN CLERK OFFICE
“The office of town clerk is probably one of the oldest in municipal government. It appears in the Bible in the Book of Acts, Chapter 19, and verse 35 written in A.D. 58. A search of other early written records would no doubt reveal other instances in which mention of this office appears. In Massachusetts, town clerk was one of the earliest offices established in colonial towns although the title itself may not appear in the earliest records. The settlers were well aware of the importance of keeping accurate written records of their agreements and actions including grants of land, regulations governing animals, the collection of taxes and the expenditure of town funds. If your town records date back to the first half of the 17th century, you will probably find that a person was given the specific duty of writing down town orders and will see many entries in the record which include the words “It is ordered by the inhabitants,” or some similar words. Indeed, in Massachusetts, the town clerk was one of the earliest offices established in colonial towns.”
 
NOTARY SERVICE
The Town Clerk’s office provides Notary services as a courtesy. Residents seeking Notary Services should call the Town Clerk’s office prior to their visit to ensure that the Notary is available. The following guidelines will be followed in the provision of Notary Service: - Notary Services are available during the normal business hours and are not available in the fifteen (15) minutes prior to the time of closing. - Notary Service is provided on a first-come, first service basis. A valid government-issued photo identification is required of any resident seeking Notary Service - The document(s) CANNOT already have been signed nor dated - All signers must be present at the time of notarizing - The Notary is stating they have witnessed the document being signed. Notary Service is not available for deeds, mortgages, wills, living wills, living trusts, codicils or depositions. Certain public documents cannot be copied and notarized. For more information please visit our website.

Continue reading the Town Clerk section of the Annual Report for 2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Clerk's Office
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Clerk's Office
 

SAFE Radio: Learn to Cope (audio)

In this episode, Jim Derrick and Dr. Anne Bergen talk with Joanne Peterson from Learn To Cope about the services they offer for families dealing with substance abuse


Listen to SAFE Radio at 102.9 or wfpr.fm on Tuesdays at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM

Subscribe for other episodes via Google Podcast (or your favorite app)


Franklin, MA: Industry in Franklin (video)

This is a video that highlights the rich history of Franklin's industrial past. 

Video link = https://youtu.be/B8E2ztPoHWM


Franklin Food Pantry: Introducing our Annual Report


Introducing our Annual Report
Introducing our Annual Report


This snapshot of Franklin Food Pantry's revenues, expenses, programs, donors and neighbors provides an update on our operations and the impact of your support. We faced many challenges this past year and are pleased that The Food Pantry emerged from The Pandemic stronger than ever and continues our mission to serve our neighbors. If you have any questions about The Pantry, please do not hesitate to visit our website or reach out to me directly.

With deepest appreciation,

Tina Powderly
Executive Director Franklin Food Pantry
Franklin Food Pantry | Website

Franklin Food Pantry | 43 WEST CENTRAL STREET, Franklin, MA 02038

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Recycling center closed Sunday

The Beaver St recycling center is scheduled to be closed Sunday for the 4th of July.

Recycling center closed Sunday
Recycling center closed Sunday

Shared from Facebook


Thursday, July 1, 2021

4th of July Celebration - Thursday, July 1 schedule

Franklin 4th of July Celebration

Thursday, July 1
6-10 pm: Rides and food booths open (WRIST BANDS FROM 6-10 PM)
6-7 pm: Attleboro School of Rock (building musical proficiency through innovation)
7:30-10 pm: Victory Shot (classic rock with a combination of creativity, skills and energy)
 

Check July 4th Coalition Facebook page for schedule updates 

Visit the July 4th Coalition page to donate and for other information

Franklin July 4th Coalition  

space to sit & eat under the tent on the Town Common
space to sit & eat under the tent on the Town Common


Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Administrator

The Town Administration works with the Town Council together to improve the quality of life of our residents. We are diligent in balancing the budget and keeping an eye on the Town’s future needs and maintaining its assets.

Accomplishments in FY20 include:
We continue to update our Town Budget webpage with helpful resources such as how the budget process works, operating and capital budgets, and fiscal forecasts. https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

A balanced operating budget was submitted to the Town Council and was approved. We have received five year Capital plans from all departments including the Water And Sewer Enterprise fund. Having long term Capital plans prevents more expensive costs down the road.

As part of our expansion of customer service we have expanded our Viewpoint Online Permitting System to the Health Department and will continue adding new applications throughout the year to make for a more convenient process.

We continue to update the Town’s website to make information easily accessible for the public. All Agendas and Minutes of all boards and committees are web-based and continuously updated. These can be found on the boards and committees’ pages on our website. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for News and Announcement as well as visiting our website at www.franklinma.gov.

Personnel
The Town Administration staff has worked diligently with the Board of Health to ensure the Town, our employees and residents stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to serve the Town and its residents while staying safe and following the guidelines and requirements set forth by the Governor of Massachusetts, DPH and the CDC.

To continue our efforts in keeping the Town informed of updates and alerts related to COVID-19 our Marketing and Communications Specialist, Anne Marie Tracey has created a user friendly Coronavirus Portal on our website and sends out important information frequently through our subscriber lists and social media.

The Town Administrative Assistant, Alecia Alleyne who has been here just a little over a year has worked with our Finance team to make sure we receive FEMA and Cares Act assistance during this pandemic. Alecia has applied for and received over $1 million of assistance for the town and anticipates another million in additional funds by year end.
 
Covid-19 Pandemic
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic all Town Buildings closed in mid March. However, due to our fantastic Technology staff we were able to quickly get most if not all of our staff up and running remotely. Working remote has had its challenges but we continue our efforts to improve the way we will be doing business for the unforeseeable future.

The Town Administration staff, Technology staff and Franklin TV worked together to make sure Town Council Meetings could continue and comply with Open Meeting Laws. These meetings currently are being recorded, streamed live through the website, Zoom and Cable TV.

Other
Assistant to the Town Administrator, Chrissy Whelton and Human Resources Director, Karen Bratt worked with the towns Safety Committee, representatives from each department and MIIA representatives and earned over $50,000 in insurance premium savings and was recognized by the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) as a leader in preventing risk in the workplace through employee training programs.

Franklin “Bends the Trend” by working with the Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC) to keep insurance rate increases for employees to a minimum, The Town continues to offer a Qualified High Deductible Health Care Plan.

Franklin signed agreements with three Solar Companies for a PILOT program. Kearsarge Upper Union LLC agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes for a period of twenty consecutive fiscal years totaling $124,495.00 . Maple Street Solar 1, LLC has agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes at an annual rate of $52,800 for 20 years. Spring Street Renewables, LLC ℅ Neexamp, Inc. agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes for 20 years totaling at $1,220,302.
The Town of Franklin also worked with Nexamp to ensure that a portion of their farm be reserved for Franklin residents. On a first-come, first-served basis residents were eligible to subscribe to receive credit on their Electric bill at a special rate of 15%. Due to a high interest from Franklin residents the farm is now filled however Nexamp is still offering their standard discount rate of 12.5%.

The Town has signed five (5) Host Community Agreements with proposed marijuana establishments. A total of $300,000 in revenue generated from these establishments will be earmarked for the SAFE Coalition ($25,000) and $275,000 will be used by the public school system to address mental health and substance abuse issues amongst our students. Revenue generated by these establishments will also help to offset certain tax burdens on residents.
Town Administration, Human Resources and all Municipal Unions successfully completed collective bargaining and settled through 2022.

The Town hired a new Fire Chief, James McLaughlin in July of 2019. The Chief was a former Fire Chief from Rhode Island. We have seen some major positive changes in the department since the hire. The Town also gained a new Conservation Agent, Jennifer Delmore in May of 2019 and has seen much progress in the department over the past year.

Long time Senior Center Director Karen Alves retired in September 2020 and Assistant Director Erin Rogers was promoted to Director and will continue with offering the highest quality of services to Franklin Seniors.

Our goal is to deliver high quality customer service while keeping costs under control. There will be difficult challenges to our budget in the coming year; but you can be assured that the Town Administration and Town Council will work together to solve budgetary issues.

It is my pleasure to submit an annual report of the Town Administrator for your review, and please feel free to write, email, or stop by with any questions, concerns, or comments.

Respectfully submitted, 

Jamie Hellen,
Town Administrator


The full Annual Report for 2020 can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Administrator
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Administrator 


SAFE Radio: The SAFE Coalition (audio)

Anne Bergen and Jim Derick are joined by Jen Knight to shine a light on substance use disorder and talk about what The SAFE Coalition is doing to make a difference. 


Listen to SAFE Radio at 102.9 or wfpr.fm on Tuesdays at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM

Subscribe for other episodes via Google Podcast (or your favorite app)


FM #577 - Inside Wright Old School Chocolate - 06/22/21 (audio)

FM #577 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 577 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Peter Carlson.  Peter is exploring his interest in chocolates and looking to bring that old school taste to the market.  


We talk about his Franklin story. How his interest in chocolates has led to crafting some ‘bean to bar’ chocolate bars for Wright Old School Chocolate. His bars generally use only two ingredients; the nibs (minus the husk) and unrefined sugar. We discuss how the taste variations can be more than ‘subtle’. The taste honors the bean and not what you get from the standard ‘big bar’ chocolates.


The recording runs about 16 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Peter outdoors on the Town Common.


*** Audio link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0736e120-7a7c-404d-9e4d-0794e33ba342



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


Wright Old School Chocolate  https://wrightoldschoolchocolate.com/  


The book by Dandelion Chocolates mentioned  https://www.dandelionchocolate.com/making-chocolate/



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


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"


FM #577 - Inside Wright Old School Chocolate - 06/22/21 (audio)
FM #577 - Inside Wright Old School Chocolate - 06/22/21 (audio)


Franklin, MA: The Joseph G. Ray Swimming Pool (video)

This video highlights the Joseph G. Ray Swimming Pool, better known as "the town pool". 

Video link = https://youtu.be/HCKADURmr44


The Town of Franklin is now offering eBill and no fee for ACH!

Now Offering eBill & No Fee for ACH

Just a reminder that we offer our residents the convenience of online payments through UniPay. Take advantage of some great features including scheduling payments, saving payment information, viewing payment history and setting payment reminders.  Best of all, you can now receive your bill, completely paperless!

To pay your taxes, have your bill and checkbook or credit card in hand, and then…

  1. Go to: https://www.franklinma.gov/
  2. Click on: "Payments and Permits"
  3. Select the bill you would like to pay.
  4. Complete each screen to process your payment.

For the residents' convenience, the Town is waiving the ACH fee when paying by electronic check

UniBank, our banking partner, will charge a nominal processing fee for credit card payments.  A fee schedule is located on the welcome page for your convenience. 

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/town-franklin-now-offering-ebill-and-no-fee-ach


The Town of Franklin is now offering eBill and no fee for ACH
The Town of Franklin is now offering eBill and no fee for ACH

Senator Rausch: Beacon Hill Summer Update


View this email in your browser

Senator Rausch State House Briefing  

Part 2, Chapter 8 (June 30, 2021) 

Dear friends,   

Summer is here! And with it came the end of the declared COVID-19 state of emergency, though the persistently inequitable public health crisis remains (especially with the emergence of the delta variant in Massachusetts). Earlier this month, the Senate passed a bill to extend numerous provisions implemented in the early days of the pandemic to facilitate Bay Staters' access to resources and help communities continue to operate even while remaining physically apart. Although there was a brief lapse, I am pleased to report that the House engrossed a similar extension bill, and the Governor signed it into law. This means we've got evictions protections, virtual public body meetings, and outdoor dining until April 1, 2022; cocktails to go until May 1, 2022; continued representative town meeting remote options; and several other extensions. We still have plenty more work to do, including the pressing questions of telehealth pay parity, 2021 voting access (and my MAIL-in Voting Act for permanent solutions), remote open town meetings, and exorbitant third party service delivery fees, to name a few.
  
Some of this work is already underway in the usual course of the legislative process. All the timely filed bills have been assigned to committees, the hearings are happening (virtually, as we continue to protect public health), and both chambers passed versions of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget. I proudly secured funding in the Senate budget for a statewide youth mental health support text line, reproductive justice advancements, and several local priorities, including anti-racism work in our district. Many of my priority bills have already had early hearings, including several elections bills (like local option ranked choice voting) and two of my reproductive justice bills (the Pregnant Persons Health Act and licensing midwives who provide home birth care). I hope you'll read more about my ongoing advancement of our shared values on Beacon Hill through legislation and committee leadership and service. 

My team and I also continue to directly engage with constituents throughout our district. Last month, we held our first youth legislative forum (stay tuned for details about the next one!), and our virtual office hours are still going strong. I'm excited to see folks during the upcoming Needham July 4th parade (on July 5th this year) and hopefully an increasing number of in-person opportunities to reconnect safely. 

For real-time updates, please follow me on Twitter and Facebook. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me and my team via phone (617-722-1555) or email (becca.rausch@masenate.gov). We are here to help. Our COVID-19 resources are still available on my website. Remember to mask up indoors and keep your distance if you are not vaccinated or otherwise at higher risk. 

I wish you and your loved ones strength, health, resilience, and joy.  
  

Yours in service,  

 
Senator Becca Rausch   

Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway

Tomorrow (July 1, 2021), any Bay Stater who has received their COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible for massive prizes for doing their part in keeping our communities safe. Five vaccinated people 18 or older in Massachusetts will win $1 million, while five people 12-17 years old will win a college scholarship. 

Don't miss out! For more information, go to https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-vaxmillions-giveaway.


The newsletter was shortened for publication here, to view the full contents visit

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

4th of July Celebration - Weds schedule

Franklin 4th of July Celebration


Wednesday, June 30
6-10 pm: Rides and food booths open (WRIST BANDS FROM 6-10PM)
6-7 pm: Matt Zajac (solo acoustic)
8-10 pm: Mo Bounce (Funk, Soul, R&B party band)

Check July 4th Coalition Facebook page for schedule updates 

Visit the July 4th Coalition page to donate and for other information

Franklin July 4th Coalition 

carnival rides being set up for the 4th of July Celebration
carnival rides being set up for the 4th of July Celebration