Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Town of Franklin: newsletter for January 2023

January 2023 Edition

At a Glance!

February Break will be here in no time. The Recreation Department has plenty of programs to keep you busy during the break. Register and secure your spot today!

Keep an eye on the mail! FY23 3rd quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax bills have been mailed from the Treasurer/ Collector and are due on February 1st, 2023.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for the Town's Regroup system. Subscribers will get important public safety notifications to their email or cellular device.

We're Hiring: Sign up for job alerts and view our list of current part-time and full-time employment opportunities!

From Winter to Spring with Public Works

Adopt-A-Hydrant

Great neighbors do great things...like adopting a fire hydrant during the winter months! The Franklin Department of Public Works has created a program that gives residents the opportunity to help the Fire Department ensure hydrants are clear and visible after a snow storm. If you happen to have a neighbor who you know is unable to clear a hydrant near their property themselves, you can let DPW know and they will mark it as high priority on the map. Community service hours are also available. Learn more about the Adopt-A-Hydrant program and sign up here to claim your hydrant today!

Get Rain Barrel Ready

The Spring Residential Rain Barrel Program is currently open to residents - residents can order directly from The Great American Rain Barrel Company. The deadline to order is May 9 and pick up will be at the DPW Admin office (257 Fisher St) on May 17 from 4-6pm. Order your rain barrel today!

Christmas Tree Collection

Christmas Trees will be collected the week of January 9, 2023 during normal trash/ recycling curbside pick up. Please be sure to remove all decorations!

Franklin Public Library

Event Highlights!

January 4 – Virtual Author Talk with Maureen Johnson and Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Get some face time with YA authors Maureen Johnson and Jennifer Lynn Barnes; as Maureen Johnson launches her latest book in the Truly Devious series, and Jennifer Lynn Barnes is fresh off the release of her latest Inheritance Games book! Event begins at 7pm. Register here.

January 11 – Teen Vision Board Making

Teens! Join us at 5:30pm for a special edition of Book Bites where we will be making vision board collages for 2023. Snacks and supplies provided, you bring the vision!

January 28 – Ask an Organizer

Get to know local home organizer Danielle Nicholas (Oasis Organizing Solutions). Starting at 2pm, she'll share tips & tricks that will help you maintain functional living/work spaces to start your new year off on the right foot. Remote option available here.

Volunteer Tutors Needed for ESL and Adult Literacy Program

The Franklin Public Library is seeking Volunteer Tutors to support the launch of the English as a Second Language and Adult Literacy Program, which will serve Franklin and its surrounding communities. To volunteer, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, demonstrate patience, and be able to speak English clearly. Prior teaching experience or Franklin residency is not required. Volunteer Tutors will be given training and all supporting materials will be provided. The time commitment is one orientation session, 18 hours of tutor training, and to meet with your student 2 hours per week for one year. If interested, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala, or fill out the registration form.

Library Hours

The Library's hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am-8pm., Friday and Saturday, 9am-5pm, and Sunday 1:30pm - 5pm. The library will be closed on Sunday, January 1 and Monday, January 2 for News Year's Day. The library will be closed Monday, January 16 for Martin Luther King Day.

Library Calendar of Events - January 2023

Veterans' Services

Veterans' Services

January 4 – Veterans Monthly Coffee Social – 10am at the all Veterans are invited!

January 9 – Veterans' Council Meeting – Interested in veterans' activities and events? Join the meeting at 7pm at the Senior Center.

January 23 – Book Signing – Massachusetts author Sue Bavey will discuss and sign copies of her book, Lucky Jack (1894-2000) Memoirs of a WWI POW, which chronicles the life and escapades of Jack Rogers, who was born in London in 1894 and passed at age 106. Join from 11am-2pm.

January 27 – Vietnam Peace Day – The Paris Peace Accords arranged a ceasefire which officially ended America's involvement in the 20-year Vietnam War (1973).

Holiday Helper Appreciation

Many thanks to Richard Douglas, Dick Hynes, Bob Markunis and Rose Turco for helping us hang holiday wreaths on the Veterans Memorial Walkway. Additional thanks to all who donated patriotic decorations (and combat boots) for our Veterans' Christmas Tree at the Senior Center Winter Wonderland event. Special thanks to Kathy Lesica for her help and amazing creativity!

The Tune It Out guitar lessons program for veterans meets on Tuesdays at 5:30pm at the Senior Center. There is no charge for lessons and no guitar experience is required!

Contact the Veterans' Services Office at 508-613-1315 or access their department page to learn more.

Senior Center

Monthly Mobile Food Pantry

The Franklin food Pantry and Hockomock YMCA have partnered with the Senior Center once a month. Come Wednesday, January 11 at 11am to receive a bag of stable items, choice of protein, and dairy items!

Talk Turkey with the Police Department

The Franklin Police Department is trading in the cruiser for a crockpot...during the lunch rush of course! They will cook and serve a delicious Turkey Dinner for our seniors on Friday, January 20 at 11 am! Attendees will enjoy Musical Singo at 11am and food will be served at noon!

Stay in the know! Sign up for the monthly Senior Center Connection Newsletter!

Questions? Visit the Senior Center website here or call us at 508-520-4945.

More Senior Center Happenings

Eat Around the World is back! – Once a month we will learn about a country and try out its delicious cuisine! For January we will experience Jamaica on Friday, January 27 at 11am! Call to Register!

Pizza and Movie Night – Get your ticket to watch the new Rom/Com "Ticket to Paradise" starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney on Thursday, January 12 at 4:30pm. Must call to sign up by Wednesday, January 11. $3/person (includes pizza and a movie).

Local Stores and Businesses – a presentation by Joe Landry on Wednesday, January 4th at 1pm/

Assessors Update

All Franklin resident and business owners: The tax Rate for Franklin has been set for Fiscal Year 2023 at $12.58 per $1,000 of taxable value. Tax bills were mailed at the end of December. Timely 3rd Quarter tax payments and Real Estate or Personal Property Abatement Applications must be made by the close of business on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

Exemptions for blind, senior or veteran homeowners: All applications from July 2022 - December 2022 have been reviewed, processed an distributed credits by the Board of Assessors. For those possibly eligible who haven't applied for an exemption since July 1, 2022, applications may still be filed before April 1, 2023 for FY23. The Board has up to 3 months to determine eligibility, thus filing soon is encouraged.

Business Owners: Business assets are requested to be reported locally annually by submission of a MA State Form of List. All accounts in business as of January 1st must file a Form of List with the Assessors Office by March 1, 2023 for FY24.

Real Estate Owners of Commercial, Industrial, Apartments w/4 or more units, or Res/Com/Ind Mixed Use (CIAM) properties will soon receive a request to confidentially file real estate Income & Expense data with the Board of Assessors. The cooperation of these property owners is essential and appreciated in the interest of establishing Fair & Equitable Valuations to achieve fair levels of taxation.

Questions? Visit the Assessors website or call their office at 508-520-4920

Speaker Series to Pair with 'Train Town Franklin' Exhibit

Sunday Speaker Series

History buffs and tiny train enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the first Sunday Speaker of 2023. On Sunday, January 8 at 1pm. Joe Landry will present the history of trains that rolled through Franklin with an additional concentration on the Circa 1932 Franklin Train Station currently on display at the Historical Museum. Additionally, the Museum will be collecting paper towels for donation to the Franklin Food Pantry, please consider donating paper towels if you are able.

Train Town Franklin Exhibit

"Train Town Franklin" is the first in a series of annual dioramas which will feature a Historical Exact replica of the area around the train depot, circa 1932, a time when the rhythm of the daily trains set the pace for a small New England Town - and news from 'down at the depot' was the news everyone wanted to hear! The structures in this exhibit are built to exact scale from photographs and films taken from that period. Franklin native Scott Mason utilizes his historical knowledge and model building skills to bring this exhibit to life! The exhibit will run through February 5, 2023 and will be open to the public every Saturday 10am- 1pm and Sundays 1pm-4pm with the exception of holidays.