Friday, March 3, 2023

Town of Franklin: March 2023 E-Newsletter

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March 2023 Edition

Open Space and Recreation Plan

The Town of Franklin has begun the process for the 2024-2031 update of the Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP).

Let the town know what you want to see outlined as a priority for the OSRP update by accessing our citizen survey here.

Be sure to join us at our upcoming public forum on April 25 from 6pm - 8pm at the Franklin Senior Center in the multi-purpose room.

Julie Jacobson joins the Town of Franklin!

Julie will serve as the part-time Special Assistant to the Town Administrator temporarily whilst we recruit and onboard a Deputy Town Administrator.

Julie most recently served as the Town Manager for the Town of Auburn for 12 years. Prior to her position in Auburn, Julie worked for the City of Worcester as the Economic Development Director and Assistant City Manager. We're excited to have her on board! Learn more about Julie's highlights in public service here.

On the Menu: Arts and Culture

Join us for our 2023 MetroWest Arts and Culture Symposium on March 30, 2023. This year's theme is "Uplifting the Arts: the Intersection of Culture and Economy".

Our featured speaker will be the Executive Director for the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Michael Bobbitt.

Doors open at 6pm, the program will begin at 6:30pm and conclude at 9pm.

This program is held in partnership the Franklin Cultural Council, Franklin Cultural District, Mass Cultural Council and the Town of Franklin.

The Franklin Town Council has established an Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee will host 3 sessions as part of their listening tour. The purpose of these tours is to gather community input to help inform the direction of arts and culture for the next 10 - 15 years as part of the town's Master Plan Update process.

Join us at one of our sessions...

March 7 from 5pm - 8pm at Dean College
April 28 from 9am - 11pm at the Franklin Public Library
May 19 from 10am - 12pm at Escape Into Fiction

Access event details here.

Department of Public Works

Rock Your Rain Barrel

The Spring Residential Rain Barrel Program is currently open! Residents can order directly from The Great American Rain Barrel Company. The deadline to order is May 7 and pick up will be at the DPW Admin office (257 Fisher St) on May 17 from 4 - 6pm.

Order your rain barrel today!

Water Smart

Want to learn more about your water usage? Sign up for WaterSmart - A tool designed that allows the Department of Public Works to notify you of unusual usage or rebate opportunities. Saving you money, one drop at a time!

Franklin Public Library

Event Highlights!

March 6 – March Madness: Battle of the Books

It's year 6 of our annual contest and we're switching it up! What is Franklin's favorite book? Be sure to check back each week through April 1 to cast your vote! Which book will be our 2023 winner? Only YOU can decide!

March 11 – Irish in America

A musical journey celebrating the 'Irish in America', for all ages! Irish immigrants captured the heart of the nation with their mix of Irish jigs, ballads, folk songs, storytelling and humor. Get your green on, warm up your voices and enjoy the warmth, spirit and hilarity of the 'Irish in America'. Event starts at 3pm.

March 17 – Get It Girls! A Women's History Celebration!

Join us at 3:30pm for an afternoon of caterpillar craziness! We'll have games, crafts, and more! Fun for all ages!

March 24 – The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day!

Our afternoon of caterpillar craziness begins at 2:30pm! Enjoy games, crafts, and more!

Library Hours

The Library's hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am-8pm., Friday and Saturday, 9am-5pm, and Sunday 1:30pm - 5pm.

Library Calendar of Events - March 2023

Veterans' Services

Veterans' Services

March 3 – Navy Reserve's 108th Birthday

March 5 – Seabee's 79th Birthday

March 15 – American Legion's 104th Birthday

March 16 – Veterans' Council Meeting – 7pm at the Senior Center. All members of the community

interested in veterans' activities are invited.

March 29 – National Vietnam War Veterans' Day honors Vietnam veterans and their families for their

service and sacrifice.

Veterans Memorial Walkway

The next engraved brick installation on the Veterans Memorial Walkway is scheduled to coincide with Memorial Day. An engraved brick makes a great birthday or Mother's or Father's Day gift for your special veteran or current military service member. Brick order forms are available in the Town Hall and Senior Center lobbies as well as on the Town website.

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 Veterans' Services at 508-613-1315 or access their webpage to learn more.

Passport Acceptance Facility

FYI

Remember - you must apply in person for your first passport, or if you were younger than 16 when you got your last passport.

Visit: DS-11 Application

Questions? Visit the Passport Acceptance Facility website here or call us at 508-553-4890.

Ready for Vacation?

Save money, avoid stress and delays by applying six months ahead of your travel date. Processing times are currently 8 -11 weeks* for routine service and expedited service 5-7 weeks (add an extra $60)*.

The clock begins the day the U.S. Department of State receives your application, not the day you put it in the mail (adult renewal) or you sit with an acceptance agent to apply.

The Town of Franklin offers passport services (by appointment only) for new passports or passports for a minor. We offer onsite passport photos (by appointment only). Appointments are scheduled on the following days and times: Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8:30am – 11:45am and Wednesday 8:30am – 4:45pm.

Adult passport renewal visit: Renew my Passport

*Mailing times may add several weeks on to the door-to-door time it takes to receive your passport.

Franklin Public Schools

Redistricting Analysis Public Forums

The Franklin Public School District invites Franklin residents to provide input on proposed options as part of the redistricting analysis process that was pioneered by the Franklin School Committee during the 2021- 2022 academic year. The district will host public forums on March 7 at Franklin High School Media Center from 6pm - 8pm and on March 13 virtually via Zoom from 6pm - 8pm. Both forums will present the same information.

Options proposed have been workshopped by district staff, the redistricting analysis consultant Applied Geographics (AppGeo) and the Redistricting Advisory Committee, which is composed of parents/ guardians, educators, district and building based administrators as well as school committee members. All options will be presented by the district and redistricting analysis consultant, a supplementary input survey will be distributed to collect additional comments.

The feedback provided during our upcoming public forums and input survey will inform the district's recommendation to the School Committee for a vote in the Spring of 2023. The decision to implement any recommendations, including potential changes to current boundaries, is a School Committee decision. You can learn more about the redistricting analysis process here.