Friday, April 7, 2023

Town of Franklin: April 2023 E-Newsletter

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April 2023 Edition

Earth Day Extravaganza

We only have one Earth! Let's take good care of it! Franklin Residents are invited to join us for our Earth Day weekend!

April 22 - Join the Franklin Recreation Department for their Annual Earth Day Cleanup at Beaver Pond from 9am -12pm.

April 23 - Stop by DelCarte for the Conservation Department's Earth Day Celebration from 9am -1pm. Celebrate with us by signing up for compost bins, learning about stormwater and rain gardens, a woods walk, vernal pools exploration, and more!

Open Space and Recreation Plan Public Forum

Don't Miss Out on Our Public Forum! Join us on April 25th from 6pm to 8pm at the Franklin Senior Center in the multi-purpose room. You'll hear from town staff about the 2023 OSRP goals and objectives, which were developed based on resident input from the first public hearing and other outreach mechanisms.

Don't worry! There's still time to submit your comments. Submit your feedback today by accessing our citizen survey here.

Learn about the Town's update of the Open Space and Recreation Plan here.

Water Works...I mean...Public Works!

Stormwater Utility Fee

Currently, funding for stormwater services is allocated to the Highway Department through the Town's General Fund. Due to the increased stormwater complaince requirements through the state, the cost associated with stormwater services has increased. To ensure a sustainable funding structure for the future, the Town will therefore shift to a Stormwater Utility Fee.

Inspect your Impervious Area

Franklin property owners will be subject to a Stormwater Utility Fee (SU) beginning on or after July 1, 2023. The fee is based on impervious area per parcel (surface area that contributes to stormwater runoff because it does not allow water to absorb into the ground).

Property owners are encouraged to utilize our Impervious Area tool to inspect and confirm that the impervious area on their property is accurate. From there, you may calculate your stormwater fee based on the number of billing units on your property. Simply input your address using the Impervious Area tool. Follow along with this quick how-to video.

Inspect your impervious area today to prevent filing an abatement later on!

Hydrant Flushing

Hydrant Flushing began on April 3, 2023. This program is conducted annually to improve Franklin's water quality and fire flows. Residents may experience temporary water loss or discolored water while hydrants are being flushed in their area. Visit our website to find out where we will be working each day.

Rain Barrel

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 7 - distribution will be May 17 from 4-6 pm at the Franklin DPW. Order your rain barrel today!

Shaping Arts and Culture

Have thoughts on what you'd like to see for Arts and Culture in town? Join the Franklin Town Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives on the next stop of their listening tour.

Unable to attend a session but still want to provide feedback? Take the Arts and Culture Visioning Survey here. Your feedback will help guide the direction of arts and culture in Franklin for the next 10-15 years.

Need to Know News

The Franklin/ Bellingham animal control is hosting a Rabies Clinic on April 29 at 15 Public Works Way in Franklin. Fee is $20, access full details here.

Registration for Summer Recreation Programs opened on April 3 at 8:30am. Flag Football Registration opens July 3 Register online.

Franklin Public Library

Event Highlights!

April 14 – Fun with Drones

Starting at 1pm, meet licensed drone pilot Brian Kourtz of Boston 25 News as he shows us the different types of drones, uses for drone footage, how to get your pilot's license, and of course, how to fly a drone!

April 18 – Angora Rabbits: Fluffy Bunny to Luxury Yarn

From Winterberry Homestead, some of the fluffiest bunnies around will hop into the Library at 2pm. Brush, and feed our fluffy friends while learning about how their fur is used to create textiles! All ages welcome and please be extra mindful with young children!

April 22 – Chocolate Talk & Tasting

It's said that eating chocolate releases endorphins which make you happy. Join us at 1pm as we test the theory...for science of course! Come try an array of gourmet chocolate from Therapy Gardens and learn more about the process of making chocolate. Registration Required.

April 22 – Music at the Blissful Concert

Join us at 10:30am for a fun, high energy music program for children and their grownups! Musician Evan Haller brings the energy to get the whole crowd up and dancing!

Library Hours

The Library's hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am-8pm., Friday and Saturday, 9am-5pm, and Sunday 1:30pm - 5pm. The Franklin Public Library will be closed Sunday, April 9 for Easter and Monday, April 17 for Patriots Day.

Library Calendar of Events - April 2023

Veterans' Services

Veterans' Services

April 5 – Veterans' Council Meeting – 7pm at the Senior Center. All members of the community

interested in veterans' activities are invited.

April 14 – Air Force Reserve's 75th Birthday

April 23 – Army Reserve's 115th Birthday

April 27 – Memorial Day Parade Planning/Veterans' Council Meeting – 7pm at the Senior Center. All members of the community interested in Veterans' activities are invited. This month's meeting is off-cycle. Regular meeting cycle (3rd Thurs of the month) will resume in May

Veterans Memorial Walkway

The next brick installation on the Veterans Memorial Walkway will be in May. Engraved bricks make great birthday, Mother's or Father's Day gifts for your special veteran or current military service member. The deadline for ordering for this installation is April 15.

Please return orders to the Veterans' Services Office.

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.

Franklin Public Schools

Legislative Forum

Join us on April 10, 2023, at 6:30 pm for the School Committee's 5th Annual Legislative Forum. We are excited to have State Senator Rebecca Rausch and State Representative Jeff Roy as our esteemed guests, who will be discussing several topics, including the national teacher shortage, funding for special education, and the growing need for school-provided services. Attendees will be able to participate in a Q&A session at the end. Access event details here.