Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Town of Franklin: E-Newsletter for May 2023

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May 2023 Edition

Budget Season

The Town Administrator has released the FY2024 Recommended Operating Budget materials. Residents are encouraged to review the materials here.

Over the next month, the Town will work to solidify the FY24 Budget. The Finance Committee and Town Council will meet the following days in May to review the budget.

May 8 - Finance Committee - General Government

May 9 - Finance Committee - School Budget

May 11 - Finance Committee - Fire, Police, Public Safety, & Public Works

May 24 & 25 - Town Council Adoption of the FY24 Budget

The Commission for Persons with Disability presents...

2023 Disability Expo

Join the Commission for Persons with Disabilities for the 2023 Disability Expo on May 20th, 2023 at the Franklin Senior Center from 10am - 2pm. This event is open to all individuals with disability, support persons, community partners, and more. There will be representatives will be on site to share a variety of resources regarding disability services.

Department of Public Works

Water Conservation Measures Set to Begin June 5th

No automatic lawn watering between the hours of 9am to 5pm.
No holiday delays for watering.
No lawn watering is permitted on other days of the week.
Hand watering is permitted anytime.

A total of 1-inch of water once per week from rain and watering promotes the healthiest lawns. Non-compliance with these regulations could adversely affect public health and safety. Violators are subject to fines up to $200.

Water conservation measures are planned to take effect on June 5. However, if the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs declares a Drought in our region before June 5th then conservation measures will be required.

You can learn more about the need for Water Conservation Measures on the the DPW website or call us at 508-520-4910. Thank you for your cooperation!

SPRING into Healthy Habits

Spring Health Fair

Come join us for a free and fun filled evening at the Franklin Public Library for Franklin Health Department's first annual spring health fair from 3pm-6pm on Wednesday, May 24, 2023! The event will include local vendors, petting zoo, health screenings, local health resources, free Night Owl Farm produce, face painting, refreshments, raffles & freebies, and much more! This is a great opportunity to get involved in your local community and a fun night out for all ages! Sign up for a slot at the petting zoo via this link!

Franklin Fire Department

Paramedic of the Year

Firefighter/ Paramedic Becki Carloni was recognized at the annual Central Mass EMS Corp meeting and awards ceremony for her role in saving a man's life while off duty. On November 5th, 2022 she was attending a Football game at Norton High School when the clock operator collapsed. The Norton High School Athletic Trainer and a bystander who was a nurse also played a role in helping to save the man's life.

The Future of Fire

Each year the Franklin Fire Department works with the High School staff to provide an experience for students on their senior project. This year we have four seniors that will spend the next few weeks with our SAFE program. Firefighter Doug Perro is in charge of the SAFE program and organizes a wide range of activities to demonstrate what the fire service is about. They will learn about the Franklin Fire Department, including, ambulance operations, engine operations, truck/tower operations, special operations, community outreach & CPR. Students are also given an experience outside of Franklin such as a tour of the State Fire Academy. Firefighter Nick Brosseau is a recent hire to the department that was part of our first delivery of this program back in 2015. Continue to follow our SAFE twitter account for updates @FranklinSafe

Hire for Fire(fighters/Paramedics)

The Franklin Fire Department is now accepting applications for Firefighters/ Paramedics. Don't miss your chance to join our ISO Class 1 rated department. There is NO CIVIL SERVICE requirement. Check out the posting and apply 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 last stop of their listening tour.

May 19 from 10am - 12pm at Escape Into Fiction

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.

Rock out with Recreation this Summer

Franklin Public Library

Event Highlights!

May 13 – Pen to Picture: A Graphic Novelist Panel!

Join us at 12pm as we welcome three popular graphic novelists to Franklin! Meet/Hear from Scott Magoon, Matt Tavares and Maris Wicks and participate in interactive, creative breakout sessions, photo ops and book signings!

May 15 – In the Newsroom with Susan Tran

Join us virtually on May 15 at 5pm to meet on-air reporter for NBC10Boston/NECN Susan Tran. Susan got to where she is, her experiences in TV media, especially as an Asian American woman, and how local news impacts our perceptions of the world around us. Bring your questions! In collaboration with Ashland Public Library, RSVP here.

May 17 – Taylor Swift Trivia

Teens! Think you're the ultimate Swiftie? Join us at 6:30pm for a night of trivia, snacks, and singalongs to find out!

May 23 – "50 Hikes in Eastern Massachusetts" with Author Madeline Bilis

Join us virtually at 7pm to chat with author Madeline Bilis about her book "50 Hikes in Eastern Massachusetts". Hopefully, we'll all feel motivated to dust off our hiking shoes and hit the road! Brought to you in collaboration with Ashland Public Library. RSVP here.

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 Monday, March 29 for Memorial Day.

Library Calendar of Events - May 2023

Veterans' Services

Veterans' Services

May 12 – Military Spouse Appreciation Day – This date recognizes the services and sacrifices of military

spouses. Thank you to all military spouses for your love, loyalty and support!

May 18 – Veterans' Council/Memorial Day Parade Meeting – 7pm at the Senior Center. All members of the community interested in Veterans' activities are invited.

May 20 – Armed Services Day is an annual holiday observed to pay tribute to men and women currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. Thank you to all members of the military. We salute you for your service and sacrifice!

May 26 – Memorial Day Breakfast – 9am-11am at the Senior Center. Reservations are required. Call Mary at: (508) 520-4945 to sign up.

May 29 – Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. The Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10:30am, starting at Dean College, proceeds to School Street, to Union Street and St. Mary's Cemeteries via West Central and Beaver Streets and concludes on the Town Common, where a Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 12pm. If any Veteran would like to participate in the parade, please contact our office.

Purple Heart

Please let our office know if you or a family member (residing in Franklin) is a Purple Heart recipient. National Purple Heart Day is celebrated on August 7 every year.

Veterans Memorial Walkway

The May installation of engraved bricks on the Walkway will be completed by Memorial Day. Thank you to all who've supported this project by honoring their special U.S. service members with a brick. The next installation will be in November to coincide with Veterans' Day. 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

Redistricting Analysis Recommendation

On June 14, 2022, the School Committee approved moving forward to conduct a redistricting analysis based on the recommendation of the Space Needs subcommittee. This analysis included securing a consulting firm, establishing an advisory committee, reviewing multiple scenarios, and receiving feedback from families and educators. After considering all the feedback, the Space Needs subcommittee narrowed the options to one recommendation. This recommendation and the sequence of events that led to the recommendation have been compiled in a comprehensive Redistricting Analysis document that will be presented to the School Committee at the April 25th meeting. The School Committee will then make a decision on how to move forward at the May 9th School Committee meeting.

You may access the Redistricting Analysis Recommendation Report presented to the School Committee here.