In Franklin, MA, It’s All About the Benjamin!

Birthday Celebration for a Founding Father Goes BIG This Month!

Franklin, Massachusetts’ biggest claim to fame is that it is named for the great 18th century polymath and patriot, Benjamin Franklin, and that Franklin in his wisdom, repaid the compliment with a generous gift of books. The town’s people made the most of this and turned this gift into the first free public lending library in North America. 

It was a good move. Franklin farm boy, Horace Mann, the ”father” of American Public education, educated himself in large part through the books donated by Ben and Oliver Dean, another local influenced by access to Ben’s books, founded Dean Academy in Franklin (now Dean College)!

Today, with the town’s growth and a renewed focus on arts, culture, and history in the town’s Cultural District, a literary and library past is being celebrated with Ben Franklin Book Week, Jan 14-21, “A Community Rediscovery of Ideas, Literature, and the Shared Gift of Language.” This new annual event that celebrates the birthday of Benjamin Franklin (Jan. 17) and his gift of books to the town AND it recognizes the town’s ongoing book- and culture friendly environment, with a growing slate of events and activities! 

Book Week is cosponsored by the Franklin Historical Museum, Franklin Public Library, and Escape into Fiction book store with funding provided by Mass. Cultural Council through the Franklin Cultural District Committee.

Events include lectures, a film premiere, a live ‘readathon’ of Ben Franklin’s Autobiography, a concert with the Glass Harmonica instrument invented by Ben Franklin, a lecture and demonstration of Ben’s fundamental contribution to the understanding of electricity, and more. 

More information is available at https://benfranklinbookweek.com

In Franklin, MA, It’s All About the Benjamin!

Finance Committee reviews and approves of Capital Budget for FY 2024 (video & audio)

FM #1135 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1135 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. 

8 Finance Committee members participated; 

6 in Chambers (Chair Conley, Riley, Corbosiero, Nagel, Batchelor, Grace ), 

2 participated remotely (Keophannga & Hamilton) 

1 absent (Sansoucy)

Quick recap:

• Discussion on the scope and intent of the deep dive series. Feb 7 next meeting, Mar 6 joint budget subcmte, then really into budget season for FY 2025 with hearings in May, June for Council.

• This is the first capital budget without a holding of the 'free cash' for snow and ice removal. 4.5M is total free cash.

• Consideration for a 'land acquisition fund' possibly to be established

• Technology at the high school is now 10 years old, can't replace them all at once, chipping away at it to stagger the replacements over time.

• Survey to address on quality of life issues, scientific generated survey randomly generated, whole variety of metrics. Often folks are happy but need to divide where there are some opportunities.

• Chief Lynch providing insights on the Police requests, (forgot to add battalion chiefs for Fire had previewed the requests for Fire) Did get all their requests

• DPW, Director Cantoreggi, Water/Sewer superintendent Martin Providing updates on the details of this year's request, equipment has improved over past years, folks like to use good tools, efficiency & safety

• Funds for sewer, water, etc come from the enterprise funds

• Facility did not get all asked for, the reasonable requests were met. We don't have any money for new sidewalks, maintenance yes but not new. $2M for a single mile of sidewalk.

• Motion for approval for the capital improvements plan second, passes via roll call 8-0-1 (absent)

• Motion for transfers per policy as part of the capital plan, second, via roll call 8-0-1 (absent)

The meeting recording runs about an hour & 20 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting Jan 10, 20234 Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1135-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-01-10-24

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Agenda ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-01-10_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf 

Watch the Franklin TV video available for replay 

https://www.youtube.com/live/dGC2rKWkWB8 

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting and found in 1 PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qqA7h0dGjT1Bw7f2muY7KTBc7N6OklZq/view?usp=drive_link 

Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 

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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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Finance Committee reviews and approves of Capital Budget for FY 2024 (video & audio)

Get your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - Jan 17 at 11 AM

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters & wfpr.fm Community Information Director (volunteer), for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have

Steve will also be interested to find out what you think should be on the "watch list" for 2024? 

When: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center (2nd floor conf room) and via Zoom

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form (https://forms.gle/yPGvpaJJbdu4Q6yu6), or check with the Senior Center front desk, or email me.  

Download this flyer as a reminder or to share

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q2FcXBb3xYclaE4tW8sXoObMsAYuQ4cy/view?usp=drive_link

Get your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - Jan 17 at 11 AM

FHS boys hockey team tops Mansfield, girls swim team tops Attleboro

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, Jan 12, 2024. 

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 7 @ Mansfield, 5 – Final

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of Hockomock Sports, provides a game recap and photo gallery ->   (subscription required)  https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-hockey-holds-on-despite-late-mansfield-comeback-bid/

Game #11 Results: #18 Franklin (7) Mansfield (5) (Shots — Franklin 35 Mansfield 22) 

1st period Recap: Shots - Franklin (12) Mansfield (6)

With 5:02 Marchand goes D to D to Arienti who chips it up to Langevin breaking up the wing and takes it into the zone finds greenwood who gets tied up on the wall with 2 Mansfield DMan, Langevin picks the puck and picks top corner to put Franklin on the board 1-0. The very next shift a turnover leads to a Mansfield goal by Vokey game tied at 1-1. With 2.44 to go in the first Wernig draws a tripping penalty putting Franklin on the PP. And with 2:31 Marchand starts it behind the net & moves it to Paterson who's streaking down the right side into the zone hits McEvoy in the slot who snaps off a quick shot leaving the puck on the doorstep when Paterson follows the shot and hammers it home. The period would end 2-1

boys look sluggish in the 1st period. O'Connor gets the nod in between the pipes and sees 6 shots. 

2nd Period Recap: Shots - Franklin (IO) Mansfield (5)

At 13:01 Harrington & Toli combine to break up the Mansfield rush, Harrington recovers the puck on the wall & hits Daley who slides it to Balducci coming into the left side if the zone & hits Daley in the slot who drops it to Wernig for the snip - beautiful passing sequence. At 11:44 Marchand unloads one from the blue

line knocking the goalie back, Hager clears 2 guys out in front of the net where Langevin pokes it homes for making it 4-1 Franklin. At 10:36 franklin takes a hooking call, .23 seconds later Franklin takes a boarding call making it a 5v3 & .11 seconds into the PK Mansfield's #18 Gormley finds #11 Tourigney making it 4-2.

Franklin kills the rest of the penalty. At the 6:05 mark McEvoy gathers the puck behind the net & hits Toli on the point & snaps a quick shot off leaving a juicy rebound for Paterson to punch home! Period would end 5 —2 Franklin. O'Connor serves up the donut on a quiet 5 shots period. 

3d Period Recap: Shots - Franklin (13) Mansfield (11)

Franklin immediately goes on the PP with seconds into the period & w/ .19 seconds left on the PP Lampasona pumps a shot just above the dot that leaves a juicy rebound where Daley slides it to McEvoy & punches the ticket making it 6-2 Franklin. With 10:15 to go Toli finds Paterson at the blue line who slides it

to McEvoy who splits 2 defenders and beats the goal blocker side for the goal making it 7-2 Franklin. At 8:01 Mansfield gets one back when Vokey finds the net. With 5:09 to go Franklin takes a hooking and then a cross checking penalty put Mansfield on the 2-man advantage. A minute later Mansfield's Gormley put

one home from the point & .12 seconds later Mansfield's Gerr gets 2 chances to put it home and deliver on the second making it 7-5 Franklin with 4 minutes to go. The game would end 7-5, boys were sloppy tonight & undisciplined penalties kept Mansfield in it till the end but managed a victory. O'Connor gets the dub. 

Final Franklin 7 Mansfield 5 

Stats: Paterson 2GIA, McEvoy 2G,1A, Langevin 2G, Wernig IG, Daley 3A, Smith 2A, Lampasona IA, Hager 

Franklin (6-5) vs Oliver Ames Thursday 1/18 puck drops @ 6:30 PM @ HOME.  https://twitter.com/FHSPantherHocke/status/1746024843382776155

Boys Swimming = Attleboro, 84 @ Franklin, 63 – Final

Girls Swimming = Attleboro, 77 @ Franklin, 91 – Final

Gymnastics = Franklin @ Taunton, 8:00

For other results around the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-12-24/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Boston Globe: Fall 2023 All-Scholastics recognizes FHS' Crandall, Carney, Cinelli, O'Connor, Lacerda

Field Hockey -> Athletes of the Year - Raena Crandall - DIVISION 1: FRANKLIN | JUNIOR

The Hockomock All-Star led Franklin to a 20-1-1 record with a league-leading 33 goals. She was second in points with 50. Last year, Crandall played in the 2023 Nexus Regional Selection Camp. The 2024 captain has 77 career points.

Field Hockey -> All-scholastics - Emily Carney - FRANKLIN | JUNIOR

The Fairfield commit is on USA Field Hockey’s radar and for good reason. She was part of the fearsome Franklin lineup, recording 29 goals and 19 assists, and was named a Hockomock League All-Star for a second year.

Boys Soccer -> All-scholastics - Rex Cinelli - FRANKLIN | SENIOR

The speedy defender was an All-New England selection after guiding Franklin to an undefeated regular season, a Hockomock League title, and a trip to the Division 1 quarterfinals. The four-year starter scored six goals and was the Hockomock MVP.

Girls Soccer -> All-scholastics - Kelly O'Connor - FRANKLIN | JUNIOR

Second in the Hockomock League in scoring with a team-leading 26 goals and 14 assists, the All-State selection showcased tremendous skill along the left side for the Panthers (18-3-0). O’Connor is committed to play soccer at Fairfield University.

Volleyball -> All-scholastics - Taylor Lacerda - FRANKLIN | SENIOR

It took multiple five-setters, but the senior and two-year captain came up clutch and led the Panthers to the Division 1 semifinals. The returning Globe All-Scholastic hitter compiled 240 kills, 303 digs, and 42 aces on the season.

For the complete Boston Globe listing -> (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/high-schools/all-scholastics/

Boston Globe: Fall 2023 All-Scholastics recognizes FHS' Crandall, Carney, Cinelli, O'Connor, Lacerda

Auchincloss Calls for Including Affordable Housing Policy in Forthcoming Tax Package

"The lack of affordable housing is the single biggest challenge facing my home state of Massachusetts."

Ahead of the reported bicameral, bipartisan tax deal being reached, Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04) sent a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D, OR) and House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R, MO-08), urging them to include the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act in the final package. 

In the letter Auchincloss stated, "The lack of affordable housing is the single biggest challenge facing my home state of Massachusetts. The Commonwealth faces a shortfall of hundreds of thousands of units of housing of all types, including rental units designated for extremely low-income households. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would expand the LIHTC program in a measured and thoughtful manner, allowing projects to carry less debt and making more projects eligible to receive funding. This would help Massachusetts build more affordable housing." 

A full copy of the letter can be found attached and below. 

January 11, 2024 

The Honorable Ron Wyden 

Chairman  

Senate Committee on Finance 

221 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

The Honorable Jason Smith 

Chairman  

House Committee on Ways and Means 

1101 Longworth House Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Chairman Wyden and Chairman Smith: 

I write to you today to request that you include the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023 in the forthcoming tax package. This bipartisan legislation would finance the construction of nearly two million new affordable housing units over ten years by expanding the successful Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to increase the amount of credits allocated to each state. Additionally, this measure would increase the number of affordable housing projects that can be built using private activity bonds, increase the credit for certain projects designated to serve extremely low-income households, and codify protections for veterans and victims of domestic and dating violence.  

As I testified before the House Financial Services Committee on November 9, 2023, the lack of affordable housing is the single biggest challenge facing my home state of Massachusetts. The Commonwealth faces a shortfall of hundreds of thousands of units of housing of all types, including rental units designated for extremely low-income households. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would expand the LIHTC program in a measured and thoughtful manner, allowing projects to carry less debt and making more projects eligible to receive funding. This would help Massachusetts build more affordable housing. 

I appreciate your attention to this important matter and hope to see the inclusion of the Affordable Housing Improvement Credit Act of 2023 in the forthcoming tax package.  

 

Sincerely, 

Jake Auchincloss 

Member of Congress  

cc: The Honorable Mike Crapo, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Finance 

      The Honorable Richard Neal, Ranking Member, House Committee on Ways and Means 

To learn more about Congressman Jake Auchincloss visit https://auchincloss.house.gov or connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pt2h-w5ZsGj9hwr1g7Hk12Ijiip3_HfT/view?usp=drive_link

FHS girls & boys track teams post dual meet wins vs. KP & Taunton on Jan 11, 2024

The FHS Girls Track Team posted two wins at The Track in Boston. FHS beat KP 69-31 and Taunton 81-19. . Event winners were: Sarah Dumas Lily DeForge Maddie Bruno Sophia Cuneo Gwen Holland 4x200 Relay Team 4x400 Relay Team

https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1745784821538787607 

Full set of girls Indoor Results ->

https://www.lancertiming.com/results/winter24/hockomock0111-g.pdf

Boys T&F pick up a pair of W’s against KP & Taunton. 1st place finishers: Hardt (7.81 - new school record) Pink Brad Morin Tucker Morin Yetman Diehl and Both relays. 4x200 set a new school record (1:31.64) as well

https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1745626538786078766 

Full set of boys Indoor Results ->

https://www.lancertiming.com/results/winter24/hockomock0111-b.pdf

FHS girls & boys track teams post dual meet wins vs. KP & Taunton on Jan 11, 2024

"Where's The Toast?!" Memory Cafe DATE CHANGE to - Wed 1/31/24 at 1 PM

Hello All,

Due to an uptick in illness we are postponing our 1/17 Memory Cafe to a new date of Jan. 31 at 1 PM.  

"Where's The Toast?!" Memory Cafe DATE CHANGE

We hope that you will join us on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 1 PM for our "Where's The Toast?!" Memory Cafe at the Franklin Senior Center.  The Rob Show will be entertaining us with songs you all know and love.  

Memory Cafes are safe and inviting spaces for those experiencing memory loss, their family, friends and caretakers.  We hope that you can join us for this hour of fun, singing and friendship.  

If you or your loved one are experiencing any symptoms of sickness, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick, PLEASE refrain from joining us.  In this case sharing is NOT caring. You are welcome to wear a mask but it is not required.

Memory cafes are free but please respond that you will attend so I know how many folks will be joining us.  

Thank you,

Ariel

--

Ariel Doggett

Programming / Volunteer Coordinator

Phone: 508-520-4945

Fax: 508-520-4917

https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Girl Scout Cookies for sale this weekend - Saturday, Jan 13 & Jan 14

There will be time Saturday and Sunday to stock up with Girl Scout Cookies this weekend!

Where will the cookies be in Franklin!

Saturday 1/13

• Shaw's -  9 AM - 2 PM
• Stop & Shop - 10 AM - 2 PM

Sunday 1/14

• Shaw's - 9 AM - 2 PM
• Stop & Shop - 10 AM - 2 PM 
• Dunkin' @ King St  8 AM - 1 PM 

Girl Scout Cookies for sale this weekend - Saturday, Jan 13 & Jan 14

Hockomock Area YMCA: January's Social Action Service Calendar

Brand new! January's Social Action Service Calendar! 

https://t.co/HYiV9ee0lv

Shared from -> https://Twitter.com/HockomockYMCA/status/1745400384246485373

Hockomock Area YMCA: January's Social Action Service Calendar

Children’s online privacy: Tell the FTC

Children's online privacy: Tell the FTC By Carol Kando-Pineda The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) gives parents control over what information websites can collect from their kids and how they use and share that information. The FTC now proposes changes that would enhance those protections and aim to ensure that parents — not companies — are in charge. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/01/childrens-online-privacy-tell-ftc

Children’s online privacy: Tell the FTC

Franklin's Event Outlook: January 12, 2023 to January 18, 2024

Friday, January 12

7:00pm Steve Demers (live music) (Raillery Public House)

7:30pm Electric Youth Debut Concert (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

Saturday, January 13

9:00am KoC Free Throw Tournament  (Hockomock YMCA)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Train Town Franklin; Part 2 (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:30pm FHS Best Buddies fund raiser basketball game (Franklin High School)

7:00pm Steve Demers (live music) (Raillery Public House)

8:00pm Joe Jencks (live music) (ticketed event) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)

Sunday, January 14

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Train Town Franklin; Part 2 (Franklin Historical Museum)

1:15pm Second Sunday Speaker Series (CANCELED): Joe Landry on History of Thompson Press (Franklin Historical Museum) 

Monday, January 15 -  Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 16

6:30pm Ben Franklin’s Journey from Slaveholder to Abolitionist AND African Son, a discussion (Franklin Historical Museum)

7:30pm Voice of Franklin, part of Toastmasters International (Franklin TV Studio)

Wednesday, January 17

9:30am Ben Franklin Autobiography* LIVE Readathon (Franklin Historical Museum)

6:30pm SPECIAL Trivia Night  (Teddie Gallagher’s)

7:00pm State of the Commonwealth Address (live broadcast)

Thursday, January 18

8:30am Town Council Office Hours (Franklin Senior Center)

6:30pm World PREMIERE, “The Boatbuilders” Pre-release Screening & Discussion (Franklin Public Library)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin's Event Outlook: January 12, 2023 to January 18, 2024