Saturday, March 23, 2024

Voices of Franklin: Letter to Planning Board on Autumn Hill Development

Dear Town of Franklin Planning Board members,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Summer Street residents regarding the proposed senior living development that Bruce Hunchard of 496 Summer Street, Franklin is applying to build.

Seven years ago, the Summer Street Residents fought hard to prevent Bruce Hunchard from re-zoning his 11.85 acres so he could build cluster homes just like the ones built on the Franklin Country Club driving range.  He lost due to an overwhelming objection of the residents on his street, not to mention a gentleman from town standing up and addressing the members that he thinks re-zoning parcels is a great idea, because I have 5 acres next to you, you and you and I think I will  re-zone all of these parcels. Well, what do you know, this project immediately failed.

Now, seven years later the applicant wants to build a senior development which I believe due to a certain by-law amendment (01-461) adopted by the town this could be possible without the rezoning.

Hunchard is calling this a senior development.  Condominiums that will be 2- and 3-bedrooms, with a full basement and a two-car garage that will sell for $850,000 -$900,000 dollars quoted to me by the builder.  REALLY!!!!  Does this sound like a development for anyone 55 and older that has this kind of money.  In other words, cluster homes for the wealthy seniors, not seniors that are in need of affordable senior living.   

The project could net close to $45 million dollars or more. I find it interesting that a few of the town council members told me that there is a high demand for senior living because they can no longer afford to live in their single-family homes. Well, how on earth will they be able to afford these new homes.  They won't!!!  This is preposterous.  Not to mention Bruce Hunchard is the chairperson of the zoning board committee.  This is a total conflict of interest!!!!!!!

We understand that Stobbart Nurseries will soon be building 265 units with low-income housing available.  This would be a perfect spot to have a building designated to senior living so close to town.  I also know of a great location in the town of Franklin that would be perfect for senior living with no abutters to protest which is available and for sale.

To make matters worse, this proposed development abuts many, many acres of Franklin Town Forest.  This entire development is located on a very, very steep slope that goes down into Uncas Brook, which feeds Uncas Pond. The Summer Street Residents, as well as the Rod and Gun Club and Armenian Camp are extremely concerned that the Uncas Brook Watershed which contributes water to the wells and the pump house will be compromised after a majority of trees are removed, as well as this parcel of land having to be completely re-graded.  This will make huge and unfavorable changes to the basic hydrology and siltation regardless of any measures that will be taken to prevent this from happening.

This land is zoned Rural Residential, it is NOT zoned for cluster homes or so-called senior living.  It is out of control when town starts choosing rural residential locations for these types of homes.  They need to stick with the properly zoned locations for this type of building.  Why does Tim Jones who just recently purchased 488 Summer Street get to re-zone his property for this development?? As well as Bruce Hunchard re-zoning his home located at 496 Summer Street?

All of the Summer Street residents as well as the residents that live in the four developments off Summer Street respectively ask that this development not be passed at the April 8th meeting.

I would also like to mention that a rumor is circulating that I accepted a large sum of money from Bruce Hunchard not to protest this proposed development.  This is very upsetting and could not be further from the truth.

We all also feel that a visit to the site in person would be helpful for all to see.  You can call 508-542-1800 if you would like a tour of the site the weekend before the 4/8 meeting.

Thank you for your time, it is very much appreciated.

Sally French Winters and the Summer Street Residents of Franklin, MA.


Voices of Franklin: Letter to Planning Board on Autumn Hill Development
Voices of Franklin: Letter to Planning Board on Autumn Hill Development

Special School Committee Meeting - March 26 at 7 PM

Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee
School Committee Special Meeting
March 26, 2024 - 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers


Comprehensive School Facilities Assessment Update
● Locke & Associates
o Portrait of a Graduate & Educational Visioning Report

Construction detour for the Beaver Street Interceptor begins Monday, March 25

Beaver Street Interceptor

 
logo
 
 
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE:

Starting Monday March 25th a detour through Tri-County Drive will be in place. Residential traffic only on Pond St., Rolling Ridge Rd., Hilltop Rd. and part of Old West Central St. The detour will be in place Monday thru Thursday from 7:30am until 5:00pm.

During this construction phase, the adjacent medical building remains accessible, though Starbucks will be accessible via 140 only. Access to this area may look different as work continues. We are working with school staff to ensure safety.

We will update and communicate regularly via social media,
our dedicated email list, and the construction map below.

We appreciate the public's continued support and understanding and will continue to communicate as work progresses.

Please see our interactive map below for more details.

BEAVER STREET INTERCEPTOR HOTLINE: 508-553-5526
(PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE AND WE WILL RETURN YOUR CALL)
EMAIL: BSI-info@franklinma.gov

 
Beaver Street Interceptor Rehabilitation/Replacement Project
This project consists of the replacement and repair of Franklin's largest piece of sewer infrastructure,
originally constructed in 1914.
 
Construction detour for the Beaver Street Interceptor begins Monday, March 25
Construction detour for the Beaver Street Interceptor begins Monday, March 25


First Annual Cornhole Tournament - April 6, 2024 to benefit veterans and programming at 22Mohawks

Next9Up and 22mohawks have joined together to host the First Annual Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, April 6, 2024 with proceeds to benefit veterans and programming at 22Mohawks.


Food trucks, DJ, raffles, cornhole, and tons of fun is the BEST way to spend a day in April while supporting our veterans.

22Mohawks (www.22mohawks.com) is a 501(c)(3) Veteran Charitable Organization helping veterans lead themselves to find purpose. This includes their Pups for Vets Program and teaching Suicide Prevention Classes.

It has been proven that organizations that give dogs to veterans have a 0% suicide rate and studies show that adrenaline producing activities can reduce and even eliminate anxiety and depression in the short term. To find our more about their programs for companion dogs for veterans, head here https://22mohawks.com/partners/

Next9Up Baseball/Softball Training Facility has always been a supporter to aide our veterans, and we are excited to help bring this event to life.

We also are offering sponsorships for those wanting to help - you can check out the options at https://www.facebook.com/events/1387575281842416/

Fletcher Field playground being redone this spring with CPA funds

Franklin Recreation Department and Franklin Department of Public Works are renovating the playground at Fletcher Field on Peck Street this spring. 
Please try to use our other playgrounds at DelCarte, Dacey, Nason Street, or King Street while we make these necessary improvements. 
Fletcher playground will be installed sometime mid to late April and will feature a baseball themed play structure with accessible surfacing and a newly relocated swing set. Concrete walkways will be installed around April 1st. Thank you for using alternate playgrounds during construction. 
Funding for this playground was through a state grant and the Community Preservation Act.

renovating the playground at Fletcher Field 1
renovating the playground at Fletcher Field 1

renovating the playground at Fletcher Field 2
renovating the playground at Fletcher Field 2

Ben Paterson named MVP Hockomock League Boys Hockey All Stars

2024 Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars

Below are the official 2024 Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP
Kelly Holmes, King Philip

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS
  • Julia Flynn, Franklin
  • Nina Iannuzzi, Franklin
  • Lindsey Dennett, Franklin
  • Izzy Brown, Franklin

Honorable Mentions
  • Hannah Auerr, Franklin
Shared from (subscription required)

2024 Hockomock League Boys Hockey All Stars

Below are the official 2024 Hockomock League Boys Hockey All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP
  • Ben Paterson, Franklin

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS
  • Logan Marchand, Franklin
  • Anthony Lampasona, Franklin
  • Dylan McEvoy, Franklin

Honorable Mentions
  • Dan Daley, Franklin
Shared from (subscription required)

Ben Paterson named MVP Hockomock League Boys Hockey All Stars
Ben Paterson named MVP Hockomock League Boys Hockey All Stars


FHS' Clifford, Tang, Desroches, Bourgeois, Ferreira, Birali & Wright recognized as Hock Swim All-Stars

2024 Hockomock League Girls Swimming All Stars

Below are the official 2024 Hockomock League Girls Swimming All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP
Zuri Ferguson, Attleboro

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS
  • Caroline Clifford, Franklin
  • Christine Tang, Franklin
  • Ashley Desroches, Franklin
  • Sydney Bourgeois, Franklin
  • Emma Ferreira, Franklin
  • Harika Birali, Franklin
  • Keegan Wright, Franklin
Shared from (subscription required)


2024 Hockomock League Boys Swimming All Stars

Below are the official 2024 Hockomock League Boys Swimming All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP
Jack Maron, Sharon

Honorable Mentions
  • Oliver McCarthy, Franklin
Shared from (subscription required)

FHS' Clifford, Tang, Desroches, Bourgeois, Ferreira, Birali & Wright recognized as Hock Swim All-Stars
FHS' Clifford, Tang, Desroches, Bourgeois, Ferreira, Birali & Wright recognized as Hock Swim All-Stars


FEMA podcast explore the benefits of our training course for people with disabilities (audio)

FEMA (@fema) posted  on Fri, Mar 22, 2024:
In our new podcast, we explore the benefits of our training course for people with disabilities in disaster operations & how it ensures equitable access to the whole community. Tune in:

Web: https://t.co/IbMqlG8UEL
Apple: https://t.co/RyqpEcXKTX
Spotify: https://t.co/QsztvqxNAR

 

https://t.co/VmBCPZB1Yx
Shared from -> https://twitter.com/fema/status/1771236702700339515

FEMA podcast explore the benefits of our training course for people with disabilities (audio)
FEMA podcast explore the benefits of our training course for people with disabilities (audio)

Friday, March 22, 2024

Franklin's Event Outlook: March 22, 2023 to March 28, 2024

Friday, March 22
7:30pm Choreographers' Concert (sold out) (Dean College)
9:00pm Dom DeBaggis (Live Music) (3 Restaurant)

Saturday, March 23

10:00am Easter Bunny (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Grieving Hearts Workshop (Franklin High School)

11:00am Beyond the Palmer Method – Learn about calligraphy (Franklin Historical Museum)

11:00am Master Plan Open House (Dean College)

1:00pm Kids Paint Party (sold out) (Franklin Public Library)

3:00pm Jessica Lepe (Author Event) (Escape Into Fiction)

6:00pm `Cinema 80’ Feature Films "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"  (Franklin Historical Museum)

7:00pm Ballet Franklin presents Cinderella (THE BLACK BOX)

7:30pm Choreographers' Concert (sold out) (Dean College)


Sunday, March 24

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Ballet Franklin presents Cinderella (THE BLACK BOX)

3:00pm LiveARTS Concert: Romanul Duo (First Universalist Society of Franklin - FUSF)

5:30pm Ballet Franklin presents Cinderella (THE BLACK BOX)


Monday, March 25

10:00am Yankee Quilters Quilt Guild Charity Sewing (Emma's Quilt Cupboard)

6:30pm Self-Defense for Women and Teens Class (registration req'd) (Lifelong Learning)


Tuesday, March 26

2:30pm Rainbow Café (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm Trivia Night (Raillery Public House)


Wednesday, March 27

1:00pm Senior Scribblers (recording session) (Franklin TV Studio & remote)

5:30pm Kenyatta Berry (Dean College)

7:00pm Laugh Boston Stand-Up Comedy Show (Glen Pharmer)


Thursday, March 28

1:00pm Henry the Juggler (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm Franklin Art Association Opening Reception (Escape Into Fiction)


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Why have multiple calendars?
There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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

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

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

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 

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Franklin's Event Outlook: March 15, 2023 to March  21, 2024
Franklin's Event Outlook: March  15, 2023 to March  21, 2024

Hockomock Area YMCA/SAFE Coalition Charity Pickleball Tournament - April 20

Get your game on at the Hockomock Area YMCA/SAFE Coalition Charity Pickleball Tournament. When you register to play, you help improve the lives of many in our Franklin community and beyond. 

All proceeds will be split between these two nonprofit organizations. The tournament is Saturday, April 20 at the Franklin Y, 45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin.

Three events are available: Recreational, Competitive and Teen. The tournament is ideal for players just starting to do tournament play - come have fun and support your community! Teams may be any gender combination. 

Each event is completed in under 3 hours, with a minimum of 5 games per event. Recreational event start time is 8:00 AM; Competitive event start time is 11:00 AM; Teen (ages 13-18) event start time is 2:00 PM. There is a maximum of 12 doubles teams per division. Players can register as a team or as a player needing partner.

Fee is $65 per player. All proceeds benefit the Hockomock Area YMCA's Bernon Family Branch (Franklin) and the SAFE Coalition. Registration is open now.  Click here more information or to register online at Pickleballbrackets.com

register online at Pickleballbrackets.com
register online at Pickleballbrackets.com
The Hockomock Area YMCA is an inclusive nonprofit organization of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living and foster a sense of social responsibility. Proceeds from this tournament will benefit the YMCA’s Reach Out campaign. The Reach Out for Youth and Families Annual Campaign is the primary vehicle in subsidizing confidential scholarship assistance and subsidized programs. Funds raised from the pickleball tournament will provide confidential scholarship assistance, giving Y experiences including summer camp, childcare and teen programs to local children and families in need, regardless of their ability to pay.

SAFE is a judgement free community organization relentlessly committed to educating and supporting those affected by substance use disorder and mental health concerns across southeastern Massachusetts. Staffed by trusted, trained professionals and peer support volunteers, SAFE compassionately empowers individuals and their loved ones by breaking down barriers to treatment and emotional support in a way that inspires success on the journey to recovery. Proceeds from this tournament will fund SAFE's work in educating and supporting those with substance misuse and mental health issues.

 

School Committee gets the details on the multiple budget scenarios facing them for a vote in April (audio)

FM #1161 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1161 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on March 19, 2024. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers. 


All 7 members of the Committee were present in Chambers. 


Quick recap:

FY25 Budget Open Hearing  (presentation doc not posted but the full budget book is available ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy25_complete_budget_book.pdf)


2 quick points from School Committee member Paul Griffith during the Q&A for the presentation, I paraphrased here but go listen to what he said:

  • Great clarification questions from Cmte member Griffith Go back and listen (via the YouTube link) for his points on the class size as well as the support services (i.e. personnel titles) some legally required if not morally to provide the proper education for each student

  • If we are looking at the bare minimum of level services across the Town and schools, given the Town expected revenue, it is not whether there should be an override, it really should be a discussion on how much of an override we can afford (great point!)


Discussion/Action Items

A. Student Opportunity Act Plan Approval

B. Policy First Reading

C. Policy Second Reading/Adoption

D. ACCEPT Collaborative Agreement

all these items passed by a 7-0 vote


The meeting runs just over 3 hours (5 minutes) so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting held on March 19, 2024 . Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1161-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-03-19-24



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Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YXw4dnXUqk 


School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 


Meeting Agenda doc  -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_3-19-24.pdf 


Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-19-2024-school-committee-meeting 


My notes captured via Twitter were collected in a single PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-1dD9wIUOeE_0ZS76jJsRgnKgtkScxAE/view?usp=drive_link 


Photos of the slides shown can be found in one album ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/raH5wfZR6pU7yths6 


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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"