What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, July 27, 2024

Saturday, July 27

10:00am Bridal Gown Exhibit, Something Old and Something New (Historical Museum)

10:30am Scott Martell Magic Show (ages 4-12) (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Chess Group (Franklin Public Library)

5:30pm Community Cookout (Franklin United Methodist Church)

8:00pm Karaoke Night (Raillery Public House)

8:00pm The Fourtet (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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Why are there 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://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

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://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Mental Health: Abigail Drake (video)

Dr Anne Bergen: 

"Welcome to Mental Health, the crisis of our time. 

My name is Anne Bergen. I am the host of this series of programs brought to you by Franklin TV whose mission is really to bring important topics relevant to the community out so we can inform the residents aware of issues that are very very important. 

The issue we have to address is mental health."

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjyjP8yZp2A

Mental Health: Abigail Drake (video)

This Chalkboard Chat catches us up on the School budget for FY 25 as of July 17, 2024 (audio)

FM #1251 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1251 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in the Zoom conference bridge on Thursday, July 18, 2024. 

 

We talk about 

• The school budget & the additional $1M provided by the Council from the debt stabilization account

• Redistricting next steps proceeding

• August 13 session of School Cmte meeting to approve the $1M and the annual school handbook revisions

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1251-chalkboard-chat-07-18-24/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net  

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

School budget ->  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-district-budget 

Budget update letters for the additional allocation

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9a._24-50.pdf 

Redistricting page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/comprehensive-school-facilities-assessment 

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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"

This Chalkboard Chat catches us up on the School budget for FY 25 as of July 17, 2024 (audio)

Get lunch at the next Rainbow Cafe, Tuesday, July 30 at the Senior Center

Hello All,

I am excited to share with you that at our next Rainbow Cafe on Tuesday, July 30th at 2:30 we will be serving lunch thanks to a generous grant obtained by our partner Rainbow Cafe in Bellingham!  

In addition Julie Nowak will be joining us to play some engaging games.  

WOW...food, games and GREAT people!  Who could ask for anything more!?  

Please feel free to share this invite to anyone who might be interested in joining us.  I look forward to seeing you all next week.

Ariel

Get lunch at the next Rainbow Cafe, Tuesday, July 30 at the Senior Center

--

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

Franklin Fire Dept announces receipt of FEMA Grant of $594,654

Franklin Fire (@FranklinMAfire) posted on Fri, Jul 26, 2024:

The Franklin Fire Department is pleased to announce that we have been awarded $594,654 from the @fema Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. 

These funds will be used for training and upgrades to both station's vehicle exhaust capture systems.

Shared from -> https://t.co/KNrDn6skQd

Franklin Fire Dept announces receipt of FEMA Grant of $594,654

Tracy O'Connell Novick provides insights into the education accounts for the State FY 2025 budget

Tracy O'Connell Novick (@TracyNovick) posted:

There's a few interesting wrinkles in the education accounts in the conference committee budget passed last week by both chambers. 

As it sits on Governor Healey's desk, a few notes from me: https://t.co/23xsnwVHSa

#MAEdu #mapoli #mabudget

Shared from -> https://x.com/TracyNovick/status/1815704598293700881

Or go directly to Tracy's blog page -> https://who-cester.blogspot.com/2024/07/state-conference-committee-budget-on.html

Tracy O'Connell Novick provides insights into the education accounts for the State FY 2025 budget

South Street Six at The Gavel on Friday, Aug 2

We're kicking off August at The Gavel! 

Come grab a burger or some tacos and your favorite summer libation then stick around for the show. 

Hope to see you there! Friday, August 2, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C92caKYuAQh/

South Street Six at The Gavel on Friday, Aug 2

Your food is more expensive – are US corporate profits to blame? | Inflation | The Guardian

"As inflation shot to its peak around mid-2022, Chipotle’s prices also rose, pushing up what customers paid for burritos and bowls by as much as several dollars. Since then, the fast casual restaurant’s costs have broadly fallen. Prices have not.

Chipotle’s decision to maintain high prices helped boost profits 110% in recent years, while its executives boasted to investors that they raised prices higher than inflationary costs.

Chipotle’s sparkling financials are representative of much of the food industry, according to a Guardian analysis of financial documents and earning calls transcripts from 36 top US food corporations.

It reveals that while you may be feeling the pain from high prices at restaurants and supermarkets, many companies making and selling the products are doing remarkably well. Most have seen their profits jump as they continue raising prices on customers, the analysis found.

Some companies say they have no choice but to pass inflationary pain on to consumers. Others, however, acknowledge they are exploiting the inflationary atmosphere to raise prices, or to shrink product sizes, a strategy dubbed “shrinkflation”.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) ->

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/26/food-price-inflation-corporate-profit

Your food is more expensive – are US corporate profits to blame? | Inflation | The Guardian

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, July 26, 2024

Friday, July 26

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Franklin Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

3:00pm It's a J Thing (Franklin Town Common)

6:00pm Frank Padula Band (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

7:30pm Honey Badger (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

9:00pm Dom DeBaggis (live music) (3 Restaurant)

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

What's happening today in Franklin? 

---------------

Why are there 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://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

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://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

What vendors and activities are at the Farmer's Market today - July 26, 2024?

We are glad you asked.  

Thanks to the good folks operating the Franklin Farmer's Market, we have the answers to share. 

Concerts on the Common also provides musical entertainment on the bandstand.

What vendors and activities are at the Farmer's Market today - July 26, 2024

Discover Exciting Fall Activities in Our New Recreation Brochure!

Dear Franklin Residents,

Discover Exciting Fall Activities 

As the vibrant colors of Fall will soon to begin to paint our town, we are thrilled to announce the release of our Fall Recreation Brochure!

Registration for all Fall Programs opens Monday, August 5th

Click the link below to view the brochure

Fall Brochure ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fall_brochure_2024.pdf

For more info visit the Franklin Recreation page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department

Master Plan Update Cmte meeting runs long, acknowledges work to be done, schedule slipping (video)

The Franklin (MA) Master Plan Update Committee met on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. 11 members participated, 10 in the 3rd floor training room, 1 remote (Frongillo), 2 were absent (Williams, Power).

Quick recap:

• Meeting opened by Chair Jones, round of updates from each subcommittee chair, many have not met since the public hearing to incorporate the feedback gathered, one had, others scheduling, or have scheduled such sessions

• Much time spent reviewing the internal committee working doc on objectives section by section

• Doc formatting to be worked on by Beta & Barrett to set up goals, objectives, and actions for subcommittees to fill in the responsibilities, priorities, etc.

• Next meeting for the committee scheduled for Aug 21 to work on the implementation steps, as well as iron out the cross points among the subcommittees, and continue work on the language for the objectives to be voted on by the committee

• Discussion around if this could be accomplished in the next session, or if another session is needed. The current timeline for presentation to the Planning Board and Town Council in September acknowledged that it is not going to be met. As the session was over an hour longer than planned, side conversation between Taberner, Jones, and Beta/Barrett to be held and then provide an update to the committee on possible timeline adjustments

Franklin TV video link for replay ->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjUIdmORU9Q

Agenda doc  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-july_24_2024.pdf 

My notes in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EhCkDnDJA8bdL8FIGw917UnLu079KMaA/view?usp=drive_link 

Master Plan Update Cmte page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/master-plan-update-committee

Audio link -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/07/master-plan-update-cmte-meeting-runs.html

Master Plan Update Cmte meeting runs long, acknowledges work to be done, schedule slipping (video)

Here is the order of the five statewide voter questions that will appear on the ballot in November - The Boston Globe

"Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin on Thursday released the order that five statewide measures will appear on the ballot in November.

ballot questions

The five ballot questions are the most since 2000, when voters had eight to consider. The numbers are assigned at the discretion of the secretary of state’s office.

“Numbers are typically assigned in a manner that will ensure the best possible ballot layout, given the length of the question summaries,” Galvin’s office said in a statement."

Question 1: State Auditor’s Authority to Audit the Legislature

Question 2: Elimination of MCAS as High School Graduation Requirement

Question 3: Unionization for Transportation Network Drivers

Question 4: Limited Legalization and Regulation of Certain Natural Psychedelic Substances

Question 5: Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers

Shared from -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/07/25/metro/these-five-statewide-questions-will-appear-massachusetts-ballot-november/

The State will send out the "red book" the voters guide before the November election early voting starts. The early voting timeline for both the Sep primary and November election as contained in this PDF (and image below)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/2024_election_schedule.pdf

early voting timeline for both the Sep primary and November election

"Yarn bombing" project crochet class scheduled for Aug 16 at 1 PM

The Franklin Cultural Council is funding a grant for a “Yarn Bombing” project here in Franklin.

 Want to help the project or learn more?  On Friday, August 16th at 1 PM in the Franklin Public Library, YOU CAN! 

Best for Ages 14+

A granny square is like a plain sheet of paper. Sure, it comes in different colors, textures, sizes and weights however in and of itself, it’s not very exciting until you use it as an integral part of your creative process.  

During our two hour crochet class we will explore the basic structure of a granny square as we make one traditional style square using a basic worsted weight wool. You will leave the class with a new respect for the humble Granny square and how to bring it to life in your crochet journey.  

All class materials will be provided. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Bellingham and Franklin Cultural Councils, local agencies,  which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Pre-requisites: Ability to chain, single crochet, double crochet, knowledge of how to count stitches

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/Qz5A9cUUZWSqpATo/

"Yarn bombing" project crochet class scheduled for Aug 16 at 1 PM

Mass Cultural Council launches d/Deaf & Disability Equity Plan

Mass Cultural Council’s first-ever d/Deaf & Disability Equity Plan (FY25-28) went into effect on July 1. This marks the culmination of an inclusive planning process leading us to this key moment in the Agency’s work.

Endorsed by a vote of our governing Council, the d/Deaf and Disability Equity Plan joins a suite of plans developed by the Agency and its stakeholders to center equity as a guiding principle and a strategic practice; directing Agency advancement and investment.

Rooted not only in compliance, the plan incorporates the experiences, responses, and perspectives of people with disabilities. It has been developed in response to the recommendations of people with disabilities at every juncture. People with disabilities were leaders in the research and development of surveys, evaluations, audits, and site visits. People with disabilities were on both sides of the data gathering process.

Shared from -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/planning-for-access-announcing-our-d-deaf-disability-equity-plan/

Direct link to the actual plan (Word doc) -> 

https://massculturalcouncil.org/documents/dDeaf_Disability_Equity_Plan.docx

Part of the plan includes a guidebook for organizations to use in planning their event for accessibility (from the National Endowment for the Arts) ->   https://www.arts.gov/about/publications/design-accessibility-cultural-administrators-handbook

Elson Fortes paints in his studio at Humphreys Street Studio during Dorchester Open Studios. Photo: Annielly Camargo.

It's time for the Franklin DPW's 2024 Hydrant Painting Event! Applications due Aug 2

Yes, that time of year has rolled around again.

Pick out a hydrant, define a design, submit your application by Aug 2, and wait patiently! Notification happens after August 7.

For more information, including event rules, application and frequently asked questions, please visit: https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-dpws-2024-hydrant-painting-event?

Or download the rules, application here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/town_of_franklin_2024_hydrant_painting_event_1.pdf

It's time for the Franklin DPW's 2024 Hydrant Painting Event!