What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, November 16, 2024 ???

Saturday, November 16

7:00am Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church) 

9:00am Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:30am DINOvember Party (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Library Bag Sale (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Diwali Celebration (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm My Favorite Year (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:00pm StickMan Blue debut in concert (Franklin United Methodist Church)

7:30pm CANCELED David Francy (live music) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse) 

7:30pm FPAC: Proof (HE BLACK BOX)

7:30pm My Favorite Year  (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

8:00pm Karaoke (Raillery Public House) 

** NO  Town Meetings today   **

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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Why are there multiple calendars?

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:

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/upcoming

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

Mary C. Olsson - November 12, 2024

Mary C (Morrissey) Olsson passed away Tuesday, November 12 peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Kai Olsson of 29 years, daughter Sophie and sons Francis and Toby.

Mary C. Olsson

She was raised in the family home in Franklin Ma where she attended St Mary’s Catholic School before leaving for college in Florida, and then spending time living in Atlanta Ga. She served many hospitality and coordination roles, most recently for the TJX corporation.

Always a lover of history, she spent her free time tracing family trees and researching Franklin’s history for the Historical Commission and the Cemetery Commission. She organized the speaker series, events and displays for the Franklin Museum, spending years as the Chair of the Historic Commission.

As the mother of 3 school age children at the time, she was a member of the Davis Thayer PCC, running school auctions to support the DT community. Seeing a need to be met, Mary founded “Harmony From The Heart,” an annual fundraiser which supported TTP research at UMass and Children’s Hospital. This research has resulted in life saving treatments.

Mary was a consummate collector; PEZ dispensers, tea pots, salt shakers for every occasion (or just because they were cute), and possibly most importantly to her, friends.

Making connections anywhere she went, Mary had friends in all parts of the world. Able to start a conversation with anyone, she made each person she met feel welcome. She would dive into their interests, connect them with others in her massive network with similar focuses. Beyond just connecting them, she loved to host her friends, porch parties, vacations, meals out, she delighted in playing the social conduit for us all.

This obituary is written by her three children, and there is no better example for how someone should live than our mom. She is a shining example of kindness, drive, and humility. She set us up for success and cared more deeply than anyone about our success, health and happiness. We will always miss her and never stop loving her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Monday Nov. 18th at 9:00 AM from the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, Franklin at 10:00 AM.

Burial will take place at a later date at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Calling hours are Sunday Nov. 17th from 2:00 - 5:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to help cover the costs associated with Mary’s end of life care and funeral services. This will allow the Olssons, and rest of family to grieve without the added burden of financial stress.

gofund.me/8183eb65

Guestbook www.oterifuneralhome.com

Update: The Historical Museum will be closed on Sunday, Nov 17 to honor Mary

As severe fire weather persists, Franklin MA extends Outdoor Fire Restrictions

With outdoor fuel sources extremely dry and no meaningful precipitation expected, Franklin Fire Chief James Mclaughlin and municipal leaders are extending restrictions on any outdoor fires at least until Friday, November 22.

"This has been an unprecedented fall fire season in Massachusetts," said Chief McLaughlin. "The current and expected weather conditions mean that any outdoor fire is likely to spread quickly and become difficult to control. ln Franklin, those fires could easily spread to homes and other properties."

 Outdoor Fire Restrictions

Burning yard waste is already prohibited across Massachusetts through January 15 and year-round in some communities under 310 CMR 7.07, the Open Burning regulation. The local fire restriction additionally restricts the outdoor use of tire pits, chimineas, candles, cooking/heating equipment, and other ignition sources wider Section 10.10.2 of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code. The Code grants fire officials 1he au1hority to prohibit any and all open flames and other ignition sources under certain hazardous conditions, including extreme drought. About 200 Massachusetts municipalities have imposed these prohibitions.

Any requests for permits for outdoor fires, hot work such as cutting/grinding, and other activity will be decided in light of the ongoing fire risk.

All of Massachusetts. including Franklin, is facing an unprecedented fall wildfire season. While the stale averages 15 to 20 fires a month in October and November each year. Local fire departments have reported more than 500 fires since October 1, 2024. These fires have burned more than 1,500 acres - rivaling average statewide totals for an entire year. Many or these fires have damaged homes and other properties, and they are taxing local and regional firefighting resources.

According to Chief McLaughlin, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and the Department of Conservation & Recreation's Bureau of Forest Fire Control & Forestry, almost all of these fires start with human activity and can be prevented by limiting outdoor activity that involves open flames, sparks and embers, hot engines or gasoline from power equipment, and other ignition sources.

Chief McLaughlin recommended the following fire prevention strategies during this period of severe fire risk:

• Follow local and state guidance on outdoor ignition sources. Remember that burning yard waste is prohibit statewide through January and in many communities year-round. Many cities and towns have implemented temporary restric1ions on any outdoor fires until conditions improve.

• Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimineas, fire pits, and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overha1,ging branches.

• Use caution, with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment. Hot engines, sparks, and spilled gasoline can ignite dry leaves and grass.

• Dispose of ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves in all metal can, douse them with water, and cover them with a tight fitting lid. These ashes can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles long after the fire goes out: never dump them outdoors or in the trash.

• Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand. Never toss cigarette buns, matches, or other smoking materials over the edge of a balcony, stub them out on stairs or railings, or toss them in dry vegetation or debris.

"The faster we hear about a fire. the better chance we have of safely extinguishing it." said Chief McLaughlin, "If you see smoke or flames, please call 9ll right away so we can protect you, your neighbors, and our community."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/19VmW48oh1/

Master Plan committee member to join the Q&A sessions next week (video)

I shared the following to those who are on the mailing list for the Franklin Q&A sessions held monthly. With the Master Plan 'final draft' out for review now & feedback due by Dec 2, it is also important to bring this to your attention.

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On the "watch list" , you'll recall that we have been following the progress of the Master Plan Update Committee's work. They revealed the goals and objectives a couple of months ago but those were all "motherhood & apple pie" respectfully. The key things to look for would be the action items.

Master Plan process overview, we are at the last steps of review

The action items were just revealed in the final draft. Feedback is due by Dec 2. In addition to the quick review of what has happened in the past month, we'll have a member of the Master Plan Committee for each session to help spend some time on this important planning doc. 

• Melanie Hamblen is scheduled to join us Monday 
• Eric Steltzer is scheduled to join us Wednesday

As we have discussed, the Master Plan outlines the goals and objectives for the Town to take over the next 10 years. With the actions spelled out, we can see if we agree, or disagree, or if there is something NOT in there, propose to add it. For example, are the housing action items what we want & need? 

Master Plan page with education action items

To help with your prep for this opportunity, the link to the "final doc" is provided, as well as the video link to the feedback session held Thursday, Nov 14

• 'Final draft' summary presentation -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/final_master_plan_draft_presentation_11.14.24.pdf
• 'Final draft' doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_master_plan_final_draft_report-nov2024.pdf
• Franklin TV video replay of Nov 14 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIqcphVHN84

The Franklin Q&A sessions are scheduled for

When: Monday, Nov 18, 2024 at 6:30 PM  

Where: Franklin Public Library (Community Room) and via Zoom

  Or

When: Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM  

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

If you want the Zoom link to participate remotely, please use this form, or check with the Senior Center front desk, or email me (shersteve at gmail.com):    https://forms.gle/Ur2r66T8L49UfWpG9

Your Voice Matters: Shape the Future of Franklin Public Schools

Dear FPS Community,

As we continue to develop our school budget, we are providing an opportunity for you to provide feedback on the Franklin Public Schools budget planning development. We are excited to launch our Stakeholder Budget Survey to gather your insights through a more inclusive budget development process.

Your feedback is important in several ways:

1. It helps us understand what matters to you as a stakeholder invested in the system. By gaining insight into your perspective, we can continually refine our approach to better 

Your Voice Matters

support our students, teachers, and families. 

2. It informs our budgeting strategy for district programming as we seek to meet the needs of our students effectively.

Participating in the survey is easy and will take only about 10 minutes. However, your feedback could have a lasting impact for years to come. Simply click here to get started.

Thank you for being a part of our community and for supporting the Franklin Public Schools!

This survey will close on Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

Take the survey here ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEZ8Fy_1dGl649hmkbd2uYI37eOZBlshQkQP71Bge82E4qVg/viewform

Shared from -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/11mxUcxuu40qWp-kFi9Z8iNWrAgN9dJsh/view

Santa Foundation Open House scheduled for Nov 23

Santa Foundation Open House scheduled for Nov 23

 

"Come share in our excitement with music, refreshments and a tour of our new workshop!"

Saturday, Nov 23 from 1 to 3 PM

275 Washington St, Suite A6

Shared from -> https://facebook.com/events/s/santa-foundation-open-house/917164459941289/

Stop the Bleed! - Free training scheduled November 20, 2024

Stop the Bleed! - November 20, 2024

The Town of Franklin Health Department & Fire Department Present: Stop the Bleed!

Learn how to STOP THE BLEED and gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively to control bleeding.

When: Wednesday November 20, 2024 from 3:00PM to 4:30PM

Where: EOC Classroom, Franklin Fire Headquarters, 40 West Central St, Franklin MA

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/stop-bleed-november-20-2024

FHS Indoor Track & Field schedule for 2024-2025

FHS Indoor Track & Field schedule for 2024-2025

For those who want to follow the FHS indoor track performances, the schedule is out and available to mark those key date on your calendar.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DCU1UK3S6IH/

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: construction updates for Week of Nov 18 - Nov 22

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project

 

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: construction updates for Week of Nov 18 - Nov 22

  

BSI Construction Update for the Week of November 18th!

Monday (11/18) - Friday (11/22): The construction crew will be on Grove Street in the area of 25 Grove Street (near Forge Hill Rd.) working on the Grove Street sewer siphon. All work will occur on the side of the road with little to no traffic impacts.

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with concrete form placement and rebar tying for the pump station foundation walls.

Please reference the interactive map below and posted signs for details and updates.

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: construction updates for Week of Nov 18 - Nov 22

We appreciate the public's continued support and understanding and will
continue to communicate regularly via social media, our dedicated email list, and the construction map below as work progresses.

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

Read more -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/beaver-street-interceptor-project

Lifelong Community Learning: Upcoming Workshops!

Sound Bath and Holiday Ornaments

Choose from 2 upcoming workshops: (1) Sound Bath Meditation Workshop (2) Adult Craft: Holiday Ornaments For information and to register, visit: Community Learning Workshops and Special Events

Lifelong Learning Institute - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street Room 137 | Franklin, MA 02038 US

MassBudget: 25% of the entire MA state budget is paid for with Federal dollars

MassBudget (@MassBudget) posted  Fri, Nov 15, 2024:

💸In case you didn't know: a quarter of the entire MA state budget is paid for with Federal dollars. 

While taxes make up most of the revenue, it's important to remember the budget's multiple funding sources, and how that context can affect the decisions the state makes. #mapoli

Shared from -> https://t.co/A9QaDOLlL0

Visit MassBudget for additional info -> https://massbudget.org/state-budget/

MassBudget: 25% of the entire MA state budget is paid for with Federal dollars

Helping kids navigate the online world: welcome to Youville

Helping kids navigate the online world: welcome to Youville By Jim Kreidler If the young people in your life spend lots of time online — watching videos, playing games and texting friends — do they have the skills to question and evaluate what they find there?  The FTC's new educational materials and classroom-based tools could help. Whether you're an educator, parent, or youth group leader, head over to Youville and start exploring. Read more ->   https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/11/helping-kids-navigate-online-world-welcome-youville? Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfAGecNijS8 Check out Youville at: https://www.ftc.gov/youville

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, November 15, 2024 ???

Friday, November 15

• Dean College baseball fundraiser at Panera (all day)
• FHS Theatre Co Skating Party (Fri - night; Pirelli Arena) (fund raising)

7am Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

10am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1pm Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

1pm Illustrator Workshop for Kids (Franklin Public Library)

2pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church) 

7:30pm FPAC: Proof (THE BLACK BOX)

7:30pm My Favorite Year (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

9pm Alex Fradkin (live music) (3 Restaurant)

** NO  Town Meetings today   **

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

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:

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/upcoming

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

Franklin's Neighbor Brigade is closing down its operation

Dear Franklin Community,

We are sharing a difficult, but necessary message regarding Neighbor Brigade.

You probably do not know, but our organization has faced challenging headwinds for the past few years. Tough economic times have made fundraising increasingly harder, while new solutions empowered by technology, such as convenient and affordable meal delivery, ride-sharing, and telemedicine, have reduced the overall demand for our services. 

Franklin's Neighbor Brigade is closing down

Consequently, after more than 14 years of dedicated service to thousands of neighbors, families, and communities in sudden crisis across New England and beyond, Neighbor Brigade will be winding down its services by the end of the year.

Franklin has been privileged as a chapter in doing this special and meaningful work over the past 12 years by the chapter volunteers. People who once were strangers became our neighbors. Often we do not know when a neighbor is going through a challenge, and we have been happy to serve 12 years, caring and loving individuals and families get to the other side of their crisis. 

The holidays are coming ever so quickly and we can assure you, there are many people who live around you that are in need of a little help from the one who lives next door. We know it as we close out 2024 supporting and directing many needs. Our volunteers in the Franklin Neighbor Brigade can attest to feeling like they received more in helping than they ever could have imagined.

May it live on with the seed that has been planted, and the footsteps made, of help being next door for all❤️

With gratitude, 

Linda Gagnon and Cheryl Ferri, 

Franklin Neighbor Brigade chapter leaders 

Franklinma@neighborbrigade.org

Franklin VFW To Reactivate Post Auxiliary

Franklin VFW Post 3402 is working towards reactivating the Post Auxiliary and is seeking at least 15 qualified individuals to join.

Our original auxiliary closed in 2021 as a result of COVID.

In order to bring the auxiliary back, we’ll need to submit an application to the State VFW Auxiliary along with the names of 15 new members and supporting documentation establishing each potential member’s eligibility.

Franklin VFW To Reactivate Post Auxiliary

WHAT DOES THE AUXILIARY DO?

The Auxiliary and the Post work together to serve veterans and our community. The nice thing about joining a new auxiliary is it’s a blank slate and the new membership can make it what they want it to be. They’ll elect a slate of approximately 9 officers including a president, a Secretary/treasurer, and 3 trustees.

The Post (Jointly with the Franklin American Legion) currently does the following activities that we envision the Auxiliary helping us with. Of course, it’s up to the Auxiliary whether or not to participate and they’re also free to do their own projects.

1. Holiday dinner on Thanksgiving and Christmas for veterans and widows/widowers of veterans with no local family

2. Holiday gift drive for veterans and their families that receive services from the Franklin Veteran’s Service Office

3. Back to School drive to get backpacks and school supplies for kids of veterans served by the Franklin Veteran’s Service Office

The Post also conducts the following activities that we envision doing with the Auxiliary

1. Volunteer at the VFWMA District 5 Cookout for the patients and staff of the West Roxbury VA Hospital (typically held each June)

2. Volunteer at the VFWMA Annual Christmas Party for the kids at the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital in Canton (the second Monday in December)

3. Participate in the VFW Day of Service (first Saturday each May)

4. Conduct the VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Essay Contests for students in grades 6-12 (essays are due each October 31st)

We’re always looking for additional activities to get involved in and welcome suggestions from our post members and future auxiliary members!

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE AUXILIARY?

The auxiliary is made up of certain male and female relatives of VFW eligible veterans who are at least 16 years old.

Eligible relatives include:

1. Grandparents

2. Parents

3. Spouse

4. Siblings

5. Children

6. Grandchildren

Steps and adopted count for eligibility. Unfortunately in-laws do not count.

The eligible veteran does not have to be a VFW member (but we’d love it if they were). They don’t need to be living either. As long as you can provide proof they qualified (DD-214 or similar) then you’re good. VFW Eligibility details can be found here https://www.vfw.org/join/eligibility

Eligible service for VFW Membership includes service in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq, Inherent Resolve (ISIS), certain submarine duty, receipt of hostile fire/imminent danger pay, or service in Korea for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days.

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?

Please reach out to Franklin VFW Post Commander Ernest Carruthers via e-mail at post3402@vfwma.org or send a Facebook message to the Franklin VFW. You can also leave a message at the post at 508-533-2377.

You can visit the VFW National Auxiliary website here https://vfwauxiliary.org/

You can visit the VFW Massachusetts Auxiliary website here https://vfwauxma.org 

You can visit the Franklin VFW website here https://post3402.org/

This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the short Council meeting to 15 minutes (audio)

FM #1315 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1315 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, November 14, 2023.  

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

• The Council approved a Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - Blisspoint LLC d/b/a Blisspoint Meadery to enable them to participate in the Winter Farmers Market at Fairmont Fruit Farms

• In the first of 2 legislative items: Resolution 24-65: FY25 Budget Amendment (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-65 - Majority Vote). This was previewed at last week's Finance Committee meeting. Relatively minor adjustment to the FY 2025 budget (compared to prior years) before setting the tax rate at the next Council meeting

• The second item was more of a paperwork item. The Metacomet Health Alliance had been operating under an MOU and with increased State DPH involvement they needed to switch to the IMA format.   Resolution 24-66: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with Towns of Wrentham and Norfolk for Shared Public Health Services (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-66 - Majority

The recording runs about 15 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Council meeting of Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1315-town-council-quarterbacking-11-14-24/

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Town Council agenda Nov 13, 2024 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/nov_13_2024_tc_agenda.pdf 

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/au24NNBzlCA?si=ogNVB5P13M-xFNiy&t=149 

My notes captured during the meeting and now in one PDF file ->  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11fx7jrHj8y4rJ__8K9XNxv0-_vym5fH7/view?usp=drive_link 

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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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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 Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the short Council meeting to 15 minutes (audio)