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What's happening today in Franklin? |
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
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What's happening today in Franklin? |
Social Services, Food Services, Supportive Day Programs, Transportation, Fitness Classes, Support Groups, and select Senior Center Programs will be hosted at alternative locations.
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Franklin Senior Center Closed March 5 Through March 14 - Alt sites #1 |
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Franklin Senior Center Closed March 5 Through March 14 - alt sites #2 |
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Franklin Senior Center Closed March 5 Through March 14 |
a. The project team will do introductions
a. The project team will walk through the new project specific website
a. The project team will give a presentation on the project timeline, process, community outreach, open houses and site evaluation process.
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Police Station Building Committee Agenda for Feb 25 meeting at 7 PM |
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"This Love" is continued thru Sunday |
via Amy Adams
"Thank you to everyone who shared time and showed up last night. I am so grateful for the support. Community is everything. I hope you all left just as moved and in love with art.In a surprise turn of events, the exhibit has been extended and will be up through Sunday (2/23/25) if you would like to revisit or go check it out."
Monday (2/24) through Friday (2/28): The construction crew will be conducting the jack and bore trenchless installation of the new sewer under Rte. 140. The work will be occurring off the road at 38 Pond St. and within the Franklin Village Mall area. No traffic impacts are expected.
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Update for week of Feb 24 to Feb 28, 2025 |
Please reference the interactive map and posted signs for details and updates.
Shared from -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project
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Have an older laptop or device to donate? |
"Do you have an old laptop, tablet, or phone collecting dust? Donate them to SAFE!SAFE will redistribute these devices to those without online access. By providing this tech to those in need, we open access to education, job opportunities, and vital resources!Devices should be in working order and include the power adapter.Donations can be dropped off at our office in Franklin: 31 Hayward St. Suite 2C (Mosely Mill building) or you can contact us to arrange pickup: info@safecoalitionma.org or (508) 488-8105"
"Our 1st FYBO Gear Swap officially starts TODAY!
FYBO gear swap - Donation Phase through Sunday, Feb 23
Our DONATION ONLY phase is today through Sunday - gear can be dropped off at 30 Old Grove St in clearly marked bins. Gear will then be organized for our next phase…
On March 1st (9am - 1pm) and March 2nd (9am - 11:30am) you can go to Next9Up (40 Kenwood Circle) to either 1) Grab & Go, 2) Donate Only, or 3) Donate and Grab.
Help us save the world, one mitt at a time!"
"It’s no secret that homeownership is out of reach for many people in Massachusetts. The average sale price of a single-family home is $642,000, the third highest in the nation. Renting instead is cold comfort; the average Greater Boston apartment costs $3,058. Although the state and local communities have taken steps to increase the housing supply, more housing still needs to be built.Massachusetts achieved its notorious reputation for unaffordability by layering barrier upon barrier to new housing. In new research published by the Pioneer Institute, we lay out what we learned about the arduous and uncertain homebuilding process by interviewing builders, planners, lawyers, and scholars from across the state."
"Single-family neighborhoods are synonymous with the American Dream. Their driveways and grassy yards define the communities of suburban America, including Greater Boston.But are they also compounding Massachusetts' deep housing crisis?A state-appointed commission focused on the state’s worsening housing shortage in fact identified single-family-only zoning — the land-use rules that created suburban single-family neighborhoods — as a primary obstacle blocking the surge of construction Massachusetts desperately needs to address its housing problem.And so the commission proposes a seemingly profound idea: get rid of single-family zoning — everywhere in Massachusetts."
Continue reading the article online -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/21/business/massachusetts-housing-affordability/
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MA housing crisis and possible solutions |
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Pour Richard's - Saturday Sessions with George |
"Saturday Sessions with George!
Every Saturday 1-6 PM.
From bin ends to new finds- George will have an intriguing arrangement weekly to taste. And the vinyl spinning will match the wine spectrum as always."
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Did someone use your SSN to file taxes? Here’s what to do |
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Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday |
Time/Day | Saturday |
7:00 AM | Jazz Journey 1 - Hines |
8:00 AM | Jazz Journey 2 - Hines |
9:00 AM | Wine - Lenzi/Simone |
10:00 AM | Frank's Music - Falvey |
11:00 AM | Music |
12:00 Noon | Music |
1:00 PM | Wine - Lenzi/Simone |
2:00 PM | FM Radio - Sherlock |
3:00 PM | FM Gov - Sherlock |
4:00 PM | FM News - Sherlock |
5:00 PM | Frank Musings/Presents - Falvey |
6:00 PM | Turntable - Vibe/PaulyG |
7:00 PM | Turntable - Vibe/PaulyG |
8:00 PM | Blues - Derick/Remissong |
9:00 PM | Blues - Derick/Remissong |
10:00 PM | Music |
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What's happening today in Franklin? |
Founded in 2011, Project 351 is a youth-led movement for change powered by an eighth-grade unsung hero and high school Alumni mentors selected to represent every city and town in Massachusetts. Youth are recognized by hometown educators for an exemplary ethic of service; values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude; and devotion to equity and inclusion. The Ambassadors' 12-month term of leadership development and service is the foundation of Project 351's leadership model. High school, college, and career Alumni steward Project 351's mission and model of impact as mentors, program leaders, and governance. Through the 35ONE enrichment continuum, a new generation of leaders develops the skills, knowledge, and courage to achieve bold change. Click here for more information.
FM #1368 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1368 in the series.
This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at the Franklin Senior Center. All 10 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. School Supt Lucas Giguere missed the session due to school break week.
Brief statements by TA Hellen and School Committee Vice Chair David McNeill opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments. At least 13 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions.
Link to the Town page with the budget materials for both Town and School sides
https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500
As of today, $3.6M short, may change slightly but that is the ballpark for today. Town budget coming out in April.
Cherry sheet link to MA Dept of revenue as referenced by Town administrator Jamie Hellen https://www.mass.gov/cherry-sheet-estimates
The recording runs about 2 hours 12 minutes , so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1387-joint-budget-listening-session-3-02-19-25/
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The agenda doc
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02192025-1559
The agenda packet includes:
a. Town Administrator FY26 Budget Update #4 Memorandum - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4201/Town-Administrator-FY26-Budget-Update-4-Memorandum-
b. Updated FY26 Budget Model (1/30/25) - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4191/02b-FY26-Budget-Control-Sheet---Control-Summary
c. Estimated Override Matrix - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4190/02c-Override-Tax-Rate-Impact-Calculationxlsx---Sheet1
d. Board of Assessors Request Letter https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4189/02d-Board-of-Assessors-Support-for-Administrative-Assistant
The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/HWM25y_m2Bk?&t=552
Franklin Public Schools had a tri-fold handout available for participants. A PDF copy for you to view and download is here ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q02Jpzl96WslZNUv6hMeXzwEmwVXCuoM/view?usp=drive_link
My notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1639lkClEA8IfavpdIKCQq_MbW2i1AsMB/view?usp=drive_link
The Dr Bergen, School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan discussion on the history of school cuts Audio link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pqiBAoPBMg
The Fire Dept presentation on ambulance call volume at the Feb 5 Town Council meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/town-council-approves-capital-budget_8.html
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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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