as you drive to recycle Saturday don't forget the clothing! |
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 *
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Info on the clothing drive scheduled for Saturday was left off the mailer; as you drive to recycle Saturday don't forget the clothing!
Monday, May 16, 2022
Get ready for Saturday, May 21 - Recycling event at Beaver Pond, Earth Day Clean up at DelCarte
Saturday May 14 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Chilson Beach (Beaver Pond)
Get ready for Saturday, May 21 - Recycling event at Beaver Pond |
Monday, April 18, 2022
Register to help Franklin clean up for Earth Day - Apr 23
The annual community clean up activities are scheduled for Saturday, Apr 23, 2022. For over 20 years, the Town of Franklin has conducted this event in an effort to educate the public on recycling, beautification, and general clean up of the town.
Earth Day is celebrated on Friday, April 22nd throughout the United States. Franklin will host their own Earth Day on Saturday April 23 this year!Keep Franklin looking beautiful by helping us clean our local parks, roads, schools, and town greenery!
Earth Day is a great opportunity for High School Students to earn their volunteer hours!
You can pre-register at: https://franklinma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29880
Register to help Franklin clean up for Earth Day - Apr 23 |
Monday, September 20, 2021
Recap: Franklin Recycling and Energy Event - Sep 18, 2021
An update on the Recycling event held Saturday, Sep 18, 2021 via State Representative Jeff Roy, one of the co-sponsor:
"We had a very successful Franklin Recycling and Energy Event at Chilson Beach Parking Lot on Beaver Street today. Over 300 cars were served and over 100 dehumidifiers were delivered in exchange for $30 and a rebate on a new purchase.
The program typically brings in 1,600 dehumidifiers annually across the state, and we did 100 in just one day in Franklin. We also collected four truckloads of furniture for Habitat for Humanity and two truckloads of electronics for recycling. We had folks from Eversource and Mass Save to sign up customers for energy savings repairs in their homes. It was a great way to help fight climate change and reduce energy costs.
Much thanks to Fred Frederick Cullen at Green Team Junk Removal, Marcie Rappa, National Grid, MassSave, Habitat for Humanity, and the Town of Franklin for helping put it all together and make it a success. And thank you to the residents for helping save the planet by showing up and turning in your unused goods and recycling them."
Recap: Franklin Recycling and Energy Event - Sep 18, 2021 |
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Yoga on the Beach returns Sunday mornings
Yoga on the Beach with Jo Ann will return again this summer! The free yoga practice is appropriate for all levels and will run each Sunday morning (weather permitting) from June 13 through July 25th from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at Chilson Beach on Beaver Street.
Please bring your own mat/towel/sunscreen/water and any props to support your practice.
Jo Ann Laliberte, RYT-500 will lead the practice and can be reached at lalibert1@comcast.net if you have any questions.
Yoga on the Beach returns Sunday mornings |
Sunday, January 10, 2021
FM #429 Town Council Meeting - P2of2 - 01/06/21 (audio)
This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the public was remote via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
I’ve split the full two hour twenty-seven minutes meeting into two logical segments:
- First - covers the opening through the Hazard Mitigation Plan presentation/discussion to the approval of it. It includes the second Legislation action item - the authorization for the Beaver St interceptor project (1 hour and 36 minutes)
- Second - covers the remainder of the Legislation for Action items through to the close of the meeting (51 mins)
Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of Jan 6, 2021.
Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-06-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf
Hazard Mitigation presentation doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._hazard_mitigation_presentation_2020_update_presentation_handout.pdf
Hazard Mitigation Plan
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._hazard_mitigation_0.pdf
My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/town-council-meeting-jan-6-2021-recap.html
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
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/
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"
Friday, January 8, 2021
Town Council meeting - Jan 6, 2021 - recap
- The Hazard Mitigation Plan was presented, discussed and ultimately approved unanimously by the Town Council. This sets objectives for mitigation of natural events (i.e. flooding) to be worked
- Authorization of funding was approved for the Beaver St interceptor project by an 8-1 vote. The cost will be $25M plus financing costs approx 2-3M, exact amounts to be determined by the final planning and funding applications made over the next two years. Sewer rates will rise for 2023. This is not paid for by real estate taxes only sewer usage fees.
- Several gifts were acknowledged as received, the largest of which was from J Vendetti ($45K) to be used to upgrade the playground at Beaver Pond.
- Planning underway to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to first responders at the FHS gym in collaboration with Bellingham, Millis, Medway and Milford. This is pilot process for further distribution as more vaccine and additional waves of eligible folks are identified.
----
- Ready for real time reporting underway for the Town Council meeting tonight #tc0106
- Agenda doc for the meeting including connection info https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-06-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf #tc0106
- Opens now #tc0106
- Connection info available #tc0106
- Moving quickly thru the standard items of agenda, not much for now. The hazard mitigation plan is first up for discussion (and approval later) basically an issue with flood zone for Franklin. #tc0106 my prompts for those pre-reading the doc https://franklinmatters.org/2021/01/interesting-bits-from-hazard-mitigation.html?m=1
- Planning director Bryan Taverner provides the overview following a presentation doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._hazard_mitigation_presentation_2020_update_presentation_handout.pdf
- . #tc0106
- Not an emergency response plan, already have that. This is to identify the hazards and what can be done to prepare to avoid them (i.e. avoid drainage issues). #tc0106
- Public meetings in Mar and Jul incorporated review and comments, submitted to MEMA and then FEMA for their review and comments, now needs the Council to approve the plan #tc0106 #9 & 10 were added to the prior plan
- #tc0106 adoption does provide for opportunity for grants to assist with the mitigation project efforts. FHS gym was designed as a shelter, the generator from the old FHS will be installed at Parmenter. Could also relocate that one elsewhere.
- Appropriation was made for an additional generator and it is going to bid soon for use at the municipal building. #tc0106 the session with Bellingham was good in planning for this, can we do more of them? Q from Hamblen Jamie acknowledges Q and will look into
- #tc0106 Q on how climate was incorporated into the planning. MAPC did the number crunching with FEMA input and software. FEMA has been behind on climate forecasting, does that matter? In some details perhaps, we have work to do. Fire chief is our emergency response lead
- MEMA actually coordinates the evacuation plan and coincidentally they have a location here so we will have some coverage and local planning involved. #tc0106 moving to subcommittee reports, capital no, budget no, EDC next week Jan 13
- Legislation for action: #tc0106 https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._hazard_mitigation_0.pdf motion, seconded, passes via roll call (Hamblen remote) 9-0
- Kelly tells story of Plymouth, MA, of their sewer problem, Town needed to borrow $48m to fix their break. Imagine if there is a break, 2/3 of the town couldn't flush. And if it did get to Mine Brook, add cost for cleanup. #tc0106 now is the time to do this
- #tc0106 it is not about not having the money, it is a bond, we can do this. Everybody needs this. Everybody uses this. If you can't jump on the bandwagon I don't know what your missing. Now Bissanti is raising an issue, wants to know where we are going to get the money
- Bissanti; now is not the time, can do this cheaper. #tc0106 it is lousy timing. (Sorry, doesn't understand the timing) (oh and he has done some engineering for options (sleaving)) Jones, Kelly said it well. This is the best time to borrow (confirmed as Yes).
- Oh, and after raising these issues then Bissanti says we can't change his mind. Other key item is timeline, next 2 years is "planning" before shovel hits ground. Pandemic should be done in 2 years. #tc0106
- #tc0106 it is a good thing for us to do and it will be something nice to do for the time. Q what taxes will pay for it? Not really taxes, it is a sewer rate, get the final design and can't really get to some thing real, it is two years away. The borrowing #s are good
- Sewer rates will go up, we don't know what. No tax rate increase for this at all. #tc0106 relining reduces the pipe hence capacity and that doesn't buy us much. The pipe is already at capacity, so the project will also increase the capacity.
- #tc0106 would cost half as much for the band-aid. And may still have a problem. Route along 140 to bore and minimize the disruption. Hamblen agrees with Kelly. Does have Q on draw down schedule. MBTA, DEP, EPA, etc want this as much as we do, their eyes will be on it too
- #tc0106 Kelly we could get a bond rate lower than we sit here now, if we do wait the costs will be more, and if we do nothing, it will certainly cost more. 2/3 of the town and business can open cause we can't flush! Bond capacity is not like a special assessment.
- You could have an 840 credit score and we are at 839, if we tried to do this in a hurry, it would cost more than this plan full manner outlined. #tc0106 he appreciates the opportunity to rant tonight. Bissanti fears this $25m could grow to be $35m. Let's not fly 1st class
- #tc0106 what is the cost of not doing it? Possibly double or triple. It is the right time, we have been talking of this for years. Motion on the floor to be voted via roll call, passes 8-1 (Bissanti no)
- franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10c._gift_fd.pdf #tc0106 motion to accept gift to fire dept, seconded passes 9-0 via roll call https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10d._gift_pd.pdf motion to accept gift to police dept, seconded passes 9-0 via roll call
- franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10e._gift_rec.pdf motion to accept gift to recreation dept for playground at Beaver Pond seconded, passes 9-0 acknowledges Joe Vendetti donation of $45,000! "Sometimes we should be making bigger things of these"
- Town Administrator report, application for Community Preservation Committee is out, land swap is almost ready for the land near the SNETT trail, DPW will be doing the work. #tc0106 COVID case count 91 today down from last week. I am sick of red green yellow
- Opening vaccine clinic for first responders comes next week. A critical thing to focus on, working with five other towns to coordinate this. Location at FHS is good. An excellent trial run for phase 2 in preparation for broader distribution. #tc0106 target Jan 13
- Bellingham, Milford, Millis, Medway and Franklin are together in this. #tc0106 phase 2 will be individuals with two high risk categories, or over age of 75 (could be one of the two). Guidelines are changing daily for this stat tuned. Excited to get this train moving
- Prepared for mini medical center at FHS gym, to triage individuals, prepare for all contingencies. #tc0106 we need as many as possible to get this vaccine. In the gym today visualization of the process started raising spirits of those involved
- #tc0106 lots of details and logistics underway. No mandate on vaccinations yet, will be getting an acknowledgement that you got vaccinated. To go places, i.e. international travel it may be a requirement. That is a separate issue, let's get these started
- #tc0106 Maplegate question. Dec 11 permit filed, twenty day appeal period, sometime then a purchase could be presented to the town for review. Once received, it is a 120 days once received to address.
- #tc0106 Chandler "we were actually able to work out that they are saving money on the electric bill" Frongillo shout out on the #thinkfranklinfirst gift cards, well done. Motion to adjourn, second, passes 9-0 roll call
timeline for Beaver St interceptor project |
Sunday, January 3, 2021
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 6, 2021
- Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
- Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 6, 2021 |
Friday, July 17, 2020
Chilson Beach water quality tested weekly
"The water at Chilson Beach at Beaver Pond is tested weekly by the Board of Health and is currently safe. If the safety status of the water changes, the public will be informed and notifications will be posted.
Thank you!"
Chilson Beach water quality tested weekly |
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1283838782236745732?s=09
Friday, April 27, 2018
Earth Day Celebration - Saturday, April 28
Earth Day Celebration - Saturday, April 28 |
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/earth-day-celebration-saturday-april-28th-9am-12pm-beaver-pond
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Plan now for the Earth Day Celebration - Apr 28
FREE 6-pack of annuals to the first 50 volunteers and FREE T-shirt for the first 300 volunteers!
This is a great opportunity for students looking for community service hours!
Plan now for the Earth Day Celebration - Apr 28 |
Meet at Beaver Pond parking lot and volunteer to clean up targeted areas around Franklin.
- Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
- Community service certificates will be issued.
- Free pizza and beverages for volunteers at 12:00 noon at Beaver.
- Free T-shirts to the first 300 volunteers!
- Free 6-pack of annuals to the first 50 volunteers!
Saturday, February 3, 2018
In the News: school funding forum - Feb 13; necklace looking to be returned to owner 40 years later
"With a challenging budget cycle ahead, the School Committee will hold a legislative forum on education funding on Feb. 13, 7 p.m., in the Franklin High School lecture hall, 218 Oak St.
The goal of the forum is to increase transparency in the school system, and to pick the brains of stakeholders on topics such as rising health insurance, transportation, special education tuition, and other finance related topics.
They will also discuss a number of unfunded state mandates and the lack of funds to support them throughout the district."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180202/franklin-schools-to-hold-funding-forum
Additional info on the School Committee Forum can be found
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/franklin-school-committee-legislative.html
Community entrance to FHS |
"When something goes missing, hope of ever finding it seems to fade away over time. Franklin native and Shrewsbury resident Keith Lippert is looking to restore that hope to someone who lost a necklace nearly 40 years ago.
When Lippert was about 11 years old, around 1980, he found a St. Christopher medallion in the sand of Beaver Pond during a stroll.
“After hours, I found this necklace in the sand,” he said. “No one was there to turn it into, so as child would do, I just took it home and threw it in my drawer.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180202/franklin-native-looks-to-return-long-lost-necklace
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Chilson Beach: water testing results
Chilson Beach is tested weekly throughout the summer every Monday. The results are posted immediately at: http://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-departme…/…/beaver-pond
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call the office. We want to make sure all residents have the facts about water quality. 508-613-1666
Also, the new turf field will be ready by September 1st.
Chilson Beach - August 2016 |
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
In the News: sexting bill introduced; cleanups scheduled for Saturday
"A local lawmaker has spoken out in favor of a new effort to address the issue of “sexting” - sending sexually explicit photos - among teens.
State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, and Franklin Police Sgt. Jason Reilly were part of a ceremony in Tuesday in which Gov. Charlie Baker introduced a bill - An Act Relative to the Harmful Distribution of Sexually Explicit Visual Material - meant to give law enforcement more options to deal with sexting.
Roy had filed a bill on the issue in 2015 - and put forth another in January of this year - noting that, under the state’s current laws, teens who engage in sexting could be brought up on child pornography charges.
“When lawmakers wrote the (child pornography) law 20 years ago, they weren’t thinking of teenagers engaging in this behavior,” he said. “Law enforcement officers were put in the terrible position of either charging a kid with a felony or doing nothing.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170425/franklin-officials-back-new-sexting-bill
"The town will host two cleanups Saturday in an effort to remove litter from from local parks, playgrounds, ball fields and roadsides.
One cleanup, sponsored by the town’s Conservation Commission, will focus on the DelCarte Conservation Property, while the other, sponsored in part by the Recreation Department and kicking off from Beaver Pond, will send volunteers to various sites around town. Both are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
Recreation Department Director Ryan Jette said his department’s annual Earth Day cleanup starts from the Beaver Pond parking lot, where volunteers are given trash bags and gloves.
“We have 26 areas around town that need to be cleaned up,” he said.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170425/cleanups-slated-for-saturday-in-franklin
the large pond at DelCarte |
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Earth Day Cleanup at Beaver Pond - Apr 29
Meet at Beaver Pond parking lot and volunteer to clean up targeted areas around Franklin.
- Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
- Community service certificates will be issued.
- Free pizza and beverages for volunteers at 12:00pm at Beaver.
- Free T-shirts to the first 300 volunteers!
- Free dogwood and rose of sharon saplings to first 100 volunteers!
Earth Day Celebration at Beaver Pond on April 29 |
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Mark your calendars for the Earth Day Celebration at Beaver Pond on April 29
Meet at Beaver Pond parking lot and volunteer to clean up targeted areas around Franklin.
- Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
- Community service certificates will be issued.
- Free pizza and beverages for volunteers at 12:00pm at Beaver.
- Free T-shirts to the first 300 volunteers!
- Free dogwood and rose of sharon saplings to first 100 volunteers!
Earth Day Celebration at Beaver Pond on April 29 |
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Nemo found amidst smiling faces (photo essay)
Over $500 in raffle tickets were sold to help benefit the SAFE Coalition.
the raffle and information table for the SAFE Coalition |
the big screen gets set up |
free gift bags for the first 50 families |
the crowd gets settled for the movie. A preview roll touted the #shopFranklin businesses helping to put on the event |
and before the movie, Beaver Pond looked very inviting! |
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
@shopFranklin Movie Night at Beaver Pond - Aug 26
FINDING NEMO |
Join some of our favorite local independently owned businesses for an evening of community and entertainment.
The evening will begin at 7pm where you can browse participating business tables to buy merchandise, learn about services and enter raffles.
Our featured film, FINDING NEMO, will begin promptly at dusk (approximately 7:40PM) so make sure to have your FREE popcorn in hand
Make sure to stop by the #shopFranklin Welcome Table to pick up a free gift for the first 50 guests, buy raffle tickets (all proceeds going to charity)
@shopFranklin Movie Night at Beaver Pond - Aug 26 |
Note: the weather forecast does call for rain on Friday. There is a rain date already set for Sunday, Aug 28 at 7:0 PM. The decision will be made on Friday morning.
Monday, August 15, 2016
@shopFranklin Movie Night at Beaver Pond - Aug 26
FINDING NEMO |
Join some of our favorite local independently owned businesses for an evening of community and entertainment.
The evening will begin at 7pm where you can browse participating business tables to buy merchandise, learn about services and enter raffles.
Our featured film, FINDING NEMO, will begin promptly at dusk (approximately 7:40PM) so make sure to have your FREE popcorn in hand
Make sure to stop by the #shopFranklin Welcome Table to pick up a free gift for the first 50 guests, buy raffle tickets (all proceeds going to charity)
@shopFranklin Movie Night at Beaver Pond - Aug 26 |
Thursday, August 4, 2016
2nd edition of Easy Walks in MA now available
"By popular demand, here is the second edition, expanded from the original Easy Walks publication. Now included are maps, trail conditions, as well as photos, directions, and lots more information for over 50 local walking trails in 16 towns in the Upper Charles River and Blackstone River Valley watersheds in Massachusetts and Northern Rhode Island.
You'll find trail locations in Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Franklin, Grafton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Millville, Northbridge, Upton, Uxbridge, Wrentham, all towns in south central Massachusetts, and Woonsocket, RI.
Many locations are dog-friendly--learn which places welcome you and your dog before you go! All trails are grandparent, parent, and kid friendly. Learn about distances of trails, highlights along the way, directions to each trail head and more"
Easy Walks in Massachusetts 2nd edition |
In 2014, we shared three 'easy walks' in Franklin that were included in the first edition:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/easy-walks-in-franklin-beaver-pond.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/easy-walks-in-franklin-dacey-fields.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/easy-walks-in-franklin-snett.html
The Amazon link can be found here
https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Walks-Massachusetts-2nd-Northbridge/dp/0989204340/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1470180569&sr=1-1&keywords=easy+walks+in+massachusetts+2nd+edition