Tax season 2025: where to find help

Tax season 2025: where to find help By BCP Staff Tax season is here and people have questions. Where to file? How to file? Can I file online? For free? For those answers, always start with the official IRS website at irs.gov. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/02/tax-season-2025-where-find-help?

The Franklin Public Library also offers tax assistence for those with income less than $67,000  https://franklinma.gov/266/Volunteer-Income-Tax-Assistance-VITA

Tax season 2025: where to find help

Stephanie talks with me about the housing programs offered by the SAFE Coalition (audio)

FM #1361 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1361 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Stephenie Heath, Ph.D., MSW who works as a Community Outreach Counselor for the SAFE Coalition. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

We talk about

Stephanies’s path to SAFE

The housing program funded through the ARPA grant 

Postpartum support sessions with the YMCA

Suspension diversion program with area high schools

The recording runs 25 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1361-safe-coalition-housing-program-etc-01-22-25/

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SAFE Coalition web page -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ 

Support programs offered -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/get-support 

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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"

Stephanie talks with me about the housing programs offered by the SAFE Coalition (audio)

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program's Winter Heating Season to Begin November 1

Massachusetts Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program's Winter Heating Season to Begin November 1  

 

Applications are now open for eligible Massachusetts households to apply for financial assistance this heating season (Nov. 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024) 

 

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is pleased to announce November 1 as the start of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 2023-2024 winter heating season. LIHEAP is a free, statewide service funded by the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that helps eligible households stay warm during the winter months by paying a portion of winter heating bills. 

 

Applications for home energy assistance are currently being accepted online at toapply.org/massliheap, and income-eligible households may receive financial help to offset heating bills from November 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024.  

 

Both homeowners and renters can apply online or through local administering agencies for LIHEAP assistance. Households must meet specific eligibility requirements to qualify for aid, which will be paid directly to their heating vendor.  

 

Eligibility is based on several factors, including household size and combined gross annual income of residents 18 and older. Qualifying households – including those with the cost of heat included in the rent – can receive assistance for all sources of heat, including oil, electricity, natural gas, propane, kerosene, wood and coal.  

 

"The Massachusetts home energy assistance program is free, because no resident should have to worry about heating their home during the wintertime," said Ed Augustus Jr., Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. "High fuel costs can have a devastating effect on household budgets and can even endanger Massachusetts' most vulnerable residents. We encourage anyone who needs heating assistance to explore their eligibility by applying online or visiting the nearest administering agency. And to please share the information with loved ones or neighbors who could benefit from this free resource." 

 

For more information, or to find your local LIHEAP agency, visit www.toapply.org/MassLIHEAP. 

 

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program's Winter Heating Season to Begin November 1

About EOHLC 

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) was established in 2023 to create more homes and lower housing costs in every region. EOHLC also distributes funding to municipalities, oversees the state-aided public housing portfolio, and operates the state's EA family shelter. 

 

Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Tax Assistance for Veterans

Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Tax Assistance for Veterans

State Taxes Only

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/free-tax-preparation-qualified-veterans

Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Tax Assistance for Veterans - State Taxes Only

Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) 2022-23 Winter Heating Season Begins November 1, 2022

LIHEAP is a free, statewide resource that helps eligible households by paying a portion of their winter heating bill from November 1 through April 30. The Massachusetts home energy assistance program (LIHEAP), which pays a portion of heating cost for eligible households, is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a free, statewide resource that helps eligible households by paying a portion of their winter heating bill from November 1 through April 30. The LIHEAP program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development in partnership with a network of 20 agencies across the state. No matter what type of heating source you have, LIHEAP may be able to help you pay your winter heating bills. All Massachusetts residents are encouraged to explore eligibility for this free program and apply for assistance.

Eligible Massachusetts households, can apply online at www.toapply.org/MassLIHEAP

or find their local agency at hedfuel.azurewebsites.net (enter Franklin)

Note: when I followed both links, they agreed in determining that Self Help, Inc is the service provider for Franklin. You can apply online directly at -> https://www.toapply.org/SHI

Thanks for connecting with Self-Help, Inc

Challenged to bring food home, or to meet your mortgage payment, there is help

Food Pantry's can help 

"Nearly a third of Massachusetts adults are struggling to get enough to eat as the economic pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to batter household budgets.

At least 1.8 million people — or 32 percent of the state’s adult population — are food-insecure, a new survey from the Greater Boston Food Bank found. The burden lies most heavily on Black and Latinx communities and families with children.

It’s “a frightening statistic,” said GBFB CEO Catherine D’Amato. “We’ve worked with much better numbers in years past.”

Continue reading the Boston Globe article online 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/06/business/hunger-rise-mass-aid-ends-food-costs-soar/

Mortgage Assistance

As day-to-day administrators & marketers of MA's Homeowner Assistance Fund, MHP &

@MassHousing

know spreading the word is key to helping people who need mortgage help due to #COVID-19. The

@BostonGlobe

wrote about #MassHAF.  

Please share. https://bit.ly/3tcXT04 #housingassistance

meet your mortgage payment, there is help

Shared from Twitter ->  https://twitter.com/mhphousing/status/1533780993726943234

"housing assistance programs have been gradually scaling down"

"AS A FEDERAL rental assistance program winds down, housing advocates are looking to the state to help fill the gap. But the state assistance programs are not as generous as the federal program was, leading to concerns that struggling tenants – particularly tenants of color – could increasingly face evictions. Housing assistance will be up for debate Thursday as the state Senate considers its version of a $1.6 billion supplemental budget bill.

On Tuesday, Homes for All Massachusetts and researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology released a report which found that evictions are disproportionately occurring in Black and Latino neighborhoods, neighborhoods with more single mother heads of households, areas with absentee and corporate landlords, and in central and southeast Massachusetts. Of all evictions filed between October 2020 and October 2021, 43 percent were in neighborhoods where a majority of residents are non-white, even though only 32 percent of rental housing is in these areas."

Continue reading the article online -> 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/wind-down-of-housing-assistance-raises-concerns-2/ 

More info from the National Low Income Housing Coalition on MA housing

https://nlihc.org/housing-needs-by-state/massachusetts

More info from the National Low Income Housing Coalition on MA housing

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Feb 12, 2020

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- None

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Firefighter/Paramedic: Michael McConaghy

5. APPOINTMENTS
- None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm
Zoning Changes:
20-849: Changes to Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System Use Regulations and Use Regulations Schedule Updates
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-849_hearing.pdf

20-850: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-850_hearing.pdf

20-851: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Oak Street and Dailey Drive
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-851_hearing.pdf

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Housing Authority - Lisa Audette, Executive Director, Franklin Housing Authority
b. Transitional Assistance Discussion - Franklin Senior Center

Transitional Assistance from Franklin Matters

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw 20-847 As Amended: New Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-847 As Amended: Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-852: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-852: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-12: Gift Acceptance Franklin Police Department - $10,000 (Motion to approve Resolution 20-12 - Majority Vote)

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-13: Gift Acceptance Franklin Fire Department - $10,000 (Motion to approve Resolution 20-13 - Majority Vote)

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-Law Amendment 20-849: Changes to Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System Use Regulations, And Use Regulations Schedule Updates- First Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-849 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-850: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets- First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-850 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-851: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Oak Street and Dailey Drive - First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-851 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-14: The Town of Franklin Civil Discourse Pledge (Motion to approve Resolution 20-14 - Majority Vote)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-14_franklin_web.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
- None Scheduled

ADJOURN

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda and docs released for this meeting can be found in one PDF
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-02-12_tc_agenda_web.pdf

Individual docs may be available on the Town of Franklin agenda page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/february-12-town-council-agenda

beaver damage at DelCarte observed recently

1950's Car Show - August 10

A car show featuring vehicles from the 1950's is scheduled for the Benchmark Senior Living Center on Forge Hill Aug 10. Additional details in the flyer image.

1950's Car Show - August 10

In the News: college students not aware of SNAP benefits available

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Hunger is a problem for some college students in MetroWest, and there’s a federal program that could help them.

However, a recent study shows millions of students are potentially missing out on the program, because they either don’t know about it or the eligibility rules are too complicated to understand.

The program is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Nearly two million college students didn’t receive SNAP benefits in 2016, even though they were potentially eligible, according to a December 2018 study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. The report recommended the U.S. Department of Agriculture improve its efforts to clarify SNAP eligibility requirements, and make them more accessible."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190721/college-students-going-hungry-many-miss-out-on-snap-benefits

Visit the SNAP web page for additional info on benefits
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

In the News: Franklin family tries to recover; Cultural Council looking for artists; new attempt to eliminate home heating assistance

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"When Franklin resident Joseph Cooper took a break from watching TV to grab a late-night snack on Saturday, Feb. 3, he returned to the basement of his home on Warwick Road to hear a popping sound coming from the connected garage. 

“It’s happened before where a squirrel would get into the garage and knock everything over,” he said. “But when I opened the door there was already a good fire going inside.” 

He said the smoke detectors were going off in the garage, but because the door was steel and the alarms weren’t connected to the rest of the house, he couldn’t hear them. 

“I tried to fight it a little bit, screaming to my daughters to get shoes and coats and get out,” he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180219/franklin-family-tries-to-recover-after-house-fire

"The Franklin Cultural Council has announced a call for artists for their Art in Motion Juried Exhibition and Live Art Event slated for 2-4 p.m. April 28 at Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St. 

The juried exhibition will showcase paintings and drawings of figures in motion.
The prospectus for the exhibition can be found at http://bit.ly/ArtinMotion_prospectus. 

Online applications are due by March 1, and can be found at http://bit.ly/artist_entry. There is no fee to enter the ArtWeek exhibition."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180219/strongfranklin-cultural-council-announces-call-for-artistsstrong

Additional info on the call for artists and performers for ArtWeek
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/call-for-figurative-artists-for-art-in.html

Art in Motion Juried Exhibition and Live Art Event

"The Trump administration is once again calling for the complete elimination of a heating assistance program that helps to keep the homes of low-income families warm. And once again, program supporters are vowing to fight it. 

The administration is using the same arguments from a year ago when it tried to abolish the program, saying it’s rife with fraud and that no one would be left freezing if the program goes away. 

“These arguments are very misleading and wrong,” said Mark Wolfe, director of the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association in Washington, D.C. 

The program, known as LIHEAP — Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — helps families pay their heating bills primarily in the form of a grant that’s sent directly to utility companies or heating fuel vendors."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180218/trump-again-will-try-to-cut-energy-assistance-to-poor

SeeClickFix: Franklin update - assistance for elderly was just added

A ticket was just opened via the online app requesting assistance with shoveling at Eaton Place. 

Where is Eaton Place? 
Off Panther Way between the Pirelli Ice Arena and Franklin High School.

Any teenagers or other able bodied folks with shovels would be welcomed to dig out the cars around the elderly residence.

Franklin An issue was reported in this watch area. assistance for elderly 20 Veterans Memorial Drive franklin, MA housing complex for elderly in need of cars shoveled #snowcrew more... Add a Comment Follow this Issue Vote to Fix Copyright © SeeClickFix, Inc. All rights reserved. 746 Chapel St, 3rd Floor, New Haven CT, 06510