"Recently, we have fielded many questions regarding the progress of our new building and we wanted to give the community an update. "
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| Franklin Food Pantry: Building Update page |
Letter From Tina
As I wrap up my first month as the new Executive Director for The Pantry, I want to say hello and share some updates with you. First, I’m overwhelmed with the generosity and spirit of this community. As a Board member, I was of course aware of Franklin’s magnanimity but now having the opportunity to see it daily, I’m in awe by all you do for our neighbors. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
The Pantry is busier than ever as we enter our second year of the “new normal.” In 2020, we saw almost 20% more households than in 2019; 34% of those new faces were children. We met this need in a variety of ways: 
Tina Powderly
We are hard at work planning our reimagined spring and summer events like the annual Empty Bowls and Party for the Pantry. Both events will happen – please see below for details!
As a largely volunteer-based organization, we continue to look for creative ways to engage our volunteers safely. We are grateful to our current bag assemblers, distributers, home delivery and mobile pantry drivers and truck unloaders. If you are a volunteer and haven’t been back yet, please know that we can’t wait to have you back and will be in touch as capacity restrictions loosen. And to the many new folks who are interested in volunteering – we hope to open up new opportunities soon as well.
Finally, we continue working on opening our new building at 138 East Central Street. Our architect and engineer are in the midst of designing a Pantry that will positively impact the Franklin community for many years. New building updates are on our website.
If you have any questions or just want to say hi, please do not hesitate to contact me (tpowderly@franklinfoodpantry.org).
With so much thanks and appreciation,
Tina Powderly
Executive Director, Franklin Food Pantry
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| Recap of the Board of Health meeting - Mar 3, 2021 |
"Learn more about the Safe Buildings Initiative and UVGI technology from the Director of Public Facilities, Mike D'Angelo "
The presentation deck https://t.co/x4jEKdDprS
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| Safe Buildings Initiatives (from SchComm Mtg 2/23/21) |
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| Superintendent Sara Ahern and Director of Public Facilities, Mike D'Angelo |
This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee - Davis Thayer Facility Analysis Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a remote format; all the subcommittee, Central Office personnel and the public participants were remote via conference bridge, to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Catching up to this, after the fact, yes, but sharing this as a matter of public record. I was unable to participate fully in this meeting on Feb 3 due to the multiple meetings scheduled in competing time slots. You may recall that I chose to cover the Board of Health meeting (5:00 to 5:25 PM - it was short and ended then), the beginning of this meeting (5:30 to 5:43 PM) and left to cover the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting (from 5:45 to 6:50 PM) followed by the Town Council meeting at 7 PM.
I did listen to the recording provided by the Franklin Public Schools to prepare this for sharing. Unfortunately, there is not much to add to what was already reviewed and discussed during the School Committee meeting of Feb 9. In case you did not hear, the School Committee did accept the report and did vote to close the school by a 5-2 vote.
Due to the recording I viewed to make this audio copy, I could not tell how many participants there were. The three members of the committee, Supt Ahern, and Business Manager Miriam Goodman are the voices acknowledged that we hear. At the end of the meeting, Subcommittee Chair Stokes states that they will not take comments as this is their last meeting. So I feel bad for anyone in the public who did participate hoping to get to say something. My two cents would also have been silenced.
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda.
The recording runs just about 51 minutes. Let’s listen to this segment of the Davis Thayer Facility Analysis meeting of Feb 3, 2021. Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ef72fb33-5539-40e0-baf7-3d4eb9b3c6d0
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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?
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"
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| FM #461 SchComm - Davis Thayer Facility Analysis Meeting - 02/03/21 (audio) |
Beginning Monday, January 4th, the Municipal Building will be open to the public Monday - Thursday from 8 AM - 2 PM and on Fridays from 8 AM - 1 PM.
All departments are available during regular business hours via email and by phone.
Visit our website at www.franklinma.gov for all contact information.
Shared from the Town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/new-public-hours-municipal-building
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| New Public Hours at The Municipal Building begin Monday, Jan 4 |
As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #BoH1202
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BoH1202&src=typeahead_click
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| screen grab of process for prescription for health diet |
Hires Local Architect Firm and Project Manager to Renovate Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry has announced members of its Capital Campaign Committee. The Capital Campaign Committee, led by Franklin Food Pantry Board member, Suzanne Gendreau, consists of local leaders and Pantry staff and will work to raise funds to renovate 138 East Central Street into a vibrant functioning Food Pantry. In April of 2020, The Pantry purchased the building to better serve its neighbors. In addition, The Pantry has hired Franklin-based Brad Chaffee of Camford Property Group as its project manager and Kuth Ranieri Architects as its architect to design the plans of the new Pantry.
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| Suzanne Gendreau |
Along with Gendreau, the committee members include: Lynn Calling, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry; Kim Cooper, donor relations manager; Ingrid Cornetta, public relations professional; Jeff Ellis, CPA; Glenn Jones, town council member; Susan Morrison, realtor; Donna O'Neill, food pantry volunteer; Laura Often, communications manager; Jeff Roy, state representative and Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters editor. For more information about the committee visit the Franklin Food Pantry website (https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building-updates/campaign/).
"We couldn't be happier with the group of people who have stepped up to help us raise the money we will need to make our dream of a new building a reality," said Lynn Calling, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. "The Franklin Food Pantry is more than just a food pantry, it is a place to build community, provide resources and help our neighbors improve their quality of life. By moving into a larger building, we will be able to store more food and hold places for our neighbors to meet together to better share resources as well as offer a safer place for our neighbors, volunteers and staff."
The Pantry has also selected Camford Property Group's Brad Chaffee to project manage the build out and named Kuth Ranieri Architects as its architect. The Franklin Food Pantry has conducted focus groups with staff, volunteers and neighbors to learn what they are looking for in a Pantry and the designs will reflect those suggestions and ideas. "Brad's leadership will ensure that the project is both cost-effective and organized. With Brad, we selected Kuth Ranieri Architects because of their experience with civic projects and dedication to improving communities," continued Calling. "They also bring a local connection to the project so we know they will take extra care in ensuring that the building reflects the values of The Pantry and the Franklin Community."
The Franklin Food Pantry will launch a public capital campaign later this year. In the meantime, donors can visit here to make a donation to the campaign or can set up their own fundraising page here. For more information visit: www.franklinfoodpantry.org.
About the Franklin Food Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to over 1,400 individuals. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Between June 2019 and July 2020, 287,691, pounds of food was provided to clients. Other programs include the Weekend Backpack Program, Carts for Clients, Mobile Pantry, and holiday meal packages. Visit www.franklingfoodpantry.org for more information.
"Welcome a newly designed official Town of Franklin Business Drop Box which will also service Mail in Ballots.
This is the only location for an official ballot drop box in Franklin.
Stay tuned here for more election updates through November!"
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| Town of Franklin, MA: Business Drop Box available for Mail in Ballots |
FM #343 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 343 in the series.
This session shares a key segment of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 2, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Chair Tom Mercer opened the meeting on schedule at 7:00 PM. After
Gus Brown, Building Commissioner, presents an update on the work his department conducts in coordination with Inspections, Zoning Board of Appeals and others. The segment includes the Council comments and questions following the presentation.
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to the presentation document.
This meeting segment runs just about 56 minutes, so let’s listen to the presentation and discussion on the Building Department
Audio file: https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HW4JwKLK
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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?
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| FM #343 Town Council - Building Dept Update - 9/02/20 (audio) |
Recap: The Town Council heard from the Building Commissioner, Gus Brown as he provided an update on the work of the department and coordination with Planning, Planning Board, ZBA, Inspections, etc. The presentation included photos of the variety of projects worked on recently.
This is one of a series of department updates to the Town Council to increase awareness of the work being done by some of the 'less known' departments. Board of Health coming up next.
The 4th set in the series of plot line zoning changes was covered in a public hearing and then ultimately moved to a second reading. Over time a particular plot of land may have ended up straddling 2 or in some cases 3 or more zoning categories. This clean up moves the plot into a single zone.
The Town Council approved a series of donations. They also accepted a sewer line extension for a single property off Daniels St not currently served by sewer and where the ground can not handle a septic system.
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| Building Commissioner Gus Brown |
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| Important Meetings today - Wednesday, Sep 2 |
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| Attention Franklin: Town Inspections to Resume July 20 |
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| Lynn Calling, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry in front of the new building at 138 East Central St |
Hello Franklin,
Our COVID-19 Information Portal is updated regularly with the latest information and resources. You can find it HERE.
Please find our Department Re-entry Updates attached below and visit our website and/or social media frequently for news and announcements.
Have a good weekend!
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| Town of Franklin Department Re-entry Updates - May 8 |
"After three years of searching for a new home, the Franklin Food Pantry has finally found it - and it’s not too far from where it is now.
On Monday, the Franklin Food Pantry announced that it had purchased the former Dante’s Motors Inc. building at 138 East Central St. and that it intended to make that location its new home. The existing pantry is at 43 West Central St., just a mile away.
“It works - it’s close to where we are now and it’s an empty shell,” said pantry Executive Director Lynn Calling of the new building. She said it allows the pantry to continue serving those who find the current location convenient. The new location is just as accessible and has sidewalks leading to it, she said.
The price to acquire 138 East Central St. was $465,000, according to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. The building is 5,360 square feet, according to real estate website Loopnet.com. By comparison, the current space where the pantry operates is 3,600 square feet."
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| Franklin Food Pantry lands new home |
"A regional planning agency has developed a new tool to help communities streamline the way they catalog greenhouse gases emitted in their communities.
The Boston-based Metropolitan Area Planning Council has launched its so-called “Community Greenhouse Inventory Tool” - an Excel document that provides a template for municipalities to track greenhouse gas emissions by sector and year.
Accompanying the Excel document is one that outlines how municipalities can use it.
The agency hopes that by providing centralized documents that outline the state’s approach to calculating greenhouse gas emissions, municipalities will be better equipped to accurately, consistently and uniformly track how residents are emitting greenhouse gases."
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| MAPC provides Community Greenhouse Inventory Tool |
Economic development committee meeting starting #edc0814 pic.twitter.com/5NhgDeFExb— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) August 14, 2019
Full EDC membership for meeting with 20 plus others in attendance this evening to discuss plastic bag ban proposal. Idea of a subcommittee to look at overall solid waste issue in lieu of this proposal brought forward #edc0814— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) August 14, 2019
Draft proposal for former Keigan lot is a mixed use development with restaurants and apartments. Issue is with the 100+ units and it not including affordable housing puts us on the path of jeopardizing the 40B percentage we achieved #EDC0814— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) August 14, 2019
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| from the back of the Training Room, almost a full house with 20+ folks |
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| camera snapshot of the draft plans for the former Keigan location |
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| camera snapshot of the photo rendition shared at the meeting, the rendition may change as the proposal works its way through the process |
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| Visit the Online Licensing and Permit Applications |
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| Town of Franklin Building and Inspections Department can process Permits on-line |
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| Franklin Municipal Building |
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| Community Garden build day - April 13 |
