What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, April 10, 2025 ???

Thursday, April 10

 

* Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit (Norfolk Public Library)

5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

6:30pm Open Mic Night (Birchwood Bakery)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

April 10, 2025, 3:00 PM https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04102025-1664 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meetings

April 10, 2025, 2:00 PM https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5145/April-10-2025---Agenda?bidId= 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

April 10, 2025, 7:30 PM = No meeting, next meeting is April 24

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

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 Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, March 13, 2025 ???

Thursday, March 13

• "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

6:30pm Open Mic & Spoken Word (Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen)

7:00pm Franklin Cultural Council Grant Awards (Dean College Guidry Center)

For additional details on Senior Center & Library events ->    

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Bi-County Collaborative Board of Directors Meeting Thursday, March 13, 2025 9:00 AM https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03132025-1631

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meetings

Thursday, March 13th Time: 2:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/318?fileID=4197

Charles River Pollution Control District

Thursday, March 13th 3:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03132025-1623

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

Thursday, March 13th  Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03132025-1626

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, March 13th Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Zoning-Board-of-Appeals-31/?#_03132025-1615

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, December 12, 2024 ???

Thursday, December 12

• Kennedy PCC fund raiser (Papa Ginos, Franklin)
• Franklin Art Association, Art Show & Sale (Norfolk Public Library)

4:30pm Winter Wonderland - a Community Holiday Event (Franklin Senior Center)

5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

5:00pm Holiday Market (Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen)

6:00pm Remington MS Winter Concert (Horace Mann School)

7:00pm Cultural District Committee (Franklin Public Library)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Charles River Pollution Control District Meeting (Medway)

Event Date:  Thursday, December 12, 2024 - 3:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/crpcd_meeting_3.pdf

Conservation Commission Meeting (Council Chambers & broadcast)

Event Date:  Thursday, December 12, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/12-12_conservation_agenda.pdf

Cultural District Committee Meeting (Franklin Public  Library)

Event Date:  Thursday, December 12, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/franklin_cultural_district_committee_meeting.pdf

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Board of Trustees Meeting (charter school)

Event Date:  Thursday, December 12, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/bfccps_meeting_4.pdf

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, November 14, 2024 ???

Thursday, November 14

7am Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library) 

1pm Meet Maudie the Chicken!  (Franklin Public Library) 

4pm Pizza & Movie Night: Reagan (Franklin Senior Center)

5pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium) 

6:30pm Ken Gloss: Book Antiques and Collecting (Franklin Public Library) 

7pm Cultural District Cmte (Franklin Historical Museum)

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

**  Town Meetings today   **

Charles River Pollution Control District (meeting room - Medway)

Event Date:  Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 3:30pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/crpcd_meeting_2.pdf

Police Station Building Committee Meeting (Council Chambers) 

Event Date:  Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 6:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-11-14_police_station_building_committee_agenda.pdf

Master Plan Final Draft Presentation (3rd floor training room)

Event Date:  Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 6:30pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-november_14_2024.pdf

Conservation Commission Meeting (virtual meeting)

Event Date:  Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/11-14_conservation_agenda.pdf

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Event Date:  Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 7:00pm

no agenda posted

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School agenda (charter school) 

Event Date:  Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/bot_agenda_11142024.docx_1.pdf

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

Charles River Water Quality Grades - per report card for 2023

Charles River Water Quality Grades

Charles River Water Quality Grades

Every year Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) works with the U.S. EPA to issue the Charles River Report Card to report on the recreational health of the Charles River. 

CRWA recently released the 2023 Water Quality Report Card grades for the Charles River in September, which showed a slight decrease from the last year. 

It was a wet year, and due to increased rainfall, CRWA observed a rise in stormwater pollution and combined sewer overflows. No section to the Charles River showed an improved grade from 2022. (Why are you hearing about 2023 now? Because the grades are based on water quality samples from 2021, 2022, and 2023.) 

These grades show that water quality is worse in areas with more development, paved surfaces, and impervious cover. Less developed, more green spaces boast better quality, with plants and soil acting as filters, cleaning the water of pollutants. 

This emphasizes the importance of wetlands, biodiversity, and nature-based solutions in nourishing a healthy river. Want to learn more about how you can help foster a healthy, biodiverse landscape or mitigate stormwater pollution on your property? Contact the Conservation Department today! 

Explore the Report Card StoryMap, which provides information on the watershed, how the grades are calculated, and what we expect to see as a result of climate change here

Translated 2023 Report Card Grades Map versions are available in Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Spanish.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/charles-river-water-quality-grades

2023 Charles River Photo Contest - submit today!

Calling all photographers–do you love to capture our favorite river?

Submit your photos today! 

Share your top three images with the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) by Friday, November 17th for a chance to win exciting river-themed prizes and features on CRWA's digital channels. 

Shortly after the deadline, finalists will be selected, and CRWA members will be called upon to vote for winners in next month's River Current.

Submit photos here. 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/2023-charles-river-photo-contest

2023 Charles River Photo Contest - submit today!

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Administration, Senior Center, Charles River, & Facilities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Administrative Assistant - Town Administrator

Administrative Assistant - Senior Center

Wastewater Treatment Operator - Charles River Pollution Control District  

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 10/06/2023

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Administration, Senior Center, Charles River, & Facilities

Share Your Thoughts - Charles River Flood Model Public Survey

Take the survey: What do you think?

What is your top concern about how climate change will effect you, your family, and your community? Are you concerned about the potential impacts of flooding from climate change? Do you think your city/town and/or the state are doing enough to plan for climate change? Take this survey (https://www.crwa.org/crfm-23) to help the Town of Franklin and the Charles River Watershed Association mitigate flood hazards and climate change. 

Feel free to also share your survey results with the Franklin Conservation Agent/Natural Resource Protection Manager at bgoodlander@franklinma.gov. 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/share-your-thoughts-charles-river-flood-model-public-survey

Share Your Thoughts - Charles River Flood Model Public Survey

Inclusionary zoning bylaw approved by Town Council in key action at meeting May 3 (audio)

FM #991 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 991 in the series.

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 for their regular meeting and covered a number of items. One of the major achievements was the passage of the inclusionary zoning bylaw. This was one of the action items from the Franklin For All project and a significant accomplishment.

Among the other news worthy items on the agenda were

• All alcohol license approved for Sierra's Brick Oven Pizza
• Corporate record license changes for both Longhorn Restaurant and the 99 Restaurant were approved
• Financial Audit report for FY 2022 reveals a clean report, no actions, no management letter, the Town maintains their AAA rating status
• Presentation from the Charles River Pollution Control District
• Update on the long awaited Beaver St interceptor, bids came in below expectations, sewer rates will rise and remain to pay for the 20 year borrowing costs of this major infrastructure project
• PFAS regulation increases proposed by EPA can cost us significantly. Well 7 is currently offline, more wells may be in jeopardy of shutdown due to increased monitoring. Yet, PFAS is still being made, is a forever chemical and is major concern for future water supply quality and cost thereof

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-991-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-05-03-23

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The full agenda and documents associated with it can be found online ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-for-may.html

Franklin TV's video recording of the meeting is available for replay on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/live/mhRDmkdk7og?feature=share

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gWiBSq_Q8vMNIUKv32jeLQtMypvF8fTb/view?usp=share_link

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

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

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"

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda for the May 3, 2023 Meeting

Town Council approves inclusionary zoning & first reading on sewer rate increase among items on a full meeting agenda (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 for their regular meeting and covered a number of items. One of the major achievements was the passage of the inclusionary zoning bylaw. This was one of the action items from the Franklin For All project and a significant accomplishment.

Among the other news worthy items on the agenda were

• All alcohol license approved for Sierra's Brick Oven Pizza
• Corporate record license changes for both Longhorn Restaurant and the 99 Restaurant were approved
• Financial Audit report for FY 2022reveals a clean report, no actions, no management letter, the Town maintains their AAA rating status
• Presentation from the Charles River Pollution Control District
• Update on the long awaited Beaver St interceptor, bids came in below expectations, sewer rates will rise and remain to pay for the 20 year borrowing costs of this major infrastructure project
• PFAS regulation increases proposed by EPA can cost us significantly. Well 7 is currently offline, more wells may be in jeopardy of shutdown due to increased monitoring. Yet, PFAS is still being made, is a forever chemical and is major concern for future water supply quality and cost thereof

The full agenda and documents associated with it can be found online ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-for-may.html

Franklin TV's video recording of the meeting is available for replay on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/live/mhRDmkdk7og?feature=share

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF. My full recap and the meeting audio will be ready in a couple of days ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gWiBSq_Q8vMNIUKv32jeLQtMypvF8fTb/view?usp=share_link

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda for the May 3, 2023 Meeting