Franklin Food Pantry busy this season serving our neighbors and getting ready for the new building

We hope you are having a happy and healthy holiday season! The Pantry is very busy with Holiday Distributions, Turkey Trot, Food Elves and getting our new home ready for our neighbors!

While Franklin is considered an idyllic residential setting, it is not immune from food insecurity. Almost 10 percent of Franklin's residents aren't sure where their next meal will come from. This isn't happening to someone else in Franklin, 

it is happening to us. 

rendering of the New Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry distributed 26,292 bags of groceries last year to more than 1,100 people in more than 500 households. Many of our neighbors shopped more than twice per month in order to make ends meet. Demand for our services has grown from 150 households per week to more than 180 households per week in the last few months. Franklin Food Pantry's FY2022 statistics show just how much work there is to do and how prevalent food insecurity is in our area.

The Pantry has been fortunate to enjoy our current space for the last 13 years, thanks to the generosity of Rockland Trust. However, we have outgrown our space and cannot expand our programs and services to accommodate the increasing need. The Pantry purchased the Edwin's building at 341 West Central St. and you may be wondering exactly why we need this building.  

It's not about the building, 

it's about what we will do in the building! 

In our new space, we will: 

• Preserve human dignity with private client meeting rooms. 
• Expand programs and services through partnership and collaboration. 
• Create a warm and welcoming space that honors local history. 
• Increase the client shopping area offering more food and product choices. 
• Increase community engagement through workshops and trainings. 
• Ensure safety and ADA compliance with accessible walkways and interior lift 
• Grow our weekend backpack program and increase mobile pantry sites. 
• Save time and money with thoughtful and cost-effective design. 

We can't do this without support from YOU – please look for information about how you can contribute to The Pantry's Campaign in the coming months or contact Marsha Tait at mtait@franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

YOU have the power to create a better 

community for everyone by contributing to 

The Pantry's campaign: 

The New Franklin Food Pantry: 

Nourishing Neighbors, Building Community 

Updates for the new Franklin Food Pantry Building  can be found online ->

https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building-updates/

Franklin TV: Our Open Board Meeting

It was Business as Usual – Almost.

Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 9/4/2022

If you say, “Who wants to attend a board meeting – ?”  (Crickets chirping – ) 

If you say, “ Who wants to come to our Block Party?”  (That’s more like it. ) 

Great food, music and weather. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

a view of the participants

Ben Gardner's Boat provided musical entertainment

Plan on joining us next year. See you then. 

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

Open meeting highlights:

Annual Support for Local Charities:  $6,000.00

• Franklin Food Pantry, Hockomock YMCA, Safe Coalition, Franklin EDU Foundation, Random Smiles Project, Monument Restoration, July 4th Coalition, Special Edu Parents Council

3 Student Scholarships:  $1,500.00 each

• Franklin High: Nipun Goel, Samuel Reis
• Tri-County: Joshua Mariotti

Wes Rea - retiring as our Treasurer

- We thank him for 10 years of steady leadership

Public vote to reaffirm a 3 year term for: (unanimously voted)

John Milot, Stephen Sherlock, Jim Derick as Franklin.TV board members

Our progress on facilities and programs

• Our government meetings, school sports, and civic events are now on YouTube, Live and On Demand
• Our studios have reopened following COVID
• We continue to advance our partnering and information programming with Franklin Matters 
• wfpr•fm's FCC license renewed to 2030 
• Radio programming remains strong, thanks to Zoom and our dedicated On-Air volunteers

The handout for the 'official' public meeting of Franklin TV. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17yjpkB-x5mbTnsvF38xaa8zSMZncn1Wp/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Recreation schedules the Official Opening of the hockey/basketball court at Fletcher Field

Franklin Recreation is finally getting around to having an official opening of the new hockey/basketball court at Fletcher Field in Franklin, MA. 

The court was constructed using $200,000 of town capital funding and a $75,000 donation from the Boston Bruins Foundation.  "Blades," the Bruins mascot will be there for the opener on Monday, June 6 at 5 PM for the puck drop. 

The Town of Franklin will present the Bruins with a plaque thanking them for their generous donation.  

Mylec Hockey, our official supplier of street hockey equipment, will be on site. 

Franklin Recreation schedules the Official Opening of the hockey/basketball court at Fletcher Field

#FranklinCANBeincredABLE ! Help Support HMEA with a t-shirt or hoodie (or donation)!

"Who wants incredABLE Day swag? From now until May 18th, you can purchase one of these incredABLE day hoodies in sizes YL-XXXL.  

We also have t-shirts and long sleeve shirts available. You’ll be super comfy while supporting HMEA’s programs at the same time! https://buff.ly/3KsKjf8"

#FranklinCANBeincredABLE ! Help Support HMEA with a t-shirt or hoodie (or donation)!

Note: I have long supported HMEA, they are a most worthy cause based here in Franklin that provides support across the whole life of an individual. See how with this informative graphic ->   https://www.hmea.org/whole-life-support/

Find out more about HMEA at https://www.hmea.org/

*HMEA is an abbreviation for Horace Mann Educational Associates

Franklin Food Pantry: Stamp Out Hunger on May 14 #FranklinCANStampOutHunger

Franklin Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger on May 14

Franklin Food Pantry Asks for Special Items and No Expired Food

After a two-year absence, Stamp Out Hunger has returned to Franklin. On Saturday, May 14, Franklin letter carriers will pick up donated goods from town residents at their mailboxes and deliver them to the Franklin Food Pantry.  The Franklin Food Pantry is appealing to the community for some very specific items in this year's Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive:

• Tomato Paste
• Assorted Cereal Boxes 10oz - 20oz
• Coffee - Cans or Bags 12oz - 16oz. 
• Shampoo 8oz-24oz
• Conditioner 8oz-24oz
• Body / Hand Lotion 8oz- 16oz
• Baby Wipes
• Foil / Plastic Wrap/ Ziplock Baggies
  
  

"In our current building, we have very limited space to store a surplus of items," said Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. "That's why we are asking the community for these very specific items, as well as no expired food. We are so appreciative of all the donations we receive, but given our space constraints, we hope to focus donations on items currently in highest need."

The Pantry is emphasizing its request to please check expiration dates on every item donated.  Processing expired items is resource intensive.  Volunteers must check every donated item's expiration dates. The expired food must be sorted separately and then disposed of, which costs the Pantry time and money. According to Powderly, "We plan for 10,000 pounds of food during Stamp Out Hunger.  Even with the 100 volunteers we hope to have over the entire day, each volunteer will need to handle one item each minute to keep up.  It's an incredible amount of work, and expired items slow down the process, create waste, and lead to volunteer burnout. Checking donated food for expired items would be a huge help to us, and much appreciated by our hard-working volunteers."

Volunteers are still needed for the event. If anyone is interested, they can sign up online here.

Franklin residents can donate to the food drive by leaving a bag of non-perishable food and hygiene items where their letter carrier normally delivers their mail on Saturday, May 14. Letter carriers will pick up the bags during their normal mail rounds and will deliver the food to the Franklin Food Pantry.

"We are so thankful to the letter carriers, and a supportive community, for helping us acquire the items that are most needed," said Powderly. "We have almost 1,100 individuals who count on us for food and supplies on a regular basis. We could not provide for them without the support of such a generous community."

In lieu of donating goods, individuals who want to support the Pantry can donate online.

"Monetary donations give us the flexibility to purchase what we need, when we need it," said Powderly. "We can also purchase fresh food such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products to supplement the canned and boxed food donations. We count on both types of donations to provide a wholesome and balanced inventory of products for our neighbors."

For more information on the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, visit https://www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive . The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is a nationwide effort organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) that provides food to local food banks and pantries that would otherwise be faced with depleted stocks during the summer months.

About the Franklin Food Pantry  

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to almost 1,100 individuals per year. The Franklin Food Pantry is not funded by the Town of Franklin. As a private, nonprofit organization, we depend on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and other strategic partners. We are grateful for our many partnerships, including that with the Greater Boston Food Bank, that allow us to achieve greater buying power and lower our costs. Donations and grants fund our food purchases, keep our lights on, and put gas in our food truck. Other programs include home delivery, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin school children in need, mobile pantry, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. 

Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.    

 

Franklin Food Pantry: Stamp Out Hunger on May 14

Food Insecurity Can Happen Overnight - Please consider contributing to the cause now to help your neighbors

2022 Annual Appeal

Please Donate Today!

Franklin Food Pantry | 43 WEST CENTRAL STREET, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by loften@franklinfoodpantry.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Food Pantry will be closed Dec 23, 2021 through Jan 3, 2022

The Franklin Food Pantry will be closed Dec 23 through Jan 3. The bin is closed so please don't leave anything there.

    Online donations can be safely made during this period ->
 https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

Franklin Food Pantry will be closed Dec 23, 2021 through Jan 3, 2022

Shared from Facebook -> 

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=5066437636724143&id=105762322791724

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 11/22/21 (audio)

FM #664 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 664 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England, this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of November 17, 2021: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

• Housing Authority presentation/discussion

• Elk riders donation

• FY 2022 budget adjustments

• Host community agreements

• Future items

o   Town council subcommittees

o   Tax rate hearing

o   Community Preservation Committee

The recording runs about 27 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to this recording of Town Council Quarterbacking Nov 22, 2021

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e43cb65b-1e9d-4c68-a13a-4acf16a1d23d 

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

Town Council Agenda document ->  

https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_nov_17_2021.pdf

 

My notes from the meeting  -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/recap-town-council-hears-about-waiting.html

SAFE Coalition presentation as mentioned in the discussion (Town Council meeting of 9/15/21) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/franklin-ma-town-council-meeting.html 

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

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 11/22/21 (audio)

Santa scheduled to arrive on the Town Common - Nov 28 - 4 PM

For the young and young at heart, Santa arrives on the Town Common, Sunday, Nov 28, 2021 at 4 PM. He is reported to be arriving via a special Franklin fire truck. Will Mrs. Claus be with him too?

Sponsored by Concerts on the Common. Donations to help with this and the Town Common decorations are appreciated. Checks can be mailed to 

"Concerts on the Common"
PO Box 92
Franklin, MA 02038

Download the flyer as a reminder of this special event

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kxaDVWd6MQaEBDa5k9xkuy3X_5j0NtZS/view?usp=sharing

Annual Christmas on the Common - Sunday, Nov 28 - 4:00 PM

Recap: Town Council hears about the waiting list and process for housing; approves FY 2022 budget reduction

Quick Recap:

• Housing Authority, funded at State level, is limited in what they can do by funding and regulations. The list for access is long. A key part of our overall housing issue. The 60 unit senior housing at Franklin Ridge is awaiting funding. These units only make a dip into the wait list. Advocating for housing at State and Federal levels is best and only option
• Elks Riders present their donation to veterans and recognized for such at same time
• FY 2022 budget reduced by $454K to recognize the revenue expected won't be met. Outline of where the adjustments come from provided; on Town side some savings already recognized, Schools asked to reduce by $93K, how that will affect their $70M budget is 'minor' but would need to come from School Dept/School Committee.
• Host Community agreement funding outlined as distributed among DPW, SAFE Coalition and Police Dept as mitigation for expected sales of cannabis products
• Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to hold two hearings in Jan 2022 (Jan 4, and Jan 18) to solicit ideas for how the expected funds could be utilized. This listing would then be further developed by CPC and ultimately approved by Town Council before the first CPA funding is received in 4Q 2022.

-------

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers. 

 

The Twitter hashtag #TC1117 can be found online The thread begins with  

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1461118335224008712

Photos from the event can be found in one album:  

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NoqWaRJWAjg2R8qb7 

getting ready for the Town Council meeting #tc1117 Full agenda doc (with remote connection info)  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_nov_17_2021.pdf

• Chair Mercer opens meeting with gavel and then the 'normal' statement about access via Zoom, etc. #tc1117

Citizen comments

• Citizen comment from Max Morrongiello speaking on property tax setting coming up on next meeting agenda; example of Brookline put forward #tc1117 recommending committee to study proposal for possible implementation next year (full text of comment -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/citizen-comment-maxwell-morrongiello.html)
• (Unidentified person) - speaking on King St and Washington St projects, meetings overlapping each other Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission with scheduled meetings for Thursday - new distribution center proposed for King St adding 500+ trips; #tc1117
• Jim Derick touting the Critical Conversation on mental health and substance abuse scheduled for for Nov 18 at 6 PM #tc1117  https://franklinmatters.org/2021/11/franklin-public-schools-ma-announces.html

Minutes approved

• motion to approve minutes of Oct 20, second, passes 9-0 #tc1117

Housing authority presentation/discussion

• next up Housing Authority presentation #tc1117 George Danelo Chair of Housing Authority; introduces Lisa Audette, Executive Director, also a couple of other board members present
• emergency applications take priority, needs to be validated; #tc1117 listing of 7 levels of priorities, 1 other levels of preference; over 6,000 on waiting listing; time consuming to process application to validate
• average 20 units for senior housing per year; family units don't turn frequently; lists being reviewed by State to audit process; #tc1117 process time consuming on both Authority and applicant;
• State maintains waiting list not the local housing authority - thousands of residents on the multiple lists; local 114 for disabled, 200 families for low income housing; local hands tied - app process through http://ma.gov site, preference and requirements set #tc1117
• Pellegri concerned with out of town folks on list and the interjection of the State in the process; list process changes daily; #tc1117 if individual doesn't respond back to the list verification process, they lose their place in the line
• petition legislators to change public housing regulations; #tc1117 could go via home rule petition, (which everyone would want); could check to see if general legislation has been filed - state funds source this, not Franklin funds
• transfer within type of unit is an administrative transfer, if changing size, then the list comes into play; #tc1117 simple solution - need more housing, period. TA Hellen updates on Franklin Ridge project, permitted for 60 units, remains waiting for funding.
• Hellen - we did identify a 3.5 acre piece of town owned land that could go for about 8 units of housing, can use the CPA funds to spec out further; #tc1117 at the end of the day, this comes down to money, takes the will of a lots of folks to get to fund it
• Hellen - working with Habitant 4 Humanity on 2 other separate lots; #tc1117 we are doing this locally, we can't do it alone; the listing is applicants who have identified Franklin as a place to live - hence a happy problem (yet unfulfilled)
• congregate housing while it can work, doesn't work for some and creates some problems when that comes up for someone on a list; #tc1117 6000 applicants on list for 2000 units state wide
• How long will it take? No good answer for that Q. It depends. #tc1117 copy of 2 page memo used in this discussion will be shared later (have paper will convert post meeting)
• Jones: what are logical viable next steps to solve this problem? #tc1117 218 units total; 165 seniors, 4 bedroom congregate, 33 family units
• pull a listing for every vacancy; could pull 50-100 for 4 vacancies - work the list to validate status and eligibility for preference and priority; need to fill unit within 30 days; may close the list within 10 days depending upon circumstances #tc1117
• Frongillo - how can we help? it is about land and money; age of buildings a concern, sidewalks are getting broken, (Town could help with), they apply for every grant we can get; #tc1117 average rent in a unit $450/unit, not much to work with
• funding not enough to keep with the caring annually. #tc1117 folks can paint but must use Housing paint; Housing Authority is a state agency; CPA funds maybe the best option; need to be state or Federal sources to provide the funding
• TA Hellen - Jan 4 and 18 Community Preservation Committee to hold hearings; Foxboro voucher process could use CPA funds but it won't increase # of units, would help with individual funding of units #tc1117

Legislation For Action

• LEGISLATION FOR ACTION - a. Resolution 21-68: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Dept ($1,000), Historical Commission ($100) (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-68 - Majority Vote) - moved, seconded, passes 9-0 
• Elks Riders present to talk about their donation #tc1117
• Resolution 21-69: General Funds Appropriation, Transfers and Adjustments FY22
• (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-69 - Majority Vote) #tc1117 motioned, second, passes 9-0 - this was previewed and approved by FinCom last week (7-0)
• Resolution 21-70: Appropriation of Cannabis Fees
• (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-70 - Majority Vote) motion, second, passes 8-0 TA Hellen spoke to parts of this during prior discussion, 2 active host community agreements $300K each; light project designed, hopeful to do spring
• On last vote 8-0-1 recusal by Dellorco #tc1117
• Details on FinCom vote in their meeting last week can be found https://franklinmatters.org/2021/11/fm-655-finance-committee-mtg-111021.html… #tc1117
• Interesting that Dellorco remained in conversation (and commented) and only before vote recused himself. #tc1117 hope that doesn't cause a problem - also raised by Councilor Cormier-Leger in the discussion before the vote
• Resolution 21-71: Appropriation to Pay Prior Years’ Bills
• (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-71 - ⅔ Majority Vote) motion, second, passes 9-0 - Finance Dept did talk to vendors on timing of receipt for invoices #tc1117
• Resolution 21-72: Order of Taking Approximately Seventy (70) Acres of Unimproved Land Off
• Maple Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-72 - ⅔ Majority Vote)  motion, second, passes 9-0 - formal process to ensure clear title to the Maple Hill land
• Resolution 21-73: Acceptance of Open Space, Access and Parking Easements at Brookview Condominium Located Off Pond Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-73 - Majority Vote) easements for Pond St to gain access to waterfront on Mine Brook; motion, second, passes 9-0

Councilor Comments

• TA report - nothing at this time
• Future agenda items - all questions on FHS issues, need to be addressed via the School channels; housing items to be considered for future #tc1117 Councilor Comments - veterans lunch last week was wonderful; atta boy to Rep Roy for …
• passage of the genocide bill; snow and ice presentation coming next meeting; kudos to all for the luncheon last week; #tc1117 Strong Towns event well attended on Monday; monthly senior office hours at Center at 8:30 AM - volunteers needed to decorate downtown Sat
• Fairmount Farm has first Winters Farmers Market on Saturday; nice to see other communities at the Strong Towns event; it was an honor to serve the veterans last week; #tc1117 congrats to FHS performances of Mamma Mia this past weekend - 65 students in the cast
• good luck to FHS, only public school left in D1 for football; salt price up, let Brutus know; #tc1117 happy Thanksgiving to all, we'll be back in Dec - motion to adjourn, passes 9-0

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

Veterans Services Officer Shannon Nisbett and members of the Elks Riders