Franklin Food Pantry reminds folks to ensure food safety and prevent waste, please follow the guidelines on what to donate

IMPORTANT: WE CANNOT ACCEPT PERISHABLE ITEMS INCLUDING TURKEYS

It's nearly Thanksgiving and we are immensely grateful for our community's generosity.

If you are planning to donate to The Pantry, please read the following important information:

Franklin Food Pantry reminds folks to ensure
food safety and prevent waste, please
follow the guidelines on what to donate

To ensure food safety and prevent waste, please DO NOT leave any of the following perishable items in our donation bin. Items left will be thrown away, which may result in a cost to The Pantry.

Meats (frozen, raw, cooked): Poultry, pork, beef, deli meat, etc.

Refrigerated/Frozen Items: Milk, juice, eggs, etc.

Fresh Produce: Potatoes, lettuce, carrots, fresh fruit, etc.

Home-Prepared Items: Leftovers, casseroles, baked goods, etc.

COMPLETE DONATIONS GUIDELINES HERE: https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/donation-guidelines/

WE ACCEPT SHELF STABLE ITEMS!

We happily accept factory-sealed, non-expired items like canned yams, cranberry sauce, and boxed stuffing!

FIND OUR FULL NEEDS LIST & WEBSITE HERE: https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get.../pantry-needs/

Boston Globe: "Attorney General Andrea Campbell issued guidance on Thursday for Massachusetts immigrants and their supporters"

"Attorney General Andrea Campbell issued guidance on Thursday for Massachusetts immigrants and their supporters on how to respond to federal immigration officials, as arrests have sharply increased in the state.

The guidance addresses questions her office has received about ICE’s jurisdiction, the rights of people being targeted, what bystanders are allowed to do, and whether local law enforcement can cooperate with federal officials.

Todd Lyons

It comes as Campbell has said there is little she or other local politicians can do to stop the ICE arrests taking place under the Trump administration.

“From arresting parents in front of their children to pulling people who present no public safety threat out of their cars in broad daylight, the aggressive ICE tactics we’re seeing across the Commonwealth do not protect the public, and instead spread fear,” Campbell said in a statement. “In releasing this guidance, I strongly encourage everyone to inform themselves of their rights when they see immigration officers in their communities.”

Continue reading the article -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/06/metro/ice-immigration-rights-bystander/ 

How to access the Globe articles via the Franklin Library with your library card

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/how-to-access-online-resources-with.html

*** The Attorney General's guidance document -> 

https://www.mass.gov/doc/ago-ice-guidance-05292025/download

Get listed in our new MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau Guide!

Help 60K residents and visitors learn about YOUR business!

͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌    ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

It's Visitors Guide Time! Spring is here and that means we are gearing up to produce the next edition of our print Guide to MetroWest, the go-to resource for travelers, residents, and businesses looking to explore all that our region has to offer. We distribute 60K+ print copies all over MA, RI, CT, ME, NY, NJ, & PA, plus digital copies via our website…and you can be featured! Here's how: Join the Visitors Bureau: Gold and Platinum members are guaranteed to be featured in the guide as an itinerary stop, attraction, recommended restaurant, hotel or other call out AT NO ADDITIONAL COST! Silver and Bronze members are included as space allows. Learn more about membership here Sponsor a Content Page: Create more visibility by sponsoring an itinerary spread or content article in the guide…sponsorship includes your logo and URL as well as inclusion of your business as a recommended spot in that 2-page spread. Learn more here Place a Display Ad: For the greatest visibility, place a 1/4 page, 1/2 page or full page display ad within the guide. Limited advertising space brings more attention to YOU! Learn more and reserve your space here. This is a prime opportunity to get in front of a highly engaged audience! Act now, as space is limited. Contracts are due by June 30, 2025 to reserve your space. See this year's guide here. Questions? Email Stacey David at sdavid@metrowestvisitors.org or your Membership Manager (Alissa Weintraub or Julie Shaw) Book Your Ad Space Review the Sponsorship & Ad Size Options Learn About Membership View this email in your browser MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau | 860 Worcester Road | Framingham, MA 01702 US Funded in part by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

Franklin’s Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide

Just in time for Small Business Saturday, the Holiday Guide spotlights all things Franklin making it easy to “keep it local” for shopping this winter season.

Find the full guide online -> https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Franklin-Holiday-Happenings---Gift-Guide-2024.html?soid=1120641810412&aid=-tD8KZw1HyI

Or download a PDF version here ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GUFd2T05Hsqb9wKckwE4ajO63AKVnCUw/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin’s Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide

Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide Will Inspire Holiday Spirit and Gift Ideas

Franklin’s Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide will hit the streets on Saturday November 30th – just in time for Small Business Saturday. The Holiday Guide spotlights all things Franklin making it easy to “keep it local” for shopping this winter season.

Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide

Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) business members spotlight their special sales, promotions, activities, and events for the season in the Holiday Guide on the Partnership’s website. Make sure you check it out for shopping, food, services, and entertainment.

View the Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide at the Partnership’s newly designed website at franklindowntownpartnership.org for the current list of Franklin’s small businesses and all they are offering.

The Holiday Guide includes great gift ideas and special treats for shopping for the upcoming season. The guide also lists special holiday events and activities in town. It gives shoppers the inspiration they need for food, clothing, and gifts for yourself and others as we prepare for any special occasion or holiday celebration. Remember to shop local!

Stay up to date info and follow the FDP on Instagram at: 

https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/  and Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, greenspace, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

WEBINAR: Introducing the Property Owner Guide to Managing Stormwater on Commercial and Industrial Properties

WEBINAR: Introducing the Property Owner Guide to Managing Stormwater

Monday, September 30th 2024 1:00PM – 2:00 PM EDT

Join the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) for an informative presentation on the Property Owner Guide to Managing Stormwater on Commercial and Industrial Properties (aka, the Guide, scheduled for public release on September 30, 2024). 

The purpose of the Guide is to provide a high-level explanation of the problems associated with uncontrolled stormwater and what private property owners can do to reduce these impacts by improving site operations and making simple changes to the physical layout of their sites to reduce stormwater volume and pollutants.  The audience for the Guide is property owners and managers of commercial, industrial and institutional properties who are responsible for making decisions regarding site improvements to manage stormwater. 

 Entities (including consultants and state, regional and/or local agencies and organizations) who work with property owners in developing stormwater plans will also find the guide useful.  This guidance is timely in that it will help support compliance with stormwater permits issued under the Clean Water Act's Residual Designation Authority (RDA) affecting property owners having larger impervious surfaces including the anticipated permit in the Mashapaug Pond watershed in Rhode Island and permits in Massachusetts and New Hampshire coming in 2024, and one issued in Vermont in 2020. 

The impact of polluted stormwater from impervious surfaces on receiving water quality is well known, as are its contributions to localized flooding. Commercial, industrial and institutional properties have unique challenges, constraints and goals for their properties that must be considered for successfully incorporating pollutant reduction and stormwater treatment measures. 

The Guide builds upon the design guidance in the New England Stormwater Retrofit Manual but is customized to be more accessible to a non-technical audience by providing illustrative case examples of options for managing stormwater and presenting guidance that is easily understood by a non-technical reader. 

The Guide's focus is on operational best management practices and physical improvements known as Green Stormwater Infrastructure ("GSI") to manage and improve water quality at its source.  The guide was developed by VHB for the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Network with support from an ad hoc committee comprised of members from the University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center, the Rhode Island Stormwater Innovation Center, the New England Environmental Finance Center, and RIDEM's Office of Water Resources. 

Presenters:
Theresa McGovern, VHB 
Anna Keimel, VHB 

Online Webinar: Register Here!

<Text copied from "The SNEP Network">

Read more -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/webinar-introducing-property-owner-guide-managing-stormwater

Property Owner Guide to Managing Stormwater on Commercial and Industrial Properties

MacKid Franklin's Central MA Playground Guide is ready

Macaroni KID Franklin MA tweeted  on Mon, Jul 31, 2023:

MacKid Franklin's Central MA Playground Guide has all the best deets re: local ways to play! 

From #grafton to #blackstone and in between, we rate and review the local parks and playgrounds so you can 'know before you go'!

Check it out here: https://t.co/P7juShHQ0P

Shared from -> https://t.co/kO1PVMYZFO

Note: It doesn't actually include a Franklin playground

https://twitter.com/MacKidFranklin/status/1686173982628745216

MacKid Franklin's Central MA Playground Guide is ready

An Artsy Box Project comes to Franklin! - Deadline for submissions is February 15

The Franklin Cultural District committee are thrilled to share that the Mass Cultural Council and Town of Franklin have provided funding to support a new form of public art on identified utility boxes! 

The Artsy Box Project invites you to share your interpretation of Franklin’s incredible beauty and diversity. 

Selected artists would receive a stipend between $500-$1,000 (dependent upon location) to cover time, transportation, supplies, artistic development and labor. 

Submissions will be reviewed and accepted until February 15 at 3 PM. Please follow this Artsy Box link to review the submission guidelines. We look forward to receiving your submissions. 

Three of the boxes are shown here: 

An Artsy Box Project comes to Franklin

The Artsy Box Project guidelines & submission form -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/13kpI3aoez8LMJHwKKtn37v-HUBxaDkFC/view?usp=share_link

Last Chance to be Included in Franklin Downtown Partnership Holiday Gift Guide

FINAL CALL FOR HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS & GIFT GUIDE We'll be emailing out our annual Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide soon. If you'd like to include your holiday event, promotion or product in the Gift Guide, email us the details by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16. If you'd like to support this holiday initiative to promote Franklin Downtown Partnership members and get your company listed as a sponsor, please email us by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16.! See the sponsorship levels here. Franklin Downtown Partnership • 774-571-3109 • FranklinDowntownPartnership.org

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

MBTA Communities Zoning Guidelines Webinar - Sep 8 at 1 PM

The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced final guidelines outlining how MBTA communities can comply with the new multifamily zoning requirement. Learn more and register for an informational webinar on September 8: http://mass.gov/MBTAcommunities

Register for the webinar ->   https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KBSNAXLuR9yrnmklDPFx-g 

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/MassEOHED/status/1565428813999312896

Recall that the Mass Housing Partnership has a series of webinars on this topic (Wednesday's at noon) ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/massachusetts-housing-partnership.html

Franklin's statistics per MA EOHED calculation:

Franklin's statistics per MA EOHED calculation

MBTA Communities Zoning Guidelines Webinar - Sep 8 at 1 PM

Massachusetts Housing Partnership schedules webinar series on MBTA community housing guidelines

Via the Massachusetts Housing Partnership @mhphousing:

"Our webinar series on new MBTA community guidelines features experts on topics ranging from infrastructure basics to community engagement to messaging strategies. Sept. 21 kickoff: 9 consecutive Wednesdays.  

Registration is open. http://bit.ly/3T7Mfiz #HousingCrisis #housing"

Massachusetts Housing Partnership schedules webinar series on MBTA community housing guidelines

For more about the Massachusetts Housing Partnership visit their page ->

https://www.mhp.net/