Conversation on the Community Preservation Public Hearings - Jan 4/Jan 18 (audio)

FM #685 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 685 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with three members of the Franklin, MA Community Preservation Committee. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Dec 20, 2021.  

We talk about the public hearings scheduled for Jan 4 and Jan 18, 2022. The two public hearings will start the process for the Committee to build the project listing and possible allocation of the Community Preservation Act funds that will be available in Nov/Dec 2022. We don’t need to spend the money all at once but these public hearings start the process on how we should spend the money.

The recording runs about 23 minutes, so let’s listen to this discussion of Franklin’s Community Preservation Act funding process just getting started.

Audio file => https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-685-community-preservation-cmte-discussion-12-20-21

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

The committee legal notice can be found ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad_.pdf

The public hearing dates are:

1. January 4, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street  Agenda = https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-04_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_1.pdf

2. January 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street   Agenda =   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-18_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_2.pdf

The Online application can be found at this link https://franklinma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1097

Additional information regarding the CPC & CPA can be found at the following links:

1.  Community Preservation Coalition -> https://www.communitypreservation.org/about

2.  MA State Legislator - Community Preservation ->   https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter44B

3.  Secretary of State Page - Accepting the CPA ->   https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elecpa/cpaidx.htm

Please bookmark the Franklin CPC website: https://www.franklinma.gov/community-preservation-committee

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

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"

Conversation on the Community Preservation Public Hearings - Jan 4/Jan 18 (audio)

Community Preservation Act (CPA) For Franklin Discussion - 10/22/20 (audio)

FM #374 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 374 in the series.

This session shares the conversation about the Community Preservation Act. The conversation was conducted on Thursday, Oct 22, 2020 via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The voices you will hear in order of appearance will be that of mine, Monique Doyle, Roberta Trahan, and Susan Speers.

The show notes contain links to the Community Preservation Act webpage and other social media links. 

The conversation runs about 22 minutes.  Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H1F15s2K

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

Community Preservation Act web page  https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/ 

Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/cpaforfranklin 

Instagram account  https://www.instagram.com/cpa_for_franklin/ 

Twitter account  https://twitter.com/cpa_franklin 

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

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/

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"

Community Preservation Act (CPA) For Franklin Discussion - 10/22/20 (audio)

Community Preservation Act: Frequently Asked Questions - answered by CPAForFranklin

Question of the Day: 

"Is there really any open space left to save in Franklin?"

 https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/2020/10/question-of-day-is-there-really-any.html

 

Question of the Day: 

 “I don’t mind paying more on my taxes for saving open space, but I don’t want to pay more for the other uses. If money raised gets split up, will it really ever be enough to do anything with?”

https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/2020/10/question-of-day-will-there-be-enough.html

 

Question of the day:

"Does adopting the CPA mean there will be an additional tax when I sell my home?"

https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/2020/10/question-of-day-does-adopting-cpa-mean.html

 

Question of the day: 

"How is the CPA amount calculated? Will the CPA surcharge be figured as 2% of my property value under the CPA?"

https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/2020/10/question-of-day-how-is-cpa-amount.html

 

Question of the Day: 

"Doesn’t the Town have enough affordable housing for those who need it?"

https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/2020/10/question-of-day-doesnt-town-have-enough.html

 

Question of the Day: 

“How many communities have adopted the CPA? And have any revoked it?” 

https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/2020/10/question-of-day-how-many-communities.html

 

Question of the Day:  

How is the allocation of local funds prioritized? 

https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/2020/10/question-of-day-how-is-allocation-of.html

 

Questions of the Day:  

1 - Who decides how Franklin’s CPA funds would be spent? 

2 - How will Franklin decide which projects will be funded? https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/2020/10/question-of-day-two-questions.html

 

If you have a question about how the Community Preservation Act (CPA) works, please email CPA4Franklin@gmail.com.  

 

As additional questions are asked and answered they will be posted to the page here https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/p/frequently-asked-questions.html

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Three Voices of Franklin: Vote Yes for the Community Preservation Act

We urge residents to vote for Franklin’s future by voting Yes for the Community Preservation Act in the upcoming election!

This is our chance to fund Franklin’s special needs that too often go ignored or postponed, such as protecting open space for water supply protection and farms, parks, new playgrounds or improving current recreation, preserving the Brick School and the South Meeting House, and creating new community housing.

Our local CPA contributions will allow Franklin to receive a distribution from the state CPA fund. This state distribution comes from the fees paid on transactions at the Registry of Deeds. Those fees were raised in 2019, which mean that the state contribution is secured for the future. This year the state match is estimated to be more than 20% for the 176 cities and towns which have already voted CPA. Franklin would begin to receive a share of that pool in 2022 if CPA is approved.

This question asks us to approve a CPA surcharge of 2% on our property tax. Residential properties would get an automatic $100,000 exemption, and exemptions would be offered to low-income families and moderate-income seniors.

The average homeowner in Franklin would pay about $105 a year... or about $2 a week... less than one cup of coffee, let alone a latte! Far less than a year’s gym membership and less each week than a train ticket to Boston, parking in the MBTA lots or a new pencil case for a kindergarten student.

The funds raised by the CPA stay in Franklin in a dedicated fund for eligible projects. A five to nine-person committee will evaluate proposals annually and the final section will be made by the Town Council.

It’s estimated that the funds raised through CPA would be more than $1 Million a year and the fund would grow to allow Franklin to invest in many of the “wish list” goals for historic buildings, open space, parks and recreation, and much needed community housing for seniors and families – all projects that are often set aside for “someday.”

Well, if we pass CPA, we can make that “someday” possible. If each family gives a little, we all will get much more in return. Please look for the Community Preservation Act at the bottom of the ballot and vote “Yes”!

For more information, sign up at CPA4Franklin@gmail.com.

Monique Doyle 

Susan Speers
Roberta Trahan 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WTBRSlvC_HpcNpBg22mKyLDYhtpkF-S6/view?usp=sharing

 

Three Voices of Franklin: Yes for the Community Preservation Act

Franklin's 1949 American Lafrance Fire Truck Returns - June 30, 2020 (YouTube)

"The Franklin Fire Department has received an exceptionally generous donation from Edward Guzowski. He has donated a 1949 American LaFrance Model 7-75-AJO 75’ Service aerial truck.

We would like to thank Edward Guzowski for his generous donation. The Fire Truck has been kept in impeccable condition and remains a functional driving vehicle.

The truck he is donating is the first ladder truck the Town of Franklin ever bought."

The brief ceremony acknowledging the donation was held at Station 1 today

Video link = https://youtu.be/0L17vwcxvKc

Rep Jeff Roy tries out the 'air conditioned' front seat

side view of the vehicle

 end view of the 75' aerial ladder

The Town Council legislation for action to accept the donation on June 3, 2020
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._resolution_20-30_gift_acceptance_-_fire_dept._-_truck.pdf


View the set of photos taken on June 30, 2020 at Station 1

MA Digital Archives (finally) available

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

"The Massachusetts Archives has unveiled an online collection of records of state agencies, including a searchable index of Massachusetts casualties in World War II, records of the administration of Governor Deval Patrick and town plans from 1794 through 1830. 

Among the records are death certificates of 27 people killed in the Great Molasses Flood in Boston on Jan. 15, 1919. 

To see the records, visit digitalarchives.sec.state.ma.us.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190116/state-archives-offers-online-record-collection

I input "Frankln, MA" to see what it would show and among the results that caught my eye:

The death certificate for Sgt. Timothy J Hayes
http://digitalarchives.sec.state.ma.us/uncategorised/digitalFile_1deba876-e40c-4e3f-adf7-27df2cae45a8/

death certificate for Sgt. Timothy J Hayes

Recall that the effort to better understand the story of Sgt. Timothy J Hayes is still underway
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/one-mans-quest-to-find-out-about-sgt.html

The Town Plan by Amos Hawes from 1794
http://digitalarchives.sec.state.ma.us/uncategorised/digitalFile_4bbfca75-cdcd-4408-9157-5eccb3fb4bc4/

Town Plan by Amos Hawes from 1794

I could spend many hours searching among the archives. If you find anything really good, please let me know so we can share it here.

“It’s amazing that more people have climbed Mount Everest than have broken the 4-minute mile”

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin, in particular for the runners among us:

"Roger Bannister, the first runner to break the 4-minute barrier in the mile, has died. He was 88. 

Bannister’s family said in a statement that he died peacefully on Saturday in Oxford, the English city where the runner cracked the feat many had thought humanly impossible on a windy afternoon in 1954. 

Bannister, who went on to pursue a long and distinguished medical career, had been slowed by Parkinson’s disease in recent years. 

He was “surrounded by his family who were as loved by him, as he was loved by them,” the family said in a statement announcing his death on Sunday. “He banked his treasure in the hearts of his friends.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180304/first-man-to-run-mile-in-under-4-minutes-dies-at-88

On May 6, 1954, Britain's Roger Bannister hits the tape to become the first person to break the 4-minute mile in Oxford, England. His family said Sir Roger Bannister died peacefully in Oxford on March 3 at age 88. AP

Additional links on Roger

• NPR

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/05/590792079/roger-bannister-first-runner-to-break-4-minute-mile-dies-at-88

• BBC

http://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/43273249

• NY Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/04/obituaries/roger-bannister-dead.html

• Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Bannister

Salisbury Historical Markers Unveiled

Does Franklin have one of these markers?

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 

 

Salisbury Historical Markers Unveiled

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 7/16/12

MassDOT today joined state and local officials in Salisbury to unveil five Historical Markers, reclaiming an important connection to the proud history of the Commonwealth.

In 1930, the legislature authorized the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of the colony with historical markers.  Nearly 300 markers were erected statewide, all with an inscription telling the stories of the early settlements in each community.

Five signs were erected in the Town of Salisbury.  MassDOT restored one, the Old Meeting House sign, and replaced four others with replicas of the original 1930 signs.

The Commission 82 years ago promised that "travellers who shall pass by the many storied ways through the lands of the Puritan occupations in the ancient days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, may now read on tablets set by roadsides or in city streets the tales which the ocean shores, the hills, the fields, the churches, the garrison houses and the old hearthstones, have to tell of the heroism, of the romance and of the tragedies, and of the unfaltering faith, of the ancestors of our Commonwealth."

The legislation called for the highway department to maintain the signs.  Congratulations to MassDOT workers for doing just that, keeping alive the tales of our ancestors.

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

Looking for military uniforms

The Franklin Historical Museum is looking for military uniforms to display during November.

If you have any that you could share, the details are in the document on how to contact the museum.


Franklin Historical Museum Notice: Military Uniforms

Wanted: Wedding gowns for Franklin museum

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Wanted: Wedding gowns for Franklin museum

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff on 5/14/11

The Franklin Historical Museum is seeking wedding gowns for a display next month.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Franklin had a Birthday Party!

Franklin held a party on Sunday to celebrate March 2 birthdays. March 2, 1778 is the birthday of Franklin and its birthday is shared by about 70 residents, more than 20 participated in the party. Friends and family members of the March 2 birthday folks filled up the museum.

I arrived too late to catch the 'real' celebration in action.

All the birthday participants received the following certificate.

The Historical Museum is a good place to visit even if it is not your birthday. It is open Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. and Sunday's from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.




Franklin, MA

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Amongst the many things possible, there is (1) a performance of Little Women at Dean College and (2) wool spinning at the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday

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

(1) Franklin, MA – The Dean College Theatre program will present Louisa Mae Alcott’s classic tale of growing up in 19th-century New England, Little Women: The Musical starting Thursday, October 14, with evening and matinee performances throughout the weekend. The production features 12 students from the College’s School of the Arts who are majoring in theatre, musical theatre or arts and entertainment management. The production is directed by Dean College faculty member Craig Handel; and the musical elements will be under the direction of Rob Goldman. The musical recently ran on Broadway.

"We wouldn’t be able to approach the quality of work that our students have been doing lately without Rob,” said Prof. Handel. “He’s not only a great conductor and vocal coach, but he’s a teacher who understands and communicates the difference between professional quality work and the type of work usually done by amateurs. Under Rob, our students are constantly being pushed toward the higher standard and the results have been apparent in the high quality of our shows.”

The much-beloved story of Little Women: The Musical centers around the four March sisters and focuses primarily on Jo, the second oldest of the girls. The plot traces Joe’s evolution from an uncertain but headstrong young girl into a mature and successful writer. According to Handel, the character of Jo has been an inspirational role model for young girls ever since Alcott published the novel in 1868.

“The songs in this musical version tap into the struggle and eventual triumph of Jo’s spirit in a way that truly captures the inspirational elements of her journey,” said Prof. Handel.

The play will run Thursday, October 14 at 6:30 p.m.; 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, October 15 and 16; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 17. All performances will take place in the Dean College Performing Arts Studio on School Street. Tickets are $15. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 508-541-1606 or visit the website at http://www.dean.edu/events/index.cfm.

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

(2) SPECIAL EVENT - this Sunday, October 17th

Wool Spinners (probably 6-8 women) from Bellingham will demonstrate how wool is spun into yarn with their antique spinning wheel. They will then explain how this yarn can turn into sweaters, scarves, etc. Come and watch this historical event and learn their special techniques.

The museum will be open from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.



Franklin, MA

Volunteers Needed – Saturday, March 27th

The Historical Commission is happy to announce that the new museum will be opening May 15th to the public.  The commission is very excited!

Your assistance is requested in moving some of the materials from the “Old” museum to the “New” museum on March 27th (Saturday) beginning at 10:00am.  Packing has already been completed and now we need help to remove boxes and items. 

If you have a van or truck “WE NEED YOU”.  We also need volunteers to transfer items into trucks and vans from the “Old” to the “New”.  You will be directed by Commission members during the move.

Please email dpellegri@franklin.ma.us  Let me know if you will be driving a truck or van/or if you plan to volunteer yourself with the moving of the items. 

Thank you in advance for your continued support of the Franklin Historic Museum.

How should MA be represented?

In a successor to the 50 States Quarters Program, the U.S. Mint, in a nationwide program, has asked Governor Patrick to select one preferred and three alternate Massachusetts national sites to be featured on the reverse of a quarter. Beginning in 2010, the Mint will release five new quarter designs annually based on the order in which the selected sites gained federal designation.

Governor Patrick is calling on the people of Massachusetts to help with this decision.

“Our Commonwealth has many great parks and historically significant sites,” said Governor Patrick. “It will be fun to let everybody help choose the one to submit.”

It will be fun to watch the various constituencies go for their cause.

How should MA be represented?

By a mark of the Revolution?

Those I think are fairly well plastered everywhere.

By a mark of the sailing industry?

I am leaning this way. Either Salem (for the clipper) or New Bedford (for the whaler) showed MA at the forefront of innovation in shipping and commerce. Such innovation is still required today.

What do you think? How will you vote?

The link to vote can be found here

Museum entrance taking shape

The entrance to the new museum is really taking shape. The brickwork appears complete. The pedestal is in place and ready for the sculpture.






This will be a nice entrance to Franklin's historical treasures.

Live blogging - Town Council Meeting 11/28/07

placeholder for recording of comment by Historical Commission representative

Franklin Historic Walking Trail Proposed

Seeking to follow in the footsteps of Boston and its Freedom Trail, leaders of a downtown booster group announced yesterday that they want their own walking route connecting points of local culture.

"There are so many historical sites," said Lisa Piana, the executive director of the Downtown Partnership. Citing one, she added, "I would guess 90 percent of residents haven't been to the (Horace Mann) museum."

The trail proposal was one of several topics discussed during a meeting on downtown revitalization at Dean College which drew two dozen merchants, politicians and educators.

Read more in Michael Morton's article in the Milford Daily News