Register for the "Franklin For All" Forum scheduled for March 7, 2022 - 7 PM

The Town of Franklin is working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on Franklin For All, a community-driven process to establish a vision for Franklin Center and make recommendations for rezoning the area to best achieve the vision.

GET INVOLVED!

Franklin For All seeks to engage a variety of stakeholders, including Franklin residents (particularly existing residents living in Franklin Center), business
owners, property owners, service providers, affordable housing advocates, and local developers to identify priorities for the future of this area. This work will
be guided by a Steering Committee of local stakeholders.

The Town and MAPC will engage the community through various focus group meetings and a minimum of two public forums. We need you to share your
knowledge of Franklin Center and hopes for the future. 

Here is how you can connect with the planning process:
• Join us at one of our public forums! The first forum will have a hybrid format and will take place on Monday, March 7, 2022, at 7 PM at the Franklin High School Auditorium and on Zoom. Register at mapc.ma/franklin-forum1-reg.
• Sign up for our email list at mapc.ma/franklin-for-all-news for updates on engagement events and plan progress.
• Visit the project webpage at www.mapc.org/franklin-for-all to view materials and draft content as they are produced.
• Email planning@franklinma.gov if you have questions about this project or ideas for enhancing Franklin Center.

Franklin is fortunate to have a compact downtown with an MBTA Commuter Rail Station, a museum, a performing arts theater, Dean College, and a mix of restaurants and retailers. There are also events throughout the year, including the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, that draw large crowds to the area. In recent years, significant time and resources have been devoted to enhancing the area with a focus on improving vehicular circulation and safety, improving roadways, fostering a pedestrian environment, improving the overall appearance of downtown, and stimulating private sector investment.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS WORK?

Franklin For All seeks to build on existing assets of Franklin Center (including the Downtown Commercial District and surrounding neighborhoods) and overcome barriers that are preventing the area from fully realizing its potential as a vibrant, mixed-use destination. More people living in a walkable downtown means more spending at local businesses, less car trips and greenhouse gas
emissions, and more interactions amongst residents which fosters a strong sense of community. By modifying zoning, we can remove restrictions which may be holding back high-quality projects and encourage development that directly meets the community’s vision for Franklin Center.

The purpose of this work is to unlock development that will:
• Promote economic growth
• Support local business
• Expand housing choices
• Take advantage of new infrastructure
• Provide community benefits
• Foster vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods

WHAT WILL THIS WORK INCLUDE?

Franklin For All includes several components:

Fall 2021 (complete)

Background research and analysis of existing zoning to identify barriers that

may be limiting development of high-quality projects in desired locations

Winter 2021-2022

Public engagement to establish a vision for Franklin Center 

Winter and Spring 2022

Creation of potential development scenarios, including visualizations and build-out figures, and draft zoning recommendations that align with the Franklin Center vision

Spring and Summer 2022

Public engagement to review draft zoning recommendations

A follow-up phase of this work will include the actual rezoning of Franklin Center.

Download a copy of the flyer here -> 

https://www.mapc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Franklin-For-All-Project-Overview-Handout-1-28-22.pdf

Register for the "Franklin For All" Forum scheduled for March 7, 2022 - 7 PM

Franklin Council on Aging - Meeting Agenda - Jan 11, 2022 - 10 AM

Franklin Council on Aging - Meeting Agenda

Jan 11, 2022 = 10:00 AM

Meeting will be held at the Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street

1. Call to order; 10:00 a.m.

2. Minutes of last meeting

3. Introductions of new Director and Deputy Director

4. Common Grounds Cafe update

5. Role of the Council on Aging

a. General Role of the COA

b. Senior Center five year strategic Plan

6. FOFE Liason Report

7. Chairperson’s Comments

8. Citizen’s Comments

9. Adjournment

Next Meeting - Feb 8, 2022

Agenda doc with remote connection option ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/untitled_document.pdf

Franklin Council on Aging - Meeting Agenda - Jan 11, 2022 - 10 AM

Sign up for the Franklin Matters Q&A Session - Jan 12, 2022 - 11 AM (hybrid)

Please join me for an informative and informal Q&A session. A hybrid meeting. I plan to be in the Senior Center and will have the Zoom conference bridge available for remote participation.

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form:   https://forms.gle/cjgfpsG3yi4dkLiq9

When: Wednesday, Jan 12 at 11:00 AM  

• What should be on the "Watch List" for 2022? 
• budget, COVID, affordable housing, downtown zoning, etc...

 

Franklin Matters Q&A session scheduled for Jan 12, 2022 - 11 AM

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Meeting Agenda - Jan 5, 2022

FRANKLIN BOARD OF HEALTH

DULY SCHEDULED MEETING and PUBLIC HEARING

3rd floor Training Room

WEDNESDAY, January 5, 2022, 5:00 P.M.

AGENDA

1) Reading and Acceptance of December 8, 2021 meeting minutes

2) PUBLIC HEARING
The use of existing septic tanks in repair or upgrade situations regulation.

3) OLD BUSINESS

4) NEW BUSINESS

• 27 Winter Street meeting with new owners
• Metacomet Shared Service grant regional inspector report
• Metacomet Shared Service grant Public health nurse update
• Metacomet Shared Service grant Epidemiologist hiring update
• 69 Cleveland Ave local upgrade
• COVID testing kits

Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

5) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

6) ADJOURNMENT

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/boh_agenda_01052022_0.pdf

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Meeting Agenda - Jan 5, 2022

Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve at Franklin United Methodist Church

"Join the Franklin United Methodist Church for a traditional service of Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 11pm. This service will include scripture, song, and communion.

This service will occur in-person in-the-sanctuary, in-person virtually using Google Meet, and live-streamed via YouTube. All are welcome.

NOTE: All persons, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask over their mouth and nose upon entering our facility."

For more information including the remote participation links, please visit their Facebook event -> https://www.facebook.com/events/681459016316186

Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve at Franklin United Methodist Church

Family (Pop-up) Christmas Pageant at Franklin United Methodist Church - Dec 24, 2021

"Join the Franklin United Methodist Church for a Family (Pop-up) Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 5 PM. We will sing Christmas Carols while our esteemed pageant directors pick the cast from those in attendance in order to set the nativity scene. Everyone will have a part to play. Everyone can be a star!

This service will occur in-person in-the-sanctuary, in-person virtually using Google Meet, and live-streamed via YouTube. All are welcome.

NOTE: All persons, regardless of vaccination status, attending this service in-person in the sanctuary must wear a mask over their mouth and nose upon entering our facility."

For more information including the remote links,  please visit the Facebook page ->

https://www.facebook.com/events/208148198178760

Family (Pop-up) Christmas Pageant at Franklin United Methodist Church

Meeting schedule - Information sessions Weds and Thursday

There are multiple meetings this week. The Town calendar provides all the details. I will be reporting on the following:

• School Committee meets Tuesday (7 PM)
• A School Committee budget workshop before their Tuesday meeting (6 PM)
• Town Council meets Wednesday (7 PM)
• A Town Council subcommittee looking at reviewing their procedures manual also before their meeting Wednesday (6 PM)

The monthly Franklin Matters Q&A scheduled for Wednesday morning at 11:00 AM. The meeting is hybrid. I'll be in the Senior Center and also allow for participation virtually via Zoom. Send me an email for the Zoom info. 

The Town Officials and State Rep Jeff Roy will hold their monthly coffee hour at the Senior Center Thursday morning at 8:30 AM. Also a good chance to get some details on any questions you may have.

Town Calendar - https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Meeting schedule - Information sessions Weds and Thursday

Reminder: Franklin Interfaith Council schedules Thanksgiving Service - Nov 21

The Franklin Interfaith Council announces its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service for the community. Everyone is welcome! Please join us on Sunday, November 21 at 7 PM at St Mary’s Catholic Parish, 1 Church Square (masks required) and live streamed at stmarysfranklin.org, then  click Live-stream Masses.

This year, the service features preacher Rev. Dr. Marylayna Schmidt, Interim Minister at Franklin Federated Church, and live performance by the Interfaith Choir, directed by Mary Diehl of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The collection will benefit Gilly’s House addiction treatment center in Wrentham (gillyshouse.com).

The Franklin Interfaith Council is an organization whose membership is composed of faith communities in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts. It addresses the various needs of its community by recognizing the power of faith as defined by the individual spiritual traditions.  However, it is these same traditions that unite us in the common goal to initiate and sponsor activities that enrich and challenge the citizens of Franklin. 

The intent of the council is to sensitize the Franklin community to issues of deprivation and social injustice, and to promote tolerance and understanding through shared worship, programs, performances, and publications, and to bring the understanding of our faith traditions to bear on these issues. Additionally, through these same devices, the council seeks to acknowledge and celebrate both the diversity and the common values existing within the community. The council is a nonprofit organization that has as its primary purpose the betterment of the community it serves.

Participating Houses of Worship :

●      First Universalist Society in Franklin

●      St. John’s Episcopal Church

●      Temple Etz Chaim

●      St. Mary’s Catholic Parish

●      Franklin Federated Church

●      Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

●       Franklin United Methodist Church

For more information, go to www.FranklinInterfaith.org or on Facebook:  Franklin Interfaith Council. 

Franklin Interfaith Council schedules Thanksgiving Service - Nov 21

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service scheduled for Nov 21

The Franklin Interfaith Council announces its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service for the community. Everyone is welcome! Please join us on Sunday, November 21 at 7 PM at St Mary’s Catholic Parish, 1 Church Square (masks required) and live streamed at stmarysfranklin.org, then  click Live-stream Masses.

This year, the service features preacher Rev. Dr. Marylayna Schmidt, Interim Minister at Franklin Federated Church, and live performance by the Interfaith Choir, directed by Mary Diehl of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The collection will benefit Gilly’s House addiction treatment center in Wrentham (gillyshouse.com).

The Franklin Interfaith Council is an organization whose membership is composed of faith communities in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts. It addresses the various needs of its community by recognizing the power of faith as defined by the individual spiritual traditions.  However, it is these same traditions that unite us in the common goal to initiate and sponsor activities that enrich and challenge the citizens of Franklin. 

The intent of the council is to sensitize the Franklin community to issues of deprivation and social injustice, and to promote tolerance and understanding through shared worship, programs, performances, and publications, and to bring the understanding of our faith traditions to bear on these issues. Additionally, through these same devices, the council seeks to acknowledge and celebrate both the diversity and the common values existing within the community. The council is a nonprofit organization that has as its primary purpose the betterment of the community it serves.

Participating Houses of Worship :

●      First Universalist Society in Franklin

●      St. John’s Episcopal Church

●      Temple Etz Chaim

●      St. Mary’s Catholic Parish

●      Franklin Federated Church

●      Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

●       Franklin United Methodist Church

For more information, go to www.FranklinInterfaith.org or on Facebook:  Franklin Interfaith Council. 

Franklin Interfaith Council schedules Thanksgiving Service - Nov 21

Board of Health Meeting - 11/03/21 (audio)

FM #652 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 652 in the series.

This session shares the Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, Nov 3, 2021. The meeting was conducted in person at the Municipal Building.

Chair Bridget Sweet opened the meeting and jumped into approval of the minutes to get to the 27 Winter issue with the property owner present.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda, the Board of Health page, and my notes from the meeting. 

During the citizens comment, I advocate for adding a virtual option to their meeting. They agreed to do so.

The meeting runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b9f610ff-ffb2-4d0f-8a13-bb4867b49eef

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

Meeting agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/boh_agenda_11032021.pdf 

My meeting notes

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/recap-board-of-health-hears-of-vaccine.html

Board of Health page  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department 

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

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"

Board of Health Meeting - 11/03/21 (audio)

Recap - Board of Health hears of vaccine clinic for 5-11 youth scheduled among other business items

Quick Recap:

• Board reorganizes with Chair remaining as Bridget Sweet and Jeff Harris approved as Vice-Chair both by 3-0 votes
• Multiple items of business covered with reports from inspector and nurse providing 'on the street' insights; intern work on food recovery program about to be piloted at Parmenter
• Vaccine clinic for the 5-11 youth group planned for Nov 10 and Dec 1, details being finalized on registration, flyer and media awareness about to begin
• Discussion on restoring virtual option for public participation, accepted for next meeting

----

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting live from the 3rd Floor Training Room

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #boh1103

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh1103&src=typeahead_click 

 

Agenda document -  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/boh_agenda_11032021.pdf 

 

• Ready for #boh1103 meeting, located in 3rd floor training room, no remote option for this session.
• Motion to accept meeting mins passes 3-0;
• 27 Winter St - discussion underway for possible demo including appropriate permits, etc. #boh1103 best est 60-90 days for work estimate, permits, etc. Include assessment of possible rodent issue as part of the assessment
• Motion to accept plan as outlined and follow up scheduled for Feb 2022, in case other progress/steps are delayed; passes 3-0  #boh1103
• Restructuring due to election, new board member (re-elected) - Nominate B Sweet to be chair, second; passes 3-0; J Harris motion to be vice chair, seconded, passes 3-0 #boh1103
• Update from inspector on recent actions, nursing update - flu clinic last week, home visits for those who missed due to the weather; 177 confirmed for Oct vs. 172 prior month #boh1103 contract tracking collaborative closing done after 11/29/21
• One active TB case here, person doing well. COVID clinic scheduled for next Weds (11/10) 2-6 PM 300 doses available #boh1103 Target for 5-11 year olds only. Heart safe research underway for machine checks
• Dean College has had only a few COVID cases and are dealing with them well. #boh1103 state pushing regionalization of health approach 
• Foundation training, 2 of 27 sets of training in progress; looking to become instructor for CPR
• 850 Summer st local upgrade of septic system which failed; motion to approve request based upon engineer req, second, passes 3-0
• PFAS  what is our strategy? Communication, education, mitigation... Info for residents proactively #boh1103
• Proposal for doc/info on PFAS to be prepared for next meeting for their review. Coordination of communication tools for incidents
• #boh1103 intern progress on food recovery diversion, piloting at Parmenter with staff first then students, before expanding further
• Granting funding for contact tracing, provided a work plan, etc. Still details to work out on implementation #boh1103 funding for 2 years - in citizen comment raised the accessibility issue and they will go hybrid for future
• Motion to adjourn, second, passes 3-0
• And by the way, that is all for tonight. The Town Council meeting was rescheduled to 11/10/21 and new agenda with updated remote link to be shared before Monday. #boh1103  catch you all next time!

Dfood ownload a copy of the flyer  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/youth_covid_vaccine_flyer.pdf

Recap - Board of Health

Franklin Matters Q&A - Oct 21 at 1:00 PM (hybrid meeting)

 Get your Franklin MA questions answered on Thursday, October 21 at 1:00 PM. 

This is a hybrid event coordinated with the Senior Center = "Franklin Matters Q&A with Steve Sherlock"

• Held at the Franklin Senior Center for those who want to meet in person
• A Zoom session is also available for remote participation

Zoom info

Stephen Sherlock is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Franklin Matters Q&A

Time: Oct 21, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87319833170?pwd=QkxKbE94d0llOFhFK0s5MDNHeHN3QT09

Meeting ID: 873 1983 3170

Passcode: wfpr1029

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,87319833170#,,,,*62622783# US (Chicago)

+16465588656,,87319833170#,,,,*62622783# US (New York)

*While we do use Zoom to help with the meeting facilitation, only the audio portion of the meeting is recorded for playback via podcast and/or wfpr.fm radio

Franklin Matters Q&A - Oct 21 at 1:00 PM (hybrid meeting)