BEN's Bulletin: Downtown Walk & Talk on Saturday, May 2

Join our Jane's Walk THIS Saturday (5/2)! ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

BEN's Bulletin (04/28/26)   The sun's coming out and so are we! This bulletin focuses on this Saturday's Jane's Walk, in partnership with Congress for a New Urbanism New England.  As always, join our monthly meeting every third Thursday at 7pm at Franklin TV or virtually at the following link: meet.ben4franklin.org. Jane's Walk - Saturday, May 2 Join our fourth annual walking discussion of downtown Franklin! The free event is part of an international series in memory of social activist and placemaker Jane Jacobs. The ~1.5-hour tour will explore how land use decisions impact the look and feel of streets and neighborhoods, celebrate culture, highlight history, and promote economic development.  The walk will start at Franklin TV (23 Hutchinson Street) at 10:30am. Parking is available on site. All are welcome, including paws and wheels! This year, we will be joined by regional planning professionals from Congress for a New Urbanism (CNU) New England! Stick around after the walk for pizza, refreshments, and further reflections! For further information and to RSVP, visit ben4franklin.org/janes-walk-2026. Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was a writer, urbanist, and activist who championed a community-based approach to city-building. Despite no formal training as a planner, her 1961 book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, introduced ground-breaking ideas about how cities function, evolve, and fail that have become conceptual pillars for today’s architects, planners, policymakers, activists, and other city builders. Jacobs lived in Greenwich Village until 1968, where she helped push back on car-centered urban planning and invigorated neighborhood activism. Jane's Walk was founded in 2006 by a group of Jacobs’ friends and colleagues as a way to honor her life and activate her ideas. Over the next decade, the movement saw rapid global uptake by urban activists around the world. The movement continues to grow every year and has now reached over 500 cities! CNU New England is the regional chapter of CNU, the nation's leading organization promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities, and healthier living conditions. CNU have met nationally since 1993, with the New England chapter starting in 2004. Its members include public and private sector leaders, community activists, and multidisciplinary professionals.  What We're Consuming OPINION: Market Rate Housing for $100,00 Per Unit? (Franklin Observer) Aging into uncertainty: Baby boomers feeling crushed by housing crunch (Boston Globe) Penciling Out: Navigating the Boston/Massachusetts Climate & Affordable Housing Context (Boston Society For Architecture) The Return of the Townhouse (City Journal) Reach out with any comments or questions. Thanks! The BEN Brigade Know someone else who may be interested in this content? Please share! Newsletter Sign Up Ben 4 Franklin, 23 Hutchinson St, Franklin, MA Send free email today

Join this year's Jane's Walk for conversation and reflection with neighbors! - May 2

Join Building Equitable Neighborhoods (BEN) for Franklin on Saturday, May 2nd for our fourth annual walking discussion of downtown Franklin! The event is part of an international series in memory of social activist and placemaker Jane Jacobs.

Join this year's Jane's Walk for conversation and reflection with neighbors! - May 2

The ~1.5 hour tour will begin at 10:30 AM from the Franklin TV studio (43 Hutchinson St, Franklin, MA). Parking available.

All are welcome, including pets and wheels!

Join us for refreshments and continued discussion after the walk!

This year, we will be joined by regional planning professionals from Congress for a New Urbanism (CNU) New England!

More info at ben4franklin.org/janes-walk-2026

Did you hear Jonathan Berk gave Franklin an MBTA Communities Gold Star?

"Franklin's strategy for complying with MBTA Communities builds upon the excellent efforts already undertaken by the Town, aided by a strong coalition of housing advocates, to promote the production of missing middle housing near its downtown & train station."

Did you hear Jonathan Berk gave Franklin an MBTA Communities Gold Star? 

Who is Jonathan Berk?

"Supporting a new generation of walkable neighborhoods with housing abundance, active public realms, & thriving small business ecosystems." 

Founder @remainplaces - "The Walkable Neighborhood Accelerator"

https://www.remainplaces.com/

Shared from -> https://x.com/berkie1/status/1869476228329296108

Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin launches with 2 events (audio)

FM #1192 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1192 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with resident Lisa Oxford and Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo. We talk about the launch events for the Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin (BEN 4 Franklin). 

We talk about how the group

• grew out of last year’s Jane Walk
• subsequent conversations at Strawberry Stroll
• a meeting in August that drew about 30 folks
• the core group kept at it to work on a vision and mission, website, and initial event launch

The vision

We envision an inviting, diverse, environmentally sustainable, and fiscally strong Franklin where all can be engaged and find a home. We are aligned with the vision of the 2022 Franklin for All report.

The mission

We are an inclusive community advocating for a Franklin with abundant, affordable housing for all and walkable, economically vibrant downtown and neighborhoods that evolve in a fiscally-responsible manner.

Our conversation runs about 27 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1192-ben-4-franklin-launches-05-02-24  

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BEN 4 Franklin web page ->  https://ben4franklin.org/  

Launch party - May 10, 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio

Jane’s Walk - May 11, 10:30 AM starting from Franklin TV Studio

RSVP to a launch event or to at least join the mailing list

tinyurl.com/ben4franklin

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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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.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!

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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"

Launch party - May 10, 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio

Jane Jacobs' Walk - May 11, 10:30 AM starting from Franklin TV Studio

MCEC: Request for Information - Neighborhood Electrification

MassCEC seeks information and input on neighborhood electrification

View this email in your browser Request for Information: Neighborhood Electrification MassCEC seeks to gauge interest and get input into potential neighborhood electrification demonstration projects. For purposes of this Request for Information, "neighborhood electrification" is the strategic electrification of the building stock and decommissioning of the natural gas system in defined geographic areas —such as street segments, neighborhoods, or zones — that leverage opportunities where electrification could be more cost-effective than reinvestment in the gas system (e.g., pipeline repair). This RFI does not commit MassCEC to offer any program associated with neighborhood electrification, award any funds, pay any costs incurred in preparing a response, or procure or contract for services or supplies.  MassCEC welcomes responses from all stakeholders. In particular, we are hoping to gather perspectives from utilities, municipalities, large landowners (e.g., universities or affordable housing owners), technical experts, legal/regulatory experts, community-based organizations, and advocacy organizations. Thank you for your time and insights! Learn More & Provide Input Copyright (C) 2023 Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. All rights reserved. Massachusetts Clean Energy Center 294 Washington St. Suite 1150 Boston, MA 02108 USA

FCCA Open Meeting Agenda - Aug 19 at 3 PM (includes neighborhood block party)

FCCA ANNUAL OPEN MEETING

Saturday, August 19, 2023

3:00 P.M.

Anne Bergen:  

• Brief Welcome and Introductions                                             
• Vote on extension of three-year term for Pandora Carlucci

Pete Fasciano:

• New Gov facility
• Comcast channel Change
• Beaver Street Press box facility
• Status of PEG
• Audit update
• Perhaps upcoming events where you will SEE us…

Enjoy food, with delightful music brought to you by Jamie Barrett!

FCCA = Franklin Community Cable Access. The Franklin TV studios are located at 23 Hutchinson St

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Franklin TV & Radio: 2023 Block Party & Open Meeting - Aug 19 at 3 PM

Re:    Our Neighborhood Block Party and Meet at our Hutchinson St. Studio
Date:    It happens Saturday 08-19-2023 at 3 PM.  Mark the date!

At Franklin●TV we're having our annual open board of directors meeting.

The event is casual as a neighborhood open house & block party.

We're grillin' up steak tips, burgers, dogs, chicken.  We'll have an ice cream sundae bar too.  This year we have Franklin's own Jamie Barrett to sing and strum all about "The City Known as the Town of Franklin" and lots of other fun songs.  Please join us for great entertainment, food and refreshments - on us.  

Brief presentations & Q&A at 4 PM.

Rain?  We'll just move it all into our studio and Community room. It's a great time to get together with friends and neighbors to celebrate the last days of Summer.  We hope you can make it.

Please let us know sooner than later if you will attend and how many. 

Please.

Just leave a message at  508-541-4118, or email us at info@franklin.tv

We do hope you can join us.

Pete Fasciano, Executive Director
Franklin●TV & wfpr●fm

Jamie performs his song "City Known as the Town of Franklin" 

https://youtu.be/qu0_mZ_8dsE

Franklin's first participation in the national annual @janeswalk, in honor of the late social activist Jane Jacobs - May 6, 10:30 AM

You are invited to join Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo & I as we walk and talk about Franklin, zoning, interesting tidbits, etc. We'll meet at the High St side of the Town Common and leave at 10:30 AM Saturday morning, May 6, 2023.

The route as proposed is just over 3 miles (or 5 K) that will bring us back to the Common. We should return to the Common by about noon.

• Dress for the weather whatever it is or forecasted to be for Saturday. 
• Bring along water (talking makes one thirsty). 
• Wheels and paws are welcome to come along.

Photo of the walking route (Counter clockwise)

Interactive Maps (via MapMyWalk) 

Counter clockwise  https://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/5511189451

Clockwise  -> https://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/5518318138/ 

Franklin's first participation in the national annual @janeswalk, in honor of the late social activist Jane Jacobs - May 6, 10:30 AM

Dean Neighborhood Alliance formation meeting - Tuesday, Oct 11, 2022 - 6 PM

Please join Dean College Chancellor Edward M Augustus, Jr and other college representatives as we look to establish a partnership between the neighborhood and the college community. Together we will share information and develop mutually beneficial opportunities that improve our neighborhood and the town of Franklin as a whole.

Meeting location:  Campanella Boardroom - Dr Rooney Student Center (opposite the dining hall)

Dean Neighborhood Alliance formation meeting - Tuesday, Oct 11, 2022 - 6 PM

Shared from Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3276540622615941/

 

"a village is going to help them stay in their homes"

"For many older Americans and their families, the devastating COVID-19 outbreak — which caused more than 200,000 deaths in nursing homes nationally — was a persuasive argument for living at home as long as possible.

Now, as the pandemic grinds into its third year, a loose-knit band of tech gurus, gerontology researchers, and volunteer-powered elder support groups, called “villages,” is seeking to overcome the obstacles to aging in place. Among the toughest: a worsening shortage of home care workers, who can assist the oldest residents with walking, dressing, or showering.

Coronavirus sped up the deployment of “age-tech,” technology that helps older people age in place, by seven to 10 years, said Joe Coughlin, director of MIT AgeLab in Cambridge. "

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/18/metro/pandemics-lesson-many-older-folks-stay-your-home-long-you-can/ 

Dale Orzalli, a Seaglass Village volunteer, arrived at Maureen Neumann's front door to take her to a doctors appointment at Lahey Medical Center in Peabody.MATTHEW J LEE/GLOBE STAFF

Economic Development Subcommittee: Agenda - Apr 13, 2022 - 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

April 13, 2022 - 5:45 PM

3rd Floor training room & Zoom option

Agenda:
1. Downtown traffic and parking improvements

a. West Street neighborhood follow-up

i. Town Administrator Memo

ii. Town Bylaw Parking Fines

b. Downtown Main Corridor Parking

i. Map Amendment proposal

Full agenda and associated documents including remote connection info
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-04-13_edc_agenda_packet_0.pdf 

West Street neighborhood parking follow-up

Shamrock Walk for Refugees raises over $7,000 on a foggy morning (photo essay)

Lead by members of the Franklin Neighborhood Support Team, about 100 people gathered to walk (and run) around the Franklin High School track Saturday morning.

Shamrock Walk for Refugees

registration for the non-competitive walk, conversations were encouraged

sponsor listing for the Shamrock Walk for Refugees

The Shamrock Walk for Refugees raised over $7,000 to help support the Afghan family now living in Franklin. Multiple vendors provided gifts for the raffle.

Adam Calvert thanked those participating and the sponsors

group photo before starting the walk/run

Donations are still accepted through the website https://walkforrefugees.org/

at the start of the walk

Listen to the recording of my conversation with Jerika Lowry and Adam Calvert about the organization creation and support being provided by the Neighborhood Support Team for the local Afghan family
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/inside-shamrock-walk-for-refugees.html

Additional photos can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UKJiv7iwZiPzngwd9

"traditional mixed use walkable neighborhoods dramatically outperform car centric suburbia"

Jonathan Berk (@berkie1) tweeted  Sat, Mar 12, 2022:

Suburbia is Subsidized: Here's the Math

"In every case, in every region @UrbanThree has analyzed, traditional mixed use walkable neighborhoods dramatically outperform car centric suburbia."

🎥 @notjustbikes
https://t.co/zrM27tEcGB

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/WCYVMDTl1w

If you haven't completed the survey on Franklin For All, please do so ->    https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/preview/SV_1SW9jOR99Rzvevk?Q_CHL=preview&Q_SurveyVersionID=current