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

Inside the Shamrock Walk for Refugees scheduled for Mar 19, 2022 (audio)

FM #739 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 739 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Jerika Lowry and Adam Calvert. They came together as part of the Franklin Neighborhood Support Team to provide support for an Afghan family now living here. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Feb 22, 2022.  

We talk about the Shamrock Walk for Refugees scheduled for March 19, 2022 on the Franklin High School track, the organization of the Neighborhood Support Team and their fundraising effort.

The recording runs about 17 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jerika and Adam. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-739-shamrock-walk-for-refugees-02-22-22

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Register or donate to the Shamrock Walk For Refugees -> https://walkforrefugees.org/ 

For more about Acentria, the New England based non-profit providing some of the infrastructure for the Neighborhood Support Teams ->  https://www.ascentria.org/ 

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

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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Inside the Shamrock Walk for Refugees scheduled for Mar 19, 2022 (audio)

Massachusetts Housing Partnership: Compliance timeline for MBTA communities

"Heads up town officials: In support of MA efforts to provide info on zoning requirement near transit, we've posted compliance timeline for MBTA communities. 

Find this & more key info about new law at https://t.co/WrLyJINwNx " or https://www.mhp.net/community/complete-neighborhoods-initiative   

@massmunicipal @APA_Mass @MassEOHED @ChrisKluchman

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/x7Aa1gzUIj

As part of the "Franklin For All" project, the zoning around the downtown area will be addressed. Since we are an MBTA community with two commuter rail stations, what will be done around the Forge Park station remains unclear at this time.

Info about "Franklin For All" -> https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/

More about the Massachusetts Housing Partnership -> https://www.mhp.net/about-us

Massachusetts Housing Partnership: Compliance timeline for MBTA communities

Volunteer's needed for "Virtual Neighbor" program

This program is open to any senior who would like to connect with a volunteer for a  friendly conversation. Volunteers will call a senior to check in on them, carry on  conversations and just spend time getting to know each other.

• If you would like to receive phone calls from a volunteers, please call Joanna Braley at 508-949-6640 ext. 3031.
• If you would like to become a Virtual Neighbor, please sign up at www.trivalleyvolunteers.org

Download a copy of the flyer

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u-eqa8lI17AenW26MZyVVCYcoULgndDw/view?usp=sharing

This program is similar to that discussed in the recent interview shared here. The Norfolk County RSVP office is offering free training for seniors to become virtual neighbors or help with literacy. If you missed the posting, the audio is available here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/fm-439-norfolk-county-rsvp-011321-audio.html

Volunteer's needed for "Virtual Neighbor" program

Volunteer Snow Shoveler's Needed

Neighborhood volunteers are needed to help residents aged 60 and older with snow removal. Volunteers would create a path which allows the resident, emergency response personnel, Meals on Wheels delivery people, mail carriers and other visitors to get in and out of the house safely. 

The volunteer will shovel for that same resident after each snowstorm. Teenagers welcome over the age of 12 with parental waiver completed.

Volunteers needed in the following towns:

Bellingham, Blackstone, Brookfield, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, E. Brookfield, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, N. Brookfield, Oxford, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Warren, Webster & W. Brookfield

Sign up at www.trivalleyvolunteers.org or call Joanna Braley at 508-949-6640 x-3031

Download a copy of the flyer:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZNjdl7bOGOUeuvZPNv7Wtb0oprjCZKwE/view?usp=sharing

Volunteer Snow Shoveler's Needed

In the News: Pleasant St neighborhood; Library taking shape

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

"With Dean College, the Franklin Town Common, and a train station within walking distance of the Pleasant Street neighborhood, local residents are offered a unique front row experience to things happening in town. 

“We walk down to the town green all the time for farmers markets, festivals, and carnivals,” said Elise Stokes, 38. “For those types of events, they usually shut down the main roads.” 

Stokes said she noticed a lot of her neighbors are either parents of young children in their 30s, or grandparents. She said her neighborhood is so friendly, planning play dates for her children is not difficult at all, and all of the neighbors help each other out whenever they can."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170611/neighborhood-series-franklins-pleasant-street

"The new addition to the Franklin Public Library has begun to take shape, reminding local leaders of a tree house amid the greenery of downtown Franklin. 

The Main Street building - completed in 1904 - is now well into an extensive, $10 million renovation and addition project, aimed at expanding the spaces within and upgrading its systems. 

There are evident signs of progress inside the building - new lighting has been installed, and the building’s frescoes, which were previously covered, can now be seen in their original state. The change is most striking in the new portions of the building - what had been a shell of steel beams is now enclosed, with new windows bathing the space in sunlight. 

Town Councilor Judith Pfeffer, chairwoman of the Library Building Committee, said Friday that the addition’s windows allowed for an excellent view of the trees around the library. She predicted that the west-facing windows - which will eventually have seats and tables along them - would be a popular spot on winter afternoons."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170611/franklin-library-renovation-taking-shape

windows are being installed in the new wing of the Library