Town of Franklin newsletter returns

Town Administration has launched a brand new newsletter, Franklin First!

To read the first volume of the newsletter, click here: https://https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5310/Newsletter-1

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5310/Newsletter-1

/View/5310/Newsletter-1

Check out the new School Committee newsletter published April 3, 2025

Changes are underway in our schools, shaped by both ongoing planning and necessary improvements. From capital projects to bus route adjustments, these efforts aim to enhance the student experience.

 

School Committee newsletter Published April 3, 2025

With the June 3rd override vote approaching, staying informed is key. Read on to understand what’s ahead for our schools and community.

Franklin High School administrators are tracking course selection trends, and Franklin Middle School continues refining its structure, including updates to the master schedule to better serve students and educators.

There are also several upcoming events that bring our school community together. Keep reading for all the details.

We value your feedback! Please share your thoughts and suggestions through our feedback form on how the Franklin School Committee can better serve you.

Feedback form -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5G0ebLBorBr0_wKuEcz9Qe8oJOd-K1c6gMtjunY-F1wj4kw/viewform

 

Continue reading the newsletter -> 

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5495488/20250403_-_Franklin_School_Committee_Newsletter_-_April_4__2025.pdf

 

Franklin Art Association: April 2025 - Musings from the President

Dear members and friends, 

I hope this message finds you in good spirits and bursting with creative energy as we welcome spring in New England. As we navigate an ever-changing and sometimes frightening world, I am reminded daily of the profound impact that art—your art—has on our lives, our communities, and our collective history. 

As my presidency winds down, I am reminded of the fact that the FAA has been continuously providing art education and creative opportunities for over fifty years! This is no small accomplishment! Lots of organizations come and go, but the FAA has endured. And I attribute this to a committed membership with a strong volunteer base that continues to believe in the mission and goals of the FAA. 

Franklin Art Association

With the establishment of the Franklin Cultural District and its support of local arts, along with a town government that believes the arts are critical to a healthy vibrant community, the Franklin Art Association is well positioned to be a strong and vital part of the arts community for years to come. Who knows? Maybe we will someday be a foundational partner in a Town of Franklin Center for the Arts! May it be so! 

As members of the FAA, I encourage you to continue exploring, innovating, and sharing your gifts. The importance of your creations cannot be overstated. They serve as beacons of inspiration and reminders of what it means to be alive. Thank you for your passion, your talent, and your unwavering commitment to the arts. Your work matters, and it has been my privilege to support and celebrate you. 

Here’s to the next 50 years! 

Warm regards, 

Sue Sheridan 

President

Get a copy of the full April 2025 newsletter ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/11lfDQT2hgzQ6AqjX40tnOnneG4cTFyvT/view?usp=drive_link

For more information about the Art Association, visit their webpage ->

https://www.franklinart.org/WordPress/

Rausch Report: Bills Meet the Sorting Hat 🎩 (March 2025)

Rausch Report: Bills Meet the Sorting Hat  (March 2025)

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you're having a happy Women's History Month! In what's become an annual tradition, all month long I've been recognizing outstanding women from across the district in a social media series celebrating these often-unsung leaders. (Click or read more about these women below.)

Speaking of amazing women from our district, I watched live as Sunita Williams, a NASA astronaut, science educator, and Needham native, splashed down into the Gulf of Mexico and was greeted by a pod of dolphins! Her perseverance through her eight-day-turned-nine-month mission on the International Space Station has inspired many, and her safe return has brought great relief and rejoicing. Welcome home, Suni!

March has been lively at the State House. We welcomed farmers, fishermen, and foresters for Agriculture Day, when the Great Hall is transformed into a smorgasbord of local food samples and knowledge. I hosted a panel for Massachusetts Civics Learning Week, hearing from students about the significant impact of Civics Education Trust Fund grants. As Senate Chair of the Environmental Committee, I also co-hosted a Green Budget Briefing with House Chair Christine Barber and environmental advocacy organizations to discuss our state's environmental agencies' vital work stewarding our incredible natural resources.

Last month, legislators received their committee assignments; this month, bills were assigned to committees based on their subject matter, with the House and Senate Clerks' offices serving as switchyard and sorting hat. The committees I chair, the Joint Committees on Environment and Natural Resources and Municipalities and Regional Government, have received 324 and 178 bills, respectively. That number is sure to grow, and I look forward to reviewing and hearing testimony on all 500+ bills.   

Read on in this month's Rausch Report for legislative updates, a glimpse into the amazing women from our district who we recognized throughout this Women's History Month, a snapshot of events I attended, information and updates on upcoming town elections, and more.

For real-time updates, please follow me on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don't hesitate to call me and my team at (617) 722-1555, email me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or attend upcoming office hours. We are here to help.     

Yours in service,  

 

Senator Becca Rausch  

Continue reading the Rausch Report online -> 

https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-18246370

Faranklin School Committee newsletter for March 2025 is available

The Franklin School Committee newsletter for March 2025 is now available! 

School Committee newsletter for March 2025

February was a budget-heavy month with key updates on the FPS FY26 budget, the town's structural deficit, insights from the Legislative Forum with Senator Rausch and Representative Roy, and the Town Administrator's Preliminary FY26 Budget. 

Stay informed on upcoming community listening sessions, the newly approved 2025-2026 school calendar, and exciting spring events. 

Read it here:  

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5382574/20250306_-_Franklin_School_Committee_Newsletter_-_March_6__2025.pdf

Franklin Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy

Call for artists & More!

Dear Franklin Community, As I celebrate my first year as Director of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, I am deeply grateful for your support and enthusiasm. Together, we have strengthened connections among local businesses, artists, and residents, fostering a dynamic network that sustains and inspires cultural activity. Our collective efforts have not only enriched Franklin's cultural landscape but also contributed to economic growth, creating a thriving community where creativity and collaboration flourish. Click here to review our 2024 year together in the arts and cultural scene. I look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead! -Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Up next for FranklinMA250 Programs - Click here. Call for Artists | Franklin Sculpture Park click the headers below to learn more. About the Sculpture Park Currently on View Descriptions Partnership with Wheaton College Accessibility   The Franklin Sculpture Park Fairy House Exhibit is dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and strengthening community connections through public art. This exhibit invites participants of all ages to create and enjoy fairy houses crafted from eco-friendly materials, celebrating both creativity and environmental respect. Dates to Note March 22nd - Deadline for participation sign up April - Drop off Pieces at the Park [Dept, will contact via email date/times. May - October - On exhibit. November - Exhibition closes. Sign Up Here   By making art accessible and free to everyone, we aim to inspire a shared appreciation for nature, encourage sustainable practices, and build a welcoming community space where imagination and conservation come together.   Learn More about the Park   Franklin Community Calls for Artists & Other Creative Opportunities Franklin Art Association 1st Annual Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit. No Entry fee, open to all ages. Presented at the Franklin Historical Museum June 7 - June 22.  Registration deadline of May 23rd.  Have questions? Email the Franklin Art Association at faasecretary@gmail.com.  Artist Professional Development Suggestions Artist Lab: 2024 Tax Preparation for Artists and Creative Entrepreneurs Free Tax Course Other Calls for Artists New Bedford Art Museum Town of Franklin Franklin Culture District | 355 East Central Street | Franklin, MA 02038 US

Senior Center Newsletter for February 2025 is out in the mail & available for download

Senior Center Newsletter for February 2025

If you want to download a copy, visit this link ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4307/February-2025-Newsletter?bidId=

BEN's Bulletin: Master Plan Edition

A special update on all things Master Plan!

BEN's Bulletin (01/15/25)   Happy new year! In light of tonight's Master Plan Committee meeting, we jump right into it with a special edition on Franklin's ongoing Master Plan Update. As always, feel free to join our next monthly meeting (TOMORROW, 1/16 at 7pm) at Franklin TV or virtually at the following link: meet.ben4franklin.org. The Master Plan This edition, we're taking a quick break from BEN's Take on upcoming meetings to give you an overview of Franklin's ongoing Master Plan Update as it is nears completion. The latest (and potentially final) draft of the Master Plan can be found here. Overview A master plan is a strategic framework that guides the future physical and economic development for the Town of Franklin based on the community's vision and goals. A municipality's Master Plan is submitted to the state according to their guidelines (MGL c.41 s.81D), which dictate a Plan must include the following elements: Land Use; Housing; Economic Development; Circulation; Open Space and Recreation; Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources; Community Services and Facilities; Sustainability; Goals and Policies; Implementation. In 2023, Franklin formed a Master Plan Committee to update its last Master Plan from 2013. The Committee - consisting of members of the Town Council, Planning Board, other Boards, and public - has been meeting regularly over the past two years and collecting feedback across numerous public meetings, hearings, surveys, presentations, staff discussions, and workshops. What Excites Us In general, BEN is highly supportive of the Master Plan as currently drafted and our members' input throughout the stakeholdering process has helped shape it into its current form. Here are five reasons BEN is particularly excited about this Plan: Boosts Housing Affordability Supports upzoning and mixed-use neighborhoods to strategically increase housing options in smart locations Promotes diverse housing types, including missing middle housing, scaled affordability requirements, and public housing funding Drives Economic Growth Encourages strategic development to grow tax revenue and create job opportunities Invests in infrastructure and cultural amenities to support businesses and enhance community vitality Enhances Connectivity Expands transportation options to link neighborhoods with jobs, schools, and amenities Develops walkable and bikeable paths to improve mobility and access across Franklin Celebrates Franklin's Neighborhoods Strengthens neighborhood character with parks, walkable spaces, and local services Fosters a sense of place by enhancing amenities and connections within neighborhoods Balances Growth and Preservation Promotes sustainable practices to ensure new growth complements the town's character and long-term vision Expands access to parks, trails, and recreational facilities to improve quality of life and promote community health Upcoming Dates TONIGHT (1/15, 6:30pm) - Master Plan Committee Committee will review and approve a Final Master Plan for presentation and consideration before the Planning Board and Town Council 1/27, 7:00pm - Planning Board The Planning Board is the official approver of the Master Plan, according to the state. While Board members have provided input throughout the process, they will have an additional opportunity to ask questions following a presentation. We are encouraging our members to attend this meeting and, as comfortable, express support for the Plan's passage. TBD - Town Council Committee will present the Final Master Plan to the Town Council and public  What We're Consuming The Impact of New Housing Supply on the Distribution of Rents (Andreas Mense) The Case for Investing Downtown (Strong Towns) SJC says attorney general can enforce MBTA Communities Act, but state must rework regs (Commonwealth Beacon) 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