Franklin Library's November schedule goes from Bookopoly to Diwali to a winter sing-a-long with other goodness in between

Library Hours

The Library’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Library will be closing early at 2:00 PM on Wednesday November 27th, closed Monday November 11th for Veterans Day, and closed Thursday November 28th for Thanksgiving.

 

Franklin Public Library’s 2024 Reading Challenge!

November : A book with food on the cover!

For complete details and to sign-up, visit our website! Grand prizes made possible by the Friends of the Franklin Library!

 

ESL & Adult Literacy Program

The Franklin Public Library has started an English as a Second Language and Adult Literacy Program to serve Franklin and its surrounding communities.  Volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, fill out the registration form on the library’s website.

fiber art on display at the Library to mid-December

Special Events for Kids

Miss Bree’s Bookopoly! Starting Friday, November 1st 

Join the fun for a super awesome interactive game to finish out the year! Roll the dice, move your piece on our giant board, and have fun with a variety of reading and creative challenges, and chances to win prizes galore! Deadline to "buy" prizes is Saturday, January 11th

Eyes on Owls! Tuesday, November 5th @ 1:00PM

Everyone loves owls! Yet, how often do you get to see an owl up close? Join Marcia and Mark Wilson as they share their passion for owls with us! You’ll meet six LIVE owls (from small to huge) up close, so be prepared for a hooting good time! No registration required!

Mickey Mouse Birthday Bash! Saturday, November 9th @ 1:00PM

Mickey Mouse is turning 96! Join us for games, crafts, snacks, and more as we celebrate everyone's favorite mouse! No registration required!

Meet Maudie the Chicken! Thursday, November 14th @ 1:00PM

Come meet Maudie the Chicken and author/illustrator/artist Lauren Scheuer! During this fun and unique program, you’ll get a close-up look at Maudie’s feathers, feet, beak, and comb. You’ll learn about her dinosaur relatives, her eggs, her feathers, her flock, her coop, and her special language! Then you’ll all learn to draw Maudie! Registration Required.

Illustrator Workshop for Kids! Friday, November 15th @ 1:00PM

Join us for a fun an interactive presentation with award-winning, local illustrator Erica Leigh! Kids will get a behind-the-scenes look at how picture books are illustrated, and have the chance to create their own picture book character! No registration required!

DINOvember Party! Saturday, November 16th @ 1:00PM

Families! Celebrate DINOVEMBER at the library with an epic dinosaur themed party! We'll have games, crafts, and a few surprises! No registration required!

Diwali Celebration! Saturday, November 16th @ 1:00PM

Join us for a special Diwali celebration for the whole family, including diya painting, dancing, kids activities, henna, a photo booth and more! No registration required!

Science Chefs: Making Butter Friday November 22nd @3:30 PM

No registration required.

Wiggle and Shake! Dance and Make for SCIENCE! Join us for an active experiment to make your own butter! Participants will learn how butter is made and will get to take home some of their own butter for the dinner table! While we have some jars for butter making, if you can bring a clean, small, screw top jar (example baby food jar) it is appreciated!

Crafternoon! Saturday, November 23rd @ 1:00PM

What are you thankful for this season? Join us for a fun afternoon of crafting for kiddos of all ages! We'll have an assortment of Thanksgiving themed crafts to enjoy (and share)! No registration required!

Little Groove Band! Friday, November 29th @ 1:00PM

Get ready for a groovy, fun, and interactive concert with Little Groove! In this fun and interactive 45-minute concert, children ages 0-5 and their caregivers will move and sing along with a musician from Little Groove. No registration required!

Santa StoryWalk at the Library! Saturday, November 30th @ 10:30AM

Families! Join us at the library for a special indoor version of a beloved tradition! Follow the pages of a cozy winter story, enjoy crafts and activities as you move through our winding line of holiday fun, and make your way up to meet the big guy himself!

Special Events for Teens

Hack Your College App! Wednesday, November 6th @ 6:00PM

Applying to college can be a stressful process. Are looking to get ahead of the game and start your application early? Have you started your application and just need help polishing it? Are you unsure if college is the path for you and you need someone to talk it out with? Then come by and meet with Mx. Jorge Marinez, a former College Guidance Counselor and a current Admissions Counselor at Dean College, and up your chances of standing out on college applications! No registration required!

Teensgiving! Wednesday, November 20th @ 5:00PM

Teens! Join us in the teen room for a potluck celebration of thanksgiving! Bring along your favorite snack and your appetite and kick off the thanksgiving holiday with friends! No registration required!

Special Events for Adults

Knife Skills with Chef Tom Thursday November 7th @ 6:30PM

Refresh your skills and hone your technique! This hands on class starts by talking about knives: how to handle them safely, what different types are used for, and techniques to use them. Then Chef Tom demonstrates different classic cuts and it’s our turn to practice with training knives (vinyl knives that will cut vegetables but not skin). A perfect pre-holiday primer for all adults and older teens.

Ken Gloss: Book Antiques and Collecting Thursday November 17th @ 6:30 PM

Join us in welcoming Ken Gloss of Boston based Brattle Books! In this presentation, Ken talks about some of his favorite rare book finds and describes some of the joys of “the hunt” in his collection journey.  You will learn what makes books and manuscripts rare and what determines whether they increase in value. Enjoy fascinating anecdotes from private and institutional collecting, as well as guidelines for starting a collection of your own! Feel free to discuss your collection with Ken after the talk in an informal Q&A.

Crochet Fundamentals Refresh Saturday November 30th @ 1:00 PM

(Best for ages 16 and over)

Come explore the fundamentals of crochet as we work together on a simple project to foster the learning process.  In our two hour class we will explore the following; pairing of yarn and hook, gauge, the chain stitch, single crochet, and double crochet, and treble crochet.  All class materials will be provided. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Franklin Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Granny Square Class Saturday November 30th @2:00 PM

(Best for ages 16 and over)

A granny square is like a plain sheet of paper. Sure, it comes in different colors, textures, sizes and weights however in and of itself, it’s not very exciting until you use it as an integral part of your creative process.  During our two hour crochet class we will explore the basic structure of a granny square as we make one traditional style square using a basic worsted weight wool. You will leave the class with a new respect for the humble Granny square and how to bring it to life in your crochet journey.  All class materials will be provided. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Bellingham and Franklin Cultural Councils, local agencies,  which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Pre-requisites: Ability to chain, single crochet, double crochet, knowledge of how to count stitches

Special Events for All Ages

Copley Cats Acapella Concert Saturday November 2nd @ 3:00PM

Groove to the harmonies of the Copley Cats! Featuring popular tunes from various decades this A Capella group with a 30-year history is coming for a Saturday afternoon to remember!

Winter Sing-Along with Dean College Vocal Ensemble Wednesday November 20th @ 4:00 PM

Families! Join us for a musical afternoon! The Dean College Vocal Ensemble will perform a wide variety of musical selections for a fun concert at the Franklin Public Library! The program will feature winter carols you know and love with many more eclectic song choices from throughout history. Come hear the songs and their stories!

Franklin Library Book Sale

Friday, November 15th, 1:00-5:00pm.  Saturday, November 16th, 9:00am to 12:00 Noon

All books are just one dollar!

Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, November 16th, from 1:00-4:00pm

Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Reminder: No Trash Delay Scheduled for Next Week due to holiday (week of Oct 14 - 18)

No Trash Delay Next Week

Curbside trash and recycling will be picked up on your regular day.

(October 14-18, 2024)

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/no-trash-delay-next-week

If you need a new copy of the curbside flyer, you can download the PDF from the Town page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_program_guide_2024-2025.pdf

No Trash Delay Scheduled for Next Week due to holiday

Monday through Tuesday: MBTA Commuter Rail notice for Labor Day holiday period

All Commuter Rail Lines will operate on a weekend schedule on Labor Day, Monday September 2nd.

Affected lines:

• Newburyport/Rockport Line
• Haverhill Line
• Lowell Line
• Fitchburg Line
• Framingham/Worcester Line
• Needham Line
• Franklin/Foxboro Line
• Fairmount Line
• Providence/Stoughton Line
• Middleborough/Lakeville Line
• Kingston Line
• Greenbush Line

Last Updated: Aug 29 2024 12:00 PM

https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts

Franklin schedule -> https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable

Construction of high rise platform underway as a train enters Franklin/Dean heading into Boston

The Labor Day holiday brings a one day Curbside Trash Delay

Due to the Labor Day Holiday, curbside trash/recycling will be delayed by one day.

The Labor Day holiday brings a one day Curbside Trash Delay

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/labor-day-curbside-trash-delay

If you misplaced the Curbside Pickup schedule, you can download and print a new one ->     https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_program_guide_2023-2024.pdf

This Quarterbacking session condenses the Town Council Meeting to about 30 minutes for you (audio)

FM #1260 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1260 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 for the first meeting of the Fiscal Year 2025. We met Thursday morning August 15, to recap and condense the 3 and 40 minute session to about 30 minutes. 

We look to focus on 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

• Annual Reappointments and New Appointments of Boards and Committees Members

• PUBLIC HEARINGS

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-906: Changes to §185-3. Definitions, Mixed Use Development Definition

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-907R: Changes to §185-21 Parking, Loading and Driveway Requirements

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-908: §185 Attachment 7. Part VI, Addition of Mixed Use Development to Use Regulation Schedule

d. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-913: Zoning Map Changes from Business to Commercial I, an Area on Union Street Near Franklin Crossing

• PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Presentation & Discussion: 4H Alarm Robotics Club 2079

b. Discussion: Legislative Delegation - Senator Rebecca Rausch and Representative Jeffrey Roy

c. Discussion: Norfolk Registry of Deeds Update - Register William O’Donnell

• Resolution 24-51: Gift Acceptance - Fire Department ($100), Senior Center ($10,070), Veterans’ Services Department ($150)

• Resolution 24-52: Revised 2024 Town Council Meeting Schedule

The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1260-town-council-quarterbacking-08-15-24/

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

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/ucR5rvaR-Pk?si=guHDipisHqH_Q9hn&t=73 

Agenda and docs released for this session  -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_aug_14_2024.pdf 

My full set of notes as captured during the meeting via Twitter/X ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10kZggKLArBB2AbSMxRKHWb8b2iUFIhZH/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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"

This Quarterbacking session condenses the Town Council Meeting to about 30 minutes for you (audio)

Beaver Street Interceptor: Construction Scheduled for week of July 8 - July 13, 2024

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI)

 

Beaver Street Interceptor

BSI Construction Update for the Week of July 8!

Monday (7/8) - Friday (7/13) the construction crew will be working  on Rt. 140 at the Grove Street intersection between the hours of 7am - 4pm. Expect lane closures as the work progresses.

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with the driving of the sheeting. 

Please reference the interactive map below and posted signs for details and updates.

We appreciate the public's continued support and understanding and will
continue to communicate regularly via social media, our dedicated email list, and the construction map below as work progresses.


BEAVER STREET INTERCEPTOR HOTLINE: 508-553-5526
(PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE AND WE WILL RETURN YOUR CALL)
EMAIL: BSI-info@franklinma.gov

Beaver Street Interceptor: Construction Schedule for week of July 8 - July 13, 2024

 

Shared from -> https://apexmapping.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=8aa942ac0c4c4942826c3bf83ef253ae

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, May 27, 2024?

Monday, May 27 - Memorial Day

10:30am Parade (along Main St, School St, Union St, RT 140, Beaver St ...)

12 noon Memorial Day ceremony on Town Common

4:00pm Cruise Night in Franklin (Sierra's Pizza)

** No Town Meetings today

All town buildings closed for the holiday

trash/recycling pick up scheduled delayed one day

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Senior Center event highlights for week of May 28 - May 31

"Here’s what’s happening this week at the Franklin Senior Center! 

We are CLOSED Monday in honor of Memorial Day."

Check out the full calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming 

Senior Center event highlights for week of May 28 - May 31

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C7b4hr2RG8d/

Reminder: Franklin's Memorial Day parade route and schedule information for May 27, 2024

Franklin's Memorial Day parade route remains the same. The parade will step off at 10:30 AM from Depot St, proceed up Main St. 

It stops briefly at Dean College for a wreath ceremony before continuing up Main St and turning on School St (at the Library). 

The parade turns again on Union St and stop for another wreath ceremony at the Union St cemetery. The parade resumes proceeding down RT 140 to Beaver St and turns toward the Town Common. 

It makes another stop at the St Mary's cemetery before completing the route at the Town Common. The final ceremony among the veterans memorials is scheduled for noon.

Memorial Day Parade schedule

Memorial Day Parade route

Starting May 20: Franklin/Foxboro Line schedule change

The new Spring/Summer Schedule will go into effect on May 20. On weekends, all trains will now operate via the Fairmount Line. Consider a connection with the Providence Line at Readville for service to/from Hyde Park, Ruggles and Back bay.

On Monday, May 27th (Memorial Day), Thursday, July 4th (Independence Day) and Monday, September 2nd (Labor Day), all lines will operate on a weekend schedule.

On Wednesday, June 19th (Juneteenth), Friday, July 5th (Day after Independence Day), and Monday, October 14th (Columbus Day), all lines will operate on a regular weekday schedule.

Starting May 20: Franklin/Foxboro Line schedule change

Learn more: https://bit.ly/44z5uHY

New schedule effective May 20 ->   https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/route_pdfs/batch_7006/2024-05-20-cr-franklin-foxboro-line-spring-summer.pdf

Last Updated: May 07 2024 12:47 PM

What's happening Tuesday, May 7?

Tuesday, May 7

6:00pm Franklin Garden Club - meeting

6:00pm Table Top

6:00pm Drum Circle Workshop

7:30pm Voice of Franklin, part of Toastmasters International

7:00pm Listening session for Schools Redistricting Proposal (FHS)

• No remote participation enabled per the agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/comprehensive_facilities_planning_subcom-5_7_24_revised.pdf

What's happening this weekend in Franklin? 

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse schedule for the Fall of 2024; Runa, Abbie Gardner, & David Francey start the season

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse announces their fall 2024 shows.

Tickets are available on their website -> https://circlefolk.org/sched.html

Runa, Abbie Gardner, & David Francey start the season

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/MbM7rF5vJ17iZ27a/

Franklin Residents: No Trash Delay - February 19-23, 2024

No Trash Delay - February 19-23, 2024

No Trash Delay - February 19-23, 202

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/no-trash-delay-feb-19-23-2024

Voices of Franklin: ECDC Pickup & arrival schedule changes

Proposed ECDC Arrival and Dismissal Procedure



Good Morning Lucas (Giguere), David (Callaghan), and Paula Marano),

I hope you all had a pleasant and relaxing holiday season.

Our son is currently enrolled at ECDC, so we received the email below this morning (Jan 4, 2024). I worked on developing solutions to drop off/pick up at ECDC while I was employed with the Town, so I fully appreciate the complications involved with developing a safe and efficient solution, however, what is being proposed in this email is not the answer, and quite frankly, exceptionally unsafe.

With respect to this issue, there are two competing interests at play; efficient vehicle queuing and pedestrian safety. The system that has been in place this year to this point results in occasional vehicle queuing issues (impacting convenience), however, it eliminates conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, which in turn provides for significantly enhanced pedestrian safety. The system proposed in the email below does the exact opposite; it sacrifices pedestrian safety for a minor reduction in vehicle queuing complications. The proposed system does not follow any established guidelines or principles regarding pedestrian safety or school zone safety. There is no dedicated crosswalk in this area nor is there sidewalk along the west side of the building. These factors will result in unpredictable pedestrian crossings as pedestrians are not channelized to a specific pathways and crossing locations. In this situation, pedestrians will cross at the most convenient location for them, which is perpendicular to their own vehicle. This creates significant difficulties for drivers as crossings are unpredictable and can occur literally anywhere.

This system also creates hardships for numerous families with students at ECDC. I am confident in saying that multiple families with students at ECDC have more than one young child. The proposed system doesn’t allow for a second (or third plus) child to be safely left in their car seat while a student is dropped off. Under the current system, an individual parent now has to navigate an unprotected and unmarked pedestrian crossing with multiple children. I don’t feel an explanation as to why this is burdensome is needed, however, it doesn’t seems as if this was fully considered. Stating “Never Leave a child unattended in a vehicle” does not address the issue in a realistic fashion and is tone-deaf. A third child will be joining our family this spring, which further highlights the failures of the proposed system. Asking individual adults to wrangle three children across a parking lot is simply unrealistic, insensitive to the difficulty in doing such, and markedly unsafe. Additionally, many students are dropped off or picked up by grandparents who may have difficulty with a longer walk or struggle to safe cross the parking lot with multiple children. Bluntly, the proposed solution is counter to guidance laid out in the FHWA Safe Routes to School Guide (SRTS Guide: Student Drop-off and Pick-up Tools (saferoutesinfo.org)) and accepted civil engineering practice and as such, exposes the school system and Town to significant liability. Has a traffic safety professional been consulted in this matter? Below is the from the SRTS Guide section titled Separating Motor Vehicles from Pedestrians and Bicyclists:

“To further reduce conflicts, school facilities can be arranged to eliminate or reduce the number of children walking through parking lots. Children should walk around parking lots on dedicated walkways or sidewalks. If this is not possible, clearly marked walkways through parking lots with adult or older student monitors should be used, and speed calming treatments such as humps or bumps should be employed in the parking lots.”

If the proposed system is implemented, my family will have no choice but to end our enrollment at ECDC as the proposed system doesn’t allow us to keep our children safe during drop off and pick up. Respectfully, I suggest that a traffic professional with a background in school zone safety be consulted for both short-term and long-term solutions for ECDC drop off and pick up. Realistically, this issue needs a long-term solution, in my opinion an enhanced queuing area, but in the immediacy a solution that doesn’t sacrifice safety for convenience should be implemented. As a father and licensed civil engineer with extensive experience in school zone traffic safety, I implore you to reconsider this proposal and leave the current drop-off and pick up system in place. In my professional opinion, due to the number of un-consolidated crossings and pedestrian-vehicle conflict, it is a matter of time before a pedestrian is injured or killed following this procedure.

Thank you for your time and your attention to this matter.

Jay Mello, P.E.

Franklin, MA

Email with pick up schedule link can be found here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v49IGTmWZsZbWEoSJ2f8YDhAsWZlR4yw/view?usp=drive_link

Voices of Franklin: ECDC Pickup & arrival schedule changes