Master Plan Update Cmte discusses, Inventory Report, Survey, Outreach efforts, & approves Meeting schedule for 2024 (video)

The Master Plan Update Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Nov 28 at 6:30 PM. 

The Franklin TV video is available for replay on YouTube ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnMfCfe-RnI

The agenda:

1. Meeting Minutes: September 13 & 27, 2023 & October 25, 2023

2. Subcommittee Updates

3. Existing Conditions & Inventory Draft Report - Discussion

4. Tabling and outreach for Survey

5. 2024 Meeting Dates

The agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-november_29_2023_0.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter in one PDF ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gl1LBNE_LqXQiMuCNFdhqwZu6sinTkDZ/view?usp=drive_link

Master Plan Update Cmte discusses, Inventory Report, Survey, Outreach efforts, & approves Meeting schedule for 2024 (video)

Curbside Trash/Recycling Schedule 11/24 - 11/26/23

Curbside Trash/Recycling Schedule 11/20-11/25/23

 Curbside Trash/Recycling Schedule 11/24 - 11/26/23

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/news/curbside-trashrecycling-schedule-1120-112523

Trash delay for Thursday & Friday this week

via the DPW:

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday so the trash schedule for those normally picked up on Thursday slides to Friday, those on with a pickup scheduled for Friday will slide to Saturday for this week.

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/100064487150311/posts/pfbid0PoaFvYnANMT4MiZ7uA6JF64c5fSCuuXEG8XAjAEtwcwyfUVaw81vjybWzf8FzQDvl/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Starting Thanksgiving Thursday (11/23/23): Commuter Rail runs "weekend schedule"

The Commuter Rail will operate on a weekend schedule on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23rd as well as on Friday, November 24th.

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: Nov 17 2023 06:57 AM

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

Starting Thanksgiving Thursday (11/23/23): Commuter Rail runs "weekend schedule"

The MBTA's new fall/winter schedule in effect as of Today, Oct 2, 2023

The new Fall/Winter schedule is now in effect on all Commuter Rail Lines with extended late-night service and added peak service on select lines.

Check out your new Franklin schedule before you ride with us: 

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

 

The MBTA's new fall/winter schedule in effect as of Today, Oct 2, 2023

DPW sewer line work street schedule for week of 9/18/23

Phase 7 - Sewer Lining Project Continues Next Week! 

Green Mountain Pipeline Services are scheduled to be out working on the following streets next week:

• Monday, Sept. 18 ~ Main St.
• Tuesday, Sept. 19 ~ Main St., Corbin St. and Emmons St.
• Wednesday, Sept. 20 ~ Elwood Rd., Washington St. and Oak St.
• Thursday, Sept. 21 ~ Beaver St.. and Church St.

Residents will be notified if there will be any disruption to their service.

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/100064487150311/posts/pfbid02kVs4a9t4mL4FzJfHY5VTHR1dJfrTpJTjqfVtxMG27n49mZfeuz5HpdjJZPibXJa1l/

DPW sewer line work street schedule for week of 9/18/23

MBTA adding trains to the Franklin line during peak periods beginning Oct 2, 2023

"THE MBTA’S commuter rail service operator is preparing to expand service this fall, adding late-night departures from Boston and more trains during peak periods on select lines to meet increased demand.

The commuter rail operator, Keolis Commuter Services, already offers service at roughly one-hour intervals through most of the day. The new schedule, which begins October 2, will add a late train from Boston on weekdays and weekends to accommodate people with unconventional work schedules or those attending late-night events.

On the Providence-Stoughton Line, the last train will now depart Boston at 11:55 p.m., 55 minutes later than the current schedule. Most other train lines will follow similar schedules. The Needham Line, however, is pushing back the last train on weekdays from 11 p.m. to 11:55 p.m., but retaining 10:15 p.m. for the last train on weekends.

Keolis is also adding trains during the morning and evening peak periods on the Lowell, Fitchburg, Franklin, and Worcester lines, reducing the one-hour interval between trains to every 30 to 45 minutes. For example, trains on the Lowell Line will operate every 35 minutes coming into Boston between 6:25 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. and every 30 to 40 minutes departing Boston between 3:55 p.m. and 6:20 p.m."

Continue reading the article -> https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/ts-commuter-rail-adding-late-night-peak-service/

MBTA article -> https://www.mbta.com/news/2023-09-11/commuter-rail-announces-fallwinter-schedule-take-effect-october-2

Keolis press release -> https://www.keoliscs.com/news/commuter-rail-announces-fall-winter-schedule-to-take-effect-october-2nd/

The NEW Schedules are not yet available but should be posted here when ready     https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable

MBTA adding trains to the Franklin line during peak periods beginning Oct 2, 2023

September 2023 Franklin Library News & Events

September 2023 Newsletter

Library Hours

The Library's hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday hours will resume on September 10^th, 1:30 – 5:00.

Library News – Browse the library's digital local history collections at the Internet Archive
Learn the history of our town in digital manuscripts! Browse the collection HERE
View town history in digital videos! Access the Stanley Chilson video collection HERE
For a clickable index to Franklin's historic newspapers, record books, documents & maps available online, click HERE

Featured Database

Kanopy

Kanopy is a video streaming service that offers more than 30,000 films, including critically acclaimed movies, inspiring documentaries, award winning foreign films and more! This database includes a specially curated collection for children called "Kanopy Kids" with parental control options. "Kanopy Kids" content is unlimited, and plays don't county against Adult viewing credits. Kanopy is available to Franklin residents only, through our alphabetical list of free online databases: https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/free-online-databases

Museum Passes

Crisp, sunny days ahead! It's the perfect time to the area's most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.

New Materials

Check out the latest additions to the library's collection!

Book Sale

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, September 15, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday, September 16, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!

Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, September 16, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Franklin Library ESL & Adult Literacy Program

Volunteer tutors needed! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly.  No prior teaching experience needed!  Volunteer tutors and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the registration form on the library's website.

From Friends of the Franklin Library

Congratulations to all who participated in the Library's 2023 summer reading programs - we hope you had the opportunity to enjoy many new books! The Friends were delighted to support this year's summer reading programs by sponsoring some of the awesome raffle prizes that program participants had the chance to win.

Will you be at the 20^th Annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 30^th? The Friends will be there and we hope you'll stop by our booth to say "Hello!" and pick out a FREE "new to you" book. We will be giving away children's, teen, and adult books while supplies last. We look forward to seeing you there!

Massachusetts Center for the Book 2023 Reading Challenge

September: A Book by an Author with your First or Last Name

Do you have a cozy reading corner you've been wanting to spend more time in? Do you have a group of friends who like to select books together? Maybe a little constraint helps you choose what to read next.

If you are looking for a fun, unique reading challenge to take on in 2023, Massachusetts Center for the Book has you covered.

Check it out today! https://www.massbook.org/readingchallenge

Get the full newsletter for September -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/september-2023-franklin-library-news-events

September 2023 Franklin Library News & Events

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse adds a show to the 2023-2024 schedule

Did you see the new addition to the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse schedule for the 2023-2024 season? Joe Jencks was added to Jan 13, 2024.

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse adds a show to the 2023-2024 schedule

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. 

Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  

Please visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0bAboiHJz43fSBsKHS1oqz8dvM5ewSzv2Q6KCvDvr7Ez8FNC5fyDsdpqSTGGh4QeFl&id=1245756033&mibextid=NOb6eG

Fun things at the Franklin Senior Center to do this week - Aug 14 - 18, 2023

"Time to break out and head to the Franklin Senior Center for some FUN! You don’t want to miss out this week on all the activities we have going on! 

No matter what you like to do we have something for you!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cv4zwOOAaHA/

Check the Franklin Senior Center page for additional info on these events

https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

Fun things at the Franklin Senior Center to do this week - Aug 14 - 18, 2023

Fun things at the Franklin Senior Center to do this week - Aug 14

Fun things at the Franklin Senior Center to do this week - Aug 15

Fun things at the Franklin Senior Center to do this week - Aug 16

Fun things at the Franklin Senior Center to do this week - Aug 17

Fun things at the Franklin Senior Center to do this week - Aug 18

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse : 2023-24 Season Schedule

Please check....

Circle of Friends Coffehouse Schedule 20233-24 View this email in your browser Circle of Friends Coffeehouse : 2023-24 Season Schedule

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Curbside Trash/Recycling Schedule - Week of July 4, 2023

Notice from the Department of Public Works

Curbside trash and recycling will be delayed one day for Tuesday - Friday (July 4th - July 7th) pick-ups only! Monday pick-ups (July 3rd), will be collected as scheduled.

The Beaver Street Recycling Center will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

The recycling center will be open...

• Friday, June 30th: 8AM - 3PM
• Saturday, July 1st: 8AM - 3PM
• Sunday, July 2nd: 9AM - 1PM

Thank you.

Franklin DPW

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/curbside-trashrecycling-schedule-week-july-4th-2023

Curbside Trash/Recycling Schedule - Week of July 4, 2023

Did you see the July 4th Coalition Mailer ?

"The Franklin July 4th Coalition is made up of community volunteers.  Our sole mission is to preserve the annual celebrations for the town of Franklin.  We hope you come and enjoy yourselves.   

We rely entirely on fundraising events and donations to provide the fireworks, music and  events.  

We need your help.  A small tax deductible donation will help us reach our fundraising goal and allow us to keep the celebration an exciting town wide event."

July 4th Coalition mailer - sponsors

July 4th Coalition mailer - highlights

July 4th Coalition mailer - carnival & food

July 4th Coalition mailer - music schedule

Visit the page for updates and to donate -> https://www.franklin4th.com/

Pick up schedule changes for the 4th of July week

Via the Franklin DPW Facebook page ->  

Next week's holiday schedule for curbside trash/recycling pick up and the recycling center!

• Monday - picked up as normal
• Tuesday to Friday - delayed ONE day

Pick up schedule changes for the 4th of July week

https://www.facebook.com/100064487150311/posts/pfbid05iXbfybaJYbfGJrkoz7LSnsUa6nd8zyEPfE28SQB7QfMYx4SFuXTW6KTRs33rLSjl/

Yes, there is NO school Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Schools out for the summer, and so is the School Committee. 

Well, almost. The next meeting is late July. (July 25 to be specific per their updated page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/meeting-dates-2023-2024)

Minor nit - once an item is added to the Town/School calendar you get a notification. If an item is deleted (as in a canceled meeting, there is no automatic notification). Someone would need to actually update the meeting with "Canceled" in the headline/title to get a new notification out. This has occurred but not frequently. 

Yes, there is NO school Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Commuter Rail notice for Franklin Line - to run a weekend scheduled on July 4, 2023

On Tuesday, July 4th, for Independence Day, the Commuter Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.

Affected routes:

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

For more information: https://www.mbta.com/holidays

Last Updated: Jun 22 2023 10:00 AM

Commuter Rail notice for Franklin Line - to run a weekend scheduled on July 4, 2023

Summer Services at First Universalist Society in Franklin

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is pleased to announce its summer worship services. These services will explore the theme of individual spiritual practices.  The series starts on July 9 and runs through August 27, 2023.  

Services begin at 10 a.m. and all are welcome to attend. 

Each Sunday, members of FUSF will share a spiritual practice that resonates deeply within them.  Attendees will have the opportunity to explore practices such as prayer; mindfulness meditation as inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh or walking the labyrinth.  Connection with nature underlies several other services. We will also explore poetry writing as a spiritual practice.  

During the last service of the summer, Reverend Beverly Waring, Interim Minister, will explore a multitude of ways to enhance your daily life through engaging your mind, body, heart, will and soul with themes such as contemplation, activity, relationships, action and creativity. 

Schedule of Spiritual Practices Sundays at FUSF:

July 9: The Spirituality of Fishing

July 16: Writing Poetry

July 23: Walking the Labyrinth

July 30: Prayer as a Portal

August 6: Mindfulness 

August 13: Veganism

August 20: Trees: Bridges to Spirit

August 27: Everyday Spiritual Practices

FUSF is located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin and is a Unitarian Universalist  LGBTQIA+ Welcoming Congregation. For more information about the First Universalist Society in Franklin, please visit our website: www.FUSF.org or call the Office at 508-528-5348. 

Summer Services at First Universalist Society in Franklin

DPW Reminder - Curbside Trash Pick-up: one day delay for the entire week due to Memorial Day

Reminder for next week's curbside trash pick-up (May 29th - June 2nd)! If your regular collection day is Monday, it will now be on Tuesday. 

One day delay for the entire week. Friday's collection will be on Saturday June 3rd.

Thank you.

Franklin DPW

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/dpw-reminder-curbside-trash-pick-one-day-delay-entire-week-due-memorial-day

DPW Reminder - Curbside Trash Pick-up: one day delay for the entire week due to Memorial Day

Spring/Summer schedule is now in effect for Franklin's Commuter Rail

The Spring/Summer schedule is now in effect on all Commuter Rail lines. Visit MBTA.com to check the minor adjustments we implemented for better seasonal performance.

The Spring/Summer schedule maintains the same frequent weekday service introduced in Spring 2021, with a few changes to train times in order to factor in track work and seasonal events.

• Many flag stops will also be converted into regular station stops.
• On Monday, May 29th (Memorial Day), Tuesday, July 4th (Independence Day) and Monday, September 4th (Labor Day), all lines will operate on a weekend schedule.
• On Monday, June 19th (Juneteenth), Monday, July 3rd (Day before Independence Day), and Monday, October 9th (Columbus Day), all lines will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
• For all holiday schedules, please check MBTA.com/holidays.

Affected lines:

Newburyport/Rockport Line

Haverhill Line

Lowell Line

Fitchburg Line

Framingham/Worcester Line

Needham Line

Franklin/Foxboro Line  -> (full schedule - PDF)   https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/route_pdfs/batch_6495/2023-spring-summer-cr-franklin-line.pdf

Fairmount Line

Providence/Stoughton Line

Middleborough/Lakeville Line

Kingston Line

Greenbush Line

Last Updated: May 19 2023 07:58 AM

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

Spring/Summer schedule is now in effect for Franklin's Commuter Rail

What can be recycled? Franklin DPW has your answer

Franklin's recycling process is recognized across the State as one of the best thanks to the participation of all of us. The three word mantra "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" still applies.

The Town page is full of helpful information on what and how ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste

Quick links

• Beaver St recycling center hours -> https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/news/beaver-st-recycling-center-hours
• Waste Management has a new page with information linked to from the Town page ->   https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle-right 
• The curbside schedule PDF for reprinting ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_program_guide_2022-2023_0.pdf

What can be recycled? Franklin DPW has your answer