"Thanks for what you do" goes both ways!

One of your subscribers sent you this message using FeedBlitz's "Contact the Publisher" feature. The message is:

"Hello, I just wanted to reach out and extend my appreciation for all you do summarizing and providing all this information to the town. 

I can only imagine how much work goes into this, but my family and I look forward to these emails and keeping us informed on local happenings and we truly appreciate all you do with this newsletter!"

Thank you, your note is much appreciated. 

I do this because it is needed and no one can come close to the complete coverage I (really "we") provide especially with the close coordination with Franklin TV and Public Radio. 

Our vision is one portal branded in an "umbrella fashion" as Franklin (MA) News (Facebook) (or Franklin.news/) so all who want the info can get it in the media format of their choice. 

You'll be able to 

• Watch (3 cable channels, and 3 YouTube channels)
• Listen to live radio 24x7x365 at 102.9 FM in the local area or from anywhere at wfpr.fm
• Read the digital news from the Town and School meetings reported on

The better informed this community is, the better we will be prepared to appropriately deal with all the challenges life presents.

I really do mean "we". You all deserve kudos as well for sending in comments,  questions, and items of community interest to share. I don't do this alone. The multiple dozens of 'informers' are critical to what you all get to see. 

It is all of us working together to deliver the news.

Thank you

Thanks for what you do, goes both ways!

The week that was in Franklin (photo essay)

Catching up to share photos from the week that was.

Sunday, June 9 was the world premiere of the chamber opera "Mary Anning, Fossil Hunter." You can listen to the interview with Composer Jon Ceander Mitchell and Conductor Luis Viquez here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/jon-and-luis-talk-about-chamber-opera.html

Conductor Luis Viquez leads the chamber group and chorus

cast of Mary Anning performing

Monday, June 10,  more than 100 teachers, students and supporters stood out along RT 140 from Jersey's Mike to Honey Dew to attract attention to the override vote on Tuesday.

supporters along RT 140 - 1

supporters along RT 140 - 2

On Tuesday, June 11 the election held at Franklin High School the largest turnout for an override vote with 45% casting their votes. The No position narrowly won by 236 votes. The only successful override (in 2007) passed because the entire support among Town and School folks were united. There was sufficient discord and misinformation shared to create the result this time.

more teachers at FHS on Tuesday

A bright spot on Tuesday was the brief and fun celebration of the Traveling School of Fish at the Sculpture Park. Artist Amy Adams coordinated the efforts of students at Parmenter to paint fish shaped by students at Tri-County funded by a Cultural District grant. Jamele Adams hosted the festivities at the Sculpture Park.

stop by the Sculpture Park (on Panther Way) to see the display

Jamele (light blue in center) hosted the fun

Wednesday, June 12 began with the Fallen Hero Recognition on the Town Common Veteran Walkway. This one honored Lloyd Ellis who was killed during the fighting after the D-Day landing in France during World War II. Keeping his memory alive helps. 

Fallen Hero Recognition for Lloyd Ellis

The day also saw many conversation on and about the results and other business in Franklin at the monthly Q&A at the Senior Center. The night meeting schedule changed during the day as the Master Plan Update Cmte (which didn't seem ready at their meeting last week) rescheduled their public hearing for June 26 and then again to July 10. The School Committee which had scheduled a meeting on Wednesday also canceled their meeting, keeping their regularly scheduled session for June 18.

Thursday, June 13 also saw more conversation around Cultural events and planning for them as the Cultural District committee included Cultural District partners for their meeting. A good time to walk and enjoy the good weather and clear skies.

night time at the Senior Center flag pole

Friday, June 14, Flag Day. It was grandson sitting day so I missed the recognition event for Sgt Timothy Hayes in the morning but did get out to visit the Farmers Market. Bread, honey, coffee and many conversations in the brief visit before heading back to grandson time. The Farmers Market is a happening place on Friday's and will be more so June 28 and following as Concerts on the Common expands the activities past the market close at 6 PM. Stay tuned for the schedule of events as they happen.

Farmers Market regular vendor listing

Saturday, June 15 had some schedule changes for me as the grandson stayed overnight. Members of the LGBTQ Alliance and supporters planted mini flags on the Town Common. The Rise Up group had a successful info session with State Rep Jeff Roy at the Franklin United Methodist Church. And on the New England sports front, the Red Sox topped the Yankees, and the Revolution won their 3rd game in a row.

LGBTQ Alliance and supporters planted mini flags on the Town Common

There is a full slate of events scheduled for the week ahead. Subscribe for the daily newsletter that gives you all that matters here in Franklin MA. Your source for what you can watch, listen to, or read about Franklin.

The week that was in Franklin (photo essay)

Don't trust Facebook, subscribe for one email a day

Sharing what I posted to Facebook this weekend when they notified me that one of the posts on the override was taken down. Really? Yup.

The post take down notification

"So Facebook, stop and think about some of your automations. As a representative of the Local News organization (Franklin TV & Franklin Public Radio) we abide by our FCC charter in broadcasting TV and radio, and by extension, we observe those guidelines when we use digital news outlets (like yours) to share what we are doing on the TV and Radio channels.

We are also responsive to our audience. If they ask a simple question, we are in a position to provide an accurate and timely response. Such as the current news item which has been brewing in Franklin, MA for some time to increase the size of our revenue pie or bucket, or yes, bottom line, raise our taxes to pay for the services we provide.

As a news organization, we don't take a side (yea, or nay). We see our role to share the accurate and timely info, meeting videos, meeting audio, meeting notes, etc. so that the electorate can make an informed vote when they go to the polls.

Taking down our post to answer the voter & resident questions about the override is NOT helping the situation. Our post shared the collected info for the voters & residents to find the info and make their own decision.

Sorry but as good as AI maybe for specific circumstances, we do need your AI to help with a Franklin, MA question.

So Facebook, stop and think about some of your automations. Consider adding a step in the automation response to challenge a post removal with a text box to allow the individual (me, this case) to provide something more than a check box answer to your automations"

So, the best way to stay informed is to use the original social media tool - Email. Subscribe for one email a day with all the info that is worthy of sharing ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

Summary of what is shared in the one email ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/watch-listen-read-for-all-news-that.html

Don't trust Facebook, subscribe for one email a day

Franklin Interfaith Council adds subscription option to their webpage

"We’ve been doing quite a bit of maintenance on our website to make it more readable and user friendly.  

One of the major new features is that you can subscribe to get email updates. Check it out! And, subscribe to get the latest news and updates from the Franklin Interfaith Council. "

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the Subscribe option ->  https://franklininterfaith.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3545117755758225/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Franklin Interfaith Council adds subscription option to their webpage

HockomockSports.com goes to subscription model

HockomockSports (@HockomockSports) tweeted on Mon, Jul 17, 2023:

LANIGAN: The next chapter for HockomockSports - https://t.co/ShShm3OUeN #hockomock

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/HockomockSports/status/1680917882601865220

HockomockSports.com goes to subscription model

Town of Franklin - June E-Newsletter

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of content ->  https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Town-of-Franklin-June-E-Newsletter.html?soid=1134219428814&aid=y2uOjYdnoso

If you haven't subscribed to receive the Town newsletter you can do so here ->     https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/zVaN7el/News

Stormwater Credit, Nason Street Playground Updates, Family Friendly Fun and more!

Subscribe for News June 2023 Edition Stormwater Utility Fee - July 1st Franklin Property owners will see the Stormwater Utility Fee on their quarterly Utility bills after July 1st, 2023. For those interested in learning more, please watch our Stormwater Utility Fee video for a brief 4 minute breakdown of the fee and what you need to know. Are you Eligible for a Credit on your Stormwater Utility? The stormwater credit application is now available! If you would like to apply for a credit on your stormwater utility fee, please fill out the Impervious Area Credit Application via Viewpoint, the Town's online permitting and licensing program. You may access the full credit manual created by DPW here. Below is a brief overview of eligible credits. Residential Credits Rain Barrel Porous Pavement/Pavers* Gravel Driveways* Rain Garden Dry Well French Drain Other Subsurface Recharge *porous pavers and gravel driveway qualify for an abatement Commercial and large Residential Credits Rain Garden Bioretention Area Detention/Retention Basins Sediment Forebays Deep Sump or Leaching Catch Basin Tree Well Subsurface Structures

 

Town of Franklin - June E-Newsletter

Merry Christmas to all celebrating!

I hope you can and will enjoy this holiday with family and friends. 

If you have time to catch up on some Franklin news, feel free to scroll through the 

• meeting notes (https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html)
• listen to one of the wfpr.fm podcasts (https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/franklin-matters-radio.html)
• listen to one of the Franklin Matters podcasts  (https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/fm-podcasts.html)
• or search for a particular term or phrase and explore the results 

And if you haven't already subscribed for the one email you receive daily with all the Franklin news, please consider doing so ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

Merry Christmas to all celebrating!

You can join the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance mailing list

From the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance

Please add your name to our mailing list. You can sign up for general updates, volunteering opportunities, and/or leadership.

Use this form to join the mailing list:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnRB-LK3z7DKSe1Rl0ClaY7LQpAteHAhf3YpLLjejFi_A6gQ/viewform 

You can join the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance mailing list

Sign up for the MASSter listing for more MA news

Want more MA news in addition to the Franklin information shared here? A good source recently found is the MASSter List. You can sign up for one daily email with a look to the day and a recap of information focused on MA.

"The MASSter source for news and analysis about politics, policy, media, and influence in Massachusetts. Tips: Editorial@MASSterList.com"

Sign up online for this newsletter -> https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/aPTLucK

You can also go direct to a couple of my key MA sources, the Boston Globe and CommonWealth Magazine.

Franklin is not a news desert as we have multiple sources of info.

• Franklin Town Online delivers to each US Postal box once a month
• The Franklin Observer provides their views via a daily email
• The Milford Daily News & MetroWest Daily News sometimes will provide coverage

Dan Kennedy of Northeastern has compiled a listing of the news sources for MA. He publishes a podcast on "What Works" and as part of that shares the listing here -> ttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sJrYscPQ0aNQNYd36kdBi7ubVjkM9yeyGJdTZnKhksc/edit#gid=0

Sign up for the MASSter List for MA news

For more about the Franklin Matters information process, visit this link

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/what-does-free-subscription-to-franklin.html

 

What does a free subscription to Franklin Matters get you?

What does a free subscription to Franklin Matters get you?

• One email newsletter each day with the timely and accurate information that matters for Franklin residents and businesses
• The daily Franklin TV & wfpr.fm radio schedule
• Event & calendar outlook for the Franklin Cultural District (Wednesdays) and community events (Fridays)
• Access to Franklin Matters Radio podcasts and show notes
• "Talk Franklin" with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
• "Town Council Quarterbacking" with Council Chair Tom Mercer
• "Making Sense of Climate" a series on climate challenges with Franklin's activist Ted McIntyre
• other episodes feature Franklin business folks, authors, and other Town personnel
• Ask a question on a Franklin topic, and you'll get an answer
• Submit a "letter to the editor" on a Franklin topic (see "Voices of Franklin")
• Monthly Q&A on all things Franklin (hybrid event, hosted at Senior Center with Zoom option)
• and more

There are two influences driving what I do:

1 - "follow the money" - I have long focused on the business of the Town of Franklin by closely watching and reporting on the Finance Committee, the School Committee, and the Town Council. Why? all significant revenue and expense matters generally come through the Finance Committee before going to the Town Council which is the ultimate approval. The School Committee is a clear choice as they account for more than half of the Town budget.

2 - now that I am retired with some more time to pay attention to what is going on, I have added a focus on what does the budget enable for our quality of life here in Franklin. We can get into the reasons and behind the scenes info that help explain the 'real' story. We all need accurate and timely info, not sound bites. It takes time to do this but it is necessary.

In coordination with Franklin TV, this 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, reading, commenting and sending information along.

The long term vision is to create one site to let you Watch, Listen, Read all that matters in Franklin.

Watch, Listen, Read all that matters in Franklin

What does a free subscription for Franklin Matters get you?

if you haven't subscribed for the daily email, please do so, and tell your friends & neighbors too!

If you want to stay informed on what matters in Franklin, MA, you have found the right place.

You can subscribe (or follow) for free to receive a daily dose of what matters via email (yes, only one email daily.)

As a volunteer “Community Information Director”, I attend as many Town Council, School Committee, and other Franklin meetings as I can. I will report on the full and complete meeting, publishing my notes as the meeting progresses.

You can subscribe to the daily newsletter delivered via email. You get one email a day with everything published in the past 24 hours. Spend about 10 minutes a day to keep up with what matters in Franklin.

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

Subscribe here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

if you haven't subscribed for the daily email, please do so, and tell your friends & neighbors too!

Liquor/All Alcohol licenses up for changes and/or approval for next Town Council meeting

One of the ways my informational radar works is with alerts. The Town of Franklin has a number of alerts that can be set up for you to receive an email with an update. Monday morning, was busy as three public hearings were announced for the next Town Council meeting April 6, 2022.

• Birchwood Bakery is applying for a new all alcohol license for their restaurant  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-03-21_legal_ad_-_birchwood_bakery_legal_ad_-_web.pdf
• Pour Richard's is looking to move from their current location to a suite in the building where Green Mountain Chocolate was  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-03-21_legal_ad_-_pour_richards_-_web_1.pdf
• 3 Restaurant is looking to make their outdoor dining permanent  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-03-21_legal_ad_-_3_restaurant_alteration_of_premises_-_web.pdf

To set up an alert, visit this page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

This works for some aspects of Town business. Alerts and notifications are a work in progress and I will continue to advocate for additional alerts. 

In the meantime, you can also subscribe to the calendar so when an item gets added to the calendar you get notified. An RSS reader is needed for this however.   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar  (Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the RSS icon, click it and subscribe with your RSS Reader).

Sign up for alert notifications here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

Reminder: subscribe to stay in the know as we 'follow the money'

Since 2007, Franklin Matters provides a daily digital newsletter for Franklin residents and taxpayers to find out what is happening.  

How do we do that?

We 'follow the money' reporting on the Finance Committee, School Committee and Town Council meetings. Given the pandemic circumstances and with a consideration for the schedule, we are either in-person or reporting in real time on the meetings.

In addition to following the money, we look at the quality of life that this brings to Franklin. We report on the Board of Health, Community Preservation Committee, and as many others as possible.

What does this reporting provide for you?

Accurate and timely info, rich with details, and links to valid source materials including (in many cases) the recordings of the meetings of themselves. 

Thanks to the collaboration with our Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, we conduct and share a twice monthly series of conversations as we "Talk Franklin" and do some "Town Council Quarterbacking."

Since October 2019, producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This daily newsletter 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 reading, sharing, sending information along, and (of course) asking questions.

Subscribe here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

• Meeting archives back to 2007 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html
• Franklin Matters audio recordings -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/fm-podcasts.html
• Franklin TV page -> https://franklin.tv/
• Franklin Public radio page -> https://wfpr.fm/
• Franklin Public Radio podcasts -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/franklin-matters-radio.html

Reminder: subscribe to stay in the know as we 'follow the money'