The Community Closet has been so successful, looking for volunteers to expand offerings

looking for volunteers

via Franklin United Methodist Church

The Community Closet has been a tremendous success. We're looking for volunteers. We're looking to expand our offerings. And, because of your generosity, we're able to clothe our community for FREE. If you haven't already checked it out and picked out a few clothes for yourself, you should!

Check out the latest update (image ->) and learn how you can meet, serve, share with your neighbors and build community together!

You can find the link to the update post here, https://franklinumc.org/2024/10/30/volunteers-needed-community-closet-franklinumc/?

Download the flyer to share or as reminder for November hours ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/19fpDmhZm3qU8gGlx2fqu9990Xy1Gym95/view?usp=drive_link

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/

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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 

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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 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!

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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"

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

Job well done on Beautification Day

Franklin’s Beautification Day in May was a great success. Despite some morning rain, volunteers cleaned out garden barrels and window boxes and planted fresh spring flowers. The Franklin Downtown Partnership, organizer of Beautification Day, thanks all who worked to make downtown Franklin colorful for the summer.

Photos courtesy of Vicario Studio 1 

Among the many volunteers were students and residents, Franklin High Baseball team, FHS Baseball Coach Zach Brown, Franklin Downtown Partnership members Chris Peterson, Greg Safford, Roberta Trahan, and Franklin Tile’s Sandy Sauer. Event organizer Eileen Mason, Franklin Downtown Partnership and Franklin Garden Club member, did a fabulous job coordinating people, tasks and materials.  

Photos courtesy of Vicario Studio 2 

Thank you again for the support from Beautification Day sponsors. Platinum sponsors: Camford Property Group, Inc.; Doherty, Dugan, Cannon, Raymond & Weil, P.C.; Eileen Mason, RE/MAX; Glen Meadow Apartments; and Middlesex Savings Bank. Gold sponsors: Dean Bank; Elizabeth’s Bagels; D.G. Ranieri Real Estate; and Notturno Home Services. Silver sponsors: Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc., Fenton Financial Group, Oteri Funeral Home, PEEL Microspa.

Follow the Franklin Downtown Partnership at:

https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/  and  

https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, greenspace, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

Franklin Food Pantry says "Thank you" for more than 11,000 pounds of food for "Stamp Out Hunger" campaign

On Saturday, May 11, 2024, Franklin, Massachusetts letter carriers participated in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.

More than 11,000 pounds of food was collected from Franklin residents, which equates to more than 9,000 meals. The Pantry extends its gratitude to the letter carriers who filled their truck with the much-needed food. 

Thank you to the generous residents of Franklin, the committed volunteers who sorted and restocked the food, Stop & Shop in Franklin for lending grocery carts to easily transport the food, the extra support from Jim Sierra, and the Franklin Senior Center for providing the extra space to collect, check, and sort the food.

grocery carts helped to unload the postal vans

carts brought the bags to the processing line where they were weighed & sorted

the sorting line

Furry Friends of Franklin Dog Park need your help Sat, May 14 to spread some mulch

Dacey Field dog park

"Hello dog lovers. Save this date.  

Furry Friends of the Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee needs your help on Saturday May 14th at 9:30 am to spread 30 yards of fresh wood chips.  

We need shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows. Refreshments will be there for those who help and Gino’s famous peanut butter, blueberry dog biscuits for our furry friends.  

Thanks.  "

Shared from Facebook ->   https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3157913507811987/ 

All Night Party committee is seeking volunteers - Maybe you can help!

"FHS Families the All Night Party (ANP) Committee needs your help for this event the senior class attends on graduation night - If you are able to, please utilize this form to sign up.

It is truly a fun event, that your freshman, sophomore or junior will be attend in a few years"

"ANP is in need of volunteers specifically for the following time slots: 

12:30 am - 2:30 am (games, running casino tables, entertainment, snacks, general supervision)

2:30 am - 5:00 am (DJ/club portion, general supervision, and student dismissal)

So please grab a friend or two and sign up to volunteer!  You can request to be paired up with your friend to volunteer together. It is truly a great event and once you get involved, you will understand why we are working so hard to bring this tradition back!

For more information, visit our website, www.fhsallnightparty.com.

Questions? Email anpfranklin@gmail.com.  Join our Facebook group here!

Use the form here to sign up and volunteer ->   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1erCOO56praeEuXSi8rtdet5umqloLQ2A84kGHbj_2wQ/edit 

All Night Party committee is seeking volunteers - Maybe you can help!

Volunteers Needed for Harvest Festival

Harvest Festival Volunteers Needed Please pass the word to friends, family and clients that we need volunteers for the October 2 Harvest Festival. We will need more than 50 volunteers to make this year's festival run smoothly.   Please email the FDP office  downtown.franklin@yahoo.com if you are able to volunteer. Thank you for your support, Harvest Festival Committee Franklin Downtown Partnership • 774-571-3109 • FranklinDowntownPartnership.org

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Food Pantry Honors Volunteers

Franklin Food Pantry Honors Volunteers 

Recognizes 2019 and 2020 Points of Light Award Winners 

The Franklin Food Pantry is pleased to celebrate its 2019 and 2020 Point of Light volunteer award winners. This distinction is led by the AmeriCorps in partnership with Points of Light. 

Points of Light is the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. Volunteers were honored at a small outdoor ceremony during Volunteer Appreciation month. Point of Light volunteer awards recognize adult volunteers with at least 100 hours of service in the Bronze level and 250 hours of service in the Silver level. Due to the Covid-19 virus, The Pantry was unable to hold the ceremony in 2020 so is honoring both 2019 and 2020 this year. 

"Our volunteers are critical to tackling food insecurity in the community. Some of their work is easy to describe weighing, carrying, packing, distributing, typing, calling, mailing, loading, unloading, delivering and more. But the real gold is in how each volunteer treat each of our neighbors with dignity, kindness, and compassion," said Tina Powderly. "It can be incredibly stressful for those who find themselves seeking the services we provide, and the words and action of our volunteers show them that they are respected, give them hope, and empower them to tackle the challenges so many of our clients face. That is priceless and while it doesn't ever go unnoticed, we formally show our gratitude to our volunteers during Volunteer Appreciation Week." 

Congratulations to the 2019 and 2020 award winners: 

Silver 

• Dan Davis, 2019 
• Molly Kilburn, 2019 
• Donna O'Neill, 2019 
•  Jen Kuse, 2020 

Bronze 

• Susan Blanchard, 2019 
• Diane Daddario, 2019, 2020 
• Mary Anne Dean, 2019, 2020 
• John Doherty, 2019 
•  Jeanne Hummel, 2019 
• Molly Kilburn, 2020 
• Kym Pruitt, 2019 
• Liz Ramaswamy, 2019 
• Jerry Rinker, 2019 
• Amy Roberge, 2019 
• David Sagaser, 2019 
• Dave Strittmatter, 2019 

The Franklin Food Pantry offers a variety of volunteer jobs both within The Pantry and serving on committees that further the mission of the Pantry. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, The Pantry is currently not accepting new applications for volunteers. Please watch the website for new opportunities.

About the Franklin Food Pantry 

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to over 1,400 individuals. Neighbors have access to a variety of fresh, frozen and nonperishable foods on weekly shopping trips for drive-up distribution. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Visit www.franklingfoodpantry.org for more information.

2019 and 2020 Points of Light Award Winners gather at the site of the Franklin Food Pantry's Future home, 138 East Central Street

 

 

Volunteers needed for spring beautification project

Spring is in the air at the Franklin Downtown Partnership! The FDP and Franklin Garden Club is seeking volunteers for its spring beautification project. 

The volunteers will plant fresh flowers throughout the downtown area on Saturday, May 22. 

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for beautification. 

Please email Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com if you are available to volunteer or Lisa Piana at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com to sponsor beautification.

 

Volunteers needed for spring beautification project

Franklin Dog Park: Volunteers needed Oct 3

Hello dog lovers,

The furry Friends of the Franklin Dog Park volunteer Committee are in need of volunteers  to help spread wood chips at Franklin Dog Park on Saturday, October 3 at 8 AM, rain date is Sunday, October 4 at 8 AM. 

Also students who need credits for community service, please bring your forms.  We need wheelbarrows, rakes and shovels.  We will have refreshments.                     

Thank you,
Gennarino D'Onofrio 

 

Franklin Dog Park: Volunteers needed Oct 3

FM #332 Franklin Food Pantry Community Garden - 8/13/20 (audio)

 FM #332 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 332 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Jen Kuse, volunteer coordinator of the Franklin Food Pantry beds at the Community Garden. We are also joined by Lynn Calling, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. Our conversation was conducted at the Community Garden, outdoor, and adhering to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

In this conversation, we learn about Jen’s green thumb (sometimes brown and dirty) as she coordinates the efforts of several local churches and many volunteers to provide fresh produce to the Food Pantry’s clients. The Tuesday of the week we recorded this, they delivered 50 pounds of produce, with likely another 50 pounds scheduled for Friday for the Food Pantry.

This is a great story to share. You can help in any number of ways. Contact Jen to volunteer with the regular maintenance, or a maintenance day, or financially.

As we listened to the recording, we found a few minor corrections. Jen never actually answers Lynn’s question on how many garden beds the volunteers are gardening and harvesting from; it currently is 12. The listing of the organizations who have helped is in the show notes below. Jen also mentions Deb's name (volunteer from The BFCCS), and says her correct name (Deb Schwab) the first time, and then refers to her as Deb Benjamin the second time. Oops, we got you covered Jen (and Deb!)

The recording runs just about 18 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jen and Lynn. Audio file = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-332-franklin-food-pantry-community-garden-8-13-20

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• The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

• Franklin Federated Church

• St. John's Episcopal Church

• Franklin United Methodist Church

• New England Chapel

Jen also considers the Town of Franklin Recreations Dept and the Franklin Agway (https://www.franklinagway.com/) as partners in support and supplies.

Jen Kuse  communitygardens@franklinfoodpantry.org 

Lynn Calling, Executive Director, Franklin Food Pantry  lcalling@franklinfoodpantry.org 

Franklin Food Pantry = https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/ 

Photos of the garden beds at the Community garden

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2C3CRtWxA15vPhy86

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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 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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Jen Kuse showing one of the garden beds to Lynn Calling