Light Up Franklin 2021! Luminary Kits for Sale By Troop 126

On Friday, December 31st let’s transform our town into a beautiful winter community ! Come together and join us in celebrating this (and hopefully every) New Year’s Eve by lining our neighborhoods with candle luminaries!

Each $12 Kit contains supplies for 10 luminaries:
10 white bags, 10 votive candles, sand, and instructions

3 Ways to Participate & Order Your Luminary Kits:

1) Use QR code -> 

Luminary Kits for Sale By BSA Troop 126

2) Order online using this FORM  (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGsgcpEZsUaEh-8g8XMkqkHpZSFQy2NJmhNMyDcfo4xulyEQ/viewform)

3) Fill out the attached form and mail or drop off to:
 
BSA Troop 126 c/o Iris Park, 100 Beech St, Franklin, MA 02038 

Checks payable to: BSA Troop 126

or 
Pay by Venmo: @Iris-Park-6 (add “Light Up Franklin” and number of  kits ordered) 

Funds will support Franklin Food Pantry and BSA Troop 126, Franklin

Download the flyer -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CTPc75aPMUcZF8ZZ2VhMaO03NzUbpZP8/view?usp=sharing

Luminary Kits for Sale By Troop 126

St John’s Episcopal Church: Christmas and Epiphany services scheduled

Celebrate Christmas and Epiphany with us at St John’s Episcopal Church

Christmas Eve, December 24:
5pm - Children’s Pageant with Communion
Seating is limited due to COVID protocols, so please reserve space in advance at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054CAAAE29A7F58-christmas

9pm - Candlelight Service - no reservation required

Sunday, December 26:
10am - Holy Eucharist with Christmas Carols - no reservation required

Sunday, January 2, 2022:
10am - The Epiphany family service - no reservation required

Everyone is invited! Hope to see you there.

For more information:
Call 508-528-2387
Email Admin@StJohnsFranklinMA.org
Like us on Facebook at St John’s Episcopal Church
See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org 

St John’s Episcopal Church: Celebrate Christmas and Epiphany services scheduled

FHS' Batla, Peng, Morrison, and Golden selected as Cross Country All-Stars; Duffy & Kucich as Honorable Mention

Here are the FHS athletes selected for recognition by the Hockomock League coaches. Links to the full listing of Hockomock athletes are provided.

"Below are the official 2021 Hockomock League Girls Cross Country All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league."

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP
Daphne Theiler, Sharon

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS
Alexandra Batla, Franklin
Charlene Peng, Franklin
Fiona Morrison, Franklin

Honorable Mentions
Lily Duffy, Franklin

"Below are the official 2021 Hockomock League Boys Cross Country All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league."

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP
Owen McMorrow, Oliver Ames

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS
Clancy Golden, Franklin

Honorable Mentions
Connor Kucich, Franklin

For the complete Hockomock League listing

• Boys Cross Country = https://hockomocksports.com/2021-hockomock-league-boys-cross-country-all-stars/
• Girls Cross Country = https://hockomocksports.com/2021-hockomock-league-girls-cross-country-all-stars/ 

FHS Panthers

FAA December Newsletter & Holiday Social Info

FAA Members, 

Attached please find a copy of the December FAA Newsletter with information about our upcoming Holiday Paint-Together meeting on Wednesday December 1st,  as well as numerous call to entries and local classes, member exhibition announcements and workshops.

We at the FAA would like to take this moment to remind readers that the pandemic has hit arts non-profits especially hard, and The Franklin Art Association is no exception. After the isolation of the past 2 years, we need art more than ever to remind us of our shared humanity and to bring us together. 

Please consider donating to the Franklin Art Association this Giving Tuesday November 30th, your support will help ensure that we can continue to bring fantastic programing to you and our entire community! 

Donations can be made in person at our Wednesday December 1st meeting or via mail at Franklin Art Association, 279 E. Central St. PMB#289 Franklin MA 02038.  The FAA is a registered non-profit if you would like a receipt for tax purposes you only need ask!

Hope to see everyone on Dec. 1st with holiday season cheer!!!

 Membership Renewal Form as of 2021-22.pdf

 FAA December 2021 newsletter.pdf

Franklin Garden Club to Sell Decorated Holiday Wreaths and Arrangements - Dec 4

 (in person) The Franklin Garden Club will sell decorated holiday wreaths on Saturday, December 4 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Daddario’s Hardware Store, 528 West Central Street, Franklin, MA.  

(online) In addition, holiday fresh floral arrangements will be sold on Instagram from December 6 – 20. The Franklin Garden Club Instagram handle is @franklingardenclubma (https://www.instagram.com/franklingardenclubma/). The sales will benefit several different club activities.

The real wreaths will be decorated in a variety of colors and styles and will include eye-catching bows and other ornamentation. Many will include a variety of greens.  They will be reasonably priced from $25 - $35.  The floral arrangements, created with fresh flowers and greens, will feature either holiday or winter themes and will be priced from $15 - $25.

Payment for the wreaths and centerpieces may be made through credit card, check, cash, or Venmo.

Club Co-Presidents Janice Cederquist and Mary Anne Dean stated, “We are very excited to offer area residents the opportunity to purchase beautiful holiday wreaths and arrangements created by members of the Franklin Garden Club.  This will help those who may not have the time to decorate their own wreaths or make arrangements, while also assisting the Club. All proceeds will benefit Garden Club activities, including the Club scholarship, pine tree seedling program for elementary school students, some of the Franklin Common and library plantings, and education programs open to the public. 

The Franklin Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.   https://www.gcfm.org/franklin-garden-club

Franklin Garden Club to Sell Decorated Holiday Wreaths and Arrangements 

On the last day before leaving Facebook My true love sent to me

"On the last day before leaving Facebook 

My true love sent to me

A daily newsletter via email"

Yes, only one email and a good one each day with everything that matters!

The audio session to celebrate the anniversary of Franklin Matters can be found here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/happy-anniversary-franklin-matters.html 

On the last day before leaving Facebook My true love sent to me

 

Franklin, MA: FY 2022 Tax Rate Information (Franklin Matters view)

The Town Administration and Board of Assessors prepared the following to present the FY 2022 tax rate info for the public hearing at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Dec 1, 2021. 

My version shares the information with some chart views that I think help tell the story better (my 2 cents). 

The official data and presentation copy ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6._tax_classification.pdf

My view ->   https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13BJB50G7qg3nU2_cS74HGxAFkgJMwJ8Syi_znlkcgSc/edit?usp=sharing

tax rate chart vs. net change in property valuations 1988-2022

Franklin, MA FY 2022 Tax Rate Information from Franklin Matters

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Dec 1, 2021

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 1, 2021 - 7:00 PM 

 
Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None Scheduled

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm

a. Franklin Tax Classification Hearing

i. Legislation for Action Items: 10a., 10b., 10c., 10d., 10e. 

 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6._tax_classification.pdf

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

a. Snow Removal: Robert “Brutus” Cantoreggi, Director of Public Works

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._presentation_-_snow_brutus.pdf

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee 

 

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 21-74: Tax Classification Residential Factor

(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-74 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 21-75: Tax Classification Open Space Exemption

(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-75 - Majority Vote)

c. Resolution 21-76: Tax Classification Small Business Exemption

(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-76 - Majority Vote)

d. Resolution 21-77: Tax Classification Residential Property Exemption

(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-77 - Majority Vote)

e. Resolution 21-78: Tax Classification Senior Means Tested Exemption

(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-78 - Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 21-79: Town Council 2022 Meeting Calendar

(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-79 - Majority Vote)

g. Resolution 21-80: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-80 - Majority Vote)

h. Resolution 21-81: Gift Acceptances - Veterans’ Services Department ($1,215) and Agricultural Commission ($200) (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-81 - Majority Vote)

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Public Body.

15. ADJOURN

Note:

Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting 5 

Full agenda doc and items released for this agenda including connection info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda.pdf

The average tax bill over the years 1988 to 2022 shows the rate rate can go up or down, but the average tab bill goes only in one direction

Franklin TV: Franklin v King Phillip – a Win!

Booyahh for our Panthers.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 11/28/2021 

The start? Déjà vu – all over again. Ugh!

King Philip forced a quick Panthers three-and-out. Then KP’s Gately sailed up the middle for 64 yards. Three plays later, senior QB Charlie Grant shot straight to Drew Danson deep in the end zone for first blood in under four minutes.

Then more bad news.  The Panthers fumbled on first carry (oops) and KP glommed the ball in Franklin territory. Four plays put the Warriors on the 1 yard line. Two more, and Grant smuggled it in for a 14-0 lead with 6 minutes remaining in Q1.

Then, that first ray of hope.

Panthers pulled a perfect flea flicker to Gulla and back to Jared Arone, then  to Shane Kindred for a huge 85-yard touchdown with a minute and change remaining in Q1. The Warriors blocked the point, but Franklin was on the board – and in the game, 14-6. That’s how the tide begins to turn. (Yesss.  We can do this.)

Panthers brought focused football, pulling to 19 – a point under a tough Warrior team over the next 2 quarters. More touchdowns both ways in Q3. The last, with a 2-point conversion put Panthers up 27-20 going into Q4. With 2 minutes remaining, Franklin senior Jack Marino denied King Philip’s 4th and 1 try, locking up the Panthers 27-20 win over the Warriors in their 61st traditional Turkey Day tussle.

With this win, Franklin clinches its first-ever Hockomock League Kelley-Rex division title and first league crown since 2009. (Congrats!)  It also snaps a 10-game Thanksgiving skid and an 18-game overall streak to the Warriors.

Yes, we’ll have another round of stuffing, thank you very much.

Big congrats to the Panthers for a great day of winning football.

And –  as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching. 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf    

Franklin TV: Franklin v King Phillip – a Win!

Boston Globe: "A bill heading to Governor Charlie Baker’s desk would require Mass. school districts to teach about genocides"

Jeffrey N. Roy (@jeffroy) tweeted Sat, Nov 27, 2021:

"Bill requires teaching students about the history of genocide and human rights issues and sets up a Genocide Education Trust Fund to help build the new curricula. "

https://t.co/GyUUOwAxu9 via @BostonGlobe

"A bill that could be just days from becoming law in Massachusetts would require school districts to teach middle and high school students about the history of genocide and human rights issues and set up a Genocide Education Trust Fund to help build the new curricula.

The bill was passed by the state Legislature on Wednesday and sent to Governor Charlie Baker for his signature.

Massachusetts does not currently require schools to teach students about the Holocaust or other genocides, but the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offers optional curriculum frameworks. Districts get to choose which materials and teaching approaches to use.

“It’s quite obvious that killing millions of people is wrong, but if that’s so clear-cut, why do people continue to do it? If it’s self-evident, why do so many people continue to commit genocides?” said State Representative Jeff Roy, lead sponsor of the House bill. “At a bottom line, we have to give and arm our students with the knowledge that they need to recognize the warning signs and feel empowered to prevent genocides in the future.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/26/metro/bill-heading-governor-charlie-bakers-desk-would-require-mass-school-districts-teach-about-genocides/

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1464574932537561093

Massachusetts does not currently require schools to teach students about the Holocaust or other genocides.CRAIG F. WALKER/GLOBE STAFF/THE BOSTON GLOBE