Recap: Economic Development Subcommittee hears about the complicated Nu-Style property

Quick Recap:

• The neighboring residents and business property owners are not interested in remediation of the contaminated site 
• Without additional EPA/DEP grants funds to facilitate the clean up, the Town is lacking in funds to clean it properly although it recognized  the need and obligation to do so
• For now, the Town will continue to work the grant applications for funds, and may consider re-issuing the property for sale

My full set of notes via Twitter from the meeting ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lFlASF1LGnnwHICeRFDvRHKVNTsYKyY3/view?usp=sharing

The Franklin TV recording of the meeting ->  https://youtu.be/dVAkkt0Ckfs

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

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Franklin Public Library Customer Satisfaction Survey

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Franklin Public Library Customer Satisfaction Survey

Franklin Public Library Customer Satisfaction Survey

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, July 21, 2022

•  wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p   Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm   Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents 

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = Thursday

7:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lobstah

8:00 am Veterans' Call: Dave Hencke

9:00 am Metrowest Symposium: Sharing Identity on Social Media

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:30 pm Sandhya: Donuts

1:00 pm Physician Focus: Oral Health

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 6

3:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Unified Basketball

3:30 pm Cooking Thyme: Lobstah

4:00 pm Once Upon A Town: The Post Office

4:30 pm Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo

5:30 pm Strawberry Stroll 2022

7:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 3 - Hipnotics

8:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Allan Earls

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = Thursday

7:00 am Public School Event: Jazz Night 01-23-19

9:00 am Critical Conversations: Social Media

11:30 am Franklin Rec Street Hockey: Bruins v Canadiens

2:00 pm Public School Event: Horace Mann Spring Music '22

3:40 pm FHS Varsity Baseball: v Catholic Memorial 04-20-22

6:10 pm Let's Talk Sports: Unified Basketball

7:00 pm Arts Advocacy: Impact

8:00 pm FHS Graduation 2022

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 07-07-22

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 07-07-22

7:00 pm Conservation Commission: LIVE, Chambers, 810 4330 3701

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

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Franklin Cultural District - Farmers Market & Concerts on the Common combine again; and that's not all the #artshappenhere

What is culture? According to one source: "Culture is a term that refers to a large and diverse set of mostly intangible aspects of social life." 

Diverse?

Yes, from Bollywood Dance to a couple of varieties of BBQ, and multiple selections of live music - check - that is here!

Social life?

Aside from the multiple happenings on the Town Common, we also have a writers group, an active Senior Center, a busy library (including a book club), a local book store with an art gallery, a winery and brewery with live music and food trucks - check - that is here too!

Wouldn't you say that the Cultural District is where #artshappenhere in Franklin?

Wednesday, July 20

11:00am - Franklin Q&A with Steve Sherlock (at Senior Center with Zoom option)

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writers group) (at Senior Center with Zoom option)

6:30pm - Bollywood Dance Party  (Franklin Public Library)

Senior Center

Thursday, July 21

8:30am - Town Council Office Hours (Senior Center)

12:00pm - Art show "Feminine Devine" - Amy Adams (67 Degrees Brewing check open hours)

6:00pm - Sheamus (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

6:30pm - 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node (virtual meeting)

Town Common

Friday, July 22

12:00pm - Art show "Feminine Devine" - Amy Adams (67 Degrees Brewing check open hours)

2:00pm - Farmers Market (Town Common)

2:00pm - Heath Nisbett (live music) (Town Common)

3:30pm - Concerts on the Common: Bus-14 (Town Common)

3:30pm - Farmers Mkt Fun: Super hero masks (Town Common)

4:00pm - Food truck: Gotta Q Smokehouse BBQ (Town Common)

6:00pm - Concerts on the Common: The Reminisants (Town Common)

6:00pm - Patrick Durkin (live music) (67 Degrees Brewing)

6:00pm - Charlie Rock (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

8:00pm - The Zajac Brothers (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

ladybug in front of the Library

Saturday, July 23

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

12:00pm - Art show "Feminine Devine" - Amy Adams (67 Degrees Brewing check open hours)

12:30pm - Hog Wash BBQ  (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewing)

4:00pm - Emily & Nick  (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - Northeast Groove  (live music) (67 Degrees Brewing)

Franklin Historical Museum

Sunday, July 24

12:00pm - Art show "Feminine Devine" - Amy Adams (67 Degrees Brewing check open hrs)

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Tuesday, July 26

7:00pm - Library Book Club (Franklin Public Library)

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

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full 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 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

Franklin Cultural District: #Artshappenhere

MA State budget items for Franklin thanks to our Legislative Delegation

Per email from State Representative Jeff Roy:

Here is what was included for Franklin in the State budget for FY23. The delegation has been strongly advocating for each of these pieces and we are happy to share the results:

• Chapter 70 - $28,885,721
• UGGA - $2,862,319
• 0640-0300 (Mass Cultural) - not less than $10,000 shall be expended for the annual cultural festival in the city known as the town of Franklin
• 0810-1205 (AGO) - not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the SAFE Coalition, Incorporated to provide support, education, treatment options and coping mechanisms for those affected by substance use disorder in the city known as the town of Franklin
• 2511-0107 (DAR) not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Franklin Food Pantry, Incorporated building project
• 2810-0122 (DCR) not less than $8,000 shall be expended for historical preservation, safety enhancements and related work at the Franklin state forest
• 2810-0122 (DCR) not less than $50,000 shall be expended for replacement of the playground at Fletcher field in the city known as the town of Franklin
• 7008-1116 (Massachusetts Marketing Partnership) not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Franklin Downtown Partnership, Inc. to promote economic development in the city known as the town of Franklin
• 7010-1192 (DESE) not less than $500,000 shall be expended to communities in the Metrowest region, including the city of Framingham and the towns of Ashland, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway and Natick to address mental health needs in schools
• 7010-1192 (DESE) not less than $5,000 shall be expended for anti-bias curriculum in the city known as the town of Franklin
• 7010-1192 (DESE) not less than $15,000 shall be expended for the K-5 anti-bias curriculum in the city known as the town of Franklin
• 7010-1192 (DESE) not less than $70,000 shall be expended for mental health screenings in the Franklin public schools
• 8000-0313 (EOPSS) not less than $50,000 shall be expended for a Stop the Bleed pilot program to fund the procurement of trauma kits and bleeding control training for school faculty and staff in the towns and towns of Bellingham, Dover, Medfield, Milford, Millis, Needham, Norfolk, Plainville, Sherborn and Wrentham and the city known as the town of Franklin

 

Jeff

 

	Jeffrey N. Roy State Representative Chair, Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy State House Room 43 Boston, MA 02133
	617-722-2030 (w) 508-618-7126 (fax) jeffrey.roy@mahouse.gov
	jeffreyroy.com

For those doing the math, aside from Chap 70 & the UGGA (unrestricted local aid), there is $283,000 specifically for Franklin (excluding the unknown portion of the 7010-1192 (DESE) $500,000 and the unknown portion of the 8000-0313 (EOPSS) $50,000 - 'unknown portions' as both of these amounts are grand totals covering several communities and the breakout is not available).

By my view, both the Chap 70 & UGGA (unrestricted local aid) amounts are more than what was put into the Town of Franklin budget approved by the Town Council in May. You can compare to the voting doc in the budget book posted online ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/appendix_a_town_of_franklin_budget_book_fy23_2.pdf

The audio of the May vote by the Town Council and associated documents for the meeting can be found -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/town-council-approves-fy-2023-budget.html

MA State budget items for Franklin thanks to our Legislative Delegation

Please Support the Y’s 7th Annual Community Backpack Drive

Operation Backpack is now underway at the Hockomock Area YMCA and seeks the support of local businesses and individuals. Committed to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children and strengthening the community, the YMCA has a hefty goal of 3,000 fully stocked backpacks delivered before the school year begins this fall. 

students with backpacks from community drive YMCA

“Convening donors and volunteers to support area families in need reflects our Y’s commitment to serve and strengthen our communities together,” says Jim Downs, CEO of the Hockomock Area YMCA. “Having access to backpacks and supplies is an integral part of a student’s success. As many families continue to face financial hardships due to the pandemic and the cost of living, we are working to make sure that kids have the supplies they need to start the upcoming school year off right.”  

 

New supplies and backpacks are requested now through August 14th. The Backpack Drive is a collaborative effort made possible by the YMCA staff, program participants, partners and neighbors to provide kids the confidence that comes when boys and girls are able to go to school prepared. 

Donation bins are located at all Hockomock Area YMCA facilities: Invensys Foxboro Branch, 67 Mechanic Street, Foxborough; Bernon Family Branch, 45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin; Mansfield Arts & Education Center, 40 Balcom Street, Mansfield; and North Attleboro Branch, 300 Elmwood Street, North Attleboro.  

“Fulfilling our mission is only possible because of the dedication of staff, volunteers, donors and partners who support our cause of enhancing lives and enriching communities,” says Eric Kevorkian, Chair of the Hockomock Y’s Board of Directors. “Your support with this Backpack Drive will help children and neighbors in need in our 15 town service area.”  

YMCA delivering stuffed backpacks

Community members who would like to sponsor the Backpack Drive are asked to contact Katie Moore at 508-643-5265 or katiem@hockymca.org. Sponsorship levels range from $500–which will provide 10 backpacks to students in need–through Presenting Sponsor at $25,000, which is a giving level ensuring that 500 children will receive needed supplies. Be sure to inquire about all sponsorship levels by contacting the Y today. 

In addition to monetary donations, the Y is requesting the following supplies: backpacks for all ages including pre-k, elementary, middle school and high school, pencils and colored pencils, highlighters, washable markers, rulers, crayons, glue sticks, spiral notebooks and scissors.  A donation of $50 will cover the cost of a single fully stocked backpack. All the details to support this initiative are available at: hockymca.org/backpack-drive

 

If a member of your family or someone you know is in need of a backpack, a request form can be found online at hockymca.org/backpack-drive.  

 

About Hockomock Area YMCA: 

Where Cause Meets Community.  At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.  

 

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information, visit hockymca.org.  

Second Sunday Speaker: Firestorm - A Childhood Amidst the Ruins of War - Aug 14

Our August Second Sunday Speaker Series features a name familiar to many in Franklin. 

Firestorm: A Childhood Amidst the Ruins of War 

Wolfgang Bauer, a former Franklin Town Manager and currently a representative to the Charles River Pollution Control District, was born in Hamburg, Germany in the midst of the 1943 Allied firebombing that destroyed much of the city and killed tens of thousands. Bauer will review some of the main features of the bombing raids and discuss his life as a small child growing up in the wreckage of a once-prosperous city; a situation now being repeated in Ukraine in the 21^st century.

Join us Sunday August 14 at 1:15 PM for this personal look at a childhood memory of war, a timely presentation. Doors open at 1:00 PM

***

The Franklin Historical Museum is located downtown at the town's original town hall and former Senior Center, 80 West Central Street. Stop in and visit our gift shop, run by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum. Find unique Franklin items for yourself, a friend or anyone who loves Franklin. Road sign 'Entering Franklin' mugs, Franklin pillows, beautiful note cards and this year's edition of our highly popular annual Christmas tree ornament. The 2022 ornament is a sweet tribute to Franklin's place in establishing the Ladybug as the Massachusetts state insect. 

***

What Franklin treasure have you found in your attic or basement? Always consider the museum before pitching it in the trash can. One man's trash could be a Franklin treasure! Local research available on our website franklinmuseum1778.com. Follow us on Facebook. Come in and visit us soon. 

Second Sunday Speaker: Firestorm - A Childhood Amidst the Ruins of War - Aug 14

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node - Jul 21 - 6:30 PM (note time change)

Our next 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting will be on Zoom, this Thursday, July 21. We will meet at a special time, 6:30-8:00 pm (so we won't compete with the January 6 hearing on TV).   

Here are the Zoom details.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09
Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755
Passcode: 350ma
Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

During the meeting, our agenda will include an update on  the status of climate bills in the state legislature, actions to promote national and regional changes, and local developments.

Remember that you can stay involved and receive updates from 350 Mass via the Climate Weekly email. Sign up here.
Learn more on the 350 Mass website.

We hope you can join us Thursday at 6:30 pm. We'll send a reminder on Thursday.

Thank you for your commitment to the struggle for a transition to a just, equitable, and clean energy economy.

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017 (c)

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node - Jul 21 - 6:30 PM (note time change)

Legal Notice: Franklin Historical Commission - property demolition request

HEARING DATE WED 8/3/22

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given  that the Town of Franklin

Historical Commission

will hold a Public Hearing,

Wednesday August 3, 2022 6:30 PM

regarding a demolition request

 application for the property at 

121 Grove Street, Franklin MA

Meeting held at the Franklin Historical Museum

80 West Central Street, Franklin

For more about the Franklin Historical Commission, visit their page on the Town of Franklin -> https://www.franklinma.gov/historical-commission

Legal Notice: Franklin Historical Commission - property demolition request

Congressman Jake Auchincloss: An Update covering the 2 week period July 4 - July 15

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW JULY 4 - JULY 15 I'm your representative in Congress, and I write to keep you informed. On the Hill Trip to Israel: I recently visited Israel with a bipartisan group of my colleagues, which I documented with Jewish Insider upon my return. While we were visiting, I saw firsthand the positive impacts of the Abraham Accords, which I have strongly supported since taking office, as well as the Biden Administration's efforts to expand and strengthen them. When I met with Israeli political and military leaders last month, they emphasized the importance of regional defense and deterrence against Iran's malign activities. That is why President Biden's reaffirmation of the United States' commitment to Israel's security during his recent trip to the region is so important. Saudi Arabia's decision to open its airspace to civilian flights to and from Israel is a significant step toward regional integration and diplomatic normalization. This important step, thanks to President Biden's diplomatic efforts, lays the groundwork for additional economic, cultural, and security ties between Israel and its Arab neighbors. While I was in Israel, I also witnessed the peaceful – even good-natured – transition of leadership between outgoing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and incoming Prime Minister Yair Lapid. These two leaders, from different parties, embraced one another and committed to continuing to work for the good of all Israelis. It was yet another testament, to me, of what's at stake with the January 6 Commission here at home. Immigration: I spoke on the House Floor about the concerning drop in legal immigration from pre-pandemic trends, which has caused further employment shortages across the country. During my conversations with local business owners, I have heard time and time again how difficult it has been for businesses to get back on their feet after the pandemic, primarily due to a lack of workers available to fill open positions. I strongly support any and all measures to make up for the shortfall of 2M legal immigrants, from clearing the visa backlog, to documenting immigrants and Dreamers already in the US, and increasing caps for both immigration and refugee resettlement. This isn't just an economic issue - it's a moral and American issue. Protecting the Right to an Abortion: On Friday, I voted for the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA) when it passed in the House. This bill is intended to guarantee equal access to safe and legal abortion for all women following the Supreme Court's decision to repeal a fundamental right and restrict access to abortion. The WHPA guarantees a woman's right to abortion, as well as the freedom of abortion providers to deliver abortion services. Further, the bill prohibits medically unnecessary restrictions that are designed to take the right to abortion away. I also joined my colleagues in passing the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act in the House. This bill would protect a woman's right to travel to access the reproductive care they need. Specifically, the bill prohibits any person acting under state law from impeding or retaliating against health care providers who provide services to out-of-state residents, any person who travels for such services, and the person who helps them travel. Americans have a constitutional right to travel, including for health services, and this bill will help protect that right. The Senate should eliminate the filibuster and pass these critical bills to ensure access to abortions for all Americans. Voting Against the Defense Spending Bill: I am a supporter of a strong United States military. We need to be able to uphold the post-war international order and stamp out humanitarian catastrophes wherever they exist. I also appreciate that this defense budget continues to orient the United States' strategy towards the Indo-Pacific and away from our failed forever wars in the Middle East; however, I opposed this bill for two reasons. First, the topline funding level is just too high. The Pentagon, like any massive bureaucracy, can do 10 percent more with 10 percent less. I inserted an amendment to force the Pentagon to procure more efficiently and to take a hard look at its personnel and overhead, so that in future years, we can save taxpayer money while maintaining military readiness. We are spending too much money on defense procurement and not getting enough in return. Secondly, the bill contains a provision that would harm the U.S. offshore wind industry. The southern part of our district has a growing offshore wind cluster and I am fiercely protective of the clean energy, jobs, and economic development that will follow offshore wind development. In addition to voting against the bill, I led 30 of my colleagues in calling on the Senate to remove the provision restricting offshore wind development. Clean energy is the future. Regardless of what other voices in Washington have to say, I will oppose any bill that pulls us back instead of pushing us forward. Make your voice heard → Our military spending eclipses that of the ten next-largest militaries combined, and still would if it were slimmed down by ten percent. The Pentagon is the world's largest bureaucracy and – like most big bureaucracies – could tighten its belt and find itself more efficient and effective as a result. The Pentagon, however, is also the most effective lobbyist on the Hill, and therefore too few Members of Congress are willing to cut its budget. Let me know below if you support reducing the defense budget. Do you support reducing the defense budget? Around the Fourth A Visit to Sharon: Last week, I toured around Sharon, visiting a local dairy farm, water infrastructure, and speaking to firefighters and police officers. Our first stop brought us to Crescent Ridge Dairy Farm to celebrate their 90th anniversary and enjoy some locally made ice cream. I spoke to the third-generation owners about their challenges finding skilled workers due to a lack of immigration, which I also spoke about on the House floor. I was also able to tour the production line and discuss the ways local businesses are working to support each other during these difficult times. I also thanked Sharon police officers and firefighters for their service during the pandemic, as well as their ongoing efforts to keep Sharon safe. We discussed the urgent need to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of citizens and how the police force is working to ensure they are able to address emergency situations as they arise. Gardner Terrace: I visited and spoke at Gardner Terrace, a senior facility in Attleboro. Gardner Terrace will undergo a $23 million renovation, which will ensure that low-income Attleboro seniors have access to high-quality, affordable housing. As the Vice Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, I will continue to be a committed partner for affordable housing development in our district, our state, and across the country. Sincerely, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110