Thursday, April 27, 2023

Franklin Cultural Festival is taking an "intermission" for 2023


Franklin Cultural Festival is taking an "intermission" for 2023
Franklin Cultural Festival is taking an "intermission" for 2023
Photos by Jake Jacobson.

We're taking an intermission.

Members of the community, 

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your support of the Franklin Cultural Festival over the past two years. It has been a fantastic celebration of our community, and it would not have been successful without all of you. The Franklin Cultural Council is undergoing a restructure and searching for a new dedicated chair, and so, the Festival will be taking an intermission in 2023. 

We appreciate your continued support of arts and culture in Franklin and look forward to future events.

With our very best wishes,
The Franklin Cultural Council 



Request for Determination - Grove Street Well 6 - Conservation Commission - May 18

Request for Determination - Grove Street Well 6 - Conservation

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Protection Act) Franklin Conservation Commission will hold a Hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 7:07 PM on a Request for Determination filed by the Franklin Water Department for the cutting of any standing dead trees that pose a threat of falling and damaging the Well 6 well field area, with work taking place within Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW), the 100-foot Buffer Zone to BVW and the 200-foot Riverfront Area.
The Project is located at 340 Grove Street, Map 312 Lot 21, within the Industrial Zone.
The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion. This meeting will be done remotely via the “ZOOM” platform and “In-person” in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting.
All records and files for this project can be viewed at the Conservation Office located on the first floor of the Franklin Municipal Building.
Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. The hearing location is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If you require a translator or accommodations for a hearing impairment, contact the Conservation Department at the Municipal Building or by calling (508) 520-4929.
Patrick Gallagher 
Chairman

Request for Determination - Grove Street Well 6 - Conservation Commission - May 18
Request for Determination - Grove Street Well 6 - Conservation Commission - May 18 


Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Apr 27, 2023

  • 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

8:30 am     Veterans' Call: John Milot
9:00 am     The Black Box: A Magical Night of Disney Classics
10:30 am Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Spring
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs
12:30 pm Sandya: Crepes
1:00 pm     Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta
2:00 pm New England Candlepins Fall 2018 Show 1
3:00 pm Joe Landry: Restaurants & Bars
4:30 pm     Frank Presents: Chris Woolf
6:30 pm     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
7:00 pm     Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 4 - Dicenso Clark
8:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Leigh Schoberth

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

7:00 am     Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22
8:30 am     Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22
10:30 am School Committee Legislative Forum 2023
1:00 pm     FHS Chamber Music 2023
3:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball: v Sharon 04-14-23
6:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball: v Foxboro 04-10-23
9:00 pm ArtWeek: Art + Music

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 04-20-23
2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 04-20-23

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.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Franklin Cultural District: dance & concerts, listening tour & poetry, Electric Youth & Future Shock as #artshappenhere

Dance and concerts surround the arts & culture listening tour on Friday and a favorite poem reading at the Library on Saturday as #artshappenhere

Wednesday, April 26

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin TV Studio - recording session)

7:00pm - Critical Conversations (student voices) (Franklin School District at FHS)

7:00pm - Executive Function Strategies Workshop (Virtual) (Franklin SEPAC)

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


dance performances
dance performances
Thursday, April 27

10:00am - Writer's Quiet Space (Escape Into Fiction)

5:00pm - FHS Softball Boosters Fund Raiser (Pretty is Pink)

6:00pm - Open Mic Night (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - Dean Dance Company (Ticketed performance) (Dean College Main Stage)


Friday, April 28

9:00am - Arts & Culture Listening Tour - Session 2 (Franklin Public Library)

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

7:30pm - Dean Dance Company (Ticketed performance) (Dean College Main Stage)


Saturday, April 29

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

favorite poem project
favorite poem project

12:00pm - Favorite Poem Project (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm - Dean Dance Company (Ticketed performance) (Dean College Main Stage)

6:00pm - Corner 2 Corner (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - Dean Dance Company (Ticketed performance) (Dean College Main Stage)

7:30pm - Electric Youth 2023 (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

8:00pm - John Gorka (ticketed event, masks required) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)


Sunday, April 30

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

2:00pm - Dean Dance Company (Ticketed performance) (Dean College Main Stage)


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

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Franklin Art Association Art Gallery
Franklin Art Association Art Gallery
Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

Find the full Community event 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: Arts are happening here!
Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

School Committee spends a lot of time on redistricting report (video)

The School Committee met on Tuesday and needed to vote to extend their meeting past 10 PM to continue the agenda items for their session before entering Executive Session (for negotiations from which they did not return to open meeting).

They heard an update from the Remington Middle School, approved the proposed middle school Grand Canyon trip for 2024 and spent most of the evening discussing the redistricting proposal they were privy to. As we go to press this Wednesday morning, it is still not posted to the Schools page although likely will be later today or tomorrow. Available when checked after 4 PM on Weds, 4/26/23


In the meantime 

1 - the video is available for replay on Franklin TV's Town Hall YouTube channel. Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/GpL9DsQgjMc?feature=share

2 - Photo albums capture what was shared on the overheard screen for Remington https://photos.app.goo.gl/3ULdjXviehRsVn9K8 and the redistricting discussion  https://photos.app.goo.gl/y5D4LEVkxBRSXqGDA

The audio and my full set of notes will be ready in a day or so

screen grab of redistricting recommendation
screen grab of redistricting recommendation


FHS baseball, boys & girls lacrosse teams, girls tennis team, and both boys & girls outdoor track teams post wins on Wednesday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.


Baseball = Franklin, 5 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final 
– A strong start offensively and another stellar start from senior Alfred Mucciarone helped the Panthers land a key win over division rival North Attleboro. Franklin wasted little time as it pushed a pair of runs across the plate in the first and another run in the second handed the visitors an early 3-0 lead. A two-run fifth inning extended the lead; North Attleboro got on the board with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Mucciarone threw six innings, scattering five hits (and no walks) for one run, striking out 12, and Dillon Cashin struck out two in a scoreless inning in relief. Ben Jarosz was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Tyler Bellan hit a sac fly to give Franklin its 2-0 lead, and a sacrifice fly from Jase Lyons in the second made it 3-0. Bellan added a two-run, two-out single in the fifth for Franklin. Chris Hanewich led off the bottom of the sixth with a single and scored on a double from Jordan Paradis to get the Rocketeers on the board. Dillon Harding pitched well for North, allowing five runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks, striking out four in five innings while Ayden Delaney tossed two shutout innings in relief.

Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 19 @ Bishop Feehan, 11 – Final 
– A big fourth quarter helped Franklin avoid a scare from visiting Bishop Feehan, outscoring the Shamrocks 7-2 in the final frame. The Panthers led by just one at the end of the first quarter (3-2) and at halftime (7-6), and the advantage was only three (12-9) going into the fourth quarter. Luke Davis was nearly unstoppable as he scored an impressive 10 goals to pace the offense, including six in the second half. Jayden Consigli added three goals and two assists, Tyler Sacchetti netted a pair with one helper, and Eddie O’Brien (two assists), Anthony Lampasona, and Ben Paterson each scored once.

Girls Lacrosse = North Attleboro, 3 @ Franklin, 20 – Final 
– The Panthers snapped a rare two-game skid, getting back into league action with a big win over North. Franklin used a total team effort to earn the win and senior Katie Peterson scored her 100th career goal.

Boys Tennis = Franklin, 0 @ Attleboro, 5 – Final 
– Attleboro took care of business and defended home court with a clean sweep over shorthanded Franklin. Kyle Neuendorf took a 6-2, 6-3 victory at first singles, Tyler Rocchio dropped just two games in a 6-1, 6-1 win at second singles, and Shashank Shrithar completed the singles sweep with a 6-2, 6-1 win at third singles. Brady Rosen and Luke Hinton won a close first set and grabbed a 7-5, 6-2 win at first doubles, and Attleboro’s second doubles pair of Clay Tyler and Noem Cook rolled to a 6-1, 6-2.

Girls Tennis = Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final 
– Franklin won both doubles matches in three sets and added two straight set wins in singles action to take down Attleboro. Neither Chloe Essam and Brooke Taylor — both juniors — dropped a set and picked up wins at second and third singles, respectively. The team of sophomores Brooke Daniels and Sydney Tolonen prevailed in a tight battle at first doubles (6-0, 4-6, 7-5) while seniors Allison Bagley and Tanvi Shah rallied from a one-set deficit to win 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-3 at second doubles for the Panthers. Attleboro’s Maddie Fuscaldo emerged victorious, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, in a close contest at first singles.

Boys Outdoor Track = Franklin, 80 @ King Philip, 56 – Final

Girls Outdoor Track = Franklin, 80 @ King Philip, 56 – Final


For other results around the League

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

12th Annual FBRTC 5K - Less than 3 Weeks Away: Saturday May 13, 2023


12th Annual FBRTC 5K - Less than 3 Weeks Away: Saturday May 13, 2023
12th Annual FBRTC 5K - Less than 3 Weeks Away: Saturday May 13, 2023

Less than 3 weeks until the 

 12th Annual FBRTC 5K Road Race

Hosted by TVFR & FBRTC

Location: Grove Street SNETT Trailhead – Parking at Waters Corporation, 210 Grove St., Franklin, MA. 02038


Entry Info

  • 18 yrs & Under: $25.00 pre-registration / $30.00 day-of
  • 19 yrs - 69 yrs: $30.00 pre-registration / $35.00 day-of
  • 70 yrs and Above: Free

Awards

  • 5K Awards will be First Place Overall M/F.
  • Age Group Awards: Top 3 M/F: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

Event Details:

Race start time: 9:00 AM. Registration opens at 7:30 AM.


Course Details: Out-and-back 5k on hard-packed dirt trail. Course map available soon!


Amenities

1. Plenty of water and refreshments.

2. Walkers welcome.

3. Post-race refreshments

4. Awards to top 3 in each age group

5. Post-race gathering at 67 degrees (with indoor changing facilities) with raffle door prizes

6. Commemorative Race Gift to registered participants prior to Midnight April 30, 2023. Additional gifts available until they run out!


Additional Info Available at http://www.tri-valleyfrontrunners.com/fbrtc/FBRTC5K.php


This race benefits the continuing efforts to develop the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) into a multiuse path for Franklin & Bellingham. The SNETT is an abandoned rail bed running from Franklin through Douglas to the CT boarder, sections of which have become fully developed multi-use paths linking communities across southern Central Massachusetts. 


For more info & to learn how else you can help

visit: https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

Register Here

Tri-Valley Front Runners
PO Box 125, Milford, MA, 01757 United States

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Open Space and Recreation Plan public hearing - 04/25/23 (#2 in series of 3 hearings) (video)

Instead of the School Committee meeting, Franklinites could have participated in the second public hearing scheduled for the Open Space and Recreation Plan on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at the Senior Center.  If you missed the meeting, the video replay is available here thanks to Franklin TV

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/MFMkGHXoj64?feature=share

Agenda & info for this 2nd of three public hearings ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/2023-open-space-and-recreation-plan-second-public-hearing-tonight

Additional info on the Open Space and Recreation Plan can be found on their main page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/2023-open-space-and-recreation-plan-update


Letter to Town Council on Display of Flags on Town Property (agenda item for Council Mtg - 04/26/23)

April 21, 2023

To: Town Council

From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

Re: Display of Flags on Town Property

As requested by a few Councilors and several people in the community, tonight the Council will host a discussion on the idea of allowing flags, banners and/or symbols, including the Pride Flag, to be placed on a Municipal Building flagpole and/or other flag poles in town.

Supporting Materials

I have attached the current flag policy of the Town, a recent Supreme Judicial Court of the United States of America decision on a case recently involving the City of Boston and articles from NPR and the NYT summarizing the issue in that case.

The Choices

As I have said before, the Council has two choices on this matter:

Do not allow town flagpoles to be used for the purposes of allowing third party organizations or individuals to essentially lease the flagpole for various purposes; OR

Allow town flagpoles to be used for the purposes of allowing third party organizations or individuals to essentially lease the flagpole for various purposes.

If the latter is chosen, the Council will need to identify the pole(s) that can be applied for (presumably only the Municipal Building). Staff will need to work with the DPW and Town Attorney on a revised policy.

Furthermore, a permitting process will be required to ensure equity, inclusion and coordination among all citizens or organizations who would want to display a flag, banner or any symbol. I would also anticipate more events being requested at the Municipal Building. Applicants would be from within the Town of Franklin and also from outside the Town of Franklin. Just like on the Town Common with religious symbols, the Town cannot limit the applicant from just Franklin. There will unquestionably be a fee to do so, as this will take a significant amount of staff time to permit, coordinate and actually perform the work.

Staff recommendation

My professional recommendation, along with the Town Attorney and DPW Director, is to NOT allow the town flagpoles to be used for such purposes. If the Council chooses to move forward, we will all fully respect that decision. However, at a minimum, we request all of you to allow the staff an appropriate amount of time to develop a policy, application, fee and further details. A fee would have to also be  enacted by the Council. Many details would need to be coordinated. For example, most of the flagpoles come with a purpose already, such as the war memorial on the Town Common, or the Town Administration Building, which traditionally has the US Flag, State Flag and Town Flag. These are the standard 3 flags at Massachusetts Town Halls. Additionally, there is a federal flag code for those who die in the line of duty, or deaths of certain dignitaries among others.

If you do not choose to move forward, we have worked closely with many organizations through the years on alternatives and continue to pledge to do so. Many groups are satisfied with our suggestions.

At the end of the day, this is an all or nothing policy decision. While I fully recognize the fact some groups will want to show unified support for a cause, there are NO restrictions or limitations on who can apply or to what the message is. If allowed, the Town should prepare for messages, flags and banners we all support and from those we do not support.

Everyone has to ask themselves, is this the only, or most effective way, to increase support for a cause? In the end, policies on offering town flagpoles up for lease generally become political or religious messaging, affirmation of constitutional rights, or those for a common cause such as a fundraising effort for a family tragedy or social service cause. Is this what you want for the Municipal Building flagpole and/or other flagpoles? The staff are not convinced this effort would reap the short term rewards that are sought. The long term ramifications are challenging to predict.

Letter to Town Council on Display of Flags on Town Property (agenda item for Council Mtg - 04/26/23)
Letter to Town Council on Display of Flags on Town Property (agenda item for Council Mtg - 04/26/23)

The issue before the Council tonight is not about whether there is or is not overwhelming support for the LGBTQ community in Franklin. We already know voters have spoken overwhelmingly in favor of the elected leaders of the Town Council, School Committee and other boards that have widespread, if not unanimous, support for the LGTBQ community. Furthermore, both the Town Council and School committee have hired a Town Administrator and Superintendent of Schools who are extremely supportive and very engaged on these issues. Both the Town and School Administrations are very proud of the progress we have made as an organization to support the LGTBQ community in Franklin and will continue to do so. In fact, if its height one seeks in a flagpole, then your faith and confidence in me as the Town Administrator is equal to, or exceeds, the actual pole height outside. The message all of you have sent is far greater than any flag could have. Ditto for Superintendent Giguere.

The conversation this evening is much more expansive than the LGBTQ community. The debate is whether to allow commercial leasing of public space to members of the public, the pros and cons of that policy and what are the parameters. There are many sub questions that will need to be answered as well.

Shared from the Town Council agenda package ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_april_26_2023_0.pdf

Memo from Town Administrator ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._flags_0.pdf

Conservation Agent Breeka Li Goodlander helps the Charles River Watershed Association assess culverts

"#DidYouKnow culverts can be climate solutions?

"Yesterday was a blast! We assessed 16 culverts and a minimum of 38 structures in 6 hours in #Natick + #Sherborn," says Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation Agent of @TOFranklinMA."

Learn more >> https://t.co/J3gN4873m9

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/AIdbQh8PqP


Conservation Agent Breeka Li Goodlander helps the Charles River Watershed Association assess culverts
Conservation Agent Breeka Li Goodlander helps the Charles River Watershed Association assess culverts 

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, Apr 26, 2023

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

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)


10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer point.

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

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

7:30 am     It Takes A Village: Dementia
8:30 am     The Black Box: Electric Youth 2023
10:00 am The Black Box: A Magical Night of Disney Classics
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Spring
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs
12:30 pm Sandya: Crepes
1:00 pm     Eat Around The World: Greek
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta
2:00 pm New England Candlepins Fall 2018 Show 1
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7
6:00 pm Veterans' Call: John Milot
6:30 pm     DPW Stormwater Management 03-13-23
9:00 pm School Committee Legislative Forum 2023

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

7:00 am     FHS Jazz Cafe 2023
8:30 am     Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22
10:00 am Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament
11:00 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
12:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Bishop Feehan 04-18-23
2:30 pm     FHS Girls Varsity Tennis: v Hopkinton 05-20-22
5:30 pm     FHS Varsity Softball: v Sharon 04-14-23
9:00 pm ArtWeek: Art + Music
10:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Tennis: v Mansfield 05-18-22

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

8:00 am Town Council: 04-12-23
12:30 pm OSRP 04-06-23
2:00 pm Town Council: 04-12-23
7:00 pm     Town Council: LIVE, Chambers 839 7437 8921


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.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)