Spring 2023 News from The Franklin Food Pantry!

What's happening at the Pantry?

Spring 2023 Tina's Take This has been the most amazing spring so far! The Pantry has finally moved into our new home at 341 West Central St., formerly known as the iconic Edwin's Gift Shop. The building increases our client shopping area and warehouse threefold; we now have the capacity to receive, store, and distribute much more fresh food, household products, and personal care items - and much more safely and efficiently. As we love to say at The Pantry though, "It's not about the building, it's about what we will do in the building!" Our new facility has: increased client shopping space; a two-story warehouse for storing and prepping bags for distribution, mobile pantries, and home delivery; offices and meeting space for staff; and a dedicated work space for our volunteers. Intentionally and thoughtfully designed, it is energy-efficient and ADA-compliant. Most importantly, it is a dignified, warm and welcoming space where we hope our neighbors will feel very comfortable and safe shopping and seeking assistance. There are so many people to thank for making this dream a reality that I can't begin to list them all here. We would, however, like to send a special shout out to MASS Development for a $500,000 Underutilized Properties grant that allowed us to renovate the space and bring it into compliance with current environmental and ADA standards. And a special thanks to the MA Legislature for two years (and counting!) of support through special building grants. The silent phase of our major gift campaign has been very successful and we are more than 58% of the way to our $3.5 million goal. A heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed so far! We are about to go public and hope that your generosity will continue through the coming year! If you would like to support the new building and the program improvements we are planning to offer, please reach out to Marsha Tait. If you know someone who may need our services, please do not hesitate to refer them to us by emailing or calling Laura Du. Knowing that all of us face inflation and increased expenses in our own lives, we are especially grateful for your continued support of our mission and vision. With much appreciation, Tina Powderly Executive Director  New Web Site Launched! In May, after working with Dionne Katinas and Rich Frongillo at Tinetrix for many months, and with great support from our Campaign Communications Committee, we launched our newly updated web site! There is a lot of easy-to-use information available. Check it out: www.franklinfoodpantry.org New Pantry Staff Please join us in welcoming new staff members! Laura Doherty joined The Pantry in April as Associate Director. Laura is a dynamic leader with more than 16 years of experience as the Executive Director of an international nonprofit. She is an innovative and strategic thinker! You can reach Laura here. Linda Rondeau joined The Pantry in April as Volunteer Coordinator. Linda is a 30-year Franklin resident who first became involved with The Pantry as a volunteer photographer. You can reach Linda here. The Pantry Partners with the Franklin Farmers Market Did you know... That 10% of Franklin residents face food insecurity? In 2021, 3,284 Franklin residents participated in MassHealth insurance programs while only 1,508 were enrolled in the Supplemental Nutritional Access Program (SNAP). That means that at least 1,776 additional individuals could benefit from SNAP and could shop at The Pantry. Last summer, The Pantry partnered with the Franklin Farmers Market to offer SNAP at the market. SNAP participants could swipe their benefit debit cards at the Franklin Honey booth and receive tokens that they then used to purchase fresh food from many of the farmers and vendors. Through donated funds, we were able to match the amounts that shoppers debited to make their dollars stretch further. The Pantry and the Franklin Farmers Market are partnering again this summer to raise awareness about SNAP and to encourage SNAP recipients to shop for fresh locally-produced food at the market. Tokens will once again be available at the Franklin Honey booth. If you would like to donate in support of this program, please reach out to Marsha Tait. Join us at the Strawberry Stroll! The Franklin Downtown Partnership is hosting its annual Strawberry Stroll on Friday June 9 Saturday June 10, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The stroll is a wonderful tradition featuring strawberry shortcakes supplied by Dean Bank and Dean College, music, and more than 95 local vendor booths. Come see us at The Pantry's table! Save the Date: La Cantina Fundraiser! Join us at La Cantina on Wednesday, June 21 from 6:00 - 8:30 pm for live music, good food and libations! Tickets are $30 each and include one free drink. The Sons of Sam Pizza mobile truck will be on site! Proceeds will support our building campaign. Tickets are available here. 

Franklin Food Pantry | 341 West Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 508-528-3115 Sent by mtait@franklinfoodpantry.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin, MA: Job Opportunities with Senior Center, DPW, & Facilities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Supportive Programming Assistant - Senior Center

Heavy Motor Equipment Operators - Department of Public Works

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department

Summer Employment - Facilities Department 

Updated 06/09/2023

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Franklin, MA: Job Opportunities with Senior Center, DPW, & Facilities

FHS girls lacrosse top Wellesley on Friday, head to Final Four

Girls Lacrosse = Division 1 = #7 Franklin, 12 @ #2 Wellesley, 5 – Final

12-5 Franklin over Wellesley final!! Franklin is heading to the FINAL FOUR!!!

https://twitter.com/FHSTrainingRoom/status/1667300335570780160

Congratulations FHS Girls Lacrosse players & coaches!!  Final Four Bound!! Special shout out to Kaitlyn, Payten, Emily, Ella M, Raena, Julia F… way to go!!  Best of luck…. Keep winning… all the way to the ‘ship

https://twitter.com/FHS_FH_02038/status/1667345975734677504

Strawberry Stroll - scheduled for June 10, 2023 -> 4 PM to 8 PM in Downtown Franklin

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will be hosting the Strawberry Stroll THIS SATURDAY, June 10, 2023 from 4 PM - 8 PM Downtown. Live music will be provided by Heath Nisbett from 4 PM - 6 PM and Dom DeBaggis from 6 PM - 8 PM. There will be over 95 booths full of fun, freebies and strawberry shortcake of course!

Be sure to swing by the Franklin Fire Department Headquarters to get a glimpse of the fire trucks, including the antique ladder truck up close! Sparky will be out and about greeting guests and handing out plastic red helmets to the children. 

At the Historical Museum, fresh popcorn will be served, and vintage wedding dresses will be displayed. 

Rain date has been activated for Saturday, June 10, 2023 4 PM - 8 PM. Learn more here: https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2023/06/many-activities-and-booths-set-for-june.html

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/weekend-fun-franklin-strawberry-stroll-june-9-2023

Weekend Fun in Franklin - Strawberry Stroll - June 10, 2023 -> 4 PM to 8 PM

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda for June 13, 2023 Meeting

Franklin School Committee 

June 13, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order Ms. Spencer

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills Mr. McNeill

C. Payroll Ms. Spencer

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

 

II. Guests/Presentations

A. Civics Projects Presentation

B. Oak Street Elementary School Highlights

III. Discussion/Action Items

A.   Revised FY24 Budget Vote

I recommend approval of the revised FY24 Budget in the amount of   $71,989,431.00 as discussed.

B. Superintendent’s Evaluation

I recommend your approval of the Superintendent’s composite evaluation for the 2022-2023 school year as discussed.

C.   School Committee Norms & Protocols

The Chair recommends adoption of the amendments in the School Committee Norms & Protocols as discussed.

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. none

V. Information Matters

A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the minutes from your May 23, 2023 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B.   Music Gift

I recommend acceptance of a check for $489.00 from Music Parents for in-house enrichment for the Music Department as detailed.

C. ASMS Gift

I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,043.70 from the ASMS PCC for in-house enrichment as detailed.

D. Surplus Books

I recommend declaring the attached list of math, science & ELA books as surplus.

VII. Good of the Order

VIII. Citizen’s Comments

IX. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

X. Executive Session

To approve the minutes from the May 23, 2023 Executive Session of the School Committee.

XI. Adjournment

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/june-13-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

Meeting agenda doc (includes remote participation info) ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_6-13-23.pdf

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting Agenda for June 13, 2023

Economic Development Subcommittee hears of grants for Nu-Style clean up, discusses GR 5 & cannabis overlap zoning modification (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (prior to the Town Council meeting) and covered three key items as follows:

Quick recap:

• Nu-Style property now has $600K to support its clean up from two sources; $100K from ARPA funds, and a new grant received for $500K. Thanks to Brian Taberner who has continued to write for grants for this brownfield project and persisted in that effort

• General residential 5 (GR 5) zoning changes initially proposed to increase the impervious coverage for the property and for the property plus parking would be increased as well as reducing the setbacks required for multi-family 

• Discussion around what percent the amounts should be, was currently, initially proposed to increase to 35, 45. 

• Amendment to change to 50, 60, second; after discussion amendment revised to be 45,55, seconded, passes 3-1 (Jones no)

• Recommendations as amended to move to the Council, passes unanimous 4-0

• Cannabis overlay district; this is literally only a house cleaning of the map itself, nothing else in the bylaw changes. As businesses changed, this allowed for other changes with restrictions removed

Franklin TV YouTube video ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/UbMxtOXP6ms?feature=share 

The agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_meeting_agenda_-_june_7_2023.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZCa5NThqjXcxviE57inxIZMM7ycfnT9B/view?usp=drive_link 

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for June 7, 2023  Meeting at 5:45 PM

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week

"Did you know that Medicare fraud costs Americans an estimated $60 billion per year? It also affects Medicare beneficiaries in terms of time, stress, and health.

Learn how to protect yourself and others against these scams. Join Social Security and the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for Medicare Fraud Prevention Week from June 5-11, 2023. You can remember the start date as “6-5,” as most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65 years old."

Continue reading about what you can do to help Medicare fraud ->

https://blog.ssa.gov/medicare-fraud-prevention-week/ 

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week

Franklin's Event Outlook: June 9, 2023 to June 15, 2023

Strawberry Stroll has been postponed due to the forecast to Saturday, same time.

Saturday offers good choices with stage performances at FHS and THE BLACK BOX, afternoon concert at the Library, and music at both La Cantina and 67 Degrees. Get some history about the Wrentham State School at the Second Sunday Speaker Series at the Historical Museum.

Friday, June 9

Love Letter - art display (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

2:00pm - Franklin Farmers Market (Town Common)

2:00pm - Sioo (live music) (gazebo - Town Common)

4:00pm - Strawberry Stroll (Main St - downtown Franklin)

4:30pm - Sons of Sam Pizza (food truck) (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - Anna Freitas Trio (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

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

7:00pm - FHSTC performs "Get SMART" (ticketed event) (Franklin High School)

7:30pm - FPAC performs "Violet" (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

Saturday, June 10

Love Letter - art display (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

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

2:00pm - LiveARTS Classical Quarter Concert  (Franklin Public Library)

4:00pm - Strawberry Stroll (Main St - downtown Franklin)

4:00pm - Heath Nesbitt (live music) (Strawberry Stroll stage)

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

6:00pm - Dom DeBaggis (live music) Strawberry Stroll stage)

6:00pm - The Pockets (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:00pm - FHSTC performs "Get SMART" (ticketed event) (Franklin High School)

7:30pm - FPAC performs "Violet" (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

Sunday, June 11

Love Letter - art display (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

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

1:15pm - Second Sunday Speaker (Franklin Historical Museum)

Monday, June 12

Love Letter - art display (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

3:00pm - SAFE Coalition Meet & Greet for Non-Profits (SAFE offices on Hayward St)

Tuesday, June 13

Love Letter - art display (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

7:00pm -  FBRTC Meeting (monthly meeting (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:00pm - Yankee Quilters (monthly meeting) (Emma’s Quilt Cupboard)

Wednesday, June 14

Flag Day

Love Letter - art display (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group)

7:00pm - St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group

Thursday, June 15

Love Letter - art display (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

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

6:00pm - Kendo (Live music) (La Cantina Winery)

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

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

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

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's Event Outlook: June 2, 2023 to June 8, 2023

Jefferson Elementary Students ‘Tackle’ Public Art with New "Traveling School of Fish” Installation at the Franklin Sculpture Park.

On June 7, 2023, Jefferson students, family, staff and the greater Franklin community gathered for a rededication ceremony at the Franklin Sculpture Park. The park first opened in 2014, the installation "The School of Fish", previously donated by the (now closed) Franklin Art Center, had appeared weathered due to time. 

Seeing an opportunity to refresh the installation and involve the community, local artist and Jefferson parent, Amy Adams partnered with Franklin Public Schools Art Director, Adam Gooder, Jefferson Art Teacher Caroline Whelan, Jefferson Principal Stefani Wasik and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen to re-imagine the installation.

Adams worked to clear and prepare each individual fish, Jefferson staff then worked with students to create the new art. The refreshed installation, retitled "Traveling School of Fish", will be updated yearly by new students within the district. During the dedication, Adams spoke with the students and encouraged "all of the little artists here to keep shining your lights. They are beautiful and bright."

This new initiative aims to nurture the artistic talents of our youth, while showcasing their work with the greater Franklin community through public art. FPS Art Director Gooder notes, "Any time students of any age get a chance to show their work publicly, it motivates them to do their best. Art is meant to be seen; this initiative gives students an opportunity to see how people react and how their artistic voice can make a positive impact on others." 

The "Traveling School of Fish" installation is available to the public at the Franklin Sculpture Park on Panther Way in Franklin, MA next to the Franklin Police Station.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/news/jefferson-elementary-students-%E2%80%98tackle%E2%80%99-public-art-new-%E2%80%98traveling-school-fish%E2%80%9D

Traveling School of Fish 1

Traveling School of Fish 2

FHS boys lacrosse top Needham to advance to round of 8

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Thursday, June 8, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

Boys Lacrosse = Division 1 = #13 Needham, 6 @ #4 Franklin, 18 – Final

– Franklin dominated the two middle quarters of the game, outscoring the visiting Rockets 12-2 in that 24-minute span to pull away for a convincing win in a Round of 16 matchup with Needham. Franklin put up five goals in the first for a 5-2 lead but pitched a shutout in the second for an 11-2 halftime lead, and added six more goals in the third to carry a 17-4 lead into the fourth. Senior Jayden Consigli scored six goals and had one assist while Luke Davis scored a hat trick along with four helpers. Tyler Sachetti also had a hat trick in the win and Drew Hansen chipped in with a pair of goals. Ben Harvey, Braeden Leonard, and Drew McCarthy all played well defensively in the win.

For a photo gallery from this game -> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2022-2023/Spring-2023/Franklin-Needham-Boys-Lacrosse-06-08-23/

Panthers move on to the Round of 8… Next up (#5) Hingham at HOME on Saturday @ 4pm.

https://twitter.com/FranklinHSLax/status/1666979219371446272

Updated MIAA bracket -> http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=6936

Final: Franklin 18, Needham 6. Panthers dominate the middle two quarters to put this one away. Jayden Consigli (6G, 1A) & Luke Davis (3G, 4A) with 7pts apiece. Justin Alexander dominated face offs. Franklin will host #5 Hingham next. #hockomock

https://twitter.com/R_Lanigan/status/1666955283355119618

Consigli: 6G, 1A

Davis: 3G, 4A

Sacchetti: 3G, 1A

Hansen: 2G

https://twitter.com/FranklinHSLax/status/1666953950686334980

"With balance up top, Franklin boys’ lacrosse builds an early lead and cruises into Division 1 quarterfinals"

By Ryan Martin Globe correspondent

"Following up a convincing first-round win over Methuen, the fourth-seeded Franklin boys’ lacrosse team cruised to a 18-6 Division 1 second-round win against No. 13 Needham at home on Thursday night.

Franklin (19-1) relied heavily on senior Jayden Consigli (5 goals, 1 assist). The UMass Lowell commit netted three of the Panthers’ first four goals as they opened a 4-0 lead."

Continue reading Ryan's article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/06/08/sports/with-balance-up-top-franklin-boys-lacrosse-builds-an-early-lead-cruises-into-division-1-quarterfinals/

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-06-08-23/

FHS Panthers

Strawberry Stroll - rescheduled to rain date of June 10, 2023 -> 4 PM to 8 PM

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will be hosting the Strawberry Stroll THIS SATURDAY, June 10, 2023 from 4 PM - 8 PM Downtown. Live music will be provided by Heath Nisbett from 4 PM - 6 PM and Dom DeBaggis from 6 PM - 8 PM. There will be over 95 booths full of fun, freebies and strawberry shortcake of course!

Be sure to swing by the Franklin Fire Department Headquarters to get a glimpse of the fire trucks, including the antique ladder truck up close! Sparky will be out and about greeting guests and handing out plastic red helmets to the children. 

At the Historical Museum, fresh popcorn will be served, and vintage wedding dresses will be displayed. 

Rain date has been activated for Saturday, June 10, 2023 4 PM - 8 PM. Learn more here: https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2023/06/many-activities-and-booths-set-for-june.html

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/weekend-fun-franklin-strawberry-stroll-june-9-2023

Weekend Fun in Franklin - Strawberry Stroll - June 10, 2023 -> 4 PM to 8 PM

Senate President Spilka Statement on Tax Relief Package

Below, please find a statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland):

"As promised, the Senate's tax relief package is progressive, smart, sustainable and permanent—and it centers equity while chipping away at the headwinds that threaten our competitiveness," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Everywhere I go, the two pressing issues I hear about the most, from employers and residents alike, are workforce and housing. Our tax relief package intentionally targets housing affordability so we can not only maintain our economic competitiveness but ensure our residents can stay where they want to work, live, raise families and pursue their dreams. I'm proud this proposal—which will help seniors, renters, parents with young children, and low-income workers and many others—is fiscally responsible and squarely focused on the hardworking people of the Commonwealth."

CommonWealth Magazine has covered of the Senate tax relief package ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/senate-tax-plan-has-different-take-on-competitiveness/

Direct link to the Senate proposal -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2397

 

Senate President Karen Spilka and Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues. (Photo by Bruce Mohl)

Have you been getting scammy text messages? How to deal with them!

Have you been getting scammy text messages? By Ari Lazarus If you get tons of scam text messages, you're not alone. Lots of people have been reporting to the FTC that they're getting texts from scammers impersonating people and organizations you know and trust — like your bank or companies like Amazon.  An analysis of consumer reports reveals the top text scams from 2022. So, what are they? And how do you avoid them? Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/05/have-you-been-getting-scammy-text-messages

Have you been getting scammy text messages? How to deal with them! 

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, June 9, 2023

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

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

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

7:30 am     DPW Stormwater Management 03-13-23

9:00 am     Frank's Musings: Debt Ceiling

11:00 am Senior Connection: Kitchen Gadgets Pt. 3

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs

1:00 pm     Drink Responsibly: Craft Roots

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

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 2

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

4:00 pm Strawberry Stroll 2022

4:30 pm     FPAC: Broadway in Franklin 2022

8:30 pm Ben Gardner's Boat

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

7:00 am     FHS Jazz Cafe 2023

8:30 am     It Takes A Village: Hockomock Area YMCA

10:30 am FHS Varsity Softball: v Milford 05-22-23

12:30 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

1:30 pm     FHS Pops Night 2023

3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Taunton 05-22-23

8:30 pm FHS Senior Awards Night 2023

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

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 05-11-23

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 05-11-23

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)

Open Space and Recreation Plan Public Forum - June 20, 2023 at 6 PM

The last Open Space and Recreation Plan Public Forum will be held on 6/20/2023 from 6 PM - 8 PM in the Municipal Building Council Chambers. 

Town staff will present a draft of the 2023 Open Space Recreation Plan and will be seeking feedback from the community.

Learn more here: https://t.co/Z6hnh8K7Fi 

https://t.co/nS2CwhK5pJ

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/2023-open-space-and-recreation-plan-update

Open Space and Recreation Plan Public Forum - June 20, 2032 at 6 PM