Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
3:00pm - Red Apron Charcuterie (La Cantina Winery)
4:00pm - Matt Zajac (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
4:00pm - Michael Rivelis (live music) (Birchwood Bakery)
6:00pm - Sudden Odd Behavior (67 Degrees Brewery)
Sunday, October 1
7:00am - Town wide, curbside event
1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
Monday, October 2
4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch & Sale (St John's Episcopal Church)
Tuesday, October 3
4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch & Sale (St John's Episcopal Church)
6:00pm - Franklin Garden Club - meeting (Franklin Public Library)
-----------------
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)
"Hailing it as a historic win for taxpayers, Massachusetts lawmakers will begin voting Wednesday on a $1 billion tax package that would boost tax breaks for families, seniors, and others while slashing state taxes on profits from short-term investments, a change that had divided Democrats.
The package would save hundreds of thousands of taxpayers a collective $561 million this fiscal year, according to legislative officials, with expectations that the total savings would eventually climb to just over $1.02 billion once it goes into full effect in fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, 2026.
Its emergence follows nearly two years of debate and months of closed-door negotiations about how best to ease the burden on taxpayers squeezed by the state’s rising cost of living and bring the tax code more into line with other states.
The House is expected to vote on the measure Wednesday, and the Senate on Thursday, and it is expected to pass and move on to Governor Maura Healey, who has championed the need for tax relief."
Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)
Senate President Karen E. Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano (right) unveiled the tax relief deal during a press conference in the Senate Reading Room. PAT GREENHOUSE/GLOBE STAFF
The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday evening Sep 26, 2023 in the Council Chambers. 6 members participated (one absent (Charles)).
Brief recap
The meeting focused on the next level of the District Improvement Plan which was introduced in the prior meeting. Administrators from the High school and middle schools, then the elementary schools presented how their goals are tied and support the overall goals
As revealed during the presentations and follow on clarification, the goals are intended to be consistent across the district. The goals focus on the key efforts underway and refining within them, for example in social emotional learning (SEL)
During the discussion the cost of the multi-tiered levels of support was raised, and the answer was impactful - "What is the cost of not providing it (such support)?"
As the improvement plans came up for a vote to approve, the vote passed 6-0 on the plans as modified during the discussion (minor adjustment to a piece of the elementary section)
Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, Sep 26, 2023.
Boys Soccer = North Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 1 – Final
– It seemed as though Franklin found the winner after scoring with just under 10 minutes to go but the Rocketeers found some more late game magic to equalize with less than a minute to play and grab a key point on the road. The game stayed scoreless for over 70 minutes but the Panthers finally broke through in the 71st minute. Senior Gustavo Martinez bounced a through ball between a pair of North defenders and classmate Gianni Pazvakavambwa latched onto it and snuck a low shot past the keeper to make it 1-0. On a drop ball at midfield, North senior Ethan Almeida played junior Patrick Etienvre short, and he launched a ball to the top of the area. Kaden Burns beat the keeper to the ball and looped a header into the open net to tie the game with under 30 seconds to play.
Girls Soccer = Franklin, 1 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final
- Despite an excellent performance from North sophomore keeper Riley Buckley in her varsity debut, Franklin was able to score the game’s lone goal and take home the victory. Junior midfielder Ava Villella was the hero for the Panthers, scoring off a corner for her first varsity goal. The win keeps Franklin one game back of KP in the division standings.
Very hard fought 1-0 win against N. Attleboro‼️G2 to Ava V for her first varsity goal and the only goal‼️ Big next game vs. Canton @ HOME 4:00
Volleyball = Franklin, 3 vs. Lincoln-Sudbury, 0 – Final
– Franklin made it seven straight sweeps to start the season, this time taking down Lincoln-Sudbury, 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-21). Sasha Tracey (16 assists) and Brooke Daniels (14 assists) set the offense in motion for the Panthers, who got 18 digs, 13 kills, and a pair of aces from Taylor Lacerda and 12 kills and 17 digs from Makayla Kuykendall. Jen Soohoo and Grace Lacerda each chipped in with five kills apiece.
Franklin wins in three sets against a talented Lincoln- Sudbury team!
Golf = Franklin, 152 @ North Attleboro, 156 – Final
- Franklin secured a key division win in a competitive match at Heather Hill, taking down Kelley-Rex rival North Attleboro. Senior Tyler O’Brien (birdie) and junior Caden Sullivan split medalist honors after each shooting a 36 on the day. CJ Steel, Jack Nelson, and Liam Lewandowski each had a birdie and finished at 40 for the Panthers. Tyson Laviano and Ishan Kohli led the Rocketeers at 38 apiece, and Ryan Backner and Matthew Reilly both came in at 40 for the day.
Panthers get back on winning track with a huge road win at Heather Hills CC over North Attleborough 152-156
Tyler O'Brien & Caden Sullivan both with 36's
CJ Steel, Jack Nelson & Liam Lewandowski each shot 40.
Boys Cross Country = Franklin, 22 @ King Philip, 33
- On top of Jonathan Pink’s win, Franklin had four of the next six runners cross to earn a win on the road at King Philip. Pink crossed the finish line first in 16:52 while Jason Huff was third overall at 17:07. The Panthers secured key points with Andrew Scotland (fifth, 17:24), Jack Halter (sixth, 17:41), and Joshua Diehl (seventh, 17:49) crossing in order.
Tough hard fought meet today by the boys team who pulled out ahead of KP 22-33. Top athletes were Pink (1st), Huff (3rd), Scotland (5th), Halter (6th), and J. Diehl (7th). Shout out to KP who gave us a great race and congrats to J. Halter who earned the athlete of the meet! https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1706836815322210454
Girls Cross Country = Franklin, 18 @ King Philip, 42
- Franklin took five of the top six spots to run away with a win over King Philip. Fiona Morrison and Alex Batla crossed the finish line together at 20:42 to take key points for the Panthers while KP’s Cheyanne Kelley was third overall just behind at 20:49. Abby Baker, Katie Sweeney, and Emma Pruitt crossed in order, taking fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively. Rachel Bailer (seventh) and Keira Evans (ninth) added top 10 finishes for the Warriors.
Franklin Girls XC defeats KP 18-42. They were led by the duo of Morrison(1st) and Batla(2), in the 3.03 Mile Race. Other scorers included Baker (4th), Sweeney (5th) and Pruitt (6th). The Franklin Girls’ record is 3-0 in the Hockomock League’s Kelley- Rex Division.
Reminder that HockomockSports.com changed to a subscription model in July. I have a subscription to view and share the FHS results that they provide. If you want to view all the worth Hockomock League reporting they do, subscribing is a good thing. It is quite reasonable. The subscription link is provided below.
Franklin Police Dept.(FPD) will be participating in the national @faithandblue weekend again this year. The Community Service Unit will be at the New England Chapel, 300 East Central St, on Saturday, October 7 from 10 AM – 1 PM.
Officers will be conducting car seat installations and inspections, and both the PD and Franklin Fire Department will have some of their fleet on hand for touch-a-truck. We are excited to be partnering with New England Chapel this year, who will have volunteers present for activities and tours of their new facility.
We are once again asking for donations of diapers of all sizes to be given to the Franklin Food Pantry to help those in need within our community. Come down for snacks, conversation or just to say hi to your favorite FPD officers.
If you have any questions or would like to donate even if you can’t make the event please reach out to Officer Amanda Ayer: aayer@franklinma.gov or 508-440-2731.
Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) will hostcommunity town halls thisFall in theSouthern, Northern,SouthCentral, and Central regions of her district.
During these town halls,Senator Rauschwill providelegislative updates,local and statewide budget victories,andofferresidents an opportunity tosharetheir questions, concerns, and challenges.
Senator Rausch to host town halls
“Civic engagement is an important part of our democracy,” said Senator Rausch. “Listening to the perspectives of my constituents informsmylegislative work on Beacon Hill. I look forward to hearing from residentsandcollaboratingwith themtofurthersupportour families and our communities.”
Senator Rausch will host fourcommunity town hallsthroughout the district,as follows:
NorthernRegion
Monday, October 2, 2023, 6 PM
Needham TownHall,1471 Highland Ave, Needham
Southern Region
Monday, October 16, 2023, 6 PM
Franklin Senior Center, 10 DanielMcCahill St, Franklin
Central Region
Monday, October 30, 2023, 6 PM
Norfolk Library, 2 Liberty Ln, Norfolk
These town halls are open exclusively to residents of the towns comprising the Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex District: Bellingham, Dover, Franklin, Medfield, Milford, Millis, Needham, Norfolk, Plainville, Sherborn, and Wrentham.
Senator Rausch to host community town halls; Franklin on Oct 16
Senator Becca Rausch represents the Norfolk,Worcesterand Middlesex District, comprised ofBellingham, Dover, Franklin, Medfield, Milford, Millis, Needham, Norfolk, Plainville, Sherborn, and Wrentham.Now in her third term,Senator Rausch serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment andNatural Resources,the Senate Vice Chair of the Joint Committee onChildren, Families, and Persons with Disabilities,andtheVice Chair of theSenate Committee on the Census.
"A fast-forming and strengthening El Niño climate pattern could peak this winter as one of the most intense ever observed, according to an experimental forecast released Tuesday. The new prediction system suggested it could reach top-tier “super” El Niño strength, a level that in the past has unleashed deadly fires, drought, heat waves, floods and mudslides around the world.
This time, El Niño is developing alongside an unprecedented surge in global temperatures that scientists say have increased the likelihood of brutal heat waves and deadly floods of the kind seen in recent weeks."
Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)
9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PMFranklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)
11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PMFranklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)
This slot features the most recent Talk Franklin episode with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen & Deputy Administrator Amy Frigulietti https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/jamie-amy-provide-updates-on-fincom.html
Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY
7:30 amIt Takes A Village: Hockomock Area YMCA
8:30 amSAFE Coalition: Overdose Awareness 2023
10:00 amSecond Sunday Speaker Series: Allan Earls
11:30 amCooking Thyme: Lasagna
12:00 pmBrook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad
12:30 pmDrink Responsibly: La Cantina Winery
1:00 pmNorfolk County Prevention Coalition: Medical Marijuana
1:30 pmPizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2
2:00 pmNew England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 1
3:00 pmCandlepin New Generation: Show 4
4:00 pmVeterans' Call: John Milot
5:00 pmConcerts on the Common: Frank Padula Band
8:00 pmCircle of Friends: Small Potatoes
Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY
7:00 amPublic School Event: Remington Spring Music '22
Today as I write this on September 11, 2023. I feel it appropriate to remind others that September is National Preparedness Month. This was established in 2003 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). I have personally observed those who roll their eyes slightly annoyed at the campaign. However, I am here to tell you it is not to be taken lightly. If the 9-11 event of 2001 did not alter your perception of self-reliance and situational awareness, I am not sure what will.
Most Americans recall where they were that horrific day. In addition, others may remember how hurricanes such as Ian in 2022, Sandy in 2012, Katrina in 2005, or the recent wildfire in Maui impacted their lives.
Additionally, I have had other personal experiences with unexpected emergencies. I traveled to Manhattan for a day work trip with only my laptop and the shirt on my back. I walked off an elevator into a cab and did not make it to the first traffic light before realizing that the entire city had encountered the second-largest blackout in North East history in August 2003. I got out of the cab and walked block after block in 90-degree temps without water, without a cell phone, and not knowing where I was heading. The sea of people flooded the streets getting out of work at 5 PM walking elbow to elbow. The only way to get home was to walk. The problem was I lived in Massachusetts. That was the day I vowed to always be prepared. Never again was I not going to be able to survive on my own. I vowed to always carry on my person what I would need to handle most situations.
Each individual needs to learn to be responsible for oneself. We cannot always rely on the safety of our National Guard, Power Linemen, Police, Fire, Doctors, and Nurses. We need to do our part to take responsibility to respond to our immediate needs at all times. This includes at the workplace, school, grocery shopping, or away on vacation.
One would easily agree that we cannot live in fear, nor should we. However, we can now take simple steps and actions to help and possibly save our lives. I encourage you to spend time reviewing the various Tool Kits, Animal Graphics, Disabilities Guides, and Older Adult references on sites such as ready.gov, fema.gov, redcross.org, or environmental emergencies information at epa.gov. Each site has extensive checklists, contact phone numbers, and additional links to help you and your family get prepared for the unexpected.
FEMA sets a theme each year to promote self-reliance. This year it is Take Control 1,2,3. It focuses on preparing the older adult community for disasters. In 2022 it was to help establish a lasting legacy for you and your family in preparedness. If you begin to take action now, others in your family and extended family may follow. Setting an example and teaching your children simple things such as keeping a flashlight next to each bedside or storing extra water in the home will be a great start. Mentoring now can set the tone for their future.
In the current tumultuous political climate and the endless changes in weather, things happen and will continue to do so. Our population is too vast to expect municipal resources to arrive at our rescue in a timely manner. The workforce and resources are strained and it is up to us to do what we can now to stand strong against fire, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, political unrest, disruptions in our supply chain, pandemics, war, and terrorists. It can be a cruel world but there is no doubt a smart, loving, and capable population is out there that can do the right thing now. As they say… “Put your oxygen mask on first to then help others”. Prepare now so you can help others in times of need.
Just a reminder … St. Mary Parish, St. Vincent de Paul Conference is sponsoring its annual fund raiser on Saturday, September 30, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, on Franklin’s Town Common.
Registration opens at 8:30 AM. The Walk begins with a Blessing for the Walk at 9:00 AM.
