Ladybugs return to State House

via State Rep Jeff Roy's newsletter:

In 1974, something was bugging the second graders at Kennedy Elementary School in Franklin. They were puzzled that among all the symbols in the Commonwealth, there was no state insect. Since ladybugs are considered good luck and protect plants from pests without being harmful to gardens, the children and their teacher considered the insect worthy of becoming the Bay State’s official state bug.

These second graders swarmed the State House while wearing homemade ladybug costumes and visited lawmakers to make their case. After some heroic efforts by these pioneering students and their teacher, involving a petition, testimony before a legislative committee, and letters to legislators, the ladybug became the official state insect in 1974.

On Friday, October 4, 2024, the same ladybugs, returned to the State House for a 50th Anniversary celebration and tour. They took a tour of the building with Rep. Roy and then were greeted by Governor Maura Healey.  For more photos from the visit-> 

https://www.facebook.com/jeffreyroy/posts/pfbid0TPNWPecrXkhuQGmdzYnWKqsYq5q3UouWdjgZYZ8vM9bZSYQ4gcVcVfhZcaNDx9okl

You can view the WHDH Channel 7 report -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDXhbkeQ5T8

Ladybugs return to State House

Tri-County culinary wins First Place for Most Creative, Best Chili, and Overall BBQ Champion!

1st Place for Most Creative, Best Chili, and Overall BBQ Champion!

via Tri-County RVTHS: 

Big congratulations to Josh Tobey, Olivia Cadorette, Caroline Kaluzny, and Alyssa Furbush who repped Tri-County at the Cape Cod BBQ competition! 

Their mouthwatering menu included Beef Chili with Mang Tango seasoning, Pulled Pork Bao Buns with Vinaigrette Slaw, Pickled Onions, BBQ Slaw, and Apple Spice Cupcakes with Maple Frosting and Candied Bacon.  

They snagged First Place for Most Creative, Best Chili, and Overall BBQ Champion!  #workhardtodaycounts #BBQChamps #FoodGoals #WinningFlavors 

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DBeA4aXJ3uj/ (link has additional photos)

Calling to the attention of middle and high school students to gain community service hours as part of the Pantry Elves

Pantry Elves

"Attention middle and high school students looking for community service hours - sign up for "Pantry Elves" - an essential fundraising campaign that helps feed our neighbors over the holiday season and winter months.  

Please note there are changes to the campaign and participants will not canvass neighborhoods. Sign up today or learn more on our website!"

Register for Pantry Elves -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/volunteer/pantryelves/

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/sGT6XaY1AtXcYXqe/

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: Construction Update for the Week of October 28

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project

 

 

 

BSI Construction Update for the Week of October 28th!

Monday (10/28) - Friday (11/1): Beaver Street from RT. 140 (West Central Street) to the Franklin Recreation Center will be closed, see interactive map for location. The road closure will be from 7am to 4pm, Monday thru Friday.

Those needing to access Beaver Street and the businesses/properties located on that section of Beaver Street will be detoured over to Grove Street. When the contractor is able to, they will open up one way traffic from RT. 140 towards Grove Street. Please follow all posted detour signs and be prepared for delays.

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with concrete form placement and rebar tying for the pump station foundation.

On Tuesday October 29th, a small concrete pour is scheduled in the morning, prior to activities starting at the Recreation Center.

Please reference the interactive map below and posted signs for details and updates.

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project: Construction Update for the Week of October 28

We appreciate the public's continued support and understanding and will
continue to communicate regularly via social media, our dedicated email list, and the construction map below as work progresses.

BEAVER STREET INTERCEPTOR HOTLINE: 508-553-5526
(PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE AND WE WILL RETURN YOUR CALL)
EMAIL: BSI-info@franklinma.gov

Read more -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/beaver-street-interceptor-project

Three ways scammers try to steal your money

Three ways scammers try to steal your money By Alvaro Puig We recently shared advice to help you safeguard the personal information in your accounts, on your computer, and on your phone to protect it from identity theft. But scammers aren't just after your data. They want your hard-earned cash, too. Here are some common scams to watch out for. Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/10/three-ways-scammers-try-steal-your-money?

Three ways scammers try to steal your money

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, October 25, 2024 ???

Friday, October 25

8am – 1pm  Early Voting (Town Clerk's Office) 

10am – 12pm Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

2 – 6pm Franklin Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

2 – 6pm Cousins Maine Lobster (Franklin Town Common)  

2 – 6pm Doglio Coffee (Franklin Town Common)

2 – 5pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church) 

Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main St, Franklin, MA 02038, USA

3 – 6pm Padula Brothers (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

4 – 8pm Trunk or Treat (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM)

4 – 6pm 5th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

7:30 – 10pm FPAC: The School of Rock (THE BLACK BOX) 

9 – 11pm Steven Fritzsche (Two for the Rode)  (3 Restaurant)

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

What vendors and activities are at the LAST Farmer's Market for this season - October 25 ???

We are glad you asked.  

Thanks to the good folks operating the Franklin Farmer's Market, we have the answers to share. 

Thanks for all the goodness this season, can hardly wait until next year!

 the LAST Farmer's Market for this season - October 25

"Based on an examination of the scene, witness interviews, and other evidence gathered throughout last night and this morning, they collectively determined that the fire was intentionally set"

See the following statement from @massdfs : https://www.mass.gov/news/fire-in-franklin-church-being-investigated-as-arson 

UPDATE: The ATF this afternoon informed State Police fire investigators that they would match up to $5,000 in Arson Watch Reward Program funds in connection with last night’s fire. That would raise the maximum reward for information to $10,000.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call 1-800-682-9229.

the maximum reward for information to $10,000

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DBhCvnZR1k0/

The Boston Globe also provides coverage of the fire and arson investigation -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/24/metro/franklin-church-fire-arson/

FHS girls soccer post win on Senior Night Thursday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Thursday, October 24, 2024 

Boys Soccer = Franklin, 0 @ Milford, 1 – Final 

– Milford junior Danny Da Silva delivered the game-winning goal with just over 10 minutes to play to help the Hawks knockoff division-leading Franklin. Sophomore Gui Quaresma won the ball on the edge of the Milford defensive third and quickly found classmate Mayck Moreira at midfield. Moreira took a few touches forward before hitting a through ball between a pair of defenders and Da Silva latched onto it and deposited a low shot to the far post for the only goal of the game. Quaresma, Gabe Santos, Andre Moura, and Gianelli Caccin all played terrific in front of goalie Robbie Cappelli as Milford earned its second shutout and win over the Panthers this season. Tiko Lourenco also had a great game for Milford, working hard throughout the midfield all game long.

Girls Soccer = Milford, 2 @ Franklin, 5 – Final

Volleyball = Franklin, 0 @ Barnstable, 3 – Final 

– Franklin came up just short in a tight second set and couldn’t dig out of the 0-2 hole in a 3-0 loss on the road at Barnstable (21-25, 24-26, 14-25). Olivia Alberti had a strong game in the middle with 11 kills (0.474 hitting percentage) and four blocks, Makayla Kuykendall added nine digs and six kills, Faith Edgehille notched 15 digs, and Brooke Daniels finished with 22 assists.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-24-24/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Fall Cleanup - Scheduled for Week of November 11, 2024

It's Fall Cleanup time!

Yard waste will be picked up curbside during the week of November 11, 2024.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/fall-cleanup-week-november-11-2024

Fall Cleanup - Scheduled for Week of November 11, 2024

Holiday Shop & Artist Meet - Greet Event - Nov 23

I'll be hanging out and selling tons of handmade items:

Holiday Shop & Artist Meet - Greet Event - Nov 23

- embroidered beanies (which sold out within 45 minutes last year)

- embroidered ornaments

- embroidered wall hangings

- original watercolors

- various handmade cards, including Christmas cards (which sold out last year)

- original acrylic paintings

- hand painted bookmarks

- hand pointed rocks

- apparel

- and more!

» This is the only time every year that I hold a shop in person, so come check it out!

*Bonus points if you share about it!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/evBamwMh2NL4fJ3X/

Reminder: DPW Touch a truck Saturday from 10 to 2; map available for parking, etc.

"Join us this weekend! Looks like it is going to be a beautiful Fall day!!  

We have plenty of parking available. Please see the map below!"

map available for parking

Reminder: DPW Touch a truck Saturday

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/fuGFb51t5v1W6BkN/

Halloween decoration winners announced

The Franklin Lions Club announce decoration winners:

"Thank you to everyone who entered the 5th Annual Halloween House Decorating Contest! All of the displays were amazing and such a joy to observe.

Thank you to all of our judges as this was not an easy task! Score sheets are in, calculated, and we have the winners! 

I will announce the top 10 displays here. First, second, and third place winners will receive an email outlining the award presentation. 

Top 3 winners will receive a yard sign to display with pride and a declaration from State Representative Jeffrey Roy!

1.. 404 Martello Rd: Raven's Hallow Cemetery and The Poison Garden

2.. 2 Overlook Drive: Bruce Wonka’s Haunted Candyland

3.. 35 Meadowlark Lane: Pumpkin Patch of the Dead

4. 65 Summer Street: REDЯUM MANOR

5. 6 Hayden lane: Rumble in the graveyard

6. 65 Pond St: Everything scary

7. 3 Ashbury Drive: Haunted House at 3 Ashboo-ry Drive

8. 674 Pleasant Street: Jimmy “bones” Buffett Tribute

9. 787 Lincoln St: Disney’s Haunted Mansion

10. 6 Anchorage Road: Graveyard Playground

Community Vote: Thank you to everyone who saw each display and voted for your favorite. This years’ Community winner is: 35 Meadowlark Lane: Pumpkin Patch of the Dead 

If you haven’t already, please go out and see all of the creative and fun displays the Franklin Community has to offer!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/kVPZhQna8q2owCqq/

U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss, MA Lawmakers Urge DOJ, ATF To Crack Down on Interstate Gun Trafficking As Gun Violence Surges

U.S. Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04), Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Bill Keating (D-MA-09), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to the Department of Justice and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requesting that ATF ramp up its work to mitigate the influx of illegal firearms from other states into Massachusetts.   

The majority of guns recovered from crimes in Massachusetts are trafficked from other states with weaker gun laws. Straw purchasers, those who buy guns on behalf of people who cannot legally purchase guns, and unlicensed individuals often purchase guns in states with weaker gun laws and transport them via highways that have become popular gun trafficking corridors. This includes the notorious "Iron Pipeline" along Interstate 95. The guns are then resold for profit in states with tighter restrictions on gun purchases, undermining the efficacy of strong gun laws in states like Massachusetts. 

"While Massachusetts suffers one of the highest rates of interstate gun trafficking, this problem is not unique to the Commonwealth. Nationwide, almost one-third of guns recovered in crimes were trafficked from other states," wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers made five key recommendations to the ATF: 

• Strong implementation of a newly finalized rule that will require more sellers to obtain federal licenses and comply with federal safety requirements that help identify potential traffickers. These requirements include conducting background checks, maintaining inventory records, and reporting when customers purchase two or more handguns within five consecutive business days.
• Improve inspections of high-risk and noncompliant dealers. The ATF should conduct more frequent follow-up inspections of dealers that sell guns to straw purchasers and those that ignore other indications of trafficking. 
• Expand reporting requirements for multiple sales of rifles, in addition to revolvers and pistols, and require ATF to keep those reports for at least five years, up from the current requirement of two years. 
• Increase public access to gun trafficking data to allow researchers, journalists, and policymakers to have access to vital data on interstate gun trafficking and the sources of crime guns. 
• Ensure more consistent crime gun tracing and increase technical assistance to train local law enforcement on how to do so.  

The lawmakers requested an update on ATF's efforts to stem the flow of weapons across state lines by November 7, 2024. 

Congressman Jake Auchincloss is a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and a national leader for gun violence prevention. Rep. Auchincloss has worked closely with the Biden Administration to ensure that ATF and DOJ are closing loopholes on background checks in existing legislation and cracking down on ghost guns. He has also cosponsored multiple pieces of anti-gun trafficking legislation, including the Trafficking Reduction and Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act.

 

U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss, MA Lawmakers Urge DOJ, ATF To Crack Down on Interstate Gun Trafficking As Gun Violence Surges

WaterSmart actually got smarter, will get better as data is collected

via the Water Department of the DPW: 

WaterSmart Update:

We have updated our water meter reading collection system and for about 50% of the Town we are now collecting hourly water readings. 

WaterSmart was updated last week with this hourly information causing high use water notifications to be sent out.  

The notifications are based on a comparison to prior usage and since there was no prior hourly usage before last week the system saw a big jump causing the notifications to be sent out.  As the data continues to be populated in WaterSmart you will be able to set your WaterSmart notifications based on this new data.  

Please track your usage over the next 2 weeks using WaterSmart and if you still have concerns after the 2 weeks please call the DPW Admin office (508-553-5500) to schedule a meter appointment. 

We encourage everyone to sign into WaterSmart, check your account, and update your notification settings. 

Go to WaterSmart to sign up or access your account ->

https://franklinma.watersmart.com/index.php/welcome?

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YY5VAy76Nd3bUFQ/

example report from our residence since we moved in