MassBudget: Statement on Federal Public Charge Ruling

From Marie-Frances Rivera, MassBudget President

August 13, 2019 Statement on Federal Public Charge Ruling  Statement by Marie-Frances Rivera, President of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget), in response to the Department of Homeland Security's release of the finalized rule on public charge:  "President Trump's Department of Homeland Security yesterday released a rule that makes deeply troubling changes in our nation's immigration policies. The rule will make it very difficult for people who are not wealthy to receive a visa to immigrate to the U.S., become permanent residents (get a "green card"), or gain citizenship.  https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2019-17142.pdf This rule makes family income and the current and possible future use of benefits such as MassHealth (Medicaid), food stamps, or certain forms of subsidized housing grounds for being denied legal access to enter or stay in the U.S. This will push people into an impossible choice: forgoing critical supports for their families or risking the chance to remain in the U.S.  This ruling puts the health and wellbeing of our communities in jeopardy. Many immigrants who are legally in the United States may fear accessing medical care and other basic supports that they need and are eligible for under federal law.  People not directly subject to the rule may also fear that they should drop or avoid receiving those benefits. Our research indicates that such a rule change could cause as many as a half a million Massachusetts residents - including 160,000 children - to withdraw from needed benefits for fear of having an impact on a family member's immigration status. Public benefits are tightly woven into the fabric and economy of our state. If we want our communities to thrive, everyone must be able to live without fear and get the care and support they need to remain healthy and productive. To deem a person unworthy to stay in this country due to their economic status puts a price tag on who is allowed to participate and thrive in our society - it obstructs racial and economic equity in our Commonwealth. MassBudget is proud to stand with our recently emigrated neighbors, friends, colleagues, and family members who enrich our communities in countless ways. This rule, along with other harsh executive orders and actions by the Trump Administration, is part of a continued effort to provide opportunity for some, but not for all. It should be reversed as swiftly as possible." Interested in learning more about public charge? Read our report on the "chilling effect" of this rule and its impact on Massachusetts here  http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=A-Chilly-Reception-Proposed-Immigration-Rule.html The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 1 STATE STREET, SUITE 1250 BOSTON, MA 02109

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 1 State Street, Suite 1250, Boston, MA 02109 Sent by rwilliams@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Exploring Villa Matilde Wines - Aug 22

Exploring Villa Matilde Wines

August 22 , 7 - 9 PM

Host: Ciro Pirone

A Franklin Wine Club sit down wine tasting event held in the Franklin Liquors Wine Room.

$5 per person RSVP required

The name itself Campania felix, coined by the Romans implied the importance that this fertile land has had throughout history. Since the times of Julius Caesar the highly esteemed wines of Campania were consumed and exported to faraway lands, the Romans had already created a mapping of the most important sites for wine production and above all was the Falernum. 

After centuries of fame and success, Falernum disappears from existence due to phylloxera and it isn't till the early 1960's and the incredible dedication of the Avallone family to recover such an important piece of history, and finally Falernum (aka Falerno del Massico) relieves.

Today the Villa Matilde properties extend beyond the area of Massico, also representing the territories of Benevento where Falanghina and Aglianico thrive as well as the major appellations of Irpinia, such as Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino and Taurasi.

Come explore 7 wines with us!

https://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/events/263371469/

Exploring Villa Matilde Wines - Aug 22

Franklin Election 2019: What does a Constable do?

It was interesting to do the research on what a constable does. I know of them. There is no reference in the 2018 Annual Report. The initial search on the Town of Franklin web page turned up some weird results, but a second search did better.

From the Town of Franklin Constable page
https://www.franklinma.gov/constables

"Constables help assist various law enforcement agencies serve notices. Constables are all bonded and may serve, within the Cities or Towns in which they are appointed or elected, the following:

• All Summons and Complaints with maximum Ad Damnum allowed by law
• Writs and Trustee Process
• Real Estate Attachments
• Land Court Process
• Executions
• Supplementary Process in any Amount
• Small Claims Notices and Notices To Show Cause
• All Process under G.L. Chapter 239
• Summary Process, Ejectments, etc.
• Notices of all kinds and Demands
• Capias
• Probate Court Process, Domestic Relations
• Subpoenas, Criminal, Civil, and Federal,and other certain Writs and Papers from the District Courts, the Superior, Supreme Judicial, and the United States District Courts

Constables may be appointed to serve all process under Rule 4-c of the Federal and Mass. Rules of Civil Procedure and the appropriate motion for use in obtaining this appointment may be found at http://www.constables-mbca.org/special-process-server-appt.php"

There are three positions of Constable and all three are up for election in November

Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 

Franklin Election 2019: What does a Constable do?

FHS Baseball Boosters - 2nd Annual Golf Tourney - Fund Raiser - Sep 15, 2019

Franklin HS Baseball Boosters are hosting it's 2nd Annual Golf Tourney-Fund Raiser on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at the New England County Club (NECC) in Bellingham.

All Information is on their site at www.franklinpanthersbaseball.com where you can register on-line as an individual or foursome.

All proceeds go back to the FHS Baseball Program. Your Panthers have had back to back Super 8 Appearances with one State Championship and one Hockomock League Title. Please visit the site for more information. 

Looking for all Alumni and Franklin Residents to come out and join in on the fun!

FHS Baseball Boosters - 2nd Annual Golf Tourney - Fund Raiser - Sep 15, 2019

 

Your Panthers have had back to back Super 8 Appearances

Harvest Festival FUNdraiser - August 25

From Pour Richard's email newsletter:

"In the depths of winter, when I'm fantasizing about summer, those fantasies break down into 2 broad categories: the beach and late-summer vegetables. The beach because that's where I wish I was, the vegetables because I wish that's what I was eating. August is when gardens and farm stands explode with deliciousness faster than you can consume it.

If you've never had cause to appreciate your 5 senses, August at a farmer's market will change all that, with sights, sounds, and-especially-smells certain to have you drooling in anticipation. Zucchini, fresh herbs, garlic, eggplant. Beans. Radishes. And best of all: sweet corn and tomatoes.

Very little can compete with a freshly picked and cooked ear of corn on the cob. Or a tomato straight from the garden, still warm from the afternoon sun. But if you're getting bored with the minimalist vibe, grill your corn and top it with cotijo cheese and hot sauce for a take on Mexican street food.

Bake the tomatoes into a tart, or stir them into olive oil, garlic, and salt for a quick pasta sauce. Make a frittata. Bruschetta. Or toss the corn and tomatoes with olive oil, basil, and a touch of hot pepper for a salad that's basically August in a bowl.

Of course, we have some definite opinions on what you should drink with all that, starting with some ripe, rich Cali Chardonnays. The Neyers Carneros is a classic, but don't overlook Fulcrum's Durell Vineyard or Byron Kosuge's Sonoma Coast Chard. Seeing red instead?

Pick up the black cherry-laden Villain & Vixen Grenache or our new favorite Avalon Cabernet. Or split the difference and go pink: Bedrock's Ode to Lulu gives you the gutsy quality of a big red with the slithery coolness of a white, all in one bottle.

And if you really like your tomatoes and corn (and zucchini and herbs and local beer, cheese, meat, bourbon, etc), then mark your calendars for our Harvest Festival FUNdraiser for the Norfolk County Farm Bureau.

Your $10 ticket is a 100% donation to the Farm Bureau and includes samples of delicious farm to table food, farm to glass cocktails, organic wines, and local beers. Sunday, August 25 from 1-4 PM. Don't miss it!"

Where: 

Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits 

(508) 520-9163 | www.pourrichardswine.com

14 Grove Street  Franklin, MA 02038

some produce from my own garden

"serious outcomes ... can result from texting and driving"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Following the second texting-and-driving crash in town in less than a month, police turned to social media to illustrate the dangers of distracted driving. On Facebook Monday, they posted a dramatic video of a vehicle slamming into a utility pole.

The video (below), of a July 23 crash on Central Street (Route 62), is from the dashboard camera of a vehicle traveling behind the car that crashed. The video shows a car swerving off the road, striking the pole and overturning. As the shattered pole toppled into the road, the vehicle with the video swerved to avoid the downed wires.

The driver who hit the pole was issued a citation for texting while driving, according to Berlin police."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190813/berlin-texting-and-driving-wreck-caught-on-video




Berlin Police on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/Berlinmapolice/

Original Berlin Police video link:
https://www.facebook.com/Berlinmapolice/videos/2335234413398484/?__xts__[0]=68.ARDaS8yKet31mSQCcqemrNZGh_820HV245sHVH0znM6qT9qC7rjVk426AKwLbMGOT5ZNPWE4tJURld19DfKnu2lHwnhTbhZGWSKSUiAYgMrQh74Wx7b1wCDWcoie69jEXuARR0i0RTlmTss27SAAcSBrLJoo7za8jxo72GVEGFBJLJk89Uo20tp0xUdAss8K1o3E2UC_wRWXeqiRQHv_GfKCDOXI3kYVCuhabL9RHv9UKKVr8LVcu9m3dD3Kj2KOg16R9efu3ZNM8RDmUlGw9s0D8c3M6XDMH9JDC-vjoSNuSg1fYnfwSGgzcJ-v5fmLEjrF4wx9hNKZiCEfxZ5qqQ9ykk-xBLR3xyw&__tn__=-R

"it’s something they should be aware of”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"When determining if a beach is safe for swimming, local health departments and state officials measure levels of the bacteria enterococcus, which typically makes its way into marine water through fecal matter. High levels of enterococci in ocean water are a red flag that the water may also contain other disease-inducing microbes, which is why it is referred to as an “indicator” bacteria.

This is why beaches are often closed after heavy rainstorms — rain that isn’t absorbed into the soil or diverted can pick up fecal matter from pets and wild animals and flow it into the ocean.

“Stormwater is a major culprit for beach closures related to fecal bacteria,” said Bethany Traverse, coordinator of the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment’s beach water testing program. “In any populated area, you have roadways and other infrastructure that affect the flow of contaminated water into the surrounding water bodies. When it rains, a lot of water is diverted into storm drains and away from bathing areas. But it’s not perfect; bird and animal waste will make its way into the water and storm water helps it get there in a rapid ‘flush.’”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190813/just-how-much-waste-is-in-that-water-youre-swimming-in/1

The full Environment America report
https://environmentamerica.org/feature/ame/safe-swimming

More than half of the thousands of beach sites sampled for bacteria across the country were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day in 2018

Live reporting: to Executive Session not to return to open meeting

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen
9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas
10. Correspondence
11. Executive Session

a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel.

motion to go to executive session, second, passed via roll call 6-0

12. Adjournment


Meeting agenda
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-8-13-19

Documents released for this meeting
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-13-2019-school-committee-packet

Live reporting: Information matters - Consent agenda

4. Discussion Only Items
a. Summer Professional Development and Curriculum Update
(presentation copy to be added later, assuming it is posted to SchComm website) 

summer work funded at about 40K 
** ECDC report card development, more formal and comprehensive than prior
** elementary - integration of units, assessment timelines; Science unit plans to align with recent standard, STEMScopes
math profiles of progress, K-5 website, work on word problems
music curriculum coordination

** middle schools
illustrative math adjustments and planning

** high school
FAA projects reinvention of arts integration, alignment to new standards
capstone project to span junior/senior years
math department working on grading reform, calibrating grading
humanities course, two period, double block (English-Social Studies), funding a seed project
additional AP course development

other projects with Spanish, work by nurses, and special education

focus on cultural proficiency

approx 100 teachers overall worked on the various projects

only one person does curriculum development for the district




5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports 
Budget - met last week to review the adjustment, going to Town Council Weds

Community Relations - Sch Comm at Farmers Mkt - Aug 23, 3-6 PM

Policy - meeting next week, Aug 20

b. School Committee Liaison Reports 

Joint PCC meeting when schools open in Sep
Substance Abuse Task Force
School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; 
MASC

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items
DIP coming next time
new hire and new administrators, maybe some policy as well

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 23, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.
b. End of Year Transfers
I recommend approval of the end-of-year budget transfers as detailed.
c. Surplus Technology Equipment
I recommend declaring the detailed list of technology equipment as surplus.
d. Athletics Donation
I recommend acceptance of a check for $200.00 from the Franklin Newcomers and Friends for participation fees for students who otherwise could not afford for sports, clubs, events, etc.

motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

Live reporting: School Committee - Aug 13, 2019

Present:Feeley, Linden, Douglas, Scofield, Bergen, Schultz
Absent:Zub



1. Routine Business a. Review of Agenda b. Citizen’s Comments

i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH

c. FHS Student Representative Comments
none - school vacation
 
d. Superintendent’s Report
Weds/Thu leadership retreats principals first then entire admin team
working on bias response
workshop last Sunday, building upon that momnetum 
review draft of district improvement plan

lots happening in the school buildings
very busy around the schools
lots of celebrations and orientations happening to help with the Sept
High School Experience last week for incoming 9th graders almost 300 of the incoming class participated


final hiring still in process, admins looking to close out positions
new teacher orientation next week
new hires and background in packet for mext meeting



2. Guests / Presentations
a. None

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. School Handbooks


one of the summer activities during this time was revision to the handbooks for each school
tonight's revision includes feedback from the school committee provided last week
5 policies added this year (field trip, homework, military and foster children, physical constraint policy)

attendance notification procedure
allowing principles to reach out to parents with children frequently absent

added helmet lawns and other items to the bike riding section

added language for vaping to tobacco use

elementary schools did not have language for food in classroom, updated this time

added line about school nurse requirements for field trips

section 2
clarified departure expectations for Davis Tahyer

added 5 minutes to the school day, on time arrivals for clarity

Oak St new mission and vision
Parmenter mission, vision revamped

*** middle school section
attendance and check for in Google classroom
student illness pattern noticed, cell contact and parent dismissal without seeing nurse
helmet language not in middle school section

Remington book doesn't have a Q&A section

*** high school section
added language for excessive absences, esp with hospital stay

new bell schedule for high school, reflecting added time, and some adjustments

bullying section less detailed than other grade levels, actually due to formatting it is the same for all

school council not mentioned in HS section

vaping understated? was added to sections, first offense is suspesion

I recommend approval of the Franklin Public Schools Student/Family Handbooks as discussed.

Motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

 
b. Policy – 2nd Reading / Adoption
I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed:

i. BEC – Executive Sessions

ii. BEDG – Minutes

iii. JKAA – Physical Restraint of Students

motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0


c. Budget Discussion and Revised Budget
I recommend that the School Committee adopt a revised FY 20 budget of $64,702,500.
approx $500K 'extra' normally allocated later in the year - requested early for this time to use before the school year starts

eliminate the high school parking fee, administrative concern cost of implementation wanted to be avoided
added back 2 kindergarten ESP (originally 6, approved 4)

motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

Franklin Art Association: Meeting features Silvana Della Camera - Sep 4

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street in Franklin. Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30 PM, followed by a short business meeting and a demonstration by award-winning photographer, Silvana Della Camera, a past president and current board member of Stony Brook Camera Club in Franklin. 

Silvana will cover the elements of taking quality photos for artists' source material and tips for photographers at all levels of expertise.

FAA meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month, September through May, and are free and open to the public. 

For more information log on to www.franklinart.org

Franklin Art Association: Meeting features Silvana Della Camera - Sep 4

 

FSPA to host Open House - Aug 21 and Sep 7

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will hold an Open House for prospective students and families at 38 Main Street. The community is invited to tour the facilities, observe classes, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance, and drama, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study.

The open house will be held on Wednesday, August 21 from 10 am - 7 pm with an additional open house on Saturday, September 7 from 10 am - 4 pm.

Proudly serving more than 500 students annually from 45 communities in Massachusetts’ Metro West region, the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) is committed to quality education in the arts with exceptional curriculum, outstanding professional faculty and unwavering dedication to each and every student enrolled. 
 

FSPA to host Open House

Founded in 1985 by Director Raye Lynn Mercer, FSPA is a unique place where students of all ages and levels of ability participate in an array of music, dance, and drama programs with professional instruction and extraordinary performing opportunities. With broad-based and varied curricula, FSPA guides students in the development of technique, creativity, and artistic expression to last a lifetime. 

FSPA’s faculty boasts outstanding professional artists, performers, and teachers. Their impressive credentials are indicative of the excellent instruction available in all programs. FSPA instructors strive to meet the individual needs of each student, working to develop each student’s abilities to his or her own potential.

Performance is an integral part of an FSPA education and the school offers unrivaled performing opportunities for students throughout the year. On the calendar annually are student recitals, concerts by faculty and guest artists, master classes, student showcases, holiday shows, the school’s signature Spring Concert, and summer camps and intensives. In addition, for students whose level of interest is more focused, there are special performing ensemble opportunities available by audition. 

THE BLACK BOX, home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), a 200-seat flexible theater located behind FSPA, provides a professional venue for FSPA student productions, while FPAC offers opportunities by audition for student performers.

For more information about FSPA and its programs, visit www.FSPAonline.com, call 508-528-8668, or stop by 38 Main St. in Franklin. You can follow FSPA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Franklin Election 2019: What does the Town Clerk do?

From the Town Clerk's page:

"Welcome to the Franklin Town Clerk’s webpage.  It is a pleasure and honor to serve the Town of Franklin.

Our office handles many critical municipal functions, including all local, state and federal elections, dog licensing, vitals (birth, marriage death records), business certificates, and we host all of the permanent records for the Town of Franklin dating back 200 years.  The Town Clerk’s office also is a central repository for all agendas and minutes of boards and committees."

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

The Town Clerk is elected for a four year term. In 2015, Teresa Burr won for the first time in the contested election after former clerk Deborah Pellegri stepped down.

Annual Report for 2018
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/02/franklin-annual-report-2018-town-clerks.html

Election Collection for 2015
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/election-collection-nov-3-2015.html

Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html

 

Franklin Election 2019: What does the Town Clerk do?

Reminder: Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - Aug 14

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Municipal Building

355 East Central Street, 3rd Floor Training Room

Franklin, MA

August 14, 2019 - 5:30 PM
REVISED

Announcements: This meeting may be recorded by audio or video.

Discussion:

1. Plastic Bag Ban Proposal
2. Potential project at the former Keigan’s dealership - East Central Street

The agenda can be found at the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2019-08-14_edc_agenda.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - Aug 14

The Washington Post has an article today about Pakistan banning plastic bags
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistan-moves-to-ban-single-use-plastic-bags-the-health-of-200-million-people-is-at-stake/2019/08/12/6c7641ca-bc23-11e9-b873-63ace636af08_story.html

Franklin Election 2019: Important Dates

Important Dates To Remember

Biennial Town Election - November 5, 2019

Nomination Papers available 
Thursday, August 1, 2019 (Town Clerk’s Office)

Last day to obtain Nomination Papers 
Friday, September 13, 2019 (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM) 

Last day to submit Nomination Papers to the registrars for certification (Town Clerk’s Office) Tuesday, September 17, 2019 (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

Last day to object or withdraw 
Thursday, October 3, 2019 (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

Last day to register to vote 
Wednesday, October 16, 2019  (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

Election Day 
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 (6:00 AM – 8:00 PM)


Please contact the Town Clerk’s Office with any questions.
Teresa M. Burr, CMC
Town Clerk
tburr@franklinma.gov
(508) 520-4900

Download your copy of the important dates
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O22mMWx3HMdjB5RH2eNrbPN9zPcmH-wc/view?usp=sharing


Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 

Franklin Election 2019: Important Dates

Zipline for kids at King St Memorial Park (video)

A new zipline for kids 5 to 12 years old was installed recently at the King St Memorial Park. On one of my visits to my plot at the Community Garden I captured this video.

Oh to be 11 again! (at least to try this out!)

zipline chair at end of line - more mulch seems to be going to be added at the end of the line

yes, it is restricted to 5-12 year olds with parent supervision

a new climbing rope pyramid was also installed recently

the slide combo was already at the same playground at the King St Memorial Fields

MBTA Commuter Rail notice - Franklin Line not stopping at Ruggles

Due to downed catenary wires all Needham, Franklin, Providence, and Stoughton trains will not stop at Ruggles. Passengers may use the Orange Line at Back Bay to connect to Ruggles.


Last Updated: Aug 12 2019 05:36 AM
https://mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts?alerts_timeframe=current

MBTA Commuter Rail notice - Franklin Line not stopping at Ruggles

Franklin Election 2019: What does the Planning Board do?

From the Town of Franklin Planning Board webpage we can share:

"The Planning Board, established under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 41, Section 81A, is an elected board comprised of five members, each with a four year term and one appointed associate member.

The Planning Board’s primary responsibilities are to administer the Subdivision Control Law pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41 and to issue certain special permits and site plan approval under the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws in order to ensure the public safety, interest and welfare of the residents of the Town. State and local laws and regulations governing procedures for these approvals are MGL Chapter 40A (the Zoning Act); MGL Chapter 41, Sections 81K - 81GG (the Subdivision Control Law); Chapter 300 of the Franklin Town Code Subdivision Regulations; and the Town of Franklin Zoning Bylaws Chapter 185.

The Board conducts meetings and public hearings in compliance with Town of Franklin General Laws to review and consider preliminary and definitive subdivision plans, Site plans and Special Permits, Approval Not Required (Form A) plans, and Certificate of completion applications.

The Planning Board also considers and prepares amendments to the Town of Franklin Zoning By-laws and the Town of Franklin Subdivision Regulations. The Board conducts public hearings on amendments created by the Board and on zoning amendments that are submitted to the Board by way of citizen petition or by landowners or other town boards through the proper procedures for submitting to Town Council.

All material received by the Planning Board in connection with applications is considered public information and can be seen during posted office hours."

The Planning Board Project project page on the Town of Franklin site lists the approved projects and the projects currently in the approval process.
https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-board/pages/projects

Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 

Franklin Election 2019:What does the Planning Board do?