Summer wrestling makes winter champions!
Join us at Tri-County for a charity wrestling clinic Saturday 8/14/21.
All money raised will benefit Spaulding Rehab!
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| Tri-County RVTHS Athletics: Summer Charity Wrestling Clinic - Aug 14 |
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Tri-County RVTHS Athletics: Summer Charity Wrestling Clinic - Aug 14
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
The Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust fund was established on May 18, 2015. The Trust Fund has capabilities to receive, hold, invest or expend funds for the rehabilitation, renovation, construction, financing or refinancing of property within the Town of Franklin making these residential properties available to low and moderate income families looking for an affordable home.
This year interest rates have been at historic lows and we have had numerous homeowners choosing to refinance their mortgages. The Department of Housing and Community Development provided an Agent to resell an over 55+ Townhouse in the Hidden Acres development. These units are purchased by income and asset qualified households, therefore keeping them in the affordable housing inventory. The Town has over the 10% target of its housing inventory as affordable units. We are currently at 11.89%. This number allows the Town leeway to support only those developments that it feels benefit the community.
Even though it is still several years away, Franklin Ridge, the much needed senior housing project, is proceeding as planned. Franklin Ridge will be located off of Veteran’s Memorial Drive and have 60 new senior apartments. The Trust has earmarked $500,000 and the land in support of this project. It will sit behind Eaton Place, our current senior housing development.
This year, as always, we look forward to pursuing innovative ways to produce affordable housing in the Town of Franklin.
It is our pleasure to submit this annual report for your review.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Anne Bertone
Christopher Feeley
Jamie Hellen
Robert Keras
Maxine Kinhart
Judith Pond Pfeffer
Christopher Vericker, Chair
Christopher Vericker, Chair
For additional info about the Housing Trust, visit their page
For the full Annual Report for 2020
Prior Annual Reports can be found online
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| Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Municipal Affordable Housing Trust |
Announcing free Virtual Concert: Afternoon Serenade with Precious Perez - Aug 13
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wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 025 - Ethics
"In this episode, Frank and the group discuss how ethics play a role in society and how something the difference between what's legal and what's ethical."Direct link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e3f733db-612f-4cbb-b374-c241d210bf53
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| wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 025 - Ethics |
Franklin School Committee: Ad Hoc Superintendent's Evaluation Sub Committee Meeting - Aug 13
Ad Hoc Superintendent's Evaluation Sub Committee Meeting
Municipal Building - Training Room (Virtual Link in Agenda)
Friday, August 13, 2021 - 9:30 AM
A G E N D A
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
● Complete Superintendent’s Evaluation
Full agenda doc and connection info ->
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| Ad Hoc Superintendent's Evaluation Sub Committee Meeting - Aug 13 |
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Franklin Area Mom's "Lessons for Littles" (video)
"How do you navigate conversations with your young children about topics such as race, diversity, inclusion, and equity?
Watch as jamele adams (educator, poet, and activist), Dr. Ashley Cameron (licensed child and adult psychologist), Julie Parsons (Executive Director of the Cambridge-Ellis School and veteran kindergarten teacher), Sofie Chouinard (local high school student), and Mia Story (local high school student) discuss the importance of having race-related conversations with young children, and when and how to have these conversations. The discussion is moderated by Franklin Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo.
This event was sponsored by Franklin Area Moms (www.franklinareamoms.com) and Franklin Area Against Racism (FAAR). Video by Franklin TV."
Direct link to video on YouTube -> https://youtu.be/7bx3nLfeYS4
Direct link to Franklin Area Mom's page with speaker profiles, and additional resources
Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2587147061543240/permalink/2915485225376087/
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| Franklin Area Mom's "Lessons for Littles" - Jun 6, 2021 |
St Mary's: Final Days To Register For Religious Education Classes
FINAL DAYS TO REGISTER FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES
GRADES 1-10
2021/2022
2021/2022
It is so hard to believe that registration for Religious Education for students in Grades 1-10 will be ending on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at midnight. We have decided to follow a “hybrid” model for the year 2021/2022. This model is based on the Religious Education model called “Domestic Church”. We help and support you as parents as you directly help your child(ren) grow in our faith. Hopefully, by your teaching, daily actions and example, and by your participation at Sunday Mass, your child(ren) learns “The Ways of Our Faith” which you promised as parents at your children's Baptism so many years ago.
The plan is actually straight forward and easy to follow. Students will complete the book assignments at home and submit them periodically as they did this past year. In addition, we will rotate each grade level into the building for enrichment and review classes and the ability for the kids to all be together with us.
You are able to register 24/7 using the link that can be found on our website at www.stmarysfranklin.org on the Religious Education page and you can make your payment online as well. As always, if you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact us.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us. If you are interested in having your children attend Religious Education this year, but are unable to register by Saturday, please call the office at 508-528-1450 or email us at reled.director@stmarysfranklin.org.
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| St Mary's: Final Days To Register For Religious Education Classes |
Harvest Festival Registration is Open
If you are a Franklin Downtown Partnership member and have paid your 2021 membership, you can receive a free booth space. Non-members of the FDP will pay $125, with the exception of food vendors. Non-member food vendors will incur a separate fee and need to contact the FDP office prior to registering.
Booth spaces are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and we expect to sell out of booth spaces this year.
Businesses on Main Street need to contact the FDP office if they plan to participate so committee members can reserve their space. Remember: ALL businesses and restaurants need to register online in order to secure a space.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If you would like to volunteer to help with this event, please contact the FDP office (downtown.franklin@yahoo.com).
SPONSORS NEEDED: If you would like to be a sponsor of the Harvest Festival, please contact the FDP office (downtown.franklin@yahoo.com).
Scott Martin is the Harvest Festival Chair. Chris Peterson is the Harvest Festival Vendor Relations Coordinator. If you have questions, contact Chris at fdpevent@gmail.com.
Registration -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kVIGTTp84M78KqT5ubSz_h0Kt-OCF_NT8j_1DlYcWNw/viewform?edit_requested=true
Announcing Re-Election Bid, Cobi Frongillo Energized and Focused on Franklin's Bright Future
In Just 8 Months, Frongillo Has Provided A Spark To The Town Council
Early Tuesday morning, Cobi Frongillo - a lifelong Maple Street resident and 2015 graduate of Franklin High School - pulled nomination papers for reelection to the Franklin Town Council. Following a vibrant campaign and landslide victory in December’s Special Election, Frongillo quickly established himself as a man of action.
“I am proud to see the Council take increasingly proactive steps toward building a brighter future for Franklin,” said Cobi Frongillo. “The public's strong support for investing in education, open space, and affordable housing over the past year is inspiring.”
Frongillo identifies the significance of the coming election in shaping Franklin’s future. “While we have made substantial progress over the past year, the next two years will be critical in ensuring Franklin remains a prosperous and vibrant community,” explained Frongillo. “The once-in-a-decade implementation of a Housing Production, Complete Streets, Downtown Zoning, and Master Plan are all on the immediate agenda. We need leadership with both the care for what Franklin has been and a vision for what Franklin can be in a changing world.”
Throughout his early tenure, Cobi Frongillo, 24, has prioritized education, open space & recreation, community engagement, and economic development. He cites intentions to follow through on the progress that has been made - including pushing to revisit education funding, reshape zoning in key districts, and place renewed attention on the cultural and environmental amenities that make Franklin home.
A member of the Economic Development Committee, Cobi has worked to publish a New Business guide, expand food trucks, remove taproom limits, reduce parking minimums, launch a Downtown Zoning study, fund Pop-Up Shops and Shared Streets, host new cultural events, and increase public art.
To help promote natural areas and healthy living, Cobi pushed to purchase the Maple Hill property, adopt a Complete Streets framework, and find a home for recreational cricket.
Central to Cobi’s December campaign was engaging a larger bloc of Town residents in regular conversation around local priorities. To this end, Cobi has published frequent infographic-laden updates via social media and newsletter, hosted four Community Conversations around race in town, attended a wide variety of Franklin events, and helped launch the Franklin Freedom Team - a coalition of Town leaders prepared to field and respond to issues of hate or bias.
In a poignant moment during this year’s budget hearings, Cobi spoke out against further education budget cuts. His advocacy this year helped ensure the majority of new Town revenue went toward schools and led to the launch of Franklin Public Schools’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee with student involvement.
A third-generation Franklin resident, Cobi is a graduate of UMass Amherst, where he earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Economics and a Master’s degree in Public Policy. He recently accepted a research role with the state legislature’s Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee - currently Chaired by Franklin Representative Jeffrey Roy. Around town, Frongillo has been actively involved with the Franklin-Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, Franklin Downtown Partnership, Franklin Freedom Team, Franklin Youth Soccer, Franklin Area Against Racism, SAFE Coalition, Neighbor Brigade, Franklin Gardening Club, 350, and Random Smile Project.
You can learn more about Cobi Frongillo’s progress and vision on his website (cobifrongillo.com) and Facebook page (fb.me/Frongillo4Franklin).
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| Cobi Frongillo Energized and Focused on Franklin's Bright Future |
Heath Nisbett to perform at the Franklin Farmers Market
Via Franklin Farmers Market:
"We are excited to have Heath Nisbett with us this week performing from 2-4 PM. Sponsored by Ted Cormier-Leger, Realtor" (https://www.facebook.com/TCLRealtyMass/)
Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/533086900084632/posts/4465958940130722/
visit Franklin Farmers Market on Facebook to find out what is happening each week of the market season https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFarmersMarketMA/
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| Heath Nisbett to perform at the Franklin Farmers Market |
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: OPEB Board of Trustees
The OPEB Trust was established to help meet the town’s obligation of funding current and future retiree’s health Insurance. The town provides health Insurance for both active and retired employees by generally paying 68 percent of the active and retiree health insurance plan while the employee pays 32 percent of the cost. There are a few employees and retirees that share the cost of a 50/50 split and some retired teachers that are “grandfathered” that the town pays 85 or 90 percent of the cost.
When a retiree reaches age 65 they enroll in Medicare and town provides a supplement plan at the same ratio as mentioned above.
Every two years we have an actuarial study to determine our unfunded obligation
As of 6/30/19 the unfunded liability was $68.55 million dollars. As of 6/30/19 the amount of funds set aside in the trust is $5,706,986. Currently the town appropriates approximately 10% of its annual Free Cash plus as an annual appropriation in the budget of $600,000. We have asked the Town Council to increase the annual appropriation by $50,000 per year.
These efforts are a good faith attempt to meet our obligations without compromising all the other services provided to the citizens of Franklin. Once our unfunded pension obligation is paid off in 2032 we should be able to commit several million dollars a year to meet our underfunded OPEB obligation.
Respectfully submitted,
Jamie Hellen
Chair OPEB trust
OPEB = Other Post Employment Benefits
For additional information on OPEB visit the Trustees page on the ToF web
For the full Annual Report for 2020
Prior Annual Reports can be found online
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| Franklin Annual Report - 2020: OPEB Board of Trustees |
COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Clinic - Aug 25 - Register now
COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Clinic
August 25, 2021 - Davis Thayer Parking Lot, 137 W. Central St.
The Town of Franklin will hold a mobile vaccination clinic on August 25, 2021 from 10:00am-3:00pm at the Davis Thayer Parking Lot (137 W. Central Street)
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| Hey Franklin, a COVID-19 vaccine clinic scheduled for Aug 25 |
wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 024 - Reparations and Evanston
"In this episode, Frank and the group discuss the recent passing of legislation in Evanston, Illinois, the positive impact it will have for POC, and the importance of reparations for African Americans"Direct link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2982c50b-3ab5-4d2e-8afc-18038e6a307d
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| wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 024 - Reparations and Evanston |
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Releases Position Statement on K-12 Curriculum and Critical Race Theory
The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Releases Position Statement on K-12 Curriculum and Critical Race Theory https://t.co/7o2DKdHo8b
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/massupt/status/1424759054858080256?s=03
Across our Commonwealth, the issue of Critical Race Theory (CRT) has been discussed, debated, and questioned. CRT has become the new, “challenge” in education, threatening to distract and derail racial equity, diversity, and inclusion work that is fundamental to strengthening and improving the future of our public schools for all students and families across our State. In the following position statement, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) seeks to clarify What CRT is, and What it isn’t; we seek to state definitively WHAT we actually do teach, and WHY we teach it. Ultimately, M.A.S.S. seeks through this position statement to open a broader conversation with all– around race, equity, diversity, and inclusion.What is Critical Race Theory? Do we teach it?The simple answer is, “no,” we do not teach CRT. CRT is an analytical framework and process that had its beginnings in the 1970s. It is used in higher education to examine structures in society. It is not a curriculum for PreK-12 and we do not teach it in Massachusetts. Rather, we teach the MA Curriculum Frameworks for History and Social Science. But there is a more complex answer to this question and it involves the character of who we are as a society and who do we want to be.
Continue reading the full statement
Download the statement in PDF format
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| Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) |
Voices of Franklin: Ted McIntyre on "For The People Act"
The Insurrection of January 6th was an attempted coup, a brazen assault intended to interrupt the functioning of the American democracy. But the coup attempt did not end on January 6th. In fact it is ongoing. The GOP is even now laying the legal foundation for a second coup attempt, this one conducted under a pretense of respectability.
Voter suppression laws are being passed in states across the country. Those laws not only selectively suppress voting by people the GOP dislikes, but they also provide means to reject the result of an election in favor of one the GOP legislatures like better. For example, the state of Georgia is attempting to take responsibility for the certification of election results in Fulton County, which includes Atlanta's largely black population.
If these state level laws are not preempted by Federal legislation, the GOP will have two different paths for a new coup attempt, this time under the cover of law. The first path is through the impeachment of Joe Biden. If the GOP retakes the House and Senate in 2022, they could elect Donald Trump Speaker of the House. While according to tradition, the Speaker is always a Member of Congress, the Constitution does not forbid Trump's selection. Given the cult like devotion already accorded the former guy, it is not implausible to think the GOP would make this choice. Once Trump is Speaker, he is third in line to the Presidency. The House could impeach both Biden and Harris- truth and evidence be damned- and make Trump President.
The second pathway for the GOP's 'legal' coup is through the Electoral College. The Supreme Court, in the infamous 'Bush v Gore' decision of 2000, said that- unless there is a Federal law preventing it- the state legislatures hold the power to determine the Electoral College members. This is a nightmare scenario, since legislators are right now giving themselves the authority to challenge election results on flimsy grounds and then override the voter’s choice by installing electors they prefer. Does anyone think, if given the opportunity in 2020, that the legislatures of GA, PA, WI and AZ would not have chosen Trump electors for the Electoral College? In 2024, those state legislatures will have granted themselves that opportunity.
We should not think that the GOP is too high minded or patriotic to do these things. Five years ago, who would have thought that Trump's contempt of norms and open corruption would be accepted? The recent testimony of Trump’s complicit DOJ employees is chilling. Who would have thought the GOP could install a Supreme Court Justice just before an election? Who would have thought Members of Congress would support a violent assault on the Capitol? The scenarios outlined above are shocking and nearly unthinkable. But the time had come to think about the unthinkable. The GOP has forfeited its status as a legitimate participant in a democratic process, and now represents an authoritarian power grab threatening our very democracy. There is no bottom, no ‘bridge too far’ for them in pursuit of power.
It is essential that the Senate, now under Democratic control, passes the For The People Act to protect the election process from the GOP plans. Time is of the essence. If the bill does not pass this summer, there will not be enough time to implement its protective measures before the 2022 election. What can be done to get the For the People Act through the Senate? There are many ways to help, but the simplest is to call your US Senator. Here in Massachusetts, both Senators Warren and Markey are outspoken in support of the bill. They need to know that you support passing the bill and that you encourage them to do whatever it takes to get it passed. It is easy to reach the Senators. A brief phone call to 202-224-3121 will suffice. Simply leave a message saying "My name is ___ and I live in Franklin. Please do everything you can to abolish the filibuster and pass the For the People Act. I think Joe Biden should speak forcefully. The Senate should cancel its August recess. The Senate must pass these bills.”
The time to act is now.
Voter suppression laws are being passed in states across the country. Those laws not only selectively suppress voting by people the GOP dislikes, but they also provide means to reject the result of an election in favor of one the GOP legislatures like better. For example, the state of Georgia is attempting to take responsibility for the certification of election results in Fulton County, which includes Atlanta's largely black population.
If these state level laws are not preempted by Federal legislation, the GOP will have two different paths for a new coup attempt, this time under the cover of law. The first path is through the impeachment of Joe Biden. If the GOP retakes the House and Senate in 2022, they could elect Donald Trump Speaker of the House. While according to tradition, the Speaker is always a Member of Congress, the Constitution does not forbid Trump's selection. Given the cult like devotion already accorded the former guy, it is not implausible to think the GOP would make this choice. Once Trump is Speaker, he is third in line to the Presidency. The House could impeach both Biden and Harris- truth and evidence be damned- and make Trump President.
The second pathway for the GOP's 'legal' coup is through the Electoral College. The Supreme Court, in the infamous 'Bush v Gore' decision of 2000, said that- unless there is a Federal law preventing it- the state legislatures hold the power to determine the Electoral College members. This is a nightmare scenario, since legislators are right now giving themselves the authority to challenge election results on flimsy grounds and then override the voter’s choice by installing electors they prefer. Does anyone think, if given the opportunity in 2020, that the legislatures of GA, PA, WI and AZ would not have chosen Trump electors for the Electoral College? In 2024, those state legislatures will have granted themselves that opportunity.
We should not think that the GOP is too high minded or patriotic to do these things. Five years ago, who would have thought that Trump's contempt of norms and open corruption would be accepted? The recent testimony of Trump’s complicit DOJ employees is chilling. Who would have thought the GOP could install a Supreme Court Justice just before an election? Who would have thought Members of Congress would support a violent assault on the Capitol? The scenarios outlined above are shocking and nearly unthinkable. But the time had come to think about the unthinkable. The GOP has forfeited its status as a legitimate participant in a democratic process, and now represents an authoritarian power grab threatening our very democracy. There is no bottom, no ‘bridge too far’ for them in pursuit of power.
It is essential that the Senate, now under Democratic control, passes the For The People Act to protect the election process from the GOP plans. Time is of the essence. If the bill does not pass this summer, there will not be enough time to implement its protective measures before the 2022 election. What can be done to get the For the People Act through the Senate? There are many ways to help, but the simplest is to call your US Senator. Here in Massachusetts, both Senators Warren and Markey are outspoken in support of the bill. They need to know that you support passing the bill and that you encourage them to do whatever it takes to get it passed. It is easy to reach the Senators. A brief phone call to 202-224-3121 will suffice. Simply leave a message saying "My name is ___ and I live in Franklin. Please do everything you can to abolish the filibuster and pass the For the People Act. I think Joe Biden should speak forcefully. The Senate should cancel its August recess. The Senate must pass these bills.”
The time to act is now.
Ted McIntyre
Franklin resident
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| Voices of Franklin: Ted McIntyre on "For The People Act" |
Town of Franklin, MA: COVID-19 Vaccine and the Delta Variant (video)
Here is some useful information on the COVID-19 Vaccine and the Delta Variant:Video link on YouTube -> https://t.co/qTKw1FIT0PShared from Town of Franklin Twitter: https://t.co/hALPxpKHWF
Zucchini races return on September 10
Here are details on the Zucchini Races, sponsored by Franklin Agricultural Commission, scheduled for September 10, 2021 at the Farmers Market.
Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/533086900084632/posts/4462922503767699/
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| Zucchini races return on September 10 |
Senate President Spilka: State Budget, Childcare, the American Rescue Plan & more!
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The newsletter was shortened for publication here. For the full content find this PDF version |
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