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 *
Indoor events mostly now for the autumn season. Book sale/bag sale at the Library this weekend. Rising Stars Cabaret at THE BLACK BOX Friday night. Help decorate downtown Saturday morning and then get to the Winter Farmers Market Saturday.
Close out the weekend with the Thanksgiving Service put on by the Franklin Interfaith Council either in person at St Mary's or via virtual option via live streaming.
Friday, November 19 1:00pm - Book Sale 7:30pm - Rising Stars Cabaret
Saturday, November 20 9:00am - Book Sale 9:00am - Decorating Downtown (volunteers needed) 10:00am - Winter Farmers Market 10:00am - Historical Museum (always free) 1:00pm - Bag Sale
Sunday, November 21 1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free) 7:00pm - Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed the Genocide Education Act by a vote of 157-2. The bill will require public schools to teach the history of genocides and create a fund to help support the new curriculum. When signed into law, Massachusetts will become the 20th state to have adopted mandatory Holocaust and genocide education.
This bill would require each school district to file lesson plans and program descriptions related to genocide education every year with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The bill’s Genocide Education Trust Fund will help schools and districts develop curriculum and host training or professional development courses for educators.
This legislation demonstrates the legislature’s commitment to providing schools across the Commonwealth with access to resources to implement genocide education programs. It provides the resources students need to recognize and stand up to injustice before it takes root and to recognize and fight hate in their communities.
“Massachusetts has always been at the forefront of human rights issues, and today, with the passage of this bill, we can do it again. We can arm our students with the knowledge they will need to recognize the warning signs and feel empowered to prevent genocides in the future,” said Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). “Making genocide education a mandatory topic for teaching in our schools is a reaffirmation of the commitment of free peoples from all nations to never again permit the occurrence of another genocide, and to deter indifference to crimes against humanity and human suffering wherever they occur.”
State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) first filed a genocide education bill in 2013, which called for genocide to be included in social sciences and history frameworks. It was successful in changing frameworks and it lead to the inclusion of genocide education in social science and history frameworks. Unfortunately, over the past few years with memories of prior atrocities fading, there has a rising tide of hatred and anti-Semitic incidents requiring a legislative solution.
A recent survey found 22 percent of American millennials have never heard of the Holocaust and 66 percent of youth 18-34 didn't recognize the word Auschwitz. In Massachusetts, 35 percent of young adults didn't know what Auschwitz was and half didn't know that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust.
The bill, which had over 100 cosponsors, was supported by ADL New England, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, the Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts - ANC of EM, Facing History and Ourselves, the Committee for Holodomor Genocide Awareness (https://ukrainegenocide.com), the Genocide Education Project, and over 60 coalition members.
Mass. Municipal Assn (@massmunicipal) tweeted Thu, Nov 18, 2021:
Administration awards $3.1M through the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program to 268 municipalities to help them maximize recycling, composting & waste reduction programs. @MassGovernor @MassLtGov @MassEEA @MassDEP https://t.co/6GTlN0fFgr
"To mark America Recycles Day, the Baker-Polito administration on Monday announced $3.1 million in grant funding to 268 municipalities and regional solid waste districts to help them maximize recycling, composting and waste reduction programs.
The grants are made available through the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program, which was created by the Green Communities Act of 2008 and has provided more than $46 million to recycling programs since 2010.
At the announcement, Gov. Charlie Baker said the new round of grant funding will aid municipal efforts “to implement innovative programs and policies” to maximize the reuse of materials, boost recycling, and reduce waste. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said the program helps municipalities and solid waste districts expand recycling and composting, while targeting new materials to remove from the waste stream."
Franklin is on the list as the recipient of $25,200.
Can't access your Aspen account? First, try using the Forgot my Password link on the Aspen log in page. An email will be sent to you with a link to get back into your account. If that does not resolve your issue, use THIS FORM to request a password reset.
FPS District Inclement Weather Policies and Information > Click HERE
Stop by the Historical Museum gift shop for fun Franklin inspired gifts. From the beautiful ornaments of the Franklin Library and the Watering Trough, to mugs, pillows, note cards, and more. Looking for stocking stuffers?
Visit the Gift Shop’s Lady Bug Corner and discover the Lady Bug’s connection to Franklin.
Lady Bug Corner
Hosted by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum, the gift shop is open museum hours Saturday mornings 10 AM - 1 PM and Sunday afternoons 1 PM - 4 PM.
Housing Authority, funded at State level, is limited in what they can do by funding and regulations. The list for access is long. A key part of our overall housing issue. The 60 unit senior housing at Franklin Ridge is awaiting funding. These units only make a dip into the wait list. Advocating for housing at State and Federal levels is best and only option
Elks Riders present their donation to veterans and recognized for such at same time
FY 2022 budget reduced by $454K to recognize the revenue expected won't be met. Outline of where the adjustments come from provided; on Town side some savings already recognized, Schools asked to reduce by $93K, how that will affect their $70M budget is 'minor' but would need to come from School Dept/School Committee.
Host Community agreement funding outlined as distributed among DPW, SAFE Coalition and Police Dept as mitigation for expected sales of cannabis products
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to hold two hearings in Jan 2022 (Jan 4, and Jan 18) to solicit ideas for how the expected funds could be utilized. This listing would then be further developed by CPC and ultimately approved by Town Council before the first CPA funding is received in 4Q 2022.
-------
As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers.
The Twitter hashtag #TC1117 can be found online The thread begins with
(Unidentified person) - speaking on King St and Washington St projects, meetings overlapping each other Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission with scheduled meetings for Thursday - new distribution center proposed for King St adding 500+ trips; #tc1117
motion to approve minutes of Oct 20, second, passes 9-0 #tc1117
Housing authority presentation/discussion
next up Housing Authority presentation #tc1117 George Danelo Chair of Housing Authority; introduces Lisa Audette, Executive Director, also a couple of other board members present
emergency applications take priority, needs to be validated; #tc1117 listing of 7 levels of priorities, 1 other levels of preference; over 6,000 on waiting listing; time consuming to process application to validate
average 20 units for senior housing per year; family units don't turn frequently; lists being reviewed by State to audit process; #tc1117 process time consuming on both Authority and applicant;
State maintains waiting list not the local housing authority - thousands of residents on the multiple lists; local 114 for disabled, 200 families for low income housing; local hands tied - app process through http://ma.gov site, preference and requirements set #tc1117
Pellegri concerned with out of town folks on list and the interjection of the State in the process; list process changes daily; #tc1117 if individual doesn't respond back to the list verification process, they lose their place in the line
petition legislators to change public housing regulations; #tc1117 could go via home rule petition, (which everyone would want); could check to see if general legislation has been filed - state funds source this, not Franklin funds
transfer within type of unit is an administrative transfer, if changing size, then the list comes into play; #tc1117 simple solution - need more housing, period. TA Hellen updates on Franklin Ridge project, permitted for 60 units, remains waiting for funding.
Hellen - we did identify a 3.5 acre piece of town owned land that could go for about 8 units of housing, can use the CPA funds to spec out further; #tc1117 at the end of the day, this comes down to money, takes the will of a lots of folks to get to fund it
Hellen - working with Habitant 4 Humanity on 2 other separate lots; #tc1117 we are doing this locally, we can't do it alone; the listing is applicants who have identified Franklin as a place to live - hence a happy problem (yet unfulfilled)
congregate housing while it can work, doesn't work for some and creates some problems when that comes up for someone on a list; #tc1117 6000 applicants on list for 2000 units state wide
How long will it take? No good answer for that Q. It depends. #tc1117 copy of 2 page memo used in this discussion will be shared later (have paper will convert post meeting)
Jones: what are logical viable next steps to solve this problem? #tc1117 218 units total; 165 seniors, 4 bedroom congregate, 33 family units
pull a listing for every vacancy; could pull 50-100 for 4 vacancies - work the list to validate status and eligibility for preference and priority; need to fill unit within 30 days; may close the list within 10 days depending upon circumstances #tc1117
Frongillo - how can we help? it is about land and money; age of buildings a concern, sidewalks are getting broken, (Town could help with), they apply for every grant we can get; #tc1117 average rent in a unit $450/unit, not much to work with
funding not enough to keep with the caring annually. #tc1117 folks can paint but must use Housing paint; Housing Authority is a state agency; CPA funds maybe the best option; need to be state or Federal sources to provide the funding
TA Hellen - Jan 4 and 18 Community Preservation Committee to hold hearings; Foxboro voucher process could use CPA funds but it won't increase # of units, would help with individual funding of units #tc1117
Legislation For Action
LEGISLATION FOR ACTION - a. Resolution 21-68: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Dept ($1,000), Historical Commission ($100) (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-68 - Majority Vote) - moved, seconded, passes 9-0
Elks Riders present to talk about their donation #tc1117
Resolution 21-69: General Funds Appropriation, Transfers and Adjustments FY22
(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-69 - Majority Vote) #tc1117 motioned, second, passes 9-0 - this was previewed and approved by FinCom last week (7-0)
Resolution 21-70: Appropriation of Cannabis Fees
(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-70 - Majority Vote) motion, second, passes 8-0 TA Hellen spoke to parts of this during prior discussion, 2 active host community agreements $300K each; light project designed, hopeful to do spring
Interesting that Dellorco remained in conversation (and commented) and only before vote recused himself. #tc1117 hope that doesn't cause a problem - also raised by Councilor Cormier-Leger in the discussion before the vote
Resolution 21-71: Appropriation to Pay Prior Years’ Bills
(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-71 - ⅔ Majority Vote) motion, second, passes 9-0 - Finance Dept did talk to vendors on timing of receipt for invoices #tc1117
Resolution 21-72: Order of Taking Approximately Seventy (70) Acres of Unimproved Land Off
Maple Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-72 - ⅔ Majority Vote) motion, second, passes 9-0 - formal process to ensure clear title to the Maple Hill land
Resolution 21-73: Acceptance of Open Space, Access and Parking Easements at Brookview Condominium Located Off Pond Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-73 - Majority Vote) easements for Pond St to gain access to waterfront on Mine Brook; motion, second, passes 9-0
Councilor Comments
TA report - nothing at this time
Future agenda items - all questions on FHS issues, need to be addressed via the School channels; housing items to be considered for future #tc1117Councilor Comments - veterans lunch last week was wonderful; atta boy to Rep Roy for …
passage of the genocide bill; snow and ice presentation coming next meeting; kudos to all for the luncheon last week; #tc1117 Strong Towns event well attended on Monday; monthly senior office hours at Center at 8:30 AM - volunteers needed to decorate downtown Sat
Fairmount Farm has first Winters Farmers Market on Saturday; nice to see other communities at the Strong Towns event; it was an honor to serve the veterans last week; #tc1117 congrats to FHS performances of Mamma Mia this past weekend - 65 students in the cast
good luck to FHS, only public school left in D1 for football; salt price up, let Brutus know; #tc1117 happy Thanksgiving to all, we'll be back in Dec - motion to adjourn, passes 9-0
Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days
Veterans Services Officer Shannon Nisbett and members of the Elks Riders
"FRANKLIN VARSITY SWIM is, once again, partnering with Boston Wick, a Franklin owned company, for their candle fundraiser.
Candles are $20 and FHS Varsity Swim earns 50% of the sales. Sale ends November 29th and candles will be delivered BEFORE Xmas.
Please consider supporting the team! PM Jill Gabel Simms (https://www.facebook.com/jill.simms.750) with questions or to place an order. Payment is collected in advance and can be made with cash or Venmo."
by Emily Wu Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC
If it takes a village to raise a child, crowdfunding may be what it takes to make that invention a reality. But scammers could be behind those crowdfunding efforts and take your money without delivering what they promise.
Crowdfunding can help raise money to develop a new product or invention. To get investors, the organizer may promise something in exchange for contributions. Investors might get a payout once the invention is profitable, be the first to get the new product, or get the new product at a discount later on.
When you give money to a crowdfunding campaign, it goes directly to the campaign organizer. But a dishonest businessperson might lie about the project, product, and timeline. And they might lie about the rewards you’ll get once the product is finished.
To help prepare for the next local or biennial election, let's capture what you think about the information available for this one while it is still 'fresh' at hand. The original sources of information covered via this survey are the Franklin Voters Guide, Milford Daily News/Wicked Local, Frank Falvey's interviews for Franklin TV, the series by Franklin Matters, and the two candidate nights. "
Survey closes this weekend. We have more than 80 responses but there were more than 5,000 voters so there is an opportunity!
There are only four questions and the survey should take less than a couple of minutes to respond to. Thanks you!
Did you vote Nov 2? Please respond to this quick survey on what you thought of the candidate information available
"I’m here today, because at the next meeting the Council will have an opportunity…an opportunity to lower the property tax burden faced by middle- and low-income families. According to the Massachusetts Budget Policy Center, property taxes are a regressive tax. They explain on their website that households with the highest 1 percent of incomes pay less than 3 percent of their income in property taxes on average, while those with the lowest incomes tend to pay over 5 percent. This simply isn’t fair and is a burden on those who can least afford it.
Towns like Brookline, however, have found a solution! They have a blanket residential exemption, that exempts a fixed amount of the property values of all single-family homes. If Franklin were to do the same thing, say, exempt the first $100,000 dollars of property value, and then raise the total tax rate, they can make the tax code more progressive while keeping a balanced budget. Under such a plan, modest homeowners will see a tax cut, while wealthier households will contribute a more equitable share.
My understanding is that this is allowed by Prop 2 ½ which affects the only amount of total revenue a town can raise, not the tax rate itself. In addition, Franklin already does this with the community preservation act, and more narrow exemptions.
I ask not that the council adopt such a tax rate at the tax hearing next month. It is simply too soon and needs buy-in from the community. In addition, it would need to be assessed how this would affect people in apartment buildings who rent, as well as businesses who would be ineligible for an exemption.
I ask instead that the council adds a motion to the agenda of the tax hearing to assign a committee to study this proposal, with the intention of it being implemented the following year. I urge the council to act to foster a community discussion around this issue, promote equity and fairness, and most importantly support a tax cut to Franklin Residents who need it."
Maxwell Morrongiello Franklin Resident
Spoken at the Town Council meeting of Nov 17, 2021. Copy of text received via email
The Franklin Housing Authority presentation to the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov 17, 2021 used this document and shared a copy of it during the meeting.
Via @HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS fall sports playoff action on Wednesday, Nov 17, 2021
I managed to catch the second set via Franklin TV's live stream before going to the Town Council meeting. The set was action packed long rallies, lead changes were frequent. If a team got a run going, the other took a time out and the momentum shifted.
Given what I heard and saw during the second set, it was like that in the first and apparently remained that way for the entire 5 set game.
Volleyball = Division 1 State Semifinal #5 Needham, 3 vs. #1 Franklin, 2 – Final
Hate to see the girls lose but they should be darn proud! Incredible effort and match. As good a sporting event as it comes at the HS level!!
If I’m being honest (which my athletes know I always am) that was some AMAZING volleyball tonight!!@Franklin_VBall I love watching you all play a game you love so much! Be proud of yourselves! Your accomplishments this season were incredible. Congrats on a fantastic season.
"The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is inviting local officials to a webinar on Nov. 22 on the newly published Solid Waste Master Plan.
"Many of us have either been to or driven through downtown Franklin, but do we really know the significance or history behind each building located there? There are seven main sections of downtown Franklin that are important to the history of how Franklin developed. Let’s look at each one of them in depth!"
"Mask Mandate at Franklin High School" Anna Hoffmann, Writer
"The 2021 to 2022 school year is well underway. Public schools in the United States are chock-full of students, bustling hallways, and swarming cafeterias. Students and staff alike are no longer separated by six feet. However, unfortunately, the Covid-19 virus is as well underway as the current school year is. Of course, vaccinations have become readily available, treatment for Covid-19 has improved, and cases are falling. Google Meets have become a practically nonexistent area of academic lives. Progress has been made. Still, the virus remains a threat. There is no cure, it can still spread, and we need to be cautious of the new strains and variants. This means mask mandates have become typical for most public schools. Franklin High School students, and public school students in general, have become somewhat fed up with required mask-wearing. As a result, it has become a political, contentious issue in the United States. Overall, the Franklin High School community, school communities in general, have been left to wonder: when will it end? "
"Climate Change: How it is Misunderstood" Lucia Perkins, Writer
"We have all heard of climate change, but we as world citizens have not heard enough of it. Climate change is happening everywhere. Fluctuations of temperatures in the environment have been and continue to be a worldwide issue. Global issues come with misunderstandings and climate change is no exception. It is never too late to learn them because the more we educate ourselves and the FHS community, the more we can help the world in small, but powerful ways."
The Franklin Town Council will hold a Public Hearing in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 7:10 P.M. on the issue of allocating the local property tax levy among the 5 property classes for the Fiscal Year 2022. The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion of local property tax policy. Interested taxpayers may present oral or written information on their views.
Prior to the setting of the tax rate, the Town Council must adopt a Residential Factor following which the Council selects the percentage of the levy to be borne by Commercial and Industrial and Personal Property.
Citizens are now welcome to attend public meetings in person. Additionally, citizens will be able to continue to participate remotely via phone OR Zoom. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. If you have any questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.
We welcome you to join us, whether or not you've attended previous meetings. We need to take action and keep up the pressure on elected officials in Washington and Boston, and on banks and insurers who enable fossil fuel infrastructure. We'll discuss opportunities to learn about the climate crisis reading and watching webinars, and strategies for change and ways to make our voices heard, collectively and individually.
If you'd like to chat or meet with one of us, please reply to this email and we will find a time to explore with you how you can get involved in our multi-faceted organization. Our Greater Franklin Node wants to collaborate with groups and individuals from the region who share the same concerns, so all our cities and towns can benefit. Please join us to learn and contribute.
Also, you should have received an email yesterday (Monday), with Subject Line: Your Input Needed: A Brief Survey from the Greater Franklin Node of 350 Mass. The survey takes only a few minutes, and your responses will help us plan for the future.
Visit the 350 Mass website to learn about opportunities to add your voice for a just transition for a climate-safe world. Sign up for updates.
We'll send a meeting reminder on Thursday. Thanks for your participation and support.
