Jamie and I review the 40b info, Open space public hearing, committee applications close March 3, and more (audio)

FM #951 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 951 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge on Thursday, February 23, 2023.  

Topics for this session

Economic Development Subcmte

• 40b ‘deep dive’

• Friendly 40b preview of 121 Grove St

Master Plan preparations

• Open Space public hearing, focus groups underway

• A&C listening sessions scheduled

• Applications still open until March 3 (also Davis Thayer, Police Station, et al)

Town Council preview Mar 1 meeting

Gov Healey’s budget release 3/1

The conversation runs about 36 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Foundation-for-Franklins-Future---Master-Planning-e1vkvbb/a-a9djoda

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Town Council agenda for 3/1/23

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/march_1_2023_tc_agenda.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee meeting (recap & links)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/economic-development-subcmte-took-deep.html 

Open Space & Recreation Public Hearing #1 (recap & links)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/watch-or-listen-to-open-space.html 

Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Jamie and I review the 40b info, Open space public hearing, committee applications close March 3, and more (audio)

School Committee video replay available for Feb 28, 2023 meeting with presentations from HMMS and MTSS with a math focus (video)

The Franklin School Committee met on Tuesday evening for about 2 hours and 40 minutes in a hybrid format; 2 members remote, the other 5 in Council Chambers.

They did get presentations from Horace Mann Middle School as well as Dr Tina Rogers and the math specialists. Photos of the presentations were captured as the presentations were not released publicly prior to the meeting and will be posted to the Schools page sometime during the week (usually).

Photo album of the HMMS presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/R2HWNdxF1QZ336bu9

Photo album of the MTSS and math specialists update

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SJVb1hE86jJ1N5RS9

My full notes and audio recording of the meeting will be available in a couple of days. In the meantime, the PDF of my notes captured via twitter can be found here ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v_BIifotc76d0Fp6Tb0Aqw-y2dWJM3nE/view?usp=share_link

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/gJn56-GpkQY?feature=share

28% of students in elementary grades received Tier 2 and or Tier 3 support in this schoolyear to date

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting March 2 and Other Activities

This email is a notice about the Zoom meeting of the 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Thursday, March 2nd, 7:00 pm. 

We also are highlighting important activities taking place throughout March that we hope you can join. 

 

Zoom Meeting, Greater Franklin Node, Thursday, March 2nd, 7:00 pm. Our regular meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of each month. We will update 350 Mass' campaigns for 2023-24, review developments in climate and energy policy, and discuss advocacy opportunities in our Node's region.

Zoom link: Thursday, March 2, 7:00 pm. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09

Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755

Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node

 

350 Mass Campaign Selection Meeting, Wednesday, March 1, 7:00 pm. All the Nodes and work groups have participated in a process of selecting campaign priorities for the organization. This week's meeting will select the campaigns for 2023-24. (Our last campaign, Bringing the Green New Deal Home, addressed housing retrofit legislation, protested dirty energy in our grid, and passed the Fair Share Amendment.) Current, new and prospective members are all invited to the Zoom meeting. For information and registration, see this Event page. 

 

Rally for Clean Energy - "The Boston Fee Party". Thursday, March 2, 11:00 am. Location: Boardwalk next to Boston Children's Museum, 306 Congress St, Boston. Sponsored by Fix the Grid. Prices of electricity are skyrocketing this winter because our region depends too much on fracked gas for our power. The current system is unsustainable, harmful, polluting, and unnecessary. We know that cleaner alternatives exist. Call on Governor Healey to lead on reforming our electric system. Information and registration here.

 

National Day of Action to Discredit Bad Banks. Tuesday, March 21 (3.21.23):  Activists nationwide are urging customers to move their money away from the "Big Bad Banks" that do most of the lending to fossil fuel corporations. Join 350 Mass' direct action wing Climate Courage for a noon visit to Chase Bank downtown, attack a giant credit card with a chainsaw to the music of a brass band, and inform the public about how banks are funding the climate crisis. Then, march to the nearby Bank of America. Sign up here.  For more information and a list of other activities in Greater Boston on that day, see the national website. 

Special Greater Franklin Node Meeting (Zoom), Thursday, March 30, 7:00 PM. Hold that date for a presentation and discussion led by Ingrid Geis, 350 Mass member and chair of our Stop and Steer the Money Working Group. The goal is to challenge and disrupt the financial underpinnings of the fossil fuel industry, notably from banks and insurance companies. We need to keep up the protests following the National Day of Action on 3.21.23. Ingrid will discuss how to identify which banks are "dirty" and which are not, what we can do as individual consumers, and examples of actions by groups of citizens.  

 

To learn about actions and events like these, subscribe to the 350 Mass email newsletter.

 

If you have items for this week's agenda or other comments and questions, contact carolyncbarthel@gmail.com and/or ralph.halpern@comcast.net.

 

Thank you. We will send a reminder on Thursday.

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net

FPS - Digital Learning Integrationists Newsletter for February 2023

Check out the FPS February Digital Learning Newsletter. https://t.co/2Y1vMFAO4I  or https://www.smore.com/5pyxd

Shared from Twitter ->  https://twitter.com/DliFranklin/status/1630641415339245569

FPS - Digital Learning Integrationists Newsletter for February 2023

   

Schmidt's Farm Open Space and Recreation Plan Meeting Recording

Schmidt's Farm Open Space and Recreation Plan Meeting Recording

In case you missed it, the Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) Schmidt's Farm meeting was last Thursday, February 23, 2023 and can be viewed here or by copying/pasting the link https://www.youtube.com/live/l7c7wy_RT1Q?feature=share into your web browser. 

The Franklin Conservation Commission will be receiving public comment for Schmidt's Farm until the end of the OSRP process - around mid-August. Public comments can be submitted via this Google Form (copying/pasting https://forms.gle/UTSrtG9VgeBNdhbi6 into your web browser), by emailing bgoodlander@franklinma.gov, or by filling out this contact webform. 

https://forms.gle/isJqEyuaih4ePPDV6

Please see the QR code to the right to take the OSRP survey or visit https://forms.gle/isJqEyuaih4ePPDV6.   

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/schmidts-farm-open-space-and-recreation-plan-meeting-recording 

Did you know?? - LiveARTS Young Artists Showcase - Mar 12

Mar. 12th at 3:00pm at the First Universalist Society in Franklin

Young Artists Showcase   Did you know that:   Chopin first performed in public at age 8? Amy Beach gave her concert debut at age 16 in Boston's old Music Hall and performed with the BSO two years later? Donizetti's first widely successful opera was staged when he was 21? Beethoven's first extant compositions were published when he was 13, the same year he began performing with the Bonn opera?   Credit Britannic.com Come on March 12th and meet todays emerging young artists, as they present music by C.P.E. Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Amy Beach, Donizetti, and more! Sunday, March 12th Time: 3:00 PM Location: First Universalist Society of Franklin, 262 Chestnut St., Franklin MA Presenting students from the studios of master teachers and performers: Victor Rosenbaum Tanya Schwartzman (Sharon Academy of Music) Sandra Evans (Chaminade Club of Attleboro) Sooyun Kim (Longy School of Music) Sheila Falls and Joanne Mouradjian (Wheaton College) Tickets     Adults- $25.00   Students (18 and under)- by donation   Tickets available at the door   Accessible Parking and Building  Visit our website liveartsma.org to purchase tickets on-line and for more information. Copyright © 2022 LiveARTS, Franklin, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is:                        LiveARTS, P.O. Box 678, Franklin, MA 02038

LiveARTS, Franklin, Massachusetts · 283 Prospect Street · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Franklin Commission on Persons with Disabilities - Mar 2 at 7 PM

Franklin Commission on Persons with Disabilities

1000 Central Park Terrace Franklin, MA 02038

Regular Meeting of the Board

March 2, 2023 - 7:00 PM

AGENDA

OLD BUSINESS:

1.) 2023 Summit event for area persons with disabilities and challenges

NEW BUSINESS:

1.) Future guest speakers

CORRESPONDENCE:

1.) None.

Respectfully Submitted by Randy Jay, Clerk

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/events/agenda_-_03-02-23_-_franklin_disability_commission_meeting.pdf

Franklin Commission on Persons with Disabilities - Mar 2 at 7 PM

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, Mar 1, 2023

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Wednesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)

• This slot features  my conversation with Town Clerk Nancy Danello ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/town-clerk-nancy-danello-looks-at-year.html

10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock

Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

• This hour features my recent "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/jamie-and-i-review-40b-info-open-space.html

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:30 am     It Takes A Village: Laurie Harrington

8:30 am     Pack 92 Pinewood Derby 2022

10:00 am Riffing with the President: Ep 1

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lobstah

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: French Toast

12:30 pm Sandhya: Cupcakes

1:00 pm     Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: L. E. A. P.

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 5

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 3

3:30 pm     FPAC: Broadway in Franklin 2022

5:00 pm Veterans' Call: PACT Act

6:10 pm     Concerts on the Common: Jamie Barrett & Jesse Liam

9:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Chris Woolf

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am     Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 3 01-15-19

8:30 am     All-Town Showcase: Band

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: New Facility

11:00 am All-Town Showcase: Band

12:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Attleboro 02-14-23

2:30 pm     FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Leominster 02-07-23

5:00 pm FHS PCC: Vaping Forum

8:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v Attleboro 02-01-23

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council: 02-15-23

11:00 am Economic Development 02-22-23

2:00 pm Town Council: 02-15-23

5:30 pm         Economic Development: LIVE, Chambers  828 7235 3198

7:00 pm         Town Council: LIVE, Chambers  870 7945 1411

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Attention High School Seniors: Knights Of Columbus Scholarship Program for 2023

The Knights of Columbus 1847 St Mary Parish Franklin is accepting applications for The Robert Simmler PGK, Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council Scholarships. They are offering two scholarships; one in the sum of $3000 and the second a $1000 scholarship. 

The applicants must be a registered member of St Mary’s Parish in Franklin, and must be graduating from High School in Spring 2023 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2 or 4 year college/university. All interested applicants please submit a completed scholarship application postmarked on or before the application deadline of March 24, 2023.

The application form is available from the banner on the St Mary parish website www.stmarysfranklin.org  or on the Knights of Columbus website https://www.kofc1847.org/ .  

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to 

Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council 1847 

St Mary’s Parish c/o Michael Swan 

38 Madison Ave 

Franklin MA 02038

The scholarship recipients will receive payment upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

If more information is needed please contact Mike Swan: 508-404-4792 

2023 Application form ->   https://files.ecatholic.com/14043/documents/2023/2/KC2023%20Scholarship%20form%201.docx?t=1676059942000

2023 Application Instructions ->

https://files.ecatholic.com/14043/documents/2023/2/2023%20Scholarship%20Instructions%2002_14_23.doc?t=1676385267000

Attention High School Seniors: Knights Of Columbus Scholarship Program 2023

Franklin Senior Center: One Hour Delayed Opening this Morning 2/28, now opening at 9:30 AM

One Hour Delayed Opening this Morning 2/28, 

now opening at 9:30 AM

No breakfast will be served this am. Stay warm

Due to the snow, the Senior Center will have a one hour delayed opening this morning 2/28, now opening at 9:30am. No breakfast will be served this morning. Stay Warm!

Read more

Franklin Senior Center: One Hour Delayed Opening this Morning 2/28, now opening at 9:30 AM

Franklin Senior Center: Senior Connection Newsletter for March 2023

Franklin Senior Center: Senior Connection Newsletter for March 2023 

Happy March

The Senior Center is still only partially open this week with the Common Grounds Café and attached multipurpose room offering meals and a variety of programs. 

I will be making weekly robocalls at the end of each week to keep you updated on the status of the center!

Click here to check out our March 2023 Senior Connection newsletter

The newsletter was planned as if we were fully open, which sadly is not the case. So please call us and take a look at our website and social media for an updated programming schedule.

Thank you!

-Danielle Hopkins, Franklin Senior Center Director

Read more

Franklin Senior Center: Building Update for Feb 27 - Mar 3 

Franklin Art Association meeting features Robin Wessman - March 1

Treat Yourself this Wednesday, March 1!

Robin Wessman will be the demo artist at the March 1, 2023 meeting of the Franklin Art Association, where he will work on a landscape painting.

Robin Wessman is a contemporary realist artist who paints a variety of subjects including still life, landscapes and portraits. 

Painting from life is essential for him to observe and understand how light impacts form, color and the character of his subjects. His paintings are a reaction to the environment he lives in and how he feels about the world around him. They are fueled by imagination, experience and a continuous drive to create paintings that have the potential to go beyond the obvious and inspire viewers to see more than an accurate depiction of the subjects. 

His technical craftsmanship along with emotion and implied narratives is what makes his paintings unique. Every painting seeks to seize the viewer’s immediate attention and hold them long enough to think or feel some connection that gives them pleasure. 

Our meetings are held at the Franklin Senior Center and begin at 6:30 PM. 

Everyone is welcome!

Franklin Art Association meeting features Robin Wessman - March 1

Franklin School Committee: Budget Subcommittee Meeting - March 1

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin School Committee - Budget Subcommittee

Wednesday March 1, 2023 - 6:30 PM

Municipal Building ~ 3rd Floor Training Room

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."

• FY2024 Budget

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda-bsc_3-1-23.pdf

Franklin School Committee: Budget Subcommittee Meeting - March 1

Franklin Public Library: News & Events for March 2023

March 2023 Franklin Library News & Events

Library Hours

The Library's regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Book Sale

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, March 17, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday, March 18, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, March 18, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!
 

Volunteer Tutors Needed for ESL & Adult Literacy Program

The Franklin Public Library has started an English as a Second Language and Adult Literacy Program to serve Franklin and its surrounding communities. If you have the time and interest to help adult learners improve their English reading, writing, speaking and listening, please consider volunteering!

To volunteer, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, have patience, and be able to speak English clearly. Prior teaching experience is not required. Volunteer Tutors will be given training and all supporting materials will be provided. The time commitment is one orientation session, 18 hours of tutor training, and to meet with your student 2 hours per week for one year. Volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please contact Deputy Library Director Kim Shipala at kshipala@minlib.net, or fill out the registration form on the library's website .

 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

SITE IS OPEN - By Appointment Only!

Register for an appointment on the Library Calendar of Events!

The Franklin Public Library VITA site is by Appointment only and is certified for Basic returns.

The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:

People who generally make $60,000 or less

Persons with disabilities; and

Limited English-speaking taxpayers

Before going to a VITA or TCE site, see Publication 3676-BPDF for services provided and check out What to Bring to ensure you have all the required documents and information our volunteers will need to help you.

Learn more here: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifyi...

 

From Friends of the Franklin Library

Thank You for purchasing fudge! Thank you to those who participated in the Friends' recent fudge fundraiser. We appreciate your support and hope you enjoyed your sweet treats!

Franklin Library Association Gift. Thank you to the Franklin Library Association for their years of service and their generous gift to us of copies of their recently published book The Franklin
Library Association: Building the Future of the Nation's First Public Library 1858-2022. This book is full of fascinating characters and slices of life over more than 200 years as it tells the story of the FLA and the Franklin Public Library. This book is the perfect gift for anyone who loves books, libraries, and local history. Copies of the book are available now with a suggested donation of $15.00 to the Friends of the Franklin Library. Interested in a copy? Reach out to the Friends at fofl02038@gmail.com.

Friends of the Franklin Library is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the Franklin Public Library. Join us at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 5 th at the library for our next meeting and the opportunity to meet other Friends and get involved in our organization. If you don't have time to attend meetings, you can still support our mission and your library by making a direct donation to the Friends. Membership dues and donations are both tax deductible. CLICK HERE to learn more about the Friends.

 

Massachusetts Center for the Book 2023 Reading Challenge

March: Mass Book Awards Honoree

Do you have a cozy reading corner you've been wanting to spend more time in? Do you have a group of friends who like to select books together? Maybe a little constraint helps you choose what to read next.

If you are looking for a fun, unique reading challenge to take on in 2023, Massachusetts Center for the Book has you covered.

Check it out today! https://www.massbook.org/readingchallenge 

Read the full set of news & events for March 2023 online -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/march-2023-franklin-library-news-events

Franklin Public Library: News & Events for March 2023

Register to participate in the free Metrowest Arts and Culture Symposium - March 30

Please consider registering for this event! 

It's FREE but we need to know you are coming!

 

It's not often we get the the Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council to come out to Franklin! Don't miss this chance to hear him and our esteemed panelists speak as well!

To register: bit.ly/MACS-2023.

Metrowest Arts and Culture Symposium

Register to participate in the free Metrowest Arts and Culture Symposium - March 30