Tri-County Children's Center Preschool Registration To Open February 1

Registration and Open House for the Tri-County Children's Center preschool program for 2024–2025 will begin on Thursday, February 1.  Applications can be found on the preschool's website, TCChildrensCenter.com.

Open Houses will be held on Thursday, February 8 from 12:15-1:45 PM and Friday, February 9 from 9-10:30 AM at the Tri-County Regional High School in Franklin at 147 Pond Street.  Parents will be able to view the laboratory preschool while children engage in developmentally appropriate activities.

Tri-County Children's Center Preschool Registration To Open February 1

Placement is limited to residents of the 11 towns within the Tri-County District, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole and Wrentham.  Admission is decided through a lottery system.  Registration will be made open to other towns if spaces are not filled by residents within the district.

The random drawing to determine which of the children registered will be enrolled will take place on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.  The number of children registered has traditionally far exceeded the number of spaces available so the random drawing was established.   Those names not selected in the drawing are placed on a waiting list.

Birth certificates for children being registered must accompany all registration forms.  Registration is limited to those children who are at least age 3 years by September 15, 2024 for the three-day program. A $25.00 non-refundable registration fee is due at registration time.  Enrollment is limited to two years or part of two years for the preschool program, as long as the child is age eligible.

Preschool sessions are Tuesday-Thursday from 8:50 -11:20 a.m. for the three-day program. Tuition will be $45 per week and class size is limited to 30 children.

Three instructors in the Tri-County Early Education Program supervise the preschool program, and are assisted by students in the Early Education Major.

 For more information, please visit TCChildrensCenter.com.

FHS wrestling team tops Mansfield on Wednesday

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, Jan 24, 2024.

Girls Hockey = Franklin vs. Norwood, 8:00

via FHS Girls Hockey Boosters

"Penalty trouble in the second. Panthers give up 2 with players in the box. 

Starting the third down 2-1."

"Nice pinch by Hannah Auerr at the blue line sets up Haley Wernig for the first goal of the game."

https://twitter.com/FHSGirlsPuck/status/1750330066687439036

Wrestling = Franklin, 55 @ Mansfield, 12 - Final

"Astronomical win against Mansfield 55-12. Pins from Nash, Caccevalli, Carlucci, Griffen, Marzullo, Rosenberger, and O’Connell. OW goes to Guy Anthony Marzullo with his first varsity win/pin"    https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1750319629887521254

For other results around the Hockomock League (subscription required) 
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-24-24/ 

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

FHS Winter Jazz Concert January 29, 2024

Franklin High School is pleased to invite you to our annual Winter Jazz Concert. 

Come hear our very own award winning FHS Jazz Bands and Jazz Combos under the direction of Leighanne J. Rudsit & Matthew Geisinger.  Music will include swing, bebop, ballads and funk.  

Some big band titles will include “Birk’s Works” and “Ran Kan Kan”, music by Charles Mingus, Myles Davis, Sonny Rollins, and Horace Silver.  Featured soloists include John Kane IV on Saxophone, Aidan Padula and Anton Sackley on Drums, Thomas Bradley on Trombone, Brady Devlin on Trumpet, Maria Zaki on Flute, and Weylan O’Connell on Bass.  

The event will take place at 7:00 PM on Monday, January 29 in the Franklin High School auditorium.  A $5 donation is requested at the door, but is not required.  

   

FHS Winter Jazz Concert January 29, 2024

School Committee gets update from Jefferson, on Facility Planning. approves DECA trip (audio)

FM #1142 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1142 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Jan 23, 2024. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers. 

All 7 members of the Committee were present in Chambers. The meeting started slightly late as the Budget subcommittee meeting prior to this ran late holding up 3 members.

Quick recap:

• FHS student update, Panther Pride night Feb 12; Jan 29 jazz concert at FHS. Course selection underway by class. Tutoring for Spanish offered. Boys and girls playing basketball vs Mansfield; Boys indoor track take KellyRex champ for first time, Sarah Dumas player of week 

• Superintendent Report, thanks to students and families for patience and safety during this winter period, safety utmost. Inclement weather process shared previously, PR firm touting various aspects of the program to share the goodness. Also on schools web page

• Newcomers update, 69 students total; 14 high school, 15 middle, balance at elementary; Interfaith group helping with after school program, library helping with English as second language training

• Slides for the Jefferson update captured via photo album; Getting a sense of "return to normalcy". Good to have the families in the building more frequently (vs COVID period) Thank you all for what you are doing!

• Motion to take the agenda out of order, and get to the DECA trip proposal. About 200 competed and about 100 moved to districts in Boston, approx 50 anticipated to qualify for the CA nationals. Also coordinating with KP, Rehoboth and other MA communities to ensure a good … MA representation. April, week conference, also an opportunity to visit Disney as part of DECA organization; Fund raising to alleviate the cost of the trip.  A. DECA International Competition - Recurring Trip I recommend approval of the request of Emily Rosborough to take DECA Student to Anaheim, CA from 4/26/24-5/1/24 to participate in the DECA competition as detailed. Motion second, passes 7-0

• Comprehensive Facilities Planning Update; Lucas presenting, slides will be captured to an album

• Draft of school committee meeting schedule reviewed, could be on next meeting for vote Review of subcommittees, some met some haven't

• Consent agenda, motion to approve, second, passes 7-0

• New business, calendar vote, budget teaser, possible school calendar draft for review also Motion to adjourn, second, passes 7-0

The meeting runs about 1 hour and 55 minutes so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting held on Jan 23, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1142-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-23-24

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Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UrUZ9emung 

School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

Meeting Agenda doc  -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_1-23-24.pdf 

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-23-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet 

Jefferson Elementary highlights -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/tmGGuhBnB3z84jwc9 

Comprehensive School Facility Plan outline ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/aQCfP2MFdmxHyZ3c7 

My notes in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KwqPUeKnJXhqYEzyiy-v7IZi-IfxzAfn/view?usp=drive_link 

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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"

screen grab Facility Planning

Police Station Bldg Cmte agrees on RFP for the OPM, discusses timeline for selection (video)

The Police Station Building Committee met as scheduled Wednesday evening, Jan 24, 2024 to review and discuss the RFP for the Owner Project Manager to be issued.

Quick recap:

• Police Station Bldg Cmte meeting underway. M D'Angelo provides an overview of the Owner Project Manager (OPM). The request for proposal (RFP) for the OPM is the doc before the group to review and discuss tonight.
• The OPM really runs the project and is required by Mass Genl Law for projects of this size. The OPM responsibility list is more than a page of single spaced bullet items
• Submittals from the firms are usually interesting but the interview is key to determine who is most qualified to do the work. Example given of a firm that had done 1 specific project, another had done a few, the last one had more than 20. That experience can be key
• The initial response is a non price proposal, first you want qualifications, then you can work on a price. FHS OPM was the 3rd choice actually and did a good job ultimately.
• Chair Mercer reminds group to get to find out the team of individuals that the OPM form would bring to work on this. The firm maybe good but if they bring in a newbie to the firm it may not be so good.
• Meetings identified but with 3 public is it enough to cover the meetings with the committee? Change orders are key to keeping within the budget and there may be a few meetings involved to do that.
• Site visits? To consider prior work? Yes, as we get to the architect
• Setting some proprietary requirements (like common HVAC, locks, etc.) Helps with the overall maintenance and long term reduces cost of maintenance, folks already know of the component, minimum training required too
• Discussion on use of a 4 vs. 3 week period for firms to prepare. Discussion on the timing of notifications (central register), Feb 7 to March 7, interviews on Tuesday March 12. Feb 15 for a listening session, at the current station.
• Meeting adjourned with unanimous vote

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPfLlqC_PXA

Agenda:

1. Review of Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) Request for Qualifications (RFQ)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/draft_rfq_for_police_opm.pdf

Agenda doc contains remote participation info    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-01-24_police_station_building_committee_agenda.pdf

Link to album of photos captured of meeting ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EzVubXcdxmF3Bcxq9

Mike D'Angelo provides an overview of the Owner Project Manager (OPM)

Join the Rail Trail Committee for the January Trail Walk on Saturday morning (1/27/24) at 10 AM

Via the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee: 

"Join us for our January Trail Walk on Saturday morning at 10 AM!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C2gf_dCt5YO/ 

Join the Rail Trail Committee for the January Trail Walk on Saturday morning (1/27/24) at 10 AM

Town of Franklin: Cultural Practices for Athletic Field Maintenance and Baseball/Softball Field Maintenance - Invitation to Bid

Cultural Practices for Athletic Field Maintenance and Baseball/Softball Field Maintenance

In accordance with MGL c. 30 section 39m, it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of a landscaping/grounds maintenance firm for cultural practices on the grounds of some of Franklin Public Schools and Town parks and fields. 

Additional Information:  Cultural Practices for Athletic Field Maintenance and Baseball/Softball Field Maintenance

Shared from m-> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/cultural-practices-athletic-field-maintenance-and-baseballsoftball-field-maintenance

Invitation to Bid

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Thursday, Jan 25, 2023

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

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   A Priest, A Minister, and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p   Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm   Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = Thursday

8:00 am Veterans' Call: Steve Crouteau

9:00 am Arts Advocacy Day: Marketing

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Task Force

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Appetizers

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles

12:30 pm The Only Cure Is Education

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 1

3:00 pm Riffin' on Main Street: Thomas J. Lynch

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith

4:30 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Rob Lawson

6:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Acoustic X

8:00 pm Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 1

9:30 pm The Black Box: Disney Stars of Broadway

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = Thursday

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

8:30 am Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 1 01-28-19

10:00 am FHS Varsity Swimming v Attleboro 01-12-24

12:00 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

1:00 pm Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 1

2:30 pm Metrowest Arts & Culture Symposium 2023

5:00 pm MICCA Festival 2019

9:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball v Canton 01-15-24

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission 01-11-24

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee 01-10-24

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 01-11-24

7:00 pm Conservation Commission: LIVE, Chambers  879 5958 7361

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Franklin Cultural District: Veterans wreath ceremony, Coffee & Conversation, CD release party among the list as #artshappenhere

Thursday, January 25
2:30pm GARTA public hearing (Franklin Senior Center)
6pm Open Mic Night @67 Degrees Brewing

Wreath Ceremony

Friday, January 26
9:00am Wreath Ceremony (Franklin Veterans Walkway on the Town Common)
3:00pm Coffee & Conversation with President Elmore (Franklin Public Library)
6:30pm An Evening with Spirit with Psychic Medium Cathy Ripley Greene

Live Music and CD Release by Second Son Band 

Saturday, January 27
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
7:00pm Live Music and CD Release by Second Son Band (First Universalist Society of Franklin)

Sunday, January 28
1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

Find the full Community event calendar   https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:   https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

New Ceremony to Honor Franklin Veterans Who Died In Service to Our Country: first of series starts Jan 26 at 9 AM

The Town of Franklin has one of the most beautiful Veteran’s Memorial areas in the state.  If you haven’t been there recently, it is worth a visit.  There are monuments for all wars centered in front of the WWI “Doughboy” monument.  At the rear of the monument area is the Veterans’ Memorial Walkway which currently honors 1866 veterans who have served America.

Perhaps the most moving part of the Memorial area are the 45 granite posts which line the Veterans’ Walkway.  Each one of these posts is dedicated to a Franklin veteran who gave his life, defending our freedom.  These columns are beautifully done, marked with bronze plaques and a flag.  During the holidays, each is also decorated with a beautiful wreath.

Over the past few months, Franklin’s Veterans’ organizations, the Edward L. Grant American Legion Post 75, and the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post 3402, under the auspices of the Town’s Veterans Council, have developed a program to further honor those who died for our nation, to ensure they are remembered, and their stories are kept alive.

Beginning in January, specifically on January 26, at 9:00 AM, the first of 45 ceremonies will take place at the column of William O. Martello, Ensign, U.S. Navy who died on that date off Anzio beach in Italy, when his landing craft struck a mine.

In February, there will be four veterans honored, February 18 – Air Force SSgt Alan Willard, Vietnam; February 22 – Navy Oiler James P. Murray, WWI; February 24 - Marine Corporal David Laughlan III, WWII, and February 26 – Marine Lance Corporal Richard L. Desper, Vietnam.

For the month of March, we will honor the following veterans.  On March 10, a dual ceremony will be held for Army 2nd LT John A. Schur, WWII and Army PFC Marshall E. Rollins, both who lost their lives on the same day; March 18 - Army PFC Elton E. Ekstrom, WWII, and on March 30 – W. Franklin Lynch WWI.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history we may have on that veteran.  This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

This event will happen 45 times during the coming year.  Some months, like January, only one ceremony will be held. Other months will have multiple ceremonies, such as February with 4 and June with 7.   On March 10, April 9, July 18, and September 21, there will be dual ceremonies as we lost two veterans on the same day.

Families of the veterans, if known, will be invited to attend the ceremony.

The public is invited to attend these ceremonies to honor those who gave their lives.

Franklin’s military organizations support numerous veterans’ activities  and encourage all veterans in town to join them.

Honoring Our Franklin Veterans Who Died In Service to Our Country

Save the date: June 1 Porchfest Comes to Franklin

Save the Date!!!! 

Porchfest will be held in Franklin on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from Noon to 6:00 PM with a rain date of June 2, 2024

Web site and additional information coming as the event gets closer!

Save the date: June 1 Porchfest Comes to Franklin

FHS boys basketball team tops Mansfield on Tuesday

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, Jan 23, 2024.

Boys Basketball = Mansfield, 46 @ Franklin, 67 - Final

Recap and photos available at HockomockSports (subscription required) ->

https://hockomocksports.com/stout-defense-efficient-offense-push-franklin-boys-basketball-past-hornets/

FHS Boys varsity tops Mansfield

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 49 @ Mansfield, 55 - Final

FHS GVBB team with a close road loss to Mansfield

For other results around the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-23-24/

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

GATRA's Public Hearing scheduled for Thursday, Jan 25 at 2:30 PM at Franklin Senior Center

Via Franklin Food Pantry

"Many of our clients rely on GATRA to visit The Pantry. 

Come share your experiences with the service at GATRA's Public Hearing at @TOFranklinMA Senior Center 10 Daniel McCahill St. on January 25 at 2:30 PM. 

Click here for more info: https://t.co/AkEl0oaWIL"

Shared from -> https://t.co/0Q7mKwepK5

Also coordinated as part of the Master Plan Community Services, Facilities & Circulation (CSFC) Subcommittee https://www.instagram.com/p/C2bXOVuOoml/

GATRA's Public Hearing scheduled for Thursday, Jan 25 at 2:30 PM

GATRA's Public Hearing scheduled for Thursday, Jan 25 at 2:30 PM at Franklin Senior Center