Franklin Matters

Saturday, June 8, 2024

June Veterans Council Meeting scheduled for June 20

June Veterans Council Meeting

June 20 - 7:00 pm - All Franklin Residents are Welcome!

The June Veterans Council meeting will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

The Veterans Council meets the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street.

All Franklin residents interested in veterans' events and activities are welcome.

For more information, contact Shannon Nisbett, Director of Veterans' Services, at (508) 613-1315.

June Veterans Council Meeting scheduled for June 20

Community Closet @FranklinUMC - Update for June, 2024

Via Franklin United Methodist:

Update for June, 2024
Below is the updated flyer for June. Please post print, email, and distribute the flyer below to let people know about the Community Closet @FranklinUMC.

Please note that in addition to the shopping days posted on the flyer, there will be two sorting ONLY days in June on the 11th and 25th. You can signup to volunteer by going to franklinumc.org/volunteer.

And, if you’d like to make an appointment to shop privately, please contact the Franklin UMC office to make an appointment at office@franklinumc.org or by calling 508-528-1092.

The flyer can be found here -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/13MrUA9gFJFTBoYoNvRavimW6aLRmMMbD/view?usp=drive_link

Shared from -> https://franklinumc.org/2024/05/31/community-closet-franklinumc-june2024-update/

WHY we (Sue Cass) are voting YES for FRANKLIN! (video)

The next in the series of "WHY we are voting YES for FRANKLIN!" features Sue Cass. She urges all to vote Yes 4 Franklin -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWlr58QQT38

More information can be found on the One Franklin page -> https://onefranklinma.com/

The Town of Franklin is hiring for positions with DPW, Human Resources, Facilities, Senior Center, Library & Fire Dept

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov. Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.

Administrative Assistant - Department of Public Works

Mechanic - Department of Public Works

Benefits Coordinator - Human Resources

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department

Senior Center Director - Franklin Senior Center

Deputy Library Director - Franklin Public Library

Summer Custodians - Facilities Department

Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department

Updated 06/07/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

The Town of Franklin is hiring for positions with DPW, Human Resources, Facilities, Senior Center, Library & Fire Dept

Beaver Street Interceptor: construction update for the week of June 10

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI)

Beaver Street Interceptor

BSI Construction Update for the Week of June 10th!

Monday (6/10) - Friday (6/14) the construction crew will be back on Old West Central from Pond Street to Tri County Drive (behind Starbucks) to complete the sewer installation and conduct the final trench pavement. A detour through Tri-County Drive will be in place on Tuesday (6/11) thru Friday (6/14) from 7:30am until 5:00pm. Residential traffic only on Pond St., Rolling Ridge Rd., Hilltop Rd.
and part of Old West Central St.

During this construction phase, the adjacent medical building remains accessible, though Starbucks will be accessible via 140 only. Access to this area may look different as work continues. We are working with school staff to ensure safety.

Also during the week minor work will continue on the dead end section of Old West Central serving Ledgewood Condominiums and Franklin Crossing. Those residents should continue to follow the posted signs for directions on exiting and entering.

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue this week. There is a new way in and out of the Recreation Center, please follow the posted signage. During times of drop off and pickup backup onto Beaver Street may occur.

Please reference the interactive map below and posted signs for details and updates.

Beaver Street Interceptor: construction update for the week of June 10

We appreciate the public's continued support and understanding and will
continue to communicate regularly via social media, our dedicated email list, and the construction map below as work progresses.

BEAVER STREET INTERCEPTOR HOTLINE: 508-553-5526
(PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE AND WE WILL RETURN YOUR CALL)
EMAIL: BSI-info@franklinma.gov

Beaver Street Interceptor Rehabilitation/Replacement Project

This project consists of the replacement and repair of Franklin's largest piece of sewer infrastructure,
originally constructed in 1914.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/beaver-street-interceptor

Friday, June 7, 2024

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, June 7, 2024?

Friday, June 7

8:00am Early voting for Special Election (Last day at Town Clerk's Office)

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Franklin Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

3:00pm Kaye Kelly Trio (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

4:00pm Strawberry Stroll - (Main St, Downtown Franklin)

7:30pm August: Osage County! (THE BLACK BOX)

9:00pm Gilmartin Bros (live music) (3 Restaurant)

** No Town Meetings today

What's happening today in Franklin?

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Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

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

2024 Strawberry Stroll - booth locations map

For those who just want to stroll, starting anywhere and working your way along Main St and the Depot Plaza works.

For those who want to make sure they hit the specific tables/booths, the map and listing will help you find where they are so you want miss them if you get distracted by something else.

Download your copy of the PDF here ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13C9a8rFo5XSb2OkOBj8RiUY533kIQXWW/view?usp=drive_link

2024 Strawberry Stroll - booth locations map

Thanks to the Downtown Partnership for putting the event together!

https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Watch "Dear Franklin, (A Message from Franklin Educators)" on YouTube (video)

Dear Franklin,

As proud members of the Franklin Education Association, we are asking you to come out in support of our schools on June 11 and vote Yes for Franklin.

This initiative is not just an investment in our schools - the override vote is an investment in our community's future.

If you are a family with children in school, a "Yes" vote will directly support your child’s education. The funds from this override will allow schools to:

Keep class sizes low
Continue to offer a variety of AP courses and electives
Bring back middle school extracurricular activities.

Just to name a few.

But research shows that supporting our schools is beneficial to everyone in town, not just families with children. Good schools are a cornerstone of a thriving community, leading to:

High property values as young families continue to see Franklin schools as the strongest schools in the area.
A safer, more engaged community.
A stronger local economy as well-educated graduates enter the workforce.

We are proud to be educators in this amazing town.

We are all deeply committed to supporting this community every day.

On June 11 we are asking for your support.

We all want the best for Franklin. A vote for the tax override is a vote for a brighter future in Franklin.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please remember to vote YES on June 11.

Thank you.

Final note- FEA members have a right to their own opinions on this issue. This video is not intended to be representative of the entire FEA, but limited to the members who participate.

Video link -> https://youtu.be/E0QNbXeV0ws

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the 4 hour Council meeting in about 25 minutes (audio)

FM #1229 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1229 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 for the first of their 2 normal meetings for June. Our schedules coordinated to talk on Thursday morning to recap the long 4 hour session the night before..

We look to focus on

ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

Electric Youth high point of session
Verizon cable contract renewal
Farmers Market licenses for La Cantina, Blisspoint Meadery
Public Hearing on King St business zoning proposal

Moved to second reading by 5-4 vote
Final approval requires 6 Yes votes

Friendly 40b approved by 5-4 vote

Still needs to work through the permit process, etc.

Zoning bylaws referral to Planning Board

3 measures regarding MBTA compliance
Mixed use zoning definition
EDC recommendation changed on parking minimums
Still to come back to Council for discussion & vote

TA Emergency shelter update

No town funds spent for anything
Schools reimbursed from State for their additional support costs

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1230-town-council-quarterbacking-06-06-24

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The Franklin TV broadcast 06/05/24 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps1PnsDuPwE

Agenda and supporting documents ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/june_5_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

My notes for this meeting captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/190oyby8h5rC5ivDqN4lKAOV5PBP2UCM4/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"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the 4 hour Council meeting in about 25 minutes (audio)

Tri-County RVTHS Class of 2024 Graduation (video)

The Tri-County RVTHS Graduation 2024 was broadcast by Franklin TV on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

The video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zz6vuSiGxI

Franklin (MA) School Committee newsletter for June 6, 2024

The June School Committee Newsletter was sent out this morning (06/06/24). Read the newsletter to catch up with what's been going on and what's to come.

Read (and download) Get your copy (PDF) here -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/franklin_school_committee_newsletter_-_june_6_2024.pdf

Miss a newsletter, check the archive for prior issues -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/school-committee-newsletters

Franklin (MA) School Committee newsletter for June 6, 2024

Fire Explorer program to be established here in Franklin, get info at the Fire Station during Strawberry Stroll today

Franklin Fire (@FranklinMAfire@FranklinMAfire) posted on Thu, Jun 06, 2024:

The Franklin Fire Department has teamed up with @HockomockYMCA and @MayflowerBSA to establish a Fire Explorer program in Franklin. This program is for ages 14 -21.

There will be an informational booth at the downtown Fire Station (40 West Central St.) tomorrow from 4pm-8pm.

Shared from -> https://t.co/4hEJrSEFro

Fire Explorer program to be established here in Franklin, get info at the Fire Station during Strawberry Stroll today

Franklin Recreation has scheduled it's first Pickleball tourney for June 15

Pickleball tourney

"Franklin Recreation is hosting it's first ever Pickleball Tournament!!!

Register early!

Spots are filling quickly"

Register -> https://franklinma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29970

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/z4sVyP583dDYrfqL/

Have you checked out the Library line up for Saturday, June 8??

10:30 - Grown-Ups and Donuts! with music by Jamie Barrett

Grown-Ups and Donuts

noon - Shavuot Celebration! Enjoy ice cream, crafts, games, and stories as we learn about Shavuot! Presented in partnership with Temple Etz Chaim!

Shavuot Celebration

1:00 - As You Wish An Interactive Matinee = Adults & Teens! enjoy an interactive matinee of the beloved classic movie, The Princess Bride! Popcorn and props are provided! No Registration Required!

As You Wish An Interactive Matinee

Town Council tackles multiple zoning items in a long session (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 for a long session (approx. 4 hours). The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps1PnsDuPwE&t=1s

Quick recap: