Franklin Matters

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Beaver Street Interceptor Project: Construction Update for the Week of December 16

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project

BSI Construction Update for the Week of December 16th!

Monday (12/16) - Friday (12/20): The construction crew will be preparing the jacking and receiving pits for the trenchless installation of the sewer under Rt. 140. The work will be occurring off the road at 38 Pond Street and within the Franklin Village Mall Area. No traffic impacts are expected.

At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor
Pump Station will continue with concrete form placement and rebar tying for the last section of the pump station foundation walls.

There will be limited work occurring the week of 12/23 & 12/30 for the Christmas and New Years holiday weeks. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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

Beaver Street Interceptor Project: Construction Update for the Week of December 16

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

Fall/Winter 2023 - Anticipated Construction Start

Summer 2026 - Anticipated Construction Completion

Friday, December 13, 2024

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, December 13, 2024 ???

Friday, December 13

Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)
Franklin Art Association, Art Show & Sale (Norfolk Public Library)

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

2:30pm Bottle/Can Drive (FHS Class of 2025 fundraiser) (Franklin High School)

4:00pm Orchard Sl'hay rides (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

6:00pm Annual Holiday Dinner Concert with Martin & Kelly (GlenPharmer Distillery)

9:00pm Brian Cabral (live music) (3 Restaurant)

** NO Town Meetings today **

What's happening today in Franklin?

---------------

Why are there multiple calendars?

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:

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/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

SAFE Coalition Delivers Housing-Support Services Through Town Of Franklin ARPA Funds

SAFE Coalition, a local nonprofit agency, is proud to offer ARPA-supported services to the Town of Franklin’s housing-insecure population.

A longtime partner with Franklin’s local schools, police, fire, faith, and civic communities, SAFE is dedicated to enhancing the security and wellness of each individual and family they connect with. SAFE has become a staple in the community for local, no-cost, accessible care, understanding that partnering with other systems of care offers the greatest opportunity for success for those receiving support.

SAFE Coalition

In 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act federal stimulus bill (ARPA) was created to address public health and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill included support for rental and housing services, affordable housing initiatives, utility assistance, grant programs for tenants and landlords, food security programs, childcare, and community outreach services.

In receiving an ARPA grant from the Town of Franklin in 2024, SAFE increased their ability to meet the needs of residents experiencing housing insecurity and the issues that come with it.

“We are excited to support our community and know we can meet the shifting needs of those asking for help,” says Jen Levine, CEO and co-founder of SAFE. “SAFE is the dedicated non-profit in Franklin doing this work. These funds have allowed us to provide necessary, direct, and timely care to all Franklin residents.”

Over the last eight months, SAFE has been providing consistent, compassionate support to sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations through an array of services:

• One-on-one support planning with staff social worker. Housing insecure individuals receive guided assistance assessing needs, connecting with resources, wellness checks, and creating a 90-day plan to execute their goals
• Welcomed the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) into parttime office space at SAFE HQ, connecting people with federal housing vouchers
• Skill-supported pipeline for helping people apply for state-aided, subsidized housing system CHAMP, health insurance, SSI, SSDI
• Transportation access to help people reach emergency housing and shelters
• Rental assistance program for housing-precarious families

These services empower people to make decisions in their own best interest.

“I honestly don’t know how to thank you guys,” said a client recently, “you literally saved us. I am beyond thankful. I would love to give back if there are any volunteer opportunities.”

SAFE believes that when we uphold the dignity of our housing-insecure neighbors, we support the building of relationships and the strengthening of our community.

Those looking to get involved with SAFE’s housing support initiatives can do so on the SAFE website or by emailing info@safecoalitionma.org.

Franklin School Committee gets updates on Lifelong Learning & Redistricting, approves FHS trips for 2026 (audio)

FM #1335 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1335 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Dec 10, 2024. 6 of the 7 members participated (5 in Chambers, 1 remote, 1 absent).

Quick recap:

Lifelong Learning Presentation - find the photo album of the slides presented -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/omNCc8A4rfPxAHtt9
Reorganization Level-Based Presentation - find the photo album of the slides presented -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/xR1omYuPvXTHSciP6
Japan 2026 Field Trip Request & Hawaii 2026 Field Trip Request - a combined presentation and the slides captured in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/HZw9TKfELZPPLRRS9 Both trips were approved by the same 6-0-1 (1 absent) vote via roll call
Policy – Second Reading/Adoption

ACA – Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex
ACA-R – Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex under Title IX Including Sex-Based Harassment approved by 6-0-1 (1 absent) vote via roll call

Committee voted to enter Executive Session, not to return to open meeting by 6-0-1 (1 absent) vote via roll call

The recording runs about 2 hours & 35 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1335-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-12-10-24/

--------------

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0JNS07rsB4

The agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5082504/SCAGENDA_12-10-24.docx.pdf

Meeting packet (other docs as they are released after the meeting will get posted here) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/december-10%2C-2024-sc-meeting-packet/730521

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JnjmLo3gEfEVC1odtP4MnJLox38RYtGA/view?usp=drive_link

-------------

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
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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!

------------------

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

Franklin School Committee gets updates on Lifelong Learning & Redistricting, approves FHS trips for 2026 (audio)

FHS representatives on the 2024 Hockomock League Volleyball & Golf All Stars

2024 Hockomock League Volleyball All Stars

Kelley-Rex Division MVP

Julia Leonardo, Attleboro

Davenport Division MVP

Addyson Smock, Oliver Ames

Hockomock League All Stars

Makayla Kuykendall, Franklin

Brooke Daniels, Franklin

Honorable Mentions

Olivia Alberti, Franklin

https://hockomocksports.com/2024-hockomock-league-volleyball-all-stars/

2024 Hockomock League Golf All Stars

Kelley-Rex Division MVP

Evan Regan, King Philip

Davenport Division MVP

Tyson Laviano, North Attleboro

Hockomock League All Stars

Liam Lewandowski, Franklin

Caden Sullivan, Franklin

Jack Nelson, Franklin

Honorable Mentions

Ben Burgess, Franklin

https://hockomocksports.com/2024-hockomock-league-golf-all-stars/

FHS representatives on the 2024 Hockomock League Volleyball & Golf All Stars

FHS representatives on the 2024 Hockomock League Girls & Boys Cross Country All Stars

2024 Hockomock League Girls Cross Country All Stars

Kelley-Rex Division MVP

Emilia Smith, Attleboro

Davenport Division MVP

Molly Galgoczy, North Attleboro

Hockomock League All Stars

Carli Walbert, Franklin

Fiona Morrison, Franklin

Honorable Mentions

Emma Pruitt, Franklin

https://hockomocksports.com/2024-hockomock-league-girls-cross-country-all-stars/

2024 Hockomock League Boys Cross Country All Stars

Kelley-Rex Division MVP

Alex Blumen, Sharon

Davenport Division MVP

Anthony Malakidis, North Attleboro

Hockomock League All Stars

Alex Fioravanti, Franklin

Honorable Mentions

Jack Halter, Franklin

https://hockomocksports.com/2024-hockomock-league-boys-cross-country-all-stars/

FHS representatives on the 2024 Hockomock League Girls & Boys Cross Country All Stars

Rod & Gun Club All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast, Sunday Dec 15 from 7:30 to 11:00 AM

Rod & Gun Club All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast

"Our famous all-you-can-eat breakfast is back this Sunday, Dec. 15th.

Come to 53 Florence St. in Franklin from 7:30-11 am and pay just $10 ($5 for kids 12 and under) to get all-you-can-eat eggs, pancakes, French toast, sausage, corned beef hash, home fries, baked beans, and coffee/juice.

We even have a brand new stove in the fireplace so we'll keep you extra warm and toasty.

Come enjoy the best deal (and food) in town!"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D3F1GFTSV/

FHS Connect 4 Cancer (C4C) group asks to consider donating a gift to a family in need

Consider donating a gift to a family in need. C4C is helping out a Franklin family whose daughter is currently going through cancer treatment.

consider donating a gift to a family in need

Feel free to go off the list or use items that are different from the ones linked. If you donate an item (on or off the list), please sign up using the signup genius.

Gifts can be given to Mrs.Curtis or dropped off in the FHS main office for Beth Ann Curtis by 12/19 **Please do NOT wrap the gifts**

If you want to help, but don't have time to drop off a gift feel free to Venmo @ellamahoney4. All money will be used to buy gifts for the family.

With any questions reach out to Beth Ann Curtis (curtise@franklinps.net) or Ella Mahoney (ellamahoney184@gmail.com)!

Link to wishlist: https://docs.google.com/.../1S410AsonbE4VkJD0ktSGddG.../edit

Link to sign up genus: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48AEAC2FABF4C61-53583781-c4choliday#/

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407

Holiday Sip & Shop at La Cantina Winery - Dec 15

Join La Cantina Winery in Franklin, Ma and local artisans and vendors at this Holiday Sip & Shop!

Get your last minute gifts while enjoying delicious food and wine!

Holiday Sip & Shop at La Cantina Winery - Dec 15

Current vendors

Pottery by Tracy

Limelife by Alcone with Joanie

Pure Lit Intention Candles

Flock & Flourish

Wright Old School Chocolates

The Photo Hive

ReVamped Threads - Julie Warner’s customized Jean jackets, blazers, hats and more!

Red Apron Charcuterie

Mellow Mi Jewelry

Rosey Cheeks Creative - customized and personalized gifts made while you wait!

Crafty Chris - handmade cards & more!

Woofin’ Good Treats

Sweet Inspirations

Peter Willis Photography

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1JxsqxGo4W/

Final days to share your input to the Franklin Community News Survey

Final days to share your input to this survey.

Where do you get your Franklin News?
What types of news are you looking for?

Survey closes on Sunday, Dec 16 at midnight

Franklin TV, Franklin Public Radio, and Franklin Matters are working together striving to advance the greater good, bringing us together as a community, so that our focus is not on what divides us, but what brings us together. To that end, we need your help with the following survey questions.

Please fill out (online -> https://bit.ly/FCCA_NewsSurvey ) or via paper copy (and send to Franklin TV) so we can evaluate our services for the community and enhance as necessary.

Your thoughts are important to us.

Thank you!