Town of Franklin launches new web page platform

The site looks pretty good so far. 

BUT, as you go about this Franklin Matters page, be aware that links to the Town page will be broken. It is an unfortunate consequence of such a web page upgrade. Trust me, this did happen before (most recently in 2016) and now my archives are more reliable than the Town's.

If you do find a broken link: 

Please comment on the post (which will generate an email to me). This is good as I'll know the specific post you have a problem with.

OR

Send me an email with a link to the post and doc you are trying to get to.

In either case, I'll find and correct the link (for future users/reader) and get you the doc. In many cases, I might already have a local copy.

Send the email to sgsherlock @ franklinmatters dot org

Town of Franklin launches new web page platform

You can sign up to read at the Benjamin Franklin Autobiography Readathon - Thursday, Jan 23 from 1:30 PM to finish

Inspired originally by the public readathon of Moby Dick, interested locals in Franklin began participating in a reading of the autobiography of the town’s namesake, Benjamin Franklin, several years ago at the library, on or near Ben’s January 17 birthday.

This year, to better coordinate with the potential availability of Dean students, the Autobiography Readathon has been moved to Thursday, January 23, starting at 1:30 PM at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street.

You can still sign up for a reading slot below or just come by to listen. 

Sign up slots are for 15 minutes but readers can do less or more...The event is Free.

Sign up listing ->    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tKQY34S4LNN32Z0_EDdyXU-n5U8AT1Td7RbIsM_6if4/edit?usp=sharing

You can sign up to read at the Benjamin Franklin Autobiography Readathon - Thursday, Jan 23 from 1:30 PM to finish

Colleen lets us know about “Bacchus Buster” and plans for the grand reopening of Pour RIchard's Feb 8 (audio)

FM #1358 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1358 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Colleen Bunnewith on Monday, January 20, 2025 in the Pour Richard’s Wine store. The store interior is being renovated with new colors and layout. Colleen is co-owner with her husband Corey.

We talk about

How they got to opening Pour Richard’s under their ownership

Plans for beer, wine, and provisions

Plans for an expanded beer section

Plans for bringing in cheese & prepared foods, charcuterie boards, etc.

Events, “Pennywise” rebranded as “Bacchus Buster”

Grand re-opening set for Feb 8

The recording runs 20 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1358-pour-richards-reopening-01-20-25/

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Web page (under revision as of 1/22/25) -> https://pourrichardswine.com/ 

On Facebook at -> https://www.facebook.com/pourrichardswine 

On instagram at -> https://www.instagram.com/pourrichardswinema/ 

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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

• 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"

Colleen lets us know about “Bacchus Buster” and plans for the grand reopening of Pour RIchard's Feb 8 (audio)

FHS girls & boys basketball teams both top Canton on Tuesday (video)

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Boys Basketball = Canton, 40 @ Franklin, 79 – Final

– Franklin’s defense set the tone to start, only allowing one field goal in the first eight minutes, on its way to a big win over visiting Canton. The Panthers staked a 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter and then scored at least 20 points in each of the next three quarters, including a 23-point second quarter that led to a 37-12 halftime lead. Senior Caden Sullivan hit five three-pointers and finished with a game-high 24 points while Joseph Conlan hit five shots from the floor on his way to 16 points. In total, 13 Panthers made their way onto the score sheet. JJ Faulk led Canton with 10 points.

Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP93fUMAHxY

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 65 @ Canton, 32 – Final 

– Despite missing a few players to illness, including top scorer Chloe Fales, Franklin jumped out top a 20-point lead in the first quarter and never looked back to maintain its lead in the Kelley-Rex. The Panthers outscored Canton 28-5 in the opening quarter. Lauryn DiGiorgio knocked down three of her four three-pointers in the first and Lena Malymina added two more as they combined for 19 points in the quarter. Franklin would go on to bury 11 threes as a team. Malymina and Digiorgio each finished with 14 points, Mallory Santos added a dozen, and Fiona Morrison contributed 10. Ava McCoole got into double digits for the Bulldogs, scoring a team-high 11, and Deanna Kolokithas finished with six points.

Swimming = Franklin @ King Philip, 7:00

(results not yet available)

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-21-25/

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

FHS Sports broadcast on Franklin TV this week

FHS Sports broadcast on Franklin TV this week

 

"LIVE STREAMS For this week on Franklin Pride TV

Tune in!"

You can also find the recording on YouTube after the game: Franklin Pride TV - YouTube  https://bit.ly/FTV-Schools

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/188Y2V2JvU/

Registration for this year's High School Experience Franklin will open soon (video)

HSE Franklin (@HseFranklin) posted on Tue, Jan 21, 2025:

High School Experience (HSE) for FHS Class of 2029 will be August 5 & 6. Registration will open soon. https://t.co/Ia4nsVWE4o

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOOosJD4sI4

 

@RMS_Remdawgs @HMMSLightning @sullythehusky @FranklinHS @FPSLearning  @FHSPantherbook @FranklinMatters @FranklinPSNews @FPSHealthPE

Shared from -> https://x.com/HseFranklin/status/1881780290735284308

Winter Wonderland 2024 (video)

The Franklin Senior Center opened their doors to the community on Thursday, December 12, 2025. If you missed making the visit to Winter Wonderland, enjoy the recap by Franklin TV and make plans to be there next December!

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

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025

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

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

• This segment features my conversation with Pam & Joe Formosa of the Santa Foundation -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/pam-joe-formosa-say-thanks-to-community.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.

• Mark & Kim talk about "Buying Tips For New Wine Drinkers"
   -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode_01899297967.html

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 features my Chalkboard Chat session with Cmte Chair Dave Callaghan as we recap the School Committee Mtg of 1/14/25 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/in-this-chalkboard-chat-we-condense.html

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

7:30 am Mental Health: Rion James

8:30 am Sons and Daughters of Italy: Carlo Geromini

10:00 am Jim Johnston: Ben Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr.

11:30 am Comfort Food: Comfort Food

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Banana Bread

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Chicken

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Game Day Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 8

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

5:00 pm Concerts on the Common: Northeast Groove

8:00 pm Martin Luther King, Jr Convocation

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

7:00 am Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 1 12-11-18

8:30 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2023

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports

11:00 am Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

12:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Foxboro 01-18-25

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

8:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v King Philip 01-11-25

10:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball v Stoughton 01-14-25

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

8:00 am Town Council 01-08-25

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee 01-15-25

2:00 pm Town Council 01-08-25

7:00 pm Town Council  CHAMBERS  850 7977 7165

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 ???

Tuesday, January 21

• No Trash/Recycling Delay scheduled due to MLK Jr Holiday Monday
• Fiber Art Installation  (Franklin Public Library)
• Fund raiser for FHS girls hockey (The Chateau Restaurant)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

7:30pm Voice of Franklin, part of Toastmasters International (Franklin TV and Radio)

**   Town Meetings today   **

School Committee Contractual Negotiations 

Event Date:  Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - 4:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/negotiations_agenda_-_1-21-25.pdf

Board of Assessors Meeting

Event Date:  Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - 4:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/agenda_01-21-2025.pdf

Housing Authority agenda

Event Date:  Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - 4:30pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/housing_auth_1-21-25.pdf

Community Relations 

Event Date:  Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - 5:30pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/community_relations_subcom_agenda_-_1_21_25.pdf

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Franklin home prices surge during 2024

"The median sale price of single-family homes in Franklin, MA hit a record high of $727,000 in 2024. In the last 4 years, the median sale price of Franklin single-family homes has surged 44%, a value gain that was completely unforeseen by real estate experts at the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020.

The gain is all the more impressive given the sharp rise in mortgage interest rates that began in 2022. The current 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stands at an average of nearly 7%, more than double the 3% rate average last seen in January of 2022."

Continue to read the 2024 Franklin homes sales report as prepared by realtor Warren Reynolds. https://02038.com/2025/01/franklin-home-prices-surge/

Master Plan Update Committee meeting 1/15/25 (audio)

FM #1357 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1357 in the series. 

This session shares the Master Plan Update Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 

The recording runs almost 1 hour and 54 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1357-master-plan-update-cmte-mtg-01-15-25/

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Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98wFbUo0ugE

Agenda and supporting documents for this session ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-january_15_2025.pdf

“Final” version of the Master Plan (at least as of 1/20/25) -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_master_plan_final_report-submitted_to_town-01-15-2025.pdf 

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

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"

Master Plan Update Committee meeting 1/15/25 (audio)