What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 ???

Wednesday, March 12

* "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

* Rockland Trust Branches close at 3 PM

1pm Writer's Group (Franklin Senior Center)

7pm Joint Budget Subcommittee FY26 Budget Update Listening Session (Franklin high School)

7pm Tour the Franklin Food Pantry (sign up in advance) (Franklin Food Pantry)

For additional details on Senior Center & Library events ->    

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Historical Commission Meeting

Wednesday, March 12th Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03122025-1625

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting

Wednesday, March 12th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_03122025-1620

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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/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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

Metrowest Boston Visitors Bureau Announces Annual Tourism Summit on March 27

The MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau (MBVB) will be holding their Annual Meeting, Tourism Summit and Legislative Breakfast, entitled “The Power of Travel” on March 27 from 8:00 – 11:30am at the Warren Conference Center and Inn in Ashland.

The event is open to everyone, and will include a travel and hospitality industry update, both at the regional level delivered by MBVB Executive Director Stacey David, as well as at the state level, given by Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox. 

Additional speakers include Sheila Green, who will update on the MA250 initiative that is marketing events surrounding the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and Representative Priscila Sousa, who will talk about building a strong community in uncertain times. 

Metrowest Boston Visitors Bureau A
nnounces Annual Tourism Summit on March 27

The second half of the program will be educational sessions designed to provide inspiration, insight, and tangible takeaways to help attendees in promoting their own businesses. 

These sessions will include 

• a panel discussion with the Travel Editor from Yankee Magazine and the team at ShoredUp Digital on the ways you can use storytelling to gain free press coverage and greater social media engagement
• another panel discussion on experiential tourism and how to create experiences visitors want (even if your business isn’t normally experientially based!)
• a presentation on the Visitors Bureau’s new walking and driving tours app and how to get your organization into one of their itineraries
• and an interactive session designed to help you think creatively about the impact of tourism and how you can leverage those impacts in your own organization

All businesses in MetroWest and the surrounding communities are invited to attend, including hotels, restaurants, attractions, non-profit arts & culture, retailers, town administrators and more. 

Registration is required. To view the full agenda and register, please visit www.metrowestvisitors.org/annual_meeting.

YOU'RE Invited!! Cultural Volunteer & FY25 Grant Recipient Reception - March 13 at 7 PM

A Night of Gratitude – Honoring Franklin's Cultural Volunteers & Grant Recipients

Thursday, March 13  7 - 8:30 PM | Dean College | Guidrey Center, Paula Rooney Student Center RSVP here! Dear Franklin Community, We invite you to an evening of celebration, appreciation, and connection—where we come together to honor the people who make Franklin's cultural heartbeat so strong. This special night is dedicated to you—our incredible volunteers, artists, and supporters—who pour passion, time, and creativity into making Franklin a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. We will recognize our FY2025 grant recipients, whose work continues to inspire and enrich our community. And we are honored to celebrate a group of outstanding cultural volunteers whose dedication has made a lasting impact on Franklin's arts and culture: Amy Adams – Franklin Cultural District Sarah Cronin – Franklin Cultural Council Lauren Kloos & Roger Trahan – Franklin Farmers' Market Brenna Johnson – Franklin High School Ceramics Instructor & Empty Bowls Coordinator with the Franklin Food Pantry This event is free and open to all, and we would love to celebrate with as many of you as possible. We can't wait to share this evening of gratitude, laughter, and community with you. Thank you for being part of Franklin's creative story! Town of Franklin Franklin Culture District | 355 East Central Street | Franklin, MA 02038 US

Discussion on curriculum, middle school math, and universal design for Franklin Schools (audio)

FM #1402 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1402 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Dr. Tina Rogers, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning; Dr. Timothy Frazier, Director of Curriculum ELA & SS; and Eric Stark, Director of Curriculum STEM. We had our discussion in person in the Franklin Public Schools Central District offices on Thursday, March 6, 2025. 

 

We cover 

• Middle School math curriculum changes

• Universal design, and tiered support

• Overall curriculum evaluation plan and processes

• Excitement of synergies coming with the redistricting

The recording runs about 50 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1402-franklin-public-schools-curriculum-disucssion-03-06-25/

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Teaching & Learning contact information

https://www.franklinps.net/page/teaching-and-learning

The Middle School math update presentation to the School Committee Jan 28, 2025

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5247238/January_28__2025_MS_Math_Update_to_SC_for_Website.pdf

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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!

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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"

Discussion on curriculum, middle school math, and universal design for Franklin Schools (audio)

Franklin School Committee get a transportation, facility, and fee consideration update (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. 6 members participated in the session, 5 in Council Chambers and 1 remotely (Charles) with 1 absent (Griffin).

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocJsUiAaOw0

The agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5388334/SCAGENDA_3-11-25.pdf

Quick recap:

• Recognition of multiple sets of students for accomplishments in (arts, writing, painting, ceramics), and for those in the DECA program who were State champions
• The redistricting facility update was talked to. The doc itself wil be posted on Wednesday. It lies out the process in 3 phases of immediate, near term, and long term apparently in detail. The pix captured of the doc shown on the screen during the time shown didn't allow for sufficient evaluation
• The Transportation update was good, ultimately while some more students are expected to ride the bus, with the redistricting, travel times should be improved, and there is potential for 2 less buses. Now, this is a model based upon current students in the district. The key will be the bus enrollment/payment process beginning in April, that closes at the end of schoool in June, to confirm the bus routing that would really be required
• The consideration of fees was a discussion only topic. This doc will also be posted on Wednesday. There was discussion of going to 4 tiers of sports fees (rather than 3). Hockey effectively moving to its own tier. Busing fees are being considered for reduction from $500 to $387 with a return of the family cap, and capping at $1000.

My full notes captured during the meeting in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IMCqlD8Uouxkf0bB0ZuwRY8uZoH-o576/view?usp=drive_link

A day at Tri-County (video)

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19PNFLp4Qq/

Watch "A day at Tri-County"!

See students hard at work in their vocational programs! #WorkHardTodayCounts

Watch the video ->    https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19PNFLp4Qq/

Fire Dept gets hands-on “Man vs Machine” training via FEMA grant

“Man vs Machine” training via FEMA grant

"We would like to give a huge thank you to @pl_vulcan_fire_training for coming out and providing an excellent hands-on “Man vs Machine” training for all 4 groups this week. 

Members learned various methods for removing rings, extricating victims from under vehicles, impalements, and much more.

We are also pleased to report that this training was 100% funded by a grant awarded from @fema"

 

You can also view additional photos of this training at ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DHEi4s2yAGb/

Still time to apply for the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program 2025

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 $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 2025 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 28, 2025

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 Scholarship Program 2025

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 

Franklin Girls Softball Association (FGSA) makes a pitch for sponsors

via the Franklin Girls Softball Association

Dear Potential FGSA Sponsor,

We would like to invite you to be part of our upcoming 2025 softball season. Our Opening Day is scheduled for May 10th, 2025. This special day is when we have the pleasure of introducing the Franklin community to all our players and wonderful sponsors during a festival we hold at our home fields.

We Want you to be part Of this community and partner with us through sponsorship! 

FGSA is made up of over 200 players and families. We Offer 3 softball programs: Spring Recreational, Travel, and Fall Ball. A program is offered for all skill levels and from ages 4-18. A mentoring program has been established within our league and it has become commonplace for our travel team players to volunteer their

time and efforts at skills clinics for our younger players. A sense of community is truly thriving within FGSX. 

All sponsorship contributions, made by organizations just like yours, go towards maintaining the quality of our program and help ensure we continue to offer girls from pre-K through high school a safe and fun place to learn and grow with fastpitch softball.

We have had to reinvent our traditional sponsorship program so that the benefits are far reaching yet cost effective. Our focus for advertising your business lies in social media posts, email blasts, and banner advertising on our webpage, all of which reach not only our Franklin participants, but also the teams from

surrounding towns that participate in our league play and in summer  tournaments.

This year we are asking for $200 in exchange for the following:

• Your company logo on our webpage, https://www.fgsafastpitch.org/, from May 2025 to May 2026
• Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) posts promoting your business
• Email blasts to our families thanking you for your sponsorship
• Advertising in our Tournament Packet that will be distributed to all teams attending our 3 tournaments this summer. Our tournaments will bring 30+ teams, equaling over 400 families, to Franklin
• Your company name will be listed on the back of the opening day shirt worn by all Of our players, and you will be provided with a shirt to thank you for your sponsorship
• Your company logo will be printed on a large banner that is displayed at our Pisani 2 field all season and Summer, for everyone to see

Please see below for information needed to sponsor. On behalfof all FGSA players and families and the FGSA Board Of Directors, please accept our warmest thanks for your consideration.

FGSA fast pitch makes a pitch for sponsors

Best Regards,

Donna Barbato

FGSA Fundraising Coordinator

To become an FGSA sponsor:

1. Please email info@fgsafastpitch.org by April 4, 2025 with the following info:

Business Name

Contact Name

Contact Email

Contact Phone Number

Website

High Resolution File Of Business Logo

2. Please mail check payable to FGSA to:

Franklin Girls Softball Association

PO Box 706

Franklin, MA 02038

FGSA MA Taxpayer 11): 10512511

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

Celebration of the Holi Festival scheduled for the Town Common May 17

Celebration of the Holi Festival - May 17

Join the Franklin Public Library for a special celebration of the Holi Festival, outside on the Town Common! Music, activities, and of course, COLOR!! Wear something that you don't mind getting messy!

In the event of inclement weather, the rain date will be Saturday May 31 on the library lawn.

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Franklin Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18UqR1k5XF/

Friendship Rock Painting - "like ladybugs" - Apr 3

Join the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance as we get ready for the Ladybug Trail Spring Walk.

ladybug at The Rome Restaurant

We will be making friendship rocks painted like ladybugs. We are making them for our friend Pete who owns Pete's Nerd Emporium here in town, where our book clubs are held. 

While painting, we will be discussing the different LGBTQ+ days in April: International Asexuality day which is on April 6th, International Day of Pink which is the second Wednesday in April, and Lesbian Visibility Day which is April 26th.

Thursday, Apr 3 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Franklin TV & Radio Studio, 23 Hutchinson St

Spring is approaching, and that means gelato is also available soon! Opening April 12

available soon! Opening April 12

 

"Announcement! 

Gelato season is upon us!!! 

Join us for our seasonal opening on April 12th! #gelato #shopfranklin #shopsmallbusinesses"

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

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Franklin Public Radio is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm and in the local Franklin, MA area FM radio dial at 102.9

Time/Day			Wednesday
7:00 AM	12:00 Noon	5:00 PM	Jazz
8:00 AM	1:00 PM	6:00 PM	FM Radio - Sherlock
9:00 AM	2:00 PM	7:00 PM	Wonderful World of Wine - Lenzi/Simone
10:00 AM	3:00 PM	8:00 PM	Frank's Music - Falvey
11:00 AM	4:00 PM	9:00 PM	Music

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

This segment features the my conversation the Community Conversation about Art Pharmacy held at THE BLACK BOX last Wednesday

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/use-of-opioid-settlement-funds-to-bring.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

Mark & Kim talk conduct an "Interview with Kelli A. White"

 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-unleash.html

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule