congrats to our seniors that all contributed! #2, #3, #6, #7, #8, #13, #15, #16, #17, #21, #24 & #29! |
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Friday, May 6, 2022
FHS baseball, softball, and girls lacrosse teams post wins on Thursday
Spring Fling Online Auction starts May 8, closes May 18
- Bidding begins Sunday, May 8 at 11 AM
- Bidding ends Wednesday May 18 at 8 PM
Bidders can begin viewing items at https://www.32auctions.com/ffc2022 or by going to franklinfederated.org and clicking on the 32auctions link
Download a copy of the flyer -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jwGCsgfLAUW-KVT-TYGhNivobx9Mu1tW/view?usp=sharing
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Spring Fling Online Auction starts May 8, closes May 18 |
Looking for a Job? Wrentham Village Premium Outlets - May 19
Full-time & part-time positions available at Wrentham Village Premium Outlets retailers & restaurants. The United Regional Chamber of Commerce members will also be tabling on the turf area to promote local business's hiring. Come with your resume for on the spot interviews & more.
Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 4 PM
Wrentham Village Premium Outlets
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Looking for a Job? Wrentham Village Premium Outlets - May 19 |
COVID-19 weekly date updates (post vacation bump seen)
The weekly Franklin Public Schools COVID-19 dashboard is now available to view here: https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/back-to-school-plan-21-22/weekly-covid-19-dashboard
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Franklin Public Schools COVID-19 dashboard |
2 -
"Most of MA is now in the high COVID “Community Level” zone, since we have hit the (lagging indicator) hospitalization threshold. CDC guidelines say to now wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, including in schools. I expect no response or even acknowledgment. #DontLookUp"
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/jonlevyBU/status/1522382474583724032
Most of MA is now in the high COVID “Community Level” zone |
3 -
"Reported #Worcester #COVID19 daily new case rate (2 wk avg, per 100k people) continues to increase in step with #Massachusetts state-wide trends.Explore data for your town/city here:
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the Franklin data tracks in similar manner |
MA Senate Passes Work and Family Mobility Act
The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed An Act Relative to Work and Family Mobility. The Work and Family Mobility Act would allow Massachusetts residents who lack federal immigration status to apply for a Massachusetts standard driver’s license, which does not include a REAL ID. The bill passed with a veto proof majority.
“We are a nation of immigrants, and our Commonwealth continues to be profoundly and positively shaped by immigrants from all over the world,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “They deserve to be able to safely get to work and school, care for their families and participate in the lives of their communities. I am thrilled that the Senate has moved forward with this proposal which will support families, improve public safety and be good for our economy. I’d like to thank Senators Crighton, Gomez and Lovely, as well as their staffs, for their work on this bill in the Senate. and the many members of the coalition who joined forces to make this a reality. I am grateful to the many members of the coalition for their advocacy and the immigrant community for sharing your stories with the Senate.”
“I am proud to work with my Senate colleagues to favorably move the Work and Family Mobility Act out of the Senate Committee on Rules today,” said State Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem). “This legislation will improve public safety on our roadways and provide accessibility for all Massachusetts residents. Thank you, Senate President Spilka and Senators Crighton and Gomez for your leadership on this bill.”
"The Work and Family Mobility Act will make our roads safer and, just as importantly, make the lives of more than 185,000 Massachusetts immigrants without status easier by allowing them to earn a standard driver's license,” said State Senator Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn). “In the absence of a robust regional public transportation system, it is impossible for many Massachusetts residents to get through their day without the use of a car. No one should fear detention or deportation over essential everyday tasks such as getting to work, school, doctor's appointments and grocery stores. It is time for Massachusetts to join the 16 other states who have passed this common-sense legislation.”
"The legislation passed today is one I have been proud to co-lead on since I first entered the Senate," said State Senator Adam Gomez (D-Springfield). "As a proud Puerto Rican, a Boricua, and the State Senator for a district that is rich in diversity, I know that this bill will benefit generations of families across the Commonwealth. Our state is rich in culture and has a deep-rooted sense of community. Today we are voting on behalf of a part of that community that has often been overlooked or forgotten. As elected officials, we represent our communities as a whole, whether or not they are able to vote for us. Thank you to my co-lead Senator Crighton, Senate President Spilka, the Driving Families Forward Coalition, and the countless advocates and immigrants who lent their voices to this legislation so that we could reach the finish line."
The bill has received widespread support from members of the law enforcement community, advocacy groups, and members of the immigrant community. It proposes strict identity documentation criteria, asking for applicants to present two valid, unexpired identity documents. It makes no change to existing law requiring that all driver’s license applicants prove that they live in the Commonwealth. The bill passed by the Senate is nearly identical to the version that previously passed the House of Representatives earlier this year.
A version of this legislation having previously passed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the legislation moves back to the House for further consideration.
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MA Senate Passes Work and Family Mobility Act |
Health Department: Wellness Update -> May is mental health awareness month
"May is mental health awareness month. 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 youth experience mental illness each year. "
Learn more at: www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth
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https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/ |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, May 6, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = FRIDAY
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Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Get your tickets for the Empty Bowls Dinner - May 19
The 7th Annual Empty Bowls dinner will be held in the cafeteria at Franklin High School, 218 Oak St., Franklin, on Thursday, May 19, from 6-8 p.m. It will include a soup and bread dinner, the hand-made bowls to take home, an in-person and online art auction, and a giving wall.
Tickets are $10 for children and students, $20 for adults.
They can be purchased online until noon on May 19 at tinyurl.com/FHSEmptyBowlsTix.
They can also be purchased at the door, cash or check only.
The online auction will open on May 18 at midnight and will run through June 1 — visit tinyurl.com/FHSEmptyBowlsArt
For more info visit the Franklin Food Pantry page -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/empty-bowls-2022/
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Get your tickets for the Empty Bowls Dinner - May 19 |
Conversation with Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo - 05/02/22 (audio)
FM #787 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 787 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo conducted in the Franklin TV/Franklin Public Radio Studio on May 2, 2022.
We talk about Cobi’s recent conference trip and recent bike ride around Franklin.
The recording runs about 53 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Cobi as we discuss the conference takeaways, housing, transportation, zoning, and how it applies to Franklin.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-787-conversation-with-cobi-frongillo-05-02-22
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Conference website -> https://yimby.town/
Session streaming links -> https://yimby.town/streaming/
Day 1 conference thread - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wHt5Bl16d_q-ZwnBJ57VTI8dpIYIPHQP/view?usp=sharing
Day 2 conference thread -
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gson071ISyJ8NzmdYmigBeheJvDMjCRV/view?usp=sharing
Day 3 conference thread -
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lXmGwa7roYyLZ96LN33H-fycFGCgEY4I/view?usp=sharing
Mass Housing Partnership’s “DataTown” highlights for Franklin
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12huqmolj_QI3GK1jOqQZGC4wQswTci2x/view?usp=sharing
Bike ride thread ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DG0iuZH0MmITC6GVDqL_zsZSV--9eq4s/view?usp=sharing
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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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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one of the data points from the Mass Housing Partnership’s “DataTown” highlights for Franklin |
FHS girls and boys lacrosse teams both top Mansfield on Wednesday
Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 20 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final
Boys Tennis = Franklin @ King Philip – Postponed to Thursday, May 19 at 3:45.
Girls Tennis = King Philip @ Franklin – Postponed to Thursday, May 19 at 3:45.
Baseball = King Philip @ Franklin – Postponed to Saturday, 5/7 at 7:00.
Softball = Franklin @ King Philip – Postponed to Thursday, May 26 at 3:45.
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-04-22/
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FHS Panthers |
Town Council Meeting May 4, 2022 (video)
The Town Council met on Wednesday May 4, 2022. The video broadcast via YouTube is available for replay on the new Franklin TV channel as announced earlier this week.
You can find the video link here -> https://youtu.be/eTzFFC_N9ds (the meeting starts at 2:50)
You're Invited! Franklin for All - Recommendation Review Public Forum set for Monday, May 16 at 6:30 PM
You're Invited! Franklin for All - Recommendation Review Public Forum set for Monday, May 16 at 6:30 PM
The next phase of Franklin For All is ready! Our project consultants have created draft rezoning recommendations utilizing the feedback provided by over 600 residents during the visioning survey. Join us for a hybrid public forum at 6:30pm on Monday, May 16th at The Black Box or via Zoom. Weigh in on draft zoning recommendations and learn about next steps for the rezoning effort. Doors open at 6:00pm.
Register for the forum here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0td-mrrzMrE9AK0ufr5wI3nHVYjCRISTLJ
You can learn more about this project on our project website here: https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/youre-invited-franklin-all-recommendation-review-public-forum-set-monday-may-16-630pm
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You're Invited! Franklin for All - Recommendation Review Public Forum |
Economic Development Meeting - May 4, 2022 (video)
The Economic Development Subcommittee meeting, or in this case the EDC Plus committee met in hybrid manner on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 (1 member remote).
The video of the meeting can be found on YouTube => https://youtu.be/UnEXp2fNNtU
7 FAA members show their art at 67 Degrees beginning May 21
Seven Franklin Art Association members are having an art show at 67 Degrees starting May 21 through the end of June. There is a reception planned for May 21 from 4-6 PM. 67 Degrees plans to have a food truck on site that evening for those wanting to have something to eat.
The participating artists are Dick Fotland, Tina Guarino, Peg Munson, Kai Olsson, Lisa Piana, Sue Sheridan, and Christine Toubeau.
We are excited for the opportunity to share some of our art at this venue. Please join us and help us celebrate our art.
- 67 Degrees is located at 158 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038 https://67degreesbrewing.com/
Senate President Spilka: "to explore providing tax relief to the people of the Commonwealth”
"MASSACHUSETTS TAX revenues continued to soar in April, astonishing experts who track the numbers and prompting Senate President Karen Spilka to announce that she intends to push for some sort of tax relief package before the end of June.
April tax collections totaled $6.9 billion, up more than $3 billion compared to the same month a year ago and more than $2 billion ahead of the state’s revenue forecast for the month. Even after adjustments for an excise tax that is temporarily accelerating tax payments, revenues in April were up 77 percent from a year ago and 43 percent ahead of the state’s consensus revenue forecast, according to numbers released by the Department of Revenue on Wednesday."
Senate President Spilka: "to explore providing tax relief to the people of the Commonwealth” |
Practice Interviewing session schedule; May 5 & May 25
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83809281952?pwd=aWpFVG5UeDNvUlR0M3htbnN5VjdGdz09
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcu-pqjstG9CwSjDO1njN1m8HssH4A4lD
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, May 5, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday
11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = Thursday
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = Thursday
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = Thursday
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Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Franklin Education Foundation celebrates birthday with 25 days of giving
The Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) this month marks 25 years of supporting Franklin schools. To commemorate the milestone, the FEF is looking back at the numerous programs its efforts have helped make possible – from the first Empty Bowls project at Franklin High to the purchase of ukuleles for fifth-grade music students. Birthday festivities include a special fundraising campaign to propel the organization into its next quarter-century.
Since its founding in 1997, the FEF has awarded grants to educators seeking to innovate in ways that fall out outside of traditional school budgeting processes. FEF volunteers screen applications and work with district administrators to select projects deemed most worthwhile in that particular grant-review cycle. To date, the FEF has provided in excess of $350,000 for such projects.
“The Franklin Education Foundation was established to provide district-wide fundraising of benefit to all schools under the leadership of the Franklin School Committee,” said Pandora Carlucci, one of the organization's co-founders. “Grant proposals selected for funding covered the costs of creative, innovative, educational programs that were not included in the traditional school budget.”
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Left to Right: Roberta Trahan, Mary Kroon, Lisa Brady, Dave McNeill, Phil Sweeney, Pandora Carlucci, Rick Lacroix, and Krishna Shetty |
To fund the grants, the FEF has relied on donors large and small. Generous individuals and businesses have enabled the foundation to fund projects in each of the town’s schools. Examples include an ecology project in which students conducted field research on the well-being of aquatic and terrestrial habitats surrounding Franklin High School, assistance to seventh-graders at Annie Sullivan Middle School with astronomy studies, books for Remington Middle School students to study ancient Greek myths, and math boxes so that students at Kennedy Elementary School could practice math concepts at home with their parents.
To continue its efforts in support of these sorts of programs, the FEF is asking for the community’s financial support this month. In the spirit of the Day of Giving tradition, the organization is conducting a campaign lasting 25 days as part of its 25th birthday celebration. Franklin residents are asked to make a gift via the foundation’s website at franklined.org/get-involved/donate This 25 days of giving fundraising campaign kicks off May 4, which is the birthday of Horace Mann, the Franklin native who championed quality public education for all.
With the support of the community, the FEF can build on its achievements and help educators and students continue to thrive.
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Franklin Education Foundation celebrates birthday with 25 days of giving |