FHS Science Olympiad schedules fund raiser Friday, Jan 17 at Panera

fund raiser Friday, Jan 17 at Panera

 

"We are holding a Panera Fundraiser this FRIDAY! 

20% of the proceeds when you use the code FUND4U online/at the kiosk/in the app or show them the poster."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DE3bGJ2sKZw/

New snow plow finally arrives

New snow plow finally arrives

via Town of Franklin (MA) DPW 

"Our newest snow fighting piece of equipment was delivered today! It is awesome!  

This truck was appropriated in 2022 with capital money. Over 19 months waiting for delivery.  

Getting the final touches on it, get it registered will be ready for next big storm."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Evf49EgGT/ 

Open House for the Tri-County Children’s Center - Feb 6

Registration and Open House for the Tri-County Children’s Center preschool program for 2025– 2026 will begin on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Applications can be found on the preschool’s website, TCChildrensCenter.com.

Appointments to view the preschool will be available by pre-registration using the link on our website. Open House will be held on Thursday, February 6 from 9:15-9:45 or from 10:15-10:45 a.m. at the Tri-County Regional High School in Franklin at 147 Pond Street. Parents will be able to view the laboratory preschool while children engage in developmentally appropriate activities. Attendees must pre-register and bring a valid picture ID to enter our building. For more information, please visit TCChildrensCenter.com.

Open House for the Tri-County Children’s Center - Feb 6

Placement is limited to residents of the 11 towns within the Tri-County District, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole and Wrentham. Admission is decided through a lottery system. Registration will be made open to other towns if spaces are not filled by residents within the district.

The random drawing to determine which of the children registered will be enrolled will take place on Tuesday, March 6, 2025. The number of children registered has traditionally far exceeded the number of spaces available so the random drawing was established. Those names not selected in the drawing are placed on a waiting list.

Birth certificates for children being registered must accompany all registration forms. Registration is limited to those children who are at least age 3 years by September 15, 2025 for the three-day program. A $25.00 non-refundable registration fee is due at registration time. Enrollment is limited to two years or part of two years for the preschool program, as long as the child is age eligible.

Preschool sessions are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:20 to 11:20 a.m. for the three-day program. Tuition is $45* per week.. Class size is limited to 24 children.

Three teachers in the Tri-County Early Education Program supervise the preschool program, and are assisted by high school students in the Early Education Major.

*Subject to change

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5CYgfp09z/

ROWBOAT scheduled to perform at La Cantina Winery, Saturday, Jan 18 - 7 PM

ROWBOAT scheduled to perform at La Cantina

"Join us this Saturday, January 18, from 7:00 to 9:30 PM, as we welcome an incredible new group ROWBOAT to the winery for the first time!

🍷 Pair their amazing music with your favorite glass of wine and our delicious tapas for an unforgettable evening.

🎤 You won’t want to miss this one! Gather your friends and make it a night to remember at La Cantina Winery.

📍 Franklin, MA
🗓️ Mark your calendars and get here early – seating is first-come, first-served!"

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DE2lPTPRiI2/

 

Announcing the 1st Annual Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit: Call for Artists

CALLING ALL ARTISTS:  The Franklin Art Association is collaborating with the Franklin Historical Museum to present the 1st Annual Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit.  This exhibit is open to all artists including student artists in Franklin and the surrounding areas.  There is no entry fee to participate.   

The exhibit will be held at the Franklin Historical Museum June 7 - June 22, with a registration deadline of May 23rd.  

Artists may request an entry form and exhibit guidelines by emailing the Franklin Art Association at faasecretary@gmail.com.  

So get those brushes and paints out and help make this first of its kind Franklin community event a huge success!

Commuter Rail notice for schedule on MLK Jr Day January 20-21

On Monday, January 20th (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), all Commuter Rail trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.

Affected lines:

• Newburyport/Rockport Line
• Haverhill Line
• Lowell Line
• Fitchburg Line
• Framingham/Worcester Line
• Needham Line
• Franklin/Foxboro Line
• Fairmount Line
• Providence/Stoughton Line
• Middleborough/Lakeville Line
• Kingston Line
• Greenbush Line

Learn more: https://www.mbta.com/holidays

Last Updated: Jan 13 2025 09:29 AM

Commuter Rail notice for schedule on MLK Jr Day January 20-21 

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Friday, Jan 17, 2024

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

9:00am, 12:00pm, 6:00pm - Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00am, 1:00pm, 7:00pm - Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00am, 2:00pm, 8:00pm - Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

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

7:00 am Jim Johnston: Ben Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr.

8:30 am Frank Presents: KP Sompally

10:00 am Riffin' on Main Street: Erin Gallagher

11:00 am Senior Connection: Spaghetti Bolognese

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

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Salmon

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Game Day Pizza

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

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1

4:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Twisted Sisters

5:30 pm Veterans' Call: Tune It Out

6:30 pm Matt York: Highway Men

9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Seth Glier

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

7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2023

8:30 am Mental Health: Abigail Drake

9:30 am Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

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

2:00 pm Cultural Council: BT ALC Big Band

3:30 pm FHS Varsity Wrestling v Milford 01-08-25

8:30 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon

9:30 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

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

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 01-02-25

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 01-02-25

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: Thursday, January 16, 2025 ???

Thursday, January 16

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)
• Food Pantry fund raiser at The Chateau

8:30am  State & Town Officials Office Hour (Franklin Senior Center)

6:00pm Band School of Franklin Winter Concert (Horace Mann School)

7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society Franklin)

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio Studio)

7:00pm MA State of the Commonwealth - Gov Healey (Live streamed to YouTube)

**  Town Meetings today   **

ZBA Meeting - NO MEETING

Event Date:  Thursday, January 16, 2025 - 7:30pm

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

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

BEN's Bulletin: Master Plan Edition

A special update on all things Master Plan!

BEN's Bulletin (01/15/25)   Happy new year! In light of tonight's Master Plan Committee meeting, we jump right into it with a special edition on Franklin's ongoing Master Plan Update. As always, feel free to join our next monthly meeting (TOMORROW, 1/16 at 7pm) at Franklin TV or virtually at the following link: meet.ben4franklin.org. The Master Plan This edition, we're taking a quick break from BEN's Take on upcoming meetings to give you an overview of Franklin's ongoing Master Plan Update as it is nears completion. The latest (and potentially final) draft of the Master Plan can be found here. Overview A master plan is a strategic framework that guides the future physical and economic development for the Town of Franklin based on the community's vision and goals. A municipality's Master Plan is submitted to the state according to their guidelines (MGL c.41 s.81D), which dictate a Plan must include the following elements: Land Use; Housing; Economic Development; Circulation; Open Space and Recreation; Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources; Community Services and Facilities; Sustainability; Goals and Policies; Implementation. In 2023, Franklin formed a Master Plan Committee to update its last Master Plan from 2013. The Committee - consisting of members of the Town Council, Planning Board, other Boards, and public - has been meeting regularly over the past two years and collecting feedback across numerous public meetings, hearings, surveys, presentations, staff discussions, and workshops. What Excites Us In general, BEN is highly supportive of the Master Plan as currently drafted and our members' input throughout the stakeholdering process has helped shape it into its current form. Here are five reasons BEN is particularly excited about this Plan: Boosts Housing Affordability Supports upzoning and mixed-use neighborhoods to strategically increase housing options in smart locations Promotes diverse housing types, including missing middle housing, scaled affordability requirements, and public housing funding Drives Economic Growth Encourages strategic development to grow tax revenue and create job opportunities Invests in infrastructure and cultural amenities to support businesses and enhance community vitality Enhances Connectivity Expands transportation options to link neighborhoods with jobs, schools, and amenities Develops walkable and bikeable paths to improve mobility and access across Franklin Celebrates Franklin's Neighborhoods Strengthens neighborhood character with parks, walkable spaces, and local services Fosters a sense of place by enhancing amenities and connections within neighborhoods Balances Growth and Preservation Promotes sustainable practices to ensure new growth complements the town's character and long-term vision Expands access to parks, trails, and recreational facilities to improve quality of life and promote community health Upcoming Dates TONIGHT (1/15, 6:30pm) - Master Plan Committee Committee will review and approve a Final Master Plan for presentation and consideration before the Planning Board and Town Council 1/27, 7:00pm - Planning Board The Planning Board is the official approver of the Master Plan, according to the state. While Board members have provided input throughout the process, they will have an additional opportunity to ask questions following a presentation. We are encouraging our members to attend this meeting and, as comfortable, express support for the Plan's passage. TBD - Town Council Committee will present the Final Master Plan to the Town Council and public  What We're Consuming The Impact of New Housing Supply on the Distribution of Rents (Andreas Mense) The Case for Investing Downtown (Strong Towns) SJC says attorney general can enforce MBTA Communities Act, but state must rework regs (Commonwealth Beacon) Reach out with any comments or questions. Thanks! The BEN Brigade Know someone else who may be interested in this content? Please share! Newsletter Sign Up Ben 4 Franklin, 23 Hutchinson St, Franklin, MA Send free email today

Dollars and Sense in Franklin: Town Department Heads "overwhelmingly support an override"

Join community efforts for a sustainable financial future for Franklin.

"Hang Together" At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, our town's namesake was purported to have spoken the quotation above. If the statesmen assembled didn't maintain unity among themselves, they would surely fail and literally be hanged.  While our stakes are obviously not as severe, we nevertheless face a dire situation and must maintain our unity and respect for each other.  That's why the founding team at One Franklin rejects any attempt to mischaracterize our financial woes as a competition between the municipal departments and school department, or to use the multimillion dollar budget shortage to set Franklinites against each other, based on income levels, partisan affiliation, or parental status. We must hang together to forge a fruitful future for Franklin.  Joint Letter from Department Heads On December 17, a letter signed  by twenty-one Town department heads and leaders was presented to the Joint Budget Subcommittee. The letter decried potential budget cuts (partially outlined in our inaugural newsletter) and warned of the dire consequences of inaction in the face of our current shortfall. Specifically, the letter claimed that that the scale of the cuts could "significantly jeopardize the public safety of Franklin", "expose the Town's AAA Bond rating to a downgrade", and "decimate community lifelines".  The letter, signed by--among others-- the Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Director of Public Works, and Library Director, also states that the aforementioned leaders "overwhelmingly support an override for the community, as the passage of an override allows our departments to remain solvent and not be affected by any further reductions". This letter is consistent with comments made by elected officials and FPS leadership: without bold action and community engagement, Franklin is headed towards dire cuts in the next fiscal year. Important Dates Tuesday 1/14 @ 7:00 School Committee Meeting Wednesday 1/15 @ 7:00 Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday 1/22 @ 7:00 Town Council Meeting Tuesday 1/28 @ 7:00 School Committee Meeting Thursday 1/30 @ 7 JBSC Listening Session (Franklin Elks) For the full calendar of events, click here. Zoom links are released with meeting agendas 48 hours in advance. All meetings are streamed on Franklin Town Hall YouTube. Get Involved! January's Actions The Joint Budget Subcommittee has set up at least six listening sessions to hear from residents. This is a way to engage for folks who can't typically make the town hall meetings. The first meeting is 1/30 at 7:00 at the Franklin Elks.  Ask a question about potential cuts at 1/22 Town Council meeting (in person or on Zoom!). Write an email to all members of the Town Council asking their views on the budgetary path forward.  (Email onefranklinvolunteers@gmail.com for example template) Clips We're Watching Town leaders read letter (12/17 JBSC) 45:29-1:01 watch as department heads read the aforementioned letter and community members react Are we losing our brand? (10/12 JBSC) 42:24-45:09 watch as a local father testifies that he moved to Franklin in part because of its reputation for "great schools", but he now worries that the stellar reputation might be gone by the time his kids are school-aged Stay tuned for more clips from elected officials, advocates, and neighbors! If we don't take action in 2025, public safety, quality of life, and public education for Franklin residents will continue to decline. Stay Tuned For... The third, fourth, and fifth "Dollars and Sense" issues the weeks of 2/4, 2/25, and 3/11  Our website going live! More information about the organization we're building and how to get involved More important dates, data, and ways to engage Click here for our first issue Reach out to this email for any questions, corrections, or clarifications onefranklinvolunteers@gmail.com One Franklin Founding Team Dr. Anne Bergen, former Franklin educator and School Committee Chair Camille Bernstein, resident advocate, former School Committee member, and parent of 2 Sue Dewsnap, former Chair of Finance Committee and resident advocate Ken Ojukwu, current member of Finance Committee Sue Rohrbach, former School Committee member Roberta Trahan, resident advocate and former School Committee member Ruthann O'Sullivan, member of School Committee, resident advocate, parent Jenna Cohen, resident advocate and parent of 3 Celia Courtright, resident advocate, parent, and Music Boosters president Patty Dolan, resident advocate, PCC leader, and parent Erin Ferguson, resident advocate Jayson Joyce, educator, resident advocate, and parent of 3 young children Ben Liberto, resident advocate and parent of 2 young children Alison Murphy, resident advocate and parent Laura Minnichelli, resident advocate and parent Caryn Parnell, resident advocate, retired teacher, and parent Jessica Ulm, resident advocate Rob Vacca, FPS educator for 29 years, parent of FHS student, resident advocate One Franklin, West Central St, Franklin, MA Send free email today