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The growth of visitors and page views on this site has been gradual and wonderful to watch.

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Filing deadline for physical property damage is May 28

The administration announced yesterday that Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties are eligible for both physical and economic injury disaster loans.  Small businesses and most private non-profits in Franklin are only eligible for economic injury loans. 

Up to $200,000 in disaster loans is available for homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, and up to $40,000 is available to qualifying homeowners and renters to repair or replace damaged personal property.  

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

The Small Business Administration website is https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Franklin, MA: Police provide fraud alert

From the Franklin, MA Police Dept alert system:

An unknown group is soliciting Franklin residents for donations.  They claim to be working with the Franklin Police Department to develop a "Don't Drink and Drive" type program, geared towards younger people.

The Franklin Police Department is NOT SOLICTING FOR ANY FUNDS.  We have NO affiliation with this group.

If contacted, you are urged to report this (and any phone number you may obtain) to the Office of the Attorney General.

You can subscribe to these alerts here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news

Franklin Connection - Senior Center Newsletter

The April Franklin Connection, the Senior Center Newsletter is now available here or on the Town website.

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document

Transliteracy - a new opportunity

Interesting points made on how the library should consider changing its mission are raised this brief video.




Read the full posting here.

What do you think? Should the library charter change from literacy to transliteracy?

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to view the video on Franklin Matters.


Franklin, MA

Hold the date - May 14th

Do you recall our effort last year to bring the unconference to the unemployed and underemployed? We ended up canceling the LaidOffCamp due to insufficient registrations. We have learned from that experience and are giving it a second try.

We have a good location: 
The St John Evangelist Parish Center in Hopkinton, MA. It is great space for up to 200 and best of all, free for us to use. As we are a non-profit and all volunteer group, any proceeds from the event will be donated to the Church.


We have a date!
Friday, May 14th from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM


We have a new event name:
Job Search Jam Sessions

The name says we are all about the "job search". We are looking for collaboration, learning and sharing from each other on this road to the next stop in our career. You have some tips and tricks from your experience. I do. Bob does. Marilyn does. Everyone does. Let's come together in an open space facilitated set of sessions.


We have a new website:
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/

Stay tuned for further announcements. We should have the registration page active by the end of this week. In the mean time, hold the date on your calendar - May 14th!



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Design Review Guidelines

Continuing the series on the Franklin, MA Planning process:

These design guidelines have been prepared to assist business and property owners in protecting and enhancing the design character of commercial and industrial areas in the Town of Franklin. This handbook is the result of a collective effort by Town officials, members of the Design Review Commission (DRC) and the local design community, and planning consultants. Its guiding principles are based on a general belief that high quality of design and construction contribute to enhance the economic vitality of business districts, and improve the overall quality of living.

The guidelines will be used by the DRC as a basis for the review and approval of new projects,  improvements, and additions to existing buildings. They are also intended as a source of helpful information and ideas for owners, designers and builders.

This document is divided into five parts:

• Part I describes the general purpose and contents of the handbook and includes brief recounts of the Town’s historic background, and the history of the design review process. It also summarizes the process and requirements for application for design review and approval.
• Part II contains site and building guidelines of general application, organized by topics.
• Part III contains site and building guidelines that specifically apply to downtown Franklin, the commercial corridors outside of the downtown area, or “big box” development. These guidelines are to be applied in addition to the general guidelines listed on Part II.
• Part IV focuses on signage and sign requirements.
• Part V includes appendices with further information and resource materials.

The full guideline document can be found on the Town website here (PDF). Note: it is a large document and will take sometime to download.