|
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108
|
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 *
|
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108
|
The Franklin Police Department is sponsoring a toiletry drive for the month of October.
A Candidates Night featuring the four contested races set to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot has been slated for later this month.
Saville M. Bennett, Town Council Chair Robert Vallee, Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri |
Dear Friends of Franklin Library members,
The Friends of Franklin Library (FoFL) was extremely disappointed to receive the attached letter from Library Board of Directors (BofD) chair Cynthia Dobrzynski notifying us that her group had abruptly cancelled the FoFL’s planned October book sale. These semi-annual sales of donated books have produced significant funds that have been used to help our library expand its collections, purchase museum passes, offer programs to the community, enhance library services, and even buy furniture.
The FoFL board had decided to delay notification to members pending a request that the BofD reconsider its decision. That appeal was made at the board’s September 23 meeting, but was rejected without a discussion or vote. The BofD stated that its decision was based upon the results of last winter’s survey which “clearly set the direction” and was not subject to change.
We disagree with the BofD’s decision and would have welcomed – and expected - the chance to discuss it and present data in support of the popular and profitable event, but that did not happen.
We are proud of the contributions made by the Friends over the years. Money raised by our members and supportive residents has been able to supplement town allocations, funding programs and initiatives that might otherwise not be possible.
Since 2005, the book sales have generated a net revenue of $153,734.00, and the FoFL has given that, plus additional funds, to the library – a total of $179,235.00. So far this calendar year the FoFL has given the library $10,280.59, which was used for passes, programs, books, audiobooks, e-books, supplies and a new fixture for the Children’s Room.
We expected our October book sale would have shown a profit of roughly $6,000. And, as with all of the Friends’ efforts, this would have been achieved without any cost to the library or town.
The FoFL’s desire to support the library remains intact. We will continue to fulfill our mission as community advocates for the library. We believe that our library is a cornerstone of our community and provides opportunities for residents to engage in the joy of life-long learning and connect with the thoughts and ideas of others, from ages past to present. Even though our revenue stream has been impacted, we will continue to provide financial support, as requested, to support those things that are outside of the town budget, and will explore other avenues of fund-raising.
As always, we meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 7PM in the Community Room at the library. All meetings are open to anyone interested.
Please join your fellow FoFL members downtown at the Harvest Festival, on Sunday October 6 from 11am to 4pm. The Friends’ display will have literature, bookmarks, calendars along with a few surprises, and we would love your support.
Regards,
The Friends of Franklin Library
Email: Fofl02038@gmail.com
Maria Lucier, President
Kevin O’Malley, Vice President
Jan Martin, Treasurer
Vidya Vedapuri, Recording Secretary
Jim Beaulieu, Corresponding Secretary
Kathie Nosek, Director
Joe Mullen, Director
Barbara Christensen, Director
Carolyn Marr, Director
Franklin Performing Arts Company’s 23rd season opens with the Broadway and worldwide phenomenon, Les Misérables! The record-breaking musical’s enduring appeal may be attributed to its epic storyline, memorable characters and Tony Award-winning score, which includes such beloved songs as “Bring Him Home,” “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own” and “One Day More.” Set against a backdrop of the 1832 Paris uprising and reflecting a nation in the grip of a revolution, the acclaimed Les Misérables is a powerful story of redemption and a moving tribute to the passion and resiliency of the human spirit. FPAC’s production features a professional live orchestra and a large ensemble cast of 85 talented area performers.
A distinctive, suburban non-profit arts organization founded in 1991, the Franklin Performing Arts Company presents quality programming with a focus on youth development and a commitment to live music. FPAC brings together professional artists, community performers, families and students of the arts in a collaborative and creative environment. Productions draw performers and audiences from more than 50 communities throughout the region.
FPAC presents Les Misérables on Friday, October 18, and Saturday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, October 20, at 3:00 p.m. at the New England Chapel, located at 40 Kenwood Circle in Franklin. Tickets are $30 and $28. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.fpaconline.com or call (508) 528-8668.
The Franklin Children's School held a fair on Saturday.
Fairmount Fruit Farm in Franklin gets apples ready for sale on Monday.
A Blackstone man was arraigned in Wrentham District Court on Monday on charges stemming from an altercation at his ex-girlfriend’s Brook Street home on Sunday morning.
SNETT Trail sign |
the rails end here at Grove St |
New England aster |
motorbikes create ruts on the trail |
toad in the sun |
wooley bear caterpillar |
life found and framed |
spider web |
Spring St crossing |
shaded trail |
http://www.unitedregionalchamber.org/ |
Four races top the Nov. 5 ballot, including for seats on the Town Council.
Ten residents will square off for the nine two-year council seats up for election.
Incumbents Andrew Bissanti, Glenn Jones, Matthew Kelly, Tom Mercer, Judith Pfeffer and Robert Vallee are seeking re-election. Since nomination papers were made available in August, four hopefuls have emerged to challenge for the seats: Charles Delfino Jr., Brett Feldman, Peter Padula and Stephen Williams.
F.X. O'Regan ECDC |
After spending several years working to update the master plan, Loomis said town officials will continue to use the plan to help guide the town’s future development.
"There’s always work to be done," said Loomis. "The master plan is a living, working document."
After nearly three years of public hearings and visioning meetings, Franklin is on the cusp of updating its master plan for the first time since 1997. Planning Board members will likely accept the plan early next month, said Town Planner Beth Dahlstrom.
"Our thought was, ‘Why do you kick $6,000 to $7,000 out of the window?' " said Kathie Nosek, who has planned the sale for the last two years. "Why would you not take that in addition to your sales?"
Five days later, Nosek said Friday, the decision still perplexes her.
"I think the Friends are still in shock about it to be honest," she said. "We never assumed that someone could be so mathematically challenged as to not look at the figures."
Lucier on Friday questioned why the board would cancel an event that is put on at no cost to the library or town and which results in revenue for a library that needs it.
Ben Franklin statue in 2008 |
Pencil pizazz |
GateHouse Media Inc., owner of The MetroWest Daily News, the Milford Daily News and more than 150 weekly newspapers and Wicked Local websites in Massachusetts, has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Delaware.
SNETT sign on Grove St |
Firefighters early Thursday morning battled a fire inside Depot Plaza that was caught before it could inflict any major damage.
The fire originated from an exhaust fan in one of the building’s bathrooms, Chief Gary McCarraher said, and flames spread to the ceiling and burned for some time.
A piece from the roof fell to the floor, causing another fire that activated the buildings alarms at about 2:47 a.m., he said.Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1655342027/Fire-at-Franklins-Depot-Plaza-caught-at-right-time#ixzz2g5KBgWvM
William Dowd, of Pine Ridge Road, will occupy James Roche’s empty seat. Roche, previously the board’s chairman, decided against seeking reappointment this year.
"I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to contributing," Dowd said Thursday. "I’m looking to make sure the town gets the biggest bang for its buck."
Three communities are listed as possible locations for medical marijuana facilities, according to a review of the applications by the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
In Norfolk County, four applicants are eyeing Franklin — Baystate Medical Enterprises Inc., Commonwealth Biopharm Inc., Mass. Compassionate Patient Care Corp. and Mass Relief Inc. — and one, Growing Health Wellness Center Inc., has identified Bellingham as a potential town to set up shop.
Here's a chance to get into the spirit of the season! The Franklin Historical Museum will be holding a carved pumpkin contest in conjunction with the Harvest Festival, October 6th. A flyer is attached.
The contest is for school age children grades 2 through 8. Carved pumpkins should be delivered to the museum between 11:00am and Noon on the 6th. Judging will be at 2:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded. Cookies and Apple Cider will be served.
Join us for a fun afternoon, see how creative the kids can be, and have a look around at some of Franklin's History.The Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, just two doors from the Fire Station, in the old Town Hall and former Senior Center Location.
The Franklin High School teacher accused in August of serious misconduct was fired last week following an internal investigation.
The school district’s attorney found that the instructor showed "conduct unbecoming of a teacher," said Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, who would not go into further detail.
"The teacher was represented and had due process," she said on Tuesday.
The House voted 156-1 on legislation geared toward repealing the tax. The Senate will likely take up the bill during its session Thursday.
“To say I’m pleased is an understatement,” said Jay Fredkin, CEO of Cabem Technologies, a company with offices in Franklin and Newton.
In calling for the tax’s repeal, Fredkin said, tech businesses throughout the state felt "blindsided."
“They passed the law and days later it was implemented; no one had a clue what to do. Blindsided is exactly what happened,” the Franklin resident said.
Dear Fellow Residents
We have long known that Franklin is a community committed to high-quality education and the superb delivery of public services. It is part of what drove us all here to live, work, and raise families. Indeed, our community has been recognized by Family Circle magazine as one of the Top 10 places to raise a family, is at the top of the 100 safest cities to live according to Neighborhood Scout, and was recently ranked 10th among the Top 100 places to live and launch a business by CNN/Money. Once a busy hub for the production of straw bonnets back in the 18th and 19th centuries, Franklin has diversified tremendously since then and hosts a 360-acre industrial park, a single tax rate for businesses and residents, trails for hikers and bikers, two commuter rail stations, and two exits off I-495 that offer easy access to Boston,
Worcester, and Providence, RI.
Committed to continuously improving the quality of life for everyone in our community, Franklin has developed—over many months and with input from a wide array of constituencies—a vision for its future as well as goals, principles, and a plan to support and implement that vision. This undertaking, encompassed within these pages, is a comprehensive Master Plan that seeks to ensure that the Town of Franklin can continue to meet its current and ongoing economic, social, and environmental needs without compromising the future for succeeding generations.
We began with a vision of Franklin as a vibrant community that supports the arts, non-profit organizations, higher education, and businesses in an atmosphere that allows growth and prosperity, while at the same time conserving our heritage, natural resources, and history. Also, we are committed to building on and celebrating that uniqueness as a community, maintaining the quality of life that is our strength and competitive advantage.
This Master Plan is a blueprint for our future that will help to guide our choices and decisions as a Town. It is a report to the community that sets forth a policy framework to guide town decision makers in the future, and it advances an action agenda to achieve the town’s vision. Indeed, it is a plan for smart growth that balances preservation of our exceptional natural and cultural heritage and our quality of life with the pursuit of new and exciting opportunities for economic growth.
The Plan was designed, in part, to fulfill the requirements of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, §81D, for the development of municipal comprehensive or master plans. Citizen participation was crucial to its development, and it will be vital to its implementation over the next five to ten years. Aside from the invaluable knowledge that residents bring to the planning process, citizen participation is the only way to ensure that both majority and minority perspectives will be heard, evaluated, and accounted for as the Plan evolves. It is a “living document” which is meant to address and respond to the goals and aspirations of the community for the course and direction of our town.
The implementation tool included within the Plan is vital to its success. The goals and objectives can, in many instances, be measured by comparing actual performance with the quantitative targets included in the implementation component of the Plan. We trust that the Town’s decision makers, guided by an Implementation Committee, will use this as a structure for acting upon our recommendations. We realize that the goals, objectives, and actions outlined in this Plan are ambitious and comprehensive, but they were created to address the desires, needs, and concerns of the residents of Franklin.
We have all enjoyed the opportunity to serve Franklin over the past two years, and we offer this Master Plan with our best wishes and intentions. We stand ready to help and assist with its implementation and look forward to continued success and good fortune for our friends and neighbors in Franklin.signed - very truly yours