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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 *
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State and local officials gathered on a Plain Street property Monday morning to break ground on a project intended to provide housing for those with intellectual disabilities.
Those who spoke in the brief ceremony said the eight-unit facility - intended to accommodate clients of the state's Department of Developmental Services - would be providing a vital service.
Lisa Audette, the town's Housing Authority agent, spoke of the project's origins. She said the initial effort started in 2004, after the authority learned about the need for such housing.
"We met people who were born and raised in Franklin," she said. "As adults, they had no opportunity to live the community."
Local businesses and organizations will celebrate the season this Thursday during the Franklin Downtown Partnership's Holiday Stroll.
The stroll - the seventh such event put on by the partnership - will run from 4 to 8 p.m. in Franklin's downtown.
The evening, said partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana, will begin with a tree-lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. at the Dean College Common.
St. John's Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant St., Franklin will hold its Christmas fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The event will feature a cookie walk, raffles, a bake table, hand-crafted items made by ladies from St. John's, fudge and candy, gift baskets, children's activities and free photos with Santa and his elves from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
new traffic calming island on Oak St |
sidewalk at the Oak St/Horace Mann schools |
new batting cage among the new athletic fields ar FHS |
maybe a new piece has been added to the Sculpture Park. possibly titled "2 mismatched gloves by the rock" |
fish swimming along |
looks like preparation for a new sign for the Mosley Mills |
big old tree now cut down by the Agway on Cottage St showing its rings |
Dean College sign being buried in the snow |
Downtown Franklin’s favorite holiday party, the annual Holiday Stroll, happens Thursday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 8 p.m., and organizers promise fun and festivities for the whole family with visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus, Post Mark the North Pole postman, refreshments, entertainment, crafts and gift shopping.
Carolers and hot chocolate will set a holiday mood at the annual tree lighting ceremony on Dean College’s Dean Hall Common at 4 p.m. From there event goers will stroll through downtown Franklin to sample treats, enjoy entertainment and score shopping specials offered by more than 30 local businesses.
carollers on the Dean campus at the 2014 Holiday Stroll |
When the curtain rises on Franklin Performing Arts Company’s “The Nutcracker” this holiday season, Franklin’s Steve Crowley and Hannah Rezendes will share the stage as Grandfather and Clara Silberhaus. It’s a relationship the two know well.
“I really like that he’s my grandfather in the show and in real life,” said Hannah, 13.
The School of Continuing Studies at Dean College will offer winter intercession courses beginning Dec. 28.
Courses are open to all ages and experience levels and will be taught in areas such as business, English, history, sociology and psychology.
The Dean Leadership Institute and the School of Continuing Studies have partnered with industry leaders to offer two one-week course options, including “Negotiating Skills for a Complex World” and “Building Value Through Sales and Branding.”
In his travels around Framingham, Town Meeting member Joel Winett often notices two utility poles placed to serve the same purpose.
He takes pictures of these so-called double poles and submits the photos to officials, hoping to get wires moved and the old poles removed. But, the double poles often remain.
“When there’s damage (to a pole), they’re pretty good at putting in a new telephone pole and fastening the old telephone pole to a new telephone pole,” Winett said of utility companies’ responses.
But, local officials say it is often a challenge to get all the companies to move their wires, a process that delays road work and leaves unsightly and unsafe double poles.
THE BLACK BOX Theater, 15 West Central St |
Founded in 1991, the nonprofit FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment, and outstanding performance opportunities for professional artists, community performers, and students of the arts. With a focus on youth development and a commitment to live music, FPAC celebrates its 25th anniversary this season.
Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is FPAC’s Premier Sponsor. Big Y and Waters Corporation are FPAC 2015 Holiday Sponsors.
For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or www.FPAConline.com or call (508) 528-3370.
the snow did not keep Ben from reading |
Nature is all around us, but too often we don’t invite it in to our homes. Learn how to incorporate natural elements in your home to create a more soothing and pleasant space. Really looking at nature up close makes you stop and see a little more clearly, and provides times of rest and meditation.
This presentation will present many images showing easy and inexpensive ways to create oases. Whether incorporating plants, sunlight, colors, water features or food displays, there are wonderful opportunities to welcome nature in. Please join us for an hour of creative ideas, guaranteed to have you stopping to smell the roses (and lilacs) just a little bit more!
Weds, Dec 2 - 7:00 PM |
Franklin Public Schools - music dept calendar |
"The Town of Franklin has engaged Sherman Actuarial Services, LLC (SAS) to prepare an actuarial valuation of their post-retirement benefits program as of June 30, 2015. This valuation was performed using employee census data, enrollment data, claims, premiums, participant contributions and plan provision information provided by personnel of the Town of Franklin. SAS did not audit these data, although they were reviewed for reasonability. The results of the valuation are dependent on the accuracy of the data.
The purposes of the valuation are to analyze the current funded position of the Town's post retirement benefits program, determine the level of contributions necessary to assure sound funding and provide reporting and disclosure information for financial statements, governmental agencies and other interested parties. This valuation report contains information required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board's Statements Nos. 43 and 45, respectively entitled "Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefit Plans Other Than Pension Plans" and "Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions."
According to GASB principles, if the benefits are not prefunded, the rate earned by the General Asset Account must be used to select the discount rat used to measure the plan. To measure on that basis we have used a discount rate of 4.0%. The Town is currently partially prefunding the obligation with additional contributions of $400,000. Based on this policy, we have determined that a discount rate of 4.5% is appropriate for financial reporting purposes. If the Town were to commence fully prefunding the Annual Required Contribution instead of paying benefits when due plus $400,000, the measurement would likely be based on an 8.0% discount rate.
Section II provides a summary of the principal valuation results. Section VII provides a projection of funding amounts.
While the actuary believes that the assumptions are reasonable for financial reporting purposes, it should be understood that there is a range of assumptions that could be deemed reasonable that would yield different results. Moreover, while the actuary considers the assumption set to be reasonable based on prior plan experience, it should be understood that future plan experience may differ considerably from what has been assumed.
The report was prepared under the supervision of Daniel Sherman, an Associate of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, who takes responsibility for the overall appropriateness of the analysis, assumptions and results. Daniel Sherman is deemed to meet the General Qualification Standard and the basic education and experience requirement in the pension area. Based on over twenty years of performing FAS 106 valuations of similar complexity, Mr. Sherman is qualified by experience ·in retiree medical valuation. Daniel Sherman has met the Qualification Standards of the American Academy of Actuaries to render the actuarial opinion contained herein.
The costs and actuarial exhibits presented in this report have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practices and the requirements of GASB 45. I am available to answer questions about this report. "
Respectfully Submitted,
SHERMAN ACTUARIAL SERVICES, LLC
DelCarte in autumn color 2015 |
Santa Claus is coming to town this Sunday to preside over a tree lighting at the Town Common.
The event - set for Sunday, Nov. 29, at 4 p.m. - will see the lights, strung by the Department of Public Works, come aglow and the season officially start.
Barbara Rondeau, who organizes the tree lighting, said the town has been holding the event for the past 22 years.
"When Santa comes to the common on a firetruck ... at that time, we do the lighting," she said. "He sits on the bandstand and each child gets a gift."
Santa on the Town Common - November 2014 |
The Hockomock Area YMCA released Diabetes Prevention Program, designed to support adults that are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and reduce their risk for developing the disease.
The one-year program, consisting of 24 sessions, will provide a welcoming environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about healthier eating and increasing their physical activity. The classroom-based program is facilitated by a Y-USA trained facilitator at the Hockomock Area YMCA ,which has facilities in North Attleborough, Foxborough and Franklin.
Quartet Duviteux |
Open Space and Recreation Planning Study
Department of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central St
Franklin, MA 02038
Del Carte recreation space in autumn 2015 |
The Franklin Police Association is a charitable organization that promotes the welfare, education, and the good will of the people of Franklin. In the Past, the FPA has raised money that was donated to help several organizations within the town of Franklin.
The Franklin Police Association has donated to local youth and high school sport teams and this past year assisted in purchasing a specialty bike for a Franklin Resident with Parkinson’s Disease. The Franklin Police Association has also supported the schools by sponsoring classes such as the anti-bullying class, by supporting D.A.R.E. Camp for local students, and by supporting other benevolent organizations.
Franklin Police Association gofundme image
For many years, the Franklin Police Association has sponsored an annual Senior Dinner that is held between Thanksgiving and Christmas to meet with and to provide a warm meal to the senior citizens of Franklin. During this dinner the Franklin Police Association serves approximately 300-350 meals.
With your help this year we will be able to continue our support of the above programs and look forwad to assisting other organizations in our community. Any amount you can donate will be greatly appreciated and will be continued to be put to good use.
Add caption |
Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.
The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
King Philip | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Franklin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
FHS Panthers |
The fourth annual Franklin Turkey Trot kicked off at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning when more than 600 runners and walkers set off on the traditional 5-kilometer race to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.
The turnout, according to race organizer Krystal Whitmore, was greater than ever this year. In the past the race has fluctuated, having between 270 and 450 participants, Whitmore said, but this year, she purchased 600 bibs and ran out prior to the race.
“I’m a little taken aback,” she said.
Racers who could not get a bib were still able to participate in the raceContinue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
In 2014, local resident Cheri Lynch thought she might lose her husband to a heart attack - and she likely would have, if not for the fast actions of Franklin emergency responders.
On Wednesday, she and others from across Franklin sought to recognize the town police and fire departments for the good they do by delivering dinners, baked goods and drinks to tide them over during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Lynch said her family's interaction with Franklin police and fire took place almost two years ago, on Feb. 5, 2014. Her husband, Luke, had removed snow that had fallen from their driveway and then went to work at EMC in town. Shortly before arriving, she said, Luke felt ill and asked his son and wife to take him to the hospital. Before they could collect him, though, he collapsed.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
parmenter sign - no school for Thanksgiving weekend |