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 *
Important Information Regarding This Weekend's Book Sale at the Franklin Public Library! Due to the snow storm expected Sunday, the Book Sale will begin Friday, January 18, 1:00-5:00 PM. It will continue on Saturday, January 19, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM The Bag Sale will be 1:00-4:00 PM. There will not be a Bag Sale on Sunday, January 20.
Our Second Sunday Speaker Series continues on Sunday February 10 with Rob Lawson, Professor of History, Dean College, presenting "The Cultural Construction of American Medicine." With support from the National Endowment of Humanities and Dean College Department of Humanities, R.A. Lawson, Ph.D. will discuss the history of medicine with a view to understanding differences. The production of medical knowledge and the practice of medicine, historically, were seen as positive pursuits in which authoritative figures made objective discoveries and applied them dispassionately to their patients. This mirrored widespread beliefs about the sciences in general. Increasingly, however, historians have come to understand medicine as a socially-constructed human behavior that is not purely objective in process or experience. In this lecture, Lawson will explore how the production of, attitudes about, and outcomes from medicine have changed over time. Professor Lawson, along with Professor David Dennis and Professor Jessica Pisano, are co-project directors on a grant the college earned from the NEH – the Making Humanities Matter initiative. The grant will help develop the History of Science and History of Medicine curriculum at the college. This lecture is derived from their research. There is still time to purchase your 2019 FHM calendar, full of photos and facts from Franklin’s history. Calendars are available in the museum gift shop for $5.00 each, while they last. Anyone interested in volunteering at the museum is invited to attend a meeting Sunday, February 3rd at 12 Noon at the museum. Over the course of the year we have need for hosts, researchers, data entry specialists or people to assist in special projects. Join us and share your skill sets. The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. We are wheelchair accessible, admission is always free, and donations are always welcome. Visit us and find your history.
Franklin Historical Museum: "The Cultural Construction of American Medicine" - Feb 10
Lifelong Community Learning has scheduled a February 7 childcare education workshop for caregivers. My Senses Don’t Make Sense! with Donna Shea will cover recognizing and supporting children with sensory integration dysfunction. Participants will talk about strategies that help. They will also discuss how finding the services of, or talking to a school occupational therapist, can make a world of difference for a child who senses don’t make sense. Caregivers are invited to participate in what will be an informative and interesting evening in a relaxed setting with colleagues and new friends. The workshop fee is $25. For more information, go to www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com and click on Lifelong Community Learning - Child Care & Parenting. Or call Lifelong Community Learning at 508-613-1480.
Lifelong Community Learning is a program of the Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing diverse and enriched education and experiences for all area residents and children – a resource for all ages.
Via HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2019
Boys Hockey = Stoughton, 1 @ Franklin, 11 – Final Wrestling = Franklin, 27 @ Mansfield, 30 – Final Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the wrestling match recap:
"Even the parents were out of their seats, creeping closer to the mat, and counting down the final seconds of the night’s final match. Mansfield junior Noah Jellenik laid flat on his stomach, holding off Franklin’s Riley Downing and waiting for the final horn to sound.
As the ref waved his hand to signal the end of the match, Jellenik, who is in his first year as a wrestler, rolled onto his knees and threw his hands in the air in triumph. On three edges of the mat, his teammates, coaches, and Mansfield alumni hugged, cheered, and celebrated, as the Hornets moved one giant step closer to securing the program’s first ever Hockomock dual meet title.
Although Downing won the 285-pound match 6-2, Jellenik had accomplished his only goal, which was to avoid a pin. With the Panthers only earning three points in the final match of the hotly-contested dual meet, Mansfield held on for a 30-27 victory."
Mansfield junior Noah Jellenik lifts his arms to the rafters after his match at 285 pounds, Despite a loss in his individual match, Jellenik sealed a 30-27 win for the team that puts the Hornets on the brink of a first-ever league title. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
Hard fought loss to Mansfield 30-27 tonight. Pin from Jordan Carlucci and tech by Dylan Nawn.
Big win for the panthers. Final score of 11-1 over Stoughton. Goals coming from 9 different goal scorers, including Dennis Will with his 1st varsity goal. Hard hat to Magazu for getting his first 2 and being a big help in the big win. #ontomansfieldpic.twitter.com/LkA8pDVWkG
"The Massachusetts Archives has unveiled an online collection of records of state agencies, including a searchable index of Massachusetts casualties in World War II, records of the administration of Governor Deval Patrick and town plans from 1794 through 1830.
Among the records are death certificates of 27 people killed in the Great Molasses Flood in Boston on Jan. 15, 1919.
"A new solar array is being proposed in town while conservation concerns loom in the planned area.
A public hearing will be held on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building. The application for the photovoltaic solar was filed by Kearsarge Upper Union LLC of Boston.
George Russell, conservation agent for Franklin, said that this is the third solar array proposal that Franklin has considered in just the last few months. Currently, there’s one solar array in town, located on Union Street.
Russell said they’re working with Industria Engineering in Hopkinton to finalize a potential design"
The new proposal for this solar array is located not far from the first one on the Mount St Mary's Abbey property which provides Franklin with about 90% of the electricity supply. The existing solar farm is located to the left of the big bend in Upper Union shown on the map. There is also a wind turbine across the street from the 'big bend' on the map.
The public hearing notice just came in for the Conservation Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan 31, 2019.
"Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Act) a Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA on a Notice of Intent filed by Kearsarge Upper Union LLC of Boston, MA for installation of photovoltaic solar array in open farmed field in the buffer zone of bordering vegetated wetlands.
This project is located at 1061 Upper Union Street"
Over 100 FHS students participated in the DECA District competition last week with 45 qualifying for the States in March at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. You can help support the students for the State competition in March by contributing to the cause below.
"Franklin’s DECA team competed in its annual District Competition Tuesday, January 8th and Wednesday, January 9th at the Mansfield Holiday Inn.
DECA is Franklin High School’s “business” club. The organization itself “prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe,” according to DECA’s website. It’s a great way to practice problem-solving and public speaking while having fun about a subject you’re interested in.
At the competition, students are registered under different events, each one specialized to a specific type of business or business plan. If you’re into sports, there are sports marketing events. If you’re into international business, there is an international business event. DECA has something for everyone."
The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) has announced casting for their upcoming production of the classic comedy You Can’t Take it With You. The cast will feature Equity actor Andrew Scott Holmes as Ed Carmichael. Holmes starred in FPAC’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last season. He has traveled the world working in regional theatre and cruise ships alike. From Goodspeed Opera House to Great Lakes Theater to Playhouse Square and beyond, Andrew has had the privilege of Playing leading roles as well as understudying Broadway stars.
Twenty one members of the Franklin High School music program auditioned and were accepted into the 2019 Massachusetts Central District Honor Ensembles. The performance will take place on January 19 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA. Participating in the Central District Band will be William Cerier -trumpet, Ari Delosreyes-White -french horn, Lauren Dennett -tenor sax, Nipun Goel -trumpet, Sean Hanly -tuba, Kathleen Houlihan -alto sax, Emma Kucich -flute, Augustine Marzoratti -clarinet, Prem Pendkar -alto sax. Franklin High School students performing with the Central District Jazz Band will be Robert Castro - Drum Set and Ian Richardson -Bass. Selected to perform with the Central District Orchestra is Elizabeth Ball-violin, Christopher Broyles -viola, Ryan Darcey -violin, Chai Harsha -viola, Warren Loukota -cello, Brinda Venkataraman -violin and Sarayu Vijayanagaram -violin. Accepted into the Central District Chorus are Claire Bauer, Jenna VanHyning and John Pokorny.
Twenty one members of the Franklin High School music program
Via HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2019
Boys Basketball = Franklin, 57 @ North Attleboro, 33 – Final – Franklin created all the separation it needed with a big first half. The Panthers led 17-4 after one and took a 31-10 advantage into the break. Junior Chris Edgehill scored 14 of his game-high 18 points in the first half for Franklin while Jalen Samuels and Will Harvey each added 10 points. North Attleboro senior Josh Montague scored a team-best 12 points while junior Ethan Friberg had nine points. Girls Basketball = North Attleboro, 33 @ Franklin, 57 – Final – Ali Brigham had 25 for the Panthers in the win.
Skill evaluation sessions for ages 9-15 are planned for March 9 and March 10. Players returning to Majors or Babe Ruth (National league) are NOT required to attend but are encouraged to in order to ensure balanced teams. Players who would like to play in Majors or Babe Ruth (National league) & are new to those leagues MUST attend or they will automatically be placed in AAA or American Babe Ruth. When: Mar 9 at 8 AM – Mar 10 at 5 PM Where:Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School 147 Pond St, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038
Franklin Youth Baseball: 2019 Skill Evaluation Sessions
The Fine and Performing Arts Department at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School is pleased to announce upcoming performances of “No Strings Attached” to be held at the Horace Mann Middle School located at 224 Oak Street in Franklin, Massachusetts. Performances will be held on Friday, March 1 from 7–9:30 PM and Saturday, March 2 from 2–4:30 PM. The public is invited and welcomed to attend the show! Tickets are priced at $17 for adults and $13 senior citizens and children under ten. Tickets will be sold at the door or an order form will be available for download at www.bfccps.org.
“No Strings Attached”
When Carl, a teenager, wants to run away from home, he applies for a job with the mysterious Professor Pinecone and his traveling magical marionette puppet show. He quickly discovers, however, that the position comes with all kinds of strings attached. Once he feels the magical jolt in Professor Pinecone’s handshake, he embarks on the audition of his life. In this play-within-a-play, Carl becomes Pinocchio and improvises his way through the story, meeting some familiar characters — including a cricket with an attitude (“I’m Gonna Bug Ya”), the devious fox and cat (“Easy Money”) and the memorable Blues Fairy (“Blues Fairy Mama”) — as well as some new ones. With the help of this eclectic cast, Carl stumbles upon life’s lessons as he’s forced to make important decisions. After a string of poor choices (which makes his nose grow and ultimately leads him to make a donkey of himself), he finally does something good for a change by saving Geppetto from the mouth of a giant shark. The production is under the direction of BFCCPS’s Fine and Performing Arts Director Mr. Christopher Heater, with a cast comprised of 36 students in grades Six through Eight. The cast is supported by a live orchestra and a dedicated 11 member backstage student crew. The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has been in operation since 1995 and provides a well-rounded, rigorous academic program designed to educate the whole child. BFCCPS’s educational philosophy, which is centered around strong core academic subjects, as well as yearlong courses in art, music, languages, technology, and physical education, integrated character education and community service, and strong parent partnerships, has led to local, state and national recognition. If you’d like learn more about the educational mission of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School please contact the school’s Marketing Coordinator, Joanne Basile, at jbasile@bfccps.org or 508-541-3434 x140.
"Speed remains a factor in nearly one-third of all traffic deaths in the U.S., with Massachusetts ranking 23rd among the states in speed-related deaths, according to a new report.
The Governor’s Highway Safety Association, a nonprofit organization that studies traffic safety around the country, released the report, “Speeding Away from Zero: Rethinking a Forgotten Traffic Challenge,” on Tuesday and found that in Massachusetts, 28 percent of motor vehicle deaths in 2017 were speed-related.
The report said speeding “remains a publicly-accepted driving behavior that is reinforced among motorists, policymakers and transportation stakeholders” and concluded that “overall progress on the issue of speeding has been limited at best.”
"Slow as molasses? This treacle didn’t trickle. It was a sticky, deadly tsunami that flattened an entire Boston neighborhood within seconds.
On Tuesday, the city marks the 100th anniversary of its most peculiar disaster — the Great Molasses Flood.
It struck without warning at midday on Jan. 15, 1919, when a giant storage tank containing more than 2.3 million gallons (8.7 million liters) of molasses suddenly ruptured, sending a giant wave of goop crashing through the cobblestone streets of the bustling North End.
The initial wave rose at least 25 feet high (7.6 meters high) — nearly as tall as an NFL goalpost — and it obliterated everything in its path, killing 21 people and injuring 150 others. Rivets popped like machine-gun fire. Elevated railway tracks buckled. Warehouses and firehouses were pushed around like game pieces on a Monopoly board. Tenements were reduced to kindling."
Good schools, public parks, reliable transit, and smooth roads help increase well-being and make a community prosperous. Together, we pay for these fundamentals through state and local taxes.
How to collect enough revenue to pay for these investments - and how to collect that revenue fairly - are questions that every community, including our Commonwealth, must answer.
Massachusetts' state and local tax system remains "regressive," meaning low- and moderate-income taxpayers pay a larger share of their incomes in taxes than those with higher incomes. A "progressive" tax system is one in which higher-income taxpayers pay a larger percentage of their incomes in taxes.
A new Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) paper, 14 Options for Raising Progressive Revenue, explores ways the Commonwealth could make its tax system more progressive.
The options described in the paper include:
Personal income tax options, like raising both the personal income tax rate and progressive exemptions,
Wealth tax options, like raising the estate tax, and
Business tax options, like enacting a surtax on companies where CEOs' pay rates are excessively high compared with median worker pay rates.
The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.
Join us on Jan 24 for Cultural Connections! Cultural Connections, a free arts and culture roundtable, will be held Jan. 24 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at Rhapsody's Victorian Coffee House (395 E. Central St, Franklin). Anyone interested in arts and culture, from any organization in any town, is invited to attend. The subject of this roundtable will be Trials and Triumphs of 2018. Share what worked well for your organization last year, and what you struggled with. Is there a problem you're trying to solve that others can help brainstorm solutions? A success that others could learn from? Join us for a delicious nosh of gourmet coffee, pastries, muffins and more, while networking with others from area arts organization. Let's celebrate the new year, new partnerships, and the successes of 2018! RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cultural-connections-tickets-54774931294
About the Franklin Cultural Council
The mission of the Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) is to encourage participation and enhance opportunities for enrichment in the cultural arts and sciences throughout our community. Comprised of committed residents, the FCC meets monthly with the purpose of supporting events and programs through grants from the Town of Franklin, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
If you missed the Second Sunday Speaker Series at the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday, Jan 13, 2019, you can review the slide deck here and while listening to the audio recording below. Franklin historian, Alan Earls is introduced by Mary Olsson, Franklin Historical Museum. FM #157 This internet radio show or podcast is number 157 in the series for Franklin Matters. This recording shares the Second Sunday Speaker Series presentation given on Sunday, Jan 13, 2019. Franklin historian Alan Earls talks on "When Terrorism Struck Franklin: February 28, 1919" https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/second-sunday-speaker-series-when.html The show notes on Franklin Matters will also include the presentation document so you can follow along. The total recording presentation and the follow up Question and Answer period runs about 55 minutes. Without further ado, here is the audio recording.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help. How can you help? In particular, if you have an interest in real estate, zoning or construction, I would like someone to follow the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Conservation Commission meetings. I’ll provide the guidance on note taking and sharing. You need to bring an inquisitive and open mind and willingness to learn and share. Overall:
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. Thank you for listening. For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ 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 = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"