Franklin Matters

Friday, March 8, 2019

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Mar 8 to THU - Mar 14

Friday, March 8

10:00am

Knitting Group

Saturday, March 9

2:00pm

World of Dolls

7:30pm

Seussical

Sunday, March 10

Daylight Saving Time starts

7:30am

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast

2:00pm

Seussical

Monday, March 11

Concert Dress Rehearsal

10:30am

Move Along

11:00am

Toddler Playgroup

2:30pm

Musical Rehearsal

3:00pm

Monday Crafternoons

3:30pm

Dungeons & Dragons for Kids

7:00pm

OSKEY Rehearsal

7:00pm

"Lovefest"

Tuesday, March 12

9:30am

Cool Cruisers

10:30am

Get Ready for Kindergarten

2:30pm

Musical Rehearsal

4:30pm

SPRING ART SHOWCASE

6:00pm

MICCA All Town Showcase Concert - Orchestra/Chorus

7:00pm

MICCA Showcase Concert

7:00pm

School Committee

7:30pm

Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Public Meeting

Wednesday, March 13

10:30am

Terrific Toddlers

11:00am

Toddler Playgroup

4:00pm

Construction Junction

6:30pm

Teen Advisory Board

7:00pm

OSKEY Rehearsal

7:00pm

Town Council Meeting

7:30pm

LET'S LAUGH TODAY

Thursday, March 14

9:30am

Baby Tummy Time

10:30am

Story & Craft

2:30pm

Musical Rehearsal

3:30pm

Discovery Workshop

4:00pm

Fandom Thursdays

6:00pm

MICCA All Town Showcase Concert - Band

6:00pm

Volunteens

7:00pm

MICCA Showcase Concert

For the interactive version, please visit

http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

http://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://goo.gl/forms/7Pr1iBuAiIna7cUo2

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Mar 8 to THU - Mar 14

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Recreation Department

The Recreation Department is now located at 275 Beaver Street, Franklin MA 02038. The Recreation Department offers Franklin residents a variety of programs and activities for youth and adults, as well as coordination of youth sports organizations field use. The department operates and schedules activities for Beaver Pond, Fletcher Field, Dennis Pisani Field, Henry “Ski” Faenza Tot Lot (Nason Street Tot Lot), King Street Memorial Field, Dacey Community Field, and the Meadowlark Lane fields.

The department is also responsible for scheduling the use of all school athletic fields. Our department works closely with the various town youth sports organizations and Athletic Director Tom Angelo to schedule all youth sports activities around the high school team practices and games.

Chilson Beach
Chilson Beach was open from June 24-August 18, 2017 with a swim at your own risk policy. No lifeguards were on duty. However, we staffed the beach with gate guards to check for residency as the beach remains Franklin residents only. The pond was home to canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and hiking. For information on Chilson Beach and our water testing results, please visit:
http://www.franklinma.gov/recreationdepartment/pages/beaver-pond

On the turf field at Beaver Pond, we continue to permit soccer, field hockey, flag football, Pop Warner football and boy’s lacrosse. The turf field was used for the Franklin Recreation Department’s NFL Flag football, Franklin Pop Warner football, Franklin Youth Soccer, and Franklin youth boys lacrosse, as well as yoga for senior citizens, tai chi, boot camp, and many other recreational activities. A portable recycled plastic walkway is on site for handicap accessibility to the water edge and playground area.

The Franklin High School soccer, lacrosse and field hockey programs play all of their home games on the turf field as well. At the time of this publication, the turf field was being resurfaced.

Recreation Programs

Summer Camp
Youth Basketball Program
Pee Wee Baseball
Kid Care Babysitting
NFL Flag Football
Girls Lacrosse
NHL Street Hockey
Girls Field Hockey
Golf Lessons
ArtVenture Afterschool Studios
Preschool Programs
Children’s Programs
Disc Golf
Rec Gym Programs
Parks and Playgrounds

Note: due to the volume of text describing the complete set of Recreation programs, I encourage you to go to the PDF of the Annual Report (page 122 of the PDF, page 111 of the print version) to read the full set of details. It is quite a program!

You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Visit the Recreation Dept online
https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Recreation Department

Horace Mann statue - May 7. 2017

The unveiling of the Horace Mann statue in Franklin, MA on May 7. 2017

or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157683435652096/

Local fifth grader to appear in FPAC’s Seussical

Franklin’s Julian DiChiara is set to appear as JoJo in the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) production of Seussical running March 9,10, 15, 16, and 17 at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. DiChiara is a fifth grader at Oak Street Elementary and studies singing, acting, and dancing at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.

Even at his young age, DiChiara is no stranger to the stage. Earlier this season, he played Les in FPAC’s sold out run of Disney’s Newsies where he appeared with Broadway’s Christopher Rice (The Book of Mormon) and was choreographed by Chaz Wolcott (Newsies, So You Think You Can Dance, Cats).

Julian DiChiara

He was also seen in the children’s choir of FPAC’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (10 DASH Award nominations) and in their original holiday panto Alice in a Winter Wonderland as Tweedle Dee. At the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, DiChiara has had roles in The Wizard of Oz, Bring It, and The Government Inspector. He also performs locally with the ensemble “Future Shock.”

Seussical is a perfect musical for the whole family. Tony winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have lovingly brought to life Dr. Seuss favorites including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie, and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo (played by DiChiara). The colorful characters transport the audience from the Jungle of Nool, to the Circus McGurkus, to the invisible world of the Whos.

Tickets for Seussical are available at www.fpaconline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin.

On this date: Mar 8, 2013: Downtown Project finally getting to bid

Stepping back into the archives for March 8, 2013 we find that the Downtown Project is about to go to bid in the fall. Yes, hard to believe is has already re-routed traffic for a couple of years now. It took a while to prepare for and really didn't take that long to complete once it started.

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The Downtown Project is making some planning progress as reported in the Milford Daily News:

"Almost ten years in the making, the project aims to bring business back to the heart of town, in part through several cosmetic and safety improvements.

Construction — slated to begin next fall after the project goes out to bid in August — will include: converting one-way traffic on Main Street and West Central Street to two-way; fixing roadways and sidewalks; upgrading lighting; and installing interconnected traffic signals and calming devices.

With a total length of more than a mile, the work, the bulk of which should wrap up in the spring of 2014, will encompass a large swath of the downtown."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1433793532/Franklin-plans-for-downtown-improvement-project#ixzz2MwW3XNm8

Additional information on the project can be found on the Downtown Partnership webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/downtown-project.html

The post from March 8, 2013
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/how-construction-would-affect-businesses.html

updated lane markings were part of the Downtown Project finish work

Community Coffee - March 9 - 10 AM - School Starts Times

The next School Committee Community Coffee is scheduled for Saturday, March 9 at 10:00 AM at the Franklin Public Library.

The theme for this discussion is the work of the School Starts Times Advisory Committee. Feedback is being gathered to prepare for the presentation to the School Committee at the March 26 meeting.

More about the School Start Times Advisory Committee can be found
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-start-times-advisory-committee

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Greg Greenway - March 9

Greg Greenway March 9

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Greg Greenway
Mar 9 - 8 PM $25

Greg Greenway has been described as "one of the strongest, and finest voices in folk music." The Boston Globe wrote, "Confessional one moment, rambunctiously disarming the next, few modern folk singers can own a coffeehouse stage as completely as Greenway."

From the end of 2010 to the present, Greenway has been one third of one of the most successful Folk trios in North America, Brother Sun.

Greenway is also involved in a new project with long time friend, Reggie Harris, "Deeper Than the Skin".

Greg will be performing with Fabio Pirozzolo on percussion and Stephanie Corby on backing vocals.

https://c9tuning.wordpress.com/ Greg Greenway

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.

Upcoming Shows

Mar 23 Patty Larkin
Mar 30 Celtic Band RUNA
Apr 13 Tracy Grammer
May 11 Ordinary Elephant

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Franklin Library: Teen Board Game Cafe - Sat - Mar 9 - 3:00 PM

For teens in grades 6 through 12, the Franklin Public Library will hold a Board Game Cafe on Saturday, March 9 FROM 3:00 - 4:30 PM.

Franklin Library: Teen Board Game Cafe - Sat - Mar 9 - 3:00 PM

Shared from the Franklin Library page
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/teen-board-game-cafe-1

and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/2083765881645821/

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Town Council

The Town Council is the holder of all general, corporate, legislative, and appropriations powers of the Town of Franklin. On behalf of the Town Council I submit our annual report for the FY18.

Economic Development
The Town Council adopted GL Chapter 64N Section 3 authorizing the imposition of a local sales tax on the sale or transfer of marijuana or marijuana products by a marijuana retailer and establishes the tax rate at the max of 3%. The Town council approved a Zoning Bylaw amendment the poultry set back to a minimum of 25 feet.

Facilities
The New construction and renovation of the Franklin Public Library was completed and a Ribbon Cutting was held in Fall of 2017. New Turf Fields were installed at the High School and Beaver Street Field along with a new track around the High School field. A proposal for a new bathroom facility and storage and concession building at Pisini Field near the High school was submitted and approved.

Recreation and Open Space
We are continuing to clean up the weed and fish issues at the DelCarte as part of the restoration and preservation of this recreation area. The Town recorded and deeded two unimproved vacant parcels on Grove Street from the land of low value auction that the Town Treasurer/Collector held.

Downtown
The Downtown Revitalization project is still underway with continued efforts to improve the roadways in the Alpine Place neighborhood.

Other
Approved a balanced budget and worked with the Town Administration on obtaining a five year capital plan for all departments including the Water and Sewer Enterprise funds.

The Town Council voted to transfer two town owned parcels of vacant land (244-040-000-000 .182 acres on Brook Street and 266-073-000-000 7.582 acres off Mill Street) to the care, custody, control and management of the Conservation Commission.

The Council appropriated:
● $160,000 for a new snow plow for the Public Works.
● $550,000 for Roadway Improvements for the Public Works.
● $18,000 for Police Radio Improvements.
● $20,000 for a Town Wide Operational Risk Assessment of all Town and School operations from a fiscal management perspective to outline any weaknesses to be addressed

The Town Council approved a Bylaw Amendment to raise the Water and Sewer Usage Rates. The expansion and construction of the existing Veterans War Memorial on the Town Common was approved.

Franklin was designated as a Green Community. With a new Fuel Efficient policy and Energy Reduction plan in place. More than 90% of electricity used by the town is generated through solar energy.

The Town receives a donation of a parcel of land on Grove street that abuts two of the town owned wells and the future Treatment Plan Site.

It is a pleasure to serve my fellow citizens and to submit this annual report on behalf of the Franklin Town Council for your review.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew T. Kelly
Chairman, Franklin Town Council

You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Town Council

Franklin Cultural Festival 2016

Photos from the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival held in Franklin, MA in July 2016

or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157676824880036/

On this date: Mar 7, 2012: 15th Trivia Bee to be held

Stepping into the archive for March 7, 2012 we find that the FEF 15th Annual Triva Bee was being announced to be held on March 15.

How cool is that! the 15th event coincidentally on the 15th!

The FEF has turned from the Trivia Bee to the Harlem Wizards and other fund raising activities

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/03/15th-annual-trivia-bee-march-15.html

So set the date for No 22 and the next visit of the Harlem Wizards

set the date for No 22 and the next visit of the Harlem Wizards

Franklin Education Foundation

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Franklin School Committee

The Franklin School Committee utilizes a number of subcommittees to initially review, propose and consider policies and issues that come before the Committee. We are committed to two-way communication with the citizens of Franklin, listening to concerns and sharing information in the true spirit of democracy.

The subcommittees and their functions are outlined below:

Budget: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to the school budget. Participates with the town-wide Joint Budget Subcommittee. Committed to educating the public about the budget process in an open and transparent way.
Community Relations: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to communication with the community about school policies, issues and programs. Meets on a monthly basis throughout the community at various locations including the Harvest Festival, The Farmer’s Market, The Senior Center, The Public Library, Franklin Cable TV Station, etc. in order to share information and address citizens’ concerns.
Policy: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to policies and procedures in the Franklin Public Schools. This subcommittee also maintains the Policy Manual.
Public Schools Advocacy: Keeps the committee and the community informed on legislative matters at the federal, state and local levels. Promotes the importance of public schools in a democratic society. In February a Legislative Forum was held for the public. State Senators Ross and Spilka along with State Representative, Jeff Roy shared legislative updates relative to funding education and answered questions from interested citizens.
Transportation: Recommends and reviews policies regarding transportation. The subcommittee also develops bids for transportation services.

In addition to the work of these subcommittees, members participate on advisory councils and as liaisons to the Joint Parent Communication Councils and Mass Association of School Committees (MASC).

The responsibilities of these members are outlined below:

School Wellness Advisory Council: Establishes annual wellness goals for the district. Reviews data, conducts data collection and sponsors professional development programs for students, faculty, parents and the community. Meets monthly throughout the school year.
Parent Communication Council Liaisons: Joining the Superintendent and other central office administrators, school committee liaisons share important information relative to policies and issues before the school committee. This is another opportunity to gain feedback, insights as to the issues/ concerns of the community. Meets every month during the school year.
MASC Liaison: Advocates at the state level for issues relative to public schools.
School Start Times Advisory Council: A committee comprised of representatives from the School Committee, teachers, administrative team, parents and interested community leaders with the purpose of objectively analyzing the data and issues relative to school start times. This committee is organized into subcommittees which are meeting throughout the entire year. Recommendations will made to the School Committee at the conclusion of this study.
Summer Workshop: The School Committee also meets at a one-day summer workshop with the Superintendent to provide input relative to the District Improvement Plan and to plan pertinent School Committee presentations and workshops for the following school year.

Throughout the year, the School Committee works with a facilitator from MASC to strengthen our skills and effectiveness as an elected body so that we may better serve the public.

Respectfully submitted,

Anne Bergen,
Chair, Franklin School Committee

You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

For more about the School Committee
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee