"need to take ample time to study it further -- thoughtfully and thoroughly”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Results of a district-wide demographic study of the town’s school population is expected to be ready in January, according to Superintendent Dr. Sara Ahern.

Meanwhile, school officials continue to define the scope of a facilities adequacy study of Davis Thayer School, as well a functional space study of all of the town’s schools as part of determining whether to shutter the Davis Thayer building.

“The first step for the space study will be to assess the current use of all facilities,” Ahern wrote in an update sent out last week.

At a recent meeting of the school board, a three-person subcommittee was formed to work with Ahern on a Davis Thayer closing analysis."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191223/franklin-continuing-functional-space-study-of-schools/1

Davis Thayer School sign from May 2019

Holiday greeting from the Franklin Food Pantry

Holiday Greetings 

There is so much for us to be thankful for and celebrate this holiday season. That said, I wish that I was writing this letter to say that because of these successes, we no longer have to be here to serve our community. But, food insecurity does not go away even during the happiest times of the year. The holidays can be even harder for those thinking about where their next meal is going to come from. Through the support of our community, we are able to provide food and other items to our friends and neighbors in Franklin and help ease the stress of the holidays. 

We have been very busy here at the Pantry. While so many people are out doing their holiday shopping, we are making sure that our friends and neighbors have food on their tables. We could not do that without YOU. Through the generosity of our community, we were able to provide 440 meal packages for the Thanksgiving and winter holidays. There were numerous drives that were held to stock our shelves and provide daily necessities like toothpaste, shampoo, and other items. 

In addition, some of the younger members of our community also showed their support by being Food Elves - middle and high school students who create awareness about, and raise money for, the Pantry every year during the first 12 days of December. The Food Elves reached their goal of raising $28,000 for the Pantry so that our neighbors can have access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and food throughout the year. If you missed your Food Elf, or were not visited by one, you can still support this effort by going here. 

In 2020, let's continue to work together to support one another and help to alleviate food insecurity. Whether you live, work, or do business in Franklin, our community is a better place because of you.

Thank you, 

Lynn Calling
Executive Director
Franklin Food Pantry

Holiday Meal Distribution

On Thursday December 19, our Pantry volunteers distributed over 200 holiday meals to our neighbors. The meal packages included a ham, fixings, some special chocolates and a blanket.

Thank you to all our volunteers and thank you to the Interfaith Council, MetroWest Provisions, customers of MetroWest Provisions, Chris Feeley and family, Sue Kilcoyne and all those that participated in her holiday event to benefit the Pantry, and our holiday greeting card creators for their generous donations to help make everyone's holiday brighter.

https://twitter.com/FranklinFoodPan/status/1208023233573863424

You can contribute to the Franklin Food Pantry securely online
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

Disclosure: as a former Food Pantry board member, this organization remains a top priority for my charitable contributions.

Community Comes Together For Another Successful MyFM Stuff-a-Bus

On Saturday November 30th local radio station MyFM 101.3 set up camp outside of Target on Fortune Blvd in Milford and began their 30-hour residency in hopes to fulfill their goal of collecting enough toys to fill a school bus. 

The 3rd Annual MyFM Stuff-a-Bus partnered with Uxbridge-based Toys For Kids and Teens in 2019 to assist local families in need this holiday season. “Last year we collected roughly 5,000 toys and we were hoping to just come close enough to topping that this year,” explains MyFM President Tom McAuliffe. “At the end of a very long 30-hours we were happy to report that, through the generosity of the local community, we blew that away with over 8,000 toys!”

The MyFM staff dedicated their weekend assisting with the drive and even went as far as camping out overnight to watch over the toys. But they weren’t exactly roughing it. Affordable Junk Removal and Resellables provided a comfortable living room to rest in. They were well fed thanks to local restaurants TGIFridays, IHOP and Five Guys. The crew kept warm by dancing to festive holiday music that filled the donation area.

Community Comes Together For Another Successful MyFM Stuff-a-Bus

MyFM Operations Manager Ray Auger brought the annual event to the MyFM after taking part in similar drives years ago on The Cape and in Portsmouth, NH. “I saw the impact it had on those communities and knew that we could really make a different here as well,” says Auger. “It just fit so well with the MyFM model. I knew our friends in the community would just run with it and help make it something special.”

For the past 3 years, Vendetti Bus Company has been generous enough to provide the bus, which is used to store the toys collected throughout the drive. The bus even comes with it’s own mascot, Jingles the Elf, a.k.a. Milford’s favorite, festive bus driver Moe Hutchins.

In addition to the outpouring of assistance from the local community braving the cold to drop of their toys, local businesses and individuals chose to donate $250 or more for shopping spree that sent the MyFM staff into Target to do the shopping for them. The Shopping Sprees were filmed and posted on MyFM’s Facebook page. $6,250 was raised which allowed for purchases of TV’s, bicycles, electronics and other toys for older children. MyFM would like to thank Dinner and Co., Chelsee O’Meara – LuLaRoe, Montgomery Lodge, Milford Tire, The Kearnans, Lioce Properties, KemForKids, Milford Hardwood, Milford TV, Doyle Siding and Window, Ray’s Automotive, Friends of Holliston, Old Time Auto Sales, Masters Touch, Devlin’s Tavern,. Depot St Tavern, Stephanie G Jewelers, Target and an anonymous Hopkinton donator.

At the end of the drive the toys were moved from the bus to a Gallo Moving and Storage truck where they were stored and transported to the Toys For Kids and Teens drop off site.

MyFM would like to thank all who donated and participated in another successful community event that is sure to bring joy and happiness to many local families this holiday season.

About MyFM

MyFM 101.3 is a full service radio station serving 15 communities surrounding the Milford area. MyFM 101.3 offers local news, information, sports and classic hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s. For more visit www.myfm1013.com or live the on Facebook @MyFM1013.

About Toys For Kids and Teens

Toys For Kids and Teens consist of local veterans from the Blackstone Valley & Beyond who collect and distribute toys for families in need during the holiday season. If you are in need of toys for your family, find them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Toys-for-Kids-Teens-1513587325577171/) or contact them at toysforkidsandteens@gmail.com

Town Council recap of Dec 4, 2019: Tax rate set at $14.51

The most significant item of this meeting was the tax classification hearing which functionally closes out the operating budget cycle for FY 2020. The operating budget cycle closes with the setting of the rate to confirm and authorize the funding required to cover the priorities set during the operating budget cycle.

The capital budget for FY 2020 uses free cash from the FY 2019 year and has recently been reviewed with the Finance Committee. The Town Council will be reviewing the capital budget recommendation at one of their January 2020 meetings.

The tax rate is set for FY 2020 at $14.51 per thousand of assessed value. This rate is down $.15 from the rate set for FY 2019 ($14.66). The growth in the community from the housing and commercial expansion we see all around us is the primary factor for the drop in rate. Yes, the operational expenses continue to increase but the total amount required is spread among a larger group (expanded by growth) so we get to pay less than if we had no growth or expansion.

The chart shown here depicts this fact. As the change in assessed value increases, the rate goes down. As the change in assessed value decreases, the rate goes up. 
 

Franklin, MA - Net Change in Valuation (Million) vs. Tax Rate (Percent)

While some folks say we should stop growth, that would doom us to paying more and a higher percent of taxes every year. With proper growth (affordable, for one), the growth helps to spread the tax burden.

The official Action Taken document can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/tc-actions-taken-12-4-19

The meeting video is available for replay on demand
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=699
 
 
The audio portion of the Town Administrator Jamie Hellen's Report to the Town Council was released previously
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/fm-184-town-administrators-report-to.html

Additional details from the meeting can be found in my notes captured during the meeting:

• Live reporting: Town Administrator's Report through Closing

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/live-reporting-town-administrators.html

• Live reporting: Legislation for Action

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

• Live reporting: Tax Classification Hearing

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/live-reporting-tax-classification.html

• Live reporting: Town Council - Dec 4, 2019

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/live-reporting-town-council-dec-4-2019.html

Walk Off Those Cookies Group Walk On The SNETT - Dec 26

Please join us for a winter group walk on the SNETT. 

Let’s try to walk off some of those holiday calories and get some fresh air. This is a child friendly activity and leashed dogs are always welcome too. 

Last group walk of 2019!


Date: December 26
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Venue: SNETT Parking Lot, Grove Street, Franklin MA



This event is free, but we would love your support: become a member today: https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/join-support/

The SNETT Trail heading from Lake St to Cross St in Bellingham

St Mary's Women's Faith Formation: Women in the Bible - Old and New Testament - Jan 4, 2020

The St. Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group invites all women to attend a presentation on "Women in the Bible - Old and New Testament". 

The presentation will be January 4 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM in the St. Mary's Parish Hall (One Church Square, Franklin). 

The talk will be give by Dr. Aldona Lingertat, who is the Director of both the Master of Arts in Ministry Program and the Master of Theological Studies Program at St. John's Seminary.

Come join us to learn more about important women in the Bible. The talk is certain to be interesting and informative.

St Mary's Women's Faith Formation: Women in the Bible - Old and New Testament - Jan 4, 2020

Download a copy of the flyer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ykrN2WiNHQED-QyA1y1BUSFl6wMKMbEC/view?usp=sharing

FHS wrestling wins 3 in quad meet, girls hockey ties Austin Prep

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Saturday:

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ Pope Francis, 6 – Final

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 3 vs. Austin Prep, 3 – Final

Wrestling = Franklin @ St. John’s Prep Quad
– The Panthers picked up three wins in the quad meet. 
Franklin beat Lawrence 54-24 (Pins by DiFilippo, Sauer, Sackly, Cogavin, Nawn, Jacoby, Leofanti), 
Salem (N.H.) 60-21 ( Pins by Carlucci, Jawando, Fracasa, Sauer, Sackley, Nawn), 
and then edged out the home team St. John’s Prep 37-34 (pins by DiFilippo, Carlucci, Walker, Leofanti) in the final match.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-21-19/

And via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports

FHS wrestling wins 3 in quad, girls hockey ties Austin Prep

Incredible tied 3-3 game VS Austin Prep tonight. Goals by Gianna Cameron, Lindsay Atkinson and Jordan Dwyer. Great job girls ‼️🏒

— FHS Girls Hockey (@fhsvgockey) December 22, 2019

Great Franklin Basketball Alumni Game today. Over 30 guys competing this morning. Just goes to show how fortunate I have been to coach such an amazing group of people. pic.twitter.com/jt8ogcKtGR

— Coach CJ Neely (@CoachCJNeely) December 21, 2019

Tie to St John’s Prep 34-34 pins by DiFilippo, Carlucci, Walker, Leofanti.

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) December 21, 2019

Final score @PFcardinals 6 @FHS_Puck 1 Shots on goal Pope 24 FHS 13 @MassNZ @MassHSHockey @In_The_Slot @FranklinRec @PanthersJvPuck @MetroWestSports @HNIBonline

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) December 21, 2019

Win over Salem NH 60-21. Pins by Carlucci, Jawando, Fracasa, Sauer, Sackley, Nawn.

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) December 21, 2019

Nice win over Lawrence 54-24. Pins by DiFilippo, Sauer, Sackly, Cogavin, Nawn, Jacoby, Leofanti

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) December 21, 2019

Final score @PFcardinals 2 @PanthersJvPuck 1 . @FHSSports @MassHSHockey @MassNZ @FranklinRec @FHS_Puck

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) December 21, 2019