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 *
Saturday, July 3, 2021
SAFE Radio: Cope (audio)
Franklin, MA: The Railroad in Franklin (video)
This video is about the history of the railroad in Franklin
video link = https://youtu.be/EbdvtS9SzH0
Friday, July 2, 2021
4th of July Celebration - Friday, July 2 - schedule
Franklin 4th of July Celebration
Franklin July 4th Coalition
carnival ride as it was being set up for the 4th July Celebration |
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Clerk's Office
The Town Clerk’s Office is dedicated to providing friendly, professional service to all citizens. I am extremely proud of how well my staff performs and responds to the demands of the office.
HISTORY TOWN CLERK OFFICE
“The office of town clerk is probably one of the oldest in municipal government. It appears in the Bible in the Book of Acts, Chapter 19, and verse 35 written in A.D. 58. A search of other early written records would no doubt reveal other instances in which mention of this office appears. In Massachusetts, town clerk was one of the earliest offices established in colonial towns although the title itself may not appear in the earliest records. The settlers were well aware of the importance of keeping accurate written records of their agreements and actions including grants of land, regulations governing animals, the collection of taxes and the expenditure of town funds. If your town records date back to the first half of the 17th century, you will probably find that a person was given the specific duty of writing down town orders and will see many entries in the record which include the words “It is ordered by the inhabitants,” or some similar words. Indeed, in Massachusetts, the town clerk was one of the earliest offices established in colonial towns.”
NOTARY SERVICE
The Town Clerk’s office provides Notary services as a courtesy. Residents seeking Notary Services should call the Town Clerk’s office prior to their visit to ensure that the Notary is available. The following guidelines will be followed in the provision of Notary Service: - Notary Services are available during the normal business hours and are not available in the fifteen (15) minutes prior to the time of closing. - Notary Service is provided on a first-come, first service basis. A valid government-issued photo identification is required of any resident seeking Notary Service - The document(s) CANNOT already have been signed nor dated - All signers must be present at the time of notarizing - The Notary is stating they have witnessed the document being signed. Notary Service is not available for deeds, mortgages, wills, living wills, living trusts, codicils or depositions. Certain public documents cannot be copied and notarized. For more information please visit our website.
SAFE Radio: Learn to Cope (audio)
Franklin, MA: Industry in Franklin (video)
This is a video that highlights the rich history of Franklin's industrial past.
Video link = https://youtu.be/B8E2ztPoHWM
Franklin Food Pantry: Introducing our Annual Report
Learn more about The Pantry in 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Recycling center closed Sunday
Thursday, July 1, 2021
4th of July Celebration - Thursday, July 1 schedule
Franklin 4th of July Celebration
Franklin July 4th Coalition
space to sit & eat under the tent on the Town Common |
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Administrator
Accomplishments in FY20 include:
We continue to update our Town Budget webpage with helpful resources such as how the budget process works, operating and capital budgets, and fiscal forecasts. https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget
A balanced operating budget was submitted to the Town Council and was approved. We have received five year Capital plans from all departments including the Water And Sewer Enterprise fund. Having long term Capital plans prevents more expensive costs down the road.
As part of our expansion of customer service we have expanded our Viewpoint Online Permitting System to the Health Department and will continue adding new applications throughout the year to make for a more convenient process.
We continue to update the Town’s website to make information easily accessible for the public. All Agendas and Minutes of all boards and committees are web-based and continuously updated. These can be found on the boards and committees’ pages on our website. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for News and Announcement as well as visiting our website at www.franklinma.gov.
Personnel
The Town Administration staff has worked diligently with the Board of Health to ensure the Town, our employees and residents stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to serve the Town and its residents while staying safe and following the guidelines and requirements set forth by the Governor of Massachusetts, DPH and the CDC.
To continue our efforts in keeping the Town informed of updates and alerts related to COVID-19 our Marketing and Communications Specialist, Anne Marie Tracey has created a user friendly Coronavirus Portal on our website and sends out important information frequently through our subscriber lists and social media.
The Town Administrative Assistant, Alecia Alleyne who has been here just a little over a year has worked with our Finance team to make sure we receive FEMA and Cares Act assistance during this pandemic. Alecia has applied for and received over $1 million of assistance for the town and anticipates another million in additional funds by year end.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic all Town Buildings closed in mid March. However, due to our fantastic Technology staff we were able to quickly get most if not all of our staff up and running remotely. Working remote has had its challenges but we continue our efforts to improve the way we will be doing business for the unforeseeable future.
The Town Administration staff, Technology staff and Franklin TV worked together to make sure Town Council Meetings could continue and comply with Open Meeting Laws. These meetings currently are being recorded, streamed live through the website, Zoom and Cable TV.
Other
Assistant to the Town Administrator, Chrissy Whelton and Human Resources Director, Karen Bratt worked with the towns Safety Committee, representatives from each department and MIIA representatives and earned over $50,000 in insurance premium savings and was recognized by the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) as a leader in preventing risk in the workplace through employee training programs.
Franklin “Bends the Trend” by working with the Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC) to keep insurance rate increases for employees to a minimum, The Town continues to offer a Qualified High Deductible Health Care Plan.
Franklin signed agreements with three Solar Companies for a PILOT program. Kearsarge Upper Union LLC agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes for a period of twenty consecutive fiscal years totaling $124,495.00 . Maple Street Solar 1, LLC has agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes at an annual rate of $52,800 for 20 years. Spring Street Renewables, LLC ℅ Neexamp, Inc. agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes for 20 years totaling at $1,220,302.
The Town of Franklin also worked with Nexamp to ensure that a portion of their farm be reserved for Franklin residents. On a first-come, first-served basis residents were eligible to subscribe to receive credit on their Electric bill at a special rate of 15%. Due to a high interest from Franklin residents the farm is now filled however Nexamp is still offering their standard discount rate of 12.5%.
The Town has signed five (5) Host Community Agreements with proposed marijuana establishments. A total of $300,000 in revenue generated from these establishments will be earmarked for the SAFE Coalition ($25,000) and $275,000 will be used by the public school system to address mental health and substance abuse issues amongst our students. Revenue generated by these establishments will also help to offset certain tax burdens on residents.
Town Administration, Human Resources and all Municipal Unions successfully completed collective bargaining and settled through 2022.
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Administrator |
SAFE Radio: The SAFE Coalition (audio)
FM #577 - Inside Wright Old School Chocolate - 06/22/21 (audio)
FM #577 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 577 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Peter Carlson. Peter is exploring his interest in chocolates and looking to bring that old school taste to the market.
We talk about his Franklin story. How his interest in chocolates has led to crafting some ‘bean to bar’ chocolate bars for Wright Old School Chocolate. His bars generally use only two ingredients; the nibs (minus the husk) and unrefined sugar. We discuss how the taste variations can be more than ‘subtle’. The taste honors the bean and not what you get from the standard ‘big bar’ chocolates.
The recording runs about 16 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Peter outdoors on the Town Common.
*** Audio link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0736e120-7a7c-404d-9e4d-0794e33ba342
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Wright Old School Chocolate https://wrightoldschoolchocolate.com/
The book by Dandelion Chocolates mentioned https://www.dandelionchocolate.com/making-chocolate/
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Franklin, MA: The Joseph G. Ray Swimming Pool (video)
This video highlights the Joseph G. Ray Swimming Pool, better known as "the town pool".
Video link = https://youtu.be/HCKADURmr44
The Town of Franklin is now offering eBill and no fee for ACH!
Now Offering eBill & No Fee for ACH
Just a reminder that we offer our residents the convenience of online payments through UniPay. Take advantage of some great features including scheduling payments, saving payment information, viewing payment history and setting payment reminders. Best of all, you can now receive your bill, completely paperless!
To pay your taxes, have your bill and checkbook or credit card in hand, and then…
- Go to: https://www.franklinma.gov/
- Click on: "Payments and Permits"
- Select the bill you would like to pay.
- Complete each screen to process your payment.
For the residents' convenience, the Town is waiving the ACH fee when paying by electronic check.
UniBank, our banking partner, will charge a nominal processing fee for credit card payments. A fee schedule is located on the welcome page for your convenience.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/town-franklin-now-offering-ebill-and-no-fee-ach
The Town of Franklin is now offering eBill and no fee for ACH |
Senator Rausch: Beacon Hill Summer Update
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