Franklin Matters

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Senior Story Hour: May 2021 (audio)

The Franklin Senior Center reads short stories, essays, poems and more. This episode aired on Franklin Public Radio for May 2021.

Audio link = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a0aee039-8203-4172-8edb-087c70547974

Friday: 11 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM = “Senior Story Hour” – Senior Center Scribblers Group Original writing presented by the authors Listen each week on the air at 102.9 FM, and online at our website, wfpr.fm

Subscribe via Google Podcast (or your favorite podcast app)

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9zZW5pb3Itc2NyaWJibGVycy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vcnNzZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwiw1vuEwanxAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQIg

FHS' lacrosse Brigid Earley selected as Player of the Week

"Player of the Week: Brigid Earley, Franklin Lacrosse"

"Franklin junior Brigid Earley has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for June 27 through July 5. Earley is the 29th and final player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2020-21 school year and ninth in the spring season.

Earley came through with some of her biggest moments of the season last week, helping the Panthers see off Chelmsford to reach their first state title game and then nearly coming back to beat perennial power Westwood in the final. Earley, who had not played goalie for Franklin before this season (she played attack as a freshman on JV), allowed less than five goals per game this spring.

“This is her first year playing goalie and look where she brought us,” said Franklin head coach Kristin Igoe Guarino after the state final. “She’s incredible and she made some huge saves on some Div. I shooters and kept us in the game. I’m really proud of her. She learned quick and she led us to the state finals.”

Continue reading the article on Brigid
https://hockomocksports.com/player-of-the-week-brigid-earley-franklin-lacrosse/

FHS' lacrosse Brigid Earley selected as Player of the Week (HockomockSports.com photo)

"Franklin Battles Back But Falls to Westwood in Final"

"As it had for almost all of Thursday night’s Div. 1 state championship game at a packed Pisini Stadium, the Franklin defense came through with another stop when it needed it most, forcing a turnover in a tie game with the clock racing to the final horn. Overtime seemed inevitable.

The Panthers tried to clear from behind the cage, but a slip in the pouring rain and a loose ball in front of an empty goal proved decisive. It was a moment that seemed to happen in slow motion.

Westwood sophomore Ava Connaughton scooped the ground ball and, while falling, found the back of the open goal with just 12.2 seconds on the clock. The Wolverines won the ensuing draw to secure a 6-5 victory and their ninth state championship. Franklin went toe-to-toe with the most successful program in state history, but came up just short in its first state title game appearance.

“I’m so proud of this group,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igoe Guarino. “We’ve been in that situation before and for them to battle back against a really, really good Westwood team was amazing. I thought our ‘D’ was amazing, Brigid, they just made one more play than us on the offensive end. It happens, but I’m really proud of the girls, they played amazing.”

Continue reading the D1 final recap by Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com: https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-girls-lacrosse-battles-back-but-falls-to-westwood-in-final/

For a photo gallery of the D1 final https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2020-2021/Spring-2021/Franklin-Westwood-Girls-Lacrosse-07-01-21/

Franklin, MA: Past & Present Part 4 (video)

This is a video that highlights images of Franklin's past as compared to pictures that were taken from those same locations today.

Video link = https://youtu.be/StmmI0DlyuQ

ICYMI - Recent MA News

Franklin Dog Park Event - July 10

Hello dog lovers. Pet Supplies Plus of Franklin is having an event at the Franklin dog park on Saturday, July 10 from 10 AM to 1 PM.

There will be free doggie ice cream, frisbees and tennis balls for our furry friends while supply last.

We will have donations jars for the Franklin Lions Club. Bring your furry friend and enjoy the ice cream.

Thank you,

Gennarino D'Onofrio, President

Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park

dog park at Dacey Field on a sunny summer day

Fiscal Year 2022 First Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills

Treasurer Collector, Kerri Bertone has mailed the Fiscal 2022 first quarter real estate and personal property tax bills.

Payments are due by August 2, 2021.

Payments received after the due date are charged 14% interest.

Shared from the Town of Franklin page

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/fiscal-year-2022-first-quarter-real-estate-and-personal-property-tax-bills

Fiscal Year 2022 First Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills

Guitar Instructors Needed for Veteran's "Tune it Out" Program

Guitar Instructors Needed!

New TUNE IT OUT Program

We are introducing the TUNE IT OUT program and are looking for VOLUNTEER GUITAR INSTRUCTORS to teach veterans to play acoustic guitar in a group setting. Research suggests that active music engagement reduces anxiety, increases relaxation levels and improves overall well-being.

Please contact the Veterans' Services Office at: (508) 613-1315 for more information.

Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/guitar-instructors-needed

Guitar Instructors Needed for Veteran's "Tune it Out" Program

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Franklin residents: Recycling Pick-up Update - July 7

Recycling Pick-up

The attached recycle route will not be completed today (7-7-21), Waste Management will be staffing an extra truck in Franklin tomorrow (7-8-21) to recover any recycling not picked up today.

Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/recycling-pick

Update From Waste Management ~ Wednesday, July 7

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Conservation Commission

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Franklin Conservation Commission is responsible for promoting and protecting the Town of Franklin’s natural resources, and protecting the Town’s wetlands resources.

The Commission is comprised of seven volunteer residents appointed for three year terms by the Town Administrator. Current Commission members have diverse professional experience related to environmental science, biology, engineering, and project management. Because of their different backgrounds, each commissioner is able to offer a different perspective during the review of applications for a wetland permit that ultimately benefits Franklin.

Franklin has continuously been represented at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions each March, with Commissioners attending classes and workshops and talking with other Commissioners from across the state as well as lawyers, ecologists and engineers active in conservation.

The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) provides administrative and technical support to the Commission.

Permitting of Work Within or Adjacent to Wetlands Resources
The majority of the Commission’s attention is directed to administering Massachusetts and Franklin wetland protection laws and regulations. Those laws and regulations require Conservation Commission permits to work in or within 100 feet of a wetland, in the 100 year flood hazard zone, or within 200 feet of a perennial stream.

During the first quarter of FY20 the Commission voted to accept fast tracking NOI/ANRAD peer review consultant services as recommended by the Conservation Agent and DPCD. This change has helped move big projects along the permitting process more quickly.

During FY20 the Conservation Agent reviewed and administratively approved 15 minor buffer zone applications.

During FY20 the Conservation Commission received 46 permit applications to work within areas under their permitting jurisdiction. In addition the Commission issued Certificates of Compliance for previously permitted projects, and granted permit extensions to allow projects to finish. The table below is a summary of Conservation Commission activity during the 2020 Fiscal Year.

Some of the more interesting project applications before the Commission during FY20 include construction of a marijuana cultivation and production facility at 160 Grove Street and the Town’s projects off Meadowlark Lane and Griffin Road to improve water quality and reduce pollutant loading in the Chicken Brook-Charles River sub-watershed.

DelCarte Conservation Area
The Commission continues to work on the DelCarte Area (aka the Franklin Reservoirs) off of Pleasant Street. There are a series of seven “structures” (six dams that had been originally used for cranberry farming and a stone wall that beavers had dammed) along Miller brook thru the 100+ acre DelCarte Area.

The Commission retained the services of ESS, Inc. to undertake an ecological study to ascertain the flora and fauna viability in the pond and develop a long term management plan. This study, completed in 2015-2016 has given the Town a comprehensive understanding of exactly “what is there” and includes a management plan to help keep the area viable as a true recreational jewel. The first two phases of the plan’s recommendations, the treatment of invasive plant species, was undertaken in the spring/summer of 2017-2019. The Town appropriated Capital Improvement funds to help implement the next phases of this study in 2019-2020. The pond’s invasive species were treated again throughout the summer of 2020.

In addition the funds are being used to implement the ADA recommendations under the master plan developed for DelCarte. This plan, developed for the Town by Mass Audubon was presented to the Commission in the fall of 2017. The Commission began to undertake improvements to the DelCarte Recreation Area in the late summer/early fall of 2018 to bring access to the trails and the water bodies up to ADA standards and improve the overall aesthetics of the area. This portion of the improvements was completed in the spring/summer 2019.

Continue reading the report from the Conservation Commission

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Conservation Commission

Senior Story Hour: April 2021 (audio)

The Franklin Senior Center reads short stories, essays, poems and more. This episode aired on Franklin Public Radio for April 2021.

Audio link = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e93d98b9-5ba6-4146-83ea-842209526130

Subscribe via Google Podcast (or your favorite podcast app)

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9zZW5pb3Itc2NyaWJibGVycy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vcnNzZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwiw1vuEwanxAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQIg

Franklin, MA: Past & Present Part 3 (video)

This is a video that highlights images of Franklin's past as compared to pictures that were taken from those same locations today.

Video link = https://youtu.be/UKnlOOCT43s

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Charles River Pollution Control District

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHARLES RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT

During Fiscal Year 2020, the Charles River Pollution Control District’s (District) regional advanced wastewater treatment facility received and treated approximately 1,730 million gallons (4.74 million gallons per day) of raw wastewater, including 9.2 million gallons of septage from the District’s member and customer towns before discharge to the Charles River.

As part of the District’s infiltration and inflow program, the District will be inspecting the Mine Brook Interceptor Subsystem. The District will be inspecting 99 manholes, and performing closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) and multi-sensor inspections of 28,400 linear feet of pipe for signs of infiltration and inflow. This work is to be completed during FY 2021.

In late 2015, the District entered into a Power Purchase Agreement to receive net-metering credits from a solar array in Carver, Massachusetts. The array has been online since December 2015 and to-date the District has received over $350,000 in net-metering credits.

The District’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget is 1.9% lower than the previous years’ budget. The District’s FY 2021 budget for operations and maintenance is $3,743,860, while the capital projects budget is $2,217,930. Franklin’s share of the operation and maintenance and capital projects budgets are estimated to be $2,186,750 and $1,286,440, respectively.

more information on the District please check out our website at https://www.charlesriverpcd.org/.

submitted
Douglas M. Downing, Chairman (Medway)

David Formato, Vice Chairman (Franklin)

Mark Cataldo, Clerk (Franklin)
Michael Callahan (Medway)

Richard Johnson (Franklin)

CRPCD Officers:
Elizabeth Taglieri, P.E., Executive Director
John D. Foster, Treasurer
Barbara Maffeo, Executive Secretary

The full Annual Report for 2020 can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Charles River Pollution Control District

Senior Story Hour: March 2021 (audio)

The Franklin Senior Center reads short stories, essays, poems and more. This episode aired on Franklin Public Radio for March 2021.

Audio link = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ae5d74e9-5862-4223-86c5-f3665477b467

Subscribe via Google Podcast (or your favorite podcast app)
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9zZW5pb3Itc2NyaWJibGVycy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vcnNzZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwiw1vuEwanxAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQIg

Franklin, MA: Past & Present Part 2 (video)

This is a video that highlights images of Franklin's past as compared to pictures that were taken from these same locations today.

Video link = https://youtu.be/L7sy7yY2B0w

Monday, July 5, 2021

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Building Inspection Department

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT

The Building Inspection Department is a multi-functional office responsible for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair and occupancy of all residential, commercial, business and industrial uses for both existing and new construction in accordance with the Massachusetts Building Code.

The department is responsible for the administration, interpretation and enforcement of the following codes:

Massachusetts State Building Code - 780CMR
Town of Franklin Code - Zoning – CH 185
Mass. Electrical Code – 527 CMR
Mass. Plumbing & Gas Code – 248 CMR
National Fuel Gas Code – NFPA 54-2002
Sealer of Weights and Measure – G.L. CH 98
Architectural Access Board – 521 CMR

Hours of Operation

The Building Inspection Department’s hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m., Wednesday 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m. and Friday 8:00a.m.- 1:00p.m.
For your convenience, you may visit our website: at www.franklinma.gov this site contains a series of forms easily accessible and available to download. The website provides permit applications, sample plot plans, sign regulations, swimming pool instruction manuals, shed/barn instruction manuals, zoning criteria and other information necessary to process a permit or to simply provide information to the public.

Building Department Staff
Building Commissioner/Zoning Officer: Lloyd Brown
Inspectors:
Inspector of Wires: Bernard Mullaney

Asst Wiring Inspector: James Loughlin

Plumbing/Gas Inspector: Richard Cornetta
Asst Plumb/Gas Inspector: Richard McCormick

Local Building Inspector: Stephen O’Neill

Sealer of Weights & Measurers: Comm. of Mass. /Div. of Standards

Staff Assistants
Judy Demers
Melissa Kiriacopoulos/Zoning Tyler Paslaski

Lloyd Brown, Commissioner of Buildings, is responsible for all construction trade inspectors, municipal maintenance and supervision of all construction, zoning interpretation and determination, pre-planning and review of all subdivisions and proposed construction and improvements and general input for all other municipal departments and construction-related inquiries.

FY 2020 started off with the promise of moving into online permitting and it didn’t disappoint. In short, our permit module Viewpoint was as smooth a transition as you could ask for. Our ZBA clerk Leeanne Kerwin worked with Chrissy Welton and IT to bring a much anticipated tool to the table. Leeanne moved onto a Job in the Town of Dighton and is sorely missed, as she was an outstanding employee.

Barbara Curran also a long time ZBA clerk for us retired at the beginning of the year. Barbara was as good as they get with over 20 years of service to the town. Melissa Kiriacopoulos was hired in January as ZBA clerk and has excelled as permit clerk as has Tyler Paslaski our latest hire.

Continue reading about the Building Inspection Department

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Building Inspection Department

SAFE Radio: Marijuana Regulation (audio)

In this episode, Jim Derrick and Dr. Anne Bergen talk about marijuana use disorder, the high amounts of THC in modern marijuana strains, and the bills being prepared to help regulate THC levels in medical marijuana.

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/219dcc30-0022-4dec-b14e-e7a8c9fbebd5

Listen to SAFE Radio at 102.9 or wfpr.fm on Tuesdays at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM

Subscribe for other episodes via Google Podcast (or your favorite app)

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vc2FmZS8

Franklin, MA: Past & Present Part 1 (video)

This is a video that highlights images of Franklin's past as compared to pictures that were taken from those same locations today

Video link = https://youtu.be/t_7iyGmbrCU

Sunday, July 4, 2021

4th of July Celebration - Sunday, July 4 - Schedule

Franklin 4th of July Celebration

Sunday, July 4

12-5 pm: Rides and food booths open (WRIST BANDS FROM 12-5PM)

12-1 pm: Michael Rivelis (solo acoustic)

1:30-3 pm: Granite Brass (bringing spirited music to those who served our country)

3:30-4:30 pm: Jamie Barrett (solo acoustic)

Check July 4th Coalition Facebook page for schedule updates

https://www.facebook.com/franklin4th/

Visit the July 4th Coalition page to donate and for other information

https://www.franklin4th.com/

Franklin July 4th Coalition

carnival ride from 2018 4th of July celebration

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Board of Assessors

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS

Interim Revaluation
The interim revaluation of all real and personal property in the Town of Franklin was completed Fall 2019 in preparation for Actual Fiscal Year 2020 3rd quarter tax bills. Following is a brief review of that achievement.

Data Collection
Eighteen years have now passed since we installed the real estate valuation and assessment administration software developed by Patriot Properties, Inc. Because our start-up data was from a different form of valuation system and most of our data had not been refreshed in nearly ten years, it was necessary to complete a town- wide data recollection program prior to finalizing the FY 2005 valuations. Patriot Properties was hired for this task. Over the past 15 years, our appraisal staff has performed the on-going property exterior measuring and interior inspecting for all real estate classes. Such reviews are done for the Department of Revenue (DOR) required cyclical program, as well as for building permitted changes, pre-appraisal, abatement and sales verifications.

Field Review
In addition to individual property on-site review, field reviews are required periodically to check for obvious data accuracy and consistency. This drive-by review provides another level of assurance that when valuation schedules are applied, the results will be “Fair and Equitable”.

Commercial/Industrial/Apartment Valuations

Annually there are analyses of sales data as well as income & expense market data. The Board contracted Patriot to work with our Director to establish an income approach to value for each property. All requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue were met through final approval of the FY 2020 valuations.

Sales Analysis
The majority of the sales analysis was completed by September 2019, and the interpretation of sales continued through the next two stages of valuation. The town-wide program resulted in a valuation system that was applied uniformly throughout the town, while reflecting all the adjustments warranted individually and by neighborhood, to result in “Full and Fair Cash Values” as per Massachusetts General Law.

Value Generation
A system of valuation was established based on valid property sales and where applicable the income approach to value. These schedules
concluded from the market were then uniformly applied to all taxable and exempt real property.

Final Value Review
Final reviews were completed in preparation for the DOR review. These include studies of various computer- generated reports to check for value consistency, final field checks required, and for DOR documentation and its analyses.

DOR Review & Final Approval
Any on-site and statistical reviews by the DOR took place from April to September 2019. The appraisal staff provided files, generated property records, answered questions and addressed any concerns. At the conclusion of the DOR review, we were granted approval authorizing public disclosure.

Public Disclosure
The DOR approved valuations were available for disclosure to the property owners. While the administrative staff provided property record cards and general data reviews, the appraisers conducted informal hearings on valuations.

Personal Property
Business assets and those of utilities are reviewed for valuation as taxable Personal Property. For nineteen fiscal years we have engaged the specialized services of Real Estate Research Consultants (RRC) in the discovery and valuation of these accounts. These services have served us well, resulting in DOR approval and consistently defendable valuations. Also, considerable new growth has been certified annually. Additionally, the RRC Personal Property Software installed in our office has benefited us. The personal property valuation formulas are very straightforward, and the administrative capabilities have met our needs.

Classification Hearing & Tax Commitment
Following some discussion and a few presentations relative to single versus split tax rates, the Council approved a single tax rate at $14.51 per $1,000 of taxable value as calculated by the Board for all property classes. The tax commitment and mailing were timely for an actual 3rd quarter tax bill.

Abatement Reviews
Upon mailing of the tax bills and on or before the due date of the first actual bill, property owners have an opportunity to file an Abatement Application on the basis of overvaluation or misclassification. 60 abatements applications were filed of 11,681 taxable accounts, or just over 1/2 of 1%. Generally those with merit were resolved through our conducting a complete on-site exterior measuring and interior inspection. Usually a valuation discrepancy is the result of a data error or as a result of an inspection appointment not being arranged and thus the property data having been “estimated”.

Continue reading about the Board of Assessors

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Board of Assessors

SAFE Radio: Tim Kennedy (audio)

In this episode, Jim Derrick and Dr. Anne Bergen talk with Tim Kennedy about substance abuse disorder, his own recovery and services available.

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/740fc8c8-aee7-4c94-9757-db75cb12c5b2

Listen to SAFE Radio at 102.9 or wfpr.fm on Tuesdays at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM

Subscribe for other episodes via Google Podcast (or your favorite app)

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vc2FmZS8

Franklin, MA: The Rhode Island and Massachusetts Railroad (video)

This is a video that highlights the RI and MA Railroad that connected Franklin and Valley Falls, RI

Video link = https://youtu.be/SYmALfqqNXI

Saturday, July 3, 2021

4th of July Celebration - Saturday, July 3 - schedule

Franklin 4th of July Celebration

Saturday, July 3

12-10 pm: Rides and food booths open (WRIST BANDS FROM 12-5PM)

First Annual Franklin Blues Festival: 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm

2-3:15 pm: Padula Trio Plus One (Franklin’s own playing jazz/blues standards

4-6 pm: Slam Allen Band (blues, soul and R&B to deliver a powerful performance)

6-8 pm: Mike Crandall Band featuring Bruce Bears ( blues & swing music)

Check July 4th Coalition Facebook page for schedule updates

https://www.facebook.com/franklin4th/

Visit the July 4th Coalition page to donate and for other information

https://www.franklin4th.com/

Franklin July 4th Coalition

carnival rides as they were being set up for the 4th of July Celebration

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Agricultural Commission

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRANKLIN AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION

The Franklin Agricultural Commission was officially established in 2018 after a group of residents who were interested in promoting local agriculture organized a steering committee to find most effective way to promote and sustain our local agriculture and farms. Working with the Town Administration and Town Council the AgCom was formed with the mission to preserve, revitalize, and sustain the Franklin agricultural industry and its lands: encourage the pursuit of agriculture, promote agricultural- based economic opportunities, and protect farmland. The Agricultural Commission is a 5-person appointed commission with 2 associate members. In 2020 we welcomed new Associate Member CJ Koshivas from Fairmount Fruit Farm.

Although the Covid 19 Pandemic greatly curtailed our efforts in 2020, the AgCom has maintained an active presense in the community. We have kept our AgCom page on the Town of Franklin website up to date with information about our local farms and other initiatives. Our Facebook Page is also active in keeping the public aware of what is going on in our Franklin Farm Community. On the Facebook page we feature videos and pictures of local farms and other agricultural events and keep the public aware of what is happening and how they can support our local agricultural community.

Early in the Pandemic we reached out to local farms to see if there was any way that we could offer them assistance. Our farm community banded together to support each other and the citizens of Franklin working to make healthy and local food easily available. Fairmount Fruit Farm brought in new local vendors and worked hard with a curbside pick up and delivery program. Local citizens were key in supporting these farms and we hope that these partnerships and local interest in farms will continue to grow stronger in the future.

The pandemic has paused the expansion of our Pollinator Pasture project, but we are ready to go when it is safe to work in groups again! With the wide and often discriminate use of pesticides in our society, bee populations have been declining. Pollinators are vital to our food supply and our Pollinator Pastures are a no spray, no mow area planted with native bee friendly plants where pollinators can feed without worry. The project has been very well received and we are excited to expand to additional sites, work with our schools on adding Pollinator Pastures to some of the school grounds, and to add a certification for private Pollinator Pastures so residents can help the bees at their homes too.

In an effort to educate the public and reduce the use of pesticides in the community we have also worked with the DPW to create an opt out list of sidewalk glyphosate spraying. We were excited to add additional properties to our original list of 180 properties that opted out of DPW glyphosate spraying. We will continue to work with the Town and DPW to find healthier and more environmentally friendly ways to keep the Town of Franklin looking nice in the coming year.

Saving our remaining Farmland and Open Space are important to the AgCom. We continue to work with the Town Administrator, members of the Town Council, SNETT, Metacomet Land Trust, and concerned citizens to find ways to conserve and preserve the open lands in Franklin. We are hopeful that the passing of the CPA will assist in this endeavor and look forward to working with the CPC committee to improve the Town of Franklin.

Members of the AgCom have been active in advocating for Agriculture both in town and statewide. We are a member of the Massachusetts Association of Agricultural Commissions (MAAC) and have attended MAAC annual meeting and Boot Camps on a variety of agriculture related issues. We have quarterly meetings with AgComs from surrounding towns and work with them to support and promote our agricultural industry regionally.

Although the Covid 19 Pandemic has made it more challenging to meet some of our goals, the Agricultural Commission is excited for the future. We have created some great programs that we will continue to build upon and grow and are grateful to have increased interest and awareness of our local farms. We have big plans and invite the citizens of Franklin to join us on our mission to keep our families and our environment healthy and to increase the visibility and viability of our local Franklin Farms and help us introduce farming to the next generation.

The full Annual Report for 2020 can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Agricultural Commission

SAFE Radio: Cope (audio)

In this episode, Jim Derrick and Dr. Anne Bergen talk with Detective Mike Colecchi from the Franklin Police Department about substance abuse and a community approach to getting Franklin residents help.

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/073eba9f-65a7-4872-ab44-760b8cd97d11

Listen to SAFE Radio at 102.9 or wfpr.fm on Tuesdays at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM

Subscribe for other episodes via Google Podcast (or your favorite app)

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vc2FmZS8

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

Friday, July 2

6-10 pm: Rides and food booths open

8-10 pm: Duppy Conquerors (testimonial to Bob Marley’s spirit and his music)

Check July 4th Coalition Facebook page for schedule updates

https://www.facebook.com/franklin4th/

Visit the July 4th Coalition page to donate and for other information

https://www.franklin4th.com/

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

REPORT OF THE 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.

Continue reading the Town Clerk section of the Annual Report for 2020

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Clerk's Office

SAFE Radio: Learn to Cope (audio)

In this episode, Jim Derrick and Dr. Anne Bergen talk with Joanne Peterson from Learn To Cope about the services they offer for families dealing with substance abuse.

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/52dfec30-ae34-476f-b8b1-ff737cce96c6

Listen to SAFE Radio at 102.9 or wfpr.fm on Tuesdays at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM

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