St. Vincent de Paul Announces Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 25, 2021

Each year, the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Mary’s Church walks to bring awareness to the Franklin Community of the struggles some residents experience that impact their daily lives. For thirty years, SVdP has been helping people in need in regardless of race, religious beliefs or ethnic background.  The SVdP members work closely with many charitable and government organizations in Franklin.

The SVdP members are all volunteers. Members assist people in a number of ways to help them retain their dignity and to help them to become self-sustaining. Some ways in which the SVdP society assists those in need include:

• Guide them to other resources, both state and charitable
• Provide clothing and furniture through our SVDP Thrift Stores
• Supply non-perishable food and paper products from our pantry to supplement other food resources
• Assist financially during an unexpected crisis helping to pay rent, medical, car repairs etc.  

Last year we helped Franklin Families 345 times for $59,319.00

This year walk participants will follow a route around the town common. Participants may walk between one and three miles. One time around the common is a third of a mile.  Registration opens at 8 AM. The walk begins at 9 AM.

If you would like to support our mission of helping residents of Franklin in need, you may make a financial donation in one of two ways.

1. Send a check to: SVDP 1 Church Square Franklin, MA 02038 Or   
2. Online to the SVDP team at: https://www.fopwalk.org/event/2617

If you have any questions, please call SVDP 508-918-2291. All donations stay in Franklin and all information is kept confidential.

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JkMmLv0oDBGLMbPE0G4s1l-akAU-yehn/view?usp=sharing

Annual Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 25

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Cultural District Committee

The Cultural District Committee is an appointed volunteer board formed to provide oversight and management of the Town’s Franklin Cultural District. The Cultural District Committee (CDC) is comprised of up to seven members, all of whom are Franklin residents.

CDC’s mission is to enrich and inspire our residents and visitors by fostering local cultural, artistic, culinary and historical development aligned with local partners in a defined walkable area that is easily accessible and serves as the center of cultural economic activity. The CDC has been working to collaborate with Franklin’s cultural district partners, focusing on supporting and participating in their efforts.

The Goals of the CDC’s work include: Actively promoting the arts by attracting local artists and supporting cultural activities within the Town; Encouraging business and job development; Helping to preserve and promote the Town’s historical sites and events; Building community spirit within Franklin and encourage civic involvement; and Helping to create an appealing, attractive, and vibrant destination for tourists.

Formal status as a “Massachusetts Cultural District” was awarded on January 18, 2019, by vote of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) Board of Directors. Each year the Town is required to file a report to MCC regarding the status of the Cultural District, outline goals for the coming year, and provide a summary of how the Town utilized any MCC funding.

During FY20 MCC awarded Franklin Cultural District a $5,000 grant; the majority of funds went towards providing the Cultural District’s Partners with small grants for collaborative arts and culture events and activities.

Since the CDC was created in FY18 the CDC has enjoyed participating in a variety of annual events within the Cultural District and region. In October 2019 CDC members participated in Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Harvest Festival. On June 3, 2020 two members of the CDC participated in the MetroFest: At Home Edition! to highlight the Franklin Cultural District and its arts and culture resources.

In the spring of 2020 the CDC organized a Cultural District Photography Scavenger Hunt Contest. This was seen as a great opportunity for participants’ to learn more about the Franklin Cultural District while using their artistic talents and skills. Residents were invited to exercise creativity while maintaining a safe physical distance from others due to COVID-19. Four winners received gift cards to their chosen Franklin Cultural District Partner.

Social Media The CDC continues to work hard to market the Cultural District in a variety of ways, including the Franklin Cultural District’s new website (www.franklinculture.org), use of Constant Contact, and creation of a monthly newsletter.  In order to promote awareness of cultural activities and events throughout the Franklin community the CDC has worked to create a vibrant social media presence: 

Facebook;  www.facebook.com/franklinculturema

Twitter @franklin culture   https://twitter.com/franklinculture

Instagram @franklinculture  https://www.instagram.com/franklinculture/

The CDC holds regular monthly meetings, and subcommittees comprised of Committee members and partners meet as needed. In addition, CDC hosts quarterly Cultural District Partners meetings. These meetings rotate among weeknights and locations in town in an effort to provide flexibility in attendance, as work schedules vary throughout the town. The meetings are publicized through social media, as well as print media. All meetings are open to the public. During the last three months of FY20 the CDC held its meetings remotely via the Zoom platform. The CDC and its Partners will continue to improve the Cultural District area, build upon our current strengths of performing arts and art education, strive to create opportunities for all arts and culture related organizations and individuals, and continue to support and promote the arts throughout the Franklin Community.

Franklin’s Cultural District Committee consists of the following residents:

• Nancy Schoen, Chair
• John LoPresti, Vice Chair
• Pandora Carlucci, Clerk
• James Barrett 
• Roberta Trahan 
• Evan Chelman

Respectfully submitted, 

Nancy Schoen, CDC Chair

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: Cultural District Committee 

Franklin Cultural District Updates and Events for August, 2021

The newsletter was shortened for publication here, to review the full set of contents, check this link  https://www.franklinculture.org/about/pages/newsletter

August Issue

Volume 2|August 3, 2021 Franklin Fridays ...... in the Cultural District Friday, August 6 FARMERS MARKET 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Town Common  Touch a Tractor sponsored by Franklin Ag Committee 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Halley Elwell, singer/songwriter  (Sponsored by Franklin Cultural Council & Mass Cultural Council)   3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Farmers Market Fun, Franklin Public Library CONCERT ON THE COMMON, Franklin Recreation Department  5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. - David Penza  6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. - Backyard Swagger  MOVIE NIGHT 8:00 p.m., Franklin Recreation Department  Friday, August 13 FARMERS MARKET 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Town Common   2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Heath Nisbett, acoustic guitar   3:30-4:30 p.m. Farmers Market Fun, Franklin Public Library   4:00-6:00 p.m. Hockomock YMCA, family events and group classes CONCERT ON THE COMMON, Franklin Recreation Department   5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. - Matt Zajac    6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. - Pub Kings THE BLACK BOX , 7:30 p.m. Legally Blonde, The Musical (ticket information) Friday, August 20 FRANKLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Book Sale FARMERS MARKET 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Town Common   3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Farmers Market Fun, Franklin Public Library   2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Kaye Kelly, vocalist, artist information CONCERT ON THE COMMON, Franklin Recreation Department 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Heather Deary Acoustic 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Carolyn Rae & the Rumors MOVIE NIGHT, 8:00 p.m., Franklin Recreation Department  Friday August 27 FARMERS MARKET 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Town Common  2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Luke DeRoy (Sponsored by Franklin Cultural Council & Mass Cultural Council)   3:30 p.m.-4:30p.m. Farmers Market Fun, Franklin Public Library   4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Hockomock YMCA , family events and group classes LA CANTINA WINERY - Ayla Brown, (ticket information here) THE BLACK BOX at 8:00 p.m. - The Zajac Brothers Band, (ticket information here) Please note: Events may be subject to change. Check the organization's website or Facebook page; links are included above. Welcome from the Chair ...  It is hard to believe that we are now halfway through the summer of 2021. Throughout the early summer we have seen life begin to return to pre-pandemic levels. Summer programs that were cancelled last year have enrolled many students, restaurants are busy and our Franklin Farmers' Market has seen record numbers of people in attendance. Our Franklin Historical Museum enjoyed a robust reopening and is now once again able to resume the popular "Second Sunday Series", on Sunday, August 8th. Throughout the month of August THE BLACK BOX will offer a variety of performances including a production of "Legally Blonde" beginning on August 11th. As we all begin to venture out more let's continue to support all of our local businesses and arts establishments right here in Franklin. Regards, Nancy Schoen, Chair

Franklin Dog Park Event for Aug 5 rescheduled for Aug 11

The event schedule for Thursday August 5 at 2:30 at the Franklin Dog Park has been canceled. 

It has been rescheduled for Wednesday August 11 at 2:30 PM.  Heather Swails-McCarron, Senior Multimedia Journalist for the Country Gazette will be there to talk to pet owners and take pictures of your pet for the Gazette.

Franklin Dog Park Event for Aug 5 rescheduled for Aug 11

50+ Jobseekers Program Final Summer Session - Aug 24, 2021

Summer Series

G2G and Jeopardy Game!

 

The answer is: "The final Give-to-Get (G2G) session for the 20-21 50+ Job Seekers Networking Program and Jeopardy party!"

The question is: What's happening Tuesday August 24^th at 10am?

Join us as we celebrate another season of helping mature job seekers and career switchers. 

We're going to separate you into teams and play classic Jeopardy!

Up to ten teams will compete, with each member of the winning team receiving a free 20-minute coaching session!

Following the Jeopardy game, you can participate in a classic G2G Networking session, during which you can:

·       Network with other job-seekers

·       Review material from previous workshops

·       Obtain help

 

G2G Networking sessions are not presentations.

You decide what to do.

Tuesday August 24^th 10:00 am -12:00 pm
Virtual Doors open 5 minutes before session begins.

Hosts: Melody Beach, Susan D. Kelly, and Ed Lawrence

 

New to the program? Registration is Required: https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

Already in the program? Use the same Zoom link you used to attend our spring and summer 2021 sessions.

Download the flyer as a reminder for this event:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZDEcsPIXDI5FF0uBnHPnYWMT8iIqcZKL/view?usp=sharing

50+ Jobseekers Program Final Summer Session - Aug 24, 2021

Volunteers Needed for Harvest Festival

Harvest Festival Volunteers Needed Please pass the word to friends, family and clients that we need volunteers for the October 2 Harvest Festival. We will need more than 50 volunteers to make this year's festival run smoothly.   Please email the FDP office  downtown.franklin@yahoo.com if you are able to volunteer. Thank you for your support, Harvest Festival Committee Franklin Downtown Partnership • 774-571-3109 • FranklinDowntownPartnership.org

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin, MA: Board of Health Meeting - Aug 4, 2021

Franklin Board Of Health 

Wednesday, August 4, 2021, 5:00 PM

Training Room, 3rd FL – Room 326

AGENDA

1) Reading and Acceptance of July 7, 2021 meeting minutes

2) OLD BUSINESS

3) NEW BUSINESS

• Chapter 196 Bare Feet, this chapter prohibits bare feet in business establishments adopted in 1975.
• Chapter 226 Food Service Establishment, this chapter has three articles. Article 1 requiring dishwashers in all food service establishments.
• Article 2 requires personnel to be trained for anti-choking procedures.
• Article 3 requires sanitary practices adopted in 2006.
• Chapter 238 Manicurist Establishment, this chapter is to regulate the manicure business and permit the business adopted in 2002.
• Chapter 235 Laundromats, this chapter is to permit the establishment adopted in 1976.
• Chapter 240 Massage Therapy/Facility, this chapter is to protect the public health, safety and welfare with regards to the practice of massage therapy adopted in 1994.
• Chapter 246 Motor Oil Sellers, this chapter is to protect the groundwater supply and surface water from contamination by hazardous and toxic material adopted in 1989.
• Chapter 254 Smoking, this chapter is for food establishments to design a smoking area for smokers adopted in 1988.
• Chapter 261 Tobacco Products, this chapter is to regulate businesses in the retail sale of tobacco products adopted in 2006.

COVID Recommendations for Schools

Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

4) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

5) ADJOURNMENT

Agenda document with remote connection info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/boh_agenda_r8042021_0.pdf

Franklin, MA: Board of Health Meeting - Aug 4, 2021

Franklin Election 2021: What does the Board of Assessors do?

While the Town Council votes to set the tax rate annually, the calculations on what the tax rate should be are based upon the valuations of all the commercial, industrial, residential, and personal property that Franklin has record of. These calculations are performed by the Assessors under the oversight of the elected Board of Assessors.

The state has changed the requirement for a property revaluation from every three years to every five years.

There are three members of the Board. One position is up for election this year. All three positions are four year terms of office and staggered to avoid a complete replacement and loss of institutional knowledge.

From the Town of Franklin Board of Assessors page
http://www.franklinma.gov/board-assessors

Mission
Establish and maintain valuations for all real and personal property within the community for purposes of generating tax revenues.

Services and Programs
Valuation, classification and assessment of all real and personal property for tax purposes. Conduct research of real estate market (including sales and ratio studies); prepare sales and other reports for state review and certification of values. Prepares and certifies abutters lists. Processes abatements, liens, and apportionment. Maintains assessors' maps, plans, property transfer records, and valuation data. Processes all real and personal property abatements and exemptions. Processes and abates motor vehicle excise. Prepares data for state approval of tax rate.

Inquiries regarding the valuation of residential property, industrial and commercial valuations, or questions about personal property valuations should be directed to Kevin W. Doyle, Peter Mooney or David Ruberti.

Questions regarding abatement and exemption applications, abutters lists, motor vehicle excise, ownership of real and personal property and general assessment data should be directed to the clerical support staff.

The Board of Assessors section in Franklin Annual Report for 2020 can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

 

Franklin Election 2021: What does the Board of Assessors do?

audio from the Franklin Matters Q&A session held on July 22, 2021

FM #587 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 587 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin Matters Question and Answer (Q&A) session held on July 22, 2021. The session was coordinated with Ariel Doggett of the Franklin Senior Center and conducted via Zoom. 

This is the audio recording of the brief presentation and then the Q&A discussion we had. A copy of the presentation document is linked below. 

We did have an interruption in the recording (at approx. 18 mins)  as my network connection hung up. Ariel provides a brief recap of what was discussed while I was trying to reconnect. We managed to continue without another interruption.

The August session scheduled for Aug 28, 2021 will be hybrid. I plan on being in a room at the Senior Center and make the Zoom link available for folks to participate virtually.

The recording runs about 48 minutes, so let’s listen to the Franklin Matters Question and Answer (Q&A) session.

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/faf2ba27-a404-4223-bbd2-ed41f0ec7fa8

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Presentation link -> https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-matters-qa-july-22-2021 

Demographics study by FPS ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/2-25-20_demographics_presetation_0.pdf 

Building study by FPS ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis/files/facilities-assessment-report 

Wfpr.fm podcast collection -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/franklin-matters-radio.html

Franklin Senior Center ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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"

audio from the Franklin Matters Q&A session held on July 22, 2021

Link to presentation doc used during the session

https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-matters-qa-july-22-2021

 

Franklin Matters Q&A - July 22, 2021 from Franklin Matters