Franklin Community Garden Updates

Happy Spring! 

Just a reminder: Opening day at the Franklin Community Garden is April 23. Volunteers are needed to help: put out hoses and sprayers, fill one of the flower boxes with soil, put down some clover and move the picnic benches to their proper location. Come and meet your fellow gardeners! Amend your soil, plant some seeds, put up some cages and plan out your garden! Hoping for a sunny day! 

May 14 is a seed and seedling exchange from 11-1. This is a time change from a previous email. White Barn Farm in Wrentham  is having their plant sale that same morning staring at 9. We like to be there to get the best selection. If you go and purchase some plants and then discover you have too many then you can exchange for something else at our exchange from 11-1. Sometimes plants come packed in 6's or 8's and you only want 3 or 4. Great time to exchange!

If you are planning to start your plants from seeds you should have already started your pepper plants, eggplants, and tomatoes indoors. If you are interested in a growing snap peas, then you now can plant the seeds right in your garden bed. If you are interested in growing greens (lettuce, arugula, kale, shard, etc.) and or root crops (carrots  and radishes) you can plant those in your garden beds. If you have a row cover, then you can cover them. If not, some straw or hay will protect them a bit.  At the end in the month you can start from seed indoors: squashes and flowers can be started indoors also (like zinnias and marigolds)!

See you on April 23rd! 

Franklin Community Garden Updates

Shared from Recreation Dept email update

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_XsC4PFbZ-9t-wryiFwaHERqkSyetFp6/view?usp=sharing

“Remote access is the latest instance of universal design"

"Many byproducts of the pandemic cannot disappear too soon – the illness, the social isolation, the toll constant anxiety is taking on our collective mental health. Yet some societal changes have become a silver lining to the pandemic – the realization that some jobs can be done as efficiently at home, the convenience of telehealth, and increased access to government by livestreaming public meetings.

The first real debate about whether to cut off that access has come from the Governor’s Council, the body that vets and confirms judicial nominees."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/should-remote-access-to-government-continue-2/ 

hybrid Town Council meeting early in March 2022

Town of Franklin: April 2022 E-Newsletter

Lots of news, updates, links and more! Stay informed about what is happening in Franklin!

Subscribe for News April 2022 Edition Franklin for All - Stay Involved! We had incredible participation in the Franklin for All public forum. Over 600 residents contributed to the Visioning Survey. Our project consultants at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council will use feedback to create the zoning recommendations. The draft recommendations will be presented to the public again some time in May - June. Franklin for All is a study with the MAPC aimed at rezoning Franklin center for economic growth and diverse housing opportunities. Sign up for the Franklin for All email list to be updated on all future engagement opportunities! April Break with the Rec Department! Looking to keep the kiddos entertained this upcoming April break? The Recreation department has you covered. Their April break programs includes street hockey, flag football, art explorations and even a Snapology Robot Extravaganza where kids can explore robotics! Register for their programs here! Department of Public Works Hydrant Flushing - April 4 This program is conducted annually to improve Franklin's water quality and fire flows. Residents may experience temporary water loss or discolored water while hydrants are being flushed in their area. Please visit our website to find out where we will be working each day. We appreciate your patience during flushing! See where Hydrant Flushing is happening! Storm Water & Rain Barrels The Spring Residential Rain Barrel Program is currently open to residents - residents can order directly from The Great American Rain Barrel Company. The deadline to order is May 9th and pick up will be at the DPW on May 18 from 4-6pm. Order your rain barrel today! The rain barrel program is one of many residential and commercial credit incentives to support Storm Water Utility. Learn more about the Storm Water Utility and what it may mean for you here. Franklin Police Department Autism Awareness Month The FPD is providing Autism Awareness Seatbelt Covers at the station to anyone who may need one. These covers serve to help first responders when interacting with persons with autism. In addition, we encourage everyone to fill out the Autism Elopement Alert Form. This form is used to help first responders understands a person's typically behavior, preferred method of communication, tracking information, etc. Access the Autism Elopement Alert Form here. International Women's Day On March 8, the FPD recognized International Women's Day. Since 2016, the FPD made it a goal to diversify its hiring standards including hiring more female officers. The department currently has 6 full-time police officers; Officer Tara Lagoa, Detective Leanna Baker, Officer Amanda Ayer, Officer Andressa Rosa, Detective Laura Canavan, and Officer Victoria McVicar. Promotions & New Hire This past month we formally welcomed Officer Derek Mackey to the FPD. Officer Mackey joined the department in December 2021 after serving with the Blackstone and Pittsfield Police Departments. Officer Laura Canavan was promoted to Detective and Officer Connor Crosman was promoted to Patrol Sergeant. Congratulations and good luck to Officer Mackey, Detective Canavan, and Sgt. Crosman.  Connect with FPD Facebook & Instagram: @franklinmapolice Twitter: @franklinpolice Veterans' Services & Senior Center April 6 – Veterans' Coffee Social – 10am at the Senior Center. Please join us for a celebration of the Starbucks team this month! All veterans are welcome to join us for coffee and conversation! April 14 – Veterans' Council Meeting – 7pm at the Senior Center. All members of the community interested in veterans' activities are invited. April 14 – Air Force Reserve 74th Birthday April 23 – Army Reserve 114th Birthday The Tune It Out guitar lessons program for veterans meets on Tuesdays at 5:30pm at the Senior Center. There is no charge for lessons and no guitar experience is required. Call the Veterans' Services Office for details. Stay tuned for info about our Memorial Day Celebrations – May 27 (Breakfast), May 30 (Parade & Ceremony on the Town Common). Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or mask will be required at all Veterans' events and activities. Common Grounds Cafe at the Senior Center! The Grand Re-Opening of the Common Grounds Cafe will take place April 11. Breakfast 8:30am - 10:30am and lunch 11:00am- 1:00pm. We are excited to welcome our new Chef Anne Scungio! Stay connected with the Senior Center! Franklin Public Schools Superintendent's Recommended Budget Our FY23 Budget also continues services to support "Pandemic Recovery" utilizing both Operating Funds as well as Federal Grant funding to prioritize: social-emotional supports, academic interventions, health and safety practices, and continued support of technology integration. The budget also prioritizes and recognizes growing needs within our student body. Despite overall student enrollment going down, we are seeing more intensive needs by students receiving special education services. We are also experiencing an increase in our English learner population, with more students overall and more students with limited or interrupted formal education and/or earlier language proficiency. The budget is an iterative process. It is anticipated the School Committee will vote on a final budget on April 12. Finance and Town Council budget meetings will be in May. Learn more about the FY 23 Budget here. Franklin Public Library Library Event Highlights April 8 & 9 - Book Sale Calling all bookworms! There will be a book sale Friday from 1pm-5pm and Saturday from 9am-12pm the $5 bag of books promotion will also be on the 9th from 1pm-4pm. April 11 - I.D.E.A. Club Inclusion, Diversity and Equity are Awesome Club meets the 2nd Monday of every month at 4pm. Our story times celebrate all of the ways we are different and wonderful. Come read, sing, play and learn with us! April 16 - Baby Sensory Join us at 9:30am for a 45 minute immersive sensory experience, best for babies under 2. Got older siblings? they can bring along a stuffed toy or baby and play along! April 30 - Author Talk: Letters from Red Farm Join our Author Talk with Elizabeth Emerson at 3pm as she dives into the Untold Story of the Friendship between Helen Keller and Journalist Joseph Edgar Chamberlin. Library Hours The Library's regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm, and Sunday 1:30-5pm. The Library will be closed on Sunday, April 17 and Monday, April 18 in Observance of Easter Sunday and Patriots' Day . Library Calendar of Events - April 2022 Real Estate Exemption Application Forms Franklin Residential Property Owners, certain blind, senior, veteran or widowed owners may be eligible for an exemption if they haven't already applied since July 1, 2021; these applications are due by Friday, April 1, 2022 at 1pm. The FY23 Exemption Application Forms will be available after July 4th. FY23 Business Asset Forms of List were due by March 1st; and FY23 Commercial-Industrial-Apartment (4 or more)-Mixed Use (Commercial & Residential) Income & Expense forms were due by March 11th. Late filings on the latter two (2) forms should be done immediately. Questions on Forms of List, Income & Expense Forms, or Exemption Applications should be directed to the Assessors Office, 1st Floor Municipal Building, or phone (508) 520-4920. Thanks very much to all owners & residents for your continued cooperation in our efforts to assure you of fair & equitable taxation. - Franklin Board of Assessors Town of Franklin Calendar Keep up with meetings, departments & committees. The schedule and links can be found on our website calendar. Keep up with all things culture in Franklin! Arts, theater, dining, live music & more! Find out what's happening in town! Visit our website! Talk Franklin: Podcast from the TA's Office Subscribe to our Town podcast and listen to bi-weekly episodes detailing news and updates about our town. Town of Franklin 355 East Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 (508) 520-4949 Visit our Website

Town of Franklin | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by communications@franklinps.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

7th Annual Empty Bowls Event - May 19

7^h Annual Empty Bowls Event 

to Benefit the Franklin Food Pantry  

 

Annual Event Back In-Person with Traditional Soup and Bread Dinner 

 

 

The Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club will again host an Empty Bowls dinner to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry on Thursday May 19. The event will take place at Franklin High School in the cafeteria from 6 to 8 PM. The club partners with the Franklin Food Pantry to create hand-made empty bowls to give to attendees as a reminder of the many "empty bowls" that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger.  

The event will feature a traditional soup and bread dinner, ceramic bowls to take home that the students have made, an online and in-person art auction, and a giving wall.  Attendees can purchase tickets online (http://weblink.donorperfect.com/EmptyBowlsTicketSales2022) until noon on Thursday, May 19.  Tickets may also be purchased at the door with cash or check only.  The online auction will open on May 18 at midnight and will run through 

June 1. 

 

"After two years of smaller events, we are so excited to be able to bring back Empty Bowls in its original intent," said Tina Powderly, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. "It's a wonderful way to raise awareness about our neighbors in need while partnering with the community.  We could not run this event without the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club and FHS Art Teacher Brenna Johnson. Brenna works tirelessly with the students to educate them about hunger in the community – awareness that they take forward in life after school - and helps them to create beautiful bowls for guests to take home."  

Johnson said, "I love Empty Bowls and it's one of the best things I have ever been a part of!  As a teacher, I'm so glad I can help students learn that they can make a difference in the lives of so many families with their art."

 

Empty Bowls is an international grass roots effort to fight hunger and raise funds to support local pantries. The Franklin Food Pantry and the FHS Empty Bowls Club work together to support the cause locally.

For more information about the event, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org or call 508-528-3115. To sponsor the event please visit here. 

 

About the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club 

Franklin High School is participating in an international charity project called Empty Bowls, which supports hunger initiatives in local communities. The objective of the Empty Bowls Club is to teach students of all ages that they can make a difference in their local community. Club members, their families, coupled with the Franklin community spend the year making ceramic bowls by hand. Then, the Empty Bowls Club and the Franklin Food Pantry co-host a fundraiser at FHS. All funds raised at this event are donated directly to the Franklin Food Pantry.  

 

About the Franklin Food Pantry  

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to almost 1,100 individuals per year. The Franklin Food Pantry is not funded by the Town of Franklin. As a private, nonprofit organization, we depend on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and other strategic partners.  

We are grateful for our many partnerships, including that with the Greater Boston Food Bank, that allow us to achieve greater buying power and lower our costs. Donations and grants fund our food purchases, keep our lights on, and put gas in our food truck. Other programs include home delivery, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin school children in need, mobile pantry, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages.  

The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.   

7th Annual Empty Bowls Event - May 19