Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Franklin Cultural District - Arts happening Here (through May 25)

Highlights for the Franklin Cultural District events today through May 25, 2022. #ArtsHappenHere


Wednesday, May 18

Memory Café
11:00am - Franklin Matters Q&A (Senior Center & virtual option)

1:00pm - “Where’s the toast?” Memory Café at the Senior Center

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/memory-cafe-wednesday-may-18-features.html 



Thursday, May 19

8:30am - Town Council Office Hours (at the Senior Center)

Empty Bowls simple supper
Empty Bowls simple supper
6:00pm - Empty Bowls (at the FHS cafeteria) ticket at Food Pantry page or at the door

https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/empty-bowls-2022/ 

6:00pm - FHS Film Fest (at the FHS auditorium)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/get-ready-for-fhs-film-festival-2022.html 

7:00pm - 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node (virtual meeting)


Friday, May 20

Fair, Yates, Betschart & McCrossan at THE BLACK BOX, Fri - July 16
Fair, Yates, Betschart & McCrossan at THE BLACK BOX
7:30pm - Fair, Yates, Betschart & McCrossan (at THE BLACK BOX)

https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1556&month=05&year=2022 



Saturday, May 21

9:00am - Earth Day DelCarte Celebration 2022 (DelCarte playground parking lot)

https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/earth-day-2022-delcarte-cleanup-event  

10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am - Recycling & Energy Event (Beaver Pond/Chilson Beach)

Recycling & Energy Event
Recycling & Energy Event

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/get-ready-for-saturday-may-21-recycling.html 

4:00pm - FAA Art Show Reception (at 67 Degrees) 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/7-faa-members-show-their-art-at-67.html 

4:00pm - FSPA Spring Concert 2022 (at Medway High School)

https://www.fspaonline.com/events.php?id=1559 

7:00pm - FSPA Spring Concert 2022 (at Medway High School)

https://www.fspaonline.com/events.php?id=1559 


Sunday, May 22

1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)

FSPA Spring Concert 2022
FSPA Spring Concert 2022
1:00pm - FSPA Spring Concert 2022 (at Medway High School)

https://www.fspaonline.com/events.php?id=1559

4:00pm - FSPA Spring Concert 2022 (at Medway High School)

https://www.fspaonline.com/events.php?id=1559 

 

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!
Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Town of Franklin Earns AAA Bond Rating

Amid pandemic restabilization, Town achieves major peak 

For the first time in the town’s history, Franklin was awarded a AAA (Triple-A) bond rating by Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings. Progressing from the Town’s previous AA+, the new rating is indicative of exceptionally high creditworthiness in the eyes of municipal bond issuers.

“Achieving a AAA Bond Rating is the ultimate team accomplishment in local government” said Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen. “The rating reflects the unity and collaboration of everyone involved, past and present, including the Town Council, Finance Committee, boards and committees, department heads, staff, and the residents of the community. It’s like winning the Super Bowl. Everyone had to do their job to get this victory.”

Despite economic and social uncertainty posed by the pandemic, Franklin’s stable financial portfolio, performance and management has positioned the town’s reserves to its highest levels ever. The behavior and actions of the Town have resulted in the community being in the strongest position to continue to perform should fiscal stressors arise.

A ratings report published by S&P Global Ratings outlines the following as the primary contributing factors in achieving Franklin’s AAA rating:

●  Four consecutive operating surpluses, increasing reserves to its strongest levels ever with management projecting ongoing maintenance at these levels, as Franklin continues to work through their capital improvement plan

●  Prudent budgetary modifications amid the pandemic supported by great financial policies to position the town well as fiscal year 2023 approaches

●  Franklin’s employment and tax base saw little deterioration amid the pandemic which indicated a resilient and affluent local economy

●  Ongoing economic development projects and a strong real estate environment resulting in substantial tax base growth which keeps tax rates low and affordable

●  Maintenance of a favorable debt profile

●  Manageable pension and other postemployment benefits (OPEB) costs

“The Town Council, Finance Committee and all of our town staff have established strong financial policies and have remained committed to them,” said Hellen. “The support from the Town’s elected officials is without question a signature factor in the bond rating for their continued support of the staff’s professional expertise. But, the foundation for this achievement is having a great finance team that helps to see beyond the data, providing intelligent information for strategic short and long-term decision-making. I can’t say enough about the work of Finance Director Sandini, Treasurer-Collector Bertone and all of the employees who work in the finance offices. We’ve been zoned in on this goal for years and I am very happy for the entire team to achieve it.”

“The pandemic has only made the Town of Franklin more resilient and productive than ever before,” Hellen said. “With a AAA bond rating, ISO-1 Fire Department, a soon to be fully accredited Police Department and reducing liabilities, such as OPEB and Stormwater, with modest, common sense, slow-but-steady policies, the Town is as prepared as we have been to meet future challenges.”

This press release on the Town of Franklin’s AAA Bond rating was shared from here:  https://www.franklinma.gov/comptroller/pages/aaa-bond-rating

The Standard & Poor's rating letter can be found online: 

Town of Franklin Earns AAA Bond Rating
Town of Franklin Earns AAA Bond Rating

Info on the clothing drive scheduled for Saturday was left off the mailer; as you drive to recycle Saturday don't forget the clothing!

In addition to the items mentioned Monday for the Recycling and Energy Drive scheduled for Saturday, May 21 at Beaver Pond/Chilson Beach - Clothing is also being collected. 

DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi has this message to provide the update on Project Just Because (https://www.projectjustbecause.org/)


Or view the embedded Facebook post here ->


In case you missed the mailer (via US Postal Service) 

as you drive to recycle Saturday don't forget the clothing!
as you drive to recycle Saturday don't forget the clothing!

Is there a film festival at FHS? Yes, this Thursday evening!

"Do you want to attend a real film festival held right here at FHS? Well, you’re in luck! On Thursday May 19th, the annual festival makes a return. It will be held in the auditorium and starts at 6:00 PM. Even better, admission is completely free! That’s right… FHS students and teachers can go to the movies for FREE! 

The feature presentation is the world premiere of Solar, a 25 minute short film produced by Mr. Bailey’s film production class. The story plays homage to Alien, Ridley Scott’s 1979 blockbuster. Students wrote, edited, filmed, and even acted on screen. Check out the exclusive clip shown above!" (clip actually below in this sharing)

Continue reading Grace Tucceri's article online
 



Reminder: 7 FAA members show their art at 67 Degrees beginning May 21

Seven Franklin Art Association members are having an art show at 67 Degrees starting May 21 through the end of June. 

There is a reception planned for May 21 from 4-6 PM. 67 Degrees plans to have a food truck on site that evening for those wanting to have something to eat.

The participating artists are Dick Fotland, Tina Guarino, Peg Munson, Kai Olsson, Lisa Piana, Sue Sheridan, and Christine Toubeau.

We are excited for the opportunity to share some of our art at this venue. Please join us and help us celebrate our art.  

7 FAA members show their art at 67 Degrees beginning May 21
7 FAA members show their art at 67 Degrees beginning May 21

Summer Classes Are Here! Register now for badminton, men's basketball, or Vinyasa yoga


Badminton is a racquet sport. The ideal sport for those who like to be kept on their toes.
7 Wednesdays beginning 7/6
$84/person
Looking for a night of fun and exercise? Join us for a great workout and some friendly competition. Basketball is a great way to de-stress and add variety to your routine.
7 Tuesdays and/or Thursdays beginning 7/5
$84 person
Yoga, which has been around since the 15th century, helps to quiet the mind & improve health, for all levels - whether you are a beginner or experienced. Join us for a great way to spend the summer.
5 Wednesdays beginning 7/6
$55/person
Lifelong Community Learning - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street, Room 137, Franklin, MA 02038

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Franklin For All - recommendation presentation for you to read and think about

The Franklin For All project got an update from MAPC on the proposed recommendation Monday, May 16 in a hybrid forum at THE BLACK BOX. 

While the presentation should have been made available before hand to create an informed discussion that night, it is now available for us all to read, review and think about.

What should downtown Franklin be in the future? What do we need to consider doing to get there?

You can find the presentation on the Franklin For All site  https://www.mapc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Public-Forum-2-Presentation_updated-5-16.pdf

Or read the embedded copy here


A photo album capturing most of the presentation pages as well as the other items displayed on easels around the room can be found online

word cloud create from the survey results gathered by MAPC
word cloud create from the survey results gathered by MAPC


Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, May 18, 2022

  • wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Wednesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)
  • This slot features  the recent Making Sense of Climate episode #8  

10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)
  • This hour features the recent "Talk Franklin" episode with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen


  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:29 am Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19
7:30 am It Takes A Village
8:30 am Memorial Day Breakfast 2019
10:00 am Memorial Day 2021
11:30 am Whole Health Visions: Cheryl Bagangan
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Quinoa
12:30 pm Sandhya: Donuts
1:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: The New Opioid Dangers
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 1
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7
6:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Grillin'
6:30 pm Concerts on the Common: Pub Kings & Padula Band
9:30 pm The Black Box: Broadway in Franklin 2022


  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Elementary Music Pt. 1 06-04-18
8:30 am All-Town Showcase: Chorus and Orchestra
10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini
11:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Tennis: v Taunton 05-11-22
1:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v King Philip 05-09-22
3:00 pm Community Arts Advocacy Day: A Discussion
9:30 pm FHS Varsity Baseball: v Taunton 05-11-22


  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council: 05-04-22
2:00 pm Town Council: 05-04-22


Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Memory Café - Wednesday, May 18 features PE James

The Franklin Senior Center invites you to join us at our "Where's The Toast" Memory Café this Wednesday, May 18 at 1 PM.  PE James will be entertaining us with songs we all know and love.

Memory Café - Wednesday, May 18 features PE James
Memory Café - Wednesday, May 18 features PE James
Memory Cafes are a safe space for those with memory loss and their caregivers to socialize and engage.  

Cookies and juice will be served. Please RSVP to adoggett@franklinma.gov or call the Franklin Senior Center  at 508-520-4945.  Please feel free to share and invite those you think might be interested.

Ariel

--
Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator
Respite Coordinator
Supportive Day Coordinator


"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll
There is no act of kindness too small

The Franklin Farmers Market is a place to grow your nonprofit awareness. Apply now for a table this summer!

 Via the Franklin Farmers Market:

"Did you know we have a table available for FREE to any non-profits in the area?

That’s right, our Community Table is the perfect place to spread your mission to the local community and make connections!

Head to the link in our bio to apply for your spot today!"

Link =>  https://www.franklinfarmersmarketma.com/2022-community-table 

Follow the Farmers Market on Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/franklinfarmersmarketma/

Did you that the Franklin Farmers Market is a place to grow your nonprofit awareness?
Did you that the Franklin Farmers Market is a place to grow your nonprofit awareness?

FHS baseball, softball, and both girls and boys lacrosse, and tennis teams posted wins on Monday

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

Baseball = Mansfield, 0 @ Franklin, 4 – Final 
– Franklin took the lead with a run in the first, added three in the third, and that was enough for junior Alfred Mucciarone as the Panthers prevailed from a tight contest with a win over rival Mansfield. In the bottom of the first, Chris Goode drew a two-out walk, stole second, and then scored on an RBI single up the left side by Evan Raider. The Panthers struck again with two outs in the third as sophomore Henry Digiorgio hit a base-clearing double to left to score Ryan Gerety (walk), Jack Marino (single), and Raider (single) to make it 4-0. Mucciarone tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits — a two-out single in the fourth, a one-out single in the sixth, and a two-out single in the seventh, but none advanced first — and two walks (both in the top of the third) along with 10 strikeouts.

Softball = Franklin, 8 @ Mansfield, 3 – Final 
– Franklin rallied with six runs in the top of the seventh inning to come back from a run down and pick up a big road win. Freshman Sarah Boozang delivered the big hit, coming on as a pinch-hitter and smacking a double that plated the tying and the go-ahead runs in the top of the seventh. Juniors Georgia Harvey (run, RBI) and Katy Liberman (two runs) each had two hits on the day while Hannah Cacciapaglia (run) and Julia White (two runs, RBI). Aislinn Lavery got the win, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks, striking out eight for the Panthers. each had a triple. After the Panthers jumped ahead 2-0 in the second, Mansfield answered back with a pair of runs in the third on a Julia Kelly single and Olivia DeTrolio homer. Jill Koppy gave the Hornets their first lead with a solo homer in the fifth, but the Panthers turned the game on its head with a six-run seventh. Callie Lake and Alanna Conley also had hits for Mansfield.

Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 16 @ Foxboro, 8 – Final 
– Tommy Sharkey scored half of Foxboro’s goals, while Tony Sulham, Dylan Kerrigan, and Sully Kenneally each netted one for the Warriors. Adam Addeche had a strong game in goal with 10 saves.
FINAL = Franklin 16. Foxboro 8
Sacchetti: 3G, 1A
Davis: 5G, 6A
O'brien: 1G, 2A
Hansen: 2G, 3A
https://twitter.com/FranklinHSLax/status/1526321847020793857

Girls lacrosse = Foxboro, 3 @ Franklin, 18 – Final 
– Franklin earned a big win against fellow division leader Foxboro to close in on another league title. This is the 96th consecutive league win for the Panthers (92nd in a row under head coach Kristin Igoe Guarino). Kaitlyn Carney led the way for the Panthers with six goals. Kate O’Rourke had four goals and pulled down seven draws and Katie Peterson had two goals, three assists, and five draws. Stella Regan added a hat trick, Jackie O’Neil had a pair of goals, and Lindsay Atkinson found the back of the net once for Franklin. Freshman Ella Mahoney made five saves to pick up the win in goal. Cate Noone scored twice and Paige Curran had one goal for the Warriors. Mary Collins had an assist and Audrey Campbell made a pair of saves in the loss.

Boys tennis = Franklin, 3 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final 
– It took a second-set tiebreaker at second doubles and a tightly contested three-set battle at first singles, but Franklin prevailed with a 3-2 win in a great match against rival Mansfield. Senior Vayshanv Malhotra split the first two sets but took care of business in the third set to win 6-7, 6-7 (1), 6-2 for the Panthers’ lone point from singles action. The team of seniors Tim O’Keefe and Thomas Broyles rolled to a 6-1, 6-1 win at first doubles while the team of sophomores Jay Gorgas and Ahan Shetty prevailed with a 6-4, 7-6 (6) win at second doubles to get the win for Franklin. Mansfield freshman Neema Khosravani took a 6-1, 6-2 verdict at second singles and sophomore Iniyan Karruppusami secured a 6-0, 6-1 win at third singles for the Hornets.

Girls tennis = Mansfield, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final 
– Franklin won all five matches to defend home court against Mansfield, inching closer to a division title with the victory. Izzy Trull dropped just one game in a 6-0, 6-1 first singles win, Chloe Essum grabbed a 6-4, 6-0 win at second singles, and Sarah Schiavo prevailed 6-3, 6-4 in a hard-fought battle at third singles. The team of Allison Bagley and Vedika Vinayak won 6-2, 6-2 at first doubles while Amulya Jayam teamed with Shriya Rajesh for a 6-3, 6-0 second doubles decision.

For other results around the Hockomock League
FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

The journey rather than the destination is a hiking theme through much of this Talk Franklin episode (audio)

FM #798 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 798 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge.

Conversation around the following topics with a common thread of peaks and valleys, journey more important than the destination:

Welcome back

Friday 13th

 

So much good happening

  • Fire dept ISO Class 1

  • Clean audit report

  • AAA bond rating

  • DPW water conservation award

 

Where do you go from here?  The challenge is greater to maintain this

 

Budget through Finance Committee

Next up Town Council (May 25, May 26)

 

MAPC forum and recommendations


The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie as we “Talk Franklin”.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-798-talk-franklin-05-13-22

--------------

Town of Franklin meeting calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar 

Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Franklin For All -> https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/ 

--------------

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!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


The journey rather than the destination is a hiking theme through much of this Talk Franklin episode (audio)
The journey rather than the destination is a hiking theme through much of this Talk Franklin episode (audio)

“If we give nature a chance, and back off from fighting it, it comes back”

REP. PATRICIA HADDAD of Somerset, long a powerful figure in the Massachusetts House, is now also the star of a new documentary written, directed, and produced by California-based filmmaker Kiki Goshay about America’s love affair with energy.

The documentary’s strength is the long look it takes at the country’s haphazard energy evolution from one president to the next, and from one crisis to the next. The story is told using Haddad and Somerset as the laboratory where those twists and turns play out – often with devastating personal and environmental consequences.

Continue reading the article online

Listen to this episode of The Codcast  https://soundcloud.com/massinc/empowered-somerset


Senate President Karen Spilka with a brief video on May as Mental Health Awareness Month (video)

Senate President Karen Spilka with a brief video on May as Mental Health Awareness Month


 

Looking for a Job? Consider stopping at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets - May 19

Full-time & part-time positions available at Wrentham Village Premium Outlets retailers & restaurants. The United Regional Chamber of Commerce members will also be tabling on the turf area to promote local business's hiring. Come with your resume for on the spot interviews & more.

Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 4 PM

Wrentham Village Premium Outlets

Looking for a Job? Consider stopping at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets - May 19
Looking for a Job? Consider stopping at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets - May 19