Town of Franklin: newsletter for January 2023

News for the New Year, Tax Info, Adopt-A-Hydrant, Family Friendly Events and more!

Subscribe for News January 2023 Edition At a Glance! February Break will be here in no time. The Recreation Department has plenty of programs to keep you busy during the break. Register and secure your spot today! Keep an eye on the mail! FY23 3rd quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax bills have been mailed from the Treasurer/ Collector and are due on February 1st, 2023. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the Town's Regroup system. Subscribers will get important public safety notifications to their email or cellular device. We're Hiring: Sign up for job alerts and view our list of current part-time and full-time employment opportunities! From Winter to Spring with Public Works Adopt-A-Hydrant Great neighbors do great things...like adopting a fire hydrant during the winter months! The Franklin Department of Public Works has created a program that gives residents the opportunity to help the Fire Department ensure hydrants are clear and visible after a snow storm. If you happen to have a neighbor who you know is unable to clear a hydrant near their property themselves, you can let DPW know and they will mark it as high priority on the map. Community service hours are also available. Learn more about the Adopt-A-Hydrant program and sign up here to claim your hydrant today! Get Rain Barrel Ready 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 9 and pick up will be at the DPW Admin office (257 Fisher St) on May 17 from 4-6pm. Order your rain barrel today! Christmas Tree Collection Christmas Trees will be collected the week of January 9, 2023 during normal trash/ recycling curbside pick up. Please be sure to remove all decorations! Franklin Public Library Event Highlights! January 4 – Virtual Author Talk with Maureen Johnson and Jennifer Lynn Barnes Get some face time with YA authors Maureen Johnson and Jennifer Lynn Barnes; as Maureen Johnson launches her latest book in the Truly Devious series, and Jennifer Lynn Barnes is fresh off the release of her latest Inheritance Games book! Event begins at 7pm. Register here. January 11 – Teen Vision Board Making Teens! Join us at 5:30pm for a special edition of Book Bites where we will be making vision board collages for 2023. Snacks and supplies provided, you bring the vision! January 28 – Ask an Organizer Get to know local home organizer Danielle Nicholas (Oasis Organizing Solutions). Starting at 2pm, she'll share tips & tricks that will help you maintain functional living/work spaces to start your new year off on the right foot. Remote option available here. Volunteer Tutors Needed for ESL and Adult Literacy Program The Franklin Public Library is seeking Volunteer Tutors to support the launch of the English as a Second Language and Adult Literacy Program, which will serve Franklin and its surrounding communities. To volunteer, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, demonstrate patience, and be able to speak English clearly. Prior teaching experience or Franklin residency is not required. Volunteer Tutors will be given training and all supporting materials will be provided. The time commitment is one orientation session, 18 hours of tutor training, and to meet with your student 2 hours per week for one year. If interested, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala, or fill out the registration form. Library Hours The Library's hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am-8pm., Friday and Saturday, 9am-5pm, and Sunday 1:30pm - 5pm. The library will be closed on Sunday, January 1 and Monday, January 2 for News Year's Day. The library will be closed Monday, January 16 for Martin Luther King Day. Library Calendar of Events - January 2023 Veterans' Services Veterans' Services January 4 – Veterans Monthly Coffee Social – 10am at the all Veterans are invited! January 9 – Veterans' Council Meeting – Interested in veterans' activities and events? Join the meeting at 7pm at the Senior Center. January 23 – Book Signing – Massachusetts author Sue Bavey will discuss and sign copies of her book, Lucky Jack (1894-2000) Memoirs of a WWI POW, which chronicles the life and escapades of Jack Rogers, who was born in London in 1894 and passed at age 106. Join from 11am-2pm. January 27 – Vietnam Peace Day – The Paris Peace Accords arranged a ceasefire which officially ended America's involvement in the 20-year Vietnam War (1973). Holiday Helper Appreciation Many thanks to Richard Douglas, Dick Hynes, Bob Markunis and Rose Turco for helping us hang holiday wreaths on the Veterans Memorial Walkway. Additional thanks to all who donated patriotic decorations (and combat boots) for our Veterans' Christmas Tree at the Senior Center Winter Wonderland event. Special thanks to Kathy Lesica for her help and amazing creativity! 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! Contact the Veterans' Services Office at 508-613-1315 or access their department page to learn more. Senior Center Monthly Mobile Food Pantry The Franklin food Pantry and Hockomock YMCA have partnered with the Senior Center once a month. Come Wednesday, January 11 at 11am to receive a bag of stable items, choice of protein, and dairy items! Talk Turkey with the Police Department The Franklin Police Department is trading in the cruiser for a crockpot...during the lunch rush of course! They will cook and serve a delicious Turkey Dinner for our seniors on Friday, January 20 at 11 am! Attendees will enjoy Musical Singo at 11am and food will be served at noon! Stay in the know! Sign up for the monthly Senior Center Connection Newsletter! Questions? Visit the Senior Center website here or call us at 508-520-4945. More Senior Center Happenings Eat Around the World is back! – Once a month we will learn about a country and try out its delicious cuisine! For January we will experience Jamaica on Friday, January 27 at 11am! Call to Register! Pizza and Movie Night – Get your ticket to watch the new Rom/Com "Ticket to Paradise" starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney on Thursday, January 12 at 4:30pm. Must call to sign up by Wednesday, January 11. $3/person (includes pizza and a movie). Local Stores and Businesses – a presentation by Joe Landry on Wednesday, January 4th at 1pm/ Assessors Update All Franklin resident and business owners: The tax Rate for Franklin has been set for Fiscal Year 2023 at $12.58 per $1,000 of taxable value. Tax bills were mailed at the end of December. Timely 3rd Quarter tax payments and Real Estate or Personal Property Abatement Applications must be made by the close of business on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Exemptions for blind, senior or veteran homeowners: All applications from July 2022 - December 2022 have been reviewed, processed an distributed credits by the Board of Assessors. For those possibly eligible who haven't applied for an exemption since July 1, 2022, applications may still be filed before April 1, 2023 for FY23. The Board has up to 3 months to determine eligibility, thus filing soon is encouraged. Business Owners: Business assets are requested to be reported locally annually by submission of a MA State Form of List. All accounts in business as of January 1st must file a Form of List with the Assessors Office by March 1, 2023 for FY24. Real Estate Owners of Commercial, Industrial, Apartments w/4 or more units, or Res/Com/Ind Mixed Use (CIAM) properties will soon receive a request to confidentially file real estate Income & Expense data with the Board of Assessors. The cooperation of these property owners is essential and appreciated in the interest of establishing Fair & Equitable Valuations to achieve fair levels of taxation. Questions? Visit the Assessors website or call their office at 508-520-4920 Speaker Series to Pair with 'Train Town Franklin' Exhibit Sunday Speaker Series History buffs and tiny train enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the first Sunday Speaker of 2023. On Sunday, January 8 at 1pm. Joe Landry will present the history of trains that rolled through Franklin with an additional concentration on the Circa 1932 Franklin Train Station currently on display at the Historical Museum. Additionally, the Museum will be collecting paper towels for donation to the Franklin Food Pantry, please consider donating paper towels if you are able. Train Town Franklin Exhibit "Train Town Franklin" is the first in a series of annual dioramas which will feature a Historical Exact replica of the area around the train depot, circa 1932, a time when the rhythm of the daily trains set the pace for a small New England Town - and news from 'down at the depot' was the news everyone wanted to hear! The structures in this exhibit are built to exact scale from photographs and films taken from that period. Franklin native Scott Mason utilizes his historical knowledge and model building skills to bring this exhibit to life! The exhibit will run through February 5, 2023 and will be open to the public every Saturday 10am- 1pm and Sundays 1pm-4pm with the exception of holidays. 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 town news and updates. 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!

CommonWealth Magazine: "Understanding the new concept of zoning capacity"

The first of a five part series by CommonWealth Magazine on the MBTA community zoning changes underway in Franklin (and elsewhere). The Economic Development Subcommittee is leading this effort which is active. 

Any proposed changes got to the full Town Council for referral to the Planning Board before coming back for discussion and vote to approve. There is plenty of time for asking questions or providing input but the time is NOW. 

"THERE IS A NEW concept in zoning, invented this year by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In promulgated guidelines, the concept has been dubbed “minimum multi-family unit capacity.” I refer to the concept as “zoning capacity.”

If you live in a community served by the MBTA, the concept may soon animate discussions at your town or city hall, or in local on-line forums, or between neighbors about how much multi-family housing the community should allow."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/what-the-mbta-communities-law-means-for-your-town/

The recent discussion between Town Councilors Melanie Hamblen and Cobi Frongillo is insightful on this topic. Listen here ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/downtown-zoning-discussion-with.html

examples of current Franklin housing from Cobi's bike ride around Franklin

CommonWealth Magazine: "Mass. shows interest in financing Maine wind project"

A 1,000 MEGAWATT onshore wind project planned for northern Maine and an associated transmission build-out “would provide benefits to Massachusetts and the region,” the Mass. Department of Energy Resources said as it determined that it makes sense to have Bay State ratepayers cover 40 percent of the project costs as part of a multi-state clean energy effort.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission selected the two projects — Longroad Energy’s King Pine 1,000 MW land-based wind generation project and LS Power Base’s 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line project — in October to fulfill that state’s clean energy law requirements. The anticipated net cost of the two projects is $1.7 billion over 30 years, but the Maine PUC directed its staff “to look to other states to assess if there are partnerships that could reduce the costs to Maine.”

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/mass-shows-interest-in-financing-maine-wind-project/

CommonWealth Magazine: "Mass. shows interest in financing Maine wind project"

Follow events in outer space with NASA's 2023 calendar

"Happy New Year!  

Here's to another year in space with our International Partners as we plan exciting missions, spacewalks, and science benefitting humans on and off the Earth.  

Download our 2023 calendar... https://go.nasa.gov/3C5LAHu"

Follow events in outer space with NASA's 2023 calendar 

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/Space_Station/status/1609580214010449920

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023

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

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM  Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder 

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

7:00 am Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony

9:00 am It Takes A Village: D'Angela Alberty

10:00 am Frank Presents: Jack Boyland

11:00 am Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Cookies

11:30 am Senior Connection: Traditions

12:10 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad

12:40 pm Sandhya: Donuts

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 1

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 11

3:30 pm ConCom Fall Gathering

4:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History Pt. 6

4:30 pm Senior Center Christmas 2022

5:30 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records

6:00 pm ArtWeek: Ed Iannuccilli

7:00 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta

7:30 pm Joe Landry: Franklin Trivia

9:00 pm The Black Box: Beth Leavel

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

7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022

9:00 am Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

11:00 am Cultural District: Brent Selby

12:00 pm FHS Winter Chorus & Orchestra 2022

1:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History Pt. 6

2:00 pm It Takes A Village: D'Angela Alberty

3:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Canton 12-21-22

5:20 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Foxboro 12-20-22

8:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Carlsbad 12-28-22

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

8:00 am School Committee: 12-13-22

12:00 pm Economic Development: 12-14-22

2:00 pm School Committee: 12-13-22

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)

Economic Development Subcommittee + Steering Committee Meeting Agenda for Jan 4, 2023

Economic Development Subcommittee + Steering Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 4, 2023 - 5:45 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building, 2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda: 

1. Lot Line Clean-Up 

a. 23-891: Area on and near Lincoln Street 

2. Zoning 

a. 22-889: Use Regulations Schedule - Residential 

3. Next meeting date a. FFA priorities memo

The agenda doc contains remote participation information

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/1-4-22_edc_agenda.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee + Steering Committee Meeting Agenda for Jan 4, 2023

One book, One Community -> Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation

What is "One Book, One Community?"

The goal of the Franklin Library’s One book, One Community program is to help build a better sense of fellowship through a shared reading experience.

What are we reading?

Beginning January 1st, 2023, we'll be reading Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler, adapted by John Jennings and Damian Duffy. The novel, first published in 1979, is Butler’s most celebrated, critically acclaimed work and tells the story of Dana, a young black woman who is suddenly and inexplicably transported from her home in 1970s California to the pre–Civil War South. As she time-travels between worlds, one in which she is a free woman and one where she is part of her own complicated familial history on a southern plantation, she becomes frighteningly entangled in the lives of Rufus, a conflicted white slaveholder and one of Dana’s own ancestors, and the many people who are enslaved by him.

During numerous such time-defying episodes with the same young man, she realizes the challenge she’s been given: to protect this young slaveholder until he can father her own great-grandmother.

For more about the book and this reading  https://vbuchanio.wixsite.com/onebook 

One book, One Community -> Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation

FHS boys hockey tops East Greenwich 7-1 on Sunday

Game Results: Franklin 7 E. Greenwich 1 

(Shots Franklin 40 E. Greenwich 9) 

1st period Recap:

Boys got it done this evening, didn't have their usual fire but a dub is a dub. The boys found the net early just 2 minutes into the game Jack Wernig was rushing the net and dumped the puck over to Carter Balducci for the backdoor goal. About a minute later Anthony Lampasona slides it across the crease to Ben Paterson for the shot, the rebound finds Dan Daley's stick in front and he puts it home. Franklin up 2 goals early. Vinnie Pasquarosa and Tommy Balducci would have some nice shots, but nothing found the back of the net. E. Greenwich found the net late in the first to make it 2-1 but the rest of the period was uneventful. Jack O'Connor was between the pipe and saw 4 shots in the first period.

2nd period Recap:

The boys would start the 2nd on the PK, another quiet period until the about the 8-minute mark when Anthony Lampasona finds Ben Paterson on the 2vl for the goal making it 3-1Franklin. At about the 10-minute mark Franklin would find themselves on the PK again. About a minute into the PK Logan Marchand put himself in the line of fire to block a shot that ricochets into the neutral zone. Logan Marchand follows the deflection and takes it on the breakaway to beat the goalie making it 4-1 Franklin. Forwards Mike Gates, Zach Langevin, Pat Daley had some strong shifts presenting some good opportunities. While Liam O'Rielly, Carmine Iannuzzi and Aidan Kuykendall played strong defense that would contribute to another scoreless period for E. Greenwich. As we were just about to close the period Ben Paterson steals a puck and freezes the goalie and snaps it top shelf for the goal making it 5-1 at the end of 2 periods. Jack O'Connor had a solid period and would serve up the donut.

3rd period Recap:

The period is quiet until Lucas Sheehan bumps it to Vinnie Pasquarosa who finds Dan Daley entering the zone and slides it to Anthony Lampasona in the slot and buries it. On the ensuing faceoff Ryan Sicchio chips it forward to Ben Jarosz who slides it to Dylan McEvoy on the 2vl who slides it back to Ben Jarosz for the goal. Saw some good shifts by forwards Sam Jette, Nick Weber, Rhys Greenwood and some nice Defensive shifts by James Donovan and Lucas Sheehan to round out another scoreless period for E. Greenwich. Jack O'Connor served up another donut and gets the dub.

Player of the game goes to Ben Paterson.

Good to get the Holidays behind us, some work to do with a ¼ of the season down and some good hockey in front of us.

Franklin takes North Attleboro on 1/4 in Attleboro puck drops @5:30PM.

Shared from https://twitter.com/FHSPantherHocke/status/1609766934400192514

FHS Panthers

Reminder: A new Support Group for Parents forming at St John's

A new Support Group for Parents of Children struggling with Mental Health, Autism, ADHD, or other challenges is forming at St John's

Love Parenting is a 6-week series created by Collette Potts, who also created the Love First children's curriculum that St John's uses.

Rev Kathy will moderate this group on Thursdays, Jan 12 - Feb 16, 2023. Contact her if you are interested.  https://lovefirstresources.com/loving-parenting/
 
For more information:
Call 508-528-2387 Email Rector@StJohnsFranklinMA.org
Like us on Facebook  and Twitter
See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org  

St John's Episcopal Church

Register O'Donnell Wraps Up 15th Annual Toys for Tots Drive

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell and Registry Staff delivered donations from the Registry's Annual Toys for Tots drive to Staff Sgt. Fetrow, Sgt. Ponte, and Cpl. Silveria, representing the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, during a pickup event on Dec. 7th.

With the help of the local community, business owners, and staff, the Registry collected more than 100 gifts during the drive.

"I would like to thank everyone who generously donated to the Registry's 15th Annual Toys for Tots Drive. We are grateful for the service of all veterans past and present and are, as always, honored to partner with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in their annual toy drive, which helps make the holiday brighter for so many," said Registrar O'Donnell.

The Registry of Deeds has collected over 1,600 donations for Toys for Tots since 2007.

"We can't possibly do this without the support of the local community, and seeing people come out to donate means everything," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Fetrow. "By doing an event like this, you get to witness the best side of people and know that these donations are going to give children, who might not otherwise have had the opportunity, a happy Christmas."

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Toys for Tots. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program's mission is to help less fortunate children experience the joy and happiness associated with Christmas. The program operates in more than 800 cities and towns throughout all 50 states. Since 1947, the national program has delivered more than 627 million toys.

Register O'Donnell expressed his gratitude for the generosity of county employees, title examiners, attorneys, and residents from across Norfolk County in contributing to this year's Toys for Tots Drive.

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on Facebook at facebook.com/norfolkdeeds. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @norfolkdeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Why did the US just ban TikTok from government-issued cellphones? | TikTok | The Guardian

"The US government has approved an unprecedented ban on the use of TikTok on federal government devices. The restrictions – tucked into a spending bill just days before it was passed by Congress, and signed by Joe Biden on Thursday – add to growing uncertainty about the app’s future in the US amid a crackdown from state and federal lawmakers.

Officials say the ban is necessary due to national security concerns about the China-based owner of the app, ByteDance. But it also leaves many questions unanswered. Here’s what you need to know.

Why did the ban happen?

The US government has banned TikTok on federal government-issued devices due to national security concerns over its China-based parent company, ByteDance. The US fears that the Chinese government may leverage TikTok to access those devices and US user data."

Continue reading the article online at The Guardian ->

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/dec/30/explainer-us-congress-tiktok-ban

This is the most recent step to prevent US data being exposed to China. A recap of the security and privacy issues involved can be found online

https://www.cisecurity.org/insights/blog/why-tiktok-is-the-latest-security-threat

   

The US Congress banned the use of the TikTok app on government-issued devices. Photograph: Florence Lo/Reuters

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Jan 2, 2023

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

9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Todd Monjur
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews

11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM A More Perfect Union – Discussing American Politics and Current Events - Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, State Rep Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States

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

8:00 am SAFE Coalition: Task Force

9:00 am FHS Theater Company: Cinderella

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad

12:30 pm Sandhya: Donuts

1:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Appetizers

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 1

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 11

5:00 pm Senior Center Christmas 2022

6:00 pm Addressing Hate in School Sports

7:30 pm Frank Presents: Jack Boyland

9:00 pm The Black Box: Beth Leavel

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

8:30 am Pack 92 Pinewood Derby 2022

10:30 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022

12:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Foxboro 12-20-22

2:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Task Force

3:00 pm FHS Band

4:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Carlsbad 12-28-22

6:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History Pt. 6

7:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v St. John's Shrewsbury 12-20-21

9:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Canton 12-21-22

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

8:00 am Planning Board: 12-19-22

12:00 pm Economic Development: 12-14-22

2:00 pm Planning Board: 12-19-22

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)

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2023!

The "watch list" of Franklin topics will get updated for 2023 as we close out calendar year 2022. Storm water has been on the list for a couple of years. 

• Will storm water remain on the watch list? 
• What else should be on the watch list? 

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

** Please respond to the survey to add your items to the "Watch List" for 2023 **

Share this link with your friends & neighbors -> https://forms.gle/btGoikjpCydB3dmXA

And if you haven't already subscribed for the one email you receive daily with all the Franklin news, please consider doing so ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

Storm water fee information  https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division 

The map of the impervious area for each property

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Meeting Agenda for Jan 4, 2023

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 4, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building - 2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. November 30, 2022

b. December 14, 2022

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation: Franklin Chargers 4th Grade Football Team

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled.

6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm - None Scheduled.

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. National Register Historic Districts in Franklin - Vicki Earls, Franklin Public Library https://youtu.be/KdGHozDRa1E

b. Town Council Goals Update - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._goals.pdf

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Bylaw Amendment 22-888: Chapter 170, Vehicles And Traffic, Section 170-22, Subsection A, Location of Stop Signs - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 22-888 - Majority Roll Call Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._22-888_stop_signs_0.pdf

b. Resolution 23-01: Authorization for Inter-Municipal Agreement with Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School for Franklin to provide it with a School Resource Officer (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-01 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._23-01_tri_county_sro.pdf

c. Resolution 23-02: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Franklin Police Association employees and the Town of Franklin (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-02 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._23-02_police_association.pdf

d. Resolution 23-03: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Franklin Police Sergeants Union employees and the Town of Franklin  (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-03 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9d._23-03_police_sergeants_contract.pdf

e. Resolution 23-04: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Professional Firefighters of Franklin and the Town of Franklin (Motion to approve Resolution 23-04 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9e._23-04_firefighters_contract.pdf

f. Resolution 23-05: Police Station Building Committee Charge (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-05 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9f._23-05_police_station_building_committee.pdf

g. Resolution 23-06: Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-06 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9g._23-06_subcommittee_for_cultural_initiatives.pdf

h. Resolution 23-07: Master Plan Update Committee (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-07 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9h._23-07_master_plan_update_comm.pdf

i. Resolution 23-08: Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee Charge (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-08 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9i._23-08_davis_thayer_reuse_comm.pdf

j. Resolution 23-09: Town Administrator Evaluation Subcommittee

(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-09 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9j._23-09_ta_eval_subcomm.pdf

k. Resolution 23-10: Gift Acceptance - Police Dept. ($5,050), Veterans’ Services Dept. ($2,600)  (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-10- Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9k._23-10_gifts.pdf 

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc contains the remote participation information

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/jan_4_2023_tc_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Meeting Agenda for Jan 4, 2023

Franklin.TV: Putter Day 2023

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 01/01/2023

The last time January 1st landed on a Sunday was in 2017, six years ago. Today, we look back on those long years with some regret. We still have to contend with a war that began in 2022 in Ukraine, a pandemic that began in 2019, and the big lie from an administration that began its deceptions in 2017. Mentally exhausting.

So, here we are. Another New Year. Instead of leaping forward, it can feel more like we’re limping forward. Somewhere in all of this I suppose I’m obligated to type something vaguely positive – like ‘hope springs eternal’. However, although hope, like ‘thoughts and prayers’ is a sweet sentiment. It’s not an action.

Without action, major events can slip sadly from hope to thoughts and prayers.

We see New Year’s Day as a fresh start, but an imaginary one. It’s just a number.

Putter Day is also a start – a call to action. Putter Day is about making that start tangible in some small way by acting to make something in your life (or a friend’s life) better. It doesn’t matter what that positive action is, or even how small it is. It’s a real start – in the right direction.

Then, after a good start, what’s next?

Just keep it rolling.

Imagine every household in America, all of us – improving, fixing or acting on something positive (no matter how small) on Putter Day.

Father Time

Then, if we keep it rolling, perhaps Father Time would be more considerate of our new year.

May 2023 smile warmly, kindly upon us all.

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 

And – as always – thanks for watching.

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)