Monday, January 16, 2023

A New Exhibit at the FAA Gallery! - Feb 16, 2023

The month of January can be (and certainly has been lately) a pretty drab and gray time, when our souls long for colors to brighten our days and spirits.

To help remedy that, the Franklin Art Association Gallery, at Escape Into Fiction Bookstore, will be showcasing a new exhibit of works by our members, and we invite you join us for the opening reception on Thursday, February 16. Treat yourself to beauty, bring a friend!

Where: Escape Into Fiction Bookstore, 12 Main St, Franklin, MA
When: 6:00-8:00 PM
Free admission

Parking behind the store (enter from West Central Street)


A New Exhibit at the FAA Gallery! - Feb 16, 2023
A New Exhibit at the FAA Gallery! - Feb 16, 2023

Pantherbook: "Jennifer O’Malley Dillon speaks with Mr. Walsh’s Class"

"Recently, Mr. Walsh’s class had the fantastic opportunity to speak via Zoom with Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, the current deputy chief of staff in the Biden administration and FHS alumnus. O’Malley Dillon talked to the class about her time at Franklin High School, her daily work, important things she has been a part of, advice she has, and of course answered a few questions.

Life as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House is full of bustling days filled with everything from hiring personnel to dealing with international affairs. According to O’Malley Dillon, she runs and oversees daily operations at the White House. This includes helping solve large-scale issues such as problems with Ukraine, climate change, and inflation, traveling with the president to support and plan his visits, and running the military office. Although this seems very stressful to most, O’Malley Dillon loves politics, and being right in the middle of it all seems to be where she is most at home. "
Continue reading the article on Pantherbook ->

Pantherbook: "Jennifer O’Malley Dillon speaks with Mr. Walsh’s Class"
Pantherbook: "Jennifer O’Malley Dillon speaks with Mr. Walsh’s Class"

Register O'Donnell’s "Suits for Success" Program Donates to United Parish’s Thrifty Threads

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell donated 12 winter jackets, 10 full suits, and more than 45 other articles of business attire to United Parish’s Thrifty Threads through the "Suits for Success" program last month.

The often-taken-for-granted suit or dress clothes hidden away in the back closet and only occasionally seeing the light of day may seem to some like an unfortunate necessity. However, for those struggling on the path to success, the cost of a suit can be an unsurmountable barrier.

"It’s hard to move forward if you don’t feel good about yourself, and this gives people a chance to look good, feel good, and grow as an individual," said Louise Bowler, Thrifty Threads Team Leader. Thrifty Threads provides inexpensive clothing to anyone who needs quality attire. Proceeds from the thrift store support United Parish’s outreach and social justice programs. The organization also passes on more than half of the donations it receives to nonprofit organizations working directly with people in need.

Register O’Donnell remarked, "We’re happy to assist Thrifty Threads. I thank all those who donated to our ‘Suits for Success’ program, and I hope other local residents and businesses will consider making a clothing donation. The program is truly needed, and it’s a great resource for the community."

The "Suits for Success" program, developed by Register O’Donnell, partners with groups like Father Bill's & MainSpring, Needham Community Council, Suits and Smiles, Interfaith Social Services, InnerCity Weightlifting, VA Boston Healthcare System, Voluntary Service Program, New Life Furniture Bank of Massachusetts, and United Parish’s Thrifty Threads. The mission of "Suits for Success" is to collect donations of suitable clothing to be distributed to individuals who may need appropriate attire for employment interviews.

Since the Registry started the "Suits for Success" program in February 2009, it has collected more than 9,000 articles of clothing.

"Receiving donations like this means a lot and it’s important," said Bowler. "This may give someone who is looking for a job now the confidence they need to take the next step."

Register O'Donnell’s "Suits for Success" Program Donates to United Parish’s Thrifty Threads
Thrifty Threads is located within United Parish, is open Fridays and Saturdays, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., and is fully operated by a team of dedicated volunteers.

"During the past decade, we have learned that programs like ‘Suits for Success’ work," said O’Donnell. "This program has given many people a valuable resource to help them on the path to success and may ultimately help them achieve self-sufficiency."

If you would like to stay up-to-date on upcoming Registry of Deeds events, programs, and real estate information, you can sign up for our Registry email updates at www.norfolkdeeds.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/norfolkdeeds, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/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.

2023 Open Space & Recreation Plan: timeline for meetings and forums

The Conservation Commission held the first of a series of Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) focus group meetings on Thursday, Jan 12, 2023. 
Following each focus group meeting, you are invited to attend OSRP Office Hours each Friday between 10 and 11 AM in the third floor training room at Town Hall. 
Bring your ideas and see you there!
In addition to the focus group meetings scheduled, there will be other opportunities to provide input and feedback on the plan being developed.

The full schedule of focus group meetings and forums can be found in this graphic:

2023 Open Space & Recreation Plan: timeline for meetings and forums
2023 Open Space & Recreation Plan: timeline for meetings and forums

Shared from the Town of Franklin page -> 

Interfaith Teen Climate Change group to host guest speaker - Jan 22, 2023

We will have a special guest speaker on Sunday, Jan 22, 2023 at 7 PM: 

Eben Bein of Our Climate and the MA Youth Climate Coalition, and some of the youth he works with, to discuss Climate Justice (how Climate Change affects impoverished communities disproportionately), and also to speak about the upcoming Legislative Action Day on February 7 at the MA State House. This is an opportunity for youth to speak with legislators face to face about their concerns. 

Join us at St John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant Street in Franklin.

For more information:
Call 508-528-2387 Email Rector@StJohnsFranklinMA.org
Like us on Facebook  and Twitter
See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org  

There is no US labor shortage. That’s a myth | Robert Reich | The Guardian

Robert Reich, author and a former US secretary of labor, is professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, writes:

"When a public problem is wrongly described, the solutions posed often turn out to be irrelevant or inhumane.

A current example: America’s so-called “labor shortage”.

Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, says the United States has a “structural labor shortage” that’s unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.

The US Chamber of Commerce claims there are over 10 million job openings in the US for which employers can’t find workers.

Here’s the truth: there is no labor shortage.

There is, however, a shortage of jobs paying sufficient wages to attract workers to fill job openings."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

‘If we want more people to take jobs and we wish to live in a decent society, the answer is to pay people more.’ Photograph: Claudio Bresciani/TT News Agency/AFP/Getty Images
‘If we want more people to take jobs and we wish to live in a decent society, the answer is to pay people more.’ Photograph: Claudio Bresciani/TT News Agency/AFP/Getty Images

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 049 - The New Year & New Beginnings (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group share stories, poems, and writings about the holiday season, new beginnings, winter, love and so much more.

This episode aired on Franklin Radio for January 2023.


Senior Story Hour - WFPR = The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group
Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more. 
Find more episodes here (or on your favorite podcast app) ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episodes

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Jan 16, 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    Second Sunday Speaker Series: Jeff Roy
12:00 pm    Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad
12:30 pm    Sandya: Pasta
1:00 pm    Comfort Food: Comfort Food
1:30 pm    Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta
2:00 pm    New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 2
3:00 pm    Candlepin New Generation: Show 12
5:00 pm    Extended Play Sessions: Acoustic X
6:00 pm    Veterans' Call: VA Pension
7:30 pm    Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo
9:00 pm    The Black Box: Wicked

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

8:30 am    SAFE Coalition: Critical Conversations
10:30 am    Lifelong Music: Band
12:00 pm    FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Taunton 01-06-23
2:00 pm    SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins
3:00 pm    Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022
4:30 pm    FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v N. Attleboro 01-13-23
6:30 pm    Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 7
9:30 pm    FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Medway 01-13-23

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

8:00 am    Planning Board: 01-09-23
12:00 pm    Economic Development 01-04-23
2:00 pm    Planning Board: 01-09-23


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)

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Franklin, MA: Town Council, January 18, 2023 Agenda

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL
Agenda & Meeting Packet
January 18, 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
4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled
5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled
6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. License Modification - Change of Manager: NEP OPS-T, LLC d/b/a Residence Inn Boston Franklin, Located at 4 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA 02038   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._residence_inn.pdf
8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Presentation: One Year Update of the Franklin Senior Center - Danielle Hopkins, Senior Center Director and Christina Larose, Deputy Director
i. Slideshow presentation  
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._i._sr._ctr._presentation.pdf
ii. Senior Center 2030: A 7-year strategic plan for the Franklin Council on Aging   
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._ii._sr._ctr._vision_action_plan.pdf
b. Discussion: Stormwater Utility Update
i. Update Memo & Draft Stormwater Credit Manual   
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._stormwater.pdf
ii. Stormwater property specific impervious surface website portal   
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5
9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 23-11: Home Rule Petition on Newspaper Legal Ads
b. Resolution 23-12: Acceptance of New (Re-located) Sewer Easement and Abandonment of Active Use of Existing Sewer Easement at 259 Cottage St.
c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-891: Zoning Map Changes from Rural Residential II and Single Family Residential III to Rural Residential II or Single Family Residential III an Area On or Near Lincoln St. (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-891 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._23-891-_zoning_-_lot_lines.pdf
d. Resolution 23-13: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($2,350) & Fire Dept. ($100)

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


Franklin.TV: Embrace

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 01/15/2023

newly unveiled memorial to Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King


The newly unveiled memorial to Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King is at once artistically otherworldly and awe inspiring. Looking beyond these two iconic civil rights heroes that it represents it is also a monument to an abstract ideal.

Embrace – not as a noun, but as a verb. This is a call to action. If there was ever a singular concept that Martin and Coretta King lauded, lived and loved – this is it. It’s a monument as a big statement for an even bigger idea. You can walk within it and be totally embraced within it. And, who doesn’t want to be embraced?

Ten years ago I wrote a poem -
The meaning of the moment true 
lives in whatever good we do.
As each the other, we embrace, 
this world to be a better place.

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   

FHS boys hockey tops Mansfield, wrestling splits a tri-meet

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, January 14, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.


Boys Hockey = Mansfield, 2 @ Franklin, 8 – Final
– Ben Paterson, Anthony Lampasona, and Dan Daley each had three points apiece in a big win against Mansfield. The Panthers built a 3-0 lead in the first period and then scored twice in the final minute to extend the lead to 5-0. Paterson had two goals and one assists while both Lamapsona and Daley scored once with two assists. Ryan Sicchio, Aidan Kuykendall, Logan Marchand, and Dylan McEvoy each scored once for Franklin.

Girls Hockey =Franklin, 1 vs. Medway, 3 – Final

Wrestling = Algonquin Quad (Franklin), 9:00AM
"The team wrestled in Algonquin and went 1-1 beating Algonquin, but loosing a close one to Westford Academy undefeated records from Sauer, Carlucci, Foley, Branson, and Alvin #onnacomeup Outstanding Wrestler to Devin Branson 2 pins returning from an injury"   https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1614311562356920320


For other results around the Hockomock League

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

6 Tri-County RVTHS Students Awarded 100 Hour Paid Internships

Tri-County RVTHS is pleased to announce six students awarded paid internships from the Work-Based Learning Alliance in partnership with the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council

Tri-County RVTHS Engineering Students participated in a 2022 STEM Week Challenge, a collaborative effort between the Mass STEM Hub and PBLWorks, which tasked students to research an in-demand STEM career that interests them and connect with professionals in those fields. The objective of the challenge was to help students understand how demand for careers changes and what types of opportunities may be available in the future. 

“The most valuable outcome of the STEM Week Challenge project is that our engineering students, through contacting a STEM professional, conducting an interview, creating a presentation and delivering an oral pitch, were able to develop highly transferable networking skills,” said Angela Batt, Engineering Instructor.

Sophomores Kaleigh Stenstrom of Walpole and Gavin Cataldo of Franklin won six 100-hour internships valued at $9,000 for their “hard work, impressive presentations, and polished pitches,” said Jacob Barry, Partnerships and Communication Director at the Mass STEM Hub. The internships awarded grant students 100-hour paid virtual internships available Spring or Summer of 2023. 

These internships are designed to help students develop real-world skills and professional connections while receiving feedback from industry experts. To select the students who would be awarded the scholarships, Engineering instructors tasked students with writing a persuasive essay describing why this opportunity was important and what they would like to gain from the experience. 

The six students selected are Kaleigh Stenstrom of Walpole, Jaimin Farrington Leet of Franklin, Leonardo Oliveira of Plainville, Noah Hurley of Plainville, William Chenette of Medway, and Gavin Cataldo of Franklin. 

These sophomores have the opportunity to work virtually during the Spring or Summer of 2023 at a paid internship facilitated by the Work-Based Learning (WBL) Alliance. “Having the opportunity to work on an internship is a glimpse into the life of upperclassmen on co-op. I look forward to having this experience before my junior year,” commented William Chenette.

(L to R) Kaleigh Stenstrom, Jaimin Farrington Leet, Leonardo Oliveira, Noah Hurley, William Chenette (not pictured Gavin Cataldo)
(L to R) Kaleigh Stenstrom, Jaimin Farrington Leet, Leonardo Oliveira, Noah Hurley, William Chenette (not pictured Gavin Cataldo)

Tyler Hanes returns to FPAC to Choreograph the performance of "Something Rotten"

Tyler Hanes
Tyler Hanes
FPAC is so excited to welcome back Broadway’s Tyler Hanes as Choreographer for our upcoming production of Something Rotten! Tyler Hanes was only 17 when he was discovered by Ann Reinking while attending Broadway Theater Project in Tampa, Florida. She cast him in the first national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical, Fosse. Shortly after, Tyler made his Broadway debut in Oklahoma! He went on to appear in the original Broadway companies of Urban Cowboy, The Boy From Oz, The Frogs, the 2005 revival of Sweet Charity, as Larry in the first revival of A Chorus Line, and Rum Tum Tugger in the first revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical, CATS. Tyler also appeared in the Broadway companies of Hairspray and the 2014 revival of On the Town.

Something Rotten! runs March 10-19, 2023 at THE BLACK BOX.  Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play, but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.

Tickets are available at THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!

Shared from Instagram ->  https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSYpq3v9KB/

More Perfect Union: 068 - Congress, The Role of The House Speaker, and The Current Problem Facing The Republican Party (audio)

In this episode, the group discusses the problem republican's are having appointing a house speaker, how congress works, why this is holding up session, the democratic party's reaction, and so much more.


Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, 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.
Find all the episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

DPW Notice: No Curbside Trash/ Recycling Delay scheduled for the week of January 16, 2023

Notice from the Department of Public Works: There will be NO curbside trash or recycling delay the week of January 16, despite the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

Shared from DPW page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/dpw-notice-no-curbside-trash-recycling-delay-week-january-16th

DPW Notice: No Curbside Trash/ Recycling Delay scheduled for the week of January 16, 2023
DPW Notice: No Curbside Trash/ Recycling Delay scheduled for the week of January 16, 2023