Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Town of Franklin: E-Newsletter for February 2023


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February 2023 Edition

Impervious What? Stormwater Simplified

Stormwater Utility Fee

Due to a unfunded stormwater mandate implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency, property owners in Franklin will be subject to a Stormwater Utility fee (SU) beginning on or after July 1, 2023. A utility fee is the most equitable way to distribute the cost, as the fee is based on impervious area per parcel (surface area that contributes to stormwater runoff because it does not allow water to absorb into the ground). You can calculate your stormwater fee by inputting your address using the Impervious Area tool created by DPW. Follow along with this quick how-to video.


You can learn more via our Stormwater Utility Packet, or by visiting the Franklin Stormwater website. Have questions? Call the Franklin DPW at 508-553-5500.

Rock Your Rain Barrel

The Spring Residential Rain Barrel Program is currently open! Residents can order directly from The Great American Rain Barrel Company. The deadline to order is May 7 and pick up will be at the DPW Admin office (257 Fisher St) on May 17 from 4-6pm.

Order your rain barrel today!

Beware Phantom Flushes

Is your toilet constantly running water? Do you have ghost flushes? Have you seen a recent increase in your water bill? You probably have a leak — and the culprit may be a faulty toilet flapper. Replace your leaky toilet flapper in 6 easy steps with this instructional video.

Franklin Public Library

Event Highlights!

February 15 – Navigating College Admissions in 2023

Join Ron Feuchs and Jackie Tepper, from Stand Out For College, LLC. for a virtual seminar at 7pm. Attendees will understand how the lingering effects from the pandemic have changed the college admissions landscape and learn how students can develop a compelling narrative to increase their chances for college admission. Contact Bree for the zoom link.


February 23 – Snowflake Sing-Along

Come enjoy a winter fairy tale party! Dress up in your favorite fancy clothes and meet a special Winter Queen you may be familiar with at 10:30am!


February 23 – Community Conversations

Folks of all ages are welcome to join us at 6pm as we unpack, discuss, and engage with topics relevant both within our community and beyond. Come with an open mind, leave with plenty of food for thought! This month's topic: Black History is American History.


February 25 – Winter Beach Party

Bring a little summer warmth to this cold month! Join us at 10am as we turn our big program room into an indoor summer oasis! Grab a cold drink and hit the play sand, enjoy beach balls, sand castles, snacks, and groovy tunes!


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 Monday, February 20 for Presidents Day.

Library Calendar of Events - February 2023

Veterans' Services

Veterans' Services

February 8 – Greater Franklin Virtual Career Fair with MassHire – Veterans have early access to this online career and resource fair beginning at 3:30pm. Learn more and register here.

February 16 – Veterans' Council Meeting – Interested in veterans' activities and events? Join the meeting at 7pm at the Senior Center.

February 19 – Coast Guard Reserve's 84rd Birthday


Veterans Memorial Walkway

The next engraved brick installation on the Veterans Memorial Walkway is scheduled to coincide with Memorial Day. An engraved brick makes a great birthday or Mother's or Father's Day gift for your special veteran or current military service member. Brick order forms are available in the Town Hall and Senior Center lobbies as well as on the Town website.


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 Veterans' Services at 508-613-1315 or access their webpage to learn more.

Senior Center

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

The Senior Center will be closed the week of February 6, 2023 to repair damages caused by a leak in the sprinkler system on February 4, 2023.

Senior Players – Interested in acting or backstage work? Join our extraordinary acting group every Tuesday at 10am.

Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) – Chat with Franklin's Conservation Agent about how to get involved in the OSRP on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 11am.

Pizza and Movie Night – Get your ticket to watch "The Butler" starring Forest Whitaker, in honor of African American Month & President's Day on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 4:30pm. Must call to sign up by Wednesday, Feb. 15, $3/person (pizza and a movie).

Hands On CPR CPR Training held by our public health nurse and fire department Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 1pm.

Town Clerk's Office

Who let the dogs out? Hopefully not anyone without a dog license!

2023 dog licenses are now available from the Town Clerk's Office. Current dog licenses expired on December 31, 2022. Be sure to register your dog prior to the deadline of April 1 to avoid late fees. Dog licenses are $20 for a spayed/neutered dog or $30 for an intact dog. Renew or register online, via mail or in person.


ONLINE: Dog owners can renew the dog licenses online via viewpoint here. Please update all information and upload a new rabies certificate if needed.

 

MAIL: Submit a completed request form including all dogs in the household, along with a copy of current Rabies certificate(s), proof of spay/neuter, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Make checks payable to the Town of Franklin.



IN-PERSON: Dog owners can renew the dog licenses at the Town Clerk's Office.


Please inform the Town Clerk's office if you no longer own a dog so records can remain updated. Kennel licenses are required for owners of four or more dogs. 

If you have any questions, please call 508-520-4900 or email, townclerk@franklinma.gov.

2023 Annual Town Census


The 2023 Annual Town Census arrived in resident mailboxes the week of January 23, 2023. Please return your Annual Census to the Town Clerk's Office via standard mail, by hand delivering to the Town Clerk's office, via email or by faxing the information to (508) 520-4913

More news you can use!

Visit Franklin's Passport Office

If your spring or summer plans include international travel, schedule a passport appointment with Franklin's Passport Office today! Current processing times:

Routine: 6-9 weeks

Expedited Service: 3-5 weeks (an additional $60)

We offer new passports, passports for a minor and onsite passport photos (all by appointment only).


For acceptance hours and more information visit our passport webpage.

Click here for Adult passport renewal visits.

Play Hard this Spring!

Registration for Spring programs at the Recreation department is now open! Register online and secure your spot here.

Open Space and Recreation

The Town of Franklin has begun the process for the 2024-2031 update of the Open Space and Recreation Plan. Franklin's Conservation Agent Breeka Li Goodlander, and Recreation Director Ryan Jette met at Schmidt's Farm, one of the newly acquired open spaces in town to discuss how residents can get involved in planning for the future of open and recreational spaces. Watch the full launch video here.

Keep up with meetings, departments & committees. The schedule and links can be found on our website calendar.
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

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Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Feb 7, 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         Madalene Village Environmental Review
9:00 am         It Takes A Village: Gretchen Scotland
10:00 am Frank Presents: Nick Remissong
11:00 am Frank's Musings: George Santos
11:30 am Senior Connection: Public Health
12:10 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad
12:40 pm Sandya: Pasta
1:30 pm         Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Show 3
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 1
3:30 pm     The Only Cure Is Education
4:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History Pt. 8
4:30 pm         Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 1 - Tweed funk
5:30 pm         Physician Focus: Hearing Loss: Causes, Prevention, Remedies
8:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Cookies
9:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Joe Landry & Scott Mason

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

7:00 am         Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 1
9:00 am         Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022
10:30 am FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Mansfield 01-24-23
12:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History Pt. 8
2:00 pm It Takes A Village: Gretchen Scotland
3:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v King Philip 01-26-23
5:30 pm         Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 1 12-11-18
8:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v King Philip 02-03-23

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

8:00 am School Committee: 01-24-23
11:20 am Economic Development 01-25-23
2:00 pm School Committee: 01-24-23
5:30 pm         Open Space and Recreation Plan: 01-26-23
7:00 pm      Community Preservation Committee: LIVE, Chambers 897 4564 7909


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)

Monday, February 6, 2023

Introduction to FUSF's Rev Bev - 01/25/23 (audio)

FM #935 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 935 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my conversation with First Universalist Society of Franklin (FUSF) interim minister, Reverend Beverly Waring. We talk about her role as interim minister and her path to this role from software engine to social work to this position in Franklin.


The audio recording runs 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Rev Bev. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-935-introduction-to-fusfs-rev-bev-01-25-23



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FUSF web page -> https://fusf.org/


Minister’s page -> https://fusf.org/who-we-are/minister/  


Where is the FUSF meeting house?  https://fusf.org/contact-us/ 


While FUSF is home to The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse ->  http://circlefolk.org/ 

and LiveARTS ->  https://www.liveartsma.org/   there are quite a few other active community groups -> https://fusf.org/community/ 


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


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 iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Rev. Beverly Waring (FUSF photo)
Rev. Beverly Waring (FUSF photo)

Next Size Up Kids Online Consignment Event

Next Size Up Kids' has been offering in-person consignment events since 2009. In 2021 we created an online version to continue helping families through COVID.

This was such a success that we are excited to continue offering an easy online way for local families to earn cash for their new and used kids items and for local families to purchase these items without breaking the bank... all while helping the environment! Win, win, win!
Find all the BARGAINS you're used to finding at our in-person sale, but this time, you can shop from your couch in your pjs! Can't get better than that!
You'll find clothing (sized infant to young men/young women & maternity), shoes, toys, baby gear, games, puzzles, furniture, décor, books and more!

Join us at our Spring ONLINE event March 6 - 10! -> www.NextSizeUpKids.com

Four Ways to Join the Fun!
  1. SELL with Us & Earn Cash
  2. SHOP & Save Big on Gently-Used Items
  3. CREW & Shop Early
  4. HELP Others    

Join us at our Spring ONLINE event March 6 - 10! -> www.NextSizeUpKids.com
Join us at our Spring ONLINE event March 6 - 10! -> www.NextSizeUpKids.com

FHS girls swim team take 1st place in Hockomock Championship meet

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the FHS girls team results from the Hockomock League swim championships held on Friday-Saturday, February 3-4, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

The team results and the FHS top six finishes from each individual race.

TEAM RESULTS
1. Franklin – 406
2. Attleboro – 252
3. Canton – 240
4. King Philip – 215
5. Foxboro – 212
6. Taunton – 163
7. Sharon – 142
8. Mansfield – 129
9. Milford – 102
10. North Attleboro – 101
11. Oliver Ames – 92

RACE RESULTS
200 Yard Medley Relay
1. Franklin (Harikalal Birali, Christine Tang, Hope Xayveth, Emma Ferreira) – 1:53.78**

Mass Premier Courts 
200 Yard Free
1. Zuri Ferguson, Attleboro – 1:54.22**
3. Sydney Bourgeois, Franklin – 2:05.90
6. Ashley Desroches, Franklin – 2:09.26

200 Yard IM
1. Shauna Harvey, Canton – 2:15.01
2. Christine Tang, Franklin – 2:16.42

50 Yard Free
1. Annie McLean, Canton – 25.87
2. Emma Ferreira, Franklin – 26.52
5. Caroline Clifford, Franklin – 28.14

100 Yard Butterfly
1. Hope Xayaveth, Franklin – 57.14**
6. Keegan Wright, Franklin 1:09.41

100 Yard Free
1. Harikalal Birali, Franklin – 56.13
3. Emma Ferreira, Franklin – 57.35

500 Yard Free
1. Addison MacDonald, Mansfield – 5:21.67
2. Sydney Bourgeois, Franklin – 5:33.91
4. Ashely Desroches, Franklin – 5:42.36

200 Yard Free Relay
1. Attleboro (Caroline Lynch-Bartek, Sydney Dorval, Ava Dougherty, Zuri Ferguson) – 1:49.98
2. Franklin (Caroline Clifford, Ashley Desroches, Christine Tang, Sydney Bourgeois) – 1:50.50

100 Yard Backstroke
1. Zuri Ferguson, Attleboro – 55.60**
2. Harikalal Birali, Franklin – 1:00.56

100 Yard Breaststroke
1. Hope Xavayeth, Franklin – 1:09.03
3. Christine Tang, Franklin – 1:12.76
5. Madison Lawlor, Franklin – 1:20.58

400 Yard Free Relay
1. Franklin (Harikalal Birali, Sydney Bourgeois, Emma Ferreira, Hope Xavayeth) – 3:48.89

For the full set of results ->

For the photo gallery from the meet ->

FHS girls swim team take 1st place in Hockomock Championship meet
FHS girls swim team take 1st place in Hockomock Championship meet