Thursday, July 6, 2023

Town of Franklin: E-Newsletter for July, 2023


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July 2023 Edition

Introducing Franklin's Deputy Town Administrator

We are proud to introduce Amy M. Frigulietti as the Deputy Town Administrator for the Town of Franklin. She has nearly 20 years of experience in administrative and professional management and brings expertise in economic development, public policy, and community outreach in the public sector.


Most recently, Amy served as the Assistant Executive Director of General Government Services for the Town of Wellesley, where she collaborated across town boards and departments to manage a variety of initiatives impacting local government via her involvement in Wellesley's Traffic & Parking Committee, Mobility Committee, Housing Task Force, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force and much more.


Prior to working in Wellesley, Amy served in several capacities in state, county and local government, including in the General Court of the State Legislature, the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, and for the Boston City Council. Read Amy's full bio here.

Changes to Downtown Parking

Changes to Signage

Effective July 1st, 2023, many parking regulations will change in downtown Franklin. As part of our communication to the public, we would like to remind the community to check all parking signs and street signs throughout the summer as they may continue to change. The Town will continue to communicate throughout the summer on any additional announcements/ changes as they occur.

Depot St. & Ferrara's Municipal Parking Lot Rate Structure

Monday - Friday

  • 5AM to 12PM - $3.00 flat rate all day* 
  • 12PM to 6PM - $2.00 flat rate all day 
  • 6PM through curfew is Free!

Saturday & Sunday

  • Free on weekends

Please note there is no overnight parking allowed. Police take notice and violators will be susceptible to a $50.00 fine, per violation.

*The Administration and Town Council are working to tidy up the parking bylaw that will make the parking lots effective at 5:00 AM for the first commuter train. The final enactment of this change is expected to be in effect for the beginning of August. The Police will not give tickets to those commuters between 5:00 to 6:00 AM during the month of July or until the bylaw is changed (signage will be posted appropriately and timely).

Click here to read the full memo on downtown parking changes.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Paint!

Hydrant Refresh

The Town of Franklin Department of Public Works is hosting their 2nd Fire Hydrant Painting Event! Registration is open until August 11, 2023. Proposed designs must be submitted for approval along with a completed application. Applicants will be notified by August 25, 2023. All approved and completed painted hydrants will be reviewed.

Judging will take place between October 2 - October 12, 2023. Winners will be announced at the DPW Touch a Truck event on Oct. 14, 2023. Highest vote winner in the following categories: Under the age of 12; 12 to 17; 18 & over; judges' choice.

Learn more and access the application here.

Stormwater Utility Fee Implementation

Stormwater Credit

The stormwater credit application is now available! If you would like to apply for a credit on your stormwater utility fee, please fill out the Impervious Area Credit Application. You may access the full credit manual created by DPW here.


Stormwater Abatement

If you believe your impervious area is incorrect, property owners may complete an Impervious Area Abatement Application to evaluate your property.

Franklin Property owners will see the Stormwater Utility Fee on their quarterly Utility bills after July 1st, 2023. For those interested in learning more, please watch our Stormwater Utility Fee video for a brief 4 minute breakdown of the fee and what you need to know.


Learn more on the Stormwater Division webpage.

Senior Center

Programs

Vinyasa Yoga – Every Monday at 4:30 ($3/person per class)

Chocolate Taste Test – Celebrate National Chocolate Day with a Chocolate Taste Test on July 7 at 1pm. Limited Seating so Call to Reserve a Spot!

Live Music & Ice Cream – Enjoy a FREE night of music from the SouthEastern MA Community Band on June 10! Doors Open and Ice Cream Social at 6pm, Performance begins at 6:30pm.

Movie & Pizza Night Out – "The Monuments Men" starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray July 13 at 4:30pm. $3/person- Must sign up by July 12.

Mobile Food Pantry – We partner with the Franklin Food Pantry and the Hockomock YMCA to provide you with Mobile Food Pantry! Come to receive a bag of stable items, choice of proteins, and dairy items! July 12 at 11am

Eat Around the World: INDIA – Learn about India and try out it's delicious cuisine prepared by our fantastic Chef Anne! July 14 at 11am. $6/person- Please sign up!

Monthly Party: LUAU Style! – Enjoy the sounds of steel drumming and enjoy a delicious meal! $6/person. July 21 at 11am. Sign up by July 17

IPhone A Friend – Wanting some IPhone assistance? This month we have KevTech coming to focus on how to use the photos app. $10/ person. July 26 at 1pm


Questions? Visit the Senior Center website or call 508-520-4945 to learn more.

Need a Passport? Visit Franklin's Passport Facility Office!

Look Before You Book!

Passport demand is at a record high. Before making any definite or non-refundable travel plans, consider the processing times. Processing times begin when the application is received at the U.S. Department of State not when you apply. Current Processing times:

  • 10-13 weeks for routine
  • 7-9 weeks for expedited additional $60 fee

The Town of Franklin is an official Passport Acceptance Facility. Call the Passport Office's direct line 508-553-4890 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are available as follows:

Tuesday and Thursday 8:30am – 11:45am

Wednesday 8:30am – 4:45pm

#TravelSmartFromTheStart with 5 smart travel tips...

  1. Check your passport's expiration date before booking flights!
  2. Learn country specific travel requirements and information.
  3. Review travel advisories to learn about security and safety risks.
  4. Sign up for STEP – Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
  5. Check out the U.S. Department of States Traveler's Checklist

Rock out with Recreation this Summer

Franklin Public Library

Event Highlights!

July 12 – Smartphone Photography

Join Steve McGrath at 6pm or 7pm and learn how to get the most our of your phone along with the best free and low-cost tools for editing and image management. Registration is required.


July 19 – BuildWave Family Night

Foster your child's interest in STEM and ignite their creative spark with Buildwave; a creative building program that feels like a video game! The workshop starts at 6pm. Families will create with over a dozen different building materials, including Lego®, PlusPlus®, and custom-made Buildwave materials.


July 22 – Escape Room

You and your group are members of the USS Zephyr, an exploratory Space Ship returning home from a long journey when your ship crashes onto a Rogue Planet. Repair your ship, find out where you are, launch your ship, and survive the journey home! Registration is required. Escape room starts at 1pm.


July 24 – Comic Workshop for Kids with Maris Wicks!

Learn more about how comics are created with graphic novelist Maris Wicks at 1pm. Attendees will draw inspiration from her newest picture book "You and the Bowerbird", and learn how to make their own comic about birds and nature!


July 27 – Comic Workshop for Teens

Teens can join graphic novelist Maris Wicks at 5:30pm to learn how comics work, the different types of comics, character design and development, world-building, and more!


Library Hours

The Franklin Public Library will be closed Tuesday, July 4th for Independence Day.  The Library's summer hours are Monday - Thursday, 9am - 8pm. Friday & Saturday, 9am - 5pm. Sunday hours will resume after Labor Day.

Library Calendar of Events - July 2023

Veterans' Services

Veterans' Services

There will be no Veterans' Council Meeting in July. The next Council meeting will be on Thursday, August 17 at 7pm at the Senior Center.


Purple Heart

Please let the Veterans' Services Office know if you or a family member (residing in Franklin) is a Purple Heart recipient so we can add you to our database. National Purple Heart Day is celebrated on August 7 every year.



Tune It Out!

The Tune It Out guitar lessons program for Veterans will not meet in July and August. Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 12. Call the Veterans' Services Office for details.

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

Franklin Public Schools

Transportation

Bus Registration for the 23-24 school year has closed. Please note that the deadline for full payment is July 10th. For more information, visit our transportation page.


23-24 Academic Calendar

The Academic Calendar for the 23-24 school year is now available. The first day for students will be Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Be sure to register your Pre K -12 student(s) via Aspen, our online registration portal.

Notice from the Treasurer/ Collector

Fiscal Year 2024 Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills - First Quarter

Treasurer/Collector Kerri A. Bertone has mailed the Fiscal Year 2024 first quarter real estate and personal property tax bills. Payment is due by August 1, 2023. Payments received after the due date are charged 14% interest.

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 LGBTQ Alliance Monthly Meeting - Thursday, July 6 at 6:30 PM

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full contents, visit this link ->  https://clt1481579.benchurl.com/c/v?e=1684D9D&c=169B6B&t=0&l=8D3B5715

Join us tomorrow 6:30pm at the Franklin Library!
Franklin LGBTQ Alliance
In this newsletter we include an invitation to our next meeting and community events, including our next book club discussion, and include more opportunities to get involved.
You're Invited to our Upcoming Meeting
 
When: Thursday, July 6th at 6:30 pm
Where: In-person and Virtual
 
What: After the business meeting we will be doing 4th of July cookie decorating!
 
    franklinlgbtqalliance@gmail.com  
A HUGE...
To all of our planners, volunteers, vendors, non-profits, artists, Franklin TV and radio, and other community partners, who made this event a success!!!
If you were an attendee at the event, thank you for coming out to support us! 
 
We want to hear from you: Please fill out this short survey to help guide our planning for next year. We value your feedback and hope to see you again soon!
FLA Events

LGBTQ+ Book Club!

We are meeting Tuesday July 11, 6 PM at the Franklin Library

Join us as we read the play Kiss of the Spider Woman by Miguel Puig! 
 
You can get your copy at Escape into Fiction (website) or the Franklin Library.
 
Sometimes they talk all night long. In the still darkness of their cell, Molina re-weaves the glittering and fragile stories of the film he loves, and the cynical Valentin listens. Valentin believes in the just cause which makes all suffering bearable; Molina believes in the magic of love which makes all else endurable. Each has always been alone, and always - especially now - in danger of betrayal. But in cell 7 each surrenders to the other something of himself that he has never surrendered before. (goodreads)
 
We hope you will read with us! 
Join us at the Franklin Public Library for their monthly game night. All are welcome to come and play cards/dice/board games!
 
We want to make this a safe, fun, inviting event monthly and the more people that join the more games we can play. 🎲♟️🧩

Tuesday, July 18, 6-8 PM

Let's play some GAYmes y'all :)

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90 Hayward Street Franklin, MA 02038

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