Friday, September 29, 2023

FHS boys soccer tie with Canton on Thursday

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Thursday, Sep 28, 2023.


Boys Soccer = Franklin, 0 @ Canton, 0 – Final


For other results around the league (subscription required)

-----------

Reminder that HockomockSports.com changed to a subscription model in July. I have a subscription to view and share the FHS results that they provide. If you want to view all the worth Hockomock League reporting they do, subscribing is a good thing. It is quite reasonable. The subscription link is provided below.

MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau - a fun itinerary features Franklin

Did you see this MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau  Itinerary?

MA House & Senate send FY 2024 tax relief bill to Gov Healey

"The House and Senate have passed a compromise tax relief bill that would provide $561 million in tax breaks and credits this year, with the value growing to approximately $1 billion once the law is fully implemented in 2027.

The House overwhelmingly approved the bill on Sept. 27, and the Senate did the same on Sept. 28. The governor, who has 10 days to review and sign the bill, has indicated her strong support.

Provisions that would affect municipalities include property tax relief and housing incentives. The bill would:
• Increase the maximum annual property tax deduction for seniors who provide volunteer services to a municipality from $1,500 to $2,000
• Increase the maximum available “senior circuit breaker” property tax credit from $750 per year to $1,500 per year, prior to adjusting for inflation
• Create a local-option property tax exemption for residential properties that are rented to households earning no more than 200% of area median income, and allow municipalities to determine the amount of the exemption and adopt ordinances and bylaws implementing these provisions
• Increase the cap on Housing Development Incentive Program tax credits from $10 million to $30 million annually and allow for the distribution of any portion of the annual cap on credits that were not authorized in previous years, or of any credits that were returned"

Continue reading the article online at MMA -> https://www.mma.org/house-senate-send-tax-relief-bill-to-governors-desk/ 

Boston Globe coverage (subscription maybe required) ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/09/28/metro/massachusetts-tax-relief-deal/ 

For the actual legislative language visit this page ->     https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4104

FY 2024 Final Budget
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4104

Middle, high school, & college students can sign up to join the Franklin Food Elves this season

Join the Franklin Food Elves to raise funds for the Franklin Food Pantry! Your participation helps ensure that our neighbors have a brighter holiday season! All funds raised will purchase fresh produce, a variety of proteins, groceries, personal care items, and household cleaning products.

In 2022, more than 240 middle, high school, and college students raised more than $93,000 for The Pantry through the Food Elves Campaign! Our wonderful Food Elves solicited funds in their neighborhoods and through crowdfunding to give their neighbors some holiday cheer.

The deadline to register as an in-person Food Elf is November 8, 2023.
The deadline to register as an online Food Elf is November 30, 2023.

What does it take to be a Food Elf? https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Food-Elves-FAQ-2023.pdf

Middle, high school, & college students can sign up to join the Franklin Food Elves this season
Middle, high school, & college students can sign up to join the Franklin Food Elves this season

Franklin Lions Club schedule their annual Trunk or Treat - Oct 29

"It’s time to start getting prepared for our annual Trunk or Treat! Come and park your car or walk to the high school. Get up close and explore all the amazing decorations. 
We are looking for businesses, organizations, groups and friends to come and display your trunk. No entry fee. We ask that you please supply your own candy and stay for duration.  
Please scan the QR code if you would like to sign up to be a trunker. 
Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you!"
Franklin Lions Club schedule their annual Trunk or Treat - Oct 29
Franklin Lions Club schedule their annual Trunk or Treat - Oct 29

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Sep 29, 2023

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

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:30 am     Second Sunday Speaker Series: Allan Earls
9:00 am     Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 1
10:00 am Riffin' on Main Street: Steve Sherlock
11:00 am Senior Connection: Untitled 2
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad
12:30 pm Drink Responsibly: La Cantina Winery
1:00 pm     Franklin Farms and Gardens: Farmer's Market 2023
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 1
3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1
6:00 pm 4th of July 2023: Duppy Conquerors
8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Small Potatoes

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am     Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22
8:30 am     It Takes A Village: Hockomock Area YMCA
10:00 am FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Bishop Feehan 09-22-23
12:30 pm Arts Advocacy: How-Tos
1:30 pm     All-Town Showcase 2023: Band
5:30 pm     FHS Boys Varsity Soccer: v King Philip 09-12-23
9:30 pm     FHS Senior Awards Night 2020

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 09-14-23
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 09-14-23

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

Thursday, September 28, 2023

It’s Here! Franklin Celebrates the Season Saturday, September 30 at the Annual Harvest Festival

Franklin’s Annual Harvest Festival is set for Saturday, September 30, 12 noon to 5 PM, with a rain date of Sunday, October 1, from 12 noon to 4 PM. 160 booths and attractions will fill Main Street, Dean Avenue, West Central, and Depot Street. 
Annual Harvest Festival
Annual Harvest Festival

Visitors to the festival will enjoy musical entertainment, food from local restaurants, kids’ crafts, painting and balloon art, specials from downtown merchants, unique artwork and crafts by local and regional artists. Community groups will be there to tell you about their organization. 

“The Harvest Festival is always a great time for people to gather and socialize. They can experience what shopping and dining local is really like in our community,” said Scott Martin, Harvest Festival chairman and president of the Franklin Downtown Partnership. “The mix of activities and entertainment make this event special for all ages.”

The day’s agenda is full. This is what you get.

Refreshments – Gelato, coffee, bakery, smoothies and many other food choices at Main Street restaurants. Food court vendors will be selling great fare including Italian sausage, pizza, hot dogs, barbecue chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, fried dough, ice cream, apple cider, popcorn and cider donuts.

Shopping - With more than 160 vendors, this festival is the perfect opportunity for residents to meet their local business owners and learn more about what they offer. Many local crafters will be selling everything from paintings and jewelry to handmade gift items.

Franklin Historical Museum - Local entertainer Jamie Barrett will play music on the front porch of the museum at 80 West Central Street (route 140). Popcorn will be served from an old-fashioned popcorn machine, and Ladybug Trail maps and buttons will be handed out.

Touch-a-Truck - The Franklin Fire Department will have its firetrucks out at its headquarters, and Sparky will give out plastic fire helmets to children.

Art Show and Sale - The Franklin Art Association will host an art show and sale at its gallery located inside Escape Into Fiction bookstore at 12 Main Street. 

“Downtown Franklin is a busy social center for shopping, dining and entertainment. The Harvest Festival is the perfect time to get acquainted with local business owners,” said Lisa Piana, Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Executive Director. “We welcome friends from our town and beyond to experience the shops, restaurants, and many services Franklin has to offer.”

Piana added, “We love to acknowledge and thank our local business sponsors who make this event a huge success.” 

This year’s platinum sponsors: Dean Bank, Dean College, Middlesex Savings Bank, RI Motorsports; Gold sponsors: Floor & Décor, Notturno Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, PhysicianOne Urgent Care; Silver sponsors: Camford Property Group, Glen Meadow Apartments, Hockomock YMCA, Rockland Trust; Bronze sponsors: Beaux Regards Photographic Art, Chestnut Dental, DCU, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Keefe Insurance, MyFM, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Turtle 2 Properties, LLC; and Friend sponsors: The Enclave of Franklin.

About the Franklin Downtown Partnership 

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501©3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for only $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, greenspace, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

Exploring Risk-Taking Through the "Spirituality of Music" at First Universalist Society in Franklin - Oct 1 at 10 AM

Please join us for our annual lay-led, inter-generational music service at First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) on Sunday, October 1 at 10:00am. Critical Mass is a 9-member band, comprised of FUSF congregants and friends, who cover a wide range of songs and artists from modern pop to classic rock and roll.  

This year, in keeping with the summer service theme of sharing spiritual practices, Critical Mass will be exploring through their music, what it feels like to take a personal risk, especially when the outcome is uncertain.  Singing along, and even dancing, is encouraged!

First Universalist Society in Franklin is a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation, and is located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, Massachusetts. Please go online to “fusf.org” for more information. 

Exploring Risk-Taking Through the "Spirituality of Music"
Exploring Risk-Taking Through the "Spirituality of Music"

Master Plan Update Committee plans for Harvest Festival

The Master Plan Update Committee met on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2023 and started 10 minutes late. Many of the committee were present in the room; at least 3 members were participating remotely, hence the vote to adjourn was via roll call.

The Franklin TV video is available at YouTube ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao36qN1NOnc

Quick recap
  • Subcommittees meeting, reported on progress, some are scheduled out, some working to finalize times to meet
  • Update from BETA and Barrett on the interviews they have been conducting (screen grab of summary slide shown below)
    • Discussion on the range of interview participants, it appear that some set up on the listing (approx. 60) have not responded to the interview requests (just over 20 completed) so the data may not be fully representative of what is needed. Discussion on how to get more to improve breadth of response, separate from the surveys and outreach which will also provide value later on the drafts being used at that time
  • Discussion on the Harvest Festival coverage, spot ready, some members of the committee there but covering other booths and available to talk on the Master Plan, seemed to conclude to use a gift card as an incentive to to get on the emailing list. Other gift cards offered would be used later to incent survey responses
  • Discussion on the survey, what is the value of the responses? are the questions structured to get value? Many opinions shared
screen grab of summary slide
screen grab of summary slide



Master Plan Update Committee - Agenda for meeting - Sep 27 at 6:30 PM
Master Plan Update Committee - Agenda for meeting - Sep 27 at 6:30 PM

FHS field hockey, golf, and volleyball teams post wins on Wednesday

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2023.


Field Hockey = Franklin, 8 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final
– Franklin erupted for four goals in the third quarter to run away with a big win on the road at North Attleboro. Haley Wernig opened the scoring in the first quarter while Emily Carney scored twice in the second as the Panthers staked a 3-0 lead at halftime. Carney grabbed another in the third, Raena Crandall added a second half hat trick, and Chloe Essam added one for Franklin. Devon Barry and Chloe Strassner (four saves) combined for the shutout for Franklin. Gracie Leary recorded seven saves in net for the Rocketeer while Eman Farid turned away a pair of shots.

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final

Golf = Taunton, 187 @ Franklin,  147
– Junior Caden Sullivan had a great day at Franklin Country Club, recording a trio of birdies to help the Panthers land a division win over Taunton. Sullivan’s big day ended with a medalist round of 33, senior CJ Steel added a 36, junior Liam Lewandowski came in at 38, and senior Ben Paterson finished at 40 for the afternoon. Alex Dias carded a low-round for the Tigers, coming in with a 40.
Panthers shoot season low 147 at home to defeat Taunton!!

Caden Sullivan with a 2 under 33 
CJ Steel 36
Liam Lewandowski 38
Ben Paterson 40

Franklin goes to 9-1 with Sharon up next Friday. https://twitter.com/FHSGolfTeam/status/1707165018016366652

For other results around the league (subscription required)

-----------

Reminder that HockomockSports.com changed to a subscription model in July. I have a subscription to view and share the FHS results that they provide. If you want to view all the worth Hockomock League reporting they do, subscribing is a good thing. It is quite reasonable. The subscription link is provided below.

Escape Into Fiction coordinates with FSPA for a Mermaid Story Time - Oct 7

"Coming Soon!!!

Mark your calendars for this fun collaboration with @fspaonline for a Mermaid Story Time.... as they prepare for their big production, we want to show our community support!

Feel free to let your little ones dress up in their favorite Mermaid character costume!"


Escape Into Fiction coordinates with FSPA for a Mermaid Story Time  - Oct 7
Escape Into Fiction coordinates with FSPA for a Mermaid Story Time  - Oct 7

La Cantina Winery: Weekend Entertainment Schedule - Sep 28 - Oct 1

The Community Calendar has been updated with these events.


La Cantina Winery: Weekend Entertainment Schedule - Sep 28 - Oct 1
La Cantina Winery: Weekend Entertainment Schedule - Sep 28 - Oct 1

Share Your Thoughts - Charles River Flood Model Public Survey

Take the survey: What do you think?

What is your top concern about how climate change will effect you, your family, and your community? Are you concerned about the potential impacts of flooding from climate change? Do you think your city/town and/or the state are doing enough to plan for climate change? Take this survey (https://www.crwa.org/crfm-23) to help the Town of Franklin and the Charles River Watershed Association mitigate flood hazards and climate change. 

Feel free to also share your survey results with the Franklin Conservation Agent/Natural Resource Protection Manager at bgoodlander@franklinma.gov

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/share-your-thoughts-charles-river-flood-model-public-survey

Share Your Thoughts - Charles River Flood Model Public Survey
Share Your Thoughts - Charles River Flood Model Public Survey

The Guardian: Dispelling a myth on homelessness and cash gifts

"In 2002, the then San Francisco supervisor Gavin Newsom proposed legislation to cut welfare assistance to nearly 3,000 homeless people living in the city from $395 a month to $59 a month, and divert the budgetary savings toward shelters and other services. It was promoted with the name “Care Not Cash”.

Newsom’s campaign tied the unconditional payments to drug and alcohol abuse. As the San Francisco voter’s guide spelled out: “[H]omeless people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol end up spending their welfare checks on their addictions instead of meeting their basic needs.” The framing worked. The measure passed with nearly 60% of the vote, and Newsom used the publicity to propel his political career to San Francisco mayor and, ultimately, California governor.

Newsom’s framing was just a different iteration of an old message: it doesn’t help to give poor people money. As that thinking goes, the unhoused, Ronald Reagan’s “welfare queens” and those with substance abuse issues will just waste it.

The results of a new study in Vancouver, Canada, test this stereotype. Through its New Leaf Project, the charitable organization Foundations for Social Change gave people who have been homeless for less than two years a one-time deposit of $7,500 in Canadian dollars (about US$5,600). They also received coaching and workshops about spending. Other groups received the money and workshops with no coaching, while some received the training but no cash and no resources at all."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Sep 28, 2023

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

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p   Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm   Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = Thursday

8:00 am Veterans' Call: John Milot
9:00 am     Second Sunday Speaker Series: Allan Earls
10:30 am Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lasagna
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad
12:30 pm Drink Responsibly: La Cantina Winery
1:00 pm     Franklin Farms and Gardens: Farmer's Market 2023
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 1
3:00 pm Joe Landry: Service Stations & Car Dealerships
4:30 pm     Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 1
5:30 pm     Riffin' on Main Street: Steve Sherlock
6:30 pm     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1
7:00 pm     Extended Play Sessions: Alice Wallace
8:00 pm 9-11 Memorial 2023
9:30 pm     4th of July 2023: Duppy Conquerors

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = Thursday

7:00 am     Public School Event: FHS Summer Music 2021
8:30 am     All-Town Showcase 2023: Band
10:30 am FHS Senior Awards Night 2020
1:00 pm     Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22
2:30 pm     FHS Track and Field: v North Attleboro 05-09-23
6:00 pm Arts Advocacy: How-Tos
9:30 pm     FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Bishop Feehan 04-18-23

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 09-21-23
2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 09-21-23
7:30 pm     Zoning Board of Appeals: LIVE Remote  942 1605 3090


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

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Franklin Cultural District: Farmers Market, Friends of Poor Walk, Harvest Festival & more



Wednesday, September 27

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin TV Studio, recording session)

2:00pm - Restaurant Expo (Franklin Public Library)


Thursday, September 28

12:00pm - Adult Flu Clinic (Franklin Senior Center)

5:00pm - Birchwood Bakery: End of Summer - oysters & lobster rolls

6:00pm - Open Mic Night (67 Degrees Brewery)

6:00pm - Brian Cabral (live music) (Raillery Pub)

6:00pm - Charlie Rock (live music) (La Cantina Winery)


Friday, September 29

2:00pm - Franklin Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

2:00pm - Thrift Threads thrift shop (Franklin Federated Church)

5:00pm - Papalias Wood Fired Pizza (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - Freak Flag (live music)(La Cantina Winery)


Saturday, September 30

Harvest Festival (Downtown Franklin)
Harvest Festival (Downtown Franklin)

7:00am - Town wide, curbside event

9:00am - Friends of the Poor Walk (Franklin Town Common)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

12:00pm - Harvest Festival (Downtown Franklin)

12:00pm - Jamie Barrett (live music) (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:00pm - Sons of Sam Pizza (67 Degrees Brewery)

3:00pm - Red Apron Charcuterie (La Cantina Winery)

4:00pm - Matt Zajac (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

4:00pm - Michael Rivelis (live music) (Birchwood Bakery)

6:00pm - Sudden Odd Behavior (67 Degrees Brewery)


Sunday, October 1

7:00am - Town wide, curbside event

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)


Monday, October 2

4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch & Sale (St John's Episcopal Church)


Tuesday, October 3

4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch & Sale (St John's Episcopal Church)

6:00pm - Franklin Garden Club - meeting (Franklin Public Library)


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


The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

Find the full Community event 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 

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

Tax relief package set for MA House/Senate votes Weds/Thur

"Hailing it as a historic win for taxpayers, Massachusetts lawmakers will begin voting Wednesday on a $1 billion tax package that would boost tax breaks for families, seniors, and others while slashing state taxes on profits from short-term investments, a change that had divided Democrats.

The package would save hundreds of thousands of taxpayers a collective $561 million this fiscal year, according to legislative officials, with expectations that the total savings would eventually climb to just over $1.02 billion once it goes into full effect in fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, 2026.

Its emergence follows nearly two years of debate and months of closed-door negotiations about how best to ease the burden on taxpayers squeezed by the state’s rising cost of living and bring the tax code more into line with other states.

The House is expected to vote on the measure Wednesday, and the Senate on Thursday, and it is expected to pass and move on to Governor Maura Healey, who has championed the need for tax relief."
Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/09/26/metro/massachusetts-tax-relief/

Senate President Karen E. Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano (right) unveiled the tax relief deal during a press conference in the Senate Reading Room.PAT GREENHOUSE/GLOBE STAFF
Senate President Karen E. Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano (right) unveiled the tax relief deal during a press conference in the Senate Reading Room. PAT GREENHOUSE/GLOBE STAFF

Commonwealth Magazine provides their coverage ->