Annual Report Of The Franklin Public Library: FY 2023 Report

Library Vision

Franklin Public Library strives to be the trusted source of inspiration, enrichment, and opportunity.

Library Mission

The mission of the Franklin Public Library is to foster knowledge and engagement through education, enrichment, and technology.

Strategic Priorities

• Be an informed citizen: local, national, and world affairs

• Foster inclusivity, diversity, equity & cultural awareness

• Connect to the online world

• Satisfy curiosity: Literacy & Lifelong Learning

• Stimulate imagination: Reading, Viewing, and Creating

• Succeed in School: resources & homework help

• Public space: accessible, comfortable, welcoming & safe physical and virtual Spaces

• Augment workforce development

• Bolster strategic communications: build awareness and use of services, programs, and collections.

FY23  Highlights

An Impactful Legacy

In December 2022, the Library received a significant donation of $70,000 from the Franklin Library Association, FLA. The FLA has been the cornerstone of the Library's inspirational history, the rock upon which the Franklin Public Library stands, the reason we still have the Benjamin Franklin Collection. This year, the FLA closed its books after a century of service.

FLA's contributions to our community are impossible to quantify. They acted in varying capacities first by rescuing the original collection from impeding ruin, second by funding the library operations until 1982 when the town took over, and then later by serving as guardians and benefactors of the Library's preservation, digitization and restoration efforts.

To date, they have expended over $525,000 for the preservation, digitization and restoration of a remarkable range of early written local materials with great significance to Franklin's history and the restoration of the beautiful paintings and murals.

A few examples of items that have been digitized and made available for the first time online include works that preceded the FLA to the present:

• Records of Justice Jabez Fisher

• Records of the FLA

• Notes on Franklin History, 1878

• Fire District records, 1868-1917

• School Committee record books, 1880-1919

• List of Residents directories for the Town of Franklin, 1884-2017

• 35 mm microfilm reel of the Franklin Town Records, 1736-1824

These resources are vital for genealogy and local history research.

Restoration of the Murals and Paintings

Previous restoration efforts of the Gallison/Juglaris murals and painting in Memorial Hall, the Delivery Room, and the Reading Gallery were substandard and damaging. With funding from the FLA, the library has done the following:

• Completed a detailed study of the murals and paintings by art and architectural experts to determine the best way to restore them to their original motifs. This required cleaning each work, removing layers of paint from previous restorations, and reinstating the historic colors and designs on the decorative plaster.

• Restored all of the paintings, frames, and murals in Memorial Hall and the Delivery Room

• Invested in a beautiful, glass case to display the original Benjamin Franklin donation

Restoration of the Reading Gallery is all that remains.

The community owes an innumerable debt of gratitude to the FLA for safe-guarding and preserving the magnificent art and architecture, the original Benjamin Franklin collection and other local history collections as well as the irreplaceable historic manuscript collection. These efforts ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from our unique historical collections and enjoy the awe-inspiring splendor of the building.

Vicki Earls, the Head of Reference and Public Services produced two significant documents - a brilliant and inspiring chronicle of the Town's historic districts, and an outstanding work of research clarifying how the Town of Franklin's name came to be. This work titled "What's in A Name? Benjamin Franklin and the Birth of a New Town in Revolutionary America" was publish in the Spring, 2023 volume of The New England Journal of History.

We implemented English as a Second language (ESL) program to help non-native English speakers improve their reading, writing, listening and conversational skills. To date, over 60 volunteer tutors have stepped up to the plate. The Library successfully applied for a $15,000 grant to expand the ESL collection and program.

Based on the feedback received from the 2022 survey, we have increased music events, and implemented weekly art workshops across a broad range of audiences. We shifted collections to increase accessible, comfortable and accepting spaces to accommodate mounting patron demand for more study and work space.

Library partnerships

The Library draws upon local and national expertise, community resources, and partnerships with municipal departments, community agencies, educational and cultural institutions, and individuals to assist in program delivery. In collaboration with the Health Department, we hosted two successful Health Fairs in October and May. 480 people participated in October and 668 in May.

Camille Bernstein teamed up with Steve Sherlock to bring the sophisticated art of creative writing through poetry to residents of all ages during National Poetry month in April.

Through partnerships with neighboring libraries we provided a wide range of opportunities to engage with new and exciting material and expanded virtual program offerings such as: author talks, history and art presentations and more.

Working with the IRS, we established a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site to serve low income patrons in our community. We look forward to expanding this program from two to three days a week in the coming year.

We began collaborations with local small businesses to bring hybrid attendance seminars on various topics of interest.

Keeping the youth engaged with enriching early literacy programs, exciting after school activities, homework help, outreach to the schools and summer reading and learning activities remain a priority.

The Youth Services department has enjoyed a period of growth and community goodwill over this fiscal year, with successes of over 35,000 in program attendance, school and community partnerships, and exciting plans for the future.

We introduced Community Conversations in collaboration with local poet/activist Jamele Adams, who alongside Caleigh facilitated and engaged community members of all ages in meaningful conversations on a range of topics, including generational differences, housing, book banning, racism, food insecurity, to name a few.

 

We worked with local community groups to expand our cultural programming. Annual celebrations include: Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Eid,

The President of Dean College generously offered the use of Dean facilities and grounds to the Library making it possible to accommodate large crowds of over 500 people at programs. Plans for joint grants and activities, such as dance and theatre shows, music & concerts, author visits, outdoor movies, library orientations for Dean students and faculty are underway. This exciting partnership will hopefully activate the sidewalks and streets between the Dean College and the library and grow to include the entire Franklin community in the years ahead.

Following the past season's success, we are expanding our Farmer's Market visits to include adult offerings for the upcoming market season, and will be providing more comprehensive library services onsite, from Museum pass highlights to library app tutorials, in addition to kids crafts and interactive activities.

School relationships:

In addition to our weekly BLAST program which reaches an average of 45-75 students per week at all 3 middle schools. We have expanded to the 5th grade at both Oak St and Keller Elementary. We plan to expand to other 5th grade classrooms in the future.

We offered a graphic novelist panel in partnership with the middle schools in May 2023, which included not just author talks and signings, but also some creative expression and art department faculty and student involvement.

We also expanded upon weekly storytimes at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) to ensure representation amongst the Monday, Wednesday, Friday classrooms. We have continued our quarterly visits to Dean College Children's Center and are also revitalizing our previous partnership with Bright Horizons that we enjoyed pre-COVID. All of these collaborations serve to connect families to library services, familiarize children, teachers, and caregivers with the library's offerings and also boost circulation within the department.

Program Attendance:

We have seen a steady upward trend in attendance numbers for our weekly, weekend, and afternoon storytimes. We have expanded our afternoon programming for all ages, currently providing toddler programs 3 afternoons a week, school-age programs 4 afternoons a week, and a weekly art program for middle school children. Tween and teen attendance at weekly programs is thriving. We have also enjoyed record numbers at our most recent holiday programming, notably our Trunk or Treat event and our Noon Year's Eve Party.

Summer Reading

Our summer reading program seeks to connect families with library resources and provide opportunities for reading, learning, and engagement. Programs include reading logs, activity packets and incentives. So far, over 800 children, teens and adults have signed up for the Summer 2023 Reading program.

 

We are deeply grateful for the Town Administrator's unwavering support and the Town council's continued investment in a strong library. This makes it possible for staff to continue to innovate, adapt and meet the needs of our community.

The Friends provide valuable support through their sponsorship of library events, program incentives, staff appreciation and so much more.

Respectfully Submitted 

Felicia Oti

Director, Franklin Public Library

The full Library report can also be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tarD7SyH1rYcUcs-Dyk0lU6tALo_CY2J/view?usp=drive_link

The full Town of Franklin FY 2023 Annual Report can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/annual_report_2023_0.pdf

Annual Report Of The Franklin Public Library: FY 2023 Report

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: President's Day Quiz

GOOD DEEDS: Quiz in Honor of Presidents' Day

By William P. O'Donnell

Norfolk County Register of Deeds

One of the many prominent reasons that Norfolk County is considered a destination community to live and work can be attributed to its rich history. It is one of the oldest counties, founded in 1793, in the United States just five years after George Washington became president.

Talking about presidents, did you know that Presidents' Day is Monday, February 19th?  And that Norfolk County is known as the County of Presidents?  That's right, four Presidents of the United States of America were born here: John Adams and John Quincy Adams (Braintree or Quincy depending on what community you are from), John F. Kennedy (Brookline), and George H.W. Bush (Milton).

So, I thought a great way to salute these four Norfolk County Presidents was to know a little bit more about each of them. This is a fun quiz, so everybody gets an "A" for taking the time to learn more about these four Norfolk County-born leaders who held the highest office in our land.

Presidents' Day Quiz

1.) He was considered by some historians to be the "Father of the Navy."

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H. W. Bush

2.) He is the only U.S. president to have won a Pulitzer Prize.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

3.) He was the only U.S. president to serve in the Congressional House of Representatives following his presidency.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

4.) He was the only president of the four who picked a "Chief Justice" of the U.S. Supreme Court. Hint: It was considered by historians as a great selection.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

5.) He enrolled in the service on his 18^th birthday, immediately after graduating from high school, and was the recipient of multiple medals at the age of 20.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

6.) He was the U.S. president who uttered the famous line, "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

7.) He was the only U.S. president to head a spy agency.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

8.) He said, "Liberty once lost is lost forever."

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

9.) He was the second-youngest U.S. president to be elected to office.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

10.) He created the U.S. Marine Corps Band.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

11.) He was famous for his work and advocacy of the Monroe Doctrine.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

12.) He was the only president among the four not to attend Harvard.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

13.) Famed historian David McCullough won a Pulitzer Prize for his biography.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

14.) He once said, "Read my lips: no new taxes."

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

15.) Daily, he read six newspapers at his morning breakfast.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

16.) He stated, "The four most miserable years in my life were my four years in the presidency."

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

17.) He was the President during the reunification of Germany.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

18.) His administration was known as the "New Frontier."

A.) John Adams B.) John Q Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

19.) He was Secretary of State before his presidency and is considered a great one.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

20.) This president and wife exchanged more than 1,100 letters from the time of their courtship to the end of his presidency.

A.) John Adams B.) John Quincy Adams C.) John F. Kennedy D.) George H.W. Bush

 _________

Answers: 1A,  2C,  3B,  4A,  5D,  6C,  7D,  8A,  9C,  10A,  11B,  12D,  13A,  14D,  15C,   16B,  17D,  18C,  19B,  20A

 

four Presidents of the United States of America were born in Norfolk County

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.  Our Customer Service Center is also available to assist you at (781) 461-6101.

 

Tarzan, the Broadway musical, scheduled by FPAC for March 8-17

Further casting has been announced for the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC)’s reimagined production of Tarzan the Broadway musical starring Broadway’s original Tarzan Josh Strickland March 8-17 at THE BLACK BOX in Franklin, MA. Ruby Lewis (Paramour) will star as Jane alongside Tyrick Wiltez Jones (Hairspray, Finian’s Rainbow, Bat Out of Hell) as Terk. Maria Sylvia Norris and P.T. Mahoney will appear as Kala and Kerchak, with Nick Paone as Clayton and Liam Kerrigan as Young Tarzan. Katie Gray and Andrew Scott Holmes will be featured vocalists with the show’s band. 

Josh Strickland

The ensemble, comprised of NYC and Boston/Providence talent as well as collegiate actors from programs like Dean College, includes Casey Harkness Andrade, April Ball, Gia Chessa, Heather Dorler, Takaaki Matsumoto, Emiliano Morales, DJ Ormond, Julia Ormond, Myranda Rose Silva, Kellie Stamp, Johanna Stipetic, Lindsay Tomas, and Isis Wilson. The cast will be joined by Student Apprentice Performers from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts Elena Baker, Helena Cornwell, Devin Curley, Finley Doherty, Emmett Eastman, John Fitzhenry, Anya Fox, Macie Hoben, Matthew Packard, Ashley Pepin, Mason Sanford, Kate Settle, Angelina Willey, Owen Charles, Grayson Kerrigan, and Colette Lelievre. 

FPAC’s flexible theater space, THE BLACK BOX, will be transformed into a multi-stage rock concert centering the iconic Phil Collins music, while telling the classic story by blending Broadway and concert experience. Conceptualized and directed by Raye Lynn Mercer and Ali Funkhouser, the show will feature choreography by Broadway’s Clay Rice-Thomson (Moulin Rouge!, KING KONG, Newsies, Matilda) and music direction by Hallie Wetzell. Based on Disney's epic animated musical adventure and Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan of the Apes, Tarzan features heart-pumping music by rock legend, Phil Collins, and a book by Tony Award-winning playwright, David Henry Hwang. High-flying excitement and hits, like the Academy Award winning "You'll Be in My Heart," as well as "Son of Man," and "Two Worlds," make Tarzan an unforgettable theatrical experience.

In 2006, Josh Strickland created the leading role of Tarzan in Disney’s musical Tarzan on Broadway. In 2009, he made his starring Las Vegas debut in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort while concurrently co-starring in the hit E! reality show Holly's World. Strickland debuted his first single "Report to the Floor," which skyrocketed to the top-five on the iTunes Dance Charts the first week of its release, followed by “Last Dance.” Ruby Lewis starred as Indigo in Cirque du Soleil’s premiere Broadway show, Paramour. She specializes in biographical roles, having played Betty Hutton & Peggy Lee in Lights Out: Nat ‘King’ Cole at the Geffen Playhouse (Ovation Nomination) and Marilyn Monroe in Marilyn! The New Musical (Best Broadway Performer Las Vegas) at the Paris Theatre in Las Vegas, backed by the Marilyn Monroe Estate. Tyrick Wiltez Jones led the U.S. Tour and Off-Broadway productions of Bat Out of Hell as Jagwire. His Broadway credits include Howard in Finian’s Rainbow and Hairspray as well as the Broadway National Tours of Miss Saigon, Seussical, Fosse, and Show Boat. 

FPAC is an Actors’ Equity Small Professional Theater company based at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin, MA. Each season, FPAC produces musicals, plays, ballets, and more featuring Broadway stars, professional actors, local performers, and emerging artists. Tickets for Tarzan are available at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. 

Capital Budget Subcmte to review adjustment to what FinCom already approved - Feb 21 at 10:00 AM

Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

February 21, 2024 - 10:00 AM

Discussion:

1. FY24 Capital Plan “Round 1”

a. Town Administrator Memo

b. FY24 Department Summary Requests & Capital Plans

c. Quotes

2. Next Meeting Date

Full agenda doc (note, no remote participation scheduled for this meeting)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/capital_budget_subcommittee_agenda_-_feb_21_2024.pdf

Capital Budget Subcmte to review adjustment to what FinCom already approved - Feb 21 at 10:00 AM

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Monday, Feb 19, 2024

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

9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong

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, and Nick Remissong hold 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 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY

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

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

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Franklin, MA: Town Council public hearing scheduled for rezoning 2 parcels

There is expectation that a full agenda will be published soon. It was not yet posted to the calendar, nor the Town Council agenda page, as we go to press.

The public hearing agenda can be found. https://www.franklinma.gov/legal-notices/agenda/public-hearing-zoning-bylaw-amendment-24-901-formerly-23-901-king-street-area

Listen to the Talk Franklin podcast

Talk Franklin

This podcast provides a trusted information source from the Town Administrators office, featuring news, alerts, department info and more. Created in coordination with Franklin TV and Radio and Franklin Matters.

Find all the episodes online (or on your favorite podcast app)  https://open.spotify.com/show/6q76wsRAKGPuEZ8mzEGvP2

Listen to the Talk Franklin podcast

Franklin TV: A Quiet Week?

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 02/18/2024

“Well, it’s been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon.” This was the leadoff line to launch into Garrison Keiller’s wildly cheeky stories from ‘back home’ on his weekly NPR radio program, ‘A Prairie Home Companion’.

There are indeed actual quiet weeks.

They do exist. Even in our modern, digitally fast-paced, urgent world of business, there’s a saying that sums it all up.

“I wish like Hell it would slow down and I’m deathly afraid it will.”

In what might be viewed as ‘a quiet week’ there is necessary activity. It might not be filled with the flashy headliner action that offers up bragging rights. Rather, it’s the week that’s filled with all the nameless, (often thankless) invisible tasks and projects that make those notable, (braggable?) weeks possible. 

The highlights:

Sunday: Gather and file all radio station program, transmitter and ‘Emergency Alert’ test logs for the previous week. Verify that the transmitter is in good order.

Update financial forecast information for our monthly board meeting.

Monday: Review and finish preparing information for the noon board meeting.

At 1:30p meet with MIAA to plan for upcoming ‘Power rankings’ programs.

At 4p, investigate audio issues in the Town Hall Chambers TV control room.

Tuesday: Scan/organize invoices, receipts, statements, notices and other docs.

Prepare all 2023 business files for our annual audit.

Wednesday: Work with Dell computer’s technician to replace a failed graphics card in Edit system 1. Coordinate the updates for our central video file servers.

Thursday: Record our radio program, ‘More Perfect Union’. Coordinate updates for our LAN device addresses and access codes.

Friday: Meet with Jim Derick, Nick Remissong and new volunteers for wfpr.fm.

Design, install new video distribution gear and wiring to update our program control system for Zoom meetings in the Town Hall Training Room.

Saturday: Prepare our program schedule and post online for the upcoming week – and write the weekly background story that you are now reading.

The days are also peppered with ongoing staff discussions about upcoming dates and programs. All in, it’s a humdrum ‘quiet’ week. A good week. One that makes those other weeks possible. Even in such a (supposedly) quiet week we wonder,

“Where does the time go?”

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 

Annual Report Franklin Senior Center (COA): FY 2023 Report

The Franklin Senior Center is located at 10 Daniel McCahill Street and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

The Senior Center provides programs, services, and activities along with outreach, information and referral to serve the needs of older adults, people with disabilities and their families. Social services assistance is available to all adult residents in Franklin.

The Senior Center offers health and wellness, nutrition, social service coordination and resources, socialization, recreation and fitness, assistance with transportation, support groups, educational and cultural programs, a supportive day program, volunteerism, intergenerational opportunities, and a variety of other amenities.

The Center's mission is to enhance the independence and quality of life for Franklin's older adults by:

■ Identifying the needs of this population and creating programs that meet those needs.

■ Offering the knowledge, tools and opportunities to promote mental, social and physical well-being.

■ Advocating for relevant programs and services in our community.

■ Serving as a community focal point for aging issues and as a liaison to local, state, and Federal resources for older adults.

FY 2023 Highlights

This fiscal year, the vibrant Franklin Senior Center has continued to expand not only in numbers, welcoming 600 new members throughout the 2022 calendar year, but increasing the number of programs and opportunities available to members, and even adding two new line cooks, Marilyn Howe and Lauretta Taddeo. We also had some change in staffing, as we said goodbye and best wishes to staff, Sue Barbour, Program & Volunteer Coordinator, and Maggie Gundersen, Social Services Coordinator, in November,  previous  Deputy  Director,  Christina LaRose, in February, and Supportive Day Coordinator, Donna Haynes, in June. In March, we welcomed Sarah Amaral as the next Deputy Director, Raeleen Gallivan as the new Social Services Coordinator, Ariel Doggett became the new Program & Volunteer Coordinator, and Kathleen Laughran became the Supportive Programming Coordinator.

Unfortunately, in February the Senior Center was temporarily closed due to a pipe break and water damage. The innovative Senior Center staff, town, and members came together to reinvent and relocate programs to make the best out of the situation. Thank you to the Facilities Dept. for leading the restoration efforts.

New programs and events were added to our active and engaging calendar, most notably Eat Around the World, 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Winter Wonderland, Movie and Pizza Nights, Mobile Food Pantry, monthly technology clinics, Bereavement Support Group, and a partnership with Dean College providing classes for seniors.

Director Danielle Hopkins, and previous Deputy Director Christina LaRose were tasked with developing a multi-year strategic plan for the Franklin Senior Center. With assistance, surveys, and S.W.O.T. analysis from the COA Board, FOFE, the community, and the staff, they presented the vision to the Town Council in January and it was received with many accolades. For more information, view this presentation on the town website.

Health and Wellness Programs

Our Wellness Program promotes Healthy and Active Aging through programs and services with assistance from our Health & Wellness Nurse as well as collaborating with the Town's Public Health Nurse and Epidemiologist.

■ Health Clinics: Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Pulse Ox readings, Podiatry, Flu Vaccinations, and bi-weekly hearing clinics.

■ Fall Prevention: Our Wellness Nurse continuously offers multiple Safety & Balance clinics to evaluate and address balance and muscle strength, while offering tips and techniques to enhance safety.

■ Grab Bar Program and Home Safety: We are able to provide Home Safety Assessments to evaluate elders' homes to determine if the risk for dangerous falls can be reduced. If needed, we have a volunteer that is able to install grab bars and or adaptive devices free of charge. We have successfully been able to install grab bars in two homes every month. The Grab Bars are graciously purchased by F.O.F.E. (Friends of Franklin Elders) for continued success of this program.

■ Fitness: We offer a multitude of classes and fitness opportunities tailored to older adults including Cardio Strength, & Balance, Zumba, Chair Yoga, Tai Chi, Chair Exercise, Walking Club, Bocce, Pickleball, Chair Volleyball, Pound Fitness, Reversing the Aging Series, Line Dancing, and Meditation. This year we added to this roster a Vinyasa Yoga class, a dance class, and a self defense class tailored specifically for seniors. We were able to provide some of these classes virtually. The Senior Center's Fitness Room offers free use of equipment, including treadmills, an elliptical bike, and stationary bikes.

■ Support: Support Groups offered include Low Vision, Hearing Loss, Autoimmune and Mobility Disorder, and Caregivers Support. This year, we started a monthly Bereavement group.

■ Weight Loss: Many struggle with weight loss, so we decided to have fun while empowering our members in healthy 6-week weight loss competitions: "Don't Be a Butterball" (fall) and "Don't Be a BeachBall" (spring). Each week, our Health and Wellness Nurse and Head Chef offered weekly classes for support covering topics such as food journaling, meal prepping, information on fad diets, portion control, and accountability/ consistency. Every Friday, we also have T.O.P.S. (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) who meet weekly to help members support their weight loss journey.

■ Mental Health Counseling: The Senior Center is part of a consortium of local Senior Centers, which provides access to timely, flexible mental health services with a licensed clinician. This enables elders who experience mental health challenges to get effective, appropriate treatment.

■ Health Education: Monthly informational and educational presentations were offered by our Health & Wellness Nurse and our Public Health nurse and Epidemiologist: Five Wishes, Stop the Bleed, Hands Only CPR, Anatomy of the Brain, Neuropathy, Cellulitis, Arthritis, Basic First Aid, and more.

Dementia Friendly

The Town of Franklin and The Senior Center continue to be a Dementia Friendly Community. The Senior Center provides the following programs to support caregivers and their loved ones:

■ Supportive Day Program: The Sunshine Club provides a structured, supervised, and stimulating day program for seniors with mild to moderate dementia or cognitive decline, chronic illness, or those who are socially isolated. In turn, it provides a respite opportunity for their loved ones/caregivers. Members enjoy activities that encourage  independence,  social  interaction, fitness and gentle exercises, intellectual stimulation, music, crafts, games, and friendship.

■ Caregivers Support Group offers support to caregivers caring for their loved ones with Alzheimer's or Dementia, and is led by two facilitators who have completed a training program with the Alzheimer's Association.

■ Memory Cafe - a monthly gathering where those living with dementia and their care partners can enjoy a social event without stress and anxiety. It's an hour of music, socialization, and engagement and is supported in part by a generous grant from the Franklin Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

■ Education. Partnering with local resources such as the Alzheimer's Association and various Memory Care Operations, we provided educational opportunities such as Compassion Fatigue and Burnout, 10 Warning Signs, Normal Aging vs. Memory Loss, Various Forms of Dementia, and more.

Outreach/Social Service Coordination

The Senior Center provides assistance in obtaining housing, employment, home care services, tax abatements, long-term care placement, transportation, evictions, legal referrals, prescription drug programs, SNAP, fuel assistance, COVID-19 vaccine appointments, Mass Health, mental health, elder dental services, Disability and Supplemental Security Insurance, as well as assistance with low income and financial hardship referrals. Our Social Service Coordinators can assist Franklin's adult and disabled residents regardless of age, and can provide home visits to homebound residents.

The Senior Center's Vision and Hearing Support programs have been recognized at both state and national level. These programs provide support, information, referral, and training. Our vision program grant continues to allow our Senior Center to house a regional office for the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI), where residents can meet with a MABVI professional for individual vision consultations. Weekly, the Senior Center provides both in-person and telephone programs for blind, low-vision, and homebound seniors. We, in collaboration with MABVI, provide a monthly adaptive technology class, support group, and low vision adjustment counseling.

The Community Intervention Team (CIT), partnering with the Franklin Fire Dept., continues to create greater coordination of community resources and services to assist Franklin residents who are high- risk. Currently 20 vital service groups throughout the town of Franklin are involved.

The Senior Center also offers a monthly legal clinic and the SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) program, which provides assistance for Medicare/Medicaid and other health insurance needs. AARP was also able to provide free income tax preparation at the Center for 179 individuals this year, and Self Help Inc., processed over 460 applications for fuel assistance from residents, many of which were prepared by the Senior Center staff.

Nutrition and the Common Grounds Cafe

The Common Grounds Cafe, which is located inside the Center and offers  breakfast and lunch daily, continues to have much success. The Cafe offers freshly prepared, nutritious, and affordable meals. Along with our Full-Time Head Chef and Kitchen Manager, we also hired two part-time line cooks. The Cafe is open to all, and is a great way for newcomers to get acquainted with the Senior Center. Last year, we served over 11,180 meals at the Cafe. Monthly Parties. The Senior Center hosts monthly social events with live entertainment and a delicious 3-course meal. Themes have included: Luau, Tailgate, Illusions, Friendsgiving, April Showers. We are also extremely appreciative of the Franklin Police Department who provided and served a delicious Turkey Dinner in January, and the Franklin Fire Department, who cooked and served a fantastic Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner. 

So much going on, this is not the complete report. The full Senior Center report can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rYSQ9xwZ9tu6U5ND_G7EY3cdwwsjG2uM/view?usp=drive_link

The full Town of Franklin FY 2023 Annual Report can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/annual_report_2023_0.pdf

Annual Report Franklin Senior Center (COA): FY 2023 Report

Franklin DPW Director Robert Cantoreggi Pays $15,000 Civil Penalty for Violating Conflict of Interest Law | Mass.gov

Franklin Department of Public Works Director Robert “Brutus” Cantoreggi has paid a $15,000 civil penalty for violating the conflict of interest law by accepting free ski trips from a water meter manufacturer and its distributor. Cantoreggi signed a Disposition Agreement in which he admitted the violations and waived his right to a hearing.

The Franklin Department of Public Works uses a brand of water meter throughout its service area made by an Alabama-based manufacturer and sourced through the manufacturer’s sole authorized New England distributor. Cantoreggi, as Public Works Director, oversees and approves the Franklin DPW’s water meter purchasing budget.

On multiple occasions, the water meter manufacturer and its distributor hosted ski trips to which they invited employees of several municipal water districts and departments of public works, including Cantoreggi.

Cantoreggi and a friend attended three-day ski trips the water meter vendors hosted in Stowe, Vermont in 2019 and Jay Peak, Vermont, in 2022. The vendors paid for lodging, meals, snowmobile rentals, and water park tickets for Cantoreggi and his friend, neither of whom are skiers.

The conflict of interest law prohibits public employees from soliciting or receiving anything worth $50 or more that is given to them for or because of their official positions. When Cantoreggi accepted the free ski trips from the water meter vendors for himself and his friend, he violated this prohibition because he knew or had reason to know the vendors were giving him these gifts due to his position with the Franklin Department of Public Works.

“Public employees should not accept unauthorized valuable gifts of any kind from vendors doing business with their agencies. Such gifts are generally given because of the employees’ official positions, and the law prohibits acceptance of such gifts unless they are authorized by statute or regulation,” said State Ethics Commission Executive Director David A. Wilson. “While this prohibition applies to all public employees, it is one which those with budgeting and purchasing authority should be particularly mindful of given that acceptance of unauthorized vendor gifts by public employees with such authority inevitably casts doubt on whether public agency purchasing decisions are made fairly and in the public interest. Additionally, public employees in leadership positions must remember that they set the ethical tone for their agencies and those they lead, and that their failure to adhere to the law thus presents a particularly grave threat to the integrity of public service and public confidence in that service.”

The Commission encourages public employees to contact the Commission’s Legal Division at 617-371-9500 for free advice if they have any questions regarding how the conflict of interest law may apply to them.

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https://www.mass.gov/news/franklin-dpw-director-robert-cantoreggi-pays-15000-civil-penalty-for-violating-conflict-of-interest-law

Annual Report Of Department Of Planning And Community Development: FY 2023 Report

The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) maintains a professional staff that provides the Town of Franklin with a wide array of planning services. DPCD's mission is to plan and implement comprehensive policies and initiatives that work to fulfill the land use-related goals of the people of Franklin. We make every effort to maintain the character of the community while enhancing its economic, cultural and social vitality.

The DPCD's staffing reflects the diverse skills needed to complete the many activities and roles the Department participates. DPCD's activities and services include, but are not limited to comprehensive planning, economic development, subdivision plan, site plan and conservation plan review, open space and wetlands preservation, historic preservation, zoning by-law and subdivision regulation development, downtown revitalization, brownfields redevelopment, affordable housing, public transportation, transit oriented development, natural hazard mitigation and municipal vulnerability planning, and sustainable development including use of smart growth and low impact development concepts. The Department regularly identifies and sources funding for various community development projects and activities. DPCD balances its approach to these initiatives through long-term planning and public participation. For the last four fiscal years DPCD staff has also had responsibility of operating the Town's Passport office.

Support of Town Boards and Committees 

DPCD personnel provide staff support to several boards, commissions and committees, including the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Design Review Commission, Technical Review Committee, the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, and the Cultural District Committee. Approximately 60 to 65 percent of the Department's total staff hours are utilized on Planning Board and Conservation Commission related issues. Since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic DPCD staff has needed to spend much more of available staff time on running public meetings; in efforts to ensure citizen engagement and comply with open meeting law regulations, meetings have been conducted remotely using the Zoom platform.

In addition, DPCD staff provides professional technical assistance to other public entities on an as needed basis, including Town Council, Zoning Board of Appeals, Town Council's Economic Development Sub-committee, and various ad hoc committees, including the Master Plan Update Committee and Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee.

 

Site Permitting and Guidance

DPCD is not a permit granting authority; its function during the permitting process is to integrate laws, regulations and plans with the Town's goals to ensure that the best interests of the Town and its residents are served. DPCD personnel organize and attend meetings, provide technical assistance, offer professional opinions, and guide developers, businesses and residents through the Town's various permitting processes.

Conservation and Natural Resource Protection 

DPCD provides support to the Conservation Commission, as provided by MGL Chapter 131, Section 40. Conservation and Natural Resource Protection Staff, specifically the Town's Conservation Agent, is responsible for speaking for the Conservation Commission when they are not present (see separate Conservation Commission Annual Report). Although not a permit authority, the Conservation Agent does have limited police powers to regulate activities previously approved by the  Conservation Commission, stop unauthorized activities, and promote and protect Franklin's natural resources, including its wetlands, streams, brooks, ponds, lakes and watersheds. In addition, Conservation staff provides administrative support and reviews applications being presented to the Conservation Commission, manages the Commission's peer review consultants, and provides professional support to other Town Boards and Departments.

During the 2023 fiscal year DPCD staff worked on various conservation and land use related projects, including continued implementation of the DelCarte Conservation Property Master Plan; this year work included coordination of the seventh year of pond treatments. A priority for DPCD's Conservation and Natural Resource Protection Staff during FY23 was working with the Conservation Commission and other organizations and staff to manage update of the Town's Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Comprehensive Planning and Zoning DPCD is responsible for traditional land-use related activities including updating the Town's plans, and amending and creating zoning bylaws. A description of zoning and land use issues worked on by DPCD during FY23 is summarized below.

Zoning Bylaw Amendments 

DPCD worked on several amendments to Franklin's Zoning Bylaw during FY23. Several years ago DPCD began a project to better define the Town's zoning districts by following parcel lines. Where parcels are within two or more zoning districts DPCD developed zoning map amendments to move Zoning District boundaries so each parcel is only in one zoning district, in most cases based on the current land use. During FY23 DPCD developed and Town Council approved Zoning Map Amendments 23-887 and 23-891, finally completing this multi-year Zoning Map update project. DPCD developed Zoning Map Amendment 23-899 that updates the Marijuana Use Overlay District map. The Amendment is expected to be approved by Town Council during the first quarter of FY24.

During FY22 DPCD worked on a planning/zoning study with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to identify a vision for downtown and surrounding neighborhoods and make zoning changes that will unlock development potential and foster a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood. The "Franklin For All” Project was a community-driven three phased process. During the last quarter of FY22 MAPC developed a final project report in the form of four project status memos and an Executive Summary. The Vision & Zoning Recommendations memo contained eleven recommendations that was used during FY23 by DPCD and the Town Council's Economic Development Sub-committee to begin Phase III of the Franklin For All Project, Rezoning. Several related Zoning Bylaw Amendments were developed during FY23, including:

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 22-889 made several small changes to the Zoning Bylaw's use regulations, including allowing multifamily housing in the Commercial I and General Residential V zoning districts By-Right, up to 1 unit per 2,250 SF of lot area. The amendment also added multifamily with Three Housing Units to the use regulations.

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 22-890 added a new section to the Town's Zoning Bylaw, §185-51 Inclusionary Zoning. Multifamily developments with 10 or more housing units are now required to have at least ten percent of the housing units as affordable.

Zoning Bylaw Amendments 23-894, 23-895, and 23- 896 added a definition for Accessory Dwelling Units and related regulation to the Town's Zoning Bylaw.

DPCD developed Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23- 898R that makes two small changes to the Zoning Bylaw's dimensional regulations including increasing the maximum percent of impervious lot coverage in the General Residential V Zoning District. The bylaw amendment is expected to be approved by Town Council during the first quarter of FY24.

Additional zoning bylaw amendments are being developed including adding a 40R Smart Growth Overlay Zoning District, which will be presented to the Town in the first half of FY24.

During the last half of FY23 DPCD staff took the first steps towards updating the Town of Franklin's 2013 Master Plan. DPCD staff provide administrative and technical support to the Master Plan Committee and its five subcommittees, as well as coordinate the efforts of the consultant team hired to develop an updated plan. The Master Plan update process will continue through FY24 and hopefully be completed by the summer of 2024.

U S Passport Application Acceptance Office

The U.S. Department of State designated the Town of Franklin as an official U.S. Passport Application Acceptance Facility over 20 years ago. For the last several years DPCD has managed the Town's Passport Application Acceptance Office, which is located on the first floor of the Municipal Building. The Passport Application Acceptance Office is open three days per week (by appointment only) to assist residents of Franklin and surrounding communities with passport applications. During FY23 Passport Office personnel reviewed/accepted DS-11 Passport applications for 785 applicants, and took 550 passport photos. Applicants utilizing the Town's Passport Application Acceptance Office services were hoping to travel to over 50 countries.

Planning and Implementation of Community Development and Economic Development Projects 

Each year the DPCD works on many community and economic development initiatives. The Department develops strategies, proposes policies, bylaw changes and Town Council resolutions, manages projects, and seeks grants in efforts to balance Franklin's community livability with its economic viability. DPCD encourages responsible community development that meets the goals and objectives of the Town's various planning documents, and the State's Sustainable Development and Smart Growth Principles. Some of DPCD's more important recently completed or ongoing projects and initiatives are summarized below.

Affordable Housing 

Since 2017 the Town of Franklin's most important affordable housing project has been the proposed 60-Unit Franklin Ridge Senior Housing project on Veterans Memorial Drive. DPCD has consistently worked with the Project Proponent, Town Administration, the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, and professional staff from the Town's Engineering and Water/Sewer departments to move this important project forward. During FY23 DPCD took the lead, working with Town of Franklin's Engineering and Water and Sewer Department professional staff, to develop a FY23 Community One Stop for Growth grant proposal that would pay for construction of needed infrastructure improvements. In October 2022 the Town received notice it was being awarded a $3.2 million MassWorks grant for the Veterans Memorial Way and Franklin Ridge Infrastructure Project. Funds will pay for final design/engineering and construction of the extension to Veterans Memorial Way, including roadway, sidewalks and all required utilities, and a booster pumping station that is required to enhance water pressure and fire protection for the Franklin Ridge Senior Housing Project, as well as the existing Eaton Place affordable senior housing development, Bright Hill Subdivision, and two additional Municipal Affordable Housing Trust owned parcels. This infrastructure portion of the Franklin Ridge housing development work, which is being managed by the Town, will begin in July 2023 and is expected to be substantially complete in 18 to 24 months.

Regional Planning 

DPCD regularly attends meetings and works on various regional planning issues with a variety of regional organizations, including Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the Southwest Advisory Planning Committee (SWAP Committee), and the I-495/MetroWest Corridor Partnership. Franklin's Town Planner Amy Love is currently very involved with regional planning issues as the Town's representative to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and the SWAP Committee. In addition, the DPCD occasionally supports the initiatives of other regional organizations including the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, Friends of the SNETT, the MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau, and the Charles River Watershed Association.

Downtown Revitalization 

For more than twenty years the Town has made revitalization of Downtown Franklin a major focus and has worked to improve the Downtown in a variety of ways. DPCD continues to work on projects related to implementation of the Franklin Center Plan, which was developed in 2002 and 2003 to provide Town officials with a vision and basic strategy for revitalization of Downtown Franklin. One important component of the Franklin Center Plan is Cultural Uses. The issue of Cultural Economic Development has been a focus for DPCD for many years, including providing assistance to the Town's Cultural District Committee in a variety of ways on a range of projects, including grant writing, grant management, and providing staff support in preparing for and running monthly meetings.

DPCD works regularly on a wide range of economic development projects and programs, and is one of DPCD's top priorities, second only to providing excellent administrative and technical assistance to the Town's boards, commissions and committees. Potential benefits to the Town from successful implementation of DPCD's business retainage and attraction initiatives are significant. Efforts focus on increasing the value of Franklin's commercial and industrial tax base, filling the Town's empty and underutilized industrially zoned buildings, and attracting  the  right mix of companies to the community. DPCD regularly communicates with realtors, property owners and businesses to make them aware of State and Federal technical assistance programs and financial resources that can be made available to further their development, and to raise awareness of DPCD as a resource for local businesses.

DPCD works regularly with Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), MassDevelopment and other agencies in efforts to attract the right mix of companies to the Town of Franklin's industrial and commercial areas.

At the end of FY22 DPCD met with a representative from MOBD and representatives of Plansee USA LLC to discuss Plansee's plans to expand their operations at 115 Constitution Boulevard. The company was researching State and Local incentives that may be available to manufacturers looking to make major investments in their facilities. Plansee representatives agreed the company would work to obtain Investment Tax Credits from the State, and a Tax Increment Financing agreement (TIF agreement) from the Town. On June 30, 2022 Plansee provided the Town with a letter of intent to seek development incentives through the Massachusetts Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP), including a TIF agreement from the Town. DPCD worked with Plansee, MOBD and the Town Administrator during the first weeks of FY23 to assess the proposed expansion project, and develop a TIF agreement, which was approved on July 20, 2022 by Town Council approval of Resolution 22-44. In September 2022 the Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council approved the ten year TIF, certified the company's economic development expansion project, and approved $125,000 in State investment tax credits. Plansee is a technological leader in high precision machining, and part of the company's expansion included a state-of-the-art Manufacturing Training Center, which opened later in the fiscal year.

DPCD will continue to undertake a wide range of community and economic development projects, programs, and planning initiatives that will keep the Town of Franklin's goals and objectives current and representative of residents' needs and desires. DPCD is proud of its accomplishments and welcomes public input on all of its efforts to improve the quality of life for the residents of Franklin.

Respectfully submitted,

Department of Planning & Community Development Staff.

The Dept of Planning & Community Development report can also be found in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tIWf8cDeUFjhWHxYNgdS6f95en3KloEG/view?usp=drive_link

The full Town of Franklin FY 2023 Annual Report can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/annual_report_2023_0.pdf

Annual Report Of Department Of Planning And Community Development: FY 2023 Report

Franklin TV: what is playing this week? Check out the schedule beginning Feb 18, 2024

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

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Franklin Residents: No Trash Delay - February 19-23, 2024

No Trash Delay - February 19-23, 2024

No Trash Delay - February 19-23, 202

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/no-trash-delay-feb-19-23-2024