What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, January 9, 2025 ???

Thursday, January 9, 2025

• Tree pick up this week on your normal trash day
• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library) 
• National Day of Mourning for Jimmy Carter

6:30pm LGBTQ Alliance Monthly Meeting (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM) 

6:30pm Junto Non-Fiction Book Club (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Cultural District Cmte (Franklin Senior Center)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

Event Date:  Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 2:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/january_9_2025_meeting_agenda.pdf

Charles River Pollution Control District Meeting

Event Date:  Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 3:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/crpcd_meeting_4.pdf

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Event Date:  Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/cdc_agenda_meeting_january_2025.pdf

Conservation Commission Meeting

Event Date:  Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/01-09-25_conservation_agenda.pdf

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Board of Trustees Meeting

Event Date:  Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/bfccps_meeting_5.pdf

Franklin Commission on Persons with Disabilities Meeting

Event Date:  Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/disabilities_meeting.pdf

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Re-discover Franklin on Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Website

The Franklin Downtown Partnership invites you to visit their website. The FDP’s website recently had a facelift making it easier to navigate and re-discover all that Franklin has to offer.

Look for us at franklindowntownpartnership.org. It’s a great way to see what’s new and happening in downtown and throughout the town. 

FDP’s new website

You will find dates for upcoming events such as the Ladybug Trail Spring Walk in April, the June Strawberry Stroll, and September’s Harvest Festival. Go to the “Visit Franklin” page to shop for all your needs by category – such as business services, medical professionals, pet services, shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and more.

The Partnership works with many community groups and businesses always with the goal to strengthen our connections and keep business strong and thriving. We all benefit from these partnerships making Franklin a great place to live, work, and visit. 

Stay up to date info and follow the Downtown Partnership on Instagram and Facebook at:  https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/  and  

https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)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 $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

The American Revolution As You’ve Never Imagined It! (pre-registration required)

Presented by Michael Wenzke, creator of the The Revolutionary Story Tour, a popular and award-winning Freedom Trail walking tour that mesmerizes participants.

Seating is limited and must be reserved in advance. Email alan.r.earls@gmail.com to request to add your name to the guest list (max request, 4). 

FREE

The American Revolution As You’ve Never Imagined It! (pre-registration required)

Economic Development Subcmte reviews and discusses priorities for the goals for this year (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met as scheduled Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Council Chambers. All four members of the subcommittee met in Chambers.

Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n11fImC7CE4&t=126  (Franklin Matters Radio will have the audio in a couple of days)

Follow along with the agenda   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2025-01-8_edc_agenda.pdf

Quick recap:

• Goals update, discussion on setting what priorities there should be
• Open Space plan not yet approved by State, comments sent back to Town and they will take time to adjust and incorporate
• Round among the subcommittee as they shared their priorities, except for Chandler
• After the round, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - The Crossing and 40r would probably be best to start with. Home business, taking a reasonable step forward re: water and sewer. Current bylaws restrict auto and food prep from home use, as well as medical. At scale, it gets to be a problem for the infrastructure. Possible joint discussion with Board of Health, Health Dept, along with DPW to talk about the issues they see. Attempting to provide an overview to someone to answer "How does someone start a business, and what are the triggers for the growth steps?" How to ensure the property owner is responsible for their damage that could be caused
• Frongillo comes back to offer his priority, (1) shared parking with initiatives/incentives, residential downtown parking permit, others do it; 19 Dean case for the managed shared parking - (2) downtown business use, a few minor exemptions would be good to look at to enable active store fronts (3) we stopped at downtown dimensions, didn't get into the frontage,  setbacks, etc. which are a massive difference to enabling development; has drafted starting points for each of these 3 points
• Per Jamie, If there are bylaw changes required, we would need to get those started by July in order to get those thru the process, before the Nov elections
• Cycling back to the 40r discussion, a 40r draft was prepared a year or so ago, could be picked up from there

My notes in one PDF file ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zpUk1_QkADUkb-iCbJGP9CKvXRx2yj-8/view?usp=drive_link

From the archives, prior discussion of 40r goes back to

40r, Dec 2022 - EDC Plus Mtg

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/economic-development-plus-cmte-mtg.html

40r (and home occupation) Oct 2023 - EDC Mtg

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/economic-development-cmte-hears-about.html

40r, Nov 2023 - EDC Mtg

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/economic-development-subcommittee.html

FHS wrestling falls to Milford on Wednesday (video)

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 

Wrestling = Milford, 46 @ Franklin, 30 – Final 

– Milford pulled out a hard-fought dual meet at Franklin to kick off its Kelley-Rex title defense. The Panthers got off to a great start at 106 with a first-period pin by highly-ranked freshman John Woodall. Brayden Boccia matched him with a pin in the first period at 113 and Milford grabbed the lead when Dylan Wright won 16-4 at 120 and Derek Marcolini won 19-2 at 126. Jacob Bramson answered back for the home team with a second-period pin at 132 and Riley Carlucci put the Panthers back in front when he pinned his opponent with 44 seconds left in the match at 138. Milford went on a run of wins in the middle weights. Aidan Baum earned a 10-3 at 144, although Jack Sauer was able to avoid the major decision. Ryan Flis added an 8-3 win at 150 then Francesco Furnari earned a pin at 157 and Michael Boulanger quickly won by fall just 40 seconds into his match at 165. Jack Rosenberger got six points back for Franklin with a third-period pin at 175, but Luke Donis wasted no time getting them back with his 34-second pin at 190. The match at 215 drew the biggest roar of the night. Franklin’s Will Best trailed 10-9 in the third period of a back-and-forth match but he was able to pin his opponent with just 34 seconds remaining.

Franklin TV Video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi_2T6gRplM

For a Photo Gallery from this meet -> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2024-2025/Winter-2024-2025/Franklin-Milford-Wrestling-01-08-25

"Great match tonight with a loss to Milford 46-32. Pins from Woodall, Carlucci, Rosenberg.  @HockomockSports "   https://x.com/FHSWrestle/status/1877153293241070018

Swimming = Taunton @ Franklin, 7:00

no results available at this time

Gymnastics = Canton @ Franklin, 8:00

no results available at this time

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-08-25/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Board of Health gets update on successful coat drive & more in regular meeting (audio)

FM #1349 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1349 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025. The meeting agenda listed it being conducted via Google meet and with no location shown, it was assumed to be virtual. However, the 2 members of the Board (Harris, Mu-Chow) (1 absent - Sweet) and Health Dept members apparently were present together. 

Quick Recap:

• Discussion on new oversight board and appointment of Director Liberty as representative. Motion made and approved 2-0

• Coat drive update: successful, collected over 600 new/used costs, distribution of 325 or so to families, some of the left over coats went to a church in Milford. Total among the distribution and collections, approx. 1,000 coats, etc. delivered to families who wanted them.

• 427 Oakland Park update, coordinated with Attny General; owners did start work with a contractor on the roof, letter/ notification of process is underway

• 147 Pleasant St septic exemption requested, relatively minor recommended, so moved, passes 2-0

• Health agent report, training done. Discussion on suspected food poisoning, investigation of incident from a confirmed case, hard to confirm exact cause/location. FDA had notifications recently on cucumbers for example. COVID tests still available via Health nurse at Senior Center, call to arrange pickup. Flu season; 33 current cases (folks actually getting tested)

• Monitoring continues on other cases that arise. Surge in cases due to home and holiday gatherings; Noro virus reports up Training for the school nurses conducted on communicable diseases, hands only CPR last month, participating in the Student Wellness committee, participated in Winter Wonderland at Senior Center

• No citizen comments

Motion to adjourn, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 absent)

The meeting runs about 22 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting Jan 8, 2025. Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1349-tof-board-of-health-mtg-01-08-25/

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The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/1-8-25_boh_agenda.pdf 

My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TLS4pouWCegoJ-PmqjCPItM3p_WbYgLF/view?usp=drive_link 

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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 

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Board of Health gets update on successful coat drive amongst other items (audio)

The Rotary Club of Franklin MA is planning their 6th Annual Valentine’s Brunch, slated for February 8, 2025

The Rotary Club of Franklin MA is proud to announce that their 6th Annual Valentine’s Brunch is slated for February 8, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 noon, at the Franklin Housing Authority Hall, located at 1000 Central Park Terrace, Franklin, MA 02038.

6th Annual Valentine’s Brunch

All Franklin Senior’s and residents of Franklin Housing Authority are welcome to join the Rotary Club as their special guests, where all will be treated to a delicious, homemade Valentine’s brunch. Feel free to show your love and wear your red!

Seniors are urged to enter their names on a sign-up so that no one is left out. Sign-up sheets may found at the following locations: 

• Central Park Terrace, 1000 Central Park Terrace, Franklin, MA

• Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA

The Rotary Club International is a non-profit organization made up of a diverse group of men and women “who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world.” https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary

If you would like more information about our organization or interested in attending a meeting, please contact Diane Padula at rotartycluboffranklinma@gmail.com and she will make arrangements for you to be a guest at one of Rotary’s upcoming meetings.

Native Plant Seed Starting Workshop scheduled for Jan 18

All are welcome to:

A Native Plant Seed Starting Workshop which is FREE and open to the public. 

Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the First Universalist Society in Franklin meetinghouse (262 Chestnut Street).

Native Plant Seed Starting Workshop

Growing native plants in your yard is essential for supporting pollinators and birds. Join us for a presentation on the importance of native plants and how to grow them in your yard.  

Together we will do some "winter sowing.” We will be planting seeds in gallon jug greenhouses so that you can plant the plants in your yard this spring. We will provide native plant seeds and soil. You provide the gallon jugs for planting in (the kind milk and water come in).

This workshop will be led by Stirling Cousins, a member of the FUSF Sustainable Native Landscape Team. Stirling is a lay member of FUSF and has a background in biology, environmental science and teaching. She is a certified Field Naturalist in both New York and Massachusetts.  She has created native plant gardens in six home and business settings. 

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. Our Interim Minister is Reverend Beverly Waring. 

For more information about FUSF please visit our website at Fusf.org. 

or contact us at info@fusf.org; call 508-528-5348

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15pkhWAYyH/

Taking the guesswork out of gigs

Taking the guesswork out of gigs By Gema de las Heras Say you're looking for ways to make extra cash and see an ad for a gig doing lawn or handy work, house cleaning, or assembling furniture.  What they promise you'll make per hour sounds good.  When you complete the work, you expect to make what you saw advertised, right?  But the FTC says that's not what happened for most people who signed up for gigs on the Handy Technologies platform. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/01/taking-guesswork-out-gigs?

Taking the guesswork out of gigs

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Thursday, Jan 9, 2025

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

9:00am, 12:00pm, 6:00pm - Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  

•  This week's Turntable album hour features Led Zeppelin's "Untitled Album" known as "Led Zeppelin IV".   Led Zeppelin IV was the band's 4th album released on November 8, 1971.  One of the world's most monumental rock bands and records ever featuring the top selling hits "Stairway to Heaven", "Black Dog", and "Rock and Roll".   
• The Playlist hour features The Vibe's favorite hits including live releases from the 1 night 2007 Celebration Day reunion concert in O2 Arena in London.  This is a Turntable rock n roll celebration! Drop the needle and turn it up! Playlist ->     https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BN5ko8gHT4hxKbhpUWDSGrz_rG6GDMUH/view?usp=drive_link

11:00am, 2:00pm, 8:00pm  - Frank Presents – Notable Local Conversations

 

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

7:00 am Fallen Heroes Pt 9

7:30 am Veterans' Call: SHINE

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Centerpieces

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Salmon

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 7

3:00 pm Riffin' on Main Street: James McLaughlin

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1

5:00 pm Franklin Art Association: Vincent Crotty

6:30 pm Mrs. Claus Storytime

7:00 pm Frank Presents: Jim Derick

9:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Twisted Sisters

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

7:00 am Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 2 03-14-18

8:30 am Cultural Council: BT ALC Big Band

10:00 am FHS Varsity Swimming v Milford 01-03-25

1:30 pm Universe of Adolescent Sleep

2:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1

4:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Newburyport 12-31-24

6:30 pm FHS Theater Company: Cinderella

9:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Stoughton 12-18-24

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission 12-12-24

12:00 pm Community Preservation 12-18-24

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 12-12-24

7:00 pm Conservation Commission  CHAMBERS  931 6530 1638

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 ???

Wednesday, January 8

• Tree pick up this week on your normal trash day
• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Writer's Group (Franklin Senior Center)

5:30pm Teen Vision Boards (Franklin Public Library)

6:30pm Franklin Art Association (Franklin Senior Center)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Board of Health Meeting (virtual meeting)

Event Date:  Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 5:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/1-8-25_boh_agenda.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting  (Council Chambers & broadcast)

Event Date:  Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 5:45pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2025-01-8_edc_agenda.pdf

Franklin Historical Commission Meeting (Historical Museum)

Event Date:  Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 6:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/fhc_agenda.pdf

Town Council Meeting (Council Chambers & broadcast)

Event Date:  Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_1.8.25.pdf

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars