Monday, February 3, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, February 3, 2025 ???

Monday, February 3
1:15pm Movie Matinee: "Glory" (Franklin Senior Center)
4:00pm Petite Picassos (event full) (Franklin Public Library)


**  NO  Town Meetings today   **



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Why are there multiple calendars?
What's happening today in Franklin?
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/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false



Franklin MA: Town Council agenda for Feb 5, 2025 meeting

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
February 5, 2025 - 7 PM


1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely
c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
a. Fire Department - Promotions
i. Captain Matthew Kelly
ii. Lieutenant Jeffrey Ward
5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled
 
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM
a. Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of September Drive and Countryside Lane and Drainage Lots Parcels A and B and Easements
i. Legislation for Action Item 9a   
b. New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine,
Located at 14 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 - Continued from January 22, 2025
i. License Transaction Item 7a
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License and Approval of Karan Goswami as the Manager - Kaushik Restaurants Inc. d/b/a Mirchi Indian Cuisine, Located at 14 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 - Continued from January 22, 2025
8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION 
a. ALS/BLS Trends - EMS Battalion Chief Billy “Numbers” Blanchard, EMS Captain Laurie Kaye
i. Legislation for Action Item 9b.
9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 25-07: Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of September Drive and Countryside Lane and Drainage Lots Parcels A and B and Easements

b. Bylaw Amendment 25-924: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - First Reading
(Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 25-924 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4303/9b-25-924_-Ch-82-Municipal-Service-Fees---Comstar-New-Rates

c. Resolution 25-10: Adoption of the 2025 Master Plan for the Town of Franklin

d. Resolution 25-04: Capital Improvement Plan (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-04 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4309/9d-FY25-Capital-Improvement-Plan

e. Resolution 25-02: Statewide Opioid Settlement Fund Appropriation
(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-02 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4310/9e-Opioid

f. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin - Signs (at C. 3.) - Second Reading
(Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-919 - ⅔ Majority Roll Call Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4314/9f-24-919-Signs

g. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185 Section 20 of the Code of the Town of Franklin- Signs (at E.2.) - Second Reading
(Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 24-920 - ⅔ Majority Roll Call Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4315/24-920-signs

h. Bylaw Amendment 25-922: Amendment to Sewer System Map - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 25-922 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4316/9h-Sewer-and-Water-Maps---Veterans-Memorial-Dr-1

i. Bylaw Amendment 25-923: Amendment to Water System Map - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 25-923 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4317/9i-1---BYLAW-AMENDMENT-25-923---Water-System-Map---Veterans-Memorial-Dr

j. Resolution 25-08: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-08 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4318/9j---25-08-PEG

k. Resolution 25-09: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($50), Veterans’ ($2,550), & Recreation ($8,405) (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-09 - Majority Vote)  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4319/9k-GIFTS

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Budget Subcommittee
d. Master Plan Committee
e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee
f. Police Station Building Committee
g. GATRA Advisory Board
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052025-1546

New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License
New Common Victualler Section 12 Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License - Mirchi

Franklin Art Association features Guest Demo-Artist, Erin Spencer - Feb 5

The Franklin Art Association invites the public to our Wednesday, February 5 meeting. We will warmly greet Guest Demo-Artist, Erin Spencer, our landscape, oil painter for this month’s public demonstration. She will be giving a step by step demonstration for a fine art painting. 

Erin will discuss how to ‘simplify’ your approach. Like making a poem, in her approach she looks at painting as distilling visual information made into a unique interpretation; offering a new insight. The finished work tends toward realism mixed with tonalism.

Franklin Art Association
Franklin Art Association
The free-to-the-public-meetings are held at the Franklin Senior Center at 6:30 PM. FAA welcomes the public and it’s members to attend. Refreshments are served at the break. We have an on-going FAA Scholarship Fund that attendees are invited to contribute to. 

The FAA is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Franklin Cultural Council, Franklin Cultural District and www.franklinart.org. And we can be viewed on Facebook and Instagram. 

Joint Budget Subcmte Listening Session goes 3 hours; quite a few questions from 11 people & lots of listening (audio)

FM #1368 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1368 in the series. 


This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Thursday, January 30, 2025 at the Elks Lodge on Pond St. All 9 of the 10 members participated along with TA Jamie Hellen and School Supt Lucas Giguere. 


At least 11 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions.


Resources referenced during the listening session


The FY 2026 budget page has the docs and they will be updated as the budget discussion progresses through the cycle. The Governor's budget just came out to set out local aid baseline https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 


The Franklin For All podcast series as touted by Jamie can be found. A series of 8 episodes on housing, development, new growth, etc. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-for-all-housing-zoning-podcast.html 


FY 2026 budget was presented at the SchCmte meeting Tuesday, Jan 28. The budget hearing is scheduled for Tues, Feb 4. The School Committee is scheduled to vote on the budget at their Feb 11 meeting. Tuesday's (1/28) presentation https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5256287/28Jan2025_FY26_Super_Rec_Budget_to_SC.pdf     


Redistricting updates are posted to the Schools page https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/comprehensive-school-facilities-assessment 


Jan 15 FinCom session has a “hold harmless” explanation https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/finance-committee-approves-recommended_0799398139.html  



The recording runs about 2 hours, 50 minutes , so let’s listen in. Audio link ->

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1368-joint-budget-subcmte-listening-session-1-01-30-25/


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The agenda doc https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01302025-1536 


The agenda packet includes:


a. Town Administrator FY26 Budget Update #4 Memorandum - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4201/Town-Administrator-FY26-Budget-Update-4-Memorandum- 


b. Updated FY26 Budget Model (1/30/25)  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4191/02b-FY26-Budget-Control-Sheet---Control-Summary 


c. Estimated Override Matrix  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4190/02c-Override-Tax-Rate-Impact-Calculationxlsx---Sheet1 


d. Board of Assessors Request Letter  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4189/02d-Board-of-Assessors-Support-for-Administrative-Assistant


The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWIm5bsscs0


My full set of notes in one PDF ->   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DK7FArRJNsgwnwdXSehJtDtQRbleA0x8/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"


First session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour
First session of the Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Tour

FHS boys hockey team falls to Walpole on Sunday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on  Sunday, February 2, 2025


Boys Hockey = Franklin, 0 vs. Walpole, 4 – Final
  • That’s the end of the first. 2-0 Walpole
  • 2:00 left in the second and Walpole goes up 3-0
  • 6:00 left. 4-0 Walpole
  • That’s the game. 4-0 Walpole. Next game is Senior Night at home Wednesday night at 6:00pm against Attleboro

Gymnastics = Attleboro @ Franklin, 4:30
no results available at this time


For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

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

FHS Sports live streaming schedule for the week of Feb 3 - Feb 8, 2025

FHS Sports live streaming schedule for the week of Feb 3 - Feb 8, 2025
FHS Sports live streaming schedule

Live broadcast schedule for the week of Feb 3 - Feb 8, 2025!



Tune into Franklin Pride on Youtube ->   
 https://bit.ly/FTV-Schools








GOOD DEEDS: Words of Wisdom

By William P. O’Donnell, Norfolk County Register of Deeds

The words of an inspirational leader can have a profound impact on the individuals they guide, and when these words are uttered by an individual who holds the highest office in the United States of America, they can influence a nation.

As residents of Norfolk County, we are fortunate to have four U.S. Presidents 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). Their words to the nation could be a soothing reassurance during times of uncertainty, a call to action to move the country to solve a national issue, or words of inspiration to motivate the United States of America to accomplish a goal. Their legacies remind us of the profound impact leadership can have on our community and the nation as a whole, shaping not only policy but also the values we hold dear.

GOOD DEEDS: Words of Wisdom
GOOD DEEDS: Words of Wisdom
This Presidents' Day as we reflect on the profound legacies of these distinguished leaders, their words continue to resonate with us today. Each of these presidents has left behind a wealth of wisdom that remains relevant today. Among them, John Adams, who in 1797 would become the second President of the United States, offers a poignant reminder of the enduring value of liberty. In a letter to his wife Abigail Adams, he discussed the destruction and hardships caused by the Revolutionary War, particularly the burning of Charlestown, Massachusetts, which had a personal impact on Abigail's family.

John Adams writes in a letter to his wife Abigail Adams dated July 7, 1775:
"Cities may be rebuilt, and a People reduced to Poverty, may acquire fresh Property: But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty once lost is lost forever." – John Adams
No one could overestimate the influence that Abigail Adams, a hero in her own right, had on her husband. Historians will tell you she was highly intelligent and considered one of the most well‐read women of the 18th century. Abigail was her husband’s confidant and provided him with great inspiration.

John Quincy Adams, who was the son of John and Abigail Adams, was the sixth President of the United States. His dedication to public service and diplomacy left a lasting impact on the nation. John Quincy Adams' eloquence and dedication to the principles of liberty and governance are evident in his words.

From a speech delivered by John Quincy Adams on July 4, 1821, while he was serving as Secretary of State:
"America, with the same voice which spoke herself into existence as a nation, proclaimed to mankind the inextinguishable rights of human nature, and the only lawful foundations of government." – John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams emphasizes the fundamental principles that established the United States. He asserts that America, from its inception, has proclaimed the fundamental rights inherent to all human beings and the legitimate basis for any government. These principles include liberty, justice, and equality, which are central to the nation's identity.

John F. Kennedy became the 35th President of the United States in 1961. President Kennedy was known for his charisma and ability to inspire change. His vision for a better world resonates with people of all backgrounds and continues to impact leaders today.

President John F. Kennedy said the following in his inaugural speech on January 20, 1961:
"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country." – John F. Kennedy
One of the most iconic inaugural addresses in American history, this speech marked the beginning of his presidency. He aimed to inspire a sense of duty and public service among Americans, emphasizing the importance of contributing to the greater good rather than focusing on personal gain.

George H.W. Bush became the 41st President of the United States in 1989. President Bush was known for his diplomatic skills, his ability to navigate complex international relations and his belief in community organizations.

President George H.W. Bush said the following in his inaugural address on January 20, 1989:
"We can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, the illumination of a Thousand Points of Light...We all have something to give." – George H.W. Bush
President Bush used the "thousand points of light" metaphor to highlight the importance of community organizations and volunteerism in addressing social issues. A notion that individual acts of kindness and service could collectively create a powerful force for good in society. This vision led to the establishment of the Points of Light Foundation in 1990, which aimed to promote volunteerism and civic engagement.

The words and actions of these four distinguished leaders from Norfolk County—John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John F. Kennedy, and George H.W. Bush—serve as enduring reminders of the profound impact that inspirational leadership can have on both a community and a nation. Their legacies, marked by their dedication to liberty, public service, and the greater good, continue to resonate today, offering guidance and inspiration.

Senior Center Newsletter for February 2025 is out in the mail & available for download

Senior Center Newsletter for February 2025
Senior Center Newsletter for February 2025



If you want to download a copy, visit this link -> 
 https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4307/February-2025-Newsletter?bidId=





Senior Center events for the week of Feb 3 - Feb 7, 2025

 

"Here’s what’s happening this week at the #franklinseniorcenter come in and join the fun! 
#blackhistorymonth #kindnessmatters #franklinma"


For details on these highlight events, or on the regular daily schedule, please visit the Senior Center online at ->    https://franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

Senior Center calendar for for week or Feb 3- Feb 7, 2025
Senior Center calendar for for week or Feb 3- Feb 7, 2025

Music boosters calendar updates for winning tickets

Music boosters calendar updates for winning tickets
Music boosters calendar updates for winning tickets

 

"The Music Boosters will be contacting folks when they are pulled for the winning ticket each day.

Check your ticket status -> https://givebutter.com/cr2025"


Venn diagram on the intersection of services, housing, and taxes

Venn diagram on the intersection of services, housing, and taxes
 intersection of services, housing, and taxes

 

"the consequence for showing up at a village meeting to complain about new homes being built in your community should be having to memorize this Venn diagram"






Egg shortages? There are alternatives for baking to consider

via the Univ of Maine Cooperative Extension Service

Egg Shortages? We've Got You Covered!
🥚
In light of the rising cost of eggs due to the national shortage, many of us are exploring alternatives for cooking and baking. Luckily, there are some fantastic, affordable substitutes to try in your favorite recipes!
Egg Shortages? We've Got You Covered!
Egg Shortages? We've Got You Covered!
📖 Check out this helpful guide from University of Maine Cooperative Extension's Kate McCarty on using egg substitutes for baking and cooking. Whether it's flaxseed, applesauce, or even seltzer water, these alternatives can help you save money without sacrificing quality.
🌱 Here's a sneak peek:
Flaxseed: Great for structure, adds fiber, and is budget-friendly.
Seltzer water: Delivers amazing texture at the lowest cost.
Applesauce: Ideal for quick breads, with a touch of natural sweetness.
For detailed tips and insights on egg substitutes, read the full article and get creative in the kitchen!