Saturday, April 27, 2024

Register O’Donnell to Visit Franklin Town Hall - May 7

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell and his outreach team will hold office hours Tuesday, May 7th, from 10 AM to 12 PM at Franklin Town Hall in the Council Chambers as part of his ongoing efforts to bring the Registry of Deeds directly to the residents of Norfolk County.

 

The Registry of Deeds is the principal office for real property records in Norfolk County, cataloging and housing more than 13.1 million land documents dating back to 1793. The office hours will be held to assist residents with any questions or concerns regarding real property records or land documents.

 

Register O’Donnell to Visit Franklin Town Hall - May 7
Register O’Donnell to Visit Franklin Town Hall - May 7

The Register expressed his strong belief in the benefits of bringing the Registry directly to Franklin. “These Registry office hours,” noted the Register, “allow us to bring the services of the Registry of Deeds directly to the citizens of Norfolk County without the inconvenience of having them travel to the Registry’s central office in Dedham.”

 

By offering office hours in Franklin, the Register aims to make it more convenient for residents to access and inquire about real property records. This initiative reflects the Register's commitment to providing efficient and accessible services to the citizens of Norfolk County.

 

Registry staff are able to provide local residents with certified copies of land documents, such as deeds and mortgage discharges. They can also bring original land documents for residents back to the Registry for recording.

 

Register O’Donnell concluded by stating, “I understand that not everyone has the ability to travel to the Registry. By offering office hours in Franklin, we hope to accommodate those who may have difficulty making it to our main location. Additionally, residents can also utilize our online services to access and request real property records from the comfort of their own homes. Our goal is to ensure that all Norfolk County residents have convenient and flexible options for accessing and inquiring about their real property records.”

 

 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.

 

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website, www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.


Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities updated to include Senior Center with Library, Facilities, DPW, & Finance

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Senior Center Director - Franklin Senior Center

Deputy Library Director - Franklin Public Library

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department 

Summer Custodians - Facilities Department

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department

Chief Financial Officer - Finance Department

Budget and Fiscal Analyst - Finance Department

Mechanic/Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Summer Employment - Department of Public Works

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 04/25/2024

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities updated to include Senior Center with Library, Facilities, DPW, & Finance
Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities updated to include Senior Center with Library, Facilities, DPW, & Finance

Friday, April 26, 2024

Disability Expo schedule for May 4 at the Franklin Senior Center

The 2nd Disability Expo will be held at the Franklin Senior Center on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 11 AM to 2 PM.

This expo will have numerous exhibitors set up at tables that you can visit in order to learn more about a variety of disability-related resources, activities, and support!

Entry is free! 
There will also be free door prizes too!

When: Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 11 AM to 2 PM

Where: Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street Franklin, MA 02038

Listen to Mary O'Neill talk with me about the Disability Expo. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1177-disability-expo-mary-oneill-04-19-24


Disability Expo schedule for May 4 at the Franklin Senior Center
Disability Expo schedule for May 4 at the Franklin Senior Center

Dean College performs Dance Company through Sunday, April 28

"Our final production of the 2023-2024 season, Dance Company, opens tonight and runs through this Sunday! 
Don't miss our incredibly talented dancers performing faculty and guest choreographed works in this exciting performance! 

Award-winning faculty and guest choreographers showcase the impressive talent of our dance majors through a mixed bill of new and restaged dance works, ranging in style from hip-hop to jazz dance, tap to modern and ballet. 

Get your tickets ->  https://ci.ovationtix.com/36211/production/1174832

Shared from -> https://t.co/nfk6l8D6Sj

Dean College performs Dance Company through Sunday, April 28
Dean College performs Dance Company through Sunday, April 28

Comprehensive School Facilities Planning proposal to right size the school district in fewer schools

Good Evening, FPS Community,

I am writing to provide an update on this evening’s Comprehensive School Facilities subcommittee meeting.  As previously shared on 4/19/24, Locker Master Planning and Kaestle Boos and Associates are finalizing their assessment of the district’s facilities to identify both short-term, midterm, and long-term solutions to continue providing high-quality education opportunities for our students while creating a more fiscally sustainable model for our district.

Two options emerged from this work, which were shared and discussed. Visual maps that depict both options are attached to this email to provide more context.

Both options developed resulted in two strategic changes for the 2025-26 school year.

  1. Unifying our three middle schools into one middle school in one location, the current Horace Mann/Oak Street complex. This will result in the closure of the three middle schools as they currently exist.

  2. Unifying our five elementary schools into four elementary schools in two locations, the current Remington/Jefferson Complex and the current Annie Sullivan/Helen Keller Complex. This will result in the closure of the five elementary schools as they currently exist and the redistricting of all students between these complexes.  As a result, the Kennedy and Parmenter Elementary Schools would become unoccupied in their current capacity.

school district in fewer schools
school district in fewer schools
Further, the two recommended options differed in grade-band structure at the K-5 level.

Option A

Identifying two K-5 complexes, the current Keller/Sullivan and Remington/Jefferson complexes, that would function as four elementary schools.  Labeled on the map are “North Elementary K-2” and “North Elementary 3-5” schools at the Keller/Sullivan complex, and “South Elementary K-2” and “South Elementary 3-5” schools at the Remington/Jefferson complex.

Option B

Identifying one K-2 elementary site at the current Keller/Sullivan complex and one 3-5 elementary site at the current Remington/Jefferson complex.  However, the Comprehensive School Facilities subcommittee determined this was not a viable option to move forward to a School Committee vote. This decision was made when considering the impacts of transportation, additional school transitions for students, and the creation of a large number of class sections within each grade level, which does not align with the stakeholder feedback to preserve smaller learning communities within larger schools.

Lastly, both options maintain ECDC at its current site and allow for future expansion at the current Kennedy Elementary School.

The results from the Master Facilities Plan will be shared at the next school committee meeting on April 30, 2024, along with a recommendation to the School Committee.  Franklin stakeholders are invited to share input during public comment at that meeting.

School Committee Members will vote on a final recommendation at the following School Committee meeting on May 14, 2024. A vote to take action on this option will result in strategic master planning during the 2024-25 school year, followed by implementation for the 2025-26 school year.

We recognize these options result in significant change within the district, and we are committed to thoughtfully planning and sharing information as it becomes available. Please be on the lookout for a follow-up email from your building principals as well.

Respectfully,

Lucas Giguere

Superintendent


The map of the current district along with that for Option A and Option B can be found in this PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DO3B2-nn1S1wNucsrODU-nrIAWL7Meib/view?usp=drive_link


FHS girls & boys lacrosse and girls tennis teams post wins on Thursday

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Thursday, Apr 25, 2024.

Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 10 @ King Philip, 4 – Final

Girls Lacrosse = King Philip, 4 @ Franklin, 5 – Final (2 OT)

Boys Tennis = Franklin, 1 vs. Dover-Sherborn, 4 – Final

Girls Tennis = Franklin, 3 @ Dover-Sherborn, 2 – Final



For other results around 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

Comprehensive School Facility Plng Subcommittee recommends Option A for redistricting (audio)

FM #1181 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1181 in the series. 


This session shares the Comprehensive School Facility Planning Subcommittee meeting of Thursday, April 25, 2024. Subcommittee Chair Dave Callaghan, Al Charles, Erin Gallagher, Supt Lucas Giguere, Asst Supt Dr Tina Rogers, Asst Supt Paula Marano, Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch participated.


Review of the feedback from the focus groups on visioning and portrait of the graduate were reviewed.


Facility proposal outlined with 2 options on how to handle the elementary schools. Option A to keep the facility as K-5, Option B to split the K-2 and 3-5. Option B would introduce a transition and put aside. It also did not align with feedback from the focus groups.


Subcommittee recommended to bring Option A forward to the School Committee meeting Tuesday, April 30.


The meeting recording runs about 70 minutes. Audio link https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1181-comprehensive-school-facility-plng-mtg-04-25-24



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



Agenda for this session ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/fps-comprehensive-facilities-planning.html 


Letter to FPS community with summary -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/comprehensive-school-facilities.html 


My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WFZHjNN7Ggf7rMXmZN29PgtAQTHP-nO_/view?usp=drive_link


PDF file with the 3 maps, current state, Option A and Option B  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DO3B2-nn1S1wNucsrODU-nrIAWL7Meib/view?usp=drive_link 



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

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


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!

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


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




Town Council and School Committee hear from residents for or against an override, for June, or for Nov (audio in 2 parts)

FM #1179-80 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1179-80 in the series. 


This session shares the Joint Town Council & School Committee meeting of Wednesday, April 24, 2024 in 2 parts. All 9 Town Councilors and all 7 School Committee members participated.  Many town and school department managers were also present in the first couple of rows of the auditorium.


Over 400 folks were in the FHS auditorium, another 2-300 were online via YouTube at one point or another (and that tallied 800+ unique individuals by the time the meeting ended).


Part 1 

Covers the first 90 minutes of the meeting

  • Town Administrator Jamie Hellen presented the FY 2025 budget

  • School Superintendent Lucas Giguere accompanied by Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch presented the school budget and issues



Part 2

The remaining 1 hour and 40 minutes covered the public comment and question section. Speakers were allocated 1 minute, most kept to the point.

Audio link P2 -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1180-joint-town-council-school-cmte-mtg-04-24-24-p2-of-2


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


The Franklin TV broadcast of the 3 hour plus session is available for replay on YouTube ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/xMN27_nBPUU?si=aeSWZvxA-SMPJ6wo


Agenda for this session -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/april_10_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf 


Town presentation

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-04-24_fy25_budget_update_joint_sc_tc_meeting.pdf


School presentation

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy25_super_budget_sc_tc_presentation_4_24_24.pdf


My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h_7qKlYxPivFDjatz9mjtDg8lU-WMY_q/view?usp=drive_link 


Photo album with the slides as captured during the presentation on Wednesday

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qiHMQqYaertGjcqSA 


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

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


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!

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


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


best depiction of 4 budgets for the portrait of a graduate
best depiction of 4 budgets for the portrait of a graduate


Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Friday, Apr 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

7:00 am Arts Advocacy: Fundraising
8:30 am Frank Presents: Jacob Juncker
10:00 am Riffin' on Main Street: James Johnston
11:00 am Senior Connection: Disabilities Commission
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Chicken Parmesan
1:00 pm Master Plan Committee Open House
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 7
3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1
6:30 pm Joe Landry: Funeral Homes
8:00 pm Endless Konnections: Introduction
8:04 pm Endless Konnections: Natasha Ward Pt 1
9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Cheryl Wheeler

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

7:00 am Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22
8:30 am Mental Health: Jeff Roy
9:30 am Rec Basketball: 7th & 8th Grade Boys Championship
11:00 am FHS Varsity Softball v Braintree 04-19-24
1:30 pm Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2023
3:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies
6:30 pm FHS Track and Field: v North Attleboro 05-09-23
10:00 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

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

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 04-11-24
12:00 pm Economic Development 04-10-24
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 04-11-24

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

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Key events for Thursday, April 25, 2024

A Dream Shared - an art exhibit & talk back 
When:  April 25, 2024 from 4 to 6 PM
Where: Franklin Historical Museum
Should be a good event with art and conversation about art, a great way for me to begin my evening of reporting

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee Meeting 
April 25 at 5 PM
Municipal Building 3rd Floor Training Room
What is this latest redistricting effort going to bring forward? This may be the preview for the subcommittee before the School Committee gets to see it. Kinda a sneak peak! We should at least find out find out where they are in the process.

Franklin, MA: School Committee Special Meeting 
April 25, 2024 - 6:30-7:30 PM
Municipal Building – Council Chambers
Yes, a special committee meeting to interview the next school business administrator. Folks should recall that Miriam Goodman retired last year. Dr Bob Dutch has stepped in for this year. The meeting will help determine the next individual to fill this critical role.

BT/ALC Big Band at Franklin High School (free concert)
WHEN: Thursday, April 25 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
WHERE: Franklin High School Auditorium
Funded by the Franklin Cultural Council and MASS Cultural Council, a great way to close the day with some big band and jazz sounds
Key events for Thursday, April 25
Key events for Thursday, April 25, 2024

Why are there multiple calendars?
There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

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:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

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