June 2021 Edition
The Common Grounds Cafe will reopen for Breakfast & Lunch on Tuesday, June 15th. Both indoor and outdoor seating will be available and reservations are NOT required! The Cafe has an updated menu and will be open weekdays 8:30 am-1:00 pm. We can't wait to see you!

The Curbside Cafe will close on Friday, June 11th. Many thanks to The Metrowest Health Foundation and The Greater Milford Community Health Network (CHNA 6) for helping to fund this program over the past year!
Mark you calendars for these fun events!
The Franklin Public Library will be returning to regular hours as of June 1st! Hours will be Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
As always, the Library has a full calendar of events for residents of all ages! Visit the library website to find out more about our upcoming special events, workshops, book sale, and so much more!

Chief Thomas Lynch is pleased to announce that the Franklin Police Department has been awarded Certification status by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. The FPD examined various aspects of the department's policies, procedures, operations, facilities, equipment, and training. Any deficiencies that were located or policies that were deficient were identified and corrected to reflect the best professional practices recognized through MPAC. This effort could not have been achieved without the cooperation and assistance of the men and women of the Franklin Police Department.
In March of 2021, a team of assessors reviewed the department's policies, procedures, management, operations, and support services and determined that we met each of the 159 mandatory Certification standards required by the Commission.

"The men and women of the Franklin Police Department are a team of dedicated professionals who have worked hard to make this award possible. We will continue with our mission of providing the highest level of service to the citizens of the town of Franklin," said Chief Thomas Lynch. "During a time where police reform is prominent in the news, the residents and businesses in the Town of Franklin can be assured that its police department is following the best standards and continues to deliver professional services to our entire community."
Stormwater Art Contest Winners Announced!
The Franklin Stormwater Division recently held an art contest asking students from ages 5 - 17 to create a variety of images to help educate our community about Stormwater. Graphic design students from FHS designed Stormwater Division logos and presented their graphics as part of the contest. The winning logo (featured above) was created by Lola Nin. All winners received a $100 Amazon gift card donated by Think Blue Massachusetts. See the other winning entries below! Thank you to all who entered!

Rainy Days=Stormwater poster by Emma Malamud
Catch Basin Stencil Design by
Keira Crochiere
Save Stormwater Poster by Arshia Shah
  • The Graduation Ceremony will be held on Friday, June 4th, at 5:00 PM outside at Pisini Stadium and is a ticketed event. The ceremony will also be live-streamed by Franklin TV. Watch it here! (Raindate is Saturday, June 5th)
  • We will also be celebrating our graduates with a town-wide car parade on Saturday, June 5th beginning at 10:40 m, (Raindate is June 6th) Find parade route information here. Please join us along the route to cheer on the Class of 2021!

FPS is planning a return to 5 days, full-in-person learning for the 21-22 school year. Registration is open for incoming Kindergarteners and all other grades as well! Find the details, links, and registration requirements on our website.
  • June 2 – Monthly Coffee Social - 10:00 a.m. at the Senior Center. Masks and social distancing will be required. Please register by emailing or calling the Veterans’ Services Office. All veterans are welcome to join us for updates, coffee, and conversation!
  • June 6 – D-Day Invasion Anniversary - On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched a combined naval, air, and land assault on Nazi-occupied France which led to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.
  • June 14 – Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as the official date to celebrate Flag Day. Franklin Elks Lodge will host a Flag Day ceremony at the Lodge on Sat., June 12 at 10:30 a.m. Call the Elks at (508) 533-2136 for details.           
  • June 14 – U.S. Army’s 246th Birthday
  • June 17 - Veterans’ Council Meeting - 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. Please register by emailing or calling the Veterans’ Services Office. Masks and social distancing will be required. All members of the community are welcome to join us!
Please let the Veterans’ Services Office know if you or a family member (residing in Franklin) is a Purple Heart recipient so we can add you to our database. The Purple Heart is presented to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military. National Purple Heart Day is celebrated on August 7 every year.
Veterans and Dependents – If you are a veteran or immediate family member of a veteran, please contact our office to find out if there may be any veterans’ benefits or privileges available. Please visit our webpage at: https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services
  • We received delivery of two new fire engines at the end of May, and the department is expected to be trained on their operation in June.
  • We are expecting the delivery of a new ambulance from Greenwood in June as well.  
  • The department is participating in training from Umass Memorial Lifeflight this week. This will include an overview of their helicopter operations.  
  • Due to a lack of rain in the forecast, the ground conditions remain dry and it is a reminder that open burning season has ended for the year.
Important Notice to Franklin Taxpayers
On your Real Estate Tax Bill this quarter you may notice a Community Preservation Act surcharge. 
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Community Preservation Act?
  • The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a smart growth tool that helps communities preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing and develop outdoor recreational facilities. Monies generated by this surcharge go into a dedicated fund and can only be used for these stated purposes. Franklin residents voted to approve a 2% CPA tax surcharge in November of 2020, effective for July 1, 2021 (Fiscal Year 2022).
How often will I see this charge?
  • The 2% CPA surcharge will be added to all four quarters of your Real Estate Tax Bills.
  • Will the amount change when the Actual Real Estate Tax Bills are issued in January?
  • Yes, but the amount you see is an estimate based on the prior year’s tax assessment. 
Who Decides How the Money Is Spent?
  • By state statute, the Franklin Town Council recently created a Community Preservation Committee (CPC). These dedicated resident-volunteers hold meetings and consider projects brought before them by the Community. They not only consider whether these projects qualify for CPA funding under the law but how proposals will benefit the community’s unique circumstances. If approved, projects are brought before the Town Council for appropriation.
For more information regarding Community Preservation, please visit www.franklinma.gov/community-preservation-committee
News from the Water & Sewer Department

  • A public open house for the new Grove Street Water Treatment Plant and Wells 3&6 reconstruction will be on Saturday, June 12th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. The site and parking are located at the SNETT Trail Parking lot (235 Grove Street). All are welcome to tour the Town's new Water Treatment Plant, ask questions, and learn about the water system in Town. 
  • The 2020 Drinking Water Quality Report is now available on the website and will be in your mailboxes in the next couple of weeks.
  • The Franklin Water Department has sent out letters to qualifying residents requesting their help in conducting lead and copper sampling for the Franklin water system. This important testing helps us to confirm the effectiveness of our corrosion control program, which was started in 1997 to reduce the levels of copper in our drinking water. Since that time we have periodically tested the water at homes around the distribution system and would like to sample at your home this year. If you have received this letter please call (508-553-5500) at your earliest convenience to let us know if you are willing to participate in this sampling.  
Keep up with meetings, departments & committees. The schedule and links can be found on our website calendar.
Arts, theater, dining, live music & more! Find out what's happening in town! Visit our website!
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Town of Franklin
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038 (508) 520-4949