In Other News

Senior Center Shuffle

A little more than two years after taking over as director of the Senior Center, unofficially, at least, Danielle Hopkins appears to have moved on. Last week’s Council on Aging meeting, with Program Coordinator Ariel Doggett representing the staff, saw chair Carolyn O’Brien offer fulsome praise to the current team, noting that she and the Council had a long list of concerns two years ago, but now, she noted, those concerns have all been addressed. She then pivoted, noting that Hopkins hadn’t been seen in some time, and she asked Doggett directly, if Hopkins were okay. “If you mean is her health okay, yes it is,” said Doggett, but that’s all I can say.” Since at that time, multiple unofficial sources have said Hopkins is no longer working at the center. When asked last week, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen would only state, “I have nothing to publicly share re: the question or exchange at the COA on Danielle.”

But Wait, There's More...

After 9 pm Sunday Evening, the following message was forwarded to Observer:

Good Evening All,
I am sending this email to inform you all that Danielle is no longer working for the Senior Center. In the meantime, I will be interim Director. I want to apologize if you have had unanswered questions or heard any rumors before today.
My hope was always to keep you abreast of urgent news, but in this circumstance, nothing was finalized until late last week. Due to that, myself and the staff couldn't share much information regarding a personnel matter. Even now, I can't share much more than what I have.
I am here to talk or answer questions that I can. As you can imagine, my plate is very full but the staff is thriving, and I couldn't ask for a better team. Their support and professionalism during this time is inspiring.
Thank you all for your continued support and patience. This probably comes as a huge shock to you as it will to many of our members. But as I keep telling the team - let's focus on the positive right now because regardless of this hurdle there are so many great things happening at the center; and we won't let this slow us down.

I hope you had a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you all this week,Sarah
Sarah Amaral
Franklin Senior Center Deputy Director

Yard Waste Pick-Up

Getting your yard ready for summer?! A reminder from the DPW that yard waste can be brought to the Beaver St. Recycling Center (Hours: Tuesdays, Noon-3PM; Fridays & Saturdays, 8AM to 3PM; Sundays, 9AM to 1PM)--a recycling center permit is required.

To view Waste Management's full pick-up schedule including special collection days, please visit: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_program_guide_2023-2024.pdf

Warm Weather and Dirt Bikes

No longer confined to the woods and undeveloped land, gangs of unregistered dirtbikers  are back for the season, buzzing down side streets like Marvin Avenue multiple times a week -- when the weather is favorable and disappearing into the brush before the FPD can even spot them.