In Other News

Tree planting began at Dacey Field last week thanks to a partnership between TruGreen, with regional operations in Franklin, and State Rep. Jeff Roy, which resulted in 100 trees being allotted to Franklin. Above, left to right - Tony Brunetta (Assistant Highway & Grounds Superintendent), Amy M. Frigulietti (Deputy Town Administrator) Ted Cormier-Leger (Town Councilor), Cobi Frongillo (Town Councilor), Carlos Rebelo (Highway & Grounds Superintendent), Jeffrey N. Roy (State Representative), David Leonhard (TruGreen Region Director) and Michael Reed, (TruGreen Market General Manager).

DPW Asks, Do You Want to Win a Tree?

Thanks to State Rep Jeff Roy, the Town of Franklin was gifted a large number of trees (100 to be exact) and the DPW wants share them.

The DPW is going to have a "Street Tree Lottery" and give away 20 of these trees to residents. But there’s a catch, our “street tree” has to be at least 20 feet back from the right of way (not just the street itself) which in itself makes hundreds of homeowners in the older, more walkable parts of town ineligible because that requirement would place the tree inside their home! Additional requirements include:

• Tree must be planted in the front yard
• Must be a Franklin resident
• Only one entry per household
• Winner is responsible for planting, watering, maintaining, ‘and loving’ the tree!

Varieties available (but not guaranteed) include Kousa dogwood, Akebono Cherry, and Katsura. Submissions will be accepted through Friday, May 10th. To enter and for more information click here. The DPW also has some small tree saplings, Spruce, Red Buds and Dogwoods that folks can pick up at the Public Works Office at 257 Fisher St. during regular working hours.

Healy Signs Road and Infrastructure Repair Bill

Last week Governor Maura Healey signed legislation which authorizes $200 million for Fiscal Year 2025 to fund bridge and road maintenance and other infrastructure projects in municipalities across the state under the Chapter 90 program. In addition, the legislation will fund a total of $175 million more for six transportation infrastructure grant programs. The Chapter 90 program provides municipalities with an annual funding source for improvements to and investments in local transportation networks. Every municipality in the state is allocated a portion of total program dollars, which allows them to evaluate their unique transportation needs and goals and allocate funding dollars accordingly.

Memorial Day Parade Plans Finalizing

Plans are coming together for the annual Memorial Day parade. Currently, everyone participating in parade (e.g. veterans, scouting groups, bands_ should be in place at Depot Plaza by 10:00 am. The parade route will apparently be similar to last year, namely Main Street, School Street, West Central, and Beaver.

Disability Commission’s Expo at Senior Center a Success

Scores of people attended the Disabilities Expo on Saturday. Above, center, Disabilities Commission Chair Mary O’Neill is pictured providing information to attendees. Vendors, agencies, and others were among the exhibitors.

Camp Haiastan Hiring

Camp Haiastan on Summer Street is looking for a ‘proactive, problem-solving, executive assistant with advanced computer skills. The year-round position offers flexible working hours. If interested, submit a resume and cover letter to execdirector@camphaiastan.org

Milford Regional Medical Holds Autism Lab Event

Phlebotomist Diana Castro (left) applies sensory-responsive techniques with an event participant

On Saturday, April 27, Milford Regional welcomed individuals with autism and their families/caregivers to a “no-needle” blood draw event at the main hospital in Milford. Following the laboratory’s recent “Autism Welcoming” certification from the Autism Alliance, Saturday’s free event aimed to familiarize patients with autism with the lab setting and to make for less challenging future visits for bloodwork or other purposes. The laboratory is the latest service line to receive this certification, as Milford Regional’s Emergency Department was also certified in 2021.