Saturday, May 7, 2016

FHS Softball and Boys tennis posts wins on Friday

Baseball

  • Franklin, 0 @ Stoughton, 3 – Final 
– Doug Seaman broke a scoreless game open in the fourth inning by hitting a single, advancing to second on an error, stealing third and coming home on a hit from junior Jack Connelly (2-3). Seaman (2-3) produced the next two runs for the Black Knights with a two RBI single in the next inning to cap the scoring. For the second straight start, Justin Hutchinson was on point, throwing a complete game with just two hits allowed, striking out eight for the win. Franklin sophomore Jason Ulrickson was strong in his first varsity start, throwing six innings and giving up just four hits, two earned runs and struck out four. Junior Ryan Hodgkins went 2-3 at the plate for the Panthers.

Softball

  • Stoughton, 1 @ Franklin, 8 – Final 
– Franklin head coach Kate Fallon-Comeau praised the effort of senior pitcher Caroline D’Aprile, who tossed a complete game with nine strikeouts and five hits allowed. Offensively, Clara DeCarvalho was 1-2 with a pair of walks and an RBI double, Alexx Niss was 2/4 at the plate, Olivia DiGiacomo had a two RBI double and Kerry Blaney scored a pair of runs for the Panthers.

Boys Tennis

  • Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final

Girls Tennis

  • Franklin @ Stoughton, 3:30 (no results available)


For all the results on Friday around the Hockomock League
http://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-050616/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Explosion in Spectra's Pennsylvania pipeline


Dear Franklin Town Councilor, 
I'm attaching an article about the Spectra pipeline explosion that occurred in Pennsylvania on April 29, 2016. The preliminary opinion is that it was caused by corrosion. 
According to Spectra it had been inspected 2 years prior to the event. The 30" pipe was scarily similar to the one through Franklin; bare steel more than 50 years old. Imagine this happening in Franklin 20' from the new proposed pipeline. 
Please don't let this happen here! Please join Sharon and Walpole by going on the record against it. 
Sincerely, 
Jim Hill 
5 Gloucester Dr.
fire from pipeline explosion in Sandusky PA (Sandusky Register photo)
fire from pipeline explosion in Sandusky PA (Sandusky Register photo)



http://www.sanduskyregister.com/Business/2016/05/05/Pipeline-company-deals-with-explosion-in-Pennsylvania






You'll recall that Jim spoke during the Citizens Comment portion of the Town Council Feb 3, 2016 meeting warning that such an explosion was possible:



MassBudget: Mother's Day and Paid Family Medical Leave




MassBudget  Information.
  Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center  Democracy.



When we celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday, it's worth reflecting on how our state policies help mothers to balance family and job obligations (we should ask the same about fathers, but that's another day).

As MassBudget's new fact sheet explains, most working parents in Massachusetts don't currently get paid time off to bond with a new child. That's not the way it is in most of the world - or in several other states. In Rhode Island, New York, California, and New Jersey, state laws create an insurance-style system that pays a portion of the wages of parents caring for a new child or any working person who needs time away from work to care for an ill relative. These laws also protect people who may have a serious illness and are forced to leave work for an extended period of time.

Since last Mother's Day, Massachusetts has implemented an earned sick time law that allows parents to take time off from work to take a child to a medical appointment, as well as to tend to their own medical needs. That law is now enabling parents across the state to take a child to the doctor during the day when needed - rather than going to the emergency room after work. It is a modest, but important, step in creating policies that recognize the challenges that working parents face.


MassBudget's new fact sheet Paid Family and Medical Leave and Related Policies Explained describes existing leave laws in Massachusetts that help working people balance work and family obligations and examines some of the gaps in those policies that paid family and medical leave policies can address.

To read the fact sheet, click here.

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER
15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108

Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

“This investment is an enormous step forward”

Last week the Massachusetts House of Representatives successfully passed its 2017 fiscal year budget. Included in the $39.5 billion dollar budget was a $25,000 dollar earmark proposed by Representatives Jeffrey Roy (D—Franklin), Kevin Kuros, (R—Uxbridge) and John Fernandes (D—Milford) to help develop a management and access plan for a large plot of Army Corps of Engineers land.

“This money will help develop a plan to improve access to some beautiful recreational space in the area, and will go a long way to ensuring the property meets its full potential,” said Representative Roy, “This particular property has sat vastly unused for many years and can provide some additional recreational opportunities in the area. We look forward to working with the Army Corps of Engineers and local officials to open up this natural gem to residents while maintaining its natural beauty.”

"After touring this land with Representative Roy and Mr. Earls," said Representative Kuros, "I was convinced that we needed to work to improve access and utilization of this hidden gem that spans our districts. This gets us started on our way toward that goal."

“I was happy to sponsor this budget amendment to develop a comprehensive management and access plan,” said Representative Fernandes, “The plan will go a long way to exploring the resources that can become available to Medway, Franklin, and Bellingham.”

“This investment is an enormous step forward,” said Franklin resident, Alan Earls, who has organized a citizens group, the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative, to spearhead this effort. “Those of us involved with the initiative are grateful that Representatives Roy, Kuros, and Fernandes share our vision and see the great potential for this public space,” he added.

The US Army Corps of Engineers-controlled flood plain lands located in Bellingham, Franklin, and Medway represent one of the largest parcels of land in the region suitable for both wildlife habitat and passive recreation (e.g. walking, fishing, boating, etc.). Growth and development in the region has reduced the number of actual and potential access points to this land; preventing the public from enjoying and using this land while at the same time making it difficult for authorities to prevent unauthorized uses such as ATVs.

The appropriation of $25,000 was included in the House of representatives budget under the care of the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Wildlife, which has operational jurisdiction over this property, to expand current signage, thereby strengthening enforcement of regulations and supervisory activities, and to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the communities of Franklin, Bellingham, and Medway and interested parties to develop a management and access plan. This plan will also consider ways in which any improvements to public access can mesh with EPA requirements to reduce runoff into the Charles River watershed.


Charles River Meadowlands photo
Charles River Meadowlands photo


Find out more about the Charles River Meadowlands on their new webpage
http://www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org/

In the News: DelCarte playground repairs delayed, Tri-County compete for Innovator Award, ice skating academy registration open

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Rain has delayed repair work on the playground at the DelCarte conservation property, town officials said. 
Workers were slated to perform structural repairs to the equipment at the end of last week, but the poor weather has halted the project. 
Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said, since a portion of the work involves pouring concrete, the rain led to delays. Work will likely begin when more sunny days are in the forecast. 
At a recent Town Council meeting, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the project itself will likely take two to three days. After the concrete is poured and the playground structure is welded, the Department of Public Works will place mulch at its base.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/rain-delays-franklin-playground-repairs

the kids playground at DelCarte is currently closed for repairs
the kids playground at DelCarte is currently closed for repairs


A microgravity scale designed by students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School received second-place honors in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Future Innovator Award competition. 
Engineering Technology seniors Kevin Kohls, of Millis, Tyler Thomas, of North Attleborough, and Thomas Vagnini, of Medfield, traveled to St. Louis on April 28 to represent their classmates as finalists in the national competition. 
The FIRST Future Innovator Award is open to all FIRST Robotics teams. The award recognizes students who invent a product that effectively solves a real-world, complex problem. Competitors were asked to submit a summary of the problem and an explanation of their invention. Submissions were judged based on the complexity of the problem and effectiveness of the invention in solving that problem.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/tri-county-regional-students-win-at-future-innovator-award-competition


FMC Ice Sports’ Pirelli Veterans Arena, 910 Panthers Way, Franklin, will present summer skating academies Aug. 1-5. 
The academies will bundle practice and instruction to provide every skater the opportunity to experience various skating disciplines while focusing on the overall development of the skater. Each day will offer 4 hours of on-ice class instruction and 1 hour of off-ice teaching with the arena’s team of experienced instructors. 
Participants must be at least 6 years of age by July 1, and have passed the Ice Skating Institute Alpha test or U.S. Figure Skating pre-preliminary test. Skaters will be grouped by ability and age and should bring skates, bottled water, clothing for on-ice activities, sneakers for off-ice training and lunch. 
To register or for more information, visit http://fmcicesports.com/program/advanced-figure-skating-academy.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/franklin-fmc-ice-sports-to-offer-summer-skating-academies

FCC Coaches Cup, Monday, May 16th


Golf (Demo Day)

Franklin Country Club's

FCC Coaches Cup

Monday, May 16th 


Franklin Country Club invites all Franklin and Wrentham Youth Sports Coaches to the first FCC Coaches Cup.

Monday, May 16th lets kick off the golf season here. 

Coaches, get your four some together, and come enjoy a round of golf here at the club. 

Golf shotgun start at 12:30pm, on the course The Halfway Shack available for food and beverage purchases.

Tournament Play OR play your own ball, your choice.


 Franklin Country Club will donate $5 per player back to the
Franklin OR Wrentham Youth Sports program for every golf player.


$60 per player - includes 18 holes of golf, greens fee and cart

12:30pm Shotgun Start
Food and Beverages Additional

On The Course - Halfway Shack Available
Following Play - Cash Bar 


For additional information, questions OR to reserve your four some please call 508.528.6110 x  OR email at events@franklincc.com
 

Friday, May 6, 2016

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 5/6/16 - THU 5/12/16

FRIDAY 5/6/16
5pm   Franklin Football Day - ages 5 and up at FHS
7pm   2nd Annual Kennedy School Derby Night and Auction at the Franklin Country Club
8pm   New England Artist Series at The Black Box: No Static playing Steely Dan

SATURDAY 5/7/16
9am   Elks Care Elks Share Annual 5K Race/Walk (Elks Lodge, Pond Street, Franklin)
10am-2pm   Grand Opening Open House at QI School (650 Pleasant Street, Franklin)
4pm   FSPA presents Opera Scenes and Arias at The Black Box
4-6pm   Bowl Away Cancer - local Relay for Life Fundraiser at Ryan Family Amusements in Millis
4-7pm   Beer Extravaganza at Pour Richard’s
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: DALA with the Young Novelists at FUSF

SUNDAY 5/8/16
2pm   2nd Cinema Sunday at the Franklin Historical Museum. Free movie “My Old Lady” and popcorn.

TUESDAY 5/10/16
1:30pm   Knitting Circle for Adults at Franklin Public Library (25 Kenwood Circle)
7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Meeting at the Franklin YMCA. Public welcome.

WEDNESDAY 5/11/16
7:30pm   Franklin Newcomers Club Meeting at “3” Restaurant.

THURSDAY 5/12/16
5-9pm   SAFE Coalition’s Substance Abuse Drop In Center open at St. John’s Episcopal Church (237 Pleasant Street)
7pm   3rd Annual Treasured Chests Team Fundraiser for Avon 39 Walk at Waxy O’Connors in Foxboro. Support 40 local walkers, ton of raffles, silent auction and live music by South Street Six band.

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Real Time Reporting - Finance Committee 05/03/16

Catching up to post the reporting I managed to do during the first hour of the Finance Committee budget hearing on Tuesday, May 3. This should have been the last in the series for fiscal year 2017 (FY 2017). I'll need to catch the video when available for replay to confirm.

The budget will soon appear on the Town Council for their two day budget hearing and then vote. Unless things change, you'll find out more about each department in these FinCom budget hearings than you do when the Town Council gets involved. 

I'll update the posted links to include the video replays for the three that were broadcast. I did provide an audio recording for the one that wasn't broadcast by Franklin TV.





(be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to review all the entries)



all nine members were present for the final in the series of budget hearings for FY 2017
all nine members were present for the final in the series of budget hearings for FY 2017

"several roads in the area will change from one-way to two-way"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
Roadwork in downtown has begun, town officials said, with an anticipated end date in the summer. 
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting spoke about the topic at Thursday morning's Franklin Downtown Partnership meeting. The downtown streetscape project, currently in its second year, is aimed at improving traffic and business in the area. 
"They're looking to put pavement down in early June and wrap up in July, so that is going ahead of schedule," Nutting said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160505/downtown-franklin-work-set-to-end-in-summer

new curbing in advance of new sidewalks in downtown Franklin
new curbing in advance of new sidewalks in downtown Franklin


Team Fitness Franklin Event - Country Line Dancing - May 11


Country Line Dancing Special

Team Fitness Franklin
Greetings!

WOOHOO! We have had many people speak to us about Country Line Dancing! Here is the flyer and it all begins Wednesday night, May 11!! Promised to be a terrific time. Bring friends and lots of energy. Looking forward to seeing you here next Wednesday at 7:00 pm!


Country Line Dancing!!








Team Fitness Franklin
100 Franklin Village  Drive
Franklin, MA 02038
May 11, 2016 at 7:00 pm



Sent by tricia@teamfitnessfranklin.com in collaboration with
Constant Contact

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Jim Kweskin and Samoa Wilson - May 14



Don't forget DALA and The Young Novelists this Saturday, May 7.
View this email in your browser
JIM KWESKIN and SAMOA WILSON
May 14th 8PM $25
Folk icon Jim Kweskin will appear at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse on Saturday, May 14th, at 8PM. Stunning vocalist Samoa Wilson will be joining Jim.  She has appeared and recorded several albums with him.  Jim Kweskin was the founder of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, the legendary group that started in Boston in the 1960s and played Club 47. With Fritz Richmond, Geoff and Maria Muldaur, Bob Siggins and Bruno Wolfe the jugband successfully modernized the sounds of pre–World War II rural music.  On National Public Radio's Fresh Air, rock historian Ed Ward listed, among the most important bands of the early 60's, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Byrds, "and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band." Ward added: "I'm not kidding." They toured America, headlining concerts with artists like Janis Joplin, Peter Paul & Mary, Linda Ronstadt and The Doors as opening acts. They appeared often on national television and were, by some accounts, "the coolest band of a cool decade."

Jim Kweskin is probably best known as a singer and bandleader, but he also created one of the bedrock guitar styles of the folk revival, adapting the ragtime-blues fingerpicking of artists like Blind Boy Fuller to the more complex chords of pop and jazz. He has maintained a remarkably consistent musical vision since his jug band days, continuing to explore traditional folk and blues with the sophisticated sensibility of a jazz musician and jazz with the communal simplicity of a folk artist.

Jim continues to perform his vast repertoire of folk, blues, swing, jug band and early standards with his own brand of infectious personal interpretations. His guitar finger picking of songs like Some of These Days and Exactly Like You is recognized by his peers and fans as some of the best there is. His selection of songs is vividly evocative of his many diverse influences such as Louis Jordan, Clancy Hayes, Fats Waller, Milton Brown, Duke Ellington, Bing Crosby and Pete Seeger.  http://jimkweskin.com/

Listen to some of their music here
The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Admission is $25. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. 
Upcoming Shows
Sep 10      Garnet Rogers with Shawna Caspi
Sep 24      An Evening with Tom Rush
Oct 15      Jim Henry and Abbie Gardner (Red Molly)


Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

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HMEA's incredABLE Day - May 22, 8 AM to 3:00 PM


HMEA's incredABLE Walk, Run and All-Day Family Fun
will celebrate the ABLE in all of us!

HMEA's 15th annual fundraiser of the year has a new name and look!


HMEA's incredABLE Day
HMEA's incredABLE Day

HMEA's incredABLE Walk, Run and All-Day Family Fun raises funds to
help those with
Autism and other developmental disabilities
live up to their potential and reach for independence.

Sunday, May 22, 2016
8:00 am to 3 pm
EMC2 Corporation
Franklin, Massachusetts




HMEA's incredABLE Walk, Run and All-Day Family Fun includes a 5K walk, a kids' fun run and a 5K run that is registered and USATF Certified. Music, food and activities for the entire family await at the finish line. Thousands will attend. Thousands more will benefit from the services HMEA provides.

For more information on this incredABLE event visit www.hmea.org/incredable


About HMEA

HMEA was founded in 1961 on the basic principle that people diagnosed with Autism or other developmental disabilities have dreams for their lives. Our mission is to help them live that dream and our 700+ caring, committed and competent staff are dedicated to achieving that. We treat each person diagnosed with Autism or a developmental disability as an individual, with talents, abilities and challenges. And our care spans his or her lifetime — from the first few months of life through adulthood.      HMEA serves over 4,000 people who have Autism and other developmental disabilities throughout 110 communities in Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.hmea.org


"I heard you can get me help"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
"Law enforcement members, educators and parents said at a conference Thursday that communication is key to ending the opiate abuse epidemic. 
The conference, held at the Franklin Elks Club, was organized by area police chiefs, Franklin's Support for Addicts and Families by Empowerment (SAFE) and Milford's Juvenile Advocacy Group as a means to spur that communication."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160505/franklin-opiate-conference-looks-to-bolster-communication

SAFE Coalition
SAFE Coalition


The SAFE Coalition Drop In Centers are open
http://safecoalitionma.com/2016/04/08/safejag-substance-abuse-intervention-drop-in-centers-open/

41 medals for Tri-County

Tri-County Regional’s high school and post-secondary students brought home 41 medals from the SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Leadership and Skills Conference Championships held from April 28 to April 30 in Marlborough.

Tri-County sent 115 students to the state conference, with 29 high school students and 12 post-secondary students receiving medals. The gold medal winners advance to the National SkillsUSA Competition to be held in Louisville at the end of June.

Students from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School pose with their medals after the SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Leadership and Skills Conference Championships held from April 28 to April 30 in Marlborough
Students from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School pose with their medals after the SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Leadership and Skills Conference Championships held from April 28 to April 30 in Marlborough

Tri-County's high school gold medalists are Caroline Aspinwall (Career Choice Commentary), of Walpole, Devan Clark (Career Pathways Team – Human Service), of North Attleborough, Dalia Flanagan (Career Pathways Team – Human Service), of Norfolk, Abby Pacheco (Action Skills Job Demonstration), of Seekonk, and Jeremey Piemonte (Career Pathways Team – Human Service), of North Attleborough.

The gold medalists from the post-secondary programs are Eli Agbenya (Medical Math) of North Providence, Zilpa Auma (Practical Nursing), of North Attleborough, Jenn Boucher (Health Knowledge Bowl), of Wrentham, Olivia Dafonte (Health Knowledge Bowl), of North Attleborough, Kerith Moore (Health Knowledge Bowl), of North Attleborough, Musu Saygbe (First Aid/CPR), of Providence, Kasey Spencer (Health Knowledge Bowl), of Plainville, and Kathryn Troy (Cosmetology), of Millis.

The high school silver medalists are Lauren Albee (Career Pathways Team – Arts and Communication), of Medway, Esmirna Amaya (Occupational Health and Safety Single Division Team), of North Attleborough, Torin Amoling (Urban Search and Rescue), of North Attleborough, Allyson Bettencourt (Non-Traditional Portfolio Team), of North Attleborough, Alivia Carney (Occupational Health and Safety Single Division Team), of North Attleborough, Katrina Chapman (Occupational Health and Safety Single Division Team), of North Attleborough, Hannah Graveline (Occupational Health and Safety Single Division Team), of North Attleborough, Zachary Keeler (Urban Search and Rescue), of Bellingham, Robert Malcolmson (Information Technology), of North Attleborough, Amy O’Brien (Non-Traditional Portfolio Team), of Franklin, Ashley O’Handley (Career Pathways Team – Arts and Communication), of Plainville, and Cara Wolfe (Career Pathways Team – Arts and Communication), of North Attleborough. Post-secondary student Kristina Last, of Millis, also won a silver medal for Medical Terminology.

Bronze medalists are Jeffrey Blenkhorn (Additive Manufacturing), of Medway, Wayne Boone (Collision Repair Technology), of Medway, Jennifer Bowness (Career Pathways Team – Health Services), of North Attleborough, Shaina Flanagan (Costello Community Service Award), of Norfolk, Gina Greene (Career Pathways Team – Health Services), of Medway, Zachary Knight (Career Pathways Team – Engineering), of Franklin, Aaron McLean (Career Pathways Team – Engineering), of Bellingham, Katherine Pensak (Criminal Justice), of Walpole, Justin Quaranto (Additive Manufacturing), of Franklin, Olivia Ryan (Career Pathways Team – Health Services), of North Attleborough, Michael Sarazin (Architectural Drafting), of Franklin, and Nicholas Young (Career Pathways Team – Engineering), of Franklin.

Jane Annis (Practical Nursing), of Wrentham, Carol Collela (Cosmetology), of Franklin, and Samantha Zabel (Medical Terminology), of Plainville, all won bronze medals in the post-secondary division.

Tri-County senior Shaina Flanagan was nominated as a National Voting Delegate. Since SkillsUSA is a student-run organization, Shaina will represent Massachusetts in governing the affairs of the program during the national conference in June.

Samantha Knox, of North Attleborough, will also advance to the National T-Shirt Competition after designing the official 2016 logo for the Massachusetts championships. Samantha’s design appeared on all official materials during the state conference.

Tri-County received the Chapter Excellence Award for having the largest student participation in SkillsUSA student activities.

SkillsUSA is a national professional organization for career and technical students that provides leadership, citizenship and character development programs. Competitions run at the local and state level give students the opportunity to demonstrate both occupational and leadership skills. All Tri-County students are members of SkillsUSA.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

2nd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival - Performance Opportunities Application

The Performance Opportunities Application for the second annual Franklin Cultural District Festival is now available. 

This year the festival will run for four days: Wednesday, July 27 through Saturday, July 30

Opening Ceremonies will be on the Franklin Town Common and the Closing Ceremonies will be at THE BLACK BOX. 

Saturday's Festival will happen at THE BLACK BOX, both inside and outside (under a covered tent).

Take a moment to look at the application. Responses are due no later than Monday, May 23. 

If you have questions, please email us at
franklinculturaldistrict@gmail.com


Thank you,

The Franklin Cultural District Festival Steering Committee

2nd Annual Cultural Festival - Arts Happen Here! - July 27 - July 30
2nd Annual Cultural Festival - Arts Happen Here! - July 27 - July 30