Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Live reporting - Town Council

Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Mason, Pfeffer, Zollo, Powderly
Absent: McGann, Whalen



A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 2, 2011 regular minutes, February 16, 2011 Executive Session Minutes
motion to approve, passed 7-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast and Franklin Matters

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION: 
1. Resolution 11-09: Creation of Franklin Community Garden Committee
motion to approve, passed 7-0


E. APPOINTMENTS
Community Garden Committee
Amy Acevedo
Christopher Clay
Nicole Harter
Deb Schwab
Teresa Triana
motion to approve - passed 7-0


Zoning Board of Appeals
Timothy C. Twardowski
motion to ratify appointment, passed 7-0


Franklin, MA

"does not expect the council to seek an override"

Current projections show the town would have to cut 25 jobs, including 14 school positions and possibly some police spots. The estimates have some officials worried as they hold off on a budget vote until final numbers are solidified. 
Lingering uncertainty has forced the Finance Committee to push its five budget meetings into early May. The Town Council typically holds its budget hearing over two consecutive nights once the Finance Committee makes its recommendation. 
"Oftentimes, we try to go out with the best info we have and then the state (numbers are better than expected) and it makes us look like we found money," Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche said. "We're trying to get as close as we can, so it's definitely later than usual."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x719609467/Franklin-taking-it-slow-on-budget-discussion#ixzz1IjddGXoW


Franklin, MA

It’s a Play Date: YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day™ at the Hockomock Area YMCA

On Saturday, April 9 the Hockomock Area YMCA is encouraging all kids and parents in it’s 15 serving communities, to come to the Y for a play date and commit to being active every day. It’s all part of the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day™ – the nation’s largest health day for families. As a leading nonprofit strengthening community through healthy living and the Hockomock Healthy Futures Initiative,
the Y holds Healthy Kids Day to teach healthy habits to kids and entire families. The day focuses on inspiring a lifetime love of physical activity and healthy nutrition choices. At a time when one in three children in the United States are overweight or obese (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), developing healthier habits that include increased physical activity and improved nutrition
is more important than ever. Healthy Kids Day will be celebrated at nearly 1,600 Ys across the country, with more than 700,000 families expected to attend this year. The free event will take place at all three branches in Franklin, North Attleboro and Foxboro from 10-1pm.
 
A focus for 2011 is on the Y’s community partners helping families live better. This year we are joined by Whole Foods Market, Bellingham, Franklin Food Pantry, Medway Community Farm, New York Life Insurance, Walgreens, Chestnut Dental Association, Franklin Fire Department, Tim Snow – local caricaturist, Sean Henry - Johnson and Wales Culinary Intern, Leslie Reichert – Green Cleaning Coach,
Self Aesthetics and Therapeutic Specialists, DCU, Garelick Farms and YMCA staff will also be on hand leading movement based activities such as giant Twister and Jenga, open gymnastics, camp games, face painting, eye spy 100 items, bouncy house and more, and promoting Y programs and having fun. A raffle will also be available for a Y gift certificate for one lucky family at registration.
 
“In our communities, we know that parents struggle to find the time to incorporate more active play and healthier habits into their family’s daily routine,” says Lauren Marciszyn, Youth and Community Wellness Director, Bernon Family Branch. “Doing so doesn’t have to require extra money or resources. It’s as simple as making plans or a play date with your kids, with two key requirements – be active and have fun. We also want families to recognize how many wonderful organizations we have right in our community that are striving to help them become healthier, more active and connected. Our goal is to make the healthy choice the easy choice.”


For more information, contact Lauren Marciszyn, RD, LDN at 774.235.2737 or visit www.hockymca.org.



Franklin, MA

"the project will affect the parking lot"

The town is finalizing a contract with D&F Afonso Builders of Milford to do the work, which includes repairing the municipal parking lot near the Franklin/Dean College MBTA station, Emmons Street between Main Street and Hillside Road, Dean Avenue between Main and Ray streets, Ray Street and Depot Street. 
At $883,157, the construction company submitted the lowest of 13 bids, Chief Procurement Officer Norma Collins said. 
The work will be paid for with a $1 million state public works grant. It will include fixing deteriorated sidewalks, installing ornamental streetlights, improving drainage systems, reconstructing roads and the parking lot and adding landscaping. 
The town has spent about $100,000 to design the project. Officials plan to save the remaining few thousand dollars between the bid price and the grant price for unexpected costs during construction, Planning Director Bryan Taberner said.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x719609465/Downtown-Franklin-road-repairs-set-to-begin#ixzz1IjcVylEK


Franklin, MA

Aerial Mosquito Spraying: Apr 19 - Apr 22

NOTICE OF ANNUAL AERIAL MOSQUITO LARVAL CONTROL APPLICATION 

The Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project will begin the annual aerial mosquito larval control on April 19, 2011 through April 22, 2011 weather permitting. If the application can not be completed during these dates the application will continue beyond these dates.
 
As in previous years, the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project will use helicopters to target large wetland areas in Franklin. The wetlands will be treated with BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) pellets to control mosquito larvae. 
To view a map of the targeted wetlands in the Town of Franklin, please visit the project’s website at www.massnrc.org/ncmcp 
If you have questions regarding the application of the BTI pellets, please contact the Director of the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project, Mr. John J. Smith at 781-762-3681




This was originally posted on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/016EADEE-000F8513

Franklin, MA

"a situation that requires urgent action"

Unlike the state, municipalities must negotiate with local unions before increasing co-pays or deductibles, a requirement the report's sponsors and the Massachusetts Municipal Association want dropped. 
At issue is what role collective bargaining should play in revising the system and whether municipalities should join the state plan or simply use it as a model. 
Unions made other concessions to get better health care, state fire union head Ed Kelly said, but are open to deductibles and larger co-pays as long as bargaining is protected and a safety net established for especially sick employees and their relatives. 
"We don't have our heads in the sand," he said. "We know this is a problem."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x532922584/Report-says-health-coverage-for-municipal-employees-costs-too-much#ixzz1IjbLPUOK


Franklin, MA

High School Experience 2011

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 4/4/11


The High School Experience is scheduled for the week of August 15, 2011, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. This week is for incoming grade 9 students and is co-directed by Ms. Cerce and Ms. Yankee, faculty members at FHS.

The HSE introduces freshmen to the culture, beliefs and norms of FHS and provides strategies for success in academics, as well as in extra curricular activities. The students will meet other students from all 4 middle schools, meet faculty members from the Freshman Collaborative, as well as administrators and members of the FHS staff, and participate in a variety of project adventure games and activities.

Registration is ongoing. If you would like to learn more about this initiative, please email us: lifelong@franklin.k12.ma.us

Things you can do from here:

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Citizens Against Waste - athletic field lights

A question came in about the lights at the athletic field:
This may not quite fit the form of question you are looking for, but we drove by the high school last night at 7 PM, and all the field lights were blazing while not a soul was there. Any idea why that would be? Seems like an awful waste of electricity.
An email from Jeff Nutting revealed:
According to Ryan Jette, a lacrosse game was scheduled to start shortly after 7 pm. The lights are on a timer an go off at 8:30 pm


If you recall last Friday, April 1, we had some typical New England spring weather with about an inch of snow before changing to rain. The fields were too wet to play so the game schedule was changed and the lights program was not.

----


If you have a question, please ask and we'll get an answer
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/citizens-against-waste.html


The collection of questions and answers can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/citizens-against-waste-question.html


Franklin, MA

May Road Races

The 3rd Annual Parmenter 5k will be held on Sunday, May 15th. Additional details and registration information can be found on the event website http://parmenter5k.weebly.com/



The 10th Annual HMEA Independence 5K Walk Run Roll and Stroll in the Park will be held on Sunday May 22, 2011. Additional details can be found on the HMEA website



I plan on running the Parmenter 5k as I will be working the registration desk and providing the 2 mile split times for the HMEA 5K. If you are going to either race, say hi!


Franklin, MA

In the News - Tufts CEO


Tufts Health Plan CEO to speak at Dean College




Franklin, MA

Author: Laura Spinella

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 4/4/11

Adult Education and Community Learning presents Laura Spinella on Wednesday, April 6 at 7 PM at Franklin High School.

Ms. Spinella is a Franklin resident and freelance writer for newspapers and magazines. She will present on the process of writing an book and then navigating the publishing process. This looks to be an exciting evening for Franklin writers-to-be.

For more information on this opportunity contact Joan Borgatti, Coordinator of Adult Education: borgattij@franklin.k12.ma.us

Things you can do from here:

Washington Street Bridge Work


MARCH 30, 2011

WORK BEING DONE ON WASHINGTON STREET BRIDGE AT THE ROUTE 495 OVERPASS.

SCOPE: STRUCTURAL REPAIRS, SANDBLASTING, PAINTING AND PAVEMENT
REPLACEMENT. ALL WORK WILL BE ON ROUTE 495. THERE WILL BE NO
WORK ON WASHINGTON STREET ITSELF.

FRANKLIN TOWN ENGINEER


To subscribe to your own copy of news from Franklin (Police, Fire, DPW, Senior Center) go to the webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news


Franklin, MA

Monday, April 4, 2011

FM #91 - Week ending Apr 3, 2011

Let's take less than 10 minutes to cover what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends Apr 3rd, 2011.


Time: 7 minutes, 14 seconds





MP3 File


Show Notes


This internet radio show or podcast is number 91 in the series for Franklin Matters.


We'll look back at the week that was as it comes to a close Sunday Apr 3 before getting to the outlook on the week ahead.


With my work on the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry, I missed the School Committee meeting on Tuesday and caught the highlights via the video feed.


The policy discussions can be found here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=xRnvQEic8wAn0dx0vhs4uQ%3d%3d


and here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=aiE5bT6Q1OUbssu1DcVcng%3d%3d




There was a minor change to the 2011-2012 calendar. As New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, school will skip Monday and start on Tuesday. This allows for the holiday to be observed on Monday as most other neighboring community school systems will also do. The revised calendar has been posted and prior versions removed to avoid confusion.




The action items can be found here.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=Mf21W84bmi2SPafEDvNgrA%3d%3d


Of most interest was the action to accept the proposal on reducing the math graduation requirements to three years. Peter Light gives a good and brief summary of the position and why. Peter's comments occur about 1:01 of the action item segment.




On Wednesday, the School Building Committee meet to hear the first presentation on four options for the renovation of Franklin High. Two of the options are for renovation and two of the options are for building a new school. As the prices are comparable amongst them, the pros and cons will really need to be looked at as the project goes forward.


The next step is for the committee to finalize their options, and decide on a recommendation. This package (three options with one of them a recommendation) will then go before the MSBA where they will make a decision. That decision will then come back to the Franklin voters to approve or reject. If we approve, then the project proceeds with the State contributing something just above 50%. If we reject, the full cost of any resulting project will be borne solely by the Franklin taxpayers. The rejection will have lost our state reimbursement.


The committee is looking to decide by May and get before the MSBA in July which still puts us on the time line for a fall vote. Stay tuned to this one as it develops.


The meeting notes, handouts and photos can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/view/timeslide/1041884019440390619/2011/03/live-reporting-school-building.html




As for town meetings this week


The Finance Committee was scheduled to meet on Tuesday. As the budget book won't be ready until the end of the month, this meeting has been canceled. The budget hearings have been scheduled for May 2, 3, 5, 9 and 10. The calendar on Franklin Matters has been updated accordingly.




The Town Council is scheduled to meet on Weds. The Community Gardens group will be formed as an official town committee. There will be a public hearing on the Brownfields options for the NUStyle property on Grove St. Additional agenda items can be found on the full agenda here


http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/view/timeslide/9039137695672778386/2011/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-apr-6.html


-----


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

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. 

How can you help, you ask? 
If you have an interest in writing about something that matters in Franklin, please let me know.

As always - 


  • If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like this, please tell me.


This feedback loop is important. Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visitFranklinmatters.blogspot.com/
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!






Franklin, MA

Eric Whitacre - Virtual Choir with 2,000 voices

Music is such an attraction point. Folks can disagree on other things but agree on good music. Or in this case, come together from all points around the world to participate in a virtual choir.





What a wonderful story and song! I can hardly wait to see the full release later this month.
Thank you Eric for accepting the challenge to join the choir and then for enjoying your journey in life with music!



Franklin, MA

In the News - public hearing, fund raising


Franklin considers demolishing old Nu-Style building



For the complete agenda for Wednesday's Town Council meeting and all of the associated documents:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-apr-6.html



Franklin boy inspires martial arts fundraiser




Franklin, MA

FISCAL FALLOUT: The Great Recession, Policy Choices, & State Budget Cuts - An Update for Fiscal Year 2012





Explore our online
budget database
Budget Browser


Is our research helpful to you? Support our work
Donate to the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center


Find us on facebook


Twitter-badge


Forward to a Friend

Contact Info



  Noah Berger
  President

  (617) 426-1228 x102


  Tom Benner
  Communications Director
  tbenner@massbudget.org
  (617) 426-1228 x100




Fiscal Fallout: The Great Recession, Policy Choices, & State Budget Cuts
-- An Update for Fiscal Year 2012  


April 3, 2011


When Fiscal Year 2012 begins, Massachusetts will enter the fourth budget year shaped by the worst national recession since the Great Depression. Communities and families across the Commonwealth have been feeling the effects of deep cuts in government funding for education, health care, public safety, safety net programs, and other services that people count on.   

A new MassBudget report examines the budget cuts already enacted since the onset of the current economic downturn, and those proposed in the Governor's FY 2012 budget.





See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present, as well as budget proposals for the next fiscal year as they are offered by the Governor and the Legislature.    

MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.


This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by info@massbudget.org |  
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Patricia Ryan: Don't insist on English!

Patricia Ryan has been teaching English in the Middle East for 30 years. She has seen great changes during that time and shares some insights on the dominance of the English language.

What has this got to do with Franklin?
Due to the school budget cuts, the foreign language program offered by Franklin's schools is reduced. When my daughters went to middle school, they spent time with Spanish, Latin and French in 6th grade before choosing one of the three to continue with in 7th and 8th. That choice and program is not available to Franklin's students today.

The School Committee and Administration faced with a reduced budget are forced to make choices amongst ever tougher options.

Patricia's talk presents arguments for maintaining other languages. The cultural value of other languages is hard to calculate but should be considered.





What do you think?
Leave a comment, send an email or join the conversation on Facebook!


Related posts on the foreign language program in Franklin

1 - From the budget workshop Jan 29, 2011
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/01/live-reporting-school-budget-workshop_29.html

2 - Foreign language update to School Committee Sep 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/live-reporting-foreign-language-update.html

3 - Discussion in Jun 2010 on the middle school Latin decision
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/live-reporting-foreign-language-latin.html


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Apr 6, 2011

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 2, 2011 regular minutes, February 16, 2011
Executive Session Minutes

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Community Garden Committee
Amy Acevedo
Christopher Clay
Nicole Harter
Deb Schwab
Teresa Triana

Zoning Board of Appeals
Timothy C. Twardowski

F. HEARINGS
Public Hearing to solicit comments on a draft Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives for the Town

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION:
1. Resolution 11-09: Creation of Franklin Community Garden Committee
2. Resolution 11-11: Transfer of Tax Title Possession Parcels to Different Municipal Purposes
3. Bylaw Amendment 11-659 Chapter 135, Removal and Undergrounding of Utility Poles and Overhead Wires and Structures

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O.EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN


The complete agenda document is included as the Brownfields information was good to share.

Franklin, MA - Town Council Agenda 4/06/11



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Street sweeping to begin April 11

The Department of Public Works will commence street sweeping operations on Monday, April 11th. Sweeping will start downtown and will be followed by primary roadways. Secondary roadways and subdivisions will be swept based upon the order for the 2011 street sweeping zones. A map indicating the zones is located here. Street sweeping is expected to take up to 3 months and is weather dependent. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the Department of Public Works.

The street sweeping zone map can be found at the link on the Franklin website or right here:

Franklin Ma Street Sweeping Letter Size 2011



Franklin, MA

HYDRANT FLUSHING

HYDRANT FLUSHING
PUBLIC NOTICE
TO
FRANKLIN RESIDENTS

The Franklin Department of Public Works, Water Division will begin its hydrant-flushing program on Monday, April 11, 2011. This program is conducted annually to improve Franklin’s water quality and fire flows. Some hydrants will be flushed between the hours of 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM, while others will be completed during the day. 
Hydrant flushing will continue depending on water availability and system pressures. Residents may experience discolored water during this process. 
Residents may also experience, temporary water loss or discolored water while hydrants are being flushed in their area. Even though the water may be discolored, it is still safe for human consumption. 
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and we apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the DPW office at 508-520-4910/4915. 
Department of Public Works
Deacon Perrotta
Water/Sewer Superintendent




Franklin, MA

"The idea is to get people involved"

For its annual One Book, One Community program, the library has selected "When We Were Strangers," a book by first-time novelist Pamela Schoenewaldt that chronicles the story of an Italian woman who emigrates to the United States. 
"I think all of us in some way have a connection to immigrants," said Monique Doyle, vice chairwoman of the library board of directors who also went to high school with Schoenewaldt. "We're very close to immigrant ancestors. It's kind of a universal thing." 
The One Book, One Community movement, which started in Seattle in 1998, is a community read-a-thon where librarians encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to read the same book and join up for a series of programs relating to the title. Several area communities, including Framingham, Bellingham and Wayland, have started similar programs. 
Franklin began four years ago with a $7,500 grant from the state Board of Library Commissioners. After the first year, the program has been funded mostly by the Friends of the Franklin Library, Library Director Felicia Oti said.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x816840317/Library-program-gets-the-whole-town-on-the-same-page#ixzz1ISKhYkGP

Related posts

1 - The Library One Book, One Community program announcement for 2011
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/one-book-one-community-2011.html

2 - From the budget hearing in May 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/live-reporting-library.html

3 - "Dark Tide' was the selection in 2008
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/07/if-youve-already-read-dark-tide.html


Franklin, MA

Saturday, April 2, 2011

This man is not Blue in Franklin

Have you tried catching marshmallows with your mouth?
Matt Greene has and he really does catch them.

How does he do it?
Practice. Practice that comes with having performed in over 1,000 shows with the Blue Man Group in Boston.

How did you do more than 1,000 shows?
In Boston currently there are five guys rotating through the three positions for each show. Each role/character has different business to conduct. The roles are structured more jazz-like playing riffs off each other than following a script word for word. There is also a three man band that is highly integrated with the Blue Men. The band also rotates through their positions. So with six different personalities in each show, no two shows are exactly alike. Business needs to be accomplished but exactly how we get there is open to interpretation. That is what makes it interesting. If you had to do every show, the same thing, exactly the same way, every night, it would get tiring very quickly.

Where did the Blue Man group start?
They started in New York. Boston’s group was the first outside of NYC. They wanted to ask the question: could it exist and survive outside NYC? It could and has so well that the Blue Man show has also expanded to other cities: Chicago, Orlando, Las Vegas, and internationally in Berlin and Tokyo.

How does the show work?
You play within some structure. The music is still as much fun to play today as it was five years ago. You get your schedule at the beginning of the week and you know which role you are going to be for each show. You can go several weeks without having the same line up. The personality within the group plays as much importance as the role. The group thrives on a certain vibe. The drummer could be waiting for you to set this up. If you don’t go, then the other musicians are waiting for you, and him. They need to find each other. So you learn to recognize when to step outside the box, when to stay within. After each show there is a recap, the group discusses ‘how did that work?’ It is not judgemental. Valid feedback is required to foster the collaboration within the group. The vibe is key.

How do you train?
A new person comes to the group with about 6-8 weeks of training in NYC. We teach them how to come in here. It’s not formalized. It is more apprentice/master with doing and showing; this is how they learn. Then they figure out later when to vary. Some of this workout is done in the rehearsals. Amongst all the play, there is still a lot of technical things that you just have to get right. It may look like it but we are not really running around making everything up. You need to master your business first. Then you can think about your character and how it should react.

What is the show about?
I never answer that. It is different for everyone. It can’t be summed up. It is something that has to be experienced. Which is why it has been staying around for so long.

So how does a Blue Man come to live in Franklin?
He wanted more space than he could have in Brookline. Aubrey and I had been looking for awhile. As nice and convenient as Brookline was, we started looking around. We wanted a yard for the dog, room to raise a family. We heard great things about Franklin. We heard about the top 10 lists. The distance concerned me because I needed to commute into Boston. Sometimes I take the train which is really convenient. I can walk to it. It gets me there earlier than I want to but it takes me home almost exactly when I need to. And then I can also drive and get there at the last minute. So I mix it up.

Aubrey’s photography business can still serve Boston. She can also get down into Rhode Island so it works out very well for us. The commute is not as scary as I thought it might be so we’ll be here for a while.

What keeps you busy when you are not a Blue Man?
I am a strength and conditioning coach. I also write a blog, where I share information on proper training techniques, which I guess is how you found me.

Yes, I found Aubrey’s photography page and from hers, found yours.





Franklin, MA

"How can awareness be a bad thing?"

... Engelman is confident in Franklin police officers' ability to respond to autistic people. 
Besides participating in regular training on autism, the department is participating in a special event to raise autism awareness. 
Officers will bathe the police station in blue lights to raise awareness about the neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop socially. 
Beginning last night, officers lit several blue spotlights as part of Light It Up Blue, an international campaign by the Autism Speaks advocacy organization. Buildings throughout the world - including the State House, Prudential Center and Fenway Park in Boston - were expected to turn on blue lights yesterday and tonight. The event coincides with World Autism Awareness Day, which is today.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x719608937/Franklin-Police-join-autism-awareness-event#ixzz1IMMVxqdh

Read ore about World Autism Awareness Day here http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org/site/c.egLMI2ODKpF/b.3917065/k.BE58/Home.htm


Franklin, MA

In the News - Dean radio, food collection


Franklin vets agent to be guest on Dean radio





St. Vincent DePaul food collection


Franklin, MA

Friday, April 1, 2011

Video Friday - Maslow's Hammer

Yes, it is snowing today April 1. It's no April's fool joke, just Mother Nature doing what she does best in New England, changing regularly.

Why this video today?
To raise the other side of the technology coin. Technology is a tool and can be used or abused. There is Maslow's Hammer: "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

The internet does provide an easy (read 'free') entry to providing information. The RSA Animate video provides the other side of the coin.  Food for thought today!





Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the 11 minute video.


Franklin, MA