"You don't really think of this as a fundraising place"

The Upton business was already holding a paintball event and Owner David Painter said he was happy to add a fundraising component when contacted by Franklin Town Councilor Glenn Jones, an avid paintball player. 

"This has been a way to show our support as a local business," said Painter, noting he has run breast cancer and multiple sclerosis fundraisers in the past. "We try to give back to the community as much as possible." 

The business donated $5 of each admission charge to the pantry. Jones also ran a raffle for a paintball rifle, selling tickets for $5. Organizers estimated the event raised $500, money Jones said is needed at the pantry. 

The food pantry added 22 new families during the month of June and saw a surge in requests for food after Tropical Storm Irene because many residents had to throw away spoiled food after a multi-day power outage, he said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x372775459/Paintball-tourney-raises-cash-for-Franklin-Food-Pantry#ixzz1YxLAzkiS


On behalf of the Franklin Food Pantry Board of Directors, I would like to say thanks to Glenn Jones and the others who participated in this effort to help the Pantry! Every little bit helps.

Franklin commuter line will be delayed Sept. 25, Oct. 2

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Franklin commuter line will be delayed Sept. 25, Oct. 2

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 9/24/11

On Sunday, Sept. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 2, the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company will perform necessary track work on the Franklin commuter rail line between the Norwood Central and Walpole stations. This essential work, which is necessary for safe, reliable service, is scheduled from 6:00am to 8:00pm on Sundays to minimize interruptions to customer service.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Wicked Local Franklin News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 9/28/11

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Executive Session April 6, 2011 – to be released, August 10, 2011 and September 14, 2011 Executive Session Minutes Not to be released

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Cultural Council

Mary Beth Fraser
Janet Norman
Judith Needell
Judith Prueitt-Prentice

Design Review

Nancy Coleman

School Building Committee

Paula Mullen

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - YMCA – Darkness to Light Program

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-46: Authorizing Tax Increment Financing Hamilton Storage Technologies Inc, 3 Forge Parkway
2. Resolution 11-50: Additional Appropriation for Comprehensive Feasibility Study of the Franklin High School and Grounds
3. Resolution 11-51: Support for House Bill No. 00869 – An Act relative to the establishment of municipal lighting authorities

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 full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf

"lingering effects of a severe concussion"

McGrath said it became clear that Glass, the son of Diane and Michael Glass, had not been abducted, leaving officials to suspect the ordeal had to do with the aftermath of a concussion Glass received while playing football last fall. 

"Following that, in school, there was at least two episodes he was taken out by ambulance because he collapsed," McGrath said. The teen has had trouble concentrating in school and "has been dealing with the aftermath of that injury." 

A toxicology report showed Glass was not using drugs or alcohol, McGrath said. 

"This speaks loudly to the fact that it's something more related to the concussion," he said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x372775289/Wrentham-teens-disappearance-blamed-on-concussion#ixzz1YrR3kZtI

Garden Office Hours - changed

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the short notice, but I will be moving my office hours to Sunday the 25th from 3-5pm.  I'll be in the garden helping to weed, and will be available for any questions.

Cheers,

Chris

--

www.franklincommunitygardens.org

Visit us on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Community-Gardens/152040424825578

Follow us on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/#!/FRKLNCommGarden

2 upcoming volunteer opportunities for Franklin Community Gardens!

Hello to our Franklin Community Garden Supporters, Gardeners, and Friends!

We'd like to share some upcoming volunteer opportunities with all of you.

Opportunity 1: 

This coming  Monday, September 26, from 4 pm until 7 pm, Whole Foods Market Bellingham will be having its last Farmers' Market of the season.  

In addition to the usual farm-fresh goodies one finds at a farmers' market, this particular one has a grill station serving up a variety of hot foods, just in time for dinner.  Location: the parking lot in front of the store.

Whole Foods Market has generously offered to donate to our community garden nonprofit (Friends of Franklin Community Gardens, Inc.) proceeds from the sale of food from the grill!!!  

Thank you, Whole Foods Market! 

There is a catch, and we need your help:  We (the community garden supporters) must prepare and serve the food.  Of course we will! 

How great is that? Totally. Are you with us?  Yea! 

Please sign up for an hour (or three!) by clicking (or copy/paste) the link below:

http://bit.ly/nxLUDa

If you can not work the grill, then please consider your dinner plans that evening----you could shop the market and buy dinner from the grill knowing that proceeds from dinner go directly back into our garden nonprofit fund (more gardens, more tools, more programs!)

I believe that the items we will be cooking and serving are burgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers, surely the healthy ones considering the venue.

More info on the Bellingham Whole Foods Market: http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/bellingham/

Opportunity 2:

King Street Memorial Community Garden Workdays Weekend

All are welcome! No signup needed. 

Saturday, Sept 24, 9 am -11 am with King St Garden Coordinator Chris Clay (bring your garden questions!)

Sunday, Sept. 25, 3 pm -5 pm with Amy Acevedo

We will be composting & weeding & generally making the entire garden and surrounding area as neat and tidy as a working garden can be. 

Please bring your own labeled shovels, rakes, and tools.  (And your awesome, sunny selves) 

Check website for weather-related cancellations, I'll post it if we need to cancel---A.

Thank you for putting us on your calendar! 

In Autumn and Abundance,

The Franklin Community Garden Committee & Friends of Franklin Community Gardens, Inc.

--

www.franklincommunitygardens.org

Visit us on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Community-Gardens/152040424825578

Follow us on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/#!/FRKLNCommGarden

7th annual Run for Bob

7th Annual Run for Bob
5k Run/Walk

Sat. 10/1, 9am - 1pm 

(run starts @ 10)

431 Washington Street, Franklin 

(formerly Putnam Investments)

kids' activities, games, prizes, food & more!

$20 / adult ($25 after 9/26)

$10 / child under 12 and Best Buddies participants

Team rate (4 or more participants/team): $15 / person

Come in Franklin sports shirt - for every 3, get 4th entry free!

Ways to register: runforbob.org or hockymca.org

Ariel Doggett, Hock YMCA Coordinator of Integration: 774.235.2722

Free t-shirts to first 300 registered

** All proceeds go to Best Buddies Franklin chapter and the YMCA **

Together, we honor Bob Biagiotti, a Franklin resident who passed away unexpectedly 7 years ago. Some of his greatest times were spent running in 5k's --pushing his daughter Kayla in a stroller modified for her disability. Kayla is a student at FHS and her mom Kris puts together a great family day here in Franklin to benefit charities that have played special roles in her family's life. Join us for the run/walk, see flyer! After the run, meet us for fun - an adult only night at Pinz,see flyer!

* The benefitting charities work to promote mutually respectful relationships between people of all abilities. The YMCA's Integration Initiative provides children with special needs an opportunity to participate with their typically developing peers in all the programs, services and activities offered at the Y. 

In the News - Matthew Glass Found Alive

Matthew was found in Dedham Thursday evening
http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x985874800/UPDATE-Matthew-Glass-found

Matthew's truck was found in Boston
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x438806412/Missing-Wrentham-teen-Matthew-Glass-truck-found-in-Boston

MassBudget: Three new fact sheets on health insurance, poverty and income

Explore our onlinebudget database Is our research helpful to you? Support our work Contact Info   Noah Berger   President   nberger@massbudget.org   (617) 426-1228 x102 New Census data on poverty rates, health care coverage and household income in Massachusetts September 22, 2011 The U.S. Census Bureau today released its annual update of state-level poverty rates, household income and health care coverage from the American Community Survey (ACS).    The new data show that the overall poverty rate in Massachusetts, having been stable the past three years, showed a statistically significant increase from 10.3 percent in 2009 to 11.4 percent in 2010. The increase in Massachusetts is similar to the rise in poverty nationwide in 2010 -- the overall U.S. poverty rate rose from 14.3 percent in 2009 to 15.3 percent in 2010. The fact sheet 2010 Poverty Rate Increases in Both Massachusetts and Across the Country is available here.    Health insurance coverage in Massachusetts far surpasses coverage nationally and in all other states, detailed statistics released by the Census Bureau today confirm. These data are more detailed and precise than the estimates released earlier this month, and show that 96 percent of residents in the Commonwealth had health insurance coverage in 2010. The fact sheet Massachusetts Still Leads in Health Care Coverage is available here.    The new Census data show a statistically significant decline of $3,182 or 4.9 percent in median household income (adjusted to 2010 dollars). For the U.S. as a whole, the ACS data show a statistically significant decline of $1,144 or 2.2 percent (also adjusted to 2010 dollars). Since 2007 (in the final month of which, the nation officially fell into recession), median household income in Massachusetts dropped an inflation-adjusted $3,307 or 5.1 percent. During the same period, U.S. median household income fell $3,280 or 6.2 percent. The fact sheet Median Household Income Dropped in Massachusetts and the U.S. in 2010 is available here.    See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present, as well as budget proposals 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.

Forward email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by info@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Board of Health alert: EEE September 2011

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "TOWN OF FRANKLIN"
Date: Sep 22, 2011 7:08 PM
Subject: EEE September 2011
To:

Hello. This is a public Health Alert from the Franklin Health Department. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has found bird-biting mosquitoes infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the Broad Street area of Medway. Triple-E is a serious virus with a very high mortality rate.

Although no EEE has been found in Franklin yet this season, residents in North Franklin along the Medway border should take all steps necessary to avoid mosquito bites. If you have questions regarding this alert, please contact the Franklin Health Department at 508-520-4905.  Thank you, good night. To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer. This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 520-4938. THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS IS NOT MONITORED. Please do not reply to this e-mail as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

FDP Board Member Diane Glass's son (Matt) is missing.

Dear FDP Members:

We just received word that Diane Glass's teenage son Matt is missing. Many of you know Diane. She is a member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership Board of Directors.

Please help us get the word out by sending the link below to your e-mail lists.  Matt has been missing since Tuesday and may have been visiting Northeastern University on Tuesday.  If anyone has a student at the university please forward Matt's photo.

Thank you for your assistance.  We need your help.

Lisa Piana

Executive Director

Here is the link-  https://local.nixle.com/alert/4733874/

Franklin's Harvest Festival - Sun, Oct 2

The Harvest Festival held in Franklin and sponsored by the Downtown Partnership is coming up Sunday, Oct 2.

What organizations will be there?
Where will the booths be located?

Questions like these can be answered by reviewing the layout prepared by the Downtown Partnership:.

2011 Harvest Festival Map


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document

Eat at Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Thurs. Oct. 13th

Eat at Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Thurs. Oct. 13th

and Support Franklin Music Boosters, Inc.!

On Thursday October 13th from 4:00 to 10:00 PM Five Guys Burgers and Fries in the Franklin Village Mall will once again generously donate 10% of ALL their sales to the Franklin Music Boosters, Inc.

Franklin Music Boosters is a parent organization which supports the entire Franklin Public School Music Program grades 6-12. Through volunteer support and fundraising, the Music Boosters help provide transportation for performance trips, competitions and outings; sponsor concerts and special events; finance the purchase of musical equipment and uniforms; fund private lessons and scholarships, as well as support the music department with volunteer help.

For more information about getting involved with the Franklin Music Boosters, contact Amy Czuba, amyczuba@gmail.com.

Advertising Opportunity for Local Businesses

Advertising Opportunity for Local Businesses with Franklin Music Boosters, Inc.

The Franklin Music Boosters, Inc. is once again producing its annual Ad Book, which is handed out at every concert conducted in the Franklin Public Schools during the 2011-2012 school year. For as little as $50 your company’s message can be before the eyes of thousands of local residents throughout the year. Business card, half page and full page ads are available.

Franklin Music Boosters is a parent organization which supports the entire Franklin Public School Music Program grades 6-12. Through volunteer support and fundraising, the Music Boosters help provide transportation for performance trips, competitions and outings; sponsor concerts and special events; finance the purchase of musical equipment and uniforms; fund private lessons and scholarships, as well as support the music department with volunteer help.

To advertise in the Ad Book, contact Robin Dao, robindao3@gmail.com. For more information about getting involved with the Franklin Music Boosters, contact Amy Czuba, amyczuba@gmail.com.

Sparky's Puppets

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Sparky's Puppets

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 9/21/11

Halloween Harvest

Meet a friendly witch, a pesky goblin, and a mischievous spider in this fast-paced, funny, and interactive show.

Wednesday October 26, 2011

3:30 - 4:15 PM

Ages 3-10

No registration required

Library Meeting Room

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

What would you like to know?

When you have an election ballot in front of you, you have a list of positions, a listing of candidates and a marker to fill in a circle next to one or more names. How do you decide to make a choice amongst the candidates?

To help you make your choice, I have offered to meet with all the candidates. My purpose is hear directly from them about their background. To listen and share their views on the issues that that they will work to resolve on our behalf for Franklin.

This is not an endorsement of any candidate. This is an information sharing exercise.

I’ll ask the same set of questions of each candidate so that you will have some common ground to make your decision.

The questions I propose to start with are as follows:

1 - Tell me a bit about yourself, your family and your life here in Franklin?

2 - What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? or What do you think makes you a good candidate to fulfill this role?

3 - What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it?

If you have some questions you'd like to ask, I’d like to hear them. Send me an email or leave a comment here.

I may find during the course of the interviews that I 'tweak' the questions. If I do that, I’ll post the updated questions here.

I have five candidates lined up thus far. Up to 37 total for this election are possible so we'll see how many take advantage of this.



The Election 2011 collection of posts can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html

Town Council and School Committee attendance records (Nov 2009 to present)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdEZSWlZLTFVqNmcxZWFTNDNxNk5PZkE&hl=en#gid=0

FIGHT HUNGER Paintball Challenge

FIGHT HUNGER Paintball Challenge
To Benefit the Franklin Food Pantry

Sat. Sept. 24th, 2011 -
9 am

FOX 4 Paintball Field
159 Milford St.
UPTON, MA

Donations of Non-Perishable Items will be collected during the Match.

Additional information can be found in the flyer:

Fight Hunger Poster


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document

In the News - choice of yard sales

First Universalist Society hosts indoor yard sale

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin academy holding yard sale

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Route 2 Closure and Detour Map

Be aware of road closures along Route 2 out in the western part of MA

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Route 2 Closure and Detour Map

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 9/20/11

MassDOT has assembled a map showing the closed portion of Route 2 that suffered significant damage due to flooding from Tropical Storm Irene and outlining the current posted detour.

Route 2 is closed from Mile Marker 21.6 in Florida to Mile Marker 27.5 in Charlemont, with damage including severe slope failures, roadway undermining and instability, eroded bridge approaches, mud slides, and culvert and retaining wall damage.

The significant damage and necessary repairs require an extended period of time to restore the roadway, and MassDOT is committed to an accelerated repair process.

Please review the Route 2 damage and detour route map to learn more and view photos of the damage.


The Detour Route is also listed below.

From North Adams: 
Route 8, Adams, to Route 116 through Adams, Savoy, Plainfield, and Ashfield,
to Route 112 through Ashfield and Buckland,
to Route 2, East Charlemont.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

November 8: Election Line up

The line up is being completed for the Nov 8th election. Candidates have until Oct 6th to change their mind and the Town Clerk's office has until Oct 4th to certify the signatures for each of the candidates are in fact valid and from Franklin.

Town Clerk:
Deborah Pellgri, Deborah Bartlett

Treasurer:
James Dacey, Mark Denommee

Town Council: 9 positions
Incumbents: Matt Kelly, Glenn Jones, Robert Vallee, Judith Pfeffer, Joe McGann, Tina Powderly
Challengers: Juan Ramon Rivera (Finance Committee), Jeffrey Roy (School Committee), Thomas Mercer (High School Building Committee), Ronald Calabrese (Planning Board), Andrew Bissanti and Robert Dellorco

(Parenthesis indicates previous board or committee position held)

School Committee: 7 positions
Incumbents: Cynthia Douglas, Susan Rohrbach, Paula Mullen, Edward Cafasso, Roberta Trahan, William Glynn (Glynn withdrew his name from ballot)
Challengers: Sean Donahue, John Jewell and Pamela McIntyre

Board of Assessors: 2 positions
Ken Norman, Vincent DeBaggis

Board of Health: 2 positions
Philip Brunelli, Richard Aucoin and incumbent Donald Ranieri Jr.

Constable: 3 positions
Incumbents: Robert Jarvis, Philip Brunelli, Richard Delfino
Challengers: Charles Delfino Jr. , John Power

Planning Board: 3 positions
John Carroll, Greg Ballarino, William David

Planning Board Associate
no one applied for (hence Town Council will need to approve appointment of someone)


Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x2137969832/Races-fill-up-for-Franklin-election#ixzz1YU9rWO49


The collection of posts related to Franklin's Election 2011 can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html