Franklin Historical Museum - updated website

The website link in the "Other Resources" column has been updated to direct you to FranklinHistoricalMuseum.org rather than the FranklinHistoricalMuseum.com it used to use.

Even if you continue to use the .com address, you'll still end up in the right place.

Franklin Historical Museum

Not all the tabs and features of the updated have been completed. It is still a work in progress.

4th of July Parade in Franklin in the 1900's

Do stop by from time to time to see what has been updated. For their current event calendar, visit their Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038

Senior Center - parking expansion underway

You may recall that the Senior Center parking is going to be expanded before the 2nd floor of the center itself is finished. Yes, there is a second floor to the Senior Center. The elevator to it and the finishing work were left incomplete when the Senior Center opened in 2007.

How will the parking be expanded?
The property on Beaver St became available and Franklin purchased it, torn it down and is now getting ready to fill in to add another 30 or so parking spaces.

The house that was there

the house as it was

 It's gone

The house is gone

And now the ground work is underway, removing trees, getting ready to add about 30 or so parking spaces.

some fill will be required

at the edge of the property

photographer's back to Beaver St, looking to the Senior Center

One of the Capital budget items on the agenda for Wednesday's Town Council meeting is to add to the fund for the expansion of the 2nd floor of the Senior Center. You can find the full agenda documents as released here  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/franklin-ma-town-council-apr-16-2014.html


Photos from the Grand Opening of the Senior Center on Nov 11, 2007 can be found here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157612392922276/

Elizabeth Smart will speak at Foxborough High School

Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped on June 5, 2002 and reunited with her family on March 12, 2003. In more than 75% of all abductions, children are killed within three hours. 

Elizabeth survived 6,720 hours. 

What makes her story so compelling is not that she survived against all odds, but what she’s done since hour 6,721. She is working to make our communities safer for children. Through the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, she strives to empower children, parents, and educators to protect children and stand up to abusers. 

MetroLEC

The Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council, a consortium of 43 communities, is one of only 19 certified Child Abduction Response Teams in the United States. The Hockomock Area YMCA is pleased that the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council has chosen to support this event. 

Strengthening families and preventing child abuse requires a shared commitment of individuals and organizations in every community. In response, the Hockomock Area YMCA developed a community-wide child abuse protection initiative in 2011. 

Hockomock YMCA

Tickets for this event are for sale at the Hockomock Area YMCA’s branches in Foxboro, Franklin, and North Attleboro for $20 each. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Marge Kraskouskas at 508-643-5239 or margek@hockymca.org.

When - Thursday, May 8th at 7:00pm
Where - Foxborough High School
Tickets - $20/per person (not available at the door)

Voices of Franklin: Rich Aucoin - Franklin Town Council Stands Down

From Rich Aucoin

Town Council's Broken Oath to Constitutions Betrays our Military Veterans, Endangers Public Safety

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

-- Martin Luther King, Jr., 1963

I, _________, promise to uphold and defend Constitutional governance.-- Oath made by every Franklin Town Councilor, November 13, 2013 (officially broken March 18, 2014)

Why Are Local Officials Required to Swear an Oath to Uphold and Defend Constitutional Governance?

A vital part of the Oath sworn by local officials here in the U.S. is their pledge to uphold and defend our Constitutions. The Founders mandated that the Constitutional Oath be administered even to local office holders because they knew that federal and state legislators were only human and would sometimes make laws that violate our most basic, inalienable rights. In such cases, local officials would be duty-bound to step up and restore the nullified rights within their jurisdictional authority. This bottom-up system of Constitution enforcement is what made America different and special in the world; it ensured that we the people would always retain the power.

A Cradle of Liberty

Massachusetts has a proud history of enforcing basic rights. Five years after the U.S. Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act requiring states to kidnap and ship escaped slaves back to their "rightful owners," Beacon Hill passed the Personal Liberty Act, making it a crime to kidnap slaves in Massachusetts. Even a subsequent Supreme Court ruling upholding the federal law was ignored by our state legislature and kidnapping remained illegal here.

Modern-day kidnapping in the name of 'fighting terrorism'

Today's equivalent of the Fugitive Slave Act is the dangerously vague 2012 NDAA, which authorizes kidnappings of anyone merely suspected of terrorism, including U.S. citizens. No right to counsel. No right to face her accuser. No trial by jury. Just prison.

Fortunately, a national movement of concerned citizens is banning NDAA kidnappings at the state, county and local levels. Successes are piling up, including in the nearby towns of Webster and Oxford, while the City of Albany has become the nation's first Capital City to ban NDAA indefinite detentions.

Franklin Town Council: Cradle of Cowardice

But sadly, despite their public promise last November to stand up for our Constitutions, the Franklin Town Council is choosing to stand down. On March 18th a proposed resolution to ban NDAA kidnappings in the Town of Franklin was blocked by Chairman Bob Vallee. According to Council rules, a majority of members can override the chair to uphold the rights of the people, but to date no council member has been willing.

Returning Veterans Most at Risk

In 2011 the Department of Homeland Security listed returning veterans a domestic terror threat. And with a second Fort Hood tragedy now haunting the nation, the Franklin Town Council and other NDAA followers will more easily be able to justify their targeting of our returning veterans.

To those who will say NDAA kidnappings could never happen here, tell that to the people of Watertown, MA, who, one year ago would never have imagined full-on martial law descending on their city, complete with a paramilitary lockdown and Iraq-style house-to-house warrantless searches featuring entire families rousted out of their homes at gunpoint. The sobering reality is that the expanding post-9/11 militarized police state has put us all one incident away from legal chaos, where our Constitutions and Bill of Rights will no longer protect us, unless our local officials keep their promise to serve as our last line of legal defense.

   

   Irony of Ironies

Benjamin Franklin's famous counsel against trading essential liberty for false security has played a key role in passing every successful anti-NDAA resolution in the U.S. Yet, here in the town that so proudly bears his name, Franklin's wisdom is shamefully discarded, hidden away like some cheap pair of shoes beneath a council chair and eight broken promises.

Bob Vallee: (508) 528-1936
vallee480@aol.com

Matt Kelly: (508) 528-1036
matt@TeamKelly.net

Judith Pond Pfeffer: (508) 528-0428

judpfeffer@verizon.net

Andy Bissanti: (508) 528-7111

Andrew@bissantirealty.com

Glenn Jones: (508) 520-0069

gf_jones@verizon.net

Tom Mercer: (508) 528-9084

tdmercer@verizon.net

Peter Padula: (508) 528-9744

votepadula@gmail.com

Steve Williams (508) 528-6013

stw611@gmail.com

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Apr 16, 2014 - Agenda

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 5, 2014

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Design Review Commission
Library Board of Directors

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Gary McCarraher/Ambulance Information
Solarize Franklin
Library Board/Director

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 14-16: Authorization to Borrow – Water Infrastructure Improvements - Requires 2/3 Vote

2. Resolution 14-17: Appropriation Athletic Fields Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund- Requires 2/3 Vote

3. Resolution 14-18: Appropriation OPEB Stabilization Fund - Requires 2/3 Vote

4. Resolution 14-19: Appropriation Sewer Enterprise Capital FY 14

5. Resolution 14-20: Appropriation Water Enterprise Capital FY 14

6. Resolution 14-21:Appropriation Fire Truck Stabilization Fund - Requires 2/3 Vote

7. Resolution 14-23: Senior Center Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund- Requires 2/3 Vote

8. Resolution 14-24: Appropriation Capital FY 14

9. Resolution 14-25: Appropriation Recreation – Spray Park

10. Resolution 14-22: Direction for Issuance of Request for Expressions of Interest for Town Property at 150 Emmons Street

11. Bylaw Amendment 14-731:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 2nd Reading

12. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-733: Changes to 185-5, Zoning Map, changes from Commercial 1 to Downtown Commercial District in an Area on or Near Alpine Row - Referral to Planning Board

13. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-734: Changes to 185-5, Zoning Map, changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Josephine Street - Referral to Planning Board

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Real Property

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Municipal Building

The full set of documents released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/041614.pdf

Franklin TV studio - renovation progress

The future Franklin.TV studio will be located on Hutchinson St (between Wachusett and Union).

future home of Franklin TV

They are operating from the trailer in the parking lot while the interior is renovated and the addition is built. On my walk Saturday morning, I took these photos of the building's addition. They broke ground and have the foundation poured.

yes, there is a foundation!

side view of foundation

foundation and positioning to original building

redoing the exterior (entrance to front left, foundation in rear)

Be sure to visit Franklin.tv online  They broadcast your local Franklin channels for both Verizon and Comcast.

"You tap into your humanity. I mean, would you want to go there?"

Franklin's discussion about what to do with Emmons St is not a unique discussion. Other communities have this discussion around development vs. green space or community space. Amanda Burden the former New York City urban planner spoke at the TED Conference in March. Right about the same time as the Town Council hosted the second discussion on Emmons St.

"When we think of cities, we think of buildings and skyscrapers and stray cats. For Amanda Burden, who spent 12 years as New York City’s director of urban planning, they’re primarily about people. They’re about where people go and where they meet – that’s the core of how cities work. And for the people, even more important than the buildings are the public spaces in between them. Those, to Burden, are what makes the cities come alive. 

The central question she asks is, “What makes a public space work? What is it about unsuccessful places that keeps people away?” Burden, it turns out, was trained as an animal behaviorist, but she uses those skills to study how people interact with their spaces."

From the TED blog
http://blog.ted.com/2014/03/18/public-spaces-have-power-amanda-burden-at-ted2014/


Spend about 18 minutes with Amanda and listen to what she has to say about city spaces and what they can do for people. What she says about New York translates well to what we can and should do here in Franklin.





Good quotes:

Now, open spaces in cities are opportunities. Yes, they are opportunities for commercial investment, but they are also opportunities for the common good of the city, and those two goals are often not aligned with one another, and therein lies the conflict.

So how was I going to get this done? By listening. So I began listening, in fact, thousands of hours of listening just to establish trust. You know, communities can tell whether or not you understand their neighborhoods. It's not something you can just fake. And so I began walking. I can't tell you how many blocks I walked, in sweltering summers, in freezing winters, year after year, just so I could get to understand the DNA of each neighborhood and know what each street felt like. I became an incredibly geeky zoning expert, finding ways that zoning could address communities' concerns.

So what's the trick? How do you turn a park into a place that people want to be? Well, it's up to you, not as a city planner but as a human being. You don't tap into your design expertise. You tap into your humanity. I mean, would you want to go there? Would you want to stay there? Can you see into it and out of it? Are there other people there? Does it seem green and friendly? Can you find your very own seat?

These and other quotes from directly from the transcript
http://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_burden_how_public_spaces_make_cities_work/transcript


So how does the discussion on Emmons St continue? Should the Town Council issue the "Expression of Interest"?

DIRECTION FOR ISSUANCE OF REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF
INTEREST FOR TOWN PROPERTY AT 150 EMMONS STREET 

WHEREAS, the Town owns improved property at 150 Emmons Street which
previously housed the municipal administrative offices (hereinafter “Property”), and 

WHEREAS, the Franklin Town Council, by Resolution 04-75, previously declared
Property to be surplus and available for disposition, and 

WHEREAS, Town, pursuant to said resolution, issued a Request for Proposals
with a minimum bid price, but failed to receive any responsive proposals, and 

WHEREAS, the Town Council is cognizant of public interest in and concern for
reuse and/or redevelopment of Property as a “Gateway” to and integral part of the
Downtown, and has held public hearings to solicit public comments, and 

WHEREAS, Town Council remains desirous of disposing of Property and seeks
additional input as to potential reuse and/or redevelopment to provide it with guidance in
the preparation of a new Request for Proposals, 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin acting by and
through its Town Council: 

1. Directs the Town Administrator to cause a Request for Expressions of
Interest be prepared and issued for Property with responses due no
later than July 31, 2014. 

2. Directs the Economic Development Committee to review and evaluate
all responses and to provide the Town Council with a written report of
its evaluation at the Council’s first meeting this coming September.

 This resolution is on the agenda for the Town Council meeting Wednesday, Apr 16

Emmons St building

Real property values are positively affected

Two other sources of information on how public spaces can help the economic development of communities were shared by the Dept of Community Development and Planning.

Key Point #1
Real property values are positively affected. 

Key Point #2
Municipal revenues are increased.

There are additional points made in this paper but for me, the additional revenue is key. Read the full article here:




In the Introduction to this paper we read:

"Too often we hear that communities cannot afford to “grow smart” by conserving open space. But accumulating evidence indicates that open space conservation is not an expense but an investment that produces important economic benefits."

Why are these papers shared? Good information to have for the Emmons St building discussion

Emmons St this past winter

PodCamp WesternMass 6

Where do I learn how to do what I do here for Franklin Matters? I managed to attend the first PodCamp in 2006 in Boston and have been continuing to learn something new at unconference event since then.

PodCamp WesternMass 6 - Saturday, April 19, 2014 

Where: The Kittredge Center, Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA 

When: Saturday, April 19, 2014 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Tickets are $30 plus processing, or $10 with a valid student ID, and includes a full day of PCWM6, lunch, admission to our after party, and so much more! 

At PodCamp, everyone's a rock star. 

PodCamp is an un-conference about social media and online networking. It is an open and collaborative event with discussions and interaction from attendees. Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join. Some sessions will be planned ahead of the event, but plenty of spaces will be open for the topics YOU want to discuss and learn. You can participate by giving a presentation, demo, or joining into another cooperative event, being on a panel/roundtable, or in other ways helping out on event day. 

PodCamp is NOT just about podcasting, but about all social media/networking, and its relevance and usefulness to community, business and otherwise. This PodCamp is all about blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, podcasting, videocasting/YouTube, and any other online community tools. 

Western Mass entered the Social Media age with the inaugural PodCamp WesternMass in early 2009. We have a thriving community here of some truly amazing people. This is a chance for Western Mass bloggers, business people, artists, and academics, to get together, make connections, and for everyone to learn how social media can enhance their business, cause or organization. This is also a chance to celebrate the cornucopia of Western Mass. culture, a joyous blend of urban and rural; business, artistic and academic; near enough to other large metro areas, but small enough to hear yourself think. 

There will also be a Post-PodCamp Party on Saturday after the event, at Sláinte.

To get your ticket, follow this link  pcwm6.eventbrite.com/

The schedule of sessions for PodCamp WesternMass 5

The Recycle Center

The Recycle Center - Hours of Recycling Operation:
Tuesday 12-3 p.m. (April – Nov) Fri, Sat 8-3 p.m. 


USER PERMIT FEE: $25
Permits valid July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 attached to windshield – no exceptions

• The recycle center also accepts rigid plastic items. ex: plastic lawn furniture, empty garage cans, plastic shelving, milk/soda crates and more. Please see the Town of Franklin website for more information.
• Recycling Center permits can now be purchased via telephone by calling the DPW office during business hours. DPW - 508.553.5500
• Cash is not accepted at the Recycling Center. Payments can be made by check, credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard).
• The town’s new needle/syringe disposal kiosk is located in the lobby of the DPW office at 257 Fisher Street. The kiosk will be available to residents during normal DPW business hours.

Yard Waste
Leaves and brush will be collected curbside. Beaver Street Recycling Facility also accepts yard waste.
Check calendar for schedule.

Bulk Items

• Large indoor furniture Pickup Fee: There is a fee per item (limit 1 per week). ex. mattress, box spring, carpet, (per 108sqft, 9x12), wood table & chairs, sofas, etc.
• Oil-based paints, thinners, shellac and turpentine are accepted at the Recycling Center
• The Recycling Center now accepts mattresses, box springs and carpeting.
• Most appliances are $25 • Disposal of TV's start at $25 • Freon Appliances - $30
• All pickups done on Thursdays. Call Waste Management by Tuesday 3 pm for Thursday pick up! 1.800.972.4545. Please call Waste Management for pricing on other items.

Franklin trash and recycle bins or totters

The Recycling Flyer can be viewed here:





The recycling flyer can also be found on the Franklin webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01D2465A-000F8513.0/Recycling%20Flyer.pdf

BJ's Intersection

The improved signage for the intersection of Forge Parkway and West Central St has apparently reduced the number of traffic incidents. You may recall that for a period of time, the neighborhood was quite upset when  traffic signals were removed by the state. Several accidents occurred some of them with significant injury. Franklin worked with MassDOT to improve the stop signs at the intersection.

In my own use of the intersection, it seems much better behaved than the 'wild west' it used to be.

early warning stop sign ahead

stop sign has blinking lights all around the edge

the intersection is a wide one with good views

Pet CPR and First Aid

CAN YOU SAVE YOUR DOG?

• Learn Pet CPR and First Aid
• Get Certified!
• % of proceeds donated to a local animal charity!

Saturday April 27, 2014 - 1pm to 4pm

Destination Dog,
7 Forge Parkway,
Franklin, MA 02038

Cost: $55

To register:
Pet Emergency Education, LLC
401-450-5047


The skills and topics covered in this course include:
• Safety when working with sick and/or injured animals
• Restraint and transportation of injured dogs and cats
• Choking/Heimlich Maneuver in dogs and cats
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in dogs and cats
• Bandaging and wound management
• Triage and Assessment

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 4/11/14 - THU 4/17/14

FRI 4/11  6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked - Franklin Art Center
FRI 4/11   7pm   FSPA presents: Disney Showcase, Elks Lodge Franklin. Tickets available at the door or www.fspaonline.com
FRI 4/11   7pm   Kennedy School Ladybug Auction, Primavera in Millis. Tickets available at the door.

SAT 4/12   8:30am   Franklin-Bellingham Rail Trail Clean Up (meet at Grove St. trailhead, bring gloves)

SUN 4/13   3:30pm   LiveARTS Concert: Janice Weber (piano), First Universalist Society Franklin

WED 4/16   7pm   Rails To Trails and Rails WITH Trails Projects in Southern New England, Franklin Public Library
WED 4/16   7pm   Town Council Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building.

For more details on above events click HERE and select the event of interest.

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

High School parking update (video)

This was presented during the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Apr 8. While the new school opens in Sep, the removal of the old school will begin and result in less parking spaces until the removal of the old school and construction of the new fields is complete.

Action is required now!




Additional info can be found here:

new Franklin High School - winter of 2013-14

For additional updates on what is happening at Franklin High School, visit their webpage here
http://franklinhigh.vt-s.net/Pages/index

FHS Sports Results - Thursday, Apr 10

Via Hockomock Sports we share the following results from Thursday

Baseball
Attleboro, 12 @ Franklin, 4 - Final - Steven Knox picked up the win going six innings with four strikeouts and allowing just two earned runs. Matt Elliot was 3-4 with four RBI, two runs and a three-run home run. Max Lancaster was 3-4 with three runs and Elliott Desvergnes was 1-3 with a home run. Franklin's Nick Gallo was 2-3 with an RBI, one run and a stolen base and Andrew Parent was 2-4 with a run scored.

FHS Panthers

Softball
Attleboro, 2 @ Franklin, 6 - Final - The Panthers scored five runs in the fourth inning on their way to their fourth straight win. Olivia DiGiacomo was 3-3 with two RBI, Alicia Donovan was 2-3 with two RBI and Sammie Rondeau was 2-4 with two RBI and a triple. Lilly Criscione started the rally in the fourth inning and was 2-4 at the plate and also picked up the win, striking out six. Courtesy runner Tatiana Havens scored twice for Franklin.


Girls Tennis
Franklin, 4 @ Attleboro, 1 - Final

FSPA Registration Open for Summer and Fall Programs

Registration for summer and fall programming is now underway at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA). Prospective students and families are encouraged to visit the school, tour the facilities and try a complimentary class.

Registration is also ongoing for the current Trimester III, which began on March 24. Students are welcome to start classes and private instruction at any point throughout the year and tuition is pro-rated.

With extensive programs in Music, Dance and Drama, FSPA brings the performing arts disciplines together in downtown Franklin. The school offers instruction for all ages and abilities to meet the needs of those who seek levels of training and involvement ranging from recreational enjoyment to serious study.

FSPA

FSPA’s music program provides voice and instrumental private lessons, as well as group classes with ensemble performing opportunities. Little Music School®, an innovative music program developed exclusively at FSPA, teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano. Dance instruction is offered at all levels in ballet, jazz, tap, modern and hip hop, with specialized classes for boys, adults and beginner teens.

FSPA’s roster of dance classes also includes dance for musical theater, lyrical, acro and Horton Technique. The drama department features programs in acting and musical theater with classes for all ages, beginning with kindergarten children. Interactive classes explore storytelling, theater games, improvisation, scenes and monologues, character development and audition preparation.

Performing opportunities at FSPA include musical theater troupes, dance companies, Glee Club, Ballet Repertoire Series, Spring Concert, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses and recitals. Many FSPA students are also cast, by audition, in productions presented by the affiliated Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC).

Summer session programming runs from June 30 to August 22 and includes performing arts workshops and one-week camps, an eight-week session of voice, instrumental and dance classes, two ballet intensives and the annual SummerStage musical theater program.

FSPA’s roster of one-week performing arts camps includes Camp ProVoice, Jazz and Tap Camp, Choreography Camp, Broadway Camp and Acting Camp, as well as Little Gems Ballet Camp, Creative Kids Camp and Little Music School Experience for younger children.

FSPA will also offer two Summer Ballet Intensives: Summer Session I for the Young Dancer Division from June 30-July 11 and Summer Session II for the Pre-Professional Division from July 14-July 24.

The annual SummerStage musical theater program for students in grades 3-12 features a two-week format (July 28-August 8) and full-length production of LEGALLY BLONDE, The Musical.

Younger SummerStage students (grades 3-8) will be showcased in “PARALEGAL, The Musical.” Auditions will be held by appointment and are for placement purposes only; all SummerStage students will be cast in the productions.

FSPA will also offer a series of 2- and 3-day workshops.

• Critically-acclaimed R&B singer April Hall will conduct a Vocal Styles workshop for ages 13-18, introducing students to jazz phrasing, scatting and improvisation, as well as microphone and performance techniques. 
• Rock Out, for musicians of all levels, provides students with the opportunity to jam with talented area musicians and learn from well-known Boston professionals. 
• A performance skills workshop, Up Your Game, will focus on audition techniques, presentation skills and developing or improving an audition binder, headshot/resume and audition wardrobe. 
• Behind the Scenes will introduce students to the many details involved in bringing a production to the stage, including an overview of the technical and operational aspects of producing a show.

Register over the phone at (508) 528-8668 or in person at 38 Main Street in Franklin. For further information, including a summer session brochure with full program descriptions and dates, call or visit online at www.fspaonline.com.

MassBudget: Analyzing the House Ways and Means Budget for FY 2015

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. MassBudget Analysis of the House Ways and Means Budget for FY 2015  Yesterday (Wednesday), the House Ways and Means Committee (HWM) presented its budget proposal for FY 2015. Our new Budget Monitor shows how this proposal would affect programs across state government, from health care and education to human services and the environment. The HWM proposal does not include significant new revenue, meaning that proposed new investments are relatively modest. They include: Higher education, where funding is increased roughly $60 million over last year and $8 million over the Governor's proposal. Child welfare, where $8.4 million in additional funding is provided to hire additional social workers to begin to reduce caseloads to levels at which children and families could be better protected and supported.   Substance abuse and prevention and treatment, where funding is increased $6.3 million over last year and $3.6 million above the Governor's recommendation. The budget also recommends a number of cuts to existing programs, including a $13.9 million reduction in funding for youth jobs programs. Read our full Budget Monitor 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

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Kick Off Event To Celebrate SNETT’s DCR Healthy Heart Trail

The Hockomock Area YMCA is proud to host a community event on Friday, April 25 for the Southern New England Trunkline Trail’s (SNETT) Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Healthy Heart Trail Kick Off.

FBRTC

The SNETT is one of the longest trails in southern Massachusetts, covers approximately 22 miles in length, and is almost entirely owned by the DCR. The trail begins in the Franklin State Forest on the east and extends to the Douglas State Forest on the west, and passing through the towns of Douglas, Uxbridge, Millville, Blackstone, Bellingham, and Franklin.

Hockomock YMCA

The trail is designated for use by pedestrians, equestrians or non-motorized vehicles and is being enhanced to improve walkability and increased recreational opportunities. DCR has designated trails statewide as Healthy Heart Trails, denoted by a green heart sign. These trails are typically around 1.5 miles in length and require an easy to moderate activity level.

The event will begin at 9:00am at the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Bernon Family Branch located at 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin. Town officials, Friends of the SNETT, DCR officials, Franklin/Bellingham Rail Trail Association, many community leaders, and residents will be attending.

All community members are invited to attend. At 10:00am, attendees are invited to board a bus to travel to the SNETT for guided walks provided by the Franklin/Bellingham Rail Trail Association and Friends of the SNETT as well as participate in nature games with Hockomock Area YMCA staff. The event will conclude with a picnic lunch on the trail.

If you have event questions, contact Marissa Garofano, Director of Community Wellness for the Hockomock YMCA and at 508-772-1322 or marissag@hockymca.org.

Healthy Futures Franklin

About Healthy Futures Franklin, a Program of the Town of Franklin and the Hockomock Area YMCA Healthy Futures Franklin, a Mass in Motion initiative, works locally to increase opportunities for Franklin residents to eat better and move more in the places they live, learn, work, and play. Franklin is among 52 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth that are part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Program. Healthy Futures Franklin is working to support the implementation of Complete Street Policies, Safe Routes to School, Community Gardens, Safe Areas to Play and Be Active, and improving school nutrition initiatives that will make the healthy choice the easy choice for residents of Franklin. For more information on Healthy Futures Franklin, please visit www.healthyfuturesfranklin.org.

About The Hockomock Area YMCA The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Y, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn and grow. For more information about the Hockomock Area YMCA, please visit www.hockymca.org.

hydrant flushing - updated

The schedule of streets where the hydrant flushing will happen is being updated each day on the DPW page.

The Franklin Department of Public Works, Water Division will begin its hydrant flushing program on Monday, April 7, 2014. This program is conducted annually to improve Franklin’s water quality and fire flows. Some hydrants will be flushed in the evening hours, while others will be completed during the day. Hydrant flushing will continue depending on water availability and system pressures.  

Residents may 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.  

Check the DPW Home Page to find out which streets we are working on today.  

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 508-553-5500. 

You can find the schedule here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/General_Pages/hydrant_flushing

hydrant flushing in action on Cottage St

The first notice of hydrant flushing was posted earlier this week
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/hydrant-flushing-begins-apr-7.html

Jazz time

The Franklin High School jazz musicians played their last performance in the Lecture Hall on Wednesday night. The three groups played well entertaining a devoted and appreciative group.

FHS jazz band

The program as presented last night:




Another way to capture the performance was with one of my "sherku" called FHS Jazz

lecture hallsetting forjive combotelling theirown high schoolexperience

You can find this and other poetry at 
http://www.quietpoet.com/2014/04/sherku-fhs-jazz.html