Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Downtown Project Update #9

The proposed work for the week ending 9/5/15 and 9/12/15 will be as follows:

  • Mill transitions on side streets and continue to raise castings and preparation for paving.
  • Paving from School Street to Pleasant Street.
  • Installation of Ballards and finish sidewalk at Dean College pedestrian crosswalk.
  • Complete Boxcut and Binder at Emmons Street and West Central Street.
  • Work on underground (site lighting and signals) at West Central Street and Emmons Street.
  • Begin Curb Installation on West Central Street approximately on 9/10/15.
  • Begin landscaping and seeding on Lincoln Street and Main Street.

If anyone has a question please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949. 

sidewalks on West Central at Dean College
sidewalks on West Central at Dean College
This was shared from the Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/021E3044-000F8513

"When I am honest about my recovery, I am more successful"


Carol McDaid is a woman in long-term recovery since 1997 and is co-founder and Principal of Capitol Decisions Inc. Capitol Decisions focuses on federal policy, with a special emphasis on alcohol and other drug policy. For over 15 years, Carol has worked with leading non-profit drug and alcohol treatment centers, addiction physicians, prevention and consumer organizations to refine public policy addressing alcohol and other drug addiction.




For more information about Capital Decisions, visit them online at 
http://www.capitoldecisions.com/


for more visit Facing Addition
for more visit Facing Addition

Senator Ross: August 2015 State House Update



Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, August 2015

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State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District.

State House
Room 419
Boston, MA 02133

Ph: 617-722-1555
Fax: 617-722-1054
Email:richard.ross@masenate.gov
Dear Friends,

Though the State Legislature has not been formally in session during the month of August, I have had the opportunity to visit all of the towns in my district and hear your many concerns. 


Please read my newsletter for information on important issues that will be taking over Beacon Hill come September and how to stay in the know.

As always, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.

Sincerely,

REMEMBERING ATTLEBORO MAYOR JUDY ROBBINS
I just want to take this opportunity to honor former Mayor Judith Robbins. It would be hard to find anyone more dedicated, more respected, or more devoted to public service. As the first female president of the Attleboro City Council and record setting 12 year tenure as mayor, Judy was constantly breaking barriers for the city she loved.

In my time knowing her, I was always impressed by her kindness, strength, and perseverance in the midst of hardship. I had the privilege of working with her on a number of regional economic development issues while she served as the head of the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority, and more recently on a local environmental cleanup project. Her guidance and wisdom were always appreciated, and she was a true public servant through and through, working tirelessly for those she had grown to love in the city of Attleboro.

These past few weeks the outpouring of love for Judy has been absolutely inspiring. There are not enough words to encapsulate how much she has done for the city or where this city would have been without her.

Judy may be gone, but her legacy, work, and impact lives on. Her fearlessness and courage remain a shining example of all that can be accomplished through public service and giving back to one's community. Thank you Judy.
RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER

I recently visited the Riverside Early Intervention Program in Needham and spoke with Scott Bock the Founder/President/CEO of Riverside Community Care and Joanne Sweeney the Program Director.

Riverside Community Care has been around for decades and today serves over 40,000 people across the Commonwealth. Spanning across 70 cities and towns, Riverside is dedicated to providing sustainable growth and positive change in families throughout Massachusetts.

The Early Intervention Program in Needham supports families with a broad range of needs, working to make a difference in their lives and securing their long term health. It was a privilege to not only witness the incredible work of Riverside and their staff, but to speak to countless families about how Riverside has changed their lives for the better.

For more information on the Early Intervention program, please visit Riverside's website here.
 MILLIS THANKS BUZ DOWNING

This past month, the town of Millis came out to recognize the lasting impact and work of Herman "Buz" Downing.

Buz dedicated over 60 years of service to Millis, ensuring its safety and security. Upon his arrival to Millis in 1955, Buz began using his time managing the Emergency Operations Center. Through his leadership, Buz was able to develop an emergency management plan, and lead the town through several high-pressure situations, including a number of weather related emergencies.

Millis is a safer place to live because of Buz's work. His selfless service and commitment to public safety are a lasting testament to all that can be accomplished when we give back to our community.

The Emergency Operations Center will now forever be known as the Herman "Buz" Downing Emergency Operations Center. Thank you Buz, and best of luck in your retirement. You deserve it.
UBER LEGISLATION
I have heard from a number of constituents regarding the regulation of transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft. First of all, I appreciate you sharing your concerns and experiences with these companies with me. These companies provide a number of benefits to our neighborhoods, including innovative transportation services as well as the opportunity for individuals to work part time. However, as a legislature it is also critical that we confirm that these companies are adhering to appropriate laws and are working for the benefit of our constituents.

In September, the Joint Committee on Financial Services will consider a number of bills related to the regulation of transportation network companies, including one filed by Governor Charlie Baker as well as one filed by Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and Rep. Frank Moran. This will give us the opportunity to consider whether such regulation is necessary to protect the safety of Massachusetts consumers and make certain that these companies are complying with all applicable Massachusetts laws.

I assure you that I will take all of your thoughts and concerns very seriously as I consider these bills and await the results of the public hearing.
GOV SIGNS EITC INTO LAW
Earlier this month, Governor Charlie Baker enacted a fifty-percent increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for over 400,000 working individuals and families in the Commonwealth.

The bipartisan increase was included in the final version of the FY16 budget while maintaining a voter-mandated tax reduction and without implementing any new taxes or fees. For low-to-moderate households, they can expect to see the EITC increase to 23 percent on January 1, 2016.

For families that are eligible, they would be able to see almost an additional $500 in savings every month which is simply remarkable. By putting money back in the pockets of hardworking taxpayers and families, we are building a stronger more sustainable Commonwealth and protecting the integrity of Massachusetts voters at the same time.

I applaud both the efforts of Governor Baker and my colleagues in the legislature to act swiftly on this and enact meaningful, visible change. I look forward to the continued work we will be able to accomplish this session. For more information on the EITC, please click here.
SENATOR ROSS ON BEACON HILL

In addition to serving the 12 cities and towns across the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District, I also serve as the Assistant Minority Leader of the Massachusetts State Senate, the Ranking Minority Member on the Committee on Ethics as well six other legislative committees. This means staying on top of not only what is going on in my district, but what is on the minds of my colleagues and people all across the Commonwealth.

Check out my legislative committees below and feel free to use their pages as a resource for upcoming hearings regarding pertinent legislation. If you have any questions, you can email me at Richard.Ross@masenate.gov.
Continue reading the newsletter here --> View this email in your browser
(Yes, the newsletter was shortened to publish here....)

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting Agenda - Sep 3


Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting Agenda
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Dean College Campus Center @ 8:30 am
Golder Room




  1. Open Meeting
  2. Adoption of Agenda


  1. Introductions
    Franklin Downtown Partnership
    Franklin Downtown Partnership

  1. Streetscape Project & Town Update 

  • Jeff Nutting - Town Administrator 
  • Brutus Cantoreggi - DPW Director 
  • Anthony Tavalone - MA DOT


  1. Update from Executive Director - Lisa Piana  
October Stroll - Thursday, October 15th
- Signage by-law presentation - November meeting


  1. Progressive Dinner - Jane Curran, Joel Carrara
   - Sunday, September 27th


  1. Networking Committee - Dave Drucker, Gary Donelan  


  1. Economic Dev Committee - Lisa Piana, Bryan Taberner
- Bryan Taberner, Lisa Piana
- Dean College Discount Program
- Branding the Downtown and other ideas


  1. MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau
- Susan Nicholl, Michele Marotta

  1. New Business
  1. Adjourn  



Upcoming Events:

  • Networking Luncheon - September 18
  • Progressive Dinner - Sunday, September 27
  • October Stroll - Thursday, October 15
  • General Meeting - Thursday, November 5
  • Winter Beautification - Sunday, November 22
  • Holiday Stroll - Thursday, December 3
This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2015/09/general-meeting-agenda-for-thursday.html

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Schools open Wednesday

Schools return to session Wednesday! Teachers are already back in professional development and class room prep.

Parmenter sign with school opening schedule
Parmenter sign with school opening schedule

Updated: Who are the candidates for Nov 3?

One person (Kenneth B. Hiscoe, III) removed their name for consideration from the School Committee in the most recent update from the Town Clerk's office as of close of business on Monday, August 31. This leaves 9 candidates for 7 seats on the Committee.




POSITION NAME Total
Assessor Donna Greenwood
Thomas P. Gleavy
W.Kenneth  Norman
Assessor Total 3
Bd. Of Health Donald G. Ranieri, Jr.
Gail P. Chirdon
Philip M. Brunelli
Tara E. Gurge
Bd. Of Health Total 4
Constable Daniel J. McCahill
John S. Power
Philip M. Brunelli
Constable Total 3
Planning Bd Gregory Giardino
Gregory T. Rondeau
John F. Carroll
Mikel G. DeFrancesco
William D. David
Planning Bd Total 5
School Com. Anne K. Bergen
Cynthia J. Douglas
Denise L. Schultz
John S. Jewell, PHD
Kevin P. O'Malley
Mary Jane Scofield
Rita M. Graci
Trevor A. Clement
Vanessa A. Bilello
School Com. Total 9
Town Clerk Diane M. Padula-O'Neill
Elizabeth F. Simon
Paul J. Cheli
Teresa M. Burr
Town Clerk Total 4
Town Council Andrew M. Bissanti
Brett S. Feldman
Deborah L. Pellegri
Glenn F. Jones
James D. Schultz, Jr.
James V. Gianotti, Jr.
Judith Pond Pfeffer
Matthew T. Kelly
Peter E. Padula
Richard W. Power, Sr.
Robert D. Dellorco
Robert R. Vallee
Sean P. Slater
Thomas D. Mercer
Town Council Total 14


Franklin Town Common
Franklin Town Common

What does the calendar for the run up to Nov 3 look like?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/07/calendar-for-biennial-town-election.html

Open auditions for "The Addams Family"


The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will hold open auditions for the hit musical comedy, The Addams Family, on Wednesday, September 9, at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. 
Auditions will begin at 6:30 p.m. for boys ages 10+ and girls ages 13+ and will continue at 7:00 for adults. Please prepare 16 bars of a contemporary musical theater song. Callbacks (if needed) will be held on September 10 at 7:00 p.m. and rehearsals will begin on September 12. For character breakdown, including descriptions, ages and voice parts, please visit www.FPAConline.com. 
Franklin Performing Arts Company
Franklin Performing Arts Company
The devilishly delightful musical serves up an original story based on the iconic characters of legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. Inspiring a TV sitcom, TV cartoon series and two feature films, Addams’ illustrations for The New Yorker spawned a pop culture phenomenon. His famously motley group – Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Grandma and Lurch – has a taste for everything macabre. 
Yet there’s a sweetness, charm and humor at the heart of their twisted and dark world. With book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, The Addams Family musical tests that world when outsiders – the respectable Ohio family of Wednesday’s “normal” fiancé – come to dinner, setting in motion a chain of riotous events one memorable night! 

The Addams Family will be presented at THE BLACK BOX as part of FPAC’s milestone 25th season. Performance dates are October 24 at 7:30 p.m., October 25 at 2:00 p.m., and October 30 at 7:30 p.m., with two shows on Halloween at 2:00 and 8:30. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit online at www.FPAConline.com.

In the News: drug/weapons arrest, lifelong learning classes available


A Franklin resident was arraigned in Wrentham District Court Monday after police allegedly found guns, heroin, marijuana plants and growing equipment at his residence. 
Dana Joyce, 26, of 84 Populatic St., pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of a Class A drug, intent to distribute a Class D drug, storing a firearm improperly and possession of a firearm without a firearm ID card. He was released on personal recognizance by Judge Emogene Johnson Smith. 
Franklin Police Patrolman David Mellor wrote in an affidavit that he was dispatched to a Populatic Street address at 7:51 p.m. on Aug. 29 on a report of a disturbance. Police were told that two people had been yelling at each other.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150831/NEWS/150839489/1994/NEWS


The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning, 218 Oak St., opened registration for fall courses. 
The courses include biotechnology, career enhancement, child care continuing education, foreign language skills and an expanded private music lesson program. 
For a copy of the fall brochure: 508-613-1480, franklinlifelonglearning.com. 
Those interested can register for classes online or call the center for more information.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150831/NEWS/150839560/1994/NEWS

Monday, August 31, 2015

"I was at a point of denial"

Hazelden has helped thousands of people find freedom from alcohol and other drugs and regain hope for healthier and more fulfilling lives. In this video, Dr. Andrew Mendenhall, Medical Director of Hazelden in Beaverton, Ore, interviews Tara, a woman who became addiction to pain killers after a car accident. Tara describes the impact addiction has on her life and the lives of those she loves, how addiction treatment




For part 2 of this interview  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDC6KQBRvBc



for more visit Facing Addition
for more visit Facing Addition

"150 tons of washed beach sand poured to a depth of 12 inches"


There may not be any surf nearby, but there’s certainly plenty of sand at King Memorial Park in Franklin where the town has paired with a local Eagle Scout to construct a regulation-sized beach volleyball court. 
The idea had been talked about for awhile in the Recreation Department office, according to director Ryan Jette, who said Program Director Megan Woodacre, a former collegiate volleyball player and coach, had been looking into what it would take to construct a regulation-size court. 
That’s when local teenager Jack Jenkins approached the town with his idea to construct a beach volleyball court as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2015/08/21/surf-but-plenty-sand-franklin-beach-volleyball-court/8QGSEjGtVYFmJLlvl2Et4M/story.html

King St Memorial Park - beach volleyball court - 1
King St Memorial Park - beach volleyball court - 1

King St Memorial Park - beach volleyball court - 2
King St Memorial Park - beach volleyball court - 2

King St Memorial Park - beach volleyball court - 3
King St Memorial Park - beach volleyball court - 3

King St Memorial Park - beach volleyball court - 4
King St Memorial Park - beach volleyball court - 4

The monthly newspaper, Franklin Town News also had an article on this Eagle Scout project  http://franklintownnews.com/

In the News: Franklin candidates, NE power sources


One new candidate took out papers recently to run for local office, and two have returned their nomination forms with the needed signatures. 
Franklin School Committee member John Jewell sought papers to retain his seat on Aug. 21, the most recent candidate to have done so. 
Town Council candidate Judith Pond Pfeffer and Board of Health candidate Donald Ranieri Jr., both incumbents, returned papers over the last week. Ranieri's signatures have been certified, and he will be on the ballot.
Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150830/NEWS/150839780/1994/NEWS


From 2000 to 2014, Bloomberg said the system’s power has shifted from being generated by coal, nuclear and oil, to natural gas. 
In 2000, nuclear energy made up 18 percent of the system’s capacity, or maximum power that can be generated with existing resources. That figure is now down to 15 percent. 
Oil made up 34 percent of the system’s capacity, but dropped to 21 percent in 2014. 
Coal, the dirtiest fuel in terms of air pollution, dropped from 12 percent to 7 percent capacity, while natural gas, which emits less carbon emissions than any other fossil fuel, increased from 18 percent to 43 percent. 
Power from hydro-electric dams and other renewables, including wind and solar, decreased from 11 percent to 9 percent capacity, but Bloomberg said that is mainly due to several hydro plants being shut down.
Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150829/NEWS/150826098/1994/NEWS

Paul Castelline, former FHS Math teacher

The Franklin network informs me that Paul Castelline who was "a math teacher at Franklin High School for 31 years" has passed away.


Paul Catelline obituary page
Paul Catelline obituary page

You can find his obituary online here
http://fowlerkennedyfuneralhome.tributes.com/obituary/read/Paul-Dominic-Castelline--102800771