Senator Ross: January 2016 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, January 2016 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn 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, It has only been one month, but 2016 is off to an exciting start. This newsletter is packed with Beacon Hill updates on Governor Baker's State of the Commonwealth, the FY17 budget, pertinent legislation, as well as my recent trip to Colorado. I am also once again hosting Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Seminars all across my district. The full schedule can be found below. As always, if you have any questions, thoughts, or ideas--please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, CHARLIE BAKER'S STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS It is hard to believe that Governor Charlie Baker has been in office for a year already. Over the past twelve months, he has brought many difficult and important issues to the forefront of our legislative agenda and has placed party polarization on the backburner in order to produce real, meaningful change.   I had the honor of witnessing Governor Baker's first State of the Commonwealth address. In his first year alone Governor Baker has tackled the MBTA and our beleaguered transportation system, the opioid epidemic, challenges at DCF, all while entering office with a $765 million budget shortfall. His hands-on approach to solving problems and fiscal discipline are what make him such an admirable leader of the Commonwealth. In his address, he highlighted the need to prioritize lifting the cap on charter schools, continuing to combat the opioid epidemic, expanding the use of hydropower, while continuing to invest in our cities and towns. There is much more we need to accomplish in 2016, but I'm looking forward to continuing to work with this administration and my colleagues in the House and Senate to better serve the people of the Commonwealth. You can read Governor Baker's full remarks here.

This email was shortened for publication here. To view the full text, follow this link --> View this email in your browser

In the News: food service coming in-house, diabetes prevention at Y, Solutions announces summer program

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The school district will likely be moving its food-service management in-house for the 2016-2017 school year. 

The move will coincide with the expiration of the schools' contract with Whitsons School Nutrition, district officials said. 

Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski raised the matter at a recent School Committee meeting, saying the district contracted with Whitsons five years ago, as part of an effort to comply with federal regulations regarding nutrition. 

"We felt having a large organization behind us would help us get into compliance," she said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160202/franklin-schools-look-to-bring-food-services-in-house

The Hockomock Area YMCA Bernon Family Branch, 45 Forge Hill Road, will host an informational session on the Diabetes Prevention Program at 12:15 p.m. Feb. 11. 

The YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to support adults that are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and reduce their risk for developing the disease. The one-year program, consisting of 24 sessions, provides a welcoming environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about healthier eating and increasing their physical activity.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160202/franklin-ymca-to-host-diabetes-prevention-program-informational-session

The Solutions Extended Day and Enrichment Program, a program of the Franklin Public School’s Lifelong Learning Institute, will offer a six week summer program beginning July 5 at Jefferson Elementary School, 628 Washington St. 

The program consists of six theme-based weeks for children to attend such as Gameshow Mania, Magic for Muggles and Calling All Jedis. 

The program will be led by the school-year staff who will plan a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, science experiments, water play and dramatic play. 

Registration can be completed online at franklinlifelonglearning.com.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160202/solutions-extended-day-in-franklin-to-offer-summer-program

Franklin High School Class of 1966 - 50th Anniversary

Franklin High School Class of 1966 is busy with preparations for the 50th anniversary of their graduation. The class reunion will be held the weekend of June 3, 2016, and will include attending the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2016 on June 3. 

There will be additional gatherings after graduation on Friday evening, and on Saturday and Sunday. Committee members will be mailing “Save the Date” notices in January and information about registering for specific reunion activities in February. 

The Class of 1966 Reunion Committee includes: Sandy DiCamillo Fitzpatrick, Dottie Vendetti Leoncavallo, Cynthia DiPietro Douglas, Marion Fricker Jennings, Jean Ellen Keras, Janet Miller Robinson, and Peter Baglioni.

If you would like more information about the class reunion, please contact Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute at 508-553-4814 or email at: alumni@franklin.k12.ma.us.

community entrance at Franklin High School

Both FHS basketball teams top Sharon

Girls Basketball

• Franklin, 45 @ Sharon, 33 – Final 

– Alyssa Piazza led the Eagles with 11 points. Sharon also got eight points from Charlotte Ransom and seven from Veronica Wallace.

Boys Basketball

• Franklin, 55 @ Sharon, 41 – Final 

– Franklin turned a four point deficit at halftime into a nine point lead by the end of the third quarter. Sophomore Connor Peterson had 15 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, Tim Prunier had 13 points, seven rebounds and four steals and freshman Jay Dieterle added 13 points and four rebounds.

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-020116/

Franklin sophomore Connor Peterson releases a shot in the first half in a sea of Sharon defenders. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Ryan Lanigan, Editor-in-Chief of Hockomock Sports, provides the full report on the FHS boys game

"Franklin’s defense certainly wasn’t bad in the first half, surrendering just 21 points to Sharon. But faced with a four point deficit at the break, Franklin head coach CJ Neely challenged his team to crank it up. 

The Panthers switched to a full court press to start the second half. The pressure worked off and turned it into a 10-3 run over the first three minutes of the quarter and then when Sharon got it within two again, the Panthers closed with another 10-3 in the last 2:30. 

“We played much more aggressive in the second half,” Neely said. “We didn’t want to come right away with the press, we thought they might expect it because we had some out a lot of games this year with pressure. I still thought our defense was pretty good. That’s the third straight game we’ve gone against a run from other teams early and they’ve been hitting tough shots, at least I think they’re tough.”

Continue reading the article online
http://www.hockomocksports.com/panthers-press-the-issue-in-second-half-against-sharon/

Meals on Wheels is looking for your help!

Wanted

Volunteers

To Deliver Meals

For homebound elders

In Franklin, Medway and Bellingham

Drivers – mileage reimbursement provided

Call… Tri Valley Meal Site 508-520-1422

Meals on Wheels screen grab

For additional info about Meals On Wheels  http://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/

February is for lovers: Library Lovers, that is

The Friends of the Franklin Library invites you to tell us about your favorite book.

Maybe it's one that moved you, or that you learned from, or helped you navigate a difficult time. Maybe the book was just fun to read, made you laugh or made you think differently about something. It could have been controversial, biographical, historical or mystical – there are dozens of genres.

Ben Franklin reading outside the Franklin Public Library

How about a book that you loved as a child?

Or maybe your favorite "book" is actually one of the many databases the library offers to patrons.

Please send your favorites, along with a brief description of why you love them, and we'll collect and post the comments at the library and on Facebook.

Our email address is FoFL02038@gmail.com.

Many thanks!

In the News: Franklin Line feedback sought, $4,000 raised for resident displaced

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

State Rep. Shawn Dooley, R-Norfolk, Sen. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, and Rep. Jeff Roy, D-Franklin, will host a community meeting to discuss the Franklin Line of the MBTA commuter rail. 

Last year’s harsh winter saw multiple cancellations, which affected the area significantly. Many residents travel to and from Boston every day for work, so a lack of public transportation can cause lasting damage to people’s individual finances as well as the Massachusetts economy as a whole. The commuter rail has experienced delays this year and the Franklin line is only running on schedule 86 percent of the time.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160201/roy-dooley-to-host-mbta-forum

In addition to the more than $12,000 raised to support a local family displaced by a house fire last week, area residents have donated almost $4,000 in aid to another of the building's residents. 

A GoFundMe online donation page has been set up to help Molly Corrigan, who also lived in the 11 Church St. building that was gutted by a three-alarm fire on Jan. 26. 

Corrigan grew up in town, and said she had lived in her apartment for the past year and a half. She said she was at work - at Milford's KinderCare Learning Center - when she heard about the fire.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160201/franklin-4k-raised-to-aid-fire-victim

Eian Bain is the new FHS football coach

Franklin High School Press Release

"The Franklin Public Schools are pleased to announce they have hired Eian Bain as FHS Head Football Coach. Coach Bain has coached at the collegiate level for three years, most recently as the Quarterback Coach for Framingham State University. He has also coached for a total of five years at both Foxboro and Ashland High Schools. As a collegiate football player, he started four years as a quarterback at Framingham State. 

The Franklin Public Schools would like to thank both the Screening and Finalist Committees for their efforts in the process. These committees were made up of fourteen stakeholders in the football program, including members of the alumni, Pop Warner, Gridiron Club, varsity coaches of other sports, returning players and school administrators."

Franklin High School in the rain

Ryan Lanigan, Editor-in-Chief of Hockomock Sports provides an indepth article on the new FHS football coach Eian Bain.

“We’re going to establish a set of core values. I’m going to ask and expect the student-athletes to buy in, we have to buy in to be on the same page. We’re not going to talk about how many games we need to win,” Bain said. “Our goals are going to be about doing things the right way. It’s about discipline, accountability, and giving a relentless effort in everything we do. We want to establish a process and focus on the little things day by day. From day one we need to focus on process and take care of us and what we can control.”

Read the full article online
http://www.hockomocksports.com/franklin-hires-eian-bain-as-new-football-coach/

Franklin Line Schedule changes possible in May

Franklin Line commuters have you checked out the proposed schedule changes?

The MBTA is looking for your feedback by 2/12/16!

"Before these proposed new schedules go into effect on May 23, 2016, we’d like to get your feedback. Please take a moment to review the proposed schedule changes below and complete our Commuter Rail Customer Comment Form. 

We also invite you to attend a public meeting (complete public meeting schedule) to participate in a discussion of the Commuter Rail schedule changes. You can also provide us your comments by mail to: MBTA, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Commute Rail Schedule Committee; by phone at (617) 222-3200 or TTY (617) 222.5146 or email at crschedules@mbta.com. 

The deadline for public comments is Friday, February 12, 2016. 

We value your input and thank you for your participation!"

image of Franklin/Dean and Franklin/Forge Park schedule changes

http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/MBTABackOnTrack/?id=6442455610

• The full proposed schedule can be found here

http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/Board_Meetings/1.8%20Franklin%20Line.pdf

• The comparison of changes station by station can be found here

http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/Board_Meetings/1.8%20Franklin%20Comparison.pdf

Franklin outbound headed to Franklin/Forge Park

Reminder: S.A.F.E. Community Coalition Feb 2 - 7:00 PM - Horace Mann Auditorium

This is a reminder about our S.A.F.E. Coalition meeting on February 2, 2016 featuring Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone and Our Kids. View this email in your browser Next Coalition meeting Tuesday, Feb. 2 The S.A.F.E. (Support for Addicts and Families by Empowerment) Board is presenting Professor Robert Putnam, the author of Bowling Alone and Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis, at our next coalition meeting on February 2, 2016 at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann School, 224 Oak Street, Franklin, MA. The coalition meeting begins at 7 p.m., and we expect Prof. Putnam to speak between 7:30 pm and 8:45 pm. He will begin with a presentation and then will sit down with Dr. Anne Bergen for a one on one dialogue. The program is not authorized for taping or re-broadcast, so this will be your only opportunity to hear this nationally acclaimed author in our area. Our Kids is a groundbreaking examination of the growing inequality gap and why fewer Americans today have the opportunity for upward mobility. You can learn more about the book and research by clicking here. Bowling Alone talks about how we have become increasingly disconnected from one another and how social structures have disintegrated. It should be a fascinating talk and of particular interest to those wishing to understand the sociological climate surrounding the opioid crisis.   Talk about Our Kids Prof. Robert Putnam Author of Our Kids and Bowling Alone Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 7.p.m. to 9 p.m. Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann School 224 Oak St, Franklin, MA 02038 Our Kids is a groundbreaking examination of the growing inequality gap and why fewer Americans today have the opportunity for upward mobility. You can learn more about the book and research by clicking here.  Bowling Alone talks about how we have become increasingly disconnected from one another and how social structures have disintegrated. Join us for a fascinating talk about the sociological climate surrounding the opioid crisis. Subscribe to this email list Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2016 Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in joining the fight against obioid abuse in our community. Our mailing address is: Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov State House - Room 527A Boston, MA 02133 Add us to your address book

Franklin Art Association - meeting February 3, newsletter

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, Feb.3, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street. 

Refreshments and socialization will begin at 6:30. 

The program will feature a demo, from guest artist Elizabeth Ricketson. Elizabeth will do a colorful abstract. 

Meetings are free and opened to the public. 

For more information please visit our web site at www.franklinart.org or www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc

From the FAA Newsletter:

Lots going on as we move into our pre-spring activities! I like just saying the word “spring”, even if it is a ways off! 

As you know there are 4 positions open on the Board next year. Paul Guarino and Peg Munson made a very informative presentation recently to FAA members who have shown some interest in learning more about how our organization is run. Their presentation is attached to this newsletter. We are hopeful that some of you will consider taking on a more active role within the FAA by agreeing to become an officer. Please give this serious thought, and if you are interested, let either Paul or Peg know. 

The FAA spring show will be at the Black Box again this year on April 30 - May 1st. Rebecca Skinner will chair the show! There will be sign up sheets available at the next meeting so that you can pick what you would like to volunteer for. It’s sure to be a fabulous event at an exciting venue. 

The Franklin Cultural Festival committee has started to meet to prepare for the 2nd annual Franklin Cultural Festival to be held on July 27th through July 30th. Last year the members of the art association made bowls for the Food Pantry fund raiser, painted a mural for an interactive painting event on the Common, helped kids make costumes from newspaper, facilitated watercolor painting, and exhibited paintings and photographs throughout the downtown area. So, the question is, what do we want to do this year? At a minimum, we should exhibit our beautiful artwork! Please let me know if you would like to be on the FAA committee that decides what our involvement will be this year! 

Warm regards, 

Sue Sheridan

Continue reading the Newsletter here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVkxySm95bWJTanhwZXJhNnZGUXRnaW1HZWhR/view?usp=sharing

If you are interested in getting involved with the Art Association, they are looking for board members. The file shown outlines the duties of the board positions




For additional info, visit Franklin Art Association on the web  http://www.franklinart.org/

In the News: fund raiser for DeLucia family, libraries are very busy

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"An online fundraiser aimed at helping a local family displaced by a house fire last week has already garnered more than $10,000. 

A GoFundMe page was set up last week to benefit the DeLucia family, whose Church Street residence was destroyed in a three-alarm fire Tuesday. The page shows a contribution tally of $12,415 as of Saturday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160131/more-than-10k-raised-for-family-displaced-by-fire

"With the rise of the Internet, many predicted the end of libraries - that a local institution predicated on the printed word would soon be as outdated as a telegraph office. 

But now, years after web access became mainstream, municipalities in MetroWest and the Milford areas (among them Franklin, Marlborough, Upton, Hopkinton and Mendon) are not looking to shutter their libraries but expand, renovate and even replace them. 

Those who run, study and design libraries said the buildings have kept their relevance by being places for people to meet, take part in programs and learn how to use the electronic devices that access the Internet. 

And, yes, old fashioned books still account for the bulk of materials checked out."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160131/print-is-not-dead-but-libraries-are-changing

rendering of planned Library renovation