Senator Ross: June 2017 State House News Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, June 2017 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, The summer is flying by. Throughout June, I have had the opportunity to testify on legislation to benefit my disabled constituents, discuss community safety for outdoor joggers and meet with many employers throughout my district. With a temporary budget in effect for the remainder of the fiscal year, the FY2018 budget will go to committee for final deliberations. I am looking forward to seeing what the conference committee presents and what Governor Baker recommends. Finally, I have been assigned to the committee to address legislation intended to clarify the language passed regarding the commercialization of marijuana in the commonwealth. Please read/share my monthly newsletter for a summer legislative session overview, as well as new state house and district updates. It is a pleasure to serve you. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office directly at 617-722-1555. Sincerely, Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas and I visited Thomas Willett Elementary School in Attleboro for the announcement of Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grants distributed to eight Attleboro Schools for FY 2017. Lt. Governor Polito announced the recipients of $847,059 in state grants that will support technology infrastructure in the Commonwealth's schools. The Digital Connections Initiative provides tools, assistance, and funding to bridge the digital divide that exists in some schools across the Commonwealth. This program aims to strengthen and promote twenty-first century teaching and learning. Technology has become, and will continue to be a big part of the education system in Massachusetts. Grant programs such as the Digital Connections Initiative make resources and tools for an ever-changing classroom environment accessible to schools in my district Below is a list of Digital Connections Partnership Grants distributed to Attleboro schools for FY 2017.   School Name DCP Grant Brennan School $10,474 Hill-Roberts School $6,137 Hyman Fine School $6,137 Thacher School $15,982 Coelho School $9,058 Willett School $10,135 Wamsutta School $10,474 Irvin Studley School $8,097 The Digital Connections Partnership Grants are administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) and the Massachusetts Department of Information Technology (MassIT). Note this newsletter was shortened for publication here, to view the full set of contents View this email in your browser

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DelCarte Ponds - Treatment Notification - Friday, July 7th

Treatment of the invasive plants at the DelCarte Ponds will be 7/7/17 subject to the weather. (It can't be a rainy day.) 

The pond will be closed for fishing, canoeing etc. for 24 hours, but the rest of the area for hiking etc. will be open.

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/132853

DelCarte pond recently in the rain with the surface covered with vegetation

Given the current forecast of 60% chance for rain tonight and 75% chance of rain on Friday, this is likely to be rescheduled   https://weather.com/weather/today/l/42.07,-71.39

Friendly reminder - trash pickup delayed

Reminder: Trash and Recycling Pickup will be delayed a day due to the July 4th Holiday

trash and recycling containers at curbside on a warmer day

Check out the curbside webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/pages/curbside-pick

Check our the annual recycling flyer
http://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-trash/files/2016-annual-mailer-yard-waste-and-holiday-pickup-schedules

ICYMI: no state budget yet; Hock Y awards; PanMass Challenge; rail trail improvements

ICYMI from the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Five days into the new fiscal year, Massachusetts has scant and dwindling company on the list of states yet to finalize a 2018 spending plan. 

After Maine and New Jersey reached deals to end their government shutdowns, just six states remain in budgetary limbo: Massachusetts, Oregon, Wisconsin, Illinois, Rhode Island and Connecticut, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. 

The sticking points differ among the six outliers, though little is known about the status of talks on Beacon Hill, where conference committees choose to meet privately and negotiators refuse to discuss their dealings. The six conferees did not have their next meeting scheduled as of Wednesday morning, and it’s not known when they last held a meeting."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170705/still-no-deal-on-pot-law-overdue-budget/1

"The Hockomock Area Y recently recognized several local young adults as the organization’s Youth Leaders of the Year, including Franklin High graduate Hailey DeMello. 

The award recognizes youth members for their commitment and dedication to the community and the positive impact they have. The honors were given at the Y’s annual meeting in May at Lake Pearl in Wrentham."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170704/local-youth-leaders-jeff-nutting-honored-by-hockomock-area-y

"Carolyn Bohmiller, 54, and her husband, Paul Bohmiller, 53, are gearing up for their second ride together in the annual Pan-Mass Challenge, two-day bike-a-thon. 

The couple will ride 192 miles from Sturbridge to Bourne Aug. 5-6. While they train, they are collecting donations for the event, which goes toward cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170704/franklin-couple-takes-on-pan-mass-challenger-together

"The state recently overhauled a section of a rail trail that runs through Franklin and Bellingham, but a local group says more work needs to be done. 

Marc Kaplan, the president of the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, said the Department of Conservation and Recreation has finished a project along the local leg of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. The improved segment, he said, runs between Bellingham’s Lake Street and Prospect Street in Franklin. 

“The work started about the second week of June, so it’s been a three- to four-week project,” he said. ”(That segment) had been cleared out to a certain extent, but there had been a lot of waling (ruts) left over from motorbike usage. It was passable, but it was just a rough stretch of the trail.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170703/bellingham-franklin-rail-trail-segment-improved

parking for the SNETT off Grove St in Franklin

ICYMI: 40B change for Franklin; Dean scholarship; homework policy up for review; Cultural District moves forward; Town Council says no to MBTA

ICYMI from the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The town can now say “no” to developers who want to build homes under the state’s affordable housing law. 

The town now exceeds the state-set 10 percent threshold for having its housing stock deemed affordable under Chapter 40B."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170702/franklin-can-say-no-to-40b-housing-proposals

"The Town Council has recognized Dean College for stepping up to the plate in providing a special scholarship for a deserving Franklin resident. 

The school recently announced the first-ever Horace Mann Scholarship. The tuition scholarship totals $20,000 per year and will be given to a Franklin resident attending Dean in fall 2018. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, provided the student maintains a 2.8 or higher grade point average."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170702/franklin-council-lauds-dean-college-for-special-scholarship

"The local school district is re-evaluating the purpose and role of homework in students’ instruction. 

The School Committee debuted a new homework policy at its Tuesday night meeting, after a process in which it solicited opinions from parents and teachers. The committee will have a definitive vote on the policy at a future meeting."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170702/franklin-schools-examine-homeworks-role-in-education

"After years of planning, Town Council has unanimously approved creating a downtown cultural district and will now forward an application to the state for approval. 

According to Director of Planning Community Development Bryan Taberner, the purpose of the state-designated cultural district is to create an area of concentration of arts and culture that will help to draw attention to resources to the downtown, such as the Black Box venue, Dean College, the Franklin School for the Performing Arts and library."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170630/franklin-council-creates-cultural-district

"Town Council made it clear Wednesday night that it does not want the MBTA to install a solar canopy at the Dean Street commuter parking lot because it interferes with the town’s ongoing mission to bring more economic development downtown. 

“We spent $7 million to redo the entire streetscape downtown,” said Town Administrator Jeff Nutting. “This is not the right place.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170629/franklin-town-council-voices-opposition-to-solar-canopy

the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival is scheduled for July 26-29, 2017

Oak St Teacher Dance Party (video)

The Oak Street Elementary School teachers know how to provide a good example in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Now there is evidence that they also can add rhythm to list of r's. 






While Franklin Matters has been off the grid (yes, off the internet completely) for the past several days, we hope you have enjoyed the scheduled posts. Regular news will begin to be caught up with today and 'new' posts will be shared on Thursday, July 6.

flower peek-a-boo

Franklin Almanac - Episode 7 (video)

Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable, you can catch up to Episode 7 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on

1. Opening- 00:00- 00:43
2. Healthy Kids Day- 00:44-05:47
3. Franklin Beautification Day- 05:48-10:17
4. HMEA 5K- 10:18-15:17
5. Franklin Fourth of July Celebration- 15:28-22:40
6. In Memory of Michael Doherty- 22:42-25:15
7. Final Thoughts- 25:16- 27:18

For more about the Franklin Downtown Partnership
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

For more about the HMEA   https://hmea.org/

By way of disclosure, I am a citizen member of the Downtown Partnership and a regular volunteer to help the HMEA conduct the 5K road race.

Rep Jeff Roy and HMEA CEO Mike Moloney pushing their HMEA partners in the 5K road race held on May 21, 2017. I provided the 2 mile splits to the runners and captured this photo on Upper Union St

The Mikado Highlights FPAC’S 10th Anniversary Whatever Theater Festival

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents The Mikado at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 27 and Friday, July 28 on Franklin Town Common. The popular comic opera, with music by Sir Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W.S. Gilbert, was first performed in 1885 and is their ninth of 14 operatic collaborations. With sharp wit and timeless music, the legendary classic satirizes British society and bureaucracy, its politics and institutions.  

The Mikado will be featured as part of the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival, hosted by the Franklin Cultural District Committee. The visual, performing and culinary arts celebration will take place July 26-30 at various downtown Franklin locations within the proposed Cultural District. Events are offered to the public free of charge.

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC)

FPAC will also present a 24 Hour Play production on Saturday, July 29 at 8 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, the company’s home and performance venue located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. For this theatrical experience, the cast will create, stage, and perform an original show in 24 hours. Rehearsal will begin at 10 p.m. on July 28th, following the final performance of The Mikado. There are no auditions to participate; please call (508) 528-3370 to sign up.

FPAC presents The Mikado and the 24 Hour Play as part of the company’s 10th anniversary Whatever Theater Festival, featured this summer within the Franklin Cultural Festival. Conceived and directed by Nick Paone, the Whatever Theater Festival brings together professional artists, FPAC alumni, students, and community performers in a collaborative theatrical experience that showcases an exciting range of dramatic and comedic works. 

FPAC’s 2017 Whatever Theater Festival is sponsored in part by grants from Foxborough, Norfolk, North Attleborough, and Wrentham Cultural Councils, local agencies that are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com.

Franklin 4th of July - Tuesday, July 4

The schedule of events for the Franklin 4th of July has been posted to the webpage  http://july4thfranklinma.com/

Tuesday, July 4

12pm - 5pm Rides and food booths open

Full 4th of July schedule
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRTRscloyTnBscFU/view?usp=sharing



Per the Franklin Almanac video, one price wrist bands will be available for Thursday, 6 - 10; Saturday 12 -5 and then Monday 6 - 10PM 
All other times the rides would be for the individual tickets

big slide set up on the Town Common

Annie Sullivan's 8th Grade lip dub for 2017 (video)

Annie Sullivan's 8th grade class has an annual tradition to perform and record a lip sync video. The 2017 edition can be found here






The 2016 version can be found here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6tH_D_o4iE&t=1s


The 2015 version can be found here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SazRnJgI1uM

Keller Sullivan schools sign

Franklin Almanac - Episode 6 (video)

Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable, you can catch up to Episode 6 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on

1. Opening/intro- 00:00-00:43
2. Empty Bowls Dinner- 00:43-6:48
3. "Hate has no home here" campaign-6:48-11:05
4. Safe Coalition 5k- 11:06-17:28
5. Horace Mann Statue- 17:29- 26:34
6. Final Thoughts- 26.35- 28:53

Local source for Hate has No Home signs
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/people-are-really-looking-for-way-to.html

More about the Safe Coalition can be found http://safecoalitionma.com/

The audio recording of the Horace Mann Statue Unveiling ceremony is available here  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/05/fm-130-audio-recording-of-horace-mann.html

the Horace Mann statue stands to welcome folks to downtown Franklin

Electric Youth to Perform Summer Concert opening the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival

Following a two-and-a-half week summer concert tour of England, France, Italy and Switzerland, Electric Youth (EY) will perform a free outdoor concert on Wednesday, July 26, at 6 p.m. on Franklin Town Common. The concert will open the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival, hosted by the Franklin Cultural District Committee. Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, Electric Youth delivers a fun, high-energy show of family entertainment with an extensive range of pop, classic rock, swing, contemporary Broadway and country music for audiences all ages. 

The EY singer-dancers are backed by Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with music legends including Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Alicia Keys, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Van Morrison and many others. Raye Lynn Mercer and Hallie Wetzell are Electric Youth’s Director and Vocal Director, respectively. Choreographers include Mercer, Casey Andrade, Cheryl Madeux, Nick Paone and Kellie Stamp.

Selected annually by audition, the group is chosen for superior musicianship, stage presence, and “triple threat” accomplishments in voice, dance, and acting. This season’s ensemble of performers, ages 15-18, studies multiple dance disciplines, voice and acting at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Electric Youth 2017 includes Julia Buccella, Brooke Collins, Aaron Frongillo, Sydney Leach, Caitlin Woodcock and Melissa Wyner of Franklin; Caroline Merten of Hopedale; Sam Evans and Colie Vancura of Medfield; Katie Gray of Milford; Naomi Fitzgerald, Mairead Nee and Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; and Susauna Wickstrom of Wrentham.

Electric Youth to Perform Summer Concert On Franklin Common

Electric Youth’s 2017 European tour featured several concerts along the coast of Normandy, including shows in Barfleur, Cherbourg and the historic D-Day site of Sainte-Mère-Église. The itinerary also marked the group’s debut in Switzerland with a concert in Zermatt. Venues in England included Wimbourne’s Tivoli Theatre, along with performances in Arundel, Chichester and Hastings. EY also returned to Lake Como, following performances there last summer, to deliver two lakeside shows at the Hotel Britannia.

Electric Youth has released six professional albums and toured Europe 13 times, with performances at England’s Arundel Festival, Disneyland Paris, professional theaters in Bristol, London and Windsor, and such renowned venues as Sanremo’s Ariston Theatre and Vienna’s Konzerthaus, Musikverein and Schonbrunn Palace. EY has also headlined Fourth of July shows for U.S. troops and their families stationed in Italy at Camp Ederle, Camp Darby and Aviano Air Force Base. The ensemble has performed on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, on Fox-TV and WBZ Radio, and at Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, Mechanics Hall, the Smithsonian Museum Theater, the United Nations and the American Embassy in Rome. EY’s music, including the 2014 album Power Chord, is available at amazon.com and iTunes. 

The EY summer concert on the common will also feature a performance by Future Shock, a select children’s ensemble of students ages 6-13. For more information about Electric Youth, visit www.electricyouth.com. To learn more about the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.FSPAonline.com.

Franklin 4th of July - Monday, July 3rd

The schedule of events for the Franklin 4th of July has been posted to the webpage  http://july4thfranklinma.com/

Monday, July 3

6pm - 10pm Rides and food booths open
7pm - 10pm Victory Shot (Band)
10pm - Laser Light Show (Town Common)

Full 4th of July schedule
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRTRscloyTnBscFU/view?usp=sharing

Per the Franklin Almanac video, one price wrist bands will be available for Thursday, 6 - 10; Saturday 12 -5 and then Monday 6 - 10PM 
All other times the rides would be for the individual tickets

carnival ride set up on Town Common

#shopFranklin features the Curry House (video)

#shopFranklin speaks with Nilu Patel of The Curry House to learn about how she and her partners decided to open a restaurant in Franklin.

We also explore all of the flavors in India and learn what makes The Curry House unique - and DELICIOUS!

Where is the Curry House?

418 West Central St in Franklin





Visit their webpage  http://www.thecurryhouse.com/menu

The Curry House

Note: the video was recorded in May or June 2016 as they mentioned the "Taste of Franklin" was coming up and that was part of the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival at the end of July. 

The 3rd Annual Cultural Festival is scheduled for July 26-29, 2017
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2017/06/3rd-annual-cultural-festival-to.html

Franklin Almanac - Episode 5 (video)

Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable, you can catch up to Episode 5 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on

1. Intro- 0:00-0:31
2. Spectra Access Northeast Pipeline- 0:31-8:35
3. Madalene Village interview 8:36- 21:48
4. Madalene Village resident feedback-21:48-23:43
5. Distracted Driver Simulation- 23:51- 28:34
6. Earth Day-28:35-29:14
7. Final thoughts-29:15-31:06

Franklin Public Access Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street

Franklin 4th of July - Sunday, July 2

The schedule of events for the Franklin 4th of July has been posted to the webpage  http://july4thfranklinma.com/

Sunday, July 2

1pm - 11pm Rides and food booths open
4pm - 7pm Matt Zajac (acoustic)
7pm - 10pm Phantom (Band)


Full 4th of July schedule
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRTRscloyTnBscFU/view?usp=sharing

Per the Franklin Almanac video, one price wrist bands will be available for Thursday, 6 - 10; Saturday 12 -5 and then Monday 6 - 10PM 
All other times the rides would be for the individual tickets

Thunder Bolt set up on Town Common

#shopFranklin features Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store

#shopFranklin spends time with Mel Hamblen, recent new owner of Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store. Mel explains how she went from working in a lab to working on finding the best products for the Franklin community. We also learn how to make homemade root beer with a definitive fizz!





If you have pets, check out their line up of pet foods!

If you make your own beer, check out their beer supplies!

Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store

Visit Agway on Cottage St or visit them on the Internet at

http://www.franklinagway.com/

Franklin Almanac - Episode 4 (video)

Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable, you can catch up to Episode 4 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on

• Relay for Life (Franklin, Bellingham, Wrentham)
• Empty Bowls - FHS fund raising for the Franklin Food Pantry
• Blood drives for Boston Children's Hospital

More about the Empty Bowls program and to donate to the Franklin Food Pantry
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/give-help/volunteer/empty-bowls/

More about the Sabini-Leite twin's blood drives
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/blood-drive-march-4-hockomock-ymca.html

Giovanna and Olivia Sabini-Leite, seniors at Franklin High School
coordinate blood drives for the Boston Children's Hospital

Franklin 4th of July - Saturday, July 1

The schedule of events for the Franklin 4th of July has been posted to the webpage  http://july4thfranklinma.com/

Saturday, July 1

9am - Adult Road Race (5k) / registration 8am-8:45am at the Gazebo 

10am - Children's Road Race (1.2mi) / registration 8:45am-9:45am at the Gazebo 

(Races sponsored by the Franklin Recreation Department. Pre-register for the road races at: www.franklinma.gov/recreation-departmentand click on the Register Now button, then the Register for Activities link to access the 4th of July Road Race.)

11am - 11pm Rides and food booths open
1pm - 2pm Vics and Sticks
2pm - 3pm Flippo the Clown
3pm - 4pm Jamie Barrett
4pm - 6pm Tyler Zajac (acoustic)
7pm - 10pm Groove Doctors (Band)

Full 4th of July schedule
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRTRscloyTnBscFU/view?usp=sharing


Per the Franklin Almanac video, one price wrist bands will be available for Thursday, 6 - 10; Saturday 12 -5 and then Monday 6 - 10PM 
All other times the rides would be for the individual tickets

children's ride and Magic Maze on the Town Common

#ShopFranklin features Elizabeth's Bagels (video)

#shopFranklin - supporting small business speaks with Jen Garcia of Elizabeth's Bagels in Franklin,MA. Elizabeth's Bagels preserved the age old art of perfectly kettle boiled bagels. This delicacy is then augmented with a great selection of in house blended cream cheese options, seasonal offerings, loose leaf teas and an assortment of coffee creations







One of my favorite breakfasts is to walk to Elizabeth's Bagels, grab a bagel breakfast sandwich and coffee, then walk over to the Sculpture Park to enjoy breakfast before continuing the walk around Franklin and home.

Elizabeth's Bagels and the Sculpture Park a breakfast combo

Franklin Almanac - Episode 3 (video)

Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable, you can catch up to Episode 3 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on

• Horace Mann Educational Associates (HMEA)
• Franklin AAA office offers RMV services to members
• the Franklin Chapter of Neighbor Brigade
• Franklin's new WFPR 102.9 FM

Find out more about each of the organizations featured in this episode

• Horace Mann Educational Associates (HMEA)  https://hmea.org/
• Franklin AAA office offers RMV services to members   https://www.southernnewengland.aaa.com/branches/franklin-branch-office
• the Franklin Chapter of Neighbor Brigade  https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/d344e590-7541-488a-8594-34b5f451db96/1
• Franklin's new WFPR 102.9 FM  http://www.franklin.tv/

Polikseni Manxhari hosts Franklin Almanac Episode 3