Saturday, February 2, 2013

"the start of a good Hockomock League rivalry"

Milford joined the Hockomock League and played Franklin in basketball on Friday night.
Milford and Franklin have a long history as football rivals. Alas, no longer: Milford’s departure from the Mid-Wach League means the teams will never again stare down one another on the gridiron. 
"We won’t be playing each other in football, so hopefully this rivalry can continue," said FHS Athletic Director Brad Sidwell. 
Milford High Athletic Director Rich Piergustavo said a league basketball showdown between the two is "long overdue." 
"They have great programs, as do we, and we look forward to competing with them in more than just football," Piergustavo said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x930794999/Milford-Franklin-meet-in-their-first-Hockomock-clash#ixzz2JjyLHVpn

Current standing for the Hockomock League can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/standings3.html

In the News: Phone-a-thon, majority whip, Purim Carnival



Franklin Food Pantry Phone-A-Thon set for February

The Franklin Food Pantry will conduct its annual Phone-A-Thon on Saturdays, Feb. 9 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.



Ashland's Spilka named majority whip of Senate

Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouth, Thursday named state Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland as the Majority Whip of the Massachusetts Senate, according to a press release from Spilka’s office.



Temple Etz Chaim celebrates Purim

On Sunday, February 10, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Temple Etz Chaim Purim Carnival will be held in the cafeteria of Medway High School, 88 Summer St., Medway.


A Day to Give and Receive at Team Fitness Franklin



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Team Fitness Franklin

A day to give and receive at Team Fitness Franklin.....
Greetings!

Happy New Year. There is so much going on in our lives that we need to take time to be grateful for what we have. We do hope good health has graced you in this new year. Please see below some of the events being planned at the club and how to participate if you choose. A blood drive and our annual Best Buddies event are coming in February and we hope you will be able to enjoy both by participating or coming in to cheer on the participants. Any questions, please ask at the front desk for the information.
Yours in Health and Fitness,

The Team at Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin

American Red Cross Blood Drive
Saturday, February 2nd 9 am - 2 pm

Located at Team Fitness Franklin in the CrossFit Franklin Box. You may register at the desk or through this link:
**Please note the change in class times. Only classes to be held will be spin, chiseled and The Dance Party from 11-1. However, Met Con will be the only CrossFit class and will be held in the garage room from 10-11 am due to limitations in space availability.** 

100 Franklin Village Drive
Franklin, Massachusetts 02038
Feb 2
9:00AM-2:00PM

Dance Party and Met Con!

Please note the Zumba
vs Stride (AKA: Latin vs Hip Hop) Dance fundraiser party will be held in the Group Exercise Room Saturday, Feb 2, from 11 am - 1 pm. Must raise a minimum of $50.00 For Best Buddies to participate. For further questions of for tax receipt forms, contact Sarah Avedisian- smava26@gmail.com
Met Con will be held in the Garage Room from 10-11 am. 
All regular Saturday group ex
classes, spin and chiseled will also be held. No other CrossFit classes will be held due to limited space.


Best Buddies Spin-a-thon


Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 7 am -10 am in the CrossFit Franklin box. 3 hour fundraiser to benefit Best Buddies Massachusetts. Fundraising minimum requirement $250/hour or $450/3 hours. Raffles, silent auction, music, snacks, smoothie samples and water. Always an incredible time. Please visit  www.bestbuddies.org for more details on the organization and its importance and purpose.

After the spin event and clean up there will be a CrossFit WOD 10:30- 11:30 in the box designed by Coach Lee. Donation of $25.00 donation to Best Buddies is appreciated. 

Upcoming Events
Red Cross Blood Drive
Best Buddies Fundraiser

Sidebar Title

KIDS PROGRAMS: 
Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin now have a 5-9 year old group for CF Kids that is Monday's and Fridays 4-445.

  Private Athletic Team Training 
now available with contact Tom Cochrane via email at tom@teamfitnessfranklin.com.

 Nutrition Counseling 
will be available starting in February with Megan McCarthy, B.S Nutrition and Food Science and contact her at megan@teamfitnessfranklin.com 

as always... any questions feel free to stop by or call the front desk at 508-541-8330 for details.
Save
50%
Please present this coupon and present it to the front desk for 50% off a Team Fitness and/or CrossFit Franklin imprinted t-shirt or tank of your choice that is: $10 per t-shirt and $12.50 per tank top. No limit to the amount of shirts purchased. Please ask at the front desk for size and color options. 


Offer Expires: Sunday, February 10th, 2013. 


Team Fitness Franklin | 100 Franklin Village Drive | Franklin | MA | 02038

Friday, February 1, 2013

Calling for the Food Pantry!


Volunteers for the Franklin Food Pantry will be calling residents of Franklin, MA as part of a fundraising effort during specific time periods on Saturday, Feb 9, 2013. The volunteers will be using the phone bank at Dean College to call residents.  

The volunteers will announce that this is the 3rd annual phone call fundraising effort for the Food Pantry. The Pantry is looking to raise funds to provide for the over 600 individuals it services each month.



Franklin Food Pantry - new logo

Donors will be asked to make their contribution via credit card, or to make a pledge. The pledge will result in regular mail sent to their address which can be returned via the mail with a check, or the check could be dropped off at the Pantry during operating hours.

If using a credit card, donors will be asked to visit the Food Pantry website and make a secure transaction with their credit card. The website can be found at http://franklinfoodpantry.org/

Note that the volunteer calls will appear as “Dean College” for those with caller ID.
The Food Pantry thanks Dean College for the gracious access to their phone bank for this fundraiser.

Volunteers to make the phone calls are still welcome. There are several time slots to choose from. If you would like to help with this effort, please call the Food Pantry.

Saturday, Feb 9th
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.


For additional information on the campaign, contact Bob Hamilton at the Franklin Food Pantry. Telephone Number: 508-528-3115. Bob can also be reached via email at bob@franklinfoodpantry.org




Note: yes, this is the new logo for the Franklin Food Pantry. You will see more of it as the Pantry continues to spread the word about the good work it does for our Franklin neighbors.

Kicking Off the New Year and Legislative Session



Dear Steve,

Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season and are beginning 2013 with health and happiness.

The new year brings a new legislative session here at the Massachusetts State House. Supporting our communities, strengthening our workforce, improving the economy, and protecting our most vulnerable residents continue to be my top priorities. I remain steadfast in my commitment to these important issues and my advocacy for my constituents and the entire MetroWest region.

This newsletter highlights a few of the bills that I have filed this legislative session and some of the recent happenings here at the State House. For a complete list of the legislation I filed for the 2013-2014 session, you can visit www.karenspilka.com

As always, if I can be of any assistance to you, please contact my office at (617) 722-1640 or email me at Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov.

Kind Regards,

 
Continuing Partnerships and Forging New Ones in the 2nd Middlesex & Norfolk


On January 3rd, I was sworn in for my fifth term as the Senator for the 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk district, representing the Towns of Ashland, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway, and Natick.

This session, I look forward to continued collaboration with my colleagues in the House to represent these towns and their residents. I will be working with Representatives Tom Sannicandro, Chris Walsh, Carolyn Dykema, David Linsky, John Fernandes, Tom Conroy, and the newly elected Jeffrey Roy. Senator Richard Ross and I will continue to represent the Towns of Franklin and Natick together in the Senate, and I look forward to our ongoing partnership in serving these communities.

It is an honor to represent the 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk district and serve on behalf of my constituents. Your needs and priorities are always foremost in my mind. This session, I will continue my bipartisan collaboration with my colleagues at the State House, our partners at the local level, and residents in the area to support and strengthen our vibrant and diverse region.


Spilka Files Comprehensive Job Creation Bill
Senator Spilka and members of the Jobs Creation Commission listen to public testimony at the regional hearing in Framingham

Over the past two years, I have served as chair of the Jobs Creation Commission, which was charged with making an investigation and study of the economy in order to create and maintain quality jobs in the Commonwealth. To address this mission, we convened monthly meetings, conducted a regional hearing tour, and formed three subcommittees. In October, we released our final report, which outlined our suggestions on how to mitigate barriers to job creation, leverage the strengths of the Massachusetts economy, and better align the needs of employers with the available workforce.

Earlier this month, I filed  An Act to Create and Maintain Jobs in the Commonwealth to address many of the issues brought to light by businesses and workers during the public hearings and meetings of the Jobs Creation Commission. The bill also incorporates a number of the recommendations from our final report. Highlights of it include:
  • Requiring state agencies to work together to ensure the state's education system is preparing students with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment;
  • Encouraging state government when making purchases to first look to those goods and services produced in Massachusetts;
  • Establishing a new supported internship program, the Massachusetts Work Ready Program, to give unemployed workers the on-the-job training and skills required for current job openings;
  • Helping veterans identify the skills they have acquired from military service and translate them to use in civilian employment;
  • Creating a basic technology skills training program within each of the state's One-Stop Career Centers to help all workers seeking employment improve or update the technology skills they need to participate in the workforce; and
  • Requiring the Office of Labor and Workforce Development to work with local One-Stop Career Centers to create and maintain a database of all available positions in a region to ensure training offered at the centers are aligned with the skills needed for current job openings.
First Meeting of the MetroWest Legislative Caucus

As co-chairs of the MetroWest Legislative Caucus, Representative John Fernandes and I convened the first caucus meeting of the new year and new session.

Our meeting proved to be a great opportunity for the MetroWest delegation to discuss legislation and initiatives important to the area, including transportation infrastructure, economic development, local and school aid, and legislation for specific communities in our region.

I look forward to continuing to serve as co-chair of the Caucus and working with members of the delegation on the needs and priorities of our region.


Bringing Equity and Fairness to the Massachusetts Transportation System
Senator Spilka speaks at a recent transportation funding announcement in Framingham (Background L to R: Rep. Chris Walsh, 495/MetroWest Partnership Executive Director Paul Matthews, MetroWest Chamber of Commerce President Bonnie Biocchi, and Rep. Tom Sannicandro)

Investment in the state's transportation and infrastructure systems is crucial to ensure a high quality of life for residents and to promote economic vitality in cities and towns across the Commonwealth. As in years past, I have filed legislation to bring equity and fairness to the transportation system while supporting the specific needs and priorities of the MetroWest region. Below are some highlights of the legislation I've filed:
  • Eliminating the tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike, which have placed an unfair financial burden on the commuters and residents of MetroWest;
  • Encouraging recognition that transportation infrastructure investments are an important economic development activity and calling for a study of the economic impact transportation and infrastructure projects have throughout the Commonwealth to encourage investment in key projects that will promote economic growth and job creation; and
  • Requiring the MBTA and the state's Regional Transit Authorities to have a transit rider on their advisory boards, giving commuters a seat at the table and increasing public input into transit decisions.
Click here to read a recent article in the MetroWest Daily News about my proposals regarding the tolls.

Visit www.karenspilka.com for more information about these and additional transportation-related bills I have filed this session.

Supporting and Protecting Consumers and Residents in the Commonwealth

Senator Spilka discusses The Electronic Privacy Act with her colleagues
(L to R: Senator Harriette Chandler, Rep. Jason Lewis, Rep. Jonathan Hecht, Rep. Marty Walz, and Sen. Spilka)

To ensure a strong, stable future for the Commonwealth, we must work to protect consumers and our most vulnerable residents. This has always been and continues to be one of my top priorities. This session, I have filed a number of bills to protect residents, including:
  • The Electronic Privacy Act - This bill requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant to access personal electronic information from telephone and internet service providers, including details of a person's telephone use, contacts, location, emails, and other communication. This bill will help bring current Massachusetts law and practices governing search warrants into the digital age.
  • An Act to Protect the Commonwealth's Residents from Identity Theft - This bill provides additional protections to social security numbers, gives law enforcement new tools to combat identity theft, encourages officials to collaborate and receive training in identity theft crimes, and criminalizes specific tactics identity thieves use.
  • An Act Relative to Domestic Violence by Repeat Offenders - I have filed this bill with Middlesex District Attorney Gerald Leone to create a new aggravated assault and battery charge for repeat offenders where the victim is a household or family member and the defendant has been previously convicted of certain violent crimes. This bill also amends existing laws to allow no contact orders to be issued as conditions of bail. This legislation improves the state's ability to properly serve victims of domestic violence and to ensure that victims of repeat, violent domestic batterers are protected.
  • An Act to Establish a Foreclosure Mediation Program - Last year, the legislature passed the foreclosure prevention bill I filed with Attorney General Martha Coakley. The law now provides provides new protections to struggling homeowners, prevents unnecessary foreclosures, and helps to stabilize the housing market and overall economy. This new bill encourages mediation between borrowers and lenders prior to foreclosure proceedings to work out renegotiated loan terms through a neutral third party, allowing homeowners and banks to meet face to face to try and facilitate the best solution possible.
I am proud of all that we have been able to accomplish these past few years to support and protect our residents but I know that our work is far from done. I look forward to working with my colleagues to address the needs and priorities of our constituents, including our most vulnerable, and to build upon our recent achievements.





Office of Karen Spilka | Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka, Room 511-C, State House | Boston, MA 02133
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5th Annual Spin-a-thon

Team Fitness is hosting this 5th Annual Spin-a-thon to benefit Best Buddies!

Saturday, Feb 23 from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM - get up early to ride!

Spin-a-thon, for Best Buddies at Team Fitness

Team Fitness is located in the Franklin Village Plaza  http://teamfitnessfranklin.com/

In the News: happy hours, Visitors Bureau


State report: Happy Hours should stay banned

It doesn’t appear that the Happy Hour will be making a comeback any time soon.




MetroWest Visitors Bureau celebrates first anniversary

Nearly 200 local business and nonprofit leaders gathered Thursday to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau – an organization created to help attract travelers to the 19 municipalities that comprise MetroWest.



Thursday, January 31, 2013

Annual Report 2012: Veterans' Services


The Veterans’ Services Officer’s job is to council, advise and assist Veterans and their dependents in whatever way he can. Duties encompass, but are not limited to dispensing state-sponsored Veterans Benefits under M.G.L. Chapter 115, and assisting Veterans and their dependents or survivors in obtaining Federal Benefits or entitlements for which they may be eligible.

The current Veteran population in Franklin is 1343. Of this total, 899 are seniors over 60.

Veteran Appointments FY 2012
Under 60 135
Over 60 210
Veteran’s widows over 60 64
Total 409

Senior Center - Veteran's Watch 2
Feb 2011, Statues at Franklin Senior Center

Mass. Veterans Benefits vary according to need and income. They have been described as “Benefit of last resort”, because the Veteran/Widow can have no more than $1,600 in assets (savings, checking amount, etc.). Amount of Benefits varies, but it can add an estimated $5,000 - $10,000 annually to income, since it usually includes payments of health insurance and other medical costs.

In Fiscal Year 2011, there were 33 Franklin residents who received Mass. General Law chapter 115 Veteran’s benefits; 16 of these were veterans’ widows. Monthly payments ranged from $130 – 995, and included reimbursement of all medical costs for health insurance and prescription copays. This is a significant benefit to those eligible in maintaining an adequate lifestyle. The Town of Franklin is reimbursed 75% by the state for the cost of this program.

Applications for VA benefits continued to increase. Benefits requested included; service-connected disability compensation (a significant number of these applications were from Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, who now suffer from various illnesses related to this exposure), widows pensions, burial benefits, aid and attendance for wartime veterans and their widows, who require assistance with activities or daily living, such as, bathing and dressing. This benefit can provide a VA payment of up to $1,704 monthly to be used for personal care services. All VA claims must be submitted on designated forms. This can be done through my office. Average time for decision on claim is 6 months.

It is significant to note that the Dept. of Defense predicts that 30% of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans will suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and/or Traumatic Brain Injuries. This office has already filed 6 VA claims related to these conditions for Franklin’s veterans who served in these areas.

Veterans’ Services would like to thank these True Friends of Veterans’.

  • The Franklin Garden Club for the care and maintenance of the Veterans’ Memorial site on the Franklin common.
  • Franklin Lodge of Elks 2135 for their continued sponsorship of the Veterans’ Memorial Day breakfast, the Free Fuel Program for needy veterans and their widows, and all their good work on behalf of our veterans, especially those who are hospitalized.
  • Franklin VFW Post 3402, always ready to assist Franklin Veterans Services with whatever the need, especially placement of the Memorial Day flags on the graves of our deceased veterans, and their annual visit to the Franklin Nursing Home on 12/13/10 to remember residents, who are veterans, at Christmas.
  • The Friends of Franklin Elders for their ongoing sponsorship of the Veteran’s Day breakfast at the Senior Center. 
  • Veterans Services Volunteer Assistant, Dale L. Kurtz, for his extensive efforts on behalf of this office.
  • Outreach volunteer, John Hogan, for his extensive work with Fuel Assistance applications, and other Senior Benefit Programs.


Respectfully Submitted,

Bob Fahey,
Veterans’ Service Officer


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Additional information on the Police Dept can be found on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Veterans/index

Published by the Town Clerk, this comes from the 2012 Annual Report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

Blood Drive at Team Fitness

Team Fitness is holding a Blood Drive on Saturday, Feb 2 with special offers for new members





Team Fitness is located in the Franklin Village Plaza  http://teamfitnessfranklin.com/

In the News: PSAT scores, RT 9, not guilty



Franklin puts greater focus placed on PSAT data

High school officials have started poring over PSAT results to learn how to better prepare students for college, a measured shift from working chiefly with MCAS data.



$12M expansion of Rte. 9 part of transportation plan

With Rte. 9 commuters accustomed to backups and bottlenecks near I-495, state Transportation Secretary Richard Davey announced Wednesday the state will spend $12 million to widen a section of Rte. 9.


Ex-chemist pleads not guilty to obstruction in drug lab scandal

A former Massachusetts chemist accused of faking test results at a state drug lab pleaded not guilty Wednesday to six counts of obstruction of justice in a scandal that could jeopardize thousands of drug cases. 


Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Annual Report 2012: Police Department


Franklin Police Department: FY 2012
Report from the Office of The Chief of Police

It has been just over 8 months now since I had the good fortune of being sworn in as Police Chief for the Town of Franklin. I thank Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and the members of the Franklin Town Council for allowing me this opportunity to serve you, our community. I could never have imagined in 1978, the year I began my police service for the Town, that I would one day be seated in this office. I think back to the 1960’s and 70’s growing up in Franklin and graduating from FHS Class of ‘72’. We were the first senior class to graduate from the then “new” Franklin High School. Well, Franklin will now have another “new” High School; a necessity that will surely benefit the youthful and older citizens of Franklin for many years to come. Doesn’t it sometimes seem these times were so very long ago? Don’t you find yourself asking “where has all the time gone?” I know I do. To those of you who can identify with me, stop and think. We have seen this Town grow by leaps and bounds. No longer is Franklin considered a small bedroom community of fewer than 15,000. We are now pushing a population of 33,000. At one time we all knew our neighbors and our neighbors knew us. We willingly and easily kept an eye out for one another. When I started we had 21 police officers, I was number 21.

We now have 44 and I would like to add more. If I remember correctly there were 7 police cars, we now have 23 plus two motorcycle units. All of my predecessors from years past would have a difficult time understanding all of the changes in the Town and the nature of police work as it is now. Police work is much more complex than it was years back and because of that we have continued to strive to better educate our police officers so that they can better serve you, the Town and the public at large. Franklin was once  considered to be “in the country”. People not from around here would ask you “where is Franklin?” Well, all of us who call Franklin home now know that we are definitely on the map.

In my 34 years of police service for the Town of Franklin I have yet to tire of it. Yes, there are still good and bad days, but as a rule I look forward to going to work each and every day. I enjoy the interaction I have with our police officers and civilian employees, people whom I personally consider as friends and you, the community which we serve. In this, my first year as your Chief of Police I want to thank all of you for making Franklin a safe and secure place to live and raise our families. It is my sincere hope that this trend among our citizenry will continue for many years to come.

Respectfully,

Stephan H. Semerjian
Chief of Police


Franklin Police Department: Safety Division - FY 2012

The Safety Division is comprised of four Community Service Officers. They are tasked with developing citizen/police partnerships, with the understanding that the Police alone are never the answer to community problems. The Safety Division’s goal is to make the Town of Franklin a safer community for two of our most valued resources; our elderly and our children populations. With programs such as D.A.R.E., Summer Camps, Bowling Nights, Halloween Festival, Child and Infant Safety Seat Installations, Project Lifesaver and Bingo events at the Senior Center, we are constantly striving to strengthen the ties between our citizens and its Police Department.

The Safety Division was also the recipient a grant issued by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The grant was a Pedestrian Safety Crosswalk Enforcement grant in the sum of $7,493.00.

This report is a general summarization of the many tasks the Franklin Police Department Safety Division provides. These figures do not reflect the totality of the functions this Division encounters.
Safety Talks 140
Summer Camps 2
Traffic/Safety Issues 350
Elder Affairs 65
School Assistance Calls 822
Child Safety Seat Installations 220

Respectfully,

Christopher Spillane, Sergeant
Donald MacLean
James Mucciarone
Eric Cusson


Franklin Police Department: Detective Division - FY 2012

The Detective Division consists of six detective investigators and one court prosecutor. A detective sergeant and one detective are assigned to the day watch as well as one each to the evening watch. These four detectives are responsible for the day to day investigations required of the Franklin Police Department. Detective cases can be received in a number of different ways by the police department. Examples would be a patrol call for service in which the responding officer forwards a detailed narrative for follow-up investigation; other police sources, phone calls, letters, direct conversation and/or anonymous information from any number of sources which provide information directly to detectives. Our two remaining detective patrolman are assigned to high impact and drug investigations. Their work hours are fluid and are dictated by the nature of the investigation(s) they are involved in. These two detectives work cooperatively on a regular basis with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies thus allowing for mutual sharing and cooperation, and a broader range of enforcement by breaking down the jurisdictional
barriers which limit effective law enforcement work. The court prosecutor is responsible for the administration of criminal court cases and works hand in hand with the Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the Court on a daily basis ensuring that the resolution of criminal cases are in the best interests of the Town of Franklin and the victims of crime.

Respectfully,

James A. Mill, Detective Sergeant
Lee A. Drake, Detective Sergeant
Detectives Michael Kenney, Timothy Nagle,
Christopher Baker, Eric Copeland
Jason Reilly, Court Prosecutor


COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT

The CMVE Unit consists of two highly trained uniformed patrol officers who have expertise in the weights and necessary safety components of over-the-road commercial truck vehicles. These officers are charged with random safety checks and inspections of commercial vehicles that travel the roadways in the Town. Their main purpose and function is to ensure trucking industry compliance with all state and federal laws making motor vehicle and pedestrian travel safe for everyone. You may notice them set up in locations from time to time in Unit 620, the department Ford F-250 pick-up truck which has been specially outfitted for this purpose by Franklin Police Department Officers. The CMVE Unit is manned by: Patrolmen Joseph MacLean and Douglas Nix


Franklin Police Department: Uniform Division - FY 2012

The Uniform Patrol Division is the largest and most visible division within the police department. Officers assigned to patrol are responsible for answering calls for service, responding to emergencies, and also enforcing the traffic laws. They also respond to motor vehicle accidents, alarms, disturbances and any other call from a citizen for assistance.

The Uniform Division has specialized units to include a canine unit, the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, whose mission is to ensure the safe operation of commercial vehicles within the Town of Franklin, while reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks, a Safety/DARE Division and Detective Unit.

This past fiscal year officers issued 2184 traffic citations with 2727 charges, ranging from red light violations to operating a
motor vehicle with a suspended license to crosswalk violations.

Our officers responded to 731 motor vehicle accidents, 92 with injuries and 639 without injuries.

The prosecutor’s office handled 323 arrests and 376 criminal complaints.

This report is a summary of what the Department has encountered during this past year.

Respectfully,
Thomas J Lynch


Franklin Police Department: Communications Division

An integral part of the Franklin Police Department, the Communications Division, consisting of five full time and two part time civilian dispatchers, acts as the liaison between the public and various divisions throughout the Police Department. The dispatchers are responsible for answering 911 calls, business calls, officers requiring assistance/information, assisting the public walking into our lobby and maintaining an electronic record of all activity twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty five days a year.

This past fiscal year our dispatchers kept busy processing 5142 emergency 911 calls, 80,593 business line calls and 69,239 radio transmissions. They also made 28,535 entries into our computer aided dispatch/records management computer systems.

We have several methods for residents to stay informed and track what your Police Department is doing. You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Visit our website to sign up for our reverse 911 service, called Connect-CTY, or sign up for our email list.

If you have an emergency any time, day or night, and call 911, rest assured you will be connected to a professional well trained dispatcher ready to assist you.

Respectfully,

Gary M Premo
Communications Director


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Additional information on the Police Dept can be found on the Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Police/index

Published by the Town Clerk, this comes from the 2012 Annual Report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

FEF: Trivia Bee - March 21, 7:00 PM



Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Horace Mann Middle School

Always a fun night for Franklin families, the 16th Annual FEF Trivia Bee will be held on Thursday, March 21st, at the Horace Mann Middle School at 7:00 p.m.

This year's theme is MUSIC!!

Franklin Education Foundation: Trivia Bee - flyer


Team sponsorships are $300 each.

Companies, organizations, parents and individuals can enter a 3-person team of their own or sponsor a team of Franklin students.

Be sure to attend and test you music knowledge!

To sponsor a team or donate a raffle item contact:

Maureen Roy at 508.528.5170 or MaurRoy@aol.com


More information about the Franklin Education Foundation can be found on the following website and Facebook page
http://www.franklined.org/     https://www.facebook.com/franklined.org

South Station - the end of the line or the beginning?


When you think of Boston South Station, you most likely think about catching a train or bus, commuting home, or taking a weekend trip to New York City or Providence. It would be no surprise if, like many of the 22 million passengers who passed through South Station in 2011, you primarily regard the station as a means to get where you want to go. You may also appreciate the food and amenities that South Station offers, the holiday and art displays, and the connections to the MBTA Red and Silver Lines.
Read more about the early history of South Station here
http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2013/01/all-aboard-journey-to-the-new-south-station.html


Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Annual Report 2012: Purchasing Dept


PURCHASING DEPARTMENT GOALS

  • Optimum utilization of the Town’s Purchasing Power
  • Identify smart cost-saving value driven opportunities and strategies for attracting competitive vendors


PROCUREMENT HAPPENINGS
Back in March 2012, the Town completed the bidding and contract award process to W. T. Holmes Transportation Co. for a possible five (5) year contract for Pupil Transportation. The Holmes Family offered the Town valuable cost savings including no extra fuel adjustments and reduced the late bus rate during the first year of the agreement. The Contract also identifies extra transportation opportunities should the High School needs expand once the new High School construction commences in mid-October
2012.

Thanks to the sincere and generous efforts from Whitson’s Food Services the contract renewal option for the Food Service Management is in place for the new Fiscal Year starting on July 1, 2012.

Franklin continues it’s membership in several consortiums to achieve the lowest and best price for the supply of unleaded, diesel and road salt. Many of the formal bids completed in the spring netted considerable unit price reductions over last spring. As an example, this office bids propane annually for all of the Water/Sewer lift stations and portable classrooms. The price submitted by the local Eastern Propane for the one-year supply of propane went down to $1.49/gallon from $2.265 per gallon. The Town’s building projects and capital improvements utilized the Purchasing Office for all contract action items, change order, payment
processing, budget monitoring and ordering furnishings and fixtures.

The Massachusetts School Building Assistance (MSBA) offers an online reimbursement payment system utilized by purchasing for expenses paid related to the High School Building Project. To date, the Design Services and Owner Project Manager Contracts are being reimbursed via the electronic payment process through the office.

In late May 2012, this office received proposals from 112 Contractor’s looking to be pre-qualified as a General Contractor or in one of the 15 Filed Sub Trades categories identified for the High School Construction. Once pre-qualified, those Contractors will be invited to bid on the High School construction bid.

AFFIRMATIVE MARKETING
As the Affirmative Marketing Officer for the Town, Purchasing monitors the Supplier Diversity percentage for work funded by the Town’s portion of Chapter 90 funds through Spring 2012 are required to participate in this program which is reported quarterly to the State by Purchasing.

GREEN EFFORTS
Purchasing has become a personal champion as an environmental practitioner. Every bid launched from our PC’s “test drives opportunities to be greener. The expansion of online services reaches out to each one of us in government services. The office also has a drop off container for toner cartridges. Thanks to Facilities the recycling turnover is weekly.

OBJECTIVES
Offer value and appreciate what people bring to the organization that includes social expertness and personal influences.

“Diligence is the mother of good luck”. Quote from Ben Franklin

Respectively submitted:

Norma R. Collins
Chief Procurement Officer
Town of Franklin


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Additional information on Purchasing can be found on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Purchasing/index

Published by the Town Clerk, this comes from the 2012 Annual Report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/