Reminder - Blood Drive - June 7

Please join us for a Blood Drive 

blood drive

Saturday, June 7, 2014

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Franklin United Methodist Church

82 West Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038

positive id required

Boston Children's Hospital - Blood Donor Center

This Blood Drive is in honor of Oak Street Elementary Student Noah Smith 

To make an appointment please log onto halfpints.childrenshospital.org 

Sponsor code for this drive is FRMETHCH or call Susan Touhey at 508-404-6914

Franklin Library: May Book Sale

The May Book sale is scheduled for the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

Book Sale - Saturday, May 24 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

• Classical music will be available from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM 

• Touch a Truck is scheduled for 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM 

Bag Sale - Sunday, May 25 from 9:00 AM to noon

Franklin Library Book and Bag Sale - May 2014

http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/05/may-book-sale.html

Spring Curbside - Yard Waste Pickup

The last Spring Curbside yard waste pick up is next week and starts May 12. 

Pickup will be on your normal trash day. 

Please see Annual Mailer for details and other important information.

Franklin Dept of Public Works

The curbside mailer can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01D60678-000F8513.0/WM_00218_Franklin%206pg_rWEB%202.pdf

Franklin Village Photo - closeout sale

More changes on the retail front. Franklin Village Photo is having a closeout sale

Franklin Village Photo

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 5/9/14 - THU 5/15/14

FRI 5/9   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked - Franklin Art Center

SAT 5/10   Stamp Out Hunger Community Drive via US Postal Service. Please leave your donations for Franklin Food Pantry at your mailboxes.
SAT 5/10   8am-1pm   Bottle and Can Drive to benefit the FHS All Night Party, Franklin High School Parking Lot.
SAT 5/10   10am   Elks Care, Elks Share 5K Race/Walk, Elks Lodge Franklin
SAT 5/10   1:30pm   Coffee and Craft for Adults: Zentangle, Franklin Public Library
SAT 5/10   8pm   Concert: Ellis and Joe Crookson, First Universalist Society, Franklin

SUN 5/11   HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

THU 5/15   6pm   Kindergarten Information Night at JF Kennedy and Hellen Keller Elementary Schools

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

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

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

Senior Center update to Town Council

Here is the presentation copy used for the update at the Town Council meeting on Weds, May 7.

Franklin Senior Center - Update for May 2014 from Franklin Matters

Thanks to Karen Alves for sharing the copy.

For additional information on the Senior Center check out their Franklin webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

Mobile Vision Clinic - Jun 6

Friendly Reminder: Stamp Out Hunger - May 10

Don’t forget to leave your food donation bags by your mailbox Saturday morning! The Franklin letter carriers will pick them up on their normal mail rounds and deliver them to the Franklin Food Pantry in celebration of national Stamp Out Hunger day.

Stamp Out Hunger - May 10

Did you get your post card reminder in the mail?

Stamp Out Hunger - post card

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will be held rain or shine! If it is raining on Saturday, the Franklin letter carriers suggest placing your food donation bags in a plastic trash bag for protection.

You may also drop your donations off at the Franklin Food Pantry (located at 43 West Central Street) on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or during regular Pantry hours, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nonperishables may also be dropped off anytime in the bin that is located outside of the Pantry's main entrance.

Thank you for helping us Stamp Out Hunger!

Taunton over Franklin in baseball, softball, and girls tennis

A winning day for Taunton High School as they took the three competitions against Franklin High School on Thursday as reported by Hockomock Sports


Baseball

Franklin, 1 @ Taunton, 9 - Final - Luke Figueira allowed just four hits in a complete game effort with seven strikeouts for the win. Dylan Poillucci collected three hits and two RBI for the Tigers. Casey Grady, Sam Moor and Zach Bowden each had two hits and two runs scored.

Softball

Franklin, 2 @ Taunton, 7 - Final - The Tigers had yet another strong defensive outing and Jesse Aliexo notched her 12th win of the season with just three hits and one walk. Kailey March was 2-4 with two runs scored, MacKenzie Navarro was 2-4 with two RBI and Aimee Kistner cranked a two-run home run. Both Jordan Wade and Kimmy McCone had a double and an RBI.

Girls Tennis

Franklin, 2 @ Taunton 3 - Final

the new FHS under construction

For the remainder of Thursday's Hockomock League results follow this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/05/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-050814.html

new FHS - construction update

On my walk around Franklin this past weekend, I went by the new high school and found that some outside landscaping work is actually underway. While most of the work is on the interior of the building, it was good to see some changes on the outside. There are sidewalks being put in.

new FHS - front corner, principal's office

new FHS - front corner panorama

new FHS - front view panorama

new FHS - sidewalks and landscaping in rear

new FHS - sidewalks and landscaping along side

The Pantherbook has an article reviewing the layout of the new school with the floor plans and which classes/subjects will be located on each floor.
http://pantherbook.org/top-stories/2014/05/06/the-new-franklin-high-school-laying-it-all-out/

for photos from this time last year (the steel framing was still underway) follow this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/fhs-construction-update-and-quality.html

Still time to register to run or walk Saturday, May 10

Join the Franklin Food Pantry team on Saturday, May 10 in the Elks Care Elks Share 5K Road Race and Walk!

Franklin Food Pantry

The Race benefits the Franklin Food Pantry and Wounded Warrior Project. Contact Jenn Parrella, Franklin Food Pantry team coordinator, at jennifer@parrella.us for details on joining the team.

Franklin Elks

Visit http://franklinelks5k.com/ for race and registration details. The event features a 5K loop of paved roads for runners and walkers, post-race refreshments, giveaways, raffles, DJ, music and free prizes.

Wounded Warrior Project

Consider the Franklin Pride bead for Mother's Day

What do you get for your mother?

All hearts and flowers?

Maybe some something that sparkles and shines?

Maybe a Franklin Pride bead?

Franklin Pride

Aside from wearing it proudly, the best part about the Franklin Pride bead is that each purchase contributes to the Franklin Food Pantry. You make someone happy with the Franklin Pride bead and you help a neighbor. That sounds like a win - win!

Franklin Pride with bracelet

This Mother’s Day wouldn’t that be a nice touch to add to the gift?

Franklin Pride with necklace

The Franklin Pride bead can be purchased through this link. Franklin Pride can be purchased (as shown) with a choice of necklace, or bracelet, or the bead alone.

The Franklin Food Pantry is pleased to collaborate with Confidence Beads and Beads for a Cause to make the Franklin Pride Bead available to you. Confidence Beads operates the store, handles the transaction and delivery of the item(s) you order. They will periodically make the donation to the Food Pantry based upon your purchases.

FHS Spring Sports Results - Wed May 7

Hockomock Sports provides the results for FHS in the spring sports activity on Wed, May 7

Baseball

Franklin, 5 @ Attleboro, 6 - Final - Trailing 5-0, Attleboro scored two runs in the sixth inning and then four runs in the seventh inning to rally for a walk off win over Franklin. Matt Elliot led off the sixth inning with a double and Ryan Bowen launched a two-run home run to make it 5-2. In the sixth inning, Brandon Clark connected for a one out single and hit batter and a walk loaded the bases. Bowen picked up his third and fourth RBIs of the day with a two-RBI single. Another walk loaded the bases before Nate Tellier picked up his third hit of the day with an RBI single. Patrick Dunn's RBI single won the game for the Bombardiers. Franklin's Zane Byrne tossed 6.1 innings with four strikes and one walk for a no decision. Nick Santucci had an RBI and a stolen base and Nick Burgos had two runs and an RBI for Franklin.

Softball

Franklin, 22 @ Attleboro, 0 - Final (5 innings) - Lilly Criscione surrendered just one hit in the circle for the Panthers, striking out eight batters. Brie Flaherty (3-5, home run, six RBI) and Sabrina LoMonaco (4-4, two-run home run, four RBI) led the charge offensively and Alicia Donovan (4-4, RBI) and Julia Arms (2-2) chipped in as well.

Boys Lacrosse

Franklin, 17 @ North Attleboro, 9 - Final

Girls Lacrosse

North Attleboro, 3 @ Franklin, 19 - Final - Tracy Pisani had a big game for the Panthers with two draws, five ground balls and two forced turnovers. Lauren Altobelli netted her first goal of the year and both Bailey Knous and Kendall Reardon scored a goal and had an assist. Alex Mitchell made eight saves in net for Franklin.

Boys Tennis

Franklin, 3 @ Attleboro, 2 - Final

Girls Tennis

Franklin, 4 @ Attleboro, 1 - Final

The full set of results across the Hockomock League can be found here:
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/05/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-050714.html

the new FHS under construction

Town Council - May 7

The collection of posted reported live from the Town Council meeting of May 7 can be found here

• Live reporting - Closing

• Live reporting - Legislation

• Live reporting - Hearings on bylaw changes

• Live reporting: Town Council - 5/7/14

Live reporting - Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
thanks to all who came out for Earth day

Jun 4th ribbon cutting at DelCarte
Parade Mon May 26th


L. OLD BUSINESS
Kelly - Lincoln St project has seemed to come to a halt
Nutting - contract out for culvert repair at Winterberry
contracts out for reconstruction after school is out

Bissanti - see houses in a continued state of disrepair, is there anything else we can do?
Nutting - he checks on them monthly and updates the list

M. NEW BUSINESS
Jones - will we add the licenses to a future agenda?
Nutting - yes

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Jones - announcing Downtown Partnership events

Kelly - Memorial Day parade May 26th 10:30 regular route
Franklin Rotary Club sponsoring the parade

Feldman - my daughter enjoyed the work and the certificate
try to create awareness on the Solarize Franklin

Padula - we have a diverse opinions, we may not always agree but we are not disagreeable

Pfeffer - 236 unit complex coming in


O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

motion to go to executive session, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)


The documents released for this meeting can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050714.pdf

Live reporting - Legislation

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Available Alcoholic Beverages(Package Store) Licenses
could be used as a resolution and guide for future issuance of licenses

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-32: Appropriation: Wachusett/Upper Union House Demolitions
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0-1 (Padula recuses himself from the decision)

there are funds remaining from the Beaver St home that we can use for the Wachusett and see if we need any more, transfers from existing fund

2. Resolution 14-33: Appropriation: Recreation – Expenses
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 (Mercer stepped out briefly)

participation has increased and expenses did also


3. Resolution 14-34: Appropriation: Postage
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

increase in postage, and an increase in volume of mailings

4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728-R: Industrial to Single-Family III-1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0

see notes on public hearing for tonight

5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732: Amendment to the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Section 21. Parking, Loading, and driveway requirements- 1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0

see notes on public hearing for tonight

6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-733: Zoning Map changes from Commercial I to Downtown Commercial District in an Area on or Near Alpine Row-1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0

see notes on public hearing for tonight

several questions to clarify the zoning change
Bissanti not for it, believe someone is trying to do away with C1 which he believes is more beneficial

Taberner - the reason for downtown commercial is to promote mixed use by right
Nutting - C1 came to pass in 2004 after how to develop the downtown
no parking requirement, maybe we went a little too far, so stepping back to create more opportunity as a matter of 'right' rather than 'special permit'


7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-734: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Josephine Street-1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0

see notes on public hearing for tonight


8. Resolution 14-35: Compensation Plan
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

we have a wage table, raising wage scale by 2.5%, changes the scale not the actual pay

Live reporting - Hearings on bylaw changes

E. APPOINTMENTS
– Disabilities Commission - Martha Murray
motion to appoint, seconded, passed 9-0


F. HEARINGS – 7:10 PM
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728-R: Industrial to Single-Family III

rezoning 6 parcels on Washington St left over from industrial area


2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732: Amendment to the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Section 21. Parking, Loading, and driveway requirements

2 proposed changes to site plans, to use a different standard rather than a fixed length
makes sense to have sight required based upon speed of vehicles (MA DOT)

zoning board currently has authority, but they are already in front of the Planning Board, switch to Planning Board to ease process


3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-733: Zoning Map changes from Commercial I to Downtown Commercial District in an Area on or Near Alpine Row

proposal came out of the Master Plan and the zoning workshop last year
not a big area but trying to clean up the map

4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-734: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Josephine Street

proposal came out of the Master Plan and the zoning workshop last year
not a big area but trying to clean up the map, 5 of the parcels are town owned and swamp


5. Bylaw Amendment 14-735: Chapter, 25, Personnel Regulations, Appendix A and Appendix B
removed from revised agenda listed on 5/6/14

Live reporting: Town Council - 5/7/14

Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams
Absent:  


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

Presentation
Karen Alves, Erin Rodgers

Franklin Senior Center (presentation to be added later)
"Independence, information and connections"

4400 residents 60+ per 2010 census
projected to increase to 6600 by 2020 and 9200 by 2030

1200 active participants in Senior Center
General Fund covers 54%
revolving accounts, grants and Friends of Franklin Elders provide the balance

30% males, 70% females - compared to other seniors centers that never see a male, this is good

multiple programs offered (see listing)

liaison with Gatra for transportation

nutrition
based upon cafe with breakfast and lunch
some folks say that the Senior Center meal is the only one freshly cooked

happy to have the police present, the seniors feel more comfortable making the call when necessary

health and wellness is a huge component of the services provided
evidenced based programs, reducing hospital and doctor visits
"A Matter of Balance" offered frequently and well utilized

volunteer installed grab bars for seniors at home, bath rooms, etc.

support groups for specific areas (eye health, weight loss, etc.)

Senior Expo in Sept (Sep 26th)

Caregiver support programs added, providing increasing support to community
"The Sunshine Club"
in home respite for care givers
caregivingmetrowest.org/ being launched May 16th as a internet based resource

legal help, tax preparation assistance,
Social Service Coordinator (Erin)

housing, transportation, government assistance guidance, etc.

socialization - key reason for the Senior Center

recreation - closely aligned with socialization

computer training for about 10 years, added phone and tablet training as the demand for that has been rising

lecture series with Dean College to be formalized to recognize Stella Jeon

volunteers are such a valuable resource, provided 11,190 hours of service to help the center's operation
students volunteered 1,130 hours as well

$67,960 recovered via the tax workoff program by 93 seniors
department heads appreciate the work

Free medical equipment and supplies available at the Senior Center

Franklin Connection Newsletter sent out monthly available in the mail or via online at the Senior Center page

Advocacy

• affordable and accessible housing
• transportation (evening and weekends)
• tax relief

Kelly - you both do a wonderful job, the question on the tax workoff came from me?
Alves - we have 95 slots, used 93 last year, have them filled this year, there is some change during the year

Jones - the Senior Center does a great job, thank you and to all the volunteers

Feldman - I did have to utilize the equipment for a family member, thank you
Alves - we probably should be doing better advertising that

Bissanti - chess team?
Alves - Weds at 2:00

Pfeffer - councilors will resume visiting on the second Tuesday of the month for breakfast

These buds are for you

The photos from several weeks ago showed trees in all their bareness. The trees these past two weeks are beginning to bud. The buds are opening. Soon the world will be more green as the leaves open.

budding tree - 1

forsythia

budding tree - 2

budding tree - 3

Do you have photos of buds to share?

Book Drive: Milford 99 - May 17-18

Book Drive - Milford 99 - May 17-18

Stop by the 99 in Milford on May 17th and 18th from 11am-4pm and check out our Book Drive to benefit The Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Jimmy Fund.

Lots of amazing books available to get you ready for your Memorial Day Trip reading pleasure!

Stock up on our summer reading material!

Toddler books, Children's books, teenage reading, Novels, books on travel, ...self-help books...the list goes on!

Wonderful author's such as:

• James Patterson
• Steven King
• John Grisham
• Danielle Steel to just name a few.

Stock up for summer! Find summer reading material for your students. Come check us out! We have LOADS of books!

We will also be collecting returnable cans and bottles at this time.

All proceeds from the Book Drive & Bottle and Can collection will be donated to The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Jimmy Fund.

Last year we raised $7,000. Help us reach our goal of $10,000 this year.

Via  https://www.facebook.com/events/671104832957396/

Analyzing the House Budget for FY 2015

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The House Budget for FY 2015: Analysis of Amendments Adopted During Debate   During three days of budget debate the House made only modest changes to the budget put forward by the Ways and Means Committee. These changes are detailed in our full Budget Monitor. Overall, the House added $143.9 million in amendments, about a third of one percent of the budget. The final House budget, like the Governor's proposal, makes incremental efforts to address major challenges, but does not make the type of substantial progress in expanding opportunity in all of our communities that could be achieved with new revenue invested effectively. The House adopted amendments affecting most areas of the budget, including the following:  Child Welfare received an additional $7.7 million in funding, mostly to support the hiring of additional social workers. This should allow reductions in the number of cases each worker needs to manage and therefore increase the department's capacity to protect vulnerable children. This is a step forward. But it is only one of many steps that would be needed to support all of our families in crisis, protect all of our vulnerable children, and give them the opportunity to thrive. The final funding level in the House is essentially the same as that proposed by the Governor in January.   Youth Jobs and related programs received $6.2 million in increased funding during floor debate. The total funding level for these programs in the final House budget, however, remains $7.7 million below current funding levels.   MassHealth received an additional $44 million during floor debate, directed to increasing reimbursement for the state's safety net hospitals that serve large numbers of low-income patients, and for nursing homes. The federal government will reimburse Massachusetts for half of this total.  For detail on the most significant changes between the Ways and Means budget proposal and the final House version, please read our full Budget Monitor HERE.   The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

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

What are you doing June 16? Join the United Chamber on the links!

The United Regional  Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament  ************************************************************************************************************************************ June 16 - Franklin Country Club  672 E. Central St., Franklin   What's Included: 18-holes of Golf, Cart, Lunch, Dinner, Raffles and More Important Times: 11 a.m. Registration 11:30 a.m. Putting Contest, Rules & Cart Pick-Up  Noon Shotgun Start 5 p.m. Dinner, Awards & Raffles     Cost:  $185, or $210 with player passport before June 3                                          Download the Registration Form or Call: 508-222-0801 or 508-528-2800     Thank You to These Generous Sponsors:        More Sponsorships are Available. ************************************************************************************************************************************

Forward email The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703

Live reporting: Finance Committee - May 6, 2014

Present: Dowd, Conley, Fleming, Dufour, Aparo, Heumpher, Quinn
Absent: Dewsnap, Smith


motion to accept meeting minutes from prior meetings, seconded and passed 7-0


Items for Action:
Snow and Ice Transfer

• motion to appropriate $280,000 from free cash for this; seconded, passed 7-0

Recreation Transfer
need some fund to balance the expense side of the budget, increased revenue is coming due to increase participation; this amount finishes this fiscal year

• motion to appropriate $7,000 from free cash; seconded, passed 7-0 

Wachusett/Upper Union St. house demolition transfer
transfer of funds from account previously set for the Beaver St house demolition

• motion to transfer $15,000 from the Beaver St account, seconded, passed 7-0

Central Services Transfer
postage increase in January, and increased notifications via certified mail to abutters for Zoning Board, etc.

motion to appropriate $10,000 from free cash; seconded, passed 7-0


Old Business
thanks for the work on the budget, it passed successfully


New Business
1 - Oct 18th annual Finance meetings

2 - Looking to go to the Town Council in June for $1M for the project manger and start up of the Library project; right now everyone is out straight with the high school building

Conversations around town asking why add space to the library when with the advent of ebooks books may not be around for ever

Intent to bring the Library folks here for the June meeting to answer all the questions around what the proposals

bathrooms, meeting space, conceptual design, the building committee would put together the actual plan
undersized and over utilized, the Library Board can come to review all the details
these are good questions

libraries are evolving, programs and education, museum passes, etc. are also there

3 - also to ask the Town Council to consider putting on a dedicated override for the road in the November election. would also be on the June agenda

4 - Franklin is now officially on Twitter (as of last week)
another channel for communications

5 - downtown project contracts sent out to the contractor, hopefully in June... received the money in 2009 but haven't spent it yet.

Tentative ribbon cutting for DelCarte Jun 4th at 5:00 PM
No date yet for the Sculpture Park

Construction - Lincoln street should start after school gets out

Sep 20 - tours, Sep 21 - grand opening
Sometime in June final walk through for old high school

old school starts coming down after school gets out in June
whole school should be down by Labor Day, then the fields and roadway gets to the completion



Adjournment
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 7-0

Healthy Kids Day - Stuff the Truck

The Franklin Food Pantry participated in the Healthy Kids Day at Patriot Place on Saturday, May 3

Healthy Kids Day

Coordinated by the Hockomock YMCA as part of Healthy Futures, the event had activities for kids of all ages. Displays from multiple companies and organizations shared information and more about health.

Panorama of the Healthy Kids Day

The Franklin Food Pantry was visible in a prime location.

Panorama 2 of Healthy Kids Day

 The folks with Stop and Shop helped to fill the truck by donating about 40 cases of water and several cases of snack bars.

Left to right: Marissa Garofano, Bob Hamilton, Patty Hartnett, Kristy Brousseau, Stephanie Joyce,
Mark Lavallee, David and Susan Strittmatter

Healthy Futures Coordinator Marissa Garofano posed with Food Pantry Board Members Bob Hamilton and Mark Lavallee, Stop and Shop volunteers Kristy Brousseau and Stephanie Joyce, along with Food Pantry volunteers Patty Hartnett, David and Susan Strittmatter with the almost stuffed Food Pantry truck.