Saturday, September 21, 2019

Franklin voters will have a choice for some positions in the Nov 5 election

The candidate listing was finalized this week. There had been a total of 40 people who had stepped up to draw nomination papers. 8 subsequently withdrew or did not return their papers leaving 32 candidates for 27 positions. 

Franklin voters will have a choice for 3 of the 7 positions up for election. 3 positions have the right amount of candidates. One position is short (Board of Health).



COMMITTEE/BOARD/POSITION OPENINGS Candidates Positions
BOARD OF ASSESSORS - 2 SEATS  (4Yr.Term) 2 2
BOARD OF HEALTH -2 SEATS  (4 Yr.Term) 1 2
CONSTABLE - 3 OPENING       (4Yr.Term) 4 3
PLANNING BOARD - 3 SEATS   (4Yr.Term) 3 3
SCHOOL COMMITTEE - 7 SEATS   (2Yr.Term) 10 7
TOWN CLERK - 1 Position    (4Yr.Term) 1 1
TOWN COUNCIL  - 9 SEATS      (2Yr.Term) 11 9
Totals 32 27


Download your copy from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YsaLzrQD8q6S99HVlHis4uaUOiB1CKz2/view?usp=sharing

or the Town Clerk page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/final_candidates_-_2019_biennial_town_election.pdf





Franklin Election Collection - 2019
All precincts vote on Nov 5, 2019 in one location, Franklin High School

Franklin Public Schools: An Important Message from the Superintendent

September 20, 2019

Dear Franklin Families and Faculty/Staff,

I am writing as it is a good time to provide some information about school security and safety.

Some Information Related to the Newly Issued PSA

You may have heard about or seen the Sandy Hook Promise PSA that was issued within the last day or so. This video contains some content that is very difficult to watch. It reminds us all of the importance of our safety and security practices in the unlikely event of an active shooter situation.

As parents/guardians, you may wish to prohibit your child from viewing the PSA. New research is pointing to negative mental health consequences including increased anxiety and hypervigilance among children from exposure to active shooter training and media coverage. As a school system, we try to strike a balance between informing/preparing our students with tools to keep them safe while shielding them from overexposure.

Children's belief that adults around them know what to do to protect them helps them cope with their anxiety and stress related to school safety worries. You can assist them and us by providing reassurance, as developmentally appropriate, to your children in this regard. At the end of this letter, we provide an informative reminder about our safety practices.

You may be looking for resources to assist your child. This resource, from the American Psychological Association, may be of assistance to you: http://www.apa.org/topics/violence/school-shooting.aspx

Counselors, teachers, and administrators are available to help any student who may be experiencing difficulty. Please reach out to any member of the administration if we can be of help in any way. The School Resource Officers are also an avenue of support for questions and concerns from families.

Information about How We Respond When We Receive a Report of a Threat

We have seen an increase in students and families exercising the "see it-say it" aspect of our safety protocols and we thank you for that. It reflects on the positive relationships and supportive culture of our schools. When we receive a report of an alleged threat, the school administrators launch an investigation in collaboration with the Franklin Police Department. The credibility and seriousness of the threat must be determined by this team, who are trained in making this determination.

Based on the nature of the facts determined from the investigation, the school administrators will take appropriate steps. The police may, as well, if appropriate and based on their investigation. Administrative measures often include support and safety plans for the students involved. Interventions are put in place and may include therapeutic support. Disciplinary consequences may also be applied, if appropriate. When communications are issued to families, privacy laws require us to keep certain information confidential.

We are balancing providing the community with information and assurances of safety with the privacy rights of those involved. In all cases, we wish to assure you that we take these reports with the utmost seriousness and collaborate with our school resource officer partners to investigate and respond appropriately. We are so fortunate to be supported by a stellar team of five School Resource Officers and their supervising officer.

An Informative Reminder of Safety Practices in FPS

The safety and well-being of Franklin students and staff are our highest priority. Our buildings remain locked and well-supervised when school is in session; all visitors must check-in at reception upon arrival and present identification. Organizations that use our facilities after hours are required to have a door monitor that supervises the entry and exit of guests to our buildings.

Security cameras provide coverage around all of our buildings. Additionally, we have a capital plan in place to upgrade and add to our security cameras and other security features to enhance coverage. We have open communication with the Franklin Fire and Police Departments, and our response teams regularly review and practice safety protocols and procedures through training with staff and students.

We continue to refine our practices through continuing education on best practices within the field of school safety. Last year (the 2018-19 school year), the entire faculty and staff across the district engaged in deeper training with experts in the field based on new information and practices. We will continue to reinforce this in 2019-20.

We also stress climate and culture in each of our schools, centering our work around core values and relationships. It is important that each student feels connected to an adult and we strive to ensure we have supports in place to help students in crisis. We emphasize the importance of speaking up when there is a concern, and we have examples when students, parents/guardians, and staff have come forward to bring a concern about a friend or classmate to an administrator's attention.

As always, parents/guardians or staff members with concerns about safety should contact the building principal with specific questions.

Sincerely,

Sara Ahern
Superintendent of Schools

Sara Ahern, Superintendent of Schools - presenting at a recent School Committee meeting
Sara Ahern, Superintendent of Schools - presenting at a recent School Committee meeting

FHS field hockey and volleyball teams posts wins

Via HockomockSports.com we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Friday, Sep 20, 2019

Field Hockey = Franklin, 6 @ Taunton, 0 – Final
– After holding a 1-0 lead at halftime, Franklin exploded for five tallies in the second half to grab a big win on the road. Amanda Lewandowski scored a hat trick, with Stephanie Bell and Olivia Mazukina notching assists. Bell also had a pair of goals, including the game-winner at 14:00 of the first half. Kaitlyn Carney also scored for the Panthers while Neilee Hess made three saves for the shutout.

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Taunton, 0 – Final



For the other results around the Hockomock League on Friday
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-09-20-19/





FHS field hockey and volleyball teams posts wins
FHS field hockey and volleyball teams posts wins

MBTA Franklin Line notice weekends - bus shuttle to Readville

Weekends, Sept 7 - Nov 24, Franklin Train service is replaced by free buses between Forge Park/495 and Readville for a Fairmount Line connection while PTC is installed. There will be no service at Back Bay, Ruggles, Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot.

Please visit https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork for more details about bus shuttle schedules. Visit MBTA.com/PTC for more information on how this project will improve commuter rail safety and travel. Passengers may experience delays of up to 30 minutes as a result of shuttle bus connections.

There will be no Franklin line service at Back Bay and Ruggles stations on weekends. Please travel to South Station to reach a Franklin Line station. If you are travelling inbound, please board a Worcester/Framingham line Train for direct connection to Back Bay or a Providence/Stoughton line Train for a direct connection to Back Bay or Ruggles.

We also recommend the subway: board the Red Line at South Station and transfer to the Orange Line at Downtown Crossing to reach Back Bay or Ruggles.

Due to proximity of adjacent stations, bus shuttles will not serve Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot stations:
-Endicott station customers, please use Readville or Dedham Corp stations.
-Islington station customers, please use Dedham Corp station.
-Norwood Depot customers, please use Norwood Central or Dedham Corp station.

8:40pm and 10:40pm departures from Forge Park as well as 11:20pm departure from South Station will be accommodated by a bus for the entire trip between South Station and Forge Park (including the portion between South Station and Readville).

Additional weekends may be added to the train service suspension between Forge Park/495 and Readville as work progresses on the Franklin line.

Thank you for your patience while we improve the signal system on your Commuter Rail line.

For more information: https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork

Last Updated: Sep 20 2019 05:10 PM

MBTA Franklin Line notice weekends - bus shuttle to Readville
MBTA Franklin Line notice weekends - bus shuttle to Readville

Friday, September 20, 2019

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Sep 20 to THU - Sep 26

Mon Sep 23, 2019
10:30am
3:30pm
6:30pm
7pm

For the interactive version, please visit
For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar
https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Sep 20 to THU - Sep 26
Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Sep 20 to THU - Sep 26

"We know that education drives opportunity"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts would invest a new $1.5 billion in its public education system over the next seven years under a long-awaited consensus school finance reform bill that House and Senate leaders rolled out Thursday and expect to hit the Senate floor in two weeks.

State Rep. Alice Pesich, D-Wellesley, and state Sen. Jason Lewis, D-Winchester, co-chairs of the Education Committee that has been working for months to develop the legislation, said a focus of the bill is providing resources to low-income students.

“I think it’s fair to say that if this bill passes into law, we will have the strongest and most progressive education funding system in terms of how we reflect the needs of low-income students,” Lewis said. “However, we realize that even with all those changes in the increased Chapter 70 aid that districts will receive, that there’s more that we can and must do to support the needs of all school districts and all students across the state, whether they are in rural districts, suburban districts, Gateway Cities or others.”

The bill, dubbed the Student Opportunity Act and unanimously endorsed Thursday by the Education Committee, would increase Chapter 70 aid to local schools by $1.4 billion, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo said it does not involve plans for additional taxes."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190919/lawmakers-unveil-15b-seven-year-education-bill


Below, please find links to information regarding the Student Opportunity Act:
Student Opportunity Act Overview
 
Student Opportunity Act Fact Sheet
 
Student Opportunity Act Question & Answer

Student Opportunity Act Joint Announcement

Student Opportunity Act Bill Text: Senate Bill 2348




"We know that education drives opportunity" (Joint Committee on Education photo)
"We know that education drives opportunity" (Joint Committee on Education photo)

Both FHS girls soccer and golf teams post wins on Thursday

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Thursday, Sep 19, 2019


Girls Soccer = Stoughton, 1 @ Franklin, 6 – Final
– Franklin took control of the game early on, jumping out to a 4-1 lead by halftime, and never looked back. Carly Alston led the way for the Panthers with two goals and two assists, while Anna Balkus added a goal and two assists. Sydney St. Marie and Anna Grasso added goals for Franklin and Erin Quaile had an assist. Brianna Buckley had a big day in goal for the Black Knights with 16 saves. Freshman Shayla Ford scored for Stoughton with an assist from Ashley Camilo.


Golf = Franklin, 152 @ Attleboro, 159 – Final
"Jack Paterson and Nolan Norton lead the way to 8 in a row firing off a 36 and 38! Pat Dolan and Jake Blaney both add in a pair of 39s for a team 152. @FHSPantherbook
@FHSSports" via https://twitter.com/FHSGolfTeam/status/1174804010739687425



For the other results around the Hockomock League on
Thursday
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-09-19-19/

Both FHS girls soccer and golf teams post wins on Thursday
Both FHS girls soccer and golf teams post wins on Thursday

October Veterans Coffee Social - Oct 2

Veterans Coffee Social

Wednesday ▪ Oct 2 ▪ 10:00 AM

Franklin Senior Center Café

Come And Chat With Other Vets
Coffee And Pastry Will Be Provided
All Vets Are Invited!

For More Information, Contact the Veteran Services Office At: (508) 613-1315

October Veterans Coffee Social - Oct 2
October Veterans Coffee Social - Oct 2

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Hockomock Area YMCA : Healthy Kids Day at Patriot Place on September 28

On Saturday, September 28, the Hockomock Area YMCA is celebrating Healthy Kids Day® with a free community event that encourages kids to be active and provides families with options and methods for living healthier lives. The event will take place at Patriot Place in Foxborough from 10 AM to 1 PM. 

Fun, creative, and healthy activities for children will take place at Patriot Place Plaza, located outside Patriots Hall of Fame presented by Raytheon. For the first time in the seven years that Healthy Kids Day has been hosted by Patriot Place, the YMCA is additionally inviting the public to run in the Foxboro YMCA 5K and Kids Fun Run—at the same place as so many championships.
an inflatable gaga ball pit game
an inflatable gaga ball pit game

Healthy Kids Day will feature active play and engaging activities including: an inflatable gaga ball pit game, bounce house, Every Photo Tells a Story photobooth presented by Patriot Place, numerous vendor giveaways, car seat safety checks presented by Dorel Juvenile Group, a gymnastics obstacle course, nutrition demos, visit with Pat Patriot & New England Patriots cheerleaders, hands on STEM (science, tech, engineering & math) activities, a fitness obstacle course, vision checks presented by the Lions District 33 Eye Mobile, face painting and much more.

Be sure to visit all the great vendors who will be onsite to share their Healthy Kids Day tips, games and prizes: American Cancer Society, Bass Pro Shops, BBS Energy Works, LLC,
Bellingham Senior Center, Brigham & Womens/Mass General Health Care Center, Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County, Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation, District 33K Lions, Dorel Juvenile, Every Photo Tells a Story PhotoBooth, Foxboro Rotary Club, Fuel Up To Play 60, Jennifer Rose Art, Kennedy Donovan Center, Malco Art Center, Mass Dept of Children and Families, New England Frozen Ventures, Inc, New England Revolution, Norwood Hospital – Sponsor, Patriot Place, Pediatric Dental Healthcare, Project Bread, and WIC Nutrition Program.
Pat Patriot and Slyde
Pat Patriot and Slyde

Don’t miss our largest community event focused on healthy living—and while at Patriot Place, enjoy the unique opportunity to race at the site of so many championships. For the first time, the Foxboro YMCA 5K and Kids Fun Run will take place at Patriot Place, with the 5K starting at 9:00 a.m. and the Kids Run starting at 11:00 a.m. Cost: $30 (5K) and $15 (Kids Run). 

All Kids Fun Runners will be awarded a medal in the 1 mile run/walk. Race day registration will be offered starting at 7:30 a.m. at the event or register online now at www.hockymca.org/5k.

Together we will run in memory of Michael Baker, Linda Cavossa and Jackie Thomas.

goodie bags
goodie bags
In addition to Presenting Sponsor Patriot Place, the day is supported by these generous sponsors: Live Nation New England and Xfinity Center, Norwood Hospital, and Sturdy Memorial Medical Staff, as well as Goody Bag Sponsors Nature’s Path and Stop & Shop.

All participants will be required to display a Healthy Kids Day wrist band which will be
provided to you at no charge when you visit the check-in tents located at the entrance to Patriot Place Plaza, located outside Patriots Hall of Fame presented by Raytheon

Details on the event can be found at www.hockymca.org/healthy-kids-day.



About Hockomock Area YMCA:
Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.
Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not- for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information, visit hockymca.org.

Encore Music: Open House on Saturday, September 28

Come and stop by Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios' Open House on Saturday, September 28. We will be open from 9 AM to 2 PM. 

You will have the chance to watch lessons in progress, classes, ensembles, and more, to see how our school operates and all we have to offer.

Registration will be open, and you can have all of your questions answered. We hope to see you there!

Download your copy of the flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczSjdqTEd1WUVhQWpnWUJqMHpxREJqMEZ6MnBv/view?usp=sharing




Encore Music: Open House on Saturday, September 28
Encore Music: Open House on Saturday, September 28

FHS boys soccer, field hockey, volleyball, and golf teams all post wins

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Wednesday, Sep 18, 2019


Boys Soccer = Franklin, 7 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final
– Senior Donny Tappin, junior Charlie Amante, and junior Sam George all had multiple points as Franklin earned a big win on the road at Stoughton. Tappin and Amante each scored once and had an assist while George registered two helpers in the win. Ben Moccia, Terry O’Neill, Jeff Yelle, Trevor O’Neill and Tyler Powderly also scored for the Panthers while Ethan Cain had an assist in the win.

Field Hockey = Franklin, 9 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final
– Franklin’s Amanda Lewandowski scored four first half goals to pace the Panthers to a big win on the road. Lewandowski scored in the 6th minute (from Kate O’Rourke), the 16th minute (from Olivia Rondeau), the 25th minute (unassisted) and in the 28th minute (from Rondeau) to give the Panthers a 4-1 lead at the break. Hanna Richardson added two second half goals for the Panthers. Haley Nelson scored an unassisted goal in the first half for Stoughton.

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final

Golf = King Philip, 166 @ Franklin, 152 – Final
– Franklin’s Pat Dolan shot an even par round of 35 to help the Panthers secure a key win over division rival King Philip. Jack Paterson shot a 38, Jake Blaney added a 39, and Quinten Faro carded a round of 40 for Franklin. King Philip’s Jack Hastry led the Warriors with a 40 while Kayla Schuberth and Nate Ihley each finished with a 42.


For the other results around the Hockomock League on Wednesday
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-09-18-19/

FHS boys soccer, field hockey, volleyball, and golf teams all post wins
FHS boys soccer, field hockey, volleyball, and golf teams all post wins

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Real-time Reporting: Legislation for action through to Closing


9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
no meetings held since last meeting


10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-63: Appropriation Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per M.G.L Ch.44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-63: Majority Vote (5))

regular transaction per quarter to allocate to Cable Group

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0


10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 19-845: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 19-845 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote (5))

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0
 

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 
nothing tonight

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
request for update on 300 Fisher Stpaving at RT 140 is a State project likely scheduled for end of month


13. COUNCIL COMMENTS 
Earls - issue resolved at Library to get doors locked like they should be

Pellegri - re: flags not lowered for 9/11, we missed out this year, we can't let that happen again
Old Museum -in the contract stage

complaint about the use of the consultant for Davis Thayer when it 'could be done inhouse'
it could take multiple years to decide? really, was that a typo?

Mercer - This is not a debate for the Council - it is a School Committee decision
at some point I expect them to provide us an update

Padula- good job on the Tree Warden presentation

Hamblen - South St Six at Dean at 6 PM
get Oct 5 - Harvest Festival

Dellorco - was going to talk about 9/11 but Councilor Pellegri covered that

Kelly - tribute to the Wall, on Dean Ave - should be ashamed of himself for what he has done
doesn't cost that much to deliver a double faced wall, I hope one of the board require him to fix that
not the impression I thought we would give to the residents

Mercer - I agree with the wall comments, hopefully it can be dealt with going forward


14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None Scheduled

ADJOURN

motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 8-0

Real-time Reporting: DPW Presentation

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

DPW Presentation 
Brutus Cantoreggi, Director

Clothing Recycling Program
with Chris White


it is another option to recycle, folks can still use the other non-profit recyclers. The other benefit we can get is removing it from the waste stream and our recycle contamination rates.

it makes it easier for folks to help us remove from the waste stream, for those who want to call or deliver themselves to the other non-profits, they can do so. For those who wouldn't use it should help remove these items from the waste stream which will also save us.

it is a weekly program,  bags will be coming via mail.

everything can go in the same bag for convenience


Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director with Chris White on the Clothing Recycling Program
Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director with Chris White on the Clothing Recycling Program


Tree Removal Update 
(presentation doc to be added) 

The drought a couple of year ago and the gypsy moth (2 years in a row) both helped to reduce the health of the trees in our area

trees covered in only the 'public right of way', does not cover trees on Town property or school property

trees overhanging a sidewalk can be addressed because they are blocking a public way
Bushes on a corner blocking the sight line are part of the building inspector role (not tree warden)

what is a public way? not only where the road is, depending upon when the development was built it is either clear or tricky. Partridge St was built along stone walls and private property.  If tree grows in the berm between the curb and the sidewalk it is town owned; if on the other side of the sidewalk closer to the residence, it is private property