Healthy Weight and Your Child Program Sign Ups Happening for Families and to be Held at Stall Brook Elementary School in Bellingham

Healthy Weight & Your Child empowers 7-13 year olds, with the support of their families, to reach a healthy weight while achieving a healthier lifestyle. Since 2007, which marked the start of the Y’s Healthy Futures Initiative–designed to create healthier communities–the Hockomock Area YMCA has been actively working to increase physical activity and improve nutrition for kids in the area.

Healthy Weight and Your Child is a 25-session program, which includes 20 sessions delivered two times per week, followed by five weekly sessions. Sessions are two hours in length with the first hour delivered in a classroom setting and the second hour focused on physical activity.

The program emphasizes three elements: healthy eating, regular physical activity and behavior change, and engages the whole family, so together they can understand how the home environment and other factors influence the choices that lead to a healthy weight.

Made up of groups of eight to 15 children and their parents/caregivers, the program creates a safe, fun, and active environment for children and their families to explore and adopt proven methods to living a healthier lifestyle.

To be eligible for the program, each child must be between the ages of 7 and 13, have a body mass index greater than or equal to the 95th percentile, be cleared for physical activity by a health care provider or school nurse, and be accompanied by a parent or caregiver at every session.

each child must be between the ages of 7 and 13

Classes will take place at Stall Brook Elementary School (342 Hartford Ave, Bellingham) and will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00-8:00pm. Please join us for an information session to have your questions answered on February 11 at Stall Brook at 6:00pm. Cost: free for first 10 families, thanks to generous support from Stop & Shop’s Our Family Foundation. Included is a Hockomock Area YMCA family membership for the duration of the program (runs: February 25 - June 11; no meeting during the week of April 19).

Questions may be directed to Marykate Bergen, Director of Health Innovation, at phl@hockymca.org or call 508-339-4053

About the 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.

The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they 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

Urban Air Holiday Party - Dec 18

Step out of the cold December air into a Winter Wonderland of fun! On December 18th from 4-8 PM we transform into a park wide Holiday Party for the whole family. 

Those who join us for our party will get:

* $10 off Ultimate and Deluxe passes
* Pictures with Santa Claus
* Shopping with tons of LOCAL vendors to support your community
* There will be fun, games and prizes all night long!

Here's a partial list of vendors to shop with:

* Homemade pickles, jams, salsa and ribs from Confectionery Creations
* Custom glassware, coozies and more from Just Crafting Around
* Candles from Scentsy
* Homemade scarfs, blankets and pillows
* Homemade Christmas ornaments and lighted signs
* Bags from Thirty One
* Hair Straightners
* Color Street nails
* Homemade Wine Bottles from Sher Creates
* Tupperware
* Disney Travel
* Lularoe
* Paparazzi
* Life Expressions Decor
* Homemade baked goods and more!


Urban Air Adventure Park (Bellingham)
189 Mechanic Street, Bellingham, Massachusetts 02019

Follow the Facebook event for updates: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/466060837385243/

Urban Air Holiday Party - Dec 18

PEDC presents the Nutcracker! - four performances on Dec 7-8

With the explosive growth of the arts in the Franklin community, Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center is proud to present the Nutcracker with four performances this holiday season. The performances will take place on Saturday, December 7 at 1:30 and 5:30 PM and Sunday, December 8, at 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM at Bellingham High School.

Dancing the role of Young Clara is Haylee Goguen, Cheyanne Kelley and Abigail Scollins. Mature Clara will be danced by Grace Jerrier, Rachel Barrows, Jackie Dubois and Angelina Rak.

In other lead roles, the Snow Queen will be danced by Emily Conroy, Julia Broll, Nora Hansen and Kaitlyn Auerbach. The Dew Drop Fairy features Larissa Logan, Amanda Mason, Ellie Rodrigues and Dani Bean. The featured dancers for the coveted role of the Sugar Plum Fairy are Andrea Gray, Isabella Lambros, Samantha Robillard and Bridgette Ginley. 

The box office is open and tickets are limited for the performances. Ticket prices are family-friendly at $18. Tickets are available by calling PEDC at 508-520-7873 or emailing pedcnews@gmail.com.

The show is performed at Bellingham High School's auditorium, 60 Blackstone St., Bellingham, MA.

From left to right, first row: Abigail Scollins, Haylee Goguen and Cheyanne Kelley as Ypung Clara; second row: Jackie Dubois, Agelina Rak, Grace Jerrier and Rachel Barros as Mature Clara; third row: Julia Broll, Katelyn Auerback, Isabella Lambros, Ellie Rodriques and Amanda Mason; fourth row: Emily Conroy, Samantha Robillard, Bridgette Ginley, Andrea Gray, Dani Bean and Larissa Logan. Missing: Norah Hansen. Photo credit: Marcos Esteves

For more info on the Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center visit
https://www.pattieisenhauerdancecenter.com/

The Wall That Heals - in Bellinghham, Aug 22 - 25

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

"The Wall That Heals, a 7.5-foot-tall wall featuring the names of 58,276 veterans who died serving in Vietnam, will be coming to Bellingham from August 22-25. Several speakers and events are planned during its monumental visit to the town during its 300th anniversary.

In Paksem, Laos, on Oct. 19, 1972, German-born Sgt. John Peterson, a paramilitary officer for the Central Intelligence Agency boarded a helicopter. By mid-afternoon, he heard shots fired in the distance.

Peterson grew up in Bellingham and attended its high school.

“John knew it was time to get out of there,” said his wife Martha (Marti) Denny, who flew to Laos with him in June 1971 to arm and train the Hmong, a Laotian highland tribe, to fight the Communist Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190819/wall-that-heals-coming-to-bellingham---what-you-need-to-know

screen capture of The Wall that Heals

FHS Baseball Boosters - 2nd Annual Golf Tourney - Fund Raiser - Sep 15, 2019

Franklin HS Baseball Boosters are hosting it's 2nd Annual Golf Tourney-Fund Raiser on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at the New England County Club (NECC) in Bellingham.

All Information is on their site at www.franklinpanthersbaseball.com where you can register on-line as an individual or foursome.

All proceeds go back to the FHS Baseball Program. Your Panthers have had back to back Super 8 Appearances with one State Championship and one Hockomock League Title. Please visit the site for more information. 

Looking for all Alumni and Franklin Residents to come out and join in on the fun!

FHS Baseball Boosters - 2nd Annual Golf Tourney - Fund Raiser - Sep 15, 2019

 

Your Panthers have had back to back Super 8 Appearances

Bellingham Community Garden Shares Opportunity for Residents to Grow Their Own Food - limited spots available

The Bellingham Community Garden, which is a collaboration between the Town of Bellingham and the Hockomock Area YMCA, is now accepting registrations for plot rentals. This is a great opportunity to tend your own garden this May through October.

Located at 200 Center Street in Bellingham, the community garden provides 10’ x 20’ plots (roughly), water and some gardening tools, and will run workshops throughout the season. Service learning opportunities can also be arranged for those wishing to volunteer in a community setting. The mission of the Bellingham Community Garden is to promote healthy and active lifestyles by reconnecting individuals to the food they eat and grow.

Plot holders can look forward to a season filled with farm-to-table produce, meeting new neighbors and friends, and engaging in different opportunities for learning.

The plot rental program is open to all community members and offers a gated garden in which members, provided a lock code, will be able to garden from dawn to dusk. The Hockomock YMCA will also facilitate soil testing through UMass Amherst for plot holders interested in optimizing food production.

Interested applicants are asked to fill out a contract, available at www.hockymca.org/garden/, or email communitygarden@hockymca.org to request a contract. Cost for the season is $75 and checks can be made out to Hockomock Area YMCA.

You may also stop by the YMCA at 45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin for details and a contract or call 508-528-8708. Be sure to visit the Bellingham Community Garden on facebook: @bellinghamcommunityfarm.

Bellingham Community Garden Shares Opportunity for
Residents to Grow Their Own Food - limited spots available

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.

“The goal is basically to create a few access points, and a couple of trails off of them”

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

"Another step has been taken in the plans to open a trail system on the Charles River Meadowlands property when representatives from BETA Group Inc. came last week to survey the land. 

Alan Earls, director of the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative, said the survey work marks the beginning of an effort to flesh out what is possible with a $25,000 grant awarded by the state last year. 

“We’re looking for an assessment by a professional, so we can figure out what is practical in this idea of linking these parcels across three towns,” Earls said of the work being done by BETA, a Norwood-based planning, engineering, design, asset management and construction services company. 

The approximately 900-acre parcel is spread over Franklin, Bellingham and Medway, though the group’s trip into the woods last week only covered a small portion. About 465 acres of the affected land is in Franklin, near the Pond Street area."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181218/survey-work-begins-for-meadowlands-trail-proposal

For more about the Charles River Meadowlands
https://www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org/

Mine Brook seen looking toward i495

Bellingham will get its visit Aug. 22-25, 2019

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

"A three-quarter scale replica of the huge and iconic national Vietnam Veterans Memorial will roll into town next August. 

“I’ve been wanting to do this for 20 years,” said Jim Hastings, who filed the application for the visit. 

The wall replica, managed and maintained by the same organization behind the original – the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund – stops in about 30 communities throughout the country each year. 

It’s called The Wall that Heals, and has been to more than 600 communities since its unveiling in 1996. The first version was built to half-scale of its Washington, D.C., counterpart, but the current model is 375 feet long, and 7.5 feet tall at its highest point."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181213/replica-of-vietnam-memorial-to-visit-bellingham

image from The Wall that Heals page

For more info on the wall please visit http://www.vvmf.org/twth

In the News: Bellingham 140 construction begins; RealID popular at RMV

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

"It’s about to get even busier on the town’s stretch of Rte. 140 – at least for a few months. 

Contractors this week will likely begin a roughly $2.5 million road construction project to widen the intersection at Rte. 140 and Maple and South Maple streets, add lanes, and upgrade the traffic signals. 

“There will be congestion,” Bellingham Department of Public Works Director Don DiMartino said. “There will be construction delays.” 

He suggested drivers try to avoid the area, but acknowledged the route is key on several commutes. Rte. 140 links Bellingham to Interstate 495 and the Franklin commuter rail station, and is close to both downtown and an industrial zone."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180917/rte-140-construction-in-bellingham-expected-to-cause-delays

"More than four months after the state started issuing driver’s licenses that comply with the federal Real ID security law, the standard license continues to be the most popular service option for customers at Registry of Motor Vehicles locations, according to data presented Monday. 

For customers who get their licenses at AAA locations instead of RMV branches, however, the Real ID is the most popular option, Registrar Erin Deveney told the Department of Transportation Board of Directors. 

Massachusetts in March began offering the Real ID-compliant licenses, which require additional documentation to obtain. Starting Oct. 1, 2020, the standard licenses that are not Real ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as identification for domestic air travel or entering federal buildings and nuclear power plants."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180917/rmv-chief-outlines-real-id-wait-time-trends

https://www.mass.gov/guides/real-id

In the News: Y opens farm in Bellingham; Change your Twitter password

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

"Organic, community-harvested tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and other vegetables will be ripe for picking come fall, thanks to the Hockomock Area YMCA’s newest volunteer farm in Bellingham. 

Officials held their ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the developing garden at 200 Center St. on Thursday afternoon, where a crowd gathered to witness the event and tour the new garden area. 

Marykate Bergen, a member of the Health Innovation Team at the YMCA, said the focus is the provide healthier options for children and families. 

“It’s a great way to get people access to healthy, locally-grown food in their own community,” she said. “Also, the volunteer opportunities allow people to get out and be more connected to the future of eating.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180503/bellingham-hockomock-area-ymca-unveils-garden

"Twitter is advising all users to change their passwords. 

The company said Thursday that it recently discovered a bug that stored passwords in an internal log in an unprotected form. 

Twitter says there’s no indication that there was a breach or that any of the passwords were misused. But as a precaution, Twitter recommends users consider changing the passwords they use to log onto Twitter. They should also change that password if they used it for any other services."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180503/twitter-finds-security-bug-advises-changing-passwords

Follow Franklin Matters on Twitter @franklinmatters

In the News: School budget hearing; 65 years of Little League in Franklin; Bellingham bans recreational marijuana sales

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

"Superintendent Sara Ahern released her fiscal 2019 budget plan to the Franklin School Committee during Tuesday’s meeting. 

The overall budget indicates a proposed increase of $3 million over fiscal 2018′s budget, 85 percent of which covers salaries and employee benefits."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180328/franklin-school-committee-proposes-fy-19-budget

Franklin Public Schools - FY19 Budget Hearing from Franklin Matters

"On the sunny afternoon of May 15, 1953, the first Little League pitch in Franklin was thrown. 

Sixty-five years later, the Franklin Historical Museum is commemorating that successful first year of baseball in town. 

Resident Elaine Costello, coordinator of the exhibit, was inspired to pitch the idea after looking back at old photos and newspaper clippings she found in her house. 

“My late husband Mike was on one of the first Little League teams in Franklin in 1953,” she said. “Being the 65th year of baseball in Franklin, I thought it would be nice to have an exhibit celebrating the first year.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180328/remembering-franklins-first-little-league-season

"Special Town Meeting voters Wednesday night opted to ban recreational marijuana sales in town. 

The measure approved by citizens bans most kinds of recreational marijuana facilities - including not only retailers but independent testing laboratories and product manufacturers. Cultivation would be allowed in industrial zones by special permit. 

During consideration, Town Administrator Denis Fraine was asked what would happen if the article were to fail. He said, in theory, retail sales could occur anywhere traditional retail is allowed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180328/bellingham-bans-recreational-marijuana-sales

In the News: Urban Air Adventure open; reverse commuters targeted for MBTA

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

"Though the local Urban Air Adventure Park franchise opened on March 17, anticipation had been building for some time before then. 

“Every night before we’d opened, we would see five or 10 cars driving by and looking in,” said co-owner Chad Darling. 

When the trampoline and family amusement facility had its grand opening, fellow co-owner Andy Powell said, that excitement had reached a fever pitch. 

“We had lines wrapped around the building,” he said. “It was cold, but everyone had a great time - we gave out coffee and doughnuts.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180325/fun-is-in-air-urban-air-adventure-park-opens-in-bellingham

Urban Air Adventure Park franchise opened on March 17

For more about Urban Air Adventure visit their webpage
https://www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com/bellingham-ma/

"The inbound trains are full on weekday mornings. Now Keolis and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority are trying to get passengers on the outbound trains at the same time, embarking on a new marketing campaign to encourage reverse commuting and leisure travel on the commuter rail. 

“The whole principal is driving ridership in ways that aren’t being utilized,” said Dave Walker, director of revenue and marketing at Keolis, the commuter rail operator. “What we’re trying to do is slightly change that balance of where our riders are.” 

Walker said about 90 percent of the roughly 125,000 daily journeys on the commuter rail are taken by 9-to-5 commuters to and from Boston."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180325/keolis-to-push-reverse-commuting-in-campaign-targeting-area

Editorial Note: As a regular Franklin Line commuter, I believe that if the MBTA/Keolis would focus on improving the ride, the ridership will increase. With reliable transportation available, folks will use it. With a poor record, why?

In the News: local businesses help during power outage; not enough candidates in Bellingham

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

"At the Cake Bar also in Franklin, owner Joanne Callahan said a lot of people came in to get work done, since the bakery did not lose power and offers free wireless internet. She said, though, that most of the people seeking refuge or respite came in on Thursday, as Friday had seen power restored to more customers. 

Callahan said she had lost power herself, and had sent her husband out to both make sure the business had lost power and to get her some coffee from the shop. 

The MetroWest YMCA also opened its doors to those without power, member or not. Many families used the WiFi and play spaces as they warmed up, said Lisa Mandozzi, branch executive director."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180309/local-businesses-institutions-help-people-warm-up

"The deadline for candidates to pull papers for this spring’s town election has passed, with only one potentially contested race on the ballot. 

Thursday, March 8 was the last day to seek papers from the town clerk’s office for the May 1 vote, in which multiple selectman and School Committee seats will be up for grabs. 

The only seat for which multiple candidates have pulled papers is a five-year Housing Authority position. Town Clerk Ann Odabashian said newcomer candidates Joseph Fleuette, Billiegene Lavallee and Mark Ladouceur had requested nomination papers; Lawrence Sposato, the incumbent, did not."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180309/dearth-of-candidates-in-bellingham-election

In the News: Cannabis Control Commission; Bellingham bomb investigation continues

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

"The first day of policy debate among state marijuana regulators indicated that the Cannabis Control Commission is working towards industry regulations that would give consumers more options for how they obtain marijuana and where they will be able to use it. 

The commission on Monday worked through policies dealing with home delivery of marijuana products and social consumption of marijuana, among others. The policies, some of which were agreed to Monday, will be enshrined into draft regulations for the newly legal industry, which the CCC plans to put on file with the state by the end of the month. 

The commission spent about an hour Monday discussing how to address social consumption, essentially allowing adults to buy and use marijuana at the same location much like purchasing alcohol at a bar or a cigar at a cigar bar, an idea that the CCC’s advisory board suggested could reduce the risk of children getting a hold of the drug and may limit how much legal marijuana is illegally transported out of state by tourists."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171214/special-event-licenses-home-delivery-marijuana-restrictions-debated

"Federal agents raided the Rhode Island home of a 62-year-old Bellingham High School science teacher earlier this week as part of the ongoing investigation into a pipe bomb that exploded outside the principal’s home in Blackstone last month. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed that a search warrant was executed on Tuesday morning in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in relation to the pipe bombing. City records list the owner of 22 Carey Court as Susan Seery. 

Bellingham School Superintendent Peter Marano confirmed that Seery has been under paid administrative leave since Nov. 15, two days before the pipe bomb incident. Marano released a statement on Thursday night saying they could not comment on the ongoing investigation. 

According to Seery’s son, Michael McNamara, agents kicked in the door of the house at 6 a.m. despite agreeing to a search days prior."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171214/bellingham-instructors-home-raided-by-atf

In the News: veterans walkway bricks for sale; municipal aggregation in Bellingham

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

"The town is doing more to remember not just local veterans, but any veteran or active duty member from anywhere in the country. A newly approved pathway project at the town common offers anyone the chance to buy a dedicated brick for a military person they know. 

The bricks will cost $100 each and proceeds will go into the project and maintenance. Each brick will include the name and branch of the person for which it is dedicated. 

The pathway will stretch from the flagpole at the town common by the war memorial, and circle around to connect with the diagonal walk on the Union Street side. The entire project will cost about $85,000, and will have room for 5,000 to 6,000 bricks dedicated to veterans. As of Monday, nine bricks had been sold. 

Veterans Services Officer Dale Kurtz said it would be great to have the pathway completed by next Veterans Day, but that will depend on funding. Kurtz said once the initial construction is complete, they will periodically replace blank bricks with newly dedicated ones."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171127/franklin-pathway-to-recognize-all-veterans

"The town has signed a new municipal aggregation energy contract in an effort to save local electricity customers money over the next year. 

The contract is the town’s second since it began its aggregation program earlier this year. With municipal aggregation, towns look to save money from the utility company’s default rate by seeking bids from energy suppliers. 

The town announced the 12-month agreement, with Agera Energy, on Monday. Its standard option charges 11.5 cents per kilowatt hour - a rate Town Administrator Denis Fraine said is about a penny lower than National Grid’s default rate and two cents below the Eversource charge. The new Bellingham rate is set to take effect in December. 

The contract comes with the expiration of the town’s one-year contract with NextEra. Fraine noted that the new rate would be higher than that contract’s 8.68 cents per kilowatt hour charge, but said that reflected an across-the-board jump in prices."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171127/bellingham-signs-energy-contract

Update: Franklin also has a municipal aggregation program. The Town has gone to bid three times and have yet to get a good rate to start. Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen wants to get a good differential rate for the first time out as the rate will change over time (as shown in the Bellingham article).

The Municipal Aggregation program documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/municipal-aggregation-program.html

• From the Town Council meeting where this was approved

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/03/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

cover page of presentation to Town Council on Aggregation Program

“Now, the common is really decorated nicely”

You can get Santa twice this weekend. Saturday in Bellingham and Sunday in Franklin.  From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Santa Claus will take a quick jaunt through Bellingham Saturday evening before being delivered to the town common for a lighting ceremony involving hot cocoa, holiday songs and seasonal cheer. 

Santa’s journey will start at 5:25 p.m. at the Bellingham Middle School, and he will be escorted along South Main Street to the common. Local residents are invited to join the escort or view the procession along the route while students hand out candy canes. 

Santa’s quick trip to the common is organized by the Bellingham Lions Club. 

The lighting itself - which begins at 6 p.m. - is a tradition that dates back to the establishment of the town common 20 years ago. Town Common Trustee Chairwoman Joanne Arcand said the ceremony had grown a lot over the years."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171124/bellingham-town-common-lighting-set-for-saturday


Reminder: The Committee For Concerts on the Common presents The Annual Christmas on the Common Sunday, November 26, 2017 - 4:00 PM

Annual Christmas on the Common - Sunday, Nov 28 - 4:00 PM

Additional info on Franklin's event can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/annual-christmas-on-common-sunday-nov.html

In the News: Bellingham to set split tax rates

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

"This year’s tax rate is expected to hew closely to last year’s, town officials announced this week. 

Selectmen held a tax classification hearing on Monday, with the board opting to retain its current split between residential and commercial tax rates. The hearing was continued to Nov. 29, as issues related to power-plant payments in lieu of taxes must be settled. 

Town Chief Financial Officer Chris Laviolette said the proposed tax rate for a residential property would be $14.34 per thousand dollars of assessed value - the same amount as last year’s actual tax rate. He noted, though, that the number could be affected by a number of things, including abatements and exemptions for taxpayers who meet certain criteria (those who are veterans, blind or elderly, for example)."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171121/bellingham-retains-tax-shift

At the tax rate hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Nov 29, the Town Council will make a couple of decisions. The two significant decisions would be (1) single rate vs. split tax rate and (2) agreeing with the Board of Assessors math to set the Franklin FY 2018 tax rate.

Franklin has historically had a single tax rate. To move to a split rate would mean that lowering the residential rate by $1 would raise the business/commercial rate by $4. The amount of commercial industrial property in Franklin is not sufficient to justify a split tax rate.

In advance of the actual calculations for this year, you can find the prior year numbers in the archives:

FY 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/2-police-officers-sworn-in-tax-rate-set.html

FY 2015
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/the-town-council-reorganizes-sort-of.html

What does the Board of Assessors do?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-prep-what-does-board-of.html


MA DLS has a nice Prop 2 1/2 explanation that can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/dor/docs/dls/publ/misc/levylimits.pdf

NEHSCA Info Night - Nov 27 - 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Middle and High school mountain bike racing has come to New England. 

Monday November 27, 2017 at the Bellingham Public Library the Franklin/Bellingham based team Charles River Rats will be hosting an open house for people to come learn about riding and racing for their 5th - 12th grade kids. 

Reach out to coach Rob Rood @ overthesummitcoaching@gmail.com for more information. Stop by at any time to meet the coaches, league officials and team members.

11/27 6 PM - 7:30 PM 
Bellingham Public Library Community Room
100 Blackstone St, Bellingham, MA 02019

NEHSCA Info Night - Nov 27 - 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Regards,
Rob
Head Coach, Over The Summit Coaching
overthesummitcoaching@gmail.com
OverTheSummitCoaching.com

Opioid Crises Forum - Nov 14

Opioid Crisis Forum is scheduled for the Bellingham Library Nov. 14, 7-9 PM

The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office and the Bellingham Police Department, in conjunction with the S.A.F.E. Coalition, will be presenting a public forum on the opioid crisis affecting Norfolk County, as well as the rest of Massachusetts and the country. 

This past year, in Norfolk County alone, over 200 mostly adolescent and youthful citizens have died from this epidemic. Many more, of course, have been impacted - their families, their children, the justice and health systems.

The forum will present diverse and developing treatment and support factors that influence addicts and their families with the focus on Bellingham and Norfolk County.

Opioid Crisis Forum - Bellingham Library - Nov. 14

Find the Facebook event here

https://www.facebook.com/events/174307459788870/

#2069

Opioid Crisis Forum - Bellingham Library - Nov. 14

Opioid Crisis Forum to be held at the Bellingham Library Nov. 14, 7-9PM

The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office and the Bellingham Police Department, in conjunction with the S.A.F.E. Coalition, will be presenting a public forum on the opioid crisis affecting Norfolk County, as well as the rest of Massachusetts and the country. 

This past year, in Norfolk County alone, over 200 mostly adolescent and youthful citizens have died from this epidemic. Many more, of course, have been impacted - their families, their children, the justice and health systems.

The forum will present diverse and developing treatment and support factors that influence addicts and their families with the focus on Bellingham and Norfolk County.

Opioid Crisis Forum - Bellingham Library - Nov. 14