Franklin turns 239 - come and celebrate at the Birthday Party - March 5

The Franklin Historical Museum will celebrate our Town’s 239th Birthday on Sunday March 5th in the museum library at 1:00PM. All are invited to visit the museum and share in the celebration.

Franklin’s rich history began with the establishment of the official town charter on March 2, 1778. The original founding fathers, with such names as Pond, Failes, Fisher, Metcalf, Hawes, Whiting, Partridge, Clark and Darling, to name a few, originally intended to name our town Exeter. Upon hearing of the exciting news that was just hitting the shores of our young country, these men scratched out the name Exeter and instead applied to establish the town of Franklin. This gesture was to honor Diplomat Benjamin Franklin who had just successfully negotiated a treaty with France as an ally against Great Britain during the Revolutionary War.

So we celebrate the name, the man and our town each year, reminding ourselves of our place in history. To help celebrate, we invite all residents who share their March 2nd birthday with the town to join us. You will be recognized for your shared birthday and your own place in history. All residents are invited to join us for cake and coffee on Sunday the 5th at 1:00PM.

The museum is located at 80 West Central Street and is wheelchair accessible.

Visit the Historical Museum online  http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/
 

Franklin Historical Museum

"He’s the heart and soul of our team"

By KEN HAMWEY, Staff Sports Writer for localtownpages - Franklin

"Some may think that Franklin High basketball coach CJ Neely is overly effusive in describing junior captain Paul Mahon. 

The Panthers’ coach, who directed his squad to the Sectional finals last year and a co-championship in the Kelly-Rex Division of the Hockomock League, is extremely bullish on his off-guard, calling him “a coach’s dream, one of the best defensive players in the league, the ultimate competitor and a good person, on and off the court.’’ 

Mahon, a 5-foot-10, 155-pound off-guard, is indeed special. He’s humble in his role as Franklin’s only captain, and he’s willing to learn what he doesn’t know. He’s also encouraging when teammates need an emotional lift, and he’s quick to offer assistance and friendship to the less fortunate. 

Consider this situation — his best friend since early childhood is a Down syndrome youth, and Mahon often shoots jump shots with him in their back yards or in Franklin High’s gym. The 17-year-old Mahon also attends his friend’s Special Olympics events. “I always try to encourage him,’’ Mahon said."

Continue reading the article online
http://www.localtownpages.com/content/mahon-classy-captain-franklin-hoop-squad

FHS Boys Basketball Captain Paul Mahon

"I just wanted to make Franklin competitive"

By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer for localtownpages - Franklin

"On April 29, in a ceremony taking place at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, the Franklin Wrestling Program, under the guidance of Coach Carmine Colace, will be inducted into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as the Team of the Decade for the 1990’s. 

Throughout the 90’s the Panther grapplers were able to win seven state championships (1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1998, 1999 and 2000), finished second twice; won eight Hockomock League Titles (including six in a row from 1990-95) had two undefeated seasons and averaged 20 wins per season with Colace at the helm. What’s even more impressive is throughout his coaching career, Colace’s teams have collected 10 State Titles, finished second five times and during his 25 year run have never finished lower than fifth once they reached the Sectionals. 

“Wrestling in the state of Massachusetts had some dominant teams in the 60’s, but nothing like the team we had here at Franklin,” Colace said. “The 1999 team was probably the best team that we have ever had here, and we actually lost a game that year. During the State Tournament, we had already wrapped up the title after the first day of competition and really didn’t need to wrestle on day two. That’s how impressive they were.”

Continue reading the article online
http://www.localtownpages.com/content/franklin-wrestling-makes-history-thanks-coach-colace

Franklin Wrestling Makes History Thanks to Coach Colace

Fall foliage in Franklin - 2016

As I have walked around Franklin the past several weeks, I have enjoyed the fall foliage. With my phone camera handy I have captured quite a few photos and here is the best of the lot.

Enjoy!




The photos are embedded as part of a Flickr album.

You can also view the photos directly at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/albums/72157674822931832

If you have good ones to share, please let me know via email!

Previews of the new Town of Franklin webpage

What will the new Town of Franklin website look like? Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided several screenshots (shown below) and a list of the features as a result of the upgrade:

• There will be email subscription pages for Town Council agendas and roll calls, all legal notices and public hearings, and job postings. Anyone can subscribe to email lists to get notices on those topics and more
• A new GIS and Maps page focusing on the wealth of GIS services the town has, and some fun maps to browse
• A new Franklin Development site filled with information and available sites for commercial development, as well as a wealth of town demographic information
• A new 'one stop shop' for all social media accounts for the town and school departments and organizations
• Revamped calendar with auto downloads to smartphone calendars and RSS feeds
• A new Town Council page, with member profiles and subcommittee information
• A "Meet Me in Franklin" page that highlights some of the unique places of interest for residents and visitors of Franklin
• Town Blog for the most up to date news
• An ever changing rotation of pictures of Franklin throughout the site
• Enhanced search capabilities
• Customer service request forms
• And much more ...

Instead of using Franklin.MA.US you can now go to FranklinMA.GOV

new Town of Franklin home page

new Town of Franklin - Town Administrator page

new Town of Franklin - calendar page

new Town of Franklin - Town Clerk page

new Town of Franklin - online payments page

new Town of Franklin - social media accounts page. Want to follow the Twitter account or Facebook page?

To repeat what was mentioned in the post earlier this week
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/overhauled-in-effort-to-make-it-more.html

One of the drawbacks of the new site will be the links from here to the Franklin website will break. There is supposed to be a landing page for those who find a broken link with advice for what to do next. As most of the content did get copied over to the new site, a search of the new site should find it.

If what you look for you find here and don't successfully link to there, let me know. There are thousands of possible links to fix and I will do them upon request.

I had a habit of making my own copy of most documents to always provide a good link for readers. This was especially the case for something posted to the 'Franklin News" page which was cleaned out periodically (and broke all the links as soon as the cleaning took place).

While there are thousands of links that could break, I hope that you won't find too many. If you do, please comment on that posting or send me an email (shersteve @ gmail. dot com), and I'll find the doc and fix the link.

"overhauled in an effort to make it more accessible for those on the go"

"The new town website will go live this week, with officials touting its mobile-friendly design and better organization of information. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the site is scheduled to go up on Thursday, Oct. 20, but it may be a few days before visitors see the changes. He said it typically takes one to two days for new pages to go live. 

Among the new features of the site will be email subscription offerings for additional items (like Town Council agendas, legal notices and public hearings) and a development page, aimed at providing information on available commercial properties."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161017/new-franklin-website-launches-this-week

new mobile version of Town of  Franklin webpage

new mobile version of Town of  Franklin webpage - another page view

One of the drawbacks of the new site will be the links from here to the Franklin website will break. There is supposed to be a landing page for those who find a broken link with advice for what to do next. As most of the content did get copied over to the new site, a search of the new site should find it.

If what you look for you find here and don't successfully link to there, let me know. There are thousands of possible links to fix and I will do them upon request.

I had a habit of making my own copy of most documents to always provide a good link for readers. This was especially the case for something posted to the 'Franklin News" page which was cleaned out periodically (and broke all the links as soon as the cleaning took place).

While there are thousands of links that could break, I hope that you won't find too many. If you do, please comment on that posting or send me an email (shersteve @ gmail. dot com), and I'll find the doc and fix the link.

"We'll likely never get to a point where the project is 'done.'"

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

"The town hopes to launch a new version of its website later this fall, with a focus on mobile accessibility and a smoother flow of information. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the change, set for late October or early November, represents a reorganization and rebranding of the site. 

"We're looking to make it mobile-friendly," he said. "When you look at the site on a smart phone, we want town forms and applications to be available." 

Hellen said the new site will feature a lot of interactive mapping and land-use data, allowing easier access to town information.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160918/franklin-town-website-relaunch-coming

The look and feel of the Town of Franklin webpage will change in Oct or November

Franklin can use your help!

The Town of Franklin encourages all residents who are interested in volunteering to apply now to any committee. If you have been curious or interested in giving your time, expertise or perspective on behalf of your community, now is an excellent time to get involved.

Current Committee Vacancies:

• Community Garden 2 Term 1 year
• Cultural Council 4 Term 3 years
• Finance 1 Term 1 year
• Council on Aging 1 Term 1 year

To apply for a volunteer position on a Town Committee, please visit the Town’s website and fill out the online volunteer form at:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf

Franklin can use your help in a number of volunteer committee positions

Interested parties may also visit the Town Administrator’s Office in the Municipal Building to fill out an application in person or call the office to have staff assist in applying.

If there are no current vacancies for a committee you are interested in, please apply and we will keep you application on file until one comes up.

For more information or questions about a Board or Committee, please visit the individual committee website or contact the Town Administrator’s Office, at 508-520-4949.


This was shared from the official Town of Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024C5CF1-000F8513

or find a copy here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczYWwzZ1JwQkJmdzQ/view?usp=sharing

Town office closed Monday, trash delayed one day this week

"Residents- Please remember Trash and Recycling will be delayed a day due to the Labor Day Holiday on Mon Sept 5th."

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/771348632339611648

trash and recycling by the roadside as required

pic.twitter.com/Q48gjYsKT5

— Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) September 1, 2016

Franklin Public Schools: MICCA Music Awards

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello

1 
- Happy Spring vacation - please see the announcement below

Our music students in grades 6-12 all won medals at the State MICCA festival. Congratulations to all.

2 
- Please note the FHS Main Office will be closed next week. 

All FHS administrative offices will be closed during vacation week due to water damage repairs. Work permits may be completed when we return from vacation on April 25th.

------------

The Franklin Music ensembles had a wonderful outcome at the MICCA Music Festival. All eleven of the Franklin ensembles that performed received a medal. Below are the ensembles that performed along with the medals that they received.

• FHS Chorus - Silver
• FHS Select Chorus - Silver
• FHS Concert Band - Bronze
• FHS Orchestra - Silver
• FHS Wind Ensemble - Silver
• Annie Sullivan Middle School Band - Bronze
• Combined Middle School Orchestra - Gold
• Middle School Honors Choir - Silver
• Horace Mann Middle School Band - Silver
• Remington Symphony Band - Silver
• Franklin Repertory Orchestra - Gold

Congratulations to our musicians

Thank you parents, music boosters and faculty for your support for all of our young musicians!

MICCA

The Town of Franklin is now on YouTube!

The Town of Franklin is now on YouTube! Please visit the following icon below to the Town's Official YouTube page to check in for exclusive content, interviews with town staff, videos and pictures of the work town government is doing. 

We plan to add many clips of Franklin TV's "Our Franklin" program with town officials and projects going on around town. 

Please contact the Deputy Administrator, Jamie Hellen at 508-553-4887 or jhellen@franklin.ma.us with any feedback, ideas or stuff you'd like to see.

Franklin YouTube

"We want our website to be much more friendly"

"The town is looking at ways to improve its website, including making services available to those using mobile phones and tablets. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, who started in his position earlier this year, said the town has been in the midst of evaluating its communication with local residents. 

"Since I've been here, I've been talking a lot with town departments, folks in the community and the Town Council, and there's at least some interest in a recharged effort to expand some services we offer online," he said. The exact nature of the expanded services has yet to be determined."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160307/franklin-may-improve-website

I applaud the efforts Franklin is taking in this arena. Jamie 'gets it' and in a short time has made good progress with more underway.

online bill pay

Finally, a Top 50 that has Franklin Schools

Via the Westwood Patch, the radar reveals:

"Niche.com, a national research group started by Carnegie Mellon University, recently released its 2015 list of school districts with the best teachers throughout the nation, as well as the commonwealth of Massachusetts."

The Top 50 listing for teachers has Franklin in the 14th position for MA.

"Here is a look at the commonwealth’s 50 school districts as ranked by Niche.com

1. Westwood Public Schools
2. Newton Public Schools
3. Lexington Public Schools
4. Northboro-Southboro Regional School District
5. Westford Public Schools
6. Acton-Boxborough Regional School District
7. Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School District
8. Masconomet Public Schools
9. Brookline Public Schools
10. Needham Public Schools
11. Braintree Public Schools
12. Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
13. Shrewsbury Public Schools
14. Franklin Public Schools
15. Cambridge Public Schools"

http://patch.com/massachusetts/westwood/50-school-districts-best-teachers-ma-0

Click through to https://k12.niche.com/ to explore the other listings

Franklin Liquors: Happy 237th Birthday Franklin MA! One Day Wine Sale 3/1/15

From Mark Lenzi at Franklin Liquors

Back in February 1978 after a “small” snow storm our dad purchased Jimmies Package store. For those of you not familiar with it or its location it was historic in town. One half was a liquor store the other a tobacco/penny candy/soda fountain AND both sides connected. Located in the center of town looking there now you would never know it existed. There is an empty lot before the railroad bridge left of HR Block and across from The Rome Restaurant.

Jimmies Liquor Store - downtown Franklin

parade passing by Jimmies Liquor Store - downtown Franklin

When it came time to change the name there was none better than FRANKLIN Liquors. Our whole family has deep roots in Franklin, gradates of the schools and all still living in the town today. As a child I can remember walking from Davis Thayer School To CCD at St Mary’s BUT having to stop for candy first.

In 1986 we relocated the store, one of many changes in the town over the years due to growth. We are proud to be family owned and Franklin residents!

Check out the wine specials and the remainder of the Happy Birthday Franklin posting here:
https://franklinliquors.wordpress.com/2015/02/26/happy-237th-birthday-franklin-ma-one-day-wine-sale-3115/

Reminder: Franklin's 237th Birthday is a good reason for a party!

The Franklin Historical Commission will celebrate our town's birthday with a party at the Museum on Sunday March 1st.

The public is invited and encouraged to join the Commission for cake and refreshments as we commemorate the Town of Franklin's 237th Birthday.

Originally to be named Exeter when the charter was filed on March 2, 1778, our town took the name Franklin after the famous diplomat and revolutionary, Benjamin Franklin
.
Local residents who were born on March 2nd have received an invitation from Historical Commission Chairperson, Debbie Pellegri, inviting them to the museum to celebrate their shared birthday with the town. 

From young children to seniors, as many as 88 town residents have a March 2nd birthday. All invitees in attendance born on March 2nd, will be entered in a free raffle for a $100 prize!

Sunday March 1st, 1:00PM, Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin.

The Franklin Historical Museum in warmer times

For additional information on the Museum and exhibts, visit their webpage
http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/

Party - Town of Franklin's 237th Birthday - March 1

The Franklin Historical Commission will celebrate our town's birthday with a party at the Museum on Sunday March 1st.

The public is invited and encouraged to join the Commission for cake and refreshments as we commemorate the Town of Franklin's 237th Birthday.

Originally to be named Exeter when the charter was filed on March 2, 1778, our town took the name Franklin after the famous diplomat and revolutionary, Benjamin Franklin
.
Local residents who were born on March 2nd have received an invitation from Historical Commission Chairperson, Debbie Pellegri, inviting them to the museum to celebrate their shared birthday with the town. 

From young children to seniors, as many as 88 town residents have a March 2nd birthday. All invitees in attendance born on March 2nd, will be entered in a free raffle for a $100 prize!

Sunday March 1st, 1:00PM, Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin.

The Franklin Historical Museum in warmer times

For additional information on the Museum and exhibts, visit their webpage
http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/

STUDENT Holidays SPECIALS from Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin!

STUDENT HOLIDAY SPECIAL Welcome home students.  The holidays are an important time to reconnect with family and friends and enjoy lots of good food and drink. Below are the specials we are running for college students for keeping you fit and strong while at home. We look forward to welcoming you back to the club and helping you to reconnect with the friends you haven't seen in a while.  Team Fitness/CrossFit Franklin Student Thanksgiving/Holiday/Winter/Spring/Summer Specials                         TFF Regular     Special Price        CFF Regular    Special Thanksgiving**     $10                 Included                  $29.95            Included Holiday/Winter**   $29.95           Included                  $59                  Included Spring                    $10                 Included                  $29.95            Included Summer                $104               Included                  $297               Included Total                     $153.95        $119.95*             $415.90        $299* *Special price available ONLY 11/17/14-12/31/14. **Must be paid in full during time period indicated.      If you join either at Thanksgiving or at winter holiday break, AND pay in full at sign up, you can receive the special pricing that will include membership through next summer.        $119 for Team Fitness membership and  $299 for CrossFit Franklin membership.   We look forward to seeing you soon.  The Team at Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin

Forward this email Team Fitness Franklin | 100 Franklin Village Drive | Franklin | MA | 02038

Franklin uncovered

Those commuting via the MBTA from the downtown station saw the stones reappear this week. A couple of folks cleared out the brush and growth to reveal the rocks before applying a fresh coat of paint.

"old time" Franklin has reappeared!

view from the stairway to the downtown station

from the platform on a sunny Saturday

framed from the Berry Ins - Depot Building parking lot

Updated: The gentlemen who did the work were Tony Marzullo and Steven Pellegri with paint provided by Judith Pond Pfeffer

Curious: Does anyone know when this first appeared?

Mark your Calendars for Hockomock Area YMCA Spooky Games!

The Hockomock Area YMCA invites area residents to enjoy a spooktacular evening as Spooky Games returns on Friday, October 24th from 6:30PM-8:00PM at its Bernon Family Branch (45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin), Invensys Foxboro Branch (67 Mechanic Street, Foxboro), and North Attleboro Branch (300 Elmwood Street, North Attleboro). 

This FREE event is open to members and non-members alike. Participants are encouraged to dress in costume. 

• The theme for the Bernon Family Branch is ‘Night at the Movies”. The Bernon Family Branch staff invites participants to visit Olaf’s Ice Adventure, Maneuver through our Lego Movie Obstacle Course, Journey the Road to Oz, and meet the Sanderson Sisters, and more. 
• The theme for the Invensys Foxboro Branch is ‘Haunted School House’. The Invensys Foxboro staff invites participants to play ghoulish games in math class, experiment in the horror lab, dare to try lunch lady snacks, and to beware of the Principal’s office. 
• The theme for the North Attleboro Branch is ‘Never Never Land, the dwelling place of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and the lost boys.’ The North Attleboro staff invites participants to visit Mermaid Lagoon and seek out the Treasure of the Tides, venture to Pixie Hollow to find fairies and fun, and to hike the Indian Camp to check on Chief and Princess Tiger Lily. 

Hockomock YMCA

At dusk, anyone seven years of age or older will want to head outdoors to check out Franklin branch’s ‘Batman’s Arcam City’ Haunted Woods or North Attleboro branch’s “Never Never Never Land’ Haunted Woods” both proudly presented by the Y’s Teen departments and volunteers. 

Admission to the outdoor activity will be $4.00 per person. For more information, call Michael Mahoney at 508-643-5265 or visit our website at www.hockymca.org.

Walking around Franklin

Out walking this weekend, I find the stone walls and site preparations are still underway at the entrance to Chestnut Ridge.

stone wall at entrance to Chestnut Ridge

If you missed what is going in at this location, it is a "congregate assisted living facility".
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/whats-going-in-at-rockpile.html



The signs are in place for the new location of the Franklin Art Center

Franklin Art Center

They moved effective Sep 1 from the Berry Building downtown to this location next to the Municipal Building (near the Alumni Restaurant, across from the Big Y).
http://franklinartcenter.com/