In the News: another safe city recognition; volunteers step up for the 4th

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

"Parents might be happy to learn that Franklin has been named one of the top 30 safest cities in the country to raise a child in 2017. 

According to SafeWise.com Franklin comes in at number 12 on the list, namely because of its quality schooling and for winning the 7th Annual AP Honor Roll Award for superior high schools. 

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting said he is proud to learn of the recognition and “happy to accept the results.” 

Nutting, an eight-year Franklin resident, said the list is long as to why he likes living in town."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170628/franklin-one-of-safest-for-raising-children

"As a child, it was a family tradition for Michelle Beaupre to attend the town’s annual Fourth of July celebration. 

“I grew up in Norfolk and it’s something that we often went to. It’s something I’ve gone to since I was a kid,” Beaupre said. 

The parade and fireworks were always a highlight, the Franklin resident said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170628/volunteers-keep-franklins-july-4th-tradition-going

the carnival rides are set up on the Town Common and ready for the 4th of July Celebration

Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operations Hope To Yield Safety Improvements

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian safety in Franklin, the Franklin Police will conduct a pedestrian safety enforcement operation that focuses on motorists who fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.

Pedestrian safety is a key issue in our community, and the Franklin Police Department is committed to upholding pedestrian safety laws to protect our citizens.

The Franklin Police Department strongly encourages members of the community to follow basic safe practices:

Traffic safety is everyone's
personal responsibility

• Drivers should be on the lookout for and stop for pedestrians.
• Drivers should stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk and stay stopped until the pedestrian is two traffic lanes away or has reached the sidewalk.
• Pedestrians should use a crosswalk when crossing the street and obey pedestrian signals.
• Pedestrians should look both ways for traffic before crossing and ensure cars are yielding before crossing. Remember that having the right-of-way does not prevent you from being seriously injured by a driver who is not paying attention. Traffic safety is everyone's personal responsibility.
• Pedestrians should wear bright colored, reflective clothing and use a flashlight when walking during hours of darkness. Be visible!

We are committed to doing our part to keep the community safe. We urge every member of the community to help by keeping themselves safe and following basic rules of the road.


This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/news/pedestrian-safety-enforcement

The PDF of the media release can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2017_media_release_pedestrian_safety.pdf

Live reporting: School Safety Update

3. Guests/Presentations

b. School Safety Presentation - Peter Light, Dr. Maureen Sabolinski

School Safety Update from Franklin Matters

School Safety Presentation - Peter Light, Dr. Maureen Sabolinski

In the News: Superintendent search narrows to 3; another 'safest city' recognition

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

"In daytime work session Thursday, a special town committee narrowed its list of candidates for school superintendent to three. 

Making the cut following a series of meetings are Blackstone-Millville Assistant Superintendent David Thomson, Chelmsford Assistant Superintendent Linda Hirsch and Weymouth Assistant Superintendent Susan Kustka. The committee did not advance Wareham Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood. 

The committee - which includes the Franklin School Committee as well as Town Councilor Thomas Mercer, high school Principal Paul Peri, teachers association President Donna Grady and parent Sarah Mulcahy - will now visit the home districts of the candidates. The group also scheduled a public forum with the candidates for Feb. 1."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170119/franklin-superintendent-candidates-narrowed-to-three

Spruce Pond sunrise

"A website has named Franklin the fourth-safest city in America, continuing a multi-year streak in which the community's safety has been lauded. 

The site - location-based analytics search engine NeighborhoodScout - released its lists of both the top 100 safest cities and top 100 most dangerous cities on Jan. 9. A company spokeswoman said the list is based on the latest FBI crime data - in this case, from 2015 - as well as the population of each city. 

This is not the first year NeighborhoodScout's list has recognized Franklin. In 2012, the community ranked as the second safest city in the U.S., and since then has been ranked first in 2013, first in 2014 and seventh in 2015."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170119/franklin-named-fourth-safest-town-in-us

NeighborhoodScout screen grab

"The Good Samaritan law removes a key barrier"

"Tuesday, May 17 at the State House, Governor Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey unveiled a new public information campaign to encourage people to call 911 for emergency medical services at the first signs of a drug overdose. Along with Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Department of Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel and members of the law enforcement community, state officials launched the $250,000 Make the Right Call campaign to promote the Massachusetts 911 Good Samaritan Law.

This law provides protection to individuals seeking medical assistance for themselves or someone else experiencing a drug-related overdose, including opioid-related overdoses, without the risk of charges of possession of a controlled substance."

• Continue reading the Governor's press release

http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2016/administration-ags-office-call-911-during-overdoses.html

Make the Right Call

Make the Right Call targets active users of opioids and their friends and families with a simple message that they shouldn’t be afraid to seek help when they see an overdose. The campaign includes billboards, and advertisements on street furniture and other public environments where overdoses can take place. Viewers are directed to the website for more information on what to say when calling 911, what to do while waiting for help to arrive, and where they can access the overdose reversal tool Naloxone, more commonly called Narcan.

• Make the Right Call website

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/substance-abuse/make-the-right-call-public-information-campaign.html

Franklin Saving Lives During "Click It or Ticket"

The Franklin Police Department, in partnership with the Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Massachusetts State Police, and more than 200 Massachusetts police departments, will take part in the national Click It or Ticket campaign between May 9th and May 23rd. This high-visibility enforcement campaign will promote seat belt use through increased traffic enforcement. The campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“Our goal is to save lives,” said Deputy Chief Thomas Lynch. “As we kick-off the busy summer driving season, it is crucial that all motorists buckle up every time they go out, day and night – no excuses. Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt, including drivers who have neglected to properly buckle their children.”

Franklin Police

The national seat belt usage rate is 88.5% (NHTSA). Massachusetts is falling behind at 74%, with a 3% reduction in usage rate between 2014 and 2015.

In Massachusetts, many fatally injured occupants are unbuckled. According to NHTSA, in 2014, nearly half of the 21,022 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes across the country were unrestrained.

“While these may just sound like statistics, local police know from personal experience that those numbers represent mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and friends in Franklin,” said Jeff Larason, Director of the Highway Safety Division. “If we increase our seat belt usage rate, we save lives, and that’s why the police are out enforcing this important law.”

As part of the Click It or Ticket mobilization, at 6:00 pm on May 23rd, state and local police departments including Franklin will join law enforcement agencies across the East Coast in mobilizing the “Border to Border” Operation. This initiative provides increased seat belt enforcement at state borders, sending a ‘zero tolerance’ message to the public: driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket, no matter what state, no matter what time.

Click It or Ticket

• This was shared from the Franklin Police Department

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PoliceNews/023D9ABF-000F8513.0/May2016TrafficCampaign.pdf

In the News: Franklin school safety, internet purchase safe zones

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Two local schools are testing out a system that will allow officials more control over who is allowed in the buildings and to keep track of visitors once they're inside. 

The system - currently being tested at Franklin High School and Gerald E. Parmenter Elementary School - has been in place since October. 

Once visitors are buzzed into the school, they're greeted by a school employee who asks them about their reason for entering and scans their license. 

"We make sure the license matches, put where they're going into the computer and it prints out a badge," said Erica Demers, who mans the desk at Parmenter. "We put a sticker on the badge, and it fades after a while, so people can't reuse them."

Parmenter School sign announcing PCC meeting on Feb 5

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160130/schools-testing-visitor-id-system

Looking for a safe place to meet someone after arranging to buy an item online but you don't want to get ripped off, robbed or worse? Area police departments are now offering a safe location for those transactions. 

The locations are called Internet Purchase Exchange Locations (IPEL) or Safe Trade Stations and are an easy spot to meet after making a deal on local “yard sale” groups on Facebook, local buying and selling apps such as “Close5” and “OfferUp,” or the ever-popular “Craigslist.” 

Rather than meet up with a worst-case scenario such as Philip Markoff, “The Craigslist Killer” who, in 2009, was charged with robbing and killing Boston-area victims he met on Craigslist, buyers and sellers can meet in a well-lit, video-recorded spot.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160130/safe-exchange-zones-springing-up-at-metrowest-milford-area-police-departments


The Safe Trade Station website mentioned in the article needs to get updated for the MA locations also referenced in the article.  http://www.safetradestations.com/

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Weekend Navigation Course

"Navigation has changed since the “old days” when navigators plotted a course relying on dead-reckoning and seeing a buoy was a bonus. Today we have inexpensive Global Positioning Systems (GPS) - even in our cell phones - that can enable you to pinpoint your position anywhere on the face of the earth. However, while electronics can be very helpful, easy to use, and accurate, they can also break or quit. Knowing how to navigate with electronics is useful, but knowing how to navigate the traditional way using dividers, parallel rulers, and a compass could make the difference between survival and a catastrophe. 

The Coast Guard Auxiliary's Weekend Navigator course combines our Basic Navigation Course, and our Advanced Navigation course, which can be taught separately. 

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Weekend Navigation Course

The basic portions of Weekend Navigator are designed to give the student the rudiments of navigation by using GPS, and the back-up skill of navigation using charts, navigation plotting tools, and dead-reckoning. The intent is to provide the student with a solid foundation with emphasis on technique and not blind reliance on electronics. GPS will be mentioned and discussed as it relates to plotting waypoints, etc. 

The advanced portion of the course covers the use of GPS and other electronic devices in more technical detail as well as some more sophisticated traditional navigation skills as back-ups. An added segment covers fuel management, which is the final crucial issue for all power boat navigation."

The flyer can be viewed here

Course: Weekend Navigator

Start Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2016
End Date: Wed, 06 Apr 2016

Days: Wednesday
Hours: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Duration: 7 Weeks
Lessons: 7

Location: Milford High School; Room C-8 
Contact: Cheryl Douglas 
31 West Fountain Street 
Milford, MA 01757 
cdouglas@milfordma.com
(508) 478-1119 

Phil Kubat 
(508) 478-3778 

Course Cost: R: $135, NR: $145

Register By: Sat, 13 Feb 2016

For additional info visit the website here

http://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/classes/2011/wn.php

Franklin Public Schools: Update on Pattern of Unspecified Threats

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Good Morning-

If you have been watching the news you know that a pattern of unspecified threats have been directed at schools in Massachusetts. We can report that the Franklin Public Schools have not received any threats. However, we have taken precautions to assure the safety of our students and faculty.  

The Franklin Police have been in communication with us about these incidents and we have reviewed protocols with our School Resource Officers. Our district and building administrators have been directed to review safety protocols for threats with office personnel teachers and staff. In the event of a situation, we will follow our administrative protocols and will communicate to all stakeholders.  

We thank you for your support and understanding as we endeavor to maintain a safe learning environment for our students and personnel.

Respectfully,

Maureen Sabolinski, Superintendent

Sally Winslow, Assistant Superintendent

FHS in the rain

Recent news

• The Boston Globe report on threats to MA schools

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/01/19/arlington-high-school-closing-early-after-threat-bombing-shooting-received/4dZJToXJ3R4BMH2N3NNOtK/story.html

• CBS Boston reports on 15 MA communities receiving threats this week

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/01/19/schools-closed-bomb-threats-massachusetts-recorded-messages/

• NH schools close in December

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/12/20/nashua-schools-closed-violent-threats/77676674/

• LA schools close in December

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/15/us/los-angeles-schools-closed-threat/

Follow up on crumb rubber by FOX 25 (video)

FOX25 did a piece on the recent letter by three legislators requesting info on the crumb rubber issue.





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

If you missed the letter, that can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/12/massachusetts-legislators-submit-letter.html

installation of the new turf field at FHS during the summer (field is in full use now)

Massachusetts Legislators submit letter to United States Consumer Product Safety Commission

Tire crumb rubber and rubber mulch request for regulation and analysis submitted

December 16, 2015 -  Massachusetts delegates including Senator Karen Spilka, State Representatives Jeff Roy and John Fernandes have requested the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulate interior and exterior use of crumb rubber as a children's product due to exposure on playground and artificial turf fields.

Tire crumb rubber and rubber mulch is used in playgrounds and turf fields across the U.S. The usage began in the 90s as a way to dispose of used tires. Typically, the fields and playgrounds are sold to a city or state with promise of less maintenance and increased playtime,  yet the tire derived materials have never been evaluated by the CPSC for exposure risk to users.

The delegate's letter to the CPSC requests analysis to offer concrete conclusions and recommendations to ensure the safety of children and adults who use crumb rubber and turf fields. Specifically, the delegates requested the CPSC investigate:

• Identifying potential hazards resulting from ingestion and inhalation of toxins released from crumb rubber during heat spikes and outgassing;
• Detecting the existence of known human carcinogens;
• Locating the presence of lead and other toxins;
• Examining any danger presented by the natural aging and decomposition; and
• investigating any potential risks to child or adult users.

The delegate's letter is a result of an October 2015 request by residents from Medway, Franklin and Holliston requesting the Representatives request regulation of tire crumb rubber as a children's product on the basis of the use on synthetic turf fields and rubber mulch playgrounds by children. 

"We thank Senator Spilka and Representatives Roy and Fernandes for their attention and action regarding the use of recycled tires on playing fields and playgrounds," said Tracy Stewart, Mass Chapter lead of The Safe, Healthy Playing Fields Coalition.  "The unique sell-in of this product has bypassed regulation for decades; however, it has become more concerning over the past ten years while over 12,000 turf fields have been installed exposing young people and adults to chemicals within the materials. We hope the CPSC's response is positive to the request for regulation and furthermore they expedite a thorough analysis to fully understand the risk of crumb rubber and tire derived products on young people and adults."

The CPSC response is pending.

image of the letter sent

About The Safe, Healthy Playing Fields Coalition (SHPFC)

Founded in 2008, The Safe, Healthy Playing Fields Coalition is dedicated to sharing information about the health and safety of both natural and synthetic turf fields for children, adults and the environment in which we live.

Information: http://www.safehealthyplayingfields.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SafeHealthyPlayingFields

installation of the new turf field at FHS during the summer (field is in full use now)

Important Tips to Get the Most out of Your Holiday Gift Buying

"With the holiday season and Black Friday approaching, knowing your rights as a consumer might be just as important as knowing where to get the best deals. 

The Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation (OCABR) and the Office of the Attorney General (AGO) provide important tips about consumer protection, theft, warranties, and more so you get the most out of your gift buying."

• Make a Plan Before You Shop
• Understand Consumer Protection Law
• Learn Gift Certificate Laws
• Stay Safe While Shopping Online
• Know What to Do in the Event of Identity Theft
• Be Aware of Warranties

MA Gov blog post on 6 Tips for Safe Holiday Shopping

Continue reading the full article online here to get the details on these six tips
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/consumer-advice/six-tips-for-a-safe-successful-holiday-shopping-season/

In the news: coat collection, fire dept efficiency

Guardian Self-Storage has partnered with Caring Partners Inc. in the organization’s winter coat collection, “Coats for Kids.” 

Donations of gently used winter coats for children and adults may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Jan. 8 at Guardian Self-Storage, 599 Washington St. Once collected, all coats are professionally cleaned by Anton Cleaners and distributed by social service agencies to those in need within the community. 

For information: 508-528-4050.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151030/NEWS/151039473/1994/NEWS

Franklin Fire Dept

While not focused on Franklin, this is an overall view of fire departments and the shifting demands they are meeting, this is very pertinent to Franklin and our future safety requirements as well as the budget.

With fires accounting for just under 4 percent of total calls to local departments in 2013, fire departments increasingly find themselves targeted by efficiency experts who apply business model measures to government functions. 

“I like to call it the ‘March of Dimes’ problem,” said Alex Tabarrok, an economics professor at George Mason University who’s blogged about the inefficiency of fire department management. “The March of Dimes was successful in curing polio then looked around and said, ‘Now what do we do?’ Firefighters face the same question.”

Continue reading the full article online
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/ZZ/20151030/NEWS/151019954/1994/NEWS

Chief McCarragher has raised this issue each budget season as he describes the shifts in call volume and the need for staffing to put on a third ambulance. The most recent budget summary can be found here:
 http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/live-reporting-finance-committee-apr-22.html

Additional reports and their current strategy document can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/reports2

Real time reporting: School Committee - Oct 27, 2015

The Storify summary of the School Committee meeting.

The FHS School Improvement Plan

Franklin High School - main entrance

The other presentations from the meeting:

School Safety
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/real-time-reporting-school-safety-update.html


Student Services
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/real-time-reporting-student-services.html

Real time reporting: School Safety Update

The School Safety document used for the presentation and discussion at the School Committee meeting, Tuesday 10/27/15

Franklin Public Schools: Safety Update from Franklin Matters

MassDOT: Safety Awareness Campaign - "Drive as if your Mom worked here"

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts State Police launched a Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign calling attention to enhanced safety measures currently in place at toll plazas across the Commonwealth. 

This campaign was launched following the tragic death of a MassDOT toll
collector in July. The campaign includes public service announcements on message boards, posters at E-ZPass toll lanes, and the distribution of speed limit
reminder tear-sheets to commuters at the 'Cash Only' toll booths. The principal
focus of the campaign is to raise public awareness of the posted speed limit at
toll plazas, and the potential hazards faced by the toll collectors who staff the
toll plazas when speed restrictions are not followed. 

'Highway safety is our highest priority at MassDOT, both for drivers, but also
for the men and women who staff our toll plazas, 24-hours a day, year round,'
said MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin. 'This campaign highlights the need for drivers to pay careful attention to posted speed limit signs and other safety information when approaching and travelling through toll plazas. We encourage travelers to be vigilant when driving through these areas to ensure the well-being of those who work at these locations and members of the public.' 

MassDOT has implemented safety improvements such as the installation of
additional advanced 15 MPH speed limit signs strategically located before each
toll booth, and reduced speed limit signs at the toll booths. In addition,
pavement markings immediately before each location have been refreshed. The
agency has also conducted a review of the lighting to make sure all equipment
is fully operational in these areas. 

'Through this campaign, we hope to remind motorists that safety is paramount
when traveling through toll plazas on the Turnpike, as well as the Sumner and
Ted Williams tunnels,' said State Police Major Terry Hanson, Troop E Commander. 

'It is our goal that this campaign will prompt drivers to travel through toll
plazas with an extra measure of care, and to raise awareness that the toll
plazas are staffed 24/7.' 

As a component of the campaign, State Police have also increased speed
enforcement at toll plazas. From Sept. 26 through Oct. 12, approximately 294
citations (Civil, Warning, and Criminal) have been written for violations which
occurred in the E-ZPass lanes. More than 1,200 citations have now been issued
since Aug. 27. 

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website:
www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.

In the News: rezoning Dean Ave property, fund raising for helmets, host family 'fresh air'

The Town Council Wednesday night discussed rezoning six parcels of land along Dean Avenue to encourage the development of multi-family housing.The land had been zoned for industrial use, said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting. 

"It's basically the Thompson Press building," he said. "If approved, this would allow for the development of condominiums or apartments."Nutting said the Planning Board recommended the change.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150805/NEWS/150808139/1994/NEWS

After a helmet saved the life of 3-year-old Liam Stoltz last week, he and his family are hoping they can help save the lives of others.Liam escaped serious injury last Thursday morning when a covered trailer he was riding in that was attached to his father’s bicycle was run over by a Jeep Cherokee on Sanford Street in Medway, not far from their Franklin home.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150805/NEWS/150808182/1994/NEWS

For anyone who has ever thought about serving as a host family, the Grahams of Franklin said sharing their home has created a life-long friendship with someone they may not have otherwise crossed paths with. 

“We have gotten as much if not more out of the program than Audrey has,” said Colleen Graham.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150806/NEWS/150808111/1994/NEWS

Franklin Police, Fire Collaborate with High School Students to Create Sharps PSA

Police Chief Stephan Semerjian reports that the Franklin Police and Fire Departments collaborated with High School students to create a public service announcement about safely disposing of syringe needles. 

The video stresses that if anyone finds a sharp in the community, they should not pick it up, and instead immediately alert police. The PSA reminds residents to: STOP. DON'T TOUCH. CALL 911. 

During a minute-and-a-half video, a group of students are on a playground when one girl notices a needle in the mulch. Curious, she reaches to pick it up, but a friend interjects before she can, "Stop, don't touch that!" he says. "It's a sharp, it can hurt you." 

After calling 911, students standby until Franklin police and fire arrive on scene. An officer uses rubber gloves to pick up the syringe and properly secure it in a sharps container. 

"Glad you guys called us," says Sergeant Christopher Spillane. "If someone accidentally got pricked with this, they could get hurt, or even worse, they could get sick." 

Firefighter Charles Bailey explains that the person who used the needle could have hepatitis or HIV, which could be transmitted to a person if he or she is pricked. So, it's important that community members never touch a a syringe they find on the ground. 

"The high school students did a great job collaborating with local public safety officials to create this important public service announcement," Chief Semerjian said. "Together, we can help ensure our community stays safe."

You can view the video here:





This was shared from the Town of Franklin page here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0214E899-000F8513

Franklin Police Station - 911 Panther Way

Used needles can be safely disposed of at the kiosk located at the Police Station on Panther Way
http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Health/needles.pdf

Remember that prescription drugs can be safely disposed of at the Police Station
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PoliceNews/DrugSafe.pdf

Needle Safety Public Service Announcement (video)

Franklin collaborating again.

The Police, Fire, and Public Schools (Panther TV) got together to produce this public service announcement on what to do when you find a needle.





Used needles can be safely disposed of at the kiosk located at the Police Station on Panther Way
http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Health/needles.pdf

Remember that prescription drugs can be safely disposed of at the Police Station
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PoliceNews/DrugSafe.pdf

"the state recommends “common sense” to minimize exposure"

While the decision to continue to build a new turf field at the high school won't be changed, the New England Center for Investigative Reporting is looking into the safety issue.

Via @HuffPostPol: The movement against #syntheticturf is growing http://t.co/1PgScDgsET @SHPFC @FranklinMatters @jeffroy @KarenSpilka

— Turf Grass Forum (@turfgrassforum) May 10, 2015

Part of the article published at Huffinton Post:

As opposition mounts, some consider the fields a solid waste problem, and question what towns would do with the thousands of pounds of crushed tires if the issue reaches a tipping point. The momentum of concern has pushed the California legislature to consider legislation prohibiting the use of state funds to build new fields with recycled tires and that would require towns and cities to examine cleaner alternatives before launching a new project. The Los Angeles Unified School District and the New York City Parks Departments already have stopped construction of new fields with crumb rubber following past concern about lead content. 

Artificial turf advocates say there are multiple studies that show fields are safe, while critics argue that there are no conclusive tests to prove such claims and that waiting for definitive evidence of a health hazard leaves children unprotected. 

More than 300 such fields have been built in Massachusetts during the past decade and they are becoming a coveted sports alternative for student athletes in towns from Boston to Attleboro, New Bedford to Springfield, according to a survey of field construction companies carried out by the New England Center for Investigative Reporting. Athletes who play on the fields are well acquainted with the black pellets – a spray of which is often kicked up by bouncing balls and running children, and gets into cleats and tracked into homes and mixed with laundry after practice.

FHS girls soccer team kicks off a home game on the turf field at FHS in October

Continue reading the full article here
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/09/toxic-turf_n_7218728.html?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000016

For more information about the New England Center for Investigative Reporting, you can visit their webpage here  http://necir.org/

The MA Dept of Health letter on the topic can be found here
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2071976-dphturf.html




Updated: from the Sun Chronicle
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/local-officials-confident-turf-fields-are-safe/article_6348fdfa-f6c4-11e4-8774-9fe08004b4cf.html