Franklin Ford Donates Car to Tri-County’s Auto Technology Career Program

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School is pleased to announce that Franklin Ford has generously donated a Ford Edge SUV to the Tri-County Automotive Technology program to assist with advanced curriculum.

With a shortage in qualified technicians, service departments around the country have been scrambling to find new talent. Ford Motor Company recognized the labor shortage in the industry and decided to do something about it. Last September, Ford started the TechDrive Program throughout the United States. Each Ford Regional Talent Placement Specialist was challenged with building partnerships with their region’s Ford Dealerships that have an automotive technician shortage and connecting them with local technical high schools.

Tri-County has been chosen as one of the Technical High Schools to take part in the TechDrive Program. Franklin Ford has agreed to sponsor Tri-County, with the expectation that the partnership will fulfill their technician hiring needs. As part of the TechDrive Program, Ford has furnished Training Modules to Tri-County students.

“With the automotive technician shortage, we’ve had to create innovative ways to find, hire, train and keep service techs,” said Frank LaMonica, Fixed Operations Manager at Franklin Ford. “We are pleased to have partnered with Tri-County in the TechDrive Program. We hope the Tri-County students will enjoy working on the car in order to prepare them for future career opportunities. Here at Franklin Ford, many of our automotive technicians are graduates of Tri-County. We look forward to hiring more in the future.”

“Our goal is to build the relationship between Education & Industry, and for Ford Dealers to have a pipeline of quality automotive technicians,” said Michael Nixon, Regional Technical Talent Placement Specialist at Ford Motor Company. “With 15 dealerships within my region, finding new ways to hire qualified service technicians has been a challenge. Hopefully, the TechDrive Program will help our dealerships to fill that shortage in technicians.”

“Our students in the Auto Technology program can’t wait to reverse engineer this vehicle,” said Superintendent Stephen Dockray. “We are thankful and honored to have been given the Ford Edge and are looking forward to our students gaining the knowledge and critical thinking skills required to meet the growing demands in the automotive industry.”

Franklin Ford Donates Car to Tri-County’s Auto Technology Career Program

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

FM #158 - Finance Committee sends Capital Budget recommendations to Town Council

FM #158

This internet radio show or podcast is number 158 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the Finance Committee meeting held at the Municipal Building, Third Floor Training Room on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

The meeting is the second of two to review the Capital Budget by the Finance Committee. Today’s meeting will review the following agenda:

• Schools
• Facilities
• Technology
• Recreation

After hearing all the presentations, the Finance Committee will vote to recommend some or all of these (with or without modifications) to be brought to the Town Council for their review and vote.

The complete agenda documents for Jan 15 meeting can be found on the Town of Franklin pages

Jan 15
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2019-01-15_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

The documents for the Capital Budget discussions can be found
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xu_1JUPgKXNH8i9DhDZH7ZkfFk6tyFQp/view?usp=sharing

Note: the document is a single PDF file with 166 pages, so it will take some time to download/open.

The total meeting recording runs just about 48 minutes. Without further ado, here is the audio recording:





My notes recorded via Twitter during the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/finance-committee-jan-15-2019.html

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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

In particular, if you have an interest in real estate, zoning or construction, I would like someone to help us by following the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and or the Conservation Commission meetings. I’ll provide the guidance on note taking and sharing. You need to bring an inquisitive, open mind and willingness to learn and share.

Overall:
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Finance Committee - Capital Budget Hearing #2 - Jan 15, 2019

The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 15 at 7:00 PM in the Training Room on the 3rd Floor of the Municipal Building.

This will be second of two meetings to review the Capital budget. You may recall that these capital budget hearings are usually held in November/December. The hearings are late this year as the State was late to certify the free cash total for Franklin.

Free cash is neither free nor cash. It is the accounting result of under spending what was authorized for the prior year's budget expenses, and receiving more revenue than had been forecast in the FY 2018 budget. 

Franklin has historically used the free cash amount to build the individual stabilization funds (general, recreation, fire truck, etc.) and to fund the capital needs for the Town departments.

Capital budget presentations are scheduled from

• Schools
• Facilities
• Technology
• Recreation

After hearing all the presentations, the Finance Committee will vote to recommend some or all of these (with or without modifications) to be brought to the Town Council for their review and vote.

The agenda document for the Jan 15 meeting can be found on the Town of Franklin pages

Jan 15
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2019-01-15_finance_committee_agenda.pdf


My meeting notes from the Jan 8 meeting can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/finance-committee-capital-budget-part-1.html

The audio recording for the Jan 8 meeting can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/fm-156-finance-committee-capital-budget.html

The Finance Committee as it begins the Jan 8 meeting at the Senior Center

Town Council summary - Dec 19, 2018

The recap of the Town Council meeting held Wednesday, Dec 19, 2018.

Liquor license renewals
The annual liquor license renewals came up for approval. Those businesses with outstanding bills will have their license held until the outstanding items are completed. 
The listing of the current liquor licenses can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/2019_alcohol_renewals.pdf

Technology Update
Tim Raposa, Technology Director, provided an update on the work of the department. "There isn’t a department in here that doesn’t need technology" was aptly quoted in the MDN article on his presentation. I took several photos of his presentation and will share the deck when it is available (not yet posted to Town page).

Photos captured of the presentation can be found online
https://photos.app.goo.gl/z9aGETegsyeeCEZJ8


Mixed Business Innovation
The package of 6 zoning bylaw amendments came before the Town Council for potential referral to the Planning Board. They had been reviewed at the Economic Development Committee and came forward with a 3-1 vote (Kelly the lone 'no' vote).

Kelly clearly wants something in the bylaw to allow for residential use but exactly what would meet that requirement was not discussed explicitly or agreed to during the meeting. While some other councilors agree that residential use would make sense, it doesn't for the building that is currently on site. The bylaw amendments did get referred to the Planning Board. Kelly voted against one of the amendments but voted for all the others.

The Planning Board will hold two public hearings and make a recommendation on the measures to send back to the Council. The Council will also hold two public hearings and either make adjustments to the language or leave it as is. The timing on all of this would bring a 'final' decision sometime as early as mid-February or March 2019.

The formal "Actions Taken" document was not yet published. When it is, it will be linked to here.

one of the Technology slides depicts the town school split for the technology personnel

My detailed notes taken during the meeting can be found in the links below:

• Live reporting: from Town Administrators Report to...

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-from-town-administrators.html

• Live reporting: Legislation for Action

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

• Live Reporting: Technology Dept

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-technology-dept.html

• Live Reporting: Town Council - Dec 19, 2019

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-town-council-dec-19-2019.html

"There isn’t a department in here that doesn’t need technology"

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

"Timothy Rapoza says that all those suspicious emails that town employees have been receiving are safe -- at least for now. 

Rapoza, director of technology services, told town councilors on Wednesday that he is behind numerous fake emails -- replicas of popular phishing emails that appear as if they contain viruses -- sent to town employees, and for good reason: He and his team want to see who is clicking on them. 

The goal, Rapoza added, is to train employees to recognize potential threats when they see them in their inboxes. It’s one of the many tasks of the town Technology Department, which has been in place for about 20 years. 

And Rapoza, who has been with Franklin for 13 years, said he has seen technology change dramatically in that time."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181222/franklin-councilors-get-tech-lesson-on-phishing-virus-threats

From more about the Town of Franklin Technology Department
https://www.franklinps.net/district/educational-technology

one page from the slideshow presented at the Town Council meeting on Weds, Dec 19

Live Reporting: Technology Dept

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	a. Technology Department Tim Raposa
9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS	a. Capital Budget Subcommittee  meeting scheduled for Jan 9, 16 b. Budget Subcommittee  dates coming for next meeting c. Economic Development Subcommittee nothing at this time

Live Reporting: Technology Dept

Additional photos of the presentation deck can be found online
https://photos.app.goo.gl/z9aGETegsyeeCEZJ8

approx 3,000 Chromebooks for 5,300 students

High school and middle school primary users 1:1

network built for redundancy, three providers can roll over from one to another

network is important and growing more so

lights are coming to the work, some day

servers provide authentication for access, and control software deployments

most organizations have a mix of cloud and local services, a cost factor

no administrative rights for software installs, need to open a ticket to do so

when using a school account still protected no matter where they are, home or school

offsite locations replicate between FHS and Municipal building

internal testing (phishing simulations) via KnowBe4

Chromebook repair big item

all printers are outsourced, a big savings

involved in meetings with every department as technology is everywhere

clickers do get extra training for having 'clicked'

follow up questions 

on the risk assessment from last meeting, and steps being taken to address

on the phish training being done

have we been hacked, no

isolated units have been targeted and the antivirus software stopped the instance from spreading

insurance coverage in pilot this year, may be a cost for it next year, should be a relatively small amount in the grand scheme of things

are we protected? we are as well as can be

students have Chromebooks, internal security, and are enabled only for email within the system (exception set up for outside contacts)

moving servers to virtual servers

Chromebooks 1:1 ate middle school and high school

middle school student systems remain in the school (saves on repairs)

ongoing challenges

• top concern - security
• balancing act of security and providing functionality
• staff retention of tech staff
• sustainability of technology infrastructure (need to plan for replacement of devices) (currently not funded and needs to be)

is there a new model for the Chromebook replacements?

only since 2014 (when high school opened)

BYOD could be used but for state testing requires Chromebooks so total BYOD is not practical

comparison of Chromebook vs. the old printed book versions is also compelling

FTC Scam Alert: Avoiding tech support scams

Avoiding tech support scams by Carol Kando-Pineda Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education You're working on your computer when, suddenly, a message pops up on the screen: "Virus detected! Call now for a free security scan and to repair your device."  That's a tech support scam. Don't call, text, or email. Legit tech support companies don't operate that way Read more => https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/07/avoiding-tech-support-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

Finance Committee Recap - FY 2019 Budget voted on to move to Town Council

Live reporting from #FinComm0424 meeting: Conley, Dowd, Heumpher, Dugout, Weich, Fleming present. Schools budget up first

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) April 24, 2018

Questions on use of revolving funds for school budget, enrollment down K-8 up at HS, school choice funds continue to decline as that is not open. #fincomm0424

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) April 24, 2018

Several questions were asked on the use of the revolving funds by the schools to balance the school budget. As you listen to the questions and answers, sometimes it appears that the answer was to another point or to one of the points in the question not to another.

The revolving funds used by the school budget are similar in that to the enterprise funds used by the Town. Fees are collected for a specific purpose (busing, or lunch, on the school side vs. water and sewer on the Town side). Expenses are paid out of the fees to enable the service to be self sustaining.

The questions get at how the revolving funds had accumulated such a balance as to be used last year, and this year for the budget. If the questions were not completely answered to your satisfaction, you may have another chance during the Town Council budget hearings on May 16 and May 17.

The School Committee budget page provides a summary of the various revolving funds.

"The following pages provide an explanation and financial status of the revolving funds
maintained by the District. All balances are as of June 30th in each fiscal year with a year-to-date amount for the current year."

http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_budget/23.%20Revolving%20Accounts.pdf

Details on the school budget can be found on their budget page
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_budget/index

Technology next up, simpler as it covers licenses and maintenance for the hardware and software used, consolidation of printing within one budget rather than an increase for this Dept. #fincomm0424

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) April 24, 2018

Police Dept up next, most congested traffic is Saturday is when everyone is here, approx 45/folks daily come to station, 25 on weekends. #fincomm0424

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) April 24, 2018

The discussion on the walk in traffic to the Police Station comes in the context of the new regional dispatch center coming online later this year. The dispatchers would move from the station to the regional center. However, someone will still need to remain staffing the Police station to monitor the folks held in custody as well as this walk in traffic. Discussion is still underway on how to resolve this issue. It will be simpler at the Fire Station as visitors will interact with a kiosk and talk with someone at the regional dispatch center.

Vote on budget leaves $1.4m short of balance with revenue for the TC to take from the budget stabilization fund. #fincomm0424 budget passes 6-0, 3 members absent tonight. Budget hearing at TC scheduled 5/16-17

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) April 24, 2018

The full FY 2019 budget document including the summary letter and several great supporting pieces can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/fy19_complete_budget_fincom_with_page_numbers_0.pdf

or here:

Finance Committee Recap - FY 2019 Budget voted on to move to Town Council

In the News: Roy seeks 4th term; school technology uses

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

"Now serving his sixth year on Beacon Hill, state Rep. Jeffrey Roy will seek a fourth term this fall. 

There’s more work ahead, without question, the Franklin Democrat, of the 10th Norfolk District, said in an interview Friday. 

“When I started in 2012, I was dedicated to education. I think that’s the most important thing that we do as a government and there is still a lot of work to be done in that area.” 

Roy currently serves on a national commission on student-centered learning, an initiative that brings lawmakers from across the country together to find ways to bring project-based and competency-based education into local classrooms."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180211/political-notebook-roy-seeks-fourth-term

"Students in Lorraine Magee’s third-grade class are pros at using technology. 

The class at Natick’s Johnson Elementary School has Skyped with students in other states and countries, tweeted favorite authors, shared pen pal letters with students in Uganda through Google Drive, sent cloud observations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and an average Thursday morning had them solving a math challenge from students in Georgia. 

That’s the short list. 

“It’s cool because when we were in third grade, we could say, ‘Yeah, I do science experiments in class,’” Magee said. “But now (students can say), ‘Yeah, I do science experiments and send them to NASA."'

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180211/raising-good-digital-citizens

YMCA: Get Ahead With Our New Technology Lab And Technology Club

Thanks to a generous donation from a good friend, a technology lab has been created at our Franklin Y.

The goal of this space is to teach middle school and high school students about careers in technology.

Join us for our next Technology Club Meeting on Tuesday, January 9 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at our Franklin Y.

This is a free member opportunity.

Guest speakers will be Jeff Boudreau, President of Dell EMC Storage Division as well as Gartner Research executives.

This club introduces students to the benefits of a career in the technology field and provides a safe place to learn and prepare for a job in technology.

Upcoming meeting dates are February 6, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5 and July 10.

For more information about the Technology Club or Technology Lab, contact Kim Jennings at kjennings@hockymca.org.

The link to the website article is: https://www.hockymca.org/new-technology-club
Facebook Event is https://www.facebook.com/events/2008087732791525/

Community Forum on Sexting - Twitter Summary

A collection via Storify of the Twitter posts during the Community Forum on Sexting held at Franklin High School, Franklin, MA on Oct 16, 2017.

Be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to view all the posts.

Community Forum on Sexting - Twitter Summary

Tri-County Regional to host Manufacturing and Robotics Open House to celebrate Manufacturing Month

On Tuesday, October 25, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School will celebrate October as "Manufacturing Month" by hosting an Open House for its Manufacturing and Engineering Technology programs.

Tri-County plans to showcase its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and equipment. The event is expected to draw legislators, business owners, parents, and any others who may be interested in seeing new education, career, and business opportunities.

The Open House will include presentations by Tri-County students, as well as administrators from the Wentworth Institute of Technology. Wentworth has offered evening courses inside Tri-County's Manufacturing Center of Excellence since 2014.

"Tri-County students construct and create new products every year by utilizing a state-of-the-art manufacturing lab that provides the tools they need to make their ideas real. Thanks to their dedicated teachers and administration officials, those students will be uniquely prepared to contribute to our manufacturing sector on the day they graduate." said Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III

"We are trying to change the perception of today's modern manufacturing," said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). "Today's manufacturing is clean, technology driven, innovative, and most importantly well-paying and accessible. Today's manufacturing is often dominated by the Biotech, Medical, and Robotic industries, and Tri-County High School is doing a great job at meeting the need for skilled workers head-on."

"Tri-County has created an Advanced Manufacturing Program that will not only train high school students during the day, but through a partnership with Wentworth Institute of Technology, will also train unemployed or underemployed adults at night," Said Tri-County Superintendent Stephen Dockray. "Tri County is providing the skilled labor desperately needed in the manufacturing industry."

"The manufacturing and robotics programs at Tri-County are shining examples of modern manufacturing education in our community," said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Manufacturing is a significant driver of the Massachusetts economy, and these students are learning necessary skills to create, innovate and thrive in the workforce."

Many Massachusetts residents are unaware that manufacturing is alive and well across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts is home to more than 7,000 manufacturers, providing over 250,000 jobs to its citizens. These innovative manufacturers make groundbreaking products for global consumption.

Jobs in the Manufacturing Industry offer flexibility, excitement, and good pay. While companies seek smart, dedicated workers to fill job openings, Tri-County seeks out new ways to provide students with the training and employability skills necessary for success in this evolving industry.

Tri-County's Open House will expand awareness of the school's Career Programs. Several of these programs address the growing need for manufacturing workers in Massachusetts by offering students hands-on training that addresses the technological advances of the industry.

The School encourages all interested parties to visit.

Event details:

Manufacturing and Robotics Open House

9AM-11AM Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School

147 Pond Street

Franklin, MA 02038

image from Tri-County webpage

Keep your passwords secure (video)

The breach at Yahoo released millions of email addresses and passwords. 

Did you change your Yahoo password recently?

Do you change your passwords frequently?

In most corporate environments changing passwords every 60 or 90 days is required. It may be a pain but it can be a good security mechanism.





For more about staying safe online and how to manage your passwords, check out http://staysafeonline.org/

http://staysafeonline.org/  #lockdownURLogin

Tech Help for Seniors - Apr 28

Horace Mann Middle School Community Service Club will be hosting a Tech Help for Seniors session on Thursday April 28th from 2:15-3:15 pm. 

Students and teachers will be offering help with cell phones, IPads, tablets and laptops. 

Please join us at our school (Horace Mann Middle School 224 Oak St.). Park in the lot and go to the front entrance on the right. Students will be there to greet you at the door. 

If you have questions please email Colleen Donahue (donahuec@franklin.k12.ma.us) or Anthony Vizakis(vizakisa@franklin.k12.ma.us)

Horace Mann MIddle School, 224 Oak St

6th Grader charter students create movie trailers for books read

6th grade students at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School created movie trailers for the books they read. They gathered images, sounds and created the textual commentary to prepare the short movies. An example of one of the trailers is shown here.

making Grade 6 iMovie book trailers

Follow this link to view all the book trailers created
http://padlet.com/tword/booktrailers

This was shared from the BFCCPS website here
http://bfccps.org/grade-6-imovie-book-trailers/

RMS and ASMS presentations for School Committee meeting - 3/08/16

The middle school presentations scheduled for the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Mar 8, 2016

The full agenda can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/03/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda.html

Remington Middle School

Remington Middle School - Technology Presentation - 3/08/16 from Franklin Matters

Annie Sullivan Middle School

Annie Sullivan MIddle School - Science Presentation 3-08-16 from Franklin Matters

"every conversation is an opportunity to engage and delight customers"

"Interactions, a Franklin-based tech firm backed by $110 million in venture capital funding, has debuted what its CEO calls "game-changing innovations" for its virtual assistant technology. 

The company works to improve conversations between humans and automated customer service software. This week, it announced new technologies that make an automated virtual assistant as smart as a human customer-service agent."

Continue reading the article in the Boston Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/techflash/2016/02/franklin-tech-firm-develops-a-new-kind-of-customer.html

screen grab of Interactions website

“Students can work at their pace”

"Newer to the method, Franklin Public Schools established one-to-one in the high school last year, in conjunction with their new high school opening. Administrators say they are already seeing successes. 

Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said the Chromebooks used in the pilot program, typically about $300 each, worked well for students and teachers, but cautioned they’re not an end in and of themselves. 

“It's not meant to supplant actual books, creative problem solving and thinking. They’re a tool to support our learning expectations,” she said."

Continue to read the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150920/NEWS/150929681/1994/NEWS

Franklin Public Schools: the key to learning

"In the past decade, most everyone with access has experienced what it's like to learn from anyone, anywhere at any time. In everyday life, this is no longer an event to behold but the way we learn. Any policy maker or leader who doesn't understand and live this needs to find other employment."

read this good article written by Dean Shareski in the Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dean-shareski/make-it-stop_1_b_8142928.html

Is sexting "a teenage mistake"?

The Milford Daily News reports on a new bill filed by Representative Jeff Roy to change the way the state would charge teenagers for sexting.

Roy’s bill would branch sexting off into a new category of crime for people under the age of 18, one treated as civil offense or misdemeanor with repercussions ranging from a diversion program to a fine 

An important change, Roy said, is the teen would not be required to register with the sex offender registry. 

The Franklin Democrat began studying the laws on sexting after receiving a call from a concerned local police officer. 

“He said that when they have an incident of sexting among teenagers, they are faced with either charging them with possession of child porn or doing nothing,” Roy said. “(The officer) acknowledged that sexting is a problem that can lead to some damaging consequences. He said, ‘We hate to do nothing, but to charge kids with child pornography has life-altering consequences."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150331/NEWS/150339622/1994/NEWS

Representative Roy Host’s Franklin Economic Development Meeting

On Tuesday, January 10, 2015 Massachusetts State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D - Franklin) hosted a Life Sciences Development Meeting in Franklin, MA. Local biotechnology companies, Franklin town officials and members of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center joined the discussion about the opportunities within the Life Sciences Industry, the potential for future development within the region and what Franklin has already done to successfully attract and retain life science companies. 

Cornerstones of Life Sciences Industry range from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to diagnostics and biotechnology. Thanks to its world-class academic institutions and medical centers, its talented and innovated workforce and its industry-sector leading companies, Massachusetts has firmly established itself as a global leader in the Life Sciences and has fully committed the state's economic well-being to the development and advancement of these Industries. 

"Franklin has positioned itself well to attract life science businesses to the area," said Representative Roy "In 2014 its BioReady ranking was elevated from Gold to Platinum signifying Franklin's readiness to work with biotechnology companies interested in locating in the area. On top of that, it has great schools and reasonable housing prices, making it a great place to live, work and raise a family." 

"Franklin has been the perfect community for growing my start up business to the point of having close to a hundred employees," said Dr. Gregory Chiklis, President and CEO of Franklin's ZeptoMetrix Corporation. "It has been due to the support and resources available to me in Franklin that we have been able to grow ZeptoMetrix." 

"The Life Sciences are the fastest growing industry sectors in Massachusetts," said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the agency charged with implementing the state's ten-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative. 

"All regions across the state and workers at all skill levels are benefiting as the life sciences ecosystem continues to grow and thrive. We are excited about Representative Roy's efforts to bring leaders together to discuss strategies for regional life sciences growth in and around Franklin, and we look forward to a continued partnership in those efforts." 

 "I am very excited that Rep. Roy brought together this group of educators, government officials and industry leaders to shine a light on all that Franklin has to offer to biotech and other businesses," said Attorney Michael Doherty of Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C.

"I am hopeful that we will be able to encourage businesses to locate to one of our industrial parks in Franklin."  Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C.  is a firm that represents local business in Franklin and surrounding communities." 

"As Chief Medical Officer of a well-established Boston biotechnology company, I believe that Franklin offers all the attributes and ingredients to create a dynamic and vibrant environment for the development of innovative treatments to address unmet medical needs of patients," said Dr. Michael Sabolinski, founder of Sabolinski, LLC.  

"Among these are access to medical centers of excellence, key opinion leaders in multiple therapeutic areas, and experts in clinical research. I look forward to the growth of biotechnology in Franklin, and am excited about the opportunities that the town presents for both start up and well established Companies." 

"It was wonderful that Representative Roy brought the players to the table to help jumpstart Franklin's efforts in economic development and the life sciences," said Jeff Nutting, Franklin Town Administrator. 

"I would like to thank Rep. Roy for putting together the life sciences meeting. He and our Town Administrator Jeff Nutting are doers and put together an excellent program," said Robert Vallee, Franklin Town Council's Chair. "I look forward to getting the entire Town Council involved in the discussion and pursuing this issue as hard as we can." 

"Franklin has done much to attract a higher level of commercial and industrial investment to our industrial areas, including creation of priority development sites and economic development areas, and streamlining of permitting processes for biotechnology uses," said Bryan Taberner, Franklin's Director of Planning and Community Development. "The Town currently contains a cluster of life sciences companies, including bio-storage, robotics, medical devices and instrumentation, and biotechnology.  I look forward to working with Representative Roy to attract additional life science companies to this great community." 

"What sets Franklin apart from many communities is the collaboration and commitment of all stakeholders," said Maureen Sabolinski, Superintendent of Schools "Our elected and town officials work in concert with business and higher education to meet the needs of our community members and always strive to improve all public services. The shared sense of community enables stakeholder to establish a shared vision and mission." 

With Massachusetts as a foundation, Franklin's attractiveness for business development has created a unique opportunity to provide positive economic growth, help advance the development of the Life Sciences and benefit the global community.