“I can’t say enough about this program,” Brown said. “It really takes a burden off of what we do.”

Catching up to this article from the Boston Globe

"As a building official in Franklin, Gus Brown could never figure out how to clean up a handful of abandoned, run-down homes that plagued several of the town’s neighborhoods for years. 

Everything changed, though, when he decided in May to place his town in the state attorney general’s Abandoned Housing Initiative. Jason Piques, a lawyer in the AG’s office, sent warning letters to the property owners, and within a month things started to happen. 

“To date, there are ongoing cleanups and repairs on these houses and no complaints from the neighbors [anymore],” said Brown, Franklin’s building commissioner. “That letter from him seems to have wonderful results without even getting into any of the legal proceedings.”

Assistant Attorney General Jason Piques (shown at a derelict property) helped the Town of Franklin clean up several run-down homes. (Boston Globe photo)

Continue reading the full article here (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/12/20/attorney-general-program-helps-cities-and-towns-clean-abandoned-properties/2UI6WGXhRMX3P2uOMOzfWP/story.html

Tri-County Donates Gifts To Y.O.U., Inc. And The Santa Foundation

Students, faculty, and administrators at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School presented donated gifts to representatives from Y.O.U., Inc. and the Santa Foundation on Monday, December 21.

The Santa Foundation provided the school with the wish lists of those in need earlier this month. Then, Tri-County’s Career Programs, post-secondary programs, clubs, faculty and staff worked together to purchase all of the items on the wish list.

Donated gifts will be given to 16 children and adolescents in The Bridge Home Latency Program and The Bridge Home Adolescent Program of Y.O.U., Inc. of Worcester. The Tri-County community also donated toys, books, clothes, and other items for an additional 15 people from four Franklin area families.

The school's Holiday Gift Drive was organized by Tri-County SkillsUSA officers Joe Brown, of Franklin, Bill Galligan, of Medway, Shaina Flanagan, of Norfolk, Olivia Ryan and Amanda Merigo, of North Attleborough, Isabella Leonardi, of Plainville, Caitlin Tavares, of Seekonk, and Kiarah Porter and Caroline Aspinwall, of Walpole. SkillsUSA advisors Jane Baldi, Mark Chauvin, Amy DePasquale, and Tara Lane helped to coordinate the drive. SkillsUSA is a national professional organization for career and technical students.

• Y.O.U., Inc. is a private, non-profit child welfare and behavioral health organization serving troubled and at-risk children, adolescents and families in Worcester County. 
• The Santa Foundation was established 28 years ago by Franklin residents Bob and Elaine Sullivan. The foundation's goal is to provide gifts for families in need during the holidays. The Santa Foundation also helps families in need throughout the year.

Back Row (From left to right): Caroline Aspinwall, Olivia Ryan, Caitlin Tavares, Shaina Flanagan, and Joe Brown; Front Row: Kiarah Porter, Isabella Leonardi, and Bill Galligan

Downtown Project Update #20

"Walsh plans to continue working on site as long at the weather cooperates. Today they will be paving all excavated trenches. 

Tomorrow (Wednesday) they will cut down the trees on the Franklin News side of the street. 

the triangle downtown is shrinking to get ready for 2-way traffic in 2016

There will be no work on site Thursday. 

Monday they will return and continue electrical conduit work."


Thank You, 

Anthony Tavalone 
CE III MA DOT
(617) 233-0795



This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/022C95D5-000F8513

Franklin Public Library: Holiday Hours

The Franklin Public Library will be closing at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 24 for Christmas Eve, and will be closed on Friday, December 25 for Christmas Day. 

The library will be open regular hours on Saturday, December 26 and Sunday, December 27.

Franklin Public Library - Holiday hours

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/12/holiday-hours-at-franklin-public-library.html

Senator Spilka: Work Begins on the FY2017 Budget

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Dear Friend, On Wednesday, December 16, I joined my colleagues in the Legislature's Ways and Means Committees for the state's annual consensus revenue hearing.  As this hearing represents the first step in crafting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, I'd like to take this time to provide a snapshot of where our economy stands now and the factors that our committee will look at as we consider the future. Strong Recovery Experts and economists confirm that Massachusetts continues along its steady path of economic recovery, largely due to the resiliency we built into our economy before and during the recession.  At the recession's height, from fiscal year 2009 to fiscal year 2011, Massachusetts, like other states, had to cut billions from its budget.  We were able to cut less and rebuild faster than other states, however, thanks to our fiscal management and reserves.  As a result, Massachusetts is among only 14 states with an AA+ bond rating as of spring 2014. Stabilization Fund One of the simplest ways to understand our past preparedness is to examine the Commonwealth's Stabilization Fund, also called the Rainy Day Fund. Before the recession, the Stabilization Fund balance was $2.12B.  To prevent deep cuts to important services in fiscal years 2009 and 2010, withdrawals were made to the Stabilization Fund, leaving it at $670M.  Since then, House Ways and Means Chair Brian Dempsey and I have prioritized rebuilding the fund, resulting in a current balance of $1.25B. Housing For the second year in a row, Massachusetts has reached nearly pre-recession level in new housing units.  Simultaneously, the Massachusetts Housing Price Index has reached pre-recession highs.  While generally this is regarded as a positive sign of economic recovery, it also points to the high cost of living in the Commonwealth-and why some struggle to attain permanent housing without support. Employment Massachusetts has an unemployment rate below the national rate-4.6 per cent here versus 5 per cent nationally-and has remained below the national level since before the economic downturn. For those facing unemployment, however, the Commonwealth remains committed to not letting anyone go it alone.  In the fiscal year 2016 budget, we appropriated $2M for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to train unemployed and low-wage workers, and we created a new $1.2M Training Resources and Internship Networks (TRAIN) grant program, a partnership with community colleges to specifically target the long-term unemployed and provide them with training and internship opportunities and the chance to fill resume gaps. We continue to work to ensure employment opportunities for all skill levels. Education Inextricably tied to economic opportunity is the ability to access a quality education.  I believe that educational supports must start very early, and continuing education should be available for those who wish or need to change careers as adults. A variety of programs in our fiscal year 2016 budget provided for the educational attainment of all age groups.  We appropriated $12M to reduce the waitlist for childcare services and $18.6M to expand full-day kindergarten programs.  Additionally, we sought to expand not-for-credit vocationally-oriented course offerings by including $1.5M for the Community College Workforce Training Incentive Grant Program.   To help children and families get the mental health services they need so children can focus on learning, I was proud to fully fund all Family Resource Centers, including the important oversight and operations work these programs do.   We also appropriated $11.5M for the Youth At-Risk Summer Jobs program to better prepare them for a life beyond the school walls. Lifting All Families In my first budget as Chair of Senate Ways and Means, I made a commitment to Lift All Families.  Massachusetts has long stood by its commitment to its citizens, resulting in one of the lowest poverty levels in the country.  Since 2005, the Massachusetts poverty rate has been three to four percentage points below the national average.  Regardless, the costs of essentials such as housing can be high for many families.  In the fiscal year 2016 budget, therefore, we preserved eligibility standards for families seeking Emergency Assistance and funded important support services to divert homeless families and families at risk of homelessness from shelters. We also appropriated $2M for housing and supportive services for unaccompanied homeless youth.  As addiction continues to be a scourge with the power to derail individuals and families, we provided $5M in new funding for over 150 post-detox beds.   While I am incredibly proud of what we've accomplished in the past, we must always be looking forward.  As we start work on the Senate's fiscal year 2017 budget, I hope to hear from all of you on the values and priorities you wish to have lifted up.   As always, if you would like additional information or have any concerns or comments, please call my office at (617) 722-1640 or email me at Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov. I wish you and yours a wonderful New Year! Warm Regards, Senator Karen E. Spilka 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk  Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka Room 212, State House Boston, Massachusetts  02133 Phone: (617) 722-1640 - Fax: (617) 722-1077 http://www.karenspilka.com

Forward this email Senator Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 212 | Boston | MA | 02133

FHS wrestling wins, hockey loses in Tuesday's action

The FHS wrestling team topped Canton and the hockey team dropped their game vs. Pope Francis in winter sports action on Tuesday, Dec 22. Thanks to Hockomock Sports for providing the results to share.

FHS Panthers

Wrestling

Canton, 12 @ Franklin, 59 – Final

– Canton’s two wins came from Brandon Lentol (160) and Nick Matt (285), his sixth win of the year in just his first season of wrestling.

Boys Hockey

Franklin, 0 @ Pope Francis, 4 – Final



For the other results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-122215/

FHS Boys Basketball tops OA, Girls Basketball loses to OA

The FHS boys basketball team topped Oliver Ames in a close 50-48 game while the girls basketball team dropped a 58-47 decision to OA. Thanks to Hockomock Sports for providing the information to share here

FHS Panthers

Boys Basketball

Franklin, 50 @ Oliver Ames, 48 – Final 

– Kevin Gill scored a turnaround jumper in the paint off an assist from Sam Harrell with just 0.8 seconds left as Franklin completed a big second half comeback. After being down as much as 14, the Panthers rallied for a big third and fourth quarters. Tim Prunier had a team-high 14 points for Franklin. Tim Kelley had a game-high 15 points for Oliver Ames and Dylan Mahoney added 10.

Girls Basketball

Oliver Ames, 58 @ Franklin, 47 – Final 

– Kayla Raymond had a double-double for the Tigers with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Niyera Mitchell added 14 points to pace the Tigers, who outscored Franklin 24-10 in the fourth quarter after trailing by six with four minutes to go. Francesca Calabraro added 10 points and Sam Bamford has six of OA’s 12 steals. Franklin was led by Lauren Rudolph with 10 points and Aubrie Kutil and Margaux Welsh each had seven.

For the rest of the scores from Monday around the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-122115/

Free parking clarified by Franklin Police

From the Franklin Downtown Partnership

The Franklin Police have clarified some guidelines about the covered parking meters downtown. 

While parking is free, the 2-hour maximum is still in effect for each space. The police are monitoring the spaces and will ticket violations. Downtown businesses, please pass this information along to all employees.

If you have questions, please contact Lt. Mark Mannochio, mmannochio@franklinpolice.com or 508-440-2727.

parking meter set up for the holidays

This was shared from the Downtown Partnership
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2015/12/downtown-free-parking-update.html

Metacomet Land Trust has a new web presence

The Metacomet Land Trust has a new and updated website.  

"Since 1988 Metacomet has worked with landowners, towns and state agencies to permanently protect land. MLT owns more than 350 acres across our member communities, protects another 162 acres through Conservation Restrictions, and has assisted in the conservation of another 900 acres---land that is now town open space, state parks and forests, and state wildlife management areas. 

Follow us @MetacometLandTr on Twitter 

Metacomet proudly serves the communities of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Franklin, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Norfolk, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, and Wrentham."

Visit -> http://metacometlandtrust.org/

screen grab of the new Metacomet Land Trust webpage

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)

Guide to MetroWest

Looking for things to do during the school break that are 'close to home'? Check out the Guide to Metro West just published for 2016.

You can find it here (PDF)
http://www.metrowestvisitors.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2016-Guide-to-MetroWest.pdf


Or here

partial cover image of the MetroWest Guide

Public Skating Times - Pirelli Arena

Veteran’s Arena, 910 Panther Way, released a schedule of public skating times during school vacation week, Dec. 24 through Jan. 3, 2016.

• Dec. 24: from 12:30 to 2:20 p.m.
• Dec. 25: Closed.
• Dec. 26: from 2:30 to 4:20 p.m.
• Dec. 27: from 2 to 3:50 p.m.
• Dec. 28: from 12:30 to 2:20 p.m.
• Dec. 29: from 12:30 to 2:20 p.m.
• Dec. 30: from 12:30 to 2:20 p.m.
• Dec. 31: from 12:30 to 2:20 p.m.
• Jan. 1: from 12:30 to 2:20 p.m.; and from 8 to 9:50 p.m.
• Jan. 2: from 2:30 to 4:20 p.m.
• Jan. 3: from 2 to 3:50 p.m.

Admission costs $5, and rental skates are available for $5 on a first-come, first-served basis. For a list of all the updated daily public skating locations and times, visit fmcicesports.com/public-skating.



This was shared from the Milford Daily News
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151220/NEWS/151229856/1994/NEWS

FHS winter sports compete on a busy Saturday

Saturday was busy with  competition in hockey, indoor track and wrestling for the Franklin High School teams. The boys hockey team won, the girls lost. Both the boys and girls indoor track won their meets. In a quad event at FHS, Franklin went 2-1 in wrestling; beating Salem (NH) and Lawrence but dropping the match to St John's Prep. All the details thanks to Hockomock Sports.

Boys Hockey

Franklin, 4 vs. Bridgewater-Raynham, 1 – Final 

– Alec Gilliatt scored twice, including an empty net goal and Jake Downie and Tyler Oakes also scored for the Panthers.

FHS Panthers

Girls Hockey

Franklin, 3 @ Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake, 4 – Final

Wrestling

Franklin Quad (Franklin) 

– Franklin went 2-1 on the day. After starting with a 41-25 setback to St. John’s Prep, Franklin picked up wins over Salem (NH) 60-14 and closed the day with a 35-26 win over Lawrence.

Indoor Track - Boys

Franklin, 53 vs. King Philip, 47 – Final 

– In a close battle, Franklin was able to pull out the win. Luke Gordon was first in the 300M (39.29), Jimmy Robbins was first in the 1000M (2:48.60) and Ryan Spelman had the best time of all teams in the 1 Mile at 4:40.49. Other first place finishes were Spelman in the 2 Mile (10:53.41) and Michael Bullen in the long jump (18-06.75). King Philip’s Sean Garrity had the best 55M dash performance off all 12 schools, taking first in 6.85. Ethan Dunne was first in the 600M (1:33.09) and the 55M hurdles (8.45), Paul Macrina in the shot put (42-05.00) and a league best high jump performance from Michael Roby (5-08.00).

Indoor Track - Girls

Franklin, 78 vs. King Philip, 22 – Final 

– A sophomore finished first in three different events to pace the Panthers. First place finishes for Franklin included second year athlete Jessica Kroushl in the 55M dash (7.61), the 300M (league-best 43.14 [Franklin freshman Halle Atkinson was second in the league at 43.16]) and the long jump (15-08.50), Meghan Doherty in the 600M (1:42.75), Brittany Robinson in the 1000M (league-best 3:09.44), Ella Gutkowski in the 1 Mile (5:45.04), Carly Rondeau in the 2 Mile (13:00.91) and Beth Neal in the 55M hurdles (9.72) and the high jump (league-best 4-10.00). King Philip’s Jayla Millender was first in the shot put (28-00.00).

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Saturday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-121915/

Town Offices closed Dec 24, 25, Schools with half day on the 23rd

The offices for the Town of Franklin will be closed for the holidays, Thursday, Dec 24 and Friday, Dec 25th.

Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St

In addition the schools close with a half day on Wednesday, Dec 23 and re-open on Monday, January 4, 2016.

Parmenter sign

Affordable Housing for 55+ - 37 Grey Wolfe Drive

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Franklin, MA

37 Grey Wolfe Drive

Meadowbrook Heights, An Adult 55+ Community

Located on Grey Wolf Drive (off of Longhill Road) in Franklin, MA

Two Bedroom Town Home Priced @ $174,818

Household Income Limits: 1 Person - $ 48,800 2 Person - $ 55,800 3 Person - $ 62,750

At least one household member must be 55 years of age or older at time of submission.
Approx 1,850 s.f. units. Includes air conditioning and one-car garage. 1st Floor: Kitchen,
Dining Room, Family Room, Master Bedroom with Full Bath, Laundry Room and 2nd
Floor: Bedroom, Bathroom and Loft.

Applications and Information available at the Municipal Building, and at
www.franklin.ma.us Town Administrator’s Page, Affordable Housing. Contact Maxine
(508) 520-4949 or mkinhart@franklin.ma.us.


This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/022B14B2-000F8513


An image for 37 is not available via Google but assuming the development is the same, here is one for 95 Grey Wolfe Dr