Franklin Matters

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Voices of Franklin: Jim Hill - The People's Rights Amendment

The proposed agenda for the Town Council meeting May 16 was changed to remove the resolution (Res 12-33) referenced. There was discussion on the item but that was all.

You can find the agenda here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-may-16.html

Links to the People's Right website
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/support-of-peoples-rights-amendment.html

and the discussion summary here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/live-reporting-peoples-right.html

Jim Hill was the second citizens to speak on this topic. Jim provided his comments for publication here after the meeting.

I respectfully disagree that this is a partisan issue. Senators McCain (republican) and Feingold (democrat) introduced legislation (the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act also known McCain-Feingold) to reverse the effects of Citizens United but corporate lobbyists got involved and the legislation was blocked. John McCain was later quoted in reference to lobbyists that he’d rather be doing something else but “This is the water we swim in.”

The Supreme Court Decision in favor of Citizens United v the Federal Election Commission gave “artificial entities” the same 1st amendment free speech rights as living, breathing people. As a result corporations have an unlimited right to pour millions into political campaigns through superpacs. Not only can American corporations influence political outcomes but also international conglomerates. I don’t want corporations and foreigners controlling political outcomes. How un-America is that! This is not what our forefathers had in mind. The constitution was written to protect the rights of living, breathing persons, not corporations. Please pass ”The people’s Rights Amendment Resolution” to protect the people’s first amendment rights. I would be proud of my Town of Franklin if you vote in support of this. Thank you.

Camp Open House this Sunday at Hockomock Area YMCA

With this sunny weather, thoughts are turning to summer!

This Sunday, May 20, from 11a – 2pm, we would like to encourage families and teens to come out The Hockomock Area YMCA for a hand's on CAMP OPEN HOUSE.

Meet the staff! Ask questions! See the facilities!

Find out why 93% of campers from 2011 said they would be back in 2012!

***Sign Up for Summer Camp Between May 19-May 21st, 2012 and receive a $25 YMCA Gift Card Per Camper!

As parents look for opportunities to keep their kids active this summer, we remind caregivers that camp is among the best options for engaging kids in activities that will help develop their spirit, mind and body, while getting them outdoors in a safe environment. "Camping is synonymous with personal development. It provides kids with the opportunity to practice social and decision-making skills through new experiences," says Jim Downs, vice president of youth & community development of the Hockomock Area YMCA. "Kids come to camp to develop friendships, learn skills in a new environment, and make memories that will last a lifetime."

NEW Adventure Teen Camps - http://www.hockymca.org/~hocky/images/dev/docs/Teens/Summer_Adventure_Camp_Flyer_2012_-_2.pdf

NEW Horizons Integration Camp - http://www.hockymca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=169&Itemid=258

We offer:

Convenient Transportation at a Minimal Cost

CPR/First Aid/Child Protection Certified Staff

CORI & SORI Cleared Staff

Financial Assistance

1-to-10 Max Staff to Camper Ratio

Hockomock Y Camps comply w/Mass Dept of Public Health Regs (105 CMR 430) & local town Boards of Health.

Thank you from your friends at the YMCA!

Martha Foley
HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA
Marketing and Developmt Director
P:774.235.2729 | F:508.528.6270
visit our website: www.hockymca.org
like us on facebook: HockomockAreaYMCA

“The music, the friendships, you can’t beat them"

She said that, even while eating dinner during trips for the famous singing competitions, people recognized the signature matching costumes. The group would leave their dinners, choose a song amongst themselves and perform for the people in the restaurant.

Their travels took them to places such as New Orleans, Hawaii, Nova Scotia and London.

“And that happened everywhere,” Dempsey said, laughing. “We just loved to sing.”

“It hits at the legislative intent"

The case, which hinged on the court’s interpretation of the word “convicted,” only affects drivers whose first drunken driving offense resulted in a plea where they admitted to sufficient facts for a finding of guilty, but did not plead guilty or were not found guilty. Since those cases do not result in convictions, they cannot be counted, the court found.

Melanie’s Law mandates a 3-year license suspension of a driver with a previous drunken driving conviction who refuses to take a breath test.

“If the Legislature, in enacting Melanie’s Law, had wanted to include an admission to sufficient facts in the definition of ‘convicted,’ it could have done so explicitly,” wrote Supreme Judicial Court Justice Margot Botsford.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Weekend Outlook

Friday

Low flying helicopters today
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/alert-low-flying-helicopters-friday-may.html

Saturday

Oak St PCC Fund Raiser - Franklin Caf'e & Grill - 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/oak-st-pcc-fund-raiser-sat-may-19th.html

Library Book Sale - 9:00 - 4:00 PM
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/library-book-sale-this-weekend.html

DPW - "Touch a truck" - 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

A Tomato Planting & Support Demonstration - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
http://www.franklincommunitygardens.org/2012/05/may-educational-and-event-calendar.html

Master Plan Committee Public Hearing - 10:00 AM - noon?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/master-plan-hearing-this-saturday.html

Sunday Cub Scout Registration - Sunday 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/franklin-cub-scouts-running.html

HMEA 5K Independence Run/Walk
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/hmea-11th-annual-independence-5k-may.html

BBC Fund Raiser for Kelly/Lazinski Family
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/bbc-fundraiser-for-kellylazinski-family.html

“It’s giving back”

The books ran the gamut of the body’s systems. Santorsola’s taught about the digestive system — eventually Josh convinced his friends to like vegetables, too.

A cartoon cheetah who forgot to stretch before running taught students about the muscular system, while a boy confined to a wheelchair after an accident taught children about the nervous system.

In all the stories, something left the main character feeling left out, whether it was a health issue or something such as a piece of broccoli that wanted to be eaten by candy-loving kids.

There was a simple anti-bullying message underlying all the stories: People aren’t so different and everybody is better off when we all get along.

Oak St PCC - Fund Raiser - Sat May 19th

The Oak St PCC will benefit from 10% of all the purchases at the Franklin Caf'e and Grill on 418 W Central St during their open hours on Saturday, May 19th.

So for breakfast, lunch or dinner you can eat and help the Oak St PCC!

Disclosure: my wife teaches kindergarten at Oak St

In the News: scam alert, grand marshal, assessors

Franklin police warn residents of scam

by Jessica Trufant/Daily News staff

Bissanti Sr. grand marshal for Franklin's parade

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

New member needed for Franklin board

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Court date set for teen suspected in Franklin home invasion

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Master Plan Hearing this Saturday

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Master Plan Hearing this Saturday

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 5/16/12

FRANKLIN - Franklin's Master Plan Committee will hold its second of two public hearings on Saturday morning to hear from residents about what they want for the future of Franklin. The hearing is scheduled for Saturday, May 19 at 10:00 in the conference room at Franklin Public Library.

"This hearing will afford Franklin residents another opportunity to provide input on the planning process, and get involved early in developing the Franklin's Master Plan," noted Committee Chairman and Town Councilor Jeffrey Roy. "We have been meeting for several months formulating a structure for our work, and we want to hear from the Franklin community about priorities and concerns. We have scheduled the two hearings to afford citizens a good opportunity to participate in the process."

The committee held its first public hearing on Tuesday, May 9, 2012. You can read the Milford Daily News report on that meeting at http://tinyurl.com/7q5pxbc

In December 2011, following the election of a new Town Council, the Master Plan Committee was formed to develop documents, review research and data, and obtain public input to outline and compose a Master Plan for the community. In addition, the Committee will incorporate a strategic plan into this effort that will invite residents to visit the questions of who we are and what we want for our community.

"Attending a public hearing will provide Franklin's residents and organizations a great opportunity to provide the Town's Master Plan Committee with input as the Committee works toward development of a vision for the Town's future," said Bryan Taberner, the Director of Franklin's Planning & Community Development Department. "The public process is an extremely important component of any comprehensive planning process, as the resulting goals and objectives will help to focus the decision making of Town officials well into the future."

By law, a Master Plan is a statement through text, maps, illustrations or other forms of communication that is designed to provide a basis for decision making regarding the long-term physical development of the municipality. In that context, the committee is looking at the following elements: Land Use, Housing, Economic Development, Circulation, Open Space and Recreation, Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources, Community Services, and Facilities. The Committee will establish recommendations for goals and policies in these areas and develop an implementation plan. The report is expected to be delivered to the Town Council by June 2013.

Beth Dahlstrom, Franklin's Town Planner is hoping to learn how the residents of Franklin view the community in which they live. She is interested in learning about what the residents see as the most important aspects of the community and what can the Town can do to enhance areas within the community to make it a better place to live. "I then hope the Master Plan Committee will be able to then use the information obtained at the Public Hearing to help formulate goals and objectives for use in the Master Plan," noted Dahlstrom..

The Master Plan Committee members are Jeffrey Roy, Chairman, Matt Kelly, Vice Chairman, Andy Bissanti, Secretary, Christi Apicella, Nathan Carlucci, John Carroll, David F. Dobrzynski, Jay Duncan, James Esterbrook , Gene Grella, Jeff Livingstone, Greg Rondeau, Timothy C. Twardowski, and Chris Vericker.

The Committee has a website on the Franklin Town page athttp://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/Masterplan. It also has a presence on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FranklinMasterPlan. In addition to the public hearings, residents can offer input online at either site.