Thursday, June 2, 2016

Introducing.... #shopFranklin - Being Small Business

And so a journey begins.....

Welcome and thank you for joining me as I introduce
#shopFranklin - Being Small Business.

#shopFranklin - Being Small Business was created in response to the desire of Franklin's independent business owners to find new and creative ways to collaborate around the common goal of a vibrant and thriving small business community.

Please join me next week to learn more about how we, as a business community, can work together in creative and innovative ways to help Franklin's independently owned businesses succeed. These sessions will be very relaxed and will include an overview of #shopFranklin - Being Small Business membership, proposed ideas, calendar of upcoming events, general discussion and casual conversation. We will be hitting the ground running!

Thank you sincerely for your enthusiasm and trust. - Sarah Mabardy

Two information sessions will be held at:
FranklinTV
23 Hutchinson Street, Franklin

Tuesday, June 7th 11:00 AM and Wednesday, June 8th 7:00 PM

FranklinTV offers water, tea and coffee. You are welcome to bring any food or drinks for yourself (or all). Please RSVP via email to shopfranklin@gmail.com

A glimpse at how #shopFranklin - Being Small Business is different from other business groups

Business driven, not organization driven. The mission is to promote Franklin's independently owned business community - not the #shopFranklin group.
Focused. By representing ONLY independently owned businesses in Franklin, the group can present ideas, information and resources that are timely, relevant and actionable
Established community. #shopFranklin - Being Small Business has the benefit of an established consumer audience and business community - the existing 1,600+ #shopFranklin Facebook group members - that has consciously chosen to be a part of the movement to support Independently owned businesses.
Choice. Each member of #shopFranklin - Being Small Business decides how they would like to participate in the organization. There are no participation requirements or quotas.
Passion and Energy. the #shopFranklin movement was initiated over a year ago out of the sheer desire to help Franklin's independently owned businesses. That passion and energy has not only sustained, but grown and continues to do so.
Action. Small business owners are often teeming with ideas and responsibilities, but short on time. #shopFranklin - Being Small Business will facilitate the process of turning ideas into action for the benefit of the business community or, as available, for an individual business with a specific need.
Community over Competition. Leveraging the collective talents of the business community for the benefit of all local independently owned businesses

and that doesn't even touch on all of the great ideas, events, education sessions, initiatives, group marketing, promotions, consumer resources..........you'll have to come to the meeting to learn more!

Copyright © 2016 #shopFranklin - Being Small Business, All rights reserved.
Thank you for your support of #shopFranklin - Being Small Business

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

School Committee to host a series of Coffee Hours

All of our community benefits when our public schools are strong. To make sure our schools stay among the very best in the state, the school committee will seek input from all members of the community.

The Community Relations Subcommittee of the Franklin School Committee will be hosting a series of coffee hours. We would like to hear from the citizens of Franklin as we begin to review the mission and vision of the Franklin Public Schools. With the goal of meeting the academic, social and emotional needs of all students, we would greatly appreciate your input.

How are we doing?
What are our strengths?
Where would you like to see us put more of our resources?

All members of the community are welcome to attend any/all of these sessions. Join us:

Thursday, June 9, 7:00 P.M. Franklin Cable Access TV Station
Saturday, June 11, 9:00 A.M. Franklin Cable Access TV Station
Friday, June 24, 9:00 A.M. Franklin Senior Center

Franklin School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee:

Anne Bergen
Vanessa Bilello
Denise Schultz

Contact us with your concerns, questions at the Franklin School Committee
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_About/members

Front Row: Cindy Douglas, Vice Chair; Dr. Kevin O'Malley, Chairman; Dr. John Jewell
Back Row: Vanessa Bilello, Dr. Anne Bergen, MaryJane Scofield, Denise Schultz

THE BLACK BOX: "The Love Dogs"

THE BLACK BOX New England Artist Series presents The Love Dogs, featuring rockin’ rhythm and blues, on Friday, June 3 at 8 p.m. With barrelhouse boogie-woogie piano, stinging Fender guitar, and a red-hot horn section of trombone and alto, tenor and baritone saxes, The Love Dogs also showcases a swinging rhythm section that Blues Review magazine called “the best in the business” and a charismatic front man with one of the biggest blues voices around.

Based out of Boston, the septet just celebrated its 20th year. Combining elements of jump blues, New Orleans R&B, and early rock ‘n’ roll, The Love Dogs have played juke joints, festivals and concert halls across the U.S. and Canada and on both sides of the Atlantic. They’ve released four CDs. Many of the cuts have been blues radio favorites and several of the Dogs’ signature original songs have been used in feature films and on television. The New York Post says, “Even though the music could make Leonardo’s David dance, it’s the songwriting that separates these dogs from the rest of the pack.” Voted “Best New England Band” by Blues Audience magazine, The Love Dogs is part Rat Pack party, part 20th century musical encyclopedia, and part revival meeting.

The band’s lineup, featuring some of the Northeast’s best players, consists of Eddie “Duato” Scheer (lead vocals), Alizon Lissance (keyboards, vocals), Myanna (alto/tenor sax, vocals), Glenn Shambroom (guitar, baritone sax), Randy Bramwell (bass, vocals), Steve Brown (drums, vocals), Mario Perrett (tenor sax, vocals), and Mark Paquin (tenor sax, trombone). THE BLACK BOX show will also feature bassist Mark Poniatowski.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or at the door. A cash bar is available. The home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. For more information, call (508) 528-3370.

http://www.thelovedogs.com/

Downtown Project Update #31 - Paving to begin on Main St Thursday night

Paving to begin: construction will begin paving the binder course on Main Street (between Emmons St and the bridge) on Thursday night this week.

Crews will be working from 8:00 pm to 4:00 am. This area includes a small section of Emmons St, Dean Ave and Depot St.

If anyone has a question, please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

Main St at Emmons which is scheduled for paving Thursday night

In the News: Strawberry Stroll next week, BB damages windows

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"The downtown area will mark the start of summer with a "Strawberry Stroll" next week.

The stroll - scheduled for Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. - has been an annual Franklin Downtown Partnership event for the past 14 years.

Lisa Piana, the partnership's executive director, said the event was something of a local favorite, with a number of residents attending annually to feast on strawberry shortcakes.

"We go through dozens of cases of whipped cream and over 100 quarts of strawberries each year," she said, adding that the shortcakes will be served in front of Dean Bank. "It's a fun event to start the summer - what better way to do that than with strawberries?"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160531/franklin-strawberry-stroll-set-for-next-week

Strawberry Stroll June 9, 4:00 to 7:00 PM

"Several local residents had their homes shot at by a BB gun Saturday morning in a string of vandalism incidents that extended to other towns.

The Franklin Police Department received three reports that day, and the nearby towns of Medway and Holliston also saw similar incidents.

According to the police log, one of the shootings took place at 85 Elm St., where the residence's front door and siding were hit by BBs. Two other incidents - at 799 and 851 Lincoln St. - involved windows shot out by the projectiles."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160531/franklin-homes-damaged-in-bb-gun-vandalism

Playoff seeds for FHS baseball, softball and both tennis teams

Boys Tennis = D1 South

#4 Franklin (15-3) will host #13 Mansfield (11-8) on Thursday, 6/2 at 4:00.

Girls Tennis = D1 South

#18 Franklin (8-8) will travel to #15 Oliver Ames (11-9) on Thursday, 6/2 at 4:00.

for all the Hokcomock team seeds and initial games
http://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-tennis-playoff-seeds-matchups-2016/

Softball = Girls = D1 South

#15 Franklin (12-8) will host #18 Somerset-Berkley (11-9) on Thursday, 6/2 at 3:30.

for all the Hokcomock team seeds and initial games
http://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-softball-playoff-seeds-matchups-2016/

Baseball = D1 South

#9 Franklin (13-9) will travel to #8 Durfee (12-8) on Thursday, 6/2 at 4:00.

for all the Hokcomock team seeds and initial games
http://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-baseball-playoff-seeds-matchups-2016/

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Reminder: trash and recylicng delayed by 1 day this week

REMINDER- TRASH AND RECYCLING WILL BE DELAYED BY ONE DAY DUE TO THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY.

(So if you’re regular scheduled pick up is on Monday, pick up will be on Tuesday and so on.)

For more information please visit the Department of Public Works Web page

trash and recycling delayed 1 day this week due to Memorial Day holiday

Reporting by Walking around Franklin

Most of the photos were from Monday morning's walk some slipped in from other walks. I'll let you know which ones.

rain garden at Parmenter Elementary doing what it is supposed to

If you have not signed up for the rain garden training on June 4th, there might still be spots open
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/rain-garden-training-and-demonstration.html

fox running down Wachusett St

I thought I had a better picture of him until I saw this later. It was moving pretty quick.

Agway was open early on Memorial Day

the Franklin Garden Club has done a great job with the flowers and blossoms around the monuments on the Town Common

WWI dough boy wet and solemn on Monday

sidewalk gaps along Main St are now filled with concrete

the foundation is in and utility work being done for the new building at 150 Emmons St

as the parking meters were removed for the construction on Main St,
the flags went into slots on the railing along the bridge

and from other recent walks

an Irish Pub will try its luck in the restaurant location most recently used by Chinese Murch

You can follow along with the preparation for Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub
https://www.facebook.com/teddygallagherspub/

free little library - take a book, share a book

The Franklin Federated Church has installed a 'free little library' on its front lawn. This is the second one in Franklin. The first is on Lincoln St

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/the-free-little-library-franklin.html

Mac City closed for roof repairs

Mac City is still closed reportedly due to rook repairs.. I hope it doesn't take too much longer

the FHS principals office is still not complete and operation but is currently being used for to prepare the diplomas for graduation Friday June 3rd

"cyber art is at its best when it appears almost to be magic"

"The marquee is just an amazing thing. It is an LED sculpture unique in the world in its size, in its shape, in its multiplicity of screens. Every artist who does work on it, when they first see it on the marquee, their eyes widen and their jaws drop. I think it’s the most spectacular public art medium in the entire city. It really runs the gamut of artistic expression you can do in a 30-second piece."

You can read the full article in the Boston Sunday Globe Magazine here
http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2016/05/26/lighting-them/XKT6YvXnNj12lIHfY2MhPK/story.html

The marquee outside the Boston Convention Center is sure to catch your eye. What is that? A rotation of photos, advertisements, and works of art scroll across the expansive surface.

From April 2015, two views of the marquee:

fun facts touting the ladybug as the state insect (Yay, Franklin!)

honeybees working in the hive

Monday, May 30, 2016

Parade Canceled - Noon Ceremony to be held as planned

Due to today's rain the 2016 Memorial Day Parade has been cancelled.

The 12:00 noon ceremony on the common will continue as planned.

Memorial Day is a day to honor our Veteran's, especially the Veterans that have left us over the past year. As a community we continue to have the important task of ringing the watch and sounding the taps for our deceased Veterans.

We ask that you join us at 12noon on the Franklin Town Common in honoring our Veterans that have gave us the freedoms that we have today.

Matt Kelly
Parader Coordinator
Franklin Rotary Club

WWI Doughboy on the Town Common

FHS outdoor track girls and boys results from MIAA EMass D1 meet

GIRLS TEAM RESULTS

1. Andover – 75.50
7. Mansfield – 33
12. Franklin – 28
19. Taunton – 15

100M
1. Brianna Duncan, Cambridge – 12.32
3. Jessica Kroushl, Franklin – 12.61

1 Mile
1. Margie Cullen, Needham – 4:55.73
4. Nicole Clermont, Franklin – 5:10.56

2 Mile
1. Margie Cullen, Needham – 10:28.55
15. Sabrina Roche, Franklin – 11:48.13

4×100 Relay
1. Framingham – 49.88
19. Franklin (Aubree Ronan, Sabrina Roche, Daniella Pierre, Jessica Kroushl) – 53.16

4×400 Relay
1. Acton-Boxborough – 3:59.13
10. Franklin (Ashley Jacques, Daniella Pierre, Brianna Cummings, Meghan Doherty) – 4:11.07

4×800 Relay
1. Lincoln-Sudbury – 9:25.23
2. Franklin (Brittany Robinson, Meghan Doherty, Katherine Hartnett, Nicole Clermont) – 9:30.55

Shot Put
1. Roxy Wint, Newton North – 37-04.00
10. Sarah Goodermuth, Franklin – 31-04.00

Discus
1. Rebecca Andersen, Lexington – 106-03
8. Allison Rizoli, Franklin – 92-07
17. Brianna Young, Franklin – 76-06

Javelin
1. Nicole Jorgenson, Quincy – 129-05
23. Erika Stone, Franklin – 82-01

Long Jump
1. Brianna Duncan, Cambridge – 20-00.00
6. Jessica Kroushl, Franklin – 16-10.50

Triple Jump
1. Brianna Duncan, Cambridge – 39-02.00
13. Brianna Cummings, Franklin – 33-09.00

Pentathlon
1. Michaela Sliney, Haverhill – 2806
6. Beth Neal, Franklin – 2355
7. Miranda Smith, Franklin – 2277

BOYS TEAM RESULTS

1. Newton North – 78
8. Mansfield – 31
20. Taunton – 17
24. Attleboro – 9

1 Mile
1. Zachary Manickas-Hill – Lexington – 4:19.32
35. Jimmy Robbins, Franklin – 4:45.73

2 Mile
1. Marcelo Rocha, Peabody – 9:10.23
23. Ryan Spelman, Franklin – 10:15.19

400M Hurdles
1. Fabian Tineo, Lawrence – 56.67
10. William Jacobs, Franklin – 59.65

4×100 Relay
1. Newton South – 42.62
17. Franklin (Chris Chieng, Farley Asmath, Nathaniel Dale, Jake Wolowacki) – 46.05

4×400 Relay
1. Billerica – 3:22.69
19. Franklin (Paul Kroushl, Brian Sun, Matt Hanifan, Alec Hurd) – 3:33.68

4×800 Relay
1. Lexington – 7:56.51
17. Franklin (Jimmy Robbins, Jeff Wu, Ryan Spelman, Robert Moreau) – 8:32.42

Long Jump
1. Anthony DeNitto, Newton South – 24-05.25
17. Chris Chieng, Franklin – 20-09.00

For all the Hockomock League results
http://hockomocksports.com/miaa-emass-d1-outdoor-track-hockomock-results/

FHS Panthers

Memorial Day Events

Parmenter School will hold their Memorial Day ceremonies on Tuesday, May 31. The ice cream social is scheduled for June 1.

Milford Daily News covers the Memorial Day event at Jefferson Elementary

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160529/franklin-jefferson-elementary-students-observe-memorial-day

Boston Common flag garden - 2016

If you got to the Boston Common this weekend, you might have seen the flag garden.

"Each of the 37,000 flags we plant at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument will represent every brave Massachusetts service member who gave his or her life defending our country since the Revolutionary War."

plaque noting the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund and acknowledging John Hancock as a sponsor

a view of the flag garden

another view of the flag garden

Video I captured on Thursday during my lunch break:

Follow the link for a time lapse video of putting the flags in the garden
http://www.massmilitaryheroes.org/our-work/community-building-events/public-program-events/memorial-day-flag-garden-planting/

Note: I am employed by John Hancock, one of the prime sponsors of the flag garden

"By controlling the draw, a team controls the pace of the game"

"Franklin head coach Kristin Igoe also uses a rotation for draws.

Freshman Annie Walsh, senior Kenzie Pleshaw and sophomore Grace MacCallum have all taken a large number of draws for the Panthers, who went undefeated in the Hockomock and won the Kelley-Rex title.

On May 3, the Panthers were decidedly outdrawn by Lincoln-Sudbury, but a draw control by Walsh in the final minute helped to secure a 10-9 victory.

“Being able to win a draw late in a game is huge, whether you have to win it and score or to kill the clock,” said Igoe, a two-time All-American at Framingham High and four-time all-ACC honoree at Boston College."

Continue reading the full article in the Boston Globe West on Sunday (subscription may be required)

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2016/05/26/drawing-upon-success-needham-high-girls-point-circle/9VTit04WEhsWJwPHShmR7I/story.html

Franklin won the Kelley-Rex Division with senior midfielder Emily Spath
one of the key returning players. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

"It's given me a better experience and challenged me more than a school orchestra would have"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"The young musicians get the chance to play with the professional Claflin Hill musicians in the Grand Ballroom at Milford Town Hall and other venues, LaChapelle added.

Cellist Domenic Narducci, 18, of Franklin, said it's been a good experience for him.

"It's really helped me in terms of being a musician. I think I learned more about playing in a large group,” said the Franklin High senior. “In high school we have a group, but it's not large. (At Claflin Hill) we have a full orchestra.”

To join the any of the Claflin Hill youth musical groups, students must take private lessons to help take their musical skills to the next level."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/entertainmentlife/20160529/students-take-their-musical-talents-to-next-step-with-claflin-hill

Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: Promotes Protection Against Real Estate Fraud

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Promotes Protection Against Real Estate Fraud

Continuing his efforts to protect homeowners against dishonest individuals, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reminds residents about the availability of a free on-line Consumer Notification Service offered by the Registry to protect Norfolk County property owners against fraud.

"The F.B.I. has reported that property and mortgage fraud is one of the fastest growing white collar crimes in the United States. Multiple jurisdictions across the country have reported individuals recording fraudulent documents and making it appear like they own another person's home or property. While we have been fortunate that this problem has not revealed itself here in Norfolk County, I want to make sure my office is proactively and vigorously protecting consumers," noted Register O'Donnell.

Any owner of real property in the twenty-eight communities comprising Norfolk County can sign-up for the Consumer Notification Service free of charge by doing the following: Go to the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org, and click on the Consumer Notification Service Get Consumer Alerts button to complete the initial registration. From there, follow the remaining sign-up instructions.

Once you have signed up for the service, each subscriber will be able to input two names, individual or business, and the corresponding city or town in Norfolk County for monitoring. They can monitor their real estate for such activities as changes in deeds, mortgages, non-mortgage liens, Homesteads or other land documents that might be recorded against their property.

If a document is recorded against one of the names inputted for monitoring, the subscriber will be alerted via email, usually within 24 hours. The person can check the Registry's on-line land research records at www.norfolkresearch.org as an option. If a subscriber believes a fraudulent land record has been recorded against their property, they should then immediately contact the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101. The subscriber would also be given a list of public safety referrals by the Registry.

Register O'Donnell concluded, "As your Norfolk County Register of Deeds, I take very seriously the Registry's responsibility to provide secure, accurate and accessible land records for all Norfolk County communities. I also want to be proactive in ensuring that there is no fraudulent activity related to land document recordings. By offering the Consumer Notification Service, we are able to provide a level of protection to the program's subscribers against unscrupulous individuals who would attempt to commit real estate fraud. We are delighted already to have more than 400 residents sign-up for the free service."

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

Register William P. O'Donnell

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org

phone: 781-234-3336

web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with

Try it free today

screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Town Council passes FY 2017 budget

The second budget hearing for the FY 2017 fiscal year took place on Thursday, May 26. The perfunctory reading of the budget line items, department, total salary, total expenses was interrupted three times with a request to put an item "on hold".

The 'on hold' items were then discussed in some more detail in a brief conversation between the councilor with the question and the appropriate department head. In the case on Thursday, Police Chief Semarjian and Police Chief McCarragher were questioned about their submittals for the budget.

After the brief discussion, the Council approved with budget by an 8-0-1 vote. Jones abstained from voting as Franklin has a portion of the Tri-County budget as part of the overall town budget and Jones is currently employed there as a teacher. You may recall that he had left the council after he got hired into this position to avoid the 'conflict of interest' as it had not been disclosed while he was running. He left, campaigned again in 2015 and was re-elected.

My notes captured live during the meeting:

concrete sidewalks were filled in where they had been either skipped or left aside earlier in the process

The budget document can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/franklin-ma-town-council-budget-hearing.html

The video of the meeting can be found here
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=363

Town Council - Actions Taken - May 25

I missed the Town Council meeting on Wednesday due to a family commitment. The actions taken during the meeting were recorded by the Deputy Town Administrator as shown in the following document

The actions taken by the Town Council:

The full agenda and associated documents for this meeting

~~When the video of the meeting is available for replay by Franklin TV, the link will be shared here~~

The video of the meeting can be viewed here
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=361

brick pavers ready to be installed on the sidewalks downtown

From hydroponics to "Crazy Reading Ladies" all in one School Committee meeting

The School Committee meeting on Tuesday May 24 heard presentations from Parmenter and Horace Mann, reviewed three policy changes and received some updates from the Superintendent. The highlights and details follow.

Parmenter School provided an update on their hydroponic gardens and how that is being used to foster education and collaboration.

Horace Mann provided an update on the student efforts to help make transition to middle school better as well as the "All In" reading program. The reading program achieved major notoriety this year when the author heard of their efforts via Twitter, arranged to visit, and the brought along one of the surviving Coast Guard men who were part of real life "The Finest Hours."

Co-author Casey Sherman and Coast Guard engineer Mel Gouthro with one of the "Crazy Reading Ladies"

The School Committee started the review of three policy changes and moved them to a second reading. Most of the material change is bringing the language current with legal and regulatory requirements.

Dianne Plouffe was announced as the new District Music Director replacing Nancy Schoen who is retiring after this year.

My notes captured live during the meeting can be found here

From the archives:

The post recounting the visit of Casey Sherman and Mel Guthro

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/03/it-touched-me-not-because-you-loved.html

FHS baseball, softball drop non-league games on Saturday

Baseball

Franklin, 2 vs. Lincoln-Sudbury, 5 – Final

– Franklin scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game but LS responded with three runs in the top of the fifth to get the win. Ryan Hodgkins went 2-3 with a triple and a run scored, Josh Macchi was 1-3 with an RBI and a run scored, Mike Skaza went 2-3, Jason Ulrickson was 1-2 with an RBI and Alex Bissanti had a pair of hits for the Panthers.

Softball

Franklin, 0 vs. Abington, 3 – Final

http://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-052816/