"tested positive for West Nile virus"

It was only a matter of time before this happened!

West Nile found in Medway, Franklin, Bellingham

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

On August 17th, the Board of Health had posted on Franklin's website:

As this unprecedented mosquito season continues, we again urge residents to take all steps necessary to prevent mosquito bites. 

• Avoid outdoor activities during the peak hours of mosquito activity; generally between dawn and dusk. 
• The use of a repellent containing up to 30% DEET, permethrin or picaridin provides protection against mosquitoes. 
• Permethrin products should not be applied directly to the skin, but only used on clothing. 
• We recommend that residents drain all standing water on their property. Birdbaths, buckets/pails, wheelbarrows and children’s inflatable pools all provide ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Franklin Food Pantry website update

We apologize for the issues with the website. The data and information is still here but if you can't find it then it doesn't do much good.

At least for now, you can find us at franklinMAfoodpantry.org

You already remember "franklinfoodpantry" just stick a "ma" right after Franklin and you should arrive to the website properly!

This should buy us some time while we sort out the issues with the original "franklinfoodpantry.org" problem and return to a normal operation.

In the meantime, the Food Pantry is continuing to operate. We remain open and active during our normal business hours.

National Grid invests $60M to prepare for severe weather seasons

I think it interesting to find this from the Providence area news and not yet reported on by MA news.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

National Grid invests $60M to prepare for severe weather seasons

via PBN.com - Latest Stories by By PBN Staff Twitter: @ProvBusNews on 8/27/12

National Grid is investing $60 million in a new system to prepare for the severe weather season and make sure customers who lose power get it back more quickly.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to PBN.com - Latest Stories using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Primary election - Thursday, Sep 6th

The primary is coming up next week on Thursday, Sep 6th. Yes, we'll get to go to the polls to vote on a Thursday not a Tuesday as we normally do. The regular election on November 6th will be on a Tuesday.

The three Republican candidates get to debate tonight. They will gather at the Town Council Chambers at 7:00 PM. I'll catch the replay on video as the Franklin Food Pantry holds their monthly Board meeting this evening at the same time.

If you missed the Democratic Debates, you can view the first one here and the second one here

"I learn something new every day"

One of the questions in the Democratic Debates has been what the candidates have learned from going door-to-door in their campaign effort. The Milford Daily News talked with both Republican and Democratic candidates to put this together.

With the primaries set for Thursday, Sept. 6, the candidates say each visit to a resident’s home bolsters their respect for the job they seek. 

And talking with voters face-to-face, they say, gives them a deep understanding of the mark left by James Vallee — the Franklin Democrat who occupied the seat before them — and how important it will be to carry his torch. 

"We need to make sure we continue to have a strong advocate for the 10th Norfolk," said Republican C. Stolle Singleton. "Because Representative Vallee was an unbelievable advocate for our communities."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1405834597/District-candidates-love-going-door-to-door#ixzz24pbKLip3

Franklin Public Library: Story Times Resume

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Story Times Resume

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 8/27/12

Library Story Times will resume on 

Tuesday September 4th

Tuesdays

Mother Goose on the Loose - Ages 0-2 - 10:30 AM

Wednesdays

Terrific Twos - 10:00 AM

                       Time for Tales - Independent 3,4,5 year olds - 10:30 AM

Thursdays

Story & Craft - Ages 4 & 5 - 10:30 AM

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

MEMBERS OF MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ENDORSE STOLLE SINGLETON

MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ENDORSE STOLLE SINGLETON FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE 10^TH NORFOLK DISTRICT

Stolle Seeks to Represent Franklin and Precincts 2, 3, and 4 in Medway

FRANKLIN—The Massachusetts House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and thirteen members of Massachusetts House of Republican Caucus have announced their official endorsement of Stolle Singleton for the open State Representative seat in the 10^th Norfolk district. The district is comprised of Franklin and Precincts 2, 3, and 4 in Medway. "I am honored to receive the endorsement of fourteen outstanding Republican Legislators, whom I have had the privilege of working with as a policy analyst in the State House," Stolle Singleton said. "I am continually encouraged by the support of these genuine public servants, whom I consider my friends and mentors.  I am confident that my first-hand legislative experience, informed by my working relationships with legislators, committees, and staff, will make me a strong advocate for the interests of Franklin and Medway on Beacon Hill." On the endorsement, House Minority Leader Brad Jones said, "I am pleased to give my support to Stolle as she embarks on this endeavor that is a reflection of her hard work and dedication to the residents of the 10^th Norfolk District. Furthermore, Stolle is a passionate and persuasive advocate whose experience working in the Massachusetts Legislature will enable her to be effective from day one as a member of the House of Representatives."
 "I have had the pleasure of working with Stolle on a number of pieces of legislation at the State House and time and time again I was amazed by her ability to comprehend and simplify very complex subject matter in a timely and efficient manner," said Representative Mathew Beaton of Shrewsbury. "Stolle's professionalism, passion for public service and diverse knowledge is exactly what we need in the House of Representatives to help the Republican Caucus advance our efforts to reform and bring transparency to Beacon Hill." Minority Leader Jones and Representative Beaton were joined in endorsing Stolle Singleton's candidacy by colleagues Assistant Minority Leader George Peterson or Grafton, Second Assistant Minority Leader Brad Hill of Ipswich, and Representatives Vinny deMacedo of Plymouth, Jay Barrows of Mansfield, Susan Gifford of Wareham, Donald Humason of Westfield, George Ross of Attleboro, Angelo D'Emilia of Bridgewater, Geoff Diehl of Whitman, Kim Ferguson of Holden, David Vieira of East Falmouth, and Donald Wong of Saugus. Stolle Singleton spent the past two years working on Beacon Hill as a policy advisor to the House Minority Leader and the Massachusetts House Republican Caucus. During her time in the State House, she drafted over 17 pieces of legislation and a myriad of amendments to state budgets and bills, some of which have been signed into law by Governor Patrick. Stolle's legislative experience and commitment to work as a full-time legislator will allow her to effectively collaborate across party-lines to pass legislation to restore our economy, maintain our local aid, and bring increased accountability to State Government.

In the News: yard sale, Catholic program, Harvest Festival

First Universalist Society seeks yard sale donations

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

St. Mary’s offers program about the Catholic faith

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Harvest Festival slated for Sept. 30

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Construction Alert: Downtown Franklin

From the Franklin, MA webpage:

The roadway construction project for East Street, West Street, Nason Street, Church Avenue and Walnut Street will start on Friday August 24, 2012 and will be completed in June 2013

Franklin, MA: Getting ready for school

The last week of summer is upon us as schools open after Labor Day for the first time in several years. The teachers report on Weds and Thur this week for preparation and professional development. The students report on Tue Sep 4th.

The Davis Thayer sign:

The Parmenter sign:

Check with your school for when the K Orientation begins on Tuesday, Sep 4th. The starting times may differ school to school.

Generally across the district, there is the orientation on Tuesday, half the class reports for a full day on Wednesday. The other half of the class reports on Thursday. Then the full kindergarten class reports on Friday. This provides a good opportunity for the K teachers to greet the students and start getting the school routine established for this young and precious group.

The full school calendar for 2012-2013 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/08/franklin-ma-school-calendar-2012-13.html

The bus schedule can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/08/franklin-ma-school-bus-routes-for-2012.html

News on the New Franklin High School Project!

Hello everyone,

Hope you have had a great summer! Hard to believe it's "back-to-school" time in Franklin already.

It's been five months since the March 27 vote to overwhelmingly approve financing for the construction of the new Franklin High School. The Franklin School Building Committee and the management and design team worked throughout the summer to prepare the project to go out to bid on August 10.

In just one month, those bids will be open and, shortly after that, construction is scheduled to begin!

To keep the community up to date on the latest developments on the construction of the new FHS, the web site used during the campaign has been re-tooled to provide new information and new pictures on a regular basis. The web address is the same: www.newfhs.com, but you'll find summaries of new information right on the home page and elsewhere on the site. Please take the time to visit www.newfhs.com.

The web site will be updated weekly as developments warrant. If folks have questions about the new FHS project, visit the "Ask Us" page of the web site or send questions and comments by e-mail at the franklinhigh2014@gmail.com. Please be patient. Remember, this is a volunteer effort. Inquiries will be answered as soon as possible.

Another great way to keep in touch with the latest developments on the new FHS is through the NEW community Facebook page created for the construction phase of the project. You can "like" and follow the page at www.facebook.com/thenewfhs. Remember, this is a NEW Facebook address. The page created during the campaign is being phased out. More than 400 people have "liked" the Facebook page since it was launched on Saturday.

There are no plans at this time to send out weekly emails with project updates. The web site (www.newfhs.com) and the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thenewfhs) will be the chief ways to stay informed, as well as through news generated by the Building Committee, the Franklin School Committee, the Town Council, the Franklin High PCC and others school PCCs in town.

Every effort will be made to secure coverage of the progress toward the new FHS in the Milford Daily News and the Country Gazette, but the best way to stay on top of important project developments – including how construction will be phased and new renderings of key interior features – will be through the new FHS web site and Facebook page.

Thank you again for your interest and support!

Ed Cafasso

On Behalf of the Franklin School Building Committee

Dean College welcomes students Sunday, Sep 2

Dean College prepares for new school year

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

I had heard that the new dormitory building would be opening this September. It may still make it during the month but with work on the roof and exterior to complete before they get the interior work done, it won't make it for the opening of school this Labor Day weekend. The article updates the scheduled opening of the new dorm to be in time for the Spring 2013 semester.

"unfortunate but necessary response"?

The Milford Daily News has an article covering the local college campuses that have switched their security guards from unarmed to armed. Is this an "unfortunate but necessary response"?

There were also some skeptical of the plan, however, including many students who were wary of dealing with gun-toting police. 

Other colleges in the area, particularly ones with smaller campuses, don't have any immediate plans to arm police. 

"We are located within minutes of the Franklin police station, and have an outstanding relationship with them," said Dean College spokesman Gregg Chalk, who added school officials haven't had any discussions about giving guns to police.

Read more: Arming police a hot topic on area campuses - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x976203572/Arming-police-a-hot-topic-on-area-campuses#ixzz24jnisnNV

New Facebook page for the new Franklin High School building

Switching to a more serious topic for Franklin. I received the following in an email from Ed Cafasso:

I wanted to let you know that there is a new Facebook page for the Franklin High School construction project. I am trying to get the folks who liked the campaign page ("Vote Yes..") to switch over. 

The community can now stay in touch with the project by "liking" and following our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thenewfhs. Hopefully, they "share" it too, to spread the word. 

I also have re-tooled the web site, stripping away all the campaign stuff. New info and pictures will start to be posted to the site on a regular basis. The address is the same:www.newfhs.com. Information on this site will be updated as developments warrant. You'll see capsules of the latest updates right on the home page. 

If folks have questions about the new FHS project, they can visit the "Ask Us" page of the web site or contact us by e-mail at the franklinhigh2014@gmail.com. That is a new email address, by the way -- not the one used during the campaign.

If you are on Facebook, please follow the links above to "like" the new page!

Your photo from the OSCAR MAYER Wienermobile!