FHS Coach Kristin Igoe

HockomockSports.com interviews FHS girls lacrosse Coach Kristin Igoe



Read the full article
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/04/new-coach-looks-to-take-franklin-lax-to-next-level.html

In the News: Price is Right, Falk's Market

Franklin woman appears on Price Is Right

The typical bucket list entries look something like this: seeing all of Europe, skydiving, swimming with dolphins or maybe great white sharks. Not always, though. Take, for instance, Kimberly Howley’s dream to-do list. On it, the number one item was to catch a live taping of "The Price Is Right."

End of an era in Plainville: Falk's Market comes down

A couple of well-placed nudges against the front of the more than 100-year-old Falk’s Market with the demolition claw of an excavator on Monday morning collapsed the landmark in Plainville center with a loud, resoundingly final crunch of snapped wood.

Construction progress - new FHS

The steel continues to rise at the new Franklin High School. On my walk around Franklin on Saturday, I managed to capture these photos to share here:

From Oak St, main entrance to site

Peeking over the green covered fence was a challenge in the strong breeze Saturday.

The cranes are TALL

Getting closer, the cranes are really tall!

Front corner of new building

The coordination of the construction site is amazing. As a IT project manager I can appreciate the level of detail that must be required to get this job done.

front right corner, closer this time for a new angle view

There will be more steel put in place. Follow the line created from the upright sections and you can connect the dots in your minds eye.

around to the back corner of the right side

Now walking around to the back side of the right. The field house of the existing high school is behind me. That the new building is 3 stories tall is telling!

stairway to the roof

The building is impressive. The back is full across but the front is not yet complete. The front that we see currently is the front side of this back section. There will be an open space and then another section like this will get laid out in front. The open space will be a courtyard open on the first floor and letting light into the interior sections of the second and third floors.

The building will be one to treasure as an educational institution!

Yes, there is a Neighbor Brigade in Franklin

Franklin Neighbor Brigade is a resourceful group of volunteers ready to help when immediate friends and family can’t do it all. We are ready to help families in times of crisis, such as illness, serious injury or tragic events. “Help is next door” is what we look to achieve in connecting with others to help during times of temporary crisis.

How do you reach out to the Neighbor Brigade?

You can contact

Linda Gagnon
Neighbor Brigade Inc.
617-335-5452/ FranklinMA@neighborbrigade.org
www.neighborbrigade.org

2013 Solarize Mass Program

Medway to Participate in Massachusetts Solar Incentive Program

MEDWAY –– Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D – Franklin) announced that Medway will participate in the first round of the 2013 Solarize Massachusetts program (Solarize Mass), a grassroots clean energy marketing, education and group-buying program. Roy is a member of the House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change.

The program – run by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) – is designed to increase the adoption of solar energy and further reduce the overall cost of solar power, and offers residents and businesses discounted pricing for solar. The more people in a particular community who participate, the greater the savings for everyone in that city or town.

"Medway has made strides towards reducing municipal energy consumption, including becoming a Massachusetts Green Community and installing solar panels on the High School and Middle School," noted Roy.  "The town is committed to creating a green and energy efficient community and this grant will undoubtedly be an asset to making the town's goals a reality."

Solarize Mass is an innovative initiative sponsored by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (CEC) and the Green Communities Division of the Mass Department of Energy Resources (DOER). It provides a structured program for local residential and commercial property owners to access and install competitively priced small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The program will begin in May and the time period for site assessments and sign ups will run through September 30, 2013.

"This year's program will build on the success of the last two years, saving residents and businesses money while creating local jobs," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan.

"This program brings together residents, local and state officials, and solar industry workers to form a truly grassroots effort," said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton. "With everyone at the table, we can spread the word about the economic and environmental benefits of solar power across ten communities."

"This new round of Solarize Mass continues to build on the clean energy leadership we've seen over and over again at the community level," said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. "When neighbors encourage neighbors, it creates local excitement and greater participation. This grassroots commitment is fueling Massachusetts leadership in energy efficiency, clean energy jobs growth, and renewable energy adoption."

Last year, 17 cities and towns participated in Solarize Mass, with 749 residents and businesses signing contracts to install solar electricity systems with the capacity to generate 4.8 megawatts of clean, renewable energy – enough to power the equivalent of 719 average Massachusetts homes annually. During the 2012 Solarize Mass program, participating customers were able to purchase solar electricity systems for 20 percent less than the statewide average price at the beginning of the program. The program last year also created at least 32 new jobs.

Due to state renewable energy incentive programs like Solarize Mass, residential solar electricity prices dropped 28 percent in Massachusetts in 2012, according to a report issued by the Solar Energy Industries Association in March 2013. This was the second biggest drop in the nation last year.

Massachusetts set a goal of achieving 250 megawatts of solar PV by 2017. As a result of the Solarize Mass program and other incentives, the state is close to reaching its goal – with 220 megawatts of solar electricity installed to date, the equivalent of powering 33,000 homes for a year.

For additional information on the Solarize Mass program visit this webpage

http://www.masscec.com/index.cfm/cdid/14834/pid/11150

Rep Jeffrey Roy's profile page on MA.gov can be found here

http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/JNR1

Fenway 1912 author at Library

If opening day is not enough for you, you might be interested in meeting author Glenn Stout at the Franklin Library Monday, Apr 8th at 6:30 PM. He'll talk about his book "Fenway 1912"

Library: Glenn Stout

Franklin Sculpture Park - imagine the future

I took a walk around the location of the old town pool on Panther Way on Saturday. The photos in this sequence will take us as we approach on Panther Way and then walk around the pool counter clockwise.

storm water catch basin

You can see the Police Station in the distance beyond the storm water catch basins. These were added to remove phosphorus from the storm water before it gets into Mine Brook.

trees and shrubs have overgrown the pool

Nature has taken over the pool area.

pool wall

Benches are planed to be placed along the wide wall area.

opposite end of the pool

Another pond shaped like a check mark feeds into the old pool area. (See map detail below)

water control

A water control point along the wall

pool overgrown by nature

At the back of the old pool looking towards Panther Way. The police station is to the right.


View Larger Map

You can navigate within this map pinned to the Police Station to see the water flow from the pond to the pool and eventually across RT 140 to Mine Brook.

For more information about the sculpture park, please visit the Franklin Art Center page here
http://franklinartcenter.com/park.html

You can contribute financially or buy a paving brick to help the cause!

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Apr 9, 2013

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens. 

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 26, 2013 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Keller Elementary School Update – Julie Vincentsen, Dan Atwell

3. Discussion Only Items
School Choice for 2013-2014
School Committee 2013-2014 Schedule-DRAFT

4. Action Items
a. I recommend not participating in the School Choice program for the 2013-2014 school year.
b. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $242.28 from the Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign for employee Douglas Lee for the FHS.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $20.00 from Robert and Margaret Bean for a FHS scholarship.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Richard and Janice Parmenter for a FHS Scholarship.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Gordon Bibbins for a FHS Scholarship.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $200.00 from David V. Anderson for a FHS Scholarship.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $25.00 from Cheryl and Anthony Tullio for a FHS Scholarship.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Larry and Joan Kerpelman for a FHS Scholarship.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Phyllis and Joseph Mueller for a FHS Scholarship.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Phyllis and Ugo Ciannavei for a FHS Scholarship.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from William Bardol for a FHS Scholarship.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Albert and Cheryl Mucciarone for a FHS Scholarship.
m. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip request of Anthony Joseph to take the Keller 5th Grade class to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on Friday, May 3, 2013 as detailed.
n. I recommend adoption of the 2013-2014 School Committee Schedule as discussed.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Franklin Public Schools: School Choice Enrollment History

The history of school choice enrollment for the Franklin Public Schools from 2003 to the present. This will be an input to the discussion on whether to offer school choice for the next school year.




The recommendation is to continue the recent policy of not enabling school choice. Those students already here can remain but no new enrollments would be accepted.


The full agenda for the School Committee meting Tuesday, Apr 9, 2013 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-apr.html

School Committee - Draft Meeting Calendar

For the FY 2014 Fiscal year, this is the proposed calendar of meetings for the School Committee. The calendar is up for discussion and approval at the next School Committee meeting.




The full agenda for the School Committee meting Tuesday, Apr 9, 2013 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-apr.html

In the News: crisis training, medical marijuana, robbery suspect

Franklin firm trains businesses, schools to respond to crises

With repeated exposure to harrowing experiences, the average person can learn to make quick, potentially lifesaving decisions amid the chaos and confusion. That’s the guiding principle behind Synergy Solutions.

Towns struggle for balance with medical marijuana proposals

When local officials discuss the pros and cons associated with a raft of local medical marijuana proposals and restrictions what becomes evident is that the challenge to strike a balance between voters who passed this fall's referendum and legal and health concerns is no small task.

Note: This coverage of what local communities are doing leaves out that Franklin is moving forward with a proposal to establish an overlay zone for these potential businesses in the industrial park areas. There were a series of zoning bylaw proposals referred to the Planning Board at last Wednesday's Town Council meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/town-council-040313.html

Franklin police looking for robbery suspect

Police are searching for a man who they say robbed the East Central Street CVS Pharmacy late Friday night with a gun.

Franklin Area Road Races

We're into April, if you want to run a road race in May you should already be on the roads. For those preparing for Boston, you'll be in the taper. Making the final preparations with the long runs behind you and the big day coming quick. 

There are a bunch of road races (and walks) coming up in the Franklin area.

May 11 - you have a choice between supporting the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee or the Franklin Elks. Both are fund raising for a worthy cause. You can actually support both but physically can only run one as the start this year is coincidentally at the same time for both events. Next year, the race dates will be different.

The Elks will hold their first event in what is expected to be an annual series. This event will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and the Wounded Warrior Project. For additional information and to register visit the website  http://www.franklinelks5k.com/index.html 

The 3rd Annual 5K for the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee will be held to raise money for the further development of the trail.  http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/3rd-annual-road-race

HMEA 5K

May 19 - The 12th Annual Independence Day 5K and Walk, Roll, Stroll will benefit the Horace Mann Education Association. More info and to register visit their webpage   http://www.hmea.org/events.html

MassBudget: the new transportation plan - how does it compare

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Less Revenue. Fewer Investments. Earlier this week, House and Senate leaders unveiled their plan to fund transportation with a combination of new tax revenue and increased fees. The plan would shore up MBTA finances and move MassDOT employees from the capital budget to the operating budget--freeing up resources for capital spending. The Joint House and Senate plan is significantly smaller than the Governor's earlier transportation package and it does not include the investments in education that the Governor had proposed. MassBudget's new brief, "The Joint Ways & Means Transportation Proposal," describes the basic structure of the new proposal and compares it to the Governor's. The Joint Ways & Means plan is significantly smaller than the Governor's, raising less money for capital projects. Whereas the Governor's proposal included efforts to make higher education more affordable, to expand access to early education & care, and to increase funding for our public schools, the Joint Ways & Means proposal is focused on transportation. More will be known about the impact on other areas when the House Ways & Means budget comes out next week. New tax revenues to support the Joint Ways & Means plan come from a mix of focused changes, including increases in gas and tobacco taxes along with some changes to business taxes Read our brief on THE JOINT WAYS & MEANS TRANSPORTATION PROPOSAL For a fuller discussion of the Governor's proposal, see OUR BUDGET MONITOR The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by nberger@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

"We need to go back and re-evaluate"

Initiated during the Citizens Comments during the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, the issue of the intersection at BJ's was discussed during the New Business section and reported on by the Milford Daily News here.

The accident opened old wounds for the West Central Street neighborhood of some 80 homes. For Jenkins and her husband, Gordon, though this crash hit close to home, it was not a surprise. 

While jamming on their brakes and laying on their horns, they and several other Conlyn Avenue residents have been lobbying the town and the state to install a full traffic light there for years. 

They’ve written letters, sent in petitions, gone to the State House, attended Planning Board and Town Council meetings and even stood about the intersection with "STOP" signs, all for naught. 

Because the Massachusetts Department of Transportation owns the roadway, the town cannot install a traffic light. And MassDOT won’t act in large part because not enough traffic passes through the intersection to warrant a light.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1433808197/Crusade-continues-for-signal-at-Franklin-intersection#ixzz2Pg5C4myH

For all the reporting on what happened at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, check here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/town-council-040313.html

Bert Jacobs brings his optimism to Dean

"Optimism Can Take You Anywhere" was the title of the presentation and talk that Bert Jacobs gave at Dean College on Thursday evening. This was the 8th in the series by the Dean Leadership Institute. Dr. Paula Rooney thanked the Robert Kraft and the Kraft Group, last year's speaker for helping to make the connection with the Life is Good founder.

Dr Paula Rooney introduction

Bert wasn't going to talk about t-shirts. He was going to talk about how to approach life as an optimist and how that makes a difference. He touted one of the key factors in his own development as having a family dinner. "Half the world's problems would be solved if people sat down regularly to a family dinner." He father had told him he could be part of the problem or part of the solution.

He downplayed the "6:00 news" as really the "6:00 violence report." When you look around there is a whole lot of good in the world. Longevity is up. Wealth is better distributed. There is no active war at this time. Is life perfect, no. But it is not as bad as it is reported to be.

Bert Jacobs at Dean College

He touted persistence. he and his brother had five and a half years of bad ideas before they hit upon a good one. The good one being the first smiling face t-shirt who image eventually got the name "Jake." What told him that had hit on a good idea. That they had sold 48 t-shirts in an hour in Cambridge to 48 different people. They recognized they had found their market with "life is good."

They focused on finding an element of life and celebrating it. He told of his first t-shirt shop on Cape Cod. They were next to an ice cream parlor. The owner called him to order more shirts and asked if "Jake" could be eating ice cream? Sure, why not. Another idea came from a store owner in Vermont who wanted Jake riding a mountain bike. Sure, why not.

Some ideas didn't work as well as others. Oddly, they had trouble with Jake in a wheel chair. Folks were not getting the real 'life is good' message. "Takers may eat well, but givers sleep well." "Life can hurt, but play can heal."

Bert Jacobs at Dean

He told the story of how they developed their Halloween pumpkin celebrations, how they eveloved to focus on sharing their wealth and doing fund raising for kids. Life is Good Playmakers is part of the overall company. He told of their plans to expand their product lines beyond t-shirts. Hallmark is selling life is good cards. Life is good will have coffee come July. He wouldn't reveal their partner in the coffee business.  They are in talks with an auto manufacturer for a Life is good vehicle.

Bert said "authenticity builds business." "The only ones who can build a brand are your customers." Life is good does not do advertising, everything they do is by word of mouth. Satisfied customers telling their friends and spreading the word.

He closed asking the students to find their positive purpose. He said 'life is good' is spreading the power of optimism. He said, "We can't stop the waves, we need to learn to surf."