Putting for Patients - Apr 6

Need to get your mini-golf fix in? Why not help a good cause at the same time. Sunday, Apr 6 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM at the FHS Field House

Putting for Patients

note the date is wrong on this sign, it should say Apr 6

Hockomock Area YMCA kicked off annual campaign March 27 at Gillette Stadium (photos)

Guests at the Hockomock Area YMCA's Reach Out for Youth & Families Campaign kickoff Breakfast listen to speakers sharing their Y stories

Mimo Jaber of Wrentham, MA shows emotion as she speaks of the support that the Y's scholarship program has helped her family's life

Shelly Jacobson of Wrentham, MA was one of the morning's speakers, sharing the impact the Y has had on her own life as a summer camper.  She is now the Sports Director at the Invensys Foxboro Branch

Hockomock YMCA

Finance Committee - Agenda - Apr 1, 2014

The Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday night to vote on the FY 2015 budget. They completed their series of budget hearings last Thursday. With their vote, the next step would be for the notifications and schedule for the Town Council to hold their two budget hearings (likely early in May). The Council usually votes for the budget during their second meeting. The overall budget for 2015 needs to be approve before July 1, 2014 when it is needed to support the daily operations.

The agenda document can be found here:

Franklin, MA - Municipal Building

Budget hearings

#1 - 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html

#2 - 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_13.html

#3 - 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_20.html

#4 - 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_26.html

Franklin Public Schools - FY 2015 Proposed Budget

The School Committee voted to accept their proposed budget last Tuesday (Mar 25). The full budget document can be found here  http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_budget/FY15%20Budget%20Book.pdf

You need to use at least version 9 of the Adobe Reader to view the workbook format for the budget documents.

The presentation with the highlights of the budget can be found here:

new Franklin High School under construction

Franklin Schools - Last day of school update

So far this year we have had 4 snow days. Also, the Keller/Sullivan Complex was closed one day for a facilities issue. The last day of school is as follows:

• All Schools except Keller/Sullivan: Friday June 20, 2014 - half day
• Keller/Sullivan Complex Monday June 23, 2014 - half day

pending any other snow/emergency days of course.

Keller-Sullivan sign from July 2013

This was shared from the Franklin Schools page here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/01D04D25-000F8513

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Apr 2, 2014

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– February 12, 2014 Regular and Executive Session- To be released

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Senator Spilka and Representative Roy
150 Emmons Street

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-05: Appropriation: Fire Detail Account – Continue until May

2. Resolution 14-15: Request for Special Legislation, Re: Local Sales Tax on Sale of Medical Marijuana

3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728R: Changes to Chapter 185 – 5, Zoning Map: Industrial to Single Family III(Washington St.)-Referral to Planning Board

4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732:Changes to Chapter 185-21, Parking, Loading, and Driveway Requirements – Referral to Planning Board

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

The documents released with this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/04022014.pdf

Franklin, MA - Municipal Building

Franklin Walk - Saturday, Mar 29

I did have some company for the walk Saturday morning (thank you!) and hopefully will have some more as the public walk and continues next month. The weather cooperated nicely for the walk which started on the Town Common at 8:30 AM and finished there about an hour later.

tree lined walkway on the Town Common

We started from the bandstand on the Common and walked by the Senior Center, Oak St/Horace Mann complex, between the new and current high school, down Panther Way to the Sculpture Park and then reversed the route to return.

bandstand on Franklin Town Common

About 2.5 miles in just under an hour. Conversation along the way with stops for photos here and there.

wrought iron flowers

 One of the flowers has fallen off this work. It doesn't appear to be malicious but rather the results of a poor welding connection. The snow and wind this winter apparently loosened it.

I call this one 'five fingers'

I am curious to find out what the official name is for this piece (above).

railing shadows

the fence railing along the edge of the wall at the former town pool castes its shadow in the morning sun.

2 faced, or split personality?

 When I was last at the park, the white of this piece against the snow was impressive. The white against the winter foliage color is stark.

the bear rages on

Conversation piece: is he raging for joy or frustration/anger? I think it is for joy!

pond reflection

 Completing the loop around the sculpture park you come upon more pond reflections.

If you haven't been to the Sculpture Park yet, I would encourage you to stop by sometime. On Panther Way just before the Police Station. There is parking and the loop through the park is a brief and easy walk. I'd estimate about a quarter of a mile.

I'll schedule another Franklin Walk and Talk for April. We'll check the weather to see which Saturday seems most likely to provide some good weather.

Franklin Voices: Property on Corner of Emmons Street

Hello everyone -

I am writing you because, in the past, you have been kind enough to be open to information on various issues in the Town.  Currently, the Town Council is considering what to do with the old Town Hall, which now houses the Rec department, at the corner of Emmons and 140.  This building is next to Davis Thayer, Dean College and is truly the "front door" to downtown.

There are basically two options: sell the property now or wait.  The attached petition from the  Franklin Downtwon Partnership makes a compelling argument for waiting, including the need to gather community input into what ultimately sits on this important piece of land as well as considering the needs of downtown businesses during the upcoming construction.

Please read the following petition and sign it electronically if you agree with the message. This petition is necessary because at both public meetings and in news interviews, a few members of the Council have indicated that they will move forward with commercial development despite protest from the community, concerns from businesses in the downtown, and other Councilors who expressed issues with rushing into commercial development without further research.

Please take a moment to support this message to the Town Council. 

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/open-letter-to-the-franklin-town-council-regarding

Thank you.

Tina Powderly

150 Emmons St, the building under discussion

Kindergarten Registration

The Franklin Public Schools announces

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION!

April 7^th       4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

April 10^th      4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Horace Mann Middle School – Cafeteria

224 Oak Street, Franklin

Children who will be 5 years-old on or before August 31, 2013 are eligible to attend kindergarten during the 2014-15 school year. 

Parents or guardians should plan to attend one of the two registration sessions, however children need not attend. 

Required forms (available 3-3-14), as well as additional information, can be found on the ECDC website http://franklinecdc.vt-s.net/pages/index  or by contacting Kelty Kelley, ECDC Principal @ 508 541-8166 or kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us.

Oak St - Horace Mann Complex

In the News: Charter school expansion, Chargers football registration

State education officials this week gave the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School the green light to double its enrollment and expand its district to encompass 13 other towns. 

Among the first charter institutions to open in the state, the school won approval for two amendments allowing it to increase its enrollment by 450 pupils over the next 10 years and extend the district beyond Franklin's borders.

read the full article here (subscription required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140329/NEWS/140325716/1994/NEWS

Registration is now for the Franklin Chargers football and cheer programs and will close April 12. 

Football and cheer paperwork is due, and football equipment fitting day will be held that day, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Franklin High School auxiliary gym. 

Attendance is required for participants. Piesco Sports will be in attendance for those who need to purchase items such as practice pants, girdles, rib shirts, etc.

read the full article here (subscription required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140329/NEWS/140326020/1994/NEWS

Hockomock Sports awards - Winter season

HockomockSports.com published their winter season sports awards this week. The collection of the awards is as follows:

Boys Basketball  - Chris Rogers and Marcus Giese represent Franklin
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/03/hockomocksportscom-13-14-boys-basketball-awards.html

Girls Basketball - Lexi Martin and Tracy Pisani represent Franklin
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/03/hockomocksportscom-13-14-girls-basketball-awards.html

Hockey - Troy Donohue, Kyle Powers and Ryan Spillane represent Franklin
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/03/hockomocksportscom-2013-2014-hockey-awards.html

Franklin High School - home of the Panthers

FHS Spring Concert - Apr 1

From the FHS Pantherbook, we find:

FHS Pantherbook

The Franklin High School Music Department prepares to impress their audience at this year’s Spring Concert. 

Come April 1st at 7pm in the Horace Mann Auditorium to see music numbers by the chorus band and orchestra, with just a 5 dollar donation! 

After being together since September all groups work well together and are confident with their ability to put on a successful display of this hard work and improvement.

 Read more at: http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2014/03/28/spring-in-to-see-fhss-talented-musicians/#sthash.HkU58R1h.dpuf

Driving to Boston: Prudential Tunnel Ceiling Removal Project

MassDOT has planned 3 significant weekend lane restrictions on Interstate 90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) in Boston to remove the Prudential Tunnel ceiling over the roadway. The ceiling remains safe and secure, but has deteriorated beyond the point of repair and must be removed. The tunnel ceiling is owned and maintained by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA).

Mass Dept of Transportation

The restrictions will reduce traffic to one lane eastbound and one lane westbound inside the Prudential Center Tunnel on the following weekends:

March 28-30
April 4-6
April 25-27

MassDOT and MCCA strongly encourage motorists planning travel along the Massachusetts Turnpike through Boston to consider using public transportation, seeking alternate routes and allowing additional time to travel through the work zone during these weekends.

For more information about this project and to view printable detour maps and directions, please visit www.prutunnelproject.info

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 3/28/14 - THU 4/3/14

FRI 3/28   3:30pm   iStories - Franklin Public Library
FRI 3/28   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked - Franklin Art Center
FRI 3/28   9pm   Comedy Night - 3 Restaurant, Franklin

SAT 3/29  8:30am  Franklin Walk with Steve Sherlock, meet at Town Common
SAT 3/29  2pm   Edible Perennial Gardening, Franklin Public Library
SAT 3/29   6pm   Global Market & Cafe, New England Chapel, Franklin

SUN 3/30   1pm   Mother Goose - FREE  event at Dean College (Guidry Center)
SUN 3/30   3pm   Meet Author Cathy Symons at Destination Dog, Franklin

MON 3/31   10am-1pm   Franklin Senior Center Open House

TUE 4/1   7pm   Finance Committee Budget Hearing, Franklin Municipal Building

WED 4/2   6:30pm   Cooking Matters, Hockomock YMCA Franklin
WED 4/2   6:30pm   Protect Your Minor Children Workshop, Tri-County RVTHS, Franklin. Registration required.
WED 4/2   7pm   Town Council Mtg., Franklin Municipal Building
WED 4/2   7pm   Friends of Franklin Public Library Meeting - Community Room (FPL)

THU 4/3   6pm   Girls Night Out at Clarke Kitchen in Milford
THU 4/3   7pm   Finance Committee Mtg., Franklin Municipal Building

For more details on above events click HERE and select the event of interest.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Join me for a walk this Saturday

Join me for a walk and talk this Saturday. 

We'll meet at the Town Common bandstand, walk by the high school, to the Sculpture Park and return the same way. 

The total distance should be less than 3 miles at a casual conversational pace. 

Bring your camera!

bandstand on the Franklin Town Common

You can reply to the Facebook event here or send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com)




When - Saturday, March 29th at 8:30am
Meet at the bandstand on the Town Common