National Grid: Winter Storm Update

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Thanks: Together We Made it Through the Storm A message to our Massachusetts customers We are dedicated to providing you with safe and reliable electricity and gas service. That goes for both blue-sky days and during emergency and storm events. We rely on weather forecasts in our preparations, and keep the safety of our customers and employees our highest priority. The early forecast for Juno, the blizzard of 2015, was a storm of potential historic proportions. Based on the high winds predicted, and our own storm modeling system, we prepared for widespread electric outages. And you responded as well. Many of you subscribed to receive our emails and text messages, downloaded our outage app, and followed us on Twitter and Facebook. The great news is the storm has passed through our territory with very little serious impact to the electric system. This speaks volumes to the millions of dollars in investments we've made in our infrastructure in recent years, and to the resiliency of our electric system to withstand wind gusts that reached over 60 mph. It also speaks loudly of the actions we all take together — National Grid and our customers — to get through storm events such as these, whatever the outcome. We'll no doubt experience extreme weather in the future given that it's becoming the new normal. The actions we all take today to prepare for these events will always be critical tomorrow — for the long-term safety and well being of our families, neighbors, businesses, and communities. We provide several ways for you to stay connected during a storm: • Customers can report outages, view outage maps and more on our Safety and Outage Reporting app. You can download it by searching for National Grid in the iTunes and GooglePlay stores • Join the over 115,000 customers who have already enrolled in broadcast text alerts for major storms. To register, text the word "STORM" to NGRID (64743) • Use your mobile device to track outage information and storm-related safety tips through National Grid's new mobile site accessible at www.nationalgrid.com • Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram where we post all the latest storm and restoration updates. Thank you for trusting us to keep you connected. National Grid Here with you. Here for you.   Connect Now Visit us online at nationalgrid.com

This email was sent by: National Grid 40 Sylvan Road Waltham, MA, 02451, U.S.A.

Franklin Public Schools: Schools Open Thursday

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello 

Classes will resume on Thursday as scheduled. 

Emergency transportation will be available for students that typically walk to school (not students who are typically driven to school). As sidewalks are not plowed this service will be in place for the remainder of the week. 

School parking lots and walkways are plowed however, due to cold temperatures the surface is slippery so please take appropriate precautions. 

For FHS students who drive to school please make sure to allow for extra time as roads are narrow and speed should be reduced. There are massive snow piles at intersections so when making a turn use caution and reduce speed. Parking at FHS will be limited as the snow piles have reduced the parking spaces in all schools. Carpooling is recommended. 

We will ask the police department have an extra presence at FHS/HMMS/Oak tomorrow to help manage the traffic. 

Thank you to the staff and administration of DPW, Police, Fire and Facilities- these individuals worked 24/7 to maintain the roads and make sure the community was safe. Often their dedication and commitment goes unnoticed but their efforts are appreciated. 

For your information:

With these two snow days the last day of school is now June 23 (ASMS June 24) - this leaves 5 days for additional snow closures before looking at reducing vacation periods. 

With additional snow predicted for Friday and next Monday please pay close attention to weather forecasts.

Thank You

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

sunshine, shadows and snow

SeeClickFix: Franklin update - assistance for elderly was just added

A ticket was just opened via the online app requesting assistance with shoveling at Eaton Place. 

Where is Eaton Place? 
Off Panther Way between the Pirelli Ice Arena and Franklin High School.

Any teenagers or other able bodied folks with shovels would be welcomed to dig out the cars around the elderly residence.

Franklin An issue was reported in this watch area. assistance for elderly 20 Veterans Memorial Drive franklin, MA housing complex for elderly in need of cars shoveled #snowcrew more... Add a Comment Follow this Issue Vote to Fix Copyright © SeeClickFix, Inc. All rights reserved. 746 Chapel St, 3rd Floor, New Haven CT, 06510

FHS Basketball: "taking stock of the Hock"

With school closed again today, it may be a good time to catch up on some Hockomock League basketball reading. Hockomock Sports has a mid-season review of both the boys and girls teams with an outlook on the remainder of the season.


Boys Basketball

In Division 1 Central, Franklin is one of the favorites and a rematch with St. John’s Shrewsbury could be in the cards. The Panthers fell short against SJS last week but with wins over Mansfield and Taunton this season Franklin has shown they can play with top teams.

Read the full write up on the boys here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/taking-stock-of-the-hock-boys-basketball-20142015

Hockomock Sports photo of Franklin girls vs. Attleboro

Girls Basketball

The teams that seem to be poised to make a run this postseason are Franklin and North Attleboro. The Rocketeers seem to have stepped up on the defensive side of the ball this season and have a few more options on the offensive side of the ball with sophomore Caroline Collard developing into a threat on the post. The Panthers have strength in depth and made the sectional semifinals last season even while battling injuries. Westford, Wachusett, and Holy Name are strong opponents, but a healthy Franklin should be able to match up well.

Read the full write up here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/taking-stock-of-the-hock-girls-basketball-20142015

ECDC is now accepting applications and scheduling tours!

FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

F.X.O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC)

2015-2016 School Year

ECDC is now accepting applications and scheduling tours!

image from ECDC webpage

The Franklin Public Schools integrated preschool program and is accredited by the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Our discovery-based program is designed for children who are three to five years old. 

Our highly trained staff provides a nurturing environment where students can learn and grow with a curriculum based on the National Association of the Education of Young Children and Massachusetts Frameworks. Multi-sensory and hands-on experiences maximize our learning through discovery!

• ECDC Lottery, February 27, 2015
• Applications and additional information for the 2015-2016 school year can be obtained online at: www.franklin.k12.ma.us by clicking on the link under "schools" for ECDC.
• Applications can also be picked up by stopping by ECDC, 224 Oak Street (rear).
• All applicants must be Franklin residents and be at least 3 years of age by August 31, 2015.
• Any questions, or to schedule a tour, please contact Laura Flanagan @ 508 541-8166 or Flanaganla@franklin.k12.ma.us.

the ECDC is located on Oak St behind the Oak St and Horace Mann schools

This was shared from the Town of Franklin website

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01FBD541-000F8513

Program options for 2015-2016 school year

http://franklinecdc.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinECDC_News/01DA0841-000F8513

New student application 

http://franklinecdc.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinECDC_News/01FBAB1F-000F8513

Franklin Library: Ken Gloss rescheduled to Feb 19th

Due to winter storm Juno, Ken Gloss of the Brattle Book Shop has been rescheduled to February 19th at 6:30 PM. He will talk on the value of old and rare books.

Following the talk and question/answer session, he will give verbal appraisals of books that attendees bring with them.

Ken Gloss - Brattle Book Store - rescheduled to Feb 19th

This was shared from the Library webpage here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/01/ken-gloss-of-brattle-book-shop.html

screen grab of Brattle Book Shop website

Ken Gloss and others talk about the Brattle Book Shop in this brief video




Additional information on the Brattle Book Shop can be found on their page here
http://www.brattlebookshop.com/

Franklin Public Schools: Update

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Good Morning, 

I hope you are all weathering the storm. As DPW is using resources and efforts to keep our roads open so we  affirm the decision to close school on Wednesday. 

School parking lots and walkways will be plowed on Wednesday. Also Facilities will assess the roof tops on each school. Although the snow is not heavy there is a lot of it. We are taking every safety precaution.  

We anticipate school will reopen on Thursday morning as planned. 

Please be aware that sidewalks will not be plowed until the end of the week. We will implement emergency transportation for those student who do not take a bus or who are  normally driven to school. 

Students who walk to school daily will be picked up at regular bus stops. Bus routes are posted on the web site in Transportation folder. Scroll to Departments, scroll down to Transportation and click on bus routes. 

No school activities or community programs until Thursday. 

Municipal Building Closed until Thursday. 

All school offices closed.

Thank you

Franklin DPW busy in the neighborhood

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message.

#juno

Sunday's walk in the sunlight after the snow (photo essay)

After walking Saturday during the morning snowfall, the sun shown gloriously on Sunday. Join me for this walk around Franklin in the sunlight.

King St is empty for the moment as the trees cast shadows

puddles bring reflections and new views to the world around us

the train headed out of Frankin Station to Forge Park

one side of the Dean Bank building not many see

Dean Ave glistens in the sunlight

the war memorials on the Town Common decorated with snow

the bandstand surrounded by snow

on the High St side of the Town Common, the spruce trees and Civil War memorial cast long shadows

sneakers have been hanging there for some time now

biggest puddle and best reflection on the walk

Nason St playground, the other tot lot in Franklin (aside from the new one at Fletcher Field)

inside the Cake Bar, getting hot chocolate for the last stretch of the walk home, #shopFranklin

CPR came in very useful

I am humbled by this email received on Sunday:

Hi Steve, 

I wanted to share something with you that occurred this morning. 

The Franklin Matters web site advertised discount CPR last year. I signed my musician husband up as we have 3 young children. 

Well, this morning at his morning basketball game it came in extremely useful. A gentleman suffered a heart attack and my husband was able to perform compressions while someone got the AED, another called 911, while others helped with respirations, etc. 

As a group, they likely saved his life (very hopefully). He had a stent placed within an hour of the event. 

I just wanted to share with you. Though we had discussed him getting CPR training, we never signed up until your site simplified it for us. 

Here's to counting our blessings! 

Best, Jen and Hans Morrison

Act 1sr CPR - office singn on East Central St (next to Hess Oil)

Act 1st CPR was last shared here in Nov 2014. Training is still available
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/november-cpr-classes-discounted-for.html

Note: The Act 1st webpage is re-directing to their new training service registration system and should revert back to normal sometime soon.
http://www.actfirstcpr.com

Updated: via Nick Spencer, Act 1st is changing to National Medical Academy (NMA) but there should be a transition page before dropping to the NMA webpage.

Rep Roy: Storm Info for 10th Norfolk District

This is a special edition of our regular monthly newsletter to provide storm related information and contact numbers for residents. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can get on our email list by clicking here. View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website Email Region bracing for storm With a major blizzard descending upon us, here are some resources to help you navigate potential issues that may arise. Reports indicate that the impending winter storm could be one of the largest blizzards we've seen in a long time. Snowfall amounts  in the area 2-3 feet, along with strong and damaging winds, are expected in our area. Due to the expected severity of the snowstorm, Governor Baker declared a state of emergency this afternoon for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Further, beginning at midnight tonight (12:00 a.m. Tuesday), a travel ban will be in effect until further notice. The MBTA will maintain a regular schedule today, but will not operate on Tuesday. Below you will find the latest news regarding the storm, along with helpful tips, phone numbers, and other resources that exist to assist you during severe weather conditions. Please be smart and stay safe! Important telephone numbers National Grid electric customer power-outage (800) 465-1212. National Grid gas customer power-outage (800) 233-5325. NSTAR (800) 592-2000  Verizon 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966) Franklin Police: (508) 528-1212 Medway Police: (508) 533-3212 Safety tips If possible, make sure of the following: download the free Massachusetts Alerts app to your smartphone to receive important weather alerts and messages from MEMA.  Easy instructions are available by clicking here . shovels/snow removal tools are accessible rain gutters are clear for easy drainage smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operable and have fresh batteries vehicles are fully fueled keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut-food will stay six to nine hours in a refrigerator without spoiling. Frozen foods will keep about 24 hours. items stored in a basement that could be damaged from flooding are protected cell phones are fully charged you are well-stocked on essential food items and water you have cash available (as ATM's may not function with loss of power) Plan to stay safely indoors throughout the course of the storm, beginning Monday afternoon/evening and through Wednesday morning. If you use a generator, be sure to operate it outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. While running your generator, make sure you shut off the main power supply to your home. Click here for a list of MEMA's safety tips. Online resources Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) MEMA's Facebook Page Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Weather Service NSTAR Outage Map NSTAR Storm Center National Grid Outage Map National Grid Outage Central Verizon outage Verizon storm tips Verizon has listed tips for preparing for the upcoming winter storms.  For a recent Verizon blog post and video that offers valuable tips to make dealing with Old Man Winter and emergencies a little easier, click here. And for more information about storm preparation for wireless customers, click here. Be a good neighbor During dangerous winter storms, the people who are often most at-risk are the elderly and/or disabled. Please check in on your neighbors, especially if they are elderly and live alone. Spend a few minutes shoveling out a relative or neighbor who is unable to do so themselves, and if the power goes out, be sure to stay in contact with them. If you or a loved one rely on a respirator or an oxygen tank, be sure to report that to your utility company. And if you or a loved one depend on daily medications, be sure that you have enough to last the next few days, as pharmacies may be closed and travel will be difficult.  Copyright © 2015 State Rep Jeff Roy, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either contacted our office or indicated you wanted to keep updated on the 10th Norfolk District and things going on at the State House. Our mailing address is: State Rep Jeff Roy State House Room 134 Boston, MA 02133 Add us to your address book

Soccer for Smiles Tournament --> February 17 - 19, 2015

Have Fun While Making a Difference!

Our next tournament is coming up quickly!

February 17, 18, and 19, 2015

Even though the tournament runs for three days, a player's commitment is just a couple of hours on one particular day. High schoolers come on one day, younger girls on the next day, and younger boys on the third day. The day is split by age groups in 2- or 3-hour blocks of time. It is great fun!

This year we will direct our donations to support two initiatives:

• Kathleen M. Madden Scholarship
• Random Smile Project

Soccer for Smiles Tournament

For additional information and to register, please follow this link

http://soccerforsmiles.org/

"Get a head start by organizing your financial documents"

From the MA.GOV blog, they share some of the links to the common MA personal income tax forms. Yes, now that we are in 2015, April 15 (tax deadline) is approaching daily. While the Super Bowl comes first, and spring training is around the corner, we are in 'tax season.'

Tax season is upon us, and that can mean stress for Massachusetts residents and workers who don’t have the documents they need to file returns and payments by the April 15, 2015 deadline. 

While the Department of Revenue (DOR) encourages online filing of Massachusetts state income taxes withWebFile for Income, you can make filing a paper return as easy as possible by having the right forms and information at your fingertips.  

WebFile for Income is only available to full-year residents. Part-year residents and non-residents can file electronically using commercial software or a professional tax preparer.

Continue to the MA.GOV site to find the link to the common forms  http://blog.mass.gov/blog/government/get-ready-for-tax-season/