In the News: Franklin Ford, downtown marketing

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest to Franklin

The state of Massachusetts, Franklin Ford and Ford Motor Company have joined forces to raise funds for the transportation of veterans to VA medical facilities in Massachusetts. 

On Sunday, Nov. 15, from 12 to 5 p.m. All are invited to take a test drive at Franklin Ford, 175 East Central St., Franklin and Ford Motor Company will donate $20 for each participant to the DAV. 

Along with this promotion, there is special pricing for DAV members and all veterans. 

This program will help pay for 5 new vehicles to be distributed to Massachusetts medical facilities.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151108/NEWS/151106452/1994/NEWS

Members of the Franklin Downtown Partnership heard at the group's meeting last week about efforts to market the downtown area. 

Town Planning Director Bryan Taberner and partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana spoke on the matter at the Nov. 5 partnership meeting. 

"We've been meeting with a Dean College marketing class and working on branding," said Taberner. "It's closely related to work being done by the Cultural Steering Committee."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151108/NEWS/151106526/1994/NEWS

#StateWithoutStigMA campaign launched! (video)

A short video of Governor Baker announcing the #StateWithoutStigMA campaign to mark addiction as a disease. The announcement was made on Nov 4th.

screen grab of State Without StigMA webpage

For additional information on #StateWithoutStigMA visit the webpage here
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/stop-addiction/state-without-stigma/


Franklin has been officially reported as having 1 death in 2012, 2 in 2013, and 3 in 2014. By an unofficial count from the social media channels, I think we have already doubled the 3 for this year to reach at least 6 for 2015 (thus far). 6 is far too many.

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/quality/drugcontrol/county-level-pmp/overdose-deaths-city-town-october-2015.pdf

S.A.F.E. Forum on Drug Abuse Warning Signs - Dec. 8

This is a special message from S.A.F.E. is to provide you with information on our next community event and to continue the conversation on substance abuse disorder. View this email in your browser Forum on warning signs set for Dec. 8 The SAFE Coalition will present an interactive forum designed to educate on the warning signs of drug or alcohol abuse on Tuesday December 8, 2015 at 7 pm in the Franklin High School auditorium. The program will include tips on early intervention strategies and resources to help keep your loved one safe. A panel of parents, substance abuse treatment providers, students, and educators has been assembled.  Warning sign kits that you can take home will be provided to each participant in the program.  Katie Truitt from the Missin Matt Foundation and Kathy Getchell from S.A.F.E. will speak from the parent's perspective. Amy Leone from Community Impact and other experts will share methods of addressing the issue with your young teens and offer solutions for those that may indeed have a problem with addiction. And there will also be an update on the S.A.F.E. Coalition's upcoming programs and solutions. Please save the date and plan to join us on December 8 as we continue our community conversation. You can view the Facebook event page for updates by clicking here. In the meantime, please continue to spread the word about S.A.F.E. and encourage your friends to sign up for this newsletter by clicking here. And, most importantly, please do not hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know is in need. We'll do our best to get you on the right path. SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE LLearn to Cope has begun meeting on Monday evenings at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 262 Chestnut Street in Franklin at 7 p.m. The group offers support for families struggling with addiction and recovery. Its preserves anonymity and creates a safe place for people and families in crisis. For more information visit the website at http://learn2cope.org/, call Kathy Getchell at (774)893-3878, or email her at kathyg17@verizon.net Community of Hope hosts a family support group meeting every Wednesday night in the Milford Regional Medical Center, Hill Building, Woman's Pavilion, 4th Floor, in Milford. The program features a 12 step Big Book workshop for those suffering from addiction. For more information, contact Katie Truitt at (774)248-4526 or by email at ktruitt3@gmail.com  Big Book Workshop, 12 step meeting for recovery. Wednesday evenings, 7 pm to 8:30 pm at Community Impact, 211 Main Street Milford, MA 01757. For more information, contact Meghan Giacomuzzi at 508-933-4571. Healing Hearts has begun meeting on Thursday evenings on the second floor of the Franklin YMCA at 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin at 7 p.m. The group offers support for families struggling with addiction and recovery. Its preserves anonymity and creates a safe place" for people and families in crisis. For more information, call (508) 570-6996 or send an email to Healingheartscircle@gmail.com. Subscribe to this email list Copyright © 2015 Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in joining the fight against obioid abuse in our community. Our mailing address is: Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov State House - Room 527A Boston, MA 02133 Add us to your address book

Harlem Wizards Vs. Franklin Public Schools - Friday, Nov 13th

If you don't have your tickets yet, stop what you are doing and go to 

www.harlemwizards.com to order your tickets now 

because we are almost sold out! 

Food, drinks, raffle, Wizards merchandise, 

and a fantastic game await you! 

See you there!

Harlem Wizards

HARLEM WIZARDS VS. FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (“TEAM FPS”)

A COMMUNITY BASKETBALL EVENT and FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT

FRANKLIN EDUCATION FOUNDATION

WHEN: Friday, November 13, 2015 @ 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6.

WHERE: Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Gymnasium,
Franklin, MA

WHAT: The Harlem Wizards will bring their team to Franklin to compete against “Team FPS” for a 2-hour tournament. The Harlem Wizards brand of “Trick Hoops & Alley Oops” entertainment basketball has been packing gyms across the globe for over 50 years! Their show includes amazing slams, world-class tricks, precision teamwork and humor.

WHO: “Team FPS” will include teachers and staff from Franklin Public Schools. We anticipate a crowd of 1,200 students, parents and children!

WHY: Since 1997, FEF fundraisers have raised over $300,000 which has been distributed to Franklin Public Schools in the form of special grants. All Franklin Public School staff members are eligible to submit creative, innovative ideas for programs or activities that would not traditionally be funded by tax dollars. To see a list of programs FEF has funded over the years, visit www.franklined.org.

TICKETS: General admission tickets can be ordered online at www.harlemwizards.com. Adults $12; Students $10. General admission tickets will also be available at the door - Adults $14; Students $12.

FABULOUS RAFFLE ITEMS AND FOOD/DRINKS AVAILABLE! Win Patriots tickets and an Amazon Kindle! Pizza, popcorn, donuts are available – cash only.

GET COOL WIZARDS MERCHANDISE! Buy a Wizards shirt and other merchandise online and pick it up at the game. Wizards merchandise will also be available at the game! All kids with a Wizards shirt will be allowed to go on the court with the Wizards before the game.

For more information about the Franklin Education Foundation, please visit our website at www.franklined.org or visit us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/franklined.org)

FHS boys soccer and volleyball teams playoff runs end on Saturday

Both the FHS boys soccer and volleyball teams ended their playoff run on Saturday. The soccer team dropped a 3-1 match against Brockton. The volleyball team fell to the #3 seed Natick 3-0. All results shared from Hockomock Sports.

The FHS girls field hockey team continue their playoff run today at 1:00 and the girls soccer team plays at 4:00 today.

Boys Soccer

D1 South

#7 Franklin, 1 @ #2 Brockton, 3 – Final

Brockton’s Rilton Carvalho shields Franklin’s Nick Parent in the first half at Marciano Stadium. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

For a full write up on the boys soccer game
http://www.hockomocksports.com/boxers-land-late-knockout-punch-against-franklin/

Volleyball

D1 Central West

#6 Franklin, 0 @ #3 Natick, 3 – Final

Franklin Public Schools: Preschool Screenings Available

Are you concerned about your preschooler?

Do family members complain that they cannot understand your child?

Do family members mention that your child cannot understand them??

Does something just not seem right?

The Franklin Public Schools offers developmental screenings for children 2.9 - 5 years old at no charge to families. These screenings are designed to identify children who may qualify for special education services. 

If you are concerned about your child's development, please call ECDC at 508 541-8166. You can discuss your concerns with an early childhood specialist and/or schedule an appointment for a preschool developmental screening.

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.

Kelty Kelley, Principal

F. X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center

224 Oak Street

Franklin, MA 02038

Phone:  508-541-8166

Fax:      508-541-8254

kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us

"There is no hand so small that it cannot leave an imprint on the world!" Klub Kidz

ECDC sign on Oak St

Book overdue? No problem, bring some food

The Franklin Public Library is doing a good deed this November. Beginning today and running through Sunday, November 29th, the Library will accept food instead of the overdue book fines. The food will be donated to the Franklin Food Pantry.

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/11/food-for-fines.html

For more information on the Franklin Food Pantry visit them on the web here
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

or on Facebook here  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFoodPantry/

Dean College Winter Intercession Classes Offered to Public

The Dean Leadership Institute and the School of Continuing Studies have set their Winter Intersession classes. Choose from non-credit, 1-week, 2-week or 4-week credit courses in business, general studies, and other interesting subjects. Choose from in-classroom or online instruction. 

More information can be found on the School of Continuing Studies website, dean.edu/scs, or call 508-541-1941. 

Dean Leadership Institute and the School of Continuing Studies have set their Winter Intersession classes

Dean Leadership Institute and the School of Continuing Studies have set their Winter Intersession classes

Click here to download a registration form.

This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page

http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2015/11/dean-college-winter-intercession.html

"dancing LED "open" signs don't attract customers"

The Franklin Downtown Partnership had its designs on signs during its Thursday morning meeting with Design Review Commission members. 

During a slideshow talk, Commission Chairman Mark Fitzgerald said he thinks his group's mission is to work with businesses to keep the town's look pleasant. 

"We don't want to be the sign police," he said. "We are business-friendly - we want to see business in town."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151107/NEWS/151106686/1994/NEWS

Section 4 - Recall of elective officers

In response to some conversations about what can be done with the recent potential conflict of interest situation. There is a citizen option for a recall. 

Given the requirements, it is a steep one. The petition needs to be signed by 5% of the registered voters. That is doable. The steepness comes from the voting. As you should be aware, Franklin only gets more than 20% of the voters out for an election involving money (e.g. an override). For this recall initiative to be successful, more than 25% of the voters are required to vote in this special election.

The last special election (Dec 2014) (to replace Glenn Jones on the Town Council when he resigned) drew just over 200 voters. About 1%.


-------------

The Town Code reads:

Section 4 - Recall of elective officers

5-4-1

Any elective officer of the Town may be recalled and removed from office by the voters as herein provided. Any voter may file with the Town Clerk a petition containing the name and title of the elective officer whose removal is sought. For all elective officers such petition shall be signed by the qualified voters of the Town equal in number to at least five percent (5%) of those registered at the last regular Town election. Such recall petition must be filed within fourteen (14) days following its initial date of issuance.

5-4-2

If within seven (7) days following receipt of the petition the Town Clerk shall determine it to contain a sufficient number of valid signatures, provisions shall be made for a recall election to be held within sixty (60) days but not sooner than forty-five (45) days thereafter, provided that no such election shall take place if the regular Town election or another special election shall be held within ninety (90) days. All procedures for voting upon the recall question and filling any vacancy caused by the recall of an officer shall be in the same manner as provided by general law for the conduct of Town elections.

5-4-3

Any officer sought to be removed may be a candidate to succeed to the same office, and unless the officer requests otherwise in writing, the town clerk shall place the name of the officer on the ballot without nomination. The nomination of other candidates, the publication of the warrant for the removal election, and the conduct of the same, shall all be in accordance with the provisions of law relating to elections. Ballots used in a recall election shall ask if the officer sought to be recalled shall be recalled; and shall provide for the names of candidates seeking the office of the officer recalled.

5-4-4

If the votes cast upon the question of recall is in the affirmative, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected provided that at least twenty-five percent (25%) of all those qualified to vote shall have voted.

Franklin Town Common

From the Town Code
http://ecode360.com/14797472?highlight=recalled,recall#14797472

Note: this is not Franklin Matters or Steve Sherlock taking a position on this topic, this is simply sharing the information to continue the informed conversation already underway. As has been stated before and may need to be restated periodically, I do not take positions. I share information that is factual and timely.

Franklin Public Schools: Limited Preschool Openings at ECDC

The Franklin Public Schools announces

Limited Preschool Openings at ECDC!

Franklin residents who are between 3 and 5 years old are eligible to participate in the F.X O'Reagan Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) integrated preschool program. Our NAEYC Accredited early childhood program features low student-teacher ratios and highly qualified public school early childhood and special education teachers and support staff.

Limited spaces are still available in our 2, 3 and 5 day half-day programs and in our 5 day extended morning session so act now!

Additional information about tuition, staff, curriculum, school hours, and much more 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.

Kelty Kelley, Principal

F. X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center

224 Oak Street

Franklin, MA 02038

Phone:  508-541-8166

Fax:      508-541-8254

kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us

"There is no hand so small that it cannot leave an imprint on the world!" Klub Kidz

Early Childhood Development Center

FHS girls soccer and field hockey win to advance in playoffs

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of the fall sports action on Friday. The FHS football team lost to Durfee but the girls soccer team and the field hockey both won to advance in the playoffs.


Football - Franklin, 20 @ Durfee, 35 – Final

Girls Soccer - D1 South

#3 Franklin, 3 vs. #14 Walpole, 0 – Final 

– Victoria Stowell broke the deadlock nine minutes before halftime with an “olimpico” straight from a corner kick. Alexis Stowell and Meghan Doherty scored in the final 10 minutes to wrap up the win. 

Franklin advances to the D1 South Quarterfinals and will host #11 North Attleboro on Sunday, 11/8 at 4:00.

Victoria Stowell (16) scored direct from a corner kick for what turned out to be the game-winner against Walpole on Friday. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

There is a full write up on the game
http://www.hockomocksports.com/stowells-provide-goals-for-franklin-against-walpole/

Field Hockey - D1 South

#4 Franklin, 4 vs. #20 King Philip, 0 – Final 

– Kelsey McPhee opened the scoring off an assist from Annie Walsh in the 11th minute. In the 23rd minute, Cassi Ronan added a goal off an assist from Taylor Reutlinger. Diana Griffin scored an unassisted goal and assisted on a goal by Walsh in the second half. Abby Campbell made 12 saves for KP. Franklin advances to the D1 South Quarterfinals and will host #5 Dennis Yarmouth on Sunday, 11/8 at 1:00.

Kelsey McPhee (13) celebrates the opening goal against KP on Friday. It turned out to be the winner in a 4-0 victory. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

There is a full write up on the game
http://www.hockomocksports.com/walsh-and-griffin-spark-franklin-sweep-of-kp/


For the rest of the scores around the Hockomock League on Friday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-110615/

"You can make a mess, but you have to clean up after yourself."

Not just another TED Talk. This caught my eye for a couple of reasons. I will be in Hong Kong for work next month. Cesar's approach to involve the children in problem solving is repeatable.

Given the discussion about the low voter turnout Franklin has, and some comments that when parents brought their children into the high school to see the voting process, they were good. Well behaved, interested in what went on. One was reported to be making ballots and playing election when they got home.

"At the Harbour School in Hong Kong, TED Senior Fellow Cesar Harada teaches citizen science and invention to the next generation of environmentalists. 

He's moved his classroom into an industrial mega-space where imaginative kids work with wood, metal, chemistry, biology, optics and, occasionally, power tools to create solutions to the threats facing the world's oceans. 

There, he instills a universal lesson that his own parents taught him at a young age: "You can make a mess, but you have to clean up after yourself."

You can watch Cesar Harada tell his story here: (about 10 minutes)

In the News: Spectra pipeline, Anderson recognized, student run flu clinic, FHS Improvement plan

A round up of the Miflord Daily News articles on or about Franklin

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, a local chapter of the environmental advocacy group 350, met Thursday night to organize opposition to the pipeline project, which is slated for a phased construction starting in 2018, according to a Spectra spokesperson. 

The group believes the natural gas shortage is false advertising, that New England has enough gas and the pipeline project would create a decades-long reliance on fossil fuels that runs opposite the state's carbon emissions goals.

Spectra Energy is proposing a new gas pipeline that would stretch 21 miles through Milford, Medway, Franklin, Bellingham, Norfolk, Millis, Walpole, Sharon, Canton and Stoughton.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151105/NEWS/151107201/1994/NEWS

Endicott junior defensive lineman Craig Anderson, of Franklin, was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Football first team for the second time in his career. The NCAA Division III District 1 team includes all schools in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. 

The CoSIDA Academic All-District program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined academic and athletic performances. First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151106880/1994/NEWS

Three medical careers students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School hosted a flu clinic for faculty members on Nov. 2. 

During the clinic, pharmacist Ed Purtell of Rite Aid Pharmacy administered the vaccine to 48 staff members. Grade 10 students Alivia Carney, Katrina Chapman and Hannah Graveline, all of North Attleborough, took vital signs, administered a questionnaire and shared educational information on the flu vaccine and its benefits.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151106878/1994/NEWS

The Franklin High School's improvement plan took center stage at the School Committee's most recent meeting. 

Discussing the plan at the Oct. 27 meeting, Principal Peter Light focused on administrator turnover, community outreach and the importance of the guidance department. 

Light noted that the school had seen significant turnover, with five administrators moving on to other positions. He said, though, that the majority took higher positions at other districts, and that he was excited to hire new administrators from within the district's ranks.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151106790/1994/NEWS

The details of the school improvement plan can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/real-time-reporting-school-committee.html

Downtown Project Update #16

November 6, 2015

"MassDOT was unable to pave Thursday night. Their plan is to finish West Central Street and Summer Street on Monday during the day. 

They will keep one lane of traffic open on West Central Street so they will not need to detour traffic. 

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."

West Central St partially paved

PS - I think this meant to say "unable to complete paving" - if it wasn't MassDOT, somebody paved Thursday but clearly did not complete the job