Rep Roy: What's happening in the district - November 2015 newsletter

This is our regularly monthly newsletter. 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 Happy Thanksgiving Best wishes to you and your family for a most Happy Thanksgiving. Each year on the fourth Thursday in November, Americans gather for a day of feasting, football and family. We gather together around a table, thankful to have one another in our lives and grateful for the blessings bestowed upon us. As I think about gathering this week, I am grateful for your friendship, support and guidance over the years, and most importantly, for the opportunity you have given me to represent the residents of Franklin and Medway. I thank you for continuously being there and coming together as a community, in both good times and bad. And I thank my family, friends, and colleagues who work day in and day out to make Massachusetts a great place to live, work, and raise a family. That hard work and commitment is such a great way to give thanks and pay it forward. As I look forward to carving yet another turkey, I hope that you too will enjoy your day and the beginning of a wonderful holiday season!

State Rep Jeff Roy · State House Room 527A · Boston, MA 02133 · USA

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Shades IN Place Inc: We've gone national!!

I had the opportunity to participate in the ribbon cutting when Roger opened his location on Grove St and have been watching his business grow. His message today includes the realization that a Franklin business can gain business via the Internet. Not quite a radical concept but an important one none the less.

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We are now Nationwide! Well, Sorta! View on the web

The Blind Spot 'Shady' stories in the life of a Brazilian small business owner November - 2015 Roger Magalhaes Shades IN Place Inc. Owner & Blind Installer Nothing like the internet to help spreading the word...Read on to find out what happened two weeks ago. Cheers,   Gone Nationwide Last week I received a call from Claire. Claire was moving from North Reading to Milford, and needed window coverings for her new home. I have to be honest: I don't receive many phone calls these days. The majority of my inquires are either via email or text. Yes, texting is so popular nowadays and isn't just exclusively for kids anymore. Anyway, back to Claire. I find that talking on the phone is great, because we can discuss details, get a feeling for what the client really wants, and even schedule a consultation all at the same time...I always like to get an idea of how people found us and because she did not mention it, I asked: "How did you find me Claire?" To my surprise, she said "I didn't...my daughter in California did." Right there and then, I knew Claire's daughter in California had found my online reviews. It was one of the best moves I made a couple of years ago. Following the evolution of our society, we barely see or talk to our neighbors or family anymore (sometimes that can be a good thing), but the fact is that many times we have to rely on a complete stranger's experiences before we make our minds when making a purchase nowadays. Especially if the opinions you need are from people across town or even across the country! Let me give you an example of why reviews are becoming so vital. Would you simply walk into a bookstore and buy just any book on the spot, based on the fact the cover said it was a best-seller? Or would you rather read the reviews and recommendations first, before you make your decision? Yeah, me too. So today's newsletter has a few key points for you: #1 - We are in November already, and this week we are celebrating Thanksgiving. As such, I am humbled and so grateful for our success and your continued support. My company started out back in 2006 as a part time job, then went through the great recession, and I'm proud to say that next year we will be celebrating TEN YEARS in business and I could not do without you and your support. I just wanted to say THANK YOU! #2 - The only way we can stay around for another ten years without being swallowed up by the big players, is by having the support of happy clients like yourself. Following the trends, I would humbly ask you to post a review of your experiences using our services. There are 3 links below for your convenience. Please use the one that suits you best. Thank you so much, It really does make a difference for us! Leave Us A Review on Google Leave us a review on Angie's List (If you're a member) Leave us a review on Facebook But Before I Go... I just started a weekly blog post called Riding Along . Every week, you will have the opportunity to learn what we did, where we went, and what jobs we performed. We'll even try to make it fun and entertaining sometimes. Curious? Intrigued? Good! Hop on and check it out! Wishing you and your family a peaceful, thankful, and restful Holiday Season! What I do... People don't shop for window coverings often. In fact many haven't  bought new shades in 15 - 20 years! My job is to introduce you to the many wonderful features & benefits  that automated shades have to offer. As a result you will be able to control privacy, home security (protection) and prevent sun fading via smartphones and tablets whether you are home or away. Stay IN Touch postal services:  Shades IN Place Inc. 76 Grove St. Franklin MA 02038 email - roger@shadesinplace.com call / text - 508-904-2108 office - 508-520-6700 fax - 508-445-8800 shake hands - 76 Grove St Franklin MA 02038 web - www,shadesinplace.com read - download brochure schedule - Book An Appointment resources - My Power Team Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.

Forward this email Shades IN Place | 76 Grove St | Franklin | MA | 02038

In the News: Silipo recognized, Housing Authority groundbreaking ceremony

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Franklin native Leah Silipo was recently awarded the Harvard Club of Boston 2015 Excellence in Teaching Award. 

Silipo was one of five high school teachers in New England to be selected as a recipient of the award this year. She joined other teachers and over 200 student winners of the Harvard Club’s Prize Book Award at a celebratory breakfast on Oct. 7, held in their honor at the Harvard Club of Boston. 

Salipo was raised in Franklin and is a 2000 graduate of Franklin High School and a 2004 graduate of the University of New Hampshire. She has been teaching at Sharon High School for 12 years.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151124/NEWS/151127737/1994/NEWS

The Franklin Housing Authority will have a groundbreaking ceremony next week for a housing building on Plain Street. 

The event, set for Monday morning, will celebrate the beginning of work on an eight-unit facility set to house state Department of Developmental Services clients. 

Lisa Audette, the town's Housing Authority agent, said the work is an exciting development for the authority. 

"It's a fantastic opportunity for DDS clients," she said. "There is a need for this type of housing."

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151124/NEWS/151127586/1994/NEWS

In the News: Christmas concert, original panto, free entrance to state parks

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Franklin Federated Church will present this year’s annual Christmas concert, “Peace on Earth,” 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the church at 171 Main St. 

The concert will feature an arrangement of classical music and Christmas melodies performed by “Quartet Duviteux,” a string quartet of young musicians who met as students at the New England Conservatory of Music. Maria van der Sloot, violin, is from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada; Luther Warren also plays violin and comes from Minneapolis, Minnesota; Linda Numagami plays viola and comes from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and cellist Marza Merophi Wilks was born in Peru and spent her high school years in Ithaca, New York. 

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the church office at 508-528-3803.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151124/NEWS/151128102/1994/NEWS

Franklin Performing Arts Company will present “Snow White and the Seven Elves,” an original panto, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, and 2 p.m. Dec. 13, at the Black Box, 15 W. Central St. 

The production follows in the tradition of a British panto, a type of show that retells a well-known fairy tale in an exaggerated style filled with audience participation, popular songs, slapstick comedy, jokes and dances.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151124/NEWS/151127785/1994/NEWS

Starting on Thanksgiving day, all state parks and forests will be free and open to all residents. 

The free entry from Nov. 26 through Nov. 29 by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation is being done as a thank you to those currently serving or have served in the armed forces. 

Find out more information on parks and forests nearby at mass.gov/dcr.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151124/NEWS/151127734/1994/NEWS

Franklin TV: "It Takes a Village" - What every parent should know

From Anne Bergen:

What are kids really doing on-line when we think they are doing homework? Amy Leone, a therapist who is a leader on the coalition to fight the disease of addiction, is so concerned about how kids are using social media, she came back on the program to share her insights with parents on this topic. 

Franklin TV

Her interview on "It Takes a Village.." (Comcast Channel 8 and Verizon 26) will be aired on Tuesday morning at 9:00 and again on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. 

Kids are using all kinds of apps to go off the parent radar, sexting is increasing, access to internet porn is easier and easier and there are some unknown dangers lurking behind the most innocent of video games.

Updated:

Ken Norman shared your blog post on Google+

"Actually Anne forgot the coverage appears on the Education Ch Comcast 96 and Verizon 28. Tue 2PM, Fri 9AM, and Sat 12:30PM"

Below is a PowerPoint for a parent forum she presents. She graciously offered to share this with the community:

What Parents Should Know from Franklin Matters

“These changes are not minor inconveniences, particularly when it’s rush hour”

"Remember those new commuter rail schedules that were supposed to cut down on delayed trains? 

They’re being delayed."

That is what the Boston Globe wrote at the beginning of November. Well, the schedules for the commuter lines out of South Station are now scheduled for release in the spring.

The new schedules for the trains out of North Station came out last week and has caused some conversations as reported by the Boston Globe:

“Just call an apple an apple,” said Ellen P. Connolly, a Haverhill line rider. “Don’t tell me you’re doing schedule changes when you’re doing a schedule cut.” 

The future schedules, set to go into effect Dec. 14, have already prompted lawmakers to send a letter to the MBTA and Keolis about their concerns for the Haverhill and Lowell lines, which will have fewer trains scheduled. 

Overall, the MBTA’s commuter rail will operate two fewer trains in and out of North Station daily under the new schedules, according to Corey Lynch, deputy director of railroad operations at the MBTA."

You can read the full article here
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/11/21/new-mbta-commuter-rail-schedules-prompt-complaints-from-riders-lawmakers/iqprt2WwVKNSOVCpPSSRZI/story.html

MBTA train leaving Franklin/Dean Station headed to Forge Park

What changes would you make to the Franklin Line schedule?

Should Franklin reconsider the Community Preservation Act (CPA)?

This editorial in the Milford Daily News raises a good point or two:

According to the Community Preservations Coalition (a non-profit group dedicated to supporting CPA communities) close to $1.4 billion in funding has been raised to date, with the bulk of the money coming from modest local option taxes. 

But there’s a hidden bonus in that number: Depending on annual state distributions intended to enhance CPA funds raised locally, earmarked fees from country registries of deeds and the state legislature go exclusively to CPA communities. That’s adds up to hundreds of millions of dollars – not a bad deal when you consider the hard cash that accrues when matching funds can be between one-fifth to half of local funding. Every time a home or commercial property changes hands in Massachusetts a slice of the transfer tax goes directly to CPA communities. Money from your community goes to those fees, whether or not it’s adopted the CPA. 

The state contributes money to local CPA funds, which can only be spent on historic preservation, affordable housing, open space or recreation, but it has no say in how it is spent. Adopting the CPA requires a community referendum vote. A local CPA committee recommends projects for CPA funding, but not a dime is spent unless it is approved by the local legislative body.

You can read the full editorial here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151121/OPINION/151128901/2011/OPINION


The Community Preservation Act was before the Franklin voters in Nov 2007 and failed to pass.

Ballot Question 1Yes - 1528No - 2174
The Community Preservation Act did not pass.

- See more at: http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/11/franklin-community-preservation-act.html#sthash.Wo1X7DV6.dpuf (Note - this was from the period just before Franklin Matters became)


Also from the archives this article from the Boston Globe
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2007/11/how-not-to-spend-community-preservation.html

Climate Movement Weekly Update: Attorney General Says No New Pipelines Needed!

Check out the latest news from the Massachusetts climate movement! View this email in your browser Dear friends, For years, many of us have been saying that the new gas pipelines proposed all over the Northeast are unnecessary and will make it impossible for us to meet our climate goals. On Wednesday, a study commissioned by Attorney General Maura Healey vindicated that point of view. New pipelines are a great deal for fossil fuel companies that want to make money exporting gas overseas. But they're a terrible idea for Massachusetts. Our state is already more than 60% dependent on gas for electricity, and we should be moving as quickly as possible towards wind, solar and other renewables -- not building new fossil fuel infrastructure. Now, it's up to us to make sure everyone knows about the Attorney General's study. Read it here, and spread the word! Emily  New Study Commissioned by Attorney General Healey Shows New Pipelines Not Needed    On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Attorney General, Maura Healey, released a long-anticipated study showing that new gas pipelines are not needed in Massachusetts. The study demolishes the arguments of pipeline opponents, showing that we can meet our needs with energy efficiency and renewables at a fraction of the cost of massive new pipelines. You can check out a great infographic about the study here, and read the whole thing here!  Rally for Jobs, Justice and Climate on December 12 This December, UN delegates will meet again in Paris for yet another round of talks. We already know that even if the delegates finally reach an agreement, it won't be strong enough to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. No matter what happens in Paris, we know what we need: real climate solutions that create secure union jobs and strengthen community power and resiliency. It's up to us to lead the way -- and we're starting right here in New England with a massive rally on December 12, the day after the Paris talks end. We'll lift up the voices of New England's organized labor, immigrant rights, racial justice, and climate justice groups as we call for jobs, justice and climate action together. RSVP and get all the details here!

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FHS represented on Hockomock League Football All-Stars

From Hockomock Sports we share the official Hockomock League Football All Stars as selected by the coaches in the league.


KELLEY-REX MVP

Nick Morrison, North Attleboro

FHS Panthers

HOCKOMOCK KELLEY-REX ALL STARS

• Luke Gordon, Franklin

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• Nick Yelle, Franklin

For the complete listing
http://www.hockomocksports.com/the-2015-hockomock-football-all-stars-honorable-mentions/

Reminder: Meet the Poster Sisters of Imperfection

The Special Ed Parent Advisory Council is pleased to present Patty and Gina, imperfect sisters, and authors of Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid, A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children and creators of The Movement of Imperfection. The event will take place December 3, 2015 at 7:00PM in the BFCCPS Auditorium located at 201 Main Street in Franklin, MA.

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

Designed for caregivers of special children, this humorous, heartwarming 90-minute workshop is based on their best selling book. Using hilarious anecdotes and fun exercises (no Spandex required), the sisters will show attendees how to let go of the expectations they have for their children and embrace the reality.

The event is open to the public, for more information please contact Sarah Grome PAC President, or the Director of Student Services, Mrs. Pat Fairbanks. Learn more about this year's Special Ed PAC speakers on their website.

In the News: FPAC performs "The Nutcracker", Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) next weekend will present "The Nutcracker," bringing special guest artists, world-class musicians and more than 100 area dancers to one suburban stage. 

FPAC invites audiences to fall under Drosselmeyer’s dreamy spell and join Clara and her Nutcracker prince on a journey full of surprises and wonder. A popular holiday tradition for more than two decades, "The Nutcracker" remains a highly anticipated and treasured part of the FPAC season. Set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, the ballet delights the imaginations of audiences young and old with festive magic and colorful splendor. 

FPAC will present "The Nutcracker" on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Franklin High School auditorium, 218 Oak St., Franklin.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151122/NEWS/151129832/1994/NEWS

Now in its fourth year, the Turkey Trot Family 5K Fun Run aims to both entertain and help to better the community in this giving season. 

Runners can pay to enter the race - which starts on Thanksgiving at 8 a.m. - in two ways: by either paying a $20 entry fee or donating 20 non-perishable food items. 

Krystal Whitmore, the race's organizer, said all proceeds benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. 

"My son started it four years ago as an Eagle Scout project," she said. "We got such a great response."

donations to the Food Pantry at the 2013 Turkey Trot

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151122/NEWS/151128799/1994/NEWS

Attorney General says "electric ratepayers shouldn’t foot the bill for additional pipelines"

Attorney General Maura Healey today announced that a study commissioned by her office has determined that the region is unlikely to face electric reliability issues in the next 15 years and additional energy needs can be met more cheaply and cleanly through energy efficiency and demand response. 

The study was designed to, first, determine whether the region is facing electric reliability challenges through 2030 and, second, identify the most cost-effective and clean solutions for addressing any of those challenges. 

“As we make long-term decisions about our energy future, it’s imperative we have the facts,” said AG Healey. “This study demonstrates that we do not need increased gas capacity to meet electric reliability needs, and that electric ratepayers shouldn’t foot the bill for additional pipelines. This study demonstrates that a much more cost-effective solution is to embrace energy efficiency and demand response programs that protect ratepayers and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

image from Attorney General webpage

Additional info on the Attorney General study can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-updates/press-releases/2015/2015-11-18-electric-reliability-study.html