Connections that work! SBA Workshop - Jan 25

• Looking to Start or Expand your Business?
• Gain a better understanding of SBA Programs and Services

General information will be provided on the following:
MSBDC – Mass Small Business Development Center

SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business

SBA Guaranty Loan Programs:
7(a) Loans - Microloans
SBA Express Loans - 504 Loan Program

Government Contracting Opportunities:
8(a) Business Development - HUBZones (Historically Underutilized Business Zones) - Small Disadvantaged Business - Surety Bonding - Disaster Assistance

CWE – Center for Women and Enterprise

Register online here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connections-that-work-tickets-30342938546

Franklin Municipal Building

view the complete information flyer here:

ECDC Preschool Program Enrollment Opens

The Franklin Public Schools 

ECDC Preschool Program

Now Enrolling for Fall 2017…

Lottery to held on February 28, 2017

Applications now available on the principal's blog 

• http://www.ecdcprincipalpage.blogspot.com/ 

and on the ECDC website 

• http://franklinecdc.vt-s.net/pages/index

@FranklinECDC

The F.X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center (@FranklinECDC) is committed to offering preschoolers here in Franklin an opportunity for high quality developmentally appropriate learning in an environment that encourages diversity, cooperation and understanding. 

Our building and our curriculum have been designed to meet the complex needs of students with and without disabilities and help them develop the necessary readiness skills to prepare them for kindergarten. 

Our curriculum is aligned with the MA state frameworks for Literacy, Math and Social Emotional Development as well as the NAEYC standards for teaching and learning. Our teachers are highly qualified public school certified in early childhood, special education or a combination of both specialties.

Students who enroll attend ECDC participate in our "integrated" preschool model. In these language-based classrooms, children of all ability levels, with and without identified special needs, are taught together in an environment that nurtures peers as partners in learning. 

Research has proven that linking children of varying ability levels actually enhances the growth and development of all the children. Each of our classrooms maintains a low class size, maxing out with 15 students, with a Massachusetts certified teacher and at least one highly qualified educational assistant.

Franklin residents who turn 3 by August 31st are eligible to register for the integrated preschool program at ECDC.

Families interested in scheduling a tour at ECDC can call the main office @ 508 541-8166 to contact Kelty Kelley, ECDC Principal via email @ kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us.



Kelty Kelley, M.Ed., 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

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Update - Christine Lavin and Don White - January 7 - > CANCELLED due to the weather

Peter Mulvey January 28th View this email in your browser Christine Lavin and Don White Jan 7, 2017 - 8 PM $25 We just found out that after years of touring together Christine and Don will be taking a break. This may be your last chance to see them together. Hope you can join us. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is starting the year off right with two hilarious musicians, Christine Lavin and Don White on Saturday January 7th at 8PM. Christine's smart and funny songs nail our lives and foibles on the head! She is a comedienne whose delightfully skewed songs cover a lot of territory including relationships, politics, and life's injustices.  http://www.christinelavin.com/  Don White is a Circle of Friends regular whose songs and stories about raising teenagers always have our crowds rolling in the aisles. Together they are a fabulously hilarious duo of comedy and song. This will be a night to remember.  http://www.donwhite.net/ "...Christine Lavin and Don White, perhaps the two funniest performers on the folk circuit today." - Scott Alarik, The Boston Globe http://www.donwhite.net/don-christine/ Check out their video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLwRwZ7j3C4 The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Tickets for this shows are $25.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows Jan 28       Peter Mulvey Feb 11      Joe Crookston Mar 4        Celtic Band RUNA Mar 18      The Boxcar Lilies

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 1/6/17 - THU 1/12/17

FRIDAY 1/6/17 
10:30am   Knitting Circle for Adults @ Franklin Public Library

SATURDAY 1/7/17
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Christine Lavin and Don White

SUNDAY 1/8/17
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast @ Franklin Rod and Gun Club
1pm   FPAC Family Concert Series: New England Percussion Ensemble (free event)

MONDAY 1/9/17
8-8:30pm   FPAC Open Auditions for Beauty and the Beast @ The Black Box
7-8:30pm   Learn To Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

TUESDAY 1/10/17
7pm   Yankee Quilters Guild Meeting @ St. John’s Episcopal Church (prospective members welcome)
7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Meeting @ Franklin YMCA (public welcome)

WEDNESDAY 1/11/17
6:30pm   Teen Advisory Board Meeting @ Franklin Public Library
7:30pm   Franklin Newcomers and Friends Meeting @ 3 Restaurant, speakers: Alan Earls (Charles River Meadowlands) and Marjorie Turner Hollman (Easy Walks in Massachusetts)

THURSDAY 1/12/17
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA
7pm   School Committee Coffee Hour @ Franklin TV (23 Hutchinson St)

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

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

Town Council Meeting Recap - Jan 4, 2017

After a brief discussion on the merits of a joint meeting with the Planning Board, the Town Council found it did not have enough interest to go forward. Joint workshops are a good thing but the functions served by both organizations are uniquely different. There would still be the need to hold separate votes, and the Planning Board recommendation is required before the Town Council acts, so the combined meeting for a public hearing would not help to streamline the process.

The update to the Master Plan was a summary of actions taken since the plan was published. The listing of accomplishments mostly in the recreation and open space sections will be recorded with the 'official' Master Plan.

A proposal to locate 'Storage Use' in the industrial zone (where it is not currently permitted) rather than in the Commercial II zone (where it currently is permitted) was approved. The irony is that the two current storage operations are located in the industrial zone, apparently grandfathered from a prior time. The proposal will move to the Planning Board for their discussion and decision before coming back to the Town Council for their two public readings and eventual decision to make the change.


Some of the more interesting information came from the subcommittee reports:

• Jones - presentation coming on the Town website for next meeting. The presentation should help residents understand how to use the newly redesigned Town webpage.
• Mercer - delays with Senior Center, biggest hold up is the elevator, need to get the State inspection, once they inspect, then we can utilize the second floor.
• Mercer - High school project - while open for a couple of years, it has not ended yet. The fields will be up and operating in the spring. Finalizing the last invoice with the contractor. Setting up the audit process with the MSBA to get signed off. FHS gym floor being re-done this summer, a glass door issue to be taken care of before we sign off.
• Pfeffer - The new addition at the Library should be all closed in by now, roof being worked on. Temporary heat there. it will be gorgeous to see what it will look like when done. Stop by 25 Kenwood to see the displays. The Benjamin Franklin books will be on display in a much better showcase for viewing by all. It may not open in July given the current construction progress.

the new addition to the Library does look like it is closed in at this point

The official 'Actions Taken' as posted by the Town of Franklin can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_january_4_2017.pdf



My notes taken live during the meeting can be found here

• Live Reporting: to closing
• Live Reporting: Subcommittee reports, Legislation
• Live Reporting: Master Plan Update
• Live Reporting: Town Council - Jan 4, 2017
• 
  

FHS wrestling and girls swim team post wins on Thursday

Wrestling = Franklin, 51 vs. St. John’s, 12 – Final

Swimming - Boys = Franklin, 65 @ Milford, 100 – Final

Swimming - Girls = Franklin, 99 @ Milford, 71 – Final 

– Franklin freshman Katie McGuire won a pair of events to help the Panthers get the crossover win. McGuire won the 500 free and the 200 free, with sophomore Lizzie Leo coming in second in the 200 free. The Panthers swept the 200 IM with senior Megan Lazarek coming in first, freshman Isabel Capecci second and senior Lila Kaplan touching in third. Senior Helen Huang was first in the 50 free for the Panthers with junior Audrey Finn coming in second. Franklin also swept the 200 and 400 free relay events.

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-010517/

FHS Panthers

And from the Twitterverse

You win some and you lose some @FranklinHS @TOFranklinMA @FHSSports : https://t.co/odkrceYPUh

— Country Gazette (@CountryGazette) January 6, 2017

[Boys Winter Varsity Wrestling] Franklin HS defeats Saint John's HS, 51 to 12.

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) January 6, 2017

Another dominant performance for @FHSWrestle as the Panthers move to 8-0 with a 51-12 win over SJS @FHSSports @MetroWestSports

— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) January 6, 2017

Great 51-12 win over St. John's S. with pins from Carlucci, Bakalars, Remillard, MacLean, Cogavin, Hernandez, and Colella #FHSWrestle

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) January 6, 2017

Senator Spilka Hosts Social Emotional Learning Discussion on Jan 17, 2017 in Ashland

Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) will host a discussion of social and emotional learning (SEL) and possible models for implementation in MetroWest schools and communities.

Social and emotional learning – defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as “the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions” – is increasingly recognized as the key to success, in school and beyond, for children of all backgrounds. Join Senator Spilka and CASEL senior consultant Ruth Cross to learn about the importance of SEL and ways to bring these strategies to MetroWest students.

WHO:
Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland)
Ruth Cross, Senior SEL Consultant, CASEL

WHAT:
Discussion of social and emotional learning and a model for district-wide SEL implementation

WHEN:
January 17, 2017
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Warren Conference Center and Inn
Warren House Telechron Room
529 Chestnut Street, Ashland

NOTE: 
This event is free and open to the public; attendees must RSVP via Eventbrite.

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

To learn more about SEL, visit http://www.casel.org/what-is-sel/
To learn more about Ruth Cross, visit http://www.casel.org/staff/ruth-cross/
To learn more about CASEL, visit http://www.casel.org/

Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee to meet Jan 10, 2017

View this email in your browser Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Monthly Meeting Tuesday, January 10th The Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee will meet on Tuesday January 10th, 2017. The meeting will be held at the YMCA in Franklin and start at 7:30 pm. We hope to see you there!   Download this month's agenda (156 KB) Copyright © 2017 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have opted in to stay informed about the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Our mailing address is: Franklin  Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

In the News: Milford schools exploring panic button; Master Plan progress noted

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"School officials are targeting a February date to debut a smart phone panic button program to better alert faculty, staff, students and families in the event of an emergency. 

The Rave Mobile Safety program will be implemented sometime in late winter, said Superintendent Kevin McIntyre at Thursday's School Committee meeting. 

IT Director Matthew Joseph has taken on the rollout of the program, working "hand-in-hand" with the Police Department and Chief Tom O'Loughlin. 

Joseph, O'Loughlin and school administrators have been working throughout the school year on the program, which is essentially a smart phone app that allows a faculty member to alert authorities with the click of a button."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170105/milford-schools-smart-phone-panic-button-program-coming-in-february

"Town officials said Franklin has made good progress over the past year toward its master plan goals, but the town still needs less costly housing. 

The Town Council considered the matter at its Wednesday night meeting as part of a yearly review. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said one of the highlights of the town's 2016 efforts involved improving the DelCarte Conservation Property, which helps fulfill a goal that the town protect natural resources. 

"A management study for the DelCarte property is out," he said, adding that the town was beginning its efforts to combat invasive weeds in the ponds there."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170105/franklin-council-reviews-master-plan-progress

frozen pond at DelCarte

Senior Center: January 2017 - Franklin Connection Newsletter

Please note the new Issue of The Franklin Connection newsletter has been published -->> January's Newsletter (PDF)

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/72413

expanded parking lot at the Senior Center will accommodate more
parking when the 2nd floor and renovations are complete

Empty Bowls Club Needs Some Helping Hands: Register now to make bowls to fight hunger March 4

The Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club will hold a bowl-making event on Saturday, March 4 to help make ceramic bowls in preparation for the 2nd Annual Empty Bowls Dinner on May 2. Anyone 8 years or older is invited to this free, community event to create bowls out of clay which will be used in the May 2 fundraiser benefitting the Franklin Food Pantry.

The event, held from 10 a.m. to Noon in Room 138 at FHS, is limited to the first 25 people who register. All materials and instruction are provided for free. Pre-registration is required and can be done online at franklinfoodpantry.org/give-help/volunteer/empty-bowls/.

Event participants will make bowls out of clay that will later
be painted and glazed for the 2nd Annual Empty Bowls Dinner

“We are opening our studio to engage the public in a worthwhile project that addresses hunger in our own community,” says Brenna Johnson, FHS art teacher and instructor for the Empty Bowls Club. “It’s a great opportunity for families or friends to experience a craft activity together while supporting a meaningful cause.”

The clay bowls will be fired, painted and glazed in preparation for the Empty Bowls Dinner to raise money for the Pantry. Dinner attendees choose one of the hand-made bowls to take home as a reminder that “somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty.” The May 2 fundraiser, which includes a simple meal of soup and bread, is meant to remind guests of the many “empty bowls” that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger.

About the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club

Franklin High School is participating in an international charity project called Empty Bowls, which supports hungry people in local communities. The first part of this project is to make ceramic bowls with students, faculty, district K-12 art teachers, and the Franklin community. Then, the Empty Bowls Club and the Franklin Food Pantry co-host a community meal of soup and bread. All funds raised at this event are donated to the Franklin Food Pantry.

About the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities once a month to 504 households, including more than 300 children. Clients have access to bread and fresh produce daily during Pantry hours. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Other programs include a Mobile Pantry, Cooking Matters classes, a Healthy Futures Market, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

FHS girls indoor track post win; boys indoor track and girls basketball lose on Wednesday

From HockomockSports we share the results from the FHS winter sports action on Wednesday


Girls Basketball = Franklin, 38 vs. Bishop Fenwick, 47 – Final 

– Bishop Fenwick used a 17-8 run in the third quarter to turn a four point lead into a double-digit advantage. Carli Koffinke led the Panthers with 13 points while Ali Brigham added eight points, Kate Morse had six points and Bea Bondhus chipped in with five points.

Boys Indoor Track (@ Reggie Lewis Center) = Franklin, 18 vs. Mansfield, 82 – Final

– Mansfield picked up first place finishes in nine events and swept first, second and third in four of them. Nick Horn won the 300M, Mike Shannon was first in the 600M, Sean Lanzillo crossed first in the 1 Mile, Kevin McCree won the shot put and Jack Olsen won the high jump. Kevin Crawford, Nick Rispoli and Jackson Murphy swept the 1000M, Paxton Howard, Cullen Lancaster and Eric McQuiggan swept the 2 Mile, Aidan Sacco, Jareme DiLorenzo and Cameron McIntyre swept the 55M hurdles and Kyle Haley, DiLorenzo and Sacco swept the long jump. Franklin’s Tucker Cherry won the 55M dash.

Boys Indoor Track (@ Reggie Lewis Center) = Franklin, 67 vs. Mansfield, 33 – Final

– Franklin and Mansfield split with six first place finishes apiece but the Panthers came through win the win. Jess Kroushl won the 55M dash, Halle Atkinson was first in the 300M, Nicole Clermont won the 1 Mile, Katherine Hartnett crossed first in the 2 Mile, Lauren McGrath won the 55M hurdles and Miranda Smith won the shot put. Mansfield’s Caitlin Whitman won the 600M, Lauren Duggan was first in the 1000M, Amanda Mangano took first in the high jump and Angela Corkery won the long jump.

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-010417/

FHS Panthers

Details on each event at the Hockomock indoor track meet can be found here

• Boys

http://www.coolrunning.com/results/17/ma/Jan4_Hockom_set2.shtml

• Girls

http://www.coolrunning.com/results/17/ma/Jan4_Hockom_set3.shtml

Economic Development Committee - endorsed storage use proposal, to set joint workshop

I used Twitter to capture my notes from the short (approx 15 minutes) Economic Development Committee meeting on Wednesday.

EDC meeting: discussion on storage use per zoning; currently only allowed in CII and not in industrial zone. #edc0104

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 4, 2017

EDC meeting: motion to endorse the zoning change for storage use in industrial zone, passed unanimously #edc0104

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 4, 2017

EDC meeting: proposal for joint workshop with Town Council, Planning Board, and Planning Dept to be scheduled #edc0104

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 4, 2017

REMINDER: 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting - Thursday, Jan 5, 2017

Hey, climate fighters,

I hope everyone had wonderful holidays that suited your needs!  I knew I wanted a break and I got exactly what I needed.

Now that we've had our respite, it's time to ramp up and wake up our climate spirits by participating in some exciting and fun actions coming up.  If you received Katherine Anderson's Climate Movement Weekly Update yesterday, you have an idea of what they are.  Links to sign-ups are in the newsletter (you should be receiving it--let me know if you aren't), so let's have a good showing at these events!  It's always a blast when 350 Mass activists get together! 

• Mon, Jan 9   Day Against Denial rally, Park St. T, Boston Common
• Sat, Jan 14   Bill McKibben and Tim DeChristopher forum, First Parish Church, Harvard Square, Cambridge
• Sat, Jan 14   #NoDAPL Solidarity Fundraiser Sing-Along, Arlington
• Wed, Jan 25  Mass Power Forward Lobby Day, State House
• Sat, Jan 28   350 Mass day-long Organizing and Advocacy Training, Boston (TBD)

We shouldn't be lulled into thinking there's nothing to do since Spectra has hit the Pause Button (for now!); we have the gift of time to make our numbers even stronger!  More grassroots outreach and publicity, Con Comms, Mass Power Forward business outreach, legislative work--we'll talk about details at the meeting.

Part of the Spectra fight will likely be in the legislature, convincing our legislators to say NO to the pipeline tax and YES to other non-carbon solutions. 

New Volunteer Opportunities: If you'd like to work on 350 Mass' legislative goals, you could be part of the 350 Mass Legislative Team either as a State Legislative Team member for the node OR a Point Person for your own legislator (see the link for more details).  And since this node covers 17 towns, that's a fair number of legislators to work with!  We'd like to have people fill these roles for each of the nodes.  I'll be happy to answer questions how that would work, or if I can't, put you in touch with Andy Gordon, the 350 Mass Legislative Coordinator.

I've also done some outreach to the Nipmuck Nation to see if they'd like to work with us to pressure the Dakota Access banks, so we'll see what comes of that.

So bring your calendars to the meeting THURSDAY and we can put our heads together and get things rolling! 

Same time, same place: 7:00-9:00 pm, First Universalist Society, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin.

See you then!

Carolyn Barthel, Coordinator

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
508-473-3305

In the News: empty bowls adds workshop; Town Council decides "no" on joint hearings

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Early response to the second annual "Empty Bowls" dinner has already exceeded expectations. 

The event - held by the Franklin High School's Empty Bowls Club - looks to raise awareness of hunger by bringing in community members for a simple meal and auctioning off hand-made bowls to remind them that "somewhere, someone's bowl is empty." Proceeds from the dinner benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. 

Brenna Johnson, an art teacher at the high school, said the club restarted operations last year after several years of inactivity. 

"We approached the Franklin Food Pantry and worked together, hand-in-hand, to construct the event," she said. "We raised over $6,000 that night - it blew us away."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170104/franklin-empty-bowls-event-exceeds-expectations

Event participants will make bowls out of clay that will later
be painted and glazed for the 2nd Annual Empty Bowls Dinner

"The Town Council will not hold joint public hearings with the Planning Board on zoning matters. 

The council Wednesday night considered a proposal to streamline the public hearing process by convening hearings with both the council and board present. 

The idea was first raised by Councilor Deborah Pellegri, who asked at a prior meeting for a discussion. 

Pellegri said she believed such sessions have been held in the past.
"For myself, I think it would be very helpful," she said. "We might be asking questions that, perhaps, we can't answer. The Planning Board could be right there (to answer)."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170104/franklin-council-opts-against-joint-meetings