According to this press release NationalGrid is getting out ahead of the storm. And that is a good thing, one - they are doing the press release which they had not done previously, and two, spelling out how prepared they are. They may have been so in prior storms (although experience tells us otherwise) so they are making improvements!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Franklin Food Pantry updates
1 - The Franklin Food Pantry is closed today, Friday, Feb 8th. The Food Pantry follows the school schedule of storm closures.
2 - Due to the storm this weekend, the first day for the Pantry phone-a-thon has been canceled; Saturday, Feb 9th. The phone-a-thon will be held as scheduled on Saturday, Feb 16th.
If you would like to volunteer to help with the phone-a-thon, please contact Bob Hamilton via email at bob@franklinfoodpantry.org or by calling the Pantry at 508-528-3115 and using option 5 on the voicemail.
2 - Due to the storm this weekend, the first day for the Pantry phone-a-thon has been canceled; Saturday, Feb 9th. The phone-a-thon will be held as scheduled on Saturday, Feb 16th.
If you would like to volunteer to help with the phone-a-thon, please contact Bob Hamilton via email at bob@franklinfoodpantry.org or by calling the Pantry at 508-528-3115 and using option 5 on the voicemail.
RMV Attleboro Branch Adds Permit Testing
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 2/7/13
MassDOT Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian today joined local officials and announced the availability of driver's license permit testing at the Attleboro RMV Branch, located at 75 Park Street. The Attleboro Branch is one of two express branches in the Commonwealth that provide limited license and registration transactions. The availability of the permit testing in Attleboro will help the RMV manage an anticipated influx of test takers during the busy school vacation period.
"The City has been a great partner and has made it possible to bring permit testing to Attleboro," said Registrar Kaprielian. "Teens and new drivers may now complete this important step in the licensing process closer to home."
The Registry delivered existing automated testing equipment to provide six testing stations in Attleboro. The move will save area residents from traveling to Taunton, Milford or Brockton to complete the 20 minute test.
The Registry of Motor Vehicles administered approximately 45,000 permit tests across the Commonwealth in 2012. There are 4.73 million licensed drivers in Massachusetts. To perform many basic transactions, visit the RMV online today at its new web address: http://www.massrmv.com
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
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"many friendships ... will blossom in this building"
The new dormitory for Dean College was the scene for an official and ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x898127413/Ribbon-cut-on-Deans-new-dorm#ixzz2KIvte278
Administrators named the 32,000-square-foot dorm after Dorothy and Glendon Horne. Glendon Horne graduated from the college in 1931. His wife left Dean her estate, a donation of about $2 million — the college’s largest single gift in its history.
"It is something in our wildest dreams we never thought would happen," said Rooney of the gift. "It made the particulars of this building possible."
Noting the building’s location along West Central Street, Rooney said, "In some ways, it will attach us to Franklin in a very different way."
 |
| New Dean College dorm on Christmas morning 2012 |
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x898127413/Ribbon-cut-on-Deans-new-dorm#ixzz2KIvte278
In the News: Tri-County, Democrats, MBTA, police
Restaurant competition for Tri-County is rescheduled
Tri-County students preparing for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association’s annual culinary and restaurant management competition have another few weeks to hone their business plans and master their dishes thanks to Nor’easter Nemo.
Franklin Democratic Town Committee Caucus is postponed
The Franklin Democratic Town Committee Caucus planned for this Saturday, Feb. 9th at 9 am at Alumni Restaurant in Franklin has been POSTPONED due to the weather.
MBTA to suspend all transportation 3:30 p.m. on Friday
Due to the severe winter storm, the MBTA will suspend all modes of service effective at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013.
Franklin Police: Robber’s own unmasking is his undoing
A suspected robber provided detectives with all they needed to find him when he removed his disguise during a robbery last month, authorities said.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
National Grid: Blizzard update
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "National Grid"
Date: Feb 7, 2013 8:00 PM
Subject: National Grid: Blizzard update
From: "National Grid"
Date: Feb 7, 2013 8:00 PM
Subject: National Grid: Blizzard update
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
February 2013 Snow Storm
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "TOWN OF FRANKLIN"
Date: Feb 7, 2013 6:18 PM
Subject: February 2013 Snow Storm
Hello. This is Gary Premo calling with information on the pending snow storm. There will be regular pick up of trash and recycling on Friday Feb 8. However, the recycling center on Beaver St will be closed both Friday and Saturday. The parking ban will become active on Friday at 6pm through the duration of the storm. School Officials are in constant contact with Public Safety and Town Officials regarding the possibility of cancellation/early dismissal for Friday, and will be sending out a message once a decision is made. Thank you for listening, stay safe, goodbye.
From: "TOWN OF FRANKLIN"
Date: Feb 7, 2013 6:18 PM
Subject: February 2013 Snow Storm
Hello. This is Gary Premo calling with information on the pending snow storm. There will be regular pick up of trash and recycling on Friday Feb 8. However, the recycling center on Beaver St will be closed both Friday and Saturday. The parking ban will become active on Friday at 6pm through the duration of the storm. School Officials are in constant contact with Public Safety and Town Officials regarding the possibility of cancellation/early dismissal for Friday, and will be sending out a message once a decision is made. Thank you for listening, stay safe, goodbye.
This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-520-4938 or REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.
Note: Schools in Franklin are closed on Friday, Feb 8th
Attention: Franklin MBTA Commuter Rail Riders
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "T-Alerts Notification"
Date: Feb 7, 2013 7:23 PM
Subject: All Southside Lines/Routes Alert
To: "T-Alerts Notification"
Cc:
Due to severe weather, the last trains from South Station on Friday, February 8th, are the following:
Fairmont Line: No. 759 3:30 PM
Framingham/Worcester: No. P517 2:45 PM
Franklin: No. 713 2:40 PM
Greenbush: No. 079 2:27 PM
Kingston/Plymouth: No. 041 2:47 PM
Middleboro/Lakeville: No. 015 2:10 PM
Needham: No. 617 3:00 PM
Providence: No. 811 3:30 PM
Inbound service to Boston will be suspended at 3:30 PM
From: "T-Alerts Notification"
Date: Feb 7, 2013 7:23 PM
Subject: All Southside Lines/Routes Alert
To: "T-Alerts Notification"
Cc:
Due to severe weather, the last trains from South Station on Friday, February 8th, are the following:
Fairmont Line: No. 759 3:30 PM
Framingham/Worcester: No. P517 2:45 PM
Franklin: No. 713 2:40 PM
Greenbush: No. 079 2:27 PM
Kingston/Plymouth: No. 041 2:47 PM
Middleboro/Lakeville: No. 015 2:10 PM
Needham: No. 617 3:00 PM
Providence: No. 811 3:30 PM
Inbound service to Boston will be suspended at 3:30 PM
Franklin Schools Closed, Friday, February 8
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Date: Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 4:37 PM
Subject: School Closing
From: FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Date: Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 4:37 PM
Subject: School Closing
| |||||||
|
Town Council - 02/06/13
The discussion of the Town Council around the proposal to move the Treasurer/Collector position from elected to appointed continued during this session. If I were to read how the Council would vote, most would not individually vote to approve of the change. They all seem to be in favor putting the proposal before the voters to decide.
The question and charter change would simply call for an appointment by the Town Administrator and ratification (approval or denial) by the Town Council. How the selection process for the candidate is conducted is still not defined. Should it be more like a school principal? or more like the current practice for the other appointed positions; fire chief, police chief, etc.
Letting folks have a say in the process and having a defined process before the vote is something that I think would make the voter's decision an easy one.
The second major item on the agenda Wednesday evening was the annual auditor's report. It is worthy of note that this is occurring earlier than normal. From my own records reporting on this meeting, except for the forensic audit report to the joint Town Council and School Committee meeting in Jan of 2008, this is the earliest the report has been available. That the report is clean and early is a good indication that the internal processes with Franklin are in a good state of affairs. Are they perfect? No.
As mentioned in the Management Letter, there are some fine tuning possibilities. The formal risk assessment process is one. The separation of duties for the ambulance accounting is another. It is interesting that this separation of duties issue has cropped up and apparently is due to the budget cuts reducing personnel. If you recall, it was also a position reduction in 2005 that lead to the accounting error discovered in 2007 and resulted in the forensic audit. Of note, the best thing to come out of that audit was that the Town finances finally got on the same set of books. Prior to that the School and Town books were separate.
The third major item on the agenda was the final passing of the bylaw changes to the site plan process. You may recall that there had been a great deal of hullabaloo over this when it first came before the Council. More than one Councilor had angry words and cutting comments. A workshop was held to clear the air, help with their understanding, resolve their miss understandings and as a result, last night there was nary a whisper as the roll call voted to approve the measures. Council Chair Vallee voted against one measure and Council Pfeffer voted against one also, the third passed with an 8-0 vote (Roy was absent).
The individual reports from the meeting on Wednesday:
The question and charter change would simply call for an appointment by the Town Administrator and ratification (approval or denial) by the Town Council. How the selection process for the candidate is conducted is still not defined. Should it be more like a school principal? or more like the current practice for the other appointed positions; fire chief, police chief, etc.
Letting folks have a say in the process and having a defined process before the vote is something that I think would make the voter's decision an easy one.
- If the voter feels comfortable with the process to select the most qualified person with a preference for a Franklin resident, then I think they would be more likely to go for it.
- If the voters have no idea how the selection is made, the fear, uncertainty and doubt about the quality of selection and lack of participation in the selection will likely doom the vote.
The second major item on the agenda Wednesday evening was the annual auditor's report. It is worthy of note that this is occurring earlier than normal. From my own records reporting on this meeting, except for the forensic audit report to the joint Town Council and School Committee meeting in Jan of 2008, this is the earliest the report has been available. That the report is clean and early is a good indication that the internal processes with Franklin are in a good state of affairs. Are they perfect? No.
As mentioned in the Management Letter, there are some fine tuning possibilities. The formal risk assessment process is one. The separation of duties for the ambulance accounting is another. It is interesting that this separation of duties issue has cropped up and apparently is due to the budget cuts reducing personnel. If you recall, it was also a position reduction in 2005 that lead to the accounting error discovered in 2007 and resulted in the forensic audit. Of note, the best thing to come out of that audit was that the Town finances finally got on the same set of books. Prior to that the School and Town books were separate.
The third major item on the agenda was the final passing of the bylaw changes to the site plan process. You may recall that there had been a great deal of hullabaloo over this when it first came before the Council. More than one Councilor had angry words and cutting comments. A workshop was held to clear the air, help with their understanding, resolve their miss understandings and as a result, last night there was nary a whisper as the roll call voted to approve the measures. Council Chair Vallee voted against one measure and Council Pfeffer voted against one also, the third passed with an 8-0 vote (Roy was absent).
The individual reports from the meeting on Wednesday:
- Live reporting - Closing
- Live reporting - Legislation
- Live reporting: Audit for 2012
- Live reporting: Treasurer/Collector
- Live Reporting - Town Council - Feb 6, 2013
The full set of documents released with the agenda can be found on the Franklin Town Council webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/020613.pdfBlizzard watch issued for eastern Massachusetts; 12-24 inches possible
By all accounts Friday afternoon into evening is going to be the toughest time with the most snow fall. According to what is being shared by the various news and weather outlets this morning, the snow will last into Saturday.
Stay tuned for a decision on the Franklin Food Pantry phone-a-thon which has been scheduled for this Saturday (Feb 9) and next (Feb 16). We may decide to not make any calls this Saturday. The Food Pantry Board of Directors should have a decision to share on Friday morning.
Be safe!
Stay tuned for a decision on the Franklin Food Pantry phone-a-thon which has been scheduled for this Saturday (Feb 9) and next (Feb 16). We may decide to not make any calls this Saturday. The Food Pantry Board of Directors should have a decision to share on Friday morning.
Be safe!
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 2/6/13
The National Weather Service office in Taunton has issued a blizzard watch for eastern Massachusetts for late Thursday night through Saturday morning.Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
In the News: charter amendment, culinary competition, Governor's case
Franklin council considers charter amendments
Town Council on Wednesday night mulled amending the charter to pave the way for a November ballot question on whether the treasurer/collector job should be appointed.
Tri-County prepares for state culinary competition
Governor makes case for tax hikes, spending
Gov. Deval Patrick on Tuesday said consensus is building around his major new transportation initiatives, but his equally ambitious education plan could prove to be a "harder lift."
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Live reporting - Closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Pfeffer - has the Senior Center had another leak?
Mercer - There have been three different freeze ups since the Senior Ctr opened, all due to design flaws, there are fixes being put into place to avoid this in the future
Vallee - I got a call from the Globe about another community that is withdrawing from the Norfolk County Association
Nutting - we pay a lot of money to belong to the County. I can't really comment without fully understanding what the reporter was saying. I don't know how to get rid of a County. The assessment comes on the Cherry Sheet
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Pfeffer - a number recieved anonymous letters, if you can't put a name to the letter we can and won't respond
Mercer - we are starting to go vertical, exactly on schedule
Kelly - we seem to be getting more of them than ever before, we also have a microphone here, without a name on it, we cannot respond to it
Vallee - parking meters, she is giving tickets 24x7, is what she is saying,please look at this issue
Bissanti - does she have a uniform?
Nutting, yes in winter it is covered
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Pfeffer - has the Senior Center had another leak?
Mercer - There have been three different freeze ups since the Senior Ctr opened, all due to design flaws, there are fixes being put into place to avoid this in the future
Vallee - I got a call from the Globe about another community that is withdrawing from the Norfolk County Association
Nutting - we pay a lot of money to belong to the County. I can't really comment without fully understanding what the reporter was saying. I don't know how to get rid of a County. The assessment comes on the Cherry Sheet
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Pfeffer - a number recieved anonymous letters, if you can't put a name to the letter we can and won't respond
Mercer - we are starting to go vertical, exactly on schedule
Kelly - we seem to be getting more of them than ever before, we also have a microphone here, without a name on it, we cannot respond to it
Vallee - parking meters, she is giving tickets 24x7, is what she is saying,please look at this issue
Bissanti - does she have a uniform?
Nutting, yes in winter it is covered
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn
Live reporting - Legislation
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-05: Hoffmann Farms, A Private Definitive Subdivision Acceptance of Covenant with Owner
motion to approve, passed 8-0
2. Resolution 13-06: Appropriation: Town Clerk - Advertising
motion to approve, passed 8-0
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-695:Changes to § 185-31. Site Plan and Design Review – 2nd Reading
motion to approve, passed 8-0 via roll call
streamlining the site plan for the developers and the Town
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-696:Changes to § 185-20. H. Signs. Sign Approvals - 2nd Reading
motion to approve, passed 7-1 via roll call (no - Vallee)
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-697:Changes to § 185-45. N. Administration and Enforcement. Design Review Commission - 2nd Reading
motion to approve, passed 7-1 via roll call (no - Pfeffer)
none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-05: Hoffmann Farms, A Private Definitive Subdivision Acceptance of Covenant with Owner
motion to approve, passed 8-0
2. Resolution 13-06: Appropriation: Town Clerk - Advertising
motion to approve, passed 8-0
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-695:Changes to § 185-31. Site Plan and Design Review – 2nd Reading
motion to approve, passed 8-0 via roll call
streamlining the site plan for the developers and the Town
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-696:Changes to § 185-20. H. Signs. Sign Approvals - 2nd Reading
motion to approve, passed 7-1 via roll call (no - Vallee)
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-697:Changes to § 185-45. N. Administration and Enforcement. Design Review Commission - 2nd Reading
motion to approve, passed 7-1 via roll call (no - Pfeffer)
Live reporting: Audit for 2012
Melanson Heath & Co., 2012 Audit
up to Page 12, MD and A, management discussion and analysis
Page 13
summary of future view
Page 15
unassigned fund balance $4,289
modest improvement over prior year, about 4.2% of general fund, auditor look at that number
stabilization accounts, fund increases due to actions voted but not yet spent
$15M vs. a year ago of $11M, $3M of that was committed
Page 17 helps to understand why the increase in unassigned fund balance
change in fund balance seen here, majority of this is timing
there is a good deal of info in the footnotes
there is interest in OPEB, if you choose I could talk for hours on it
In the management letter, recommendations begin on Page 3
follow up to prior year, more formal risk process, formal = written
The Town has provided responses to the issues raised, we think what has begun is off to a good start
On Page 4 - issues 2 and 3 will be addressed collectively, billing collection and assessment of funds, no segregation of duties present
on Page 5
Policy on handling fund balances, deals with spending prioritization
there are different constraints on the source of funds, determine which buckets of money shold be used first, would help provide guidance on what to do, what to use
Page 6 - prepare for GASB 68
the handling of the Norfolk County unfunded liability would need to be added to the books
an informational comment, I can not anticipate what that number would be
it is likely to be a large number, liabilities will go up, assets will go down
Powderly - yes,I did notice the quicker turnaround
does this happen often?
Nutting - we didn't have staffing, one clerk was doing both, we can resolve that with staffing and the outsourcing being looked at.
Risk assessment,the small towns will consider and accept the risk
Gagner, the risk assessment will be a multi year process, we have looked at the Treasurer and Comptroller depts, and once we have ours down, we'll expand to others
Nutting - eventually every department will go through the process,
Many more appointed treasurers
up to Page 12, MD and A, management discussion and analysis
Page 13
summary of future view
Page 15
unassigned fund balance $4,289
modest improvement over prior year, about 4.2% of general fund, auditor look at that number
stabilization accounts, fund increases due to actions voted but not yet spent
$15M vs. a year ago of $11M, $3M of that was committed
Page 17 helps to understand why the increase in unassigned fund balance
change in fund balance seen here, majority of this is timing
there is a good deal of info in the footnotes
there is interest in OPEB, if you choose I could talk for hours on it
In the management letter, recommendations begin on Page 3
follow up to prior year, more formal risk process, formal = written
The Town has provided responses to the issues raised, we think what has begun is off to a good start
On Page 4 - issues 2 and 3 will be addressed collectively, billing collection and assessment of funds, no segregation of duties present
on Page 5
Policy on handling fund balances, deals with spending prioritization
there are different constraints on the source of funds, determine which buckets of money shold be used first, would help provide guidance on what to do, what to use
Page 6 - prepare for GASB 68
the handling of the Norfolk County unfunded liability would need to be added to the books
an informational comment, I can not anticipate what that number would be
it is likely to be a large number, liabilities will go up, assets will go down
Powderly - yes,I did notice the quicker turnaround
does this happen often?
Nutting - we didn't have staffing, one clerk was doing both, we can resolve that with staffing and the outsourcing being looked at.
Risk assessment,the small towns will consider and accept the risk
Gagner, the risk assessment will be a multi year process, we have looked at the Treasurer and Comptroller depts, and once we have ours down, we'll expand to others
Nutting - eventually every department will go through the process,
Many more appointed treasurers
Live reporting: Treasurer/Collector
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Jim Dacey, Treasurer-Collector
Discussion on current proposal as drafted to start the work to move the position to an elected one
Kelly - can we handle this as we do the school principal?
Nutting - that is the recruitment process, does the council start getting involved every time something comes up. When I recommended the promotion of the current chief, we did that local as we had a candidate
Nutting - when someone comes in from the outside it is a different story, as soon as you get a committee it becomes an open meeting
Powderly - this is changing in general terms, the fine details of the process remain to be defined. While it is an elected position in some communities, the size of the budget does become the determinant?
Dacey - yes, the size of the budget is a key factor
Mercer - you get to choose the candidate and bring it to us?
Nutting - yes, there is a check in balance, we need to keep politics out of it. That would be true of any appointment
Dacey - to get the best possible candidate then we need to have it appointed
Jones - I think we need to let the voters determine this. I don't think we should take a position from the public.
Bissanti - do you feel that on a day to day basis, that you need to be in the trenches?
Dacey - my role is very hands on, there are things I do that no one else in the office does. Tax taking, investment choices, it is very hands on. My assistant is buried right now with the work that she has to do. If she would be the one to support the new treasurer, she would be hard pressed
Powderly - while moving from elected to appoint, the residents don't loose their voice. The Councilors hear from folks all the time. That won't change. I will always favor a Franklin resident, if I have to choose between three Franklin resident and some one who is very well qualified, for the stability of town I would go outside. It is a hard choice. No one can tell us more accurately than you what is needed. That is the most convincing argument. It can be seen as taking power away from people but I don't see that.
Jones - I think the voters are smarter than we think
Dacey - the problem is when someone is in for a week and messes things up, you won't be able to recover from it. It was almost three years before I go the job down pat.
Live Reporting - Town Council - Feb 6, 2013
Present: Mercer, Dellorco, kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti,
Absent: Roy
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 28,2013, December 19, 2013, Executive Session
motion to approve, passed 8-0
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
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
Absent: Roy
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 28,2013, December 19, 2013, Executive Session
motion to approve, passed 8-0
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
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
Teens Set to Run 4th Annual Charity 3v3 Soccer Tournament
The 2013 Soccer for Smiles to be held during school vacation in February promises fun for all participants while supporting a terrific local charity, the Random Smile Project. The Soccer for Smiles team is looking for contributions from local businesses and individuals as well as players from ages 5 to high school. The tournament is round-robin style and will be held February 18th, 19th, and 20th at Carpe Diem Field on 34 Saxon Street in Franklin, MA.
 |
| Soccer for Smiles 3v3 Tournament |
Soccer for Smiles was formed in 2010 when four teenagers combined their love for soccer with their interest in contributing to the earthquake relief fund in Haiti. Colin Berg (16), Tim LaRowe (15), Alexa Frongillo (16), and Cobi Frongillo (15), coaches at the Franklin Soccer School, came together to plan and host their first charity soccer event. The teens were struck by the devastation faced by the people of Haiti after the earthquake. They realized also that many people in their local community were in need of support and felt that they could make an impact through a fun, athletic event with children. This led them to partner with the Random Smile Project whose mission is to provide a bridge of support to people going through difficult times.
With increasing participation of over 100 young players in each of three years the tournament has been great fun and very productive. Raising over $2,000 for Haiti, they recognized the power of soccer and charity. Over the last two years, the team focused on local charities and each year outpaced the previous year’s income. In 2011, the tournament raised over $4,000 for the Random Smile Project (www.randomsmile.org). In 2012 the group chose beneficiaries of RSP and Team Isabella, helping a local girl and her family; contributions exceeded $5,000.
This year, the organizers of Soccer for Smiles look to go even higher hoping to get more participants over three days. Working again with the Random Smile Project, they aim to raise over $7,500. For more information and registration forms, go to www.franklinsoccerschool.com or email them at tournament@franklinsoccerschool.com .
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