STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY JOANNE GOLDSTEIN ON THE NOMINATION OF THOMAS PEREZ FOR U.S. LABOR SECRETARY

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        March 19, 2013

Contact:–Kevin Franck, 617.626.7121(o), 617.823.7580 (c)

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STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY JoANNE GOLDSTEIN  ON THE NOMINATION OF THOMAS PEREZ  for U.S. Labor Secretary

BOSTON – Tuesday, March 19, 2013 – Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Joanne F. Goldstein released the following statement today on President Obama's nomination of Thomas Perez to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor: "Tom Perez's life story, his experience at the state level and his unwavering commitment to protecting our nation's promise for all Americans make him an excellent choice to be the U.S. Secretary of Labor. He shares the Commonwealth's commitment to protecting vulnerable workers and I look forward to working with him."

Spring gardening (photo essay)

St Patrick's Day saw a whole bunch of folks getting dirty at the Community Gardens. Originally planned for some early planting, the soil was really too cold for that, but there were other activities to get into the green spirit.

Four new raised garden beds were installed. Three are shown here. The fourth is not far away.

new raised garden beds

Starter kits were made with empty plastic milk jugs. You cut around below the handle but not completely through. This provides opens to provide access to the square bottom and closes to provide a cover.

seed starter from a plastic jug

Using a hammer, puts some holes in the bottom of the jug to allow water to drain through.

the garden work table

Then fill with some good soil and some seeds.

sample of seeds being planted

Add water and tape together. Susan Baker proudly holds her finished product.

Susan Baker is ready

Pea seeds were available for taking.

pea seeds

The shed now has rain water barrels installed (Thanks Rich!)

rain barrels

The shed also has an announcement board installed (Thanks Rich!)

announcement board

In April, and hopefully warmer weather, there will be another scheduled event with a gardening theme at the Community Gardens. Get your green thumbs ready!

Do you believe in the power of play?

As one who believes in the power of play, the Healthy Futures Franklin is a cause to seriously consider:




Join us for this meeting, Wednesday evening from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at the Franklin Food Pantry.

The Food Pantry is located in the Rockland Trust parking lot in Downtown Franklin. The lights will be on. We'll meet in the conference room on the 2nd floor.

Franklin Library: Fun Club - Grass Hair Planters

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Fun Club - Grass Hair Planters

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Schools Closed Tuesday, March 19

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello: This is a message from the Superintendent of Schools, Maureen Sabolinski, contacting you to let you know that after consulting with local highway and safety officials, all Franklin Schools will be closed today due to inclement weather. Central Office personnel should report to work by 9:00 am. Thank you! This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

MassBudget: Support for low-income children and families

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Supporting Low-Income Children and Families To help improve the lives of poor children and their families, Massachusetts provides direct cash assistance through a program known as TAFDC. MassBudget's new brief, "TAFDC: Declines in Support for Low-Income Children and Families" finds that this cash assistance has shrunk significantly over time. For every dollar that an eligible family received in 1989, they receive just 58 cents today (adjusted for inflation). The official poverty level for a family of three is $19,500, and the maximum amount of cash assistance such a family can receive from TAFDC is less than half of that. Read TAFDC: DECLINES IN SUPPORT FOR LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AND FAMILIES The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by nberger@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Veterans assistance from State agencies

Licensing Guidelines Assist Veterans, Armed Forces Members

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today announced that all state agencies that oversee professional licensing within the Patrick-Murray Administration have established guidelines to assist members of the armed forces, veterans, and their spouses as they prepare and apply for jobs in Massachusetts. 

Franklin Public Schools: Inclement Weather Update

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello We have received calls and emails about the status of school on Tuesday, March 19. Similar to the previous storm the forecast is changing hourly. At this time no decision has been made about a delay or school closing. School officials will consult with public safety officials and DPW throughout the night. We will make a decision in the morning based on the conditions. As of today our last day of school is June 25 so the end of the school year will not impact any decision. Safety and predicted weather conditions will inform our decision making. This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

MCAS Postponed

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Because we are expecting more inclement weather,the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has postponed Tuesday's scheduled administration of the long composition test for grades 4, 7, and 10 for the entire state. Regardless of the weather, which may necessitate delays or  school closings across the state, the new testing date for all districts for the long composition exam will be Monday, 3/25. All other MCAS tests will proceed as planned. Joyce Edwards Director of Instructional Services Franklin Public Schools 355 East Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 508-553-4821 FAX- 508-553-0321 This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

Celebrating Solar at FUSF

The 1 year anniversary of the solar installation at the First Universalist Society of Franklin was celebrated on Sunday, Mar 17. This was the rescheduled date. It was snowed out in February.

FUSF solar installation

John Tehan, Solar Power Sales Representative for Second Generation Energy provided an overview of the electricity generated and savings that resulted.

John Tehan presenting

His presentation document can be viewed here:

FUSF Presentation by Steve Sherlock

John's talk was rather interactive as many questions were answered along the way. Some of my notes from this session can be found here:

• MA is the second best state in the US (behind California) for solar energy when considering two key factors. One, the exposure to sun. Two, the cost of electricity.
• The FUSF panels were projected to generate 11,511 KwH and actually generated 12,693.
• The KwHs generated are the equivalent of 21 barrels of oil, or 1004 gallons of gas, or by planting 230 trees.

There are five key factors that help MA residents take advantage of solar

1. Clean Energy Center provides rebates
2. There is a 30% Federal tax credit
3. There is a 15% state tax credit
4. Solar should provide savings on purchasing electricity
5. There are Solar Renewal Energy Credits (SREC) currently worth about $200 per credit per year.

• They use a special device that will calculate the sun and shade for the houses roof. If the exposure is not more than 80%, it is not likely to be recommended to install solar.
• One side benefit from a solar panel installation is that there is a reduction in icebanks on the roof. The panels heat up as they generate electricity which melts the snow and can create some avalanches as the snow slides off the roof.

If you are interested in exploring solar panels for your residence, feel free to contact John directly.

John Tehan
Solar Power Sales RepresentativeSecond Generation Energy12 Rosenfeld DriveHopedale, MA 01747 Office: 800-653-4270

jtehan@sgegroup.com

If you would like to view the solar energy monitor for the FUSF installation visit this link
https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/public/systems/vGRK57403

“If it snows again I’m going to scream”

Milford Daily News recaps the area school year ending days due to the snow and weather days missed.

Franklin has also used four of its snow days, bringing that town's last day to June 25, the latest in this area. However, Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said Franklin runs little risk of hitting the limit. 

“We would really need four more snow days,” Sabolinski said. She said even with another major blizzard, that many snow days is unlikely. She credited the Department of Public Works Department for clearing the roads so quickly in the last blizzard. 

Since Franklin starts after Labor Day every year, Sabolinski said the town is at a higher risk of hitting the deadline than other districts. 

“We send out a letter at the beginning of the season to let parents know ahead of time and say, ‘in the worst case scenario, this is what we’d look at doing,’” Sabolinski said. She said the options include cutting into April vacation or holding Saturday school.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1433798247/Despite-snow-days-schools-set-to-finish-on-time#ixzz2Nso4hCuN

The lesson in three

Coach Chris Spillane summed up the 3rd loss in as many years in the high school hockey State Championship:

"I don't know if I can really explain it," said Spillane, who was on the school's last state championship team in 1983. "You know, there's two ways of looking at it. One, we've got here three straight years and lost, or secondly, that we've had three successful years to get here and that's what I'm focusing on with these guys. There's a lot of hockey teams that are home today that would kill to be here and fortunately for us, we've been for the last three years. It's been a great experience and it'll make the kids better people moving on. You're not going to win everything you do. 

"The kids know that it's not always roses and that there's going to be some bumps in the road, but they've all handled it with dignity and controlled themselves very well."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1433798249/Franklin-hockey-Not-again#ixzz2NsnKWWTA


Coach Spillane's comments post match on video via Hockomock Sprts
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/03/franklin-blanked-by-wildcats-in-d2-state-championship.html

Wine Tasting at Franklin Liquors

Thursday March 21st 7PM
Host: Mark-Franklin Liquors
Guests: Roger Warner-Bay State Wine
Christine Zecker-Cameron Hughes Wines


http://franklinliquors.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/wine-tasting-event-cameron-hughes-march-21st-7pm/

Pour Richard's: Join us for an Easter Wine Tasting

Having trouble viewing this email? pourrichardswine.com

Connecting good friends with great wine! Never Drink Ordinary! Please join us at Pour Richard's on Sunday, March 24th between 2 and 5 PM for a tasting of Easter Wines. We anticipate having 25+ selections of beer, wine and spirits open for you to try. Also, click the link below for our brochure of Easter and Passover recommendations.                                              Easter Pairings See you there! And as usual, Never Drink Ordinary. Ann Williams and John Wass

Forward this email Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits | 14 Grove Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Join Healthy Futures Franklin

Join Healthy Futures Franklin to create sustainable change in our community. We believe that it takes a village (or community) to energize, inspire, and spark change. We are looking for sparkplugs (volunteers to serve on subcommittees) in Franklin who also believe that:

• Play is powerful – Access to parks, outdoor recreation, and sidewalks is a priority
• Healthy eating is a right not a privilege – Access to healthy, affordable foods is possible
• United voices create change – Increase awareness of programs, projects and polices underway

Healthy Futures Franklin, a Mass in Motion initiative, works locally to increase opportunities for Franklin

Healthy Futures Franklin

residents to eat better and move more in the places they live, learn, work, and play. Franklin is among 52 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth that are part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Program. Healthy Futures Franklin is working to support the implementation of Complete Street Policies, Safe Routes to School, Community Gardens, Safe Areas to Play and Be Active, and improving school nutrition initiatives that will make the healthy choice the easy choice for residents of Franklin.

Mass in Motion

Subcommittees will be meeting for the first time on March 20th at the Franklin Food Pantry Conference Room to focus on developing time lines to implement high impact strategies and policies to improve the health of Franklin. Become part of the movement or attend to learn more. There is no obligation to stay involved, but please consider learning what this is all about and help be part of the solution.

Both Subcommittees are scheduled to meet Wednesday, March 20, at the Franklin Food Pantry back to back to accommodate community members who are interested in both areas of focus.

• Active Living Subcommittee – Wednesday, March 20, 6 – 7 PM
• Healthy Eating Subcommittee – Wednesday, March 20, 7 – 8 PM

Please contact Lauren Marciszyn at 774.235.2737 or via email at LaurenM@hockymca.org to become involved, join our mailing list or learn more about this coalition.

This was crossposted to the Franklin Food Pantry webpage
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/03/join-healthy-futures-franklin.html

"Lu shots"

Did you see that the CVS is expanding to offer walk in "lu shots"?

CVS sign

If you find similar 'fun' signs around Franklin send them to me and we can share them here. Or post them to the Franklin Matters Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/franklinmatters


This was originally posted to my  personal Twitter account on Saturday:

CVS is expanding their service to include walk in "lu shots" ??? @franklinmatters twitter.com/shersteve/stat…
— Steve Sherlock (@shersteve) March 16, 2013

You can follow Franklin Matters on Twitter here  https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters

Jefferson and Oak St School Tours (video)

Realtor Warren Reynolds has posted his photos, videos, and summaries of the school tours of the Jefferson Elementary School and the Oak St Elementary School.

Here’s your chance to see the inside of the Jefferson Elementary School in Franklin, MA.  Jefferson Elementary is one of the most recently built schools in town, as amply demonstrated by the video and photo tour of the school provided below.

http://www.02038.com/2013/03/tour-jefferson-elementary/

Take a few minutes to tour the inside of the Oak Street Elementary School in Franklin, MA.  The school got a full renovation in 2004.  As the videos and photos below show, this is a beautiful primary education facility!

http://www.02038.com/2013/03/oak-st-elementary-tour/

Hopefully these posts will tempt you to join one of the remaining school tours this year. The one for Keller/Sullivan ended up getting canceled due to the snow (the new date has not been set yet). The tour of Franklin High School is scheduled for Apr 26th at 6:00 PM

"That human contact is critical"

The MA Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education is considering proposals for virtual schools. Up to 10 have been authorized to be created in MA over the next 10 years. In this recap of the status of the program and the first proposal from Greenfield, the Milford Daily News talked with Franklin.

Without face-to-face contact between teachers and students, Franklin Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski expects some students could fall behind. 

"It is a much more active type of learning," she said. "It could be a challenge for some students. You have to keep up with your work every day. Students may fall into thinking it will be a lot easier." 

Several other states offer blended learning and full-time online programs. In Florida, most students take online classes part-time, but full-time online students are able to connect with peers.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x930815941/School-officials-say-virtual-schools-are-a-tool-with-some-red-flags#ixzz2NnCmGGQb

More on the Commonwealth of MA Virtual Schools (CMVS) can be found on the MA DESE webpage
http://www.doe.mass.edu/odl/cmvs/