Representative Roy: What's happening in the district

This is our regularly monthly newsletter. If you know anyone who may be interested in receiving it, please forward a copy of it to them. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can get on our email list by clicking here. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook by clicking the buttons below. View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website Email Thank you for your vote It was an exciting 2014 election with many open races on the ballot. The turnout was impressive at 60 percent, and voters had an opportunity to let their voices be heard. You can view pictures from the day by clicking here. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve a second term in the House of Representatives. I look forward to working with Governor Baker and the rest of my colleagues on Beacon Hill to continue to make Massachusetts a great place to live, work and raise a family. I thank you for expressing your confidence in me through your vote and look forward to working with you again over the next two years. School visits Rep. Roy taught a unit on State Government in an AP History class at Medway High School. He used real examples from the Legislature to explain the role government has in everyday life and the influence it can have on the economy. Thank you to Mr. Pacelli for the invitation. Rep. Roy also was the guest lecturer in a Graduate Economics course at UMass Boston earlier in the month. Thank you to Franklin's Ed Cook for that invitation. Governor Patrick joined us in Franklin for a trip downtown. The tour highlighted some of the ways that investments in infrastructure are helping to revitalize downtown Franklin. His stops included the fire station, Keefe Insurance, Franklin Food Pantry, Nail It hair salon, the Black Box Theater, and Rick's Restaurant. While at Keefe, the Governor was presented with his original customer file from 1992 when he was a customer there. You can read the Milford Daily News report of the visit by clicking here. For photos from the tour, click here. Human services bills signed Rep. Roy was honored to stand with the disabled community and his colleagues at Fenway Park to witness the signing of the Autism, Real Lives & National Background Check bills. It was a proud moment for Massachusetts. The Autism Bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services to no longer use an IQ-based eligibility requirement for adult services, allowing many more individuals with disabilities to receive services. It also includes a state version of the national Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which establishes state tax-advantaged accounts to empower families to better provide services for family members with disabilities. The Real Lives Bill enables people with intellectual disabilities to make decisions that are central to how they live their lives through self-directed planning and by giving them the ability to control decisions about where they live, work, and their finical budgets. The third bill requires national background checks for all individuals who apply for work with DDS or its vendor agencies. It ensures that people who work with individuals with disabilities go through a state and national background check, adding another important level of protection for our most vulnerable residents. Manufacturing round-table with Congressman Kennedy Another great discussion about manufacturing needs in our area took place at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. Congressman Joe Kennedy joined us for the discussion. Area manufacturers told us they are facing a workforce crisis and we discussed ways that we could work together to bridge the gap. Curriculum development in schools and getting kids (and their parents) interested in manufacturing early on are part of the solution. Reducing energy costs and regulatory compliance were other concerns at the table. These ongoing discussions and action plans are important ways that government can help with economic development and Rep. Roy is happy to be at the table. For more details and to read the Milford Daily News report on the meeting, click here. Tranquil Yoga opens Rep. Roy enjoyed welcoming the folks at Tranquil Souls Yoga to Franklin. It is the newest business in downtown Franklin and will help with the revitalization of the area. Congratulations to Heather on this new venture. Namaste! Ukranian genocide curriculum Rep. Roy had the opportunity to meet with Medway resident Maria Walzer to continue work on the Ukranian genocide curriculum bill. They met to discuss the curriculum package prepared by Ms. Walzer which has been submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for inclusion in the model curriculum program. Energy saving tips for winter With winter weather on its way, now is a good time to think about energy efficiency in your home. National Grid offers a number of ways to help you manage your energy usage through its energy efficiency services and incentives. You can learn more about these programs by clicking here. Small changes to your daily activities can have a big impact on your bill and the environment. Click here for some tips that can help manage your home energy usage. You can save money while learning to be more efficient and help the environment as well. Copyright © 2014 State Rep Jeff Roy, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either contacted our office or indicated you wanted to keep updated on the 10th Norfolk District and things going on at the State House. Our mailing address is: State Rep Jeff Roy State House Room 134 Boston, MA 02133 Add us to your address book

Sunday: Commuter Rail Change

Due to construction at Back Bay, the MBTA/Keolis Commuter Rail Ticket Office will be closed on Sunday, November 9, 2014, from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. During this time, tickets will not be available for purchase at the station.  Affected routes: Framingham/Worcester Line  Needham Line  Franklin Line  Providence/Stoughton Line Last updated: Nov 08 2014 06:42 AM Sent by the MBTA. Manage subscriptions Manage account

MBTA

FHS Boys Soccer Goes to Penalty Kicks

By the score, it would have been a tight and exciting game. As a soccer fan, I don't like to see it end in penalty kicks. That is a tough way to end a game at any level.


Boys Soccer
D1 South

#4 Franklin, 1 vs. #5 Silver Lake, 2 - Final (3-2 PKs)

Congratulations to the boys team for a well-played season!

Franklin High School Panthers

For all the Hockomock League results from Friday, check this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-110714

Remember that the FHS girls soccer team plays today at 6:00 PM at the Franklin High School field on Oak St.

Franklin Library: Madeline visits the library

Madeline visit the Franklin Library at 2:30 PM on Sunday, November 9th.

Madeline 

this was shared from the Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/11/madeline-visits-library.html

Kids Count: Two New Reports on Kinship Foster Care

PLACING KIDS WITH EXTENDED FAMILY HELPS THEM THRIVE When children need to be removed from their families due to concerns of abuse or neglect, they have a greater opportunity to succeed and thrive if they are placed with members of their extended family, rather than with people they don't know. Children who are placed with members of their extended family (their "kin") experience less disruption and trauma upon removal from their parents, and benefit from continued connections with their family, their cultural and linguistic heritage and their community. They also benefit from greater stability as those placed with kin are more likely to remain in one foster care placement, and they have a greater chance of finding a permanent home. MassBudget's new Kids Count analysis, "Family Ties: Exploring Massachusetts' use of Kinship Forster Care for Children in the Child Welfare System," is a companion to the Mass Law Reform Institute's (MLRI) release of a new Kids Count report. MassBudget finds that the state has made real progress over the past seven years, increasing kinship foster care rates from 20 percent to 28 percent for kids removed from their homes. But Massachusetts lags behind other states that have been able to place greater number of children, particularly children of color, with members of their extended families. MLRI's new KIDS COUNT report, "The Ties That Bind: Strengthening, and Reducing Racial Disparities in, Kinship Foster Care in Massachusetts" describes the evidence on the value of kin placements and examines the policies the state has been using to increase the number of kids placed with kin. It concludes by providing a detailed set of commonsense solutions to help the Department of Children and Families increase kinship care overall and make sure that that all children, regardless of their race or ethnicity, have the same chance to overcome trauma and thrive. The report also incorporates data from MassBudget's analysis that describes the trends in kinship placements overall and for children from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. The Ties that Bind makes the following recommendations for DCF: appoint a kinship care coordinator, implement a presumption in favor of kinship care, review its licensing standards in light of national model standards designed to promote kinship care while keeping children safe, get kin involved as soon as DCF becomes involved with a family, ensure that kinship foster parents are able to access all the state supports to which they are entitled, and build bridges into communities where kin live. The report also recognizes that DCF must collect and use data about the outcomes of these and other practice and policy changes. This is important to ensure that policies and practices are having their intended effect of increasing kinship care and promoting placement stability and permanent homes for children. As with any public investments, it will be important for DCF to demonstrate the effectiveness of efforts on this issue. That will require data demonstrating how many children are helped and how those children life prospects are improved. 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

. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 11/7/14 - THU 11/13/14

FRI 11/7   1:30pm   Coffee and Craft for Adults at Franklin Public Library
FRI 11/7   5:00pm  FHS Soccer Teams fund raiser at Alumni Restaurant until 9:00pm
FRI 11/7   6:00pm  FHS boys soccer playoff game vs. Silver Lake at Franklin High School
FRI 11/7   6:30pm   Comedy Night Fundraiser  at Franklin Country Club to benefit Franklin’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council. Includes dinner buffet, silent auction and comedians Brian Beaudoin, Ray Harrington and Derek Furtado.


SAT 11/8   9am   Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail fall clean up. Meet at Fox Road Run Road in Bellingham, bring gloves and a great attitude.
SAT 11/8   9am-4pm   41st Annual Craft Fair - Franklin Newcomers and Friends at Tri-County HS in Franklin.
SAT 11/8   2-4pm   Jamie Barrett and Nick Paone  Series at THE BLACK BOX.
SAT 11/8   6:00pm  FHS girls soccer playoff game vs. Bridgewater Raynham at Franklin High School
SAT 11/8   8pm   Ellis Paul with Chris Trapper at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, First Universalist Society Meetinghouse in Franklin.

SUN 11/9   11am   Big Band Brunch with Kenny Hadley, ACME Jazz and Artistry Kitchen and Bistro at The Black Box.
SUN 11/9   1-4pm   Pennywise and Snappy Dogs at Pour Richard’s in Franklin.

TUE 11/11   7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee meeting at Franklin YMCA. Public welcome.

WED 11/12  6:30pm   Last Elementary Parent Info Night for NEW Math and Report Cards for Keller/Davis Thayer at Keller Elementary School. You are welcome to attend if you missed this info night at your child’s school.

THU 11/13  6:30pm  Ellie Fund Comedy Night at Primavera Restaurant, 20 Pleasant Street, Millis. Tickets available online here https://elliefundcomedynight.eventbrite.com

For all the TOWN OF FRANKLIN PUBLIC MEETINGS click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

Franklin High School Soccer Teams - Fundraiser - Friday, Nov 7

Franklin Boys and Girls soccer boosters are holding a fundraiser on Friday evening.  5-9pm (hoping to make that 10pm-since the boys have a tournament game that day).  

Franklin High School - soccer fund raiser

Note: the Boys play Silver Lake at 6:00 PM today at Franklin High School
The girls play on Saturday, also at 6:00 PM also at Franklin High School

Annual Military Exhibit to open at Franklin Historical Museum

The annual Military Exhibit, honoring those who served, will open at the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday, November 9th. 

This year, we recognize the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I. 

Although the US did not enter the war until 1917, the focus of the exhibit will be the more than 400 Franklin men and women who served in the Great War. Much research was done to find wartime articles from the pages of the Franklin Sentinel, Franklin’s semi-weekly newspaper at the time. Included are stories of hometown boys injured and killed in battle, copies of letters written home from the trenches, and details of the support and sacrifices made by those on the home front. 

The story of Franklin native Eddie L. Grant, the only professional baseball player killed in WWI, is told as part of the exhibit. Grant had retired from baseball and was well past the age of being drafted, but enlisted in September of 1917 at the age of 34. Dean College (then called Dean Academy) recognized their brave former student by naming their athletic field in his honor. 

Many items were donated and loaned to the museum for this exhibit. The Cargill family donated photographs of father and grandfather W. Milton Cargill who served in the Naval Military Band. Copies of musical scores written by Cargill during the War are on display. 

The ceremonial helmet of Michael Kearney was donated for display by his grandson Chris Kearney. Many will know the name Michael Kearney as the owner of Kearney’s Drug Store, which served the town for many years on Main Street. 

These items as well as numerous other photos, uniforms, and WWI memorabilia will be on display. In addition the Museum’s collection of other historical military uniforms that honor all of our local heroes will be exhibited. 

The Franklin Historical Museum is open Sundays 1:00-4:00pm, Thursdays 5:00pm-8:00pm (except Dec. thru Feb.), and Saturdays 10:00am-1:00PM. The Museum is located at 80 West Central Street.

Franklin Historical Museum

Franklin Historical Museum

Blackstone River Theatre - Peppino D'Agostino and a contra dance!

THANK YOU! This year's Solstice Fest was our biggest yet... stay tuned for more on the 2015 festival set for June 20!  COMING SOON TO BRT!                     Ongoing   Zumba with April Hilliker on Mondays, 6:30 PM     Saturday, November 8  PEPPINO D'AGOSTINO Sunday, November 9, 4-6 pm  CONTRA DANCE with WHITE SQUALL and caller Paul Wilde Friday, November 14  Cumberland Land Trust Winetasting Fundraiser Saturday, November 15  KIMBERLEY FRASER & TROY MACGILLIVRAY Thursday, November 20  7 PM, FREE  AJAX - Greek tragedy   by Sophocles presented by Providence College and Salve Regina University, followed by forum on veterans issues Saturday, November 22 CHANTERELLE featuring JOSEE VACHON Saturday, November 29  BRT HOMECOMING CONCERT & SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER Atwater-Donnelly, Eastern Medicine Singers, Phil Edmonds, Bertrand Laurence, Robbie O'Connell, Pendragon, Mary Ann Rossoni & Rick Bellaire Saturday, December 6 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 7th annual BRT HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR & FESTIVAL Sunday, December 7 2 PM and 5 PM shows! 3rd annual IRISH DANCE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR featuring TIR NA NOG IRISH DANCE Saturday, Dec. 13, 8 PM AND  Sunday, Dec. 14, 7 PM $18 adv / $20.00 day of show BLACKSTONE RIVER THEATRE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION!   Quick Links... BRT Website     BRT Classes       Peppino D'Agostino Directions to BRT Tickets often available at door but to ensure a seat CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 401-725-9272 Please understand that when a show is SOLD OUT, it truly is! We must adhere to fire codes and it truly is not possible to fit "just one more"... especially when we have had several people ask to do the same! If a show at BRT has an advance price & a day-of-show price it means: If you pre-pay OR call in your reservation any time before the show date, you get the advance price. If you show up at the door with no reservations OR call in your reservations on the same day as the show, you will pay the day-of show-price. NOTE for prepaid tickets or if reservations have been made but not pre-paid: If you reduce the number of tickets requested or paid for at the box office on the night of the performance, that ticket must still be paid for! BRT requires 24 hour notice for cancellations or you will be charged for all seats reserved. Dear Steve, This Saturday we bring back the amazing acoustic fingerstyle guitar virtuoso Peppino D'Agostino... not to be missed! And on Sunday from 4-6 PM we will be presenting a CONTRA DANCE with the band White Squall and caller Paul Wilde... lots of fun and fine for singles and beginners so come on out and have some fun on the dance floor! THANK YOU FOR VOTING YES ON QUESTION 5! This bond passed with 60% approval and we are glad it did! Now the hard work begins as we identify and prioritize capital projects for Blackstone River Theatre, get estimates, and begin fundraising as the proposal will require matching dollars... much more to come but an unprecedented opportunity for the Rhode Island arts community, BRT included! Thank you to RISCA and Randy Rosenbaum for spearheading this effort and getting the word out... and thank YOU for voting YES! Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook to get late-breaking news and really expensive gifts. Well, not that last one but definitely the first part... Please share what we do with your friends! www.facebook.com/pages/Blackstone-River-Theatre/165592431396    Hope to see you soon... Russell Gusetti, Executive Director   VIRTUOSO GUITARIST PEPPINO D'AGOSTINO Contemporary fingerstyle guitarist Peppino D'Agostino emerged on the musical scene in the late 1980s and helped redefine the boundaries of the acoustic guitar. His virtuosic technique, penchant for open tunings, and percussive effects are the basis of his unique compositional style which has been inspiring musicians and audiences alike for years. Add to that his natural warmth, playfulness, and broad musical tastes and you have the recipe for what he calls "minestrone music." Hailed as "a guitarist's guitarist" by Acoustic Guitar magazine and "a giant of the acoustic guitar" by the San Diego Reader, D'Agostino was voted "Best Acoustic Guitarist" by Guitar Player magazine readers in 2007. D'Agostino continues to evolve and grow in ways that would have been hard to predict when he was first showcasing his melodic yet emotionally intense style on his first recordings. 'Every Step of the Way" was named one of the top three acoustic guitar albums of all time by Acoustic Guitar magazine readers in 2008. D'Agostino's simultaneous immersion in the classical guitar and rock worlds, has culminated in his most recent solo recording, "Penumbra." Combining a keen sense of melody with virtuoso technique, D'Agostino has created a style that is as likely to charm casual listeners as to stun fellow guitar pickers. Don't miss this wonderful musician in an intimate theatre atmosphere!    Event Info Saturday, November 8, 8 P.M., $15.00 at Blackstone River Theatre 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, R.I.  Call 401-725-9272 for reservations www.riverfolk.org A CONTRA DANCE WITH WHITE SQUALL We hope you'll join us as we bring back contra dances to BRT! Today's dance will feature the Providence-based band White Squall comprised of Andrew Grover on fiddle, Ned Quist on guitar and Alice Pace on percussion. The band has been together since 2003 and are currently the house band for the Brown University contra dances. The caller will be Paul Wilde. Contra dancing is a fun, informal event featuring easily learned dance steps such as those experienced in traditional square dancing. No experience is necessary and you do not need to bring a partner with you as it is customary to switch partners many times over the course of the evening. All dances are taught by the caller, each dance lasts about 10 minutes, and the dancers are often in constant movement.... join us for what we hope will become a bi-monthly dance tradition at BRT!    Event Info Sunday, November 9, 4-6 P.M., $10.00 at Blackstone River Theatre 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, R.I.  Tickets at the door! www.riverfolk.org

Forward email to a friend! Blackstone River Theatre | 549 Broad Street | Cumberland | RI | 02864

Franklin Library: Coffee and Craft for Adults

Ladies and gentlemen, you get to have coffee and a craft in the afternoon today at the Franklin Library. The event starts at 1:30 PM. You'll create 'lovely table decor' using old screens.

coffee and craft for adults

Screens is not a term I am familiar with in this context. The dictionary did not help me either. Would this also be called a place mat?


This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/11/coffee-craft-for-adults.html

8 minus 3 is 5 not 6

The math is elementary. Take 3 from 8 and you are left with 5. And when you are the Town Council that needs 6 votes to ensure a 2/3 requirement, you are left with a real problem.

Such was the situation that occurred at Wednesday's meeting for one key vote on the Cook's Farm project.

The Council currently has only 8 members due to the resignation of Glenn Jones. The Special Election to vote in the new councilor occurs on Dec 16th. Three councilors recused themselves from the discussion and vote creating this situation. The councilors recused were Padula, Mercer and Bissanti.

In the meantime, the Cook's Farm project is on hold waiting to get the final permits issued so they can begin work. After verification of the requirements for the Planning Board, Attorney Mark Cerel determined that the one vote the Council was able to make was sufficient to allow the Planning Board to issue their approval.

If that turns out to not be the case, then the next Council meeting (scheduled for Nov 19th) the Council will need to look at their alternatives.

Franklin Art Center ladybug on display at the Town Common in August

My notes from the meeting reported from the Council Chambers can be found here

• Live reporting - Closing

• Live reporting: Action Items

• Live reporting - Presentations

• Live reporting: Town Council - Nov 5, 2014

• 
  

Much ado about her hats

There was mush ado in a short period of time within the closed group on Facebook called "Friends of Franklin". The issue was raised that Susan Johnson, the colorful and friendly crossing guard at the Oak St school crossing had been told she could not wear her hats any more.

Despite the attempts to quell the fury that erupted, the comments continued and a petition started to circulate. The petition is not necessary.

Some folks need to consider what is on Facebook carefully before responding. Facebook is not designed to make it easy to review all the comments, however in cases like this, a review of the comments would have revealed this was a non-issue but that did not stop some from continuing to raise the alarm.

A tempest in a teapot, over a hat, and all for a non-issue. The back story on the incident is summarized in the text of this email from Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski

Last spring there was an accident at the Oak St school crossing  

MA Dept of Labor (DoL) investigated this summer - meeting with Jeff Nutting, DPW, Franklin Police and Franklin Human Resources 

The Dept of Labor gave some guidelines for crossing guards - (apparently DoL investigates when there is any accident with a crossing guard) 

Lisa Trainor met with Ms. Johnson and suggested that the hats are a distraction. Lisa supervises the crossing guards.

Lisa and I met this morning, what the DoL provided are guidelines and not regulatory so it is within our purview (Franklin Schools) to mandate compliance. 

Lisa chatted with Ms. Johnson this morning and told her it was her choice to wear hats if she wants to 

Note: this is one of the crossing areas that will be getting the new signals currently in use at the King St crossing to Parmenter School. This new signal will hopefully help to slow down the traffic and make it safe for the kids to be crossed by Ms Johnson.

school zone speed reducing signs

The August 6th Town Council meeting discussed the signs
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/town-council-meeting-summary-aug-6-2014.html

Kenny Hadley Big Band this Sunday, Nov 9th

Savor an Afternoon of Big Band Music and Delicious Fare!

Kenny Handley Big Band

Sunday, November 9, 11 AM

THE BLACK BOX

15 West Central St. Franklin, MA

FPAC proudly presents this critically acclaimed 16-piece juggernaut, led by drummer Kenny Hadley and boasting masterful musicians with performance ties to Big Band legends Woody Herman, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and more. 

Franklin's Artistry Kitchen serves up the afternoon's inspired cuisine which includes an assortment of Bagels, Mini Blueberry Muffins, Mini Cinnamon Buns, Mini Cranberry Scones; Golden Buttermilk Waffles with Assorted Toppings: Fresh Strawberries, Chocolate Chips, Chantilly Cream, Vermont Maple Syrup; Frittata with Broccoli, Red Pepper, Onion and Fontina Val D'aosta, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Home Fried Potatoes, Orange Juice, Coffee and Tea. Cash bar available. Brunch begins at 11 AM with entertainment starting at 12 noon. 

Tickets for show can be purchased anytime prior to showtime and at the door subject to availability. Tickets for brunch must be purchased by Thursday Nov. 6th at 12 noon.

Tickets can be purchased online here
http://www.theblackboxonline.com/
  

Franklin Girls Softball League - registration open for the 2015 season

Registration is now OPEN for the 2015 Spring season. We have made an adjustment to our Spring season division alignment that we are very excited about. Next year, we are expanding from 4 divisions to 5 divisions to better align girls by grade and physical skills.

The Instructional division will be for Kindergarteners and Pre-K players that want to be introduced to the game of softball.

The Intermediate division will be for 1st and 2nd graders, and will be for first time players, as well as for players that played in instructional looking to refine their fundamentals.

The newly-created Minor division will be for 3rd and 4th graders, with the focus being on expanding on the fundamentals, as well as introducing the skill positions, like pitcher and catcher.

The Junior division will be for 5th and 6th graders, where we will be introducing competition, by keeping standings and introducing playoffs.

The Senior division will be for 7th graders and above and will be our highest level of play in the Spring Season.

This new alignment will eliminate the need to divide grades up into separate divisions, or to group three grades together, which can put players at risk for injury by having girls playing with girls on a level outside of their skill set.

For more information about the new divisions, please visit the Spring Rec page on www.fgsafastpitch.org

Register for Spring Softball