Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 6/26/15 - THU 7/2/15

FRI 6/26   12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market at The Town Common
FRI 6/26   8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena

SUN 6/28   11am   Pollinator Talk with Ed Szymanski at Franklin Community Gardens (King Street)
SUN 6/28   3:30pm   iStories at Franklin Public Library

TUE 6/30  7pm   First Meeting of Franklin Community Coalition on Opioid Abuse at Franklin High School Auditorium

For 4th of July Celebrations in Franklin click HERE.

WED 7/1   6-10pm   4th of July in Franklin: Booths and Rides Open
WED 7/1   7-9pm   4th of July in Franklin: Phantom Band with Tyler Zajac

THU 7/2   6-10pm   4th of July in Franklin: Booths and Rides Open
THU 7/2   7-9pm   4th of July in Franklin: ZOD Band (local youths with Matt Zajac)
   
The Ladybug Trek Small Business Scavenger Hunt is on until 6/30/15. #shopFranklin

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

"I Bet My Life" was a good bet!

With the song "I Bet My Life" fresh in mind, the Town Council  got to business and quickly approved by an 8-1 vote the fire fighters arbitration award funding measure. The vote was by roll call and the one "No" vote was cast courageously by Judith Pond Pfeffer. She did approve of the fire fighters getting the award but wanted to do more for the other unions.

After the vote, the fire fighters and their supporters filed out shaking the hands of the councilors thanking them for their support.

The song had been fresh in mind as the FSPA's "Electric Youth" had come for their annual performance before heading to tour Europe. They left on Thursday to make several performances in multiple locations in France and England.

The FSPA "Electric Youth" introduced themselves before performing "I Bet My LIfe"

The set of notes reported live from the meeting on Wednesday can be found here:

• Live reporting: Legislation through to closing
• Live reporting: Town Council - June 24, 2015

Photo of supporters in the Municipal Building parking lot before the meeting

Franklin Food Pantry Recognized for Making an Impact on Community

The Franklin Food Pantry is getting noticed for its efforts to move beyond immediate hunger relief by addressing the root causes of hunger and promoting better nutritional health. The Pantry has received two recognition awards from area organizations: the Red Triangle Award from the Hockomock Area YMCA, and the Community Impact Award from the United Way of Tri-County. 

Both organizations recently applauded the Franklin non-profit for going above and beyond in serving the Franklin community, and for its strong impact on the lives of the nearly 600 families it serves. 

The Red Triangle Award recognizes the Pantry for its “steadfast dedication and partnership with the Hockomock Area YMCA to meet the changing needs of our community.” Through a partnership with the Hockomock Y, the Pantry created a Healthy Futures Shelf that offers clients access to nutritious food. 

Nutrition information is posted with food products so that clients can make informed choices to fit their special dietary needs, such as low fat, high protein or gluten-free. In addition, the Pantry works with the YMCA to offer Cooking Matters classes that educate families how to manage their food budgets and prepare healthy meals. 

“Working with the Hockomock Area YMCA and Stop & Shop, we began to take preventative measures to help combat high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity,” said Erin Lynch, Franklin Food Pantry executive director. “As part of the Y’s Healthy Futures Initiative, we help our clients make healthier food choices and offer them access to more nutritious food, such as fresh produce and high protein items like chicken.” 

The Community Impact Award is given to United Way of Tri-County (UWTC) Community Partners that have changed the lives of the people they serve. The award states that the Franklin Food Pantry, with resources from the UWTC, changed lives by “effectively and innovatively delivering a program that addresses root causes within the areas of Education, Health, Financial Stability or Basic Human Needs.” 

Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry, is shown here with the award

Lynch said that thanks to the generous support from organizations such as the United Way of Tri-County and the Hockomock Area YMCA, the Pantry was able to offer programs to empower community members to become more self-sufficient through resources and education. 

Examples include Cooking Matters which teaches families how to shop smarter and cook delicious, affordable meals; and a Healthy Futures Market that offers fresh produce weekly from June to October. The high cost of fresh fruits and vegetables can be a barrier to wholesome nutrition for many families. 

“The money we receive through grants, as well as individual and corporate donations, allows us to go beyond just getting food to people,” said Lynch. “We are able to offer the kind of support and education that can impact our clients for a lifetime.”

"Rail Good Coffee" now open at Franklin/Dean Station

When getting ready to catch the inbound train Thursday morning, I noticed that the doors to the building were open. This had been closed up for a bit after The Cake Bar and Cafe Dolce both gave it a good try.

They were indeed open. It had just opened earlier that morning. Newspapers had not yet started delivery but were scheduled. Train tickets can be purchased. The menu board had a listing of prices for coffee, etc.

Stop in to talk with Randy. Buy a coffee before your ride into Boston the next time you go.

menu board at Rail Good Coffee

"how to create a culture which is no longer a culture just of competition, but a culture of welcoming"

Krista Tippet interviewed Jean Vanier and in the course of their talk Jean said:

"... we must educate people to become capable and to take their place in society. That has value, obviously. But it's not quite the same thing as to educate people to relate, to listen, to help people to become themselves. 

So the equilibrium that people with disabilities could bring is precisely this equilibrium of the heart. Children. 

You see, maybe a father is a very strong man and businessman, and when he comes home, if he gets down on his hands and knees and plays with the children, it's the child that is teaching the father something about tenderness, about love, about the father looking at the needs of the child, the face of the child, the hands of the child, relating to the child. 

And the children, the incredible thing about children is they're unified in their body and in — whereas we, we can be very disunified. We can say one thing and feel another."

You can read the full transcript here
http://onbeing.org/program/jean-vanier-the-wisdom-of-tenderness/transcript/7614#main_content

screen grab of OnBeing website for Jean Vanier interview

You can listen to the audio here:
http://onbeing.org/program/wisdom-tenderness/234

or watch the video here

Franklin Library: Genealogy Club - June 25 - 6:30 PM

"Using DNA in your family history research" is the topic for the next Genealogy Club meeting at the Library. Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 PM.

genealogy club - 6/25/15 - 6:30 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/06/genealogy-club-thursday-june-25-2015.html

In the News: 3 alarm fire, fire fighter deal approved

A three-alarm fire ripped through the basement and first floor of a Washington Street house early Wednesday morning, causing roughly $200,000 in damages. 

Crews responded to the two-and-a-half floor home at 886 Washington St. just before 1 a.m. to find heavy smoke on the first floor and fire in the basement. 

No one was home at the time of the fire. Smoke reached the second floor, but fire never took hold.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150624/NEWS/150627973/1994/NEWS

The town Council approved four years of retroactive salary compensation for the fire department by an 8-1 vote Wednesday night, ending a four-year dispute and drawing cheers from local firefighters. 

After roughly 150 firefighters and union members from around the state demonstrating in the town hall parking lot, dozens of firefighters filed the council chamber for a decision that would increase their pay for the first time since 2011. After the votes were tallied, the firefighters applauded the council before shaking hands with council members as they made their way out the door. 

The firefighters’ union president, Bob Donovan, observed the handshakes looked a bit like hockey teams at the end of a game. 

“This decision was hard-fought,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s important to shake hands and look forward."

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150624/NEWS/150627961/1994/NEWS

Attn FHS Students: Grants for High School Seniors

Franklin Rotary Grant Application

Dear High School Senior,

As your high school experience is coming to a close, it is time to contemplate, plan and make decisions that will affect your future. Part of that process is determining how to pay for a college education. The cost of furthering your education is high but the failure to obtain additional knowledge will cost you even more. Our members understand this and recognize the significant expense and sacrifice that often accompanies its pursuit. With this in mind the Rotary Club of Franklin, as it has for many years, continues to offer graduating high school seniors from Bellingham, Franklin, Tri–County, and King Phillip High Schools an opportunity to receive scholarships to offset the expense of higher education.

The Rotary Club is an international service organization that is dedicated to world peace through service to others and an increased awareness of people's needs through education. Based on this premise, each application for the Franklin Rotary Club Grant is evaluated on the basis of community involvement, financial need, and academic achievement.

To apply for a Grant please complete the attached pdf application.

Please return it as soon as possible and before the June 30, 2015 deadline to:

jrougeau@comcast.net or mail to

Julie Rougeau

Rotary Grant Chair
5 East Street
Franklin MA 02038


On behalf of the Rotary Club of Franklin we wish you good luck and best wishes.

Sincerely,

Julie Rougeau
Chair -- Rotary Club of Franklin Grant Committee

Franklin High School

The Law Office of Julie A. Rougeau
5 East Street
Franklin, MA  02038

office phone:  508-541-4424
fax:  508-541-4421
e-mail:  jrougeau@comcast.net

The information in this email and subsequent attachments may contain confidential information that is intended solely for the attention and use of the named addressee(s).  This message or any part thereof must not be disclosed, copied, distributed or retained by any person without authorization from the addressee.

MBTA : Starting June 29: Franklin Line schedule change

Effective Monday, June 29, the Franklin Line will have a modified schedule. Please visit www.mbta.com for details Train 790 will arrive at South Station 3 minutes later at 6:18 a.m. changed from 6:15 a.m. Train 736 will depart from Norwood Central at 5:32 p.m. changed from 5:22 p.m. Last updated: Jun 23 2015 03:59 PM Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/?ttype=cr&advistory=true&route=Franklin+Line#details Sent by the MBTA.

Reminder: for those not already paying for parking by phone, you'll pay more in July. The old payment slots are being decommissioned (taken away).

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/mbta-commuter-alert-starting-july-6.html

current payment slot board at Franklin/Dean Station

Live reporting: Legislation through to closing

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 7:00 PM - none to approve


C. 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 others.

D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

E. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

F. APPOINTMENTS – 2015 Annual Committee Appointments

reading the list of the appointments as shown in the agenda document
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/062415.pdf

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

G. HEARINGS
none

H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

I. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
none

J. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none

K. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

2. Resolution 15-44: Appropriation – Other Post Employment Stabilization Fund

using some free cash to help fund the OPEB
investment trust fund to come back this summer with a plan to fund

motion to approve,  seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)

3. Resolution 15-45: Appropriation – Roads/Sidewalks/Drainage/Storm water/ Infrastructure

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

uses the last of the free cash from FY 2015, the money has not yet be programmed but makes sense to use it here

L. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
thank the Council for their vote

road work continues, paving Summer and Main St - Tue-Wed-Thu-
want to do the work to get out of the way before the 4th celebrations

looking to pass papers for the Rec Dept building
Mr Calarese going to Planning Board soon

the PSA for the needles done by the school, Fire, Police (posted to Franklin Matters)

next Tues - Coalition meeting at FHS

M. OLD BUSINESS
none

N. NEW BUSINESS
none

O. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Dellorco - June 30th Coalition meeting at FHS
lots of folks coming, Fire to talk about the NARCAM
Drug folks to talk and provide info

Bissanti - meeting of EDC to review RFP's scheduled for 7/15

Kelly - Pfeffer, Nutting went to the over-90 lunch
there was a long listing of folks over 90

Bissanti - thanks to the Franklin Elks
attended the Flag day ceremony

P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0

Live reporting: Town Council - June 24, 2015

Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Williams, Dellorco
Absent: none


A. EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Strategy with Respect to Pending Litigation and Collective Bargaining re Fire Fighter’s Union


B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 7:00 PM

C. 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 others.

D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Raye Lynn Mercer
introduces Electric Youth for a performance before they leave for France and England

Electric Youth introduces themselves before performing "I bet my Life"

a song by Imagine Dragons "I bet my Life"
http://www.directlyrics.com/imagine-dragons-bet-my-life-lyrics.html


K. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 15-43: Appropriation – FY15 Fire Wages (Arbitration Award)

taking the agenda out of order due to the crowd gathered, 
motion to approve, seconded, 

9 municipal bargaining units, 6% agreement over the four years
had not settled with the Fire Fighters
went to arbitration with the Fire Fighters
award runs concurrent with other union agreements
would need to start into a successor contract for the new period
Council had been putting money aside in anticipation of the award
final deal to allocate the funds to meet the deal
so we have enough money to cover the funding required

so Jeff Nutting is looking to settle this issue
strongly suggesting an affirmative vote

Chuck Allen, Vice President Fire Fighters local union
fire fighters lag behind in comparative salaries
don't want to let the fire dept become the dept of last resort
the report the arbitrator has outlined the summaries

the Council (and other before us) have done much for Franklin
new school, updates to the Library, etc.
however, Franklin is more than just bricks and mortar
without the best people, Franklin would not be the best place in the Commonwealth
voting no would only hurt our families and our community
voting yes would allow us to go forward

vote via roll call - passed 8-1 (Pfeffer)
objecting as she thinks the other unions should get the same increases

Needle Safety Public Service Announcement (video)

Franklin collaborating again.

The Police, Fire, and Public Schools (Panther TV) got together to produce this public service announcement on what to do when you find a needle.





Used needles can be safely disposed of at the kiosk located at the Police Station on Panther Way
http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Health/needles.pdf

Remember that prescription drugs can be safely disposed of at the Police Station
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PoliceNews/DrugSafe.pdf

FHS Emily Jeffries named All American

Via the Twitter feed:

Congrats to Emily Jeffries on being named an All-American!! 🇺🇸 #proudcoach https://t.co/EhQEUwpJGK

— FHS Girls Lacrosse (@Fhsglax) June 23, 2015

Emily Jeffries scored four of Franklin's 20 goals on Wednesday against Mansfield. Julia Jette added four of her own and Emily Spath had a hat trick. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Downtown Project: Update #5

The binder course (base coat) will be put down on Summer Street on July 1 or 2 depending on the weather. 

The binder course will be put down on High Street and Main Street from Pleasant to School Street during the same time period. 

They will begin replacing the Emmons Street sidewalk at the end of this week or next week. 

Work at the corner of Emmons and West Central Street (old municipal building) will commence next week, including the installation of the traffic light bases. 

The period lighting bases installation will continue over the summer at several locations. 

The sidewalk reconstruction of West Central Street will begin mid to late July. 

If anyone has a question, please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or my office at 508-520-4949.

Main St under construction

Pollinator Talk in the King St. Community Garden June 28th at 11AM

Ed Szymanski will be giving at a talk at the King St. Community Garden this Sunday, June 28th, at 1PM. Please join us to learn about the role that pollinators play in making the community garden a success each year.

bee on flower

​Updated 6/25 - 8:00 PM - > Note: We've moved the time of the pollinator event to coincide with that morning's workday. The workday will run from 9am until 11am. At 11am the pollinator event will start and will run until approximately noon.

If you plan on attending please RSVP to franklincommunitygardens@gmail.com so we have a rough head count as there will be handouts.

Sincerely,

The Franklin Community Garden Committee

In the News: Online voter registration, social media for cold cases, teacher award at Tri-County

Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin announced today that the state has implemented online voter registration which allows an applicant to apply to register, change party status or change address for voter registration purposes. 

“In a way, this represents the start of the 2016 presidential election here,” said Galvin in a press release. “The 2016 presidential primary is just eight months away, and this system will make it easier for residents to register to vote.” 

Galvin said that voter registration normally peaks in presidential election years.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150623/NEWS/150628899/1994/NEWS

Police hope the social media blast will bring new light to the cases. 

“We have to keep the fire going,” said Chief Stephan Semerjian. “Someone out there knows information helpful to police.” 

In many area communities, police departments have taken to social media to connect with the community. It’s the fastest, easiest way to get information out, said Semerjian. 

“It’s just the way it is with society. Everyone is high speed now,” he said.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150623/NEWS/150628629/1994/NEWS

The Paul Revere Chapter of the Air Force Association named Kristen Magas, an engineering technology instructor at Tri-County Regional, its 2015 Teacher of the Year. 

Paul Zauner, president of the AFA Paul Revere Chapter, visited the school on June 18 to present Magas with the award. School Committee Chairman Robert Wilkinson, Principal Jean Mallon, and several of Magas' engineering technology students also attended the presentation. 

Magas was named a runner-up for the State Teacher of the Year Award.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150623/NEWS/150628714/1994/NEWS

Live reporting: Closing

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
Kristen Circe received an MIAA award

modulars coming down next week at Davis Thayer

new assistant principals to be joining the high school
3 promoting from within the district

anyone interested in substance abuse task force, meeting Jun 30th at FHS
will be a lot of work for anyone who wants to be part of it


School Committee Sub
finished policies, will continue work on the rest of the book

budget subcommittee working on lunch prices

Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

Reminder on FEF fund raiser for Harlem Wizards coming in November

Trahan mentioned it was good to see efforts to support the local businesses while downtown is undergoing construction - #shopFranklin



8. Adjourn
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed

citizen who did not get to speak earlier asked about when he could do so before the meeting officially closed. "Next meeting or via correspondence" was the reply. (not sure when he had arrived but he might have missed the citizens comments section)

Live reporting: Action Items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend moving the following Policies to a second reading:
1. KF – Community Use of School Facilities
2. KF-E1 – Rules and Regulations
3. KF-E2 – FHS Building Use
4. KF-E3 – Facility Rental Fee Schedule
5. KF-E4 – FHS Facility Rental Fee Schedule
6. KF-E5 – FHS Grounds Rental Fees
7. (NEW)GCCD – Domestic Violence Leave Policy

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed

b. I recommend the acceptance of two checks totaling $589.71 for FHS as follows:
1. $189.71 Ahold Financial Svc. – Gift Account
2. $400.00 John T. Ombelets/ Elizabeth A. John - Scholarship
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed

c. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $2,370.16 for Keller Elementary School as follows:
1. $370.16 O’Connor Portraiture, Inc. – In-house enrichment
2. $2,000.00 IBM - supplemental curriculum materials
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed

d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a Maple Tree (value $150 - 250) from the JF Kennedy PCC for playground shade at JF Kennedy Elementary School.
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed

e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $150.00 from the Parmenter PCC for a Field Trip.
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed

f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $25.00 from Target’s Thanks a Billion Program for supplemental supplies at Davis Thayer Elementary School.
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed