And All That Jazz .... Beginner Jazz Dance Class

And All  That Jazz...........dance class The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning is pleased to offer its first Adult Beginner Jazz Class.......beginning Monday, January 25  Don't Miss This Exciting Class! This Adult Beginner Jazz Course  will encompass components from jazz, modern and ballet techniques. The session will focus on learning different styles/combinations of jazz such as classic jazz, musical theater, lyrical jazz, latin and hip hop. Students will warm up with stretching exercises, isolations, strengthening exercises and "across the floor" exercises.   The class ends with a combination that is usually fast-paced and danced to popular music. Jazz shoes are optional; socks or bare feet acceptable. When and Where? Mondays, Jan 25 - Mar 21  7:00 to 8:00 PM Parmenter Elementary School   Cost: $75  REGISTER NOW      Franklin Public Schools          Lifelong Learning Institute      The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning 508-613-1480      www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com

Forward this email FPS- Life Long Learning | 355 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Helping Your Kids Navigate Social Media And Cyberbullying - Feb 1

You are invited to join representatives from the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center with a presentation for parents regarding online safety to be held at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School on Monday, February 1st at 7pm. 

The event is free and open to the public, we hope you can join us.

BFCCPS sign

PARENT/COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS:

The MARC Parent and community education evenings feature presentations that are more tailored to the individual needs and wants of the community. The presentation involves both an easy-to-understand update on typical online activities of children, internet safety (including cyberbullying), and how parents can work with their children and their schools in both bullying and cyberbullying situations.

The emphasis will be on practical, concrete knowledge, and how parents do not need to be computer experts to become more aware of how to help their children navigate the online world safely. It is also imperative that parents understand how to approach schools for help effectively and how to assist school administrators in resolving bullying situations.

In the News: sports teams added, Milford raises age, Narcan considered by Medway, memory cafe at Senior Center

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"The School Committee has added gymnastics and freshman lacrosse to the high school's sports roster. 

Athletic Director Brad Sidwell spoke before the committee at its Jan. 12 meeting in favor of the changes, in addition to giving an update on several initiatives at the school."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160115/franklin-high-school-scores-two-new-sports-teams


Franklin's BOH considered this move in 2014 then did not raise the age.

"The Board of Health has raised the legal age for tobacco purchases in town from 18 to 21. 

The order, enacted at the board's meeting this week, goes into effect April 1. It makes Milford the 93rd town in the state to raise the legal age. Milford follows other area towns, such as Medway and Ashland, in a decision aimed at curbing youth substance abuse. The order also restricts e-cigarette purchases to those 21 and older. 

“It is our responsibility as a local board of health to do all we can to guide our young people and create a healthier future for all our residents,” said Paul Mazzuchelli, the town's health officer."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160115/milford-board-of-health-raises-legal-tobacco-age-to-21


The Franklin School Committee had previously considered this move.What the new committee now sitting will do remains to be seen.

"With drug users overdosing at an alarming rate around the state and country and the scourge of heroin finding its way into the lives of atypical drug users, the school department is considering arming itself with an overdose-reversing drug.
Narcan, a nasal spray, reverses the effects of an overdose caused by an opioid, like heroin, morphine and other prescription painkillers. 

Superintendent Armand Pires said the school department is engaging in an “ongoing discussion” throughout the district to gauge the need to stock the drug, a step that other nearby school districts have taken."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160115/medway-schools-consider-stocking-narcan

"Memory Café will be held at 3 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month, Jan. 21, at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St. 

The Memory Cafe is for caregivers and their loved ones who live with memory loss. It is a safe and supportive environment where families can socialize and feel at ease."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160115/franklin-senior-center-to-host-memory-cafxe9-on-jan-21

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 1/15/16 - THU 1/21/16

FRIDAY 1/15/16
1-3pm   Kids Paint at the Franklin Art Center
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at the Franklin Art Center

SATURDAY 1/16/16
9am-4pm   Book Sale at the Franklin Public Library. Live music by Betty Kushner 9-10am.

SUNDAY 1/17/16
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast at Franklin Rod and Gun Club
9am-12pm   Bag Sale at the Franklin Public Library. Fill up a bag with books for only $5.

MONDAY 1/18/16
1-3pm   Kids Paint at the Franklin Art Center

TUESDAY 1/19/16
6:30-8pm   Teen Advisory Board meets at the Franklin Public Library

THURSDAY 1/21/16
3pm   Memory Cafe for Caregivers and Their Loved Ones at the Franklin Senior Center. Please call the center to register.
5:30-7:30pm   Algonquin Open House for the Access Northeast Project at the Hawthorne Suites on Union Street, Franklin
6:30-8:30pm   Franklin Arts Academy Fundraiser at Pour Richard’s
7pm   Franklin SEPAC Free Workshop: Primitive Reflex, Intergration, Leraning and Behavior presented by Pam Formosa and Christina Schlupf from Brain Fit, Town Hall, 3rd floor Training Room

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

In the News: anger over pond levels, free-throw championship at Y

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"Local residents expressed anger and dismay at a Wednesday evening meeting regarding the historic low water levels at Kingsbury Pond - a situation they attributed to nearby Franklin wells. 

Residents used the phrase "do your job" repeatedly as they spoke to representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, who had been invited to the meeting to discuss the situation and possible steps to fix the problem."

image of Kingsbury Pond from petition

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160114/franklin-wells-spur-norfolk-pond-concerns

Recent post summarizing the Kingsbury Pond issue
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/in-news-kingsbury-pond-issue-substance.html

"The Franklin Hockomock Area YMCA, 45 Forge Hill Road, will host a free-throw championship from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21. 

The contest, which is free to participate, is for boys and girls ages 9-14. Participants must bring birth certificates and a parent. The winners will be invited to the district, divisional and national competitions. Each contestant will receive a certificate and memento."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160114/franklin-hockomock-area-ymca-to-host-free-throw-championship

Lowell City Council endorses fixing the gas pipeline leaks

One of the key arguments of the anti-Spectra pipeline group is that if the gas companies fixed the leaks in the existing supply lines that would provide about 30% of the supply currently being 'lost'. 

"On Tuesday, the Lowell City Council passed a resolution in support of state legislation to address gas leaks! Gas leaks are costly for consumers and terrible for the climate: leaking gas pipelines emit methane, an extremely powerful greenhouse gas, directly into the atmosphere. 

Lowell's resolution is in support of H. 2870 and H. 2871, new pieces of state legislation that would help reduce gas leaks and ensure that consumers are not charged for leaking gas. Congrats to all the folks in 350 Mass Lowell who worked hard to make this resolution happen!"

Reference to the motion was also reported by Richard Howe

"Joint motion by Mayor Kennedy and Councilor Elliott to support resolution on bill pending in state legislature on natural gas leaks. Registered to speak is State Senator Jamie Eldridge who thanks the council for allowing him to speak. He wants to provide some context to this bill. Says Tom Golden is a strong advocate for this bill. Last session, the legislature took up the issue of the hundreds of thousands of gas leaks in Massachusetts, many of which occur in older cities like Lowell. 

This bill would require utilities to better document these leaks and to develop a plan to remedy them. Portions of the bill did not pass during the last legislative session so they are back again this year. This would also prohibit utilities from charging the cost of sealing these leaks back to their users. He appreciates the council’s consideration of this resolution and says the council’s passage of it would send a strong message to the rest of the legislature."

The full context of the Jan 5th Council meeting in Lowell can be found here
http://www.richardhowe.com/2016/01/05/lowell-city-council-meeting-january-5-2016/

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From the Twitterverse!

Huge congrats to @350MALowell -- their gas leaks resolution just passed!

— 350Mass (@350Mass) January 6, 2016

Are there really gas leaks? Yup, and they can be found!

We found gas leaks all along the #westroxburylateralpipeline route today, including M&R stn. @davabel @universalhub pic.twitter.com/s1WMwb2gxt

— Nathan Phillips (@nathanpboston) January 4, 2016

leaks along the west roxbury lateral pipeline

The presentation to the Franklin Town Council on Jan 6 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/live-reporting-presentation-on-spectra.html

Valentine's 2016....don't forget your special someone(s)! VDay 2016 is fast approaching and you do not want to be caught empty handed! The Sugar Shoppe has a fabulous line up of goodies to go! And our Vday special items are on their way! Nothing says LOVE like a little SUGAR❤️❤️❤️ Stop by and shoppe for a great cause! 10% off any candy that's RED!! Just mention this ad & you shall receive! Follow us for more updates! Sugar Shoppe 334 Union St Franklin, MA 02038 USA

Tri-County Students Compete In National Mobile App Contest

A mobile app concept created by sophomores in Tri-County Regional's Computer Information Systems Program is in the running for the national Verizon App Challenge Fan Favorite award.

The app proposal, which would transform the school's late bus pass system to an all-electronic format, won Best in State in the high school section of the Verizon Innovative App Challenge. Each team member won a tablet computer and $5,000 to be used for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) initiatives at Tri-County.

Tri-County students working on the app challenge

Team members Dylan Ross, of Franklin, Micah Perkins, of Medway, Victoria Rezza, Dylan Lavimodiere, and Robert Paige, all of North Attleborough, Eric Bernard, of Plainville, and Tyler Mello, of Seekonk, said the idea for the app came to them very early on in the brainstorming process. Currently, students who stay after school for academic help, athletics, or extracurricular activities must visit the Main Office to get a pass for the late bus. The late buses transport students to designated stops within their hometown.

"We had to go from one classroom to get a pass to go either to the Main Office or the Homework Center to get a pass, to then even just get on a bus, and then sometimes the bus would be full and we'd have to wait for another bus. So basically, we just had the idea to make an app that would do all that for us, so then you would click ‘reserve,’ select the bus that you want and just wait," explained Eric Bernard.

The students thanked their teachers, Kim Zogalis and Christopher Cadorette, for encouraging them to participate in the initial “Best in State” competition. The group was elated upon learning from Mrs. Zogalis that they advanced to the national App Challenge Fan Favorite contest. The group could win an additional $15,000 for their school. 

To win this award, the students must get the most votes. Voters must text "LatePass1" to 22333 by January 31 to vote for Tri-County's app.

The winner of the app challenge will also have the opportunity to work with experts at MIT on building a working app, but the students at Tri-County are wasting no time in developing their product.

"Right now, we're wire-framing it, which is basically drawing what is going to look like," said Bernard.




The 30 second concept video of the app is shown here:

FPAC Slates Open Auditions For Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will hold open auditions for Disney’s The Little Mermaid on Wednesday, January 27 at THE BLACK BOX, the company’s home and performance venue located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. 

Auditions begin at 6 p.m. for ages 7-9 (very few roles available) and continue at 6:30 for ages 10-13 (very few roles available), 7:00 for teens ages 14 and older, and 7:45 for adults. Please prepare 16 measures of a musical theater song in the style of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. For more information, including a character breakdown, please visit www.FPAConline.com.

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC)

FPAC will stage the under-the-sea spectacular on March 12-13 and March 19-20 at THE BLACK BOX. Based on the beloved fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and the classic animated film, the enchanting blockbuster musical brings audiences into a magical ocean kingdom – home to mermaid Ariel, King Triton and a host of memorable characters, including Flounder the fish and Sebastian the crab. 

When the beautiful and curious young mermaid falls for a handsome human, Prince Eric, in the world above, she bargains with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and book by Doug Wright, Disney’s  The Little Mermaid features the irresistible songs “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World.”

FPAC presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid as part of the company’s 25th anniversary season. For more information, call (508) 528-3370.

iOn the Ball proposal for Franklin digital sign

In the recent Economic Development Committee meeting, a proposal for a digital sign to generate approx. $40,000 in revenue per year for Franklin. The sign would be placed on private property and be only visible to drivers along i495.

Franklin would need to change the current sign bylaw to allow this digital sign. You may recall that the digital sign installed with the new High School was initially turned on but is as it does not meet the bylaw requirements.

screen grab from the presentation depicting the northbound view of the proposed sign

Franklin presentation by iOn the Ball from Franklin Matters

Stay tuned for the future Town Council meeting when this topic comes before them

• The set of notes published from the Economic Development Committee meeting can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/live-reporting-economic-development.html

Ladybug Story on WCVB's 'Chronicle' Tuesday Night -> Replay available on demand

Did you catch "Chronicle" on Channel 5 Tuesday night? The show featured many of the 56 official Massachusetts symbols, including the ladybug. 

A screen shot from the WCVB website shows Rep. Jeff Roy speaking at Town Hall about The Ladybug Story booklet.

The story of the Kennedy School second grade class of 1974's efforts to have the ladybug named as the official state insect was highlighted as part of this show. 

Follow the link below to watch the segment on the WCVB Chronicle website. The fiberglass painted ladybugs from the Cultural Council's project, as well as Representative Jeff Roy, Town Hall, the Franklin Public Library and the Franklin Art Center, made appearances. The Franklin portion of the story begins after the Polka segment, at 1:45. 

http://www.wcvb.com/chronicle/keeping-it-symbol-official-insect/37413776?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=wcvb


This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2016/01/ladybug-story-on-wcvbs-chronicle.html

Related posts:

• Announcement of the Ladybugs to appear on the Town Common in August 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/ladybug-spots-on-town-common-aug-9-10.html

• The ladybugs have landed on the Town Common

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/ladybugs-on-parade.html

Senior Center: Memory Cafe - Jan 21

This month's Memory Cafe will be held as usual on the third Thursday of the month, January 21st at 3:00 at the Franklin Senior Center. 

The Memory Cafe is for Caregivers and their loved ones living with memory loss. It is a safe and supportive environment where families can socialize and feel at ease.

This month we are happy to have three or four Franklin middle and high school students who will be playing some older familiar tunes on the violin and viola. They will be led by Kathleen Woods Studio.

The Cafe is open to all in the community and free of charge. For more information please call Elaine Owens at 508-520-4945. We encourage you to sign up so that we have an idea as to how many we will have at each cafe. Refreshments are served!

guitar players from a prior memory cafe at the Senior Center

Dean College Leadership Lecture Series Announces 'Finest Hours' Team as Guest Speakers for March 3, 2016

The Finest Hours

Dean College is honored to host both the producer and the author of Walt Disney Pictures new epic THE FINEST HOURS for the Dean College Leadership Institute Leadership In Action Lecture Series on Thursday March 3, 2016.

The Leadership Series offers a unique and interactive opportunity for students, alumni, and the local community to interact with today's business leaders.

Acclaimed film producer Dorothy Aufiero will be joined by bestselling author Casey Sherman to discuss their incredible journey together from page to screen. THE FINEST HOURS is set for worldwide release beginning on January 29, 2016. The film chronicles the greatest Coast Guard rescue in American history in February, 1952 off Cape Cod and stars Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Eric Bana, Ben Foster and Holliday Grainger. THE FINEST HOURS was filmed entirely in Massachusetts.   

"We are thrilled to be joined by the creative forces behind this major motion picture," said Dr. Paula Rooney, President of Dean College. "Both Ms. Aufiero and Mr. Sherman work here in Massachusetts and the Dean College community looks forward to a memorable event as they discuss  the challenges and the triumphs behind their cinematic achievement."

Dorothy Aufiero has also developed several of the most memorable motion pictures ever filmed in Massachusetts including the Oscar winning The Fighter starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale, and the Oscar winning Good Will Hunting starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Aufiero also served as executive producer for the smash television hit Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

  

Casey Sherman is a national bestselling author of eight books including Search for the Strangler (about his re-investigation of the notorious Boston Strangler case), Bad Blood, Animal and Boston Strong. Sherman has also served as a guest analyst on CNN and FOX News.

Mr. Sherman and Ms. Aufiero are currently working on a feature film project based on Boston Strong to star Mark Wahlberg and directed by Peter Berg of Lone Survivor fame. Production is expected to begin this spring.

The speaking program will begin at 4 PM. in the Guidrey Center at Dean College, 99 Main Street, Franklin, MA on March  3, 2014. The program is FREE and open to the public. Registration is required as seating is limited. For more information and to register, visit the Dean College website www.dean.edu.


Behind the scenes preview can be seen here

FHS topped Mansfield in hockey and wrestling

FHS topped Mansfield in hockey and wrestling on Wednesday. The FHS boys swim team lost by one point to Milford. All results from Hockomock Sports

Boys Hockey

• Franklin, 4 @ Mansfield, 0 

– Final – Sophomore Kenny Demerchant scored his first career goal while sophomore Brendan O’Reilly, junior Adam Assad and sophomore Jeremy Miller each scored once. Nick Jasinski had the shutout in net for the win.

FHS Panthers

Wrestling

• Franklin, 48 @ Mansfield, 18 – Final

Swimming - Boys

• Franklin, 79 @ Milford, 80 – Final

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Wednesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-011316/

In the News: water hearing, school calendar choices

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"A state board’s evidentiary hearings on Exelon’s proposed 200-megawatt expansion of its existing Summer Street will continue Friday with testimony about the plant’s proposed use of water. 

The state Energy Facilities Siting Board, which reviews and permits power infrastructure in the state, will meet for the first time this month to discuss the average of 95,000 gallons of water the plant will need each to help control emissions."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160113/medway-exelon-water-hearings-on-friday

The hearing is interesting for a couple of reasons: one, for Medway's use of the water and two, Franklin has an interest in getting additional water from Millis to help with the Kingsbury Pond issue.

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"The Franklin School Committee is considering two draft calendars for the upcoming school year. 

Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski at Tuesday night's committee meeting presented the early drafts for informational purposes only. The committee will be asked to make a decision at its next meeting on Jan. 26."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160113/franklin-school-committee-mulls-calendar

The two draft calendars can be viewed here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/live-reporting-calendar-choices-2.html

FHS boys basketball tops Foxboro in OT

From Hockomock Sports, we share the results of the FHS basketball games on Tuesday, January 12

Girls Basketball

• Franklin, 45 @ Foxboro, 51 – Final 

– Sophomore Ashley Sampson led the way for the Warriors with 21 points while sophomore Lily Sykes chipped in with 12 points for Foxboro.

Boys Basketball

• Foxboro, 60 @ Franklin, 65 – Final (OT) 

– Senior Tim Prunier scored a game-high 18 points while freshman Jay Dieterle scored 13 points, senior Kevin Gill had 12 points, five rebounds and four assists and Josh Macchi had 11 points and eight rebounds. Foxboro’s Jason Procaccini scored 17 points, Robby Lowey added 12 points and six rebounds and Mark Clagg had 11 points.

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-011216/

Franklin senior Kevin Gill hit a trio of three pointers between the fourth quarter and overtime. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Ryan Lanigan, Editor-in-Chief, Hockomock Sports provides a complete write up on the game:

"Franklin starting guard Kevin Gill picked a pretty good time to hit his first three of the season. 

With the Panthers trailing 52-44 with just over two minutes to play, Gill took a feed from Josh Macchi and drained the triple from the right side to get within two possessions. 

After Franklin’s defense forced a turnover on the other end, Gill picked an even better time to hit his second three of the season. Once again it was Macchi playing the role of playmaker, finding Gill wide open in the corner and he drained it. 

And then after neither team could hit a go-ahead basket, the teams headed to overtime. That was the best time for Gill to hit his third three of the 2015-2016 campaign. Franklin’s lead was just one as time ticked under a minute in the extra period when Gill found himself in the corner — this time the left side — and hit nothing but net to give the Panthers the lead for good. 

Gill helped Franklin cap a big comeback and score a 65-60 win over Foxboro in overtime."

Continue reading the article online at Hockomock Sports
http://www.hockomocksports.com/gill-sparks-franklins-comeback-win-over-foxboro/

High School Musical: On Stage! performed by BFCCPS

The Fine and Performing Arts Department at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School is pleased to announce upcoming performances of High School Musical: On Stage! to be held at the Horace Mann Middle School located at 224 Oak Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Performances will be held on Friday, January 29th from 7 – 9 PM and Saturday, January 30th from 2 – 4 PM. The public is invited and welcomed to attend the show! Tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $12 for children age five and up. Tickets will be sold at the door, or advance tickets will be available for purchase at www.bfccps.org.

Disney High School Musical  - BFCCPS

This high-energy show is based on the hit Disney Channel movie and the cast is comprised of 40 students in Grades Six through Grade Eight under the direction of Mr. Bernard Benjamin. Musical Direction has been provided by Ms. Ruth Monty, the pit will be directed by Mr. Christopher Heater, artistic direction has been supervised by Mrs. Deb Balcerek, and choreography by Ms. Megan Condon. This year’s Props and Stage Manager is Mrs. Pam Holmes, Costume Hair and Makeup Design has been organized by Alumna Aleena Butt and our Production Assistants are Alumna Aliya Butt and Grade 8 Student Bridget Jackson. The cast is also supported by a dedicated 20 member backstage crew.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has received the 2014 SupportMusic Merit Award from the NAMM Foundation in recognition of its outstanding commitment to music education. This is the fourth time that the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has received this prestigious recognition.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has been in operation since 1995 and recently celebrated it’s twentieth anniversary this spring. The school provides a well-rounded, rigorous academic program designed to educate the whole child. BFCCPS’s educational philosophy, which is centered around strong core academic subjects, as well as yearlong courses in art, music, languages, technology, and physical education, integrated character education and community service, and strong parent partnerships, has lead to local, state and national recognition. Applications are now available online for enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year.

If you’d like learn more about the educational mission of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School please contact the school’s Marketing Coordinator, Joanne Basile, at jbasile@bfccps.org or 508-541-3434 x140.

In the News: Kingsbury Pond issue, substance abuse presentation

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"A meeting is set to take place Wednesday night to address resident concerns that Franklin wells have been drawing too much water from a local pond. 

State Rep. Shawn Dooley, R-Norfolk, will host the meeting, organized in response to a petition on Change.org regarding the water levels at Kingsbury Pond. It is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. at the Norfolk Public Library. 

Dooley noted that the pond's water level had reached its lowest point in 40 years, something some locals attributed to neighboring Franklin wells. As many who live in the area appreciate the beauty of the pond, he said, this naturally led to some concern. 

"I know there were additional factors (leading to the low water levels), like the drought and the fact that several of Franklin's other wells were down, but they were pulling more heavily from the pond," he said. "So, some neighbors got together and formed a petition."

image of Kingsbury Pond from petition

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160112/franklin-meeting-to-address-pond-water-levels

The earlier posting on the petition can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/12/save-kingsbury-pond-petition-underway.html

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"Members of the school district's Substance Abuse Task Force spoke at Tuesday's School Committee meeting about their efforts to combat drug and alcohol use among students. 

High School Principal Peter Light, health department director Kristin Cerce and guidance counselor Josh MacCreery gave a slideshow presentation about substance abuse in schools and the strategies used to discourage use. 

"It's really about building emotional maturity and the skill for children to be able to adapt," Light said. "A lot of what leads to abuse is anxiety and mental health issues."

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160112/franklin-sustance-abuse-task-force-gives-presentation-to-school-committee

The live reporting from the School Committee meeting on this topic including the presentation document can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/live-reporting-substance-abuse.html