MBTA seeking Commuter Rail T-Alert feedback with 'Satisfaction Survey'

Interested in giving us feedback on Commuter Rail T-Alerts and subscription options? 

Click here to tell us more! http://tinyurl.com/jxhpwks


Sent by the MBTA.

Franklin Line heading to Forge Park Station

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 3/25/16 - THU 3/31/16

FRIDAY 3/25/16
9am   Peter Cottontail’s Eggcellent Adventure 2016 at the FHS (register on Franklin Rec Dept. website, ages 1-9)
9:30pm   Kids Paint (Easter Bunny and Egg) at the Franklin Art Center

SATURDAY 3/26/16
12:30pm   FYHA: Try Hockey for Free - Girls only! (ages 7-12) at Pirelli Veterans Arena

TUESDAY 3/29/16
1:30pm   Knitting Circle at the Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   Charles River Meadowlands Meeting at Franklin Fire Station on King Street.

THURSDAY 3/31/16
6:30pm   Genealogy Club Monthly Meeting at the Franklin Public Library.

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

FHS Girls and Boys Swim Team Hockomock All Stars - 2016

The official Hockomock League Girls and Boys Swimming All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league, were published by Hockomock Sports. The Franklin athletes who were recognized are shown here.

FHS Panthers

GIRLS

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP

• Leah Zogby, Franklin

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

• Ashley Loomis, Franklin
• Leah Zogby, Franklin
• Colleen Proulx, Franklin
• Jennifer Ayotte, Franklin
• Helen Huang, Franklin
• Molly Brown, Franklin

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• Megan Lazarek, Franklin

For the complete list of all the Hockomock teams
http://www.hockomocksports.com/2016-hockomock-girls-swimming-stars-hms/

BOYS

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

• Connor Bourgeois, Franklin

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• Roy Wang, Franklin

For the complete list of all the Hockomock teams
http://www.hockomocksports.com/the-2016-hockomock-boys-swimming-all-stars-hms/

"we had to bring it up to code"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"New details as to how the $10.5 million Franklin Public Library renovation will take place were revealed this week. 

At Wednesday's Town Council meeting, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said a Kenwood Circle building would likely serve as a temporary location during the work, which will close the main building. 

The library, he said, will probably close around April 8, and the temporary location would open in early May."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160324/franklin-library-project-details-revealed

Ben Franklin statue at the Library

Marcov Sharp Gymnastics = The 2016 Massachusetts Xcel Platinum State Champions

Marcov Sharp Gymnastics in Bellingham has won the 2016 Massachusetts Xcel Platinum State Championship. The championship competition, hosted by USA Gymnastics, took place March 12 at Hanover High School. Fifty-seven teams and 300 girls competed throughout the day. 

The state champions started their winning ways in December. Taking home first place team awards across the state as well as in Florida at the Magical Classic. The girls had a dream season and ended it with the most important title State Champion. The girls are coached by Rodica, Nick and Paul Marcov. The team members are: seniors Amanda Rutkowski (Bellingham), Christina Goncalves (Hopkinton), Justine Sutherland (Medway), Mackenzie Gallant (Sherborn); Junior Megan Keith (Medfield); Sophomores Alexis Juszczyszyn (Franklin), Kyla Aldred (Franklin); Freshman Jessica Reno (Franklin); and 8th Grader Hannah Macomber (Franklin). 

The girls didn't stop with just the team title, many earned individual awards. Out of all 300 competitors, Christina Goncalves earned 1st place All Around and Jessica Reno was 3rd All Around. Both girls will represent Massachusetts at the USA Gymnastics Regional Championships in May. Only the top 7 seven gymnasts in the state earn the opportunity to be on the State Team. Megan Keith also qualified to compete at the Regional Championships in the All Star Division.

Placement continued for the team where they earned individual medals on the four events: Vault, Bars, Beam and Floor and trophies for All Around. Christina Goncalves (1st All Around, Vault, Bars, Floor); Jessica Reno (1st All Around, Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor), Megan Keith (3rd All Around; 1st Beam; 3rd Bars); Alexis Juszczyszyn (2nd All Around; 1st Vault, Floor; 4th Bars); Mackenzie Gallant (6th All Around; 4th Bars); Amanda Rutkowski (7th All Around; 4th Bars); Kyla Aldred ( 4th All Around; 1st Beam); and Hannah Macomber (4th Floor).

Marcov Sharp Gymnastics is a year round gymnastics school that has both competitive teams and recreational programs. They are located at 260 Maple Street in Bellingham and information can be obtained on their website marcovsharp.com or by calling 508-966-3808.

2016 Massachusetts Xcel Platinum State Champions

Fitness For Active Older Americans AND Meditation, Too

The Center for Adult Education  and Community Learning  at Franklin Presents Fitness For Active Older Adults AND Meditation, Too Fitness For Active Older Adults Beginning Tuesday, April 5 for 8 weeks     It's never too late to feel great! Our new Active Older Adult (AOA) class is for men and women in their 50's, 60's, and 70's! This exercise class is designed to help active older adults like you, not athletes, interested in improving their life through exercise. Class combines three key components of fitness: Strength Training, Flexibility, and Cardio Conditioning and is taught by a certified instructor. Each class is a full hour, held indoors once each week, given in a fun environment making it the fitness choice for Active Older Adults. Note: Bring your favorite free weights with you...2 lbs. to 8 lbs., your choice.  Register online now. Just click here                                           Meditation Workshop   A Sunday morning session at Tranquil Souls Yoga on May 1   Join us for a blissful 75 minutes of relaxation and mediation that will leave you refreshed and revitalized. We will start with a group discussion on mediation, then move though some relaxing yoga and breath work that will transition into a guided mediation and finally an optional individual mediation. You will leave feeling ready to start your own mediation practice at home or expand your existing practice. Returning students welcome. Register online now.Just click here Contact Contact: Brenda Reed, Director Adult Education & Community Learning 508-613-1480 reedb@franklin.k12.ma.us www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com Adult Education Register Today "Instruction ends in the school-room, but education ends only with life." - Frederick W. Robertson

FPS- Life Long Learning, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us in collaboration with Try it free today

Franklin Liquors shares their Easter Sale and Specials

Check out the Easter Newsletter from Franklin Liquors. It shares their food and wine guide with Special Selections and Easter Sale Items

Franklin Liquors will be open Easter Sunday 10AM-2PM

Happy Easter from Franklin Liquors

For more on Franklin Liquors visit them on the internet at  http://www.franklinliquors.com/

Hockomock Area YMCA Youth Sports Leagues Enrolling

The Hockomock Area YMCA is accepting registrations for sports leagues that support healthy lifestyles and instill a positive self-image in kids. During the season, which will run April 9 - May 28, kids will have a great time playing Soccer and T-ball with YMCA expert coaches and friends.

boy with soccer ball

Soccer players will develop and improve fundamentals like dribbling, passing and kicking. Those enrolled in T-ball will develop baseball skills that include catching, throwing and hitting. All leagues are run in a positive and structured environment to ensure every child has fun and thrives

Everyone plays and everyone is part of the team. Don’t wait, call today to save $15 through March 27. Options include:

• Soccer – coed teams will meet Saturdays at the Y as follows: Ages 3-4, 9:00-10:00 am; ages 5-6, 10:00–11:00 am; ages 7-10, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Cost is $84 for members or $126 for program members (through March 27) and includes a t-shirt.
• T-ball – coed teams will meet Saturdays at the Y as follows: Ages 3-4, 12:00-1:00 pm; ages 5-6, 1:00–2:00 pm. Cost is $84 for members or $126 for program members (through March 27) and includes a t-shirt and ball cap.

girl playing tball

The Hockomock Area YMCA will host an outside celebration for families on the last day of leagues. To register, please call or visit the Hockomock Area YMCA today. Financial assistance is available to those who could benefit and is provided from The YMCA Annual Campaign. For more information, visit hockymca.org.

Bernon Family Branch: 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin, 508-528-8708 | Sports Director: Jeff Moore 774-235-2720, jeffm@hockymca.org. Prices listed will increase by $15 each on March 28, 2016.


About Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a notfor-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

Petition to Governor Baker Opposing New Gas Pipelines

Dear pipeline fighters:

I am attaching a petition that is being circulated state wide, that calls on Governor Baker to drop his support for new fracked-gas pipelines in Massachusetts. We want the Governor to know that we don't believe we need new multi-billion-dollar pipeline projects like the Spectra Access Northeast and Kinder Morgan Northeast Energy Direct, and that we resent being forced to pay for them through a surcharge on our electricity bills (a "pipeline tax").

I ask as many of you as possible to do the following:

1. Print out the petition and sign it!
2. Gather as many signatures as you can!
3. Ask other people to also gather signatures, and give them copies of the petition!
4. Send the petitions with signatures to the address below. It's also at the bottom of each page of the petition.

Please don't feel you have to fill every page before sending it in. Once you have gathered the signatures you are going to gather, send them in.

These petitions will be delivered to Governor Baker by some time in late May. The exact date is not completely clear yet.

The address to send them to is:

No Fracked Gas In Mass
90 Trow Road
Cummington MA 01026

Thank you so much! Anything you can do will make a difference!

sign on Franklin lawn

4th Annual Elks Care Elks Share 5K - May 7

The 4th Annual Elks Care Elks Share 5K is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2016.

Registration is open and available online   http://franklinelks5k.com/

Elks Care Elks Share 5K - May 7, 9:00 AM

PMC Upcoming Event - Scavenger Hunt - Apr 2

Looking for a fun event? 

Get a team together (couples, girls night out, co-workers), pick a fun name and join us for a Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, April 2nd to support the PMC Franklin Kids Ride.

Tickets are $40 and includes the after party at Primavera Restaurant in Millis - full dinner, music, raffles, cash bar. All proceeds go to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. 

The hunt is from 4-7pm; the after party begins promptly at 7pm. It's a fun night and all for a great cause! 

For more information, or to sign up, contact Lisa Marchioni at lisabxyz@verizon.net

PMC Kids Ride in Franklin

In the News: Pond St sold, finally; d'Entremont recognized as 'digital innovator'

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"The Town Council approved, by a six to three vote, the $1.56 million sale of a Pond Street property for a condominium development. 

The development would call for the construction of no more than 99 units on the 33-acre, town-owned property. Sixty-nine of those units would be two-bedroom, while the remaining 30 would have three bedrooms. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting spoke about the features of the proposed development. 

"There would be a 150-foot wide buffer (between the development and Pond Street)," he said Wednesday. "There would be 17 acres of open space on the perimeter."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160323/franklin-council-votes-to-sell-pond-street-land

"A Horace Mann Middle School teacher has been named a "digital innovator" by PBS Learning Media for his use of technology in the classroom, the school announced this week. 

The designation allows seventh-grade social studies teacher James d'Entremont access to a year of professional development tools to further advance his ability to enhance student achievement through technology."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160323/franklin-teacher-recognized-as-digital-innovator

Twitter profile photo for Jim d'Entremont

FHS Mr DiBona will be honored - Apr 13

Barnes and Noble is having a teacher appreciation night on April 13. 

A former student wrote an essay about Mr DiBona for a Barnes & Noble "Favorite Teacher Contest",... and he won!! 

There is a ceremony on April 13 at 6pm at the Barnes & Noble in Bellingham. All are invited. Come and support him for that honor on that occasion!

Mr DiBona teaches English at Franklin High School.

screen grab of Barnes and Nobel event page

Franklin Art Association - Marla Greenfield - Apr 6

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, April 6. from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street. 

Refreshments and socialization will begin at 6:30 

The program will feature a demo, from guest artist Marla Greenfield who will do a water color. 

Meetings are free and opened to the public. 

For more information please visit our web site at www.franklinart.org or www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc

Screen grab of Marla Greenfield webpage

Marla Greenfield became a full time watercolor artist in 1998 after retiring from a 15 year career in the investment business. She was drawn to watercolors because of their transparency and luminosity. Painting things she finds beautiful, peaceful and calming, she strives primarily to depict the beauty of light in her art with all of its variations in value and hue, using glazing and other techniques. 

Marla is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, and a past president and signature member of the New England Watercolor Society where she has also served on its board. She has won numerous awards, both on a national and regional level. Marla teaches watercolor classes and has conducted numerous workshops throughout New England.

Chris Zito at 3 on April 1

3 Restaurant

April 1st at 9pm

Headliner: Chris Zito. 

Tickets: $25 per person. Show begins at 9pm. 

Make reservations at 7pm for the restaurant and receive one complimentary dessert per table. Call 508-528-6333 for tickets

In the News: Eversource in trouble, Millis expected to provide water

"There were more tough words for Eversource from the Planning and Economic Development Board as the power distribution company asked the board to speed up the public hearing process and issue a decision on the company's proposed upgrade of a facility on West Street. 

At the board’s Tuesday meeting, the company discussed additional material it submitted as part of its application to build two prefabricated 15-by-64-foot control buildings. 

Mary Kate Shneeweis, an engineer with Beals and Thomas who is also working on the Exelon project to build a 200-megawatt expansion on the Summer Street property, detailed landscaping and other plans that the company had yet to file last month when it first met with the board. 

The company was issued a cease and desist in January after they began construction of a retaining wall without filing a site plan application with the town."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160323/medway-eversource-asks-for-speedy-decision

"The Drinking Water Committee is expected to recommend that the Board of Selectmen enter into negotiations with Exelon and Medway to pump 48,000 gallons of water per day into Medway’s system for Exelon’s use. 

Exelon, which proposed a 200-megawatt expansion of its existing Summer Street power plant, will require an average of 95,000 gallons of water per day to help control emissions from the two power-generating turbines proposed to the state Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB). 

The EFSB, the sole permitting authority for energy infrastructure in the state, is expected to issue a decision later this spring or early summer."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160323/millis-committee-to-recommend-exelon-water-sale

Live reporting: Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
looking to sign agreement on 25 Kenwood Circle for temporary location of Library
likely to close Apr 8th for the move

regular meetings on the downtown project to resume

L. OLD BUSINESS
follow up on school building maint
coming with the School Dept presentation

question on the insurance costs
question on staff vs. consultants estimates, need to follow through to ensure the money is well spent, Bissanti is confused about growth statement by the Council

Pellegri - billboard?
the proposal walked away

Padula - Mr Bissanti should show us all the nooks and cranies

Vallee - Question on current free cash
Nutting - Free cash balance, $2.059,000

Dellorco, charter review commission, council doesn't have the power they need to ahve

M.NEW BUSINESS


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Jones - Red sox to honor hockey team Apr 13, which is also the Trivia Bee night

Dellorco - congrats to Chris Spillane and all the kids there, this was supposed to be a rebuilding year and they won it all

Pfeffer - not likely a development doesn't mean we don't like children, I find that insulting
Library architect has chosen a design, the building will be closed for a year
will all the fund raising from the Friends of the Library, and the Library association, and the community; because we are opening it up, need to bring the central units up to code
frescos were done when the library where first opened
panoramic photos of the frescos were taken

Padula - congrat for finally doing something with the Pond St property
thanks to the scouts for the pledge
congrats to the Hockey team

Kelly- congrats to the hockey team
having police officers as coaches is huge
hockey team to come for a future meeting

Mercer - congrats to the hockey team, coaches, staff, etc.
Senior Center renovations ongoing
mechanical engineer has come up with a design for the high school problem, repairs underway



P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 9-0

LIve reporting: Legislation for Action

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
none

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

• Budget subcommittee

will bring forward the item for sidewalks along Chestnut and Pleasant St for the Apr 6 meeting

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

• Resolution 16-15: Authorization to Enter into Separate Intermunicipal Agreements Between Franklin and The Towns of Bellingham, Medway, Norfolk and Wrentham to Provide Public Safety Mutual Aid

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

sensible agreement on mutual aid, the area chiefs have wanted this for some time

Chief Semerjian speaking for the mutual aid agreement

Counsel Mark Cerel also outlined the law in this case going back several years to a case

• Resolution 16-16:Authorization For Disposition (Sale) of Town-Owned Land on Pond Street

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 7-2 (via roll call, Pfeffer, Kelly voted no)

motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-3 (via roll call)

sale agreement for $1.560,000 (details in agenda document)

discussion on the number of bedroom units and student impact

approx 14 students projected

30 units of 3 bedrooms

different numbers from different studies, Hopkinton example and Rutgers Univ were used in calculations

Mercer comment, opposed to 30 units

Jones, Mercer, Pfeffer voted no, it passed 6-3

Dellorco hesitated before voting, Kelly changed from no on the waiver of the reading to yes for the actual

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-753: Zoning Map Changes From Single Family Residential IV to General Residential V in an Area on or Near West Central Street - Referral to Planning Board

Bissanti recognized as recusing himself

referral to planning board for further hearing and discussion

clarification questions on the parcels along the way subject to the zoning change

motion to refer to Planning Board, seconded, passed 8-1 (via roll call) (Bissanti abstained (recused))

• Bylaw Amendment 16-754: Chapter 47, Alcoholic Beverages - 1st Reading

this is the first reading based upon the prior meeting discussion to clarify the options to bring forward

moved to Sep 1, instead of Jan

motion to amend the effective date to July 1, instead of Sep 1

Pfeffer in favor of as soon as possible but it is only fair to give some time for the implementation

Bissanti would also like to get it early

Padula Sep 1 is very reasonable

Motion to amend to July 1, seconded,  failed 7-2

Bissanti, Jones - yes

Dellorco, Pellegri, Valle, Kelly, Mercer, Padula, Pfeffer - no

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call) 

• Bylaw Amendment 16-755: Chapter 179, Water Charges-Water Department Access – 2nd Reading

up for second reading, DPW looked for this to ensure timely access to enable water meter changes inside residences

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

• Bylaw Amendment 16-756: Chapter 170 Vehicles and Traffic Article X Winter Storm Overnight Parking – 2nd Reading

up for second reading, modification of the winter parking to include other public spaces in addition to the roads, ensures clearing of the parking lots during the storms

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