Shopping Extravaganza at Annie Sullivan Middle School. Nov 16

Mark your calendar for the Shopping Extravaganza at Annie Sullivan Middle School. Nov 16, 6-9pm.

Franklin Library - Closed Friday for Veterans Day, Nov 11

The Franklin Public Library will be closed on Friday, November 11  for Veterans Day.

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/11/library-closed-friday-november-11-for.html

Fall foliage in Franklin - 2016

As I have walked around Franklin the past several weeks, I have enjoyed the fall foliage. With my phone camera handy I have captured quite a few photos and here is the best of the lot.

Enjoy!




The photos are embedded as part of a Flickr album.

You can also view the photos directly at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/albums/72157674822931832

If you have good ones to share, please let me know via email!

"they should be on schedule to be done by the end of the calendar year"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Unforeseen conditions have delayed the renovation project at the Franklin Senior Center, though officials hope the lag will not be too lengthy.

The center is in the middle of a $1 million project to finish the building's second floor. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said that it was conditions at the site itself that caused the problem. 

"When digging the hole for the elevator shaft, they hit rock," he said. "They had to go back into the plans and move the elevator shaft a little bit."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161108/franklin-senior-center-project-slowed

Franklin Senior Center

unofficial tally for Franklin, MA for the Presidential election November 8, 2016

The unofficial tally for Franklin, MA for the Presidential election November 8, 2016.

Franklin voted for Clinton, Kennedy, Spilka, Ross, and Roy. 
They voted against ballot questions 1 and 2 and for ballot questions 3,and 4.







Thanks to all the folks in the Town Clerk's office and to all the election workers, this was a record turnout and marvelously done!

Franklin High School early on the morning of Nov 8

Franklin Library: Pastel Paint Stunning Still Lifes Like the Masters

The Franklin Public Library will host this painting workshop on Thursday, November 10, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

"Gregory Maichack, twice nominated for the MCC Gold Star Award, and award-winning pastelist, presents his all-new “Pastel Paint Stunning Still Lifes Like the Masters” workshop: instruction, demo, and hands-on work by sheer beginners to advanced who keep their pastel painting. 

He demonstrates how beginners to accomplished artists can easily pastel paint a still life while applying techniques applied by masters such as van Gogh, O’Keeffe, Monet and da Vinci. He shares humorous and insightful anecdotes on the artists in this fun workshop. 

Essential techniques of pastel painting will be clearly demonstrated as participants follow along. He provides hundreds of professional grade pastels, paper, and pencils."

http://gregorymaichack.com/adult-workshops/

Franklin Library: Pastel Paint Stunning Still Lifes Like the Masters

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/11/pastel-paint-stunning-still-lifes-like.html

Franklin Girl Scouts visit State House

Ten Girl Scouts from Troop 65396 (Franklin) paid a visit to the State House as a part of their government badge requirements. They toured the building with Representative Jeffrey Roy (D – Franklin). The girl scouts visited both the House and Senate Chambers, stepped onto the State House balcony and had a picture taken on the Grand Staircase. Attached is the photo taken on the Massachusetts State House Grand Staircase.

Troop 65396 (Franklin) visited the State House and Representative Roy

"We were excited to meet the Girl Scouts," noted Representative Jeffrey Roy (D – Franklin). "They were well engaged during the tour and their enthusiasm regarding their role in their government was a pleasure to see. They all asked pointed questions about life on Beacon Hill, while demonstrating considerable knowledge about Massachusetts history."

FHS volleyball ends playoff run against Lincoln-Sudbury

From Hockomock Sports we share the FHS fall sports results from Monday, Nov 7 as the playoff run for volleyball comes to an end. 

FHS Panthers

Volleyball = D1 Central-West

#6 Franklin, 0 @ #3 Lincoln-Sudbury, 3 – Final

– Franklin pushed the third-seeded Warriors to the limit in each set but ultimately fell 22-25, 15-25, 23-25. Ellie Wisneiwski and Erin Skidmore (17 digs) each had nine kills to pace the Panthers’ offense while Maddie Kuzio had 27 digs.

For the remainder of the Hockomock results from Monday
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-110716/

Election Day 2016 - Your time to vote

Election Day is here, finally. All Franklin voters can go to the high school to cast their ballots. The polls open at 6:00 AM and will close at 8:00 PM.

School is out and with 8,458 (almost 40% of the registered voters) taking advantage of early voting (7,278) or absentee ballots (1,180), there should be shorter lines and plenty of parking.

How much of a turn out will we end up with? For the last three presidential elections we were in the low 80% range. Early voting is new this time around. What effect will that have on the turn out? It may be hard to say definitively given the state of the national political campaigns. What matters is that folks do get out to vote. In the democratic way, we'll live with what the results are.


Presidential 2004    83.2%
Presidential 2008    84.4%
Presidential 2012     83.4%
Presidential 2016      ???

If you need any information on the ballot questions, check our the Election Collection  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/election-collection-2016.html

Election Day 2016

MBTA: Franklin Line shuttle updates for weekend of Fri 11/11 through Sun 11/13

Two items worthy of note for the MBTA this coming weekend. (1) Friday night will see select service via shuttle bus between Dedham Corp and Readville. (2) Saturday and Sunday will see the shuttle bus service return between those two stations which will add travel time to the 'normal' trip to/from Boston.

Item #1 

Service will be suspended on the Franklin Line between Dedham Corporate Center and Readville Stations on the evening of Friday, November 11th. Select trains will be replaced with shuttle bus service.

Due to Shore Line Bridge Replacement, buses will replace select evening trains between Dedham Corporate Center and Readville Stations in both directions on Friday, November 11th, 2016.

Customers should allow additional travel time anticipating delays of approximately twenty (20) minutes.

The following trains will be affected:

• 727 (9:00pm from Boston)
• 728 (9:01pm from Forge Park)
• 729 (10:30pm from Boston)
• 730 (10:25pm from Forge Park)
• 731 (11:50pm from Boston)
• 732 (11:46pm from Forge Park)

The following stations will be affected:

• Dedham Corporate Center
• Endicott
• Readville

Last updated: Nov 07 2016 09:39 AM

Item #2

Shuttle buses will replace Franklin Line train service between Dedham Corporate Center and Readville Stations on Saturday, November 12th, and Sunday, November 13th, due to Shore Line Bridge Replacement in Hyde Park.

Due to Shore Line Bridge Replacement, buses will replace trains between Dedham Corporate Center and Readville Stations in both directions on the following dates:

- Saturday November 12th, 2016
- Sunday November 13th, 2016

Customers should allow additional travel time anticipating delays of approximately twenty (20) minutes.

The following trains will be affected:

• Saturday - All
• Sunday - All

The following stations will be affected:

• Dedham Corporate Center
• Endicott
• Readville

Last updated: Nov 07 2016 09:43 AM

MBTA train on the Franklin Line headed to Forge Park Station

Franklin Youth Hockey - Try Hockey for Free - Saturday, Nov 12

Franklin Youth Hockey will be holding a Try Hockey For FREE event in Franklin this Saturday Nov. 12th at 12:30. 

Participants should arrive early to get dressed. The first 40 to register will receive a free USA Hockey jersey. 

Address: 910 Panther Way, Franklin, MA 02038

Register here   http://tryhockeyforfree.com/7132.

Franklin Youth Hockey - Try Hockey for Free - Saturday, Nov 12

Post Election Prayer Service - Nov 9 - 7:30 PM

A Time for Communion, Meditation and Reconciliation

- Open to all -

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Franklin Federated Church

171 Main Street

7:30 p.m.

Post Election  Prayer Service - Nov 9 - 7:30 PM

Franklin Lions collecting DVDs Fri, Nov 11

On Friday, November 11, from 7-11AM, the Franklin Lions will be collecting DVDs for DVDs4Vets at both Honey Dew locations in Franklin.

The idea to start DVDs4Vets came about on Veterans Day, 2006. With daily reports of severely wounded soldiers returning from Iraq, many were unable to easily obtain some of the basic entertainment most civilians take for granted, due to restrictive physical or economic hardships.

http://www.dvds4vets.org/

FHS girls soccer and volleyball playoff runs come to an end

From Hockomock Sports we share the FHS fall sports results from Sunday, Nov 6 as the playoff run for volleyball and girls soccer comes to an end.


*** Girls Soccer = D1 South

FHS Panthers

#10 Franklin, 0 @ #7 Bridgewater-Raynham, 2 – Final


*** Field Hockey = D1 South
#10 Franklin, 1 @ #2 Walpole, 6 – Final


For the remainder of the Hockomock results from Sunday
https://hockomocksports.com/sundays-schedule-scoreboard-110616/

Norfolk County Register of Deeds Bill O'Donnell Announces Toys for Tots Drive

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds ~ Toys for Tots Drive ~ November 21st through Noon time December 14th

Norfolk County Register O'Donnell Announces 10th Annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Drive   Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell Announces 10th Annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Drive beginning Monday, November 21st through Noon Time ~ Wednesday, December 14th Norfolk County Registry of Deeds 649 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026 Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell announced today that the Registry will be sponsoring its 10th Annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive. "The Registry of Deeds is truly honored to partner with a longstanding charity like the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive. The program dates back to 1947 and has helped children all over the country. In 2015, Toys for Tots collected 18 million gifts and distributed them to 7 million children. Throughout the past decade the Registry has been extremely grateful to play a tiny role in their success," said Register O'Donnell. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program's mission is to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy and happiness associated with Christmas. The program was established in 1947 when the wife of a Marine major wanted to donate a Raggedy Ann doll for Christmas and couldn't find an organization to take it. Since then nearly a half billion gifts have been donated through the program. To this end, donations of new toys and games for toddlers and children up to age ten can be brought directly to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Building located at 649 High St. in Dedham from Monday, November 21, 2016 until Noon, on Wednesday, December 14, 2016. A marked donation bin will be set-up in the lobby which is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:30pm. Register O'Donnell concluded "We all have the power to make a child's Christmas something special by just dropping off one present. And that might make it the best Christmas gift you gave yourself this holiday season." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on facebook.com/norfolkdeeds, follow us on twitter and instagram @norfolkdeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website  www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today http://www.toysfortots.org/

The Elastic Five and Brehon & the V8’s - Nov 12 - Original Congregational Church in Wrentham

The next concert at the Original Congregational Church in Wrentham is Saturday, Nov. 12, 7:30 PM, in the Fellowship Hall of the church. 

The performers are two local area bands, The Elastic Five and Brehon & the V8’s, playing rock and pop hits of the 1950’s through the 1990’s. 

More details are available on the Church website at http://www.musicatocc.org/upcoming-shows.html.






For more about the individual bands, please visit their websites listed below:

Elastic Five Website and Brehon Facebook Page

Let's celebrate 10 Years by honoring you, the loyal readers, and help Franklin, MA nonprofits

How does one celebrate that Franklin MAtters has reached 10 years of providing timely and accurate information to Franklin residents? By choosing to honor you, the loyal readers, with a contribution to your choice of Franklin nonprofit.

First

Part A: 5 of the longest 200 email subscribers were selected randomly. They’ll receive notification of this selection and a request to identify a Franklin nonprofit. A $50 contribution to that *qualified nonprofit* will be made in their name.

Part B: They will also receive a 2017 calendar published by the Franklin Historical Museum.

Second

5 of the email subscribers who sign up during the month of November will also be randomly selected to receive a copy of the 2017 calendar published by the Franklin Historical Museum.

How to subscribe?

If you are not already subscribed to receive the daily email from Franklin Matters, please consider doing so. Why?

• You won't miss any of the good stuff
• It is free

You can subscribe here  http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html


This is especially true for those who follow Franklin MAtters on Facebook. Facebook filters what you see and that filtering means you do not see all that is published. One email, sent daily ensures you have access to all the information that matters to Franklin.

celebrating 10 years of readership growth, thank you!

* Note: A qualified nonprofit is one that has registered as a 501(c)3 and is based in Franklin.

FranklinMatters.org/

------

This website is part of my public service effort for Franklin and I can use your help.

How can you help, you ask?
If you have an interest in writing about something that matters in Franklin, please let me know. In particular, I am looking for someone to follow the Planning Board, Conservation Committee, and Zoning Board of Appeals. 

As always -

• If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like this, please tell me.

This feedback loop is important. Thank you for reading and sharing! 

No change in Town Council leadership

In the recap of the Town Council meeting held Nov 2, 2016, I have the following:

The first order of business was the annual organization process. Someone nominates a candidate for the Chair, with a second and possible discussion, it is then voted on. Someone nominates a candidate for the Vice-Chair, with a second and possible discussion, it is then voted on. Someone nominates a candidate for the Clerk of the Town Council (Not to be confused with the Town Clerk, a separate and distinct position), with a second and possible discussion, it is then voted on.

In most recent councils, there has only been one candidate for each position, no discussion and a unanimous vote. Which is all well and good. 

*** Proclamation

to recognize Franklin Sheet Metal, among other things is noted for as the maker of the machine that makes Fritos.

gentleman representing Franklin Sheet Metal, Judy Pfeffer and Matt Kelly

Especially with the new website, it would be really nice to have an archive available for the proclamations given. They are not included in the Council package, they are read outloud, and the meeting moves on. Why not keep a record of what was given to whom, why, and when?

*** Citizens Comment

Jane Curran, Jane's Frames

one of the founding member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership provided a reminder and information of the 15th anniversary gala coming up Nov 12. This event at THE BLACK BOX is planned as a "celebration of all that has been done to make downtown beautiful."

Teresa Burr, Town Clerk

Acknowledged receiving recognition of Franklin by the Secretary of the Commonwealth for creating the early voting opportunities. As of Tuesday, there were 4392 voters who cast their ballots early, almost 20%. 

On November 8, the polls open at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM.

Early voting happens through Friday, Nov 4 at 1:00 PM.

---

With Senator Karen Spilka expected to be late for the scheduled start of the Legislative Update, the Town Council moved on to other business. The Council did dispatch these generally with ease.

• Approved appointment of Ron Higginbottom to the Council on Aging. 
• Tabled the resolution to remove the firefighter positions from Civil Service. Apparently, the negotiations are close to final and should be ready for the rescheduled to the meeting of Dec 7, 2016.
• Approved the acceptance of land off Lincoln St by an 8-1 vote. Bissanti who is still expressing displeasure over this move was the one dissenting vote.

The legislate update was insightful to see how much was accomplished this past year and for the outlook on the budget cycle about to begin for FY 2018. You can read the full details in the link below. 

Municipal aggregation is ready but the pricing is not expected to produce sufficient savings to execute it right now. The Town is ready to do so, all the approvals have been received.They will continue to watch the market pricing to see when to make the move.

The Actions Taken as published can be found here (note the official meeting minutes are drafted and circulated for approval at the next council meeting before they are made public).



For additional details, please refer to my notes taken live during the meeting:

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: State legislators update
• Live reporting: Legislation
• Live reporting: Town Council - November 2, 2016