In the News: Franklin's Liberatore on top team; Governor will let Legislature deal with marijuana sales tax

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

"A student cybersecurity team from MassBay Community College placed fourth at the National Cyber League 2016 Competition. The seven-member student team from MassBay, called the Segfault, was ranked fourth out of 144 teams nationwide, and included a Franklin resident. 

The team consisted of Andrew Liberatore, of Franklin, as well as Paul Buonopane, David Dew, Chester Moses, Timothy Ferguson, Corey Skinner and Fred Dolan. 

The students have been working together since the beginning of the fall 2016 semester and have competed in the preseason, regular season and postseason of the National Cyber League competition. The competition is held online in a cloud-based environment, where students compete to solve real problems. The MassBay team was given problems to solve that replicate what it might face in the real world if its company fell victim to hackers. The team dissected the problems to find solutions, which included downloading files, decryption to view passwords and analyzing information on the attack."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161220/massbay-community-college-places-fourth-in-cyber-league-competition

http://www.massbay.edu/

"Gov. Charlie Baker couldn't quite bring himself on Monday to say he would support a higher tax rate on retail marijuana sales, but he didn't rule it out either. 

"I'm going to let the Legislature kick this one around a little, " Baker said during his monthly appearance on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio" show. "No, no, no, no," he added as clarification when host Jim Braude brought up a possible veto threat. 

Several prominent Democrats, including Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, have been open with their belief that the 3.75 percent retail sales tax on pot is too low, and will be up for debate when the Legislature considers changes in the new year to the legalization law that went into effect last Thursday. 

The ballot law stipulated a 3.75 percent excise tax on marijuana that would be added to the state's 6.25 percent sales tax, effectively taxing pot at 10 percent to start. Cities and towns have the ability to add an additional sales tax of up to 2 percent on top of that."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161220/baker-leaving-pot-tax-debate-to-legislature-for-now

Note: The Franklin Town Council takes up the measure that would add 2% for the local portion of the tax at the meeting scheduled for Weds, Dec 21.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-122116.html

In the News: Medway peaker plant approved; new assistant executive director at MIAA

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

"The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued its final air quality permits for Exelon's Medway power plant - the last set of state approvals the company sought in its project to expand the facility. 

The department's official sign-off on Exelon's Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permit and the Air Quality Plan this week comes after state officials issued a draft approval in October. 

A public hearing regarding both was held last month in Medway. 

Mark Rodgers, a company spokesman, said in a statement Tuesday the DEP's final decision marked an "important milestone" in the project."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161220/medway-dep-gives-exelon-final-permit-approval

"Ann Trytko, retired educator and athletic director from Hampshire Regional High School, has joined the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association as a part-time assistant executive director. 

Trytko retired at the end of last school year after a 35-year career in education that started in 1975 as a physical education teacher and concluded this past year as athletic director. She also spent several of these years coaching both middle school and high school varsity sports. 

Trytko remains an active MIAA coaches' education instructor and served several years on the MIAA tournament management and gymnastic committees, as well as the past six years as chair of gymnastics."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161220/massachusetts-interscholastic-athletic-association-announces-addition

"a free solar system for a local nonprofit organization"

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

"This is the time of year when the Santa Foundation is giving presents - last Tuesday, its office was full of wrapped gifts ready for distribution to needy families in town. 

That day, though, the local charity received a gift of its own: a 5.4-kilowatt solar array on the roof of its Joy Street headquarters. 

The donation - made by Ashland firm SolarFlair Energy - was the result of the successful completion of the Franklin Solar Challenge campaign in 2015. The challenge, based on the state's Solarize Massachusetts program, offered increasing tiers of savings for residents who agree to put solar systems on their properties. SolarFlair administered that campaign."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161219/franklin-local-charity-receives-solar-system

new solar system installed at Santa Foundation as a result of the successful Solar Challenge held in Franklin

For the background on the Franklin Solar Challenge
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/franklin-solar-challenge-reached-tier-4.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/the-franklin-solar-challenge-can-help.html

BFCCPS Enrollment Applications Now Available

Click here Having trouble viewing this email?

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School If you need this document translated, please contact the front office. The Benjamin Franklin Classical   Charter Public School BFCCPS is a regional public school for students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight located in Franklin, Massachusetts. Our school mission is based on supporting our parents as the Primary Educators of their children, infusing Character Education into our daily curriculum, and encouraging students to plan, implement and participate in Community Service activities.     Central to our commitment to the education of the whole child, BFCCPS offers strong programs in the visual and performing arts as well as foreign languages. Our students are offered rich, meaningful technological experiences within their classrooms, all while offering a vigorous Classical Education Curriculum. BFCCPS offers a full range of Special Education and ELL Services. Academic Support including homework club and lunchtime tutoring is available. For additional information provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for English Language Learners and students with disabilities in public charter schools, please read our official Right to Attend Notice.       Transportation for families that reside in Franklin is provided by the Franklin Transportation Department. Access to a regional transportation program is available to all students who reside outside of Franklin but still within our region. Stops are currently available in Bellingham, Medway, Milford, Norfolk, Plainville, Walpole and Wrentham. Applications Now Available! Applications for the 2017-2018 school year are now available. You can apply online, download an application or pick up a copy in the front office.  We are also more than happy to mail an application to your home, please contact us for assistance at 508-541-3434. Our complete enrollment policy can be found here. Please note that applications are due by no later than 4pm on February 14th, 2017. Late applications will not be accepted. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. Joanne Basile BFCCPS Marketing Coordintor jbasile@bfccps.org    Four information Sessions will be held this year. Interested families are invited to join us at one of these events to learn more about BFCCPS. Building tours will be offered at the conclusion of the two events which will be held at our school.  Attendance at these events is purely optional and no RSVP is required to attend. January 18, 2017 Walpole Public Library 143 School Street 6:30 - 8:30 PM January 21, 2017 BFCCPS 10AM - noon February 4, 2017 Milford Town Library 80 Spruce Street 10-11 AM February 11, 2017 BFCCPS 10AM - noon

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, 201 Main Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by jbasile@bfccps.org in collaboration with Try it free today

WMRC-First Class Radio Launches New FM Radio Station

WMRC-First Class Radio announced today that it will launch a new FM radio station, My FM 101.3, in early January 2017, to serve the Greater Milford area. The FM signal will provide a stronger signal, larger coverage area, and will remain at full power throughout the evening and overnight. The multi-media company will be re-branded as My FM Media. It will include radio stations MyFM 101.3 and WMRC 1490 AM; programming website www.myfm1013.com and marketing website www.MyFMMedia.com; and mobile device app MyFM 101.3 Live for live streaming worldwide.

http://myfmmedia.com/stations/

“Traditional radio is as strong as ever with a weekly reach of 93%. With these new media platforms, we can inform, engage, and entertain more people than ever before, more often than ever before and in more ways than ever before,” said President Tom McAuliffe II. “We understand that people expect to access what they want, where they want, when they want it. The new FM radio station and mobile device app allow us to continue to serve our community in today’s rapidly changing world.”

WMRC has long been known for its commitment to the community. From covering breaking news and weather, to tirelessly fundraising for local charities and organizations, the station has been recognized for its commitment by winning Station of the Year in three of the last five years from the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association. “We recognize the responsibility and embrace the opportunity we have as a local broadcaster, and we’re grateful to leverage the power of localism to make a difference in the communities we serve,” said McAuliffe II.

Established in 1956, WMRC-First Class Radio is one of the oldest locally owned and operated broadcast stations in Massachusetts. The company was purchased in 1990 by Tom McAuliffe, Sr. who was committed to the philosophy that a strong local radio station makes a strong connection to the community. His son, Tom McAuliffe II, took over as President in 2008 making the radio station the area’s first choice for local news, weather, sports, traffic and community events.

S.A.F.E. Community Coalition Update - December 2016

This is an update on SAFE Coalition activities and upcoming events. View this email in your browser S.A.F.E. updates for December 2016 It has been a busy Fall season and the S.A.F.E. Coalition has been quite active since the last newsletter.  In this issue, we report on: S.A.F.E.'s Support Line (508)-488-8105 S.A.F.E. Resource Manual presented at Chiefs' Meeting in Wrentham S.A.F.E. Sponsored COAAST Production of "Four Legs to Stand On" AmazonSmiles on the S.A.F.E. Coalition MA Social Media Ambassador Program Upcoming S.A.F.E. Events Dr. Ruth Potee's talk on the Adolescent Brain & Physiology of Addiction 2nd Annual S.A.F.E. Golf Tournament We thank you for your continued support of our efforts to find a cure to substance use disorder and look forward to working with you over the next several months and years. Meeting Schedule January 10, 2017 6-7:00 p.m. - Marketing and Communications Committee, Franklin Municipal Building January 24, 2017 6:15 - 7:00 p.m., Board of Directors Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building, 3rd floor meeting room 7-8:30 p.m., Advisory Council Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building February 14, 2017 6-7:00 p.m. - Marketing and Communications Committee, Franklin Municipal Building February 28, 2017 6:15 - 7:00 p.m. - Board of Directors Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building 7-8:30 p.m. - Advisory Council Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building March 10, 2017 9-11 a.m., CHNA 6 meeting, Ruth Anne Bleakney Senior Center, 60 North Bow Street, Milford, MA 01757 March 14, 2017 6-7:00 p.m. - Marketing and Communications Committee, Franklin Municipal Building March 16, 2017 Dr. Ruth Potee to speak at next S.A.F.E. forum March 28, 2017 6:15-7:00 p.m. - Board of Directors Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building 7-8:30 p.m. - Advisory Council Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building. S.A.F.E. is a coalition of community partners who have come together to provide support, education, treatment options, and coping mechanisms for those affected by substance abuse disorder. We do so by empowering those affected, including their families, with the tools necessary to succeed on their journey to recovery. We understand that while I can't, we can.   The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the complete newsletter View this link in your browser

...

"something clicked around week four and the dynamic started to change"

Part 3 of the fire fighter training series continues

"Inside a building, up in an attic, down in a basement, on a patio or in an open field - fires can happen anywhere and the recruits must train for multiple scenarios. 

When not performing search and rescue drills or sitting in a classroom, the recruits from Class 249 completed successively larger drills called burn evolutions in the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's four-level, concrete burn building. 

Between each evolution, instructors set up bales of straw as the recruits sat in a circle and reviewed their progress with an instructor. The doors would be closed, the bales set on fire and the recruits would start the next evolution. Sometimes they went through a ground floor door, or climb a ladder to vent a higher window or to access the attic. Other times, they plunged into the smoky depths of a basement, one of the more dangerous places to be in a real fire because homeowners tend to store boxes and other items there."

Continue reading Part 3 (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161219/50-days-to-be-firefighter---part-3

If you missed Parts 1 and 2 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/its-better-than-9-to-5-job-more.html

Reporting by Walking Around: What a difference a day makes

Sharing some photos from my walks around Franklin on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.





Wonderful sun catchers available at Agway. Hand crafted by a Franklin resident!

Wonderful sun catchers available at Agway. Hand crafted by a Franklin resident!

"e-permitting could create some efficiencies within town"

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

"As part of an ongoing effort to make its website more convenient, the town will be adding e-permitting services in the beginning of 2017. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the Town Council had approved a pilot program - at $35,000 - earlier this month, though the process did not begin there.

"Over the summer, we had a huge group of department heads and staff interview (e-permitting) companies to determine the best way forward," he said. "This is cloud-based technology that will enable citizens to set up an online account, with their email and information, and be able to do business with the town."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161218/franklin-town-website-to-add-e-permitting

Town of Franklin: Town Clerk webpage where there will soon be a link to renew dog licenses online

In the Franklin Matters notes from the Town Council meeting on Dec 7, dog licenses were targeted to start in the Town Clerk's office and hence the 'rush' for the approval to get the software ready for the renewals to begin in January. It would expand to other Town Clerk services and then to other departments over time assuming successful.

For the complete summary of the Town Council meeting Dec 7
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/2-police-officers-sworn-in-tax-rate-set.html

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell Delivers U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots

Norfolk County Register O'Donnell Delivers U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell Delivers U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Dedham, MA- The Tenth Annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Drive at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds was a great success, according to Register Bill O'Donnell. "Every year people come by, and are so generous in their giving. This year we had a great bunch of gifts ranging from stuffed dolls to art supplies to racing cars and building blocks."    Register O'Donnell noted that during the past 10 years, approximately 1,500 toys have been collected by the Registry thanks to the generosity of Registry employees, title examiners and the general public "I would like to thank everyone for making the event such a wonderful success. Additionally, we are truly honored to partner with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in their Annual Toys for Tots drive which help makes the holiday brighter for millions of children each year," said Register O'Donnell.    On hand to deliver the toys to Master Sergeant Bill McCorkle were Register Bill O'Donnell and Norfolk County Commissioners, Peter Collins of Milton and Joe Shea of Quincy.    To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on www.facebook.com/norfolkdeeds, follow us on twitter and www.instagram.com/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. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Department via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or visit us on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org.   From left to right: Norfolk County Commissioners Peter Collins of Milton and Joe Shea of Quincy, Master Sergeant Bill McCorkle and Register of Deeds Bill O'Donnell. From left to right: Master Sergeant Bill McCorkle, Register O'Donnell and Commissioners Peter Collins and Joe Shea loaded up the Toys for Tots Van!

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