Real time reporting: Town Council - Nov 7, 2012

Present:  Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: none


A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 3, 2012 Regular Session, October 17 Executive Session
(joined meeting after this occurred)

C. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting is also being recorded by Franklin Matters.

D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

I joined the meeting just in time to hear Debbie

E. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Debbie Pellegri, Town Clerk, reporting on the results of the election
83% turnout
Problems with machine for Precinct 7 sometimes not reading the ballot on the first try

Robert Cantoreggi, DPW Director
working with three visitors from Pakistan
took them to Millis to see a town meeting in operation
they saw the national election last night, and they see and appreciate how interactive folks are with the government on a daily basis

Aruk, civil service from Pakistan, manages the highway department on the national level
"it is an enriching experience to see government in action"
"We are very grateful for the State Dept to bring us here and grateful to the Town for this experience"

Wayland, Hamilton and now Franklin. They have other locations to visit during their six weeks here

very impressed by democracy at the grass roots level, how the city and towns are govern, a true democracy
they would like to replicate, the people are the most impressive, all the people

They are impressed with how friendly we are, it is not conveyed that way back in Pakinstan

Holiday Stroll - Nov 29th 4:00 to 7:00 PM

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Holiday Stroll Press Release

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 10/31/12

Ring In the Season at the Franklin Holiday Stroll

The Franklin Downtown Partnership plans a jolly evening for its fourth annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, November 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and several elves will make appearances around town, and there will be tree lightings, carolers, refreshments, entertainment and more for visitors this year.

The Stroll will begin with a tree lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. in front of Dean Hall on the Dean College campus. Carolers in period costume will lead holiday songs and refreshments will be served. 

Holiday revelers are invited to bring a donation for the Franklin Food Pantry to the event. The FDP and the Franklin Food Elves will be kicking off the "12 Days of Donating" campaign to benefit the Food Pantry with drop-off bins located at the tree lighting ceremony and throughout the downtown. 

"We are happy to work with the Franklin Food Elves again this year," says Roberta Trahan, Stroll co-chair. "The Food Elves hope to beat last year's collection of more than 2,000 pounds of food and $4,000. In total that provided the Food Pantry with approximately 17,000 meals last winter and was a tremendous help during a critical time."  This year the Food Elves' sponsors and drop off locations will include Berry Insurance, DCU, Dean Bank, Dean College, Emma's Quilt Cupboard, the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Jane's Frames. 

After the tree-lighting festivities, visitors can stroll through downtown to admire the festive window decorations and stop in at more than 25 participating businesses for special treats, entertainment, demonstrations, crafts and shopping discounts. A complete listing of businesses' special offers will be available at each participating location. 

Dean Bank will have a tree lighting ceremony of its own at 4:45 p.m. followed by a unique performance by the students of the Mount St. Charles Hand Bell Choir. The bank will also be bringing back last year's popular Gingerbread Man Decorating activity.

Santa will hear children's wish lists at Simon's Furniture from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Santa's Workshop, complete with letters to Santa and crafts, will be set up at Rockland Trust, and Mrs. Claus will be sharing cookies and stories with children at the Historical Museum. 

Milford radio station WMRC 1490-AM will play holiday music and broadcast live from the Berry Insurance lot, and local singer/songwriter Jamie Barrett will entertain crowds at Jane's Frames from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Fire Station will have a fire engine ready for kids to climb on and offer holiday safety tips for the adults.

"The Holiday Stroll is nice family entertainment," says Cindy Kozil, event co-chair.  "It happens early enough that families can come to the tree lighting, the kids can see Santa and make some crafts, and everyone can do some shopping and have dinner, all within a couple of blocks and without ever having to leave Franklin." 

DCU and Dean Bank are the Gold Sponsors of this year's Holiday Stroll. D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Franklin Local Town Pages and Middlesex Savings Bank are Silver Sponsors, and the Franklin Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts and Simon's Furniture are Bronze Sponsors. 

For more information about the Holiday Stroll or if you would like to be a sponsor contact co-chairs Cindy Kozil, ckozil@dean.edu, or Roberta Trahan, roberta_icu1@verizon.net.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working to revitalize Downtown Franklin. For more information about the Partnership or this event please go to our website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/, or contact Executive Director 

Lisa Piana at (774)571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.  

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Will Anya represent the Patriots?

I wanted to share a story about my daughter, Anya Zub, and her participation in the NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition.

"NFL Punt, Pass & Kick is the oldest grassroots initiative at the NFL.  With last year's age-group expansion to include the 6-7 division, the program will continue to reach children of a younger age and allow them to experience the fun of learning football fundamentals in an engaging and supportive non-contact environment. PPK is about kids, the parents who support their kids to come out and play and about the volunteers who give their time to organize events.   Every NFL team will host the Team Championship level of the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick.  Team Championship will have 4 Participants in each age group. Participants are determined by the top 4 scores from the qualifying Sectional Competitions "

Anya participated in the local PPK competition through our Franklin NFL Flag Football program and came in 1st for girls aged 6-7.  From there, she went to RI to compete in a local Sectional Competition and came in 1st for girls aged 6-7.  They then look at all the Sectionals that fall under the New England Patriots...and Anya was one of the top 4 results.  So, she now gets to compete in the Team Championship.

She will be going to Gillette on Saturday November 11th to participate in the competition.  It happens prior to the game and Anya will be able to stay for the game.  If she were to come in 1st in her group, she would be announced to the crowd during the game.

As you can imagine, we are very excited and proud of our daughter and would love to share this story through Franklin Matters and local papers.

Let me know if you'd like any further information or have any questions.

Thank you,
Gigi Zub

photo credit = "official PPK photo"
http://www.nflppk.com/media/media/gallery/official_ppk_photos/T2ZmaWNpYWwgUFBLIFBob3Rvcw==

Roy takes 10th Norfolk

With a total vote of 11,835 Jeff Roy won the 10th Norfolk District over Rich Eustis who gathered 9,961 votes.

“I can tell you that I never thought I would be standing here in this position,” he said. “I put my heart and soul into this race.” 

“This is a dream I’ve had for a long time,” Roy added, “and to be able to say that the dream has come true is hard to put into words.” 

Roy takes over a seat that Vallee had held since 1994. In order to get there, he had to best fellow Democrat Peter Padula in the September primary. 

Vallee, who stepped down from his seat in June, endorsed Roy on Sept. 18. An 18-year veteran of the State House, he said he felt Roy was the candidate better prepared to serve the district.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1890073731/Roy-downs-Eustis-to-take-10th-Norfolk-District#ixzz2BWyfOicV

In the News: concert, ballot questions, nor'easter

Franklin High winter concert, silent auction set

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Medical marijuana passes; assisted suicide too close to call

by Laura Krantz/Daily News staff

Good news for coast: Nor’easter to weaken

by Malcolm Ritter

Election results - quick totals

Quick totals from Franklin, MA voters

Obama - 8,589
Romney - 8,549

Brown - 10,721
Warren - 6,683

Bielat - 7,626
Kennedy - 8,937

Eustis - 6,832 + Medway 3,029 =   9,961
Roy - 9,751 + Medway 2,084 =  11,835

Ballot Questions

Q1 =  yes - 13,576    no - 1,901

Q2 =  yes - 7,958     no - 8,912

Q3 =  yes - 10,418   no - 6,319

nonbinding Q4  =  yes - 6,524   no - 2,079

nonbinding Q5 =  yes - 6,053   no - 2,544


The full precinct totals can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/election-2012-results-by-precinct.html

Election 2012 - Results by Precinct

Here are the official results from Franklin, MA for November 6, 2012.

17,500 voters cast their ballot for an 85% turnout!