Early morning blizzard photo

looking out from the garage door, the snow is still coming down and swirling.

If you follow the shadow of the basketball pole, you might be able to make out the lump at the end of the driveway. That is about where the mailbox is and it is barely above the snow at this time.

Be safe. The road travel restrictions are still in place. As daylight begins to arrive, we can get out to shovel, clean out and take better photos!

Important storm-related updates regarding your Verizon FiOS service

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Verizon Services"
Date: Feb 8, 2013 11:40 PM
Subject: Important storm-related updates regarding your Verizon FiOS service

Dear Valued Verizon Customer, In recent months, the East Coast has certainly had its fair share of significant weather events. As the latest winter storm unfolds, Verizon has deployed resources to support areas that could be impacted. Unfortunately, power outages are the most common weather-related issue our customers experience.  If you should lose power, below are some important tips about your FiOS® service:  In the event of a power outage, your FiOS® Internet and/or TV service will not be available until your power is restored   If you have fiber-based voice service or FiOS® Digital Voice, the Battery Backup Unit (BBU) that Verizon installed to support your Optical Network Terminal (ONT) supplies up to eight (8) hours of corded phone service   Should the battery in your BBU cease to power your corded phone, you may still be able to make an emergency phone call by pressing the blue Battery Emergency Use button on your BBU. This should enable your ONT to reboot and provide up to one hour of additional talk time   Once power is restored, you may need to reset your ONT or reconnect/replace the battery to restore your FiOS service(s) To Reset Your Optical Network Terminal (ONT) Unplug the electrical power cord of your Battery Backup Unit from the wall outlet Wait one minute and then plug the cord back into the wall and see if the ONT resets. If the ONT resets, then your FiOS service(s) should come back online. If not, please try to reconnect the battery according to the directions below To Reconnect (Or Replace) The Battery In Your Battery Backup Unit (BBU) Unplug the electrical power cord of your BBU from the wall outlet Open the battery cabinet on the BBU (you may need a screwdriver to do this) Disconnect the battery leads and wait 10 seconds. Reconnect the battery leads Put the battery cabinet back on and then plug the power cord back into the wall and see if the ONT resets. If the ONT resets, then your FiOS service(s) should come back online. If not, you may need to replace the battery that Verizon provided. For up-to-date information throughout the storm, please visit verizon.com/outage from your computer, smartphone, or wireless device. This site will allow you to create a repair ticket, find additional help for troubleshooting or restoring your service, and download our Verizon In-Home Agent which provides you with fast, easy solutions.  Please stay safe, and thank you for being a loyal Verizon customer. Sincerely, Your Verizon Team Having trouble with the links in this email? You can also copy and paste the following address into your browser to view your account: http://www.verizon.com/myaccount Ensure Verizon emails reach your inbox by adding verizon-services@verizon.com to your "safe" email list. Your email or Internet provider can provide instructions on how it works. This email has been sent from an auto-notification system that cannot accept incoming email. Sign In Forgot Your Password? Customer Service ©2013 Verizon

Roy gets his assignments and votes to freeze UI

Rep Jeff Roy's office has shared two press releases. One with his committee assignments and one on a recent vote to freeze the unemployment insurance rate rather than raise it.

Committee assignments:




Unemployment Insurance Rate Freeze:



For additional information on Rep Roy, visit his webpage http://jeffreyroy.com/

Franklin Schools: Sunday Events Canceled

The schools are being proactive....

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Date: Fri, Feb 8, 2013 at 10:00 AM
Subject: Sunday Events Canceled

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello Due to weather conditions, all school and community activities scheduled for Sunday, February 10 are canceled. This includes all athletic practices and games. Maureen Sabolinski Superintendent of Schools To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer. This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

NationalGrid out ahead of this one

According to this press release NationalGrid is getting out ahead of the storm. And that is a good thing, one - they are doing the press release which they had not done previously, and two, spelling out how prepared they are. They may have been so in prior storms (although experience tells us otherwise) so they are making improvements!

Franklin Food Pantry updates

1 - The Franklin Food Pantry is closed today, Friday, Feb 8th. The Food Pantry follows the school schedule of storm closures.

2 - Due to the storm this weekend, the first day for the Pantry phone-a-thon has been canceled; Saturday, Feb 9th. The phone-a-thon will be held as scheduled on Saturday, Feb 16th.

If you would like to volunteer to help with the phone-a-thon, please contact Bob Hamilton via email at bob@franklinfoodpantry.org or by calling the Pantry at 508-528-3115 and using option 5 on the voicemail.

RMV Attleboro Branch Adds Permit Testing

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

RMV Attleboro Branch Adds Permit Testing

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 2/7/13

MassDOT Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian today joined local officials and announced the availability of driver's license permit testing at the Attleboro RMV Branch, located at 75 Park Street. 

The Attleboro Branch is one of two express branches in the Commonwealth that provide limited license and registration transactions. The availability of the permit testing in Attleboro will help the RMV manage an anticipated influx of test takers during the busy school vacation period.

"The City has been a great partner and has made it possible to bring permit testing to Attleboro," said Registrar Kaprielian. "Teens and new drivers may now complete this important step in the licensing process closer to home."

The Registry delivered existing automated testing equipment to provide six testing stations in Attleboro. The move will save area residents from traveling to Taunton, Milford or Brockton to complete the 20 minute test.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles administered approximately 45,000 permit tests across the Commonwealth in 2012. There are 4.73 million licensed drivers in Massachusetts.  To perform many basic transactions, visit the RMV online today at its new web address:  http://www.massrmv.com

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