| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Friday, November 15, 2013
Six One Seven Studios: November Newsletter - Check Out Our New Website!
In the News: proactive council, downtown project, town hall fate, custodian arrested
Vallee promises more proactive council in Franklin
They were remarks that brought to mind those immortalized in the 1982 film "48 Hrs."
Downtown Franklin work to start in spring
Construction will start in the spring on a long-awaited project designed to bring downtown back to life, the town's public works director told the Town Council Wednesday night.
The Town Council is planning to hold a public discussion in January to decide the fate of the former Town Hall on Emmons Street, though it has not scheduled a date.
Franklin custodian arrested on possession of child pornography
A custodian who has been an employee of the town and school system for roughly a decade was arrested Wednesday by Taunton police on a warrant charging possession of child pornography.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
New Town Council, new promises
The newly elected Franklin Town Council was sworn in on Wednesday evening. The Council was elected by the lowest percent voter turnout in recent history (11.5%).
After being sworn in by Town Clerk Deb Pellegri, they elected their officers with simple single nominations and no discussion. The officers were selected as
The Council then recognized Ken Norman for his long history of volunteering for various committee roles with a Citizenship Award.
The DPW presentation on the Downtown Improvement Project was updated to share the document separately from the full agenda. You can find that doc here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/downtown-improvement-project.html
Town Clerk Deb Pellegri with the new Franklin Town Council; left to right - Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams |
Chair - Bob ValleeThe first order of business was to approve the prior meeting minutes. The three new members were not allowed to vote on the prior minutes as they had not been part at that time so all three votes for were 6-0.
Vice-Chair - Matt Kelly
Clerk - Judy Pfeffer
The Council then recognized Ken Norman for his long history of volunteering for various committee roles with a Citizenship Award.
Council Chair Bob Vallee, Ken Norman, Council Vice-chair Matt Kelly |
The major item on the agenda was a presentation updating the Council on the Downtown Project. The project which started discussion in 2002 is finally going to bid early next year with construction to begin in the spring of 2014. The project will be managed by the MassDOT although the Franklin DPW will be a liaison and assist with communications to the community and businesses downtown.
The presentation document is scheduled to be updated to the DPW webage on Thursday. The link will be added as soon as it is available.
There were two items of legislative business on the agenda. One to add a fee for limited use of the recycling facility. Currently a one time fee of $25 gets a pass for the full year.The proposal was for a $10 fee for 7 days and during the discussion amended to 10 days. The item was moved to a second reading and will come up again before becoming effective.
The second item on the agenda was the adoption of the Town Council Procedures Manual. This document was put together and revised by prior Councils and accepted at the beginning of each Council term. There was some hesitancy to accept this document as some of the new Council had not yet read or understood the document. As explained by Mark Cerel, the town attorney, this document effectively provides the detailed procedures on how the Council conducts business. Where matters are not expressly defined Roberts Rules of Order becomes the guide. The Town Bylaws and Charter support these procedures but are do not effectively provide the guidance needed.
After some discussion, the measure was deferred to the next full meeting. During Council Comments later in the meeting the item came up again and after some discussion on whether it should be accepted at this meeting because it was already deferred, it will be added to the 'workshop' meeting agenda. The next meeting (Nov 20th) is apparently going to be more of a 'workshop meeting' than a regular Council agenda.
The Council Comments brought up a recurring theme that this council would be 'more proactive, less reactive' and provide more direction to what is going on in Franklin.
The notes taken during the meeting can be found here
The DPW presentation on the Downtown Improvement Project was updated to share the document separately from the full agenda. You can find that doc here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/downtown-improvement-project.html
Fallen Hero: Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard
Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard was born on July 1, 1947 the son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren A. Willard. Alan lived at 529 Pleasant St. with his parents, three brothers and one sister. Sergeant Willard lived most of his life here in Franklin. He was graduated from Franklin High School in 1965 and enlisted in the Air Force in August of that year. Sergeant Willard served for two years with his tour in Vietnam beginning on February 20, 1967.
Sergeant Willard died on February 18, 1968 of ground causality wounds as a result of a hostile artillery attack when his barracks at Tan Son Nhut Air Base inGia Dihh province, South Vietnam, was struck by rocket or mortar shell fire. He was a member of the 6250th Combat Support Group serving as a radar specialist.
Sergeant Alan Willard was 20 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.
Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard |
Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard, street sign |
Office Hours for November - Rep Jeffrey Roy
State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced today that constituent office hours will be held in Medway and Franklin for the month of November on the following days:Christopher Yancich, his legislative aide, will be accompanying him.
- Medway – Monday November 18th, 7:30-8:30AM, Galantes Restaurant– 320 Village Street, Medway, MA
- Franklin – Tuesday November 26th, 3:30-4:30, Rick’s restaurant– 28 West Central Street, Franklin, MA
- Franklin – Friday November 29th, 10:00-11:00AM, Franklin Housing Authority–45 Winter Street, Common Room, Franklin, MA
Representative Roy stated that all office hours are open to any residents of Franklin and Medway who may have questions or concerns that they wish to bring to his attention. Walk-ins are welcome; no appointment necessary. He looks forward to hearing from you.
He also invites all constituents to call him at his State House office at (617) 722-2400, stop by Room 134 in the State House, or email him at Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov.
Youth Basketball League – A Tradition for Local Youth – Now Enrolling
This winter, the Hockomock Area YMCA will continue a tradition that roots back to the Y’s history. Youth basketball league (YBL) for ages 3 and up begins in the YMCA gyms on Saturday, December 7. With short, cold days inherent to the region, winter hoops is a great way to stay active and connected with others interested in healthy competition, reaching goals, and staying healthy.
“Things will heat up at the Y this winter,” says Branch Executive Director Dan Brennock, who anticipates the Hockomock Area YMCA will welcome 1,000 participants to its youth basketball league. With a focus on youth development, it is a hallmark YMCA organized sports programs that they be developmentally appropriate. “We focus on the fundamentals of dribbling, passing and shooting, as well as the basics of defense, while emphasizing team work, fair play and learning to love and play the game of basketball.”
![]() |
YMCA - Youth Basketball League |
According to Brennock, basketball is the Y’s most popular league. Fostering a lifetime appreciation for basketball is important to the YMCA, who has a special connection to the origins of the game. In December, 1891, Physical education teacher James Naismith invented basketball at the International YMCA Training School. During that long winter, students wanted an activity unlike traditional indoor activities offered; the story goes that Naismith had two weeks to come up with something. He chose a game physically demanding but simple to understand. To prevent injuries, no contact would be allowed. The ball would be passed but not carried. Elevating the goals at each end of the court would add challenge. The height of the goals, 10 feet, was determined solely by the height of the Y’s elevated indoor running track.
Although there are differences in the game today (it was originally played with a soccer ball and peach basket-goals), YBL participants have this in common with the students in Springfield: they love the game! And they stay engaged.
Coaches at the Y emphasize reaching goals together and stress abilities and teamwork over winning at any cost while infusing the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into every meeting.
Spots are available now for this 8 week season, with league costs going up after November 26. Stay warm this winter and register today:
- Bernon Family Branch - 45 Forge Hill Rd, Franklin; 508.528.8708
- Invensys Foxboro Branch – 67 Mechanic St, Foxboro; 508.543.2523
- North Attleboro Branch - 300 Elmwood St, No. Attleboro; 508.695.7001
Online registration is offered to full members: hockymca.org. All are invited to participate, regardless of whether a Y member or not and confidential financial assistance is available.
For more information, contact YMCA Sports:
Kailynn Bateman, kailynnb@hockymca.org, 774.235.2720 (in Franklin); Shelly Jacobsen, shellyj@hockymca.org, 508.772.1354 (in Foxboro); Michelle Burke, michelleb@hockymca.org, 508.643.5215 (in North Attleboro)
About the Hockomock Area YMCA:
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn and grow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)