"Text is unbelievably private. No one hears you talking."

Sounds like this would be key another resource to turn for help

When a young woman texted DoSomething.org with a heartbreaking cry for help, the organization responded by opening a nationwide Crisis Text Line to provide an outlet for people in pain. 

Nearly 10 million text messages later, the organization is using the privacy and power of text messaging to help people with issues such as addiction, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, sexual abuse and more. 

The data collected in the process is reshaping policy and preparing schools and law enforcement to better handle spikes in crises.

You can watch Nancy Lublin tell her story here




You can read more about the crisis text line here  http://www.crisistextline.org/

The top 50 words in a text from some one asking for help with substance abuse

Top 50 words in a text message from some one seeking help with substance abuse

You can find out more of the trends that they share from the data they collect
http://www.crisistextline.org/trends/


Coincidently, MDN ran an editorial Friday on texting for suicide help
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151105/OPINION/151107172/2011/OPINION

FHS boys soccer takes first game in playoff run winning 5-0

The FHS boys soccer team takes their first game in the playoff run topping Marshfield 5-0 according to Hockomock Sports.


#7 Franklin, 5 vs. #10 Marshfield, 0 – Final 

– Austin Kent hooked up with Nick Parent twice in the first half, as Parent finished off a pair of corner kicks to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead at the break, Kevin Hall made it 3-0 off an assist from goalie Henri Guilmette, Kent made it 4-0 off an assist from Cam LeBlanc and Farley Asmath made it 5-0 off an assist from Brian Czuba. 

FHS Panthers

Franklin advances to the D1 South Quarterfinals and will travel to #2 Brockton on Saturday, 11/7 at 6:00.


For the other scores around the Hockomock League on Thursday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-110515/

In the News: safe community, tax financing deal, Pro wrestling

Town administrator Jeffrey Nutting, police chief Stephan Semerjian, and the Franklin Town Council announced Franklin is ranked as the ninth safest community in the state according to the 2015 Safest Cities in Massachusetts report. 

“We are so pleased to have been ranked so high on the list of safest towns again,” said Nutting. “The dedication and hard work of our police department, fire department, town officials and everyone else who makes up this community are what makes this possible.”

To continue reading the article (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151105/NEWS/151107321/1994/NEWS

The town is in the midst of negotiating a tax deal with an area manufacturer to move to the Franklin Industrial Park. 

The Town Council, in its Oct. 21 meeting, agreed to let negotiations move forward on a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement with Holliston business Cold Chain Technologies. The business makes equipment to ensure temperature-sensitive materials are shipped properly.

To continue reading the article (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151105/NEWS/151107291/1994/NEWS

The Franklin Elks Lodge BPOE 2136 and Veterans for Oil will host Showcase Pro Wrestling beginning at 7:45 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Elks Hall, 1077 Pond St. 

Six bouts will be scheduled as part of the Autumn Annihilation Tour and the first match begins at 7:45 p.m.

To continue reading the article (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151109305/1994/NEWS

In the News: Best Years Expo, Blackstone River events

life after 50

A day of free fun, education, entertainment and advice is on tap Saturday for all who want to get the most out of life after 50. 

Wicked Local is hosting the Best Years Expo from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Putnam Club in Gillette Stadium. The free event, which Wicked Local is presenting in partnership with WCVB-TV 5 and MeTV, will feature interactive demonstrations, live entertainment, informational booths and educational seminars geared toward Baby Boomers and senior citizens.

For additional info (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151105/SPECIAL/151107686/1994/NEWS

For families

Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park released its schedule of events for November. 

All Programs are free and open to the public. An adult must accompany children; reasonable accommodations are available upon request. 

For questions, contact the River Bend Farm Visitor Center, 287 Oak St., at 508-278-7604.

For additional info (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151105/NEWS/151107334/1994/NEWS

Downtown paving rescheduled for Thursday night

As I got to the train station this morning, I realized the paving had not been done over night as scheduled.

The corner of Emmons and West Central

Fortunately, I did find this update on the Franklin webpage to explain the situation:


"The Hot Mix Asphalt Plant that Walsh uses (Pawtucket Asphalt) had a major mechanical failure and will not be operational until tomorrow morning. We are moving our paving operations to Thursday night.

If anyone has a question, please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949."

Franklin Open Space and Recreation Plan Update

The Town of Franklin is in the process of updating its 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP).  The purpose of the OSRP is to create a document through a public input process that will guide the Town of Franklin in its continuing efforts to maintain and enhance the community's open space and recreation resources.

In order to complete a plan that represents the opinions, desires and needs of the community the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) is attempting to gather information in a variety of different ways, including:

tot lot at Fletcher Field

Open Space & Recreation Public Meeting

When:   Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

Where:  Franklin Public Library, 118 Main Street

The DPCD will hold a public meeting on Saturday November 14^th in order to facilitate comment and gauge public support for various open space and recreation priorities.  Progress that was made by the Town implementing the 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan will be discussed, and written and verbal comment regarding future goals and suggested projects will be accepted.

Conservation Commission Public Hearing

When:   Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 7:15 p.m.
Where:  Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street.

Conservation Commission members will discuss proposed goals and objectives to be included in the 2016 OSRP, and ask for input from the public on all open space preservation and recreation issues.

community painted fish at the Sculpture Park

Open Space & Recreation 2015 Citizen Participation Questionnaire

As part of the public input process the DPCD is conducting a survey; results of the Open Space & Recreation Citizen Participation Questionnaire will inform Town officials how Franklin residents feel about preservation of open space and the adequacy of parks and recreation opportunities.

Completed surveys will be accepted until December 4, 2015, at which time the DPCD will assess the collected data and develop a summary report which will include a fairly detailed analysis of specific variables.

The Questionnaire is attached. Copies of the Questionnaire can be downloaded from the Town's web site (http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/openspaceplan), or hard copies of the Questionnaire can be obtained at any of the following locations: Franklin Recreation Department, Franklin Town Library, Franklin Senior Center, and Franklin Department of Planning and Community Development.

Completed Questionnaires can be returned to the locations mentioned above or mailed, faxed, or scanned and emailed to the following.

Franklin Open Space & Recreation Planning Study

C/O Planning and Community Development

355 East Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038-1352

Fax: 508-520-4906

  planning@franklin.ma.us.

Stakeholder Meetings

DPCD staff will hold meetings with non-profit organizations, town personnel, and other stake holders upon request.  Please contact DPCD staff at 508-520-4907 or planning@franklin.ma.us for more information.

Written Comments

Written comments can be mailed or emailed to DPCD staff at the address listed above.  To ensure your input is included in the development of the 2016 Open Space and Recreation Plan please provide written comments by December 4, 2015.

playground at DelCarte 

Other Opportunities to Provide Input?

Once the Draft 2016 OSRP is developed the Town will implement a month-long public comment period, which will include at least one public hearing to gather input regarding the Draft plan.  DPCD expects a Final plan will be submitted to the State for approval by February or March 2016.

Questions?

Please contact DPCD at 508-520-4907 or planning@franklin.ma.us if you have any questions or would like more information.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Code of Conduct

From the Franklin Town Code site:

No member shall vote on any matter where the member's private or family interest will conflict with the public's interest as set out in the State Conflict of Interest Law, MGL c. 268A.

http://ecode360.com/10436526?highlight=conflicts%20of%20interest,conflict%20of%20interest,interests%20of,interests,conflict,interest,of#10436526

screen grab of MA.GOV State Ethics Commmission webpage

Code of Conduct

Section 23(b)(2) Improper Use of Public Position

Section 23(b)(2) provides that a public employee may not knowingly, or with reason to know, use his official position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions of substantial value for himself or others. Under section 23(b)(2), the Commission has consistently prohibited public employees from using their titles, public time and public resources to promote private interests.

Section 23(b)(3) Appearances of a Conflict of Interest

Section 23(b)(3) prohibits a public employee from knowingly, or with reason to know, engaging in conduct which would cause a reasonable person to conclude that any person or entity can improperly influence the employee or unduly enjoy his favor in the performance of his official duties, or that he is likely to act or fail to act as a result of kinship, rank, or position of any person.

For example, issues may arise under this section if a matter involving a non-immediate family relative, a close friend or business associate, or a civic organization in which a public employee is a member comes before the public employee in his official capacity, even if the public employee is not otherwise required to abstain under G.L. c. 268A, sections 6, 13 or 19. The public employee's private relationship with such an individual or organization creates an impression that he could be biased in his official actions as a result of the private relationship.

These and other references can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/ethics/laws-and-regulations/conflict-of-interest-information/info-section-23/overview.html

and here   http://www.mass.gov/ethics/laws-and-regulations/conflict-of-interest-information/