"You can make a mess, but you have to clean up after yourself."

Not just another TED Talk. This caught my eye for a couple of reasons. I will be in Hong Kong for work next month. Cesar's approach to involve the children in problem solving is repeatable.

Given the discussion about the low voter turnout Franklin has, and some comments that when parents brought their children into the high school to see the voting process, they were good. Well behaved, interested in what went on. One was reported to be making ballots and playing election when they got home.

"At the Harbour School in Hong Kong, TED Senior Fellow Cesar Harada teaches citizen science and invention to the next generation of environmentalists. 

He's moved his classroom into an industrial mega-space where imaginative kids work with wood, metal, chemistry, biology, optics and, occasionally, power tools to create solutions to the threats facing the world's oceans. 

There, he instills a universal lesson that his own parents taught him at a young age: "You can make a mess, but you have to clean up after yourself."

You can watch Cesar Harada tell his story here: (about 10 minutes)

In the News: Spectra pipeline, Anderson recognized, student run flu clinic, FHS Improvement plan

A round up of the Miflord Daily News articles on or about Franklin

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, a local chapter of the environmental advocacy group 350, met Thursday night to organize opposition to the pipeline project, which is slated for a phased construction starting in 2018, according to a Spectra spokesperson. 

The group believes the natural gas shortage is false advertising, that New England has enough gas and the pipeline project would create a decades-long reliance on fossil fuels that runs opposite the state's carbon emissions goals.

Spectra Energy is proposing a new gas pipeline that would stretch 21 miles through Milford, Medway, Franklin, Bellingham, Norfolk, Millis, Walpole, Sharon, Canton and Stoughton.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151105/NEWS/151107201/1994/NEWS

Endicott junior defensive lineman Craig Anderson, of Franklin, was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Football first team for the second time in his career. The NCAA Division III District 1 team includes all schools in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. 

The CoSIDA Academic All-District program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined academic and athletic performances. First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151106880/1994/NEWS

Three medical careers students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School hosted a flu clinic for faculty members on Nov. 2. 

During the clinic, pharmacist Ed Purtell of Rite Aid Pharmacy administered the vaccine to 48 staff members. Grade 10 students Alivia Carney, Katrina Chapman and Hannah Graveline, all of North Attleborough, took vital signs, administered a questionnaire and shared educational information on the flu vaccine and its benefits.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151106878/1994/NEWS

The Franklin High School's improvement plan took center stage at the School Committee's most recent meeting. 

Discussing the plan at the Oct. 27 meeting, Principal Peter Light focused on administrator turnover, community outreach and the importance of the guidance department. 

Light noted that the school had seen significant turnover, with five administrators moving on to other positions. He said, though, that the majority took higher positions at other districts, and that he was excited to hire new administrators from within the district's ranks.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151106790/1994/NEWS

The details of the school improvement plan can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/real-time-reporting-school-committee.html

Downtown Project Update #16

November 6, 2015

"MassDOT was unable to pave Thursday night. Their plan is to finish West Central Street and Summer Street on Monday during the day. 

They will keep one lane of traffic open on West Central Street so they will not need to detour traffic. 

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."

West Central St partially paved

PS - I think this meant to say "unable to complete paving" - if it wasn't MassDOT, somebody paved Thursday but clearly did not complete the job

Franklin Newcomers & Friends: Meeting Nov 11

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends will hold their monthly meeting this Wednesday, November 11th. Whether you are new to town or have lived here your entire life, please join us at the "3" Restaurant at 7:30pm.

3 Restaurant

We meet upstairs in a private function room: heavy appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary. The meeting is open to all members and prospective members. 

This month various speakers will highlight local Charitable Organizations and Volunteer Opportunities. We'll also discuss our 42nd annual Craft Fair which is to be held Saturday November 14th from 9 to 3:00 at Tri county Vocational School. 

Franklin Newcomers

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends provides an opportunity to feel connected to Franklin through events and outings  . . .  nobody is a stranger here, we're all Friends! 

Recent events have included hiking on the Appalachian Trail in the Berkshires, weekly power walking, biking on The Cape, movie nights, bowling, book group and many others.

 For more information you can visit the group online  http://franklinnewcomers.com/

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 11/6/15 - THU 11/12/15

FRIDAY 11/6/15
3:30pm   Science Friday at the Library: Mission Space (grades K-4)
6:30pm-10:30pm   The Walker Family Pasta Dinner Fundraiser at Elks Lodge - dinner, great raffle baskets and silent auction items, photo booth, Henna artist, live music. Details here.
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
8pm   The Black Box Local Artist Series: Stillburnin
8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena

SATURDAY 11/7/15
9am-1pm   SNETT Trail Fall Clean Up: meet at Grove Street entrance at 9am, bring heavy gloves, mostly brush cleaning
12-8pm   Fall Art Show by Franklin Art Association at Tri-County HS
1pm   Adult Coffee and Craft at the Library: Fall Wreath
1pm   Try Hockey for Free at Pirelli Arena (ages 4-9), participants have to have helmets and gloves (of any kind), rental skates available.
4-10pm   Scavenger Hunt sponsored by PMC Franklin Kids Ride
7:30pm   The Black Box Classical Series: Tea for Two - Irina Feinkichen, violin and Irina Kotlyar, piano
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Burning Bridget Cleary - Celtic band from Philadelphia

SUNDAY 11/8/15
7:30-10:30am   Weekly Sunday morning breakfast at Franklin Rod and Gun Club, open to public.
12-3pm   Fall Art Show by Franklin Art Association at Tri-County HS

MONDAY 11/9/15
9-10:30am   Tea and Tangles: come Zentangle at Franklin Art Center

TUESDAY 11/10/15
7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Public Meeting at the Franklin YMCA

WEDNESDAY 11/11/15 - VETERANS DAY - Thank you for your service!
1-3pm   Kid’s Paint at Franklin Art Center - Turkey

THURSDAY 11/12/15
6:45-8:15pm   Tri-County HS Grade 8 Open House for students and parents

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Franklin Alert: Missing Elderly Female (King St area) FOUND

Good Morning. This is Gary Premo, with the Franklin Police Department, calling a targeted audience seeking your help. 

We are looking for a missing 76 y/o white female with mild dementia who walked away from her assisted living residence of 656 King Street at about 1 am today. 

Her name is Esther Hicks; 5'7", gray shoulder length hair, last seen wearing black pants, red jacket, wears glasses. 

If you see someone matching this description, please call 911. 

Thank you for you help. Goodbye.

And updated at 7:17 AM

Hello. Gary Premo calling once again to advise you that, thanks to a call from a resident, our missing party has been located. After being medically cleared, she will return home. Thank you. Goodbye.

This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

MassBudget: How MA Tax Levels Compare to Other States & Update on Reform Proposal

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. How MA Tax Levels Compare to Other States & Update on Reform Proposal The U.S. Census recently released updated data on state and local taxes across the country. Taxes are how we pay for most of what we do together through government: educate our children; protect our air and water; maintain our roads and public transit systems; keep our communities safe; help those facing difficult challenges; and provide everyone access to things that improve the quality of life in our communities like parks, libraries, and playgrounds. Our new factsheet Massachusetts Ranks in Middle for Taxes in 2013 compares the overall level of state and local taxes in Massachusetts to the levels in other states. A companion factsheet Where the Taxachusetts Label Come From? explains the history of that label and describes how it is at odds with the reality of the level of taxation in Massachusetts today. We have also updated our recent factsheet Funding Improvements for Schools, Roads, and Public Transit with Tax Reforms that Improve Fairness on a proposal to increase investments in education and transportation through a tax on incomes over $1 million. The update adds new revenue estimates produced by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. To read the full factsheets, please click on their titles below: Massachusetts Ranks in Middle for Taxes in 2013 Where Does the Taxachusetts Label Come From? Funding Improvements for Schools, Roads, and Public Transit with Tax Reforms that Improve Fairness The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

MA Reduced taxes more than all but 2 states Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108