In the News: Dean security changes hands, retention or wetland?

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Campus police officers at Dean College had their last day on the job Friday, as they were replaced by a private security company. 

Michael Carmody, a former Public Safety sergeant, said once the overnight shift ended at 8 a.m., the private security firm, TeamOps, took over.

Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151218/NEWS/151215815/1994/NEWS

The Town Council may look to review a local bylaw that protects some man-made retention ponds as wetlands. 

The matter came up at Wednesday's council meeting in which DPW Director Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi proposed an amendment to the bylaw that would enable town workers to perform maintenance on such ponds. 

"The town has over 90 retention ponds that we do maintenance on," he said.

Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151218/NEWS/151215812/1994/NEWS

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 12/18/15 - THU 12/24/15

FRIDAY 12/18/15
9:30-10:30am   Canvas and Coffee at Franklin Art Center

SATURDAY 12/19/15
11am-3pm   Santa and his helpers at Kidz Plaster Zone
1-3pm   Holiday Workshop at Franklin Art Center: hand paint ceramic cookie plate, ornament and handmade card
7:30pm   FPAC Presents ’Tis the Season! at the Franklin High School

SUNDAY 12/20/15
7:30-10:30am   Weekly Sunday morning breakfast at Franklin Rod and Gun Club, open to public.
1-3pm   Family Paint at the Franklin Art Center
2pm   FPAC Presents ’Tis the Season! at the Franklin High School
2-4pm   Santa at the Learning Express
6:10-7:10pm   Family Skate and Pictures with Santa at the Pirelli Veteran’s Arena

MONDAY 12/21/15
3:30-5pm   Holiday Workshop at Franklin Art Center

TUESDAY 12/22/15
3:30-5pm   Holiday Workshop at Franklin Art Center

WEDNESDAY 12/23/15
1-3pm   Kids Paint at Franklin Art Center

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

FHS 3rd in the first Wrestling Hock 5

Hockomock Sports has posted its first Hock 5 ranking for Wrestling and it lists Franklin 3rd.

FHS Panthers

3. Franklin (1-1)

Despite the setback against Foxboro on Wednesday, the Panthers will be one of the better teams in Division 1. Once again, they will be the biggest challenge for North Attleboro because they have plenty of talent, including Nick Narducci and Mike Racca.

You can find the full Hock 5 posting here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/hock-5/wrestling/

In the News: deputy Town Administrator, complaints about permit

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Jamie Hellen, operations assistant to the town manager, is leaving Town Hall to become the deputy town administrator in Franklin. 

Hellen was appointed by Town Manager Norman Khumalo in 2012. He'll work in town until the end of the month. 

During his tenure, Hellen has been involved in many special projects, including planning for the town's 300th Anniversary Celebration and helping with the historical commissions. His day-to-day responsibilities include making sure Khumalo's and the selectmen's priorities are being met, he said.

Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151217/NEWS/151216196/1994/NEWS

Several townspeople complained Thursday night to the Zoning Board of Appeals about what they claim was a lack of transparency in the town's approval of a group home on Plain Street. 

The board, though, decided to uphold the building commissioner's decision to issue a permit. 

At issue is an eight-bed building - set to house clients of the state Department of Developmental Services - under construction at 21 Plain St. Dave Patterson, a neighbor, had appealed the issuance of the building permit.

Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151217/NEWS/151216179/1994/NEWS

The next "Let's Laugh Today" in Franklin is on Monday, December 28th

Trade all your holiday stress for laughter (and burn some of those holiday calories!) at LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin on Monday, December 28th from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker will give you the gift of laughter!  

Join them in a combination of deep breathing exercises with laughter exercises that oxygenate your body and brain in order to feel more healthy and energetic. No mats or special clothing is needed. There will be chairs set up so you can sit. Laughter Yoga is now being done in 90 different countries!  

Please bring your water bottle because laughing is dehydrating. 

See www.letslaughtoday.com or call 508-660-2223 for more information and other opportunities to laugh.Come and experience the contagiousness of laughter! $5 donation to FUSF/$10 maximum per family.  

Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! You can sit or stand. Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating. If you have any questions, just call 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com. New laughers are always welcomed! 

Smiles and Laughter your way,
Linda and Bill Hamaker
www.letslaughtoday.com

 

               

In the News: solar funding announced, Santa Skate Sunday

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Baker-Polito administration announced the launch of a $30 million residential solar loan program on Thursday. 

The program will support Massachusetts lenders with loans between $3,000 and $60,000 with low, fixed interest rates to homeowners throughout the commonwealth who opt to add solar panels to their home and is also available to borrowers with lower credit scores or incomes. For homeowners who adopt solar energy, the program also provides long-term financing options.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151217/NEWS/151216352/1994/NEWS

The Franklin Youth Hockey Association will hold Santa Skate from 6:10 to 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at Pirelli Veteran's Arena, 910 Panther Way. 

All ages are welcome to skate and take photos with Santa. Admission costs $5 or a small bag of nonperishable food items to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. 

Attendees are also asked to bring any unused equipment to donate to FYHA. 

The event will include raffles, team spirit packs and calendar sales. 

For more information, visit the event's page on Facebook.

FYHA event

Massachusetts Legislators submit letter to United States Consumer Product Safety Commission

Tire crumb rubber and rubber mulch request for regulation and analysis submitted

December 16, 2015 -  Massachusetts delegates including Senator Karen Spilka, State Representatives Jeff Roy and John Fernandes have requested the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulate interior and exterior use of crumb rubber as a children's product due to exposure on playground and artificial turf fields.

Tire crumb rubber and rubber mulch is used in playgrounds and turf fields across the U.S. The usage began in the 90s as a way to dispose of used tires. Typically, the fields and playgrounds are sold to a city or state with promise of less maintenance and increased playtime,  yet the tire derived materials have never been evaluated by the CPSC for exposure risk to users.

The delegate's letter to the CPSC requests analysis to offer concrete conclusions and recommendations to ensure the safety of children and adults who use crumb rubber and turf fields. Specifically, the delegates requested the CPSC investigate:

• Identifying potential hazards resulting from ingestion and inhalation of toxins released from crumb rubber during heat spikes and outgassing;
• Detecting the existence of known human carcinogens;
• Locating the presence of lead and other toxins;
• Examining any danger presented by the natural aging and decomposition; and
• investigating any potential risks to child or adult users.

The delegate's letter is a result of an October 2015 request by residents from Medway, Franklin and Holliston requesting the Representatives request regulation of tire crumb rubber as a children's product on the basis of the use on synthetic turf fields and rubber mulch playgrounds by children. 

"We thank Senator Spilka and Representatives Roy and Fernandes for their attention and action regarding the use of recycled tires on playing fields and playgrounds," said Tracy Stewart, Mass Chapter lead of The Safe, Healthy Playing Fields Coalition.  "The unique sell-in of this product has bypassed regulation for decades; however, it has become more concerning over the past ten years while over 12,000 turf fields have been installed exposing young people and adults to chemicals within the materials. We hope the CPSC's response is positive to the request for regulation and furthermore they expedite a thorough analysis to fully understand the risk of crumb rubber and tire derived products on young people and adults."

The CPSC response is pending.

image of the letter sent

About The Safe, Healthy Playing Fields Coalition (SHPFC)

Founded in 2008, The Safe, Healthy Playing Fields Coalition is dedicated to sharing information about the health and safety of both natural and synthetic turf fields for children, adults and the environment in which we live.

Information: http://www.safehealthyplayingfields.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SafeHealthyPlayingFields

installation of the new turf field at FHS during the summer (field is in full use now)