Franklin Matters

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

School Committee - Jan 12, 2016

The collection of live reporting from the School Committee meeting on Jan 12 can be found here. Unfortunately, due to a work commitment I left before the meeting finished. The agenda had just reached the Superintendent updates.

The video replay of the meeting by Franklin TV can be found here
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=280

FHS entrance

The agenda for the meeting can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jan.html

You can find out about the Spectra pipeline in these Open Houses

Dear friend,

Spectra Energy is proposing to install a 30-inch gas pipeline through our various towns (see below). As part of the process, Spectra has just put out its schedule of Open Houses and sent invitation letters to the potential abutters and town leadership, not to the whole town (they like to keep a very low profile). They will have maps of the proposed route for you to view so you can see what neighbors would have the new pipeline in their yards, what wetlands and river(s) and streams the pipeline would cross. (I have not included a list of all the Open Houses, just the ones that pertain to FUSF members.)

Algonquin Open Houses for the Access Northeast Project

Per Spectra's notice:

Algonquin will hold Open Houses in January in order to provide updated information concerning the Access Northeast Project to landowners, public officials and interested stakeholders. The Open Houses are designed to enable people to get their questions answered by Project representatives. In addition, since there is no formal speaking program, individuals may arrive at any time during the hours listed. FERC representatives will also be in attendance and will be available to speak with attendees.

WALPOLE/SHARON/CANTON/STOUGHTON: Tuesday, January 19, 2016
5:30PM – 7:30PM
Four Points Sheraton
1125 Boston Providence Turnpike
Norwood, MA

MEDWAY/BELLINGHAM/FRANKLIN/MILLIS/NORFOLK:
Thursday, January 21, 2016
5:30PM – 7:30PM
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham
835 Union St.
Franklin, MA

No Spectra sign seen on Franklin lawns

They are lumping MILFORD (and strangely enough MEDWAY again) into the West Boylston 16-inch lateral pipeline called the West Boylston Lateral:

MILFORD/MEDWAY/UPTON/GRAFTON/MILLBURY/SUTTON/SHREWSBURY/BOYLSTON/WEST BOYLSTON:

Monday, January 25, 2016

5:30-7:30PM

Highfields Golf and Country Club

42 Magill Drive

Grafton, MA

If you go to the Open Houses, you can expect Spectra to hang onto you and be pleasant and accommodating, but they're deadly serious about taking your land and having you pay for their pipeline. If you don't like what you see and want to do something about it, come to our next node meeting of the Greater Franklin Node, 350 Mass, on Thursday, January 28, at 7:00 PM at FUSF. We meet twice monthly.

James F. Hill Tel. 508-528-4888 h Tel. 508-498-4504 c

FPAC presents Shakespeare’s Othello

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents Shakespeare’s legendary tragedy Othello. The production will be staged at THE BLACK BOX, the company’s home and performance venue located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. Performances are on Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on January 24.

FPAC image for Othello event on Facebook

Aaron Andrade as Othello

Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy of the Moorish warrior Othello, his beloved Desdemona, and the insidious villain Iago is a gripping masterpiece that ranks among his greatest works. The edge-of-your-seat thriller is a passionate and powerful drama full of jealousy, betrayal and heartbreak. Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) proudly presents a contemporary adaptation of Othello, directed by and starring Aaron Andrade in the title role.

Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is FPAC’s 25th Season Premier Sponsor. Tickets are $24, with $15 Student Rush tickets available at the door 15 minutes prior to show time. To purchase tickets, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

FHS swim teams split vs. North Attleboro

The FHS boys swim team lost to North Attleboro while the girls won. Results via Hockomock Sports.

FHS Panthers

Swimming
Boys

Franklin, 73 @ North Attleboro, 88 – Final

Girls

Franklin, 93 @ North Attleboro, 71 – Final

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League on Monday

http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-011816/

In the News: Rep Roy office hours, FSPA auditions scheduled, Council to hear about Pond St, Jefferson School updates

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy, D-Franklin, announced that constituent office hours will be held for the months of January and February on the following days:

Jan. 29: 10-11 a.m., Elizabeth’s Bagels, 456 W. Central St., Franklin.

Feb. 18: 8:30-9:30 a.m., Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St., Franklin.

Feb. 27: 9-10 a.m., Medway Muffin House, 116 Main St., Medway.

Christopher Yancich, his legislative aide, will accompany him.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160118/state-rep-roy-to-hold-constituent-office-hours-in-franklin-medway

Franklin School for the Performing Arts will host Massachusetts-area regional auditions for Broadway Artists Alliance of New York City on Jan. 24 at 38 Main St.

A complimentary master class will take place from 10 to 11:15 a.m., followed by a dance audition from noon to 1 p.m. and individual appointments for songs and monologues from 1 to 3 p.m.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160118/franklin-school-for-performing-arts-to-host-auditions-for-broadway-artists-alliance-of-new-york-city

The Town Council at its meeting this week will continue to discuss possible uses for a town-owned parcel on Pond Street - a topic that has some neighbors worried.

The council has scheduled time during its Wednesday night meeting to consider the subject.

For some time, the town has been looking for uses for the 33-acre plot, which abuts Interstate 495.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160118/franklin-council-to-discuss-pond-street-land

All-school meetings, an outdoor learning space and a new approach to learning math are among the accomplishments at Jefferson Elementary School this year, according to an update from Principal Linda Ashley and Assistant Principal Sarah Klim.

Ashley told the School Committee at a recent meeting one of the biggest developments is implementation of all-school meetings, in which all students attend a morning session about a particular topic.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160118/franklin-all-school-meetings-boon-for-jefferson-elementary--

Monday, January 18, 2016

Presidential Primary Schedule = Prepare for March 1

Absentee Ballots are now available in the Town Clerk's Office

February 10 = Last Day to Register to Vote and Change Party Enrollment for the Presidential Primary The Clerk's office will extend their hours that day until 8pm.

March 1 = Tuesday, MA Presidential Primary

Town Clerks Office
355 East Central Street
508-520-4900

MA Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm

election both at FHS gymnasium

FYI - the state primary and election calendar leading to the Nov 2016 election can be found here
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Election-Calendar-2015-2016-2-54.pdf

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: Thank You to Contributors of Registry's Annual Food Drive

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Thanks Contributors to Registry's Annual Food Drive

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today thanked those who contributed to the Registry's 2015 Annual Food Drive. The food drive, an annual event that runs through the holiday season, concluded this past New Year's Eve, December 31st.

"I want to express my appreciation to all who contributed to the Registry's Annual Food Drive. While the economy, particularly in eastern Massachusetts, shows continuing signs of growth, many of our fellow citizens face economic hardships, such as rent payments, medical bills, heating costs and food bills. I am thankful that so many Norfolk County residents remembered to help those less fortunate. I am also appreciative of the Registry's employees who helped make the food drive a great success. The non-perishable food collected during the food drive will help designated Norfolk County food pantries feed their clients.

"While the holiday food drive has ended, it does not stop hunger from affecting many of our neighbors. I urge residents to consider dropping off food supplies at their local pantries across Norfolk County. Pantries are requesting canned goods, breakfast cereals, pasta, sauces, toiletries and paper products. Dropping off a food donation at a local pantry can make a world of difference in helping a family in need," noted Register O'Donnell.

For a list of local food pantries, please visit the Registry of Deeds website at www.norfolkdeeds.org. To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds for follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

Register William P. O'Donnell

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org

phone: 781-234-3336

web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org