Franklin Line Schedule changes possible in May

Franklin Line commuters have you checked out the proposed schedule changes?

The MBTA is looking for your feedback by 2/12/16!

"Before these proposed new schedules go into effect on May 23, 2016, we’d like to get your feedback. Please take a moment to review the proposed schedule changes below and complete our Commuter Rail Customer Comment Form. 

We also invite you to attend a public meeting (complete public meeting schedule) to participate in a discussion of the Commuter Rail schedule changes. You can also provide us your comments by mail to: MBTA, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Commute Rail Schedule Committee; by phone at (617) 222-3200 or TTY (617) 222.5146 or email at crschedules@mbta.com. 

The deadline for public comments is Friday, February 12, 2016. 

We value your input and thank you for your participation!"

image of Franklin/Dean and Franklin/Forge Park schedule changes

http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/MBTABackOnTrack/?id=6442455610

• The full proposed schedule can be found here

http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/Board_Meetings/1.8%20Franklin%20Line.pdf

• The comparison of changes station by station can be found here

http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/Board_Meetings/1.8%20Franklin%20Comparison.pdf

Franklin outbound headed to Franklin/Forge Park

Reminder: S.A.F.E. Community Coalition Feb 2 - 7:00 PM - Horace Mann Auditorium

This is a reminder about our S.A.F.E. Coalition meeting on February 2, 2016 featuring Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone and Our Kids. View this email in your browser Next Coalition meeting Tuesday, Feb. 2 The S.A.F.E. (Support for Addicts and Families by Empowerment) Board is presenting Professor Robert Putnam, the author of Bowling Alone and Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis, at our next coalition meeting on February 2, 2016 at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann School, 224 Oak Street, Franklin, MA. The coalition meeting begins at 7 p.m., and we expect Prof. Putnam to speak between 7:30 pm and 8:45 pm. He will begin with a presentation and then will sit down with Dr. Anne Bergen for a one on one dialogue. The program is not authorized for taping or re-broadcast, so this will be your only opportunity to hear this nationally acclaimed author in our area. Our Kids is a groundbreaking examination of the growing inequality gap and why fewer Americans today have the opportunity for upward mobility. You can learn more about the book and research by clicking here. Bowling Alone talks about how we have become increasingly disconnected from one another and how social structures have disintegrated. It should be a fascinating talk and of particular interest to those wishing to understand the sociological climate surrounding the opioid crisis.   Talk about Our Kids Prof. Robert Putnam Author of Our Kids and Bowling Alone Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 7.p.m. to 9 p.m. Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann School 224 Oak St, Franklin, MA 02038 Our Kids is a groundbreaking examination of the growing inequality gap and why fewer Americans today have the opportunity for upward mobility. You can learn more about the book and research by clicking here.  Bowling Alone talks about how we have become increasingly disconnected from one another and how social structures have disintegrated. Join us for a fascinating talk about the sociological climate surrounding the opioid crisis. Subscribe to this email list Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2016 Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in joining the fight against obioid abuse in our community. Our mailing address is: Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov State House - Room 527A Boston, MA 02133 Add us to your address book

Franklin Art Association - meeting February 3, newsletter

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, Feb.3, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street. 

Refreshments and socialization will begin at 6:30. 

The program will feature a demo, from guest artist Elizabeth Ricketson. Elizabeth will do a colorful abstract. 

Meetings are free and opened to the public. 

For more information please visit our web site at www.franklinart.org or www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc

From the FAA Newsletter:

Lots going on as we move into our pre-spring activities! I like just saying the word “spring”, even if it is a ways off! 

As you know there are 4 positions open on the Board next year. Paul Guarino and Peg Munson made a very informative presentation recently to FAA members who have shown some interest in learning more about how our organization is run. Their presentation is attached to this newsletter. We are hopeful that some of you will consider taking on a more active role within the FAA by agreeing to become an officer. Please give this serious thought, and if you are interested, let either Paul or Peg know. 

The FAA spring show will be at the Black Box again this year on April 30 - May 1st. Rebecca Skinner will chair the show! There will be sign up sheets available at the next meeting so that you can pick what you would like to volunteer for. It’s sure to be a fabulous event at an exciting venue. 

The Franklin Cultural Festival committee has started to meet to prepare for the 2nd annual Franklin Cultural Festival to be held on July 27th through July 30th. Last year the members of the art association made bowls for the Food Pantry fund raiser, painted a mural for an interactive painting event on the Common, helped kids make costumes from newspaper, facilitated watercolor painting, and exhibited paintings and photographs throughout the downtown area. So, the question is, what do we want to do this year? At a minimum, we should exhibit our beautiful artwork! Please let me know if you would like to be on the FAA committee that decides what our involvement will be this year! 

Warm regards, 

Sue Sheridan

Continue reading the Newsletter here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVkxySm95bWJTanhwZXJhNnZGUXRnaW1HZWhR/view?usp=sharing

If you are interested in getting involved with the Art Association, they are looking for board members. The file shown outlines the duties of the board positions




For additional info, visit Franklin Art Association on the web  http://www.franklinart.org/

In the News: fund raiser for DeLucia family, libraries are very busy

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"An online fundraiser aimed at helping a local family displaced by a house fire last week has already garnered more than $10,000. 

A GoFundMe page was set up last week to benefit the DeLucia family, whose Church Street residence was destroyed in a three-alarm fire Tuesday. The page shows a contribution tally of $12,415 as of Saturday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160131/more-than-10k-raised-for-family-displaced-by-fire

"With the rise of the Internet, many predicted the end of libraries - that a local institution predicated on the printed word would soon be as outdated as a telegraph office. 

But now, years after web access became mainstream, municipalities in MetroWest and the Milford areas (among them Franklin, Marlborough, Upton, Hopkinton and Mendon) are not looking to shutter their libraries but expand, renovate and even replace them. 

Those who run, study and design libraries said the buildings have kept their relevance by being places for people to meet, take part in programs and learn how to use the electronic devices that access the Internet. 

And, yes, old fashioned books still account for the bulk of materials checked out."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160131/print-is-not-dead-but-libraries-are-changing

rendering of planned Library renovation

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Feb 3, 2016

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS 
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS 
– Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS 

1. Bill Board Discussion
2. Recreation Department Update
3. Mandatory Alcohol Awareness Training
4. Master Plan Update
5. Pond Street Discussion

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION 
- Pending or threatened litigation
1. Proposed Excelon expansion of Medway electric generating facility pending before Energy Facilities Siting Board.
2. Proposed Spectra gas transmission line through Franklin.

P. ADJOURN

happy new year sign at the Recreation Dept earlier in January

The documents released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0230E0F5-000F8513

Capital plan, change to food service and calendar key items from School Committee meeting

The capital plan, a change to the food service, and approval of the school calendar for next year were key items from the School Committee meeting held Jan 26.  A discussion on a change to the winter breaks for future calendars led to a subcommittee being formed to look at the pros/cons of the change.

• Schools Capital Plan

The School Dept capital plan was discussed at the School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Jan 26. Franklin uses 'free cash' to funds the big ticket items not covered by the operating budget. The amount of 'free cash' varies year to year. The other primary draw on 'free cash' is to fund the potential shortfall in the snow/ice budget. If we have an easy winter, there is less needed. If the winter is a tough one (like 2015), then Franklin will wait until after snow removal bills are covered to see how much 'free cash' is available for capital items.

As part of the overall budget planning process, the capital budget items rise to discussion first. They are reviewed by the School Committee, then the Finance Committee and ultimately the Town Council. Last year, some of the capital items were approved for budgeting and some were held pending the final numbers on the winter snow removal bills. We'll see what happens this time around.

The full list of the items on the School Dept wish list for capital can be found here along with my notes on the discussion. 
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/live-reporting-school-committee-jan-26.html

• Food service changes

In the discussion items section of the meeting, Whitson's will be replaced as the schools food service provider. The School District will hire their own food director and bring the service inhouse. The administrative and service fees paid to Whitson's will cover the personnel cost of the new director and provide a 'wash' budget wise. An interesting move as five years ago when Whitsons was brought in, the argument was the requirements were too onerous to keep up with. Now apparently, the realization is that the fees are too onerous and the requirements something that can be handled.

• School Calendar

With no discussion, the vote to accept the calendar for 2016-2017 was complete and the food service discussion started. At the end of the food service discussion they went back to the calendar at the request of one member and spent a good deal off time talking about potential changes to future calendars and ultimately set up to form a subcommittee to look into it more fully. The key change being looked at the is the change from two winter breaks to one. Although it was mentioned again that 37 years ago, the one winter break was tried and didn't work. 

Excuse me but 37 years ago, things were just a little bit different in Franklin. The discussion merits a new look, layout the pros and cons and decide. The communications and change management for the calendar proposal would be as critical to the new calendar as the decision itself. 

Stay tuned for future updates on the discussion for possible changes to the 2017-2018 calendar.

The official calendar for the 2016-2017 school year can be found here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/02308424-000F8513

• All State Music Festival

Seven members of FHS were selected to be part of the All State music, this is the largest representation ever for the school.

Ian Carla - Drums - All State Jazz Band 

Cameron Crawley - Tuba - All State BandMatt Dao - Trumpet - All State Band 

Chris Cheri - viola - All State OrchestraKatelyn Davenport - viola - All State OrchestraAbigail Gleason - viola - All State OrchestraDominic Narducci - cello - All State Orchestra

The performance by the All State groups will be held on March 12th at Symphony Hall in Boston

Franklin School Committee

• Meeting notes

All the notes reported live during the meeting can be found here

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Action items
• Live reporting: Discussion items
• Live reporting: Personnel Updates
• Live Reporting: School Committee - Jan 26, 2016

FHS girls take Hockomock League Indoor Championships, boys 5th

With 5 first place finishes, the FHS girls indoor track team lead the way take 1st in the Hockomock League Championships in the meet at the Reggie Lewis Center on Saturday. The FHS boys team finished 5th

GIRLS TEAM RESULTS

FHS Panthers

1. Franklin – 97
2. Mansfield – 77.75
3. North Attleborough – 67
4. Taunton – 61
5. Oliver Ames – 56.75
6. Sharon – 34
7. King Philip – 33.75
8. Foxboro – 30.75
9. Canton – 20
10. Milford – 14
11. Stoughton – 13
12. Attleboro – 2

55M Dash
1. Jessica Kroushl, Franklin – 7.44

300M
1. Halle Atkinson, Franklin – 42.28

600M
4. Meghan Doherty, Franklin – 1:40.73

1000M
3. Brittany Robinson, Franklin – 3:07.21

1 Mile
1. Nicole Clermont, Franklin – 5:20.35

2 Mile
3. Sabrina Roche, Franklin – 12:04.58

55M Hurdles
4. Beth Neal, Franklin – 9.42

4×200 Relay
3. Franklin – 1:47.99

4×400 Relay
2. Franklin – 4:11.81

4×800 Relay
1. Franklin – 10:08.99

High Jump
1. Beth Neal, Franklin – 5-00.00

BOYS TEAM RESULTS

1. Mansfield – 121.50
2. Taunton – 73
3. North Attleboro – 60
4. Franklin – 59
5. Sharon – 44
6. King Philip – 41.50
7. Attleboro – 34
7. Stoughton – 34
9. Oliver Ames – 21
10. Foxboro – 7
10. Canton – 7
12. Milford – 6


300M
4. Luke Gordon, Franklin – 37.36

600M
1. Alec Hurd, Franklin – 1:27.20
4. Dominic Giardini, Franklin – 1:27.78

1 Mile
4. Ryan Spelman, Franklin – 4:33.31

4×400 Relay
4. Franklin – 3:42.99

4×800 Relay
2. Franklin – 8:47.44

High Jump
5. Luke Gordon, Franklin – 5-10.00

Long Jump
3. Chris Chieng, Franklin – 20-03.00


The FHS results are a subset of that published on Hockomock Sports
http://www.hockomocksports.com/hockomock-league-indoor-track-championships-2016/

The full meet results can be found here
http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=256859#19318