Sunday, February 21, 2016

FHS wrestling team finishes 8th at MIAA State D1 meet

The FHS wrestling team competed at the MIAA State meet on Saturday and finished 8th in Division 1. Thanks to Hockomock Sports for posting the results to share.

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

DIVISION 1


Teams
1. Chelmsford – 161
8. Franklin – 67
41. Mansfield – 6
45. Taunton – 1

PLACEMENTS (weight class then finish position)

  • 106 = 6. Jordan Carlucci, Franklin
  • 113 = 3. Mike Racca, Franklin
  • 138 = 7. Dylan Maclean, Franklin
  • 220 = 3. John Miller, Franklin


For all the Hockomock wrestling results (Div 2 and Div 3)
http://www.hockomocksports.com/hockomock-wrestling-results-from-miaa-wrestling-state-meets/

In the News: Learn to skate, homeless resources challenged, Light up the Sky for Change

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

It was Learn to Skate Day at the Franklin arena, but it wasn't just any skate session. Members of the Boston Bruins organization and Blades, the big, brown Bruins mascot, mingled with the kids, handing out tips, high-fives and a hand after a spill. 
The Bruins organization stopped by the rink as part of Hockey Weekend Across America - a set of nationwide outreach programs to get children more interested in, and dedicated to, the sport. 
"Honestly, it takes me back. I remember when I was a kid, I did this in Medford. It's awesome to come out here with Blades and some of the Ice Girls," said Andrew Veneziano, the Boston Bruins youth hockey coordinator. 
"It gets kids on the ice, helps build a love for the sport."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160220/youth-skate-day-gets-kids-ont-ice-with-bruins-mascot-in-franklin


Advocates for the homeless are calling for additional resources to help people break a cycle of poverty. 
“I often feel like I’m offering people a treadmill to nowhere because it’s so difficult to help get them to a better place,” said Jim Stewart, director of First Church Shelter in Cambridge. 
The high cost of housing, access to regular medical care and discrimination are among the challenges the homeless face in Massachusetts.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160220/homeless-advocates-call-for-change


As the last glimmers of sunset faded into night, people trickled on to Fino Field Saturday, all with the same idea in mind: honor those who've lost battles to addiction. The intent was to launch Chinese lanterns, but the windy night quashed that idea. Instead, they gathered in a circle with candles and said the name of a loved one lost to addiction. 
Matt. Jimmy. Kelly. Ken. Gabe. Meghan. Rachel. Scott. Jenn. Amy... 
More than 100 people attended the Missin' Matt Foundation's Light Up The Sky for Change event. After a moment of silence, event organizers were able to light off three lanterns as the crowd watched on from the Fino Field parking lot.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160220/big-turnout-at-milford-event-to-honor-lives-lost-to-addiction

REALLY URGENT: Towns can apply for Intervenor Status for Eversource's petition to DPU (15-181) for pipeline tax!


Dear Greater Franklin Node members and friends,

If you want your town to apply for intervenor status and make comments in DPU's consideration of Eversource's application of a "pipeline tax," you need to urge your town officials to submit written comments by this Thursday, February 25. 

FORWARD THIS WHOLE EMAIL TO YOUR TOWN OFFICIALS RIGHT AWAY.
 

Carolyn Barthel
Greater Franklin Node, 350 Mass

*************************

Below is a letter from Karina Wilkinson of Food and Water Watch in Massachusetts:

Do Weymouth or any of the other towns on the Access Northeast route want to try to intervene in Eversource's petition to the DPU? Do any of your groups want to ask for an extension to the February 25th deadline to give more groups and towns time to consider it?  You can send comments to the docket until February 25th at this point. See the link below.

It would be very helpful if municipalities on the Access Northeast project line would intervene in Eversource's petition to the DPU to be allowed to contract for the gas with Spectra/Algonquin and to impose a tariff on ratepayers to pay for the project.  Intervene and oppose it. 

The Notice from the DPU is here and it includes information on how to comment or intervene.  The deadline is very close, Feb. 25th, though there will be a second hearing in Walpole on May 23rd.
http://web1.env.state.ma.us/DPU/FileRoomAPI/api/Attachments/Get/?path=15-181/Notice_of_Filing.pdf


Karina Wilkinson
Food and Water Watch Local Coordinator MA

No Spectra Pipeline sign on Franklin lawn
No Spectra Pipeline sign on Franklin lawn

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Senior Center: A new edition of The Franklin Connection is available



A new edition of The Franklin Connection has been published on the Town of Franklin web site.

Click the link below to read the latest edition.


Franklin Senior Center in winter rain
Franklin Senior Center in winter rain

Catholic Memorial tops FHS boys basketball team 87-64


Boys Basketball


  • Franklin, 64 @ Catholic Memorial, 87 – Final 

– Senior Tim Prunier and freshman Jay Dieterle each had nine points for the Panthers.

http://www.hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-021916/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

ESPN provides the detailed write up on this game


"With a full arsenal of offensive weapons and the ability to implement their patented defensive pressure all over the court, the Catholic Memorial Knights had no issues enacting some revenge on the visiting Franklin Panthers. 
The Knights suffered their first loss of the season when they fell at Franklin, 92-87, last December and Friday’s rematch with the Panthers started in troublesome fashion, as Franklin jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the opening minutes. 
Yet the defending Division 1 State Champions were able to respond with a quick 8-0 run, cement their lead with a 14-0 run to make it 44-22 in the middle of the second quarter, and squash any hope for the opposition by opening up a 41-point lead towards the end of the third quarter. 
Despite a late run from Franklin’s reserves in the fourth quarter, Catholic Memorial (17-2) coasted to an 87-64 win, which marks their 31st consecutive victory at the school’s Ronald Perry Gymnasium."

Continue reading the article online
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/high-school/post/_/id/40835/boys-hoop-recap-no-1-catholic-memorial-87-no-20-franklin-64

Franklin Federated Church reaches $500,000 Restoration Campaign Goal

Franklin Federated Church is pleased to announce that it has successfully met its goal of raising $500,000 in donations and pledges to fund substantial repairs and updates to its historic buildings, and to support an area nonprofit dedicated to healing domestic violence.

A total of 95 families and individuals pledged $500,815 to the campaign. Nearly $172,000 has been received, and the rest is pledged to be donated over the next three years.

"The success of the Restoration Campaign will ensure that Franklin Federated will be able to continue to support not only the Town of Franklin, but the community at large for many years to come," said campaign co-chair Allen Sawyer. "The members of the congregation and surrounding community never cease to amaze me with their hard work, dedication and generosity."

The funds are already being put to use to address issues with the structural integrity, safety and heating systems of the buildings. New gutters, downspouts and ice melt cables have been installed on the historic 1895 church building, and grading work is being done at the foundation level to stop the incursion of water which was damaging ceiling and walls inside. Electrical panels have been upgraded in the church, new heaters have been installed in the nursery and classrooms, and the concrete front walkways have been replaced. Work is about to begin to eliminate mold and drainage issues in the basement of the parsonage, which is next door to the church and houses the pastor and his family.

Future work that is in the planning stages will include replacement of the church and parsonage boilers, improvements to the church's fire safety system and accessibility, and restoration of the stained glass windows.

In keeping with the Franklin Federated Church's mission to give back to the community, $17,000 of the funds being raised will be donated to the New Hope RESPECT programs. The RESPECT program reaches out to, and helps restore, families in Franklin and neighboring communities that are broken down by violence.

Franklin Federated Church is a Welcoming and Affirming congregation, meaning that all people are invited to be a part of the mission and ministry of the church. The congregation supports organizations locally and around the world, such as Meals on Wheels, local Boy and Girl Scout troops, the Franklin Food Pantry, the Santa Foundation, New Hope, the Boston Grow Clinic and Church World Service.

Franklin Federated Church
Franklin Federated Church

The church's history is entwined with the town's founding. The First Congregational Church was formed in 1738, when it broke off from the Congregational Church of Wrentham. This effectively marked the beginning of the Town of Franklin, which had previously been considered the West Precinct of Wrentham. The First Congregational Church joined with the First Baptist Church in 1941, forming the Federated Church. The two congregations had begun worshiping together after the hurricane of 1938 destroyed the First Baptist Church's building on School Street.

For more information or to contribute to the restoration project, visit ffcrestoration.weebly.com.

Franklin Federated Church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches, USA.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/19/16 - THU 2/25/16

FRIDAY 2/19/16
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at the Franklin Art Center

SATURDAY 2/20/16
9am-4pm  Book Sale at the Franklin Public Library with live entertainment by Betty Kushner (9-10am)
1:30-2:20pm   Try hockey for FREE! at Pirelli Veteran’s Arena
7pm  Light up the sky for change at Fino Field in Milford

SUNDAY 2/21/16
9am-12pm   Bag Sale at Franklin Public Library (fill up a paper bag with books for only $5)
3:30pm   LiveARTS presents: Cynthia Raim, piano - at FUSF.

TUESDAY 2/23/16
1:30-3pm   Knitting Circle at the Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   Teen Advisory Board Meeting at the Franklin Public Library

THURSDAY 2/25/16
6-8pm   Sip and Save with Statera Financial and Ladimer Law at Pour Richard's
6:30pm   Genealogy Club Meeting at the Franklin Public Library
7pm   Franklin Wine Club: Girl Scout Cookies and Wine Tasting at Franklin Liquors
7pm   Franklin SEPAC Workshop: Medication and Your Child presented by Dr. Lum, Pediatric Neuropsychologist

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