In the News: Eagle Scout project, Red Cross blood drives

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Joseph O’Leary, a Life Scout from Boy Scout Troop 126 in Franklin and sophomore at Franklin High School, recently completed his Eagle Scout Project. The project, part of the requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout, involved clearing new trails in Franklin’s Indian Rock Conservation Area. 

O’Leary planned the project over the winter and led a crew of 40 volunteers in the woods on May 14. The new trails lead from historic Indian Rock, the site of an attack by settlers on Wampanoag during King Philip’s War, winding through conservation land to meet up with existing trails. They provide a new view of the ledge and the rocky terrain below. Scouts and adults removed brush, cleared leaves and pruned trees and bushes to make the trails."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160624/franklin-resident-completes-eagle-scout-project

"The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood in the weeks surrounding Independence Day to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients now and throughout the summer. 

Blood donations often decline in the summer months, especially around summer holidays when donors are less available to give. The need for blood doesn’t decrease, though — every two seconds, someone in the U.S. requires blood or platelets. In fact, a recent survey of Red Cross blood and platelet donors showed that nearly half knew someone who needed blood or they needed blood themselves. 

Blood donation opportunities will take place at the following locations: 

• 2-7 p.m. July 7, Franklin Elks, 1077 Pond St., Franklin
• 1-6:30 p.m., July 8, Lake Pearl, 299 Creek St., Wrentham
• 2-7 p.m. July 11, King Philip Middle School, 18 King St., Norfolk

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160624/red-cross-blood-donation-opportunities-announced

screen grab of Red Cross Blood drives in Franklin area

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 6/24/16 - THU 6/30/16

FRIDAY 6/24/16
9-10am   School Committee Coffee Hour @ Franklin Senior Center
12pm-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market at The Town Common
6pm   Vinyasa at the Vineyard - Yoga and Wine Tasting at @ La Cantina Winery (registration required)

SATURDAY 6/25/16
8am   American Legion Scholarship Run - 5mile/5K @ Medway HS
9am-3pm   Book Sale @ Franklin Public Library (25 Kenwood Circle)
12-3pm   Survivor Carnival @ Franklin YMCA - meet Survivor winner Jeremy
7pm   Party for the Pantry @ The Black Box (4 bands playing)

SUNDAY 6/26/16
9am   12th Annual Franklin 5K @ Remington School
9am-12pm   Bag Sale @ Franklin Public Library

MONDAY 6/27/16
10:30am   Read with Wally the Green Monster @ Franklin Public Library

TUESDAY 6/28/16
9:30am   Family Paint - Fireworks - @ Franklin Art Center
10:30am   Mr. Vinny’s Shadow Puppet Show @ Franklin Public Library
1:30pm   Knitting Circle for Adults @ Franklin Public Library
6pm   Rep. Jeff Roy’s 2016 Campaign Kickoff @ The Black Box
6:30pm   Charles River Meadowlands Meeting @ 10 Mechanics Street in Bellingham

WEDNESDAY 6/29/16
9:30am   4th of July Art Bottle @ Franklin Art Center
7pm   Backyard Astronomy: Scanning the June skies with the library’s new telescope @ Franklin Public Library

THURSDAY 6/30/16
9:30am   Family Paint - Flip Flops - @ Franklin Art Center
1pm   Storyteller Davis Bates @ Franklin Public Library
6-10pm   4th of July Celebration begins @ Franklin Town Common
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked - Flag - @ Franklin Art Center
6:30pm   Genealogy Club Meeting (Genealogical Software Choices) @ Franklin Public Library

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

Downtown Project Update #37

Work Schedule for the week of June 27 to July 1. 

The Contractor will be milling for crosswalks only beginning at the intersection of Main/Pleasant St. Sunday night and Monday night. 

The Contractor is scheduled to pave Wednesday night and Thursday night. The area they plan to pave will be East Central St, the small section of West Central St and any additional area on Main St we can get to. We will be able to keep at least one lane open so there will be no major detours. 

There will be no night work Tuesday night. 

Please contact the Town Administrator's Office at 520-4949 with any questions. We will continue to keep the public informed through our website, Twitter and Facebook.

milled crosswalk ready for the brick shaped polymer

Annie Sullivan Middle School - Class of 2016 Lip Sync

And this year's class performs:

• 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SazRnJgI1uM

• 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTFCzS0AQsc

• 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr4Qm0bwYG8

• 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vufsaoeoUXA

Keller Sullivan school sign

In the News: downtown parking to change, water restrictions to be enforced

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The town is looking to retool its parking rules as a two-year project to reconstruct the downtown concludes. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting presented a proposal for changes at Wednesday night's Town Council meeting. The plan contemplates two-hour parking in many areas throughout the morning, with fewer restrictions as the day continues. 

Parking in downtown was once governed by meters, but those were taken down to accommodate the road construction and have not been replaced. A new plan, Nutting said, would allow for more common-sense rules and better use of existing spaces."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160623/franklin-parking-downtown-likely-to-change

The details on the parking proposal (including the map) can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/06/downtown-parking-proposal-for.html

"The town will be stepping up efforts to enforce its water conservation measures in the coming days. 

Department of Public Works Director Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi said that despite the water restriction - residents are allowed to water their lawns one day a week on trash day - the town had seen a spike in usage last week (to 3.5 million gallons from around 2 million earlier in the year). 

"People are not supposed to be watering their lawns," he said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160623/franklin-to-be-on-lookout-for-water-restriction-violations

DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi discussing the water restrictions at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday

39 graduate from Tri-County Post-secondary programs

The Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District held commencement exercises for its Post-Secondary Practical Nursing and Cosmetology programs on Friday, June 17.

Tri-County Continuing Education Director Marc Koczwara, Superintendent-Director Stephen Dockray, Cosmetology Valedictorian Carol Colella, and Practical Nursing Class President Jane Annis addressed the graduates. Cosmetology instructor Barbara Perron joined Practical Nursing instructor Penelope Hennessy and Mr. Dockray in presenting certificates to the graduates.

Instructors Lisa Ferrigno, Tara Lane, and Patricia Munger presented the school nursing pins to the Practical Nursing graduates.

The graduates from Tri-County's Practical Nursing Day Program are Kaitlyn Johnson, and Breda Ryan, of Franklin, Tiffany Anderson, and Kristina Last, of Millis, Eli Agbenya, and Maurice Joseph, of North Providence, Zilpa Auma, Olivia DaFonte, Cassandra Dwyer, Amanda Michaud, Kerith Moore, and Ariel Nunes, of North Attleborough, Thais Dickerman, of Northborough, Colleen Calzaretta, Kasey Spencer, and Samantha Zabel, of Plainville, Terina Francis, Jessica Martinez, and Musu Saygbe, of Providence, Julie Clodius, of Seekonk, Laurie Ducat, of Whitinsville, and Jane Annis, Jennifer Boucher, Dyan MacLean, and Marietta Tisdale, of Wrentham.

The Cosmetology Day Program graduates are Christine Colonero, of Douglas, Jean Carmignani, Carol Colella, Jenna Gleason, Alyssa Granato, Moriah Hosford, and Kelly Robinson, of Franklin, Mark Rushton, of Mansfield, Erin Hanlon, of Medway, Kathryn Troy, of Millis, Domenic Cucinotta , of Natick, Marissa Theiss, of North Attleborough, Emily Martin, of Plainville, and Brielle Eaton, of South Attleboro.

During the ceremony, Kerith Moore learned she was the Valedictorian of the Practical Nursing Class of 2016. Tiffany Anderson was also announced as the recipient of the 2016 Clinical Excellence Award. All of the Practical Nursing students joined their instructors in reciting the Florence Nightingale Pledge.

Practical Nursing instructor Penelope Hennessy leads graduates of Tri-County Regional’s Post-secondary Practical Nursing Program in reciting the Florence Nightingale Pledge during their commencement ceremony 

Retiring Police Chief Semerjian's letter to the Franklin residents and businesses

To: The Residents and Business People of the Town of Franklin

When I first took the oath of service before self in 1978 it never crossed my mind then that I would be authoring this letter as the retiring Police Chief some 38 years later. Much time has passed since then and I can say in all honesty that I would not have wanted things to go any other way. Our Town Government, my Family and Friends, our Police Officers (then and now) and the people of Franklin have all become part of who I am and what I have been able to accomplish over these many years. The opportunity to be your Chief of Police has been without a doubt the high point of my professional career. During my four years as Chief Franklin has had the distinction each year of being recognized as one of the safest cities in Massachusetts and the United States to work, reside in and raise a family. This is an honor that I am proud to share as we have all taken a part in making this happen.

To those of you who have taken the time to comment on our department Facebook page or send me congratulatory cards I want to say “thank you” for your very kind words and well wishes. Those of you from the Class of ‘72’, my old classmates, teachers and coaches I send along a very special “thank you” (Dennis that sounds just fine!). Thinking back to the 1960’s and 70’s I’m not sure any of us had any idea just what and where we were heading in our lives. I think it safe to say that the “old” Franklin High School and athletic fields prepared us all well for our future.

Over the years I have always strived to make the impact I made here a positive one. This job brings with it the potential to very much help, or very much hinder people both professionally and personally. This is what comes along with the responsibility of having been sworn to enforce the law. It is my hope that I was able to help many more people than not. The measure of one’s success or failure is determined by those he serves. I like to think the litmus test of how the community has judged me will be counted by the many well wishes, smiles and handshakes that continue to be extended to me.

I’d be remiss if I did not mention these two unsolved cases which I had been involved with. In December of 1978 Theresa Corley was the victim of homicide; she was located on an embankment off Route 495 northbound in Bellingham. In July of 1988 Jane Gilboy was also the victim of homicide which occurred in her home in Franklin. Both cases remained unsolved to this day. I ask if there is anyone out there who has any information whatsoever on either of these cases to please contact the Franklin Police Detective Division or the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office State Police Division. It goes without saying that as members of society we all have an interest in bringing individual(s) capable of committing such violent criminal acts to Justice.

It has been my honor and privilege to have had this opportunity to serve you all as Police Chief for the Town.

I wish you all the very best of luck, good health and good fortune.

Sincerely

Chief Stephan Semerjian

Franklin Police, 911 Panther Way

The PDF of the Chief's letter: