"it is incredibly important we all work together to conserve water while these dry conditions persist”

"Today (Friday - 8/19/16)  I listened in on a state wide conference call from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and as expected things do not look good considering the current drought we are in. The forecast for any sizable rainfall to help our water issue does not look good. No sustained rain fall in the near future. 

Given the fact that citizens for the most part are heeding the current water ban in town, we still have trouble with private well owners. Despite the fact that the ban is not covering these private well uses, I ask anyone with private wells to please respect the water ban and avoid watering lawns, washing cars, and other outdoor water activities. 

We all share the same water, public and private. Please conserve water! 

Note: there is a $200 fine for anyone not following the water ban guidelines. 

This is extremely important to the health, safety and well being of our community."

Thank you,
Councillor Glenn Jones
Franklin Town Council

• Governor Baker's Press Release

“With much of Massachusetts continuing to experience extremely dry conditions, I am asking the public to administer best water conservation practices for the foreseeable future,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By minimizing water use, especially while outside, we will collectively take crucial steps necessary to enable ground water and reservoirs to rebound quicker as we work together to manage and reduce the effects of a statewide drought. Individuals should also check with their city or town officials to find out what local restrictions are in place as they vary from community to community.”

http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2017/governor-elevates-response-to-widespread-drought.html#

U.S. Drought Monitor

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/in-news-weight-loss-program-at-y.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/in-news-drug-kiosk-success-drought.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/in-news-farms-feeling-drought-post-75.html

loans "to help them start, grow and create new jobs"

The Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning and Community Development, in conjunction with South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation, announces the Franklin Business Loan Program, which will be rolled out during the Small Business Administration’s workshop, ‘SBA Advantage, Connections that Work’ on Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Dean College, 99 Main Street, Golder Room (in the Campus Center), Franklin, MA 02038. At this seminar, the SBA and SEED will provide information on their loan programs and resources available to help business owners.

The loan programs provide financing for new and established businesses to help them start,
grow and create new jobs in Franklin by forming a partnership with SEED, which provides loans from $1,000 to $5.5 million.

http://seedcorp.com/

SEED offers three loan programs:

1) The Micro Loan Program provides loans from $1,000 up to $50,000, which can be used for working capital, inventory, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, and refinancing of business credit card debt. The term on the loans is 6 years at a 6 percent fixed interest rate with no prepayment penalty.

2) The Revolving Loan Fund provides loans up to $250,000, which can be used for the purchase of land and buildings; equipment and furnishings; working capital, or as the down payment on a larger project. The SEED portion of the project is generally 40 percent or less, although in cases where there is a larger financing gap, SEED’s portion can be greater. The term on the loan is up to 10 years at a 5 percent fixed interest rate with bank participation and 6 percent without. There is no prepayment penalty.

3) The 504 Loan Program provides up to 40 percent of the financing needed behind a
bank/credit union’s 50 percent for the acquisition and improvement of commercial and
industrial buildings; and the purchase and installation of heavy machinery and equipment.
SEED’s portion can range from $120,000 to $5 million for most businesses, and $5.5 million for manufacturing businesses. SEED’s portion offers a fixed interest rate below market for 20 years, currently at 4.1 percent, and at 3.7 percent for 10 years.

SEED is a non-profit economic development organization certified in 1982 by the U.S. Small
Business Administration with the mission to grow and create jobs throughout the region. SEED also provides business assistance and works with other economic development organizations and financing institutions in the region to ensure that individuals who are committed to owning and operating a small business are able to obtain the assistance they need to be successful.

For more information, or to register for the seminar, please contact Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development at (508) 520-4907 or email
development@franklin.ma.us.




This was shared from the Town of Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024A150D-000F8513

"He chose the Franklin Food Pantry"

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 

That is how the phrase usually goes, unless you are a certain 9-year-old boy living in Franklin. For Suhas Wijegoonasekara, it goes more like this: When life gives you lemonade, make a food pantry donation. 

The youngster is planning to do just that with proceeds from a lemonade stand he is operating on a sidewalk bordering the Franklin Town Common from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday, Aug. 21 

Even before the first cups have been filled and served, though, the stand is already a triumph for the soon-to-be Kennedy Elementary School fourth-grader. For many youth, running a lemonade stand is something of a summertime rite of passage, and it's no different for Suhas. He has been working on his mom, Amali De Zoysa, to allow him to have a stand for a long time now."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160819/franklin-boy-to-serve-up-lemonade-for-food-pantry

Donate to the Franklin Food Pantry securely online

In the News: Rain garden tour, Museum photos on show

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

"Franklin residents and town employees joined representatives of the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) for a tour of five Franklin rain gardens on Aug. 17. The tour was part of an ongoing partnership between CRWA and the Franklin Department of Public Works (DPW) to demonstrate to residents how rain gardens can prevent pollution and help get rainwater into the ground. 

A rain garden collects and filters polluted runoff from driveways, rooftops and streets. The DPW has installed 15 rain gardens and 94 rainwater holding basins throughout Franklin. The gardens, maintained by the DPW with help from neighbors and volunteers, prevent polluted runoff from entering the Charles River and its tributaries and replenish ground water levels. 

The native grasses and perennials planted in the rain gardens were chosen for their ability to withstand both wet and dry conditions, including the current drought."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160819/franklin-showcases-some-of-its-best-rain-gardens

one of the 14 rain gardens around Franklin can be found at the Parmenter School

"A unique event allowing a rare opportunity to view selected vintage photographs from the collection of the Franklin Historical Museum will be held from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at Almont Gallery and Studios, 161 Main St., Medway. 

The public is invited to view classic vintage photos from the museum’s collection which have been digitized for clearer and closer viewing. The images will be shown on giant, poster-size digital display units hung throughout the gallery. 

Many of the photos are labeled with dates and information, but guests will have the opportunity to name people, locations and events not previously identified. The images date from the early 1900s through the 1950s and include photos of Franklin High School athletic teams, police and fire department photos, factory and mill images, family photos and more."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160819/franklin-historical-museum-to-present-classic-photos

Franklin Library: End of Summer Jam with Jamie Barrett

Summer time is almost gone, school about to open. The reading list hopefully has been completed so it is time to celebrate!

Join Jamie Barrett at the Franklin Public Library on Monday, Aug 22 at 1:00 PM to help celebrate.

This was shared from the Franklin Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/08/end-of-summer-jam-with-jamie-barrett.html

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 8/19/16 - THU 8/25/16

FRIDAY 8/19/16
12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market @ The Town Common
1pm   Mr. Vinny’s Puppet Shadow Puppet Puppet Show @ Franklin Public Library
5pm   FSPA in the Box: Bye Bye Bieber
7:30pm   FSPA in the Box: Bye Bye Birdie
 
SATURDAY 8/20/16
8am-3pm   4th Annual Wiffle Ball Tournament - Random Smile Project @ Fletcher Field
9am-3pm   Book Sale @ Franklin Public Library
2pm   Chess Group @ Franklin Public Library

SUNDAY 8/21/16
9am   Bag Sale @ Franklin Public Library
1-4pm   Pour Richard's Snappy End of the Summer Bash

MONDAY 8/22/16
8am   SAFE Coalition Inaugural Golf Tournament @ Franklin Country Club
1pm   End of Summer Jam with Jamie Barrett @ Franklin Public Library

TUESDAY 8/23/16
10:30am   Legos and Giant Games @ Franklin Public Library
12-2pm   Teen and Tween End of Summer Party @ Franklin Public Library

WEDNESDAY 8/24/16
10:30am   Comedian - Juggler Bryson Lang @ Franklin Public Library
8:15pm   Movies in the Park @ Choate Park in Medway

THURSDAY 8/25/16
10:30am   Family Storytime @ Franklin Public Library
5-9pm   SAFE Coalition Substance Abuse Drop In Center @ St. John’s Episcopal Church (237 Pleasant Street)
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked @ 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

Franklin School for the Performing Arts Hosts Open Houses - Sep 1 and Sep 10

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will hold back-to-school Open Houses for prospective students and families on Thursday, September 1 from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin. The community is invited to tour the facilities, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance, and drama. Prospective students are also encouraged to try a complimentary class.

Franklin School for
the Performing Arts (FSPA)

Founded in 1985 by Director Raye Lynn Mercer, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. The school provides an extraordinary faculty of artist-teachers and a nurturing environment where students grow skills for the stage and for life. FSPA offers extensive classes in all dance disciplines, acting, musical theater, voice, and instrumental instruction, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study. FSPA is also home to the Little Music School, an innovative program that teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano.

A year-round calendar of performing opportunities features musicals, plays, voice and instrumental recitals, opera scenes, chamber ensembles, acoustic coffee houses, musical theater showcases, summer theater, ballet and dance company performances, and the school’s signature Spring Concert. THE BLACK BOX, the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located just behind the school and provides a professional venue for FSPA student productions. Many FSPA students also participate, by audition, in FPAC’s annual season of shows.

Registration is ongoing. Beginners are welcome and encouraged. For more information, including fall class schedule and catalogue, call (508) 528-8668 or visit online at www.FSPAonline.com.