In the News: back pack drive success, Walgreens recognized

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

"Thanks to a robust backpack donation drive, more than 250 needy students in the area now have the supplies necessary for the new school year. 

The effort - held this summer - was organized by the Hockomock Area YMCA, in partnership with the Franklin Elks and the Franklin School District. Drive leader Michell Branche said 274 backpacks full of supplies were distributed to families in the area. 

Branche said the partnerships helped the drive acquire more supplies than last year's iteration, which garnered 64 backpacks. 

"It certainly grew from last year's total," she said. "We got quite a lot of support from the community ... I thought we could get a couple hundred backpacks. This is perfect."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160830/franklin-ymca-backpack-drive-success

"Area officials, emergency personnel and elected representatives were on hand Tuesday afternoon to recognize the local Walgreens pharmacy for providing access to overdose-counteracting drugs. 

The award, according to Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Rowe, came as the result of a survey of area pharmacies. Undercover visitors, she said, went to the county's 120 pharmacies and provided the results of their trips. The Franklin pharmacy rated highly in providing Narcan, which counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose. 

While the district attorney's office has recognized pharmacies before - for things like vigilance in rooting out forged prescriptions - Rowe said this is the first Narcan-availability award given out."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160830/franklin-walgreens-rates-highly-in-providing-anti-overdose-drugs

Walgreens - at the corner of happy and healthy

Franklin Police sets hiring exam for Nov 5

The Town of Franklin is currently seeking interested and qualified candidates for full-time Police Officer positions.

A great place to live, work and do business! One of the “Best Town’s for Families” The Town of Franklin was named one of Family Circle’s 2007 "Ten Best Towns for Families" in the United States. This honor was bestowed on Franklin and nine other towns and small cities "that offer what parents and children want most - affordable homes, good jobs, top-rated schools, open spaces and a lot less stress".

Franklin is located 28 miles south of Boston, 26 miles north of providence, RI and is bounded by the towns of Medway, Norfolk, Wrentham and Bellingham. The town has a residential population of 33,590 and spans 27.01 square miles.

Franklin Police Dept, 911 Panther Way

Franklin enjoys good transportation networks with Route 140, two exits to Interstate 495, and easy access to major routes such as Interstate 90 (Massachusetts Turnpike), Interstate 95, Route 1 and Route 126. In addition to a well integrated roadway system, Franklin is host to two MBTA commuter rail stations, and has fixed route bus service through the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority.
​
The mission of the Franklin Police Department is to work collaboratively in partnership with our community to enhance the quality of life in our town, while maintaining order and protecting the people we serve. We will accomplish this mission by providing high quality law enforcement service, doing so with professionalism, honor and integrity.
​
The Franklin Police Department currently employs 47 sworn officers, 8 full-time and 4 part-time civilian personnel who provide telecommunication and administrative services.

The essential functions of a Franklin Police Officer are:

• Perform a variety of duties involved in the enforcement of laws and prevention of crimes;
• Control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations;
• Participate in and conduct a variety of criminal investigations;
• Provide a high level of customer service and integrate the community into policing activities;
• Participate in community based police activities and programs; and
• Perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of law enforcement services and activities.

The work of this position involves responsibility for the protection of life and property, and prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals and the general enforcement of State laws, and local ordinances.

Duties normally consist of routine patrol, preliminary investigation, and traffic regulation and community policing. Patrol officers also may be assigned duties as detective, school resource officer, field training officer, K-9 handler, bicycle patrol, motorcycle patrol, Drug Recognition Expert, etc. The work involves an element of personal danger and the employee must be able to act without direct supervision and to exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies.

The Franklin Police Department is partnering with Police Exam Solutions to host a police officer entrance exam on Saturday, November 5, 2016. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in beginning a career in law enforcement. The department expects to have several patrol officer positions available in the near future for qualified candidates. For more information and to register, please click the link below.
​
Thank you for your interest in the Franklin Police Department.

Registrations accepted online here -->>


This was shared from
http://www.policeexamsolutions.com/#!franklin-pd-exam/otv9u

Meeting to focus on Regional Transportation Challenges

The 495/MetroWest Suburban Edge Community Commission, co-chaired by Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Kate Hogan, and Assistant Secretary for Communities and Programs Juan Vega, will hold a meeting focused on regional transportation challenges.

The 495/ MetroWest Suburban Edge Community Commission was established by the Legislature in Section 233 of Chapter 165 of the Session Laws of 2015. The commission will study development challenges experienced by edge communities, including transportation, water, cellular, and energy infrastructure, transit services, residential development, reuse of former industrial facilities and historic mills, brownfields reclamation, downtown redevelopment and other such constraints. 

The commission will then develop policy responses and recommendations to ensure that edge communities can participate in state development initiatives and benefit from state resources. The commission will focus its investigation and study on the 35 municipalities served by the 495/MetroWest Corridor Partnership, Inc. and develop a pilot program to address the issues to be studied and investigated by the commission.


WHEN: 
Friday, September 16, 2016, 11:00 am

WHERE: 
Warren Conference Center
529 Chestnut St,
Ashland, MA 01721

WHO: 
Senator Karen Spilka
Representative Kate Hogan
Assistant Secretary for Communities and Programs Juan Vega
Senator James Eldridge
Senator Richard Ross
Representative Carolyn Dykema
Representative David Muradian

http://www.mass.gov/hed/economic/initiatives/metrowest-suburban-edge-community-commission.html

• Additional info on the Commission can be found her

http://www.mass.gov/hed/economic/initiatives/metrowest-suburban-edge-community-commission.html

School Wellness Advisory Council: "Nutrition Nuggets"

The School Wellness Advisory Council has published "Nutrition Nuggets" and shared here:

Remington Middle School

Dancing Principal 1st day dance 2016

And what has become a tradition on the first day of school at Remington Middle School happened again this morning. Principal Brian Wildeman danced for the first day and some brave students joined along!





For more about Remington visit their webpage
http://remington.franklin.k12.ma.us/Pages/index

Remington Middle School, Franklin, MA

Facing Addiction Across America (Part 3 and 4 - YouTube series)

"In recovery, community and support are such major factors"

"Join Ryan Hampton and Garrett Hade on their journey into Denver, CO in Part 3 of our Facing Addiction Across America docuseries. Watch and meet even more inspiring individuals at Young People in Recovery and Peter Hamilton from Freedom From Addiction. Tune in now and join their#ISupportRecovery movement. Learn more: http://bit.ly/29QcpCu"

Ryan and Garrett arrive in Texas where they meet with Michael Dadashi and KC Davis of Infinite Recovery, both people in long-term recovery. Watch and comment.





I'll continue to post a pair of episodes until the series completes. If you want to feel free to find the next in the series by clicking through to YouTube.

You can help support the SAFE Coalition which works to provide support for those of our neighbors who need it.  http://safecoalitionma.com/

S.A.F.E. is a coalition of community partners who have come together to provide support, education, treatment options, and coping mechanisms for those affected by substance abuse disorder.

FPAC Announces Open Auditions For 26th Season

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will hold open auditions for several fall and holiday productions featured as part of the company’s 26th season. FPAC proudly presents the musical theater masterpiece Fiddler on the Roof, Neil Simon’s hilarious The Odd Couple, Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet The Nutcracker, the FPAC family-favorite musical Humbug!, and an original American panto with a twist on a fairy tale classic.

Opening FPAC’s season, Fiddler on the Roof will be presented on October 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s home and performance venue in downtown Franklin. The iconic musical, winner of nine Tony Awards for the 1964 premiere production, features the beloved classics “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Miracle of Miracles,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Tradition,” and “Matchmaker.” Auditions will be held on Wednesday, September 7 at 5:30 p.m. for children ages 8 and older (limited roles), 6:00 for teens, and 7:00 for adults. Please prepare 16 measures of a legitimate musical theater song in the style of the show. A dance combination will be taught at the audition. 

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC)

The Odd Couple auditions will take place on Tuesday, September 13 at 8 p.m., with performances scheduled for November 4-6 at THE BLACK BOX. The two-person comedy is an epic mismatch of personalities as an incompatible pair of suddenly single pals becomes roommates. Please be prepared for cold readings; a monologue is optional.

Presented with live professional orchestra on December 3 and 4 at the Franklin High School auditorium, FPAC’s magical journey of The Nutcracker features more than 100 area dancers and special guest artists. Open auditions for The Nutcracker will be held on Sunday, September 18. Students, ages 6 and older, from all area dance schools are welcome. Ballet attire is required. Audition times are 9:30-10:00 a.m. for ages 6 and 7, 10:00-10:45 for ages 8 and 9, 11:00-11:45 for ages 10 and 11, 11:45-12:45 for ages 12 and 13, 1:00-2:00 for ages 14+ (off pointe), and 2:45-3:45 for ages 12+ (pointe audition; must be on pointe for at least one year). Off-pointe callbacks are scheduled at 2:00-2:30 p.m., with pointe callbacks from 3:45-4:45.

FPAC’s original American panto follows in the British tradition, retelling a well-known fairy tale in an exaggerated style filled with audience participation, popular songs, slapstick comedy, jokes, dances and more. The production will be staged at THE BLACK BOX on December 10 and 11. 

FPAC’s large-cast holiday musical, Humbug!, will be presented on December 17 and 18 at Franklin High School auditorium. A family favorite since debuting as part of the company’s 2008 season, Humbug! is a contemporary adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Open auditions for both holiday musicals will take place on Saturday, October 8 at 1 p.m. for ages 6-8, 1:30 for ages 9 and 10, 2:00 for ages 11 and 12, 2:30 for teens, and 3:30 for adults. Students must be 6 years of age or older on the audition date to participate. Beginners and all levels are welcome. Please prepare 16 measures of a musical theater or pop song. A simple dance combination will be taught at the audition.

All FPAC auditions will take place at THE BLACK BOX, located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com