Monday, November 7, 2016

The Elastic Five and Brehon & the V8’s - Nov 12 - Original Congregational Church in Wrentham

The next concert at the Original Congregational Church in Wrentham is Saturday, Nov. 12, 7:30 PM, in the Fellowship Hall of the church. 


The performers are two local area bands, The Elastic Five and Brehon & the V8’s, playing rock and pop hits of the 1950’s through the 1990’s. 


More details are available on the Church website at http://www.musicatocc.org/upcoming-shows.html.






For more about the individual bands, please visit their websites listed below:

Elastic Five Website and Brehon Facebook Page

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Let's celebrate 10 Years by honoring you, the loyal readers, and help Franklin, MA nonprofits

How does one celebrate that Franklin MAtters has reached 10 years of providing timely and accurate information to Franklin residents? By choosing to honor you, the loyal readers, with a contribution to your choice of Franklin nonprofit.


First

Part A: 5 of the longest 200 email subscribers were selected randomly. They’ll receive notification of this selection and a request to identify a Franklin nonprofit. A $50 contribution to that *qualified nonprofit* will be made in their name.

Part B: They will also receive a 2017 calendar published by the Franklin Historical Museum.

Second

5 of the email subscribers who sign up during the month of November will also be randomly selected to receive a copy of the 2017 calendar published by the Franklin Historical Museum.

How to subscribe?

If you are not already subscribed to receive the daily email from Franklin Matters, please consider doing so. Why?

  • You won't miss any of the good stuff
  • It is free

You can subscribe here  http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html


This is especially true for those who follow Franklin MAtters on Facebook. Facebook filters what you see and that filtering means you do not see all that is published. One email, sent daily ensures you have access to all the information that matters to Franklin.


celebrating 10 years of readership growth, thank you!
celebrating 10 years of readership growth, thank you!


* Note: A qualified nonprofit is one that has registered as a 501(c)3 and is based in Franklin.


FranklinMatters.org/
FranklinMatters.org/


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This website is part of my public service effort for Franklin and I can use your help.

How can you help, you ask?
If you have an interest in writing about something that matters in Franklin, please let me know. In particular, I am looking for someone to follow the Planning Board, Conservation Committee, and Zoning Board of Appeals. 

As always -

  • If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like this, please tell me.


This feedback loop is important. Thank you for reading and sharing! 

No change in Town Council leadership

In the recap of the Town Council meeting held Nov 2, 2016, I have the following:

The first order of business was the annual organization process. Someone nominates a candidate for the Chair, with a second and possible discussion, it is then voted on. Someone nominates a candidate for the Vice-Chair, with a second and possible discussion, it is then voted on. Someone nominates a candidate for the Clerk of the Town Council (Not to be confused with the Town Clerk, a separate and distinct position), with a second and possible discussion, it is then voted on.

In most recent councils, there has only been one candidate for each position, no discussion and a unanimous vote. Which is all well and good. 


*** Proclamation
to recognize Franklin Sheet Metal, among other things is noted for as the maker of the machine that makes Fritos.

gentleman representing Franklin Sheet Metal, Judy Pfeffer and Matt Kelly
gentleman representing Franklin Sheet Metal, Judy Pfeffer and Matt Kelly
Especially with the new website, it would be really nice to have an archive available for the proclamations given. They are not included in the Council package, they are read outloud, and the meeting moves on. Why not keep a record of what was given to whom, why, and when?


*** Citizens Comment
Jane Curran, Jane's Frames
one of the founding member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership provided a reminder and information of the 15th anniversary gala coming up Nov 12. This event at THE BLACK BOX is planned as a "celebration of all that has been done to make downtown beautiful."

Teresa Burr, Town Clerk
Acknowledged receiving recognition of Franklin by the Secretary of the Commonwealth for creating the early voting opportunities. As of Tuesday, there were 4392 voters who cast their ballots early, almost 20%. 

On November 8, the polls open at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM.
Early voting happens through Friday, Nov 4 at 1:00 PM.

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With Senator Karen Spilka expected to be late for the scheduled start of the Legislative Update, the Town Council moved on to other business. The Council did dispatch these generally with ease.

  • Approved appointment of Ron Higginbottom to the Council on Aging. 
  • Tabled the resolution to remove the firefighter positions from Civil Service. Apparently, the negotiations are close to final and should be ready for the rescheduled to the meeting of Dec 7, 2016.
  • Approved the acceptance of land off Lincoln St by an 8-1 vote. Bissanti who is still expressing displeasure over this move was the one dissenting vote.

The legislate update was insightful to see how much was accomplished this past year and for the outlook on the budget cycle about to begin for FY 2018. You can read the full details in the link below. 

Municipal aggregation is ready but the pricing is not expected to produce sufficient savings to execute it right now. The Town is ready to do so, all the approvals have been received.They will continue to watch the market pricing to see when to make the move.

The Actions Taken as published can be found here (note the official meeting minutes are drafted and circulated for approval at the next council meeting before they are made public).



For additional details, please refer to my notes taken live during the meeting:


Franklin Turkey Trot Helps Feed Those in Need - Nov 24

On Thanksgiving morning, hundreds will gather at the Franklin Turkey Trot 5K Family Fun Run to help fight hunger. The registration fee of $20, or 20 nonperishables, goes directly to the Franklin Food Pantry, keeping donations local to help those in need during this holiday season.

The event begins and ends at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS Church) at 91 Jordan Road in Franklin. The race, open to runners and walkers of all ages, is a great opportunity for the entire family to get out and exercise together before their traditional Thanksgiving feast. And, there’s the added benefit of helping to relieve hunger in the community.

“We are inspired by the great turnout for the Franklin race,” said Erin Lynch, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. “Thanksgiving is a time for everyone to truly appreciate what they have, but also an occasion to think of others who are struggling to put food on their tables. The Turkey Trot rallies our community to give back and help protect others from the threat of hunger. We, and the 504 households we serve, are grateful to our community for coming out to support us.”

The November 24 race will begin at 8 a.m. Registration can be made online at franklinturkeytrot.org; at the LDS Church from 7 – 9 p.m. the Wednesday before the race; or the morning of the race from 7 – 8 a.m. 

While the registration fee of $20 is preferred, individuals have the option of donating 20 nonperishables to register. The Pantry has a shortage of personal hygiene products, such as toilet paper, deodorant, shampoo, liquid hand soap and feminine products.

For more information, call 508-520-9864 or email franklinturkeytrot@gmail.com.


Food Pantry truck loading with the 20 nonperishables for the Franklin Turkey Trot
Food Pantry truck loading with the 20 nonperishables for the Franklin Turkey Trot
Franklin Turkey Trot Helps Feed Those in Need - Nov 24
Franklin Turkey Trot Helps Feed Those in Need - Nov 24

Reminder: Community Relations Subcommittee - November 9

Just a reminder the Community Relations Subcommittee of the Franklin School Committee is holding office hours on Wednesday evening, November 9 at 6:30. 

This meeting is held in the community meeting room at the Franklin Cable TV Studio on 23 Hutchinson Street. It is not being televised!! 

Come share your concerns relative to the new superintendent search, policy, budget, etc. We value and appreciate your input.

Franklin TV studio on Hutchinson St
Franklin TV studio on Hutchinson St

A collection of recent links on the Ballot Questions




Question 2


  • The Executive Director of the Foxboro Regional Charter School summaries the issue

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/vip/opinion/columns/guest-column-mark-logan-clarifying-some-inaccuracies-about-charter-schools/article_95a92de4-a08f-11e6-8f9b-539c9a583820.html



Question 3


  • How would the state regulate eggs? Sounds like an unfunded mandate

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161106/how-would-state-regulate-eggs


  • The battleground is the farm

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161106/battleground-on-farm


Question 4


  • Opting out marijuana if the question passes is not easy

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161106/opting-out-of-marijuana-not-so-easy


  • Even if Question 4 passes, Federal Legislation still says this is illegal

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161106/first-comes-pot-then-regulations


and there is the ballot question guide provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth
and there is the ballot question guide provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth

Toe Jam Puppet Band - November 8

What do you do with the kids out of school on Election Day?

For those with little ones, consider the Toe Jam Puppet Band which appears at the Franklin Public Library on Tuesday, November 8, 1:00 p.m.


This was shared from the Franklin Public Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-toe-jam-puppet-band-tuesday.html

For parents/grand parents who might want to know more about the Toe Jam Puppet Band, please visit their webpage  http://www.toejampuppetband.com/