FHS Hockey preview; Jeremy Miller one of the "Players to Watch"

Hockomock Sports has published the preview for the Kelly-Rex Division for hockey The Franklin preview has been shared here. Follow the link at the bottom of the summary to find out about the other teams in each of the Hockomock League divisions.

Franklin High School made it all the way to #1 last season. Where will they end up this season?

2015-16 Record: 18-4-5 (8-0-2)
2015-16 Finish: Won the Div. 1 State Championship
Head Coach: Chris Spillane

"After being the first Hockomock League team selected for the prestigious Super 8 tournament in 2014-15 and then graduating 21 players, Franklin was supposed to need a year to rebuild, but the Panthers showed just how strong their program is by bringing home the Div. 1 state championship in a dramatic double overtime thriller against St. Mary’s at the TD Garden. It was the program’s first state title at any level since 1983. 

The Panthers graduated another large class of 13 seniors from last year’s champions and lost promising freshman defenseman Kevin Mackay who transferred to Dexter. Still, expectations remain as high as ever for the Panthers, who have won four straight league titles. Much of that excitement comes from the potential in the offensive zone with Franklin returning last year’s title game hero Luke Downie, leading goal scorer Jeremy Miller, and Brendan O’Reilly and the top line of seniors Joey Blasie, Adam Assad, and James Kilroe. Sophomores Matt Holmes and Zach Falvey will add depth to the offense. 

Defense is where the Panthers will have some new faces, although seniors Tom Sicchio and Stan Carter will add some experience to the back line. Juniors Jack McGrath and Connor Norton will make the jump up from the JV team to add to the defensive lines and freshman Collin Opet will also see playing time on the defense as well. For the third season in a row, Franklin will have a new No. 1 goalie with senior Cam Benham and junior Owen Ginley will battle it out for the starting spot. 

“For the Panthers to be successful this year it will be a result of a team defense concept,” said Franklin coach Chris Spillane. “The offense will take care of itself, we will be focusing on strong play in our zone.”

For the preview on other Kelly-Rex Division teams
https://hockomocksports.com/2016-2017-kelley-rex-hockey-preview/

For the preview on the Davenport Division
https://hockomocksports.com/2016-2017-davenport-hockey-preview/

-------------

JEREMY MILLER, FRANKLIN

The junior forward is coming off a season in which he led the Panthers in scoring as a sophomore, helping Franklin complete an unbeaten league campaign, clinching another Kelley-Rex division title, and also making history as part of the Div. 1 state championship team. 

He had a team-high 15 goals and 20 points last season. This winter, Miller comes in with even more expectations, as Franklin continues to make itself a program to watch statewide and building its resume with tough non-league games, such as a rematch of the state title game against St. Mary’s. 

Miller will have a lot of help up front as the Panthers return a core of forwards, including Adam Assad and state title game hero Luke Downie, but Miller remains the lynchpin with his combination of speed and strength. He has no problem battling for a puck against the boards and can break free with his skating ability in open ice.

For other "Players to Watch" around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-hockey-players-to-watch-2016-2017/

MassBudget: In 16 Charts: Higher Education Funding in Massachusetts

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. In 16 Charts: Higher Education Funding in Massachusetts  Our Commonwealth's public colleges and universities are increasingly important for Massachusetts' economy and its residents. The majority of our state's public high school students who go on to college attend a public college or university in Massachusetts. And students attending public campuses are significantly more likely than those attending private ones to live and work in Massachusetts after graduation, contributing to our communities and our economy over the long-term. At a time when expanding access to higher education is more important than ever for our economy - and for our people - the costs of attending public college have been rising substantially. More students in Massachusetts are taking out loans to pay for public college and university in the state, and they are going deeper into debt to do so: inflation-adjusted debt for students taking out loans in Massachusetts has gone up from an average of $19,000 in 2001 to $29,000 in 2014 -- an increase of 55 percent. Why this sharp increase in student debt? In 16 Charts: Higher Education Funding in Massachusetts points to reduced state funding for our community colleges, state universities and UMass campuses as a primary cause. As state support has decreased, campuses have turned to tuition and fee increases to make up much of the difference, shifting the cost onto students and their families.   Other key findings from the paper: Massachusetts cut support for public higher education by 14 percent since FY 2001, after adjusting for inflation. As state funding declined, enrollment increased, meaning that per student funding decreased by even more: a 31 percent cut since FY 2001. Massachusetts ranks 30th nationwide in capital spending per student between FY 2001 and FY 2015. See all 16 charts and read the full paper. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today Massachusetts cut state scholarship funding by 31 percent

Hockomock League basketball players to watch

Hockomock Sports has published the "Players to Watch" for the Hockomock League boys and girls basketball teams. The Franklin representatives are shared here. Follow the link at the bottom of each summary to find out about the other players to watch around the Hockomock League. 

CONNOR PETERSON, JUNIOR – FRANKLIN

Like we said earlier, there aren’t a ton of true “big men” in the league or region, but Franklin junior Connor Peterson is definitely one of them. Standing at 6’5, Peterson is a matchup nightmare for almost every team that the Panthers play. Whether it be on offense, defense or just simply rebounding, Peterson is tough prevent from succeeding in the post. When Peterson gets going, he’s very tough to stop and he has the ability to change the momentum in a game with a dunk. He attracts a lot of attention on the inside, which can open things up for a lot for his teammates. The Panthers have had a lot of success moving the ball around and finding an open man and the attention Peterson draws is a big reason for that.

for other boys basketball players to watch
https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-boys-basketball-players-to-watch-2016-2017/

CARLI KOFFINKE, SENIOR – FRANKLIN

FHS Panthers

The senior shooting guard, who is in her third season on the varsity team, will be asked to take on more responsibility for the Panthers this season with the graduation of leading scorers Lauren Rudolph and Aubrie Kutil. Koffinke has shown the ability to be a dangerous threat for Franklin from beyond the arc but she can also take the ball off the dribble to make things happen going to the basket. As she develops on the defensive end, Koffinke can guard several positions and is a solid rebounder, particularly on the offensive end of the floor, and she will be another ball-handler to help new point guard Margaux Welsh against opponents that like to press high up the court. As one of five seniors on the Franklin roster, Koffinke will have to provide leadership on both ends of the floor but has the potential for a breakout season and could help the Panthers make another trip to the tournament.

for other girls basketball players to watch
https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-girls-basketball-players-to-watch-2016-2017/

In the News: 46 superintendent candidates; student held without bail

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

"The school district has received 46 applications for its superintendent position, officials revealed this week. 

School Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley, speaking at Tuesday night's committee meeting, gave an update on the process, saying he hopes the search will end early in 2017. The district is looking to replace current Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, who will be retiring at the end of the school year. 

O'Malley said the district's search consultant - Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates - reported the applicant figure as of earlier that day. He indicated that he was pleased that there was high interest in the position."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161214/franklin-receives-46-applicants-for-superintendent-position

The report from HYA defining what they believe to be the profile of the new Superintendent can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/the-leadership-profile-for-franklin.html

Franklin High School

"A Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School student was ordered held without bail in Wrentham District Court Wednesday for charges that he allegedly threatened to "shoot up the school." 

Julius Willis, 18, of 503 Ellis Road in North Attleborough, pleaded not guilty to charges of threatening to commit a crime, making a threat that caused serious public alarm, disturbing a school, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Judge Emogene Johnson Smith ordered Willis held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Dec. 22. 

Franklin Police Lt. Mark Manocchio wrote in an affidavit that police were called to the school at about 11 a.m. on Tuesday for reported threats."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161214/tri-county-student-accused-of-making-school-shooting-threats

Franklin School Committee Newsletter

The Franklin School Committee has published their first in a series of newsletters.





You can subscribe to the newsletter by clicking on the "Follow" button

subscribe to the Franklin School Committee Newsletter

Families Share the Stage In FPAC’S Humbug!

When the curtain rises on Franklin Performing Arts Company’s Humbug!, a contemporary musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, several local families will share the stage. The FPAC original features 11 sets of parents and their children as part of a large ensemble cast of some 125 professional artists, community performers and students of the arts. 

“Live theater creates a space where we can come together and have a collective experience,” says Mireille Eastman, who performs in the production along with her husband, Charley Eastman, and all three of their children. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be involved in Humbug! as a family. Sharing our passion for live theater with our children has brought us all closer together.” 

The Eastman Family appears in Humbug!

Charley and Mireille starred opposite one another in FPAC’s 2014 production of Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve. They are cast as husband and wife in Humbug!, playing Fanny May and Freddy Mack. Among the couple’s theater training, Charley earned a BFA in Acting from the University of Connecticut at Storrs while Mireille received a BA in Theater from Hunter College, with additional training at William Esper Studio and the Actors Movement Studio. Charley’s FPAC credits also include Annie (Rooster), The Tempest (Prospero), The Dumb Waiter (Gus) and The Zoo Story (Jerry). Mireille has performed on stage in New York and in various film and video productions.

Daughter Ameline, age 8, is in Humbug’s Children’s Ensemble, while son Emmett, age 9, and daughter Phoebe, age 11, are in the Youth Ensemble. The kids have taken dance, voice and musical theater classes at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), and Ameline and Emmett participate in FSPA’s new AfterSchool program.

“Emmett, who tends to be our toughest critic, turned to us after rehearsal one day and said, ‘Daddy, I really like being in the show. It’s a lot of fun.’ That is high praise from a nine-year-old boy! And Ameline already wants to know when she can audition for the next show.”

Youth development in the arts is a special focus of FPAC, founded in 1991 by Executive Director Raye Lynn Mercer. Productions provide ongoing opportunities for families to connect through the arts, with multiple generations sharing rehearsals and time on stage together.

“FPAC provides a safe intergenerational space, where we can all work hard and play hard, reaching a finite goal,” Mireille notes. “The experience allows us to interact as peers under the careful direction of Raye Lynn Mercer and volunteer our time and energy for something creative and beneficial for the community.”

The Eastmans are involved in a number of community initiatives in addition to FPAC, including Meals on Wheels, the Franklin Arts Association, and the Franklin Federated Church, where Charley is Pastor.

“All of these touchstones will be part of our life in Franklin and our children’s childhood,” says Mireille.

Other families performing in Humbug! this season include Kristen, Tony and Griffin Wilkins of Walpole, as well as the following Franklin residents: Janene and Madison Asgeirsson; Charlotte and Michelle Berry; Ed, Jocelyn and Wendy Jones; Greg, Madison and Sydney Leach and Michele Webster; Holly and Tatiana McAlpine; Debra, Matthew and Shane Packard; Chuck and Mackenzie Peters; Guy, Hannah and Madison Rezendes, with grandfather Steve Crowley; and Jaiden, Lindsey, Melissa and Peter Wyner. 

A family favorite since debuting as part of FPAC’s 2008-09 season, Humbug! is conceived, written and directed by Franklin’s Nick Paone, who also stars as Scrooge. The musical features Dickens’ familiar characters and story, but re-imagines the classic tale in contemporary America for a modern audience with updated references to current events and pop culture. The storyline is supported by musical hits of many genres with live accompaniment by a 10-piece band of professional musicians.

Humbug! will be performed on Saturday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, December 18, at 2 p.m. at the Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak Street. Raye Lynn Mercer co-directs the production, with musical direction by Hallie Wetzell and choreography by Kellie Stamp, Mercer and Paone. Tickets are $30-$34 and may be purchased at www.fpaconline.com, or at 508-528-3370. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door. Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation and Waters Corporation are FPAC 2016 Holiday Sponsors. Northern Trust is a Performance Sponsor. 

Madalene Village - Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - Dec 15 - 7:35 PM

"This Thursday, December 15th at 7:35 pm will be the last public Zoning Board of Appeals meeting regarding Madalene Village, a proposed 32-unit development next to Fletcher Field with entrances on both Cottage Street and Peck Street.

While attendance at these ZBA meetings has been strong when this development is on the agenda, we're looking to make the most impact possible at the last one. It's clear that the ZBA members have noticed our attendance and listened to our concerns, so I'm hopeful we can make a lasting impact.

Could you help us spread the word?

I've posted as much info as we have on the Facebook group, but if you have any questions, please let me know."

https://www.facebook.com/groups/savesprucepondbrook/

The revised Storm Water Report (270 pages)

Letter from Conservation Agent

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczSnJYbHJEeks4NTA/view?usp=sharing

Letter from Fire Chief

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRTUwcE9hdXBMYU0/view?usp=sharing

draft of plan for Madalene Village proposal near Fletcher Field with entrance from Cottage and Peck Streets