Town Council Meeting Recap - Jan 4, 2017

After a brief discussion on the merits of a joint meeting with the Planning Board, the Town Council found it did not have enough interest to go forward. Joint workshops are a good thing but the functions served by both organizations are uniquely different. There would still be the need to hold separate votes, and the Planning Board recommendation is required before the Town Council acts, so the combined meeting for a public hearing would not help to streamline the process.

The update to the Master Plan was a summary of actions taken since the plan was published. The listing of accomplishments mostly in the recreation and open space sections will be recorded with the 'official' Master Plan.

A proposal to locate 'Storage Use' in the industrial zone (where it is not currently permitted) rather than in the Commercial II zone (where it currently is permitted) was approved. The irony is that the two current storage operations are located in the industrial zone, apparently grandfathered from a prior time. The proposal will move to the Planning Board for their discussion and decision before coming back to the Town Council for their two public readings and eventual decision to make the change.


Some of the more interesting information came from the subcommittee reports:

• Jones - presentation coming on the Town website for next meeting. The presentation should help residents understand how to use the newly redesigned Town webpage.
• Mercer - delays with Senior Center, biggest hold up is the elevator, need to get the State inspection, once they inspect, then we can utilize the second floor.
• Mercer - High school project - while open for a couple of years, it has not ended yet. The fields will be up and operating in the spring. Finalizing the last invoice with the contractor. Setting up the audit process with the MSBA to get signed off. FHS gym floor being re-done this summer, a glass door issue to be taken care of before we sign off.
• Pfeffer - The new addition at the Library should be all closed in by now, roof being worked on. Temporary heat there. it will be gorgeous to see what it will look like when done. Stop by 25 Kenwood to see the displays. The Benjamin Franklin books will be on display in a much better showcase for viewing by all. It may not open in July given the current construction progress.

the new addition to the Library does look like it is closed in at this point

The official 'Actions Taken' as posted by the Town of Franklin can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_january_4_2017.pdf



My notes taken live during the meeting can be found here

• Live Reporting: to closing
• Live Reporting: Subcommittee reports, Legislation
• Live Reporting: Master Plan Update
• Live Reporting: Town Council - Jan 4, 2017
• 
  

FHS wrestling and girls swim team post wins on Thursday

Wrestling = Franklin, 51 vs. St. John’s, 12 – Final

Swimming - Boys = Franklin, 65 @ Milford, 100 – Final

Swimming - Girls = Franklin, 99 @ Milford, 71 – Final 

– Franklin freshman Katie McGuire won a pair of events to help the Panthers get the crossover win. McGuire won the 500 free and the 200 free, with sophomore Lizzie Leo coming in second in the 200 free. The Panthers swept the 200 IM with senior Megan Lazarek coming in first, freshman Isabel Capecci second and senior Lila Kaplan touching in third. Senior Helen Huang was first in the 50 free for the Panthers with junior Audrey Finn coming in second. Franklin also swept the 200 and 400 free relay events.

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-010517/

FHS Panthers

And from the Twitterverse

You win some and you lose some @FranklinHS @TOFranklinMA @FHSSports : https://t.co/odkrceYPUh

— Country Gazette (@CountryGazette) January 6, 2017

[Boys Winter Varsity Wrestling] Franklin HS defeats Saint John's HS, 51 to 12.

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) January 6, 2017

Another dominant performance for @FHSWrestle as the Panthers move to 8-0 with a 51-12 win over SJS @FHSSports @MetroWestSports

— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) January 6, 2017

Great 51-12 win over St. John's S. with pins from Carlucci, Bakalars, Remillard, MacLean, Cogavin, Hernandez, and Colella #FHSWrestle

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) January 6, 2017

Senator Spilka Hosts Social Emotional Learning Discussion on Jan 17, 2017 in Ashland

Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) will host a discussion of social and emotional learning (SEL) and possible models for implementation in MetroWest schools and communities.

Social and emotional learning – defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as “the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions” – is increasingly recognized as the key to success, in school and beyond, for children of all backgrounds. Join Senator Spilka and CASEL senior consultant Ruth Cross to learn about the importance of SEL and ways to bring these strategies to MetroWest students.

WHO:
Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland)
Ruth Cross, Senior SEL Consultant, CASEL

WHAT:
Discussion of social and emotional learning and a model for district-wide SEL implementation

WHEN:
January 17, 2017
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Warren Conference Center and Inn
Warren House Telechron Room
529 Chestnut Street, Ashland

NOTE: 
This event is free and open to the public; attendees must RSVP via Eventbrite.

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

To learn more about SEL, visit http://www.casel.org/what-is-sel/
To learn more about Ruth Cross, visit http://www.casel.org/staff/ruth-cross/
To learn more about CASEL, visit http://www.casel.org/

Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee to meet Jan 10, 2017

View this email in your browser Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Monthly Meeting Tuesday, January 10th The Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee will meet on Tuesday January 10th, 2017. The meeting will be held at the YMCA in Franklin and start at 7:30 pm. We hope to see you there!   Download this month's agenda (156 KB) Copyright © 2017 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have opted in to stay informed about the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Our mailing address is: Franklin  Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

In the News: Milford schools exploring panic button; Master Plan progress noted

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

"School officials are targeting a February date to debut a smart phone panic button program to better alert faculty, staff, students and families in the event of an emergency. 

The Rave Mobile Safety program will be implemented sometime in late winter, said Superintendent Kevin McIntyre at Thursday's School Committee meeting. 

IT Director Matthew Joseph has taken on the rollout of the program, working "hand-in-hand" with the Police Department and Chief Tom O'Loughlin. 

Joseph, O'Loughlin and school administrators have been working throughout the school year on the program, which is essentially a smart phone app that allows a faculty member to alert authorities with the click of a button."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170105/milford-schools-smart-phone-panic-button-program-coming-in-february

"Town officials said Franklin has made good progress over the past year toward its master plan goals, but the town still needs less costly housing. 

The Town Council considered the matter at its Wednesday night meeting as part of a yearly review. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said one of the highlights of the town's 2016 efforts involved improving the DelCarte Conservation Property, which helps fulfill a goal that the town protect natural resources. 

"A management study for the DelCarte property is out," he said, adding that the town was beginning its efforts to combat invasive weeds in the ponds there."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170105/franklin-council-reviews-master-plan-progress

frozen pond at DelCarte

Senior Center: January 2017 - Franklin Connection Newsletter

Please note the new Issue of The Franklin Connection newsletter has been published -->> January's Newsletter (PDF)

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/72413

expanded parking lot at the Senior Center will accommodate more
parking when the 2nd floor and renovations are complete

Empty Bowls Club Needs Some Helping Hands: Register now to make bowls to fight hunger March 4

The Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club will hold a bowl-making event on Saturday, March 4 to help make ceramic bowls in preparation for the 2nd Annual Empty Bowls Dinner on May 2. Anyone 8 years or older is invited to this free, community event to create bowls out of clay which will be used in the May 2 fundraiser benefitting the Franklin Food Pantry.

The event, held from 10 a.m. to Noon in Room 138 at FHS, is limited to the first 25 people who register. All materials and instruction are provided for free. Pre-registration is required and can be done online at franklinfoodpantry.org/give-help/volunteer/empty-bowls/.

Event participants will make bowls out of clay that will later
be painted and glazed for the 2nd Annual Empty Bowls Dinner

“We are opening our studio to engage the public in a worthwhile project that addresses hunger in our own community,” says Brenna Johnson, FHS art teacher and instructor for the Empty Bowls Club. “It’s a great opportunity for families or friends to experience a craft activity together while supporting a meaningful cause.”

The clay bowls will be fired, painted and glazed in preparation for the Empty Bowls Dinner to raise money for the Pantry. Dinner attendees choose one of the hand-made bowls to take home as a reminder that “somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty.” The May 2 fundraiser, which includes a simple meal of soup and bread, is meant to remind guests of the many “empty bowls” that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger.

About the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club

Franklin High School is participating in an international charity project called Empty Bowls, which supports hungry people in local communities. The first part of this project is to make ceramic bowls with students, faculty, district K-12 art teachers, and the Franklin community. Then, the Empty Bowls Club and the Franklin Food Pantry co-host a community meal of soup and bread. All funds raised at this event are donated to the Franklin Food Pantry.

About the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities once a month to 504 households, including more than 300 children. Clients have access to bread and fresh produce daily during Pantry hours. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Other programs include a Mobile Pantry, Cooking Matters classes, a Healthy Futures Market, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.