"even if we could afford it, it's the wrong priority"

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

"As Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed a controversial pay-raise bill Friday, several local lawmakers - on both sides of the argument - defended their votes. 

The $18 million package that would bump pay for legislative leaders, judges and constitutional officers swiftly passed through the House and Senate this week with near unilateral support of Democrats, and complete opposition by Republicans. 

Baker called the pay hikes "irresponsible" and rejected the bill. Republicans from MetroWest and the Milford area agreed with Baker's veto."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170128/legsilators-defend-criticize-pay-raise-bill

FHS wrestling takes Hockomock Championship; boys hockey tops Oliver Ames

Hockey = Oliver Ames, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final

"Former Franklin goalie Sean Bertoni (Class of 2002) made his first return to his alma mater as a head coach on Saturday night, leading Oliver Ames into Pirelli Veterans Arena with a chance to take control of the Kelley-Rex title race. 

But it was current Panthers netminder Cam Benham that stole the headlines and the two points with a 40-save performance that helped Franklin claim a 4-1 victory and control of its own destiny as it seeks to clinch a sixth straight league championship. 

“That’s the goaltender that we need every night,” said Franklin coach Chris Spillane. “We’re looking forward to Cam getting on a roll. He had a shutout the other night, played unbelievable for us tonight, made some really big saves, and kept us in the game.”

Continue reading the hockey game recap by Josh Perry online
https://hockomocksports.com/benham-saves-the-day-for-franklin-hockey-against-oliver-ames/


Wrestling = Hockomock League Championships (@ Oliver Ames)

"Franklin had three individual champions, two second place finishes and four more grapplers finish third or fourth to win the team title at the Hockomock League Wrestling Championships at Oliver Ames on Saturday. 

The Panthers registered 218.5 points, edging out North Attleboro (212.5 points) and Foxboro (200.5 points). 

Franklin’s Ian Bakalars won the 113 title with a 6-2 decision, Mike Racca notched a first round pin to win the 120 title and Dylan Maclean earned the 145 title with a pin. Jordan Carlucci (106) and Brian Perry (285) had second place finishes, Evan Hernandez (182) and Kyler Colella (195) each came in third and TJ Remillard (126) and Brian Farrell (132) both placed fourth."

Continue reading the wrestling recap by Ryan Lanigan online
https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-wrestling-championships-2017/

Additional photos from the wrestling Championships by HockomockSports
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20162017/Winter-201617/Hockomock-League-Wrestling/

The team came in first winning the tournament and becoming Hockomock Champions!!! #FHSWrestle #cvvtrszn

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-012817/


Indoor Track results from the State Coaches Meet
http://www.mstca.org/Winter_Season/Winter%202017/PerfList-LargeSchools.htm

Via the Twitterverse

The team came in first winning the tournament and becoming Hockomock Champions!!! #FHSWrestle #cvvtrszn pic.twitter.com/dhbHs3nAIS

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) January 28, 2017

1st, Bakalars, Racca, and MacLean. 2nd, Carlucci and Perry. 3rd, Hernandez and Colella #FHSWrestle pic.twitter.com/FN7JWGcnT6

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) January 28, 2017

Lots of great races, PRs, and trips to the podium today at the Coaches Invitational! pic.twitter.com/VOuUanRHe7

— Meredith Flynn (@mer_flynn) January 28, 2017

New School Record in the 4x200 - 1:46.56, Atkinson, Pierre, Cummings, Kroushl. Awesome job ladies!

— Coach Bailey (@FranklinHSXC) January 28, 2017

After third round, Carlucci, Bakalars, Racca, MacLean, and Perry are in the finals with Franklin in 1st with 166.5 points #FHSWrestle

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) January 28, 2017

Girls 4x800 gets first at the Coaches Invitational with a 9:32.44! Congrats 🏅🏆🥇 pic.twitter.com/1LPOB0Sztn

— Coach Bailey (@FranklinHSXC) January 28, 2017

After second round 10 out of the 14 line up move on to the semi finals. Franklin is in first with 80.5 points

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) January 28, 2017

After the first round 13 out of the 14 line up move on #FHSWrestle

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) January 28, 2017

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - February 1, 2017

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town COuncil meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 1, 2017

(Note where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	January 18, 2017
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS	This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	(Swearing in of unnamed police officers)
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS	Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comments on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - 7:10 PM	JOE'S AMERICAN BAR and; GRILL - CHANGE OF MANAGER
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS	(To be provided during the meeting)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	1. RESOLUTION 17-04: ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT OF UTILITY (DRAINAGE) EASEMENTS (MAJORITY VOTE (5))
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	2. RESOLUTION 17-05: REQUEST FOR SPECIAL LEGISLATION, RE: AUTHORIZATION FOR STATE TO CONVEY ARTICLE 97 LAND TO TOWN (MAJORITY VOTE (5))
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	3. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-779: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 3 DEFINITIONS - 1ST READING ( MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-779 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	4. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-780: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 4 DISTRICTS ENUMERATED - 1ST READING (mOTION FOR MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-780 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	5. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-781: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 5 ZONING MAP - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-781 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	6. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 7 COMPLIANCE REQUIRED - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	7. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-783: AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 49 MARIJUANA USE OVERLAY DISTRICT - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	8. BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-784: REPEAL SIGN RESTRICTIONS BYLAW - 2ND READING ( MOTION TO MOVE BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-784 - MAJORITY ROLL CALL VOTE (5))
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	9. BYLAW AMENDMENT 170785: REPEAL OF SIDEWALK SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL BYLAW - 2ND READING (MOTION TO MOVE BYLAW AMENDMENT 170785 - MAJORITY ROLL CALL VOTE (5))
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT	(To be provided during the meeting)
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS	(To be provided during the meeting)
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS	(To be provided during the meeting)
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION	(If necessary but not indicated for this meeting)
O. ADJOURN

Joe's American Bar and Grill

You can find the interactive version on the Town of Franklin webpage

http://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/town-council-meeting-agenda-1

or the PDF version on the Town of Franklin webpage

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/february_1_agenda.pdf

The change of manager at Joe's American Bar and Grill is likely to cause some conversation as under the previous manager there was an underage sale violation as part of the annual police sting operation.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/recap-of-town-council-meeting-sep-7-2016.html

Franklin Police Department is responding to the opioid epidemic

"The Franklin Police Department is responding to the opioid epidemic in multiple ways. Franklin Police officers are dispatched to reported overdoes, and carry with them the opioid overdosing reversal drug naloxone (Narcan). In addition to this, they also carry with them defibrillators and other medical equipment. The Franklin Police Department believes in openness, transparency, and honestly about the problems our community faces. We will be providing information about the current state of the problem we are responding to, and also continually working to educate, and help those who suffer with addiction. This page will provide data on the number of responses the Franklin Police has made to reported overdoses, and the general locations where we have responded. No specific information about individuals will be provided.

As this problem has grown we have gained more tools to help those who have been affected. Support groups such as the S.A.F.E. Coalition have formed, and also new legislation has been passed. In 2016 Governor Baker signed into law an expansion of the Protective Custody Law, which now allows police officers to require a victim of an overdoes to be seen by medical personnel.

We hope that you will find this information useful, and will support our efforts in trying to help those who suffer under the weight of addiction, and those who care for and about them. Chief Lynch recently appeared on the S.A.F.E. Coalitions's "Confronting Our Crisis" television program. That program can be viewed here."

A new page has been added to the Town of Franklin Police Department page to help share info on the effect of this opioid epidemic in Franklin.
http://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/opioid-tracking

the impact of this map is better when viewed on the Police Dept webpage

Franklin Senior Center: Open House - February 26, 2017

The Franklin Senior Center Open House is scheduled for February 26, 2017. Yes, this open house is to celebrate the renovations to the second floor and the improvements accomplished inside and outside (more parking) as part of the project.

Senior Center Open House-  February 26, 2017 11:00 Am to 2:00 PM

The original Open House was held on Nov 11, 2011. Photos from the event can be found in the archives here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157612392922276/

conference room from the Open House in Nov 2011

expanded parking to increase capacity by 25 vehicles at the Senior Center

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance is the 2017 One Book, One Community read for Franklin, MA

The goal of the Franklin Public Library's One Book, One Community program is to help build a better sense of fellowship through a shared reading experience.

The results are in!

With 42% of the vote, Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance is our 2017 One Book, One Community read.

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

Background info links

The Amazon link for the book can be found here
https://www.amazon.com/Hillbilly-Elegy-Memoir-Family-Culture/dp/0062300547

The authors Twitter page  https://twitter.com/JDVance1

The authors website can be found here
https://www.harpercollins.com/cr-123194/j-d-vance

The wikipedia page for the book
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillbilly_Elegy

http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2017/01/one-book-one-community-2017-title.html

Some of this info was shared from the Town of Franklin page and the Franklin Library page

"It's just a defensive move"

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

"A series of proposed recreational marijuana bylaws will come before the Town Council this week as the town coordinates its response to November's ballot initiative. 

The council will consider the regulations - which would govern the location of recreational marijuana facilities - in a public hearing during its Wednesday night meeting. 

The set of five bylaw amendments - which look to limit such businesses and buildings to certain areas, primarily the local industrial parks - first came in front of the council in late December."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170127/franklin-council-to-consider-marijuana-bylaws


The set of 5 bylaw amendments covering this proposal can be found here (links take you to the PDF files for each bylaw amendment)

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	3. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-779: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 3 DEFINITIONS - 1ST READING ( MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-779 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	4. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-780: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 4 DISTRICTS ENUMERATED - 1ST READING (mOTION FOR MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-780 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	5. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-781: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 5 ZONING MAP - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-781 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	6. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 7 COMPLIANCE REQUIRED - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	7. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-783: AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 49 MARIJUANA USE OVERLAY DISTRICT - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)

The full agenda for the Town Council meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/town-council-meeting-agenda-1

screen grab of Town Council agenda page