Franklin Election 2017: Candidates Listing Updated

As of Friday, August 11, 2017, the following list of residents had taken out nomination papers for the upcoming Biennial Town Election this November 7, 2017.

Town Council

Deborah L. Pellegri - Candidate for Re-Election
Judith Pond Pfeffer - Candidate for Re-Election
Glenn Jones - Candidate for Re-Election
Andrew Bissanti - Candidate for Re-Election
Thomas D. Mercer - Candidate for Re-Election
Robert Dellorco - Candidate for Re-Election
Peter E. Padula – Candidate for Re-Election
Matthew Kelly – Candidate for Re-Election
Eamon McCarthy-Earls
Melanie Hamblen
Patrick Casey
Anthony D. Padula

School Committee

Denise L. Schultz - Candidate for Re-Election
Dr. Monica Linden
Virginia (Gigi) Zub

Planning Board

Joseph Halligan - Candidate for Re-Election
Anthony D. Padula – Candidate for Re-Election

Board of Health

Bruce J. Hunchard - Candidate for Re-Election

Board of Assessors

Christopher K. Feeley – Candidate for Re-Election



Important Dates for the November 2017 Election
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczdHVWamxEMGJLZnM/view?usp=sharing

sidewalks nearing completion along Chestnut St

21st Annual Dean College President’s Cup Golf Tournament - Sep 18

The 21st Annual Dean College President’s Cup Golf Tournament will take place on Monday, September 18, 2017 at the Franklin Country Club, 672 East Central Street, Franklin, MA. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Dean College Scholarship Fund.

Throughout the past 20 years, the Dean College President’s Cup Golf Tournament has had a profound and positive effect on the education of Dean College students. Support from players and sponsors has helped the College raise more than $1,000,000 for Dean College Scholarship Fund.

By sponsoring or playing in this event, you could help deserving students attend Dean College.

To learn more about the tournament, sponsorship opportunities and to register, visit www.dean.edu/golftournament.

21st Annual Dean College President’s Cup Golf Tournament - Sep 18

Dean College is a private, residential New England college grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity for academic and personal success. A uniquely supportive community for more than 150 years, Dean has woven together extensive student support and engagement with exceptional teaching and innovative campus activities. Our graduates are lifetime learners who thrive in their careers, embrace social responsibility and demonstrate leadership. This is The Dean Difference.

Hockomock Area YMCA Hosts YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program Information Sessions

With millions of Americans at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, the Hockomock Area YMCA is encouraging community members to learn their risk and take action to prevent the disease. Currently, diabetes affects nearly 29 million people; another 86 million Americans have prediabetes, yet only about 10 percent are aware of it.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program at the Hockomock Area YMCA, the community is invited to attend an upcoming information session:

• Wednesday, August 23rd at 1:00pm at the North Attleboro Branch (300 Elmwood St)
• Wednesday, August 23rd at 6:30pm at the Bernon Family Branch in Franklin (45 Forge Hill Road)
• Wednesday, September 13th at 1:00pm at the North Attleboro Branch
• Wednesday, September 13th at 6:30pm at the Bernon Family Branch in Franklin

Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose (sugar) levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Understanding your risk is the first step in preventing diabetes. 

Several factors including family history, age, weight and physical activity level can contribute to developing type 2 diabetes. Learn your risk for type 2 diabetes, about our program and take the diabetes risk test, visit https://www.hockymca.org/north-attleboro/diabetes-prevention/

For those at risk for diabetes, the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to help individuals reduce their risk. The Program uses a CDC-approved curriculum and is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. The year-long program consists of 16 weekly sessions and three sessions every other week during the first six months followed by 6 monthly sessions in the second six months. 

A trained lifestyle coach helps participants learn tactics for healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle changes. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention resulted from a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which showed how healthier eating, increasing physical activity and losing a modest amount of weight could lead to better health in participants and an overall reduction of new type 2 diabetes cases.

Recently, the Hockomock Area YMCA received Full CDC Recognition Status of the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program and are currently the first Y in Massachusetts and the only organization in the state that is CDC recognized based on the outcomes of their program. The goal of the program is to help adults at risk for diabetes reduce their body weight by 5 to 7 percent and increase their physical activity to 150 minutes per week. Studies have shown that programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can prevent or delay new cases of type 2 diabetes in adults by 58 percent and by as much as 71 percent in those over age 60.

The program is available at more than 1,400 sites in 44 states. Locally, the progream is offered at all three branches of the Hockomock Area YMCA in Foxboro, Franklin and North Attleboro with programs set to begin in October in North Attleboro and Franklin.

The YMCA encourages you to call the Program Coordinator at 508-643-5271 to learn more or contact your medical provider for a referral. Or for more program information visit hockymca.org.

Hockomock Area YMCA Hosts YMCA’s
Diabetes Prevention Program Information Sessions 

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

StoryWalk® on the SNETT - Aug 25

"Come read and walk on the local rail trail. Book(s) are suitable for ages 3 and up, but all are welcome! Participants will be entered into a drawing for a free book. 

This is a pop up StoryWalk® that will only be available on Aug 25th between 9-11am. 

There is a parking area near the kiosk on Center Street, the StoryWalk® will be across the street from parking.

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. 

Thank you to the Bellingham Public Library for help with the book selections."

StoryWalk® on the SNETT - Aug 25

For updates, follow the Facebook event from the Rail Trail Committee

https://www.facebook.com/events/461541297550902/

FHS Boys Basketball Updates

The FHS Boys basketball team did well in summer competition

The FHS Boys basketball team did well in summer competition
(FHS Panthers Facebook image)

Also on the FHS Boys basketball front, a fund raising golf event is coming up in October

2nd Annual Golf Tournament is October 14. Register here:https://fhsboysbasketballgolf.eventbrite.com/

Two quick updates on Tinkergarten

Two quick updates on Tinkergarten, the new outdoor classes that were recently announced as coming to Franklin. (1) they are a MA based company (2) they just announced additional capital funding to help them expand their leader recruiting efforts.

"Tinkergarten announced on Tuesday it has raised a $5.4 million Series A round of financing led by Owl Ventures, with additional investment from existing investors Omidyar Network (the philanthropic investment firm established by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam) and Reach Capital.

“KIDS NOW SPEND UPWARDS TO 8 HOURS PER DAY IN FRONT OF A SCREEN. PARENTS HAVE A STRONG NEED TO BALANCE THAT TIME WITH HEALTHY […] TIME OUTDOORS.”

The Northampton, MA-based company uses an online platform to organize outdoor educational activities for kids ages 1-8 years old. A mix of learning and play, activities are conducted by trained “leaders,” people with a passion for teaching who can be educators, scientists, artists or even attorneys."

Read more about the capital funding here
https://www.americaninno.com/boston/tinkergarten-raises-5-4m-to-get-more-kids-learning-outside/

ICYMI - the prior posting on the Tinkergarten classes coming to Franklin
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/tinkergarten-classes-scheduled-for.html

image from Tinkergarten webpage

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 8/11/17 - THU 8/17/17

FRIDAY 8/11/17
9:30am   Family Yoga @ Franklin Public Library
12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market @ Town Common
3:30pm   Lemonade and Giant Legos @ Franklin Public Library
5-10pm   Feast of St. Rocco: Rides, Food Booths, Entertainment @ 201 Main Street

SATURDAY 8/12/17
8-11am   Franklin Dog Park Clean Up @ Dacey Field
10-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
10am   Feast of St. Rocco Anointing Mass under the tent @ 201 Main Street
10:30am   Pancake Breakfast with author Josh Funk @ Franklin Public Library
11am-10pm   Feast of St. Rocco: Rides, Food Booths, Entertainment @ 201 Main Street
2-4pm   Cultural Diversity Pot Luck @ Franklin Public Library
8pm   The Black Box Summer Concert: The Love Dogs @ The Black Box

SUNDAY 8/13/17
10:30am   Feast of St. Rocco: Closing Mass @ St. Mary’s Parish
12-8pm   Feast of St. Rocco: Rides, Food Booths, Entertainment @ 201 Main Street
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open

MONDAY 8/14/17
2:30pm   Maker Mondays @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Learn to Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

TUESDAY 8/15/17
9am   Do Gooders DIYs @ Franklin Public Library

WEDNESDAY 8/16/17
10:30am   Jungle Jim’s Minecraft Madness @ Franklin Public Library
6:30-8pm   Concerts on The Common: Matt Zajac and Friends @ Franklin Town Common

THURSDAY 8/17/17
9-10am   Rep Roy Office Hours @ Elizabeth’s Bagels
9:30am   Baby Tummy Time @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Story and Craft @ Franklin Public Library
12pm   Park it and Read @ various Franklin Parks - check with the Library
3pm   Memory Cafe for Caregivers and their Loved Ones @ Franklin Senior Center
5-8pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

For all other events and Franklin happenings click HERE.

*To submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this FORM.