For Tots Only - Coming This Fall

Music & Yoga for Tots

Franklin Public Schools ~ Lifelong Learning Institute Lifelong Community Learning presents Music & Yoga for Tots Don't miss these...... Mommy and Me Baby Yoga Register Use yoga to help strengthen your bond with baby as you enjoy their budding personality! Babies will experience yoga poses, songs and rhymes specific to infant development while on their backs, tummies and being held. Enjoy quality time with other moms and caregivers in this relaxed, judgement-free, supportive, nurturing environment. 8 Thursdays Beginning September 28 1:00 - 1:45 pm Tranquil Souls Yoga, 15 East Central Street, Franklin Cost:  $65 Music Together - Ages Birth thru 5 yrs Register Music and Movement for babies, toddlers, preschoolers...and the grownups who love them® 10 Fridays Beginning September 15 10:00 am - 10:45 am Music Together, 10 Main St, Franklin Cost: $205   Check out all of our fall classes LCL@franklinps.net     508-613-1480

FPS- Lifelong Learning, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by reedb@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try it free today

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 9/1/17 - THU 9/7/17

FRIDAY 9/1/17
12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market @ Town Common

SATURDAY 9/2/17
All Day   Rise and Shine Food Drive (breakfast foods) @ St. Mary’s Parish
9am-4pm   You Pick Tomatoes - End of the Season Sale @ Grateful Farm on Prospect Street
10-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open

SUNDAY 9/3/17
All Day   Rise and Shine Food Drive (breakfast foods) @ St. Mary’s Parish
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open

MONDAY 9/4/17 - Labor Day
7pm   Learn to Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

TUESDAY 9/5/17
7pm   Franklin Garden Club Monthly Meeting (perennials swap) @ Franklin Senior Center

WEDNESDAY 9/6/17
5:30pm   Family Paint Night @ Kidz Plaster Zone
6:30pm   Calling All Wrestlers - Open House @ New England Gold Wrestling (842 Upper Union Street)
6:30pm   Christian Zen Weekly Meditation @ McMahon Guest House (1061 Upper Union Street)
6:30pm   Franklin Art Association Monthly Meeting @ Franklin Senior Center

THURSDAY 9/7/17
8:30am   Franklin Downtown Partnership: General Meeting @ Dean College, Campanella Board Room  (Note  - time change - originally was 7:00 PM)
10am   Tinkergarten Free Trial Class @ Fairmount Fruit Farm (sign up at https://www.tinkergarten.com/leaders/nancy.hayden)
5-8pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
6:30pm   FPAC’s Open Auditions for Spamalot @ The Black Box
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

Election Prep: What does the Board of Health do?

From the Annual Report of 2016, we share this text to provide a summary of the Board of Health:

"Board of Health 

The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the Health Department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws and regulations, and review all site plans for compliance with local and state public health regulations. The board presides over administrative hearings in all matters concerning Health Department licensed and permitted activities. Board members are available for consultation on issues relative to the public health as well."

One position is up for election on November 7 for a 4 year term. The other two positions will be up for election in 2 years. This staggers the membership to maintain some institutional knowledge.



What does the Health Department do?

The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well-being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local public health laws and regulations. 

The Franklin Health Department's responsibilities include inspecting and permitting new and repaired/upgraded individual septic systems, witnessing percolation testing, biannual inspections of all food service and retail food establishments, investigating complaints of public health nuisances, enforcement of the state sanitary code relative to housing, licensing of children's recreational camps, inspection of semi-public swimming pools and spas, tanning salon and manicure/pedicure establishment inspections. The Health Department also issues permits for individual private drinking water and irrigation wells.

State Required Duties of the Board of Health can be found here 
http://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/pages/state-required-duties-board-health

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRANKLIN 

HEALTH DEPARTMENT 2015-2016

Mission Statement

The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local public health laws and regulations. To fulfill this responsibility, the Franklin Health Department enforces a multitude of public health laws and regulations, and administers a comprehensive inspection program.

Inspections
The following list identifies the primary components of the department’s inspection program, and the total number of inspections and re-inspections conducted for each component.

* Food Service/Retail Food/Inspections/complaint Investigations 390
* Title V Septic System Plan Review and Installation/Repair, Total Applications 23 New, 19 Repairs,
19 Minor Repairs, and Approximately 165 field Inspections Conducted. 61
* Chapter II Housing Code Inspection/Re-Inspections 38
* Public Health Nuisance/Odor/Noise/Animal/ Smoking Complaint Investigations 80
* Semi-Public Pool/Spa Testing/Inspection and Public Beach Testing 36
* Inspection and Licensing of Children’s Recreational Camps 10
* Tanning Salon Inspection 3
* Manicure/Pedicure Establishment 4

Communicable Disease
As mandated by the State Department of Public Health, local health departments must report, investigate and track all communicable disease
occurrences in their jurisdictions. The Franklin Health Department has had a long-term contract with the former VNA and Hospice of Greater Milford, now call Salmon Health Care, to assist with the investigation and follow up of reportable communicable diseases that occur in the community.

During Fiscal year 2015/2016, the VNA investigated over 200 suspect and/or confirmed cases of communicable disease in the community.

The following list depicts the reportable illness activity for fiscal year 2015-2016 in number of official confirmed cases:

• Malaria 0
• Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis 1
• Calicvirus/Norovirus 3
• Babesiosis 0
• Campylobacter 7
• Hepatitis A 0
• Hepatitis B 1
• Hepatitis C (Chronic) 13
• Lyme Disease 13
• Meningitis 0
• Streptococcus, Group A/B 3
• E. E. Coli E. Coli 0
• Ehrlichiosis 1
• Giardiasis 2
• Salmonellosis 6
• Bacterial Infection, Avium, Vibrio 1
• Encephalitis 0
• Cryptosporidiosis 2
• Legionellosis 2
• Pulmonary TB 0
• Chicken Pox 0
• Pertussis 2
• Influenza 33
• Dog Bites 14
• Cat Bites 4
• Shigellosis 0
• TB related 0
• Streptococcus Pneumoniae 1
• Yersiniosis 0
• Vibrio sp 1
• Dengue Fever 0
• Enterovirus 1
• Haemophilus Influenza 1
• Shiga Toxin 1
• Varicella 0
• Chikungunya 0

Flu Clinics
In fiscal year 2015-2016, the VNA/Salmon Health Care held one seasonal flu clinic immunizing 67 residents. The wide spread availability of flu vaccine has reduced attendance at our public clinics in recent years. The VNA/Salmon Health Care also provided TB screening/ testing.

Licenses and Permits
The following is a comprehensive list of all permits/licenses issued by the Franklin Health Department during fiscal year 2015-2016. Most licensed/permitted activities require at least annual inspections as part of the permitting process. During 2015/2016, the Franklin Health Department receipts for permits/licenses totaled $62,872.50.

• Beaver Permits 10
• Burial Permits 90
• Bottling 1
• Catering 1
• Cleaners/laundromats 1
• Recreational Camps 7
• Septic Installers 44
• Disposal of Offal 29
• Food Establishment 111
• Funeral Directors 3
• Infectious Waste 1
• Keeping of Animals 13
• Frozen Desserts/Ice Cream 10
• Milk and Cream 29
• Milk and Cream Vehicles 4
• Mobile Food 3
• Pasteurization 1
• Private Wells (potable) 7
• Irrigation Wells 7
• Recycling 1
• Retail Food 35
• Stables 19
• Manicure Establishment 17
• Tanning Establishment 3
• Temporary Food 18
• Trench Permits 28

Staff
The current Health Department staff is as follows:

• David E. McKearney, R.S. Public Health Director
• Virginia M. McNeil, Health Agent, Elizabeth Hoey,
• Environmental Health Inspector, (14) hours,
• Mary Ellen Ficco, Administrative Assistant, (16) hours.

The Franklin Health Department wishes to once again thank the Town Administrator and all department heads and staff for their continuing assistance and support of the Health Department throughout the year.

Board of Health
The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the Health Department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws and regulations, and review all site plans for compliance with local and state public health regulations. The board presides over administrative hearings in all matters concerning Health Department licensed and permitted activities. Board members are available for consultation on issues relative to the public health as well.

Bruce Hunchard, Board of Health Chairman
Philip Brunelli, Vice Chairman
Donald Ranieri, Jr. Board Clerk

Hours of Operation
The Franklin Health Department office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Health Department inspection staff is available to meet with customers from 8-9:15 AM and again from 3:15-4 PM each day, or other hours by appointment as necessary.

Respectfully submitted,

David E. McKearney, R.S.
Public Health Director
Franklin Health Department

Election Prep: What does the Board of Health do?

Download and read the full Annual Report for the Town of Franklin FY 2016
http://franklinma.gov/administrator/files/franklin-2016-town-report

Prior year annual reports can be found 
http://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/annual-reports

FHS Football outlook for 2017

Hockomock Sports has published their outlook for football in the Kelly-Rex Division. We share the Franklin information here. Follow the link below to find out the outlook on the other teams in the Kelly-Rex Division. The Davenport Division is also linked to below. That outlook was published yesterday.


2015 Record: 2-9
2015 Finish: Reached D1 South Quarterfinal
Coach: Eian Bain

Key/Returning Players: Jake Noviello, Sr., QB; Sean Leonard, Jr., WR/TE; Brian Kosicki, Sr., OT; Nolan McLaney, Jr., S; Jackson Gilbert, Sr., DE; Ryan Driscoll, Jr., CB; Riley Downing, Jr., OL/DL

Outlook:
The first season for the Panthers under new head coach Eian Bain was a struggle at times for a young roster that was adapting to new systems on both sides of the ball, but there is hope that the experience gained last fall will pay dividends in 2017. Franklin will have a number of returning players to count on this season.

Offensively, Franklin will have to find ways to make up for the production of graduated running back Jacob Wolowacki, who was a go-to weapon in the ground and passing games. Senior quarterback Jake Noviello will be counted on to lead the offensive unit after more than 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns last fall. Junior wideout Sean Leonard started all 11 games last year and will be a tough matchup for defenses along with fellow receivers Jack Nally, Will Davis, and Evan Wendell and running back Sean Hofferty. Three-year starter Brian Kosicki will be the leader of the offensive line and tight end Patrick Morrison will be a weapon in the passing game.

On defense, the Panthers have depth in the secondary, including junior safety Nolan McLaney, who was second on the team in tackles last year. Junior Ryan Driscoll has speed on the corner and Bain called him the “focal point” of the defense. Nick Gordon will hold down the other corner spot. Senior defensive end Jackson Gilbert is coming back from injury that cut short his junior season and will add strength on the edge. Junior Riley Downing gives Franklin size and speed in the middle of the line.

“We are in year two of our process,” said Bain. “We are in a different place than we were a year ago…Fans should expect to see a better team in 2017. We have a roster full of experience and had great participation through the Franklin speed and conditioning program. In a league this good we have to bring our best every week.”

Twitter profile image for @FHSFootballGridiron

The Kelly-Rex preview
https://hockomocksports.com/football-2017-kelley-rex-division-preview/

The Davenport preview
https://hockomocksports.com/2017-davenport-football-preview/

You're invited to Cultural Council Grant Workshop (Sep 14, 2017)

You are invited to the following event: Cultural Council Grant Workshop Event to be held Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT) Town of Franklin Municipal Building 355 East Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 View Map Attend Event Share this event: Cultural Council grant season is upon us! The Massachusetts Cultural Council last year launched an online application system, which we found caused some consternation for some applicants. In addition, we find that many organizations who apply for grants are uncertain as to what information they should include in their application. The Franklin Cultural Council, therefore, is hosting a Grant Workshop to walk applicants through the online application and answer any questions about the grant process.  In addition, FCC members will be on hand to discuss specifics of individual proposed projects to give advice and suggestions. The workshop will be held at 7pm in the 3rd floor training room of the Franklin Municipal Building. This event is free and open to anyone interested in a Cultural Council grant, even those organizations from towns other than Franklin. Applications will be accepted from Sept. 1 - Oct. 16, 2017 for 2018 grants. To apply for a Local Cultural Council grant, visit: http://www.mass-culture.org/ SAVE THE DATE for our new CULTURAL CONNECTIONS roundtable... Oct. 10: Cultural Connections, an arts and culture roundtable, will be held at 7pm at the new Rhapsody's Victorian Coffee House at 395 E. Central Street, Franklin. Anyone interested in arts and culture, from any organization in any town, is invited to attend. The subject of this roundtable will be social media.  Come meet other like-minded individuals interested in the arts, swap stories of what has and hasn't worked in social media for your organization, and learn some new tips and tricks. A great opportunity to network! For more information on the Franklin Cultural Council, visit us online at www.franklinma.gov/cultural-council On Facebook at www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil On Twitter at twitter.com/FCC02038 Share this event on Facebook and Twitter We hope you can make it! Cheers, Franklin Cultural Council

Eventbrite, Inc. | 155 5th St, 7th Floor | San Francisco, CA 94103

"Cancer is no longer a death sentence and shouldn’t be taboo”

Via the social media feeds, a good Franklin story to share:

Franklin resident Susan Rosen sat slumped on her couch in a quiet house — her two children were at school — and let the news sink in: She had stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. 

“I’m never going to be a grandmother,” she told her husband through sobs. 

But that was four years ago. Susan, now 52, no longer views incurable cancer as a death sentence. The local wife and mother is one of a growing number of people managing the disease as a chronic illness, thanks to new, less toxic treatments that are tailored to each patient’s needs. 

“Things are getting better every day in regards to treatments,” Susan said. “This is the best I’ve felt in years.”

Continue reading the full article at the Boston Herald
http://www.bostonherald.com/lifestyle/health/2017/08/kalter_cancer_patient_finds_hope

You can follow Susan's blog at Let Us be Mermaids
https://letusbemermaids.wordpress.com/

Susan Rosen - image from her webpage

Franklin listed #40 among the Best Public School Districts in Boston 2017

From the social media feed, we share the listing of the Best Public School Districts in Boston 2017 as published by Boston Magazine.

Follow the link to find the interactive chart. Franklin is listed as #40.
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/best-school-districts-boston-2017-chart/

"Use the chart below to explore our exclusive ranking of 125 districts in Greater Boston. Sort by what matters most to you—SAT scores, class size, AP participation, and more. PLUS: See more from our annual schools feature."

Franklin listed #40 among the Best Public School Districts in Boston 2017