Columbus Day: a normal schedule for some

Columbus Day is a Federal holiday so there is no postal delivery or pick up. 

Schools are closed but the trash and recycling schedule for Franklin is NOT delayed, it will run on the normal schedule.

Franklin's Municipal Building is closed for the holiday and the Library is closed due to the move back to the renovated building on Main St.

The MBTA commuter rail will run on the normal weekday schedule.
https://twitter.com/MBTA_CR/status/916258831017103365

For more about the origins of Columbus Day, check out the wikipedia entry here  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Day

Trash and recycling bins

Legislators to Host Manufacturing Roundtable - Oct 12

As part of Manufacturing Month in Massachusetts, Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) is hosting a Manufacturing Roundtable at the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, Massachusetts on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 9:00am. Some thirty-five manufacturers, legislators, state officials and advocates are slated to attend.

The Tri-County Manufacturing Roundtable will be an opportunity for manufacturing companies to discuss partnering with manufacturing leaders and local schools to ensure that their companies have the right tools and highly trained workforce they need to grow. Manufacturing of today involves employees that are highly trained in technology, programming and innovation.

The discussions will be led by Ira Moskowitz, Director of Advanced Manufacturing Programs at the Innovation Institute at MassTech, which manages the Commonwealth’s investments in the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) program, and John Killam, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP). 

M2I2 aims to help Massachusetts manufacturers adopt innovative new technologies and promotes job growth through cross-collaboration among companies, universities, national labs, government, incubators, accelerators and other academic and training institutions. Under Killam’s direction, MassMEP has played a key role in securing training grants for manufacturers, as well as preparing potential employees for careers in the field of manufacturing.

“Manufacturing is vitally important to the Massachusetts economy,” said Representative Roy. “It is the sixth largest employment sector here, and we are constantly looking to innovative solutions that can help our economy grow. We know the area provides competitive salaries for workers and advances the development of revolutionary products. Collaboration between manufacturers, community colleges, technical high schools and regional workforce boards is a way we can continue to develop talent and increase production.”

According to the recently launched Manufacturing in Massachusetts website (http://www.mamanufacturing.com/), 10.1% of the Commonwealth’s total economic output is tied to manufacturing and $26 billion in manufactured goods were exported from the Commonwealth in 2016 alone. Roughly 250,000 employees work in the manufacturing sector in Massachusetts, comprising 7.8% of the total workforce in the state.

Rep. Louis Kafka (D-Sharon), Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), Sen. Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), Rep. Elizabeth Poirier (R-North Attleborough), and Rep. Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk) are also expected to participate.

These efforts are supported by the Legislature’s bipartisan Manufacturing Caucus which serves as a link for legislators cutting across issues that affect the manufacturing industry. Formed in August 2014, the Caucus includes more than 60 legislators from around the Commonwealth. Lawmakers focus on training for manufacturing employees, encouraging innovation by helping start-ups access resources, and expanding apprenticeship opportunities in key manufacturing sectors. The Caucus is co-chaired by Rep. Roy and Sen. Eric Lesser (D-Springfield).

October is MA's Manufacturing Month

Are You Registered To Vote? Last day to register - Oct 18

Are You Registered To Vote?

The last day to register to vote is

Wednesday October 18, Town Clerks Office

8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

You may also register on line at www.registertovotema.com

EVERY VOTE COUNTS

BIENNIAL TOWN ELECTION

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2017

Franklin High School Gymnasium

218 Oak Street

6:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Are You Registered To Vote? Last day to register - Oct 18

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Oct 10, 2017

Franklin School Committee October 10, 2017

Municipal Building – Training Room 7:00 P.M.

This meeting will not be recorded

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

A G E N D A

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

BUDGET WORKSHOP

Call to Order Dr. O’Malley
1. Budget Priorities
2. Budget Communication
3. Budget Process and Timeline
4. Adjournment





Note: I believe the intention of the "This meeting will not be recorded" was meant to convey that by conducting the meeting in the 3rd Floor Training Room meant that Franklin TV would be unable to record and broadcast the meeting.  Unless prevented, Franklin Matters plans on recording the meeting for audio broadcast later.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Oct 11, 2017

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 11, 2017

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

You can also download and review the 50 pages of documents released for this agenda (PDF) 
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/october_11_2017_agenda.pdf

A. Approval of Minutes	A. Approval of Minutes - September 13, 2017
B. Announcements	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	C. Proclamations
D. Citizen Comments	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 comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town administrator to review to review the matter.
E. Appointments	E. Appointments
F. Hearings	F. Hearings
G. License Transactions	G. License Transactions: Shaw's - Change of Manager and New Officer: (Move to approve the Change of Manager to William M. Nasif and Change of Officer to Gary R. Morton on the Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc. Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License.
H. Presentations/Discussions	H. Presentations/Discussions
I. Subcommittee Reports	I. Subcommittee Reports
J. Legislation for Action	1. Resolution 17-62: Acceptance of Gift - Franklin Fire Department (Motion to Move Resolution 17-62 - Majority vote (5))
J. Legislation for Action	2. Resolution 17-63: Acceptance of Gift - Franklin Police Department (Motion to Move Resolution 17-63 - Majority vote (5))
J. Legislation for Action	3. Resolution 17-64: Request to Town of Norfolk Zoning Board of Appeals to Request a Traffic Study of the Intersection of Mill Street and Chestnut Street in Franklin (Motion to Move Resolution 17-64 - Majority vote (5))
J. Legislation for Action	4. Bylaw Amendment 17-796: Chapter 63, Buildings, Numbering Of - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-796 - Majority Roll Call vote (5))
J. Legislation for Action	5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-797: Setbacks for Accessory Buildings and Structures - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-797 - 2/3 Majority Roll Call vote (6))
K. Town Administrator's Report	K. Town Administrator's Report
L. Future Agenda Items	L. Future Agenda Items
M. Council Comments	M. Council Comments
N. Executive Session	N. Executive Session
O. Adjourn	O. Adjourn

things are taking shape as the renovation of the Franklin Public Library is finishing up

Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus (MWPC) Political Action Committee endorses Monica Linden

The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus (MWPC) Political Action Committee today announced its endorsement of Monica Linden for Franklin School Committee. MWPC's endorsement of Ms. Linden is part of the efforts made to support candidates running for elected office in communities across the Commonwealth.

Endorsing a record 36 women running for municipal level office to date in 2017, coupled with a surge of new members by 450%, MWPC is building strong momentum heading into the highly anticipated 2018 federal and state elections. 

The groundswell of support comes as MWPC PAC endorsed candidates are running for elected office in competitive races, including School Committee, Board of Selectmen, City Council and Mayor in Beverly, Boston, Cambridge, Easthampton, Everett, Framingham, Franklin, Melrose, Newton, North Adams, Pittsfield, Springfield and other communities.

"MWPC is pleased to endorse Monica in her race for the Franklin School Committee," said Linnea Walsh, MWPC interim executive director. "Monica is committed to MWPC's goals of parity to ensure that more women are equally represented at the policy and decision-making table. She recognizes that municipal government is where the rubber meets the road in terms of advocating for the investments and programs to help students and families succeed."

MWPC PAC endorsements have yielded several wins including Cindy Friedman, who won the special election for the 4th Middlesex Senate seat in July, and Elizabeth Almeida, who won her election in the race for the Westford Board of Selectmen race.

Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus (MWPC)
Political Action Committee endorses Monica Linden

About the MWPC PAC

The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus Political Action Committee is a non-partisan organization that works to increase the number of women elected and appointed to public office and public policy positions. 

Please visit www.mwpc.org to learn more about our Political Action Committee. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MWPC and connect on our Facebook page.

For more about Monica
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/07/linden-announces-candidacy-for-franklin.html

In the News: cross country is different; Tangerini's pick your own flowers

Articles of interest for Franklin:

"There’s something different about cross country that sets it apart from other sports. 

There are no playbooks or signs to memorize. There are no balls to throw or hit, and there’s no need to maneuver around any approaching defender on a cross country course, unless you happen to take a wrong turn and a tree stands in your way. 

On a cross country course, although there is a team element to the sport, the runner is focused on just him or herself and how they can achieve the best possible time. And that is all up to them — no missed call by an official can alter their finish in a race. Much of a cross country runner’s individual performance is driven by just that, the individual. 

In a season that begins in the doldrums of summer, moves through the fall as the leaves change colors, and ends just before Thanksgiving with a pre-winter chill in the air, cross country runners need to train in a way that keeps them conditioned through all weather and course conditions. Different teams and their top runners have different training regimens to stay in peak physical shape."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/20171007/high-school-notebook-cross-country-runners-experience-vigorous-season

Franklin Girls XC vs. Mansfield. On your marks... Let's Go Panthers! via Twitter

"When the sun is shining and the air is warm, as is often the case this time of year, there is a general fluttering and buzzing that occurs among some of the furrows at Tangerini’s Spring Street Farm. 

This is where the wildflowers grow - a colorful realm of industrious honey and bumble bees languidly visiting the various blooms collecting nectar for winter, and of butterflies flittering, basking and sipping. It is also a spot visited by people, come to collect stems for themselves, mason jars, buckets, and clippers in hand. 

The mostly organic, non-GMO farm at 139 Spring St. has been running a CSA (community supported agriculture) flower share for about 10 years now. 

“People can come pick their own flowers,” said owner/grower Laura Tangerini on a recent warm afternoon, running her palms over a thick patch of red globe amaranth while taking a break from her other work to visit the flower furrows."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20171006/walk-on-wildflower-side-at-tangerinis-farm

https://twitter.com/TangerinisFarm