Voices of Franklin: Vanessa Bilello

Dear Town of Franklin voters-

Community members may not realize the incredible time commitment that all who hold local, elected positions on School Committee or Town Council make to our town. Workshops, subcommittees, and other responsibilities extend far beyond an every other week meeting in Council Chambers. 

Being an active, engaged member requires not only passion for the issues, but also a willingness to balance professional and personal needs with intense demands of public service volunteer work. Several months ago, with elections quickly approaching, I announced my decision to not seek re-election for the Franklin School Committee. The demands were too much given my hectic life as a new public school principal and mom to two middle schoolers. 

In the Town of Franklin, all seven seats on School Committee (and Town Council) roll over every election. For this reason, I urge voters of Franklin to re-elect Mrs. Denise Schultz and Dr. Anne Bergen to the Franklin School Committee, so that they can continue the efforts that they began two years ago and serve as leaders for the newly-formed Committee.

I'm incredibly proud of the hard work and accomplishments during the last two years through the collaboration of our Franklin School Committee and the educators in our schools. Strong District and School Improvement Plans, successful labor negotiations and most critically, the hiring of our new Superintendent, Dr. Sara Ahern are highlights. 

I’m also especially proud of the addition of our active Community Relations subcommittee, which has been instrumental in facilitating dialogue between the community and school leaders on a variety of issues. A huge “thank you” must go out to Denise Schultz and Anne Bergen- for initiating and setting up avenues to engage with the citizens of Franklin through regular coffees and conversations around our town. 

Two-way dialogue is going to be key moving forward in the challenging budget times that Franklin is facing. Anne and Denise- through their dedication, outreach and partnership with other groups, such as the Joint PCCs and MASC, are models for integrated collaboration.

As a School Committee, we’ve established a new liaison role- to promote dialogue with state leadership, which will be critical moving ahead with the challenges of public school funding in our state. Denise Schultz has been instrumental in opening these avenues up and I do believe that while local involvement and budgeting are essential, partnering with area towns and state officials are paramount as we face the growing budgetary challenges of Massachusetts public schools. 

Additionally- improvements to several key policies. Denise has also played a huge role in ensuring that our Policy Sub-Committee tackled such issues as dress code, handbooks, school vacations, and homework. Her dedication and passion for these issues (as well as school start times, social-emotional welfare of our students, and nutrition in schools) make her an ideal choice to continue on the Committee.

I’d like to say thank you to the Franklin educators- teachers, administrators and staff of our district. Having been a colleague of theirs for years as a special educator, I know how incredibly hard they work to give our children the high quality education they benefit from. Despite being in the bottom 30 or so school districts across MA for funding, the education they provide our children is top notch. However, they are asked to do too much with too little. 

Increasing mandates upon our schools along with other budgetary demands, especially combined with the approximately $4.1 million we lose yearly to our area charter have resulted in cut after painful cut - foreign language, music, librarians, kindergarten support aides, so many more. These were not nice to haves- they were needs- and we’ve lost them. 

Mandates are not all bad as people think- they include new technology standards, more rigorous science standards, required mental health screenings, wellness curriculum and improvements to educator evaluation and supervision. I could go on and on. Many of these mandates require more time- and more money. Teaching digital learning and digital citizenship, for example, are expensive- and critical for our children entering the workforce of the future.

As an elementary school principal I can tell you two things we never have enough of- money and time. I would love to have foreign language for fourth graders- or more even just time to immerse students in lessons about kindness - but what do we give up in our packed schedules. And where do we find the money- there is not a growing pot to pull for these increasing needs.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Franklin Schools- please stay active and informed! Our schools need an active community behind them. I look forward to encouraging my fellow current School committee as they continue this critical work with proven leaders like Mrs. Schultz and Dr. Bergen. 

Alongside some new, incoming members and district leadership I know that they will create a strategic plan to set goals for our district and manage these budgetary constraints. Creative fixes are valiant, but the reality is our schools need more if we want to continue to provide high quality education for all our students- from the highest performing students in need of enrichment and extension, to the most challenged student who so greatly benefit from the various specialized support programs within our district. 

We cannot address the needs of our schools without a commitment to do whatever it takes to provide that to our children. The plight of our public schools here in Franklin are not unique. But given how low we are in terms of funding make these challenges especially alarming. 

So I implore my fellow Franklin citizens- get involved, learn about the needs of our schools and support our talented and dedicated educators in the public schools- with your support and commitment- through most importantly, with your pocketbooks, but also involvement, activism and engagement. 

It is essential that everyone who cares about the future of our town- and especially our children sitting in Franklin Public Schools, get out and vote on Tuesday, November 7th.

Sincerely,

Vanessa Bilello
Outgoing Member of the Franklin School Committee

Franklin Total Voters - registered as of Oct 18, 2017

The registered voter totals as of October 18, 2017. These are the voters eligible to vote in the November 7, 2017 election; 22,701

Franklin Voters as of 10/18/2017					22,701
Precinct	Active	Inactive	Total
1	2414	178	2592
2	2638	230	2868
3	2493	309	2802
4	2823	229	3052
5	2745	168	2913
6	2337	296	2633
7	2820	135	2955
8	2775	111	2886
	21045	1656	22701

Recent history has shown a voter turnout in and around 20% (since 2003) for the Franklin Biennial Elections. Franklin voters will tend to turn out about 40% for an override or school debt exclusion. About 60% for a MA state election and about 80% for a Presidential election. Money from advertising the large campaigns drives the voter turnout.

the percent by precinct for the local elections since 2003

Voter totals as of October 18, 2017 provided by the Town Clerk, 
Historical numbers compiled from the Franklin Annual Reports

Absentee Ballot can be voted in the Town Clerk's office up to noon on Monday, Nov 6

ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE

TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE.

BIENNIAL TOWN ELECTION NOTICE

DATE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2017

TIME: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

PLACE: FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL ON OAK STREET

*ALL PRECINCTS*

Absentee Ballot Information: 

 Absentee ballots are now available in the Town Clerk’s office. A registered voter who will be unable to vote at the polls on Election Day due to the following reasons may vote absentee in the Town Clerk’s Office up to 12:00 noon Monday, November 6, 2017

• absence from your city or town during normal polling hours; or
• physical disability preventing you from going to the polling place; or
• Religious belief.

To request an Absentee Ballot:

• Email: tburr@franklinma.gov to request an absentee ballot form
• Visit the Town Clerk’s website at franklinma.gov to print out an Absentee Ballot request form and either email or fax (508)520-4913.

If you have any questions, please contact Teresa M. Burr, Town Clerk at (508)520-4900 or
Email tburr@franklinma.gov

 Absentee Ballot can be voted in the Town Clerk's office up to noon on Monday, Nov 6

FHS girls soccer win to advance in playoffs

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of the Franklin High School fall sports results on Friday, Nov 3.


Football – Non Playoffs = Franklin, 13 @ Braintree, 33 – Final

1st Quarter: (B) Braintree 69-yard rush, XP failed.
2nd Quarter: (F) Jake Noviello 20-yard pass to Jake Noviello, XP no good; (B) Braintree 6-yard pass, XP good.
3rd Quarter: (B) Braintree 19-yard pass, XP good; (F) J. Noviello 4-yard pass to Sean Leonard, Matt Zucco XP good.
4th Quarter: (B) Braintree 16-yard rush, XP good; (B) Braintree 38-yard rush, XP failed.


Girls Soccer= D1 South = #14 Franklin, 4 vs. #19 Brockton, 2 – Final

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com provides the game recap:

"It only took three and a half minutes for #14 Franklin to get its first goal on Friday night at Pisini Field, and the Panthers never looked back en route to a 4-2 win over #19 Brockton in the first round of the MIAA Tournament. 

Following a miscue by the Brockton goalie, the ball ended up at the feet of Miranda Smith and she capitalized, putting it in the back of the net to give Franklin a 1-0 lad. Ten minutes later, Anna Balkus scored off a feed from Molly Duncan to give the Panthers a 2-0 advantage. 

“The first half when the first group was in there, they moved the ball really well, and they had the defense moving and they made their own breaks,” Franklin head coach Tom Geysen said about Franklin’s quick start. 

In the 28th minute, Brockton saw their first scoring chance of the game, but their shot off a free kick was saved by Cat Robbins, who had seven saves on the night for the Panthers."

Continue reading the article online 
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-doubles-up-on-brockton-to-advance-in-playoffs/

For the other results around the Hockomcok League on Friday
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-110317/

FHS Panthers

"Research into cannabis is still preliminary"

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

"As Massachusetts moves closer to a date when marijuana can be sold in stores, two acronyms are dominating the discussion of merchandise – THC and CBD. 

Both are chemical compounds found in cannabis. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive chemical compound in marijuana – it’s what makes you high when you smoke, eat, or otherwise take a dose. 

CBD, or cannabidiol, is not psychoactive, but proponents say it has a lot of the same medical benefits. 

“If you don’t want to feel any psychoactive effects, definitely look into CBD,” said Andover-based Healing Rose co-founder Zach McInnis. The Healing Rose sells CBD-infused products."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171103/some-marijuana-products-have-nothing-to-do-with-getting-high

Senator Ross: Mid - Fall 2017 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, October 2017 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email: richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, As the leaves change, I am preparing for a busy fall on Beacon Hill, and I look forward to facing head-on the many important and diverse issues of our commonwealth and my district. This season, we will once again be addressing healthcare reform where I have co-sponsored legislation to address rising costs, negligent caretakers, and risky insurance practices. The fight against opioid addiction continues. As a member of the Joint Committee on Public Health and the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security I am working with my colleagues to assist Governor Baker's efforts to increase efforts to combat this problem. Throughout the summer and early fall months, the legislature has taken up various pieces of my legislation concerning higher education, elder affairs and administrative and budgetary transparency. I am pleased with how the fall session is going however there is much more work to be done. Better late than never, as they say. There are still finishing touches to be made on the FY18 budget. The Senate is considering Governor Baker's vetoes very carefully after the House chose to restore all $320 million worth of spending cuts out of $40.2 billion. So far, the Senate has restored $75.8 million and I  have voted to sustain ____ of the governors vetoes. Since tax revenues are down $749 million, it is critical to be fiscally responsible and spend within our means. We hope to be done later in the fall. It is a pleasure to serve as the State Senator for Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. As your Legislator, I send out these updates to keep you informed on the many issues being debated on Beacon Hill, as well as some of the events happening in the district.  As always, I appreciate hearing from you on the things that matter to our district and our Commonwealth. It is an honor to serve as your voice at the State House. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at Richard.Ross@masenate.gov or contact my office at 617-722-1555   Thank you for taking the time to read this update on what I have been working on over the past month. If there is someone you know who would like to receive my State House Update, please share this newsletter and invite them to sign up for our mailing list today! Additionally, feel free to contact my office regarding any questions or concerns you may have. You may also check my website for the most up-to-date information on Beacon Hill. It is my pleasure and honor to continue serving you as State Senator, and I look forward to providing you with the newest updates next month. Copyright © 2017 State Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, All rights reserved. This newsletter is a service to the people of the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District and for Informational Purposes only. Our mailing address is: Massachusetts State House 24 Beacon Street, Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email: richard.ross@masenate.gov

State Senator Richard J. Ross · State House · Room 520 · Boston, Ma 02212 · USA This email was shortened for publication here. To review the full contents from Senator Ross View this link in your browser

Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Creating Miniature Succulent Terrarium

Deb DeGrazia, treasurer of the Franklin Garden Club, will lead members in creating a small succulent terrarium at the Tuesday, November 7, Club meeting that will take place at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, from 7:00 – 9:00p.m. 

All plants and other required supplies will be provided. Members will leave with a complete terrarium and instructions on how they can replicate it for making additional terrariums that can be used in their homes or given as gifts to others. 

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. 

Franklin Garden Club