In the News: local businesses help during power outage; not enough candidates in Bellingham

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

"At the Cake Bar also in Franklin, owner Joanne Callahan said a lot of people came in to get work done, since the bakery did not lose power and offers free wireless internet. She said, though, that most of the people seeking refuge or respite came in on Thursday, as Friday had seen power restored to more customers. 

Callahan said she had lost power herself, and had sent her husband out to both make sure the business had lost power and to get her some coffee from the shop. 

The MetroWest YMCA also opened its doors to those without power, member or not. Many families used the WiFi and play spaces as they warmed up, said Lisa Mandozzi, branch executive director."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180309/local-businesses-institutions-help-people-warm-up

"The deadline for candidates to pull papers for this spring’s town election has passed, with only one potentially contested race on the ballot. 

Thursday, March 8 was the last day to seek papers from the town clerk’s office for the May 1 vote, in which multiple selectman and School Committee seats will be up for grabs. 

The only seat for which multiple candidates have pulled papers is a five-year Housing Authority position. Town Clerk Ann Odabashian said newcomer candidates Joseph Fleuette, Billiegene Lavallee and Mark Ladouceur had requested nomination papers; Lawrence Sposato, the incumbent, did not."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180309/dearth-of-candidates-in-bellingham-election

Reminder: Spring forward tonight for Daylight Savings Time

Spring forward for Daylight Savings Time

Mar 11, 2018 - Daylight Saving Time Starts

"Sunday, March 11, 2018, 2:00:00 am clocks are turned forward 1 hour to 
Sunday, March 11, 2018, 3:00:00 am local daylight time instead.

Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on Mar 11, 2018 than the day before. There will be more light in the evening."

https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/usa

MASSBudget: Data on EITC by community, and effects on parents and children

Tax credit affects children's education, health outcomes

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. March 8, 2018 Data on EITC by community, and effects on parents and children The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's new resources provide data on how many households in each Massachusetts city or town received earned income tax credit (EITC), a tax credit available to low- and moderate-income working people. The Governor's proposed budget includes an expansion of the state EITC from 23 percent of the federal credit to 30 percent, which would affect the economic security of more than 400,000 households in Massachusetts. MassBudget's brief includes an interactive map, which shows the share of all tax filers in each city and town who benefited from the state EITC. The data can also be downloaded as a table from the Kids Count Data Center. Both use the most current data available from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. More than 400,000 households claim the Massachusetts state EITC each year. In state Fiscal Year 2019 lower wage workers and their children will receive a total of $214.1 million in credits. For a detailed description of EITC and how it affects educational, health, and other family outcomes, see this updated fact sheet.   The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Franklin Public Schools: Schools are in session but .... Operations of Systems in Our School Buildings

Friday, March 9, 2018  9:00 AM Update

Dear Franklin Families, Faculty, and Staff,

It has been a busy morning so far and we are writing this message to convey accurate information regarding our systems operations in the early morning hours.

While power was restored broadly to our schools, we have been experiencing some problems with our systems. We have assessed across all buildings and feel we are able to operate normally with a few "workarounds".

Key Fobs

Key fobs are not working for our entry doors but door keys do work.  The buildings remain locked, however people in the building are able to get out.  Secretaries are able to buzz in visitors and check them per security protocols.

Internet

We experienced brief Internet outages early in the morning at some schools but all schools currently have Internet connections.

Heat

The heat was on in most buildings but a computer failure took the heat offline at Keller/Sullivan. The system was reset and heat came back online at 8:10 AM.  The heat at Horace Mann/Oak/ECDC is on but one boiler is not functioning properly. The contractors are currently working on it.

Phones

Our phone lines are experiencing problems across all schools.  Incoming calls are being directed to a "Town Offices" line here at the municipal building.  This line is being monitored and we are relaying the messages to the schools. If you need to reach the school, an alternative is to email the school secretary.

We are having difficulty making outgoing phone calls at ECDC/Oak St./HMMS and Keller/Sullivan.  Our workaround for emergency purposes is to use cell phone calls and/or text messaging. We will also have additional police and administrative presence at these locations for assistance.

Our communications vendor is currently working to repair the phone system.

We will continue to keep you apprised about conditions throughout the day.

Regards,

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin Public Schools: Schools are in session but .... Operations of Systems in Our School Buildings

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI 3/9/18 - THU 3/15/18

FRIDAY 3/9/18
10am-12pm   Knitting Group @ Franklin Public Library
11:45am   Kids Fitness @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
2pm   Tech Help with HMMS Students @ Senior Center
5:30pm   Heart with Hope Restorative Yoga (for parents and loved ones of those suffering from addiction) @ Sacred Tree Yoga, Norfolk
7pm   Yoga for Recovery @ Sacred Tree Yoga, Norfolk

SATURDAY 3/10/18
9:30am   Family Yoga @ Franklin Public Library
10am-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
1pm   Drive-In Movie (Cars) @ Franklin Public Library
2pm   FPAC: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat @ The Black Box
4:30-6:30pm   Black Brown and Beige: A Spirited Event @ Pour Richard's
7:30pm   FPAC: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat @ The Black Box

SUNDAY 3/11/18
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
1-4pm   Pennywise @ Pour Richard's
1:15pm   Alan Earles - The Blizzard of ’78 @ Franklin Historical Museum
2pm   Chess Group @ Franklin Public Library
2pm   FPAC: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat @ The Black Box

MONDAY 3/12/18
10am   Storytime (all ages, free) @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
10:30am   Move Along @ Franklin Public Library
11am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
3pm  Monday Crafternoons @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Registry of Deeds - William O’Donnell @ Franklin Public Library

TUESDAY 3/13/18
10:30am   Get Ready For Kindergarten @ Franklin Public Library
11:15am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
1pm   Low Vision Group @ Franklin Senior Center
6pm   Lenten Soup Supper and Book Study (weekly until March 21) @ St. John’s Episcopal Church
6:30pm   Pallette Wood Burning Class @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
7pm   School Committee Meeting @ Franklin Municipal Building
7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Meeting (public welcome) @ Franklin YMCA

WEDNESDAY 3/14/18
9am   5th Grade Concert @ J F Kennedy Elementary
10am   Animal Tales (for ages 2.5-5) @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
10am   Roulette Fun @ Franklin Senior Center
10am   Gary Highlander Presidential Series Biographies (Abraham Lincoln) @ Senior Center
10:30am   Terrific Toddlers @ Franklin Public Library
11am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
1:30pm   Preschool Play N’ Learn @ Franklin Public Library
4pm   Construction Junction @ Franklin Public Library
4:30-6:30pm   Spring Art Show (FPS Students K-12) @ FHS Panther Lobby
6pm   All Franklin Bands MICCA Showcase @ Franklin High School
6:30pm   Christian Zen Weekly Meditation @ McMahon Guest House (1061 Upper Union Street)
6:30pm   Teen Advisory Board @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Town Council Meeting @ Franklin Municipal Building
7:30pm   Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club Meeting @ 3 Restaurant
7:30pm   Let’s Laugh Today - laughter yoga @ FUSF

THURSDAY 3/15/18
9:30am   Baby Tummy Time @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Story and Craft @ Franklin Public Library
11:15am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
12pm   Urban Sketching (no experience necessary) @ Franklin Public Library
1pm   Minds in Motion @ Franklin Senior Center
6pm   All Franklin Chorus and Orchestra MICCA Concert @ FHS
6-8pm   Family Science Night @ FHS
7pm   Franklin SEPAC Workshop: ADHD Essentials @ Franklin Municipal Building
7pm   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

Tri-County - 2Q Honor Roll

The honor roll for the second quarter from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin. 

Students who receive term grades of B- or better in all subjects earn honor roll status. 
Students who earn grades of A- or better in all subjects receive high honors.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/153jMCL65pqUqzxLpMUKRHSqte1uygBeQ/view?usp=sharing

Tri-County - 2Q Honor Roll

For more about Tri-County visit their webpage   http://www.tri-county.tc/

MA Consumer Affairs: Where to find that product recall

From MA Consumer Affairs:

"Product Recall! 

You’ve probably seen too many articles and news stories to count featuring that phrase. Whether it’s defective airbags, combustible smartphones, or contaminated produce, companies and consumer protection agencies will alert the public if a product is unsafe, hazardous or defective. 

You may be wondering which government agency oversees recalls; is it the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? Or the Department of Agriculture (USDA)? The answer is both. Actually, the answer includes several federal agencies. 

Recalls.gov was created in part by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the United States Coast Guard, the FDA, the USDA, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These six agencies teamed together to create an all-in-one website for consumers to find information about product recalls."

Continue reading the article online
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/can-you-recall-that-recall/

• Can you recall that recall?