"will make sure things stay organized and up to date"

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

"Franklin is taking its past into the future as the town seeks a part-time archivist for the Franklin Historical Museum. 

Thanks to a grant from the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), a professional toured the museum to determine its needs. The result was a decision to hire an archivist. That person will be paid with money from a grant the town received last fall. 

It’s unclear when the town will hire the archivist, but museum officials are interviewing candidates. About $30,000 is put aside for the job."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190112/franklin-museum-to-hire-new-archivist

one of the pieces in a Ben Franklin display for his birthday in 2015

In the News: plastic bags eliminated by BIG Y; breathalyzer tests require validation

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

Plastic bags being eliminated by BIG Y

"In a decision affecting all 70 Big Y supermarket locations across Massachusetts and Connecticut, Big Y Foods, Inc. this week announced it will eliminate plastic bags from checkout counters. 

That includes the store in Milford, off Rte. 109 and one in Franklin on Rte. 140.
The company uses 100 million plastic bags at checkout counters each year. 

“Single-use plastic bags create an inordinate amount of waste,” a press release from the company says. “Big Y recognizes its responsibility to cut down on unnecessary plastic waste that contributes to litter, harms the environment and can endanger wildlife.” 

The change won’t happen until 2020, allowing employees and customers to get used to the idea, and make the switch to reusable bags."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190111/milford-franklin-big-ys-to-eliminate-plastic-bags-in-2020

Recall that some FHS students in 2016 had created an online petition, brought forward a proposal, worked their way through the local legislative process before ultimately getting dismissed by the Economic Development Committee of the Town Council in one of their lesser highlight moments. The students can be happy now.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/nearly-60-massachusetts-municipalities.html

FHS students discussing the proposal with the EDC Nov 30, 2016

Balance of power plays out

"Prosecutors trying to get convictions for people suspected of driving drunk have seen their jobs get much more difficult after a Massachusetts judge ruled this week that Breathalyzer tests cannot be used as evidence in court. 

Judge Robert Brennan, who was hearing a consolidated test case that involved more than 400 Breathalyzer exams throughout the state, ruled the tests can’t be used until the Office of Alcohol Testing proves it results are accurate. 

Brennan’s ruling is being hailed by MetroWest defense attorneys as fair. 

“I think it’s the right decision,” said David Levinson, a Framingham lawyer. “There have been so many issues with the various testing devices. There has to be some kind of accountability.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190111/breathalyzer-court-ruling-roils-prosecutors-police

Interesting that many of the Google provided links to the MA Office of Alcohol Testing all end up at the District Attorneys page. There is also this reference but no page link. The office must truly being being rebuilt.  https://www.mass.gov/service-details/forensic-chemistry-sections

January 8 - Social Emotional Learning Forum a Success!

Social Emotional Learning Forum A Success! The Social Emotional Learning Alliance for Massachusetts and I are incredibly proud to have brought together over 200 teachers, students and engaged residents at the Social Emotional Learning Forum on Tuesday, January 8, to learn more about the importance of social emotional learning for our children. We heard from a diverse panel of SEL experts, including Framingham School Committee Member Beverly Hugo, Director of Counseling and Social Emotional Learning at Ashland Public Schools Jennifer Cutler, Principal of Miller Elementary School in Holliston David Keim, and Parent Liaison, Natick Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Elise Gorseth. As Senate President, I am committed to improving education and advocating for mental health parity for residents across the Commonwealth. SEL is a critical 21st-century skill to foster resilient, empathetic, and workforce-ready graduates. Event materials and resources on SEL can be found online. The forum is part of my MetroWest Kids Initiative, designed to identify strategies to help children in MetroWest learn, grow and succeed, with a focus on social emotional learning. SEL is a research-backed framework to bring skills like stress management, positive relationship-building, responsible decision-making, and empathy into classrooms and throughout the community. Thank you again for demonstrating a commitment to social emotional learning in classrooms throughout the Commonwealth. We look forward to seeing you at our next forum! Sincerely, Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka | 617-722-1500 | Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov www.karenspilka.com

Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka  Massachusetts State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133 Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov in collaboration with Try it free today

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Jan 11 - THU Jan 17

Friday, January 11

10:00am

 Knitting Group

Saturday, January 12

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

10:00am

 Enrollment Open House

11:00am

 Franklin Library: Staff available to talk Survey

3:00pm

 Franklin Library: Staff available to talk survey

7:30pm

 Mile Twelve

Sunday, January 13

7:30am

 All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm

 2nd Sunday Speaker: When Terrorism Struck Franklin

Monday, January 14

10:30am

 Move Along

11:00am

 Toddler Playgroup

3:00pm

 Monday Crafternoons

3:30pm

 Dungeons & Dragons for Kids

Tuesday, January 15

9:30am

 Cool Cruisers

10:30am

 Get Ready for Kindergarten

6:30pm

 Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardening - Indoor Seed Starting

7:00pm

 Finance Committee - Meeting (Capital Budget)

Wednesday, January 16

10:30am

 Terrific Toddlers

11:00am

 Toddler Playgroup

4:00pm

 Construction Junction

5:00pm

 Book Bites

7:30pm

 Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club

Thursday, January 17

 Ben Franklin's Birthday Readathon

9:30am

 Baby Tummy Time

10:30am

 Story & Craft

4:00pm

 Fandom Thursdays

7:00pm

 Anxiety in Relation to Learning/Developmental Disabilities and How to Address in the I

For the interactive version, please visit

http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

http://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://goo.gl/forms/7Pr1iBuAiIna7cUo2

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Jan 11 - THU Jan 17

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast - Jan 13

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast

2nd Sunday of the month

Jan 13, Feb 10, Mar 10, Apr 14

7:30 - 11:00 AM

Pancakes - Scrambled Eggs - Sausage - Home Fries

(drinks are included)

Adults - $8 Kids (4 -12) - $4

(3 and under eat free)

FRANKLIN ROD and GUN CLUB
53 Florence Street
Franklin, MA 02038

Please visit www.franklinrodandgun.org for more info

Download a copy of the flyer here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zah6YdFe-IFngqZknj5OSdT7yKsjcUAP/view?usp=sharing

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast - Jan 13

FHS boys indoor track team tops Taunton

Via HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS sports action on Thursday, Jan 10, 2019

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 0 vs. Pope Francis, 5 – Final

Boys Indoor Track = Franklin, 55 vs. Taunton, 45 – Final
– Franklin swept the 1000M race to highlight a close win over Taunton. Senior Michael Hagen set a new personal best time at 2:47.65 to win the race with classmate Nicholas Zaffino just 0:00.02 seconds behind. Senior Dylan Kehoe rounded out the top three for the Panthers. Andrew Faught (8.80) and Nicholas Mazzarella went 1-2 in the 55M hurdles for Franklin. Taunton’s Sebastien Celestin was a double winner, taking first in both the 55M dash (6.89, PR) and the 300M (37.50, PR).

Girls Indoor Track = Franklin, 47 vs. Taunton, 53 – Final
– Taunton won six individual events as well as the 4×400 relay to edge Franklin in a tight meet. Sophomore Olivia Dias was a double winner for the Tigers, winning the 55M dash (7.77) and the 600M (1:45.27) while Kerla Sylvestre won the 300M (43.46), senior Maggie Sullivan was first in the 1000M (3:17.26), Annabella Chavez had the top toss in the shot put (29-02.00), and Victoria Gravel won the long jump (15-10.00). Franklin’s Daniella Pierre was a double-winner, taking first in the high jump (4-10.00) and the 55M hurdles (8.92).


For the other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-10-19/


The complete Indoor Track results
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=351375&show=all

The Franklin individual results
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jveiaXbqDSwe3IeYWiBcjT6dwcGIbeip/view?usp=sharing

FHS Panthers

Fine Crafters Wanted!

The Franklin Cultural Council is hosting a Juried Craft Fair as one element of Taste of ArtWeek, an event that also includes food trucks, a beer garden, and live performances on April 27. 

The Craft Fair will be made up of adult work by professional and semi-professional artisans, as well as a youth section of booths for crafters 18 and under. 

Taste of ArtWeek is a kick-off celebration to Franklin ArtWeek, part of the statewide ArtWeek festival, and is hosted by the Franklin Cultural Council in partnership with the Random Smile Project. 

To request a prospectus on the Craft Fair, please visit: http://bit.ly/Taste_craft_fair

Fine Crafters Wanted! 

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