FHS girls hockey skates to tie Canton

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Wednesday

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ St. Mary’s, 4 – Final

Girls Hockey = Canton, 0 @ Franklin, 0 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap

"In two seasons of Hockomock League play, Canton and Franklin have established themselves as the teams to beat. The Bulldogs won the inaugural league championship and then last season Franklin took the crown for the first time. In year three, the two teams went into the final game of the regular season separated by just two points at the top of the standings.

As has become the standard when the two teams meet, Wednesday night’s game at Pirelli Veterans Arena was close, defensive, and physical and, in the end, Canton was able to hold out for a 0-0 tie that secured the outright league title.

“It means a lot,” Canton coach Dennis Aldrich said about not sharing the title. “Especially here. When I used to coach the [Canton] boys, anytime we came here or [Franklin] used to come to Ponky, they called it the ‘Dungeon of Doom’, it’s just something about it. The crowd wasn’t the same, but the emotion was.”

With 1:37 remaining and with the Panthers setting up for an offensive zone face-off, Franklin coach Margie Burke called timeout and pulled goalie Gabby Colace (19 saves). There were several surprised reactions from beyond the glass, but it underscored the importance of the title race and how little one point would impact Franklin’s likely seed in the playoffs."

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/canton-girls-hockey-ties-franklin-to-win-outright-league-title/

For a Photo Gallery from this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-Canton-Girls-Hockey-2-12-20/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-12-20/

Canton held on for a scoreless tie at Franklin that secured the Bulldogs the outright league title. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

"any game isn’t just given. You have to win it"

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest to Franklin

"Her senior quote in the Franklin High yearbook says it all: “Stop staring at me, I know I’m tall.” 

At 6 feet, 4 inches, Ali Brigham used to feel a tad self-conscious about her height. But now, she has learned to embrace it. 

“I think that I do a good job at least holding myself tall enough,” said the 17-year-old Brigham. “I know, obviously, everyone is going to stare at me because a 6-foot-4 girl is pretty unique. 

“It’s given me a lot, so I’m grateful for it.” 

Whether she is elevating for a blocked shot, carving out space for a put-back, or creating a scoring opportunity, Brigham is one of the most physically imposing players in the state. And with skills to match, she has powered Franklin (17-0) to the No. 1 ranking in the Globe’s Top 20."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/high-schools/2020/02/12/ghoopnotes/6bS6MLMpYr8e6yzvtpnzsJ/story.html

By eschewing the lure of private school programs, Ali Brigham’s decision to remain at Franklin High has helped the No. 1 Panthers (17-0) emerge as a strong contender for the state title. “I would say that Ali’s been a transformative player for our program,” said Franklin coach John Leighton.JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF

In the News: homelessness topic at Town Council meeting; Wasik candidate for Natick principal

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

"The town, like so many other communities in Massachusetts, is struggling to find homes for the poor and disabled, underscored by the local housing authority’s waiting list of 3,500.

“The numbers are crazy – there is just not enough housing in the state of Massachusetts, in the town of Franklin and in the country for the people who need it,” Authority Executive Director Lisa Audette told the Town Council on Wednesday night. “The incomes have gone up, (and) people who are born and raised in this town, they go off to college, come back to this town – they can’t live here. You can’t afford the rent, you can’t afford to buy a house. A lot of those people with college degrees would be qualified for public housing.”

Social services coordinators from the Franklin Senior Center also spoke about transitional assistance available, saying they’ve assisted 14 Franklin families in the last year, 11 of them being adults with no children. Causes of their homelessness ranged from having mental health, substance and medical problems to joblessness. Many are left without a place to live because of natural disasters like fires or personal tragedy like being the victims of domestic violence."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200212/franklin-seeks-answers-to-homelessness 

For my notes from this segment of the meeting Wednesday night
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-housing-and-transitional.html

"A Franklin elementary principal is a finalist to be the next principal of Lilja Elementary School in Natick, interim Principal Robin Welch announced Wednesday.

Stefani Wasik, principal at the Davis Thayer Elementary School, is in the running for the Natick job with two other candidates. She is in her second year as principal of Davis Thayer, after serving as its assistant principal for the previous five years. She is expected to visit Lilja Elementary on Feb. 26, spending most of her day there before going to Town Hall to meet with Superintendent of Schools Anna Nolin and other administrators.

Wasik began her career teaching second grade in Somerville, then fourth grade in Milford and Dover. She holds a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a bachelor’s of arts in elementary education and psychology from Saint Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont.

In September, the Franklin School Committee voted to hire an outside consultant to analyze whether Davis Thayer should be closed, with Superintendent of Schools Sara Ahern pointing to the building’s age and the district’s declining enrollment."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200212/franklin-principal-stefani-wasik-finalist-for-top-job-at-naticks-lilja-elementary
 

March Veterans Coffee Social - March 4

Veterans Coffee Social will be held Wednesday, March 4 at 10:00 AM at the
Franklin Senior Center Café

Come And Chat With Other Vets
Coffee And Pastry Will Be Provided
All Vets Are Invited!

For More Information, Contact the Veteran Services Office At: (508) 613-1315 

March Veterans Coffee Social - March 4

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/march-coffee-social
 

Live reporting: Town Administrator's Report through to Closing

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 

10.5 down from 14.7
municipal aggregation beginning in Nov 2020
opt out
13/month; 160+ per year
30 day period mailing notification coming in Sep


12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
animal control soon, maybe April
SAFE Coalition

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
condolences to Hamblen

ISO rating
Electric aggregate, finally good job
Franklin is a rising star, other community

condolences to Hamblen

pleased that Lisa came tonight to inform us
my condolences to Hamblen

thanks for coming out, proud of the high school students for persisting

SAFE Coalition opening Thursday 4-8 PM
206 Dedham St, Norfolk

condolences to Hamblen
action packed meeting for sure
almost standing room only, we need more of that


14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
- None Scheduled

ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 8-0


Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda and docs released for this meeting can be found in one PDF
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-02-12_tc_agenda_web.pdf

Individual docs may be available on the Town of Franklin agenda page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/february-12-town-council-agenda

Live reporting: Legislation for Action

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
march 4 meeting as mentioned earlier


10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw 20-847 As Amended: New Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-847 As Amended: Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition - Majority Roll Call Vote)

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 8-0

FHS students introduce themselves

motion to adopt as amended, seconded, passed 7-1 (Earls voted no via roll call)


10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-852: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-852: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees - Majority Roll Call Vote)

motion to adopt, seconded, passed 8-0 via roll call


10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-12: Gift Acceptance Franklin Police Department - $10,000 (Motion to approve Resolution 20-12 - Majority Vote)

motion to adopt, seconded, passed 8-0

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-13: Gift Acceptance Franklin Fire Department - $10,000 (Motion to approve Resolution 20-13 - Majority Vote)

motion to adopt, seconded, passed 8-0


10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-Law Amendment 20-849: Changes to Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System Use Regulations, And Use Regulations Schedule Updates- First Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-849 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 8-0

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-850: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets- First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-850 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 8-0

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0

10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-851: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Oak Street and Dailey Drive - First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-851 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 8-0

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0

10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-14: The Town of Franklin Civil Discourse Pledge (Motion to approve Resolution 20-14 - Majority Vote)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-14_franklin_web.pdf


motion to table to March 4, seconded, passed 8-0

Live reporting: Housing and Transitional Assistance

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Housing Authority - Lisa Audette, Executive Director, Franklin Housing Authority

MA GL 121 B
regulated and partially funded by the State

elderly and disabled housing
4 units of congregate housing
2 and 3 bedroom, 33 units
2 dept of developmental services, 16 units of housing
3 other properties obtained to bring in 3 more units of affordable housing

State owns the application waiting list, local can view but State owns the listing
application time stamped once entered into system

applications available at Housing Authority or online at the State

eligibility requirements for elderly and handicapped housing

HUD low income standards change every two years
many fall below the listing due to Boston market rates

current waiting list over 3500 for Franklin
1075 for 1 bedroom, 100+ emergency status

172 on waiting listing for congregate housing

2500 (468 emergency) for family applications

there is not enough housing in Franklin, in MA or in our country

Q - can you explain more about the financing
A - surplus agency, covered by rents taken in
modernization money comes from the State
Affordable Housing Trust provided a grant to leverage other funding
to completely renovate the units at Central Park Terrace

Q - can we expand housing?
A - we are always looking for additional housing but the State has no money
encouraging comments from the Governor
can not afford to build a complex on our own

Q - can't you stay on the Franklin listing?
A - the code says no, once housed, no longer on the listing - they are better off than someone without

Q - Do they remain on the listing?
A - when housed, loose the emergency priority, they remain on the listing but not with emergency status

Q - could the St Mary's school be used?
A - we did re-purpose the Metcalf School for housing

Q - thanks for all the work you do, victims of domestic violence get a priority, that is good
A - a lot of people need help

Central Park Terrace, first built in 1960
expanded in 1965; up on the hill expanded, in 1975 with wheelchair units

Metcalf School, Winter St
Family units - 28 north, west, and east Park St opened in 1948

family development on Walnut Ave

Eaton Place not part of the Housing Authority

"Everyone needs to be reminded of the work you do"
housing is not affordable

turnover about 20/units/year

do have a service coordinator, one day/week to help residents
loophole with categorization on disability counting once reaching 60, they become a 'senior' but likely haven't lost their disability

Q - do you cover Sec 8?
A - Sec 8 wasn't accepted in Franklin when it was authorized

a quick plug that the CPA proposal can provide some help, our issue won't be solved with one project, or one check
we are over the 10% on 40B, it is not enough we do need to do more
March 4, EDC meeting will begin review of some bylaw changes to help with affordable housing


b. Transitional Assistance Discussion - Franklin Senior Center

https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/transitional-assistance

Transitional Assistance from Franklin Matters

Karen Alves, Erin Rogers
14 households assisted in past year for homeless, declined somewhat

landlord issues

Dept of Transition Assistance (DTA)

each shelter takes applications directly, (no central routing/fulfillment agency)
shelters won't take folks who are taking substances, alcohol or other

3 churches are collaborating in Milford for weather related shelters
most folks don't want to go to a shelter

Section 8 is also a lengthy waiting list

Q - is there a mechanism for landlords? to take someone on a voucher, the education required
A - yes, we would like to help coordinate that

Q - where do they go for something like fuel assistance?
A - come to the Senior Center, we have the listing of what they need
often by coming in, for one, they find out what else we can do for them

St Vincent DePaul
186 families served in 2019, clothing, resources
(copy of doc handed out to be added later)

categories of 

1. transient
2. known homeless
3. soon to be homeless

Lynn Calling, Exec Dir, Franklin Food Pantry
6000 visits to the pantry in 2019, an increase over 2018
no funding from town or State
March 2 tour at the Pantry, if you can't make it, call so we can set up a time

Kim, New England Chapel
services available in Milford area, "Pathway to a better life"
3 churches open on a rotating basis
open at 30 degrees, Northbridge does same thing
could do the same thing here in Franklin, could get grants for assistance
Milford Police will bring the folks to the shelter when open

not a town sanctioned group, but could not have been done without their coordination

social services stake holder meeting?
we did it a year ago, have attended interfaith council meeting