Santa's Magical Mailbox - highlights the goodness of our Franklin community

"Santa's Magical mailbox 

I would like to give credit where credit is due. Ann Marie Donovan was trying to raise money for the Food pantry asking kids to drop a letter to Santa and a small donation for the food pantry at her personal mailbox last year. I contacted her and asked if she would like to have a mailbox at my light show because I get a decent amount of traffic and figured we could raise more money that way. She thought is was a good idea and so that's how it all began. 

Ann is in charge of writing letters along with some really great elves. Thankfully we also have some generous people donating stamps because less than 20% of the letters we get come with a donation and each letter returned to the kids cost us around $1. We understand that not everyone can afford a donation and all kids will get a return letter no matter what. 

The mailbox is taken in and out every night to keep it in as good shape as possible. It should be out by 5:30 every day. We have received letters from many towns in MA including some that are not very close. The elves are working hard and hopefully the first batch of letters will go out soon. 

I named it Santa's Magical Mailbox because I feel like it was magical how members of the community help donate their time, material and skills to make it come to fruition. Scott Firestine made the mailbox and donated it which was absolutely amazing. After just a day or two the paint got ruined so Power Painting Plus ( Rick and John Power) came and picked up the mailbox, repainted it at no cost, then took it to "Signs by Cam" where they redid all of the lettering, which was also at no cost. 

This mailbox belongs to Franklin. I just store it and try my best to keep it in good shape. I hope to pass it on to someone else in Franklin one day. 

Thank you everyone for your support. We hope its a great year for the Franklin Food Pantry and that your kids enjoy their letters from Santa. "

Laura McCarthy

To send a donation, please find the info on the Facebook post 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3052436671693005/

Santa's Magical Mailbox - highlights the goodness of our Franklin community

Franklin, MA: Town Council Meeting - Dec 15, 2021 - Agenda

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 15, 2021 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers
355 East Central Street 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. 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 the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. November 10, 2021

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Franklin Cultural District Committee: Katherine Botelho

b. Franklin Cultural District Committee: Patrick Timmons

c. Community Preservation Committee: Richard (Rick) Power

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. 2022 Annual Alcohol License Renewals

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._license_renewal_memo_list_motion.pdf

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

a. Human Resources: Karen Bratt, Human Resources Director

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION - None Scheduled

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled

15. ADJOURN

The full agenda and released documents can be found in one PDF ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/december_15_town_council_agenda.pdf

Karen Bratt, Human Resources Director, provided an update to the FinCom in October 2021

 

Franklin, MA: Town Council Rules of Procedure Review Committee Meeting Agenda - Dec 15 - 6 PM

Town Council Rules of Procedure Review Committee 

Meeting Agenda - December 15 

3rd Floor Training Room - 6:00 PM

Agenda

1. Review Procedures Manual of The Franklin Town Council dated May 9, 2018

Agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/december_15_rules_of_procedure_review_committee_meeting_agenda_0.pdf 

Procedures Manual (to be reviewed)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/procedures_manual_.pdf

Town Council Rules of Procedure Review Committee Meeting Agenda - Dec 15 - 6 PM

FHS wrestling team splits 2-2 at Mt Hope Quad meet

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

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ Weymouth, 4 – Final

Wrestling = Mt. Hope (R.I.) Quad Meet (Franklin) 

–  Franklin split for the day, picking up a pair of wins in four matches. The Panthers earned wins over Barnstable (39-18) and Pilgrim (46-6) but dropped two tight contests to Hope (39-38) and Lowell (42-38).

Tough loss on our fourth and final match of the day to Lowell, 42-38. Pins by Fracassa, Foley, Parlon and Sheridan. 2-2 on the day at MT Hope. Wrestler of the day was Brock Gabis at heavy weight. #lowlife #maskoff    https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1469762091804471299 

39-18 win over Barnstable for the third match of the day. Pins by Leaman, Carlucci, Fracassa, Foley and Hasenfus.   https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1469738480926351362 

Tough loss on the second match of the day to Hope, 39-38. Pins by Leaman, Carlucci, Parlon and Gabis. #walkingdead   https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1469722610372075521 

46-6 win over Pilgrim to start the season. Pins by Leaman, Carlucci, Winniker, Danial, O’Leary, Fracassa, and Dillion.   https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1469693524509605888 

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-11-21/ 

FHS Panthers

Tri-County RVTHS Inducts New National Honor Society Members

Qualified Tri-County Juniors were inducted into the National Honor Society and new officers named

Tri-County held the solemn induction ceremony for the Peter Rickard Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). Forty new members were inducted, thirty-seven juniors and three seniors. To be considered for membership into the NHS students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.85 out of 4.0, voluntarily contribute to their school and/or community, be resourceful and good problem solvers, and uphold a high standard of character including being cooperative, honest, courteous, and reliable.

This year’s junior inductees are: 

Nicholas Aguiar, Quinlan Anderson, Jack Barrett, Zachary Blenkhorn, Faith Boutin, Benjamin Bryson, Abigail Calamar, Ashly Cardona, Sheila Cardona, Ava Cavallaro, Sophie Chrisom, Hannah Clarke, Ava D’Amadio, Emily DeLuca, Aidan Fitzpatrick, Sabra Flanagan, Cory George, Sophia Gill, Isabella Gulley, Andrew Johnson, Aidan Juhl, Jennifer Kalick, Noelle Kennedy, Natalie Kirby, Laci Lawrence, Collin McEvoy, Jenna Moore, Abigail Polvado, William Refearn, Isabella Rivera, Sophia Rodrigues, Kailey Rogers, Glenn Sawyer, Ashley Sullivan, Jacob Sullivan, Hailey Tetreault, and Coleman Walsh. 

The senior inductees included: 

Harrison Anton, Gabriel Corey, and Matthew Gorton.

The Solemn Induction Ceremony was held on Thursday, December 2nd and included the pledge to NHS, the presentation of the pillars, and a guest speaker, Rich Vitali. Mr. Vitali was voted as guest speaker by the current senior NHS members and spoke to the group about leadership, service, and character. “I witness those students who pick up trash left on the ground… the students who encourage their teammates to push themselves… the students who stay after school to set up decorations so their peers get the full experience of walking into a special event. This night is about recognizing the students who bring honor to the Tri-County community.”

Congratulations to the new inductees! We know you will continue to do wonderful things. 

Tri-County RVTHS Inducts New National Honor Society Members

Critical Conversations - Mental Health & Substance Use 11/18/21 (video)

Catching up to sharing the video and presentation document from the Critical Conversations event held on Nov 18, 2021.

“The Franklin Public Schools Substance Abuse Task Force teamed up with the SAFE Coalition to host the Critical Conversations Panel. This event was held online and in person at Franklin High School on November 18th, 2021. The panel featured 7 speakers with various perspectives representing education, health care, law enforcement, parent/guardians, and people with lived experience. The conversation focused on identifying and addressing mental health and substance use among families and within our community.”

-------

As with most meetings/events in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the FHS auditorium. 

The Twitter hashtag #CC1118 can be found online The thread begins with  

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1461472874309603335 

Photos from the event can be found in one album:  

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ikqcTq222N2mftt88

• Critical conversations info on speakers, agenda, and remote link info  https://www.franklinps.net/district/events/83206 #cc1118
• The THC available today is FAR more potent than that used in the 90's - like 60 times more potent! #cc1118 this is being used in vap cartridges
• Dr Bergen introduces the panel for this discussion #cc1118
• Dan, recovering alcoholic, wanted communication in his earlier days to have helped his turn to substance use as the aid; punishment, and increasing punishments, didn't help #cc1118
• Jim, parent of a son with trouble, urges other parents to get involved, don't think it will just 'get better' #cc1118 ask for help, you are not alone.
• Sgt Colecchi provides some staggering stats on current calls for mental health and substance abuse, a good number of them are youth under 18 #cc1118
• Principal Hanna seeing behavior unlike anything seen during 25+ years teaching in a high school. The combination of the pandemic and substance use are driving the change in behavior #cc1118
• Per Hanna, they are organizing to respond to this issue. it had not part of their charter. #cc1118
• SAFE seeing students buying vaps via dealers more so now than before. Increase also seen in parental supply of alcohol and vaps. #cc1118
• Rep Roy touts mental health legislation that the MA Senate just passed and sent to the House for their review/action. #cc1118
• Resources from the FPS page for parents -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/substance-abuse-education/pages/resources-parents #cc1118 simply sitting next to your youth rather than facing them to have the conversation is a help #cc1118
• Do some homework on what the vapes look like, they do come via mail, it can be a quick trip to someone at the car in the driveway to get a supply  #cc1118
• If near someone overdosing, call 911, do not drive to the hospital. The drugs are so fast acting, you'll be too late. 911 is the best way, paramedics should have narcan handy #cc1118
• Shifting to the audience Q&A segment of the evening #cc1118
• Late to this but shifted to the break out portion of the evening; checked out the "hidden in plain sight" display and product table. Fascinating info! #cc1118 that's all for tonight, catch you next time!

 

The event video is now available via YouTube  https://youtu.be/4z7humqI2Wo 

 

Critical Conversations: Mental Health & Substance Use - 11/18/21 from Franklin Matters

part of the "Hidden in Plain Sight" display

Reimagine an Inclusive Education - Dec 13

Reimagine an Inclusive Education

A Community Forum with State Senator Ed Kennedy

Monday, December 13, 7:00 - 8:00 PM 

Please register in advance

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cupf-E77TXq5x076KdAw_A

More info at -> https://www.care4eduequity.org/   and select the "Events" tab

https://www.care4eduequity.org/events-and-resources

Reimagine an Inclusive Education - Dec 13