Maguro House - help wanted sign

The new Japanese restaurant downtown is looking for help: server, cashier, and dish washer wanted.

The restaurant website can be found here: http://www.magurohouse.com/

Survey says: new trash/recycle process - not a good thing for Franklin

Do you think the new trash/recycle process will be a good thing for Franklin?

Yes - 8

No - 11

This question comes out of the decision to lower the annual curbside fee and implement the new process in July 2010. The summary of the changes can be found in here: FM #58 - Week ending 2/21/10

The latest survey or poll question results are in. The Town has a communications opportunity on this item!

Senator Spilka Announces March 3rd Office Hours

Join Senator Spilka and Puja Mehta, Senator Spilka's District and Constituent Services Director, for coffee and conversation.  They will update constituents on the latest news and events, and answer any questions you may have.

Franklin: Franklin Senior Center
9:30 a.m -10:30 a.m.
10 McCahill Street, Franklin

Medway: Gaetano's Bakery
1:00 p.m -2:00 p.m.
74 Main Street, Medway


Holliston: Pejamajo Cafe
3:00 p.m -4:00 p.m.
770 Washington Street, Holliston

Framingham: Panera Bread
5:00 p.m -6:00 p.m.
400 Cochituate Road, Framingham

Natick: Morse Institute Library
6:30 p.m -7:30 p.m.
Room 2A
14 East Central Street, Natick

Town Council - Agenda - 3/3/10

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Historical Commission- Associate Member - Marlene Oliver

F. HEARINGS - 7:10 PM
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-639: Amendment to Chapter 185-5 Zoning map
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-640-: Amendment to Chapter 185-42: Biotechnology Uses

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
1. Presentation of Audit – Melanson Heath & Co.

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION –
1. Resolution 10-05: Property Tax Deferrals For Seniors – Gross Receipts Limit
2. Resolution 10-07: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 37A
3. Resolution 10-08: Property Tax Exemption G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C
4. Resolution 10-09: Amending the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-639: Amendment to Chapter 185-5 Zoning map- 1st reading
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-640-: Amendment to Chapter 185-42: Biotechnology Uses- 1st reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

Volunteers Needed – Saturday, March 27th

The Historical Commission is happy to announce that the new museum will be opening May 15th to the public.  The commission is very excited!

Your assistance is requested in moving some of the materials from the “Old” museum to the “New” museum on March 27th (Saturday) beginning at 10:00am.  Packing has already been completed and now we need help to remove boxes and items. 

If you have a van or truck “WE NEED YOU”.  We also need volunteers to transfer items into trucks and vans from the “Old” to the “New”.  You will be directed by Commission members during the move.

Please email dpellegri@franklin.ma.us  Let me know if you will be driving a truck or van/or if you plan to volunteer yourself with the moving of the items. 

Thank you in advance for your continued support of the Franklin Historic Museum.

"legislation can sometimes outstrip the resources available"

“In a time where most communities are financially strapped, I think the last thing any of us need are more reporting requirements and more administrative tasks that take away from the needs of other school functions,’’ said Jeffrey Roy, Franklin’s School Committee chairman.

The bill, which the House approved and sent to the Senate last month, would require new nutritional standards for food sold a la carte in school cafeterias, stores, and vending machines.

 Read the full article in the Sunday edition of the Boston Globe West section here

HMEA 5K Race/Walk - May 23rd

The Horace Mann Education Associates - HMEA, Inc. is located here in Franklin, MA but their effective service delivery is to over 100 communities in MA.

HMEA has a long history of providing innovative services in school, at work, at home and in the community and now serve over 2400 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Services include: Residential, Day and Family supports, and services for children.

HMEA's Employment Programs provides people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue meaningful employment either on a full- or part-time basis. For people in the Employment Program who work part-time, HMEA encourages volunteering for community organizations, or leisure and recreation activities to supplement their day.

HMEA's Employment Programs serve people 22 years of age and older who live within the commuting distance of program locations in the following cities and towns: Bellingham, Clinton, Hopedale, Plainville and Worcester

The annual fund raiser for HMEA is the 5K Race/Walk and Family Fun Day scheduled for May 23, 2010.

SAVE THE DATE...Sunday, May 23, 2010 HMEA's 9th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run in the Park - MARK YOUR CALENDARS and grab your sneakers to participate in this "Fun-filled Family Day fundraising event...

This event, which is hosted by our good friends at EMC2 Corporation in Franklin, MA gathers 2,000 or more people to help HMEA continue its mission to make a difference in people's lives. AND, all the money raised is returned to the many programs at HMEA, which supports 2,400 children and adults with intellectual challenges and developmental disabilities.

Once again we have Gene Lavanchy from Fox News25 and tentatively Gail Huff from WCVB-TV Channel performing hosting duties for us. And our great friends and inspiration to many, "TEAM HOYT", Dick and Rick will be on hand again this year -- plus we're pretty sure there will be a few other celebrities and mascots on hand as well!

So come on down and participate in the fun...there's raffle prizes, food, tee shirts for participants (while they last), prizes, a Kids Corner filled with games and activities, a Kids "FUN RUN" and so much more... 

In addition to working the road race registration table (and providing splits at the 2 mile mark), I have decided to help HMEA do some fund raising this year.

I love the quote from Horace Mann that they use on their History page:

"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity"

You can help the HMEA make a difference with a donation. I have a widget in the center column of this and my other blogs, should you choose to donate an amount within your means.

I will appreciate it.
The HMEA clients you help will too!

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If you would like to register for the race you can do so here
http://www.hmea.org/events.html

If you'd like you can contribute in one of several options directly through the HMEA website here
http://www.hmea.org/donations.html

Events today: Winter Carnival, Maguro House

Franklin High School Winter Carnival - scheduled from noon to 4:00 PM today


Maguro House - the Grand Opening Party is scheduled for Sunday, February 28th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

In the News - Kilimanjaro

Franklin woman to attempt Mount Kilimanjaro

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

 Holcomb is using her climb to raise funds for The Water School, a Canadian non-profit organization with a mission to provide clean water in the developing world.

"I've done a lot of traveling and I've done some climbing, like the Blue Hills. But nothing like this," said Holcomb. "This was a challenge made to me by someone who told me about the Water School cause."

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To support Holcomb's Kilimanjaro climb with a donation to The Water School, visit her Web site atwww.kili2010.com/tessa-holcomb.

Temple Grandin - "visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers"

We get our first view into the Schools budget during the School Committee meeting on 3/9/10. Apparently, the budget will initially focus on "level service" (based upon the update from the meeting 2/23/10).

Going from "level service" to "level funded" or less will be a challenge. This TED Talk by Temple Grandin is good at showing the different kinds of thinking we are capable of. The different kinds of thinking require different approaches.



Are we preparing a sufficiently challenging environment for all types of thinkers?

Are we prepared to fund it appropriately?

In the News - Cole's, state budget updates

Franklin police hope photo helps catch robber

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Krista Perry/Daily News staff


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In one article meeting with librarians, Sen Richard Moore comments on the state budget:

The governor's budget includes revenue from his proposed soda and candy tax, which, Moore said, is not likely to pass, and Medicaid money from the federal government that Congress has not yet signed off on.


"So we already have to start making up for some money," said Moore. "It's not going to be a pretty picture ... This will be the worst fiscal year since I've been in office."




Read the full article here

Support for libraries urged

by Krista Perry/Daily News staff

In another article 

Moore said state aid could be slashed by 5 percent when lawmakers vote soon on a new budget, but he is hoping for less of a cut.

Read the full article here

Moore says aid cut may be less than 5 percent

by Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff  

Four Changes to Law

Phillip K Howard spoke recently at the TED Conference and it was captured in this TED Talk.

The land of the free has become a legal minefield, says Philip K. Howard -- especially for teachers and doctors, whose work has been paralyzed by fear of suits. What's the answer? A lawyer himself, Howard has four propositions for simplifying US law.

What are the four propositions?

1 - Judge law mainly by its effect on society, not individual situations.
2 - Trust in law is an essential condition of freedom. Distrust skews behavior towards failure.
3 - Law must set boundaries protecting an open field of freedom, not intercede in all disputes.
4 - To rebuild boundaries of freedom, two changes are essential:

• simplify the law
• restore authority to judges and officials to apply law

I do encourage you to view the video (approx. 20 minutes) as the arguments Phillip makes are quite compelling. 



What do you think? Do we stand a chance of getting somewhere with these proposals?

In the News: Closing the gap, winter carnival

Rep. Vallee votes to close obscene messaging gap

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

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Franklin High's Winter Carnival set for Sunday

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Maguro House - Grand Opening Party

The Grand Opening Party is scheduled for Sunday, February 28th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Harlem Wizards return to Franklin!

The Harlem Wizards, one of the greatest basketball show-team organizations to ever “lace it up and let’em fly”, will play our own Sullivan Rockets. This will be an entertaining night for kids of all ages (and adults too)!

From Franklin Matters

Did you miss their visit last year?



Don't miss it this year!

Date:  Friday, March 19th, 2010, 7:00 PM
Doors Open 6:00, Game Time 7:00

Location: Tri-County Regional High School
147 Pond St, Franklin MA

Tickets: Click here to print ticket order form

Contacts: ayotte_k@verizon.net or erinclong@comcast.net

Sponsored By: Annie Sullivan Middle School PCC