Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Letter on Underground Utilities

The Board of Directors of the Franklin Downtown Partnership have published a letter to the Town Council endorsing the proposal to put the utilities underground. You can read the full text of the letter here:

http://franklindowntownpartnership.blogspot.com/2010/09/franklin-downtown-partnership-board-of.html


The Board also wrote to the Town Council to present their position on the overall Downtown Improvement Project. You can view the context of this letter here:
http://franklindowntownpartnership.blogspot.com/2010/09/there-is-public-hearing-about-downtown.html


Franklin, MA

In the News - Franklin schools

Donations pay for several Franklin school programs

by 


Franklin, MA

To get kids eating healthier, Jamie Oliver launches Jamie’s Home Cooking Skills

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:


via Blue Kitchen by Terry B on 9/28/10

Jamie Oliver is on a mission to get everyone to eat better. His new website, Jamie's Home Cooking Skills, is the subject of my latest post on the USA Character Approved Blog. A recent study...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Things you can do from here:

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Harmony from the Heart - Fri, Oct 1

HARMONY FROM THE HEART
Raising money for Platelet Research one concert at a time




Friday, October 1, 2010
6:30 PM Lake Pearl Luciano's Wrentham, MA




Cocktail Reception, Silent Auction, Raffles, Live Music, Dancing, Fun and Fundraising


Join us for a great night of entertainment by Peter Paulousky, Kai Olsson, Toby Olsson w/Jamie Barrett, PT 73, and the reunion show of classic 80's band 'The DRIVE'


Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door (space permitting)
Tax deductable donations can be made online at http://bit.ly/9kz1uU
Your name will be added to the door guest list.


Proceeds benefit the Center for Platelet Research Studies at Children's Hospital Boston


Find additional information click on Harmony from the Heart at www.kaiolsson.com



Franklin, MA


No live reporting for School Committee meeting

There will be a Sherlock participating in the School Committee meeting this evening but it won't be me there to report on what is happening. Mrs Sherlock will be there as part of the group that worked to define Early Childhood School Readiness.

The readiness definition they will present and discuss can be viewed here:

Franklin (MA) Public Schools - Readiness Defined



Where will I be?
You may recall that I am now on the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry. Our monthly meeting is this evening so that will take priority tonight. Given my schedule for the remaining week, I probably won't be able to get to review the School Committee meeting video until this weekend.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to review the document.

Franklin, MA

"Every VA facility has an Agent Orange Registry"

George Ferguson wasn't surprised when he read about the newly recognized presumptive illnesses related to his time served in Vietnam.
The Franklin resident already collects benefits for type II diabetes, and now, like thousands of Vietnam veterans across the country, Ferguson is waiting to see if the Department of Veterans Affairs will officially recognize the heart disease he's been suffering from since 2005.
"Now I'm just waiting to find out if they will give me disability for my heart disease, and at what rate," he said.
Last year, the VA added three diseases to an existing list of conditions presumed to be the result of exposure to Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant used to destroy jungle foliage in Vietnam and expose the enemy.
B Cell leukemia, ischemic heart disease and Parkinson's disease were added to a list that includes type II diabetes, prostate and lung cancers, Hodgkin's disease and other conditions.
The conditions were officially published in the VA's Federal Registrar last month, and are subject to congressional review until Oct. 31.
Read more about the change in veterans benefits in the Milford Daily News here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x358497273/Vietnam-veterans-waiting-on-payment-for-Agent-Orange-illnesses

Franklin, MA

Friends of the Franklin Library need your help!

The Friends of the Franklin Library are preparing for our Oct. Book Sale and we need your help!

Volunteers have the opportunity to shop early.

The October Book Sale set up begins on Tuesday, Oct. 12th.  We need volunteers to assist with the set up through the beginning of the sale on Friday, Oct. 15th.   


The set up and sale will again be housed at the DPW garage off of Hayward Street.  Set up times are from 9:30 AM– 2:30 PM Tuesday through Friday (Oct. 12th-15th).

We also need help on each day of the sale.  

  • Friday, Oct. 15th (Member’s night) 4PM – 8PM 
  • Saturday, Oct 16th, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  
  • Sunday, Oct. 17th, from 9AM to Noon - 'bag sale' 
  • Sunday Oct 17th - help with clean up from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM


We are also looking for students to help during the sale times and clean up on Sunday.  If you know a student who is 14 or older and who would like to help, please have them Denise Jandreski @ 508-520-9955 or via email:  jandrma@comcast.net.

Franklin, MA

In the News - Leone

Leone was well-loved on the football field

by 



Franklin, MA

Safe Routes to School Update

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:


via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 9/27/10

North Andover, Thomson Elementary, Safe Routes to School8

The Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program works with over 340 elementary and middle schools representing over 150,000 students in 115 municipalities statewide. The program educates students, parents, and community members on the values of walking and bicycling to school. The program also offers schools technical assistance for designing, implementing, marketing and evaluating initiatives tailored to the school's needs and priorities.

The newest edition of the Safe Routes to School Newsletter features information and updates about fall programs and initiatives.

International Walk to School Day is October 6, 2010 and thousands of elementary and middle school students will be participating in walking events around the Commonwealth.

Safe Routes to School is conducting a video contest among Massachusetts elementary and middle schools about how schools, classrooms, or communities practice Safe Routes to School. The winner will be featured on the MassRIDES homepage and in the next edition of the Safe Routes to School newsletter. 

For more news and details about upcoming events, read our fall newsletter, andr follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/MassRIDES.

Things you can do from here:

Monday, September 27, 2010

In the News - Pulaski Blvd construction

Pulaski Blvd construction continues and there are updates in the MDN here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1742646793/Bellinghams-Pulaski-Boulevard-construction-continues


Franklin, MA

Gallery 218 - Tuesday 9/28 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Gallery 218, Franklin Public Schools own Art Gallery, will be holding it's first opening of the year Tuesday the Sep 28th from 5-7pm! Great Art, Live Music, and food...what else are you going to do on a Tuesday night???? 

------

As posted on the FHS website, this appears to be correct information as opposed to what was published in the Milford Daily News and the Franklin Gazette which had this event for Friday 9/24 instead.


Franklin, MA

Downtown Improvement Project - Survey

The tally on the Downtown Improvement Project survey to change from 1-way to 2-way traffic is holding to a 2-1 margin against the change. There is still time to have your say.

View the planning documents here: (this includes displays of the intersections before and after the change).
http://franklindowntownpartnership.blogspot.com/2010/09/downtown-improvement-project-design.html

Answer the survey here:
http://franklindowntownpartnership.blogspot.com/2010/09/downtown-improvement-project-survey.html

Come to the Municipal Building Wednesday evening to participate in the Public Hearing. 7:00 PM, second floor Council Chambers.


Note: the agenda for the Sep 29th Council meeting includes an item for a new Public Hearing on Oct 20th. The map associated with that hearing differs slightly from the map with this hearing. What is the full story behind this? I could only speculate now and I don't want to. Stay tuned to find out what the story is.



Franklin, MA


Chamber Event: Manufacturing Our Future Summit




Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

                                            The United Regional Chamber of Commerce logo 


YOU'RE INVITED....
MANUFACTURING OUR FUTURE SUMMIT
FEATURING US REP. JAMES MCGOVERN


The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Mass MEP to present "Manufacturing Our Future Summit."

Register online or by calling 508-222-0801. 
 Mass MEP Manufacturing Our Future
Safe Unsubscribe

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 9/29/10

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 8, 2010

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS -Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - Thermo Environmental Scientific

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS - Public Hearing to Consider Removal of Utility Poles, Overhead Wires & Associated Overhead Wires and Associated Overhead Structures in Downtown Area – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS – Downtown Franklin Enhancement Project Proposed Traffic Circulation – Westin & Sampson

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-55: Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Hemlock Lane and Related Parcels and Easement
2. Resolution 10-56: Endorsement of Plan for Two-Way Vehicular Traffic on Emmons, West Central and Main Streets as Element of Downtown Revitalization Project
3. Resolution 10-57: Scheduling of Public Hearing to Consider Removal of Utility Poles, Overhead Wires, and Associated Overhead Structures in Downtown Area
4. Resolution 10-58: Appropriation to Construct Opticom System on Traffic Signals

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


The documents associated with the full agenda can be viewed here:

Franklin, MA: Town Council 9/29/2010 Agenda

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.


Franklin, MA

In the News - Harvest Festival

By Ashley Studley, Daily News staff
Posted Sep 27, 2010 @ 02:08 AM
After a couple days of summer-like warmth, residents yesterday celebrated a crisp fall afternoon with apple cider, pumpkins and fried dough at the town's annual Harvest Festival.
Sponsored by the Downtown Partnership, the festivities drew nearly 100 vendors and thousands of people.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1319753256/Franklin-celebrates-fall-festival



Franklin, MA

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 9/28/10

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 14, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:

2. Guests/Presentations:
a. FEF Grant Awards
b. Early Childhood Readiness
c. Lifelong Learning Update

3. Discussion Only Items
Budget to Actual

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $8,000.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips and enrichment.
b. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for the Remington Adventure Club to Mt. Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH on October 2, 2010.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $205.17 from Target for Horace Mann Middle School in-house enrichment.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $478.41 from Target for Franklin High School in-house enrichment.
e. I recommend approval of the two recurring field trips for the FHS DECA students for the State competition in Boston from 3/10/11-3/12/11 and the International competition in Orlando, FL from 4/30 to 5/3/11 as detailed.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from the Keller PCC for field trips.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn


Franklin, MA

In the News - surprise at Dean


Deployed mom surprises son at Franklin football game

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 

Franklin, MA

Saturday, September 25, 2010

In the News - Harvest Festival

Celebrate at Franklin Downtown Partnership's Fall Festival

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 

Friendly reminder - as you cruise amongst the tables, I will have a small table set up near the triangle to hold "open office hours". Stop by, say hi!


Franklin, MA

Friday, September 24, 2010

"eliminate hunger and food insecurity in this country"

I direct your attention to these three points because in spite of our efforts over the years, we continue to come up short. Why, for instance, in the richest nation in the world do we have 38 million of our brothers and sisters frequently wondering where their next meal will come from? Why has organic and locally grown food become such a craze – organic constituting the fastest growing segment of the U.S. food industry – while high calorie, low nutrient, so-called cheap food, constitutes such a large segment of lower income families’ diets? And why do so many of us have before us an unprecedented abundance of accessible and diversified retail food outlets to choose from while a significant segment of our citizens live in what can only be called food deserts?
Read the full posting here
http://www.markwinne.com/food-bank-speech-may-15-2008-seattle-wa/

Franklin, MA

Thursday, September 23, 2010

5th Annual Casino Night - Nov 19

On Friday, November 19, 2010, the Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) will hold its 5th Annual Casino Night at the Franklin Elks from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. The event will feature Black Jack, Roulette and Money Wheel as well as raffles, a Silent Auction, cash bar and FREE hors d’oeuvres. The event is well known as a fun evening out with friends and neighbors, all while contributing to a worthwhile cause.

FEF is currently seeking table sponsors as well as auction donations. If you have an item to donate or if your company is interested in sponsoring, contact FEF. It’s a great way for local companies to show their commitment to education in Franklin.

Admission is $25. To avoid waiting in line at the door, advance ticket purchase is recommended. For ticket purchase, auction donation or sponsorship information, please contact Peter Minor at (508) 541-6700 or peter@peterminor.com. Cash only accepted for chip purchase. Checks and Visa/MC accepted for Silent Auction items. For more information visit www.franklined.org.

Since 1997, The Franklin Education Foundation events have raised well over $190,000 which has been distributed to Franklin public schools in the form of special grants. All Franklin Public School staff members are eligible to submit creative, innovative ideas for programs or activities that would not traditionally be funded by tax dollars. To see a list of programs FEF have funded over the years, visit www.franklined.org.


Franklin, MA