Business to Business Expo Oct. 28

STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR BUSINESS TO BUSINESS EXPO

The Business to Business Expo, a collaboration of four local chambers of commerce, will be held at the Taunton Holiday Inn, 700 Myles Standish Dr., Taunton, on Oct. 28 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is taking part in this event that highlights some of the most vibrant companies in the region. The Expo features businesses from throughout the region served by The United Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cranberry Country Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce.

The Expo will be held with a Business After Hours from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will feature two free seminars: the ABCs of E-Tools by Trish White from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Uncovering the Hidden Profit in Productivity by Ed McDonough from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Exhibitors have two choices of display space. Companies can choose an 8' x 6' booth which includes a 6' skirted table, two chairs and a company sign or a 3' x 6' skirted table. The cost is $349 for a booth and $249 for a table top for participating Chamber members, and $599 and $499 respectively for non-members.

Admission to the event for visitors is free.

For more information, call The United Regional Chamber of Commerce at 508-222-0810 or 508-528-2800.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.

Dean College to host College Fair October 26 - more than 60 colleges participating

Dean College Hosts College Fair

Franklin, MA -- Admissions counselors from more than 60 Colleges and Universities will visit with prospective students at Dean College's annual College Fair on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 from 5-7  p.m. in the Atrium of the College's Campus Center.

"All local high school students are encouraged to attend," said Tracy Nowak, Academic Advisor and Transfer Services Coordinator at Dean.  "Admissions counselors will be on hand to answer questions about their institutions. It is a great opportunity to learn about the academic programs offered by the various colleges as well as the activities, services, financial aid, and housing options they have available.

The College Fair will be held in the Campus Center Atrium, 135 Emmons Street. For more information contact Tracy Nowak at (508) 541-1536.

Community Gardeners To Meet - Oct 25th

When: Monday, October 25, 2010 - 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.


Where: Franklin YMCA Bernon Family Branch, 45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin


Agenda items: Mission Statement, Land updates, and committee sign-ups

We are going write our Mission Statement and elect steering committee chairs.

Our steering committee will be comprised of:

1) a Chairperson

2) a Co-Chair

3) Treasurer

4) Recording Secretary

5) Garden Site Coordinators, 1 for Giving Garden, 1 for Community Garden (and hopefully 1 for a Youth Garden!)

6) Committe Chairs, tbd

We will work as a group determine what our committee structure should be, list them, and enlist chairpersons and co-chairs for them.

Some committees will go to work right away, and some will get busy in the near future.

We listed our visions for a community garden at our first meetings.  A mission statement will be very important as we begin to source funding for our garden(s) and to educate the community at large about what we are doing and why.

Hope to see you there!

Contact persons:

Lauren Marciszyn - laurenm@hockymca.org

Amy Acevedo - amyacevedo1@verizon.net

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franklincommunitygardens@gmail.com

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www.franklincommunitygardens.org
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Yes, we are on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Community-Gardens/152040424825578

Franklin, MA: Library Book Sale

The Book Sale to raise money for the Franklin Public Library will be held at the DPW garage on Hayward St this weekend.

• Saturday, Oct 16th, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  
• Sunday, Oct. 17th, from 9AM to Noon - 'bag sale' 

The Book Sale is coordinated by the Friends of the Franklin Public Library.


Did you know the library has a blog? Check it out here:  http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/



Franklin, MA

School Committee - 10/12/10

The collection of live reported posts from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct 12th can be found here:

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting - Action items
• Live reporting - Discussion only items
• Live reporting - high school improvement plan
• Live reporting - FHS Update
• live reporting - Senior Project
• Live reporting - School Committee Meeting

Franklin, MA

Question 3

Question 3 is on the ballot for November's election.

We all want good schools, police and fire protection, safe roads and bridges, clean water and quality health care. Cutting the sales tax by more than half would deprive our communities of the revenue to pay for them.

Franklin already is too dependent upon state aid, to lose additional money would devastate the town. How much would we lose? The website calculates the amount each community would lose if Question 3 is approved.


http://votenoquestion3.com/towns.php?town_code=101

The fact sheet is shown below:

Question 3 Fact Sheet


When you go to the polls in November, make a choice you will be prepared to live with for more than one day.


Franklin, MA

In the News - students, flu, rides, race

Franklin students are more well-behaved

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

Franklin flu clinic tomorrow

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin residents offered 'Ride to the Polls'

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Second annual Jen Ballarino 5K Race set

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Closing

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Comparison

down 48 students and verifying some home eligibility requirements

b. FHS Feasibility

architects work underway

scheduled for an Oct 27th presentation at the Building Committee, approx 7:15 PM that evening, although meeting starts at 6:00/6:30? (check to confirm)

will come before the School Committee at a meeting to be scheduled

c. HMMS Principal Search

ad ran in Sunday's paper

wanted to look at the responses before setting up the process

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

Joint Budget Subcommittee, started discussion on initial budget

Space needs subcommittee met and would like to be on the agenda for November

School Committee Liaison Reports
Joint PCC meeting initial meeting for the year, well attended

They provide over $150,000 to support school programs

(This does not include the athletic boosters, music boosters)

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
FEF Casino night Friday, Nov 19th at the Elks 

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

motion to enter executive session, via roll call passed 7-0



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Action items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,500.00 from the YMCA/Stop & Shop Healthy Futures Grant for field trips, supplies and supplemental curriculum materials for the Annie Sullivan Middle School.

motion to accept, passed 7-0

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $200.00 from the ASMS PCC for field trips.

motion to accept, passed 7-0

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from the Jefferson PCC for Field Trips for Jefferson Elementary School students.

motion to accept, passed 7-0

d. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for Middle School Chorus students to New York City to see a Broadway show on May 7, 2011 as detailed.
motion to accept, passed 7-0


e. I recommend approval of the FHS School Improvement Plan as detailed.
motion to accept, passed 7-0






Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Discussion only items

3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – First Reading
IHBG Homeschooling


The policy itself was published previously and can be viewed here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/fps-homeschooling-policy-proposed.html

based upon discussion, the revisions seem to be in the area of school sports and activities (i.e  prom, etc.)

probably 20-30 children in the district, some families have multiple students

Doug Hardesty - home schooling their 9th grader
where can I get a copy of the policy?

Roy - it is published on the web as well as on Franklin Matters

motion to move policy to second reading as amended by Jeff Roy (references to MIAA policy signed)




Franklin, MA

Live reporting - high school improvement plan

c. Franklin High School’s School Improvement Plan – Peter Light

The presentation for this section was posted to Franklin Matters earlier Tuesday. You can view it here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-high-school-improvement-plan.html


10% target, actually increased 48% on advanced placement courses taken

MCAS is all about Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) in the subgroups (special education in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math)

Principals Council (see members listed in presentation above)

teacher goals being tied into 2 of the 3 goals of the improvement plan (the first three are multi-year goals and school wide)

Mullen - have you considered not doing summer reading?
Light - how do you increase the passion for reading with students who are reluctant to read? We want students to learn, that excites them over the summer and are going that way.

Sabolinski - we need to define the purpose for summer reading? Having a hiatus year is good to provide the time to sit back and reflect on what we are doing and what we should do.



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - FHS Update

b. Franklin High School Update – Peter Light
DiLorenzo, Folan

reconfigured office personnel and responsibilities

reduced overall infractions from 4907 (07-08) to 4228 (08-09) to 3580 (09-10)
disruptive behavior dropped from 614 to 563 to 239 for same periods
cutting class only area of concern 157 to 140 to 277 showing an increase in the same periods
Possession of a controlled substance 3 to 2 to 2 (for a population of 1600 students)

out of school suspensions
07-08   187
08-09   190
09-10   114

team effort in the building, keeping students in the classrooms
The Alternative Discipline Program, an eight session program, part counseling part academics
Social suspensions - if a student is suspended for a period of time, can't participate in school activities or functions while on suspension

continuous improvement
focus on school culture - Rachel's Challenge (continuing as Friends of Rachel)
bullying and peer interaction, respectful relationships

instructional support teams - being put into place for the second half of the year

(need to add audio of the Peter Light re-telling of the Rachel Challenge presenter story)

on Athletic front, impact concussion testing is underway, started with the spring to establish a baseline in event that a student athlete did get a concussion, we would have some data to work with

looking to add five instructional support teams, to be implemented in the second half of the year
targeting 50-60 students in danger of failing a single subject for the year
an advance form of Response To Intervention (RTI) being implemented in the elementary and middle schools

Special Education Services Assessment being planned for Sp 2011

Arts Academy functioning for grade 11 with plans for that class to move up next year in grade 12 and then expand downward to grade 10 to cover three grades

Alternative Learning Program now located in H wing and by being integrated into the building provide greater access to the programs being offered in the school for the students

Robert Lima - Data Dashboard

"a vehicle to access state-wide and national test summaries for FHS"
sound of motorcycle revving up

• convenient one stop shopping
• click and view
• provide lens into the data

comparison to Hockomock League as well as the DESE 'comparable' schools

wonderful comparison to the schools with the click of a link, chart and table data available

can't wait to see this in production, especially the cost per student comparisons are staggering
Franklin does get a big bang for the dollars we spend and the results the students get

benefits

1. centralized in-house source for data
2. data being incorporated into strategic planning
3. online delivery of testing reports, moving further to a paperless system

access to the data will be available next Weds, Oct 20th

Cafasso - are you going to take this to the middle schools and PCC's?
Light - yes, we did this last year and plan on doing so this year. I think it was beneficial but the real ipact would be for the parents, if it helped them make a decision. At the end of the day, our students do compete with others for seats in the college class.

You won't need to have an Edline account to access the data, the data dashboard will be available on the FHS homepage and available to all

The reports are prepared secure PDF files, other interactive options can be requested, other data sets can be requested, it would take time to prepare and would be available in a later version.

Sabolinski - we are changing the culture on how we are using the data, the K-8 data will be available, both for transparency and analysis for program improvement

Roy - I do want to echo Roberta's comment on opening this to the greater community. Imagine if you only gave us a little more resources, look were we could go. We did try to go from good to great and have had to put that aside



Franklin, MA

live reporting - Senior Project

2. Guests/Presentations:
a. Franklin High School – Senior Project Presentation – Sascha Werner D’Angelo, Peter Light

a workplace/career environment during the last quarter of the high school senior year

• long term skill building
• research paper writing skills
• experiential learning
• Long lasting impact on learning

Student centered, parent involved, Senior Project Proposal Panel
Project Mentor
Site advisor

The 5 P's for the Senor Project:

1. Proposal
2. Paper
3. Project
4. Portfolio
5. Presentation

3rd quarter course to help prepare
research methodologies, business ethics, communication skills, etc.

Courses are completed during 3rd quarter, 4th quarter is solely the project full time

a huge variety of site used for the Senior Project

71% strongly agree had a positive effect, 29% agree

60% strongly agreed that the project helped to determine the career choice

57% strongly agreed that the project helped their transition to college

54% strongly agreed that they learned communications skills

100% recommended that incoming seniors should consider taking the course

63 seniors in the program this year, up from 21 three years ago

Looking to expand the project into other areas in the future. Adding a leadership/community portion, an academic portion, an arts project - to create a capstone type program

Cafasso - I hope you will pursue the other types of projects.

 Sabolinski - there is a great deal of work on the capstone aspect of the senior year

Roy - how have the colleges received this program?
All the colleges (about 15 thus far this year) were impressed with the program at this level, it has helped the students college application status

All sites have provided positive feedback and looking for more students to continue in the future

Sabolinski - imitation is good flattery, other districts are inquiring on how we are doing this program.

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - School Committee Meeting

Present: Douglas, Rohrbach, Mullen, Roy, Trahan, Glynn
Absent: Cafasso


1. Routine Business
meeting recorded by Franklin Matters in addition to Verizon and Comcast
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 28, 2010 School Committee Meeting. motion to approve, passed 6-0, 1 abstain

Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn motion to approve, passed 7-0
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Panther Pride for all 8th graders, next Weds evening (10/20)

Correspondence: none


Franklin, MA

Franklin High School - Improvement Plan 2010-2011

The School Improvement Plan for 2010-2011 for Franklin High School is on the agenda for the School Committee meeting, Tuesday, Oct 12th. The document they will use for the presentation and discussion can be viewed here:

FHS School Improvement Plan 2010-11

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

Franklin, MA

You can help the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry is looking for the following items to service their clients as they approach the holiday season.

Franklin Food Pantry Needs Fall2010

The items can be left at the Food Pantry during their open hours, or in the wooden box on the porch.

Please check the 'good though" or "use by" dates before leaving your donation. If the items are expired, the Pantry can not use them.

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


Franklin, MA

Calling all media makers!

Local bloggers, photographers, writers; we are all media makers. Let's get together to share and learn from each other on what we do and how we accomplish it. The Southern New England Media Makers are gathering Sunday, October 17th at Morin's Diner in Attleboro.

You can respond via the Facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=155543284473392

Or leave a comment or email me.



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Citizens Rail Trail Committee - meeting 10/12/10

Proposed Agenda for Oct 12, 2010
Location: Franklin YMCA 45 Forge Hill Road
Start Time: 7:30PM

I. Call to Order / Introductions of New Attendees
A. Introduction of new attendees
B. Review & approve minutes of previous meeting
C. Ask for volunteer to keep minutes of meeting

II. Report from our representative from DCR
A. Gates & Grading
B. Staining of Kiosk & Roof & Acrylic Glass

III. Membership Committee Report
A. Committee to report on membership activity
B. Do we still have glitches in the Membership process?

IV. Report from Finance Committee
A. Report from Treasurer

V. Report of Fund Raising Committee
A. Report on fund raising activities
a. Report Road Race Committee

VI. Report from Grant Writing Committee
A. Sept 17th Grant Writing Workshop
B. Committee to submit Grant Application

VII. Report on addition of Network Solutions web site
A. E-mail
B. Remote monitoring

VII. Unfinished Business:
A. Business plan in the making
B. Distribute new brochures

VIII. New Business
A.

IX. Set Date & place for Next Meeting and Adjourn



Franklin, MA

"Impact, Effect, Purpose"

Via Wesley Fryer, Writing at the Peed of Creativity, comes this 9 minute video presentation from Zoe Sprankle on "Impact, Effect, Purpose."






Franklin, MA

FPS: Homeschooling Policy Proposed Revision

One policy revision on the agenda for the School Committee meeting for Tuesday, Oct 12th is the policy for homeschooling. The proposed revision can be reviewed here:


FPS Policy IHBG Homeschooling-R9!25!10-DRAFT

Note: exactly what the change is to and from would have to be compared to the existing policy. The Policy Manual can be found here:
http://home.comcast.net/~fpssc/SectionI.html

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to view the doc on Franklin Matters


Franklin, MA

Harvest Festival 2010

As a member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, I enjoyed having a table on Main St during the recent Harvest Festival. My table was well positioned to see the Dean College students do their dance routines.

I was able to meet a number of folks. Some of them acknowledged reading Franklin Matters. One lady made my day when she said that she reads it everyday during her work lunch time.

There were also quite a few folks to whom I handed out a Franklin Matters business card with the URL so they could find it and read it. As I have mentioned before, this site is not about me. This site is all about Franklin and what matters here. My goal is to continue to share valuable information so that my fellow citizens and voters can cast an informed ballot whenever they go to the polls.

My readership goal is to reach at least 10,000 voters (we currently have over 19,000 registered voters).
I have a long way to go so you can help:

• If you like what you read here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
• If you don't like what you read here, please tell me.

Franklin, MA

Economic Development Summit: Schedule

The schedule of events for the Economic Development Summit being held in Franklin, MA on Oct 27th.


Franklin Eco Dev Sum Schedule


The announcement for the Summit can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-economic-development-summit.html

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 10/12/10

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 28, 2010 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations:
a. Franklin High School – Senior Project Presentation – Sascha Werner D’Angelo
b. Franklin High School Update – Peter Light
c. Franklin High School’s School Improvement Plan – Peter Light

3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – First Reading
IHBG Homeschooling

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,500.00 from the YMCA/Stop & Shop Healthy Futures Grant for field trips, supplies and supplemental curriculum materials for the Annie Sullivan Middle School.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $200.00 from the ASMS PCC for field trips.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from the Jefferson PCC for Field Trips for Jefferson Elementary School students.
d. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for Middle School Chorus students to New York City to see a Broadway show on May 7, 2011 as detailed.
e. I recommend approval of the FHS School Improvement Plan as detailed.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Comparison
b. FHS Feasibility
c. HMMS Principal Search

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

"We need the community behind us"

Brad Sidwell, athletic director at Franklin High School, said his staff takes a similar approach.

"We are certainly are proactive in telling our kids what the expectations are coming into games," Sidwell said. "(Drinking) is just not tolerated by any means."

Sidwell said Franklin's field layout somewhat hampers the district's ability to crack down on bringing things in and out of the stadium.

"You're better off having more people helping out and being vigilant," Sidwell said. "We are certainly on the lookout for kids who are suspicious. You want an enthusiastic environment where people enjoy coming to the games to cheer, but even one of those situations (with drunk students) puts a black eye on the whole community, so you want to be on top of it."

Read the full article on drinking measures for high school football games here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/highlight/x1722967286/Security-varies-at-schools-for-drinking-at-football-games



Franklin, MA

Native Plants of Franklin

Last week I told you that this tree is nearly extinct. Perhaps you've heard of it: the American chestnut, Castanea Dentata. This magnificent tree once dominated the East Coast. These giants could grow 100 feet tall and five feet or more in diameter. Imagine our current forests twice as tall as they are now, with oak trees standing as understory trees. That is what our forests used to look like.

Chestnut was a mainstay of the timber industry - the wood is hard, lightweight, straight-grained, extremely resistant to rot, and it grows fast. The trees produce copious quantities of nuts edible to both humans and animals, making this tree a linchpin of the East Coast's ecosystem.





So, what happened to the chestnut? A hundred years ago, an imported Chinese chestnut tree brought with it fungus. This fungus spread from tree to tree, killing them down to the roots. Over the course of fifty years, almost every American chestnut was killed - up to four billion trees.

Chestnuts are tough trees, and to this day, the roots of some of those old trees continue to put up new growth. That is what you are looking at above. This new growth almost never gets large enough to produce fruit before the blight once again kills it to the ground, so there is no hope of these remaining trees reproducing.

The chestnut pictured above is one of several like this that can be viewed just outside of Franklin's YMCA, at the Franklin State Forest, growing along the road. And at least one more grows at the DelCarte Open Spaces park. They lurk in areas that have escaped development, slowly dwindling to extinction.





But there is still hope for the American Chestnut. A scant handful of trees remain that continue to produce nuts. On their own, these trees are too scattered to continue the species. However, there are breeding programs hard at work on preserving these vitally important trees.




This is an entire orchard of American chestnuts. These are the ongoing work of The American Chestnut Foundation. The TACF crossed the American chestnut with the Chinese chestnut, and has been breeding the results again and again with American chestnuts for three decades in the hope of arriving at a tree that is mostly American, but which contains the Chinese gene for resistance to the blight.

This particular orchard is located at Idylbrook Field in Medway, and is open to the public. This is a piece of American history in the making, and a beacon of hope to restoration efforts of all sorts. But visit it soon: next summer, most of these trees will be cut down. This is the next step in the breeding program. The oldest trees are seven years old, and some have produced their first crop of nuts. As a part of the breeding program, the trees were inoculated with the blight this year. Next year the most healthy trees will be kept for breeding and the rest will be eliminated from the gene pool.

You can support the breeding efforts by becoming a member of the TACF, or by volunteerig at Idylbrook Field when the opportunity arises. Stay tuned: they will be needing some help when it is time to cut down those trees.


Michelle Clay writes about gardening here in Franklin at the Clueless Gardeners Blog.

Franklin, MA

Veterans Day Breakfast - Senior Center

The Annual Veterans Breakfast held at the Senior Center will be Friday, November 5th. Seats are limited so contact the Senior Center ASAP to reserve your seat.

Franklin, MA

Fire Dept - Open House - Oct 3

I managed to briefly stop by the Fire Dept Open House this past weekend. It was still early but the folks that were there were having fun.

Kids and families were lined up to take a turn on the hose.

While some folks lined up for a ride on a fire truck, others took time to climb in the platform of the Tower Truck and get this view up the ladder.

Still others checked out the training vehicle. No, it isn't real smoke, although it sure looked like it!

I overheard one young boy asking his father a series of questions about the tires, and the stops, the supports, why? If you have had kids of your own, you would have recognized these questions. The kids are learning and full of interest. They are sponges for information and eager to absorb it all.

They absorb it all when they are interested. Let's keep them interested.

Let's feed the need for information.


 Franklin, MA

In the News - QintinQ armor

Franklin company's net armor saving lives in Afghanistan

by Joe O'Connell/Daily News staff

Soldiers reported the netting-style armor, which was recently installed on their new all-terrain vehicles, worked exactly as advertised when they were ambushed by insurgents in the Ghazni province during a patrol.

The platoon's story was told in a newsletter article written by U.S. Army 1st Lt. R.J. Peek, which caught the attention of employees at the QinetiQ facility in Franklin where the protective net was manufactured.

"We were absolutely thrilled to get the news, seeing as this is one of our most exciting products," said Andrew Rogers, group director for QintiQ North America's survivability division.

Read the full article on the Milford Daily News with the link above. Visit the QintiQ company website here:
http://www.qinetiq-na.com/


Franklin, MA

Mr. Lemon Hero or Villian?

Franklin Matters is happy to introduce our new monthly feature “Voices of Franklin”; each month we will be unleashing Lydia Dustin into the community to track down and interview some of Franklin’s most fascinating people.

For my first interview I sat down with one of Franklin’s most controversial characters.  None other than Franklin’s most popular ice cream man Mr. Lemon.   Mr. Lemon, his name elicits strong reactions. The kid’s hear his musical truck and burst into squeals of delight. Parents on the other hand hear his cheery tune and want to burst into a string of expletives. Mr. Lemon is he a hero or villain? Love him or hate him I sat down to get to know the real man behind the mystery.  

I sat down with Mr. Lemon at my kitchen table. His familiar yellow and green truck parked in front of my house. With the neighborhood kids swarming around outside like bees I got right to business.

Mr. Lemon, do you know that you are one of the most beloved and at the same time disliked people in Franklin?

I have actually heard and witnessed this tenfold. Children always run up to me and parents always give me like a pretty evil scowl whenever they see me. Don’t get me wrong, some parents actually enjoy my company. But, some of the parents…start to get aggravated that I am always around. It’s money out of their pocket and it’s sugar into their children.

Being a parent I will tell you that parents do discuss you. You are a popular topic at bus stops and play grounds. A lot of families feel that you actually stalk them because you show up everywhere they go, including their homes. You seem to magically be able to be in more than one place at the same time.  Which made me wonder if you do seriously posses super human powers that make it possible for you to be all around Franklin at the same time?

I can not confirm nor deny those allegations.

I see. Do you have any other super human powers that you can share with us?

I have the power to make children love me.

That’s a wonderful power to have.

That is a wonderful power to have, but sadly it doesn’t work on the adults.

Do you have a loyal sidekick?

No I don’t.

Do you have an evil nemesis?

Yes I do.

Oh you do?

Yes, Juniper Farms. Yes, they are my nemesis.

Do they have an ice cream truck as well?

Yes they do.

I have never heard of them.

They have a blue truck that drives around Franklin, although they have not been around lately.

Have you thwarted their evil plans?

I have. I have shown up to locations before them and have devastated their business, several times over and over…Not to be cruel, but business is business.

Is there any substance that weakens your super powers, like Kryptonite?

Yes. The sun! I am a fat kid running a marathon in that truck it’s horrible…I am pushing 300 pounds and the temperature in that truck can get between 100 to 113 degrees. 

That’s terrible.

I am literally driving an Easy Bake Oven.

You are baking in an oven yet the ice cream is chilling in frosty coolers? Can’t you make a big cooler for yourself and sit in there like the ice cream?

No. I wish I could. I shove my head in the cooler every now and then. 

This is an incredible oxymoron you suffer in the heat in order to provide cold refreshments to others?

Yes. It’s a bitter sweet irony.

You are a true super hero. You sacrifice your comfort and even your health to bring our children ice cream treats. You risk your life for our children’s happiness. Sniff sniff Shame on all us parents!

I know. If only they understand the torture I go through to make their children happy.

We are lucky to have had an ice cream man like you. Sadly we are having this interview because this is your last day of work.

Yes.

Will we be seeing you next summer?

No. I’m going to concentrate on my music and spend time with the wife and son.

Oh. You will be missed, by me and especially my kids. Thank you for bringing smiles to the faces of the children of Franklin. But, before you go back into your super hero hideout can I ask you one more question?

Yes.

Are you the real Mr. Lemon?

No, no

Are there other Mr. Lemons in other towns?

Yeah, there was…

What happened?

Now it’s just me…

Who is the real Mr. Lemon?

I am not at liberty to say.

I know his secret. He basically like Santa and you are one of his helper’s?

Essentially yes, that’s basically what’s going on.

Does he live at the North Pole?

No, he does not live at the North Pole.

But, he does really exist?

I’ll never tell.

"No other refundable tax credit equals the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit"

No other refundable tax credit equals the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit for putting money into the wallets of average taxpayers 65 and older. In tax year 2009, more than 77,000 senior taxpayers who were either homeowners or renters received credits of nearly $60 million.

Yet it is safe to say that many eligible taxpayers have never heard of the credit. If you are reading this and have older relatives or friends who might benefit, pass on the word. The maximum credit, after all, is worth $970 in the coming tax year.

The Department of Revenue has just released the rules and regulations for the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit in tax year 2010. The credit is based on the actual property tax or rent paid by the eligible taxpayer who is either living in their own home or paying rent.

A taxpayer's total income may not exceed $51,000 for a single individual; $64,000 for a head of household; or $77,000 for married couples filing a joint return. The assessed valuation of a residence may not exceed $764,000. Many taxpayers 65 and over fall within these limits.

The credit is equal to the amount by which the taxpayer's property tax payments in the current tax year, including water and sewer charges but excluding any abatement or exemption, exceeds 10 percent of the taxpayer's total income.

The credit also works for renters. It is equal to the amount by which 25 percent of the rent actually paid during the taxable year exceeds 10 percent of the taxpayer's total income, with the credit capped at $970.

Read the full posting here:
http://revenue.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2010/10/senior-circuit-breaker-tax-credit-delivers-big-bucks-.html

Spread the word amongst the seniors you know, this could be something to help them!




Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: wants your business

Why do business in Franklin?
Franklin has much to offer!

Franklin Wants Business

Participate in the Economic Development Summit scheduled for Oct 27th or call the Planning and Community Development office at Franklin to inquire more about bringing your business to Franklin.



Franklin, MA

FM #73 Week of 10/7/10

Let's take about 15 minutes this time to cover what is happening in Franklin, MA. It has been a bit since I posted so this will catch up on the major items from the Town Council meetings of Sep 29 and Oct 6; the Downtown Improvement Project, DelCarte dam repair and the Main St traffic flow.

Time:  14 minutes, 33 seconds




MP3 File

Session Notes:

Town Council meeting of Sep 29, 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/town-council-092910.html

Executive summary for the Traffic Changes
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/improvement-project-traffic-changes.html

Project presentation from May 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/downtown-improvement-project-live.html

Downtown Partnership letter in underground utilities
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/franklin-downtown-partnerships-letter.html


Town Council meeting of 10/6/10
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/town-council-100610.html


DelCarte - Town Council discussion
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/live-reporting-delcarte-proposal.html

Where is the DelCarte property?
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/where-is-delcarte-property.html

Photo tour of the property in May 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-delcarte-tour.html


Economic Development Summit
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-economic-development-summit.html