Candy is not banned, can't be thrown!

Candy is not banned from the Franklin 4th of July parade. It can be handed out. It can not be thrown. Did you miss the candy incident? It was mentioned in two "letters to the editor" published by the Milford Daily News here and here.

Jeff Nutting clarified with this note:

Apparently thowing candy to kids watching the pararde has not been allowed for some time. In the past young kids would run out into the street which caused safety concerns as well as delays in the parade. The folks that run the parade ( warren revelle) explained to all the participants about this policy. Apparently one person did not get the message and was ask to stop by the police.

And Jeff also sent along this email from Warren Revill representing the July 4th Coalition Parade Committee

For years now, the "no throwing candy" in the Franklin 4th July parade has been the rule ever since a young boy in New Hampshire slid under a float chasing candy and was killed. To avoid this and similar tragedies , the rule was put into effect. 

Participants are advised of this and other rules when they register, however the Callahans did not register this year, they just showed up. 

It's hard at" Staging Area" to review all the rules with everyone, especially when the participants are out of sight of parade management, they do what they want (i.e. throw candy). 

The Franklin Police did what was asked of them by enforcing that rule and seeing to they safety of the public. Sometimes one has to sound forceful to make people understand rules. (and be heard above the Parade noise.) 

We applaud the Franklin Police for all they do during the 4th of July Celebration (and the rest of the year). 

The "no throwing candy" rule will not change. The safety of the public and participants is our major concern, not candy! 

Franklin July 4th Coalition
Parade Committee
Warren Revell
Mike Kelly

National Grid provides power poorly

If you felt you lost power frequently, the report from National Grid has confirmed your experience, Coincidentally, our house briefly lost power during the day on Tuesday before the storms rolled through in the afternoon and evening.

Consistently underperforming feeders are ranked by DPU in a category called "Poor Performing Circuits." The ranking system allows DPU to monitor the feeders and address reliability issues they may be having. 

The report also addresses the amount of time Franklin residents were without power in those years. In 2010, the report says, the average Franklin resident lost electricity more frequently than any other National Grid customer in the state. 

Last year, Franklin residents were without power longer than the average customer — 2.5 days compared to 1.5 days — in part due to the damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x814447576/Franklin-officials-upset-with-National-Grid-report#ixzz21cn64q3o

Temple Etz Chaim slates pizza, ice cream event

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Temple Etz Chaim slates pizza, ice cream event

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/24/12

Temple Etz Chaim of Franklin is holding a pizza and ice cream fundraiser to benefit its religious school.
Everyone is welcome to join the effort at Spruce Pond Creamery, King Street, Franklin, on Sunday, Aug. 12 from 5-9 p.m.

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“It’s a win-win for the town"

A solar farm could be coming to Franklin.

Kearsarge Energy, a renewable energy firm founded in 2009, approached town officials last fall with a proposal to construct the 6-megawatt farm on land owned by Mount St. Mary’s Trappistine Abbey. 

The farm would provide the town’s municipal buildings and schools with 60 percent of their power. 

In the deal, Franklin would receive net metering credits through the farm. With net metering, the town would offset electrical usage by generating its own electricity, and, in this case, it would be reducing the amount of electricity purchased from National Grid.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1073621464/Franklin-looks-at-large-solar-farm#ixzz21X9lg4JY

In the News: airsoft rifle, art classes, triathlon

Police: Man shoots at cars, people with airsoft rifle

by Matt Tota/Daily News Staff

Art classes for homeschoolers offered

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

331 compete in Hockomock Y’s 6th annual triathlon

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Schools website changes underway

Franklin upgraded its website a couple of years ago and at the time, the School Dept did not follow to the new software. This summer a transition appears to be underway to a new website design. This seems to be the same package as the 'virtual town hall' that the town portion of the website is using.

The top level page is currently showing the School Committee although when you follow a link to the "District" that is where you end up. This will likely get resolved as work progresses. The School Committee subcommittee page is updated with a description of each subcommittee and the members.

The District Profile link will bring you to the official MA DOE ESE page for Franklin. The School Committee Members page is complete. Following the link to the individual school pages still brings you to the old pages. Word of caution: there are still some broken links (i.e. links that take you to pages that error out) but it is summer time and the work is underway!

TED Talks: Jane McGonigal - add 7.5 minutes to your life

Summer time, time to be busy about doing something different while school is out. wouldn't it be nice to have some extra time anytime? In this TED Talk, Jane McGonigal shares a way to gain sometime.

When game designer Jane McGonigal found herself bedridden and suicidal following a severe concussion, she had a fascinating idea for how to get better. She dove into the scientific research and created the healing game, SuperBetter. In this moving talk, McGonigal explains how a game can boost resilience -- and promises to add 7.5 minutes to your life.

Enjoy!

Rockland Trust generosity helps the Franklin Food Pantry

For the third year Rockland Trust has donated the use of its building located at 43 West Central Street in Franklin, Mass. to the Franklin Food Pantry. The two-story building, located adjacent to Rockland Trust’s Main Street branch serves as a valuable resource to the Franklin community and provides between 2,600 and 3,200 pounds of food to area citizens each week.

Accepting the $43,200 donation check, Linda Sottile, Pantry Manager of the Food Pantry stated, “This generous donation from Rockland Trust ensures that we can continue to serve the people of the Franklin area. Local residents need our help now more than ever. The space offers plenty of storage space for food and allows us to provide private meeting space for support services.”

“At Rockland Trust, we believe in strengthening the communities in which we work and live,” stated Laurel Katsaros, Vice President and manager of the Rockland Trust Main Street branch. “Rockland Trust is proud to support the Franklin Food Pantry and its efforts to help individuals and families in need.”

About Rockland Trust
Rockland Trust Company is a full-service community bank headquartered in Massachusetts, with approximately $5 billion in assets. Rockland Trust provides a wide range of consumer, business, investment, and insurance products and services. Rockland Trust’s network consists of 67 retail branches, nine commercial lending centers, three Investment Management Group offices, and four residential lending centers located throughout Eastern Massachusetts, and one commercial lending center and investment management office in Rhode Island. To find out why Rockland Trust is the bank “Where Each Relationship Matters®,” please visit www.RocklandTrust.com.

Photo: Ann-Marie Corriveau, Rockland Trust Universal Representative; Linda Sottile, Pantry Manager of the Franklin Food Pantry; and Laurel Katsaros, Vice President and manager of the Rockland Trust Main Street branch stand in front of the Franklin Food Pantry.

What do I do with needles now?

A new state law effective July 1, bans "hypodermic needles, syringes and lancets from household trash". So now how do you dispose of them?

Franklin has purchased a kiosk and positioned it at the Fire Station downtown where it is available all day, every day.

Additional information on the kiosk and new law was published earlier this month and available here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/franklin-sets-up-medical-sharp-disposal.html

PHOTOS: A fine balancing act in Franklin

The Kennedy School has a new playground thanks to the work coordinated by the Playground Committee and the generosity of Franklin residents and businesses. The Playground Committee effort is one other groups should consider to modal after. The way they marshalled social media (Facebook) and feet on the street was quite impressive and quite effective. They exceed their original fund raising target and ended up with over $114,000!

A job well done and a playground to be enjoyed safely!

 

 

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PHOTOS: A fine balancing act in Franklin

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by John Thornton/for the Daily News and Wicked Local on 7/21/12

It was all hands on deck yesterday for the opening of a new playground at Kennedy Elementary School in Franklin, as several families showed up with their children to try out the new equipment.

 

 

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LaFrance: Didn’t feel welcome at Franklin July 4th parade

 

 

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LaFrance: Didn’t feel welcome at Franklin July 4th parade

via Wicked Local Franklin Opinions RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/21/12

As a life long resident of Franklin, I have been a participant in the Franklin parade for the last 15 years with one of two classic convertibles I own.

 

 

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Looking to tell your story with a video?

Six One Seven Studios has been operating in Franklin, MA as a full service film and video production company since earlier this year as well as renting out the soundstage to filmmakers in the area.

The Acting For Film Two Day Intensive will provide students not only access to Six One Seven Studio's professional video and editing equipment, but teach them the tools necessary to be a fully effective actor on a film set.

Info on this class can be found in this document:

Good candidate questions coming in

Thanks to you we have four good questions for our candidates thus far.


What question would you ask these candidates for the 10th Norfolk District to help make your decision on how to cast your vote?

• If elected what changes would you propose to help commuters from Franklin/Medway afford to get into Boston for work?  
• What are your thoughts about the MA higher education costs.  Is there anything you would propose to help more students afford MA State higher education?
• Local officials often complain to voters that costly state mandates tie their hands and prevent them from making common-sense fiscal policies for the town. What will you do as state rep to remove burdensome state mandates and un-tie local officials' hands?
• What will be your priorities if you are selected to serve in the state legislature?

If you have a question, you would like to ask one of the candidates for the 4th Norfolk District, please use the form here to submit it
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-would-you-ask-candidate.html

Or if you want, you can always send me an email at (shersteve at gmail dot com)

Riding for a cause

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Riding for a cause

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Matt Tota/Daily News staff on 7/20/12

When Rick Tobin heard about his brother-in-law's diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, the Franklin resident was completely lost. Tobin felt obligated to help. But what could he do? The question bedeviled him for a long time before he finally found his answer last year in the form of a three-day, 270-mile charity bike ride from Boston to Greenwich, Conn.

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In the News: Kennedy, amendments, bottle deposits

PHOTOS: Kennedy on the campaign trail in Franklin

by Allan Jung/Daily News staff

Sen. Ross' amendments to jobs bill fail to pass

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Senate adds expanded bottle deposit law to jobs bill

by Michael Norton, Andy Metzger and Matt Murphy

What would you ask the candidate?

Farmers Market: noon to 6:00 PM

The Farmers Market is open today on the Town Common from noon to 6:00 PM.



Where in Franklin is the Town Common?


View Larger Map

Who wants to be a constable for Franklin, MA?

Immediate Notice to the Residents of Franklin

Constable Position—One Vacancy

Candidates interested in filling the vacant position of Constable, in the Town of Franklin, are asked to submit a letter of intent to Deborah L. Pellegri, CMC, Town Clerk no later than August 31, 2012 at 12:00noon. Position will be appointed by the Town Council until the next scheduled Town Election in November/2013. At that time, candidates will be able to take out nomination papers to run for the unexpired term of constable.

Deborah L. Pellegri, CMC
Town Clerk/Election Administrator

Crackerbarrel Classic 5K slated for Sept. 15; register early online

For the local runners, if you haven't run the Crackerbarrel Classic before, it is a good flat course!

 

 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 

 

Crackerbarrel Classic 5K slated for Sept. 15; register early online

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/19/12

The 32nd Annual Crackerbarrel Classic 5K Road Race/Walk will be held on  Saturday, Sept. 15, 9 a.m., at the Wrentham Developmental Center, 131 Emerald St., Wrentham.

 

 

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TOWN OF FRANKLIN ELECTION NOTICE

STATE PRIMARY ELECTION

DATE: Thursday, September 6, 2012

TIME: 6:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.

PLACE: Franklin High School field house on Oak Street - all precincts

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE: AUGUST 17, 2012 (FRIDAY) at 8:00pm at the Town Clerk’s Office, First Floor, 355 East Central Street, Municipal Building.

Absentee Ballot Information: Absentee ballots are now available in the Town Clerk’s office. A registered voter who will be unable to vote at the polls on election day due to the following reasons may vote absentee up to 12:00 noon the day before the election:
(1) absence from your city or town during normal polling hours; or
(2) physical disability preventing you from going to the polling place; or
(3) Religious belief.

All absentee requests must be made in writing with an original signature (no faxes or e-mails are accepted). If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call Deborah L. Pellegri, CMC, Town Clerk, at 508-520-4900.


Attest: Deborah L. Pellegri, CMC, Town Clerk