Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Friday, July 27, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
10th Norfolk - Democratic candidate debate - Jul 30, 2012
Democratic candidates for the 10th Norfolk District, Jeffrey Roy and Peter Padula, will hold a debate on Monday, July 30, 2012, at the Thomas H Mercer Auditorium, Horace Mann Middle School, located at 224 Oak Street Franklin, MA. The debate will be from 7:30p.m. to 8:45p.m. and will be moderated by Franklin Chief of Police Stephan Semerjian.
The debate will be broadcast on cable television and WMRC radio. The public is welcome to attend to meet the candidates.
A second debate is scheduled for August 21, 2012 in Medway.
For additional information on the candidates, you can visit their websites
Peter Padula http://padulaforrep.com/
Jeff Roy http://jeffreyroy.com/
Note: yours truly is honored to be one of the panelists asking questions of the candidates. If you would like to add a question to the potential listing, feel free to do so here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-would-you-ask-candidate.html
In the News: Class of '37, performing arts, cancer patient
Franklin High, Class of '37, seeks members
Worlds apart, kids bond at Franklin arts school
Supporters of fired cancer patient from Franklin to picket
David Rottenberg and Gwendolyn Goes Hollywood
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Massachusetts Second in Nation for Child Well-Being
Massachusetts leads the nation in Education and ranks second in child Health (with the highest percentage of insured children), according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2012 KIDS COUNT Data Book Like so many across the nation, however, children in Massachusetts face significant economic hurdles.
The Data Book evaluates all 50 states on a range of different measures, all organized into four domains (in each case, one is best and 50 worst.)
The Data Book is the signature report of The Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT initiative, and MassBudget is now the KIDS COUNT group for Massachusetts. That means that in addition to our long-standing work on economic and fiscal issues affecting low- and middle-income people, we are going to produce additional research on the well-being of children in Massachusetts. If you want to learn more about our role with KIDS COUNT, visit the KIDS COUNT area of our website.
Read the 2012 KIDS COUNT Data Book
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Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Candy is not banned, can't be thrown!
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
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
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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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Tuesday, July 24, 2012
“It’s a win-win for the town"
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
Art classes for homeschoolers offered
331 compete in Hockomock Y’s 6th annual triathlon
Monday, July 23, 2012
Schools website changes underway
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!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
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?
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
A job well done and a playground to be enjoyed safely!
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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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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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Saturday, July 21, 2012
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
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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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
Sen. Ross' amendments to jobs bill fail to pass
Senate adds expanded bottle deposit law to jobs bill
Friday, July 20, 2012
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?
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
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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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Thursday, July 19, 2012
TOWN OF FRANKLIN ELECTION NOTICE
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
In the News: Town Council meeting coverage
The first time liquor license violators will serve their one day suspensions this Friday (Guru, Ichigo Ichie, and Alumni). The Franklin Mobil suspension is for three days beginning this Friday.
Franklin liquor license suspensions handed down
Franklin to receive more state aid
Franklin Library: Teddy Bear Picnic
Next Wednesday, there will be a teddy bear picnic!
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Wednesday, July 18, 2012
TED Jared Ficklin: New ways to see music (with color! and fire!)
Enjoy!
“Americans need us to solve problems"
The three are vying for the Republican nomination to fill the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, a Democrat. Frank announced in November that he is retiring after more than three decades in Congress, citing the newly reconfigured district. Bielat lost to Frank in 2010 by an 11-point margin.
The winner of the Republican primary will likely face off against Brookline resident Joe Kennedy III. Kennedy, the son of former U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy II and grandson of the late Robert Kennedy, has shown strong fundraising capabilities— raking in $1.3 million last quarter— and pundits have said he’ll be hard to beat.
Newton engineer Herb Robinson is also running for the seat as a Democrat, but his campaign hasn’t picked up momentum and has just $997 cash on hand.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1052259920/GOP-4th-Congressional-District-candidates-duke-it-out#ixzz20xwFfXM3
In the News: art schedule, school closes
Franklin Art Center after school art fall schedule available
Cornerstone Christian Academy closes doors
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Franklin schools gain $10,000 A+ dollars!
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $453.42 from A+ School Rewards for the Franklin High School.According to the Stop and Shop A+ webpage, this is only part of the donations heading to the Franklin schools.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $66.94 from A+ School Rewards for Remington Middle School.
The tally for the Franklin School District works out to be
School
|
Amount
|
Annie Sullivan MS | $ 3,587.16 |
Jefferson ES | $ 1,314.88 |
Oak St ES | $ 1,014.34 |
Helen Keller ES | $ 923.03 |
Gerald M Parmenter ES | $ 860.13 |
Davis Thayer ES | $ 859.75 |
John F Kennedy ES | $ 821.44 |
Franklin HS | $ 453.42 |
Horace Mann MS | $ 445.06 |
Remington MS | $ 66.94 |
$10,346.15 |
These must be the first two donations received by the school offices. According to the A+ website checks should be delivered in June via regular US Mail attention to the principal of each school.
Sting Jun 15 catches four business
The Milford Daily News reports on one of the agenda items for the Town Council meeting scheduled Weds Jul 18,2012.
The Guru Bar & Grill, 30 Main St., Alumni Restaurant and Bar, 391 East Central St., Mobil gas station on West Central Street and Ichigo Ichie Sushi & Hibachi Grill, 837 West Central St., failed the check, police said.
The Mobil gas station had failed a compliance check in 2009.
The businesses were notified June 18 by police and received letters from Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting’s office recently informing them of the license hearings.
From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on June 15, the Franklin Police Department checked 35 businesses with six undercover police officers and four under-21 buyers. The minors tried to buy alcohol while the officers observed.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1975585708/Businesses-face-liquor-charge#ixzz20s7ffqby
In the News: WAM free, graceful pig, drug charges
Visit Worcester Art Museum's world-class collection for free
'Gwendolyn the Graceful Pig' to dance in Franklin, Hopedale
Franklin man, Holliston man arrested on drug charges
Salisbury Historical Markers Unveiled
Does Franklin have one of these markers?
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MassDOT today joined state and local officials in Salisbury to unveil five Historical Markers, reclaiming an important connection to the proud history of the Commonwealth.
In 1930, the legislature authorized the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of the colony with historical markers. Nearly 300 markers were erected statewide, all with an inscription telling the stories of the early settlements in each community.
Five signs were erected in the Town of Salisbury. MassDOT restored one, the Old Meeting House sign, and replaced four others with replicas of the original 1930 signs.
The Commission 82 years ago promised that "travellers who shall pass by the many storied ways through the lands of the Puritan occupations in the ancient days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, may now read on tablets set by roadsides or in city streets the tales which the ocean shores, the hills, the fields, the churches, the garrison houses and the old hearthstones, have to tell of the heroism, of the romance and of the tragedies, and of the unfaltering faith, of the ancestors of our Commonwealth."
The legislation called for the highway department to maintain the signs. Congratulations to MassDOT workers for doing just that, keeping alive the tales of our ancestors.
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Franklin Public Library: Bubble Music Man
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