Saturday, September 8, 2012

60 million reasons to check this site

The webpage to check to see if your name is on it is:  https://abpweb.tre.state.ma.us/abp/abp.htm

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 9/7/12

Dollar sign

Time to check the treasurer's unclaimed money list. It totals $60 million, including 11 accounts over $100,000, 23 accounts between $50,000 and $100,000, 434 accounts between $10,000 and $50,000 and 10,795 accounts in excess of $1,000.

Things you can do from here:

Second Case of EEE Confirmed in Massachusetts



September 7, 2012

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that a second human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has been confirmed.

EEE is spread to humans through a bite from an infected mosquito and is a serious and potentially fatal disease in patients of all ages.

In this recent case, a male resident from the MetroWest area of Worcester County in his 70s was admitted to the hospital in early August and died several days later. The diagnosis was not confirmed until an autopsy was completed and officials estimate that he was exposed to EEE during the first week of August. This is the first confirmed death from EEE in Massachusetts this year.

Since the investigation is still ongoing, this announcement does not immediately impact EEE threat levels in the MetroWest region but you can still protect yourselves and your loved ones by following these important tips:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under 2 months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Protect Your Animals
Animal owners should replace potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horses should be kept in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent EEE and West Nile Virus (WNV), another mosquito-borne illness.

If an animal is diagnosed with EEE or WNV, owners are required to report to the Division of Animal Health by calling (617) 626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health by calling (617) 983-6800.

For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/dph/wnv or call the Department of Public Health at (617) 983-6800.

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!

Regards,

Karen E. Spilka
2nd Middlesex and Norfolk
http://www.karenspilka.com/

Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka
Room 511-C, State House
Boston, Massachusetts  02133


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Friday, September 7, 2012

Roy, Eustis, Kennedy, Bielat win primary elections

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Matt Tota and Jessica Trufant/Daily News staff on 9/6/12

339955 MA_MD_election1.jpg
Democrat Jeffrey N. Roy and Republican Richard A. Eustis in November will square off for the 10th Norfolk District state representative seat after winning their parties' nominations during Thursday's primary election.

Things you can do from here:

Franklin SEPAC to host special back-to-school program

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 9/6/12

The Franklin Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) invites the public to attend "Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid! A Special Presentation for Imperfect Parents of Special Children" on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

Things you can do from here:

Taste of the Region: Oct 23, 2012



SAMPLE TASTE OF THE REGION AT CHAMBER EVENT

Sample the variety of delicacies offered from around the region at The United Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual Taste of the Region event. This fun-filled food festival features an eclectic mix of restaurants serving a variety of dishes. Enjoy wonderful music and bid on exciting items in a silent auction. 
The Taste of the Region is Tues., Oct. 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tri-County Regional Vocational High School, 147 Pond St., Franklin. Tickets are available at The United Regional Chamber of Commerce offices in Attleboro (40 Union St.) and Franklin (4 West St.). Tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 508-528-2800, 508-222-0801 or 508-695-6011 for more information.

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.

Fall Yard Waste - November Pickup Scheduled


Curbside Fall Yard Waste pickup will be the week of November 5th and the week of November 26th on your normal trash and recycling day. All yard waste must be in compostable bags, open barrels or bundled with compostable twine no longer than 4 feet in length and 18 inches in diameter. Additional yard waste can be brought to the Beaver Street Recycling Center.

Originally posted to the Franklin webpage here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01957ACD-000F8513

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Franklin, MA: State Primary Results

The official results as provided by Franklin Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri for the MA State Primary held on Thursday, Sep 6, 2012

Page 1 - Democratic Party results




Page 2 - Republican Party results




Page 3 - Green Rainbow Party results







Voters to decide races today

The polls open at 6:00 AM at the high school field house in Franklin and close at 8:00 PM



Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Matt Tota/Daily News staff on 9/5/12

476633 MA_MD_candidates2.jpg
For months now, candidates across the region have campaigned, pitching themselves to likely voters in neighborhoods and at events, with the goal of getting past today's primaries and emerging as the sole representative of their party.  The area has been a battleground for two hotly contested races — the 4th Congressional seat and the 10th Norfolk District State House seat.

Things you can do from here:


2013 Ford Escape Hunger Drive

The Franklin Ford dealership is looking to help the Franklin Food Pantry as well as Feeding America with a program they are calling "2013 Ford Escape Hunger Drive".

For every test drive of a new 2013 Ford Escape on Saturday, Sep 8th from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM, Franklin Ford will make a contribution to Feeding America that will provide 40 meals. Donations to the Franklin Food Pantry will be accepted at Franklin Ford.






2013 Ford Escape Hunger Drive

A test drive will

  • gain a donation from Ford to provide 40 meals
  • get an entry to win a 2013 Ford Escape


When you go for a test drive, you can drop off a donation for the Franklin Food Pantry!

Franklin's roads need regular maintenance

This topic was scheduled for the Town Council meeting on Wednesday night yet this article mentions that the report will be given to the "Town Councilors on Thursday". So was it previewed as scheduled at the meeting and then a copy will be sent to the Councilors? Not clear.

What is clear is that the roads do need more maintenance than has been spent on them. This has been recognized in the Long Range Financial Planning Committee's report and mentioned regularly by the Town Administrator and DPW Director.

DPW Director Robert Cantoreggi said it is cheaper to maintain roads in fair or good condition than to deal with ones requiring extensive rehabilitation. His plan would prioritize maintenance so that certain roads are kept in good condition and never allowed to deteriorate. 
The life cycle of a road is about 25 years, though it can be prolonged. As it ages, the road becomes costlier and costlier to rejuvenate. 
"We want to use the most cost-effective maintenance program at the right time," Cantoreggi said.
The report prepared by an outside firm gives Wachusett St, recently rebuilt, a rating of 99. So to help frame the discussion, if this road was recently rebuilt and it only gets a 99, what is holding it back from getting a 100?

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x764810139/Franklin-mulls-plan-to-keep-roads-in-good-shape#ixzz25gJCBajX

For reference the Long Range Report can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/LRFPDOC/june%2012fINAL.pdf

Water restrictions come to an end - Monday, Sep 10


2012 MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES
END ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2012


Originally posted to the Franklin webpage here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0195938E-000F8513

September Parent Support Group



facebook
Kristen Leigh Parker posted on Franklin Matters's Wall
"September Parent Support Group:

Parent-To-Parent Support Group:

Please join us for our next informal Parent to Parent Meeting on
Tuesday, September 18th at 9:30 am and Wednesday, September 26th at
6:30 pm. These laid back support programs are held every month at the
Panera in Franklin. If you have any questions regarding the support
group please contact us.

It is our hope that these meetings will provide a comfortable setting
for Parents/Guardians to share, learn and exchange information. We
feel this will prove beneficial not only to our children with
disabilities, but to our families, educators and all students in the
community. If you have questions or concerns about special education
and your child and you are not sure where to start, feel free to join
us. If you have been trying to navigate the system on your own and
just need some support, we are here!"
View Post


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Franklin Downtown Partnership: General Meeting - Thursday 9/6/12

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Terri Frank) on 9/4/12


Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting Agenda
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Dean College Campus Center @ 8:30 a.m.
Golder Room


I.     Open Meeting

II.    Adoption of Agenda

III.   Introductions

IV.  Report from Executive Director
       a.  Membership and Sponsorship Updates

V.   Report from Harvest Festival Chairs Mary Graff and Jeanne Sherlock
       a.  Booths and Entertainment Update
       b.  Volunteer Sign-Up

VI.  Downtown Updates -- Jeff Nutting
       a.  Post Office Parking
       b.  Clean-up Projects Downtown
            1.  Post office, street cleaning, tree trimming, etc.
       c.  Streetscape Update
       d.  Meter Discussion -- Ideas and Options

VII.  Networking -- Joel Carrara

VIII. Business Updates

IX.   New Business

X.    Adjourn

Next FDP General Meeting will be Thursday, November 1





Things you can do from here:

Campaign donations

An article from the MetroWest Daily News last week that flew under the radar mentions the campaign funds for the 10th Norfolk District seat up for election. Thanks to an eagle eyed reader for finding it.
A five-way battle in Franklin to fill the 10th Norfolk seat, which Rep. James Vallee abruptly vacated in June, has raised the most money of any MetroWest or Milford area House race. 
The five candidates so far have raised $69,000 total, according to the state campaign finance website, which lists information on fundraising. 
Franklin Democrat Peter Padula has the most, $23,000. Republican Richard Eustis has the least, $5,800.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1632291799/Open-seat-races-draw-most-campaign-cash#ixzz25aPkFTux

In the News: 4th Congrsesional, zentangle classes, active older adults


4th Congressional candidates making final push


Zentangle classes offered in Franklin