Be aware that Main St will be closed to traffic on Sunday, Sep 30 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM for the Annual Harvest Festival.
For those traveling recently on RT 140, they may have seen the electric sign board put up by the Franklin Police Dept.
Come to downtown Franklin to enjoy the Harvest Festival on Sunday. Be prepared to park outside the downtown proper!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Enjoy the natural beauty
Leaves changing color. Rain.
What a combination!
Enjoy the natural beauty of Franklin this weekend. Don't let the rain stop you from coming on down to the Harvest Festival on Sunday.
The map of the Harvest Festival was posted yesterday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/harvest-festival-know-where-good-things.html
What a combination!
Enjoy the natural beauty of Franklin this weekend. Don't let the rain stop you from coming on down to the Harvest Festival on Sunday.
The map of the Harvest Festival was posted yesterday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/harvest-festival-know-where-good-things.html
Schedule for School Tours
As mentioned during the School Committee meeting on Sep 11, the schedule of school tours is now available. The first tour comes up Oct 4th at the JF Kennedy School.
The tours are open to the public and will be lead by School Committee members. This effort comes out of the positive feedback received during the tours of the high school before the debt exclusion vote to fund the new high school building in March.
The schedule of school tours will be added to the Franklin Matter's calendar.
The tours are open to the public and will be lead by School Committee members. This effort comes out of the positive feedback received during the tours of the high school before the debt exclusion vote to fund the new high school building in March.
The schedule of school tours will be added to the Franklin Matter's calendar.
"Annie Dookhan pleaded not guilty"
"We can’t speculate on the motive," Coakley said. "To date, we certainly do not have it. We have seen in other cases someone who has a drug habit or someone who is looking for monetary gain. We don’t have that evidence in this case."
Dookhan carried a heavy caseload at the lab, Coakley said, and at first glance appeared to be an "efficient, effective" chemist.
"She had a caseload and was able to effectuate two or three times what other workers were doing," Coakley said, adding that Dookhan appeared to be "proud" of her work.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x264121186/Former-state-chemist-from-Franklin-arrested#ixzz27r6s5KVF
Related posts
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x422898823/Franklin-chemist-admits-to-wrongdoing-at-lab
http://www.boston.com/
http://www.wbur.org/2009/10/
http://www.onthemedia.org/
http://www.necn.com/09/20/12/
Thanks to a loyal reader for providing the related links on this developing story
Friday, September 28, 2012
Harvest Festival: Know where the good things are!
The Harvest Festival map!
See where
See where
- the music performances will be
- the kids play area is located
- the food tents are
Hoffman Farm at Farmers Market - today noon to 6:00 PM
The Farmer's Market is open today on the Town Common from noon to 6:00 PM. The Hoffman Farm is one of the local farms present. The Milford Daily News has a timely article on the growth of the Hoffman Farm here in Franklin.
Read more about the Hoffman Farm: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x264120541/Franklin-farmer-plows-new-ground#ixzz27kwcuN2t
Where in Franklin is the Town Common?
View Larger Map
"My father told me, ‘You’ll never make it,’ " Hoffmann said on Thursday morning as he strode through the 18-acre parcel off Daniels Street that he obtained in May for $100,000.
Preparing to start his second farm, Hoffmann has spent the last nine years proving those words wrong.
"I’ve redeemed this land from the woods," he said, standing in a field of gnarled roots and branches. "Minus the machinery, it’s exactly what the early settlers did."
Read more about the Hoffman Farm: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x264120541/Franklin-farmer-plows-new-ground#ixzz27kwcuN2t
Where in Franklin is the Town Common?
View Larger Map
Voters should ignore Question 1 on Election Day
Franklin voters should have received the November ballot information package put out by the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office. The familiar red pamphlet outlines the ballot text and background information for the three ballot questions we get to vote on November 6.
The first ballot question is one that can be skipped over.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x422900332/Former-opponents-agree-Right-to-Repair-ballot-question-is-moot#ixzz27krtjcYT
If you haven't already registered to vote, you can still do so by October 17th.
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/Voter%20Registration%20Information.pdf
If you are going to be out of town or can't make it to Franklin High School on Nov 6, you can get an absentee ballot. Information for that is available here
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm
The first ballot question is one that can be skipped over.
The new law fulfills ballot Question 1’s requirement that car manufacturers make all repair codes and other diagnostic information available to independent mechanics.
The law also gives concessions to the automobile industry by extending the deadline of a mandate that all new cars sold in the state have an onboard diagnostic and repair information system to 2018 from the ballot question’s 2015 requirement.
The issue won a place on the ballot after advocates gathered 120,000 signatures earlier this year. By the time the Legislature passed its own version of the law, it was too late to legally remove the question from the November ballot.Yes, timing is everything. The Legislature heard the voters and acted. Now the best thing we can do is get out to vote for everything else on the ballot and skip question 1.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x422900332/Former-opponents-agree-Right-to-Repair-ballot-question-is-moot#ixzz27krtjcYT
If you haven't already registered to vote, you can still do so by October 17th.
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/Voter%20Registration%20Information.pdf
If you are going to be out of town or can't make it to Franklin High School on Nov 6, you can get an absentee ballot. Information for that is available here
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm
In the News: 4th Congressional debate
Kennedy said his public service record shows he can fight to give people, including small business owners, better opportunities.
"The number one issue in this district is jobs and the economy. But it’s almost bigger than that. There are people who are not getting that access to opportunity. I’ve spent my entire life fighting for people in that position [while working] in the DA’s office," he said.
The debate, moderated by WCVB anchor Ed Harding and political reporter Janet Wu, gave Bielat and Kennedy a chance to distinguish their platforms.
To help the economy, Bielat said he favored tax cuts over government spending because "tax relief lets families and businesses make the best decisions. Families and businesses know best. The result is you get more efficient expenditure of capital than government spending."
On the other hand, Kennedy said the government plays an important role in giving small businesses access to capital, strengthening education, "putting Americans to work" and "removing uncertainty in the market."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x264120504/Kennedy-Bielat-trade-jabs-in-4th-Congressional-District-debate#ixzz27kvJpQMe
The debate reported on here is scheduled to air on Sunday at 11 a.m on The Boston Channel, WCVB, TV 5
Thursday, September 27, 2012
What's with teenagers? (video)
As parents, we either have had teenagers, or those youngsters now will soon become teenagers. Life is consistent in that it advances one day at a time. So why are the teenage years so challenging?
In this TED Talk,
In this TED Talk,
"Cognitive neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore compares the prefrontal cortex in adolescents to that of adults, to show us how typically “teenage” behavior is caused by the growing and developing brain."
"So adolescence is defined as the period of life that starts with the biological, hormonal, physical changes of puberty and ends at the age at which an individual attains a stable, independent role in society."
"So what's sometimes seen as the problem with adolescents — heightened risk-taking, poor impulse control, self-consciousness — shouldn't be stigmatized. It actually reflects changes in the brain that provide an excellent opportunity for education and social development."
MassBudget: Massachusetts Ranks 25th in Taxes
State and local taxes in Massachusetts are roughly in line with the national average, according to data released today by the census bureau. Massachusetts ranks 25th among all states--meaning there are 24 states with a higher level of taxation and 25 with lower rates.
The most accurate way to compare taxation across states is to measure it as a percentage of personal income. That is, you look at the total amount of money collected through state and local taxes and then see what share that is of the total income earned in the state. When you do that for Massachusetts, you find that the level of taxation is 10.2%--below the national level of 10.6%.
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Springfield: 1st MassDOT "Your Vision Our Future" Meeting
According to the published schedule for these meetings, it looks like the closest meeting will be in Framingham.
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 9/26/12
MassDOT will kick off a series of statewide public meetings tomorrow, Thursday, September 27, in Springfield, engaging with residents, community leaders and business owners to discuss the future of transportation in the Commonwealth.
The meeting is scheduled as follows:
Thursday, September 27, 6-8 pm, Springfield Technical Community College One Armory Square, Building 2, Scibelli Hall Theater, Springfield
Legislation passed in August requires the Department to host at least six public meetings in advance of developing a long-term financing plan for the state's transportation system next year. To ensure that all regions of the Commonwealth are represented, MassDOT will hold 15 meetings.
Representatives from each division of MassDOT – RMV, Highway, Aeronautics and MBTA/Rail and Transit – will be available to answer questions and provide information.
An informational website is available at: http://www.mass.gov/massdot/yourvisionourfuture
Those who are unable to attend the meetings but wish to submit comments can do so at yourvisionourfuture@dot.state.ma.us
The meeting is scheduled as follows:
Thursday, September 27, 6-8 pm, Springfield Technical Community College One Armory Square, Building 2, Scibelli Hall Theater, Springfield
Legislation passed in August requires the Department to host at least six public meetings in advance of developing a long-term financing plan for the state's transportation system next year. To ensure that all regions of the Commonwealth are represented, MassDOT will hold 15 meetings.
Representatives from each division of MassDOT – RMV, Highway, Aeronautics and MBTA/Rail and Transit – will be available to answer questions and provide information.
An informational website is available at: http://www.mass.gov/massdot/yourvisionourfuture
Those who are unable to attend the meetings but wish to submit comments can do so at yourvisionourfuture@dot.state.ma.us
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Franklin High School: Update to School Committee
While I was unable to attend the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, I want to thank Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski for sending this document along to share with you.
FHS Update 9-25-12 Final
FHS Update 9-25-12 Final
"sighs of relief from town officials"
The constructions bids for the new Franklin High School were opened and ended up $1.1M under the estimated cost.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1238767627/Bids-for-new-Franklin-High-School-below-budget#ixzz27ZBgVDWO
The collection of posts on the new high school can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html
"The builder has an excellent reputation," said Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski. "And the price was very good, very good for the community. It’s very fulfilling."
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said going with the model school program rather than repairing the town’s 41-year-old high school, which town officials initially discussed doing, was the better choice.
"I think the numbers proved today that what we were asking the citizens to support was the right decision," Nutting said. "I think we are going to have an awesome education facility for the next 50 years or so."
As long as the bid came in at or below the estimated budget, he said, "We were going to be happy. Now that it’s well below the estimate, that’s good for the state and good for the tax payers of Franklin."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1238767627/Bids-for-new-Franklin-High-School-below-budget#ixzz27ZBgVDWO
The collection of posts on the new high school can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html
In the News: Harvest Festival
Zentangle demo planned at Franklin Harvest Fest
The weather outlook isn't great for Sunday. The Festival will be held rain or shine so let's all hope and pray for some sunshine!
Additional information on the Harvest Festival can be found on the Downtown Partnership webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/
FHS SOCCER - FIVE GUYS FUNDRAISER - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4th 4:00PM - 10:00PM (FLIER)
The Franklin High School Soccer Boosters are holding their annual FIVE GUYS Fundraiser
Thursday, October 4th, from 5:00PM - 10:00PM at the FIVE GUYS Restaurant in Franklin Village.
A portion of the receipts for the evening will be graciously donated by FIVE GUYS to the FHS Soccer Boosters organization, which supports the Franklin High School Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshman Boys and Girls Soccer Teams.
Please come out this Thursday night to enjoy a great meal at Five Guys and support the Franklin High School Soccer Teams at the same time!
Thank you in advance; your support is greatly appreciated.
Franklin Newcomers and Friends - Oct 3rd
New to town or just looking for something new? Kids? No kids? Wanting to meet new people?
When
Wednesday, October 3rd, 7:30pm, Union Street Grill, 371 Union Street, Franklin MA
The Franklin Newcomers & Friends Club is a social and charitable organization for residents of Franklin, Massachusetts. We like to have fun, learn new things, and give back to the community through fundraisers and volunteer opportunities. We meet monthly from September through May, often with a themed event (speakers, lively programs), and provide other activities throughout the month to facilitate friendship and fellowship. The Franklin Newcomers also host an annual Craft Fair every year in November, which has become a tradition in town.
Please join us for our next monthly meeting on October 3rd at 7:30pm, Union St Grill, 371 Union Street, Franklin, to learn more about the Club. We will be having a cupcake decorating demonstration by one of our members! You can also sample some appetizers. Cash bar available. Bring a friend! We look forward to meeting you for a great night!
For additional information on the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club visit their webpage
www.franklinnewcomers.com
When
Wednesday, October 3rd, 7:30pm, Union Street Grill, 371 Union Street, Franklin MA
We are NOT just for Newcomers!
The Franklin Newcomers & Friends Club is a social and charitable organization for residents of Franklin, Massachusetts. We like to have fun, learn new things, and give back to the community through fundraisers and volunteer opportunities. We meet monthly from September through May, often with a themed event (speakers, lively programs), and provide other activities throughout the month to facilitate friendship and fellowship. The Franklin Newcomers also host an annual Craft Fair every year in November, which has become a tradition in town.
Please join us for our next monthly meeting on October 3rd at 7:30pm, Union St Grill, 371 Union Street, Franklin, to learn more about the Club. We will be having a cupcake decorating demonstration by one of our members! You can also sample some appetizers. Cash bar available. Bring a friend! We look forward to meeting you for a great night!
For additional information on the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club visit their webpage
www.franklinnewcomers.com
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Dean College presentation to Town Council
Dean College's presentation document used last Wednesday evening at the Town Council meeting is now available for your review.
You can view the presentation via the on-demand webcast here (Dean starts about 20 minutes into the meeting) http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634841170883675000&indexSessionSKU=hpiBdI5nlsn7qlgtQh+I7Q%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D
You can view the presentation via the on-demand webcast here (Dean starts about 20 minutes into the meeting) http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634841170883675000&indexSessionSKU=hpiBdI5nlsn7qlgtQh+I7Q%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D
Ski Club Registration opens
Though the last leaves have not yet fallen from the trees, the Hockomock Area YMCA is already thinking snow! Registration for their annual Ski Club program will begin on Monday, October 15th and will continue through Friday, November 16th. This popular activity is open to teens ages 12-17.
The Ski Club program will begin on Sunday, January 6th. The group will meet for six Sundays in January and February and will ski the slopes of Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. This family friendly resort offers teens a variety of well-groomed trails matching their skill level. For the beginner, lessons and ski rental packages are available.
Registration for this program is limited and traditionally fills quickly. There are several ski and snowboard packages available and all include transportation to and from the mountain.
For more detailed information specific to the Ski Club program, please contact the Hockomock Area YMCA at (508) 695-7001 or (508) 528-8708. The Hockomock Area YMCA offers financial assistance to those who qualify.
About the Hockomock Area YMCA
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Hockomock Area YMCA works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. http://www.hockymca.org/
Absolutely Fabulous Affairs - launch party!
Absolutely Fabulous Affairs brings unique and creative party planning to the area as it opens for business in Franklin
Absolutely Fabulous Affairs, a full-service event planning company, opened its doors for business in September. Their launch party will be hosted at 7:00 PM on September 29th at their Franklin, Mass. location.
Absolutely Fabulous Affairs offers everything you need for an absolutely fabulous party or event. Whether it be help with portions of the event or creating a party from the ground up, they work with clients to make visions come to life and craft a unique and memorable experience.
One of their specialties is creating displays called "interactive party stations," which are designed to engage guests and provide a unique and fun way to serve food, drinks or dessert at an event. These can include a Sweet Table, with assorted candies and confections, a Make-Your-Own Mojito Bar, a Popcorn Bar, or an Ice Cream Bar, for example. "You can create an interactive party station to add another dimension to any event and the possibilities are endless," said owner Sandi Verhaegen.
She has created parties for children, teens, and adults, bridal and baby showers, office parties, and holiday parties. A few examples include a glow party, a mad scientists party, magical fairy party, Harvard Medical School reunion luncheon, wine and beer tasting parties and a gender-reveal baby shower. "If you can dream it, I can do it," is her philosophy.
Why hire an event planner? "We give you access to our creativity. Understanding the time and cost it takes to source the bits and pieces to complete the theme, Absolutely Fabulous Affairs provides the ease, affordability and convenience to make your vision come alive," said Verhaegen.
They have a storeroom full of amazing decorations, props and party ware that will add to your event without you having to purchase them. At the end, hiring an event planner can be more cost effective than planning it on your own.
Absolutely Fabulous Affairs will also open an online shop in early November. This shop will carry everything you need to host party, from the traditional to the most trend setting party gear. The shop will be found on the company website: www.abfabaffairs.com.
Early in her career Verhaegen worked for a marketing agency in California and managed promotional events for corporations such as Cartoon Network, Levi's, and 7-Eleven. Now she enjoys creating personalized, smaller scale special occasions for people and businesses.
"I always liked to do parties for my friends and family," she recalls. "I would go all out. People would comment on my party and would ask me to do something for them."
"This is a result of my passion for creating simply amazing events," she added. "It is rooted in the philosophy that a party has the potential to deliver happiness and memories long after it's done, by creating special moments that last a lifetime."
Call Absolutely Fabulous Affairs today at 773-332-0718 or view their website at www.abfabaffairs.com or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/abfabaffairs
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