Experienced with the model

Reporting on the School Building Committee meeting from Monday night, the Milford Daily News writes:

The East Providence-based firm constructed the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School and in 2008 worked on Norwood High School, the first built under the state’s model school program. 

Norwood was also the first school to use the Whitman-Hanson model. Since then, a handful of other districts have picked the model because of its adaptable design, including Natick and Franklin. 

Sean Fennell, Franklin’s project manager, said Agostini has a pristine reputation for completing big projects on time and within budget. Fennell said the firm is "the best you can hope for" when placing a public bid. 

"They make sure the price is right," Fennell said. "And these guys never miss a deadline."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x264122307/Contractor-for-new-Franklin-High-is-praised#ixzz288M5J3u4

Additional information on the entire high school building project can be found in my collection
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

and updated information can always be found on the new high school web page
http://www.newfhs.com/

In the News: legal work, Falk's Market

As mentioned during the televised debate

U.S. Senate hopeful Warren releases list of legal work

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Driving down 1A, past the Wrentham Outlets you eventually come to the intersection of RT 108 where this building has stood on the left corner for years.

Demolition ahead for Plainville's iconic Falk's Market

by Heather McCarron/STAFF WRITER

Franklin, MA: Curbside Chronicle

Attached please find the latest Curbside Chronicle with Fall holiday delays and yard waste and tree pick ups.

Please remember to keep your recycling loose in the cart so the full automation machinery can sort the items.

Thank you

You can also find the Curbside Chronicle on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/o-d%202012.pdf

Find additional information on Franklin's solid waste and recycling programs here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/index

You can subscribe to receive your own copy via email here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news

Five Guys fund raiser for FHS Soccer boosters! Oct 4th

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.

Photo essay: Harvest Festival 2012

The balloons didn't always float in the air but that didn't dampen the spirits of those who did brave the showers to come to the Harvest Festival on Sunday.

Main Street was packed from time to time as the crowd visited the various displays or watched a performance by the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.

Using the Rockland Trust parking lot for the children's play area and the Farmers market was a good idea. Franklin Ford had a big display there. The Keefe Insurance 'tailgate' party drew a crowd to catch updates on the Patriots game.

There were breaks in the showers as the sun threatened to come out. It eventually did at 4:00 PM as the Festival was shutting down for the day (and the Patriots made their final score to beat the Bills!).

Don't cook lunch or dinner Tuesday, Oct 2

The Franklin SEPAC (Special Education Parents Advisory Council) is having a fundraiser. So don't cook lunch or dinner Tuesday, Oct 2

Print up a flyer (see image below) and bring it to the Franklin 99 on Tuesday, October 2nd from 11am-10pm. The 99 will donate 15% of your total bill to the Franklin SEPAC!

This is valid on Dine-In and Take-Out.
We recommend Call Ahead Seating 508-520-9909.
Hope you can make it! Thank you!

In the News: commuter rail, Tri-County, alumni funds

If anyone has ridden the commuter rail, you know that from time to time the on-time performance can be frustrating. The MBTA provides some updates on new equipment which should help to improve the situation and the new arrangement with CSX which will reduce contention on the rail line.

Rail company: Late trains are not just on us

by Laura Krantz/Daily News staff

Tri-County Regional Voc-Tech continues to be active in the 'green' space as highlighted in this article.

Tri-County Green Club participates in fall fair

by Staff reports

The area state colleges are joining the hunt for funding from their alumni as a source of income to fulfill their missions.

Colleges look to alumni for funds

by Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Oct 3, 2012

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 5, 2012

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
DPW Director – Town Common

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-65:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 40, Section 42J:Deferral of Water Charges
2. Resolution 12-66:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 80, Section 13B:Deferral and Recovery
Agreements
3. Resolution 12-67:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 83, Section 16G:Deferral of Sewer Charges
4. Resolution 12-68:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5N:Reduction of Property Tax
Obligation of Veteran in Exchange for Volunteer Services
5. Resolution 12-69:Senior Tax Deferrals
6. Bylaw Amendment 12-694:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-689:Changes to Chapter 185 §5. Zoning Map: Single Family III to Business Zoning District- 2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN


You can view the full set of documents for this agenda on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/100312.pdf

Parmenter: Modular update

The grounds have been landscaped. The pathway (access road) is ready to be paved.

The spot where the propane tanks were is ready to be paved. The fencing is ready to be replaced.

Soon it will be hard to tell that there were once some modular units in this space. It will be the stuff of memories and stories to be doubted until someone produces the pictures.

Franklin, MA: Curbside Fall Yard Waste - pick up schedule

From the Franklin webpage

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.

You can visit the Franklin DPW weboage for additional information on how to handle your recycling and solid waste.  http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/index

In the News: representation, West Nile

Women, minorities underrepresented in Massachusetts State House

by David Riley

Mass. health official says West Nile virus all over the state

by Colleen Quinn/State House News Service

Traffic Alert: Harvest Festival on Sunday

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!

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

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.

"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/metrodesk/2012/09/26/chemist-annie-dookhan-lab-scandal-investigators-messed-bad/UTcU3pdvgy7WbInA9DTKKO/story.html

http://www.wbur.org/2009/10/23/charles-stuart-anniversary

http://www.onthemedia.org/2012/sep/21/problem-getting-it-wrong/

http://www.necn.com/09/20/12/Broadside-More-on-state-drug-lab/landing_broadside.html?blockID=776627&feedID=11110

Thanks to a loyal reader for providing the related links on this developing story

Harvest Festival: Know where the good things are!

The Harvest Festival map!

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.

"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.

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

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,

"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."