In the News: fuel assistance, food pantry

Cold forecast for fuel assistance this winter

by Laura Krantz/Daily News staff

Bare shelves, more demand at area food pantries

by Derek McLean/Daily News staff

From the feed reader

I have several tools to capture information being published about Franklin, MA. One of my key tools is Google Reader http://googlereader.blogspot.com/ In today's reader, I find several good articles about what is happening in and around Franklin.


1 - Warren Reynolds publishes regularly at 02038.com. He has his write up for the FHS ground breaking event held last week

New Franklin High School ground breaking celebrated

by Warren Reynolds

2 - Amanda Spittell writing for Berry Insurance lets us know about the Jack-o-lantern spectacular at Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI

Roger Williams Park Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular 2012

by aspittell

3 - Mary writes about the new items that have arrived for the Mill Store on Union St located at the railroad crossing.

Autumn awesomeness

by Mary

Enjoy!

Networking Event

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Networking Event

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 10/18/12

YOU ARE INVITED...
to a very special Franklin Downtown Partnership 
Networking Event hosted by Six One Seven Studios

Thursday, November 15th -- Starting at 5:00 p.m.
This is a special evening for FDP members looking for connections and networking opportunities. The event will be at Six One Seven Studios' state-of-the-art film studio located at 25 Kenwood Circle in Franklin. 

Come and enjoy good company, delicious appetizers, beer and wine as you tour the exciting new state-of-the-art studios.

Please RSVP to Joel Carrara at jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com. 

Learn more about Six One Seven Studios
Six One Seven Studios is a full-service video production company based in Franklin, MA, dedicated to telling your story through high quality video production. 

Our experienced team of professionals has years of experience in the art of communicating through video. From videography, editing, scripting and all aspects of video production service, Six One Seven Studios represents some of the best in the field offering our services at competitive prices.

Six One Studios is equipped with a 3,200 square foot soundstage, makeup and client area, state-of-the-art editing suite and multiple offices.

We look forward to seeing everyone who can attend.

www.sixonesevenstudios.com

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Downtown Partnership using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Help the YMCA, shop Whole Foods Oct 23

Whole Foods in Bellingham will contribute 5% of the proceeds Oct 23 to support the YMCA and their 'healthy futures' initiative!

Farmers Market - Library Book sale

Where in Franklin is the Town Common?


View Larger Map



Library Book Sale

Preview for Friends of Library members Friday night, open to all on Saturday

Where is the DPW Garage?
Turn on Hayward St off of RT 140 or West Central St, and follow signs to garage.



View Larger Map

Parking Control Officer returns to downtown Franklin

October 17, 2012

Letter from the Chief’s Office

As I am sure most of the citizens of Franklin are now aware the Town has hired a part-time Parking Control Officer. For many years the Parking Control Officer was a well known fixture in the center of Town. The PCO, as we call it, would walk the Downtown streets, have conversation with citizens, help with pedestrian crossings and engage in all around friendly behavior. Due to budgetary constraints the PCO position had gone unfilled for a lengthy period of time. That has changed and a PCO is now actively enforcing parking violations for the Town. 

My experience with feedback about the PCO position was that it was welcomed by the Downtown and overall community until that bright orange parking ticket was placed under a windshield wiper blade. We have learned that parking control is one of those job functions that can bring out the worst in some people. It is however a necessary enforcement function. 

There may be any number of good reasons and/or explanations as to why a parking violation might have happened and a civil explanation may make all the sense in the world possibly remedying the ticket issue right on the spot. Parking control, particularly in the Downtown where there are businesses who need and deserve convenient access for their customers to help them stay ahead of a downtrodden economy, coupled with the amount of Commuter Rail travelers looking for available parking, is a necessary and important enforcement effort conducted by the Town. 

If you have issue with a parking violation I want to remind you that you cannot remedy your parking ticket issue at the Police Station. Parking Ticket appeals are handled by the Franklin Town Treasurer/Collector. If you received a parking ticket that you believe to be in error I would encourage you to appeal to the Town Treasurer and request a hearing. When you appear for the hearing have your facts ready, be civil when presenting your argument and leave knowing the matter has been heard and I can assure you will be decided in a fair and impartial manner.

Thank You
Stephan H. Semerjian
Chief of Police



Note the original letter can be found on the Franklin webpage. the formatting was change to improve the readability   http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_PoliceNews/019A5BE5-000F8513

School meals, KIDS COUNT data, and other MassBudget updates

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. MassBudget Updates Over the last few weeks, MassBudget has completed a number of different projects... Are free and reduced-price school meals getting to all the kids who need them? That's the question that motivated Breakfast and Lunch Participation in Massachusetts Schools--part of a joint project involving MassBudget, the Center for Social Policy at UMass Boston, and the Mass Law Reform Institute, supported by the EOS foundation. Our online chartpack summarizes the major findings. A complete diagram of the food assistance programs in Massachusetts shows: who is eligible for them, who runs them, where they get their funding, and how people can gain access. The KIDS COUNT data center has been updated to include a breakdown of low income students by city and town based on eligibility for free and reduced-price lunch. In a brief analysis of funding for children through the Department of Children and Families, we found a significant cut over the last four years--amounting to roughly $130 million. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

FEF Casino Night - Nov 3

The Franklin Education Foundation will be holding its annual Casino Night, Saturday, Nov 3




Additional information can be found on the FEF webpage  http://www.franklined.org/casino_nights
or Facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/events/295237077251757/

Parmenter modular update - last

The grass is filling in. The fence is back in place.

Hard to believe that there were modular units here for more than 10 years. Looking good DPW grounds crew!


Related posts depicting the changes as the modulars were taken down and removed
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/parmenter-modular-update_30.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/update-parmenter-modular-units-1-gone-3.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/parmenter-modular-removal-underway.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/08/parmenter-modular-units.html

Town Council - 10/17/12

The posts reported on live during the Town Council meeting of Wednesday Oct 17, 2012 can be found here

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting - license hearing
• Live reporting - adjusted schedule of meeting
• Live reporting - Town Council - Oct 17, 2012
• 
  

In the News: resignation, liquor store, earthquake

Norfolk County prosecutor resigns over contact with state lab tech

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin store caught in underage drinking sting

by Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Quake in Maine shakes area towns

by Jessica Trufant/Daily News staff

Live reporting - Closing

Town Council returns from Executive Session at 7:45 PM


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
2. Resolution 12-71 (undefined in public session)
motion to table resolution, not debatable, passed 8-0 (Roy recuse)


P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0

Live reporting - license hearing

F. HEARINGS
Alcoholic Beverage License-Failure to Pass Compliance Check – 7:10 PM
Franklin Wine and Spirits

Chief Semerjian providing additional info

Owners: We take it very seriously, 30 plus years of experience, beyond disheartening that this happened at this location. There have been no other violations. There is a license transfer pending for ownership reasons.

Q - Councilor Roy: What training have you had?
Owners: We have had the TIPS training, the Police have been very helpful to provide information on what to look for, clock with up to date approval time. Hard to believe that someone with 30 years of experience.

Q - Councilor Jones: how does this violation work with the pending sale/
A - Counsel Cerel: The issue does not transfer with the license, it is really held to the individual

motion to approve, passed 9-0 license suspended for this Saturday


N. Council Comments
Powderly
Oct 23, Senior Center tax relief programs

Kelly
Ground breaking great event, well attended

Mercer
thanks for attending the ground breaking
thanks to those who put the day together

The Building Hearing will be holding a public meeting on Nov 14th in the Council Chambers. An update on the project, the different phases, traffic patterns, etc.
Architect, Project Manager, Contractor will all be present. Will also be televised via Franklin TV


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

Motion to go to executive session for purchase of property, open session will return
approved 8-0, Roy recuse
the Council left to use Room 205 and will return to the Council Chambers when the executive session has completed

Live reporting - adjusted schedule of meeting

with little to do before the scheduled 7:10 hearing, the Council jumped around the agenda to full in time


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
coming forward with some temporary easements for during the downtown construction period

L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
For Future Legislation
none

after getting this far, there was a two minute recess to return in time for the 7:10 hearing

Live reporting - Town Council - Oct 17, 2012

Present: Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: none

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 19, 2012
motion to approve, passed 9-0

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

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

motion to add Res - 1271 to agenda, approved via roll call 8-0 (Roy recuse)

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
COA Appointment - Suzanne Wade
motion to approve, passed 9-0

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
none

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-70:Appropriation - Insurance Recovery Account
motion to approve, passed 9-0