Rep Roy: July newsletter: What's happening in the district

This is our regularly monthly newsletter. If you know anyone who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, please forward a copy of it to them. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can get on our email list by clicking here. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook by clicking the buttons below. Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Unfunded mandate topic reaches Hill There was a full house on hand at a recent Education Committee hearing on accountability and unfunded mandates. Over 80 Superintendents from across the state appeared to give testimony and provide support for the bills. Among the bills was one to establish a commission to study regulations and unfunded mandates on schools, which Rep. Roy has co-sponsored. This was always a hot topic for Rep. Roy while a member of Franklin's School Committee and now he has an opportunity to address it on Beacon Hill. To view the complete text of the bill and view its progress, click here. Briefly the bill charges the task force to (i) identify and review all existing mandates imposed on school districts by state law or regulation, including school and district reporting requirements; (ii) determine the costs of such mandates and reporting requirements to school districts; and (iii) identify opportunities to streamline, consolidate, or eliminate such mandates or reporting requirements that are duplicative or inconsistent with current laws, regulations or practices. At the hearing, a great deal of information and testimony provided. To view some of the materials, click here.  Treasurer tours new FHS At the invitation of Rep. Roy, State Treasurer Steve Grossman joined us on a tour of the new Franklin High School in June. As the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, he was seeking an in-person view of the state's largest model school. During the tour, we were joined by members of the Town Council, School Committee, School Building Committee, and school administrators. Treasurer Grossman was very impressed with the quality of the facility and programming that will be offered at the new FHS, and he is looking forward to returning soon. For pictures from the tour, please click here. To view the Milford Daily News report on the visit, click here. Follow the construction of the new FHS on Facebook by clicking here. New memorial honors Franklin soldier There is a wonderful new memorial in Franklin thanks to the artwork of Jesse Greene and the generosity of Jody Cipriano Cabino. Last month, the memorial was unveiled at the YMCA in Franklin and Rep. Roy was honored to participate and present House citations to Jody and Jesse. The memorial is a place of remembrance and reflection for Shayne Cabino, a Franklin soldier who answered the call of duty and served in harm's way for the sake of this country. It will also serve as a place where Y kids will start their day with the Pledge of Allegiance, to promote both civic awareness and patriotism.   Pan Mass Challenge On August 3-4, Rep. Roy will join thousands of cyclists in the Pan Mass Challenge in the fight against cancer. This will be Jeff's 11th ride. The PMC, which began in 1980, is the nation's oldest and most successful bicycling fundraising event and shows what the determination of each individual can do. The event has been instrumental in helping Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's clinicians and researchers learn more about cancer and its causes, and to develop new, increasingly effective treatments for this deadly disease. Over the past 33 years, PMC cyclists have ridden to raise and contribute $375 million to cancer research. To learn more about the ride and donate to the cause, click here. Horace Mann leaders bring ideas to Boston Last month, we had a great visit with leaders from Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin. They were recognized public service announcement projects they produced, focused on helping others. They were an impressive group of 8th graders and did some inspiring work which no doubt will continue when they get to high school. Budget sent to Governor Rep. Roy joined his colleagues in the Legislature to enact a $34.06 billion state budget for fiscal year 2014 (FY14). The spending plan makes important investments to rebuild the Commonwealth's essential services and programs, including local aid, education, housing, public safety, and health and human services, and supports the ongoing recovery of the local economy. It is now on the Governor'[s desk for his signature. The budget reflects the priorities of the Commonwealth and the needs of cities, towns and residents, while also maintaining the highest level of fiscal responsibility and accountability, leaving the state's rainy day fund at $1.46 billion. It makes important and thoughtful investments in many of our core services and programs in the Commonwealth, including education, care for the elderly, housing, distressed hospitals and mental health The budget also includes a renewed focus on governmental oversight and accountability to eliminate fraud and delays and to ensure that those who need the Commonwealth's assistance receive it.  Locally, the FY14 budget also includes a $20,000 grant for Franklin's sculpture park and $15,000 to help fund the Vietnam Moving Wall in Medway. You can see more details about the budget by clicking here. Medway Cheerleading Champs Honored Medway's two time National Varsity Championship Cheerleaders were honored at the State House. They also took a tour of the building, including a trip to the Governor's office, the House Chamber, and the Senate Chamber. "It was great to see such an engaged group of students from Medway High School," noted Rep. Roy. "We had some great discussions about what we do in the State House and had a lively conversation on pending legislation. The girls shared their thoughts about a number of bills, including ones on cheerleader safety and the recognition of cheerleading as a sport." Congratulations to the Medway girls and we wish you luck next year. New website features and improvements announced Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) announced  updates to the public website that will allow users to personalize their experience when navigating bills, committees, hearing information and connecting with legislators. Through "MyLegislature," users can create a user-id and password to access their secure MyLegislature account. Users can identify specific bills, hearings, committees and legislators that they are interested in following and their personalized homepage will display each selection. Any hearings scheduled for their selected committees will automatically be included in their MyLegislature hearing list. In addition, users can further personalize MyLegislature by identifying any accessibility needs. The updated website also includes an easy-to-use format to connect with legislators. The public website can be found at www.malegislature.gov. July office hours Rep. Roy announced that constituent office hours for the month of July will be held on the following days: Franklin – Saturday, July 20th, 10:00-11:00AM, Franklin Public Library – 18 Main Street Franklin, MA Medway – Saturday, July 27th, 10:00-11:00AM, Gaetano's Bakery – 74 Main Street Medway, MA All office hours are open to anyone with questions or concerns that they wish to bring to his attention.  Walk-ins are welcome and no appointments are necessary.  He also invites all constituents to call him at his State House office at (617) 722-2400, stop by Room 134 in the State House, or email him by clicking here. follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2013 State Rep Jeff Roy, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either contacted our office or indicated you wanted to keep updated on the 10th Norfolk District and things going on at the State House. Our mailing address is: State Rep Jeff Roy State House Boston, MA 02133 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Hockomock Area YMCA Announces Summer Events for Adults

The Hockomock Area YMCA’s Live Y’ers Group is pleased to promote summer activities that are about more than simply being physically active. Comprised of men and women age 50 and over, this program fosters connections and furthers the Y’s commitment to healthy lifestyles achieved through nurturing mind, body and spirit. Well-being and fitness at the Y is so much more than just working out. Live Y’ers members meet monthly to plan overnight trips, day trips, lectures, special events, exercise classes, and more.

Hockomock YMCA

At the group’s July 18 meeting, adults have the chance to go back in time when they become Y Campers! Doing activities including Arts & Crafts, Archery, Zip-lines and Camp Songs, adults will restore spirits, get outdoors and test limits. Drop in any time after the 9am start that day and end with pizza by the pool at 12:15. This is free to Live Y’ers members and their guests. Anyone wishing to attend who is not a Live Y’ers member should contact Anne Lonzo at 508.643.5260 or annel@hockymca.org.

Mark your calendar for additional activities this summer:
July 21 – Boston Odyssey, $89 includes brunch, entertainment, Boston Harbor tour, leaves Y at 8:30am
July 25 – “Pirates of Penzance” at Black Box Theater in Mansfield, $22, leaves YMCA at 7:15pm
Aug. 1 – Banjo Bash at Attleboro Enterprises starts at 11:30am, $9 includes show and catered lunch by Morins
Aug. 23 – Mount Rush Four dinner show at the Stadium Theater in Woonsocket, $39.
Sept. 5 – Active Older Adult Day at YMCA North Attleboro Branch from 8:30am to 1:30 pm, $5 includes activities, workshops and a barbecue lunch with entertainment.

Note, the above prices are for Live Y’ers members, with annual membership fee only $30 (no cost for membership to those belonging to the Hockomock Y). For more information and to sign up for these activities, contact Anne Lonzo as indicated above.

About the Hockomock Area YMCA
We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we work together to invest in our kids, our health, and our neighbors. That’s why, at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side by side with our neighbors in our community to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Reach Out for Youth & Families is our annual support campaign to provide a YMCA experience to more than 15,000 local children and families in need.

New Bedford Folk Fest - this weekend

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Circle of Friends Coffeehouse 262 Chestnut St Franklin, MA  02038 Phone: 508 528 2541 > Map > Official Site > ReverbNation Profile NEW BEDFORD FOLK FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND This Saturday and Sunday don't miss the New Bedford Folk Festival. Now with two air conditioned stages including the Zeiterion Theater. John Gorka, Ellis Paul, Lori McKenna, Cheryl Wheeler, Antje Duvekot, The Kennedys, The Grand Slambovians and many, many more. Make sure you check out the Music page. At Circle of Friends we are looking forward to another fabulous season beginning with Chris Smither on Sep 28th. Be warned that Chris and the following Red Molly concert are sure to sell out. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. UPCOMING SHOWS Sat Sep 28 13, 08:00 PM Chris Smither Tickets: $30 Sat Oct 19 13, 08:00 PM Red Molly, Layah Jane Tickets: $25 Sat Nov 09 13, 08:00 PM Seth Glier, Liz Longley Tickets: $20 Sat Nov 23 13, 08:00 PM The Kennedys, The Boxcar Lilies Tickets: $20   Sat Dec 14 13, 08:00 PM Robbie O'Connell, Aoife Clancy Tickets: $25 A Celtic Christmas > See More / Details

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Physical inquiries can be sent to: 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA, 02038, US
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MassBudget: The Legislature's budget proposal for FY 2014

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The Legislature's Budget Proposal Yesterday (July 1), the House and Senate approved a budget proposal for FY 2014. Though the Governor may veto parts of it, this joint budget includes most of the provisions that will make up the state budget for the coming year. Our new Budget Monitor shows how the proposal would affect core programs across the budget, from Health Care and Education to Youth Employment and the Environment--including information on revenue. Some of the more significant elements include: State-wide investments to fix and repair our transportation system Roughly $100 million in additional funding for higher education, including UMass, state universities, and community colleges A variety of increases in public health programs that support family planning and protect consumers Read THE LEGISLATURE'S BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR FY 2014 See ALL OF OUR BUDGET RESOURCES 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

Lapels in Franklin Holds Ribbon Cutting

United Chamber of Commerce

LAPELS DRY CLEANING IN FRANKLIN HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce organized a ribbon cutting event on June 27 to celebrate the grand opening of Lapels Dry Cleaning, 456 West Central St. in Franklin. Lapels offers environmentally friendly dry cleaning services from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 3 p.m. Sundays. Lapels also offers a 24-hour drop box as well as car-hop service.

Lapels Ribbon Cutting

Pictured at the ribbon cutting (L to R) are: Ralph Arguin of Country Gardens, Elaine Blais, Timothy Curley of State Rep. Jeffrey Roy's office, Susan Siraco of State Rep. Jeffrey Roy's office, Celeste Sunderland, Eric Gasbarro, Lapels Owner Pam Sunderland, Gil Blais, Ron Sunderland, Stacey Sunderland, Andy Frappier and United Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jack Lank.


Visit Lapels - Franklin online here http://www.mylapels.com/locations.asp?loc=112

Rep Roy: Office hours

Representative Roy Announces Office Hours

Boston, MA -- State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced today that constituent office hours will be held in Medway and Franklin for the Month of July on the following days: 

Franklin – July 20^th, 10:00-11:00AM, Franklin Public Library – 18 Main Street Franklin, MA 

Medway – July 27^th, 10:00-11:00AM, Gaetano's Bakery – 74 Main Street Medway, MA 

Christopher Yancich, his legislative aide, will be accompanying him. 

Representative Roy stated that all office hours are open to any residents of Franklin and Medway who may have questions or concerns that they wish to bring to his attention.  Walk-ins are welcome; no appointment necessary. He looks forward to hearing from you. 

He also invites all constituents to call him at his State House office at (617) 722-2400, stop by Room 134 in the State House, or email him at Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov.

Franklin Matters' 4th of July

Stepping back into the time capsule to see what has been posted here each of the years that Franklin Matters has been around I find:

2012 - "We, the people"

2011 - Family tradition

2010 - Links of Interest on the 4th of July

2009 - Happy 4th of July

2008 - no posting on the 4th, however you can cruise among the archives for the month here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2008_07_01_archive.html

2007 - Franklin Matters was 'born' during the year as I was posting on my personal blog and didn't become real until November 2007 when this site came into effective.


Let me remind you that

• If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don’t like something, please tell me

Thank you for reading. Enjoy your holiday week!

Franklin's Fireworks - 2012 edition

In lieu of the laser light show replacing the usual 4th of July fireworks, you can step back to last year where I recorded the last 14 minutes of Franklin's fireworks!




Enjoy!

On this day - Gettysburg - July 3, 1863

150 years ago, the Battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1 - 3. Pickett's Charge is arguably the critical point of the 3 day fight that allowed the North to turn back the South.

Southern view of Cemetery Ridge before Pickett's Charge

My wife and I visited Gettysburg in 2008 and captured these photos on the visit.

For more about the battle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gettysburg

Gettysburg Cemetery

The remains of 159 MA soldiers are marked in the cemetery where Abraham Lincoln gave the historic Gettysburg Address.

You can find the text of the Gettysburg Address on the Civil War memorial along the main street side of the Town Common.

Franklin - Civil War  Memorial

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. 

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. 

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Address

Civil War Memorial - Franklin, MA - Town Common

Have a safe an enjoyable 4th of July!



FYI - Gettysburg is just one of the many sites to be explored on the National Park Service website as mentioned on the Dean College Library blog

to mark the 150^th anniversary of this battleground, the National Park Service (NPS) is giving Gettysburg National Military Park the royal treatment this summer.  From programming for all ages, to remembrance ceremonies of all sorts, there will be an event to meet every need.  Just check out theNational Park Service website for details.

Preparing for Franklin's 4th of July (part 3)

The last set of photos from the Town Common on the show rides set up for the 4th of July celebration.

Toy Story themed funhouse

polar express round she goes

cars spinning and swirling

twisted every which way

The theme for the collection of rides is to scare kids, or get their stomachs turning every which way. Hopefully, the kids will learn from one time when they do this that it is not a pleasant feeling.


What is the full schedule for the 4th of July?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/franklins-4th-of-july.html

Franklin Library: Closed on July 4th

Franklin Library - closed for the 4th

Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

Survey Says: No to Mayor

The survey question was posted:

"Would you be in favor of further amending the Franklin Home Rule Charter to provide for the election of a mayor to govern the city known as the town of Franklin?"

There were 44 responses and the vote was decidedly No = 27, Yes = 17

While was a survey question here, the Franklin voters will see this on the November ballot. What will happen between now and then will help to determine the fate of the question.

Those for the exploration of changing to a mayoral form of government would need to outline the proposal more distinctly. There are different forms of mayoral government, would saying "Yes" mean one of those in particular (no). It should really mean that the Town Council would then start the process of setting up a Charter Commission to determine what the change would be like. Ultimately, nothing would happen right away. It would still be sometime off before a fine tuned proposal would come back to the voters.

Want to know more about the forms of municipal government?

1 - You can visit the National League of Cities site here

http://www.nlc.org/build-skills-and-networks/resources/cities-101/city-structures/forms-of-municipal-government

(Note, we already operate legally as a city with a council and manager - coincidentally this is the most popular form of government. )

2 - wikipedia has a worthy entry

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor%E2%80%93council_government

3 - Strong Mayor Council Institute has some good information

http://strongmayorcouncil.org/structures.html

For other survey or quick poll questions that Franklin Matters has conducted over the years, you can visit the collection here   http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/12/survey-says.html

Franklin's Drinking Water

The 2012 Drinking Water Report has been published and should have arrived in your regular mail from the US Post Office. It provides an annual summary of the water quality and usage. Franklin is a ground water community. All our water comes from aquifers under ground. Out of sight, out of mind  but very important. Hence, the EPA is watching to treat the storm water runoff before it gets into the Charles.

There is whole lot of fine print in the annual report. It is worth spending a few minutes to read. One section on fluoride reports:

Fluoride occurs naturally in all water supplies in tract amounts. In many Massachusetts communities the fluoride level is adjusted to about one part per million (ppm or mg/l) so that it is optimal for better oral health. At this level it is safe, odorless, colorless, and tasteless. There are now over 3.9 million people in 140 Massachusetts communities and 184 million people in the United State who receive the health and economic benefits of fluoridation.

Worthy of note: in the water process flow shown above this paragraph on the Drinking Water Report, it states that fluoride is added to Franklin's water. In the paragraph itself, it implies but does not explicitly state that fact. Since MA has 351 communities, only about one third actually add fluoride. This is significantly less than the US as a whole which has approx. two thirds of the population getting fluoride. (184 million out of 313 million)





As a ground water community, one or more of the wells will turn up a bad test once in a while requiring a notification like the following:




As a ground water community, this is the major reason why the DEP which issues the permit for Franklin to draw from its wells, imposes the water conservation measures each year. We have the capacity to pump what we need to. The DEP fears we would draw down the aquifer more than we should, hence the restrictions.

annual water conservation for Franklin

The annual drinking water report can also be found on the official Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/General_Pages/2012_CCR.pdf