Saturday, October 5, 2013

"Manufacturing is vitally important to the Massachusetts economy"


Rep. Jeffrey Roy (D- Franklin) visited Pierce Aluminum's manufacturing,
distribution and national headquarters in Franklin to commemorate Manufacturing Day.
Manufacturers from across the country opened their doors on Friday to demonstrate the potential of modern manufacturing, while fostering an interest in manufacturing careers. 

Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum
Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum
"Manufacturing is the sixth largest employment sector in Massachusetts, and is helping to lead
us out of the recession," noted Rep. Roy after the visit. "My visit with Pierce today, and the
many other manufacturers in the area over the past several months, is part of an effort to support and recognize our manufacturers as leaders in advancing the Commonwealth's economy. The manufacturing of today involves a lot more expertise and training in technology, programming and streamlined production. We need to prepare and train people to work in this vital sector." 

Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum
Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum
"I am proud to say that the Legislature has made thoughtful investments in the state's
manufacturing industry," said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, D-Winthrop. "Whether through the gaming law or the 2012 economic development legislation, Massachusetts is increasingly becoming the place for manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing Day is a call to action for legislators, business leaders and employers. I urge you to pursue new ways to incorporate these jobs - for employees of all skill levels - into existing and emerging industries. I believe this is essential in furthering our state's development and will help make Massachusetts a better place to live, work and do business." 

Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum
Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum
"Manufacturing is vitally important to the Massachusetts economy," stated Senate President Pro
Temporc Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, Senate Chairman of the Legislature's Manufacturing
Caucus. "What were once dark, gritty factories, are now high-tech, innovative facilities that
provide good paying jobs to skilled and educated employees. Partnering with manufacturing
leaders to ensure that their companies have the tools and highly trained workforce they need to
grow is an essential component of our strategy for economic growth." 
"In light of very positive competitiveness trends in both domestic and global markets,
Massachusetts manufacturers are experiencing a welcomed and sustained resurgence of business activity that is favorable to our entire state's ongoing recovery," said Rep. John V. Fernandes, DMilford, House Chairman of the Legislature's Manufacturing Caucus. "These large and small sized manufacturing companies often provide meaningful jobs for thousands of new and retrained workers, offer middle-class level wages, and energize regional suppliers and ancillary businesses for long-term growth. We must do what we can to facilitate that growth and develop a strong nexus between educational and training opportunities and the specialized worker skills required by these companies to ultimately succeed." 
Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum
Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum

Manufacturing Day is a national event designed to addresses common misperceptions about
manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to showcase their efforts in a coordinated
fashion. The goal of Manufacturing Day is to begin addressing the national skilled labor shortage that manufacturers face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry. 
In Massachusetts, manufacturing contributes to more than 10 percent of gross state product
(GSP). Currently there are 7,680 manufacturing establishments in Massachusetts that employ
more than 275,000 residents. Over the next five years, manufacturing establishments are
expected to expand their employment by an estimated 65 percent. 
State Senators and Representatives are supported by the Legislature's recently-formed, bipartisan Manufacturing Caucus which serves as a link for legislators cutting across issues that
affect the manufacturing industry. Rep. Roy is a member of that caucus.

For more about Pierce Aluminum visit their website  http://www.piercealuminum.com/


Photos provided by the office of Rep Roy

Friday, October 4, 2013

Farmers Market - noon to 6:00 PM

Yes, it is October and the Farmers Market is still open on Friday throughout this month. Come down to the Town Common for fresh produce!

Franklin_FarmersMarket
farmers market sign downtown

Stop by to get fresh produce!

farmers market on a sunny day

"the council should not approve particular developments from particular developers"

The Milford Daily News gets into a recap of the zoning bylaw changes coming up for a second reading on Oct 16th. The bylaws were moved to the second reading by a 5-2 with two councilors recusing themselves. The measure requires 6 votes to pass.
Taken together, the amendments create a new residential district for the Cook’s Farm parcel allowing for several single-family units as long as the developer meets certain requirements, such as receiving a special permit from the Planning Board. 
The town’s planning director, Bryan Taberner, said the amendments provide "the opportunity for multiple single family homes on one parcel. 
"And that parcel would be condominium owned," he said. "It would not really be an apartment complex. The roads would be private."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x980101981/Zoning-for-new-development-in-Franklin-nears-decisive-vote#ixzz2gkBSPbJN

Library: Book Sale - Oct 26th

Found this posted on the Library website:

Library book sale
Library Book Sale

"WIC will remain in operation for the immediate future"

This is good news. Given the impasse in Washington, that this program is still being operated will help those women and children most in need. As reported earlier this week, the activities at local food pantries has continued to increase due to the overall economic conditions.

The federally funded Women, Infants and Children program known as WIC will remain in operation for the immediate future. At this time there is no impact on the nutritional services delivered by the Massachusetts WIC Program, according to program director Sharon McCollum. 
Currently all WIC program offices in the following locations: 300 Howard St., Framingham; 32 South St., Waltham; and 230 Maple St., Marlboro, are open for business. All WIC services and benefits continue to be provided and all WIC checks will be accepted at WIC grocery stores and pharmacies.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1155170686/WIC-program-remains-open-for-business-despite-shutdown#ixzz2gkHByZ9s


Related posts:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/citizens-bank-is-model-partner.html
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/10/distributing-food-is-just-one-piece-of.html



Thursday, October 3, 2013

"Citizens Bank is a model partner"

September was Hunger Action Month and in recognition of this, Citizens Bank made the following announcement.
The Citizens Bank Foundation will donate a series of 11 grants totaling $525,000 to several food organizations across the state as part of its One Million Meals initiative. The money will be used to provide meals to children and families. 
Two of the food banks benefiting from the grants are the Greater Boston Food Bank and the Worcester County Food Bank, both of which supply goods to food pantries in the Milford area, including the Daily Bread Food Pantry in Milford and the Franklin Food Pantry. 
Jerry Sargent, president of Citizens Bank in Massachusetts, said in a statement Tuesday: "When nonprofits, corporations and consumers work together, we can make a positive impact for the millions of people across America, and thousands here in Massachusetts who struggle with hunger and food insecurity."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1655343792/Citizens-Bank-pledges-more-than-4-million-meals-to-feed-hungry-families#ixzz2geMDFeOG

For more about Hunger Action Month:
http://feedingamerica.org/get-involved/hunger-action-month.aspx

http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

For more about the Franklin Food Pantry:
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/09/the-franklin-food-pantry-takes-stock.html

For more about Citizens Bank and its community efforts: http://www.citizensbank.com/community/default.aspx


Disclosure: I am proud to be employed by RBS Citizens Bank and to help the Franklin Food Pantry!

NEB Mortgage - Ribbon Cutting


The United Regional Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting event at NEB Mortgage, 195 Main St., Hayward Manor, Suite #2, Franklin on Sept. 26. NEB Mortgage, a division of Northeast Bank, celebrated the grand opening of its office.

ribbon cutting participants (see listing below)
ribbon cutting participants (see listing below)

Pictured at the event in the front row: Patrick Dignan of NEB Mortgage, Deborah Redmond of NEB Mortgage, Gretchen O’Donnell of NEB Mortgage, Nicole Fortier of Franklin Downtown Partnership and Dean Bank, Jim Dell’Anno of NEB Mortgage, Denise Cousineau of NEB Mortgage, Mary Buck of NEB Mortgage, Claire Bean of NEB Mortgage, Richard Wayne of NEB Mortgage, Beth Caico of NEB Mortgage, Erika Paulhus of the office of State Sen. Richard Ross, Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, and Jack Lank of The United Regional Chamber of Commerce.
United Regional Chamber of Commerce