"How do we make a difference in a real way?"

The Milford Daily News writes about the difference that Panera Bread is attempting to make and challenging other businesses to join them.

When Ron Shaich, the founder, CEO and chairman of Panera Bread, opened the first "Panera Cares" cafe in St. Louis three years ago, with a plan to let customers decide what they wanted to pay, people thought he was crazy. 

The menu featured suggested donations for each item and a donation box replaced the cash register. Shaich believed people in a community who could afford to pay more would do that, supporting those who couldn't afford to pay full price - or who would pay nothing at all. His goal was simple: Make sure people had enough to eat, whether they could afford it or not.
Three years later, with Panera Cares in St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago, Portland, Ore., and Boston, the experiment has been a success, Shaich told several hundred people attending the Community Leadership Breakfast of the Foundation for MetroWest Friday. 

The Panera Cares cafes pay their own way now, he said, adding, "Of those five cafes, the people of Boston are the most generous. We may not be able to drive, but we have heart."

For more about Panera Bread, visit their website  https://www.panerabread.com/

For more about Panera Cares, visit their website  http://paneracares.org/locations/

Panera Bread operates a store front in Franklin (Franklin Village Plaza) and their bakery operates from a facility on Beaver St. They are a key contributor of baked goods for the Franklin Food Pantry.

In the News: Harvest Festival, Alpine Place fire, dining for a cause

Franklin fest expected to draw thousands

On Sunday, some 5,000 people are expected to flock to the center of town for the Downtown Partnership’s 11th annual Harvest Festival.

Sixteen displaced by Franklin fire

A fire that originated in a second-floor bedroom of a multi-family Alpine Place home temporarily displaced 16 residents. It also "gutted" a bedroom where a 2-year-old boy had been sleeping in a crib and caused an estimated $20,000 in damage.

FHS Girls Ice Hockey road race & Dining Out For a Cause slated

The FHS Varsity Girls Ice Hockey Team Booster Club is partnering with Franklin Cafe & Grill at 418 W. Central St. in Franklin on Oct.  7,8, and 9 to raise money for their first new uniforms in the history of the team through its Dine Out for a Cause event.

(Note, the MDN story has a typo in the link to the Girls Hockey website. This link works
http://www.franklingirlshockey.com/index.html)

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

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!

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

"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

"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/

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)

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

MassBudget: Declines in Funding for Higher Education in Massachusetts

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Higher Learning, Lower Funding  A strong system of higher education helps students gain the knowledge they need to succeed, and it also helps ensure that we have the kind of skilled workforce that can support a vibrant, high-wage economy. MassBudget's new chartpack, Higher Learning, Lower Funding: The Decline in Support for Higher Education in Massachusetts finds that state support for public higher education has fallen 25% since FY 2001. As state support has decreased, tuition and fees have gone up, shifting the cost onto students and their families. Higher Learning, Lower Funding also finds that: Between 2001 and 2013, the cuts to higher education funding in Massachusetts were larger than 43 other states. The amount we spend per pupil is slightly below the national average If our state budget included an additional $940 million for public higher education, we would be right at the national average in terms of the share of our economy spent by the state on public higher education. Looking at public higher education spending in this way - namely, as a percentage of our total economic resources - gives a better sense for our capacity to make additional investments Read HIGHER LEARNING, LOWER FUNDING: THE DECLINE IN SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN MASSACHUSETTS In addition to this report on higher education, MassBudget is also releasing its annual assessment of education funding in Massachusetts, "Census Data Shows Massachusetts has Untapped Capacity to Invest in Public Education."    Using the latest Census data on state-by-state education spending, we find that: As with public higher ed., Massachusetts devotes a smaller portion of its total economic resources to K-12 education than most states.    Per-pupil spending for K-12 students in Massachusetts is relatively high (the fact that Massachusetts is a high-income state means that it can spend more than others on a per-pupil basis while still using a smaller percentage of the state's total resources) Read CENSUS DATA SHOWS MASSACHUSETTS HAS UNTAPPED CAPACITY TO INVEST IN PUBLIC EDUCATION  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

This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by nberger@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

In the News: toiletries drive, candidates night

Franklin Police sponsor drive for the homeless and veterans

The Franklin Police Department is sponsoring a toiletry drive for the month of October.

Franklin Candidates Night scheduled for Oct. 23

A Candidates Night featuring the four contested races set to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot has been slated for later this month.

Live reporting: Town Council - Oct 2, 2013

Present: Dellorco, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: Powderly


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none

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

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
● Saville M. Bennett
recognition for being the oldest Franklin resident at 103. She was awarded the Boston Post Cane

Saville M. Bennett, Town Council Chair Robert Vallee, Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri

● FISH of Franklin
volunteer group being recognized with Oct 16th as FISH of Franklin Day in appreciate for 40 years of volunteer service
508-528-2121, the FISH hotline

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Philip Gelineau, resident
read the M Tota article about the Library Board of Directors that had canceled the Book Sale
the event is a wonderful event, a three day event in October, performed all by volunteers
It would be a shame for this to go away as it is no cost to the Town

Steve Sherlock spoke to remind he Councilors of his offer to
provide information to the community via an iterview with any of the candidates so that the voters can make an informed decision

E. APPOINTMENTS
none

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Franklin Lodge #2136 Bene. and Prot. Order of Elks, Inc.
Bissanti, Dellorco recuse themselves due to affiliation with the Elks Lodge


H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
none

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
none
.
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Harvest Festival
Police entrance exam, Jan 18th, info on line

L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
Mercer - request information on the Book Sale to be brought to a future agenda
Nutting - there is no October sale, there may still be one in the Spring but there won't be one now


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mercer, Mon night FHS 5:00 PM for a walk through with the building Committee
Vallee - another Top50 rating came out without listing Franklin, I plan to make some noise about that.


P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn

The set of documents released for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/100213.pdf

Harvest Festival - map and directory

Thanks to the Downtown Partnership's talented friends at the Local Town Pages -- Franklin newspaper, this handy map will help you find what you're looking for at the upcoming Harvest Festival this Sunday, October 6. 

You can find the map in the paper this Wednesday, pick up a copy at the Festival or click here to download and print a copy.

For more about the Harvest Festival, visit the Franklin Downtown Partnership webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Teen Book Club: Graceling

The Library's Teen Book Club is setting up to read and discuss the Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Get your copy to read now and discuss the book on Oct 30th at 6:30 PM

For additional info on the book, check this wikipedia link  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graceling

or the author's webpage http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/


This re-posts what was on the Franklin Library page http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2013/10/teen-book-club-graceling.html

Franklin Election - 2013

The collection of posts covering the Franklin local election to be held on Nov 5, 2013

Precinct totals
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/precinct-totals-for-nov-5th-election.html

Election results
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/franklin-election-results-nov-5-2013.html

Voices of Franklin: Powderly - Appoint the Treasurer/Collector
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/voices-of-franklin-powderly-appoint.html

Conversation with Judy Pfeffer
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/conversation-with-judy-pfeffer.html

Conversation with Andy Bissanti
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/conversation-with-andrew-bissanti-town.html

Conversation with Brett Feldman
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/conversation-with-brett-feldman-town.html


Milford Daily News - Candidate Profiles

• DelFino and Feldman (Part 1)
• http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/candidates-for-town-council.html
• Pfeffer, Bissanti, Jones, Kelly, Padula, Williams (part 2)
• http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/candidates-for-town-council-part-2.html

Candidate Forum - cable replay schedule
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/candidates-forum-replay-schedule.html

Candidates Forum held on Oct 23, 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/candidates-forum-oct-23-2013.html

What one question would you ask the candidates?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/what-one-question-would-you-ask.html

Election line up set
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/franklins-election-lineup-set.html

Milford Daily News status update
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/eleven-residents-had-pulled-papers-to.html

Offer to candidates for election
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/offer-to-candidates-for-election.html

Treasurer/Collector ballot question text
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/proposed-ballot-question.html

Election timeline
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/franklins-local-election-timeline.html