Set your calendar: HMEA is a Finalist in Nationwide Contest to win new Toyota

HMEA has made the news again!!!

Now you can help!!

Please save this Saturday October 19^th to vote for HMEA at www.100carsforgood.com so we can win a new Toyota to support our Meals on wheels program. This is our program where supported individuals with disabilities and staff deliver meals to home – bound seniors and veterans here in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Read about it here

http://www.milforddailynews.com/newsnow/x1868850520/Franklin-based-HMEA-named-finalist-in-Toyota-100-Cars-For-Good-program

This is the only day that you can vote for HMEA sp please be sure to do so and to share with your family and friends who have Facebook pages so they can vote for us too.

There are only 5 charities selected for that day and the top two receiving the most votes get the Toyota vehicle of their choice!!

In fact you can log in right now and set a reminder to be sent to you!!

Thank you for your support.

Take care,

Doug MacPherson

Vice President, Development and Public Relations

HMEA, 8 Forge Park East

Franklin, MA 02038

(508) 298-1105

Help us win a Toyota Sienna!

On October 19, search for Horace Mann and vote  at www.100carsforgood.com

For more about HMEA and the work they do, please visit their webpage  http://www.hmea.org/

Franklin Education Foundation - Casino Night - Nov 2, 2013

Details on the Franklin Education Foundation - Casino Night - Nov 2, 2013 can be found in this PDF:

"concerns regarding a proposed development for Cook’s Farm"

The Town Council meeting will be an interesting one tonight given the reporting in the Milford Daily News today on a pre-meeting between the Citizens Committee and at least one member of the Planning Board..

Both the council and Citizens Committee believe the proposed development offers aesthetic and financial benefits to the town. 

However, Planning Board Chairman Anthony Padula opposes the project, saying it does not suit that area and could burden the town with increased traffic and costs if it results in more school-aged children. 

Padula said a smaller project — nine homes at most — would be a better fit for the parcel.
But Citizens Committee Chairman Larry Benedetto said the Cook’s Farm proposal presents several opportunities that the town cannot ignore. 

That area, he said, is viewed as a "gateway to Franklin," and Roux’s development, with its high-end condos, serves as a better welcome sign than a farm dotted with dilapidated buildings.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x825421699/Franklin-Cook-s-Farm-project-debated-one-last-time#ixzz2hsNuTBq4

Related articles on the Cook's Farm proposal
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/contrary-to-theory-of-smart-growth.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/the-council-should-not-approve.html

In the News: mattress fundraiser, Cars for Good

FHS music boosters plan mattress fundraiser, Oct. 19

Part of Franklin High School will be transformed into a mattress showroom on Saturday, Oct. 19 as the Franklin Music Boosters sponsor a unique fundraiser that has been very successful with other music and sports programs locally.

Franklin-based HMEA named finalist in Toyota 100 Cars For Good program

In a nationwide contest, Franklin-based organization Horace Mann Educational Associates (HMEA) was selected as one of 250 finalists in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program, which will award vehicles to 100 nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public.

Franklin High School - construction progress

Starting around the back, where the finish work on the outside is taking place

backside of the new FHS

exterior finish trim being added to the stairwell

finish work on exterior trim

full view of backside of FHS

The front corner which holds the principal's office is now a 'blue tower'

the blue tower

corner view of the front

two more 'towers' along the front being bricked

brickwork on the front of FHS

And finally to the far end where the gymnasium is located

gymnasium

The collection of updates on the new FHS can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

Senior Center - Veterans Breakfast - Nov 8, 2013

Contact the Senior Center to sign up  508-520-4945

Veterans Breakfast - Nov 8, 2013

Additional info on the Senior Center and its programs can be found on their webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

In the News: pumpkin carving, hire technician, i495 crash

Pumpkin carving contest planned in Franklin

The Franklin Historical Museum is hosting a Pumpkin Carving Contest on Sunday Oct. 27.

Franklin School Dept. looks to hire new tech position

The School Department is requesting $30,000 to hire an additional technology specialist, saying the position will help with the transition into the new high-tech Franklin High School.

Two sent to hospital after crash on I-495 in Franklin

Two people were taken by ambulance to Milford Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries on Monday morning after a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 495.

Fire Dept - Open House (photo essay)

The Fire Dept held its annual Open House on Sunday at Station #2 on King St. I stopped by just before noon and Chief Gary McCarragher said that it had been real busy since it first opened at 10:00 AM.

The Fire Dept has an equipment rotation practice where a vehicle will serve on the front line for some number of years and then move to a 'reserve' status. In reserve status it is put into service if repairs are needed on the front line equipment. This enables the Fire Dept to maintain a high level of service at all times.

Franklin Rescue 1

The quarterly performance report for the Fire Dept is available on their webpage. The most recent can be found here  http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/Q1%2014%20Dashboard.pdf

Prior quarter reports can be found here  http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/Quarterly%20Performance%20Scorecard

Franklin Engine 2

A complete set of pictures of the two fire stations and all the equipment the Fire Dept has please visit their webpage here  http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/stations

Equipment lined up in front of Station #2

This vehicle is currently targeted for replacement and the vote is scheduled for the Town Council meeting this Wednesday, Oct 16th. You can view the full agenda for the Town Council meeting here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-oct-16.html

Franklin Rescue 3

Some of the tools of the trade are laid out for display.

some of the tools of the trade

Thanks to the Chief and all the members of the Fire Dept for their hard work and attention to detail in keeping Franklin safe!

Franklin Art Association - Fall Show - Nov 16-17, 2013

The prospectus and application for artist looking to show their works in the Fall Show for the Franklin Art Association can be viewed (and downloaded) here.

The Fall Show is scheduled for the weekend of Nov 16-17 and will be held at the Bellingham Library.





Additional information on the Franklin Art Association can be found on their webpage
http://www.franklinart.org/

"part of an Italian tradition"

Did you know Franklin has a school that teaches you how to make wine in the Italian tradition? This article in the Milford Daily News introduces us to Bob Vozzella and La Cantina Wine School.

On Saturday, Professore di Vino Vozzella, as he has taken to calling himself, taught a group of students how to press the grapes, which had fermented a couple of weeks within special tubs. The wine would be a zinfandel. 

Wearing black T-shirts with the words "Crush Crew," they were scooping the rich violet grapes into the press. The work left their hands covered in the same color. 

Robert Alario, one of the pupils, enrolled at Vozzella’s school to relive some of his childhood. "I use to make wine with my father," the 59-year-old Fitchburg resident said. "This brings back incredibly fond memories."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868850256/Franklin-man-uncorks-wine-school#ixzz2hh0inIaS

You can find out more about the wine making school by visiting their webpage
http://lacantinawineschool.com/

Rep Roy: Office Hours for October 2013

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

• Franklin – Wednesday October 23rd, 5:30-6:30PM, Room 205, Franklin Municipal Building – 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA
• Medway – Friday October 25th, 7:30-8:30AM, Galantes Restaurant – 320 Village 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, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Oct 16, 2013

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– August 7, 2013

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

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS
- Ichigo Ichie – Reconsideration of Penalty for Violation of M.G.L. 138 §34:
Sale, Delivery of, Furnishing of an Alcoholic Beverage to a person under the age of 21

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
– Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace- New Wine and Malt Package Store License

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-70: Acceptance of Easement for Public Sidewalk on Property at 411 West Central Street
2. Resolution 13-71: Adoption of FY 2014 Budget - Amended
3. Resolution 13-72: Authorization to Appropriate Premium
4. Resolution 13-73:Transfer from Water Enterprise and Rescind Borrowing Authority (Resolution No. 10-66 Appropriation Funding Sources)
5. Resolution 13-74: Appropriation: Chapter 90 Fund
6. Resolution 13-75: Appropriation: Administration GASB 45 Actuary Study
7. Resolution 13-76: Appropriation: FY 2014 School Department Budget
8. Resolution 13-77: Appropriation: FY 2014 Fire Department Expenses
9. Resolution 13-78: Appropriation: Ambulance Purchase FY 2014
10. Resolution 13-79: Appropriation: Roads/sidewalks/drainage/stormwater/and infrastructure, and all costs incidental and related thereto
11. Resolution 13-80: Appropriation: Senior Center Stabilization Fund
12. Resolution 13-81: Appropriation: Operating Budget Stabilization Fund
13.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-719: Amendment to Chapter 185of the Town Code, Attachment 9. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements – 2nd Reading
14.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-720: Amendment to Chapter 185, §4. Districts Enumerated – 2nd Reading
15.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-721: Amendment to Chapter 185, §5. Zoning Map- 2nd Reading
16.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-722: Amendment to Chapter 185, §50. Residential VII Zoning District – 2nd Reading
17.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-723: Amendment to Chapter 185, Use Regulation Schedule – 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

The documents released for this meeting can be found online here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/101613.pdf

Reminder: Fire Dept - Open House - Today

Fire Station #2 on King St will be the site of the open house today. The Open House starts at 10:00 AM and completes by 2:00 PM with food and refreshments from Papa Gino's.

Tower #1

More about the Fire Dept can be found on their web page http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/index


Papa Gino's has two Franklin locations; 245 Franklin Village Dr and 267 East Central St

Last day to register to vote - Oct 16th

Biennial Town ELECTION NOTICE

DATE: TUESDAY, November 5, 2013

TIME: 6:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.

PLACE: FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL FIELDHOUSE ON OAK STREET - ALL PRECINCTS

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE: October 16, 2013 at 8:00pm at the Town Clerk’s Office, First Floor, 355 East Central Street, Municipal Building.


Absentee Ballot Information: Absentee ballots are now available in the Town Clerk’s office. A registered voter who will be unable to vote at the polls on election day due to the following reasons may vote absentee up to 12:00 noon Monday, November 4, 2013.
(1) absence from your city or town during normal polling hours; or
(2) physical disability preventing you from going to the polling place; or
(3) religious belief.

All absentee requests must be made in writing with an original signature (no faxes or e-mails are accepted). If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call Deborah L. Pellegri, Town Clerk, at 508-520-4900.




http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/2013%20Nov.%20absentee%20notice.pdf

In the News: fire muster

Wet fun at Cracker Barrel Fire Muster in Wrentham, continuing through weekend

Firefighters from Wrentham's and surrounding towns' fire departments had a fun, if wet, time Saturday at the 1st Annual Crackerbarrel Fire Muster Weekend at the Crackerbarrel Fairgrounds at the Wrentham Developmental Center on Emerald Street. The fun continues on Sunday, Oct. 13 and Monday, Oct. 14.