Companion Caregiver Program available

Have you considered the companion caregiver program currently offered by the Franklin Senior Center?

The grant funded program is designed to provide full time caregivers who are 60 years of age and older, some respite care from one of our trained companions. It is designed for the caregiver caring for someone with a major medical illness or dementia. We can offer 2-4 hours per week for each family.

While currently focused on caregivers over 60, there is hope that with continued success of the program, and additional grant funding, it may be expanded to include those caregivers under 60 who are also providing care for their senior parents and relatives.

The program flyer is shown here. You can download and print your own copy.



For other services offered by the Senior Center, you can visit the Senior Center online
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

Women in Negotiation: internal views and external responses

Tuesday, January 14

6:30 PM

Learn how a woman’s internal views on negotiation, and her own negotiation style, may have an impact on her personal and professional life.


GUEST SPEAKER: Jennifer Lampi
A specialist in negotiation techniques, Ms. Lampi has worked closely with Professor Linda Babcock, author of Women Don’t Ask, researching the impacts of gender on negotiation. At Accenture, she has advised teams, coached female executives, and trained people on how to practice and utilize different negotiation techniques.


Location: Dean College - Campus Center.
Free parking on campus at 100 West Central Street, Franklin

FREE ADMISSION

RSVP alumni@dean.edu

SPEAKER’S FORUM - Franklin Water Supply

SPEAKER’S FORUM

The first in a series of public speaking engagements hosted by the Franklin Odd Fellows:
Franklin Water Supply Presentation

Presenter: Laurie Ruszala, Water and Sewer Superintendent

Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Franklin Public Library, Community Room (Downstairs)


Agenda:

1. General Overview of water system and regulatory agencies
2. Production
3. Treatment
4. Distribution
5. Water Quality
6. Cross Connection
7. Meter Reading (water conservation/waste)
Questions and Answer Period

Information from the town website:

Currently the Town of Franklin obtains its drinking water from 12 groundwater supply wells. In addition to the 12 water supply wells, the Town operates 6 booster pump stations, 6 water storage tanks, over 2,000 hydrants, 157 miles of water main and approximately 9,000 water services. The Town of Franklin sanitary sewer system is comprised of 137 miles of sewer pipe, over 3,400 manholes and 23 pump stations.

www.franklinmassoddfellows.org

"a celebration at the restaurant when it reopens"

The kitchen at Guru will need to be re-done and take up to 4 weeks due to the fire on Sunday.

The manager of the Guru Bar and Grill said Tuesday the Main Street restaurant will remain closed for up to four weeks after a grease fire on Sunday tore through its kitchen. 

Sandeep Sidhu said the restaurant, which opened at 30 Main St. a little more than a year ago, sustained heavy damage to the kitchen, though he had not received a complete estimate from his insurance company. 

The dining room sustained minor smoke damage, he said. And indeed, the stink left in the two-alarm fire’s wake was still fresh there on Tuesday afternoon.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x407167000/Main-Street-restaurant-in-Franklin-closed-after-Sunday-fire#ixzz2pnoajWdX

"regulations tighten the town’s rules on smoking in public places"

The proposed regulations are set for a public hearing today at 10:00 AM.

The Board of Health’s public hearing on new tobacco regulations, written by Health Director David McKearney, is set for Tuesday. 

The three-member board will meet at 10 a.m. at the Municipal Building, 355 East Central St. 

The regulations call for raising the legal age to purchase tobacco products to 19 and establish a tobacco and nicotine delivery products permit, administered by the board. The town has never had a local tobacco permit, though businesses selling tobacco products must still acquire a license from the state Department of Revenue.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/blog/healthconscious/x407166500/Franklin-Board-of-Health-hearing-on-tobacco-regs-slated#ixzz2phzM2RNJ

You can read the proposed regulations here:




Or find this document on the Franklin Board of Health webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_HealthNews/01C3F009-000F8513 

(Note: The BoH revised their proposed regulations and posted the new set (1/23/14), took down the old. You'll need to figure out what the difference between the two sets are, there are no revision marking on the new document.)
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_HealthNews/01C7D47D-000F8513

Children's Center - Open House Tours - Jan 14th

The Children's Center at Dean College will be holding Open House tours on Tuesday, January 14th.

Details in the postcard shown here:

Dean College Children's Center - Open House Tours

For more about the Children's Center you can visit their webpage here
http://www.dean.edu/pre_school.aspx

Annual Report 2013: Housing Authority

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The following Officers were duly elected at the annual organizational meeting of the Franklin Housing Authority held on April 8, 2013.
George A. Danello, Chairman
Christopher K. Feeley, Vice Chairperson
Peter L. Brunelli, Treasurer
Mark A. Teehan, Assistant Treasurer
John R. Padula, Commissioner

Commissioner Peter L. Brunelli and Commissioner John R. Padula have served on the Board for many years. During their service, they were instrumental in assisting the housing authority receive five ‘Outstanding Agency Awards’ from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials MassNAHRO), including the most recent for obtaining a duplex for the affordable housing of single, low-income persons in the Franklin area. Both Commissioners have been highly respected for their diligent work in providing safe and affordable housing to persons of low income.

Commissioner Brunelli left the Board after serving 18 years and Commissioner Padula left the Board after 22 years of service. Sincere thanks to both from the Franklin Housing Authority.

Diane Padula-O’Neill has been sworn in by the Town Clerk as a new commissioner for the housing authority. We look forward to working with Commissioner O’Neill in the upcoming year.

FHA STAFF
Lisa M. Audette, Executive Director
Candice Day, Administrative Assistant
Carole Blanchard, Office Assistant
Michael Gilligan, Maintenance Supervisor
Frank McAvoy, Maintenance Laborer
James Brunelli, Maintenance Groundskeeper
Anne Ayotte, Service Coordinator

Three highly regarded staff members retired from their positions in the past year. Melva Jackson worked as Office Clerk for 12 years. Diane Lamoureux worked as Office Assistant then Administrative Assistant and retired after 16 years. William Pizzi work as Maintenance Laborer for 10 years. The best of health and happiness is wished for their retirement years.

Modernization of the Franklin Housing Authority Properties
A Contract for Funding Assistance from the Department of Housing & Community Development for the purpose of repairing components of the aged agency for their fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. Several projects were completed using this very timely and important funding including the following: 667 development - roof replacement, catch basin repairs, electric panel replacement, installation of GFCI outlets and common room furniture replacement. 200 and 705 developments – roof replacement, concrete repairs and drain repairs. 689 development received new appliances.

Also, Franklin Housing Authority was awarded $22,500 in Health & Safety funds for the placement of the community room floor, foyer floors and stair treads. The Auditor’s Office did an audit of the modernization and procurement activity since 2010. After 3 months of review, no mistakes were found.

FHA Property
The Franklin Housing Authority manages 161 units of State Aided Elderly/Disabled Housing, 33 units of low income Family Housing and an 8-unit Group Home. Additionally, the Housing Authority is responsible for a four bedroom congregate facility. This program provides a shared living environment for its residents who maintain private bedrooms. Congregate housing was established for residents who are self-reliant, however may need limited support.

Franklin Housing Authority also owns two single family homes and one duplex in Franklin. These properties are reserved for lease to low-income persons and afford these families the opportunity to reside in a residential neighborhood.

Additionally, Franklin Housing Authority is hoping to develop another Chapter 689 housing facility. Chapter 689 housing is reserved for mentally challenged adults and will be overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. We have secured a suitable site for this development on Plain Street. Approval has been granted from the Town of Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals and the Design Commission. We anxiously await funding for this very important development.

Special Events Noted with Appreciation
• Rotary Club members served their annual spaghetti dinner to FHA residents and area seniors complete with all the fixings. Commissioner John Padula was the head Chef and also provided some entertainment. Rotary members cooked, served, entertained and picked up after. Rotarians always comment that the smiles and the kind words of appreciation received make their time and efforts very rewarding.
• Boy Scouts of America – Troop 126 - Eagle Scout Candidate Lucas Barrett constructed an agency sign and went on to achieve Eagle Scout status.
• Franklin Youth Hockey League – Under the supervision of Ryan Jette and parents, the Franklin Youth Hockey League raked and removed leaves from the FHA Senior property. About 60 volunteers worked to remove over 100 bags of leaves.

Special Thanks
The Board of Commissioners, Staff and Residents of the Franklin Housing Authority wish to express their thanks and appreciation to the following:
• The Clergy, a continuous support and comfort in the time of need and always.
• Franklin Senior Association Members:
Suzanne Wade, President
Linda Doonan, Vice President
Joyce Hutchinson, Treasurer
Evelyn Pelletier, Secretary
Evelyn Mucciarone, Member at Large
This Association plans pizza parties, holiday gatherings, morning coffee and donuts, card parties and many more events for the enjoyment of all Franklin Seniors.
• Chairman Bob Vallee and all of the Franklin Town Council Members, Town Administrator, Jeffrey Nutting and his staff for their continued support and assistance.
• Council on Aging, Veterans Agent, SHINE Program and Food Pantry for assisting residents with health care concerns and working with the Authority to recognize needs and provide activities, nourishment and specialized services.
• Franklin Police Department, Chief Semerjian and the entire Franklin Police Department for continuous concern, attention and response to the needs of the Authority and its Residents.
• Franklin Fire and Rescue, Chief Gary McCarraher and his department are always professional and respectful.
• Senator Karen Spilka, Senator Richard Ross, Representative Jeffery Roy, U.S. Congressmen Joseph Kennedy III and Senators Elizabeth Warren & Edward Markey for their relentless support of the Housing Programs and Bills with the best interest of our residents at heart.
• Governor Patrick for his support of Massachusetts public housing.
• Norfolk County Sherriff’s Department and Sherriff Michael Bellotti for including FHA in their inmate community service program.
• Dean Bank for the donation to our Senior Community Hall and Senior Tenants Group.

Through the years, the community and the housing authority are finding ways to improve the quality of life for our area seniors and low-income families. With the support of the Commissioners and the community the Franklin Housing Authority continues to be a great, safe and affordable community living opportunity.

Respectfully submitted,
Lisa M. Audette, PHM, Executive Director

Franklin Municipal Building

The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2013report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/