Public Meeting tonight - FinCom budget hearing schedule

Tonight the meeting you should participate in is the public meeting on the future of the Emmons St building. This meeting had been scheduled for earlier in Feb and was canceled due to one of the snow storms.

Emmons St building

The 7:00 PM meeting tonight will be held in the 3rd floor training room in the Municipal Bldg, 355 East Central St. The location usually means that the meeting will not be broadcast via local cable so participation in person would be required.

The Finance Committee would normally meet tonight. They are not meeting until next Tuesday, march 11 when they begin the budget hearing process for FY 2015. The current budget hear schedule looks like this:

Tuesday 3/11
Thursday 3/13
Thursday 3/20
Wednesday 3/26
Tuesday 4/1
Thursday 4/3

For the budget hearing, each department manager presents their budget needs and usually provides some good insights into how the department works and why the budget change is required.

Hockomock League Swimming All Stars

HockomockSports.com has published the Hockomock League All Star swimmers for both the boys and girls teams. Franklin was well represented on both teams.

Connor Bourgeois	Franklin
Nathaneal Hidden	Franklin
Chase Manning	Franklin
Austin Sholudko	Franklin

Molly Brown	Franklin
Colleen Proulx	Franklin
Leah Zogby	Franklin

The boys list can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/03/hockomock-league-boys-swimming-all-stars.html


The girls list can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/03/hockomock-league-girls-swimming-all-stars.html

Franklin High School  - home of the Panthers

A Great Excuse to Quit Early

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Knock off early!    On Friday, March 21st, we're quitting work early and hope you can too. Please come by to enjoy some basketball, have a drink, make a (re)connection... or all of the above! We're going to have fun and support the Franklin Food Pantry, because it's madness that donations should be so slow this time of year. Most needed item? Shaving supplies. Who knew?     Home court: Murphy Business Tip-off: 4:00pm Ticket price: Can(s) of shaving cream    It's a steal, a lay-up... no, a slam dunk! Let us know if you can join the fun and games.  Thanks!    SHAVING CREAM IS GOOD. SHAVING POINTS IS BAD. KINDLY COMPLY. ___________________________________________________________________  Murphy Business 15 East Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 508-440-5670

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"when I’m running it feels like my disability disappears"

Dick and Rick Hoyt, the father-son team that has competed in more than 1,100 marathons and triathlons, on Monday brought their message of determination in the face of overwhelming adversity to Annie Sullivan Middle School. 

"Yes you can," Dick Hoyt told nearly 500 middle-schoolers before he described how Rick, though bound to a wheelchair and unable to speak, has managed to graduate both high school and college and race in 31 Boston Marathons.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140304/NEWS/140309056

Franklin's Birthday Party (photo essay)

On March 2, 1778 Franklin came into being. It was incorporated as a town and remained a small town for many, many years. Then in the 1980's and 1990's the population growth hit great numbers. Entire farms disappeared into residential developments and the population has now settled around 30,000. Franklin operates as a city form of government but we still call ourselves "The Town of Franklin."

I missed Jamie Barrett who performed his special song "The City that calls itself the Town of Franklin". Last year, his performance was recorded and posted to YouTube




City or town, a birthday is a birthday and a cause for celebration!

birthday party sign outside the Museum

Franklin Historical Museum

Hat's off to Franklin

recognition for those who share March 2 as their birthday

Can you have a birthday without cake?

Franklin Historical Museum

You can also follow the Historical Museum on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038

or visit their webpage here http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/


Next Sunday, March 9th - you can get up to three items appraised. Details can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/02/appraisal-day-mach-9.html


For additional music by Jamie, check out his Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Jamiebarrettmusic

or his YouTube channel  http://www.youtube.com/user/Geetarmann/featured

Carnival at the YMCA - Fri, Mar 14

FRIDAY, MARCH 14TH, 2014
6:30-8:00pm — Activities

Get the kids out of the house and take a break from your crazy schedule!
Join us at the Y for a FREE night of fun!

Hockomock YMCA

• Face Painting
• Carnival Games
• Bounce House
• Popcorn
• and much more!

Contact Michelle Branche at michelleb@hockymca.org for more information.

No School Mar 5

The teachers have a professional development day and there is no school scheduled for this Wednesday, March 5th

Parmenter sign - no school March 5th

Sculpture Park in the snow

I extended my walk on Saturday to pay a visit to the Sculpture Park. The morning sun and the white snow would provide a nice setting for some good photos. The paths have not been cleared but the snow was hard enough to walk on top of so getting about was okay. The setting was really nice and the photos, well - you can tell me if they are good.

Split personality or two faced liar?

face side view

This is quite colorful in the snow

I know why he is raging. He wants to get out of the snow!

The bear's rage can be heard by the face!

footsteps on the bridge

delicate wrought iron

delicate wrought iron casting shadows

Oh, yes I can. Can you?

Where is the sculpture park?
On Panther Way just before you get to the Police Station and the Pirelli Ice Rink

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Mar 5, 2014

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 15, 2014, January 22, 2014

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
Hillside Nurseries

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- Application for a new Wine and Malt Package Store license by Jay Gayatri, Inc., dba Old Gold Convenience

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

• Auditors
• Michael D’Angelo, Director of Facilities
• Zoning Along Rt. 140

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-09:Appropriation - Sewer – East Central Street Pump Station Study
2. Resolution 14-10:Confirmatory Order of Taking – Land off Cottontail Lane
3. Resolution 14-11:Appropriation – Legal – Other Contractual Services
4. Resolution 14-12:Appropriation – Human Resources – Medical Expenses
5. Resolution 14-13:Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations

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

Franklin Municipal Building

The full set of documents as released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/03052014.pdf

Reminder: Public Meeting on Emmons St building - Mar 4

Friendly reminder: The public meeting to discuss the future uses of the Emmons St building, delayed due to a snowstorm in January, has been rescheduled for 7:00 PM Tuesday, March 4. 

Emmons St building

Please see the flyer below for details and plan to provide your input at this important meeting. 

flyer for public meeting on future of Emmons St building

Cake Bar's Girl's Night Out at the Clarke Culinary Center

The Cake Bar's Girl's Night Out at the Clarke Culinary Center. Well, the Clarke Center itself is gorgeous.

Clake Center

Basically, the event offers multiple cupcake/cake decorating classes/demos including: decorating two cupcakes with fondant, hand painting cakes, and how to prepare a cake for decorating from start to finish.

In addition, there's a hands on floral arranging demonstration from Hillside Nurseries in Franklin, catering by Whole Foods, wine by Pour Richards Liquors, and 13 other fashion/beauty vendors with retail products to peruse.

Other vendors include:

• Celedon Road
• 31 bags
• Scentsy
• Origami owl jewelry
• Pampered chef
• Handbag vendor
• Multiple jewelry vendors

Also, there will be access to massage therapists and reflexologists if interested. Tickets are $45.00 and need to be pre-purchased through the link provided below.

All the supplies, food, two glasses of wine, and classes are included in the price.

Girl's Night Out

Additional information can be on Facebook, which also includes the link for tickets https://www.facebook.com/events/1464078827153374

The direct link for tickets - http://clarkeculinarycenter.com/class_turinese_girlsnightout.html

Come celebrate Franklin's birthday

The 80 residents whose birthdays fall on March 2 recently received invitations, sent by the town clerk’s office, for a special party at the Historical Museum. 

They are to be the guests of honor at a Sunday shindig celebrating their hometown’s 236th birthday. 

Everyone is invited to the party, though, which starts at 1 p.m. at the museum, 80 West Central St. 

Members of the Historical Commission have been cutting a cake for the town for the past three years, as a way to garner more attention and respect for its long history.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140302/NEWS/140309632/1994/NEWS 

Franklin Historical Museum

You can also follow the Historical Museum on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038

or visit their webpage here http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/

"state regulations include a long list of security measures"

A tall fence equipped with motion sensors will encircle the massive building in Franklin where New England Treatment Access Inc. plans to grow its supply of medical cannabis. 

Twenty-four hours a day, six security guards will patrol the Forge Parkway premises, also monitored by infrared cameras. 

Employees will pass through a secure checkpoint before beginning the workday. And all of the leftover plant waste they dispose of is to be mixed with rock, wool and paper, then ground to a pulp, making it useless should anyone gain access to the Dumpsters. 

"It’s not just for keeping criminals out, but keeping the employees who work for us honest, as well," said the company's executive director Kevin Fisher of the site's layered security.

You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140302/NEWS/140309584


Related articles on the medical marijuana facility to be located in Forge Park
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/in-news-medical-marijuana-tri-county.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/02/heavenly-haze-and-grapefruit-diesel.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/live-reporting-medical-marijuana-zoning.html
(Note the Town Council did pass the overlay for medical marijuana zoning)

April showers bring May runners to Franklin!

Ready to shake away those winter doldrums?

Get those running or walking shoes ready to go.

There are three weekends in May that you can run/walk or any combination that fits your schedule.

All three race/walks are fund raisers so you get to exercise and help a Franklin charity.
That sounds like a real winning deal!



Saturday, May 3 - 10:00 AM
The Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee will hold a fund raising 5K road race/walk
You can register for this race here  http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/race

Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee

Saturday, May 10 - 10:00 AM
The Franklin Elks will hold the "Elks Care Elks Share" Annual 5K Road Race & Walk
The Elks race will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and Wounded Warriors.
You can find information about the race on Facebook and register here
https://racewire.com/register.php?id=3650

Franklin Elks Care Elks Share

Sunday, May 18 - 9:00 AM
HMEA will hold their 13th Annual Independence 5K/Walk
You can register to run or walk (two different registrations) here
http://www.hmea.org/Get-Involved/special-events/2014-independence-5k-walk/index

Horace Mann Education Association

Franklin Named No. 2 Place for Homeownership in Massachusetts

After a string of Number 1 announcements, Franklin makes the Number 2 spot on this listing... still a worthy one!

NerdWallet, a consumer advocacy website, recently conducted a study to find the best places for homeownership in Massachusetts – and Franklin is in the top 10.

As renting becomes less affordable, NerdWallet wanted to give potential homebuyers a look at the current housing market. NerdWallet based its rankings on the following criteria:

• Homeownership rate

• Selected monthly homeowner costs

• Monthly household income

• Population growth

NerdWallet ranked Franklin as the second best place in Massachusetts for homeownership. The area has a homeownership rate of 79.3 percent, and median monthly homeowner costs are $2,366. Franklin grew by 2.4 percent between 2010 and 2012.

Other cities that made the top ten include Reading and Methuen. Read the full study online.
For more information about NerdWallet, visit www.nerdwallet.com.

In the News: Karen Purvis, unclaimed property, suspect held

Articles in today's issue of the Milford Daily News with connections to Franklin

When Karen Purvis received a phone call on Monday saying she would be going to the Oscars, she couldn’t believe it. 

"I was convinced it was some kind of prank," said Purvis, a Franklin mother of two. 

But it wasn’t a prank and Purvis will be on a flight early Saturday morning to be in Los Angeles in time for the Oscars on Sunday thanks to WCVB-TV and Oscar host Ellen DeGeneres, who sponsored the Facebook contest Purvis entered.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140301/NEWS/140309793/1994/NEWS

The State Treasurer's Office has released the latest tally of names added to the list of unclaimed property owners. 

More than 5,000 new properties in excess of $100 million combined are owed to individuals and businesses in the state, Treasurer Steven Grossman said in a press release Friday.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140228/NEWS/140226237/1994/NEWS

Go directly to the unclaimed property page www.findmassmoney.com

A Rhode Island man charged with attempted murder in connection with a November shooting is being held without bail following a judge’s ruling that he could pose a danger to the public. 

David Kennedy, was transported to Wrentham District Court last week from the Adult Correctional Institute in Cranston, R.I., where he had been held on unrelated charges.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140301/NEWS/140309796

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/28/14 - THU 3/6/14

FRI 2/28   10am   preK Art Class at Once Upon a Kiln, Bellingham. Registration required, $15.
FRI 2/28   10:30am   iStories for Kids, Franklin Public Library. Ages 3-6.
FRI 2/28   5pm-7pm   Teen Movie Night, Franklin Public Library. Teens only - Screening: The Mortal Instruments - City of Bones. Enjoy movie, popcorn, pizza and drinks.
FRI 2/28   6:30pm-8:30pm   Art Night Uncorked, Franklin Art Center.
FRI 2/28   7:30pm   Much Ado About Nothing Play, Dean College.


SAT 3/1   9am   Spring Baseball Clinic starts at Franklin High School.
SAT 3/1   1:30pm   Coffee & Craft for Adults (shamrock), Franklin Public Library.
SAT 3/1   6pm   Random Smile Project - 7th Annual Gala at RI Convention Center.
SAT 3/1   7:30pm   Much Ado About Nothing Play, Dean College.
SAT 3/1   8pm   Concert: Amy Black and Girls, Guns, and Glory, First Universalist Society Meetinghouse, Franklin, MA. $20

SUN 3/2   1pm  Mark Poniatowski Jazz for Kidz - FPAC Family Concert Series. Free event. 38 Main St., Franklin.
SUN 3/2   3:30pm   LiveARTS Concert: Boston Cello Quartet, Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society, Franklin, MA. For ticket info visit: www.liveartsfranklin.org
SUN 3/2   7:30pm   Much Ado About Nothing Play, Dean College.

TUE 3/4   7pm   Finance Committee Mtg., Franklin Municipal Bldg., Council Chambers, 2nd floor.
7pm  Public meeting on future of Emmons St Building, Franklin Municipal Bldg, 3rd Fl Training Room

WED 3/5   7pm   Town Council Mtg., Franklin Municipal Bldg., Council Chambers, 2nd floor.

THU 3/6   7:15pm   Conservation Commission Mtg., Franklin Municipal Bldg., Council Chambers, 2nd floor.

For more details on above events click HERE and select the event of interest.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Neighbor Brigade News

Newsletter - February 2014

• We're Growing

• Neighborhood News: Franklin

• Neighbor Brigade Named a Charitable Partner

• How does Neighbor Brigade enhance your caring community?

• Stay Tuned

"The cultivation of love that is growing as we come alongside our neighbors with Neighbor Brigade has not only transformed me, but many of the volunteers who are recognizing the importance of looking beyond their own lives to help another."

Linda Gagnon, Franklin, MA Chapter Co-Leader

We're Growing

Neighbor Brigade is pleased to announce the appointment of Claire Sheth as Director of Programs. In this newly established role, Claire is responsible for the operational success, quality control and evaluation of our chapter model and service delivery program, while providing training and ongoing support to the chapter leaders. Claire is taking a lead role in planning the growth and increasing visibility of Neighbor Brigade while working with chapter leaders to strengthen their roles in bringing services to those in need. Claire earned a master's degree in Nonprofit Management at the Milano School of Management at the New School for Research in New York City. While there she worked as a Program Manager for New York Cares -- the City's largest volunteer management organization.

Claire has since worked as a nonprofit management consultant with the Boston-based firm Technical Development Corporation where she provided strategic business planning and needs/organizational assessment assistance to New England-based nonprofits. She has also served as Deputy Director of Boston-based Generations Incorporated. While there she guided a strategic planning process that resulted in significant growth in the organization's quest to engage volunteers in the literacy needs of Boston Public School children. More recently, Claire has worked as an independent management consultant.

We are incredibly fortunate to have someone with Claire's depth of experience and talent join us at this critical stage to help guide and support our continued growth. We couldn't be more excited to have her join our team.

Neighborhood News: Franklin

The call to action that arises when a community confronts sudden tragedy is very apparent and thriving in Franklin, Massachusetts. In January, Neighbor Brigade volunteers in Franklin received a request to help a family after a seven and eight-year old brother and sister died in an accident. Linda Gagnon, Franklin chapter co-leader, was immediately contacted after the tragedy by a mutual friend who requested that Neighbor Brigade operate as the coordinator of centralized services on behalf of the family. Linda and her co-leader, Cheryl Ferri, immediately mobilized to field and manage offers of services from grief counselors, the HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response, and town businesses and residents looking to contribute and deliver food.

Often times, from the depth of tragedy something profound and amazing occurs within a community. This has indeed been the case in Franklin. Within the past month, Franklin chapter membership has doubled to nearly 200 volunteers and continues to rise. Linda said, "Since the tragedy, I totally see (our founder) Pam's vision at work. It is amazing to see the strength and compassion demonstrated by neighbors coming together as one. It is nothing short of incredible."

Neighbor Brigade Named a Charitable Partner

We are pleased to announce a new partnership between Neighbor Brigade and Canary, an innovative and user-friendly service that helps people buy and sell furniture and household items online locally. Canary takes care of photographing items and researching their value, writing and managing listings online, and finding credible buyers. The company, originally launched to serve Massachusetts' South Shore communities, has recently expanded into the MetroWest region.

Canary has a dual mission. The first is to help individuals, many of whom are downsizing and may have limited technology know-how, list and sell their unused household items. The second is to support local nonprofits by directing a portion of every sale to a selected group of community-based charitable organizations. "We have chosen Neighbor Brigade to be our newest designated charitable organization due to its vital and important role in providing direct-services to those in need in each of the communities it serves," said Mike Filbey, founder and CEO of Canary. "Neighbor Brigade's commitment to creating a network of volunteers to serve their own neighbors is strongly aligned with our mission to support the community that supports us."

Please share this news of Canary's expansion and partnership with Neighbor Brigade. To learn more and utilize this convenient service while designating Neighbor Brigade your charity of choice, visit gocanary.com.

How does Neighbor Brigade enhance your caring community?

Neighbor Brigade provides a blueprint for community residents to create and maintain volunteer networks to help their neighbors in crisis. Our proven chapter model is quickly and easily replicated. Neighbor Brigade provides our chapter leaders with established volunteer management systems, online tools, templates and training. We utilize an innovative volunteer management software platform and shoulder the costs related to ongoing support and maintenance. Our staff provides our chapter leaders with valuable training in volunteer management and software utilization, as well as ongoing support, outreach materials and technical resources that are critical to the strength and effectiveness of a chapter.

Neighbor Brigade establishes a safety net within a community, and our organization follows protocols and makes expenditures to ensure the security of our volunteers and service recipients. Our staff allocates time to process CORI checks on volunteers to best protect our recipients. Equally as important, we purchase and carry liability insurance coverage to safeguard our volunteers and recipients.

We are extremely grateful to our donors; it is due to your financial support that we can provide technical resources and assistance to communities.

Stay Tuned

Please follow us on social media; share ideas and experiences with other members of the Neighbor Brigade networks through Twitter and Facebook. We are more than an organization. We are a movement and our virtual Neighbor Brigade communities are a means by which we can share our stories and encourage participation by others who are waiting to follow our lead.

Do you have any feedback or suggestions for the new year? Please share your thoughts with us by sending an email to info@neighborbrigade.org or phoning us at 781.325.8580. We love to hear from our community members.

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neighbor brigade | p.o. box 248 | lexington, ma 02420 | 781.325.8580
 www.neighborbrigade.org | info@neighborbrigade.org