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Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Senator Spilka: Updates from the State House
In the News: testing equipment, Sunday sales, FHS performance
ProVerde has purchased most of its testing equipment from Waters. The Franklin location, while not ideal, has given DesLauriers and Hudalla a place to refine the many procedures, from testing for heavy metals to creating profiles for different strains.
The marijuana they have used as samples came from licensed caregivers or people with permission from their doctor to use it, such as DesLauriers, because their staff cannot legally handle the drug. The state Department of Health has not released guidelines yet for the laboratories.Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140311/NEWS/140319564/1994/NEWS
On voice vote and without debate, the House last Wednesday approved a bill (H 228) that would legalize Sunday morning alcohol sales starting at 10 a.m. - two hours earlier than allowed under current law.
...
The bill, also sponsored by Rep. Kevin Kuros (R-Uxbridge) and Rep. Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk), is now before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules, chaired by Sen. Stanley Rosenberg of Amherst.
Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140310/NEWS/140319683/1994/NEWS
Franklin High School students will perform "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" on March 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. at the Horace Mann auditorium, Oak Street.
Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.
Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140311/NEWS/140319568/1994/NEWS
Monday, March 10, 2014
Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - first Budget Hearing - Agenda
Franklin gets the budget hearing season underway Tuesday evening with the Finance Committee meeting at 7:00 PM in the 3rd Fl Training Room.
The listing of the mostly small and central administration budgets to be reviewed on Tuesday can be found here. The actual budget document has not yet been posted to the Franklin webpage. Once it is available, I will share it.
What is the budget process?
Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator (TA) and Susan Gagner, Town Comptroller, gather all the requirements from each of the departments and make a recommendation. The working budget document usually displays the last several years of budget for each department, this years request, and then the TA recommendation.
The Finance Committee does its review of the budget meeting with each of the department managers to get into a detail discussion of their operation as it relates to the budget. What is driving the increase (if any)?
After the Finance Committee hears all the budget details, it makes its recommendation to the Town Council. The Town Council used to go through a similar process of meeting with the department heads but the last couple of years has gotten away from that. They simply read the budget line items, a member has an opportunity to put a 'hold' on any item which they then come back to for a discussion.
So if you do want to find out what is really in the budget, you need to follow the Finance Committee meetings. This is where the details are revealed.
Dept - Budget - Page
Employee Benefits 910 G-10
Human Resources 152 A-21
Town Council 111 A-1
Town Administrator 123 A-2
Finance Committee 131 A-4
Comptroller 135 A-5
Assessors 141 A-10
Treasurer/Collector 147 A-14
Legal 151 A-19
Appeals Board 176 A-37
Central Services 196 A-50
Animal Control 292 B-56
Parking Meter 293 B-58
Memorial Day 692 F-12
Cultural Council 695 F-13
Debt 710/750 G-1
General Insurance 945 G-22
The listing of the mostly small and central administration budgets to be reviewed on Tuesday can be found here. The actual budget document has not yet been posted to the Franklin webpage. Once it is available, I will share it.
What is the budget process?
Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator (TA) and Susan Gagner, Town Comptroller, gather all the requirements from each of the departments and make a recommendation. The working budget document usually displays the last several years of budget for each department, this years request, and then the TA recommendation.
The Finance Committee does its review of the budget meeting with each of the department managers to get into a detail discussion of their operation as it relates to the budget. What is driving the increase (if any)?
After the Finance Committee hears all the budget details, it makes its recommendation to the Town Council. The Town Council used to go through a similar process of meeting with the department heads but the last couple of years has gotten away from that. They simply read the budget line items, a member has an opportunity to put a 'hold' on any item which they then come back to for a discussion.
So if you do want to find out what is really in the budget, you need to follow the Finance Committee meetings. This is where the details are revealed.
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| Franklin Municipal Building |
Dept - Budget - Page
Employee Benefits 910 G-10
Human Resources 152 A-21
Town Council 111 A-1
Town Administrator 123 A-2
Finance Committee 131 A-4
Comptroller 135 A-5
Assessors 141 A-10
Treasurer/Collector 147 A-14
Legal 151 A-19
Appeals Board 176 A-37
Central Services 196 A-50
Animal Control 292 B-56
Parking Meter 293 B-58
Memorial Day 692 F-12
Cultural Council 695 F-13
Debt 710/750 G-1
General Insurance 945 G-22
Franklin Newcomers Club: Jeffrey Roy to speak
From the Franklin Newcomers Club:
When and where does the Newcomers Club meet?
The meeting will be in the upstairs function room at '3' Restaurant Wednesday, Mar 12 at 7:30 PM. Light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages will be available as will a cash bar.
'3' Restaurant
461 West Central Street, Franklin
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| Franklin Newcomers Club |
Our March speaker is our own State Representative, Jeffrey Roy. In addition, he is Chairman of the Master Plan Committee for an updated vision of Franklin. He will join us to speak about the vision for Franklin and to take any questions about what's new and exciting in our town. If there are any specific items that you would like him to address (i.e., any bills of interest at the State House), send him an email prior to our meeting at Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov and he will be sure to address it that night.
When and where does the Newcomers Club meet?
The meeting will be in the upstairs function room at '3' Restaurant Wednesday, Mar 12 at 7:30 PM. Light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages will be available as will a cash bar.
'3' Restaurant
461 West Central Street, Franklin
Hockomock League Basketball All Stars
Hockomocksports.com has announced the girls basketball all stars
To see the full listing of all stars
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/03/hockomock-league-girls-basketball-all-stars.html
Hockomocksports.com has announced the boys basketball all stars
To see the full listing of all stars
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/03/hockomock-league-boys-basketball-all-stars.html
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| Franklin High School - home of the Panthers |
Price Reduced - How to Hire a Top Performing Salesperson
In our series on what businesses are based in Franklin, here is an email with an offer for help with your human resources needs.
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Sunday, March 9, 2014
RBWA - new term for the day (photo essay)
There is a management practice called 'managing by walking around' or MBWA. When I worked in a distribution center, responsible for the supply and inventory, this was critical to our success. By walking around, I was able to see folks in operations and if they had any questions, I could begin to address them right there on the spot.
For my regular readers, my weekend walks provide me the same opportunity. One to see what is going on in and around Franklin. Two to capture some of the sights so I can practice my photography and be able to share with you what I find. Come along as I do my "reporting by walking around" this time.
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| future home of Franklin TV |
Located on Hutchinson St, the new Franklin TV studios are under construction. There will also be a small garage and studio building added to the property directly behind this one.
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| Nason St playground tree shadows |
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| Nason St playground |
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| Nason St side view of playground |
The Nason St playground is one of the better ones I have seen in providing some shade. There is a balance between sunlight and shade but the Dacey Field playground is not usable when in direct sunlight as the equipment heats up in the sun. The tree shadows (even without leaves) show there is some sun cover available here.
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| Making whoopie |
In addition to the Cake Bar (which also was originally located in this space before moving downtown), Making Whoopie bakes all sorts of decadent whoopie pies. Some big, some small, all delicious!
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| Emmons St building |
The building was the subject of Tuesday's meeting. There will be more discussion before a decision is made. The building was originally a school and renovated to become the municipal building. The Town Council chambers were located in the left section looking at it from here. As one of the prime spots entering downtown Franklin what is will be is a good discussion.
More photos will be shared from my walk on Saturday. As the weather gets better, I'll schedule some time for a you to join me on the walk. We can meet somewhere around town at 9:00 AM and spend some time walking and talking.
Representative Roy Announces Office Hours for March
State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced today that constituent office hours will be held in Medway and Franklin for the Month of March on the following days:
Medway – Saturday March 22nd, 9:00-10:00AM, Coffee Sensations – 116 Main St. Medway, MA
Franklin – Thursday March 27th, 9:00-10:00AM, Franklin Food Pantry – 43 W Central St. Franklin, MA
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| Franklin Food Pantry |
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.
Make a placeholder: Last walk through of FHS - TBD
via Facebook from Ed Cafasso:
Good morning everyone. As a member of the Building Committee for the new Franklin High School, I wanted to let you know that there are plans in the works to have an open house at the current high school after this academic year ends. Many FHS alumni are hoping for a last chance to walk the halls. As soon as a date and schedule are finalized, I will be sure it's posted here.
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| Beatles mural in H wing of FHS |
Franklin can use your help
May be you have just the background and interest to help on one of the following Committees:
If you are interested in serving on the committee, please complete the form (shown in the link below) and return to the Town Administrator's Office.
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01B2AF2D-000F8513.0/TOWN%20OF%20FRANKLIN%20VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf
- Library Board of Directors - Felicia Oti 508-520-4940
- Franklin Housing Trust Fund - Maxine Kinhart 508-553-4886
- Zoning Board of Appeals - Send letter of interest and resume to Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, 355 East Central Street
If you are interested in serving on the committee, please complete the form (shown in the link below) and return to the Town Administrator's Office.
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01B2AF2D-000F8513.0/TOWN%20OF%20FRANKLIN%20VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf
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| Franklin Municipal Building |
Summer Camps Around Franklin, MA
Looking for a summer camp in Franklin, MA area? Renata has the answers for you.
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| Summer camps |
Many registrations are open now. Check out her listing of Franklin area summer camps
http://franklinliving.blogspot.com/2014/03/summer-camps-around-franklin-ma.html
Casino Night - Franklin Youth Baseball - Mar 21
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| Franklin Youth Baseball |
Franklin Youth Baseball (FYBO) is holding a Casino Night on March 21.
Tickets are $20 in advance and can be purchased from any board member.
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| Franklin Youth Baseball |
Find Franklin Youth Baseball on the web here
http://www.franklinyouthbaseball.com/
or on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Youth-Baseball-Organization/297843190245685
In the News: assault at Dean
Police arrested a 20-year-old man on Friday after receiving a report of a sexual assault at Dean College.
Connor W. Elliott, 20, of 55 Pinewood Road, Plymouth, was charged after police were called by Dean College at 10:55 a.m. to address a report of an assault.
Elliott was charged with rape, indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over and assault and battery, police said.Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140308/NEWS/140306694
Note: The MDN website is still experiencing script errors and inconsistencies. While they may be trying to implement a 'paywall', they are having trouble doing so. I will keep the paywall and my readers experience in mind as I think about how to handle this situation.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Citizen Advisory - Fraud Alert
The Franklin Police Department would like to remind all citizens to be cautious of any phone
calls, mailings or individuals who knock at your door and request that you provide personal
information, data or ask that you send money by any means such as a gift card, debit card, money order or check to any person, entity, business or company that you do not have a personal knowledge of, or a business relationship with.
We cannot stress strongly enough just how clever and deceitful these individuals who are trying to get your money from you can be. They will telephone you repeatedly hoping to engage you in conversation because as long as they can keep you talking they may be able to get you to provide them the information they want.
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| Franklin Police |
Let me give you an example. Franklin Detective's are currently involved in an investigation where, innocently enough, the victim provided Franklin as their hometown. The caller, who had identified himself as an FBI agent in an attempt to gain the confidence of the victim stated that he knew the Franklin Police Chief and provided my name. All of this information is available via computer and was obviously searched while talking on the phone.
This "FBI agent" has repeatedly called the victim back and the caller ID now shows the 528-1212 phone number of the Franklin Police which is also easily done by using computer applications. Again, be very cautious as these callers have no conscience or remorse for what they are trying to do.
They will represent themselves as a representative of a Government Agency, Insurance Company, a Bank, a Law Enforcement Agency, or tell you that you have won a prize or anything else to gain your trust. They are aided by computer applications and programs that will automatically dial phone numbers, screen or disguise who they really are and where they are calling from in an effort to get you to disclose personal information about yourself or to send them money through and untraceable means to an untraceable location.
The bottom line is this. If you have doubts or concerns at all about anyone who calls or otherwise contacts you looking for information or promising you anything that you have no knowledge of hang up the phone and immediately call your local police department.
Stephan H. Semerjian, Chief
To subscribe you can sign up here http://town.franklin.ma.us/subscriber-news
This was also posted to the Franklin Police webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PoliceNews/01CD9EDC-000F8513.0/Fraud%20Alert%202014.pdf
Spring forward!
Remember to turn the clocks ahead one hour tonight!
The wikipedia page has some good background info on Daylight Savings Time
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time
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| Spring forward one hour |
The wikipedia page has some good background info on Daylight Savings Time
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time
Reach Out For Youth and Families Breakfast
Good Morning Healthy Futures Franklin!
Attached is an invitation to our Reach Out for Youth and Families Breakfast. The Hockomock Area YMCA's annual Reach Out for Youth in Families Breakfast benefits our Annual Campaign. This year's breakfast is on Thursday, March 27th at Gillette Stadium (Putnam Club). I hope you can join me as a guest and hear the powerful stories of our Y's impact and how our number one priority is being there for our community.
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| Hockomock Ymca |
Through our Annual Campaign, our Y supports youth, adults, seniors, and families on a daily basis. Whether a family has been stricken with an illness and finds themselves needing childcare or a sports class to keep the children busy, or an older adult finds themselves looking for a way to connect with others and find social interaction, we are there for all ages. We do not turn away anyone from YMCA services or programs, regardless of their ability to pay. Our Health Innovation Team specifically works with our partner school districts and community groups in increasing physical activity and nutrition and supporting individuals with, or at risk for, a chronic disease through our Healthy Futures Initiative and our Prescription for a Healthy Lifestyle Program. Our Adventures in Respect and Darkness to Light Initiatives are a couple of the other powerful ways in which our Y gives back to our local partners and community members.
In 2013, we gave out over $1.5 million in financial assistance. All of that stayed in our 15 communities, directly helping kids, families and adults that needed it most. This year, our goal is to raise over $1 million as we expect the need in our communities to continue.
I hope you will consider joining me on Thursday, March 27th as we kick off this year's campaign and continue to support our efforts to help even more kids and families through our 2014 Reach Out for Youth and Families Campaign.
Please forward to anyone you think would be interested in joining us at the breakfast and I ask that you either RSVP to me or the email/phone number included on the invitation (realimpact@hockymca.org or 508-643-5278). If you cannot make the breakfast we are having our post event in Franklin at 3 Restaurant on April 1st.
Hope to see you there!
Marissa L. Garofano MPH, CHES
Director of Community Wellness
Hockomock Area YMCA
Library - Book and Bag Sale - Mar 15-16
The monthly Library Book and Bag sale is scheduled for next Saturday and Sunday, Mar 15-16
For additional info on Library events visit their blog here http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/
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| Franklin Library - Book and Bag sale |
For additional info on Library events visit their blog here http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/
In the News: job gains for MA, upskirt law revision
Massachusetts posted its largest single-year jobs gain in 2013 since the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. But it still has an unemployment rate above the national average.
The state’s employers added 55,200 jobs in 2013, the biggest annual gain since 2000 when the economy grew by 95,500 jobs.
But the state also shed 4,500 jobs in January. The state finished January with an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent, according to data released Thursday morning, a drop from 7.1 percent a month earlier, but still higher than the 6.6 percent national average.Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140307/NEWS/140307277/1994/NEWS
Governor Deval Patrick on Friday signed a bill passed by the Legislature to close a loophole in state law that the Supreme Judicial Court said made it legal to take cellphone pictures up a woman’s skirt.
“I’m hard-pressed to think that a person doesn’t have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their own clothes,” Sen. Brian Joyce, D-Milton, said after the Senate unanimously passed an amendment sent over from the House that now makes it illegal for someone to photograph the “sexual or other intimate parts” of an unsuspecting person.
“It’s sad and somewhat bizarre that we even have to pass such a law,” Joyce said. “Clearly there are some twisted individuals.”Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140307/NEWS/140307275
Note: if the Legislature had craft the previous law properly, the Supreme Judicial Court would not have been in a position to overturn it. It is good to see the Legislature turn around so quickly. They can really accomplish something when they want to.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 3/7/14 - THU 3/13/14
FRI 3/7 6:30pm Art Night Uncorked, Franklin Art Center.
FRI 3/7 7pm Culinary Cabaret, Clarke Center Milford. $75 - tickets available here: www.fpaconline.com
SUN 3/9 1-4pm Antique Appraisal Day, Franklin Historical Museum. 1-3 items, $5 per item.
SUN 3/9 3pm FSPA performs with MetroWest Symphony Orchestra, Framingham. Tickets available here: www.metrowestsymphony.org
TUE 3/11 7:30pm Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Meeting, open to public, Franklin YMCA.
7:00pm Finance Committee - FY 2015 Budget Hearing (1st of a series) Municipal Bldg
THU 3/13 7:00pm Finance Committee - FY 2015 Budget Hearing (2nd of a series) Municipal Bldg
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
National Defense Authorization Act: What Would Benjamin Franklin Do?
From Rich Aucoin:
For those interested, below is the text of the speech I delivered before the Franklin Town Council last night.
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What Would Benjamin Franklin Do?
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is routine legislation passed annually to finance US military operations overseas.
But new language was quietly added to the NDAA in 2012 which authorizes Guantanamo Bay-style indefinite detentions on US soil.
The new language is dangerously vague and strongly implies that America is now a "battlefield" in the war on terror and that anyone, including US citizens, can now be denied constitutional protections and be subjected to the laws of war: kidnapped in the middle of the night on accusation alone, hooded, shackled and locked away possibly for life with no right to counsel, no right to face her accuser, no right to a jury of his peers.
So dangerous is this new language that President Obama issued a signing statement promising that his administration would never indefinitely detain Americans under the laws of war but warned that future presidents could do so unless the new language is fixed.
Benjamin Franklin's famous quote comes to mind: "They who sacrifice essential liberty to gain temporary safety shall have neither."
Franklin and the Founders took great pains to guarantee the Rights of due process and trial by jury. They carefully enumerated these Rights in both our state and federal Constitutions to ensure they could never be nullified.
To ensure these Rights would live on forever, the Founders devised a system of checks and balances, a constitutional structure of human "pillars" to uphold the rule of law. All elected office holders, including local councilors like yourselves, were to swear an oath to protect and defend constitutional governance. If at any time state or federal officials failed in their pillar duty, then the local pillars would be a last line of defense, standing by ready to take up the load and save the structure from collapsing. Each of you is a pillar in this system. Each of you bears the duty to stand up when other office holders stand down. Some local officials in other towns have claimed they do not have the authority to uphold constitutional government. But if so, why did they swear to uphold something that they did not have the authority to uphold?
The resolution I will be bringing supports constitutional government by reasserting the Right of Due Process for the people of Franklin, as enumerated in Articles 12 and 18 of our state Constitution and Amendments 5 and 14 of the US Constitution.
Congressman Jim McGovern has voiced strong support for this resolution, helping it win passage in towns like Oxford and Webster. Representatives Jeff Roy (D) and Ryan Fattman (R) have also stood up for this resolution.
Everyone watching this meeting knows how Benjamin Franklin would vote if he were here today. I am asking you to vote how Franklin would vote. I am asking you to honor his legacy. I am asking you to defend both liberty AND security. I am asking you to be a pillar for the rule of law to ensure that our children and their children will inherit the same America that we were blessed to inherit. I am asking you to keep your oath.
The draft resolution can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/proposed-resolution-restoring.htmlRead Across America
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| Senator Karen Spilka |
On Tuesday, March 4th, the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School in Franklin celebrated Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss' birthday. Teachers and students dressed in red and white and participated in many Dr. Seuss-related activities throughout the day. Various members of the community came to visit and read aloud in classrooms. We are honored to have so many guest readers visit our school and share in our celebration of reading! The event was organized by reading specialist Karen LaPlaca.
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| Representative Jeff Roy |
Guests included: Senator Karen Spilka; Representative Jeff Roy; Officer Chris Spillane of the Franklin Police Department; Town Administrator Jeff Nutting; Mrs. Karen Alves from the Franklin Senior Center; Paul Molla from the Franklin Fire Department; School Committee member Roberta Trahan; Franklin Town Council members Steve Williams, Matt Kelly, Brett Feldman, & Judy Pfeffer; Allison Medeiros from the Franklin Public Library; Raye Lynn Mercer & Nick Paone from FSPA; Don Tappin & Joe Mullen from the BFCCPS Board of Trustees; former Head of School Dr. Kevin O'Malley; founding teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Henderson; & eighth grade teacher Mrs. DiMartino and baby Ryan
More photos can be found at the Charter School website www.bfccps.org.
Franklin Downtown Partnership has a few dates to remember
The Franklin Downtown Partnership has set the dates for this year's events and general meetings.
Contact information for the chairperson for each of the events can be found under the Events tab located on the Downtown Partnership webpage.
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| Franklin Downtown Partnership - 2014 event dates |
For additional information on the Franklin Downtown Partnership, visit their webpage here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/
Thursday, March 6, 2014
What is the public need?
The 2.5 hour Town Council meeting on Wednesday covered many topics. One of the more contentious was the license application for the 'last' beer/wine license currently available. During the course of the discussion, it was revealed that
For a Town Council looking to foster local business, this decision doesn't make sense. You got to wonder what else might have been in their minds to vote no.
Fortunately, this is not over. There will be a new try for the applicant (assuming they decide to pursue it).
The detailed live reporting notes for the remainder of the meeting can be found here. Given the long meeting Tuesday and last night's long session. I have additional info to post and make available for both the Tue and Wed meetings.
- there are 13 or 16 beer/wine licenses in Franklin (does anyone really know the total?)
- only one is open at this time
- the amount is limited by population and reset with each census count every ten years
- there is some turn over of licenses from time to time due to business (one business could close freeing up the license)
- the open one arose from the Davita Market obtaining the full alcohol license and they gave back the beer/wine license
- the applicant filed their interest in November 2013
- the applicant only came up now due to the meeting schedule and having worked out some details on the application itself
- the applicant has been up for a license before, when the prior beer/wine license was advertised, they were one of three and did not end up with it
- the public need is the primary reason for consideration of the license
- competition (i.e another liquor store across the street is not to be considered, legally)
- the applicant has been operating since 2001
- the applicant did not obtain their license request by a 5-4 vote
- this current license will be advertised, the applicant may re-apply
- the applicant may also appeal the council decision to the state ABC commission
For a Town Council looking to foster local business, this decision doesn't make sense. You got to wonder what else might have been in their minds to vote no.
Fortunately, this is not over. There will be a new try for the applicant (assuming they decide to pursue it).
The detailed live reporting notes for the remainder of the meeting can be found here. Given the long meeting Tuesday and last night's long session. I have additional info to post and make available for both the Tue and Wed meetings.
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| Franklin Municipal Building |
Elks Care Elks Share 5K Road Race & Walk
The Second Annual
Elks Care Elks Share 5K Road Race & Walk
to benefit the
Franklin Food Pantry & Wounded Warrior Project
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014
FRANKLIN ELKS
1077 Pond Street
FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
Registration: 9:00 AM Start: 10:00 AM
Help Support the Franklin Food Pantry and
Wounded Warrior Project
· Post race refreshments, giveaways, raffles, and prizes
· T-SHIRTS available to runners that register online. While supply lasts.
· REGISTER NOW to get your T-SHIRT!!!
· Run or Walk Route - 5K loop of paved roads
· Awards given to top three male & female finishers in each age group
· Professional Race Timing by RaceWire
· Giveaways, raffles, and prizes
· Follow us http://www.facebook.com/FranklinElksAnnual5K
"the last one available"
In a memo to the council, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said he’d prefer professional offices, which create less traffic, for the south side as opposed to commercial development.
"Professional office space helps the tax base without the heavy traffic counts, noise, etc., found with commercial development," he said, adding the Planning Board could issue a special permit for offices.
Nutting also urged councilors to consider the recent condominium development for the Cook’s Farm property on East Central Street, saying it could create additional traffic on Rte. 140.
Rezoning the residential zone on the north side of Rte. 140 for commercial use, he added, may create the perception of an "extended strip mall" from one end of Franklin to the other.Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140306/NEWS/140307915/1994/NEWS
Note: The Milford Daily News is implementing a 'pay wall' for their website. They had recently changed their website and it has been riddled with bugs. Hardly a day goes by where I encounter no errors on the page (and this occurs across multiple browsers so it is not just one issue). The amount of material shared from their webpage may decline. I'll need to consider subscribing. If I do subscribe and continue to link to their material, it will also 'force' you to consider subscribing. I have stopped sharing articles from the Boston Globe for the same reason. That was an easier decision as they rarely had an article that covered Franklin. MDN has more articles but does not have something every day.
For the 2.5 hour meeting, the decision to move the zoning of RT 140 to the Economic Development Subcommittee took less than a minute. For complete coverage of the meeting, you have come to the proper place.
In the News: Oscar trip, mock trial, former astronaut
After a whirlwind weekend of limos, glimpses of celebrities, an awards dinner and even taking a twirl around Ellen DeGeneres’ studio, Franklin’s Karen Purvis said she still can’t believe it all happened.
“It was absolutely amazing, I was really in awe,” Purvis said on Wednesday after she returned from a weekend in Los Angeles attending the Oscars.
Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140306/NEWS/140307918
Wayland and Franklin high schools are among the 16 named regional finalists in the 29th annual High School Mock Trial Program presented by the Massachusetts Bar Association.
The "Sweet 16" teams will now compete in trials this week. Eight winners will emerge and compete next week for a chance to reach the Final Four semifinal elimination round, where four teams will compete during trials held simultaneously on March 20 in Boston and Worcester.
Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140305/NEWS/140308057
Former astronaut Susan Kilrain spoke to Dean College students.
Throughout her presentation, at times thrilling and funny, Kilrain had the more than 100 people in Dean’s Campus Center rapt. Speaking with a Southern drawl, she walked them through every detail of her second mission to space in July 1997.
As she closed, her message to students was concise and, she admitted, cheesy: shoot for the stars and strive to do what you love.
"Do what your passionate about, but keep it realistic," she said.
Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140306/NEWS/140307920
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Proposed Resolution: RESTORING CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE RESOLUTION OF FRANKLIN, MA
As mentioned during the citizens comment for the Town Council meeting, this is a draft of what Rich Aucoin discussed:
RESTORING CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE RESOLUTION OF FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
WHEREAS, the Town of Franklin, Massachusetts is not a “battlefield” subject to the “laws of war;” and
WHEREAS, Federal Judge Katherine Forrest has ruled Section 1021 of the 2012 NDAA unconstitutional;
WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that neither Congress nor the President can Constitutionally authorize the detention and/or disposition of any person in the United States, or citizen of the United States “under the law of war” who is not serving “in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger;” and
WHEREAS, for the purposes of this resolution, the terms “arrest,” “capture,” “detention under the law of war,” “disposition under the law of war,” and “law of war” are used in the same sense and shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 2012 NDAA, Section 1021(c); and therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that notwithstanding any treaty, federal, state, or local law or authority, enacted or claimed, including, but not limited to, an authorization for use of military force, national defense authorization act, or any similar law or authority enacted or claimed by Congress or the Office of the President directed at any person in the Town of Franklin, who is not serving “in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger,” it is unconstitutional, and therefore unlawful for any person to:
a. arrest or capture any person in Franklin, or citizen of Franklin, within the United States, with the intent of “detention under the law of war,” or
b. actually subject a person in Franklin, to “disposition under the law of war,” or c. subject any person to targeted killing in Franklin, or citizen of Franklin within the United States; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin requests the Massachusetts State Legislature recognize the duty of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to interpose itself between unconstitutional usurpations by the federal government or its agents and the inhabitants of this Commonwealth, as well as the duty to defend the unalienable natural rights of the people, all of which is consistent with our oaths to defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts against all enemies, foreign and domestic; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin, requests our Congressional delegation commence immediately with renewed efforts to repeal the unconstitutional sections of the NDAA, towit,
sections 1021 and 1022, and any other section or provision which will have the same or substantially the same effect on any person in the United States not serving “in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger;” and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin requests our Congressional delegation to introduce, support, and secure the passage of legislation which clearly states that Congress not only does not authorize, but in fact prohibits the use of military force, military detention, military trial, extraordinary rendition, or any other power of the “law of war” against any person in the United States not serving “in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger.”
Recognizing our duty to defend the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as recognizing the duty of the people to protect our unalienable natural rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as articulated in the Declaration of Independence, we, the Town Council of the Town of Franklin, Massachusetts, do hereby adopt this resolution.
RESTORING CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE RESOLUTION OF FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
WHEREAS, the Town of Franklin, Massachusetts is not a “battlefield” subject to the “laws of war;” and
WHEREAS, Federal Judge Katherine Forrest has ruled Section 1021 of the 2012 NDAA unconstitutional;
WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that neither Congress nor the President can Constitutionally authorize the detention and/or disposition of any person in the United States, or citizen of the United States “under the law of war” who is not serving “in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger;” and
WHEREAS, for the purposes of this resolution, the terms “arrest,” “capture,” “detention under the law of war,” “disposition under the law of war,” and “law of war” are used in the same sense and shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 2012 NDAA, Section 1021(c); and therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that notwithstanding any treaty, federal, state, or local law or authority, enacted or claimed, including, but not limited to, an authorization for use of military force, national defense authorization act, or any similar law or authority enacted or claimed by Congress or the Office of the President directed at any person in the Town of Franklin, who is not serving “in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger,” it is unconstitutional, and therefore unlawful for any person to:
a. arrest or capture any person in Franklin, or citizen of Franklin, within the United States, with the intent of “detention under the law of war,” or
b. actually subject a person in Franklin, to “disposition under the law of war,” or c. subject any person to targeted killing in Franklin, or citizen of Franklin within the United States; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin requests the Massachusetts State Legislature recognize the duty of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to interpose itself between unconstitutional usurpations by the federal government or its agents and the inhabitants of this Commonwealth, as well as the duty to defend the unalienable natural rights of the people, all of which is consistent with our oaths to defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts against all enemies, foreign and domestic; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin, requests our Congressional delegation commence immediately with renewed efforts to repeal the unconstitutional sections of the NDAA, towit,
sections 1021 and 1022, and any other section or provision which will have the same or substantially the same effect on any person in the United States not serving “in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger;” and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the Town of Franklin requests our Congressional delegation to introduce, support, and secure the passage of legislation which clearly states that Congress not only does not authorize, but in fact prohibits the use of military force, military detention, military trial, extraordinary rendition, or any other power of the “law of war” against any person in the United States not serving “in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger.”
Recognizing our duty to defend the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as recognizing the duty of the people to protect our unalienable natural rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as articulated in the Declaration of Independence, we, the Town Council of the Town of Franklin, Massachusetts, do hereby adopt this resolution.
Live reporting - closing
old business
no bylaw for parking hours
Nutting - I would like to come forward with a comprehensive measure to cover the parking meters, etc.
new business
will come forward wit h a draft resolution
Aucoin - we should assert as a town, I did attend the meeting when you were all sworn in
the draft resolution shares elements of both the Federal and State constitutions
Jones - could we include a public hearing for the final beer/wine licence?
Nutting to advertise, or discuss it first? (discuss)
Bissanti - I would like to get the RFP moving for Pond St as soon as possible
Cerel - can't do a general RFP, need to be specific
there needs to be some specific inputs required
Nutting - we can bring Norma to show what is required?
Cerel - preliminary expression of intent is nonbinding
on for next meeting
Comments
Pfeffer - acknowledge B Swenson passing for service at the Library
Senior Center showing a movie on loosing one's sight, Mar 26th
motion to adjourn
live reporting - legislation
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
2. Resolution 14-10:Confirmatory Order of Taking – Land off Cottontail Lane
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
3. Resolution 14-11:Appropriation – Legal – Other Contractual Services
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
a result of legal issues ongoing, we need some funds for legal expenses
4. Resolution 14-12:Appropriation – Human Resources – Medical Expenses
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
budget over expended or will be by the hiring of the four firefighters via the grant
5. Resolution 14-13:Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
snow and ice removal, we have exceeded the budget, when we have a final number we will come back to move money from free cash
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