Stamp Out Hunger - May 10

Now's the time to fill your food donation bag and get ready for the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 10. Just leave your bag of non-perishables by your mailbox on May 10 and the Franklin letter carriers will pick it up and deliver it to the Franklin Food Pantry. For more information, including a list of items most needed by the Food Pantry, visit here.

Show your support for the Franklin Food Pantry and the Franklin letter carriers in the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive by changing your Facebook profile photo this week to the campaign’s logo!

Stamp Out Hunger - May 10

The current needs of the Franklin Food Pantry
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/04/franklin-letter-carriers-help-franklin.html

Additional info on the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive   http://www.helpstampouthunger.com/

All Night Party: Bottle/Can Drive - May 10th

Bottle and Can drive to be held THIS Saturday, May 10^th, at the Franklin High School from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM (rain or shine – in the parking lot). 

The bottle/can drive will help raise funds for the All Night Party. This is the final fundraising event for this year's party. 

Just in case you aren't entirely familiar with the All Night Party, it is a substance-free party that is hosted by parents at the high school for the graduating seniors. There are activities from 11:00 pm - 5:00 a.m. 

This event provides the graduates with non-stop activities, unlimited food and drinks, and they have the opportunity to win fantastic prizes. 

This is such a wonderful event of which 90+% of the students attend and thanks to approximately 500-700 volunteers and lots of fundraising we are able to pull it off!

the new Franklin High School under construction

Representative Roy Announces Office Hours

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

Medway – Saturday May 24th, 10:00-11:00AM, Medway Public Library, Cole Room A – 26 High Street, Medway, MA 02053 

Franklin – Thursday May 29th, 4:00-5:00PM, Spruce Pond Creamery – 370 King Street, Franklin, MA 02038

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: Finance Committee - Agenda - May 6, 2014

The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers.


Call to Order
Citizens Comments
Approval of Minutes


Items for Action:

Snow and Ice Transfer
Recreation Transfer
Wachusett/Upper Union St. house demolition transfer
Central Services Transfer

Old Business
New Business
Adjournment




You can also find this agenda on the FinCom page of the Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/

Franklin Municipal Building

SNETT 5K road race start (video)

The race results were shared on Sunday. Here is video showing the start of the 5K race funding raising for the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee.

runners just before the start of the race

For the results posted here on Sunday follow this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/05/snett-5k-race-and-walk-results.html


For photos of the finishers as they approached the finish line, check out this set of photos on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157644097625247/

These photos are all licensed under Creative Commons, they are available for download, for non-commercial use with attribution.

Franklin Brochure Info - Deadline May 9th

If you operate a business in Franklin and are not yet a member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, this would be a good reason to consider joining.

Dear business members,
 
My name is Terri Frank and I'm the Communications Coordinator for the Downtown Partnership. I'm pleased to be the membership coordinator for our exciting new Franklin Brochure and Map. Due out this summer, the map will showcase all the reasons why Franklin is a great place to live, work and visit.
 

Franklin Downtown Partnership

All 2014 business members will get a Free listing in the brochure. Please fill out and return the attached form by May 9 if you would like your free listing or would like to advertise. Please reply to my e-mail address at Terrifrank1@gmail.com. There are 4 levels of participation to choose from, and the advertising space will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.  The business name, website and phone number you provide will be your listing in the brochure.
 
I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the brochure, the listings, or the ads (while they last).
 
Best regards,
 
Terri Frank
FDP Communications Coordinator
terrifrank1@gmail.com

The form referenced can be found here

Information on how much the membership costs can be found here

http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/membership-info.html

For residents, it is only $25 to join!

Happy birthday Horace Mann!

Horace Mann, the father of American education, was born here in Franklin, MA in 1796.

The monument along RT 140 at the edge of the Shaw's Plaza marks Horace's birthplace.

Horace Mann birthplace monument - Shaw's Plaza

The Mann family grave in the cemetery here in Franklin is not where Horace lies. Horace's grave is in the North Burial Ground in Providence, RI. I managed to go exploring last year to find the site and take these photos.

Horace Mann grave site - Providence, RI

Horace Mann grave site view

Stop by the Franklin Historical Museum. They have prepared an updated exhibit on Horace Mann.

The 6 main principles of the Common School are shown

Horace Mann - principles of the 'Common School'

These principles stand the test of time:

(1) the public should no longer remain ignorant; (2) that such education should be paid for, controlled, and sustained by an interested public; (3) that this education will be best provided in schools that embrace children from a variety of backgrounds; (4) that this education must be non-sectarian; (5) that this education must be taught by the spirit, methods, and discipline of a free society; and (6) that education should be provided by well-trained, professional teachers. 

For additional info on Horace Mann, check his page on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Mann


The Franklin Historical Museum is open

• Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
• Thursday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM 
• Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

If you do find yourself in Providence with time to explore the North Burial Ground, it is a fascinating place. The info on how to find Horace Mann's grave site can be found on this link:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=664

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 7

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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
– Disabilities Commission - Martha Murray

F. HEARINGS – 7:10 PM
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728-R: Industrial to Single-Family III
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732: Amendment to the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Section 21. Parking, Loading, and driveway requirements
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-733: Zoning Map changes from Commercial I to Downtown Commercial District in an Area on or Near Alpine Row
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-734: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Josephine Street
5. Bylaw Amendment 14-735: Chapter, 25, Personnel Regulations, Appendix A and Appendix B

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Available Alcoholic Beverages(Package Store) Licenses

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-32: Appropriation: Wachusett/Upper Union House Demolitions
2. Resolution 14-33: Appropriation: Recreation – Expenses
3. Resolution 14-34: Appropriation: Postage
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728-R: Industrial to Single-Family III-1st Reading
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732: Amendment to the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Section 21. Parking, Loading, and driveway requirements- 1st Reading
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-733: Zoning Map changes from Commercial I to Downtown Commercial District in an Area on or Near Alpine Row-1st Reading
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-734: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Josephine Street-1st Reading
8. Bylaw Amendment 14-735: Chapter, 25, Personnel Regulations, Appendix A & Appendix B-1st 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 here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050714.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building

SNETT 5K Race and Walk results

CJ Berg was the overall winner and Amy Strong took first among the female runners at the SNETT 5K Road Race on Saturday. More than 100 runners participated. An additional 30 or so chose to walk in the good weather.

Before the race, Rep Roy posed while chatting race strategy with Bob Amrich and Slyde (from the New England Revolution).

Rep Jeff Roy, Bob Amrich and Slyde

CJ Berg approaching the finish

Amy Strong, first female cruises into the finish

Complete results of the race can be found here
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/ma/May3_SNETTT_set1.shtml

There'll will be additional photos and the video of the race start posted on Monday/Tuesday

For more information about the SNETT and the efforts of the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, visit their website  http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

Earth Day - Franklin is cleaner

Many Franklin residents got together at Beaver Pond to pick up bags and head out to locations around town to clean up. They were rewarded with pizza at noon time as well as the satisfaction of a job well done.

tree saplings were available to take and plant

tree saplings available for planting

The crew that stopped to clean around Parmenter School left their bags for the DPW trucks to pick up later.

clean up bags at Parmenter School

It was a good day to be out and about. Thank you for taking part and making Franklin a cleaner place!

Kindergarten Information Nights Scheduled

FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION NIGHTS 

Announced 2014-2015

(Parents/Guardians only please)

The principals at each elementary school invite parents to join them for a tour and information session. This adult-only event provides parents and guardians with information about a typical kindergarten day and helps you prepare for the transition. Families with children eligible for kindergarten should plan on attending the session at their child's home school.

• J.F. Kennedy Elementary May 15th 6:00 pm
• Parmenter Elementary May 21st 6:00 pm
• Jefferson Elementary May 22nd 6:00 pm
• Helen Keller Elementary May 15th 6:00 pm
• Davis Thayer Elementary May 22nd 6:00 pm
• Oak Street Elementary May 28th 6:00 pm

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin High School; Hockomock results

Baseball

Franklin, 1 @ Oliver Ames, 3 - Final - Zane Byrne tossed six inning for the Panthers, allowing five hits and just two walks. He struck out two and allowed just one earned run and went 2-3 with two doubles at the plate.

FHS Panthers

Softball

Franklin, 7 @ Oliver Ames, 1 - Final - Brie Flaherty led the charge offensively for Franklin, going 2-4 with a three run home run and four RBI, Elizabeth Criscione was 2-4 and Maddie Connelly scored two runs and had an RBI. Sabrina LoMonaco picked up the win with just one walk, four hits and sevens strikeouts. Oliver Ames' Victoria Ziner was 2-4 with a run scored and Kayla Soucie was 2-3 with an RBI.

Tennis
Franklin, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 1



ᔥ http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/05/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-050214.html

Friends of Franklin Library - Annual Meeting -- May 7

The Friends of Franklin Library will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room, located on the first floor of the library. 

The Friends is a nonprofit group advocating on behalf of both the library and the library's many loyal patrons. In the past year, the FOFL has helped fund the purchase of books and ebooks as well as furniture in the Children's Room. Also, the organization recently established a scholarship for college-bound graduates of Franklin High School. 

All are welcome to attend the annual meeting, whether you're a member or just a fan of America's first public library.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friends of the Franklin Library * P.O. Box 147 * Franklin, MA  02038 * fofl02038@gmail.com

Benjamin Franklin statue at the Franklin Public Library

Senator Spilka: Updates from the State House

MAY 2014 Dear Steve, Spring is finally here! The State House has been buzzing with activity, including Marathon events, advocacy days, tours and visits from constituents. We are also continuing our work on legislation and starting the process of crafting the state budget for Fiscal Year 2015, which begins July 1st. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions or need my assistance at (617) 722-1640, or email me at Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov. For more updates, visit my website, follow me on Twitter and "like" my Facebook page. Warm Regards, Senator Karen E. Spilka 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk http://www.karenspilka.com MAY OFFICE HOURS Senator Spilka or a member of her staff will be available to answer questions and address concerns at district office hours: Friday, May 16th 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. The Golden Spoon 85 W. Main Street Hopkinton 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Coffee Haven 76 Railroad Street Holliston 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Sunnyside Cafe 24 Front Street Ashland EVENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT GreenUp Ashland Stone Park Pavilion Saturday, May 3rd 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. This annual Earth Day event is an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends while cleaning up parks and neighborhoods in the community. Click here for more information. Holliston Spring Stroll Saturday, May 3rd Jordan Hall 725 Washington Street 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Visit Holliston local businesses as part of the Holliston Business Association's annual Spring Stroll. More details here. Natick Farmers' Market Opening Day Celebration Natick Common Saturday, May 10th 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Celebrate the return of spring with live music, fresh produce, baked goods, local cheeses and crafts. The Farmers' Market is every week beginning on Saturday, May 10th. For more details, click here. Franklin Beautification Day Saturday, May 17th 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Join the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club to plant flowers across town for the 11th annual Beautification Day. Volunteers will meet at 9:00 a.m. in front of the Rome Restaurant. For more information, click here. Medway Pride Day Saturday, May 17th 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Medway Middle School Field Show your Medway community spirit and spend time with family, friends and neighbors at the 20th Annual Pride Day. More details here. Hopkinton Garden Club Annual Plant Sale Town Common Saturday, May 17th 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Buy beautiful plants, flowers and herbs on the Town Common while supporting the Garden Club's beautification, conservation and education efforts. More details here. Framingham History Center House Tour Sunday, May 18th 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Explore historic homes in Framingham and learn about the town's cultural history. For details and tickets, click here. APPLY FOR IMPACT FRAMINGHAM GRANTS Impact Framingham supports important community projects to enhance the civic, educational, recreational, cultural and benevolent interests of Framingham and its people. Learn more here. SAVE THE DATE My annual Senior Health & Wellness Fair will be held at Keefe Technical School in Framingham on Saturday, October 18th, 2014. CONTACT ME Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka Room 320, State House Boston, MA 02133 Phone: (617) 722-1640  Fax: (617) 722-1077 www.karenspilka.com 118th Boston Marathon Marathon Monday was a beautiful day out in MetroWest, and the day's events were a perfect example, as always, of our shared commitment as a Commonwealth to freedom, perseverance and community connection. I had a great time kicking off the 118th Boston Marathon in Hopkinton with BAA Executive Director Tom Grilk and Representative Carolyn Dykema - it all starts here! Annual Marathon Wreaths Ceremony Every year, the Greek Consulate presents the Boston Athletic Association with beautiful olive branch wreaths to crown the winners of the Boston Marathon. The wreaths are grown, cut and hand-crafted in Marathon, Greece and are symbols of our connections to the original Marathon Run in Greece. They embody the spirit of the Boston Marathon: the spirit of freedom, democracy, peace and community celebration. As Hopkinton's sister city, Marathon, Greece has particular significance for all of MetroWest. I was proud to participate in the annual ceremony at the State House last month and catch up with Dimitri Kyriakides and his wife, Fay. Dimitri is the son of the famous Stylianos Kyriakides, who won the 1946 Boston Marathon and is known as the first runner for charity. The Caring Force Rally The Caring Force held a rally for human services at the State House last month. I was proud to stand with the advocates and providers and thank them for their tireless work every day for our state's most vulnerable and their families. These people provide critical services for individuals in our communities, including: people with developmental or physical disabilities, people with mental illness, children, elders, veterans, people who are homeless or poor and people who are abused. Child Welfare Advocacy Day The Children's League of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children organized an important gathering of advocates and providers of child welfare services at the State House last month. These are critical services keeping our children safe and strengthening our families and communities. I was pleased to welcome these terrific advocates and share updates on my work with Family Resource Centers, the Adoption Task Force and the conference committee working on domestic violence legislation. This event was also an opportunity for legislators to learn what many differnet private agnecies across the state are doing to help children and families. Franklin Students Tour the State House Representative Jeff Roy and I welcomed a group of 80 fifth graders from the Oak Street Elementary School in Franklin for a State House tour, including an inside look at the Senate Chamber, some building fun facts and Massachusetts history highlights. Legislative Updates Last month, we passed a bill to fund transportation infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth, just in time for spring construction season. A reliable, well-maintained transportation system is key for quality of life and economic development in our community and across the state. This bill supports many important projects in MetroWest and state-wide to address accessibility, safety and traffic issues. Read more about MetroWest projects in the bill here. The Senate also unanimously passed a bill to prevent and repair gas leaks in our state's natural gas pipeline. Natural gas leaks are a critical environmental issue, as well as a public health and safety threat. I am proud to support this legislation, which takes important steps to repair our aging infrastructure and reduce costs and dangers of gas leaks in our communities. Read more about the bill here.

Office of Karen Spilka | Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka, Room 511-C, State House | Boston, MA 02133

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Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 5/2/14 - THU 5/8/14

FRI 5/2   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked - Franklin Art Center

SAT 5/3   9am-12pm   Earth Day Clean Up and Yard Sale - Franklin Recreation Department
SAT 5/3   9am-12pm   Kennedy School and Cub Scouts Pack 126 Recycling Event (Bottles, cans and useable shoes)
SAT 5/3   10am  4th Annual Franklin and Bellingham SNETT Road Race
SAT 5/3   10am-1pm   Spring Rain Garden Workshop, Franklin DPW, registration required.
SAT 5/3   10am-2pm   Hockomock YMCA Healthy Kids Day - Stuff a Truck Challenge, Patriot Place, Foxboro. Help fill up Franklin Food Pantry's Truck with needed items. Info here.
SAT 5/3   1:30pm - Coffee & Craft for Adults - Franklin Public Library
SAT 5/3   5pm-6pm   Pepsi Pitch, Hit and Run - Free event, prizes. Fletcher Field in Franklin

SUN 5/4   7am   Walk for Hunger in Boston.
SUN 5/4   9:30am-11am   SADD Walk of Tears at Franklin HS.
SUN 5/4   2pm-5pm   Dodgeball Tournament to benefit Best Buddies, Horace Mann Middle School, Franklin.

TUE 5/6   3:30-4:30pm   FEA "Cash Mob" at Edwins in Franklin.

WED 5/7   7pm-8pm   Friends of Franklin Library Meeting, Community Room at FPL.

THU 5/8   7pm-8pm   YMCA hosts Elizabeth Smart, Child Protection Activist at Foxborough HS. $20, tickets available at local YMCA branches.

For the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

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