Beer Extravaganza 3.0!!

Connecting good friends with great wine! Never Drink Ordinary! Beer Extravaganza 3.0 Friday, May 16 6-8:30 PM This week is National Craft Beer Week, and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than holding a Beer Extravaganza. Please join us to taste and appreciate some fine examples of the art form that is craft beer! We'll be pouring samples of 45+ beers, many brand-new to the store. A giant pot of white chili (Chicken, white beans, and HEAT) is prepping as you read this. And all the usual fixins. Homebrewers-check out the organic hop plants of Amy from Painted Lady Flower Farm.  Smooth tunes courtesy of Three Stories, one of our favorite local groups. This event is free, but we will be accepting free will donations to the Franklin Food Pantry. Hunger is a year-round problem-let's share our plenty with those who need our help. Never Drink Ordinary! -Ann and John Please share this email with friends who are enthusiastic about great wine, beer, and spirits. (Keeping all the good stuff for yourself is bad karma.)

Forward this email Privacy Policy. Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits | 14 Grove Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

13TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE 5K RUN, WALK, ROLL & STROLL IN THE PARK

Every year in May, over 2000 people plus 200 volunteers participate in the Independence 5K Walk, Run, Roll and Stroll. In 2013, both events, which are held on the same day, raised $208,000 through sponsorships, raffle ticket sales, individual and team online fundraising pages, and general donations. Expenses are held to less than 10% of the gross revenue due to the overwhelming generosity of our community supporters. 

The all day event is held in Franklin, MA, hosted by EMC2 and includes a competitive and fun 5K race - registered and USATF MA 08001RN certified - plus a 5K walk, roll and stroll through the park and kids Fun Run. 

Also there is free entertainment, free food (bagels pizza, burgers, hot dogs), Kids corner with free games, “Bubble Man” , Dress up Photo booth, face painting, music, Yoga demo, massages, health expo, and a Touch a truck area; a raffle with fantastic prizes a special tribute to our Veterans. 

Special displays from Franklin Police and Fire Department with the 150 foot Ladder Truck and the US Army National Guard. In addition we get many mascots including Wally the Green Monster, Scooby Doo, Finz from the Worcester Sharks and many more.

Note:
This event will be held rain or shine.
Constitution Blvd is closed from 9- 9:45 AM for the runners safety.

HMEA 

Register to RUN online here
http://hmea.org/Get-Involved/special-events/2014-independence-5k-run/index

Register to WALK online here
http://hmea.org/Get-Involved/special-events/2014-independence-walk/index

Beautification Day - Time CHANGED to 1:30 PM

Important:

DO TO WEATHER We will be meeting at

Town Center at 1:30 on Saturday.

Please consider volunteering. We need as many hands as we can get.

Saturday, May 17th is Beautification Day

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Please join our group of volunteers to help beautify the Downtown Center. 

We will be meeting at the center island at 1:30 PM.

If you are available earlier please consider meeting at 1:00 PM at Fairmount Farms to pick up and deliver the plants to downtown.or at 1:00 PM at the Town Common to assist with planning on the Common. 

Bring gloves, trowels and dress appropriately for the weather. If you have questions please contact Eileen at 508-330-4234emason11@verizon.net

MassBudget: Analysis of Senate Ways and Means Budget for FY 2015

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. MassBudget Analysis of the Senate Ways and Means Budget for FY 2015 Yesterday (Wednesday), the Senate Ways and Means Committee (SWM) made its budget recommendations for FY 2015. The SWM budget proposes small, smart and well-targeted steps toward addressing big challenges. Like the proposals from the Governor and House, however, it doesn't propose solutions at the scale of the challenges we face. The types of major investments in our people and communities that could substantially expand economic opportunity, help all our children to thrive, and strengthen our economy in the long run, would require significant new tax revenue -- something none of this year's budget proposals call for. The SWM budget does, however, include a number of positive initiatives, including: increasing access to early education and care for children and home visiting programs for young families; strengthening the capacity of DCF to protect and assist children and their families; expanding access to affordable housing; supporting new efforts to help those suffering from addiction. These strategies could immediately help children and adults across the Commonwealth, and ultimately strengthen our economy by allowing more of our people to realize their full potential as individuals and as productive members of our community. Our SWM Budget Monitor describes the major recommendations made by the Senate Ways and Means Committee yesterday. It also describes how SWM recommendations compare to other FY 2015 proposals and historic funding levels. Read the SWM Budget Monitor The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

FHS spring sports results - Thursday May 15th

Hockomock Sports shows the results of the spring sports activities from Thursday, May 15th:

Softball

Foxboro, 1 @ Franklin, 12 - Final - Brie Flaherty went 3-4 with a home run and four RBI and Erin Hanley was 2-4 with a triple. Sabrina LoMonaco struck out 11 in the circle for the Panthers, who qualified for the postseason.

Boys Tennis

Franklin, 1 @ King Philip, 4 - Final - Jason Trudeau (King Philip) won 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 at first singles, Kevin Williamson (King Philip) won 6-4, 6-3 at second singles and Sean Barker (Franklin) win 6-3, 6-2 at third singles. The team of Tim Smith and Kyle Caragliano (King Philip) won 7-5, 7-5 at first doubles and Nate Gee and Ross Carey (King Philip) won 6-1, 6-4 at second doubles.

Girls Tennis

Franklin, 5 @ Oliver Ames, 0 - Final - Hannah Sweeney (Franklin) won 6-0, 6-0 at first singles, Anna Humphries (Franklin) won 6-0, 6-0 at second singles and Katelyn Marr (Franklin) won 6-4, 6-2 at third singles. The team of Anya Deric and Lauren Markland (Franklin) won 6-2, 6-1 at first doubles and Halle Love and Sarah Mahoney (Franklin) won 6-3, 2-6, 10-5 at second doubles.

FHS Softball - Bottle/Can Drive - Sat May 17th

For all the Hockomock League results from Thursday visit this link:
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-051514

Massachusetts Craft Brewers Passport

From the Mass Great Outdoors Blog I find this:

Craft beer tourism is exploding across the country and in Massachusetts. There is a growing consumer interest in distinct, fresh and natural craft beers, and now there are more premium, high-quality craft beers to choose from. The Buy Local movement in Massachusetts has grown from local produce to craft beer, which supports both top notch products and a local connection. 

The Massachusetts Craft Brewers Passport features a map of the Commonwealth, with the locations of local breweries split into five regions. Breweries that use Massachusetts-grown ingredients are indicated with a small tractor icon. At each brewery, you can get your passport stamped and when a region in completed, receive a free T-shirt! Downloadable passports and information for both brewers and growers is available at www.mass.gov/massgrown and http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/culinary_tourism/brewery_tours.htm

MA Brewers Guild

Try this link to the Brewery Tours if the one above doesn't work
http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/culinary_tourism/brewery_tours.htm


Note:  When using the interactive Mass Grown Map, I do find that the listing of CSA Farms is missing the three farms in Franklin. Hoffman Farm, Akin-Bak Farm and Grateful Farm all offer CSA shares and are not currently listed.

FHS Sports - Wednesday, May 14

From Hockomock Sports we find the Franklin High School spring sports results from the competitions on Wednesday, May 14.

Baseball

King Philip, 2 @ Franklin, 5 - Final - Zane Byrne had a terrific game on the mound for the Panthers, pitching a complete game one hitter with six strikeouts and no earned runs. Anthony Chaiton was 2-4 at the plate and, with the game tied 2-2, had a two-out bases-loaded double that cleared the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning. Drew Inglesi also had a solid day at the plate, going 3-4 with a double and a run scored.

Softball

King Philip, 4 @ Franklin, 1 - Final - KP's Kali Magane fanned 14 batters and allowed just three hits and helped her cause at the plate, going 1-2 with an RBI. Shannon Jones went 2-4 with an RBI and Bri Sebio was 2-3 with two RBI for the Warriors. Franklin's Sabrina LoMonaco was 2-3 and Olivia DiGiacomo had the lone RBI for the Panthers. Lilly Criscione struck out five and allowed just two earned runs in the loss.

FHS Softball - bottle/can drive 

Boys Lacrosse

Mansfield, 5 @ Franklin, 13 - Final

Girls Lacrosse

Franklin, 17 @ Mansfield, 6 - Final - Marta Versprille netted a game-high five goals for the Panthers and Maegan Schmauder and Emily Jeffries added four goals each. Franklin's Nicole Ellin had an assist and three ground balls.

Girls Tennis

Franklin, 2 @ King Philip, 3 - Final

For the complete results around the Hockomock League for Wednesday, follow this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-051414

FHS Softball - Bottle/Can drive - May 17

The Franklin High School softball team will be holding a bottle/can drive fund raiser on Saturday, May 17. Bring your bottle/cans to the Franklin Elks lodge, 1077 Pond St between 8:00 AM and noon.

FHS Softball Bottle/Can Drive - May 17

Town Council summary 05/14/14

The collection of posts reporting from the Town Council meeting of May 14 can be found here

• Live reporting - Closing

• Live reporting - Recreation Dept

• Live reporting: Town Council - May 14, 2014

• 
  

Live reporting - Closing

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none 


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-05: Appropriation: Fire Detail Account
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

Listing of delinquent accounts found on page 6 of this file
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/051414.pdf


2. Resolution 14-36: Issuing Alcoholic Beverages (Package Store) Licenses Policy
motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 8-1 (Pfeffer cast the 'no' vote)
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


3. Bylaw Amendment 14-736:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0
The Board of Health is currently understaffed, looking for a part-timer to be supported via modest increase in fees; fees are comparable with the surrounding towns


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Thanks to MassDOT for their response to a signal issue on King St/i494
they will take care of potholes on RT 140

Memorial Day parade coming up

4th of July program to be developed, starting the Weds before the 4th


L. OLD BUSINESS
appraisal for Pond St?
Yes, it has been ordered

Bids came in for Lincoln St, any idea on timeline?
Might start on Daniels before getting to Lincoln before schools get out


M. NEW BUSINESS


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Pfeffer - Veterans Breakfast, free breakfast, call for reservation

Thanks to Ben Waters for doing his speech
1030 AM start, service at the Town Common memorials at noon


P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn

Live reporting - Recreation Dept

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Ryan Jette, Director Recreation Department

(copy to be added later) The presentation copy can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/05/recreation-dept-presentation-copy.html

coordinate programs and field usage
over 5,000 children in the various activities over the year
self funding with over $500,000 in revenue

listing of programs year round, programs by season
not just youth sports

basketball largest program, over 1400 kids in grades K-8
expanded to run in spring as well as winter

T-ball = 4, 5, and 6 year olds in this program the FYBO covers the older kids

flag football - over 450 kids in the fall

girls lacrosse - largest program in the state, helping the high school become one of the better programs in high school

summer programs - King St, Choate Park and Chilson Beach

new listing of art classes, they are selling out quickly

Earth Day
cleaning litter and debris from streets and roadways

also use community service kids to help with special clean up areas

Disc golf course operating with an all volunteer build team

Community Garden (at King St) $40/per year per plot

4th of July road race about 100 runners for the 5K, also a 1.2 mile kids race

Chilson Beach normally open from end of June to last week in August

kid care babysitting class offer, nutrition, diapering, safety

program on 'stage your home to sell'

music therapy for children with special needs on Weds nights

45% of the salary budget is seasonal
the tax work-off program, 19 seniors help to make the department function

Recreation in charge of permitting use of all playgrounds and fields
twice annual application process for organizational use

proud to say Franklin has good playgrounds
turf fields at the high school and Beaver St

DelCarte coming online June 4th

Provided over 1,000 hours of community service

Future of Franklin Recreation, from less than 10 to over 100 programs

Spray park coming to Fletcher Field
DelCarte with hiking trails and a canoe/kayak launch

Thank you for supporting this program

Mercer - this was great, you came well prepared
one of the issues you touched on, the Franklin-Medway relationship
can you expand on that?

Ryan - offering programming in Medway
they had some existing programs, their need was summer programs and summer camp
we offer programs here open to Medway residents, able to fill up some programs
programs that are already filling up they can't get in, but for those others, they can help

Program is heavily Franklin residents, probably 95%

Padula - my kids have all been through the program
which turf field will go first?

Ryan - they added the logo to the Beaver Pond fields and some stretches along the side to help extend the life

Nutting - we have a stabilization account already putting money aside to replace them in 2016 or 17

Bissanti - I want to commend you, it is well run
what do you see as the need for development?

Ryan - indoor space is a need, we are stuck with renting space from the schools
if we had our own space that would help, in a perfect world that would be it

Nutting - we'll need to look at the tot lots as they will need replacements to stay within standards
what you don't see is what the DPW does, there has been an expansion of fields and no increase in employees

Ryan - we work closely with the DPW and Dean College
Nutting - we don't have any turf battles

Jones - thanks for the work and especially for all the volunteer efforts

Live reporting: Town Council - May 14, 2014

Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams
Absent:  


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none

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
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Ben Waters
sophomore at FHS, giving speech for public speaker class
speaking on renewable energy
coal, gas, oil will become more scarce
will need to rely more on solar and wind power
Mt St Mary's Abbey solar farm a good example
generation of the energy can be sold back to the 'grid'
current infrastructure is mostly on the delivery side, not capturing energy to bring it back to the grid
billed as a family friendly town
a safe town, with good schools, and more energy efficient
keep this in mind as the Town Council manages going into the future

E. APPOINTMENTS
none

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

More than 2 tons collected to help 'Stamp Out Hunger'

The Franklin postal carriers drove their trucks by the Franklin Food Pantry before completing their rounds on Saturday.

Each truck as it arrived was greeted by volunteers who unloaded the truck, weighed the bags, sorted the items for date and damage, and then either filled the appropriate shelves or stacked the items for future use.

When the last truck had pulled away and the last item sorted the tally came out to net more than 4500 pounds or 2 1/4 tons of food and non-food items.


Thank you 

• Franklin neighbors for taking the time to leave a donation
• postal carriers for making the rounds to gather the donations
• volunteers for handling the goods and for helping to stock the shelves!

Photos from the 'Stamp Out Hunger' food drive processing on Saturday

truck before unloading

volunteers unloading the truck

staging prior to weighing in

weighing in the bags and containers

date checking the goods after weighing in

why do we check for dates? to sort out items like this

stocking the shelves

thank you notes and candy for the postal carriers

  

You may also drop your donations off at the Franklin Food Pantry (located at 43 West Central Street) on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or during regular Pantry hours, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Non-perishables may also be dropped off anytime in the bin that is located outside of the Food Pantry's main entrance.

If you would prefer to make a financial contribution you can do so securely online:

Make a donation to the Food Pantry

Ten Ways to be Mindful of Mental Health Month

For more than 65 years, May has been recognized as Mental Health Month by local and national organizations alike. This is a time when, as a nation, we discuss mental health issues and work to improve the overall wellness of our communities. 

Regardless of your background, you or someone you know may be dealing with the effects of poor mental health. Thankfully, there is a wide range of resources available to help you maintain a healthy, happy mind this month and throughout the year:

1. Download a Mind Your Health calendar for daily tips to boost your mood and physical wellness. Organizations can encourage healthy changes by using the resources in this Mental Health Month Toolkit.

1. Discover ways to improve your mental health such as staying connected with others, keeping a healthy diet, and establishing effective stress-coping techniques.

mental health

Continue reading this article to find out more about mental health on the MA.gov page here

http://blog.mass.gov/blog/living-in-massachusetts/ten-ways-to-be-mindful-of-mental-health-month/

Beautification Day; This Saturday and Adopt-a-Block

Saturday, May 17th is Beautification Day

Please join our group of volunteers to help beautify the Downtown Center. 

We will be meeting at the center island at 9:00 am 

If you are available earlier please consider meeting at 7:30AM at Fairmount Farms to pick up and deliver the plants to downtown.or at 8:00AM at the Town Common to assist with planning on the Common. 

Bring gloves, trowels and dress appropriately for the weather. If you have questions please contact Eileen at 508-330-4234emason11@verizon.net

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Adopt-a-Block

Special Invitation to all DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS

Hello,
My name is Devin Gray and I've volunteered to help develop an Adopt-a-Block program for the Franklin Downtown area. 

The goal of Adopt-a-Block is to encourage business owners to pitch in and help keep the downtown clean & presentable for all. 

I'm currently brainstorming the best way to accomplish this task. I'll be walking around the downtown and speaking with business owners. In the meantime, please feel free to e-mail me at devin@devingrayfitness.com with any opinions, requests, or just to say hello. 

Thank you,
Devin Gray"

 ----                 -----                -----

Franklin Beautification Day to be May 17

Brush off your garden gloves and dig in the dirt with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club on Saturday, May 17. The 11th annual Beautification Day will run from 9 a.m. to Noon, rain or shine. Volunteers and donations are needed to help make this project a success.

This year organizers were extra thoughtful when planning the plantings, choosing flowers and a blue & pink color scheme with recent community events and the streetscape construction project in mind.

"We were thinking about children, in the wake of losing several young adults and children in town this year," says Eileen Mason, Beautification Day chairperson. "Our hope is that everyone who sees these flowers will think of their children and embrace their individuality, creativity and zest for life."

Pink and white petunias and blue and white Lobelia, provided by Fairmount Fruit Farm in Franklin, are colorful and hardy plants that should last all season in full sunlight and a harsh construction environment.

The flowers will be displayed in boxes on the bridges and in front of some downtown businesses, but not in planter barrels on the center island this year due to road construction. Volunteers will also plant flowers and mulch the memorial gardens on the Town Common.

Residents, especially students in need of community service hours, who are interested in volunteering should contact Eileen Mason at emason11@verizon.net. Volunteers will meet at 9:00 a.m. on the center island in front of the Rome Restaurant. Anyone with a pickup truck is asked to help transport plants from Fairmount Farm at 8:00 a.m. Each year, Franklin Ford donates the use of their truck, which is a huge help to volunteers.

"We're fortunate to have the help of the Franklin High School hockey teams and a great group of volunteers from the YMCA helping again this year. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to create a welcoming image," Mason adds.

Sponsors and donations are needed to help offset the costs of the Beautification Day committee's year-round planning, growing, planting and maintenance efforts. For as little as $150 businesses or residents can be a bronze sponsor. Watering help will also be needed in the greenspace garden across from the Mega Bites Deli.

Gold and platinum-level sponsors will have their names prominently displayed on signs for the 2014 season. Silver sponsors will have their name displayed on a group sign for the remainder of the year. Details about sponsorship can be found at franklindowntownpartnership.org/.