Reminder: Cub Scout registration - May 31

Friendly reminder!

Franklin Cub Scouts are holding a registration drive on Saturday, May 31st from 2-4pm on the Franklin Town Common, Main Street. 

Cub Scouts

Scouting is a fun way to foster friendships, life skills and build character. For more information, contact Chris at scoutbotchis@verizon.net

For additional information on Pack 17, you can visit their webpage
http://pack17franklinma.scoutlander.com/publicsite/unithome.aspx?UID=24129

Electronics Recycling - Sat May 31

The parking lot at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School will be the scene for an electronics recycling event on Saturday, May 31.

electronics and recycle day - May 31

When? from 9:00 AM to noon.



For more about the Charter School visit their website  http://bfccps.org/

Memorial Day Program - 2014

placing the wreath at the World War I memorial

In case you did not get a copy of the Memorial Day program, you can read, or download and print this copy.

I'll post photos of the parade and ceremony on the Town Common later this week.

The Estate at Franklin - an Emeritus Senior Living community

The construction fences are down and finishing touches being applied to the new building at 656 King St.

This is the promise that the staff at The Estate at Franklin – and throughout all Emeritus Senior Living communities – live by. It's a simple promise to be compassionate and kind, understanding and respectful – a promise to become extended family to the seniors entrusted in our care and to our retirees who have chosen our community for their home. 

The Estate at Franklin is a brand new senior residential community. This community is being specifically designed and built for seniors who need some assistance with daily living, such as medication management, dressing, or bathing. The Estate at Franklin also includes a Memory Care Neighborhood for those who are experiencing some memory loss. As we get ready to open our doors, we invite you learn more about us!

Read more about the Estate at Franklin
https://www.emeritus.com/massachusetts/franklin/estate-franklin

sign at entrance - the Estate at Franklin

a rain garden along the entrance way

Be the Match for Noah - Blood Drive - June 7

Please join us for a Blood Drive 

blood drive

Saturday, June 7, 2014

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Franklin United Methodist Church

82 West Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038

positive id required

This Blood Drive is in honor of Oak Street Elementary Student Noah Smith
To make an appointment please log onto halfpints.childrenshospital.org
Sponsor code for this drive is FRMETHCH or call Susan Touhey at 508-404-6914

Power line utility work starting

On one of my 'reporting by walking around' excursions, I found that some of the shrubs and underbrush have been trimmed back to provide access to the power lines. Several utility poles are placed nearby. Whether they are adding poles or doing maintenance by replacing older poles with new ones, is not known at this time.

underbrush cut back

power line view

new utility poles ready for use

 The poles are on the open space at the corner of Summer and King streets.

Memorial Day Benediction

The following is the benediction I will be giving at the War Memorial on the Franklin Town Common on Monday May 26th at the end of the Memorial Day Parade and the ceremony held at the Town Memorial to all the veterans of all the Wars to keep our country free.

Franklin World War I memorial - May 2009

Benediction

O Eternal Father in heaven, God of Mercy and love, we beg you to protect our loved ones who are fighting in defense of our country which we love so much. 

Stretch out your protecting arm over all our men and women serving our great nation. 

We implore you to have welcomed all who gave of the ultimate sacrifice into your heavenly presence. 

Give our military now serving the courage to face the enemy that threatens the safety and well being of ALL your children around the globe, help them to overcome the powers of darkness that cause so much world strife. 

O creator of all things, we beseech you to watch over the souls and bodies of all who are exposed to the horrors of war and the spiritual dangers that accompany it. Bless them and take care of them. 

When they are lonely, let them know that you are near them. 

If they are tired, give them strength. If they are wounded, give them comfort. 

Bless them with faith and trust in you and bring them back to their family and friends who love them so dearly. 

May you hasten the day when all your children will know a time of peace and brotherhood toward all. 

AMEN

Pax et Bonum
Peace and All God's Goodness be with you

Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD

Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
Divine Mercy Old Catholic Parish

Independent Catholic Church of the Americas

Link to Fr. Bob's Weekly TV show
http://www.youtube.com/user/RevBobJohn
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FriarBobJohn
Mission Web Site www.missionstsergius.org
Franciscan Web Site www.franciscansdivinemercy.org
ICCA Seminary Link http://www.iccamericas.org/seminary/
Diocese Office: http://stjosephcupertino.com/index.html

Town Common looking good

When walking around this weekend I got to see that the Town Common was getting spiffed up. The lawns were being cut Saturday morning. Fresh mulch had been placed around the monuments and trees. It could have been a result of the DPW or the Downtown Partnership 'Beautification Day' efforts, either way it looks good.

fresh mulch around the trees and monuments

Union St sidewalk lined with trees

The World War I 'dough boy' keeps an eye on the monuments

The Memorial Day parade will finish at the Town Common with a service about noon time.

The full parade route can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/05/memorial-day-parade-route.html

Downtown red, white and blue

Thanks to the Franklin Downtown Partnership and a host of volunteers for decorating and planting this year. The mix of red, white and blue flowers hopefully will grow healthy and colorfully this year.

planter along railroad bridge railing

planter along railroad bridge railing 1

planter along railroad bridge railing 2

Additional photos from the Beautification Day can be found on the Downtown Partnership page
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/05/downtown-in-bloom.html

With June comes hurricane season

The MA.GOV blog has info on preparation for hurricane season. The checklist of what to do now to avoid last minute problems.

The best time to prepare for a hurricane is well before you hear warnings on the radio. Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 25-31, is a time to get ready for whatever comes your way when New England hurricane season hits June 1 through November 30.   

 ...Continue Reading Get Ready in the Calm before the Storm: Hurricane Preparedness

ma.gov web site

Memorial Day - Parade Route

• Parade begins at the Historical Museum on West Central Street at 10:45.
• Departs museum eastbound on West Central Street to Clark Square (the railroad overpass) at the junction of West Central and Main Streets.
• North on Main Street through the center of town to the Dean College gate where the parade will delay for a wreath laying at the Dean Memorial.
• North on Main to the corner of Main and School Street; then west on School Street to Union Street.
• South on Union Street to the corner of West Central and Union, turning west on West Central Street.
• Delay at Union Street Cemetery for a memorial, then continuing west on West Central Street to Beaver Street.
• East on Beaver Street to Saint Mary’s Cemetery where the parade will delay for another memorial.
• East on Beaver from Saint Mary’s Cemetery to the Town Common where the parade will terminate at approximately 12:00 noon
• Memorial Service will be held at the Town Common following the parade

BFCCPS marching band from the parade in 2013

You can download and print the route from this file

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVHV0amdPT1B3UGs/edit?usp=sharing

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 27

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to

find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

Franklin Public Schools

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 13, 2014
School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Davis Thayer Update – Evemarie McNeil
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczaTVwb0VVeDhuTW8/edit?usp=sharing

b. Keller Update – Julie Vincentsen
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczWk1uazZvQWQtMkk/edit?usp=sharing

c. MKEA – Joyce Edwards
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVjFQVGRubjd0TVk/edit?usp=sharing


3. Discussion Only Items
a. Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan – Sally Winslow
b. New Policy – Second Readings

1. GBADA – Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) Checks Made for Non-Criminal Justice Purposes.
2. CB – School Superintendent

c. Policy Elimination – Second Readings

1. CBC – Superintendents Powers and Responsibilities
2. BDC – Appointed Committee Officials

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of budget transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of checks totaling: $405.00 in memory of Joseph DeNapoli as follows:

1. Mary Picht - $50.00
2. Judith and Carl Beckett and Charles and Jo Dierling - $50.00
3. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Rivolla - $50.00
4. Lois M. Scott - $25.00
5. Barbara Houston - $100.00
6. Mary Tarallo - $30.00
7. Paul and Judith Badavas - $50.00
8. Elizabeth Vassiliou - $50.00

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,438.50 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips.
d. I recommend adopting Policy GBADA – Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) Checks Made for Non-Criminal Justice Purposes as discussed.
e. I recommend adopting Policy CB – School Superintendent as discussed.
f. I recommend elimination of Policy CBC – Superintendents Powers and Responsibilities as discussed.
g. I recommend elimination of Policy BDC – Appointed Committee Officials as discussed.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn



Note: additional information on the Mass Kindergarten Early Assessment can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/edu/birth-grade-12/early-education-and-care/mkea/

Mandatory Water Conservation Measures - June 2

Mandatory Water Conservation Measures
EFFECTIVE MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

LAWN WATERING IS RESTRICTED TO ONE DAY PER WEEK ON TRASH DAY

• No lawn watering between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• No holiday delays for watering
• No lawn watering is permitted on other days of the week

See Town website for details = Water Conservation Information

Upper Union St water tower - Jun 2013

Franklin is BioReady(R): Franklin now Platinum-rated community for biotech

The Town of Franklin has improved its zoning bylaws, building codes and other business and industry-related criteria to raise its BioReady® ranking from Gold to Platinum, signifying Franklin's readiness to work with biotechnology companies interested in locating there. 

"We are very excited to see Franklin reach the Platinum level of BioReadiness®," said Robert K. Coughlin, President and CEO of MassBio. "Franklin has proved its commitment to facilitating innovation and supporting industry growth in Massachusetts.""The Town of Franklin is honored to be a Platinum level BioReady® Community, and is very appreciative to the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council for the recognition," said Jeffery Nutting, Franklin's Town Administrator. "This award signifies the success of Franklin Town Council's continued efforts to promote a higher level of investment in the Town's industrial areas, increase employment options for the Town's residents, and increase the Town's commercial and industrial tax base." 

MassBio

MassBio and partner organizations across the state began the statewide BioReady® Communities Campaign in 2008 in order to provide background to municipal officials about the biotech industry and offer guidance on how to position municipalities as destinations for biotech laboratory and manufacturing facilities. To date, there are 77 BioReady® rated communities in the state. 

Communities are ranked on a scale of Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum, and the system helps Massachusetts cities and towns market themselves to biotechnology companies looking to expand or relocate. As part of the campaign, the MassBio Economic Development Advisory Group (EDAG) developed criteria to both guide communities in their pursuit of biotech facility opportunities and rate them for BioReadiness® in order to provide each with a tangible marketing tool. 

Other communities that have recently been awarded new or upgraded  BioReady® ratings include Leominster (Platinum), Malden (Gold), Millis (Silver), and Brookline (Bronze). 

To view full ratings criteria, visit MassBio's BioReady® Communities web page at http://www.massbio.org/economic_development/bioready_communities

About MassBio

www.massbio.org

MassBio, a not-for-profit organization that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry, is the nation's oldest biotechnology trade association. Founded in 1985, MassBio is committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Representing over 620 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and health care, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services.

Plants for sale - Community Gardens

Starting your garden? A variety of vegetable plants are available at the Community Garden.

a sample of plants for sale

listing of plants and prices

The sale is scheduled Sunday from 9:00 AM to noon.

Where is the Community Garden?  At the King St Memorial Park