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Friday, October 31, 2014
Blackstone River Theatre - Deadstring Ensemble / Kathleen Conneely!
FHS Volleyball wins, Field Hockey goes to OT before losing
Hockomock Sports posted the results of the playoff action on Thursday.
For additional details on the results from Thursday, follow this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-103014
Volleyball
D1 Central East |
| FHS Panthers |
#9 Franklin, 3 @ #8 North Middlesex, 0 - Final - Megan Rogers had 14 assists and six aces and Holly Shumway added six kills and three blocks as the Panthers swept North Middlesex. Franklin advances to the D1 Central West Quarterfinals and will travel to #1 Lincoln Sudbudy (18-1) on Tuesday, November 4th at 7:00.
Field Hockey
D1 South#9 Franklin, 0 @ #8 Dennis-Yarmouth, 1 - Final (OT)
For additional details on the results from Thursday, follow this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-103014
In the News: Best Buddies, civil service
School officials recognize the challenge in having younger students take part in a Best Buddies program, but believe the pairings will help foster respect and tolerance - values that will prove important as students mature.
The district already has chapters within the middle school and high school, and pending approval from Best Buddies Massachusetts, it would become the first in the country to offer the program to students during all points in their primary and secondary education.
“As a district and learning community, we value inclusion, and by supporting friendships, collaborative relationships and connections among our elementary students we can change perceptions, values and beliefs of children as they mature into middle school and high school students,” Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski wrote in an email.Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141031/NEWS/141039359/1994/NEWS
The Town Council’s vote eight months ago to remove future fire department hires from the civil service process was never valid, and union leaders say they only learned weeks ago that the system remains in place.
Apparently the town did not follow the proper procedure under state law for removing a department from civil service.
To revoke civil service, cities and towns must take the same steps they did to adopt it, or petition the state Legislature to pass home-rule legislation, according to the Massachusetts Municipal Association.Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141031/NEWS/141039372
My notes on the meeting Feb 12,2014 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/02/follow-money.html
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| Franklin Fire Dept - Station #1 |
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Attention Elementary Parents - Info Night on new Math Program and Report Cards
From the Franklin Public Schools:
We will be running 3 information nights for parents to introduce our new elementary math program and elementary report cards, which will be issued in December. Information on these two important topics will be presented by teachers, math specialists, and administrators on the following nights:
Each evening will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
If you cannot attend on the evening designated for your child’s school, please feel free to join us for one of the other presentations.
All materials will also be posted to school and district webpages after the last presentation.
This was posted to the Franklin Schools webpage here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/01ECD860-000F8513.0/Hold%20the%20Date.pdf
We will be running 3 information nights for parents to introduce our new elementary math program and elementary report cards, which will be issued in December. Information on these two important topics will be presented by teachers, math specialists, and administrators on the following nights:
Parents of children at Jefferson and Parmenter
Wednesday, November 5th at Jefferson Elementary
Parents of children at Oak Street and Kennedy
Thursday, November 6th at Oak Street Elementary
Parents of children at Keller and Davis Thayer
Wednesday, November 12th at Keller Elementary
Each evening will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
If you cannot attend on the evening designated for your child’s school, please feel free to join us for one of the other presentations.
All materials will also be posted to school and district webpages after the last presentation.
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| Ladybug rug at JF Kennedy School |
This was posted to the Franklin Schools webpage here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/01ECD860-000F8513.0/Hold%20the%20Date.pdf
Voices of Franklin: Sean Slater - Vote YES Ballot Question 1
From Sean P Slater:
Vote YES on question 1. This should pass because all it requires is the ability to use common sense, something that unfortunately is in short supply on Beacon Hill. Any rational citizen of this Commonwealth understands that this bill in its purest form, is taxation without representation. We pay about 27 cents per gallon, the 3rd highest in the nation. Our legislators do not pay out of their own pocket for gas, we buy their gas. They now want to impose a gas tax which will be permanently tied to inflation, and they want to do this every year without a vote. If you want to introduce new taxes you should have to vote on it, period. If this does not pass think of the precedent it would set. There would be no accountability on how are future tax dollars are allocated and the automatic increase process would be repeated to include our property, excise and income taxes.
We have had a surplus in this state for the last two years to the tune of about $625 - $690 million. This state spent about $675K last year on highway maintenance, while the national average was about $160K. We do not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. The TV ads and articles might be trying to deploy scare tactics by crying poor mouth but the facts contradict that message completely. The last time the gas tax was raised, how many of those dollars, as a percentage do you think went to road and bridge repair? Twenty percent? Fifteen percent? If we give these elected officials a free pass to ignore the will of the people on voting, do you honestly think there will be any accountability on where these dollars are spent?
Vote for common sense and We The People. Vote YES on Question 1.
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| bandstand on the Franklin Town Common |
You can find all the details on the ballot questions for this election in the 2014 Election Collection here: http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/november-4th-election-collection.html
If you are a Franklin resident and would like to share a position on one of the ballot questions, send me an email (shersteve @ gmail dot com)
You're invited to Dinner & Comedy Night to benefit the Ellie Fund (Nov 13, 2014)
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| This invitation was sent by Confidence Beads & Beads for a Cause invite you the organizer. |  |
| Eventbrite | 155 5th St | San Francisco, CA 94103 |
In the News: taxes for better roads
The Milford Daily News writes about the Franklin ballot question to fund road repairs.
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141030/NEWS/141039777/1994/NEWS
Additional details on the road plans can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/ballot-question-5-dedicated-override-to.html
Voting yes would move forward a $1.5 million dedicated override to raise money for road and sidewalk improvements. The town council must appropriate the funds annually with a two-thirds vote. Councilors would not be able to use the revenue generated for anything other than roadwork, though it may tweak the amount needed each year.
Starting this fiscal year, the override would increase the taxes on a single-family home valued at $360,000 – the average valuation – by roughly $130 per year.
According to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, the town needs the extra funds to get to a nearly $50 million backlog of road and sidewalk repairs. Franklin has more than 200 miles of roads, many of which need some level of work.
With annual state funds, normal town allocations, and override monies, the town could reserve about $4 million every year for roadwork, Department of Public Works Director Robert Cantoreggi has said.continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141030/NEWS/141039777/1994/NEWS
Additional details on the road plans can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/ballot-question-5-dedicated-override-to.html
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| road work on Lincoln St during August 2014 |
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Pumpernickel Puppets - Nov 2 - 2:30 PM
The Franklin Public Library will host a performance of the Pumpernickel Puppets on Sunday, Nov 2 at 2:30 PM.
http://www.pumpernickelpuppets.com/
This was shared from the Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/10/pumpernickel-puppets-presents-sir.html
Pumpernickel Puppet shows are presented with a cast of colorful puppet characters, audience participation, live voices and sound effects and fast paced scripts that not only entertain, but stimulate children's imagination and creativity. A demonstration period follows every performance giving the audience some insight into what happens behind the scenes.For more information on the Pumpernickel Puppets you can visit their webpage here
All performances last approximately forty minutes and are appropriate for children ages three and up.
http://www.pumpernickelpuppets.com/
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| Pumpernickel Puppets |
This was shared from the Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/10/pumpernickel-puppets-presents-sir.html
Third Annual Turkey Trot 5K Family Fun Run and Walk to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry
The Third Annual Turkey Trot 5K Family Fun Run will take place on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 27th. The lollipop course will begin and end at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS Church) at 91 Jordan Road in Franklin. Sponsored by the Feed the Need organization located in Hull, MA, the race is open to runners and walkers of all ages, featuring medals for best overall, first, second and third and for men, women and children by age category. A free raffle and continental breakfast will follow the race.
Feed the Need races started back in 2003 to support food pantries and shed light on hunger issues in local communities. The first such race took place here in Franklin in 2005, an idea of the LDS Church to help give back.“The race was renamed the Franklin Turkey Trot and began taking place on Thanksgiving morning three years ago when my son Hayden asked if he could plan the race as his Eagle Scout project – it has really hit its stride since,” remarked Krystal Whitmore, Director of the Franklin Turkey Trot.
“We are inspired by the fantastic turnout for the Franklin race. It is wonderful to see something so simple create this great sense of community bonding and giving back on the holiday of Thanksgiving.” Erin Lynch, Executive Director for the Franklin Food Pantry agrees, “When
people come out on this special holiday to get involved it shows a uniting and protecting of our community – our larger family – from the threat of hunger. We are grateful to Feed the Need for spearheading the race and raising awareness.”
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| Food Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch and Rep Jeff Roy training for the Feed the Need 5k |
Erin has been preparing to run this year’s race for several weeks with Franklin’s State Representative Jeffrey Roy. “Representative Roy and I decided to run the race in 2014 to bring more attention to the aspect of building sustainable solutions to end hunger. Jeff has been a huge supporter of our role in the Healthy Futures Franklin initiative, a collaboration launched by the Hockomock Area YMCA. We are all working together to improve the health of the community, and increasing access to nutritious food is a critical step.”
“Franklin is a town that prides itself in connecting with one another in the face of adversity,” said Representative Jeffrey Roy “On the issue of hunger, Franklin Food Pantry is at the heart of a collaborative network of organizations, individuals and volunteers who partner throughout the year to make food and healthy, life changing programs available to our neighbors. The Franklin Turkey Trot is one of those events where it all comes together and I would like to thank Erin Lynch for issuing me the challenge several months ago to join her in healthy living and training to run this year.”
Entry Fee for the Turkey Trot $20 or 20 cans of food (or box of personal toiletries). To participate in the Turkey Trot, please pre-register online at http://www.feedtheneed.org/. Register in person at LDS Church on Wednesday night, November 26th, 7-9pm or on race day, 6:45-7:45am. The first 100 participants to pick up their race bibs on Wednesday night will receive a T-shirt.
As part of the mission to provide immediate hunger relief and healthy sustainable solutions, the Franklin Food Pantry has increased the amount of fresh produce offered, resulting in a 43% increase in households returning on a regular basis for their fruits and vegetables. From June through October the pantry hosts a weekly Healthy Futures Market, where families receive produce as well as cooking demonstrations and healthy recipes courtesy of Cooking Matters. Also implemented this year was the new Healthy Futures™ shelf, which offers healthy alternatives such as Gluten-Free, Low Sodium, Low Sugar, and Whole Grain options for each family to choose from.
Other ways to donate:
To make a donation to the Franklin Food Pantry, please visit The Pantry located at 43 West Central Street, Route 140. Donations are accepted during business hours, Tuesday-Friday, 9:00am -1:00pm and on Saturdays from 9:00-11:30am. Non-perishables may be dropped off after hours in the bin by the front door, or monetary donations may be mailed to Franklin Food Pantry, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038.About Feed the Need
Feed the Need is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting education and awareness of local hunger issues by sponsoring physical activities and events.About Franklin Food Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit organization FEIN #04-327663. Established in 1987, the mission of the Franklin Food Pantry is to provide immediate hunger relief and healthy sustainable solutions, by empowering the community through resources, education and collaboration. It is part of the Greater Boston Food Bank network and depends entirely on support and donations from volunteers, corporate partners and the community at large. The Franklin Food Pantry currently serves more than 600 households throughout the local community; distributing more than 186,000 pounds of food and provisions annually. Families receive monthly food supplies; weekly produce and bread; and special seasonal items of holiday meal packages and school supplies. Please visit the website at www.franklinfoodpantry.org, and like Franklin Food Pantry on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFoodPantry, or call us at 508-528-3115.Where is the needle disposal kiosk located?
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING NEEDLE DISPOSAL
The town’s new needle/syringe disposal kiosk has been relocated to the lobby of the DPW office at 257 Fisher Street. The kiosk will be available to residents during normal DPW business hours.
To protect the health of personnel servicing the kiosk, absolutely no needles/syringes or lancets will be accepted unless they are inside an approved sharps container. Laundry detergent containers, cardboard boxes and plastic bags are not acceptable. Also the needle kiosk is not for the disposal of medications. The Franklin Police Department has a collection bin for residents to dispose of medications.
Residents may purchase small sharps containers from Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Target for a nominal fee. The Town of Franklin does not provide sharps containers to residents.
While this seems like a new notice, it was originally posted in Sept 2012. Franklin bought the needle disposal kiosk after the July 1, 2012 implementation of a new MA law requiring such.
The kiosk was originally hosted at the downtown Fire Station and then moved in Sept to the DPW office where it has remained since.
July 2012
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-do-i-do-with-needles-now.html
Sept 2012
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/needle-disposal-kiosk-relocated.html
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| Franklin DPW building , 257 Fisher St |
Hockomock Playoffs - FHS volleyball and field hockey
The playoff schedule and seeding for FHS teams have been posted to Hockomock Sports
#9 Franklin (10-8) will travel to #8 North Middlesex (14-6) on Thursday, October 30th at 6:00.
All the volleyball seeding and schedules can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-volleyball-playoff-seeds-matchups
#9 Franklin (11-3-4) will travel to #8 Dennis-Yarmouth (11-3-3) on Thursday, October 30th at 2:30.
All the field hockey seeding and schedules can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-field-hockey-playoff-seeds-matchups
For more information about Franklin High School visit their page on the Franklin website here
http://franklinhigh.vt-s.net/Pages/index
Volleyball
#9 Franklin (10-8) will travel to #8 North Middlesex (14-6) on Thursday, October 30th at 6:00.
All the volleyball seeding and schedules can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-volleyball-playoff-seeds-matchups
Field Hockey
All the field hockey seeding and schedules can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-field-hockey-playoff-seeds-matchups
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| FHS Panthers |
For more information about Franklin High School visit their page on the Franklin website here
http://franklinhigh.vt-s.net/Pages/index
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
School half days - Thu/Fri
The Parmenter School sign touts their schedule for this week. Pumpkin Stroll today (and the weather should cooperate). Early dismissal on Thursday and Friday this week as elementary schools schedule parent/teacher conferences.
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| pumpkin stroll at Parmenter today |
FHS Soccer teams tie King Phillip
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| FHS Panthers |
Girls Soccer
King Philip, 0 @ Franklin, 0 - Final - Franklin carried the play but strong defensive play from KP's Kelly Halnen, Erin Machado, Emma Corcoran and Hanna Balunos, as well as goalie Maggie Gall kept the Panthers off the board.Boys Soccer
Franklin, 1 @ King Philip, 1 - Final - Franklin's Adam Moessing opened the scoring off an assist Cal Harmon in the first half. King Philip's Cam Mullins leveled the game in the second half.Additional results from the Hockomock League can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-102714
United Regional Chamber Announces Person, Business of the Year & ATHENA Award Recipients
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THE BLACK BOX to Present Live Music Series Events
THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin’s new theater, music, and event venue, presents a wide-ranging lineup of live music entertainment this November. Events are slated to feature children’s programming, cabaret and a Big Band Brunch. The broad-based calendar of entertainment offers something for everyone. THE BLACK BOX, the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street.
THE BLACK BOX Children’s Series kicks off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 8. Franklin’s Jamie Barrett, singer-songwriter, guitarist and music teacher, and Nick Paone, actor, writer and director, join forces to present an engaging mix of family-favorite songs and animated storytelling. The afternoon delivers a fun and interactive program for audiences of all ages. THE BLACK BOX Children’s Series is sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank.
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| The Kenny Hadley Big Band headlines a special Big Band Brunch |
On November 9, BLACK BOX Jazz presents a Big Band Brunch, featuring the renowned Kenny Hadley Big Band. The critically-acclaimed 16-piece juggernaut, led by drummer Kenny Hadley, boasts masterful musicians with performance ties to Big Band legends Woody Herman, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and more. The Kenny Hadley Big Band has shared the stage with such notables as the Count Basie Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra and has hosted guest soloists including Clark Terry and Louie Bellson. Franklin’s Artistry Kitchen serves up the morning’s inspired brunch, featuring a pastry table, waffle station, vegetable frittata, Applewood smoked bacon, home fried potatoes, coffee, tea and juice. A cash bar is also available. Savor a memorable pairing of sublime Big Band music and delicious fare. Brunch begins at 11 a.m., with entertainment starting at noon.
The inaugural evening of BLACK BOX Cabaret will be staged at 8 p.m. on November 14. Spotlighting the vocal stylings of talented FPAC performers, entertainment is presented with live accompaniment in an intimate night-club atmosphere. A cash bar is available and BLACK BOX meals from Artistry Kitchen may be pre-ordered. BLACK BOX Cabaret is sponsored by Milford National Bank and Trust.
For tickets and more information, visit www.theblackboxonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.
Monday, October 27, 2014
November 4th - Election Collection - 2014
** Results of the 2014 election -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/franklin-election-results-1142014.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/state-election-nov-4th.html
Commentary on voter turnout based upon historical data from Franklin's elections from 2003 through 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/will-you-be-one-of-12418.html
To help prepare to vote on the ballot questions for the state wide election on November 4th, these links bring in one place all that has been published here regarding the specific questions. (As I find anything else worthy to add as the election approaches, I'll also include the links here.)
I put together a ballot question cheat sheet. You can print it out, make notes on it, mark you choice and bring it with you to the poll on Tuesday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/my-franklin-ballot-questions-cheat-sheet.html
Ballot Question 1 (state wide question on elimination of gas tax indexing)
Ballot Question 2 (state wide question on expanding the beverage container law)
Ballot Question 3 (state wide question on expanding the prohibitions on gaming)
Ballot Question 4 (state wide question on earned sick time for employees)
Ballot Question 5 (local to Franklin - dedicated override to fund road repairs)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/ballot-question-5-dedicated-override-to.html
Ballot Question 6 (local to Franklin - not binding on repealing the Citizens United decision)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/ballot-question-6-resolution-on.html
Boston.com has a good explanation of the ballot questions in 'plain English' (well worth reading!)
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2014/10/07/the-massachusetts-ballot-questions-explained-plain-english/G9yuz9ltOp3EYsTe9ZxGYL/story.html
MCAN Climate Hawk take on the Ballot Questions
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/ballot-questions-for-all-climate-hawks.html
Ballotpedia has information on the four state wide questions here
http://ballotpedia.org/2014_ballot_measures#Massachusetts
You can also spend some following the links to review their information on the gubernatorial election and other state wide positions on the ballot Nov 4th
http://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Gubernatorial_election,_2014#Race_background
MassBudget has published a series on Ballot Question #4 on Earned Paid Sick Time
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/voices-of-franklin-sean-slater-vote-yes.html
Carla Lievano on Question Four
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/voices-of-franklin-carla-lievano-vote.html
Where does Franklin vote now that the Field House is gone?
Vote at the high school gymnasium. Parking is available in front of the building at 218 Oak St. Signs will direct you to the community entrance (see photo) and into the gym.
Ballotpedia has information on the four state wide questions here
http://ballotpedia.org/2014_ballot_measures#Massachusetts
You can also spend some following the links to review their information on the gubernatorial election and other state wide positions on the ballot Nov 4th
http://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Gubernatorial_election,_2014#Race_background
MassBudget has published a series on Ballot Question #4 on Earned Paid Sick Time
Health implicationshttp://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/massbudget-public-health-implications.html
Data for Franklinhttp://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/09/massbudget-local-data-on-earned-paid.html
Frequently Asked Questionshttp://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/kidscount-faq-earned-paid-sick-time.html
Voices of Franklin
Sean Slater on Question Onehttp://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/voices-of-franklin-sean-slater-vote-yes.html
Carla Lievano on Question Four
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/voices-of-franklin-carla-lievano-vote.html
Where does Franklin vote now that the Field House is gone?
Vote at the high school gymnasium. Parking is available in front of the building at 218 Oak St. Signs will direct you to the community entrance (see photo) and into the gym.
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| community entrance to Franklin High School, gymnasium located on the left inside the doors |
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