Franklin Library: Doggie Tales returns

Doggie Tales returns to the Franklin Library on Wednesday, Dec 17th from 6:30 to 7:30 PM 

doggie tales returns

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/12/doggie-tales.html

In the News: 13 yr old fund raising, 25 yr old arrested

AJ Bremser may be only 13 years old, but already he's making a difference. 

The eighth-grader at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School recently raised more than $1,600 for Brigham and Women's Hospital Division of Hematology as part of a capstone community service project that all students at his school must complete to continue on to high school. 

Bremser raised $1,660.18 by holding a “Penny Wars” fundraiser for two weeks during his lunch period. This fundraiser involves collecting coins and dollar bills from students and faculty.

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required) : http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141216/NEWS/141217744/1994/NEWS#sthash.Ud1Q7QEp.dpuf

A Franklin woman was arraigned Monday in Wrentham District court on charges of robbing two East Central Street businesses last week, threatening that she had a gun. 

Audrey Gorman, 25, was arrested at the Franklin Commons Apartments on Gatehouse Lane Friday after police swept the area searching for the suspect in two reported robberies that day. 

Gorman was arraigned on two counts of armed robbery while masked. A not guilty plea was entered on her behalf, and Judge Emogene Johnson Smith ordered her held on $15,000 bail. 

Johnson Smith also ordered Gorman to undergo a drug treatment program at MCI-Framingham on the recommendation of a forensic psychiatrist, who testified that Gorman has a heroin addiction.

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)  http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141216/NEWS/141217696/1994/NEWS#sthash.9Jtw4jCE.dpuf

Franklin High School: Program of Studies 2015 - 2016

This presentation document were shared and discussed at the School Committee meeting Tuesday, Dec 9, 2014.

FHS Program of Studies Presentation 2015-2106 from Franklin Matters

You can also view and download this document here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczLWhNLU1mVGNxSHM/view?usp=sharing


Additional information on the program of studies can be viewed and downloaded here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczU0I5N2lEdDNmXzA/view?usp=sharing

handicap accessible entrance to the new Franklin High School

"ready to commit himself to the rigors of serving"

Only one candidate will appear on the ballot as a second candidate failed to return nomination papers. 

The sole candidate is a familiar face to those who follow town politics: Robert Dellorco, 53, was elected to the council in 2011, but decided against re-election last year after beginning a new job at the Massachusetts Port Authority. 

State law mandates that the town hold an election to fill the vacancy even with the absence of a contested race. Not surprisingly, Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri does not expect a large turnout. 

Polls will be open at the high school, 218 Oak St., from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription may be required) http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141215/NEWS/141217987/1994/NEWS

special election - Dec 16, 2014

Gardener to Gardener: Growing houseplants this winter

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to open in a browser. A gardening newsletter featuring Ask & Share and our friends at HGTV Gardens December Ask & Share Highlights Unusual but Foolproof — Houseplants Peace Lily Care Tips: Give Peace a Chance The Freshest Herbs Tips & Tricks During the dark and dreary days of winter, you'll be glad of the life and color that houseplants add to your indoor landscape. And if you're missing the bounty of the summer's outdoor food garden, continue to reap a fresh harvest with some herbs on your windowsill. Get ideas for selecting and caring for easy-to–grow houseplants and tasty herbs in this month's newsletter. Ask & Share Community Highlights Anonymous asked: My rosemary has survived the first snow of the year. Will it survive the winter in New Hampshire? What next? NGA answered: Unfortunately, your rosemary plant will not survive outdoors through the winter in New Hampshire. Most rosemary varieties are winter hardy outside only to about Zone 7. To keep your rosemary over the winter, give it the coolest, sunniest spot you have indoors. Make sure not to overwater; let the top inch or so of soil dry out before rewatering, but don't let it dry out completely. MORE Anonymous asked: Help! My potted Meyer lemon tree was happy outside, not so much inside. Since bringing it indoors (about a month ago at first frost) the leaves are browning and curling slightly at the ends, and seemingly perfect leaves are falling. But it is producing buds and appears to have new growth. NGA answered: It's not uncommon for a plant like your lemon tree to drop leaves when it's moved abruptly from the high light intensity of outdoor sunlight to the less intense light environment indoors. Eventually your lemon tree will adjust and put out new leaves that are better adapted to lower indoor light levels. MORE Unusual but Foolproof — Houseplants I can't tell you how many times people have come up to me with a look of embarrassed apology and asked, "Can you recommend a foolproof houseplant for me? I seem to kill everything I try to grow indoors." Well sure, I can! And to make it a little more interesting, here are a few of my favorites you may not have seen before; plants that are a little more unusual than the familiar peace lily, pothos, or African violet, but just as easy to grow. Read the full article From our friends at HGTV Gardens Peace Lily Care Tips: Give Peace a Chance Peace lilies — which are not true lilies, but a member of the Araceae family of flowering plants — are renowned for their easy care. The peace lily is hardy and forgiving, and will even let you know when it is thirsty — look for the telltale droop. The shade-loving tropical plant is also known for its air-purifying abilities — it's great at breaking down and neutralizing toxic gases like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Read the full article from HGTV Gardens The Freshest Herbs As with vegetables fresh from the garden, it's hard to beat homegrown herbs for your culinary delight. However, for most of us winter cold puts an end to the outdoor harvest season. Fortunately, if you've got a sunny window it's not hard to grow your own fresh herbs indoors in winter. You won't be harvesting on the same scale as you might from an outdoor garden, but it's still delightful to be able to pick a few sprigs of fresh herbs to liven up your dishes this winter. Read the full article  NGA's Tips & Tricks Dust Your Houseplants Just like your furniture, the leaves of indoor plants get dusty, which can interfere with photosynthesis and transpiration and provide insects a place to hide. Give smaller plants a rinse with the sprayer at the kitchen sink. Be sure to wash off both sides of the leaves. Larger plants can be set in the shower. The leaves of large-foliaged plants can be wiped off individually with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of a few drops of mild dish detergent in a quart of tepid water, then rinsed with clear water. Neglect with Respect Simply put, most houseplants don't need as much water during the winter season as at other times of the year because they aren't growing as actively. Check the moisture level in the soil by sticking your finger in down to the second knuckle; if the soil is still moist hold off on watering. When you do water, do it thoroughly enough that some water comes out the drainage holes. Then allow the water to drain completely. If the plant has a saucer, dump any excess water after an hour or so. Don't leave your plant sitting in water. Raise Humidity Levels Heated indoor air in winter feels desert dry to many plants. An easy way to raise humidity around your plant is to fill a large, waterproof saucer or tray with gravel or pebbles; then add water to half the depth of the stone. Set the plant pot on the stones or pebbles, making sure the bottom of the pot is not sitting in water. As the water around the pebbles evaporates, it raises the humidity level around the plant. Join Ask & Share for more great information from the experts at NGA, our friends at HGTV Gardens, and real gardeners just like you! National Gardening Association 237 Commerce St., Suite 101 Williston, VT 05495 Visit us online: Garden.org  |  KidsGardening.org Download Media Kit Do you have a question or concern about this newsletter? Email the Editor

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Dec 17, 2014

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
August 6, 2014, December 3, 2014

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Del Arnold, Marlene Oliver

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Library Building Committee – Vote Resolution 14-89 First

Nancy J. Rappa - 25 Queen Street
Matthew T. Kelley - 75 Crescent Street
Judith Pond Pfeffer - 37 Arlington Street
Thomas D. Mercer - 14 Mercer Lane
Christopher K. Feeley - 5 Taft Drive
Felicia Oti - Library Director
Monique Doyle - 3 Greenfield Road
Sandra Brandfonbrener - 8 Beech Street
James M. Roche - 152 Daniels Street

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
2015 Annual Alcoholic Beverages Licenses Renewals

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
• Habitat for Humanity

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-742:Changes to Chapter 185-§4. Districts Enumerated – 2nd Reading Requires 2/3 Vote
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-743:Changes to Chapter 185-§20. Signs - 2nd Reading Requires 2/3 Vote
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-744:Changes to Chapter 185-§31. Site Plan and Design Review - 2nd Reading Requires 2/3 Vote
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-745: Amendment to Chapter 185, Attachment 7, Part VI, Use Regulation Schedule, Residential Uses, Office Zoning District – Referral to Planning Board
5. Resolution 14-87: 2015 Town Council Meeting Schedule
6. Resolution 14-88: Legal Notices
7. Resolution 14-89: Creation of a Library Building Committee

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

Franklin Public Library

The full set of documents released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/121714.pdf

Reporting by walking around on Saturday

The sun was shining on the cool morning when I went walking around Franklin on Saturday.

Fletcher Field is getting a new installation of a tot playground. You may recall earlier this year there was an opportunity to use a State grant to put in a sprinkler park. It turned out that the water testing for the sprinkler park was going to be cost prohibitive so the grant was used to purchase and install this tot area. The work needs to be done by the end of the month in order to receive the grant. By the looks of it, they'll make it.

new tot playground being built at Fletcher Field

The folks at Franklin Ford were in a festive mood with so many balloons dancing in the breeze.

balloons dancing in the breeze

The Cake Bar is doing a fund raiser to provide four cup cakes with each of the 200 holiday hams being prepared for distribution this week by the Franklin Food Pantry. Please consider stopping by to help fund this effort. For every 4 purchased, the Cake Bar will add 1.

stop by the Cake Bar to fund some cupcakes for the Food Pantry holiday ham dinners

The democratic process will be at work this Tuesday. Polls open at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM. All voting for all precincts is done in one place at the gym in the new Franklin High School.

There is only one ballot to vote on. One candidate to fulfill the open position on the Town Council. The Town Council, while a volunteer position, really sets the priority on what happens in Franklin. They fund the budget, they set the tax rate (including raising the taxes automatically by 2.5% every year). So your vote counts more this time than it does respectfully in almost any other election.

Make time Tuesday. Get out and cast your vote.

Election day reminder - Dec 16

The library book sale was on Saturday, the bag sale will happen today

library bag sale today

The Town Common looks festive even in the morning without the lights

Town Common - festive sight