Reminder: Soccer for Smiles Tournament --> February 17 - 19, 2015

Have Fun While Making a Difference!

Our next tournament is coming up quickly!

February 17, 18, and 19, 2015

Even though the tournament runs for three days, a player's commitment is just a couple of hours on one particular day. High schoolers come on one day, younger girls on the next day, and younger boys on the third day. The day is split by age groups in 2- or 3-hour blocks of time. It is great fun!


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Soccer for Smiles crew

A group of students in Franklin, Massachusetts got together in the wake of the 2010 earthquake inHaiti motivated to do something to help.  A soccer tournament was developed over February's school vacation that provided an opportunity for soccer players to have a lot of fun in friendly competition.  The event raised a significant amount of money that was donated to the relief fund for Haiti.  The Soccer For Smiles tournament was born.

In subsequent years the team has focused on local charities with the majority of monies raised going toward the Random Smile Project.  The group has also supported Team Isabella.  Each year the tournament has grown in participation and donations.  The team of students has grown and changed as older team members move on to college and new students join in the effort.

2015 Beneficiaries

This year we will direct our donations to support two initiatives:

1.                Kathleen M. Madden Scholarship

This past year, Kathleen M. Madden passed away, losing a battle to Inflammatory Breast Cancer. She was very close with many of us at Soccer for Smiles.

In her honor, we have created a scholarship in her name, which will be awarded to an applicant that we believe demonstrates outstanding involvement in his or her community.

2.                Random Smile Project

In the last four years we have donated thousands of dollars to the Random Smile Project (RSP) as we are pleased with their mission.

Soccer for Smiles Tournament

RSP provides a bridge of support to people going through difficult times. Families in need are provided with clothing, groceries, books, and toys through a network of local support. Accessibility options for those in need are supplied through their construction and renovation projects like wheelchair ramps, handicap bathroom conversions and home repair. They also award the unsung heroes in our community who put themselves second and others in need before them. They inspire volunteerism in the youth of our community through scholarships, playground initiatives and school outreach programs. Through these efforts RSP promotes the spirit of giving and receiving that reflects the greater good of what a community really is.

RSP is a community non-profit organization. They have zero paid employees. Everyone associated with RSP donates their time, trades, and skill sets. Since they have no salaries and very limited overhead, you can be assured that your donation will go a long way in their various community endeavors.

For additional information and to register, please follow this link

http://soccerforsmiles.org/

A Safety Reminder From National Grid

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A Safety Reminder from National Grid: Be sure to avoid power lines when clearing snow and ice As snow accumulations continue to mount across New England and with more snowfall likely in the coming days, National Grid is urging customers to take precautions to avoid the potential hazards these conditions present. Massive amounts of snow and ice building up on roofs and piled beneath power lines are serious and potentially dangerous. Snow on roofs can lead to water damage and, in some cases, can cause roofs to collapse. Large piles of snow under power lines can bring the tops of those mounds, which children frequently use for sledding, dangerously close to energized power lines. In both cases, the chance of being injured by coming in contact with power lines increases and snow and ice build-up on roofs can damage electric service lines running to homes and businesses. National Grid is urging home and business owners to be especially cautious as they work to clear their roofs by following these safety recommendations: • Keep all ladders, shovels, roof rakes and other devices well clear of any lines coming from the street to the structure, regardless of material. In extremely wet conditions, even wood can be a conductor of electricity. • If necessary, start clearing snow from the opposite end of the roof from the service point where electricity is delivered. • If you are unsure of how to go about clearing snow, or if your roof is particularly steep, contact a qualified roofing contractor. • As snow is removed from the roof, be aware of what is below that could become buried as snow hits the ground. Be especially mindful of the location of your electricity and gas meters as they could be damaged by falling snow and ice. You should also be aware that heavy snow loads could damage the connections of your electricity service to your home or building, often known as the weatherhead. As snow melts or is removed, look at this connection point from a safe distance to be sure it hasn't been pulled away from the building, creating a potential fire hazard. National Grid is responsible for repairs to the overhead lines to the weatherhead, and the meter itself. Repairs to any other portions of the service are the responsibility of the customer. If any of that service is damaged, customers should contact a certified electrician to handle the repairs. Please see our website for more information about post-storm responsibilities. As we brace for the possibility of more storms over the coming days, remember that National Grid provides several ways for you to stay connected: • Download our mobile app by searching for National Grid in iTunes and GooglePlay stores. • To register for broadcast text alerts for major storms, text the word "STORM" to NGRID (64743). • Visit the Outage Central section of our website where you can view outage maps, access important safety tips and report outages. Alternatively, our mobile website can be accessed by going to nationalgrid.com on your mobile device and selecting "View safety and outages." • Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@nationalgridus) for the latest updates. National Grid Here with you. Here for you.   Connect Now Visit us online at nationalgrid.com

This email was sent by: National Grid 40 Sylvan Road Waltham, MA, 02451, U.S.A.

"Franklin offers an enviable combination of low property taxes and a top performing high school"

Realtor Warren Reynolds writes:

The Boston Globe provided a lot of data on suburban property tax burdens in Greater Boston in a recent article on how home buyers look at property taxes, public school rankings and quality of life issues when choosing where to live in suburban Massachusetts. 

Curiously, the article fails to highlight the Town of Franklin when it reviews communities in the suburbs popular with buyers for offering low taxes, good schools and a great quality of life.  But in data buried at the bottom of the article, you can find that Franklin’s average real estate tax burden is gratifyingly low.  Property taxes are a lot lower in Franklin than in most other communities in the I-495 region!

Real estate tax burden and high school test scores by MA community

Warren continues to write his detailed analysis:

Where the Globe went astray in skipping over Franklin in the article was in failing to recognize that Franklin High School recently posted stellar scores in the annual performance tests mandated for all Massachusetts high schools by the Commonwealth.  The chart at the top of this post is my attempt to set the record straight: when you compare suburban towns by both average property tax burdens and high school test scores, you see that Franklin offers an enviable combination of low property taxes and a top performing high school.  Franklin High’s test scores edge out high schools in such prestige towns as Sudbury, Concord, Carlisle and Lincoln, while the average property tax in those towns is more than double what you pay in Franklin! 

If you live in Franklin, MA, you get superior schools and low property taxes along with an award-winning community (including Safest City in the US), lots ofgreen space for recreation and a commute that is made all the easier by the town’s TWO commuter rail stations and TWO interchanges on I-495.  In terms of taxes, schools and quality of life, it’s a dream setup for home buyers!

Continue reading the article on Warren's 02038.com page. He has more charts and good info touting Franklin!  http://www.02038.com/2015/02/franklin-low-taxes-top-high-school/

Franklin authorized to continue spending on snow/ice removals

The public portion of the Town Council meeting was the shortest recorded in my time reporting for Franklin Matters. No presentations and only one piece of legislation (authorizing to continue to spend over the snow/ice budget currently set at $950,000). 

How much Franklin ends up spending on snow/ice over the current budget will reduce the amount available for capital items. You may recall that Franklin uses the 'free cash' amount to fund capital each year. In years when the snow/ice budget stays reasonably within its limit, the capital budget can be healthy. This winter, the snow and ice budget is going past the $950,000 set. How much we'll end up with is anyone guess.

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting provided most of the insights with his updates.

The Council went into executive session to discuss the strategic approach for the negotiating season. All the union contracts are up for renewal this year.

Look what a little sun can do. Tuesday morning the street was completely white. By late afternoon, it lookedlike this

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting: Town Council - Feb 11, 2015

FHS Basketball teams and boys hockey win

From Hockomock Sports we find the results of Wednesday's FHS winter sports activities

Girls Basketball

Franklin, 47 @ Taunton, 43 - Final - The Panthers rallied from four points down with two minutes remaining. Franklin shot 8-11 from the line in the fourth quarter. Lexi Martin led the way with 13 points. Julianne Pisani added eight points and Lauren Rudolph scored seven. Taunton was led by Soraya Leon with 16 points and Jordan Wade added 14. The Tigers made nine three-pointers in the game.

Boys Hockey

Franklin, 1 @ Newburyport, 0 - Final - Ryan Spillane scored the only goal of the game on assists from Alec Borkowski and Joe Bourque. Ryan Shea earned the shutout in goal.

Swimming

Boys

Franklin, 38 vs. North Attleboro 56 - Final

Girls

Franklin, 45 vs. North Attleboro, 49 - Final

For the remainder of the Hockomock League action on Wednesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-021115

Taunton's Matt Midouin and Franklin's Marcus Giese battle for a rebound in the first half. (Tom Madigan/Photo)

Hockomock Sports Editor-in-chief, Ryan Lanigan writes about the FHS boys basketball game vs. Taunton.

They say defense wins championships. 

It also gets you to the big game. 

Franklin became the first team to limit the Tigers to less than 50 points this season, survived a last second offensive possession from Taunton and walked with a 50-48 win. 

The game between Franklin (15-3, 14-1) and Mansfield (17-2, 14-1) on Friday will determine who is the lone winner of the Kelley-Rex division of the Hockomock League.

You can read the rest of the article here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/bohmiller-and-defense-send-franklin-past-taunton

Live reporting - Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
about 700 lbs received for Food Pantry during the year

new license to be available soon

bond agency discussion, refinancing to save money
water/sewer and debt excluded funds

recognize Chief McCarragher for professional development 

thank you note from a parent

Assessor seat vacant, please consider applying

preliminary drawing of the front of 150 Emmons St front, in process of doing P/S agreement, looking to transfer around July 1

requesting an executive session for collective bargaining strategy

L. OLD BUSINESS
Vallee - did we hear from MA DOT? re the train station
Nutting - had emailed and not heard back, likely caught up in the snow and other events at the MBTA


M. NEW BUSINESS
none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Kelly - thank the Cultural Council and Ladybug committee for the work they did on the Ladybug project, the delegate ladybug will be displayed in the lobby

Bisssanti - wish Maureen Sabolinski a speedy recovery

Dellorco - shout out to the DPW for a good job done


O. EXECUTIVE SESSION 
– Discussion of Strategy for negotiations with all Town Employee Unions
motion to go to executive session, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)

Live reporting: Town Council - Feb 11, 2015

Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Williams, Dellorco
Absent:  none

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– May 14, 2014, June 4, 2014, January 21, 2015
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

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
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS


E. APPOINTMENTS
none

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
none

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Economic Development - Pond St RFP discussed, input provided, discussion continues, meeting next month to look at traffic figures

Capital Committee met this evening, next meeting March 4
awaiting snow ice final to see what's left for capital

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 15-09: Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

$950,000 was budgeted, expected to be surpassed