Franklin Beautification Day to be May 16

Join the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club and help add a colorful touch of spring to downtown and the Town Common on Saturday, May 16.

Volunteers and sponsors are needed to help with the 12th annual Beautification Day from 9 a.m. to Noon, rain or shine. This year’s color scheme honors American service men and women.

Volunteers plant flowers on the Main Street bridge last spring

“We chose a patriotic theme this year to remember those who have served and continue to serve our country both at home and overseas,” says Eileen Mason, Beautification Day chairperson.

Red, white and blue flowers and greenery will adorn the Common’s memorial gardens as well as the planter boxes along the bridge and in front of several businesses downtown. The plants will be hardy enough to withstand full sunlight and this summer’s harsh construction environment.  

Residents interested in volunteering, especially students in need of community service hours, should contact Eileen Mason at emason11@verizon.net. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. on the center island in front of the Rome Restaurant.

According to Mason, the Franklin High School hockey teams and volunteers from the YMCA will once again pull on garden gloves and help spruce up the downtown to create a welcoming environment.

Sponsors and donations are needed to help cover costs associated with the beautification committee’s year-round efforts. Tax-exempt donations help with planning, installation, and maintenance of the spring plantings and holiday decorations.

For as little as $150 businesses or residents can sponsor the group’s efforts. All sponsors will receive acknowledgement in the local papers and on the Partnership’s website and social media.

More information about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working together to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. The FDP currently has over 200 members and welcomes all businesses and residents. For more information, please contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at (774) 571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.

Eileen Mason coordinates the annual event

Click here to download the 2015 Beautification press release.

This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2015/04/2015-beautification-day-press-release.html

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Apr 28

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."

The key to learning

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 7, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FY 16 Budget Hearing

3. Discussion Only Items
Accept Collaborative Agreement
Bi-County Collaborative Activities & Information

4. Action Items:
a. I recommend approval of the revised Accept Collaborative Agreement as discussed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $ from Davis Thayer PCC for Field Trips.

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
Personnel Update

8. Adjourn

Connection between white van delivering Verizon phone books and break-ins?

Sharing this from our "network" of Franklin neighbors

I wanted to share some info with you about recent break ins. Our television was stolen in may last year. Our front door was busted open and there was a Verizon phonebook on the front stairs. No one ever uses our front door as our driveway is at our side door. I had a friend tell me Friday their house in Bellingham was broken into while she was at work. 

When i got home Friday night I noticed our Verizon phonebooks this year were put at the mailbox unit we share with two neighbors across the street, not at our doorsteps. I asked my friend in Bellingham and she had also received a Verizon phonebook Friday when her house was broken into. 

My mother saw the van dropping the phonebooks off today and ID'd the vehicle and driver. Its an older model ford van Ohio license plate Z781154. She drove around the neighborhood and stopped the van asking "if they had seen a black lab running around". There was one guy driving and one guy with a hooded sweatshirt sitting in the back of the van. 

Bellingham And Franklin PD have been given this information but wouldn't question them as no one saw them doing anything wrong. I hope they are just delivering phonebooks, but I know last year there was a connection between a white van/suv and the break ins. I didn't want to post my name with this on your page but thought you may be able to do something with it. People should be vigilant to cars driving around dropping off phonebooks. 

Thanks for your time.

If you do see something, please contact the Franklin Police Dept.

Franklin Police Station - 911 Panther Way

"we’re pretty dangerous and we can run with anyone"

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of Hockomock Sports, writes about the close game that the FHS boys lacrosse played against Billerica on Saturday.

When the Hockomock League changed the rules this spring, so that lacrosse teams only had to play league opponents once, these were the types of games and the types of opponents that Franklin was hoping to add. 

To continue to grow the program, the Panthers needed to prove that they can compete against the best. On Saturday afternoon, in the final of the Creators Crosse Tournament at Lincoln Park in Lexington, Franklin did just that by pushing a strong Billerica team to the brink before falling 10-9. 

Junior Austin Kent (4) scored three goals and had an assist against
Billerica in the final of the third annual
Creators Crosse Tournament. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

“They wanted this,” explained Franklin coach Lou Verrochi. “They wanted this type of schedule and they proved that they belonged up here with the best. We battled from two-goal deficits, three-goal deficits…With a few bounces either way we could have won.” 

In fact, the Panthers battled back from a three-goal deficit in the first half and twice recovered from two goals down in the fourth quarter before an Indians goal with 1:03 remaining gave Billerica the lead for good.

Continue reading the article on Hockomock Sports
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/panthers-battle-to-end-at-creators-crosse-tourney

Celebrate Earth Day!!! - Help clean up around Franklin - May 2

Saturday, May 2nd

9 – noon (rain or shine)

Meet at Beaver Pond parking lot and volunteer to clean up targeted areas around Franklin.

Free dogwood and rose of sharon saplings to first 100 volunteers

• Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
• Community service certificates will be issued.
• Free pizza and beverages for volunteers after the clean-up.
• Free T-shirts to the first 300 volunteers!
• Free dogwood and rose of sharon saplings to first 100 volunteers!

The listing of targeted locations can be viewed here

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0209C532-000F8513.3/EarthDay_location_descriptions_2015.pdf

The Franklin map with the targeted locations marked

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0209C532-000F8513.2/Earth%20Day%20Map.pdf

“Stamp Out Hunger is truly a community-wide effort"

On Saturday, May 9, Franklin letter carriers will help the Franklin Food Pantry Stamp Out Hunger when the carriers pick up food donations from town residents at their mailboxes and deliver them to the Franklin Food Pantry.

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is a nationwide effort organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) that provides food to local food banks and pantries that would otherwise be faced with depleted stocks during the summer months. The food drive is the nation’s largest single-day drive, collecting almost 73 million pounds of food last year.

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

The Franklin letter carriers collected and delivered more than 4,585 pounds of food to the Franklin Food Pantry in last year’s drive. The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive comes at an ideal time for the Pantry.

“Stamp Out Hunger is truly a community-wide effort that gives us the inventory boost we need to help us through the summer,” says Erin Lynch, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. “Donations slow down after the first of the year, and by springtime, our inventory is depleted of the generous provisions we received over the holidays. We are so thankful to the letter carriers, and a supportive community, for helping us replenish our Pantry for the summer season.”

Nearly 600 households in Franklin count on the Franklin Food Pantry for supplemental food assistance.

Franklin residents can donate to the food drive by leaving a bag of non-perishable food where their letter carrier normally delivers their mail on Saturday, May 9. Some residents may receive the special yellow Stamp Out Hunger grocery bags to use, but any paper or plastic bag can be used. Letter carriers will pick up the bags during their normal mail rounds and will deliver the food to the Franklin Food Pantry.

Residents can also drop their donations off at the Franklin Food Pantry from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 9, or during the Pantry’s regular business hours, Tuesday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Pantry is located at 43 West Central Street, Route 140, adjacent to the Rockland Trust parking lot across from the Franklin fire station.

While all non-perishable food donations are welcome, items that are currently most needed at the Pantry include:

• Tuna
• Juice boxes
• Granola bars
• Pudding
• Sugar-free Jell-O
• Crackers
• Cake/cookie/brownie mix
• Coffee

The Pantry is also in need of the following non-food items:

• Toilet paper
• Deodorant
• Dish soap
• Hand soap

If residents prefer to give a monetary donation (please no cash), please write a check payable to the Franklin Food Pantry, seal it in an envelope (no postage required), write “Letter Carriers’ Food Drive” on the envelope, and leave it in your mailbox. 

Donations can also be made online at www.franklinfoodpantry.org, or mailed to the Franklin Food Pantry, P.O. Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038.

For more information on the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, visit www.helpstampouthunger.com or call the Franklin Food Pantry at 508-528-3115.

"Dance Company:Backstage" with Bill Evans, Laura Young, and other award winning artists

Dear fellow arts advocates…just a quick note to invite you to our concert…

Bill Evans (Gugenheim fellow and internationally renowned dancer, choreographer, and educator), Laura Young (founding principal dancer with the Boston Ballet), and other award winning artists present original and historic repertory this weekend and next at Dean College's "Dance Company:

Backstage" concert.

Dean College, downtown Franklin

I invite you to attend the show April 24, 25, 30 and May 1^st at 7:30pm or April 26 at 2pm.

I think you will enjoy helping the Palladino school of Dance at Dean College celebrates its 51^st  year with this performance!

https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=20ca4f35f547b7db62dadb55d5f505c1

Thank you,

Julianne O'Brien Pedersen

Dean and Professor

Palladino School of Dance at Dean College

News from Norfolk County Registry of Deeds - Consumer Notification Service

One way to proactively address fraud is to set up alerts when your information would be used. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has just made available an alert program to monitor your property deed. I set up my alert on Friday and it was quick and easy to do so. I hope it nevers goes off, but if it does, I'll get a warning.

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Announces Consumer Notification Service Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today announced the establishment of a free on-line Consumer Notification Service to protect Norfolk County property owners against potential property fraud. "The F.B.I. has reported that property and mortgage fraud is one of the fastest growing white collar crimes in America. Many jurisdictions across the country have reported individuals recording fraudulent documents making it look like they own another person's home or property. While we have been fortunate that this problem has not manifested itself in Norfolk County, I want to make sure my office is out in front of this issue," noted Register O'Donnell. Any owner of real property in any of the twenty-eight communities comprising Norfolk County can sign-up for the Consumer Notification Service free of charge by doing the following: From the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org, click on the button Consumer Notification Alerts to complete initial registration. From there, follow the remaining sign-up instructions. Once you have signed up for the service, each subscriber will be able to input two names, individual or business, and the corresponding city or town in Norfolk County for monitoring. They could monitor their real estate for liens, deeds, homesteads that might be recorded against the property. If a document is recorded against one of the names inputted for monitoring, the subscriber will be alerted via email. If a subscriber believes a fraudulent land record has been recorded against their property, they would then immediately contact the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Customer Service department at (781) 461-6101. Another option available to those who receive a notification is to consult the Registry's on-line land research records at www.norfolkresearch.org. The subscriber would also be given by the Registry a list of public safety referrals. Register O'Donnell concluded, "Part of my job as Register is to provide secure, accurate and accessible land records for all Norfolk County communities. I also want to be proactive in ensuring there is no fraudulent activity related to land document recordings. By offering the Consumer Notification Service, we will be able to provide a layer of protection to the program's subscribers against unscrupulous individuals who would attempt to commit property and mortgage fraud." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com @NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Forward email Norfolk County Registry of Deeds | 649 High Street | Dedham, | MA | 02026-1831

Franklin Library: "Wizard of OZ" - shown 2:00pm on Sunday, Apr 26

"We're off to see the Wizard
The wonderful Wizard of OZ!"

Yes, you can. 

No yellow brick road required. Just make your way Sunday to the Franklin Library. The movie starts at 2:00 PM

For more about the movie  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1939_film)


This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/04/movie-wizard-of-oz.html

FHS baseball tops Catholic Memorial 5-2

From Hockomock Sports we find that the FHS baseball team topped Catholic Memorial 5-2 on Friday.


Franklin, 5 @ Catholic Memorial, 2 - Final - 

Kyle Skidmore tossed a complete game for the win, allowing just four hits and striking out three for the Panthers. Nick Santucci was 2-4 with a two run home run and Ant Chaiton went 2-4 with a pair of doubles with a run scored, Tyler Gomes went 2-4 and Ben Chaffee was 1-3 with an RBI and a run scored. 

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Friday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-042415

In the News: high school fields, Park Serve Day

The three new athletic fields at Franklin High School are now under construction, with the turf field expected to open first, just in time for the fall sports season. 

Although the new high school has been open since September, the work represents the final phase of a $104.5 million project that began in October 2012.
The school will host fields for baseball, softball, football, soccer, field hockey and lacrosse. 

The baseball and softball fields, located on the footprint of the razed high school building, will not be ready until 2017, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting. While construction will likely wrap up over the summer, the grass needs time to grow.

the site of the future turf field as it appeared on Apr 12

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150424/NEWS/150427311/1994/NEWS

You can find all the comments that Jeff Nutting made during the Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/live-reporting-finance-committee-apr-22.html

Several local parks are participating in the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's annual Park Serve Day on Saturday. 

The program encourages residents to help DCR staff get parks and beaches ready for summer by cleaning coastlines, clearing trails, planting flowers, painting picnic tables, mowing, weeding and picking up litter, according to a press release from DCR. 

“This effort is a true collaboration, in partnership with residents, friends groups and local officials, which will benefit the tens of thousands of visitors heading to DCR parks this season,” DCR Commissioner Jack Murray said in the release. “We all have a role to play in preserving and enhancing our forests and parks. Park Serve Day provides an opportunity for residents to experience our great resources first-hand and spread the word about what the commonwealth has to offer.”

The Franklin State Forest is on the listing for action today. Continue reading the article for details on how to participate.
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150423/NEWS/150428026/1994/NEWS

You can register online for this activity on the DCR webpage here
http://web1.env.state.ma.us/DCR/MassParksPublic#/main/Calendar#mainTab

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 4/24/15 - THU 4/30/15

FRI 4/24   10:30am   Having Fun with Fossils and Dinosaurs (all ages) at Franklin Public Library
FRI 4/24   2pm   Movie Screening: The Hunger Games - Mockingjay Part I at Franklin Public Library
FRI 4/24   6:30pm-8:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
FRI 4/24   8pm   April Hall Quartet at The Black Box
FRI 4/24  8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena

SAT 4/25   10am-12pm   FYBO Opening Day Parade and Festivities, start is at Davis Thayer School
SAT 4/25   12pm   2nd Annual Dean Dash 5K, starts at noon from Awpie Way (in front of Dean Hall), Dean College
SAT 4/25    4 - 7pm  Beer Extravaganza at Pour Richard's to benefit Franklin Food Pantry
SAT 4/25   7pm-midnight   Relay Masquerade at Franklin Country Club to benefit Franklin and Bellingham Relay for Life
SAT 4/25   8pm   HipHarp at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, FUSF
SAT 4/25   9pm   Comedy Night at the “3” Restaurant, Franklin

SUN 4/26   2:00pm  Wizard of OZ movie at the Franklin Public Library

TUE 4/28   1-2pm   Create and Use a Gmail Account - hands on workshop at Franklin Public Library. Call to register, space is limited.
TUE 4/28   3:30pm   iStories at Franklin Public Library

WED 4/29   12pm   Adult Painting at Franklin Art Center

THU 4/30   6:30pm   FUSF Fundraiser at Pour Richard’s: Wine Tasting and Live Music

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

14th Annual Independence 5k Run and Walk - May 17

HMEA Inc. will be hosting its 14th Annual Independence 5k Run and Walk on Sunday, May 17th, 2015 at EMC2 on Constitution Boulevard, Franklin. For over 13 years, this family-fun event has raised funds to support 3800 children and adults from ages 1 to 101 with disabilities such as Autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other behavioral challenges. This event attracts over 2000 people from Southeastern and Central Massachusetts, as well as Rhode Island. 

Last year's event raised nearly $200,000. HMEA is anticipating that this year will be another successful event and hope that the community will continue to help champion its' mission of promoting the values, dreams and potential of people with developmental disabilities through education, support and life experiences. 

5K road race start

The day kicks off with a USATF certified 5K course run starting at 9 am followed by a family friendly and flexible 5K Walk that starts at 11 am. In addition there is a kids “fun run” that starts at 12:30 pm, many games and activities commence/ start after the opening ceremony that pays tributes to military veterans. There is free food and top notch entertainment throughout the day for all to enjoy. 

The family-fun event has numerous activities available for kids such as “touch a truck” – a 150 foot ladder Franklin fire truck, police displays, a wood shop building sponsored by the Home Depot of Bellingham and so much more. Special guests include the mascots Wally the Green Monster, Nibbles Woodaway, and the Cardi Furniture Bros “NiRoPe.” 

In addition, this year’s entertainment highlights boast The New England Revolution Slyde and The Battalion, Studio Two – a Beatles Tribute Band, Irish Step Dancers, Hot Rods, Clowns and even a Dog Show! 

The day’s events feature a special “Dreams Come True” raffle which contains high-end items such as a Bose® Wave® SoundTouch® Music System, a one-week RCI timeshare to anywhere in their world-wide catalog, four complimentary 1-day Park Hopper passes to Disney World Theme Parks, 4 Red Sox Tickets, complimentary one night stay in a Luxurious Room in the Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel, and the list keeps growing. 

HMEA’s gracious host EMC2 helps to make this day a success by not only providing the location but they also help with the logistics, promotion and even the donation of volunteer t-shirts. Local businesses such as Open Doors Yoga Studio participate by providing yoga demonstration as part of HMEA’s wellness initiative. Families of HMEA are a huge part of the day because their personal investment for their love ones motivates them to mobilize, fundraise and bolster this event for an awesome cause. 

Major sponsors of the event include EMC2, DCU for Kids, Rockland Trust, The Home Depot, Cardi’s Furniture, Wal-Mart Stores, Fidelity Bank, Bowditch & Dewey, Autobahn East, ACT Leasing, AAA of Southern New England, Sodexo Foods, Franklin Industrial Park Association Trust, Big Blue Bug Solutions, Quality Beverage, among many others. 

Anyone interested in sponsoring, participating, or attending the event, is encouraged to visit the website at http://www.hmea.org or contact Linda Conley at 508-298-1107, Doug MacPherson x1105 or Tracy Andryc at x1129.

FHS baseball and both lacrosse teams win on Thursday

Hockomock Sports reports on the spring sports action from Thursday April 23 where the FHS teams all won their games.


Baseball

Franklin, 4 @ Framingham, 2 - Final 

- Anthony Chaiton struck out 10 batters in 5.2 innings of work for the win, not allowing an earned run. Junior Nick Santucci pitched one inning in relief, striking out one for the save. Chaiton went 2-4 at the plate with an RBI and Santucci was 1-2 with a double, run scored and a walk. Zane Byrne went 1-3 with an RBI and Nick Burgos went 1-3 with a run scored.

FHS Panthers

Boys Lacrosse

Franklin, 8 vs. Walpole, 6 - Final 

- Jack Vail registered a team-high four points with a pair of goals and a pair of assists. Justin Miller scored a hat trick while Ben Burke netted a pair of goals. DJ Shea made 10 saves in net and head coach Lou Verrochi said the defense played great.

Girls Lacrosse

Franklin, 17 @ Bishop Feehan, 9 - Final 

- Emily Jeffries led the way with a team-best five goals while Sheelagh Walsh, Julia Jette and Kenzie Pleshaw each recorded hat tricks. Julianne Pisani had six draw controls and Dani Lonati made six saves in net.

For all the Hockomock League action on Thursday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-042314

You're Invited: Beer Extravaganza - Apr 25 to benefit Franklin Food Pantry

Connecting good friends with great wine! Never Drink Ordinary! Beer Extravaganza Saturday, April 25 4-7 PM    It's 'that' time again-time to check out everything new in brew! Pour Richard's Spring Beer Extravaganza, featuring dozens of new seasonal beers and 2 fabulous (local!) cider producers, is THE place to find new spring and summer favorites. Taste a few or taste them all, then vote for your top three. One ballot, drawn at random, will win their favorite beer. This event is free, but we are taking voluntary donations for the Franklin Food Pantry.             Mark your calendars for 2 more great events!                  Bottles & Bark-Sunday, May 3 1-4 PM           Drink Pink for the Cure-Sunday, May 31. 2-5 PM 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 Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits | 14 Grove Street | Franklin | MA | 02038 Franklin Food Pantry