Franklin Library: Teen Advisory Board - May 19th

The Teen Advisory Board meets on Tuesday, May 19th. Teens can gather for refreshments and help advise the Library on activities and events that would draw teens to the Library.

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/05/teen-advisory.html

Reminder: Voice of Franklin Toastmasters Open House - May 19

The Voice of Franklin Toastmasters invite residents and the local community to its Open House taking place during its May 19, 2015 meeting, 7:30 PM, at the Benchmark Senior Living at Forge Hill, Four Forge Hill Road, Franklin, MA. 

“Voice of Franklin Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to develop their communication and leadership skills,” says Fred Elliott, Club President for Toastmasters Voice of Franklin. 

Toastmasters International

Members and guests will enjoy a regular Toastmasters meeting that will include prepared speeches, Table Topics™ (impromptu speeches) and evaluations. 

Club VP of Education, Brian Hilfrank, who has served in various club positions, will be the Table Topics master. “Table Topics are one of my favorite parts of the meeting,” says Hilfrank. “This is where guests and members are randomly selected to speak for one to two minutes. It helps you think and speak clearly on your feet.” 

The Open House is open to guests, new members, past members, current members, and anyone curious about how Toastmasters can benefit them.

Voice of Franklin Toastmasters Open House 

Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 

Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Location: Benchmark Senior Living at
Forge Hill, Four Forge Hill Road, Franklin, MA

For more information, visit website http://voiceoffranklin.toastmastersclubs.org/ 

Voice of Franklin Toastmasters meets the first and third Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Benchmark Senior Living at Forge Hill in Franklin. For more information about this event and the club, please visit website at http://voiceoffranklin.toastmastersclubs.org/

About Toastmasters InternationalToastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the organization’s membership exceeds 313,000 in more than 14,650 clubs in 126 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.

Note: this is not to be confused with the "Voices of Franklin" series that runs periodically here on Franklin Matters.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Shades IN Place: BOO - Surprise! (5/17/15)

#shopFranklin

It was a memorable surprise for sure View on the web

The Blind Spot 'Shady' stories in the life of a Brazilian (small) biz owner May - 2015 Roger Magalhaes Shades IN Place Inc. Owner & Blind Installer Welcome to Mother's Day month! For sure my mom will remember this one for many years to come...Find out why by reading on...   It was a memorable surprise! My Mom lives in Brazil and every Mother's Day I send her a nice gift in the mail followed by a phone call and a long conversation. And yes, tears are just part of the ritual. I guess what I am trying to do is somehow narrow the void created by the distance of living here in Boston. However this year I did something very original.... I surprised her with myself! Let me explain. Without her knowing it, I flew to my homeland, had my best friend pick me up at the airport and bought a large flower arrangement on the way to my Mom's. As previously arranged with my friend Fabiano, he called my Mom the day before and mentioned that he was going to visit a client near her and wanted to stop by to pay her a visit. She lives in an apartment complex and it was easy for me to 'sneak in' the building without her knowing it. Fabiano knocked on her door and entered the apartment. Everyone was chatting while I was hiding in the hallway. After a couple of minutes I knocked on the door and Mom opened the door slowly,  a little suspicious, as she was not expecting anyone else.....and then BOO! What a surprise for both of us and lots of tears for sure. This was a Mother's Day that will be remembered for many years to come!   But don't let this simple tale fool you.  Before getting to the hugs and crying part of the story, lots of planning and coordination were required between scheduling my workload, flights and even my friend's schedule. In fact, this whole situation reminds me of the process of buying automated shades: A: Having  good window shades is very nice just like receiving a gift in the mail. But once you experience the many features and convenience that only automated shades and blinds can provide, you will feel like there is a real person in the house doing the work for you. B: Buying motorized shades does require a bit more planning - just like traveling abroad. We need to choose the best way to power your new blinds and shades. It can be battery operated or hard wired (usually done pre-construction in a home). Also, we need to decide on the control options:  by handheld remote or  the ability to use mobile devices such as your phone and tablets. C: In the end, after all the window treatments are installed. you will enjoy the Smart Home experience for many years to come. Just like an unannounced visit from your  "favorite" kid....... sorry sis. To learn more, please visit my recently created Motorization page with lots of information. As always, feel free to give me a call at 508.520.6700 or email me to ask questions. You can ask for a tissue or two as I have some left in my luggage. Cheers,   What I do... People don't shop for window coverings often. In fact many haven't  bought new shades in 15 - 20 years! My job is to introduce you to the many wonderful features & benefits  that automated shades have to offer. As a result you will be able to control privacy, home security (protection) and prevent sun fading via smartphones and tablets whether you are home or away. Stay IN Touch old fashion mail -  Shades IN Place Inc. Custom Window Treatment Solutions 76 Grove St. Franklin MA 02038 email - roger@shadesinplace.com call / text - 508-904-2108 office - 508-520-6700 fax - 508-445-8800 shake hands - 76 Grove St Franklin MA 02038 web - www,shadesinplace.com read - download brochure schedule - Book An Appointment resources - My Power Team Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.

Forward this email Shades IN Place | 76 Grove St | Franklin | MA | 02038

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 20, 2015

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS » Tri-County School

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
» Horace Mann Statue Committee

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
» British Beer Company – Change of Manager- 7:10 pm

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
» Cable TV
» Police Chief Stephan Semerjian

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution15-26: Purchase of Unimproved Land at 864 Lincoln Street Authorization and Appropriation
2. Resolution 15-27: Transfer From Water Enterprise and Rescind Borrowing Authority (Resolution 14-16 Appropriation Funding Sources)
3. Resolution 15-28: Creation of a Horace Mann Statue Committee
4. Resolution 15-29: Acceptance of Deed of Open Space in Catherine Estate Open Space Residential Subdivision and Confirmatory Order of Taking
5. Resolution 15-30: Compensation Plan – FY 2016
6. Resolution 15-31: Appropriation – Snow & Ice
7. Resolution 15-32: Appropriation - Animal Control Truck
8. Resolution 15-33: Appropriation – GASB 45 Actuary Study
9. Resolution 15-34: Appropriation – Central Services

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Municipal Building

The set of documents released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/05202015.pdf

Reporting by walking around (photo essay)

On Saturday, I took a good walk around town and took photos of what I found. I'll added a couple that I had not shared from a prior weekend walk.

colorful annuals for sale at Agway on Cottage St

The Franklin Garden Club is busy freshening up the flower beds on the Town Common

tree loosing its bark at Spring Pond on Washington St

nesting swans also at Spring Pond on Washington St

the Franklin Community Garden is starting to show green

warm enough to have the doors open at Fire House #2 on King St

advertising the HMEA 5K at the Franklin Industrial Park entrance off King St

and two from a prior weekend walk

banners now hanging on the walls at Franklin High School

grading the area where the new artificial turf field is scheduled to go at Franklin High School

some info on the nesting swans

How long do swans sit on their eggs?After the nest has been built, which typically takes 2-3 weeks, the egg laying process begins with an egg being laid every 12-24 hours. Once all the eggs have been laid, which can take 2-3 weeks, they will all be incubated (ie sat on to start the growth process) at the same time with hatching usually 42 days (6 weeks) later.

http://www.theswansanctuary.org.uk/faq.php

Representative Roy & Senator Spilka welcome Franklin seniors to the People's House

Representative Jeffrey Roy was honored to host a group from the Franklin Senior Center in the State House last week. The seniors took a tour of the People's House, including a personalized tour of the House and Senate Chambers. The visit also featured a photograph with Representative Roy and Senator Spilka on the Grand Staircase. 

Franklin seniors visiting the State House with Senator Spilka and Representative Roy

The group was fortunate that the timing of their trip coincided with the recent re-opening of the State House's west entrance and statue devoted to former President John F. Kennedy. The tour included a stop at the statue and allowed the guests to see a side of the State House that, prior to its re-opening only a few weeks ago, had not been open to the public prior to 2001 due to security concerns. 

"It was a pleasant and engaging visit with yet another fantastic group from Franklin," said Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin), "Even though some of the seniors were visiting the State House for the first time, it was hardly noticeable. They were engaging for the entirety of the tour, even stopping to speak with a few of the many State House employees that they met along the way." 

"It was wonderful to welcome this terrific group of seniors to the State House," said Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). "The State House is a living museum, and I'm always glad to see people from our community take advantage of the opportunity to visit and learn how to be active and engaged citizens."

Senior Center: A new edition of The Franklin Connection is available

A new edition of The Franklin Connection has been published on the Town of Franklin web site.

Click the link below to read the latest edition.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/June15connection.pdf

Franklin's Senior Center