Friday, May 22, 2015

FHS baseball tops Lincoln-Sudbury

From Hockomock Sports we find and share the results of Thursday's action around the Hockomock League.
FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers


baseball
Franklin, 12 vs. Lincoln-Sudbury, 5 - Final 
- Junior Nick Santucci went 2-3 and drove in five runs, including a grand slam, to spark the Panthers. Nick Burgos went 3-3, was on-base five times and scored three runs, Zane Byrne was 2-4 with a two-run home run and three RBI total, Tyler Gomes had a pair of hits with an RBI and Alex Bissanti was 1-3 with a pair of runs scored. Kyle Skidmore got the win in over five innings of work.

boys lacrosse
Franklin, 11 @ Dover-Sherborn, 12 - Final


Find all the results of Thursday's action 
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-052115

Thursday, May 21, 2015

New videos touting Franklin previewed, more on the way to address opiate drug problem

Franklin will get to showcase itself with five new advertising videos. The five spots were viewed by the Town Council last night. The video spots run about 1:30 to 2:00 minutes each and tout the benefits of Franklin. The spots are meant to be used to advertise Franklin at conferences and such occasions. 

The Horace Mann statue committee was created and the following members named to it: Debbie Pellegri, Charles Oteri, Jeff Roy, Mary Olsson, Lisa Piana, and Robert Dellorco. Tom Mercer was added to the previously published listing of committee members.

Three citizens spoke up about the proposed gas pipeline that is slated to be brought through Franklin. There is a Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 28th at the Council Chambers.


Considerable time and discussion was spent on the opiate drug problem that Franklin is affected by along with many other communities in the Commonwealth. Police Chief Stephan Semerjian, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, Representative Jeff Roy spoke of their efforts collaborating to address the growing issue. Among the new efforts to address this will be the formation of a coalition to bring together the many organizations that are affected by the problem. The students at Panther TV will be working with the Police Chief to develop some public service video announcements.


Police Chief Semerjian and his team address the Town Council
Police Chief Semerjian and his team address the Town Council


The Council approved of the purchase of 20 acres of land along Lincoln St to add to existing property already owned by Franklin and marked for open space. The purchase of this land by the open space funds would prevent the land from being re-purposed for a fire substation which caused Councilor Kelly to cast the only no vote. The measure passed 8-1.

My notes reported live during the meeting can be found here:


Open Mic Night at The Cake Bar

The 3rd Thursday of the month has rolled around again. 

Thursday, May 21st is the THIRD THURSDAY of the month and that means it's Open Mic Night at the cake bar! Come show off your musical talent in a fun and intimate setting. 
Sign up in advance for a guaranteed spot or walk in that night and check availability. Open Mic night is FREE and last month we had a variety of talented teen and adult performers. 
Come and join us this Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 at THE CAKE BAR in Franklin.


Open Mic Night - The Cake Bar
Open Mic Night - The Cake Bar

This was shared from The Cake Bar's Facebook page


LEGO Club returns at 4:00 PM today

The LEGO Club returns at 4:00 PM today. For ages, 3 to 12. The Library will be the place to help satisfy your LEGO mania.



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

time to “get up to speed”



With the current town clerk not seeking re-election this November, town officials will likely reduce the salary for the position by about $10,000. 
Longtime town clerk Deborah Pellegri announced early last month that she would not be taking nomination papers for the biennial town election. 
Last year, Pellegri received about a $10,000 raise, bringing her salary to more than $80,000. Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said at the time that Pellegri’s pay was roughly 13 percent less than the state average.
Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150521/NEWS/150529210/1994/NEWS

For other items of note in the FY 2016 budget you can refer to the reporting on the budget hearings here


Since taking office in 2010, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey each year has noted a rise in deaths resulting from overdoses of heroin and other opioids. 
Two years ago there were 63 deaths, he said; in 2014, there were 94. And before he left his Canton office Wednesday, the count for this year stood, already, at 58, including one during the day. 
“It’s the single largest problem I have as a district attorney,” Morrissey said, referring to the state’s opioid epidemic. “It’s the largest killer of young people.”
Conitnue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150521/NEWS/150529106/1994/NEWS

FHS baseball and girls lacrosse top Foxboro

In the Franklin vs. Foxboro competitions on Wednesday, the FHS baseball and girls lacrosse teams won, the boys tennis team lost. Thanks to Hockomock Sports for providing the results to share here


Baseball
Foxboro, 2 @ Franklin, 6 - Final 
- Anthony Chaiton struck out 10 in over five innings of work to pick up the win for the Panthers. Chaiton helped his cause at the plate, going 2-3 with a walk and a pair of runs scored. Nick Santucci was a perfect 3-3 with three runs scored and Kyle Wardrop picked up the save in relief, going 1.2 innings with a pair of strikeouts.
FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers


Girls Lacrosse
Franklin, 13 @ Foxboro, 2 - Final 
- Franklin jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first half and never looked back. Emily Jeffries led all scorers with four goals and two assists, Kenzie Pleshaw had three goals and Dani Lonati made five saves in net. Head coach Kristin Igoe said Grace McDermott played well defensively for the Panthers.


Boys Tennis
Franklin, 1 @ Foxboro, 4 - Final 
- Foxboro's Wes Young won 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 at first singles, Liam Riess won 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 at second singles, Andre Jaberi won 6-0, 6-3 at third singles and Brian Bortolotti and Jack Marino won 6-3, 6-3 at first doubles. Franklin's James Johnston and Eli Brooks won 6-4, 6-4 at second doubles.

For all the results from Wednesday around the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-052015

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Live reporting: Closing


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

thanks to Gus Brown for his work on all the affordable housing efforts

public hearing on the gas line, state hearing not federal or the gasline

bylaw on door to door coming after hours, had not registered and were out after 8pm; first response, don't answer the door, ask them to leave and call the police; there are legitimate reason to go but they need to register

thanks for beautification day, all the folks that donated the flowers and swaeat labor

National EMS week, congratulate them

attended presentation at the high school with Kennedy and others with the company who did the grant for the school lab equipment, thanks to them for that

RFP for the solar and other use on Pond St is out due back July 9th


L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
Pfeffer - groups like the Art Association or Garden Club can't sell items under our bylaws and use rules, they can go to Norfolk to do so but can't do so here

Nutting- we'll be happy to look at it

Kelly - I want to talk about the door to door folks that were going around, there is no reason to have folks going around after 8:00 PM. I'd like to look at that in a future meeting

the train noise, what would a quiet zone cost them? Norfolk got their's before the Federal law passed

if we could at least control the noise

Freight train running overnight to deliver between 1:00 -3:00 AM


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Pfeffer - can we start the coalition
the committee did a fantastic job

Franklin Council on Aging - expressing approval on the increase in minimum wage for the tax workoff program

Kelly - can we get something on the webpage about the DelCarte
some change to the route for the Memorial Day parade and ceremonies this year

hoping to get more to the cemetaries with the separate schedule


O. EXECUTIVE SESSION

P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0

LIve reporting: Legislation


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution15-26: Purchase of Unimproved Land at 864 Lincoln Street Authorization and Appropriation
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-1 (Kelly only no)

would tie nicely to current land that the Town already owns
using 250,000 to link the land and provide access to the Charles is good

Question to provide access for a fire substation
no access other than via the high tension wires
could use some space at Dacey field for that

Kelly - I just want to leave our options open for supporting fire/ambulance

Nutting - we could short term put some picnic tables and parking, longer term you coud do more, first you need to own the property


2. Resolution 15-27: Transfer From Water Enterprise and Rescind Borrowing Authority (Resolution 14-16 Appropriation Funding Sources)
motion to waive the reading, seconded, passed 9-0
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 

mostly an accounting process


4. Resolution 15-29: Acceptance of Deed of Open Space in Catherine Estate Open Space Residential Subdivision and Confirmatory Order of Taking
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)

developer needs to give the town about 12 acres
Kelly - what took so long, I was in high school when this started?
the developer also was paying taxes on the land that he could not use


5. Resolution 15-30: Compensation Plan – FY 2016
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
an annual proposal to adjust the wage scales, does not affect individuals at this time


6. Resolution 15-31: Appropriation – Snow & Ice
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
$505,759 over the current budget
we spent over $300,000 on the one storm they will reimburse and we might get half of that back later this calendar year


7. Resolution 15-32: Appropriation - Animal Control Truck
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
We split with Bellingham, they pay half and we do
we need a new truck


8. Resolution 15-33: Appropriation – GASB 45 Actuary Study
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


9. Resolution 15-34: Appropriation – Central Services
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
to cover an anticipated shortfall in postage



Live reporting: Police Chief on the drug problem


H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

» Police Chief Stephan Semerjian
introduced his three technical specialists, detectives 
(photo to be added)

there are any number of us who know someone with some addiction problem
heroin is a cheaper option to get the hit, high they are looking for

we have a syringe disposal
we have a drug take back

we focus our efforts on abusers, no one is happy in that condition

I am appreciative of the help we can get from the Legislation and the local District Attorney

we are not immune, our problem is not any more severe than any community around us

we have a hold different class of individuals today
kids, a different demographic

Franklin PD takes a very agressive posture on this
two others specifically do drug work, building cases, make sure it will pass the judicial test


District Attorney, Michael W. Morrissey
numbers are misleading and but going up everyday
largest killer of young people
the heroin today is twice as strong as it used to be
Oxycontin is nothing but heroin in pill form
5% of the population use 90% of the painkillers

our meeting is changing frequently, used to be quarterly, now it is monthly

we arrested 5 people last week, a collaborative effort
we do a lot of arrests, but we are not going to get out of this with arrests
we are after the bigger fish, we need to get the little folks into rehab

we don't want people dumping it down the toilet
we take it back and get rid of it

alcohol or substance abuse, everyone here is touched by it in some way

our problem is the medical community
120 pharmacies; prescription monitoring program
my office is referring over 30 doctors to board of medicine for investigation on their practices; I don't know the outcome but I'll keep referring them

doing a lot of things on a lot of fronts

there were community coalition to meet regularly
how can we get treatment out to people
and can help with some funds (taken from the drug dealers)

every community in Norfolk County has been trained
over 400 people have been saved in Quincy with this training


Rep Jeff Roy
learned early on in his days that the opiate problem was going to be a big problem; thanks to DA Morrissey for his guidance
thanks for the commitment on this issue



Denis, representing Sen Karen Spilka
listing of items currently in the budget to provide programs to fight the drug problem

she is committed to work with the local leaders to address this issue

Kelly - thanks for your meeting with us last week to go over this and help prepare. Even with my background, I was still shocked last week at the epidemic we have. The drug take back box did 2400 pounds in our community last year. The average user is 19-42 years old. It really covers all age groups. What do I do to help this anti-drug cause? the people want to partner with us.

Semerjian - we would like everyone to report, we have to leverage this information. we need everybody's information. We have a tip line. We have an email address on the website. We have anonymous ways to report. Unfortunately, no one wants to be a tattle tale. People can get hurt. It is a very complicated situation.

Morrissey - you can call State police, or any body, they all work together. There is a whole range of services to go to the house with. Getting education out there. We are at the high school. Maybe we need to get to the middle schools. You may start to see "after a long struggle with opiate abuse", or maybe via the donation 'in memory of' see who it goes to.

Semerjian - we are adding things to our website. The audio visual students at the High School will do some public service announcements for us

Padula - no longer an issue to have under an ounce of marijuana and it becomes a gateway drug. You have no idea how lucky we are to have all the good people working the issue for us. 

Roy - There are bills currently to legalize marijuana. You ask what can you do? educate yourself on that issue. If we don't do something, it might be a ballot question in Nov of 2016.

Dellorco - thanks for taking my calls, I have had to call to put some folks away. The people that come to me, coaching kids, the parents have nowhere to turn. We need to start to do something with the coalition to give some people to turn. You guys are doing the best you can. "this is war I dont think I can win". But we as a community we have to do something.

Bissanti - thanks to the Chief and Police Dept. This isn't a knee jerk reaction to recent headlines. This has been discussed before. We have utmost confidence in the police. The big fish arent what you see in the movies. It is a bigger problem than we think.

We have the arest factor, education is the number one priority. The coalition is a huge step to get the word out to the families, to get them to come forward and get them the help.


treat it on a tree prong level, education (1) check the website
(2) support groups, hotlines, treatment centers, who do they go
involuntary commitment, involve the schools, look at how much SADD has done over the years
no such thing as a casual heroine user
(3) enforcement component, utilize Ryan Jette and others who can see kids in different areas. We have to follow up after the arest to get treatment and not just leave them along after the arrest

meeting to help families meet so that the families who have addictions can have a support group, did not know how to get help; need a support group for parents and family members to get help

Vallee - education is the one way to stop this

Live reporting: Franklin TV


H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS 
» Cable TV

Ken Norman, Dr Ann Bergen, Peter Fasciano, Executive Director

Dr Bergen
talking about the scope of the drug issue here in Franklin
has gathered multiple resources to put together a show

Jeff Nutting
talked of the video being put together by Cable TV to advertise the Town

Peter
5 short videos, 90 - 2 mins each

(hopefully will be able to share the videos sometime sooner than later)


Vallee - why don't you consider hiring a part-time reporter to cover the news

Norman - we have tried but not given up on, we have things we want to get done. We have three channels and we want you to watch them. The school channel covers all the schools. The Community channel provides Ann's program. The government channel broadcasts the town meetings

We have made investment into the studio, now we are investing in the equipment to operate the studio. It will take several years to get what we want done.


Kelly - I think the videos really hit home on what we wanted. The big thing is to get the word on the street to get folks to watch them. Maybe use the sign in the center of town to help spread the word. Light years from where we were several years ago.

Bissanti - if someone would like to see those videos, how do they do that?

Norman - those are meant to market the town

Nutting - hook up with a trade show next month to put them on a CD and hand out. They are separate so they can cover multiple points

Norman - we have been awarded a 100-watt license to run a radio station. We have not yet done construction on the antenna, hopefully will be up in about 18 months. It will be used to broadcast these meetings and other original radio shows.

Frasciano - there are changes coming with the FCC that may allow us to get to a 250 watt broadcast. We do have plans over time to get to a radio broadcast. One of my highest priorities to get our programs listed on the TV guide. We are willing to do what we need to do so it won't just say "local access". There is no reason why a local broadcaster can't comply if we provide the details. My hopes are high.

Norman - we have had preliminary talks with the Milford Radio station. We are a non-profit and they are a commercial operation. There are some technical issues to work through but we are continuing the discussion. They are active with the Senior Center program.

Live reporting: Town Council - May 20, 2015

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


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none

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
Councilor Pfeffer talked of the presentation made to the Tri-County students yesterday and posted here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/franklin-town-council-honored-students.html


D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Gail Cherdon
commenting on the gas pipeline proposed
safety issue and health concern
nurse of 47 years, worked with patients of black lung disease and other lung diseases
the safety issue is most acute and dramatic
pipeline would transport fracked gas through MA to the coast for export
the export will increase the cost of gas for US consumers
Gov Baker has approved of the payment for the pipeline through fees passed on to the consumers
with another winter like this year, we could be in trouble
it was supposed to be going under the Charles River multiple times, now apparently it is going once, that is once too often
there are currently 10 natural gas pipeline explosions in the US
the pipelines currently there are old and need of repair
getting the feel that this is a 'done deal'
if that was so, I wouldn't be here nor would I be a nurse

I am saying this to further educate ourselves and those who are not here

Henry Maddox, 90 Elm St, Franklin, MA
built here 40 years ago using Franklin contractors
currently abutters to the powerlines and gas line
they have an obligation to maintain the lines
we insist that they don't use herbicides on the property
what would they do to our wells and water?
Spectra wants to put in a 30" line
would go right through the driveway and take down all the trees we have grown over the years to block out the power lines
the story is changing constantly, we don't know what to believe
we would like to sit on our back porch and listen to the birds and trees and not construction equipment
we are concerned about the fracking they are doing
methane in the atmosphere is a lot worse than CO2

There is a hearing on May 28th



G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
» British Beer Company – Change of Manager- 7:10 pm
motion to approve transfer as outlined, seconded, passed 9-0

(return to citizens comments)

Christine Mann, Dover Circle
went to the meeting at Hawthorne Suites about the pipeline
lots of incredible speakers but no answers to any questions
they took a lot of notes but no answers to any questions
they'll get back to our engineers
something about Jun 11th on the website, they are writing feverishly
one man from Western MA was quite explicit about references to laws being broken and they have no answers to the questions



E. APPOINTMENTS
3. Resolution 15-28: Creation of a Horace Mann Statue Committee

motion to approve committee, seconded, passed 9-0
there is a signed P/S with a proposed closing date of Nov 30th

» Horace Mann Statue Committee
motion to approve committee membership, seconded, passed 9-0
see names in the agenda
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-may-20.html

F. HEARINGS
none

Franklin Town Council honored students at Tri-County Regional


The Town Council of the Town of Franklin honored students at Tri-County Regional for their construction of a home on Beaver Court. 
Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting visited Tri-County on Tuesday, May 19, to present an Award of Excellence to the school's Carpentry, Electrical Wiring Technology, and Plumbing and Hydronic Heating programs. 
The award, which is signed by Franklin Town Council Chairman Robert R. Vallee, recognizes the students for exhibiting the skillful application of their trade in building a three-bedroom, two-bathroom Ranch home on Beaver Court. 
Tri-County, in partnership with the Franklin Municipal Housing Trust Fund, began the project in April 2014. The town paid for the materials in exchange for a home that meets affordable housing qualifications. 
While the finishing touches must still be added to the home, Franklin officials wanted to honor the seniors who contributed to the project prior to graduation.
Franklin officials honored Carpentry students and instructor Jeremy Barstow for their construction of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom Ranch on Beaver Court.
Franklin officials honored Carpentry students and instructor Jeremy Barstow
for their construction of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom Ranch on Beaver Court.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham

Memory Café Offered For Caregivers & Their Loved Ones


Thursday, May 21

3:00—4:30 pm at the Franklin Senior Center

Memory Cafés are places where people with Alzheimer’s or a related disease can go with their caregivers to socialize and have fun with others in a similar situation. 
Please call Elaine at 508 520-4945 for more info.




Franklin Senior Center
Franklin Senior Center

Fundraiser for the Horace Mann Middle School today from 3:00 - 9:00 PM

Pizza or ice cream?

If either is desired tonight, then you can help a good cause!

Spruce Pond Creamery/Franklin Flatbreads are doing a fundraiser for the Horace Mann Middle School today from 3:00 - 9:00 PM.

Print out the flyer (JPG) shown here and show when you pay for your purchase today.





Infographic: Every Kid Needs a Family

  MASSBudget     



Every Kid Needs a Family   
Kids do best with the support of a loving family. As our child welfare system develops strategies to help our most vulnerable children, it has a number of opportunities to provide kids with supportive families.  One is to help families that are living in precarious circumstances by providing the supports they need to care for their children in a safe and stable environment. 

When a child does need to be removed from her immediate family, she can be placed with a grandparent or other member of the extended family (called kinship care). Finally, the state can seek to recruit more foster parents who can provide good homes to children who would otherwise have to live in group homes or other institutional settings.

Every Kid Needs a Family: Giving Children in the Child Welfare System the Best Chance for Success, released today by the national partner of MassBudget's KIDS COUNT project, explores strategies for providing more children in the foster care system with the opportunity to grow up in a family. 

The progress on these issues in Massachusetts, and the continuing challenges, are described in MassBudget's recent report Family Ties: Exploring Massachusetts's use of Kinship Foster Care for Children in the Child Welfare System and a related report by KIDS COUNT Advisory Council member the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute: The Ties That Bind: Strengthening, and Reducing Racial Disparities in, Kinship Foster Care in Massachusetts.

The infographic below shows that Massachusetts is below the national average in giving children who are in the child welfare system the opportunity to live with members of their extended family. 

This contributes to more kids leaving the system (aging-out) without the support of a permanent family. And unfortunately, when kids age-out without this support they are less likely to finish high school and more likely to end up homeless or even in jail.


 


The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

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15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
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