In the News: Ficco's closes, Taunton man charged

Yet discussing the close, Ficco didn't reveal any pangs of regret, though he said it likely hasn’t sunk in completely. It will hit him the hardest, he said, when he drives by the new shopping plaza slated to be built in the alley’s place. The building will be razed. 

“There are hundreds of stories, when you’ve been here as long as we have,” he said. “There're all kinds of things – one woman told me she’d been in the same league for 47 years. I feel a little bad for the older folks, my regular customers who’re here every week.” 

And Ficco will miss watching the jubilant faces of people as they bowl, especially the children. “I was always around people who were having a good time,” he said, adding that the alley has been the venue for uncountable first dates, many of which blossomed into happy marriages.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150605/NEWS/150607180/1994/NEWS

A Taunton music teacher, who has taught children in public and private settings in several cites and towns in Massachusetts, has been accused of child rape. 

Charges were filed after police said Charles Hocking, 66, inappropriately touched a 7-year-old boy during piano lessons at a home here last month. 

Hocking has been charged with aggravated statutory rape of a child (two counts) and open and gross lewdness. He was held on $10,000 bail following his Wrentham District Court arraignment Thursday.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150605/NEWS/150607434/1994/NEWS

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 6/5/15 - THU 6/11/15

FRI 6/5   12-6pm   OPENING of Franklin Farmers Market at The Town Common!
FRI 6/5   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
FRI 6/5   8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena

SAT 6/6   2pm   Jamie Barrett and Nick Paone Return! to The Black Box

TUE 6/9   7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Public Meeting at the Franklin YMCA

WED 6/10   6:30pm   Marjorie Turner Holman introduces her new book More Easy Walks in Massachusetts at Franklin Public Library.

THU 6/11   4-7pm   12th Annual Strawberry Stroll - Downtown Franklin

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

Franklin Police: Robbery Press Release

Franklin Police Detectives are still working all leads in this robbery investigation. Female victim was surprised by lone male with a handgun while exiting her car in the driveway. Male suspect brandished firearm at victim and demanded cash, victim gave cash from her pocketbook and suspect male fled down Forest Street on foot. Franklin Patrol Units were in close proximity when call of robbery received and closed off immediate area to allow for Franklin K-9 search. 

As a precaution elementary schools in the area were put on administrative lockdown. K-9 search of the area had negative results. Canvass of residents in the area provided limited detail. Case actively being investigated. We are thankful that no one was hurt during this incident. 

If you have any information at all we strongly urged you to call the Franklin Police Department Tip Line @ 508-440-2780, leave an email @ tips@franklinpolice.com or speak to a law enforcement officer you know and trust. 

Thank you. 

Chief Stephan Semerjian
911 Panther Way
Franklin, MA 02038
ssemerjian@franklinpolice.com
508-528-1212 ext. 2709 

“Service for One Service for All”
Fairness, Compassion, Integrity

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Franklin Police Station - 911 Panther Way

The Milford Daily News article posted for the Friday paper can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/a-standard-safety-procedure.html

Library Renovation Survey - Extended to June 8th

I was kicking myself for not having posted a reminder to participate in the Library Renovation Survey. However, you do have time to do so as they extended the deadline to Monday June 8th.

You can participate in the survey here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FSTYHj7o65UIZOXQBB3KQIIOX-xF5uG0qeuMRs0wJUI/viewform

Franklin Public Library

Franklin Farmers Market opens today on the Town Common

The Franklin Farmers Market opens for the season this afternoon with more than 20 vendors lining up on the Town Common. 

The market, with stands located on Main Street at High Street, is up and running today and every Friday (except July 3) from noon to 6 p.m. through Oct. 30. 

“It has become more and more popular each year, and the town has embraced it and is very cooperative in getting us the permits we need to run,” said Grateful Farm owner Tim Garboski, the market manager.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150605/NEWS/150607745/1994/NEWS

Farmers Market scene from July 2014

FHS Girls Tennis and Lacrosse advance, Softball ends with a walk off loss

Things were looking up for Franklin, who took its second one-run lead - a 2-1 lead over Norwood - of the game in the top of the seventh and got the first out in the bottom half on the first batter.

But a single from the #9 hitter Emily Bonoccorso turned into a runner in scoring position after a wild pitch and a single put runners on the second and third with just one out. A ground out to short brought the tying run home to make it 2-2 with the throw allowing the runner to third.

Franklin senior Sabrina LoMonaco delivers a pitch against Norwood on Thursday afternoon. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

After an intentional walk to Norwood’s top hitter Erin Graczynski, the first pitch of the next at bat squeeze through to the back stop, bringing Siobhan Reen home for the walk-off win. 

“We fought,” Franklin head coach Kate Fallon-Comeau said. “It was a dogfight per usual but we just didn’t have it in the end.”

Continue reading the article on Hockomock Sports here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/franklins-season-ends-on-heartbreaking-walk-off


Girls Lacrosse - D1 East
#3 Franklin, 9 vs. #6 Natick, 8 - Final

Girls Tennis - D1 South
#7 Franklin, 5 vs. #10 Mansfield, 0 - Final

Other Hockomock league results from Thursday can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-060415

MassBudget: The State of Working Massachusetts

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The State of Working Massachusetts Our state economy is growing. The state unemployment rate is at its lowest level since 2008: 4.7 percent. And yet, despite this very real progress, our economy is not working for everyone - or even for most of us. The median wage is lower today than it was a decade ago and poverty is higher, even though our economy has grown substantially. Fixing that disconnect - the failure of economic growth to lead to an improving standard of living for working people - is the core economic policy challenge facing our state and our country. To read the full State of Working Massachusetts report, click HERE.  There are a number of policies that could be pursued at the national level to restore real wage growth and begin to build broadly shared prosperity. Massachusetts also can do a lot to expand economic opportunity and improve the lives of working people and families. The State of Working Massachusetts explores the well-being of our people and the strengths and weaknesses of our state economy. With the best educated workforce in the country we have the highest median wage. But across the income spectrum, wages have stagnated while income growth is concentrated among our very highest income households. That's a problem that state and federal policies need to address.  In addition to covering issues of wages and incomes, the various sections of The State of Working Massachusetts discuss the jobs situation in our state, poverty and child poverty, and the important role education plays in all of these areas. Throughout the report, we present data available from the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and others. We invite you to read more about all of these topics and to explore the many other issues we cover and reports we provide on the MassBudget website. 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. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

"a standard safety procedure"

The police Thursday night were searching for a suspect in an armed robbery at a Forest Street home earlier that day that forced two nearby school buildings into lockdown. 

At 12:57 p.m. Thursday, police say a man with a silver-handgun threatened one of the homeowners, stole an undisclosed amount of money and ran down Forest Street. There were reports that he also had a knife. The home is a single-family Cape, according to the assessor's database. 

Police described the suspect as a white male in his 20s, approximately six feet tall, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150604/NEWS/150607858

dog walk at DelCarte Conservation Area - Jun 14

Sam Hogan will be hosting a dog walk at DelCarte Conservation Area on Pleasant St in Franklin on Sunday, June 14 from 12:00-1:30. 

Dog treats will be available for sale, and people going to the event are encouraged to donate a supply. All proceeds will benefit the North Attleboro Animal Shelter. 

Details are in the flyer shown here:

one of the large ponds at DelCarte

Tri-County Top 10 senior students recognized by United Regional Chamber

As noted earlier, the United Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized the Top 10 students in their respective local high schools.. This is the photo and listing of those students from Tri-County Regional Voc Tech

Tri-County Top 10 students recognized by United Regional Chamber

TRI-COUNTY RVTHS

• Michael John Ambrose
• Laura Beth Auerbach - Franklin
• Jessica Lyn Coates
• Maximillian Roxin Dixon - Franklin
• Dillan William Hoyt
• Christopher Gerard Lenzi - Franklin
• Lindsey Joyce Ogden
• Cassius James Peter - Franklin
• Caroline Marie Read - Franklin
• Emily Rose Spillane - Franklin
• UNSUNG HERO: Jake Ducharme

FHS Parking Enforcement

**PARKING ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY**

Recently you may have noticed the Franklin Police Department has stepped up our enforcement of parking violators in the area of the Franklin High School athletic field, the Horace Mann Middle School and St. Mary Church. 

This advisory is intended to reach as many people as possible so that you will not be one of those who get back to your vehicle to find an orange parking ticket affixed to the windshield. 

The Franklin Police Department asks when you visit Franklin and see there is a "no parking" sign clearly posted that you honor that and continue on to an area specifically designed and/or allowed for parking. 

The issueance of parking violations is one of the "less desirable" duties of police officers, it does however become necessary when there is constant and blatant disregard for parking control. Our wish is always for the voluntary compliance of law, but when that is not the case our only remaining option is for enforcement.

If you have constructive comments and/or suggestions please feel free to call me @ 508-528-1212 ext 2709. Thank you.

STEPHAN H. SEMERJIAN

CHIEF OF POLICE

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You are subscribed to the Franklin Police News and Announcements mailing list.

not the 'no parking' sign referred to but a sign from the FHS site

Representative Roy : What's happening in the district - May 2015 newsletter

This is our regularly monthly newsletter. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can get on our email list by clicking here. View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website Email No community immune from opioid abuse A few weeks ago, the Franklin Town Council hosted a thoughtful discussion on the opioid epidemic. While I was pleased to be a part of that discussion, it was unsettling to see the damage that is wreaking havoc on people and their families; those who struggle daily with the disease of addiction. No community is immune from this crisis, but there are multi-faceted ways to address it. The Legislature has taken a number of steps through laws and budget appropriations to get in front of the problem. And it has been supportive of efforts to establish community coalitions to confront opioid abuse. In February, our office began the process of setting up a community coalition in the area and we will continue with these efforts in conjunction with the District Attorney, local officials, the police, the school department, medical and mental health professionals, and residents. The first meeting of the Community Coalition in Franklin will take place on Tuesday, June 29, 2015 at 7 pm. If you have any ideas or would like to help in this effort, please reach out to us by clicking here. It will take a team effort to take on this epidemic, but together we can save lives and heel fractured families. I look forward to working with you.  View this email in your browser

FHS Softball and Boys Lacrosse win playoff games

From Hockomock Sports we find and share the following on the playoff results for FHS from Wednesday, June 3rd. 

Softball
D1 South
#14 Franklin, 7 vs. #19 Somerset Berkley, 2 - Final

- Caroline D'Aprile struck out 10 to get the win in the circle for the Panthers. At the plate, Brie Flaherty went 3-4 with an RBI, Christine Harvey had a pair of RBI, Alicia Donovan went 3-4 and Olivia DiGiacomo went 2-3. Head coach Kate Fallon-Comeau said Maddie Connelly played "outstanding defense" with three assists and three put outs.

FHS Panthers

Boys Lacrosse
D1 South
#4 Franklin, 15 vs. #13 Brookline, 5 - Final

- Franklin senior Austin Kent had a team-high five points with four goals and one assist, Justin Miller scored a hat trick and had one assist and goalie DJ Shea made 12 saves in net. Head coach Lou Verrochi said Sean Lockhart, Alec Borkowski and Mike Sullivan were "excellent on defense."

For all the playoff results around the Hockomock League on Wednesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-060315

BFCCPS - Expansion Update

From Don Tappin, President, Board of Trustees - BFCCPS

"As many know the Benjamin Franklin Educational Foundation already owns a parcel of land in Franklin on Washington Street that was purchased some time ago with the idea of building a school. Although in the past there were barriers to developing the parcel recent events have made the site viable and in fact favorable to other available options. As a result, I’m pleased to let you know that we are pursuing placement of the school on Washington Street in Franklin. 

The next step in the process is for us to seek a designer to develop plans and specifications for a new 90,000 square foot building with play fields. Much of this work will take place over the summer. Our timeline remains aggressive but we currently expect that we will be able to welcome students into BFCCPS’s new facility in September of 2017."

You can read the full posting on the BFCCPS webpage here
http://bfccps.org/expansion-update-from-the-board-of-trustees/

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

"The primary goal isn’t to arrest"

“Franklin is not unique in terms of this problem,” Roy said, referring to the state’s opioid epidemic. 

He was speaking during the taping of a local cable TV show that also featured Franklin Police Chief Stephan Semerjian, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting and school district Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski. 

After filming in the morning at Franklin TV’s Hutchinson Street studio, Roy met with Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey later that afternoon about some of the strategies that the other coalitions have used. 

“The district attorney has assigned someone from the Walpole coalition to mentor us and someone from his office who will attend all of the meetings,” Roy said. “Whoever emerges as the leader of the Franklin coalition will go every other month to the DA’s office to meet with the other 18 community coalition leaders. We will have constant dialogue on this.”

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150603/NEWS/150608324/1994/NEWS

Police Chief Semerjian and his team address the Town Council on May 20th

Related materials:

The Town Council meeting discussion on the opiate problem
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/live-reporting-police-chief-on-drug.html


Jeff Roy's monthly newsletter
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/representative-roy-whats-happening-in.html

Franklin Police Department resources posted
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/franklin-police-share-resources-on.html

Franklin Downtown Partnership - Meeting Agenda - Jun 4

I.          Open Meeting           -  8:30 am

II.         Adoption of Agenda   -  8:32 am

III.       Introductions         -  8:35 am

Franklin
Downtown Partnership

IV.      Town Updates - Jeff Nutting    -  8:40 am

V.        Streetscape Project & Town Updates  -  Jeff Nutting 8:45 am
                   -Timeline and Traffic Details

VI.       Update from Executive Director  -  Lisa Piana   -  9:00 am

VII.      Strawberry Stroll        -    Nicole Fortier  -   9:10 am
                   -Map and Participation Handout

VIII.      Networking Committee  -   Dave Drucker, Gary Donelan    -   9:15 am

IX.         New Business   -   9:20 am

X.          Adjourn        -     9:30 am



Next General Meetings: September 3rd, November 5th


For more about the Franklin Downtown Partnership, you can visit their webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/


Note: residents can join as individual members for only $25! Check out the details on membership here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/membership-info.html

Tri-County senior named Thoreau scholar

The Valedictorian of Tri-County's Class of 2015 is one of eight top-ranking students from across the state to be named a Henry David Thoreau Foundation Scholar. 

Laura Auerbach will receive a $20,000 scholarship from the foundation. 

Laura Auerbach and Superintendent Stephen F. Dockray

For more about the Thoreau Foundation   http://www.thoreauscholar.org/

For more about Tri-County  http://www.tri-county.us/

Another short cut ....

utility short cut

You may recall I found a bunch of these short cuts around Franklin. This one is new and located near the corner of King and Forest Streets.

Additional short cuts can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/short-cuts-update.html


Do you know of short cuts to add to the listing? Let me know via comment or email.