In the News: S.A.F.E. coalition meeting, helmet saves boy

The Support for Addicts and Families by Empowerment or S.A.F.E coalition will meet at 7 p.m., Aug. 12 at Franklin High School. More than 100 people attended the group’s first meeting, which saw doctors, law enforcement officials and treatment counselors discuss the state’s opioid epidemic. 

The coalition will serve as a local resource for residents searching for information or help - for themselves, family members and friends - as it follows the lead of the 20 other town groups working closely with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s office. 

The second meeting will feature Dr. John Kelly, the director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service at Mass General Hospital in Boston. Kelly, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, is expected to cover the genetics of addiction and the need to frame the dialogue on the opioid epidemic as a public health crisis rather than a drug problem.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150730/NEWS/150739295/1994/NEWS

A 3-year-old Franklin boy was taken to a hospital via medical helicopter after a vehicle struck the ride-a-long trailer attached to his father’s bicycle Thursday morning. 

According to police, several frantic callers reported the accident at 6:53 a.m., which occurred at the intersection of Sanford and Village streets. 

The child was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester and was in stable condition Thursday afternoon. 

The boy was riding in a trailer attached to the bike of his 33-year-old father’s bicycle, which was traveling north on Sanford Street in the center of the roadway when it was “waiting to make a left hand turn onto Village Street," police said in a press release.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150730/NEWS/150739360/1994/NEWS

Traffic Alert: Saturday morning - PanMass Challenge make a stop at Remington-Jefferson School

Be aware there will be hundreds of bicyclists on the roads early Saturday morning as the riders for the PanMass Challenge make a stop at Remington-Jefferson School. The water stop is a favorite spot full of energy and fun. If you haven't been, I would suggest making a visit sometime.


Photos from 2013:

PMC riders arrive at Remington-Jefferson water stop

Franklin Cultural Festival - Thursday Schedule

Thursday, July 30 

• 7:00 PM - Ben Gardner’s Boat Band, THE BLACK BOX 

 

Ben Gardner's Boat performing for Best Buddies fund raiser

•  8:00 PM - Shakespeare on the Common

an abridged version of Henry IV, Part 1 will be performed

Franklin Cultural Festival - Arts Happen Here

Schedule subject to change, any changes will be updated as soon as known


The full schedule of performances and events for the first annual Franklin Cultural Festival can be found here http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

Why support a Cultural District for Franklin, MA

From Warren Reynolds writing at 02038.com, we share this excellent summary:

Franklin, MA’s first Cultural Festival is up and running now through Sunday, August 2, offering five consecutive days of artistic performances and fun events staged throughout the Franklin downtown area.

Franklin Cultural Festival - Arts Happen Here!

It’s great to see another family oriented celebration in Franklin taking its place on a roster of quite a number of annual festivals and events hosted in this Massachusetts town of some 32,000. Here’s just a partial list of the events in town that Franklin residents already enjoy every year: summertime Concerts on the Common, the Strawberry Festival, the 4th of July Celebration, the Feast of St. Rocco, the Harvest Festival, and the Holiday Stroll.

Cultural districts help communities thrive

But the importance of this new Festival to the Franklin community extends well beyond the inauguration of another fun thing to do in town.  The Franklin Cultural Festival is a key component of a joint effort by town officials, local businesses and Franklin educational institutions to have a Franklin Cultural District in the downtown area officially recognized (or “designated”) by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) under its Cultural Districts Initiative.

MA Cultural Council

The goal of the MCC’s Cultural District Initiative is to help artists, cultural organizations, and arts-related businesses to locate and thrive in the approximately 30 designated cultural districts that already exist throughout the Bay State. The Initiative seeks to spur economic growth and foster tourism in each district, helping promote the reuse and revitalization of older urban centers while increasing property values throughout the communities in which each district is located. 

MCC designated cultural districts can receive support and assistance under certain programs established or identified by the MCC and draw on existing cultural resources to encourage artists to live and work in the host communities. 

If Franklin is successful in getting an officially designated district, it could become another major step forward in the ongoing revitalization of the Franklin downtown area.

Can’t have a cultural district without a lot of “culture” already in place

The key to a successful effort in obtaining official designation of a cultural district is demonstrable community participation in the arts. The Franklin community has many valuable building blocks already in place that will support a vibrant culture district and should help the Franklin Cultural District get designation from the MCC. 

These resources include educational institutions such as the Dean College School of the Artsand Dean’s respected Palladino School of Dance.

Dean College School of the Arts

Palladino School of Dance

Franklin’s downtown is also home to the nationally recognized Franklin School for the Performing Arts.

Franklin School for the Performing Arts

Having a Franklin Cultural District in place should encourage some of the students at these educational institutions to decide to stay in town after graduation and practice their crafts in locally.

Other supports for a Franklin Cultural District

The BLACK BOX Theater

Circle of Friends

Dean College's Main Stage

Franklin is home to performance venues such as the BLACK BOX Theater, the Circle of Friends Coffee House, and the Main Stage Theater at Dean College. In addition, the Franklin Town Common is eminently walk-able from the downtown area and hosts summertime concerts and many annual community events. The auditorium at the new Franklin High School is stunning and should be an asset to the community for years to come.  

All these venues would help sustain the Franklin Cultural District by giving performing artists stages on which to put their talents on display.

Tourism and business good for Franklin

Franklin abounds with good places to eat and drink, which is important for the tourism aspect of the proposed Franklin Cultural District. Here are the eateries scheduled to participate in the “Taste of Franklin” event Sunday during the Franklin Cultural Festival in Franklin, MA.

A "Taste of Franklin" - Sunday - Aug 2

The Franklin Historical Museum is another asset to the downtown’s intellectual life and is a good tourist destination.

Franklin Historical Museum

If you are looking for more proof of an economic rationale for a Franklin Cultural District,Jane’s Frames is a stalwart of the arts in the heart of downtown Franklin. The Franklin Art Center opened in town within the last five years and has become a successful supporter of the visual arts in Franklin. The Franklin Art Center was instrumental in the recent establishment of the Franklin Sculpture Park.

Franklin Sculpture Park

A Franklin Cultural District should encourage more such arts-related businesses to open in Franklin, MA.

Increasing the appeal of Franklin as a place in which to live and grow

This post has reviewed some of the significant cultural resources that exist in Franklin, Massachusetts.  These help make Franklin, MA a great place to call home! 

The Franklin Cultural District would help tie all those cultural resources together and augment their beneficial impact on the Franklin community. Having a designated Franklin Cultural District would also further cement Franklin’s growing recognition among Massachusetts home buyers as a “destination community” on the I-495 corridor. The District would help Franklin compete for business and attract more educated, affluent home buyers. Franklin residents have so many reasons to support the establishment Franklin Cultural District! 

Contact Franklin broker Warren Reynolds for help with buying or selling a home in Franklin, Massachusetts!

Copyright ©2015 02038.com

Warren approved sharing of this post. You can view the original on his page here
http://02038.com/2015/07/franklin-ma-cultural-district/

Note: a couple of photos were substituted from the Franklin Matters files.

In the News: Pond St developers, election papers available Aug 3

"This is probably the most important and most influential commercial site the town of Franklin has," said Judith Pond Pfeffer 

Richard McCarthy, an engineer with Kearsarge’s partner on the project, Innovative Engineering Solutions Inc., reasoned that solar projects do not cause the same headaches as large commercial ones. 

“The people of Franklin need to say, ‘OK, we’re going to get $125,000 a year, but what do we then get? Do we get more traffic? No. Do we get more kids in the schools? No. Do we get more lights? No. Do we get more signs? No,’” McCarthy said. “You get a very passive neighbor that basically sits there and doesn’t do much of anything to anybody.”

Continue reading the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150729/NEWS/150726277

Residents interested in running in the November town election will be able to take out nomination papers starting next week. 

Papers for the Nov. 3 election will be available from Monday, Aug. 3, to Monday, Sept. 14, from Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri, whose office is located on the first floor of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St. 

Residents will need to return signed papers by Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 4 p.m. 

All nine seats on the Town Council are up for election, as well as seven seats on the School Committee. 

Voters will choose a new town clerk, as Pellegri is retiring from the four-year paid position. At least two people have already shown interest in running: Assistant town clerk Teresa Burr is considering pulling nomination papers; Diane Padula-O'Neill in late March said she would pursue the seat. 

The ballot also includes seats on the Board of Assessors, Board of Health and Planning Board.

Continue reading the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150729/NEWS/150726233/1994/NEWS

Access Northeast is proposing a “similar loop”

Although the project is in the early stages of development, a proposed natural gas pipeline would bring 21.2 miles of pipeline through Milford, Medway, Franklin, Bellingham and several other area towns. 

The Access Northeast project, announced by Spectra Energy last fall, will reportedly bring up to 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas to the region’s gas-fired power plants each day to help keep costs low and save electric customers $1 billion each year. 

The $3 billion project would directly connect to up to 70 percent of New England’s power plants helping to lower electricity rates as early as winter 2018.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150729/NEWS/150726273/1994/NEWS

screen grab from Spectra Energy Access Northeast page

The Spectra Energy Access Northeast project page can be found here
http://www.spectraenergy.com/Operations/New-Projects-and-Our-Process/New-Projects-in-US/Access-Northeast/

"another RFP (Request for Proposal) for hotel and commercial space" ???

Via Peg Forbes who participated in the Economic Development Committee meeting on Monday and provided this summary:

At 5:00 Monday evening, Franklin’s Economic Development Committee had a meeting during which three companies presented their proposals for development of the town owned land on Pond Street. Two of the proposals were from solar companies proposing solar farms, one proposal was from a real estate developer proposing an 85+ unit condominium development.  

The members did not like the proposals, so this will most likely go out for another RFP (Request for Proposal) for hotel and commercial space. The concerns raised about increased traffic congestion were dismissed, the reason given was that “A traffic study will be conducted by interested developers”. In relation to the existing and available 246,000 square feet of commercial/office space for rent in Franklin (a quick calculation/approximation made by adding up what is currently on loopnet.com), according to some members of the sub-committee, that inventory has no impact. The reason given was that if the land is sold to a developer, commercial space is built and then remains empty, the owner is still responsible for the taxes.  

The overall take-away that I got from this evenings EDC meeting was that the low community attendance (two) is perceived by a good amount of the elected board members as low community interest. (This was mentioned in relation to the meeting this evening as well as other town meetings.)  

They will ultimately make their decision based on what they personally view what would be best for Franklin overall, not taking into consideration the potential negative impacts the proposed projects may have on the immediate surrounding area.  

The only way to ensure that concerns are heard is better attendance by the community (significant, if at all possible), as well as communicating with the elected members via emails or phone calls stating the concerns about proposed projects.  

The fewer people that attend, the more they are seen as "squeaky wheels" who do not represent the community as a whole.

The Town Council is scheduled to meet on August 7th. Their agenda will be published later this week.

Pond St aerial view - Town of Franklin photo

Goodbye modulars, hello open space!

Via Glenn Jones, the Davis Thayer modular space is now back to 'almost normal'. Almost because the ground will be seeded, grass grown, some plants returned and that takes time.

In the meantime, the space is open and more welcoming!

Davis Thayer after the modulars are removed - 1

Davis Thayer after the modulars are removed - 2

The 'last' photos I took of the modulars last week can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/07/davis-thayer-modular-units-to-be-removed.html

Franklin Cultural Festival - Opening Day Schedule

Wednesday, July 29 

1:00 PM - Pumpernickel Puppets, Franklin Library 

Pumpernickel Puppets perform "Peter Rabbit"

6:00 PM - OPENING CEREMONY, Town Common 

6:00 PM - Zentangle at Jane’s Frames (pre-registration req'd but a no cost event)

6:15 PM - Electric Youth, Town Common 

Electric Youth pose before their recent European tour

8:30 PM - FPAC: One Acts, THE BLACK BOX

Franklin Cultural Festival - Arts Happen Here

Schedule subject to change, any changes will be updated as soon as known

The full schedule of performances and events for the first annual Franklin Cultural Festival can be found here http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/ 

In the News: Dance and Art, Rooke joins Dean, Bemiss heads MESPA

The Franklin Art Center and Dean College Palladino School of Dance will be at the Franklin Sculpture Park on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 12-3 p.m. during the Franklin Cultural Festival, for a combination of art and dance in the park, 5 Main St., Franklin. 

Performances by the Palladino School of Dance will begin at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. 

Join the dancers and musicians as they perform at the sculptures in the park. After their performance, children can join Franklin Art Center in a community sculpture project. Students will paint wooden fish that will be installed on a fence as a permanent piece at the Sculpture Park.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150728/NEWS/150727075/1994/NEWS

Dean College announced John Rooke as director of the Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management and distinguished executive faculty in the Schools of Business and the Arts. 

The Center was created by Dean College as an academic partnership with the Kraft Sports Group. It will provide opportunities for students to gain insight from KSG officials, including executives of the New England Patriots, New England Revolution and Patriot Place. 

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this initiative at Dean College,” said Rooke. “I am looking forward to working with the students to provide new educational experiences through our relationship with the Kraft Sports Group, including the Patriots and the Revolution. The students at Dean will be the real winners here. It’s a chance to learn from professionals in the sports and entertainment industries.”

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150728/NEWS/150726858/1994/NEWS

Brian Bemiss, of Franklin, principal of the Huckleberry Hill School in Lynnfield, was named president of the Massachusetts Elementary School Principals’ Association Education Foundation. 

Bemiss worked in education for the past 20 years. He was a fifth-grade teacher in Melrose and Reading before taking on the role of principal in Lynnfield in 2009. Brian has been an active member of MESPA for the past seven years. 

MESPA provides professional development, advocacy and other support to elementary and middle school principals across the state. It was the first association in the country to develop an alternative program for principal certification and has offered both masters and doctoral programs in conjunction with local universities.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150728/NEWS/150726794/1994/NEWS

MESPA screen grab

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda for 7/28/15

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."

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments

Franklin Public Schools - the key to learning

Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the June 23, 2015
School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Debbie Dixson, Director of Student Services

3. Discussion Only Items

Policy – First Readings

• JT – Electronic Device Policy
• JKAA – Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention Policy

Policy – Second Readings

• GCCD – Domestic Violence Leave Policy
• KF – Community Use of School Facilities
• KF-E1 – Rules and Regulations
• KF-E2 – FHS Building Use
• KF-E3 – Facility Rental Fee Schedule
• KF-E4 – FHS Facility Rental Fee Schedule
• KF-E5 – FHS Grounds Rental Fees

School Lunch Prices

4. Action Items

a. I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed:

1. GCCD – Domestic Violence Leave Policy
2. KF – Community Use of School Facilities
3. KF-E1 – Rules and Regulations
4. KF-E2 – FHS Building Use
5. KF-E3 – Facility Rental Fee Schedule
6. KF-E4 – FHS Facility Rental Fee Schedule

b. I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading:

1. JT – Electronic Device Policy
2. JKAA – Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention Policy

c. I Recommend increasing school lunch prices as recommended:

1. Elementary – from $2.30 to $2.50
2. Middle – from $2.75 to $3.00
3. High School – stay at $3.00

d. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,421.20 from the Davis Thayer PCC for Supplemental Curriculum Materials.
f. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 1 year MATLAB software license valued at $495.00 from Doug Newton for supplemental supplies at Franklin High School.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from the Keller PCC for Supplemental Supplies.

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

The lunch pricing memo can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczSjZ4d0NPLVE1dHc/view?usp=sharing

Ciao Bella now open on Union St

Did you get a mailer from Ciao Bella?

Ciao Bella mailier

It is a new Italian Kitchen just opening on Union St, across from the Union St Grille

Ciao Bella store front on Union St

You can visit them on the internet at http://ciaobellafranklin.com/index.php

"Consumers must take extra time and be cautious when searching for tickets at third-party websites"

Summer time, a season fro outdoor concerts and big name events to come to your favorite venue. How do you ensure you are paying the right price for the ticket?

The MA Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations has some good advice:

The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation reminds consumers to consider the following when looking to purchase tickets online:

• Try to purchase tickets from the venue first—the price may be considerably lower;

• Know the face value of the ticket to determine the amount of the markup;

• Research the company you are buying from by checking to see if they have any complaints with the Better Business Bureau or Attorney General’s Office or even on online consumer forums;

• Use a licensed reseller.

Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

You can read the full article on the MA.GOV blog posting here

http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/using-ticket-resellers/

Note for the upcoming Franklin Cultural Festival, tickets are only needed for the School House Rock performance scheduled for THE BLACK BOX on Saturday. You can purchase those tickets online via THE BLACK BOX webpage or at the door.

Free paper shredding at DCU on Aug 1

Digital Federal Credit Union, 500 W. Central St., will offer free paper shredding to the public 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. on Aug. 1. 

DCU has partnered with E.L. Harvey, a professional document destruction company, to offer free personal document shredding where the public can safely destroy documents containing sensitive and private information. No sign up necessary. Show up with your documents to be shredded and E.L. Harvey & Sons will take care of the rest. 

In order to accommodate as many guests as possible and offer this is as a free service for the community, there is a limit of up to five banker’s boxes (size 24” x 12” x 10 1/4”) or five paper grocery bags (size 12” x 17”) per vehicle.

Continue reading the article
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150727/NEWS/150727100/1994/NEWS

Enjoy a "Taste of Franklin" Sunday at the 1st Annual Franklin Cultural Festival

A special treat for the 1st Annual Cultural Festival is the "Taste of Franklin." You can sample from eight Franklin restaurants.

The "Taste of Franklin" will be available on Sunday, August 2 from 12 Noon – 5:00 PM in the parking lot outside THE BLACK BOX theater.

The Circle of Friends stage will be set up to keep you entertained while you enjoy your taste.

What Franklin restaurants will be there?

• 3 
• Bamboo House 
• Elizabeth’s Bagels 
• Mac Deli 
• The Cake Bar 
• The Curry House
• The Rome 
• Union Street Grill 

The 'Taste of Franklin' - 1st Annual Franklin Cultural Festival

What does it cost?

There is a $2 minimum for each signature taste!

Franklin Cultural Festiva - Arts Happen Here!

The full schedule of performances and events for the first annual Franklin Cultural Festival can be found here http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/