Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Opioid abuse and addiction will become a regular topic on the Board of Health’s agenda.
Member Jordan Warnick, who made the push for Medway to join the SAFE Community Coalition, based out of Franklin, made the request at Monday’s meeting “so opioid abuse can come up as a regular topic.”
Warnick said the coalition’s meeting – which featured a speech by Director of Addiction Recovery Management Service at Mass General Hospital Dr. John Kelly – was a success.
“He gave a really good discussion of the problem at a community level so that everybody could understand it,” said Warnick, a professor of pharmacology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine for nearly 40 years before retiring in 2012. “I even took some new things away from it.”
Steve - Hope you might notify people about the next program in our series around the substance abuse disorder issue.
Judy Giovangelo talks about the suicide of her creative, but troubled son who committed suicide just six days after his 18th birthday. She turned her grief into a non-profit foundation, Ben Speaks Louder than Words, with a mission to empower youth and reduce self-destructive behavior.
She shares her wisdom and offers gentle guidance for young people and the people who love them.
Addiction to alcohol and other drugs is an insidious public health crisis impacting more than 85 million Americans. The time has come to UNITE to Face Addiction at a national rally that will transform the conversation from problems to solutions for one of the most pressing issues of our time.
On October 4, 2015 a transformative event will take place in Washington, D.C. that will ignite and grow an emerging national grassroots movement to solve the addiction crisis.
UNITE To Face Addiction is being organized by an independent coalition of national, state, and local non-profit organizations to produce a collaborative and unifying event to collectively raise awareness and reduce the human and social costs of addiction.
UNITE to Face Addiction - Oct 4, 2015
Why Now?
Long-term recovery from addiction is a reality for over 23 million Americans, one of our nation’s best-kept secrets. Regardless of the paths people have chosen to achieve recovery, their lives and the lives of their families, friends, neighbors, co-workers and communities are vastly improved as a result. They are the living proof that there are real solutions to the devastation of addiction.
While recovery from addiction is a reality, more than 350 Americans die from alcohol or other drugs on average each day – some 135,000 people each year – more than who die from either homicides or motor vehicle accidents. Another 22 million Americans are still suffering from addiction and the majority never receive any help.
Where is the national outrage about this needless loss of life, the costs to families and the economy, and more importantly, the demand for solutions? We know that addiction is preventable, treatable, and people can and do get well. Too many of those affected have been incarcerated, and for decades they and others have been afraid to speak up about the failed policies and poor care due to long-standing stigma and discriminatory public policies. And, for too long, a great majority of people connected to addiction have remained silent.
About 40 candidates have taken out nomination papers to run in the town's November election.
The majority of the Town Council has taken out papers to seek re-election, and a total of 14 candidates are seeking election to the council. All nine of the body's seats are up for election.
Eight council incumbents have taken out papers: Brett Feldman, Judith Pond Pfeffer, Peter Padula, Thomas Mercer, Robert Dellorco, Matthew Kelly, Andrew Bissanti and Robert Vallee. Six newcomers are seeking seats on the council, including current Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri, Richard Power Sr., Glenn Jones, James Schultz Jr., Sean Slater and James Gianotti Jr.. Of the 14 candidates, only Power and Pellegri have returned papers so far.
The MA Gov blog ran a two part series for renters recently. Citing a stat from the Census, 37% of MA live in rental units. Excerpts from each of the two parts are shared here. Follow the links for additional details on "Knowing Your Rights as a Tenant"
Searching for a rental home, signing a lease, and meeting new neighbors can be exciting, but it’s also important that you keep your rights as a tenant in mind. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) provide information on what you should expect from your landlord before renting a home in Massachusetts.
Franklin will have some choices to make for key positions. It is good to see so many candidates at this time! The updated listing of candidates as of Friday, August 21 is shown below. 8 of these have returned their papers and 6 of the 8 have had their papers certified at this time. There is still time to take out papers, the ballot won't get finalized until the end of September. The full election calendar is linked to below.
"Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC ("Algonquin")' is hosting Landowner Informational Meetings in your area for our proposed Access Northeast Project ("Project"). The Project could have construction on or near your property.
As we have mentioned to you in previous correspondence, we are currently evaluating a proposed expansion of our Algonquin pipeline system. The proposed project plans include replacement of existing pipelines and construction of new pipelines in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
At the informational meetings, Algonquin representatives will be available to answer questions concerning the proposed facilities, safety, environmental and permitting processes, construction and operation, and other aspects of the Project.
We encourage you to attend the informational meeting and share with us your questions about the proposed project. For your convenience, please feel welcome to attend any of the landowner informational meetings on the dates and times listed below. Please note that there is no formal speaking program, so you can arrive anytime within the timeframes listed below."
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Medway, Bellingham, Franklin, Massachusetts
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham
835 Union Street Franklin, MA 02038
The panther statue has been installed among the new fields on the ground of Franklin High School. I captured these photos on my walk last weekend. The panther statue is a gift from the Graci Family in memory of their daughter Kristen Graci, a 2007 graduate of FHS who died at 21 from complications with leukemia. (If you are not familiar with the story, you can fill in some details here, here and here.) Suffice to say that the trials and tribulations that occurred along the way to bring the panther to this position are not unlike that experienced by any of the FHS athletes in the course of their time wearing the blue and white colors of FHS. The way was paved with ups and downs, twists and turns, logic and not so, and multiple conversations. Some lessons were learned, some accomplishments were significant, some will last more than others. Just like life. Now the panther is properly placed to serve as a reminder of the FHS athlete creed "Franklin athletes never quit."
As announced with the recent Downtown Project Update, Main St in front of Dean College will be closed to allow the contractor to put in the raised crosswalk.
Main Street between School Street and Emmons Street will be closed beginning at 7:00 AM this Monday August 24, 2015 and be completed with work by 12:00 PM on Tuesday August 25, 2015.
Walsh (the contractor) will plate the raised area overnight in Case any Emergency personnel need access.
Otherwise, it will be closed.
Main St in front of Dean College will be closed Monday into Tuesday
This was shared from the Official Town of Franklin page
"After being closed for much of the season, the playground at the DelCarte Conservation Area reopened on Saturday.
The Pleasant Street playground, which fits into the surrounding park with its resemblance to a tree, first opened in fall 2014, said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting.
"We discovered this spring that a couple of cracks had developed in and around the playground equipment," he said. "We were concerned about what went wrong, so we called the company to fix it."
Nutting said, after some time, the company came out do the needed repairs.
"It's been closed all summer," Nutting said, noting that, while there was no warranty, the company did cover the cost of the work."
DelCarte playground has reopened after being repaired
Register O'Donnell Highlights Registry Customer Service Center
Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reminds consumers if they have a question or a concern about a land document related issue, the answer is just a phone call away by dialing the Registry's Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101. The department is open Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM.
"The Customer Service Center is a one-stop shop, providing homeowners and real estate professionals alike with detailed information about a wealth of land document related issues. These subjects include, confirming current ownership of property, verifying whether or not there is a lien on a particular piece of property and checking if a discharge of a mortgage has been filed after the loan has been paid off.
"The department can also inform customers about the cost of filing land documents. And upon a customer's request, can provide copies of documents for a fee of $1.00, plus an additional $1.00 per document to cover postage costs. In addition, Customer Service Center staff are happy to answer questions about the Homestead Act, which provides limited protection against the forced sale of a homeowner's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000," noted Register O'Donnell.
Register O'Donnell went on to say, "For many, trying to decipher information on land documents can be a very frustrating if not an intimidating experience. Our trained Customer Service professionals are well versed in all areas of land document research. By utilizing our state-of-the-art land document research system - which is also available to members of the public via www.norfolkdeeds.org - we can get people the answers to their property questions."
Notary services are also offered by the Customer Service Center. "All staff members are notary publics. We are more than glad to notarize any land document provided the person requesting the service appears before us and presents satisfactory proof of identification by showing either their driver's license or passport," said O'Donnell.
In conclusion, the Register stated, "Providing first-class customer service is a core objective of the Registry's mission to serve the public. The residents of Norfolk County deserve nothing less than a positive experience when interacting with us."
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
The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will hold open auditions for Neil Simon’s award-winning play, Lost in Yonkers, on Wednesday, August 26 at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. Auditions begin at 7 p.m. Please be prepared for cold readings. A monologue is optional. Visit www.FPAConline.com for a breakdown of available roles, including character descriptions.
FPAC will present Lost in Yonkers, directed by Nick Paone, on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on September 27 at 2 p.m. Winner of the 1991 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Play, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Lost in Yonkers is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted coming-of-age story by America’s great playwright, Neil Simon.
Striking a balance between pain and humor, drama and comedy, Simon’s poignant play draws from his own experiences growing up in New York City. It’s 1942 and financially strapped Eddie has just left his teenage sons, Jay and Arty, in the care of their mentally challenged and childlike Aunt Bella and her stern and embittered mother, Grandma Kurnitz. Eddie takes to the road as a traveling salesman to pay back his debt to a loan shark, having borrowed to cover his late wife’s hospital care.
Soon Uncle Louie, a small-time hoodlum hiding from the mob, moves in. Reeling from the loss of their mom and left to contend with this strange new world in Yonkers, the boys embark on a scheme to make some quick cash and get their dad back. As told through the eyes of the brothers, Lost in Yonkers is a masterful work that’s full of heart.
Founded in 1991, the nonprofit FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment and outstanding performance opportunities for professional artists, community performers and students of the arts. With a focus on youth development and a commitment to live music, FPAC productions draw performers and audiences from more than 100 communities throughout the region. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit online at www.FPAConline.com.
"With the start of the new school year just days away, the Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock Area YMCA this weekend is winding up a back-to-school supply drive.
The YMCA is also hosting "Haircuts for Kids," offering free haircuts for children, kindergarten through 12th grade.
"We have been collecting backpacks and school supplies to give to children and families that might not be able to provide the resources needed to send their children back to school with the necessary tools to succeed," said Michelle Branche, senior member experience director at the Franklin branch.
The backpack drive, which got underway last month, concludes Aug. 23, and that's when the haircutting event takes place, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Franklin branch on 45 Forge Hill Road."
The Franklin Garden Club, which is now affiliated with the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, will hold its first meeting of the 2015-16 season on Tuesday, September 1 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, located at 26 Daniel McCahill Street.
Membership is open to all members of the community. Those interested in joining the club are invited to attend this meeting to learn more about the club’s activities and services. Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to bring a perennial to swap with others.
Franklin Garden Club
The Franklin Garden Club was founded in 1987 and became a member of The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. in 2015. Activities include a combination of education and service. Speakers provide information on different garden related topics.
Members volunteer to plant and maintain the Veteran’s Memorial Garden at the Town Common, distribute pine tree seedlings to all first graders in Franklin schools, and provide a scholarship to a graduating senior pursuing an education in horticulture or environmental studies. Members also participate in a yearly fundraiser, enjoy field trips to area gardens, plan a holiday dinner and auction and provide support to each other with gardening challenges.
“A varied program has been planned for the coming year,” noted Susan Childers, club co-president. Monthly programs include presentations by experts on: Developing a Rain Garden (October), Creating Holiday Arrangements (December), Designing a Multi-Season Shade Garden (February), Planting and Maintaining Iris (March), Cooking with Kim and Fresh Vegetables (April), and The Wadsworth Farm in Franklin (May). Other activities include field trips to Spooktacular and the Boston Flower Show, cleaning of the Common in the fall and spring, the annual holiday auction, and tours of member gardens (June).
