Deputy Chief sworn in, funding for Horace Mann statue authorized

The Town Council meeting opened with a full house to witness and celebrate the swearing in of Thomas Lynch as the Deputy Police Chief. Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri officiated for the swearing in. Chief Lynch's family and most of the Franklin police force were in attendance.

Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri swears in Deputy Chief Thomas Lynch as Chief Stephan Semerjian looks on

Deputy Chief Lynch's son adds the new pin to his father's uniform

In the legislation for action, the approval of a portion of Lewis St to become a public way was referred to the Planning Board. As the paperwork was being reviewed while the Lewis St/Crocker St neighborhood roads are being reconstructed, it was uncovered that a portion of the street was still titled to the land owners as 'private'. 

As the roadwork is nearing completion, getting the formal approval to make it a public way will 'legalize' the work being done. The residents have signed off on the change.

Funding for the Horace Mann statue was approved. Funds from two trust funds accumulating interest were authorized to be used. The architect was selected and it will take about one year to complete the status itself. A drawing of the statue can be found in the agenda documents. 

The zoning bylaw change to Residential 6 for the downtown area along Dean St was formally approved. This will not force changes upon the existing structures or owners unless they choose to sell or make some changes to the current property.

Additional details from the meeting can be found in the links created when I was reporting live from the meeting on Wednesday night.

• Live reporting: to closing
• Live reporting: legislation for action
• Live Reporting: Town Council - Sep 9, 2015

Planning Board: Agenda - Sep 14, 2015

The Planning Board will begin hearing the proposal for the retail complex on the land where Ficco's and Kegan Chevrolet was located. They will also get the first view of the 'final' proposal for the new building at 150 Emmons St.

The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. The meeting will also be broadcast via the local cable channels (Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29).

The full agenda document can viewed here

Ficco's Bowladrome

Summer is over but summer was busy for the school district

Over 2500 students participated in one or more of the summer activities that were offered by the schools. Highlights of the various events and sessions occupied most of the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Sep 8.

It is heartening to see the involvement and variety of offerings. If I had the time, I would go back for a course or two. Summer school does not have the stigma that it used to have. 

The programs reviewed covered music and art, science and adult education activities, the high school experience, Solutions programs, math and the STAR program. Additional details on each of these are in the notes from Tuesday evening.

Two new high school students were introduced as the student representatives for the School Committee; Julie Harrington (Student Body President) and Alanna Lynch (President of Senior Class).

The District Improvement Plan was revised for the current year and is worth repeating here.

Goal

"We will define, identify, develop, and implement strategies to advance increased complexity and rigor across all curricula, instructional practices, and assessments within the Franklin Public Schools."

Sub-Goals:

Standard 1 Instructional Leadership

• We will continue to align curricula to the Massachusetts Frameworks and develop corresponding common assessments to ensure that all students in each grade and course have the same opportunities to develop and demonstrate mastery in the required concepts and skills.

Standard 2 Teaching All Students

• We will utilize differentiated instructional strategies to meet needs of students at all levels, by using a Response to Intervention Program (RtI) and the implementation of high expectations for increased complexity and rigor for all learners.
• By implementing research-based curricula to support social/emotional learning all students will benefit from a safe and supportive learning environment.

Standard 3 Community Engagement

• Through effective partnerships with families, community members, and organizations, educators will promote learning expectations and initiatives that enable all students to grow academically, socially, and physically.
• Expectations for the appropriate mastery of concepts and skills and the demonstration of proficiency in these content and skills will be shared with families and the community, including celebrations of success.
• Through school-based activities and initiatives, we will create inclusive communities in all of our schools for all students and families, especially those coming from diverse backgrounds.

Standard 4 Professional Culture

• All staff will participate in the alignment of curricula, the development and implementation of common assessments, and will provide evidence of differentiated instruction in their classrooms.

• Using the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model, faculty and administration will collaborate and engage in professional activities to implement instructional practices that engage all students and establish expectations that challenge students to meet or exceed their potential.

Franklin will take part in the Think Taylor Concussion Awareness week scheduled for Sep 21-25. Many of the MIAA school districts are taking part. For additional info visit the Think Taylor webpage here  http://thinktaylor.org/

Think Taylor Concussion Awareness Week 9/21 - 9/25

Additional details from the meeting can be found in this collection of notes published live from the meeting room.

• Live reporting: to closing
• Live reporting: District Improvement Plan
• Live reporting: Summer program updates
• LIve reporting: School Committee - Sep 8, 2015
• 
  

Community Garden Committee - Agenda - Sep 14, 21015

The next meeting of the Community Garden Committee will be held at the Municipal Building at 8:00 PM in Room 205, Monday, Sep 14.

The agenda document can viewed or downloaded here




And from the official Franklin page here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/021EDFF0-000F8513

Franklin Community Gardens - located at King St Memorial Field

Additional info on the Committee can be found here 
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/garden

Senior Center: Companion program reminder

Just a reminder!  If you are looking for respite care, the Franklin Senior Center offers a Companion Caregiver Program. 

One of our trained companions can come to your home and relieve you for a few hours a week to allow you time to run an errand or just have some down time! 

If you are caring for someone over 60 who has Alzheimer's or a related Dementia, or a major medical illness, we can help.  

Rates are between $8-$12 per hour depending on household income.   

Please call Elaine Owens at the Franklin Senior Center for more information.   508-520-4945 

Franklin Senior Center

Additional info can be found on the Senior Center page (PDF)

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/ccbrochure14.pdf

Additional info on the companion care program was posted here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/there-are-resources-available-for-those.html

and here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/franklin-annual-report-2014-council-on.html

In the News: opioid awareness walk, food pantries see increase in need

A procession of 200 people took to the streets of Milford midday Saturday to raise awareness of opioid addiction and celebrate the life of a young man who succumbed to that disease. 

The Missin' Matt Walk - a three-mile trek through town - was put on by the Missin' Matt Foundation, formed in honor of Hopedale resident Matt Bertulli after he died of a heroin overdose. 

Meghan Giacomuzzi, Matt's sister and a recovering addict herself, said the purpose of the walk was to raise awareness of an epidemic sweeping through the state. She said she and her mother recently started the foundation, which is raising funds in an effort to build a sober house in the area.

Continue to read the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150912/NEWS/150918294/1994/NEWS

It takes a village to raise a child, but it takes many just to feed them, according to area food pantries. 

“We serve about 30 towns and cities that make up MetroWest so we really count on the community,” said Joanne Barry, director at Natick’s A Place to Turn. 

“During the summer months it’s hard because organizations aren't meeting, schools aren't in session… our food spending, buying things, is just astronomical,” she said.
“We have (donations from) parishioners from St. Blaise, residents, local businesses, 

larger grants,” said Franklin’s Sue Durkin, director of the Loaves and Fishes pantry in Bellingham. “God seems to provide when we’re running low,” she said, noting that other pantries sometimes share their extras with smaller groups.

Continue to read the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150912/NEWS/150918292/1994/NEWS

FHS tops Foxboro as both soccer teams and the volleyball team post wins

From Hockomock Sports we find and share the results of FHS fall sports action on Friday.

Boys Soccer

Franklin, 2 @ Foxboro, 0 – Final 

– Franklin’s Kevin Hall headed home a cross from Austin Kent in the first half and then Kent converted a penalty kick in the second half to give Franklin its first win of the season.

Austin Kent (2) scored a penalty and assisted on Kevin Hall’s (6) goal, as the Panthers defeated Foxboro 2-0 on Friday afternoon. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Feature article for boys soccer
http://www.hockomocksports.com/kent-helps-panthers-roar-past-foxboro/

Girls Soccer

Foxboro, 0 @ Franklin, 2 – Final 

– The Panthers got goals from defenders Meghan Dieterle and Nadia Havens to earn their first win of the season.

Volleyball

Franklin, 3 @ Foxboro, 2 – Final 

– Franklin was able to edge the Warriors 21-25, 25-21, 8-25, 29-27, 15-12. Franklin’s Dayna McCue had a match-high 47 serve receives and added 14 digs, Alyssa Shea had 11 kills, Caroline Maguire also had 11 kills and added a pair of blocks and aces while Beth Neal had 27 assists, eight kills and four aces for the Panthers.

Golf

Taunton, 161 @ Franklin, 170 – Final 

– Taunton’s Mario Wilson shot a match-low 38 to pace Taunton. Ryan O’Berg and Kaynel Gonsalves each shot 40. Franklin’s Matt Dao shot a 40 and Matt Pleshaw shot a 41.

Football

Franklin, 0 @ Arlington, 21 – Final


For the complete set of results across the Hockomock League on Friday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-091115/

FM #114 - Economic Development Committee meeting 9/9/15

The Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, Sep 9 at 6:00 PM. This is the audio recording of the meeting held in the 3rd Floor Training Room at the Municipal Building.

My notes were published here and can be used to follow along with the audio.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/09/live-reporting-economic-development.html

The audio recording of the Economic Development Committee meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 9, 2015. The agenda topics were marketing Franklin, the Nu-Style building, and the RFPs for the Pond St property.

The Planning and Community Development memo handed out to participants is also posted to the Franklin webpage and can be viewed here:

---- ---- ----

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?

If you like this, please tell a neighbor.
If you don't like this, please tell me.

Through this feedback loop, I can continue to provide good information for you

Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and East of Shirley. The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their  permission.

You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Thanks for a Great 1st Season at THE BLACK BOX!

Dear Friend of FPAC, Thank you for being a part of our exciting first season at THE BLACK BOX! We are grateful for the tremendous support of our audiences and patrons this inaugural year as we celebrated the grand opening of Franklin Performing Arts Company's new home and multi-purpose theater, music and event venue. With the enthusiastic participation of our community, we have accomplished great things in so short a time: Recognized among some of the finest cultural organizations statewide in 2015, FPAC was awarded a prestigious $220,000 capital grant for THE BLACK BOX by the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund. FPAC's production season expanded to include five musicals and three plays, including such iconic book musicals as Peter Pan and The Music Man; an original, experimental musical, Zero; and such through-provoking dramatic works as Nobel Poet Laureate Harold Pinter's The Dumbwaiter. THE BLACK BOX quickly established itself as a key suburban hub for great music with the launch of Children's, Jazz, Cabaret, New England Artists and Local Artists Series. Featuring prominent Boston area musicians and entertainers with local roots, THE BLACK BOX welcomed such diverse artists as Jamie Barrett, Ayla Brown, Brothers McCann, and the Kenny Hadley Big Band. THE BLACK BOX hosted Broadway stars Tyler Hanes and Sara Jean Ford and the NYC-based Joffrey Ballet Concert Group for Artist-in-Residence weekends featuring masterclasses and performances demonstrating FPAC's sustained commitment to quality creative expression and youth development in the arts. Tony Award winner Beth Leavel and Broadway's Alexander Gemignani headlined FPAC's Grand Opening Gala at THE BLACK BOX, bringing the magic of 42nd Street to our suburban MetroWest audiences! FPAC's 8th annual Whatever Theater Festival, featuring free performances of One Acts at THE BLACK BOX and Shakespeare on the Common, was presented this year as part of the first annual Franklin Cultural Festival, showcasing the greater Franklin arts community for a week of cultural events on multiple stages throughout the town's proposed Cultural District. With great pride and anticipation, we look forward to kicking off FPAC's milestone 25th season and ringing in the first anniversary of our downtown performing arts venue.  We hope you will join us for many events this upcoming year, beginning with Neil Simon's Pulitzer Prize-winning Lost in Yonkers on September 25-27 and FPAC's 2015 Gala celebration on October 3, as we together sustain a thriving cultural center for our region! Warmest regards, Raye Lynn Mercer Executive Director Franklin Performing Arts Company

Franklin Performing Arts Company uses Vendini for ticketing, marketing, and box office management.

Franklin Performing Arts Company - PO Box 16, Franklin, MA, 02038, (508) 528-8668
Vendini, Inc. - 660 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94104, 1 (800) 901-7173

View as a web page.

Pour Richard's: Pennywise Sale this Sunday

It's back! Our favorite bargain-hunting, money-saving, new wine-finding event, PENNYWISE! returns to Pour Richard's this Sunday, September 13 from 1-4 PM. 

Summer guests deplete your wine reserves? 

Pour Richard's Pennywise

Need to stock up for those tailgate parties? Or maybe you just want a couple of nice bottles to serve as consolation for the end of summer? No worries. We've got you covered. 

25+ wines, all 20-70% off original retail, all open for tasting so you can buy what you already know you like. Chardonnay for $7. Delicious Russian River red at 70% Off. Half off Super-Tuscan. Sauvignon Blanc. Prosecco. Zinfandel. Anejo Tequila. And much, much more. 

Tasting is free. Orders available for pickup next Friday, September 18 after 5 PM.  

Forget pennies...you'll save big $$. Never Drink Ordinary. See you Sunday! 

Pour Richard's is located at 14 Grove Street in Franklin.

Support Franklin's Neighbor Brigade -> Pam's Run 5K/10K

Registration is now open for Neighbor Brigade's 3rd Annual Benefit Event:

Pam's Run 5K/10K

Honoring the Legacy of Neighbor Brigade Founder Pam Manikas Washek and

Supporting the "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" Movement she Ignited

Sunday, October 18, 2015 – 10:00 am, Wayland, MA

Franklin has its own chapter of the Neighbor Brigade and they are quite helpful in the community.

You can find out more info on the chapter page here
http://www.neighborbrigade.org/1-public/chapters/?chapter=FranklinMA

(Caution, I do not approve of their web design. It makes it very difficult to read)

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 9/11/15 - THU 9/17/15

FRIDAY 9/11/15
12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market at The Town Common
5pm   Friday Night Fish Fry at the Franklin Rod and Gun Club (dinner starts at 6pm)
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
7:30pm   Soul Kitchen Reunion Concert at The Black Box
8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena

SATURDAY 9/12/15
8:00am - 4:00pm  FHS Field Hockey car wash at FHS $10/car
10am-12pm   7th Annual Cruisin’ For a Cure Car Show at the Benchmark Senior Living at Forge Hill. Free and open to public!
10am-4pm   FSPA Back to School Open House
11am   Opiate Addiction Awareness Walk in Milford (meet at the Town Park Bandstand)
1pm   Zentangle workshop at Franklin Art Center (please register in advance)
1pm   Adult Coffee and Craft at the Franklin Public Library - Book Page Wreath

SUNDAY 9/13/15
9am   The 11th Annual Franklin 5K at Jefferson/Remington Schools (registration at 9am, run at 10am)
1:00pm - 4:00pm   Pennywise sale at Pour Richard's; free wine tasting then purchase what you liked at a discount
1:30pm - 5:00pm    Library Sunday hours resume

MONDAY 9/14/15
10am-12pm   Franklin MOMS Club Annual Fall Social at the Franklin YMCA. Activities for kids. Interested non-members welcome.

WEDNESDAY 9/16/15
10am-8pm   FSPA Back to School Open House

THURSDAY 9/17/15
3pm   Memory Cafe for caregivers and their loved ones at Franklin Senior Center (each month new theme). Please call senior center to register.
6:30pm   Open Mic Night at The Cake Bar - FREE admission, acoustic and a cappella performers welcome. Franklin Forte Adult Co Ed Chorus performing at 7:30pm.
7pm   Franklin SEPAC Workshop: Your Basic Rights presented by the Federation for Children with Special Needs

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

Sunday hours resume at the Franklin Public Library Sep 13.

Sunday hours resume at the Franklin Public Library Sep 13. 

The Library will be open from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM

Sunday hours resume at the Franklin Public Library Sep 13

This was shared from the Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/09/blog-post.html

Fall Pastel Art Classes Begin Next Week

THE CENTER FOR ADULT EDUCATION & COMMUNITY LEARNING  is pleased to announce  FALL PASTEL CLASS Don't wait...........  start painting now Tired of hearing that everything is bad for you? Well, register now for the one thing that is good for you! Whether you want to begin to paint or continue your painting skills, this class is for you. You will be immersed and quickly painting your own work. You will apply techniques using materials and gain knowledge in a hands-on, enjoyable environment September 17th through October 22nd Franklin High School 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm $75.00 Register Now The class is taught by GAIL ECKBERG, a full-time teaching artist 218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA 02038, adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us, 508-613-1480

Forward this email FPS- Lifelong Learning | 355 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

MassBudget: Analyzing Education and Transportation Tax Reform Proposal

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Funding Improvements for Schools, Roads, and Public Transit with Tax Reforms that Improve Fairness A ballot question has been proposed that would support investments in education and transportation with revenue from an additional 4% tax on income over a million dollars a year. Funding Improvements for Schools, Roads, and Public Transit with Tax Reforms that Improve Fairness examines this proposal and how it relates to longer term economic and policy trends in Massachusetts. A wide body of research shows that a well-educated workforce and well-functioning transportation system together serve as a critical foundation for state economic success. In Massachusetts, our ability to make smart investments in education and transportation has been hampered by a tax system in which our highest income residents pay a much smaller share of their income in taxes than almost everyone else.   This has proven particularly problematic because our highest income residents have also seen a disproportionate share of the income growth in the Commonwealth over the past few decades. When those whose incomes are growing the most pay the smallest share of their income in taxes, that reduces the state's ability to invest in things like improving our schools, making public higher education affordable, and maintaining our transportation systems. An additional 4% tax on income over a million dollars would have a modest effect on the few taxpayers - less than one percent of all filers - who would be affected. Because the tax doesn't apply to the first million dollars of income, and because state taxes are deductible from federal taxes, the effective tax rates (ETR) for those affected would be significantly below the marginal tax rate.   To read the full factsheet, please click HERE. 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