SENIOR NIGHT! Monday, October 19th at 6:30 vs. Mansfield

Please come and Support the Franklin High School Varsity Girls Soccer for SENIOR NIGHT! Monday, October 19th at 6:30 vs. Mansfield. Let's fill the stands and show our support for these wonderful players!

FHS Panthers

2015 Senior Varsity Girls

• Bailey Knous #15
• Emma Foley #18
• Megan Georges #26
• Alexis Stowell #24
• Victoria Stowell #16
• Dani Lonati #29
• Emily Spath #6
• Lauren Rudolph #25
• Megan Dieterle #23
• Maddie Connelly # 5

The FHS girls soccer team has an 11-0-1 record and has not allowed their opponent to score a goal this season.

http://www.hockomocksports.com/schedules/girls-soccer/franklin/2015-2/

"Selectmen are expected to approve agreements with Exelon"

Crowley said in light of the fact that the town has little say in whether the plant is built – aside from a lawsuit that would be ill-advised, according to the town’s consultants – the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) and Host Community Agreement are the best deals for the town. 

“There were a lot of disagreements, but at the end, we came to what we thought was the best possible solution for the town,” he said. “There were times I was frustrated.” 

The PILOT calls for more than $75 million to be paid to the town over 20 years, starting when the plant becomes operational, expected in 2018. The document will be voted on at Annual Town Meeting in May.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151018/NEWS/151016366/1994/NEWS

Related article

What can Franklin do about the Medway power plant expansion?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/what-can-franklin-do-about-medway-power.html

MA Responds - Newsletter and info

MA Responds logo

Welcome to MA Responds, the online registration system for public health, health care, and emergency response volunteers. 

If you would like to be a volunteer responder during a Massachusetts health-related emergency or event, you have come to the right place!

You can sign up at https://www.maresponds.org/

The recent newsletter:

News from Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Stresses Need to File Mortgage Discharges Norfolk County, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today reminded consumers about the importance of filing a mortgage discharge in a timely manner after their mortgage has been paid off. Register O'Donnell noted, "During our office hours, one of the most common asked questions by homeowners is whether they have clear title to their property. This can be determined by accessing the Registry's online records and verifying if all mortgages associated with the property have been discharged." The Register went on to say, "When a mortgage is paid off, a mortgage discharge document needs to be recorded with the Registry of Deeds to clear a homeowner's property title. A discharge is a document (typically one page) issued by the lender, usually with a title such as "Discharge of Mortgage" or "Satisfaction of Mortgage." In many instances stated O'Donnell, "Discharges are often filed directly by banks or settlement attorneys with the Registry as part of a property sale or as a result of a refinancing transaction. In other cases, the mortgage discharge is sent to the property owner who is then responsible for making sure the document is recorded at the Registry." "Whether or not a discharge is recorded by the lending institution or the individual property owner, it is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner to check and make sure that all necessary documents have been recorded at the Registry of Deeds," stated O'Donnell. The Register further mentioned that there have been cases where no discharge has been recorded against a long paid off mortgage. Unfortunately, many of the lending institutions that provided funds for these mortgages in the first place are no longer in existence, in most cases these financial entities have merged with another lending institution. You cannot sell your property without having all mortgage discharges recorded If a property owner needs to retrieve an original discharge of a mortgage and is unclear which lending institution is now responsible for providing the document, an option is to contact the Massachusetts Division of Banks at 1-800-495-2265. This government agency can assist the consumer in tracking down contact information for the lending institution that is responsible for the mortgage. When recording a discharge, the original document is required. The Registry of Deeds does not accept photo copies or faxed copies of documents. The filing fee, set by state statute, is $76.00. In conclusion O'Donnell stated, "After paying off all the mortgages on their property, homeowners want to be assured that they have clear title to their property, especially if they are contemplating selling it. Being diligent and aware of what is required will go a long way in giving the homeowner peace of mind. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is staffed with a team of customer service representatives who can be reached Monday through Friday, 8:30AM-4:30PM at 781-461-6101. These representatives have been trained in researching documents and are well versed on the subject of mortgage discharges and what, if necessary, needs to be done to clear title to a property." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds. 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 Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Forward email Norfolk County Registry of Deeds | 649 High Street | Dedham, | MA | 02026-1831 screen grab of Norfolk Deeds consumer alert page

TeamFitness: Kid Zone Fitness Program

Kid Zone Fitness Program

Team Fitness Franklin November 3, 2015

Kid Zone Fun Fitness Program A fun and fitness focused class  to help kids develop better balance and over all core and body strength.  The class will vary from week to week to show kids how fun it is to be in shape and active. Begins November 3, 2015 $19.95 for month to month membership (NO COMMITTMENT or FEES) $80 for 8 classes $12 drop in rate For Kids  Ages 5 - 12 Classes every  Tuesday and Thursday  4 - 5 pm

Forward this email Team Fitness Franklin | 100 Franklin Village Drive | Franklin | MA | 02038

TeamFitness Franklin

In the Boston Globe: Kristi Kirshe, American Girl for Blackstone Valley

Kristi Kirshe continues to score at a consistent pace. And the women’s soccer team at Williams College continues to pocket victories with regularity. 

In the Ephs’ 10-0-1 start this fall, the junior forward from Franklin netted six goals, including three game-winners, and contributed six assists.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2015/10/16/campus-angle-kristi-kirshe-franklin-high-school-williams-college-women-soccer/jLOwTLyeAo3ZRNpg2cPGhO/story.html

The Blackstone Valley is on a roll. Known as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, the 450,000-acre area between Worcester, Mass., and Providence is the home of Grace Thomas, American Girl’s 2015 Girl of the Year. Grace, of course, is not a real person, but her story highlights some very real natural and cultural sites in the valley — which also happens to be the country’s newest national park. 

The area has been a national heritage corridor for 28 years, but achieving national park status provides a new level of permanence and security for the region’s resources, said Bob Billington, president of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. “It means more restorations, more improvements, more visitors, more money coming into the area. . . . It takes our amazing history and presents it to the public on a platter, with national park rangers telling our story.”

ELLEN ALBANESE FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2015/10/17/american-girl-visits-blackstone-valley/D7ofmsAgZqJIKiiMLzUd2N/story.html

Link to the RI Parks page for the Blackstone River State Park 
http://www.riparks.com/History/HistoryBlackstone.html

The Blackstone River boat tour link
http://www.rivertourblackstone.com/

The Tour Blackstone site (for booking train trips, etc.)
http://www.tourblackstone.com/s/index.htm

along the Blackstone River Bike Path from Apr 2015

"a partnership-based program with cities and towns"

The article does not reference it but this may be the kind of deal that Franklin is part of to bring the joint emergency dispatch center to reality. 

There is not much money attached to Gov. Charlie Baker's "Community Compacts" program, but local officials who have signed on say it may help in other ways. 

The push for the agreements, which encourage the towns to adopt "best practices" in return for state support, has seen results in MetroWest and the Milford area - Ashland, Marlborough and Medway have signed the compacts, while Natick, Upton, Mendon and Hopkinton are listed as considering the pacts. Forty-one communities statewide have signed on to the program.

....

Medway Town Administrator Michael Boynton said his town pledged in September to improve communication within the community. 

"It's about doing more outreach," he said. "We want to be more interactive, and use social media, the Web and video." 

Though the town could pursue greater outreach on its own, Boynton said he believed the state's expertise on these matters would help Medway achieve its goal. 

"I think, while you can always do anything on your own, there's certainly a benefit to partnering with the state," he said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151018/NEWS/151016425/1994/NEWS

Franklin Candidate for Town Council - Brett Feldman

Our schedules did not align to meet in person so Brett Feldman and I conducted our discussion via email. The results are shared here.

FM - what is your Franklin story? 

Brett Feldman - I grew up in Burlington, MA; my wife Shari is from Stoughton. I have a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Boston University. I lived in Washington, DC for 2 years consulting for the US Environmental Protection Agency and in San Francisco for 2 years consulting for the electric utilities in California. We moved back to the Boston area when we were ready to settle down and have kids near our parents. 

We have lived in Franklin for 11 years; the first 8 in the Stone Ridge condos and the last 3 in a house on Meadowbrook Rd. I now work out of my home for an energy consulting company. We have 2 kids at the Oak Street School, and my wife is the Secretary for the Oak St. PCC. I coach soccer, basketball, and flag football teams in town. We are members of Temple Beth Torah in Holliston. 

Right after we moved to Franklin, I joined the town’s Recycling Committee (now defunct). A year later, I joined the Finance Committee, where I served for 8 years, including 1 year as Vice-Chair. I was elected to Town Council in 2013.

FM - what do you see as the challenge for the role you seek?

Brett Feldman - I learned a lot during my first term on the Council. I came in with a good understanding of the town’s budget process from my time on the Finance Committee, but I had a lot of knowledge to acquire about things like zoning and economic development. Some of the big issues on the horizon include the opioid crisis, the state of the roads, the downtown development project, and the Pond Street land. 

A more overarching challenge though is communicating effectively with the public. The Council needs to be accepting and respectful when citizens come to address it at meetings. We also need to do a better job of outreach to let the people know what is going on via the internet and social media. It is ok to have disagreements over issues, but everyone should feel welcome and well-informed.

FM - what makes you uniquely qualified to fulfill this role?

Brett Feldman - As mentioned above, I have been involved in the town’s governing bodies since I moved here. My tenure on the Finance Committee serves me well on the Council, and I have long-standing relationships with the heads of the various departments in town. 

For the last year, I have spearheaded the Franklin Solar Challenge, which displays my leadership and innovation skills. I led the vendor selection process, organized the initial informational meetings, created a team of citizen volunteers, and worked with our vendor to promote the program. We have exceeded all of our goals, attaining the best pricing for everyone and earning a bonus free solar array for a local non-profit organization. I have now turned my attention with the Town Administrator to municipal electricity aggregation, which holds the opportunity to lower the electricity bills of all Franklin residents. 

My current fellow Councilors all either grew up or have lived most of their lives in Franklin. Their commitment to the town is admirable, but there is also value in having diverse representation including the young families that have moved here in the past fifteen years or less. 

I am not a politician; I am a policy-maker. I am not spending any money on campaigning. I rely on my track record and ability to communicate with the people to earn their votes.

If you have any follow up questions for Brett, you can contact him via:
feldjamin@hotmail.com


Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 3rd. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion. 

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Oct 21, 2015

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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- Town Clerk

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS
15-52: Whether public safety, necessity and convenience requires laying out and acceptance of a portion of Lewis Street currently private, as a public way. 7:10 PM- 2nd Reading

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 15-52:Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of a Portion of Lewis Street, Currently a Private Way -2/3 vote
2. Resolution 15-66: Reconstructing, Adding to, Equipping and Furnishing the Franklin Public Library-2/3 vote
3. Resolution 15-67: Appropriation of Police Salaries
4. Resolution 15-68: Appropriation of Fire Salaries
5. Resolution 15-69: Amendment to the Town Administrators Contract
6. Resolution 15-70: Authorizing Tax Increment Financing, Cole Chain Technologies, Inc. And Knickerbocker Properties, Inc. XLIII
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15-752:Nonconforming Buildings, Structures, and Uses – 2nd Reading-2/3 vote

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION

P. ADJOURN

rendering of new addition to the Franklin Public Library

For the documents released for this agenda check here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/10212015.pdf

News and updates from the Franklin Historical Museum

LOOKING FOR MUSEUM HOST VOLUNTEERS

The Franklin Historical Museum is looking for volunteers to host at the Museum during regular business hours. 

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity in your community?  Are you interested in Franklin History? 

This could be what you're looking for.  Responsibilities would include opening and closing the museum, greeting guests, answering questions and accepting any donations that might be brought to the museum.  We are looking for volunteers willing to host 1 day a month.  If you would like to volunteer, or would like more information, please call Mary Olsson @ 508-520-9187. 

The museum is open Saturday mornings, Sunday afternoons and Thursday evenings (except during winter months).

Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St 

WINTER OPERATING HOURS FOR THE MUSEUM

The Franklin Historical Commission has found that visitor numbers to the museum on Thursday nights during the cold winter months, drops dramatically. 

For the second year, the commission has voted to close the museum Thursday evenings during the months of December, January and February.  

We will be open for the Downtown Partnership Holiday Stroll on Thursday December 3rd and will close Thursday nights starting the following week, December 10.  We will resume our regular operating hours in March.

MASS MUSEUM DAY AT THE STATE HOUSE

The Franklin Historical Museum recently participated in the 1st Annual Mass Museum Day, hosted by NEMA, (New England Museum Association).  The event took place on Wednesday October 7th in the Grand Hall at the State House.  Senator Stanley Rosenberg, President of the State Senate along with Senator Eric Lesser, Chair of the joint committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development welcomed the 30 museums from across the State.  

Participants were invited to showcase their museum and show their legislators why it is important to continue to fund the local arts and cultural organizations within our communities.  The Franklin Historical Museum fittingly featured favorite son Horace Mann, who served in the Massachusetts State legislature, Served as President of the Senate in 1836-1827, and was the first Secretary of Education.  

State Rep Jeffrey Roy and Senator Richard Ross both supported and participated in the day by visiting the table and promoting Franklin and the museum.  The Historical Museum was proud to help sponsor the event and was recognized by having our logo displayed on the NEMA event banner.  

If you haven't already had the chance, visit the museum, located downtown at 80 West Central Street.  The museum is open Saturdays 10:00AM - 1:00PM; Sundays 1:00PM - 4:00PM and Thursday evenings 5:00PM - 8:00PM (except Dec, Jan, and Feb).  

Handicap access is available at the back of the building.  Come by and discover Franklin's history, where our story began.

You can also visit the Historical Museum on the web at
http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/   

or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038?

Retirement Open House: 10:00am --- 6:30pm - Franklin Municipal Building

Open House

Everyone Is Invited!

After 31 Years, Our Town Clerk, Deborah L. Pellegri, Cmc, Will Be Retiring On November 11th. Stop By To Wish Debbie Good Luck In Her Retirement And Thank Her For All Her Years Of  Service. We Are Planning The Retirement Open House:

Place: Franklin Municipal Building
Date: Wednesday, October 21st
Time: 10:00am --- 6:30pm

Ceremony/Presentations To Follow In The Council Chambers @7.00pm At The Regular Town Council Meeting.

All Are Invited

Desserts Will Be Available Throughout The Day.

Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St

What can Franklin do about the Medway power plant expansion?

1 - There is a "Public Forum" on Wednesday at 7PM, Medway High School 88 Summer Street.   

Franklin neighbors are encouraged to attend. If opposed to the plant, folks are asks to wear a red shirt.

2 - There was a Fox News report on Thursday (10/15/15):

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston


http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/30274284/power-plant-expansion-causes-controversy-in-medway

3 - "Stop Medway Peaker" recently released a statement: 

This power plant threatens the health and safety of our children and our communities by polluting our air and wasting our precious natural resources. Please plan to attend the public forum Oct. 21 to have your voices heard. Let the Board of Selectmen know how you feel and tell them to voice their strong opposition to this project and do everything in their power to stop the expansion.

4 - What can Franklin Residents do?

WRITE THE STATE SITING BOARD: Go to the web page http://www.stopmedwaypeaker.com/ Click on "contact officials" where you can find sample letters and who to email.

Twitter image

Follow and share the group's activities via social media

• facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nopowerplantmedway
• twitter: @stopmedwaypeak
• email: stopmedwaypeaker@gmail.com
• website: http://www.stopmedwaypeaker.com/

St Mary's: First Grade Religious Education Registration

Religious Education for First Communion is a two-year program. The first year the students complete the book at home with their parents following our schedule. The second year, the students attend classes at the Parish Center (across from the church) and then receive the Sacraments of Penance and First Eucharist. A student must complete the First Grade Program before they enter the Grade Two Program.

We will be having registration (in the Religious Education Office inside the Charter School) for this program at the following times: 

• Tuesday, October 20th—5:15 p.m.—6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 27th—5:15 p.m.—6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 29th—1:00 p.m.—3:30 p.m.

The Registration Fee for First Grade is $50.00. If your child was NOT baptized at St. Mary's in Franklin, you must provide a copy of his/her Baptismal Certificate. NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE TAKEN WITHOUT A BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. 

If your child was baptized here, we have that on record so you do not need a Baptismal Certificate. You will receive a book and the schedule to follow as you complete the program with your child.

St Mary's Franklin

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Religious Education Office at 508-528-1450.


Karen Ackles
Director Grades 1-8
St. Mary's Franklin
508 528-1450

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Monday, October 26th

Experience the health benefits of joyful laughter every fourth Monday at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin from 7:30pm to 8:30pm.  

Laughter Yoga is a fun and healthy combination of laughter exercises, yoga breathing and gentle stretching. It's a great stress buster with real health benefits. Join in the laughs, fun and finish with a restful cool down meditation.Wear a funny hat for Halloween if you like! "Monster Mash" will be played afterwards!  

Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! New laughers are always welcomed! $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family.  Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating. 

Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. See www.letslaughtoday.com for additional information.  If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com   

Also ask for the information on the week-end workshop/certification on how to bring more laughter into your life on November 14th and 15th!

Linda and BIll Hamaker

Senior Center: A new edition of The Franklin Connection is available

A new edition of The Franklin Connection has been published on the Town of Franklin web site.

Click the link below to read the latest edition.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/Nov15connection.pdf

Franklin Senior Center

You can find out more about the Senior Center on their official Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index