Franklin Public Schools: Announce Community Walking at Franklin High School

Franklin Public Schools ~ Lifelong Learning Institute Community Walking at Franklin High School  As we enter Autumn and the temperature begins to drop, we are pleased to announce that Community Walking at Franklin High School has returned.  Escape the cold and walk in the warmth of the high school track or hallways.  Walking is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, when school is in session, 5:30 to 7:30 PM.  Walkers may use the elevated track when there are no games taking place in the gym.  If the track is not available, walkers may use the high school hallways on the first floor.  Walkers should enter the Panther door and go to the Adult Education office to sign in. They will receive a guest lanyard to wear.  When they are finished walking, they will return to the Adult Education office to sign out and return the guest lanyard. The sign-in/sign-out process and wearing guest lanyards are part of the school safety protocol. For more information about Community Walking, please email lifelong@franklin.k12.ma.us or call 508-613-1480.

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

Use the Community Entrance (Panther Door) at FHS

"The TC Insider" - news you can use from Tri-County Regional Voc Tech

OCTOBER 21 A Message from Principal Mallon: As many of you know, Tri-County holds one main funding event each year. Four years ago, we switched from an auction to a golf tournament. This year, our Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, June 10, 2016, at the Wentworth Hills Country Club in Plainville. This will be an early release day for students. We use the revenue we raise from the Golf Tournament to help fund student activities. Whether you are a golfer, sponsor, or volunteer, your help will be greatly appreciated. We would like to avoid having to charge students fees to participate in clubs and activities. Thank you in advance for your support. Another way to get involved in the school is to join our very active Tri-County Athletic Boosters association. Members of TCB devote considerable time and energy to raising money to fund scholarships at graduation, trophies and awards at the end of each sports season, letter jackets for qualifying student athletes, and other special projects here at the school. You may have noticed a link to the TCB on the webpage under Athletics. If your schedule does not permit you to get directly involved, please consider supporting their various fundraising activities. TC News Students in our Automotive Collision Repair program spent seven months working on a 1969 Mercury Cougar. Their work paid off on October 10 when the vehicle claimed first place in the People's Choice category at the Cougar Club of America East Coast National Car Show. Learn more: http://www.tri-county.us/node/236 Athletic News We're proud to announce the Varsity Golf and Varsity Volleyball teams are 2015 Mayflower Athletic Conference Champions! Congratulations to Junior Kyle Hobbs who was selected as the 2015 Outstanding Golfer for the Mayflower Athletic Conference. Get ready for Ski Club! The Ski Club will begin their weekly trips to Wachusett Mountain beginning on January 9, 2016. The club visits Wachusett each Saturday from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for six weeks. Ms. Johannesen will begin the application process on November 2. Applications are due NO LATER than Tuesday, November 24. Please see Ms. Johannesen for more information and to pick up your application. An Update from Guidance: If you haven't already scheduled a parent meeting with your student's guidance counselor, please contact Mr. O'Brien (last names A-K) or Ms. Johannesen (last names L-Z) to discuss their future goals. Seniors should continue to visit the guidance office for updated information regarding career opportunities. Common Application Workshops will continue to be offered to seniors on Wednesdays in S206. Please listen to the announcements. SAT Testing The registration deadline is November 5 for the December 5 SAT. The late registration deadline is November 23 (with an additional fee). *Students eligible for free or reduced lunch should see their guidance counselors regarding possible fee waivers for SATs and college applications. College Financing Seminar The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, MEFA will present a College Financing Seminar here at TC on Tuesday, December 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cooperative Education Update Co-op seniors now have a Co-op Course in Its Learning. This interactive platform will allow Co-op students to reach out to Mrs. MacLeod easily, especially on B week when they are not at Tri-County. Bulletins will be posted along with answers to frequently asked questions as they arise. Additionally, both the Co-op Calendar and Time Sheet are now available for print through the site. Co-op students are reminded they must fill out their time sheet in its entirety prior to their supervisor signing it at the end of the week in order to receive weekly credit for hours worked. They need to indicate the types of jobs, chores and experiences that they were a part of before the supervisor signs it. The shop teachers receive a copy of those time sheets. It is very important for the instructors to be aware of the types of new and different experiences that your child encounters on the job. All Co-op students must turn their time sheet into Mrs. Roberts in the front office when they arrive back to school on Monday. Mrs. Roberts inputs those hours so that your child is not considered absent or delinquent from school. Failure to do so may result in suspension from Co-op for the next shop week. An occasional reminder to your child is always a plus and greatly appreciated! Senior Project Seniors have completed the process of determining what their Senior Project Product will be. Parents co-signed this form indicating that you are aware of the scope of the project selected. Senior Project fabrication time is Monday, November 16, through Wednesday, November 25.. All seniors will be working on their Projects in-house during this time. The student is responsible for providing the necessary materials to fabricate their Product. Upcoming Events Career Day Thursday, October 29 Career Day Friday, October 30 Veterans' Day Wednesday, November 11 About The TC Insider The TC Insider is a biweekly newsletter for the families of Tri-County students. Forward to a Friend Follow on Twitter Like us on Facebook View Email In Browser Tri-County RVTHS 147 Pond Street Franklin, MA 02038 www.tri-county.us 508-528-5400

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District · 147 Pond Street · Franklin, Ma 02038 · USA image from Tri-County webpage

In the News: Lippert Field, Franklin Distinguished Young Women, Johnston essay on Pellegri

On Oct. 17, Dean College honored faculty member and coach Dale Lippert with a surprise dedication at the Longley Athletic Complex, 69 Maple St. 

Thanks to a donation from Peter Hexter, a member of the board of trustees, Dean College was able to dedicate the football field in Lippert’s name. 

The surprise was announced during the halftime show of Saturday’s Dean College football game. Lippert was asked to make his way to the center of the field and he was honored for his dedicated service with an unveiling of a sign across the press box with his namesake.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151023/NEWS/151027850/1994/NEWS

The Greater Franklin Distinguished Young Women Program will host an information session for female high school juniors 7 p.m. Nov. 1 in the community room at the Franklin YMCA, 45 Forge Hill Road. 

The program is open to all female high school juniors and is free to join. Rehearsals will start in late February and will meet one night per week. Attendance is preferred. The program show date will be in May or June, but it will be announced at a later time.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151023/NEWS/151027845/1994/NEWS


James Johnston, Franklin historian and regular contributor to the Milford Daily News has this piece on the retirement of Deborah Pellegri

Deborah Pellegri is ending a long era of public service in the town of Franklin. Her civic service to the Franklin community has spanned four decades, going way back to her founding of the Fourth of July Committee with two other great Franklin civic leaders, Jean Cataldo and Lorraine Doherty. Together this dynamic trio has created a tradition of celebration of this nation's birth that has spanned a third of the last century and lives on to today.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151020/OPINION/151029056/2011/OPINION

“Voices of Franklin” - update

We are only a few days away from Nov 3rd when we will determine who will sit and decide for us on the Town Council, School Committee, Board of Health, and serve in the Town Clerk's office to mention just the contested elections.

While the newspapers offer a “letters to the editor”, Franklin Matters has “Voices of Franklin”. If you would like to express your thoughts on a hot topic, or what it is like to live in Franklin, this is for you. Perhaps on the way things were, or the way things should be. There are any number of topics that matter to Franklin. 

You do the writing and we can help you can share your story here.

Franklin Matters

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


If you

• have time to write a couple of paragraphs
• access to email
• your voice can be published here in a new “Voices of Franklin” section. 

Your written submission will need to abide by the editorial guidelines found below. You'll also need to be aware that anything published on Franklin Matters is subject to the Creative Commons License 3.0 for USA. Specifically, what is published can be shared with attribution but not for profit.

More information about the editorial guidelines and creative commons license are found in the links below. If you would like to clarify something before sending your writing in, you can reach out to me (shersteve at gmail dot com).

Email address to send to shersteve.FMn3ws@blogger.com 

Editorial/comment guidelines
 http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2007/12/comment-policy.html 

Creative Commons http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/ 

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 10/23/15 - THU 10/29/15

FRIDAY 10/23/15
12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market at The Town Common
3:30pm   Science Friday: Mission Space (grades K to 4) at Franklin Public Library
4-6pm   Annual Franklin SEPAC Halloween Ride at Tangerini’s Farm. Event is free and open to all Franklin special-needs students and their families. RSVP required! Event fills up quickly. Email: franklinsepac@gmail.com.
6:30pm   Project Smile 12th Anniversary Celebration, Doubletree Milford. Great auction items! Support the non-profit that supports the community and children involved in traumatic events.
6:30-8pm   Annual Spooky Games at the Franklin YMCA. Community event open to all.
8-9:50pm   Spooktacular DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena

SATURDAY 10/24/15
9-11am Franklin High School Open House
10am-3pm   Craft and Vendor Fair to benefit Santa Foundation @ Elk’s Lodge in Franklin
12-4pm   Grand Opening of Sugar Shoppe, 334 Union Street, Franklin
5:30-9pm   Halloween Party for all ages at FUSF
7:30pm   FSPA presents “The Addams Family” at The Black Box

SUNDAY 10/25/15
7:30-10:30am   Weekly Sunday morning breakfast at Franklin Rod and Gun Club, open to public.
2pm   FSPA presents “The Addams Family” at The Black Box
3pm   Greg and Axel Show at Franklin Public Library

TUESDAY 10/27/15
6-9pm   Taste of the Region at the Tri-County HS

THURSDAY 10/29/15
6:30pm   Genealogy Club Monthly Meeting at Franklin Public Library

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

FHS girls soccer and volleyball top Taunton

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of Thursday's fall sports action where the FHS girls soccer team continued keeping a clean sheet by wining 2-0 and where the volleyball team topped Taunton by a 3-2 win in the matches.

FHS Panthers

Girls soccer

Franklin, 2 @ Taunton, 0 – Final 

– Victoria Stowell scored from the penalty spot and Megan Georges had Franklin’s second goal on an assist by Maddie Connelly.

Volleyball

Taunton, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 

– Sam Campbell and Rose Morrisette both played strong defense for the Panthers and each had key serving runs in the fifth set to lead Franklin. Dayna McCue had 43 serve receivers, 21 digs and four aces, Aubrie Kutil had 12 kills and a pair of digs and Beth Neal had 18 assists, eight kills, four aces and a pair of blocks.

For the rest of the results around the Hockomock League on Thursday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-102215/

Wizards Game Tickets Available to Buy at Franklin Recreation Basketball Skills Session

WIZARDS VS FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (FPS) BASKETBALL FUNDRAISER
NOV 13th, 7:00pm, Tri-County HS gym

Wizards Game Tickets Available to Buy at Franklin Recreation Basketball Skills Session this Saturday! Save Money and Purchase Your Tickets Before the Game (and before we sell out).

We will be at the following schools’ skill sessions this Saturday.

General Admission tickets:

Adults-$12;
Students $10. 

Cash or check only.

Harlem Wizards

• Sullivan Middle School Gym - 8:00-10:00am and 11:00am-1:00pm
• Horace Mann Middle School Gym - 2:00-6:00pm
• Remington Middle School Gym - 1:00-5:00pm

For more information, please visit http://www.franklined.org/harlem-wizards
Or see our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/franklined.org

Franklin Library: Greg the Magician and Axel the magic mutt

Halloween Fun with Greg the Magician and Axel the magic mutt on Sunday, October 25th, 3 PM at the Franklin Public Library.

Greg and Axel, halloween fun

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/10/halloween-fun-with-greg-magician-and.html

In the News: Adult learning workshops, Exelon lacks water contingency, Mercer runs for 3rd, Jones looks to return

The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning, 218 Oak St., announced five upcoming one-night workshops open to the community beginning Nov. 7. 

Each one-night session is designed to be an informative and enjoyable evening in a relaxed setting. Some sessions are interactive. 

Anyone interested in one or more of the following one-night workshops can register by going to FranklinLifelongLearning.com and clicking on Adult Education or by calling The Center at 508-613-1480:

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151023/NEWS/151029925/1994/NEWS

Although there is no guarantee that Exelon, Millis and Medway will come to an agreement on pumping water through each town to Exelon's proposed expansion, the company does not have a contingency plan. 

Millis Town Administrator Charles Aspinwall said he only received a final proposal Monday from the engineering firm Kleinfelder to do feasibility study of selling water to Exelon. 

The company needs a maximum of 95,000 gallons per day, but will be able to draw about half of that from an onsite well.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151022/NEWS/151027807

During his time on the Town Council, Thomas Mercer has helped bring multiple new town buildings to fruition, and said he was proud the town had invested in its infrastructure over the years. 

Mercer is one of 14 candidates seeking nine Town Council seats in Franklin's Nov. 3 election. A lifelong resident of Franklin, he is running for a third term on the council, though he has served the town in several other capacities.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151022/NEWS/151027809/1994/NEWS

As a former Town Council member himself, candidate Glenn Jones finds himself in an interesting position as he runs to rejoin it. 

Jones is one of 14 candidates seeking nine seats on the council in the Nov. 3 town election.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151022/NEWS/151027814/1994/NEWS

Voices of Franklin: Sean Slater on a Tax Override Question

Hello fellow Franklin residents 

My name is Sean Patrick Slater and I am running as a 1st time candidate for the Town Council. There has been a couple of hot topics that have come up recently in the social media forums. While collecting signatures I was asked if I would support an override. Given the informal discussions around this issue you would think it would be a complicated issue. It is not, it is simple. 

There is no such thing as an “unexpected” or “emergency” expense. A tax increase request in the form of an override is an admission to an unbalanced budget. Proper planning eliminates the need to ask for more money due to unscheduled expenses. I believe citizens, including myself, recognize that managing a budget for 33,000 residents is a massive responsibility. I also believe those involved with the budget process start out with nothing but the best intentions. That being said, the size of the budget and the unmet demand for services should not be used as override rhetoric. 

If you hear we need an override to pay for road repairs and/or to help fund a $93M OPEB unfunded obligation, I would follow that up with a question; with a budget of approximately $113M, where specifically were these dollars allocated? Trust then verify. If we are saying $113M is not enough to run this town then I would humbly ask to validate each line item in the town budget that looks questionable. There is a reason overrides have been repeatedly voted down, Franklin residents are intelligent enough to use common sense. 

The other question I was asked was “if the question does surprisingly make the ballot, would the outcome of the vote change how you would conduct business on behalf of the town? Regardless of an override outcome, our priority is always to be as fiscally responsible as necessary in carrying out the will of the people. We do not change our approach or behavior based on a vote. The way we allocate or prioritize may change in respect to budget items. 

However, we, as a Council, should not be using the results of a vote to compromise our commitment to fiscal discipline. Both scenarios will require an open and honest communication among the Council, Town Administrator, finance committee and department heads. A collaborative and common sense approach is the best way to move forward with an issue that is this controversial. 

Chalk it up to my experience in corporate America but in my current job, if I know I am unable to keep the project on budget they will find somebody else who can. If I ask my SVP for more money without any legitimate evidence to validate that request then he would tell me to take some time off after laughing me out of his office. In the private sector this is known as the chicken little defense. The sky is not falling just because we are not receiving more funds, rather the confidence is falling because we are abandoning reason and logic in asking for those funds. 

Thank you for your time. 

Thanks
Sean P. Slater, PMP

Sean's email address =  seanp.slater_pmp@yahoo.com

Franklin Matters - Voices of Franklin

Guidelines for submission to "Voices of Franklin" can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Fun at the Downtown Partnership October Stroll

FALL FUN At the OCTOBER STROLL

We had a clear and beautiful afternoon for Thursday's downtown Franklin October Stroll! The crowds came out to celebrate Fall in Franklin with music, impromptu dance parties, crafts, face painting, games, pumpkins and decorating kits, gift shopping, costumed characters and delicious foods. Thank you to all the wonderful Franklinites and area residents who came out to celebrate the season with us! Our wonderful sponsors helped make our first October Stroll a resounding success - Thank You!  Thanks to the Bernon Family Branch YMCA for operating the Children's Area for the event. Thanks, also, to the Franklin DPW and the Franklin Police for helping us with logistics and safety.  Many thanks, too, to all the volunteers who helped organize and run this fun event. Here are a few photos from the evening.  Gold Sponsors Middlesex Savings Bank and Rockland Trust Silver Sponsors Dean Bank, DCU, Franklin Ford and The Estate at Franklin Bronze Sponsors Chestnut Dental Associates and Keefe Insurance Bronze Sponsors Chestnut Dental Associates Friends of the Stroll Sponsors Alumni Restaurant, Beaux Regards Photographic Art by Marjorie Sardella, Crossway Church, D. G. Ranieri Real Estate, Jane's Frames, Nexamp, Next Step Living, The Franklin Historical Museum and WMRC 1490-AM. Additional photos can be found on the Downtown Partnership Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/photos_stream

Franklin Candidate for Town Council - Andrew Bissanti

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

FM - what is your Franklin story?

Andrew Bissanti - My family came here sometime in the early 1900’s. After Korea, My dad worked for the State Department and was stationed at the American consulate in Naples, Italy. He met my mom who was also working there as an interpreter. Although I was born at Milford hospital, I spent my early years living in Naples, Italy. Long enough to learn the language, which I am happy to say have kept up to this day, and often have conversations in Italian with many Franklin residents who still speak the language and/or help translate letters for them from Italy. 

My Dad left government work overseas and we settled in Franklin to be close to his family and friends he grew up with. I attended both Franklin schools and private schools. I got my Associates in Science Degree in Architecture and Building Construction Management from Dean College and went on to graduate from the University of Denver, where I double majored and received a BA in Both Political Science and Communications. All three degrees have ended up serving me well in both my professional and Political career. 

When I returned from College I settled in Franklin, bought my first home when I was 24 years old and invested in Real Estate and more importantly, the town of Franklin. A town where I chose to reside to this day. My wife of 30 years and I have three beautiful Daughters and two wonderful Grandchildren. 

With 8 uncles and 4 aunts all residing in franklin at any given point, I have a strong sense of family and was taught a sense of duty to a committed cause. Anybody who knows me or my family knows they can count on me to always be there to help lend a hand, or walk in my office at 205 East Central anytime and discuss any town related issue. I might not always be able to fix the problem but I will tell you why. “I call em, like I see em”. 

I have a problem with some of those who feel helping an individual with a specific problem can “set precedent” or “open a can of worms", or a Pandora’s Box etc., As an outspoken member of the Advisory Committee, a group who has championed many local causes over the last few years, I feel helping an individual, needs to be weighed on a case by case basis. I feel the Town Council is there to help our Franklin residents and that has always been my underlying philosophy both professionally, personally, and politically.

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

Andrew Bissanti - Over the years Franklin has endured and overcome many growing pains. I watched the Boom Times of the 80’s succumb to recessionary times of the 90’s and the cycle continued with its ups and downs to the present market which I feel is on the tail end of an 8 year flat line. We have been lucky in Franklin both locally and statewide to enjoy a relatively robust economy due to our location, municipal utilities and the services we provide. We also enjoy a comparatively reasonable tax rate. 

Going forward I feel our challenge as both councilors and a town will be intelligent growth in the commercial and industrial sectors, improved roadways, strong public safety presence and an emphasis on schools and education to reflect the ever changing world we are a part of, in technology, the arts and social awareness. I am proud to have been a part of a council that ushered in a brand new High School, and this last term initiated and completed over 30 significant council agenda items addressing zoning, education, recreation, police and fire, balanced budget and attention to one of our greatest assets, the seniors of Franklin. 

Because Franklin has so much going for it, we can’t ignore the ramifications of residential growth and its impact on the school system. Let’s remember a big part of what makes Franklin great is its public nationwide reputation as a great place to raise a family. Top 10 in fact. 

Let’s not let some of the rhetoric give those who seek our town out for either Business or a place to live that we are anti-growth. We just need to be pro-Franklin and employ “smart growth” where planning departments and all the various committees and council members work towards a common good for Franklin. As a former member of the Master Plan Committee all these issues were discussed and drafted and many have already been implemented during the two terms that I was given the opportunity to serve on the council.

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

Andrew Bissanti - I feel everyone on the current council brings their own Skill “set” to the table. My experience of the last 30 years has given me a clear understanding of development, road building, commercial real estate and an understanding of the highest and best use and value of property throughout our town. I feel this is a necessary role to be filled as some previous councils struggled with growth issues, zoning issues and promoting Franklin to companies to locate here in our industrial parks. 

As the current Economic Development Committee Chairman, I feel we needed to take a hard look at our Commercial and Industrial zoning to attract big box companies and promote a more streamlined yet thorough permitting process. We can “save our downtown" by promoting and or revising our C1 zone with its liberal and generous site and setback and parking requirements and mixed uses to attract the kind of development for both a pedestrian friendly and vehicular traffic town center. 

I feel I have been able to assist my council in many important decisions in these areas. And has I promised 4 years ago I will continue to be the “Eyes and Ears” for Franklin residents to the council. 

Getting on the council was not a snap decision for me. I feel have spent the last 30 years preparing for the job. I ask for your vote on Election Day.

If you have follow up questions for Andrew you can reach him via email at andrew@bissantirealty.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.