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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 *
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds | |||
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TeamFitness Franklin |
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.
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 |
along the Blackstone River Bike Path from Apr 2015 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Resolution 15-52:Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of a Portion of Lewis Street, Currently a Private Way -2/3 vote
- Resolution 15-66: Reconstructing, Adding to, Equipping and Furnishing the Franklin Public Library-2/3 vote
- Resolution 15-67: Appropriation of Police Salaries
- Resolution 15-68: Appropriation of Fire Salaries
- Resolution 15-69: Amendment to the Town Administrators Contract
- Resolution 15-70: Authorizing Tax Increment Financing, Cole Chain Technologies, Inc. And Knickerbocker Properties, Inc. XLIII
- Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15-752:Nonconforming Buildings, Structures, and Uses – 2nd Reading-2/3 vote
rendering of new addition to the Franklin Public Library |
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 |
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.
Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St |
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.
Twitter image |
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:
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.
- 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.
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 |
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!
Franklin Senior Center |
Rick Power – I grew up in Norwood and went to Xaverian Brothers High School and UMass, Amherst. I was commissioned as an Infantry Office in the Army National Guard and served 12 years. I have three amazing kids, Alyssa, Nicole and Rick. We raised them in Randolph for about eight years and then moved in Lakeland, FL to care for my father-in-law.
When it was time to return to New England, choosing Franklin as our home was a ‘no brainer’. Renowned for its school systems and secure community, I knew our children would flourish in Franklin. That’s all a dad really wants. Our family roots are also here: my sisters, brother, four nieces and my parents live in town. Although my ex-wife and I are now divorced, the kids still live in the house they know as home. It was an amicable separation and we minimized any disruption for the kids.
Shortly after we moved to Franklin, my daughter started playing softball for the Franklin Girls Softball Association and I got involved in coaching. I eventually joined the Board of Directors and have served as the President for the past three years. I am still involved in the girls’ softball league even though my daughter is not playing anymore. I promised myself I would leave the league in a better situation than when I joined it and there is still work to be done.
I work as an Area Manager for the largest complex rehab company in the US. I manage a budget of over $15M and we provide custom wheel chairs for people with progressive diseases like ALS and MS. It is very rewarding, helping people with some pretty tough diseases.
People ask me how come I want to get involved in politics. My reason is because I love the town of Franklin, and I want to do my part to ensure it grows in a controlled, responsible manner. I want to continue to attract families looking for great schools and a safe community as well as businesses that can offer the town needed products and services.
Rick Power – They have a few. One would be getting the people a little more engaged. There seems to be a little bit of adversity going on; People vs. the Council. There is also a perception that there are too many realtors and lawyers involved and benefiting from town council development decisions. I feel the council could do a better job addressing those concerns. I won’t engage in negative campaigning when most of what is being said is unfounded.
We have a town of 34,000 people and less than 20% of registered voters actually get to the polls for local elections (closer to 60% during Presidential elections) and not too many attend council meetings. I get it; these meetings can be pretty boring. Maybe they are designed to be but I feel they could be a little lighter and a more open to discussion. Maybe a town hall style meeting is a better forum where there can be more interaction.
I recently attended the Opioid Meetings- I thought they were great. The organizers said their piece, a long piece but it had value, and then they opened it up for others to talk and engage. That is the type of engagement I’m talking about, that’s what is needed in the Town Council.
I am active on Facebook. You have to be very careful. Some people are just looking to be argumentative but most want the interaction. I think that social media is part of the world we live in now. If we aren’t involved there, we’re missing the boat. I do like the immediate feedback that is available about the issues.
The budget is another big issue. We currently have a balanced budget and it took a lot of hard work to get here but soon we are going to have to do address the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) of $70-$80M I think it is. We can’t keep kicking that can down the road.I want to strike a balance with new development and keeping the small town feel that people came here for or grew up here and love. Transparency and openness into how the decisions are being made is crucial.
Another issue seems to be the roads and sidewalks. People appreciate the effort but complain about the timeframe to complete. That is a communication thing. What is the timeline? How long will it take? I’d like to see better communication from the DPW on stuff like that.One of the items that came up on Facebook was trying to build a community/teen center in town. We have a great senior center but need something more. I talked with my son about the opioid issues. He said there is nothing to do in town for teens and above so they sit around bored. The bowling alley just closed. We used to have a cinema. I think we are foolish as a town to not look at that at least. It may cost us some money but we did it for the seniors.
Rick Power – I think we touched on some of my biggest benefits as we talked. I'm not a politician. I am unbiased and pretty open minded. I am willing to look at both sides of the issue before making a decision on which one makes the best sense for the most amount of people. Sometimes there are people, like in my business, that can't advocate for themselves, yet they are worthy of the benefit. We need to advocate for them too.
I have many years of leadership experience both in the military and in private sector business. I owned or managed several small businesses so I know the challenges they face.
I am pretty technically savvy, on social media and the like. The feedback and information flow can be pretty intense.
I think I can be a liaison for the town. I can be a little bit more in touch. Through my family and community involvement I can reach out to a wide range of residents and keep the lines of communication open.
I’d like to hold some open houses, get some other councilors involved in engaging the community in a conversation about key issues. You got to keep your hands on the pulse of the town.
Hatim Brahimi (10) scored a goal and assisted on another, as Franklin beat Attleboro to clinch a postseason spot and a tie for first in the league. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com) |
– Hatim Brahimi broke open a scoreless game with a goal in the 52nd minute for the Panthers. He then assisted on a goal by Kevin Hall, who added a second in the final minutes of the game.
– Alexis Stowell netted a pair of goals, Emily Foley scored a goal and had an assist and Emily Spath and Abigail Gipson each scored once. Jess Kroushl, Halle Atkinson, Victoria Stowell and Meghan Dieterle each had an assist.
– Franklin’s Caroline Maguire had seven aces and added four kills and a pair of blocks to lead the Panthers. Maddy Kuzio had four aces and a pair of digs and Lauren McGrath had 10 assists and three aces for Franklin.
At halftime, the Panthers were in need of a spark. Attleboro had packed the midfield and limited the home team to no shots on target and a single corner. Franklin huddled during the break, discussed the situation, and came out for the second half on the front foot.
Senior Hatim Brahimi scored what turned out to be the game-winner 12 minutes after the break and added an assist on the first of Kevin Hall’s two goals as Franklin beat the Bombardiers 3-0 on Friday afternoon at Pisini Field.
With the victory, the Panthers clinched a return to the state tournament and, coupled with a Mansfield draw against King Philip, moved into a tie at the top of the Kelley-Rex standings.
Hi Steve,
Sorry it's taken me a couple of weeks to get back to you! I was hoping we would have a definitive signature signing schedule to provide for you but it seems that our weeks are planned as we go. The best resource for your readership to find locations where they can sign would be to point them to the www.endcommoncorema.com website where each weekend it is updated with signing locations.
You can read the petition there as well. The deadline for signature submission is November 18, 2015 and the required number of certified signatures is around 69,000 in order for the question to be placed on the ballot.
End Common Core MA |
Also on the website, your readers can find who their town Captain is if they are interested in volunteering. Patrick Touhey is Franklin's captain. http://www.endcommoncorema.com/volunteer
This is a grassroots effort to allow the voters of MA to decide if Common Core standards are in the best interest of our superior educational system. I, along with Moira Keating and Janice Dunne, are members of Medway Matters: End Common Core MA.
I personally got involved in this effort when our school district was considering participating in the PARCC pilot test, at which time I had no idea MA had adopted Common Core. These national standards were implemented back in 2010 with a Race To The Top grant from the federal government, with no input or review process. Experts state that Common Core lowers our existing standards and will not prepare our students for STEM based degrees in college.
Thanks
Kelly O'Rourke
1 - Prepare to Succeed/Transition from HS- Free program hosted by Dean College and the Franklin Y - weekly on Monday evenings - October 19 - November 30 from 6:30-8:00pm Dean College Campus Center FREE
2 - Calling All Teens/ Come See What Programs the Franklin Library Has to Offer-- Pizza and cake FREE October 22 6:30-8:00 Franklin Public Library
3 - Open House at Franklin HS Saturday October 24 9:00- am - 11:00 am Coffee and Doughnuts
Franklin High School |
This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message.
12 noon at the Jockey Club in Raynham. Four live bands! Great food/drinks, bounce houses, bowling, raffles, bagpipers and more! Get your $20 entry/donation wristband at the door!
For more info or questions inbox or email at chadlariveefund@gmail.com
Facebook photo for The Chad Larivee Firefighter Fundraiser |
The Chad Larivee Fund |
Per the PILOT agreement, Exelon will pay the town $73 million in taxes and just under $2.2 million in Community Preservation Act (CPA) money, beginning in year 1 with $3,811,248 in taxes and $114,337.44 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) money.
In year 20, the final year of the agreement, the company will pay $3,482.432.14 in taxes and $104,472.96 in CPA money, per the PILOT agreement.
Those figures are based on an initial valuation of just under $209 million in the first year that the facility is built.
In the final year, the plant’s value falls to $190,922,814.93, according to the agreement.
The agreement will be negotiated in the 19th year.
The Board of Selectmen will vote on both agreements on Monday, but the PILOT will go to voters at Annual Town Meeting next May.
Facebook photo from Stop Medway Power Plant group page |
School Committee members were effusive in their praise of Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, whose performance they evaluated this week.
At Tuesday night's committee meeting, members said they had rated Sabolinski as "exemplary" in all four categories in which she is judged.
Committee Chairwoman Paula Mullen gave a brief overview of the contents of the evaluation.
"I think Maureen is very, very data-driven and collaborative," she said. "She's a creative and effective problem-solver."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
The St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Mary’s Parish in Franklin, One Church Square, will hold its seventh annual Thanksgiving Food Drive from Nov. 1 through Nov. 22, to provide a holiday dinner to those in need and to restock its food pantry shelves.
Suggested items to donate include applesauce, cranberry juice, popcorn, peanut butter, jelly, jams, cookies, crackers, bread mixes, pudding, candy corn, cranberry sauce, stuffing, cereal, fruit cocktail, coffee, tea, cocoa, boxes of chocolates, canned yams and other vegetables, rice, chowder and a Thanksgiving tablecloth or decoration.
Donations may be dropped off any time and may be placed in the boxes at the doors of the church.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)