Franklin Open Space and Recreation Plan Update

The Town of Franklin is in the process of updating its 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP).  The purpose of the OSRP is to create a document through a public input process that will guide the Town of Franklin in its continuing efforts to maintain and enhance the community's open space and recreation resources.

In order to complete a plan that represents the opinions, desires and needs of the community the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) is attempting to gather information in a variety of different ways, including:

tot lot at Fletcher Field

Open Space & Recreation Public Meeting

When:   Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

Where:  Franklin Public Library, 118 Main Street

The DPCD will hold a public meeting on Saturday November 14^th in order to facilitate comment and gauge public support for various open space and recreation priorities.  Progress that was made by the Town implementing the 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan will be discussed, and written and verbal comment regarding future goals and suggested projects will be accepted.

Conservation Commission Public Hearing

When:   Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 7:15 p.m.
Where:  Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street.

Conservation Commission members will discuss proposed goals and objectives to be included in the 2016 OSRP, and ask for input from the public on all open space preservation and recreation issues.

community painted fish at the Sculpture Park

Open Space & Recreation 2015 Citizen Participation Questionnaire

As part of the public input process the DPCD is conducting a survey; results of the Open Space & Recreation Citizen Participation Questionnaire will inform Town officials how Franklin residents feel about preservation of open space and the adequacy of parks and recreation opportunities.

Completed surveys will be accepted until December 4, 2015, at which time the DPCD will assess the collected data and develop a summary report which will include a fairly detailed analysis of specific variables.

The Questionnaire is attached. Copies of the Questionnaire can be downloaded from the Town's web site (http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/openspaceplan), or hard copies of the Questionnaire can be obtained at any of the following locations: Franklin Recreation Department, Franklin Town Library, Franklin Senior Center, and Franklin Department of Planning and Community Development.

Completed Questionnaires can be returned to the locations mentioned above or mailed, faxed, or scanned and emailed to the following.

Franklin Open Space & Recreation Planning Study

C/O Planning and Community Development

355 East Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038-1352

Fax: 508-520-4906

  planning@franklin.ma.us.

Stakeholder Meetings

DPCD staff will hold meetings with non-profit organizations, town personnel, and other stake holders upon request.  Please contact DPCD staff at 508-520-4907 or planning@franklin.ma.us for more information.

Written Comments

Written comments can be mailed or emailed to DPCD staff at the address listed above.  To ensure your input is included in the development of the 2016 Open Space and Recreation Plan please provide written comments by December 4, 2015.

playground at DelCarte 

Other Opportunities to Provide Input?

Once the Draft 2016 OSRP is developed the Town will implement a month-long public comment period, which will include at least one public hearing to gather input regarding the Draft plan.  DPCD expects a Final plan will be submitted to the State for approval by February or March 2016.

Questions?

Please contact DPCD at 508-520-4907 or planning@franklin.ma.us if you have any questions or would like more information.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Code of Conduct

From the Franklin Town Code site:

No member shall vote on any matter where the member's private or family interest will conflict with the public's interest as set out in the State Conflict of Interest Law, MGL c. 268A.

http://ecode360.com/10436526?highlight=conflicts%20of%20interest,conflict%20of%20interest,interests%20of,interests,conflict,interest,of#10436526

screen grab of MA.GOV State Ethics Commmission webpage

Code of Conduct

Section 23(b)(2) Improper Use of Public Position

Section 23(b)(2) provides that a public employee may not knowingly, or with reason to know, use his official position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions of substantial value for himself or others. Under section 23(b)(2), the Commission has consistently prohibited public employees from using their titles, public time and public resources to promote private interests.

Section 23(b)(3) Appearances of a Conflict of Interest

Section 23(b)(3) prohibits a public employee from knowingly, or with reason to know, engaging in conduct which would cause a reasonable person to conclude that any person or entity can improperly influence the employee or unduly enjoy his favor in the performance of his official duties, or that he is likely to act or fail to act as a result of kinship, rank, or position of any person.

For example, issues may arise under this section if a matter involving a non-immediate family relative, a close friend or business associate, or a civic organization in which a public employee is a member comes before the public employee in his official capacity, even if the public employee is not otherwise required to abstain under G.L. c. 268A, sections 6, 13 or 19. The public employee's private relationship with such an individual or organization creates an impression that he could be biased in his official actions as a result of the private relationship.

These and other references can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/ethics/laws-and-regulations/conflict-of-interest-information/info-section-23/overview.html

and here   http://www.mass.gov/ethics/laws-and-regulations/conflict-of-interest-information/

Meet the Poster Sisters of Imperfection

The Special Ed Parent Advisory Council is pleased to present Patty and Gina, imperfect sisters, and authors of Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid, A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children and creators of The Movement of Imperfection. The event will take place December 3, 2015 at 7:00PM in the BFCCPS Auditorium located at 201 Main Street in Franklin, MA.

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

Designed for caregivers of special children, this humorous, heartwarming 90-minute workshop is based on their best selling book. Using hilarious anecdotes and fun exercises (no Spandex required), the sisters will show attendees how to let go of the expectations they have for their children and embrace the reality.

The event is open to the public, for more information please contact Sarah Grome PAC President, or the Director of Student Services, Mrs. Pat Fairbanks. Learn more about this year's Special Ed PAC speakers on their website.

Turkey Trot in Franklin on Thanksgiving to Benefit Franklin Food Pantry

It’s a worthwhile price to pay when you register for the annual Turkey Trot Family 5K Fun Run and Walk to be held Thanksgiving morning. The registration fee of $20, or 20 nonperishable food items, will go directly to the Franklin Food Pantry, keeping donations local to help those in need during this holiday season. 

Sponsored by Feed the Need, the event begins and ends at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS Church) at 91 Jordan Road in Franklin. The race, open to runners and walkers of all ages, is a great opportunity for the entire family to get out and exercise together before their traditional Thanksgiving feast. And, there’s the added benefit of helping to relieve hunger in the community. 

“We are inspired by the great turnout for the Franklin race,” said Erin Lynch, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. “Thanksgiving is a time for everyone to truly appreciate what they have, but also an occasion to think of others who are struggling to put food on their tables. The Turkey Trot rallies our community to give back and help protect others from the threat of hunger. We are grateful to Feed the Need for spearheading the race and raising awareness about our own need in Franklin.” 

The November 26 race will begin at 8 a.m. To participate in the Turkey Trot, you can pre-register online at www.feedtheneed.org; or sign up the day of the race from 7 – 8 a.m., or 7 – 9 p.m. the night before, at the LDS Church. The first 100 race participants to register Wednesday night will receive race t-shirts. For those interested in making food donations instead of the $20 registration fee, the Pantry is in most need of tuna, canned fruit, and health and hygiene products such as deodorant. 

For more information, call 508-520-9864.

The entire Kilburn family of Franklin was among the almost 400 individuals who participated in last year’s Turkey Trot. They will be trotting again this year in support of the Franklin Food Pantry. Pictured, left to right, are Molly, Chris, Maddy, Bridget, Tom, Nate, and family friend Niamh O’Sullivan of Cumberland, RI.

The Franklin Food Pantry serves more than 600 households in Franklin. Eligible individuals can visit the Pantry every 30 days for supplemental food assistance and household necessities. In addition, clients can access bread and fresh produce daily. Emergency food bags and seasonal items, such as holiday meal packages, are also provided. 

There is no charge to clients for Pantry items or services. Other programs include a Mobile Pantry for people who have difficulty getting to the downtown location; Cooking Matters classes that teach families how to shop smarter and cook delicious, affordable meals; and a Healthy Futures Market that offers fresh produce weekly from June to October. 

The organization depends entirely on support and donations from volunteers, corporate partners, schools, churches and community members. For more information, or to make a donation, visit franklinfoodpantry.org or call 508-528-3115. The Franklin Food Pantry is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.

Senior Center: Memory Cafe

Our Memory Cafe for November will be held on November 19th from 3:00 to 4:30 at the Franklin Senior Center. It is open to the community and free of charge.

Caregivers are invited to attend with their loved one for refreshments, socialization and November's Cafe will feature painting small birdhouses for the winter months!

Please join us! Call Elaine Owens at 508-520-4945 at the Franklin Senior Center for more information or to register for the Cafe.

Franklin Senior Center

In the News: Library construction, new police officers, splash park at Y

From the Milford Daily News, clips of interest to Franklin

The council at its Oct. 21 meeting voted unanimously in favor of a one-year, $10.5 million project at the library. During construction, library services would be relocated. 

Town Council member and Library Committee Chairwoman Judith Pfeffer said the committee had approved the project's designs, and the project manager and architects were working to finish work on specifications. 

"I don't think we're going to be able to go out to bid until the first of the year," she said, adding that construction would likely begin sometime around June or July.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151104/NEWS/151107861/1994/NEWS

Police Chief Stephan Semerjian announced that two officers graduated from the police academy. 

Michael Bolze and Michael Colecchi graduated from the 26-week recruit officer course at the Massachusetts Municipal Police Academy’s Randolph campus on Oct. 30. 

Their graduation marks the first time the Franklin Police Department has hired new recruits since 2004, now bringing the department to 45 members. Officers Bolze and Colecchi have begun their 10-week field training program and upon completion will be assigned to a shift.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151104/NEWS/151108229/1994/NEWS

The Hockomock Area YMCA is in the midst of a project that will open a "splash park" at its Franklin location next spring. 

The Bernon Family Branch celebrated a groundbreaking for the park - which consists of rubberized areas with water jets and other features - in late October. The project was made possible by a $250,000 grant from the Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation. 

Scott Martin, the branch's executive director, said the park - which will be located next to the location's outdoor pool - would offer flexibility to member families.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151104/NEWS/151107889/1994/NEWS

Election Results - Contested Races - percent of total

Some additional percent calculations on the contested election results from Nov 3, 2015.

Town Common on Nov 3, 2015

Franklin Election - Contested Races - Percent calculations

Board of Health
Candidate	vote	% of T
Brunelli	1756	46%
Ranieri	1651	43%
Gurge	1346	35%
Chirdon	1197	31%

School Committee
Candidate	vote	% of T
Bergen	2335	61%
Douglas	2169	56%
Scofield	2082	54%
O'Malley	2020	53%
Bilello	1872	49%
Jewel	1792	47%
Schultz	1752	46%
Clement	1674	44%

Town Clerk
Candidate	vote	% of T
Burr	1113	29%
Padula-O'Neill	1081	28%
Simon	978	25%
Cheli	472	12%
Blanks	198	5%
Write-ins	2	0%
	3844

Town Council
Candidate	vote	% of T
Pellegri	2233	58%
Dellorco	2082	54%
Kelly	1930	50%
Padula	1880	49%
Bissanti	1756	46%
Mercer	1738	45%
Vallee	1672	43%
Jones	1618	42%
Pfeffer	1615	42%
Schultz	1302	34%
Feldman	1249	32%
Power	1084	28%
Slater	1043	27%

Gianotti

1036

27%

The full set of results can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/11/franklin-election-results-nov-3-2015.html


The election collection can be found here -->  bit.ly/FranklinElect2015