Franklin voters - sample ballot for Nov 3 election

The sample ballot for the election on Nov 3.

Aside from the candidates for the elected offices, there is only one ballot question. The question is seeking permission from the voters to NOT implement an excise tax on farm equipment. In the discussions before the Town Council, it would cost the town more to try and collect the tax than they would actually collect.

As usual, the polls will open at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM. All voting is done at Franklin HIgh School. If you can't get there absentee ballots are available in the Town Clerks office during open hours up to noon time on Monday, Nov 2.

election day - Nov 3

All the other information published on the election is one place: the Election Collection
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/election-collection-nov-3-2015.html

Real time reporting: School Committee - Oct 27, 2015

The Storify summary of the School Committee meeting.

The FHS School Improvement Plan

Franklin High School - main entrance

The other presentations from the meeting:

School Safety
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/real-time-reporting-school-safety-update.html


Student Services
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/real-time-reporting-student-services.html

Downtown Project Update #13

The curbing will be placed on East Central Street from Cottage Street to Summer Street and Sidewalks completed by the end of next week (weather permitting). 

Paving will take place on Emmons Street, West Central Street and Summer Street at night later this week but most likely next week. The project should begin to wind down in November. 

If anyone has a question please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

West Central St Sunday morning in the rain

FHS boys soccer tops and girls soccer ties North Attleboro

Both FHS soccer teams played against North Attleboro on Tuesday with the boys taking the 1-0 win and the girls giving up their first goal in the season in a 1-1 tie. Thanks to Hockomock Sports for the results to share.

FHS Panthers

Boys Soccer

Franklin, 1 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final 

– Franklin’s Nick Parent scored in the second half off an assist from Aaron Frongillo for the lone goal of the game.

Girls Soccer

North Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 1 – Final 

– Alexis Stowell scored the goal for the Panthers off an assist from Emily Mastaj. Hana Caster scored from a Shannon Kingsley corner 12 minutes into the game. It was the first goal that Franklin has allowed this season.

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-102715/

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Promotes Suits for Success Program

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Promotes Suits for Success Program Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today reaffirmed the Registry's commitment to supporting the successful Suits for Success program in partnership with Interfaith Social Services of Quincy and Father Bill's and MainSpring of Quincy and Brockton. "By just looking in your closet or bureau, you can make a world of difference in someone's life," noted O'Donnell. Business appropriate clothing donations received through the Suits for Success program assist these organizations in providing clothes to men and women who are actively seeking employment. There have been approximately 3,000 pieces of clothing given to the Registry of Deeds in behalf of the program since 2009. Register O'Donnell stated, "Men and women who are attempting to re-enter the workforce need to make a good initial impression, whether it's the first day on the job or in an interview. Having the right clothing can really build up someone's confidence and self-esteem. I hope local residents and the business community will consider making a clothing donation to this worthy endeavor. It is truly needed." Business appropriate attire for men and women will be accepted. Suggested donations include suits, dress shirts and ties for men and dresses, suits, blouses, skirts and pants for women. All clothing should be ready to wear, in-style, clean, pressed and on hangers. To contribute, individuals need to bring their donated clothes to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street in Dedham between the hours of 9-5, Monday through Friday. For more information about the Suits for Success program, or to schedule a drop-off time, please contact Alicia Gardner at (781) 461-6104 or by email agardner@norfolkdeeds.org. Register O'Donnell concluded by saying, "There are many wonderful stories about people donating clothing throughout the years: whether it is a person who may have just retired and no longer will be wearing their business apparel, a wife who is looking for just the right place to donate her late husband's suits, or someone doing some "spring cleaning." It really is a win-win situation for everyone." 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

MassBudget: FAQ - Paid Family & Medical Leave

FAQ: Paid Family & Medical Leave   To help parents balance work and family obligations, three states have enacted Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) laws in recent years. These laws, which are common in the rest of the world, allow workers to take paid time off to care for a new born child, or an ill parent, or when they have a serious illness. MassBudget's new fact sheet FAQ: Paid Family and Medical Leave describes these laws and employer policies. It explains what PFML is, how it works, how it affects families and businesses, and how it relates to other policies like Earned Paid Sick Time. To read MassBudget's report, 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

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: Douglas, Power, and Ranieri candidate profiles

School Committee member Cynthia Douglas will be seeking her fourth term if re-elected this fall. 

Douglas is one of eight candidates seeking the committee's seven seats in Franklin's Nov. 3 election.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151027/NEWS/151025951/1994/NEWS

Richard Power, a new candidate seeking a Town Council seat, said he would like to see the town engage more with its citizens. 

Power is one of 14 candidates seeking nine council seats in the town's Nov. 3 election. The Norwood native has lived in town since 2006.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151027/NEWS/151025971/1994/NEWS

The following announcement of candidacy was submitted by Don Ranieri, Franklin Board of Health incumbent seeking re-election. 

I'm 63 years old and a lifelong Franklin resident. My wife and I raised six children in Franklin and we have eight grandchildren.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151027/NEWS/151025982/1994/NEWS

Real time reporting: Student Services Update

The document for the Student Services update to the School Committee on Tuesday, October 27, 2015.

Franklin Public Schools: Student Services Update from Franklin Matters

Real time reporting: School Safety Update

The School Safety document used for the presentation and discussion at the School Committee meeting, Tuesday 10/27/15

Franklin Public Schools: Safety Update from Franklin Matters

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Oct 27, 2015

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which

may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed

and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent

permitted by law."

Franklin Public Schools - 'the key to learning'

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the Executive Session and Regular Session minutes from the October 13, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:

1. Cafeteria – Intent to open negotiations
2. Secretaries – Intent to open negotiations
3. FEA – Intent to open negotiations
4. Van Drivers – Intent to open negotiations

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Representative Roy, Dennis Giombetti for Senator Spilka & Senator Ross
b. Safety Update – Maureen, Synergy & Franklin Police
c. FHS School Improvement Plan – FHS Administrators
d. Coordinated Program Review – Debbie Dixson

3. Discussion Only Items
Assistant Superintendent Appointment
Policy – Second Readings

• GDCC – Staff, Family and Medical Leave
• GDCC-E – Family and Medical Leave of Absence

Policy Elimination

• JFABB – Admission of Exchange and Foreign Students

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend the appointment of Peter Light as Assistant Superintendent effective July 1, 2016.
c. I recommend approval of the Franklin High School’s School Improvement Plan as presented.
d. I recommend approval of the request of Renee Hersey to take 8th Grade Chorus students to NY City on May 14, 2016 as detailed.
e. I recommend acceptance of three checks totaling $2,833.73 from the Parmenter PCC for Field Trips.
f. I recommend the request of Paul Peri for the transition Class at Franklin High School for two out-of-state trips: 

1. Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI 1/27/16 or 1/28/16 depending on availability.
2. New England Institute of Technology, East Greenwich, RI 2/25/16 or 3/3/16 depending on availability.

g. I recommend acceptance of checks totaling $1075.00 from various parents for Music field trips as detailed.
h. I recommend adoption of the following Policies:

1. GDCC – Staff, Family and Medical Leave
2. GDCC-E – Family and Medical Leave of Absence

i. I recommend elimination of the following Policy:

1. JFABB – Admission of Exchange and Foreign Students

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Personnel Update

8. Adjourn

Franklin Candidate for School Committee - Kevin O'Malley

Kevin O’Malley and I met recently at Panera to talk about his campaign for School Committee. This is the summary of our discussion.

FM - What is your Franklin story?

O’Malley - Actually, my story is a story of education. I grew up in Boston, South Boston tenement poor kid story. As much as Southie believes in the church, it believes in education as a liberating force. So I was imbued in education from an early age. I've always been in education, interested in education and treated it with a seriousness somewhat beyond my calling. I went to BC High, then put myself through college and got my master’s degree and then I continued to get my doctorate at UMass Amherst. Education is a journey that doesn’t end. 

My mother was a teacher. I married a teacher. We had four children who went college and had all gone through the Franklin Public Schools. The most important experience of Franklin I have is that my kids went here and all did well. I am grateful for that. 

I was a teacher in Boston and came out here during the days of Dorothy Swanbeck and Jack Doherty. I was the assistant principal. So some of my voters, I know I had the opportunity to suspend at some time. I hope they don’t hold that against me. I went on to become the principal at Leominster High School. A good school. I’m a big fan of teenagers. The experience at the high school then led me to be the assistant superintendent at Leominster. And then to the superintendent of school in Ayer. 

With my doctorate I taught at Fitchburg State College. I taught at UMass. I taught a term at WPI. Teaching is part of learning. There is no line where one stops and the other begins. I got a call out of the blue and ended up at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School. An unbelievable experience. It had started and run into some rocky times. They hired me initially for a short period of time and I ended up staying for six years. In that time, things calmed down and the true excellence of the school came through. Charter schools are parent choice schools. You can’t do better by our parents than by giving them the choice.  

As it turns out the Franklin schools are good schools. So they are hard competition for the charter school. And the charter school is pretty good competition for Franklin so it has worked out the way they drew it upon the drawing board. Both get better because of the existence of the other. 

There was an opening for School Committee so I put my name in for it and was fortunate to win. It was the first time I’d ever run for office. I am running on a vision of the importance of education and not out of any need of something I need to fix. I am a big booster of education in Franklin, I believe it can be better. I can be better. I am in it for as long as I can get out of bed. This is the stamp that I have put on my life. I have benefited from education all my life and that’s a long winded answer as to why I am here.

FM - What do you see as a challenge for the position of School Committee?

O’Malley – The first and most important challenge is the need for this town to recognize what they have. The more people hear about the schools, the more they will see Franklin schools are worthy of their support. Our schools need more financial support. We are 18% under the state average. We are building a decent school system and we are doing it without some of the funding that could get us to the next level. We’re heading there. I think we have the teaching corp. I can’t image why the funding of the schools is not a more hot button issue in this town. Every year we are at the same 18% deficit. We are not catching up. 

Education is a people business. Teachers teach children. You can have any number of sparkling things but without the right teachers in the classroom, you don’t have a strong education. Every time I drive by the high school I think the town did a good thing. That is step one. Step two is to support those teachers and to keep them. We do lose teachers. Ten miles down the road they get more money. I am now retired and I understand what fixed income means. But they need more than what we are giving them. 

The other issue is one that has grown over time is that of safety. In my day, we wanted doors that were covered so the kids couldn’t run out. It is different now. You can’t say anything more important to the children and to their parents than “Your school is safe”. School safety is dominant. We have a good handle on it and we can do more. We were meeting this summer on school safety. That group will make a report and we’ll see how much it will cost. 

Third thing is technology. My iPad is a continuous amazement but technology is more than stuff. Having teachers who can use it well is important. Having a technologically literate staff is a blessing. We need to provide every possible support for teachers to work with technology. Training, bringing people in, using good software, whatever it takes. The potential of technology to me is spectacular in this regard. For too long in education we had the approach that if we taught to the middle of the class, the ends would fall in. That doesn’t work today. Technology allows you to meet more kids where they are. 

We have become lost in our priorities because of the expense and complexity of modern education. Today, I believe some children are getting left behind. We have resource challenges in all areas of education and in particular have unfathomable costs in special education. We are all God’s children and everyone should achieve to their maximum. The promise of the circuit breaker funding plan by the state was to mitigate the increase in costs and the state would pick it up. That hasn’t happened. 

Education is a people business and 85% of the school budget is in support of the personnel costs. The benefits costs look to continue on an upward trend. Where is our funding priority? We need to get our house in order. I feel development in town needs to be sensible. 

One more thing: PARCC. Our theme this year is more rigor and more complexity. I couldn’t agree more. We need to challenge our kids. We are not competing against Bellingham, we are competing against the world. They need to be the best they can be to quote an ad. PARCC takes them from memorizing the times tables to understanding music, and that is a level up from our old educational model. We voted for the pilot. I am sure we’ll see it again. Complexity and rigor is not a punishment for kids, ultimately it is a real war for talent. The studious kids need to reach higher levels. It demands of us to work with the kids who less swiftly access the curriculum. They deserve that. 

Teachers are such heroic people in my view. All the issues of family wind up on their doorstep everyday. The most important teachers in the world are the elementary school teachers. They have to teach all the subjects, and they have to teach those who are most vulnerable. I like to tell this story in my college classes. On 9/11 the first responders saved America. On 9/12 teachers save America. Every kid who went to school was greeted by a teacher who assured them that it was going to be all right. They never got the credit for that which they deserve. They are the glue that keeps this culture together and we are fortunate to have them.

FM - What do you bring to the position that would set you apart from the other candidates?

O'Malley - I will say that I think there is no one wanting the School Committee position who will bring more passion to this. The finest thing we do in this culture is teach our young. We do it well in Franklin. We can do it better. School Committee is not a place for beginners. The issues are complex. We need to be accessible to the public. We need to have an open mind. 

The experience I have, the commitment I have, I have no particular issues in the fire, so to speak, this makes me a good candidate. I am anxious to serve another term. Education needs the best people. I hope I will be there. I will support who ever does get it.

If you have any follow up questions for Kevin, you can contact him via
omalleyconsult@yahoo.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.

FHS tops North Attleboro in volleyball and field hockey

Franklin High School topped North Attleboro in both volleyball and field hockey on Monday. The girls and boys soccer teams play North Attleboro on Tuesday. Thanks to Hockomock Sports for compiling the info to share.

FHS Panthers

Volleyball

Franklin, 3 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final 

– Franklin got the win on the road with a 25-17, 24-26, 25-22, 29-27 win. Maddie Kuzio stepped into the lineup and played terrific defense according to head coach Kate Horsmann and had 12 service points, seven digs and five aces. Beth Neal had 21 assists, 12 kills, three aces and a block, Aubrie Kutil had 13 kills and three digs and Dayna McCue had 12 digs, five aces and a pair of kills.

Field hockey

Franklin, 3 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final 

– Senior Kelsey McPhee scored a pair of goals and Dana Lewandowski also scored once for the Panthers. Franklin head coach Lisa Cropper said Taylor Reutlinger and Kenzi Pleshaw also had strong games.

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-102615/

The current standings for the fall sports teams in the Hockomock League can be found here  http://www.hockomocksports.com/standings/

In the News: S.A.F.E. Coalition, wine/whiskey tasting, Burr and Simon for Town Clerk

Despite addiction and overdose statistics that continues to grow, a local coalition of health experts, legislators and citizens-at-large is working to tackle the opioid epidemic in the area. 

The Support for Addicts and Families by Empowerment (S.A.F.E.) Coalition, spearheaded by state and local officials, has now established a Board of Directors and nine other committees. 

The committees, including education, legal, pharmaceutical, communication, high school peer-to-peer, fundraising and others, consists of a Board of Directors, but the coalition is looking for others to join the committees, said Jordan Warnick, a Medway Board of Health member and former professor of pharmacology at the University of Maryland.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151026/NEWS/151026512/1994/NEWS

Pour Richard’s Wine and Spirits, 14 Grove St., will host a wine and whiskey tasting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 to benefit the Medway Foundation for Education. 

Foolproof Brewery from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, will offer beer samples and Berkshire Mountain Distillers from Sheffield will pour their barrel-aged gin and bourbon.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151026/NEWS/151026690/1994/NEWS

Assistant Town Clerk Teresa Burr said she believes her experience in the office would help her if she is elected to the town clerk position. 

Burr is one of four candidates running to replace current Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri, who is retiring in November. Franklin's town election is Nov. 3.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151026/NEWS/151026528/1994/NEWS

Newcomer candidate Elizabeth Simon is running for the town clerk position this fall, hoping to improve the efficiency and convenience of the office. 

Simon is one of four candidates running to replace longtime Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri, who is retiring. Franklin will hold its town election on Nov. 3.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151026/NEWS/151026522/1994/NEWS

MassDOT: Safety Awareness Campaign - "Drive as if your Mom worked here"

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts State Police launched a Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign calling attention to enhanced safety measures currently in place at toll plazas across the Commonwealth. 

This campaign was launched following the tragic death of a MassDOT toll
collector in July. The campaign includes public service announcements on message boards, posters at E-ZPass toll lanes, and the distribution of speed limit
reminder tear-sheets to commuters at the 'Cash Only' toll booths. The principal
focus of the campaign is to raise public awareness of the posted speed limit at
toll plazas, and the potential hazards faced by the toll collectors who staff the
toll plazas when speed restrictions are not followed. 

'Highway safety is our highest priority at MassDOT, both for drivers, but also
for the men and women who staff our toll plazas, 24-hours a day, year round,'
said MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin. 'This campaign highlights the need for drivers to pay careful attention to posted speed limit signs and other safety information when approaching and travelling through toll plazas. We encourage travelers to be vigilant when driving through these areas to ensure the well-being of those who work at these locations and members of the public.' 

MassDOT has implemented safety improvements such as the installation of
additional advanced 15 MPH speed limit signs strategically located before each
toll booth, and reduced speed limit signs at the toll booths. In addition,
pavement markings immediately before each location have been refreshed. The
agency has also conducted a review of the lighting to make sure all equipment
is fully operational in these areas. 

'Through this campaign, we hope to remind motorists that safety is paramount
when traveling through toll plazas on the Turnpike, as well as the Sumner and
Ted Williams tunnels,' said State Police Major Terry Hanson, Troop E Commander. 

'It is our goal that this campaign will prompt drivers to travel through toll
plazas with an extra measure of care, and to raise awareness that the toll
plazas are staffed 24/7.' 

As a component of the campaign, State Police have also increased speed
enforcement at toll plazas. From Sept. 26 through Oct. 12, approximately 294
citations (Civil, Warning, and Criminal) have been written for violations which
occurred in the E-ZPass lanes. More than 1,200 citations have now been issued
since Aug. 27. 

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website:
www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.

Introducing The Sugar Shoppe - a non-profit candy store!

A non-profit candy shop has arrived!

Welcome to the Sugar Shoppe (www.sugarshoppe.org) Your neighborhood Non-Profit Candy Shop...  Life is Short, Make it Sweet!  WE ARE OFFICIALLY OPEN! Tues/Wed/Thurs 10-5pm, Fri 10-4pm, Sat 12-4pm *We will add additional hours once the volunteers are in place and trained.   First off, thank you to everyone who came out for our "soft" opening this past Saturday! It was a huge success! If you couldn't make it out, please come by anytime... WE ARE OPEN! (see above hours) Second, we hope you enjoyed your goodies! Whether it was gummies, sours, old school candy, jelly bellies, delicious chocolate TRUFFLES or samples of the FUDGE (coming this week!!) we hope you were happy!! Last, we would like to answer a common question that we hear people ask..."Why are you a non-profit? how does that work?"  Well here is the WHY...Once upon a time lived over 500,000 people in MA who are homeless on a given night.  Most (70%) were staying in residential programs but the rest (30%) were found in unsheltered locations. Nearly 25% of all homeless people were children under the age of 18, 10% were between the ages of 18 and 24, and 65% were 25 years or older. *Stats from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 2014.  We chose the non-profit route as a mission to help cure homelessness in MA. The Sugar Shoppe is the HOPE portion of helping (gift baskets for moms and kids) and the long term mission is the HOUSING (www.makechangeforchange.org).  YES! all net proceeds go towards this fund. Our mission is to help and have fun while doing so, meeting a lot of new people along the way and bringing the community together for a great cause.  PLEASE SHARE US WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

Forward this email Make Change for Change | 334 Union Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Please don't flush swiffers

The Franklin Sewer Department spends countless hours and thousands of dollars every month repairing equipment damaged by household wipes... These extra costs end up driving up sewer bills, so please don't flush wipes and other non-toilet paper products!

swifters that have clogged up sewer pumping stations

Download and print this flyer to save as a reminder what NOT to flush



For additional info visit the DPW page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Publicworks/General_Pages/What_Not_To_Flush

Related post from earlier this year
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/dont-flush-swiffers.html

"It’s going to be a long time before that point of view becomes relevant”

It is all in your point of view. This is an interesting find especially for those interested in opposing the Spectra Energy Pipeline expansion. Or maybe you already know this:

“We have a view, which happens to coincide with Gov. Baker’s view, on how we’re going to make up for the fact that Massachusetts is at the end of the pipeline,” says Weld. “The current battleground is gas. Five years ago, gas was the favorite child of the environmental movement because it wasn’t coal and it wasn’t oil. Those days are over. Now it’s a member of the hated fossil fuel community. Some in the environmental movement think everything is going to be wind and solar before long. It reminds me of the 1960s and all my fellow hippies in Cambridge saying, if only we could all love each other. I do think hydro is going to play a major role and soon.” 

Weld also notes that ML Strategies represents Spectra Energy, which wants to expand its Algonquin pipeline. “That’s a pretty easy sell,” he says. “There are issues with it, but conceptually it’s a fairly easy sell except for the people who now suddenly don’t like natural gas because it’s a member of the fossil club, which I think is not a well-taken position. It’s going to be a long time before that point of view becomes relevant.”

Read the full article in the Commonwealth Magazine online
http://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/all-bases-covered-at-ml-strategies/

Wellness Coordinator of the Year Award - Kristin Cerce

From the Twitterverse:

Kristin Letendre Cerce, Franklin High School teacher and former Wellness Coordinator, received the 2015 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Wellness Coordinator of the Year Award on Friday, October 23rd at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough, MA. 

Her award was presented by Carolyn Bohmiller of the MIAA and State Representative Jeffrey Roy of Franklin. 

Dozens of FHS students as well as many Franklin school administrators, including Maureen Sabolinski and Peter Light, were in attendance.

Congratulations to Franklin High's Kristin Cerce on being named the MIAA Wellness Coordinator of the year. pic.twitter.com/t5Uz3KAyZ3

— Jeffrey N. Roy (@jeffroy) October 23, 2015

Franklin Candidate for Town Clerk - Paul Cheli

Paul Cheli and I met to talk about his campaign for Town Clerk. This is the summary of our discussion.

FM - What is your Franklin story?

Cheli – As a third generation Franklin resident I have seen many changes to the Town of Franklin. I am a graduate of Franklin High School as well as my wife and children. I am a graduate of Dean College, and Lesley University. 

My passion for the community has been exemplified by volunteering for many boards and committees. For the last 20-25 years I have been elected to the Town Council for three terms and the Board of Health. I was appointed to the Library Board of Directors, Franklin Housing Authority as well as the Charter Review Committee. The Charter Review committee recommended moving the Treasurer-Collector and the Clerk’s position to appointed positions. The voters decided to have the Clerk’s position remain elected and the Treasurer-Collector position be appointed. 

I was also appointed to the Water and Sewer Task Force, Land Use Committee, and currently serve on the Franklin Advisory Committee, which consists of residents and sitting Councilor’s as well as the Town Clerk. This committee’s role is to solicit recommendations and concerns from the community and explore and expedite courses of action, concerns and recommendations to the Town Council. 

I have worked in town for many years as a bio-tech executive and a business manager for a law firm. I relocated a manufacturing company to the Franklin Industrial Park and that experience, along with the legal business, allowed me to understand the role of business in our community and led to my involvement and work with the local Chamber of Commerce. My membership in the Franklin Rotary Club allowed me to work within the community for charitable events, scholarship fund raisers and support for our senior citizens.

FM - What do you see as a challenge for the position of Town Clerk?

Cheli – The Town Clerk’s position is a gateway to the community and as such should provide direction and answers to all that seek the town’s services. It is imperative that the clerk have a good understanding of resources and public officials and be able to direct new and existing residents and new and existing businesses to appropriate personnel for disposition and resolve of their interests. 

We can look at customer service. There can be an emphasis on the hours of operation that are more conducive to the working folks by having more evening hours and or by appointment evening hours. Current technology should be reviewed. The clerk’s position is heavily mandated by the state and should allow opportunities to increase the use of technology to make best practices more streamlined and more accessible to the general population. 

Records retention and storage is a large element of the Clerk’s position. There may be opportunities for adding a more private sector approach as with the legal field for records retention and storage. The Clerk’s office may not be able to go paperless because of legal requirements but much of it should get streamlined. 

It is important the general population take an interest in the voting process. I would like to see the Clerk’s office engaged in voter involvement and more convenience for voter participation. Current voting practices need to be reviewed and updated.

FM - What do you bring to the position that would set you apart from the other candidates?

Cheli – The clerk’s position offers a unique opportunity to bring my knowledge of the community, local government and officials, and of the history of Franklin. I am a performance driven Operations Executive with a history of success leading high growth, transitional, and startup operations. I have been diligent and resourceful in uncovering opportunities to improve operations, motivate teams and to create collaborative environments that yield high productivity. 

The Town Clerk’s position would embody my passion for the community as well as utilizing my experience in municipal government and the private sector. I look forward to continuing my efforts to listen and learn from the Town’s residents, businesses and administrators and to maintain and promote Franklin as a local community that remains a great place to live.

If you have any follow up questions for Paul, you can contact him via email at clerkcheli@gmail.com

You can also visit his webpage http://paulcheli.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.