Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 11/13/15 - THU 11/19/15

FRIDAY 11/13/15
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
7pm   Harlem Wizards in Franklin (FEF Fundraiser) at Tri-County HS (game time at 7pm, door open at 6pm) (SOLD OUT)
7:15pm   Showcase Pro Wrestling at Elks Lodge (doors open 7:15pm, bell time 7:47pm)
8pm   The Black Box Local Artist Series: The Chick Magnets and The Ben Gardner’s Boat
8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena

SATURDAY 11/14/15
9am-3pm   Franklin Newcomers’ Annual Craft Fair at Tri-County HS
9:30am   Open Space and Recreation Public Meeting at the Franklin Public Library

SUNDAY 11/15/15
7:30-10:30am   Weekly Sunday morning breakfast at Franklin Rod and Gun Club, open to public.
11:30am   Big Band Brunch with Kenny Hadley at The Black Box
3pm   Sparky’s Puppets: Harvest Tales at Franklin Public Library
3:30pm   LiveARTS Concert: LiveARTS String Quartet at the FUSF, 262 Chestnut Street

WEDNESDAY 11/18/15
6:30pm   Doggie Tales at Franklin Public Library. Read to a service dog. Registration required.

THURSDAY 11/19/15
3-4:30pm   Memory Cafe for caregivers and their loved ones at Franklin Senior Center. This month: painting small birdhouses. Call Elaine at 508-520-4945 to register.
4-5pm.  Lego Club (ages 3-12) at Franklin Public Library
6:30-8:30pm   Open Mic Night at The Cake Bar. Acoustic and a cappella performers welcome
7pm   Franklin SEPAC Workshop: Transition Fair - A variety of agencies from Early Intervention and the Franklin Public Schools, to college and adulthood, Franklin Municipal Building (3rd floor). Free, public welcome!

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

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Students in All Grades Outpace State in PARCC Test Performance

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School students (BFCCPS) outperformed state averages on all tests across all grade levels on the new Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) tests taken last spring. 

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

Across all grade levels tested, students at BFCCPS averaged an 81 percent proficiency rate on PARCC English language arts (ELA) exams and 70 percent in math, compared to average statewide proficiency rates of 46 percent and 45 percent, respectively. 

"We are proud of our students and teachers, who put in a lot of hard work to make this incredible achievement possible," said Heather Zolnowski the Head of School at BFCCPS. "Our community is built on a strong partnership between parents, students, our faculty and administration, and the extraordinary results seen across the board on the PARCC exam is a testament to our success."BFCCPS is among approximately 300 school districts across Massachusetts that opted to administer the PARCC test in the spring of 2015 under a two-year state pilot. 

The gaps between BFCCPS PARCC scores and statewide averages are dramatic. On the English language arts test, 90 percent of BFCCPS 6th graders scored proficient or better compared to the state average of 60 percent. For the same class, 78 percent scored proficient or above for math, compared to the state average of 53 percent for 6th graders. 

Similarly, 76 and 86 percent of BFCCPS 3rd and 8th graders, respectively, earned proficient scores in English, as compared to 54 and 64 percent of 3rd and 8th graders statewide who took PARCC. In math, 84 percent of 3rd graders and 74 percent of 5th graders at the regional public charter school received scores of proficient and above, while averages were 55 percent for both 3rd and 5th grades across the state. 

BFCCPS' high PARCC scores across the board demonstrate that its students are progressing well through each grade level and on track to be well prepared for high school and beyond. 

Enrollment Applications for this regional public charter school for students in Grades Kindergarten through Eight for the 2016-2017 school year are now live. BFCCPS will host the first of six information sessions where applicants can learn more about the school this Saturday, November 14th from 10 am to noon. Learn more and apply online at http://bfccps.org/about/enrollment/

About Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.

In the News: Town Council re-organizes, Y splash park to open in spring

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"Two vice-chairman candidates were nominated: Thomas Mercer and Robert Vallee, who had served as the council's chairman for the past term. The board was split on the two candidates, ending in a 4-4 tie. 

Council member Judith Pond Pfeffer motioned to table the vice chairman matter until the full council is seated. Her fellow councilors agreed. 

Town Attorney Mark Cerel said that as the vice-chairman's duty is to preside over meetings in the absence of the chairman, the council must be careful to schedule meetings only on dates when Kelly is available - at least until the vice-chairman matter is settled. 

Pfeffer was unanimously named to continue on as the council's clerk."

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151112/NEWS/151117827/1994/NEWS

"On Oct. 20, the Hockomock Area YMCA announced the construction of the Rockland Trust Family Splash Park at its Bernon Family Branch in Franklin. 

The construction will happen through the end of this year and the park will open in the spring."

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151113/NEWS/151119874/1994/NEWS

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

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

Click the link below to read the latest edition.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/Dec15connection.pdf

Franklin Senior Center

Harlem Wizards game is SOLD OUT

SORRY

Harlem Wizards Game

SOLD OUT!

Harlem Wizards

Thank you all for your support of
the Franklin Education Foundation!

Live reporting: Town Council - November 12, 2015

Present: Padula, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones, Mercer (via remote), Pellegri (although in role of Town Clerk)

Absent: None

swearing in ceremony

Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri swears in the new Town Council

Motion to nominate Kelly as Chair
seconded, passed 8-0 as role call

Jones made motion to nominate Mercer as vice chair, Dellorco seconded
Bissanti made motion to nominate Vallee as vice chair, Padula seconded

• Bissanti voted for Vallee
• Dellorco voted to Mercer
• Jones voted for Mercer
• Mercer voted for Mercer
• Padula voted for Vallee
• Pfeffer voted for Vallee
• Vallee voted for Vallee
• Kelly (Chair) voted for Mercer

4-4 tie
move to schedule new vote when the full Council is seat
motion passed 8-0 via roll call


Motion to nominate Pfeffer as Council Clerk
motion to close nomination, 8-0 via roll call
seconded, passed 8-0 via roll call


approval of minutes for Oct 7
motion to approve, seconded, 7-0 via roll call (Jones abstain - wasn't present)

approval of minutes for Oct 21
motion to approve, seconded, 7-0 via roll call (Jones abstain - wasn't present)

Town Council Dec meeting moved to Dec 9
fiscal tax hearing

alternate planning board position open, contact no later than Nov

Nov 14, public hearing at Library on the open space and recreation

with no Vice Chair, issue of schedule

Citizens Comments
Helen Chalk, speaking on the Spectra pipeline, looking for Council input on issue

Jim Hill, 120 signatures on a petition and packet on fracked gas
organizing against the Spectra pipeline
30" extension of pipeline running through 21 towns
proposed utility bill tariff means the utility users actually pay for the pipeline

Karen Lavery
commenting against the Spectra pipeline
no many people are aware of what is possible
119 folks have signed an online petition (as of a few minutes ago)
surprised that there hasn't been more information surrounding this issue

Gail Chirdon
what is the process to get  special meeting with the Council before Christmas

Donald Parsling
asking for a meeting on the Spectra pipeline
focus should be more on renewable energy

Paul Sacky (?)
I haven't heard why we should have the pipeline

Appointments

• Finance Committee - David Moses

resident since 1998, volunteer with Franklin Youth Hockey

motion to approve, seconded, 8-0 via roll call

• Cable Access Committee

Ken Norman
Rose Turco
motion to approve, seconded, 8-0 via roll call

no hearings, no license transaction,

Legislation for action

• establishment for school store resolving account

motion to approve, seconded, 8-0 via roll call


Town Administrator's report
will be in touch to get a meeting on the pipeline after the new year

downtown project wrapping up for this season
back in April to do the bridge and Main St

Dean college cross walk moved, there are stop signs at the end of Emmons
the lights will be activated there eventually

OPEB obligation being reviewed next week

next meeting next Weds, then Dec 9th

Nov 29th - holiday event on the Town Common

Old business

Padula - thanks for the paint donations to get the containers painted at the recycling center

New business

discussion on the Dec 9th meeting, looking at the 10th instead
fiscal tax hearing on this night

with the expansion of power plant, and the pipeline coming, can we get a special attorney to help us
Nutting has reached out hopeful of having an answer next week

Jones, Dellorco
get them here as soon as possible

Bissanti
Wachusett st lot, expanding parking
Nutting - the work in not complete, you will come in the regular spot and turn right, the driveway won't be used as an entrance. it is still a work in progress

Pfeffer
discussion on getting the children more involved with the election process
perhaps a contest, open to all children, how to use the South meeting house for a public purpose
have an open house to let folks see what the possibilities are

Nutting to check with school folks

Councilor Comments

Jones - thanks for all the voters to turn out last week, thanks to my wife and kids, and all my friends
Dellorco - thanks to all voters, thanks to my wife and kids
Bissanti - thanks, it was intriguing to get social media involved, we are hearing of you and seeing you know
Pfeffer - thanks to all the voters and my family; thanks to Steve Lombardi for all his work for the town who just retired
Padula - thanks, I am humbled to be back here, I am looking forward to another 2 years
Vallee - no comments
Mercer - thanks to all, my wife and others for their help, looking forward to the next couple of years

even though the Clerk was elected, she can't hold a council position until the recount is completed
there will be a resolution to compensate her for her extra time
(Debbie was still in the audience)

Kelly- thanks to the almost 20% of the voters who came out and participate in the democratic process, thanks for your confidence in me as the Chair, I am fortunate to sit among an amazing group of councilors. I couldn't be working with better folks for the next two years

motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 8-0 via roll call

Franklin TV - Annual Meeting - Nov 12 - 7:00 PM

The time has come once again for our annual open member meeting. This year our meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 12th at 7:00pm. This meeting is open to all Franklin cable subscribers and Franklin TV members.

If you would like to become a Franklin TV member it’s absolutely free. Just send an email to: info@franklin.tv with your contact information. You can also call us for more info. 508-541-4118.

This meeting is an opportunity to tour and learn about Franklin TV’s studio. Our facility enables us to provide full production support for Franklin residents and organizations who wish to create TV programs. It’s also an opportunity to meet our current board and staff. Our progress to date, plus all the groundwork for our plans going forward are all thanks to our board members who contribute so much of their time and energy to help make Franklin TV everything that a public access TV studio can be and more.

L to R: W. Ken Norman, John Milot, Nick Remissong, Anne K. Bergen, Jay Horrigan, Rose Turco, and Wesley Rea

Please join us at this important Franklin TV event. Starting at 6:00pm we’ll have tours of our facility, some good eats, and you can meet our board and staff. Meeting begins at 7:00pm. Come meet, greet, and learn all about local TV in Franklin.

Franklin TV studio on Hutchinson St

This was shared from http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf