Town Council reorganizes; Kelly Chair, Pfeffer Clerk, no Vice-Chair yet (audio)

This is the audio recording for the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting of Nov 12, 2015. This is the first meeting of the new council.



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The Oath of Office

Do you Councilors promise to uphold constitutional government and the laws of the Commonwealth of MA and the Town of Franklin? 

(I do) 

Do you promise to so conduct your public and private life as to be an example to your fellow citizens? 

(I do) 

Do you promise to import to your position those standards of quality and integrity that the conduct of your office shall be above reproach and to merit public confidence in your community? 

(I do) 

Do you promise to be ever mindful of your neutrality and impartiality rendering equal service to all and to extend the same treatment you wish to receive yourself? 

(I do) 

I (name) do solemnly swear and affirm that I will perform the duties incumbent upon me as Town Councilor for the Town of Franklin in good health, and to the best of my abilities, so help me God.

Town Council getting sworn in by Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri

The notes taken live during the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/11/live-reporting-town-council-november-12.html

Open Space and Recreation Plan - public meeting Nov 14

The summary of the Open Space and Recreation Plan meeting on Saturday at the Franklin Library. Be sure to scroll down within the Storify summary to view all the details. There are links to the 2008 plan included.

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bocci court at the Senior Center

Charles River Meadowlands - proposal

One of the documents handed out during the public meeting for the Open Space and Recreation Plan update held at the Franklin Library on Saturday, Nov 14.

This was the topic of Alan R Earls input. Alan is the former chair of the Franklin Open Space Committee.

Charles River Meadows Initiative from Franklin Matters

Thanks to Alan for allowing this document to be shared.

When I walked the Pond St property in October, I was in and among some of the land he references with this proposal.

Mine Brook as it wends its way along the wetlands between i495 and Pond St

The full set of photos and the audio I recorded while on the walk can be found here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/reporting-by-walking-around-pond-st.html

In the News: Narcan in the schools, magician at Cole's

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"The opiate crisis pervading the state has resulted in an unprecedented and skyrocketing overdose death count. Area police and fire departments have responded in kind. Officers and other first responders regularly carry with them the overdose reversing drug Narcan. Another institution is starting to follow suit: the schools. 

This year, many area public school districts have stocked Narcan and trained their nurses on how to use it. Others are on their way, pushing school committees to issue a Narcan policy that, in equal parts, allows nurses to use the drug and acknowledges the state and nationwide crisis extends into their school districts."

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151114/NEWS/151117008/1994/NEWS

Friday the 13th turned lucky for spectators who gathered in Cole’s Tavern for an evening performance of the mind-boggling magic of local magician “Michael John.” 

Michael John, known by friends and family as Michael Sannicandro, an Upton resident, has been performing magic since he was 7 years old. He appeared on the most recent season, season 10, of the TV show "America’s Got Talent," where he amazed millions of viewers until he was eventually eliminated. 

Since then, he has been travelling the country performing his magic for private events, corporate events and on college campuses. Recently back in his hometown, Sannicandro decided to perform a show at Cole’s Tavern in Franklin.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151114/NEWS/151117002/1994/NEWS

THE BLACK BOX features Cabaret, Jamie Barrett and Electric Youth

On Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m., BLACK BOX Cabaret debuts the inaugural performance of Rising Stars Cabaret. Presented by the Franklin Performing Arts Company, this special cabaret revue spotlights the vocal talents of promising young area performers. Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank, Rising Stars Cabaret is presented in an intimate night-club atmosphere with professional accompaniment. 

Jamie Barrett

THE BLACK BOX Children’s Series kicks off its second season at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 21. Franklin’s Jamie Barrett, singer-songwriter, guitarist and music teacher, is back by popular demand with an engaging mix of family-favorite songs. The afternoon delivers a fun and interactive program for audiences of all ages. THE BLACK BOX Children’s Series concert is sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank.

On Friday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m., Electric Youth members past and present rock THE BLACK BOX for the venue’s first-ever EY reunion show. Relive the group’s hits from the last decade and more. Enjoy performances by popular Electric Youth alumni and hear fan-favorite songs from EY’s extensive repertoire of high-energy contemporary pop, classic rock, Broadway and country hits.

For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

Electric Youth posed before their trip to Europe in the Summer of 2015

Sparky's Puppets at the Franklin Library - 3:00 PM

"Enter the magical world of children's stories, brought to life by colorful puppets and lively humor! A perfect choice for children ages 3 to 10, every performance includes several tales ... and lots of laughs!"

Harvest Tales

"Meet a prize-winning pumpkin. See a hard-working farmer harvest his vegetables. And watch the grasshopper and the ant prepare for winter."

Sparky's Puppets at the Franklin Library - 3:00 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Library page

http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/11/sparkys-puppets-sunday-nov-15th-at-3-pm.html

"EPA Misses Congressional Deadline For Artificial Turf Safety Response"

"the letter also says, “Regarding the Town of Medway Board of Health’s reference to a review study of crumb rubber, in 2013, CPSC staff informed PEER that our Office of Compliance wold undertake a review and determine whether any enforcement action was appropriate regarding the issue. Upon further exploration, Compliance staff concluded, at that time, specific product enforcement was unlikely to be the best option, based upon the need for individual health assessments.”

So what the agency said in 2008 doesn’t mean artificial turf is safe. But the CPSC also won’t say that turf is not safe. And they don’t have, nor are they likely to ever have, enough information to rule on the safety of artificial turf.

The House and Senate need answers."

new crumb rubber artificial turf field at Franklin High School

Duh, shouldn't parents also be getting answers?

Read the full article on this aspect of the crumb rubber issue here
http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2015/11/09/epa-misses-congressional-deadline-for-artificial-turf-safety/