Tuesday, December 1, 2015

A gift that gives all winter long #GivingTuesday

There are a number of very worthy causes based in Franklin to contribute to for #GivingTuesday.

In addition to HMEA, the Santa Foundation, the Franklin Food Pantry, and the Neighbor Brigade are just a few of the non-profits that come to mind. If you can contribute on #GivingTuesday, please consider helping one or more of them!




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Join the movement & give back
Give the gift of expressive arts this winter by supporting #artforhmea this #GivingTuesday ~ December 1st, 2015

HMEA has joined forces with #GivingTuesday to capture the generous giving spirit during the holiday season. #GivingTuesday, which takes place the first Tuesday of December, is an international movement that inspires people to take collaborative action to improve their communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support. And, this year, HMEA is asking you to help raise money to fund its art therapy programs throughout the cold winter months ahead. 

Arts and Crafts are a significant part of the activities we do in our Day Programs here at HMEA. Beyond the obvious enjoyment, art therapy helps facilitate personal expression, improves social skills (building "social confidence"), enhances self-esteem, and fosters cognitive development. 

We are asking for your help to fund  #artforhmea  for people to enjoy the benefits of art therapy all winter long - donate $10, $25, $50, or more today  to support HMEA's art therapy program this holiday season.  Just $25 would give one person the enjoyment of doing arts and crafts until Spring.


This holiday season, whether you chose to Give Joy, Give Hope, Give Love, Give Time, Give Food, Give Thanks, or give to #artforhmea, we ask that you simply GIVE this holiday season.

Thanks,
Heather Cutler
Day Program Supervisor
Millbury Center



*WMRC First Class Radio has partnered with HMEA as media sponsor for this initiative and has offered to match funds raised for #artforhmea with an in-kind advertising donation of up to $2,000 to be used for future events benefiting individuals supported by HMEA.
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HMEA | 8 Forge Park East | Franklin | MA | 02038

Franklin Businesses Participate in '12 Days of Donating'


Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in Franklin Downtown Partnership. Don't forget to add downtown.franklin@yahoo.com to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox!









Franklin Downtown Partnership 
9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA  02038



Press Release:  10 Businesses Participate in
'12 Days of Donating' Campaign
Food Elves Donation Bin

The Franklin Food Elves kick off the "12 Days of Donating" campaign on Tuesday, December 1, to benefit the Food Pantry, and Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses are doing their part to help collect goods and monetary donations.  

The Food Elves is a charitable community service group made up of more than 90 students from Franklin schools. This year 10 local businesses are participating in the 12 Days drive. Each business has a red collection bin on site and will donate $200 if the Food Elves meet their goal of collecting more than 1,200 pounds of goods.

Bins can be found at these participating locations:
  • Chestnut Dental Associates, 38 Pond St.
  • DCU, 500 West Central St.
  • Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
  • Dean College, Campus Center
  • Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
  • Jane's Frames, 11 East Central St.
  • Keefe Insurance Agency, 51 West Central St.
  • Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
  • Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.
  • The Adirondack Club, 800 Chestnut St.

For more information about the Franklin Food Elves and the "12 Days of Donating" campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.
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Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St. | Franklin | MA | 02038

In the News: ground breaking, Holiday Stroll, Christmas Fair - Sat Dec 5th

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

State and local officials gathered on a Plain Street property Monday morning to break ground on a project intended to provide housing for those with intellectual disabilities. 
Those who spoke in the brief ceremony said the eight-unit facility - intended to accommodate clients of the state's Department of Developmental Services - would be providing a vital service. 
Lisa Audette, the town's Housing Authority agent, spoke of the project's origins. She said the initial effort started in 2004, after the authority learned about the need for such housing. 
"We met people who were born and raised in Franklin," she said. "As adults, they had no opportunity to live the community."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151130/NEWS/151139696/1994/NEWS


Local businesses and organizations will celebrate the season this Thursday during the Franklin Downtown Partnership's Holiday Stroll. 
The stroll - the seventh such event put on by the partnership - will run from 4 to 8 p.m. in Franklin's downtown. 
The evening, said partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana, will begin with a tree-lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. at the Dean College Common.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151130/NEWS/151139648/1994/NEWS



St. John's Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant St., Franklin will hold its Christmas fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 
The event will feature a cookie walk, raffles, a bake table, hand-crafted items made by ladies from St. John's, fudge and candy, gift baskets, children's activities and free photos with Santa and his elves from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151130/NEWS/151139784/1994/NEWS

Monday, November 30, 2015

Walking in the rain on Saturday (photo essay)

The light rain did not stop me from walking around Franklin on Saturday

new traffic calming island on Oak St
new traffic calming island on Oak St

sidewalk at the Oak St/Horace Mann schools
sidewalk at the Oak St/Horace Mann schools

new batting cage among the new athletic fields ar FHS
new batting cage among the new athletic fields ar FHS

maybe a new piece has been added to the Sculpture Park. possibly titled "2 mismatched gloves by the rock"
maybe a new piece has been added to the Sculpture Park. possibly titled "2 mismatched gloves by the rock"

fish swimming along
fish swimming along

looks like preparation for a new sign for the Mosley Mills
looks like preparation for a new sign for the Mosley Mills

big old tree now cut down by the Agway on Cottage St showing its rings
big old tree now cut down by the Agway on Cottage St showing its rings

Looking back to February 2015


The proposed memorial commemorating Kristen Graci was back before the School Committee and after much discussion around the matter the policy was changed to allow for the panther memorial.

You can find the summary here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/what-was-left-out-was-community.html

----

There was a whole lot more snow. School missed days, the commuter rail and the rest of the MBTA suffered with schedule and equipment issues.

Dean College sign being buried in the snow
Dean College sign being buried in the snow
More snow photos can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/franklin-in-snow.html

----

PARCC Update to the School Committee
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/parcc-update-to-school-committee-feb-24.html

(Updated: The MA Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has recently chosen to go with MCAS 2.0 which is reported to be a combination of MCAS with PARCC rather than go with PARCC alone.)

----

The Economic Development Committee met to discuss the Pond St property
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/economic-development-committee-meeting.html


The Town Council held two meetings

----

You can cruise through all the February archives here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015_02_01_archive.html

In the News: Holiday Stroll, family tradition for Nutcracker, intersession studies at Dean, double poles in MetroWest

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Downtown Franklin’s favorite holiday party, the annual Holiday Stroll, happens Thursday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 8 p.m., and organizers promise fun and festivities for the whole family with visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus, Post Mark the North Pole postman, refreshments, entertainment, crafts and gift shopping. 
Carolers and hot chocolate will set a holiday mood at the annual tree lighting ceremony on Dean College’s Dean Hall Common at 4 p.m. From there event goers will stroll through downtown Franklin to sample treats, enjoy entertainment and score shopping specials offered by more than 30 local businesses.
carollers on the Dean campus at the 2014 Holiday Stroll
carollers on the Dean campus at the 2014 Holiday Stroll

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151128/NEWS/151129831/1994/NEWS


When the curtain rises on Franklin Performing Arts Company’s “The Nutcracker” this holiday season, Franklin’s Steve Crowley and Hannah Rezendes will share the stage as Grandfather and Clara Silberhaus. It’s a relationship the two know well. 
“I really like that he’s my grandfather in the show and in real life,” said Hannah, 13.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151128/NEWS/151127078/1994/NEWS


The School of Continuing Studies at Dean College will offer winter intercession courses beginning Dec. 28. 
Courses are open to all ages and experience levels and will be taught in areas such as business, English, history, sociology and psychology. 
The Dean Leadership Institute and the School of Continuing Studies have partnered with industry leaders to offer two one-week course options, including “Negotiating Skills for a Complex World” and “Building Value Through Sales and Branding.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151129/NEWS/151126589/1994/NEWS


In his travels around Framingham, Town Meeting member Joel Winett often notices two utility poles placed to serve the same purpose. 
He takes pictures of these so-called double poles and submits the photos to officials, hoping to get wires moved and the old poles removed. But, the double poles often remain. 
“When there’s damage (to a pole), they’re pretty good at putting in a new telephone pole and fastening the old telephone pole to a new telephone pole,” Winett said of utility companies’ responses. 
But, local officials say it is often a challenge to get all the companies to move their wires, a process that delays road work and leaves unsightly and unsafe double poles.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151128/NEWS/151126314/1994/NEWS

Snow White and the Seven Elves - Dec 12-13

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents an original panto this holiday season. With a twist on a fairy tale classic, the family-friendly musical, Snow White and the Seven Elves, debuts at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. Performances are on Saturday, December 12 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, December 13 at 2 p.m.

The production follows in the tradition of a British panto, a type of show that retells a well-known fairy tale in an exaggerated style filled with audience participation, popular songs, slapstick comedy, jokes, dances, and more. At its best, a panto thrills children with the opportunity to cheer for the hero, boo at the villain, and sing along with some of their favorite songs. But the brilliance of a good panto lies in its ability to also entertain adults with double entendre, references to modern culture, and open satire of other works.

THE BLACK BOX Theater, 15 West Central St
THE BLACK BOX Theater, 15 West Central St

Area performers featured in the production are Madi Asgeirsson, Jason Barney, Brooke Collins, Hayley Driscoll, Andrew Falanga, Mia Fleischer, Aaron Frongillo, Anna Grasso, Ed Jones, Jocelyn Jones, Wendy Jones, Sydney Leach, Catherine LeClair, Holly McAlpine, Tatiana McAlpine, Cassidy Peters, Chuck Peters, Hannah Rezendes, Madison Rezendes, Abby Trombert, Katharine Waples, Hallie Wetzell, Caitlin Woodcock, Amanda Wylie, Katie Wylie, Melissa Wyner, and Peter Wyner of Franklin; Caroline Merten and Joey Soares of Hopedale; Michael Fajardo of Hopkinton; Lilla Gaffney of Hudson; Sam Evans and Colie Vancura of Medfield; Caroline Calnan and Maddy Williams of Medway; Katie Gray of Milford; Laine DiMartinis and Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; and Jenna McDermott and Susauna Wickstrom of Wrentham.

Founded in 1991, the nonprofit FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment, and outstanding performance opportunities for professional artists, community performers, and students of the arts. With a focus on youth development and a commitment to live music, FPAC celebrates its 25th anniversary this season. 
Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is FPAC’s Premier Sponsor. Big Y and Waters Corporation are FPAC 2015 Holiday Sponsors. 
For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or www.FPAConline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Looking back to January 2015

We had some snow in the later part of January 2015 and missed a couple of days of school in what became the 'endless' winter.


  • There was much to do about the conversations overheard with the microphones turned up at the Town Council meeting on January 7th. After all was said and done, there was no apology from the Councilors involved.


Jan 7th meeting here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/questions-were-raised-answers-sought.html


  • The School Committee meeting on Jan 13th was a marked and positive difference. Two FHS seniors were recognized for being in the top of their class. Dillon Scarnicki had his teammates from the FHS hockey team support him for his participation in the Special Education presentation.


School Committee - Jan 13th
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/what-marked-difference-for-community.html


  • Pond St was rezoned, Emmons St was sold.


Town Council - Jan 21st meeting here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/150-emmons-st-sold-pond-st-parcel-re.html



the snow did not keep Ben from reading
the snow did not keep Ben from reading

More photos from the walk  around Franklin on Saturday, Jan 24
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/saturdays-walk-around-franklin-photo.html


Feel free to cruise through all the archives (176 posts) for January 2015
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015_01_01_archive.html


Creating a Haven: Capturing the Spirit of Nature to Enhance your Home Design

Creating a Haven
Capturing the Spirit of Nature to Enhance your Home Design


A Presentation by Elizabeth Randall, Elizabeth Randall Interior Designs

Nature is all around us, but too often we don’t invite it in to our homes. Learn how to incorporate natural elements in your home to create a more soothing and pleasant space. Really looking at nature up close makes you stop and see a little more clearly, and provides times of rest and meditation. 
This presentation will present many images showing easy and inexpensive ways to create oases. Whether incorporating plants, sunlight, colors, water features or food displays, there are wonderful opportunities to welcome nature in. Please join us for an hour of creative ideas, guaranteed to have you stopping to smell the roses (and lilacs) just a little bit more!

Weds, Dec 2  -   7:00 PM
Weds, Dec 2  -   7:00 PM

Franklin Schools: Music Department Concert Calendar for December 2015


December

12/01 - Horace Mann Middle School Concert 6:00 p.m. (snow date 12/14)

12/02 - Remington Middle School Concert 6:00 p.m. Horace Mann (snow date 12/8)

12/03 - Annie Sullivan Middle School Concert 6:00 p.m. Horace Mann (snow date 12/7)
Franklin Schools - music dept calendar
Franklin Public Schools - music dept calendar

12/09 - FHS Concert 7:00 p.m. FHS Auditorium ( snow date 12/10)

12/11 - Kennedy 5th Grade Concert 9:00 a.m. (snow date 12/16)

12/14 - Jefferson 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade Concert 9:00 a.m. (snow Date 12/21)

12/14 - Davis Thayer 4th & 5th Grade Concert 1:45 p.m. (snow date 12/21)


Saturday, November 28, 2015

The latest on Franklin's OPEB


  • What is OPEB?

OPEB is "Other Post Employment Benefits"


  • What is Franklin's outstanding unfunded liability?

Per the latest actuarial report (shown below), the unfunded liability is 92.5 million dollars.


  • Is this an issue?

Yes, it is akin to a homeowner's mortgage, you need to have a plan to pay for it. Franklin has a plan to save for this liability and plans to increase their contribution to it as circumstances allow.


  • How is Franklin doing compared to other MA communities?

Franklin is doing better than most according to the actuarial update provided at the Town Council meeting on Nov 18th
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/11/live-reporting-opeb.html


Here is the cover letter from Sherman Actuarial Services, LLC (SAS):
"The Town of Franklin has engaged Sherman Actuarial Services, LLC (SAS) to prepare an actuarial valuation of their post-retirement benefits program as of June 30, 2015. This valuation was performed using employee census data, enrollment data, claims, premiums, participant contributions and plan provision information provided by personnel of the Town of Franklin. SAS did not audit these data, although they were reviewed for reasonability. The results of the valuation are dependent on the accuracy of the data. 
The purposes of the valuation are to analyze the current funded position of the Town's post­ retirement benefits program, determine the level of contributions necessary to assure sound funding and provide reporting and disclosure information for financial statements, governmental agencies and other interested parties. This valuation report contains information required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board's Statements Nos. 43 and 45, respectively entitled "Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefit Plans Other Than Pension Plans" and "Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions." 
According to GASB principles, if the benefits are not prefunded, the rate earned by the General Asset Account must be used to select the discount rat used to measure the plan. To measure on that basis we have used a discount rate of 4.0%. The Town is currently partially prefunding the obligation with additional contributions of $400,000. Based on this policy, we have determined that a discount rate of 4.5% is appropriate for financial reporting purposes. If the Town were to commence fully prefunding the Annual Required Contribution instead of paying benefits when due plus $400,000, the measurement would likely be based on an 8.0% discount rate. 
Section II provides a summary of the principal valuation results. Section VII provides a projection of funding amounts. 
While the actuary believes that the assumptions are reasonable for financial reporting purposes, it should be understood that there is a range of assumptions that could be deemed reasonable that would yield different results. Moreover, while the actuary considers the assumption set to be reasonable based on prior plan experience, it should be understood that future plan experience may differ considerably from what has been assumed. 
The report was prepared under the supervision of Daniel Sherman, an Associate of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, who takes responsibility for the overall appropriateness of the analysis, assumptions and results. Daniel Sherman is deemed to meet the General Qualification Standard and the basic education and experience requirement in the pension area. Based on over twenty years of performing FAS 106 valuations of similar complexity, Mr. Sherman is qualified by experience ·in retiree medical valuation. Daniel Sherman has met the Qualification Standards of the American Academy of Actuaries to render the actuarial opinion contained herein. 
The costs and actuarial exhibits presented in this report have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practices and the requirements of GASB 45. I am available to answer questions about this report. "
Respectfully Submitted,

SHERMAN ACTUARIAL SERVICES, LLC


DelCarte in autumn color 2015
DelCarte in autumn color 2015

The full report from Sherman Actuarial Services, LLC (SAS) can be read here:



Or use this link
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczZFhRbjVXWjBPNTQ




Page 3 and page 10 were the two handouts for the Town Council meeting on Nov 18th




or use this link
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczTkxYNkVCTVdGOTg


The Needham story
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/best-practice-how-is-needham-addressing.html