Senator Ross: November 2015 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, November 2015 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email:richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, The holiday season is about spending time with family and friends and recognizing the blessings bestowed upon us. This past month, more than ever, I am constantly reminded of how fortunate I am to represent you in the State Senate. I am thankful for our local heroes who have given so much, I am thankful for the tireless dedication of our staff at the COAs, and I am grateful for everyone in our cities and towns who donate much of their time to their communities. Please read/share my newsletter for updates on Beacon Hill and how you can give back this holiday season. Sincerely,

The email newsletter was shortened for publication here, to review the full set of contents check  here  View this email in your browser

In the News: signs of drug abuse, investigation of fire continues

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

A local group devoted to fighting substance abuse will hold a forum next week on the signs of drug use. 

The Support for Addicts and Families by Empowerment (SAFE) coalition will hold the session - intended to help family members identify signs that loved ones are abusing drugs or alcohol - on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at Franklin High School. 

James Derick, the president of the coalition's board of directors, said the interactive forum will discuss signs, symptoms and solutions. 

"We will have packages available, so parents can handle items commonly identified as signs a loved one might be using," he said. "These are things like Q-tips, bent spoons and burnt tinfoil. They're things parents might walk by."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151202/NEWS/151208688/1994/NEWS

The Massachusetts Fire Marshal's office is still in the midst of investigating the explosion that took the lives of two Franklin residents in October. 

Nancy and Richard Brown, both 66, apparently died as the result of the Tuscany Drive blast, which took place shortly before 7 a.m. on Oct. 10. 

Jennifer Mieth, a spokeswoman with the fire marshal's office, said the investigation has two components: determining the origin and cause of the explosion and looking into whether there was a violation of state codes. 

"We're waiting to have scheduled a forensic investigation of the building's burner and gas log fireplace," she said. "Because the testing could be destructive, we need all the parties to agree and come together."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151202/NEWS/151208620/1994/NEWS

Looking back to April 2015

Some key events took place in April. The Finance Committee began its series of public hearings on the FY 2016 budget. When the hearings and approvals were completed in May, the Town Council scheduled their own hearings for June.

• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #4
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #3
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #2
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #1

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The Town Council heard about the proposal to move the Recreation Dept from 150 Emmons St (since that building was being sold) to a building on Beaver St. The property at 275 Beaver St was the proposed location. The Town Council approved funding the purchase.

275 Beaver St in March 2015

Recreation Dept in Oct 2015

• Town Council - 04/15/15
• Town Council - 04/01/15

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All the archives for April 2015 can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015_04_01_archive.html

Holiday Stroll performers

The listing of the Holiday Stroll performers to listen to on Thursday, Dec 3 in downtown Franklin:

This was shared from
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2015/12/holiday-stroll-performers.html

Adult Coffee and Craft, Saturday, December 5th, 1:00 PM

Take a break from the cold and have a warm cup of coffee or tea while you join us to assemble a soup mix in a jar. We’ll provide all the ingredients and decorations to personalize the jar. You add the “love” to create a gift that will warm the heart and soul.

soup mix in a jar

Where: at the Franklin Library

When: Saturday, Dec 5th, 1:00 PM


This was shared from the Franklin Library page   http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/

Franklin Art Association: December Newsletter

Dear Members and Friends,  

The holiday season is upon us! Black Friday! Cyber Monday! Shop! Bargains! Buy! A constant barrage of advertising to spur us on to find that perfect gift! 

In the midst of this flurry of activity, I’d like to share something that took place quietly without fanfare and reminds us all of the simple gesture of giving. It goes like this: The little girl loved the painting, she had a Peoples’ Choice ballot in her hand, and she wanted to vote for the painting that she loved. When the family was leaving, the artist brought the little girl back to the painting she loved, and took it off the wall and gave it to her. This little girl will never forget this gift from a stranger at an art show. She hugged the painting close to her so her mother wouldn’t see it, because it was going to be her mother’s birthday gift. Thank you Don Iacovelli for this act of kindness, and making one little girl very happy indeed.

Franklin Art Association

At this past summer’s Cultural Festival, Jane Alfieri and Heather Greenwood created two very large murals, hand painting Franklin’s historical sites and other iconic scenes on the murals. Members of the public added color to the murals, filling in scenes, and adding their personal touches. It was a wonderful interactive event, carefully coordinated by Tina Guarino. In the spirit of gift giving, Tina has facilitated the gifting of these murals to the students at the Davis Thayer Elementary School as part of their “Core Values Program”. The students will add their own touches to the murals with help from some FAA members. The murals will then be hung permanently in the school, as an example of a collaborative effort between students, teachers, and the FAA. Thank you to all who shared their talents, and to Tina Guarino for making it happen! We should all feel good about this, as another example of the FAA giving back to the community. 

In this season of giving, these are two stories that make me very happy indeed! 

Warm regards, 

Sue Sheridan 

President

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You can read the full newsletter here




or with this link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczMjViTmN3NHZabGN0Z3Boa2t1eEdOVWllbnI0/view?usp=sharing

Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media Underscoring the importance of communicating directly with the citizens of Norfolk County, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today reminded consumers about the various social media applications made available to them through the Registry. O'Donnell noted, "Our mission here at the Registry of Deeds is to make important information readily available on a 24/7 basis to all consumers. After all, just because our doors close at the end of the business day doesn't mean the Registry has to stop working. Our website, www.norfolkdeeds.org, is a valuable resource to review scanned images of up to 5 million land documents dating back to 1793, as well as to learn about the latest consumer protection programs." For example, the register noted that residents can print out an application of the popular Homestead Act on the website, a law which provides a homeowner with limited protection against the forced sale of their primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000, or sign-up directly on-line for its Consumer Notification System that will alert a person anytime a land document has been recorded against their name in Norfolk County. Additionally, noted Register O'Donnell, "There is valuable county real estate information that can be researched and tracked on the website based on the monthly and quarterly real estate statistical reports done by the Registry of Deeds, such as the number of homes sold, average prices of property sold, mortgage discharges, homestead applications and much, much more." Other forms of social media utilized by the Registry of Deeds include Facebook, facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds, and Twitter, twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds. "Both Facebook and Twitter are great ways for residents and institutional users to be kept up-to-date on Registry events and initiatives. Among events publicized via these platforms are annual office hours held in each community in Norfolk County by the Registry, computer seminars held bi-annually, and events geared specifically to real estate professionals," said Register O'Donnell. The Registry has also filmed multiple public service announcements (PSA's) which are available on the Registry's website and Youtube. These PSA's have touched on a variety of issues such as deed scams - where a consumer pays an outrageous cost to a direct mail solicitor for a copy of their deed as compared to purchasing it at the Registry for a few dollars - and also a video on foreclosure assistance for residents who have received a Notice of Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Videos highlighting the Registry's various philanthropic initiatives, such as its Annual Holiday Food Drive or its Suits for Success program, which helps people who are attempting to re-enter the workforce, can also be viewed. Concluding, Register O'Donnell stated, "My office continues to focus on ways the Internet and social media can provide services 24x7 to Registry customers. A key initiative underway is to make our website easier to access for users of tablets and smartphones. Our goal is to complete this initiative in the near term." 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

screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage

In the News: 12 Days of Donating, Adult Ed registration opens, MassDEP provides food guidance, Tri-County holiday buffet

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Franklin Food Elves kicked off the “12 Days of Donating” campaign on Dec. 1 to benefit the Food Pantry. Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses are collecting 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.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151201/NEWS/151209396/1994/NEWS

Registration is open for the winter semester at the Center for Adult Education and Community Learning in Franklin. Classes begin on Jan. 11. 

Participation is open to individuals and businesses in Franklin and the surrounding region towns.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151201/NEWS/151209399/1994/NEWS

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is putting a new emphasis on donating food versus trashing food. 

This November, RecyclingWorks, an organization funded by MassDEP, launched their "Food Donation Guidance for Massachusetts Businesses" page on the RecyclingWorks website. 

"We were getting a noticeably increased volume of requests to get assistance for starting an effective donation program," said Lorenzo Macaluso, director of Green Business Services with RecyclingWorks. "The feedback we were getting was that corporations were having lots of questions on how to do it safely and legally." 

RecyclingWorks connects businesses with services and resources to help them create or expand green operations, like recycling, composting and diverting food waste.

recycling works webpage header

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151201/NEWS/151209165/1994/NEWS

Gerry’s Place, the student-run restaurant at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, 147 Pond. St., will host an annual International Holiday Buffet from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 9. 

The buffet will cost $9.95. No reservations will be taken. Menu offerings include: latkes, cider-glazed root vegetables, Moroccan saffron chicken, Guatemalan potato and green bean salad, Parisienne potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts and roast pork with prune, pine nut and spinach stuffing.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151202/NEWS/151209134/1994/NEWS

Greater Franklin Node 350 Mass Meeting THURSDAY: 12/3/15

Hi everyone,

A reminder: our next node meeting is this Thursday, December 3, at 7:00 PM at the First Universalist Society, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin.

We have a full agenda!

1. There was a meeting of the Sharon Board of Selectmen yesterday regarding Spectra. We're looking forward to hearing how it went!

2. We're also eager to hear how the yard sign campaign is going in each of the towns.

3. Town status reports of whatever isn't covered in the first two topics.

4. We have a decision to make! Should we have a meeting on December 17, our next regular time, and what should it be about? One possibility is to have a party! We have received the OK from the church to have refreshments if we want.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again! Call me with any questions or suggestions for things that should be on the agenda.

Greater Franklin Node, 350 MASS

See you all Thursday!

Carolyn

Coordinator, Greater Franklin Node, 350 Mass

"Low Turnout in Municipal Elections" video

The video of the Ford Hall Forum event on "Low Turnout in Municipal Elections" is available for viewing:

There is a brief presentation by each of the panelists followed by discussion among the panelists and then questions from the audience are also responded to.

From the Ford Hall Forum event page

• "Sarah Anzia (professor at University of California, Berkeley and author of Timing and Turnout: How Off-Cycle Elections Favor Organized Groups)

• Zoltan Hajnal (professor at University of California, San Diego and author of America’s Uneven Democracy: Turnout, Race, and Representation in City Politics)

• Erin O’Brien (professor at University of Massachusetts, Boston and author of Diversity in Contemporary American Politics and Government)

• Elena Letona (Executive Director, Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts)

Moderator: María González Albuixech (Director of Communications & Marketing, Health Care for All)"

Franklin voter booth

’Tis the Season! - special performance - Dec 19th

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will host a special performance of the original holiday musical ’Tis the Season! for community youth, family and social services organizations on Saturday, December 19, at 3 p.m. at the Franklin High School auditorium, located at 118 Oak Street in Franklin.

FPAC will distribute complimentary tickets for the December 19 performance through community organizations, including the Hockomock Area YMCA, local Best Buddies chapters, and Franklin Food Pantry. For more information about ticket availability, representatives from non-profit community service organizations are encouraged to call 508-528-3370 or email Alan Mercer at amercer@fpaconline.com.

’Tis the Season!, an original large cast musical first presented by FPAC in 1995, is an upbeat, jazzy extravaganza featuring members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band with contemporary arrangements of favorite holiday classics in musical styles ranging from R&B, Motown and gospel to pop, jazz and Broadway. The show spotlights over 100 singers and dancers. Musical arrangements include Andy Williams’ It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Happy Holiday, songs from several popular television Christmas specials, Quincy Jones’ sensational version of the Hallelujah Chorus, and many surprises. Ring in the holidays with great merriment, fanfare and fun!

FPAC image for 'Tis the Season!

A distinctive suburban non-profit arts organization founded in 1991, 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 productions draw performers and audiences from more than 100 communities throughout the region.

Tickets are available for purchase by the general public for regularly scheduled performances of ’Tis the Season! on December 19 at 7:30 p.m. and on December 20 at 2 p.m. For more information, call 508-528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com.

Cub Scouts Pack 126 Annual All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast

Franklin Elks Hall, Pond St.

Saturday December 5

8:00-11:00am

$7.00 per person, children 3 and under are free, Pack 126 scouts in uniform are free.

Breakfast includes pancakes, sausages, eggs, coffee and tea.

Pictures with Santa $5

Themed baskets will be raffled ($1/1 ticket, $5/6tickets, $10/15 tickets)

Franklin Elks

S.A.F.E. Forum on Drug Abuse Warning Signs - Dec. 8

"This is a special message from S.A.F.E. is to provide you with information on our next community event and to continue the conversation on substance abuse disorder."

View this email in your browser Forum on warning signs set for Dec. 8 The SAFE Coalition will present an interactive forum designed to educate on the warning signs of drug or alcohol abuse on Tuesday December 8, 2015 at 7 pm in the Franklin High School auditorium. The program will include tips on early intervention strategies and resources to help keep your loved one safe. A panel of parents, substance abuse treatment providers, students, and educators has been assembled.  Warning sign kits that you can take home will be provided to each participant in the program.  Katie Truitt from the Missin Matt Foundation and Kathy Getchell from S.A.F.E. will speak from the parent's perspective. Amy Leone from Community Impact and other experts will share methods of addressing the issue with your young teens and offer solutions for those that may indeed have a problem with addiction. And there will also be an update on the S.A.F.E. Coalition's upcoming programs and solutions. Please save the date and plan to join us on December 8 as we continue our community conversation. You can view the Facebook event page for updates by clicking here. In the meantime, please continue to spread the word about S.A.F.E. and encourage your friends to sign up for this newsletter by clicking here. And, most importantly, please do not hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know is in need. We'll do our best to get you on the right path. SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE Learn to Cope has begun meeting on Monday evenings at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 262 Chestnut Street in Franklin at 7 p.m. The group offers support for families struggling with addiction and recovery. Its preserves anonymity and creates a safe place for people and families in crisis. For more information visit the website at http://learn2cope.org/, call Kathy Getchell at (774)893-3878, or email her at kathyg17@verizon.net Community of Hope hosts a family support group meeting every Wednesday night in the Milford Regional Medical Center, Hill Building, Woman's Pavilion, 4th Floor, in Milford. The program is a support group for family members or loved ones of people who suffer from addiction (similar to "Lean to Cope"). For more information, contact Katie Truitt at (774)248-4526 or by email at ktruitt3@gmail.com  Big Book Workshop, 12 step meeting for recovery. Wednesday evenings, 7 pm to 8:30 pm at Community Impact, 211 Main Street Milford, MA 01757. For more information, contact Meghan Giacomuzzi at 508-933-4571. Meghan (Katie Truitt's daughter) is the founder and chair of the Missin' Matt Foundation and a recovering heroin addict. Healing Hearts has begun meeting on Thursday evenings on the second floor of the Franklin YMCA at 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin at 7 p.m. The group offers support for families struggling with addiction and recovery. Its preserves anonymity and creates a safe place" for people and families in crisis. For more information, call (508) 570-6996 or send an email to Healingheartscircle@gmail.com. LIGHT UP THE SKY FOR CHANGE We have lost too many loved ones, we've buried them way too soon, Just know we always think of you when we looked up at the moon. So tonight we'll light these candles and set them freely in the sky, To let you know we're always with you,  how could we say good-bye?​ Come join us to light a floating candle to remember a loved one lost to the disease of addiction, to send a prayer for someone still suffering or for anyone taken from us way too soon.  Let's light up the sky for change, for love, for hope and for coming together to fight this epidemic killing our children, our brothers and sisters, our parents, our friends and our loved ones.  Together we can save a life. WHAT: Chinese floating sky lanterns lighting ceremony.    WHEN:  Saturday February 20, 2016 7:00 P.M. WHERE:  Fino Field WHY:  To remember all those we've lost to the disease of addiction and to pray for those still suffering.   Please visit www.missinmatt.myevent.com to register or to make a donation, thank you and God Bless!!! **Registration is required in order to receive a lantern to light; there is a $10.00 registration fee per family to cover the cost of the lanterns.  If you would like more than one lantern, a $10 fee is required for each one.* Share Tweet Forward Subscribe to this email list Copyright © 2015 Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in joining the fight against obioid abuse in our community. Our mailing address is: Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov State House - Room 527A Boston, MA 02133 Add us to your address book