In the News: deputy Town Administrator, complaints about permit

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Jamie Hellen, operations assistant to the town manager, is leaving Town Hall to become the deputy town administrator in Franklin. 

Hellen was appointed by Town Manager Norman Khumalo in 2012. He'll work in town until the end of the month. 

During his tenure, Hellen has been involved in many special projects, including planning for the town's 300th Anniversary Celebration and helping with the historical commissions. His day-to-day responsibilities include making sure Khumalo's and the selectmen's priorities are being met, he said.

Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151217/NEWS/151216196/1994/NEWS

Several townspeople complained Thursday night to the Zoning Board of Appeals about what they claim was a lack of transparency in the town's approval of a group home on Plain Street. 

The board, though, decided to uphold the building commissioner's decision to issue a permit. 

At issue is an eight-bed building - set to house clients of the state Department of Developmental Services - under construction at 21 Plain St. Dave Patterson, a neighbor, had appealed the issuance of the building permit.

Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151217/NEWS/151216179/1994/NEWS

The next "Let's Laugh Today" in Franklin is on Monday, December 28th

Trade all your holiday stress for laughter (and burn some of those holiday calories!) at LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin on Monday, December 28th from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker will give you the gift of laughter!  

Join them in a combination of deep breathing exercises with laughter exercises that oxygenate your body and brain in order to feel more healthy and energetic. No mats or special clothing is needed. There will be chairs set up so you can sit. Laughter Yoga is now being done in 90 different countries!  

Please bring your water bottle because laughing is dehydrating. 

See www.letslaughtoday.com or call 508-660-2223 for more information and other opportunities to laugh.Come and experience the contagiousness of laughter! $5 donation to FUSF/$10 maximum per family.  

Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! You can sit or stand. Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating. If you have any questions, just call 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com. New laughers are always welcomed! 

Smiles and Laughter your way,
Linda and Bill Hamaker
www.letslaughtoday.com

 

               

In the News: solar funding announced, Santa Skate Sunday

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Baker-Polito administration announced the launch of a $30 million residential solar loan program on Thursday. 

The program will support Massachusetts lenders with loans between $3,000 and $60,000 with low, fixed interest rates to homeowners throughout the commonwealth who opt to add solar panels to their home and is also available to borrowers with lower credit scores or incomes. For homeowners who adopt solar energy, the program also provides long-term financing options.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151217/NEWS/151216352/1994/NEWS

The Franklin Youth Hockey Association will hold Santa Skate from 6:10 to 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at Pirelli Veteran's Arena, 910 Panther Way. 

All ages are welcome to skate and take photos with Santa. Admission costs $5 or a small bag of nonperishable food items to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. 

Attendees are also asked to bring any unused equipment to donate to FYHA. 

The event will include raffles, team spirit packs and calendar sales. 

For more information, visit the event's page on Facebook.

FYHA event

Massachusetts Legislators submit letter to United States Consumer Product Safety Commission

Tire crumb rubber and rubber mulch request for regulation and analysis submitted

December 16, 2015 -  Massachusetts delegates including Senator Karen Spilka, State Representatives Jeff Roy and John Fernandes have requested the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulate interior and exterior use of crumb rubber as a children's product due to exposure on playground and artificial turf fields.

Tire crumb rubber and rubber mulch is used in playgrounds and turf fields across the U.S. The usage began in the 90s as a way to dispose of used tires. Typically, the fields and playgrounds are sold to a city or state with promise of less maintenance and increased playtime,  yet the tire derived materials have never been evaluated by the CPSC for exposure risk to users.

The delegate's letter to the CPSC requests analysis to offer concrete conclusions and recommendations to ensure the safety of children and adults who use crumb rubber and turf fields. Specifically, the delegates requested the CPSC investigate:

• Identifying potential hazards resulting from ingestion and inhalation of toxins released from crumb rubber during heat spikes and outgassing;
• Detecting the existence of known human carcinogens;
• Locating the presence of lead and other toxins;
• Examining any danger presented by the natural aging and decomposition; and
• investigating any potential risks to child or adult users.

The delegate's letter is a result of an October 2015 request by residents from Medway, Franklin and Holliston requesting the Representatives request regulation of tire crumb rubber as a children's product on the basis of the use on synthetic turf fields and rubber mulch playgrounds by children. 

"We thank Senator Spilka and Representatives Roy and Fernandes for their attention and action regarding the use of recycled tires on playing fields and playgrounds," said Tracy Stewart, Mass Chapter lead of The Safe, Healthy Playing Fields Coalition.  "The unique sell-in of this product has bypassed regulation for decades; however, it has become more concerning over the past ten years while over 12,000 turf fields have been installed exposing young people and adults to chemicals within the materials. We hope the CPSC's response is positive to the request for regulation and furthermore they expedite a thorough analysis to fully understand the risk of crumb rubber and tire derived products on young people and adults."

The CPSC response is pending.

image of the letter sent

About The Safe, Healthy Playing Fields Coalition (SHPFC)

Founded in 2008, The Safe, Healthy Playing Fields Coalition is dedicated to sharing information about the health and safety of both natural and synthetic turf fields for children, adults and the environment in which we live.

Information: http://www.safehealthyplayingfields.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SafeHealthyPlayingFields

installation of the new turf field at FHS during the summer (field is in full use now)

FHS results from Wednesday and Hockomock Sports Hockey Preview

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of the FHS wrestling match on Wednesday (lost to Foxboro) and FHS girls hockey (lost to KP), and the preview of the boys hockey season.

Wrestling

• Franklin, 27 @ Foxboro, 33 – Final

Girls Hockey

• Franklin, 4 @ King Philip, 5 – Final

For all the results of Wednesdays action
http://www.hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-121615/

FHS Panthers

Hockey Preview

Franklin
2014-15 Record: 17-4-3 (10-0-0)
2014-15 Finish: Lost in first round of the Super 8
Head Coach: Chris Spillane

How does Franklin follow up its first ever appearance in the prestigious Super 8 tournament? How does the program recover from losing 21 seniors off a roster that finished unbeaten in the Hockomock League and had one of the league’s most exciting hockey moments when it beat Xaverian in overtime in the Super 8 play-in game? 

Those are tough questions that head coach Chris Spillane will be trying to answer in the coming weeks as he incorporates almost an entirely new roster. The top returning scorer from last season is senior Alex Bissanti, who chipped in with five goals as a junior. He will be joined up front by junior Adam Assad, who Spillane said has “lots of offensive potential.” In addition, the coach noted that he is looking towards a “strong” sophomore class to provide a spark offensively. 

DJ Shea was a rock in goal last season after getting his first playing time as a senior and the Panthers will be counting on seniors Nick Jasinki (five games in 2014-15) and Cam Benham to step in this year and have a similar impact. In front of the goalies, Franklin has a strong defensive corps led by senior captains Matt Pleshaw and Jack Chaffee. The defense has been bolstered by the return of senior Tyler Oaks, who had been playing for the South Shore Kings. Spillane called him a “strong offensive defenseman.” 

It is only the third season for Franklin in Div. 1 and already the Panthers have accomplished more than most public school programs. This could be a transition year for Franklin but expectations remain high for a perennial power. Spillane said, “With the departure of 21 seniors, the success of this team will rely on finding a identity early in the season.”

For the remainder of the Kelly-Rex Division previews
http://www.hockomocksports.com/hockey-kelley-rex-division-preview-2015-2016/

Davenport Division

http://www.hockomocksports.com/hockey-davenport-division-preview-2015-2016/

Did you get your water meter replaced yet?

We had ours replaced earlier this year and it was quick and easy. The post card arrived, we made the appointment, they arrived as scheduled and 15 minutes later were out the door.

"The Franklin Water Department has initiated a water meter replacement program. The installations will be done by a private contractor called USI Services. Please keep an eye out for a postcard from Thielsch Engineering/USI. The program will start with residents who have the oldest meters, so not all residents will receive a postcard. 

If you do receive a post card, please follow the instructions on the card and set up an appointment at your earliest convenience. To set up an appointment please call the number on the card NOT the DPW office. All installers will have uniforms, photo ID badges, and will be driving clearly marked vehicles.

**Some customers recently received their first notice letter but they say second notice. We apologize for the confusion, but please respond to the card at your earliest convenience!** 

If you have any questions, please contact the DPW at 508-520-4910."

DPW webpage image

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PublicWorks/General_Pages/Meter%20Replacement

FHS basketball teams top Canton, representatives on Top 10 to watch for boys basketball and hockey

From Hockomock Sports we share the following with a Franklin High School winter sports focus. 

On Tuesday, both the boys and girls basketball teams beat Canton. Tim Prunier is one of the Top 10 to watch in Basketball and Tyler Oakes is one of the Top 10 to watch in Hockey.

Girls Basketball

Franklin, 55 @ Canton, 31 – Final 

– Carli Koffinke led the Panthers with 14 points. Lauren Rudolph chipped in with nine, Kristen Donaghy and Margaux Welsh each had eight for Franklin. The Bulldogs were led by Shannon Foley with seven points, while Meaghan Hunter and Hannah Jerrier each had six.

FHS Panthers

Boys Basketball

Canton, 24 @ Franklin, 61 – Final 

– The Panthers jumped out to a 19 point lead after the first quarter lead and never looked back. Senior Tim Prunier scored a game-high 19 points in the win for Franklin.

For all the results of Tuesday's action
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-121515/


Tim Prunier, Franklin – 

Without a doubt, Prunier will be one of the best in the Hockomock League this year. He’s got a very well rounded game with the ability to make an impact in all phases of the game. Offensively not only does he carry the ball and set the offense in motion, he can score in one on one situations, can move the ball at the right time and even more impressively, he’s one of the best off the ball. Prunier is truly a player you don’t want to lose track of. Defensively he will add a spark to a team that prides itself on stopping teams and forcing turnovers.

For more on the others in the Top 10
http://www.hockomocksports.com/boys-basketball-ten-players-to-watch-in-2015-2016/



Tyler Oakes, Franklin – 

The senior defenseman is a newcomer to the Franklin program after spending time with the South Shore Kings last season. For the Kings, Oakes played 23 games and scored a goal and an assist. He is a little bit of an unknown for the coaches and the rest of the Hockomock but Franklin coach Chris Spillane said that he is a solid offensive defenseman that will step right in and contribute. After losing 21 players to graduation, Franklin needed someone to step in and Oakes could prove to be the right player to help fill in for the hole left by Mason Saunders and Kyle Filbert, both of whom liked to push forward into the attacking zone. Oakes’s return could be perfect timing for the Panthers.

For more on the others in the Top 10
http://www.hockomocksports.com/hockey-ten-players-to-watch-in-2015-2016/