HAPPY NEW YEAR!
SATURDAY 1/2/16
1pm Adult Coffee and Craft: Earrings and a bracelet at the Franklin Public Library
WEDNESDAY 1/6/16
6:30pm Franklin Art Association Meeting at Franklin Senior Center. Open to public. Demonstration by pastel painter Liz Haywood Sullivan.
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
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Planning for the US Army Corps of Engineers Natural Valley Storage Area
From Alan Earls
The meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan 28, 2016 from 6:30- 8:30 PM
LOCATION:
Dear Colleagues and Neighbors,
I am writing to you in regard to the hundreds of acres of mostly contiguous open space land within Bellingham, Franklin and Medway that are part of the US Army Corps of Engineers Natural Valley Storage Area. I have had the opportunity to meet most of you at some point in the last 10 months so you will be aware of my effort to gather support for improved public access to this land. In the course of this period I have met with Metacomet Land Trust, the Conversation Commission of Bellingham, and the Open Space Committee of Medway as well as talking with several officials in Franklin.
In September Representative Jeff Roy (D-Franklin) and Representative Kevin J. Kuros (R- Uxbridge) joined me for a morning of driving and walking around the property. Both men expressed surprise at the extent of the property and indicated a willingness to seek “seed” funding, perhaps for an engineering study, to look at how public access could be improved.
In hopes of building some momentum together, I have reserved a meeting room at the King Street fire station in Franklin to discuss how those of us in each of our three communities can better work together toward this goal while also working effectively with US and Massachusetts officials involved in management of the property.
Specifically, I would like to include on the agenda:
- Developing an inventory of existing or potential public access points...
- Sharing experience/insights about working across communities and state/federal jurisdictions
- Clarifying potential “next steps” toward making the “Charles River Meadowlands” an integral part of the open space picture across our three towns.
Mine Brook flows into the Natural Valley Storage Area |
The meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan 28, 2016 from 6:30- 8:30 PM
LOCATION:
- John Durand Memorial Fire Station
- Station #2
- 600 King Street
- Franklin, Massachusetts
Annual Report - 2015: Public Library
Franklin's Community Vision
“To be a vibrant community that supports the arts, nonprofit organizations, higher education and businesses in an atmosphere that allows growth and prosperity while at the same time conserving our heritage, natural resources, and history. We will build on and celebrate our uniqueness as acommunity and maintain the quality of life that is a strength and competitive advantage.”
Franklin's Public Library, 118 Main St |
Franklin Public Library Vision
Franklin Public Library strengthens the Town of Franklin’s culture of learning, innovation and engagement.Highlights and New Services:
Facility
Plans to address code issues, renovate and expand the facility are underway. The Library is profoundly grateful for the hard work and diligence of the Building Committee.
Services:
Sunday hours have made easy, continuous and convenient access to the library possible for all Franklin residents.
Collections - The Digital Branch
Expanding access and resources beyond the physical building is a library priority. In 2015, the library added five new databases, bringing the library’s digital collection to eight. In addition to the e-book collection from Overdrive, Hoopla for e-audio books, music and movies, and genealogy and Ancestry, Franklin residents of all ages now have unlimited access, anytime, anywhere to online resources for research, education, personal growth and entertainment.New databases
1.Rosetta StoneWith a simple log-in through the Library, Franklin residents now have the freedom to learn a new language free of charge whenever, wherever, they choose from the leading provider of online services designed to help people master a new language. The Rosetta Stone can be accessed on almost any device with a mobile app. and provides instant feedback, fun activities and expert guidance for differing learning styles or core lessens that build reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
11. Learning Express
Library an online test preparation database with over 800 practice tests and self paced study opportunities to help Franklin Residents achieve their educational and career goals free of charge.
Featured resources include:
1. Adult Learning Center
• Build math, grammar, writing and reading skills.
2. Become a U.S. Citizen
• Prepare for the Citizenship Exam
• Get a Green Card
3. College Center
Math Skills Review
• Algebra
• Basic Math
• Calculus
• Geometry and Measurement
• Trigonometry
• Statistics
• Logic and Reasoning
• Quantitative Comparison and Word Problems
Reading Skills Review
• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary and Spelling
Grammar and Writing Skills Review
• Grammar
• Writing
• Public Speaking
Science Skills Review
• Chemistry
• Biology
Prepare for Graduate School Admissions Exams
• GMAT Preparation
• GRE Preparation
• LSAT Preparation
• MAT Preparation
• PCAT Preparation
Prepare for College Placement Exams
• ACCUPLACER Preparation
• ASSET Preparation
• COMPASS Preparation
• College Placement Preparation eBooks
Prepare for the CLEP* Exams
• CLEP* Preparation
4. College Preparation Center
Prepare for Your ACT Test
• Prepare for Your ACT Test
• ACT Practice Tests
Prepare for Your SAT Test
• SAT Test Preparation Tutorial
• SAT Practice Tests
Prepare for your AP* Exam
• Practice for Your AP Exam
• AP Exam Preparation eBooks
Prepare for Your PSAT/NMSQT Test
• Practice for Your PSAT/NMSQT Test
• PSAT/NMSQT Test Preparation Prepare for Your TOEFL Test
• Practice for Your TOEFL Test College Admissions Essay Writing
• Learn to Write a College Admissions Essay
5. High School Equivalency Center
Build Your Basic Skills
• Build Your Reading Skills
• Build Your Writing Skills
• Build Your Math Skills
• Build Your Grammar Skills
• Build Your Vocabulary and Spelling Skills
Prepare for the GED® Test
• Learn About the New GED® Test
• Reasoning through Language Arts
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Science
• Social Studies
6. School Center
Elementary School
• Math Skills Improvement
• Reading Comprehension Skills Improvement
Middle School
• Math Skills Improvement
• Reading Comprehension Skills Improvement
• Writing and Grammar Skills Improvement
• Social Studies Skills Improvement
• Vocabulary and Spelling Skills Improvement
• High School Entrance Exams Preparation
High School
• Logic and Reasoning Skills Improvement
• Math Skills Improvement
• Reading Comprehension Skills Improvement
• Science Skills Improvement
• Social Studies Skills Improvement
• Statistics Skills Improvement
• Trigonometry Skills Improvement
• Vocabulary and Spelling Skills Improvement
• Writing and Grammar Skills Improvement
7. Career Center
Learn More about a Career
• Allied Health
• Caseworker
• Culinary Arts
• Firefighting
• Green Careers
• Homeland Security
• Law Enforcement
• Legal
• Nursing
• Teaching
• Career Information for Veterans
Prepare for an Entrance Exam
• Prepare for Allied Health Programs Entrance Tests
• Prepare for Nursing School Entrance Tests
Prepare for an Occupation Exam
• Allied Health
• Air Traffic Controller
• Civil Service
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
• Cosmetology
• Culinary Arts
• Emergency Medical Services
• Firefighting
• Homeland Security
• Law Enforcement
• Postal Worker
• Nursing
• Real Estate
• Plumbing
• Teaching
Join the Military or Become an Officer
• Prepare for the ASVAB
• Prepare for the Military Flight Aptitude Tests
• Prepare for the Officer Candidate Tests
• Prepare for the CFAT
Job Search and Workplace Skills
• Improve Your Job Search, Interviewing, and Networking Skills
• Build Your Workplace Skills
111. Reference USA
Reference USA is the premier source for consumer and business information. With access to over 24 million US businesses it is a valuable tool for students, job seekers and small business owners/entrepreneurs.
1V. Zinio - Magazine newsstand
The world's largest newsstand offering free full color to digital magazines from the library’s collection of popular titles with no holds, no checkout periods, and no limits to the number of magazines that Franklin residents can download. Zinio can be accessed on variety of devices including iPads, iPhones, Android, Macs, and the PC.
V. America’s Genealogy Bank with America’s Obituaries and Dearth Notices
This new database is now available to Franklin residents with your Minuteman Library Card, America’s Genealogy Bank provides Web-based access to nearly 241 million of United States core genealogical records from 1690 to the present day. Most of these sources are unique to this collection and are difficult to find on microfilm or in print. Through basic name search or advanced search options, genealogists can find and browse digital images of obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements, casualty lists, military and government documents, and other essential primary sources. It also provides the full text of modern U.S. newspaper obituaries and death notices, as well as enhanced Social Security Death Index (SSDI) records. By searching more than 151 million records found in more than 4,600 historical U.S. newspapers and other sources, researchers can quickly find their ancestors in obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements and other items.
To access databases Go to www.mln.lib.ma.us Click on Databases Enter your library card number, and select the database.
Outreach - Partnering with the Schools
Outreach efforts to the Franklin Public Schools, the Charter School and Tri-County included:• Library visits to the schools to read, share information and meet with parents.
• School Library orientation programs and tours.
• Library card campaigns at the schools.
• Teen book discussion group.
• Sharing programming information and services with the schools.
• Regularly scheduled reading programs at the Library.
• Library's year round 'get ready for kindergarten' program.
• Free Tutoring/ homework assistance for students in grades 2-8.
• Free books for Franklin school teachers for their classrooms at the library's monthly book sales.
• Library books /digital collections developed to assist students complete assignments throughout the school year.
• Summer reading programs and lists
• Hosting the Charter School Art show for the sixth year in a row.
Programs
In FY2015, the Library offered nine powerful weekly programs designed to increase reading readiness, support school readiness, improve learning outcomes, teach technology and programming skills and create informal learning environments for tweens and teens.In addition, three monthly clubs (Lego club, genealogy club, adult coffee and craft) transformed library visits into teachable moments and social gatherings for youngsters, families and adults.
Monthly adult programs included author visits, ghost stories, computer workshops and open computer labs.
Special thanks
- The Franklin Library Association gift
We are very grateful to the Franklin Library Association (FLA) whose generous donation of $28,750 allowed us to expand the digital collection and purchased 15 laptops, 15 chrome books, a digital cart, a 3D printer and supplies. Their generosity provided the financial support needed to
establish Technology Talk for teens and tweens, technology workshops for adults and an open computer lab.
- The Friends of the Franklin Library Gift
All of the 2015 Summer programming has been funded through a generous donation of $10,000 by the Friends of the Franklin Library. We are thankful for their financial support and commitment to the Library.
- The Town Council for the FY2016 Budget
Town Council approved a 2% increase of the FY 2016 budget. Although this modest increase is $271,024 short of the $962,020 Municipal Appropriation Requirement, we are grateful for the stability and continuity it provides.
- Digital Credit Union's $4,000 gift will significantly impact Library Services.
- The Mom's Club of Franklin North's donation of $250 for improvements in the Children's room is welcome and inspiring.
The Library values the vision set forth by the Library Board of Directors, the continued support of the Town Council, Finance Committee, Town Administrator, the Friends, the Franklin Library, the Franklin Library Association, our hard working staff and volunteers.
Exploring additional funding revenue streams going forward
The Library Board has begun exploring the establishment of a Foundation to support the Library's capital and the operational needsRespectfully submitted,
Felicia Oti
Library Director
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"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]
Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015
----------
The library expansion plans were approved after the Annual Report entry was completed
although the presentation to the Town Council occurred in April 2015
The architect document can be viewed here (PDF)
The library has its own blog where it posts upcoming events http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/
In the News: robbery suspects, EMC announces job cuts
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
For more on the robbery, read the Milford Daily News coverage.
----------------
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20151231/emc-announces-job-cuts
Police have released photos of two suspects in the Middlesex Savings Bank robbery that occurred Wednesday morning.
According to an updated press release sent out Thursday night, "police are now searching for a dark-colored BMW 3 Series four-door sedan." An earlier description suggested the suspects might have used a Volkswagen to flee the Franklin Village Shopping Plaza area.
Anyone with any information related to the robbery should contact the Franklin Police Department at 508-528-1212.
Two male suspects in the Wednesday bank robbery in Franklin Village Plaza. One of the suspects is thought to be light-skinned. Franklin Police via Milford Daily News |
The dark-colored BMW 3 Series four-door sedan that two male suspects allegedly used to flee the scene. Franklin Police via Milford Daily News |
For more on the robbery, read the Milford Daily News coverage.
----------------
In regulatory filings, Hopkinton storage giant EMC Corp. announced it would restructure its business and cut jobs before its $67 billion takeover by Dell.
According to the filings, EMC said the restructuring would save $850 million a year, but did not say how many people would lose their jobs. The layoffs would be complete by early 2016.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20151231/emc-announces-job-cuts
In the News: FHS boys basketball fund raiser, Seniors feedback sought
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160101/legislator-to-host-conversation-with-seniors
The Franklin High School Boys Basketball Boosters will hold an adult-only fundraising event from 7 p.m. to midnight Jan. 16 at the Franklin Elks Hall, 1077 Pond St.
The evening will include raffle items, 50/50 raffle, DJ entertainment, light appetizers and a cash bar.
The cost is $20 per person, and all proceeds will benefit the FHS Boys Basketball program.
Tickets can be reserved and will guarantee entry. To reserve tickets, mail a check (postmarked by Jan. 12) payable to: FHS Boys Basketball Boosters Club and mailed to: FHS Boys Basketball Boosters Club; Karen Mahon, 11 Lost Horse Trail, Franklin, MA 02038.
To pay at the door, admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to 175 people.
For more information, contact Karen Mahon at karen.mahon11@gmail.com.http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20151231/franklin-highs-boys-basketball-boosters-to-hold-fundraising-event-for-adults
In an effort to help seniors better connect with state services, State Rep. Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) will be hosting a "community conversation" on the matter this month.
The conversation - scheduled to take place in the Franklin Senior Center on Friday, Jan. 15 at 10:30 a.m. - will feature State Rep. Denise Garlick (D-Needham), the chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs.
Garlick - a registered nurse - and Roy will be speaking about the $3.5 billion in senior programs offered by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and MassHealth.
"This is to make sure that folks are aware of the services available, to get a sense of what we do in the state government and to get feedback on the areas where we're not doing enough," Roy said.
Senior Center - Jan 15, 2016 |
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160101/legislator-to-host-conversation-with-seniors
Friday, January 1, 2016
Happy New Year Franklin!
This will be the only post today. If there is other news that is share worthy, it can wait until Saturday.
What matters today is spending time with family and friends!
What matters today is spending time with family and friends!
Spruce Pond on Christmas morning |
Note: With the New Year holiday falling on Friday, the weekly calendar will be posted on Saturday, Jan 2, 2016.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Residents invited to help Franklin Federated reach fundraising goal
Franklin Federated Church nears $500,000 Restoration Campaign Goal
Church is asking the community to help close the fundraising gap
Just over a month after launching a capital campaign dedicated to funding substantial repairs and updates to its historic buildings, the Franklin Federated Church is closing in on its $500,000 goal.
As of December 28, $485,515 had been pledged to the campaign by church members and friends, to be paid over the next three years. More than $113,500 in contributions have been received and work has begun on several much-needed projects.
We are excited to be so close to achieving our goal," said campaign co-chair Allan Sawyer. "At this point, we are asking the community to help us get there." Campaign co-Chair Tom Pfeifle added that "the Franklin Federated Church is a tangible symbol of Franklin's history, providing a continuous link to the town's origins."
Situated on the southwest corner of the town common at 171 Main Street, the church has long been an important center of activity in the town. Meals on Wheels uses the kitchen, Temple Etz Chaim uses the sanctuary for high holidays, and Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and various support groups also meet there. The church hosts a popular annual yard sale and a Christmas concert, and has opened its doors in times of need, such as following the vigil for Lexi and Sean Munroe on Franklin Common.
Franklin Federated Church |
The congregation is a Welcoming and Affirming congregation, meaning that all people are invited to be a part of the mission and ministry of the church. The congregation supports organizations locally and around the world, such as the Franklin Food Pantry, the Santa Foundation, New Hope, the Boston Grow Clinic and Church World Service.
In keeping with the Franklin Federated Church's mission to give back to the community, a portion of the funds raised will be donated to the New Hope RESPECT programs. The RESPECT programs reach out to, and help restore, families in our community that are broken down by violence.
Franklin residents who have benefited from using the building over the years are invited to consider helping with the restoration effort. Contributions can be made via the website: ffcrestoration.weebly.com or checks made out to Franklin Federated Church can be mailed to Franklin Federated Restoration Campaign, 171 Main St., Franklin, MA 02038.
The church's history is entwined with the town's founding. The First Congregational Church was formed in 1738, when it broke off from the Congregational Church of Wrentham. This effectively marked the beginning of the Town of Franklin, which had previously been considered the West Precinct of Wrentham. The First Congregational Church joined with the First Baptist Church in 1941, forming the Federated Church. The two congregations had begun worshiping together after the hurricane of 1938 destroyed the First Baptist Church's building on School Street.
The current church building, constructed in 1895, features a sanctuary with a high vaulted ceiling, exposed wooden beams and large stained glass windows. The church building needs substantial work to repair damage from age and the elements, and to improve the accessibility and functionality of the space. Some necessary improvements include replacement of the heating system, work to both roof and foundation to stop the incursion of water, and the installation of upgraded fire safety and electrical systems. The parsonage, which sits next to the church and which was built in 1868, is also in need of new heating and drainage systems. The parsonage houses the pastor, Rev. Charley Eastman, and his family.
Franklin Federated Church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches, USA.
For more information, contact the campaign co-chairs: Allen Sawyer, allen.sawyer@comcast.net or 508-346-3120; and Tom Pfeifle, nashpfeifle@gmail.com or 508 361-1954.
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