Franklin Matters

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

LIve reporting: Town Council - Jan 20, 2016

Present: Pellegri, Padula, Mercer, Vallee, Kelly, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones
Absent: none

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– January 6, 2016,
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

January 12, 2016
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
– Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 2016 = Alexis Frasca
senior at FHS, captain of the cheer leading squad
also a member of musical groups

Alexis Frasca with Town Council Chair Matt Kelly

You can follow her on Twitter https://twitter.com/alexisfrasca

~~(photo to be added)~~

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
– Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

E. APPOINTMENTS
- Historical Commission
Richard Remillard
motion to ratify, seconded, passed 9-0

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

Downtown Project Update #21 - updated again on 1/20/16

January 20, 2016 Update

The barrier for the island will be installed today (Wednesday). There will be closures at the bridge while this work is completed.

Walsh will be paving sections of the excavated island. During this time, traffic traveling down East Central St on to Main St will be detoured left down Cottage St.

Anthony Tavalone
CE III MA DOT

Main St triangle under construction

Downtown Project Update #21

In the first official update this year we find that

They will have closings the remainder of the week with bridge work.
Verizon is continuing their work on site with overhead splicing (West Central St)
The ground crew is supposed to be in this week to transfer the line on Main St. I will follow up with their foreman about an exact date tomorrow (Wednesday).

Anthony Tavalone
CE III MA DOT

working on the triangle on Monday

This was shared from the Franklin webpage here
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/022F7090-000F8513

The information on the Downtown Project is collected in one place
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/Downtown%20Project%20updates/S022E9CF5

both FHS basketball teams top Stoughton by 20 points on Tuesday

Both the FHS boys and girls basketball teams won on Tuesday in games vs. Stoughton. Results via Hockomock Sports.

FHS Panthers

Boys Basketball

Franklin, 83 @ Stoughton, 63 – Final

– The Panthers held a six point lead at halftime (41-35) as the two teams combined for over 75 points in the first half. Franklin had a 23 point third quarter and added 19 more points in the final quarter. Sophomore Connor Peterson had a game-high 16 points while senior Tim Prunier and freshman Jay Dieterle each added 15 points for Franklin. Stoughton senior Brandon Teixeira had a team-high 14 points for the Black Knights.

Girls Basketball

Stoughton, 35 @ Franklin, 55 – Final

– Olivia Adiletto was the top scorer for Franklin with 13 points. Lauren Rudolph added 11 for the Panthers, who had 10 players on the score sheet. Stoughton was led by Alecia Quinones with 11 points.

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-011916/

And for the Freshman, JV scores for the Boys Basketball team

Big wins for all three teams last night against STOUGHTON!Freshmen: 59-35JV: 65-36Varsity: 83-63
Posted by Franklin Panthers Boys Basketball Team on Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Dean College Baseball clinics - Jan 31 and Feb, Apr vacations

After the Bulldog Youth camp on January 31 we are holding February and April vacation clinics! February and April Baseball Clinic February 16,17 and 18 and April 19, 20 and 21 9 AM to 11:30 AM if you are interested.

The dog days of winter are slowly coming to an end, on some of the warmer days we can even smell spring in the air! Don’t sit at home for your whole February vacation! Come on out for a few days of instruction with the Coaches from Dean College.

This clinic will help continue to develop your swing, pitching and fielding mechanics and guide you to being a better base runner. Our warm facilities and Coaching staff will be all ready for you to break in your gear for the spring.

If you would like to hold a spot please reply to this email or send mharrington@dean.edu the following information:

Last, First Name:____________________________________________________

DOB:______/______/___________

Adress:____________________________________________________________

Town:___________________________________________ State:_____________

Zip:_________________________

Email Address: ______________________________________________________

Emergency Contact

Name:__________________________________Telephone:_______________________________

I will attend:
Both Camps__________________
February Only________________
April Only___________________

Attached to this email is a flyer with a tear sheet to send to us with your check. Also attached is a logistic map for the safe drop off and pick up of all the players and where to park if you want to stay and watch!

Dean College

Thank you very much and we hope you are looking forward to the clinic as much as we are!!!

Feb and April baseball clinics
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczN285eFFLdG8ybmo2eUdVQmladUJxazJFdXhv/view?usp=sharing

Drop off info
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczNmkwdEhuVDFmTmVfMU9CbGNKcnZrNTJoY0Q0/view?usp=sharing

Let's Laugh Today! - next session on Jan 25

Begin the New Year with joyful laughter on Monday, January 25th from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin.

Laughter Yoga is a body/mind practice for well-being that involves deep breathing and a few stretches, playful laughter exercises (no jokes or comedy), clapping and deep relaxation. It has many benefits besides the joy of laughter. It can strengthen the immune system, combat the negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety.

Linda and Bill leading a laughter yoga session

Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! New laughers are always welcomed!

$5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family.

Please bring your water bottle because laughing is dehydrating.

Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. www.letslaughtoday.com. If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com.

There will not be a session in Franklin in February.

Franklin Public Schools ECDC Preschool Program Now Enrolling for Fall 2016

The F.X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center (@FranklinECDC) is committed to offering preschoolers here in Franklin an opportunity for high quality developmentally appropriate learning in an environment that encourages diversity, cooperation and understanding.

Our building and our curriculum have been designed to meet the complex needs of students with and without disabilities help them develop the necessary readiness skills to prepare them for kindergarten. Our teachers are highly qualified public school certified in early childhood, special education or a combination of both specialties.

Students who attend ECDC participate in our inclusive, or "integrated" preschool model. In these language-based classrooms, children of all ability levels, with and without identified special needs, are taught together in an environment that nurtures peers as partners in learning.

Research has proven that linking children of varying ability levels actually enhances the growth and development of all the children. Each of our classrooms maintains a low class size, maxing out with 15 students, with a Massachusetts certified teacher and at least one qualified educational assistant.

Franklin residents who turn 3 by August 31st are eligible to register for the integrated preschool program at ECDC.

Families interested in ECDC can call the main office to schedule a tour or reach out to Kelty Kelley, ECDC Principal, @ 508 541-8166 or kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us.

Additional information about tuition, staff, curriculum, school hours, and much more can be found on the principal's blog, http://www.ecdcprincipalpage.blogspot.com/ and on the ECDC website http://franklinecdc.vt-s.net/pages/index.

ECDC building entrance

Kelty Kelley, Principal
F. X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center
224 Oak Street
Franklin, MA 02038
Phone: 508-541-8166
Fax: 508-541-8254

Hockomock Area YMCA Plans Preschool Registration - Open House - Feb 2

Registration for the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Y World of Tots Preschool at its Bernon Family Branch in Franklin begins Tuesday, February 2nd at 1:00 p.m.

The preschool is designed to provide a positive learning environment for children aged 2.9 to 5 years. The school is holding an open house for parents and families on Tuesday, February 2nd from 1:00pm -2:30 p.m. and provides an opportunity to view the classroom environment, meet the staff, and learn about the program’s philosophy.

Hockomock YMCA

“Our program offers a preschool experience where children learn, thrive, and explore. We look forward to meeting and welcoming new students for the 2016-2017 school year. Preschool is a great opportunity to introduce young children to a lifetime of learning,” said teacher Lisa Peters. The preschool program offers two, three, and five-day options for both morning or extended day options. The Y World of Tots is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Social, motor, and academic development is promoted through fun hands-on learning activities in science, math, language, listening and verbal skills. The Y offers an iPad technology curriculum which is revolutionizing our approach to learning and teaching and is instilling in our students an enthusiasm for education that will last a lifetime. Enrichment activities are also included in the curriculum and is an added benefit as the school is located inside a full facility YMCA. Activities include gymnastics, swimming and sports classes. Nutrition education is also included.

The program is run by intensively screened and trained caring, licensed staff.
For more information contact Deborah Ela or Lisa Peters at 774-235-2725 or yworldoftots@hockymca.org.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Franklin Arts Academy (FAA) Boosters will be hosting a Wine-Tasting Fundraiser - Jan 21

The Franklin Arts Academy (FAA) Boosters will be hosting a Wine-Tasting Fundraiser with proceeds being used to fund an FAA student field trip and scholarships for FAA seniors.

TICKETS: $5 in advance, $7 at the door. For advance tickets, contact Karen Glynn. (karen.glynn@verizon.net)

Pour Richard’s is graciously hosting the event and will also be donating a portion of sales proceeds to the FAA Boosters.

FAA Fund Raiser at Pour Richard's

You can find additional info on the Facebook event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1710229295855906/

School Committee - Jan 12, 2016

The collection of live reporting from the School Committee meeting on Jan 12 can be found here. Unfortunately, due to a work commitment I left before the meeting finished. The agenda had just reached the Superintendent updates.

The video replay of the meeting by Franklin TV can be found here
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=280

FHS entrance

The agenda for the meeting can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jan.html

You can find out about the Spectra pipeline in these Open Houses

Dear friend,

Spectra Energy is proposing to install a 30-inch gas pipeline through our various towns (see below). As part of the process, Spectra has just put out its schedule of Open Houses and sent invitation letters to the potential abutters and town leadership, not to the whole town (they like to keep a very low profile). They will have maps of the proposed route for you to view so you can see what neighbors would have the new pipeline in their yards, what wetlands and river(s) and streams the pipeline would cross. (I have not included a list of all the Open Houses, just the ones that pertain to FUSF members.)

Algonquin Open Houses for the Access Northeast Project

Per Spectra's notice:

Algonquin will hold Open Houses in January in order to provide updated information concerning the Access Northeast Project to landowners, public officials and interested stakeholders. The Open Houses are designed to enable people to get their questions answered by Project representatives. In addition, since there is no formal speaking program, individuals may arrive at any time during the hours listed. FERC representatives will also be in attendance and will be available to speak with attendees.

WALPOLE/SHARON/CANTON/STOUGHTON: Tuesday, January 19, 2016
5:30PM – 7:30PM
Four Points Sheraton
1125 Boston Providence Turnpike
Norwood, MA

MEDWAY/BELLINGHAM/FRANKLIN/MILLIS/NORFOLK:
Thursday, January 21, 2016
5:30PM – 7:30PM
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham
835 Union St.
Franklin, MA

No Spectra sign seen on Franklin lawns

They are lumping MILFORD (and strangely enough MEDWAY again) into the West Boylston 16-inch lateral pipeline called the West Boylston Lateral:

MILFORD/MEDWAY/UPTON/GRAFTON/MILLBURY/SUTTON/SHREWSBURY/BOYLSTON/WEST BOYLSTON:

Monday, January 25, 2016

5:30-7:30PM

Highfields Golf and Country Club

42 Magill Drive

Grafton, MA

If you go to the Open Houses, you can expect Spectra to hang onto you and be pleasant and accommodating, but they're deadly serious about taking your land and having you pay for their pipeline. If you don't like what you see and want to do something about it, come to our next node meeting of the Greater Franklin Node, 350 Mass, on Thursday, January 28, at 7:00 PM at FUSF. We meet twice monthly.

James F. Hill Tel. 508-528-4888 h Tel. 508-498-4504 c

FPAC presents Shakespeare’s Othello

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents Shakespeare’s legendary tragedy Othello. The production will be staged at THE BLACK BOX, the company’s home and performance venue located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. Performances are on Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on January 24.

FPAC image for Othello event on Facebook

Aaron Andrade as Othello

Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy of the Moorish warrior Othello, his beloved Desdemona, and the insidious villain Iago is a gripping masterpiece that ranks among his greatest works. The edge-of-your-seat thriller is a passionate and powerful drama full of jealousy, betrayal and heartbreak. Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) proudly presents a contemporary adaptation of Othello, directed by and starring Aaron Andrade in the title role.

Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is FPAC’s 25th Season Premier Sponsor. Tickets are $24, with $15 Student Rush tickets available at the door 15 minutes prior to show time. To purchase tickets, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

FHS swim teams split vs. North Attleboro

The FHS boys swim team lost to North Attleboro while the girls won. Results via Hockomock Sports.

FHS Panthers

Swimming
Boys

Franklin, 73 @ North Attleboro, 88 – Final

Girls

Franklin, 93 @ North Attleboro, 71 – Final

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League on Monday

http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-011816/

In the News: Rep Roy office hours, FSPA auditions scheduled, Council to hear about Pond St, Jefferson School updates

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy, D-Franklin, announced that constituent office hours will be held for the months of January and February on the following days:

Jan. 29: 10-11 a.m., Elizabeth’s Bagels, 456 W. Central St., Franklin.

Feb. 18: 8:30-9:30 a.m., Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St., Franklin.

Feb. 27: 9-10 a.m., Medway Muffin House, 116 Main St., Medway.

Christopher Yancich, his legislative aide, will accompany him.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160118/state-rep-roy-to-hold-constituent-office-hours-in-franklin-medway

Franklin School for the Performing Arts will host Massachusetts-area regional auditions for Broadway Artists Alliance of New York City on Jan. 24 at 38 Main St.

A complimentary master class will take place from 10 to 11:15 a.m., followed by a dance audition from noon to 1 p.m. and individual appointments for songs and monologues from 1 to 3 p.m.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160118/franklin-school-for-performing-arts-to-host-auditions-for-broadway-artists-alliance-of-new-york-city

The Town Council at its meeting this week will continue to discuss possible uses for a town-owned parcel on Pond Street - a topic that has some neighbors worried.

The council has scheduled time during its Wednesday night meeting to consider the subject.

For some time, the town has been looking for uses for the 33-acre plot, which abuts Interstate 495.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160118/franklin-council-to-discuss-pond-street-land

All-school meetings, an outdoor learning space and a new approach to learning math are among the accomplishments at Jefferson Elementary School this year, according to an update from Principal Linda Ashley and Assistant Principal Sarah Klim.

Ashley told the School Committee at a recent meeting one of the biggest developments is implementation of all-school meetings, in which all students attend a morning session about a particular topic.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160118/franklin-all-school-meetings-boon-for-jefferson-elementary--

Monday, January 18, 2016

Presidential Primary Schedule = Prepare for March 1

Absentee Ballots are now available in the Town Clerk's Office

February 10 = Last Day to Register to Vote and Change Party Enrollment for the Presidential Primary The Clerk's office will extend their hours that day until 8pm.

March 1 = Tuesday, MA Presidential Primary

Town Clerks Office
355 East Central Street
508-520-4900

MA Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm

election both at FHS gymnasium

FYI - the state primary and election calendar leading to the Nov 2016 election can be found here
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Election-Calendar-2015-2016-2-54.pdf