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Thursday, January 7, 2016
Lifelong Learning: Fitness For Active Older Americans AND Meditation, Too
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Live reporting: to closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
– Fiscal Forecast
to be posted to webpage this week (is as part of agenda doc now)
state aid is always an unknown, there are variations within the components
the charter school is looking to expand the school with a new facility, this could affect the reimbursement
when we saw the 17 and 18 numbers, it makes 19 look a little better
do have collective bargaining agreement with all the locals
teachers union remains to be worked by Schools
will be used by the Finance Committee as part of the budget process
change in harassment policy - for review by Council
L. OLD BUSINESS
Bissanti - alcohol awareness
Cerel - looking into this, no litigation to provide guidance
can provide before license is issued or if there is a problem
Jeff - survey sent to all the license holder, if they require training of their staff
Kelly - waiting for them to get their info together so we can put it on the agenda
draft report on DelCarte in couple of weeks (an update on an old item for Padula)
M. NEW BUSINESS
none
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Jones - happy new year, looking forward to goal setting session next Tuesday
Dellorco - Coalition, next meeting Feb 2, begins at 7 at FHS auditorium
Bissanti - happy new year, EDc has a lot of things going on
Pfeffer - happy new year
Vallee - rumors about the FHS football team with nasty remarks about
can someone enlighten me on how come we can't produce a winning team?
Mercer - open bids on Senior Center project last week, all 9 bids came in under budget, vetting low bidder; taking extra step to go to DECAM and vet the bidder their, looking to vote to award the contract. Beaver St possible entrance still under discussion
Padula - I had the privilige to be coached by Leone, it is a serious issue, the kids are affected by it, we are watching it and will weigh in on it
Pellegri - congrats to Alexis for MA Teen
can we keep the lights on through January?
Betty Noble, election worker and teacher for many years passed away this past week
Kelly - happy new year
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
- Pending or threatened litigation
Proposed Excelon expansion of Medway electric generating facility pending before Energy Facilities Siting Board.
Proposed Spectra gas transmission line through Franklin.
motion to go to executive session, seconded, passed 9-0
Live reporting: Legislation for action
(resumed after break)
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
EDC meeting
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 16-01: G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C, Property Tax Exemption
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
in 2010, the Council increased from 500 to 700, about 30 residents meet the requirements
Resolution 16-02: Amending the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-off Abatement Program
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
increase in minimum wage
very successful program, 88 people worked last year
increased to maximum amount 10/hr, $1000/year
Pfeffer, have to apply each year
more women than men
we can only take care of 88 seniors
Karen Alves sent a note to all the department heads to see what the opportunity will be
library may not need many with the relocation (they usually take 16)
we should be able to help more than 88 people!
what is the qualified senior citizens
first come first served, no means test, never hit the max of 100 people
Resolution 16-03: Acceptance of Gift – Recreation Dept.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
Resolution 16-04: Grant of Utility Easement – 275 Beaver Street
motion to waive the reading, seconded, passed 9-0
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
need to put a hole to add power to the Recreation building, utility company ready to go
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
EDC meeting
filled agenda,
discussed neighborhood business
residential 5
Pond St again on Jan 20th
light signs on i495 coming to a future agenda
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 16-01: G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C, Property Tax Exemption
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
in 2010, the Council increased from 500 to 700, about 30 residents meet the requirements
Resolution 16-02: Amending the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-off Abatement Program
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
increase in minimum wage
very successful program, 88 people worked last year
increased to maximum amount 10/hr, $1000/year
Pfeffer, have to apply each year
more women than men
we can only take care of 88 seniors
Karen Alves sent a note to all the department heads to see what the opportunity will be
library may not need many with the relocation (they usually take 16)
we should be able to help more than 88 people!
what is the qualified senior citizens
first come first served, no means test, never hit the max of 100 people
Resolution 16-03: Acceptance of Gift – Recreation Dept.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
Resolution 16-04: Grant of Utility Easement – 275 Beaver Street
motion to waive the reading, seconded, passed 9-0
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
need to put a hole to add power to the Recreation building, utility company ready to go
Live reporting: presentation on Spectra pipeline proposal
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- Spectra Pipeline – James Hill Franklin resident who coordinated the presentation by
Rand and Carolyn Barthel from Mendon
(copy of presentation to be added later)
the excess pipeline capacity won't be idle, it will be put to use to export the gas from the pipeline overseas
we would pay of the pipeline (via our surcharge) so they can export the gas to get a higher price for it overseas
climate change agreement in Paris would impose further restrictions upon what fossil fuels we would take from the ground; state has rule to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050
new pipelines are actually heading us in the wrong direction
photo of an incineration zone where a rupture occurred tells a story
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| screen grab of presentation during the meeting |
valves every ten miles would leave 10 miles worth of gas to be burnt out with a rupture
hazards for first responders
known carcinogens contained in the fracked gas
landowners can take action, they have some rights
comment in FERC process (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
want to spend time on the municipal rights
there are 10 towns affected by this pipeline, collaboration among the communities is possible
reminder on 3 minutes for comment, please keep comments orderly and professional
- Gail Chirdon
from a town in PA where fracking is being done and water can't be used due to the contamination
environmental impact is an issue
Williamsport, PA - the home of the Little League World Series
- James Hill
lives a couple of hundred yards from the utility lines
received notice from Spectra, first notice of leak to notify Spectra, his notification indicated he lives in the 'danger zone', not within his home but within the utility lines
thanks for Rand and Carolyn for making the presentation
- Ted McIntyre
thanks to the Council for listening
- to add name
gas bill rates will be increased due to costs maintaining their 'distribution system'
transmission pipelines do not have the tell tail odor added to them
reference to a WBUR article talking of the pipelines as a 'classic overbuild'
- James Schultz
warm spring night in 1994, finishing off work and heading to the bar
saw a fireball in the sky, seemed like a nuclear attic and headed to the student center
pipeline explosion in Edison, NJ
major destruction in a densely populated area
having seen this personally, it could happen here
- Karen Lavery
thank you for an excellent presentation
2 points, this will cost the town money
why would we consider it when we won't benefit and it will cost os
if the gas companies had a proven record of good repairs it may be a different story
more leaks, more accidents, just crazy
Vallee -
Rand - they are asking us to pay for their facility to expand their service
with the global reductions, we will be going the other way
Vallee - had burned oil for years, no going with gas, never had a problem
Rand - in some respects it is cleaner than oil, particulates from coal,
gas is more convenient in some cases, from a climate point of view it is as bad as coal
it is a given that there will be a leak, methane is worse than carbon dioxide
so you've eliminated the advantages of burning cleaner
Vallee - I see gas as being for the greater good, I'll listen to more arguments
(add name) I urged these guys to spend more time on yes or no, and understanding how to say yes or no is important. It is an important tool in the tool box. Rich Cowan, retired regulator, 30% of the demand can be solved by fixing the leaks. the 'need' really needs to be peeled back to find out what the real need is
Padula - can you relay to us what our options are to how to say no
Terra Friedrichs 15-20 mins review with the counsel to review the current cases to see what
the proposal was re-routed to NH
the applicant has the burden of proof, Spectra has to show the national and public interest to override municipal powers
Bissanti - thank you for coming tonight. I did participate one night at Chestnut St
what can we do? from a track record stand point, how have you done?
Terra Friedrichs - on the fracking battle, Federal regulations govern fracked gas, local courts have ruled in PA for the local communities
route completely changed for the 13 towns, did the coalition do it, we are not sure, the route did change
Spectra will want you to play with FERC's rules, FERC gets their budget from the application fees from the various pipeline companies (potential conflict of interest)
Dellorco - as a town we do not do permits for this?
Terra Friedrichs - 401 water quality permit
professor at BU has found leaks and mapped them, showing the high concentrations of methane coming from the ground, fixing them can be complicated. Only fixed leaks where it was in their interest to do so
Jones - 30 diameter, approx depth?
Rand - approx 3 feet to avoid frost heaves, can go deeper to avoid things, have gone under rivers
Jones - looking to use the same right of way to put the new 30" next to the 24" pipeline, infrastructure does need to be helped, would need to be careful installing it?
Rand - yes, clearly. It is possible to have an accident, will likely have to widen the right of way
Jones - seismic issues not really in our area
Rand - we haven't dealt with tat as part of our presentation
Terra Friedrichs - per the export applications, they are waiting for these to do the exports
Carolyn - Spectra is adding LNG in order to say they are not doing this just for export but those towns don't want the LNG
Terra Friedrichs - we would use it so fast we could not store it, which means we really don't need it
I would urge you to ask your legal team how you can consider stopping
Spectra will be here on Feb 24th to make their presentation
(2 minute recess)
Live reporting: Town Council - Jan 6, 2016
Present: Pelegri, Padula, Mercer, Vallee, Kelly, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– December 16, 2015
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting is also being recorded by others.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
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
none
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– December 16, 2015
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting is also being recorded by others.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
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
none
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
Annual Report - 2015: Public Schools
On behalf of the students, parent, faculty and the community we are pleased to submit this report about the activities and accomplishments of the Franklin Public Schools for the 2014-2015 school year.
The school year celebrated the official opening of the New FHS on September 1, 2014. Our faculty and administration began a journey together to learn about the new high school. The technology and innovative instructional spaces would have positive impact on the educational outcomes for students. The opening of the new HS signaled the implementation of a 1-1 technology initiative and all students and staff were assigned security lanyards. New labs and instructional spaces allowed our faculty to offer innovative courses that are not available to many college students. We opened with an additional 130 students on the first day of school. September 20, 2014 marked the official opening of the building with a celebration that included the entire community. In October a sprinkler head burst at the Annie Sullivan Middle school causing that school to be closed for four days. The 2014-2015 school year was marked by one of the most challenging winters in recent memory.
Back -to- back blizzards in February, 2015 made opening schools a challenge and as the snow piled up it had to be hauled off by trucks. In spring of 2015, the Helen Keller Elementary School was awarded a pilot program for a Best Buddies program. As the first K-5 Best Buddies Program in the world we are excited to make this club a success. During the 2014-2015 academic year our students excelled scholastically, athletically, in the arts and in all extracurricular activities while making a profound impact on their community with a wide range of community service projects. We implemented EnVisions Math at the elementary level and as a district we participated in the PARCC Assessment pilot. While we had a few glitches our implementation was successful. We collected feedback from student and staff and shared the data with state education officials. Our faculty and staff are passionate in their work with our students and they are tireless in seeking new opportunities for all students. As advocates for public education, we extend our collective appreciation to the many employees and residents of the Franklin community who provide support for the Franklin Public Schools.
Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.
Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.
Core Values
- Student Achievement
All students are entitled to academic excellence, appropriate facilities and quality materials and instruction.
- Social / Civic Expectations
Students will become engaged, responsible citizens who respect the dignity and diversity of all individuals and cultures.
- School Climate
Through our words and our actions, we create a culture of civility, thoughtfulness, appreciation and approachability.
- School / Community Relationships
An active commitment among family, community and schools is vital to student learning.
- Community Resources for Learning
We partner with all members of the community to exchange ideas, solve problems and build a comprehensive educational experience.
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The FY 2016 proposed school district budget is driven by two key factors:
Personnel Salaries and Contractual Obligations:
The FY2016 proposed budget includes funding for all known collective bargaining increases. The overall salary recommendation does not include costs for employees who are expected to be absent for the year due to an unpaid leave of absence. The net increase in personnel costs amounts to $1,072,091.Human resources continue to be our most valuable asset as indicated by the fact that eighty-five percent of the FY2016 budget is comprised of salaries and health benefits. The remaining fifteen percent accounts for payment for students attending out-of-district placements, transportation, and other expenses, mainly supplies and contracted services.
New Positions:
Secondary Level:
The FY2016 proposed budget includes funding for four new middle school teaching positions in an effort to maintain class sizes with increasing enrollment at the middle level. A .6FTE English Language Learning specialist is included to maintain compliance with regulations to address the needs of students whose primary language is not English. One high school teacher is included to address the increase in enrollment.
Elementary Level:
Three elementary math specialists are included in the proposed FY2016 budget. Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks were revised in 2011 and we are still in the process of aligning and adjusting. The math specialists have been an integral part of this work and the work will continue for the next few years, especially as we move into next generation testing.
The adoption of enVisions math is assisting us in the implementation of the new standards. However, there is much work to be done to support teachers and students. The current math specialists have been charged with creating 4 benchmark assessments in all grades to ensure consistency across the district. These are to be used as common assessments and to supplement enVisions with real world problem solving. The benchmarks incorporate questions similar to those found on statewide testing. The assessments within enVisions are more simplistic and do not have enough rigor for our students. Creation, implementation, monitoring, and analyzing these assessments is time-consuming, but yields valuable information about the program and student progress.
This is the third year that we have been working with the workshop model in our math classes. The model is similar to what has been used successfully in literacy. This allows us to formatively assess each student and differentiate the work according to what is needed for success. Teachers have needed ongoing support from the math specialists, who have been creating and delivering high quality professional development experiences for teachers in their role as instructional coaches. The goal is that with increased capacity internally, we will reduce our need for external consultants in the future. This is the model used in literacy, but requires the math specialists to have the time to plan and develop these programs. Additional math specialists in the proposed FY2016 budget would allow for one full time equivalent position at each elementary school to build capacity.
Health Care Benefits:
For FY 2016, health care premiums were expected to increase 10.9%, $482,361. The Town and School administration and the Insurance Advisory Committee continued to explore ways to reduce health care costs while at the same time improve overall health and wellness of employees. We anticipate the need to change insurance carriers to see a smaller increase of 4.7% or $211,849. In addition, the establishment of a wellness committee has been instrumental in providing additional opportunities for all employees to improve their physical health and well-being. At this time, as Franklin’s Insurance Advisory Committee continues to work towards keeping premium increases to a minimum, the Town and its employees have obtained significant cost savings over the past several years. We are encouraged by this level of collaboration and we continue to explore additional cost containment measures.
Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015 -> http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2015report.pdf
Continue with the Public Schools section of the Annual Report. Page 142 picks up where this leaves off and provides a section on each of the 10 schools in the district.
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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]
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| Franklin High School in the rain |
For additional information on the Public Schools visit their page on the Town of Franklin website:
- School Committee http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/index
- Central Office http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/index
In the News: Council to help seniors, youth baseball registrations open
The Town Council is set at its meeting tonight to consider two measures to help senior citizens with their tax bills in the coming year.
The meeting agenda includes two items for legislative action: the increase of the town's elderly exemption and a raise of the cap for the town's senior tax work-off program.
Meeting paperwork proposes an elderly exemption increase from $750 to $1,000, effective July 1. The exemption applies to eligible property owners who are more than 70 years old.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160106/franklin-town-council-to-consider-senior-tax-credits
Online registration for Franklin Youth Baseball is now open and available at franklinyouthbaseball.com.
For new players and returning players who want to pay their registration fee by check, the organization will have open registrations from 8 a.m. to noon, Jan. 30 and Feb. 6 at the Franklin Elks Lodge, 1077 Pond St.
Also, parents who are interested in coaching, head or assistant, can register online as well.
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| image from Franklin Youth Baseball website |
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160105/franklin-youth-baseball-opens-spring-registration-seeks-volunteers
FHS wrestling tops Taunton
Wrestling
- Taunton, 6 @ Franklin, 59 – Final
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| one of a series of Hockomock Sports photos of the Franklin vs. Taunton wrestling match |
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20152016/Winter-201516/Franklin-Taunton-Wrestling-1-5/i-v7C2qfr
For additional results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-010516/
Lifelong Learning: Sports, Exercise & Dance - All Winter Long
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Women's Success Network invites you - Feb 3
Women’s Success Network (WSN) invites you to join us for an evening of networking and connecting on Wednesday, February 3 from 6 – 9PM at Lake Pearl in Wrentham. The program is conducted by WSN’s own members and it consists of Table Topics: a selection of topics of expertise based on the women who are speaking. Come learn about everything from Health and Wellness to Investments and Real Estate, and Legal, from Mediation to Social Media and Blogging and many other topics.
WSN is one of the oldest and largest women’s networking group in Massachusetts. WSN offers a supportive environment for women to grow their businesses and build strong and lasting relationships. The monthly meetings feature networking, dinner and speakers related to business or personal growth. WSN members are fun, supportive, and energetic. The evening is geared for women to network with one another and we welcome guests to join our monthly meetings.
Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. To register for the next meeting and find out more details please visit https://www.wsninc.org by Tuesday, January 26th, 2016.
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| screen grab of Women's Success Network webpage |
WSN is one of the oldest and largest women’s networking group in Massachusetts. WSN offers a supportive environment for women to grow their businesses and build strong and lasting relationships. The monthly meetings feature networking, dinner and speakers related to business or personal growth. WSN members are fun, supportive, and energetic. The evening is geared for women to network with one another and we welcome guests to join our monthly meetings.
Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. To register for the next meeting and find out more details please visit https://www.wsninc.org by Tuesday, January 26th, 2016.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Senior Center: Memory Cafe for January
This month's Memory Cafe will be held as usual on the third Thursday of the month, January 21st at 3:00 at the Franklin Senior Center.
The Memory Cafe is for Caregivers and their loved ones living with memory loss. It is a safe and supportive environment where families can socialize and feel at ease.
This month we are happy to have three or four Franklin middle and high school students who will be playing some older familiar tunes on the violin and viola. They will be led by Kathleen Woods Studio.
The Cafe is open to all in the community and free of charge. For more information please call Elaine Owens at 508-520-4945. We encourage you to sign up so that we have an idea as to how many we will have at each cafe. Refreshments are served!
The Memory Cafe is for Caregivers and their loved ones living with memory loss. It is a safe and supportive environment where families can socialize and feel at ease.
This month we are happy to have three or four Franklin middle and high school students who will be playing some older familiar tunes on the violin and viola. They will be led by Kathleen Woods Studio.
The Cafe is open to all in the community and free of charge. For more information please call Elaine Owens at 508-520-4945. We encourage you to sign up so that we have an idea as to how many we will have at each cafe. Refreshments are served!
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| Senior Center - Legislator feedback - Fri Jan 15th |
Annual Report - 2015: Treasurer-Collector
Fiscal 2015 has been another very busy year in the Treasurer-Collector’s office.
The fiscal year began and ended with very low investment interest rates (MMDT – .20%). On the borrowing side, the low rates had a positive effect. In February of 2015 we refunded bonds from 2006 and 2007 for $6,920,000. The refinancing will generate total savings of $603,906 over the remaining life of the Bonds. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC was the winning bidder on the Bonds with an average interest rate of 1.931%.
Prior to the sale, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a municipal credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AA+ bond rating. The rating agency cited the Town’s very strong economy, strong management with good financial policies, strong budgetary flexibility, very strong liquidity, very strong debt and contingent liability position and strong institutional framework as positive credit factors.
In May of 2015 we issued a 1 year Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) for $3,250,000. It included $3 million for continued FHS construction and $250,000 for Library planning and design. TD Bank was the winning bidder on the BAN with a weighted average interest cost of .3747%.
During FY 2015, $152,140 was collected in back property taxes, interest and fees. Fourteen property owners paid off all outstanding taxes and redeemed their properties out of tax title. We continue to pursue delinquent taxes through the foreclosure process and there are currently 30 properties in Land Court. Since 2001 we have foreclosed on 55 properties. Some properties will eventually be auctioned off and the rest will remain as town property.
There were 899 Municipal Lien Certificates issued by the Treasurer-Collector’s office generating revenue of $44,950. Also collected was $2,856.00 in fees for duplicate bills and files that we supplied to tax services and escrow agents. During FY15, the Treasurer-Collector’s office printed and mailed 43,632 Real Estate Tax bills; 2,140 Personal Property Tax bills; 32,821 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax bills; and 39,359 Utility bills. The following Demands were also printed and mailed; 588 Real Estate Tax, 98 Personal Property Tax, and 4,422 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. There were 2,013 Motor Vehicle warrants issued in FY15. There were 14 Betterment releases (water, sewer and road) generating revenue of $56. We also collected $96,600 for backflow testing and $63,500 for Sprinkler/Hydrant charges.
The Treasurer also acts as the town’s parking clerk. Our deputy collector, Kelley and Ryan Associates of Hopedale, handles the billing and collection of parking tickets. During FY15 we collected $30,890 for parking violations.
I would like to thank all town departments for the timely and accurate turnover of fees to the Treasurer-Collector’s office. I also would like to thank the first-class staff of the Treasurer-Collector’s office for their continued hard work. Finally, I thank the citizens of Franklin for their continued support.
Respectfully submitted,
James P. Dacey
Treasurer-Collector
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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
For additional information you can visit the Treasurer-Collector's page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Treasurer/index
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| screen grab of online bill payment service for Franklin |
You can pay your water/sewer/trash bills online
https://unipaygold.unibank.com/Default.aspx?customerid=721
Radiolab - "The Fix" (audio)
Radiolab is one of the podcasts I have queued to listen to on the commute or when it is convenient. This episode is particularly catching as it discusses some hopeful advances on the addiction front.
You can find additional reference link on the Radiolab webpage for this episode here
http://www.radiolab.org/story/addiction/
"This episode we take a sober look at the throbbing, aching, craving desire states that return people (again and again) to the object of their addiction … and the pills that just might set them free.
Reporter Amy O’Leary was fed up with her ex-boyfriend’s hard-drinking, when she discovered a French doctor’s memoir titled The End of My Addiction. The fix that he proposed seemed too good to be true. But her phone call with the doctor left her, and us, even more intrigued. Could this malady – so often seen as moral and spiritual - really be beaten back with a pill?
We talk to addiction researcher Dr. Anna Rose Childress, addiction psychologist Dr. Mark Willenbring, journalist Gabrielle Glaser, The National Institute of Health’s Dr. Nora Volkow, and scores of people dealing with substance abuse as we try to figure out whether we're in the midst of a sea change in how we think about addiction."
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| via Radiolab - (Photo Credit: Jonathan Cohen/Flickr) |
You can find additional reference link on the Radiolab webpage for this episode here
http://www.radiolab.org/story/addiction/
FHS basketball results; girls post win, boys lose tight game to Taunton
The FHS boys basketball team dropped a tight game against Taunton while the girls team won on Monday night. The results courtesy of Hockomock Sports.
For all the results around the Hockomock League on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-010416/
Ryan Lanigan, Editor-in-Chief of Hockomock Sports, provides an in-depth report on the boys game against Taunton:
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tauntons-late-push-earns-win-on-the-road-at-franklin/
Boys Basketball
Taunton, 57 @ Franklin, 53 – Final– Taunton outscored Franklin 20-10 in the final quarter to secure the win. Five different players scored in double figures for Taunton: Quan Roberson had 14 points, Tommy MacLean had 11 points, four rebounds and seven assists, Carlos Borrero had 11 points and five assists, Dominique Smith had 11 points and six rebounds and Jose Mercado had 10 points and eight rebounds. Franklin’s Tim Prunier had 15 points and four assists, sophomore Connor Peterson had 11 points and Kevin Gill had 10 points for the Panthers.
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| FHS Panthers |
Girls Basketball
Franklin, 50 @ Taunton, 32 – Final– Lauren Rudolph was the top scorer for the Panthers with 15 points and Carli Koffinke added 11 for Franklin.
For all the results around the Hockomock League on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-010416/
Ryan Lanigan, Editor-in-Chief of Hockomock Sports, provides an in-depth report on the boys game against Taunton:
With a two point lead and just under a minute to play, Taunton head coach Charlie Dacey called a timeout. With the inbounds coming just over half court, the Tigers tried to run a double screen to get junior Tommy MacLean an open look but Franklin covered it perfectly.
Instead, senior point guard Carlos Borrero took off to the basket, drew a defender and used a perfect bounce pass to hit Dominique Smith for an easy bucket to extend the lead to four with just 40 seconds to play.
Taunton’s defense held off Franklin’s ensuing chance and picked up a key 57-53 win on the road over the Panthers.Continue reading the article online
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tauntons-late-push-earns-win-on-the-road-at-franklin/
"Porter Ranch Natural Gas Leak Spews 150 Million Pounds of Methane, Will Take Months to Fix" (video)
In light of the proposed expansion of the gas pipeline through Franklin, this story should see daylight.
http://ecowatch.com/2016/01/04/porter-ranch-methane-leak/?utm_source=EcoWatch%20List&utm_campaign=c62da27979-Top_News_1_4_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-c62da27979-86023293
Other resources reporting on this story:
http://www.scpr.org/news/2015/11/23/55836/porter-ranch-methane-leak-increasing-california-s/
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/epa-probes-porter-ranch-natural-gas-leak/story?id=36052183
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0104-gas-leak-20160104-story.html
http://www.dailynews.com/business/20160104/socalgas-expanding-resource-center-dealing-with-porter-ranch-gas-leak
"In the nation’s biggest environmental disaster since the BP oil spill, a runaway natural gas leak above Los Angeles has emitted more than 150 million pounds of methane. Thousands of residents in the community of Porter Ranch, California, have been evacuated and put in temporary housing. The fumes have caused headaches and nosebleeds. The company responsible, Southern California Gas Company, says it could take 3 to 4 months to stop the breach.
We are joined by two guests: renowned consumer advocate and legal researcher Erin Brockovich, who helped win the biggest class action lawsuit in American history and is now working to seek justice for victims of the Porter Ranch gas leak, and David Balen, president of Renaissance Homeowners Association, which is located just outside of the breached well site."
http://ecowatch.com/2016/01/04/porter-ranch-methane-leak/?utm_source=EcoWatch%20List&utm_campaign=c62da27979-Top_News_1_4_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-c62da27979-86023293
Other resources reporting on this story:
http://www.scpr.org/news/2015/11/23/55836/porter-ranch-methane-leak-increasing-california-s/
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/epa-probes-porter-ranch-natural-gas-leak/story?id=36052183
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0104-gas-leak-20160104-story.html
http://www.dailynews.com/business/20160104/socalgas-expanding-resource-center-dealing-with-porter-ranch-gas-leak
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