Town of Franklin: Post Storm Update

Good Morning. Gary Premo calling with an post storm update. 

National Grid reports appr 1400 customers without power in Franklin. They will continue to work on restoring power throughout the day, and report all should be restored by 9pm tonight. 

• If you encounter a downed wired, do not approach; call 911. 
• If you need a hot shower, the YMCA has offered their facility at 45 Forge Hill Road. 
• If you need to recharge electronic devices, you may do so at Fire HQ, 40 W Central St.

Thank you for listening; stay safe.

This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

sunset post storm on Friday, Feb 5

MA Senate Passes Public Records Reform Bill

Today (2/4/16) the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously passed legislation reforming how the state handles public records.  The legislation, originally sponsored by Senator Jason Lewis, is the first update to the public records law since the early 1970s.

"An accessible, transparent government is fundamental to the democratic process," said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "This bill strengthens our public records law to improve access and make the process of requesting records simpler, clearer and more fair. Thank you to my colleagues in the Senate and advocates on all sides of this issue for engaging in a collaborative effort to bring our public records law into the 21st century, while providing flexibility for municipalities and agencies."

The legislation will reduce costs for records requestors and ensure timely compliance with public records requests. The bill also brings Massachusetts in line with 47 other states and the federal government in allowing attorney's fees to be awarded to plaintiffs who are victorious in court when denied records. The bill requires attorney fees to be awarded, except in certain defined situations.

Under the legislation, each state agency and municipality is required to appoint at least one public records access officer to serve as the point of contact for all public records requests and coordinate a timely and thorough response.  The public records officer does not have to be a new employee. 

The bill limits the amount that state agencies and municipalities can charge for production of the records.  The limits are set at 5 cents per page for copies, down from 20 to 50 cents per page under current law, and the cost of a storage device.  The bill requires state agencies to provide four free hours of employee time and two free hours for municipalities. Charges for requests that require more time are limited to $25 per hour. 

The bill prohibits charging for records if the agency or municipality does not provide the record within 15 days of the request or does not respond to the requestor within ten days.  It also requires punitive damages up to $5,000 if a court determines the government entity did not act in good faith. 

Finally the bill requires state entities and encourages municipalities to post online many commonly requested public records.  In addition, records are required to be provided in electronic format unless requested otherwise.

The bill will now be reconciled with the version passed by the House of Representatives before being sent to the Governor. 

Franklin Matters Note: this is a good improvement over the House version but still not enough. What will come out of the Senate House reconciliation remains to be seen.

HMEA: Beatles concert - February 27th, 2016

The Beatles are back!

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The Beatles are back to benefit HMEA!  Greetings, Come enjoy the best of the Beatles early albums including 'A Hard Days Night' and 'Help!'  WHO: "STUDIO TWO" Beatles Tribute Band WHAT: Concert to benefit HMEA, Inc. WHEN: Saturday, February 27th, 2016 | 7 pm - 10 pm WHERE: The Black Box, 15 W Central St, Franklin, MA 02038 Presented by: Lippolis Plumbing Hot and cold snacks will be provided and a cash bar will be available.  REFRESHMENTS - DOOR PRIZES - RAFFLE PRIZES $15/Per person - available in advance or at the door For ticket information visit: hmea.org/beatlesconcert There are only 200 tickets available. Reserve your tickets now! All proceeds will benefit HMEA, Inc. (Horace Mann Educational Associates) HMEA is a non-profit agency supporting children and adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities. hmea.org STAY CONNECTED:

Forward this email HMEA | 8 Forge Park East | Franklin | MA | 02038

Foreign Language Classes Start Soon

February  - Foreign Language -  Preview Franklin Public Schools - Lifelong Learning Institute   The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning February 2016 Monthly Spotlight Foreign Language Classes Begin Your Foreign Language Adventure Now  Don't miss out  Classes Begin on February 23 Register Today French for Travelers (French I)    Pamela Ringrose, Instructor  Bonjour! Are you planning a trip to France? Through situational vocabulary framed in a cultural context, you will learn the basics to make a stay in France even more pleasant. So buy your ticket and prepare to learn about greeting, sightseeing, ordering food and shopping - in the style of France!  Italian for Travelers (Italian I)  Pamela Ringrose, Instructor Buongiorno! Are you planning a trip to Italy? Through situational vocabulary framed in a cultural context, you will learn the basics to make a stay in Italy even more pleasant. So buy your ticket and prepare to learn about greeting, sightseeing, ordering food and shopping - Italian style!  Intermediate Conversational Italian  (Italian II) Pamela Ringrose, Instructor Did you enjoy your intro to the Italian language in Italian I so much that you want to continue delving further into this beautiful language? Whether you are traveling to Italy, or just practicing here at home, this class offers you the opportunity to increase your vocabulary, knowledge of grammar and to practice your pronunciation with an experienced instructor. The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning   508-613-1480  adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us  | www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com Proud to be part of the Franklin Public Schools Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.

Forward this email FPS- Life Long Learning | 355 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

In the News: Coaches vs Cancer, foreign language classes

The Franklin High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams and head coaches C.J. Neely and John Leighton will team up with the American Cancer Society to participate in the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative during the 5:30 and 7 p.m. games on Feb. 5 at 218 Oak St. 

Note: due to the snowstorm on Friday the games have been rescheduled for Sunday, Feb 7. The girls play at noon, the boys at 1:30 PM.  

During the Panthers’ games against King Philip, fans will have an opportunity to take part in fundraising activities that will benefit the work of the American Cancer Society and its Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. 

Donations will be collected onsite. The girls’ game begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by the boys at 7 p.m. 

For more information, contact or Greg McKeever at 508-270-4823 or greg.mckeever@cancer.org. 

Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers all coaches, their teams and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. 

For more information, visit coachesvscancer.org.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160205/franklin-high-school-basketball-to-host-coaches-vs-cancer-games

FHS Panthers

The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning, a program of the Franklin Public School’s Lifelong Learning Institute, will offer foreign language classes beginning Feb. 23 at Franklin High School, 218 Oak St. 

The offerings will include French I for Travelers, beginning Feb. 23; Italian I for Travelers, beginning Feb. 24; and Intermediate Conversational Italian II, beginning Feb. 25.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160205/franklins-adult-education-program-to-offer-foreign-language-classes

Franklin Art Association - meeting March 2

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, March 2, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street.

Franklin Art Association

Refreshments and socialization will begin at 6:30 

The program will feature Rockport artist Chris Coyne. Chris will do a watercolor demo. 

Meetings are free and open to the public. 

For more information please visit our web site at www.franklinart.org or www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc

......

Chris Coyne is a Rockport Massachusetts based plein air painter working in the Cape Ann tradition. Using Gruppe's palette he paints in both oils and watercolors and is comfortable in the field or in the studio. 

A member of numerous art associations, he plies his trade from mountain to sea, producing marine art, landscapes and village scenes, as well as the occasional portrait and still life. 

Both traditionally trained and self taught, Mr Coyne enjoys giving back to the art by sharing his love of painting and art through teaching and demonstrating in the classroom and in the field. 

website: www.coynefineart.com

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/5/16 - THU 2/11/16

FRIDAY 2/5/16
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at the Franklin Art Center
8pm   Choreographer’s Concert at Dean College

SATURDAY 2/6/16
8am-1pm   Bone Marrow Registration Drive for Jennifer Felicetti at the Franklin YMCA
10am-12pm   Information Session and Building Tour of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
2pm   FSPA in The Box: Grease
7:30pm   FSPA in The Box: Grease
8pm   Choreographer’s Concert at Dean College

SUNDAY 2/7/16
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast at Franklin Rod and Gun Club

TUESDAY 2/9/16
6:30-8pm   Knitting Circle for Adults at Franklin Public Library
7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee monthly meeting at the Franklin YMCA. Public welcome.

WEDNESDAY 2/10/16
6:30-7:30pm   Open House at the Franklin High School for course selection for incoming 9th graders.

THURSDAY 2/11/16
6:30-8:30pm   Relay For Life Fundraiser: Wine Tasting, food, raffles at Pour Richard's

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