FHS girls hockey team tops Dover-Sherborn/Hopkinton

Only one result to share from Thursday's Hockomock League sports action. The FHS girls hockey team won handily against the combined Dover-Sherborn/Hopkinton team. Results courtesy of Hockomock Sports.

FHS Panthers

Girls Hockey

• Franklin, 7 vs. Dover-Sherborn/Hopkinton, 0 – Final

http://www.hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-021116/

NO Adult Education Classes Next Week

DON'T FORGET There will be NO Adult Education classes during the week of February 14. All schools will be closed for February vacation. Classes will resume during the week of February 21.          See you then! The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning 218 Oak Street Franklin, Massachusetts 02038 (508) 613-1480

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

"You’re not going to see too many teams of that caliber"

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of Hockomock Sports.com writes:

"There is not a single player that took the ice for Franklin on Wednesday night that had ever played against perennial power Malden Catholic. The game was billed as a rematch of last year’s Super 8 first round but in truth it was more of a learning experience, a building block for the Panthers. 

With a Div. 1 tournament berth locked up and a fifth straight Kelley-Rex division title already sewn up, the Panthers used the exclusion game against the Lancers at Pirelli Veterans Memorial Rink as preparation for the playoffs. 

Although the Lancers skated away with a 6-0 victory, the chance to play the No. 2 team in the state could be a boost for Franklin. 

“They’re stronger, faster. No doubt about it,” said Franklin coach Chris Spillane. 

“Every 50-50 battle they won. They’re good with puck possession and they’re faster.”

Continue reading the article online
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mc-loss-a-learning-experience-for-panthers/

Franklin goalie Nick Jasinski (31) makes one of his 19 saves against Malden Catholic on Wednesday. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

In the News: bowling may return, Rec Dept praised, sub committee to look at school calendar

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"When Ficco's Bowladrome closed last June, it brought to an end a 79-year legacy of bowling in downtown. 

The possibility of a return is alive now that a group of businessmen is attempting to bring bowling back to town, using equipment - pin setters, ball returns and automatic scoring system - once used at Ficco's. 

Franklin resident Andy Trockman, the group's operations manager, said his connection to the bowling alley was personal."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160210/bowling-may-make-comeback-to-franklin

"Town Council members praised the local Recreation Department recently for working to expand its offerings and the number of people it serves. 

The council heard an update from department director Ryan Jette on a number of initiatives at its meeting last week. 

Among the programs the department offers, Jette said, are flag football, field hockey and basketball, as well as classes on such topics as babysitting, social netiquette and art."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160209/franklin-rec-praised-for-expanded-programs

"A new subcommittee will consider whether Franklin schools should continue to have February and April vacations. 

School Committee member Mary Jane Scofield will lead the group, it was announced at a committee meeting Tuesday night. 

School Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley thanked Scofield for taking on the task, saying she had relevant experience in the matter."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160210/franklin-subcommittee-will-study-school-calendar-changes

Baseball and softball clinics this March at FHS

FHS coaches and athletes will conduct baseball and softball clinics this March at the high school. Additional details including fees and registration information can be found in the two links listed here.

FHS Panthers

• Softball clinic

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160210/franklin-high-school-to-host-softball-clinic

• Baseball clinics

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160210/registration-opens-for-franklin-high-school-spring-training-clinics

Franklin Rod and Gun Club Event - Feb 21

Come join us for our annual Game Supper at the Franklin Rod and Gun Club, Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 2pm. 

We are located at 53 Florence Street in Franklin.

Franklin Rod and Gun Club 

Cash bar opens at 1pm.

Ticket donations are $25 per person.
To reserve tickets or for more information please contact us at info@franklinrodandgun.org

MassBudget: Tools for Understanding State Budget Proposals

MassBudget resources to use during the budget season

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Tools for Understanding State Budget Proposals  On January 27th, the Governor kicked off state budget season by releasing a detailed Fiscal Year 2017 budget proposal. While the final state budget is largely crafted by the Legislature, the Governor's proposal begins an important process of determining what we as a Commonwealth hope to do together through our government, and detailing how we will pay for those things. Key subsequent steps in the process: In April, the House will debate and approve its FY 2017 budget proposal. In May, the Senate does the same. In June, a joint House/Senate conference committee will reconcile differences between these two budgets. The final budget plan, which requires the Governor's signature, will ideally be completed by July 1st, the beginning of FY 2017. Since the state budget is often the most important policy document of the year, our team at MassBudget works hard to produce the following resources for helping you stay informed and engaged in the public debate. We hope you find them useful! Budget Monitors (hyperlink in title) Shortly after each major budget release, we produce a written Budget Monitor that analyzes major proposals across a range of key areas (e.g. education, transportation, health care, revenue). As soon as they're written, we send Monitors out to our email list and post them on our website. Here is our Governor's Budget Monitor, which we released last week, and here is our FY 2017 Budget Preview, which lays out major fiscal challenges entering next year. Budget Browser Our Budget Browser, which we just updated with all of the Governor's FY 2017 spending proposals, is a user-friendly online tool where you can track all state spending back to FY 2001. You can drill down to individual programs (called line items) or look at clusters of programs that support similar activities (e.g. Child Welfare). You can adjust for inflation so that comparisons make sense over time, and you can generate your own tables and graphs. Each line item of the Browser has a "Proposals" tab, where you can compare each of the FY 2017 proposals as they are released. Children's Budget and Jobs and Workforce Budget These two web tools are similar to the Budget Browser in that they track state funding for programs in these areas--state programs related to children and state programs that support jobs and workforce training. But they go an important step further by also including written program descriptions and links to other useful resources for more detail. These tools are also updated during the budget season.                                Finally, do not hesitate to reach out directly to any of our analysts, who are the true experts behind each of these great resources. You'll find contact information and their respective research areas on our website's staff page. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Blackstone River Theatre - Blackstone Valley Bluegrass returns!

COMING SOON TO BRT!                      February 13, 8 PM, $15 BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS BAND February 20, 8 PM, $15 ATWATER-DONNELLY TRIO February 27, 8 PM, $15 MATT FLINNER TRIO with special guest DAROL ANGER Sunday, February 28, 4-6 PM ROOTS MUSIC APPRECIATION CLASS WITH DUKE ROBILLARD Friday, March 4, 8 PM, $22 advance / $26 day of ALASDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS March 5, 8 PM, $15 advance / $18 day of RUNA March 12, 8 PM, $15 advance / $18 day of PENDRAGON celebrates St. Patrick's Day! March 13, 7 PM, $15 adv / $18 day of THE PAUL McKENNA BAND March 19, 2 PM matinee $12  / $6 children EASTERN MEDICINE SINGERS sponsored by Navigant Credit Union March 19, 8 PM, $25 MARK O'CONNOR & MAGGIE O'CONNOR American Classics       THANK YOU to everyone who attended Blackstone River Theatre's 5th annual Summer Solstice Festival!  We will see you   this year on June 18 The first band we will announce is an exciting trio called BARRULE who plays music from their native home of Isle of Man. Listen HERE    Quick Links... BRT Website     Directions to BRT BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS ATWATER-DONNELLY TRIO Tickets often available at door but to ensure a seat CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 401-725-9272 Please understand that when a show is SOLD OUT, it truly is! We must adhere to fire codes and it truly is not possible to fit "just one more"... especially when we have had several people ask to do the same! If a show at BRT has an advance price & a day-of-show price it means: If you pre-pay OR call in your reservation any time before the show date, you get the advance price. If you show up at the door with no reservations OR call in your reservations on the same day as the show, you will pay the day-of show-price. NOTE for prepaid tickets or if reservations have been made but not pre-paid: If you reduce the number of tickets requested or paid for at the box office on the night of the performance, that ticket must still be paid for! BRT requires 24 hour notice for cancellations or you will be charged for all seats reserved. This Saturday we bring back the amazing picking and beautiful 4-part harmonies of BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS ... On Feb. 20 we see the return of the ATWATER-DONNELLY TRIO   and on Feb. 27 we present the BRT debut of the Matt Flinner Trio with guest fiddler extraordinaire Darol Anger. BRT has an incredible winter and spring season lined up for you ... AND we are getting closer to the launch of our redesigned website! Please LIKE us on Facebook.   And please share what we do with YOUR friends!  https://www.facebook.com/BlackstoneRiverTheatre     Hope to see you soon... Russell Gusetti, Executive Director   BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS        Brothers Bob and Dave Dick from Sutton, Mass., renowned musicians and celebrated recording artists, regularly wow audiences with their award-winning picking. The Taylor-Nowlan bass/mandolin combo has been together in numerous bands since 1989. Put these four longtime friends together and you have a group that has excellent musicianship, high energy and a true love of the music. Blackstone Valley Bluegrass plays breakdowns and gospel, fiddle tunes and waltzes and features strong four-part harmonies. Bob Dick plays guitar and sings lead and harmony vocals for the band. He toured for 12 years with Front Range, with whom he recorded five albums on the Sugar Hill label, playing rhythm guitar and adding some rapid-fire flat picking. Dave Dick plays banjo, guitar, and mandolin and he sings harmony and occasional lead vocals. He has been a member of several popular bands including Southern Rail, Salamander Crossing and Northern Lights. Although primarily known as a banjo player, Dave also shines on the guitar and mandolin and his imaginative playing style always dazzles the audience. Dan Nowlan plays mandolin, guitar and sings lead and harmony vocals. Dan began his musical career playing drums with the Valley Airs Drum and Bugle Corps. Dan helped form Central Turnpike, the "Bluegrass with a Twist" band from central Mass., and also played with Rolling Hills Bluegrass. Ken Taylor keeps the band tight with arguably the most solid bass-playing in the New England area and he is also the bass singer in the band. He was one of the founding members of the Central Turnpike Bluegrass Band. EVENT INFO Saturday, February 13, 8 PM, $15.00 at Blackstone River Theatre 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI 02864 Reservations: 401-725-9272

Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI 02864 Sent by russell@riverfolk.org in collaboration with

Subway, all classic footlongs only $6 each for February 2016

from the Patel's operating the Subway at 252 East Central St

Subway, all classic foot longs only $6 for February 2016

19th Annual Trivia Bee - Apr 13

The Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) will hold its 19th Annual Trivia Bee on Wednesday, April 13th, 2016. There will be live music by the Franklin High School Jazz Band, a raffle table, and refreshments.

19th annual FEF Trivia Bee - Apr 13

Fundraisers such as the Trivia Bee have enabled the FEF to donate over $300,000 to the Franklin Public Schools since 1997 for innovative education programs that would not otherwise be possible.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TRIVIA BEE PRIOR TO THE REGULAR BEE!

The Bee will be held at the Thomas Mercer Auditorium at the Horace Mann Middle School. 

• The middle school Bee will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and the theme will be general trivia. Teams for the middle school Bee will be composed of students from each of the 3 Franklin middle schools. 
• The regular Bee will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and the theme will be pop culture. For the regular Bee, teams consist of three people sponsored by local businesses, civic groups and individuals. 

Organizations may send their own team or may sponsor a team of Franklin High School students.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a team, donating an item to the raffle table, or bidding on naming rights for the final championship round should contact Kit Brady at cbbrady1@comcast.net. All entries must be received by Wednesday, March 30th.

For more information about the Franklin Education Foundation, please visit our website at www.franklined.org or visit us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/franklined.org)

Trash and recycling will be delayed 1 day this week

2/8/16 Notice - Due to the storm trash and recycling will be delayed 1 day for the week. 

If your collection day is Monday, it will be picked up on Tuesday and every other day will be delayed 1 day with Friday's pickup on Saturday. 

Make sure carts are 3 feet apart, shoveled out and can be picked up by the truck.

the trees have been picked up in January and trash is delayed one day this week

Additional information about trash and recycling can be fond on the DPW page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PublicWorks/index

Last day to register to vote for the Presidential Primary

Town Clerk Teresa M. Burr of Franklin reminds residents that Wednesday,February 10th is the deadline to register to vote if they want to participate in the Massachusetts Presidential Primary on March 1st. 

February 10th is also the deadline for registered voters who wish to change their party enrollment either to another party or to “unenrolled,” which is commonly referred to as “independent.” This should not be confused with the United Independent Party (UIP); a party that will have ballots available but with no candidates printed on them. Voters registered in UIP will NOT be eligible to take a Democratic, Republican, or Green-Rainbow ballot. 

With spirited contests in both parties, pervasive advertising and intense coverage in early primary states, some voters may want to vote for a candidate in a different party from the one they are registered in now. 

To do that, however, the voter must switch to the other party or to “unenrolled” status by 8 p.m. on February 10th. 

Franklin voting booth

Unenrolled voters or voters enrolled in political designations can ask for any party ballot on Primary Day, but someone registered in a party can only vote on that party’s ballot. A Democrat cannot take a Republican ballot, and a Republican cannot take a Democratic one. 

City/Town Hall will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on February 10th for voters who wish to change their party registration status or for persons wishing to register for the first time. 

Towns with fewer than 1,500 voters will have voter registration available at least from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 8 p.m. on February 10th.

The full Presidential Primary calendar can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/presidential-primary-schedule-prepare.html

MBTA: Commuter Rail Proposed Schedule Changes - feedback sought

Reminder: Provide feedback online at mbta.com regarding the proposed Commuter Rail schedule changes and fare increases. Please visit http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings or click the link below and select the appropriate option to provide feedback on the fare changes or schedule changes.  Passengers should provide their feedback using the online Customer Comment form. Last updated: Feb 09 2016 11:07 AM Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings/ Sent by the MBTA.

MBTA train heading to Franklin/Forge Park

Dean Children’s Center - Exploration Open House - Mar 21

Dean Children’s Center will host an Exploration Open House on Monday, March 21, 2016 from 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Parents of children 2 years old to 6 years are encouraged to bring their child to explore the school and learn about our program. Applications are being accepted for 5-day morning, 2-day morning, 3-day morning preschool programs or 4-day Pre-K program. 

Dean Children's Center

Innovative and progressive, the school is NAEYC accredited and well known in the community for an inspiring preschool experience. Dean Children’s Center is a lab school for ECE majors, with teachers-in-training alongside credentialed teachers. The center has a very professional and caring environment for children to learn through exploration. 

The school uses a developmental approach to education which reflects current research in child development and peer conflict resolution. Director Faith Nickolas states “We are a regional resource to parents and educators on peer conflict resolution in young children and our lab school is a demonstration site for best practices in early education of children.” 

Dean College Children’s Center is located at 144 School Street in Franklin. For more information, call 508-541-1598.

FHS girls top Taunton on Tuesday

Catching up to Tuesday's results

FHS Panthers

Girls Basketball

• Taunton, 30 @ Franklin, 65 – Final 

– Erin Skidmore paced the Panthers with 15 points. Aubrie Kutil added 12 points and Catherine Gray had 10 for Franklin.

Boys Basketball

• Franklin, 72 @ Taunton, 83 – Final 

– Quan Roberson scored a career-high 25 points and hauled in eight rebounds to go along with a pair of steals, blocks and assists to lead the Tigers. Jose Mercado added 19 points and seven rebounds, Tommy MacLean had 17 points, five assists and four rebounds, Dom Smith had 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists and Carlos Borrero had seven points, nine rebounds and five assists. Tim Prunier led Franklin with 20 points, four assists and three rebounds, sophomore Paul Mahon finished with 19 points, five rebounds and six steals and freshman Jay Dieterle had 17 points and seven rebounds.

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-020916/


Ryan Lanigan, Editor-in-Chief of Hockomock Sports.com writes:

"If there was one game that reflected on how this season has gone for Taunton, it was Tuesday night’s win over Franklin. 

The Tigers offense shot an impressive 57% from the floor, had 18 assists on 31 field goals, out-rebounded the Panthers 36-24 and scored over 80 points. 

Luckily that was enough to overcome 26 turnovers and over 70 points from Franklin. 

What has been an up and down season so far is currently back on the up side as Taunton scored an 83-72 win to sweep the season series against the Panthers."

Continue reading the article online
http://www.hockomocksports.com/efficient-offense-helps-taunton-boys-basketball-overcome-franklin-turnovers/