Monday, March 21, 2016

In the News: bowling making progress to return, RT 109 contract due soon

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Efforts to return bowling to town have made progress, though an official location for the new lanes has yet to be announced. 
Last month, a group of businessmen announced they purchased much of the equipment - pin setters, ball returns and an automatic scoring system - once used at Ficco's Bowladrome. Ficco's, a longtime downtown mainstay, closed last June after 79 years in business. 
Andy Trockman, the operations manager for the new effort, said some strides had been made recently, though there is still much to do. He said the group is working on an offer for a piece of land in town. 
"At that point, we can go full steam ahead," he said. "I'm still shooting for (an opening date of) September."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160320/strides-made-to-return-bowling-to-franklin

bowling may return to Franklin with reuse of the equipment from Ficco's
bowling may return to Franklin with reuse of the equipment from Ficco's


The town and state Department of Transportation are closing in on selecting a contractor for the reconstruction of Rte. 109. 
The project, which is expected to begin in July and last for at least two years, was originally estimated to cost about $12.5 million, with the state and federal governments kicking in most of that money. 
Selectmen on Monday are expected to approve a 110 percent agreement with the state DOT, which stipulates that the town would be on the hook for any project costs that exceed the contract bid price by more than 10 percent.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160320/medway-state-closing-in-on-rte-109-project-start

Franklin Public Schools: 2 hour weather delay - Monday, March 21

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello
There will be a 2 hour delay due to weather conditions - School offices open 2 hours later
No morning classes at ECDC
Central Office Administration Open - Municipal Building - Staff report at usual time


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

Horace Mann and Jefferson schools in snow
Horace Mann and Jefferson schools in snow

MBTA: Through Monday - Commuter Rail - weather alert

"On 3/21, the Commuter Rail will operate on a normal weekday schedule. For your safety, allow extra time to traverse parking lots and platforms.

On Monday, 3/21, winter weather is forecasted for the Boston area. The Commuter Rail will operate using the normal weekday schedule. Visit mbta.com or a Boston station for a copy of the schedule.

Last updated: Mar 20 2016 01:58 PM

Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/"

MBTA commuter rail tracks approaching South Station
MBTA commuter rail tracks approaching South Station

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda, March 23, 2016

Franklin continues to enhance the presentation of information associated with how they do business. The PDF document for the agenda has hyperlinks. Yes, sounds techy, geeky but it is a good step to providing the info right at your finger tips.

For example, in the Approval of minutes line item, there is a link that will take you to the document of the minutes for the meeting to be approved. In the appointments, the links for the HIstorical and Conservation Commission take you to the applications for the individuals involved. 

This was a little work on their part but should make it much easier for you to read and follow the agenda.

(Note, you can find this new format in the embedded PDF document below)


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 
– February 24, 2016

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

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 

  1. Historical Commission
  2. Conservation Commission


F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

  1. Resolution 16-15: Authorization to Enter into Separate Intermunicipal Agreements Between Franklin and The Towns of Bellingham, Medway, Norfolk and Wrentham to Provide Public Safety Mutual Aid
  2. Resolution 16-16:Authorization For Disposition (Sale) of Town-Owned Land on Pond Street
  3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-753: Zoning Map Changes From Single Family Residential IV to General Residential V in an Area on or Near West Central Street - Referral to Planning Board
  4. Bylaw Amendment 16-754: Chapter 47, Alcoholic Beverages - 1st Reading
  5. Bylaw Amendment 16-755: Chapter 179, Water Charges-Water Department Access – 2nd Reading
  6. Bylaw Amendment 16-756: Chapter 170 Vehicles and Traffic Article X Winter Storm Overnight Parking – 2nd Reading


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M.NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION -
Pending or threatened litigation

  1. Proposed Excelon expansion of Medway electric generating facility pending before Energy Facilities Siting Board.
  2. Proposed Spectra gas transmission line through Franklin.


P. ADJOURN

old sewer treatment tank at Pond St
old sewer treatment tank at Pond St




You can also find the agenda documents on the Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/03232016.pdf

S.A.F.E. presents Faces of Recovery featuring Mike Zito - Apr 3



Join SAFE on April 3, 2016 for Faces of Recovery: A Day of Awareness, Hope and Healing.
View this email in your browser

Mike Zito to perform at Faces of Recovery

On Sunday, April 3, 2016, SAFE is presenting a very special community event called Faces of Recovery: A Day of Awareness, Hope and Healing. The event will feature special musical guests Mike Zito and the Wheel, and will begin at 5 p.m.

Mike Zito is an internationally known musician who is living in long term recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol. Mike is an inspirational and compassionate man who freely shares his journey into and out of active addiction. By example, he shows us that recovery is possible!

He will play an acoustic "storytellers set" followed by a full band concert. The evening will also feature various speakers from the recovery community who will share their own stories; both educational and inspirational. This is an all ages event.

Come out and join your community for an evening filled with information, inspiration and hope!

There are no tickets required for admission, but SAFE will graciously accept suggested donations of $20 per adult/$10 under age 18.

Please RSVP by clicking here.
MIKE ZITO "One Step At A Time"

Mike Zito at Faces of Recovery


See him live at Franklin's Black Box Theatre
Sunday, April 3, 2016

5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

THE BLACK BOX Theatre
15 West Central St Franklin MA
Click the image above to watch Mike Zito perform One Step at a Time.

There are no tickets required for admission, but SAFE will graciously accept suggested donations of $20 per adult/$10 under age 18.

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You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in joining the fight against obioid abuse in our community.

Our mailing address is:
Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov
State House - Room 527A
Boston, MA 02133

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Sidwell hired as football coach at Taunton


"Taunton has hired former Franklin coach and current athletic director Brad Sidwell as its new football coach. Sidwell, who recently stepped down as football coach, will finish out the school year as Franklin AD. 
Sidwell replaces Chris Greding at the helm of the Tigers, who posted a 1-10 overall record this past Fall. Sidwell spent 20 years as the head coach of the Panthers before stepping down this past December. 
“This wasn’t something I was thinking about it initially but the more I talked with Taunton administrators, I became more intrigued and more impressed with everything about them,” Sidwell told HockomockSports.com “The more we talked, the more excititing it was for me to keep coaching and get to a new place. It seems like a really good match.”
Continue reading the article at Hockomock Sports
http://www.hockomocksports.com/taunton-hires-brad-sidwell-as-new-football-coach/

Brad Sidwell, new football coach at Taunton High School (Hockomock Sports image)
Brad Sidwell, new football coach at Taunton High School (Hockomock Sports image)

Indoor Triathlon - Sunday, April 24


The Hockomock Area YMCA will be hosting an indoor triathlon on Sunday, April 24th. 

The segments will include a 15 minute swim, 25 minute bike and 20 minute run. All levels welcome (ages 14+). 

$40 to participate and all proceeds will benefit our Annual Reach Out for Youth and Families Campaign.

To register: https://hockymca.ejoinme.org/MyPages/IndoorTriathlon2016/tabid/756109/Default.aspx

Indoor Triathlon
Indoor Triathlon

In the News: substance abuse treatment options, controversy surrounds honoring youth

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"Coming off of opiates is indescribably awful, Kerriann Kilcoyne said, like no flu non-addicts have experienced before. The best explanation she could think of for the feeling is like an exorcism - something awful ripping through your body. And that, Kilcoyne said, is how it feels in the ideal setting for detox, a treatment facility with nurses, comfortable beds and medication. In prison, she said, it’s even worse. 
Detoxing from heroin in prison is one thing when you’ve committed a crime, Kilcoyne said. Section 35 of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 123, however, allowed a judge to mandate women who had never been convicted of a crime to come off drug or alcohol addiction in prison at MCI-Framingham if all the addiction treatment beds in the state were full. While some women are sent to the Women’s Addiction Treatment Center in New Bedford, where people civilly committed under Section 35 are intended to go and receive care and treatment for their disease, others were locked in MCI-Framingham where Sen. Karen Spilka said the treatment was lacking."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160319/treatment-no-longer-behind-bars



"Before voting to name South Field after Maddie Lamson, School Committee member Rich Eustis, whose daughter was close friends with Lamson, said students deserve tributes and honors after they pass, much like war veterans, public officials and teachers regularly receive. 
“I think there ought to be a place for a student too,” he said in a prepared, lengthy speech stating his case one last time before the committee brought the proposal to a vote. “Maddie did give her lifetime – it was just tragically short.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160319/controversy-oftens-surrounds-honoring-memories-of-local-youth

The panther memorial for Kristin Graci at FHS
The panther memorial for Kristin Graci at FHS

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will be holding office hours on Thursday, June 2

NORFOLK COUNTY REGISTRY OF DEEDS - OFFICE HOURS

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will be holding office hours on Thursday, June 2, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Municipal Building, Council Chambers, 2nd Floor. They will be available to help answer questions or concerns about any Registry of Deeds matter. Information will be available concerning the Massachusetts Homestead Act and internet-ready computers will be on hand to print a Registry recorded deed, confirm the status of a mortgage discharge or check on any other filing.

No appointment is needed.

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds webimage
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds webimage

Additional info on the Registry of Deeds can be found online  http://www.norfolkdeeds.org/

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Library Book Sale - Saturday - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Come on down to the Library, get an early look at the book selection and enjoy some music from 9:00 to 10:00 while you browse and shop. Today's sale has all books for $1 each.

Return on Sunday to fill a bag of books for $5

Library Books Sale - 9:00 to 4:00 Saturday
Library Books Sale - 9:00 to 4:00 Saturday
This was shared from the Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/03/library-book-sale-buck-book.html

In the News: DelCarte playground repairs scheduled, Medway board to consider site design

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, speaking at last week's Town Council meeting, said officials have met with the playground manufacturer. 
"We had a very productive meeting," he said. "They made a proposal to move forward on testing the concrete and the soil, and to come back and disassemble a portion of it and weld it back together, so it doesn't keep popping from the ice." 
Nutting said company representatives expect they can do the work at the end of April - assuming the weather is fair. The job would take two or three days. 
"They'll bear all expenses in this matter," he said. "Any final decision would be contingent on having a warranty, so we're not doing this over and over again."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160318/franklin-playground-repair-work-slated-for-april

  DelCarte playground - closed for repairs scheduled for the end of April
DelCarte playground - currently closed for repairs that are scheduled for the end of April

Medway Planning and Economic Development Board meeting


"Exelon’s project represents a much larger proposal at a cost of about $240 million, according to an environmental report. 
The company hopes to build a 200-megawatt expansion of its existing Summer Street power plant, which currently only produces about 117 megawatts of energy via three oil-fired turbines. 
Two new turbines are proposed, along with two 160-foot-tall stacks, a 1-million-gallon fuel oil tank, a 500,000-gallon water tank, a 450,000-gallon demineralized water tank and a 12,000-gallon aqueous ammonia storage tank. 
The board is restricted to only dealing with engineering and site design issues, as the state Energy Facilities Siting Board has the final say as to whether the company can build."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160318/exelon-eversoure-to-dominate-board-meeting-march-22

MassBudget: Maintaining an effective transportation system




MassBudget  Information.
  Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center  Democracy.



Maintaining an Effective Transportation System


To build a strong economy that expands opportunity, Massachusetts needs a transportation system that works. MassBudget's new fact sheet, Maintaining an Effective Transportation System, examines information from the Department of Transportation that suggests current levels of investment are not enough to keep our roads, bridges and public transit system in good working order.

Well-maintained roads save time and money. Thirty-seven percent of state-owned road miles are officially in "Poor" or "Fair" condition in Massachusetts. The Department of Transportation currently invests an average of $54 million annually to repave roads. At this level, they project that road conditions will deteriorate further, with 79 percent of roads in poor or fair condition by 2025. Merely preventing current road conditions from worsening would require a four-fold increase in investment.

With current funding, the Department similarly predicts that the number of structurally deficient bridges will increase from about 400 today to over 700 in a decade. And based on the resources currently available to fix the MBTA, the transit agency would face a $600 million shortfall in basic repairs over the coming five years, even without including costs to upgrade or expand the current system.

To read the fact sheet on how different levels of investment move our Commonwealth towards or away from an effective and efficient transportation system, please click HERE.
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
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108

Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact
Franklin commuter rail approaching the Main St bridge
Franklin commuter rail approaching the Main St bridge


Adult Chorus - Spring Session Begins March 22



DON'T FORGET


The music continues. The Adult Community Chorus is back. Don't miss out.

Spring session begins  Tuesday, March 22 
7:00 - 8:30 pm 
Franklin High School 
 $99
   
FPS- Lifelong Learning
The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning
218 Oak Street
Franklin, Massachusetts 02038
(508) 613-1480



Franklin Public Schools                  Lifelong Learning Institute
The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning
FPS- Lifelong Learning, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Sent by adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us in collaboration with
Constant Contact

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: Foreclosure Assistance Programs Available



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Promotes Foreclosure Assistance Programs

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reminded homeowners who are confronting the challenges of paying their mortgage or facing a foreclosure that there are consumer programs available to help them out.

"During the past several years, our office has partnered with reputable agencies by promoting their services when it comes to a mortgage modification and foreclosure issues. We realized that while Norfolk County is a destination location for many homeowners to live and work, some of our neighbors are facing economic hardships. Just last month there were 30 foreclosures recorded at the Registry and 55 notice to foreclose mortgages initiated against homeowners," noted the Register.

Those facing mortgage delinquencies or foreclosure actions can contact either the Quincy Community Action Programs at (617) 479-8181 x-376 or Neighbor Works Southern Mass at (508) 587-0950 x-46. Another option would be the Massachusetts Attorney General's HomeCorps program at (617) 573-3333. These agencies provide a range of assistance from helping with the mortgage modification process to providing legal services to stave off a foreclosure and to offering several forms of credit counseling. Additional information can be found on the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org under the Support tab.

The Register also had a cautionary warning for those seeking such services. "It's important for you to seek the right source such as a non-profit or state agency as cited above. Unfortunately, foreclosure rescues and mortgage modifications are becoming a growing scam. Some unscrupulous private companies look to prey on desperate consumers and make unreasonable promises while wanting outlandish fees for service."

Register O'Donnell concluded, "The Registry is unequivocally committed to helping those facing a mortgage delinquency or foreclosure by directing them to the appropriate agency that can hopefully put them back on the road to financial recovery. I urge people who feel that they need such services to contact the agencies referenced above."

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org.


Register William P. O'Donnell
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

phone: 781-234-3336

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831

Constant Contact
screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage
screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage