FHS Softball and Boys tennis posts wins on Friday

Baseball

• Franklin, 0 @ Stoughton, 3 – Final 

– Doug Seaman broke a scoreless game open in the fourth inning by hitting a single, advancing to second on an error, stealing third and coming home on a hit from junior Jack Connelly (2-3). Seaman (2-3) produced the next two runs for the Black Knights with a two RBI single in the next inning to cap the scoring. For the second straight start, Justin Hutchinson was on point, throwing a complete game with just two hits allowed, striking out eight for the win. Franklin sophomore Jason Ulrickson was strong in his first varsity start, throwing six innings and giving up just four hits, two earned runs and struck out four. Junior Ryan Hodgkins went 2-3 at the plate for the Panthers.

Softball

• Stoughton, 1 @ Franklin, 8 – Final 

– Franklin head coach Kate Fallon-Comeau praised the effort of senior pitcher Caroline D’Aprile, who tossed a complete game with nine strikeouts and five hits allowed. Offensively, Clara DeCarvalho was 1-2 with a pair of walks and an RBI double, Alexx Niss was 2/4 at the plate, Olivia DiGiacomo had a two RBI double and Kerry Blaney scored a pair of runs for the Panthers.

Boys Tennis

• Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final

Girls Tennis

• Franklin @ Stoughton, 3:30 (no results available)

For all the results on Friday around the Hockomock League
http://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-050616/

FHS Panthers

Explosion in Spectra's Pennsylvania pipeline

Dear Franklin Town Councilor, 

I'm attaching an article about the Spectra pipeline explosion that occurred in Pennsylvania on April 29, 2016. The preliminary opinion is that it was caused by corrosion. 

According to Spectra it had been inspected 2 years prior to the event. The 30" pipe was scarily similar to the one through Franklin; bare steel more than 50 years old. Imagine this happening in Franklin 20' from the new proposed pipeline. 

Please don't let this happen here! Please join Sharon and Walpole by going on the record against it. 

Sincerely, 

Jim Hill 

5 Gloucester Dr.

fire from pipeline explosion in Sandusky PA (Sandusky Register photo)

From the Sandusky (PA) Register:

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/Business/2016/05/05/Pipeline-company-deals-with-explosion-in-Pennsylvania

You'll recall that Jim spoke during the Citizens Comment portion of the Town Council Feb 3, 2016 meeting warning that such an explosion was possible:

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/citizen-comment-jim-hill-to-town.html

MassBudget: Mother's Day and Paid Family Medical Leave

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Mother's Day and Paid Family Medical Leave When we celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday, it's worth reflecting on how our state policies help mothers to balance family and job obligations (we should ask the same about fathers, but that's another day). As MassBudget's new fact sheet explains, most working parents in Massachusetts don't currently get paid time off to bond with a new child. That's not the way it is in most of the world - or in several other states. In Rhode Island, New York, California, and New Jersey, state laws create an insurance-style system that pays a portion of the wages of parents caring for a new child or any working person who needs time away from work to care for an ill relative. These laws also protect people who may have a serious illness and are forced to leave work for an extended period of time. Since last Mother's Day, Massachusetts has implemented an earned sick time law that allows parents to take time off from work to take a child to a medical appointment, as well as to tend to their own medical needs. That law is now enabling parents across the state to take a child to the doctor during the day when needed - rather than going to the emergency room after work. It is a modest, but important, step in creating policies that recognize the challenges that working parents face. MassBudget's new fact sheet Paid Family and Medical Leave and Related Policies Explained describes existing leave laws in Massachusetts that help working people balance work and family obligations and examines some of the gaps in those policies that paid family and medical leave policies can address. To read the fact sheet, 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

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

“This investment is an enormous step forward”

Last week the Massachusetts House of Representatives successfully passed its 2017 fiscal year budget. Included in the $39.5 billion dollar budget was a $25,000 dollar earmark proposed by Representatives Jeffrey Roy (D—Franklin), Kevin Kuros, (R—Uxbridge) and John Fernandes (D—Milford) to help develop a management and access plan for a large plot of Army Corps of Engineers land.

“This money will help develop a plan to improve access to some beautiful recreational space in the area, and will go a long way to ensuring the property meets its full potential,” said Representative Roy, “This particular property has sat vastly unused for many years and can provide some additional recreational opportunities in the area. We look forward to working with the Army Corps of Engineers and local officials to open up this natural gem to residents while maintaining its natural beauty.”

"After touring this land with Representative Roy and Mr. Earls," said Representative Kuros, "I was convinced that we needed to work to improve access and utilization of this hidden gem that spans our districts. This gets us started on our way toward that goal."

“I was happy to sponsor this budget amendment to develop a comprehensive management and access plan,” said Representative Fernandes, “The plan will go a long way to exploring the resources that can become available to Medway, Franklin, and Bellingham.”

“This investment is an enormous step forward,” said Franklin resident, Alan Earls, who has organized a citizens group, the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative, to spearhead this effort. “Those of us involved with the initiative are grateful that Representatives Roy, Kuros, and Fernandes share our vision and see the great potential for this public space,” he added.

The US Army Corps of Engineers-controlled flood plain lands located in Bellingham, Franklin, and Medway represent one of the largest parcels of land in the region suitable for both wildlife habitat and passive recreation (e.g. walking, fishing, boating, etc.). Growth and development in the region has reduced the number of actual and potential access points to this land; preventing the public from enjoying and using this land while at the same time making it difficult for authorities to prevent unauthorized uses such as ATVs.

The appropriation of $25,000 was included in the House of representatives budget under the care of the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Wildlife, which has operational jurisdiction over this property, to expand current signage, thereby strengthening enforcement of regulations and supervisory activities, and to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the communities of Franklin, Bellingham, and Medway and interested parties to develop a management and access plan. This plan will also consider ways in which any improvements to public access can mesh with EPA requirements to reduce runoff into the Charles River watershed.

Charles River Meadowlands photo

Find out more about the Charles River Meadowlands on their new webpage
http://www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org/

In the News: DelCarte playground repairs delayed, Tri-County compete for Innovator Award, ice skating academy registration open

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Rain has delayed repair work on the playground at the DelCarte conservation property, town officials said. 

Workers were slated to perform structural repairs to the equipment at the end of last week, but the poor weather has halted the project. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said, since a portion of the work involves pouring concrete, the rain led to delays. Work will likely begin when more sunny days are in the forecast. 

At a recent Town Council meeting, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the project itself will likely take two to three days. After the concrete is poured and the playground structure is welded, the Department of Public Works will place mulch at its base.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/rain-delays-franklin-playground-repairs

the kids playground at DelCarte is currently closed for repairs

A microgravity scale designed by students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School received second-place honors in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Future Innovator Award competition. 

Engineering Technology seniors Kevin Kohls, of Millis, Tyler Thomas, of North Attleborough, and Thomas Vagnini, of Medfield, traveled to St. Louis on April 28 to represent their classmates as finalists in the national competition. 

The FIRST Future Innovator Award is open to all FIRST Robotics teams. The award recognizes students who invent a product that effectively solves a real-world, complex problem. Competitors were asked to submit a summary of the problem and an explanation of their invention. Submissions were judged based on the complexity of the problem and effectiveness of the invention in solving that problem.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/tri-county-regional-students-win-at-future-innovator-award-competition

FMC Ice Sports’ Pirelli Veterans Arena, 910 Panthers Way, Franklin, will present summer skating academies Aug. 1-5. 

The academies will bundle practice and instruction to provide every skater the opportunity to experience various skating disciplines while focusing on the overall development of the skater. Each day will offer 4 hours of on-ice class instruction and 1 hour of off-ice teaching with the arena’s team of experienced instructors. 

Participants must be at least 6 years of age by July 1, and have passed the Ice Skating Institute Alpha test or U.S. Figure Skating pre-preliminary test. Skaters will be grouped by ability and age and should bring skates, bottled water, clothing for on-ice activities, sneakers for off-ice training and lunch. 

To register or for more information, visit http://fmcicesports.com/program/advanced-figure-skating-academy.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/franklin-fmc-ice-sports-to-offer-summer-skating-academies

FCC Coaches Cup, Monday, May 16th

Franklin Country Club's FCC Coaches Cup Monday, May 16th  Franklin Country Club invites all Franklin and Wrentham Youth Sports Coaches to the first FCC Coaches Cup. Monday, May 16th lets kick off the golf season here.  Coaches, get your four some together, and come enjoy a round of golf here at the club.  Golf shotgun start at 12:30pm, on the course The Halfway Shack available for food and beverage purchases. Tournament Play OR play your own ball, your choice.  Franklin Country Club will donate $5 per player back to the Franklin OR Wrentham Youth Sports program for every golf player. $60 per player - includes 18 holes of golf, greens fee and cart 12:30pm Shotgun Start Food and Beverages Additional On The Course - Halfway Shack Available Following Play - Cash Bar  For additional information, questions OR to reserve your four some please call 508.528.6110 x  OR email at events@franklincc.com

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 5/6/16 - THU 5/12/16

FRIDAY 5/6/16
5pm   Franklin Football Day - ages 5 and up at FHS
7pm   2nd Annual Kennedy School Derby Night and Auction at the Franklin Country Club
8pm   New England Artist Series at The Black Box: No Static playing Steely Dan

SATURDAY 5/7/16
9am   Elks Care Elks Share Annual 5K Race/Walk (Elks Lodge, Pond Street, Franklin)
10am-2pm   Grand Opening Open House at QI School (650 Pleasant Street, Franklin)
4pm   FSPA presents Opera Scenes and Arias at The Black Box
4-6pm   Bowl Away Cancer - local Relay for Life Fundraiser at Ryan Family Amusements in Millis
4-7pm   Beer Extravaganza at Pour Richard’s
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: DALA with the Young Novelists at FUSF

SUNDAY 5/8/16
2pm   2nd Cinema Sunday at the Franklin Historical Museum. Free movie “My Old Lady” and popcorn.

TUESDAY 5/10/16
1:30pm   Knitting Circle for Adults at Franklin Public Library (25 Kenwood Circle)
7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Meeting at the Franklin YMCA. Public welcome.

WEDNESDAY 5/11/16
7:30pm   Franklin Newcomers Club Meeting at “3” Restaurant.

THURSDAY 5/12/16
5-9pm   SAFE Coalition’s Substance Abuse Drop In Center open at St. John’s Episcopal Church (237 Pleasant Street)
7pm   3rd Annual Treasured Chests Team Fundraiser for Avon 39 Walk at Waxy O’Connors in Foxboro. Support 40 local walkers, ton of raffles, silent auction and live music by South Street Six band.

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