Summer STAR Classes - Openings are still available!

Gee, with classes like these, it sounds like it would be really fun to go this summer!

The Summer STAR Program at Jefferson Elementary has limited availability in these classes. Elementary School Musical entering grades 3, 4, 5, 6 2 Weeks, July 11 - 22 8:30 am to 12:30 pm This class allows students to gain confidence in singing, acting, improvisation, and choreographed movement along with performing in front of an audience.  Students will work together to create small group and large group songs. The class culminates in a mini-musical revue for the parents. Rock Band entering grades 4, 5, 6 2 Weeks, July 11 - 22 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Have you always wondered what it would like to be in a Rock Band? Do you want to find out? Whether you have musical experience or not, join Mr. Barrett as he creates a rock band from scratch!  At the end of the two weeks, you can put on a Rock Show! Accessorize Yourself entering grades 3, 4, 5 July 11 - 15, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm If you are looking to add a little "bling" to your daily wardrobe, look no further. During the week, we will be transforming t-shirts into new accessories such as a scarf or a hand bag.  We will take colorful duct tape and create interesting bracelets and lanyards.  We will also add sparkle to our sunglasses and flip flops.   Celebrating the American Girl entering grades 3, 4, 5 July 11 - 15, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Girls don't need to have an American Girl doll to enjoy this class.  During the week, the girls and their dolls will participate in many fun activities such as PJ day with hot off the griddle pancakes, a tea party with cupcake decorating, crafts, stories, games, and much more! Ultimate Sports Academy entering grades 4, 5 July 25 to 29, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm All students will be engaged, encouraged, and motivated in a variety of individual and team sports such as soccer, baseball, softball, flag football.  Students will use teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship as these values are the cornerstone for effective game play. Clay's the Way entering grades 3, 4, 5 August 1 to 5, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm We will be using clay and other art materials to create unique and exciting sculptures! Star Wars STEM entering grades 4, 5, 6 August 1 to 5, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Make the science of Star Wars come to life while investigating the truth and fiction behind your favorite Star Wars movies. The Hoth system may be "far, far away", but there is plenty to create right here in Franklin.  Design, Build, Play and may the Force be with you! Register Today

Save Spruce Pond Brook - Stop Madalene Village Development

The continuation of the hearing on the developer's proposal for Madalene Village is scheduled for Thursday, May 19 at 7:50 PM. The Zoning Board of Appeals full agenda for this meeting can be found here

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBAAgendas/Agendas%202016/05-19-16%20ZBA%20Meeting.pdf


7:50 PM 

21 Peck Street and 180 Cottage Street, Madalene Village - MV Cottage Development LLC Applicant is seeking a building permit to construct a 40 unit townhome style development. The building permit is denied without a comprehensive permit from the ZBA.

a view of the brook from Wachusetts St

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczbmptU2piU29nTU0/view?usp=sharing

"The Good Samaritan law removes a key barrier"

"Tuesday, May 17 at the State House, Governor Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey unveiled a new public information campaign to encourage people to call 911 for emergency medical services at the first signs of a drug overdose. Along with Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Department of Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel and members of the law enforcement community, state officials launched the $250,000 Make the Right Call campaign to promote the Massachusetts 911 Good Samaritan Law.

This law provides protection to individuals seeking medical assistance for themselves or someone else experiencing a drug-related overdose, including opioid-related overdoses, without the risk of charges of possession of a controlled substance."

• Continue reading the Governor's press release

http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2016/administration-ags-office-call-911-during-overdoses.html

Make the Right Call

Make the Right Call targets active users of opioids and their friends and families with a simple message that they shouldn’t be afraid to seek help when they see an overdose. The campaign includes billboards, and advertisements on street furniture and other public environments where overdoses can take place. Viewers are directed to the website for more information on what to say when calling 911, what to do while waiting for help to arrive, and where they can access the overdose reversal tool Naloxone, more commonly called Narcan.

• Make the Right Call website

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/substance-abuse/make-the-right-call-public-information-campaign.html

ALERT: Changing Downtown Traffic Pattern Coming at the End of June

Dear Franklin Resident:

This is the first announcement to the community that the traffic pattern will be changing in Downtown Franklin toward the end of June, 2016. The one-way traffic pattern in downtown, which many have become accustomed to, will be changing to two-way traffic. Yes, that’s correct: traffic around the downtown triangle will soon become two-way! We encourage everyone to take it a little slower in their daily business to make sure you get accustomed to the new flow of traffic.

While the date has not been specified yet when the traffic pattern will become two-way, we can’t begin to educate the community soon enough. We encourage you to follow the town website and social media (Facebook, Twitter) feeds, as well as the Town’s traditional local media channels to stay tuned for specific updates over the coming month. We are counting on you to help spread the word.

Downtown Map 

A map is attached of the new traffic routes. I encourage you to print it out, send it to friends and family and begin to spread the word.

Future Notification

As part of the construction contract with the state, the Town will be placing electronic boards at all intersections of downtown when the traffic transitions to two-way. New lane markings will be painted around the entire downtown, as well as signage in key areas. Individual letters will also be distributed to all downtown businesses to help educate their customers of the traffic flow when exiting their business. The Town will also be doing as much publicity as possible through its own social media feeds and through traditional local media channels on this pattern change.

Public Benefits

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the community for their patience during the recent construction in downtown. The Town is installing many public benefits, including new sidewalks, new paving, better pedestrian-friendly accommodations, and many beautification efforts to enhance the vibrancy of the downtown. The planning effort for this project has taken well over a decade and I am confident residents will enjoy the new amenities.


If any resident has any questions, feel free to contact the Town Administrator’s Office at 508-520-4949.


Sincerely,

Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator
Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator

recent construction underway to complete the work before switching
to the new two-way traffic pattern in June

The memo on the Traffic Pattern containing the map with the new two-way flow

• The Town of Franklin is on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Town-of-Franklin-998859663537294/

• Follow the Town of Franklin on Twitter

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA

• Visit the Town of Franklin website

http://franklin.ma.us/

FHS Students to host a Genealogy Conference - June 3

Pantherbook (@FranklinHSNews) tweeted at 9:20 AM on Tue, May 17, 2016: 

"FHS Students to host a genealogy conference for the public on June 3rd. @FranklinPSNews @FranklinMatters https://t.co/7vcbVidLFg"

RSVP to leightonj@franklinps.net

To be held from 9AM to noon in the FHS school library

FHS Students to host a Genealogy Conference - June 3

(https://twitter.com/FranklinHSNews/status/732561419787472896?s=03)

FHS boys tennis tops Canton on Tuesday

Boys Tennis

• Canton, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 

– Franklin junior Rahul Herur won at first singles and the Panthers swept doubles play to beat the Bulldogs. Herur picked up a 6-3, 6-1 win while junior James Johnston and senior Tom Mancini won 6-2, 6-4 at first doubles. The team of sophomores Tyler DiPalma and Derek Wu clinched the win with a 6-2, 6-0 victory at second doubles. Canton sophomore Jake Wolicki won 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 at third singles and senior Nathan Maltz won 4-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-8) for the Bulldogs.

Girls Tennis

• Franklin @ Canton – Postponed to 5/20 at 3:45

Hockomock Sports provides all results around the Hockomock League

http://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-051716/

FHS Panthers

Franklin TV: Grandparents and the Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis is affecting many people.  Increasingly more and more grandparents are raising the children of their adult children who are suffering from the disease of addiction.  

Hear Dyan Fitzgerald, a grandmother raising her beautiful grand child, on this week's It Takes a Village...

Dyan tells her story, a story she states that is all too common, but also lets everyone know how the Franklin Branch of the YMCA came to her rescue through its scholarship program.  She wants everyone to know how the people there came to her rescue.

•   View on Comcast 8; Verizon 26 on Wed morning at 7:30
•                                                        Saturday  evening at 8:30

•   View on Comcast 98; Verizon 28 on Friday morning at 8:30
•                                                           Saturday - 12 noon

                              

Franklin TV

                                                               

Parmenter 5th Grader - Car Wash and Clothing Drive

The Parmenter 5th graders are holding a car wash in the Parmenter loop line as well as a clothing drive. In order to help raise funds to pay for their 5th grade celebration events as well as a parting gift to the school, every year the 5th graders hold a car wash. 

This year they are also collecting clothing and household items and SAVERS will make a donation to Parmenter based on the amount collected.

Event Details are as follows:

WHAT: 
Parmenter 5th Grade Car Wash and Clothing Drive

WHEN: 
Saturday, May 21st 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Rain Date (for car wash) - Sunday, May 22nd 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

WHERE: 
Parmenter Elementary School loop line
235 Wachusett Street

COST: $10 per vehicle for car wash

WHAT ELSE: 
Perfect time for spring cleaning. Clean out those closets and donate any clothing, shoes, bedding, toys, books, small kitchen and household items and drop off at Parmenter before getting your car washed.

A donation will be made based on total weight collected.

All proceeds benefit Parmenter 5th Grade celebration activities.

Parmenter School - Wachusett St

"to design a smart, flexible incentive program that will continue to help advance solar development in our state."

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Vacating a Superior Court judge's ruling, the SJC ruled that Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations do not fulfill the specific requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008. 

The ruling requires the department to promulgate regulations "that address multiple sources of categories of sources of greenhouse gas emissions, impose a limit on emissions that may be released, limit the aggregate emissions released from each group of regulated sources or categories of sources, set emission limits for each year, and set limits that decline on an annual basis." 

"This is a historic day," Jenny Rushlow, the Conservation Law Foundation's lead attorney on the case, said in a statement. "Today our highest court declared clearly and unequivocally that our leaders can no longer sit on their hands while Massachusetts communities are put at risk from the effects of climate change. Thanks to this landmark decision, our role as a national leader in battling climate change has only been stalled but not sacrificed. Now, with action from DEP, we can get back on track and ensure that the health of our families and future generations is always a top priority."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160517/states-top-court-sides-with-environmentalists-in-suit-over-carbon-emissions

Downtown Project Update #29

Contractors will be in tomorrow to begin the resin crosswalks around downtown. This week will be strictly milling the crosswalks (3/4") on Main Street.

Next week will be the resin pouring of the crosswalks. There will some lane closures/detours on Main Street by Lincoln tomorrow, Wednesday the 18th. We will wait until school traffic has subsided before we begin.

Please be mindful when you approach downtown, significant construction will be occurring over the next ten days leading up to Memorial Day Weekend.

If anyone has a question, please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

the crossing is marked for where the milling will occur to place the resin that looks like red brick

What will the resin crosswalks look like?

If you have seen the crosswalks on Lincoln St near the Keller/Sullivan School, they should be similar to that.

resin crosswalks on Lincoln St just after they were installed

For additional info on the resin crosswalks this came up via a Google Search
http://www.derckandedson.com/crosswalks/#stamped

Additional photos of Linocln St can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/lincoln-st-construction-progress-photo.html

“Opening Doors” to Federal Government Contracting - May 19

The Town of Franklin is hosting a Small Business Association (SBA) seminar on May 19, 2016 at the Incontro Restaurant (860 West Central Street, Franklin, MA), to help businesses learn about contracting with the Federal government. The Federal government spends over $220 billion dollars per year, purchasing good and services from private businesses, with $51 billion allocated to purchasing goods and products from small businesses.

Many people tend to think of the Federal Government purchases only military equipment such as tanks and aircraft, but the reality is that the Federal Government purchases products and services that covers all major industrial groups. Examples of products and services purchased include, cleaning supplies, janitorial cleaning services, printing, boxes, gloves, cars, trucks, office supplies, office equipment, office furniture, lab equipment, food, uniforms, medical equipment, prescription medications, etc. 

Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development for the Town of Franklin said that “winning a contract with the Federal Government can have a very significant positive impact on the business.” He further explained that the Town of Franklin wants to help businesses succeed and hire more employees because this helps the company, the town, the region and families of those employees.

The event is free and open to business owners. You may RSVP at http://bit.ly/1SfkbIg

Incontro Restaurant

Shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/023E3A06-000F8513

New name, same 5K race, same great cause to benefit

"Formerly known as the Independence 5K Run and Walk, the event has a new name and a new look. Organizers say the new name draws attention to the abilities, not the disabilities, of the more than 4,000 people that HMEA serves."

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/take-one-incredable-walk-to-help-hmea/article_42c97f3f-09b8-5fc8-b62e-e5c8bcefe2aa.html

incredABLE 5K Race, Run, Walk

For 14 years, the Independence 5K Race, Run and Walk was held on the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend. It is scheduled for this Sunday, May 22. The 15th event in the series but for some reason while they changed the name as indicated above they also took the 5K out of the event title. Oops.

To register: my.racewire.com/event/3842. For more information, visit hmea.org.


Prior notifications posted here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/hmeas-incredable-day-may-22-8-am-to-300.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/04/hmeas-incredable-day-may-22.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/04/hmeas-15th-annual-fundraiser-of-year.html

  

Madalene Village - ZBA hearing continues May 19

The continuation of the hearing on the developer's proposal for Madalene Village is scheduled for Thursday, May 19 at 7:50 PM. The Zoning Board of Appeals full agenda for this meeting can be found here

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBAAgendas/Agendas%202016/05-19-16%20ZBA%20Meeting.pdf


7:50 PM 

21 Peck Street and 180 Cottage Street, Madalene Village - MV Cottage Development LLC Applicant is seeking a building permit to construct a 40 unit townhome style development. The building permit is denied without a comprehensive permit from the ZBA.

map of proposed development

The listing of exemptions being sought from the ZBA