“We have eight seniors who want to go far and we didn’t want this to be our last game”

"Prior to taking on Acton-Boxboro, Franklin gathered together to watch footage of the program’s only sectional title win. The players were inspired by the film of the dramatic victory over Concord-Carlisle, but those positive memories did not translate into a great start to Thursday’s Div. 1 East final at Pisini Field. 

The Panthers struggled to find the cage in the first half against the Colonials and went into halftime trailing 5-2. Franklin did not panic. The players huddled together, reminded of the tough games that they have played this season, and made a couple of small changes. 

“We’ve been down 12-0 before at halftime, to Westwood, and I said that to them, so 5-2 was nothing,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igoe. “And it wasn’t anything dramatic going on, it was little things that we could fix. So, we didn’t get down on ourselves.” 

The Panthers turned the game on its head with five straight goals after halftime and then held on to possession for the final four minutes of the game to pull out a 7-6 victory to claim the program’s second sectional title."

Continue reading the article online at Hockomock Sports
http://hockomocksports.com/second-half-rally-lifts-franklin-girls-lacrosse-d1-east-title/

Kendall Reardon (5) celebrates at the final whistle, as Franklin held off Acton-Boxboro
to win the Div. 1 East title. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Guided Nature Walk - Saturday, Jun 11 at 8 AM

The Stony Brook Nature Center in Norfolk is hosting a free event in Franklin this Saturday. Please see the attachment. We would appreciate any assistance that you can provide to spread the word.

one of the trails in the Franklin Town Forest off Summer St

Paving operations delayed (again)

Paving operations have been cancelled again tonight (Thursday) due to asphalt's mix test failing the states required specs. 

The contractor will be adjusting and re-testing the mix again hopefully tomorrow (Friday) or early next week. 

Please contact the Town Administrator's Office at 520-4949 with any questions. 

We will continue to keep the public informed through our website, Twitter and Facebook.

construction downtown Franklin

In the News: legislators meet with Town Council, Charter School plans for new building

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Members of the Town Council shared their concerns - largely regarding future benefits owed to employees - to the town's legislative delegation at a meeting this week. 

The council met with State Sens. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, and Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, and State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, at its meeting Wednesday night. 

Many of the councilors said they had concerns about other post-employment benefits (OPEB) - the cost of benefits other than pensions that will come due to retired town employees. Franklin's unfunded liability for such benefits is more than $90 million."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160609/franklin-councilors-share-concerns-with-legislators

Senator Ross, Senator Spilka, Representative Roy speaking with the Town Council (Town of Franklin photo)

"In an effort to expand its enrollment, the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has sought town approval for a new location. 

This is the latest step in a multi-year process that school officials hope will end with a new Washington Street facility opening in September 2017. 

"About four years ago, our Board of Trustees made the decision to try to move out of our current (Main Street) facility," said Heather Zolnowski, the head of the school, adding that the building is shared with the Catholic Archdiocese, which runs a large religious education program. "Our partnership has been amazing, but we need to vacate the building after 3:45 p.m., which makes it difficult to run after-school programs."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160609/franklin-charter-school-hopes-for-new-building

Article Two would also ensure “all cushioning materials are encapsulated”

The Medway Town Meeting voted to move away from crumb rubber on artificial turf fields.

"Residents voted to reject a proposed three-year moratorium on artificial turf during a standing vote at a Special Town Meeting Thursday night. 

However, voters accepted a motion for a different article that officials said could help address some of the concerns that the moratorium sought to ease. 

Article One, which asked the town to adopt a three-year moratorium on “the engineering, planning, construction or installation of any synthetic turf,” or loose crumb-rubber infill. Filed as a citizen’s petition, it would not have affected existing fields or turf used on private property. Proponents said chemicals used in crumb rubber — or recycled tire pieces — can pose potential health risks. 

The public accepted Article Two, which sought the approval of $450,000 of Community Preservation funds to be used for playground renovations and enhancements — including handicap accessibility — at local parks, according to the warrant."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160609/medway-residents-vote-down-turf-moratorium-proposal

the new artificial turf field at FHS has good softness with its new infill although it is
crumb rubber and is controversial

Electric Youth Bon Voyage Concert At THE BLACK BOX - June 18

Electric Youth (EY), the international touring ensemble of singer-dancers trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), will perform at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin on Saturday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. The event is a Bon Voyage Concert for Electric Youth, coming just days before the ensemble departs on June 23rd for a three-week concert tour of Austria and Italy. The group’s 13th European tour will include a return Fourth of July show at Aviano Air Force Base to entertain U.S. Troops and families stationed abroad.

Electric Youth shows offer high-energy family entertainment, delivering fully choreographed performances of classic rock, contemporary pop and Broadway hits for audiences of all ages. The group is backed by an eight-piece band of Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations and Van Morrison. The Bon Voyage concert at THE BLACK BOX will feature two full sets including the best of Adele, Beyonce, Imagine Dragons, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Pink, Louis Prima, Queen, Frank Sinatra, Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder and more.

Electric Youth performing at THE BLACK BOX

Electric Youth’s 2016 tour will also feature performances in Vienna, Kirchberg, Gmunden, Melk and St. Polten, Austria, including a benefit concert for pediatric cancer and patient family support. Performances in Italy will include multiple shows in Lignano, Bibione and Concordia along the Adriatic Coast, concerts in Todi and Cortona within the Tuscany-Umbria region, and at Lake Como.

Selected annually by audition, the group is chosen for superior musicianship, stage presence, and “triple threat” accomplishments in voice, dance, and acting. This season’s ensemble of performers, ages 14-18, studies multiple dance disciplines, voice, and acting at FSPA. Electric Youth 2016 includes Madison Asgeirsson, Brooke Collins, Aaron Frongillo, Jocelyn Jones, Lauren Szczepanowski and Melissa Wyner of Franklin; Michael Fajardo of Hopkinton; Sam Evans and Colie Vancura of Medfield; Katie Gray of Milford; Kylee Rollins of North Attleboro; Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; and Jenna McDermott and Susauna Wickstrom of Wrentham.

EY’s show band features Kenny Hadley on drums, Arnie Krakowsky on tenor saxophone, Bill Miele on bass, Artie Montanaro on trombone, Walter Platt on trumpet, Ken Reid on baritone saxophone, Mark White on guitar and Director Raye Lynn Mercer on piano. Under the direction of Mark Poniatowski, musical arrangers for Electric Youth are Rick Hammett, Jeff Perry, Walter Platt, Poniatowski, Mark White and Ben Whiting. Hallie Wetzell is Electric Youth’s Vocal Director. Choreographers include Mercer, Casey Andrade, Cheryl Madeux, Nick Paone and Kellie Stamp.

THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. Tickets for the Bon Voyage show are $26. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370. To learn more about Electric Youth or the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, visit www.electricyouth.com and www.fspaonline.com.

Northgate / Coronation Drive Neighborhood meeting - Thursday, June 9

I had picked up via the grapevine concerns about work to be done in the Northgate/Coronation Drive neighborhood and sent an email to the DPW which resulted in this response:

"There is a neighborhood meeting tomorrow night at 6PM at regarding the reconstruction of the Northgate area, which includes Coronation Drive. 

Yes, it is planned for roadway surface reductions for stormwater, traffic calming, and most importantly costs. Also there will be sidewalk reductions, but we are aware of the poor drop off area behind the Kennedy School so we are making improvements there."

Thanks,

Robert A. Cantoreggi
Director
Department of Public Works
Town of Franklin

--------------

Re: Construction Notice – Neighborhood Meeting

Dear Residents:

The Franklin Department of Public Works will be working with a private contractor to reconstruct the roadways in the Northgate Neighborhood where the Town recently replaced the water mains last year. Specifically, road work will occur along Northgate Road, Coronation Drive, Parliament Drive, Regent Circle, Royal Court, Baron Road, and Brian Road. The road work will begin this summer and is expected to continue through the fall.

During construction, portions of the road may be closed or restricted to one lane of traffic, but normal two-way traffic will be resumed at the end of each work day.

We will be holding a neighborhood meeting on Thursday June 9, 2016 at 6:00pm, located under the awning at the front entrance to the Kennedy School to discuss possible roadway changes.

In accordance with the Town of Franklin By-Law Amendment 03-513, Paragraph 155-1.2 street openings will not be allowed within five years of the final paving. If you anticipate excavating in the street within the next five years, you should make arrangements prior to have the work completed as soon as possible.

We appreciate your patience during construction. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (508) 553-5500.

Sincerely,



Robert A. Cantoreggi,
Director of Public Works

--------------

an image of the letter to the neighborhood which prompted the email exchange.