Hurricane season is here until November

Hurricane Season has officially begun. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted a 70 percent likelihood of 10 to 16 named storms, four to eight of which could become hurricanes. However, because Mother Nature can be unpredictable, the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation and the Division of Insurance recommend preparing in advance to minimize the circumstances that can lead to claims from hurricanes.

Continue reading about hurricane preparedness at Mass.gov here
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/hurricane-season-is-june-1-through-november-30/


While the news media tends to focus on the storms when they appear on their radar, you can subscribe to the RSS feed directly from NOAA. 

For our area, you want to subscribe to the Atlantic Basin feeds. Of course, you can also subscribe and watch for the other major storm areas.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutrss.shtml


For more on preparing for a hurricane you can visit the NOAA page
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/hurricane_preparedness.html

image from NOAA

Summer Sports & Yoga Available

Franklin Public Schools - Lifelong Learning Institute The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning Summer Sports and Yoga Available Registration Open  ADVANCED CO-ED VOLLEYBALL MEN'S BASKETBALL YOGA ON THE COMMON Advanced Co-Ed Volleyball Register online now. Just click here      If you have played competitive volleyball in the past and would like to find something closer to home or get back into it after an absence, then this class is for you!   Two nets are set up each week in a mini-tournament format with changed teams each week. Referees/line judges are used when possible. Tuesdays, July 5 to August 16 Time: 7:00 to 10:00 pm Number of Sessions: 7 Location: Franklin High School Gymnasium, 218 Oak Street Cost: $65 Men's Basketball - Extended into Summer Register online now. Just click here Tuesday / Thursday Nights Men's Basketball is a great way to burn calories and have fun at the same time. So shoot hoops for fun and health!  Tuesdays, July 5 to August 9 Thursdays, July 7 to August 11 Time: 7:00 - 10:00pm Number of Sessions: 6 Location: Annie Sullivan Middle School Gym Cost: $60   Yoga - Friday Flow on the Common Register online now. Just click here  A late afternoon class on Friday with Tranquil Souls Staff that will leave you feeling happy and balanced after your work week and get you ready for your weekend! Bring your mat and positive energy to the Franklin Town Common on Friday afternoons.   Fridays, July 8 to August 19 Time: 4:30 - 5:30 pm Number of Sessions: 7 Location: Franklin Town Common Cost: $50 Contact The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning 508-613-1480 adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com click Adult Education  Register today The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning is a program of the Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing quality learning experiences for adults in the Town of Franklin and surrounding communities.

oratin with Try it free today

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 6/10/16 - THU 6/16/16

FRIDAY 6/10/16
10-11am   Representative Roy Office Hours in Franklin @ Elizabeth’s Bagels
12pm-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market at The Town Common
12pm   Tee Off for Tri-County @ Wentworth Hills Country Club, Plainville
6-9pm   Winetasting Reception @ La Cantina Winery. Sign up by calling Center for Lifelong Education 508-613-1480
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at the Franklin Art Center
7:30pm   FPAC Presents: Little Shop of Horrors @ The Black Box

SATURDAY 6/11/16
8am   Nature in Your Neighborhood: FREE Guided Walk at Franklin State Forest @ Summer Street
9am   School Committee Coffee Hour @ Franklin Cable Access TV (23 Hutchinson St)
7:30pm   FPAC Presents: Little Shop of Horrors @ The Black Box

SUNDAY 6/12/16
8am-12pm   PMC Kids Ride in Franklin @ Jefferson School
1-4pm   Frates’ Family Field Day - free event, registration required @ King Street Memorial Park

TUESDAY 6/14/16
1:30pm   Knitting Circle for Adults at Franklin Public Library (25 Kenwood Circle)
6:30-8:30pm   Open House @ Russian School of Mathematics (9 Summer Street)
7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Monthly Meeting @ Franklin YMCA. Public welcome.

THURSDAY 6/16/16
3pm   Memory Cafe for Caregivers and Their Loved Ones @ Franklin Senior Center. Registration required, call Senior Center.
6:30-8:30pm   Zentangle Art Night @ Franklin Art Center

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

Where will the FHS Class of 2016 go next?

Thanks to information provided by the Franklin School Department, I was able to create this pivot table. Shown in descending order, these institutions or life categories are where the 409 graduates of FHS Class of 2016 indicated they will be heading to next year. There are 76 choices common to 2 or more students and 71 unique choices.

Post Graduation Plans	Count
University of Massachusetts, Amherst	28
Employment	16
Massachusetts Bay Community College	13
Westfield State University	13
University of New Hampshire at Durham	12
Bridgewater State University	11
University of Rhode Island	10
Assumption College	9
Roger Williams University	9
Bryant University	7
Saint Anselm College	7
University of Connecticut	7
University of Massachusetts, Lowell	7
Boston College	6
Curry College	6
Dean College	6
Providence College	6
Bristol Community College	5
Stonehill College	5
Wentworth Institute of Technology	5
Bentley University	4
Berklee College of Music	4
Endicott College	4
Fitchburg State University	4
Keene State College	4
Plymouth State University	4
The University of Tampa	4
University of Maine	4
University of New Haven	4
American University	3
Boston University	3
College of the Holy Cross	3
Hofstra University	3
Johnson & Wales University (Providence)	3
Massachusetts College of Art and Design	3
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts	3
Rochester Institute of Technology	3
Saint Michael's College	3
Southern New Hampshire University	3
Suffolk University	3
Syracuse University	3
Transitions-Vocational	3
University of Hartford	3
University of Massachusetts, Boston	3
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth	3
University of New England	3
University of South Carolina	3
University of Vermont	3
Worcester State University	3
Becker College	2
Brandeis University	2
Colby College	2
Colby-Sawyer College	2
Cornell University	2
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach	2
Fordham University	2
Framingham State University	2
Ithaca College	2
Marymount Manhattan College	2
Merrimack College	2
Mount Ida College	2
Nichols College	2
Northeastern University	2
Oberlin College	2
Pennsylvania State University	2
Quinnipiac University	2
Quinsigamond Community College	2
Sacred Heart University	2
Salem State University	2
Salve Regina University	2
Simmons College	2
Springfield College	2
Temple University	2
The George Washington University	2
United States Marine Corp	2
University of Delaware	2
AMDA - College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts	1
Athletics	1
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology	1
Bridgton Academy	1
Brigham Young University	1
Bunker Hill Community College	1
Champlain College	1
College of Charleston	1
Colorado State University	1
Connecticut College	1
Dalhousie University	1
Daniel Webster College	1
Eastman School of Music of the U of Rochester	1
Elon University	1
Emmanuel College	1
Empire Beauty School	1
Fairfield University	1
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising	1
Fashion Institute of Technology	1
Flagler College	1
Florida Gulf Coast University	1
Franklin Pierce University	1
Gap year to pursue film	1
Gap year to travel	1
Georgia Institute of Technology	1
High Point University	1
Husson University	1
Indiana University at Bloomington	1
International Fashion Academy- Paris	1
James Madison University	1
Kettering University	1
Lasell College	1
Lehigh University	1
Lesley University	1
Loyola Marymount University	1
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich	1
Marist College	1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	1
Massachusetts Maritime Academy	1
Middlebury College	1
National Guard of the United States	1
New England College	1
Pace University, New York City	1
Philadelphia University	1
Post-secondary Education	1
Princeton University	1
Regis College	1
Rollins College	1
San Diego Miramar College	1
Santa Barbara City College	1
Snow College	1
St. John's University - Queens Campus	1
Stony Brook University	1
The College of New Jersey	1
The University of Texas, Austin	1
Tri-County Regional Vocational School-Cosmetology	1
United States Army	1
University of  Prince Edward Island	1
University of California, Los Angeles	1
University of Charleston	1
University of Dallas	1
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities	1
University of Northern Colorado	1
University of Prince Edward Island	1
University of Rochester	1
Villanova University	1
Virginia Tech	1
Wagner College	1
Western New England University	1
Wheaton College MA	1
Wheelock College	1
Grand Total	409

Franklin High School

“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

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