“Press pause before you decide, you can’t rewind it.”

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

"Franklin High had a perfect season this year in a county-wide competition to prevent substance abuse organized by Norfolk DA Michael W. Morrissey. 

The new competition, dubbed “Team Rival,” pits local high schools against their traditional athletic rivals to encourage participation in a number of constructive events and functions that revolve around building a school culture around healthy choices. The Panthers edged the King Philip Warriors by a single challenge."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160621/franklin-high-tops-in-regional-peer-leadership-competition

The Public Service Announcement video produced by FHS students as part of the competition:

Water Conservation for all in Franklin!

Hello, this is Brutus Cantoreggi

Franklin's drinking water supply system is currently struggling to meet our water demands. 

This is due to a number of reasons, lack of snow pack from last winter, the recent dry period and most significantly, residents and businesses are not following the one-day-per-week water conservation measures.   Last weekend we had extremely high water demand during days that should have had no outdoor watering. 

If this demand continues at the current rate, the safe supply of clean drinking water and fire protection throughout the Town will be jeopardized.  The Town will be forced to impose a full outdoor watering ban.   Meaning no outdoor water use whatsoever on any day for whatever reason.

In order to avoid those extreme measures, we urge all residents and businesses to comply with the one-day-per-week watering schedule. 

Starting immediately, Public Works and Franklin Police will begin patrolling and enforcing the Town's water conservation plan.  Violators are subject to fines up to $200. 

We are all in this together; please remind your friends and neighbors about water conservation.

For additional information or assistance, please contact the DPW Office at 508-520-4910 or visit the Town of Franklin website.

Franklin water tower on Upper Union St in 2013

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

FISH of Franklin needs volunteers

FISH is an all volunteer, non profit organization that provides free transportation to Franklin residents to medical appointments. We have been providing this service for almost 43 years. 

We are in need of volunteers, particularly drivers. We are looking for men and women who are able to volunteer for as little as a few hours per month. Most of our clients have appointments within about a 20 mile radius of Franklin. 

If anyone is interested in helping or would like more information, they may call FISH at 508-528-2121, leave a name and # and we'll get back to them.

FISH of Franklin needs volunteers

Paving Main St Franklin

Thanks to a loyal reader for submitting these photos of the paving operation on Main St. As notified earlier in the day, the contractor had received the certification for the asphalt mix being used and was planning on paving.

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paving Main St #7

In the News: Charter school discussed at Planning Board, pedestrian fatality identified

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

"The Planning Board reviewed on Monday night the site plan for a proposed new location for the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School. 

The board heard from project representatives on such topics as the sidewalks and fill to be used at the site - located on Financial Park, between Washington and Grove streets - before continuing the matter to a future meeting. 

Project representative Andrew Truman, of Samiotes Consultants, said he believed the issues brought up at a previous board meeting had largely been addressed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160620/franklin-planning-board-considers-charter-school-location

"The pedestrian struck and killed by an MBTA commuter rail train Saturday has been identified as a 27-year-old Sudbury man. 

The MBTA Transit Police announced Monday that Eric Parker was the victim. 

The incident took place at around 4:20 p.m. in the area between Fisher and Union streets. Parker was struck by the 1711 train, which departed South Station at 3:30 p.m. bound for Forge Park. Police reported that Parker was trespassing in the rail's right of way at the time."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160620/sudbury-resident-idd-as-man-struck-by-train-in-franklin

Downtown Update #35 - paving to begin Monday evening

Downtown Project Update #35

June 20, 2016

Third time is a charm.

The asphalt mix has been approved by the state for the new roads in downtown. Paving operations will begin on Main Street tonight, Monday June 20th, between Emmons Street and the bridge. Start time will begin at 6:00 PM but no closure/detour will be placed on West Central St until after 7:00 pm.

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.

Very truly yours,

Jamie Hellen

Deputy Town Administrator

Town of Franklin

Reminder: Forum on Substance Use Disorders - Today at Dean College

Presenters: 
State Representative, Jeffrey Roy 
SAFE Coalition President, James Derick

Date/Time: 
Monday, June 20, 2016. 7:00 pm 

Location: 
Dean College Campus Center, Atrium 
Emmons St., Franklin, MA (Parking from 109 West St)

Agenda: 

1. How did we get here? A discussion on the history of the Opioid epidemic, nationally and locally.  

2. Public Health Epidemic – Discuss current trends in substance abuse. Just how bad is the problem and how is it impacting our communities?  

3. Faces of the Epidemic – Hear from a person in long term recovery into and out of active addiction. 

4. What defines a substance abuse disorder? What triggers addiction? How does a person recover from his or her disease?  

5. Responding to the Epidemic – How has the federal and state government responded and how are community agencies responding? What role do community coalitions play?  

6. How do citizens become involved in helping communities heal and in promoting change?  

7. Q and A: Engage audience members in the discussion.

presented by the Franklin Odd Fellows

Related post
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/06/safe-community-coalition-update.html