"a great educational experience"

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

"John McCarthy said he always knew he wanted to get involved in government. When he turned 18 last month and saw an opportunity, he took it. 

“I jumped right on it,” said McCarthy, a senior at Hopedale Junior-Senior High School who is now the newest - and youngest - member of the town’s Finance Committee. “I’m excited to get involved.” 

The Board of Selectmen voted to appoint McCarthy to the committee at a meeting this week and the teenager was sworn in by the town clerk on Tuesday afternoon. 

McCarthy said in an interview that he had been looking for a town board or committee to serve on when he discovered that the Finance Committee had a vacancy."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161004/hopedale-high-school-senior-appointed-to-finance-committee

the traditional tree and flag on the topping beam hoisted for the Library expansion on Oct 4. The Library expansion was first reviewed by the Finance Committee before being approved by the Town Council

If you do have interest in getting involved in Franklin, of all the places to start the Finance Committee would be a key one. In my years of observing the various committee and boards, I have learned the most from the Finance Committee meetings. "Follow the money" is not just a catch phrase from a movie. Money is actually how things are prioritized around town, it really does matter. Without funding, there can be desire and talk but it won't go anywhere without a dollar (from somewhere).

Coincidentally, the Finance Committee did have an opening in September. It may be that no one has stepped up yet to fulfill it. Maybe this is your chance!

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/2016-06-23%20Committee%20Vacancy%20Report%202%202.pdf

In the News: National Grid gets rate increase

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

"The Department of Public Utilities has approved a rate increase that will add about 5 percent to residential electric bill in National Grid’s service territory. 

The average will increase from $139 to $146. 

The agency approved $101 million of the $132 million sought by the company in its first distribution rate increase since 2009. 

The money will help pay for improvements to its facilities and its response to storm-related power failures."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161004/national-grid-bills-increase-7-month

cover page of presentation to Town Council on Aggregation Program

If the pending aggregation plan for Franklin goes through, this won't be an issue. The cooperative buying power of aggregation should do better than the current rate National Grid was authorized for.

Updated: Per the Town Council meeting, Wednesday, Oct 5, the aggregation plan was approved. They'll go to bid in the next two weeks and should have a decision to proceed at this time or not. The key will be what the market will offer for rates and for what period. Assuming the market rates will be lower than what NationalGrid received, this will go forward and we'll all save some money.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/municipal-aggregation-program.html

In early August, it was reported the State was beginning to deliberate on the aggregation proposal

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/in-news-aggregation-plan-making.html

FHS golf tops Attleboro

From Hockomock Sports we share the golf results from Tuesday, Oct 4

*** Golf = Franklin, 164 @ Attleboro, 169 – Final

FHS Panthers

– Bryan Woelfel earned match medalist honors, shooting a low round of 37 to lead the Panthers. Matt D’ Errico and Matt Dao each shot 42 for Franklin while Ethan Johnson led Attleboro with a team-low round of 39.

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-100416/

Tri-County students looking for internships in law enforcement, public safety, and/or legal services

Via Mrs Bastien:

"The students in the Legal and Protective Services program at Tri-County RVTHS are looking for part-time jobs and internships! 

 I'm one of the teachers of this new criminal justice program. Message me or comment below if you know of any law offices, public agencies, private agencies, or businesses that have anything to do with criminal justice and are located in the Franklin area that would accept high school students who want to work.  

My seniors have 8 different industry certifications and excellent academic credentials. Give local kids a chance!  

Feel free to share this post. Thanks everyone."

Legal and Protective Services

Future areas of employment include, but are not limited to:

• 911/Dispatch Operator
• Armed Services
• Border Patrol Agent
• Computer Security Specialist
• Court Officer/Bailiff
• Court Personnel
• EMT/Paramedic
• FBI Agent
• Firefighter
• First Responder
• Fish and Game Warden
• Forensic Technician
• Homeland Security Officer
• Immigration Officer
• Law Clerk
• Law Student
• Legal Services
• Loss Prevention Officer
• Paralegal
• Police Officer
• Private Investigator
• Probation Officer
• Secret Service
• Security Guard
• Sheriff
• Social Worker
• Transit and Railroad Officers
• Victim/Witness Advocate

Franklin's Planet Fitness - newly renovated

Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. and home of the Judgement Free Zone®, recently announced the completed renovation of its club in Franklin, Mass. The newly remodeled club is at 166 Grove St. Planet Fitness prides itself on providing a high-quality experience at an exceptional value and being home of the Judgement Free Zone®, where members experience a hassle-free, non-intimidating environment.

The newly renovated Planet Fitness exceeds 20,000 sq. feet and is essentially an entirely new gym. It offers all-new, state of the art cardio machines and strength equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers and stationary bikes. The brand new fully-equipped locker rooms feature day lockers, fully tiled private showers and granite counters. A new Black Card® Spa has been created featuring salon-grade tanning booths, state-of-the-art HydroMassage beds and massage chairs. The enhanced club also boasts a newly remodeled front desk and waiting area, new flooring, updated signage, other architectural improvements throughout, and an expanded parking lot. The club is open and staffed Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Planet Fitness Franklin

This also marks a milestone for the Planet Fitness franchisee group which owns and operates the Franklin gym – its first location 15 years ago this month. Today the group owns and operates 10, soon to be 11, locations in the state making Core Management and Development the largest Planet Fitness franchisee in Massachusetts.

“We’re looking forward to offering both existing and new members in the Franklin community an amazing and upgraded facility that promotes fitness in an encouraging and hassle-free environment,” said Planet Fitness franchisee and Core Management and Development Chief Marketing Officer Jonathan Epstein. “This was the very first location for our franchise ownership group and we are so proud of this major renovation to bring the best gym to Franklin.”

Membership includes a variety of other benefits, including unlimited small group fitness instruction by a certified trainer through the pe @ pf ® program. In addition, as a member appreciation gesture, Planet Fitness provides free pizza on the first Monday of every month, and free bagels on the second Tuesday of every month while supplies last, as a reminder that it’s okay to treat yourself every once in a while.

The PF Black Card® membership, which is $19.99 a month, includes additional amenities such as the ability to bring a guest every day at no additional charge, access to all 1,200+ Planet Fitness locations, as well as access to the new Black Card® Spa.

Planet Fitness also provides members with an opportunity to connect and support each other with “Planet of Triumphs,” an online community that celebrates all accomplishments and inspirational stories of Planet Fitness members. 

For more information or to join online, please visit www.PlanetFitness.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/PlanetFitness) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/PlanetFitness).

Free Flu Shot Clinic - Oct 20 at the Senior Center

For all Franklin residents, age 6 months or older

At the Franklin Senior Center from 1 - 3:00 PM on Thursday, Oct 20, 2016






This was shared from the official Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024D127F-000F8513

Franklin Senior Center

In the News: Library topped off, opioid crisis starts with doctors

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

"Workers placed the final steel beam of the Franklin Public Library addition Tuesday morning, marking a milestone in the project. 

A small crowd gathered to watch as the beam - along with a traditional pine tree and American flag - were hoisted to the top of the structure in a "topping off" ceremony. 

Town Councilor Judith Pfeffer, chairwoman of the Library Building Committee, said she was pleased at the progress of the work. 

"I'm thrilled to death we've gotten this far," she said, likening the topping off celebration to those done at tall buildings in cities like Boston. "It's a sign things are moving forward."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161004/final-beam-placed-for-franklin-library-addition

the traditional tree and flag on the topping off beam

"Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel offered a sobering story at the first meeting of a special commission looking to reverse the state’s opioid crisis. 

Bharel, a doctor who studied drug-related deaths earlier in her career, told of a conversation she had with a mother whose teen child died from a prescription overdose. 

“I was really taken aback when she opened by saying ‘My son’s first drug dealer was his doctor,’” said Bharel. 

Bharel is a member of the 15-member Special Commission on Substance Misuse and Pain Treatment, which held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday to discuss safe and effective pain treatment methods for medical professionals who prescribe controlled substances such as opioids. The Legislature created the panel earlier this year.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161004/commission-stopping-opioid-abuse-begins-with-doctors