Town Council recap: zoning bylaws and fee schedule changes

To recap the Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Nov 16 I have the following:

• The Cub Scout pack 17 lead the Pledge of Allegiance
• Two were appointed to the Cultural Council (Barbara Gardner and Rob Coutillo)
• The next Economic Development Committee meeting is scheduled for Nov 30 at 5:30. The key item on the agenda will be the proposed plastic bag bylaw.
• Three citizens spoke against the proposed re-zoning of the area along Washington St that would allow Hillside Nursery to create a 'Country Store". Without any acknowledgement of these comments and concerns, the Council voted to approve the set of 6 bylaws by unanimous votes. In the Council comments, those who did mention this item spoke of adding more to the current bylaw to enable further expansion of the retail opportunity. 
• There was a map rezoning proposal for a section along Summer St that was referred to the Planning Board. Bissanti recused himself from this discussion and vote. The change would allow approx 40 units to be built instead of 7 or 8.
• Up for a first reading is the revision and simplification of the Town fee bylaw. Over 100 fees were removed from the schedule in the first major cleanup in 20 years. The bylaw will come back for a second reading at a future meeting.

Cub Scout pack 17 get applause after leading the Pledge of Allegiance

The full text of the fee bylaw can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/we-tried-to-make-sure-they-reflected.html

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Washington St re-zoning and other ...
• Live Reporting: Town Council - November 16, 2016
• 
  

School Committee recap: Best Buddies grants, MCAS/PARCC results, and dress code revision

Among the many things that occurred during the almost 90 minute School Committee meeting there were three key takeaways:

1. The School Committee heard the Friends of the Best Buddies give away almost $15,000 to the schools with best buddies programs. 
2. The recent MCAS and PARCC results were given a highlight and discussion. 
3. The proposed dress code revision was moved to a second reading where it can be approved and become official.

The notes taken live during the meeting were updated with the complete listing of the Best Buddies grants and those details can be found in the links here:

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Action Items
• Live reporting: Dress code and student restraint
• District Curriculum Accommodation Plan - DCAP
• Live reporting: MCAS and PARCC Results - Spring 20...
• Live reporting: Best Buddies
• Live reporting: School Committee - November 15, 20...

•    The full agenda document for the School Committee meeting can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-nov.html

Parmenter School sign announcing no school coming up Weds through Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday

FHS Skidmore, Kuzio named to Hockomock League Volleyball All Stars

HockomockSports.com has published the official 2016 Hockomock League Volleyball All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league. The FHS student athletes recognized for this honor are listed below:

FHS Panthers

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP
Sydney Phillips, King Philip

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

• Erin Skidmore, Franklin
• Madison Kuzio, Franklin

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• Meaghan Maguire, Franklin

For the complete listing of Hockomock Volleyball All Stars
https://hockomocksports.com/2016-hockomock-league-volleyball-stars/

Pat Patriot Surprises Franklin Recreation at Flag Football Finale

Youth flag football players in Franklin were greeted by a special guest on Tuesday, Nov. 8, as they took the field for the final time this season during Franklin Recreation’s annual Flag Football Finale.

New England Patriots mascot, Pat Patriot

New England Patriots mascot, Pat Patriot, surprised the youth players, ranging in age from 6-14 years old, on the field at Beaver Pond Recreation Area. Pat supported the youth flag football teams as they played their final games of the year and joined in on the action – playing catch with the players and posing for photos with the teams.

Pat Patriot posing for photos

“It was great to see the smiles on the children’s faces when they saw Pat Patriot walk through the gate and onto the field,” said Ryan Jette, director of Franklin Recreation. “He was full of energy and very engaging with all of our players. He even threw passes and ran plays with the teams. I especially enjoyed when he sat in the equipment cart and let the kids wheel him around the field. A huge thank you to the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group for their support. Pat was a wonderful addition to this year’s NFL Flag Football Finale.”

The Franklin NFL Flag Football program was established by Franklin Recreation in 1999 and has grown from 24 children in its first year to 498 children registered in 2016. The league includes six 6-year-old teams, six 7-year-old teams, ten 8 and 9-year-old teams, twelve 10 and 11-year-old teams and six 12 to 14-year-old teams. The 14-week season wrapped up on Nov. 8.

To find out more about programs that the Recreation Department offers, visit their webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department

Franklin Recreation - 275 Beaver St

Give the gift of Music - Small Business Saturday - Encore Music Academy

Give the gift of Music - Small Business Saturday - Encore Music Academy

FHS Clermont, Hartnett finish in top 25 at D! State Girls Cross Country meet

Nicole Clermont finished 4th in the D1 girls state cross county meet held in Gardner on Saturday. Kate Harnett finished 23rd. 

First Time Out - Contractor License                         HY-TEK's Meet Manager
                 MIAA All State Cross Country Meet - 11/19/2016                  
                         Gardner Municipal Golf Course                           
                              Last Completed Event                               

Event 1  Girls 5k Run CC Division 1
==================================================================================
   Name                    Year School                  Avg 1K     Finals  Points
==================================================================================
 1 #248 Grace Connolly       10 Natick                    3:42      18:27        
 2  #74 Margot Ehrenthrol    12 Concord-Carlisle          3:53      19:25    1   
 3  #27 Sophia Jacobs-Towns  10 Amherst-Pelham            3:54      19:30    2   
 4 #114 Nicole Clermont      11 Franklin        3:56      19:36        
 5 #415 Jamie Falla          11 Wachusett                 3:56      19:39    3   
 6 #363 Jillian Callahan     10 Plymouth South            3:56      19:39        
 7 #200 Olivia Sheffield     11 Lowell                    3:58      19:47    4   
 8 #183 Grace Leightheiser   12 Lexington                 3:58      19:48    5   
 9 #279 Caroline Barry       11 Newton South              4:00      19:56    6   
10  #37 Sarah Cavanaugh      12 Auburn                    4:00      19:57        
11 #414 Bailie Falla         09 Wachusett                 4:00      19:57    7   
12 #282 Katherine Collins    12 Newton South              4:00      19:58    8   
13 #371 Gabrielle Lawrence   11 Shepherd Hill             4:01      20:02        
14 #188 Sophie DeFreitas     10 Lincoln-Sudbury           4:01      20:04        
15 #355 Sam Curtin           12 Plymouth North            4:02      20:07    9   
16  #77 Eline Laurent        11 Concord-Carlisle          4:02      20:08   10   
17 #129 Emily Willson        11 Groton-Dunstable          4:03      20:11   11   
18 #271 Einat Gavish         11 Newton North              4:03      20:14   12   
19 #276 Helena Teixeira Das  09 Newton North              4:03      20:15   13   
20 #445 Loren Andrews        11 Wellesley                 4:04      20:19   14   
21 #187 Alexandra Wolf       12 Lexington                 4:04      20:20   15   
22 #331 Jessica Ostrowski    12 Peabody                   4:05      20:21   16   
23 #115 Kate Hartnett        11 Franklin        4:05      20:23        
24 #186 Pauline Steines      09 Lexington                 4:05      20:25   17   
25 #472 Ali Hurley           11 Woburn                    4:06      20:27   18   

The full D1 girls cross country results

http://www.coolrunning.com/results/16/ma/Nov19_MIAASt_set1.shtml

The full D1 boys cross country results

http://www.coolrunning.com/results/16/ma/Nov19_MIAASt_4_set1.shtml

FHS Panthers

Franklin Downtown Partnership's 15th Anniversary Gala

The Franklin Downtown Partnership's 15th Anniversary Gala was a fabulous party! 

A HUGE thank you to Jane Curran and Beth Wierling for creating a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable Gala! 

Many thanks to our gala guests, sponsors, wonderful volunteers, auction item donors, Ben Gardner's Boat, THE BLACK BOX, Restaurant 3, and everyone who helped make our gala an event to remember. 

These photos (and more!) courtesy of Paul Vicario, Vicario Studio. 

sign on THE BLACK BOX marque

See more photos at https://goo.gl/photos/VLQZjGTLvUZuKdnY6

The sponsors for our gala:

Platinum:                    Dean Bank

Bronze:                       Franklin Cultural District
                                   Franklin Public Schools - Lifelong Learning
                                   Local Town Pages
                                   Middlesex Savings Bank

Friends:                      Coldwell Banker - Suzanne Ranieri
                                   Dean College
                                   Green Mountain Chocolate
                                   Hockomock Area YMCA
                                   Jane's Frames
                                   Sally's Alley
                                   Simon's Furniture

Read the Milford Daily News interview with Executive Director Lisa Piana here.



This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2016/11/thank-you-party-pics-from-15th.html

Nicole Clermont - Hockomock MVP for Girls Cross Country

Below are the official 2016 Hockomock League Cross Country All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league were published by HockomockSports.Com.

The FHS athletes are shown here. Links at the bottom will take you to the full listing for the girls and boys.

Girls Cross Country

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP

• Nicole Clermont, Franklin

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

• Nicole Clermont, Franklin
• Kate Hartnett, Franklin

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• Ella Gutkowski, Franklin

Nicole Clermont was selected player of the week earlier this fall season

Boys Cross Country

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP

• David Seybert, Attleboro

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

• Everett Henderson, Franklin

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• Tyler Marchioni, Franklin

Girls listing
https://hockomocksports.com/2016-hockomock-league-girls-cross-country-stars/

Boys listing
https://hockomocksports.com/2016-hockomock-league-boys-cross-country-stars/

Library Book Sale - 9:00 to 3:00 PM today

The monthly Franklin Public Library Book Sale is scheduled for Saturday, November 19, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, from 9:00 - noon is the books by the bag sale

Franklin Public Library Book Sale is scheduled for Saturday, November 19, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/11/franklin-public-library-booksale.html

Support SAFE Coalition by using Amazon Smile

The SAFE Coalition provides a pathway to support, education, treatment options, and coping mechanisms for those affected by Substance Use Disorder. They seek to empower those affected, including their families and friends, with the tools necessary to succeed on their journey to recovery.

Whenever you do your shopping with Amazon, please use the link below and place it on your bookmarks and help us raise funds to battle Substance Use Disorder. 

Every time you shop with Amazon, you are supporting our efforts. 

And PLEASE: Share this with your friends!!!

Support the Safe Coalition by shopping at AmazonSmile.

SAFE Coalition

• For more about Amazon Smile

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_se_g1rp_lgwd_saas#products


The SAFE Coalition also recently annouced the introduction of a hotline. If you or someone you know needs help for substance use disorder, please call 

SAFE Coalition hotline

"we tried to make sure they reflected the cost of the service"

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

"The town has taken action to simplify its fees. 

The Town Council, at its Nov. 15 meeting, heard and decided to move forward on bylaw changes that would remove 116 fees or categories of fees. The matter will be brought up for a second reading at a future council meeting, where the councilors will take a final vote on it. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the fees bylaw was due for modernization. 

"The old bylaw hadn't been reviewed for 20 years, though certain fees have been amended at different points in time," he said. "Through the years, the Town Council has addressed fees and costs, but hadn't looked at the bylaw in its entirety."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161118/franklin-looking-to-simplify-fees


Note: the Town Council meeting was held on Wednesday, Nov 16 not 15 as shown in the MDN article.

The cover letter to the Town Council and the full text of the revised town fees bylaw is shown here

work continues along Chestnut St to add new sidewalks

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 11/18/16 - THU 11/24/16

FRIDAY 11/18/16
10:30am-12pm   Knitting Circle for Adults (all skill levels welcome) @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Norfolk-Franklin Music Together: Free Demo Class at Norfolk Public Library
4-5pm   Audition Opportunity: Sing a duet with Beth Leavel @ The Black Box
7:30pm   Dean College of Arts: Into the Woods @ Dean College

SATURDAY 11/19/16
9am-3pm   Book Sale - Buck a Book @ Franklin Public Library
2pm   Dean College of Arts: Into the Woods @ Dean College
3-4pm   Audition Opportunity: Sing a duet with Beth Leavel @ The Black Box
7:30pm   Dean College of Arts: Into the Woods @ Dean College
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: The Kennedys with Nalani @ FUSF
8pm   Beth Leavel in Concert @ The Black Box

SUNDAY 11/20/16
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast returns to Franklin Rod and Gun Club - open to public
9-12pm   FDP: Winter Beautification @ Downtown Franklin
9am-12pm  Bag Sale - $5 a bag of books @ Franklin Public Library
2pm   Dean College of Arts: Into the Woods @ Dean College
7pm   Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration @ FUSF

MONDAY 11/21/16
10am-12:30pm   Thanksgiving Pie and Turkey Gravy Sale @ Gerry's Place - Tri-County HS
4pm   Krafty Mondays (ages 6-12) @ Franklin Public Library
6:15-7pm   Fall Cub Scout Recruiting Event (K-5) @ Elks Lodge

TUESDAY 11/22/16
10am-12:30pm   Thanksgiving Pie and Turkey Gravy Sale @ Gerry's Place - Tri-County HS

THURSDAY 11/24/16   *** HAPPY THANKSGIVING ***
8am   Franklin Food Pantry: Turkey Trot @ 91 Jordan Road, Franklin (registration starts at 7am)

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

In the News: Best Buddies grants awarded; state data on suspensions released

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

"A school program designed to encourage friendships between students and their counterparts who have developmental disabilities received nearly $15,000 in grants this week. 

The grants - to the "Best Buddies" programs in multiple Franklin Schools - were announced at the Tuesday night School Committee meeting. 

Best Buddies

Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley said Franklin schools have partnered with the Best Buddies program for many years, and that hearing of the group's progress was one of the highlights of the committee's year. 

"Our schools have arguably the best 'Best Buddies' program in the country," he said. "It's a wonderful program."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161117/franklin-school-best-buddies-programs-receive-grants

The complete listing of grants by Best Buddies for the individual schools can be found here  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/live-reporting-best-buddies.html

"A year after student suspension rates fell sharply under new statewide disciplinary regulations, the number of Massachusetts pupils suspended from school ticked up slightly in the 2015-16 academic year. 

“The last thing we want to see is suspension rates increasing, particularly for our students of color, English language learners and students with disabilities,” said Matthew Cregor, education project director for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice. “Those disparities were already far too great.” 

According to state data released Thursday, the percentage of students suspended at least once in the 2015-16 academic year increased slightly from the previous year, from 4.1 to 4.3 percent. That follows a 20 percent decrease in student suspensions the previous year, when new state regulations went into effect."

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161117/racial-disparity-remains-in-school-suspension-rates

A Season of Thanks

November 2016   A Season of Thanks    Dear Community, We are so thankful for YOU!  Throughout the year volunteers and donors work hard to help us provide food to more than 500 households. We simply could not do it without you.  Through your generosity, this week we will distribute turkeys and fixings to 200 families. We will also be able to provide each family with one item to help cook the meal. We will have foil roasting pans, pot holders, turkey basters and potato mashers to choose from. Last year when we offered these items it brought a lot of big smiles! There are so many small things that become luxuries in difficult times. Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Franklin Food Pantry. THANK YOU for your support!          Don't forget #GivingTuesday November 29th - Help us reach our goal of 322 donations,  in honor of each of the 322 children we serve!     Calling all runners, walkers and trotters!  Bring your friends and family for this fun annual tradition. The Franklin Turkey Trot 5k begins at 8am Thanksgiving morning and all proceeds benefit the pantry.   Register here online. Additional leadership gift and corporate sponsor  opportunities available, for details please  email Erin Lynch erin@franklinfoodpantry.org Franklin Food Pantry       www.franklinfoodpantry.org  Our facility is generously donated by Rockland Trust. We are located at 43 West Central Street, Franklin MA, on Route 140 in the Rockland Trust parking lot,  across the street from the fire station. STAY CONNECTED

Franklin Food Pantry, 43 West Central Street, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by erin@franklinfoodpantry.org in collaboration with Try it free today

In the News: zoning change referred to Planning Board; Harlem Wizards game sold out

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

"The Town Council agreed to refer to the Planning Board a zoning change that would allow a 34-unit residential development along Summer Street. 

The council voted Wednesday night unanimously on the alteration - which would rezone the 11-acre lot at 496 Summer St. from "rural residential I" to "single-family residential VII." 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the development was expected to resemble the Cook's Farm project currently under construction along Rte. 140, near Franklin Country Club. The single-family residential VII zone was created to allow for that development."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161117/franklin-council-forwards-zoning-change-to-planning-board

"The Harlem Wizards will bring their team to Franklin to compete against “Team FPS” for a two-hour tournament on Friday, Nov. 18. 

The event will take place at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School’s gymnasium, 147 Pond St., Franklin, starting at 7 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. 

The Harlem Wizards’ brand of “Trick Hoops and Alley Oops” entertainment basketball has been packing gyms across the globe for more than 50 years. Their show includes amazing slams, world-class tricks, precision teamwork and humor."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161117/franklin-schools-teachers-staff-to-face-harlem-wizards-nov-18

Tickets for the game on Nov 18 are sold out