Boston school starting times

In the Saturday edition of the Boston Globe:

"Boston school officials have decided against changing the start times for elementary, middle, and K-8 schools for next fall, saying they need more time to conduct an analysis and consult with the community, officials announced Friday night. 

“There are no plans at this time to make changes to start and end times for the upcoming school year as it’s important that we take the time to work with the entire school community through this process,” the School Department said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/12/02/boston-puts-brakes-changing-school-start-times-least-for-now/DFxNyhH5zCj3n27a4Xv1ZO/story.html

This is a follow up to an earlier story
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/12/01/boston-considers-changing-school-start-times-save-busing-costs/hkB7hYljDz8eh561bGzuYO/story.html


Boston has three times for bus routes; 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30. They were looking to save money by switch some of the school star times so that more busses could run the three time slots. More planning and communication is needed before making any change.

Percent Franklin Voter Turnout 2003 - 2016 (updated with official results from Nov 8, 2016)

The "official" results from the November 8th were posted to the Town of Franklin webpage and as I updated my chart with the final numbers, I also realized that i had left out a key election in the last chart. I'll attribute that to a version control issue, I had updated an earlier version rather than the proper version. 

Here is the most recent chart with the percent Franklin voter turnout for elections from 2003 - 2016.

percent Franklin voter turnout for elections from 2003 - 2016 (color coded by election)

• The official results from Nov 8 were posted to the Town of Franklin page here

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/copy_of_official_results_state_election_nov_8_2016.pdf

• The prior posting in November can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/franklin-voter-turnout-from-2003-2016.html

Registration is now open for the 2017 Winter Session

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

"Registration is now open for the 2017 winter session at The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning, 9 E. Central St., 218 Oak St, Franklin. 

This winter participants can exercise, dance and paint, or play sports — badminton, basketball and volleyball. They can also enjoy food and wine demonstrations and tastings and explore the Italian language. 

Classes in digital photography and financial planning will be offered. 

The Kids’ Corner program will also expand. This program is a unique collection of afterschool activities for children with the goal of making learning fun. Classes are small, relaxed and designed to encourage children’s creativity. Children can explore art, cooking, science and yoga."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161204/registration-open-for-adult-ed-classes

• To view the catalog online 

http://cms5.revize.com/revize/franklinlifelong/Winter%20for%20print%20brochure%2011%2015%20final%20no%20links.pdf

Community Entrance at Franklin High School, also to the Lifelong Learning offices

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Dec 7, 2016

The agenda for the Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 7, 2016. This was shared from the Town of Franklin website. The links in most cases go directly to the supporting documents. 

Agenda Item	Summary
A. Approval of Minutes	A. November 16, 2016 Minutes
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS	Town Council Announcements
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	Swearing in of Police Officers
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS	Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments.  The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
E. APPOINTMENTS	(No appointments listed)
F. HEARINGS	Public Hearing - 7:10 pm
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	Public Hearing - 7:10 pm
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	Franklin Advisory Committee
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS	(made during the meeting)
1. Resolution 16-58: Request for Legislation	Exempting all positions in the Fire Department from Civil Service Law
2. Resolution 16-67: Classification Tax Allocation - Residential Factor
3. Resolution 16-68: Classification Tax Allocation - Open Space Exemption
4. Resolution 16-69: Classification Tax Allocation - Small Business Exemption
5. Resolution 16-70: Classification Tax Allocation - Residential Property Exemption
6. Resolution 16-71: 2017 Schedule of Town Council Meetings
7. Resolution 16-72: Legal Notices
8. Resolution 16-73: Acceptance of Grant of Utility (Drainage) Easement on Property at 9 Macintosh Street
9. Resolution 16-74: Declaration as surplus and available for Disposition (Ground Leasing) and Authorization Therefor of a Portion of Town-owned land off Forge Hill
10. Memo to Capital Budget Subcommittee
10.1 Resolution 16-76: Appropriation - Technology - Google Applications
11. Resolution 16-77: Appropriation - Turf Field Design and Development
12. Resolution 16-78: Appropriation - Technology - E Permitting
13. Resolution 16-79: Acceptance of Gift - Council on Aging
14. Bylaw Amendment 16-778: Chapter 160, Taxpayers, Delinquent - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 16-778 to a 2nd Reading (majority))
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT	(made during the meeting)
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS	(made during the meeting)
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS	(made during the meeting)
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION	(placeholder - may not be required)
O. Adjourn	meeting adjourns

Franklin's Town Common

Hand-grown/Hand-made Craft Fair - December 10

"There will be a hand-grown/hand-made craft fair with all local farmers and vendors from Franklin and a few surrounding towns. 

It will be held on the second story of An Unlikely Story Bookstore in Plainville next Saturday, December 10 from 10am to 3pm."

Hand-grown/Hand-made Craft Fair - December 10

Note: organized by a Franklin couple who submitted this for posting

A Celtic Christmas with Robbie O'Connell and Rose Clancy Dec 10

View this email in your browser A Celtic Christmas Celebration featuring Robbie O'Connell and Rose Clancy Dec 10th 8PM $25 The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse presents a Celtic Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 10th at 8PM featuring Robbie O'Connell and Rose Clancy. Together they create a delightful musical tapestry to celebrate the season.  The music has a distinct Celtic flavor and extends from the little known Kilmore carols of Wexford to the Irish-American vaudeville stage. They explore both the Christian and Pagan traditions surrounding the Winter Solstice in a mixture of songs and instrumental pieces that create a delightful musical tapestry to celebrate the season. Robbie O'Connell was born in Waterford, Ireland and grew up in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary. A nephew of the Clancy Brothers, he began touring with his uncles in 1977 and recorded 3 albums with them. In 1979 he moved to Franklin, Massachusetts. He has also toured extensively with Mick Moloney and Jimmy Keane, and also with Eileen Ivers and Seamus Egan in the Green Fields of America.  In 1992 he appeared at Carnegie Hall with the Clancy Brothers and was also seen by an estimated 500 million people worldwide on the telecast of a live tribute to Bob Dylan at Madison Square Garden, a performance which Rolling Stone magazine described as "breathtaking". http://www.robbieoconnell.com/ Fiddler Rose Clancy was born in New York into a musical family hailing from County Armagh, Ireland, an area immersed in traditional Irish music. Rose's musical career began at an early age performing with her family's musical group, The Clancy Tradition. Rose learned traditional music from her father, Eugene Clancy of the Irish Ramblers, in the "at my father's knee" tradition. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Tickets for these shows are $25.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows Jan 7        Christine Lavin and Don White Jan 28      Peter Mulvey Feb 11     Joe Crookston

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

In the News: Rotaract Club chartered at Dean College

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

"Franklin Rotary Club has chartered a Rotaract club at Dean College. The 19 charter members, all Dean students, attended a recent Rotary Club meeting where they were formally inducted into Rotaract by Rotary District Gov. Steve Sager, from the Westborough Rotary Club; Franklin Rotary President Theodore Katsaros; and Carlos Aguilera, Franklin rotarian and the Rotaract Club adviser. 

The students already have a list of projects they intend to do to help out in the Franklin community."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161203/franklin-rotary-club-charters-dean-college-rotaract-club

Rotaract Club established at Dean College

Photo was taken during the induction of individual members by Mr Sager.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/rotaract-club-established-at-dean.html

Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Agenda - Dec 7, 2016

The Budget SubCommittee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 6:30 PM in room 205.

The posted agenda can be found here and viewed in the embedded PDF file below
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/budget_committee_meeting_12-7-16.pdf

Who are the members of the subcommittee?

• Tom Mercer (Chair)
• Matt Kelly
• Deborah Pellegri
• Peter Padula

The complete listing of the subcommittee and members can be found on the revised Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/pages/town-council-subcommittees-liaisons

construction progress on the library - looking to get the exterior closed up for the winter

Franklin Line notice - Forge Park Station platform

The mini high platform is closed at Forge Park/ 495 Station today due to track work. A portable lift is available.

Affected stops:

• Forge Park/495

Last updated: Dec 03 2016 06:54 AM

Franklin Line MBTA train arriving at Franklin Dean Station

Franklin's Festive Holiday Stroll

tree decorated at Dean College

Hundreds of families enjoyed the Franklin Downtown Partnership's annual Holiday Stroll Thursday evening. Thank you for supporting this great community event! The weather was seasonably chilly and many storefronts were decorated beautifully for the season. 

Many thanks to Roberta Trahan and Jennifer Hurst, the Holiday Stroll co-chairs, for organizing the stroll!

Our sponsors helped make the night festive and fun!

Gold Sponsors for this event were Dean College and Dean Bank.

Silver Sponsors were DCU, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Franklin Ford, Middlesex Savings Bank and Rescom Exteriors.

Bronze Sponsors were Beaux Regards Photographic Art by Marjorie Sardella, BMW Gallery of Norwood, Boston Solar, Flynn/Wirkus/Young Attorneys at Law, Franklin Central Pizza, Franklin Driving School, Franklin Girl Scouts, Simon’s Furniture, Tom Fricker Heating and A/C.

Thank you to the Franklin DPW and the Franklin Police Department for your help, too!  

We have many more photographs. Check them out in our Google Album or on the Downtown Partnership Facebook page! 


Note: this was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2016/12/franklins-festive-holiday-stroll_2.html

"we at least have a baseline"

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

"In response to the statewide vote to legalize recreational marijuana, the Economic Development Committee voted in favor of new rules regarding any dispensaries in town. 

The committee, meeting Wednesday afternoon, voted to recommend that any facilities be located in the same zones that allow medical marijuana - the town's two industrial parks and a portion of Grove Street. It also was in favor of a 2 percent local option tax on sales. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said it would be best if the town was prepared for January 2018, when recreational sales facilities could open under the ballot question's provisions. 

"Under the law, you can't prohibit the activity," he said. "The idea - in the short run, at least until we know more - is to implement rules and zoning to keep it out of downtown."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161202/franklin-committee-recommends-marijuana-rules

Halligan, Vallee, Bissanti (chair), Pfeffer, and Padula left to right across the front 

Follow this link to listen to the audio recording of the full Economic Development Committee meeting from Wednesday evening, Nov 30.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/fm122-economic-development-committee.html

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 12/2/16 - THU 12/8/16

FRIDAY 12/2/16
10:30am   Knitting Circle for Adults @ Franklin Public Library
2-4pm   Holiday Party @ Franklin Public Library

SATURDAY 12/3/16
6am-12pm   Pancake Breakfast with Santa @ Elks Lodge
9am-2pm   Annual Christmas Fair @ St. John’s Episcopal Church
9-10am   School Committee Coffee Hour @ 23 Hutchinson St.
11:30am   Santa Foundation's Jingle Bell Run @ Olive Day School, Norfolk MA
2-5pm   Bubbles and Bark @ Pour Richard’s
2-3pm   Author Susan Kapatoes @ Franklin Public Library
7:30pm   FPAC Presents: The Nutcracker @ Franklin High School
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse presents: Ellis Paul @ FUSF

SUNDAY 12/4/16
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast @ Franklin Rod and Gun Club - open to public
2pm   FPAC Presents: The Nutcracker @ Franklin High School
2-6pm   Shopping @ The Winery at La Cantina Winery (shop local businesses in one place)
7pm   New England Irish Harp Orchestra @ St. John’s Episcopal Church

MONDAY 12/5/16
4pm   Krafty Mondays (ages 6-12) @ Franklin Public Library

TUESDAY 12/6/16
7pm   Franklin Garden Club Meeting @ Franklin Senior Center

WEDNESDAY 12/7/16
7:30pm   Laughter Yoga @ FUSF

THURSDAY 12/8/16
5-9pm   SAFE Coalition’s Substance Abuse Drop In Center @ St. John’s Episcopal Church

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 and shersteve@gmail.com