Monday, January 9, 2017

FHS strong performances at Frosh-Soph Indoor meet

Some sports and FHS highlights via the Twitterverse
















Girls Fr/So 4x400 relay takes 1st with a 4:14
Girls Fr/So 4x400 relay takes 1st with a 4:14


The complete performance results from the MSTCA McIntyre Meet on Sunday can be viewed here



or here (PDF)
http://www.mstca.org/Winter_Season/Winter%202017/fslargeperflist.pdf


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Register O'Donnell Highlights 2016 Norfolk County Real Estate Activity



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Highlights 2016 Norfolk County Real Estate Activity

While 2016 was in may ways a tumultuous year, both nationally and internationally, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell also reported it was a solidly impressive one for the local Norfolk County real estate market.

Register O'Donnell noted, "A review of 2016 showed a strong across-the-board performance when it came to Norfolk County real estate. During the year, the number of residential and commercial properties sold increased 4%."

In addition, the total volume of residential and commercial sales in 2016 came in at $9.1 billion, an impressive 12% increase year over year. The average sales price, for both residential and commercial, was $775,031, an increase of 8% over 2015.

Another positive economic indicator was the 167,600 land documents recorded, a 6% increase from the prior year. "These numbers indicate that Norfolk County remains a desirable location to raise a family and secure gainful employment," noted O'Donnell.

The year 2016 was also a robust one for real estate financing in Norfolk County. A total of 35,159 mortgages were recorded, representing an 11% increase from 2015. Total mortgage financing closed at $19.3 billion, a 5% increase from the previous year. Register O'Donnell stated, "Clearly, a strong economy in eastern Massachusetts, coupled with low interest rates, were the key factors."

Norfolk County residents continued to avail themselves of the protections provided by the Homestead Act. A total of 12,573 Homesteads were recorded in 2016, a 4% increase over 2015. O'Donnell noted, "A Homestead provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. I urge homeowners who have not recorded a Homestead against their primary residence to consider this valuable consumer protection tool."

One note of concern in an otherwise bright market was foreclosure activity. A total of 294 foreclosure deeds were filed in Norfolk County in 2016, compared to 250 in the previous year. In addition, Notice to Foreclose Mortgage, the first step in the foreclosure process, also increased by 3.7%. Register O'Donnell noted, "These numbers are quite sobering. While one foreclosure is one too many, there is a silver lining in the 4th quarter of 2016, the Registry saw significant reductions in the number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings. I am cautiously hopeful these trend lines will continue."

The Registry continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs at (617) 479-8181 x-376 and NeighborWorks Southern Mass at (508) 598-0950 to help anyone who has received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Another option for consumers is to call the Massachusetts Attorney General's HomeCorps program at (617) 573-5333.

Register O'Donnell concluded, "Norfolk County real estate market experienced solid growth in 2016. A strong economy in eastern Massachusetts, coupled with low interest rates, propelled consumers to spend on housing, even in light of the reduced inventory. In 2017, it will be interesting to see if this activity can be sustained, especially in light of the increase in interest rates by the Federal Reserve."

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and/or Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

Register William P. O'Donnell
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
phone: 781-234-3336
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831

Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage
screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage

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Sunday, January 8, 2017

Franklin MA: Planning Board - Agenda - Jan 9, 2017

The agenda for the Planning Board meeting scheduled for Monday, Jan 9 2017 has been posted to the Town of Franklin webpage

 http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/january_9_2017.pdf
I had missed that the development for the Pond St property was already in public hearing mode. The full agenda can be viewed here (PDF window)


or here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczbTd1NXliQUcxTWc/view?usp=sharing

site of the former Franklin sewer works (photo from a walk in Sep 2015)
site of the former Franklin sewer works (photo from a walk in Sep 2015)

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Important Cultural District Planning Meeting - Jan 19 - 7:00 PM

The Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning and Community Development invites you to attend a meeting at 7:00 p.m. on January 19, 2017 to hear an update on plans for a Cultural District in Downtown Franklin.

The Cultural District Steering Committee has worked hard for more than two years to draw attention to Franklin’s great cultural resources, advocate for creation of the Franklin Cultural District, and organize the annual Franklin Cultural Festival.

The Committee and Town staff are looking for your input regarding the creation of a state designated Cultural District and related management issues, as well as support for ongoing and potential cultural activities.

Input and ongoing involvement of all Franklin organizations and individuals is desired to develop a strong partnership consisting of cultural organizations, historical and community organizations, non-profits, private businesses, government agencies, educational and faith based institutions, and individual artists. All are encouraged to participate in this partnership.

Anyone in need of additional information should contact the Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning and Community Development.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Bryan W. Taberner, AICP

Director of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-1352
Phone: 508-520-4907
Fax: 508-520-4906
Email: btaberner@franklin.ma.us
When: 
Thursday January 19, 2017, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: 
Franklin Municipal Building
355 East Central Street, Town Council Chambers

Arts Happen Here in Franklin, MA!
Arts Happen Here in Franklin, MA!

Note: I am volunteering my time and effort as part of the Cultural District Steering Committee to make this happen for Franklin.

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FHS wrestling takes 3 more wins on Saturday

Via the Twitterverse







https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle
Franklin Wrestling


"In a matchup of unbeaten perennial state wrestling powers in the finals of the inaugural Redhawks Duals tournament, Franklin snapped a tie when Mike Racca won by pin at 120 pounds in the final match to lift the Panthers to a championship win by a 35-29 score over host Natick on Saturday. 
The score was tied 29-29 as each team won seven matches heading into the decisive matchup at 120 pounds. 
"It was a great match with hard-fought wrestling and a lot of fun," said Franklin coach Carmine Colace. 
"It was a great match," said Natick coach Bob Anniballi. "They are one of the best Division 1 teams (in the state)."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/20170107/schools-franklin-wrestling-topples-natick-in-redhawks-duals-tournament
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In the News: Kutil and the road to UMass Dartmouth; sledding map

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

"It gets a bit complicated, with a dose of personal conflict on Alicia Kutil's part, if one is to trace the back roads that ultimately placed her at UMass Dartmouth. 
"I wanted to go far away," said the ex-Franklin High basketball star. "I wanted to go to some pretty school down south." A slew of local colleges recruited the six-footer. She didn't even bother opening the letters. She sent video to a bunch of Division 3 schools down south. 
The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia was one of them. The basketball coaches liked what they saw of Kutil. She visited the campus, and enrolled. All good, so far. 
Then it wasn't good at all, and the change didn't take long."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/sports/20170107/franklins-kutil-finds-right-fit-at-umass-dartmouth



"By the time the storm Saturday ends, most of the area will have a decent coating of snow and cold enough weather to keep it around for a few days. 
In other words, the conditions are ripe for sledding. Check out an interactive map created by Millis woman Sharon Aigler for all the best sledding hills in the area, at hollistonmedway.communitykangaroo.com/sledding. 
The hills are also ranked by difficulty: small hills, large hills and intense thrill hills. 
Aigler, who runs the Community Kangaroo website, said she created the map with crowdsourced suggestions to solve a common problem."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170107/check-out-this-map-of-best-sledding-spots-in-metrowest

screen grab of sledding map
screen grab of sledding map

Fin the interactive version of this map online
http://hollistonmedway.communitykangaroo.com/sledding/
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In the News: Buckley Mass Audubon photo winner; Upper Charles River trail progress

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

"It's a striking photo - an orange-yellow sunset reflected in near-perfect fidelity by the water, with a few beach-goers navigating the narrow spit of land between sky and ocean. 
That picture, of Cape Cod's Mayflower Beach, has won statewide recognition for local 15-year-old Samantha Buckley, as it took high honors in a Mass Audubon photo contest. The society named it the top entry in the under-18 division of its "People in Nature" category. 
Buckley said she's had an interest in photography for some time, and had taken part in some photography challenges in her art classes.

 Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170106/franklin-teens-photo-wins-mass-audubon-award

Under 18: Samantha Buckley
Under 18: Samantha Buckley
View other Mass Audubon photo winners from the 2016 contest here
http://www.massaudubon.org/news-events/photo-contest/2016-winners



"The push for the Upper Charles Trail, a bike and walking path through Ashland that would connect to a greater, 25-mile loop, just got a little outside help. 
The town has hired an engineering firm to help solidify a proposed route and a plan for construction. 
If Ashland completes the trail, it will finish its leg of a five-town loop first envisioned decades ago. Currently, only Milford has finished its stretch of the trail, but Holliston isn't far behind, having acquired the land it needs for the last stretch of unfinished trail. Hopkinton, Sherborn and Ashland are all in some stage of planning."

 Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170106/ashland-trail-committee-partners-with-engineers-to-solidify-route

More info about the Upper Charles Trail (and other rail trails in MA)
http://www.traillink.com/trail/upper-charles-trail.aspx

Franklin is the starting point for the Southern New Eegland Trunk Trail (SNETT) located off Grove St   http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/
SNETT trail entrance parking along Grove St
SNETT trail entrance parking along Grove St


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Saturday, January 7, 2017

FHS splits with Oliver Ames in basketball at Coaches vs. Cancer night



Boys Basketball = Oliver Ames, 42 @ Franklin, 75 – Final

Girls Basketball = Oliver Ames, 64 @ Franklin, 50 – Final

 For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-010617/


Franklin junior forward Connor Peterson (11) scored 16 points to lead the Panthers to a big win over Oliver Ames in the Coaches vs. Cancer game. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin junior forward Connor Peterson (11) scored 16 points to lead the Panthers to a big win over Oliver Ames in the Coaches vs. Cancer game. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

"Oliver Ames came out aggressive, physical, intense, and playing well on the offensive end of the floor. The Tigers trailed by three points at the end of the first quarter in Friday night’s late half of a basketball doubleheader, but the game looked poised to be a four-quarter battle. 
Eight minutes later, Franklin was in complete control. Using a 19-0 run to break the game wide open and dominating the paint with junior forward Connor Peterson (16 points), the Panthers turned a close game into a rout and cruised to a 75-42 win over OA in the first divisional meeting between the two teams. 
“We started playing defense, got our heads out of our butts and played like we’re capable of playing,” said Franklin coach C.J. Neely about the second quarter turnaround. “I thought OA came in and out-toughed us in the first quarter…I thought we got the ball into CP finally and once we got him the ball and started dominating the inside it opened up the outside. The press helped a little bit too.”
Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-clamp-roll-big-win-oa/


Franklin freshman Ali Brigham (24) battles OA senior Niyera Mitchell (45) for a rebound in Friday night’s Coaches vs. Cancer game. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin freshman Ali Brigham (24) battles OA senior Niyera Mitchell (45) for a rebound in Friday night’s Coaches vs. Cancer game. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

"Much of the attention on Oliver Ames this season will be centered on junior forward Kayla Raymond, and rightfully so, but the Tigers are going to need other players to step up if they want to repeat last season’s run to the Div. 2 South title. 
On Friday night, in the opener of a Coaches vs. Cancer doubleheader, those other players made the plays that the Tigers needed to pull out a divisional road win against Franklin. While Raymond was once again the star with a game-high 22 points and 14 rebounds, OA had five other players score at least six points. 
“That’s ultimately what we have to do,” said OA coach Laney Clement-Holbrook. “Everyone is going to be keying on Kayla and that’s what they’re going to be focused on doing and we need other people who can step up and contribute and take some of the pressure off.”
Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/oliver-ames-shows-off-depth-win-franklin/


Via the Twitterverse












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Charles River Meadowlands meeting, Tuesday, Jan 10

​Welcome to 2017 – The Year of the Charles River Meadowlands!

 We are starting off with a meeting next week, Tuesday night, Jan. 10, at 6:30 PM, Dean Room, First Universalist Society. 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA.

 This will be a chance to get a first look at the Charles River Meadowlands Plan – a document that is an outgrowth of meetings and conversations with federal, state, and local officials as well as public comments solicited at our September meeting. This is still a draft, so your comments and ideas are critical. Based on comments and feedback, we will be sharing the document widely and using it as a template for action starting in February.

 Please make an effort to attend, even briefly, on Tuesday. Should the weather seem threatening, please feel free to call my cell phone – 508 560 3786 for updates...

 Sincerely,

 Alan Earls
Charles River Meadowlands initiative

 www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org
map of the Charles River Meadowlands
map of the Charles River Meadowlands

 PS: Be sure to mark our upcoming meetings on your calendar!

  • Tues Feb 7
  • Tues Mar 7
  • Tues Apr 4
  • Tues May 2
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Connections that work! SBA Workshop - Jan 25


  • Looking to Start or Expand your Business?
  • Gain a better understanding of SBA Programs and Services

General information will be provided on the following:
 MSBDC – Mass Small Business Development Center

 SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business

 SBA Guaranty Loan Programs:
7(a) Loans - Microloans
SBA Express Loans - 504 Loan Program

 Government Contracting Opportunities:
8(a) Business Development - HUBZones (Historically Underutilized Business Zones) - Small Disadvantaged Business - Surety Bonding - Disaster Assistance

 CWE – Center for Women and Enterprise

Register online here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connections-that-work-tickets-30342938546
Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building
view the complete information flyer here:



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ECDC Preschool Program Enrollment Opens

The Franklin Public Schools 
ECDC Preschool Program

Now Enrolling for Fall 2017…
Lottery to held on February 28, 2017
Applications now available on the principal's blog 



 and on the ECDC website 


@FranklinECDC
@FranklinECDC
The F.X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center (@FranklinECDC) is committed to offering preschoolers here in Franklin an opportunity for high quality developmentally appropriate learning in an environment that encourages diversity, cooperation and understanding. 

 Our building and our curriculum have been designed to meet the complex needs of students with and without disabilities and help them develop the necessary readiness skills to prepare them for kindergarten. 

 Our curriculum is aligned with the MA state frameworks for Literacy, Math and Social Emotional Development as well as the NAEYC standards for teaching and learning. Our teachers are highly qualified public school certified in early childhood, special education or a combination of both specialties.

 Students who enroll attend ECDC participate in our "integrated" preschool model. In these language-based classrooms, children of all ability levels, with and without identified special needs, are taught together in an environment that nurtures peers as partners in learning. 

 Research has proven that linking children of varying ability levels actually enhances the growth and development of all the children. Each of our classrooms maintains a low class size, maxing out with 15 students, with a Massachusetts certified teacher and at least one highly qualified educational assistant.

 Franklin residents who turn 3 by August 31st are eligible to register for the integrated preschool program at ECDC.

 Families interested in scheduling a tour at ECDC can call the main office @ 508 541-8166 to contact Kelty Kelley, ECDC Principal via email @ kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us.

Kelty Kelley, M.Ed., Principal
F. X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center
224 Oak Street
Franklin, MA 02038
Phone: 508-541-8166
Fax: 508-541-8254
kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us
"There is no hand so small that it cannot leave an imprint on the world!" Klub Kidz
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Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Update - Christine Lavin and Don White - January 7 - > CANCELLED due to the weather



Peter Mulvey January 28th
View this email in your browser
Christine Lavin and Don White
Jan 7, 2017 - 8 PM $25
We just found out that after years of touring together Christine and Don will be taking a break. This may be your last chance to see them together. Hope you can join us.

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is starting the year off right with two hilarious musicians, Christine Lavin and Don White on Saturday January 7th at 8PM. Christine's smart and funny songs nail our lives and foibles on the head! She is a comedienne whose delightfully skewed songs cover a lot of territory including relationships, politics, and life's injustices.  http://www.christinelavin.com/

 Don White is a Circle of Friends regular whose songs and stories about raising teenagers always have our crowds rolling in the aisles. Together they are a fabulously hilarious duo of comedy and song. This will be a night to remember.  http://www.donwhite.net/

"...Christine Lavin and Don White, perhaps the two funniest performers on the folk circuit today." - Scott Alarik, The Boston Globe
http://www.donwhite.net/don-christine/

Check out their video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLwRwZ7j3C4

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 this shows are $25.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.
Upcoming Shows
Jan 28       Peter Mulvey
Feb 11      Joe Crookston
Mar 4        Celtic Band RUNA
Mar 18      The Boxcar Lilies 


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

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Friday, January 6, 2017

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 1/6/17 - THU 1/12/17

FRIDAY 1/6/17 
10:30am   Knitting Circle for Adults @ Franklin Public Library

SATURDAY 1/7/17
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Christine Lavin and Don White

 SUNDAY 1/8/17
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast @ Franklin Rod and Gun Club
1pm   FPAC Family Concert Series: New England Percussion Ensemble (free event)

MONDAY 1/9/17
8-8:30pm   FPAC Open Auditions for Beauty and the Beast @ The Black Box
7-8:30pm   Learn To Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

TUESDAY 1/10/17
7pm   Yankee Quilters Guild Meeting @ St. John’s Episcopal Church (prospective members welcome)
7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Meeting @ Franklin YMCA (public welcome)

WEDNESDAY 1/11/17
6:30pm   Teen Advisory Board Meeting @ Franklin Public Library
7:30pm   Franklin Newcomers and Friends Meeting @ 3 Restaurant, speakers: Alan Earls (Charles River Meadowlands) and Marjorie Turner Hollman (Easy Walks in Massachusetts)

THURSDAY 1/12/17
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA
7pm   School Committee Coffee Hour @ Franklin TV (23 Hutchinson St)

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/or shersteve@gmail.com
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Town Council Meeting Recap - Jan 4, 2017

After a brief discussion on the merits of a joint meeting with the Planning Board, the Town Council found it did not have enough interest to go forward. Joint workshops are a good thing but the functions served by both organizations are uniquely different. There would still be the need to hold separate votes, and the Planning Board recommendation is required before the Town Council acts, so the combined meeting for a public hearing would not help to streamline the process.

 The update to the Master Plan was a summary of actions taken since the plan was published. The listing of accomplishments mostly in the recreation and open space sections will be recorded with the 'official' Master Plan.

 A proposal to locate 'Storage Use' in the industrial zone (where it is not currently permitted) rather than in the Commercial II zone (where it currently is permitted) was approved. The irony is that the two current storage operations are located in the industrial zone, apparently grandfathered from a prior time. The proposal will move to the Planning Board for their discussion and decision before coming back to the Town Council for their two public readings and eventual decision to make the change.
Some of the more interesting information came from the subcommittee reports:

  • Jones - presentation coming on the Town website for next meeting. The presentation should help residents understand how to use the newly redesigned Town webpage.
  • Mercer - delays with Senior Center, biggest hold up is the elevator, need to get the State inspection, once they inspect, then we can utilize the second floor.
  • Mercer - High school project - while open for a couple of years, it has not ended yet. The fields will be up and operating in the spring. Finalizing the last invoice with the contractor. Setting up the audit process with the MSBA to get signed off. FHS gym floor being re-done this summer, a glass door issue to be taken care of before we sign off.
  • Pfeffer - The new addition at the Library should be all closed in by now, roof being worked on. Temporary heat there. it will be gorgeous to see what it will look like when done. Stop by 25 Kenwood to see the displays. The Benjamin Franklin books will be on display in a much better showcase for viewing by all. It may not open in July given the current construction progress.

the new addition to the Library does look like it is closed in at this point
the new addition to the Library does look like it is closed in at this point
The official 'Actions Taken' as posted by the Town of Franklin can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_january_4_2017.pdf

My notes taken live during the meeting can be found here
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FHS wrestling and girls swim team post wins on Thursday


Wrestling = Franklin, 51 vs. St. John’s, 12 – Final

 Swimming - Boys = Franklin, 65 @ Milford, 100 – Final

Swimming - Girls = Franklin, 99 @ Milford, 71 – Final 
– Franklin freshman Katie McGuire won a pair of events to help the Panthers get the crossover win. McGuire won the 500 free and the 200 free, with sophomore Lizzie Leo coming in second in the 200 free. The Panthers swept the 200 IM with senior Megan Lazarek coming in first, freshman Isabel Capecci second and senior Lila Kaplan touching in third. Senior Helen Huang was first in the 50 free for the Panthers with junior Audrey Finn coming in second. Franklin also swept the 200 and 400 free relay events.

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-010517/
FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers


And from the Twitterverse











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