In the News: superintendent search starts over; Downtown Partnership considering goals for 2017

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

"The School Committee will once again seek candidates for its superintendent position. 

The committee voted unanimously Tuesday night to reopen its search, opting not to select either remaining finalist as its preferred candidate. 

Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley opened the meeting by giving a history of the search process. He said two candidates, Weymouth Assistant Superintendent Susan Kustka and Blackstone-Millville Assistant Superintendent David Thomson, remained. A third finalist, Chelmsford Assistant Superintendent Linda Hirsch, had announced her intention to remain in her current position. 

O'Malley said the committee had options: it could choose either of the two candidates, or re-open the search. He suggested it opt for the latter choice."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170207/franklin-schools-re-open-superintendent-search

My notes and the audio recording of the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/school-superintendent-search-starts.html

"Members of the Franklin Downtown Partnership pondered several priorities for 2017 - including the best way to notify businesses of available commercial space. 

Partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana said at the Feb. 2 meeting that there are numerous upcoming events over the first half of the year - among them a beautification day in May and the annual Strawberry Stroll in June. 

Piana said that since it was the group's first meeting of the year, it also made sense to consider the partnership's goals for 2017. She suggested that because the partnership receives many calls inquiring about available commercial space in town, it place an inventory of such locations on its website."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170207/franklin-downtown-partnership-considers-2017-priorities

The Town of Franklin page focused on sharing business development info about the community

In the News: Senior Center open house; police association fund raising

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

"An open house is planned at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St., Franklin, on Sunday, Feb. 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., in celebration of the completion of the second floor or the facility. 

The open house will also highlight improvements completed on the first floor of the senior center, as well as new programs and activities, and will include refreshments and giveaways, as well as Charlie Cards provided by the center's outreach staff. 

For questions, call 508-520-4945."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170207/open-house-set-at-franklin-senior-center

The back side of the Senior Center shows the rise in the roof where the elevator shaft is located

"The Franklin Police Superior Officers Association is currently holding a fundraising drive to benefit the association's community-based programs. 

The association is also publishing an official 2017 business directory and safety book with various business advertisements and safety tips. 

For contributors, the association is offering free tickets to a comedy show it is hosting on Friday, March 10, 7:30 p.m., at the Elks Lodge, 1077 Pond St., Franklin. For more information, contact Association President Sgt. Chris Spillane at 508-440-2723."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170207/franklin-police-sergeants-union-holding-fundraiser

School Superintendent Search starts again

This special School Committee meeting was called to cover the discussion and decision on the School Superintendent search process. The Committee voted 7-0 to re-open the process as the two final candidates were not a 'good fit'.

Randy from HYA talks with the School Committee

My notes during the meeting were posted via Twitter and recaptured here

Town of Franklin: Police Dept - Use of Force Data

"The Franklin Police Department believes in transparency and open information. To this extent the website will also provide information on documented use of force incidents within the agency. The Franklin Police Department has a Use of Force Policy, and a separate but equally important policy on specific incidents that require an officer to file a report when force was used. Both of these policies are available for viewing. These policies conform with State and Federal guidelines, and are reviewed annually during weapons training. They are also reviewed or revised when there is a significant Court decision that has direct bearing on the policy.

Franklin Police Use of Force Policy

Franklin Police Use of Force Reporting Policy

We will also be publishing information on our own Use of Force data. We pride ourselves on having a group of talented and professional officers. No police department can realistically expect to operate without having to ever use any amount of force. To this extent, based on the number of daily police interactions, calls for service, and custodies, we process every year, we believe these numbers reflect the strong training, and verbal control tactics employed by our officers."

This was shared from the Town of Franklin Police Dept webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/use-force-data

The Franklin Police headquarters i  located at 911 Panther Way

Both FHS basketball teams and the girls hockey team posts wins on Monday

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 49 @ Taunton, 29 – Final
– Bea Bondhus had a team-high 14 points for Franklin and freshman Ali Brigham added 11 as the Panthers made it three straight wins and seven wins in the last nine games.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 7 @ Dover-Sherborn/Hopkinton, 0 – Final

Boys basketball = Taunton, 36 @ Franklin, 78 – Final

"Before Franklin hosts Mansfield this coming Friday in a game that will likely decide the Kelley-Rex title, the Panthers had a big test against a visiting Taunton squad on Monday night. 

The Panthers passed with flying colors. 

Franklin took a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter and blew the game wide open with dominant second quarter, eventually walking away with a 78-36 win over Taunton. 

While Franklin got nearly everything it wanted inside in the first quarter (7/9 from 2PT) and put up 16 points, Taunton freshman Dante Law had 10 points to help the Tigers keep pace."

Continue reading Editor in Chief Ryan Lannigans recap of the boys basketball game
https://hockomocksports.com/macchi-franklin-boys-basketball-land-big-win-over-visiting-taunton/

For all of Monday's results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-020617/

Franklin’s Connor Peterson goes for a layup in the first half against Taunton. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Via the Twitterverse

Panthers beat Taunton 49-29 on the road. On to Mansfield! #RightHereRightNow

— Franklin Girls Bball (@fhsgvbasketball) February 7, 2017

Final: Franklin 78, Taunton 36. Connor Peterson with 20 points, Josh Macchi with 17 pts, 12 reb. Law had 12 for Taunton. #hockomock

— Ryan Lanigan (@R_Lanigan) February 7, 2017

Half: Franklin 43, Taunton 18. Panthers dominated the boards and broke this thing wide open. Josh Macchi with 13 pts, 12 reb. #hockomock

— Ryan Lanigan (@R_Lanigan) February 7, 2017

7-0 win over DS. Goals by Trask, Landry (2), Dwyer (2), Paterson (2). First shutout of the season for Pokorny!

— FHS Girls Hockey (@fhsvgockey) February 6, 2017

In Franklin tonight as the Panthers host Taunton. Big Kelley-Rex showdown on deck, Panthers won first meeting 55-42. #hockomock pic.twitter.com/tOnab5Lm0l

— Ryan Lanigan (@R_Lanigan) February 6, 2017

JV beat Taunton 63-55. Great win!

— FHS Boys Basketball (@fhsboysbball) February 6, 2017

Freshmen beat Taunton 53-44. Great job boys!

— FHS Boys Basketball (@fhsboysbball) February 6, 2017

"the prohibition of placing snow in any public street is still in effect"

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

"The Town Council has done away with a bylaw that required businesses to clear nearby sidewalks of snow. 

The matter was decided at the body's Feb. 1 meeting, during which councilors voted unanimously to strike the 1975 bylaw. Town officials first brought the subject to the council's attention in January, stating that its provisions - among which, that businesses clear snow within 12 hours of a storm - had perhaps outlived their usefulness. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting has said that the law was passed at a time when business was concentrated in the downtown area. 

"In 40 years, the town has expanded dramatically up and down Rte. 140 and in the industrial parks," he said, adding that he did not believe the bylaw had been enforced during his years with the town."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170206/franklin-council-strikes-snow-removal-bylaw

Related article from the first meeting on this item in January
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/felt-bylaw-as-written-was-anti-business.html

Full meeting summary of the Feb 1, 2017 Town Council meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/town-council-recap-feb-1-2017.html

evidence that the DPW does get to clear the sidewalks of snow.

MBTA: Through Tuesday, Feb 7, 2017 - Commuter Rail notice

All commuter rail passengers should anticipate crowding and delays on Tuesday morning, 2/7, due to heavy ridership for the Patriots Parade.

The commuter rail will operate on a regular weekday schedule with added coaches on key trains. Ridership will be carefully monitored with additional trains on standby to be deployed to stations and lines as needed. Commuters may consider boarding early morning trains to avoid crowds.

Parade-goers are encouraged to carpool and use high capacity parking lots like Route 128, Dedham Corp and Anderson/Woburn. Mobile tickets can be purchased in advance from the MBTA's mTicket app. All tickets should be bought and activated prior to boarding.

Last updated: Feb 06 2017 01:49 PM
Sent by the MBTA.

MBTA commuter rail train at Franklin/Dean Station