"the playground problems are unfortunate"

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

"The town will replace the popular DelCarte playground because of continuing problems with the equipment's structural integrity, officials announced this week. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting raised the matter at Wednesday's Town Council meeting, saying a recent check of the playground equipment revealed new cracks. That discovery, he said, prompted the Recreation Department to call in the contractor that installed the equipment. 

"We asked them to replace the entire playground with something more traditional - something we can use throughout the year," he said. 

The contractor agreed to replace the playground and provide credit toward a future project, he said. Nutting said the contractor could not determine the problem - installations using the same material had worked well in other locations."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170303/franklins-delcarte-playground

the white bundle will be uncovered and removed. The process of replacement will take several weeks

Additional info from my live reporting of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/03/live-reporting-closing-etc.html

'He Said, She Said' - March 18, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

'He Said, She Said': A night designed for couples who wouldn't mind getting real. 

On your next date night, you could go to the movies but wouldn't it be much more fun to go to a live airing of a reality show instead? 

He Said, She Said

Picture this: Two experienced, candid couples with a combined 50 years of marriage ‘practice’ take center stage giving us an inside peek into the good, bad and ugly parts of marriage. We laugh, applaud, relate and dine on some basic refreshments as we slowly learn we are not alone in this crazy marriage train. We can learn something about what it takes, really takes to be the best version of US. 

Hosted by: Mike and Laura Laird and Chris and Cindi Mitchell (pictured)
Moderated by: Heather Kempskie and Marc Pitts
Brought to you by: Pulse and Family Ministries @NEC

Register online here
http://www.newenglandchapel.org/events-wedge-details/502261/1489879800

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 3/3/17 - THU 3/9/17

FRIDAY 3/3/17
9am-10:30am   Open House @ Tri-County Regional Children’s Center
10:30am   Knitting Circle for Adults @ Franklin Public Library
3:30pm   Toe Jam Puppet Band Concert! @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   BFCCPS presents: Shrek the Musical @ Horace Mann MS

SATURDAY 3/4/17
9am-2pm   Blood Drive for the Boston Children’s Hospital
9-10am   School Committee Coffee Hour @ Franklin TV (23 Hutchinson St)
10am-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
10am   Empty Bowls Project @ FHS - event is FULL!, next event in May
2pm   BFCCPS presents: Shrek the Musical @ Horace Mann MS
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: RUNA @ FUSF

SUNDAY 3/5/17
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast @ Franklin Rod and Gun Club
8-11am   Best Buddies Spin-a-thon Fundraiser @ Team Fitness Franklin
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open (Happy 239 Birthday Party for Franklin!)

MONDAY 3/6/17
7-8:30pm   Learn To Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

TUESDAY 3/7/16
7pm   Franklin Garden Club: How to have a sustainable-enough garden @ Franklin Senior Center

WEDNESDAY 3/8/17
5:30pm   Franklin Downtown Partnership: After Hours @ Franklin TV
6:30pm   Teen Advisory Board @ Franklin Public Library
7:30pm   Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club Meeting @ 3 Restaurant

THURSDAY 3/9/17
4pm   Family Coloring Book Club @ Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   Group Therapy - event for women - sip, shop, relax, repeat @ Pour Richard’s
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA
7:30pm   Stony Brook Camera Club @ Anglican Church of the Redeemer (31 Hayward St)

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

For all other events and Franklin happenings click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email FranklinMAHappenigs@gmail.com and/or shersteve@gmail.com

Best Buddies Online Silent Auction – Opens Friday, March 3rd

Team GT for KT is hosting our annual online silent auction to raise funds for Best Buddies. 

Online bidding opens on Friday, March 3, 2017 and will close on Friday, March 17, 2017. 

Please support our auction by bidding and sharing our auction information with your friends. Items include:

• Julian Edelman Signed NFL Football
• Red Sox Tickets
• Bose SoundTouch10 Wireless Music System
• Sage Salon Mini Luxury Package
• A Week at Tomorrow’s Stars Basketball Camp (Dean College)
• Golf for 4 at Maplegate Country Club
• Restaurants and much more!

To bid go to https://www.32auctions.com/GT4KT2017

Best Buddies Online Silent Auction – Opens Friday, March 3rd

Best Buddies International is a non-profit organization that provides friendship and integrated employment opportunities to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Best Buddies has a number of active chapters serving students enrolled in the Franklin Public Schools.

Special thanks to all our 2017 donors!

FHS boys basketball tops Acton-Boxboro to advance in playoffs

"For a brief moment, it felt like top-seeded Franklin was the underdog in Thursday night’s D1 Central Quarterfinal against #9 Acton-Boxboro. 

The Colonials, who had trailed for the entire game, rattled off an 8-0 run over a three minute span in the final quarter to take their first lead, 49-48, with 3:31 to play and set their large traveling fan base into a frenzy. 

But order was restored over the next three minutes, with Franklin regaining control on the back of sophomore Jalen Samuels, who finished with a career-high 18 points. 

After A-B took the lead on a layup from sophomore Austin Zhou (12 points), the Panthers’ offense ran through Samuels. He had two free throws chances but missed them both, only to grab the offensive board himself and earn two more opportunities from the charity stripe. He sank both of them to put Franklin ahead by one."

Continue reading Hockomock Sports Editor Ryan Lanigan's recap of the game
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-samuels-survive-scare-from-acton-boxboro/

Franklin sophomore Jalen Samuels goes up for a layup against Acton-Boxboro in the first half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Do you wish you had their attention?

For those who show up Saturday morning, you can get the attention of the School Committee Community Relations Sub Committee.

Saturday, March 4, 2017 - 9:00am

Franklin Cable Access
23 Hutchinson Street
Franklin, MA 02038

Franklin Public Access Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street

Superintendent search dates and social emotional learning

The School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 28 had two major takeaways:

1. the updates schedule for the Superintendent search (see below)
2. the presentation, discussion (and video) on the work around social emotional learning being done in the district

Superintendent Search

• Consultants HYA have been receiving applications
• At the next School Committee meeting, the committee reviews the final set of candidates (7:00 PM on March 14)
• Interviews by the School Committee with the candidates are set for March 17
• Public forum meeting with the candidates Monday night March 20
• Leading to the School Committee meeting March 28 where they should make the selection of  the "preferred candidate"

Social emotional learning

The presentation document used Tuesday night

Social Emotional Learning - Presentation to Franklin (MA) School Committee from Franklin Matters

The first documentary produced by Franklin Public Schools shared on Tuesday night




Additional information can be found in the notes taken live during the meeting

• Live Reporting: Action Items through Closing
• Live Reporting: NEASC visit
• Social Emotional Learning - Presentation to Frankl...
• Live reporting: School Committee - Feb 28, 2017

view from the seats at the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening

The Franklin TV video of the meeting is available for replay
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=437

News and Upcoming Charles River Meadowlands Initiative Meetings

We have four news items to share:

#1 

The Boston Globe's Hattie Bernstein recently profiled the Initiative: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2017/02/17/this-land-protected-but-can-people-reach/uh2PYr2vBlI2nuaj4FwkfO/story.html

#2

Our next meeting will focus on continued outreach across Bellingham, Franklin, and Medway as well as the US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan draft (see more below). The meeting will be held Tues Mar 7, 6:30 PM, Dean Rm, First Universalist Soc. 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA. RSVP if you can -- but come even if it is a last minute decision.

#3

The Army Corps of Engineers requested a written response to their draft Master Plan for the Charles River Valley Natural Storage Area (which includes the large land parcels in Bellingham, Franklin, and Medway.) 

A summary of the response follows:

Those of us who are involved with the initiative deeply value the presence of the Corps and its efforts to preserve and maintain these lands for flood control, conservation, and recreation. We are anxious to encourage the governments of Franklin, Bellingham, and Medway to work together with each other and with the Corps to protect and manage these lands and adjacent areas while taking steps to improve public access. Our primary focus is on Area M and Area S as described in the Master Plan. More information about our efforts is available at www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org.

Regarding the draft Master Plan, we would like to offer the following comments:

* We note that Section 1.1 states the CRNVS Project was authorized as "a multi-purpose project for flood control, recreation, and natural resource management under the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-251).

* The importance of the recreational component to the CRNVS Project is touched upon at many points in the Master Plan but, in general, with few specific actions defined. The primary exception to this is with regard to hunting and fishing; for which purposes management responsibilities of fee simple properties have long been ceded primarily to the Massachusetts Fish & Wildlife Department (sic) [recently renamed Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, we have been informed]. Section 3.2, Natural Resource Objectives, ties this trend to natural resource management goals, noted above, stating, a primary aim as being to "Promote the public's use of the project for both consumptive (hunting) and non-consumptive (bird-watching) uses."

* We note that a broader treatment of "recreation" is to be conditioned by the other two foundational goals (flood control and natural resource management).

* Regarding section 2.4; we agree that the sections of CRNVSA lack adequate parking as well as signage and trail access.

Therefore, we would like to request that the Master Plan incorporate recognition of the following needs.

* Since the establishment of the CRNVSA, the communities closest to the source of the Charles have undergone dramatic growth. Franklin, for instance, has approximately quadrupled in population. This growth has been accompanied by a dramatic loss of open space and passive recreation opportunities.

* In keeping with the three part mission of the CRNVSA, we believe it would be appropriate for the Master Plan to include more specific goals and actions related to enhancing public access to Corps fee simple lands, including:

* More and better signage. There is no visible indication of the Corps' presence on either the Bellingham or the Franklin side of I-495 for passing motorists. This is the most visible and substantial presence the Corps has in this general area. Making the CRNVSA visible here would be strategically beneficial because it would inform citizens and influence land use and planning in the three towns about which the Charles River Meadowlands concerns itself.

* Create goals in cooperation with local communities, specifically Bellingham, Franklin, and Medway, to provide access to and through CRNVSA lands, linking whenever possible with trails and access points on town owned lands.

* Provide leadership in connection with utilities utilizing rights of way on or adjacent to CRNVSA properties so as to encourage the developments of Right of Way (ROW) trails and paths.

* Ensure that USACE personnel have a clear mandate through the Master Plan to balance the three goals of CRNVSA, namely flood control, recreation, and management of the natural environment.

* Ensure that local communities and stakeholders are informed of and involved with future planning and management initiatives involving the CRNVSA.

We appreciate the opportunity to share our concerns and voice in this process and look forward to working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to bring about the most beneficial operation of the CRNVSA in coming years.

******************************************

#4

IMPORTANT - April 19 from 4-8 at Millis Town Library, the Army Corps of Engineers is holding a public meeting to discuss the master plan...PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND.


--
Alan R. ​Earls
Charles River Meadowlands Initiative​

Office: 508 528 6930
Cell Phone: 508 560 3786
Email: alan.r.earls@gmail.com

one of several photos of the meadowlands in snowy winter

RUNA March 4 - may sell out

RUNA returns! View this email in your browser Celtic Band RUNA March 4th 8PM $20 Celtic band RUNA has been selling out concerts all around the world. If you purchase your ticket now you will not be disappointed. The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and four Independent Music Awards including Best Live Album, Best World/Traditional Song and Best Bluegrass Song.  http://www.runamusic.com/ 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 $20.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows Mar 18      The Boxcar Lilies Apr 1         Brother Sun Apr 22       Livingston Taylor May 6        Catie Curtis

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

Register NOW: FHS Panthers Softball Clinic - March 25

Saturday March 25, 2017 (Rain or Shine) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Franklin High School Gymnasium

$30.00 per player Grades 1-6

Players will learn the fundamentals of Fastpitch Softball. Specific skills will be covered using a series of stations which the players will rotate between to insure age groups and skill levels are being maintained.

Stations include:
• Proper throwing and catching mechanics
• Proper hitting mechanics
• Overall fielding and base running

The lead instructor will be KATE FALLON-COMEAU, Franklin High School Softball Program Director and Head Coach of Franklin High Panthers Varsity Softball. 

Coach Fallon-Comeau was a four year starter at Curry College in both pitching and catching and was team captain her senior year. After coaching JV softball at Cardinal Spellman High School, she went on to be Varsity Coach of SE Regional Vocational High School.

FHS Panthers

Assistant coach Matt Connelly, along with the Varsity players will be on hand to assist in what should truly be an exciting three hours.

Please complete and mail the form below with payment by March 18, 2017, to insure your softball player will be part of this event.

FPAC Presents Disney’s Beauty And The Beast

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at THE BLACK BOX, the company’s home and performance venue located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. Show times are March 11, 17, and 18 at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees on March 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. An international sensation, the enchanting musical is a family favorite with an unforgettable cast of characters and an irresistible score.

Based on the Academy-Award-winning animated feature film, the smash hit stage version includes the movie’s memorable songs, written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over 13 years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The magical story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will be broken and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. This “tale as old as time” is family theater at its best.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Under the direction of Nick Paone and Raye Lynn Mercer, the staging in the intimate venue will bring audiences right up close to all the action. Musical Director Hallie Wetzell will conduct the production’s professional orchestra. FPAC’s costumer, Merrie Whitney, is building the entire show, designing costumes that are true to the spirit of the movie, but which also reflect her creativity in supporting the show’s choreography and direction. The production showcases a cast of more than 40 professional and community performers and students of the arts.

FPAC presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as part of the company’s 26th season. Tickets are $34. For tickets and more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or www.FPAConline.com. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

"We are reserving funds"

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

"The Town Council took up and approved a number of capital items - including the purchase of a new fire engine - at its Wednesday night meeting. 

The council considered a slate of capital expenditures, which would mostly be funded out of the town's $3.6 million in free cash. 

The first matter taken up was allocating $115,000 to the town's fire truck stabilization account and use the total in the account to purchase a new fire engine. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the town had been saving up for the purchase for several years, and has $485,000 in the account. The estimated total cost of the engine is $600,000."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170301/franklin-council-approves-capital-items

For the complete set of notes from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday check here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/03/live-reporting-town-council-march-1-2017.html

and here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/03/live-reporting-closing-etc.html

the cover did not help this winter, as noted in the meeting, the whole playground unit at DelCarte unit is to be removed and 
replaced by the vendor with no cost to the Town

Live reporting: Closing, etc.

K. Town Administrator's Report	(updates provided during meeting) DelCarte playground still having a problem even after coverage did a deal with the company to get a total replacement with a new one and coverage for another unit if needed Company will replace at their expense, no cost to Franklin concern about the timing of the replacement given their record the current tree was formed from a special concrete and just not lasting
L. Future Agenda Items	would like opportunity to revisit wording of the online training section of the TIp training
M. Council Comments	when I made my comments on the COrnetta's application, it was a nice clean job, very complete purchase of property on Union and Cottage St Vallee curious on how this came up again? the propoerty is apparently under a purchase agreement before it was a five acre lot, and now it is less could not do much with it if we got it anyway Jones Franklin Almanac episode 3 all poles to be installed at PIsani Field, lights were donated to and they are coming high school fields are on schedule, will be ready to go April 1 ' compliments on the hard work to get all the work done and ready for Spring Dellorco great job on the fields Bissanti great job on the Senior Center inspired by the attendence and turn out Pfefffer had an article the day before, but missed the day of wonderful programs, blood pressure, games, chair exercises new parking lot, furnature and colors are bright and cheerful Kelly Secretary of Elders Affairs appeared acknowledged everyone wants a senior center like ours, how do we do it? we are taking good care of our seniors
N. Executive Session	(not scheduled)
O. Adjourn motion to adjourn, passed 8-0

the cover did not help this winter, as noted in the meeting, the whole playground unit at DelCarte unit is to be removed and
replaced by the vendor with no cost to the Town

Live reporting: Town Council - March 1, 2017

Present: Padula, Mercer, Vallee, Kelly, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones
Absent: Pellegri

A. Approval of Minutes	February 15, 2017 Meeting Minutes
B. Announcements	This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.
C. Proclamations/Recognitions	(none scheduled)
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	Franklin Cultural Council motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
F. Hearings	(none scheduled) skipping ahead to action items as we weren't at 7:10 for the public hearing
G. License Transactions - 7:10 PM	returned to this item at 7:21 PM 1. BJ's Wholesale Club - Transfer of License Moremax holds the liquor licenses for BJ in MA, currently holds six licenses also operate in other states and hold licenses elsewhere 70-80 years of experience with the licenses, no disciplinary actions during that time will correct application page to say "No" on issues with former licenses BJ active in community, supports local charities BJ is headquartered in MA Jay Charbonneau, General Manager, would be the license holder limited selection of items, mostly beer by cases, wine by individual bottle; not your normal liquor store,nothing cold, no six packs for sale, no nips or pints   alcohol purchase available to anyone, not just Club members used to be a limit on number of licenses per business, now 7 soon to be 9 there is stip training required by bylaw there is a loss prevention operation that would be involved passing of an era for the Brunelli's operation BIssanti expressing concerns about the potential for abuse in the large warehouse environment I appreciate the Councilors concern, this adds to our business and we do take it seriously motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0  2. Alumni Restaurant - Change of Beneficial Interest, Transfer of Stock Richard Cornetta, attorney for the client 7 years, manager for the time period, transfer of shares from mother to daughter no real change in operations, no deficiencies in application motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

H. Presentations/Discussions	(none scheduled)
I. Subcommittee Reports	(updates provided during meeting as necessary)
J. Legislation for Action	1. Resolution 17-08: Amendment to the 2017 Town council Meeting Schedule (Motion to Move Resolution 17-08: Majority vote - (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 2. FY 2017 Capital Plan (overview, not requiring a vote) 3. Resolution 17-09: Appropriation Purchase of Fire Truck Replacement - Engine #3 (Motion to Move Resolution 17-09: 2/3 vote (6)) Engine 3 will leave the fleet,  focus group putting bid requirements together before posting motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 4. Resolution 17-10: Appropriation Capital FY 17 (Motion to Move Resolution 17-10: Majority vote (5)) long listing of individual items, follow link for details motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 5. Resolution 17-11: Appropriation Water Enterprise Capital FY 17 (Motion to Move Resolution 17-11: Majority vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 6. Resolution 17-12: Appropriation Sewer Enterprise Capital FY 17(Motion to Move Resolution 17-12: Majority vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 7. Resolution 17-13: Salary Schedule Full-Time Elected Officials (Motion to Move Resolution 17-13: Majority vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 8. Resolution 17-14: Transfer from Water Enterprise and Rescind  Borrowing Authority (Resolution No. 14-16 Appropriation Funding Sources) (Motion to Move Resolution 17-14: Majority vote (5)) paying down the bond authorization per plan motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 9. Resolution 17-15: Supplementation of Prior Resolutions of the Town Authorizing Borrowing to Allow for the Application of Premium(s) Received to Project Costs (Motion to Move Resolution 17-15: Majority vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-786: Storage Facility Bylaw - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw 17-786 - Roll Call - 2/3 Majority vote (6)) motion to approve, seconded, via roll call passed 8-0 (Pellegri absent)