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Monday, April 3, 2017
Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell Promotes Suits for Success Program
Franklin Liquor: Wine Classes
Thursday, April 6 - 7-8:30pm
Easter Garden Bulb Basket and Spring Wines
Get ready for Easter by joining Franklin Liquors, Hillside Nursery and Vinitas WineWorks for an evening of flowers and wine! Design a garden basket of Easter Bulbs for yourself or as a gift, and welcome Spring by tasting through an assortment of seasonal wineshttp://www.medwayschools.org/sites/medwayps/files/file/file/adult_sp17.pdf
Thursday, April 13th - 7-8:30pm
Franklin Wine Club Event: Wines From Abruzzo In Central Italy
Guest: Dave Abbot Mascerelli WineMasciarelli is the leading Estate of Abruzzo.
The Abruzzo region today is on the cutting edge of grape growing and winemaking in all of Italy. We will talk about the special set of climates and soils that makes Abruzzo unique. We will talk about the grape varieties that have evolved in Abruzzo for over a thousand years. And we will talk about Gianni Masciarelli, the curious skeptic, biological savant, and energy management genius who took Abruzzo from a sleepy wine backwater to the cutting edge.
https://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/events/238658836/
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| Franklin Liquors features wine tasting and training classes |
FHS baseball preview - Spring 2017
From HockomockSports.Com we share their preview of each of the Hockomock League teams.
2016 Record: 13-10
2016 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round
Coach: Zach Brown
"Between Franklin’s pitching staff and its lineup, there is a lot of experienced players with success at the varsity level ready to go this season.
After relying on a trio of sophomores on the mound last year, all three are back ready for strong junior campaigns. Jake Noviello and Jason Ulrickson logged a lot of innings are starting pitchers while Bryan Woelfel emerged as one of the best bullpen options in the league. Now they are poised to be one of the top starting rotations in the league.
“We are optimistic that the three of them will give us a chance to have a solid rotation this season and be competitive in every game,” said Franklin head coach Zach Brown. “All three guys are very different but all of them are competitive.”
Offensively, Franklin brings back outfielders Ryan Hodgkins (.388) and Jake Lyons (.368) along with first baseman Josh Macchi (16 RBI) and catcher Tyler Gomes (16 RBI). While there are spots to fill left by talented seniors that graduated, having those four back is a very good sign for the Panthers."
For the complete Hockomock League baseball outlook
https://hockomocksports.com/2017-hockomock-baseball-preview/
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| FHS Panthers |
In the News: The Other Talk scheduled; Alpine Place and Ruggles St
"The high school will host later this month a talk that will help parents address the issues of substance and alcohol abuse with their teens.
The program, titled "The Other Talk," is set to take place on Wednesday, April 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the school's lecture hall. The talk was designed by the treatment center Caron's Student Assistance Program, and sponsored by Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey.
David Traub, a spokesman for the district attorney's office, said the talk, funded through the drunk driving trust fund, is intended to help parents as their children reach age 1."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170402/franklin-talk-to-assist-parents-on-substance-abuse
"Two streets near Franklin's downtown - Alpine Place and Ruggles Street - once served as the heart of an Italian-American neighborhood in town.
Mary Olsson, the chairwoman of the Franklin Historical Commission, said the streets - especially Alpine Place - drew many newcomers to town, creating a vibrant community that is still remembered today." It seems all the old Franklin Italian names first came to Franklin and settled on Alpine Place," she said.
Jeanne D'Orazio Curry said her family lived on the street, adding that it had once seemed jam-packed. "For such a small, little street, it had a gazillion people," she said, noting that big families were common years ago. "My grandparents had 11 children, and one of them died (very young)".Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170402/neighborhood-series-franklins-alpine-place
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Finance Committee - Budget Hearing - Apr 3, 2017 - 7:00 PM
The second in the series of three budget hearings for the FY 2018 budget is scheduled for Monday, Apr 3, 2017 at 7:00 PM. The Finance Committee will meet in the Council Chambers.
The third session is scheduled for Wednesday, Apr 5 also at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers.
FY 2018 Budget Presentation:
IT 155 A - 28
Veterans 543 E - 14
Inspections 240 B - 40
ZBA 176 A - 37
Police 210 B – 1
Fire 220 B - 14
Regional Dispatch 225 B - 39
Facilities 192 A - 42
Streetlights 424 D - 1
DPW 422 D - 4
Enterprise 450 I -2, 440 I – 10, 434 I - 30
Employee Benefits 910 H - 1
Liability Insurance 945 H – 6
The third session is scheduled for Wednesday, Apr 5 also at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers.
FY 2018 Budget Presentation:
IT 155 A - 28
Veterans 543 E - 14
Inspections 240 B - 40
ZBA 176 A - 37
Police 210 B – 1
Fire 220 B - 14
Regional Dispatch 225 B - 39
Facilities 192 A - 42
Streetlights 424 D - 1
DPW 422 D - 4
Enterprise 450 I -2, 440 I – 10, 434 I - 30
Employee Benefits 910 H - 1
Liability Insurance 945 H – 6
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| the DPW, Police, and Fire Dept budgets are the largest items scheduled for review |
Recap: Town Council Meeting - 3/22/17
Catching up to sharing the recap of the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, March 22, I offer the following summary:
The measure was moved to second reading by a 9-0 vote so while they spoke out against it, they did not vote against. The second reading will come up at a future Town Council meeting (likely Apr 12).
The actions taken summary provided by the Town of Franklin can be viewed in this PDF file:
View the meeting video any time at this link:
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=441
My notes captured live during the meeting can be found here:
Annual Fiscal Audit Report
The annual fiscal audit report was presented by the audit firm Melanson and Heath. There were no material weaknesses or deficiencies found. This is always a good thing. The operational processes are good, the town's financial position is sound. We have approx. 10% reserved in unallocated funds. The auditors like to see that and the bond rating companies do as well. The better position we have in this regard, the better rate we can get when we do go to borrow.
This is very similar to an individual's finances and your credit rating. If you have good income, good savings, a reasonable outstanding debt, then you are eligible for additional funds with a minimal interest rate. If you have terrible credit rating, your interest rates if you can get a loan would be high.
Note worthy are the recommendations for the Town of Franklin to implement a more formal risk assessment process. This has been mentioned in the past couple of years and the town is making progress in this arena. Two other items were on the statement #75 for the OPEB accounting changes coming and a recommendation to reauthorize the OPEB Trust under new legislation that is now available.
The OPEB accounting changes have been discussed the past couple of years which is why Franklin has been making moves to improve their position. They have been reserving funds in a trust fund. The trust fund itself was established and now that the State has made some beneficial changes to the trust funding process, Franklin should make the adjustment. We should expect to see this scheduled for a future Finance Committee and then Town Council meeting.
Also noteworthy from the discussion around this agenda item was the recognition that with the retirement of the Treasurer/Collector and the Town Comptroller, then there would be a process to look for a potential new Audit firm to come in and audit after the new personnel are operating (replacing Dacey and Gagner).
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| Melanson Heath auditors with Comptroller Susan Gagner (far left) and Treasure/Collector Jim Dacey (far right) |
Public Hearings
There were two public hearings, one on a manager change at the British Beer Company restaurant and one to discuss the purchase via right of first refusal of some land along Washington St.
The manager change was a normal discussion around TIPS training and awareness of underage alcohol sales.
The land along Washington would joined some other plots already owned by Franklin (see green colored plots in maps photo) to reserve the space for future recreational potential and remove it from residential potential. The Council voted later in the meeting to make the purchase. Some of the Councilors appear unaware of the first refusal process and even after it getting explained seemed doubtful of the integrity of the offer.
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| the plot authorized for purchase can be found in the black outline in the bottom left corner of this photo |
Water ban bylaw
The water ban bylaw came back in a revised form (removing private wells). The measure was originally meant to clean up the language for better enforcement. Due to push back from the private well owners, that restriction was removed from consideration. What remains is still the 'minor' matter of requiring the private well owners who use the water for irrigation (i.e. water their lawns) to post a sign. Some councilors object to that as 'heavy handed".The measure was moved to second reading by a 9-0 vote so while they spoke out against it, they did not vote against. The second reading will come up at a future Town Council meeting (likely Apr 12).
The actions taken summary provided by the Town of Franklin can be viewed in this PDF file:
View the meeting video any time at this link:
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=441
My notes captured live during the meeting can be found here:
- Live reporting: Closing
- Live reporting: Legislation for action
- Live reporting: Hearings
- Live Reporting: Town Council - March 22, 2017
ACTION and IMPACT: Community Arts Advocacy Day - May 20
Hold the date: May 20
The Community Arts Advocacy Day will be held from 9am-noon at the Franklin Senior Center. Registration will begin at 8:30.
There will be a full group meeting discussing arts advocacy, and then break up into small group workshops on the education topic or advocacy action item of your choice.
The details of the specific workshops will be worked out at the Franklin Cultural Council April 6 planning meeting.
If you are interested in getting involved with the planning for this event, please email Stacy David.
You can follow the event on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/
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| ACTION and IMPACT: Community Arts Advocacy Day - May 20 |
“I think Franklin’s really ahead of the curve”
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170402/franklin-schools-exploring-social-emotional-learning-partnership
"The town’s schools will be partnering with William James College to further their “social-emotional” learning efforts.
Assistant Superintendent Peter Light said the partnership - which will offer graduate-level instruction to the Oak Street Elementary School’s faculty and administration through a pilot program - will take place over the course of the 2017-2018 school year.
In recent years, the local district has adopted social-emotional learning practices, which take a “whole-child” approach to education.
“What we see more and more is that we have to have high-quality, standards-based instruction, but equally important is the kids’ readiness to receive that instruction,” Light said.'
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170402/franklin-schools-exploring-social-emotional-learning-partnership
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| Oak Street Elementary School to take part in pilot program for social emotional learning |
Franklin School Committee: Community Relations Subcommittee - April 5
The community is kindly invited to meet with the Community Relations Subcommittee of the Franklin School Committee. Information and updates will be provided on budget, policy, and the superintendent search.
We welcome your feedback and understand how important community involvement is regarding the education of our young people.
Join us on:
We welcome your feedback and understand how important community involvement is regarding the education of our young people.
Join us on:
- Wed, April 5, 7:00 PM at the Franklin Cable Access TV Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street
- Sat, May 13, 9:00 AM at the Franklin Cable Access TV Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street
- Friday, June 9, 9:00 AM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St.
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| Franklin School Committee: Community Relations Subcommittee - April 5 |
Saturday, April 1, 2017
FHS to hold Color Run for Mr K's Scholarship Fund - May 13
"Student Government has been working hard to plan a town wide event held for a great cause.
On May 13th, 2017 community members of all ages will gather to participate in a Color Run right here at FHS! Register here!
Registration will begin at 9 am and the actual run will begin at 10. There will be a gathering with a DJ after the race, just like an actual Color Run!
All proceeds will be going directly to Mr. K’s Scholarship Fund. Gift cards to Elizabeth’s Bagels will be given out to every 50th high school student to register. Even better, FHS students could win a FREE COOKIE COUPON. To win, simply gather your sports team or club members. Then, go head to head with the girls vs the boys group of your sport/club! (For example, girls lacrosse vs boys lacrosse; softball vs baseball)
How do I register my student group? (Read this)
On the day of the event there will be a check in for sports teams/club members, and the group with the highest participation will win the Free Cookie Coupon. You definitely don’t want to miss out on this! Join us for memory making fun while raising funds for a great cause."
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| FHS to hold Color Run for Mr K's Scholarship Fund - May 13 |
Shared from Pantherbook
http://franklinpanthers.us/student-life/2017/03/31/mr-ks-color-run/
Vietnam War Veterans Exhibit - Franklin Municipal Building
Come on by to the Municipal Building to see our new Veterans Vietnam War Exhibit Courtesy of Dale Kurtz, Franklin's Veteran Officer. (exhibit available during normal office hours)
For additional information about veterans services
http://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services
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| Vietnam War Veterans Exhibit - Franklin Municipal Building 1 |
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| Vietnam War Veterans Exhibit - Franklin Municipal Building 2 |
http://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services
Take a chance to help the Safe Coalition
$20 per Chance for a $1000 Basket of Scratch Tickets*
Only 500 Raffle Tickets to be Sold
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| Take a chance to help the Safe Coalition |
Drawing @ 1:30 pm, May 22, 2017†
SAFE Coalition 2nd Annual Golf Tournament
Franklin Country Club, 672 E. Central St, Franklin, MA
To Purchase: Contact Rita Graci (bgraci@comcast.net)
† Winner need not be present
* Massachusetts State Lottery
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| SAFE Coalition Raffle |
Mark your calendars for the Earth Day Celebration at Beaver Pond on April 29
Saturday, April 29, 2017
9 am– 12 pm
Meet at Beaver Pond parking lot and volunteer to clean up targeted areas around Franklin.
- Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
- Community service certificates will be issued.
- Free pizza and beverages for volunteers at 12:00pm at Beaver.
- Free T-shirts to the first 300 volunteers!
- Free dogwood and rose of sharon saplings to first 100 volunteers!
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| Earth Day Celebration at Beaver Pond on April 29 |
Senator Ross: March 2017 State House Update
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Friday, March 31, 2017
Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 3/31/17 - THU 4/6/17
10:30am Knitting Circle for Adults @ Franklin Public Library
7-11pm Second Annual ‘Party for the Pantry’ @ The Black Box
7:30pm Dean College presents: American Idiot @ Dean College
9pm Comedy Night @ 3 Restaurant
SATURDAY 4/1/17
10-1pm Franklin Historical Museum Open
2pm Dean College presents: American Idiot @ Dean College
7-10pm Costume Karaoke Fundraiser for Mustard Seed Communities @ Franklin Elks Lodge
7:30pm Dean College presents: American Idiot @ Dean College
7:30pm FSPA Ballet Conservatory presents: Cinderella @ The Black Box
8pm Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Brother Sun
SUNDAY 4/2/17
7:30-10:30am Sunday Morning Breakfast @ Franklin Rod and Gun Club
1-4pm Franklin Historical Museum Open
1pm FSPA Ballet Conservatory presents: Cinderella @ The Black Box
2pm Dean College presents: American Idiot @ Dean College
4pm FSPA Ballet Conservatory presents: Cinderella @ The Black Box
MONDAY 4/3/17
7-8:30pm Learn To Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF
TUESDAY 4/4/17
7pm Franklin Garden Club: Pruning 101 - open to public and prospective members @ Franklin Senior Center
WEDNESDAY 4/5/17
7pm Franklin Art Association meeting @ Franklin Senior Center
7:30pm Let’s Laugh Today (laughter yoga) @ FUSF
THURSDAY 4/6/17
8:30am Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting @ Dean College
4pm Family Coloring Book Club @ Franklin Public Library
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
Empty Bowls Dinner Promotes Hunger Awareness “Somewhere, Someone’s Bowl is Empty”
With more than 1,000 individuals seeking food assistance from the Franklin Food Pantry, a movement is underway to educate the community about the level and impact of hunger in Franklin. A dinner featuring a simple meal of soup and bread will set the stage for community members to learn more about the true effects of hunger.
The 2nd Annual Empty Bowls Dinner on May 2, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Franklin High School will remind guests of the many “empty bowls” that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger. The awareness and fundraising event, co-hosted by the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club and the Franklin Food Pantry, is a family-friendly event and caters to all ages.
“We hope attendees gain a better awareness of the impact of hunger in our community,” says Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “Reducing hunger leads to a healthier community. If you aren’t hungry, you can focus on helping your kids with their homework; you have more energy to look for a job; your kids do better in school. If we can work together to help our neighbors in need, our community will be stronger.”
Lynch said she is grateful for the partnership with the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club. Students have been making ceramic bowls throughout the year to be used at the dinner. They have also hosted bowl-making events open to the community.
“Our students are excited to be part of such a meaningful effort,” said Brenna Johnson, FHS art teacher and advisor for the Empty Bowls Club. “In addition to making the bowls, they will volunteer the night of the event. They were a huge help at our first dinner held last year which was a sell-out success and attracted 250 people. We are thrilled to be able to accommodate 350 attendees this year!”
Event participants will choose a hand-painted, ceramic bowl to take home as a reminder that “somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty.” A silent auction will feature more elaborate pieces that have been created and painted by members of the FHS Empty Bowls Club and community members. Donations made via the Giving Wall will be used to purchase food for neighbors in need. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and will be used to fight hunger locally.
Tickets will be available for purchase on April 1 and must be bought in advance online at www.franklinfoodpantry.org. Seating is limited to 350 guests so tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Depending on advance ticket sales, tickets may be available at the door. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children and students.
Empty Bowls is an international grass roots effort to fight hunger and raise funds to support local pantries. The Franklin Food Pantry and the FHS Empty Bowls Club work together to support the cause locally. For more information on the dinner, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org or call 508-528-3115.
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| These finished ceramic bowls were given to Empty Bowls Dinner attendees at last year’s fundraiser |
The 2nd Annual Empty Bowls Dinner on May 2, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Franklin High School will remind guests of the many “empty bowls” that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger. The awareness and fundraising event, co-hosted by the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club and the Franklin Food Pantry, is a family-friendly event and caters to all ages.
“We hope attendees gain a better awareness of the impact of hunger in our community,” says Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “Reducing hunger leads to a healthier community. If you aren’t hungry, you can focus on helping your kids with their homework; you have more energy to look for a job; your kids do better in school. If we can work together to help our neighbors in need, our community will be stronger.”
Lynch said she is grateful for the partnership with the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club. Students have been making ceramic bowls throughout the year to be used at the dinner. They have also hosted bowl-making events open to the community.
“Our students are excited to be part of such a meaningful effort,” said Brenna Johnson, FHS art teacher and advisor for the Empty Bowls Club. “In addition to making the bowls, they will volunteer the night of the event. They were a huge help at our first dinner held last year which was a sell-out success and attracted 250 people. We are thrilled to be able to accommodate 350 attendees this year!”
Event participants will choose a hand-painted, ceramic bowl to take home as a reminder that “somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty.” A silent auction will feature more elaborate pieces that have been created and painted by members of the FHS Empty Bowls Club and community members. Donations made via the Giving Wall will be used to purchase food for neighbors in need. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and will be used to fight hunger locally.
Tickets will be available for purchase on April 1 and must be bought in advance online at www.franklinfoodpantry.org. Seating is limited to 350 guests so tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Depending on advance ticket sales, tickets may be available at the door. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children and students.
Empty Bowls is an international grass roots effort to fight hunger and raise funds to support local pantries. The Franklin Food Pantry and the FHS Empty Bowls Club work together to support the cause locally. For more information on the dinner, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org or call 508-528-3115.
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