Town Council hears an update on the SAFE Coalition

The recap of the Franklin Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, July 12. The highlight of the meeting was the presentation and discussion on the great work being done by the SAFE Coalition. One topic was noticeably absent from the entire meeting. So pay attention and see if you can figure out what it was.

Staci Dooney was approved as a member of the Conservation Commission. There are now 4 open spots on standing board/committees looking for volunteers, in addition to the newly formed Cultural District Committee which is looking to fulfill its slate of 7 members. For the current listing of open positions: 
http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/boards.php

Richard Henken,  President of The Schochet Company, addressed the Council as owner and manager of the Glen Meadow apartments as of May. The Schochet Company is specifically focused to operate, manage, and develop affordable housing. The Glen Meadow apartment complex had dropped off the listing of affordable housing bringing Franklin below the critical 10% threshold. With the purchase and reinvestment by Schochet Company, it is now back on the affordable housing listing bringing Franklin to above 11%. Franklin is now not forced to do an affordable housing 40B development. More about the Schochet Company can be found on their webpage http://www.schochet.com/

Richard Henken,  President of The Schochet Company

The S.A.F.E. Coalition presented and discussed their efforts to help address the substance abuse issues that troubles Franklin and much of MA (as well as the entire US).

I will share the video replay once it is available from Franklin TV and encourage you to view it to get the fullness of the discussion. 

The video replay is available
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=477

The document used for the presentation is here:

SAFE Coalition - July 12, 2017 from Franklin Matters

Some of the key takeways:

• All Franklin 1st responders are now equipped with NARCAN
• Training and distribution of NARCAN to the community exceeded expectations
• Support line established (call 508-488-8105 for support, but not for emergency situations)
• Additional communications and education events planned
• Franklin Police provide real time overdose tracking for Franklin residents 
• SAFE has a YouTube channel with informative videos

SAFE Coalition presentation to Town Council, July 12, 2017

On the Legislation front, there were only two measures up for vote. One to ratify the Town Administrators new contract and one to accept a donation to the Franklin Fire Dept. Both passed unanimously via roll call vote as Councilor Tom Mercer was participating via phone while on a business trip.

The Town Council Actions Taken document can be found here or on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_july_12_2017.pdf




My notes reported live during the meeting can be found here

• Live Reporting: Legislation through to Closing
• Live reporting: SAFE Coalition - presentation
• Live reporting: Town Council - July 12, 2017

And for those paying attention, the incident with a Town Councilor over the 4th of July weekend that created such a stir was not mentioned.

Day 3 - 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival - Friday, July 28

*** FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
FPS Student Music Concert Band, Orchestra, Chorus students

*** FRANKLIN TOWN COMMON

12:00 to 6:00: Farmers’ Market
3:00 to 4:30: Attleboro School of Rock Show Team (CANCELED)
5:00 to 6:00: Let’s Laugh Today - Laughter Yoga
6:30 to 8:00: Kevin Wolfe (music performance)
8:00 to 9:30? FPAC performs "The Mikado" 

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule: Friday, July 28, 2017

* note the schedule is subject to change 

If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/ or follow the Festival on Twitter https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

We do maintain a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival but you should not rely on timely updates due to the way Facebook filters the information to followers.

To help financially support the Festival please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/FCF2017. 

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing

DelCarte Ponds - Treatment Notification - Monday, July 17

Once again the weather did not cooperate with us yesterday (Thursday - July 13). Treatment of the invasive plants at the DelCarte Ponds will now be 7/17/17 subject to the weather. (It can't be a rainy day.) 

The pond will be closed for fishing, canoeing etc. for 24 hours, but the rest of the area for hiking etc. will be open.

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/133863

This is an automatic message from Town of Franklin MA

view from a trail at DelCarte

Town of Franklin: Passport Processing on hold until July 26; 2 Fire Fighters pass training

#1

The passport acceptance agent (Cindy Elz) will be on vacation until Wednesday, July 26. No passports can be accepted at this facility during this time.


This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/passport-processing

#2

Congratulations to Firefighter's Becki Carloni & Katherine Forest on their graduation from the Massachusetts Fire Academy Today! pic.twitter.com/LyYWXoktiS

— Franklin Fire (@FranklinMAfire) July 14, 2017

Firefighter's Becki Carloni & Katherine Forest on their graduation from the Massachusetts Fire Academy pic.twitter.com/LyYWXoktiS — @FranklinMAfire photo

Day 2 - 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival - Thursday, July 27

FRANKLIN TOWN COMMON

5:00 to 6:15: Encore Music
6:45 to 8:00: Jamie Barrett
8:00 to 9:30? FPAC performs "The Mikado"

FRANKLIN HISTORICAL MUSEUM

5:00 – 8:00
Display of bridal gowns; speaker on history of wedding gowns.

FRANKLIN METHODIST CHURCH

5:00 – 8:00
Kinetic Robots and Space Creations With Mr. Markee

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule: Thursday, July 27, 2017

* note the schedule is subject to change
If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/ or follow the Festival on Twitter https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

We do maintain a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival but you should not rely on timely updates due to the way Facebook filters the information to followers.

To help financially support the Festival please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/FCF2017. 


The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing

YMCA - Summer Sizzler - July 20

Thursday, July 20, the Hockomock YMCA will host our annual Summer Sizzler event for families from 6-8pm. $15 per family (up to 5) or $5 per person (children under 5 are free). 

We will have catered food, camp games, face painting, live music, swimming the splash park and much more! This event is open to the community. 

Pre-registration not required but encouraged.

YMCA - Summer Sizzler - July 20 (YMCA website photo)

Register before August 1 to save on these great Fall runs in Newport, RI

Summer may be in full swing, but it's never too early to look ahead! From the unforgettable Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run and beautiful Amica Newport Marathon and Half-Marathon, to the flat and fast USATF-certified Ocean Road 10k, now is the perfect time to plan for an amazing fall. Register for these great events below before August 1st to save on entry fees! Ocean Road 10k  October 1 This rave-worthy 6.2-mile road race showcases the Ocean State's grandiose splendor and beachside beauty along glistening Narragansett Bay. This flat and fast course was named "Best 10K Northeast" by Competitor Magazine. oceanroad10k.com More Info Amica Newport Marathon  October 8 The City By The Sea boasts one of the area's most idyllic race routes. The marathon and half-marathon feature stunning views, including the famed mansions along Bellevue Ave. and gorgeous Ocean Drive. A can't-miss event! newportmarathon.com More Info Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run  OCT. 22 Run or walk the iconic Pell Bridge at sunrise during a 4.1 mile event sponsored by Citizens Bank and the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority. This is the only day of the year that the iconic Newport Bridge is open to pedestrians! All proceeds from the event are donated to local non-profits. More Info

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Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 7/14/17 - THU 7/20/17

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA
Area: FRI 7/14/17 - THU 7/20/17

From the Community Calendar, the events Friday, July 14, through next Thursday, July 20.

Friday, July 14

9:30am

 Family Yoga

12:00pm

 Franklin Farmers Market

3:30pm

 Lemonade and Giant Legos

Saturday, July 15

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum

1:00pm

 Pajama Dance Party

Sunday, July 16

8:00am

 Yoga on the Beach (free, all levels welcome)

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum

Monday, July 17

10:30am

 Move Along on the Town Common

2:30pm

 Maker Mondays

7:00pm

 Learn To Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting

Tuesday, July 18

9:00am

 Do Gooders DIYs

10:30am

 Move Along on the Town Common

Wednesday, July 19

10:30am

 Wild Cats 101 (ages 6 and up)

6:00pm

 Concerts on the Common: Sharon Band/DJ Rich Green - Children's Program

Thursday, July 20

9:30am

 Baby Tummy Time

10:30am

 Story and Craft

12:00pm

 Park It and Read (at various Franklin parks)

3:00pm

 Memory Cafe for Caregivers and Their Loved Ones - each month different theme

5:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum

7:00pm

 Healing Hearts Community Support Group

This Community Calendar now combines the town meetings (Franklin Matters), community events (Franklin MA Happenings) and cultural events (proposed Franklin Cultural District).

To submit an event for this Community Calendar, please use this form
https://goo.gl/forms/7Pr1iBuAiIna7cUo2

“The town is excited to move to this next step”

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

“The town is looking for anyone who is passionate about arts and culture in general,” said Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. “We are looking for residents who possibly have some background in public relations or marketing.” 

The seven-member committee will work together to attract artists, cultural enterprises, encourage business and job development, establish the district as a tourist destination, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values and foster local cultural development. 

“The main responsibility is to help oversee and work toward some bigger picture ideas of how to market downtown Franklin and the cultural district,” Hellen said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170713/franklin-seeks-volunteers-to-serve-on-cultural-committee

Related information
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/07/franklin-cultural-district-committee.html

The Town Council meeting where the proposal was approved
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/06/live-reporting-public-hearing-cultural.html

The resolution to create the committee
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/resolution_17-44_creation_of_cultural_district_committee_-l.pdf

The resolution to create the Cultural District
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/resolution_17-45_creation_of_franklin_cultural_district_l.pdf

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule: Friday, July 28, 2017

* note the schedule is subject to change
If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/ or follow the Festival on Twitter https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

We do maintain a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival but you should not rely on timely updates due to the way Facebook filters the information to followers.

To help financially support the Festival please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/FCF2017. 

 The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczaUk4S2FETTFWdlk/view?usp=sharing

Opening Day Schedule - July 26 - 2017 Franklin Cultural Festival

*** Franklin Public Library

10:30 AM - Captain Haines Pirate Show!
 

*** On the Franklin Town Common

5:00 to 8:00  PM – Art Association: Children’s activities: Sidewalk Chalk Art, Face Painting. Plein air Painting.

5:45 PM - Opening Ceremony

6:00 PM - Electric Youth

Festival Schedule: Wednesday, July 26, 2017

* note the schedule is subject to change

If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/ or follow the Festival on Twitter https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

We do maintain a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival but you should not rely on timely updates due to the way Facebook filters the information to followers.

To help financially support the Festival please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/FCF2017. 
 
The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing

In the News: Exelon generator heaviest load on roadways

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

"A massive truck - weighing in at more than 560,000 pounds - will be on the move soon, as it continues its mission to deliver a generator to the Medway Exelon facility. 

The 16-axle truck - 5.6 times more than the Massachusetts truck weight limit - was in Uxbridge this week, awaiting Massachusetts Department of Transportation approval to complete the final stage of its trip. It began its journey at a North Kingstown, Rhode Island port, and is reportedly the largest load to travel through Rhode Island in 17 years. 

A spokeswoman with MassDOT said Thursday the department had granted the truck’s permits. The truck had been in Uxbridge since Monday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170713/medway-massive-truck-set-to-deliver-exelon-generator

While visiting family in RI last weekend, the Providence Journal was reporting on the ordeal of getting the generator to the plant. The story was updated with this article posted Thursday, July 13.

"It’s not every day that a 16-axle truck weighing more than 560,000 pounds comes through town. In fact, it’s the heaviest load - seven times the federal truck weight limit of 80,000 pounds and 5.6 times the Massachusetts 99,000-pound limit - to traverse Rhode Island, on its way to Medway, in at least 17 years, the Providence Journal reported. 

The Bay Crane tractor-trailer carrying a generator from a port in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, to the Exelon power plant in Medway was sidelined for two weeks by Rhode Island Department of Transportation officials after it was discovered the truck did not have the proper permits to carry such a heavy load. 

Among the concerns was that the truck’s planned route was over major highways: Interstates 95 and 295. Bay Crane was required to reroute along back roads through small towns, to minimize public safety risks."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20170713/truck-hauling-heavy-load-from-ri-generates-concerns-in-mass-too

screen grab of Providence Journal article image on overweight truck for Exelon plant