Franklin Matters

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Franklin Police: Sergeant Brian Johnson in the news

"Last week Franklin Police Sergeant Brian Johnson attended his 29th year at EC Week at Camp Fatima. Boston 25 News 's Robert Goulston highlighted the Camp, and it's mission. Congratulations also to Boston Fire Department's Captain Joe Minehan, and KOKH FOX 25 News, Oklahoma'sShelby Cashman for their dedicated service, and participating in this story!"

This was the Franklin Police Facebook post to share

Franklin Police Sergeant Brian Johnson in the news

You can donate to Camp Fatima and Exceptional Citizen's Week http://www.ecweek.org/

Monday, August 21, 2017

Police Dept recognitions highlight Town Council meeting

Catching up to share the summary of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, August 9. The only meeting this month. In September, the Council resumes meeting twice a month.

The meeting opened with recognition of Gary Premo who has left the Police Dept to take the new role of Executive Director at the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center. The center is the long awaited regional emergency dispatch center that will service the towns of Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham.

The meeting opened with recognition of Gary Premo

Next up was the swearing in of Leanne Baker as the newest female police officer.

Leanne Baker sworn in by Town Clerk Teresa Burr as Chief Lynch observes

Then Leanne's husband former Sargent Chris Baker who left the Police Dept and would have been recognized earlier this year except for a typo. The award had a typo, needed to be replaced and took some time to be re-done. As Leanne was being sworn in this evening, it was easy to combine the two events.

former Sargent Chris Baker and Chief Lynch

Last but not least, Officer Gilboy was recognized as his partner, the police dog Axe, passed away suddenly recently.

Officer Gilboy recognized by Chief Lynch

In other actions by the Town Council:

the appointment of Samuel Williams to the Design Review Commission was approved
the request by La Cantina Winery for a new Farmer Winery Series Pouring License and also approved the Manager Robert Vozzella
the plot zoning changes previously discussed at the Economic Development Committee were discussed, amended (by adding one more plot) was referred to the Planning Board. Assuming it is approved, it will come back to the Council for public hearing and two readings, as well as the final vote

The Town Council actions taken document can be found here:

The video replay of this meeting is available on demand from Franklin TV
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=483

My notes from the meeting reported live can be found here:

The published agenda can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-aug-9.html

New England Gold - Open House - Sep 6

Calling all wrestlers ...........

For more information visit the webpage https://newenglandgoldwrestling.org/

Calling all wrestlers

Circle of Friends Schedule now available for Sep 2017- May 2018

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse schedule for the upcoming season is now posted on our website http://www.circlefolk.org/sched.html and tickets are available for all shows.

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. Admission is $20. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.

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

Register O'Donnell Highlights Registry Customer Service Center

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Highlights Registry Customer Service Center

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reminds consumers if they have a Registry question, the answer is just a phone call away by dialing the Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101. The department is open Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM.

"The Customer Service Center is a one-stop shop for Norfolk County homeowners and institutional users who have land related document questions," said O'Donnell. "These questions can vary such as confirming the current ownership of a particular property, or verifying if a discharge of a property's mortgage has been filed after the loan has been paid off. We are glad to help with any inquiry, whether you come through our doors or call us by phone."

Register O'Donnell further noted, "The department can also inform customers about the various cost for filing and receiving land documents. Upon a customer's request - whether by visiting us here at the Registry or by direct mail request - we can provide copies of documents for a fee of $1.00 per page, plus an additional $1.00 per document to cover the cost of postage."

The Registry only accepts cash or check payments. In addition, Customer Service Center staff is happy to answer questions about the Homestead Act, a law which provides limited protection against the forced sale of a homeowner's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000.

O'Donnell went on to say, "For many, trying to ascertain information on land documents can be a very frustrating and intimidating experience. Please know our trained customer service staff is well versed in all areas of land document research. By utilizing our state-of-the-art land document research system, which is also available via www.norfolkdeeds.org, people can get answers to their property questions."

Notary services are also offered by the Customer Service Center. "All staff members are notary publics. We are more than glad to notarize any land document provided the person requesting the service appears before us and presents satisfactory proof of identification by showing either their driver's license or passport," said O'Donnell.

In conclusion, Register O'Donnell stated, "Providing first-class customer service is a core objective of the Registry's mission to serve the public. We strive to ensure our customers have a positive experience when interacting with us. The bottom line is: We are glad to be of service to you."

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 instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Register William P. O'Donnell

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org

phone: 781-234-3336

web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831

Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with

Try it free today

Register O'Donnell Highlights Registry Customer Service Center

Sunday, August 20, 2017

End of School Year status update provided on School Improvement Plans

Catching up to share the summary for the School Committee (SC) held on Tuesday, August 8.

The School Committee heard updates from all the schools and the Central Office on the progress made on the Improvement Plans during the 2016-2017 school year. The updates were provided by the school principals. The presentation docs are shown below. You can follow the links to my notes recorded during the meeting for other details of the conversation. The full video of the meeting is available for replay by Franklin TV and that link is also found below.

After the schools provided their update, the Central Office, Superintendent Sara Ahern and Assistant Superintendents Peter Light and Joyce Edwards provided a preview of the District Improvement Plan for the coming school year. An offsite planning session was planned for Aug 16-18 during which the plan would be discussed, reviewed and refined to bring back to the SC for the Aug 22 meeting.

Note: the presentation docs include the status updates also provided at midyear. If you have seen those, you can skip to the end of year details listed for each school.

Middle Schools and High School

Middle and High School - End of Year - School Improvement Plan Updates from Franklin Matters

Elementary Schools

Elementary- End of Year - 2016-17 School Improvement Plan Updates from Franklin Matters

District Improvement Plan preview

the ball fields at FHS were getting water earlier this week

Meeting video available for replay on demand by Franklin TV
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=482

Franklin Police receive grant to get impaired drivers off the road

The Franklin Police will increase the number of impaired driving patrols on local roads after being awarded a special grant from the Highway Safety Division (HSD) of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). The Franklin Police department will join more than 200 local police departments across the state and the state police in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement mobilization.

This year’s campaign will include the impairment marijuana causes in drivers – and the exponentially increased impairment caused when alcohol and marijuana are combined.

Drivers who have had too much to drink or ingested marijuana are a menace to everyone on the road with them. “This grant funding will allow us to add patrols to specifically target impaired driving, with the goal of increasing the safety for entire community of Franklin” said Chief Thomas J. Lynch

“There is clear evidence that drivers who have used marijuana, especially in combination with alcohol, are significantly impaired,” said Jeff Larason, Director of the Highway Safety Division. “We are urging motorists to plan ahead for a sober ride home by using public transportation, a ride-sharing service or a designated driver. Do not put yourself and each person in the car and on the road with you at risk.”

Massachusetts Data

Marijuana or marijuana-type drugs were the most prevalent types of drugs found in people killed in crashes from 2010 to 2014.
From 2013 to 2014, alcohol impaired driving fatalities increased 14 percent (125 to 143).
From 2010-2014, 77 percent of impaired drivers in fatal crashes were men.
From 2010-2014, 46 percent of all alcohol-related driver fatalities were ages 21 to 34.

National Data

NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reported that drugs were present in 40 percent of the fatally-injured drivers with a known test result, almost the same level as alcohol.
NHTSA’s 2013–2014 roadside survey found drugs in 22 percent of all drivers both on weekend nights and on weekdays.
Drivers using marijuana demonstrated decreased car handling performance, increased reaction times, impaired time and distance estimation, sleepiness and decreased motor skill coordination (NHTSA).
Mixing alcohol and marijuana may dramatically produce effects greater than either drug on its own (NHTSA).

Franklin Police receive grant to get impaired drivers off the road

This was shared from the Town of Franklin Police Dept webpage

http://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/news/franklin-police-receive-grant-get-impaired-drivers-road

Franklin Almanac Episode 10 (YouTube)

Franklin Almanac Episode 10 with Host Polikseni Manxhari was originally broadcast on Aug 14, 2017.

Introduction- 00:00-00:36
Sara Ahern, Superintendent of Franklin Public Schools- 00:37-09:52
Franklin Cultural Festival-09:53-15:17
Operation Chill-15:18-21:00
DARE Program-21:01-27:05
Final Thoughts-27:06-28:30

Note: you might recognize someone as he talks about letting "magic happen" at the end of the Franklin Cultural Festival segment

Electric Youth and Future Shock please the crowd

Electric Youth and Future Shock pleased the crowd at the Town Common
on the opening night of the 3rd Annual Cultural Festival

"Several factors led to the growth in the industry locally"

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

"When the Hendler brothers opened Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers in Framingham six years ago, they started small, selling growlers to go and quickly added bottled beer .

Two years later, however, the business exploded when the state legalized taprooms, allowing Jack’s Abby to pour beers for their customers.

That spurred a huge increase to Jack’s Abby’s customer base and bottom line. The Hendlers have since moved from Morton Street and opened a large beer hall and restaurant, as well as the Springdale Barrel Room, on Clinton Street. With the expansion, the company went from less than 10 employees to more than 100.

Local breweries are a growing industry in MetroWest and the Milford region, which is now home to 10 breweries and brewpubs with two more on the way. And many local brewers say beer fans can expect more breweries in the coming years."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170820/metrowest-beer-explosion

A Favorite Poem Project - Oct 25

The Franklin Senior Scribblers' Writers' Group is hosting A Favorite Poem Project. It is scheduled for October 25 at 10:00 AM at the Franklin Senior Center.

My Favorite Poem Project is dedicated to celebrating and encouraging poetry's role in the lives of Americans. Robert Pinsky, the 39th Poet Laureate of the United States, started the project in 1997.

He believed that poetry needs to be read aloud. "Reading a poem silently is like staring at a sheet of music." The reader of the poem does not need to be the poet or a skilled performer. "One of the beautiful things about poetry," says Pinsky, "is that the medium is a voice, not necessarily the poet's voice. When you read a poem by Shakespeare, Dickinson or Langston Hughes, your voice is the artist's medium."

Robert Pinsky believed that contrary to stereotype, Americans do read poetry; that the audience for poetry is not limited to professors and college students; and that there are many people for whom particular poems have found profound, personal meaning. This project seeks to give voice to American poetry lovers.

In April 1998, the My Favorite Poem Project was launched with a series of public poetry readings. In Boston, twenty-five Bostonians read their favorite poem. The readers included the President of the Massachusetts State Senate, a homeless Boston resident and a third grader. The audience was packed into the Boston Public Library. The Library President dressed as a cowboy to read a cowboy poem. Some readers recited poems in Spanish, Vietnamese and American Sign Language. As you see, Americans do read poetry.

A Favorite Poem Project - Oct 25

If you have a poem you would like to read, please contact Faith Flaherty at faithflaherty@verizon.net

For more information on the Favorite Poem Project http://www.favoritepoem.org/index.html

Saturday, August 19, 2017

"A willingness to accept change"

Franklin has some of the ingredients that helped Hudson:

The SNETT rail trail is located just outside of downtown
Local zoning was changed in 2017 to allow distiller, winery or brewery tasting rooms
The downtown renovation project was just completed in 2016
Local businesses and town officials are talking about what needs to be done

What remains to be done now?

"Downtown Hudson was quiet when Michael Kasseris stepped out into the late night air in 2012.

Behind him was a Main Street space that had once housed a printing shop, a bagel shop and a gifting shop.

His uncle owned the building. Kasseris and his two business partners had just opened Rail Trail Flatbread Co. -- a trendy new restaurant featuring wood-fired pizza and craft beer.

He looked around. The downtown stores, tucked inside historic brick buildings, were empty. The parking spaces were empty. There was no foot traffic."

Continue reading the MassLive article about Hudson
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/hudson_how_this_small_massachu.html

"It was the historic buildings and their curb appeal, the rail trail, the economy in an upswing,
the streetscaping and a dozen little things that became big things."

Hat tip to Melanie for sharing the article!

"so many people don’t understand the way government works"

As Franklin gets to prepare for the town election this November, Franklin Matters will be sharing some of the basic information to help you cast informed votes. Interviews with the candidates are being scheduled. The results of those will be published here. Information on each of the committee and boards will be shared: what is their scope of operation? what do they do?

And coincidentally, in this article from the Milford Daily News (MDN), there is a movement afoot to have more education on civics. How does our government work? What does the Federal government do that the State doesn't? How does the State affect directly or indirectly Franklin?

"Recent studies show many Americans would struggle to pass a U.S. citizenship test, an exam that many states are adopting as a high school graduation requirement.

Civics in the classroom

High school students in 23 states need to pass a civics test before graduating, and there’s a proposal to bring the same requirement to Massachusetts.

The Civics Education Initiative, a project of the Arizona-based nonprofit Joe Foss Institute, calls for high schools to require that students pass a test on 100 basic facts of U.S. history and civics taken directly from the United States Citizenship Civics Test, the exam that immigrants must pass when applying for American citizenship."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170818/could-you-pass-us-citizenship-test

There is also a sample US Citizenship test linked to in the MDN article

The Downtown Improvement Project was the result of Federal fund administered by the State
and designed in collaboration with Franklin government and community participation

Franklin Almanac Episode 9 (YouTube)

Franklin Almanac Episode 9 with Host Polikseni Manxhari was published on Jul 24, 2017. It is available for replay on YouTube after being broadcast on the local Verizon and Comcast cable channels.

Introduction- 0:00-0:35
Franklin Legion 5k- 0:36-3:51
Housing Threshold- 3:52-11:25
Algonquin Pipeline- 11:26-18:54
Franklin Farmers Market- 18:56-23:51
Final thoughts and closing-23:52-25:20

two rows of vendors at the Franklin Farmers Market

Boys and Girls Youth Soccer Clinic - October 15

Presented by the Franklin High School Soccer Program

Instruction Provided by: FHS Soccer Team Members and Coaches

All skill levels welcome

Grades 1-6 boys 9-10:30 am Grades 1-6 girls 11-12:30 PM- Cost $25

The clinic will run rain or shine

Location: Franklin High School New Turf Field.

Content: The clinic will focus on skills and techniques for any level player.

Equipment: sneaker or cleats, shin guards and a soccer ball.

Payment: Send the form with a check payable to Franklin Soccer Boosters by October 8, 2017: Kathleen O’Neil at 560 Coronation Dr., Franklin MA 02038. Email: franklinsoccerboosters@gmail.com