Franklin Town Council Recap - Sep 27, 2017

The Town Council approved land for sale (NuStyle), land for sale (Summer St to the abutter), approved the zoning change for the Union/Cottage St area, appointed a new Treasurer/Collector, held a public hearing on a bylaw amendment to correct inconsistencies in setback requirements, approved the corporate move on the liquor license for 99 Restaurant, approved funding for the rework of the police radio system for the north end of town and the purchase of a new canine (to replace Axe). These are among the key items from the Council meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2017.

The budget changes and the funding approvals had been before the Finance Committee (Tuesday, Sep 26) and gained their approval. 

The appointment of Kerri Bertone had been foretold in the move in August 2016 with her hiring as the Deputy Treasurer. The move in 2016 had been question by Debbie Pellegri who questioned the move and hiring again this time and was joined in the action by Judy Pfeffer. Both of these councilors voted against in the measure that passed by a 7-2 vote.

map showing the zoning change for the Union/Cottage street area

map showing the location of the NuStyle brown fields property on Grove St being put up via RFP for sale

The official "Actions Taken" report from the Town Council for Weds meeting
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_council_actions_taken_for_september_27_2017.pdf

Additional details can be found in my notes captured while reporting live during the meeting on Weds. 

• Live reporting: Closing items
• Live reporting: Legislation for Action
• Live reporting: License transaction for 99 Restaur...
• Live Reporting: Public Hearing - Bylaw amendment o...
• Live reporting: Town Council - Sep 27, 2017

From the archives:

In the Council Comments from Town Council meeting held 8/10/17, Debbie Pellegri raised questions about the appointment of the Deputy Treasurer/Collector reported to be passing over someone else in the office who was reported to be 'qualified'

In the video on demand archive, the Council meeting can be found here

http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=382

Got to about 1:05 (one hour, five minutes) to catch the comments

The Franklin Matters meeting notes link for summary of 8/10/17

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/town-council-actions-taken-august-10.html

Franklin School Committee Recap - Sep 26, 2017

While I missed the first 45 minutes of the meeting on Tuesday night, it was for a good cause. I captured the audio recording of the Finance Committee meeting to share. Franklin TV was already recording the SchCom meeting for replay via video on demand.

When I arrived, the elementary school principals were reviewing their School Improvement Plans.

The plans can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/elementary-school-improvement-plans.html

This was the first meeting conducted with the new 'order of business' or agenda approved at the last meeting. The documentation to support the meeting flow can be tweaked a little to help it. With 'Discussion and Action' as well as 'Discussion Only' items and several items in each category, it can be confusing.

The policy documents were only released on Tuesday afternoon, too late for them to be shared and likely actually read to help prepare for the meeting. I raised this as an issue during the meeting and it will be addressed.

The policy documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/policies-for-discussion-action-items.html

The most interesting discussion was around the proposal for the FHS boys varsity basketball team to travel for a holiday week tournament in FL during Dec 2017. Ultimately, the proposal was sent back to come again with additional information for discussion before being voted on.

The School Committee will have a table at the Harvest Festival scheduled for Saturday, Oct 14.

The next regularly scheduled meeting, Tuesday, Oct 10, will be a budget workshop rather than follow the normal meeting agenda. The meeting will be held in the 3rd Floor Training Room at the Municipal Bldg at 7 PM.



My notes summarized via Storify from the tweets sent during the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/live-reporting-school-committee-sep-26.html

new lane lines painted on the track that was redone recently at FHS

the track is protected for the football team to use

hopefully the track will be completed and ready for use soon

Register O'Donnell Hosts Computer Seminars for Municipal Employees

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Hosts Computer Seminars for Municipal Employees Recognizing the increased usage of recorded land documents by local Norfolk County city and town governments, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell recently hosted 2 free informational seminars on computer assisted land record research for municipal employees and community officials. "These computer seminars were designed to help municipal employees and community officials familiarize themselves with our computer system and promote best practices when researching on-line land document information," noted Register O'Donnell. Seminar attendees learned how to navigate the Registry's online research page www.norfolkdeeds.org and to access documents such as deeds, mortgages, mortgage discharges, Homesteads, decisions, orders and permits. All of the Registry's land documents are online and are accessible within 24 business hours of recording. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds state-of-the-art computer system has more than 6 million land document images available for viewing, dating back to President George Washington's administration in 1793. Register O'Donnell noted, "An important relationship I highly value is the one between the Registry of Deeds and the 28 municipalities in Norfolk County. Local agencies continuously depend upon us to provide them with easily accessible and accurate land document information including assessors, zoning boards of appeals and conservation commissions." Additionally, there were several Registry staffers on hand, including Register O'Donnell, who were available to assist and answer questions. Each individual who attended the seminars received reference materials for their office use. Register O'Donnell concluded, "I was delighted to see the tremendous response we had for these computer seminars. Furthermore, the interaction we had with our partners in local government left no doubt in my mind that these seminars were of great value and assistance." 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, 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 at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center 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 Hosts Computer Seminars for Municipal Employees

Help the Community Garden rebuild their garden beds

Hello Gardeners, (and friends of gardening!)

ALL-HANDS BUILD DAY SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 9:00 AM TO FINISH.

ALL GARDENERS are needed for build day. Arrive before 9:00 AM on 10/15/17.

Sign-up: Respond directly to bonnie.kaiden@gmail.com or leave message at mobile 413-281-0487. I will contact you to confirm and answer questions.

OCTOBER 7: WORKDAY: WORKERS NEEDED TO PRE-CUT WOOD FOR BUILD DAY. CHOP SAW WILL BE ON-SITE. Respond to: bonnie.kaiden@gmail.com. Rich Clauser will be on-site to direct this work.

TEAM LEADERS NEEDED FOR BUILD DAY: Respond directly to bonnie.kaiden@gmail.com. Rich Clauser will contact you to coordinate and train team leaders.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Battery-powered power drill/screw driver (if you have) - bring drill bit kit
• Wrenches
• Screwdrivers, Hammer
• Shovels
• Gloves, hats
• *Wear enclosed shoes

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE!

We look forward to your responses and to working with you to re-build our garden on October 15. We also need people to cut wood on Saturday October 7 Workday.

On Behalf of your Committee,

Bonnie Kaiden
Chair, Franklin Community Gardens

a garden bed without the old falling apart wood frame

new wood delivered and ready for cutting building

what the new wood frames will look like

Note: after visiting and reporting on the Community Garden progress since the garden was born in 2011 I finally obtained a garden bed this year. It was a wonderful experience and I look forward to more growing seasons.


Photos from 2011
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157627530923300/

Birthday party in 2012
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157629949244080/

FHS Cross Country results - MSCTA Frank Kelley XC Invitational - Sep 30, 2017

The Mass State Track Coaches Assoc (MSCTA) Frank Kelley XC Invitational was held on the Wrentham Development Center grounds on Saturday, Sep 30, 2017. The races are by grades so you don't get a good view of the 'team' results/ However, the runners get experience on the course and the times can be compared.

The top Franklin results from each race are listed here. The links to the complete results for each race are also provided. If I missed some Franklin runners it was not my intent.

The results are shown on each line in the order of
Finish - Runner# - Name - Grade - Time


Boys 5k Run CC Open
9 2279 Goldman, Ryan 11 Franklin 17:24.69
14 2263 Barrow, Daniel 11 Franklin 17:31.71
46 2296 Ross, Cooper 11 Franklin 18:37.52
47 2288 McKenna, Owen 12 Franklin 18:40.40
57 2300 Siders, Zachary 12 Franklin 19:05.35
64 2282 Jacobs, William 12 Franklin 19:15.03
69 2311 Zaffino, Nicholas 11 Franklin 19:19.67
71 2293 Quinn, Nicholas 09 Franklin 19:22.18
77 2299 Shumway, Matthew 11 Franklin 19:28.81
100 2292 Parkman, Bryce 12 Franklin 19:58.03
125 2295 Richert, Nicholas 12 Franklin 20:56.47
129 2278 Flynn, Ian 12 Franklin 21:06.79

Complete listing for Boys 5K
http://www.mstca.org/Fall_Season/Fall%202017/Boys%20D1%205K.htm


Boys 3k Run CC Grades 11-12
100 2264 Bokelman, Nicholas 11 Franklin 12:18.20
110 2283 Karp, Matthew 12 Franklin 12:35.64
111 2271 Corcoran, John 11 Franklin 12:36.88
122 2310 Winiker, Jared 11 Franklin 12:58.24
123 2287 McGonagle, Mike 12 Franklin 13:02.23
128 2289 Miklas, Stuart 12 Franklin 13:08.23
133 2307 White, Jared 11 Franklin 13:22.99
136 2281 Hertzberg, Brandon 12 Franklin 13:30.80
147 2286 McCarthy, Andrew 12 Franklin 14:41.96

Complete listing for Boys 3k Run 11-12
http://www.mstca.org/Fall_Season/Fall%202017/Boys%20D1%2011-12.htm


Boys 3k Run CC Grades 9-10
5 2267 Cashin, Luke 09 Franklin 10:26.45
26 2303 Vining, Tyler 10 Franklin 10:54.83
28 2304 Walmsley, Declan 09 Franklin 10:56.42
31 2308 Whitmore, Cutler 10 Franklin 11:01.08
81 2309 Whitney, Wyatt 10 Franklin 11:38.97
104 2306 Whalen, Miles 09 Franklin 11:51.67
138 2277 Fila-Montgomery, Quinn 09 Franklin 12:07.87
175 2297 Rossi, Andrew 10 Franklin 12:27.82
185 2262 Angermeier, Josh 10 Franklin 12:32.97
198 2269 Cerier, William 09 Franklin 12:40.91
202 2291 Park, Ethan 09 Franklin 12:44.72
223 2266 Bryan, Shane 09 Franklin 12:56.90
253 2285 Linkkila, Matthew 09 Franklin 13:29.62
257 2265 Bryan, Luke 09 Franklin 13:32.95
259 2272 Coyne, Harry 09 Franklin 13:33.87
261 2274 Dexter, CJ 10 Franklin 13:37.16
275 2312 Zercie, Joseph 09 Franklin 14:04.78
281 2275 Dombrowski, Adam 09 Franklin 14:15.70
286 2284 Klawson, Hunter 09 Franklin 14:33.33
294 2273 Delvecchio, Travis 09 Franklin 15:03.20
295 2290 O'Rourke, Ryan 09 Franklin 15:03.62
305 2276 Donahue, Trevor 09 Franklin 16:15.41
306 2301 Souza, Camden 09 Franklin 16:16.34

Complete listing for Boys 3k Run 9-10
http://www.mstca.org/Fall_Season/Fall%202017/Boys%20D1%209-10.htm


Girls 3k Run CC Grades 11-12 Division 1
1 833 Clermont, Nicole 12 Franklin 11:23.58
3 841 Hartnett, Kate 12 Franklin 11:48.90
12 863 Walbert, Katrina 11 Franklin 12:28.05
16 840 Gutkowski, Ella 12 Franklin 12:38.99
18 834 Cummings, Brianna 12 Franklin 12:42.25
20 856 Osborne, Brandi 11 Franklin 12:48.87
21 837 DiGiacomo, Julia 11 Franklin 12:50.32
35 832 Bruns, Maura 11 Franklin 13:19.49
38 862 Viera, Mary 11 Franklin 13:29.30
39 830 Barry, Erin 11 Franklin 13:30.30
40 845 Kim, Kimiya 11 Franklin 13:34.74
44 849 Malachowski, Stephanie 11 Franklin 13:45.41
55 843 Houlihan, Molly 12 Franklin 13:59.36
62 835 Davis, Elizabeth 11 Franklin 14:04.06
80 844 Johnson, Caroline 11 Franklin 14:21.29
95 861 Stavely, Kate 11 Franklin 14:32.02
100 853 Morris, Rachel 11 Franklin 14:39.10
101 855 Nesbit, Alexandra 11 Franklin 14:39.93
123 848 Longobardi, Julia 11 Franklin 15:24.31
147 847 Kroon, Jennifer 11 Franklin 16:40.30
149 860 Stahl, Hannah 11 Franklin 16:55.70
151 846 Knous, Avery 11 Franklin 17:23.94

Complete results for the Girls 3k Run CC Grades 11-12 Division 1
http://www.mstca.org/Fall_Season/Fall%202017/Girls%20D1%2011-12.htm


Girls 3k Run CC Grades 9-10 D1
10 842 Hawkins, Sydney 09 Franklin 12:29.75
62 839 Giuliano, Sarah 10 Franklin 13:49.99
94 859 Schratz, Gina 10 Franklin 14:23.60
98 831 Brady, Sydney 09 Franklin 14:27.23
111 858 Rios, Fernanda 09 Franklin 14:45.10
163 836 DeMarino, Emily 10 Franklin 15:41.36
165 850 Marchese, Kimberly 09 Franklin 15:43.08
170 857 Parker, Christine 09 Franklin 15:47.12
171 838 Forcina, Jacqueline 10 Franklin 15:48.69
182 851 McCaffrey, Erin 09 Franklin 16:09.71
208 854 Myers, Kaylee 10 Franklin 17:01.43
209 852 Modak, Samhita 10 Franklin 17:03.46


Complete results for the Girls 3k Run CC Grades 9-10 D1
http://www.mstca.org/Fall_Season/Fall%202017/Girls%20D1%209-10.htm


All the MSTCA results can be found http://www.mstca.org/Fall_Season/Fall%20Past/Fall%202017.html

FHS Panthers

Updated to add 2 girl runners missed the first time around

April Verch Band at Circle of Friends - Oct 14

Bow. Feet. Voice. A trifecta of talent, keeping tradition feisty.

View this in your browser The April Verch Band Oct 14th 8PM $25 Canadian performer April Verch and her band will be appearing at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse on Saturday, October 14th at 8PM.  April is a multi-talented performer known for her fiddling, vocals, and step dancing.  While Verch is perhaps best known for playing traditional fiddle styles from her native Ottawa Valley, Canada, her performances extend into old-time American and Appalachian styles and beyond, for a well-rounded tour-de-force of North Americana sounds. Verch tours with world-class musicians as a trio, featuring acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass and clawhammer banjo in addition to Verch's vocals, fiddle and foot percussion. One might suspect a performer with as many talents as Verch would pause to take a breath, or need to somewhat compartmentalize her skills during a live performance. But on stage, Verch is almost superhuman, flawlessly intertwining and overlapping different performative elements. She stepdances while fiddling. She sings while stepdancing. Sometimes she sings, steps and fiddles all at once, with apparent ease and precision. Verch is - as they say - a triple threat in performance, her live show a beautiful companion to her music: versatile, robust, and masterfully executed.  http://aprilverch.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 $25.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows Oct 28       Christine Lavin and Don White Nov 4        Eric Schwartz Nov 18      Richard Shindell Dec 9        Winterbloom

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

Last Call: Boys and Girls Youth Soccer Clinic - Oct 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

Boys and Girls Youth Soccer Clinic - October 15

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, Oct 11

Let's Laugh Today in Franklin is on Wednesday, October 11 (and every second Wednesday of the month) from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. 

Enjoy this delightful practice, appropriate for all ages and levels of fitness.When we laugh, we energize our bodies and revive our spirits. All that is involved is deep breathing and a few stretches, playful laughter exercises (no jokes or comedy), clapping and deep relaxation. 

It has many benefits besides the joy of laughter. It can strengthen the immune system, combat the negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating. 

Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. See www.letslaughtoday.com for opportunities to laugh in other towns. If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail 
billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com.

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, Oct 11

    

Franklin Public Schools: Parent Forums scheduled with the Superintendent

As your new Superintendent of Schools, I am seeking to gain the perspectives of various stakeholders across the Franklin Public Schools. I am thrilled to invite parents of children at the following developmental levels to attend parent forums where I will engage in listening to your thoughts on the strengths of the district and opportunities for growth. Additionally, the forums will afford me the opportunity to share more about myself and my thoughts on education. 

-- Sara E. Ahern, Ed.D.


Elementary School Parents
October 23, 2017 6:30-8:00 P.M. Horace Mann/Oak St. Cafeteria
October 24, 2017 9:30-11:00 A.M. Horace Mann Health Classroom

Middle School Parents
November 8, 2017 6:30-8:00 P.M. Horace Mann/Oak St. Cafeteria
November 9, 2017 9:30-11:00 A.M. Horace Mann Health Classroom

High School Parents
October 30, 2017 6:30-8:00 P.M. FHS Media Center
October 31, 2017 9:30-11:00 A.M. FHS Lecture Hall

Franklin High School

North South Rail Link Meeting in Franklin, MA - Oct 4

The North South Rail Link (NSRL) Working Group Chairman, former Governor Michael S. Dukakis along with State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy, will host a NSRL meeting on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 7:00pm at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 W. Central Street, Franklin, MA.

The public is welcome to attend this free event to learn more about the proposed NSRL project and ask important questions about this innovative rail initiative.

Former Governor Michael S. Dukakis will discuss the 21st century transportation solution for our area. The North/South Rail Link (NSRL) is a proposed 2.8-mile-long tunnel connecting Boston’s North and South Stations.

“The NSRL is one of the single most important investments in public transportation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said former Governor Michael S. Dukakis. “It is critically important that we connect those two stations to dramatically improve not only the commuter rail but regional rail channeling. I look forward to working with Representative Roy and his colleagues to make this happen.”

“The NSRL will close a major hole in the core of our state’s public and private transportation systems and improve efficiency, mobility, and capacity throughout Massachusetts, New England, and the Northeast Corridor,” said Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). “It will make commuting more convenient and accessible to all, and reduce the associated environmental impacts. It would also expand economic development for Franklin area residents through improved access to skilled workers, jobs, affordable housing, and new opportunities for much needed transit-oriented development.”

Led by Gov. Dukakis, the NSRL Working Group has been meeting for the past two years to promote this critically important and worthwhile rail infrastructure project that would be a tremendous benefit for all those who live, work, visit and do business in our area which hosts two commuter rail stations. At the Franklin meeting, he will lead a town hall discussion of the project with a panel of experts.

The construction of the NSRL would result in a reduction in commute times, consequently attracting public transit riders; it would improve air quality by eliminating approximately 55,000 cars off local and regional roadways daily alleviating highway congestion and decreasing carbon emissions; and it would also expand economic development.

North South Rail Link (NSRL)

You can learn more about the project at http://www.northsouthraillink.org/and view a short video of the plan at https://youtu.be/Ca1yTUf7mnc

DATE: Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 7:00pm (Free and Open to the Public)
LOCATION: Franklin Historical Museum, 80 W. Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038
HOSTED BY: Former Governor Michael S. Dukakis and State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy
MORE INFO: Please visit, http://www.northsouthraillink.org/ and view a short video of the plan at https://youtu.be/Ca1yTUf7mnc to learn more about this project.

Child Care Continuing Education Class - Oct 12

Franklin Public Schools   -   Lifelong Learning Institute

Lifelong Community Learning

Child Care

Continuing Education

Problems and Solutions: Behavior Strategies for Extended Day and Child Care Providers This workshop provides extended and other child caregivers with concrete strategies and solutions for common behavior problems.   Improve and update your child care skills with us Join us for this one-night continuing education workshop aimed at the needs of the Child Care professional. Enjoy a relaxed setting in the company of colleagues AND get Two Contact Hours when you attend the class. Thursday, October 12       7:00 to 9:00 pm                         Franklin High School              Cost: $25 Still Time To Register - Click Here  Download PDF for office display