Town of Franklin: Specimen Ballot for Nov 7, 2017 Election

You've seen the candidate listing, here is a specimen or sample ballot for the Nov 7, 2017 election.

Absentee Ballot Information: 

Absentee ballots are now available in the Town Clerk’s office. A registered voter who will be unable to vote at the polls on Election Day due to the following reasons may vote absentee in the Town Clerk’s Office up to 12:00 noon Monday, November 6, 2017

1. absence from your city or town during normal polling hours; or
2. physical disability preventing you from going to the polling place; or
3. Religious belief.

To request an Absentee Ballot:

1. Email: (tburr@franklinma.gov) to request an absentee ballot form
2. Visit the Town Clerk’s website at (franklinma.gov) to print out an Absentee Ballot request form and either email or fax (508)520-4913.

If you have any questions, please contact Teresa M. Burr, Town Clerk at (508)520-4900 or
Email (tburr@franklinma.gov)



For all the information leading to the election, visit
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-collection-2017.html

Franklin Election Collection - 2017

Take an Historic Cemetery Walk on Halloween

Learn a little bit about Franklin's history and it's former residents. 

Dean College History Professor Rob Lawson will conduct a tour of the Union Street Cemetery Tuesday afternoon, October 31st. 

Anyone interested should meet on the steps of the Franklin Historical Museum at 5:00 PM and join the tour that will walk to the cemetery. The tour should take about an hour.

Take an Historic Cemetery Walk on Halloween

Spamalot at THE BLACK BOX - 3 shows - Oct 27, 28, 29

Friday, Oct. 27, 7:30 PM

Saturday, Oct. 28, 7:30 PM

Sunday, Oct. 29, 2:00 PM

THE BLACK BOX

Monty Python's Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail. Inspired by the classic comedy film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the musical also diverts a bit from more traditional versions of the legend. Instead, Spamalot features shennanigans including a line of beautiful dancing girls, a flatulent Frenchmen and killer rabbits. Outside, there is plague with a 50% chance of pestilence and famine. 

Throughout the show, Arthur, traveling with his servant Patsy, recruits several knights to accompany him on his quest, including Sir Bedevere, Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad. Besides the rabbits and farting Frenchman, they meet such characters as the Lady of the Lake, Prince Herbert, Tim the Enchanter, Not Dead Fred, the Black Knight and the Knights who say Ni. 

The 2005 Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including “Best Musical” and received 14 Tony Award nominations.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

 

Spamalot at THE BLACK BOX - 3 shows - Oct 27, 28, 29

MassBudget: Report examines strategies for educating English Language Learners` (ELL)

Evidence favors bilingual education over English-only; quality of instruction matters most

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MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Report examines strategies for educating English Language Learners Evidence favors bilingual education over English-only; quality of instruction matters most High-quality public education in Massachusetts has played an important role in expanding opportunity and creating a strong, high-wage state economy. In its newest paper, Excellence for All: Supporting English Language Learners in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) explores strategies for improving the education of English Language Learners (ELL). Excellence for All examines the data on what has been happening in our schools with respect to ELL students and the evidence on best practices nationally. Massachusetts policy since 2002 has emphasized English immersion as the primary approach to ELL education. A balanced review of the research reveals, however, that there is generally more evidence supporting bilingual programs. The evidence also suggests that the most important factor for helping ELL students to succeed is the quality of the programs offered. While Massachusetts schools generally lead the nation in academic achievement, we have not reached our standard of success for ELL students. Among ELL students, Massachusetts ranks 19th in 8th-grade reading and 10th in math. Although we have been making progress in raising ELL achievement levels, including a 12 percent increase in ELL graduation rates between 2008 and 2015, too many ELL students are falling behind. Well-designed programs, including bilingual approaches that support learning in English along with other languages, have been shown to benefit ELL students. Rigorous research has found that effective programs include a number of strategies, such as: Increasing the professional development of educators - not only English or English as a Second Language teachers, but also training for other content teachers (e.g. science, math) - on how to effectively support ELL students Employing research-backed approaches to improving reading and literacy Providing tutoring for struggling students Implementing family outreach and student support programs, under the direction of ELL coordinators dedicated to these initiatives A number of schools in Massachusetts and nationally have shown strong results implementing these types of strategies. With adequate funding, technical assistance, and the flexibility to create programs that best fit the needs of local students, more schools could make meaningful progress in helping all of our ELL students thrive. To read the full report, click here. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. Through the Roadmap to Expanding Opportunity project, MassBudget has examined proven education strategies for helping all kids learn effectively and be successful over the long term. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

In the News: reaction to opioid emergency; Vallee's influence recognized

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

"Local officials said more resources are needed on the ground level to combat the opioid epidemic that President Donald Trump has called an emergency. 

Those who face the crisis in the Milford and MetroWest areas were cautiously optimistic following the president’s Thursday declaration of a nationwide public health emergency, saying the high-level acknowledgement is a positive step. 

They added, though, that funding for local services is a critical need. 

This move does not necessarily include that money. Administration officials have announced their intentions to seek emergency funds from Congress, but this declaration does not have any dedicated money attached."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171026/locals-react-to-emergency-opioid-declaration

For Help call SAFE Resource Support line – 508-488-8105

"Bob Vallee sat in the center of the half-circle desk in council chamber for the last time at Wednesday night’s meeting, marking the end of his 32-year run on the Town Council. 

Highly regarded by his fellow council members, Vallee oversaw innumerable changes in Franklin’s zoning and infrastructure, bringing the town from 1930s zoning to 2017 standards. 

“Sitting on the council for the last four years, I got to watch first-hand the kind of direct impact someone with Bob’s integrity and courage can do to shape the town of Franklin,” said council member Peter Padula. “He’s a been a great influence on me and I think the whole council. Franklin is a much better place to live because of guys like Bob Vallee.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171026/vallee-a-great-influence-on-town-council

Town Council Chair Matt Kelly recognizes fellow councilor
Bob Vallee for his 30 plus years of service for Franklin

Franklin Turkey Trot Helps Feed Local Families in Need

For the hundreds who will come out on Thanksgiving morning for the Franklin Turkey Trot 5K Family Fun Run, the motto is “Run now, gobble later!” When families gather together for their traditional feast after the event, there will be many more grateful for the bounty that results from the race. The registration fee of $20, or 20 nonperishable goods, goes directly to the Franklin Food Pantry, keeping donations local to help feed those in need.

The event begins and ends at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS Church) at 91 Jordan Road in Franklin. The race, open to runners and walkers of all ages, attracts experienced runners as well as families who want to get out and exercise together before their traditional holiday get-together. A professional race organizer officially records timing, pace and rankings for each runner.

“Thanksgiving is truly a time to be grateful for the many blessings we have,” said Erin Lynch, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. “But it is also an occasion to think of others who are struggling to put food on their tables. The Franklin Turkey Trot rallies our community to give back and help protect others from the threat of hunger. The more than 1,000 individuals we serve are grateful to our community for coming out to support us.”

The November 23 race will begin at 8 a.m. Registration can be done online at franklinturkeytrot.org; at the LDS Church from 7 – 9 p.m. the Wednesday before the race; or the morning of the race from 6:30 – 7:30 a.m. Official race t-shirts can be purchased online for $10 for those who register by November 2.

The registration fee of $20 is preferred as it allows the Pantry to “stretch our budget for leaner times,” said Lynch. “Our capacity to store the donated goods is extremely limited this time of year.” If participants prefer to donate goods, Lynch said the Pantry is in need of tea, coffee, hot cocoa and canned fruit. They can also go to the Pantry’s website at franklinfoodpantry.org for a longer list of current needs.

Lynch credits much of the event’s success to Race Director Krystal Whitmore. “We are fortunate to have an incredibly hard-working group of volunteers, led by Krystal, who make this event possible,” said Lynch. “Krystal organizes church members, high school students, and her own family members to volunteer. The amount of work involved is amazing. We could not do this without them.”

For more information, call 508-520-9864 or email franklinturkeytrot@gmail.com.

Franklin Turkey Trot Helps Feed Local Families in Need - "run now, gobble later!"

Franklin Candidate for School Committee: Anne Bergen

This interview with Dr. Anne Bergen (AB), candidate for Franklin School Committee, was collaborated on via email.


Franklin Matters (FM): Tell me a bit about yourself, your family, and your life here in Franklin? What is your Franklin story?

AB: I am married (husband Tom) and have one adult daughter who was lucky enough to be educated in the Franklin public schools. I came to Franklin as a young teacher and never left! I also served as a reading specialist, elementary principal, middle school principal and acting head of the English department at Franklin High School. In my current role as school committee member, I view my work through the lens of educator, parent and now senior citizen.

FM: What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? What do you bring to the table that helps to set you apart from the others?

AB: My knowledge of curriculum and instruction, school policy, budget and a thorough understanding of what it takes to manage and protect buildings and grounds. I think because I have spent a great deal of time interviewing/meeting with students, teachers, parents, senior citizens, I have a profound understanding of what matters to the stakeholders in our community. 

Too many of our young people today are suffering from depression and anxiety; mental health issues contribute greatly to the eventual use of substances which are destroying the lives of so many families. Working with the Safe Coalition and the Substance Use Task Force has broadened my understanding of the complexity of this issue and what we can do to more powerfully address the social and emotional needs of our students

FM: What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it?

AB: All of us I think will point to finances as a huge challenge, trying to maintain a high quality system in a time of fiscal uncertainty. It means establishing clear priorities based on what is best for our students in today’s world and making sure our budget reflects those priorities. As school committee members we must be transparent about school finances and communicate student needs to the public, working with our elected officials at the national, state and local levels. We must be the voices for our students. 

It is always up to the citizens in a community to decide what they are willing and able to support; that is the beauty of a democracy. But we must continue to inform our citizens in an open and transparent way, so they will have the best information available upon which to make those decisions.


To follow up directly with Anne, you can reach her via email at annekbergen@gmail.com 

From the archives, her interview in 2015: School Committee - Anne Bergen
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/franklin-candidate-for-school-committee_31.html


You can find about more about what Anne does in her regular Franklin TV broadcast "It Takes a Village". In this episode, she talks with Jim Derick of the SAFE Coalition.





Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 7. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion. 

Offer to Candidates 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/offer-to-candidates-for-franklin.html 

Election Collection - 2017