Your final chance to provide input to the Election Survey - it will close out Friday, Dec 29

Please take some time this week to respond. This will be your final chance to provide your input on the survey. We currently have just over 300 responses. 

We would like to hear from more who did not vote. We'll hold the survey open for the school vacation week and close it out on Friday, Dec 29, 2017.

To share the survey with your family, friends, and neighbors you can send the link to this post or use this easy to remember link: 
http://bit.ly/FranklinElectionSurvey2017

An open survey for the voters and residents of Franklin, MA to provide feedback on the recent Biennial Election. The voter 17% turnout was less than average. The information gathered here will hopefully improve the turnout for future elections. 

The survey is meant gather the information anonymously. However, if you would be willing to provide more in depth responses, there  is an option to leave your contact information at the end of the survey. 

This survey is being conducted by Steve Sherlock, Community Information Director (volunteer) for Franklin Matters. The information gathered by the survey will be shared and used as applicable to guide future informational sharing efforts.

Can we get more responses to the Election Survey? Please

The results as of 8:30 AM on Dec 23, 2017

Support Pisini Field - Franklin, MA

The High School Field Concession Stand has a GoFundMe page:

"Our Town is fortunate to have a state of the art athletic track and field (Pisini Field) to complement our new Franklin High School. Most afternoons, evenings, and weekends throughout the year the facility is utilized by either FHS or town sports teams. Pisini Field host many youth and high school programs such as, girl’s youth lacrosse, youth soccer, Franklin Chargers football, and spring track. Currently, there are no bathroom or sanitary facilities for this athletic facility which sees more use than any other athletic facility in our Town. 

Throughout the year, a number of portable toilets are situated adjacent to the new Franklin High School to accommodate the families and children participating in the sports at Pisini Field. With the high frequency of events at this facility, maintaining the cleanliness of these temporary bathroom facilities is virtually impossible and often creates unsanitary and embarrassing conditions. During large high school events such as football games, the Horace Mann School is opened and the bathrooms closest to the field can be used by the spectators at the game. However, this provides a minimal number of facilities and is still supplemented by the temporary bathroom facilities adjacent to our new high school. 

Our proposal will provide a bathroom facility as well as areas for storage and concessions. The number of actual toilets proposed far outnumbers the amount that has typically been made available (combining temporary and Horace Mann bathrooms) during the largest events at the field, and would also provide a small sanitary area to be used as a concession stand. This new facility would eliminate the need for the current temporary concession trailer, which is in severe dis-repair, poor sanitary condition, and an eye sore to the entire facility. 

Additionally, this new bathroom facility would be handicap accessible for both the concession area and sanitary facilities, which is not the case for the existing facility or temporary bathrooms. 

We expect the cost of the facility to be in the range of $250,000. In order to cover these costs of construction, we are hoping to raise donations of materials, labor and $. We’ve included a list of materials and labor items required to complete the construction (You can check out the drawings included here as well). Please pass this along to anyone who may be able to donate materials or time towards the project. For those unable to assist with material or time donations, we certainly appreciate any monetary contributions. Thank you for taking the time to read and with your support we can improve such a significant part of the Franklin community!

*Should you have any questions, please contact Michael Socci at msocci@masbuildingandbridge.com"

For additional information on the materials required, or to contribute to the fund raising, visit the GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/z35a8n-support-pisini-field-franklin-ma

Support Pisini Field - Franklin, MA

The proposal document as discussed at the Town Council meeting, Wednesday, Dec 20
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/12/high-school-concession-stand-proposal.html

The New Franklin Agricultural Commission is now accepting member volunteer applications!

The Town of Franklin recently established a new committee called the Franklin Agricultural Commission. The Town encourages all residents who are interested in volunteering for the Agricultural Commission to apply now for the first round of committee appointments.

The Franklin Agricultural Commission has been created to promote, develop and foster agricultural resources in the Town of Franklin. The Committee will consist on 5 Members with 3-Year terms after the initial staggering of the appointments. 

To create staggered terms for the initial (first) appointments will be as follows:

• 2 members will be appointed for a 3-year term;
• 2 member will be appointed for a 2-year term (at annual re-appointments member can renew for a 3 year term); and
• 1 member will be appointed for a 1-year term (at annual re-appointments member can renew for a 3 year term).

To apply please visit the Town’s website and fill out the online volunteer form at:
http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php


The Application period will begin on Friday, December 22nd and the deadline for applying will be Friday, February 2nd by the close of business at 1:00 PM.


Any interested party may also apply in person in the Town Administrator’s Office in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street.


For more information or questions about a Board or Committee, please visit the Committee Website at: http://www.franklinma.gov/agricultural-commission
or contact the Town Administrator’s Office, at 508-520-4949

Shared from http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2017-12-21agriculturalcommissionvolunteer_0.pdf

at the Town Council meeting Weds Dec 20, Rep Jeff Roy presented Councilor Melanie Hamblen copies of the legislation signed by Governor Baker creating the Franklin Agricultural Commission

FHS boys basketball tops North Attleboro 45-28

Via HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS sports action on Friday, Dec 22, 2017


Boys Basketball = Franklin, 45 @ North Attleboro, 28 – Final

Ryan Lanigan, Editor in Chief of HockomockSports provides the game recap

"In a game when points are at such a premium, even the smallest of runs can be game-changers. 

Franklin used a pair of those short spurts to create enough separation and delivered a signature tough defensive effort in a 45-28 win over North Attleboro.
With both squads playing their best on the defensive end, points were especially hard to come by early on. 

Franklin’s first field goal came with 6:31 left in the first quarter, and North tied it with 3:41 to play as the teams combined for just four points over the opening six minutes.

But in the last two minutes of the opening frame, Franklin’s offense came to life with an 8-0 run. Sophomore Chris Edgehill (eight points) drained a step back three and hit one of two free throws to start the run. Paul Rudolph scored in transition and Matt Elias converted an offensive rebound shortly before the buzzer to give the Panthers a 10-2 lead after one."

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-gets-past-north-attleboro-in-defensive-battle/

For photos from the game, check this link
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Winter-2017-2018/North-Attleboro-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-12-22-17/

For the remaining results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-12-22-17/

Franklin’s Matt Elias (right) pulls up for a shot against North Attleboro’s Jake Petersen. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Franklin Food Pantry: Wow!

December 2017    Thank you!    Dear Friends, "Wow" is the word that comes to mind when I look back at the last few weeks of our busiest time of year. I am touched by a community that has such tremendous capacity to think of, and do for, others. The spirit of giving throughout the season was embraced by all ages. Davis Thayer students once again embarked on their trek through town to deliver goods to the Pantry. In the month of November alone, community groups held 30 food and fund drives bringing in 10,000 pounds of food! The Franklin Food Elves Campaign was the most successful drive in its 12-year history, giving us the means to purchase fresh food to supplement the product donations. The Franklin Turkey Trot broke all records with nearly 1,000 people coming out to support the Pantry.  On the receiving end of this generosity are 1,000 individuals, including nearly 300 children, who will be less hungry because of your gifts. They will have enough nutritious food to enjoy the holidays without the distraction of hunger. They will have access to food and personal care essentials throughout the winter because of your support in recent weeks. This week, when we finished our ham dinner distribution to more than 200 families, I felt a huge sense of pride in being part of such a giving community. A group of supporters, donors and volunteers, who made it possible for our clients to enjoy the comfort of a holiday meal with their loved ones. A compassionate community that continues to help us fight hunger. I cannot thank all of you enough. May you have an especially wonderful holiday season full of as much joy as you have brought to so many others. Erin  End-of-Year Giving Remember that the need continues long after the holidays are over. There's still time to make a donation before the end of the year. You can make a monetary gift online here; or mail a check payable to the Franklin Food Pantry to P.O. Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038. Mail that is postmarked by December 31 is tax-deductible for 2017. Thank you for your support! Additional leadership gift and corporate sponsor opportunities available, for details please email Erin Lynch erin@franklinfoodpantry.org Franklin Food Pantry       www.franklinfoodpantry.org  Our facility is generously donated by Rockland Trust. We are located at 43 West Central Street, Franklin MA, on Route 140 in the Rockland Trust parking lot,  across the street from the fire station.

Franklin Food Pantry, 43 West Central Street, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by erin@franklinfoodpantry.org in collaboration with Try it free today

You're Invited: Senator Spilka's Social-Emotional Learning Forum - Jan 9, 2018

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YOU'RE INVITED: Senator Spilka's MetroWest Kids exSEL Forum     Tuesday, January 9, 2018 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Hayden Lodge  Warren Conference Center 529 Chestnut Street, Ashland CLICK HERE TO RSVP!  Please join Senator Karen Spilka on January 9, 2018 for a conversation with the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy about exSEL: Excellence through Social-Emotional Learning, a network bringing together school districts across Massachusetts to design and implement policies and practices that promote social-emotional learning (SEL). The project is led by the exSEL Coalition, whose members include the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives and Massachusetts School Administrators Association. The exSEL Coalition's non-profit partners, the Rennie Center and Teachers 21, provide expertise, support and training for the network. Click here to RSVP! If you have questions about this event or Senator Spilka's MetroWest Kids Initiative, please contact Puja Mehta. Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka Room 212, State House Boston, Massachusetts  02133 Phone: (617) 722-1640 - Fax: (617) 722-1077 http://www.karenspilka.com

Senator Karen E. Spilka, Massachusetts State House, Room 212, Boston, MA 02133 Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov in collaboration with Try it free today

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell Delivers Toys for Tots

Press Release ~ Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell Delivers Toys for Tots

Dedham, MA - The Eleventh Annual Marine Corp Reserve Toys for Tots Drive at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds was a great success, according to Register Bill O'Donnell. "Every year many people come by, and are so generous in their giving. This year we had a great bunch of gifts ranging from sports equipment to puzzle and games to art supplies." Register O'Donnell noted that during the past 11 years, approximately 1,650 toys have been collected by the Registry thanks to the generosity of Registry employees, county advisory board members, title examiners and the general public "I would like to thank everyone for making the event such a wonderful success. Additionally, we are truly honored to partner with the Marine Corps Reserve in their Annual Toys for Tots drive which help makes the holiday brighter for more than 7 million children each year," said Register O'Donnell. On hand to deliver the toys to Master Sergeant Jim Hughes of Norwood were Register Bill O'Donnell and Treasurer Jim Timilty. To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on www.facebook.com/norfolkdeeds, follow us on twitter and www.instagram.com/norfolkdeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Department via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or visit us on the web at  www.norfolkdeeds.org.    Register O'Donnell Delivers Toy for Tots Drive From left to right: Norfolk County Treasurer Jim Timilty, Master Sergeant Jim Hughes and Register of Deeds Bill O'Donnell From left to right: Treasurer Jim Timilty and Register Bill O'Donnell loading up the Toys for Tots Van! email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-461-6116 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org STAY CONNECTED:

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today