In the News: student debt oversight needed; Medway Community Farm

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

"As the Senate unanimously passed a bill to increase oversight of the student loan industry in Massachusetts, the measure’s House backers pointed to their own borrowing experiences to make the case for why their chamber should follow suit. 

Sen. Eric Lesser, the sponsor of the bill (S 2380) that passed the Senate Wednesday, said it would create a student loan ombudsman in the attorney general’s office, require the state licensing of student loan servicers and empower state officials to investigate abusive practices by loan servicers. 

Lesser, a Longmeadow Democrat, said on the Senate floor that the bill would shine a light on an industry that now operates in the shadows, and that the country has reached “the boiling point” on student loan debt."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180411/student-debt-poisoning-everything-else-in-our-economy-senator-says

"Though recent snow flurries might suggest otherwise, warmer weather is coming, and the Medway Community Farm is gearing up to offer educational and community programs throughout the spring and summer. 

The Winthrop Street-based farm, now entering its eighth season, looks to inform local residents about farming and healthy eating, in addition to its mission of growing crops. The farm offers shares, in which participants can pick up produce regularly over the course of the growing season. 

Alison Dempsey, the farm’s education coordinator, said major work is currently taking place, now that the snow has melted and more temperate days are on the way. At the same time, the farm is ramping up to begin its informational programming."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180411/medway-community-farm-preparing-for-season

FHS Ginley, McGrath, Downie, Miller, and Tasker recognized for HockomockSports Boys Hockey Awards

The 2018 HockomockSports Boys Hockey Awards were recently posted and the Franklin athletes recognized are shared here:

Owen Ginley and Jack McGrath were recognized on the First Team. Owen Ginley was recognized as Goalie of the Year. Luke Downie was recognized on the Second Team. Jeremy Miller was recognized on the Third Team. Tom Tasker was recognized on the Underclassman Team.

Owen Ginley and Jack McGrath, Franklin were recognized on the First Team

Luke Downie – Franklin was recognized on the Second Team

Jeremy Miller – Franklin was recognized on the Third Team

Tom Tasker, Franklin was recognized on the Underclassman Team

Owen Ginley, Franklin was recognized as Goalie of the Year

For the full listing of boys hockey awards
https://hockomocksports.com/awards/hockey/2017-2018/

Recycling event for FHS Softball - April 14

We are collecting bottles and cans as well as electronics at the recycling event scheduled for Saturday, April 14 from 10 AM to 3:30 PM in the Horace Mann Middle School parking lot on Oak St. 

The event is a fund raising activity for the FHS softball team.

Recycling event for FHS Softball - Apr 14

Additional details and pricing can be found in this flyer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczOXVEZGNUQklyTlJNWnFMbkZqRVBBMDg0Q1FN/view?usp=sharing

"boomers leave a substantial imprint on the population"

From the US Census Bureau:

"In less than two decades, the graying of America will be inescapable: Older adults are projected to outnumber kids for the first time in U.S. history. 

Already, the middle-aged outnumber children, but the country will reach a new milestone in 2035. That year, the U.S. Census Bureau projects that older adults will edge out children in population size: People age 65 and over are expected to number 78.0 million, while children under age 18 will number 76.4 million.

.....

With this swelling number of older adults, the country could see greater demands for healthcare, in-home caregiving and assisted living facilities. It could also affect Social Security. We project three-and-a-half working-age adults for every older person eligible for Social Security in 2020. By 2060, that number is expected to fall to two-and-a-half working-age adults for every older person.

If the trends continue, the U.S. is fast heading towards a demographic first. It will become grayer than ever before as older adults outnumber kids."

https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/03/graying-america.html




Yes, I'll admit to being of the baby boomer generation. There is no denying that. The implications of this population change will affect Franklin over the next several years/decades. The Senior Center has been expanded while the school enrollment has fallen. What else will change? A good topic for discussion as the budget cycle begins.

Paint, Cut, Glue! Kids Collage Workshop - Grades 4-8

Beginning April 25 - Register Today

Lifelong Community Learning presents Paint, Cut, Glue! Kids Collage Workshop Grades 4-8 Download Flyer REGISTER $25 Wednesdays, Beginning April 25 3:30 to 4:30 pm Franklin High School 218 Oak Street, Franklin Designed with beginners in mind! This 2-day kids collage class may be just what you are looking for! It is perfect for ages 8-13. Students will learn basic and experimental collage techniques and apply them to complete their project.  Check out all of our Kids' Corner classes www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com LCL@franklinps.net     508-613-1480

FPS- Lifelong Community Learning, 218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try it free today

live reporting: Town Council - April 11, 2018

Present: Hamblen, Casey, Dellorco, Mercer, Kelly, Jones, Padula, Pellegri, Earls
Absent:  none

Agenda Item	Summary
A. Approval of Meeting Minutes	A. Approval of Minutes - March 28, 2018 motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
B. Announcements	B. Announcements - This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.
C. Proclamations/Recognitions	C. Proclamations/Recognitions budget hearing meetings May 17-18 for Town Council
D. Citizen Comments	D. Citizen Comments - Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Coucnil will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
E. Appointments	E. Appointments
F. Hearings	F. Hearings
G. License Transactions	G. License Transactions
H. Presentations/Discussions	H. Presentations/Discussions - Legislative  Update - Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Jeffrey Roy, Senator Richard Ross Senator Spilka not feeling well and wanting to reschedule a future meeting Senator Ross on his way, was in a hearing before heading out to come here Representative Roy - House released the budget today, will be pushing for an increase in Chap 70 aid; Senate will add their budget in May, and they'll come together in June FHS students were at the State House lobbying for Tabacco21 to raise the age to 21; they took a leadership role, displayed a video they prepared, "for me to be their Representative to see them in action, it was a treat" Chronicle episode features the Franklin Library (link to be added later); what better American story is their to share than that Horace Mann was self educated with the books donated by Ben.  I am working with my collegues on our behalf all the time; $100,000 for SAFE Coalition; deaths reduced while overdose calls have continued, proud of these efforts Senator Ross walked in to join the meeting $50,000 for the Horace Mann statue and plaza $1M for the SNETT trail work design for the tunnel $275,000 grant for THE BLACK BOX $25,000 for the Charles River Meadowlands to develop trails continued list of grants received for area 11th year MA leads nation in education test scores 41% of the budget goes to Mass Health for health services MBTA running weekend service via bus, as construction work is being done on the rails Senator Ross, it is a joy to see you hear tonight looked at the Mount Ida situation working on the Ethics Committee, received an 81 page report looking to request $90K to help with the Veterans Walkway at the Town Common Bill to allow the capping at the transfer station and land transfer between State and Franklin Dellorco - thank you, you always return our phone calls

Rep Roy highlights a point from the House Budget to the Franklin Town Council

Live reporting: Subcommittee reports, legislation through to closing

. Subcommittee Reports	I. Subcommittee Reports 1. Capital - not at this time 2. Budget - not at this time 3. EDC - just held a meeting, will be bringing a few items forward at next meeting
J. Legislation for Action	J. Legislation for Action 1. Resolution 18-17: Acceptance of Gift - Franklin Cultural Council (Motion to Move Resolution 18-17 - Majority Vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 2. Bylaw Amendment 18-801: Amendment of Service Fees - Solid Waste and Recycling - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 18-801 to a 2nd Reading - Majority vote (5)) Proposed increase of $4 in trash/recycling rate effective 7/1/18 http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/memo_0.pdf motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0
K. Town Administrator's Report	K. Town Administrator's Report ArtWeek kicks off Apr 26 banners downtown to help promote budget going to printer, forced to use rainy day account to balance the budget, can do one year but it is not a sustainable model keep staffing etc whole for this year with so many folks new to the process;  right after this passes, then start discussions on what to do for Fiscal 2020
L. Future Agenda Items	L. Future Agenda Items Q - on the E Warren reimbursement for school use A - totally a schools item not a town issue, Jeff will check with Superintendent Q - can we join the A - going to seminar on this topic at end of April, will update then Q - what's up with the Dean area and neighbors? A - meeting end of May being scheduled
M. Council Comments	M. Council Comments Casey - great job on Cultural Advocacy Day Ben Franklin books back at the Library Dellorco - condolences to the Sewell family  Earls - exploratory meeting to discuss a Franklin Technology meeting Pellegri - appraisal day at the Historical Museum Apr 20; 1 - 4PM Open House - Apr 21 - 10 - 1 PM, tours, raffles, etc. Padula - condolences to the Sewell family Jones - at the Arts Advocacy Day, co-hosting a session condolences to the Sewell family Mercer - condolences to the Sewell family it was an ok turnout to see the Ben Franklin books return to the Library, it was good to hear the comments from the folks visiting
N. Executive Session	N. Executive Session - None

Wine Tasting and Open House at La Cantina Winery benefits FEF - Apr 27

No need to go to Napa to do a winery tasting.

A fun night out, while supporting Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) and Franklin's own La Cantina Winery. Learn more about the amazing projects that FEF has funded in Franklin Public Schools.

When:
Friday April 27, 2018 @ 6:30!

Where
La Cantina Winery
357 Union St, Franklin

Wine Tasting and Open House at La Cantina Winery benefits FEF - Apr 27

More about FEF can be found on their webpage
http://www.franklined.org/

More about La Cantina can be found on their webpage
http://www.lacantinawinery.com/

HockomockSports recognizes Brigham and Bondhus for Girls Basketball Awards

The 2018 HockomockSports Girls Basketball Awards were recently posted and the Franklin athletes recognized are shared here:

Ali Brigham was chosen for first team (HockomockSports.com photo)

Bea Bondhus was chosen for third team (HockomockSports.com photo)

Ali Brigham was chosen as Underclassman of the Year (HockomockSports.com photo)

Ali Brigham was chosen on the All Defensive Team (HockomockSports.com photo)

For complete coverage of the HockomockSports awards
https://hockomocksports.com/awards/girls-basketball/2017-2018/

FHS girls and boys outdoor track top Oliver Ames on Tuesday

Via HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS spring sports action on Tuesday, April 10, 2018.


Boys Outdoor Track = Oliver Ames, 63 @ Franklin, 73 – Final


Girls Outdoor Track = Oliver Ames, 38 @ Franklin, 98 – Final
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LnbOKkZ4GqgKH9m4-oKYec1AfalkDlfq/view?usp=sharing


Note: If anyone knows where the detailed results are posted online, please let me know

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-04-10-18/

FHS Panthers

Congrats on the girls and boys for two season opening wins against OA today! The races were run in honor of Jack Sewell, who the FHS community misses dearly. pic.twitter.com/lCBGYgGvCu

— Franklin Girls T&F (@FHS_girlsXC) April 11, 2018

Reminder: Franklin Art Association’s Annual Spring Art Show and Sale 4/21/18 - 4/22/18

The Franklin Art Association will hold its Annual Spring Show and Sale "Art from the Heart" on Saturday, April 21, 2018, from 1 PM to 8 PM and on Sunday, April 22, 2018, from 12 noon to 4 PM at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin.

A reception held on Saturday, from 4 PM to 7 PM will include entertainment by the Padula Brothers Jazz Band.

The FAA's Annual Spring Show and Sale includes works in oil, acrylic, water media, photography, pastel, charcoal, mixed media, calligraphy and drawing. In addition to the exhibited works, small works and unframed art will be available for purchase.

The exhibit is juried and there will be first, second, third and honorable mention ribbons awarded in each category. In addition, there will be a Best of Show award and attendees may vote for a "People's Choice" award.

For more information about the FAA, go to www.franklinart.org

Franklin Art Association’s Annual Spring Art Show and Sale - Apr 21-22