Friday, June 1, 2018

Reminder: Franklin Farmers Market opens TODAY on the Town Common

The Farmers Market opens Friday (TODAY) and runs each Friday through October.

Find out more about the vendors at the market online  https://franklinfarmersmarketma.com/

or on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFarmersMarketMA/

download the flyer 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t7S0ciZHW2u_0z7ePBfYeTFK5HswdDY5/view?usp=sharing

and of course visit the Farmers Market each Friday on the Town Common from noon to 6 PM




two rows of vendors at the Franklin Farmers Market in July
two rows of vendors at the Franklin Farmers Market in July 2017

"provide a strong legal protection for women’s rights"

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

"After hours of debate Wednesday night, the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution passed the Illinois House. 
The resolution was approved 72-45, making Illinois the 37th state to ratify the ERA, which outlaws discrimination based on gender nationwide. The Senate approved the measure 43-12 on April 11. 
“I’m glad that the common sense, the recognition that women deserve and are entitled to the same protections as men, won the day,” said Rep. Steve Andersson, R-Geneva. “What we’re going to do is raise the level of all ships. Men, women, everyone does better because of this.” 
Originally brought to the states for ratification in 1972, only 35 state legislatures voted for the amendment before a 1982 deadline set by Congress."
-----------
"In 2017, Nevada became the 36th state to ratify ERA. With Illinois’ action Wednesday, only one more state needs to ratify it. But Congress will have to remove the deadline for it to become the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180531/illinois-becomes-37th-state-to-ratify-equal-rights-amendment

Did MA pass this? 
Yes, as the 19th state to do so in June of 1972. For additional info, the wikipedia page is rich with history, tidbits and links  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Rights_Amendment

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Rights_Amendment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Rights_Amendment

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Instrument Petting Zoo and Rental Night - Jun 14

The Franklin Music Department, along with Music and Arts, will be holding an instrument petting zoo and rental night. 

The evening is intended for incoming 6th graders. Any incoming 6th grader who rents an instrument that night, will have their instrument delivered to their music classroom in time for the first day of school in the fall. 

This exciting event will take place in the Franklin High School Media Center from 5-7 P.M on Thursday, June 14

Elementary students entering grades 3-5 in the fall will be offered another rental night on September 6. You may however come look at the instruments at the petting zoo!

Music and Arts will offer a variety of band and orchestral instruments for students to look at and hold. High school music students will be available to demonstrate the instruments and to teach the beginners how to make sounds on the instrument. We hope you will join us! 

If you have any questions, please call Diane Plouffe, Director of Music at 508-613-1650.
6th Grade Instrument Rental Information Night - June 14
6th Grade Instrument Rental Information Night - June 14 
(some of the instruments shown may not be available for rental)

Trout Fishing Derby - June 2

Trout Fishing Derby
Saturday June 2 (7 AM – 2 PM)
MA Free Fishing Weekend!!
No License Required

First Prize $125
For Heaviest Trout
Cash Prizes 2nd and 3rd Places

Kids under 12 yrs., Awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place

Multiple Raffle Prizes!!

Breakfast and Lunch (Pizza) Available

Free Use of Gear, Rod and Reel
(While Supplies last)

Franklin Rod and Gun Club
53 Florence Street, on Uncas Pond, Franklin, MA

Tickets Adults $10.00, Children 12 and under $5.00

(Rain Date Sunday 6/3)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FuYjvdRBRkCsPNIZ4MddZjrE9U-AKx16/view?usp=sharing



Franklin Rod and Gun Club
Franklin Rod and Gun Club

FHS softball ends season with 4-3 loss

Joe Clark, HockomockSports.com Student Reporter, provides the game recap for the FHS softball loss to Bridgewater-Raynham, 4-3

"On Monday afternoon, Franklin’s late-game heroics earned them their ninth win of the season and a chance to earn a playoff bid on Wednesday night against Bridgewater-Raynham. 
But on Wednesday night, the script was flipped, as B-R scored a run in the top of the seventh to take a 4-3 lead, and despite Franklin threatening with runners on first and second, finished off the Panthers in the bottom half of the inning to earn their 15th win of the season and eliminate Franklin from postseason eligibility. 
Things didn’t get going for either side offensively until the third inning, as Jackie Cherry (CG, nine strikeouts) and Julia Ferry (CG, 11 strikeouts) matched each other almost pitch for pitch."
Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/late-run-helps-b-r-edge-franklin-in-season-finale/

For the other results around the Hockomock League on Wednesday 
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-30-18/


FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

In the News: 40B issue runs across MA; new memorial for 911 rescue and recovery workers

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The story is often the same. 
A developer proposes to build a densely populated, mixed-income housing complex in a community. The proposal evokes outrage from local residents who argue the development will be disruptive. The influx of so many new people will exacerbate traffic, unfairly add costs to municipal budgets and strain local infrastructure, the argument goes. 
“The proposed development is poorly designed and too intense for a site that is just over an acre in size,” wrote the Wellesley Board of Selectmen in a letter objecting to mixed-income developments on Stearns Road and Worcester Street. ”(It) must be denied at this level of density.” 
Despite the local outcry, however, developers often end up building what they want because the law is on their side."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180530/affordable-housing-still-scarce-in-massachusetts-communities

40B issue runs across MA - Franklin status
40B issue runs across MA - Franklin status

"A pathway flanked by six stones meant to symbolize strength and determination will be added to the Sept. 11 memorial site in lower Manhattan to honor the rescue and recovery workers who toiled for months at ground zero, officials announced Wednesday in unveiling the design concept. 
The new dedicated area will also serve as a way to honor those who became sick or died from exposure to the toxins in the environment after the twin towers fell. 
“Hundreds of thousands of people are estimated to have been exposed to toxins at the World Trade Center site, both on the day of 9/11 and during the months of recovery operations that followed,” Alice Greenwald, president and CEO of the National Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum, said in a statement. 
She added, “By integrating this meaningful public space at the memorial, we seek to recognize all those for whom 9/11 has remained an all-too-present reality.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180530/design-to-honor-september-11-rescue-recovery-workers-unveiled


Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Memorial Day parade in Franklin, MA. (video)

Video highlights from the Memorial Day parade in Franklin, MA.




Charter School: Yard Sale - June 2

Attention Bargain hunters: We invite you to join families from BFCCPS and the local community for a GIANT Yard Sale this Saturday June 2. With items from 20 families, you'll find plenty of deals! Please note that the event will take place rain or shine (if the weather isn't cooperative the event will be held inside the school!) Sales begin at 8 AM sharp!

In addition to family yard sales, the following vendors will be joining us!

  • Avon
  • Butterfly Wishes
  • ColorStreet
  • DoTerra
  • DramaKids
  • LIL' LUV BUGS Children's Boutique
  • LipSense
  • LuLaRoe
  • Mary Kay
  • Paparazzi
  • Young Living
  • 31 Bags


During the event you're welcome to purchase a snack from the Bake Sale or a beverage from the Cub Scouts, or buy a 50/50 Raffle Ticket.

The minimum win for the raffle is already over $2,000 and tickets are only available till the close of the Yard Sale on 6/2. Don't miss your chance to win big! We hope to see you there!

Charter School: Yard Sale - June 2
Charter School: Yard Sale - June 2


Tri-County Regional Wraps-Up Successful Year of Robotics

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School's FIRST Robotics team, Tri-Force Team 3236 has had an excellent year.

The high school robotics team participates in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC). Through work on engineering, design, animation, and development, students are inspired and encouraged to explore the wonders of technology. More importantly, team members gain valuable insight in cooperation and teamwork through intensive activities that encourage members to design solutions with the help of their peers.

Robotics as a whole encompasses a broad range of specialties necessary for the functioning of the team. Our members are skilled and specialize in a wide variety of fields.

The Tri-Force Team 3236 robotics team is made up of a group of 20 students from skilled and specialized career-focused vocations including electrical, automotive technology, engineering, computer information systems, and medical careers. Through the mentoring, teaching and coaching from Mr. Michael Garland and Mr. Tom Vagnini, the students have been able to succeed in winning competitions all the way to the World Championship in Michigan. The team also has three major sponsors, DoD STEM and TE Connectivity and Tri-County Regional that have helped them to achieve so much this season while supporting them every step of the way.

Every year, all of the teams around the world are given a new challenge. This year, the challenge was called Power Up. Teams had to place milk crates on elevated platforms to score points faster than their opponents did. The teams have 6 weeks to build and program a robot out of scratch that can perform a number of the scoring objectives. To be successful the robot had to be able to operate both automatically on its own, and with the help of human drivers. The robot also had to lift objects from the floor up to 8 feet in the air to score the most amount of points. After a 6 week build season, teams go onto competitions where they compete against over 40 other high school robotics teams and robots.

This year, Tri-Force Team 3236 attended events at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Bryant University to compete for a spot at the New England District Championship. For the first time, the team qualified for both the New England Championship and the World Championship.

The WPI event was an excellent start to the competition season. At the end of the qualification round, the team placed 16th out of 41 teams and were selected to be on the 7th seeded alliance. This caused a major upset due to the team beating the 2nd place alliance but losing in the semi-finals at the event. However, Tri-Force Team 3236 did not go home empty handed. Through the hard work of the safety captain, Mike Barba, a junior from Franklin, and the rest of the team, they earned the Safety Award. Mike Barba also moved on as a semi-finalist for the Dean's List Award.

The team continued to do well going into the second event at Bryant University. Before the matches began, the students disassembled a section of the robot with hopes of making it better and stronger. This improved design helped to finish the qualification rounds 9th out of 42 teams. In the playoffs, the team was the captain of the 6th seeded alliance and beat the 2nd and 3rd alliances to make it into the finals. They barely lost in the finals to the event winners finishing in 2nd place for the entire event.

With the number of points earned for those 2 events, the team qualified for District Championships at Boston University. They ended up in 7th place out of 64 teams overall, and qualified to be a 6th place alliance captain. Tri-Force Team 3236 placed 18th out of 209 teams in New England, and 4th in Massachusetts, allowing them to qualify to be one of the 42 New England teams attending the World Championships in Detroit, Michigan.

This year, almost 400 teams were invited to compete at the World Championships. The team competed in the Daly division against 68 teams from all over the world. After 2 days of intense competition, major work, and several design changes to their robot during competition, the team ended up 30th in their division, which was a major accomplishment for their first time at the World Championships.

"Each of these students have consistently gone above and beyond to design, build, market, and operate a competitive robot in a business-like environment while supporting the ideals of FIRST," said Michael Garland, Engineering Instructor and Robotics Mentor. "I am so proud of the team's accomplishments and am excited that the students are already preparing and looking forward to the challenge next year."

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

Tri-County Regional Wraps-Up Successful Year of Robotics
Tri-County Regional Wraps-Up Successful Year of Robotics

Water Conservation Measures Effective June 4


MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES ARE IN EFFECT STARTING MONDAY JUNE 4, 2018

AUTOMATIC LAWN IRRIGATION IS RESTRICTED TO ONE DAY PER WEEK ON TRASH DAY

No lawn watering between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

No holiday delays for watering.

No lawn watering is permitted on other days of the week.

Hand watering of lawn and landscape is permitted anytime.

Due to the on going dry conditions, the summer Water Conservation Measures have been put in place. The summer Water Conservation Measures are needed to limit the daily demand on the water system in order to ensure that adequate water is available to meet the public health and safety needs of the Town. This measure is necessary to maintain the water levels in the tanks for fire protection and normal consumption. During the summer months, the Town experiences excessively high demands for water due to lawn watering. There have been 24-hour periods during which water consumption has been more than twice our average daily water usage for the year. Because of the tremendous increase in the demand for water and State restrictions on the amount of water that can be pumped daily, the Town of Franklin must place mandatory water conservation measures in effect for lawn watering during the summer months.

A total of 1-inch of water once per week from rain and watering promotes the healthiest lawns. Non-compliance with these regulations could adversely affect public health and safety. Violators are subject to fines up to $200.

Private irrigation wells are not required to follow the water conservation measures, however, please remember that irrigation wells are taking water from the same aquifer as Franklin's drinking water wells, so please water wisely! If you receive a violation warning from the DPW, please call 508-520-4910 and let us know you have a private well.

Every Drop Counts
Did you know that the average American uses 100 gallons of water every day? But we can all reduce our water use by as much as 30 percent by taking a few simple steps, such as installing WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures and using water efficiently in our yards. Did you know that the town of Franklin pumped over 990,000,000 gallons of water last year?

The Town of Franklin DPW is committed to protecting the future of our national and local water supply through water-efficient practices, products, and services. That is why we are partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to bring to you WaterSense, a national program that offers people a simple way to make product choices that use less water—and perform as well or better than your existing products.

The Town is now offering rebates for installation of high efficiency clothes washers, toilets and rain barrels! Please click here for more information!

Why Should You Care?

  • Using water efficiently will conserve supplies for future generations.
  • Protecting and preserving the nations water supply is critical to our economic future and human health.
  • WaterSense labeled products and services perform as well as or better than their less efficient counterparts.
  • Purchasing WaterSense labeled products can help you protect the environment and help you save money on your utility bill.

Lawn Watering Tips
According to the University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension System, lawns require only one inch of water weekly either from rain or irrigation or a combination of both. Watering a lawn lightly on a frequent basis, rather than watering deeply once per week, encourages shallow rooting and crabgrass while making the lawn more susceptible to drought injury.

The Town is now offering rebates for installation of rain barrels! Please click here for more information!

Test Your WaterSense
Think you know everything there is to know about water? You can’t be sure until you’ve played EPA’s “Test Your WaterSense” online quiz! Maneuver the water-efficiency hero Hydro through water pipes and answer water-efficiency questions while avoiding water-wasting monsters such as Sogosaurus and Drainiac.

WaterSense Labeled Products
Stay tuned as WaterSense labeled products become available at a store near you! EPA maintains an online directory of labeled products that can be found here.

Learn More
What is water efficiency? You can learn more about water efficiency and water saving tips for water consumers. Learn about the benefits of water efficiency and find links to related resources and state initiated programs.

For Kids! Learn all about Water!  https://www.epa.gov/watersense/watersense-kids

Water Conservation Measures Effective June 4
Water Conservation Measures Effective June 4

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page: http://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/water-conservation

Attention Residents: Alpine Place and Ruggles Street roadwork underway

Contractor PJ Keating is starting roadway work in the Alpine Place and Ruggles Street neighborhood today (May 29, 2018) and is expected to continue over the next several months.

Attached is a map of the streets included in this contract.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10PBSJQfNNpJli0dgch7PcpJf-l1PEjoz/view?usp=sharing

Attention Residents: Alpine Place and Ruggles Street roadwork underway
Attention Residents: Alpine Place and Ruggles Street roadwork underway
This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/alpine-place-and-ruggles-street-neighborhood-roadway-improvements

In the News: local author to speak at Library June 5

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., Franklin, will host local author Arlyn Halpern on Tuesday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m. 
Halpern, a psychotherapist and writer, will give a talk about her new memoir, “Dancing into the Light.” It’s a heartwarming tale of her journey from a challenging childhood in suburban Chicago to self-discovery and greater wisdom through dance, living in three countries, and intensively studying mindfulness and meditation in India and the US with a Buddhist master. It’s a compelling tale of love, loss, adventure, humor, and personal and spiritual growth."
Continue reading the article online
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20180529/franklin-author-to-talk-about-memoir-at-library

In the News: local author to speak at Library June 5
In the News: local author to speak at Library June 5

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

FPAC Presents "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" - June 1 and 2

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee this Friday, June 1, and Saturday, June 2, at 8 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. Winner of the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with effortless wit and humor. The PG-13 tale of six socially awkward mid-pubescents finding joy, heartache and a purpose in competing at the regional spelling bee features a fresh and vibrant score by William Finn and an irreverent and wildly funny book by Rachel Sheinkin.

Cast members are Cara Lee Chamberlain (Rona Lisa Peretti) from East Bridgewater; Jason Barney (William Barfee), Lily Barney (Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere), Charley Eastman (Mitch Mahoney), Aaron Frongillo and Ali Funkhouser (The Parents), Collin Hancock (Leaf Coneybear), and Nick Paone (Vice Principal Douglas Panch) from Franklin; Caroline Merten (Olive Ostrovsky) from Hopedale; Griffin Wilkins (Chip Tolentino) from Walpole; and Susauna Wickstrom (Marcy Park) from Wrentham. Nick Paone directs the production, with musical direction by Hallie Wetzell.

East Commerce Solutions, Inc. is the production sponsor. Tickets are $34, with general seating. The home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company, THE BLACK BOX theater, music and event venue is located at 15 West Central Street. 

For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

FPAC Presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - June 1 and 2
FPAC Presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - June 1 and 2

"They don’t get down. They really rise up for the competition”

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap for the FHS softball teams 4-3 win over North Attleboro on Monday.

"Franklin came into Monday’s Memorial Day matinee with North Attleboro needing a victory keep alive hopes of reaching the postseason. After punching in a run in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings, throwing a runner out at the plate to stay tied in the ninth, and escaping a bases loaded jam in the top half of the 10th, the Panthers were just 60 feet from the win. 
Senior Meghan Corona, the lone Panther player celebrating senior night before the first pitch, stood at the plate with Tara Hartnett poised at third. Caron hit a chopper towards the left side of the infield and North shortstop Emily Nardelli had to come home with it, but Hartnett was off on contact and slid in ahead of the throw. 
Franklin pulled out a 4-3 victory that split the season series against the Rocketeers and also sends the Panthers into the season finale knowing that a win will clinch a spot in the state tournament. 
“I’m so pumped for her,” Franklin coach Kate Fallon-Comeau said of Caron. “They call her ‘Meg Money’ because she was so clutch when she was younger, growing up, and I’m just glad she was the one that was clutch today.”
Continue reading the game recap online
https://hockomocksports.com/dramatic-win-keeps-franklin-softball-playoff-hopes-alive/

For a photo gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Spring-2018/Franklin-North-Attleboro-Softball-5-28-18/

Franklin players race to celebrate with senior Meg Caron (26) after she drove in the game-winning run in the 10th inning to beat North Attleboro and keep Franklin’s chance to reach the tournament alive. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin players race to celebrate with senior Meg Caron (26) after she drove in the game-winning run in the 10th inning to beat North Attleboro and keep Franklin’s chance to reach the tournament alive. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

"we just had to stay the course and trust each other"

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap for the FHS baseball win in extra innings against North Attleboro.

"With two of the best pitchers in the entire state on the mound, scoring chances for North Attleboro and Franklin were going to be hard to come by on Monday afternoon. 
Franklin’s Jake Noviello and North’s Nick Sinacola, both committed to play at Division 1 schools next year, clashed in what was the true definition of a pitcher’s duel. 
Noviello allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk, striking out 11 in eight innings of work while Sinacola struck out 12, allowed four, four walks and one earned run in 7.1 innings. 
It wasn’t until the top of the ninth when the Panthers finally cashed in, exploding for five runs in the top half of the inning to prevail with a 6-1 win over the Rocketeers."

Continue reading the game recap online
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-baseball-prevails-in-extras-against-north-attleboro/

For a photo gallery of the game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Spring-2018/Franklin-North-Attleboro-Baseball-05-28-18/

Franklin’s Jack Nally (10) is greeted by teammates following his home run in the second inning. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin’s Jack Nally (10) is greeted by teammates following his home run in the second inning. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)