"plastic bags are the #1 cause of ruined recyclables"

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

"As Chinese government restrictions on the import of recycled paper and plastics drive up recycling processing costs in America, a new state effort is attempting to increase recycling while also educating people about what can and cannot be recycled. 

Almost 250 municipalities will share $2.6 million in state grants for programs that reduce waste and maximize reuse and recycling, part of the new “Recycle Smart” initiative launched this week by the Department of Environment Protection in partnership with recycling facilities around the state. 

The program aims to teach consumers to recycle only those materials that recycling processing plants can handle and to keep contaminants out of the recycling stream to limit costs for cities and towns. 

“Recycling the right materials while reducing how much we throw away is a priority for the Commonwealth as we update our solid waste master plan for the next decade,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton said. “The Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grants will help communities build stronger recycling programs, encourage residents to keep trash out of recycling bins, and ultimately reduce waste management costs.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180823/state-redoubles-efforts-to-promote-recycling

Franklin received $14,300 in grants to help with the recycling efforts
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/08/17/smrp2018r1.pdf

The latest Solid Waste Mailer
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/franklin_2018_2019.pdf

Recycling resources can be found online
https://recycleoftenrecycleright.com/resources/for-home/

What is covered by Franklin's curbside program
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/single_stream_specifications_website.pdf

Please, No plastic wrap, bags, packaging, coverings, etc in the RECYCLING CART

MBTA Advisory: Commuter Rail Track Overnight Work begins August 27

MassDOT and the MBTA are undertaking federally mandated Positive Train Control (PTC) infrastructure installation which will increase the safety of commuter rail customers and would like to advise the community of the of overnight work within the right-of-way along the MBTA Franklin Commuter Rail Line. This overnight work is necessary to avoid service interruptions by taking advantage of track time when the trains will not be operating. Similar overnight work took place earlier this year.

Overnight activities by the PTC Systems Integrator Ansaldo STS USA, Inc. are anticipated to resume next week August 27, 2018 along the MBTA Franklin Commuter Rail Line in Norwood, Walpole, Norfolk and Franklin. Work will occur as necessary between approximately 10 PM and 6 AM.

Due to the equipment necessary to perform this work, lights and mild to moderate noise levels can be expected. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

For further information regarding PTC please visit: mbta.com/ptc.

We appreciate your patience as the MBTA takes this important step in making the railways safer for customers with the implementation of the PTC program. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact the PTC program at 617-721-7506 or PTCProgram@mbta.com.

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/ptc_overnight_work_august_2018_advisory_for_franklin_line.pdf

trees and brush removed along the train tracks to enable the Positive Train Control system to be installed

9/11 Service Tribute Project

My daughter, Teaghan LeBlanc's Project 351, 911 Service Project:
Dedicated to all WWII Ex-Pow's currently living in MA along with the late Cpl. Robert Noble

- DONATE items for homeless vets and troops over seas.
- HONOR fallen emergency responders.
- RECOGNIZE the service of our local emergency responders.
- Write notes of gratitude to our troops overseas and our local responders. (Recognized towns are below)

Come show your support for your community on 8/29 at the Millis Public Library from 5:00 PM - 7:45 PM

Millis, Medfield, Medway, Ashland, Dover, Natick, Norfolk, Needham, Sherborn, Walpole, Holliston, Franklin, Bellingham, Westwood.

9/11 Service Tribute Project

For updates on the project visit Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10216260551883625&set=a.10205377586816300&type=3&theater

Franklin Art Association - Sep 5, 2018 Meeting

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street in Franklin. 

Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30 PM followed by a short business meeting and a presentation by pastel and oil artist, Kim Morin Weineck. 

Kim is a juried member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA) and founder of the Neponset Valley Artists (NVA). Her work has won numerous awards and is held in collections in the U.S. and Europe. 

FAA meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month, September through May and are free and open to the public. www.franklin.org

Kim Morin Weineck web page

Franklin Residents: Public Health Advisory

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has elevated the risk level for West Nile Virus from low to moderate for the entire State of Massachusetts. So far this year there have been no confirmed human cases of either West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Massachusetts.

It is prudent however for all individuals in Massachusetts to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Apply Insect Repellent When Outdoors: Use a repellent with DEET, Permethrin, picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product labels. Remember not to use products with DEET on infants under two months of age. DEET products in concentrations above 30% should not be used on older children. Oil of eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours: Mosquitoes are most active between the hours from dusk to dawn. Limit your exposure out of doors during this peak biting time if possible. If you must be outside, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Drain Standing Water on Your Property: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing or stagnant water. Drain birdbaths, flower pots, buckets and children's wading pools frequently.

Additional public health advisories/alerts regarding WNV and/or EEE will be provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Franklin Health Department as the situation warrants. More information on mosquito-borne viruses can be found at the MADPH Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito


Additional info on mosquitoes can be found
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/group/mosquitoes/

Franklin Residents: Public Health Advisory

Rain Barrels for Franklin Residents!

Back by popular demand, the DPW is partnering with the Great American Rain Barrel Company (GARB) to offer residents 40% off rain barrels! 

Order through the GARB website (link below) by September 26, 2018 at midnight. 

Rain barrels can be picked up at the DPW (257 Fisher Street) on October 3 from 4-6 PM. Visit the website for additional details!

Great American Rain Barrel Community Program - Franklin MA
https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/

Interested in saving even more money? With your rain barrel purchase, you may qualify for a DPW Water Conservation rebate worth $50! 

Check out the application here
http://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/news/water-conservation-rebates-now-available

Great American Rain Barrel Community Program - Franklin MA

rain barrels at the Franklin Community Garden

Franklin Police arrest two in armed robbery

On August 15th, 2018 at approximately 11 PM the Franklin Police Department received a report from two individuals who stated that they had been robbed at gunpoint outside the Glen Meadow Apartments located off E. Central Street. The two male victims reported that cash and other valuables had been taken.

An extensive investigation was begun by members of the Franklin Police Detective Unit. As a result of this investigation search warrants were issued and executed in the Towns of Franklin, and Foxboro. During these searches a .45 caliber handgun was recovered.

The Franklin Police Department extends their thanks to all the agencies that assisted in bringing this investigation to a swift and successful conclusion.

At this time charges have been filed against the following individuals:

Filed in the Wrentham District Court:
NWANKWO, Emmanuel, age 20, of Franklin, Massachusetts

265-17; Armed Robbery
265-15A; Assault and Battery by means of a Dangerous Weapon
269-10(m); Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

Filed in the Dedham Juvenile Court:
JUVENILE (male), age 17, of Franklin, Massachusetts

274-2; Accessory before the Fact
274-4; Accessory after the Fact
274-7; Conspiracy (to commit Armed Robbery)

The information contained in this press release does not imply listed individuals have been convicted in a court of valid jurisdiction of the crimes for which they were arrested. All individuals are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty by a court with proper jurisdiction over the matter(s) for which they were arrested.

This was shared from the Town of Franklin web page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2018_media_release_armed_robbery.pdf

Milford Daily News also reports on the event
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180822/police-franklin-residents-held-at-gunpoint

Franklin Police arrest two in armed robbery

GOP primary candidates for U.S. Senate

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

"In a state where polls show Sen. Elizabeth Warren is popular and President Donald Trump is not, beating the incumbent Democrat for U.S. Senate will be a challenge. 

But three Republican candidates are nonetheless convinced toppling Warren is not only possible, but ultimately important for Massachusetts residents and Americans across the country. 

“No one contributes more to the negative dynamic in Washington than Elizabeth Warren,” said Beth Lindstrom of Groton, a small-business owner and cabinet member of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a fellow Republican. “If we want a new tone, then we are going to need a new senator.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180822/trump-warren-complicate-gop-primary-for-us-senate

Campaign pages for each of the US Senate candidates

Republican primary:

• Beth Lindstrom https://bethforsenate.com/
• Geoff Dieh https://diehlforsenate.com/
• John Kingston https://johnkingston.com/

Senator Elizabeth Warren 
Senate page  https://www.warren.senate.gov/
Campaign page  https://elizabethwarren.com/

GOP primary candidates for U.S. Senate

Classic Stones Concert Franklin High - Nov 2

The Classic Stones are performing Live at Franklin High School Auditorium. This is the 2nd benefit concert for the school's music department. Nov. 2 at 7:30 PM at the Franklin High Auditorium.

Tickets are on sale now at www.purplepass.com and will be on sale at Shaw's Market in Franklin Sept 1. Last year's Beatlemania show sold out!

This is the complete Rolling Stones Experience. For more info 413-341-7410

The Look, The Sound, The Show!

Classic Stones Concert Franklin High - Nov 2

Harvest Festival Registration is Open!

Registration for booth space at the Franklin Downtown Partnership’s 16th annual Harvest Festival is now open! The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., on Main, West Central, Dean and Depot Streets in downtown Franklin. 

The rain date is Oct. 14. 

Organizers expect booth space for this event to sell out. Franklin Downtown Partnership members receive a booth for free; non-members pay $125. 

Downtown businesses must send in an application to ensure store-front space. Booths are assigned on a first-come first-serve basis. 

Follow the registration link and pay online through the “Donate” button.

Harvest Festival Registration is Open!

This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2018/08/harvest-festival-registration-is-open.html

Franklin Cultural Council announces Grant Workshop and Online Application Schedule for 2019

The Franklin Cultural Council is calling for funding proposals from organizations, schools, and individuals. Council grants support a variety of art, science, and humanities projects in Franklin—including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies or workshops, lectures, and performances in schools, the library, the senior center, or for the community at large. 

Online applications will be available from Sept. 1 through Oct. 15, 2018 for 2019 grants. Only online applications will be accepted this year, and can be accessed at www.mass-culture.org. Proposals that are past the deadline will not be considered.

To help applicants in preparing an effective funding proposal, the Council will hold a grant writing workshop on Sept. 6 at 7:00 PM in the 3rd Floor Training Room of the Franklin Municipal Building at 355 E. Central Street, Franklin.

The session is open to non-profit cultural organizations, artists, schools, and residents interested in applying for funding from the Franklin Cultural Council. The workshop will walk attendees through the online application and answer any questions about the grant process. In addition, FCC members will be on hand to discuss specifics of individual project proposals to give advice and suggestions. To RSVP or for any questions, please e-mail Stacey David, FCC Chair, at franklinculturalcouncil02038@gmail.com

"We really encourage applicants to attend the workshop as well as carefully read the grant application guidelines and grant priorities, which can all be found on our website," says FCC Chair Stacey David. "We are very pleased that the Town of Franklin increased our budget this year, and hope to fund more projects than we were able to in the past. We have also established new Council Priorities, which gives priority consideration to projects that meet certain criteria, including programs that engage girls in science, those that involve events held within the newly demarcated Franklin Cultural District, new programs or applicants, and, as always, those that are held in or benefit residents of Franklin."

While grant allocations have yet to be announced from the FCC's state funding source, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the FCC anticipates disbursing approximately $12,000 in grants for 2019. In addition, a separate grant cycle will be conducted for ArtWeek-specific grants, which will open for applications on Dec. 15, and close on Jan. 31. 

Previously funded projects include: programs/field trips for many of Franklin’s schools (public and charter), Concerts on the Common, Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Stroll, LiveArts concerts, FPAC's Whatever Theater Festival, Southeastern MA Community Concert Band, and the Franklin Art Association, to name a few.

http://www.mass-culture.org

The Franklin Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.

Franklin Cultural Council announces Grant Workshop and Online Application Schedule for 2019

What is next for McCoy Stadium?

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

"What’s next for McCoy Stadium now that the Pawtucket Red Sox have decided to pursue a new home field in Worcester? 

There’s a good chance it’s not professional baseball affiliated with a big-league team such as the Red Sox or Yankees, if Minor League Baseball territorial rules are any indication. 

Meant to protect teams from competition in their home markets, these rules have put Worcester within the PawSox territory for years, preventing another Single-A, Double-A or Triple-A team tied to a Major League franchise from playing in the city. 

If the PawSox leave for Worcester in 2021, as they said last Friday they plan to, the shoe will be on the other foot, with Pawtucket trapped in Worcester’s territory, which includes large chunks of Rhode Island and Massachusetts."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180821/with-pawsox-leaving-whats-next-for-pawtucket-rhode-island-officials-ponder-next-use-for-mccoy-stadium-apex-sites

What is next for McCoy Stadium?

Concerts on the Common: Elastic Five - DJ Mike Rutkowski - Aug 22

August 22
Elastic Five
DJ - Mike Rutkowski


The main program is scheduled to run on Wednesday from 6:30 PM  - 8:30 PM. The Children's Programs from 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM.

You can download a copy of the schedule
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oG2-XOINB4ziJgVbf_4N0B6MNJCrG_SJ/view?usp=sharing

Concerts on the Common: Elastic Five  DJ - Mike Rutkowski - Aug 22

Lifelong Music Academy: 2018-2019 Registration Now Open!

2018-2019 after-school music classes are now open for registration! Please click a program name for more information, calendars, and how to register.

• The Band School of Franklin: For students in grades 4 through 8. Tuesday afternoons at Horace Mann Middle School starting 9/25/18.
• The Chorus School of Franklin: Elementary Glee for students in grades 3, 4 and 5. Tuesday afternoons at Franklin High School starting 9/25/17.
• The String School of Franklin: For students in grades 3 through 12. Monday afternoons at Horace Mann Middle School starting 9/24/17 –or- Thursday afternoons at Franklin High School starting 9/27/18.
• Private Music Lessons: For all ages (children, teens, adults). Monday through Thursday at Franklin High School. Instruction is offered in the following instruments: Cello, Clarinet, Flute, French Horn, Guitar (acoustic, electric, ukulele), Low Brass (baritone, trumpet, tuba) Percussion, Piano, Saxophone, Viola, Violin, Voice. 

Lessons begin the week of 9/10/18 and enrollment is ongoing throughout the school year.

Lifelong Music Academy
508-613-1481
MusicAcademy@franklinps.net

Lifelong Music Academy:  2018-2019 Registration Now Open!

FTC Alerts: Back to school - Protect your child’s information

Back to school: Protect your child's information by Colleen Tressler Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Many school forms require personal and sensitive information. Here are some tips for keeping your child's personal information safe — from pre-school through college. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/08/back-school-protect-your-childs-information?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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