Thursday, October 18, 2018

Halloween Cemetery Tour - Oct 31

What better way to spend Halloween than with a tour of Franklin's Union Street Cemetery?

Dean College History Professor, Rob Lawson will lead a tour of the historic cemetery at dusk, Wednesday, October 31. Lawson has lead the tour for the Dean College community for a number of years, and has opened it up to the general public the past few years. 

Stories of many of many Franklin prominent families, Pond, Thayer, Fisher, Fletcher, Ray, Metcalf, Mann, Dean and many more are told as the tour visits the gravesites of these famous families. Lawson also educates the crowd on the evolution of gravestone symbolic designs. 

All who are interested in joining the tour, are invited to meet on the steps of the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, at 5:00 PM The tour will leave the museum shortly after 5:00 and walk to the cemetery.


Halloween Cemetery Tour - Oct 31
Halloween Cemetery Tour - Oct 31

FHS field hockey and volleyball teams post wins vs. Taunton

Via HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Wednesday, Oct 17, 2018

Field Hockey = Franklin, 4 @ Taunton, 2 – Final
– Taunton took a 2-0 lead in the first half but Franklin rallied for a pair of late goals to knot the game by halftime and then scored twice in the second half to beat the Tigers. Hannah Blackwell (from Alana Tavares) opened the scoring for Taunton in the third minute and Kathryn Robinson (from Jillian Pagliuca) made it 2-0 in the 24th minute. Franklin’s Victoria Quinn scored twice in the final six minutes of the first half, the first unassisted in the 27th minute and the second set up by Amanda Lewandowski in the 29th minute. In the second half, Cassi Ronan put Franklin up 3-2 on a penalty stroke and Regan Paterson (from Quinn) iced the game with a goal in the final minute. Taunton goalie Emma Sheehan had 14 saves while Franklin goalie Christina Luccini made six stops.

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Taunton, 0 – Final
– Franklin continued its strong season with a dominant performance on the road, beating Taunton, 3-0 (25-11, 25-77, 25-9). Peyton Arone had a team-high six kills while Ellie Wisniewski (six aces) and Emma Chase each had five kills. Lauren McGrath finished with 23 assists and four aces.

Golf = Franklin, 176 @ Foxboro, 175 – Final

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-17-18/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Join a Youth Basketball Team (ages 4-11) at the YMCA

We wonder whether the inventor could have known all the good things that would come from basketball when he invented it for the YMCA in 1891. Dr. James Naismith invented the great game of basketball at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Mass. Maybe you learned to play basketball at the Y?

With an emphasis on skill development and sportsmanship, the Y offers families an environment where everyone plays and develops.

Enrollment for Youth Basketball Leagues — which starts the weekend of November 30 in Franklin and Foxborough and January 13 in North Attleboro — is now open. Practices will be designed to meet the needs of each coed group, with age appropriate drills and games. Enrollment in the eight week program includes a team t-shirt, practices, and five games. 

Hour-long assignments by age are as follows:
• Saturdays at the Franklin Y: 4 years 10:15 AM; 5–6 years 11:30 AM; 7–8 years 12:45 PM
• Saturdays at the Foxboro Y: 4 years 10:00 AM; 5–6 years 11:15 AM -or- 12:30 PM -or- 3:00 PM;
7-8 years 1:45 PM -or- 3:00 PM
• Fridays at the Foxboro Y: 9-11 years 6:00 PM
• Sundays at the in North Attleboro Y: 4 years 10:30 AM; 5–6 years 11:30 AM; 7–8 years 12:30 PM

This youth program is a great method for developing skills, while experiencing all the sportsmanship and fun that comes from being on a team; it is open to all area residents. Cost is $84 for Hockomock Area YMCA Youth members and $126 for Program members. Family-type Hockomock Area YMCA members receive the leagues experience at no cost, other than uniform fee of $10.

Beginner Cheerleading for ages 6-9 will also run at the North Attleboro Y, giving girls the opportunity to learn routines and cheer at games. For details and to learn about parent/child basketball class for 3 year olds and cheerleading prep class, please visit hockymca.org/basketball-leagues.

Register today at www.hockymca.org. Questions may be directed to YMCA sports directors: alexd@hockymca.org 774-235-2752 (Franklin), ashlip@hockymca.org 508-772-1352 (Foxboro), kerrief@hockymcaorg 508-643-5215 (North Attleboro).

Join a Youth Basketball Team (ages 4-11) at the YMCA
Join a Youth Basketball Team (ages 4-11) at the YMCA

About Hockomock Area YMCA
Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. 
Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

In the News: governor candidates debate

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez seized Wednesday night on Gov. Charlie Baker’s wavering over whether or not he will vote for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Geoff Diehl as Gonzalez attempts to dislodge the incumbent Republican from the corner office. 
Diehl, a state representative from Whitman who is challenging U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, became a centerpiece of a WGBH debate between the two gubernatorial candidates as Gonzalez tried to paint Baker as loyal to the Republican Party over the people of Massachusetts. Baker said during the debate that he hadn’t decided whether he will vote for Diehl, but later told reporters that he misspoke and will cast a ballot for Diehl on Nov. 6. 
At the midpoint of the debate, moderator Jim Braude asked Baker how he squares his opposition to President Donald Trump with his support for Diehl, who supports the president and helped organize his campaign in Massachusetts. Baker reiterated that he had pledged to support the whole GOP ticket and is supporting Diehl because he is part of that ticket."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181017/gonzalez-rips-baker-over-diehl-support

The Boston Globe debate article
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/10/17/baker-and-gonzalez-set-debate-wednesday/8CEH6Fwekke42efV44bk3L/story.html

WGBH's article on fact checking the debate
https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2018/10/18/fact-checking-the-baker-gonzalez-debate

C-SPAN has the video of the debate for viewing
https://www.c-span.org/video/?452938-1/massachusetts-gubernatorial-debate

Election Information for Nov 2018
Election Information for Nov 2018

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Live reporting: Legislation for Action


10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 18-58: Acceptance of Gift to the Franklin Public Library from the Franklin Library Association (Motion to Approve Resolution 18-58- Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 18-59: Appropriation Request for FY19 Supplemental Appropriations and Transfers (Motion to Approve Resolution 18-59- Majority Vote (5))

passed by FinCom Tuesday by 8-0 vote
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/10/live-reporting-finance-committee-oct-16.html

had needed 1.5M to balance budget, now need only 642K
some budget adjustments to account for customer service
regional dispatch opening delayed, need to add money back to the Police and Fire and reduce MEC budget
also add the Tri-County resource officer

Police up 74K
Fire up 45K
due to OT, transition, vacancies with 5 openings but not replaceable until March

adding 600K to the road budget, first step to a long term plan to better handle our road backlog

had more revenues, i.e. new growth
signed host agreement, new permits and receipts over what had been forecasted

trying to make it work, kind of the way of the world
the others can be helpful on other floors

900-1000 passports a year but that is now downstairs
the income statements on housing are now better handled

The School Dept is also happy that the passports are down stairs

Treasurer receipts allow for credit card transactions to make it easier

we're trying it, we'll see how it works, we have an opportunity to make a change in the next budget

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 18-60: Appropriation General Stabilization Fund (Motion to Approve Resolution 18-60- Majority Vote (5))

passed by FinCom Tuesday by 8-0 vote


would put us just a little over the 5% financial goal

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 18-61: Appropriation DPW- Public Way Improvements (Motion to Approve Resolution 18-61- Majority Vote (5))

passed by FinCom Tuesday by 8-0 vote

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/10/live-reporting-finance-committee-oct-16.html

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-820: Zoning Map Changes on or near King Street, Summer Street, Lawrence Drive, and Uncas Ave - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-820 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote(5))

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 9-0

motion to move to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 9-0

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORTpension system requested, should have gotten an email from Chrissy

drain on Maple St
when a basin gets cleaned, it is goes into the program to track
some fill faster than others, we do track, via tablet to update the schedule

on the culvert, it might be a private property issue

finally happening, the street lights replacing the lights
1816 lights to be replaced by end of calendar year
Pine Ridge technology

DPW, Fire and Police for their help with the Harvest Festival
all the folks were interacting with the public

Early voting starts Oct 22
state gold award received for last time
times posted on web page

does the tracking software have the ability to escalate?
will be part of the storm water permit we need to fill out
we can develop a flexible schdedule

catch basis cleaning is weather dependent
might do 400 one month, next month 200
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS40B project in Norfolk
heavy metals found in the soil

Jeff is on the Board and meeting with the Norfolk Admin, on hold due to the investigation; environmental review of the entire property
13. COUNCIL COMMENTSHamblen - Thanks for the Harvest Fest
Dellorco - culvert under the road, discharge between two properties
Mercer - great job with the Harvest Festival
Earls - reaching out Veterans, residents, stories of Franklin, to join Franklin TV for an interview
Pellegri - Joe Landry does a wonderful job, once a month at the senior center
Lovely getting appointed, after father retires
museum was busy all day
Padula - if Jeff/Jamie need any help, I'd like to volunteer Matt Kelly
Jones - Nov 16 - FEF Harlem Wizards fund raising
Kelly - great job with the Harvest Festival, Downtown Partnership




14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None Scheduled
15. ADJOURN


Live reporting: Committee updates



7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
no updates since last week

b. Budget Subcommittee
no updates since last week

c. Economic Development Subcommittee
no updates since last week



Live reporting: Town Council - Oct 17, 2018

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


Agenda ItemSummary
Town Council Meeting Agenda
Meeting of October 17, 2018 - 7:00 PM
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. This meeting is being recorder by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
2. CITIZENS COMMENTS
a. 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 Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 26, 2018

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Chief McCarragher
swear in two new lieutenants

Lt Sean Lovely
Lt Kevin Marshall


2 minute recess

resume
5. APPOINTMENTS
Finance Committee- John Grace

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

6. HEARINGS
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 18-820: Zoning Map Changes on or near King Street, Summer Street, Lawrence Drive, and Uncas Ave.

close hearing


Citizen comments

Jane 607 Maple St
culvert on Maple had issues, severe flooding; culvert cleared, temp solution for an ongoing problem
no maintenance schedule for drains or culverts
street drains were not taking water
town drains can't handle the water rainfall
last cleaned in 2008, 
no maintenance schedule, so when are they going to be done?
so somebody has to come up with a schedule to be done

Dale Kurtz - Veterans Service Officer
walkway actually half done so far, it is a walk way
1009 bricks purchased, one with a chip to be replaced
Nov 11 Veterans Day celebration at 1:30 on the Town Common
100th anniversary of WWI
215th Army Band, 1166th Transport Company vehicle
reception at Senior Center after

Teresa Burr, Town Clerk
last day to register to vote, until at in the office
to vote on Nov 6 at FHS

Lt Sean Lovely,  Lt Kevin Marshall being sworn in by Teresa Burr
Lt Sean Lovely,  Lt Kevin Marshall being sworn in by Teresa Burr

FM #150 - 2018 Election Info - Ballot Question 1 (audio)

FM #150

This internet radio show or podcast is number 150 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording is the third and final segment from the Election Information Event hosted by Franklin in Focus held at the Franklin Public Library on Saturday, October 13, 2018.

This third and final segment covers the information session with nurses representing the Yes and No sides of the Ballot Question #1.

Links to the Ballot Question and additional information referenced during the talk are included in the text post accompanying this recording.

The session recording runs about 40 minutes. Without further ado, here is the audio recording.




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Information Links

MA 2018 Ballot Questions
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/2018_ballot_questions.pdf

For an independent review of the Article 1 question and issues covering both sides  https://www.cirmass.org/the-2018-citizens-statement

an independent review of the Article 1 question and issues covering both sides
an independent review of the Article 1 question and issues covering both sides

Ballotpedia
https://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Question_1,_Nurse-Patient_Assignment_Limits_Initiative_(2018)

The US House Bill mentioned
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5052

The US Senate bill mentioned
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2446


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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?

In particular, if you have an interest in real estate, zoning or construction, I would like someone to follow the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission meetings. I’ll provide the guidance on note taking and sharing. You need to bring an inquisitive and open mind and willingness to learn and share.

Overall; if you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes
subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Franklin Art Association - Nov 7, 2018 Meeting

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, November 7, 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 demonstration by Dave Kaphammer, a pastel artist who explores local landscapes for inspiration in light and shadow. An artist in residence at the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA, Dave's work has received a number of awards from the Post Road Art Center, as well as the Pastel Society of New Hampshire and the Connecticut Pastel Society. 

FAA meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month, September through May, and are free and open to the public. For more information log on to www.franklinart.org

Franklin Art Association
Franklin Art Association

Rotary Club to recognize John Padula

John Padula
John Padula
This Thursday evening at a substantially sold out gathering at Incontro Restaurant, the Franklin Rotary Club will honor John Padula, a member who, in his 50+ years in the club, has run activities (mainly the Home and Trade Show that filled the then new Fieldhouse) that raised more money for community projects than maybe all other Rotary activities combined, and has run the longest running service project, the Franklin Seniors Pasta Supper now in its 27th year. 

John, shown in Jimmy Durante garb signing songs at the Pasta Supper, will receive honors from the Rotary Club, the Town, and the State of Massachusetts in appreciation of his public spirit.


For more about the Franklin Rotary, visit them on the web  http://portal.clubrunner.ca/3689

FHS girls soccer and both cross country teams post wins on Tuesday

Via HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Tuesday, Oct 16, 2018


Boys Soccer = Mansfield, 0 @ Franklin, 0 – Final
– Franklin goalie Jack Rudolph thwarted a dozen scoring chances and the Panthers’ team defense helped keep the Hornets off the scoreboard in a scoreless draw. Rudolph had 12 saves while Mansfield keeper Anthony Salisbury also had a shutout.

Girls Soccer = Franklin, 2 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final
– The Panthers edged Mansfield in a back-and-forth game behind goals from Sam Powderly and Sydney St. Marie. Sydney Mulkern scored the goal for the Hornets. With the win, Franklin moves to within just one point of league-leading Mansfield.

Boys Cross Country = Franklin, 15 @ Attleboro, 48 – Final

Girls Cross Country = Franklin, 27 @ Attleboro, 37 – Final
– Attleboro had the first two runners cross the finish line but Franklin swept 3-5 and clinched the win by getting seventh and eighth in the win. Julia Fenerty (19:41) was the top Panther, taking third, followed by Sydney Hawkins in fourth and Kat Walbert in fifth. Attleboro’s Shea Jamieson was first overall while Kelly Neuendorf took second.

Golf = Franklin, 158 @ Mansfield, 154 – Final
– Mansfield pulled off its second straight upset, knocking off visiting Franklin. A day after beating Oliver Ames, the Hornets earned a four-stroke victory over the Panthers. A trio of sophomores – Jason See, Joseph Gormley, and Nate Morreale – all shot 38 to pace Mansfield while sophomore Brandon Kemp added a round of 40.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-16-18/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers











Kids' Corner Cooking Classes Begin November 7

Kids' Cooking Classes
Kids' Cooking Classes
Kids' Cooking Classes

Starting November 7
Grades 1-8

6 Wednesdays
All classes $150, FHS
Kids' Corner Aprons Available for $11.99


In these 1 hour drop-off classes, students learn cooking techniques and teamwork!


use this link to go directly to Kids' Corner
https://reg.abcsignup.com/view/cal7a.aspx?ek=&ref=&aa=&sid1=&sid2=&as=79&wp=426&tz=&ms=&nav=&cc=&cat1=&cat2=&cat3=&aid=FPSLLI&rf=


Contact:

Brenda Reed, Director
Lifelong Community Learning
508-613-1480
LCL@franklinps.net

www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com

Kids' Corner Cooking Classes Begin Nov 7
Kids' Corner Cooking Classes Begin Nov 7

FTC Consumer Alerts: Scammers demand gift cards




Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission
by Cristina Miranda
Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC


Gift cards are a great way to give a gift. But did you know they are also a scammer's favorite way to steal money? 

According to the FTC's new Data Spotlight, more scammers are demanding payment with a gift card than ever before – a whopping 270 percent increase since 2015.

Read more
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/10/scammers-demand-gift-cards?utm_source=govdelivery

This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.