Monday, November 5, 2018

"citizens of Massachusetts depend on state and federal agencies to work together"

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

"Massachusetts State Police, US Coast Guard, local police and fire departments, federal public safety officials, private sector partners such as Gillette Stadium and Boston Harbor Cruises, the Massachusetts National Guard and representatives from other states prepare for a training exercise that will test the procedures and processes of these agencies by stressing them with large scale disaster and domestic threat scenarios. 
To keep the integrity of the scenarios for the first responders and those involved in the exercise, the times, locations and type of disaster or threat have not been disclosed to the public. The responders will need to react as they would in a real-life situation - with no prior notice. 
“This type of stress test is what we need to be prepared to support government and private entities during a real world disaster,” said Col. Margaret C. White, the director of military support for the Massachusetts National Guard, in a press release. “I am confident that this exercise will make us collectively stronger, more focused and more effective than ever before.” 
The National Guard said there will be five training locations statewide."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181104/massachusetts-national-guard-says-5-homeland-security-training-exercises-will-occur


Sunday, November 4, 2018

THE BLACK BOX: Big Band Brunch - Nov 11

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin's theater, music, and event venue, presents a Big Band Brunch with the renowned Kenny Hadley Big Band Sunday, November 11. Brunch begins at 11:30 a.m., with music beginning at noon.

The critically acclaimed 16-piece ensemble, led by drummer Kenny Hadley, boasts masterful musicians with performance ties to Big Band legends Woody Herman, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and more. Hadley was 14 when he first heard Buddy Rich's band play live. He caught Duke Ellington at The Boston Globe Jazz Festival and saw Basie, Kenton and Ferguson, among the greats, at the tail end of that era. Forming his own band at 23, Hadley has grown that ensemble to showcase a distinguished rotation of some 45 or 50 players. Now more than 30 years later, the Kenny Hadley Big Band continues to wow audiences and keep the Big Band tradition alive.

Tickets are $20 for the show alone; combination tickets for brunch and music are $45. 

THE BLACK BOX, home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. 

For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

THE BLACK BOX: Big Band Brunch - Nov 11
THE BLACK BOX: Big Band Brunch - Nov 11

Election day - Nov 6 - past election vote totals


Per the Town Clerk's office, the registered voter totals as of Oct 17, 2018 (last day to be eligible for Nov 6)


as of 10/17/18
Precinct Number Active Inactive Total
1 2463 136 2599
2 2782 214 2996
3 2663 227 2890
4 2971 163 3134
5 2939 147 3086
6 2423 252 2675
7 2863 124 2987
8 2870 99 2969
21974 1362 23336


Major elections in 'recent' times for Franklin

Election Total # % of T
Franklin 2003 3232 18.3%
Presidential 2004 15480 83.2%
Franklin 2005 3119 17.2%
State 2006 11548 62.2%
Override 2007 8759 46.3%
Franklin 2007 3845 20.3%
Override 2008 7693 40.7%
Presidential 2008 16793 84.4%
Franklin 2009 3244 16.3%
Special 2010 13418 68.8%
Override 2010 7966 39.6%
State 2010 12829 63.8%
Franklin 2011 4517 22.6%
Franklin High School 2012 9971 48.6%
Presidential 2012 17546 83.4%
Franklin 2013 2527 12.0%
State 2014 12267 59.3%
Franklin Special 2014 217 1.0%
Franklin 2015 3844 18.6%
Presidential 2016 18433 86.3%
Franklin 2017 3916 17.3%
State 2018                                          ???         ???

Per Teresa Burr, we have already recorded 3,923 early votes for this election. That is more than the Franklin election in 2017 although by percent voters slightly less (16.4%)

The Franklin Town Clerk page with additional information
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk


Additional info can be found in the 2018 Election Collection
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/10/election-collection-2018.html


Election Information for Nov 2018
Election Information for Nov 2018

FHS boys soccer edged by BC High 2-1 in playoffs

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap for the FHS boys soccer playoff loss to BC High by a score of 2-1.
"Timing is everything, especially in the playoffs. 
Unfortunately for the seventh-seeded Franklin boys soccer team, it was the 10th-seeded BC High Eagles that were on the right end of things. 
The Eagles scored a goal in the final seconds of the first half to level the match, and then just minutes after Franklin had a golden chance, BC High scored the go-ahead goal and earned a 2-1 decision on the road at Pisini Field. 
“It was frustrating but we had our chances to score too, and it was frustrating that we didn’t finish there. I think in the end, probably the better team won, they were bigger and more athletic than we were. But I thought our kids played really hard and gave it their best shot. I’m really happy with the team and the season. They really turned it around the second half of the season, which I hope will give the returning players motivation to build off of next year.”
Continue reading the game recap online
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-soccer-edged-bc-high-tournament/

Click here for a photo gallery
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Fall-2018/Franklin-BC-High-Boys-Soccer-11-03-18/


Franklin’s Tim Duval makes a move past BC High’s Brendan Kennedy in the second half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin’s Tim Duval makes a move past BC High’s Brendan Kennedy in the second half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)



"we cannot afford to promise fixes that don’t work"

Background on Question 2 for the Nov 6 ballot:
"With Election Day in just a few days, Massachusetts voters must make up their minds on three important ballot questions. Unfortunately too little attention has been paid to Question 2. We have several concerns about it. 
Question 2 seeks to create a commission that would propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to overturn the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision freeing corporate spending in elections. It would also define constitutional rights as belonging to individual living human beings and not collections of human beings (like corporations and labor unions). 
This ballot proposal is likely to pass with overwhelming support from Massachusetts voters. It reflects an understandable exasperation with political campaigns that seem awash in money and negative advertising. While we endorse the sentiment, this measure is unwise. 
Question 2 misdiagnoses the problem and offers a solution that is likely to backfire and thwart better representation in our politics."
Continue reading the article online
http://www.masspoliticsprofs.org/2018/11/03/question-2-and-the-myths-about-citizens-united/

The Franklin Town Clerk page with additional information
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk


Additional info can be found in the 2018 Election Collection
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/10/election-collection-2018.html


Election Information for Nov 2018
Election Information for Nov 2018

School Committee summary - Oct 23, 2018

Catching up to provide the School Committee meeting summary for the October 23, 2018 meeting. 

Yes, it appears I have been slipping, and you did not either notice, or take action to let me know! So we'll both let it go this time :-)  

And we'll also let the Superintendent go this time too. She did not post her Superintendents update (or if she did, it is not where I would normally find it).

She did publish the October newsletter
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/franklinpsnews-oct_2018.pdf


My notes reported live from the meeting:


colorful wind spinners in the Parmenter flower/garden beds
colorful wind spinners in the Parmenter flower/garden beds

Town Council recap - Oct 17, 2018

Catching up to providing the summary for the Town Council meeting of Oct 17, 2018

The official Actions Taken were posted here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_council_actions_taken_october_17_2018.pdf

Lt Sean Lovely,  Lt Kevin Marshall being sworn in by Town Clerk Teresa Burr
Lt Sean Lovely,  Lt Kevin Marshall being sworn in by Town Clerk Teresa Burr
The video replay by Franklin TV is available here
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=592




Town Council recap - Oct 10, 2018

Catching up to providing the summary for the Town Council meeting of Oct 19, 2018

The formal Actions Taken published by the Town of Franklin
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/town-council-actions-taken-october-10-2018

The video replay of the meeting is available thanks to Franklin TV
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=589


My notes captured live during the meeting:







Fall back - Did you turn your clock back an hour?

Did you turn the clocks back during the night? Fall back is the word at this time of year!

Fall back - Did you turn your clock back an hour?
Fall back - Did you turn your clock back an hour?


For more about Daylight Savings Time in the USA, visit this wikipedia page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_in_the_United_States

Saturday, November 3, 2018

THE BLACK BOX Cabaret - Nov 9

THE BLACK BOX Cabaret - Nov 9
THE BLACK BOX Cabaret - Nov 9
THE BLACK BOX Cabaret will present a special cabaret revue spotlighting the talents of promising young singers on Friday, November 9 at 7:30 pm. 

This fourth annual Rising Stars Cabaret is presented in an intimate, nightclub atmosphere with professional accompaniment. Former rising stars have gone on to top musical theatre college programs and sung at New York City cabaret venues such as Broadway Sessions at the Laurie Beechman Theater.

Tickets are available at www.theblackboxonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370.


Public Hearings for (1) new hotel and (2) a 53 unit residential development

The Planning Board meeting scheduled for Nov 19, 2018 has two public hearings of note. One for a new hotel on Union St and one for a 53 unit residential development off of Prospect St. 


New hotel - 725 Union St:


In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 7:20 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Special Permit and Site Plan application titled "Proposed Hotel, 725 Union Street" Franklin, MA prepared by JK Holmgren Engineering, Inc., Brockton, MA., and submitted to the Department of Planning and Community Development on October 5, 2018, by 4 SQ Development LLC, 83 Hartwell Ave, Lexington, MA. 
The property is located in the Commercial Il Zoning District (Assessors Map 314 Lot 016) at 725 Union Street. The applicant is proposing to construct a 58,248 sq/ft building consisting of four (4) stories, 100 room hotel building. 
The applicant is requesting two (2) Special Permits, 
  • one for Building height of up to fifty (50) feet under the Chapter 185 Attachment 9, Maximum Height of Building 
  • and the second for Chapter 185 Attachment 3, Hotel Use.
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/public_hearing_notice_26.pdf

 Residential Development - 215 Prospect St:


In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 7:25 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Preliminary Subdivision Plan application titled "Prospect Farms" prepared by Andrews Survey and Engineering, Uxbridge, MA., dated Octobei• 29, 2018 and submitted to the Department of Planning and Community Development on October 29, 2018, by Maddi North Street Development LLC, Franklin, MA. 
The site is located at 215 Prospect Street and 4 Nicholas Drive in the Rural Residential I Zoning District (Assessor's Map 325, Lot 003 and Map 326, Lot 36). 
The applicant is proposing to construct fifty-three (53) single family residential building lots along with approximately 6,650 linear feet of new roadway.
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/public_hearing_notice_27.pdf

Public Hearings for (1) new hotel and (2) a 53 unit residential development
Public Hearings for (1) new hotel and (2) a 53 unit residential development

FHS football takes Xaverian to double OT before falling 37-29

Via HockomockSports we share the playoff results for the FHS football team which took the #1 seed, Xaverian, to double OT before falling 37-29. 


Football – Playoffs = D1 South
#4 Franklin, 29 @ #1 Xaverian, 37 – Final (2 OT)


For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-11-02-18/

Via the Twitterverse




























FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Franklin Residents: Fall 2018 Leaf Pickup

Yard waste is picked up on your normal trash and recycling day during collection weeks.

Yard waste can consist of leaves, brush and small limbs. Leaves must be in open barrels or in compostable paper leaf bags. Brush must be tied with non-plastic twine no larger than 12 inches by 4 feet long. 

No yard waste will be picked up in plastic bags, cardboard boxes or other containers. Contaminated yard waste will not be picked up.

Yard waste pick up dates are:

  • Week of November 5, 2018
  • Week of May 13, 2019


Do not put yard waste to the curb earlier than your pickup week to keep it from the weather.

For the Yard Waste and Holiday Pickup Schedules, see the Solid Waste Mailer
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_2019.pdf

Franklin Residents: Fall 2018 Leaf Pickup
Franklin Residents: Fall 2018 Leaf Pickup

Senator Ross: October 2018 Update



Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, October Update 2018
View this email in your browser
Senator Ross: October 2018 Update



State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham)
proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and
Middlesex District.

State House
Room 419
Boston, MA 02133

Ph: 617-722-1555
Fax: 617-722-1054
Email: richard.ross@masenate.gov


Senator Ross: October 2018 Update



Dear Friends and Constituents,
I hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween and are gearing up for the holiday season. During the month of October, I was busy meeting with many constituents, organizations, businesses, and public safety officials in my district. The State House is preparing for formal session to begin again in January, but the hard work is not finished. As we enjoy the rest of fall foliage and soaking in the Red Sox World Series win, my staff and I are working towards a productive 2019-2020 session. 

Within this e-newsletter, you will find important information about the work we've been doing regarding promoting cancer treatment research, the supplemental budget, legislation regarding learning disabilities, and more. There is also helpful information for those who will be visiting the RMV soon, as there are specific items necessary to obtain a REAL ID so make sure you come prepared. 

As always, please feel free to reach out to my office directly at (617) 722-1555 or email Richard.Ross@masenate.gov.

Sincerely,

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This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the full set of contents, visit
https://mailchi.mp/85840f1ba16c/please-read-my-october-update?e=c5417034e9




In the News: hotel public hearing scheduled; Baker, Gonzalez debate again

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"A public hearing is planned for later this month to discuss a new Hilton hotel that’s planned for Union Street. 
The public hearing for a special permit and site plan for the project, called “Proposed Hotel, 725 Union Street,” starts at 7:20 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 19, in the Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building. The session will provide neighbors and other interested people to weigh in on the plan. 
Town Planner Amy Love said Hilton’s interest underscores demand for hotel rooms in town. 
“It’s a private industry, but I think that the applicant and owners do their own research,” she said. “I think they come to a determination that there’s a need in this town.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181102/new-hotel-is-planned-for-franklin


"With the balance of power in Washington in the balance on Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker won’t say whether he’d like to see his Republican Party retain full control of Congress. 
Baker has faced questions throughout his campaign for re-election about his support for Republican candidates up and down the ballot in Massachusetts, including U.S. Senate candidate Geoff Diehl, who was the chief Donald Trump surrogate here during the 2016 presidential campaign. 
And to all those question, the governor has said that while he endorsed “the ticket,” he is focused on his own campaign. 
In the final debate of the campaign on Thursday night, Democrat Jay Gonzalez hammered Baker for his support of Diehl and attorney general candidate Jay McMahon, another conservative, pro-Trump Republican the governor has endorsed as part of the GOP ticket. Gonzalez said McMahon has referred to immigrants as “savages” and has said he believes in a “god-given right to assault weapons.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181102/baker-wont-say-if-he-wants-gop-to-keep-its-grip-on-congress

The Franklin Town Clerk page with additional information
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk


Additional info can be found in the 2018 Election Collection
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/10/election-collection-2018.html


Election Information for Nov 2018
Election Information for Nov 2018