"There isn’t a department in here that doesn’t need technology"

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

"Timothy Rapoza says that all those suspicious emails that town employees have been receiving are safe -- at least for now. 

Rapoza, director of technology services, told town councilors on Wednesday that he is behind numerous fake emails -- replicas of popular phishing emails that appear as if they contain viruses -- sent to town employees, and for good reason: He and his team want to see who is clicking on them. 

The goal, Rapoza added, is to train employees to recognize potential threats when they see them in their inboxes. It’s one of the many tasks of the town Technology Department, which has been in place for about 20 years. 

And Rapoza, who has been with Franklin for 13 years, said he has seen technology change dramatically in that time."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181222/franklin-councilors-get-tech-lesson-on-phishing-virus-threats

From more about the Town of Franklin Technology Department
https://www.franklinps.net/district/educational-technology

one page from the slideshow presented at the Town Council meeting on Weds, Dec 19

Enrollment Open House at BFCCPS - Jan 12 and Feb 9

"Enrollment applications for the 2019-2020 school year are currently being accepted. We would like to encourage all interested families to join us for an Enrollment Information Session to learn more about our school community.

Two sessions will be hosted at 201 Main Street in Franklin. Saturday, January 12, 2019 from 10 am to noon and Saturday, February 9, 2019 from 10 am to noon. Please note that attendance at these events is purely optional and no RSVP is required to attend.

You’ll hear from the Board of Trustees, Members of the BFCCPS School Administration, Faculty as well as Parents at our school. These open houses are a great way to learn more about the school’s mission, and see what makes BFCCPS such a special place!

Please note that school visits are not available during school hours so these enrollment sessions are truly the best way to learn more about BFCCPS before the annual enrollment lottery."

Continue reading about the Open House
http://bfccps.org/join-us-for-an-enrollment-open-house/

Applications are being accepted  http://bfccps.org/about/enrollment/

Enrollment Open House at BFCCPS - Jan 12 and Feb 9

Electrifying News from Mass Poetry

Given the discussion around a Mixed Business Innovation District for Franklin, it was timely to see how a similar mixed business use in Boston is developing.

View this email in your browser https://mailchi.mp/e79251110b53/the-mass-poetry-festival-bordello-beckons-348845?e=97cf13d93c Dear poets, bibliophiles, friends, colleagues, and Mass Poetry champions, We just learned this truly stunning news, after hoping and waiting for months…   The City of Boston has selected GrubStreet to open a narrative arts center in Boston's Seaport District with Mass Poetry as a key partner and an anchor tenant! Thank you to so many of you for backing this dream of a long-term home for Mass Poetry. Thousands of you signed our petition. Countless others placed calls and wrote letters of support. It worked! Spearheaded by GrubStreet, the new narrative arts center will be a long-term home for writing and reading in Boston. It will come to life at 50 Liberty on Fan Pier. GrubStreet will oversee and operate 13,000 square-feet of cultural space featuring a literary stage, classrooms for writing workshops, podcast studio, and a bookstore and a café. And Mass Poetry will bring the poetry - from renowned poets featured on the literary stage to expanded workshop offerings and site-specific poetry installations such as Raining Poetry and more. "It's our collective vision to lift up all voices and ensure that artistic education is available to everyone – especially those who have been marginalized," said Eve Bridburg, GrubStreet's executive director, about making the narrative arts center a home for all. "Mass Poetry couldn't be more excited to partner with GrubStreet, a pioneering organization that has transformed Boston's literary scene," added Michael Ansara, Mass Poetry's co-founder. As sawdust begins to fly, Mass Poetry will be launching a strategic planning process, so we can dream together with our partners and backers about what having a long-term home in Boston's Seaport will mean for us. We will also be placing the Spring 2019 Massachusetts Poetry Festival on hold, as we do so. But don't worry; the festival will be back, bigger and better than ever! Lastly, we would like to offer our own thanks to the Calderwood Foundation for supporting the creation of Boston's first narrative arts center with a $2,000,000 pledge to GrubStreet. Thank you for backing Mass Poetry's work at every turn. We look forward to showing you our new home soon. And congratulations again to GrubStreet and to all writers and readers in Boston as we move forward together on this exciting collaboration! With pride and excitement, Daniel Johnson, Executive Director, Mass Poetry Nicco Mele, Board Chair, Mass Poetry If you love the work we do to support poets and spread the power of poetry to students, T riders, and more, please consider supporting us with a recurring monthly donation. Donate Now Copyright © *2017* *Mass Poetry*, All rights reserved.

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Dec 21 - THU Dec 27

Friday, December 21

10:00am

 Knitting Group

3:00pm

 Hot Cocoa and Coloring

7:30pm

 Neverland’s Ice Age: A Peter Panto

Saturday, December 22

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

10:30am

 Pancakes and Pajamas

12:00pm

 Wrapping Station!

2:00pm

 Neverland's Ice Age: A Peter Panto

7:30pm

 Neverland’s Ice Age: A Peter Panto

Sunday, December 23

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, December 24

 Library Closed

 Christmas Eve

Tuesday, December 25

 Library Closed

 Christmas Day

Wednesday, December 26

10:30am

 Terrific Toddlers

11:00am

 Toddler Playgroup

1:00pm

 Princess Storytime

4:00pm

 Construction Junction

Thursday, December 27

9:30am

 Baby Tummy Time

11:00am

 Walk the SNETT with FBRTC

1:00pm

 Multicultural Potluck

4:00pm

 Fandom Thursdays

6:00pm

 Volunteens

For the interactive version, please visit

http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

http://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://goo.gl/forms/7Pr1iBuAiIna7cUo2

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Dec 21 - THU Dec 27

Senior Center - Newsletter for January 2019

What's happening at the Senior Center? The newsletter for January, 2019 is available to reveal the programs and events scheduled. Read and download your copy

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/pages/jan19connection.pdf

Senior Center - Newsletter for January 2019

Real vs. fake - work for good can be misused

"I think these results seem very realistic and intriguing, but at the same time frightening, even to me. Our goal was to build an accurate model of a person, not to misrepresent them. But one thing that concerns me is its potential for misuse. 

People have been thinking about this problem for a long time, since the days when Photoshop first hit the market. As a researcher, I'm also working on countermeasure technology, and I'm part of an ongoing effort at AI Foundation, which uses a combination of machine learning and human moderators to detect fake images and videos, fighting against my own work. 

And one of the tools we plan to release is called Reality Defender, which is a web-browser plug-in that can flag potentially fake content automatically, right in the browser."

To sign up for Reality Defender visit  http://www.aifoundation.com/responsibility

For more about Supasorn  https://www.ted.com/speakers/supasorn_suwajanakorn?

In the News: MA fastest growing population in New England; dog leashes required for MassWildlife lands

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

"Massachusetts is the fastest growing state in the Northeast — with many of its newest residents coming from other countries. 

That’s according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin said the numbers show Massachusetts is growing twice as fast as it did in the previous decade. 

New data released on Wednesday showed that the population in Massachusetts grew by 38,903 people to 6.9 million between July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018. The 0.6 percent growth rate equaled the population growth in the country, and ranked Massachusetts 22nd among all other states and first in New England."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181220/massachusetts-fastest-growing-state-in-northeast

State Population Change: 2010 to 2018 [Source: U.S. Census Bureau]

"As in the past, MassWildlife will allow dogs on wildlife management areas across the state, but as of Jan. 11, regulations will require that dogs be leashed. 

Dog owners will also be required to clean up all dog fecal matter. 

Specifically, dogs must be on a physical leash or tether while on wildlife management property. 

According to MassWildlife, the leashing requirement decreases potential conflicts with people and other dogs, providing a safer and more positive experience for all."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181220/effective-jan-11-dogs-on-masswildlife-land-must-be-leashed

For additional info visit the MassWildlife page
https://www.mass.gov/news/new-dog-regulations-take-effect-on-wmas-january-11-2019

Dogs and other domestic animals must be on a physical leash/tether (MassWildlife photo)

Volunteers Needed

The Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is looking for help to direct and coordinate rail trail events and the further development of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT). 

Be part of our volunteer, executive leadership team and make a difference in the communities of Franklin and Bellingham. The SNETT rail trail is a great asset for all ages and abilities in our communities and beyond. We need your help, apply today!

Apply online   https://www.facebook.com/job_opening/1588343921265377/

Volunteers Needed - Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee

Shared from Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinBellinghamSNETT/posts/2019791701446191

For more about the Rail Trail Committee visit them on the web
http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

FHS girls hockey posts a win at Bishop Stang 8-5

Via HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS sports action on Wednesday, Dec 19, 2018


Girls Hockey = Franklin, 8 @ Bishop Stang, 5 – Final
– Regan Paterson scored four times and Cassi Ronan scored a pair, as Franklin won a shootout in Fall River. Katelyn Brown and Amanda Lewandowski also scored for the Panthers.


Boys Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ Canton, 3 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the hockey game recap:

"There’s 15 minutes in each period, and the Canton boys hockey team made sure to use every second of each one. 

The Bulldogs scored with less than five seconds left in each the first and second periods, both on the power play, to pick up a 3-1 win over Franklin in a non-league clash between Hockomock hockey powers. 

“It was wide open at times with a lot of chances and it was very tight at times, it was a typical Canton-Franklin game,” said Canton head coach Brian Shuman. “The first goal, that puck went off a skate, the shot was going to be wide but went off a skate and in. We lost one of our better players for 10 minutes but our guys responded. Colby Ciffolillo, first-year player, was asked to play on like three lines and three different positions and played great. It was a good response for us after a tough start.” 

Franklin took the lead less than a minute into the contest but Canton equalized less than four minutes later. Panther senior defenseman Matt D’Ericco had a puck pop out to him in the attacking zone and fired a low shot that deflected off a skate and into the net just 54 seconds in to the game."

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/canton-boys-hockey-late-periods-goals-franklin/

Click here for a photo gallery from this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Winter-2018-2019/Canton-Franklin-Boys-Hockey-12-19-18/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-19-18/

Canton’s Ryan Nolte sets up for a shot in the first period that turned into the Bulldogs’ first goal.
(Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

FHS Hockey Booster Club Gift Card Sales - Dec 23

Franklin High School Boys Hockey Booster Club will be selling discounted gift cards to Incontro and Rock n Coal at the Franklin Rink during the Boys JV Hockey game Sunday 12/23 from 6:30 to 8:30.

• $50 gift card is selling for $35
• $100 gift card is selling for $65

FHS hockey: Gift Card Sales - Rock N Coal

Cards can be used on all food and beverages, but cannot be used for tips for the servers.

The gift cards make great gifts, do not expire and proceeds from the sale support the FHS Boys Hockey Team! Cash, Check or Charge accepted.

FHS hockey: Gift Card Sales - Incontro

Rock n Coal cards can be used at the Bellingham location and new Millis location opening in February.

The FHS Boys Hockey Team thanks Incontro and Rock n Coal for their support of the organization.

FHS hockey: Gift Card Sales  12/23

In the News: MA DPU lifts moratorium on NationalGrid; relief for locked-out workers sought

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

"State regulators on Wednesday lifted their moratorium on National Grid gas work, infuriating locked-out gas workers, but ordered the utility to adhere to what officials called “an unprecedentedly high standard,” including a new requirement to have work plans approved by a certified professional engineer. 

The order from the Department of Public Utilities would essentially apply the parameters of Gov. Charlie Baker’s gas safety bill and other new safety protocols to National Grid while also easing the moratorium on all non-emergency and non-compliance work across the utility’s service territory, an administration official said. 

Commercial real estate industry officials have said the moratorium was having a “huge impact” by preventing properties from obtaining needed gas hookups."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181219/baker-decision-to-lift-moratorium-irks-national-grid-workers

"Unable since Nov. 1 to shake his popular bill out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Senate Rules Committee Chairman Mark Montigny on Tuesday has taken his case directly to Senate President Karen Spilka, urging her to help advance legislation ensuring benefits to workers locked out by their employers. 

A New Bedford Democrat, Montigny asked Spilka in a letter Tuesday to force action on a bill providing extended unemployment benefits to locked-out workers, such as the more than 1,200 gas workers who have been engaged in a labor dispute with National Grid since June. Gas workers lost their health insurance and paychecks and have turned to public insurance programs and unemployment benefits to get by during the lockout. 

Montigny said the Senate should pass a bill expanding the scope of a House bill approved Dec. 6 and correcting a portion of the House bill."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181219/new-bedford-democrat-presses-spilka-on-lockout-bill

"The state Department of Public Utilities on Wednesday lifted a moratorium on gas work by National Grid, but a series of new regulations means it’s unlikely development projects that have been stalled for months will be able to resume any time soon. 

Quincy is one of a handful of cities and towns that imposed its own local moratorium on all non-emergency gas work by National Grid after the company locked out 1,200 workers in June when contract negotiations broke down. It’s also a city in the midst of a massive development boom that is suffering as developers wait to finish projects that require gas connections. 

The state followed suit with its own moratorium on Oct. 8 after state regulators were spooked by an incident in Woburn in which gas lines were over-pressurized. A series of explosions in the Merrimack Valley a month earlier were also blamed on excessive pressure."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181219/state-move-on-national-grid-work-moratorium-unlikely-to-help-quincy-development

Live reporting: from Town Administrators Report to Closing

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT congratulate the council for making the best decision since Jan 2001 strong integrity and ethics thanks to all the town employees for the jobs they do day in and day out, with less dollars and less people, thanks thanks to the Council, people don't appreciate the work and job you do, it is great form of government, you worry about the policy happy holiday we have the best staff of all time, the amount of compliments we get all the time happy holiday and happy new year
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Hamblen - rethinking community preservation act? maybe we could re-open the discussion Casey - Planning Board - broad discussion on what is on the project line up? overall approach of Planning Board Earls - look at the antiques license and effort to create capacity; reuse of materials DPW talk about the water issues, with all the development, why we still have the water ban, pumping etc. Nutting - already scheduled for a water infrastructure discussion in early Jan Hellen - outreach to State House delegation to work out a date
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS Earls - merry christmas and happy new year Pellegri - ditto Padula - happy safe and healthy new year casey - ditto Dellorco - ditto Jones - proud of the students at Tri-County who dressed in blue today in recognition for the teacher who just passed on Sunday Kelly - ditto Mercer - thank all the employees and look forward to the same going forward to 2019 motion to adjourn, passed 9-0
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION	None Scheduled
15. ADJOURN