Veterans walkway: Brick Sales Update

Brick sales are ongoing!

The next brick installation on the Veterans Memorial Walkway is scheduled for Memorial Day 2019.

The Brick order form https://post3402.org/documents
Make checks payable to Franklin VFW Post 3402

Veterans walkway: Brick Sales Update

Post sharing the dedication ceremony on Nov 11, 2018
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/11/virtuosity-deserves-some-concrete-and.html

Franklin TV recorded the ceremony, view the video on YouTube
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/veterans-memorial-walkway-celebration.html

Second Sunday Speaker Series: "When Terrorism Struck Franklin: February 28, 2019"

Local historian Alan Earls returns to the museum Sunday, January 13 at 1:15 PM to discuss a dark day in Franklin’s history. The early decades of the 1900’s were tumultuous and violent times throughout the world. Anarchy ruled and many cities, towns and communities found themselves caught up in the violent movement, including right here in Franklin.

When Terrorism Struck Franklin: February 28, 2019 will mark the 100th anniversary an historic and terrifying tragedy in Franklin’s history – an attempted bombing of the Ray Textile Mill on Union Street. Four local Italian-immigrant anarchists were killed when the dynamite bomb they were carrying to the Ray Mill went off prematurely, an event that brought world attention to Franklin. Earls will deliver a slide show and presentation on this event; the historical background and world events that led up to it; the men and their motives, and the aftermath – including the stories of the children and families of the would-be bombers. Join us for an interesting look back at this tragic event.

2019 Calendars are available for sale in the museum gift shop for $5.00. Filled with photos and facts on the town we all love. Get yours now.

The museum is located at 80 West Central Street, is wheelchair accessible and always free. Come in and find your history.

Second Sunday Speaker Series Continues at the Franklin Historical Museum

Wins posted by FHS girls and boys basketball, and swim teams on Friday

Via HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS sports action on Friday, Jan 11, 2019

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 75 @ Taunton, 37 – Final
– Ali Brigham was dominant again for the Panthers, scoring 26 points and pulling down 17 rebounds. Bea Bondhus added 12 points for Franklin, which had 11 different players get on the score sheet.

Boys Swimming = Franklin, 56 @ Taunton, 37 – Final

Girls Swimming = Franklin, 51 @ Taunton, 42 – Final

Boys Basketball = Taunton, 45 @ Franklin, 50 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com provides the game recap:

"After seeing a large first half lead disappear, the Franklin boys basketball team was on the verge of letting a second half lead evaporate as well. 

Holding a five-point lead with 1:30 to, Franklin’s advantage quickly shrunk to just one after a putback from Taunton senior Michel Quinn and a strong take from Lou Vendrell with 39.8 to go. 

The Panthers, after scoring 20 points in the first quarter, had been limited to just 30 over the next 23 minutes and were in need of a spark. After a timeout, Franklin got the ball into the hands of junior Chris Edgehill (13 points, five assists), and he took advantage of a Taunton miscommunication after a double screen to get enough separation for a three with 20 seconds left, helping secure a 50-45 win over Taunton. 

“It was absolutely a grind,” said Franklin head coach CJ Neely. “Getting off to a great start helps a lot especially when you aren’t playing your best in the middle quarters. The second and third quarters we got really stagnant on offense. We stopped doing everything we did in the first quarter that was working. We weren’t running the floor as hard, we weren’t cutting or screening as hard, we weren’t reacting off screens really well. The motion got stymied, we weren’t moving the ball.”

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-grinds-out-close-win-over-taunton/

Click here for a photo gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Winter-2018-2019/Franklin-Taunton-Boys-Basketball-01-11-19

For the other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-11-19/

Franklin’s Will Harvey (33) defends a shot from Taunton’s Michael Quinn (2) in the second half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

"Bill to ban some flame-retardant chemicals dies"

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker will not sign into law a ban on certain chemical flame retardants in household goods, he told lawmakers Friday afternoon, citing concerns with the bill sent to him on the final day of the 2017-2018 legislative session. 

The House and Senate sent Baker the bill on New Year’s Day, a move that was cheered by environmental advocates and firefighters who spent years pushing for passage, but which also made the bill subject to dying on the governor’s desk and precluded any opportunity for the governor to return it with an amendment or for lawmakers to override a veto. 

Supporters of the bill had said the chemicals they sought to ban are unnecessary and can pose health risks to children and firefighters. 

The 12,000-member Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts pushed for the bill’s signing and officials there said that while disappointed, they plan to keep advocating for the legislation."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190111/bill-to-ban-some-flame-retardant-chemicals-dies-on-governors-desk

National Institute of Environmental Health Services
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/flame_retardants/index.cfm

Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/02/how-safe-are-flame-retardants/index.htm

When the audio recording of Finance Committee meeting of Jan 8 get published you'll be able to hear Fire Chief Gary McCarragher talk about his concern for the retardants that contribute to the higher than normal rate of cancer among fire fighters.

Flame retardants are chemicals that are added or applied to materials in order to slow or prevent the start/growth of fire (NIEHS photo)

"will make sure things stay organized and up to date"

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

"Franklin is taking its past into the future as the town seeks a part-time archivist for the Franklin Historical Museum. 

Thanks to a grant from the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), a professional toured the museum to determine its needs. The result was a decision to hire an archivist. That person will be paid with money from a grant the town received last fall. 

It’s unclear when the town will hire the archivist, but museum officials are interviewing candidates. About $30,000 is put aside for the job."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190112/franklin-museum-to-hire-new-archivist

one of the pieces in a Ben Franklin display for his birthday in 2015

In the News: plastic bags eliminated by BIG Y; breathalyzer tests require validation

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

Plastic bags being eliminated by BIG Y

"In a decision affecting all 70 Big Y supermarket locations across Massachusetts and Connecticut, Big Y Foods, Inc. this week announced it will eliminate plastic bags from checkout counters. 

That includes the store in Milford, off Rte. 109 and one in Franklin on Rte. 140.
The company uses 100 million plastic bags at checkout counters each year. 

“Single-use plastic bags create an inordinate amount of waste,” a press release from the company says. “Big Y recognizes its responsibility to cut down on unnecessary plastic waste that contributes to litter, harms the environment and can endanger wildlife.” 

The change won’t happen until 2020, allowing employees and customers to get used to the idea, and make the switch to reusable bags."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190111/milford-franklin-big-ys-to-eliminate-plastic-bags-in-2020

Recall that some FHS students in 2016 had created an online petition, brought forward a proposal, worked their way through the local legislative process before ultimately getting dismissed by the Economic Development Committee of the Town Council in one of their lesser highlight moments. The students can be happy now.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/nearly-60-massachusetts-municipalities.html

FHS students discussing the proposal with the EDC Nov 30, 2016

Balance of power plays out

"Prosecutors trying to get convictions for people suspected of driving drunk have seen their jobs get much more difficult after a Massachusetts judge ruled this week that Breathalyzer tests cannot be used as evidence in court. 

Judge Robert Brennan, who was hearing a consolidated test case that involved more than 400 Breathalyzer exams throughout the state, ruled the tests can’t be used until the Office of Alcohol Testing proves it results are accurate. 

Brennan’s ruling is being hailed by MetroWest defense attorneys as fair. 

“I think it’s the right decision,” said David Levinson, a Framingham lawyer. “There have been so many issues with the various testing devices. There has to be some kind of accountability.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190111/breathalyzer-court-ruling-roils-prosecutors-police

Interesting that many of the Google provided links to the MA Office of Alcohol Testing all end up at the District Attorneys page. There is also this reference but no page link. The office must truly being being rebuilt.  https://www.mass.gov/service-details/forensic-chemistry-sections

January 8 - Social Emotional Learning Forum a Success!

Social Emotional Learning Forum A Success! The Social Emotional Learning Alliance for Massachusetts and I are incredibly proud to have brought together over 200 teachers, students and engaged residents at the Social Emotional Learning Forum on Tuesday, January 8, to learn more about the importance of social emotional learning for our children. We heard from a diverse panel of SEL experts, including Framingham School Committee Member Beverly Hugo, Director of Counseling and Social Emotional Learning at Ashland Public Schools Jennifer Cutler, Principal of Miller Elementary School in Holliston David Keim, and Parent Liaison, Natick Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Elise Gorseth. As Senate President, I am committed to improving education and advocating for mental health parity for residents across the Commonwealth. SEL is a critical 21st-century skill to foster resilient, empathetic, and workforce-ready graduates. Event materials and resources on SEL can be found online. The forum is part of my MetroWest Kids Initiative, designed to identify strategies to help children in MetroWest learn, grow and succeed, with a focus on social emotional learning. SEL is a research-backed framework to bring skills like stress management, positive relationship-building, responsible decision-making, and empathy into classrooms and throughout the community. Thank you again for demonstrating a commitment to social emotional learning in classrooms throughout the Commonwealth. We look forward to seeing you at our next forum! Sincerely, Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka | 617-722-1500 | Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov www.karenspilka.com

Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka  Massachusetts State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133 Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov in collaboration with Try it free today