MBTA: Commuter Rail notice for MLK Day

On Monday, January 21, the Commuter Rail will operate on a normal weekday schedule. 

Please allow additional time to travel to stations as storm clean-up efforts continue.


Last Updated: Jan 20 2019 03:54 PM

Click here for more information: https://www.mbta.com/winter

Franklin/Dean Station in light snow

Coast Guard Active Duty and Veterans Affected by Furlough

If you are a veteran employed by the Federal Government or active duty Coast Guard directly affected by the current federal furlough, contact the
Franklin Veterans Office 508-613-1315

Coast Guard web page - screen grab

Updated: 1/20/19 with corrected info

Franklin Cultural District - Partners Meeting - February 11

Dear Cultural District Partners,

The Cultural District Committee would like to thank all of you for your help throughout the cultural district application process. It is exciting that Franklin has received the Cultural District distinction.

Having this Cultural District status makes the Franklin Cultural District (FCD) eligible for a variety of state grant programs, state economic development opportunities and monies, strategic planning and historic preservation assistance, as well as marketing through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.

The committee would like to invite you to our February quarterly Cultural District Partners meeting. We would like to provide an update on the district's website development, review our goals, and then brainstorm about potential cross partnership activities for the future. We look forward to continuing our work together to promote the arts and the economic growth of downtown Franklin.

The meeting will be held on Monday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be at the Franklin Senior Center in the community room.

We look forward to seeing you all on February 11.

Sincerely,
The Franklin Cultural District Committee

Franklin Cultural District

FHS gymnastics tops Medway in match on Saturday

Via HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS sports action that did manage to happen despite the weather on Saturday, Jan 19, 2019

Gymnastics = Franklin, 132.6 @ Medway, 130.8 – Final

Girls Hockey = Franklin vs. Norwood – Postponed to a date and time to be announced.

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

FHS Panthers

Great article congratulations FHS! So peoud of you!! https://t.co/P0xKXEpiBp

— FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) January 20, 2019

#Franklin vs #Medway/ #Holliston/ #Millis #gymnastics at #Elite Gymnastics in #Ashland. pic.twitter.com/d14fhpp2z3

— Marshall Wolff (@mwolffMWphoto) January 20, 2019

Great work Rudy! https://t.co/QbRIZBlZy6

— FHS Girls Frosh Lax (@fhsgfroshlax1) January 20, 2019

Franklin’s Lizzie Brown on beam @FHSSports @fhs_gymnastics @MetroWestSports pic.twitter.com/VEg8gH8ptk

— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) January 19, 2019

Franklin’s Lizzie Brown during floor @FHSSports @fhs_gymnastics @MetroWestSports pic.twitter.com/daDeXy1Xm9

— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) January 19, 2019

In the News: State budget Medicare expansion possible, budget challenges loom with economic uncertainty

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

"Low-income seniors would see a break on how much they pay for health care under a plan Republican Gov. Charlie Baker is including in his state budget proposal. 

Under the plan, seniors who earn 130 to 165 percent of the federal poverty level — from just under $16,000 to about $20,000 each year — would be eligible for Medicare savings programs, which help reduce health care expenses, including out-of-pocket costs. 

Currently, seniors earning from 100 to 135 percent of the federal poverty level — from just over $12,100 to $16,400 — are eligible for the savings programs, which also help cover hospital and general medical services. They also automatically qualify for help with prescription drug coverage. 

Baker’s budget would set aside about $10 million in state dollars for the expansion, which would leverage about $100 million in additional federal Medicare dollars for nearly 40,000 seniors — 25,000 of whom are currently not eligible."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190120/baker-proposes-expanding-medicare-program

"Gov. Charlie Baker is preparing to submit his latest state budget to the Legislature amid signs of a looming economic slowdown and calls by some on Beacon Hill to raise taxes for education and other initiatives. 

With a booming economy and record job growth, Massachusetts ended its most recent fiscal year with a more than $1 billion surplus. About half the extra cash was used to replenish the state’s reserves, better known as the “rainy day fund.” 

Robust revenues continued through the early months of the fiscal year that began July 1, triggering an automatic reduction in the state income tax."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190119/fiscal-clouds-loom-as-baker-preps-budget

The MA budget process kicks of in earnest when the Governor delivers his proposal by the 4th Wednesday of January. (Jan 23)

Franklin depends upon State funding for its budget. Funding for schools, local aid and roads account for approx 30% of the total Franklin budget. Getting a reasonable estimate of this funding from the State enables Franklin to start its own budget cycle for FY 2020.

The State budget cycle for FY 2019 (the current budget) is shown here. The steps are the same for the new budget cycle for FY 2020.

State budget cycle for FY 2019

Winter/Spring Sports Coming Your Way

Register Today

‌ Lifelong Community Learning Get ready for winter / spring sports Beginning February 4 REGISTER TODAY Intermediate & Advanced Co-ed Volleyball Intermediate: Build your strong foundation in the basics of volleyball. A fun, competitive time is guaranteed for all! Click here for more info. https://reg.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0079-0003-38a23fe895c34850976565a3c4a65509 Advanced: If you have played competitive volleyball in the past and would like to find something closer to home or get back into it after an absence, then this class is for you! Click here for more info. https://reg.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0079-0003-fe29d551362c420b8743d41c52a38d6a Badminton Badminton is a racquet sport played by two people or four people. Unlike other racquet sports, badminton involves hitting a shuttlecock – a cone-shaped projectile that moves differently than a ball - the ideal sport for those who like to be kept on their toes. Click here for more info. https://reg.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0079-0003-6045335e41ff41ebbd2db02fa40a4116 Men's Spring Basketball on Tuesdays Beginning in March REGISTER TODAY Looking for a night of fun and exercise? Basketball is great way to de-stress and add variety to your routine.  Click here for more info. https://reg.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0079-0003-6a64814584204e3c9fab8b8e1950944b ‌

Lifelong Community Learning - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street, Room 137, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try it free today

"a quality education that will last beyond their time here"

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

"Dean College was recently awarded a grant of $180,150 to help fuel a new internship experience. 

The grant money was donated by the Davis Educational Foundation, a Yarmouth, Maine-based public charitable foundation that supports undergraduate programs of public and private colleges throughout New England.  Funds are being used to support what the college is calling “The Bulldog Experience: Curriculum and Career Integration.”

The idea of the program is to link classroom experiences with practical, real-life encounters. The proposed four-year curriculum will integrate the classroom and internships, said Associate Vice President Wendy Adler. 

“Dean College is thrilled to receive funding from the Davis Educational Foundation,” said Adler, who is the project co-director."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190119/dean-college-receives-grant-to-support-internships

"a quality education that will last beyond their time here"