Friday, January 25, 2019

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Jan 25 - THU Jan 31

Friday, January 25
9:00am
 ECDC New Student Open House
10:00am
 Knitting Group
7:00pm
 "You Can't Take it with You"
Saturday, January 26
10:00am
 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)
10:00am
 Franklin Children's School Open House
10:00am
 Franklin Library: Adult collections and technology
7:00pm
 "You Can't Take it with You"
8:00pm
 Circle of Friends: Dar Williams (sold out)
Sunday, January 27
1:00pm
 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:00pm
 January FUNDraiser for Rail Trail Committee
2:00pm
 "You Can't Take it with You"
Monday, January 28
10:30am
 Move Along
11:00am
 Toddler Playgroup
3:00pm
 Monday Crafternoons
3:30pm
 Dungeons & Dragons for Kids
7:00pm
 Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 29
9:30am
 Cool Cruisers
10:30am
 Get Ready for Kindergarten
Wednesday, January 30
10:30am
 Terrific Toddlers
11:00am
 Toddler Playgroup
4:00pm
 Construction Junction
7:00pm
 Parent/Guardian Sleep Education Forum
7:00pm
 Town Council Meeting
Thursday, January 31
9:30am
 Baby Tummy Time
10:30am
 Story & Craft
4:00pm
 Fandom Thursdays
6:30pm
 Genealogy Club Meeting

For the interactive version, please visit
For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar
http://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

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

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Jan 25 - THU Jan 31
Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Jan 25 - THU Jan 31

Franklin Town Clerk: Updates for residents


2019 ANNUAL CENSUS FORMS


You will be receiving your 2019 Annual Street Listing Census Form and Dog Registration Form in the mail this week. The annual census form must be signed and returned to the Town Clerk’s office within 10 days of receipt. Residents are reminded that census forms must be returned even when no changes are needed to your census information. 

In accordance with MGL Ch 51, Sec 4c, failure to respond to the annual census shall result in removal from the active voting list and may result in removal from the voter registration rolls. If you do not receive a census form, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office.

2019 DOG REGISTRATION


All dog owners must register their dogs annually. Registration runs from Jan. 1st to April 1st.

Dogs not licensed by April 1st are considered unlicensed and late fees will apply.

If you already licensed your dog, please disregard the form included with the census.

If you have any questions, please visit our website
www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk or contact the Town Clerks Office at 508-520-4900 or email tburr@franklinma.gov

********* Top Dog Contest! ********** 
Please visit our website or contact us for details.

We wish you all a very Happy and Healthy 2019!

Thank you,
Teresa M. Burr


entries to the Top Dog Contest as of Tuesday night (1/22/19)
entries to the Top Dog Contest as of Tuesday night (1/22/19)



The link to the MA General Law referenced above
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVIII/Chapter51/Section4

Traveling to Italy? Take the course "Conversational Italian for the Traveler"

Conversational Italian for the Traveler

DATES:  6 Wednesdays, February 6 - April 3

TIME:  6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

LOCATION:  Franklin High School

COST: $80

Buongiorno! Are you planning a trip to Italy? Through situational vocabulary
framed in a cultural context, you will learn the basics to make a stay in Italy
even more pleasant. Get ready to learn about greeting, sightseeing, ordering
food and shopping – Italian style!

Register online
https://reg.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0079-0003-0e4c00bfd8d043199dc7abf0f6d5736c

Traveling to Italy? Take the course "Conversational Italian for the Traveler"
Traveling to Italy? Take the course "Conversational Italian for the Traveler"

In the News: Rep Jeff Roy travels to Plains, GA; ArtWeek scheduled to kick off Apr 27

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

"A couple times each month, former President Jimmy Carter sits down in front of the congregation at the Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, to teach Sunday school. 
Hundreds line up in the parking lot hours before dawn to ensure they get a seat. It’s become a pilgrimage of sorts to see the 94-year-old former Democratic president do what he’s been doing most Sundays since leaving the White House in 1981. 
This past Sunday, three state representatives from Massachusetts were among that crowd, traveling together on the weekend of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to spend a few days taking in the experience of listening to a former president and visiting The King Center in Atlanta. 
“I refer to these as my magical history tours,” said Rep. Jeff Roy, a Franklin Democrat and self-described history buff. “I’ve wanted to do this for years.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190124/franklins-jeff-roy-sits-in-on-president-carters-sunday-school
Rep Kevin Honan (left) Mrs Carter, President Carter, Jeff Roy (Facebook photo of Jeff Roy)
Rep Kevin Honan (left) Mrs Carter, President Carter, Jeff Roy (Facebook photo of Jeff Roy)


"The Franklin Cultural Council announced that it will be hosting Taste of ArtWeek, a kick-off celebration to Franklin ArtWeek, part of the statewide ArtWeek festival, from 4-8 p.m. April 27 on Franklin Town Common. 
Taste of ArtWeek will include food trucks, a juried craft fair and live performances, as well as a beer garden and fine art exhibition at Hayward Manor. The FCC is looking for professional and semi-professional artisans to participate in the craft fair. 
The event will also include a youth section of booths for crafters 18 and younger."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190124/strongfranklin-cultural-council-to-host-franklin-artweeekstrong

"it’s very much like you’re welding when you’re inside the helmet"

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

"Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School recently received a state grant that will go toward expanding the school’s metal-fabrication program. 
The so-called Skills Capital Grant will allow the school to purchase new equipment, including the AugmentedArc - a virtual training simulator for welders and metal workers. 
Tri-County, which was among 31 schools to receive funding, was awarded $123,115. 
“We are grateful and honored to have been awarded this grant by the Baker-Polito administration and are looking forward to seeing our students graduate with the competitive edge needed to compete for exciting career opportunities,” said Tri-County Superintendent-Director Stephen Dockray."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190124/tri-county-lands-123k-skills-capital-grant

The grant notification had been previously posted here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/tri-county-regional-awarded-123115-in.html


 left-right are:  Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kenneal, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Metal Fabrication Instructor Robert Pierangeli, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Vocational Director Cathy Rebelo, Governor Charlie Baker
 left-right are:  Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kenneal, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Metal Fabrication Instructor Robert Pierangeli, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Vocational Director Cathy Rebelo, Governor Charlie Baker

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Finance Committee - Jan 15, 2019

My notes recorded via Twitter during the meeting


Jan 15
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2019-01-15_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

The documents for the Capital Budget discussions can be found
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xu_1JUPgKXNH8i9DhDZH7ZkfFk6tyFQp/view?usp=sharing

Note: the document is a single PDF file with 166 pages, so it will take some time to download/open.

The Finance Committee as it begins the Jan 8 meeting at the Senior Center
The Finance Committee as it begins the Jan 8 budget hearing (part 1) at the Senior Center

FM #158 - Finance Committee sends Capital Budget recommendations to Town Council

FM #158

This internet radio show or podcast is number 158 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the Finance Committee meeting held at the Municipal Building, Third Floor Training Room on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

The meeting is the second of two to review the Capital Budget by the Finance Committee. Today’s meeting will review the following agenda:
  • Schools
  • Facilities
  • Technology
  • Recreation

After hearing all the presentations, the Finance Committee will vote to recommend some or all of these (with or without modifications) to be brought to the Town Council for their review and vote.

The complete agenda documents for Jan 15 meeting can be found on the Town of Franklin pages

Jan 15
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2019-01-15_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

The documents for the Capital Budget discussions can be found
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xu_1JUPgKXNH8i9DhDZH7ZkfFk6tyFQp/view?usp=sharing

Note: the document is a single PDF file with 166 pages, so it will take some time to download/open.

The total meeting recording runs just about 48 minutes. Without further ado, here is the audio recording:





My notes recorded via Twitter during the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/finance-committee-jan-15-2019.html

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


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always 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 help us by following the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and or the Conservation Commission meetings. I’ll provide the guidance on note taking and sharing. You need to bring an inquisitive, 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 & 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

FHS gymnastics posts two wins, wrestling and girls swimming post wins, girls hockey ties on a busy Wednesday

Via HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2019

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 5 @ Westwood, 5 – Final
– Cassi Ronan scored four goals to put Franklin into the lead, but the Wolverines clawed back in the third period to go in front. Amanda Lewandowski scored with 1:30 on the clock to earn the Panthers a point and keep them unbeaten on the season.

Wrestling = Franklin, 64 @ King Philip, 12 – Final

Boys Swimming = Franklin, 74 @ King Philip, 94 – Final

Girls Swimming = Franklin, 100 @ King Philip, 70 – Final

Gymnastics = Canton, 108.6 @ Franklin, 137.95 – Final
– Franklin sophomore Emma Owens and freshman Kate Rudolph placed first and second, respectively, in the all around to pace the Panthers. Owens scored a 35.55, including a 9.2 on the vault and 9.15 on the beam, while Rudolph had a 35, highlighted by a 9.0 on the vault and 9.0 on the floor.

Gymnastics = Franklin, 137.95 vs. Medway, 131.4 – Final

Boys Hockey = Canton, 3 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:
"After Canton stormed back from two goals down in the opening two minutes of the third period and with both teams create chance after chance in a fast-paced, end-to-end finish, both teams could have been forgiven for feeling content with going home from Wednesday night’s game at the Pirelli Veterans Arena with a hard-fought point apiece. 
But there was one more twist in this rivalry tale, as a Franklin defensive clearance ricocheted off the skate of the ref and fell right to Canton junior Johnny Hagan. The forward stepped in and ripped a one-timer over the blocker side of Franklin goalie Ryan Cameron to seal a dramatic 3-2 win for the unbeaten Bulldogs. 
“The kid’s got a 101-degree temperature but he wasn’t missing this one,” Canton coach Brian Shuman said of Hagan. “He just grinded it out, he didn’t want to come off the ice, and that’s just typical Johnny Hagan. He’s the fiercest competitor I’ve ever coached.” 
Franklin coach Chris Spillane was understandably frustrated to watch his team let a two-goal lead slip only two minutes after the second intermission."

Continue reading the boys hockey recap
https://hockomocksports.com/hagan-caps-comeback-for-canton-boys-hockey-at-franklin/

Click here for a photo gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Winter-2018-2019/Franklin-Canton-Boys-Hockey-1-23-19/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-23-19/


FHS Ryan Cameron in goal as there is action around the net (HockomockSports.com photo)
FHS Ryan Cameron in goal as there is action around the net (HockomockSports.com photo)




MassBudget: Video and Op-ed: Updating Education Funding and Helping Schools Better Serve All Children



  MASSBudget     Kids Count
January 23, 2018




Updating Education Funding and Helping Schools Better Serve All Children: Video Summary and Op-ed


Students have the best chance of succeeding when their schools have the resources to educate them effectively. As Massachusetts lawmakers gear up for the Fiscal Year 2020 budget debate, many are working to overhaul the state's school funding formula - known as Chapter 70 - which determines how much state funding our schools receive to support necessities like teachers, materials, and facilities.
When the formula falls short, communities with fewer resources are unable to make up the difference and their students' education suffers.
A comprehensive update of the school funding formula, after five years, could mean as much as $1.1 billion in additional aid per year for Massachusetts schools, according to a new video  from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget). We further explore these ideas in an op-ed in Commonwealth Magazine.
"The outdated formula does not reflect what it currently costs to provide a high-quality education. This has left many lower-wealth school districts with chronic understaffing, a return of class sizes of over 30 students, and fewer opportunities for our students to learn," said Colin Jones, Senior Policy Analyst and author of the report on which the video is based.
In the video, Jones summarizes the findings of his report, Building an Education System that Works for Everyone, which explores some ways lawmakers could update the formula.
"Even though Massachusetts has the most educated workforce in the nation, these opportunities are not reaching all our children. If we want to continue leading the country, we need to help close these opportunity gaps so all children can reach their full potential," said Marie-Frances Rivera, Interim President of MassBudget.

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER

15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108


Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108

Sent by mrivera@massbudget.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact




FHS Jazz Performance Schedule

From the Pantherbook we find info about the Jazz concert held Wednesday night at FHS:
"If you enjoy this concert, or aren’t able to attend, there are many upcoming events like the Jazz Cafe on February 8th here at the high school, which also involves the middle schools. There are also some festivals in March, and on April 1 there is an event with the United States Jazz Ambassadors. 
For a music event with the whole town later in the year, come see the Franklin High School band accompany Kenny Hadley’s Big Band at the Black Box on April 30th. "

Read the full article at Pantherbook:
https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2019/01/23/swing-into-semester-2-with-a-jazz-concert/

And a teaser of their performance