Monday, February 18, 2019

In the News: New tax law brings surprises

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

New tax law brings unpleasant surprise to filers
"Greg Tully is 71, and for the first time in his working life he will not receive a federal tax refund. 
“Last year we got $631 back. This year we owed around $1,500,” he said.
Like Tully, of Saugus, thousands of taxpayers across the state are learning their refunds are smaller than in years past, and some are finding they owe money.
 
The IRS on Feb. 1 reported the average tax refund so far in 2019 had decreased by 8.4 percent – or $183 – to $1,901 compared to 2018. 
“A lot of people are very surprised with their refunds, or lack thereof,” said Paul Russo, tax director at The 1911 Trust Co. in Beverly."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190217/new-tax-law-brings-unpleasant-surprise-to-filers

Sunday, February 17, 2019

FPAC to host 8th annual “Culinary Cabaret” - Apr 5

The Franklin Performing Arts Company will present Culinary Cabaret 2019 on Friday, April 5, from 7 to 10 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central St.

The 8th annual food and wine event showcases the culinary and performing arts, featuring creative dishes and gourmet specialties. The evening also includes a culinary-themed silent auction and entertainment by FPAC special guest artists and the international touring ensemble Electric Youth. Partners for this year’s event will include 3 Restaurant (Franklin), Tavolino (Foxboro), Intermission (Franklin), Alumni Restaurant (Franklin), JP Fuji Group (Quincy), The Curry House (Franklin), DAVIDs Tea (Wrentham), J & L Catering (Medway), The Gavel (Wrentham), and more.
FPAC to host 8th annual “Culinary Cabaret” - Apr 5
FPAC to host 8th annual “Culinary Cabaret” - Apr 5

Tickets are $75 and are fully inclusive of the evening’s food, wine, beer, and entertainment. Event proceeds support Electric Youth’s 2019 European concert tour of France, Switzerland, Italy, and the United Kingdom including a Fourth of July show for troops and families stationed at Lakenheath Air Force Base. The evening will feature entertainment by Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites and Electric Youth.

For more information, visit www.FPAConline.com. Tickets may be purchased online at www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by phone at 508-528-3370

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Feb 19, 2019

The meeting originally scheduled for Feb 12 was rescheduled to Feb 19 due to the snow mess last Tuesday.


Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

A G E N D A
“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”


1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments
i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH
c. FHS Student Representative Comments
d. Superintendent’s Report

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Dementia Friendly Community – Maggie Gundersen & Karen Alves
b. Homework Update – Dr. Joyce Edwards &; Homework Study Group Representatives

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Approval of Amego (Private Special Education School)
I recommend the appointment of Paula Marano, Interim Director of Student Services, as the Committee’s designee to review Amego’s application and bring a recommendation to the School Committee.
b. Policy – First Reading
I recommend approval to move Policy DGA – Authorized Payroll Signatures to a second reading at the next meeting as discussed.

4. Discussion Only Items
a. FY20 Budget Discussion
b. BICO Quarterly Update
c. Revised School Committee Presentation Schedule

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget; Community Relations; Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation)
b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; School Start Times Advisory Committee [SSTAC], MASC)

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your January 22, 2019 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
b. HMMS Donation
I recommend acceptance of the donation of exercise balls, fish bowls and various items valued at approximately $500.00 from Adam Jacoby, Interactions Company for Horace Mann Middle School as detailed.
c. JFK PCC Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,049.83 from the JFK PCC for Supplemental Supplies at JF Kennedy as detailed.
d. BJ’s Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $430.00 from BJ’s Wholesale Club for district wide in-house enrichment as detailed.
e. Athletics Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $844.02 from All-American Publishing for in-house enrichment for FHS Athletics Dept. as detailed.
f. Franklin Music Parents Gift
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $4,268.00 from Franklin music parents for in-house enrichment for the FPS Music Department as detailed.
g. Davis Thayer Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from the DT PCC for field trips as detailed.
h. FHS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,719.80 from Lifetouch for in-house enrichment at FHS as detailed.

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence 
– Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

11. Executive Session
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.
12. Adjournment

The agenda PDF can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_2-12-19.pdf

Documents released for the agenda can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/february-12-2019-school-committee-packet-documents

screen shot of budget presentation at Jan 22 meeting
screen shot of budget presentation at Jan 22 meeting

“In all sports and no matter what stage you’re on, the second the whistle blows you’re just playing"

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, has a great piece on FHS basketball, lacrosse, and soccer alumni Kristi Kirshe now making her mark in rugby.

"Every little kid who plays sports dreams of playing professionally and dreams of someday representing his or her country, whether it be the Olympics or the World Cup or maybe the World Lacrosse Championships (see Foxboro’s Sophia Dicenso, who was featured last week). Former Franklin star Kristi Kirshe, a former soccer state champion with the Panthers and Div. III national champion at Williams College, recently fulfilled that dream, although not in a sport she would have ever imagined. 
A former standout in soccer, lacrosse, and basketball at Franklin (being named MVP in soccer and lax as a senior), and a two-time All-American at Williams, Kirshe has achieved her dream of being a professional athlete as a rising star in rugby. 
Kirshe recently played with the bronze-medal-winning U.S. Women’s Eagles Sevens at the HSBC Sydney (Australia) Sevens tournament and scored five tries in three matches and is a full-time resident at the U.S. rugby base in Chula Vista, Calif., despite having not even picked up a rugby ball until one year ago this week. 
“I’d say this one tops it all,” Kirshe said this week about how playing for the U.S. stacks up to all that she has achieved in sports. “I think I said when we won the state title in soccer that it was a dream come true but I’m pretty sure putting on the USA rugby jersey topped that.
Continue reading about Kristi
https://hockomocksports.com/franklins-kristi-kirshe-finds-a-different-path-to-team-usa/

Former Franklin soccer, lacrosse and basketball standout Kristi Kirshe races for a U.S. try against China at the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Sydney, Australia. (Mike Lee/KLC Fotos)
Former Franklin soccer, lacrosse and basketball standout Kristi Kirshe races for a U.S. try against China at the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Sydney, Australia. (Mike Lee/KLC Fotos)

FHS girls hockey team tops Leominster

Via HockomockSportswe share the results of the FHS sports action on Saturday, Feb 16, 2019


Girls Basketball = Franklin, 50 vs. Braintree, 53 – Final
– The Panthers battled back in the final two minutes to close the gap after the Wamps had opened a 10-point lead but couldn’t get any closer than three points. Ali Brigham scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Erin Quaile added 11 points, including a three-pointer with 0.6 on the clock.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 5 @ Leominster, 3 – Final
– Cassi Ronan recorded three points while Amanda Lewandowski and Regan Paterson each had a pair of points in Franklin’s win on the road over Leominster. Ronan scored twice and had one assists, Lewandowski added two goals, Paterson had two helpers and Tina Pisano scored once for the Panthers. Katelyn Brown and Gianna Cameron each added an assist while Gianna Cornetta made 12 stops in the win.


For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-16-19/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

No delay in trash/recycling this week

There is no delay in trash/recycle schedule this week. Yes, Monday is President's Day - Town offices, and the Library are closed but the trash will be picked up as scheduled.


Get another copy of the Fall/Winter Solid Waste mailer
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_2019.pdf

"Holidays
Collection will be delayed one day if your collection day falls on or after one of these observed  holidays. Please note if an observed Holiday falls on a Sunday there will be NO DELAY in collection.
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day"

Franklin trash and recycle bins or totters
Franklin trash and recycle bins or totters

In the News: distillery hearing Feb 25; MA at forefront of national climate change forum

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

Distillery hearing Feb 25
"Depending on the outcome of a public hearing in a couple weeks, Franklin could have a new distillery in town. 
Local resident Patrick Downing, 51, and his wife, Beth, are looking to take over the space of the recently closed Incontro restaurant to create GlenPharmer Distillery. They’ll not only be serving food, but creating their own liquor from scratch. 
The couple plan to make gin, whiskey, vodka, rum and other drinks. 
The old mill building at 860 West Central St. may soon be home to the distillery and restaurant after a public hearing on Feb. 25. The hearing will take place at 7:30 p.m. during a Planning Board hearing in the Town Council Chambers at the Franklin Municipal Building."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190216/franklin-to-hear-distillery-proposal-on-feb-25


MA at forefront of national climate change forum
"As proposals for global warming legislation gain traction on a national level, several Massachusetts officials have emerged as key players in the conversation. 
Sen. Edward Markey has joined Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., in announcing the Green New Deal, a sweeping policy bill that aims to drastically reduce carbon emissions in multiple sectors of the economy while also creating clean energy jobs. 
Markey, who has made environmental issues a signature component of his career while representing Massachusetts in the U.S. House and Senate, called climate change “the most important issue facing this country” at recent a press conference in Washington. 
Larry Stoodt, a member of the legislative team of the MetroWest node of 350 Massachusetts for a Better Future, a climate activist group, said a Green New Deal in Massachusetts is still in the development phase. But he commended Framingham’s three state reps - Maria Robinson, Jack Lewis and Carmine Gentile - for endorsing bills the group asked them to co-sponsor."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190216/mass-at-forefront-of-national-climate-change-forum