Franklin residents have stepped up to create a choice for voters

The candidate listing has grown this week. There have been a total of 40 people who have stepped up to draw nomination papers. 5 subsequently withdrew their name leaving 35 candidates. 

23 of the candidates have returned their papers and 20 of those have had their signatures certified to be on the ballot Nov 5. 

The remaining 12 candidates need to turn in their papers by Tuesday, Sep 17 and have the Town Clerk certify the signatures. 

Franklin voters will have a choice for most positions up for election.

COMMITTEE/BOARD/POSITION OPENINGS	Candidates	Positions
BOARD OF ASSESSORS - 2 SEATS  (4Yr.Term)	2	2
BOARD OF HEALTH -2 SEATS  (4 Yr.Term)	3	2
CONSTABLE - 3 OPENING       (4Yr.Term)	4	3
PLANNING BOARD - 3 SEATS   (4Yr.Term)	3	3
SCHOOL COMMITTEE - 7 SEATS   (2Yr.Term)	11	7
TOWN CLERK - 1 Position    (4Yr.Term)	1	1
TOWN COUNCIL  - 9 SEATS      (2Yr.Term)	11	9
Totals	35	27

The last day to return papers is Tuesday, Sep 17.

The listing of the 35 candidates who have taken out papers to run for the open positions on the Franklin Biennial Election is provided via Town Clerk, Teresa Burr. 20 of the candidates have had their papers certified to confirm their ballot entry.

The listing will be updated weekly to provide the 'scorecard' of who's taken papers, who's turned them in, etc.

Download your copy from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x3icT0ng70NyfDFIGTT1yyUHH5u63JdU/view?usp=sharing

All precincts vote on Nov 5, 2019 in one location, Franklin High School

Franklin TURKEY TROT Registration Open

Franklin Turkey Trot Registration is OPEN! 

Please visit www.franklinturkeytrot.org for race information and registration.

Free t-shirts will be given to the first 150 participants to REGISTER online. After the free shirts are gone, shirts will be available for purchase for $10 until November 1st.

If you have any questions, please email franklinturkeytrot@gmail.com.

See you at the race!

Franklin TURKEY TROT Registration Open

Franklin Cultural District Partners Meeting - Agenda - Sep 18

Hello Franklin Cultural District Partners,

The September Franklin Cultural District Partners meeting will be next Wednesday, September 18th at the studio of Franklin Cable TV and Radio. 

Meeting details are as follows:

Franklin Cultural District Partners Meeting
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 = 7:00 PM
Franklin Cable TV and Radio Station, 23 Hutchinson Street, Franklin


There is on site parking and the building has universal access.
Below you will find the agenda for this meeting.

We hope to see all Franklin Cultural District Partners at the meeting next week.

Best regards,
Nancy Schoen

____________________

Nancy Schoen
Chair, Franklin Cultural District Committee
nschoenfranklinculture@gmail.com
https://www.franklinculture.org/


Download your copy of the agenda here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczbWRuVE9nV3A1S3QwOUFNRXBXTm9nejVJN193/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Cultural District Partners Meeting Agenda - Sep 18

FHS boys soccer top Canton 3-0

Via HockomockSports.com we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Friday, Sep 13, 2019

Boys Soccer = Canton, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final
– Franklin opened the scoring less than 10 minutes into the contest and added two goals in a 10-minute span in the second half to knock off visiting Canton. Lucas Moura put the Panthers ahead on an assist from Ben Moccia in the 7th minute. Trevor O’Neill doubled the lead for the hosts in the 54th minute on an assist from Jacob Cummings. Junior Ethan Cain capped the scoring five minutes later with a goal in the 59th minute.


For the other results around the Hockomock League on Friday
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-09-13-19/

FHS boys soccer top Canton 3-0

Funding Approved for SNETT Tunnel in Franklin

Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham), and Representative Mike Soter CR-Bellingham) are pleased to announce that funding for the Prospect Street tunnel along the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) has been approved this week and the project will go out to bid in the fall. A total of $1.3 million, over two fiscal years, will be funded from the Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) Trails Capitol Project.

"The Southern New England Trunk.line Trail serves as an important corridor that offers exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities while also connecting communities together throughout the region," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. "The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to provide essential funding for the rail trait's Prospect Street tunnel project, which will be managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and appreciates the dedication and hard work of the Town of Franklin's legislative delegation."

SNETT trailhead on Grove St

Franklin's legislative delegation has been actively working on this funding since 2014 in order to expand the connectivity of this trail and connect it to the rest of the SNETT. The SNETT, one of the longest trails in Massachusetts, travels 22 miles from Grove Street in Franklin all the way to the Douglas State Forest. The trail is popular to bicyclists, cross-country skiers, equestrians, and hikers and connects with other trail lines, reaching as far as Worcester, MA, Providence, RI and Palmer, MA.

"Well-maintained, accessible recreational trails have a significant positive impact on quality of life across the state," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "This funding will make significant improvements to the connectivity and accessibility of SNETT, encouraging people to get outdoors, be active and connect with the region."

"As an avid bike rider, this project has always been near and dear to my heart," said Rep. Roy. "I have been advocating for the SNETT because it not offers great recreational potential as a multi-use trail and brings communities together. It also gives life to abandoned railways and provides communities a way to offer open space to its residents. I am thrilled to see that the Governor and DCR are supporting this project and look forward to seeing more residents on the trail."

An impediment at Prospect Street emphasizes the need for a tunnel. At that point one mile into the trail there is steep terrain causing users to leave the trail, trespass on private property, and traverse a steep incline to get to the other side. Many years ago, the old railroad tracks right-of­ way ran under a bridge at Prospect Street. But the bridge was eliminated, and the railroad right­ of-way was filled in, creating this major obstacle.

In 2013, then DCR Commissioner Jack Murray visited the site with members of the Legislature, engineers, Franklin town officials, rail trail committee members, and conservationists to discuss options. And in 2016, Matthew Beaton, the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, rode the trail with Rep. Roy (D-Franklin), local officials, and committee members to see firsthand whether a tunnel fit in with the Governor's priorities.

bikers on the SNETT

Rep. Soter (D-Bellingham) stated, "I'm thrilled to see this project finally move towards reality. This has been in the works for years now and I cannot express enough how happy I am to see this project through as the State Representative of the 8th Worcester District. The Southern New England Trunkline Trail is an outstanding project that promotes environmental stewardship and healthy living for the residents of Bellingham and the surrounding communities."

Senator Becca Rausch (D- Needham) said, "One of the best parts of our pocket of the Commonwealth is its natural beauty. This project not only improves lives in our area by fixing a problem spot for accessibility, but also serves as a draw to others to come visit our region. I'm so proud to support the tremendous work of my colleagues at the state and local levels who have brought this trail to reality."

"I want to thank our state legislative delegation and the Franklin-Bellingham Rail Trail Committee for all of their tireless work to get these resources to provide better access to the SNETI trail," said Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. "On behalf of our entire staff and the Franklin DPW, we have been honored to work on this exciting project. There is no question this is a very big deal and we are committed to continuing to work on expansion of the SNETT in the future."

"The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is proud to be the community advocate for the SNETT and the funding of the Prospect Street tunnel project," said Marc Kaplan, FBRTC president. "The tunnel project solves a major impasse on the SNETT and creates a seamless connection between the towns of Franklin and Bellingham. The completed project helps realize our mission of making a universally accessible trail for all ages and abilities and will improve the quality of life for residents. We would like to thank Representatives Roy and Soter and Senators Spilka and Rausch, as well as Franklin and Bellingham Town administrators for their leadership to secure funding for this important project, and the OCR for their tireless work and direct assistance in developing the SNETT rail trail."

The project will go out to bid in November 2019 and the project should be complete by the summer of 2020.

Franklin Democratic Town Committee Votes To Endorse The Green New Deal

The Franklin Democratic Town Committee approved a motion to endorse The Road To The Green New Deal at their September 9 monthly meeting voicing their support of the principles of the Green New Deal, which include:a rapid decarbonization of the economy and government investment in green jobs and infrastructure.

The Committee has been working hard to promote awareness among Franklin voters of the impact of the Climate Crisis on our environment and citizen's health. The Committee has six active sub-committees, including a Forum Committee chaired by Richard Halpern that chose as its first activity to cosponsor a climate crisis forum: "Franklin 2050:The Climate Crisis." 

The Climate Crisis forum will be held October 17 from 7 - 9:00 pm at the Elks Lodge,1077 Pond Street. Speakers will include Marjorie Decker, State Representative, 25th Middlesex District, FDTC member Ted McIntyre, PhD, Board Member, Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN), and Carolyn Barthel from 350 Mass for a Better Future, Carolyn Barthel, Coordinator and Steering Team, 350 Massachusetts For A Better Future.

"Franklin 2050:The Climate Crisis" is free, but seating is limited. Registration is recommended. Pre-registration is available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franklin-2050-the-climate-crisis-tickets-65325208457

Franklin 2050:The Climate Crisis

Reminder: Franklin Line train replaced by bus shuttle to Readville for weekend

Weekends, Sept 7- Nov 24, Franklin Train service is replaced by free buses between Forge Park/495 and Readville for a Fairmount Line connection while PTC is installed. There will be no service at Back Bay, Ruggles, Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot.

Please visit https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork for more details about bus shuttle schedules. Visit MBTA.com/PTC for more information on how this project will improve commuter rail safety and travel.

There will be no Franklin line service at Back Bay and Ruggles stations on weekends. Please travel to South Station to reach a Franklin Line station. If you are traveling inbound, please board a Worcester/Framingham line Train for direct connection to Back Bay or a Providence/Stoughton line Train for a direct connection to Back Bay or Ruggles.

We also recommend the subway: board the Red Line at South Station and transfer to the Orange Line at Downtown Crossing to reach Back Bay or Ruggles.

Due to proximity of adjacent stations, bus shuttles will not serve Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot stations:
-Endicott station customers, please use Readville or Dedham Corp stations.
-Islington station customers, please use Dedham Corp station.
-Norwood Depot customers, please use Norwood Central or Dedham Corp station.

8:40pm and 10:40pm departures from Forge Park as well as 11:20pm departure from South Station will be accommodated by a bus for the entire trip between South Station and Forge Park (including the portion between South Station and Readville).

Additional weekends may be added to the train service suspension between Forge Park/495 and Readville as work progresses on the Franklin line.

Thank you for your patience while we improve the signal system on your Commuter Rail line.

For more information: https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork


Last Updated: Sep 06 2019 11:40 AM 

Reminder: Franklin Line train replaced by bus shuttle to Readville for weekend