Friday, November 1, 2019

In the News: 2020 Census takers being recruited

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Every 10 years, each resident in the United States is counted by the Census Bureau to determine how many seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and how federal funds will be spent on local communities. Next week in Milford, the Census is seeking U.S. citizens to help count, offering a pay rate above Massachusetts’ minimum wage.

On Tuesday, the Bureau will recruit 2020 census-takers during a job fair at the Milford Town Library’s Quarry Room from 7-8:30 p.m. The minimum pay rate for the temporary position in Worcester County is $18 per hour, according to the Census, which is $6 higher than the state’s $12 minimum wage. Census takers also receive reimbursement for work-related mileage and expenses."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191031/2020-census-takers-being-recruited-in-milford-next-week

For more info about jobs working on the Census in 2020
https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html
 
 
For more info about jobs working on the Census in 2020
For more info about jobs working on the Census in 2020

November 2019 Franklin Public Library News & Events for Adults

November 2019 Franklin Public Library 

News and Events for Adults

Proctoring Services
The Franklin Public Library will now be offering proctoring services to its patrons. Proctoring will be free of charge, and by appointment only. See Library Director Felicia Oti or Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala for more information.

Technology Assistance
Need help downloading ebooks to your Kindle? Trouble downloading the Libby or Minuteman apps? Curious about hoopla, Kanopy, or the many databases available to Franklin residents? Stop by or make an appointment during Tech Time now available on Thursdays 2:00-3:00 p.m. Can't make that time? Don't worry, technology assistance is always available at the Reference Desk. Please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala or Reference Librarian Vicki Earls for more information.

New Pass Available
The Library has a new pass available for residents to enjoy! The Winter Skate at Patriot Place pass allows up to two adults and two children free admission to the outdoor professionally-maintained and easily-accessible ice skating rink. Winter Skate is available November through March.

November Hours
The Library will be closed Monday, November 11 for Veteran's Day, and Thursday, November 28 for Thanksgiving Day. The Library will be closing at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27. The Library's regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Foreign Film Night, Tuesday, November 5, 6:30 p.m.
Breathless. French (1961)
Filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard burst onto the film scene in 1960 with this jazzy, free-form, and sexy homage to the American film genres that inspired him as a writer for Cahiers du cinema. With its lack of polish, surplus of attitude, anything-goes crime narrative, and effervescent young stars Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg, Breathless helped launch the French New Wave and ensured that cinema would never be the same.

Jeff Belanger: Ghosts & Legends, Wednesday, November 6, 7:00 p.m.
For over 20 years, Jeff Belanger has been exploring the unexplained. He's one of New England's premiere storytellers who seeks out history, folklore, ghosts, monsters, and legends from all over the world and in your backyard. With all new stories for 2019, "Ghosts and Legends" presents highlights from his own adventures, his research from his books, podcast, and the television programs he's worked on, plus great stories of the unusual and the haunted. Belanger's program will delve into the reasons behind the legends.

ABOUT JEFF BELANGER
Jeff Belanger (www.jeffbelanger.com) is one of the most visible and prolific researchers of folklore and legends today. He's the award-winning, Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer of the New England Legends series on PBS and Amazon Prime, and is the author of over a dozen books on the paranormal (published in six languages). He also hosts the New England Legends weekly podcast. 

Since 1997, the journalist has interviewed thousands of eyewitnesses to paranormal occurrences. He's the ultimate insider and knows how to connect with people from all walks of life when it comes to the unexplained.

His books include the best sellers: The World's Most Haunted Places, Weird Massachusetts, Our Haunted Lives, and Who's Haunting the White House? (for children). He's the founder of Ghostvillage.com, the Web's most popular paranormal destination according to Google, and a noted speaker and media personality. He's spoken at MENSA's national conference and has given a prestigious TEDx talk in New York City.

Belanger has written for newspapers like The Boston Globe and USA Today, and has served as the writer and researcher on numerous television series including Ghost Adventures, Paranormal Challenge, and Aftershocks on the Travel Channel, and Amish Haunting on Destination America. He's been a guest on hundreds of radio and television programs including: The History Channel, The Travel Channel, Biography Channel, Reelz, PBS, NECN, Living TV (UK), Sunrise 7 (Australia), Bell (Canada), The Maury Show, The CBS News Early Show, CBS Sunday Morning, FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates, National Public Radio, The BBC, Darkness Radio, Australian Radio Network, and Coast to Coast AM.

Interview Preparation Part 3, Tuesday, November 12, 6:30 p.m.
Led by Employment Specialist Gary Gekow, this is an interactive and informal question and answer session where participants role-play typical interview questions and how best to answer them. The seminar also includes ways to avoid job candidates' most common interview mistakes. This program is 
free and open to the public.

Documentary Film Night, Tuesday, November 19, 6:30 p.m.
Higher Education: The New Global Economic War (2016)
There were 13 million university students in 1960. In 2015, their ranks had swollen to nearly 200 million. Universities are operating in the world's most competitive knowledge economy and they are waging a ferocious battle to attract the brightest minds from around the globe.
HIGHER EDUCATION delves into the key, decision-making seats where money and politics intermingle, and reveals the deep cultural divide between a lucrative Anglo-Saxon model of funding and the universal independent European model. We also document the emergence of a new class of over-educated and over-indebted workers.
Who really benefits from this heightened competition? Just how much debt should students take on? What is the real price for our societies? Is higher education set to be a big market?

Self Care Series, Wednesdays, November 13 & 20, 6:30 p.m.
Professional Life Coach Bethany Amatucci will lead a Self Care Series to help you on the journey to living your best life! These classes are free and open to the public. No registration is required.
Goal Setting Workshop, Wednesday, November 13, 6:30 p.m.
During this hour long workshop you will understand how to set goals and dream BIG! You will learn healthy habits for staying on track with your goals and ways to become relentlessly focused on achieving your dreams. 
Purpose-Driven Life Workshop, Wednesday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.
Here we will discover your unique superpower and work together to uncover your "why". This will get you prepared to finish the year strong and motivated!

Franklin Public Library Book Club, Tuesday, November 26, 7:00 p.m.
The book for discussion is There, There by Tommy Orange. A limited number of copies of the book will be available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at kshipala@minlib.net .

Al Testa Renaissance V Brass Quintet Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 1, 2:00 p.m.

Get in the holiday spirit with Al Testa's Renaissance V Brass Quintet! They will play a selection of holiday favorites for all to enjoy. This performance is free and open to the public.

Knitting Group
Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Love to knit or crochet? Join our group of local fiber artists who will be meeting in the Friends of the Franklin Community Room on Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, December 13, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday, December 14, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, December 14, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!


November 2019 Franklin Public Library News & Events for Adults
November 2019 Franklin Public Library News & Events for Adults

Thursday, October 31, 2019

What does the Town of Franklin ballot for Nov 5, 2019 look like?

Now that the candidate interviews are posted, we can shift our election preparations to other items in and around the election day itself. If you are not sure of being able to get to the high school, consider voting via absentee ballot.


1 - Absentee ballot

Absentee voting is now available. 

"In order to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot in Massachusetts, a voter must be prevented from voting at their polling place on Election Day, due to:

For those who travel out of Franklin on election day for work (i.e. train to Boston, car to RI or NH), you can vote now or anytime before noon Nov 4 via absentee ballot.

You can visit the Town Clerk's office to vote (similar to the early election voting trialed in 2016).


2 - Town of Franklin specimen ballot - Nov 5, 2019


You can view the specimen ballot here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iKavOeEpF0dPz3QafLyzGoCJUojSo38_/view?usp=sharing

or on the Town Clerk page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/specimen_ballot.pdf



Find the election and candidate information gathered in one place on the Election Collection
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 

What does the Town of Franklin ballot for Nov 5, 2019 look like?
What does the Town of Franklin ballot for Nov 5, 2019 look like?

Sculpture Park - decorated for Halloween

Catching up to share all the photos I captured on the walk through the Sculpture Park Saturday afternoon after the Franklin Police Dept did their Halloween Party.

SculpturePark-Oct2019


Or view the photos directly on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/albums/72157711578274067

Town Council - Recap - Oct 16, 2019

As this was the last meeting for the current Town Council for this term of office, the agenda was juggled around during the meeting to allow Councilor Padula to arrive and participate in a key part of the discussion. 

The key items were around the changes to the current FY 2020 budget. Since the initial approval in June, the State got around to passing their budget which finalized the State aid numbers and in most cases added more to the conservative approach taken.

The Town also got a better read on the New Growth number and decided to take the 'windfall' of approx $900K and put it aside to the Open Space account. This does two things. One increases the open space account approx. $2.1M. This will also allow for some flexibility with the $900K in the FY 2021 budget.

The first serious discussion arose around the additions to the School Budget. The Town Administrator, Finance Committee, and School Committee approved additions finally did pass the Town Council by an 8-0 vote (Padula not present at this time).

The second serious discussion occurred with respect to the proposed assistant Facilities Director. The motion to pass was amended to remove the $110K position, and put the $110K to roads. The motion passed to amend by a 5-4 vote (Yes = Kelly, Dellorco, Pellegri, Jones, McCarthy-Earls; No = Padula, Casey, Hamblen, Mercer).

The final motions to approved the adjusted budget both passed by 9-0 votes

Note: the order of the votes is better followed with my notes or the Franklin TV recording. The "Actions Taken" document records the actual votes correctly but they did not change the sequence of the resolutions as they changed during that night.

In the Town Administrator's Report, I had previously taken out the comments on the old turf stored at Beaver St and shared that audio excerpt.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/town-administrators-statement-on-old.html

Town Council Actions Taken for October 16, 2019
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/town-council-actions-taken-october-16-2019 

Live reporting: Town Administrator's report to Closing
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/live-reporting-town-adminsitrators.html

Live reporting: Legislation for Action
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

Live reporting: Town Council October 16, 2019
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/live-reporting-town-council-october-16.html

Town Council - Recap - Oct 16, 2019
Town Council - Recap - Oct 16, 2019

Town Council recap - Oct 2, 2019

catching up to this: (I missed attending the meeting)

The Town Council meeting held on Oct 2, 2019 had this as the published agenda document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/tc_agenda_10-2-19_redacted.pdf

The actions taken document can be found here
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_council_actions_taken_for_october_2_2019.pdf

The video from Franklin TV can be played on demand
https://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=686

Town Council recap - Oct 2, 2019
Town Council recap - Oct 2, 2019

In the News: Wenger's Farm closing; Twitter bans political ads; Rail Trail expands in Ashland

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

Wenger's Farm closing
"A family-owned farm and farmers market is closing after more than 26 years in business and is leasing out its properties – including the family house – while family members embark on a series of mission trips.

“I can’t say for sure whether or not it’s the end of an era at Wenger’s Farm or not,” said the Wengers’ Realtor, Brian Garvey of Keller Williams Realty/NH. The owner, Omar Wenger, purchased the property at 1048 South Main St. in 2011 and “ideally, he’d like it to be used as it is now.”

The farm will close on Saturday and has been offering closeout sales, according to a laminated sign posted outside the Wengers’ community country store. The family is leasing both its store and lower level space on-site, along with the family home next door at 1040 South Main St., according to listings published earlier this month on the New England Commercial Property Exchange (NECPE).

“God has been faithful in giving seed time and bountiful harvests,” reads the sign posted outside the door, with owners Omar and Barbara Wenger thanking their “faithful customers.” “Regretfully, this is our last season for operating Wenger’s Farm Store. We have consented to go to a mission in Africa beginning 2020.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191030/wengers-farm-in-bellingham-closing-leasing-properties


Twitter bans political ads
"Twitter is banning all political advertising from its service, saying social media companies give advertisers an unfair advantage in proliferating highly targeted, misleading messages.

“While internet advertising is incredibly powerful and very effective for commercial advertisers, that power brings significant risks to politics, where it can be used to influence votes to affect the lives of millions,” Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted Wednesday in a series of tweets announcing the new policy.

Facebook has taken fire since it disclosed earlier in October that it will not fact-check ads by politicians or their campaigns, which could allow them to lie freely. CEO Mark Zuckerberg told Congress last week that politicians have the right to free speech on Facebook."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191030/twitter-bans-all-political-advertisements

Rail Trail expands in Ashland
"Cyndi Sumner took a different route than usual to walk her chocolate Labradoodle on Monday afternoon.

While she usually goes to Ashland State Park, Sumner was intrigued by a new bridge spanning Mill Pond. With her home just a short walk away on Raymond Marchetti Street, she decided to explore the bridge instead of driving to the state park.

The only problem was that the Mill Pond entrance was blocked off for construction. Luckily, Sumner was able to find an alternative way there by walking through the Riverwalk Trail, a wooded pathway less than a mile long that runs alongside the Sudbury River and the north side of Mill Pond.

“I didn’t even know this path was here,” Sumner told the Daily News after trekking through the short trail."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191030/work-advances-on-ashlands-riverwalk-trail