Saturday, December 21, 2019

Franklin Public Schools: Central Offices will be closed on 12/24/19; 12/25/19; 12/31/19 & 1/1/20

"FPS Central Offices will be closed on 12/24/19; 12/25/19; 12/31/19 and  1/1/20. 

We will be open from 7:30-4 PM on other days during school vacation."


From all of us at FHS, we wish you and your families a warm and relaxing winter break!!
From all of us at FHS, we wish you and your families a warm and relaxing winter break!!







Reminder: shuttle buses replace Franklin Line train service on weekends

Friendly reminder: 
"Shuttle buses will replace Franklin Line service between Forge Park/495 and Readville Stations while we upgrade the signal system as part of Positive Train Control (PTC) work.
Also during this work, connecting train service between Readville and South Station will be on the Fairmount Line.
There will be no Franklin Line service at Ruggles or Back Bay."

Learn about Positive Train Control
https://www.mbta.com/projects/commuter-rail-positive-train-control-ptc?

See all Franklin Line service changes
https://www.mbta.com/diversions/franklin-line


Reminder: Franklin Line replaced by shuttle buses this weekend
Reminder: Franklin Line replaced by shuttle buses this weekend

MBTA: Wednesday Christmas - Commuter Rail to operate on normal Sunday schedule

The Commuter Rail will operate on a normal Sunday schedule on Christmas Day, Wednesday December 25.

There will be no diversions on the Rockport/Newburyport, Lowell, Fitchburg or Franklin Line.

There will be no diversions on the Rockport/Newburyport, Lowell, Fitchburg or Franklin Line.

On December 28 and 29, all lines will also operate on a normal weekend train schedule, including lines mentioned above.

Affected routes:
  • Newburyport/Rockport Line
  • Haverhill Line
  • Lowell Line
  • Fitchburg Line
  • Framingham/Worcester Line
  • Needham Line
  • Franklin Line
  • Fairmount Line
  • Providence/Stoughton Line
  • Middleborough/Lakeville Line
  • Kingston/Plymouth Line
  • Greenbush Line

Last Updated: Dec 19 2019 11:59 AM 

MBTA: Wednesday Christmas - Commuter Rail to operate on normal Sunday schedule
MBTA: Wednesday Christmas - Commuter Rail to operate on normal Sunday schedule

Friday, December 20, 2019

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Dec 20 to THU - Dec 26

Friday, December 20
10:00am
 Knitting Group
10:30am
 Happy Feet!
3:30pm
 Chess Club for Kids
7:30pm
 Christopher Rice's The Tappy Christmas Special: LIVE!
Saturday, December 21
10:00am
 Winter Farmers Market
10:00am
 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)
10:30am
 Pancakes and Pajamas!
2:00pm
 Christopher Rice's The Tappy Christmas Special: LIVE!
7:30pm
 Christopher Rice's The Tappy Christmas Special: LIVE!
Sunday, December 22
1:00pm
 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
2:00pm
 Christopher Rice's The Tappy Christmas Special: LIVE!
Monday, December 23
10:30am
 Move Along
3:30pm
 Christmas Wrap Party!
3:30pm
 D&D for Kids
7:00pm
 Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, December 24
 Christmas Eve
2:00pm
 Library Closing
Wednesday, December 25
 Library Closed
 Christmas Day
6:30pm
 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Thursday, December 26
9:30am
 Baby Tummy Time
11:00am
 Mobile Mini-Golf
4:00pm
 Bookworm Bounce Storytime!

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

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

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Dec 20 to THU - Dec 26
Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Dec 20 to THU - Dec 26

Franklin Community Arts Project - first workshops for children ages 10 - 14

Franklin Community Arts Project

The Town of Franklin is excited to share a new visual arts installation project, Franklin Community Arts. Our first workshops are scheduled in January!

Community Arts is a town-wide visual art installation project, with the goal of displaying collaborative visual projects throughout the Town of Franklin. These projects will be created by our community, art for us, by us. All ages will contribute to these projects over the course of the program, with different opportunities for involvement being made available for each creative piece.

These projects will be put on permanent display in our Town buildings and listed, along with a description of the artists and the story behind the final image, as part of the Community Arts Tour of Franklin.

The Process:
Each piece will be created during Community Arts Workshops offered at different locations and to different groups. Each piece will involve artistic contributions from 32 - 40 participants. The pieces will be two-dimensional paintings/mixed media pieces. Once combined, mounted and framed, the final image will result in a large scale piece, with the subject matter having a direct connection to Franklin and/or its location/artists. Since each piece is collaborative, the final image will be a surprise, even to the artists who work to create it! Each piece will be unveiled once installed and all artists and the community will be invited to the event.

The Purpose:
The long-term goal of Community Arts is to contribute to the culture of our Town by working together to celebrate the arts and what makes our community special and unique. We are engaging our community in the process and inviting them to join us in celebrating and beautifying our town.

A Franklin Community Arts Tour Guide (both online and by pamphlet) will be created to show our residents and town visitors where to find these pieces, as well as a description of each, the artists involved and the story behind the image. The Franklin Community Arts Project aims to create talking points, build excitement towards the next addition, foster community pride and engage visitors in our public facilities.

The first two workshops are for children ages 10 - 14. Additional age ranges will be the focus of future workshops.

February workshops coming soon!
https://franklinrecreation.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs

Step by step process for the website navigation:

Step by step process for the website navigation
Step by step process for the website navigation


https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/franklin-community-arts-project
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/franklin-community-arts-project

FHS boys hockey top Malden Catholic 3-2

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Thursday.


Boys Hockey = Franklin, 3 vs. Malden Catholic, 2 – Final
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-19-19/

Via Twitter https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports
  • Goals from Dylan Marchand, Conor O'Neil, and Tommy Tasker






FHS boys hockey top Malden Catholic 3-2
FHS boys hockey top Malden Catholic 3-2

Winter Farmers Market - Dec 21 - 10 AM to 2 PM

With the successful approval by the Town Council on Wednesday night, La Cantina Winery will be sharing some wine samples and selling their wine at the Winter Farmers Market on Saturday at the Fairmount Fruit Farm.

Winter Farmers Market - Dec 21 - 10 AM to 2 PM
Winter Farmers Market - Dec 21 - 10 AM to 2 PM

Fairmount Fruit Farm = 887 Lincoln Street, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038

Follow the Facebook event  https://www.facebook.com/fairmountfruitfarm/

Franklin School Committee - Legislative Forum - Feb 4 - hold the date!

What: Franklin School Committee Legislative Forum

Where: Franklin High School Lecture Hall

When:  Feb 4, 2020, 6:30 PM


The current agenda doc can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/agendas/scagenda_2-4-20-legislative_forum.pdf

 
Franklin School Committee - Legislative Forum - Feb 4 - hold the date!
Franklin School Committee - Legislative Forum - Feb 4 - hold the date!

Franklin Line Meeting - PowerPoint

Thanks to Rep Jeff Roy for sending along the PowerPoint presentation itself to share:



The other documents were shared yesterday:
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/information-from-public-meeting-with.html


The documents and info shared from the meeting with MBTA and Keolis held on Tuesday, Dec 17 posted by Representative Jeff Roy on Facebook and shared here:

  • "As promised at last night's meeting, here is a link to the website on the Franklin line double-track project.  "
https://www.mbta.com/projects/franklin-line-double-track

Franklin line double-track project
Franklin line double-track project

  • "Here is a link to the MBTA Rail Vision website which will identifies cost-effective strategies to transform the existing Commuter Rail system into one that better supports improved mobility and economic competitiveness in Greater Boston."
https://www.mbta.com/projects/rail-vision

MBTA Rail Vision
MBTA Rail Vision


Ben Franklin caught in action (video)

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

"You’ve heard of the Grinch who stole Christmas, but what about the golden retriever?

On Wednesday, the Franklin Police Department’s 1-year-old therapy dog, Ben Franklin, was caught committing larceny on camera, “stealing” away toys reserved by the department for the Santa Foundation, a charity based in Franklin.

As the canine was feeling a little Grinchy, Officer Eric Cusson recorded Ben Franklin carrying a doll in a baby carrier in his mouth, his fluffy tail swaying back and forth as he zipped through the hallways of the Police Department to his hiding place."

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191219/in-house-grinch-almost-foils-franklin-police-charity-effort

The Facebook post includes the video of Ben in action:

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Photo walk Wednesday (Dec 18) morning

On my walk around Franklin Wednesday morning, the sun popped out from behind the clouds often enough to get some photos. I was not the only one out and about with a camera.


view of the downtown train station
view of the downtown train station

sidewalk shoveling quality varies around town
sidewalk shoveling quality varies around town

Photo walk Wednesday (Dec 18) morning
On the Town Common
More photos I found to share:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kyGNGfYmwLqb7Tm57

Information from Public Meeting with representatives from the MBTA and Keolis

The documents and info shared from the meeting with MBTA and Keolis held on Tuesday, Dec 17 posted by Representative Jeff Roy on Facebook and shared here:

  • "As promised at last night's meeting, here is a link to the website on the Franklin line double-track project.  "
https://www.mbta.com/projects/franklin-line-double-track

Franklin line double-track project
Franklin line double-track project


  • "Here is a link to the MBTA Rail Vision website which will identifies cost-effective strategies to transform the existing Commuter Rail system into one that better supports improved mobility and economic competitiveness in Greater Boston."
https://www.mbta.com/projects/rail-vision

MBTA Rail Vision
MBTA Rail Vision


  • "As promised at last night's meeting, below is a copy of the PowerPoint presentation."
https://www.facebook.com/events/749922378840955/permalink/761203401046186/


All these links can also be found on the Facebook event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/749922378840955/

FHS gymnastics, boys and girls swim, and boys and girls basketball teams all post wins on Wednesday

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Wednesday.

Boys Swimming = Franklin, 92 @ Oliver Ames, 67 – Final

Girls Swimming = Franklin, 80 @ Oliver Ames, 88 – Final

Girls Gymnastics = Franklin, 134.45 @ Canton, 112 – Final
– Franklin sophomore Elizabeth Schirduan took first in a pair of events while junior Lexi Lupien and sophomore Kate Rudolph each won one to help the Panthers open the season with a win. Schirduan scored an 8.85 to take first in the beam, and notched an 8.15 on the bars to for her second win of the net. Lupien shined on the vault, earning a 9.0 while Rudolph picked up a 9.1 on the floor.

Franklin results: Vault – Lexi Lupien, 9.0; Kate Rudolph, 8.8; Maddie McGuire, 8.7; Maia Keohane, 8.4 … Bars – Elizabeth Schirduran, 8.15; Kate Rudolph, 8.0; Emma Nelson, 7.9; Caroline Woelfel, 7.8 … Beam – Elizabeth Schirduan, 8.85; Kate Rudolph, 8.7; Ashley Hammann, 8.2; Emma Nelson, 8.15 … Floor – Katie Rudolph, 9.1; Caroline Woelfel, 8.6; Lizze Brown, 8.0; Lexi Lupien, 8.0.

Girls Basketball = King Philip, 50 @ Franklin, 80 – Final
– The Panthers dominated from the opening whistle, running out to a 17-0 lead and never allowing a shorthanded Warriors team to get close. Ali Brigham starred for the hosts, scoring a game-high 25 points, pulling down 18 rebounds, and dishing out five assists. Sophomore Olivia Quinn was unstoppable as well, adding 20 points and five rebounds. Meghan O’Connell added 11 points and Stefany Padula had nine in the win. Brianna James scored 14 points for KP and Emma Glaser chipped in with 10.

– for a Photo Gallery from this game 
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-King-Philip-Girls-Basketball-12-18-19/

Girls Hockey = King Philip, 2 @ Franklin, 1 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:
"Ken Assad has plenty of good memories inside on the ice inside of Pirelli Veterans Arena just next to the campus of Franklin High.

Now he can add his first career win as a high school hockey coach to that list.

A state champion as a player in 1983 and a state champion as an assistant coach in 2016 with the Franklin boys hockey team, Assad traded in his Panther baby blue for the King Philip green and gold this season, taking over the helm of the Warriors girls hockey program.

In the second game of the season, Assad guided the Warriors to a 2-1 win over the Panthers for his first career victory."
Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/shandley-coleman-king-philip-girls-hockey-skate-franklin/

– for a photo gallery of this game 
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-King-Philip-Girls-Hockey-12-18-19/

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 63 @ King Philip, 45 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:
After struggling against a tough Franklin defense for the first two quarters, the King Philip offense found its rhythm early in the second half.

The Warriors hit three of their first five shots from the floor after being limited to just five total field goals in the first half. And the visiting Panthers had three empty trips and a fourth end in a turnover. Suddenly, Franklin’s double-digit lead was down to just six at 29-23.

Panthers’ coach CJ Neely, who earned his 100th win with Franklin, quickly called a timeout and had a simple message for his squad.

“Just relax,” Neely said of the message. “We just went back to the basics [out of the timeout] and we wanted to get them on their heels.”

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-pull-away-kp-strong-defense/

– for a photo gallery of this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/King-Philip-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-12-18-19/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-18-19/

Franklin senior Chris Edgehill goes up for a shot in the second half against King Philip’s Alex Fritz. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin senior Chris Edgehill goes up for a shot in the second half against King Philip’s Alex Fritz. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Franklin School Committee - Student Services Workshop - Jan 28, 2020

Franklin School Committee 
Student Services Workshop
Municipal Building 
3rd floor Training Room
6:00 PM



Agenda Document:
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/agendas/scagenda_1-28-20-studsvcwkshop.pdf

Franklin School Committee - Student Services Workshop - Jan 28, 2020
Franklin School Committee - Student Services Workshop - Jan 28, 2020

MBTA - Commuter Rail: Franklin Line - weekend shuttle service extended to March 2020

Weekends, through March, 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.

Normal train service will operate on December 28-29.

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

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. Passengers may experience delays of up to 30 minutes as a result of shuttle bus connections.

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 travelling 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).

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: Dec 18 2019 10:02 AM 

MBTA - Commuter Rail: Franklin Line - weekend shuttle service extended to March 2020
MBTA - Commuter Rail: Franklin Line - weekend shuttle service extended to March 2020