"To do what she did for me was a very special"

Via the Franklin Food Pantry and Channel 5's series "5 for Good"

"At a recent visit to Mint Dental in Franklin, Jeff Bowditch expressed his deep gratitude to dentist, Dr. Olga Krikunenko. 

"I can't thank you enough for everything you've done," Bowditch said.

It wasn't that long ago that the Army veteran spent most of his time trying to hide his teeth. Old crowns had fallen off, leaving old injuries exposed. 

"He was getting some care at the VA at some point, but he stopped being able to get there," Kirkunenko said."

Continue reading the article online and watch this video clip at
https://www.wcvb.com/article/5-for-good-franklin-dentist-returns-smile-to-bellingham-veteran/31134135

"To do what she did for me was a very special"

For more about the Franklin Food Pantry, visit them online
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

For more about Mint Dental, visit them online  https://www.dentistfranklinma.com/
or visit their YouTube channel 
 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClqU9OVT5jsVnXsU39Z6NKw/featured

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 4, 2020

Agenda for Meeting Date March 4, 2020

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. February 5, 2020

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
a. Boston Post Cane Award

5. APPOINTMENTS
- None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS 
- None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
A. Municipal Aggregation
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8a._municipal_aggregation.pdf

B. FY21 Budget Update
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8b._fy21_budget_update.pdf

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Capital Budget Subcommittee

B. Budget Subcommittee

C. Economic Development Subcommittee

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-14: The Town of Franklin Civil Discourse Pledge (Motion to approve Resolution 20-14 - Majority Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-15: Appropriation of Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per M.G.L Ch.44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-15 - Majority Vote)

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-853: Zoning Map Changes on or Near Pleasant, Chestnut, and Brook Streets - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-853 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-Law Amendment 20-849: Changes to Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System Use Regulations, And Use Regulations Schedule Updates- Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-849 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-850: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets- Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-850 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-851: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Oak Street and Dailey Drive - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-851 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Collective Bargaining

I request a motion that the Board vote to convene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Board.

15. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION: LEGISLATION FOR ACTION, CONTINUED

a. Resolution 20-16: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the AFSCME Local 1298, Council 93, Public Facilities Maintenance Employees and the Town of Franklin (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-16 - Majority Vote)

ADJOURN


The agenda and associated documents can be found at the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-4-town-council-meeting

The agenda can also be found in a single PDF file
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-03-04_town_council_meeting_packet_final_0.pdf

Note:

• Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
• Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Franklin Public Library entrance at night

FHS boys hockey team posts win vs #2 Natick to advance to semi-finals on Weds Mar 4

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap for the FHS boys hockey win over Natick 3-1

"The Franklin boys hockey team might have had a little luck on its first goal, but the second two tallies were certainly earned. 

After #2 Natick tied the game early in the third period and stole momentum, the 10th-seeded Panthers battled back to strike twice in the last five minutes to earn a 3-1 upset over the Redhawks. 

With a little help from a deflection, Franklin picked up a 1-0 lead in the first period and it lasted until the third. Natick lit the lamp just over a minute into the final period to take control of the game but the Panthers weathered the wave on momentum. 

Instead of the Redhawks capitalizing, the Panthers went back ahead with just under five minutes to play and added an insurance goal with just over a minute to go to secure the win. 

“They kept their composure, we knew [Natick] was going to come out with everything they have,” said first-year Franklin head coach Anthony Sarno. “They are a physical team, a strong team, and they weren’t going to give up…they weren’t seeded No. 2 for nothing. We fought through the adversity, we kept our composure, and we believed in each other and we played for each other. I couldn’t be more proud of them, I couldn’t be more happy for them…this group has earned it from day one.”

Continue reading the game recap online
https://hockomocksports.com/late-goals-lift-franklin-boys-hockey-upset-win-over-natick/

For a photo gallery from this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-Natick-Boys-Hockey-02-29-20/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-29-20/

Franklin’s Colin Hedvig (left) celebrates with Conor O’Neil after the latter scored a late insurance goal against Natick. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

The MIAA D1 South boys hockey bracket can be found online
http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=5494

The MIAA D1 South boys hockey bracket updated as of 2/29/20

Franklin Public Schools: Social Awareness Newsletter

Good Afternoon

Please see the attached Social Awareness Newsletter.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ffOjAxm7szxLVfmnpk8zAPz1B3Yf7zT5/view?usp=sharing


Thank you,
Franklin Public Schools


You can also find this and other Social Emotional Learning resources online at
https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/sel/home

Franklin Public Schools: Social Awareness Newsletter

Senator Rausch State House Briefing: Part 1, Chapter 10

"Greetings from Beacon Hill!

Earlier this month, a unanimous Senate passed a bipartisan bill to increase access to mental health services and reduce stigma about mental health and mental illnesses. It was a tough day, but a critically important one. It wasn’t tough because of the vote -- health care absolutely should be comprehensive health care that includes parity for behavioral health, and we all know it isn’t right now -- but rather it was tough because so many of us in the Senate raised real life experiences that are hard to talk about. But that’s the whole point. If we don’t talk about it, we don’t break the silence, and we don’t get any closer to breaking the stigma.

In a speech on the Senate floor, I broke the silence on postpartum depression, also known as PPD, including the fact that PPD can happen after a miscarriage. Miscarriage in particular is a very real thing that impacts so many people trying to become parents, and almost no one talks about it. PPD and miscarriage care are part and parcel of reproductive justice, a framework that seeks to advance real autonomy for people to determine for themselves whether, when, and how to parent. I’ve been fighting for reproductive justice since long before I was elected to the Senate, and I’ve brought that advocacy to Beacon Hill with fervor. I’m proud of the successes already achieved, including advancing legislation to license certified professional midwives, require accessible diaper changing stations for caregivers of all genders, and streamlining the co-parent adoption process that disproportionately impacts same-sex couples. And I’m giving voice to issues of reproductive justice that have gone unheard or never previously been raised."

Continue reading Senator Rausch's newsletter online
https://mailchi.mp/e8b25f04ea1e/senator-rausch-state-house-briefing-2019-year-in-review-12215934

Where's Becca?

“It’s the ‘Cheers’ of Franklin”

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

"After serving up beer, mixed drinks and dart competitions for 37 years, the Uptown Pub will close at the end of March. 

The decision comes not from the pub owner, but from the building’s landlord, said Hawk Beksha, who works at the pub owned by his father, Ed Beksha. Earlier this year, the pub received a 90-day notice indicating that its lease wouldn’t be renewed. 

“It’s kind of frustrating,” said Beksha, whose father has owned the pub since the early ’80s. A Franklin resident, Beksha has been working at his family’s restaurant for 27 years. 

“To go anywhere else would be tough because of all the (liquor) laws,” he said. “But we have a liquor license, so we have options.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200229/franklins-uptown-pub-to-close-lease-not-renewed

MassBudget: How Does the 2020 Census Impact Federal Funding for Massachusetts?

More than $3 billion each year come to Massachusetts from the federal government directly based on census counts.These funds support education, health care, transportation, housing, and more in our communities. However, Massachusetts communities are at risk of an under count in the 2020 Census.

If we do not get a complete and accurate count of every single person living in the state, we are at risk of losing out on these critical resources. In our latest brief, Why the Count Counts: Federal Funding and the 2020 Census, we provide an in-depth look at several key federal funds vulnerable to a census under count. https://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Why-the-Count-Counts-2020.html

Key findings from the brief include:

• Young children are particularly vulnerable to being missed in the census. As many as 20,000 young children were missed in Massachusetts in the 2010 Census;
• Funding for Head Start, WIC, special education, Title I dollars for our local schools, are all directly affected by census population counts;
• If the Census 2020 counts are wrong, Massachusetts risks losing out on this funding for a full decade - essentially an entire childhood; and
• Low-income communities, immigrant communities, and communities of color have historically been under counted in the census.

To read the full Why the Count Counts brief, visit our website here. https://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Why-the-Count-Counts-2020.html

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.

MassBudget: How Does the 2020 Census Impact Federal Funding for Massachusetts?