Cancellations of note: 3/12/20

On the FHS sports (Track and Field, Cheerleaders, basketball all stars), MICCA music, Recreation fronts:

Tonight's MICCA showcase concert has been cancelled.

— Franklin Ed.org (@FranklinEdOrg) March 12, 2020

All Recreation activities for this Saturday, March 14 are canceled. This affects ALL Recreation basketball and track & field. There have been no decisions made about Spring sports at this time.

— Franklin Recreation (@FranklinRec) March 12, 2020

With a heavy heart we would like to share that our championship game has been cancelled & we are CO CHAMPIONS💙 Obviously this isn’t the outcome we had intended, but we are so grateful for our amazing teammates & coaching staff! With love, #1, #34, #22💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/WmL8B6IiB0

— Franklin Girls Basketball (@fhsgvbasketball) March 12, 2020

As of 3:30 today, no decision has been made by the MIAA regarding Saturday's Basketball State Final Game. We continue to ask for your patience. The MIAA is exploring all avenues before they finalize their decision. @fhsgvbasketball

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) March 12, 2020

I feel very badly for this team. #1 in league and #1 in regionals. We are so VERY proud of your accomplishments! #PantherPride @FHScheer_ https://t.co/he1X5PNQX6

— Tom Angelo (@Coach_Angelo) March 12, 2020

ICYMI: 7th Annual Charity Basketball Classic Canceled - https://t.co/Jrtl4izI3O #hockomock

— HockomockSports (@HockomockSports) March 12, 2020

With the cancellation of this weekend’s New Balance Nationals, the winter season finally comes to a close. Very sad for the natties-bound guys but congrats to everyone who found success this season. Thank you seniors🙌🏼

— FHS Boys XC+TF (@FHSPanthersTF) March 12, 2020

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal

Music4Kids fund raiser features Sugar Ray Norcia (and the Bluetones) with Monster Mike Welch - April 2

Sugar Ray Norcia (and the Bluetones)
Monster Mike Welch
Veronica Lewis
Nolan Leite

These musicians are coming to Wrentham! Come enjoy dinner, drinks and some awesome blues music! Proceeds of this event go to Franklin non-profit Music4Kids, helping us to provide musical instruments, lessons and special music education programs for disabled and disadvantaged children.

The Home for Little Waderers is highlighted as one of our ongoing projects that will be served by the proceeds of this event!

Auction and raffle items available for bidding. This is a great cause. Hope to see you there!

*This event is in open seating format with the exception of reserved tables.*

**If you would like to have one or more tables reserved, please contact Joshua Silver at 508-381-9052 after purchasing the desired number of tickets.**


Date And Time = Thu, April 2, 2020 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT

Location = Lake Pearl Ballroom, 299 Creek Street, Wrentham, MA 02093

Tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sugar-ray-the-bluetones-with-monster-mike-welch-charity-benefit-concert-for-music4kids-the-home-for-tickets-91562378539 

Music4Kids fund raiser features Sugar Ray Norcia (and the Bluetones) with Monster Mike Welch - April 2

You ask - we answer: When will the Dean Ave. apartments start renting?

Q - When will the Dean Ave. apartments start renting? Are any for low income? Will there be a safe walkway to train?

A - The website for LiveStation117.com doesn't provide a timeline for rental. https://www.station117apartments.com/

1 - In my walks by the location, exterior construction is still very much in progress. Perhaps before the end of the year? You can sign up for their "Interest List" to find out. 

The Fairfield Residential webpage shows this opening "Early 2020".
https://www.fairfieldresidential.com/new-developments/

2 - none of the units are designated for 'low income'

3 - There will be sidewalk along Dean Ave to Main St. As mentioned in the Facebook thread on this question, the Town and developer jointly are working to address the drainage at the Dean Ave corner with an EPA grant. Roadwork has been underway last year on the underground portion. Sidewalk and paving is scheduled for this year.

The website for LiveStation117.com

The Fairfield Residential webpage

 

March 2020 Online Learning courses start March 18

March 2020 Online Learning

Are you ready for a change? Would you like to learn something new? Here's a chance to explore new opportunities. New sessions begin March 18th OR many courses also have a self-paced option that you can start anytime.

• SAT/ACT Prep Series

Part I will give you all the information you need to do well on the verbal questions of the ACT and the new SAT.

Part 2 will give you all the information you need to do well on the math questions of the ACT and the new SAT.

• GRE Prep Series

Part 1 (Verbal) takes you through all the question types on the verbal reasoning, analytical writing sections, and both essay tasks.

Part 2 (Quantitative) features a math review as well as techniques for tackling the quantitative comparison, data interpretation, and standard math questions that make up the quantitative reasoning sections.

• Prepare for GED Test

This course will help you analyze your strengths and weaknesses as well as give you the basics of what you need to know to succeed on the four GED® test modules: Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematical Reasoning.

Register online at https://www.franklinlifelonglearning.com/community_learning/index.php

March 2020 Online Learning courses start March 18

In the News: NBA suspends season, Trump bans European travel as coronavirus steps

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

"The NBA has suspended its season “until further notice” after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league’s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.

Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team confirmed the presumptive positive test.

“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the league said in a statement sent shortly after 9:30 p.m. Eastern. “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200311/nba-suspends-season-until-further-notice-over-coronavirus

"President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is suspending all travel between the U.S. and Europe for 30 days beginning Friday as he seeks to combat a viral pandemic.

Trump made the announcement in an Oval Office address to the nation, blaming the European Union for not acting quickly enough to address the “foreign virus” and saying U.S. clusters were “seeded” by European travelers.

“We made a lifesaving move with early action on China,” Trump said. “Now we must take the same action with Europe.”

Trump said the restrictions won’t apply to the United Kingdom and the U.S. would monitor the situation to determine if travel could be reopened earlier."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200311/trump-suspends-travel-between-us-and-europe-for-30-days


Go directly to the portal
https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/urgent-alerts/corona-virus-information-portal

Attention Franklin: Coronavirus Information Portal

Cancellation of Franklin Democratic Town Caucus - March 19

The previously announced Franklin Democratic Town Caucus on March 19 that was to be held at the Elks Club in Franklin has been canceled until further notice.

Massachusetts Democratic Party (MPD) Chair Gus Bickford issued the following statement: 

"In light of guidance provided by state officials at this afternoon's press conference, MDP is temporarily suspending all caucuses scheduled to take place."

FM #223 - Stormwater Utility Fee Info Session 1 - March 6, 2020 (audio)

FM #223 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 223 in the series.

The Town Council Stormwater Utility Fee Subcommittee held the first of three information scheduled sessions to review the proposed stormwater utility fee as a response to the Federal mandate required by the EPA MS4 regulations.

Subcommittee Chair Melanie Hamblen presided over the presentation and discussion. Councilor Eamon Earls joined her. Councilors Dellorco and Jones are also reported to be on the subcommittee but were not present for this session.

Franklin Police dog Ben Franklin made a special appearance.

The presentation was led by DPW Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi, GIS Coordinator Kate Sjoberg, and consultant Jean Haggerty. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen was key among the other participants. Those who had questions or comments identified themselves for the broadcast.

The audio segment runs almost 2 hours, so let’s listen in to the presentation and discussion of the stormwater utility fee. https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyBRS1pX






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The handout can be found online at the new Stormwater Division page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/ms4_permit_-_quick_facts.pdf

Visit the Stormwater Division page to review the mitigation plan as well as the MS4 itself  https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division

Visit “Soak it up Franklin” https://www.soakitupfranklinma.org/

The presentation is not yet available on the Town of Franklin page. When it is, I’ll add the link here


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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Franklin Police dog Ben Franklin made a special appearance