Saturday, September 24, 2011

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 9/28/11


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Executive Session April 6, 2011 – to be released, August 10, 2011 and September 14, 2011 Executive Session Minutes Not to be released

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Cultural Council
Mary Beth Fraser
Janet Norman
Judith Needell
Judith Prueitt-Prentice

Design Review
Nancy Coleman

School Building Committee
Paula Mullen

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - YMCA – Darkness to Light Program

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-46: Authorizing Tax Increment Financing Hamilton Storage Technologies Inc, 3 Forge Parkway
2. Resolution 11-50: Additional Appropriation for Comprehensive Feasibility Study of the Franklin High School and Grounds
3. Resolution 11-51: Support for House Bill No. 00869 – An Act relative to the establishment of municipal lighting authorities

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN


The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf

"lingering effects of a severe concussion"

McGrath said it became clear that Glass, the son of Diane and Michael Glass, had not been abducted, leaving officials to suspect the ordeal had to do with the aftermath of a concussion Glass received while playing football last fall. 
"Following that, in school, there was at least two episodes he was taken out by ambulance because he collapsed," McGrath said. The teen has had trouble concentrating in school and "has been dealing with the aftermath of that injury." 
A toxicology report showed Glass was not using drugs or alcohol, McGrath said. 
"This speaks loudly to the fact that it's something more related to the concussion," he said.


Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x372775289/Wrentham-teens-disappearance-blamed-on-concussion#ixzz1YrR3kZtI



Friday, September 23, 2011

Garden Office Hours - changed

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the short notice, but I will be moving my office hours to Sunday the 25th from 3-5pm.  I'll be in the garden helping to weed, and will be available for any questions.

Cheers,

Chris

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2 upcoming volunteer opportunities for Franklin Community Gardens!

Hello to our Franklin Community Garden Supporters, Gardeners, and Friends!

We'd like to share some upcoming volunteer opportunities with all of you.

Opportunity 1: 
This coming  Monday, September 26, from 4 pm until 7 pm, Whole Foods Market Bellingham will be having its last Farmers' Market of the season.  
In addition to the usual farm-fresh goodies one finds at a farmers' market, this particular one has a grill station serving up a variety of hot foods, just in time for dinner.  Location: the parking lot in front of the store.

Whole Foods Market has generously offered to donate to our community garden nonprofit (Friends of Franklin Community Gardens, Inc.) proceeds from the sale of food from the grill!!!  

Thank you, Whole Foods Market! 

There is a catch, and we need your help:  We (the community garden supporters) must prepare and serve the food.  Of course we will! 
How great is that? Totally. Are you with us?  Yea! 

Please sign up for an hour (or three!) by clicking (or copy/paste) the link below:


If you can not work the grill, then please consider your dinner plans that evening----you could shop the market and buy dinner from the grill knowing that proceeds from dinner go directly back into our garden nonprofit fund (more gardens, more tools, more programs!)

I believe that the items we will be cooking and serving are burgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers, surely the healthy ones considering the venue.

More info on the Bellingham Whole Foods Market: http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/bellingham/


Opportunity 2:

King Street Memorial Community Garden Workdays Weekend

Franklin Community Gardens


All are welcome! No signup needed. 

Saturday, Sept 24, 9 am -11 am with King St Garden Coordinator Chris Clay (bring your garden questions!)

Sunday, Sept. 25, 3 pm -5 pm with Amy Acevedo

We will be composting & weeding & generally making the entire garden and surrounding area as neat and tidy as a working garden can be. 

Please bring your own labeled shovels, rakes, and tools.  (And your awesome, sunny selves) 

Check website for weather-related cancellations, I'll post it if we need to cancel---A.


Thank you for putting us on your calendar! 


In Autumn and Abundance,

The Franklin Community Garden Committee & Friends of Franklin Community Gardens, Inc.

7th annual Run for Bob




7th Annual Run for Bob
5k Run/Walk


Sat. 10/1, 9am - 1pm 
(run starts @ 10)

431 Washington Street, Franklin 
(formerly Putnam Investments)
kids' activities, games, prizes, food & more!

$20 / adult ($25 after 9/26)
$10 / child under 12 and Best Buddies participants

Team rate (4 or more participants/team): $15 / person

Come in Franklin sports shirt - for every 3, get 4th entry free!

Ways to register: runforbob.org or hockymca.org

Ariel Doggett, Hock YMCA Coordinator of Integration: 774.235.2722

Free t-shirts to first 300 registered


** All proceeds go to Best Buddies Franklin chapter and the YMCA **
Together, we honor Bob Biagiotti, a Franklin resident who passed away unexpectedly 7 years ago. Some of his greatest times were spent running in 5k's --pushing his daughter Kayla in a stroller modified for her disability. Kayla is a student at FHS and her mom Kris puts together a great family day here in Franklin to benefit charities that have played special roles in her family's life. Join us for the run/walk, see flyer! After the run, meet us for fun - an adult only night at Pinz,see flyer!

* The benefitting charities work to promote mutually respectful relationships between people of all abilities. The YMCA's Integration Initiative provides children with special needs an opportunity to participate with their typically developing peers in all the programs, services and activities offered at the Y. 




In the News - Matthew Glass Found Alive

Matthew was found in Dedham Thursday evening
http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x985874800/UPDATE-Matthew-Glass-found

Matthew's truck was found in Boston
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x438806412/Missing-Wrentham-teen-Matthew-Glass-truck-found-in-Boston

MassBudget: Three new fact sheets on health insurance, poverty and income





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  (617) 426-1228 x102


New Census data on poverty rates, health care coverage and household income in Massachusetts

September 22, 2011



The U.S. Census Bureau today released its annual update of state-level poverty rates, household income and health care coverage from the American Community Survey (ACS).
  
The new data show that the overall poverty rate in Massachusetts, having been stable the past three years, showed a statistically significant increase from 10.3 percent in 2009 to 11.4 percent in 2010. The increase in Massachusetts is similar to the rise in poverty nationwide in 2010 -- the overall U.S. poverty rate rose from 14.3 percent in 2009 to 15.3 percent in 2010. The fact sheet 2010 Poverty Rate Increases in Both Massachusetts and Across the Country is available here.
  
Health insurance coverage in Massachusetts far surpasses coverage nationally and in all other states, detailed statistics released by the Census Bureau today confirm. These data are more detailed and precise than the estimates released earlier this month, and show that 96 percent of residents in the Commonwealth had health insurance coverage in 2010. The fact sheet Massachusetts Still Leads in Health Care Coverage is available here.
  
The new Census data show a statistically significant decline of $3,182 or 4.9 percent in median household income (adjusted to 2010 dollars). For the U.S. as a whole, the ACS data show a statistically significant decline of $1,144 or 2.2 percent (also adjusted to 2010 dollars). Since 2007 (in the final month of which, the nation officially fell into recession), median household income in Massachusetts dropped an inflation-adjusted $3,307 or 5.1 percent. During the same period, U.S. median household income fell $3,280 or 6.2 percent. The fact sheet Median Household Income Dropped in Massachusetts and the U.S. in 2010 is available here.
  
See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present, as well as budget proposals offered by the Governor and the Legislature.

MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.


This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by info@massbudget.org |  
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Board of Health alert: EEE September 2011

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "TOWN OF FRANKLIN"
Date: Sep 22, 2011 7:08 PM
Subject: EEE September 2011
To:


Hello. This is a public Health Alert from the Franklin Health Department. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has found bird-biting mosquitoes infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the Broad Street area of Medway. Triple-E is a serious virus with a very high mortality rate.
Although no EEE has been found in Franklin yet this season, residents in North Franklin along the Medway border should take all steps necessary to avoid mosquito bites. If you have questions regarding this alert, please contact the Franklin Health Department at 508-520-4905.  Thank you, good night.



To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer.
This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 520-4938. THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS IS NOT MONITORED. Please do not reply to this e-mail as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

FDP Board Member Diane Glass's son (Matt) is missing.


Dear FDP Members:
We just received word that Diane Glass's teenage son Matt is missing. Many of you know Diane. She is a member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership Board of Directors.

Please help us get the word out by sending the link below to your e-mail lists.  Matt has been missing since Tuesday and may have been visiting Northeastern University on Tuesday.  If anyone has a student at the university please forward Matt's photo.

Thank you for your assistance.  We need your help.
Lisa Piana
Executive Director




Franklin's Harvest Festival - Sun, Oct 2


The Harvest Festival held in Franklin and sponsored by the Downtown Partnership is coming up Sunday, Oct 2.

What organizations will be there?
Where will the booths be located?

Questions like these can be answered by reviewing the layout prepared by the Downtown Partnership:.

2011 Harvest Festival Map


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document

Eat at Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Thurs. Oct. 13th


Eat at Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Thurs. Oct. 13th
and Support Franklin Music Boosters, Inc.!

On Thursday October 13th from 4:00 to 10:00 PM Five Guys Burgers and Fries in the Franklin Village Mall will once again generously donate 10% of ALL their sales to the Franklin Music Boosters, Inc.

Franklin Music Boosters is a parent organization which supports the entire Franklin Public School Music Program grades 6-12. Through volunteer support and fundraising, the Music Boosters help provide transportation for performance trips, competitions and outings; sponsor concerts and special events; finance the purchase of musical equipment and uniforms; fund private lessons and scholarships, as well as support the music department with volunteer help.

For more information about getting involved with the Franklin Music Boosters, contact Amy Czuba, amyczuba@gmail.com.


Advertising Opportunity for Local Businesses


Advertising Opportunity for Local Businesses with Franklin Music Boosters, Inc.

The Franklin Music Boosters, Inc. is once again producing its annual Ad Book, which is handed out at every concert conducted in the Franklin Public Schools during the 2011-2012 school year. For as little as $50 your company’s message can be before the eyes of thousands of local residents throughout the year. Business card, half page and full page ads are available.

Franklin Music Boosters is a parent organization which supports the entire Franklin Public School Music Program grades 6-12. Through volunteer support and fundraising, the Music Boosters help provide transportation for performance trips, competitions and outings; sponsor concerts and special events; finance the purchase of musical equipment and uniforms; fund private lessons and scholarships, as well as support the music department with volunteer help.

To advertise in the Ad Book, contact Robin Dao, robindao3@gmail.com. For more information about getting involved with the Franklin Music Boosters, contact Amy Czuba, amyczuba@gmail.com.



Sparky's Puppets

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 9/21/11

Halloween Harvest
Meet a friendly witch, a pesky goblin, and a mischievous spider in this fast-paced, funny, and interactive show.
Wednesday October 26, 2011
3:30 - 4:15 PM
Ages 3-10
No registration required

Library Meeting Room

Things you can do from here:

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

What would you like to know?

When you have an election ballot in front of you, you have a list of positions, a listing of candidates and a marker to fill in a circle next to one or more names. How do you decide to make a choice amongst the candidates?

To help you make your choice, I have offered to meet with all the candidates. My purpose is hear directly from them about their background. To listen and share their views on the issues that that they will work to resolve on our behalf for Franklin.

This is not an endorsement of any candidate. This is an information sharing exercise.

I’ll ask the same set of questions of each candidate so that you will have some common ground to make your decision.

The questions I propose to start with are as follows:
1 - Tell me a bit about yourself, your family and your life here in Franklin?

2 - What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? or What do you think makes you a good candidate to fulfill this role?

3 - What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it?
If you have some questions you'd like to ask, I’d like to hear them. Send me an email or leave a comment here.

I may find during the course of the interviews that I 'tweak' the questions. If I do that, I’ll post the updated questions here.

I have five candidates lined up thus far. Up to 37 total for this election are possible so we'll see how many take advantage of this.



The Election 2011 collection of posts can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html

Town Council and School Committee attendance records (Nov 2009 to present)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdEZSWlZLTFVqNmcxZWFTNDNxNk5PZkE&hl=en#gid=0

FIGHT HUNGER Paintball Challenge


FIGHT HUNGER Paintball Challenge
To Benefit the Franklin Food Pantry

Sat. Sept. 24th, 2011 -
9 am

FOX 4 Paintball Field
159 Milford St.
UPTON, MA

Donations of Non-Perishable Items will be collected during the Match.

Additional information can be found in the flyer:

Fight Hunger Poster


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document

In the News - choice of yard sales



First Universalist Society hosts indoor yard sale




Franklin academy holding yard sale


Route 2 Closure and Detour Map

Be aware of road closures along Route 2 out in the western part of MA

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 9/20/11

Route 2 Irene Damage 1 MassDOT has assembled a map showing the closed portion of Route 2 that suffered significant damage due to flooding from Tropical Storm Irene and outlining the current posted detour.

Route 2 is closed from Mile Marker 21.6 in Florida to Mile Marker 27.5 in Charlemont, with damage including severe slope failures, roadway undermining and instability, eroded bridge approaches, mud slides, and culvert and retaining wall damage.

The significant damage and necessary repairs require an extended period of time to restore the roadway, and MassDOT is committed to an accelerated repair process.

Please review the Route 2 damage and detour route map to learn more and view photos of the damage.


The Detour Route is also listed below.

From North Adams: 
Route 8, Adams, to Route 116 through Adams, Savoy, Plainfield, and Ashfield,
to Route 112 through Ashfield and Buckland,
to Route 2, East Charlemont.

Things you can do from here:

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

November 8: Election Line up



The line up is being completed for the Nov 8th election. Candidates have until Oct 6th to change their mind and the Town Clerk's office has until Oct 4th to certify the signatures for each of the candidates are in fact valid and from Franklin.

Town Clerk:
Deborah Pellgri, Deborah Bartlett

Treasurer:
James Dacey, Mark Denommee

Town Council: 9 positions
Incumbents: Matt Kelly, Glenn Jones, Robert Vallee, Judith Pfeffer, Joe McGann, Tina Powderly
Challengers: Juan Ramon Rivera (Finance Committee), Jeffrey Roy (School Committee), Thomas Mercer (High School Building Committee), Ronald Calabrese (Planning Board), Andrew Bissanti and Robert Dellorco

(Parenthesis indicates previous board or committee position held)

School Committee: 7 positions
Incumbents: Cynthia Douglas, Susan Rohrbach, Paula Mullen, Edward Cafasso, Roberta Trahan, William Glynn (Glynn withdrew his name from ballot)
Challengers: Sean Donahue, John Jewell and Pamela McIntyre

Board of Assessors: 2 positions
Ken Norman, Vincent DeBaggis

Board of Health: 2 positions
Philip Brunelli, Richard Aucoin and incumbent Donald Ranieri Jr.

Constable: 3 positions
Incumbents: Robert Jarvis, Philip Brunelli, Richard Delfino
Challengers: Charles Delfino Jr. , John Power

Planning Board: 3 positions
John Carroll, Greg Ballarino, William David

Planning Board Associate
no one applied for (hence Town Council will need to approve appointment of someone)


Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x2137969832/Races-fill-up-for-Franklin-election#ixzz1YU9rWO49


The collection of posts related to Franklin's Election 2011 can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html



Schedule changes

You may have noticed that there was a Long Range Financial Planning committee meeting scheduled for Monday, Sep 19. Notification that it was canceled appeared on the Franklin website Monday.

The Town Council meeting that had been scheduled for Sep 21 was announced at last week's meeting to be moved to Weds, Sep 28th



Resources for alcohol retailers

How convenient - The Bureau of Consumer Protection, part of the FTC just published this listing of resources for alcohol retailers.


 
 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 
 

via BCP Business Center | Blog Feed by Janet Evans on 9/13/11

Launching this year's "We Don't Serve Teens" campaign, the FTC and a coalition of private and public groups have materials available for businesses, parents, and others that support the legal drinking age of 21.  If you're an alcohol retailer — or have clients in the industry — you know that underage alcohol sales are illegal.  But how can store owners and managers build compliance into the day-to-day operation of their business?  Here are some tips from the FTC:

1.   Create and maintain a written policy that lists steps your staff has to take for every alcohol sales transaction.  Subjects to cover:  when an ID check needs to be done, what a valid ID looks like, and when — and how — to refuse a sale.

2.   Train all managers and staff on your alcohol sales policy. The best training includes role-playing on how to ask for an ID and how to deny a sale in a non-confrontational manner.

3.   Use tools that make it easy.  Program cash registers to recognize alcohol sales and prompt cashiers to require ID.  If electronic ID verification isn't possible, use a specialty calendar showing birth dates eligible to buy.

4.   Monitor staff conduct through review of point-of-sale videos and private "mystery shopper" inspections.

5.   Keep records that show training dates, unusual occurrences, and the results of compliance checks. Use these records during employee reviews to prevent recurring problems — and to give credit to employees that follow company policies.

6.   Communicate with the public.  Alcohol retailers help their communities when they post information about the legal purchase age and the importance of preventing teen access to alcohol.  Free signs in English and Spanish about the legal drinking age are available from the FTC's bulk order site.

7.   Looking for more information? Visit the Don't Serve Teens site and bookmark the BCP Business Center page for members of the alcohol industry.


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

Monday, September 19, 2011

Canoe the Waterfire in Providence, RI !!

From a faithful reader concerned about our water quality comes a unique opportunity!


"If you are an experienced canoeist and are looking for an unusual and fun opportunity to use your paddling skills please Check out this YouTube video of WaterFire Founder and Executive Artistic Director Barnaby Evans inviting you to participate in this special project.




With your help Waterfire Providence plans on making it even more spectacular by increasing our school to 85 illuminated Japanese Koi!

This year Waterfire is partnering with the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council and celebrating Rhode Island Water Celebration Day, a day marking the importance of water quality, access, and its uses that enrich the lives of everyone who lives in or visits Rhode Island.

If you are an experienced canoeist and want to be a a part of WaterFire Providence's September 24th lighting, please follow this link and complete the registration. Further event details including a timeline, directions, etc. will be updated on www.waterfire.org/clearcurrents as the date comes closer.

Thank you for supporting another spectacular WaterFire Providence special project!"

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video

The ballot line up is being confirmed today


Candidates who have not returned their papers have until today at 4 p.m. to drop them off at the clerk's office to be certified. 
All nine Town Council seats and all seven school board posts are up for grabs every two years. 
Because some people have not yet returned their papers, there isn't yet a race for School Committee, but there are 11 people who have taken out nomination papers for the board. 
Incumbents Cynthia Douglas, Susan Rohrbach, Edward Cafasso and Paula Mullen, along with newcomer Sean Donahue, have all returned their papers and are therefore the five confirmed candidates. 
Pamela McIntyre, Cora Armenio, Mary Peterson, and John Jewell, chairman of the Republican Town Committee, as well as incumbents Roberta Trahan and William Glynn have taken out, but not yet returned, papers for School Committee.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x66189020/Franklin-election-deadline-is-today#ixzz1YOD92aIP

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day - Oct 1

Franklin's annual hazardous waste collection day is scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2011. The form would need to be filled out to obtain a ticket for the day. Tickets cost $10 and can be obtained first come, first served from the DPW as detailed on the form:

Household Hazardous Waste 2011



Sunday, September 18, 2011

REcycle: helping Bikes Not Bombs


There was order and process to the REcycle Club event yesterday at Franklin High School. The end result was 65 bikes and over $200 collected for Bikes Not Bombs!

Bikes that were donated were lined up.

REcycle_110917 006

Care was taken to not damage the seat as the peddles were removed and the handle bars turned to make the bikes more compact for shipping

REcycle_110917 013

When the bikes were complete they were lined up ready to board the truck

REcycle_110917 007

The truck from Bikes Not Bombs arrived and was ready to be loaded

REcycle_110917 005

And part of the crew processing the bikes paused briefly from their work for a photo:

REcycle_110917 011

From Left to right: Zak Borelli, Cody Williamson, Michael Williams and club leader - Eamon Earls

For more about BikesNotBombs visit their website: http://bikesnotbombs.org/


Community turns out to clean up Milford trail

For those following the development efforts of the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee, this from neighboring Milford catches the eye. They had the clean up this Saturday in advance of the ribbon cutting to formally open the new section on Sat, Sep 24.


Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff on 9/17/11

phoMDmilftrailcleanup2_917.jpg
Armed with brooms, garbage bags and rakes, more than a dozen volunteers descended on the Milford Upper Charles Trail yesterday, adding beauty to the recreational resource.

Things you can do from here:



Related posts covering the Milford Trail
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/upper-charles-trail-milford-section.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-new-milford-rail-trail-update.html

Could the Blackstone Valley become a national historic park?

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by By Brian Benson, DAILY NEWS STAFF on 9/17/11

history 2
It may not be as well known as historic sites in Boston or Lexington and Concord, but supporters of a proposal to create a national historical park in the Blackstone Valley said the region played a critical role in the country's industrialization.

Things you can do from here:

Networking Luncheon - Friday, Sep 23

Franklin Downtown Partnership
Networking Luncheon

Friday, September 23
1 p.m.
Dean College Campus Center
New Dining Hall
$5.50

It's a great way to meet new members!
Contact Joel Carrara if you have any