K. Town Administrator's Report | (updates provided during meeting) DelCarte playground still having a problem even after coverage did a deal with the company to get a total replacement with a new one and coverage for another unit if needed Company will replace at their expense, no cost to Franklin concern about the timing of the replacement given their record the current tree was formed from a special concrete and just not lasting |
L. Future Agenda Items | would like opportunity to revisit wording of the online training section of the TIp training |
M. Council Comments | when I made my comments on the COrnetta's application, it was a nice clean job, very complete purchase of property on Union and Cottage St Vallee curious on how this came up again? the propoerty is apparently under a purchase agreement before it was a five acre lot, and now it is less could not do much with it if we got it anyway Jones Franklin Almanac episode 3 all poles to be installed at PIsani Field, lights were donated to and they are coming high school fields are on schedule, will be ready to go April 1 ' compliments on the hard work to get all the work done and ready for Spring Dellorco great job on the fields Bissanti great job on the Senior Center inspired by the attendence and turn out Pfefffer had an article the day before, but missed the day of wonderful programs, blood pressure, games, chair exercises new parking lot, furnature and colors are bright and cheerful Kelly Secretary of Elders Affairs appeared acknowledged everyone wants a senior center like ours, how do we do it? we are taking good care of our seniors |
N. Executive Session | (not scheduled) |
O. Adjourn motion to adjourn, passed 8-0 |
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Showing posts with label DelCarte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DelCarte. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Live reporting: Closing, etc.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
DelCarte Pond Herbicide Treatment - Timeline for 2017
During 2017 and 2018, herbicide treatments will be applied to the DelCarte Ponds as part of the restoration and preservation of this important recreation area. The treatments are designed to eliminate the invasive plant species which are proliferating rapidly and threaten to completely “take over” the waterbodies unless action is taken to stop their spread.
The time frame for this work is as follows:
- Prepare and File MA DEP License to Apply Chemicals Permit - APRIL
- Pre-Treatment Survey – MAY
- Variable Milfoil Treatment – EARLY JUNE
- Initial Water Chestnut Treatment – EARLY JUNE
- Interim Survey – LATE JUNE
- Follow-Up Water Chestnut Treatment – EARLY JULY
- Final Post-Treatment Survey – AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
- Year-End Report – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Signs will be posted at the ponds concerning this work it is important to bear in mind that ON THE DAY OF THE TREATMENTS, USE OF THE PONDS WILL BE RESTRICTED.
Any questions on this project should be directed to the Conservation office at 508-520-4929.
The northern pond at DelCarte in winter |
This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/delcarte_pond_herbicide_treatment_notice_0.pdf
Friday, January 6, 2017
In the News: Milford schools exploring panic button; Master Plan progress noted
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170105/milford-schools-smart-phone-panic-button-program-coming-in-february
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170105/franklin-council-reviews-master-plan-progress
"School officials are targeting a February date to debut a smart phone panic button program to better alert faculty, staff, students and families in the event of an emergency.
The Rave Mobile Safety program will be implemented sometime in late winter, said Superintendent Kevin McIntyre at Thursday's School Committee meeting.
IT Director Matthew Joseph has taken on the rollout of the program, working "hand-in-hand" with the Police Department and Chief Tom O'Loughlin.
Joseph, O'Loughlin and school administrators have been working throughout the school year on the program, which is essentially a smart phone app that allows a faculty member to alert authorities with the click of a button."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170105/milford-schools-smart-phone-panic-button-program-coming-in-february
"Town officials said Franklin has made good progress over the past year toward its master plan goals, but the town still needs less costly housing.
The Town Council considered the matter at its Wednesday night meeting as part of a yearly review.
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said one of the highlights of the town's 2016 efforts involved improving the DelCarte Conservation Property, which helps fulfill a goal that the town protect natural resources.
"A management study for the DelCarte property is out," he said, adding that the town was beginning its efforts to combat invasive weeds in the ponds there."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170105/franklin-council-reviews-master-plan-progress
frozen pond at DelCarte |
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
The DelCarte playground will be covered up during the winter
Dear Residents
Please note, the DelCarte playground will be covered up this week for winter to help protect the playground after it was repaired this past Spring.
We want to be on the safe side!
The playground will reopen in March.
This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/delcarte-playground-closing-winter
Please note, the DelCarte playground will be covered up this week for winter to help protect the playground after it was repaired this past Spring.
We want to be on the safe side!
The playground will reopen in March.
the DelCarte playground will be covered up during the winter |
This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/delcarte-playground-closing-winter
Monday, November 14, 2016
DelCarte Open Space - 11/12/16 (video)
A brief video to share of the DelCarte open space that I took while on my walk Saturday morning.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-property-video.html
Other videos recorded at DelCarte
- Video from Dec 2012
- Video from Oct 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-property-video.html
- Video from Mar 2014
Saturday, September 3, 2016
DelCarte Open Space Guidebook
The Guide Book for DelCarte Open Space Area has been published. Much of it seems to have been repurposed from the invasive species study conducted last year, this guide book focuses less on the technical aspects of the recreational space and more on how to utilize the space. Trail maps, sample photos of the wild life and fish are included.
You can read it and download it from here
or here
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczdXV2UkM5NkFxc2M
Or from the Town of Franklin webpage here
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024BA540-000F8513
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/ecological-and-management-study-of.html
You can read it and download it from here
or here
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczdXV2UkM5NkFxc2M
Or from the Town of Franklin webpage here
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024BA540-000F8513
on the northern pond at DelCarte |
- The full study can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/ecological-and-management-study-of.html
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
"will look to introduce the herbicides when they would be most effective"
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160809/franklin-pond-conservation-efforts-moving-forward
The full final report on the DelCarte ponds can be found here
http://www.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0248C390-000F8513
"The town has released the final version of a study of ponds at the DelCarte property as conservation efforts move forward.
The study was conducted by Rhode Island firm ESS Group and examines the four ponds on the conservation property. Its draft - which stated that invasive plant and fish species pose a threat to the ponds - was released in February.
Town Conservation Agent George Russell said the final version of the document was unchanged from the draft. Town officials, he said, had reviewed the study and determined that no changes to its text were needed."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160809/franklin-pond-conservation-efforts-moving-forward
The full final report on the DelCarte ponds can be found here
http://www.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0248C390-000F8513
the fall foliage along the DelCarte property |
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Conservation Commission discusses the DelCarte Open Space (video)
Conservation Agent George Russell and Conservation Commission Chair Jeff Livingstone sat down with Ken Norman in the fall of 2015 to talk about the work of the Conservation Commission and DelCarte Open Space.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/ecological-and-management-study-of.html
The Town Council did approve funding for the remediation steps outlined to gradually reduce the invasive plant species in the water.
- The study mentioned can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/ecological-and-management-study-of.html
The Town Council did approve funding for the remediation steps outlined to gradually reduce the invasive plant species in the water.
A recent photo shows the spread of water lilies and other plants over the water surface at DelCarte |
Saturday, May 7, 2016
In the News: DelCarte playground repairs delayed, Tri-County compete for Innovator Award, ice skating academy registration open
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/rain-delays-franklin-playground-repairs
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/tri-county-regional-students-win-at-future-innovator-award-competition
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/franklin-fmc-ice-sports-to-offer-summer-skating-academies
Rain has delayed repair work on the playground at the DelCarte conservation property, town officials said.
Workers were slated to perform structural repairs to the equipment at the end of last week, but the poor weather has halted the project.
Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said, since a portion of the work involves pouring concrete, the rain led to delays. Work will likely begin when more sunny days are in the forecast.
At a recent Town Council meeting, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the project itself will likely take two to three days. After the concrete is poured and the playground structure is welded, the Department of Public Works will place mulch at its base.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/rain-delays-franklin-playground-repairs
the kids playground at DelCarte is currently closed for repairs |
A microgravity scale designed by students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School received second-place honors in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Future Innovator Award competition.
Engineering Technology seniors Kevin Kohls, of Millis, Tyler Thomas, of North Attleborough, and Thomas Vagnini, of Medfield, traveled to St. Louis on April 28 to represent their classmates as finalists in the national competition.
The FIRST Future Innovator Award is open to all FIRST Robotics teams. The award recognizes students who invent a product that effectively solves a real-world, complex problem. Competitors were asked to submit a summary of the problem and an explanation of their invention. Submissions were judged based on the complexity of the problem and effectiveness of the invention in solving that problem.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/tri-county-regional-students-win-at-future-innovator-award-competition
FMC Ice Sports’ Pirelli Veterans Arena, 910 Panthers Way, Franklin, will present summer skating academies Aug. 1-5.
The academies will bundle practice and instruction to provide every skater the opportunity to experience various skating disciplines while focusing on the overall development of the skater. Each day will offer 4 hours of on-ice class instruction and 1 hour of off-ice teaching with the arena’s team of experienced instructors.
Participants must be at least 6 years of age by July 1, and have passed the Ice Skating Institute Alpha test or U.S. Figure Skating pre-preliminary test. Skaters will be grouped by ability and age and should bring skates, bottled water, clothing for on-ice activities, sneakers for off-ice training and lunch.
To register or for more information, visit http://fmcicesports.com/program/advanced-figure-skating-academy.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160506/franklin-fmc-ice-sports-to-offer-summer-skating-academies
Sunday, April 24, 2016
"we use the trail often, and it's nice to give back"
"The town held a volunteer cleanup of its DelCarte Conservation Property on Saturday in what officials hope will become an annual tradition.
The event - which ran from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Street property - had people picking up trash, planting and raking.
Conservation Commission member Tara Henrichon, who helped organize the cleanup, said the event was going "amazingly well."
"We have about 20 to 25 people so far," she said. "There are a bunch of projects - we're adding natural plants to the rain garden and about 10 to 12 people are out on the trails... We're also clearing out invasive plants."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160423/franklin-being-kind-to-mother-nature
Folks out and about cleaning up at DelCarte |
The ladies from Starbucks with full trash bags |
Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen helped to knock down and spread out a pile of mulch |
Thanks to Soren, a student from BFCCPS, who helped me work on spreading the pile of mulch.
Friday, April 15, 2016
In the News: School Committee hears about counseling, Atty General Healy looking for equal pay, DelCarte clean up scheduled
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160414/franklin-schools-work-to-develop-counseling
The Franklin Matters reporting on the School Committee meeting can be found here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/04/storify-real-time-reporting-school.html
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160414/legislators-stump-for-equal-pay
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160414/franklin-delcarte-cleanup-scheduled-for-april-23
"The School Committee heard an extensive presentation on district counseling efforts this week.
The committee at its Tuesday night meeting listened to several members of the counseling staff - as well as some students - as they outlined initiatives at the elementary, middle school and high school levels.
Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley said the role of school counselors had changed dramatically from the days when the focus was college and job preparedness.
"School counseling is not what it used to be," he said. "It has never been more involved or far-reaching."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160414/franklin-schools-work-to-develop-counseling
The Franklin Matters reporting on the School Committee meeting can be found here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/04/storify-real-time-reporting-school.html
"Attorney General Maura Healey calculates that she could have purchased 1 million cups of coffee with the additional wages she would have earned if she were paid the same as her male co-workers.
“It is long past the time to get this done,” said Healey, who joined with state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, State Auditor Suzanne Bump and dozens of male and female legislators by the Statehouse’s Grand Staircase for Equal Pay Day, which was Tuesday.
Chief among the topics was a pay equity bill (S 983) that prohibits employers from discriminating on wages based on gender.
The bill would make it illegal for a company to ask what a job applicant made in a previous job, which Healey said often used as a way to keep women’s salaries down. The legislation would also bar any prohibitions against employees discussing their wages with each other."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160414/legislators-stump-for-equal-pay
"The Conservation Commission is seeking volunteers for a cleanup of the DelCarte Conservation property next weekend.
The cleanup - scheduled for 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23 - is the first such event at the 136-acre Pleasant Street property, which the town has opened up for recreational uses.
Town Conservation Agent George Russell said the work that day would likely involve mostly trash pick-up.
"It's more a maintenance issue than anything," he said, adding that the work would take place along the property's trails and picnic areas."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160414/franklin-delcarte-cleanup-scheduled-for-april-23
the playground at DelCarte is currently closed for repair but scheduled to be re-opened for May |
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Earth Day trails project at the DelCarte Recreation area - Apr 23
Dear Franklin residents:
We are writing to invite you to participate in an Earth Day trails project at the DelCarte Recreation area on Pleasant Street in Franklin.
DelCarte is a 136 acre conservation area, managed by the Conservation Commission. This unique property offers multiple recreation opportunities for our Town residents including picnicking, birding, fishing, canoeing/kayaking or hiking along the dam, meandering past wetlands and through wooded upland trails.
With spring’s arrival, it is a perfect time to refresh the trails and picnic areas, pruning back fallen branches, raking leaves, making sure trail markers are in place and low lying trails are passable.
On Saturday, April 23rd , the Commission will be hosting a 1st annual clean-up of DelCarte, from 8am – 11am. The morning will include projects led by Conservation Commissioners familiar with the trails, light snacks, and an informative talk on our local wildlife led by Mass Audubon Sanctuary Director, Doug Williams.
For more information call Conservation Commission at 508-520-4929
Thanks so much for your participation.
Sincerely,
George Russell, AICP
Town of Franklin Conservation Agent
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038
conservation@franklin.ma.us
an early morning view from the MBTA Franklin train to Boston |
- Video from Dec 2012
- Video from Oct 2013
- Video from Mar 2014
This notification was shared from the official Town of Franklin page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02390411-000F8513
Saturday, March 19, 2016
In the News: DelCarte playground repairs scheduled, Medway board to consider site design
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160318/franklin-playground-repair-work-slated-for-april
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160318/exelon-eversoure-to-dominate-board-meeting-march-22
"Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, speaking at last week's Town Council meeting, said officials have met with the playground manufacturer.
"We had a very productive meeting," he said. "They made a proposal to move forward on testing the concrete and the soil, and to come back and disassemble a portion of it and weld it back together, so it doesn't keep popping from the ice."
Nutting said company representatives expect they can do the work at the end of April - assuming the weather is fair. The job would take two or three days.
"They'll bear all expenses in this matter," he said. "Any final decision would be contingent on having a warranty, so we're not doing this over and over again."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160318/franklin-playground-repair-work-slated-for-april
DelCarte playground - currently closed for repairs that are scheduled for the end of April |
Medway Planning and Economic Development Board meeting
"Exelon’s project represents a much larger proposal at a cost of about $240 million, according to an environmental report.
The company hopes to build a 200-megawatt expansion of its existing Summer Street power plant, which currently only produces about 117 megawatts of energy via three oil-fired turbines.
Two new turbines are proposed, along with two 160-foot-tall stacks, a 1-million-gallon fuel oil tank, a 500,000-gallon water tank, a 450,000-gallon demineralized water tank and a 12,000-gallon aqueous ammonia storage tank.
The board is restricted to only dealing with engineering and site design issues, as the state Energy Facilities Siting Board has the final say as to whether the company can build."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160318/exelon-eversoure-to-dominate-board-meeting-march-22
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Franklin Parks and Recreation Space (video)
Have you been to all the parks and recreation spaces in Franklin?
Franklin Park Compilation from Nick Nurnberg on Vimeo.
For more info on the parks and recreation spaces
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Recreation/fields/index
For more about the ecology of DelCarte
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczS21jQkFfb19PeHc/view?usp=sharing
Franklin Park Compilation from Nick Nurnberg on Vimeo.
For more info on the parks and recreation spaces
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Recreation/fields/index
from the south end of the southern basin at DelCarte |
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczS21jQkFfb19PeHc/view?usp=sharing
Monday, February 29, 2016
In the News: invasive plant attack, voter turnout trends
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160228/franklin-looking-to-curb-invasive-species
The ESS Study referred to in the article can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/ecological-and-management-study-of.html
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160228/towns-see-consistently-low-turnouts-for-local-elections
While not one of the communities listed in this article, Franklin's voting record aligns with the other communities. The numbers for elections from 2003 through 2014 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/franklin-voter-turnout-2003-2014.html
"It concluded that the major problem is invasive plant life," he said. "Until that is addressed, all other life will be choked out."
The study, conducted to evaluate obstacles to the ponds' recreational use, stated that non-native aquatic plants (milfoil and water chestnut) and invasive carp are threats to the native life at DelCarte.
"Those fish (carp) will eventually take over the whole water body," Russell said. "A single-species ecosystem is unhealthy."
Russell said the town's three-year plan - based on the study's recommendations - would call for the application of herbicides in years one and two and bolstering the ponds' spawning habitat in year three.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160228/franklin-looking-to-curb-invasive-species
The ESS Study referred to in the article can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/ecological-and-management-study-of.html
DelCarte in autumn color |
Ashland Town Clerk Tara Ward remembers the spring town election of 2014.
All day and into the evening, Ward and her staff manned voting stations.
When the polls closed, it didn't take long to tally the results: Only 211 people voted.
"I was telling my election workers to vote," said Ward. "I was floored."
Ward's experience isn't unique in MetroWest, where residents come out in droves for presidential and state elections, but skip local races.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160228/towns-see-consistently-low-turnouts-for-local-elections
While not one of the communities listed in this article, Franklin's voting record aligns with the other communities. The numbers for elections from 2003 through 2014 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/franklin-voter-turnout-2003-2014.html
Friday, February 26, 2016
Town Council meeting 2/24/16 - missing portion
I was able to report on the Council meeting via the live broadcast for a portion of the Wednesday meeting. Left to handle a business meeting and returned to catch the end of the lengthy meeting. This portion I caught via the video replay.
As with the other Storify summaries I have posted, be sure to scroll within the widget to see all the entries.
As with the other Storify summaries I have posted, be sure to scroll within the widget to see all the entries.
Friday, February 19, 2016
In the News: DelCarte playground closed again, try hockey for free
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160218/franklin-problems-recur-at-delcarte-playground
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160218/franklin-youth-hockey-to-hold-try-hockey-for-free-event
The playground at the DelCarte Conservation Area - which was closed for much of last summer - is once again facing problems, town officials said.
The Pleasant Street playground - notable for its slide that resembles a tree - first opened in fall 2014, but was shut down for some time last year.
"Last winter or early spring, we discovered the playground had structural issues," said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting. "It was closed off for many, many months."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160218/franklin-problems-recur-at-delcarte-playground
DelCarte playground as closed in May 2015 |
The Franklin Youth Hockey Association will hold a Try Hockey for Free event from 1:30 to 2:20 p.m. Feb. 20 at Veteran’s Arena, 910 Panther Way. The event will provide ages 4-9 a free experience to try youth hockey.
A limited amount of equipment is available to borrow, and children do not need any previous skating or hockey experience.The event is sponsored by USA Hockey and will be supported by the Boston Bruins.
The Bruins will send their youth hockey coaches, street team and mascot, Blades.
To register, visit tryhockeyforfree.com/register.php?e=6315.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160218/franklin-youth-hockey-to-hold-try-hockey-for-free-event
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
In the News: DelCarte ecology study released, bylaw considered on alcohol training
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160216/franklin-releases-delcarte-pond-study
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160215/franklin-considers-alcohol-training-requirement
The town released the results of a study on the ponds at the DelCarte Conservation Area last week.
The study, conducted by the Rhode Island firm ESS Group, lays out the challenges faced by the four ponds on the property and the best ways to address them. It concludes that the bodies of water do have threats to their ecological health.
"Opportunities that are currently afforded by the pond system include fishing, canoeing, hiking and wildlife viewing," the report reads. "The system is significantly impacted by non-native aquatic plants (milfoil and water chestnut), which are reducing the ponds' capacity to provide the ecologically healthy habitat that these activities rely upon."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160216/franklin-releases-delcarte-pond-study
The north pond at DelCarte |
The Town Council is considering a proposal that would require training for anyone who serves alcohol in town.
Town officials have written a draft bylaw requiring managers, bartenders and all employees who sell or serve alcohol to undergo "safe service of alcohol" training. The town will circulate the draft among affected parties and the council is set to take up the subject at a future meeting.
Town Councilor Andrew Bissanti had raised the matter at several council meetings, as he said the current system - in which some businesses train of their own volition - is insufficient.
"A lot of times, bartenders and servers have no alcohol-awareness training," he said Monday. "It just made no sense to me."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160215/franklin-considers-alcohol-training-requirement
Monday, February 15, 2016
Ecological and Management Study of the DelCarte Ponds
You may recall that a study was being done on the ecology of the DelCarte Open Space to help determine what to do about improving the fishing opportunity.
Invasive plant species were reported to be spreading their impact. Over time the species could make the pond less habitable for fish. Why bother stocking the ponds if the fish weren't going to last?
The study has just been published on the Franklin webpage. A copy of the report has been posted here for your convenience:
You can also find this report on the Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02328F4E-000F8513
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-property-video.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/delcarte-property-winter-wonderland.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/the-phantom-ecologist-can-do-better.html
Invasive plant species were reported to be spreading their impact. Over time the species could make the pond less habitable for fish. Why bother stocking the ponds if the fish weren't going to last?
The study has just been published on the Franklin webpage. A copy of the report has been posted here for your convenience:
You can also find this report on the Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02328F4E-000F8513
fall color along the north pond at DelCarte, Oct 2015 |
- Video from Dec 2012
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html
- Video from Oct 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-property-video.html
- Video from Mar 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/delcarte-property-winter-wonderland.html
- The 'phantom ecologist' can do better
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/the-phantom-ecologist-can-do-better.html
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Annual Report - 2015: Conservation Commission
The Franklin Conservation Commission is responsible for promoting and protecting the natural resources of Franklin and protecting the town’s watershed resources. A large part of the Commission’s attention is directed to administering Massachusetts and Franklin wetland protection laws and regulations. Those laws and regulations require the Commission permits to work in or within 100 feet of a wetland, in the 100 year flood hazard zone or within 200 feet of a perennial stream.
The Commission is comprised of up to seven volunteer residents appointed for three year terms by the Town Administrator. The current members of the Commission have diverse professional experience related to environmental science, biology, engineering, landscape design, and project management. Because of their different backgrounds, each commissioner is able to offer a different perspective during the review of applications for a wetland permit that ultimately benefits Franklin.
Franklin has continuously been well represented at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions in March, with Commissioners attending classes and workshops and talking with other Commissioners from across the state as well as lawyers, ecologists and engineers active in conservation.
The Commission, via its Chairman, has also participated in the Keystone Project, which is organized and run by UMASS. The Keystone Project is designed to stimulate forest landowners and community opinion leaders to be advocates of sound forest conservation, and to help inform the land management and conservation decisions of their friends, neighbors, organizations, and communities.
In 2012, the EPA proposed regulations to reduce the amount of phosphorus in storm water runoff into the Charles River basin, with Franklin, Bellingham and Milford as the pilot communities These regulations remain at a standstill as the EPA continues to work out the regulatory details. The Commission monitors the status of these regulations while encouraging and advising on appropriate stormwater management practices where applicable in Conservation jurisdiction.
The Commission continues to work on the DelCarte Area (aka the Franklin Reservoirs) off of Pleasant Street. There are a series of seven “structures” (six dams that had been originally used for cranberry farming and a stone wall that beavers had dammed) along Miller brook thru the 100+ acre DelCarte Area. The dams are identified serially from Dam #1, located closest to downtown adjacent to the MBTA Dean station, to #6, located furthest downstream, closest to Miller Street. The Commission is currently in the process of investigating the undertaking of an ecological study to ascertain the flora and fauna viability in the pond.
DelCarte in full fall color |
Since the last annual report, the Conservation Commission has received 63 permit applications to work within areas under their permitting jurisdiction. These applications range from the removal of dead trees in a buffer zone to the construction of industrial buildings and associated drainage. The Commission also issued 26 certificates of completion for various projects and granted extensions to allow projects to finish. Two emergency certifications were also issued to the Franklin Dept. of Public Works. In addition, based on the snow emergency declared by DEP in Feb-March 2015, emergency snow storage permissions were developed and issued.
The Commission would like to draw the attention of the Town’s residents to the many protected natural areas in the Town and the opportunities for passive recreation they enable:
- The DelCarte Area, with parking off of Pleasant Street, has recently improved walking trails through woodlands along a series of ponds. Two canoe launches and an above-water boardwalk to completely connect the trail system have been installed.
- Several Eagle Scout and school/class projects have been completed or are on-going in the DelCarte and Dacey Field areas, and the town forest.. These projects have helped in the clearing of trails and the erecting of educational signage and the cleaning up of debris. Additional projects are being undertaken in the Town Forest to improve the existing trail system; The Town Forest has good access points off of both Summer Street and Russet Hill Road with a network of walking trails thru woodlands and across Uncas Brook;
- There is a network of walking trails that cross Shepards Brook and go thru fields and woods behind the Dacey Recreation Area off Lincoln Street;
- Indian Rock has good access off of both King Phillip Road and Lost Horse Trail with walking trails thru woodlands near two large vernal pools and to the top of historic Indian Rock;
- The Metacomet Land Trust owns several pieces of protected land, notably the walking trails off of Bridle Path and The Lady Bug Trail near JFK school;
- The Franklin State Forest is accessible off of Grove Street and Forge Hill Road and boasts an extensive network of walking and ORV trails;
- The SNETT trail goes all the way to Douglas. There is a Town parking lot off of Grove Street. The Trail section from Prospect Street into Bellingham is currently being reconstructed by the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation. The reconstruction was permitted by the Commission in early 2015;
- The expansive marsh near Interstate 495 exit #17 is the US Army Corps of Engineers Natural Valley Flood Storage Project, preserved to protect against downstream flooding in the Charles River basin. That marsh is along Mine Brook, the largest stream in town, draining about half of Franklin, starting at the extreme south end of Franklin, passing underneath Washington Street, Beaver Street, 495, Grove Street, West Central Street, 495 again, Beech Street, and Pond Street before finally meeting the Charles River on the Medway border.
- Other significant streams in Franklin include Shepards Brook, Miller Brook, Uncas Brook and Bubbling Brook. Lake Populatic is part of the Charles River, the other navigable ponds in Franklin are Spring (Green’s) Pond, Beaver Pond, and Uncas Pond, the last two of which are listed as Great Ponds by Mass DEP. There are many other natural areas in Franklin waiting to be explored.
The Commission would also like the town residents to be aware of the potential tax savings of M.G. L. Chapter 61 (forest land), 61A (agricultural land) and 61B (recreational land). Such programs are designed to benefit the land owner via reducing the tax burden as well as to preserving and
maintaining the quality and quantity of environmentally sensitive and natural areas within the commonwealth.
Conservation Commission Members:
Jeff Livingstone – ChairPaul Harrington - - Vice Chair
Scott McLean
Ravi Pendkar
Steve Younis
Bill Batchelor
Respectfully submitted,
Jeff Livingstone, Chair
Please visit our website for additional information including application forms, and regularly posted Conservation Commission agendas and meeting minutes at http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Conservation/index
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"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]
Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015
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