In the News: beavers at DelCarte, PMC rides through Franklin

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

"Local officials are weighing what to do with a colony of beavers whose natural handiwork threatens an earthen berm at DelCarte Reservation off Pleasant Street. 

An expert from ESS Group, an environmental engineering firm, walked around the ponds and other parts of the reservation on April 7 looking for signs of beaver busywork. After discovering that the critters were indeed making themselves at home, ESS installed a motion-activated camera for 13 days. 

Four beaver lodges were found along the shoreline, two of which appear to be in use. One dam in the area is blocking water flow from the upper basin to the southern basin. The dam is flooding trees near a berm on the upper basin, or pond, according to an ESS study. That could be a problem if the berm continues to flood."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170803/franklin-beavers-raising-water-worries

"Thousands of bike tires will meet with hundreds of miles of pavement across Massachusetts during the 38th annual Pan Mass Challenge this weekend. 

The ride starts tomorrow and continues until Sunday – Over 6,000 cyclists from eight different countries gathered in Massachusetts for the bike race this year. The ride will begin on 5:30 a.m on Saturday and on Sunday and go until 7 p.m. 

The Pan Mass Challenge, or PMC, is a fundraiser for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. To date, PMC has raised almost $550 million for early-cancer research. The PMC raises more money than any other athletic fundraiser in the country. 

There will be water stops for cyclists in Franklin, Wrentham, Foxbourough, Whitinsville, and Wellesley. The stops are known to cause car traffic, as hundreds on cyclists will be making their way down dozens of the area roads.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170803/local-cyclists-ready-for-pan-mass-challenge

The water stop in Franklin is at the Remington-Jefferson School complex. It is worth an early trip there to see the riders come through. Some of the early riders will get there about 7:30 AM and the bulk of the pack arrives between 8 and 10 AM according to my recall of prior visits.

A slideshow of photos from the water stop in 2013 can be found here

A slideshow of photos from the water stop in 2013

The Smartest Thing in Fur Pants (Video)

"Franklin Conservation Commission recently held a meeting featuring a report on beaver activity at DelCarte. 

Whether you view them as an engineering marvel or creators of flooding challenges, and they can be both, beavers (Castor canadensis) are fascinating creatures right here in our community. 

We thought you'd enjoy learning a little more about them in this PBS video."




This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/beaver-activity-delcarte

DelCarte Ponds - Treatment Notification - Monday, July 17

Once again the weather did not cooperate with us yesterday (Thursday - July 13). Treatment of the invasive plants at the DelCarte Ponds will now be 7/17/17 subject to the weather. (It can't be a rainy day.) 

The pond will be closed for fishing, canoeing etc. for 24 hours, but the rest of the area for hiking etc. will be open.

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/133863

This is an automatic message from Town of Franklin MA

view from a trail at DelCarte

In the News: Ahern making connections; Library brick sale; DelCarte pond treatment

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

"Sara Ahern officially took over the reins on July 1 as the town’s newest school superintendent. 

After a week at the helm, Ahern said, the first order of business is to create connections. 

“Working to establish relationships is imperative, the work of the schools is dependent on building strong, fundamental relationships,” said Ahern, who replaced the retired Maureen Sabolinski. “I want to develop those relationships by being present, listening and sharing information about myself to the community.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20170707/new-franklin-schools-chief-starts-connecting

"The Friends of the Franklin Library are currently in the middle of a fundraising effort and selling personalized bricks as part of the ongoing library renovation and construction project. The bricks will be placed in a new patio located in front of the building’s School Street entrance and ready for use once the project is complete this fall. 

“The patio will be available for patrons to use; to sit outside in nice weather, to talk, attend a program or use available WiFi,” said former FoFL President Maria Lucier. “There will be benches, tables with umbrellas and plantings. We envision it will be a relaxing place to sit, visit and read.” 

When seeking out ways to raise money, Lucier said, she and fellow member Joseph Mullen took a trip to the McAuliffe Library in Framingham to view that building’s newly installed brick patio."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170712/friends-of-franklin-library-selling-bricks-to-benefit-construction-project

the new wing of the Library under construction

"The ponds at the DelCarte Conservation Property will be closed on Thursday in order for the town to perform a follow-up water treatment to combat the invasive plants in the ponds. 

The treatment was supposed to take place last Friday, but due to rain was delayed. If it rains again Thursday, the treatment will again be delayed as it will interfere with the process. 

In a release put out by the town, the pond will be closed for fishing and canoeing for 24 hours, but the rest of the area remains open for hiking and other recreational activities."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170712/franklin-delcarte-ponds-closed-thursday-for-treatment

DelCarte Ponds - Treatment Notification - Thursday, July 13th

Treatment of the invasive plants at the DelCarte Ponds will be 7/13/17 subject to the weather. (It can't be a rainy day.) 

The pond will be closed for fishing, canoeing etc. for 24 hours, but the rest of the area for hiking etc. will be open.

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/133653

This is an automatic message from Town of Franklin MA


Note: yet again, I think they need to do a better job planning to go with the forecast rather than pick a day when it is likely to rain. There was at least one treatment applied.

the main pond at DelCarte Recreation area

notification of treatment applied in June

DelCarte Ponds - Treatment Notification - Friday, July 7th

Treatment of the invasive plants at the DelCarte Ponds will be 7/7/17 subject to the weather. (It can't be a rainy day.) 

The pond will be closed for fishing, canoeing etc. for 24 hours, but the rest of the area for hiking etc. will be open.

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/132853

DelCarte pond recently in the rain with the surface covered with vegetation

Given the current forecast of 60% chance for rain tonight and 75% chance of rain on Friday, this is likely to be rescheduled   https://weather.com/weather/today/l/42.07,-71.39

"the work is in the best interests of preserving it"

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

"The town is set to begin herbicide treatment of the ponds at the DelCarte Conservation Property next week as part of an ongoing effort to fight invasive species there. 

According to a town release, the treatment will take place on June 13, depending on weather conditions; rain would delay the process. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said it is the beginning of a multi-year process to remove invasive species from the property. 

“We’re excited to finally get going,” he said. “What’s happening is invasive species - mostly plants, but some fish as well - are suffocating the ecosystem there.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170606/franklin-to-remove-invasive-plants-at-delcarte

the floating walk way at DelCarte in the rain recently

Note: the treatment had been scheduled for June 7 but the weather forecast likely changed the date and could change it again.


The prior notification can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/05/delcarte-invasive-plant-treatment.html

Herbicide Treatment of Invasive Plants in DelCarte Ponds is set for June 13th

The date for the first treatment of the invasive plants in the DelCarte Ponds will be 6/13/17, subject to the weather. (It can't be a rainy day.) 

The pond will be closed for fishing, canoeing etc. for 24 hours, but the rest of the area for hiking etc. will be open.

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page http://www.franklinma.gov/node/126313

Note: the treatment had been scheduled for June 7 but the weather forecast likely changed the date.
The prior notification can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/05/delcarte-invasive-plant-treatment.html

the floating walkway at DelCarte

Mindfulness in Nature: a Guided Meditation Walk

a free mindful walk at the DelCarte Conservation Area on June 7 at 6:00 PM

Shared from the Franklin Cultural Council Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/photos/a.399579373729229.1073741828.399575860396247/452894465064386/?type=3&theater

Reporting by Walking Around - Saturday, May 13

After spending most of the week out of Franklin on business, my Saturday morning walk got me caught up on some of what was happening or had happened while I was away. 

Join me as I walk downtown and then out Pleasant St to DelCarte. Starting with some close up photos of the new Horace Mann statue. 

Horace Mann 1

Horace Mann 2

Horace Mann 3

Horace Mann 4

I am impressed by the level of detail shown in the statue. The coat has texture and folds just like a real coat. Amazing work!

the exterior stonework is being applied to the Library addition

mystery dinner theater event coming to Franklin Federated June 10

volunteers from the Franklin Garden Club were hard at work on the grounds
at the Town Common with help from some of the Newcomers Club

new pavement on a section of Pleasant St was completed during the week

the reinstalled playground at DelCarte is open as of Saturday,
so when the rain decides to end it can be used again

while we have been getting a lot of rain, the water level at DelCarte is still way below normal

"they can be successfully managed through multi-year efforts"

With treatment of the invasive species at DelCarte scheduled for June 7 (assuming good weather), this article from the Milford Daily News on the work of other communities battling invasive species is timely.

"Keith Gazaille makes a living putting chemicals exactly where it seems most unnerving for them to be: water. 

On Wednesday, Gazaille and his team from Shrewsbury-based SOLitude Lake Management loaded up an airboat with a couple dozen containers each filled with 20 pounds of the aquatic herbicide SonarOne. 

The chemical pellets SOLitude dropped in the Norton Reservoir that morning will be absorbed by two non-native plants that are invading the 580-acre ecosystem, eventually leaving them bleached and dead at the roots. 

“I don’t think anybody goes in and takes any of the approaches lightly,” said Gazaille, SOLitude’s regional director and senior biologist. “All of the techniques have some level of non-target impact.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170514/with-invasive-species-metrowest-milford-area-towns-use-whole-toolbox


In case you missed the earlier posting (May 11) with the schedule for the herbicide treatments for DelCarte, I have provided it here:


The tentative date for the first treatment of the invasive plants in the DelCarte Ponds will be 6/7/17, subject to the weather. (It can't be a rainy day.) 

The pond will be closed for fishing, canoeing etc. for 24 hours, but the rest of the area for hiking etc. will be open.


This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/first-treatment-invasive-plants-delcarte-ponds-tentatively-set-june-7-2017

----------

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.

invasive species in the water at DelCarte

The ecological study performed to show the need for these herbicide treatments can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/ecological-and-management-study-of.html


The reminder on the treatments was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/get-rid-those-invasive-weeds-delcarte-pond-herbicide-treatment-begins-2017-stay-tuned-more

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/05/delcarte-invasive-plant-treatment.html

DelCarte invasive plant treatment scheduled for June 7

The tentative date for the first treatment of the invasive plants in the DelCarte Ponds will be 6/7/17, subject to the weather. (It can't be a rainy day.) 

The pond will be closed for fishing, canoeing etc. for 24 hours, but the rest of the area for hiking etc. will be open.


This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/first-treatment-invasive-plants-delcarte-ponds-tentatively-set-june-7-2017

----------

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.

invasive species in the water at DelCarte

The ecological study performed to show the need for these herbicide treatments can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/ecological-and-management-study-of.html


The reminder on the treatments was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/get-rid-those-invasive-weeds-delcarte-pond-herbicide-treatment-begins-2017-stay-tuned-more

In the News: sexting bill introduced; cleanups scheduled for Saturday

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

"A local lawmaker has spoken out in favor of a new effort to address the issue of “sexting” - sending sexually explicit photos - among teens. 

State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, and Franklin Police Sgt. Jason Reilly were part of a ceremony in Tuesday in which Gov. Charlie Baker introduced a bill - An Act Relative to the Harmful Distribution of Sexually Explicit Visual Material - meant to give law enforcement more options to deal with sexting. 

Roy had filed a bill on the issue in 2015 - and put forth another in January of this year - noting that, under the state’s current laws, teens who engage in sexting could be brought up on child pornography charges. 

“When lawmakers wrote the (child pornography) law 20 years ago, they weren’t thinking of teenagers engaging in this behavior,” he said. “Law enforcement officers were put in the terrible position of either charging a kid with a felony or doing nothing.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170425/franklin-officials-back-new-sexting-bill

"The town will host two cleanups Saturday in an effort to remove litter from from local parks, playgrounds, ball fields and roadsides. 

One cleanup, sponsored by the town’s Conservation Commission, will focus on the DelCarte Conservation Property, while the other, sponsored in part by the Recreation Department and kicking off from Beaver Pond, will send volunteers to various sites around town. Both are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. 

Recreation Department Director Ryan Jette said his department’s annual Earth Day cleanup starts from the Beaver Pond parking lot, where volunteers are given trash bags and gloves. 

“We have 26 areas around town that need to be cleaned up,” he said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170425/cleanups-slated-for-saturday-in-franklin

the large pond at DelCarte

DelCarte Cleanup - Saturday, April 29

Please join us in getting Delcarte Recreation

and Conservation area ready for Spring!

Saturday April 29th

9am-11am

Volunteers are needed to help with trash pick up and trail maintenance. Please sign up to volunteer by emailing conservation@franklin.ma.us

DelCarte - the northern pond Saturday, April 22

Take the Story Walk at DelCarte

The Story Walk should be a good way to stretch your legs today and explore a book and the open space. Yes, the playground is closed for now. It should re-open in June but in the meantime, the trails are still open and the short green trail is used for the Story Walk.

A collaboration between the Library and Recreation Dept the Story Walk spreads a children's book along a trail.

Exercise, read and explore as you go.

I captured the story walk in photos on Saturday to share here.

The story is "The Friend Ship" by Kat Yeh

"the contractor has agreed to cover the costs associated with the replacement"

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

"The town removed the equipment at the popular DelCarte playground this week, with hopes of replacing it shortly. 

Local officials announced in early March that they would be removing the playground equipment at the 136-acre DelCarte Recreation & Conservation Area because of continued integrity problems with the fiberglass-reinforced structure. 

Recreation Director Ryan Jette said the contractor, GameTime, completed the equipment removal on Wednesday, and completed excavations in preparation for installing the new playground."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170419/franklin-to-replace-delcarte-playground-soon

Work to remove the troubled unit was underway when the photo was captured this past weekend

April vacation programs with the Franklin Recreation Department

The Town of Franklin Recreation Department has a variety of programs and activities panned for the April vacation. Check out the brochure shown below for details on each one. 







Registration can be processed through the Town of Franklin webpage

did you know there was a disc golf course at Dacey Fields?

DelCarte Open Space: Story Walk today, bring guide book to help explore

The Franklin Public Library is partnering up with the Franklin Parks and Recreation Department to bring you a fun unique blend of story time and physical activity in the great outdoors! 

A Story Walk is a fun, educational activity that places a children’s story (literally a book taken apart) along a popular walking route, in this case, at DelCarte Park! 

The Story Walk is scheduled for 10:30 AM Saturday. It will be available after.

• http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/04/story-walk-at-delcarte-park-saturday.html

Bring along the guide book to explore DelCarte after you do the Story Walk, or use it the next time you go. 

If you haven't been, I encourage you to make a visit. It is well worth it. 

Yes, the playground is temporarily out of service but there are paths and real trees to play in and around.

The guidebook was put together by the Conservation Commission which has oversight responsibility for the area.




Videos that I have recorded over time give a sense of the natural and changing views at DelCarte
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/delcarte-open-space-111216-video.html

even on a grey day in March, there is a quiet beauty at DelCarte

Story Walk - At DelCarte Park - Saturday April 15, 10:30 AM.

The Franklin Public Library is partnering up with the Franklin Parks and Recreation Department to bring you a fun unique blend of story time and physical activity in the great outdoors! 

A Story Walk is a fun, educational activity that places a children’s story (literally a book taken apart) along a popular walking route, in this case, at DelCarte Park!

Story Walk - At DelCarte Park - Saturday April 15, 10:30 AM.

The Parmenter Elementary School had a story walk in October 2010. You can visit the photo archive here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157625155278049/with/5131423045/

DelCarte - herbicide treatments scheduled for 2017 and 2018

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.

invasive species in the water at DelCarte

The ecological study performed to show the need for these herbicide treatments can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/ecological-and-management-study-of.html


The reminder on the treatments was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/get-rid-those-invasive-weeds-delcarte-pond-herbicide-treatment-begins-2017-stay-tuned-more