"We’re going into what looks like an interesting year"

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"After using about $1.5 million to balance the 2019 budget, town officials hopes to re-stabilize funds for the new budget cycle in fiscal 2020. 

Franklin’s Joint Budget Subcommittee meets at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Municipal Building to reveal and discuss their budget plan. 

The last budget revealed a deficit of almost $1.5 million. The crisis was averted by using an emergency fund, but town officials hope to rebuild those dollars and stop using that account. The FY 2019 budget for the town sits at about $124,223,367. 

“We’re trying to look at if we can take less of those funds,” said Town Administrator Jeff Nutting. “There won’t be any decision on that now, but that’s what we’re looking at.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180924/franklin-meeting-will-discuss-budget-for-fiscal-2020

The agenda for this meeting can be found online
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/09/joint-budget-subcommittee-meeting.html

Five year fiscal forecast
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/five_year_fiscal_forecast_fy17-fy21.pdf

Town of Franklin budget page
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

work underway at DelCarte to improve handicap access to the boat launch area

Delcarte Recreation Canoe Launch Improvements

The town will be starting work in the DelCarte Recreation area to improve access to the canoe launch. This work will take place between the parking lot off of Pleasant Street and the pond and will involve removing the wood chips, building a trail to the canoe launch that is ADA compliant, replacing one of the concrete pads in this area and planting new grass. 

There has been some delay in starting the work, but it is now scheduled to begin on or about September 13, 2018 and should take about a week to complete. While the work is underway, and for the safety of all, the area may be closed periodically due to the operation of heavy equipment.

Any questions should be directed to George Russell, Conservation Agent at 508-533-4847 or grussell@franklinma.gov.

Delcarte Recreation Canoe Launch Improvements

Milford Daily News has a write up on this work which talks of it being scheduled for next week
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180912/franklin-improves-access-to-recreation-spot

DelCarte Conservation Area parking area and playground will be closed on Thursday, July 12

The DelCarte Conservation Area parking area and playground will be closed on Thursday July 12, 2018 for tree work. 

Thank you for your cooperation.

DelCarte Conservation Area playground will be closed on Thursday, July 12

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/delcarte-conservation-area-parking-area-and-playground-will-be-closed-thursday-july-12



Actually this is good timing, the next herbicide treatment is also scheduled for this day so it will be good to get both done at the same time.
More info on the herbicide treatment can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/07/follow-up-treatment-of-delcarte-ponds.html

Follow up treatment of the Delcarte Ponds will be conducted on July 12, 2018

The date for the follow up treatment of the invasive plants in the DelCarte Ponds is July 12, 2018. (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/home/news/follow-treatment-delcarte-ponds-will-be-conducted-july-12-2018

----------

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

Proposed Shade Structures for DelCarte Open Space

The Conservation Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 14 will hear about some plans for construction and enhancements to the DelCarte open space. According to the abutters letter and an image of the map showing the work area, the work will be done in and around the existing playground.

For more info, attend or tune into the meeting Thursday, June 14 at 7:15 PM

The agenda for the meeting can be found online
http://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/events/138433

or directly here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/june_14_meet_0.pdf

Proposed Shade Structures for DelCarte Open Space

Stories in Stone Walls - Apr 28

Brought to you by Stony Brook Wildlife in conjunction with the Franklin Cultural Council

Join us for a free walk at the Franklin DelCarte Recreation and Conservation Area, Saturday, April 28, starting at 11:30 a.m. Led by Doug Williams, a conservation biologist and the Director of Stony Brook, we will start with an interactive presentation focused on how and why the stone walls rose to importance in the New England landscapes. We will then walk to have a “hands on” encounter with stone walls at DelCarte itself.

Please meet at the Pleasant St. park entrance by the playground. Call Stony Brook at 508-528-3140 with any questions.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Franklin Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Stories in Stone Walls - Apr 28

"It’s been quite a tradition"

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

"If you’ve resolved to get in touch with nature in 2018, you’ll have an opportunity to do so on the very first day of the year. 

The Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park will be hosting a “First Day Hike” in the afternoon on New Year’s Day - part of a statewide series of hikes held by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. According to the department, this will be the fifth year the event has been offered in Uxbridge, though the first hike in the state took place 27 years ago at Milton’s Blue Hills Reservation. 

Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the park’s River Bend Farm Visitor Center at 287 Oak St., while the hike will kick off at 1 p.m."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171227/first-day-hike-will-ring-in-new-year


The MA DCR also shares the 7 hikes around the State that are scheduled for January 1
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-first-day-hikes-at-state-parks

The trails at DelCarte were in use this week

The walk provided some great scenic views

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