Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Sep 15, 2021

 
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify Council members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. August 18, 2021   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/3a._1_august_18_2021_tc_meeting_minutes_-_draft_for_review.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
a. Police Department:
i. Sergeant Lee Drake - Retirement
ii. Sergeant Louis Marguerite - Promotion

5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Janice Prentice - Associate member, Historical Commission   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5a._appointment_-_prentice.pdf
b. Chuna Keophannga - Finance Committee   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5b._appointment_-_keophannga.pdf
c. Tyrel Hansen - Finance Committee   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5c._appointment_-_hansen.pdf

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Franklin Shed, LLC d/b/a Franklin Shed, New Section 12 Restaurant, All Alcoholic Beverages, and approval of manager, located at 340 East Central Street, Franklin, MA.   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._web_franklin_shed.pdf

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. SAFE Coalition, Jennifer Knight-Levine, Executive Director
b. Delcarte Conservation Area Weed Remediation, Jennifer Delmore, Conservation Agent  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._delcarte_weeds_pres.pdf

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 21-53: Gift Acceptance, Franklin Public Library $5,890, Veterans’ Service Department $300, Fire Department $200 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-53 - Majority Vote)
b. Bylaw Amendment 21-875: Chapter 82, Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - Second Reading
(Motion to adopt Bylaw Amendment 21-875 - Majority Roll Call Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10b._21-875_trash.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled

15. ADJOURN

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc, including connection info and documents released for this meeting can be found ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf

Delcarte Conservation Area Weed Remediation

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Recreation Department

275 Beaver Street
Franklin, MA 02038 

http://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department

The Recreation Department is located at 275 Beaver Street, Franklin MA 02038. The Recreation Department offers Franklin residents a variety of programs and activities for youth and adults, as well as coordination of youth sports organizations field use. The department operates and schedules activities for Beaver Pond (beach and turf field), Fletcher Field, Dennis Pisani Softball Field, Henry “Ski” Faenza Tot Lot (Nason Street Tot Lot), King Street Memorial Field, Dacey Community Field, and the Meadowlark Lane fields. The department is also responsible for scheduling the use of all school athletic fields. Our department works closely with the various town youth sports organizations and Athletic Director Tom Angelo to schedule all youth sports activities around the high school team practices and games.

Chilson Beach
Chilson Beach was open from June 20-August 21, 2020 with a swim at your own risk policy. No lifeguards were on duty. However, we staffed the beach with gate guards to check for residency as the beach remains Franklin residents only. The pond was home to canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and hiking. 

For information on Chilson Beach and our water testing results, visit:

http://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/pages/beaver-pond

At the above website, residents can check the water quality and E-coli levels as we run a water quality check every week to make sure it is safe for swimming.
On the turf field at Beaver Pond, we continue to permit soccer, field hockey, flag football, and boy’s lacrosse. The turf field was used for the Franklin Recreation Department’s NFL Flag football, Franklin Youth Soccer, and Franklin youth boys lacrosse, as well as yoga for senior citizens, tai chi, boot camp, and many other recreational activities. A portable recycled plastic walkway is on site for handicap accessibility to the water edge and playground area. The Franklin High School soccer, lacrosse and field hockey programs play all of their home games on the turf field as well. The turf field was recently resurfaced in 2017.

The Recreation Dept does so much, their full report doesn't fit here. Please continue reading with either the PDF version (page 109) or the print version (#103) -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020:  Recreation Department

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Conservation Commission

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Franklin Conservation Commission is responsible for promoting and protecting the Town of Franklin’s natural resources, and protecting the Town’s wetlands resources.

The Commission is comprised of seven volunteer residents appointed for three year terms by the Town Administrator. Current Commission members have diverse professional experience related to environmental science, biology, engineering, 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 represented at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions each 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 Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) provides administrative and technical support to the Commission.

Permitting of Work Within or Adjacent to Wetlands Resources
The majority of the Commission’s attention is directed to administering Massachusetts and Franklin wetland protection laws and regulations. Those laws and regulations require Conservation 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.

During the first quarter of FY20 the Commission voted to accept fast tracking NOI/ANRAD peer review consultant services as recommended by the Conservation Agent and DPCD. This change has helped move big projects along the permitting process more quickly.

During FY20 the Conservation Agent reviewed and administratively approved 15 minor buffer zone applications.

During FY20 the Conservation Commission received 46 permit applications to work within areas under their permitting jurisdiction. In addition the Commission issued Certificates of Compliance for previously permitted projects, and granted permit extensions to allow projects to finish. The table below is a summary of Conservation Commission activity during the 2020 Fiscal Year.

Some of the more interesting project applications before the Commission during FY20 include construction of a marijuana cultivation and production facility at 160 Grove Street and the Town’s projects off Meadowlark Lane and Griffin Road to improve water quality and reduce pollutant loading in the Chicken Brook-Charles River sub-watershed.

DelCarte Conservation Area 
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 Commission retained the services of ESS, Inc. to undertake an ecological study to ascertain the flora and fauna viability in the pond and develop a long term management plan. This study, completed in 2015-2016 has given the Town a comprehensive understanding of exactly “what is there” and includes a management plan to help keep the area viable as a true recreational jewel. The first two phases of the plan’s recommendations, the treatment of invasive plant species, was undertaken in the spring/summer of 2017-2019. The Town appropriated Capital Improvement funds to help implement the next phases of this study in 2019-2020. The pond’s invasive species were treated again throughout the summer of 2020.

In addition the funds are being used to implement the ADA recommendations under the master plan developed for DelCarte. This plan, developed for the Town by Mass Audubon was presented to the Commission in the fall of 2017. The Commission began to undertake improvements to the DelCarte Recreation Area in the late summer/early fall of 2018 to bring access to the trails and the water bodies up to ADA standards and improve the overall aesthetics of the area. This portion of the improvements was completed in the spring/summer 2019.

Continue reading the report from the Conservation Commission

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Conservation Commission

Escape to the Arts! Sunday, June 13

Escape to the Arts! Sunday, June 13 closes out the Franklin's ArtWALK Celebration. 

 
For the complete schedule of events and activities for the ArtWALK

https://www.franklinculture.org/home/pages/franklin-artwalk-celebration-escape-arts 

Escape to the Arts! Sunday, June 13

Franklin's ArtWALK Celebration June 11-12-13

Escape to the Arts! Saturday, June 12

Escape to the Arts! Saturday, June 12 continues Franklin's ArtWALK Celebration. 

 
For the complete schedule of events and activities for the ArtWALK

https://www.franklinculture.org/home/pages/franklin-artwalk-celebration-escape-arts

 

Escape to the Arts! Saturday, June 12

Franklin's ArtWALK Celebration June 11-12-13

FM #441 Jen Delmore - Conservation Agent - 01/13/21 (audio)

FM #441 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 441 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Conservation Agent Jen Delmore. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 36 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jen Delmore.

Audio file =  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/fe003ca7-7e2a-456f-baf2-b9facd1bba62

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Conservation Forms  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/filing-instructions-forms-and-fees

DelCarte Reports and Plan  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/delcarte-conservation-area

Conservation Home owners 101  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/homeowners-101

Conservation Regulations and bylaws  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/regulations-and-bylaws  

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

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

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

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters" 

DelCarte, on a January morning 2020

Nature Photography, Capturing the Beauty Surrounding Us - Jan 12

Event Date:   Tuesday, January 12, 2021 - 11:00 AM

Join us for a slide show featuring the beautiful Nature, Bird and Animal photography of Renata Gilarova. Slide show will be followed a Q&A. Send us your favorite nature shots for a quick slideshow share at the end of the event.

Email Ariel for the link to join at adoggett@franklinma.gov.  

 

along the main dam at DelCarte (my photo)

Town Fields and Parks to Reopen with Restrictions - May 25

Town Fields and Parks to Reopen with Restrictions

As part of Governor Baker's recent Executive COVID-19 Order No. 33, the Town of Franklin will reopen its athletic fields, courts, and parks on Monday, May 25th as part of the Phase 1 re-entry.

Please see the attached document for details, protocols, and guidelines for the safe use of our facilities.

Signage will be posted.

May 22, 2020

TO: Town of Franklin Residents, Businesses & Visitors
FROM: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
RE: Athletic Fields & Courts reopen Monday, May 25th

As part of Governor Baker’s recent Executive COVID-19 Order No. 33, the Town of Franklin will reopen its athletic fields, courts and parks on Monday, May 25th as part of the Phase 1 reentry.

The following actions apply:
● All town and school athletic fields, courts and parks and parking lots will reopen.
● Dacey Field Dog Park will reopen.
● All playground apparatus will remain closed, gates will remain locked, signage will be posted prohibiting use.
● All Nature Trails remain open in town and state forests and parks.

The Town mandates that all requirements in the Governor’s order be followed. Signage will be posted at each park and all conditions apply for Phase 1 reopening:
● Group size. Groups larger than 10 are n ot allowed to gather.
● Practice social distancing. Remain 6 feet away from others.
● Mandatory face coverings if social distancing is not possible.
● Wash & Sanitize hands and equipment before and after play.
● Please refrain from contact sports.
● Please take out what you bring in for equipment, trash, bottles, and clothing.
● Please disinfect or use precautions on railings, doors, gate handles and other common spots where transmission can be higher.

We ask all users of athletic fields, courts and nature trails to be courteous of one another as the Commonwealth looks to expand activities and climb out of the COVID-19 crisis. Please respect everyone's distance and personal safety as the Town reintroduces back into sports. Please be diligent in the above practices, use common courtesy and common sense. Most of all, enjoy!


Download a copy of this document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/2020-05-22_athletic_fields_reopen.pdf

The "until further notice" has been determined to be May 25!

Town of Franklin parks and fields opening May 25; playgrounds remain closed

In accordance with the Governor's plan, we will be opening all fields & parks, & their associated parking lots, Mon. May 25th.

Playgrounds will remain closed due to the high frequency of surface touching on equipment.

Please follow all social distancing requirements to stay safe! https://t.co/G78vx00lOM

In accordance with the Governor's plan, we will be opening all fields & parks, & their associated parking lots, Mon. May 25th. Playgrounds will remain closed due to the high frequency of surface touching on equipment. Please follow all social distancing requirements to stay safe! pic.twitter.com/G78vx00lOM

— Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) May 19, 2020

arial view of FHS athletic fields

Storywalk at DelCarte (photo slideshow)

A fun Storywalk is up at DelCarte! Enjoy the sunshine!

And if you haven't made it there yet, you can visit it virtually with this photo slideshow

Photo taken in the rain on Weds 4/08/20

Earth day clean up at DelCarte - April 25 - Canceled

"It is with mixed emotion I announce the cancellation of the Earth Day Clean Up at DelCarte scheduled for Saturday, April 25.  

The Conservation Commission fully understands the current situation with COVID-19 and the effect it is having on all in Franklin and around the world.

We will not place any resident at risk for the sake of any event.

We hope to celebrate Earth Day next year and will make best efforts in the meantime to keep DelCarte one of the Town's Crown Jewels.

We wish you all good health.


William Batchelor

Chairman
Conservation Commission

Shared from the Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/2566887723581238/

the floating walkway at DelCarte recently

Fresh air is good for us, get out to the woods/trail for a walk

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

“I have some good news. Nature is not canceled,” said Bonnie Combs, marketing director for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. “Fresh air and sunshine are good for you. Just practice social distancing.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200317/coronavirus-pushes-people-outdoors

The SNETT trail is good walking here in Franklin more info on their page
https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

DelCarte Open Space on Pleasant St is always a good choice for me. Find more trail maps and info about other options in Franklin here
https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/files/fields-playgrounds

on a trail in the Franklin Town Forest (off Summer St) recently

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: 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 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 comprises 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, 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 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 Commission retained the services of ESS, Inc. to undertake an ecological study to ascertain the flora and fauna viability in the pond and develop a long term management plan. 

This study, completed in the winter of 2015-6 has for the first time given the town a comprehensive understanding of exactly “what is there” and has developed a management plan to help keep the area viable as a true recreational jewel. The first phase of the Plan’s recommendations, the treatment of invasive plant species was undertaken in the spring/summer of 2017 and phase two will be undertaken in the spring/summer of 2018.

The Commission has requested additional Capital Improvement funds to help implement the next phases of this study in 2018-2019 as well as funds to implement the ADA recommendations under the master plan developed for DelCarte by Mass Audubon. This later plan was presented to the Commission in the fall of 2017.

The Commission will undertake improvements to the DelCarte Recreation Area in the late summer/early fall of 2018 to bring access to the trails and the water bodies up to ADA standards and the improved the overall aesthetics of the area. The Commission applied for a 2018 Recreation Trails grant to also offset the cost of ADA improvements in the DelCarte Recreation Area.

The Commission collects application fees for all permits that come before them. These fees paid for, among other things, the studies on the DelCarte recreation area and thus allowed the Commission to truly understand the issues facing the town in maintaining this area for quality recreation.

Notice of pond treatment at DelCarte
The Commission has also initiated a comprehensive study of the beaver population and associated issues within the pond area to come up with best practices to prevent irreparable damage to the pond ecosystem and surrounding private properties. The results have been received and are being evaluated by the Commission.

Since the last annual report, the Conservation Commission has received 61 permit applications to work within areas under their permitting jurisdiction.

The Commission also issued 30 certificates of completion for various projects and granted extensions to allow projects to finish.

In late April, the Commission conducted the third annual clean-up days at the DelCarte Recreation area. The event was also attended by a number of citizen volunteers who lent valuable assistance and manpower in helping to maintain this valuable town resource.

The Commission completed studies on Chapter 61, 61A & 61B parcels within the town as well as a study on all Commission-managed town-owned land. These studies can be used by the town’s decision makers to better understand the implications of purchasing or not purchasing property that becomes available and how to best manage properties or parcels already owned by the town. Recommendations on some of the parcels currently managed by the Commission have been made to the Town Council.

The Commission also completed a study of all land under its management jurisdiction. This will allow the Commission to better evaluate how to manage these parcels and to determine if any additional parcels should be under Commission jurisdiction or if some should in fact not be and to make appropriate recommendations to the Town Council.

The Commission has developed a series of standard operating procedures and educational snippets, which are posted on the Commission’s website, to help the citizenry understand some of the rationale behind the Commission’s operations and procedures.

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 improved walking trails through woodlands along a series of ponds. Two canoe launches and an above-water boardwalk that completely connect the trail system have been installed;
• The town forest has access off of Summer Street and trails thru woodlands and across Uncas Brook.

Other trail areas, not under the jurisdiction of the Commission include:

• Indian Rock has good access off of both King Phillip Road and Lost Horse Trail with walking trails through woodlands near two large vernal pools and to the top of historic Indian Rock; The trails in this area were improved in the spring as part of an eagle scout project;
• 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 has been reconstructed by the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation;
• 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.

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:
William Batchelor , Chair
Tara Henrichon, Vice Chair
Jeff Livingstone Staci Dooney
Paul Harrington Jeff Milne
Angela Gelineau

Respectfully submitted,
William Batchelor, Chair


You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

invasive plant species visible at DelCarte

"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

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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