Recap: Introduction, retirement, promotion, and two presentations highlight the Town Council meeting

Quick Recap:

• Less than polite discourse around comments regarding the Senator Warren visit to the Town Common continue among multiple parties. Edgy tone continues in a long set of 'facts' ultimately leaving one citizen confused about the zoning bylaw proposal reviewed in the public hearing at last meeting and then put aside. 
• Brief introduction of new Veterans Service agent - Shannon Nisbett and Debra Martin now a Town employee (previously funded by Norfolk County).
• One retirement and one promotion recognized with state and local proclamations including swearing in for promotion
• New all alcohol license approved for the Franklin Shed, a new restaurant slated to open in early to mid-2022 next to the Big Y
• Presentation from Jen Knight-Levine touting the services and development of SAFE Coalition also closed with the staggering fact on the potency of THC in the vap cartridges today vs. the marijuana of several years ago
• Jen Delmore, Conservation Agent, provided an update on the progress to mitigating the invasive plant growth on the DelCarte ponds. Much accomplished, more to be done before fishing can be restored
• Formal passage of the trash/recycling fee with the second vote to approve. An increase of $8/year for the normal containers, no change for the smaller containers. This still leaves the town residents paying less than the $300/year we paid before the single stream system was implemented.

 
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting although this time, reporting live from the Council Chambers.
 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/3y3gZiaavkP78m6A6

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #tc0915 
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc0915&src=typed_query  
 
Agenda doc (including connection info) ->   
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf 
 
 

• getting ready for the Town Council meeting at 7 PM - agenda can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf  #TC0915
  
• All 8 councilors present this evening (1 spot open due to resignation, to be filled with the Nov 2, 2021 election) #tc0915
  
• Chair Mercer opens meeting; multiple access to meeting reminder - in person, Zoom access, live stream via Town page, or cable via Verizon/Comcast #tc0915
  
• brief intro of Shannon Nisbett, new Veterans Service Officer (replacing Dale Kurtz who retired); Debra Martin, assistant to the VSO now a ToF employee for veterans service #tc0915
  
• Nancy Danello, acting Town Clerk, with an update on the local election  - Sep 30 last day to withdraw; Oct 13 last day to register to vote; Oct 14 candidates night; Oct 20 machine testing; early voting during business hours once ballots arrive #tc0915
  
• Sat Oct 23, and Sun Oct 24; from 10 AM to 1:00 PM for early voting in the Town Clerk's office #tc0915
  
• J Callaway-Tripp making comment against Pellegri's comments from the Sep 1 meeting; slander, violation of resolution 20-14. #tc0915
  
• C Cass commending Pellegri for her comments; #tc0915 some of the heckling occurred during a requested moment of silence; showed lack of decency by those participating
  
• J Maciel (?) re: comments on the research she did regarding the zoning discussion; what is the cost? What are the qualifications of the MAPC? Confused by the actions and notes of the discussion around downtown parking #tc0915
  
• D Bardsley - sad about the blurred lines of opinions; #tc0915
  
• approval of mins from Aug 28 meeting; second, passes 8-0  #tc0915
  
• PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS a.Police Department:  i.Sergeant Lee Drake - Retirement  #tc0915 ( photos to be added )
• Sergeant Drake with Chief Lynch and State Rep Roy #tc0915
  
• Not to be out done, the Town Council also has a proclamation of recognition #tc0915 Chair Mercer presenting
  
• Sergeant Louis Marguerite - Promotion Chief Lynch provides intro, N Danello  swears Sgt in to office; pinned by family members (photos to be added) #tc0915
• Promotion photos as referenced #tc0915
  
• 5.APPOINTMENTS a. Janice Prentice - Associate member, Historical Commission   https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5a._appointment_-_prentice.pdf…  motion to approve, second, passes 8-0  #tc0915
• b. Chuna Keophannga - Finance Committee   https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5b._appointment_-_keophannga.pdf… motion to approve, second, passes 8-0  
• c. Tyrel Hansen - Finance Committee    https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5c._appointment_-_hansen.pdf…  motion to approve, second, passes 8-0
• next up ->  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://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._web_franklin_shed.pdf… #tc0915 motion to approve, second, passes 8-0 via roll call
• two roll call votes, one to approve license, second to approve the pledge of license as collateral for loan from bank - both pass 8-0 #tc0915
  
• next up - SAFE Coalition, Jennifer Knight-Levine, Executive Director #tc0915
  
• Slides being talked to about SAFE #tc0915
  
• AWESOME, Jen Knight-Levine and SAFE are an incredible resource for this community and the surrounding coverage area #tc0915
  
• host community agreements are a complex mix but we do allocate funds for SAFE and will do more so as they become available. #tc0915
  
• Dellorco with great heartwarming story, Mercer in a short time (5 years) the development and the breadth of services is awesome #tc0915
  
• Next up Jen Delmore, Conservation Agent with an update on the weeds at DelCarte #tc0915 presentation copy https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._delcarte_weeds_pres.pdf
  
• part way there with milfoil getting resolved;; chestnut still to be monitored and treated #tc0915 long term plan to clear the plants first, then get the invasive fish species, and settle it, before stocking with game and native fish
  
• subcommittee reports: EDC met this evening, next meeting Oct 20, discussion on town branding and wayfinding #tc0915
  
• 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) motion to approve, second, passes 8-0  #tc0915
  
• b. Bylaw Amendment 21-875: Chapter 82, Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - 2nd Reading (Motion to adopt Bylaw Amendment 21-875 - Majority Roll Call Vote)  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10b._21-875_trash.pdf…  motion to approve, second, passes (via roll call) 8-0
• no Town Administrator report tonight, future agenda items - Oct 6, School District to provide an update to Council on their Davis Thayer plans and timeline #tc0915 there will be an open house but no date available at this time
  
• councilor comments; Chandler - thanks for the increased participating; Hamblen, thanks for the presenters tonight, thanks for the zucchini racers; thanks for the Cultural Festival - Harvest Festival - Oct 2 (rain date Oct 3) #tc0915
  
• bike racks on Common, complete streets - Sep 22, 6:00 PM, at Farmers Mkt this Friday to gather info on improvements re: complete streets; #tc0915 incredible event, kudos to those who put this on - Kaye Kelly, Chair of Cultural Council
  
• MAPC is the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, they are highly professional and experienced in doing this kind of work #tc0915  MAPC will have a booth at the Harvest Festival Oct 2 to introduce new websites for feedback;
  
• pancake breakfast every 2nd Sunday at the Rod & Gun club - #tc0915 Cultural Festival, also at the Historical Museum for the speaker there, impressive, was recorded will be available for replay.
  
• Thanks to the Fire/Police Chiefs to come in to recognize the retirements and new hires; SAFE doing great things for our community. #tc0915  motion to adjourn, second, passes 8-0

 
Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

one of the slides from the SAFE Coalition presentation

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