Showing posts with label abbey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abbey. Show all posts

Thursday, January 17, 2019

"where the buffer zone is between conservation land and the proposed solar array"

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

"A new solar array is being proposed in town while conservation concerns loom in the planned area. 
A public hearing will be held on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building. The application for the photovoltaic solar was filed by Kearsarge Upper Union LLC of Boston. 
George Russell, conservation agent for Franklin, said that this is the third solar array proposal that Franklin has considered in just the last few months. Currently, there’s one solar array in town, located on Union Street. 
Russell said they’re working with Industria Engineering in Hopkinton to finalize a potential design"
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190116/large-solar-array-proposed-franklin


The new proposal for this solar array is located not far from the first one on the Mount St Mary's Abbey property which provides Franklin with about 90% of the electricity supply. The existing solar farm is located to the left of the big bend in Upper Union shown on the map. There is also a wind turbine across the street from the 'big bend' on the map.




The public hearing notice just came in for the Conservation Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan 31, 2019.
"Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Act) a Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA on a Notice of Intent filed by Kearsarge Upper Union LLC of Boston, MA for installation of photovoltaic solar array in open farmed field in the buffer zone of bordering vegetated wetlands. 
This project is located at 1061 Upper Union Street"
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/upper_union_street_solar.pdf

the solar farm at Mount St Mary's Abbey as it was being installed in Aug 2013
the solar farm at Mount St Mary's Abbey as it was being installed in Aug 2013

Monday, December 9, 2013

In the News: solar farm, Santa Foundation


Abbey sisters, politicians celebrate solar farm

The sisters of Mount St. Mary’s Abbey hosted a public celebration and ribbon-cutting for their latest green energy effort – an 8.6-megawatt solar farm off Upper Union Street. The abbey already has a 130-foot-tall wind turbine and a geothermal system underneath its chapel. As a result of their efforts, the sisters were awarded the Energy Leadership Award by the Mass Energy Consumer Alliance in October.

Franklin non-profit Christmas gift provider in need of donations

For the 28th consecutive year, Franklin small businessman Bob Sullivan shut down his own business to open up a Santa’s workshop that plans to bring the joy of Christmas to about 800 local families in need.


Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Solar Farm (update)

The solar farm installed at Mount St Mary's Abbey is still being worked on. While many of the solar panels have been placed, there is more to do.

FranklinRide_AbbeySolar2
solar panels

The chain link fence has been completed since I visited last time. A row of juniper bushes (I think?) have been added as a green wall to shield the solar farm from view

FranklinRide_AbbeySolar1
fencing completed, juniper bushes added

There are still sections of panels to install to complete the solar farm.

FranklinRide_AbbeySolar3
more solar panels to install



Related posts on the development of the solar farm
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/13-megawatts-of-energy-from-solar-farm.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/mount-st-marys-solar-farm-update.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/mount-st-marys-solar-farm.html



Wednesday, September 11, 2013

"We are moving along"

As shown with photos shared here, the solar farm up at the Mount St Mary's Abbey is making progress and part of it should go live in October.
National Grid, the town’s primary electricity provider, still has to perform some final safety and security checks, he said. 
The town will purchase the energy generated by the farm at a reduced rate. 
Kearsarge will begin work on the remaining 3 megawatts in the next 60 days. The complete farm will power about 70 percent of the town’s municipal and school buildings, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868836759/Portion-of-Franklins-solar-farm-nears-completion#ixzz2eZn13qA3

MountStMary_Solar2
solar farm in July 2013


More photos from July 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/mount-st-marys-solar-farm-update.html

Photos from June 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/mount-st-marys-solar-farm.html

Friday, July 26, 2013

Mount St Mary's - solar farm (update)

Catching up to some photos on the progress of the solar farm at Mount St Mary's Abbey which straddles Franklin and Wrentham.

MountStMary_Solar1
solar panels being installed

These are slick and shiny on an overcast day, I can just image how bright they'll be on a day with glorious sunshine!

MountStMary_Solar2
gentle slope for the solar panels



MountStMary_Solar3
slick and shiny on an overcast day


The first photos showing the solar farm construction can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/mount-st-marys-solar-farm.html

Monday, June 10, 2013

Mount St Mary's - solar farm

The sisters of Mount St Mary's Abbey installed a wind turbine a couple of years ago. It helps to power their candy store operations.  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/09/mount-st-marys-new-candy-house.html

You can purchase their candy on site or via their web store  http://www.trappistinecandy.com/


MStMaryAbbey_WindTurbine
Mt St Mary's Abbey - wind turbine
The wind turbine in action as captured in a 2010 video
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/02/abbey-wind-turbine.html


Recently they signed an agreement with the Town of Franklin to install a solar farm. The Town Council voted in November 2012 to approve the deal.  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/real-time-reporting-legislation.html


MStMaryAbbey_Solar1
Mt St Mary's Abbey - solar farm


I stopped by on Sunday to grab these photos of the construction underway for this solar farm.

MStMaryAbbey_Solar2
Mt St Mary's Abbey - solar farm 2


The frames are sturdy and follow the contour of the ground.  Completely installed the farm is reported to generate 6 megawatts of electricity.

MStMaryAbbey_Solar3
Mt St Mary's Abbey - solar farm 3


The galvanized steel (?) is shining in the sunlight. When the panels are installed the sunlight will be generating electricity.


MStMaryAbbey_Solar4
Mt St Mary's Abbey - solar farm 4

Additional links
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/its-win-win-for-town.html

Mount St Mary's Abbey = http://abbey.msmabbey.org/

Friday, September 30, 2011

Sisters at Mount Saint Mary’s plan open houses for candy facility

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 9/29/11

The sisters at Mount Saint Mary's Abbey, 300 Arnold St., Wrentham, will hold open houses to celebrate the completion of their new candy making facility on Saturday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 8.

Things you can do from here:

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Mount St Mary's new Candy House

Mount St Mary's Abbey is holding a ribbon cutting and Open House on Saturday October 1, 2011 to celebrate their new candy house. Details are contained in the flyer.

Abbey Open House - Oct 1, 2011


Related posts about the Abbey:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/2nd-fund-raising-event-for-abbey-candy.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/mount-saint-marys-abbey-fund-raising.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/12/abbey-turbine-gets-wings.html



Note: Email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document


Monday, November 15, 2010

Mount Saint Mary's Abbey - fund raising

Mount Saint Mary's Abbey sent a fund raising letter that I think is worthwhile sharing here:

Mount St Mary's Abbey 11/15/10

A brief video of the wind turbine in action was shared here earlier this year
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/02/abbey-wind-turbine.html


Franklin, MA

Friday, April 9, 2010

"Our primary concern is not making candy"

The existing 55-year-old factory had been added to over the years, but its size makes for tight working quarters and its infrastructure is barely passing its health inspections.
"It's passing code, but it's not going to do that forever," Sister Mariann Garrity said.
Garrity said one reason for construction is the walls, which have a bumpy surface and cannot be washed - creating a sanitary issue.
"The most important reason we are building a larger candy factory is that we'd like to expand our production," she said. "The building now is too tight space-wise to be able to do that."

Read more about the Sisters candy operation and fund raising effort for their new building here


Franklin, MA

Thursday, April 8, 2010

2nd Fund Raising Event for Abbey Candy House





FRIENDS of the ABBEY
In 
SPORTS AND SONG







Come join with us in Sports


MATT LIGHT

PATRIOTS Offensive Tackle
(Six Division Championships, Four Conference Titles,
Three Super Bowl Championships)
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING –  PATRIOTS MEMORABILIA


Come join with us in Song

AYLA BROWN
– former American Idol finalist from season 5:
(Boston College Eagles Basketball)



SILENT AUCTIONS, RAFFLES, DOOR PRIZE
ADMISSION: ADULTS $10.00
Children Free - Cash/Checks only



Where: Lake Pearl Luciano’s
When: April 11, 2010
2:00 to 4:00 P.M.
Creek St., Wrentham, Ma.

Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey – 300 Arnold St. – Wrentham, Ma. 02093
Phone: 508 528 1282 Web www.msmabbey.org


Friday, March 26, 2010

2nd Fund Raising Event for Abbey Candy House





FRIENDS of the ABBEY
In 
SPORTS AND SONG







Come join with us in Sports


MATT LIGHT

PATRIOTS Offensive Tackle
(Six Division Championships, Four Conference Titles,
Three Super Bowl Championships)
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING –  PATRIOTS MEMORABILIA


Come join with us in Song

AYLA BROWN
– former American Idol finalist from season 5:
(Boston College Eagles Basketball)



SILENT AUCTIONS, RAFFLES, DOOR PRIZE
ADMISSION: ADULTS $10.00
Children Free - Cash/Checks only



Where: Lake Pearl Luciano’s
When: April 11, 2010
2:00 to 4:00 P.M.
Creek St., Wrentham, Ma.

Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey – 300 Arnold St. – Wrentham, Ma. 02093
Phone: 508 528 1282 Web www.msmabbey.org

Friday, March 12, 2010

2nd Fund Raising Event for Abbey Candy House





FRIENDS of the ABBEY
In 
SPORTS AND SONG







Come join with us in Sports


MATT LIGHT

PATRIOTS Offensive Tackle
(Six Division Championships, Four Conference Titles,
Three Super Bowl Championships)
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING –  PATRIOTS MEMORABILIA


Come join with us in Song

AYLA BROWN
– former American Idol finalist from season 5:
(Boston College Eagles Basketball)



SILENT AUCTIONS, RAFFLES, DOOR PRIZE
ADMISSION: ADULTS $10.00
Children Free - Cash/Checks only



Where: Lake Pearl Luciano’s
When: April 11, 2010
2:00 to 4:00 P.M.
Creek St., Wrentham, Ma.

Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey – 300 Arnold St. – Wrentham, Ma. 02093
Phone: 508 528 1282 Web www.msmabbey.org




Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Abbey Wind Turbine

I got out to Mount St Mary's Abbey in Wrentham to record this brief video of the wind turbine in action:



One advantage of wind over solar, the wind sometimes doesn't stop when the sun goes down. It can continue to generate power during the night as long as there is sufficient wind.

Earlier posts/photos of the wind turbine can be found here

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/12/abbey-turbine-gets-wings.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/11/whoosh-whoosh.html


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Abbey turbine gets wings

The wind turbine at Mount St Mary's Abbey in Wrentham was installed this week. It is quite impressive even from a distance against a gray sky with the blades not turning.

It looks like a giant bird

or a funky hang glider

coming over the trees

until you get closer and the white tower appears.



It will be tested before turning on to generate power for the Abbey.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to view the slide show.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

"We have to be faithful to our basics"

An earsplitting clanging echoed from the stone bell tower of Mount St. Mary's Abbey in Wrentham, calling to prayer about a dozen nuns ending their morning shift in the convent's Candy House.

The sisters, wrapped in work clothes and aprons, walked down a wooded path and through a clearing as they made their silent way home. By noon, they were wearing the crisp, white robes of their contemplative Cistercian order, and had joined 40 others to chant and pray inside the abbey's airy church.

Up at 3, pray and work all day, retire at 8.

So it goes for these nuns and others in the order that for 900 years has emulated St. Benedict in relying on one's hands for daily sustenance.

Here in Wrentham, off a country lane not far from Interstate 495, that means tending a flock of sheep for wool to make blankets and growing a bounty of fresh vegetables in the summer, and, for these sisters who are rarely seen in public, making Trappistine Quality Candy - and lots of it.

Read the full article in the Boston Sunday Globe West section here

The Abbey web site can be found here

You can order candy via their online web store or make a donation via PayPal.

Postings about the Abbey's wind turbine can be found here


Whoosh Whoosh

Modern wind energy plant in rural scenery.Image via Wikipedia
What if some nuns in Wrentham decided to put up a wind turbine? And then high school officials in Worcester? And a Canton bank chairman? And pretty soon, the question wasn't where do wind farms belong, but how many windmills can we squeeze in to every last available space? That day is coming.
.....

"Wind power is part of that," Schulte says. "It seems to be peppered all over society right now: green, green, green. Well, this is green. This is clean energy. This is 20 years of energy with no emissions. Twenty years of energy with no pollution you have to bury in the ground. I think that's all right."

.....

Remember the nuns? Their turbine -- another SED project -- is scheduled to be built this winter. And Sister Mariann Garrity, for one, can't wait for the moment she sees those pearly white blades spinning. "The wind is just something that we've let caress our faces," she says. "It was not something, up until now, that we had learned how to harness. And when we see that turbine go up, we'll know that we are using a gift of creation in a much more effective way."

It's just like the nuns pray on Sundays. Gathered together, all 50 of them, they thank the Lord for the rain and the dew, for the heat of summer and the cold of winter. They give thanks for the seas and the rivers and the beasts, wild and tame. And they give thanks, of course, for the wind blowing outside the abbey, just waiting for a turbine to spin. "All you winds," they say together, quoting from the book of Daniel, "bless the Lord."

Read the full article in the Boston Globe Magazine here

Previous posting about the Abbey's wind project can be found here and here


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Sunday, June 29, 2008

"the traffic from Interstate 495 will be louder"

GHS
Posted Jun 28, 2008 @ 10:46 PM

FRANKLIN —

The sisters of Mt. St. Mary's Abbey lead a simple life, and they plan to use the latest green technology to keep it that way.

The Cistercian community of 52 women grow most of their own food, adopting a vegetarian diet out of a philosophy of frugality and austerity. They use a solar-powered electric fence to hold their sheep and alpaca, and sustain their physical needs by making and selling candy.

In 2006, Sister Mariann Garrity replaced all of the incandescent bulbs at the abbey (about 200 light fixtures) with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights.

This summer, the Cistercians of the Strict Observance at Mt. St. Mary's Abbey are getting further swept up in their efforts to conserve, putting a 40-meter-tall wind turbine in the field beside the sheep pasture, in the middle of their 580-acre property, which is split between Franklin and Wrentham.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here