Town Council Recap: Agricultural Commission confirmed; DPW presents; Concession Stand proposal heard

Only three votes were recorded on Wednesday, Dec 20 at the Town Council meeting. (1) The vote to approve the prior meeting minutes passed 9-0. (2) The vote to approve a change in hours for DeVita's Market passed 8-0-1. None voted against, Councilor Padula abstained. (3) The third and final vote was to adjourn the last meeting of 2017. Before the Council adjourned for the year, they did hear updates on the following topics:


Representative Jeff Roy announced that the Agricultural Commission had been formally signed by Governor Baker. He presented a copy of the official parchment along with the pen used to sign the legislation to Councilor Melanie Hamblen who was instrumental in getting the Agricultural Commission started.

Representative Jeff Roy and Councilor Melanie Hamblen

A presentation on the proposed new concession stand for the high school (Pisini Field) was reviewed and discussed. It has been conditionally approved by the School Committee (pending funding progress) and did not need a vote from the Town Council. The presentation was for community awareness. You can view the presentation copy in the links below or on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/concession_stand_proposal.pdf

Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi, DPW Director along with Chris White, Solid Waste Coordinator and Scott Haynes, Arcadas Engineering presented an update on the Sewer system as well as the solid waste processing. The document used in the presentation can be found in the links below as well as on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/council_update_nov_17_sewer_and_trash_1.pdf

Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi, DPW Director along with Scott Haynes, Arcadas Engineering
and Chris White, Solid Waste Coordinator

The official "Actions Taken" document can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_december_20_2017.pdf

• Live reporting: to Closing
• Live reporting: DPW presentation
• Live reporting: Town Council - Dec 20, 2017
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The New Franklin Agricultural Commission is now accepting member volunteer applications!

The Town of Franklin recently established a new committee called the Franklin Agricultural Commission. The Town encourages all residents who are interested in volunteering for the Agricultural Commission to apply now for the first round of committee appointments.

The Franklin Agricultural Commission has been created to promote, develop and foster agricultural resources in the Town of Franklin. The Committee will consist on 5 Members with 3-Year terms after the initial staggering of the appointments. 

To create staggered terms for the initial (first) appointments will be as follows:

• 2 members will be appointed for a 3-year term;
• 2 member will be appointed for a 2-year term (at annual re-appointments member can renew for a 3 year term); and
• 1 member will be appointed for a 1-year term (at annual re-appointments member can renew for a 3 year term).

To apply please visit the Town’s website and fill out the online volunteer form at:
http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php


The Application period will begin on Friday, December 22nd and the deadline for applying will be Friday, February 2nd by the close of business at 1:00 PM.


Any interested party may also apply in person in the Town Administrator’s Office in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street.


For more information or questions about a Board or Committee, please visit the Committee Website at: http://www.franklinma.gov/agricultural-commission
or contact the Town Administrator’s Office, at 508-520-4949

Shared from http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2017-12-21agriculturalcommissionvolunteer_0.pdf

at the Town Council meeting Weds Dec 20, Rep Jeff Roy presented Councilor Melanie Hamblen copies of the legislation signed by Governor Baker creating the Franklin Agricultural Commission

”(Butterflies are) such an important part of the ecosystem"

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

"The converted carport behind Holliston’s Prentice Road golf course contains a riot of color and movement. 

Blooms in shades of pink, purple, and yellow soar up from islands of loam on the gravel floor, pour from boxes along the walls, and hang from baskets in the ceiling. Black and orange butterflies flit from flower to flower, and a few head for the netted walls and arched ceiling, where visitors can hear the rapid drumming of their wings against the barrier. A mural of the colorful insects takes up a back wall. 

This is the Holliston Butterfly Aviary, which opened for its third season this past weekend, behind the town-owned Pinecrest Golf Course. 

Watch where you step: some butterflies nestle into the gravel at visitors’ feet."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170718/hollistons-butterfly-aviary-is-open

From the Holliston Agricultural Commission webpage:



The Agricultural Commission in Holliston established the butterfly aviary as part of their regular programs including a community garden, farms day in September and a Spring event in April. Franklin is in the process of getting an Agricultural Committee together to help foster the farm environment. Hmm, what will Franklin do?

"Butterfly Aviary Rules

• Aviary is open 7 days a week 8am-7pm (During "open" season)
• Please no children should be inside the aviary without adult supervision
• Please no touching or trying to catch the butterflies
• Watch your step as butterflies are often on the gravel and you could step on them
• No running, bug repellants, picking up the butterflies or the plants, dogs, food or drinks allowed inside
• Please do not place hands on the netting
• Before you leave, please check yourself to make sure you don't have any butterflies on you"

From the Holliston Agricultural Commission webpage
http://www.hollistonagcom.org/butterfly_aviary.html

From the Holliston Agricultural Commission webpage

"commercial urban agriculture is a newer trend"

With an Agricultural Commission underway, a thriving Community Gardens, and several farms in the area Franklin is maintaining a link to farming. And apparently, we are not alone!

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

"Long the domain of rural areas, commercial farming operations are now starting to take root in urban neighborhoods. 

“Demand has been really strong for this,” said Rose Arruda, urban agriculture coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, which has awarded approximately $1.5 million in urban farming grants over the past five years. 

Perched up on rooftops, packed into greenhouses or spread across vacant lots, urban farmers grow a variety of crops to sell to customers in their communities."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170623/farming-takes-root-in-city

Franklin's Community Gardens is located at the King St Memorial Fields

“We’re really excited to get going"

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

"The Town Council has given its approval to a measure that would give local farmers a voice and promote efforts to “buy local” produce. 

At its March 24 meeting, the council unanimously agreed to establish an agricultural commission. The council would now petition the Legislature to allow for such a group. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the idea came from a citizen. He said the hope was that the commission would encourage “buy local” efforts, educate residents about farms and provide a perspective on conflicts between farmers and neighbors. 

“There are some wonderful resources we have here,” he said. “(Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting) and I have met with proponents several times.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170528/franklin-council-oks-farming-group

Find out more about the Franklin Agriculture Commission on their Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/FrAgComMa/?fref=nf

Franklin Agriculture Commission looking for your help (Facebook photo)

Agricultural Commission discussion rescheduled for Thursday, April 27

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

April 27, 2017

6:00 PM

Room 205

Agenda

1. Agricultural Commission Presentation and Discussion

Franklin Agriculture Commission looking for your help (Facebook photo)

Related post on the proposed Agricultural Commission
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/03/franklin-agriculture-commission-is.html

MDN article on Agricultural Commission
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/04/in-news-agricultural-commission.html

Note: notified of meeting date change on 4/25/17 just before noon.