Showing posts with label charles river. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charles river. Show all posts

Friday, November 17, 2023

2023 Charles River Photo Contest - submit today!

Calling all photographers–do you love to capture our favorite river?

Submit your photos today! 

Share your top three images with the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) by Friday, November 17th for a chance to win exciting river-themed prizes and features on CRWA's digital channels. 

Shortly after the deadline, finalists will be selected, and CRWA members will be called upon to vote for winners in next month's River Current.

Submit photos here

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/2023-charles-river-photo-contest

2023 Charles River Photo Contest - submit today!
2023 Charles River Photo Contest - submit today!

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Administration, Senior Center, Charles River, & Facilities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Administrative Assistant - Town Administrator

Administrative Assistant - Senior Center

Wastewater Treatment Operator - Charles River Pollution Control District  

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 10/06/2023

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Administration, Senior Center, Charles River, & Facilities
Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Administration, Senior Center, Charles River, & Facilities

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Share Your Thoughts - Charles River Flood Model Public Survey

Take the survey: What do you think?

What is your top concern about how climate change will effect you, your family, and your community? Are you concerned about the potential impacts of flooding from climate change? Do you think your city/town and/or the state are doing enough to plan for climate change? Take this survey (https://www.crwa.org/crfm-23) to help the Town of Franklin and the Charles River Watershed Association mitigate flood hazards and climate change. 

Feel free to also share your survey results with the Franklin Conservation Agent/Natural Resource Protection Manager at bgoodlander@franklinma.gov

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/share-your-thoughts-charles-river-flood-model-public-survey

Share Your Thoughts - Charles River Flood Model Public Survey
Share Your Thoughts - Charles River Flood Model Public Survey

Sunday, May 7, 2023

Inclusionary zoning bylaw approved by Town Council in key action at meeting May 3 (audio)

FM #991 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 991 in the series.

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 for their regular meeting and covered a number of items. One of the major achievements was the passage of the inclusionary zoning bylaw. This was one of the action items from the Franklin For All project and a significant accomplishment.

Among the other news worthy items on the agenda were
  • All alcohol license approved for Sierra's Brick Oven Pizza
  • Corporate record license changes for both Longhorn Restaurant and the 99 Restaurant were approved
  • Financial Audit report for FY 2022 reveals a clean report, no actions, no management letter, the Town maintains their AAA rating status
  • Presentation from the Charles River Pollution Control District
  • Update on the long awaited Beaver St interceptor, bids came in below expectations, sewer rates will rise and remain to pay for the 20 year borrowing costs of this major infrastructure project
  • PFAS regulation increases proposed by EPA can cost us significantly. Well 7 is currently offline, more wells may be in jeopardy of shutdown due to increased monitoring. Yet, PFAS is still being made, is a forever chemical and is major concern for future water supply quality and cost thereof



--------------

The full agenda and documents associated with it can be found online ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-for-may.html

Franklin TV's video recording of the meeting is available for replay on YouTube

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF. 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


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/ or www.franklin.news/

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!

------------------


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



Thursday, May 4, 2023

Town Council approves inclusionary zoning & first reading on sewer rate increase among items on a full meeting agenda (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 for their regular meeting and covered a number of items. One of the major achievements was the passage of the inclusionary zoning bylaw. This was one of the action items from the Franklin For All project and a significant accomplishment.

Among the other news worthy items on the agenda were
  • All alcohol license approved for Sierra's Brick Oven Pizza
  • Corporate record license changes for both Longhorn Restaurant and the 99 Restaurant were approved
  • Financial Audit report for FY 2022reveals a clean report, no actions, no management letter, the Town maintains their AAA rating status
  • Presentation from the Charles River Pollution Control District
  • Update on the long awaited Beaver St interceptor, bids came in below expectations, sewer rates will rise and remain to pay for the 20 year borrowing costs of this major infrastructure project
  • PFAS regulation increases proposed by EPA can cost us significantly. Well 7 is currently offline, more wells may be in jeopardy of shutdown due to increased monitoring. Yet, PFAS is still being made, is a forever chemical and is major concern for future water supply quality and cost thereof
The full agenda and documents associated with it can be found online ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-for-may.html

Franklin TV's video recording of the meeting is available for replay on YouTube

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF. My full recap and the meeting audio will be ready in a couple of days ->


Sunday, April 30, 2023

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda for the May 3, 2023 Meeting

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
May 3, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street 



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 members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three 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 - None Scheduled.
4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.
5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled.

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM
a. New Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Katrina Psikarakis as the Manager - Here Come Two Greeks, LLC d/b/a Sierra’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pub, Located at 370 King Street   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6a._sierras_new_license_app.pdf
i. See 7: License Transactions (a) below

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. New Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Katrina Psikarakis as the Manager - Here Come Two Greeks, LLC d/b/a Sierra’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pub, Located at 370 King Street   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a.license_transaction_-_sierras.pdf
 
b. License Modification - Change of Manager: Rare Hospitality International, Inc. d/b/a Longhorn Steakhouse; Located at 250 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin, MA 02038   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7b_license_transaction_-_longhorn.pdf

c. License Modification - Change of Officers/Directors/LLC Managers: 99 Restaurants of Boston, LLC d/b/a 99 Restaurant, Located at 847 West Central Street   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7c._99_lic_trans.pdf

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Presentation: FY22 Financial Audit - Scott McIntire, Partner, Marcum LLP   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._presentation_-_audit.pdf
b. Presentation: Charles River Pollution Control District - Elizabeth Taglieri, Executive Director Charles River Pollution Control District  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._presentation_-_charles_river_pollution_control_district.pdf
    i. Legislation For Action 9 (a)
c. An Introduction to PFAS Regulations - DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi and Water & Sewer Superintendent Doug Martin   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8c._memo_-_discussion_introduction_to_pfas_in_franklin.pdf

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Bylaw Amendment 23-897: Sewer Rate Increase - First Reading
(Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 23-897 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._23-897_-_sewer_rate_increase.pdf 
b. Resolution 23-30: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs Associated with the Franklin Sewer System Asset Management Plan (CWSRF 12541)
(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-30 - ⅔ Majority Vote)      https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._23-30_-.pdf
c. Resolution 23-31: Authority For Town Administrator to File Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Application (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-31 - ⅔ Majority Vote)    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._23-31.pdf
d. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-889: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 7., Part VI, Use Regulation Schedule: Residential Uses - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 23-889 - Majority Roll Call Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9d._23-889.pdf
e. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-890: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Section 51 - Second Reading
(Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 23-890 - Majority Roll Call Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9e._23-890.pdf
f. Resolution 23-32: Gift Acceptance - Town of Franklin for Red Brick School House (Donation of “Established” Sign) (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-32 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9f._23-32_0.pdf
g. Resolution 23-29: FY23 Capital Round 2
(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-29 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9g._23-29_-.pdf

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Budget Subcommittee
d. GATRA Advisory Board

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


Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda for the May 3, 2023 Meeting
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda for the May 3, 2023 Meeting

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Conservation Agent Breeka Li Goodlander helps the Charles River Watershed Association assess culverts

"#DidYouKnow culverts can be climate solutions?

"Yesterday was a blast! We assessed 16 culverts and a minimum of 38 structures in 6 hours in #Natick + #Sherborn," says Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation Agent of @TOFranklinMA."

Learn more >> https://t.co/J3gN4873m9

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/AIdbQh8PqP


Conservation Agent Breeka Li Goodlander helps the Charles River Watershed Association assess culverts
Conservation Agent Breeka Li Goodlander helps the Charles River Watershed Association assess culverts 

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Charles River Drive and Echo Bridge Road Micro-Surfacing Pavement Treatment Project Bids open 1/24/23

Charles River Drive and Echo Bridge Road Micro-Surfacing Pavement Treatment Project

In accordance with MGL c. 30 section 39m, it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of a construction firm for the purposes of furnishing and applying a Micro-Surfacing Pavement Treatment on Charles River Drive and Echo Bridge Road in the Town of Franklin.

Additional Information:  Charles River Dr. and Echo Bridge Rd. Micro-Surfacing Pavement Treatment Project

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/bids

Town of Franklin
Town of Franklin


Friday, December 9, 2022

The Charles River Watershed Association would like your input to this survey

Charles River Watershed Association (@charlesriver) tweeted Thu, Dec 08, 2022:
Have 5 minutes?? Take our quick survey to help create a climate-resilient Charles River! 

Survey link ->  https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dcHNwEN99ETEGHQ 


The Charles River Watershed Association would like your input to this survey
The Charles River Watershed Association would like your input to this survey

Saturday, August 13, 2022

Annual Report Of The Charles River Pollution Control District - FY 2021

Note: FY 2021 is last year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The report was prepared to cover the business for the FY 2021 period. This year’s report FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) is in preparation now and is normally available for distribution at the polls for the November election. Updated - 08/15/22

During Fiscal Year 2021, the Charles River Pollution Control District’s (District) regional advanced wastewater treatment facility received and treated approximately 1,693 million gallons (4.63 million gallons per day) of raw wastewater, including 9.6 million gallons of septage from the District’s member and customer towns before discharge to the Charles River.

As part of the District’s infiltration and inflow program, the District inspected the Mine Brook Interceptor Subsystem, which included inspecting 99 manholes, and performing closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) and multi-sensor inspections of 28,400 linear feet of pipe for signs of infiltration and inflow. Repair work is scheduled to be completed during FY 2022.

In late 2015, the District entered into a Power Purchase Agreement to receive net-metering credits from a solar array in Carver, Massachusetts. The array has been online since December 2015 and to- date the District has received over $420,000 in net- metering credits.

The District’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget is 1.9% higher than the previous years’ budget. The District’s FY 2022 budget for operations and maintenance is $3,814,850, while the capital projects budget is $2,262,900. Franklin’s share of the operation and maintenance and capital projects budgets are estimated to be $2,103,960 and $1,272,840, respectively.

For more information on the District please check out our website at https://www.charlesriverpcd.org/.

Respectively submitted

Douglas M. Downing, Chairman (Medway) 
David Formato, Vice Chairman (Franklin) 
Mark Cataldo, Clerk (Franklin)
Michael Callahan (Medway) 
Wolfgang Bauer (Franklin)

Charles River Pollution Control District (CRPCD) Officers:
Elizabeth Taglieri, P.E., Executive Director 
John D. Foster, Treasurer
Barbara Maffeo, Executive Secretary


The full Annual Report for 2021 can be found

The collection of Annual Reports can be found online

Annual Town Report Of The Town Clerk’s Office - FY 2021
Annual Report Of The Town of Franklin - FY 2021

Friday, April 8, 2022

"Massachusetts residents should not settle for less than healthy rivers and harbors"

"The cleanup of Boston Harbor is incomplete

Largely unknown to the public, raw sewage is still dumped into the Mystic and Charles rivers, which empty directly into the harbor."

"The cleanup of Boston Harbor is considered one of the great environmental success stories of our time — and deservedly so. It has helped transform the quality of life in the metro Boston area as residents and businesses live, work, and play near the newly cleaned up harbor and the rivers that feed into it.

But sadly, and largely unknown to the public, raw sewage is still dumped into the Mystic and Charles rivers that empty right into the harbor. Depending on the volume of rainfall and snowmelt, up to 500 million gallons of sewage mixed with storm water are discharged into the harbor via the two rivers every year.

These discharges flow from old underground pipe networks known as combined sewer systems, engineering relics that were designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe leading to a treatment plant. But during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, the wastewater volume can exceed the pipe’s capacity, causing a combined sewer overflow, or CSO, that dumps the polluted contents directly into the rivers."

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/02/opinion/cleanup-boston-harbor-is-incomplete/ 

For more about the CRWA -> https://www.crwa.org/

  • The Town of Franklin (ToF) is also involved and recently passed the storm water utility fee (starting in Jan 2023) to help fund that effort and relieve pressure from the operating budget. For more about storm water visit the ToF page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division

Scientist Scott Smith and actor Mark Ruffalo work in the Charles River in 2014. The actor, in town to film the movie "Spotlight," helped with water testing near an outfall pipe into the river. SUZANNE KREITER/GLOBE STAFF
Scientist Scott Smith and actor Mark Ruffalo work in the Charles River in 2014. The actor, in town to film the movie "Spotlight," helped with water testing near an outfall pipe into the river.SUZANNE KREITER/GLOBE STAFF

Saturday, February 26, 2022

Charles River Watershed Association: "Let the Rivers Run Free" (video)

#ICYMI Watch the full recording from Thursday (02/24/22) night's webinar "Let the Rivers Run Free" about dam removal & recreation featuring Cameron Salvatore of the #CharlesRiverNavigationProject and Climate Resilience Specialist @RobertKearns!

https://t.co/PcVTDKKvLs  or https://youtu.be/pcqWOZtgaHQ
Visit the Storymap  "A River Interrupted" here -> 

Friday, February 25, 2022

Sorry we missed you: How can Franklin Build Climate Resilience? (video)

"So sorry that you missed our presentation last evening "How can Franklin Build Climate Resilience?". You can find a recording of the presentation on our YouTube Channel and slides on our website

Additionally I wanted to share our Climate Resilience Toolkit which is located on our website and includes different policy solutions to help increase climate resilience. "

Best,
Robert

--
Robert Kearns
Climate Resilience Specialist
Charles River Watershed Association
41 West St. Suite 800
Boston, MA 02111
t
 617.540.5650 x 1075
He, Him, His




Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Charles River Watershed Association storymap: "A River Interrupted"

Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) has put together a storymap, an interactive presentation of text, photos, video, and maps. The storymap explains the impacts of several dams along the Charles River and how removal of these dams could help (1) restore the river to its original flow, (2) allow various fish species to return and thrive in their natural habitat, and (3) potentially mitigate for climate change.

Visit the Storymap  "A River Interrupted" here -> 

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Recap: Charles River Meadowlands Initiative - 01/24/22 (audio)

 FM #710 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 710 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Alan Earls, Franklin resident, local historian, and open space advocate as we recap the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Monday, Jan 24, 2022. 


Links in the show notes include the BETA Report on the Meadowlands Initiative as well as many of the links for the reporting shared by Franklin Matters since 2016 as the initiative made progress.


The recording runs about 21 minutes, so let’s listen to this recap of the Charles River Meadowland Initiative audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-710-charles-river-meadowlands-recap-01-24-22



--------------


Home page for the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative -> https://www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org/


BETA Report finally received early 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/in-news-charles-river-meadowlands-study.html


Conservation Commission Annual Report for 2019 references

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/franklin-annual-report-2019.html


Info session series in 2019

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/charles-river-meadowlands-initiative.html


Forum schedule for April 2019

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/charles-river-meadowlands-initiative.html 


BETA surveyed in 2018

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/the-goal-is-basically-to-create-few.html


ToF announces kickoff of study with $25K grant

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/08/town-of-franklin-kicks-of-study-of.html


Clean up & walk in 2018

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/05/charles-river-meadowlands-initiative.html


Review of 2017 activities published in Dec 2017

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/12/review-of-meadowlands-initiative-in.html


Oct 2017 hike with 20+ folks

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/charles-river-meadowlands-hike-recap.html


Charles River Meadowlands meeting scheduled for 2017

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/charles-river-meadowlands-meeting.html 


Library info session and children’s reading for Ground Hog day in 2017

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/12/charles-river-meadowlands-initiative.html


Charles River Meadowlands and #Giving Tuesday

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/charles-river-meadowlands-givingtuesday.html 


Meeting announcement mid-2016

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/07/next-meeting-of-charles-river.html 


Charles River walk Jan 2016

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/exploring-charles-river-meadowlands.html



--------------


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


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/ or www.franklin.news/

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!

------------------


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



Recap: Charles River Meadowlands Initiative - 01/24/22 (audio)
Recap: Charles River Meadowlands Initiative - 01/24/22 (audio)

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Charles River Watershed Association acknowledges tour of Franklin for stormwater mitigations

Charles River Watershed Association (@charlesriver) tweeted on Tue, Dec 14, 2021:
TY @TOFranklinMA DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi + team for tour of #GreenInfrastructure installations including rain gardens, depaving (narrowing roads) + infiltration chambers. 
Cities/towns are leading! #NatureBasedSolutions #ClimateResilience #CleanCharles @massmunicipal 
Photos of tour -> https://t.co/VRREClZwAN
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesriver/status/1470793683851223052

Charles River Watershed Association acknowledges tour of Franklin for stormwater mitigations
Charles River Watershed Association acknowledges tour of Franklin for stormwater mitigations