Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee - October Events

View this email in your browser Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee October Events There is plenty going on this month with the FBRTC. Check out the events below for more information. We hope to see you this month at one of the events or on the trail! FBRTC Monthly Meeting Tuesday, October 9th 7:30pm - 9:00pm Franklin YMCA Our monthly will be held on Tuesday, October 9  from 7:30-9:00 PM at the Franklin YMCA. The meeting is open to all as we are always looking for new members and fresh ideas. More info Pop-Up StoryWalk® October 11th - 16th 200 Center St, Bellingham Visit the SNETT from October 11th - 16th for the Pop-Up StoryWalk® featuring the book Amelia Bedelia Hits The Trail! More info Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Festival Saturday, October 13th 11 AM - 4 PM Visit our booth in downtown Franklin and learn more about our efforts and events. See you there! More info Fall SNETT Clean Up Saturday, October 27th 9 AM - Noon Help us keep our trail clean! Please join us for the fall SNETT Clean Up. More info Copyright © 2018 Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have opted in to stay informed about the Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Our mailing address is: Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

Next Steps to clean up BJAT, LLC on Fisher St

From the US EPA:

Site Description:
The BJAT, LLC (BJAT) Site located at 300 Fisher Street in Franklin, MA was historically used for industrial operations including the manufacture of rubber and plastic products. The property has not been active since 1985. Investigations have found contaminants in soil, groundwater, sediment, and surface water. The Site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL), often referred to as the EPA Superfund list, in September 2015, making it eligible for long-term cleanup action under the federal Superfund program.

Next Steps:
In June, with oversight from EPA’s On-Scene Coordinator (OSC), BJAT is expected to begin a Removal Action which will address hazardous substances present in soil and drum waste for the purpose of reducing risk to human health and the environment. Concurrently, EPA’s Remedial Project Manager will begin a study known as a Remedial Investigation (RI). The RI will identify the nature and extent of Site contamination and the potential human health and environmental risks that the Site may pose. 

The results of this study will be used to develop a Feasibility Study (FS) which will identify what long-term cleanup measures may be appropriate to address human health and ecological risk at the Site. The RI/FS is expected to be completed in three or more years and the findings of the RI will be presented in the Proposed Plan for cleanup. In addition, EPA will determine if any additional immediate response actions need to be conducted to address any imminent hazards that are identified by sample collection efforts.

The short-term work that will be conducted during the Removal Action includes: excavation, sampling, staging and covering of drums and other containers, waste and approximately 2,114 tons of contaminated soil; treatment of excavated soil on-site if appropriate; excavation of a limited number of test pits; air monitoring; and off-site shipment of waste, excavated soil, and other contaminated items that may be encountered for disposal, treatment, re-use or recycling.

BJAT will generally work during daylight hours. The Removal Action is expected to take 3 to 6 months. Throughout the work day, BJAT will be monitoring air at the Site for the safety of site workers and the surrounding community. One may expect to see heavy equipment, workers in white suits, and trucks occasionally which may have a slight effect on traffic. Vehicle and truck traffic to and from the site will be limited to Fisher Street and the primary road, West Central Street (i.e., Route 140). Some hazardous materials will be secured on site temporarily while awaiting shipment offsite to an EPA-approved facility.



You can download the full copy from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/bjat_final_pdf_removal_fact_sheet_june_2018.pdf





Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England(https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-1-new-england)

Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)

Connect with EPA New England on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EPARegion1)

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

Photos from the SNETT trail clean up - Saturday, Apr 21

A group of volunteers gathered to walk along the SNETT and trim back the tree fall from the winter storms on Saturday. Some of the low spots were filled in and trash was picked up along the way.

My wife and I love walking the SNETT so this was a good way to help give back!

trail head for the SNETT on Grove St

puddle was shrunken as part of the work done Saturday

the clean up crew

The portion cut through the rocks 

puddle reflection

the trail with bare trees

Haven't been to the SNETT yet? 
Check it out. From the Grove St parking lot, it is about 2.5 miles round trip to Prospect St and back. Cross Prospect St and go to Center St in Bellingham and it is about 6 miles round trip.






For additional information on the SNETT visit the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee page  http://franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

Plan now for the Earth Day Celebration - Apr 28

Join the Town of Franklin for our annual Earth Day Celebration and Cleanup! The event will be held at Beaver Pond on Saturday, April 28th 2018, from 9 - noon. 

FREE 6-pack of annuals to the first 50 volunteers and FREE T-shirt for the first 300 volunteers!

This is a great opportunity for students looking for community service hours!

Plan now for the Earth Day Celebration - Apr 28

Meet at Beaver Pond parking lot and volunteer to clean up targeted areas around Franklin.

• Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
• Community service certificates will be issued.
• Free pizza and beverages for volunteers at 12:00 noon at Beaver.
• Free T-shirts to the first 300 volunteers!
• Free 6-pack of annuals to the first 50 volunteers!

Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park - Work Day - Sep 9

Hello dog lovers, Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Committee have scheduled a clean up and to spread wood chips on September 9th at 8 AM.

Volunteers are needed and students who need credit for community service. We need wheelbarrows, spade shovels, rakes and bring your own work gloves. 

Refreshments and snacks will be there for all the volunteers. 

Rain date is September 16th at 8am. thanks, Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Committee. 

Woof! Woof!!

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinDogPark/

Furry Friends of Franklin Dog Park says "Thank you!"

I like to thank all the volunteers that came to help out on August 12th, at the Franklin Dog Park clean up.

Sincerely,

Gennarino D'Onofrio
Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinDogPark/

Franklin Dog Park: Clean up day - Aug 12

Hello Dog Lovers, 

We have scheduled a clean up on August12h at 8am to spread wood chips and clean up the park. Volunteers needed. 

We need about 8 wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes. Refreshments and snacks will be there for all the volunteers. 

Rain date is August 19th at 8am. 

Thanks, Furry Friends of Franklin Dog Park Committee.. 

WOOF! WOOF!!

dog park at Dacey Field on a sunny summer day

DelCarte Cleanup - Saturday, April 29

Please join us in getting Delcarte Recreation

and Conservation area ready for Spring!

Saturday April 29th

9am-11am

Volunteers are needed to help with trash pick up and trail maintenance. Please sign up to volunteer by emailing conservation@franklin.ma.us

DelCarte - the northern pond Saturday, April 22

Earth Day Cleanup at Beaver Pond - Apr 29

Saturday, April 29, 2017

9 am– 12 pm

Meet at Beaver Pond parking lot and volunteer to clean up targeted areas around Franklin.

• Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
• Community service certificates will be issued.
• Free pizza and beverages for volunteers at 12:00pm at Beaver.
• Free T-shirts to the first 300 volunteers!
• Free dogwood and rose of sharon saplings to first 100 volunteers!

Earth Day Celebration at Beaver Pond on April 29

Mark your calendars for the Earth Day Celebration at Beaver Pond on April 29

Saturday, April 29, 2017

9 am– 12 pm

Meet at Beaver Pond parking lot and volunteer to clean up targeted areas around Franklin.

• Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
• Community service certificates will be issued.
• Free pizza and beverages for volunteers at 12:00pm at Beaver.
• Free T-shirts to the first 300 volunteers!
• Free dogwood and rose of sharon saplings to first 100 volunteers!

Earth Day Celebration at Beaver Pond on April 29

Furry Friends of Franklin Dog Park Committee - Cleanup Saturday, Oct 15

Just a reminder, maintenance and cleanup on Saturday October 15, at 8am at the Franklin Dog Park. 

Refreshments for the people that help. 

We need wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes.

Franklin dog park at Dacey Field

Note this was rescheduled from earlier in the month due to the weather!

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/franklin-dog-park-clean-up-scheduled.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/dacey-dog-park-clean-up-has-been.html

Dacey Dog Park: Clean up has been cancelled for Saturday, Oct 1

Due to the rain the clean up scheduled for Saturday, October, 1 at Franklin Dog Park has been cancelled. 

New date will be Saturday, October 15 at 8am. 

We need at least 4 wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes. Water, coffee, apple cider and donuts will be there for the people who help out.

Woof!Woof!
Furry Friends of Franklin dog park committee

Dacey Field dog park

The original notice can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/franklin-dog-park-clean-up-scheduled.html

Franklin Dog Park clean up scheduled Oct 1

Hello dog lovers. Save this date, Saturday, October 1 at 8am. 

We need volunteers to help clean up and move wood chips at the Franklin Dog Park, 700 Lincoln St. at Dacey Community Field. 

We need at least 4 wheel barrels or more. Also shovels and rakes. 

There will be refreshments for those who help.. Rain date is Saturday October 22nd at 8am.

Woof! Woof!

Furry Friends of Franklin Dog Park Committee

Dacey Field dog park

"we use the trail often, and it's nice to give back"

"The town held a volunteer cleanup of its DelCarte Conservation Property on Saturday in what officials hope will become an annual tradition. 

The event - which ran from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Street property - had people picking up trash, planting and raking. 

Conservation Commission member Tara Henrichon, who helped organize the cleanup, said the event was going "amazingly well." 

"We have about 20 to 25 people so far," she said. "There are a bunch of projects - we're adding natural plants to the rain garden and about 10 to 12 people are out on the trails... We're also clearing out invasive plants."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160423/franklin-being-kind-to-mother-nature

Folks out and about cleaning up at DelCarte

The ladies from Starbucks with full trash bags

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen helped to knock down and spread out a pile of mulch

It was good to see more than 30 people come out for this event. Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and several members of the Conservation Commission participated.

Thanks to Soren, a student from BFCCPS, who helped me work on spreading the pile of mulch.

In the News: School Committee hears about counseling, Atty General Healy looking for equal pay, DelCarte clean up scheduled

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"The School Committee heard an extensive presentation on district counseling efforts this week. 

The committee at its Tuesday night meeting listened to several members of the counseling staff - as well as some students - as they outlined initiatives at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. 

Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley said the role of school counselors had changed dramatically from the days when the focus was college and job preparedness. 

"School counseling is not what it used to be," he said. "It has never been more involved or far-reaching."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160414/franklin-schools-work-to-develop-counseling

The Franklin Matters reporting on the School Committee meeting can be found here  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/04/storify-real-time-reporting-school.html

"Attorney General Maura Healey calculates that she could have purchased 1 million cups of coffee with the additional wages she would have earned if she were paid the same as her male co-workers. 

“It is long past the time to get this done,” said Healey, who joined with state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, State Auditor Suzanne Bump and dozens of male and female legislators by the Statehouse’s Grand Staircase for Equal Pay Day, which was Tuesday. 

Chief among the topics was a pay equity bill (S 983) that prohibits employers from discriminating on wages based on gender. 

The bill would make it illegal for a company to ask what a job applicant made in a previous job, which Healey said often used as a way to keep women’s salaries down. The legislation would also bar any prohibitions against employees discussing their wages with each other."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160414/legislators-stump-for-equal-pay

"The Conservation Commission is seeking volunteers for a cleanup of the DelCarte Conservation property next weekend. 

The cleanup - scheduled for 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23 - is the first such event at the 136-acre Pleasant Street property, which the town has opened up for recreational uses. 

Town Conservation Agent George Russell said the work that day would likely involve mostly trash pick-up. 

"It's more a maintenance issue than anything," he said, adding that the work would take place along the property's trails and picnic areas."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160414/franklin-delcarte-cleanup-scheduled-for-april-23

the playground at DelCarte is currently closed for repair but scheduled to be re-opened for May

Mine Brook Area Cleanup and Walk Planned in Franklin

Metacomet Land Trust will sponsor a trail walk and cleanup of the town open space near Mine Brook in Franklin in cooperation with the Charles River Meadowland Initiative, the Charles River Watershed Association and the Town of Franklin Earth Day celebration. 

Everyone is welcome; families with young children please email for more information about conditions.

WHEN: 

Saturday, April 30, at 10:30 AM, rain or shine – duration, approximately 90 minutes

WHERE: 

Town-owned open space along Mine Brook, accessed through the Pond Street Property of the Town of Franklin. Follow the dirt driveway to the north of the the Kinder Care daycare facility at 42 Pond St. to the open “parking” area at the end, approximately 1000 feet. [This location is also known as the former sewer bed area.] While the trail is level, the trail may be overgrown and brushy. Please be prepared for wet ground. Please bring insect repellent, hat and work gloves of your choice. 

Link to Google Maps

WHAT: 

Free; suggested for adults, teens, and families with children 10 and older. Volunteers from Metacomet and the Charles River Meadowland Initiative will be on site to lead a walk over and through town land toward the vicinity of Mine Brook and the US Army Corps of Engineers Upper Charles flood control project lands. The focus is both to clean up any litter along path and to provide the public and local officials with an introduction to the 500 acres of contiguous open space in the proposed Charles River Meadowland area. Trash bags will be provided.

WHY: 

The Charles River Meadowland Initiative is working to bring together Federal and State agencies, as well as citizens and town governments in Bellingham, Franklin, and Medway to improve access to and management of this important open space resource. We also will use this occasion to contribute to the annual cleanup efforts of the Charles River Watershed Association. Mine Brook flows into the Charles River.

Please register to attend so we can provide enough materials for all: please contact Alan Earls at alan.r.earls@gmail.com (mention Cleanup in the subject line) or by call 508 528 6930.​

Mine Brook seen looking toward i495

Earth Day trails project at the DelCarte Recreation area - Apr 23

Dear Franklin residents: 

We are writing to invite you to participate in an Earth Day trails project at the DelCarte Recreation area on Pleasant Street in Franklin. 

DelCarte is a 136 acre conservation area, managed by the Conservation Commission. This unique property offers multiple recreation opportunities for our Town residents including picnicking, birding, fishing, canoeing/kayaking or hiking along the dam, meandering past wetlands and through wooded upland trails. 

With spring’s arrival, it is a perfect time to refresh the trails and picnic areas, pruning back fallen branches, raking leaves, making sure trail markers are in place and low lying trails are passable. 

On Saturday, April 23rd , the Commission will be hosting a 1st annual clean-up of DelCarte, from 8am – 11am. The morning will include projects led by Conservation Commissioners familiar with the trails, light snacks, and an informative talk on our local wildlife led by Mass Audubon Sanctuary Director, Doug Williams. 

For more information call Conservation Commission at 508-520-4929 

Thanks so much for your participation. 

Sincerely, 

George Russell, AICP
Town of Franklin Conservation Agent
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038
conservation@franklin.ma.us

an early morning view from the MBTA Franklin train to Boston

• Video from Dec 2012

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html

• Video from Oct 2013

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-property-video.html

• Video from Mar 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/delcarte-property-winter-wonderland.html


This notification was shared from the official Town of Franklin page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02390411-000F8513

Celebrate Earth Day!!! - Help clean up around Franklin - May 2

Saturday, May 2nd

9 – noon (rain or shine)

Meet at Beaver Pond parking lot and volunteer to clean up targeted areas around Franklin.

Free dogwood and rose of sharon saplings to first 100 volunteers

• Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
• Community service certificates will be issued.
• Free pizza and beverages for volunteers after the clean-up.
• Free T-shirts to the first 300 volunteers!
• Free dogwood and rose of sharon saplings to first 100 volunteers!

The listing of targeted locations can be viewed here

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0209C532-000F8513.3/EarthDay_location_descriptions_2015.pdf

The Franklin map with the targeted locations marked

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0209C532-000F8513.2/Earth%20Day%20Map.pdf

Earth Day - Franklin is cleaner

Many Franklin residents got together at Beaver Pond to pick up bags and head out to locations around town to clean up. They were rewarded with pizza at noon time as well as the satisfaction of a job well done.

tree saplings were available to take and plant

tree saplings available for planting

The crew that stopped to clean around Parmenter School left their bags for the DPW trucks to pick up later.

clean up bags at Parmenter School

It was a good day to be out and about. Thank you for taking part and making Franklin a cleaner place!

Rail Trail clean up - Apr 12

Rail Trail clean up Saturday April 12th at 8:30am at the Grove Street Entrance. Bring gloves and a great attitude to help get your local walking trail in better shape for this summer and those to come !!! Hope to see you all there!!

Where is the rail trail?
Along Grove St, about a half mile from Washington St.

The trail was nice on Sunday

reflections along the trail side

wear good boots to get through or around some wet sections

Follow the Rail Trail Committee on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Bellingham-Rail-Trail-Committee/185258844899495

or visit their webpage for more information  http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/