"duel entrances in and out were the preferred option"

For those shopping at Stop & Shop, using the points for gas purchases meant going to the Shell Station on RT 140. There are plans in the process of gaining approval for a Stop & Shop gas station to be located at the empty lot on the corner of Grove St and RT 140. The Planning Board will continue their hearing on Dec 17th with Zoning Board and Conservation Commission approval required as well before they can begin.

Stop & Shop has proposed a gas station with five fueling islands that can service 10 vehicles at a time. Near the pumping stations, the company has said it wants to build an attendant’s kiosk with an attached restroom. Underneath the facility will be two gasoline tanks (diesel won’t be available): one holding 30,000 gallons of fuel the other 8,000 gallons. 

The gas station would be located about a quarter mile from the Stop & Shop supermarket at 40 Franklin Village Drive. 

Should the Planning Board — which met on Monday to discuss the proposal during a public hearing — approve the design plan and issue the company a special permit, Stop & Shop has indicated that it would look to begin construction sometime in the spring.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x719501777/Franklin-Stop-Shop-gas-station-proposal-closer-to-approval#ixzz2EAmQAW5r

Where would the gas station be located? On the empty lot at the corner of Grove St and RT 140 according the the address and the map.



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Nick Alfieri: Why the Conservation Commission Requires a Permit to Work In or Near Wetlands

Franklin residents and contractors commonly ask, “Why do I need to file for a permit in order to do this work?” which is often followed by “This is my property and I have the right to do whatever I want”, or “How can this work affect those wetlands over there?” You may be thinking similarly, so how does working in or near a wetland resource area effect residents of the Town and why should we care? To answer, we all must have an understanding of the science behind wetlands, what they are and how they perform, as well as an understanding of social responsibility and public policy.

Wetlands are lands saturated with water, year round or seasonally, and act as the transition zone between land and water. Aside from the presence of water (or hydrology), the limit of wetlands are determined by particular soil types, vegetation, and topography, creating a unique ecosystem. This unique ecosystem has the ability to control floods by acting like a sponge to contain and absorb floodwater, which can alleviate property damage and loss and can even save lives. In addition, wetlands filter excess nutrients that threaten rivers, lakes, and other water bodies, and provides critical habitat which can often be used for fishing, canoeing, hiking, and bird-watching.

Despite all the benefits provided by wetlands, the United States loses about 60,000 acres of wetlands each year to invasive species of plants and animals, pollutants, and global climate change. The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) was created to protect against this loss and degradation. The functions and characteristics of wetlands that the WPA seeks to protect fall into three main categories, water quality/water supply and pollution protection, storm damage and flood control and wildlife habitat and fisheries protection. By protecting the functions and characteristics of wetlands in Franklin, the businesses and residents are protected as well.

When someone buys property in Franklin, they buy the land, the structures on the land, and they buy a set of conditional rights and responsibilities tied to the property. In Franklin, Zoning is the best illustration of this because all properties in Franklin are subject to the Town’s Zoning Bylaw that outlines the rights of the property owners based upon zoning district, regulates building setbacks, open space requirements, building heights, etc. It is the property owner’s responsibility to know what and how they can build in their respective zoning district to ensure compliance. People who own property within Conservation jurisdiction also have unique rights and responsibilities.

Conservation jurisdiction is any area of wetlands, streams or water bodies and their corresponding buffer of 100 ft for wetlands and most water bodies, and 200 ft for a perennial or year-round stream. If your property falls within this area and you intend to do work within any of these areas, it is your responsibility to file for a permit with the Conservation Commission in order to ensure that the vitality of these areas is protected.

Not only is it your responsibility to file for a Conservation permit, but it is your responsibility to preserve and protect the functions and characteristics of the associated wetlands where you intend to do the work. You are a Steward of those wetlands for the good of all residents of Franklin.

If anyone has questions or comments they can call the Franklin Conservation Department at 508-520-4929, or just stop in between 8:00 am till 4:00 pm, Monday through Thursday and speak with someone directly.

Nick Alfieri, Franklin Conservation Agent 

Did you know?

Did you know?

No one shall commence to remove, fill, dredge, build upon, degrade or discharge into or otherwise alter the following resource areas: 

Any freshwater wetlands;, marshes; wet meadows; bogs; swamps; vernal pools; banks; reservoirs; lakes; ponds of any size; beaches; intermittent stream; lands under water bodies; lands within 100 feet of any aforesaid wetland or flood plain areas; lands subject to flooding or inundation by ground water or surface water; rivers and streams and lands within 200 feet of the mean annual  high-water line of any river or stream.

Before starting to do any of the above, it would be good to contact the Franklin Conservation Office. More information on the Conservation Commission can be found on the Franklin website here.


Conservation Commission Rules and Regulations (PDF):

On January 27, 2011, the following members of the Franklin Conservation Commission voted to accept these Rules and Regulations as they apply to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Wetlands Protection Bylaw, Franklin Code at Chapter 181 

Jeffrey Senterman Chair
Andrew Tolland, Vice Chair
Christopher Botchis
Monique Allen
Ray Willis
Jon Fournier
Jeff Livingstone
Regan Harrold. Associate Member

Conservation Commission - reporting - Aug 12

The Conservation Commission meeting of 8/12/10 is recorded and available for review on demand on the Franklin website
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634180921746168826&indexSessionSKU=FfA8vbJzDUVgSnMLeNnOFg%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D


Conservation Agent report: Nick Alferi
Of interest and an item that slipped in with the Governor's approval of the Tax Free days for Aug 14/15, all permits if they were issued between 8/15/08 and 8/15/10 are automatically extended two years. The process of tolling is adding two years to the clock usually when an item goes to court. As the new law doesn't explicitly include extensions (amongst the long list of items included), research by Mark Cerel is underway to find out.

Discussion on a public hearing to review the process on a minor buffer zone and functional characteristics. Likely to hold a public hearing first. Need a clean copy of the Commission rules and regulations allow with a a marked up copy to help the discussion.

video segment can be viewed here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=F4pi8e4ST9CRUFAWP7iUBw%3d%3d


Summer St - new water main
From Crocker Ave to Squibnocket Rd
replacement of the existing water line, abiding with all regulations for conservation commission etc.
Final paving of this section will be done next year after the trench has settled.
Standard special conditions would apply.

View the video segment here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=n%2fykJ3qSTo8UmPrQMnpn6g%3d%3d


486 E Central St - Price Chopper
Plans about 90% done, still making adjustments to incorporate the feedback from various agencies (including Charles River Watershed). Should have paperwork complete with some understanding that there will be iterations as the details are worked out.

Discussion on intermittent stream seems to be coming from runoff of impervious surfaces off the property. According to the wetlands act, the mitigations would be required if it was jurisdictional (i.e. had vegetation at the source of the water). Since there is no vegetation at the source of the water, it is their opinion to not be jurisdictional and the plans will reflect that.

Still working with Planning Board, on their agenda for their second meeting in Sep. Would likely be ready for the second meeting here in Sep as well (Sep 23).

Public hearing continued to Sep 23rd.

View the view segment here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=rQs7OCdTRdu%2fPwIQA9IpQw%3d%3d




Franklin, MA

Conservation Commission - Agenda - 06/17/10

7:15 – 7:45 PM	Call to Order, Minutes, Agent’s Report, Committee Reports
7:45 – 8:00 PM	14 King Philip Road – Leland Construction of In-ground Swimming Pool, Patio & Fence	Continued - Public Hearing – Notice of Intent

        GENERAL BUSINESS

                Enforcement:  26 Shady Lane

                Discussions:  31 Hayward Street – Moseley

                                                  Minor Buffer Zone Discussion

                Extension Permit:  South Hill Estates

                                   

                Chairman & Commission Comments  

Franklin, MA

Conservation Commission - Big Y

Looking to have the hearing closed so the Planning Board can make their final decision
The only permit required remains the Zoning Board of Appeals decision on the impervious coverage. The Planning Board has continued their hearing to June 7th to allow the ZBA to make their decision and all the Planning Board to have the 'final' say.

Recommendation to add a condition to maintain the chain link fence to enforce the appearance of the fence and to ensure that the snow doesn't get into the wetlands area.

Motion to close hearing, passed 5-0-0


The video for this segment of the Conservation Commission meeting on May 13th can be viewed on the Franklin website
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=VAkHfszEzhQtckT5u3J1qA%3d%3d


Franklin, MA

Conservation Commission - Price Chopper

The applicant team presented to the Conservation Commission on May 13th for the site proposal at 485 East Central St.

You can view the video on the Franklin website here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=szzm9lYUY7Sv62s3X%2faulA%3d%3d

The property is 9.6 acres, zoned Commercial 2

Review of water flow on the property, on both sides of the access road

Spaces for 307 vehicles in the parking lot for the proposed supermarket, approx. 61,000 sq ft. Current zoning requires this number of parking spots, the tenant also agrees that this amount would be consistent with the use of the property as proposed. (Note: this differs from the proposal for the Big Y down the road, where they are proposing less parking than zoning required with substantial information to support the lesser number.)

Prior development plans included the plans coming right up to RT 140 (East Central St), current plans would be recessed from RT 140.

Recommend a site walk before the hearing is closed to better understand the proposal and the property itself

Proposal includes a "fully actuated lighting system at the intersection" this would require approval from MassHighway

Applicant will be going for an LEED certification, hoping to achieve a "silver" classification.

Explanation of wetlands activities, mitigation, prior disturbances, attempted restoration of prior conditions.
Notice of Intent (NOI) cites specifics.

Site walk scheduled for 5/18/10 at 6:30 PM

Nick Alferi comments, calculation of permitting fee was short, dollar amount provided
Documents submitted require additional information
Plantings need to be specified and be on the "best practices guide"
Construction sequence was missing some statements
De-watering plan is required
Need to address "bubbling water"

A project description need to tell what the property is like and what it will look like, existing conditions were well explained but the construction details need to be expanded upon it.

The existing cliff is going to be moved back 40-50 feet.

The building would be put on the property on top of the existing rock, the parking lot would be at a level lower, and the existing access road would remain at a level still lower
The elevation of the north retaining wall would be about 50ft at its highest point
The access road would be expanded as it approached the intersection

Motion to continue public hearing May 27th (time TBD), passed 5-0


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: DelCarte Conservation Area

The Conservation Commission continued their on-going effort to address deficiencies with the DelCarte Conservation Area dam system (known as the Franklin Reservoir). This area was donated to the Town and offers a network of walking trails along a number of ponds and wooded areas.

The Commission chose PARE Corporation from Foxboro, MA, to conduct a review of the DelCarte Conservation Area, specifically the condition of seven structures in the area. PARE completed their initial Study and presented their findings to the Commission in late 2008. Following the Commission’s review of PARE’s findings, it was determined that an additional phase to the Study, which would focus on three potential repairs options, would be required in order for the Town to determine the most beneficial approach to addressing deficiencies at the Site, while taking into consideration both the environmental sensitivity of the Site and cost to implement the repairs. The Commission anticipates PARE to complete the next phase of the Study and present their findings by end of calendar year 2009.

Update: As 2009 is closing, the update is really more likely to come before the Town Council during Jan-Feb-Mar 2010.

Where is the Delcorte property?
You can find it on Google Maps referenced as the "Franklin Reservoirs"


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Dam, another expense to consider

Earthen dam poses risk to development

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN - A dam at the DelCarte conservation area is at risk of collapsing, according to a report released last week, a development that could threaten downstream homes.

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