Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Notice of Intent - 3 Mount Street - Conservation - Sep 7 at 7:10 PM
Friday, August 18, 2023
Conservation Commission Meeting RESCHEDULED from August 24 to August 22
The August 24, 2023 Conservation Commission Meeting has been rescheduled to August 22, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Room 326A (Third Floor Training Room) of the Town Hall at 355 East Central Street. This decision was made at the August 10, 2023 Conservation Commission Meeting.
As such, there will be no meeting of the Franklin Conservation Commission held on August 24, 2023.
The next Conservation Commission Meeting following August 22, 2023 will be held on September 7, 2023 at 7:00 PM at the Franklin Town Hall Council Chambers at 355 East Central Street. An Agenda for that meeting will be posted prior to the date it is scheduled for with more details, including a link to attend remotely.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/conservation-commission-meeting-rescheduled-august-24-august-22
Conservation Commission Meeting RESCHEDULED from August 24 to August 22 |
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Conservation Commission: ANRAD - 124-126 Grove Street - Legal Notice
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Why did the turtle cross the road?
Why did the turtle cross the road?
Across Massachusetts, spring is the season of movement. Hibernating animals emerge from their winter resting areas in search of food and mates. Turtles are no exception. >From mid-May to early July, thousands of turtles throughout Massachusetts travel to new areas to find food and nest. You may see turtles on roadways, in your backyard, or other unexpected locations as they move across the landscape to find resources they need to survive. Even if it's not apparent to you where they're headed, turtles have a keen sense of direction and may be on their way to wetlands or open, upland sites such as lawns, gravel pits, or roadsides for nesting. If you find a turtle, do not move it far away.Why did the turtle cross the road?
Protecting adult turtles during this vulnerable time can make a big difference. "Adult turtles can live past 80 years. Young turtles and eggs, on the other hand, have a variety of predators and a low chance of reaching adulthood," says Dr. Mike Jones, MassWildlife State Herpetologist. "This is why it's especially important to protect older adult turtles from cars, especially during this time of year when turtles are crossing roads more frequently." Losing any adult turtles, particularly adult females, is a serious problem that can lead to the eventual local extinction of a population.
What to do if you see a turtle in or near a road:
Be safe. Do not risk getting hurt or causing harm to others by unsafely pulling off the road or trying to dodge traffic. If the opportunity to safely move a turtle from the road occurs, move it in the direction it was heading and off the edge of the road. The turtle is trying to get to habitats and resources it needs and knows. Do not take turtles home or move them to a "better" location; turtles should not be moved more than 100 yards from where they are found.
Handle with care. Most turtles should be grasped gently along the shell edge near the mid-point of the body. However, snapping turtles are fast and have very powerful jaws that can inflict a bad bite. A snapping turtle can reach your hands if you lift it by the sides of its shell. If you must move a snapping turtle, use a broom to coax it into a plastic tub or box. Never lift a snapping turtle only by the tail; this can injure their spine.
Slow down, be observant. Watch for turtles on roadways bordered by wetlands on both sides. These areas are commonly used as crossing points. If you see one turtle crossing, there's a chance that others will be crossing soon as well.
Report busy crossing locations. Let the Town of Franklin - Conservation and MassWildlife know If you see multiple turtles crossing the road or if you see multiple turtles that have been hit by cars. Email location information to natural.heritage@mass.gov and bgoodlander@franklinma.gov.
Spread the word and help protect our native turtles. In addition to five species of sea turtles that frequent our coastal areas, Massachusetts is home to ten native species of terrestrial and aquatic turtles. Six of the 10 species are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. Learn more in our native turtles here.
MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. "Why did the turtle cross the road?" Mass.gov, 05/03/2023, https://www.mass.gov/news/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-road
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/why-did-turtle-cross-road
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Request for Determination - Grove Street Well 6 - Conservation Commission - May 18
Request for Determination - Grove Street Well 6 - Conservation
Request for Determination - Grove Street Well 6 - Conservation Commission - May 18 |
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Open Space and Recreation Plan public hearing - 04/25/23 (#2 in series of 3 hearings) (video)
Instead of the School Committee meeting, Franklinites could have participated in the second public hearing scheduled for the Open Space and Recreation Plan on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at the Senior Center. If you missed the meeting, the video replay is available here thanks to Franklin TV
Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/MFMkGHXoj64?feature=share
Agenda & info for this 2nd of three public hearings -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/2023-open-space-and-recreation-plan-second-public-hearing-tonight
Additional info on the Open Space and Recreation Plan can be found on their main page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/2023-open-space-and-recreation-plan-update
Thursday, April 20, 2023
2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Forests, Trees, Green Space, and other Conservation Lands - Thursday April 20
2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Forests, Trees, Green Space, and other Conservation Lands - Thursday April 20
The Conservation Commission will hold its Seventh Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) focus group meeting this Thursday, April 20 from 6 - 7 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers.
This meeting will also be available via Zoom. Zoom login information can be found here. In case you'll miss the Thursday meeting or would like further discussion, you are also invited to attend OSRP Office Hours Friday, April 21 between 10 and 11 am in the third floor training room (Room 326A) at Town Hall or via Zoom.
Bring your ideas and see you there!
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/2023-osrp-focus-group-meeting-forests-trees-green-space-and-other-conservation
2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Forests, Trees, Green Space, and other Conservation Lands - Thursday April 20 |
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Town of Franklin - DelCarte Conservation Area and Beaver Pond - 2023 OSRP Update
2023 OSRP Update |
DelCarte Conservation Area and Beaver Pond - 2023 OSRP Update |
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Vernal Pools - An Important Part of the Franklin Landscape
Vernal Pools - An Important Part of the Franklin Landscape
Vernal pools play an integral part in the function of our Franklin ecosystem and are commonly found throughout the entirety of the landscape. In fact, it is quite hard to travel around Town without being at most one mile away from a vernal pool. Many vernal pools are found in wooden areas near our homes, schools, and businesses; and can be found during the spring months by following the calls of spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) and wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). Keep reading for more vernal pool information and remember - due to the delicate nature of the vernal pool egg masses and wildlife, please do not contain, pick up, carry, or remove them. It is unlawful and causes undue harm and stress to the egg masses and animals.
What are Vernal Pools?
(excerpted from www.mass.gov)
Vernal pools are temporary bodies of fresh water that provide important habitat for many vertebrate and invertebrate species. "Vernal", meaning spring, are filled by spring rains and snowmelt, after which they dry during the summer months. Spring aside, many vernal pools are also filled by autumn rains (i.e, "autumnal pools") and persist throughout the winter. These autumnal pools are semi-permanent and do not dry every year.
Vernal pools are often very small and shallow; in fact, many vernal pools that support rich communities of vertebrate and invertebrate animals may measure only a few yards across! However, vernal pools of several acres also occur throughout Massachusetts.
Where are Vernal Pools found?
(excerpted from www.mass.gov)
Vernal pools are common throughout Massachusetts and occur in almost every town in the state. Vernal pools are found across the landscape where small woodland depressions, swales, or "kettle holes" collect spring runoff or intercept seasonally high groundwater tables. Although it's common to associate vernal pools with dry woodland areas, vernal pools also occur in meadows, river floodplains, interdunal swales, and large vegetated wetland complexes. Vernal pool habitat can occur where water is contained more than two months in the spring and summer of most years, and where no reproducing fish populations are present. Can you guess why this is?
Why Are Vernal Pools Valuable?
(excerpted from www.mass.gov)
Vernal pools constitute a unique and increasingly vulnerable type of wetland. Vernal pools are inhabited by many species of wildlife, some of which are totally dependent on vernal pools for their survival. Vernal pools do not support fish because they dry out annually or at least periodically. Some may contain water year round, but are free of fish as a result of significant drawdowns that result in extremely low dissolved oxygen levels. The wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) and the four local species of mole salamander (Ambystoma spp.) have evolved breeding strategies intolerant of fish predation on their eggs and larvae; the lack of established reproducing fish populations is essential to the breeding success of these species. Other amphibian species, including the American toad (Anaxyrus americanus), spring peeper (P. crucifer), and gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor), often exploit the fish-free waters of vernal pools but use a variety of different wetland types. Vernal pools also support rich and diverse invertebrate faunas. Some invertebrates, such as the fairy shrimp (Eubranchipus spp.), are also dependent upon vernal pools. Invertebrates are both important predators and prey in vernal pool ecosystems. Vernal pools are an important habitat resource for many birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, including many species listed under the MA Endangered Species Act (M.G.L c.131A).
The Vernal Pool Boundary
(excerpted from www.mass.gov)
The shallow edges of vernal pool habitat represent one of the most ecologically valuable portions of these habitats. These areas are generally the first to thaw in the spring and provide access to the pool for the earliest breeding species. These shallow water zones also tend to be significantly warmer than the deeper portions of a vernal pool throughout the spring. Egg masses of early breeding amphibians benefit from the warmer water temperatures at the pool edges that promote rapid egg development.
For more information on Vernal Pools, please see here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/guidelines-for-the-certification-of-vernal-pool-habitat/download
To report a Vernal Pool near you, please contact the Conservation Agent via email at bgoodlander@franklinma.gov or via phone at (508) 520-4847.
Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/vernal-pools-important-part-franklin-landscape
Vernal Pools - An Important Part of the Franklin Landscape |
Monday, March 27, 2023
Town of Franklin: Franklin land owners are encouraged to attend our Converse and Conserve workshop - Mar 29
"Franklin land owners are encouraged to attend our Converse and Conserve workshop on 3/29/23 from 4 PM - 6 PM at Town Hall. Come learn more about applicable tax incentive programs for your land, resource management and endowment!
Learn more and RSVP here: https://t.co/jz4DeI9egH"
Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/tkVsFuFKLu
Town of Franklin: Franklin land owners are encouraged to attend our Converse and Conserve workshop - Mar 29 |
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Save the Date! Earth Day Celebration at the DelCarte Conservation Area - Apr 23, 2023
An event for children and families! Come join the Franklin Conservation Commission, Department of Public Works, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Agricultural Commission, and others to celebrate our shared Earth on Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the DelCarte Conservation Area at 459 Pleasant Street.
Celebrate with us by signing up for compost bins, learning about stormwater and rain gardens, enjoying a woods walk, exploring vernal pools, and more!
Overflow parking is available at 337 Pleasant Street and other side streets. Service Hours validated upon request and stewardship. See you there!
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/save-date-earth-day-celebration-delcarte-conservation-area
Save the Date! Earth Day Celebration at the DelCarte Conservation Area - Apr 23, 2023 |
Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy
Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy
Tax Incentives | Resource Management | Land Endowment
Your land is a part of your legacy. Deciding what will happen to your land after you are gone is the next critical step of being a good land steward and furthering that legacy. Who will own your land and how will it be used? What will your legacy continue to be? These are questions that the "Converse and Conserve" workshop on Wednesday, March 29 from 4p-6p at Town Hall, Room 326A can answer for you.
Join the Franklin Conservation Department, Franklin Assessor's Office, Franklin Agricultural Commission, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Metacomet Land Trust, and DDCRW Law in learning about your options. Come learn about applicable tax incentive programs for forestland, agricultural land, and open space; learn about resource management for your natural environment; and even learn how to endow your land to ensure its lifelong protection. Estate planning, whether for now or for the future, is not just for the wealthy or for those who own "estates" – if you own land, then estate planning is a necessary and valuable step to ensure that the legacy of your land is a positive one!
Food and beverages will be provided by Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen.
RSVP for a free gift.
For more information or to RSVP contact bgoodlander@franklinma.gov/(508) 520-4847.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/converse-and-conserve-workshop-come-learn-about-programs-allow-your-property-work
Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy |
Friday, March 24, 2023
DATE AND LOCATION CLARIFICATION - SPRUCE POND NOTICE OF INTENT - APRIL 6 CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
The Conservation Commission Public Hearing for a Notice of Intent filed by SOLitude Lake Management will first begin at the April 6, 2023 Conservation Commission meeting at 7:00pm. It is NOT on the agenda for the March 22 Conservation Commission meeting, which the March 23 meeting has been rescheduled to.
Copies of the Notice of Intent can be emailed to anyone who makes a request, and can also be viewed at the Conservation Department in the Municipal Building on 355 East Central Street.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/date-and-location-clarification-spruce-pond-notice-intent-april-6-conservation
SPRUCE POND NOTICE OF INTENT - APRIL 6 CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING |
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE: March 23, 2023 Conservation Commission Meeting
New Date and Location: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
at 7 PM in Room 326A at Town Hall
The Conservation Commissioner meeting scheduled for March 23, 2023 will now be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 7pm in Room 326A at Town Hall. See you there!
DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE: March 23, 2023 Conservation Commission Meeting |
2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Maple Hill - Wednesday, March 22
2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Maple Hill - Wednesday March 22
The Conservation Commission will hold its sixth Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) focus group meeting this Wednesday, March 22 from 6-7 PM in the Third Floor Training Room (Room 326A) of the Town Hall.
This meeting will also be available via Zoom. Zoom login information can be found here. In case you'll miss the Wednesday meeting or would like further discussion, you are also invited to attend OSRP Office Hours Friday, March 24 between 10 and 11 AM in the third floor training room (Room 326A) at Town Hall or via Zoom.
Bring your ideas and see you there!
2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Maple Hill - Wednesday, March 22 |
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Spruce Pond Aquatic Management Program - Notice of Intent - Conservation
Spruce Pond |
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Congratulations Commissioner Jeff Livingston - Conservation Commissioners of the Year Award 2023
Commissioner Jeff Livingstone has selflessly served on the Franklin Conservation Commission (FCC) for over 13 years and throughout the years has become a cornerstone of the FCC. Commissioner Livingstone has been described as having an "institutional knowledge", not just of the Wetlands Protection Act, but more importantly of the people in the community. He has proven himself time and time again to be fair, pragmatic, and committed to providing a service not just to the residents of Franklin, but to its natural resources. He is as much of an advocate for climate resiliency, wetland restoration, and natural resource protection as he is for the residents he serves.
Commissioner Livingstone has made a career in the biochemistry and IT world, but also has a great passion for wetlands, conservation commissions, and the environment. While having a technical background in the life sciences and holding a PhD in Biochemistry, Dr. Livingstone has been heavily involved with Conservation Commission work for 13 years and was even the chair of the FCC for five. He participated in the 2016 Open Space and Recreation Plan, assisted with the master plan development for the DelCarte Recreation and Conservation Area, and is currently on the Community Preservation Committee. In his spare time when not working or hiking, Commissioner Livingstone participates in the Franklin Keystone Cooperative, which focuses on preservation of native forests and woodland. In conjunction with serving as past Chair of the Franklin Conservation Commission, Commissioner Livingstone continues to be a leader in advocacy for community outreach and has unwavering devotion to building the relationship between the Town, its people, and the Conservation Commission. Commissioner Livingstone is truly the epitome of a dedicated and involved community volunteer.
Congratulations on your award, Commissioner Livingstone. Well done, well earned, and well deserved - the FCC and Town of Franklin is lucky to have you!
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/congratulations-commissioner-jeff-livingstone-conservation-commissioner-year-award
Conservation Commissioners of the Year Award 2023 |
DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE - Maple Hill Open Space and Recreation Focus Group Meeting - March 22
DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE - Maple Hill Open Space and Recreation Focus Group Meeting
New Date and Location: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 6 PM in Room 326A at Town Hall
The Maple Hill Open Space and Recreation Plan focus group meeting will now be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 6 PM in Room 326A at Town Hall.
Please join the Conservation Commission on the third floor and brainstorm ideas for the Maple Hill Conservation Area prior to the Master Plan process.
See you there!
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/date-and-location-change-maple-hill-open-space-and-recreation-focus-group-meeting
Was previously scheduled for Thursday, Mar 23, NOW scheduled for Wednesday Mar 22
DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE - Maple Hill Open Space and Recreation Focus Group Meeting - March 22 |
Saturday, February 25, 2023
25 Forge Parkway - Notice of Intent - Conservation
25 Forge Parkway - Notice of Intent - Conservation
Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/25_forge_parkway_noi_public_hearing_notice.pdf
25 Forge Parkway - Notice of Intent - Conservation |
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Franklin Conservation Commission: OSRP Public Hearing Agenda - Feb 21 - 6 PM
Tuesday ->
Franklin Conservation Commission: OSRP Public Hearing Agenda - February 21, 2023 - 6 PM |