“It’s a matter of people willing to think about this"

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

"Awareness group Franklin in Focus will be holding a forum called “Where’s the Green” Saturday to discuss the future of open space in town. 

The forum will take place at the Franklin Senior Center from 10 a.m. to noon. Coordinator Alan Earls said that multiple town officials have been invited as well as a representative from Metacomet Land Trust to discuss conservation options. 

Franklin in Focus was formed by Franklin residents Earls and Monique Doyle in 2017 soon after election time in November. 

“I think we both felt that there was and is a need for change,” he said. “There are a lot of things in Franklin that aren’t as good, or effective, or efficient, or responsive, or transparent as they should be.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180312/franklin-in-focus-to-discuss-open-space

Where’s the Green?  - Mar 17

Where’s the Green? - Mar 17

A look at prospects for open space, agriculture, and recreational space in Franklin and a discussion about the town’s continued growth

On Saturday, March 17 Franklin in Focus is inviting all interested people to gather for a look at the past, present, and future of Franklin’s open space and continued growth with an eye to preserving town character, enhancing recreation and conservation, and encouraging agricultural activities.

We are inviting representatives from the Town Council, Town Conservation Commission and Planning Board, Metacomet Land Trust, Charles River Meadowlands Initiative, Franklin State Forest, and Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail, Agricultural Commission, and Community Garden and other to join us.

The event will be held at the Franklin Senior Center from 10 - noon.


For more information, contact franklininfocus@gmx.com

Where’s the Green?  - Mar 17

"Congratulations on the Town of Franklin’s designation as a Green Community!"

Here is the official letter from the MA State Department of Energy Resources announcing the "Green Community" award for Franklin:




This announcement had been posted here at the beginning of the month
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/franklin-gains-green-community-status.html

You can also find the letter on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/franklin.gc11.ltr_1.pdf

solar panels at Mt St Mary's Abbey provide over 90% of Franklin's electricity

Franklin gains "Green Community" status

The Baker-Polito Administration today (12/28/17) announced that an additional 25 Massachusetts cities and towns have been designated by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) as Green Communities, committing to an ambitious renewable energy agenda to reduce energy consumption and emissions. With today’s designation, over half of the Commonwealth’s municipalities have earned their Green Communities designation and 68 percent of residents live in a Green Community. 

The 25 new Green Communities are now eligible for grants totaling $4,316,955 to complete renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in their communities. Since the program began in 2010, DOER’s Green Communities division has awarded over $65 million in grant funding to the Commonwealth’s cities and towns through designation and competitive grant rounds. 

“The Green Communities Program helps the state achieve a renewable energy portfolio, while preserving taxpayer resources,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With over 68 percent of residents living in a green community, the program continues to be a successful model for state and local governments working together to achieve impactful progress and responsible savings.”

Continue reading the press release
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-designates-25-cities-and-towns-as-green-communities


Franklin gains a grant as part of the status

Franklin

$183,020

For more about Green Communities

https://www.mass.gov/green-communities-designation-grant-program

The Green Communities brochure

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/09/29/gc-brochure.pdf

For more about Green Communities

In the News: green community status sought; museum exhibits for September

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

"At Town Council meeting on Wednesday, members will vote on whether to take the next steps toward becoming a Massachusetts Green Community.

Green Communities is a grant program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs that awards municipalities for reducing their carbon footprints. To date, 155 towns and cities in the state are part of the program. There are five major criterion that are required in order to qualify for the funding. Franklin has already satisfied two of those. 

The town would be awarded $200,000 just to be designated as a green community. After that, Franklin would be eligible for annual grants to continue working on energy reduction. A positive vote from town council would mean an application would be sent to the state by early October."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170911/franklin-seeks-green-community-status

"The Franklin Historical Museum, 80 W. Central St., will feature a collection of hats that belonged to long time Franklin resident Mary Molla Diorio. 

When a new family moved into the Diorio home on Squire Street, they found, tucked away in a corner of the attic, a large black hat box, with seven vintage ladies hats packed inside. They donated their find to the museum with the hope that the hats could find new life. 

Through social media, the museum was able to determine who lived in the house and a description of the person who owned and wore the hats. Mary Diorio, who worked in the Franklin Schools for 50 years, was loved and respected by her colleagues, neighbors and family."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170911/strongfranklin-historical-features-hat-collectionstrong

Franklin Historical Museum, 80 W. Central St.

Franklin is in good company

How does Franklin fit in this listing of major US cities?

• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Shoreline, Washington
• Long Island City, New York
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Los Angeles, California
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Houston, Texas
• Franklin, Massachusetts

The EPA recently published "Green Infrastructure in Parks: A Guide to Collaboration, Funding, and Community Engagement" Each of the communities listed were a case study to demonstrate how to implement green infrastructure in parks.

Case Study: Starting with a Small-Scale Project at Fletcher Field 

Franklin, Massachusetts 

In the town of Franklin, Massachusetts, a rain garden was installed at Fletcher Field, a multi-use park that includes a playground, a baseball field, and basketball court, and picnic area. Installation of this rain garden with native shrubs and plants provided aesthetic improvements while simultaneously capturing runoff from the parking lot. This project was constructed in 2010 at a cost of $16,000. The town was able to maximize resources by having Department of Public Works crews install the soils, mulches, signs, and plants. This project highlights multiple benefits of implementing green infrastructure: the opportunity for site-specific stormwater management, improvement of green space for the community to enjoy, and public education.

You can review the full publication here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/06/green-infrastructure-in-parks-guide-to.html

rain garden at Fletcher Field, Wachusett St side of park

Green Infrastructure in Parks: A Guide to Collaboration, Funding, and Community Engagement

INTRODUCTION 

"This guide is intended to encourage partnerships between park agencies and stormwater agencies aimed at promoting the use of green infrastructure on park lands. Green infrastructure can help to maximize the environmental, economic, and social benefits of parks. By building strong partnerships, agencies can improve park lands and access to parks, better manage stormwater, increase community resiliency to shifting weather patterns, and provide funding to implement and maintain park enhancements that benefit the community. 

The guide offers information on why partnerships between stormwater managers and parks managers can be beneficial and how you can create such partnerships. The guide presents an overview of green infrastructure and describes practices that can be used to manage stormwater in parks. In addition, you will find information on factors that influence the selection of appropriate green infrastructure practices, such as maintenance requirements. 

The guide is designed to provide you with a stepwise approach for building relationships with potential partners, and includes information on how to identify and engage partners, build relationships, involve the community, leverage funding opportunities, and identify green infrastructure opportunities. It includes recommendations on the types of projects that are most likely to attract positive attention and funding, and which provide a wide range of benefits. Case studies are included to illustrate the approaches presented in the guide. These real-life examples portray how partnerships between municipal stormwater agencies and parks departments have improved recreational resources in the community, enhanced environmental protection, and reduced risks and burdens. 

For those who wish to go deeper into a topic, the guide includes short descriptions and links to external resources that provide more detail on the material presented within."

You can find the full EPA document here



Or on the Town of  Franklin webpage (PDF)
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/epa_parks_book.pdf

Sculpture Park on Panther Way in Franklin

Plant Night - Hosted by FHS Green Team - May 15

Plant Night 

Hosted by FHS Green Team

May 15 in the FHS cafeteria

5:30pm-7:30pm

DIY Terrariums, Food, Drink, and Music

Plant Night - Hosted by FHS Green Team - May 15

"We hope to put as much green into the project as is financially feasible"

Boulter was one of about 35 students who explored the pros and cons of solar panels, geothermal heating, green roofs and ways to improve bathrooms with low-flush toilets, automatic hand driers and motion-activated faucets at an event at the school yesterday.

"All of these things we're seeing on projects," said Christopher Alles, a project manager at the School Building Authority, mentioning the school's coming upgrades. "This gets students thinking about green design."

Students rarely take such an active role in researching such ideas, Alles said, with parents, town officials and administrators normally proposing them.

While concepts such as geothermal heat may not be possible in Franklin, project designers are considering some of the students' proposals, including making bathrooms more environmentally friendly, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said.

I love this collaboration. This is a great practical educational opportunity. Read more about the student work in the Milford Daily News here


Franklin, MA

Town Council - Agenda - associated documents

The Town Council has an interesting set of discussions coming up this Wednesday evening. With the long weekend and hence the opportunity to do so reading, I thought I'd share the full document.

The DelCarte property discussion will be on the Finance Committee agenda for their vote Tuesday evening.

Franklin is getting to cleaning up the tax/title property is has. Per discussion with Jeff Nutting, this should be an annual exercise but this first batch gets the 'backlog' handled.

Some clean up of unused borrowing authorizations is on the agenda.

Franklin is looking to become a "Green Community" and proposing a committee of five town employees in order to apply for some grant money that will assist in generating further energy savings.

The public hearing for the downtown utilities is proposed for the Sep 29 Town Council meeting.


Town Council 20100908 Agenda document



Franklin, MA

Franklin Area Blogs: environment

There are a couple of blogs based in Franklin writing about the environment and living green.

The Clueless Gardeners - Michelle is a frequent commenter here and should be followed. She and her husband are doing some good stuff in their garden.

"Welcome to our garden! Since 2007 we have been striving to turn our lawn into something beautiful, tasty, ecologically sound, and a centerpiece of our community here in Franklin, Massachusetts. We hope you enjoy your visit! -Michelle, Chris, and Gabe Clay"

The Experimental Farmer and The Green Suitcase. Maureen writes both blogs as she is

"A New England gardener and purveyor of all things vintage"

The most recent updates from each of these blogs can be found in the Franklin Area Blogs section, along the far right column here on Franklin Matters.

Click through to visit them from time to time and let them know you heard about them here!

Enjoy!


Franklin, MA

Green with a little green!

Susan sent me an email with the text and picture attached. Comments don't allow pictures so I am posting this separately:

Buzz has planted what he calls his "two dollar garden" - left over lattice strips and seedlings that were on sale a couple of weeks ago - all less than $2.

See, something green can be accomplished with just a little green!


Franklin, MA

Green front porch

The Franklin Food Pantry has taken the food revolution to their front porch. The greenery growing in the pots are flowers and edible plants (i.e. vegetables).

Do you have space for a planter to grow something for your table?


Franklin, MA

Green recycling for the holidays

From Franklin Recycling comes these tips on recycling for the holidays

‘Tis the season for gift giving and with it comes large amounts that can be recycled before it goes in the trash. Remember the trash limit is 3 bags; so recycling makes even more sense. More than 60% of trash can be recycled so if you are putting more trash out than recycling, there is more you can do.

You can read the reminder online at the Town website

Or view the document here:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to view the document.

Sustainable Farming event rescheduled

Metacomet Land Trust has re-scheduled its program on Sustainable Farming due to the after effects of Wednesday's snow storm...

Please join us Wednesday, December 16th, at the Mendon Senior Center, 62 Providence Street, Mendon for this program with Carolyn and Rob Nicholson of Sweetwilliam Farm (Upton). Rob and Carolyn will discuss Sustainable Farming in our region.

Come hear the perspective of a practicing farmer when Rob and Caroline present our Annual Meeting program. We'll also discuss the important connection our land preservation efforts have to supporting agriculture in the region.

Metacomet's short annual meeting will begin at 6:30, followed by the program with Carolyn and Rob at 7:00. Please stay for refreshments and conversation after the program.

This program is free; a small donation is requested at the door.

"Local renewable energy businesses are optimistic"

"Depending on who you talk to, there's something like 19 provisions in total that could benefit solar energy," Chleboski said.

One provision would lift a cap on federal tax credits for solar-powered hot water heaters, Artner said. Heat-Flo of Hopedale manufactures these devices, and Jay Santello, a Franklin contractor who installs solar equipment, said he uses a sun-powered hot water heater at his own home year-round.

"My hot water is fantastic and my gas bills have gone down substantially," Santello said.

The stimulus plan also would make it possible to convert certain commercial tax credits for solar grants. These credits might have been attractive to companies in the past, but they became less so as companies saw tax bills drop anyway because of diminishing profits, Chleboski said.

Read the full article on renewable energy in the Milford Daily News here

Greenbusters

Digging around the SustainLane web site initially found here, I find there is a series of posts on greenbusters. Recall the popular Discovery Channel show - Mythbusters; these are focused on green myths and you get the full scoop on each. For example:

Myth: It's best never to touch your thermostat. Read More »

Myth: It's okay to throw something away as long as it's biodegradable. Read More »

Myth: Washing laundry in hot water is the only way to kill bacteria and get things really clean—just like my mom told me. Read More »

Myth: Dog poop is natural, so it’s okay to leave it behind. Read More »

Myth: It takes more energy to turn a light off and back on than it does to keep it running. Read More »

Check out all the Greenbusters here

"it's hard to argue with the positive environmental impact"

FRANKLIN —

The days of 6-inch, 500-page School Committee packets are gone, replaced by the much greener option of e-documents and laptops.

Aiming to save the environment, cash, and set an example for the rest of the district, the School Committee has decided to "go green."

At the suggestion of Annie Sullivan Middle School Principal Beth Wittcoff, a member of the paperless Southborough School Committee, the Franklin School Committee did a pilot run at its first meeting, and gave it rave reviews, said Chairman Jeffrey Roy.

Members discovered a minor glitch - that their laptop batteries died once the meeting hit the 2-hour mark. The town has since put electrical outlets at the meeting table, Roy said.

"Everybody loved it, so we jumped on it from there," said Roy.

Read the full article about the paperless efforts in the Milford Daily News here

FACT: Green Fair 2/5/09

This Thursday come to a Green Fair to meet local green businesses and learn about how to fight global warming. We will have live music and interesting information.

Check out the details at our new website http://www.franklinareaclimateteam.blogspot.com/ , and follow the link to an article in the Milford Daily news.

Check www.fusf.org for directions.

"reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere"

The Green Energy Fair is a free event that will be held at the First Universalist Society of Franklin, 262 Chestnut St., on Thursday, Feb. 5. It will feature information from a Wrentham organic farmer, vendors selling green products and energy-saving tips.

The Global Warming Cafe will be held Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m., at the First Universalist Church in Franklin. The cafe is open to the public and is an informal gathering to discuss global warming and how to stop it.

For more information about the low-carbon diet, logon to www.350.org.

To sign up for news of future FACT events, e-mail FranklinAreaClimateTeam@yahoogroups.com

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here