Town of Franklin Awarded 150k by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Communities Division

The Town of Franklin has been approved for an award of $150,902 by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Communities Division. The funding will support the following projects proposed in the Town of Franklin’s Green Communities Competitive grant application.

• $15,000: Town — Electric vehicles (2)
• $49,514: Horace Mann School — Smart LED lighting
• $24,895: Horace Mann School — Transformer
• $12,194: Remington Jefferson School — Transformer
• $49,299: Keller Sullivan School — Transformer

All of these projects are currently underway and the Town hopes to have all projects completed by December of 2022. 

For more information on our Green Communities status and previous grant awards, please view our green communities page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/green-community

Town of Franklin Awarded 150k by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) 

Franklin awarded $150K in green community grant for "energy conservation measures, EV vehicles, LED lighting, etc."

During an event yesterday in Lawrence, the administration awarded $8.3 million in Green Communities competitive grants to 64 municipalities.

The competitive grants support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the designated communities’ clean energy goals. The grants are awarded to Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards.

According to the Department of Energy Resources, the grants will help to fund a range of projects, from ventilation system upgrades to the installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal buildings and facilities. Projects also include installations of air-source heat pumps, hybrid police cruisers, and electric vehicle charging stations. (Click here for details of the project awards.)

Continue reading the MMA article

https://www.mma.org/administration-awards-8-3m-in-green-communities-grants/

Franklin's award for $150,902 was summarized as:

"to fund energy conservation measures, EV vehicles, LED lighting, and transformers, in municipal facilities including vehicle fleet, Horace Mann, Remington, and Keller Sullivan Schools"

The complete listing of awards can be found -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/competitive-grant-awards-2021-block-2/download

For more about Green Communities

Earth Day conversation starters for Franklin

Via Cobi Frongillo: 

"Some thoughts on this Earth Day to get our brain's turning on opportunities for local advocacy..."

Shared from Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GreaterFranklin350Mass/permalink/4217769938274226/

What's currently being done?

Possible next steps

Do you drink bottled water?

"For years, the debate has raged on: which is better, bottled water, or tap?

Despite its ever-growing popularity in the US, bottled water is atrocious for the environment. To quote Harvard University’s Office for Sustainability, “The entire life cycle of bottled water uses fossil fuels, contributes to global warming, and causes pollution.”

Although water bottles are recyclable, Americans throw away about 80% of the bottles they use – and, by some estimates, Americans use 1,500 plastic bottles of water every second. Plastic bottles contribute immensely to global environmental crises, in part due to the fact that they disintegrate into microplastics, the presence of which are so ubiquitous researchers recently discovered them in the placentas of unborn babies. Bottled water takes 2,000 times the energy to produce and ship than its tap equivalent. The extraction and manufacturing processes used by bottled water corporations can also have negative environmental and economic effects, and amount to the privatization and commodification of a limited and invaluable resource to which all should have a universal right."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/28/do-you-drink-bottled-water-read-this

Franklin receives $30K Green Communities Grant Award

The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a $30,000 grant towards the purchase of electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Division. 

$15,000 is earmarked for the purchase of two electric vehicles and $15,000 is earmarked for the purchase of electric vehicle charging stations, which will be installed at the Municipal Building and Franklin Public Library.

Shared from Twitter

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1299391724079415298

Franklin receives Green Communities Grant Award

Climate Crisis: 350 Mass Road to a MA Green New Deal presentation & workshop - Jun 4

Dear climate activist friend,

The climate crisis is not in the future--it's here--and the solutions have to be on the same massive scale as the problem. 350 Mass, a statewide network of climate activists, proposes the Massachusetts Green New Deal as the answer. 

We need to vigorously ramp up these next two years using the Road to a Massachusetts Green New Deal as a guide, so we can tackle the crisis head on in 2020. We cannot wait for the federal government to take the lead; we must forge ahead at the state and local levels.

The Greater Franklin Node of 350 Mass is making a presentation in which you learn what you can do to help ramp up the effort through the Massachusetts Road to a Green New Deal and then split off to work in local groups to make it happen! Join us!

When registering for the event, please include your town so you will be appropriately grouped with other local folks.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-crisis-350-mass-road-to-a-ma-green-new-deal-tickets-62451430911


Carolyn Barthel
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
508-473-3305 H

Climate Crisis: 350 Mass Road to a MA Green New Deal presentation & workshop - Jun 4

"now we qualify for grants for up to $250,000 a year"

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

"Saving the world, one light bulb at a time, are the newest communities that were welcomed as Massachusetts Green Communities on Thursday at the Franklin municipal building. 

Judith Judson, commissioner of the state Department of Energy Resources, said 210 towns and cities in Massachusetts are now considered “Green Communities.” They encompass more than 72 percent of the state’s population. 

“It’s providing a lot of benefits for our commonwealth,” she said. “It enables energy savings for the cities and towns that become Green Communities, and we provide grant funding in order to make energy improvements.” 

These efforts, she said, are visible to residents who see reductions in their towns’ energy use, emissions and their associated costs. The money saved, she said, might find its way into the schools or into public safety, strengthening those services."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180608/franklin-named-green-community

Many Thanks to MassDOER Commissioner Judith Judson for coming to Franklin today to officially declare Franklin A “Green Community” and give us our grant award! A huge thank you to our Town staff for a great job well done!

Franklin Green Community recognition event - Jun 7

Please join

DOER Commissioner Judith Judson

to recognize

Franklin’s designation

as a Green Community

Where: Franklin Municipal Building
Town Council Chambers
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038

When: 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 7, 2018

RSVP to: Kelly Brown, Regional Coordinator
Tel: 508-767-2703
E-mail: Kelly.Brown@state.ma.us

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRmJkUm5nZEU5Z1otUnlwSTF3SFZ4QTU0N2Jv/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Green Community recognition event - Jun 7

“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