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

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Riverbend Conservation Area - Mar 9 at 6 PM

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Riverbend Conservation Area

The Conservation Commission will hold its fifth Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) focus group meeting this Thursday, March 9 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, March 10 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-riverbend-conservation-area-thursday-march-9

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Riverbend Conservation Area - Mar 9 at 6 PM

Jamie and I review the 40b info, Open space public hearing, committee applications close March 3, and more (audio)

FM #951 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 951 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge on Thursday, February 23, 2023.  

Topics for this session

Economic Development Subcmte

• 40b ‘deep dive’

• Friendly 40b preview of 121 Grove St

Master Plan preparations

• Open Space public hearing, focus groups underway

• A&C listening sessions scheduled

• Applications still open until March 3 (also Davis Thayer, Police Station, et al)

Town Council preview Mar 1 meeting

Gov Healey’s budget release 3/1

The conversation runs about 36 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Foundation-for-Franklins-Future---Master-Planning-e1vkvbb/a-a9djoda

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Town Council agenda for 3/1/23

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/march_1_2023_tc_agenda.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee meeting (recap & links)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/economic-development-subcmte-took-deep.html 

Open Space & Recreation Public Hearing #1 (recap & links)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/watch-or-listen-to-open-space.html 

Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Jamie and I review the 40b info, Open space public hearing, committee applications close March 3, and more (audio)

You're Invited to the Franklin Arts & Culture Listening Tour!

You're Invited to the Franklin Arts & Culture Listening Tour!

Help shape the future of Arts & Culture (A&C) during the town's Master Plan update process.

The Franklin Town Council has established an Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee will host 3 sessions as part of their listening tour. The purpose of these tours is to gather community input to help inform the direction of arts and culture for the next 10 -15 years as part of the town's Master Plan Update process.

Your input will help define what Arts and Culture (A&C) is to Franklin and shape where we as a community want it to be. By embedding our communal vision for the arts into long range planning, we can ensure our vision for the arts is developed further and well maintained by the creative community as it continues to evolve.

You're invited to join one of the three sessions ... 

Arts & Culture Listening Tour

• A&C Listening Session 1

March 7, 2023 - 5 PM - 7 PM
Dean College, Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center 1st floor in the Campanella Boardroom. (Click here to add this event to your Google Calendar) 

You may access a map of Dean College here.

• A&C Listening Session 2

April 28, 2023 - 9 AM - 11 AM
Franklin Public Library, Meeting Room (School St. entrance). (Click here to add this event to your Google Calendar)

• A&C Listening Session 3

May 19, 2023 - 10 AM - 12 PM
Escape Into Fiction, 12 Main St. Franklin, MA (Click here to add this event to your Google Calendar)

The Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives is composed of the following Town Council members:

• Cobi Frongillo, Chair
• Ted Cormier-Ledger, Vice Chair
• Melanie Hamblen, Clerk

See the attached poster or click here to learn more!

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/events/421731

Town of Franklin: Focus group on Schmidt's Farm for the 2023 OSRP Update

Town of Franklin: Focus group on Schmidt's Farm for the  2023 OSRP Update

We're scheduled for another OSRP focus group meeting - this time about the recently purchased Schmidt's Farm!

As a brief recap, the FCC held the first OSRP public hearing last night, February 21, at Town Hall. Participating residents were able to learn about the OSRP, its process, benefits, and how to get involved. In case you missed the meeting, a recording can be found here. The FCC also held a focus group meeting held on February 9 - School Recreation Facilities and Parks (ADA Compliance Included) - which can be found here. Feel free to watch these recordings at your convenience and provide any comments or questions via this Google form.

I'll keep the rest of this email brief! The next focus group meeting is on Schmidt's Farm tomorrow February 23 from 6-7 PM  in Council Chambers at Town Hall. We know this is a big ticket item for the community so start brainstorming ideas now. In the interim, please feel free to utilize this OSRP map to become familiar with Schmidt's Farm digitally or review the below screenshot. Town property, including Schmidt's Farm, is shown in gray. 

Schmidt's Farm

Come learn about the history of Schmidt Farm, its potential, and provide input on what you would like to see - the sky's the limit for your ideas! 

Other information on the Open Space & Recreation Plan Update ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/2023-open-space-and-recreation-plan-update

UPDATED -> Open Space Recreation Plan Public Hearing Agenda - February 21, 2023 - 6 PM

Franklin Conservation Commission

OSRP Public Hearing Agenda 

February 21, 2023

Updated February 21, 2023

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

1. Overview of the 2023 Open Space and Recreation Plan Update

1.1 Review, purpose, and benefits of the update

1.2 Process, schedule, and opportunities for public participation and feedback

1.2.1 OSRP survey

1.2.2 Bi-weekly stakeholder sessions in conjunction with Conservation Commission meetings, including:

• Schmidt Farm (Feb 23)

• Riverbend Conservation Area (Mar 9)

• Maple Hill (Mar 23)

1.2.3 Public hearings

• Feb 21 (tonight): Overview and review of progress from the prior (2016) update

• Apr 25: Goals and objectives of the 2023 update

• Jun 20: Review and feedback on the draft 2023 plan update

1.3 Introduction to key Town staff

2. Overview of current Open Space/Recreation Areas

2.1 Recreational facilities (i.e., Beaver Pond, Dacey, Fletcher, King Street Memorial, Meadowlark, Nason Street, Pirelli Veterans Arena, Pisani Field, Rec. Dept.)

2.2 Conservation facilities/areas (i.e., DelCarte, Franklin State Forest, Franklin Town Forest, Indian Rock, Maple Hill, Metacomet Land Trust, Riverbend Conservation Area, Sculpture Park, SNETT)

2.3 School facilities (i.e., Davis Thayer, Dean College, Oak/Horace Mann/Franklin High School, Helen Keller/Annie Sullivan, Jefferson Remington, JFK, Parmenter, Tri-County)

3. 2016 Goals

3.1 Increase public awareness of Open Space and Recreation opportunities in Franklin

• Signage

• Educational and/or outdoor programs

• Assist schools and other organizations with environmental science, conservation and sustainability education

• Encourage volunteer efforts to steward natural resources, promote awareness/utilization of Open Spaces, and foster a community sense of identification with the land and resources

3.2 Preserve and enhance existing Town Open Space resources

• Accessibility

• Plan for prioritization and acquisition of Chapter 61/61A/61B properties

• Prioritize Town-owned land for development and approval of Conservation Restrictions

• Increase permanent funding to preserve, maintain, and increase Open Space resources

3.3 Maximize recreational opportunities to meet the community’s evolving needs by maintain current inventory of facilities and programs and by providing new facilities and programs for both active and passive recreation

• Maintain and improve current recreational areas and provide new recreational opportunities

• Increase usage of existing recreational space and modify existing spaces as the Town’s needs evolve

• Develop access points for canoes, kayaks, and boats to utilize the Charles River and Mine Brook

• Increase connectivity to and between Franklin’s Conservation Areas and Open Space

• Work with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to increase access to the SNETT and State Forest Trail

• Seek out a site and develop a youth center

3.4 Protect natural, historical, and cultural resources and maintain Franklin’s New England character

• Protect priority habitats and enhance biodiversity

• Adoption of the Cultural Preservation Act

• Implement growth management techniques that will help to preserve the Town’s natural, historical, and cultural resources

3.5 Preserve and protect the Town’s water resources

• Prioritize water bodies for ecological studies

• Implement recommendations in DelCarte Ecological Study

• Minimize the use of pesticides and salt to maintain the health of the Town’s surface and groundwater resource areas

4. Where did we succeed? Where are efforts ongoing? Where might we have missed opportunities?

Agenda doc can be found online ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/02-21_agenda_revised_2023-02-21.docx

Franklin Conservation Commission: OSRP Public Hearing Agenda - February 21, 2023 - 6 PM

Franklin Conservation Commission: OSRP Public Hearing Agenda - Feb 21 - 6 PM

Tuesday ->

Franklin Conservation Commission

OSRP Public Hearing Agenda 

February 21, 2023

Updated February 16, 2023

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

PUBLIC HEARING 1

 

Agenda doc can be found online -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/02-21_agenda_revised.pdf

Franklin Conservation Commission: OSRP Public Hearing Agenda - February 21, 2023 - 6 PM

Franklin Conservation Commission: OSRP Public Hearing Agenda - February 21, 2023 - 6 PM

Franklin Conservation Commission

OSRP Public Hearing Agenda 

February 21, 2023

Updated February 16, 2023

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

PUBLIC HEARING 1

Due to the concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, this Open Space and Recreation Plan Public Hearing is available to be attended in person and via the ZOOM platform. In an effort to ensure citizen engagement, citizens will be able to dial into the meeting using the provided phone number (Cell phone or Landline Required) OR citizens can participate by copying the link (Phone, Computer, or Tablet required). 

Please click/copy and paste the link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81902466050 or call on your phone at 929-205-6099, meeting number is 819 0246 6050. 

If you are having trouble accessing through the link, please call on your phone and use *6 to toggle between mute/unmute and *9 to raise your hand. 

The public hearing can also be accessed remotely on the Franklin TV All- Access channel (Channel 8 Comcast/Channel 26 Verizon). 

For residents that do not have cable, the public hearings can be accessed live on the Franklin TV All-Access YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@franklinmaall-accesstv7535. If you wish to attend in person, the meeting will be held in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building.

1. GENERAL BUSINESS

1.1 Public Hearing 

1: Attendees will learn more about the Open Space and Recreation Plan and review the progress from the previous 2016 OSRP.

Agenda doc can be found online -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/02-21_agenda_revised.pdf

Franklin Conservation Commission: OSRP Public Hearing Agenda - February 21, 2023 - 6 PM

2023 OSRP First Public Hearing - Location Change to Council Chambers - Feb 21, 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Due to the recent closing of the Franklin Senior Center, the 2023 Open Space and Recreation Plan public hearing on February 21 from 6-8p has been moved to Town Hall Council Chambers. 

In an effort to ensure citizen engagement and due to the concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, this Open Space and Recreation Plan Public Hearing is available to be attended in person and via the ZOOM platform. 

Citizens will be able to dial into the meeting by calling 929-205-6099, meeting number is 819 0246 6050 (Cell phone or Landline Required) OR citizens can participate by copying or clicking the link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81902466050 (Phone, Computer, or Tablet required). 

If you are having trouble accessing through the link, please call on your phone and use *6 to toggle between mute/unmute and *9 to raise your hand. 

The public hearing can also be accessed remotely on the Franklin TV All-Access channel (Channel 8 Comcast/Channel 26 Verizon). 

For residents that do not have cable, the public hearings can be accessed live on the Franklin TV All-Access YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@franklinmaall-accesstv7535. 

If you wish to attend in person, the meeting will be held in Council Chambers, second floor at Town Hall at 355 East Central Street.

See you there!

Breeka LÍ Goodlander, CWS, PWS, CERPIT

Conservation Agent/Natural Resource Protection Manager

Town of Franklin

Office: 508.520.4929

bgoodlander@franklinma.gov

Subscribe here to receive all the latest Conservation and OSRP news.
Visit here to stay up to date on the OSRP update process and provide public comment.

2023 OSRP First Public Hearing - Location Change to Council Chambers - Feb 21, 2023

Franklin Open Space & Rec Planning Underway - The survey welcomes your input!

Opportunities for Your Input!

View this email in your browser Franklin Residents! Work is well underway on Franklin's next Open Space & Recreation Plan and public hearings are scheduled for Feb 21, April 25 and June 20. A survey of residents is also now open on the Town's website and we encourage everyone to let your voices be heard. You'll find QR codes in various places around town including online: https://forms.gle/a8YoZpXbg5jbGYVD7 For more info on the process and hearing dates and times, see: https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/2023-open-space-and-recreation-plan-update The OSRP sets the stage for many improvements over several years so your voice is important! Thank you and please contact MLT if you would like more information about our open space areas in Franklin.  Susan Speers, Board of Directors Franklin Resident   Membership Donations, Gifts of Land or Conservation Restrictions, or donations of items to be auctioned are deductible to the extent permitted by current IRS rules. Our Federal Tax-Exempt ID is: 04-3020897.  We Love Where We Live -- And We Know You Do, Too! Copyright © 2023 Metacomet Land Trust, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Metacomet Land Trust P.O. Box 231 Franklin, MA 02038 Telephone: (508) 271-7131

Town of Franklin: The 2023 OSRP Survey is Now Open for your input!

Good Morning Neighbors,

It's the moment we've all been waiting for - the 2023 OSRP survey is now LIVE!

We welcome your participation in this survey to help the Town draft an OSRP inclusive of your priorities for our Open Space and Recreation areas. Can't remember what the OSRP is or why it's important? No problem! In its basic form, the OSRP is a "plan for plans"; it is a guiding path and checklist the Town can utilize to improve Open Space and Recreation areas and receive funding through grants from various organizations. The last OSRP was finalized in 2016 and can be read here. To learn more about the 2023 OSRP process, feel free to watch this brief video. 

By participating in this survey, you are helping the Town prioritize Open Space and Recreation projects reflective of what you think is most important for your home. The survey is available digitally and physically between February 13 and April 16 at various location around Town, and at the first and second OSRP public hearings. You can also access the survey by visiting the QR code below or by visiting https://forms.gle/a8YoZpXbg5jbGYVD7. Hardcopy surveys are available upon request to bgoodlander@franklinma.gov.

To further follow the OSRP process, please subscribe to Conservation News Alerts by visiting https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe and selecting "Conservation" under "News or Announcement". We can't wait to see your responses and we thank you for helping recreate the future vision of Franklin!

Town of Franklin: The 2023 OSRP Survey is Now Open for your input!

Breeka LÍ Goodlander, CWS, PWS, CERPIT

Conservation Agent/Natural Resource Protection Manager

Town of Franklin

Office: 508.520.4929

bgoodlander@franklinma.gov

Community engagement, everywhere you turn, there's an opportunity tops this Talk Franklin discussion (audio)

FM #943 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 943 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge on Thursday, February 8, 2023.  

Topics for this session

Community Preservation Cmte – public hearing Tuesday

Finance Cmte (will be conducted after we record)

Community engagement opportunities

• Master plan

• Davis Thayer

• Police Station

Town Council outlook for the Feb 15 meeting

• inclusionary zoning

• capital plan (first pass) 

The conversation runs about 27 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Police-Building--Davis-Thayer-Reuse--Master-Plan-Committee-opportunities-and-more-for-residents-e1v1ags/a-a9bepvf

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Town Council agenda for 2/15/23

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/feb_15_2023_agenda.pdf 

Community Preservation Committee meeting (video)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/community-preservation-cmte-public.html 

Finance Committee meeting (video)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-tv-video-of-finance-committee.html 

Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Community engagement, everywhere you turn, there's an opportunity tops this Talk Franklin discussion (audio)