Not all of the folks in Franklin have grown up here so for those us of who came along because this was a good place to live, here is the Google Map of 'Franklin Reservoirs' - otherwise known as the Delcarte Open Space.
View Larger Map
Prior post on the location
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/12/franklin-ma-delcarte-conservation-area.html
Franklin, MA
Showing posts with label open space. Show all posts
Showing posts with label open space. Show all posts
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Open Space/Recreation Plan Update
The Open Space & Recreation Plan presentation document was added to the Town Council notes for Wednesday's meeting. To save you going back to look, it is also here:
Franklin Open Space Summary Presentation
View more documents from Steve Sherlock.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Live reporting - Open Space
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS -
1. Reports on the Open Space & Recreation Plan and the Master Plan – Beth Dahlstrom, Town PlannerBeth Dahlstrom, Bryan Taberner
The presentation copy is here:
Franklin Open Space Summary Presentation
View more documents from Steve Sherlock.
The 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan can be found on the Town website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/2008plan
Copy of presentation to be added later
The Green Communities Act as referenced can be found here
The State has granted an extension of the five year plan to be implemented over seven years.
Q - Thanks for including the public in obtaining feedback. Is there any budget impact for these action items?
A - Yes, there is potential for budget but that would require coming back here for approval and include what ever other Town departments approval would be required.
Jeff adds that we do have 1.7 million in our Open Space and Recreation account for purchase of open space that comes onto the market. If there is something simple we can do, we will. We can also utilize scouting projects and other volunteer efforts to accomplish some of these items.
Monday, September 28, 2009
In the News - dog park, honey, Dean College
A town dog park is part of the five-year plan in the 2008 Open Space Recreation Plan created by the Public Land Use Committee as something on the wish list of Franklin residents, Jette said.
The best spot for the park, Jette said, would be at Dacey Field off Lincoln Street, behind the playground and set back into the woods.
Franklin considering dog park idea
from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Angel Roy/Daily News staff-----
Howard is frequently at the Farmers Market to sell his local honey.
Hive Mind: Franklin farmer has been collecting honey for 45 years
-----English language company to leave Dean
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Where do you put open space on the budget priority listing?
Currently, the Department of Public Works is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all town parks, recreation areas and School grounds. The Recreation Department is responsible for scheduling the use of the Town of Franklin athletic fields and facilities. Recreation Department Director, Ryan Jette indicated that it is a difficult challenge to maintain all the open space and recreation areas in Town and there is not adequate staffing for the upkeep.
The Conservation Department maintains a list of open space and conservation sites in Franklin. The current level of staffing for the management and maintenance of open space is not satisfactory, there is insufficient staff and resources to complete routine property inspections and maintenance. Issues such as hiring a forester to oversee the cutting of the Town Forest have proven challenging for the Conservation Commission due to a lack of funding.
If the Town continues to obtain additional open space and recreation areas, there will likely be issues providing sufficient upkeep due to a lack of funds and staffing available to provide upkeep of the sites.
As the Town Council candidates declare themselves for election this November, this would be a good topic on which to find out where they stand.
While the Town has a number of budget needs (the school department is the single biggest item of our Town budget), where open space management sits amongst the priority list would be important to understand.
For additional information on the Open Space and Recreation Plan, read the full report on the Town web site here (PDF)
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Does age of the respondents determine survey answers?
Results of the Citizen Participation Questionnaire were very helpful in identifying what Franklin residents believe to be the Town’s biggest recreation and open space needs. When asked what recreation and open space facilities the Town needed most, Bike Trails, Conservation Areas, and Hiking Trails were the three most popular responses. The survey data shows there appears to be a desire for additional passive recreation facilities. Franklin residents’ desire for improvement and expansion of passive recreation activities and facilities is consistent with regional and national trends.Analysis of survey data show that a respondent’s opinion of which facilities the Town needs may be directly related to the age of individuals in their households. For example, of the respondents that claim to have children in their household, 35.9% chose Youth Center as one of the Town’s more important facilities needed, compared to only 15.0 percent of households with individuals 60 years and over, and 28.2 percent of all respondents. Likewise 52.2 percent of respondents with children in their household chose Bike Trails as a needed facility, compared to 22.5 percent of households with individuals 60 years and over, and 41.9 percent of all respondents. The most popular response from respondents with individuals 60 years and over in their households was conservation areas, with hiking trails and dog park coming in close behind.
Each one of us has a point of view. It is good to acknowledge and respect that. It is also good to then find some common ground within those points of view. The common ground can bring diverse sections together to build a community effort.
Read more about the survey and the resulting Open Space and Recreation Plan on the Town web site here (PDF).
Friday, September 4, 2009
Do you know is what a major environmental concern?
A major environmental concern in Franklin is both the quality and quantity of its water supply. Franklin is completely dependant upon wells for its water supply, therefore, it is imperative that both the quality and quantity of the water sources be maintained. Franklin has implemented a Water Resource District23 to protect, preserve and maintain the existing and potential ground and surface water resources that provide water supply to Franklin. The State’s efforts to encourage keeping wastewater local and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Phase II stormwater management regulations also ensure that more water is returned to the ground to recharge aquifers in a way that maintains quality. Preservation of open space and education efforts regarding the use of fertilizers and pesticides are a key component in addressing water quality in Franklin.
What else would you add to this listing?
- The next time you open the tap to draw water, give thanks to the DPW crew that takes care of providing us good water.
- Consider putting trash in an appropriate container (don't just toss it out the window to let it lie along the roadside).
- Consider picking up any recyclables as you walk through Town (this will prevent them from getting into our waste water treatment system).
Read more from the Open Space and Recreation Plan found on the Town web site here (PDF)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Do you know Franklin is home to some endangered species?
The following is from the Open Space and Recreation Plan updated in 2008 and available on the Town web site (PDF)
The Town of Franklin has four National Heritage & Endangered Species Program(NHESP) delineated priority habitats of rare species and also estimated habitats ofrare wild life. The locations are described as follows:
- The area around Beaver Pond and Mine Brook from the railroad tracks just south of Route 140 across Interstate 495 to and including, Spring Pond on Washington Street.
- Located primarily within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Charles River Natural Valley Storage area.
- The area encompassing Wampanoag Drive up to Concetta Way located eastern part of Franklin on the border of Norfolk and Wrentham.
- The area surrounding Miscoe Brook on the southwestern portion of town within proximity of Washington and South Street.
According to National Heritage and Endangered Species (NHES), Franklin provides ahabitat for several endangered, threatened and species of special concern.
Open the link to the Open Space and Recreation Plan (PDF) and cruise to page 30 to find this section and the table listing the endangered species living within Franklin.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Demographics help explain
There are a significant number of residents under 18 years old living in Franklin. Between 1990 and 2003, Franklin’s total population increased by 33.8%; during the same time, the number of residents under 18 increased by 58.3%9....In 2007, nearly 970 students enrolled in the Franklin Public Schools had a disability, of which, nearly 7% had physical disabilities.11 Franklin recognized the need to provide accessible areas to individuals of all ability levels and over the past several years, has been successful in upgrading all the Public School playgrounds to meet ADA compliancy requirements....Another population of interest in Franklin is its elderly residents. Census 2000 indicates 8.2% of Franklins 2000 population was age 65 years or older. As Franklin’s population ages, it is important for the Town to ensure the needs of priority populations are met. In 2008 the Town opened the newly constructed Senior Center. The Center provides Franklin’s seniors with a location to gather and programs geared towards this population’s recreation needs.
When one wonders why the School Budget has become such an item, the demographics of the Town can provide some insights. Read more in the Open Space and Recreation Plan on the Town web site here (PDF)
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Did you know that development of the rail trail is an objecitve?
Two public hearings that included mapping activities were held at the Franklin Town Hall on March 13 and 20, 2008. Although no requests were made, translation services and assistance to disabled populations would have been provided to ensure all populations could participate in the OSRP planning process. See Appendix E for minutes of these Public Hearings. Among the thoughts expressed by the Franklin citizen attendees were their desire to acquire chapter 61B land in the north end of town if it becomes available, as well as Mt. St. Mary's Abby and the Schmidt Farm. They felt town-owned land could be used for alternative uses such as low income housing, and the public should be educated on CPA prior to presenting it on a future ballot. Citizens expressed a desire to increase the number of bike paths and trails in town, increase access to the SNETT and State Forest, identify and preserve priority habitats, as well as implement "Smart Development" concepts and initiatives.
Read more from the Open Space and Recreation Plan on the Town web site here (PDF)
Members of the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee will be participating in the Public Land Use Committee meeting Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM in Room 205 in the Municipal Building.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Do you know when Franklin's open space bylaw was created?
Franklin adopted its "Open Space Development" bylaw in 1987, Franklin Zoning Chapter 185-43. It applies to parcels in the Rural Residential I and II, and Residential VI zoning districts. It allows such parcels to be developed with the same number of lots as would be allowed with a conventional plan, but with one half the area, frontage, and yard requirements mandated by the underlying district. At least 25% of the parcel area must be reserved as open space and either conveyed to the Town or have recorded a restriction enforceable by the Town providing that the land remain as open space. By 1993, ten subdivisions had been approved for development in this manner resulting in the preservation of 236.57 acres of open space.
Read more in the Open Space and Recreation Plan found on the Town web site here (PDF)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Did you know?
A stated common vision facilitates decision-making for everyone, Town and State officials as well as developers and private landowners. This update of the 2001 plan is intended to help provide that vision. The 2008 OSRP is being prepared with attention to Franklin specifically, rather than a three-town region as in the past because Franklin has become a thriving suburban community in need of specific open space and recreation planning guidance. Coordination and cooperation in planning between Town Departments and government agencies may lead to improved resources throughout the Town. The 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan will act as a policy guide for the decision and policy makers of Franklin, resulting in improved management and enhancement of recreational opportunities and preservation of much of the Town’s significant open space.
The Open Space and Recreation Plan can be found on the town web site here (PDF)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
"I just wish people would participate"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Town Council unanimously voted to endorse a five-year open space and recreation plan, making the town eligible for grants.
The long-term plan includes five goals:
* Increasing public awareness of open space and recreation opportunities in Franklin;
* Preserving, protecting and enhancing the town's existing open space resources;
* Maximizing recreational opportunities to meet the town's evolving needs by providing new facilities and programs;
* Protecting the natural, historical and cultural resources to maintain Franklin's New England character.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Recreation, open space survey
Franklin seeks views on recreation, open space
| FRANKLIN - Seeking to update the town's plans for preserving undeveloped land and providing recreation, a civic committee is asking residents to fill out a survey to provide some guidance. |
From Franklin's web site:
The Town of Franklin takes pride in preserving the character of the community by offering an array of park and recreation opportunities and open space areas to its residents and the surrounding region. Currently, the Town’s Public Land Use Committee is in the process of updating Franklin’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. The purpose of this plan is to create a document through a public input process that will guide the Town of Franklin in its continuing efforts to maintain and enhance the open space and recreation resources in town.The survey can be found here.
In order to complete a plan that represents the opinions, desires and needs of the community, the Public Land Use Committee is asking that you take a few moments and complete a brief citizen survey. The survey will let the Public Land Use Committee and other Town officials know how Franklin residents feel about preservation of open space and the adequacy of parks and recreation opportunities available.
In addition, the Public Land Use Committee would like to invite you to participate in two public input meetings to review and discuss accomplishments since the development of the 2001 Open Space and Recreation Plan as well as obtain additional input on the future needs of the community. The public input meetings will be held on Thursday, March 13 and March 20, 2008 at 6:30 PM in the Training Room on the 3rd floor of the Municipal Building located at 355 East Central Street.
To ensure your input is included in the development of the 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan, please return your survey to one of the locations indicated on the survey by March 21, 2008. If you have any questions or would like to know where you can obtain additional copies of the citizen survey, please contact Franklin’s Town Planner, Beth A. Dahlstrom, at (508) 520-4907.
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