MAEnergy Environment upgrades drought status - still in drought but better than before

MAEnergy Environment (@MassEEA) tweeted on Fri, Oct 07, 2022:

most regions have been upgraded to lower drought levels, but drought still persists across the state

"With the majority of the state seeing improvements, @EEASecretary declared today (10/07/22) that most regions have been upgraded to lower drought levels, but drought still persists across the state. 

For the current drought status & water conservation tips: https://t.co/YA29WSXNDL   or https://www.mass.gov/news/majority-of-state-received-above-average-rainfall"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/MassEEA/status/1578504986949885952

Reminder: Order your rain barrel now, pick it up Sept 14

Reduce your water bill by utilizing a rain barrel to collect rainwater. When it rains you SAVE!

The Fall Residential Rain Barrel Program is currently open to residents - residents can order directly from The Great American Rain Barrel Company. 

The deadline to order is September 5 and pick up will be at the DPW on September 14 from 4-6 PM.

Order your rain barrel today!

Learn more about rain barrels here => https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division/pages/rain-barrels

Note: while it has not yet determined how much of a credit, a rain barrel is an example of a credit against the future storm water fee. The storm water fee is expected to be implemented for July 2023.

Order your Rain Barrel before September 5, pick it up September 14

Order your Rain Barrel before September 5, pick it up September 14

Reduce your water bill by utilizing a rain barrel to collect rainwater. When it rains you SAVE!

The Fall Residential Rain Barrel Program is currently open to residents - residents can order directly from The Great American Rain Barrel Company. 

The deadline to order is September 5 and pick up will be at the DPW on September 14 from 4-6 PM.

Order your rain barrel today!

Learn more about rain barrels here => https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division/pages/rain-barrels

Note: while it has not yet determined how much of a credit, a rain barrel is an example of a credit against the future storm water fee. The storm water fee is expected to be implemented for July 2023.

Order your Rain Barrel before September 5, pick it up September 14

Order your Rain barrel today, pick it up at the DPW in May

"Order your rain barrel today!

Residents can order rain barrels through the Great American Rain Barrel website: https://buff.ly/2FsqtRM  or   https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/

Ordering deadline is May 9 and the pickup will be at the Franklin DPW on May 18,2022" 

A rain barrel is one of the credits for the forth coming storm water utility fee.
https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division/pages/rain-barrels

Order your Rain barrel today, pick it up at the DPW in May

Town of Franklin, MA: Get your rain barrel order in now for delivery in May!

"Franklin DPW partners with the Great American Rain Barrel Company to offer residents rain barrels at a discounted price.  

Residents can order rain barrels now until May 9th. Barrel pick up will be at Franklin DPW on May 18th! 

Order your rain barrel today: https://t.co/Rn4kKmVtQ6"

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/f3ACrXfWAf

Town of Franklin, MA: Get your rain barrel order in now for delivery in May!

Time running out for this order time for rain barrels

Order before midnight on Monday (Sept. 6th)! 

The Great American Rain Barrel Company is offering Franklin residents discounted barrels for just $69. Residents may then apply for a $50 water conservation rebate from the DPW for a total cost of only $19 (rebates are limited to two per household)! 

Order before midnight on Monday, September 6, 2021 and pick up at the DPW Admin Office (257 Fisher St, Franklin) on Wednesday, September 15 from 4-6 PM. 

Click here for more information or to order: https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/  (select MA, then Franklin for the specifics)

How to apply for a water conservation rebate:  

https://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/news/water-conservation-rebates-now-available

Shared from DPW's Facebook page ->   https://www.facebook.com/931498886934582/posts/4471252746292494/

Help Save The Environment, Use A Rain Barrel.

Rain barrel orders available - Water conservation rebates now available

"It's that time of year again! Spring is right around the corner and it's time to consider installing a rain barrel at your home. The Great American Rain Barrel Company is offering Franklin residents discounted barrels for just $69. Residents may then apply for a $50 water conservation rebate from the DPW for a total cost of only $19 (rebates are limited to two per household)! 

Order before midnight on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 and pick up at the DPW Admin Office (257 Fisher St, Franklin) on Wednesday, May 12, from 4-6 PM."

Click here for more information or to order: https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/

How to apply for a water conservation rebate:

https://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/news/water-conservation-rebates-now-available

Shared from Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/931498886934582/posts/3903972679687173/

Rain barrel orders available

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - Jan 13, 2021

Finance Committee meeting - Jan 13, 2021 - 5:00 PM

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

a. December 15, 2020

4. Stormwater Presentation

a. Stormwater Management Plan

b. Stormwater Brochures

5. COVID-19 Update

a. Vaccination Schedule

6. Future Agenda Items

7. Adjourn

Please find the agenda and links for the upcoming Finance Committee Meeting posted here https://t.co/dW6mG0DmbO  

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/UIdhW47lPI

rain garden at Parmenter, one of many examples of stormwater mitigation that can be found around Franklin

Franklin residents: Time to Order Your Rain Barrel

Time to Order Your Rain Barrel!

It's that time of year again! Time to order your rain barrel!

Franklin is once again partnering with The Great American Rain Barrel Company to offer residents discounted barrels for just $69. Residents may then apply for a $50 water conservation rebate from the DPW for a total cost of only $19!! 

Order by Wednesday, September 11 and pick up at the DPW Admin Office (257 Fisher St) on Wednesday, September 18 from 4-6 PM.

Click here for more information or to order
https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/

Click here for a water conservation rebate application
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/rain_barrel_rebate_application_0.pdf

rain barrels at the Franklin Community Garden

Town of Franklin offering residents discounted rain barrels

Don't forget to order your rain barrel! 

Franklin is once again partnering with The Great American Rain Barrel Company to offer residents discounted barrels for just $79. 

Residents may then apply for a $50 water conservation rebate from the DPW for a total cost of only $29!!

Click here for more information or to order: https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/

How to apply for a DPW Water Conservation Rebate: 
https://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/news/water-conservation-rebates-now-available

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczcTZkVDRaT0lLbTQ1SXczNlVqaXhhRmtmYU1B/view?usp=sharing

On this date: Feb 27, 2015 - DPW gets grant to curb stormwater

Stepping into the archives for Feb 27, 2015, we find that the DPW had just received a grant to help with storm water management.

"The Department of Public Works plans to use money from a state grant to curb the amount of stormwater draining into the Charles River. 

The town on Tuesday won a $119,000 grant through a state Department of Environmental Protection initiative to help cites and towns manage local water supplies. In all, DEP awarded around $755,000 in grants to 12 communities, including Medway. 

Franklin DPW Robert Cantoreggi said Thursday the grant will fund work to build a water recharge area off Jefferson Road."

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150227/NEWS/150226926/1994/NEWS#sthash.qKXmtquO.dpuf

The storm water management efforts by the DPW are plentiful and visible all around Franklin.

Rain gardens, tree wells... the listing goes on. 

DPW Director Cantoreggi will be leaving soon (?) to take the Town Administrator role for Norfolk.

one of the rain gardens at Parmenter School

Franklin DPW: Catch Basin Clearing

Catch Basin Clearing

Crews are out working hard to clear as many catch basins as possible before the rain arrives! 

If you're curious to see if you have a catch basin nearby, check out this web map to find it. Simply enter your address to zoom to your neighborhood.

Snow Operations Map
http://townoffranklin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=338afb647d7d4c9fbba717b6c602d381


Shared from
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/catch-basin-clearing

Franklin DPW: Catch Basin Clearing

a frosted and clear storm drain before the snow arrived

Stormwater Management Public Forum on May 15 & May 23

Stormwater Management Public Forum on May 15 and May 23

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/stormwater_mailer_franklin.pdf

May 15, 2018
6  - 7:30  PM -  Franklin Municipal Building
355 East Central St, Franklin MA 

May 23 2018
6  - 7:30  PM -  Franklin Municipal Building
355 East Central St, Franklin MA 

rain garden doing what it is supposed to, catch the rain and let the ground soak it in

In the News: blood drive at Charter School; rain helped drought conditions

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

"Boston Children’s Hospital will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11 at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School, 201 Main St., Franklin.
A positive ID is required. 

Giovanna and Olivia Sabini-Leite, seniors at Franklin High School, are coordinating regular blood drives in the Franklin community through Boston Children’s Hospital as part of their National Honor Society Service Project. 

Giovanna and Olivia Sabini-Leite have been regular blood donors at Boston Children’s Hospital since they turned 16, the legal age to donate. When one of the twins underwent major surgery and needed blood at the age of 12, the significance of blood donation hit home. 

To make an appointment, visit www.halfpints.childrenshospital.org, or call 508-541-1253."

Giovanna and Olivia Sabini-Leite, seniors at Franklin High School will conduct a blood drive at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School Nov 11

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161013/boston-childrens-to-hold-blood-drive

"For the first time in more than a month, the extreme drought conditions in the state have eased slightly, thanks to rainfall associated with Hurricane Matthew that mostly drenched the southeastern and central part of the state last weekend. 

The weekly report from the U.S. Drought Monitor showed that 37.83 percent of the state was still in extreme drought but that figure is a decrease from 52.13 percent - the figure that has held fast for the previous month. The monitor showed 83.7 percent of the state was still in severe drought. Last week, nearly 90 percent of the state was in severe drought."

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/mapsanddata/maparchive.aspx

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161013/drought-conditions-ease-slightly

In the News: high school fields on schedule, spin your way to work, drought conditions remain

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

"The town will be looking to take ownership of the fields around the Franklin High School next year, though there have been complicating factors - not the least of which has been the ongoing drought. 

Town Councilor Thomas Mercer, chairman of the high school's building committee, gave an update on the situation this week. The town has not yet taken control of the fields from the project contractor; sodding and creating them is a multi-year process. 

He said he had received many questions about the status of the fields. 

"I've been out there at least once a week, if not twice a week," he said. 

Mercer said those involved in the project are comfortable that the high school baseball teams will be able to play on the fields in the spring.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160922/franklin-looks-to-take-ownership-of-high-school-fields-in-spring

"Stuck in frustrating bumper-to-bumper traffic on Rte. 9 or the Mass. Pike during rush hour and craving a workout to relieve the workday stress? 

Eric and Seema Brodie have just the thing for you. The Newton couple recently devised a way to get commuters in and out of Boston safely while providing them with a good, hearty workout at the same time. And with this commute, you leave the driving to someone else. 

The Brodies, who both previously worked as attorneys, converted a former Logan Airport shuttle bus into a traveling cycling studio with eight stationary bicycles bolted firmly to the floor in place of passenger seats. Riders are safely harnessed in during the ride. While Eric drives the bus through crowded highways and city streets, Seema energetically leads a high-intensity spinning class to the sounds of top musical artists."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160922/newton-couple-brings-bikebus-to-framingham

image from http://bikebus.com/index.html

"Despite one day of heavy rain showers this week, the weekly update from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows extreme drought conditions in Massachusetts remain unchanged. 

The report issued today showed 52 percent of the state remains in "extreme drought" conditions - the second worst drought level issued by the monitor. Nearly 90 percent of the state is in at least "severe drought," according to the monitor. 

Some parts of the state saw more than two inches of rain Monday but most of MetroWest and the Milford area saw an inch or less. Boston saw less than a half-inch of rain."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160922/extreme-drought-conditions-hold-fast-in-region

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/MapsAndData/MapsandDataServices/MapService.aspx

In the News: drought conditions worsen, big dollar donors for ballot questions

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

"The latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows rapid worsening of the extreme drought in Massachusetts as another week of above average temperatures and very little rain added to the months-long crisis affecting farmers and water supply managers. 

Data released this morning showed 52.13 percent of the state is considered to be in extreme drought. Last week that figure stood at at 22.67 percent. That means the area of the state now in extreme drought increased by 130% in just one week. Extreme drought is the second highest stage of drought issued by the drought monitor. At least 89.95 percent of the state is in at least severe drought, up from 77.38 percent last week."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160915/extreme-drought-expands-in-massachusetts

The official drought monitor map is impressive but the local photos shown below, I think are more dramatic.

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA

Uncas Brook is a 'small' but important water way here in Franklin

"When it comes to campaign cash, proponents of each of the four Massachusetts ballot questions hold a sizeable advantage over their opposition. 

Recent campaign finance filings to the state provide a look into where each ballot committee is drawing its monetary support."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160914/ballot-question-proponents-enjoy-cash-advantage

In the News: Rain garden tour, Museum photos on show

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

"Franklin residents and town employees joined representatives of the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) for a tour of five Franklin rain gardens on Aug. 17. The tour was part of an ongoing partnership between CRWA and the Franklin Department of Public Works (DPW) to demonstrate to residents how rain gardens can prevent pollution and help get rainwater into the ground. 

A rain garden collects and filters polluted runoff from driveways, rooftops and streets. The DPW has installed 15 rain gardens and 94 rainwater holding basins throughout Franklin. The gardens, maintained by the DPW with help from neighbors and volunteers, prevent polluted runoff from entering the Charles River and its tributaries and replenish ground water levels. 

The native grasses and perennials planted in the rain gardens were chosen for their ability to withstand both wet and dry conditions, including the current drought."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160819/franklin-showcases-some-of-its-best-rain-gardens

one of the 14 rain gardens around Franklin can be found at the Parmenter School

"A unique event allowing a rare opportunity to view selected vintage photographs from the collection of the Franklin Historical Museum will be held from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at Almont Gallery and Studios, 161 Main St., Medway. 

The public is invited to view classic vintage photos from the museum’s collection which have been digitized for clearer and closer viewing. The images will be shown on giant, poster-size digital display units hung throughout the gallery. 

Many of the photos are labeled with dates and information, but guests will have the opportunity to name people, locations and events not previously identified. The images date from the early 1900s through the 1950s and include photos of Franklin High School athletic teams, police and fire department photos, factory and mill images, family photos and more."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160819/franklin-historical-museum-to-present-classic-photos

In the News: weight loss program at Y, drought conditions worsen

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

"The Hockomock Area YMCA has announced that all three of its branches will now offer a 10-week weight loss program called Weigh to Change following the success of the Foxborough spring program, during which 31 members lost a total of 267 pounds and 318.5 inches. 

An information session will take place at the following locations:

• Bernon Family Franklin Branch, 45 Forge Hill Road, at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30; or 10 a.m. Sept. 3.
• Invensys Foxboro Branch, 67 Mechanic St., 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1; 9 a.m. Sept. 10.

The fall program will begin Sept. 12 and will run through Nov. 19."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160818/hockomock-area-ymca-to-hold-weight-loss-program

"The weekly report from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that the area in Massachusetts experiencing extreme drought conditions has expanded dramatically despite spotty downpours last weekend and this week. 

According to the monitor, which is overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the area in the state seeing the second highest level of drought jumped from 3.66 percent last week to 16.86 percent this week. The area in extreme drought includes much of MetroWest and the Milford area. The extreme drought area includes the eastern two-thirds of Middlesex County, the northern half of Norfolk County, nearly all of Essex County and all of Suffolk County.

U.S. Drought Monitor Massachusetts

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160818/extreme-drought-worsens-in-mass

Ecology of Sound - Wednesday, August 10, 2016 - 1:00pm

A sample of the rhythms, sounds and feelings of the Brazilian rain forest will come to the Franklin Public Library on Wednesday, Aug 10, 2016. If your kids are getting into the Rio Olympics, this would be right up their alley!

Ecology of Sound - Wednesday, August 10, 2016 - 1:00pm

This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0247103E-000F8513.4/ecology%20pic.jpg

In the News: farms feeling drought, Post 75 Junior League

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

"On Hoffmann Farm in Franklin, even the weeds look thirsty. 

The farm, about 20 acres, completely lost its usual crop of zucchini, summer squash and cucumbers this summer while scrambling to keep the tomatoes and corn alive. 

"They pretty much burnt up and died," owner Nick Hoffmann said. 

The crops that survived are only producing about half the usual yield. What does grow lacks quality."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160808/farmers-feeling-brunt-of-severe-drought

photo from a ride around Franklin in 2014

"What a ride it was for the Franklin Post 75 Junior American Legion team this season. 

Post 75 dominated in its first two games of the Northeast Regional, earning a berth in the championship game against Methuen Sunday, the same team it lost to in the state title game last month. 

Despite losing 8-0 Sunday, a look back at Franklin's season reveals some noteworthy accomplishments. 

In the 20-game regular season, Post 75 went 16-4 and became the District 6 West Division regular season champions. From there, Franklin went 4-2 in the district playoffs, 4-2 in the state playoffs, and then 2-1 during regional play. Three of Franklin’s postseason losses were to Methuen."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/sports/20160808/franklin-junior-legion-squad-had-season-to-remember