Town Council Recap -Sep 18, 2019

Due to a work commitment for a 9 PM meeting, I did 'real time' reporting for the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, Sep 18, 2019. From the comfort of my home office, I reported on the meeting capturing notes and photos from the broadcast on my laptop. Fortunately, the meeting ended just before 9 and I was able to swivel my seat to my 'work from home desk' and dial into the conference call on schedule.

• Franklin Police Department had two new hires sworn in: John Godino and David Ricci. Nick Palmieri was recognized with a promotion to Detective. Daniel McGlynn was recognized for his 27 years of service on the force. 
• Franklin Fire Department EMS Lieutenant William Blanchard was sworn in.

John Godino and David Ricci being sworn in

Nick Palmieri congratulated by Capt Lynch on promotion

 

Daniel McGlynn presented with a plaque in recognition of his 27 years of service

William Blanchard being sworn in as a new Lieutenant

The often rescheduled public hearing for the Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-837: Zoning Map Changes From General Residential V to Single Family Residential IV an Area on or Near West Central Street was closed at this meeting.It appeared that the Council simply wanted to close the public hearing without doing anything. A couple of people did speak on the record. Including the individual with the proposal currently involved in a law suit over his proposal for this location with the Planning Board. 

One of the draw backs of being remote for the meeting was that I could not talk with anyone to really find out what was going on. So there will likely be more to come on this item.

A set of presentations on the Historical Museum (document shared) and on the DPW 'tree warden' as well as the new textile recycling program beginning in November were shared. The presentation documents are included in the links below. 

I'll create an audio file of the tree warden presentation to share soon. In the meantime, the Franklin TV recording is available for replay.
https://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=683


The Town of Franklin "Actions Taken" document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_september_18_2019.pdf

Additional details can be found in my notes captured during the 'real time reporting' session for this meeting

• Real-time Reporting: Legislation for action through Closing

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

• Real-time Reporting: DPW Presentation

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/live-reporting-dpw-presentation.html

• Real-time reporting: Historical Museum presentation .

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/live-reporting-historical-museum.html

• Real-time Reporting: Public Hearing - Zoning Bylaw...

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/live-reporting-public-hearing-zoning.html

• Real-time Reporting: Town Council - Sep 18, 2019

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/live-reporting-town-council-sep-18-2019.html

Real-time Reporting: DPW Presentation

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

DPW Presentation 
Brutus Cantoreggi, Director

Clothing Recycling Program
with Chris White


it is another option to recycle, folks can still use the other non-profit recyclers. The other benefit we can get is removing it from the waste stream and our recycle contamination rates.

it makes it easier for folks to help us remove from the waste stream, for those who want to call or deliver themselves to the other non-profits, they can do so. For those who wouldn't use it should help remove these items from the waste stream which will also save us.

it is a weekly program,  bags will be coming via mail.

everything can go in the same bag for convenience

Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director with Chris White on the Clothing Recycling Program

Tree Removal Update 
(presentation doc to be added) 

The drought a couple of year ago and the gypsy moth (2 years in a row) both helped to reduce the health of the trees in our area

trees covered in only the 'public right of way', does not cover trees on Town property or school property

trees overhanging a sidewalk can be addressed because they are blocking a public way
Bushes on a corner blocking the sight line are part of the building inspector role (not tree warden)

what is a public way? not only where the road is, depending upon when the development was built it is either clear or tricky. Partridge St was built along stone walls and private property.  If tree grows in the berm between the curb and the sidewalk it is town owned; if on the other side of the sidewalk closer to the residence, it is private property

Put your Christmas trees out for pickup this week

According to the Fall/Winter Solid Waste Mailer, the Christmas Tree collection days will be during the week of January 14, 2019. 

Your tree will be picked up during the week of January 14 on the day of your normal trash/recycling.

Need a new copy of the solid waste mailer? Get one here:
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_2019.pdf

When do they pick up my Christmas tree?

When is the Christmas Tree pickup?

According to the Fall/Winter Solid Waste Mailer, the Christmas Tree collection days will be during the week of January 14, 2019. 

Your tree will be picked up during the week of January 14 on the day of your normal trash/recycling.


Need a new copy of the solid waste mailer? Get one here:
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_2019.pdf

When do they pick up my Christmas tree?

Lyon Landscape and Nursery: pick and cut your Christmas tree

"I would like to say thank you to all the folks who came to the first annual Xmas tree sale at our farm. The sale exceeded my expectations. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. Unfortunately, we have sold out of all our trees for this year.
Next year we will have a larger selection of taller and fuller trees. Best of luck in the New Year."
-Alex Lyon, Lyon Landscape Nursery Inc.

updated Dec 2, 2018

"After 7 years of planting, watering, fertilizing, and mowing, our first crop of Frasier Fir Christmas trees are ready for harvest. I invite all friends, family, and valued customers who have supported my Landscape Contracting business over the years to stop by for a locally grown organic Christmas tree. 

We will be open the next (3) weekends 10 AM - 4 PM starting today. We are located at 250 Bent Street, Franklin MA. 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2019!"

Lyon Landscape and Nursery: pick and cut your Christmas tree (courtesy photo)

Visit Lyon Landscape and Nursery on the internet
https://www.lyonlandscapenursery.com/

Shared via Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2215154692098617&set=p.2215154692098617&type=3&theater

What is Franklin's most majestic tree?

This is the time of year, post snow, just before the trees bud and fill out with their leaf cover to really view a tree. They are amazing in their structure.

In your walk around Franklin, what tree amazes you?

You can send me an email with your photo, or share it via the Facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/franklinmatters

Here are a couple from my walk on Saturday.

At the Charter School, former St Mary's school grounds.

Along King St near Peck St 

Curbside Tree Pickup Scheduled for week of Jan 8 through Jan 13

Christmas Tree pick up is next week 1/8/18 -1/13/18 on your regular scheduled Trash and Recycling pick up day.

However due to the weather changed schedule trash and recycling next week will be delayed a day so if your regular scheduled pick up day is Monday your Trash, Recycling and Tree will be picked up on Tuesday and so on.

But Monday isn't a holiday? No but Monday will be the pick up day for those who were scheduled for last Friday. See the table below.

For more information please visit http://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste

Curbside Tree Pickup Scheduled for week of Jan 8 through Jan 13

Please see below for modified Trash and recycling pick up schedule

	Collection
Date	Day		Service day	Service Date
1/1/2018	Monday		Holiday
1/2/2018	Tuesday		Monday	1/1/2018
1/3/2018	Wednesday		Tuesday	1/2/2018
1/4/2018	Thursday		Storm
1/5/2018	Friday		Wednesday	1/3/2018
1/6/2018	Saturday		Thursday	1/4/2018
1/7/2018	Sunday		None
1/8/2018	Monday		Friday	1/5/2018
1/9/2018	Tuesday		Monday	1/8/2017
1/10/2018	Wednesday		Tuesday	1/9/2017
1/11/2018	Thursday		Wednesday	1/10/2017
1/12/2018	Friday		Thursday	1/11/2017
1/13/2018	Saturday		Friday	1/12/2017

Curbside Tree Pickup Scheduled for week of Jan 8 through Jan 13

Friendly reminder: trash delayed one day this week

Trash and recycling WILL be delayed one day for the New Year's holiday. Your trash and recycling will be picked up one day later than your usually scheduled trash day.

If you are normally scheduled for Monday, your trash will be picked up on Tuesday; Tuesday on Wednesday, etc.

Christmas tree collection days are scheduled for the week of January 8, 2018.

Christmas tree collection days are scheduled for the week of January 8, 2018

The fall and winter recycling flyer can be found here

http://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/files/20172018-solid-waste-mailer

In the News: new generation for Town Council; trees cut down on Maple St; Snappy Dogs fund raising

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

"Town government has a reputation for being filled with older residents and homeowners that have been in town for decades. The most recent town election changed that by introducing a new generation to Town Council. 

For the first time, two millennials sit in the Council Chambers to weigh in on the future of the town they grew up in. Patrick Casey, 28, and a digital account services coordinator at International Data Group, and Eamon McCarthy Earls, 23, editor at TechTarget, were sworn in after winning the November election. 

Casey and Earls agreed that the millennial generation has a number of negative stereotypes, but believe many of them are misplaced. 

“It’s important to keep all perspectives in play,” said Casey. “But it’s nice to have this breath of fresh air from myself and Eamon to have a new look at things.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171205/franklin-town-councils-younger-generation

"Residents are angry about dozens of trees that have been cut down in a new development in the Maple Street area. And it’s likely more will come down in the future. 

Two large pieces of property equaling about 80 acres are being developed in that area. The owners of the property are working to create residential space on both sides of Maple Street. 

In late November, workers on the property that abuts Franklin Springs Road and Maple Street legally cut down the trees to make way for a new cul-de-sac and multiple houses."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171205/franklin-residents-unhappy-with-tree-clearing

"The owners of Snappy Dogs hope to bring their popular hot dog stand back home. 

To make it possible, owners Teresa Boyce and Lisa Volpe Hachey launched an online campaign to raise $10,000 to build a second trailer, to be called “Snappy 2.” The new trailer will be parked at CVS pharmacy, where the business spent its first six seasons before Colella’s Supermarket closed. 

The campaign on Kickstarter.com is called, Bring Snappy Dogs Home. As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, the business has received $7,185 with 18 days left. The campaign ends on Christmas day and is only funded if the full amount is raised."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171205/hopkinton-snappy-dogs-hopes-to-raise-10k-for-another-hot-dog-stand

The Kickstarter link can be found here
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/snappydogs/bring-snappy-dogs-home

More about Snappy Dogs can be found on their webpage  http://www.snappydogs.com/

the original trailer for Snappy Dogs (photo via Snappy Dogs webpage)

Announcement Regarding Tree Pruning for Aug-Sep-Oct

National Grid will have ABC Professional Tree Service in town for approximately three months starting August 23, 2017. They will be performing preventive tree pruning to their electrical lines throughout the town. 

If you have any questions you can contact Michelle Badolato at 508-482-1073.

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/136063

This is an automatic message from Town of Franklin MA

Announcement Regarding Tree Pruning for Aug-Sep-Oct

When do they pick up my Christmas tree?

Christmas Tree Collection Days

Week of January 9, 2017

Other good information can be found in the recent flyer 
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/wm_00469_franklin_6pg_2016_update_r3_0.pdf

When do they pick up my Christmas tree?

Black Knot Disease at Dacey Field

"In August 2016, Conservation Commission staff discovered Black Knot Tree Disease on various Black Cherry trees at Dacey Field. The most impacted areas consist of dense Eastern White Pine stands with Black Cherry trees mixed in. 

The ‘Nature Walk’ section of Dacey has many infected trees. Black Knot is a disease caused by fungal parasite, Trichothecium roseum, and leaves charcoal-like lumps on branches and twigs of trees, especially trees in the Prunus family. 

The disease can bring leaf wilt and also death of leaves, twigs, branches, and even the entire tree. Winter management efforts include pruning and sanitation of trees that have not been heavily impacted. The infected branches and twigs should be burned, buried, or removed from the site eliminate the spread of the disease. 

Fungicides have been used successfully in severely impacted areas. It is recommended that an experienced arborist explore Dacey to determine how severely the disease has spread throughout the forest before management efforts are made. From a quick run through, more than half the Black Cherry trees observed were infected."

black knot disease photo from American Phytopathological Society

References:

http://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/intropp/lessons/fungi/ascomycetes/pages/blackknot.aspx

http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/plant_pathology_and_ecology/black_knot_of_ornamental_plum_and_cherry_4-02-08r.pdf

http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/black-knot/

• This information was shared from the Town of Franklin page

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024BA541-000F8513

• For more info about the Conservation Commission, visit their page

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Conservation/index

In the News: gypsy moths, elderly mental health

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

"August trees are looking more like November trees in some areas after gypsy moth caterpillars devoured leaves more aggressively than they had since the 1980s. 

A recent aerial survey completed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) revealed that damaged caused to trees by gypsy moth caterpillers feeding in 2016 was more than nine times greater than the damage in 2015. 

Each year, the DCR Forest Health Program conducts an aerial survey to measure the extent of damage caused to forests by different agents. 

The 2016 survey, conducted the second week of July, revealed 362,254 acres of damage from gypsy moths, crypt gall wasps and conifer discoloration.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160806/state-gypsy-moth-damage-nine-times-greater-than-in-2015

MA DCR aerial survey - tree damage from gypsy moths 2016

"Working out of an unassuming building on Maple Street in Bellingham, Gail Bourassa has started a difficult job: getting mental health care to senior citizens, a group that has traditionally been reticent to seek help. 

Bourassa, a counselor, is the new regional program manager for a project - running across Franklin, Bellingham, Blackstone, Medway, Milford and Mendon - that looks to reach seniors where they live. 

"Young people often self-refer (to these services) when they need it," she said. "For elders, it's more difficult - they rarely self-refer."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160806/aging-population-creates-challenges-for-mental-health-care

"too late for homeowners to protect their trees"

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

"The MetroWest area is one of several across the state that has been hit hard by the gypsy moth caterpillar and local arborists say there is little homeowners can do now to protect their trees from the insect. 

Throughout the past few years – and particularly this year – the gypsy moth caterpillar population has been on the rise, likely due to dry springs the past few years. The dry weather has repressed the growth of entomophaga maimaiga, a soil-based fungus that kills gypsy moth larvae. 

“We’ve seen a lot more the past five to 10 years,” said Eric Taylor, consulting arborist with Lynch Plant Health Care in Sudbury."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160619/metrowest-hit-hard-by-gypsy-moth-caterpillar

tree on the Franklin Town Common whose leaves are being decimated by the gypsy moth (or something else?)

Reminder: Christmas Tree Collection Days - week of January 11

The snow has been washed away by the rain but the Christmas trees are still around and scheduled for pick up with your normal trash pick up day this week.

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

Christmas Tree Collection Days

Week of January 11, 2016

On Your Regular Trash Day

put tree out with the trash on your day during the week of Jan 11

This was shared from the notice on the Town of Franklin page

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/022D16DF-000F8513

Christmas Tree Collection Days - week of January 11

Christmas Tree Collection Days

Week of January 11, 2016

On Your Regular Trash Day

put tree out with the trash on your day during the week of Jan 11

This was shared from the notice on the Town of Franklin page

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/022D16DF-000F8513

Reporting by walking around - part 2 (photo essay)

Sunday afternoon, I took a good walk in the warm sunshine. Here are some photos captured along the walk.

The entrance to the former Pond St sewer plant. This is the entrance to the land now out looking for some responses to either one of two RFPs. One to lease the land for solar, two to purchase the land and develop it.

Starbucks is not yet open in its new location

Noodles is open and was quite busy this afternoon, very few parking spaces available.
What will Starbucks and whatever else is going in there do?

the curb cut on RT 140 allows a right turn into Starbucks and a right turn only exit

Curry House has its new sign up. Had photos of it when it first appeared but think I missed sharing it then

the site of the proposed Horace Mann statue. While 150 Emmons has been sold, some of the land on this corner has been rettained for the statue and some greenspace

The committee to work on the Horace Mann statue is to be created at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday and then members appointed.

Beautification Day was held Saturday and the results can be seen around downtown Franklin

Thanks to the Downtown Partnership and all the volunteers and sponsors for helping to make Frankin  look really nice!

in just a couple of weeks, the canopy cover has returned as the trees have filled out with leaves

well, some trees are not filling out. Falling victim to one of more of the diseases or infestations of those creepy crawling inch worms, etc.

Some trees appear to be more affected than others. While rows of trees along the road are now bare or barely surviving. 

Christmas trees will be picked up the week of January 5

Christmas trees will be picked up the week of January 5, 2015 and only bare trees will be picked up. Anything in bags, with ornaments, tinsel, lights, etc. will be left behind.

Christmas tree pickup scheduled for week of Jan 5th

This was shared from the Franklin wbsite
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01F7E254-000F8513

Additional info from the current curbside chronicle can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/WM_00279_Franklin%206pg%202014_rF2.pdf

Readers concur: they are winter moths ballooning

Thank you! The tiny tree destroyers were identified by several of you yesterday as 'winter moths'. The collection of comments or emails are included here.

winter moth going back to ground "ballooning"

Steve, the tiny leaf destroyers are the Winter Moths! They have been around for at least the past 5 years and come out at the same time the trees start to bud, so before the leaf can grow to full size, they are decimated. It makes me CRAZY! My trees look awful already. 

The thousands of small grey moths that are around during the annual warm stretch in November (always around Thanksgiving) they lay their eggs, and after the first 3 warm days in the spring they hatch, by the millions. And they leave a mess as well, because what goes in, must come out! Ugh, I HATE THEM!

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

Winter moth caterpillar. Stripped my maple. See Weston Nursery web site or Facebook page for description and treatment option. Very bad this year.

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

Hi Steve. It seems like a kind of leafroller to me. If I remember correctly, the leaves on trees on Franklin Common (and in many other places in Franklin) had many holes in them last year. They have been attacking my Japanese Maple tree for a few years now.

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

I believe the worms on the trees turn into the winter moths that have invaded the northeast U.S.…
http://wpri.com/2014/05/21/winter-moths-eating-rhode-island-tree-leaves/

The best full description I found comes from UMASS Amherst:

It is estimated that winter moth eggs hatch between 20-50 growing degree days (base 50) in Massachusetts. Typically, this can occur any time from late March (during atypically warm springs) into the second or third week in April (cool springs). The tiny (less than 1 mm) caterpillars then spin a small silk strand and become air-buoyant and are carried upwards on air currents into the tree canopy where they then try to “weasel” between the bud scales, bracts, etc. to get into the buds. They do not chew their way in via an entrance hole. If buds are not yet swollen enough for them to gain access, these small larvae will then spin down from the tree on a silken thread and be carried away by the wind, which is a dispersal process known as ballooning. 

This is the stage where high levels of injury to the host plant can occur. The longer that the buds stay swollen but unopened, there is a greater potential for feeding injury. Winter moths will enter both leaf and flower buds. For blueberry growers, this is the most critical stage of winter moth activity. If flower buds sustain heavy feeding, there will be no flowers and thus no fruit. There are no known controls for winter moth in this life stage.

You can read the full and complete article here
https://extension.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/winter-moth-identification-management


Here is the Weston Nursery link mentioned above
http://westonnurseries.com/winter-moth-caterpillars-are-upon-us/


It is likely that what I have been showing as maple blight has indeed been the increasing influences of the winter moth.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/saving-american-chestnut-tree.html

winter moth damage on a red maple

The UMASS Amherst article outlines the treatment options for the various stages. As these caterpillars are already out, it seems the best thing to do now it to wrap the trees with a band to prevent them from climbing up.

Thanks for all the feedback, the sharing of knowledge like this is a great example of what I try to do. There is more power together than alone!