 |
| Veterans Memorial Walkway on the Franklin Town Common |
"After more than two years of planning, residents were able to take their first steps on the Veterans Memorial Walkway on Sunday.
Red bricks make up the walkway’s foundation, while 45 plaques placed on granite columns are placed throughout. Each of the plaques has the name of one of the 45 Franklin veterans who lost their life while serving in one of our nation’s conflicts, spanning from World War I to the Iraq War.
The walkway was officially and aptly unveiled Sunday to correspond with Veterans Day.
Keynote speaker and state Rep. Jeff Roy, D-Franklin, who helped secure state funding for the project, noted the importance of building a monument in recognition of those who’ve shown signs of courage - something humanity has taken part in for thousands of years."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 |
| Franklin Veterans Service Officer Dale Kurtz |
 |
| state Rep. Jeff Roy |
 |
| part of the more than 2,000 gathered for the ceremony |
 |
| Veterans Day Celebration - Nov 11 at 1:30 PM on the Franklin Town Common |
 |
| walkway progress this week (beginning 11/4/18) |
 |
| walkway progress in recent weeks (10/26/18) |
"The Veterans’ Memorial Walkway is starting to take shape on the Town Common, a month after a ceremonial groundbreaking was held at the spot of the planned path.
This week, Department of Public Works workers have been clearing and putting down a foundation of stones in the newly designed path in front of the current veterans memorial.
The path is now cleared and ready for the granite curbing. Crews will place the curbing this weekend. Workers will place granite slabs along the path as well as the granite dividers along the walkway, between the dedicated bricks.
An official dedication ceremony will take place once the pathway is complete, scheduled for Veterans Day (Nov. 11), but applications to buy more bricks will stay open for years to come."
 |
| foundation set for the Veterans Walkway on the Town Common |
"State Sen. Richard Ross is apparently not interested in debating his Democratic challenger before the Nov. 6 general election.
Ross, a Republican from Wrentham, “has refused the offer” to participate in a face-to-face candidates forum with Democrat challenger Becca Rausch of Needham, according to an email from the presidents of three local League of Women Voters chapters sent to the campaigns.
Ross did not respond to two emails and five phone calls requesting his attendance at a candidates forum to be cablecast on the Wayland public access station, according to the Monday email from LWV presidents in Wayland, Wellesley and Needham. A four-term incumbent, Ross has represented the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District since winning a special election in May 2010."
 |
| preparing the walkway |
 |
| digging for the foundation |
 |
| done for the day |
"With the outline of the future Veteran’s Memorial Pathway painted in white on the Town Common, an official groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday.
Residents as well as town and state officials gathered on the misty morning to witness and take part in the official start of construction. With more than 800 bricks engraved with the names of veterans far and wide, the pathway is already taking shape.
The project started about three years ago when a discussion began on how to revitalize the names of the veterans that adorn memorial street signs across town.
“The idea and outcome of that meeting was a genesis that is now culminating in the construction of the Veteran’s Memorial Walkway,” Franklin Veteran Service Officer Dale Kurtz said."
 |
| "the outline of the future Veteran’s Memorial Pathway painted in white on the Town Common" |
"Six days after confirming approval of medical marijuana dispensary bans in Northborough and Bellingham, Attorney General Maura Healey’s office reversed its decision.
In article on Aug. 25 Telegram and Gazette, a sister paper of the Daily News article, a spokesperson for the AG’s office confirmed that the office in June approved bylaws passed in the two towns that ban medical marijuana dispensaries. The 2012 Medical Marijuana law originally prohibited any municipality from banning medical marijuana dispensaries. An AG spokeswoman said at the time the approval was based on Section 56 (subsection d) of Chapter 55 Acts of 2017.
But after being contacted by the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance and others with questions about the Telegram and Gazette story, officials in the AG’s office said they revisited the earlier decisions and the law and determined an error had been made - municipalities are not allowed to ban medical marijuana establishments."
 |
| Franklin Veterans Memorial Walkway - Sep 11 |
|
| Franklin Veterans Walkway Fund Raising Events |
"The proposed veteran’s pathway is progressing as the bricks are being engraved with names of veterans from around the country, no matter which war they fought in.
More than 700 bricks have been purchased by people from all around the country over the past eight months to commemorate or recognize a current or past veteran, marking their name, rank, and years of service.
The spaces are for anyone in the country, no matter if there is a Franklin connection or not.
Currently, those bricks are being carved with the names and military branches of the soldiers being dedicated, but there’s plenty of room for more."
|
| Bricks are still available for the new Veterans Walkway on the Town Common |
"Did you happen to catch the Town Council meeting? The Veteran's Walkway project for the Town Common has been approved. This walkway will run from the flag pole near the War Memorials to Union Street. All along the walkway will be granite posts with bronze plaques in recognition of our Franklin residents who gave their lives in defense of our country since World War I.
The project is being funded entirely by donations from members of the community. You may purchase a brick to honor a veteran or currently serving member of the Armed Forces for $100. The proceeds from the sales of bricks will be used to pay for the project. Please stay tuned and we will post the artists renderings of the project."
 |
| screen capture of proposed Veterans Walkway for Franklin Town Common |
Dolores and I took our usual Sunday walk around town. Our route took us up to the Dunkin Donuts in the plaza off King St/Upper Union. We usually use the sidewalk entrance to cross the drive-thru line and enter Dunkin. This was not to be today. The walkway which also serves as a handicap access is still snow bound.
