Sunday, October 26, 2008
Now open for business - Andro's Pizza
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Replies.In the news - Brick, ghosts, and cats
By Rachel Lebeaux Correspondent / October 26, 2008
The town of Franklin is negotiating with Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School on a lease of the historic Red Brick School building to run through next June, and possibly beyond.
Read the full article in the Boston Globe here
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Area has ghost stories aplenty dating back hundreds of years
Forget Salem or New Orleans. If you live in MetroWest, you probably don't have to go any further than your local library, town hall, or neighborhood for a good old-fashioned haunting.
Tales of the spirits of innkeepers, Native Americans, accused witches, librarians and servants, even a monster - the Dover Demon - abound right in your backyard.
The area's rich history, particularly its entrenchment in King Philip's War, makes old homes, buildings and entire sections of towns - such as South Natick - ripe for ghostly activity, some say.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
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Communities face tough choice on feral cats
Animal control officers in the area seem to agree the solution to feral cats - common in most communities - is the trap, neuter/spay and release program advocated by animal rights groups.
Dealing with the situation properly is more important now than ever, as the economic crisis has left many more cats and dogs abandoned and facing a cold winter, say area animal control officers.
An animal rescue organization from Salisbury is trying to save a colony of feral cats living in the woods near Franklin's Highwood Condominiums, the management of which plans to trap and kill them. The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, a nonprofit volunteer organization, promotes no-kill programs for feral cats.
Stacy LeBaron, president of the group, has said she believes it's possible to have a successful feral cat colony by using the trap, neuter/spay and release process.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
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Open House Saturdays and Sundays, 11AM – 3PM
This condominium building consists of 27 single-level-living condominiums with wonderful amenities. Newly revitalized location offers walk to train, banks, post office, restaurants, shops, and only 45 minutes to Boston. Perfect for commuter, first time home buyers or downsizers. Franklin has just recently added the New GATRA bus service for easy access to shopping, senior center, etc.
If you can't make it to the open house, click through to the web site to take a virtual tour of their model.
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Saturday, October 25, 2008
Autumn color
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Replies.Police, Fire department contracts close?
The town is still hammering out a police contract with its police union hoping to nail it down in coming weeks.
The Franklin Police Association's contract expired more than a year ago, on June 30, 2007, according to Stephanie McNeil, human resources director for the town.
She expects the police union to sign a contract next week, she said, noting it is not the town delaying the process.
"The pen is in their hands," she said, refusing to comment further.
John Maloney, president of the police union, said he hopes everything will be resolved by next Friday.
"We had hoped to be done sooner," he said, preferring to keep quiet about what has stalled negotiations.
"A few things came up and helped move things along. It definitely has not gone smoothly, that's for sure," Maloney said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
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Firefighters have been working without a contract since it expired more that a year ago, but unlike the police union, which is aiming to sign a contract by the end of next week, firefighters may have a long way to go.
Stephanie McNeil, human resources director for the town, declined to comment about the situation, as negotiations are ongoing but said that the town has been waiting to hear from union representatives.
McNeil and Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting plan to continue contract negotiations with the firefighters' union next week, she said.
Fire Chief Gary McCarraher said he cannot comment on the ongoing talks.
Nutting could not be reached for comment.
Multiple calls to union representatives were not returned this week.
The contract for Franklin Permanent Firefighters Association, Local 2637, which expired on June 30, 2007, gives firefighters retention of their Civil Service rights, and requires all promotions within the department be made as a result of competitive examination and granted by the Division of Civil Service.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Friday, October 24, 2008
"How Can I Become Part of this ReadWriteWeb Revolution?"
The keynote presenters in this clip are all from Maine. They creatively used Flip cameras to video their conversation to share with the world.
Note: this presentation is geared for teachers and urges them to get involved in the ReadWriteWeb Revolution, but you can put yourself in this position too! How are you going to continue learning to keep up with the changes in this world?
The steps they outline are easy enough to pick up and use. The online tools are mostly free. Digital cameras or camera phones are reasonably priced. The bar for entry is set low. All you need is desire.
Click through to the web site for the conference to find additional information (i.e links) for the tools and articles they referenced.
Enjoy!
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Why put this here?
There is great potential in expanding learning at a very reasonable cost (small dollars if not free) with the Web 2.0 tools. With an economic future like schools in MA in particular have facing them, this is an avenue to consider.
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Thursday, October 23, 2008
Franklin Line Schedule Changes 10/27/08
The MBTA apologizes for the "late notification".
The changes go into effect on Monday 10/27/08. The changes will be available on the MBTA schedule page on Monday. In the meantime, you should know that:
1 - what was known as the 4:10 PM train (#715) will leave South Station at 3:55 PM (15 minutes early)
2 - what was known as the 4:30 PM train (#799) will leave South Station at 4:30 but terminate at Readville running via the Dorchester Branch.
3 - a new train (#717) will leave South Station at 4:20 PM and make stops at Back Bay, Ruggles, Hyde Park, Readville, Dedham Corp, Norwood Depot, Norwood Central, Windsor Gardens, Walpole, Norfolk, Franklin/Dean and Forge Park/495.
A PDF of the changes is available on the MBTA website here
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Really?
I have heard of stone soup but this takes the stone to a new level. Or has McDonald's bailed out Prudential and is now looking to expand their market as "The Rock"?
Note: Actually the sign is needed to tell those coming off I495 to turn on to RT 140 and find McDonald's about a half mile down the road. It is about time the sign came up. There must have been a few motorists complaining about having to travel at least 1.5 miles off the road to get to McDonald's. The distance would feel much longer without some confirmation as to where you really should be going.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2008
"the right and humane thing to do"
An animal rescue organization from Salisbury is trying to save a colony of feral cats living in the woods near Highwood Condominiums whose management plans to trap and kill them.
Stacy LeBaron, president of the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, said she and a Highwood resident met with management last week and are negotiating an alternative to the board of trustees' plan.
"It's a work in progress. They haven't agreed to back down, but they aren't doing anything as we gather more information (from Purr-fect Cat Shelter). We're hoping to try to get people talking and brainstorming and get solutions," LeBaron said.
The society, a statewide, nonprofit volunteer organization that provides free services and promotes no-kill programs for feral cats (www.mrfrs.org), will offer Purr-fect Cat Shelter help and resources, she said.
"I do believe it's possible to have a successful feral cat colony" by using the trap, neuter/spay, release process, said LeBaron.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
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Monday, October 20, 2008
"many hopeful aspects in the fight against global warming"
A discussion about climate change gleaned "surprisingly pleasant" results yesterday, one participant noted during an afternoon Global Warming Cafe.
About 20 people took part in the Franklin Area Climate Team's roundtable discussion to trade ideas on fears and hopes for the planet's future.
"We want to work together to reduce our personal and collective carbon footprint," said Ted McIntyre, co-captain of Franklin Area Climate Team.
Members of the Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) joined the local "climate team" yesterday at the First Universalist Society of Franklin to talk to residents from Franklin, Bellingham, Millis, Wrentham, Foxborough and more.
"Be inspired, and take action in the future," Susan Altman of MCAN told the audience as they broke into small groups.
The groups compiled lists of concerns about and solutions to climate change.
Read the remainder of the article in the Milford Daily News here
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"not 'welfare' - it is an entitlement"
Worried about seniors living paycheck to paycheck this winter, area senior center directors say they are making an all-out effort to help them.
Now, more than ever, it is crucial that struggling seniors take advantage of programs they are entitled to, said Bellingham Outreach Coordinator Sheila Ronkin: tax abatements, fuel and food assistance, and circuit breakers.
"It was very important before the economy fell apart, but now, some of these folks live really threadbare lives. Without some help, they're not going to have enough heat or food. Even folks more well-heeled may not be able to buy Christmas presents or birthday presents for their loved ones," said Franklin Senior Center Director Karen Alves.
Many seniors don't realize they qualify for tax credits or other assistance, so they don't even bother to apply, Alves said. But that is a mistake.
Through the state's circuit breaker program, seniors can get up to $900 a year in real estate tax abatements if they pay more than 10 percent of their gross income in taxes, and that includes water and sewer fees, Alves said.
So if a senior makes $30,000 a year, pays $3,000 in real estate tax, plus $500 for water and sewer ($3,500 in taxes), they can get $500 back from the state, she said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
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King St - construction progress
This would be numbered 190 or 192 King St.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
FM #18 - Asst Supt M Sabolinski Interviewed - Part 2
Part 1 - Maureen reviewed her resume and how she has developed and is prepared to cover all aspects of the role of the Superintendent.
Part 2 - This is the Q&A session with Maureen and members of the School Committee starting with the FHS Student Representative Pat Slight.
Time: 28 minutes, 36 seconds
MP3 File
The notes that I took as I was "live reporting" this meeting can be found here
---- ---- ----
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow Franklin citizens and voters by Steve Sherlock
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music
FM #17 - Asst Supt M Sabolinski Interviewed - Part 1
This is Part 1: The School Committee listens as Maureen reviews her resume and educational development.
Part 2 will cover the Q&A session that follows.
Time: 33 minutes, 36 seconds
MP3 File
The notes that I took as I was "live reporting" this meeting can be found here
---- ---- ----
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow Franklin citizens and voters by Steve Sherlock
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music
"sometimes kids come to school in the dead of winter with no coats"
Lindy Conroe always knew Jen Ballarino was amazing and special, but when the much-loved Franklin resident died in May following a long battle with brain cancer, Conroe was still deeply moved by the stories she heard.
"I've since heard such amazing stories she never told people," Conroe reflected recently.
For example, when Ballarino was working as a substitute teacher, she would often bring in coats and other necessary items for children she'd noticed were going without.
So it seems only fitting there is now an effort to collect coats and other outerwear for donation to homeless children and their families, all in Ballarino's memory.
It's part of the ongoing mission behind the newly formed Jen's Jackets, organized by Conroe and other friends and family of Ballarino. It's also the charity that has been adopted by Postal Center U.S.A. in Franklin, as well as its other area locations, in recognition of and leading up to Make A Difference Day on Oct. 25.
read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Saturday, October 18, 2008
fiction and non-fiction
head on over to the DPW garage on Heyward St, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterli.
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