Friday, September 5, 2014

"The permitting process seems to be working as intended"

As I missed the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, the Milford Daily News today reveals some of the discussion on one of the many agenda topics.

The council’s Economic Development Committee will examine the various special permit criteria and report its findings. 
Such a permit is needed when certain aspects of a project do not meet the requirements of a zoning district. It gives the town granting authorities – the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals – oversight on projects not allowed by right. 
"Right now I’ve counted a little more than 106 special permit uses in our zoning tables," said councilor Andrew Bissanti. "I find that a little excessive, that’s all." 
In the case of the Starbucks proposal, the planned drive-thru would sit about 120 feet away from a residential property, which allowed the Planning Board to impose restrictions on the hours of operation.
Continue reading the article online here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140905/NEWS/140908124/1994/NEWS

The posted agenda for the meeting Wednesday can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-sep-3.html

The video of the meeting when posted will be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Webdocs/videoarchive

"There will be no drive-thru, no Dunkin’ Donuts, no fast-food restaurant, period"

The Milford Daily News reports on the Economic Development Committee meeting on Wednesday to review the proposed RFP for Emmons St building.

The Town Council at its next meeting will consider issuing a request for proposals to develop the town-owned property on the corner of Emmons Street. 
A council subcommittee on Wednesday finalized the stipulations to be included in the RFP for 150 Emmons St. and set the minimum sale price for the nearly one-acre property at $475,000. 
The purchaser must provide an easement to the town, preserve at least 7,000-square-feet for green space and demolish the existing building. The former town hall building still houses the Recreation Department; it’s unclear where its employees will move after the sale. 
Councilors next meet on Sept. 17, when they will likely vote whether to send out the RFP.

Continue reading the article in  the Milford Daily News here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140905/NEWS/140908136

150 Emmons St
150 Emmons St

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Franklin Solar Challenge - Public Meeting on September 10, 2014



All:  The Town has received proposals from six Solar Panel Installation Companies for the Franklin Solar Challenge project.  I am working with a Proposal Review Committee made up of four Town residents who volunteered to review the proposals and interview the solar installation companies. Interviews took place today (September 3rd) and the Proposal Review Committee has identified two finalist. The Committee will conduct further review of the two finalists to assure the Town chooses the solar installation company that is right for the Franklin Solar Challenge project.  Both companies are well qualified and have implemented similar projects in other Massachusetts communities.

Which ever solar installation company is chosen for the Franklin Solar Challenge they will be in attendance at a meeting on September 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 355 East Central Street. The company will provide specifics about their company and general information on solar panel installation costs and the different options available.

I hope all interested residents and small businesses are able to attend next week's meeting.  If not able to attend next week there will be many other opportunities in the near future to obtain the same information, including at the Harvest Festival on October 5th. Either way, the solar installation company chosen by the Town will begin contacting all individuals that previously provided the Town with contact information.   
In addition to the solar installation company chosen for the Franklin Solar Challenge, a partnering energy audit company will be in attendance at next week's meeting.  It is not required, but strongly recommended that all property owners considering solar panels first have a free energy audit performed. Additional information will be provided at next week's meeting. 
I look forward to working with the Town's residents and small businesses on the Franklin Solar Challenge project.  


Bryan W. Taberner, AICP
Director of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-1352


the solar farm at Mount St Mary's Abbey
the solar farm at Mount St Mary's Abbey



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Happiness on the 1st day of school (video)

The Remington Middle School principals were happy on the first day of school!




For more information on the Remington Middle School you can visit their page on the Franklin Schools website http://remingtonmiddle.vt-s.net/Pages/index

Blackstone Valley: Things to do in September



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Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
September: Things to do in the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor

For a complete, detailed listing of events, see the event calendar

Greenway Challenge

greenway challenge


Saturday, September 27
Rain Date: October 4

The UniBank Blackstone River Valley Greenway Challenge.
An Adventure Race... Like No Other!

The mission of the UniBank Blackstone River Valley Greenway Challenge is to promote the recreational quality of life in the Blackstone River Valley. 

Coordinated by he Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc, the UniBank Greenway Challenge supports clean water campaigns, hiking and biking trails, wildlife projects, environmental education and development of waterway access.

Interested in volunteering? Contact Barbara Dixon at 401-762-0250, ext 5503 or barbara_dixon@partner.nps.gov.



Canal Diggers 5K Road Race


Saturday, September 6
Starts and finishes at Fiddler's Green Pub, 
Temple St. in Worcester MA
Start time: 11:00 am


16th Annual Pawtucket Arts Festival
Pawtucket Arts Festival
Starting on Thursday, September 4 and going through Sunday, September 28
Multiple Venues
Pawtucket, RI

The mission of the Pawtucket Arts Festival is to promote the arts communities in the City of Pawtucket; and to enhance the quality of life of the residents of the city and the New England region by providing and supporting quality art and cultural events within the city, year-round.



Slater's Ar(t)chitecture and Manufacture Festival

Saturday, September 6
11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday, September 7
12:00 - 5:00 pm

Slater Mill / Hodgson Park 
67 Roosevelt Avenue
Pawtucket, RI

S.A.M.FEST celebrates the innovative spirit in the arts and architecture, manufacture and creative enterprise of all kinds, at iconic Slater Mill, the place "where innovation starts." S.A.M.FEST showcases art and design, architectural restoration, artisan manufacture, new music and performance in the center park of downtown Pawtucket, aside the mighty Blackstone River. 

Unique, quirky, historic, futuristic, salvage, antique, and other dynamic vendors, presenters, and performers promoting themes of arts, craft, textile & fiber, jewelry, architecture, gadgetry, and wonder will be offered to the community at S.A.M.FEST.

Blackstone Canalfest

Saturday, September 6
Harding Street, Exit 13 or 14 off of Route 290 at Kelley Square
Worcester, MA
11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Fall is the time for festivals in New England, and Saturday, September 6, will see one of the most exciting of them all - right on Harding Street in Worcester's Canal District, directly accessible from Rte. I-290 at Kelley Square.

And, it's free!


Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races Taiwan Day Festival

Saturday, September 6
Festival Pier
Off School Street
Pawtucket, RI

Races are held on the Blackstone River off the School Street pier in Pawtucket with the festival running from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

The event consists of dragon boat races for professional and amateur teams, along with many cultural and artistic events, including a Chinese dumpling eating contest, aimed at adults and children. With the emphasis on competition and fun, the event makes an entertaining day for participants and the entire family. 


French Farmers Market & Heritage Festival

Saturday, September 6
River Island Park
Main Street
Woonsocket, RI
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

The event is free and open to the public. In addition to the open air market, there will be food favorites like French meat pie and dynamites as well as other foods. Music and dancing will be provided by the local Rhode Island band, "Fleur De Lis" and from Canada, "Mathieu Allard Trio." 

Tractors and Trumpets

Tractors and Trumpets Daniels Farmstead Sunday, September 7
Daniels Farmstead
286 Mendon Street
Blackstone, MA
9:00 am - 5:00 pm


37th Annual RI Heritage Day

Rhode Island Heritage Day


Saturday, September 20
Roger Williams National Memorial
284 North Main Street
Providence, RI
12:00 pm to Dusk

Admission to thisfamily event is free. Rhode Islanders of all ages are invited to join in a lively celebration of our state's rich cultural heritage. The Roger Williams National Memorial will be filled with booths from countries such as Venezuela, India, Korea, Haiti, Bolivia, Sweden, Ireland and others that will showcase their culture, music, and dance. 

The booths will have cultural exhibits and display craft demonstrations from all over the world. The food court will have a mouth-watering array of traditional foods and drinks. The children's area will have The Peace Flag Project, face painting and arts and crafts. 

A parade of international flags representing over 30 countries will start off the day. Dancers and musicians from various countries dressed in native and colorful costumes will perform Saturday afternoon. Kobi Dennis of NightVision and Angela Sharkey will be the MCs.


Riverfest



Saturday, September 12
Riverfest by Night
Ciro's Tavern
Woonsocket, RI
7:00 - 10:00 pm

Riverfest by Night is an adults-only (18+), pre-event event Friday night, Sept. 12 from 7-10pm at Ciros! 

Sunday, September 13
Riverfest by Day
River Island Park
Main Street
Woonsocket, RI
12:00 - 4:00 pm

Riverfest by Day is an alchohol-free, family-oriented event featuring workshops, vendors, food trucks, live music, three different contests and so much more. Get to know the Blackstone River like you never have before by taking our guided river walk. We will provide overall-style waders for you to wear as a river systems expert leads you out into the rivers so you can see first-hand the plants and animals that are rejuvenating the Blackstone.



Northbridge Historical Trolley Tour
Northbridge Historic Tour
Saturday, September 27
9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm

The Northbridge Historical Commission is sponsoring 3 free trolley tours of historical Northbridge. 

The history of Northbridge will be brought back to life by Paul Whitin (aka Ken Warchol) in the historical garb of the 1830s. The tours will depart from the 1770 James Fletcher House at 1 Elm Place in Whitinsville. Mass Registrants should be there 1 hour before departure of each tour for a short slide presentation. Tours will last 2 hours with 15 minute stops to tour the 1780 John Adams home and the 1890 Lasell Mansion of 29 rooms. 

There is no charge but reservations must be made by calling or visiting the Whitinsville Library at 508-234-2151 with the tour time requested and the number of attendees and your telephone number.

Event Calendar

Check out the event calendar for a more complete, detailed listing of Blackstone Corridor Events:

We are glad to include Corridor-related news and events, both on our web site calendar and in our monthly newsletter, Corridor Currents.

Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
About The Blackstone River Valley
National Heritage Corridor
Congress established the National Heritage Corridor in 1986 to restore and preserve the nationally significant heritage of the Blackstone River Valley, where the industrialization of America began. It has become a successful program of partnerships between federal, state and local government agencies, as well as nongovernment organizations, pooling their resources and pursuing a common agenda of preservation and revitalization. 

Ongoing Blackstone Corridor programs and projects include historic preservation, river cleanup, land conservation and stewardship, visitor centers, ranger walks, programs with schools, recreational programs and events, support for arts and cultural events, training for partners and volunteers and assistance to towns trying to preserve their heritage while also improving the local and regional economy.
One Depot Square
Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
401-762-0250


Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor | One Depot Square | Woonsocket | RI | 02895