Volunteers Needed – Saturday, March 27th

The Historical Commission is happy to announce that the new museum will be opening May 15th to the public.  The commission is very excited!

Your assistance is requested in moving some of the materials from the “Old” museum to the “New” museum on March 27th (Saturday) beginning at 10:00am.  Packing has already been completed and now we need help to remove boxes and items.

If you have a van or truck “WE NEED YOU”.  We also need volunteers to transfer items into trucks and vans from the “Old” to the “New”.  You will be directed by Commission members during the move.

Please email dpellegri@franklin.ma.us  Let me know if you will be driving a truck or van/or if you plan to volunteer yourself with the moving of the items. 

Thank you in advance for your continued support of the Franklin Historic Museum.

In the News - snow removal budgets

Last year's budget total was a daunting task for Franklin as well, coming in $600,000 over its $700,000 budget.

But with a budget increase to $744,000, less snowfall and some money-saving tactics, DPW Director Robert Cantoreggi said he is looking at only a $113,000 deficit so far this winter.

"It's been a pretty average winter, which is nice for a change," Cantoreggi said. "We dodged a lot of bullets with the storms going south."

 You can read the full article here:

Snow removal sending areas town DPWs deep into the red

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Melanie Graham, Daily News staff

Can't go? Watch on the web!

What is Government 2.0?

Government 2.0 Camp New England is an unconference about using social media tools and Web 2.0 technologies to create a more effective, efficient and collaborative government.

Who should attend the Gov 2.0 Camp New England?

Anyone interested in improving government through social media and Web 2.0 technology should attend, including government employees, elected officials, students, researchers, and citizens of all types. The purpose of the conference is to share innovative projects and brainstorm new ideas.

Watch Gov 2.0 Camp New England live: http://bit.ly/gov20ne

PS - I will be attending and will report back during the day, if connections are available, or at least a recap after.

 

In the News - Historical Museum

Member Deborah Pellegri said the commission will move into the renovated Franklin Historical Museum March 27 and is preparing for a May 15 grand opening.

"We're excited and pleased it's come to this point, and we think people are going to be very happy with the way the museum has turned out," Pellegri said.

Franklin Historical Museum set to open in new spot

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

I have volunteered to help with the move on March 27th, why don't you consider joining us?
"Many hands make light work."

Send an email to Town Clerk, Debbie Pellegri at dpellegri@franklin.ma.us

Job Fair at Bristol Community College - Attleboro Campus

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce and Self Help, Inc. Employment Opportunity Center is sponsoring a Spring 2010 Job Fair at Bristol Community College - Attleboro Campus, 11 Field St. on Wed., March 24.

The job fair runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration for the event is at 8:30 a.m.

Employers can meet and greet potential employees by exhibiting their businesses. There is no cost to the United Regional Chamber of Commerce members for a space. The cost to non-members is $50.

To request an exhibit registration form, call Michael Tartaglia at the Self Help, Inc. Employment Opportunity Center, 508-588-4049 ext. 117 or email MTartaglia@SelfHelpInc.org.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham

Trash pickup in action

Thanks to Jim Robinson, a fan of the Facebook Franklin Matters page for prompting the search of YouTube for a video of the trash truck in action.

Thanks to Parker, for getting his parents to make this video because he likes the trash truck to come and take the trash.

This process would be similar to that coming later this year. We would have two containers, one for trash and one for recycling.



Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video of the trash truck making a pickup.

What do you think about the Franklin Area Bus service?

Franklin has issued a survey and is looking for your feedback on the Franklin Area Bus service, also know as GATRA.

The bus has been running the same route for two years, and the town wants to improve that route if necessary.

The survey is available on the town Web site, franklin.ma.us.

Assistant to the Town Administrator Maxine Kinhart asks people to print out the survey, and either

(1) fax it to 508-520-4903
(2) drop it off at the library
(3) Planning Board Department of the Municipal Building
(4) send it to her at 355 East Central St.

Business After Hours at Dean College

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce will have a Business After Hours at Dean College, Library Learning Commons, 99 Main St., Franklin on Thurs... March 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Expand your business network by attending this event. Register for the Business After Hours by calling 508-222-0801, 508-695-6011 or 508-528-2800. The cost for the event is $5 for members (three for $10) or $10 for non-members.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.



Note: I am a member of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce! This is not a paid ad, this is a public service announcement. The heartbeat of Franklin is good business.

"the council receives fewer and fewer recommendations"

Scott McIntyre, a certified public accountant for Melanson Heath & Co., said unlike some of his clients, Franklin was fiscally stable in 2009.

"I think it's a very good report," McIntyre said.

He told the council that the reports didn't show a significant shift from fiscal 2008 numbers, including the town's general fund, which recorded a $3.4 million balance.

"I haven't been able to say that about all my clients," he said.

Read the full article in the Franklin Gazette here

The business transacted during the Town Council meeting of Wednesday, March 3rd can be found here.

Dolce Express Ribbon Cutting

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon ceremony Wednesday morning, March 3rd for Dolce Express. They just opened in the former Choo-Choo Stop location at the Franklin/Dean Train station.

What was the ribbon ceremony like? This video will get you a good feel for it.

Town Council Mtg - 03/03/10

The collection of posts reported live from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, March 3rd can be found here:

• Live reporting - closing
• Live reporting - actions (cont'd)
• Live reporting - audit
• Live reporting - zoning bylaw amendments
• LIve reporting - Actions
• Live reporting - Town Council  

Harlem Wizards return to Franklin!

The Harlem Wizards, one of the greatest basketball show-team organizations to ever “lace it up and let’em fly”, will play our own Sullivan Rockets. This will be an entertaining night for kids of all ages (and adults too)!

From Franklin Matters

Did you miss their visit last year?



Don't miss it this year!

Date:  Friday, March 19th, 2010, 7:00 PM
Doors Open 6:00, Game Time 7:00

Location: Tri-County Regional High School
147 Pond St, Franklin MA

Tickets: Click here to print ticket order form

Contacts: ayotte_k@verizon.net or erinclong@comcast.net

Sponsored By: Annie Sullivan Middle School PCC

In the News - scoreboard

Franklin school's board scores a facelift

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News correspondent

Pictures of the scoreboard during the restoration process can be found here

Live reporting - closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS
regionalization of dispatch?
Nutting - no change in recent months



M. NEW BUSINESS
none


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - concern about the roads given the weather condition, the DPW is working the issue, there are some limitations with what can be done (can't patch in the rain).

Jones - thanks to Davis Thayer, I presented the scoreboard to them today
Thanks to Karen Spilka who held a session at the Senior Center
then we went to Dolce Express to do a ribbon cutting for their new effort at the Train Station

Vallee - we should do an engineering plan for RT 140, whoever does that is usually inline for state funds, etc.

Whalen - do towns bond for road repairs?
Nutting - you can bond for a new road for 10 years, you can only do for road repair for 5 years, so by the time its done you'd be better off paying cash.






O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
not required

P. ADJOURN

motion approved 8-0

Live reporting - actions (cont'd)

5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-639: Amendment to Chapter 185-5 Zoning map- 1st reading

motion to move to second reading, approved 8-0

6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 10-640-: Amendment to Chapter 185-42: Biotechnology Uses- 1st reading
motion to move to second reading, approved 8-0