How should we tackle hunger?

Learn About Programs Addressing Hunger, Poverty and Unemployment

The D.C. Central Kitchen is one of the many organizations that is tackling hunger head-on. They turn leftover food into millions of meals, offer culinary job training to once homeless and hungry adults and teach urban kids about healthy foods. Take a look at their website, learn what they do and how similar models can be implemented in your community.

From TakePart "How to help Hunger Awareness Month"

What can you do to help the Franklin Food Pantry?

1. Volunteer your time
2. Donate some money or food 
3. Spread the word about the services we do provide

To find out more about the Franklin Food Pantry 

• stop by our tent at the Harvest Festival on Sunday, Oct 2 or 
• visit the Franklin Food Pantry web site here:  http://franklinfoodpantry.org/

Hamilton Storage Technologies

The tax increment finance agreement says that if Hamilton Storage leaves before the decade is up, the agreement ends and the next tenant will pay the normal rate. 

"The benefit is that they are going to double their staff size," Councilor Matt Kelly said. "We're going to give them a little break, and those people are going to shop out of our stores, eat at our restaurants and stay at our hotels." 

The deal is part of the town's economic development incentive plan to attract businesses such as Hamilton to the Forge Park area. The tax on the land itself, 3 Forge Park, won't change, but improvements to that land, such as buildings, will be taxed at a lower level initially and gradually rise over the 10 years, at the end of which the company would pay normal taxes. 

"I think it's a good thing for our community," said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, noting potential jobs and business brought to area hotels and restaurants through clients of the company. "What we lose in property tax, we hopefully will recover in hotel tax and meals tax."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1499150553/Franklin-approves-tax-break-for-prospective-Forge-Park-business#ixzz1ZKjplI1p

For a complete set of reporting from the Town Council meeting on Weds 9/27, check here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/09/town-council-092811.html

Bats in peril

Metacomet Land Trust

Program: Bats in peril: The Uncertain Future of North America's Winged Mammals

When: Saturday, October 22nd, 2:00 p.m.

Where: Franklin Public Library

Cost: Free

Info: Kate Langwig is a second year graduate student in the PhD program in Ecology, Behavior, and
Evolution. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Union College, and has worked for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For the past three years she has been studying the recently emerged infectious disease of bats,
white-nose syndrome. She is a co-author on three papers on the disease, including an article projecting regional extinction of the little brown myotis which appeared in the journal Science in 2010. Her primary research is focused on investigating white-nose syndrome transmission dynamics in multiple bat species.


2011 Metacomet Annual Meeting Program


More about the Metacomet Land Trust can be found on their website

McGovern talks with Medway farmers about local agriculture needs

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

McGovern talks with Medway farmers about local agriculture needs

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Whitney Clearman/Daily News staff on 9/28/11

As U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern looked over orchards and berry fields yesterday, farmers took the chance to pitch ideas about improving local agriculture.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Charles River: 2011 winner of the International Riverprize

An email via contributor David Dobrzynski:

Charles River Watershed Association

We have some some very exciting news to share: the Charles River is the 2011 winner of the International Riverprize, the world’s largest and most prestigious environmental award! The International RiverFoundation’s (IRF) Thiess International Riverprize, is awarded for visionary and sustainable excellence in river management.  In the world of river management, this is akin to winning the World Series and it was made possible through the engagement, cooperation and hard work of hundreds of partners at the federal, state, local and grassroots levels, including: U.S. EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Geological Survey, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the Conservation Law Foundation, universities, local boards and conservation commissions, engaged citizens, businesses, land trusts, river users, and all of you!  This is a trophy for all of us who live and work in the communities that comprise the Charles watershed, and for everyone who loves this river.    From left to right: IRF CEO Matthew Reddy, CRWA Director of Projects Kate Bowditch, CRWA Deputy Director Margaret VanDeusen, and CRWA Executive Director, Bob Zimmerman.    CRWA's Executive Director Bob Zimmerman, Deputy Director Margaret VanDeusen, and Director of Projects Kate Bowditch accepted the award at the 14th International River Symposium in Brisbane, Australia earlier today. CRWA will receive a grant to share its river restoration expertise with a river organization in a developing nation. In 1965, when CRWA was founded, the Charles was an open sewer: tetanus shots and antibiotics were standard treatment for anyone unfortunate enough to fall in.  Today, the Charles is heralded as the cleanest urban river in the United States by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The Riverprize recognizes and rewards this rejuvenation.  International River Foundation CEO Matthew Reddy says "Charles River should be congratulated for their achievement; it joins the ranks of iconic rivers like the Thames, Danube and Mekong.” CRWA will use the prize money to continue to improve and protect the health of the Charles through fisheries restoration, water-sensitive design, and development of tools and practical solutions to watershed problems, including the growing problem of nutrients carried by stormwater to the river.        Join us to celebrate this achievment and honor John DeVillars this Friday, September 30th at the Champions of the Charles gala at the Harry Parker Boathouse, Community Rowing, Brighton. To purchase tickets click here or call Alexandra Ash at 781-788-0007 x 200.

The River Current is published monthly (or as needed) by Charles River Watershed Association. CRWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dependent on philanthropic support. Editor: Alexandra Ash, aash@crwa.org Mailing address: CRWA, 190 Park Road, Weston, MA 02493 Phone: 781-788-0007 Fax: 781-788-0057 Web: www.charlesriver.org

Town Council 09/28/11

The collected reporting for the Town Council meeting held on Weds Sep 28. I watched and reported on the meeting via the Verizon cable broadcast.

• Real time reporting - closing
• Real time reporting - high school building project...
• Real time reporting - Legislation (part 1)
• Real time reporting - Town Council - 9/28/11

Real time reporting - closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Downtown Harvest Festival is this weekend, come on down
Thanks to the Community Garden, they had a wonderful first year, almost all the plots were used, they helped supply the Food Pantry. It was well done, thank you!

Nutting - did you want a new October meeting schedule?
Mason- yes, we'll meet Oct 5 and Oct 26

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS
Powderly - asking for School Committee representation to be at the next meeting to address the teachers contract. No one in the Town got a raise, all the school school department employees effectively got raises. During the budget process, they were asked if there were COLA money in the budget, the answer was no. So aside from the philosophical difference in granting the contract with an increase, where did they come up with the funds. I believe COLA equals layoffs, they cut 14 teachers last year and others got a raise this year. We have higher class sizes... They need to explain why they did what they did.


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS 
Pfeffer - agreed with Powderly's comments, wants to know where they found the money
Kelly - agrees with Powderly's comments
Jones - agrees with Powderly's comments, was at the School Committee meeting and will be interested to see what they have to say.
Mason - I spoke with Chairman Roy and invited him and whomever he would like to bring along with him to the meeting Oct 5th.


Meeting adjourned




The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf

Real time reporting - high school building project

2. Resolution 11-50: Additional Appropriation for Comprehensive Feasibility Study of the Franklin High School and Grounds 


Tom Mercer, Chair of the School Building Committee
provide an overview of how the proposal has developed overtime
The committee recently decided to ask the MSBA to modify the 'model school' design to lower the track to the same level. This would allow for a gym at 23,000 sq ft which is comparable to the same size facility we have today. How much of this design change would be covered by a favorable refund remains to be determined.
The proposal tonight is to provide additional funding via bond to allow the design work to continue.  Given the current timeline for an MSBA decision at the end of January, the voters could see the proposal at the election box in a March time frame. Once approved by the MSBA, the town voters do have 120 days to vote and accept the proposal. If we were to deny the proposal, and the renovation or new building were to continue, the full cost would be borne by Franklin. If we accept the MSBA proposal we can get up to 54% reimbursement, significantly reducing the cost to the Franklin tax payers.


motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0




3. Resolution 11-51: Support for House Bill No. 00869 – An Act relative to the establishment of municipal lighting authorities 


motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0




The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf

Real time reporting - Legislation (part 1)

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - YMCA – Darkness to Light Program (postponed to future meeting)


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-46: Authorizing Tax Increment Financing Hamilton Storage Technologies Inc, 3 Forge Parkway 


Brief 5 minute presentation by the company about what they do and how they have developed. They are in high technology and particularly in biotech. Novartis and Roche Pharmaceuticals are their top two customers


The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) allows Franklin to collect the normal set of taxes on the base value of the property and then a declining additional portion on the increase in incremental value of the work being done to improve the plot/building.


A good deal for Franklin as we tax revenue, they get an incentive to come here (from Hopkinton and Milford). Their incentive is a declining additional tax over a ten year period.


motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0




The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf

Real time reporting - Town Council - 9/28/11

Present:  Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Powderly
Absent: Zollo

(missed opening minutes, can catch them later via the on-demand video)

E. APPOINTMENTS
Cultural Council 

Mary Beth Fraser
Janet Norman
Judith Needell
Judith Prueitt-Prentice

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

Design Review 

Nancy Coleman

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

School Building Committee 

Paula Mullen

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0


The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf

"we approach education collaboratively"

Following a salary freeze two years ago, raises for last year remained at zero, while raises for this year go up 1 percent at the beginning and 0.5 percent on the last day of the contract. 

Negotiations for a new contract will have to begin soon, school officials said, but School Committee members say they are upbeat. Union leadership, they said, seems committed to a less confrontational approach than in the past. 

"There is agreement by both sides to review the salary structure," School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said. 

"It represents closure for me and a move away from the negotiation table," committee member William Glynn said of the brief hiatus between negotiations. "We don't often talk about the deep-seated problems, the systemic problems."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1656493025/Deal-gives-small-raises-to-Franklin-teachers#ixzz1ZEnaMLdk

In the News: fire, fraud, culture, time

$30K in damage estimated after Franklin house catches fire

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Franklin man arraigned in prescription fraud case

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin Cultural Council accepting applications

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

GUEST SPEAKER: Not the Right Time for a New Franklin High

by Shawn Kenner/FRANKLIN

"we're at the point where that's no longer possible"

But the budget cuts that took effect July 1 caused the department to drop from 10 on-duty firefighters to nine. Three firefighters are left in the King Street station on a fire engine, but everyone else has been moved into the downtown station, which, Allen said, has caused problems already. 

"Am I concerned? Absolutely. I continue to advocate the best system is an ambulance and an engine in each fire station," Fire Chief Gary McCarraher said at the Sept. 14 Town Council meeting. "We can't afford that right now, and we're doing the best we can with what we've got." 

At that meeting, McCarraher said response times could be delayed, but he does not have conclusive evidence yet after going through less than two months of data. 

"The simple, brass tacks are we have been cut year after year," Allen said. "We need the public to know that we are having a difficult time helping them."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1656492907/Franklin-Fire-Department-says-cuts-hurting-response-time#ixzz1Z92lJpVR

How hungry are you?

Take the Hunger Quiz

How much do you know about hunger in America? Take Feeding America's hunger quiz to get more information on the issue.

From TakePart "How to Help Hunger Awareness Month"

"We will put those numbers out to the public as soon as they're available"

"I think it's a really well thought-out and efficient design," said Sabolinski, adding that the building will also save money in heating bills and other operational costs. "We're not building something just for today. I think it's very utilitarian and it ... will also stand the test of time." 

The first suggestion the School Building Committee gave was that space, including larger classrooms, be added throughout the design, since Whitman-Hanson has 1,350 students, and Franklin has 1,650. 

The School Building Committee-approved modification that received the most discussion was the gymnasium, which would replace the current field house. The field house is 30,000 square feet, Ai3 principal architect Scott Dunlap said, although it has only 22,000 square feet of usable space. The gymnasium in the proposed new school could have 23,000 square feet of usable space.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1656492899/Franklin-committee-makes-new-high-school-design-its-own#ixzz1Z90wD2rA