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Sunday, June 17, 2012
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jun 20, 2012
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 23 and 24 Budget Hearings
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS – This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast, and Franklin Matters
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Annual Committee Appointments
Design Review Appointment
F. HEARINGS
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-685: Amendment to Chapter 185, §24. Floodplain District – 7:10 PM
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Presentation of Boston Post Cane to oldest resident-Helen Carberry
Recycling Committee
Town Administrator’s Update
H. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
I. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-51: Appropriation: Street Acceptance
2. Resolution 12-52: Appropriation: Fire Salaries
3. Resolution 12-53: Unemployment Trust Fund
4. Resolution 12-54 Request for Legislation: Towns of Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham Regional Public Safety Communications and Dispatch Center
5. Resolution 12-55: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-685: Amendment to Chapter 185, §24. Floodplain District- 1st Reading
7. Bylaw Amendment 12-688: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, Amendment of Service Fee Rates: Board of Health, Department of Public Works, Recreation, Council on Aging – 1st Reading
J. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
K. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
The full set of documents associated with this published agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/062012.pdf
"the person who grew the product"
The Milford Daily News writes about the expansion of farmers markets. Franklin's market operates on Fridays from noon to 6:00 PM on the Town Common.
Farmers market photo taken Friday, Jun 15 at the Grateful Farm tent.
Visit Grateful Farm on their website http://www.gratefulfarm.com/
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x448221759/Farmers-markets-on-the-upswing#ixzz1y34UVZuW
With demand high for local food, the number of farmers markets in the state has doubled in five years and the number of small farms has also grown significantly, farm and market federations say.
“The trend is that more and more people are caring about where their food comes from and interested in trying to sustain themselves a little bit more locally,” said Martha Sweet, operations manager at the Waltham-based Federation of Massachusetts Farmers Markets.
Residents of MetroWest and the Milford area don’t have to go far to find pitched tents and fresh produce.
Farmers market photo taken Friday, Jun 15 at the Grateful Farm tent.
Visit Grateful Farm on their website http://www.gratefulfarm.com/
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x448221759/Farmers-markets-on-the-upswing#ixzz1y34UVZuW
"vital to their self-assessment"
The Milford Daily News has an article on the annual police staffing ratio released by the FBI. A survey of the communities in the MetroWest region shows the following: (Bold added for emphasis)
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x345282287/Police-department-staffing-levels-below-regional-averages#ixzz1y32VAj9J
Marlborough and Framingham’s ratios come in at just under 1.7, while Shrewsbury was the lowest department surveyed at 1.2.
Many chiefs noted they had not received a new position in years, including Northborough (1998), Holliston (2007), Hudson (2001) and Sudbury (2001).
Marlborough Chief Mark Leonard said the city hasn’t increased its number of sworn officers since 1988.
The most well-staffed Milford-area town is Mendon, with just more than two officers per thousand residents, while the lowest was Franklin with 1.39.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x345282287/Police-department-staffing-levels-below-regional-averages#ixzz1y32VAj9J
Saturday, June 16, 2012
In the News: Electric Youth, Sweatt Beach, Fast Lane
‘Electric Youth’ embarks on 2012 European concert tour
by GateHouse Media, Inc.
The Electric Youth performed for the Town Council at a recent meeting. You can tune into the meeting to view the performance here
Sunny days at Sweatt Beach: Officials look to lure people back to Pearl's shore
by Heather McCarron/STAFF WRITER
Mass Pike says goodbye to ‘Fast Lane’
by Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff
Summer Fun at the Y...Something for Everyone!
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Friday, June 15, 2012
Good time for a car wash!
The Parmenter school has timed it just right with good weather and Father's Day on Sunday to hold their annual car wash this Saturday

In the News: unemployment rate
Mass. unemployment rate down to 6 percent
by GateHouse Media, Inc.
If only the number were real. The process of counting unemployment is flawed and has been for years. Nothing to celebrate with this number.
Given the slowness of the recovery, another stimulus might be a good idea
10 Reasons Why Public Policies Rescued the U.S. Economy
from Center for American Progress by Christian E. Weller
In the News: open house, Sons of Italy
Preschool Exploration open house at Dean College, June 19
by GateHouse Media, Inc.
Tri-County Web kids work wonders
by Matt Tota/Daily News staff
(Note: There should be a button to turn off the auto-play music when you visit the Sons of Italy web site)
Thursday, June 14, 2012
"those things are done, I’m going to move on"
Rep Jim Vallee just announced that he would be stepping down immediately from his position in the House. He had previously announced he would not run again this November but at the time it seemed he would stay in the role until then. Given the House schedule and Rep Vallee's new opportunity, it does make sense to move on.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x681113347/State-Rep-Vallee-abruptly-resigns-his-seat#ixzz1xlALtyms
“I have a new job, and they want me to work,” Vallee, D-Franklin, said. “I had a job opportunity that started and, you know, they want me to go to work. I had some things I wanted to get accomplished … and I wanted to ensure that the budget was completed. And now that those things are done, I’m going to move on.”
“It wasn’t a secret: I got a job opportunity. I took it. I served 18 years. My office will be staffed. And there will be someone available to answer the phones and work on constituent issues,” he said.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x681113347/State-Rep-Vallee-abruptly-resigns-his-seat#ixzz1xlALtyms
Social media forum Thursday night in Franklin
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 6/13/12
Milford's Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Health wants parents to be aware of the dangers of social media and to discuss the issues openly in hopes of finding solutions.
The center will host a parent roundtable from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hockomock Area YMCA in Franklin, 45 Forge Hill Road. YMCA staff will be on hand to go over strategies for teaching teens smart ways to use social media.
The cost to register is $10 per person and $15 for groups of two. Register online at www.yourteen.org.
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
Franklin Public Library: Survey
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 6/13/12
How Are We Doing? The Franklin Public Library is committed to the efficient delivery of high-quality services and wants all customers to have an inviting and welcoming experience. Please take the time to tell us about your most recent visit and how we are doing. Any suggestions will assist us in serving you better.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
“We are very thin administratively"
From the School Committee meeting Tuesday night, Milford Daily News reported:
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1225004404/Franklin-High-principal-pleased-with-how-school-year-went#ixzz1xfFu94jk
“You look at the list of schools (they will be attending),” Light said, “and it was by far the most impressive list of schools we’ve ever seen at Franklin High School.”
Light credited the student schedule implemented this year in helping foster the success of the school’s marquee self-directed-learning program.
The self-directed learning program gives students, during one of their free periods, the opportunity to pursue personalized courses of study.
“They have the freedom to create their own learning goals,” Light said.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1225004404/Franklin-High-principal-pleased-with-how-school-year-went#ixzz1xfFu94jk
Flower power
Downtown Franklin is looking bright and cheerful with the colorful flowers in key spots. Thanks to the Downtown Partnership and all the volunteers for making this happen!

Note: Franklin Matters maintains membership in the Franklin Downtown Partnership. The cost of membership for a citizen to join is only $25.00. If you are interested in Franklin, this might be a good thing to do! Membership forms can be found on the Downtown Partnership website
Note: Franklin Matters maintains membership in the Franklin Downtown Partnership. The cost of membership for a citizen to join is only $25.00. If you are interested in Franklin, this might be a good thing to do! Membership forms can be found on the Downtown Partnership website
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Parmenter 5K - photo essay
The Parmenter School was the site for their 4th Annual Run for All Ages on Sunday, Jun 10. Great sunshine greeted all the runners and supporters.

The Parmenter Panda kept an eye on what was happening

Attached to some of the light poles or parking signs were a series of student work addressing the question: What is fun about running?

As a life long runner, there is much fun in running

Good healthy habits can form around regular exercise

You learn to plan ahead, you learn to follow the curve

You learn that you CAN do it, you need to take the first step to try

Consider racing against yourself, use the others on the course for inspiration or incentive

Ultimately, it is all up to you. Starting and finishing is a worthy reward

Almost 300 runners and walkers lined up for the start

Thanks especially to all the sponsors and volunteers who put the race on; thank you!

Race results can be found on Cool Running
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/12/ma/Jun10_4thAnn_set1.shtml
The Parmenter Panda kept an eye on what was happening
Attached to some of the light poles or parking signs were a series of student work addressing the question: What is fun about running?
As a life long runner, there is much fun in running
Good healthy habits can form around regular exercise
You learn to plan ahead, you learn to follow the curve
You learn that you CAN do it, you need to take the first step to try
Consider racing against yourself, use the others on the course for inspiration or incentive
Ultimately, it is all up to you. Starting and finishing is a worthy reward
Almost 300 runners and walkers lined up for the start
Thanks especially to all the sponsors and volunteers who put the race on; thank you!
Race results can be found on Cool Running
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/12/ma/Jun10_4thAnn_set1.shtml
Franklin teacher inspires cancer ride
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Matt Tota/Daily News staff on 6/11/12
When Catherine Middelmann thinks about her fourth-grade teacher Kirstin Eickmann, she laughs as one moment in particular comes to mind.
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
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