Two Democrats and three Republicans are seeking the state representative seat formerly held by James Vallee, who resigned last month.
In the Sept. 6 primaries, Jeffrey Roy, a member of the Franklin Town Council, and Peter Padula, a criminal defense lawyer, will face off for the Democratic Party’s nomination, while the Republican race will have John Jewell, a member of the Franklin School Committee; lawyer Rich Eustis; and C. Stolle Singleton, who works as a policy adviser to the 33-member House Republican Caucus.Read the full article here
“I think that the number of people who are utilizing home sharps has risen annually,” said David McKearney, public health director for the Franklin Health Department. “There was just a pent-up demand for a way to dispose of these things; people are not only injecting themselves but also their pets.”
Franklin has already purchased a $2,500 kiosk. Located at the Franklin Fire Department on West Main Street, it is open all week and managed by a hazardous waste company the town employs.
“We want to let people know we have a safe and viable option (for disposal),” McKearney said yesterday.
In March, the Franklin school showed interest in renting a space. Alan Mercer, manager of business development for the school, said school officials heard about the facility through Studio Ballet director Cathy Fallon.
Fallon’s studio will be merging with FSPA’s Ballet Conservatory.
“Our vision (at FSPA) is to bring quality performing arts education opportunities and performing opportunities to the local community — to the suburbs, if you will,” Mercer said. “This just extends our mission. Hudson is a very nice community and the people have been very engaging.”
FSPA will hire staff for the new facility and has already had students enroll there. And it’s the school’s first satellite location.
“The act of simply kicking your kid out the door could be the best thing you could do for their health,” said Mark Fenton, a transportation engineer and public health consultant.
Fenton, speaking to a group of local officials at Marlborough Hospital for a kick-off for the “MetroWest Moves” health program last month, said one of the best things that could happen for children’s health is a return to the concept of “free-range kids.”
The term refers to the type of childhood that many adults remember, Fenton said, one where mothers would kick their children out the door on a Saturday morning and not see them again until the street lights came on and it was time to come home.
Fenton said that children who are able to go out and explore and make their own entertainment are inherently more active, often traveling everywhere by bike or on foot. Simply being outside, Fenton said, also naturally encourages physical activity.
One piece of the project business owners seem to collectively approve is the one-way traffic on Main Street and West Central Street being converted to two-way. Most agreed the change is one of its most notable, and appealing, aspects.
Michael Espinosa, owner of Fitness Together on Main Street, said he and some of the other business owners see the one-way traffic on Main Street as uninviting.
“If you miss the business you’re looking for, you have to loop back around again,” Espinosa said. “That’s very frustrating to people.”
“I think the change to two-way, it will be a good thing,” said Virginia Kon, owner of Maguro House, a Japanese-style restaurant on East Central Street. “I think it will help the (the flow) of traffic, help people driving to 495.”
