In the News: CD release, i495/RT 9, glass harmonica

Franklin native to release new CD on Friday

by Staff reports

Christie Leigh, an award-winning songwriter from Franklin, will release her new CD “Deep Down Damned” on Friday, Jan. 11 at The Estate in Boston.

State details recommendations for I-495/Rte. 9 interchange

by Brad Petrishen/Daily News staff

Three lanes of travel on a stretch of Rte. 9 in Southborough and new ramps elevated by bridges are among $130 million worth of state suggestions to improve the I-495/Rte. 9 interchange unveiled to the Planning Board Monday night.

Glass harmonica concert planned at Franklin Historical Museum

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

The Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St., in Franklin, will host Vera Meyer on Sunday, Jan. 20 for a repeat performance playing the glass harmonica.

Another #1 for Franklin

From the Neighborhood Scout:

Our research reveals the 100 safest cities in America with 25,000 or more people, based on the total number of property and violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, forcible rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Data used for this research are 1) the number of total crimes reported to the FBI to have occurred in each city, and 2) the population of each city. See our FAQ on how we rank the safest cities in America

You can view the full listing of 100 communities to find Franklin at #1
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/neighborhoods/crime-rates/top100safest/

The Franklin report can be found here  http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ma/franklin/crime/

Make sure to read the Overview tab, interesting stuff!

Franklin, MA: Planning Board - Agenda - Jan 7, 2013

The published agenda for the Planning Board meeting Monday evening;

23 Hutchinson St, proposed location for Franklin TV

PlanningBoard_January07_ 2013



Among the items on the agenda are:

• Stop and Shop gas station
• Franklin TV
• Hoffman Farm
• Robin's Nest Childrens Center

Annual Report 2012: Charles River Pollution Control District

During Fiscal Year 2012, the Charles River Pollution Control District’s (District) regional advanced  wastewater treatment facility received and treated approximately 1,740 million gallons (4.8 million gallons per day) of raw wastewater, including 6.1 million gallons of septage from the District’s member and customer towns before discharge to the Charles River. The volume of waste treated was higher than the previous year due to an increase in heavy precipitation.

The District is anticipating the renewal process to begin this fall for its National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for discharge of its treated wastewater to the Charles River. Under the preliminary draft NPDES permit, the District and the Towns of Franklin, Medway, Millis, and Bellingham will have to maintain an ongoing preventive maintenance program to prevent overflows and bypasses caused by malfunctions or failures of the sewer system and an infiltration and inflow reduction program.

CDM Smith and staff from the District prepared a 20-year capital improvement plan (CIP) to improve the wastewater treatment facility to meet more stringent NPDES permitting requirements and provide a more reliable wastewater treatment facility at its current capacity.

In July 2010, the District was informed of its acceptance on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) Bureau of Resource Protection Calendar Year 2010 Intended Use List for State Revolving Funding (SRF). In order to expedite the designs and proceed with the project in a timely manner,
the CIP was divided into three phases (A, B and C).

Phase A, which is scheduled for completion this October, includes the replacement of both primary clarifier
mechanisms, addition of two screenings washer/compactors in the wet well, primary scum handling improvements, and plant lighting and security improvements.

Phase B, the capping of the on-site residuals landfill, is scheduled for completion August 2012.

Phase C, focuses on reducing phosphorus, improving the disinfection system, and extending the life of the facility for an additional 20 years. This phase is currently in the early stages of design and is expected to be
complete in late 2013 with construction starting in early 2014. A District-wide Global Information
System was developed as part of this phase to assist with infiltration and inflow reduction requirements.

The District is scheduled to fund Phases A and B with a 20-year SRF loan of approximately $3.3M for costs associated with bidding, construction, and resident engineering. Costs for planning and design which are not eligible for SRF loans will be funded by a General Obligation Bond of approximately $1.5M. The total project cost is still under review and will become more detailed as design progresses.

The District is one of seven municipal wastewater treatment plants selected by the Mass DEP to participate in a pilot program that involves energy auditing, assessments for renewable and clean energy possibilities, and
support of implementation for energy related projects. The purpose of this pilot program is to reduce the amount of energy used at municipal wastewater treatment plants by 20%, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving municipalities money. The District was granted $847,583 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to install a 20 kW solar voltaic array and two turbo style blowers. The solar
panels will produce energy onsite whereas the turbo blowers will provide oxygen to the secondary treatment system using approximately 30% less power than the existing blowers. The District is anticipating a 20%
reduction in energy costs from these energy improvements. At this time, the solar voltaic array is producing energy which is used at the treatment plant and the turbo blowers are in place.

Peter SantaCaterina retired in March of 2012. He started his career as a Maintenance Mechanic and was later promoted to Maintenance Supervisor. The District wishes Pete a great retirement and sincere thanks for
25 years of service.

The District’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget is 2.5% higher than the previous years’ budget. The District’s FY 2013 budget for operations and maintenance is $3,414,100, while the capital projects budget is $594,160. Franklin’s share of the operation and maintenance and capital projects budgets are estimated to be
$2,298,070 and $356,810, respectively.

Respectively submitted

Douglas M. Downing, Chairman (Medway)
William J. Goode, Jr., Vice-Chairman (Franklin)
Alfred H. Wahlers, Clerk, (Franklin)
Paul J. DeSimone (Medway)
Gene Guidi, (Franklin)

CRPCD Officers:
Cheri R. Cousens, P.E., Executive Director
Emma J. Catalano, Treasurer
Barbara Maffeo, Executive Secretary
Cornetta, Ficco, Simmler, & Vallee, Legal Counsel


Note: the report was prepared after the FY 2012 fiscal year completed and published in November 2012. One sentence reads "scheduled for completion this October" - refers to October 2012.

Published by the Town Clerk, this comes from the 2012 Annual Report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

“The local media has been restrained and responsible"

Franklin Matters contributor, Rich Aucoin has succeeded in getting media attention to how the media is covering the MA lab scandal with this article in the Milford Daily News.

“It’s a strange case in terms of drawing analogies to because it’s not a violent crime,” Bayles said. “It’s not even so much a financial crime. And in some ways that may be why it was hard to get stuff out. I spent a lot of time thinking, ‘Who is this person?’ There was not a lot of detail about Dookhan.” 

He said that realizing the scope of the scandal presented a challenge to everyone mired in it and that showed in the coverage. 

“It was sort of a slow boil in terms of people, especially in the media, understanding the implications of the case,” he said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x848528961/Opinions-vary-on-media-s-handling-of-Franklin-chemist-scandal#ixzz2HHgRDwkR

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 9, 2013

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 17, 2012

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29.This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Library Board of Directors - Sandra Brandfonbrener

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Change of Manager – T.D. Beverage Inc.

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Medical Marijuana Zoning

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-695:Changes to § 185-31. Site Plan and Design Review- Remove from table - 1st Reading
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-696:Changes to § 185-20. H. Signs. Sign Approvals Remove from table - 1st Reading
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-697:Changes to § 185-45. N. Administration and Enforcement. Design Review Commission Remove from table - 1 st Reading

4. Bylaw Amendment 13-699:Amendment of Service Fee Rates: Administration- 1st Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN


The full agenda and associated documents can be found on the Franklin web site
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/010913.pdf

School Tour: Parmenter

The next school on the tour of the facilities in the district comes up this Thursday, Jan 10. At 6:00 PM, the Parmenter School on Wachusett St will be open to all for a tour. The tour is conducted by Central Office School Administration, the School Principal, and members of the School Committee.

Parmenter is the only school with solar panels helping to supply their energy needs. You can check their status via this website
 http://www.solrenview.com/cgi-bin/CGIhandler.cgi?&sort=pvi_IDs&cond=site_ID=803

A couple of rain gardens were added to Parmenter as part of the Wachusett St reconstruction project. The rain gardens assist in reducing phosphorus from getting into the ground water and streams that feed into the Charles River.

rain garden at Parmenter School

Come to the tour on Thursday, Jan 10th at 6:00 PM!

"It’s a humbling honor"

The Shire Book Shop is one of the featured photos in the new Franklin Calendar and gaining some well deserved recognition with this award as noted by the Milford Daily News.

In the regular "Best 5 in New England’’ column of the January/February issue, Richard Wright observed the Union Avenue store combines the soothing atmosphere of a friend’s private library with the eclectic pleasures of a devoted bibliophile’s extensive collection. 

"After 30 years, the owners of the Shire Book Shop still offer to brew you a cup of tea, making your stroll among the 100,00 used and out-of-print books in this former mill building even more of a pleasure." 

The author of "A Vacationer’s Guide to Rural New England Bookstores," Wright noted of the Shire: "Each purchased book is carefully protected with an archival dust jacket."

Browse the book shelves and have a sit to explore the book in detail in comfort

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1896979594/Shire-Book-Shop-called-one-of-the-best#ixzz2H6EsWYOD

You can visit the Shire Book Shop on Union St (at the railroad crossing) or their website on line at http://www.shirebookshop.com/

The Olivia Act

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

The Olivia Act

via Aubrey B Greene Photography Blog on 1/4/13

I have sort of avoided writing about what happened in Newtown, CT.  Partly because the press was all over it and pushing it through my pores.  But mostly because it really shook me up.  Let's be real here.  I cried for days.  I cried in my bedroom, my kitchen, the grocery store parking lot and even in the produce section.  It really hit me hard.  There have been far to many other school shootings, even one in my hometown in Vermont, but this one was different for me.  It was little, itty-bitty, helpless babies and I HAVE a little, itty-bitty, helpless baby.  Even now as I try to write this I can't grasp all the reasoning behind why I have felt the way I have.  But it makes me sad.  I don't know anything about the heartbreak one must feel losing a child, but I do know about loving a child.  I held Max extra tight that night and every night since.  I stare deep in to his beautiful hazel eyes just a little longer when I say "bye-bye" and even "good morning".  I am so blessed to have Max in my life and I cherish every day.  I hope the families of those children, those babies, those teachers, cherished every day and know that they too are so blessed to of had them in their lives.  

This past September, we had our family pictures taken by my friend and colleague, Deb.  I am so glad that we have that moment in our life captured forever.  Years from now, we will look back on it and laugh and love and squeal (because Max was just too darn cute with that red balloon!).  I truly believe in the importance of documenting life and from that I was put in touch with The Olivia Act.  The Olivia Act was set up by a Connecticut photographer as a way to encourage other photographers to give back.  We were asked to offer a free 30 minute session to a family in need who may not have gotten a professional photography session otherwise.  The family is chosen through nominations written by their family, friends and neighbors within that family's town.

So, I am joining in and offering a free, 30 minute session to one family, along with a DVD of the images and an 8X10 print that they can frame and have in their home forever.  If you would like to nominate a Franklin/Boston area family, please e-mail me personally at aubrey@aubreybgreene.com and tell me why this family should be the ones to receive this gift.  I will be accepting nominations via e-mail until January 18, 2013.

Please spread the word however you can :)  If you would like to find a participating photographer in your area, please check out The Olivia Act blog here.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Aubrey B Greene Photography Blog using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Historical Museum: Happy Birthday Ben!

Sunday 1/20/13 Happy Birthday Ben!

Celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday and hear Vera Meyer on the Glass Harmonica, and amazing musical instrument invented by Franklin himself.




Franklin Historical Museum is open from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday

Sunrise Montessori School Open House

Are you starting to look for a preschool or kindergarten for the fall? Or do you have a 3 year old that you think could benefit from starting before then? Consider Sunrise Montessori in Franklin.

Sunrise will be having an Open House Saturday, January 26 from 11:00am- 1:00pm. Please stop by to meet the teachers, discuss the program and explore the classrooms.  Sunrise has many great program options.  They offer half day programs as well as full day programs. They also have the added flexibility of before and after school care for working parents.  Stop by and see for yourself!

Sunrise Montessori School Open House

Saturday, January 26, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

31 Hayward St

Franklin, MA

508-541-8010

You can view or download their flyer here

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczQjB3ZDY5QVhzV2c

Annual Report 2012: Conservation Commission

The Franklin Conservation Commission is responsible for promoting and developing the natural resources of Franklin and protecting the watershed resources of Franklin. A large part of the Commission’s attention is directed to administering Massachusetts and Franklin wetland protection laws. In short, those laws require the Commission to hold public hearings or meetings before issuing a permit to work in or within 100 feet of a wetland, or 200 feet of a perennial stream.

The Commission is comprised of up to seven volunteer residents appointed for three year terms by the Town Administrator. The Commission also has up to two non-voting associate members. The members of the Commission have diverse professional experience related to environmental science, biology, engineering, landscape design, and project management. Because of their different backgrounds each commissioner is able to offer a different perspective during the review of applications for a wetland permit that ultimately
benefits Franklin. That perspective continues to evolve, as one new member, Marc DePoto and two new Associate members joined the Commission during this last year.

In July 2012 the Commission and the Town was shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of our Conservation Agent, Mr. Nick Alfieri. A longtime resident and devoted Town employee, Mr. Alfieri was committed to upholding the interests of the Wetlands Protection Act and the Town of Franklin’s Wetlands Bylaw, while always being fair, helpful, and cooperative with local residents and business owners. We will
miss Nick and are thankful for his contributions to the Town and for his friendship.

In addition to conducting the regular schedule of public meetings to review applications for wetland permitting, the Commission updated its Policy Statement and Conservation Property Rules and Regulations document. The Commission also made an emergency revision to our Rules and Regulations, otherwise
residents would have lost their federal flood insurance.

Franklin was well represented at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions in March, attending classes and workshops and talking with other Commissioners from across the state as well as lawyers, ecologists and engineers active in Conservation.

Last year, the EPA unveiled its draft regulations to reduce the amount of phosphorus in storm water runoff into the Charles River basin, with Franklin, Bellingham and Milford as the pilot communities. These regulations are in response to the public health threat posed by outbreaks of toxic algae blooms downstream fostered by high levels of phosphorus from storm water runoff.

These regulations will require properties with more than two acres of imperious surfaces to improve storm water runoff treatment. Currently these regulations remain at a standstill as the EPA continues to work out the regulatory details. The Commission monitors the status of these regulations while encouraging and advising on appropriate stormwater management practices where applicable in Conservation jurisdiction.

The Commission continues to work on the DelCarte area (aka the Franklin Reservoirs) off of Pleasant Street. There are a series of seven “structures” (six are dams that had been originally used for cranberry farming, the seventh is a stone wall that beavers had dammed) along Miller brook thru the 100+ acre
DelCarte area. The dams are identified serially from Dam #1 located closest to downtown adjacent to the MBTA Dean station to #6 located furthest downstream, closest to Miller St. All of these structures are in various states of failure. Dams #5 & #5A (the stone wall) have completely failed, allowing their ponds to drain. All of the dams in the series have had signs posted on them because of the danger created by unstable beaver dams. Last year, the Town awarded a contract for Engineering and Design services to
Tighe & Bond, Inc. This spring, Tighe & Bond submitted a notice of intent for rehabilitation of
dams #3 and #4.

The Commission would like to draw the attention of the Town’s residents to the many protected natural areas in Town and the opportunities for passive recreation they enable:

• The DelCarte area has parking off of Pleasant Street, with walking trails through woodlands along a series of ponds; 
• The Town Forest has good access points off of both Summer Street and Russet Hill Road with a network of walking trails thru woodlands and across Uncas Brook; 
• There is a network of walking trails that cross Shepards Brook and go thru fields and woods behind Dacey Recreation Area off Lincoln Street;
• Indian Rock has good access off of both King Phillip Road and Lost Horse Trail with walking trails thru woodlands near two large vernal pools and to the top of historic Indian Rock;
• The Metacomet Land Trust owns several pieces of protected land, notably the walking trails off of Bridle Path and The Lady Bug Trail near JFK school;
• The Franklin State Forest is accessible off of Grove Street and Forge Hill Road and boasts an extensive network of walking and ORV trails;
• The SNETT trail goes all the way to Douglas. There is a Town parking lot off of Grove Street;
• The expansive marsh near Interstate 495 exit #17 is the US Army Corp of Engineers Natural Valley Flood Storage Project, preserved to protect against downstream flooding in the Charles River basin. That marsh is along Mine Brook, the largest stream in town, draining about half of Franklin, starting at the extreme south end of Franklin, passing underneath Washington Street, Beaver Street, 495, Grove Street, West Central Street, 495 again, Beech Street, and Pond Street before finally meeting the Charles River on the Medway border.
• Other significant streams in Franklin include Shepards Brook, Miller Brook, Uncas Brook and Bubbling Brook. Lake Populatic is part of the Charles River, the other navigable ponds in Franklin are Beaver Pond, Uncas Pond, and Spring (Green’s) Pond.

There are many other natural areas in Franklin waiting to be explored.

Conservation Commission Members:

Regan Ballantyne - Chair
Ray Willis - Vice Chair
Andy Tolland
Monique Allen
Jon Fournier
Jeff Livingstone
Marc Depoto
Margaret Stolfa - Associate Member
Andrew Riordan - Associate Member

Respectfully submitted,

Regan Ballantyne, Chair


Please visit our website for additional information including application forms, and regularly posted Conservation Commission agendas and meeting minutes at http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Conservation/index


Published by the Town Clerk, this comes from the 2012 Annual Report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

Guru Bar & Grill Hold Ribbon Cutting

GURU BAR AND GRILL HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

Guru Bar and Grill, 30 Main St., Franklin, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting event organized by The United Regional Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. The restaurant serves "Indian Fare with Flair."

Guru ribbon cutting - photo courtesy of United Regional Chamber of Commerce

Pictured at the ribbon cutting from left to right are: Rich Frongillo of Tinetrix, Lou Moccia of Putnam Investments, Susan Russo of Little Green Phone Book, Ralph Arguin of Country Gardens, Joe Kapples, Jim Schultz of Fairway Independent Mortgage Associates, Natalie Roy of the office of State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Janet Letourneau of Peak Performers, Steve Cooke of Kuehne & Nagle Inc., Lisa Piana of Downtown Franklin Partnership, Kelly Rovedo of Guru Bar and Grill, Sandeep Sidhu of Guru Bar and Grill, Ed McDonough of Executive Coaching, Dave Miles of Miles Internet Marketing, Jack McCarthy of Bristol County Savings Bank, Franklin Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, Mike Kerrigan of Edward Jones Investments, Carl Scheinman of Dean Bank, and Olga Allen of The United Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Historical Museum - Book Signing - Jan 13

Sunday 1/13/13 Book Signing

Local author Eamon Earls will be available to sign and answer questions about his newly released book Franklin: From Puritan Precinct to 21st Century ‘Edge City’

Come discover even more about Franklin’s History.

The book can be ordered through www.viaappiapress.com. 

In the News: Legislator pay cut, Tri-Country preschool

Drop in household income means pay cut for Legislature

by Matt Murphy

The 158 House and Senate legislators sworn in Wednesday will see their base pay drop in 2013 and 2014 by $1,106 compared to those who served during the past two-year session. 

Tri-County announces preschool, toddler program registration

by Matt Tota/Daily News Staff

Registration for the Tri-County RVTHS Preschool and Toddler Programs for 2013-2014 will be held on Friday, Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the main lobby of the school at 147 Pond St.