Monday, September 16, 2013

"eleven residents had pulled papers to vie for the nine two-year seats"

One of several milestones for the Franklin local election on November 5th is reached today. Today is the last day to take out papers to get on the ballot. The papers need to be returned by this Wednesday, Sep 18th.

Prospective candidates for the Nov. 5 election have until 4 p.m. today to pick up nomination papers, with Wednesday being the last day to return them signed. 
The packed ballot includes all of the seats on the School Committee and Town Council, as well as two referendums, one of which is nonbinding. 
Residents will vote on whether to make the treasure/collector position appointed through an amendment to the town’s charter. And the non-biding question asks whether they would support the town adopting a mayoral form of government.

Read the full article in MDN: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1655337649/Deadline-today-to-take-out-papers-for-Franklin-election#ixzz2f30K7BBz

The full election timeline can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/franklins-local-election-timeline.html

The Franklin Matters offer to candidates
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/offer-to-candidates-for-election.html


Sunday, September 15, 2013

Autumn Rail Trail Walk/Nature Hike - Sep 28

The Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) and the Metacomet Land Trust (MLT) and happy to announce an Autumn Nature Hike on the Southern New England Trunkline Trail.

Please join us Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 at 10:00 am for this family-friendly event.  Enjoy all the sights, scents and sounds the seasonal changes have to offer on this Saturday morning hike. Kid-friendly guided activities will be provided along approximately one-mile round trip hike.  Recognize trees by their scent, bark and leaves; look and listen for signs of wildlife as they prepare for winter. A professional interpreter from the Department of Conservation and Recreation will lead the walk. 

All ages welcome.  This event is free, and you can register at  http://franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/calendar/sept-28-autumn-walk-hike.


and additional information about the hike is at www.fanklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/calendar/sept-28-autumn-walk-hike

We look forward to seeing you.


Franklin_SNETT_1
SNETT sign on Grove St


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
More about the Metacomet Land Trustwww.metacometlandtrust.org


More about Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee: www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org


Where is the trail?


View Larger Map

Babysitting Taught at the Y


The YMCA has earned a reputation for programs that focus on youth development: from childcare to camp and t-ball to teen leaders clubs. Now, young adults ready for increased responsibility and earned income also have the chance to improve their babysitting skills at the Y. Dawn DaCosta, Teen Director at the Hockomock Area YMCA’s North Attleboro Branch, is offering a Saturday American Safety and Health Institute Babysitting Course. 
The class will be offered Saturday, September 21st at the Y located at 300 Elmwood Street in North Attleboro. It is a great opportunity for youth ages 11-15 interested in sitting for siblings or working outside the home to gain critical skills. Also, to gain the confidence needed to care for children – from infancy and beyond. Upon completion of the class, participants will be given a student handbook and certification card. 
Class time is from 10:00am – 4:00pm and costs $60 for members of the Y, $90 for nonmembers. Registration is available by calling the Y at 508.695.7001. For convenience, members may register online at hockymca.org (category Teens). Questions should be directed to Dawn at 508.643.5270 or dawnd@hockymca.org.
Nurture their potential
Nurture their potential


About the Hockomock Area YMCA
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Hockomock Area YMCA works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.


On the web: Fred Astaire opens, Apples ready for picking


Fred Astaire Dance Studio opens in Franklin

The ballroom dance studio at 475 Franklin Village Drive opened last week and already has built up a long list of clients.
For more about the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, visit their website


Apples Ripe for the Picking at Wrentham, MA Farm

It is that time of year when the nights turn cool and the apples are ready for picking at the local Big Apple fruit and vegetable farm in Wrentham, MA!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Union St brick crosswalk status

When Union St was redone, there was discussion on how long the brick cross walks would last. On a recent photo walk around town, I took these photos that show signs of deterioration.

At the intersection of Union and Washington, going up Washington

Franklin_Washington-Union
Washington St at Union St

Also at the intersection but on the Union St side

Franklin_Union-Washington
Union St at Washington St

On Union St near the corner of Cottage St

Franklin_Union-Cottage
Union St at Cottage St

For the Franklin road condition report published earlier this year visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/franklin-road-conditions-from-worst-to.html

The Franklin DPW road plan as introduced in August
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/it-just-needs-extra-million-bucks-year.html


Franklin Library - "get organized'

The craft activity scheduled for Monday at the Franklin Public Library is themed "Get Organized". Targeted for 6 to 12 year old children, they can put together their own school organizer.

get organized
get organized

This was re-posted from the Franklin Public Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2013/09/krafty-monday-get-organized.html

For other activities and events at the Library follow them on Facebook too
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinPublicLibrary


Friday, September 13, 2013

Parent Letter on Pediculosis (head lice)

The recent letter to Oak St parents that is causing some conversation




You can find this letter on the Oak St School webpage
http://oakelementary.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinOak_News/01BA4B18-000F8513.0/Parent%20Letter%20Pediculosis%20Protocol.pdf


WMRC Senior Expo Sep 27

WMRC Expo Sep 27
WMRC Expo Sep 27

Sign up for the Expo on Friday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. featuring:
• Senior Fashion Show sponsored by TJ Maxx
• Cabaret singer, Carol O’Shaughnessy performs - don’t miss it!
• Over 30 exhibitors with information about senior programs and services
• Flu and pneumonia vaccines, health screenings, GATRA ID’s and Charlie Cards will be available
• Silver Spirit Award for a senior who has shown the most community spirit - nomination forms are at the Senior Center, must be submitted by 9/12
• Free Box Lunches to the first 250 attendees; get lunch tickets at the Center
• Great raffle prizes, including a $50 gift card raffled off each half hour!
• Overflow parking at the Early Child Development Center at 224 Oak St., next to the Senior Center, with shuttle service every half hour.

PLEASE NOTE: PLEASE NOTE: The Senior Center will not open unti l 10:00 a.m. on Expo Day!!


Read the full copy of September's Franklin Connections newsletter

Farmers Market - Town Common - noon to 6:00 PM

The Farmers Market is still open every Friday through October.

Franklin_FarmersMarket
farmers market sign downtown

Stop by to get fresh produce!

farmers market on a sunny day

"It is rewarding"

As reported live during the Town Council meeting on Wednesday evening, Jeff Nutting received a good review and his contract was renewed for another 5 years.
With little pomp, Town Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to extend Nutting’s town administrator contract, which expired on June 30, another five years. Nutting will take home a salary of $165,000 with a 2-and-a-half percent raise next year. He earned $144,700 in 2011, according to the 2012 Town Report. 
He thanked the councilors for being "progressive" and for trusting his decisions. 
"They always keep the town’s interest at heart, show strong leadership and allow me to do my job for them," Nutting said after the meeting. "They don’t micromanage; they give us a task and we do it." 
Looking ahead, he wants to focus on maintaining and perhaps adding to the town’s workforce, particularly emergency services.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1655336303/Franklins-Nutting-inked-to-new-deal#ixzz2elTUWs3O

My summary of the Council meeting and the links with the live reporting details can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/liquor-license-suspensions-to-be-served.html

In the News: girl is found, 1993 plans reunion


Medfield girl found; suspected man in custody

A Medfield teenager missing since Monday was found safe Thursday morning in Rhode Island.


Franklin High Class of 1993 plans for 20th reunion

The Franklin High School Class of 1993 will hold its 20th reunion at CBS Scene in Patriots Place on Saturday, Oct. 12th  at 7 p.m. in the lower level.



2 warehouses in Franklin sold

The Boston Business Journal reports on the sale of two warehouses in Franklin
Novaya Real Estate Ventures, a real estate investment firm based in Woburn, Mass. has purchased two industrial buildings in Franklin, Mass from TA Associates. 
Novaya declined to disclose the terms. The building at 176 Grove St., a 169,968-square-foot warehouse, was purchased for $7.27 million and the second property, a 59,970-square-foot distribution facility at 130 Constitution Boulevard, sold for $3.87 million, according to the Norfolk Registry of Deeds.
Read the rest of the article here
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/real_estate/2013/09/two-franklin-warehouses-sell-for-11m.html

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Liquor license suspensions to be served

The Village Mall Liquor Store near Stop & Shop will be closed on Friday, Sep 13th to serve its one day liquor license suspension. 2 additional days suspension will be held in abeyance for two years as this is their first violation.

Ichigo Ichie, the Japanese themed restaurant will be open for business but unable to serve liquor from Sep 20 through Sep 24 as currently scheduled. This is their second offense and they have only been open for 2 years. The second offense usually is 3 days suspension with 2 held in abeyance for two years. As this is their second offense in two years, the 2 days held in abeyance from last year apply here to make it a 5 days suspension of liquor sales. They have a food license which is not affected this, they can remain open and serve food and drink as long as the drinks are NOT alcohol.

Bob Dean, was recognized for his work in multiple capacities over the years for Franklin.

Several zoning bylaw changes were referred to the Planning Board for action. Assuming the Planning Board approves, they'll come back to the Council for 2 hearings before the final vote.

Jeff Nutting's contract was renewed for 5 years.

Additional details from the full Town Council meeting can be found in these links

Franklin's Dacey Field

On a beautiful sunny day in July, I stopped by Dacey Fields to take some photos. It is great recreational space. There are multiple soccer fields and two youth baseball fields. The playground lacking any shade cover was unused while the dog park with good shade cover was being used.

I did not venture into the field disc golf course to take photos there as the work to complete that is not done and the town doesn't really want to advertise it until it is complete.

The photos I took are in this slide show:



"Special attention in the Medfield and South Eastern Massachusetts area."


Brittany, who attends Tri-County Regional Vocational High School in Franklin, is developmentally delayed and police say they have reason to believe she is in danger. 
When last seen, Brittany was wearing a red sleeveless shirt, blue jeans, and flip flops. She has braces on her teeth and typically wears her sunglasses on her head. Brittany is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 140 pounds, police said. 
The man she was seen leaving with had on a "Sons of Anarchy" T-shirt and has slicked back hair. He is described as white and heavy-set, police said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1655335876/Police-seek-help-in-locating-missing-Tri-County-student#ixzz2efiUfxym