"The committee is looking at the big picture"

Jeff Nutting, Franklin Town Administrator, was quoted in the article posted by the Milford Daily News on the final report issued by the Long Range Financial Planning Committee.

“Franklin has an excellent reputation as a place to live, work and go to school,” said the Long Range Finance Committee in its annual report. “The decisions we are making (or not making) now will determine how long this reputation endures. 

“Quality of life in the town will continue to erode, affecting our infrastructure, public safety, education and other core services,” the report says. 

According to the report, future road maintenance will present a serious financial hurdle for the town, as budget constraints have postponed work, costing Franklin in the long run.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1052258676/Report-Franklin-to-face-fiscal-challenges#ixzz20IyHnZra

To read the full report, you can find it here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/franklin-ma-long-range-financial.html

In the News: education, recycling, court, art

Legislation aims to improve early education

by Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff

Franklin announces electronic, appliance recycling day

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin man skips court for ‘Today’ show appearance

by Derek Mclean/Daily News staff

Zentangle beginners workshop added at Franklin Art Center

by GateHouse Media, Inc

Rec Department announces NFL Flag Football signups

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Rec Department announces NFL Flag Football signups

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/10/12

The Franklin Recreation Department is offering the popular NFL Flag Football to Franklin and Medway residents.

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Sep 6 primary falls on a Thursday

The Boston.com website has a piece on the candidates who will be facing off in Sep 6 primary.

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
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2012/07/01/candidates_line_up_for_house_race_five_vie_for_open_house_seat/


Candidate websites

Jeff Roy   http://jeffreyroy.com/

Peter Padula   http://padulaforrep.com/

John Jewell   http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Jewell/381175918591241

Rich Eustis  http://www.facebook.com/RichEustisForStateRepresentative

C Stolle Singleton  http://www.votesingleton.com/

In the News: registration, smoke free, master dance

Patrick vetoes vehicle registration amendment

by Andy Metzger/State House News Service

Gillette Stadium to go smoke free, starting Saturday

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center special offering master dance classes

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin sets up medical sharp disposal kiosk

“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.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1052258508/Area-towns-work-on-needle-disposal#ixzz20DCMvGt5

"a good little niche"

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.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x345286845/Franklin-arts-school-expanding-its-reach#ixzz207Ej1K4I

Visit the Franklin School for Performing Arts website here http://fspaonline.com/

In the News: malware, budget, reading

Remember to check computer for malware today

by Lolita C. Baldor

Patrick signs $32.5 billion state budget

by Associated Press

Summer Reading: It's not just for kids anymore

by Joe O'Connell/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA: Long Range Financial Planning Committee - Final Report and Recommendations

The Long Range Financial Planning Committee has published their 'final' report. You can view the report and findings here:





You can also review the report on the Franklin website here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/019066B2-000F8513

Big Y - opening Aug 23, 2012

Did you get the flyer in the mail recently? The Big Y will be opening in Franklin on August 23.

“I don’t think it’s safe to let kids out”

“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.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1222861112/Health-expert-says-children-need-more-unsupervised-play-time#ixzz201lfQSVX

This is not a new idea. Richard Louv wrote "Last Child in the Woods:  Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder". I wrote a review of the book in 2009 and you can find that here
http://joyfuljubilantlearning.com/2009/03/take-a-walk-on-the-wild-side/

"bring more people to downtown"

In a follow up to the Public Hearing held on Jun 28th, the Milford Daily News writes:

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.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x345286605/Franklin-business-owners-hope-downtown-construction-project-doesn-t-cause-problems#ixzz1zvnE0CwN


My reporting on the public hearing can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/06/live-reporting-public-hearing-downtown.html


Design documents on the downtown project can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/dtimprovement

Mass. highway projects in line for federal funds

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Mass. highway projects in line for federal funds

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/6/12

 Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray is scheduled to be at the White House this afternoon when President Barack Obama signs the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, a $105 billion federal highway and transit funding bill that will send roughly $1.9 billion back to Massachusetts over the next two years for numerous projects, including work in Franklin, Wellesley and Needham.

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Franklin, MA: Farmers Market

The Farmers Market is open today on the Town Common from noon to 6:00 PM.

Franklin, MA: fireworks - 2012 (video)

Did you miss the fireworks on Tuesday night? I did manage to capture some video of the fireworks with my phone. I was impressed with the quality (not great but generally pretty good). This is the last 14 minutes of the fireworks.



Enjoy!

FBI recommends check to prevent loss of Internet access on Monday

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FBI recommends check to prevent loss of Internet access on Monday

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/5/12

Hundreds of thousands of Internet users may lose their online access on July 9, 2012, and Better Business Bureau is urging all consumers and businesses to run a quick and easy diagnostic test to see if their computers are infected.

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Franklin, MA: Committee openings

There are committee openings available at the beginning of this new fiscal year. The Finance Committee (FinCom) Council on Aging, and Design Review Committee all have openings.

Review this page for additional info and the application form:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0190401F-000F8513

Franklin Library: Jamie Barrett Family Music Show - July 11

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Jamie Barrett Family Music Show

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 7/3/12

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