The Farmers Market is open today on the Town Common from noon to 6:00 PM.
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Throughout the summer, the Franklin schools’ Lifelong Learning Institute offers an eclectic array of classes for all levels of students — from kindergarten to high school.
The institute, envisioned in 1998 by then-Superintendent Richard Warren, takes a different approach to learning, said Executive Director Pandora Carlucci. Simply put, it mixes things up a bit.
“This takes the traditional academic subjects — music, math, drama, fine arts, literature, science — and presents them in a different way,” Carlucci said yesterday. “We present them through a different lens.”
Due in large part to smaller classes and interactive lesson plans, students enrolled at the institute soak up every lesson, stay engaged and display a desire to learn even as they enjoy their 2½-month hiatus from traditional school.
Alfieri, who lived in Franklin for 17 years, holding multiple positions in town government, including town planner and geographic information system administrator, died in his sleep of a heart attack Sunday. He was 53.
“Nick played a very large role in turning around and fixing the relationship between the town and the Conservation Commission,” said Commissioner Jeff Livingstone. “He really did change the entire town’s perception of obtaining the right permits as a hassle-filled process to one that was more of partnership driven.”
And Livingstone said yesterday he expects Alfieri’s passing to affect the commission for a long time.
“Franklin has become a poster child for how to do things and a highly rated town in terms of its ability to promote conversation initiatives,” he said. “We have relied extremely heavily on Nick’s perception, his feedback and his knowledge of the town.”
“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.
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.