"Improving public education would be a major focus"

Continuing to mine the recent meeting the Milford Daily News arranged with the 10th Norfolk candidates, they have posted this article where the candidates agree one issue at least: education.

Roy and Eustis expressed similar views on the state of the state’s education system — K-12 to four-year and two-year colleges — during a recent meeting with the Daily News. The Nov. 6 election is 34 days away. 

In general, they both want to help the state’s education system continue to improve, and each sees a growing problem in escalating college costs. 

Democrat and Republican agreed that tuition at state colleges has to be reined in, to prevent the high cost from dissuading prospective students and to make college a realistic option for more families.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x264122712/10th-Norfolk-candidates-agree-on-education#ixzz28E8td2IV

Trail Walk Scheduled - Oct 13

In case you missed talking with the folks at the Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee tent at the Harvest Festival, here is the flyer about the Oct 13 Rail Trail walk that is scheduled.

The event is free, sponsored by the Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee and the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Please register at www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/oct13





The trail walk is scheduled for Saturday, Oct 13 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Rain date is Sunday, Oct 14 in the same starting time

More information on the Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee can be found on their web page
http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

Federal Funds Boost 10 Regional Transit Authorities

Some Federal money can be coming to GATRA according to this

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Federal Funds Boost 10 Regional Transit Authorities

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 10/2/12

Governor Deval Patrick and MassDOT announced today that MassDOT will award $13.2 million to 10 Massachusetts Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to make needed capital investments including new bus purchases and facility repairs.

The funds are available as part of the Obama Administration's "We Can't Wait" initiative that allows states to repurpose unused federal transportation earmarks (from 2003 to 2006) for use on highway and transit projects that are able to obligate the funds by the end of the year.

Projects selected represent RTAs across the Commonwealth and are focused on state of good repair including bus replacements along with customer service improvements, such as Real-time customer information signs for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, above, and major projects already underway such as the Gallagher Terminal Garage in Lowell.

"The Obama Administration has made a smart decision to put unspent dollars into necessary projects that create jobs," said Governor Deval Patrick.  "These projects reflect our commitment to improve public transportation for residents across the Commonwealth."

The repurposed earmark funds are 100% federal funding, require no state match and must be used for capital needs.  MassDOT selected the 11 projects from a list of 28 project requests totaling $45.6 million from the state's 15 RTAs.

The 11 projects were selected based on the likelihood of the individual RTA's ability to obligate funds by the end of December and spend all funds in the near-term.  The funded project list includes the following:

• Berkshire RTA-  Four 14-passenger vans w/ fare boxes, $420,000  
• Berkshire RTA-  Maintenance facility roof, $250,000   
• Brockton Area Transit- Three 35' Hybrid transit buses and two 35' diesel transit buses, $2.6 million                       
• Cape Ann Transportation Authority- Maintenance facility roof, $408,179   
• Greater Attleboro-Taunton RTA- Two 30' transit buses, $740,000    
• Lowell RTA- Gallagher Terminal parking garage replacement, $2.5 million           

• Martha's Vineyard RTA-  Three 27' buses and one 30' bus, $1,085,000     
• Montachusett RTA- Wachusett Commuter Rail Extension, $3.6 million     
• Nantucket RTA-  Four 25' transit buses, $749,000       

• Pioneer Valley Transit Authority- Real-time customer information signs, $450,000         
• Southeastern Regional Transit Authority- Parking deck resurface, fireproofing replacement, $370,000    

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In the News: book sale, art party, variety show, skating

The fall book sale, the second major fund raiser for the Franklin Library, is coming up Oct 19-21.

Friends of Franklin Library plan annual book sale

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Combine art and halloween to get a great party!

Franklin Art Center slates Spooktacular Halloween Art Party

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Will they sing "Life is a Cabaret, old chum", mark your calendar, get a ticket and find out!

Franklin High to stage A Cabaret variety show

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Never mind art and Halloween, how about skating and Halloween!

Pirelli Veteran's Arena to hold Halloween public skate

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

"give the kids a better experience"

Milford daily News reports the Tri-County VocTech will be getting some MSBA funding to renovate its science labs.

Four of Tri-County’s five labs will be revamped using the design, inspired by the nationwide push to bolster science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, in public schools. The fifth lab only requires minor renovations. 

The labs date back to 1977, the year in which Tri-County was built. 

The state grant covers slightly more than half of the $1.8 million project, with the school paying the rest. Work will include the installation of new casework, wall cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, flooring and furniture. 

The labs will also feature upgraded infrastructure, such as new electrical and plumbing systems and smartboards.

Worthy of noting is that the architect selected is Ai3, the same as for the Whitman-Hanson model school that was selected for the new Franklin High School.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x264122693/Tri-County-Valley-Tech-get-help-from-state#ixzz28E6z8OKU

Related post on Ai3  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/ai3-architects.html

Experienced with the model

Reporting on the School Building Committee meeting from Monday night, the Milford Daily News writes:

The East Providence-based firm constructed the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School and in 2008 worked on Norwood High School, the first built under the state’s model school program. 

Norwood was also the first school to use the Whitman-Hanson model. Since then, a handful of other districts have picked the model because of its adaptable design, including Natick and Franklin. 

Sean Fennell, Franklin’s project manager, said Agostini has a pristine reputation for completing big projects on time and within budget. Fennell said the firm is "the best you can hope for" when placing a public bid. 

"They make sure the price is right," Fennell said. "And these guys never miss a deadline."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x264122307/Contractor-for-new-Franklin-High-is-praised#ixzz288M5J3u4

Additional information on the entire high school building project can be found in my collection
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

and updated information can always be found on the new high school web page
http://www.newfhs.com/

In the News: legal work, Falk's Market

As mentioned during the televised debate

U.S. Senate hopeful Warren releases list of legal work

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Driving down 1A, past the Wrentham Outlets you eventually come to the intersection of RT 108 where this building has stood on the left corner for years.

Demolition ahead for Plainville's iconic Falk's Market

by Heather McCarron/STAFF WRITER

Franklin, MA: Curbside Chronicle

Attached please find the latest Curbside Chronicle with Fall holiday delays and yard waste and tree pick ups.

Please remember to keep your recycling loose in the cart so the full automation machinery can sort the items.

Thank you

You can also find the Curbside Chronicle on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/o-d%202012.pdf

Find additional information on Franklin's solid waste and recycling programs here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/index

You can subscribe to receive your own copy via email here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news

Five Guys fund raiser for FHS Soccer boosters! Oct 4th

The Franklin High School Soccer Boosters are holding their annual FIVE GUYS Fundraiser

Thursday, October 4th, from 5:00PM - 10:00PM at the FIVE GUYS Restaurant in Franklin Village.

A portion of the receipts for the evening will be graciously donated by FIVE GUYS to the FHS Soccer Boosters organization, which supports the Franklin High School Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshman Boys and Girls Soccer Teams.

Please come out this Thursday night to enjoy a great meal at Five Guys and support the Franklin High School Soccer Teams at the same time!

Thank you in advance; your support is greatly appreciated.

Photo essay: Harvest Festival 2012

The balloons didn't always float in the air but that didn't dampen the spirits of those who did brave the showers to come to the Harvest Festival on Sunday.

Main Street was packed from time to time as the crowd visited the various displays or watched a performance by the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.

Using the Rockland Trust parking lot for the children's play area and the Farmers market was a good idea. Franklin Ford had a big display there. The Keefe Insurance 'tailgate' party drew a crowd to catch updates on the Patriots game.

There were breaks in the showers as the sun threatened to come out. It eventually did at 4:00 PM as the Festival was shutting down for the day (and the Patriots made their final score to beat the Bills!).

Don't cook lunch or dinner Tuesday, Oct 2

The Franklin SEPAC (Special Education Parents Advisory Council) is having a fundraiser. So don't cook lunch or dinner Tuesday, Oct 2

Print up a flyer (see image below) and bring it to the Franklin 99 on Tuesday, October 2nd from 11am-10pm. The 99 will donate 15% of your total bill to the Franklin SEPAC!

This is valid on Dine-In and Take-Out.
We recommend Call Ahead Seating 508-520-9909.
Hope you can make it! Thank you!

In the News: commuter rail, Tri-County, alumni funds

If anyone has ridden the commuter rail, you know that from time to time the on-time performance can be frustrating. The MBTA provides some updates on new equipment which should help to improve the situation and the new arrangement with CSX which will reduce contention on the rail line.

Rail company: Late trains are not just on us

by Laura Krantz/Daily News staff

Tri-County Regional Voc-Tech continues to be active in the 'green' space as highlighted in this article.

Tri-County Green Club participates in fall fair

by Staff reports

The area state colleges are joining the hunt for funding from their alumni as a source of income to fulfill their missions.

Colleges look to alumni for funds

by Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Oct 3, 2012

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 5, 2012

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

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
DPW Director – Town Common

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-65:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 40, Section 42J:Deferral of Water Charges
2. Resolution 12-66:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 80, Section 13B:Deferral and Recovery
Agreements
3. Resolution 12-67:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 83, Section 16G:Deferral of Sewer Charges
4. Resolution 12-68:Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5N:Reduction of Property Tax
Obligation of Veteran in Exchange for Volunteer Services
5. Resolution 12-69:Senior Tax Deferrals
6. Bylaw Amendment 12-694:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-689:Changes to Chapter 185 §5. Zoning Map: Single Family III to Business Zoning District- 2nd 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


You can view the full set of documents for this agenda on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/100312.pdf

Parmenter: Modular update

The grounds have been landscaped. The pathway (access road) is ready to be paved.

The spot where the propane tanks were is ready to be paved. The fencing is ready to be replaced.

Soon it will be hard to tell that there were once some modular units in this space. It will be the stuff of memories and stories to be doubted until someone produces the pictures.

Franklin, MA: Curbside Fall Yard Waste - pick up schedule

From the Franklin webpage

Curbside Fall Yard Waste pickup will be the week of November 5th and the week of November 26th on your normal trash and recycling day. All yard waste must be in compostable bags, open barrels or bundled with compostable twine no longer than 4 feet in length and 18 inches in diameter. 

Additional yard waste can be brought to the Beaver Street Recycling Center.

You can visit the Franklin DPW weboage for additional information on how to handle your recycling and solid waste.  http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/index

In the News: representation, West Nile

Women, minorities underrepresented in Massachusetts State House

by David Riley

Mass. health official says West Nile virus all over the state

by Colleen Quinn/State House News Service

Traffic Alert: Harvest Festival on Sunday

Be aware that Main St will be closed to traffic on Sunday, Sep 30 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM for the Annual Harvest Festival.

For those traveling recently on RT 140, they may have seen the electric sign board put up by the Franklin Police Dept.





Come to downtown Franklin to enjoy the Harvest Festival on Sunday. Be prepared to park outside the downtown proper!

Enjoy the natural beauty

Leaves changing color. Rain.

What a combination!

Enjoy the natural beauty of Franklin this weekend. Don't let the rain stop you from coming on down to the Harvest Festival on Sunday.


The map of the Harvest Festival was posted yesterday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/harvest-festival-know-where-good-things.html