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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
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The remaining wall is for the small gym. It shows the arc of where the field house was |
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from the parking lot, the arc remains visible and mimicked by the cloud pattern |
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closer to the piles that remain, the new school building becomes the dominant view |
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The Emmons St building |
A Franklin woman was sentenced in Milford District Court Thursday to five years probation for her role in a fatal crash in Mendon in 2013.
Sarah Chandler, 19, admitted to sufficient facts for a guilty finding on a charge of operating a motor vehicle negligently. A motor vehicle homicide charge was dismissed as a result of the plea.
Judge Robert Calagione continued the case without a finding for five years, during which Chandler would serve her probation sentence. Calagione also ordered that Chandler obtain a bachelor's degree in that time and complete two traffic-safety programs.You can continue to read the article online here
The Town Council’s Economic Development Committee has asked planning officials to draft a request for proposals (RFP) to develop the town-owned property on the corner of Emmons Street, specifying that a section of the parcel be reserved for green space.
The committee met Wednesday to review responses to the request for expressions of interest that the town put out in April.
The Franklin Department of Planning and Community Development received three letters of interest: from Dean College, a citizens group called the Gateway Committee and local developer Roger Calarese.
The next step is to use the responses to shape the RFP, which the Economic Development Committee plans to present to the council next month.You can continue to read the article online here
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the Emmons st building under discussion to be sold |
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demolition of the field house |
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half gone already |
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look closely and the panther struts on the pile! |
With back-to-school on the brain, it is hard for most parents in this region to imagine not having education as an option for their child. Olivia was just days away from handing her 4 year old daughter over to an orphanage in Uganda, before her life changed completely, thanks to a job opportunity as a jewelry maker, which not only provided a rare earning opportunity, but also a scholarship for her daughter. Jacqueline Volpe from Wrentham is proud to share Olivia's story and her beautiful artistry every day in her role as an Ambassador for Noonday Collection.
Noonday Collection is part of a rising trend of social impact businesses, which are focused on making a difference while creating trendsetting products. For Noonday, their mission is tied to connecting individuals across the globe through shared stories and fashion. In a war-torn country like Uganda, which has 2.5 million orphans, the ability to find self-sustaining income is hard for most people. Which is why when Jacqueline wears her necklace made from paper beads in Uganda, she not only appreciates the craft and beauty of her jewelry, but she relishes the ability to support other women entrepreneurs across the globe.
Jacqueline joined a growing number of Noonday Ambassadors in May as a way of supporting her own family, but was also drawn to a larger mission of creating opportunities for vulnerable women and families around the world. As an artist herself, she is inspired by the work of the Noonday artisans and she connects with Noonday as a celebrator of creativity and as a preserver of arts and crafts. As a Noonday Ambassador she has not only expanded her own selling and design skills, but she has also become a storyteller, sharing the remarkable stories of the men and women who made the products they wear.
Noonday Collection and its Ambassadors have directly impacted over 2,000 artisans in over 10 countries, including women like Olivia, by creating jobs and supporting a growing group of entrepreneurs who design and sell jewelry and accessories to fashion-forward women all over the US and some parts of Europe.
Pour Richard's
Noonday will be launching their new Fall line on August 7th, which features designs from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Guatemala, Haiti, Ecuador, Peru, Rwanda, India and Vietnam. Jacqueline has partnered with Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits shop in Franklin for a special LNO – Ladies Night Out and a Noonday Nationwide Trunk Show. Thursday, August 7th, from 6:30-8:30 stop by Pour Richard's at 14 Grove Street in Franklin to sample fine wines, a craft cocktail, delicious nibbles, and be entered in a special Noonday drawing as you explore in person the new jewelry, scarves, and handbags in the Collection.
To learn more about the Noonday Collection, please visit www.jacquelinevolpe.noondaycollection.com or contact Jacqueline by email at jacqueline@jbvdesignstudio.com.
The Franklin Cultural Council is truly grateful to you for joining the Ladybug Spots Project. We want to remind you that the decorated ladybugs will be on display this coming weekend, August 9th and 10th, from 12p.m. to 4p.m. on Franklin Common. We would love to see you and catch up among the beautiful, bright and creative two foot fiberglass ladybugs, each one a unique piece of public art. Stop by before or after a trip to St. Rocco's Italian Festival on St. Mary's former School Grounds. Maybe bring a cannoli or two to share.
If you can't make it this weekend or still want sponsor a ladybug, don't worry. We have just five left and they are looking for homes. Contact franklinculture@hotmail.com for more details.
Attached is a flier for you to share with friends and neighbors. We look forward to celebrating the 40th Birthday of our state bug, born right here in Franklin. Remember that with your help, we are raising funds toward a permanent sculpture honoring the 1974 2nd grade class from Kennedy Elementary School and their teacher, Palma Johnson, who inspired them to petition and follow the bill through to witness it signed into law.
Again, thank you for being a part of this exciting event,
Obesity rates have more than doubled among children and quadrupled in adolescents over the last 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With nearly one-third of all children and teens in the United States overweight or obese, this serious health issue increases risk for additional health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and asthma.
You can help fight these health risks by introducing a healthy lifestyle to your children’s daily lives today
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screenshot of MA.gov webpage with article |
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Town Administrator Jeff Nutting discussing the parking proposal |
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downtown parking proposal |
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summary of existing downtown parking |
● We request that approximately 20% of the property, roughly 8,000 square feet, be retained by the town of Franklin, specifically the southwest parcel of land, in perpetuity, to be used as community green space. Maintaining the corner of this parcel would allow the Town of Franklin to control the initial welcoming impression of visitors to the downtown area.
● We fully concur that a statue or monument in honor of Horace Mann is appropriate and needed, and we support this measure that has been broadly talked about in discussion of the future use of this space. We recommend that the statue and green space project be designed and managed by a community committee in conjunction with the Town, rather than an outside developer, so the statue is done to the community's specifications. We suggest securing state funding for this important project.
● We suggest that the building frontage to Route 140 have limited setback, after landscaping provisions, to continue and enhance the New England style main street appeal that exists in the downtown area.
● We request that parking be sufficient and adequate for the building use but not a primary focus of the development, with consideration given to the streetscape project and traffic pattern changes that have yet to occur.
● We explicitly request that no drive-through of any sort be permitted in this development.Thanks for the opportunity
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WGBH |
WGBH Channel 2 Boston highlighted Franklin in a Greater Boston news segment about smart growth in suburban towns. The story aired yesterday and shows the growth and redevelopment of the downtown over the past few years. Developer John Marini, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and RE/MAX Executive Realty's Eileen Mason are all interviewed in the story, along with a couple in the process of moving into one of the downtown condos.