Hurricane Joaquin will likely bring more rain

With the latest tracking from NOAA's Hurricane Central, Joaquin will likely ver off the coast and leave us more rain early next week.

as of 5:00 AM Friday, October 2

You can subscribe to receive your own alerts, maps and charts from NOAA
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

In the News: Superfund listing good news, Pumpkins in the Park, Purr-fect Cat Shelter fund raising

Area officials reacted favorably to news that a contaminated property on Fisher Street had been added to the Environmental Protection Agency's list of Superfund sites.

The EPA announced Wednesday that the former BJACT LLC property will be placed on the agency's National Priorities List of Superfund sites. The land at 300 Fisher St., according to an EPA release, has been used for industrial purposes since the late 1800s, with rubber and plastic manufacture among its uses. It is currently inactive, and has been so since 1985.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151001/NEWS/151008865/1994/NEWS

In cooperation with the Franklin Recreation Department, Pumpkins in the Park will take place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Franklin Sculpture Park on Panther Way, near the police station. 

Those interested are asked to drop off pumpkins between noon and 2 p.m., or 5-6 p.m. Lights will be provided by Franklin Art Center. Event attendees will vote for their favorite pumpkins and prizes will be given for the most creative, scariest and funniest.

Franklin Art Center Facebook photo

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151001/NEWS/151009491/1994/NEWS

The Purr-fect Cat Shelter will hold the Pour for Paws Wine Tasting fundraiser 2-5 p.m. Oct. 18 at Pour Richard’s Wine and Spirits, 14 Grove St. 

The event will be an afternoon of wine sampling provided by Pour Richard’s and raffle items. Pour Richard’s Wine and Spirits will also donate 20 percent of the sales during the event to the Purr-fect Cat Shelter.

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151001/NEWS/151009214/1994/NEWS

FHS volleyball topped North Attleboro 3-1

We can share the results from Hockomock Sports. The volleyball match was held on Wednesday but both soccer games were postponed due to the weather. FHS volleyball topped North Attleboro 3-1. 

Volleyball

North Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 

– After dropping the first set, the Panthers rallied back to win the next three for the win. Caroline Maguire had five aces, five kills, three blocks and 12 service points, Beth Neal had 17 assists, nine kills, three aces and a pair of blocks, Alyssa Shea added eight kills and two digs and Dayna McCue had 25 digs and a pair of aces. Freshman Lauren McGrath had six straight service points, including four aces, in the fourth set to help close the match.

FHS Panthers

Boys Soccer

North Attleboro @ Franklin – Postponed to TBA

Girls Soccer

Franklin @ North Attleboro – Postponed to TBA


For all the results around the Hockomock League on Wednesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-093015/

"There's no debate - questions will be asked, and candidates will be able to answer"

Local voters will get a chance next week to hear from a number of candidates seeking town office in the November election. 

The town will be hosting a "Candidate's Night" in the Franklin Municipal Building's council chambers at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6. 

Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri said the event would feature candidates from contested races - that is, those seeking Town Council, School Committee or Board of Health seats or the town clerk position. 

The night will be moderated by former police chief Lawrence Benedetto and questions will be asked by a panel including Michael Doherty, United Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jack Lank and Country Gazette reporter Heather Harris.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150930/NEWS/150939437/1994/NEWS

Town Council candidates in 2013 at the Candidates Night

For the current listing of candidates for all positions check here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/09/current-listing-of-candidates-for.html

Frankenstein 5K - Scary Run, Walk or Stomp, Oct 31

Frankenstein 5K - Scary Run Walk or Stomp, Oct 31

Register here   http://teamfitnessfranklin.com/frankenstein-5k-event.htm

In the News: Russian School of Math announces awards, 300 Fisher St added to NPL

The Russian School of Mathematics, an after-school math program for Kindergarten through 12th grade students, announced 11 students from Franklin posted high scores on national and international math competitions. These students are among more than 900 Russian School of Mathematics students across the country who excelled in math competitions this past year.

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150930/NEWS/150939567/1994/NEWS

Russian School of Math - Franklin

For more information on the Russian School of Math in Franklin visit them on the web  http://www.russianschool.com/location/franklin

“EPA continues to protect public health and the environment in communities with an industrial past that has left contamination behind,” said EPA Regional Administrator Curt Spalding. “Now that the BJAT LLC Site is listed on the NPL, we will begin a comprehensive study and cleanup work in Franklin to help ensure that we are protecting health and the environment in this community.” 

“Superfund designation will promote cleanup of this site,” said Commissioner Martin Suuberg of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. “The required cleanup is potentially extensive and complex, so the Superfund will provide the resources needed for achieving a full and comprehensive cleanup. We look forward to working with the EPA.” 

As with all NPL sites, EPA first works to identify companies or people responsible for the contamination at a site, and requires them to conduct or pay for the cleanup. For the newly listed sites without viable potentially responsible parties, EPA will investigate the full extent of the contamination before starting substantial cleanup at the site.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150930/NEWS/150939539/1994/NEWS

image of the site with contamination locations marked

This is a good step in the process started years ago. As recently as July 2014, the MassDEP and EPA made a presentation to the Town Council about getting the site added to the NPL  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

Earlier this year the EPA announced that the application had been submitted for review.  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/we-want-that-site-environmentally.html

In the News: (1) Millis no decision on water, yet; (2) early voting to be in effect for 2016

As an update to the item posted earlier this week:

Selectmen held off on agreeing to a contract with an engineering consulting firm to study the possibility of selling water to Exelon after financing questions. 

Exelon - a power generation company that owns and operates a 117-megawatt, three-unit oil-fired plant in Medway - is proposing to add two new generating units capable of producing 200 megawatts, but in order to do so, the plant needs water, and lots of it. 

The plant will need an average of 95,000 gallons of water per day to control the plant’s emissions, but is planning to draw a large amount of that from an onsite well it has already dug.

Continue reading the article on line (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150930/NEWS/150939466/1994/NEWS

In case you missed the earlier item, you can find it here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/09/a-pump-will-be-needed-to-send-water-to.html


Looks like this will be something to be addressed by the next Franklin Town Clerk

Town Clerk Ann Odabashian spoke to selectmen at the Monday all-boards meeting, in which they sought updates from town departments. 

She said she was worried about a recent state law mandating early voting, in which towns must offer voting for about two weeks prior to an election, during regular town clerk hours and at an election site. 

"I have not heard any solution of where to hold early voting, how to manage it or how to pay for it," she said. "The state's not paying for it." 

The town, said Odabashian, must have early voting ballots, absentee ballots and regular ballots created for next year's election.

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150930/NEWS/150939452/1994/NEWS

Additional info about the new law to take effect in 2016 can be found here
http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/05/massachusetts_gov_deval_patric_32.html

and here  https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2014/Chapter111

Gov. Deval Patrick signs a law establishing early voting in Massachusetts on May 22, 2014 at the State House. (SHIRA SCHOENBERG / THE REPUBLICAN)

Downtown Project Update # 11

The contractor plans to delay paving on Emmons Street and Summer Street until next week due to the predicted rain. They will continue to install new curbs on West Central Street over the next 10 days.  

Their goal is to have the all the curbs, sidewalks and paving complete on West Central Street by the end of the construction season except a short section of paving between the Emmons Street and Union Street where a base coat will be applied for the winter. 

They will be digging up the sidewalk on the east side of East Central Street to install the conduit over the next two weeks. They will put back temporary pavement on both sidewalks of East Central Street until the new curb and sidewalks are installed next week. 

Please be reminded that the schedule can change due to weather or other delays. 

If anyone has a question please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

paving on Emmons Street and Summer Street will be delayed due to the weather forecast

Franklin Garden Club Meeting on Creating Rain Gardens

The Franklin Garden Club will co-sponsor with the Town of Franklin Department of Public Works a program on creating a rain garden on Tuesday, October 6 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, located at 26 Daniel McCahill Street. 

The program is open to all residents free of charge. 

Shawn Mayers of groundSwell Designs will provide an overview of rain garden designs, installation, maintenance and costs. The presentation will include pictures of existing residential gardens. Mayers has conducted several workshops on rain garden designs and maintenance, including a highly successful one for the Town of Franklin in June. 

A graduate of the Landscape Institute of Harvard University and the Boston Architectural College, Mayers has more than 10 years of experience in landscape design. She holds several certifications, including those related to rain gardens and bioretention. 

“The Town of Franklin is taking a variety of steps to protect water quality by reducing the amount of pollutants in the stormwater generated from runoff from paved surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, and rooftops,” stated Robert Cantoreggi, Director of the DPW. 

“This includes partnering with the Charles River Watershed Association to implement a residential rain garden program in Franklin that involved two trainings for Franklin residents during which two demonstration rain gardens were constructed. These demonstration gardens can be seen at the Remington/Jefferson School and at the DPW Administrative Building and are part of the DPWs outreach program to highlight the benefits of capturing and recharging stormwater.“

“Creating rain gardens has proven to be a very cost-effective way to reduce stormwater pollutants going into lakes and rivers. The Garden Club is offering this program in collaboration with the Franklin DPW to inform residents of how they can easily establish rain gardens to support the Town’s stormwater management program, “commented Susan Childers and Mary Anne Dean, Garden Club co-presidents.

rain garden at the Parmenter School

-------------------------------

Date:     October 6, 2015

What:   Franklin Garden Club Meeting on Creating Rain Gardens; co-sponsored by Town of Franklin, Department of Public Works

When:  7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Where:  Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038, United States

Franklin Garden Club

Franklin needs your help!

The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees. 

If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the form below and return to the Town Administrator's Office.

• Design Review Commission
• Disabilities Commission
• Zoning Board of Appeal (Associate)

Franklin Municipal Building

The committee volunteer form
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01E3B9EF-000F8513.0/TOWN%20OF%20FRANKLIN%20VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf

FHS sports results Tuesday, Sep 29

The field hockey and girls cross country teams posted wins on Tuesday. The boys cross country team dropped their race against Mansfield. All results are shared from Hockomock Sports.

Field Hockey

North Attleboro, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final 

– Senior Samantha Jones made nine saves in net to get the shutout as Franklin bounced back from its first loss of the season. Freshman Annie Walsh scored a pair of goals while senior Kelsey McPhee, sophomore Christina Quinn and freshman Cassi Ronan each scored once.

FHS Panthers

Boys - Cross Country

Mansfield, 20 @ Franklin, 35 – Final

Girls - Cross Country

Mansfield, 42 @ Franklin, 18 – Final


For all the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-092915/

"it made sense to purchase the building instead of renting it"

Dean College has purchased a downtown building for $5.7 million, a move officials said will contribute to the area's revitalization. 

The college formalized the acquisition of the building at 17 East Central St. within the last couple of weeks, said Gregg Chalk, Dean's vice president of marketing and communications. 

According to Chalk, the college does not expect to make any immediate changes to the property. 

"The college has had students in there since 2007," he said. "There are about 75 upperclassmen housed there, along with a resident director."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150929/NEWS/150925818/1994/NEWS

from the archive: Cafe Dolce was where The Cake Bar is now

Victory all around for FHS Teams on Monday

From Hockomock Sports we can share the results of Monday's competition in fall sports. Both FHS soccer teams, along with the volleyball and golf teams posted victories.

FHS Sports

Boys Soccer

Franklin, 4 vs. Xaverian, 0 – Final 

– Hatim Brahimi scored the opener for the Panthers and also added the final goal. Brahimi’s first goal was set up by David Stowell, who also scored a first half goal for Franklin off an assist from Austin Kent. Kent then found the back of the net in the second off off an assist from junior Cam LeBlanc. Henri Guilmette had the shutout in net for the Panthers.

Girls Soccer

Franklin, 5 vs. Dartmouth, 0 – Final 

– Emily Spath scored a pair of goals for the Panthers and Victoria Stowell had three assists in the non-league victory.

Volleyball

Franklin, 3 @ Taunton, 2 – Final 

– The Panthers won 25-17, 25-21, 21-25, 15-25, 15-5. Aubrie Kutil led Franklin with 12 kills and Hannah Chace had seven. Elizabeth Neal led the team with 18 assists and Dayna McCue had 37 digs.

Franklin players celebrate the final point of the fifth set in a 3-2 victory over previously unbeaten Taunton on Monday. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

The volleyball team is featured with a full article by Hockomock Sports:

Following Friday’s loss to Mansfield, the Franklin players called a meeting over the weekend to address the fact that they had played tight against the Hornets. According to coach Kate Horsmann, the Panthers needed to work out how to be ready without being too “skitzed out.” 

Whatever method the players came up with, it worked wonders for the first two sets at Kelley-Rex Division leader Taunton on Monday evening. 

The Panthers jumped all over the Tigers to win the first two sets before Taunton roared back in the third and fourth to force a deciding fifth set. Franklin took back momentum and claimed the final set 15-5 for a 3-2 (25-17, 25-21, 21-25, 15-25, 15-5) victory that means the top four teams in the division all have just one loss.

Continue reading the full article here:
http://www.hockomocksports.com/panthers-survive-taunton-comeback-win-in-five/

Golf

Franklin, 164 @ Attleboro, 169 – Final


For all the results across the Hockomock League on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-092815/

You may get quoted for a book on "Massachusetts Town Greens"

I have been commissioned by a major book publisher to write a book, "Massachusetts Town Greens," and am thrilled to have the Franklin Town Common in the mix. 

At this time, I am looking for quotes from Franklin residents on why they love their town common. It could be a general statement/perspective or something based on personal experience. 

By posting on the Franklin Matters page under my post or sending your feedback by email to feedback@visitingnewengland.com, I will be more than happy to include a few quotes in the book. 

The book will be out around July 2016 and be about 260 pages. 

Thanks! 

Best regards, 

Eric Hurwitz

Franklin Town Common

The wikipedia entry for town greens  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Village_green

You can respond to Eric on the Franklin Matters Facebook page here
https://www.facebook.com/franklinmatters/posts_to_page

or via email to me and I can forward it on to Eric.

FPAC 2015 Gala - Silver is the New Black

Franklin Performing Arts Company

FPAC's Gala Celebration is only a week away! Have you purchased your tickets yet? If not – click here: http://tinyurl.com/ng7xz8y Click here to see Highlights from past Galas! https://youtu.be/S4A75UKcDqQ Enjoy Dinner, Dancing and Fantastic Entertainment featuring a special performance by Broadway's Jenn Colella.  Spectacular Live and Silent Auctions include: Four Matilda Company Seats to see FPAC's own Jack Mullen on Broadway, including a visit with Jack after the show (These are the best seats in the house!); a Dream Vacation for Eight in Glorious St. John at White Cottage Villa; a 3-bedroom (sleeps 12) suite at the Holiday Inn Club Vacations in Kissimee, Florida (near Walt Disney World) during April Vacation week; Bruins, Patriot and Celtics tickets! See you October 3rd! FPAC 2015 Gala - Silver is the New Black View card

Franklin Node Joins 350 Mass The Greater Franklin node is the newest addition to 350 Mass! Node members from Franklin, Medway, and the surrounding towns are organizing to stop Spectra's Access Northeast gas pipeline. Node members are calling on local town officials to withhold approval for Spectra's pipeline proposal. The node is also coordinating with the Stop the Medway Power Plant group  -- on September 17, the two joined forces for a protest outside a meeting between Lt. Governor Karen Polito and Medway selectmen.

The node meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month. Carolyn Barthel is the node coordinator and can answer any questions: her email address is carolyncbarthel@gmail.com.  What: 350 Mass Node Meeting (Franklin) When: Thu, October 1, 7pm – 9pm Where: First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin

To view the full 350 Mass newsletter follow this link
http://betterfutureproject.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/d/50788B05A743CF11

In the News: Y costume swap, Solar Challenge succeeds, Neighbor Brigade recognized, Sen Spilka plans office hours

The Hockomock Area YMCA invites families in the community to participate in a Halloween costume swap Oct. 8 and a farm day at Wards Berry Farm Oct. 13. 

Families are invited to bring their clean, gently-used costumes into any Member Service Desk at the following branches: Bernon Family Branch, 45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin; Invensys Foxboro Branch, 67 Mechanic St., Foxborough; and North Attleboro Branch, 300 Elmwood St., North Attleborough, no later than Oct. 7.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150928/NEWS/150926376/1994/NEWS

The Franklin Solar Challenge has reached another milestone, earning a solar array for a local nonprofit organization. 

The challenge, which offers increasing tiers of savings for townspeople who agree to put solar systems on their properties, has been ongoing. It was originally set to end in September, but was extended to Oct. 15 to accommodate higher-than-expected interest.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150928/NEWS/150926180/1994/NEWS

The Franklin Town Council recently honored a local volunteer group for the work it does for area residents. 

The council, at its meeting last week, read a proclamation in honor of and awarded a trophy to the local chapter of the Neighbor Brigade. 

Council Chairman Robert Vallee read the proclamation to chapter leaders Linda Gagnon and Cheryl Ferri.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150928/NEWS/150926155/1994/NEWS

Franklin has its own Neighbor Brigade chapter

State Sen. Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) or representatives from her staff will be available for district office hours in Franklin and Medway on Friday, Oct. 2. Constituents are invited to share their concerns, questions and policy priorities and hear updates on the latest news and events from the State House and in the district. 

Medway's office hour will be held 12-1 p.m. at the Muffin House Café, 116 Main St., Medway. 

Franklins office hour will be held 1:30-2:30 p.m. at The Cake Bar, 17 E Central St., Franklin. 

Residents who are unable to attend or are interested in scheduling an appointment should contact Spilka’s office at 617-722-1640 at any time.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150929/NEWS/150926079/1994/NEWS

How will the pilot work out?

In a pilot program announced Friday, Boston's MBTA is going to start tracking public-transit rider movements using beacons--stationary devices that measure the movements of people carrying smartphones, usually using bluetooth or Wi-Fi. 

It's similar to technology used by retailers to track customer movements in store. In another example, a Boston startup, Cuseum, uses beacons to track people's movements through museums, providing data designed to help museum operators engage with visitors.

An important item on a number of front is provided  by the following statement by the MBTA in their press release:

No personally identifiable information will be collected through this pilot program. Operating in a transmit mode similar to GPS, beacons cannot see, collect or store any personal data or consumer information. Beacons are transmit-only Bluetooth low energy devices that send out a signal that can only be used by user-enabled apps running on mobile devices to trigger location-specific content. In order for a mobile device to detect a beacon, a user must download an app that utilizes the technology and opt-in to allow the app to receive the beacon's signal.

While one of the objectives is to
"How beacon technology can be used to help the MBTA better communicate with riders"

another is to
"How brands can increase engagement and interaction with commuters based on proximity"

Will the communications really improve alerting riders to the schedule changes, or simply that someone has something to sell around the corner remains to be seen?

MBTA logo

You can read the Boston Innovation article here
http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2015/09/25/mbta-beacons-t-pilot-rider-tracking-tech-advertisers-others/

Note: the pilot supposedly started on Friday but what app is required to take part in this was not specified.