Does age of the respondents determine survey answers?

Results of the Citizen Participation Questionnaire were very helpful in identifying what Franklin residents believe to be the Town’s biggest recreation and open space needs. When asked what recreation and open space facilities the Town needed most, Bike Trails, Conservation Areas, and Hiking Trails were the three most popular responses. The survey data shows there appears to be a desire for additional passive recreation facilities. Franklin residents’ desire for improvement and expansion of passive recreation activities and facilities is consistent with regional and national trends.

Analysis of survey data show that a respondent’s opinion of which facilities the Town needs may be directly related to the age of individuals in their households. For example, of the respondents that claim to have children in their household, 35.9% chose Youth Center as one of the Town’s more important facilities needed, compared to only 15.0 percent of households with individuals 60 years and over, and 28.2 percent of all respondents. Likewise 52.2 percent of respondents with children in their household chose Bike Trails as a needed facility, compared to 22.5 percent of households with individuals 60 years and over, and 41.9 percent of all respondents. The most popular response from respondents with individuals 60 years and over in their households was conservation areas, with hiking trails and dog park coming in close behind.

Each one of us has a point of view. It is good to acknowledge and respect that. It is also good to then find some common ground within those points of view. The common ground can bring diverse sections together to build a community effort.

Read more about the survey and the resulting Open Space and Recreation Plan on the Town web site here (PDF).

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/2008plan

Visit Grateful Farm at Farmer's Market

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

One of the farms regularly appearing to feature their produce for sale is a real "local" farm, Grateful Farm. 

Grateful Farm is located on Prospect St and has been growing organic produce since 1983.

If you get a chance to stop by their tent on the Town Common, say hi to Kyle. She will help you with a smile!

Pleasant St - paving work

One of the signs that had been reported stolen earlier this summer at least is now back in place to for warn drivers that Pleasant St gets rough from that point on towards Norfolk.

It had been so hot and humid, I cut back my longer runs on the weekends and had not been out Pleasant for several weeks in this past Sunday. The top layer had been removed in preparation for paving. I did not observe that the casing were raised as I ran on Sunday. That work must be underway.

Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Harvest Festival

Sunday, September 20^th

11:00 am-4:00 pm.

The event will be downtown on Main Street, East Central Street and Summer Street. Over 100 crafters and vendors, free music and entertainment, children’s games, fun food, farmers’ market, and an antique car show.  

Rain date is Sunday, September 27th

For more info contact Mary Graff at mgraff@berryinsurance.com or the FDP office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com  (774)571-3109

Do you know is what a major environmental concern?

A major environmental concern in Franklin is both the quality and quantity of its water supply. Franklin is completely dependant upon wells for its water supply, therefore, it is imperative that both the quality and quantity of the water sources be maintained. Franklin has implemented a Water Resource District23 to protect, preserve and maintain the existing and potential ground and surface water resources that provide water supply to Franklin. The State’s efforts to encourage keeping wastewater local and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Phase II stormwater management regulations also ensure that more water is returned to the ground to recharge aquifers in a way that maintains quality. Preservation of open space and education efforts regarding the use of fertilizers and pesticides are a key component in addressing water quality in Franklin.

What else would you add to this listing?

1. The next time you open the tap to draw water, give thanks to the DPW crew that takes care of providing us good water.
2. Consider putting trash in an appropriate container (don't just toss it out the window to let it lie along the roadside).
3. Consider picking up any recyclables as you walk through Town (this will prevent them from getting into our waste water treatment system).

Read more from the Open Space and Recreation Plan found on the Town web site here (PDF)

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/2008plan

Door-to-Door Sales Scam Alert

The Franklin Police Department is warning residents about a scam involving young men and women, between 18-25 years of age, going door-to-door either trying to sell magazines subscriptions or other services, such as cleaning windows or doing landscaping. The ultimate goal is have residents write a check to a company called Quality Subscriptions Inc. (QSI) with the expectation of something in return.

The salespeople often mislead residents. They portray themselves as either living in the local area or being friends of someone in the neighborhood. They are apparently contracted by a company out of Georgia called Quality Subscriptions Inc. (QSI) or United Family Circulation. Information about this company can be readily obtained on the internet.

The Town of Franklin requires most solicitors to provide information and obtain a permit from the Police Department prior to conducting business. Residents are encouraged to contact this Department about anyone soliciting door-to-door to make sure they are registered.

Election "line up" card - updated

This was just updated to reflect the announcement at the Town Council meeting on 9/2/09 that Deb Bartlett will not be running for re-election this year,

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Table below shows the positions available for election this November.

The Candidates column initially showed just the incumbents.
Those who have confirmed taking out papers are marked with a * and bold.
New candidates have their name in bold with -new.
The existing position holders who have not yet taken out papers are listed for reference to keep track of the "line up card"

So what does this tell us?
We need more candidates! The only election competition is for the Board of Health position.

Name	# of Openings	Candidates	Term of Office
Board of Assessors	1 Position (For 4 years)	Robert Avakian*	2009 to 2013
Board of Health	1 Position (For 4 years)	Bruce Hunchard* Koren Kanadanian-new	2009 to 2013
Planning Board	2 Position (For 4 years)	Anthony Padula*	2009 to 2013
	* 1Vacant	Joseph Halligan-new	2009 to 2013
Planning Board (Associate)	* 1 vacant position (For 4 Years)		2009 to 2013
Town Council	9 Positions (For 2 Years)	Joseph McGann	2009 to 2011
		Deborah Bartlett - not running again
		R. Scott Mason*
		Christopher Feeley
		Judith Pond Pfeffer*
		Thomas Doak - not running again
		Shannon Zollo*
		Robert Vallee*
		Stephen Whalen
		Glenn Jones- new Daniel Ballinger-new
School Committee	7 Positions (For 2 Years)	Cora Armenio	2009 to 2011
		Susan Rohrbach*
		Paula Mullen*
		Edward Cafasso*
		Roberta Trahan
		Matthew Kelly
		Jeffrey Roy*