Crossways Church - Summer St

Two views of what will become of the Crossways Church on Summer St

And here:

The Planning Board discussions on the Crossways Church proposal can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/crossways-church-coming-to-summer-st.html

Meeting May 3rd
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/live-reporting-282-summer-st-crossways.html


Franklin, MA

Price Chopper or rock pile?

The proposal for a Price Chopper market starts the process all over again as if it had never happened due to a technicality.

The rock pile along RT 140 at the intersection of Chestnut Ridge would be replaced by the supermarket, IF the proposal goes through. It requires a special permit as well as approval for the site plan from the Planning Board.

Stay tuned to the Planning Board for the hearings on this proposal. It will resume discussion on Aug 9th.

Conservation Commission meeting of May 13th
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/conservation-commission-price-chopper.html

Planning Board meeting of May 17th

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/live-reporting-franklin-market-price.html

Franklin, MA

"It's no mystery why so many would choose to live here"

Jamie Barrett composed and sings the song "City Known as the Town of Franklin"

I know this place in Massachusetts
That's better than best it's as great as it gets
It's beauty and all of it's history's awaiting for you!


Folks are as friendly as friendly can be
Open your eyes there's plenty to see
Let's take a look at the long list of things you can do...


In the city known as the town of Franklin


Check out America's first lending library
A closer look shows you it's not ordinary
For inside you'll find the first books that were furnished by Ben


The one-room Red Brick School's become the town's treasure
The oldest one running by anyone's measure
Still looks the same now today as it did way back then


In the city known as the town of Franklin


Well, then there's the common that's uncommonly good
Where townspeople gather as townspeople should
Weddings, concerts, and festivals throughout the year


And monuments honor the mighty Mann, Horace
And all that this father of education did for us
It's no mystery why so many would choose to live here


In the city known as the town of Franklin



Franklin, MA

4th of July - links of interest on this historic day

From the Declaration of Independence

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

History of the 4th of July (wikipedia)

From the Franklin Charter:

We, the people of the Town of Franklin, Massachusetts, in order to form a more perfect community, reaffirm the customary and traditional liberties of the people with respect to the conduct of our local government and take fullest advantage of the Home Rule Amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, do ordain and adopt this Home Rule Charter for our Town.

Read more of the charter here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_TownCharter/preamble

There will likely be an opportunity for Franklin voters to accept or turn down changes to the charter later this year. The proposed changes are into Boston for legislative approval before returning for the Franklin voters to have their say.

Reporting from the various Town Council discussions about the proposed changes can be found here:

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/charter-revisions-lessons-learned.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/live-reporting-legislation.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/fm-63-week-ending-4410.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/live-reporting-charter-changes.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/franklin-ma-town-council-charter.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-reporting-charter-revision-updates.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/09/live-reporting-charter-changes.html



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: 2010 Midyear Review

Let's take some time to review what matters here in Franklin, MA. July 1 is upon us, celebration of the 4th happens this weekend. Let's take a mid-year look back at what has happened in the past six months and ahead to see what we have for the remainder of the year.

January
biotech bylaw changes introduced
discussion on snow removal process for sidewalks
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/01/fm-53-week-ending-1102010.html

School Dept received results of the “fiscal review”
Best Buddies, Town Common Veterans Memorial fund raising recognized
Teenangels presentation
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/01/fm-54-week-ending-11710.html

charter revisions reviewed by subcommittee
Downtown Revitalization Project previewed
New trash/recycle process introduced
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/01/fm-55-review-of-week-ending-12410.html

Budget workshop held on Jan 25th
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/01/fm-56-week-ending-13110.html

February
Finance Committee hears the capital budget
Town Council gets into real discussion on trash/recycle process
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/02/fm-57-week-ending-2710.html

More on the trash/recycling process as the vote to reduce the fee and finance the bins occurs
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/02/fm-57-week-ending-2710.html

March
Abatements, etc for seniors
Bio-tech bylaw changes in formal hearing
Audit report for FY 2009 came up basically clean
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/03/fmw-59-week-ending-3710.html

School Committee got first look at FY 2011 budget
Bully task force formed
Franklin Arts Academy approved quietly
Charter revisions got a formal hearing
The BIG Y proposal came before the Planning Board
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/03/fm-60-week-ending-31410.html

Finance Committee was broadcast while the School Committee used the cable broadcast
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/franklin-ma-finance-committee-mtg.html

Parmenter solar project
Capital budget approved
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/03/fm-62-week-ending-32810.html

April
Financial Planning Committee bringing report up to date
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/04/fm-63-week-ending-4410.html

Charter changes approved by a 6-2 vote (Jones, Zollo, voted no – Vallee was absent)
Capital budget was approved
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/04/fm-64-week-ending-41110.html


Earth day, raised garden beds
Charles River cleanup
BSA Venture Crew work along Mine Brook at the VFW Post on Pond St
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/04/fm-65-week-ending-42510.html

May
Practically all budget all the time from the discussion to put forward an override vote to the ongoing discussions pro/con
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/05/fm-66-week-ending-5210.html

VanRoon Chiropractic's proposal for Jordan Road came forward
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/05/fm-67-week-ending-5910.html

Finance Committee began their series of budget hearings
Downtown Revitalization Project workshop
Historical Museum opens
EPA Storm water open forum held
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/05/fm-68-week-ending-51610.html

Scott Mason sat for a wide ranging interview to review discussion items for the override
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/05/fm-69-scott-mason-part-1-of-2.html
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/05/fm-69-b-scott-mason-part-2-of-2.html

June
The big news as we close the first half of 2010 was the override vote on June 8th. All the posts related to the override can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html

I refreshed the split tax versus single tax rate publication I had done in 2009
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/06/fm-50-tax-rate-and-split-tax.html

Town Council formalized the budget in their two hearings on June 9 and 10
http://franklinmattersweekly.blogspot.com/2010/06/fm-70-week-ending-62010.html

The Big Y has been approved, Van Roon Chiropractic has not been approved
The proposal for the Price Chopper gets to start all over again due to a technicality.

The new trash and recycling bins were delivered and the first pickups were scheduled for July 1

Looking ahead

July should get the kinks out of new trash/recycle process
August gets final prep on the school year with less teachers, less buses and maybe some word on the contract negotiations
Road construction on Sahlin Circle, Chestnut St and Wachusett St will be completed
September school opens

also on the calendar but not in a particular month

we should find out about the Charter revisions, are they really going to be on the ballot in November?
Plans for the Downtown Revitalization should get finalized
The annual tax rate setting exercise will be held (likely in Dec)

What else is on our plate?

Did I forget something?

Please feel free to comment and I can add it to the listing.


As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don’t like something, please tell me

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

Thank you for stopping by to read!


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com





Franklin, MA

Crackerbarrel Classic, Wrentham, MA

One of my favorite road race courses is nearby in Wrentham where the Crackerbarrel Classic 5K will run on Sep 18th.

If you run for fun, or exercise, or the competition, this is a good race to participate in.

Date:  Saturday, September 18, 2010

Start time: 9:00 a.m.

Where: Wrentham Developmental Center, Wrentham, MA
(Crackerbarrel Fairgrounds Bandstand)

Course: A 3.1 mile loop around scenic country roads (flat, no hills)
USATF certified MA-927021RN
Time Splits at one mile and two miles. Water stations along the course and at the finish.

Timing: Time Splits, water stations and computerized results (Spitler Race Systems)

Entry Fee: $17 pre-registration, $20 on Race Day

For more information including online registration or to printout the registration form to mail in, visit the website here: http://www.crackerbarrelclassic.com/



Franklin, MA

Trash/Recycle Facts: tips for good service

Make sure to place the right items in the right cart:

Solid waste only in the 65-gallon BLACK TOP cart

and recycling only in the 65-gallon YELLOW TOP cart.

Once service begins on July 1st, your old trash barrels will no longer be accepted for waste or recycling materials, use new DPW supplied carts. Carts should be placed curbside by 7:00 am the day of your collection.

Make sure all materials fit inside your carts with the lids closed. Always keep the lid closed to keep rain, snow and animals out.

Do not place any unacceptable materials in the cart. Use the handle provided to move the cart. Tilt the cart on its wheels to roll it. Remember that it’s easier to pull the cart uphill and push it downhill. Remove your cart as soon as possible after collection to maintain the appearance of your neighborhood.

Clean your carts periodically by rinsing them with water and letting them dry in the sun with the lid open.
Trash collection is limited to one cart per residence per week.

Make sure you recycle all you can, and use the Bulky Items and White Goods collection service for those items.

There are currently no restrictions on street parking on collection days. Since automated waste collection requires clearance for the vehicle’s lifting mechanism, any cars parked at the curb should be at least 5 feet from the cart.

Leave 3 feet between your solid waste and recycling carts when placing them curbside to allow the truck to collect both easily.

This information comes from the Franklin Solid Waste website here (PDF):
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/FranklinAutomation2010FINAL.pdf

and here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/index

The collection of Franklin Matters posts on the new process can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/franklin-ma-trash-collection.html

Franklin, MA