Franklin Matters

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

"it doesn't fit the script"

Here is one listing that I am glad MA did not make. The list also helps to put our budget crisis into perspective. As bad as it is, there are others far worse.

But there's one state, which is fairly high up on the list of troubled states that nobody is talking about, and there's a reason for it.

The state is Texas.

This month the state's part-time legislature goes back into session, and the state is starting at potentially a $25 billion deficit on a two-year budget of around $95 billion. That's enormous. And there's not much fat to cut. The whole budget is basically education and healthcare spending. Cutting everything else wouldn't do the trick. And though raising this kind of money would be easy on an economy of $1.2 trillion, the new GOP mega-majority in Congress is firmly against raising any revenue.

You can read the full post here

Franklin, MA

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Tree Pickup - Alternatives

Thanks to Paula Lombardi, Office Manager for the DPW, for providing the following info:

If you have missed your day of pick up this week maybe you can contact a friend or relative in Franklin who may have a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday pickup and ask if you can put the tree at their curbside.

The Beaver Street Recycle Center is open Friday and Saturday throughout the year from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

All trees must be free of ornaments and tinsel. Do not place in a plastic bag.

Food security: waste not, want not

A good friend of mine pointed this movie out to me over the holidays. Hunger and food security are big issues world wide. The Franklin Food Pantry is working to provide food for those who need it amongst us.

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

I hope that this doesn't spoil your appetite.

I do hope that you'll consider portions when eating.

To learn more about food security, consider reading from these sources:

Food security learning center http://www.whyhunger.org/programs/fslc.html
USDA Food Security resources http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsec/Resources.htm
Community Food Security Coalition http://www.foodsecurity.org/

Franklin, MA

Christmas trees will be picked up on your trash day this week

I went digging for my copy of the Curbside Chronicle to find out the Christmas Tree pick up schedule. Good thing I did. The trees will be picked up on the day of your regular trash schedule this week. Yes, this week from Jan 3 - Jan 7.

Last year, the tree pickup was scheduled for Saturday of this week. I guess I will be taking down the tree tonight to make our Wednesday trash schedule day.

FranklinCurbsideChronicle_JanMar_2011

Franklin, MA

Monday, January 3, 2011

"I think it's good to have fresh eyes look"

Areas to be discussed include Emmons Street between Main Street and Hillside Road, Dean Avenue between Main and Ray streets, Ray Street, Depot Street and the town's Depot Street parking lot.

Town officials hope the work, which will be paid for through a $1 million state public works grant, will fix deteriorated roads and sidewalks, improve drainage and stormwater systems and stimulate private investment downtown, Taberner said.

"This is a section we wouldn't have been able to afford if we didn't get that (grant)," Taberner said.

The construction is part of a $7.25 million downtown revitalization project to eliminate one-way traffic, install decorative streetlights, improve sidewalks and curbs and resurface streets. Work on main streets will be covered by a $5 million federal grant, which will be matched by about $1.25 million in state and local funds.