Bats in peril

Metacomet Land Trust

Program: Bats in peril: The Uncertain Future of North America's Winged Mammals

When: Saturday, October 22nd, 2:00 p.m.

Where: Franklin Public Library

Cost: Free

Info: Kate Langwig is a second year graduate student in the PhD program in Ecology, Behavior, and
Evolution. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Union College, and has worked for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For the past three years she has been studying the recently emerged infectious disease of bats,
white-nose syndrome. She is a co-author on three papers on the disease, including an article projecting regional extinction of the little brown myotis which appeared in the journal Science in 2010. Her primary research is focused on investigating white-nose syndrome transmission dynamics in multiple bat species.


2011 Metacomet Annual Meeting Program


More about the Metacomet Land Trust can be found on their website

McGovern talks with Medway farmers about local agriculture needs

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

McGovern talks with Medway farmers about local agriculture needs

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Whitney Clearman/Daily News staff on 9/28/11

As U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern looked over orchards and berry fields yesterday, farmers took the chance to pitch ideas about improving local agriculture.

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Charles River: 2011 winner of the International Riverprize

An email via contributor David Dobrzynski:

Charles River Watershed Association

We have some some very exciting news to share: the Charles River is the 2011 winner of the International Riverprize, the world’s largest and most prestigious environmental award! The International RiverFoundation’s (IRF) Thiess International Riverprize, is awarded for visionary and sustainable excellence in river management.  In the world of river management, this is akin to winning the World Series and it was made possible through the engagement, cooperation and hard work of hundreds of partners at the federal, state, local and grassroots levels, including: U.S. EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Geological Survey, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the Conservation Law Foundation, universities, local boards and conservation commissions, engaged citizens, businesses, land trusts, river users, and all of you!  This is a trophy for all of us who live and work in the communities that comprise the Charles watershed, and for everyone who loves this river.    From left to right: IRF CEO Matthew Reddy, CRWA Director of Projects Kate Bowditch, CRWA Deputy Director Margaret VanDeusen, and CRWA Executive Director, Bob Zimmerman.    CRWA's Executive Director Bob Zimmerman, Deputy Director Margaret VanDeusen, and Director of Projects Kate Bowditch accepted the award at the 14th International River Symposium in Brisbane, Australia earlier today. CRWA will receive a grant to share its river restoration expertise with a river organization in a developing nation. In 1965, when CRWA was founded, the Charles was an open sewer: tetanus shots and antibiotics were standard treatment for anyone unfortunate enough to fall in.  Today, the Charles is heralded as the cleanest urban river in the United States by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The Riverprize recognizes and rewards this rejuvenation.  International River Foundation CEO Matthew Reddy says "Charles River should be congratulated for their achievement; it joins the ranks of iconic rivers like the Thames, Danube and Mekong.” CRWA will use the prize money to continue to improve and protect the health of the Charles through fisheries restoration, water-sensitive design, and development of tools and practical solutions to watershed problems, including the growing problem of nutrients carried by stormwater to the river.        Join us to celebrate this achievment and honor John DeVillars this Friday, September 30th at the Champions of the Charles gala at the Harry Parker Boathouse, Community Rowing, Brighton. To purchase tickets click here or call Alexandra Ash at 781-788-0007 x 200.

The River Current is published monthly (or as needed) by Charles River Watershed Association. CRWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dependent on philanthropic support. Editor: Alexandra Ash, aash@crwa.org Mailing address: CRWA, 190 Park Road, Weston, MA 02493 Phone: 781-788-0007 Fax: 781-788-0057 Web: www.charlesriver.org

Town Council 09/28/11

The collected reporting for the Town Council meeting held on Weds Sep 28. I watched and reported on the meeting via the Verizon cable broadcast.

• Real time reporting - closing
• Real time reporting - high school building project...
• Real time reporting - Legislation (part 1)
• Real time reporting - Town Council - 9/28/11

Real time reporting - closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Downtown Harvest Festival is this weekend, come on down
Thanks to the Community Garden, they had a wonderful first year, almost all the plots were used, they helped supply the Food Pantry. It was well done, thank you!

Nutting - did you want a new October meeting schedule?
Mason- yes, we'll meet Oct 5 and Oct 26

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS
Powderly - asking for School Committee representation to be at the next meeting to address the teachers contract. No one in the Town got a raise, all the school school department employees effectively got raises. During the budget process, they were asked if there were COLA money in the budget, the answer was no. So aside from the philosophical difference in granting the contract with an increase, where did they come up with the funds. I believe COLA equals layoffs, they cut 14 teachers last year and others got a raise this year. We have higher class sizes... They need to explain why they did what they did.


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS 
Pfeffer - agreed with Powderly's comments, wants to know where they found the money
Kelly - agrees with Powderly's comments
Jones - agrees with Powderly's comments, was at the School Committee meeting and will be interested to see what they have to say.
Mason - I spoke with Chairman Roy and invited him and whomever he would like to bring along with him to the meeting Oct 5th.


Meeting adjourned




The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf

Real time reporting - high school building project

2. Resolution 11-50: Additional Appropriation for Comprehensive Feasibility Study of the Franklin High School and Grounds 


Tom Mercer, Chair of the School Building Committee
provide an overview of how the proposal has developed overtime
The committee recently decided to ask the MSBA to modify the 'model school' design to lower the track to the same level. This would allow for a gym at 23,000 sq ft which is comparable to the same size facility we have today. How much of this design change would be covered by a favorable refund remains to be determined.
The proposal tonight is to provide additional funding via bond to allow the design work to continue.  Given the current timeline for an MSBA decision at the end of January, the voters could see the proposal at the election box in a March time frame. Once approved by the MSBA, the town voters do have 120 days to vote and accept the proposal. If we were to deny the proposal, and the renovation or new building were to continue, the full cost would be borne by Franklin. If we accept the MSBA proposal we can get up to 54% reimbursement, significantly reducing the cost to the Franklin tax payers.


motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0




3. Resolution 11-51: Support for House Bill No. 00869 – An Act relative to the establishment of municipal lighting authorities 


motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0




The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf

Real time reporting - Legislation (part 1)

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - YMCA – Darkness to Light Program (postponed to future meeting)


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-46: Authorizing Tax Increment Financing Hamilton Storage Technologies Inc, 3 Forge Parkway 


Brief 5 minute presentation by the company about what they do and how they have developed. They are in high technology and particularly in biotech. Novartis and Roche Pharmaceuticals are their top two customers


The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) allows Franklin to collect the normal set of taxes on the base value of the property and then a declining additional portion on the increase in incremental value of the work being done to improve the plot/building.


A good deal for Franklin as we tax revenue, they get an incentive to come here (from Hopkinton and Milford). Their incentive is a declining additional tax over a ten year period.


motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0




The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf