“The local media has been restrained and responsible"

Franklin Matters contributor, Rich Aucoin has succeeded in getting media attention to how the media is covering the MA lab scandal with this article in the Milford Daily News.

“It’s a strange case in terms of drawing analogies to because it’s not a violent crime,” Bayles said. “It’s not even so much a financial crime. And in some ways that may be why it was hard to get stuff out. I spent a lot of time thinking, ‘Who is this person?’ There was not a lot of detail about Dookhan.” 

He said that realizing the scope of the scandal presented a challenge to everyone mired in it and that showed in the coverage. 

“It was sort of a slow boil in terms of people, especially in the media, understanding the implications of the case,” he said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x848528961/Opinions-vary-on-media-s-handling-of-Franklin-chemist-scandal#ixzz2HHgRDwkR

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 9, 2013

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 17, 2012

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29.This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Library Board of Directors - Sandra Brandfonbrener

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Change of Manager – T.D. Beverage Inc.

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Medical Marijuana Zoning

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-695:Changes to § 185-31. Site Plan and Design Review- Remove from table - 1st Reading
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-696:Changes to § 185-20. H. Signs. Sign Approvals Remove from table - 1st Reading
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-697:Changes to § 185-45. N. Administration and Enforcement. Design Review Commission Remove from table - 1 st Reading

4. Bylaw Amendment 13-699:Amendment of Service Fee Rates: Administration- 1st Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN


The full agenda and associated documents can be found on the Franklin web site
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/010913.pdf

School Tour: Parmenter

The next school on the tour of the facilities in the district comes up this Thursday, Jan 10. At 6:00 PM, the Parmenter School on Wachusett St will be open to all for a tour. The tour is conducted by Central Office School Administration, the School Principal, and members of the School Committee.

Parmenter is the only school with solar panels helping to supply their energy needs. You can check their status via this website
 http://www.solrenview.com/cgi-bin/CGIhandler.cgi?&sort=pvi_IDs&cond=site_ID=803

A couple of rain gardens were added to Parmenter as part of the Wachusett St reconstruction project. The rain gardens assist in reducing phosphorus from getting into the ground water and streams that feed into the Charles River.

rain garden at Parmenter School

Come to the tour on Thursday, Jan 10th at 6:00 PM!

"It’s a humbling honor"

The Shire Book Shop is one of the featured photos in the new Franklin Calendar and gaining some well deserved recognition with this award as noted by the Milford Daily News.

In the regular "Best 5 in New England’’ column of the January/February issue, Richard Wright observed the Union Avenue store combines the soothing atmosphere of a friend’s private library with the eclectic pleasures of a devoted bibliophile’s extensive collection. 

"After 30 years, the owners of the Shire Book Shop still offer to brew you a cup of tea, making your stroll among the 100,00 used and out-of-print books in this former mill building even more of a pleasure." 

The author of "A Vacationer’s Guide to Rural New England Bookstores," Wright noted of the Shire: "Each purchased book is carefully protected with an archival dust jacket."

Browse the book shelves and have a sit to explore the book in detail in comfort

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1896979594/Shire-Book-Shop-called-one-of-the-best#ixzz2H6EsWYOD

You can visit the Shire Book Shop on Union St (at the railroad crossing) or their website on line at http://www.shirebookshop.com/

The Olivia Act

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

The Olivia Act

via Aubrey B Greene Photography Blog on 1/4/13

I have sort of avoided writing about what happened in Newtown, CT.  Partly because the press was all over it and pushing it through my pores.  But mostly because it really shook me up.  Let's be real here.  I cried for days.  I cried in my bedroom, my kitchen, the grocery store parking lot and even in the produce section.  It really hit me hard.  There have been far to many other school shootings, even one in my hometown in Vermont, but this one was different for me.  It was little, itty-bitty, helpless babies and I HAVE a little, itty-bitty, helpless baby.  Even now as I try to write this I can't grasp all the reasoning behind why I have felt the way I have.  But it makes me sad.  I don't know anything about the heartbreak one must feel losing a child, but I do know about loving a child.  I held Max extra tight that night and every night since.  I stare deep in to his beautiful hazel eyes just a little longer when I say "bye-bye" and even "good morning".  I am so blessed to have Max in my life and I cherish every day.  I hope the families of those children, those babies, those teachers, cherished every day and know that they too are so blessed to of had them in their lives.  

This past September, we had our family pictures taken by my friend and colleague, Deb.  I am so glad that we have that moment in our life captured forever.  Years from now, we will look back on it and laugh and love and squeal (because Max was just too darn cute with that red balloon!).  I truly believe in the importance of documenting life and from that I was put in touch with The Olivia Act.  The Olivia Act was set up by a Connecticut photographer as a way to encourage other photographers to give back.  We were asked to offer a free 30 minute session to a family in need who may not have gotten a professional photography session otherwise.  The family is chosen through nominations written by their family, friends and neighbors within that family's town.

So, I am joining in and offering a free, 30 minute session to one family, along with a DVD of the images and an 8X10 print that they can frame and have in their home forever.  If you would like to nominate a Franklin/Boston area family, please e-mail me personally at aubrey@aubreybgreene.com and tell me why this family should be the ones to receive this gift.  I will be accepting nominations via e-mail until January 18, 2013.

Please spread the word however you can :)  If you would like to find a participating photographer in your area, please check out The Olivia Act blog here.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Aubrey B Greene Photography Blog using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Historical Museum: Happy Birthday Ben!

Sunday 1/20/13 Happy Birthday Ben!

Celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday and hear Vera Meyer on the Glass Harmonica, and amazing musical instrument invented by Franklin himself.




Franklin Historical Museum is open from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday

Sunrise Montessori School Open House

Are you starting to look for a preschool or kindergarten for the fall? Or do you have a 3 year old that you think could benefit from starting before then? Consider Sunrise Montessori in Franklin.

Sunrise will be having an Open House Saturday, January 26 from 11:00am- 1:00pm. Please stop by to meet the teachers, discuss the program and explore the classrooms.  Sunrise has many great program options.  They offer half day programs as well as full day programs. They also have the added flexibility of before and after school care for working parents.  Stop by and see for yourself!

Sunrise Montessori School Open House

Saturday, January 26, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

31 Hayward St

Franklin, MA

508-541-8010

You can view or download their flyer here

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczQjB3ZDY5QVhzV2c