Poor handling

Given the occasional visits the family has made to Ichigo Ichie/s, it is a good restaurant. The water bubble wall is enchanting and more importantly the food is good. Their liquor license procedures stand some significant improvement however. For a restaurant open only two years, to have failed the license compliance check each year is not good. That kind of track record is going to jeopardize their operations.

The hearing on their second suspension was initially scheduled for this Wednesday's Town Council meeting and rescheduled for Sep 4. The lawyer representing Ichigo Ichie's is out of town so they asked for the reschedule.

Ichigo Ichie - Franklin, MA

Tune into the meeting Sep 4th to find out when the next suspension of their liquor license will occur. The first offense usually results in a one day suspension with the second a three day suspension. Ichigo Ichie's would stand to loose a weekend of operation following the precedence of prior suspensions.


Related links
Agenda for Weds Aug 7
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-aug-7.html

Ichigo Ichie opens
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/updates-ichigo-ichie-and-italian.html

Ichigo Ichie's first suspension
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/in-news-town-council-meeting-coverage.html

Ichigo Ichie's webpage http://www.ichigoichieus.com/franklin/index.html

PanMass Challenge makes a water stop in Franklin

As noted the annual PanMass Challenge bike riders made their water stop in Franklin on Saturday morning. The riders left Sturbridge and began to arrive at the Remington-Jefferson School complex around 7:30 AM. I stopped by to take some photos, a couple of brief videos and managed to see a couple of the riders I had contributed to. I missed finding the other riders but as you can see in the photos, most are all wearing the same shirt. They all have their safety helmets on and when on a bike, they can be hard to pick out of the crowd.

It is heartwarming to see the welcome provided by so many of the volunteers, friends and family and equally heartwarming to see so many riders. When folks can come together like this for a good cause, it is a special time!

The entrance:


In the middle of the water stop:



The entrance on Washington St



coming in to the water stop



the helmet decorations helped to find riders



Team Kermit



coming around the bend



food, refreshments, medical assistance and a DJ playing up beat music



once the riders arrived, they had some fun to find who they were looking for!



Town Administrator Jeff Nutting



Marty Middelman and his family

Proposed Ballot Question: Treasurer/Collector appointed or elected?

Proposed ballot question text:

Shall the city known as the Town of Franklin approve the charter amendment proposed by the Franklin Town Council in Resolution 13-30 summarized below?

The proposed amendment eliminates the provision for election of the Town Treasurer-Collector and adds a provision for appointment of the Town Treasurer-Collector by the Town Administrator, with input from a selection committee and ratification by the Town Council; the amendment takes effect if and when approved by the voters, except that the incumbent Treasurer-Collector shall serve the remainder of his current term.

This seems like a good one to do a poll or survey question on. If you are reading this via email, please come to the Franklin Matters webpage:  http://www.franklinmatters.org/  You should find the survey question in the top right corner and submit your choice!

The survey will stay open for 2 weeks to allow sufficient time for folks to have their say given summer vacation time, etc.

If you have any comments on the topic, please feel free to leave them here or on the Franklin Matters Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/franklinmatters

Franklin Ma: Town Council - Agenda - Aug 7

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– May 8, 2013, May 15, 16, 2013 Budget Hearings

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
- Conservation Commission: Paul Harrington
Cultural Council: Rev. Bob Johnnene
Election Workers: (see listing in agenda doc)

F. HEARINGS
- Violation of M.G.L. 138 §34: Sale, Delivery of Furnishing of an Alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21 – Postponed to September 4, 2013- 7:10 PM (Ichigo Ichie and Village Mall Liquors)

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- Department of Public Works

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-57: Submittal to Town Clerk of Final Form of Ballot Question, RE: Proposed Charter Amendment Changing Treasurer-Collector From Elected to Appointed Position
2. Resolution 13-58: Intermunicipal Agreement For Regional Public Safety Communications and Dispatch Center
3. Resolution 13-59: Authorization to Sign Amended Regulatory Agreement
4. Resolution 13-60: Acceptance of Gift – Town of Franklin
5. Bylaw Amendment 13-718:Amendment to Chapter 185§7-Compliance Required – 2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O.EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Town Administrator’s Contract

P. ADJOURN

The full set of documents as published for this meeting can be found on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/080713.pdf

Franklin News: hydrant flow testing, public health advisory

Hydrant Flow Testing

The Franklin Department of Public Works, Water Division will be conducting hydrant flow testing during the overnight hours on Monday August 5 through Wednesday August 7. Flow testing will take place between the hours of 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM each night. Residents may experience temporary water loss or discolored water while hydrants are being tested in their area. Even though the water may be discolored, it is still safe for human consumption. For more information please visit the DPW homepage at:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/index


Public Health Notice

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a horse from Belchertown in west-central Massachusetts. So far this year there have been no human cases of either West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis in humans in Massachusetts.

It is prudent however for all individuals in Massachusetts to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites no matter where they live.

Apply Insect Repellent When Outdoors: Use a repellent with DEET, Permethrin, picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product labels. Remember not to use products with DEET on infants under two months of age. DEET products in concentrations above 30% should not be used on older children. Oil of eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours: Mosquitos are most active between the hours from dusk to dawn. Limit your exposure out of doors during this peak biting time if possible. If you must be outside, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks will help keep mosquitos away from your skin.

Drain Standing Water on Your Property: Mosquitos lay their eggs in standing or stagnant water. Drain birdbaths, flower pots, buckets and children’s wading pools frequently.

Additional public health advisories/alerts regarding WNV and EEE will be provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Franklin Health Department as the situation warrants.

More information on mosquito-borne viruses can be found at the MADPH Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.


Note: These notices were originally posted to the official Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net

Franklin Public Schools: Summer Update

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello As summer vacation is winding down we wanted to send out an update as we prepare for the opening of the 2013-2014 academic year. Student Schedules and Class Placements All FHS, MS schedules and elementary class placement letters will go out in the afternoon mail on August 15.  At FHS the guidance staff will be back on  August  20 to handle scheduling conflicts. The HS Guidance Office has been staffed all summer and some counseling  staff will be available on August 1,6,7 and 8. A number of families have been contacted about scheduling conflicts and have not responded to calls and letters from guidance. If you have been contacted about a conflict please call the HS as soon as possible to set up a time to resolve the conflicts. New FHS The construction project is on time and we anticipate the official opening on the first day of the 2014-2015 academic year.  Franklin Public Schools summer programming that has been traditionally scheduled at the HS will be moved to the HMMS/Oak complex. Other recreational programs will also need to be relocated. We will be collaborating with all stakeholders  to schedule all summer 2014 events. Facilities Work Projects at Remington/Jefferson, Parmenter and Kennedy are progressing. We have been assured all work will be completed by the start of the school year. This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

Stop & Shop A+ update

The timeline sent to me that I shared earlier this week was a little misleading. The SCHOOLS can register as of August 1. We can register as of September 1.

Stop & Shop screenshot grabbed as of 8/2/13

For the post earlier this week, check here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/stop-shop-bonusbucks-rewards-franklin.html