"It’s a great roadmap"

Yes, Master Plans are important. In this summary by the MetroWest Daily News, you can tell this had been prepared in advance of publishing today. Franklin's Master plan was approved at the Town Council meeting this past Wednesday (Sep 25).

After spending several years working to update the master plan, Loomis said town officials will continue to use the plan to help guide the town’s future development. 

"There’s always work to be done," said Loomis. "The master plan is a living, working document." 

After nearly three years of public hearings and visioning meetings, Franklin is on the cusp of updating its master plan for the first time since 1997. Planning Board members will likely accept the plan early next month, said Town Planner Beth Dahlstrom.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1155167798/Towns-craft-blueprints-for-their-futures#ixzz2gHN7QJUP

The Master Plan for Franklin can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/pages/FranklinMA_Planning/masterplandoc/doc

Franklin Matters reporting on the Master Plan can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/public-hearing-draft-2013-master-plan.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/master-plan-mission-and-vision.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/master-plan-required-summer-reading.html

"denied the request without further discussion"

The Library Book Sale issue made it to the Milford Daily News in this recap of what has been published already:

"Our thought was, ‘Why do you kick $6,000 to $7,000 out of the window?' " said Kathie Nosek, who has planned the sale for the last two years. "Why would you not take that in addition to your sales?" 

Five days later, Nosek said Friday, the decision still perplexes her. 

"I think the Friends are still in shock about it to be honest," she said. "We never assumed that someone could be so mathematically challenged as to not look at the figures." 

Lucier on Friday questioned why the board would cancel an event that is put on at no cost to the library or town and which results in revenue for a library that needs it.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1655342465/Questions-linger-after-Franklin-library-book-sale-is-nixed#ixzz2gB7u34l4

A new caption for what the Ben Franklin statue is doing outside the library is 'he is also trying to make sense of this!"

Ben Franklin statue in 2008

Respectfully, there is nothing new in this issue. If you read through the Library Board's meeting notes, this 'issue' has been around for quite a while. There is something deeply disturbing in the relationship between the two groups that has not been resolved. It does take two to tango, and if only one party is willing to come to the table. It will be a long time before there is a dance.

In case you missed hearing about this, here is the replay:

The letter to the Friends of Franklin Library (FoFL)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/friends-of-franklin-library-book-sale.html

FoFL President Maria Lucier's update
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/friends-of-franklin-library-fall-book.html

My reporting on the September Library Board meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/library-board-will-not-reconsider.html

The Library Board minutes for the August meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/library-board-aug-meeting.html

Library: Pencil Pizazz

The Library craft for Monday is "Pencil Pizazz"

Pencil pizazz

This posting originated on the Franklin Library blog
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2013/09/krafty-monday-pencil-pizazz.html

In the News: Gatehouse Media Chapter 11

GateHouse Media Inc. files prepackaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy

GateHouse Media Inc., owner of The MetroWest Daily News, the Milford Daily News and more than 150 weekly newspapers and Wicked Local websites in Massachusetts, has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Delaware.

School Committee: MCAS and PARCC presentations

If you missed the School Committee meeting on Tuesday and want to review the presentations on MCAS and PARCC, the new test being piloted here in Franklin, you can view both documents here.


The overview on Franklin's MCAS scores




The overview on PARCC which is slated to replace MCAS




More about the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) can be found here  http://www.parcconline.org/

More about MCAS can be found here http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/

Farmers Market - Town Common - noon to 6:00 PM

The Farmers Market is open every Friday through October.

farmers market sign downtown

Stop by to get fresh produce!

farmers market on a sunny day

Great Weather for Autumn Hike on Saturday

The Autumn Trail Hike of the SNETT will take place this Saturday, from 10:00 to Noon starting at the trailhead on Grove Street in Franklin.

This free event is cosponsored by the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee and the Metacoment Land Trust.  In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will be proving a professional guide.  Kid-friendly activities will be provided along a one-mile round trip hike.

This event is free and you can register at www.FanklinBellinghamRailTrail.org

• Like Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail on Facebook

• More About the Metacomet Land Trust 

SNETT sign on Grove St