Sunday, November 24, 2013

Cook's Farm - about to be changed

With the zoning bylaw changes approved, Cook's Farm will eventually be changed from what we see today. The developer will still need to go through the approval process with the Planning Board and others before the work begins. I captured some photos a couple of weeks ago to preserve the record of what we see today.


CooksFarm4
entering Franklin


CooksFarm5
individual home next to the farm stand



CooksFarm3
farm stand view


CooksFarm2
farm stand view 2



CooksFarm1
Cook's Farm as you leave Franklin


The Town Council first reading discussion
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/divided-council-moves-zoning-bylaw.html

and the second reading where the zoning bylaw passed by the required number of votes
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/ichigo-ichie-cooks-farm-and-bunch-of.html



In the News: medical marijuana, snow preparations, transient students

7 firms seek to dispense medical marijuana in area

The following business have applied for Framingham: Massachusetts Compassionate Patient Care Corp., Patient Alliance Wellness Center Inc., Mass Relief, Prime Wellness of MA Inc. and 1 Releaf, Inc. Two businesses, Baystate Medical Enterprises Inc. and Commonwealth BioPharm Inc., will be seeking permits in Franklin.

Local towns gearing up for the snow

Following a winter in which the governor issued a "shelter in place" warning for the first time since the Blizzard of '78, the state and utilities are taking steps to prepare for the snows to come this storm season.

Transient students pose problems for districts

Every year, on a morning in late August or early September, thousands of students across the region step off the bus to start their first day of school. Around 180 school days later, they'll say goodbye for another summer.


"comply with city and town ordinances, regulations and bylaws"

The medical marijuana application process is moving along at the state level and Franklin prepared by defining an overlay zone for medical marijuana in the industrial park areas of town.

Bio-Care Collaborative Inc. has met with various town officials, including the police and fire chiefs, over its proposal for a dispensary at 122 Grove St., within an area sited to allow for the cultivation and sale of medical marijuana. 
"Good luck with your Phase II application," wrote Health Director David McKearney and Board of Health Chairman Bruce Hunchard, "and we look forward to having Bio-Care join our business community." 
According to a letter dated Nov. 19, Bio-Care would grow the medical marijuana sold at the Franklin facility in another community. However, the town indicated that it would have "no objection" to the nonprofit also opening a cultivation center here, as long as it meets the zoning restrictions.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x348811421/Franklin-supports-medical-marijuana-vendor#ixzz2lZ0Gs1tT

zoning discussion in Jan 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/live-reporting-medical-marijuana-zoning.html


Saturday, November 23, 2013

DelCarte Playground - construction progress

I got out to the DelCarte Property last weekend to grab some photos of the new playground under construction. As reported here earlier, this work was approved by the Town Council as part of the repairs to the dam. Work remains to complete the playground and work remains to add some formal trails through the property to make it more accessible and enjoyable for Franklin residents and visitors.


The Town Council approval of the work occurred in March
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/delcarte-recreation-proposal.html



DelCarte_Playground1
Playground - walk around

DelCarte_Playground2
Playground - walk around - stairs and slides

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playground walk around - that it looks like a tree fits nicely with the area

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playground  walk around - side view

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playground - yes, there'll be swings!

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playground - facing Pleasant St, my back it to the water

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playground - corner view

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playground - completed the walk around - good place to start/end with

Other visits to the DelCarte space have produced video and photos including these samples

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-open-space-photo-essay.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/delcarte-property-summer-time.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html


Reminder: Library Book Sale - Nov 23 - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Reminder: The Library has announced another book sale for Saturday, Nov 23.




In the News: decorate downtown, play hockey

Downtown Partnership, Garden Club to decorate downtown

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will join the Franklin Garden Club to decorate the downtown for the holidays on Sunday, Nov. 24. Any and all helpers are welcome.


Learn to skate, play hockey in Franklin

Franklin Youth Hockey is offering Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey programs starting Dec. 1.



Friday, November 22, 2013

Franklin’s downtown would be a candidate for designation as a "cultural district."

The Milford Daily News reports on a visit by the MA Cultural Council Director on Thursday
"This is very exciting: This community sees the arts as central not only to the quality of life for the people who live here, but it also sees the arts as essential for a top quality education and essential for the vitality of its downtown," said Anita Walker, appointed as the state’s highest-ranking cultural official in 2007. 
Walker's last stop on her first trip to Franklin was the downtown Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Upon seeing the school, she walked through the proposed space for the Franklin Performing Arts Company’s new theater on West Central Street. 
The nonprofit will open a 250-seat "black box" style venue in the spring.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915446832/Officials-laud-Franklin-s-embrace-of-the-arts#ixzz2lN8LKhr0

The future home of the "Black Box Theater" for the Franklin School for the Performing Arts would be located here

future home of "The Black Box"
future home of "The Black Box"