2014 Franklin Harvest Festival Planning Under Way

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is currently planning the 12th annual Harvest Festival and is looking for crafters, entertainers, vendors, volunteers and sponsors. The festival is scheduled for Sunday, October 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will take place rain or shine.

Organizers expect more than 6,000 visitors to attend this year’s event in downtown Franklin, where they’ll be treated to delicious food options, a live DJ and local entertainers on several stages, games and activities for the kids, and more than 100 crafter, artist and organization booths to browse through. Local businesses will hold sales and special promotions, and the Fire Station and the Historical Museum plan displays and activities.

“The Harvest Festival is one of the best opportunities we have to bring the community together and show off all that downtown Franklin has to offer. Year after year our visitors discover great shopping, new restaurants, helpful resources and talented local artists,” says Executive Director Lisa Piana.

Franklin Downtown Partnership

There is still time for crafters, organizations, performers and interested groups to participate. Booth space is limited and registrations must be received by September 5. Registration forms and more information can be found at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/ or by contacting Booth Chairperson Terri Frank at terrifrank1@gmail.com. 

Sponsors are needed to support this festival. The FDP relies on sponsors to run this and other events, including the Strawberry Stroll, Holiday Stroll and its beautification days. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship can contact the FDP office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774)-571-3109. Sponsorship forms and a full list of opportunities can be found on the website under the Sponsors tab.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a 501(c)3 organization made up of more than 200 business owners, community leaders and residents working to revitalize downtown Franklin through events, education and communication. For more information about the Partnership or any of its efforts please contact the office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774)571-3109.

Click on these links to download and print these important forms:

Membership Application

Harvest Festival Registration Form

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship Registration Form

current Committee openings

The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees: If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the attached form and return the Town Administrator's Office.

Conservation - Conservation Commission 

Council on aging - COA 

Cultural Council - Cultural Council 

Disabilities Commission 

Historical Commission - Historical Commission 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Contact Maxine Kinhart 508-520-4949 

Zoning Board of Appeals - Associate Member ZBA

Franklin Municipal Building

Town of Franklin volunteer form  can be found on the Franklin webpage here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01E3B9EF-000F8513.0/TOWN%20OF%20FRANKLIN%20VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf


This was re-shared from the official Franklin page here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01E3B9EF-000F8513

Solar Challenge: presentation copies

The introductory slides for the Solar Challenge meeting held in Franklin on Aug 20, 2014

Solar in Franklin

You can also view/download the document via Google Docs:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRzBFeXZRYXFLVlh0Z2I5NnZpTUtHSWZRVk1J/edit?usp=sharing

The 'solar 101' presentation copy

You can also view/download the document via Google Docs:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczeW1vYnZUQ3p0ZjhxVndaRHM1YUJSNHR5dy0w/edit?usp=sharing

the solar farm at Mt Saint Mary's

Live reporting: Solar Challenge - Q&A

question on insurance?
there is insurance available per an insurance agent in the room

What happens after the life of the warranty?
panels are 25 year warranty
National Grid took 2 months to put a reverse meter on for one install

photo of presentation in Council Chambers

what assurance do we have that the companies are still in?
open to speculation

What is payback?
one homeowner is getting a payback in 5 years

Has seen some info on a chemical reaction that can cause hazardous waste?
there are no hazardous issues, can be disposed of industrial waste

In the winter, when it snows do you have to clear the snow?
in the winter, generally speaking, the bottom layer of the snow melts and it slides off all at once
in terms of the panels themselves, there is no maintenance required

maintains spreadsheet on production, 8,000 KW hours per year
saw same results in Concord program, a 4-5 year payback on a 25 year system
better return than the stock market
key factor is the SREC, a guaranteed revenue

can you bank the SRECs?
there are companies that will broker or manage the SRECs
the aggregator will play the market to gain the revenue

How long can you stockpile SRECs?
up to one year
SREC should last for some time
managed growth category SREC II is open for the 10 years

have an app on the cell phone to see status up to the minute

Can I ask about net metering?
generally the credits generated are not paid for by the electric companies
there are three load zones in the state, can use the credits to virtually net meter

Does pay $6 something a month for using the grid as an electrical resource
Electric companies will likely look to get that changed but it will take time

Panels were spec'ed out to cover two electric cars

Quick example with rounded dollars

stepping down for a 6 KW system
24,000
one third eligible for tax credit
down to 16,000
1,000 for MA CEC credit
1,000 for State
down to 14,000

saving 1,000 on electric
gaining 2,000 on SRECs
so you have 3,000 per year income

14,000 up front expense with a 3,000 year income calculates a less than 5 year payback

Can you clarify what the Franklin Solar Challenge will do?

will be using an agreggator, one installer to get the buying power as a group

next steps to process the RFP to choose the installer
start on Sept 10 to community outreach for the installers, etc.

great low group pricing to take advantage of
a community effort, maybe 10-15 hours a week to help spread the word

what if 1,000 residences signed up?

there is a pre-qualification process, use the suneye to evaluate
consider the design, think about financials, make a decision
then the installations will occur, it can take from 2 to 6 months

once the contract is signed, the rebates can be used
can't get rebate after system being installed

Will installer check roof for assessment?

yes, installer will be able to do that

There are options for everyone to do something

Live reporting: Solar Challenge

Factoid: 

The Town of Franklin has at least 75 individually owned solar panel projects that generate over 6.2MW.

Brett Feldman, Town Councilor

In Franklin for 10 years, now a homeowner and looking to go solar. Has been a driving influence behind the community effort to get a group project for solar going. It will help to control costs that are within the individuals realm.
A quick poll of how folks heard revealed Milford Daily News, Gazette, Franklin Matters, town website, Twitter, etc.

Derrick Mathieu, Planner

only 58 projects in the state over 7M cost, 2 are here in Franklin
looking to coordinate with a local solar provider, proposals are due back from the vendors this Friday. Would evaluate the proposals and determine the successful vendors.
one person needed to work 10-15 hours per month
a rebate is available but expiring soon
social media coordination, event planning all to be done before the end of the year

Elizabeth Youngblood, project manager, MA Clean Energy Center (CEC)

to present a 'solar 101'

MA CEC funded by renewal energy trust from each power bill
looking to grow this area of clean energy
work with interns and other energy companies
they operate the commonwealth solar rebate program
MA is looking to do their own solar challenge

solar by comparison with other energy sources renewal or otherwise - solar is huge
MA is good for solar
MA has 9th highest energy prices in US, a reason to go solar

cost of systems had been about $8/watt (2009)
now with rebates it has come down to about $5/watt

comparison of maps from 2006 to 2013 shows a dramatic increase in individual solar systems

what makes a good site?

• southern facing
• roof pitched at 30-45 degrees
• at least 4-6 hours of direct sun
• open roof area of ~100 sq ft per 1KW
• open space for a pole mounted system

brief explanation of net metering
use of power within the house from the panels, when not being used, it can be passed out to the electrical grid and purchased by the electric company

during a power outage, the system does turn off, unless there is a battery backup system installed

solarmetric suneye

tool that will evaluate the tree coverage to help determine the sun exposure you have
Info on suneye   http://www.solmetric.com/

photo of presentation in Council Chamber

solar incentives in MA

• Federal and state tax credits available
• MA CEC rebate available
• net metering

quarterly funding blocks
around 1,000 applications per quarter approx.
$1.5M available
looking at systems up to 5KW
rebate approx 25 cents per watt
go to www.MassCEC/solar to learn more about this program

last funding block opening in October, once fully subscribed the program will close

minimum technical requirements for installers, UL and California standards to be met

40-60% of homes may not be good for solar
go energy efficiency first, or consider solar hot water which is less forgiving

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC)
SREC II started this year

Ownership models

• individual
• third party ownership

eyoungblood@masscec.com


shifting to Q&A session

Concerts on the Common - 6:00 PM

It is that time of year, school preparations are underway and the last concert of the summer will be held on the Town Common.


6:00 PM - Mike Rutkowski DJ

Concerts on the Common

In the event of rain, the concert will be held across the street at the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

Franklin Solar Challenge - information meeting tonight

Join us for our kick-off meeting, Wednesday August 20 at 7PM in Town Council Chambers! 

The Dept. of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) wants to know if Franklin wants solar panels. The Franklin Solar Challenge will help residents and business owners obtain solar panels for less. The more residents and business owners that sign up, the cheaper solar panels become. 

Right now, DPCD is speaking with other communities who have run their own Solar Challenge, in order to see how best to move forward.

solar panels at Mt Saint Mary's

DPCD Needs Your SupportPlease help get the word out about the Franklin Solar Challenge. DPCD will contact those interested to organize a meeting date and discuss next steps. 

Concord recently engaged in their own Solar Challenge and now 160 residents and business owners have their own solar panels. Save money and go green! Contact Franklin’s DPCD today!

Interested in the Franklin Solar Challenge?
Please Contact the Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning & Community Development at:
(508) 520 – 4907 or TOFPlanning@franklin.ma.us