Franklin Matters

Saturday, August 23, 2014

In the News: Franklin hiking group

The Milford Daily News has a nice write up on the Franklin Area Kids Hiking group:

The idea came to her while she read comments left on the "Friends of Franklin" Facebook group. Many came from moms who discussed trying to fit in outdoor activities for their children in between work and chores, Mercurio said. She suggested hiking.

Not knowing what to expect, she created the Franklin Area Kids Hiking Group on a whim: In four days, more than 100 parents had joined. And the number has doubled since then.

Mercurio usually plans two to three hikes each week, two of which tailor to specific themes.

Continue reading the article here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140823/NEWS/140828300/1994/NEWS

screen capture of Franklin Area Kids Hiking Group Facebook page

For additional info on the Kids Hiking Group you can review the article in the Franklin Town News
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/franklin-kids-hiking-group.html

and of course visit their Facebook page here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/830232910335361/

Friday, August 22, 2014

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 8/22/14 - THU 8/28/14

FRI 8/22 10:30am Liquid Nitrogen Demonstrations at Franklin Public Library
FRI 8/22 12-6pm Farmers Market at Franklin Common
FRI 8/22 3pm Whale Mobile at Franklin Public Library. Registration required.
FRI 8/22 6:30pm Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center

SAT 8/23 1-4pm Farm to table cocktails with Corey Bunnewith and Akin Bak Farm at Pour Richard's in Franklin

SUN 8/24 8am Yoga on the beach - free event at Beaver Pond, Franklin

MON 8/25 4-7pm Farmer’s Market at Whole Foods Plaza in Bellingham

WED 8/27 3pm End of Summer Party at Franklin Public Library. Barn Babies, Balloon Animals, Glitter tattoos and more. (Teen end of summer party on 8/29)
WED 8/27 4-8pm FSPA Open House, 38 Main St., Franklin.
WED 8/27 5pm Grand Opening of Franklin Sculpture Park (Panther Way next to the Police Station)

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

FHS - new policy on Food in School

A posting by Elizabeth's Bagels is making its way around Facebook. I saw it on Thursday and answered one of the points as to why outside food is being restricted at the new FHS building by posting the following:

FOOD IN SCHOOL AND CAFETERIA POLICY

Outside of the cafeteria and the designated area in the Media Center food and drink WILL NOT be allowed in the classrooms or hallways. Students will not be allowed to bring any outside beverage other than water into the school.

The school cafeteria is a vital part of the daily operation of our school.
The following regulations govern student behavior during the lunch period:
(Violations of cafeteria rules will result in progressive discipline.)

1. Food or drink may not be taken from the cafeteria.
2. When lunch period is over, students are to deposit paper and other trash in the proper
receptacles. ALL STUDENTS SEATED AT A TABLE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CLEANLINESS OF THAT TABLE.
3. Students are expected to enter the cafeteria at the beginning of their assigned lunch and
remain for the entire lunch period.
4. Students are not to throw anything at any time in the cafeteria.
5. Cutting in lunch lines is prohibited.
6. The consumption of food in the halls and classes will not be tolerated.

You can find this text on page 76 in the PDF copy here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczNmVkZjBIWExtcU0/edit?usp=sharing

Video Replay of School Committee meeting

The video replay of the School Committee meeting on Aug 12 is available from the Franklin webpage. You can go directly via this link
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=635442513005685000&indexSessionSKU=aspL9zlrD2nqnB/uBCAisQ%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D

(Note: the high school portion of the handbook discussion begins approx. 17 minutes.
The food discussion begins at about 35 minutes)

You can also navigate via the new layout of the Franklin webpage. Choose "Live Meetings and Video", select August and then choose the School Committee meeting for Aug 12.

screen image of the re-designed Franklin webpage

Sep 9 - Primary Election

While the official tours of the new High School will be held on September 20, 2014, those who are registered and choose to vote in the Primary Election on Sep 9 will be able to get a close up view as they use the school to cast their ballot.

STATE PRIMARY ELECTION

DATE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

TIME: 6:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.

PLACE: NEW FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL ON OAK STREET

Absentee ballots are available from the Town Clerk:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/2014%20Sept.%20Primary%20Absentee%20Notice.pdf

The Democratic candidates for the Sep 9 primary can be found here
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele14/democratic14.htm

The Republican candidates for the Sep 9 primary can be found here
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele14/republican14.htm

Sec of the Commonwealth's Elections page

Security concern? Odd solicitations

From our Franklin Facebook network:

Security concern?
This car was spotted in the Miller St/Briarwood/Blueberry Lane/Silver Fox area. The 2 individuals stopped at several locations and at at least one house claimed to be soliciting for Verizon. They are not registered as solicitors with the Franklin police as required. Their behavior was odd and I personally find it strange that Verizon would employ door-to-door salespeople (who do not give prior notice or appointment) in this day and age.

Keep a lookout and let the Franklin PD know if you see them behaving suspiciously... dark gray 4-door Ford, license plate 172 ZT8.

Franklin Police station on Panther Way

In the News: Emmons St

The Milford Daily News reports on some changes in the proposal for what the RFP should look like for the Emmons St property:

"At what point did you decide this?" said Jane Curran, owner of the downtown business Jane’s Frames. "When the meeting ended and the public left?"

Susan Sheridan, a member of the Franklin Art Association, noted, "We had pie in the sky dreams in the beginning, but little by little it’s been chipped away."

Gateway Committee members in a recent petition lobbied the town to consider developing the parcel into a public space to bring out the best of Franklin’s art and food.

That idea has not been well received, though, with one member of the Economic Development Committee remarking Wednesday that the property will "undoubtedly" become a bank.

You can read the full article here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140822/NEWS/140828737/1994/NEWS

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Solar Challenge: Informational Meeting Summary

The Milford Daily News reported on the informational meeting on Wednesday writing in part:

The Franklin Department of Planning and Community Development held an informational meeting on Wednesday night to call attention to its "Solar Challenge," a program modeled after the state’s Solarize Massachusetts that aims to boost the use of photovoltaic energy in town.

The more residents who sign on to have solar panels installed, the more the cost for the work drops. People can purchase a solar energy system directly or enter into a lease or power purchase agreement in which the installer will own and maintain the panels while the home or business owner purchases the power generated at a reduced rate.

Planning Director Bryan Taberner said the department will continue marketing the program and eventually hire a solar contractor. Residents seeking more information about the program can call 508-520-4907.