Monday, September 15, 2014

What will we do with the money?

The RFP for the former sewer plant on Pond St is out as well as the proposal to sell 150 Emmons St. With two RFP's on the street to sell town property, it might be time to start the discussion on what are we going to do with the money?

The money from either or both sales would qualify as capital funds and hence would have to be used for similar purposes according to what I recall the discussion on the sale of the Four Corners Building (now Walgreens). The funds can not be used for annual operational expenses.

The renovation and expansion of the Library I think would qualify. The buildout of the second floor of the Senior Center should also qualify.

What else would?

Is there a current plan to use the money or to just set it aside in the bank for future use?

Four Corners Building - June 2009 (just before demolition)
Four Corners Building - June 2009 (just before demolition)


Milford Daily News article on the Pond St RFP
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140913/NEWS/140918125/1994/NEWS

The agenda for Wednesday's Town Council meeting includes the details of the 150 Emmons St RFP
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/09/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-sep-17.html

Audio from the Town Council meeting January 19, 2008 on the Four Corners RFP
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2008/01/four-corners-rfp-discussion.html


One more "Amazing" Pan-Mass Fundraiser...


Only 15 more days of fund raising left for the 2014 Pan Mass Challenge!

Many of you have already donated and for that I thank you.

Now please support me with this one last fund raiser for 2014. I am selling raffle tickets for this "Amazing Spider-Man" quilt that my wife, Patricia, work hard on all spring and summer.

Amazing hand quilted Spiderman



Until September 27th, this 38" × 47" Spider-Man Quilt will be on display at:
Friendly Neighborhood Comics
191 Mechanic St.
Bellingham, MA 02019

Friendly neighborhood comics
Friendly neighborhood comics
amazing Spiderman quilt
amazing Spiderman quilt


If you would like to be the proud owner of this quilt you can purchase raffle tickets at Friendly Neighborhood Comics during the month of September.

The drawing will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 @ 4:00 PM. The winner will be announced on FNC's FaceBook page and via @PMC_M8R on Twitter.

You can also purchase raffle tickets online by making a donation to my Pan-Mass Challenge ride:
http://pmc.org/egifts/mm0373

Be sure to mention "Spider-Man Quilt" in the "Note to Rider(s)" field at the bottom of the second screen. Your tickets will then be mailed to you.

Ticket prices are as follows:

…and if you want the quilt really bad:
…and if you want the quilt really REALLY bad:

Did I mention that it glows in the dark?

Spiderman quilt glows in the dark
Spiderman quilt glows in the dark

If you have a friend you think might be interested then please forward this email or send them to this link, which describes the Spider-Man Quilt Raffle in detail:

http://pmcmarty.tumblr.com/post/96264499041/spider-man-quilt


100% of all proceeds will get directly passed through to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where your donations will fund vital cancer research and patient care.

PS - If you have your donation to the PMC matched by your company's Corporate Gift Matching Program, that amount will be taken into consideration for your raffle ticket order.


---------------------------------------------------------
Martin Middelmann​
Pan-Mass Challenge Rider
Cure Cancer by donating here:
http://pmc.org/MM0373
---------------------------------------------------------

Franklin Flyers Learn to Skate and Introduction to Hockey registration is now open!


Franklin Youth Hockey has opened the registration for their Learn to Skate and Introduction to Hockey programs. Each program has three consecutive 9-week sessions. Session 1 will start on Sunday September 21, 2014. 
You can register and get additional information on their website, franklinflyers.org. Act now before the sessions fill up, these are the only Learn to Skate and Introduction to Hockey programs affiliated with the Franklin Flyers.

Franklin Flyers website
Franklin Flyers website

Informational Meeting on the Atlantic Bridge Project


Algonquin Gas Transmission has scheduled an informational meeting on the Atlantic Bridge Project, which includes a proposed expansion of the Algonquin Gas Transmission with new pipelines in Southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Algonquin representatives will be available to answer questions concerning the proposed facilities, safety, environmental and permitting processes, construction and operation, and other aspects of the Atlantic Bridge Project.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014
5:30 pm -7:30 pm
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham,
835 Upper Union Street in Franklin

If you are unable to attend feel free to call 888-331-6553 or write to the Algonquin Project Office, 3 Allied Drive, Suite 303, Dedham, MA 02026 with questions

Atlantic Bridge Project

Atlantic Bridge Project



You can also find additional info on the Spectra Energy webpage here
http://www.spectraenergy.com/Newsroom/News-Archive/Spectra-Energy-to-Expand-Pipeline-Systems-in-New-England/

and here
http://www.spectraenergy.com/Operations/New-Projects-and-Our-Process/New-Projects-in-US/Atlantic-Bridge/



This was shared from the Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01E79389-000F8513

Sunday, September 14, 2014

New FHS Tour/Dedication Schedule

From the Franklin Public Schools page

Tours

Saturday, September 20
10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m


Dedication Ceremony and Reception

Sunday September 21
Ceremony 1:00
Reception and Tours 1:30- 3:30

Franklin High School
Franklin High School

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Sep 17, 2014


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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
Franklin Advisory Committee
Deborah L. Pellegri
Joseph F. Halligan Jr.
Paul R. Compton
Richard Ciccone
F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Ron Roux – Design Build, LLC
David McKearney, Board of Health

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-56: Franklin Advisory Committee
2. Resolution 14-57: Support for House Bill 1840, Seniors and Retired Volunteers Act of 2013
3. Resolution 14-58: Authorization to Issue Request for Proposals – Emmons Street Property

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN



The set of documents released for this meeting can be found on the Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/091714.pdf


Note: most of the document released is the full text and associated supporting docs for the RFP on 150 Emmons St

150 Emmons St - the subject of the RFP
150 Emmons St - the subject of the RFP

"How not to be ignorant about the world"

The TED Talk by Hans and Ola Rosling has a provocative title. It may be just me but I would have said "How to better informed about the world." And maybe that is why I am doing what I do and not presenting something like this.

Regular readers know that what we are about here at Franklin Matters is sharing information and creating a fact-based understanding about what is happening in Franklin. We focus on the business side of things but do spend time in related matters.

At one point in the talk Hans says:
"You see, the problem is not that people don't read and listen to the media. The problem is that the media doesn't know themselves."
What we do here is not 'traditional media'. I use "we" deliberately. You contribute as much to this site as I do. Your questions, your information, your corrections all help to drive what is shared here. It may be my name on most of the regular posts. It may be Renata's name on the weekly summary of events. But is is YOU behind the scenes feeding us the info and questions.

Towards the end of the talk Ola (Hans' son) says:
"If you have a fact-based worldview of today, you might have a chance to understand what's coming next in the future."
Thank you! Please continue to read, comment, share and ask question. Together we can become more informed about Franklin or as Hans would say "not ignorant!"

The video runs about 18 minutes so settle in and enjoy!





You can find this Ted Talk on the official Ted page here
http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_and_ola_rosling_how_not_to_be_ignorant_about_the_world/transcript?language=en

Other TED Talks by Hans Rosling can be found on his profile page
http://www.ted.com/speakers/hans_rosling

Hans Rosling - TED bio page
Hans Rosling - TED bio page


Note: as mentioned previously, if someone has interest to follow and report on Franklin committee meetings, feel free to reach out to me. I can help you with the technical details.