"we shouldn’t have to feel like we are being judged"

Those who attended the first public hearing for the change Wednesday and a few who watched from home felt the council came across as flippant in listening to their thoughts on the measure. 

If approved, the new zoning would authorize multi-family homes at the property, located off Interstate 495; hotels and office buildings are permitted there now. 

Councilors who support the measure say expanding the zoning will attract more developers, improving the town's chances of finally making much-needed revenue - in the sale of the land and from taxes - off the former sewer beds. 

But Wednesday, dozens of residents who live on or near Pond Street expressed concerns over the measure as it is written now. 

Most of the comments were about the prospect of increasing traffic on a roadway that is already nightmarish during rush hour. Residents also sought assurances from councilors that only a certain number of apartments or condominiums be allowed.

Continue reading the article at the Milford Daily News (subscription may be required): http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150110/NEWS/150119699/1994/NEWS#sthash.oKoKsM99.dpuf


My summary of the full Town Council meeting including audio recordings of the Pond St and Emmons St discussions can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/questions-were-raised-answers-sought.html

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 1/9/15 - THU 1/15/15

FRI 1/9   3:30pm   Science Friday “World of Engineering” - at Franklin Public Library. Registration required.
FRI 1/9   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center: Snowman

SAT 1/10   1pm-3pm   Zentangle Workshop at Franklin Art Center
SAT 1/10   7pm   Electric Youth at The Black Box
SAT 1/10   8pm   Brother Sun at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, First Universalist Society Meetinghouse Franklin
SAT 1/10   9:30pm   Electric Youth at The Black Box (see link above)

SUN 1/11   1pm    Jazz4Kids, a free family concert at The Black Box Theater featuring Mark Poniatowski and Friends

MON 1/12   7pm   Candle Light Remembrance for Lexi and Sean Munroe at the Franklin Town Common. Donation boxes for Franklin Food Pantry will be set up.

TUE 1/13   7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee public meeting at Franklin YMCA.

WED 1/14   6:30pm   Winter Fundraiser for Franklin Downtown Partnership at Pour Richard’s

THU 1/15   4pm   Lego Club (ages 3-12) at Franklin Public Library

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Candle Light Remembrance For Lexi and Sean Munroe

From Facebook, via Gillian Monroe, I find this event scheduled for Monday night Jan 12th:

Lexi & Sean

We will be having a candlelight remembrance for our daughter and son, Lexi & Sean Munroe. 

We will have candles, although you are welcome to bring your own. 

We'll also be releasing lanterns and balloons in memory of Lexi and Sean. 

Donation boxes for the Franklin Food Pantry will be set up. They are in need of toiletry items, peanut butter, tuna, chicken soup and shampoo. 

Thank you all.

This remembrance is scheduled for the Franklin Town Common at 7:00 PM

FM #108 - Emmons St RFP Discussion (audio)

The audio recording (podcast) for the Emmons St RFP discussion from Wednesday (Jan 7, 2015) night's Town Council meeting is available.

The run time is about 34 minutes.





You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

My notes from the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/live-reporting.html


Note: If you have any suggestions/corrections to make, please feel free to let me know.

Norfolk Library: Trivets/Hot Plates Exhibit

On view in the Library foyer for the month of January will be a special exhibit of over 50 wooden Trivets/Hot Plates designed and built by Peter Mulliken of Franklin. 

Mr. Mulliken taught basic woodworking at the Dexter School in Brookline, MA for 41 years, retiring in 2012.

The trivets were an "end-of-term" project for those students who completed their major woodworking project ahead of schedule. They could choose from a wide selection of designs Peter had on hand or could make up one of their own. 

Project plans and drawings for some of the trivets will be on display in addition to basic woodworking reference books Peter found helpful while teaching the students.

Parents, grandparents, teachers, scout and 4-H leaders (and kids!) should plan on stopping by to view this fun exhibit.

screen grab of Norfolk Library home page

The Norfolk Library is located at 139 Main Street, Norfolk, MA 02056

FM #107 - Pond St Zoning Bylaw Discussion (audio)

The audio recording (podcast) is available for the Pond St zoning bylaw discussion from Wednesday's (Jan 7, 2015) Town Council meeting.

The run time is about 1 hour and 20 minutes.





You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

My notes from the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/live-reporting-public-hearing-pond-st.html

Note: If you have any suggestions/corrections to make, please feel free to let me know.

A double Panther basketball win over KP

Hockomock Sports provides the scores for the double win by the Panthers over rivals KP. Both games were played in the new Franklin High School gymnasium.


Boys Basketball

King Philip, 43 @ Franklin, 58 - Final - Marcus Giese had another double-double, this time notching 21 points and 16 rebounds while senior Markus Bohmiller dropped a career-high 16 points off the bench. James O'Brien had 13 points for King Philip and Ryan Layman added 10 points.

Franklin's Marcus Giese (42) drives to the hoop against King Philip's Erich Ryan (44). (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Hockomock Sports provides a more indepth report on the boys game here

http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/defensive-effort-in-middle-quarters-propels-panthers

Girls Basketball

King Philip, 35 @ Franklin, 65 - Final - Franklin's Jillian Spolidoro led all scorers with 15 points while Lexi Martin added 13 points and Aubrie Kutil chipped in with 10 points. Emily Sullivan led King Philip with 14 points.

Franklin's Jillian Spolidoro takes the ball to the hoop in the second quarter. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Hockomock Sports provides a more indepth report on the girls game here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/spolidoro-gives-panthers-triple-threat-against-kp


For all the results across the Hockomock League on Thursday you can find it here  http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-010815