AARP Livability Index - leaves out Franklin

Given Franklin's demographics (forecasted to be getting to an older population rapidly), the AARP article caught my eye.

To compile AARP’s new lists of the most livable places in the U.S., it wasn’t only our research that counted—it was also your opinions. The top-10 lists that follow are based on the AARP Livability Index, a new online tool designed to help communities better serve the nation’s aging population. 

To create the index, the AARP Public Policy Institute surveyed 4,500 Americans 50 and older to determine the aspects of community most important to them. We then developed seven categories around those results—housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement and opportunity, taking into account 60 different factors to rate communities in those categories. 

The Bulletin crunched the numbers some more to find which cities and neighborhoods come out on top. We weren’t looking for the trendy or glitzy. We wanted the most livable. You might be in for some surprises.

One surprise is that Franklin gets only a middling score on their rating system.

Check out their Most Livable Cities

Check out their Best Cities for Staying Healthy

And where does Franklin rate?

If you’re like most of us, you probably want to stay in the community where you live now. The AARP Livability Index identifies how well your community is doing. Go to aarp.org/livabilityindex to find out.

The interactive system should allow you to chose up to three communities to compare. Maybe there were too many comparing when I did it, it did not respond. Trying again should be worth it. 

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Dean Dash 5K - April 25

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Dean Dash 5k Race! This year, not only are we pleased to host Dean College students, alumni, staff, faculty, and family, but we also look forward to hosting our fellow community members in this family-friendly event in celebration of Dean College’s 150th anniversary.

Click here to learn more and to register!

Dean Dash 5K - April 25 - noon

About the Race

The course will start and end from Awpie Way, outside of Dean Hall. You will start promptly at 12:00 p.m. and take a 3.1-mile walk, jog, or run through the quiet residential streets of Franklin. 

Every turn along the course will be clearly noted by a directional sign pointing you down the right path and a hydration station with water and Gatorade will be waiting for you at the 2-mile mark. There will also be course marshals along the route should you need any sort of assistance. 

Upon your return, you will be greeted by Boomer the Bulldog at the finish line and ushered to the serving area where you will get to enjoy a delicious pasta lunch to reward yourself for finishing the Dean Dash.

Chip Timing

Your race bib will contain the MYLAPS B-Tag Timing System, used in the Olympics, Boston Marathon, and Chicago Marathon, to track your time from start to finish. Race results will be published on www.coolrunning.com.

Registration Price

• Dean College Students: $10
• Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $15
• Family/Community Members: $20

Click here to learn more and to register!



This is one of several races in Franklin over the next several weeks. The race information for each will be posted this week.

• May 2 - FBRTC 5 Mile Road Race
• May 9 - Elks Care Elks Share - 5K
• May 17 - HMEA Independence Day 5K Run, Walk and Stroll
• Jun 6 - New Hope 5K and Family Fun Walk
• Jun 20 - American Legion Scholarship Run 5 Miles

Franklin Senior Center: “Memory Café” on April 23

The Franklin Senior Center is hosting it’s first “Memory Café” on April 23 from 3-4;30 p.m. 

A memory café is a welcoming place for people with dementia and their care partners to enjoy time together and with others. The café is open to the community and is free of charge. 

There will be socialization, refreshments and often some form of entertainment at the cafés. 

At the April 23 café, Jamie Barrett, a local favorite singer and guitar player, will entertain with some “old fashioned” tunes the participants can sing along to. 

Call the Franklin Senior Center at 508-520-4945 and let them know you would like to attend!

Franklin Senior Center

For other programs at the Senior Center, visit their webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

or check out their newsletter
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/franklin-senior-center-new-edition-of.html

Kindergarten Information Night Schedule

From the ECDC Principal's Page we find and share the upcoming Kindergarten Information Night schedule.

What is a Kindergarten Information Night?

"This an opportunity for a brief tour of the school and a presentation by the principal and kindergarten team to introduce you to the building, the routines, the curriculum and the expectations for your student."

• J.F. Kennedy Elementary - May 14th @6 pm
• Parmenter Elementary - May 14th @6pm
• Helen Keller Elementary - May 20th @6pm
• Davis Thayer Elementary - May 21st @6pm
• Oak Street Elementary - May 27th @6pm
• Jefferson Elementary - May 28th @6pm

For other ECDC information you can follow the Principal's Page here
http://ecdcprincipalpage.blogspot.com/

the Oak St - Horace Mann schools entrance on a sunny day

Should MA lead or follow?

From the Mass Climate Action Network we share this episode of The Climate Minute

New Governor Charley Baker’s Executive Order 562 would substitute weak federal environmental standards for the existing superior state regulations here in Massachusetts. Based on overheated rhetoric claiming that state regulations are “confusing, unnecessary, inconsistent and redundant” the governor orders “each secretariat, agency, department, board, commission, authority or other body”… “to promptly undertake a review of each and every regulation” and retain only those which do “not exceed federal requirements.” 

The rule means that any Massachusetts environmental regulations stronger than their Federal counterparts will be dropped, and the weaker Federal ones will be used. Our state is a national leader in many areas, including the fight against carbon pollution and global warming. The regulations that embody that leadership are now at risk. If we rely on the Federal regulations, Massachusetts’ environmental policy will be set by the likes of Senator Ted Cruz. Think that is a good idea? There is more. Listen in.

Mass Climate Action Network

"our program has grown along with our space needs”

From the Town Council meeting last Wednesday, we find that MDN reports the purchase of the property at 275  Beaver Street was approved.

A property on Beaver Street will serve as the new home for the Recreation Department now that the town has sold its current headquarters on the corner of Emmons Street. 

Earlier this year, local developer Roger Calarese purchased the town-owned parcel at 150 Emmons St., intending to raze the building there and replace it with a 5,300-square-foot commercial property. 

The Recreation Department still occupied the former municipal building, the only holdover from when it housed all of the town departments. Following the sale, a search began for a new location for the department. 

That search ended last week when the Town Council voted unanimously to purchase a property at 275 Beaver St., which contains an office building and a garage, at a cost of $1 million, including renovations.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150420/NEWS/150429776/1994/NEWS

275 Beaver St

The agenda for the Town Council meeting and associated documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-apr-15.html