Tips on Hurricane Preparedness: Be Ready Before the Storm

With thunderstorms rolling through the area this morning, it is a good reminder to be prepared for hurricane season. Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) posted these reminder tips recently.

While the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, historically the most active time for tropical storms and hurricanes in the Northern Atlantic is August to October. As such, it’s critical to prepare yourself, your family, your home, and your business for the season. 

While the Commonwealth has been spared from a major hurricane in recent years, Massachusetts is still vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes. Even in a “slow” hurricane season, it only takes one storm to create devastating impacts. Additionally, it is important to understand that while tropical storms have lower wind speeds than hurricanes, they can still produce deadly storm surge and destructive flooding. Hurricane Sandy was downgraded to a tropical storm before making landfall, and it still caused major damage along the Eastern seaboard in 2012. In 2011, Tropical Storm Irene cut through Massachusetts, bringing heavy rainfall that resulted in significant inland flooding and damage. 

Water, not wind, brings the deadliest impacts during tropical storms and hurricanes. In fact, storm surge and flooding from heavy rains are the leading causes of hurricane-related deaths.

satellite view of a hurricane

You can find MEMA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA

or follow their alerts via Twitter  https://twitter.com/MassEMA


Continue reading the article here
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/safety/hurricane-preparedness-be-ready-before-the-storm/

Downtown Project: traffic alert - Milling Operations

Good Morning,

We will be milling sections of Main St tomorrow (Tuesday). The sections include from Lincoln St just past Church St, Main St from School to Emmons St and if time permits, a section of Emmons St (up to the roadway widening area just short of the intersection). Wednesday night we will be milling the intersection of Beaver/Pleasant and Main St so as not to adversely effect traffic during the day (starting after 7 pm). If we do not get to Emmons St Tuesday, we will finish that Wednesday night.

I will see you tomorrow at 8:00 am for our meeting.

Thank You,

Anthony Tavalone

CE III MA DOT

Construction at Emmons and West Central

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Aug 5, 2015

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 8, 2015

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 others.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS
– Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15-750: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Dean Ave. – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- Bridge Restaurant Group d/b/a Incontro Restaurant & Lounge – Change of Manager

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Town Clerk – Election Process
Community Opportunities Group-Housing Grant

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 15-48: Voter Approval – Farm Equipment, Farm Animals
2. Resolution 15-49: Confirmatory Order of Taking – Land at 275 Beaver Street
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15-750: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Dean Ave – 1st Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 15-751: Changes to Chapter 181, Wetlands Protection – 1st Reading
5. Resolution 15-50: Ratification Franklin Police Association Contract
6. Resolution 15-51: Ratification Franklin Police Sergeants Association Contract

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION

P. ADJOURN

Thompson Press building one of the sites covered by the proposed change in zoning

Note: there are two agenda documents released. The second 'addendum' has only the paperwork that was left out of the first document published. The paperwork covers the change of manager for the liquor license held by Incontro.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/08052015.pdf
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/08052005.pdf

Midlife Crisis Rock and Roll Band - Concert - Aug 4, 6:00 PM

Just because the 1st Annual Franklin Cultural Festival is over doesn't mean the fun stops. No way!

The Midlife Crisis Rock and Roll Band will perform in Concert - Aug 4, 6:00 PM at the Franklin Public Library. This is an outdoor concert bring your chairs, blanket and bug spray but be ready to rock and roll!

Midlife Crisis Rock and Roll Band Concert - Aug 4, 6:00 PM

This another in a series of summer events sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Library

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/07/outdoor-classic-rock-concert-with.html

Date set for "Pam's Run" to benefit Neighbor Brigade - 10/18/2015

Pam's run

Registration is now open for Neighbor Brigade's 3rd Annual Benefit Event:

Pam's Run 5K/10K

Honoring the Legacy of Neighbor Brigade Founder Pam Manikas Washek and

Supporting the "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" Movement she Ignited

Sunday, October 18, 2015 – 10:00 am, Wayland, MA

Pam's run

HI-RES Images available upon request

WHO/WHAT:       

Neighbor Brigade, a non-profit organization that mobilizes local volunteers to help their neighbors during times of crisis, will hold its 3^rd annual fundraising event Pam's Run on Sunday, October 18^th, 2015.  The event will include a chip-timed 5K Run/Walk and a 10K Run at the Claypit Hill School, 40 Adams Lane, Wayland, MA. All proceeds will benefit Neighbor Brigade services and programs for neighbors in need across Eastern Massachusetts.  Pam's Run will also feature fun for the entire family at a community festival with live music, kids' activities, food trucks and photo booth.  Age-group awards and cash prizes for top finishers. Incentive prizes offered for top fundraisers (see pamsrun.com for details)!  Thank you to our top level sponsors Circle Furniture and Joint Ventures Physical Therapy, Inc.

WHY:                     

Pam's Run brings together more than 1,000 passionate runners, volunteers, spectators, donors and corporate sponsors who care about those in need in their communities.  Proceeds from Pam's run benefit Neighbor Brigade, the non-profit organization started by Founder Pam Manikas Washek who envisioned a caring community of "neighbors helping neighbors" during times of crisis. Pam's Run honors the memory of Pam and supports the movement she ignited – now celebrating its 5th Anniversary. Washek's sister Joanna Manikas and niece Jayme Nowland are co-chairing the planning committee with assistance from volunteers from within Neighbor Brigade's 29 chapters across eastern Massachusetts.

WHEN:                   

Sunday, October 18^th, 10:00 a.m.

** Registration opens at 8:15 am. Festivities with kids' activities, live music and food for all will be hosted throughout the event. 

WHERE:                 

 Claypit Hill School, 40 Adams Lane, Wayland, Mass

REGISTER:             

To register for Pam's Run or to join a team visit www.pamsrun.com. 

Early-bird registration is $30 before 9/21 for a guaranteed t-shirt; $35 through 10/17 and $40 on race day.  Discounts for teams of 8 or more.  For more info see pamsrun.com, email info@pamsrun.com, or call 781-325-8580.

SPONSOR:             

The organizers are actively seeking sponsors, in-kind donations and volunteers for race day. Learn more at pamsrun.com or email info@pamsrun.com.

 

ABOUT NEIGHBOR BRIGADE

Neighbor Brigade

Neighbor Brigade is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation that establishes and mobilizes community-specific networks of volunteers to help residents facing sudden crises such as devastating illness, accident, or other tragic event. Our volunteers provide non-medical, non-monetary services and collaborate with the shared purpose of helping fellow residents. There are no eligibility requirements for recipients, who may self-refer. Neighbor Brigade is immediate, efficient and free and provides temporary support to those affected while strengthening the fabric of a community. To learn more, visit www.neighborbrigade.org. 

Franklin has their own chapter in the Neighbor Brigade, you can find them on the web here

http://www.neighborbrigade.org/1-public/chapters/?chapter=FranklinMA

In the News: farm tax requires vote

The Town Council Wednesday will consider a measure for the November ballot that if approved would exempt local farmers from an antiquated excise tax on their animals and machinery. 

Under state law, the town could levy a tax against “persons principally engaged in agriculture.” Their farm animals and equipment would be taxed $5 per $1,000 of assessed value, according to the Board of Assessors. 

However, the town has not recorded the value of a farmer’s wares and beasts since 1990, so the tax has not been imposed. It was believed that the town opted to remove the tax, but did not go through the proper procedure. Now, a townwide vote is needed to make it official.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150802/NEWS/150809541/1994/NEWS

Akin Bak, one of three farms in Franklin that would benefit from this measure

The text of the resolution is shown below. The text of the actual ballot question is shown in BOLD.

RESOLUTION 15-48 AUTHORIZATION TO SEEK VOTER APPROVAL TO NOT IMPOSE EXCISE TAX WHICH G.L. CHAPTER 59, SECTION 8A ESTABLISHES ON PERSONS ENGAGED PRINCIPALLY IN AGRICULTURE WHO OWN FARM MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT OR FARM ANIMALS

WHEREAS, G.L. Chapter 59, Section 8A imposes an excise tax on persons engaged principally in agriculture who own farm machinery and equipment or farm animals, but the section also provides that the “local appropriating authority” may seek voter approval to not impose the tax, and

WHEREAS, the Franklin Town Council is the “local appropriating authority” for the Town of Franklin, and

WHEREAS, the tax revenue which Section 8A would provide to Town is minimal in light of the limited number of taxpayers to whom it applies, and the loss of revenue is offset by Town’s interest in encouraging local agricultural operations,

NOW, THEREFORE, the Franklin Town Council hereby votes to seek voter approval at the next regular town election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 not to impose the excise tax established by G.L. Chapter 59, Section 8A by instructing the Town Clerk to include on the ballot for said election the following question: Do you approve of not imposing the excise tax established by G.L. Chapter 59, Section 8A on any person engaged principally in agriculture who owns farm machinery and equipment or farm animals?

This Resolution shall become effective according to the rules and regulations of the Town of Franklin Home Rule Charter.

There are two agenda documents for the Council meeting on Wednesday. One has almost everything, the second has the addendum (files for the manager change for the liquor Licence at Incontro)

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/08052015.pdf

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/08052005.pdf

Cultural Festival - all around Franklin on Saturday (photo essay)

The Town Common was set up for Kevin T Wolfe Band to play some good rock and roll.

Kevin T Wolfe Band

and the community mural

the community mural

 and art projects

Sue Sheridan and Tina Guarino happily getting into their art work

and the sale of the empty bowls for the Food Pantry

empty bowls for sale, some food safe

Meanwhile at the Library, kids were drumming

Tony Fonseca leads the all hands drumming workshop

At the Sculpture Park, dancers moved elegantly among the sculptures

dancers by the 'imagine' bench

dancers at the two faces

and at the Methodist Church there were robots!

robot on display

robot on display 1

Alas, the dancers won't be at the Sculpture Park nor the drummers at the Library. The music can be found at THE BLACK BOX with the Circle of Friends stage. The "Taste of Franklin" will also be there. The robots return to the Methodist Church and more stuff will be happening at the Historical Museum.

For more on Sunday schedule, check here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/franklin-cultural-festival-schedule.html