In the News: DelCarte ecology study released, bylaw considered on alcohol training

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The town released the results of a study on the ponds at the DelCarte Conservation Area last week. 

The study, conducted by the Rhode Island firm ESS Group, lays out the challenges faced by the four ponds on the property and the best ways to address them. It concludes that the bodies of water do have threats to their ecological health. 

"Opportunities that are currently afforded by the pond system include fishing, canoeing, hiking and wildlife viewing," the report reads. "The system is significantly impacted by non-native aquatic plants (milfoil and water chestnut), which are reducing the ponds' capacity to provide the ecologically healthy habitat that these activities rely upon."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160216/franklin-releases-delcarte-pond-study

The north pond at DelCarte

The Town Council is considering a proposal that would require training for anyone who serves alcohol in town. 

Town officials have written a draft bylaw requiring managers, bartenders and all employees who sell or serve alcohol to undergo "safe service of alcohol" training. The town will circulate the draft among affected parties and the council is set to take up the subject at a future meeting. 

Town Councilor Andrew Bissanti had raised the matter at several council meetings, as he said the current system - in which some businesses train of their own volition - is insufficient. 

"A lot of times, bartenders and servers have no alcohol-awareness training," he said Monday. "It just made no sense to me."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160215/franklin-considers-alcohol-training-requirement

Ecological and Management Study of the DelCarte Ponds

You may recall that a study was being done on the ecology of the DelCarte Open Space to help determine what to do about improving the fishing opportunity. 

Invasive plant species were reported to be spreading their impact. Over time the species could make the pond less habitable for fish. Why bother stocking the ponds if the fish weren't going to last? 

The study has just been published on the Franklin webpage. A copy of the report has been posted here for your convenience:





You can also find this report on the Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02328F4E-000F8513

fall color along the north pond at DelCarte, Oct 2015

• Video from Dec 2012

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html

• Video from Oct 2013

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-property-video.html

• Video from Mar 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/delcarte-property-winter-wonderland.html

• The 'phantom ecologist' can do better

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/the-phantom-ecologist-can-do-better.html

Poll workers needed

The MA Presidential Primary is approaching March 1. Poll workers are needed for this and other elections in Franklin.

Requirements:

• Must be a registered voter
• Must be over 18 years old
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English
• Must attend a MANDATORY Training Session on February 19, 2016 @ 1:30 PM at the Municipal Building, 355 East Central St., Franklin, MA
• Must have own transportation to polling location

Basic Duties:

• Prepare the poll site for voters
• Check in voters, distribute ballots, count ballots, etc.
• Assist other Poll Workers as needed

Hours and Location:

Full day, polls open at 6:00AM and close at 8:00PM location is at the Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA.

I want to apply!

You can apply to become an election worker by simply submitting a letter of interest to Teresa M. Burr, Town Clerk and returning it to the clerk's office.

We will supply coffee, pastries, lunch and dinner. The pay is $10.00 per hour. Thank you for supporting our town.

Community entrance to FHS gymnasium, the voting location for all of Franklin

Updated: yes, the proper presidential primary date is 3/1/16. Thanks to my readers eagle eyes for the catch!

In tournament action, the FHS girls basketball team won and the boys team lost

"As the regular season winds down, Franklin starts to look for challenges not only outside the Hockomock but also outside the South bracket. That means venturing to the 14th annual Westborough Invitational Tournament and a chance to play against potential opponents from Div. 1 Central. 

On Sunday afternoon, Franklin faced Algonquin, which is on the edge of qualifying for the postseason in a first round game of the tournament, which the Panthers last won in 2011. Led by 14 points and 15 rebounds from senior forward Aubrie Kutil, Franklin pulled away from the Tomahawks to earn a 51-36 victory. 

“Aubrie does so much more than rebounds and points,” said Franklin coach John Leighton. I”t’s her composure, it’s her toughness…it calms everyone else down. You never see her rattled. When we’re in the huddle pregame, she’s the one who has everyone focused.”

Continue reading the article online
http://www.hockomocksports.com/kutil-powers-franklin-girls-basketball-to-win-at-westborough-tourney/

Franklin senior Aubrie Kutil (34) scored 14 points and pulled down 15 rebounds in a win over Algonquin at Westboro High. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Additional photos from the FHS girls game on Sunday
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20152016/Winter-201516/Franklin-Algonquin-Girls/

"First it was overcoming a 14-0 hole to start the game. 

Then it was battling all the way back with a huge second quarter to get within four at halftime. 

Then it was clawing back from a double-digit deficit in the second half to get within two points in the fourth quarter. 

Despite multiple comeback runs, the Panthers could never equal Everett, dropping their third straight by the score of 80-71."

Continue reading the article online

http://www.hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-multiple-comeback-attempts-come-up-short/

Franklin’s Tim Prunier, who scored a career-high 25 points, pulls up for a shot in the second half against Everett. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Reminder: trash pickup is NOT delayed this week

Please remember trash pickup is NOT delayed this week despite the Presidents' Day Holiday. 

Trash is ONLY delayed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day

the trees have been picked up and trash is NOT delayed this week for President's Day

Shared from the official Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/023299DB-000F8513

Reminder: Memory Cafe - Feb 18 - 3:00 PM

Memory Café

Thursday-February 18th at 3:00 pm.

Please join us!

We will be hosting a small dog for a pet visit.

Please join us in the Cafeteria 

at the Franklin Senior Center.

The Café is free of charge and open to the public.

We will serve light refreshments!

Please call Elaine Owens at 508-520-4945 to sign up.

Franklin Senior Center

Municipal Aggregation Program

Franklin Officials Have Released the Town’s Community Choice Power Supply Program Aggregation Plan

The Town of Franklin developed the Aggregation Plan in compliance with Massachusetts law regarding public aggregation of electric consumers. It contains required information on the structure, operations, services, funding, and policies of the Town’s Plan. The Plan has been developed in consultation with the Town’s aggregation implementation consultant, Colonial Power Group, Inc. (CPG) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).

The purpose of this Plan is to represent consumer interests in competitive markets for electricity. It seeks to aggregate consumers in the Town to negotiate rates for power supply. It brings together the buying power of over 32,000 consumers. Furthermore, the Town seeks to better manage energy prices. 

Participation is voluntary for each eligible consumer. Eligible consumers have the opportunity to decline service provided through the Plan and to choose any Competitive Supplier they wish. The Town has distributed this Plan for public review prior to submitting it to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.

Public Review and Comment Period

The Town of Franklin’s Aggregation Plan is available for public review and comment from Friday, February 12, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. Noon through Tuesday March 8th, 2016, at 4:00 p.m.~

Any person who desires to comment may do so in person at the Town Clerk’s office or submit written comments using one of the following methods: (1) by e-mail to jhellen@franklin.ma.us; or (2) by postal mail to the address below.

Comments must be clearly marked Town of Franklin’s Aggregation Plan and must be received (not postmarked) by the end of the comment period in order to be addressed.

Jamie Hellen
Deputy Town Administrator
Town Hall
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038

Any questions pertaining to this should be directed to Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator at (508) 528-7900 x 4887.

Click here to read the Town of Franklin’s Aggregation Plan. An original hardcopy of the Plan is also available at the Town Clerk’s office.

A copy has also been posted here for your convenience




If your electricity is provided by NationalGrid you can download your recent information for further calculations. The supply rate is what the aggregation will enable savings for. The delivery charges will remain as they are from NationalGrid.

sign into your account and select "my usage and charts graph"

The municipal aggregation should do two things for our electric rate. (1) it should provide some stability in the rate and (2) it should lower the rate with the power of the group purchase.

the most recent 2 years of rates from NationalGrid