Economic Development Committee - Apr 6 - 6:00 PM

"The Economic Development Committee will be meeting Wednesday evening at 6pm at the town hall room 205 to discuss our current Blight Bylaw for vacant properties with discussion to include residential and commercial property open to public."

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Via the Facebook post by Andrew Bissanti

Franklin Municipal Building

• The Blight Bylaw referenced can be found here

http://ecode360.com/14718968?highlight=blight#14718968



Note: The last official agenda posted to the Franklin website was either in 2014 or 2015 depending upon which page you reference.

• 2015

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Council/subcommitteeminutes/Economic%20Development%20Committee%20Minutes/EDC%20Minutes%20and%20Agendas

• 2014

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Economic/2014EDCMeetingMinutesandagendas/

In the News: Council considers sidewalks, Historical Museum events, Downtown Partnership schedule for year

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"The Town Council is set to consider at its meeting Wednesday night a $1.8 million project to improve town sidewalks. 

The project, which would involve some borrowing by the town, would replace and improve existing sidewalks and install new sidewalks on Pleasant and Chestnut streets. If approved, work would begin this spring. 

The Pleasant Street sidewalks that run from Main Street to Dean Avenue are slated to be replaced and improved, according to town officials. The new sidewalks would run along Pleasant Street from Dean Avenue to Miller Street, and on Chestnut Street from Old Chestnut Street to East Central Street."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160404/franklin-council-to-consider-sidewalk-project

To review the memo from Jeff Nutting as mentioned 
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Council/Agenda/16-20.pdf

The following are upcoming events at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 W. Central St. 

Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays; 1-4 p.m. Sundays; and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays. 

The April item featured in the museum’s ongoing Item of the Month series is a small Native American Stone Knife. There is a lot to be learned about how Native Americans in this area used stone tools to create axes, grinding tools, etc. to shape their environment and live off the land. The knife, a general purpose tool, with both a tapering point and a thick edge, demonstrates the highly advanced workmanship and ingenuity of the local Wampanoag tribe.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160404/franklin-historical-museum-releases-event-list

Franklin Historical Museum

The Franklin Downtown Partnership has set its 2016 dates for the Strawberry Stroll, October Stroll, Holiday Stroll, Spring and Winter Beautification days, and a Progressive Dinner. The Partnership also announces its general meeting dates and spring networking luncheons, all open to the public. 

Downtown Beautification Day will be from 8 to 11 a.m. on May 21. The Partnership, the Franklin Garden Club and volunteers will install hundreds of flowers and greens throughout downtown and on the Common. Community service hours will be available to students. Contact Eileen Mason, emason4234@gmail.com, for information about the event, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities. Winter Beautification Day will be Nov. 20.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160404/franklin-downtown-partnership-announces-2016-events

FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS - Monday (4/4/16) evening activities canceled due to snow storm

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Good Afternoon,

Please be advised that due to continued, snowy conditions, we are canceling all afternoon and evening activities today, April 4, 2016. Solutions will be open until 6:00 PM.

Be safe!

Sally Winslow

Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Parmenter sign in the snow

Safe Coalition evening with Mike Zito and others

Lots of folks gathered at THE BLACK BOX on Sunday evening to hear a number of stories about recovery from substance abuse. Mike Zito played an acoustic set after he told his story and then brought on his band, The Wheel, to play some hard driving blues and rock & roll.

The Storify summary of my tweets and that of others posting with the same #safe-zito tag line can be viewed here. Be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to read them all.

the SAFE Coalition board posed with Mike Zito and The Wheel at the end of the evening

Parmenter Picture Day - Apr 4

I had taken the photo of the school sign on Friday and then after the winter weather reappeared this weekend, realized that I should re-do the photo on Sunday.

photo taken Friday

photo taken Sunday

"Of the 81 charter schools in Massachusetts, 74 had wait lists"

"On a Thursday night in March, a crowd gathered at Lowell Community Charter Public School to play a game of chance. 

The event had the look of an after-school bingo night: a man pulled numbered balls out of a rotating metal cage while parents and children waited with anticipation, hoping to hit the jackpot.

But in this case, there was no cash prize. Instead, the numbers would dictate the fate of students looking for a coveted placement at the popular school. With more applicants than space available, a lottery is held annually to determine who gets in, and who is left out. 

It’s a ritual that plays out at charter schools in communities across Greater Boston, from Foxborough to Malden to Marlborough. And as closely as parents watch for their child’s number to be picked, the ensuing wait lists are being scrutinized amid a larger, heated debate over whether Massachusetts should allow more charter schools."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/03/31/charter-school-lotteries-educational-game-chance/cNh9WqdASl757FNNvcqTxM/story.html

Franklin's own Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School currently uses the former St Mary's School but is planning on a new building along Washington St to accommodate its expansion plans

Governor Baker today (Thursday, March 31, 2016) issued a statement on the charter school legislation proposed by the Massachusetts State Senate:

“While I thank the Senate for their work, the proposal offers no relief to 34,000 students currently on a waiting list to access high-performing public charter schools and the new mandates for local spending in this proposal could place a further burden on taxpayers. I look forward to continuing to work with the legislature to provide high quality educational options for these tens of thousands of kids and families, most who live in low-income urban neighborhoods, but have been clear that these families need relief now, regardless of how it is achieved.”

http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2016/governors-statement-on-senates-charter-school-bill.html

Recycling Center Closed Today

Good Morning, 

Due to the inclement weather the Franklin recycling center will be closed today Sunday, April 3.

Thank you and have a nice weekend!