Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Governor Baker Signs Comprehensive Solar Legislation into Law


Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito were joined by a bipartisan group of legislators to sign solar legislation into law to continue the expansion of the Commonwealth’s solar industry and establish a long-term framework for sustainable solar development in our state. The bill, An Act Relative to Solar Energy, passed both legislative chambers with overwhelming support and achieves the Baker-Polito Administration’s goal of reducing costs to ratepayers while strengthening the state’s clean energy economy and progressing towards the greenhouse gas reduction requirements set forth under the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). 
“This legislation builds upon the continued success of the Commonwealth’s solar industry and ensures a viable, sustainable and affordable solar market at a lower cost to ratepayers,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “As our administration continues its balanced approach to diversifying Massachusetts’ energy portfolio, solar development will be an integral component of our state’s clean energy future and we look forward to collaborating with the legislature on an omnibus energy bill that includes cost-effective, hydropower generation.”

You can read the full press release here
http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2016/governor-signs-comprehensive-solar-legislation-into-law.html

You can find the legislative document here
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S1979

Commonwealth of MA
Commonwealth of MA

In the News: low flying helicopter alert, Town Council authorizes capital spending

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
"The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s will conduct low-altitude helicopter flights along the route of the Boston Marathon Tuesday through Friday to measure naturally occurring background radiation. 
The radiation assessment will cover about 13 square miles. A twin-engine Bell 412 helicopter, operated by the Remote Sensing Laboratory Aerial Measuring System from Joint Base Andrews, will fly in a grid pattern over the area at 150 feet above the ground or higher at a speed of 80 mph. 
Flyovers will occur only during the day and are estimated to take about two days to complete. 
The measurement is being conducted to establish baseline levels for security and emergency preparedness."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160411/low-flying-helicopter--will-measure-background-radiation-along-marathon-route


"The Town Council last week approved numerous capital spending items, including a program to combat invasive species at the DelCarte property, funds for replacement vehicles and water and sewer system improvements. 
The council voted on the items at its meeting Wednesday night."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160411/franklin-council-approves-capital-expenses

For the Franklin Matters' reporting on the capital authorizations check here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/04/town-council-authorizes-62-million-for.html

Monday, April 11, 2016

Franklin's businesses moving and selling

There are multiple changes happening among Franklin businesses so in this post, we'll collect some photos from walking around. 


  • Blue Hills Bank to open a mortgage center near Dunkin Donuts (where Tastebuds used to be)

Blue Hills Bank
Blue Hills Bank


  • Aubuchon and Hometown Paints relocating to Horace Mann Plaza
The Aubuchon Hardware store on Cottage and the Hometown Paint on East Central St will relocate and combine in one location. The new place is where the Rite-Aid drug store used to be (near Shaw's)

New location in Horace Mann plaza
New location in Horace Mann plaza

sign at current location on East Central
sign at current location on East Central

  • The Agway on Cottage St has changed ownership. 
I stopped by on Saturday for bird seed and meet them briefly. They were busy so we'll return to chat more.
Franklin Agway - Your urban farm store
Franklin Agway - Your urban farm store

Check out their updated webpage  http://www.franklinagway.com/


  • As many know by now, the Cake Bar also changed ownership. 

I used the location for a meeting on Saturday and talked briefly with the new owner. Additional items are scheduled for sale to expand upon the cupcakes and cakes they provide currently.

the Cake Bar
the Cake Bar

Mass Consumer: Your Guide to Choosing the Right Auto Repair Shop


Discovering a mechanical problem with your car can be stressful and getting it repaired can be overwhelming. That’s why we put together some helpful tips for consumers when choosing a reliable auto shop for their vehicle. Keep in mind, caring for your vehicle with preventative maintenance increases your vehicle’s performance and fuel efficiency; it can also help you avoid more extensive and more costly repairs down the road.

Mass Consumer repair shop advice
Mass Consumer repair shop advice

Continue reading the article online
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/your-guide-to-choosing-the-right-auto-repair-shop/

In the News: solar and hazardous notice bylaw, Dean dancer to Kennedy Center

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Town Council is considering a bylaw that would require some property owners with solar cells on their roofs to alert firefighters and police officers to their presence. 
The council approved a first reading of the bylaw change at its meeting last week. A second reading (and subsequent enactment) will take place at a future meeting. 
Franklin Fire Department Chief Gary McCarraher spoke in favor of the amendment at that meeting. 
Franklin Fire Dept
Franklin Fire Dept
"The presence of solar photovoltaic panels on roofs create electrocution hazards," he said. "On pitched roofs, we can see and avoid them. On flat roofs, we can't."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160410/franklin-council-considering-solar-notice-bylaw



Dean College dance major Alyssa Davis was selected to perform her choreography at the 2016 National College Dance Festival taking place June 8-11 at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. 
Davis earned the honor while in attendance at the 2016 American College Dance Association’s New England Conference held Feb. 11-14. Several dance majors from Dean attended and performed at the annual conference, a dance exchange that shares, supports and affirms the quality of dance education in academia and offers professional master classes, presentations, student and faculty interactions, concerts and feedback sessions.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160410/dean-college-student-to-dance-at-kennedy-center-festival

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Town Council authorizes $6.2 million for spending and sets aside $300,000 for future

The Town Council was busy approving spending and saving on Wednesday evening. The grand total approved was $6.5 million with the breakdown shown below.


Savings Approved
Fire truck$100,000
Artificial Turf Fields$200,000
$300,000
Spending approved
Election expenses$3,500
Veterans Benefits$50,000
Sidewalks for Pleasant and Chestnut Streets$1,800,000
Capital expenses (see listing for individual items)$1,938,607
Water improvements$1,300,000
Sewer improvements$1,200,000
Recreation improvements$50,000
$6,288,607
grand total of approvals$6,588,607


Within the document, the links will take you to the details on each authorization item



You can also find a copy of this file on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/023987EB-000F8513


My notes reported live from the meeting on Wednesday can be found here



DelCarte will get some funding to address the invasive species issues
DelCarte will get some funding to address the invasive species issues

"I can see clearly now, the building's gone"

My estimates for when the 150 Emmons building would come down were off by a couple of weeks. It is down now, nothing but piles of rubble and scrap remain.

looking East to the Historical Museum
looking East to the Historical Museum

also looking from the construction entrance on Emmons St
also looking from the construction entrance on Emmons St

the Historical Museum is framed
the Historical Museum is framed

a view into what is left of the basement
a view into what is left of the basement


With apologies to Johnny Nash  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FscIgtDJFXg

What was left as of Friday morning

the West Central side
the West Central side

looking to the sunrise from the corner of Emmons and West Central
looking to the sunrise from the corner of Emmons and West Central

along Emmons looking to the Historical Museum
along Emmons looking to the Historical Museum

Photos from earlier in the demolition (March 23)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/03/going-going-almost-gone.html