New law requires posting of legal notices online

Today Governor Charles Baker signed into law H1566, An Act relative to electronic publication of certain legal notices. The bill was filed by Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) in January 2015 and was enacted by the House and Senate last week.

The new law requires that all legal notices must now appear, not only in a newspaper's print publication, but also on the newspaper's website and on a statewide website that may be maintained as a repository for such notices

"As you know, print media subscriptions are at an all-time low, but readership of newspapers is at all-time high because of the availability online," noted Roy. "This new law will capitalize on online readership and increase access to information, including public records, documents and hearing notices. It encourages civic engagement and it will revolutionize access to public notices, long left to the back pages of newsprint in small fonts and unattractive layouts."

"Publishing legal notices online is a common sense move in our modern digital age. This new law will enhance transparency and make sure public information is accessible to residents across the Commonwealth," said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland).

This increased access will be accomplished at no additional cost to any government entity. The Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association (MNPA), on behalf of the state's newspapers, will bear the cost of launching, operating and maintaining this statewide website. In fact, the MNPA just recently launched the new Public Notice Massachusetts website, which can be found at masspublicnotices.org, and a number of newspapers have already started uploading notices to the site.

The new MNPA site is based on a legal-notices platform developed in Illinois and in use in a number of states, including New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It will give users access to all public notices from all newspapers in the state. In addition, it features a smart search capability that will allow users to receive daily updates relative to legal notices that respond to user delineated search terms.

"The Illinois site has been a great success and the new MNPA site will be a welcome addition to the Massachusetts landscape," added Roy. "Indeed, public notices inform citizens of the everyday activities of government. From government spending to developing new policies, it is important for people to be informed of actions taken by public officials that affect citizens' everyday lives. Without public notices, citizens cannot properly and adequately make informed decisions."

"Legal notices are an essential means by which citizens are kept informed about the actions of their state and local governments and courts," said Robert J. Ambrogi, MNPA executive director. "The newspapers of Massachusetts are committed to ensuring the broadest-possible access to these notices, both in print and online. We appreciate the efforts of Rep. Roy to make this possible."

The new law will take effect in 180 days.

the top level MPNA webpage

screen grab of a quick search for "Franklin" open meetings

In the News: more affordable senior housing, dance center offers camps

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Town Council this month took a step that could lead to more affordable housing for seniors. 

The council - at its July 13 meeting - unanimously voted to convey about 17 acres off Panther Way to the town's Affordable Housing Trust Committee. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said 22 acres was originally given to the town by the School Committee about 15 years ago. The town went on to provide five of those acres for the construction of the housing for the elderly development Eaton Place. 

Nutting said that there was the potential for another 50 or 60 units of senior housing at the site. He said, if the project goes forward, those units could be bigger than the existing ones at Eaton Place."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160726/franklin-pursues-senior-housing

"Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center, 31 Hayward St., will offer a Princess/Pirate Camp and Intensive Dance Camp from Aug. 1 to 5. 

The Princess/Pirate Camp is offered for ages 2 to 6 from 10 a.m. to noon. The fee for the camp is $95 and includes crafts, games, dress-up and dancing. 

The Intensive Dance Camp is offered for ages 5 to 18. For ages 5 to 10, the camp runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fee for this camp is $175 and includes intensive dance instruction in jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary and tumbling. The more advanced students attend from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will receive intensive dance instruction in jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, improv and tumbling. The fee for the advanced intensive is $325."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160726/patti-eisenhauer-dance-center-to-hold-dance-camps

Get the tri-fold brochure with all the Cultural Festival info

The tri-fold brochure is available for download and to print on your own now. Copies will be available at all the events this week.

On Wednesday, July 27, the Cultural Festival opens at the Town Common and then shifts to THE BLACK BOX.

On Thursday, July 28, the Historical Museum and the Town Common share events.

On Friday, July 29, the events are spread among the high school, the Town Common, and the Sculpture Park.

On the final day, Saturday, July 30, all the events will be held inside and outside (under a tent) at THE BLACK BOX.

Come on down to sample all the cultural arts Franklin offers!

Or download and print from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZGhDUmdGWm1GNHM/view?usp=sharing

• Get updates on the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival on the webpage

http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

• or follow Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival/

• or Twitter  https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

Mandatory Water Ban Effective Monday July 25, 2016

In recent weeks, the Town has experienced excessively high demands for water due to outdoor water use, while water supplies are extremely low due to drought conditions.  As a result, a full water ban has become necessary to ensure that adequate water is available to meet the public health and safety needs of the Town of Franklin.  This measure is necessary to maintain the water levels in the tanks for fire protection and normal consumption.  

The following water uses are NOT allowed:

• irrigation of lawns and landscaping via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems;

• washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety; and

• washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.

The following water uses are allowed:

• watering gardens, flowers and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose.

Non-compliance with these regulations could adversely affect public health and safety. Violators are subject to fines up to $200.       

Private irrigation wells are not required to follow the water ban, however, please remember that irrigation wells are taking water from the same aquifer as Franklin's drinking water wells, so please water wisely!  

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PublicWorks/Water_Conservation/Water_Conservation_Index

mandatory water ban now in effect for Franklin, MA

In the News: Troop 126 pioneers, water ban imposed, 2-way traffic arrives today

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Scouts from Troop 126 in Franklin recently participated in a Pioneering Weekend, where they put their camping and lashing skills to work. 

The Scouts constructed two towers using nothing but rope and wooden poles and used the towers for a game of capture the flag. In addition, several members of the Troop constructed a 25-foot flagpole on which they raised an American flag."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160725/troop-126-visits-rocky-woods

"DPW Director Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi said this is the latest step in an effort to conserve water. The town had been on a water restriction - in which residents were allowed to water their laws one day a week - and DPW employees had been patrolling for violations after seeing spikes in usage. 

"Since we started enforcement a couple of weeks ago, peak demand has gone down," he said. "This drought, though, has caused our aquifer to go down to the point that - even if it started raining every day - it would take a while for it to recover." 

The town is limited, Cantoreggi said, because it must draw water from the ground - it does not have a reservoir at hand."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160725/franklin-officials-impose-water-ban-due-to-drought

water ban imposed effective July 25, 2016 until further notice

"After a week-long delay, the downtown is changing to two-way traffic Tuesday morning. 

The change - one of the final steps in a two-year streetscape project - is set to take place at 5 a.m., said Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. 

"We should be having additional officers there to make sure everyone's going the right way down the roads," he said. "Traffic will probably be a little slower than usual as people are getting acclimated."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160725/two-way-travel-begins-tuesday-in-downtown-franklin

Are you confused by the shared lane markings (SLM) or 'sharrows" now appearing on Franklin roads?

Get used to recognizing these, we are likely to see more of them.

"Shared Lane Markings (SLMs), or “sharrows,” are road markings used to indicate a shared lane environment for bicycles and automobiles. Among other benefits shared lane markings reinforce the legitimacy of bicycle traffic on the street, recommend proper bicyclist positioning, and may be configured to offer directional and wayfinding guidance. 

the bicycle markings seem to be causing some confusion for drivers

The shared lane marking is a pavement marking with a variety of uses to support a complete bikeway network; it is not a facility type and should not be considered a substitute for bike lanes, cycle tracks, or other separation treatments where these types of facilities are otherwise warranted or space permits. The MUTCD outlines guidance for shared lane markings in section 9C.07."

• Continue reading the article

http://nacto.org/publication/urban-bikeway-design-guide/bikeway-signing-marking/shared-lane-markings/

"On November 7, 2015, the 80th birthday of the MUTCD, and throughout the year when you see an easy-to-read sign, a bright edgeline marking on a foggy night, the countdown timer at a crosswalk, or a well-placed bike lane, take a moment to reflect on the eighty years of progress and innovation that the MUTCD embodies. This progress has resulted in safer, more efficient travel on our Nation's roads. 

Over the years, the MUTCD has unknowingly become the traveler's best friend and silent companion, guiding us on our way along the streets, bikeways, back roads, and highways. As the direct means of communication with the traveler, traffic control devices speak to us softly, yet effectively and authoritatively. From glass “cat’s-eye” reflectors to glass beads to microprismatic sheeting, nighttime sign visibility has advanced significantly. Active devices at rail crossings save lives by giving us a positive message about train traffic. And countdown timers on pedestrian signals help us cross a busy street. 

So the next time you hit the pavement, the path, or the pedals, you can be sure that the MUTCD, through our dedicated professionals who make complex decisions on what devices to install, will help you get where you want to go safely, efficiently, and comfortably! The MUTCD…it's all about you!"

• For the full set of guidelines on traffic markings  http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/

Franklin Historical Commission schedules historical meeting

The Franklin Historical Commission will host a reception for area Historical Commissions on Sunday afternoon, August 7th. 

Commission members from Wrentham, Norfolk, Medway, Bellingham, Millis, Foxboro, Plainville and Blackstone have been invited to participate in a meet and greet reception and the Franklin Historical Museum. 

In appreciation of our shared goal of preserving the history and culture of our respective New England Towns, we organized this reception with the purpose of expanding the spirit of cooperation. 

The afternoon will consist of introductions, informal conversation and an opportunity to get to know one another. We hope to get to share ideas, successes, challenges, goals and establish a network of support for our respective museums. Cake and coffee will be served.

Franklin Historical Museum

Find out more about the Franklin Historical Museum online 
http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/

or on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038