"State officials estimated delays will be reduced by 91 percent with the preferred design"

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

"The public next week will have the opportunity to learn and ask questions about the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the upcoming Mass Pike-Interstate-495 interchange reconstruction.

A public meeting will be held Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Marathon Elementary School cafeteria.

The report includes the status of project planning and design, the type and size of the project, requirements of state agencies and reasonable alternatives and methods to avoid, minimize and mitigate environmental impacts, according to the state Department of Transportation’s website. The project needs to dodge wetlands, the Sudbury River, Department of Conservation and Recreation land, train tracks and private property.

Residents can receive a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Report by emailing Nathaniel Curtis at ncabralcurtis@hshassoc.com. Those unable to attend next week’s meeting can provide written comments on the report. Written comments can be sent to Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, Attn: Page Czepgia, Assistant Director, MEPA Office, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, 100 Cambridge St., Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114 or page.czepgia@state.ma.us."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191022/public-can-ask-questions-at-oct-30-forum-about-report-on-reconstruction-on-pike495-interchange


Additional info can be found on the MassDOT page
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/about-the-i-495i-90-interchange-improvements-project

https://wikimapping.com/wikimap/I495I90.html

https://wikimapping.com/wikimap/I495I90.html

In the News: seat belt law changes proposed, again; Millis to vote on bag ban

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

"For at least the seventh consecutive legislative session, lawmakers and driving safety advocates on Tuesday morning asked legislators to give police the ability to pull over and ticket drivers if anyone in the car is not wearing a seat belt, citing the state’s 46th-in-the-nation ranking for seat belt usage and the promise of saving lives.

For years, plans to stiffen penalties under the state’s seat belt law have buckled in the face of racial profiling and privacy considerations. Under the current law, police officers in Massachusetts can only issue a ticket for a violation of the seat belt law if they pull the driver over for another offense.

State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, and state Sen. Paul Feeney, D-Foxborough, filed legislation that would increase the fines for seat-belt violations and would make the violation a primary offense, for which police can stop drivers.

The bill, which has nine co-sponsors, would see drivers and passengers over age 16 fined $50 for not wearing seat belts. The driver would be charged an additional $50 for each passenger between the ages of 12 and 16 who were not wearing belts."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191022/franklin-rep-roy-behind-legislation-to-increase-fines-for-seat-belt-violations

"The Millis Select Board moved the plastic bag ban initiative forward as an article for voting at the next town meeting Nov. 4.

The bylaw will eliminate single-use plastic bags in Millis, similar to the 122 other towns that have passed carry-out bag ban legislation.

Newspaper bags, dry cleaner bags, vegetable bags without handles, bags used for packaging meat and fish and brown paper bags will not be affected."

https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20191021/millis-plastic-bag-ban-to-be-voted-on-nov-4

Choices: Candidate Query or Visioning Workshop today

Two tough choices to make today both in regards to Franklin's future. One helping to determine what town goals around economic development we should consider. The other helping to share more about the candidates in the Biennial Election scheduled for Nov 5.

Candidate Query

Franklin in Focus, a nonpartisan organization focused on bringing information about town issues and town government to the public, is sponsoring an evening with the candidates running for office in the upcoming November 5 town election. 

The Franklin in Focus Candidate Query will be held October 22, 2019, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Franklin Senior Center. The public is invited but seating is limited, so please reserve. 

Due to time constraints, only candidates in competitive races will attend: Constable, School Committee, and Town Council. 

The program will be recorded and broadcast by Franklin TV.




The format will ensure that each candidate gets to speak on each of the questions asked. 

• A lottery will determine order of candidate responses. 
• The first candidate will get 2 minutes to answer the question. 
• Each other candidate will get 1 minute to add to or differentiate from the prior answers. 
• Each candidate will get to take a lead on a question. 
• Each candidate will also be allowed a summary or closing statement at the end of all the questions.

Constables, then Town Council, followed by School Committee


RESERVE YOUR TICKET
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franklin-in-focus-candidate-query-tickets-74766800513


WHEN: Tuesday, Oct 22, 2019 - 6:30 to 8:30 PM
WHERE: Franklin Senior Center

​

Franklin in Focus: Candidate Query - Oct 22

Visioning Workshop

"The Town of Franklin and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council will hold an economic development visioning workshop for residents from 6-8:30 p.m. next Tuesday in the third-floor training room of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St.

The public comment session will feature a presentation by an MAPC representative on goals of the town and MAPC’s development project and the current state of economic activity in Franklin.

The town and the MAPC are undertaking a business development strategy to support business growth in Franklin’s three strategic growth locations: the downtown Franklin Commercial District; the Crossing (near Union and Cottage streets); and the Mixed Business Innovation District (near Fisher and Hayward streets).

The main goal of that project is to increase the economic activity within those older commercial areas and the town as a whole. The resulting market analysis will guide the development of a business recruitment and retention strategy including the future creation of business recruitment materials to capitalize on the market potential of these districts."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191018/franklin-hosts-development-workshop-on-tuesday

Get your copy of the flyer
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/econ._dev._event_10222019_flyer.pdf

Economic Development Workshop Tuesday

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Trio Concert - Sat - Nov 2

Freebo, Kirsten Maxwell, and Alice Howe join in fabulous harmony

Freebo, Alice Howe, & Kirsten Maxwell Nov 2 View this email in your browser FREEBO, ALICE HOWE, & KIRSTEN MAXWELL November 2 - 8 PM - $20 An extremely talented group of performers will appear at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse in Franklin on Saturday, November 2nd. Freebo, Kirsten Maxwell, and Alice Howe are three singer-songwriters who, out of their shared love of harmony singing, have joined together for several performances. Each is an excellent performer in their own right, but the combination is greater than the sum of its parts, elevating their music to glorious heights. Freebo is an award-winning singer-songwriter who is best known as a world-renowned bassist (Bonnie Raitt 10 years, CSN, Ringo Starr, Maria Muldaur, Dr. John, and many others). https://www.freebomusic.com/ 2016 New Folk Finalist Kirsten Maxwell is known for her "clear soprano [that] rings out in a way that would make Judy Collins and Joan Baez approve" (John Platt, WFUV).  http://www.kirstenmaxwell.com/bio With her soulful, impeccably tuned voice, Alice Howe is "up there with the very best of Mary Chapin Carpenter, Gretchen Peters and Dar Williams" (Folking.com). https://www.alicehowe.com/ Freebo, Maxwell, and Howe promise a memorable evening of music bringing together a folk-rock-blues legend and two young artists becoming well known in the national folk scene. Please join us. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows Nov 16       Peter Mulvey with special guest Pamela Means Dec 7         Winterbloom Jan 4         Cheryl Wheeler with special guest Samantha Tracy Feb 8         Small Potatoes Feb 29       Pesky J Nixon presents Tribal Mischief

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Media Release, Plain Street suspicious person incident

Franklin, Massachusetts: On Monday October 21, 2019 at approximately 4:00 PM the Franklin Police Department was contacted by a resident in the Town of Bellingham. The caller reported that his juvenile daughter had been walking on Plain Street in the Town of Franklin around 3:00 PM, and a white van with a male driver had approached her. The driver of this van made vulgar comments to this juvenile. No attempt was made to get her into the van, and after speaking to the juvenile the van left the area.

The Franklin Police Department is actively investigating this incident. If anyone has additional information or video that would aide in this investigation please contact the Franklin Police directly.

• Business: 508-528-1212
• TIPS: 508-440-2780
• Info Hotline: 508-440-2700
• Fax: 508-520-7950
• Emergency Numbers: 911 Address:  911 Panther Way 

 

Media Release, Plain Street suspicious person incident

Franklin Connection Newsletter for November

Franklin Connection Newsletter for November

The Franklin Senior Center Newsletter with all the activities for November 2019

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/nov19connection.pdf

Franklin Connection Newsletter for November

FHS Paterson selected HockomockSports.com Player of the Week

"Franklin junior Jack Paterson has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for Oct. 13 through Oct. 19. Paterson is the seventh player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2019-20 school year.

Paterson concluded his regular season in style, shooting a round of 76 at Blue Hill Country Club to earn medalist honors at the annual Hockomock Championships. He finished one shot ahead of Mansfield’s Ryan Dow to win the individual title. With Paterson leading the way, the Panthers took third as a team, just a stroke behind Davenport champion Canton and 13 strokes behind first-place Mansfield.

“Jack has had an incredible year and his performance at Hocks really demonstrates just how great he has been,” said Franklin coach Dustin Picillo. “His average which was top three in the league however he played 10 home matches at Franklin Country Club, which is one of the top three hardest courses in our league. His play at Hocks represented what he has done all year — just going out every match and competing regardless of rain or sun or wind. Great finish to a really strong season for our captain.”

Continue reading the write up on Jack Paterson
https://hockomocksports.com/player-of-the-week-jack-paterson-franklin-golf/

Franklin's Jack Paterson (HockomockSports.com photo)