1 - This Christmas enjoy the holiday trains from South Station:
2 - follow this link to a great Christmas story (be patient for the first commercial, the story is worth waiting for)
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4003490&affil=wpvi
3 - and to recognize our countrymen and women serving in the military:
Merry Christmas to one and all!
PS - thanks to Joan at Songs of Experience for the link to ABC News
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Attention Franklin Commuters
The MBTA/MBCR introduced the T-alert service recently. You can have an alert sent to your email so you can find out when your line is experiencing a delay for your normal commute period. This sounds good and should work. In the first couple of weeks since I enabled it, it has been fairly accurate. "Fairly" meaning the timing of some of the alerts could be better. Recall this is the same organization that manages the electronic sign boards at each station. Those are incorrect and or late most of the time, how are they going to be more accurate with another method?
It would be better if someone would set up a Twitter account so those on the line could provide updates. We, the commuters, would be able to share what we see happening. It makes sense to know that the train is running late. It doesn't always help to know why. The "why" almost doesn't matter, unless it has something to do with when it will arrive. And even then, in many cases, it takes too long to find out the why.
The Boston Globe writes today of a commuter service started in the NY/NJ area that is now expanding to Boston (amongst other areas). It is a moderated service that depends upon the commuters for updates. Moderated being the operative word here. Moderated means that spammers and nonsense messages will be filtered from the stream.
I just signed up. I can't wait to see how this will work out. The goodness of the more real time updates from fellow commuters will be a great benefit. The peer pressure of fellow commuters to silence the spammers and nonsensical messages will be helped with the moderation.
The Globe article is here.
MBTA T-Alert service can be found here.
Clever Commute can be found here.
It would be better if someone would set up a Twitter account so those on the line could provide updates. We, the commuters, would be able to share what we see happening. It makes sense to know that the train is running late. It doesn't always help to know why. The "why" almost doesn't matter, unless it has something to do with when it will arrive. And even then, in many cases, it takes too long to find out the why.
The Boston Globe writes today of a commuter service started in the NY/NJ area that is now expanding to Boston (amongst other areas). It is a moderated service that depends upon the commuters for updates. Moderated being the operative word here. Moderated means that spammers and nonsense messages will be filtered from the stream.
I just signed up. I can't wait to see how this will work out. The goodness of the more real time updates from fellow commuters will be a great benefit. The peer pressure of fellow commuters to silence the spammers and nonsensical messages will be helped with the moderation.
The Globe article is here.
MBTA T-Alert service can be found here.
Clever Commute can be found here.
Santa Foundation - based in Franklin
On the night before Christmas, Santa has already paid a personal visit to more than 700 families in the Milford area and MetroWest thanks to husband and wife team Bob and Elaine Sullivan who head the Santa Foundation.
In its 21st year, the charitable organization spreads holiday cheer by delivering gifts to families in need.
"We have always felt that at least on Christmas Day these families should be like every other family," said Sullivan.
Read the remainder of this good news story by Michelle Laczkoski's in today's Milford Daily News.
RSS in Plain English - Common Craft
I encourage you to view the brief video explaining "RSS in Plain English" by the wonderful folks at Common Craft. Click on the link here.
The video was created in April 2007 and is still very much accurate. I had used Bloglines as my reader of choice.I had started playing with the Google reader but never really got it set up. As I have little time to play, I haven't messed too much with this. Bloglines works very nicely. I did play with Google Reader and it gradually took over as it added more features so that I could send an item to a blog, to someone else via email, or to Twitter.
You can subscribe to this site via RSS. The orange button is on the right columnbelow my Town Common Gazebo photo.
You can also subscribe to this site to receive updates via email. There are options to set to receive an email each time something is posted or to receive an email once a day. You can choose the frequency for what works for you.
Enjoy!
Updated 10/20/10
The video was created in April 2007 and is still very much accurate. I had used Bloglines as my reader of choice.
You can subscribe to this site via RSS. The orange button is on the right column
You can also subscribe to this site to receive updates via email. There are options to set to receive an email each time something is posted or to receive an email once a day. You can choose the frequency for what works for you.
Enjoy!
Updated 10/20/10
Snow Bound Walkway -
Dolores and I took our usual Sunday walk around town. Our route took us up to the Dunkin Donuts in the plaza off King St/Upper Union. We usually use the sidewalk entrance to cross the drive-thru line and enter Dunkin. This was not to be today. The walkway which also serves as a handicap access is still snow bound.
We walked into the driveway that serves Joe's American Grill as well as access to the Dunkin Donuts. There we found a beaten path, tricky to walk but a short cut to Dunkin.
Updated: The location is formally called "Silver Maple Commons".
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Catching up on Override Central
When the Boston Globe incorporated their new web site a few weeks ago, apparently they also changed some of the RSS feeds. I had time to go checking on these today and found several of them had indeed changed.
What is an RSS Feed?
Stay tuned, I have a Common Craft presentation that explains RSS feeds and how they can be used. I'll post it this week.
In the meantime, here are some article previously published on the Globe's Override Central site that were not referenced here. Click on the article headline to read the full story.
----------------------------
----------------------------
----------------------------
----------------------------
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---------------------------
-----------------------------
What is an RSS Feed?
Stay tuned, I have a Common Craft presentation that explains RSS feeds and how they can be used. I'll post it this week.
In the meantime, here are some article previously published on the Globe's Override Central site that were not referenced here. Click on the article headline to read the full story.
----------------------------
Newton School Committe bets more than $100,000 on a successful override
| NEWTON The School Committee is moving forward with plans to build $1.4 million in modular classrooms to address overcrowding at four elementary schools, even though the district can't afford to staff them unless the mayor's proposed tax override passes next... |
Property tax frustration fuels revolt around US
| The Wall Street Journal reports that the combination of falling home values and rising property taxes is fueling frustration around the US. An excerpt from WSJ.com: Falling home values and rising property taxes in many parts of the country are... |
Saugus to borrow $10-million to cover its bills
| For the second time since June, Saugus will have to borrow money to pay its bills, including payroll and utilities, until winter property tax revenues are collected. Officials expect to have to borrow $10 million in January to cover expenses.... |
How Randolph's schools began to fail
| Randolph voters have rejected four overrides over the last few years, but political leaders also see other strains on the town. The social compact is broken, one official says in a story in Globe South. Randolph school leaders say they... |
Natick, Newton consider overrides
| In Natick, an operational override question on the spring ballot is looking ever more likely as department heads in Natick ponder how to meet a projected $6.5 million budget shortfall. As it stands, the school system could face some of... |
Property taxes rising on North Shore
| Property taxes are going up all over, including the cities and towns north of Boston that were surveyed by Globe North this week for this story. "Almost universally across the state, communities have a lack of money to pay for... |
Franklin Industry in the News - PLC Medical
FRANKLIN, MA, December 21, 2007 --- PLC Systems Inc. (AMEX:PLC) announced today that it has received the CE Mark Certificate for its RenalGuard System™, clearing the way for the Company to begin its initial launch of the product in the European Union. The Company expects to initiate a limited launch of RenalGuard™ in the first quarter of 2008 in Italy, targeting early adoptors who recognize the benefits of utilizing the unique fluid balancing capabilities of the RenalGuard System in a cath lab setting during cardiovascular imaging procedures for patients at higher risk of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy (CIN).
Read the remainder of this press release here.
About PLC Medical
PLC Systems Inc. is a medical technology company specializing in innovative technologies for the cardiac and vascular markets. Headquartered in Franklin, Mass., PLC pioneered the CO2 Heart Laser System, which cardiac surgeons use to perform CO2 transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) to alleviate symptoms of severe angina. CO2 TMR offers a treatment option for angina patients who suffer from severe coronary artery disease. The CO2 Heart Laser is the world's first TMR angina relief device cleared for commercial distribution by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and to obtain a CE Mark for European distribution.
PLC Medical is located at 10 Forge Park.
The PLC Medical web site can be found here.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Where in Franklin? #24 - 2nd Clue
Since the first picture didn't draw any guesses, maybe this is enough to attract some recognition of where this might be located.
Enjoy!
Franklin's Santa - Frank Falvey
Spreading cheer in Franklin
-----------------------------
Yes, he does look like most common representations of Santa Claus.
Read the full story in the Miford Daily News here.
| FRANKLIN - He doesn't see you when you're sleeping, he has no idea when you're awake. And when it comes to being bad or good, don't worry about being good just for Frank Falvey's sake. "I try to stay away from that," said the Pond Street resident, in character as the jolly fat man during a downtown jaunt yesterday. "I don't think Santa Claus is trying to judge the bad or the good. It has to do with innocence and hope and possibility and wonder in what's going to come." |
Yes, he does look like most common representations of Santa Claus.
Read the full story in the Miford Daily News here.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Franklin Blogger: Model trains, his passion
---------------------------
Model railroads are Mason's passion
By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff
Although he was just 4 years old at the time, Scott Mason clearly remembers the first train set he ever received — 1950s vintage, used Lionel trains given to him for Christmas by a family friend.
Read the full article here
---------------------------
Scott Mason's website can be found here
Model railroads are Mason's passion
By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff
Although he was just 4 years old at the time, Scott Mason clearly remembers the first train set he ever received — 1950s vintage, used Lionel trains given to him for Christmas by a family friend.
Read the full article here
---------------------------
Scott Mason's website can be found here
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Where in Franklin? #24
This place would look considerably different today covered with snow. So going back to a few weeks ago, where would you have found these trees decked out in glorious shades of red?
The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.
Updated 12/20/07
As this has gotten buried with other posts this week, I wanted to raise it up again to see if anyone can identify it?
Patriots Traffic, MCAS, FHS Girls Hockey
-------------------------------
Patriots place traffic: Wait till next year
The going isn't too rough, yet, on game days at the retail and entertainment complex near the stadium. But the challenge of managing it will only grow as the site fully opens
Read the full article here.
------------------------------
Mixed news on MCAS scores
Overall marks up, but some falter
Read the full article here.
-------------------------------
Panthers pounce, shut down rival
In staying strong against Canton, Franklin shows maturity, confidence
Read the full article here.
Patriots place traffic: Wait till next year
The going isn't too rough, yet, on game days at the retail and entertainment complex near the stadium. But the challenge of managing it will only grow as the site fully opens
Read the full article here.
------------------------------
Mixed news on MCAS scores
Overall marks up, but some falter
Read the full article here.
-------------------------------
Panthers pounce, shut down rival
In staying strong against Canton, Franklin shows maturity, confidence
Read the full article here.
Franklin can afford library repairs
Franklin can afford library repairs
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
FRANKLIN - The town can fit library repairs into upcoming budgets, councilors learned last night, but cannot take on any other large projects without tapping into its savings account, selling property or asking residents for more money.
--------------------
By Michael Morton/Daily News staff
FRANKLIN - The town can fit library repairs into upcoming budgets, councilors learned last night, but cannot take on any other large projects without tapping into its savings account, selling property or asking residents for more money.
--------------------
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Town Council Meeting 12/19/07 - Summary
The Town Council meeting of 12/19/07 was recorded and sections of the meeting are available as follows:
Announcement: Planning Board Positions (audio)
Proclamation: Carlo Geromini (audio)
Motion on License Renewals (audio)
Jeff Nutting on the Capital Requirements (audio)
Town Administrator's Report (audio)
Closing Comments
----------------------------
My notes taken during the meeting as it occurred:
Accepting applications for planning board up through Jan 9th, appointing Jan 29th to fulfill
Rep. Vallee – House Resolution in recognition of Carlo Geromini
Carlo’s comments, has been reading… currently in middle of Kerouac “On the Road”,
Discussion on Franklin Tavern, in bankruptcy, viewing with buyers, license up for renewal
Even with renewal the trustee can’t use the license until further proceeding are accomplished
Passed 7-0
Nutting – capital forecasts
Reference to gen fund debt worksheet “Franklin capital Plan, Dacey 11-29-07”
Bartlett, Q
1.4M debt currently in plan but not being used
Municipal parking used to leverage some grant application, several months application pending
Whalen Q
3.5 percent very conservative
As debt frees up, there will always be something else to spend it on, walk the balance
Policy and guideline, free to be changed
Doak Q
2010 or 2011 depending upon what you want to do
Council is authorizing projects
Staff or capital committee makes recommendation
Roads are not part of this capital planning
500-700,000 Chapter 90 money from state funds our road work
900,000 in 2001,900,000 in 2004 otherwise nothing from town funds, totally from the state
Pleasant St 9.5 million alone
One huge need unmet is roads, could suggest an override, cash or state
Capital requirements
Schools 3.5M for other non-HS repairs
Portables lifespan remaining 5,6,7 years; cost over 2M
Population continues to increase, they need the space
HS – renovate or replace, tens of millions, no specific game plan yet, not on state listing
No significant impact to tax bill
Library interior, next 3-5 years, outside priority
Need to cap landfill, trying to get a land swap to help the process
Underground utilities, should it be done at the same time? Open for discussion/decision
Recreation center (currently in Municipal building)
Open space – long term savings in this kind of purchase
Roads build up a fund year over year
Water – gone through the 15 m authorized years ago, still have miles of pipe to be replace, can pay as we go with cash
Sewer – unless Beaver St junction comes apart, can go with normal cash flow to cover
Delcarte property – unknown at this point
Whalen Q
DEP has been lenient on this issue thus far…
Expect best guess estimate in next couple of months
District Improvement Financing (DIF) – state process, up to 25% of the town
Economic development grants are possible, generally smaller amounts
We have done well with grants, some we are not eligible for due to the wealth of the community
Doak Q
Amounts in water/sewer for ongoing funds, what’s our capacity
Took money from water reserves, approx 2M in water account
Not making enough money on an annual basis thus far, so would need to use that to stabilize the rate before we raise it
Earliest would be for 09 or 2010 for additional water/sewer projects, probably next 60 days come forward with a plan
Bartlett Q
Policy versus advice, need some assistance from the appropriate parties
Zollo Q
Getting the other assets on the sale front is important, we will need to get that revenue sooner than later
Pfieffer Q
Library, should not be considered last on the listing
RFP received no bids
Should consider changes to go back out again
Nutting – Admin Report
Kudos to DPW, snow blowers travel slower, plows can go quicker but couldn’t handle the depth of the snow
Ryan Jette awarded Heights award
Nice award from an outside group
Holiday on Monday, Tuesday, Christmas, New Year day before as well
Councilor comments
Zollo, quality of rec program, convinced that we have one of the best programs
Creating an inflationary bid process by publishing estimates before hand
2 phase project
17 trades bid on amount of work for their potion, collated with those numbers, then general contractor takes that to include his portion to come back with the total
Various estimates will come in but bids will not come in with the inflation
Filed sub records are public record, according to specs
Seems counter intuitive, public bid law
Seems to be a recurring theme if we did not have to abide by the state laws
Announcement: Planning Board Positions (audio)
Proclamation: Carlo Geromini (audio)
Motion on License Renewals (audio)
Jeff Nutting on the Capital Requirements (audio)
Town Administrator's Report (audio)
Closing Comments
----------------------------
My notes taken during the meeting as it occurred:
Accepting applications for planning board up through Jan 9th, appointing Jan 29th to fulfill
Rep. Vallee – House Resolution in recognition of Carlo Geromini
Carlo’s comments, has been reading… currently in middle of Kerouac “On the Road”,
Discussion on Franklin Tavern, in bankruptcy, viewing with buyers, license up for renewal
Even with renewal the trustee can’t use the license until further proceeding are accomplished
Passed 7-0
Nutting – capital forecasts
Reference to gen fund debt worksheet “Franklin capital Plan, Dacey 11-29-07”
Bartlett, Q
1.4M debt currently in plan but not being used
Municipal parking used to leverage some grant application, several months application pending
Whalen Q
3.5 percent very conservative
As debt frees up, there will always be something else to spend it on, walk the balance
Policy and guideline, free to be changed
Doak Q
2010 or 2011 depending upon what you want to do
Council is authorizing projects
Staff or capital committee makes recommendation
Roads are not part of this capital planning
500-700,000 Chapter 90 money from state funds our road work
900,000 in 2001,900,000 in 2004 otherwise nothing from town funds, totally from the state
Pleasant St 9.5 million alone
One huge need unmet is roads, could suggest an override, cash or state
Capital requirements
Schools 3.5M for other non-HS repairs
Portables lifespan remaining 5,6,7 years; cost over 2M
Population continues to increase, they need the space
HS – renovate or replace, tens of millions, no specific game plan yet, not on state listing
No significant impact to tax bill
Library interior, next 3-5 years, outside priority
Need to cap landfill, trying to get a land swap to help the process
Underground utilities, should it be done at the same time? Open for discussion/decision
Recreation center (currently in Municipal building)
Open space – long term savings in this kind of purchase
Roads build up a fund year over year
Water – gone through the 15 m authorized years ago, still have miles of pipe to be replace, can pay as we go with cash
Sewer – unless Beaver St junction comes apart, can go with normal cash flow to cover
Delcarte property – unknown at this point
Whalen Q
DEP has been lenient on this issue thus far…
Expect best guess estimate in next couple of months
District Improvement Financing (DIF) – state process, up to 25% of the town
Economic development grants are possible, generally smaller amounts
We have done well with grants, some we are not eligible for due to the wealth of the community
Doak Q
Amounts in water/sewer for ongoing funds, what’s our capacity
Took money from water reserves, approx 2M in water account
Not making enough money on an annual basis thus far, so would need to use that to stabilize the rate before we raise it
Earliest would be for 09 or 2010 for additional water/sewer projects, probably next 60 days come forward with a plan
Bartlett Q
Policy versus advice, need some assistance from the appropriate parties
Zollo Q
Getting the other assets on the sale front is important, we will need to get that revenue sooner than later
Pfieffer Q
Library, should not be considered last on the listing
RFP received no bids
Should consider changes to go back out again
Nutting – Admin Report
Kudos to DPW, snow blowers travel slower, plows can go quicker but couldn’t handle the depth of the snow
Ryan Jette awarded Heights award
Nice award from an outside group
Holiday on Monday, Tuesday, Christmas, New Year day before as well
Councilor comments
Zollo, quality of rec program, convinced that we have one of the best programs
Creating an inflationary bid process by publishing estimates before hand
2 phase project
17 trades bid on amount of work for their potion, collated with those numbers, then general contractor takes that to include his portion to come back with the total
Various estimates will come in but bids will not come in with the inflation
Filed sub records are public record, according to specs
Seems counter intuitive, public bid law
Seems to be a recurring theme if we did not have to abide by the state laws
Councilors Closing Comments (audio)
Before the meeting moves into Executive Session, the Councilors get to add new business and make their closing comments.
Time: 8 minutes, 36 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 8 minutes, 36 seconds
MP3 File
Town Administrator's Report (audio)
Jeff Nutting, the Town Administrator, reports on the snow removal, kudos for Ryan Jette and the recreation programs, and how the Municipal Building will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Time: 2 minutes, 24 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 2 minutes, 24 seconds
MP3 File
Jeff Nutting on the Capital Outlook (audio)
Town Administrator Jeff Nutting outlines the capital needs for the near future and gets into discussion with the Council on how this could be done with either cash, grants, or debt.
Time: 51 minutes, 57 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 51 minutes, 57 seconds
MP3 File
Motion on License Renewals (audio)
The Town Council after some discussion and clarifications passed by 7-0 vote a number of license renewals.
Time: 3 minutes, 37 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 3 minutes, 37 seconds
MP3 File
Proclamation: C Geromini (audio)
Rep. Vallee reads the proclamation recognizing retired Councilman Carlo Geromini for 40 years of service to Franklin
Time: 3 minutes, 56 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 3 minutes, 56 seconds
MP3 File
Announcement: Planning Board Positions (audio)
The Planning Board is accepting applications through January 9, 2008 with appointments to be made at a joint meeting of the Town Council and Planning Board on Jan 23, 2008.
Time: 22 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 22 seconds
MP3 File
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