"We should have plenty of time to adjust rates"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 27, 2009 @ 11:28 PM

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FRANKLIN —

As part of its plan to make $19.4 million worth of upgrades to the district's sewer plant, the Charles River Pollution Control District is asking Franklin - its largest contributor - to pay the bulk of the cost.

Based on flow going into the plant, Franklin owns 67 percent of the plant's capacity, and is expected to pay $2.52 million in fiscal 2010, which is $445,570 more than its share this year.

Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting said he has received mixed opinions about whether Town Council must vote to approve the $19.4 million, 20-year bond that will be needed, or if the district can simply assess users an increased rate. He said he waiting for an official opinion from the state Department of Revenue.

Regardless of how the money will be approved, the work needs to be done, Nutting said, if for no other reason than the daily $25,000 fine the state Department of Environmental Protection would impose for not complying with regulations.

Read the full article on the Charles River plan in the Milford Daily News here

You can view the actual presentation from the Charles River Pollution Control District as given to the Town Council during the February 4th meeting here

"a wonderful addition to the state forest"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 27, 2009 @ 11:26 PM

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FRANKLIN —

The state is considering buying 50 acres next to the Franklin State Forest from a private owner, said state Wendy Fox, spokesman for the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The DCR has sent a notice of interest to the town, Fox said, and is talking with the landowner, Reed Trust, of 230 Village St., Medway, of which Ronald Dolloff is a trustee.

The owner is asking for $2 million for the property at 1312 West Central St. (Rte. 140), confirmed their real estate agent, Jeff Allaire of ERA Key Commercial in Franklin.

The property, zoned as office/light industrial, also includes a 1,368-square-foot, boarded-up two-story house.

Neither Fox nor Allaire would comment about how serious the state is about acquiring the land, or how close it is to acquiring it. Fox said the state has been in talks with the owners for about six months.

"We do this all the time, the state is always looking at interesting property," Fox said.

Read the full article about the state's interest in the property in the Milford Daily News here

FM #32 - Abraham Bolden

In this Franklin Matters podcast, #32 in the series, we get a special presentation. Abraham Bolden, the first African American member of the Secret Service, came to Franklin to tell his life story and involvement with President John F Kennedy.

Time: 1 hour, 12 minutes, 27 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

Music intro
My intro
FM #32

This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 32 in the series.

This session is a special one. On Wednesday evening, February 25, 2009, there was a presentation on the JFK Assassination at the Thomas Mercer Auditorium in the Horace Mann/Oak Street complex. Franklin resident Bill Glynn presented an overview of the events leading up to and around that fateful day, Nov 22, 1963. Abraham Bolden, the first African American member of the Secret Service came to Franklin to tell his story. The opportunity to hear Abraham in person was taken by about 50-60 people of all ages.

Now you can share in that opportunity. What follows is the audio recording of Abraham Bolden's talk. In his voice, you'll hear him tell of growing up in East St Louis, rising from a Pinkerton detective position to the Illinois State Police and from there to the Secret Service. In the Secret Service he met John F Kennedy in Chicago and then also at the White House where Abraham was stationed briefly.

One quote to keep in mind as you settle in for a little over an hour of Abraham's story. From the philosopher, Antonio Gramsci:

“The challenge of modernity is to live without illusions and
without becoming disillusioned.”

I don't think you'll find Abraham's talk long. I found his first person narrative riveting. His direct, honest and religious approach to life comes through. You'll begin to understand how the echoes of Dealey Plaza still reverberate today.

I would like to give special thanks to Bill Glynn and Abraham Bolden for allowing this recording. By sharing in this way, we can continue the discussion.

You can read more about Abraham Bolden and his book, "Echo from Dealey Plaza" here.

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This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music

"should have been aware of these plans for years"

By Rachel Lebeaux Globe Correspondent / February 26, 2009

Officials at the Franklin Food say the facility might have to close down completely if town officials insist that it vacate its space to make room for a relocated historical museum.

The pressure to move comes at a time when the pantry's use is up and contributions are down due to the dismal economy. The pantry, which serves nearly 2,200 clients from at least 15 area communities, would probably have to vacate by the summer, according to a Franklin official.

"I don't understand displaying museum items versus feeding the less fortunate members of the community," said Linda Pouliot Whites, the pantry's executive director. She said she learned only recently that the food pantry would have to leave the basement of the former senior center building on West Central Street, which it has occupied since the early 1990s.

However, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said officials made it clear that they would be wanting the pantry to relocate eight years ago, when discussions about a new senior center and a relocated historical museum first emerged. He said officials are trying to work with the pantry to find a new location.

Read the full article about the Food Pantry looking for new space as reported in the Boston Globe here

"We don't need an award"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 27, 2009 @ 12:46 AM

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FRANKLIN —

Eighth-graders Maddie Gordon and Jake Sargeant say they don't need an award to acknowledge their volunteer work with students with severe disabilities at Annie Sullivan Middle School.

Still, after watching the pair spend much of their free time volunteering, coordinating activities, and befriending special needs kids for the last 2 1/2 years, special needs teacher Marilee Gleason and Principal Beth Wittcoff were inspired to recognize them by nominating them for the statewide Make a Difference award program.

On Sunday, Gordon and Sargeant will be honored along with 58 of their peers from across the state for their volunteer work at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Dorchester at 1 p.m.

"It's unbelievable, the enthusiasm these kids have for befriending students they normally wouldn't cross paths with. These two are very invested," said Gleason, who also oversees the school's Best Buddies program.

Read the full article about the student volunteers for Best Buddies in the Milford Daily News here

The Green Reel: "Renewal"

The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.

What: "Renewal"

When: 7:00 PM on March 1, 2009

Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here

Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389

read more about the file "Renewal" here

Sponsors:

Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro

Greenbusters

Digging around the SustainLane web site initially found here, I find there is a series of posts on greenbusters. Recall the popular Discovery Channel show - Mythbusters; these are focused on green myths and you get the full scoop on each. For example:

Myth: It's best never to touch your thermostat. Read More »

Myth: It's okay to throw something away as long as it's biodegradable. Read More »

Myth: Washing laundry in hot water is the only way to kill bacteria and get things really clean—just like my mom told me. Read More »

Myth: Dog poop is natural, so it’s okay to leave it behind. Read More »

Myth: It takes more energy to turn a light off and back on than it does to keep it running. Read More »

Check out all the Greenbusters here