With my work here on Franklin Matters to share information and to create an informed community, the fact there is still mistrust of government is an issue to be addressed. The ethics changes made by Governor Patrick and others are a step in the proper direction for the state level. This Common Cause effort should help us on the national stage.
What change would you like to see to enable a government you can trust?
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Open offer to Franklin's candidates for election
To the candidates for Franklin's election on November 3, 2009:
I extend an offer to conduct and post an interview with you here. The interview can be either text or audio.
You are running to conduct business on behalf of Franklin. Together, we can share your views, your objectives, and help to spread the word to create an informed voter.
Send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com) and we can arrange a mutually convenient time.
Be aware that this is my public service effort conducted solely to create an informed electorate here in Franklin.
I do this for fun and education. If it stops being that way, I will stop. This is not an advertising site. This is an information sharing site.
My disclosure statement can be found here.
A similar offer was made for the last Town election in 2007.
I extend an offer to conduct and post an interview with you here. The interview can be either text or audio.
You are running to conduct business on behalf of Franklin. Together, we can share your views, your objectives, and help to spread the word to create an informed voter.
Send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com) and we can arrange a mutually convenient time.
Be aware that this is my public service effort conducted solely to create an informed electorate here in Franklin.
I do this for fun and education. If it stops being that way, I will stop. This is not an advertising site. This is an information sharing site.
My disclosure statement can be found here.
A similar offer was made for the last Town election in 2007.
Harvest Festival Booths Available
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is preparing for their September Downtown Harvest Festival and is inviting crafters, restaurants, vendors and community groups to register for this year’s event.
This festival is the Partnership’s largest event and brings over 2,500 people to downtown Franklin each year. The festival will be Sunday, September 20th. The rain date is Sunday, September 27th. The event will be downtown starting on Main Street and will include East Central Street and Summer Street. There will be a variety of free entertainment and fun games and food. This year the Partnership is inviting restaurants to participate and showcase their menu items to area residents. Last year the festival had close to 100 vendors and crafters participate and they expect even more this year.
Space is limited, so anyone interested in participating should e-mail Mary Graff for more details and a registration form at mgraff@berryinsurance.com or call (508)733-5504.
The booth fee is $50.00 if registration is received by August 20th. The fee increases to $75.00 after that. Registration is free for Partnership business members.
Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is this year’s Gold Sponsor and Middlesex Savings Bank is the Bronze Sponsor. Sponsorships are still needed for the festival. As a non-profit organization the Downtown Partnership depends on sponsors in order to fund the downtown festivals and events.
The Partnership has formed a merchants committee which will be hosting a “Third Thursday” event downtown each month. The events will be held every third Thursday and will include special events, sales, refreshments, and free entertainment at local downtown businesses. For more details contact Jane Curran at janeframe@verizon.net This year the downtown will also host a Holiday Stroll on December 3rd.
Any business, organization or resident interested in becoming a sponsor or who would like to become a member of the Partnership should call the Executive Director, Lisa Piana, at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774)571-3109 or visit the downtown office location at 9 East Central Street ..
The Partnership’s mission is to stimulate economic development in the downtown in order to create a positive impact throughout the area. Some of the past Franklin downtown projects include the new bronze sculpture in front of the museum, the downtown signs, and working with town officials on new construction, green space and streetscape projects. New members are always welcome!
This festival is the Partnership’s largest event and brings over 2,500 people to downtown Franklin each year. The festival will be Sunday, September 20th. The rain date is Sunday, September 27th. The event will be downtown starting on Main Street and will include East Central Street and Summer Street. There will be a variety of free entertainment and fun games and food. This year the Partnership is inviting restaurants to participate and showcase their menu items to area residents. Last year the festival had close to 100 vendors and crafters participate and they expect even more this year.
Space is limited, so anyone interested in participating should e-mail Mary Graff for more details and a registration form at mgraff@berryinsurance.com or call (508)733-5504.
The booth fee is $50.00 if registration is received by August 20th. The fee increases to $75.00 after that. Registration is free for Partnership business members.
Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is this year’s Gold Sponsor and Middlesex Savings Bank is the Bronze Sponsor. Sponsorships are still needed for the festival. As a non-profit organization the Downtown Partnership depends on sponsors in order to fund the downtown festivals and events.
The Partnership has formed a merchants committee which will be hosting a “Third Thursday” event downtown each month. The events will be held every third Thursday and will include special events, sales, refreshments, and free entertainment at local downtown businesses. For more details contact Jane Curran at janeframe@verizon.net This year the downtown will also host a Holiday Stroll on December 3rd.
Any business, organization or resident interested in becoming a sponsor or who would like to become a member of the Partnership should call the Executive Director, Lisa Piana, at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774)571-3109 or visit the downtown office location at 9 East Central Street ..
The Partnership’s mission is to stimulate economic development in the downtown in order to create a positive impact throughout the area. Some of the past Franklin downtown projects include the new bronze sculpture in front of the museum, the downtown signs, and working with town officials on new construction, green space and streetscape projects. New members are always welcome!
Town Council Mtg Smry 08/05/09
The collection of live reporting for the short (approx. 30 minutes) Town Council meeting held August 5th can be found here:
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Live reporting - Administrator report/closing
Jeff thanks Fire Dept for their work on the Medway church fire
Update from the town via email now available on the Town website
Listing of vacancies is available
Upgrades to the corner at E Central/King/Chestnut should be started in a couple of weeks. It shouldn't take long to complete.
Councilor Comments
Doak - would be remiss if I didn't congratulate my daughter on her birthday
Pfeffer - thanks for the work cleaning up the corner on Pond St
Bartlett - thanks to Jeff and others involved for the new email service, this is the way of the future
Friday nights under the lights at Beaver St started two weeks ago
about 35 the first night, the weather canceled last week
this week is on, for frisbee
Motion to adjorn
Update from the town via email now available on the Town website
Listing of vacancies is available
Upgrades to the corner at E Central/King/Chestnut should be started in a couple of weeks. It shouldn't take long to complete.
Councilor Comments
Doak - would be remiss if I didn't congratulate my daughter on her birthday
Pfeffer - thanks for the work cleaning up the corner on Pond St
Bartlett - thanks to Jeff and others involved for the new email service, this is the way of the future
Friday nights under the lights at Beaver St started two weeks ago
about 35 the first night, the weather canceled last week
this week is on, for frisbee
Motion to adjorn
Live reporting - Action items
F - HEARINGS - none
G - LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none
H - PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - none
I - SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none
J - LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-54: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17E motion to approve, passed 5-0
2. Resolution 09-55: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41D motion to approve, passed 5-0
G - LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none
H - PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - none
I - SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none
J - LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-54: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17E motion to approve, passed 5-0
"Authorizes an annual increase in the asset (whole estate) limit for exemptions granted to senior citizens, surviving spouses and surviving minors under General Laws Chapter 59, Section 17D, by the percentage increase in the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for the previous year as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue to be effective for exemptions granted for any fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2009."
2. Resolution 09-55: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41D motion to approve, passed 5-0
Authorizes an annual increase in the income (gross receipts) and asset (whole estate) limit for exemptions granted to senior citizens, under General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C, by the percentage increase in the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for the previous year as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue to be effective for exemptions granted for any fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2009.
Live reporting - Town Council 8/5/09
Attending: Mason, Bartlett, Pfeffer, Doak, Vallee
Missing: Whalen, Feeley, McGann, Zollo
A - APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 1, July 15 Regular, July 15 Executive Session
Change to minutes of July 1 to correct Feeley vote for Resolution 09-47 (bottom of page 4) should be "Y" (not as shown "1")
B - ANNOUNCEMENTS
Debbie Pellegri - making the announcement about the election November 3rd. The papers will be available August 10th at the Town Clerk office in the Municipal Bldg.
Positions and dates have been posted previously here
C - PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
* Pearce Murphy, Retiring Member of Conservation Commission
D - CITIZEN COMMENTS
E - APPOINTMENTS
* Conservation Commission
Appointment of Jeff Livingstone - motion to approve, passed 5-0
Missing: Whalen, Feeley, McGann, Zollo
A - APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 1, July 15 Regular, July 15 Executive Session
Change to minutes of July 1 to correct Feeley vote for Resolution 09-47 (bottom of page 4) should be "Y" (not as shown "1")
B - ANNOUNCEMENTS
Debbie Pellegri - making the announcement about the election November 3rd. The papers will be available August 10th at the Town Clerk office in the Municipal Bldg.
Positions and dates have been posted previously here
C - PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
* Pearce Murphy, Retiring Member of Conservation Commission
D - CITIZEN COMMENTS
E - APPOINTMENTS
* Conservation Commission
Appointment of Jeff Livingstone - motion to approve, passed 5-0
Have you taken a ride on the Franklin Area Bus?
Did you know that you can have it stop for you along the route?
This summer why not take some time to ride the bus. For $1, it can be a real bargain.
One of the buses on the Franklin Area route has been wrapped to help advertise for Dean College. The bus (pictured below) was recently seen on its route along King St.
For more information (and schedule) on the Franklin Area Bus follow this link (PDF).
This summer why not take some time to ride the bus. For $1, it can be a real bargain.
One of the buses on the Franklin Area route has been wrapped to help advertise for Dean College. The bus (pictured below) was recently seen on its route along King St.
For more information (and schedule) on the Franklin Area Bus follow this link (PDF).
"won't have to raise money"
State Rep. Jim Vallee, D-Franklin, said he was proud to be an advocate for the grant.
"The Charles River Pollution Control District does a very good job, they're recognized as a cutting edge, state-of-the-art water treatment facility," he said. "But they are in need of upgrading their systems for energy efficiency and keeping up with technology."
Read the full article about the grant just received by the Charles River Pollution District in the Milford Daily News here
This will help Franklin and the other towns that are part of the District. There are major expenses coming for required improvements to reduce the phosphor being discharged into the Charles River. You can review the most recent presentation to the Town Council here.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
"The circle is sacred"
"A safe place to be yourself. There is no agenda except just come and share your story," she said.
The women will "go with the flow" to create the kind of circle they want, as such groups can often change course, she said.
Read the full article about the women's circle being formed in Franklin by Michelle Reid in the Milford Daily News here
"the full attention it deserves"
It was only due to a series of one-time, non-recurring revenue sources, like stimulus funding and voluntary salary freezes, that Franklin did not suffer severe cuts in services this fiscal year, Whalen said.
"Given the severity of the challenges we are going to face, I'm leaning toward throwing my hat in the ring for the citizens' consideration for one more term, but I haven't decided for sure," Whalen said.
Read the full article on the status of the councilors up for re-election this fall in the Milford Daily News here
For a complete listing of open positions and the paperwork schedule to run for election, you can check here
Concerts on the Common - Frank Padula Band
The Frank Padula Band will be appearing Wednesday, August 5 for Concerts on the Common from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Wally, the Green Monster will perform for the Children's Concert from 6:00 Pm to 6:30 PM.
Wally, the Green Monster will perform for the Children's Concert from 6:00 Pm to 6:30 PM.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Franklin: Walgreens Conveyor
Quite busy at the Walgreens (former Four Corners Bldg) site. The foundation appears to be nearing completion.
Franklin_WalgreensConveyor, originally uploaded by shersteve.
Franklin_WalgreensConveyor, originally uploaded by shersteve.
I was caught by this arrangement of machines. The bucket loader (far right) drops a load of dirt into the first blue machine. This appears to filter the material and transfer it to another similar machine which may have a different filter setting to process before it drops it off the last conveyor in a pile to be used on the site.
How many men would have been required to provide the same filtering function in the days when the Four Corners Bldg went up (or earlier)?
Anyone know the answer?
PMC - Nutting quoted
Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting was amongst the thousands who participated in the PMC Challenge this year. Jeff rode as part of the Phils Phriends Team. He finished in Wellesley and was part of the Team NECN recap of the event. You can view the video here
Photos from the activity on Saturday morning at the PMC Franklin water stop can be found here
Photos from the activity on Saturday morning at the PMC Franklin water stop can be found here
Town Council - Agenda - 8/5/09
A - APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 1, July 15 Regular, July 15 Executive Session
B - ANNOUNCEMENTS
C - PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
* Pearce Murphy, Retiring Member of Conservation Commission
D - CITIZEN COMMENTS
E - APPOINTMENTS
* Conservation Commission
F - HEARINGS
G - LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H - PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I - SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J - LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-54: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17E
2. Resolution 09-55: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41D
K - TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L - OLD BUSINESS
M - NEW BUSINESS
N - COUNCIL COMMENTS
O - EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P - ADJOURN
B - ANNOUNCEMENTS
C - PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
* Pearce Murphy, Retiring Member of Conservation Commission
D - CITIZEN COMMENTS
E - APPOINTMENTS
* Conservation Commission
F - HEARINGS
G - LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H - PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I - SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J - LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-54: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17E
2. Resolution 09-55: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41D
K - TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L - OLD BUSINESS
M - NEW BUSINESS
N - COUNCIL COMMENTS
O - EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P - ADJOURN
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