The Conservation Commission continued their on-going effort to address deficiencies with the DelCarte Conservation Area dam system (known as the Franklin Reservoir). This area was donated to the Town and offers a network of walking trails along a number of ponds and wooded areas.
The Commission chose PARE Corporation from Foxboro, MA, to conduct a review of the DelCarte Conservation Area, specifically the condition of seven structures in the area. PARE completed their initial Study and presented their findings to the Commission in late 2008. Following the Commission’s review of PARE’s findings, it was determined that an additional phase to the Study, which would focus on three potential repairs options, would be required in order for the Town to determine the most beneficial approach to addressing deficiencies at the Site, while taking into consideration both the environmental sensitivity of the Site and cost to implement the repairs. The Commission anticipates PARE to complete the next phase of the Study and present their findings by end of calendar year 2009.
Update: As 2009 is closing, the update is really more likely to come before the Town Council during Jan-Feb-Mar 2010.
Where is the Delcorte property?
You can find it on Google Maps referenced as the "Franklin Reservoirs"
View Larger Map
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Franklin, MA: In house Attorney - Mark G Cerel
The Town has an in-house attorney, Mark G. Cerel. Attorney Cerel has an office in the Town Administration offices and works three days a week. In addition, he attends regular Council sessions and meetings of town boards and commissions on an as-needed basis. His responsibilities include providing legal advice to the Town Administrator and other town officials, review and drafting of legal documents, and representation of the town in negotiations and litigation other than labor-related matters. Having an in-house attorney has enabled town officials to obtain prompt legal review and advice; it has also expedited various town projects which require legal input.
During the past year, Attorney Cerel has continued to be successful not only in resolving actual litigation but also in resolving disputes prior to litigation on terms favorable to the Town; he has also continued to draft proposed legislation and to be involved in contract and real estate negotiations. In addition, he has continued to work with the staff to review and update the Town's zoning and general bylaws.
An in-house attorney plays an essential role in limiting the town’s legal exposure. He assists in resolving matters before they result in legal action and he provides the town with a strong legal presence that discourages people from filing frivolous lawsuits.
The Town Attorney represents the town and is only available to consult with individual residents if the Town Administrator’s prior approval is obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Cerel
Town Attorney
From the 2009 Town of Franklin Annual Report. This is available in a printed version at the Municipal Building or online at the Town website here.
Monday, December 28, 2009
In the News - social networking, water quality
How towns use social networking sites
Franklin Police - http://twitter.com/franklinpolice
Franklin Fire - http://twitter.com/FranklinMAfire
Franklin Matters - http://twitter.com/FranklinMatters
A listing of Franklin, MA Twitter accounts: http://twitter.com/GraydonSmith/franklin-ma
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Stepping up water quality efforts in Franklin
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Four Corners remembered
The Walgreens has made great progress finishing construction and getting ready to open (April, is what I recall but it could be sooner by the looks of it?).
A close up of the marker shows this:
When you go by the corner some time, stop and read the history of Four Corners School.
Out front on the triangle of "public space" that they will maintain, there is a historic marker with information on the Four Corners School which stood on the grounds.
A close up of the marker shows this:
When you go by the corner some time, stop and read the history of Four Corners School.
Year end activities
As 2009 winds down and we get ready for 2010, I'll spend sometime making adjustments to the site. For example, the meeting summaries for 2009 will move from the center column to the far right column. There will be a new box for the 2010 meeting summaries in the center column.
I will continue to feature items from the 2009 Annual Report while I work on my review of 2009. Each month will appear as it is ready.
I have some other changes I want to make to the web site to help make it easy to use. I'll announce those as they appear. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to drop me a line and let me know.
In the meantime, I anticipate overall activities will be light here. I will be sending time enjoying the holidays with family and friends. I trust you will take advantage of the time to do so with your circles.
Enjoy!
I will continue to feature items from the 2009 Annual Report while I work on my review of 2009. Each month will appear as it is ready.
I have some other changes I want to make to the web site to help make it easy to use. I'll announce those as they appear. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to drop me a line and let me know.
In the meantime, I anticipate overall activities will be light here. I will be sending time enjoying the holidays with family and friends. I trust you will take advantage of the time to do so with your circles.
Enjoy!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
FRANKLIN HEALTH DEPARTMENT H1N1 FLU CLINIC Jan 6, 2010
FRANKLIN HEALTH DEPARTMENT H1N1 FLU CLINIC ANNOUNCEMENT
December 23. 2009
The Franklin Health Department will be holding an H1N1 flu clinic for Franklin residents on Wednesday January 06, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street. Please enter the clinic through the school’s front main entrance.
The following persons are eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine consistent with Massachusetts Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines for vaccine administration:
Children in 9th through 12th grades.
All other Franklin residents who wish to receive the H1N1 Vaccine.
Please be advised, the Health Department has received nearly 70% of our vaccine allocation in the nasal spray form. Because this is a live attenuated vaccine, this formulation is only for healthy individuals aged 2 to 49 years of age.
All individuals to be vaccinated in the 2-49 age groups without a contra-indicated medical history will be administered the nasal spray.
All individuals to be vaccinated are to present a completed consent form. No vaccine will be administered without a completed and signed consent form. A downloadable consent form is available on both the Health Department and School Department websites as well.
All residents will be asked to produce a valid driver’s license or other identification at the time of registration.
We ask all residents to please be patient and to anticipate some waiting, as we institute our large-scale public vaccination plan.
David E. McKearney, R.S.
Public Health Director
Franklin Health Department
Franklin Board of Health
Bruce Hunchard, Chair
Paul Cheli
Donald Ranieri, JR.
December 23. 2009
The Franklin Health Department will be holding an H1N1 flu clinic for Franklin residents on Wednesday January 06, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street. Please enter the clinic through the school’s front main entrance.
The following persons are eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine consistent with Massachusetts Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines for vaccine administration:
Children in 9th through 12th grades.
All other Franklin residents who wish to receive the H1N1 Vaccine.
Please be advised, the Health Department has received nearly 70% of our vaccine allocation in the nasal spray form. Because this is a live attenuated vaccine, this formulation is only for healthy individuals aged 2 to 49 years of age.
All individuals to be vaccinated in the 2-49 age groups without a contra-indicated medical history will be administered the nasal spray.
All individuals to be vaccinated are to present a completed consent form. No vaccine will be administered without a completed and signed consent form. A downloadable consent form is available on both the Health Department and School Department websites as well.
All residents will be asked to produce a valid driver’s license or other identification at the time of registration.
We ask all residents to please be patient and to anticipate some waiting, as we institute our large-scale public vaccination plan.
David E. McKearney, R.S.
Public Health Director
Franklin Health Department
Franklin Board of Health
Bruce Hunchard, Chair
Paul Cheli
Donald Ranieri, JR.
Student safely navigating online
Through the Google Public Policy Blog I just learned about a series of three videos created by YouTube for the purpose of educating students about online behavior. Each of the three videos are roughly two minutes in length. Each video provides clear narration and visual aids. The three videos are Detecting Lies and Staying True, Playing and Staying Safe Online, and Staying Safe on YouTube. These videos could be used in any classroom, but they really seem aimed toward a middle school audience.From Free Technology for Teachers is written by Richard Byrne and read by a daily audience of more than 15,000 subscribers.
Franklin, MA: Building Inspection Department
The Building Inspection Department is a multifunction office responsible for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair and occupancy of all residential, commercial, business and industrial use for both existing and new construction in accordance with the Massachusetts State Building Code. The department is responsible for the administration, interpretation and enforcement of the following codes:
Massachusetts State Building Code - 780CMR
Town of Franklin Code - Zoning – CH 185
Zoning Board of Appeals Agent
Fence Viewer
State Electrical Code – 527 CMR
State Plumbing & Gas Code – 248 CMR
Sealer of Weights and Measure – G.L. CH 98
Architectural Access Board – 521 CMR
Hours of Operation
The Building Inspection Department is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8:00a.m. until 4:00p.m., Wednesday 8:00a.m.until 6:00p.m. and Friday 8:00a.m. until 1:00p.m. For your convenience, you may contact our website: at www.franklin.ma.us/inspections. This site contains a series of forms easily accessible and available to download. The website provides permit applications, sample plot plans, sign regulations, swimming pool instruction manuals. Shed/barn instruction manuals, complaint forms, zoning criteria and other information necessary to process a permit or to simply provide information to the public.
Building Department Staff
Building Commissioner/Zoning Officer: David A. Roche
Inspectors:
Local Inspector: Lloyd “Gus” Brown
Local Inspector: Everett “Andy “ Williams
Wire Inspector: Bernard Mullaney
Plumbing/Gas Inspector: Richard Cornetta
Plmb/Gas Inspector: Richard McCormick
Asst Plmb/Gas Inspector: Jay Palermo
Sealer of Weights & Measurers:
Comm. of Mass./Div. of Standards
From the 2009 Town of Franklin Annual Report. This is available in a printed version at the Municipal Building or online at the Town website here.
Massachusetts State Building Code - 780CMR
Town of Franklin Code - Zoning – CH 185
Zoning Board of Appeals Agent
Fence Viewer
State Electrical Code – 527 CMR
State Plumbing & Gas Code – 248 CMR
Sealer of Weights and Measure – G.L. CH 98
Architectural Access Board – 521 CMR
Hours of Operation
The Building Inspection Department is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8:00a.m. until 4:00p.m., Wednesday 8:00a.m.until 6:00p.m. and Friday 8:00a.m. until 1:00p.m. For your convenience, you may contact our website: at www.franklin.ma.us/inspections. This site contains a series of forms easily accessible and available to download. The website provides permit applications, sample plot plans, sign regulations, swimming pool instruction manuals. Shed/barn instruction manuals, complaint forms, zoning criteria and other information necessary to process a permit or to simply provide information to the public.
Building Department Staff
Building Commissioner/Zoning Officer: David A. Roche
Inspectors:
Local Inspector: Lloyd “Gus” Brown
Local Inspector: Everett “Andy “ Williams
Wire Inspector: Bernard Mullaney
Plumbing/Gas Inspector: Richard Cornetta
Plmb/Gas Inspector: Richard McCormick
Asst Plmb/Gas Inspector: Jay Palermo
Sealer of Weights & Measurers:
Comm. of Mass./Div. of Standards
From the 2009 Town of Franklin Annual Report. This is available in a printed version at the Municipal Building or online at the Town website here.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas! (video)
In the spirit of Christmas and having fun, here is a short video of the ImprovEverywhere group providing some assistance to one of the Salvation Army bell ringers.
It would have been really cool if this was one of the bell ringers when Ashley helped
Enjoy!
Read more about this group and how they prepared this event here
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video.
It would have been really cool if this was one of the bell ringers when Ashley helped
Enjoy!
Read more about this group and how they prepared this event here
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video.
Information Revolution (video)
Before you celebrate Christmas today, spend 5 minutes to view the latest on the information revolution:
Enjoy!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video.
Enjoy!
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
"the community really cares for its own"
Milford Daily News reporter, Ashley Studley spent time ringing the bell for the Salvation Army kettle and writes about it:
Some people acknowledged us with a smile and comment about the weather while other shoppers walked away briskly and avoided eye contact. I suddenly felt guilty for doing the same thing in the past - avoiding the interaction due to a lack of cash or time.Read the full story online here
I asked her if such reactions are ever discouraging.
"This is the time of year a lot of people don't have the money to contribute to the cause," she said with understanding. "Some people do, some people don't."
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
TED Talks to view over the holiday week
TED Talks provide viewers with insightful and thought-provoking commentary and ideas. The contents of many TED Talks can be directly or indirectly applied to your classroom practices. While you're on holiday break, you may want to watch one or all of these TED Talks. If you're interested in learning more about using TED Talks in your classroom, check out Teaching With TED.
Free Technology for Teachers is written by Richard Byrne and read by a daily audience of more than 15,000 subscribers.
Franklin, MA: Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals currently consists of three (3) members and two (2) associate members appointed by the Town Administrator, subject to the confirmation by the Town Council, for terms of
such length and so arranged that the term of one member shall expire each year. There is currently one (1) opening for an associate member.
The Board of Appeals holds Public Hearings, as advertised, for Variance(s), Special Permits (including gravel removal), Findings and Chapter 40B applications. The Board also renders
determinations on land use and zoning issues. All necessary forms and applications may be obtained through the Building Inspection Department and via Board of Appeals website at http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBA/index.
The Zoning Board of Appeals meets in Town Council Chambers at the Franklin Municipal Building on Thursday evenings usually twice a month, at 7:30pm. The calendar may be viewed via website at http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBA/index. All meetings are open to the public.
The Board has been very active this fiscal year and the following agenda is a list of all applications filed, indexed and recorded with the Town Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals
Bruce Hunchard, Chairman - 1991*
Robert Acevedo, Vice Chairman - 2003*
Bernard Mullaney, Clerk - 1988*
Todd Alexander Associate - 2007*
Seth Jackson, Associate Member - 2007*
Barbara Curran, Administrative Secretary
* indicates Member since
From the 2009 Town of Franklin Annual Report. This is available in a printed version at the Municipal Building or online at the Town website here.
such length and so arranged that the term of one member shall expire each year. There is currently one (1) opening for an associate member.
The Board of Appeals holds Public Hearings, as advertised, for Variance(s), Special Permits (including gravel removal), Findings and Chapter 40B applications. The Board also renders
determinations on land use and zoning issues. All necessary forms and applications may be obtained through the Building Inspection Department and via Board of Appeals website at http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBA/index.
The Zoning Board of Appeals meets in Town Council Chambers at the Franklin Municipal Building on Thursday evenings usually twice a month, at 7:30pm. The calendar may be viewed via website at http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBA/index. All meetings are open to the public.
The Board has been very active this fiscal year and the following agenda is a list of all applications filed, indexed and recorded with the Town Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals
Bruce Hunchard, Chairman - 1991*
Robert Acevedo, Vice Chairman - 2003*
Bernard Mullaney, Clerk - 1988*
Todd Alexander Associate - 2007*
Seth Jackson, Associate Member - 2007*
Barbara Curran, Administrative Secretary
* indicates Member since
From the 2009 Town of Franklin Annual Report. This is available in a printed version at the Municipal Building or online at the Town website here.
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