RE: Lincoln Street Construction
Lincoln Street from Maple Street to Sherman Avenue in Franklin, MA, will be closed to through Traffic on Wednesday, September 15, 2010, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
This section of Lincoln Street will be open for local traffic and emergency vehicles during this period.
From the Franklin, MA website
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
FM #72 - Week Ending 9/12/10
Let's take less than 10 minutes to find out what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends Sep 12, 2010.
Time: 7 minutes, 10 seconds
MP3 File
Show Notes
Let's take less than 10 minutes to review the week ending Sep 12 here in Franklin, MA. Hurricane Earl has already faded into memory, Labor Day and 9/11 have come and gone. Importantly, the first full week of school begins this Monday.
So what should you know from the past week?
The Finance Committee met on Tuesday providing a preview of some of the topics for the Town Council meeting on Wed.
The major action item for discussion was the proposal for $140,000 to move from the debt stabilization account for the Del Carte final design and permits.
The overall presentation to the FINCOM and on Weds to the Town Council was lacking. The presentation attempted to keep it short and sweet. It was short but left too many questions to be asked. It was passed by the FINCOM but postponed by the Town Council until their meeting on 9/29.
The short story is there are seven dams and ponds on the DelCarte property that was donated to Franklin several years ago. There was originally a stream running through the property. It was dammed to create several ponds initially to try as cranberry bogs, then for a fish hatchery. The dams have breached and no longer hold back the water as they should Two of the dams are of size and concern to be registered with the State. Analysis of the work required to repair some of the dams has been reduced from over $3 million to just over $1 million. This takes care of the immediate work required. It does not include the creation of hiking trails to enable further recreational use of this splendid opportunity.
I met with Franklin's Conservation Agent Nick Alfieri and Conservation Commissioner Jeff Livingstone to walk some of the property to help my understanding of the problems and opportunities.
Prior post on the DelCarte property
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/12/franklin-ma-delcarte-conservation-area.html
The Conservation Commission heard the proposals for securing the dams on the DelCarte property along Pleasant St. I need to do more to understand the proposals and implications but be aware that something with dollars associated is being discussed. You can view the meeting and proposal options here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=ei0gDcRTz2DPBC%2frEypYuQ%3d%3d
and here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=mAIQuRUs434FliYRix1Hjg%3d%3d
My notes from the FINCOM meeting can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/finance-committee-090710.html
The Town Council met on Wednesday. Amongst the action items were some clean up of bond authorizations no longer needed. The major discussion took place on the DelCarte proposal which was reported on here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/live-reporting-action-items.html
The Sep 29th meeting will be a good one. The public hearing for the Downtown Improvement Project is scheduled as well as a presentation and further discussion on the DelCarte proposal.
The full set of notes from the Town Council meeting can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/town-council-090810.html
Worthy of note for further discussion, the proposed charter changes were approved by the Legislature and Governor in time to make the ballot for this November.
The text of the changes can be viewed here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/charter-changes-ballot-question-text.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/charter-changes-approved-by-governor.html
What's coming up this week?
The Planning Board meets on Monday, their agenda is available.
The School Committee meets on Tuesday, I have not seen their agenda. It is not available on their website as this gets prepared.
The Franklin Downtown Partnership general meeting is Thursday morning. The new website will be reviewed with the group. To help advertise the new site and to gather input on the Downtown Improvement Project, stay tuned for the release of a survey question on the one-way versus two-way traffic option. You'll have a chance to have your say in that matter.
As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
Thank you for listening!
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 music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Time: 7 minutes, 10 seconds
MP3 File
Show Notes
Let's take less than 10 minutes to review the week ending Sep 12 here in Franklin, MA. Hurricane Earl has already faded into memory, Labor Day and 9/11 have come and gone. Importantly, the first full week of school begins this Monday.
So what should you know from the past week?
The Finance Committee met on Tuesday providing a preview of some of the topics for the Town Council meeting on Wed.
The major action item for discussion was the proposal for $140,000 to move from the debt stabilization account for the Del Carte final design and permits.
The overall presentation to the FINCOM and on Weds to the Town Council was lacking. The presentation attempted to keep it short and sweet. It was short but left too many questions to be asked. It was passed by the FINCOM but postponed by the Town Council until their meeting on 9/29.
The short story is there are seven dams and ponds on the DelCarte property that was donated to Franklin several years ago. There was originally a stream running through the property. It was dammed to create several ponds initially to try as cranberry bogs, then for a fish hatchery. The dams have breached and no longer hold back the water as they should Two of the dams are of size and concern to be registered with the State. Analysis of the work required to repair some of the dams has been reduced from over $3 million to just over $1 million. This takes care of the immediate work required. It does not include the creation of hiking trails to enable further recreational use of this splendid opportunity.
I met with Franklin's Conservation Agent Nick Alfieri and Conservation Commissioner Jeff Livingstone to walk some of the property to help my understanding of the problems and opportunities.
Prior post on the DelCarte property
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/12/franklin-ma-delcarte-conservation-area.html
The Conservation Commission heard the proposals for securing the dams on the DelCarte property along Pleasant St. I need to do more to understand the proposals and implications but be aware that something with dollars associated is being discussed. You can view the meeting and proposal options here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=ei0gDcRTz2DPBC%2frEypYuQ%3d%3d
and here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=mAIQuRUs434FliYRix1Hjg%3d%3d
My notes from the FINCOM meeting can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/finance-committee-090710.html
The Town Council met on Wednesday. Amongst the action items were some clean up of bond authorizations no longer needed. The major discussion took place on the DelCarte proposal which was reported on here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/live-reporting-action-items.html
The Sep 29th meeting will be a good one. The public hearing for the Downtown Improvement Project is scheduled as well as a presentation and further discussion on the DelCarte proposal.
The full set of notes from the Town Council meeting can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/town-council-090810.html
Worthy of note for further discussion, the proposed charter changes were approved by the Legislature and Governor in time to make the ballot for this November.
The text of the changes can be viewed here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/charter-changes-ballot-question-text.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/charter-changes-approved-by-governor.html
What's coming up this week?
The Planning Board meets on Monday, their agenda is available.
The School Committee meets on Tuesday, I have not seen their agenda. It is not available on their website as this gets prepared.
The Franklin Downtown Partnership general meeting is Thursday morning. The new website will be reviewed with the group. To help advertise the new site and to gather input on the Downtown Improvement Project, stay tuned for the release of a survey question on the one-way versus two-way traffic option. You'll have a chance to have your say in that matter.
As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
- If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
- If you don’t like something, please tell me
Thank you for listening!
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 music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission
I hope you enjoy!
Schools sharing $250m
Franklin is one of those communities that choose NOT to participate in the Race to the Top program (although it is not listed here).
School districts that agreed to a list of educational initiatives contained in the state's application for federal Race to the Top funds will be sharing in $250 million awarded to Massachusetts.
Massachusetts - United States - Education - Race to the Top - New Hampshire
Prior post on the Race to the Top decision
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-reporting-race-to-top-program.html
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Boston Globe -- Globe West by Christine Legere, Globe Correspondent on 9/11/10
School districts that agreed to a list of educational initiatives contained in the state's application for federal Race to the Top funds will be sharing in $250 million awarded to Massachusetts.
Massachusetts - United States - Education - Race to the Top - New HampshireThings you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Boston Globe -- Globe West using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Prior post on the Race to the Top decision
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-reporting-race-to-top-program.html
EPA to help towns meet run-off rules
The Globe is catching up on 'old news":
via Boston Globe -- Globe West by Rachel Lebeaux, Globe Correspondent on 9/11/10
Three area communities will get expert help as they struggle to comply with a US Environmental Protection Agency directive to reduce phosphorous runoff into the Charles River.
Prior posts on the proposed new EPA regulation
Museum open for Harvest Festival
The Franklin Historic Museum will be a part of the Downtown Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 26th from 11:00am to 4:00pm
We will offer free apple cider on the front porch along with a bake sale sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum. If you would like to make a donation of bake good for our event, it would be very much appreciated. You may drop it off at the museum on Sunday the 26th in the morning. This will be our first fundraiser and funds will be used to offer programs during the year at the museum.
We are also planning to show films from the early 50s during the day. Stop by and see if you can recognize yourself or someone that you may know. Outside the museum, in our parking lot, we will have some antique cars for you to view.
All in all, it will be a very pleasant day to visit the new Franklin Historical Museum.
See you there!
Franklin Historical Commission
Prior posts on the Museum:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/07/stanley-chilsons-films-are-big-hit.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/franklin-ma-moving-museum.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/10/museum-construction-progress.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/06/franklin-new-museum-repairs.html
Franklin, MA
We will offer free apple cider on the front porch along with a bake sale sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum. If you would like to make a donation of bake good for our event, it would be very much appreciated. You may drop it off at the museum on Sunday the 26th in the morning. This will be our first fundraiser and funds will be used to offer programs during the year at the museum.
We are also planning to show films from the early 50s during the day. Stop by and see if you can recognize yourself or someone that you may know. Outside the museum, in our parking lot, we will have some antique cars for you to view.
All in all, it will be a very pleasant day to visit the new Franklin Historical Museum.
See you there!
Franklin Historical Commission
Prior posts on the Museum:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/07/stanley-chilsons-films-are-big-hit.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/franklin-ma-moving-museum.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/10/museum-construction-progress.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/06/franklin-new-museum-repairs.html
Franklin, MA
Reflection: Half staff
Weekend time is always a good for reflection. Saturday, Sep 11 provided an opportunity to be a poignant one. The reflection on the Franklin Municipal building entrance of the flag flying half mast staff was one of the scenes I caught on camera.
Updated 9/12/10 8:00 PM
Most common usage incorrectly refers to 'half mast' when it should be 'half staff'. Half staff should be used when the flag pole is on land. Half mast should be used when the flag pole in on a ship. Thanks to the reader who raised this question and got me to learn something more about the flag today.
The full set of rules and regulations around display and handling of the US flag can be found here.
Franklin, MA
Updated 9/12/10 8:00 PM
Most common usage incorrectly refers to 'half mast' when it should be 'half staff'. Half staff should be used when the flag pole is on land. Half mast should be used when the flag pole in on a ship. Thanks to the reader who raised this question and got me to learn something more about the flag today.
The full set of rules and regulations around display and handling of the US flag can be found here.
Franklin, MA
The sign is gone
It didn't take long to remove the sign for which that complaint was lodged at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday. Walking about for Franklin Photo Saturday, I checked on the Town Common and the sign previously found there was no longer around.
It was a glorious day for being out and about. I hope you all enjoyed your day.
Franklin, MA
It was a glorious day for being out and about. I hope you all enjoyed your day.
Franklin, MA
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