Franklin, MA: Express Line - v2 #2

Franklin's newsletter - The Express Line is now published and available:

Franklin, MA: Express Line_Nov 1, 2010


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http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news


Franklin, MA

Letter from Theresa D'Amato

How did the nature trail at the Parmenter School come to be?
This letter from Theresa D'Amato, a teacher at Parmenter (now retired), tells the story.

Dear Parmenter Parents/Guardians,

Franklin, like many other communities, has lost much of its forested areas to development thus limiting the opportunities for children to experience the natural environment and to have outdoor educational experiences. It was for this reason that grant proposals were written to fund a project designed to meet this critical need for the students at Parmenter School.

In 1999, a Franklin Education Foundation grant provided the funds to create a habitat to attract birds and butterflies at Parmenter. At that time, Parmenter students designed and planted the garden. In addition, Franklin High School football players moved rocks to border it. Today, Parmenter students maintain the garden, fill the bird feeders, and create nature-friendly crafts for the birds.

In 2001, The Massachusetts Audubon Society, in partnership with Parmenter School, received an Eisenhower grant to create a nature trail on the school property and to provide all teachers with the information needed to integrate environmental sciences into their curricula. To complement and improve this resource, a grant from Lowe’s was obtained in 2006. Using these funds in conjunction with the service of former Parmenter students, guideposts, a wetland boardwalk, trailhead sign, and erosion timbers were installed on the G. M. Parmenter Nature Trail. Future projects are planned to continue to enhance the trail.

At this time I would like to thank all of the parents—too numerous to mention—who since 1999 have helped with the habitat and the trail; I-Jen Chen who created the GPS map, and Anthony D’Amato who created the trail guide. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Robert Young, Colin Young, and Jeremy Harmon who chose to conduct their Eagle Scout projects at their former elementary school.

The completion of the trail required several years of work and was funded by grants and maintained by hundreds of hours of volunteer labor. Importantly, the trail is a resource to be enjoyed by the entire Parmenter School Community and I invite you to utilize this nature trail and to inform your extended family and friends of its existence. Moreover, it is my hope that the G.M. Parmenter School Nature Trail will provide a resource for environmental education experiences that create a sense of stewardship for the Earth’s natural resources. Please use the enclosed trail guide to enrich your walk as you enjoy the beauty of nature that exists right out our backyard.

Sincerely,

Theresa F. D’Amato

I managed to catch Theresa when I stopped by Saturday to check out the Story Walk. The Story Walk is placed along the nature trail.

The Story Walk was born in Vermont. I'll have pictures of the walk later this week.


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Change to Winter Parking Ban proposed

The agenda and associated documents for the Town Council meeting on Nov 3.

Of interest is the proposed change to the winter parking ban. The ban would change from a set parking ban for 150 days, to one triggered by storms. The penalties for compliance would remain the same but folks could park overnight on the 100 or so winter nights that there isn't a storm.


Town Council 11/03/10 Agenda


Franklin, MA

In the News - Treasurer/Collector, walk inside

Franklin voters to decide on treasurer

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley, Daily News staff

A walk in the warm in Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley, Daily News staff

The high school will be open from 5:30 to 7:30 on Mon, Tue and Wed evenings in a pilot program to allow residents to walk the halls indoors and out of the weather. Coordinated as part of the Life Long Learning program for the Franklin School District.

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Election Day, Nov 2, 2010 - Information

What will my ballot in Franklin ask me to vote on?
You can find the complete set of candidates for office on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's web site: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

You can put your Franklin address into this form and receive a full set of the candidates and ballot questions (3 state wide and 2 specific to Franklin).


What are the ballot questions for this election?
You can find the complete set of questions as published by the Secretary of the Commonwealth here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/franklin-ma-election-2010-ballot.html

Ballotpedia entries for each Question 1, 2, and 3 can be found in the links below. Each entry provides background on the issue as well as information on both sides of the question.

Question 1
http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_No_Sales_Tax_for_Alcohol_Initiative,_Question_1_(2010)

Question 2
http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_Comprehensive_Permits_and_Regional_Planning_Initiative,_Question_2_(2010)

Question 3
http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_Sales_Tax_Relief_Act,_Question_3_(2010)

Information on the Franklin Charter Changes can be found in this posting

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/fm-75-charter-changes-vote-nov-2.html

Where is Franklin High School?
The high school can be found at 218 Oak St. The map below can provide directions from your address.


View Larger Map


Quick Facts:

• The polls will open at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM.
• Absentee ballots can be applied for at the Town Clerk's office up until noon on Monday, Nov 1
• All absentee ballots need to be received by the Town Clerk by 8:00 PM on Tuesday, Nov 2 to be counted.

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 11/3/10

A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Executive Sessions September 29, 2010 and October 6, 2010

C. ANNOUNCEMENTS - Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded

D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

E. CITIZEN COMMENTS

F. APPOINTMENTS
Recreation Advisory Board - Kinjal Patel

G. HEARINGS

H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

I. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Senator Richard Ross
2012 Budget Discussion� 2012 Budget Discussion2012 Budget Discussi2012 Budget Discussion

J. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

K. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Bylaw Amendment 10-651: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic – 1st Reading

L. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

M. OLD BUSINESS

N. NEW BUSINESS

O. COUNCIL COMMENTS

P. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

Q. ADJOURN



Franklin, MA

Have a good laugh!

Franklin's Let's Laugh Today group meets

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

The Let's Laugh Today laughter club will meet on Monday, Nov. 22, from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at the First Universalist Society in Franklin Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St.

Franklin, MA