Live reporting - Town Council

Present:  Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, Zollo, Powderly
Absent:  none


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 by Verizon and Comcast and the Franklin Matters website

Recognized as Gold status for Bio-Tech

Recognized as an employer of support for military service

D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none

E. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none

F. APPOINTMENTS
Recreation Advisory Board - Kinjal Patel
motion to approve, passed 9-0

G. HEARINGS - none

H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - none



Franklin, MA

Parmenter School: Story Walk - photos

Dolores and I got to take in the Story Walk on Sunday morning.




Enjoy the Story Walk!


Prior posts about the Nature Trail and Story Walk:
The back story on the Nature Trail at Parmenter was published on Monday
The guide to the Nature Trail was published on Tuesday



Franklin, MA

In the News - Treasurer to remained elected, voice heard

"It was nice to see (the questions) on there, giving us the choice. In the case of treasurer, it's right to make it an appointed position," Tierney said.

Others were left feeling confused by the questions.

"I didn't really understand it," said Clare Flynn.

"I couldn't make heads or tails of it," said Merrell Mastin.

Read the article in the Milford Daily News:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x370073945/Franklin-treasurer-to-remain-an-elected-post

In an election that embodied several local and statewide races, James Lacroix yesterday said it was Question 3 that lured him to the polls.

The Franklin resident said he voted to reduce the sales tax to 3 percent.

"We need to learn how to use the money more efficiently and do what we need to do instead of spending it wastefully," Lacroix said.

Read the article in the Milford Daily News

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x370073943/People-swarm-to-polls-to-have-their-voices-heard

Franklin, MA

Fund raising weekend for Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry is fortunate to participate in two, yes, two exciting fund raising events on one weekend.

Saturday, Nov 13 - Bigelow Station plays at the 3 Restaurant
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/fund-raiser-for-franklin-food-pantry.html

Sunday, Nov 14 - Fund Raising at Legacy Place
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/10/fund-raiser-for-franklin-food-pantry_23.html

How does the Legacy Place fund raiser work?
You buy a ticket for $10. This gets your name on the listing at Legacy Place. When you arrive on Sunday, Nov 14th. Check in to get a bracelet. You wear the bracelet during your shopping trip. The bracelet is an easy sign for the merchants to see that your part of the fund raising "Legacy of Giving" and you obtain the appropriate discount.

The $10 goes entirely to the Franklin Food Pantry. You gain by getting discounts on your purchases at participating vendors. A win-win!


Franklin, MA

Comedy Night at 3, November 19th

Thanksgiving Reservations Being Accepted Thanksgiving at 3 will include our regular dinner menu as well as house-roasted turkey and all the favorite trimmings! For your reservation, please call 508.528.6333. 11:00am - 6:00pm. 3, 461 W. Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 508.528.6333  3-restaurant.com Visit our other Let's Eat, Inc. restaurant in Norwood: SKY

Forward email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by hrc@sky-restaurant.com. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Let's Eat, Inc. | 461 Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Charter Question 4 - Yes, Question 5 - No

12,829 voters casted their ballots on Tuesday, Nov 2, 2010 in Franklin. This accounts for 63.8% of the 20,106 registered voters.

Of particular importance were the two questions on the proposed Charter Changes, Question 4 covering the technical details passed. Question 5 attempting to shift the elected position of Treasurer/Collector to appointment failed.

Question 4 - technical changes to the charter
Yes - 8443
No - 2596
Blanks - 1790

Question 5 - switch to appointment of Treasurer/Collector
Yes - 4339
No - 7421
Blanks - 1069


The full set of results for all the candidates and questions, precinct by precinct:

Franklin, MA: General Election Results 11/02/2010

Thanks to Debbie Pellegri and all the election workers who did a wonderful job helping everyone today!



 Franklin, MA

Wachusett St Construction

On the run home from voting at the high school today, I see that there is preparation for paving in front of the Parmenter School on Wachusett St.

This is GOOD timing. No school today, kids, cars and buses won't be around!


PS - you will get out to vote today won't you!


Franklin, MA

Parmenter School: Nature Trail Guide

The trail guide for the Nature Trail at the Parmenter Elementary School on Wachusett St in Franklin, MA.

Parmenter Nature Trail Guide 2010

Enjoy!


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Express Line - v2 #2

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

Franklin, MA: Express Line_Nov 1, 2010


You can subscribe to receive your own copy directly to your inbox:
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