Saturday, January 15, 2011

Be careful coming out of side streets, shovel fire hydrants

There has been so much snow, there is only so much room to put it. As a result, the snow gets piled up on the corners and really presents a challenge for those vehicles trying to come out into the main street. There is either no line of sight or its very limited.


And for perspective on how big the piles are, here is a view of the next corner.



I am sure you have the same or worse in the traveling I have done around Franklin. Please be careful!

And from the Franklin website, this is a good plea for action:

Please shovel your nearest fire hydrant. With recent snow, fire hydrants may be unavailable for firefighters. Please take a few minutes to shovel the fire hydrant closest to your home to save vital seconds in the event of fire.



 Franklin, MA

"We hope to put as much green into the project as is financially feasible"

Boulter was one of about 35 students who explored the pros and cons of solar panels, geothermal heating, green roofs and ways to improve bathrooms with low-flush toilets, automatic hand driers and motion-activated faucets at an event at the school yesterday.
"All of these things we're seeing on projects," said Christopher Alles, a project manager at the School Building Authority, mentioning the school's coming upgrades. "This gets students thinking about green design."
Students rarely take such an active role in researching such ideas, Alles said, with parents, town officials and administrators normally proposing them.
While concepts such as geothermal heat may not be possible in Franklin, project designers are considering some of the students' proposals, including making bathrooms more environmentally friendly, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said.
I love this collaboration. This is a great practical educational opportunity. Read more about the student work in the Milford Daily News here


Franklin, MA


Reminder: Pancake Breakfast - TODAY - 8:00 - 11:00 AM

The 8th graders at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School are hosting a pancake breakfast to raise funds for their annual trip to Washington D.C.

The pancake breakfast will be held at the Franklin Elks hall on Pond Street in Franklin on Saturday, Jan. 15th from 8am - 11am.

Pancakes, toppings, juice, milk, coffee, and hot chocolate available. All are welcome. Cost is $5 per person (children under age 3 are free).


Franklin, MA

In the News - Pancake breakfast, Democrat caucus


Franklin charter school to hold pancake breakfast tomorrow




Democrats to caucus in Franklin




Franklin, MA

Friday, January 14, 2011

Southern New England Media Makers - Jan 16

If you are interested in meeting people who are working with audio and video on the web, this is a great meeting to attend. We will have podcasters, videobloggers, filmmakers, artists, writers, PR and social media people. Everyone is welcome.

We will gather around the table, have breakfast, and answer the question, “What are you doing?”

A great way to share what you are doing and learn from others. I like to call it networking with a real purpose in mind. Unfortunately, a family commitment will keep me away from this event Sunday when they will be celebrating their one year anniversary!

Additional details can be found on the Facebook Group Page

You can confirm your free registration on Eventbrite here



Franklin, MA

Green Reel - "End of the Line", Sunday, Jan 23 at 7:00 PM

The Green Reel film series will begin a new series on Sunday evenings in Jan and Feb. Each film starts at 7:00 PM and is scheduled to include a brief discussion following the film.

Where:
Agudas Achim - 901 N Main St Attleboro, MA (Rt 152 & Toner Blvd, Exit 5 at Rt 95)

What: 
Imagine an ocean without fish. Imagine your meals without seafood. Imagine the global consequences. This is the future if we do not stop, think, and act. End of the Line is the world's first major documentary about the devastating effect of overfishing. This film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Post film discussion lead by: Deborah Cramer, author of "Smithsonian Ocean, Our Water, Our World" and "Great Waters".

The flyer for the full series can be found here:

Green Reel - Film Series - Flyer 2011



Franklin, MA


"one budget item that communities can overspend"

After this week's bills are tallied, Franklin Department of Public Works Director Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi said he expects the town to have spent $500,000 to $550,000 of its $750,000 snow removal budget.
"I am concerned," he said. "It hasn't been a good winter to save money. ... We've had over 43 inches of snow in Franklin, and that's what we normally get in a year."
Cantoreggi experimented with only applying salt to main streets and hills earlier in the season to reduce costs. But 50 residents called with complaints about slippery patches in other areas. Public works crews then salted those stretches, he said.
The entire town needed to be salted for Wednesday's storm because the snow was heavy, making it difficult to scrape the roads clear with plows, he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

The DPW provided an update on their snow removal process and budget allocation to the Town Council in October. You can find that information here


Franklin, MA