Team Leaders - Updated with video

Hello Again,

Chris Clay here.  I apologize for the spam but I've received several requests for clarification on what a Team Leader will be responsible for, so I wanted to make sure the job was clear to everyone.

On build day the Team Leader will be responsible for coordinating three to five people in the construction of the raised beds.  They will also be the team member responsible for handling the drill and screwing the raised bed together.  We will be using self-drilling TimberLok screws which are very easy to handle.  The whole process is simple enough that I was able to assemble the test raised bed by myself.  With additional help from team members holding boards in place and handling moving pieces around the beds should go together quite quickly.  If you'd like to see a time lapse video of me assembling the prototype bed you can do so here:





On build day the Team Leaders will get together in the morning to put together the first bed of the day with me leading that team so everyone can get some experience with the process.  Then each Team Leader will be responsible for leading their team through the process.  I will be available throughout the day to aid anyone that hits a snag.  The basic steps for assembly will be as follows. 

1.  Roughly level the marked area where your raised bed will go.  You can bring additional soil in to aid in this.  It doesn't have to be perfect, just close.  We're working in a relatively flat area so this should be a straight forward step.  In the video it takes me a while to level as I have a fairly steep incline in my garden that I've been slowly working on eliminating over the years.
2.  Acquire the wood components and fasteners from the storage area and transport them to your bed location.  (This will just be walking them over)
3.  Assemble the end sections
4.  Fasten the side boards to the end sections.
5.  Place the middle stabilization stakes and screw them in.
6.  Call in the bobcats to fill the raised bed with loam/compost
7.  Mix the loam/compost together in your bed using rakes and forks
8.  Top off the bed with additional wheelbarrow loads
9.  Start over on your next bed!

If you have any questions, or are interested in being a team leader feel free to e-mail me at hakai2@gmail.com or give me a call at 508-942-6970

Cheers,

Chris Clay
--

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www.franklincommunitygardens.org

Yes, we are on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Community-Gardens/152040424825578

"major projects planned for this construction season"

Franklin is starting the first phase of a $7.25 million downtown improvement project with a $883,000 reconstruction of Emmons Street between Main Street and Hillside Road, Dean Avenue between Main and Ray streets, Ray Street and Depot Street, as well as the municipal parking lot near the Franklin/Dean College MBTA station.
Franklin Town Engineer Bill Yadisernia said the project includes sidewalks, curbing, paving, traffic lights and enhancements to stormwater treatment. 

"That project is supposed to be done by the end of this year, and if not then next year," Yadisernia said. "But the majority will be done this year. That's the first phase of downtown, and the second phase will be the entire downtown area. The second phase is probably going to start in a year or two. 

"There will be road closures, but they will be temporary," Yadisernia said. "We're not shutting down roads for a long period of time, but we may have to detour them."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x128431993/Seasonal-headache-Area-roadwork-begins#ixzz1KR7sY1pE



Franklin, MA

Cardi's Furniture an active supporter of HMEA

A real nice piece on the HMEA 10th Annual Independence Day on May 22.

HMEA holds 10th Annual Independence 5K: foxprovidence.com

For more info and to register visit the HMEA website

Thanks to Cardi's Furniture, one of many good sponsors for HMEA.

Franklin, MA

"I think that's a wonderful idea for Franklin"

"There's definitely an increased need with the economy," said Maureen Roy, a member of the pantry's board of directors who is organizing the phone drive. "People are making choices between buying food and paying the electric bill. ... We're just trying to make it possible for all people that need us to have access to healthy food choices." 

The pantry, which serves about 400 people each month, is seeking volunteers to call residents to ask for donations on four days, from April 30 to May 3. 

Small donations have a big impact since the pantry can buy 100 meals for $20 by leveraging the resources of the Greater Boston Food Bank, local supermarkets and other organizations. They hope to use some money raised at the phone-a-thon to buy produce, which is often more expensive than processed foods, she said. 

Roy came up with the idea after reading about a program in Bedford where high school students call residents to raise money for a scholarship program, she said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1294651645/Franklin-Food-Pantry-putting-out-call-for-help#ixzz1KKyFIWyR


Related Food Pantry posts
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/04/calling-for-pantry-apr-30-may-3.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/franklin-food-pantry-stamp-out-hunger.html



Franklin, MA

Team Leaders Needed

Hello Gardeners and Supporters!

Big News!

Build Day has been scheduled for Saturday May 7th!
More info will be sent next week, but right now,

We need Team Leaders to help the day run smoothly!
Please contact Chris Clay ASAP at hakai2@gmail.com to be a team leader,

The times are:
9-12 and 1-4.

We need your organizational skills (& drills if you can spare one!)

Have you read the blog lately? click on the link!
 
until next week,

Your Community Garden Dream Team
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www.franklincommunitygardens.org
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http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Community-Gardens/152040424825578

Don't throw it out, Freecycle

Somehow I missed this article Friday morning:

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Don't throw it out, Freecycle

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff on 4/22/11

Lorena Landry said she feels like she has a new kitchen, but she didn't spend thousands on appliances.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Kathryn Schulz: On being wrong

Kathryn Schultz says:

"I call this error blindness. Most of the time, we don't have any kind of internal cue to let us know that we're wrong about something, until it's too late."

"This internal sense of rightness that we all experience so often is not a reliable guide to what is actually going on in the external world. And when we act like it is, and we stop entertaining the possibility that we could be wrong, well that's when we end up doing things like dumping 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, or torpedoing the global economy. So this is a huge practical problem. But it's also a huge social problem."



Will you think about being wrong today?



Franklin, MA

"recession hit and the project fell through"

In 2007, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved two variances for a mixed-use project by developer Antique Realty Corp. and builder Platinum Building, both Franklin-based companies. 

Ross said no formal application was ever submitted to the Planning Board.
The plan called for a four-story building with parking below ground, shops and parking on the first floor, office space on floors two and three and residential space on the top floor, according to Zoning Board documents. 

"I think everybody in the state was moving towards transit-oriented (mixed-use) development," said Daniel Lewis, of Antique Realty, a principal in the project. "The building had been vacant - it seemed like that would be the perfect spot for it."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x511177468/Temple-that-burned-was-going-to-be-torn-down-anyway#ixzz1KF4HvGnY


Related posts:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/04/well-investigate-as-long-as-it-takes.html

Geoffrey Zub's photo album
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/04/franklin-ma-old-masonic-building-fire.html

Franklin, MA

In the News - Dean College, copper theft

Dean College to offer negotiating class

by Staff reports

Copper thefts increasing

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Calling for the Pantry: Apr 30 - May 3

Volunteers for the Franklin Food Pantry will be calling residents of Franklin, MA as part of a fundraising effort during specific time periods from Apr 30 through May 3, 2011. The volunteers will be using the phone bank at Dean College to call residents on Saturday, Apr 30 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Sunday, May 1 from Noon to 4:00 PM. Monday, May 2 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Tuesday, May 3 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The volunteers will announce that this is the first annual phone call fundraising effort for the Food Pantry. The Pantry is looking to raise funds to provide for the over 400 families it services each month. The Pantry is able to provide 5 meals for each $1 donated by leveraging the resources of the Greater Boston Food Bank, local supermarkets, local farmers and generosity of the Franklin community.

Donors will be asked to make their contribution via credit card, or to make a pledge. The pledge will result in regular mail sent to their address which can be returned via the mail with a check, or the check could be dropped off at the Pantry during operating hours.

As an alternative, donors can visit the Food Pantry website and make a secure transaction with their credit card via Google Checkout. The website can be found at http://franklinfoodpantry.org/

Note that the volunteer calls will appear as “Dean College” for those with caller ID.
The Food Pantry thanks Dean College for the gracious access to their phone bank for this fundraiser.

Volunteers to make the phone calls are still welcome. There are several time slots to choose from over the four day campaign. If you would like to help with this effort, please contact Maureen Roy.

Saturday, April 30th
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 1st
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Monday, May 2nd
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 3rd
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m


For additional information on the campaign, contact Maureen Roy at the Franklin Food Pantry. Telephone Number: 508-528-3115. Maureen can also be reached via email at maureen@franklinfoodpantry.org

Web site address http://franklinfoodpantry.org/


We believe in the power of community. Our mission is to connect the resources needed to sustain a healthy life.


The Franklin Food Pantry was established in 1987. We provide supplemental food and non-food items to the needy in Franklin. The Food Pantry was housed in various temporary locations until June 2009 when thanks to the generosity and support of Rockland Trust, the Pantry moved to our current home at 43 West Central Street. The Franklin Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.



Franklin, MA

Franklin's business delayed by lack of quorum

Last night's Town Council meeting was canceled because not enough members showed up to form a quorum. 

The board needs five of its nine members for a quorum, but Stephen Whalen, Matthew Kelly, Shannon Zollo, Joseph McGann and Tina Powderly were unable to attend. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said this was only the second time he could recall in the 11 years he's worked in Franklin that a meeting was canceled because there was no quorum.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x574193139/Franklin-Town-Council-cant-reach-quorum#ixzz1K9K2aUdj

The notes for the meetings during 2011 can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/p/meeting-notes-2008.html

Attendance records for this Town Council (since their election in November 2009) can be found here
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdEZSWlZLTFVqNmcxZWFTNDNxNk5PZkE&hl=en#gid=0



Franklin, MA

In the News - school officals, Dean College, library events

Area school officials meet in Milford next week

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Modelane named Dean College vice president

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Library sets town-wide reading events

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

Dave Meslin: The antidote to apathy

Dave Meslin talks about the antidote to apathy and outlines the seven barriers:

1. Intentional exclusion
2. public space
3. the media
4. heroes
5. political parties
6. charitable status
7. our elections

You have been anointed. You have been chosen. Do something about your community today!



Franklin, MA

"We'll investigate as long as it takes"

Normally, investigators start at the least-damaged area of a building and work toward the most damaged spot to pinpoint where the fire began. Once they discover that, they can ask the property owner what was located there and pinpoint a cause, Mieth said. 

But that process was difficult in this case, prompting officials to offer the reward, she said. 

"Given the fact that the building is unoccupied and there were no obvious witnesses to the fire, they are asking for the public's help," she said. 

Investigators completed their site work Friday and are now reviewing timelines and other information, Franklin Fire Capt. Stephen Parchesky said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1890541379/Cause-of-Franklin-temple-fire-still-unknown#ixzz1K3PSXf1K



Franklin, MA

Franklin Library: New Items for March 2011

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

New Items for March 2011

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 4/19/11

Browse a list of new books, dvds, music, games and audiobooks recently added to the collection.  Click the title link to check availability in the Minuteman Library Catalog.

**New Items**

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Parmenter 5K - May 15th

The Parmenter 2011 Race flyer:

Parmenter 2011 Race Flyer

The registration form:

parmenter_Regform_2011

You can also visit the race website to register online  http://parmenter5k.weebly.com/


Franklin, MA

"Reductions in aid would have especially hurt towns such as Franklin"

In Franklin, where Town Councilor Tina Powderly has urged online for residents to tell their legislators to support the reform, the town has also had success negotiating with its unions, Town Council Chairman Scott Mason said. 

Nevertheless, "we need to take the constraints off and have a little more control of our own financial destiny," Mason said, adding he was surprised the issue came up this year. "No one on the state level has seemed to want to step forward and take the reins on it. Unfortunately it's a political time bomb."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1890541283/Local-towns-pleased-with-state-aid-numbers-for-next-year#ixzz1JxaUgMeZ


Franklin, MA

Franklin Community Garden Committee to meet Thursday

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Franklin Community Garden Committee to meet Thursday

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 4/18/11

The Franklin Community Garden Committee will be hold its first meeting Thursday.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Good luck Boston Marathoners!

Good luck to the approx 25 runners from Franklin registered to run the Boston Marathon today.

May the wind be at your back and the road be kind to you this day!

Additional information can be found on the revised BAA website here: http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon.aspx



Franklin, MA

Earth Day - 2011 - Pleasant St results

Earth Day 2011, a set on Flickr.

On my Sunday run, returning along Pleasant St, I found good piles of trash in the blue bags used on Earth Day.

Thanks for all the help! Earthy Day is every day, there are still areas around Franklin that haven't been touched and need to be cleaned.

Of course, we also need to stop treating the roadway as a dump zone. Please don't discard your trash along the road!



Franklin, MA