New paving downtown

Took a quick run (yes, literally) downtown to go to ATM at the bank and along the way found that the paving work on Dean St had progressed. This work is funded as part of the PWED Project.



I also happened to notice that Main St had a new coating of blacktop. This should make some folks happy as it was quite bumpy down that way due to the work on the other Downtown Improvement Project with separate funding.



As I understood the time line on this project, additional work will be done next year and this is only a temporary coating. I wonder who is paying for this temporary coating?

I would have thought it would be better to leave it with as many bumps in the road as there were folks let go over the past several years to serve as a reminder. Continuing to "find" money to cover some bumps like this does not help solve the real structural fiscal issues Franklin faces.

Slick Back Swagger at Cole's Tavern

Slick Back Swagger played a benefit concert at Cole's Tavern last night for the Franklin Food Pantry. One of our 'roving reporters' sent along this photo to share:

Thanks, Amy!

"Drive Smart and Save"

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

"Drive Smart and Save"

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 6/30/11

The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced a new online resource that can help Massachusetts residents and visitors to save money on gas and travel. The "Drive Smart and Save" program offers tips for cost-friendly driving techniques that can save travelers money on fuel expenses, improve fuel economy by up to 33 percent, and help reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

"Drive Smart and Save" supports GreenDOT, a comprehensive environmental responsibility and sustainability initiative of MassDOT.  "Drive Smart and Save" tips include:
•    Drive Less -- When your travel plans allow, try taking public transportation, walking, biking, or carpooling.
•    Set It at 60 -- Drive the posted speed limit, or even a bit less on the highway, to see increased fuel economy. Fuel consumption increases about 5 percent for every five miles per hour driven above 60 mph. And use your cruise control – keeping a steady speed will also save fuel.
•    Easy on the Pedals -- Avoid fast starts and hard stops to decrease fuel use. Travelers should join FAST LANE prior to hitting the roads this summer to avoid traffic at the tolls – this can save lots of time, as well as fuel.
•    Turn It Off -- Shut off your engine when you are stopped. Idling wastes gas and is bad for the environment.
•    Click the Cap - Make sure your gas cap is tight to prevent fuel evaporation and to improve air quality.
•    Check the Pressure - Proper tire pressure is safer, extends tire life, and can provide up to 3% mpg benefit per tank of fuel. Check your tire pressure monthly, and pump your tires up to the recommended level (which can usually be found on the sticker in your driver's door frame).
Additional ideas for fuel savings can be found at:  www.mass.gov/massdot/drivesmart

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• Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

"that line is drawn at two miles"

The fee is for students who live less than two miles from school, under the assumption that the child could walk to school. 

School administrators said this week the changes are the result of upgrades to maps used to organize bus routes. 

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade who live more than two miles from school can take the bus for free. Other students must pay $325 to ride the bus. There is a family cap of $975. 

That policy has not changed, but the updated maps show more details, allowing administrators to more accurately determine where a student's home is and how far it is from school. 

That means some families that weren't assessed a fee will now have to pay; others that used to pay can now ride for free.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x706706302/Bus-fee-changes-irk-some-Franklin-parents#ixzz1QkcKMSkg

"There's a lot of efficiencies here"

Administrators will now discuss the terms of a contract with Whitsons. A contract would ultimately be signed by Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting and does not need to be approved by the School Committee, Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said. 

Hoping a private company could better meet new federal and state nutrition requirements and have greater purchasing power than the current district-run program, the committee in April authorized the administrators to seek proposals to operate the food service. Whitsons, Sodexo, Aramark and Chartwells submitted proposals. 

Administrators told the committee last night that they were impressed with Whitsons' dedication to cooking many foods from scratch, using less processed foods than competitors, selling competitively priced food, training cafeteria workers and offering allergy-free products and organic foods. They were also impressed with a visit to Attleboro schools, where Whitsons operates. 

"We really felt they have the (capabilities) to meet the needs of all our students and offer a variety of foods," Sabolinski said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x706706032/Franklin-schools-will-get-private-food-firm#ixzz1QelemPLO


Also from Tuesday's School Committee meeting:

Blogging helps kids in Franklin connect

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson, Daily News staff

Recycling Center News

Attached is the new information for the Beaver St. Recycling Center. We are taking more products for recycling.

In addition we will be enforcing fines for dumping and bringing in unacceptable items and trash to the facility.

Beaver St Recycling - July 1, 2011

In the News - 4th July, recycling, well,

Franklin July 4 festival ready to go, June 30-July 4

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

Franklin recycling center taking new items

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

Franklin may start using well again soon

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff