Franklin Matters

Friday, July 15, 2011

Thousands needed for tornado cleanup July 30-31

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Thousands needed for tornado cleanup July 30-31

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/14/11

Thousands of volunteers are needed for a cleanup drive on Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31, in the communities affected by the June 1 tornadoes that struck western and central Massachusetts.

Click to register or for more information.

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Drop off unused drugs at Franklin PD

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Drop off unused drugs at Franklin PD

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/14/11

A drug take-back container is now in the Franklin police station lobby at 911 Panther Way.

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Thursday, July 14, 2011

"amendments were approved unanimously and without discussion"

The downtown district will now be labeled a mixed-use, transit-oriented area, with specific emphasis on restaurants and retail.

The amendments are stricter on residential use than commercial.

Apartments are restricted to upper floors, with no more than 1 dwelling per 2,000 square feet of a lot area downtown.

While there was previously no parking restriction, each residential unit must now provide 1.5 parking spaces. There is still no parking restriction for businesses.
The 20-foot setback from the street or sidewalk originally required for buildings now starts at a minimum of 5 feet, with 15 feet for four-story buildings. Upper floors are allowed to overhang that minimum requirement.

The new rules only apply to buildings that are three stories or lower, and proposals for taller structures would still have to get special permit.

"food service programs' nutrition standards are 'uneven' "

Ryan's remarks came after the Massachusetts Public Health Council yesterday adopted new school nutrition regulations giving students healthier eating options.

The new guidelines, which take effect in the 2012-13 school year, will require schools to make fresh produce, healthy beverages, and low-fat dairy and whole grain offerings available wherever food is sold. The rules also get rid of products loaded with sugars and trans fat, including sugar-sweetened beverages like soda.

The regulations apply to food in vending machines, at snack booths or at school-sponsored events. They won't affect schools' meal programs, nor do they apply to foods sold more than a half-hour before or after the school day.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1850043855/State-passes-stricter-school-lunch-rules#ixzz1S4ShI5MY

Note: Franklin just went with an outside firm to provide the food service partly for this reason.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/06/theres-lot-of-efficiencies-here.html

In the News - Rep Vallee, Youth baseball

Rep. Vallee holds office hours in Franklin, Medway

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

Get involved with Franklin Youth Baseball

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

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The summer of ______ (fill in the blank)

What will you have called this summer? Scott Stratton in this TEDx Talk called this his 'summer of Owen'.

Before the summer is over. Before you forget the heat. Before it gets to September.

Will you take time to stop?

Cash-strapped MBTA aims to sell station naming rights

Gee, I wonder if that means Dean College could loose the place they currently have (Franklin/Dean) or would now have to pay for it? It could get real confusing associating a business name with a station location.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Cash-strapped MBTA aims to sell station naming rights

via Boston Business News - Local Boston News | Boston Business Journal on 7/11/11

Next stop: State Street Bank Station? Or, how does TD Bank North Station sound? No? Harvard Pilgrim Station has a nice ring to it. The fiscally troubled Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is gearing up to sell naming rights to its stations, transit lines, and even the authority's Charlie Card payment system. According to a request for proposals published on the website of MBTA real estate arm Transit Realty, the T is accepting bids for "naming rights consulting services" - a two-year contract "to assist in the monetization of the Naming Rights potential of the MBTA's...