after all: "the shooting ... was justified"

"It was deemed that they were public safety officials protecting the public," said state environmental police spokesman Reginald Zimmerman. "They were performing their necessary duties in defense of the public in what was perceived as a public threat." 

The hawks, an adult and a juvenile, were shot after one attacked Gege Dellorco, a resident who was walking near the school. Dellorco went to the hospital after the hawk scratched the back and side of her head, said Deputy Police Chief Stephan Semerjian. 

According to environmental police, two animal control officers went to the school. One of them was also attacked. 

"They made the best decision they could with the situation they had," Semerjian said, of the animal control officers, who Semerjian would not name. "My understanding was that they deemed it an emergency situation."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633527920/Hawk-shooting-was-justified-state-decides#ixzz1SdW2wcrj

This is a good follow up to the article on the incident that appeared last week
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/07/two-red-tail-hawks-down.html

Attention Franklin: Scam alert

A brief email from a new mother alerts us to a scam organization going door to door here in Franklin. The email is brief because the new mother was handling the baby and trying to type at the same time.

The short skinny on the scam:

A young person, waves a badge, has some information about you, claims to be associated with the School Dept and ultimately is selling some books. The two neighbors both had the same experience as had been written up extensively in the article here:

http://somedayallthis.wordpress.com/2010/07/05/the-southwestern-company-door-to-door-deception/


For additional information on the company behind the scam, a series of articles from the Salem (OR) News can be found here: http://www.salem-news.com/articles/february232010/southwestern-company-ew.php

"Presenting a $95 million school will not be perceived well"

A new school is about $4 million more expensive to the town, but is expected to take a shorter time to finish - two years instead of four. Also, because the new school would be built beside the old school instead of within its existing footprint, students will not have to go to class in a building that is being reconstructed. 

"You can't put a price tag on the disruption issue," said Ed Cafasso, a School Building Committee and School Committee member. "It's not worth it." 

The option of building a new school became viable at the end of June, when the Massachusetts School Building Association indicated that it would invite Franklin into the model school program - and therefore reimburse more than half the cost. The state is expected to accept Franklin's decision on July 27 and the town could choose which model school plan to use by Labor Day. 

The field house cannot remain standing under the state model school program because it would need to be renovated and the cost of the repairs would be too expensive under the state requirements, officials said. The idea of saving the field house had been part of earlier discussions.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633527724/Franklin-committee-votes-to-try-for-new-high-school-not-repairs#ixzz1SXkddICP

What Franklin piloted, the others now get to use

The Franklin Line piloted the "Quiet Car" service which is now being rolled out to the remaining commuter rail lines. Having been a frequent rider (until recently), I recognize some of the folks in this video.



Have you ridden the quiet car? How quiet is it?


Thanks to the UniversalHub for the pointer to this video

Cooking cutaway

On the food front, here is a ten minute video from TED. Not exactly a cookbook you'll run out an buy but the photos and explanations of the science and physics of cooking are worth seeing.



Also on the food topic, Michelle is preparing lunches with Bento boxes

Construction progress

Around the neighborhood, the work progresses on the 3 unit building at the corner of Wachusett and Cottage streets. The site of the former Dugout.

Lesson learned: bike shops don't open early

Saturday was a great day for a bike ride.

We got a later start than we wanted. We knew the tires needed to be filled before riding and I do have a bike pump, so it should have have been quick and easy to fill and go. What surprised me was D's new bike has some funky new tube connections. These connections would not fit my pump nor work with the gas station air pump. We would need to get to the bike shop before riding. As it was 8:30 AM when we discovered this, I anticipated that one of the shops would open at 9:00. No such luck, one opens at 10:00 and the other at 11:00.

We were at Crossing Cycle when the doors opened at 10:00. Bought the adapter for the connection, a new pump with the capability to do both connections (standard and new one), filled the tire and were off, finally!

We biked about a dozen miles along the Blackstone River Bike Path. And we'll be ready to get an early start even if the tires need some air next time!

"may send $65 million in local aid cuts back to towns and cities across the state"

Some towns, which didn't expect to have the money, don't have plans for where it would go. Others are welcoming it to plug late cuts, with their local public bodies, such as selectmen, likely to decide its fate. 

"Certainly the economy has affected state aid over the past several years," Ashland Town Manager John Petrin said. "We always look forward to additional funds." 

Franklin Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting easily came up with areas that need further funding, from balancing the budget to capital projects. 

"Obviously, if it happens, it's great news," he said. "In this economy, any money is good news." 

Many towns have already closed their budgets, but, like Nutting, came up with dozens of items for which the added funds could be used.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1797068865/Local-aid-could-be-restored-if-state-has-65-million-in-surplus#ixzz1SMNdyNSp

Two red tail hawks down

Animal control officers, one of whom was also attacked, then shot and killed two hawks, which Tom French, an assistant director of MassWildlife, later identified as an adult and a juvenile that was learning to fly. 

French confirmed that state environmental police and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating. 

He said the state does not typically second-guess town officers who act in the interest of public safety. 

"Unfortunately, there are some concerns," said Marion Larson, an information and education biologist for MassWildlife, "because it is illegal to shoot hawks and owls, and it's a federal issue as well as a state problem."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633527252/Shooting-of-two-hawks-in-Franklin-questioned-by-MassWildlife-officials#ixzz1SGeGATLj

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Next General Meeting

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Next General Meeting

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 7/15/11

Please join us for our next General Meeting!

Thursday, July 21, 8:30 a.m.

Dean College Campus Center Board Room

1st floor across from the dining hall

Coffee will be served.

New Members Welcome!

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Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School to destroy some records

I assume the destruction will be a controlled and secure process.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School to destroy some records

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/15/11

In compliance with the Student Records Regulations, Chapter 71 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, notification of the destruction of the temporary school records is given to all students who received special education services and who transferred, terminated, withdrew, were released from these services, or graduated from Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School during the 1995 – 2004 school years.

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In the News: there was a market for this

Franklin detectives saw the men exchange something with someone in a second car, police said, and then followed the second car and stopped a man who, by that time, had a baggie of what was later identified as cocaine in his mouth. 

The detectives then returned to the parking lot and saw a second exchange within an hour and a half involving the same green car, the police report said. 

Detectives interrupted that deal, which this time was heroin, and arrested Dejesus-Escbales and Delossantos, according to court documents. 

The two people who bought the drugs were not arrested and instead were summoned to court on possession charges, police said. 

Police found 13 small bags of heroin, one large bag of heroin, and a bag of cocaine in the Honda, along with $2,158 in cash. Officers also found five cellphones, which rang repeatedly during the arrests, according to court reports.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633527250/Two-charged-with-dealing-heroin-in-Franklin#ixzz1SGg9TAYX

Farmers Market Open Today !

Franklin Farmers Market,  Friday,  12:00pm to 6:00pm

United Regional Young Professionals Organization announces website and membership opportunities

The United Regional Young Professionals Organization (YPO) announced the launch of their website at unitedregionalypo.org and is accepting new members. The YPO consists of a diverse group of young professionals who have an interest in social and business networking, community involvement and professional development. 

The YPO was organized in 2010 by the United Regional Chamber of Commerce in direct response to the challenges in attracting and retaining diverse young professionals and to develop the next generation of leadership. The annual membership fee of $50 is waived for the first year for United Regional Chamber of Commerce members. 

The YPO is co-hosting a “Christmas in July” networking event with the Hampton Inn in Franklin on July 28. “The hotel will be decorated inside and out for Christmas – Trees, lights, holiday music, movies, the works!” says Amanda Gentile, Director of Sales at the Hampton Inn Franklin/Milford and Board Member of the YPO. The festivities will include pictures with Santa, Christmas ornaments, cookies, hot apple cider and coco buffet, and a hotel hunt for fabulous gifts. You may register for this event on the YPO’s website or by contacting 508-488-YPO1 (9761).

"The end product is very much their own"

In another movie, a dozen characters fight for the title of Greatest Warrior. 

But the class is more than goofing off with gruesome fight scenes. Kids learn how to use a plethora of gadgets, from cameras to tripods, to USB cables, to memory cards. They learn how to make a better picture with or without the flash, edit audio and video clips, and download data to the computer program they used. 

Bisbee said she also incorporates some creative writing in having the kids plan out their characters, plot and settings on paper and storyboards before acting the script out. More than the technical and academic skills, though, the kids learn teamwork. 

"They definitely get a feel for what it's like to work cooperatively and be creative. They play off each other's strengths," said Bisbee, noting that the teams have to plan together and come to a consensus throughout the week. "It's a cooperative project from beginning to end."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633527054/Putting-summer-fun-in-motion-in-Franklin#ixzz1SAGfernJ

Thousands needed for tornado cleanup July 30-31

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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

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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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"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.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1850043867/Franklin-OKs-changes-to-downtown-zoning#ixzz1S4RhOeuc

"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.