"There isn't going to be an option not to do the project."

"This is a very unfortunate, but not unknown increase," said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting. "It shouldn't be a surprise to anybody." 

The Charles River Pollution Control District has already begun a $19 million project expected to cap the residuals landfill, upgrade security, and upgrade the phosphorus removal and disinfection system, add a scum handling system and replace clarifier mechanisms, among a few other improvements. The town shares the cost with Bellingham, Millis, and Medway, but Franklin's sewer assessment will go up $700,000, said Nutting. 

Then, last year, the council authorized a $7.5 million bond to improve the water system. 

The increases should cost the average customer $40 more in sewer bills the first year and $50 more for water the first year. 

Town Council did not take action on the proposal, but is expected to vote on it at its next meeting.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1510866185/Franklin-water-sewer-bills-expected-to-rise#ixzz1UiFmCHXW


While Jeff Nutting is quoted as saying "this should not be a surprise". In 2009, he also said

"We do have time to plan for it per Jeff as this would only kick in for 2015 and beyond."

Apparently the increase is coming in sooner than 2015.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/02/live-reporting-charles-river-pollution.html

How to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week

 

 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 

 

How to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week

via food: TakePart - Inspiration to Action by maxfollmer on 8/9/11

(Photo: Getty Images).

It's National Farmers Market Week here in the U.S. through August 13, as good a time as any to remind you of the thousands of great local markets supplying fresh, in-season produce grown by family farmers. 

In fact, the USDA says more than 1,000 new farmers markets popped up around America last year, bringing the total in the 2011 National Farmers Market Directory to 7,175 — a 17 percent jump over last year. 

Shoppers looking for the market nearest them can check out the USDA's national directory by clicking here. 

There's also the directory of markets, CSA's and farms over at Local Harvest. 

You can find all of TakePart's stories about America's great farmers markets here. 

And in case you need some pointers on how to pick some of the best produce that's in season at farmers markets right now, don't miss TakePart's recent guide on everything from Apricots to Watermelon. More

read more

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to food: TakePart - Inspiration to Action using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

Around the table: healthy food, 2000 calorie diet

I'll share some good information on healthy foods that I find:

Does it really cost more to buy healthy food?

by Marion

Where did the 2,000 calorie diet idea come from?

by Marion

In the News - St Rocco's

There's no festival in Franklin without the gravy

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Josette Sheeran: Ending hunger now

Josette Sheeran says: "What I would like to offer here is a challenge. I believe we're living at a time in human history where it's just simply unacceptable that children wake up and don't know where to find a cup of food. Not only that, transforming hunger is an opportunity, but I think we have to change our mindsets."

The Franklin Food Pantry works to provide a safety net for those in our community.

MBTA - Franklin Line - expect delays Sunday, Aug 14

On Sunday, Aug. 14, all outbound trains will terminate at the Norwood Central Station with substitute bus service shuttling passengers to Walpole Station. All inbound trains will terminate at Walpole Station with substitute bus service shuttling passengers to Norwood Central Station. 

Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected

Read more: Work on Franklin commuter rail line may cause 30-minute delays - Dedham, Massachusetts - The Dedham Transcript http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/archive/x919518666/Work-on-Franklin-commuter-rail-line-may-cause-30-minute-delays#ixzz1Ua3LcmMK

In the News - FSPA open house, St Rocco's

Franklin arts school plans open house

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

Knowing his gnocchi in Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Shift Happens

The latest version of this "Shift Happens" video focuses on Iowa. With a little research, this could be updated to focus on MA. Anyone want to take this on?



Thanks to Scott McLeod for putting this together and sharing it!

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 8/9/11

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Mission Statement

The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Routine Business
• Citizen’s Comments
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 12, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
• Payment of Bills - Mr. Glynn
• Payroll - Mrs. Douglas
• FHS Student Representatives
• Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations:
a. Handbooks

3. Discussion Only Items
• none

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Franklin Country Club for FHS Scholarships.
b. I recommend acceptance of three checks, totaling $150.00 from Mr. Light, Mr. Lima and Mr. Folan for FHS Administrator’s Scholarship.
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks, totaling $534.66 from Wells Fargo for in-house enrichment at FHS.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $592.76 from Lifetouch Pictures for in-house enrichment at ECDC.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $6,431.36 from Jefferson PCC for in-house enrichment.
f. I recommend adoption of the Elementary Handbooks as presented.
g. I recommend adoption of the Middle School Handbooks as presented.
h. I recommend adoption of the FHS Handbook as presented.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,500.00 from the Hockomock YMCA from a grant awarded to Amanda Hartford, for supplies for Davis Thayer Elementary School.

5. Information Matters:
• Superintendent’s Report
• School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
• School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business:
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee - Meeting 8/9/11 - 7:30 PM

The minutes from the Rail Trail Committee meeting in July:

FCRTC Minutes July 2011


The Agenda for the meeting Aug 9, 2011:

FCRTC Agenda 110809


The Strategic Plan to be reviewed at the August 9 meeting:

FCRTC Strategic Plan Draft

In the News - Wendy's, St Rocco's

Franklin planners OK plan for restaurant, offices at former Knights site on Rte. 140

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Franklin volunteers help set up for St. Rocco's Festival

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

"a rain garden in the Depot Street parking lot"

This initial phase, $1 million worth of repairs to side streets and a municipal parking lot downtown, is slated to finish in the fall. 

Construction crews are currently working on parts of Emmons Street, Dean Street, Ray Street, Depot Street and the Depot Street municipal parking lot. 

The $1 million phase will improve sidewalks, resurface roads, and reset curbs. Parking meters will be replaced with more efficient - as well as fewer - ticket machines as the payment system for parking, reminiscent of city parking systems. 

The improvements should add 26 parking spaces, along with period lighting, benches, and trash cans on the sidewalks. Drainage improvements have already been completed, said Cantoreggi.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1510865349/Downtown-Franklin-job-making-progress#ixzz1UQptWNC9

Related posts:

Photos of paving progress
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/downtown-project-paving-progress.html

Commercial Zoning Workshop
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/live-reporting-downtown-commercial.html

Commercial Zoning Workshop documents
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/downtown-commercial-zoning-workshop.html

Jamie Barrett

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Jamie Barrett

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 8/7/11

Jamie Barret will make a return appearance on Wednesday August 10th at 1PM.
This family music show does not require registration.

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

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Aug 10

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 15, 2011 Regular, Release of Executive Session Minutes, June 8 & July 13 Executive Sessions (not released)

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Cultural Council
Historical Commission

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Dog Park – Haley Goulet

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - Long Range Financial Planning Committee

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 11-10: Request for Legislation – Exempting the Deputy Fire Chief Position from Civil Service

2. Resolution 11-41: Establishment of a DelCarte Property Improvement Stabilization Fund

3. Resolution 11-42: Appropriation DelCarte Property Improvement Stabilization Fund

4. Resolution 11-43: Establishment of an Other Post Employment Benefits Stabilization Fund

5. Resolution 11-44: Appropriation Other Post Employment Benefits Stabilization Fund

6. Bylaw Amendment 11-663: Amendment to Franklin Town Code: Chapter 82, Fees – Sewer Rates- 1st Reading

7. Bylaw Amendment 11-664: Amendment to Franklin Town Code: Chapter 82, Fees – Water Rates- 1st Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Election 2011 - details and timeline

Franklin election details are now available. The full slate of positions up for election are listed here:

Franklin Election 2011


The timeline for nomination papers and voter registration are shown in this document:

Franklin Election Calendar 2011


For all candidates, I will offer to publish an interview with them to provide some background and details on why they are running for office.

Details on the offer are contained here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/offer-to-candidates-for-election.html

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the documents.