Franklin Matters

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

“It was so important to take an active role"

The Kennedy Playground Committee’s fundraising goal was $85,000, but through individual, family and local business donations, car washes, bake sales, snack tables and several grants, the group has raised $95,000 so far.

Arffa said the project will continue to raise money because the initial estimate left out pieces of equipment that the committee didn’t feel were completely necessary — like ladybug statues (the school’s mascot) and seats. The initial number also didn’t include the price of demolition or preparing the current space for new structures.

“You want the parents to help,” said mom Karen Kerns. “Especially when you talk about raising this much money ... It’s really been a grassroots effort.”

Did you know?

No one shall commence to remove, fill, dredge, build upon, degrade or discharge into or otherwise alter the following resource areas:

Any freshwater wetlands;, marshes; wet meadows; bogs; swamps; vernal pools; banks; reservoirs; lakes; ponds of any size; beaches; intermittent stream; lands under water bodies; lands within 100 feet of any aforesaid wetland or flood plain areas; lands subject to flooding or inundation by ground water or surface water; rivers and streams and lands within 200 feet of the mean annual high-water line of any river or stream.

Before starting to do any of the above, it would be good to contact the Franklin Conservation Office. More information on the Conservation Commission can be found on the Franklin website here.

Conservation Commission Rules and Regulations (PDF):

On January 27, 2011, the following members of the Franklin Conservation Commission voted to accept these Rules and Regulations as they apply to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Wetlands Protection Bylaw, Franklin Code at Chapter 181

Jeffrey Senterman Chair
Andrew Tolland, Vice Chair
Christopher Botchis
Monique Allen
Ray Willis
Jon Fournier
Jeff Livingstone
Regan Harrold. Associate Member

In the News - tree pickup, auditions, copper wire

Tree pick up in Franklin next week

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Performing Arts Company auditions

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

$20K in copper wires recovered

by Norman Miller/Daily News staff

Help MassBudget Help Everyone

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Dear Friend,

MassBudget produces high-quality research, clear and accurate data, and trusted policy analysis. And we make all of it available - for free - to everyone. We believe that this leads to more inclusive public debates, more voices being heard, and policy choices that better reflect the interests and values of everyone in our Commonwealth, especially low- and moderate-income people.

If you agree that this is important, please consider a donation to MassBudget today.

In recent months people across the nation have begun to focus on the harm caused by economic inequality. The problem is real, and there are real solutions. Of course, many are national in scope, but states also play a crucial role in expanding opportunity, and protecting the economic security of families. Economic strength that leads to widely-shared prosperity is built with things that states can provide:

High quality education and training for everyone;
Work supports like child care and health care that allow lower income parents to succeed in the workforce;
Reliable infrastructure to transport goods, customers and workers;
A fair and adequate tax system to pay for these effective investments

MassBudget's work - and people across the Commonwealth who use it - have been at the forefront of advancing the debate on these crucial issues.

When we help all of our people to participate effectively in our economy, we not only help those who are given new opportunities, but also our overall economy. In the words of the late Paul Wellstone, "We all do better when we all do better."

If you share MassBudget's vision for a more inclusive, effective democracy and economy, please click here to give generously today.

Thank you,

Noah Berger

President

MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies--with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people. MassBudget is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Forward email

This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by kmccarty@massbudget.org |

Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Outdoors in Franklin

Looking to get out of the house and do something this week? Take a hike in Franklin.

Noted author Michael Tougias also wrote a "Trailguide: Outdoors in Franklin." The trailguide can be found on the Franklin website.

Author Michael Tougias has written many area guidebooks including River Days: Exploring the Connecticut River from Source to Sea, Exploring the Hidden Charles: A Guide to Outdoor Activities on Boston's Celebrated River, and New England Wild Places: Journey's Through the Back Country, as well as Until I Have No Country: A Novel of King Philip's War in New England and the non-Fiction King Philip's War: The History and Legacy of America's Forgotten Conflict.

This guidebook was developed as an initiative of the Franklin Open Space Committee with support from the Department of Community Planning including former director Todd Ford, current Director Daniel Ben Yisrael, Town Ecologist Rich Vacca, and GIS Specialist Nick Alfieri as well as input and support from the Conservation Commission. Special thanks go to the graphic arts class of Mr. Eskay Sriram at Tri-County Regional Vocational School, which provided several excellent candidates for cover illustrations. The illustration selected was created by Corey Gray.

There are descriptions of walks covering the following:

• Franklin Town Forest
• Franklin State Forest
• Charles River
• Indian Rock
• DelCarte Conservation Area
• Beaver Pond
• Charles River
• Dacey Farm
• Uncas Pond and Trout Fishing
• SNETT Trail

As this was written in 2002, the some of the subject areas may have changed. The Dacey Farm has since become more formal open space for Franklin with the development of ball fields and most recently the dog park.

The trailguide can be found here (PDF):

Monday, December 26, 2011

Happy Boxing Day!

There were plenty of good times with the extended family around for dinner on Sunday. There will be more time this week to spend with family. For those also who have taken time off from work this week, let there be safe travels and good times to enjoy!

Boxing Day is traditionally a day following Christmas when wealthy people and homeowners in the United Kingdom would give a box containing a gift to their servants. Nowadays Boxing Day is better known as a bank or public holiday that occurs on December 26, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Great Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and some other Commonwealth nations.