The Franklin Community Garden celebrated it's one year anniversary with a birthday party on Monday. There was cake!
And even with it looking too good to eat, it was cut and folks did enjoy a piece or two.
For a view of the current growth of the garden beds, check out the following slideshow
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Tuesday, May 29, 2012
MassDOT Farmer's Markets 2012
The Franklin Farmers Market will open on Friday June 8 and run through November 2, 2012. For other farmers markets in MA, visit http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/FMFM_Main.aspx
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 5/29/12
MassDOT's Farmer's Market Program is now underway for 2012 and invites local farmers to take advantage of free space to sell their home grown produce and made-in-Massachusetts products at 18 Service Plazas. Eleven plazas are located along I-90 and seven others along other Massachusetts state highways.
This year's selling season kicked off in May with stands set up at the Charlton eastbound and Framingham Service Plazas. Letters have been sent to more than 300 Massachusetts farmers inviting them to sell their goods and produce.
Complimentary vending space is made available on a first-come, first-served basis at I-90 Service Plazas located in Lee, Blandford, Ludlow, Charlton, Westborough, Framingham and Natick. Space is also available at seven MassDOT locations in Newton, Lexington and Beverly along Route 128/I-95. Other locations include Bridgewater (north & southbound) on Route 24, Plymouth (Route 3), and Barnstable (Route 6). Farmers can sell their goods as long as they do not compete with the businesses that operate within the service plazas. MassDOT also assists in setting up the outdoor markets and provides on-the-road advertising using portable message boards.
Local farmers who want more information are asked to contact program coordinator Dave Fenton at dave.fenton@state.ma.us or at 413-572-3171.
This year's selling season kicked off in May with stands set up at the Charlton eastbound and Framingham Service Plazas. Letters have been sent to more than 300 Massachusetts farmers inviting them to sell their goods and produce.
Complimentary vending space is made available on a first-come, first-served basis at I-90 Service Plazas located in Lee, Blandford, Ludlow, Charlton, Westborough, Framingham and Natick. Space is also available at seven MassDOT locations in Newton, Lexington and Beverly along Route 128/I-95. Other locations include Bridgewater (north & southbound) on Route 24, Plymouth (Route 3), and Barnstable (Route 6). Farmers can sell their goods as long as they do not compete with the businesses that operate within the service plazas. MassDOT also assists in setting up the outdoor markets and provides on-the-road advertising using portable message boards.
Local farmers who want more information are asked to contact program coordinator Dave Fenton at dave.fenton@state.ma.us or at 413-572-3171.
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Monday, May 28, 2012
Memorial Day - 2012
President Barack Obama used his weekly address to acknowledge the reason for Memorial Day
From the White House YouTube channel, another video of Vietnam veterans and what is being done to help these veterans.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the videos
Franklin, MA: Memorial Day activities
Events today
Parade at 10:30 AM
The parade begins at the Historical Museum and ends at the Town Common. Last year the route was published as:
Garden Party 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Parade at 10:30 AM
The parade begins at the Historical Museum and ends at the Town Common. Last year the route was published as:
Marchers will line-up at the Historical Museum, 80 West Central St. The parade will travel on Main, School, Union, West Central and Beaver streets, ending at the war memorial on the Town Common.
Marchers will stop at Dean College, Union Street Cemetery, St. Mary's Cemetery and the war memorial.I have not found a confirmation on line that this would be the parade route but it makes sense that it would be again this year.
Garden Party 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
On May 28th, 2011 the King St. Memorial Community Garden official opened for gardening. Join us as we celebrate the our first successful first year of gardening, and the many years to come. There will be seedlings on hand for sale to support The Friends of Franklin Community Gardens efforts to continue to expand on the garden, and other events and activities. Drop by to share a story, a piece of cake, or just the view.
Read more on the Community Garden website http://www.franklincommunitygardens.org/
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Measuring the Universe
How long does it take to walk from your house to the train station in downtown Franklin?
How do we measure the distance between two things?
How do we measure the distance between things when they are moving?
Let's spend a few minutes this morning to put our little place into some perspective!
Enjoy!
Hat tip to The Exceptional Man
How do we measure the distance between two things?
How do we measure the distance between things when they are moving?
Let's spend a few minutes this morning to put our little place into some perspective!
Enjoy!
Hat tip to The Exceptional Man
AG issues emergency Open Meeting Law regulation
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by Staff reports on 5/25/12
Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office issued an emergency regulation http://www.mass.gov/ago/government-resources/open-meeting-law/notice-of-proposed-regulation.html that clarifies the Opening Meeting Law regulations that explain how adopting authorities can restrict the use of remote participation by members of public bodies.
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Saturday, May 26, 2012
Franklin veterans gather for Memorial Day breakfast
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by Jessica Trufant/Daily News staff on 5/25/12
More than 100 local veterans, their wives and town officials gathered at the Elks Lodge yesterday morning for the ninth annual Memorial Day breakfast. A tradition started by Veterans Agent Bob Fahey, the breakfast is an opportunity to acknowledge veterans, both living and dead, and the sacrifices they made for our country.
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MassVetsAdvisor.org launches Memorial Day weekend: Services and support for ...
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Health and Human Services by Paulette Song on 5/25/12
By U.S. Army Reservist Kyle Toto
I joined the U.S. Army Reserves because I wanted to give back to my country and to carry on a tradition that had been in my family for three generations. After being in the reserves for three years, my civil affairs company was mobilized for a year-long deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. It wasn't easy to leave my family and friends, as well as my commitments to work and grad school, but I felt that it would be worth it. After a long year in Afghanistan and countless times outside the wire, I was thrilled to go home and reconnect with family. When I got back I was focused on catching up with friends and enjoying all the comforts of home. My benefits were the last thing on my mind.
That's why I'm proud this Memorial Day to help the Patrick-Murray Administration's Department of Veterans' Services, Massachusetts Broadband Institute and the Home Base Program launch a new website to help veterans and their family members access over 200 state and federal benefits in one location.
MassVetsAdvisor.org is the perfect resource for veterans to easily access their benefits from the comfort of their own homes, on their own time.
As the new Community Manager for Broadband Adoption, I'll be working with veterans and Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) across the Commonwealth to help them utilize the website and connect to all of the benefits and services they have earned.
MassVetsAdvisor.org is just one more way that the Patrick-Murray Administration has continued to make Massachusetts the the nation's leader in providing services and outreach for our state's veterans.
If you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran please check out www.massvetsadvisor.org
If you are a service provider and would like training on the new veterans portal, feel free to contact me via email at toto@masstech.org, by telephone at (508) 870-0312 x 604, or through the mail at: Massachusetts Broadband Institute, ATTN: MassVetsAdvisor, 75 North Drive, Westborough, MA 01581.
I joined the U.S. Army Reserves because I wanted to give back to my country and to carry on a tradition that had been in my family for three generations. After being in the reserves for three years, my civil affairs company was mobilized for a year-long deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. It wasn't easy to leave my family and friends, as well as my commitments to work and grad school, but I felt that it would be worth it. After a long year in Afghanistan and countless times outside the wire, I was thrilled to go home and reconnect with family. When I got back I was focused on catching up with friends and enjoying all the comforts of home. My benefits were the last thing on my mind.
That's why I'm proud this Memorial Day to help the Patrick-Murray Administration's Department of Veterans' Services, Massachusetts Broadband Institute and the Home Base Program launch a new website to help veterans and their family members access over 200 state and federal benefits in one location.
MassVetsAdvisor.org is the perfect resource for veterans to easily access their benefits from the comfort of their own homes, on their own time.
As the new Community Manager for Broadband Adoption, I'll be working with veterans and Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) across the Commonwealth to help them utilize the website and connect to all of the benefits and services they have earned.
MassVetsAdvisor.org is just one more way that the Patrick-Murray Administration has continued to make Massachusetts the the nation's leader in providing services and outreach for our state's veterans.
If you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran please check out www.massvetsadvisor.org
If you are a service provider and would like training on the new veterans portal, feel free to contact me via email at toto@masstech.org, by telephone at (508) 870-0312 x 604, or through the mail at: Massachusetts Broadband Institute, ATTN: MassVetsAdvisor, 75 North Drive, Westborough, MA 01581.
# # #
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Friday, May 25, 2012
Garden Party Monday
On May 28th, 2011 the King St. Memorial Community Garden official opened for gardening. Join us as we celebrate the our first successful first year of gardening, and the many years to come. There will be seedlings on hand for sale to support The Friends of Franklin Community Gardens efforts to continue to expand on the garden, and other events and activities. Drop by to share a story, a piece of cake, or just the view.
Read more on the Community Garden website http://www.franklincommunitygardens.org/
Franklin council unanimously backs budget
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via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Jessica Trufant/Daily News staff on 5/24/12
Town Council last night took just 15 minutes to unanimously approve a $91.5 million budget for fiscal 2013, up from $90.1 million in fiscal 2012. The council discussed the information technology and Fire Department budgets in further detail before voting on the second reading, or final approval, of the budget.
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In the News - workshop, drug charges
This workshop will be held at Dean College
Workshop to help area towns keep their rural feel
by Jessica Trufant/Daily News staff
Vote for HMEA!
A quick video from HMEA about the Toyota 100 Cars for Good contest that HMEA is a finalist for:
This follows up on the post from yesterday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/hmea-is-finalist-in-nationwide-contest.html
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Town Council - Budget Hearing FY 2013
Present: Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti
Absent: Jones, Roy
A. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast and Franklin Matters.
Parade 10:30 AM Monday morning, Andy Bissanti Senior Grand Marshall
B. HEARING
FY 2013 Budget Hearing – 2 nd Reading
Clerk to read line item, if an item would like to be held for discussion, say so
The line items come from this worksheet Expense budget FY 2013
motion to move all line items not held, passed 7-0
hold placed on
155 - Info Technology : why expenses and no salaries? The School Dept pays the salaries, while the Town picks up the facilities. The expenses are kept here, mostly maintenance fees and software licenses. Some purchases for replacements. The School Dept has their own expense line item
motion to move line item, passed 7-0
220 - Fire
I have been wanting to see three ambulances here 24x7, how close are we to that goal?
We are quite a bit away. We are about 5-8 people away from staffing level. We have applied for a grant to help. We continue to monitor this, monitoring mutual aid. The cost for overtime to staff doesn't cover the ambulance revenue the 3rd one would bring. As the industrial parks continue to build out, we would have pressure to increase but the call volume is pretty static right now. We do have two full staffed ambulances right now.
How much have your responses increased in the last several years?
With the downturn in the economy we have 'lost' calls and really held about the same. It hasn't been escalating like it did when we were growing. When we see the full commercial side of the town running, we'll see an increase.
Nutting - we have asked for a transfer of money coming in a future meeting to cover for injured coverage.
motion to move line item, passed 7-0
C. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-36: Adoption of FY 2013 Budget
Motion to accept, passed 7-0
needed a 2/3 vote, so they did roll call to cover
D. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn
Absent: Jones, Roy
A. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast and Franklin Matters.
Parade 10:30 AM Monday morning, Andy Bissanti Senior Grand Marshall
B. HEARING
FY 2013 Budget Hearing – 2 nd Reading
Clerk to read line item, if an item would like to be held for discussion, say so
The line items come from this worksheet Expense budget FY 2013
motion to move all line items not held, passed 7-0
hold placed on
155 - Info Technology : why expenses and no salaries? The School Dept pays the salaries, while the Town picks up the facilities. The expenses are kept here, mostly maintenance fees and software licenses. Some purchases for replacements. The School Dept has their own expense line item
motion to move line item, passed 7-0
220 - Fire
I have been wanting to see three ambulances here 24x7, how close are we to that goal?
We are quite a bit away. We are about 5-8 people away from staffing level. We have applied for a grant to help. We continue to monitor this, monitoring mutual aid. The cost for overtime to staff doesn't cover the ambulance revenue the 3rd one would bring. As the industrial parks continue to build out, we would have pressure to increase but the call volume is pretty static right now. We do have two full staffed ambulances right now.
How much have your responses increased in the last several years?
With the downturn in the economy we have 'lost' calls and really held about the same. It hasn't been escalating like it did when we were growing. When we see the full commercial side of the town running, we'll see an increase.
Nutting - we have asked for a transfer of money coming in a future meeting to cover for injured coverage.
motion to move line item, passed 7-0
C. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-36: Adoption of FY 2013 Budget
Motion to accept, passed 7-0
needed a 2/3 vote, so they did roll call to cover
D. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn
Oak St School sign
I don't always get over to Oak St in my daily travels so when going by yesterday I managed to pause a moment to snap this photo.
Yes, I did pull over, parked safely and then took the picture.
Be safe and enjoy!
"pleased with the level of communication and transparency"
The Milford Daily News reported on the Town Council Budget hearing on Wednesday:
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1347547568/Franklin-Town-Council-approves-budget-in-first-hearing#ixzz1vmQyukYL
Related post on the Franklin budget hearing process
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/franklin-ma-fy-2013-budget-hearings.html
“Overall, the budget is only up about 2 percent. … It’s a pretty modest budget. We still are near the bottom in all spending categories for towns our size,” Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said.
Unfunded health insurance liability, stormwater management and roads are potential fiscal hardships for 2014, Nutting said.
School Committee Chairwoman Paula Mullen presented her committee’s proposed $52.7 million budget, up from about $51.1 million this year.
Mullen said Chapter 70 funding, or state aid for schools, is expected to be $26.86 million, which will cover 51 percent of the budget.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1347547568/Franklin-Town-Council-approves-budget-in-first-hearing#ixzz1vmQyukYL
Related post on the Franklin budget hearing process
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/franklin-ma-fy-2013-budget-hearings.html
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