Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Parmenter modulars: 3 down, 1 to go!

More progress



Only one modular unit left on site now, with some landscaping work to do

"Foreclosure deeds statewide dropped"

Current numbers show the rate of foreclosure deeds declining although the activity year to date still exceeds the prior year. The article by Milford Daily News reports:
Franklin real estate agent Andrew Bissanti said the declining statistics are also a result of banks offering more short-sale opportunities. 
Bissanti said declining foreclosure activity may also help the overall real estate market. 
"A lot of people are waiting for things to get worse," he said. "Maybe if they start seeing things get better, they’ll get out there and be more active in the market."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x726713880/Foreclosure-activity-falls-in-July#ixzz26oO9b1vS

MassBudget: Analyzing the FY 2013 Budget



MassBudget    Information.
   Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy.
Analyzing the FY 2013 Budget
At the beginning of this budget season, MassBudget calculated that Massachusetts would face a deficit of roughly $1.3 billion in FY 2013. Our final Budget Monitor shows that the budget gap was filled through a combination of temporary revenue, cuts, and savings. These include:

  • $615 million in temporary revenue, $350 million of which comes from the "rainy day" fund

  • Significant cuts and savings in Health Care, Homelessness Prevention, Early Education & Care, and elsewhere

There is no revenue from new taxes in the FY 2013 budget. Of all the competing budget proposals, only the Governor's had included provisions for new taxes.

Looking across the FY 2013 budget as a whole, our Budget Monitor shows how the budget will affect each major area of state government, from health care and education to public safety and the environment--including information on tax revenues.

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income people, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER
15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
Twitter Facebook



Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Monday, September 17, 2012

No School - Sep 17th

A friendly reminder for those without school children... those with school kids already know this!



Voting for the Avery "Give back to Schools" program closed on Sep 14th. This will be something to keep in mind to set up and prepare for next August 2013.   http://givebacktoschools.avery.com/site/index


Life changing on Washington St


A pleasant scene. Could almost be anywhere.


Yet, it is here in Franklin along Washington St.

Running by this area on Sunday morning I was concerned to see a road side shrine and the familiar markings of an accident investigation. The flowers were fresh so it had to be recent. So recent that it hadn't made the newspapers yet. (Milford Daily News put a story online at 11:30 AM, and updated the details around 7:30 PM Sunday)


The Franklin Police logs did record the accident as multiple vehicles (2 were towed away) with a fatality involved. Saturday morning at 11:17 AM there were multiple 911 calls to report the accident.

There is a story or two inside the police report yet to be known. One or more families lives were changed suddenly on Saturday morning with the death and the aftermath....

The Milford Daily News article can be found here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/newsnow/x764816177/Person-killed-in-Franklin-crash

A form of this was originally published on Steve's 2 Cents
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2012/09/life-changing-on-washington-st.html

In the News: Young Women of the Year, dance cabaret



Orientation set for Franklin Young Woman of the Year Program

Saddle Up and Walk 5K - October 7th


Please save the date and register today for the Second Annual Saddle Up and Walk 5K fundraiser on October 7th.

The walk will start at 8:00AM from Fino Field in Milford, MA, and the first 200 registrations are guaranteed a t-shirt. Event will feature a family fun fair with children's activities and prizes, entertainment, food, door prizes, JetBlue ticket raffles, 50/50 raffle and more!

Register early and save!

There are many ways to donate if you can't join us on the day of the walk! Support a team or individual who is walking, or make a general donation both available through links on the left.

In addition, for any corporations looking for permanent or one-time sponsorship opportunities please click on the Sponsors Page Button!

All donations are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, we are a registered public 501(C)(3) charity.

You can register online at  http://www.saddleupandwalk.com/

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Sep 19, 2012



A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 8, 2012

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast, and Franklin Matters

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Public Service Award

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Constable

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Transfer of Liquor License – NDO Enterprises LLC…

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Dean College
David McKearney – Board of Health

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-64:Order of Betterment Assessment – Summer Street Sewer Improvement

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


The full set of documents released with the agenda for this meeting can be found on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/091912.pdf

Needle disposal kiosk relocated


IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING NEEDLE DISPOSAL
The town’s new needle/syringe disposal kiosk has been relocated to the lobby of the DPW office at 257 Fisher Street. The kiosk will be available to residents during normal DPW business hours. 
To protect the health of personnel servicing the kiosk, absolutely no needles/syringes or lancets will be accepted unless they are inside an approved sharps container. Laundry detergent containers, cardboard boxes and plastic bags are not acceptable. Also the needle kiosk is not for the disposal of medications. The Franklin Police Department has a collection bin for residents to dispose of medications. 
Residents may purchase small sharps containers from Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Target for a nominal fee. The Town of Franklin does not provide sharps containers to residents.

In July, a new state mandate requires disposal of medical needles and sharps in a secure manner. They are no longer allowed to be put into the normal trash.  On the practical side, how this will actually be enforced is another matter. Franklin has established a kiosk where residents can dispose of their needles and sharps. It was originally at the fire station downtown and now has been relocated to the DPW office.

Related post from July
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-do-i-do-with-needles-now.html

The relocation announcement on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01966754-000F8513


Where is the DPW office in Franklin?


View Larger Map

"having a friend with you is pretty cool"

The Milford Daily News has a good article about two classmates who have kept in touch since they met at the Kennedy Elementary school and then again more recently in Afghanistan.

In September 2011, Schepis was set to deploy to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. By that time, he had learned through Facebook that Cimon worked on planes in the Air Force. 
But he didn’t know that Cimon was already in Afghanistan and had been for several months.
Shortly before shipping out from Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Schepis posted on Facebook about his deployment. Cimon responded. 
They decided to meet at the center of Kandahar’s canteen a few days after Schepis arrived.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1606945825/Franklin-elementary-school-friends-reunite-in-Afghanistan#ixzz26d1LSt8O

In the News: Brown vs Warren, star holders



All eyes on the Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren Senate race




Franklin seeking Silver or Bronze Star holders

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Update: Parmenter modular units - 1 gone, 3 to go

The Parmenter modular units are indeed moving out. They were mounted upon wheels on Thursday/Friday and one of the units is off the property. The other three are positioned to be hauled away.

The DPW is busy this morning cleaning up the space where the units had been sitting for the past 10+ years. I should have some photos of the finished landscaping work for Sunday or Monday.




Related posts and pictures on the Parmenter modular units
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/parmenter-modular-update.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/parmenter-modular-removal-underway.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/08/parmenter-modular-units.html

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Tom Rush

Tom Rush is playing at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse Saturday night, 8:00 PM.

To listen to "a guy with a guitar", there is no better place. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased via the Circle of Friends webpage (tickets will be held at the door for you).

To get a flavor of Tom this almost 10 minute video gives a good sample:


Find more inspiring video, audio, and images at Growing Bolder.

Oh, I don't think I mentioned that the coffeehouse does serve home cooked desserts that are absolutely delicious! When we go, this is our dessert theater!

For more about Tom visit his webpage:  http://tomrush.com/

For ticket to the concert at Circle of Friends, visit their webpage:  http://circlefolk.org/

"service like that is expected"

The Milford Daily News has an article about Robert Pirelli, father of Robert Ryan Pirelli, who passed away this week.
Pirelli died on Tuesday, after a long battle with stomach cancer. He was 60, and leaves his former wife, Nancy Sullivan of Franklin, his son, Shawn, 28, a graduate student at the University of New Hampshire, and his daughter, Stacey, 25, of Franklin. 
Pirelli started the Robert Ryan Pirelli Scholarship Fund in 2008 and over the years had raised money for college-bound Franklin High School students. His son graduated from the school before going on to study at Northeastern University.
Shawn Pirelli said his father delt with the pain of his brother's death by way of collections and fundraisers held at the Elks Lodge. “For my Dad, it was his way of grieving,” he said. “The Elks have done a lot to support my brother and the troops he served with.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x764815505/A-Elks-last-wish-Help-the-troops#ixzz26XEkCwFs

In the News: Library, SEPAC, art



Franklin library book discussion group to meet, Oct. 2

Friday, September 14, 2012

Farmers Market - noon to 6:00 PM today!


The Farmers Market is open today on the Town Common from noon to 6:00 PM.

Franklin, MA: Farmers Market


Where in Franklin is the Town Common?


View Larger Map

Harvest Festival - Sep 30, 2012

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will be holding the annual Harvest Festival rain or shine on Sunday, Sep 30, 2012.



Note: as a member of the Downtown Partnership, I won't have a booth for Franklin Matters. Rather, I'll be spending time at the Franklin Food Pantry and helping to spread the word about the work that the Food Pantry does. We are located in the Rockland Trust parking lot and if you visit the kids area during the Festival, be sure to stop by!

Going "Car-Free" September 17-23


This is a real challenge for those in Franklin who work outside of Franklin and other than Boston. At least if you work in Boston, the commuter rail could be a commuter option. If you work in NH or RI, there is not a realistic commuter option other than car pooling with co-workers.
Have you tried getting around Franklin without a car? The GATRA bus is one option. Bicycle and walking may be options for some trips.

What do you think? Could you go car-free?

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 9/13/12

Car-Free Week Logo 2012_urlThe Patrick-Murray Administration is encouraging residents who are able to leave their cars in the driveway and try going "car-free" – by bicycling, walking, public transit, carpooling or vanpooling for Massachusetts Car-Free Week, September 17-23.
Massachusetts joins over 1,000 cities in 40 countries across the globe in an effort to showcase the community, environmental, and quality of life benefits of reducing the number of vehicles on the road.  

For the third year in a row, Massachusetts will be celebrating an entire week of going car-free or "car-light," which includes carpooling or vanpooling instead of driving alone. No other state in the nation has proclaimed a statewide Car-Free Week celebration.

This year, those who take car-free and "car-light" modes of transportation during Car-Free Week and year-round can start earning discounts and incentives from area businesses through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's rewards program, NuRide, the nation's largest travel rewards program for individuals who take greener trips, and is free for anyone who lives or works in the Commonwealth.

"Car-Free Week is a great time to remind individuals to sign-up for NuRide and be rewarded for their efforts to commute green," said MassDOT Secretary Richard A. Davey. "NuRide is a free program, it is easy to use, and it enables MassDOT to reward travelers for incorporating sustainability into their daily commutes."

Massachusetts Car-Free Week supports GreenDOT, MassDOT's comprehensive environmental responsibility and sustainability initiative launched to support the Global Warming Solutions Act, signed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2008. The Act requires a 25% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2020, the first step toward a required 80 percent reduction by 2050. The transportation sector generates more than one-third of the total greenhouse gas emissions produced in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Car-Free Week is a collaboration between the MassDOT, MassRIDES, the statewide travel options program, and MassCommute, the Massachusetts Transportation Management Association. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/massdot/carfree or email Johanna Blue, Johanna.Blue@state.ma.us

Things you can do from here:

Trader Joe’s now open at Patriot Place

The Franklin Food Pantry is already benefiting from Traders Joe's opening. The Pantry will be picking up some food items every other week that they'll be able to share with Franklin residents.


Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by Paula Vogler/CORRESPONDENT on 9/13/12

149208 MA_NM_tjopening2.jpg
FOXBOROUGH - Hoping to fill a void in an area without local access to one of its stores, Trader Joe's opened Friday, Sept. 7, at Patriot Place in Foxborough with an eye toward drawing loyal and new customers alike.
Calling the chain a neighborhood grocery store, Trader Joe's Northeast Regional vice president Chris Maguire said the store sells everything from the basics like fruit, vegetables and milk to unique items like ethnic entrees.

Things you can do from here:

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Anti-Bullying Training


A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Good Afternoon

The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with MARC (Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University) is holding an Anti-Bullying Training on September 19th at 6:30 P.M. at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School.  The presenter is Dr. Elizabeth Englander.  The training is open to adults, faculty and community members.


To see the flyer, click here:  http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/0196706F-000F8513

or go to the district web site under District News.
This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.