Monday, January 14, 2013

Talking about the 'edge city'

A standing room only audience showed up to the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday.

presentation title slide

Town Clerk and Historical Commission Chair, Debbie Pellegri introduced Eamon Earls.

Debbie Pellegri introduces Eamon Earls

Eamon referenced key points on an early map of Franklin including the fact that at one time, Dorchester was a neighboring community. Yes, the same Dorchester. It used to extend from the coast far inland and then communities split off from it and it shrunk to its current size.

Eamon Earls points to one of the maps

Eamon spent a couple of years researching and writing the book. He has many stories to tell and if you have good history to share, he would like to hear that too!

Eamon talking about Franklin as an 'edge city'


The book can be purchased online or at various locations around Franklin
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/historical-museum-book-signing-jan-13.html


Annual Report 2012: Planning Board


The Planning Board, as established by MGL. Ch. 41 sec.70, is responsible for “…making plans for the development of the municipality, with special reference to proper housing of its inhabitants.” The Board is charged with administering the State’s Subdivision Control Law (MGL. 41 Ch.81K) and the local subdivision rules and regulations (Chapter 300). The Board makes recommendations to the Town Council on Zoning By-Law amendments and may at its own discretion adopt new subdivision regulations. The Board is also designated as the permitting authority for various site plan and special permit submittals under the local Zoning Bylaws (Ch. 185).

The Board works together with the Department of Planning and Community Development, the Department of Public Works, and Town Administration. In addition, the Board receives recommendations from the Design Review Committee on building design, elevation, and signage for commercial site plan permits and from the Conservation Commission on wetland related issues.

In the first quarter of FY2012, the Planning Board reviewed and issued decisions for several pending projects from FY2011 and began review of several Special Permit applications. One such Special Permit application was to allow a change in hours of operation at the BJ’s Wholesale Club and Gas Station location at 100 Corporate Drive, allowing the business to remain open later in the evening and open earlier on the weekend; a significant economic development opportunity for the BJ’s Wholesale Club.

One of the more significant site plans approved at the start of FY2012 was Hamilton Storage Technologies at 3 Forge Parkway; the company is constructing a 51,000 square feet facility to house its U.S. headquarters, light manufacturing operations, and accessory conference and training room uses.

Other notable Site Plans that occurred in FY2012 include the approval of a 37,800 square feet residence hall for Dean College at 100 West Central Street, and Emeritus Senior Living Center, a 2-story, 81-unit, Senior Assisted Living Facility at 656 King Street. Southern Acres, a 6- lot definitive subdivision on South Street was approved. An application to modify the Uncas Ave Subdivision was first heard by the Planning Board in April 2012, however, the applicant requested a continuance until the first quarter of FY2013 after a request for a Water and Sewer map extension from the Town Council.

The Planning Board also voted to endorse several 81-P plans and approved one Scenic Road Work Permit for work that coincided with the approval of Southern Acres Subdivision. In addition, like last year, there were numerous requests for extensions to complete previously approved site plans and subdivisions due to hard economic times inhibiting completion of site work by developers. However, the Planning Board did see seven (7) requests for Certificates for Site Completion and a significant increase in the last quarter of the fiscal year in application fees for site plans, special permits and limited site plans with pending discussions in FY13.

The Planning Board has, and will continue to focus on updating the existing zoning by-laws to more accurately define the needs and goals of the town. During FY2012 the Board referred several Zoning Bylaw amendments to the Town Council for approval; these included adding 36 parcels to the Biotechnology Uses Overlay Zoning District, rewrite of Chapter 185-20 Signs, and rewrite of portions of Chapter 185-45 D and E Special Permit Criteria. The three Zoning Bylaw amendments were subsequently approved by the Town Council.

The Planning Board also reviewed and made recommendations for amending the Town’s Subdivision Rules and Regulations to reduce the pavement radius of Dead-end Streets from 50 feet to 45 feet.

The Board continues to help property owners make the desired changes and improvements to their properties while fostering responsible growth and development in the Town of Franklin.

The Planning Board typically meets twice a month on Mondays at 7:00 PM in the Municipal Building. All Board meetings are open to the public, and are televised via Community Cable Access.


Planning Board Activity (July 2011 through June 2012):
Definitive Subdivisions 1
and Modifications 81-P Plans (ANR): 4
Site Plan 6
Limited Site Plans 15
Special Permits 7
Scenic Road Work Permits 1

Planning Board Membership
The Planning Board consists of five members and one associate member. The associate member participates in all hearings but only votes on Special Permits if one of the members is unable to act.

The Board members are elected and serve 4-year terms. In November of 2011, longtime Member Ronald Calabrese stepped down as a member but was re-appointed as an associate member after the November 2011 Town Election. Acting Associate Member William David was elected a full-member and Gregory Ballarino and John Carroll were re-elected as members until 2015.

In the second quarter FY2012, Mr. Calabrese resigned his position as Associate member and in a joint meeting of the Town Council and Planning Board, Gregory Rondeau was appointed as the Associate Member of the Planning Board until 2015.

Current Planning Board Members:
Anthony Padula, Chairman
Joseph Halligan, Secretary
Gregory Ballarino
John Carroll
William David
Gregory Rondeau, Associate Member
Ronald Calabrese- Resigned

Respectfully submitted,

Anthony Padula, Chairman


Please visit our website for additional information including application forms, and regularly posted agendas and meeting minutes at: www.franklin.ma.us.

Published by the Town Clerk, this comes from the 2012 Annual Report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

Franklin State Forest

The Civilian Conservation Corp also worked in Franklin back in the 1930's. According to Eamon Earl's research for his new book on "Franklin: From Puritan Precinct to 21st Century ‘Edge City’", the CCC established a camp on top of Forge Hill and planted trees.

Franklin State Forest entrance on Grove St

Just inside the entrance to the Franklin State Forest, there is a large marker with a layout of the various trails through the forest.

Franklin State Forest trail map


Additional info on the CCC can be found here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_Conservation_Corps

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Franklin musician Christie Leigh aims for big time

In addition to this article in the Milford Daily News, check out the video and her websites below!

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Chris Bergeron/DAILY NEWS STAFF on 1/13/13

Christie Leigh of Franklin
After singing most her life and performing in Boston clubs and the streets of Los Angeles, Christie Leigh hopes her new album will launch her into the big time.

Things you can do from here:



A new song from Christie, so far the only one posted to her YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/mailforchristie




Her MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/christieleighmusic

Her own website  http://www.christieleigh.com/fr_home.cfm
on this site, she has more music on auto play, so turn up the speakers to enjoy!

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Jan 15, 2013


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.

"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."


Note: This meeting will be held in the 3rd Floor Training Room, hence not available via broadcast or replay. There will also be an executive session at the beginning of the meeting so whomever is in the room will be asked to leave while the executive session takes place.


Call to order Mrs. Mullen

Executive Session

Return to Open Session – Call to order Mrs. Mullen

Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the December 11, 2012 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual
2. ACCEPT Quarterly Report

1. Discussion
a. 2013-2014 School Calendar
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/franklin-public-schools-proposed.html

2. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,800.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment at the FHS.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Lueders Environmental, Inc. for the FPS – designated for Parmenter.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $372.22 from PBC for the Athletics Dept. at FHS.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from the Keller PCC for in-house enrichment at Keller.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,790.00 from Vicario Studios for in-house enrichment at FHS.
f. I recommend approval of the Boys and Girls Track Team to travel to Providence, RI on January 19, 2013 for the East Coast Invitationals.
g. I recommend approval of the Boys and Girls Track Team to travel to New York, NY on March 8-9, 2013 for the Nike National Championships.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Dennis and Jeannette Drohan for a high school scholarship.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $25.00 from Paul and Susan Genoa for a high school scholarship.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Michael F. Dicecco for a high school scholarship.
k. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a microwave oven, a convection oven and a griddle (approximate value: $150.00) from the Scipione Family for the ECDC staff.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check for $543.38 from All-American Publishing for the Athletic Dept. at the FHS.
m. I recommend acceptance of $1,495.00 from Various FPS Parents for the Music Dept.
n. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,275.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment.
o. I recommend acceptance of a check for $150.00 from Various parents for the Music Dept.
p. I recommend acceptance of a check for $917.50 from Parmenter PCC for a Parmenter Grade 2 field trip.
q. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $282.66 from Doug Lee for the Franklin High School.
r. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the Parmenter PCC for buses for a Grade 1 field trip.
s. I recommend approval of the request of Peter Light that the Jazz band attend a performance by NY City Jazz Orchestra at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium in Providence, RI on January 27, 2013 as detailed.
t. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from the Parmenter PCC for buses for a Grade 1 field trip.
u. I recommend acceptance of a check for $25.00 from Dr. Wilbur J. Landry, Jr. for a FHS Scholarship.
v. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Dennis and Joan Costello for a FHS Scholarship.
w. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Paula Vozzella for a FHS Scholarship.
x. I recommend acceptance of a check for $220.25 from All-American Publishing for the Athletics Dept. at the FHS.
y. I recommend adoption of the 2013-2014 School Calendar as discussed.
z. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip to the Providence Place Mall on April 12, 2013 for RMS 8th grade math students as detailed.

3. School Committee Self Evaluation Workshop

4. Adjourn

Franklin Public Schools: Proposed Calendar 2013-2014

The DRAFT calendar for the 2013-2014 school year is up for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan 15.

The calendar as drafted looks like this:



For the complete agenda for the School Committee meeting on Tuesday Jan 15, 2013 view this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jan.html

When the calendar becomes 'official' it will be posted here. This is only a draft for discussion at the meeting Tuesday.

Franklin Library: Krafty Mondays

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 1/12/13



January 14, 2013

3:30 PM

"We Make A Beautiful Garden"

Celebrate Martin Luther King Day 
by Making a Garden Poster

Things you can do from here: