Franklin Matters

Monday, May 6, 2013

"I don’t think we’ve ever done anything this big"

The Elks Lodge will hold the inaugural Elks Care Elks Share 5K Run and Walk on May 11 to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and the Wounded Warriors Project.

The race kicks off at 10 a.m. at Lodge 2136, 1077 Pond St. The course, which begins and ends at the Elks Lodge, follows Pond Street, Southgate Road, Maple Street and Partridge Street.

The top three female and male finishers in each age group receive trophies and other awards. Already 125 people have registered with more expected to sign up in the week ahead.

Apart from the two main beneficiaries, a raffle has been planned to raise money for One Fund Boston — prizes include a baseball signed by Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester. Also, the sky-blue and yellow "Boston Strong" ribbon has been emblazoned on T-shirts created for the event.

Tree advertising

I was in Chicago this weekend for a conference. One I have been fortunate to attend for several years now and it was worth it this time around too!

While there, I visited Millennium Park where I found this photo opportunity

trees keep us cooler

trees increase our property value

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 8, 2013

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS – This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS - Postponed Public Hearing to determine whether it is in the public interest to accept Tanglewood Dr., Sierra Dr., Dutchess Rd., Summer Heights Dr., Autumn Ln., Fall Ln., Mary Jane Rd., and Anna Rd. – 7:15 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

New Wine and Malt Package Store License – Angela Hayat Corporation dba DB Mart 1- Continued from May 1 – 7:15 PM
Request for Withdrawal of Liquor License Application

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-25: Order of Acceptance of Tanglewood Drive and Sierra Drive as Public Ways – Postponed from May 1
2. Resolution 13-26: Order of Acceptance of Mary Jane Road and Anna Road as Public Ways – Postponed from May 1
3. Resolution 13-27: Order of Acceptance of Summer Heights Drive, Autumn Lane and Fall Lane as Public Ways – Postponed from May 1
4. Resolution 13-28: Order of Acceptance of Dutchess Road as a Public Way – Postponed from May 1
5. Resolution 13-30: Town Council Proposal of Charter Amendment to Voters: Treasurer Collector to be changed from Elected to Appointment Position – Postponed from May 1
6. Bylaw Amendment 13-713:Amendment to Chapter 25, Appendix A-Classification Plan and Appendix B-Compensation Plan – 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

The full set of documents as published for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/050813.pdf

Drink Pink for the Cure

Pour Richard's is holding a Relay for Life fundraiser Sunday afternoon.

Pour Richards Drink Pink for the Cure from Franklin Matters

“When you build it, they come"

In advance of Bay State Bike Week which begins on Saturday, May 11 the Milford Daily News has this article on this transportation area.

Bay State Bike Week

... the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced last fall it aims to triple travel by biking, walking and public transit by 2030. It’s not about just accommodating people who bicycle for fun, but recognizing bikes as a form of transportation, said Catherine Cagle, manager of sustainable transportation at MassDOT.

“We want more of them,” she said.

But to get more people cycling on a larger scale across eastern Massachusetts, it could take time, more infrastructure and more concentrated efforts to educate people about rules of the road, say transportation advocates and planners.

Advocates credit the recent expansion of bike lanes, paths and places to lock up bikes in part for the growth of cycling, making it more convenient and safer for more people to hop behind the handlebars.

Read more: http://www.wickedlocal.com/homepage/news/x1213312379/Cycling-is-on-the-rise-but-is-Mass-serious-about-sharing-the-road#ixzz2SPg8MsbY

If the commute to work is more than 30 miles, the amount of time involved would effectively make it not practical for a daily trip. I would like to increase my recreational biking but commuting by bike is really not practical.

What about your situation? Is the commute to work less than 30 miles? Have you taken your bike?

Franklin Historical Museum - Open on Mother's Day

The Franklin Historical Museum will be ~~closed~~ OPEN on Mother's Day May 12th

Franklin Historical Museum

The 'closed' notice was originally posted on the Franklin website and now is removed. The Museum will be open for its normal Sunday schedule from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (updated 5/8/13)