Mount St Mary's - solar farm

The sisters of Mount St Mary's Abbey installed a wind turbine a couple of years ago. It helps to power their candy store operations.  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/09/mount-st-marys-new-candy-house.html

You can purchase their candy on site or via their web store  http://www.trappistinecandy.com/

Mt St Mary's Abbey - wind turbine

The wind turbine in action as captured in a 2010 video
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/02/abbey-wind-turbine.html


Recently they signed an agreement with the Town of Franklin to install a solar farm. The Town Council voted in November 2012 to approve the deal.  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/real-time-reporting-legislation.html

Mt St Mary's Abbey - solar farm

I stopped by on Sunday to grab these photos of the construction underway for this solar farm.

Mt St Mary's Abbey - solar farm 2

The frames are sturdy and follow the contour of the ground.  Completely installed the farm is reported to generate 6 megawatts of electricity.

Mt St Mary's Abbey - solar farm 3

The galvanized steel (?) is shining in the sunlight. When the panels are installed the sunlight will be generating electricity.

Mt St Mary's Abbey - solar farm 4

Additional links
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/its-win-win-for-town.html

Mount St Mary's Abbey = http://abbey.msmabbey.org/

Seven Years STRONG

View on the web Click here

Hey Steve  This month, my "baby" is celebrating its 7th anniversary! I know....time flies! It would be an understatement to say that it was a lot of hard work to made Shades IN Place come this far. Looking back, I decided to list the seven biggest reasons that I believe have helped the most in keeping us alive. Just a side note: there is absolutely no order of importance and all the reasons somewhat interconnect to one another. HAVING FUN - I enjoy meeting new people and learning about how they live, their culture and how each individual sees their lives. I meet some very wealthy and bright minds and it fascinates me when I am able to provide a solution for them. It puts a smile on my face. GOING THE EXTRA SEVERAL MILES - Because I was a long haul truck driver in the past, to me, no job is too far. If my clients like my work so much that they trust me working on their vacation homes, why would I say no? For those "far away jobs" I bring Ana along for the ride and buy her a nice dinner at the end of the day.  At this point I have completed work in all six New England states plus NY. BILLBOARD ON WHEELS - if you don't promote your business how people will know about it? To me, every moment is an opportunity. I even got a nice job because the girl at the bakery shop saw my shirt and said: "Oh, you do curtains? Please call my friend." The "friend" was a nice high end contractor...go figure!  NEVER STOP LEARNING - I was called on a job in Boston for some hard to reach windows a few years back. The guy showed me the windows and what he wanted. Then I said "Sure, I can do it".  He said "NO, YOU CAN'T!"  And he followed "there were four companies before you and they all said no!"  Well, because I keep myself on top of the industry, I was able to provide a solution for his challenging windows. SUPPORT FROM ANA - If you are married you know.... no man can work 15 - 18 hour days for too long without getting complaints from the wife. But my wife Ana is unique and she was aware that she was marring a workaholic guy. Ok, I admit, she is slowly changing me. I now "only" work 14 hours day max. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION DRIVEN - My motto is "if you are happy, I am happy." And I also live by the principle of "treat people the way you would like to be treated." I am so shocked when people thank me for returning their call - it's my obligation to at least let you know if I can help you or not. LOVE CHALLENGES - this is my favorite! The harder, the more complicated the tallest the better...Some professionals like to make money the easy way. I, on the other hand, must be an exception because I LOVE the challenges and to solve problems other companies avoid confronting. Three years ago, one of my competitors called asking if I was interested in doing a job on behalf of his company. He said that none of his installers could do the job. Well, I did. Imagine that - even my competitors HIRE me! Thanks again for supporting Shades IN Place, Ana and me!   Now, if you want a piece of the birthday cake too you must be the SEVENTH person to call 508-520-6700 and sing "Happy Birthday". Ok...ok...if you are shy like me, you can email me your congratulations. It will count as well. See you again in seven years... Oh, wait! No, see you next month!     Roger Magalhaes  Shades IN Place, Inc. SHOWROOM HOURS Tue - 10am - 5pm Thru - 10am - 5pm Sat - 10am - 3pm *** Buy More...$ave More ***  Spring is in the air.And so is the several projects around the house. The more you buy, the more you save: 5 to 10 window coverings = 5% off 11 to 15 window coverings = 10% off 16 and up = 15% off

Forward email . Shades IN Place | 76 Grove St | Franklin | MA | 02038

"If the music stops, keep dancing"

The Milford Daily News reports on the graduation at Tri-County by writing:

The Superintendent-Director of Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School applauded the hard work the graduating class of 2013 had done to reach this moment in their lives. He also commended the parents for all their support. 

"Sometime today you should thank them for caring so much about you," Dockray encouraged the graduates under a bright blue sky Sunday, when 223 students received their diplomas and trade certificates at Tri-County's 34th commencement exercises. 

The hard work of the graduates has not gone unnoticed. More than $60,000 in scholarships has been awarded to those choosing to further their academic careers.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x625969029/More-than-200-students-turn-tassels-at-Franklins-Tri-County-Regional-Voc-Tech#ixzz2Vo0CbtI4

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - June 11, 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."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 28, 2013 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FPS Retirees
b. ECDC Update – Karen Seyfried
c. School Committee Presentation

3. Discussion Only Items
School Calendar Survey

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the request of Sigrid Miranda/FHS Foreign Language for a field trip to Costa Rica from April 18, 2014 to April 28, 2014 as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $40.36 from Follett for supplemental curriculum materials at Jefferson Elementary School.
c. I recommend approval of the request of ASMS Grade 8 for a field trip to Providence Place Mall on June 20, 2013 as detailed.
d. I recommend acceptance of the gift of 4 Red Sox Tickets (valued at $200.00) from Donna MacKay to be raffled for a FHS Scholarship.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3000.00 from the Keller PCC for field trips for Keller Elementary School students.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1025.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for field trips.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Open for business

The Silver Maple Common on King St, near exit 16 for i495 has three of the five business locations now vacant.  The drive through bank was occupied by TD Bank and they left a couple of years ago. The liquor store sold their business and liquor license to Pour Richard's who opened on 14 Grove St. Frankly, not a great location as it is somewhat out of the way but the facility is larger and they are making a good effort to attract the business they want.

3 open locations

Philip DePalma Salon and Day Spa just moved a couple of weeks ago to a new professional office on West Central St, between the 99 Restaurant and BJ's Warehouse.

new location for Philip DePalma

"Location, location, location" is the old adage applied to business. You need to be located conveniently. Dunkin Donuts is doing well in this location as it is right at the highway and unless you decide to go into the store, easy enough to go through the drive-through. The Dry Clean Pro operation seems to be doing well. It is located conveniently for me to drop my things off on the way to work. We just received a flyer for Lapels which is opening their dry cleaning business in the plaza with Elizabeth's Bagels on RT 140. That is a high traffic zone on RT 140 and should do well.

As most businesses know (or should know) location is only the first step with the customer. The business still needs to deliver their product or service reasonably priced in a manner to bring the customers back again and again. Failure to do so will have the customers voting with their their dollars elsewhere.

site view of 3 open locations

I think is good that there is movement of businesses within Franklin. The spaces now open at the Silver Maple Common will be taken eventually by someone where that location and arrangement will be good for their use.

BTW - if you are looking for a reason to visit Pour Richard's, they are holding their first "Pennywise" fund raiser today to benefit The One Fund from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Additional details can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/pour-richards-one-fund-fundraiser.html

BFCCPS performed the National Anthem

It was a pleasant surprise to hear that the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School chorus was announced to perform the national anthem for the New England Revolution soccer game on Saturday night.

My phone was handy so I managed to grab a long distance shot

BFCCPS Chorus at Gillette Stadium

and then tried to zoom in on the chorus

BFCCPS Chorus at Gillette Stadium - zoom

Well done, BFCCPS chorus!


PS - The Revolution played to 0-0 draw with DC United. The defense maintained their shutout streak (4 complete games) but the offense failed to score on multiple opportunities.

PS1 - as the picture indicates, Gillette Stadium had a few seats open. The attendance was 14,163 and somewhat normal for the Revs games. With free parking and reasonably prices tickets, this is a good way to get into Gillette Stadium and see some good soccer. You could likely bring a family of four for the about the same price as a single New England Patriots ticket.

In the News: outdoor destinations, hurricane gas prices

Outdoor summer destinations in MetroWest

Closed since 2009 because of budget cuts, Ashland State Park will reopen June 22 to provide residents craving hiking, biking or swimming yet another option in the MetroWest and Milford areas.

Note: You can find the trail maps online for the Ashland St Park (and other state parks in MA) on the Dept of Conservation and Recreation webpage http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/ashl.htm

More hurricanes could boost gas prices

An active hurricane season this summer could put a damper on predicted falling gas prices.