Hold the date for Akin-Bak Farmstand

From Facebook:

We are proud to announce that we will be having a grand opening for our new farm stand here on the farm on Sunday, August 4th at 12 noon! Stop on in and learn about our past, meet the farmers (if you haven't had a chance) and receive a voucher for 50% off on a pumpkin this fall!! We are super excited and hope you can all join us to celebrate!

Akin-Bak Farm

Join the event on Facebook for additional updates: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/129101290629778/

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jun 19, 2013

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 1, 2013

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
Annual Committee Appointments

F. HEARINGS
Public Hearing to determine whether it is in the public interest to accept Jade Street, Ruby Way, Garnet Drive and Opal Circle. – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Proposed Zoning Change

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-50: Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Jade Street, Ruby Way, Garnet Drive, and Opal Circle and Related Parcels and Easements

2. Resolution 13-51: Declaration of Town-Owned Land (Vacant Parcel Between Old West Central and West Central Streets)as Surplus and Available for Disposition

3. Resolution 13-52: Granting M.G.L. Chapter 268A § 20(a) Exemption

4. Resolution 13-53: Purchase of Land at 37 Beaver Street Authorization

5. Resolution 13-54: Authorization for Non-Binding Local Ballot Question, Re: Adoption of Mayoral Form of Government

6. Resolution 13-55: Verizon Easement at New High School

7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-718: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 7. Compliance Required, Parking. – Referral to the Planning Board

IMPERVIOUS SURFACES:
8. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-702: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 36. Impervious Surfaces – 2ND Reading

9. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-703: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 40. Water Resource District – 2ND Reading

10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-716: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 3. Definitions – 2ND Reading

11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-717: Changes to Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements – 2ND Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as Required
Pending Litigation with Walsh Brothers Construction

P. ADJOURN


The set of documents published for this meeting can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/061913.pdf

Relay for life

Cancer touches so many folks directly or indirectly. If it is not a family member, it is a friend, neighbor or work colleague that is affected by the disease. The Relay for Life was held Friday/Saturday on the track at Tri-County Regional to raise awareness and funds for this worthy cause.

opening ceremony - national anthem

The heavy rain overnight Thursday in to Friday cleared as forecasted to bring bright blue skies and comfortable temperatures.

the puddles remained

For those staying over night to walk, it should have been a nice evening.

there is hope!

When a number of people come together around a cause, there is hope!


If you would still like to contribute to the Relay for Life, you can visit the event webpage

Franklin Library: Finding Your Next Read

Finding Your Next Read

Library resources

Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

In the News: Unfunded mandates, structurally deficient bridges

Unfunded mandates worry school officials

Even with a few more weeks left in the school year, administrators and teachers are already bracing for next year when Massachusetts school districts will begin undertaking a number of mandates expected to improve education.

Many structurally deficient bridges in MetroWest, Milford

Cars drive over almost two dozen structurally deficient bridges locally and hundreds statewide spanning railroad tracks, rivers, roads and lakes. Local officials say the key to repairing or replacing these bridges is, no surprise, money.

"just $31.50 a week, $4.50 a day, or $1.50 a meal"

Secretary John Polanowicz kicked off the SNAP Challenge this week with a shopping trip at Save-A-Lot in Springfield to highlight the importance of this benefit as a front line defense against hunger. The Secretary is joining his family, Congressman James McGovern, Department of Transitional Assistance Commissioner Stacey Monahan, Senator Jamie Eldridge and participants across the country in taking the challenge from June 13-19. Participants must live on a total food budget of $31.50 for the week, or the average, per-person federal SNAP benefit. 

“While living on a food stamp budget for just a week cannot come close to the struggles encountered by low income families week after week, and month after month, it does provide those who take the challenge with a new perspective and greater understanding,” said Secretary Polanowicz.

Read more about the SNAP Challenge here
http://hhs.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2013/06/hhs-secretary-polanowicz-and-commissioner-monahan-kick-off-the-snap-challenge-.html

The Franklin Food Pantry is able to help those in our community receiving SNAP by supplementing with other food and non-food items. Your contributions help make this happen.  Whether you contribute time (by volunteering), goods (food and non-food items) or money, it goes to help your neighbors.

a "powerful experience"

Friday was Flag Day and the battlefield cross to honor one of Franklin's fallen was unveiled at theYMCA.

Jesse "The Machine" Green carved the battlefield cross as a gift for Cabino-Cipriano and her family. 

Before Thursday, Green - the chainsaw sculptor from Medway who starred in the National Geographic series "American Chainsaw" - and Cabino-Cipriano had never met in person. 

When the moment came, they embraced one another for what seemed like minutes, Green giving Cabino-Cipriano a bear hug.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1615045815/Battlefield-cross-to-honor-fallen-Marine-from-Franklin#ixzz2WHQNMqT8


Related post:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/special-flag-ceremony-jun-14-lance.html

Commuting on i495 was a mess on Friday

Two accidents, one during the morning commute and one during the evening commute left i495 something like a parking lot for hours. If you were caught in either or both sets of traffic, here are the stories on the accidents themselves.

Four-year-old girl killed in crash on I-495 in Bellingham

A 4-year-old girl was killed in a single-vehicle crash on I-495 northbound in Bellingham around 6:30 Friday morning, according to the state police.

One flown to hospital after crash on I-495 in Bellingham

State police officers called Life Flight to transport one person after a single-car crash on I-495 in Bellingham on Friday afternoon, a state police spokesperson said.

Farmers Market - noon to 6:00 PM

The farmers market will open today on the Town Common

Grateful Farm

What will future jobs look like?

In this TED Talk, Andrew McAfee talks about the jobs of the future and what it means for us.

Winston Churchill came to my home of MIT in 1949, and he said, "If we are to bring the broad masses of the people in every land to the table of abundance, it can only be by the tireless improvement of all of our means of technical production." 

Abraham Lincoln realized there was one other ingredient. He said, "I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to give them the plain facts." 

So the optimistic note, great point that I want to leave you with is that the plain facts of the machine age are becoming clear, and I have every confidence that we're going to use them to chart a good course into the challenging, abundant economy that we're creating.

Franklin Downtown Partnership’s annual Strawberry Stroll

"I am pleasantly surprised," said organizer Nicole Fortier of the large turnout. "It just goes to show you that the strawberry shortcakes really draw people in." 

Along with the partnership’s other seasonal events, the stroll shines a light on the downtown. Local businesses had tables set up throughout the plaza for people to stop by and find out what they’re all about. 

"It’s really a great community event," Fortier said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x871004483/Rain-cold-dont-dampen-spirits-at-Franklins-Strawberry-Stroll#ixzz2WBKx14MT

Franklin School Calendar Survey

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

June 12, 2013 Dear Parents/Guardians/Faculty: As the administration and School Committee collaborate to develop a school calendar, we need to balance the needs of students, parents and school professional. Additionally, we need to be mindful of federal, state and religious holidays and the contractual obligations necessitated in our bargaining agreements. With the addition of the challenges presented by inclement weather (snow, hurricanes that result in widespread power outages and tree damage) scheduling school days may present calendar challenges. In an effort to seek feedback from our stakeholders we would like to collect data to inform the development of future school calendars. The last time we solicited feedback was in 2007 and we felt this might be an opportunity to seek your opinions. We are asking you to complete this brief survey and when the results are complete we will report them out at a School Committee meeting and on our web site. We will seek data from parents/guardians and from our faculty as well. Thank you for taking the time to participate and we value your feedback. To access the survey, follow this link:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/752GSL5 This survey will be open from June 12 through June 26, 2013. Respectfully, Maureen Sabolinski Superintendent of Schools 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.

Continuing the Tradition of Father’s Day at the Y

More than a century ago, Sonora Louis Smart Dodd aspired to create a holiday to honor fathers. Dodd, the daughter of a single father and Civil War veteran, was inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon and wondered why there was no holiday for fathers. After securing support from ministers in Spokane, Wash., her idea came to fruition with the first Father's Day celebration at the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910.

On Sunday, June 16, the Hockomock Area YMCA joins the nation in celebrating Father’s Day by recognizing the impact fathers and adult male role models make in children’s lives. Nationally, one out of three children lives in a home without their biological father, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And, societal factors such as unemployment, work-life balance or a lack of resources can affect fathers’ ability to seek support in strengthening their parenting skills and more fully engaging in the lives of their children. The Hockomock Area Y remains dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for fathers to further involve themselves in the well-being and development of their children.

“Father’s Day reminds us why it’s important to provide fathers with the support they need to be the best parents and caregivers they can be,” says Ed Hurley, president of the Hockomock Area YMCA.

Father and son duo Frank and Nathan enjoy a moment together at last year’s Hockomock Area YMCA Integration Initiative Golf Clinic hosted by TPC Boston.

Studies show that children with close relationships with their fathers and other adult male role models have more self-confidence and exhibit less depression, perform better academically and engage in significantly less drug and alcohol use.

The Hockomock Area YMCA offers a variety of programs that foster understanding and companionship between children and their caregivers such as parent-child aquatics, dance, enrichment, gymnastics, and sports classes as well as our community garden family share program in the town of Mansfield to name a few. We also offer a myriad of sports leagues and encourage parents/caregivers to volunteer as coaches to reinforce our core values – caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility – that unite us with a common cause of strengthening families and communities.

To learn more about programs and activities available at the Hockomock Area YMCA, visit hockymca.org.
Photo caption: Father and son duo Frank and Nathan enjoy a moment together at last year’s Hockomock Area YMCA Integration Initiative Golf Clinic hosted by TPC Boston. This year’s clinics will be held on July 15 and August 5.

About The Hockomock Area YMCA
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Y, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn and grow.For more information about the Hockomock Area YMCA, please visit www.hockymca.org.

Kindergarten ends Jun 19

Oh my, the last day of kindergarten is the 19th! Those precious darlings will soon be 1st graders!

Where did the school year go?

Parmenter sign

The last day of school is scheduled for June 26th.

Jane's Frames: Kids Create

Strawberry Stroll, June 13, 2013 4- 7 pm  Dear Steve, You are Invited  to   Kids Create  Allowing kids of all ages to create art on canvas There is now a large blank canvas hanging in the shop,  acrylic paint and paintbrushes await eager art enthusiasts. We will work together to create a huge canvas to be raffled off, all proceeds go to the Food Pantry. Sidewalk Sale during  Strawberry Stroll Downtown Franklin Due to the forecast of rain, many of the vendor tables, including the Strawberry Shortcake table, will be set up inside the Depot Plaza building,   (the building that houses Acapulco's)    Come to Jane's Frames  to see  Homemade soaps by Mary Jo Martini, and bracelets by Ben Speaks: their tables will set up inside the shop. At Franklin Art Center there will be an Art Show and an activity creating a sculpture from ping pong balls for the Sculpture Park.   Bargains galore!! - 100's of  prints 30-50% off   A Selection of Framed Art  at 30-50% off!!     The Strawberry Stroll is sponsored by the Franklin Downtown Partnership whose mission is the revitalization of Downtown Franklin.

Forward email Jane's Frames | 11 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038