Tuesday, September 24, 2013

"a huge growth in the solar industry"


The New England Appliance and Electronics Group unveiled the third largest rooftop solar farm in the state atop its Grove Street warehouse. With its 7,200 panels, the installation will produce 2.1 megawatts of energy — enough to power 1,500 households — cutting the company’s electrical costs by 20 percent. 
"The solar farm on our roof will cut a huge percentage of our energy costs and reduce our carbon footprint," said New England Group president Steve Moran, speaking in front of the warehouse. 
State representatives Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, and Kate Hogan, D-Stow, presented the company, a cooperation of 122 appliance and electric stores, with citations from the State House.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868842543/Business-unveils-rooftop-solar-farm-in-Franklin#ixzz2fnyPojcp

Monday, September 23, 2013

A pep talk for teachers and students (video)


Kid President has a message for teachers and students. Spend a couple of minutes with this to get some inspiration and then go be awesome!




Now go be awesome!


For more Kid President videos and the story behind the videos, visit http://kidpresident.com/




Autumn color

A few trees are turning color already.

autumn colors
changing colors

"The guests preferred the old cans ‘by an overwhelming majority"


That’s the key word in discussing expiration dates: “fresh.” A new report released by the Natural Resource Defense Council and the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic yesterday, titled “The Dating Game: How Confusing Food Date Labels Lead to Food Waste in America,” lays bare the illogical, patchwork of sometimes meaningless dating requirements for food products. Even the dates printed on milk, the heart of expired-food fear that lurks in the back of the fridge, hold little meaning.

Read the full article here -> 
http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/09/19/food-expirations-dates-are-meaningless


new neighbors - Eagle Brook Village

The Town Council is considering zoning bylaw changes to allow a higher density development on the Cook's Farm property. Have you noticed that Wrentham is soon to be hosting a good sized development just down the road on RT 140?

Eagle Brook Village is under construction by DiPlacido Development. It looks to be about 90 homes in five styles according to the lot plan and house models shown on the developer webpage.

http://diplacidodevelopment.com/wp/sales/eagle-brook/



Sunday, September 22, 2013

What one question would you ask the Franklin candidates?

I posted my offer to the candidates here earlier. Now that the line up has been determined, we can prepare for those who chose to have an interview. One regular reader has already submitted a question around the empty storefronts downtown. What would you ask your candidates?

You can submit multiple questions. You might want to ask a different question of a Town Councilor than that of a School Committee person.



The candidate offer
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/offer-to-candidates-for-election.html

The final line up for those candidates to appear on the ballot
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/franklins-election-lineup-set.html


Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Sep 25, 2013


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 17, 2013; August 7, 2013 Executive Session

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
Finance Committee - William Dowd
Disability Commission - Mark R Thompson

F. HEARINGS
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-719: Changes to Chapter 185. Attachment 9. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements- 7:10 PM
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-720: Changes to Chapter 185-4. Districts Enumerated – 7:10 PM
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-721: Changes to Chapter 185-5. Zoning Map- 7:10 PM
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-722: Changes to Chapter 185-50. Residential VII Zoning District – 7:10 PM
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-723: Changes to Chapter 185. Use Regulations Schedule, Parts I through Parts VII – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License:
Artistry Franklin

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Master Plan

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-69: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with Town of Bellingham for Shared In-Home Respite Services
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-719: Changes to Chapter 185. Attachment 9. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements – 1st Reading
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-720: Changes to Chapter 185-4. Districts Enumerated – 1st Reading
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-721: Changes to Chapter 185-5. Zoning Map – 1st Reading
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-722: Changes to Chapter 185-50. Residential VII Zoning District – 1st Reading
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-723: Changes to Chapter 185. Use Regulations Schedule, Parts I through Parts VII – 1st Reading
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-718: Changes to Chapter 185-7. Compliance Required – 2nd 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 documents associated with agenda can be found on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/092513.pdf

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Sep 24, 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.

AGENDA
"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 September 10, 2013 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Educational Assistant Contract Ratification
b. MCAS Overview – M. Sabolinski; J. Edwards
c. PARCC Assessment – M. Sabolinski; J. Edwards

3. Discussion Only Items
FHS Update – M. Sabolinski
Policy: First Reading

  • FF - Naming Facilities


4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $835.56 from Target for Franklin High School.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Franklin Lifesavers for supplemental services for school health professionals.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $839.11 from Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards for the Franklin High School.
d. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip request of HMMS Chorus students to travel to NY City for Les Miserables on May 10, 2014 as detailed.
e. I recommend approval of the contract ratification for the Educational Assistants for 2013-2014 and 2014-2017 as detailed.
f. I recommend moving “Policy FF – Naming Facilities” to a second reading at the next meeting.
g. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 20 copies of Twerp from Random House for Horace Mann students.

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

Fertile ground

Yes, Franklin was a good farming community. Evidence of this exists today even along Forest St where a corn stalk is growing along the curb.


Franklin_street_cornstalk
corn stalk on Forest St

another view

Franklin_street_cornstalk1
another view - corn stalk on Forest St

Library: Do Not Disturb

If you want some privacy or quiet, a sign to hang on the door of the room you want to use would be a good thing to have. The Library craft session on Monday will help you make a 'Do Not Disturb' sign.

Library - Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb

This was re-posted from the Library website
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2013/09/krafty-monday-do-not-disturb.html