"concerns regarding a proposed development for Cook’s Farm"

The Town Council meeting will be an interesting one tonight given the reporting in the Milford Daily News today on a pre-meeting between the Citizens Committee and at least one member of the Planning Board..

Both the council and Citizens Committee believe the proposed development offers aesthetic and financial benefits to the town. 

However, Planning Board Chairman Anthony Padula opposes the project, saying it does not suit that area and could burden the town with increased traffic and costs if it results in more school-aged children. 

Padula said a smaller project — nine homes at most — would be a better fit for the parcel.
But Citizens Committee Chairman Larry Benedetto said the Cook’s Farm proposal presents several opportunities that the town cannot ignore. 

That area, he said, is viewed as a "gateway to Franklin," and Roux’s development, with its high-end condos, serves as a better welcome sign than a farm dotted with dilapidated buildings.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x825421699/Franklin-Cook-s-Farm-project-debated-one-last-time#ixzz2hsNuTBq4

Related articles on the Cook's Farm proposal
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/contrary-to-theory-of-smart-growth.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/the-council-should-not-approve.html

In the News: mattress fundraiser, Cars for Good

FHS music boosters plan mattress fundraiser, Oct. 19

Part of Franklin High School will be transformed into a mattress showroom on Saturday, Oct. 19 as the Franklin Music Boosters sponsor a unique fundraiser that has been very successful with other music and sports programs locally.

Franklin-based HMEA named finalist in Toyota 100 Cars For Good program

In a nationwide contest, Franklin-based organization Horace Mann Educational Associates (HMEA) was selected as one of 250 finalists in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program, which will award vehicles to 100 nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public.

Franklin High School - construction progress

Starting around the back, where the finish work on the outside is taking place

backside of the new FHS

exterior finish trim being added to the stairwell

finish work on exterior trim

full view of backside of FHS

The front corner which holds the principal's office is now a 'blue tower'

the blue tower

corner view of the front

two more 'towers' along the front being bricked

brickwork on the front of FHS

And finally to the far end where the gymnasium is located

gymnasium

The collection of updates on the new FHS can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

Senior Center - Veterans Breakfast - Nov 8, 2013

Contact the Senior Center to sign up  508-520-4945

Veterans Breakfast - Nov 8, 2013

Additional info on the Senior Center and its programs can be found on their webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

In the News: pumpkin carving, hire technician, i495 crash

Pumpkin carving contest planned in Franklin

The Franklin Historical Museum is hosting a Pumpkin Carving Contest on Sunday Oct. 27.

Franklin School Dept. looks to hire new tech position

The School Department is requesting $30,000 to hire an additional technology specialist, saying the position will help with the transition into the new high-tech Franklin High School.

Two sent to hospital after crash on I-495 in Franklin

Two people were taken by ambulance to Milford Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries on Monday morning after a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 495.

Fire Dept - Open House (photo essay)

The Fire Dept held its annual Open House on Sunday at Station #2 on King St. I stopped by just before noon and Chief Gary McCarragher said that it had been real busy since it first opened at 10:00 AM.

The Fire Dept has an equipment rotation practice where a vehicle will serve on the front line for some number of years and then move to a 'reserve' status. In reserve status it is put into service if repairs are needed on the front line equipment. This enables the Fire Dept to maintain a high level of service at all times.

Franklin Rescue 1

The quarterly performance report for the Fire Dept is available on their webpage. The most recent can be found here  http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/Q1%2014%20Dashboard.pdf

Prior quarter reports can be found here  http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/Quarterly%20Performance%20Scorecard

Franklin Engine 2

A complete set of pictures of the two fire stations and all the equipment the Fire Dept has please visit their webpage here  http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/stations

Equipment lined up in front of Station #2

This vehicle is currently targeted for replacement and the vote is scheduled for the Town Council meeting this Wednesday, Oct 16th. You can view the full agenda for the Town Council meeting here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-oct-16.html

Franklin Rescue 3

Some of the tools of the trade are laid out for display.

some of the tools of the trade

Thanks to the Chief and all the members of the Fire Dept for their hard work and attention to detail in keeping Franklin safe!

Franklin Art Association - Fall Show - Nov 16-17, 2013

The prospectus and application for artist looking to show their works in the Fall Show for the Franklin Art Association can be viewed (and downloaded) here.

The Fall Show is scheduled for the weekend of Nov 16-17 and will be held at the Bellingham Library.





Additional information on the Franklin Art Association can be found on their webpage
http://www.franklinart.org/