DelCarte Playground - December update

A walk around the new playground being set up at DelCarte Open Space along Pleasant St here in Franklin, MA.





Photos from the prior visit (includes links to prior DelCarte posts as well)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/delcarte-playground-construction.html

In the News: solar farm, Santa Foundation

Abbey sisters, politicians celebrate solar farm

The sisters of Mount St. Mary’s Abbey hosted a public celebration and ribbon-cutting for their latest green energy effort – an 8.6-megawatt solar farm off Upper Union Street. The abbey already has a 130-foot-tall wind turbine and a geothermal system underneath its chapel. As a result of their efforts, the sisters were awarded the Energy Leadership Award by the Mass Energy Consumer Alliance in October.

Franklin non-profit Christmas gift provider in need of donations

For the 28th consecutive year, Franklin small businessman Bob Sullivan shut down his own business to open up a Santa’s workshop that plans to bring the joy of Christmas to about 800 local families in need.

FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT: Update on Weather for Monday - Dec 9th

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Hello 

The first snow of the season has been predicted for late this evening into tomorrow. We anticipate school opening as scheduled. We have been in contact with DPW and they will be treating roads and parking lots when the precipitation begins.  

As this is the first snow please drive slowly and allow extra time to drop your child/ children off at school. HS age drivers often have less experience driving in these conditions so please consider driving them to school. If they must drive please encourage them to leave some extra time and to drive slower. 

If the weather report changes and we need to delay school we will send out a Connect Ed message. Additionally we will post any change in schedule on our web site and announce to the media outlets. 

Please be reminded that all parents/guardians may keep children at home if  you choose to. If you elect this option please call the school to let them know about your decision. 

Stay safe. 

Thank You,
Maureen Sabolinski

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 either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Dec 11, 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 also be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS
Tax Classification Hearing – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
2014 Annual Alcoholic Beverages Licenses Renewals

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Guidelines and Criteria for Penalizing Alcoholic Beverage License holder Violations

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-85: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Factor
2. Resolution 13-86: Classification Tax Allocation – Open Space Exemption
3. Resolution 13-87: Classification Tax Allocation – Small Business Exemption
4. Resolution 13-88: Classification Tax Allocation – Residential Property Exemption
5. Resolution 13-89: 2014 Schedule of Town Council Meetings
6. Resolution 13-90: Legal Notices
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-726: Amendment to Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area,
Frontage Yard and Height Requirements – Referral to Planning Board

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 for the agenda as published can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/1231113.pdf

Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Letter

This letter was posted to the "News" section of the Franklin home page. It is unsigned and lacking a description as to who or what group authored it.

MPO seems to be the acronym for Metropolitan Planing Organization. MassDOT has 13 MPOs to cover the state according to the map located here. It appears that Franklin is part of the Boston Region MPO which would explain why getting assistance and funding from the MPO is difficult.

A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a transportation policy-making organization made up of representatives from local government and transportation authorities. Federal legislation passed in the early 1970s required the formation of an MPO for any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000. MPOs were created to ensure that existing and future expenditures for transportation projects and programs were based on a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive (3-C) planning process. Federal funding for transportation project and programs are channeled through this process. 

As transportation policy-making entities, MPOs have five core functions. 

1. Create a fair and impartial setting for effective regional decision making in the metropolitan area.
2. Evaluate transportation alternatives and needs through appropriate studies and activities as detailed in the MPOs Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)
3. Maintain a Long-Range Transportation Plan (RTP). Develop a 20-year transportation planning document which identifies existing infrastructure conditions, projects future transportation needs and provides a plan or program to attain the stated goals and visions.
4. Develop a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Develop a program based on the long range plan and designed to serve the MPO’s goals using spending, and other financial tools.
5. Involve the public. Involve the general public and all significantly affected sub-groups in the four essential functions listed above.

More about the MPO and process can be found on this MassDOT page
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/planning/Main/PlanningProcess/RegionalPlanning.aspx

ECDC Open House - Jan 13th

The F.X.O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center located at 224 Oak Street Franklin, Ma, will have an Open House on January 13th and January 21st from 3:30pm-4:30pm. This will be for new parents who are considering sending their child/children to the preschool in the fall of 2014. Please check our website (www.franklin.k12.ma.us) for more program information and if you have any questions, call 508-541-8166 ext. 2938

FX O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center

The application can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01C2B3B5-000F8513.1/NEW%20APPLICATIONS.pdf

"We had time to kill"

Milford Daily News reports on the blood drive at the Franklin Public Library on Saturday.

At the Franklin Public Library, Mike Green was also donating blood to the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in honor of his sister, Meredith, a 2008 graduate of Franklin High School who was diagnosed with cancer in January of 2012. 

With his sister in remission as of July of last year, Green said he hopes people realize the need to give blood, especially since his sister required transfusions when she was hospitalized. 

"It’s just a good thing to do," he said. "People don’t realize the need for blood."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915450921/Blood-drives-help-children-cancer-patients-in-Milford-Franklin#ixzz2mt0Cy9It