Trash Pickup Delay Explanation

Good morning, once again.  A follow up message from the DPW.  To clarify, this weeks' trash pickup has been delayed due to New Year's AND the storm.  Thursday pickup will be tomorrow, today's will be Monday, and ALL of next week will be delayed by one day due to logistics (Monday will be Tuesday, Tuesday will be Wednesday, etc).  Next week is also Christmas tree pickup; just put them out with your trash.  Thank you for your understanding.  Good bye.

This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. 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 TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-520-4938 or REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.

Trash Pickup Delayed

Good Morning.  This is a message from DPW Director Robert Cantoreggi.  Due to the storm, trash and recycling pickup will be delayed one day. 

This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. 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 TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-520-4938 or REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.

#Hercules

Hercules!

yes, #Hercules is here... hunker down, stay warm...

a nice snow covered street in Franklin

The plows have been by but are due back when the snow ends to clean up

Stay warm!

Annual Report 2013: Community Garden Committee

As we enter our third season at the King Street Community Garden, we are proud to report that we are
continuing to provide the citizens of Franklin with a place to meet, learn, and grow. Experienced and novice gardeners of all ages are taking advantage of our commitment to a healthy space in which we can share the joy of growing organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

Partnering with the Town of Franklin, the Recreation Department and the nonprofit Friends of Franklin
Community Gardens, Your Community Garden Committee:

• Identifies appropriate locations
• Coordinates design and construction of new gardens
• Develops and enforces rules and regulations for the gardens
• Oversees the plot lottery, gardener registration and plot distribution

We pledge to continue:

• Supporting our community in growing local food
• Providing locally harvested food to those in need
• Promoting increased social interaction through gardening within our community
• Developing an educational garden for all ages

In 2013, we increased our available garden space by eight beds, following the move downtown of the four
beds formerly reserved for growing produce for the Franklin Food Pantry and the building of four brand new
beds. Even with the expanded space, we have many aspiring gardeners still on the wait list for a bed!

This season, we've introduced some new systems to help our garden run more smoothly, including a
biweekly work day to allow all gardeners the chance to help out with general maintenance and a flag system
to alert gardeners to potential trouble spots. It’s not all work though – we've also introduced a monthly award for the best garden.

Our garden shed has also seen a few upgrades, including additional interior shelving, a rainwater collection system, and a bulletin board for gardeners to communicate with each other and learn about garden events.

We look forward to many more harvests to come! If you would like to join us for the 2014 season, please
visit the Franklin Recreation Department in person or online and select “register for activities” then select
“community garden.”



The Community Garden Committee meets the First Monday of the month at Town Hall. Check the Town of Franklin Meeting Calendar for details.

If you are interested in serving on the committee, please contact any committee member or visit the Town Clerk’s office.
Amy Acevedo, Chair
Christopher Clay, Vice-Chair
Kiernan Reed, Secretary
Rich Clauser, Member
Bonnie Kaiden, Associate Member

Respectfully Submitted,
Kiernan Reed

See "Hansel and Gretel" Sunday, Jan 5th

Sunday, Jan.5, 2014 Performances at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Attleboro High School Auditorium 100 Rathbun Willard Dr. Attleboro, MA 02703 Free Admission Sponsored by: The United Regional Chamber of Commerce 42 Union Street Attleboro, Massachusetts 02703 508-222-0801

Forward this email The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703

Six One Seven Studio - Open House - Jan 9th; 4:30pm to 7:00pm

Hello! 

Just a reminder that the team at Six One Seven Studios would like to cordially invite you to our first open house event on January 9th at 4:30 PM. We are a new Franklin based video production company and would like to celebrate our arrival in Franklin with you, and many other Franklin based businesses.  

Stop by any time between 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM. We are located at 25 Kenwood Circle,  Franklin, MA.  

Please check out our brand new studio, and meet our team of video professionals.  

We hope to see you there and look forward to meeting you! Please spread the word!  

Check out the studio here: www.vimeo.com/82308994 

Please check out our website www.sixonesevenstudios.com were you can view some of our previous work, and see what we're all about. 

Please RSVP by emailing Linda Conley at HMEA lconley@hmea.org 

Or feel free to contact me directly with any questions.

Bryan Roberts
Creative Director | Executive Producer
857-202-7690 25 Kenwood Circle Franklin, MA 02038
www.sixonesevenstudios.com
TELLING YOUR STORY

In the News: FPSA auditions

FSPA slates auditions for ‘Technicolor Dreamcoat’

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will hold auditions for the children’s ensemble of an all-student production of the hit family musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Monday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m. (ages 6-9) and 7:45 (ages 10-11) at 38 Main St. in downtown Franklin.

Recycling Center Closure

Good Evening.  This is a message from DPW Director Robert Cantoreggi.  Due to the snow storm, the recycling center will be CLOSED tomorrow, January 3rd, re-opening Saturday January 4th.

This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. 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 TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-520-4938 or REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.

Schools Closed Friday, January 3, 2014

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Good Afternoon
This is a message from the office of the Superintendent of Schools.  Based on inclement weather conditions, all Franklin Public Schools will be closed on Friday, January 3rd.

Stay safe.

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.

When are the Christmas trees going to be picked up?

According to the most recent recycling newsletter, the trees are scheduled for pickup during the week of Jan 6th. Like prior years, I would expect it to be scheduled for the day of your normal trash pickup.

Page 2 of the flyer attached here has the calendar with the week of Jan 6th marked for the special collection of Christmas trees





You can also find the flyer on the Franklin webpage here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/WM_00218_Franklin%206pg_rWEB.PDF

Planning for 2014

Milford Daily News takes a look at what the local communities are planning for in 2014.

In Franklin, the new Franklin High School is set to be completed in the summer and open in the fall, said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting. 

The town will be reimbursed 59 percent from the MSBA for the $103.5 million, 300,000-square-foot high school. 

Also, a nearly $7 million project is planned for downtown funded with state aid and a federal grant. The project calls for repaving and widening roads and sidewalks and installing new traffic lights and signs.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915456701/Looking-ahead-towns-2014-goals#ixzz2pEkq05XQ

Happy New Year - welcome 2014!

2014 is upon us. 2013 is no longer. What did we learn to help us prepare?

There are changes taking place all the time. Some are more obvious than others. Artistry Kitchen is continuing their preparations to open downtown.

Artistry Kitchens

The commuters from the Franklin/Dean College station would have noticed that the coffee shop operated by the Cake Bar has closed.

coffee shop at Depot Station has closed; The Cake Bar remains open on East Central St

The challenges around us can be better met with coordination, collaboration and communication.


The answer to Tuesday's "Where in Franklin?" photo was provided by: Jamie Barrett

The tree is the large one on the Dean College campus in front of their dorm building on Main St, next to the Library.

answer to Where in Franklin 2013 08

This will be the only post today. Enjoy the time with your family and friends.

If you really need something to read you dig into the archives. for example, pick a day, any day and then see what was posted on that date in 2013. Then go to the same date in 2012, and so forth back to 2008.

thanks to the Franklin Downtown Partnership for the holiday decorations

If you like what you read here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like what you read here, please tell me!

Where in Franklin? - 2013 08

Monday's photo was correctly identified by several folks but first by Susan Gagne. It is the water trough located on the triangle in downtown Franklin. When the construction to return Main St to two-way traffic happens during 2014, there is supposed to be a place for this to remain downtown.

A more complete view of the water trough crafted by Joseph Jenks Jr can be seen here

answer to Where in Franklin 2013 07

And for our final picture for this round, where in Franklin would you be viewing this tree?

Where in Franklin? -  2013 08

Send an email, or leave a comment with your answer. 
First correct answer is the winner. 
Complete guidelines for "Where in Franklin?" can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/2013-where-in-franklin.html

Annual Report 2013: Conservation Commission

Appropriately, our exploration of the Franklin Annual Report for 2013 has brought us to the Conservation Commission. They would like us to continue to explore Franklin's natural resources!

The Franklin Conservation Commission is responsible for promoting and developing the natural resources of Franklin and protecting the watershed resources of Franklin. A large part of the Commission’s attention is directed to administering Massachusetts and Franklin wetland protection laws. In short, those laws require the Commission to hold public hearings or meetings before issuing a permit to work in or within 100 feet of a wetland, or 200 feet of a perennial stream. 

The Commission is comprised of up to seven volunteer residents appointed for three year terms by the Town Administrator. The Commission also has up to two non-voting associate members. The members of the Commission have diverse professional experience related to environmental science, biology, engineering, landscape design, and project management. Because of their different backgrounds each commissioner is able to offer a different perspective during the review of applications for a wetland permit that ultimately benefits Franklin. 

In September 2012, the Town hired Michele Grenier, as Conservation Agent. Michele is a Professional Wetland Scientist with over 30 years experience in the field. 

Franklin was well represented at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions in March, attending classes and workshops and talking with other Commissioners from across the state as well as lawyers, ecologists and engineers active in Conservation. 

Last year, the EPA adopted regulations to reduce the amount of phosphorus in storm water runoff into the Charles River basin, with Franklin, Bellingham and Milford as the pilot communities. These regulations are in response to the public health threat posed by outbreaks of toxic algae blooms downstream fostered by high levels of phosphorus from storm water runoff. These regulations will require properties with more than two acres of imperious surfaces to improve storm water runoff treatment. Currently these regulations remain at a standstill as the EPA continues to work out the regulatory details. The Commission monitors the status of these regulations while encouraging and advising on appropriate stormwater management practices where applicable in Conservation jurisdiction. 

The Commission continues to work on the DelCarte area (aka the Franklin Reservoirs) off of Pleasant Street. There are a series of seven “structures” (six are dams that had been originally used for cranberry farming, the seventh is a stone wall that beavers had dammed) along Miller brook thru the 100+ acre DelCarte area. The dams are identified serially from Dam #1 located closest to downtown adjacent to the MBTA Dean station to #6 located furthest downstream, closest to Miller Street. Last year, Tighe and Bond, Inc. submitted a notice of intent for rehabilitation of dams #3 and #4 and the work has been completed. 

The Commission would like to draw the attention of the Town’s residents to the many protected natural areas in Town and the opportunities for passive recreation they enable:

• The DelCarte area has parking off of Pleasant Street, with walking trails through woodlands along a series of ponds;

• The Town Forest has good access points off of both Summer Street and Russet Hill Road with a network of walking trails thru woodlands and across Uncas Brook;

• There is a network of walking trails that cross Shepards Brook and go thru fields and woods behind Dacey Recreation Area off Lincoln Street;

• Indian Rock has good access off of both King Phillip Road and Lost Horse Trail with walking trails thru woodlands near two large vernal pools and to the top of historic Indian Rock;

• The Metacomet Land Trust owns several pieces of protected land, notably the walking trails off of Bridle Path and The Lady Bug Trail near JFK school;

• The Franklin State Forest is accessible off of Grove Street and Forge Hill Road and boasts an extensive network of walking and ORV trails;

• The SNETT trail goes all the way to Douglas. There is a Town parking lot off of Grove Street;

• The expansive marsh near Interstate 495 exit #17 is the US Army Corp of Engineers Natural Valley Flood Storage Project, preserved to protect against downstream flooding in the Charles River basin. That marsh is along Mine Brook, the largest stream in town, draining about half of Franklin, starting at the extreme south end of Franklin, passing underneath Washington Street, Beaver Street, 495, Grove Street, West Central Street, 495 again, Beech Street, and Pond Street before finally meeting the Charles River on the Medway border.

• Other significant streams in Franklin include Shepards Brook, Miller Brook, Uncas Brook and Bubbling Brook. Lake Populatic is part of the Charles River, the other navigable ponds in Franklin are Beaver Pond, Uncas Pond, and Spring (Green’s) Pond.

There are many other natural areas in Franklin waiting to be explored. 

Conservation Commission Members:
Regan Ballantyne - Chair
Ray Willis - Vice Chair
Andy Tolland
Monique Allen
Jon Fournier
Jeff Livingstone
Marc Depoto
Margaret Stolfa - Associate Member
Andrew Riordan - Associate Member 

Respectfully submitted, 

Regan Ballantyne, Chair

Please visit our website for additional information including application forms, and regularly posted Conservation Commission agendas and meeting minutes at www.franklin.ma.us.

The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2013report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

Franklin Matters: Year in Review - December 2013

And December, the last month of 2013 completes the year in review

The monthly summaries
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-matters-year-in-review-january.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-matters-year-in-review.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-matters-year-in-review-march.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-matters-year-in-review-april.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-matters-year-in-review-may-2013.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-matters-year-in-review-june.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-matters-year-in-review-july.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-matters-year-in-review-august.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-matters-year-in-review_30.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-matters-year-in-review-october.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-matters-year-in-review_31.html

Franklin Town Common

We had some fun playing with "Where in Franklin?"
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2007/11/where-in-franklin-summary.html

A visit to the DelCarte playground was captured with a short video
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/delcarte-playground-december-update.html

A brief video of the snow on the Town Common was timed nicely to capture the bells of St Mary's as they rang  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/snow-and-bells-of-st-marys-video.html

The fiscal policy that Franklin operates by is undergoing a review and possible update, the working draft can be found here  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-fiscal-policy-draft-update.html



If you like what you read here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like what you read here, please tell me!