Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sculpture Park in the snow

I extended my walk on Saturday to pay a visit to the Sculpture Park. The morning sun and the white snow would provide a nice setting for some good photos. The paths have not been cleared but the snow was hard enough to walk on top of so getting about was okay. The setting was really nice and the photos, well - you can tell me if they are good.

Split personality or two faced liar?
Split personality or two faced liar?

face side view
face side view

This is quite colorful in the snow
This is quite colorful in the snow


I know why he is raging. He wants to get out of the snow!
I know why he is raging. He wants to get out of the snow!


The bear's rage can be heard by the face!
The bear's rage can be heard by the face!

footsteps on the bridge
footsteps on the bridge


delicate wrought iron
delicate wrought iron

delicate wrought iron casting shadows
delicate wrought iron casting shadows

Oh, yes I can. Can you?
Oh, yes I can. Can you?

Where is the sculpture park?
On Panther Way just before you get to the Police Station and the Pirelli Ice Rink


Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Mar 5, 2014


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 15, 2014, January 22, 2014

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
Hillside Nurseries

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- Application for a new Wine and Malt Package Store license by Jay Gayatri, Inc., dba Old Gold Convenience

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

  • Auditors
  • Michael D’Angelo, Director of Facilities
  • Zoning Along Rt. 140


I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-09:Appropriation - Sewer – East Central Street Pump Station Study
2. Resolution 14-10:Confirmatory Order of Taking – Land off Cottontail Lane
3. Resolution 14-11:Appropriation – Legal – Other Contractual Services
4. Resolution 14-12:Appropriation – Human Resources – Medical Expenses
5. Resolution 14-13:Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations

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

Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building


The full set of documents as released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/03052014.pdf

Reminder: Public Meeting on Emmons St building - Mar 4


Friendly reminder: The public meeting to discuss the future uses of the Emmons St building, delayed due to a snowstorm in January, has been rescheduled for 7:00 PM Tuesday, March 4

Emmons St building
Emmons St building

Please see the flyer below for details and plan to provide your input at this important meeting. 


flyer for public meeting on future of Emmons St building
flyer for public meeting on future of Emmons St building





Cake Bar's Girl's Night Out at the Clarke Culinary Center


The Cake Bar's Girl's Night Out at the Clarke Culinary Center. Well, the Clarke Center itself is gorgeous.

Clake Center
Clake Center
Basically, the event offers multiple cupcake/cake decorating classes/demos including: decorating two cupcakes with fondant, hand painting cakes, and how to prepare a cake for decorating from start to finish.

In addition, there's a hands on floral arranging demonstration from Hillside Nurseries in Franklin, catering by Whole Foods, wine by Pour Richards Liquors, and 13 other fashion/beauty vendors with retail products to peruse.

Other vendors include:

  • Celedon Road
  • 31 bags
  • Scentsy
  • Origami owl jewelry
  • Pampered chef
  • Handbag vendor
  • Multiple jewelry vendors

Also, there will be access to massage therapists and reflexologists if interested. Tickets are $45.00 and need to be pre-purchased through the link provided below.

All the supplies, food, two glasses of wine, and classes are included in the price.

Girl's Night Out
Girl's Night Out

Additional information can be on Facebook, which also includes the link for tickets https://www.facebook.com/events/1464078827153374

The direct link for tickets - http://clarkeculinarycenter.com/class_turinese_girlsnightout.html

Come celebrate Franklin's birthday


The 80 residents whose birthdays fall on March 2 recently received invitations, sent by the town clerk’s office, for a special party at the Historical Museum. 
They are to be the guests of honor at a Sunday shindig celebrating their hometown’s 236th birthday. 
Everyone is invited to the party, though, which starts at 1 p.m. at the museum, 80 West Central St. 
Members of the Historical Commission have been cutting a cake for the town for the past three years, as a way to garner more attention and respect for its long history.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140302/NEWS/140309632/1994/NEWS 

Franklin Historical Museum
Franklin Historical Museum

You can also follow the Historical Museum on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038

or visit their webpage here http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/

"state regulations include a long list of security measures"



A tall fence equipped with motion sensors will encircle the massive building in Franklin where New England Treatment Access Inc. plans to grow its supply of medical cannabis. 
Twenty-four hours a day, six security guards will patrol the Forge Parkway premises, also monitored by infrared cameras. 
Employees will pass through a secure checkpoint before beginning the workday. And all of the leftover plant waste they dispose of is to be mixed with rock, wool and paper, then ground to a pulp, making it useless should anyone gain access to the Dumpsters. 
"It’s not just for keeping criminals out, but keeping the employees who work for us honest, as well," said the company's executive director Kevin Fisher of the site's layered security.
You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140302/NEWS/140309584


Related articles on the medical marijuana facility to be located in Forge Park
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/in-news-medical-marijuana-tri-county.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/02/heavenly-haze-and-grapefruit-diesel.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/live-reporting-medical-marijuana-zoning.html
(Note the Town Council did pass the overlay for medical marijuana zoning)


Saturday, March 1, 2014

April showers bring May runners to Franklin!

Ready to shake away those winter doldrums?

Get those running or walking shoes ready to go.

There are three weekends in May that you can run/walk or any combination that fits your schedule.

All three race/walks are fund raisers so you get to exercise and help a Franklin charity.
That sounds like a real winning deal!



Saturday, May 3 - 10:00 AM
The Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee will hold a fund raising 5K road race/walk
You can register for this race here  http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/race

Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee
Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee



Saturday, May 10 - 10:00 AM
The Franklin Elks will hold the "Elks Care Elks Share" Annual 5K Road Race & Walk
The Elks race will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and Wounded Warriors.
You can find information about the race on Facebook and register here
https://racewire.com/register.php?id=3650

elks care elks share
Franklin Elks Care Elks Share


Sunday, May 18 - 9:00 AM
HMEA will hold their 13th Annual Independence 5K/Walk
You can register to run or walk (two different registrations) here
http://www.hmea.org/Get-Involved/special-events/2014-independence-5k-walk/index

Horace Mann Education Association
Horace Mann Education Association

Franklin Named No. 2 Place for Homeownership in Massachusetts

After a string of Number 1 announcements, Franklin makes the Number 2 spot on this listing... still a worthy one!

NerdWallet, a consumer advocacy website, recently conducted a study to find the best places for homeownership in Massachusetts – and Franklin is in the top 10.

As renting becomes less affordable, NerdWallet wanted to give potential homebuyers a look at the current housing market. NerdWallet based its rankings on the following criteria:
  • Homeownership rate
  • Selected monthly homeowner costs
  • Monthly household income
  • Population growth

NerdWallet ranked Franklin as the second best place in Massachusetts for homeownership. The area has a homeownership rate of 79.3 percent, and median monthly homeowner costs are $2,366. Franklin grew by 2.4 percent between 2010 and 2012.

Other cities that made the top ten include Reading and Methuen. Read the full study online.
For more information about NerdWallet, visit www.nerdwallet.com.

In the News: Karen Purvis, unclaimed property, suspect held

Articles in today's issue of the Milford Daily News with connections to Franklin

When Karen Purvis received a phone call on Monday saying she would be going to the Oscars, she couldn’t believe it. 
"I was convinced it was some kind of prank," said Purvis, a Franklin mother of two. 
But it wasn’t a prank and Purvis will be on a flight early Saturday morning to be in Los Angeles in time for the Oscars on Sunday thanks to WCVB-TV and Oscar host Ellen DeGeneres, who sponsored the Facebook contest Purvis entered.
Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140301/NEWS/140309793/1994/NEWS


The State Treasurer's Office has released the latest tally of names added to the list of unclaimed property owners. 
More than 5,000 new properties in excess of $100 million combined are owed to individuals and businesses in the state, Treasurer Steven Grossman said in a press release Friday.
Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140228/NEWS/140226237/1994/NEWS

Go directly to the unclaimed property page www.findmassmoney.com


A Rhode Island man charged with attempted murder in connection with a November shooting is being held without bail following a judge’s ruling that he could pose a danger to the public. 
David Kennedy, was transported to Wrentham District Court last week from the Adult Correctional Institute in Cranston, R.I., where he had been held on unrelated charges.
Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140301/NEWS/140309796

Friday, February 28, 2014

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/28/14 - THU 3/6/14

FRI 2/28   10am   preK Art Class at Once Upon a Kiln, Bellingham. Registration required, $15.
FRI 2/28   10:30am   iStories for Kids, Franklin Public Library. Ages 3-6.
FRI 2/28   5pm-7pm   Teen Movie Night, Franklin Public Library. Teens only - Screening: The Mortal Instruments - City of Bones. Enjoy movie, popcorn, pizza and drinks.
FRI 2/28   6:30pm-8:30pm   Art Night Uncorked, Franklin Art Center.
FRI 2/28   7:30pm   Much Ado About Nothing Play, Dean College.


SAT 3/1   9am   Spring Baseball Clinic starts at Franklin High School.
SAT 3/1   1:30pm   Coffee & Craft for Adults (shamrock), Franklin Public Library.
SAT 3/1   6pm   Random Smile Project - 7th Annual Gala at RI Convention Center.
SAT 3/1   7:30pm   Much Ado About Nothing Play, Dean College.
SAT 3/1   8pm   Concert: Amy Black and Girls, Guns, and Glory, First Universalist Society Meetinghouse, Franklin, MA. $20

SUN 3/2   1pm  Mark Poniatowski Jazz for Kidz - FPAC Family Concert Series. Free event. 38 Main St., Franklin.
SUN 3/2   3:30pm   LiveARTS Concert: Boston Cello Quartet, Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society, Franklin, MA. For ticket info visit: www.liveartsfranklin.org
SUN 3/2   7:30pm   Much Ado About Nothing Play, Dean College.

TUE 3/4   7pm   Finance Committee Mtg., Franklin Municipal Bldg., Council Chambers, 2nd floor.
7pm  Public meeting on future of Emmons St Building, Franklin Municipal Bldg, 3rd Fl Training Room

WED 3/5   7pm   Town Council Mtg., Franklin Municipal Bldg., Council Chambers, 2nd floor.

THU 3/6   7:15pm   Conservation Commission Mtg., Franklin Municipal Bldg., Council Chambers, 2nd floor.

For more details on above events click HERE and select the event of interest.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com