Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Public Meeting tonight - FinCom budget hearing schedule

Tonight the meeting you should participate in is the public meeting on the future of the Emmons St building. This meeting had been scheduled for earlier in Feb and was canceled due to one of the snow storms.

Emmons St building
Emmons St building

The 7:00 PM meeting tonight will be held in the 3rd floor training room in the Municipal Bldg, 355 East Central St. The location usually means that the meeting will not be broadcast via local cable so participation in person would be required.

The Finance Committee would normally meet tonight. They are not meeting until next Tuesday, march 11 when they begin the budget hearing process for FY 2015. The current budget hear schedule looks like this:
Tuesday 3/11
Thursday 3/13
Thursday 3/20
Wednesday 3/26
Tuesday 4/1
Thursday 4/3
For the budget hearing, each department manager presents their budget needs and usually provides some good insights into how the department works and why the budget change is required.

Hockomock League Swimming All Stars

HockomockSports.com has published the Hockomock League All Star swimmers for both the boys and girls teams. Franklin was well represented on both teams.


Connor BourgeoisFranklin
Nathaneal HiddenFranklin
Chase ManningFranklin
Austin SholudkoFranklin

Molly BrownFranklin
Colleen ProulxFranklin
Leah ZogbyFranklin


The boys list can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/03/hockomock-league-boys-swimming-all-stars.html


The girls list can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/03/hockomock-league-girls-swimming-all-stars.html

Franklin High School  - home of the Panthers
Franklin High School  - home of the Panthers

A Great Excuse to Quit Early




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Knock off early!
  
On Friday, March 21st, we're quitting work early and hope you can too. Please come by to enjoy some basketball, have a drink, make a (re)connection... or all of the above! We're going to have fun and support the Franklin Food Pantry, because it's madness that donations should be so slow this time of year. Most needed item? Shaving supplies. Who knew? 
  
Home court: Murphy Business
Tip-off: 4:00pm
Ticket price: Can(s) of shaving cream
  
It's a steal, a lay-up... no, a slam dunk!
Let us know if you can join the fun and games. 
Thanks!
  
SHAVING CREAM IS GOOD. SHAVING POINTS IS BAD. KINDLY COMPLY.
___________________________________________________________________ 
Murphy Business
15 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038
508-440-5670


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"when I’m running it feels like my disability disappears"


Dick and Rick Hoyt, the father-son team that has competed in more than 1,100 marathons and triathlons, on Monday brought their message of determination in the face of overwhelming adversity to Annie Sullivan Middle School. 
"Yes you can," Dick Hoyt told nearly 500 middle-schoolers before he described how Rick, though bound to a wheelchair and unable to speak, has managed to graduate both high school and college and race in 31 Boston Marathons.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140304/NEWS/140309056


Monday, March 3, 2014

Franklin's Birthday Party (photo essay)

On March 2, 1778 Franklin came into being. It was incorporated as a town and remained a small town for many, many years. Then in the 1980's and 1990's the population growth hit great numbers. Entire farms disappeared into residential developments and the population has now settled around 30,000. Franklin operates as a city form of government but we still call ourselves "The Town of Franklin."

I missed Jamie Barrett who performed his special song "The City that calls itself the Town of Franklin". Last year, his performance was recorded and posted to YouTube




City or town, a birthday is a birthday and a cause for celebration!

birthday party sign outside the Museum
birthday party sign outside the Museum

Franklin Historical Museum
Franklin Historical Museum

Hat's off to Franklin
Hat's off to Franklin

recognition for those who share March 2 as their birthday
recognition for those who share March 2 as their birthday


Can you have a birthday without cake?
Can you have a birthday without cake?

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/


Next Sunday, March 9th - you can get up to three items appraised. Details can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/02/appraisal-day-mach-9.html


For additional music by Jamie, check out his Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Jamiebarrettmusic

or his YouTube channel  http://www.youtube.com/user/Geetarmann/featured


Carnival at the YMCA - Fri, Mar 14


FRIDAY, MARCH 14TH, 2014
6:30-8:00pm — Activities

Get the kids out of the house and take a break from your crazy schedule!
Join us at the Y for a FREE night of fun!
Hockomock YMCA
Hockomock YMCA


  • Face Painting
  • Carnival Games
  • Bounce House
  • Popcorn
  • and much more!

Contact Michelle Branche at michelleb@hockymca.org for more information.




No School Mar 5

The teachers have a professional development day and there is no school scheduled for this Wednesday, March 5th


Parmenter sign - no school March 5th
Parmenter sign - no school March 5th

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.