Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Walk for Hunger - Sunday, May 4


Project Bread will hold its 46th Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 4.

More than 40,000 people are expected for the 20-mile walk, which raises more than $3.5 million to fight hunger in Massachusetts.

The route weaves through Boston, Brookline, Newton, Watertow, and Cambridge, and includes entertainment and free snacks.

Registration is now open at www.projectbread.org/walk, or call 617-723-5000 for more information.

project bread's Walk for Hunger
project bread's Walk for Hunger

Ladies Night Out - Thursday, March 6




LNO* at Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits!

Thursday, March 6 6:30-8:30 PM

Introducing the cuisine of Twelve Fine Food and Spirits, opening soon just over the Bellingham line!

Featuring the cocktail creations of Fair Spirits: gluten-free, quinoa-based, organic Fair-Trade certified vodka and liqueurs.

Also Featuring Painted Lady Flower Farm, an organic flower farm located right here in Franklin. They will be selling CSA-style flower shares.

As always, Pour Richard's will be pouring samples of delicious wine.
C'mon, what were you going to do Thursday night? (And doesn't this sound like more fun?)

14 Grove Street in Franklin-see you there!



                           

"town has bigger issues on its plate"

The Milford Daily News reported on the public meeting Tuesday writing in part:
Residents on Tuesday saw several conceptual designs for the redevelopment of the former town hall, including detailed proposals with parks, cafés, offices, retail shops and performance spaces.

More than 50 people attended the workshop on what exactly should happen to the less than 1-acre piece of land at 150 Emmons St., considered by town officials to be an "important gateway" to the downtown.

Hoping to come away with ideas that will drive their decisions for the space, Town Councilors also sat in on the nearly two-hour meeting.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140305/NEWS/140308512/1994/NEWS


For my reporting on the meeting you can find that here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-emmons-st-public-meeting.html

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Live reporting - Emmons St public meeting

Jeff Nutting opens with an overview of the evening, some conceptual drawings to be presented a couple of minutes each, followed by general discussion

photos of some of the design proposals from Allevato interns

Meghan's first up to describe her concept

Nick Testa's conceptual drawing
a park with Horace Mann theme, open to multiple 
Andrew Javier presenting for Juan who couldn't make it tonight
food stands, food trucks, and farmers market space

Corinne Javier presenting along with Andrew

mixed use retail or offices, with park space, terraced for performance space

Axel and David collaborated on this
a gravity well soaking everything in, build on this concept of urban fabric, the park as a gateway, a gem
mom and pop deli or intranet cafe

UMass Student coudn't be here tonight
UMass student couldn't be here tonight

The sale price would be dependent upon the use of the land and possible building. Lease option could also be considered.

The park would depend upon how much space would be used for it vs. the remainder of the lot, placement of the building, etc.

* Lisa Piana, Downtown Partnership Executive Director, presenting goals collected from the partnership members

  • enhance downtown center and support the downtown businesses
  • gateway property
  • encourage foot traffic and avoid traffic issues
  • safety of the area

Dean College students already cross in many spots in that area
Thanks to the Economic Development Committee for involving us in the planning process
We are happy to continue to work on this important piece of the downtown

* Paul Cheli, member of the Citizens Committee
important Recreation Dept already located in this space, need to maximize the revenue from the property to enhance what the Rec Dept does

  1. up front money to relocate the Rec Dept
  2. ongoing revenue of more than $20K per year
  3. reputation of the developer

If there is a desire for a park, there is a longer list of waiting for senior housing before

* Brian Kelly, Facilities Director for Dean College
highly interested in working with the town on development of the space
While economic growth is critical, folks will pay more for space closer to home that is green space and recreation
parks revived demand for neighboring office space in NYC according to a study quoted
organized events at the parks generate other revenues for neighboring businesses
where the sense of community is strong, the crime rates are down
it is not for the Dean students, this is for Franklin

* Sue Sheridan, representing the Franklin Art Association
agree that this property should be for community use, should not be just retail space
looking for space all over to get space to hold their art shows, forced to go to the library in Bellingham for their recent show
pursuing a cultural district designation, should be a cultural space, public performance space
perhaps even an art museum, get a 501(c)(3) org to leverage grants from the State to explore this

* AK Bistro owner
where is everybody going to park? you have to put the infrastructure in place before people can gather
there is a retail space next to us that is hard to fill because they are worried about parking
there needs to be more space for people to gather

* Jeff Roy, State Representative for Franklin and Medway
delighted to see that the proposals included a status of Horace Mann
since we are his birthplace, it is a shame that we don't have a fitting memorial place to recognize him
The FSPA are going to bring a live theater into that area
green space does have a way to bring people
the proposals are great ways to use this space
we are the home of the birthplace of the father of education

*Jim Schultz, member of the partnership
founded and based upon culture, arts, books, etc.
lesson from Lehigh Valley after the steel mills left, provide space where art and farmers can sell their wares
in all cases, the spaces are filled on the weekends
don't look short term on the sale proceeds, look long term to preserve art and culture

* (add name)
affordable care act, folks are utilizing the ER for their care
there is space downstairs could be used as a free clinic
a big supporter of what they want but also what they need, medical services, free legal services
not for selling it outright

*Debbie Pellegri, Town Clerk
it was the Horace Mann High School at one point and torn down
it needs to be a better building, a better design
I see too many brick buildings
we would love to see some green space
we have been talking about this for years, where we could put the status for Horace Mann
garden, gateway, welcome to Franklin
keep or sell, developer would be willing to work with us

* Tina Guarnio, retired art teacher
kids love art, they need a place to shine
having an area in this spot would be wonderful for the kids as well as the adults involved in the arts

* Gary Carrentino (?)
a triangle park in downtown Providence
weekend, farmers market, kids crafts,
Weds and Sat, look at it and see and bring it back here

* Bob Brown, resident
I see a parking garage in there, it wouldn't be any uglier than what is already there
the box theater would be looking for parking
parking in downtown gets people there
it could be a revenue generator

* Judy Pfeffer, Town Council
where does anyone think we are going to find a million dollars to put a park
a children's park on that corner is the worse space
it is a money thing, we don't have the capability to take this off the tax rolls

* AK Bistro owner clarify position
parking is needed,the geography is what it is, teach people that you can walk from one side to another
if you provide the resources to actually come downtown, there will be an incentive for businesses to come
there is a retraining that needs to happen

* Brian Kelly, again
evidence shows it brings revenue to town, it might not be much right now but it will be there forever

* Pandora Carlucci,
thanks for inviting the participation, I never thought about having the clinic and coupling the needs of the Food Pantry
think about who we are, we have before us an opportunity to consider what we want
it is a complicated decision
I drive by this site everyday, sometimes multiple times a day
we are very fortunate to be able to make this decision, we have time to make the decision
thank you for including Horace Mann

* Joel D'Errico, resident
 would like to touch on what Cheli mentioned to see if it could be kept in the municipal use
we have the need for retired senior housing, housing authority would control folks that live there
it would increase the foot traffic downtown

* Jeff Nutting
outside engineering evaluation on the road conditions, approx 45-50 million needed to bring the roads to currency; the council will put on for consideration, a debt override to put money to the roads and sidewalks
some years we can give money for roads, some years we can't
would people support a dedicated override, not a regular override, but dedicated to this purpose, a provision added later

* Cheli
45-50 M is a conservative answer

*Nutting
Davis Thayer may be closed in a couple of year given the student population decline

* Andy Bissanti, Town Council
what would you perceive of the timing and construction for the project?

* Calareese
would be dictated by the RFP,
it is important that the curb cuts get integrated prior to the project to get done

* Glenn Jones, Town Council
thanks for coming out tonight for sharing your ideas

* Nutting
any money from the sale of this building could be used for any other project that would be a similar asset
$20-30,000/space estimated for above ground parking garage

* Beth Dahlstrom, Town Planner
could the town use CPA funds?

* Nutting
explains the Community Preservation Act, there is a lot of communities that have joined
the real estate market isn't what it was, it failed at the ballot box before
it would be a tough issue to balance

* Rae Lynn Mercer, FSPA Director
opening the Black Box at 15 W Central St
currently responsible for a lot of traffic downtown
thrilled that the project has come full circle to come downtown
I hope that this decision is dealt with carefully and with the big picture
we happen to have a beautiful Town Common but it is not downtown
the economic impact of art and entertainment needs to be considered as the gateway
our theater with Artistry Kitchen could help to transform Franklin
we need to be careful about the big picture
focus on culture and gathering space


meeting closed


The documents that were handed out that night were shared online later and can be found here

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




Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

 
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.

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