FRI 4/25 9am-11:30am DCR Healthy Heart Trail with Franklin YMCA
FRI 4/25 6:30pm Art Night Uncorked - Franklin Art Center
SAT 4/26 10am-2pm Prescription Drug Take-Back, Franklin PD
SAT 4/26 11am-2pm Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace Grand Opening Celebration
SAT 4/26 8pm Concert: Zoe Lewis with Heather Pierson, First Universalist Society Franklin
SUN 4/27 4pm-6pm Ice Skating Fundraiser for Relay For Life, Pirelli Arena in Franklin
MON 4/28 3:30pm iStories at Franklin Public Library
MON 4/28 7pm Planning Board Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building
MON 4/28 7pm Library Board Meeting, Franklin Public Library
TUE 4/29 7pm School Committee Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building
WED 4/30 4pm-8pm FSPA Open House
WED 4/30 6:30pm Estate Planning Basics Workshop, Tri-County RVTHS
WED 4/30 7pm Town Council Budget Hearings, Franklin Municipal Building
THU 5/1 8:30am Downtown Partnership Meeting, Dean College Campus Center
THU 5/1 7pm Town Council Budget Hearings, Franklin Municipal Building
NOTE: Earth Day Clean Up in Franklin is rescheduled to Saturday, May 3rd due to expected rain.
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
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Friday, April 25, 2014
Request for Expressions of Interest (REI)
The Town of Franklin is pleased to present this Request for Expressions of Interest (REI) for the future redevelopment of 150 Emmons Street, site of the former Municipal Building. The
Town-owned property consists of one (1) parcel totaling 34,795+/- square feet (0.7988+/- acres), located at one of the key gateways to Franklin Center and adjacent to Dean College. The Town has chosen to proceed with a REI at this time to solicit informal, yet serious proposals, subject to the process detailed herein, from qualified developers and other interested parties who wish to purchase or lease and redevelop the property.
The REI process is critical for a better understanding of existing market conditions, the formation of potential development options for the property, and the identification of community priorities. This process will provide the community with the information needed to ensure a meaningful and productive public process, which will lead to a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) in autumn of 2014. The Town has the following goal for the development of the 150 Emmons Street site:
Redevelopment of the site into a key gateway into Downtown Franklin, which will
maximize short-term and long-term benefits to the Town and its residents.
Each Expression of Interest must include a letter of interest and a project description/narrative. The letter of interest must be signed by the principals, describe the proponent’s interest in the property and the general intentions concerning the future use of the site. This letter shall also contain the nature and status of the organization acting as the proponent (whether a non-profit or charitable institution, a corporation, a business association, or a joint venture) and the jurisdiction in which it is registered to conduct business. The project description must include narrative that provides an overview of the proposal, the market niche the project intends to serve, the experience and qualifications of the development team, and the capabilities the developer can marshal to achieve project objectives. A description of expected financial benefits to the Town, both short-term and long-term, must be included in each Expression of Interest.
The Town offers you the opportunity to learn more about the site through participation in an
Information Session and Site Tour scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 10 a.m. The Town invites you to examine the information contained within this document, its attachments, and related reference documents that are available for review in the Department of Planning and
Community Development during normal business hours (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Wednesday - 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday - 8:00 AM to 1:00 P.M), or on the Town’s website (http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/150EmmonsREI).
The Town hopes to hear from individuals and organizations who will present compelling and
appropriate development proposals for the use of 150 Emmons Street. Please submit Expressions of Interest to the Department of Planning and Community Development by Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.
150 Emmons St - the building offered in this REI |
Bryan Taberner, AICP, Director
Department of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038
508-520-4907
Fax: 508-520-4906
btaberner@franklin.ma.us
Find the full document on the Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01D41B5F-000F8513
Franklin Recreation (@FranklinRec) replied to one of your Tweets!
oops, due to the weather forecast for Saturday the Earth Day activities have been rescheduled for next Saturday, May 3
@FranklinMatters @MattTotaMDN @YourFranklin Franklin Earth Day event for this weekend postponed till May 3, 9am-12pm - @FranklinRec
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Family programs, Small Press Fair, Martha's Vineyard Poets, and more!
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Thursday, April 24, 2014
Franklin Voices: Lawrence Benedetto - Chair, Citizens Committee
Greetings: Allow me to begin by introducing myself and explaining the purpose of this email. My name is Lawrence Benedetto and I Chair the Franklin Citizen's Committee. I am sending this independent of the Committee, although I may share its content at some later time. I obtained most of your email addresses as a result of your participation in the recent 150 Emmons Street hearing.
Although there may be disagreement in the desired disposition of 150 Emmons Street, I suggest we are all in agreement in doing whatever is best for the community at large. Further, I want to encourage your further participation in certain endeavors that are upcoming, several of which the Committee has been partner to or will likely take the lead on. As you may know, the Committee is appointed to and answerable to the Council. Our charge is to seek quality development that is aesthetically enhancing and financially beneficial to the community. Our composition is made up of three current Councilors, two former Councilors, a former State Representative and myself.
It is my belief that the more citizen participation we have the better the ultimate results. But, unless it is a hot-button issue, or a NIMBY matter, most Council meetings are unattended, press coverage is minimal, the citizenry is absent. One purpose of this email is to arouse interest; it is an opportune time, Franklin has potential to excel.
To this end, allow me to share with you past agenda and possible future agenda issues and some limited successes we, and the Council, have been able to provide:
1. Gateway initiative. Cook's Farm on the east entrance to Franklin and focus on the Davis Thayer site on our western end; recognition of, and compliments for the improvements and beautification of Dean's property adjacent to Davis Thayer. We all recognize and remember those places we see that have "a pretty downtown" or "attractive village". Although things are improving, it was not too long ago the Boston Globe characterized downtown Franklin as "seedy". Certainly the train station fills that billing.
2. Train Station roofing and painting. We have worked two years to achieve the small improvements that have been made. I cannot tell you how many hours have been spent in that endeavor. THERE IS A MEETING ON MONDAY, 28 April at 0800, WITH THE T TO SEEK ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE ON BOTH FRANKLIN STATIONS. FRANKLIN ONCE HAD A PICTURE-POSTCARD TRAIN STATION, WE WANT THAT AGAIN. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION. Details available at the Town Administrator's office.
3. The town has a substantial investment at Chilson Beach and at the synthetic soccer field there. The cleaning up of the former dump site (now recycle center) and improvements are commendable. The next objective is the acquisition of the land between the center and I-495 so that the town can expand our recycling efforts as well as any future green initiatives that may arise. The town is now in the process of meeting with the state to arrive at a mutual agreement. AGAIN, YOUR VOICE AND SUPPORT IS WELCOMED IN THIS IMPORTANT TASK.
4. Franklin's composition of taxable property is 80% residential; 2% commercial according to information offered at one of our meetings. When we have children to educate, seniors to provide for, and significant municipal obligations, it is imperative that our tax base be expanded and to this end our position is "quality development that enhances our community aesthetically and financially", as alluded to above.
5. Our position on 150 Emmons Street was to return it to the tax rolls, eliminate an expensive blighted building, create a development complimentary to the town and college and use the proceeds for a permanent home for the Recreation Department on town property either at Chilson Beach or Wachusett Street (Verna property). Last year the Recreation Department served approximately 5700 children of the community; 4700 of which were athletic programs, the remaining services were in child care, music and the arts. Our children and our seniors need to continue to be a priority and sound business decisions will allow for that.
6. The proposed addition to the library and an historical enhancement/improvement of the Brick School are future agenda issues that I am confident will be forwarded and supported by the Committee. Thankfully, the library appears to be moving along; the Brick School is another matter.
7. We have reviewed certain permitting and zoning issues as well as soliciting the input from the Planning Board and Zoning Board (regular attendees) to allow Franklin to compete with its neighbors for desirable projects. We have considered proposing a by-law for "unkempt property" and withdrew it to allow for additional research and consideration. It is likely to appear again.
8. The town's history of maintaining its property, although somewhat better of late, is abysmal, to be kind. The destruction of a 41 year old high school, the condition of 150 Emmons Street, the weed infested downtown and major roadways in the summertime, the lack of maintenance on the Union Street project (one million dollars, plus), are a few of the topics we have discussed and will revisit this year. The logic of creating a public beach and soccer facility across the street from a poorly maintained municipal dump was perplexing, to say the least!
9. The development of a performing arts facility in the central business district (cbd) is certainly welcomed. There is much discussion about the anticipated road construction that is upcoming. The Committee has raised the issue, and sent forward, suggestions that it is an opportune time to approach Rockland Trust, the largest landowner in the cbd, for consideration of a public-private endeavor, which should include parking for the downtown businesses as well as arts center and general rehabilitation/reconfiguring of the area. IMPORTANT!
10. The Downtown Partnership has done a good job in past years planting flowers and trying to enhance the cbd. I cannot emphasize too strongly how simple flower boxes and landscaping, along with regular maintenance of trees and weed control, can positively impact a community's appearance and reputation. The town needs to do more in this regard in partnership with the business community. In closing, the above represents some of the work we have done, in partnership with the Council, Town Administrator and staff and community supporters. Obviously, much more needs to be done.
Franklin, recently designated as "the safest small city in America" has tremendous potential and resources. We all need to step up and exploit the possibilities. I urge you, and your organizations, to join us, or participate in any way you are able, to make our community a better place for all. Emmons Street is but one issue among the many issues the community faces. Best regards, Larry Benedetto.
Earth Day - May 3 (video)
Note: received an update via Twitter that the Earth Day has been rescheduled to Sat May 3
For more information on Franklin's Earth Day
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/celebrate-earth-day-apr-26.html
Earth Day 2014 |
For more information on Earth Day around the world, visit this page http://www.earthday.org/
Blood Drive - Jun 7
Please join us for a Blood Drive
Saturday, June 7, 20149:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Franklin United Methodist Church82 West Central StreetFranklin, MA 02038
positive id required
Boston Children's Hospital - Blood Donor Center |
This Blood Drive is in honor of Oak Street Elementary Student Noah Smith
To make an appointment please log onto halfpints.childrenshospital.org
Sponsor code for this drive is FRMETHCH or call Susan Touhey at 508-404-6914
Franklin Fire: Emergency Medical Services - Transport Profile
During the Apr 16 Town Council meeting, Fire Chief Gary McCarragher gave a presentation on the ambulance service with a bunch of good info on response rates, the nature of the ambulance calls, where the patients are transported to, etc.
My live reported notes for the presentation can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/live-reporting-ambulance-presentation.html
The presentation used is shown here:
The full set of notes from the Town Council meeting on April 16 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/what-about-bens-books.html
The notes for all the meetings attended and reported on going back to 2008 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html
Franklin Fire Dept |
My live reported notes for the presentation can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/live-reporting-ambulance-presentation.html
The presentation used is shown here:
The full set of notes from the Town Council meeting on April 16 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/what-about-bens-books.html
The notes for all the meetings attended and reported on going back to 2008 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html
Franklin Library: Wally the Green Monster
Wally the Green Monster makes an appearance at the Franklin Library Thursday morning, Apr 24 at 10:30 AM
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/04/wally-green-monster.html
Wally the Green Monster |
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/04/wally-green-monster.html
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Franklin Letter Carriers Help Franklin Food Pantry Stamp Out Hunger in Community Food Drive on May 10
On Saturday, May 10, Franklin letter carriers will help the Franklin Food Pantry Stamp Out Hunger when the carriers pick up food donations from town residents at their mailboxes and deliver them to the Franklin Food Pantry.
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is a nationwide effort organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) that provides food to local food banks and pantries that would otherwise be faced with depleted stocks during the summer months. The food drive is the nation’s largest single-day drive, collecting 74.4 million pounds of food last year and 1.3 billion since its inception 22 years ago.
Stamp Out Hunger - May 10 |
“Stamp Out Hunger is an opportunity for the Franklin letter carriers to help people in need who live in our own backyard,” says Rich Maloney, Franklin member of NALC. “It is a truly moving experience when you see our fleet of mail trucks arrive at the Food Pantry with bags of food donations from the community. Last year we collected and delivered four thousand pounds of food that helped feed area families in need. With the help of our community, we hope to collect even more food this year.”
The Franklin Food Pantry is experiencing an increased need for its services which mirrors trends seen nationally and throughout Massachusetts. “We have seen a 43 percent increase in families returning weekly for bread and produce during the last year,” says Erin Lynch, director of development for the Franklin Food Pantry. “With more than 600 local households unable to afford three meals a day, the number of pounds of provisions we distributed increased by 30 percent.”
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive comes at an ideal time for the Pantry. “We receive tremendous support from the community during the November/December holiday season,” says Lynch. “But donations slow down after the first of the year, and by springtime, our inventory becomes very low. We do not have enough food to help the hundreds of families who are counting on us for supplemental food assistance. Thanks to the Franklin letter carriers, and the generosity of town residents, this food drive allows us to replenish our inventory in preparation for the summer season.”
Franklin residents can help out with the food drive by leaving a bag of non-perishable food where their letter carrier normally delivers their mail on Saturday, May 10. Letter carriers will then pick up the bags during their normal mail rounds and will deliver the food to the Franklin Food Pantry. Residents can also drop off their donations at the Pantry from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 10, or during the Pantry’s regular business hours, Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Pantry is located at 43 West Central Street, Route 140.
While all non-perishable food donations are welcome, items that are currently most needed at the Pantry include:
- Canned tomato products
- Canned fruit
- Canned ravioli
- Tuna (white in water)
- Cereal
- Olive and/or canola oil
- Dry spices and herbs (parsley, garlic powder, basil, cinnamon, etc.)
- Vinegar
- Gluten free products
The Pantry is also in need of the following non-food items:
- Deodorant
- Dish Soap
- All-purpose cleaners
- Baby diapers/wipes
For more information on the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, visit www.helpstampouthunger.com.
Established in 1987, the mission of the Franklin Food Pantry is to provide immediate hunger relief and healthy sustainable solutions, by empowering the community through resources, education and collaboration. It is part of the Greater Boston Food Bank network and depends entirely on support and donations from volunteers, corporate partners and the community at large.
Franklin Food Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry is located at 43 West Central Street, Route 140 and can accept donations during business hours, Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Non-perishables may also be dropped off after hours in the bin by the front door, or monetary donations may be mailed to Franklin Food Pantry, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038. For more information, visit franklinfoodpantry.org, like the Pantry’s Facebook page, or call 508-528-3115. The Franklin Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization FEIN # 04-3272663.
ROCK AND ROLL AND LAND PRESERVATION: How WBCN Radio Helped Save the Blackstone Gorge
Former WBCN Radio disk jockey Carter Alan, now Music Director at WZLX, will speak on Thursday, May 15th at the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, sponsored by Metacomet Land Trust. Carter will speak about the impact WBCN had on the culture of the time. Carter will share stories from his book, Radio Free Boston: The Rise and Fall of WBCN.
Metacomet is a nonprofit conservation organization based in Franklin, and now active in 13 communities in south central Massachusetts from Norfolk to Douglas. The trust will hold its annual membership meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. and the free program will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The connection between the local conservation group and the rock music scene of Boston dates to 1992, when a unique and untouched stretch of the Blackstone River on the border between Massachusetts and Rhode Island was at risk of development. Would it be sold for development or could it be saved?
An unusual grassroots campaign by Metacomet took to the airwaves of Boston’s leading rock radio station, WBCN. In less than a year, the needed funds were raised and this special place was preserved as a bi-state public park. How did it happen? Come hear the story of how a small group of local conservationists enlisted the support of the on-air personalities at WBCN and helped save the land.
Tom Bik, of Blackstone, who has been active in the conservation group since its founding in 1988, said “WBCN was instrumental in getting our message out to save the Blackstone Gorge. The Gorge is a unique place, still untouched by human hands.” Blaring the Cream anthem “I Feel Free,” WBCN went on the air in March 1968 as an experiment in free-form rock on the fledgling FM radio band. It broadcast its final song, Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” in August 2009.
In between, WBCN became the musical, cultural, and political voice of the young people of Boston and New England, sustaining a vibrant local music scene that launched such artists as the J. Geils Band, Aerosmith, James Taylor, Boston, the Cars, and the Dropkick Murphys, as well as paving the way for Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, U2, and many others. Along the way, WBCN both pioneered and defined progressive rock radio, the dominant format for a generation of listeners.
Carter was a DJ at WBCN for nineteen years and is the author of U2, Outside Is America, and Life on the Road. In Radio Free Boston, Carter tells story of a city; of artistic freedom, of music and politics and identity; and of the cultural, technological, and financial forces that killed rock radio.
Carter will answer questions at the end of his talk. Copies of Radio Free Boston will be available for purchase at the event and he will sign copies.
ROCK AND ROLL AND LAND PRESERVATION |
Find out more about the Metacomet Land Trust by visiting their updated webpage
http://www.metacometlandtrust.org/index.htm
or visit them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Metacomet-Land-Trust/233206973376705
Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting Agenda - May 1
Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting Agenda
Thursday, May 1, 2014, 8:30 a.m.
Dean College Campus Center
Golder Room
II. Adoption of Agenda
III. Introductions
Franklin Downtown Partnership |
IV. Town Update -- Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator
a. Streetscape
i. Construction schedule update
ii. Introduce Maxine Kinhart
iii. Communications logistics
iv. Update on island design and plantings
b. Emmons Street project
i. Next steps
ii. Updates on possible state funding options
c. Other town updates
V. Report from Executive Director
a. Brochure/Map project
b. FDP Event Calendar -- review (handout)
c. Membership/Sponsorship
d. Steering Committee for Emmons Street project
e. "Adopt a Block" -- Devin Gray
VI. Strawberry Stroll Committee -- Nicole, Jane, Bryan
VII. Networking Luncheon -- Joel Carrara
VIII. Beautification Committee -- Eileen Mason
IX. New Business
Ladybug Project -- Franklin Cultural Committee
X. Adjourn
Beautification Day: May 17th
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day - Apr 26
Franklin will participate in the eighth Prescription Drug Take-Back Day held Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Franklin Police Station is one of the many sites participating in this effort.
For additional information on the "Take Back Your Meds" program, you can visit the webpage here
http://www.takebackyourmeds.org/
It's a great time to clean out your medicine cabinet! Protect our kids, families and environment by properly disposing of your unwanted and expired medicines. Medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning and flushed or trashed medicines can end up polluting our waters. Rates of prescription drug abuse are alarmingly high - over half of teens abusing medicines get them from a family member or friend, including the home medicine cabinet, and often without their knowledge.
Take Back Your Meds |
The Franklin Police Station is one of the many sites participating in this effort.
Franklin Police Station (Mar 2014 in snow) |
For additional information on the "Take Back Your Meds" program, you can visit the webpage here
http://www.takebackyourmeds.org/
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