Franklin TV - Rain Garden Training

Hi Steve,

Just wanted to pass along a Franklin TV program schedule (see below).

I went to this training session, and learned a lot about rain gardens and how they can help us maintain our water supply by reducing the amount of runoff (from a roof, parking lot, and other impervious surface) that is lost to a storm drain or evaporation.  It was a good program, and ended with the group installing a rain garden designed to catch the runoff from the roof of the DPW building on Fisher Street.

rain garden at Parmenter School

From: Kate Sjoberg [mailto:ksjoberg@franklin.ma.us]
Subject: Franklin TV - Rain Garden Training

Good morning,

Franklin TV will be airing the Rain Garden Training today at 7pm, Thursday at 1pm and Friday at 11am.  Check it out!!  This is a great opportunity to spread the word to your Franklin friends and neighbors.  

Enjoy the training on Franklin TV!

Kate

___________________________________

Kate Sjoberg

GIS Manager

Town of Franklin, DPW

257 Fisher Street

Franklin MA 02038

508.553.5500

-------------------------------------------------------

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Related posts
 Name that rain garden project announced
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/name-that-rain-garden-project.html

Workshop on how to build a rain garden announced
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/workshop-on-how-to-build-rain-garden.html

Davis Thayer - items of interest

The Art Show and Grade 5 Concert at Davis Thayer is today.

On June 9th, the Grades 3-4 Concert will be held
On June 11th, the K-2 Field Day is scheduled

Live reporting: Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
RT 140 is almost complete, last time you may recall I had heard from the State that it was on their radar but lacking funding, three days after the letter, they started the work

a letter thanking the Fire Dept for their work, saving a life

Concerts on Commons beginning July 9th

Grand opening of the DelCarte this evening
thanks to the Council for funding and supporting the work
the playground committee and a host of others
dedicated to Nick Alfieri


L. OLD BUSINESS
Bissanti - exploring land swap by recycling center
Nutting - still under exploration


M. NEW BUSINESS
Kelly - circle bylaw and the special permit criteria
want to chat about the both of them in the future, would like to see them and figure out how to proceed

Bissanti - exploring a viable Zone 6 for multi-family
Nutting - already in the works, they have to write a draft to bring it forward

Vallee - FSPA will have a performance on Jun 18th before leaving on their tour of Europe

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

Padula - at time of graduation, need to reflect on the impact of the schools upon our lives
Senior Jerry Leone had passed, wrote about 40 years ago
coaches make a difference
thank you Coach for making a difference!
Congratulations to all the kids graduating!

Feldman - Community Blood Drive - Jun 7th to support Noah Smith

Mercer - into last 8 weeks of building constructions, substantial completion July 28th
continue to be on schedule, on budget
when is the demolition to start, 2nd week of July will begin abatement of asbestos
field house and wing near with start between the 15th and 18th of July
will put together another tour for the Council end of June/beginning of July

Williams - just passed Memorial Day, coming upon on 4th of July
June 6th is the 60th anniversary
thanks for your service

Kelly- thanks to Brutus and his staff for the Town Common and how well it looks
DelCarte looks great, to think some folks were objecting to fixing dams but it looks great

Can we say anything about the manhole covers sticking up and blowing tires
Down will take a year, how many tires will be blown then?

Pfeffer - thanks it is great to have a plaque to recognize Nick
$500 sponsorship for a ladybug, part of the 4th of July celebration and on display all over the town
thanks to Joe Halligan for use of the car

Jones - I am happy that the dedication went to Nick, my kids refer to it as the 'tree park'
thanks for all who helped put on the Memorial Day parade
to Brian and the Planning Development Dept, thanks for the platinum rating for biodevelopment

Bissanti - I am proud to be part of this Council, we hit our six month mark here
we still need help in the public relation dept
we are not media hounds, but when I read the Milford Daily News I don't see much about Franklin

Strawberry Stroll - June 12th at 4:00 PM


P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0


The full set of documents released for this meeting can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050714.pdf

Live reporting: Legislation

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-37: Authorization for Planning and Design Costs for Library Reconstruction/Addition

Nutting the initial funding would be to support a project manager and an architect to come back in a year or so with some more detailed plans and dollars required. Even with the expansion we would still be the 2nd smallest library in the comparable communities.

We will pay for this within the general fund debt. The recreation fields, the fire station, senior center, etc were all funded within this plan. We are coming into a capacity cycle where we can utilize this funding for the library.

Motion to approve $1M
seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

2. Resolution 14-38: Appropriation – Town Administration: Zoning Board of Appeals
effectively an end of year transfer to balance the books
motion to approve $500 from free cash, seconded, passed 9-0 


3. Resolution 14-39: Appropriation – Town Administration: Street Lights
also an end of year transfer to balance the books
paying for the repairs for the street lights, the electrical charges are covered appropriately

Q - do we have plan for conversion to LED for street lights?
A - not yet, the cost hasn't come down enough for a payback
Also there was no tariff for the LEDs at a reduced rate
We were the first town to buy our own street lights from National Grid as they were making a boatload of money on them, We have saved big time by owning our own. Street lights don't last, we go through about 20-25% per year

motion to approve $10,000 from free cash, seconded, passed 9-0 


4. Resolution 14-40: Appropriation – Town Administration: Legal Expenses
amount requested is $10,000 from free cash
also an end of year transfer to balance the books
as a result of ongoing collective bargaining issues, the legal bills continue to mount

motion to approve $10,000 from free cash, seconded, passed 9-0 

5. Resolution 14-41: Appropriation – Snow and Ice
amount requested $280,000
motion to approve $280,000 from free cash, seconded, passed 9-0 

6. Resolution 14-42: Appropriation – Town Administration: Comptroller
training to cover a 42 year service employee leaving
motion to approve $1,000 from free cash, seconded, passed 9-0 


7. Resolution 14-44: Acceptance of Gift – Town of Franklin
From Franklin TV for video equipment for the new studio at the new FHS
amended to state as Building Committee, passed 9-0
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 

8. Resolution 14-45: Dedicated Proposition 2-1/2 Override Ballot Question for Stabilization Fund for Roadway, Sidewalk, and Related Drainage

The text for the override can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/resolution-14-45-dedicated-override-to.html

minor amendment to text with change of 2016 to 2015
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

basically $1M a mile to reconstruct a road
presentation to be added later

this is one piece of the funding puzzle
contingent upon Chap 90 funding
contingent upon Council continuing to fund the water line replacement program every 5 years
a big band aid but not the total solution

our main roads are in good share except for Pleasant St, the subdivisions are in danger of imploding

Cantorregi - "I'm picking up the pieces of poorly executed roadways from the building booms earlier"

Bissanti - I will support this going to the voters
Nutting - we have the lowest tax rate around
Bissanti - the amount of service we get for the tax rate we pay is great

Pfeffer - question on what would happen if Council voted not to use the money?
Nutting - I would take from that that you can't use it, it would sit

Pfeffer - would you need additional employees?
Cantorregi - it is too early to tell, it may be part time or seasonal inspectors to ensure that the work is done

Feldman - Any other funding options?
Cantorregi - every town is looking for funding, the Legislature has funded a good amount, the Governor has not released it, so we are at their mercy

Nutting - this makes the most sense in terms of planning and pricing, cheaper option than funding this via debt. It is the people's option to make their choice. The roads are going to get fixed without money.

Cantorregi - a mix of preventive maintenance, road repairs, and sidewalk repairs/maintenance
Nutting - part of it is art and part is science, the five year plan is in your packet

Vallee - What is the status with Lincoln St?
Cantorregi - some small stuff might be done before the 4th of July, we do want to do it after school is out

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 


9. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728-R: Industrial to Single-Family III - 2nd Reading
changes a small group of homes, has been discussed previously
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732: Amendment to the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Section
21. Parking, Loading, and driveway requirements - 2nd Reading
changes sight distance requirement of 400', to MA distance standard, based upon uniform traffic rather than a set amount; and streamlines the process to have the Planning Board handle it rather than the ZBA

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call


11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-733: Zoning Map changes from Commercial I to Downtown Commercial District in an Area on or Near Alpine Row - 2nd Reading
based upon Master Plan recommendation, five parcels on Alpine Pl, as well as the zoning workshop
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-1 via roll call (Bissanti the only 'no')


12. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-734: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Josephine Street - 2nd Reading
changes a hand full of locations from industrial to residential, should have been done years ago, it is not buildable land
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

13. Bylaw Amendment 14-737: Amendment to Sewer System Map – 1st Reading
Bissanti recuses himself
36 Pinehurst St extension; had failed septic system, no opportunity to rebuild according to inspector, no extension beyond this lot

motion to pass to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0

Live reporting: Cultural Council presentation

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Allan Mercer – Cultural District

Last fall during the visit with Anita Walker, Executive Director of MA Cultural Council had mentioned this would be a good opportunity to become a cultural district.

Attract business and tourists...
steering committee formed in March
continuing to work on application
identified 40 organizations to be stakeholders, likely more to be added

will look to form a 501(c)3
will be looking to fund raise
there is no connection between this group and the campaign around the Emmons St building

instead of a single organization like FSPA, there is power with the greater numbers

2015 envisioned a week long celebration of the arts to be held downtown
there is a lot of work left to do
here tonight to inform you and to ask of your assistance as we go forward

Bissanti - I appluad you for taking this forward
Jones - I think this is a great idea, a no-brainer. Are there additional benefits offered by the State?

Mercer - initially no, but once we are operating and running programs, there are additional funding available for programs.

Kelly - I'd love to see this happen. I would also like to see the district expand, there are lots of old houses that might be able to take advantage of this

Live reporting: Town Council - June 4

Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams
Absent: none


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– March 19, 2014
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

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
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
none

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
– Super HK, LLC d/b/a Maguro House
had been prohibited by landlord from having a license in 2009, did get bear/wine license in 2010 looking to get full alcohol license
motion to approve, passed 9-0

Easy Walks in Franklin - Beaver Pond (Chilson Beach)

We are fortunate to be able to share a few excerpts from "Easy Walks in Massachusetts: Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Milford, Millis, Uxbridge, Wrentham, and Woonsocket, RI" recently published by Marjorie Turner Hollman.

Beaver Pond (Chilson Beach)

Notable: Look for signs of beaver and migrating waterfowl.

Trail Map: Not available presently.

GPS Coordinates: 42°4'57.39"N, 71°25'5.38"W

Directions: Rt. 495 exit 17, Franklin Rt. 140, travel toward Franklin Center on Rt. 140 for .75 mile. At stop light, turn right on Beaver St. just past Akin Back Farm. Beaver Pond is .5 mile down on left, just before the 495 overpass.

Cost: Chilson Beach pass for Memorial Day to Labor Day, for Franklin residents only, $75.

Bathrooms: Summer only.

Best time to visit: For Franklin residents only during the summer; swimming and boating. Year-round for hiking, no residential restrictions before Memorial Day and after Labor Day.

Trail conditions: Unimproved, wide dirt track.

Distance: .25 mile.

handy guide

The sounds of Rt. 495 are inescapable, but Beaver Pond still offers a nice, easy walk and plenty of parking. Also called Chilson Beach, the pond area posts lifeguards in the summer, offers swimming and ball fields, but beyond the beach area on the left (the east side of the pond, away from Rt. 495) there is a trail that follows the edge of the pond. 

The trail intersects Beaver Pond and a marsh area, which lies on the other side of the trail. Lots of opportunity for birding. The trail dead-ends in a water department access road. There is no public access in or out of this road. 

About three-fourths of the way to the end of the trail, another trail branches off to the left along the edges of the marsh—follow it around the marsh edge to see multiple signs of beaver, appropriate for a recreation area on Beaver St.! Parts of the trail are somewhat obstructed by beaver activity, but still fun to explore with children, who may discover the tell-tale signs of beaver’s presence.

You can obtain your own copy of this book via this Amazon link

Is your email shielded from snooping?

Are your emails safe? Last week, thousands of Take Action members joined us and many other groups in pressing for real surveillance reform in the USA FREEDOM Act. But whether or not Congress pulls through, there are things you should know about keeping your emails safe and secure. An email actually goes through a lot of steps between when you hit "Send" and when it lands in the recipient's inbox. Your message is secure only if both the sender's and recipient's email providers encrypt them in transit. We've put together a page that details how this kind of encryption works, and which email providers support it. Take a look, and see how your provider, and those of your friends, performs. Educate your friends about email security. Share this: Gmail has supported encryption in transit since 2010. But 50% of the email sent from other providers to Gmail users and 35% of the email sent from Gmail users to other providers is not encrypted in transit. That's why we're working to make end-to-end email encryption more accessible to every user, regardless of their email provider. A big part of making everyone's email safer is educating your friends about why it's important. Do your part by spreading the word today: https://takeaction.withgoogle.com/f/safer-email More soon, Derek Slater Google Inc. P.S. June 5th is Reset the Net Day and we're taking part. Join this effort, and find out what you can do to secure your part of the web. © 2014 Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA

FHS All Night Party - June 6th

The All Night Party Committee would like to welcome parents of new and returning students to a new school year at Franklin High School. Whether your son or daughter is a Freshman, Sophomore or Junior the All Night Party committee needs you now. Your involvement contributes to the support of the present senior class and guarantees the continuation of this tradition for your future seniors.  

This tradition was started in 1990 and is a gift to all seniors in celebration of their high school year. The graduates enjoy a fun-filled night that includes games, prizes and best of all the transformation of the high school into a magical place.  

It takes the hard work of 400-500 volunteers and the support of the school community and business partnerships to make this event a success.  

The party takes place at the high school on graduation night from 11 pm to 5 am. This year’s All Night Party will be on Friday, June 6th.

Please visit the Volunteer Opportunities page to learn more and then go to the sign up to volunteer page to sign up now. Some with commitments as little as 2 hours.   http://www.fhsallnightparty.com/

If you have any questions please email:
info@FHSAllNightParty.com

United Regional Young Professionals Organization Holds Summer Social Event at Patriot Place

In the shadow of Gillette Stadium, the United Regional Young Professionals Organization (YPO) invites our members, their guests, as well as an open public invite to professionals in our local community to gather for our last networking event of the season. The event is a summer social to be held on June 18, 2014 at 6 PM at Twenty8, inside (and outside) the Renaissance Boston at Patriot Place Hotel and Spa. 

Young Professionals Organization

Instead of catching a pass from Tom Brady, or lining up next to Vince Wilfork, guests can play games with a bit less contact, such as the kanjam, beanbag toss or ladder ball. And instead of waiting in line for refreshments from the concession stands, attendees will enjoy light appetizers with a cash bar featuring craft beers, cocktails, and other refreshments.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll bring the fun indoors. There, attendees can play entertaining games like UNO, Skip-Bo, Yahtzee, and more, while enjoying food and drink.

The YPO is pleased to provide this unique opportunity to have fun, relax, and get to know each other, but we do so with a purpose. Money raised from ticket sales, raffle, and donations will benefit the Hockomock Area YMCA located in North Attleboro, Mass.

21+ event. Registration is $5.00 in advance, $10.00 at the door. 

For more information, visit http://www.unitedregionalypo.org/events/summersocial/, call 508-488-YPO1 (9761), or e-mail UnitedRegionalYPO@ymail.com.



The United Regional Chamber of Commerce launched the United Regional Young Professionals Organization (YPO) in spring 2010 in direct response to the challenges facing the 16 communities in our region (Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxboro, Franklin, Mansfield, Medway, Medfield, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk and Wrentham, Massachusetts) in attracting and retaining diverse young professionals and to develop the next generation of leadership. The mission of YPO is to engage, connect and empower career-minded young professionals to evolve professionally. Representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives and professions, we are united by our energy, drive and passion within our careers and communities

Kinder Care: Yard Sale - Jun 7

Kinder Care on Pond Street in Franklin is having their annual YARD SALE!! 

Yard Sale

It will be from 9-2 this Saturday June 7th! We will be selling a variety of things!! 

Hope to see you all there!!

Live reporting - Dedicated Override for roads

Notes from the first part of the Finance Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/live-reporting-finance-committee-060314.html



Roads – DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi
Mike Meglio, Town Engineer


*** From Mar 2014, the updated listing of road projects already being planned
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-dpw-update-road-projects.html

Apparently, tonight is an abbreviated presentation from the March meeting

When road ratings are above 70, the maintenance will work
when below 70, you need to do more
want to get overall average of roads above 80

keeping just above water with repairs at this point
with the override, we could make some headway into the road repairs

some of the work would continue to be coordinated with water main projects
others would be taken care of purely with road repairs

also would be looking to expand the sidewalk network
would still require annual approval by the Council for the plan of work

the Panther Way sidewalk bid came in at $200,000

We have already planned out the water program for the next five year, can tie this with the water and come up with the master plan

what existing capacity do we have that requires design and coordination with in house staff?

a lot of administrative staff work required but the actual work is contracted out

Q - is there an option to put a term on this override?
A - not the way the legislation has been structured. Now the Council could not vote any money for the roads and that would kill the program.

Q - is this amount enough?
A - the facts are, we could use more money? What can the citizens afford? How much can we work with in capacity? Time down the road, the citizens could come back for more.

This is based upon today's dollars for hot top and chip seal. This could cost more as it goes, it is based upon the oil pricing

The sidewalk needs to go down to Miller St... Pleasant St; Washington St, Beaver St have been identified as needing sidewalks but none of them are cheap... do you need to curb and handle drainage? It depends upon the conditions and area

You might not educate your kids, go to the library, or call the police/fire but you do drive down the roads
The good thing about November is you'll get a good turnout as it is a State election


The text of the override question can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/resolution-14-45-dedicated-override-to.html

VOTE: Proposition 2 ½ Override
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


Related posts

From Aug 2013, the initial proposal
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/live-reporting-dpw-proposal-on-road.html

The presentation document from the Aug meeting
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/General_Pages/2013%20Roadway%20Presentation.pdf

-------------

Closing
DelCarte ribbon cutting at 5:00 PM on Weds Jun 4th
program is short, so should be held unless there is a real down pour

FinCom done until the Fall time frame...

Final walk through of FHS Jun 21
Grand Opening in Sep
demolition of the old building during the summer

start Capital Plan again in Sep, fiscal forecast due in Jan
Sculpture Park opening June/July

Panther Way sidewalk should be starting in couple of week
Waiting on State for when the downtown will start

Lincoln St will start when school is out

Summer (East Central to King) late summer timeline

Senior Center 2nd floor possibly in the Fall

Live reporting: Finance Committee - 06/03/14

Present: Dowd, Conley, Smith, Aparo, Dewsnap, Dufour, Heumpher,
Absent:  Fleming, Quinn

Call to Order
Citizens Comments
Approval of Minutes
motion to approval minutes of May 5th, seconded approved 7-0

Zoning Board of Appeals Transfer
motion to approve, seconded, approved 7-0

Street Light Account Transfer
motion to approve transfer of $10,000; seconded, approved 7-0

Legal Expenses Transfer
motion to approve transfer $10,000; seconded, approved 7-0

Snow and Ice Budget Transfer
motion to approve transfer $280,000; seconded, approved 7-0

Comptroller Expenses Transfer
motion to approve transfer $1,000; seconded, approved 7-0


Presentations:
Library Addition – Felicia Oti, Library Director
VOTE: Bond Authorization



The presentation copy can also be viewed here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/libpre.pdf

doing increased business with half the staff (see early slide with numbers)
funding this doesn't require an increase in tax rate, can be funded with the debt capacity available
would still be a smaller building than comparable area communities
made $14,000+ to date from books sales year to date, likely to be 20,000 annually

Q - Aparo - what other projects would have been considered?
A - Nutting - we are at 2.9 and unaware of other building structure needs; Senior Center being funded, if 5-6 years down the road we need a school it would not happen for 6M. We do 11 work orders a day on 20 plus buildings. Our buildings are in great shape, roofs will wear out, HVAC will wear out. Money to make big repairs to existing facilities like roofs, and HVAC...  would be the most likely expenses
We still have excess debt capacity when we do this project.

Q - Dewsnap - what about Davis Thayer?
A - Nutting - recap of architect review on the options for the renovation, we have removed the portables because the school population has been declining. Maybe cheaper to buy new portables and add them to the schools rather than building a new school.

Q - Dewsnap - do we really add enough space?
A - Nutting - with the building we have, we really don't have much of an option to do a new building given the existing beautiful facility we have... we are going with the expansion because otherwise we are loosing space. It would still be another year before we have real numbers to look at. The OPM and architect will take time, design the facility, cost it, etc... bringing it back before FinCom and Town Council with the real numbers.

Q - Dowd - consideration for additional staffing as required by this?
A - Nutting - we would certainly like more staff but the additional space (bathrooms, public meetings space, and stacks for books) don't require additional staffing by nature. Some minimal increase in maintenance hours for the larger space but not much more than that. We would like to gradually add staff as we have to annually ask for a waiver as we meet the hours and the staffing but not the funding.

Q - Heumpher - question on the renovation and impact on operations?
A - Nutting/Oti - would have parking issues, could work within the space to adjust and continue to operate while the construction is underway. We are fortunate in that we have 3 entrances to the Library so the back one could be shut and we can still operate.

Q - Dufour - any rental opportunity?
A - Nutting- not really, the space rentals are for cost recovery not to make money. The space being added is not really a great amount to add to the overall demand

Resolution for authorization of $1M
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


Notes from the second part of the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/live-reporting-dedicated-override-for.html

Cultural District being proposed for Franklin

On the Town Council agenda Wednesday for discussion before getting to the Library and the dedicated override for the road repairs, Alan Mercer is scheduled for a presentation on the Cultural District proposal being put together for Franklin.

From the Mass Cultural Council homepage:

The evidence is clear: A thriving creative sector is one of our Commonwealth's most powerful economic development assets. In support of this, the MCC’s Cultural Districts Initiative was authorized by an act of the Massachusetts state legislature in 2010, and launched in April 2011.

Mass Cultural Council

The legislation referenced:

SECTION 3. Said chapter 10 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 58 the following section: 

M.G.L. Chapter 10, Section 58A. (a) The council shall establish criteria and guidelines for state-designated cultural districts. A cultural district shall be a geographical area of a city or town with a concentration of cultural facilities located within it. Cultural districts shall attract artists and cultural enterprises to a community, encourage business and job development, establish tourist destinations, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values and foster local cultural development. The council shall assist a city or town if the city or town wishes to develop or foster a cultural district. The council shall develop an application process, with specific guidelines and criteria, for a city or town that wishes to develop or foster a cultural district. 

Executive branch agencies, constitutional offices and quasi-governmental agencies shall identify programs and services that support and enhance the development of cultural districts and ensure that those programs and services are accessible to such districts. The council shall consult with the Massachusetts historical commission in developing and establishing criteria and guidelines regarding preservation and reuse of historic buildings. 

(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, executive branch agencies, constitutional offices and quasi-governmental agencies including, but not limited to, the council and historic preservation programs, shall review and revise regulations and other economic development tools, including the evaluative criteria of such historic preservation programs, in order to support and encourage the development and success of state-designated cultural districts. 

Acts of 2010 Chapter 188, Section 70. The Massachusetts cultural council, in cooperation with the executive branch, constitutional offices, quasi-governmental agencies and the joint committee on tourism, arts and cultural development, shall identify state incentives and resources to enhance cultural districts pursuant to section 52A of chapter 10 of the General Laws and shall report its findings and recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerk of the senate and house of representatives not later than January 1, 2011.

You can find more about the proposal in the agenda document beginning on page 20
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050714.pdf

You can find more about the Mass Cultural Council on their page http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/

FHS Boys lose, Girls win in playoffs

Baseball
#8 Franklin, 3 @ #1 Wellesley, 6 - Final

- Senior Drew Inglesi went 3-3 with a double, a walk and a stolen base and classmate Pat O'Reilly went 1-3 with a run scored, walk, stolen base and an RBI.

Softball
#18 Franklin, 4 @ #10 Weymouth, 3 - Final

- Maddie Connelly (1-2, RBI, stolen base) knocked in Sammy Rondeau (1-3, run) in the top of the seventh for the go-ahead run. Erin Hanley went 1-3 with a stolen base and a run scored and Sabrina LoMonaco scored a run and had a sacrifice fly RBI. Lilly Criscione picked up the win, tossing a complete game, striking out four.

FHS Softball

Franklin advances to the D1 South Semifinals to play #6 North Attleboro on a date and time to be announced. The game will be at Taunton High School.

For all the Hockomock League results from the Spring playoffs, you can visit this page
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-060214