In the News: TriCounty builds a home, Food Pantry summer programs

Tri-County carpentry instructor John Lavigne has literally raised the stakes for his students to give them a hands-on lesson in the trade. 

Juniors and seniors studying carpentry and the other building trades at the regional vocational technical high school have started the frame, roofing and window work for a modular home that will become available in June 2015 through Franklin’s affordable housing program. 

For students used to building small mock-ups that they later tear down, the chance to erect a house that will stand for years has been as much a thrill as a challenge, Lavigne said.

You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140620/NEWS/140629742/1994/NEWS

The Franklin Food Pantry this week announced it will offer fresh produce from local farms this summer. 

The Healthy Futures Fresh Produce Market runs through October — open every Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m. at 43 West Central St. 

All of the fruits and vegetables arrive from local farms and community gardens, such as Hoffmann Farm, Akin Bak Farm and the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School garden.

You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140620/NEWS/140629743/1994/NEWS

Electric Youth hit a high note before Council gets into the dirt

Do you recall this?

WHEREAS, the Town Council continues to explore ways of making improvements to our community; and 

WHEREAS, the Town Council would like participation by the citizens to provide valuable input. 

Now therefore, be it resolved by the Franklin Town Council that a Citizen Committee is established. Said committee shall consist of 5 to 9 members to be appointed by the Town Council. Said committee shall make recommendations to the Town council on how to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Franklin in areas including but not limited to enhancing citizen participation, aesthetics of the community, and business development, and other recommendations that the Council deems appropriate. Said committee shall make its recommendations by December, 2012. This Resolution shall become effective according to the rules and regulations of the Town of Franklin Home Rule Charter.

This was the resolution to form the creation of the Citizens Committee on the agenda for the Town Council in January 18, 2012.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/creation-of-citizen-committee.html

Now the current Town Council is slightly different from the one in Jan 2012 but 6 of the 9 should remember this.

I was attracted by this because of the first objective: "enhancing citizen participation"

I applied, was appointed, was sworn in and then didn't attend a meeting as the Chair clearly indicated that the work would focus on the other objectives ("aesthetics of the community, and business development").

I find it interesting that had the committee focused on their original objective the whole town of Franklin might actually be in a better position.

Instead we continue to find Town Council meetings where everyone has only part of the information yet feels compelled to 'right the situation'.

Indeed, Wednesday night one of the projects that the Citizens Committee got involved in was raised for discussion during the presentation by the Panning and Committee Development Dept.

• A family is looking to sell their property
• The development proposed requires a new zoning bylaw
• The development requires a special permit from the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Conservation Commission
• All the hearings are currently underway
• Advice to the Planning Board by the Town Attorney was taken out of context
• Should this matter be discussed as it is (was last night) with the hearings underway?
• Should members of the Council who recused themselves from the zoning discussion still be making comments on the matter?
• Apparently the developer is unaware of some critical procedural matters applicable to all of MA and not just Franklin (demolition of a structure categorized as 'historic')
• Apparently, the Council forgets from time to time that it is a governing body and should not be running the day to day operations of the Town

If the Citizens Committee had focused on "enhancing citizen participation," folks would be more informed on process and procedures. The level of communication and information sharing would be improved. Decisions and discussion would be based upon all the facts and not just part of the story or biased viewpoints.

We'll see... there is always hope... We need to stay out of the mud piles. No one ends up with a clean shirt after playing in the mud!

So the Electric Youth performance to open the meeting Wednesday evening was the high note. It all went downhill after that.

Electric Youth performing for Town Council

The full set of my notes reported live during the Wednesday meeting can be found here

• Live reporting: Legislation
• Live reporting - Citizens Committee
• Live reporting - Dept of Planning and Community De...
• Live Reporting - opening of meeting
• Live Reporting: Town Council - June 18, 2014
• 
  

MassBudget: Rewarding Work: The Data on an $11 Minimum Wage

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Rewarding Work:  The Data on an $11 Minimum Wage Seeking to expand economic opportunity for working people in the Commonwealth, the House and Senate have voted to increase the state's minimum wage to $11 an hour by 2017. This will raise the wages of about 600,000 people who work hard, at low wages, to support themselves and their families. In addition to helping these families and individuals, a minimum wage increase can also have positive effects on the overall economy, as higher wages allow workers to spend more at local businesses. When fully phased in, the increase will raise annual wages for affected workers by approximately $1.1 billion. Who are the 600,000 people whose wages will increase? Together they are one-in-five wage earners in the Commonwealth. Over 85 percent are twenty years old or older -- and younger workers who are helped are often working to pay for college or to help their family with basic expenses. 57 percent are women 140,000 of the affected workers are parents -- and 236,000 children live in households that will be helped by the increase. This legislation would raise the wage in three steps: to $9/hour in 2015, to $10/hour in 2016, and to $11/hour in 2017 (on January 1st of each year). These wage increases would not be indexed to inflation. (For more discussion of indexing, see MassBudget's factsheet Value of Minimum Wage is Eroded Quickly by Inflation.) In addition, the "tipped minimum wage" - which allows employers to pay tipped workers a lower wage (as long as tips bring the workers' pay up to the regular minimum wage) -- would rise slightly, from the current rate of $2.63/hour to a final rate of $3.75/hour, also by 2017. (For more discussion of the tipped minimum wage, see MassBudget's factsheet The Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers.) At $11 and hour in 2017, Massachusetts would have the highest state minimum wage in the nation -- unless other states raise their wage above that level during the next three years. For more information visit our minimum wage resource page . The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

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Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival is THIS Saturday!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE 4th annual BRT SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL? WE ARE! Fundraising and planning is almost over ...now it's time to make it happen! Over the course of the next four days more than 75 incredible volunteers will transform a beautiful but underused park in Cumberland into a world class festival space... FIVE stages and 45 food and craft vendors will be set up, ready for YOU to enjoy an amazing day of music, dance and culture! PLEASE JOIN US  THIS SATURDAY!  FOOD VENDORS  Mickey G's Clam Shack, GottaQ BBQ, The Salad Man & Juice Bar, Del's Lemonade, and the Ice Cream Machine. CRAFT VENDORS SoulQuest Designs, Cheryl's Designs, Tom and Alice Apiaries, Scentsy Fragrance, Willow Grove Naturals, Thirty-One Gifts, Dexter Fiddles, The Pampered Chef, Willow Grove Tie-Dye, My Magical Emporium, K&T Jewelery Accessories, Bonnie Lee's Creations, Renewal by Andersen, Silver 'N Such, Jewels by Crissy B, Rick's Musical Instruments, Kim Wyld-Chirico, Hands That Heal RI, Gerry Scanlon and Sons, Starlite Jewelry Designs, Tupperware, SilverLeaf Designs, R.I. Independent Living Council, La Wren's Nest, Centers for Integrative Medicine and Healing, Celtic Beat, mpic studios, Charmed in R.I., The Art Group of Northern R.I., Tir Na Nog Irish Dance, Pocasset Wampanoag Creations, BoydHomes, Swiss Just, Terry's Tasty Treasures, Rusted Goat Soaps, Silpada Designs, Rita's Boutique Fashions & Accessories, Harmony Pots, R.I. Home Improvement, The Rhode Island Ceilidhe Club. Dear Steve, SOLSTICE FESTIVAL! We have an amazing time planned for you! Full details can be found at: www.riverfolk.org/brtssf  And don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook to get late-breaking news! please share what we do with your friends! www.facebook.com/pages/Blackstone-River-Theatre/165592431396    Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday! Russell Gusetti, Executive Director   4th annual BRT Summer Solstice Festival Looking for a great family-friendly outdoor music festival without having to travel hours to find it? Blackstone River Theatre has your solution as we move our programming outside to present the 4th annual Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival at Diamond Hill Park, Rte. 114, Cumberland, on Saturday, June 21. The Summer Solstice Festival, falling on the Solstice itself this year, will run from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with five stages that focus on Celtic and world music, dance and culture. There will also be more than 45 craft and food vendors. Featured entertainers include long-time BRT favorites as well as several acts that will be new to area audiences. This year sees three music stages plus stages dedicated to both Irish dance traditions and children's entertainment, all running continuously throughout the day. Featured performers - most doing two sets each - include Burning Bridget Cleary, Cantrip (from Scotland), Aoife Clancy and Robbie O'Connell, Eastern Medicine Singers (Algonquin and native American drum and song), The Gnomes, Matt & Shannon Heaton, Laurel Martin, Mark Roberts & Kieran Jordan, the Panache Quartet, Pendragon, Harvey Reid and Joyce Andersen, and Torrin Ryan & Mark Oien. There will also be nonstop Irish step dance featuring 40 dancers from Tir Na Nog Irish Dance and Showcase Dance Productions as well as participatory set dancing with Devine's Diner. A children's stage will feature Aoife Clancy, Irish magic shows with Debbie O'Carroll, Mary King & Phil Edmonds, and Marvelous Marvin's Circus Arts. Admission is only $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 children ages 6-15, children under 5 free. Festival sponsors include Navigant Credit Union, the Town of Cumberland, The Valley Breeze Newspapers, Open MRI of New England and Angelo's Palace Pizza.   And the music continues Saturday night!... One of the highlights of each year's Solstice Festival is the after-festival music session held at Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad St. "It's designed to be an intimate, informal evening that allows attendees the chance to mingle with performers and hear some great music in a casual atmosphere," Russell Gusetti, Festival producer, explains. "We sell only 80 tickets to the event, and it has sold out the past two years, so we encourage folks to reserve a spot ahead of time. If any tickets remain, we'll sell them at the Festival information booth during the day." AS OF TODAY, ONLY 35 TICKETS REMAIN! E-mail russell@riverfolk.org through Wednesday night to reserve your spot! The after-festival music session takes place Saturday, June 21, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., and is sponsored by Angelo's Palace Pizza. The session features virtually all of the festival performers. There will be a cash bar and complimentary food will be available at the evening event. Tickets are $20.00 per person and advance purchase is highly recommended. Blackstone River Theatre is located at 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI. Telephone is (401) 725-9272. "One of the nicest things that happens is the great mixture of songs and tunes along with some incredible dancing," Gusetti added. "It's really a magical time when musicians are relaxed and playing in combinations that are usually not possible and that audiences rarely see. At times, we have more than 25 musicians and dancers performing at once."

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Join us for this week's Ranger Walkabout

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Ranger Walkabout on Thursday, June 19 A Village Walk and Eco-Machine    Thursday, June 19  A Village Walk and Eco-Machine Grafton, MA Start time: 6:30 pm Fisherville was once home to a mighty textile mill.  Today, it is home to the Eco-Machine, a water treatment system that uses water plants and mycelium to break down the oil, chemicals and nitrates that have polluted the Blackstone Canal.  Join our partners from the Blackstone River Coalition at Mill Villages Park to learn more about the history of Fisherville and this new way of helping to protect and preserve the Blackstone Watershed.  This free program begins as 6:30 pm at Mill Villages Park, 61 Main Street (Rt. 122 A) Grafton, MA. Watch the video promo (on our Facebook page) See the full schedule Event Calendar Check out the event calendar for a more complete, detailed listing of Blackstone Corridor Events: Event Calendar  We are glad to include Corridor-related news and events, both on our web site calendar and in our monthly newsletter, Corridor Currents. Send us your stuff! About The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Congress established the National Heritage Corridor in 1986 to restore and preserve the nationally significant heritage of the Blackstone River Valley, where the industrialization of America began. It has become a successful program of partnerships between federal, state and local government agencies, as well as nongovernment organizations, pooling their resources and pursuing a common agenda of preservation and revitalization.  Ongoing Blackstone Corridor programs and projects include historic preservation, river cleanup, land conservation and stewardship, visitor centers, ranger walks, programs with schools, recreational programs and events, support for arts and cultural events, training for partners and volunteers and assistance to towns trying to preserve their heritage while also improving the local and regional economy. Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor One Depot Square Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895 Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor 401-762-0250

Forward this email Privacy Policy. Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor | One Depot Square | Woonsocket | RI | 02895

herbicide spraying to begin

The Town of Franklin will initiate herbicide application activities throughout select right- of- way areas town wide on approximately June 18, 2014 through June 30, 2014 for the purposes of controlling poison ivy and other nuisance and hazard vegetation species.

The herbicides Round-Up-Pro® will be applied in compliance with 333 CMR 11.00 via hand application and/or truck; mounted sprayer.

For additional information, please contact

Mr. Carlos Rebelo
Park and Ground Superintendent
Town of Franklin
257 Fisher Street
Franklin MA
-Tel: 508-520-4910

Franklin DPW 257 Fisher St

This is re-posted from the Franklin webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01DB6B23-000F8513

Live reporting: Legislation

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-43: Public Land Use Committee – Dissolution
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

2. Resolution 14-46: Confirmatory Order of Taking-Land at 92 Wachusett Street – 2/3 Vote
Padula recused himself
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0-1

3. Bylaw Amendment 14-736: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 2nd Reading
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

4. Bylaw Amendment 14-738: Amendment to Chapter 179-9.1, Exhibit A, Water System Map - 1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

working on asbestos issues at the NU-Style building

will be meeting shortly to discuss the construction of Main St

L. OLD BUSINESS
Pfeffer - report on work orders on ATC, full report
Nutting - I'll check but I thought

Pfeffer - school work tickets? can you check into the process

Pfeffer - what about the school security alarms?


M. NEW BUSINESS
There is no bylaw that exists that restricts business within Franklin
The building inspector has been to talk with the owner and the operator
it would apply to everyone if we did a bylaw

Bissanti - the store was there before a lot of the houses

Kelly - I am recalling that some places couldn't open in certain hours

Nutting- liquor establishments have operating hours
restrict hours, prohibit 24 hour operations

Williams - the issue comes in with delivery of goods in the off hours, our hands are tied

Bissanti - that store serves a population that has to be early to work

Padula - can we look at opening the Recycling Hours on Sunday?

Nutting - I am not against it, it needs to follow the process, put it on for the agenda for a future meeting

Padula - how much time will it take to implement?
Nutting - I'd have to talk with the DPW, you also need to fund it

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Bissanti - what is happening with the Conservation Commission? Do we have enough to vote?
Nutting - yes

Jones - on Board of MetroWest Partnership
collaboration of environment for regional and sustainable growth
conf Friday morning at 8:00 AM
all five governor candidates scheduled to speak

Pfeffer - congrats to Karen Alves for award received on care giver program

Kelly - 63 people over 90 at the lunch this week, congratulations

Mercer - high school project continues on-time, remain on or a little under budget
demolition to begin, 3rd or 4th week of July
field house and shop wing will be the first to go
invite 6:30pm 6/30/14 building committee to tour the new facility

Padula - get involved with your school, make us proud make your parents proud

Cerel - I have worked hard behind the scenes to work on the decisions
They have had a history of confusing the closing of a hearing with voting on a project without due deliberation, the Planning Board has not hard experience with this type of project, I don't know of the developer has had experience with this type of project. The projects he show cased he did not develop. The project has been re-designed with input of the Town.


P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 9-0

Live reporting - Citizens Committee

Larry Benedetto
Citizens Committee

we'll be back in July (July 9th) to do some house keeping
I am going to have the whole the committee here
the citizens committee seems to be defined to represent the whole community
we don't want to slight anyone

recent debate about whether we should be related to the Council or not
complaining about the open meeting laws and meeting notifications
also consideration of associate members, to help maintain the quorum

would like to involved in the 'fast tracking' zoning initiative

we'd like to get involved in the Davis Thayer removal of the modular units
we'd like to get into the Downtown train station

hopefully have an update on the land swap with the State about the land next to the recycling center

we are on the cusp of some good things
our experience is this, when Mr Nutting is involved in the project, it moves smoothly

Jones - can you see if the Committee would be interested in addressing parking downtown
Nutting - I have spent the past 6 months working with the Downtown Partnership on parking, and will be coming before the Council with an update

Live reporting - Dept of Planning and Community Development

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

Director Bryan Taberner

(presentation copy to be added later)

summary of department operation and staffing
12 zoning bylaw amendments approved during 2014 thus far

working on re-consideration of requirements for special permits

Projects currently underway

• Solarize Franklin (about 14 families interested thus far, looking for more)
• 150 Emmons St (requests due at end of July)
• Pond St property (appraisal being done)
• Nu-Style property (building #2 demolition and ongoing environmental assessment)

Business attraction and retainage

• looking to attract the 'right' business mix

recent press release on Platinum level for BioTech
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/05/franklin-is-bioreadyr-franklin-now.html

Downtown revitalization
multiple efforts underway
150 Emmons St, proposed Cultural District, downtown project (road construction)

Pfeffer - question on goal for creating economic development
Taberner - we are working quickly and effectively, we have developed the bylaws and changes in record time. The decisions are in the Planning Board hands, it was always known that there would be a special permit required.

Kelly - You're good as you are meeting the criteria. If it doesn't then it drags on and on
Taberner - I have one senior and no interns at the moment

No submissions of interest at this time

Padula - question on the possible push back from Town Council on the Cook's Farm issue

Nutting - this is a very complex project, it is always the Town's fault and that is not the case

Vallee - Mr Nutting is following the project, the developer is not aware of how to request demolition of building on site, that is another problem

Bissanti - if you were more sympatheic, you would direct your people to be more helpful
I don't care what you and Jeff say, developers are vilified in this town
Would you say that there is an anti-growth rhetoric in this town?
Taberner - absolutely not

In other communities, there is more madness than what happens here
If the project is thought out and well designed, meeting all the requirements, regulations and laws, you will get through very quickly

Live Reporting - opening of meeting

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
two
one about the opening hours of the Lincoln St market
second - a member of the Cook family concerned about the delays in processing for permits and approvals for Cooks Farm development

E. APPOINTMENTS
– Annual Committee Re-appointments
See listing of appointees in published agenda

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/061814.pdf


F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

Live Reporting: Town Council - June 18, 2014

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

Skipping ahead in the agenda to the Electric Youth performance


H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Franklin School for the Performing Arts

Rae Lynn Mercer introduces Electric Youth

Electric Youth performing before the Town Council

Easy Walks in Franklin - SNETT

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 byMarjorie Turner Hollman.

The entrance to the SNETT in winter

Notable: This section of the SNETT (Southern New England Trunkline Trail) railtrail is mostly graded and cleared, and still being developed. Stone retaining walls, steep slopes to woods below the trail.

Trail Map: Available from Mass.gov website—Division of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

GPS Coordinates: 42°3'43.06"N, 71°25'42.55"W

Directions: Rt. 495 exit 17, Rt. 140, Franklin, head toward Bellingham, Grove St is immediately past interchange, turn left at light. Follow Grove St. 2 miles, look for SNETT signs, parking on left, trailhead on right.

Cost: None.

Bathrooms: None.

Best time to visit: Year round. Cross-country skiing in winter.

Trail conditions: Wide, flat, unimproved former railbed. Steep climb up and over Prospect St. where trail is obstructed. Moguls created by dirt bikes. Graded from Grove St. to Spring St.

Distance: About 1.5 miles from Grove St. to Bellingham line.

Easy guide - SNETT

This mostly unimproved former rail bed/right of way is owned by the Mass. Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), extending from Franklin through Bellingham, Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge, and into Douglas. Poor drainage due to removal of the original rail ballast, and “humps” caused by prohibited off-track vehicles poses both minor and major challenges in various sections. 

The easternmost section in Franklin is graded (2013) but is otherwise unimproved. Proceeding west, the trail crosses Spring St and open farmland in just over half a mile. Watch for poison ivy. At about the 1-mile mark the trail is blocked by a 20-foot high infill where Prospect St crosses the trail. Stay off residential property and driveways. 

From Prospect St. there is a .5 mile unimproved but passable stretch to the Lake St. Bellingham parking area. This section of the path offers 20-foot high rock cuts with original drill marks. The boundary between the Bellingham and Franklin sections of the trail is unmarked.

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



Other easy walks in Franklin:

Beaver Pond/Chilson Beach
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/easy-walks-in-franklin-beaver-pond.html

Dacey Fields
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/easy-walks-in-franklin-dacey-fields.html

WMRC First Class Radio Sports to broadcast the Patriots and Bruins

WMRC SIGNS BLOCKBUSTER DEAL WITH NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, BOSTON BRUINS AND CBS RADIO BOSTON  WMRC 1490AM-First Class Media has just completed negotiations with CBS Radio Boston, and has finalized an agreement that will bring both the New England Patriots and Boston Bruins to the WMRC airwaves beginning this fall. WMRC has been a Boston Red Sox affiliate for over 25 years, and also carry Boston College Football and Basketball. Howie Sylvester, Executive Producer for CBS Boston & 98.5 the Sports Hub said "We're thrilled to partner with WMRC-First Class Radio to carry both the New England Patriot's and Boston Bruins...WMRC has been a staple in the Greater Milford region for generations, and we are well aware of the passionate, loyal sports fans who live, work and play in that market, this is a great partnership" The three teams now heard on WMRC 1490AM have done a lot of celebrating since 2002 as their championships include 3 Superbowl Victories, 3 World Series Titles and a Stanley Cup in 2011. WMRC President Tom McAuliffe added "This is a fantastic partnership for WMRC, our listeners and our loyal sponsors...I'm thrilled to have the tough negotiations behind us, and know that we'll now be able to carry the Sox, Bruins and New England Patriot's for years to come."  Sponsorships Available! Call Tom at 508-473-1490 Forward this email STAY CONNECTED

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