Responses for the Emmons St building

Franklin issued an "Request for Expression of Interest" earlier this year with all responses to be received by July 31. The three that were received and reviewed by the Economic Development Committee can be found here.

What's next? As discussed during the Town Council meeting and reported on by the Milford Daily News here, the Dept of Planning and Community Development will begin to draft a Request for Proposal (RFP) to be reviewed by the Town Council at one of their September meetings. The RFP would initiate the selling process.

The RFP would reserve a portion of the land for a monument to recognize Horace Mann. This proposal was effectively brought forth in the Gateway Committee response.

Roger Calarese response (PDF)

Dean College response (PDF)

Gateway Committee response (PDF)

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the Franklin Matters website to view three individual PDF files shown here

The Emmons St building 

In the News: driver charged, RFP for Emmons St

In the Milford Daily News today there are two articles of interest.

A Franklin woman was sentenced in Milford District Court Thursday to five years probation for her role in a fatal crash in Mendon in 2013. 

Sarah Chandler, 19, admitted to sufficient facts for a guilty finding on a charge of operating a motor vehicle negligently. A motor vehicle homicide charge was dismissed as a result of the plea. 

Judge Robert Calagione continued the case without a finding for five years, during which Chandler would serve her probation sentence. Calagione also ordered that Chandler obtain a bachelor's degree in that time and complete two traffic-safety programs.

You can continue to read the article online here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140808/NEWS/140807444/1994/NEWS

The Town Council’s Economic Development Committee has asked planning officials to draft a request for proposals (RFP) to develop the town-owned property on the corner of Emmons Street, specifying that a section of the parcel be reserved for green space. 

The committee met Wednesday to review responses to the request for expressions of interest that the town put out in April. 

The Franklin Department of Planning and Community Development received three letters of interest: from Dean College, a citizens group called the Gateway Committee and local developer Roger Calarese. 

The next step is to use the responses to shape the RFP, which the Economic Development Committee plans to present to the council next month.

You can continue to read the article online here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140808/NEWS/140807440/1994/NEWS

the Emmons st building under discussion to be sold

Goodbye Fieldhouse

The demolition of the field house started Wednesday. I stopped by after work before heading to the Town Council meeting to grab these photos.

demolition of the field house

half gone already

look closely and the panther struts on the pile!

While I was there, a steady stream of cars came by to look. Others stopped for photos too.



Note: Photos of the last tour of the old high school building were posted to Facebook and to Flickr for anyone to view in a single place. 

Facebook album       Flickr album


Other information related to the new high school project can be found in this collection:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html 

Noonday Collection Fall Launch at Pour Richard's

Fashion With A Mission: Supporting Vulnerable Families Around the Globe

With back-to-school on the brain, it is hard for most parents in this region to imagine not having education as an option for their child. Olivia was just days away from handing her 4 year old daughter over to an orphanage in Uganda, before her life changed completely, thanks to a job opportunity as a jewelry maker, which not only provided a rare earning opportunity, but also a scholarship for her daughter. Jacqueline Volpe from Wrentham is proud to share Olivia's story and her beautiful artistry every day in her role as an Ambassador for Noonday Collection. 

Noonday Collection is part of a rising trend of social impact businesses, which are focused on making a difference while creating trendsetting products. For Noonday, their mission is tied to connecting individuals across the globe through shared stories and fashion. In a war-torn country like Uganda, which has 2.5 million orphans, the ability to find self-sustaining income is hard for most people. Which is why when Jacqueline wears her necklace made from paper beads in Uganda, she not only appreciates the craft and beauty of her jewelry, but she relishes the ability to support other women entrepreneurs across the globe. 

Jacqueline joined a growing number of Noonday Ambassadors in May as a way of supporting her own family, but was also drawn to a larger mission of creating opportunities for vulnerable women and families around the world. As an artist herself, she is inspired by the work of the Noonday artisans and she connects with Noonday as a celebrator of creativity and as a preserver of arts and crafts. As a Noonday Ambassador she has not only expanded her own selling and design skills, but she has also become a storyteller, sharing the remarkable stories of the men and women who made the products they wear. 

Noonday Collection and its Ambassadors have directly impacted over 2,000 artisans in over 10 countries, including women like Olivia, by creating jobs and supporting a growing group of entrepreneurs who design and sell jewelry and accessories to fashion-forward women all over the US and some parts of Europe.

Pour Richard's

Noonday will be launching their new Fall line on August 7th, which features designs from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Guatemala, Haiti, Ecuador, Peru, Rwanda, India and Vietnam. Jacqueline has partnered with Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits shop in Franklin for a special LNO – Ladies Night Out and a Noonday Nationwide Trunk Show. Thursday, August 7th, from 6:30-8:30 stop by Pour Richard's at 14 Grove Street in Franklin to sample fine wines, a craft cocktail, delicious nibbles, and be entered in a special Noonday drawing as you explore in person the new jewelry, scarves, and handbags in the Collection. 

To learn more about the Noonday Collection, please visit www.jacquelinevolpe.noondaycollection.com or contact Jacqueline by email at jacqueline@jbvdesignstudio.com.

Ladybugs Coming This Weekend ...

Hello,

The Franklin Cultural Council is truly grateful to you for joining the Ladybug Spots Project. We want to remind you that the decorated ladybugs will be on display this coming weekend, August 9th and 10th, from 12p.m. to 4p.m. on Franklin Common.  We would love to see you and catch up among the beautiful, bright and creative two foot fiberglass ladybugs, each one a unique piece of public art.  Stop by before or after a trip to St. Rocco's Italian Festival on St. Mary's former School Grounds.  Maybe bring a cannoli or two to share.  

If you can't make it this weekend or still want sponsor a ladybug, don't worry.  We have just five left and they are looking for homes.  Contact franklinculture@hotmail.com for more details. 

Attached is a flier for you to share with friends and neighbors. We look forward to celebrating the 40th Birthday of our state bug, born right here in Franklin.  Remember that with your help, we are raising funds toward a permanent sculpture honoring the 1974 2nd grade class from Kennedy Elementary School and their teacher, Palma Johnson, who inspired them to petition and follow the bill through to witness it signed into law. 

Again, thank you for being a part of this exciting event,

The Franklin Cultural Council

Ladybug Spots Project

Ladybug spots - Aug 9 and 10

4 Tips for a Healthier Tomorrow

The MA blog has an article with four sets of tips on improving health for children that can easily be applied to adults as well.

Obesity rates have more than doubled among children and quadrupled in adolescents over the last 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With nearly one-third of all children and teens in the United States overweight or obese, this serious health issue  increases risk for additional health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and asthma. 

You can help fight these health risks by introducing a healthy lifestyle to your children’s daily lives today

screenshot of MA.gov webpage with article

The article goes on to outlines tips in four areas: eating healthy, getting more exercise, forming good habits at school and watching your body mass index (BMI). You can read the full article here
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/health/end-childhood-obesity-4-tips-for-a-healthier-tomorrow-2/

Live reporting - Closing items

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Economic Development
next meeting Aug 27 at 5:30 PM
desire to draft RFP to submit to the council in early Sept
The RFP would reserve a portion of the land for a monument to recognize Horace Mann.
This proposal was effectively brought forth in the Gateway Committee response.


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
none

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
school safety signs for the some of the schools, thanks for our legislators to get this

St Rocco's is this weekend

L. OLD BUSINESS
Padula - recycling center, 40 people came in Sunday the first day it was open
over 100 on Saturday
no trash, expecting it to get busy

Vallee - what is the status with Cottage/Union
Nutting - we are in discussion with the railroad, they are headquartered in Jacskonville
Bissanti - have they mentioned any price?
Nutting - that would be subject of an executive session. They want a deed restriction. Historically, railroad property is not good property for re-use

Vallee - what about train station parking lot?
Nutting - I have escalated to Sen Spilka to ask her assistance to set a meeting. It is their liability. The platform needs to be fixed.

M. NEW BUSINESS
Padula - Judy and I are talking with the hospitals, we have a stroke awareness session coming to the Senior Center in October

Kelly - 1st meeting for Sep discussion on special permitting

Pfeffer - Citizens advisory committee wants to appoint tow more members
Nutting - put it on the next agenda

Vallee - can you watch the parking enforcement?
Williams - it is tight regulations, citizens feel entrapped where it is implemented


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Jones - Great to see the recycling center was open Sunday, Councilor Padula was there

Kelly - thanks for the work at the transfer station
thanks to Councilor Mercer, for the good work on the school, how good it looks

Mercer - 1st and formost some misconceptions on the old high school
anything that was in the school that could be used in the new school, in the system, or in another school or to a non-profit have been, things that were seen were damaged beyond repair. The dumpster was supposed to be there and didn't arrive, so the items were exposed

90-95% of the existing building will be recycled in some form, they separate the components, recycled in different ways, which is all done by the contractor and part of the bid when he bid on the high school

Jones - how about the budget?
Mercer - we remain on budget and I am confident that we will come in on or under budget and open on time

Vallee - we have 6-7 custodians for the building?
I am concerned about the size of the building,

Nutting - the new school is smaller than the old building, the materials are different
our buildings are in excellent shape, we need to let it open and see what happens, everything is under warranty for the first year

Pfeffer - we would like to see a maintenance plan for the new building
Mercer - I'll get that and bring it to the next meeting
all of the custodians moved to the new high school and have been getting weeks of training on the new school and systems in the school, they will have been in the facility 5-6 weeks before school opens
The facility manager estimated the increase of one, there are more controls with more than 50 cameras
8 more core classrooms, but the overall building is smaller


P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 8-0

Live reporting: collection boxes and parking discussion

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

»Collection Containers

allowed in industrial zones, religious and non-profit organizations exempt from this
looking for support to bring forward in a future agenda

good idea

a great idea, some of the containers are actually put there by a for-profit business

Still a work in progress, vetting with colleagues, etc.
if you are a non-profit, could have two boxes on your own property
for all others, would be limited to the approved law, required to maintain, etc.

»Parking Discussion

photos of maps to be added
looking to adjust the parking, would maintain parking officer but get rid of the meters
we do have time but by the end of the year should have the bylaw ready to go

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting discussing the parking proposal

to enhance the business environment, less hassle around parking meters, don't have change, etc.
if it doesn't work, could put meters back in
do get about 50K per year for enforcement which helps to recover the costs of the officer

Kelly - I do eat downtown, I don't always have a quarter so I don't park downtown, I'll go elsewhere

Mercer - I support the concept as Jeff has presented, I understand there may be some tweaking needed

downtown parking proposal

Pfeffer - what about during construction?
Nutting - all bets are off during construction. There is not an intent to put this in the middle of the construction. We just want to think about what we want it to be when all is said and done

Pfeffer - it doesn't seem fair to raise the rates during the construction
Nutting - when it goes in, is an open question, I wasn't going to put this in right away
hash it around, any feedback would be appreciated, then we can start working on the bylaw and start working on the timing

summary of existing downtown parking

Padula - can we get copies of the before and after?
Nutting - yes. We make about 17K in meter revenue. We'll still get some money due to the ticketing. our lot is 2/day. The MBTA is 4/day so I was looking to charge a little more, maybe 40 cents. a minimal increase

Padula - merchant fee? how does that work?
Nutting - green lines say merchant parking; pay every six months, 20-21 sold each year, only 2-3 companies buying them today, looking to increase the number of spots available for this

Bissanti - How are they identified?
Nutting - there are signs today, the signs would changed based upon what we decide

Vallee - I think Judy is right, we'd wait to next spring
Nutting - for some of this you don't have to wait until next spring

Pfeffer - my concern was getting the higher rates when the construction was going on
Nutting - you could make this effective whenever you want

Kelly - we need to do the planing now so we avoid a decision at the last minute. We don't need to implement right away, we should start it now so we'll be ready

Mercer - I agree, we should start now and be ready to implement when appropriate

Jones - I agree, I also agree with Judy that we should note that the fees would be implemented at a later date

Nutting - I was more concerned about the implementation and not about the timing for the fees

Live reporting: Gateway Committee

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
»Gateway Committee

Restatement of the letter published earlier this week

● We request that approximately 20% of the property, roughly 8,000 square feet, be retained by the town of Franklin, specifically the southwest parcel of land, in perpetuity, to be used as community green space. Maintaining the corner of this parcel would allow the Town of Franklin to control the initial welcoming impression of visitors to the downtown area. 

● We fully concur that a statue or monument in honor of Horace Mann is appropriate and needed, and we support this measure that has been broadly talked about in discussion of the future use of this space. We recommend that the statue and green space project be designed and managed by a community committee in conjunction with the Town, rather than an outside developer, so the statue is done to the community's specifications. We suggest securing state funding for this important project. 

● We suggest that the building frontage to Route 140 have limited setback, after landscaping provisions, to continue and enhance the New England style main street appeal that exists in the downtown area. 

● We request that parking be sufficient and adequate for the building use but not a primary focus of the development, with consideration given to the streetscape project and traffic pattern changes that have yet to occur. 

● We explicitly request that no drive-through of any sort be permitted in this development.

Thanks for the opportunity
Thanks to Economic Development committee

Lisa Piana, Executive Director, Franklin Downtown Partnership

Live reporting: License transactions

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
»Petition for Change of D/B/A- Soco Rose
simple name change
motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0

»Change in Beneficial Interest and Removal of an LLC Director and Concept President – 99 Restaurant of Boston LLC
motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0

Live reporting: Town Council - Aug 6, 2014

Present: Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams
Absent: Feldman


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none to approve

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.

Announcement on successful override of governor's veto for the school signals (announced last week).

Ribbon cutting - Sculpture Park - Aug 27th 5:00 PM

Ladybug Spots to appear on the Town Common Sat/Sun (Aug 9-10)

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
Election Workers (see listing in agenda doc)
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

Conservation Commission - Scott D. McLean
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

F. HEARINGS
none

Franklin on TV

WGBH

WGBH Channel 2 Boston highlighted Franklin in a Greater Boston news segment about smart growth in suburban towns. The story aired yesterday and shows the growth and redevelopment of the downtown over the past few years. Developer John Marini, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and RE/MAX Executive Realty's Eileen Mason are all interviewed in the story, along with a couple in the process of moving into one of the downtown condos. 

This was re-posted from the Downtown Partnership webpage here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/08/greater-boston-video-creating-thriving.html

The original on the WGBH webpage
http://wgbhnews.org/post/creating-thriving-downtown-small-town-massachusetts

Blackstone Valley: Things to do in August

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August: Things to do in the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor For a complete, detailed listing of events, see the event calendar.  Ranger Walkabouts Continue Through August 28 Manville Dam Thursday, August 7 Manville: Mill Village on the Blackstone Cumberland, RI  Start time: 6:30 pm Manville has been a manufacturing center since 1711 when Israel Wilkinson opened the Unity Furnace to produce iron. Later, it was briefly home to the largest cotton mill under one roof in America, and Manville village spanned both sides of the Blackstone River to house the 2,000 mill workers who toiled here.  Parking: The tour begins at the Manville Landing, at the foot of Manville Hill Road, Cumberland, RI, adjacent to the Blackstone River. See the full schedule Greenway Challenge Saturday, September 27 Rain Date: October 4 The UniBank Blackstone River Valley Greenway Challenge. An Adventure Race... Like No Other! Check out the 2014 course Registration information The mission of the UniBank Blackstone River Valley Greenway Challenge is to promote the recreational quality of life in the Blackstone River Valley.  Coordinated by he Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc, the UniBank Greenway Challenge supports clean water campaigns, hiking and biking trails, wildlife projects, environmental education and development of waterway access. Read more Worcester Shakespeare Festival 2014 July 18 - August 25 The GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center Alternatives' Whitin Mill 60 Douglas Road Whitinsville, MA The Worcester Shakespeare Festival on Alternatives' Community Plaza at the Historic Whitin Mill proudly presents The Merry Wives of Windsor in repertory with The Winter's Tale.  For the performance calender and to purchase tickets online, visit WorcesterShakespeareCompany.org.  Tickets are also available at the door.  Read more Public Informational Meeting and Public Hearing: Proposed Cleanup Plan Thursday, August 7, 2014 Cumberland Public Library 1464 Diamond Hill Road Cumberland, RI Start time: 6:30 pm The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a public informational meeting on the proposed cleanup plan for a portion of a Superfund site, in Cumberland, RI. The site is known as the Peterson/Puritan site, and the clean up plan being reviewed relates to "Operable Unit 2" of the site. Thursday, August 21 Cumberland Public Library 1464 Diamond Hill Road Cumberland, RI Start time: 6:30 pm The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a public hearing on the proposed cleanup plan for a portion of a Superfund site, in Cumberland, RI. The site is known as the Peterson/Puritan site, and the clean up plan being reviewed relates to "Operable Unit 2" of the site   Information is available on the web at www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/peterson. The proposed clean up plan will be posted on that web site some time after July 31. Museum of Work & Culture to host Ciné-Francohone, Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival Thursday, August 7 Museum of Work & Culture 42 South Main Street Woonsocket, RI Start time: 7:15 pm The Museum of Work & Culture in partnership with Flickers is hosting a Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) screening. The Museum will show a collection of new and dynamic films by newly discovered Québécois filmmakers currently in competition in this year's 18th Annual RIIFF. All films have English subtitles.  For more information about the festival please visit: www.RIFilmFest.org or contact the Museum of Work & Culture at (401)769-9675. Cumberland Fest Friday, August 8 - Sunday, August 10 Cumberland, RI CumberlandFest™ is 24 years old and it is an all volunteer organization that raises funds for sport programs in Cumberland, RI. Each organization receiving funds must provide volunteers throughout the 3 days of the fair to help with tickets, cleaning, parking, setup, security etc. Many of the volunteer committee members have been there since year one. CumberlandFest™ is the largest family entertainment draw in Northern RI. Read more 7th Annual Barbara J. Walker Butterfly Festival at Broad Meadow Brook Saturday, August 9 Rain Date: August 10 Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center & Wildlife Sanctuary 208 South Great Road Lincoln, MA 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Enjoy educational fun for all ages at the 7th Annual Barbara J. Walker Butterfly Festival at Broad Meadow Brook, where butterflies fly free in their natural habitats. Read more Downtown Sundown Concert Series Roger Williams National Memorial 282 North Main Street Providence, RI Saturday, August 9 Michelle Cruz Lily Faith Milne Dylan Sevey Vudu Sister Saturday, August 23 Marc Douglas Berardo Allysen Callery Bob Kendall Ed McGuirl Read more Pawtucket Foundation and Foolproof Brewing Company Partner for Second Annual Augtoberfest Saturday, August 9 Foolproof Brewing Company 241 Grotto Avenue Pawtucket, RI 2:00 - 6:00 pm The second annual Augtoberfest will feature live music, food trucks, and of course...beer! Attendees will receive four beer tickets and a commemorative plastic beer stein. Foolproof will be releasing their new Augtoberfest beer - a delicious fester. Tickets are $30 and include four beer tickets, a commemorative Augtoberfest stein, access to food trucks and live music!  Read more 6th Annual Memorial Car Show at Waters Farm Saturday, August 16 10:00 am - 2:00 pm   Contact Dan Farnham at 508-865-2373, email: danfarnham112@aol.com. Read more Come & Play Games of Old at the Smith-Appleby House Sunday, August 17 Smith-Appleby House Museum 220 Stillwater Road Smithfield, RI 1:00 - 4:00 pm Enjoy a colonial fun-filled family day of yard games and watermelon at the Smith-Appleby House. Show your skill and challenge others at tug-o-war, sack race, hoops, graces, 9 pin bowling, and "how far can you spit that seed?" Then tour the historical Smith-Appleby House to see and hear what daily life was really like in Colonial Rhode Island during the American Revolution. Tours are led by educators and history enthusiasts in Colonial dress. Read more The Little Red Shop Museum "In Days Gone By" The Story of the Draper Company Sunday, August 17 The Little Red Shop Museum 12 Hopedale Street Hopedale, MA Start time: 1:30 pm Come and enjoy a lecture by Professor William Mass of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, followed by a discussion of the loom pictured in Cotton Chats with Deb Adamczyk, Seth Blackwell, Cathy Blackwell, and Liane Speroni.  Little Red Shop Museum is located in scenic downtown Hopedale, MA, and sits amid the town's extensive National Register (historic) district. They are located about 10 minutes from Rte. 495 exits in both Milford and Bellingham, at the corner of Freedom St. and Hopedale St.  Phone: 508-478-2926  Email: curator@littleredshopmuseum.org  Circus - Design the Night Celebration Henri Matisse, The Nightmare of the White Elephant (Le Cauchemar de l'éléphant blanc), 1947. © Henri Matisse. Mary B. Jackson Fund. Friday, August 1, 2014 - Sunday, February 22, 2015 Works on Paper Galleries Design the Night Celebration: August 21 5:00 - 9:00 pm, free RISD Museum 20 North Main Street Providence, RI The spectacle of the American and European circus takes center stage this summer in Circus, a glimpse into the visual world of this phenomenon during the height of its popularity, 1850 to 1960.  Approximately 40 circus-themed paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and posters by artists such as Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, James-Jacques-Joseph Tissot, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec delve into life under the big top and its wider connections to culture and society. Read more "Mrs. Asa Waters" To Host Grand Tea Luncheon Honoring General Lafayette Thursday, August 21 Asa Waters Mansion 123 Elm Street Millbury, MA Start time: 1:00 pm The Friends of the Asa Waters Mansion and "Mrs. Asa Waters" cordially invite you to a Grand Tea Luncheon in celebration of the 5th Anniversary of the return visit to America of the great Marquis de Lafayette.  Read more (PDF) 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

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