FHS Boys Hockey win

From HockomockSports we find the results of the FHS boys hockey game in the Mount St Charles Tournament:

FHS Panthers

Franklin, 6 vs. La Salle (PA), 2 (@ Mount St. Charles Tournament) - Final - Alec Borkowski scored two goals and had two assists for the Panthers who took fifth place at the tournament.

For all the results across the Hockomock League on Sunday, check here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-122814

Tips to celebrating New Year's Eve safely

From the MA Gov blog we find tips on celebrating New Year's Eve safely:

From all-day festivals in Pioneer Valley to breathtaking firework displays on the Charles River, New Year’s Eve is an exciting and fun holiday in Massachusetts. Friends and family gather to mark the turning of the calendar in one of the most festive celebrations of the holiday season in the Commonwealth. 

While communities come together to kick-start 2015, it’s important to stay safe while celebrating. The Highway Safety Division (HSD) and the Department of Fire Services (DFS) of Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) provide tips and resources to make sure you and your family safely ring in 2015.

photo from MA Gov posting

Continue reading to find the safety tips
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/holidays/celebrate-new-years-eve-safely-in-massachusetts/


First Night Boston - http://www.firstnightboston.org/

"acts of kindness can greatly improve the lives of others"

From the MA Gov blog they have an article with good tips on how to donate wisely this holiday season.

How to Donate

Charitable organizations provide a variety of services to those most in need. With many charities asking for your assistance, it’s important to give wisely.

1. Find a cause you are passionate about – Donating can directly benefit the issues you care about the most. Looking to help the homeless and the hungry? Reach out to one of the many food banks in the Commonwealth. If you love animals, contacting an animal shelter for information on contributing can be a great idea. Additionally, you can assist families in need by providing baby supplies, books, clothes, and household items.

2. Research the charity – As part of the “Donating Dos and Don’ts” it’s important to know to where your money is going. While most foundations are reputable and legitimate there are few that are not. Whensupporting and evaluating charities you can review the organization’s federal Form 990, search through the Non-Profits & Charities Document database, or ask directly for their financial statements.

3. Document your donations – Many contributions are tax deductible. In order to be eligible for deductions, keep track of how much you’ve given and to what organizations, obtain a receipt for your donation if possible.

4. Encourage family and friends – Giving charitably to others promotes community ties and bring happiness to those who need it most. Telling those close to you about opportunities to donate can inspire them to do the same.

screen grab of MA Gov article on charitable donations

Read the full article here

http://blog.mass.gov/blog/consumer-advice/4-tips-for-donating-this-holiday-season/

While there are many worthy charitable organizations in Franklin, for a year end taxable contribution, I would recommend helping the Food Pantry.

Food and non-food donations can be placed in the bin by the Food Pantry front door at 43 West Central St. Please be mindful of what you leave given the weather conditions. 

Financial contributions can be mailed to Franklin Food Pantry, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA  02038 or made securely through our webpage:  

donate securely here

Disclosure: I volunteer some of my time for the Board of Directors of the Franklin Food Pantry where I serve as Board Secretary and Chairperson of the Communications Committee.

This was also shared on the Franklin Food Pantry page here
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/12/acts-of-kindness-can-greatly-improve.html

FHS Boys Basketball and Hockey teams win

From Hockomock Sports we find the results from Saturday:

Boys Basketball

FHS Panthers

Franklin, 65 vs. Catholic Central (NY), 55 - Final - Tim Prunier led the Panthers with a team-high 20 points and senior Marcus Giese added 14 rebounds in the Panthers win.

Boys Hockey

Franklin, 1 vs. La Salle, 1 - Final - Ryan Spillane scored in overtime to give the Panthers the win but the game finishes as a tie for MIAA purposes.

Complete results from Hockomock League action on Saturday can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-122714

Franklin Annual Report 2014: Conservation Commission

The Franklin Conservation Commission is responsible for promoting and developing the natural resources of Franklin and protecting the watershed resources of Franklin. A large part of the Commission’s attention is directed to administering Massachusetts and Franklin wetland protection laws. Those laws require the Commission to hold public hearings or meetings before issuing a permit to work in or within 100 feet of a wetland, or 200 feet of a perennial stream.

The Commission is comprised of up to seven volunteer residents appointed for three year terms by the Town Administrator. The Commission may also have up to two non-voting associate members. The members of the Commission have diverse professional experience related to environmental science, biology, engineering, landscape design, and project management. Because of their different backgrounds, each commissioner is able to offer a different perspective during the review of applications for a wetland permit that ultimately benefits Franklin.

In November 2013, the Town hired George Russell, AICP, as Conservation Agent. George is a Professional Planner/Conservation Agent with over 30 years of experience in the field. Franklin was well represented at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions in March, with Commissioners attending classes and workshops and talking with other Commissioners from across the state as well as lawyers, ecologists and engineers active in conservation.

In 2012, the EPA adopted regulations to reduce the amount of phosphorus in storm water runoff into the Charles River basin, with Franklin, Bellingham and Milford as the pilot communities. These regulations are in response to the public health threat posed by outbreaks of toxic algae blooms downstream fostered by high levels of phosphorus from storm water runoff. These regulations will require properties with more than two acres of imperious surfaces to improve storm water runoff treatment. Currently these regulations remain at a standstill as the EPA continues to work out the regulatory details. The Commission monitors the status of these regulations while encouraging and advising on appropriate stormwater management practices where applicable in Conservation jurisdiction.

The Commission continues to work on the DelCarte Area (aka the Franklin Reservoirs) off of Pleasant Street. There are a series of seven “structures” (six are dams that had been originally used for cranberry farming, the seventh is a stone wall that beavers had dammed) along Miller brook thru the 100+ acre DelCarte Area. The dams are identified serially from Dam #1 located closest to downtown adjacent to the MBTA Dean station to #6 located furthest downstream, closest to Miller Street. In 2012-3, rehabilitation of Dam #4 was completed and the work was been approved by the State Office of Dam Safety. Several Eagle Scout and school/class projects have been completed in the DelCarte and Dacey Field areas. These projects have helped in the clearing of trails and the erecting of educational signage.

Since the last annual report, the Conservation Commission has received 51 permit applications to work within the area under their permitting jurisdiction. These applications range from the removal of dead trees in a buffer zone, to the construction of 55 single family condominiums in a designed development. The Commission also issued 38 certificate of completion for various projects and granted 5 extensions to allow projects to finish.

The Commission would like to draw the attention of the Town’s residents to the many protected natural areas in the Town and the opportunities for passive recreation they enable:

• The DelCarte Area, with parking off of Pleasant Street, has recently improved walking trails through woodlands along a series of ponds. A permit has been approved for installation of a canoe launch and an above-water boardwalk to completely connect the trail system; Dam Restoration, DelCarte Recreation Area
• The Town Forest has good access points off of both Summer Street and Russet Hill Road with a network of walking trails thru woodlands and across Uncas Brook;
• There is a network of recently improved walking trails that cross Shepards Brook and go thru fields and woods behind the Dacey Recreation Area off Lincoln Street;
• Indian Rock has good access off of both King Phillip Road and Lost Horse Trail with walking trails thru woodlands near two large vernal pools and to the top of historic Indian Rock;
• The Metacomet Land Trust owns several pieces of protected land, notably the walking trails off of Bridle Path and The Lady Bug Trail near JFK school;
• The Franklin State Forest is accessible off of Grove Street and Forge Hill Road and boasts an extensive network of walking and ORV trails;
• The SNETT trail goes all the way to Douglas. There is a Town parking lot off of Grove Street; (The town has a grant application pending with the state to improve this trail.)
• The expansive marsh near Interstate 495 exit #17 is the US Army Corps of Engineers Natural Valley Flood Storage Project, preserved to protect against downstream flooding in the Charles River basin. That marsh is along Mine Brook, the largest stream in town, draining about half of Franklin, starting at the extreme south end of Franklin, passing underneath Washington Street, Beaver Street, 495, Grove Street, West Central Street, 495 again, Beech Street, and Pond Street before finally meeting the Charles River on the Medway border.
• Other significant streams in Franklin include Shepards Brook, Miller Brook, Uncas Brook and Bubbling Brook. Lake Populatic is part of the Charles River, the other navigable ponds in Franklin are Spring (Green’s) Pond, Beaver Pond, and Uncas Pond, the last two of which are listed as Great Ponds by Mass DEP. There are many other natural areas in Franklin waiting to be explored.

The Commission would also like the town residents to be aware of the potential tax savings of M.G. L. Chapter 61 (forest land), 61A (agricultural land) and 61B (recreational land). Such programs are designed to benefit the land owner via reducing the tax burden as well as to preserving and maintaining the quality and quantity of environmentally sensitive and natural areas within the commonwealth.

Conservation Commission Members:
Jeff Livingstone – Chair
Paul Harrington
Marc Depoto - - Vice Chair 
Ravi Pendkar
Mark Cataldo 
Steve Younis
Dayna Gill

Respectfully submitted,

Jeff Livingstone, Chair

floating bridge was added to DelCarte to allow the trails to loop around the pond

Please visit our website for additional information including application forms, and regularly posted
Conservation Commission agendas and meeting minutes at www.franklin.ma.us.



The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2014report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

Franklin Annual Report - 2014

The Annual Report is published each year with information from the prior fiscal year.

Town of Franklin, 2014 Annual Report

In the Town Code, Chapter 1, subchapter 4-3 the Annual Report is defined:

Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees.
[Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]

If you go to the official Franklin website, find the Town Code section and search for "Annual report" these are the results you should find 
http://ecode360.com/10432729?highlight=annual%20report,reports,annual,report


I'll be sharing sections of the report over the next several days. You can find a hard copy at the Municipal Building. Usually a copy is available on the table when you enter. If not, check with the Town Clerk's office.

You can also find the PDF copy online. The Annual Reports going back to 1006 are all available online
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

Franklin Annual Report 2014: Charles River Pollution Control District

While the Pond St property has been in the news recently with the RFP and intention to sell it, its original use was as the sewer treatment plant for Franklin. Franklin is part of the Charles River Pollution Control District which handles our wastewater treatment.



During Fiscal Year 2014, the Charles River Pollution Control District’s (District) regional advanced wastewater treatment facility received and treated approximately 1,370 million gallons (3.75 million gallons per day) of raw wastewater, including 7.0 million gallons of septage from the District’s member and customer towns before discharge to the Charles River. The volume of waste treated was lower than the previous year due to a decrease in precipitation.

The District is anticipating the renewal process to begin for its National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for discharge of its treated wastewater to the Charles River. Under the preliminary draft NPDES permit, the District and the Towns of Franklin, Medway, Millis, and Bellingham will have to maintain an ongoing preventive maintenance program to prevent overflows and bypasses caused by malfunctions or failures of the sewer system and an infiltration and inflow reduction program. In addition, the new limit for phosphorus is being reduced from 0.2 mg/L to 0.1 mg/L in the summer months and a winter limit of 0.3 mg/L is being added.

The District conducted an Infiltration and Inflow Study in 2013, with CDM Smith, to identify areas of the District’s interceptors that will need further investigation and repair. The study modeled flow through the interceptors, groundwater elevations and rainfall data during the spring and summer months (wet and dry periods).

This summer, the District will be investigating the manholes in a portion of its interceptors to determine each manhole’s condition. CDM Smith and staff from the District prepared a 20-year capital improvement plan (CIP) to improve the wastewater treatment facility to meet more stringent NPDES permitting requirements and provide a more reliable wastewater treatment facility at its current capacity.

In July 2010, the District was informed of its acceptance on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) Bureau of Resource Protection Calendar Year 2010 Intended Use List for State Revolving Funding (SRF). In order to expedite the designs and proceed with the project in a timely manner, the CIP was divided into three phases (A, B and C).

• Phase A, which was completed in December 2013, included the replacement of both primary clarifier mechanisms, addition of two screenings washer/compactors in the wet well, primary scum handling improvements, and plant lighting and security improvements.
• Phase B, the capping of the on-site residuals landfill, was completed in August 2013.
• Phase C, focuses on improving phosphorus removal, replacing the disinfection system, and extending the life of the facility for an additional 20 years. This phase is currently under construction. It is expected that construction will last about 2.5 years. A District-wide Global Information System was developed as part of this phase to assist with infiltration and inflow reduction requirements.

The District funded Phases A and B with a 20- year State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of approximately $3.5M for costs associated with bidding, construction, and resident engineering. Phase C costs will be funded through separate SRF loans of approximately $24.5M, which includes bidding, construction, and resident engineering. Ineligible costs (i.e. design of Phase C) for SRF loans will be funded by a General Obligation Bond of approximately $1.95M.

The District is one of seven municipal wastewater treatment plants selected by the Mass DEP to participate in a pilot program that involves energy auditing, assessments for renewable and clean energy possibilities, and support of implementation for energy related projects. The purpose of this pilot program is to reduce the amount of energy used at municipal wastewater treatment plants by 20%, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving municipalities money.

The District was granted $847,583 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to install a 20 kW solar voltaic array and two turbo style blowers. The solar panels will produce energy onsite whereas the turbo blowers will provide oxygen to the secondary treatment system using approximately 30% less power than the existing blowers. The District is anticipating a 20% reduction in energy costs from these energy improvements. At this time, the solar voltaic array has produced over 70,000 kw over the last 3.5 years and the turbo blowers are the main source of air to the activated sludge process.

The District’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget is 13.4% higher than the previous years’ budget. The District’s FY 2015 budget for operations and maintenance is $3,151,720, while the capital projects budget is $1,018,300. Franklin’s share of the operation and maintenance and capital projects budgets are estimated to be $1,652,000 and $620,730, respectively.

Respectively submitted
Douglas M. Downing, Chairman (Medway)
William J. Goode, Jr., Vice-Chairman (Franklin)
Alfred H. Wahlers, Clerk, (Franklin)
Paul J. DeSimone (Medway)
Gene Guidi, (Franklin)

CRPCD Officers:
Elizabeth Schreiber, P.E., Executive Director
Emma J. Catalano, Treasurer
Barbara Maffeo, Executive Secretary
Cornetta, Ficco & Simmler, Legal Counsel

Franklin Municipal Building

The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2014report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

Franklin Library: Adult Coffee and Craft - Jan 2, 1:30 PM

The Franklin Public Library will hold an Craft and Coffee event for adults on Friday, Jan 2. You will get to make your own scented bath salts and decorate a container to hold them.

Starts at 1:30 PM.

coffee and craft for adults

This was shared from the Franklin Library webpage here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/12/adult-coffee-craft-jan-2nd-at-130-pm.html

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 12/26/14 - THU 1/1/15

MON 12/29   4pm   Holiday Craft for Families at Franklin Public Library

TUE 12/30   10:30am   Family Story Time at Franklin Public Library

Out of Town Year End Happenings:

First Night Boston 2015
Holiday Happenings at Patriot Place


For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

WISHING YOU, YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2015!

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING NEEDLE DISPOSAL

Update: Starting January 1st, 2015 the needle collection site will be moved to the Police Station on Panther Way.

The town’s needle/syringe disposal kiosk is currently relocated in the lobby of the DPW office at 257 Fisher Street. The kiosk will be available to residents during normal DPW business hours.

To protect the health of personnel servicing the kiosk, absolutely no needles/syringes or lancets will be accepted unless they are inside an approved sharps container. Laundry detergent containers, cardboard boxes and plastic bags are not acceptable. Also the needle kiosk is not for the disposal of medications. The Franklin Police Department has a collection bin for residents to dispose of medications.

Residents may purchase small sharps containers from Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Target for a nominal fee. The Town of Franklin does not provide sharps containers to residents.

Franklin Police Station, Panther Way

Franklin Art Association: Meeting Jan 7

The Franklin Art Association will meet Wednesday, Jan. 7th, from 6:30 - 9:00 pm at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street.

Franklin Art Association

Refreshments and socialization will begin at 6:30. The program will feature a demonstration presented by pastel artist Karole Nicholson.

Meetings are free and opened to the public.

For more information, please visit our website at www.franklinart.org

Merry Christmas !!!

From Franklin's own Jamie Barrett, a new song to celebrate the holiday!

A brand new original written, arranged, performed and produced by singer-songwriter Jamie Barrett. The song was written in late November and recorded on December 20, 2014.

There will be little else posted today.

Time for all of us to spend with family and friends. 

Let's be grateful for what we have!



Bonus video:









 

Fletcher Field - Tot Lot - Video

The 3rd ribbon cutting for a recreation space in Franklin to be opened or improved happened on Tuesday morning. This is the second tot lot targeted for children 2-5 years old. The other one is on Nason St.

What were the first two ribbon cuttings during 2014? (think about it, the answers are listed at the end of this)

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, DPW Director Robert Cantoreggi, Recreation Director Ryan Jette were among those to participate.

Councilors Matt Kelly, Judy Pfeffer (behind Matt), Brad Feldman, Tom Mercer, and Steve Williams joined State Rep Jeff Roy for the ribbon cutting

A brief video walking around the tot lot after the ribbon cutting.




The handout provided at yesterday's ribbon cutting




The design rendering of what it looks like




The design specifications






Photo slide show of the tot lot:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157647568545314/

These photos can also be found on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/franklinmatters/photos/a.10150462761589995.1073741886.173205529994/10150462761644995/?type=1&theater




Answers:
The 1st ribbon cutting was for the playground at DelCarte Recreation space (Pond St) in June
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/delcarte-opening-day-photo-essay.html


The 2nd ribbon cutting was for the Sculpture Park (Panther Way) in August
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/sculpture-park-official-opening.html

FHS Hockey gets a win and a tie

From Hockomock Sports we find that the boys hockey team tied and the girls hockey team won a close and high scoring game.

FHS Panthers

Boys

Franklin, 1 @ Bridgewater-Raynham, 1 - Final - Mason Saunders scored a powerplay goal in the first period for the Panthers.

Girls

Franklin, 7 vs. Bishop Stang, 6 - Final

For all the results of yesterday's Hockomock League action you can find it here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-122314

Senator Spilka: Happy Holidays!

December 23, 2014 Dear Steve, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! I hope you have a relaxing holiday season surrounded by loved ones, friends and family. As 2014 comes to a close, I am proud to reflect on a very productive year and excited to kick off a new legislative session in January. Click here or on the image below to read my end-of-year State House update. For more news and updates, please connect with me on Facebook and Twitter. The start of a new session is a unique opportunity to renew my drive to advance MetroWest communities, the innovation economy and under-served and vulnerable people across the state. Next month, I will draft and file a diverse set of bills to help make MetroWest and Massachusetts an even better place to live, work and play. My colleagues and I will then begin the process of committee hearings, re-drafting and debate on the Senate and House floors. Please be sure to make your voice heard throughout this process. Keep sharing your concerns, questions and ideas. Last session we passed many new laws that will make a real difference in the lives of people across the Commonwealth. There is still work to be done. Let's get started! As always, if you would like additional information or have any concerns or comments, please call my office at (617) 722-1640 or email me at Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov. Warm Regards, Senator Karen E. Spilka 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk http://www.karenspilka.com Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka Room 320, State House Boston, Massachusetts  02133 Phone: (617) 722-1640 - Fax: (617) 722-1077 http://www.karenspilka.com/

Senator Karen Spilka | Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov | Office of Karen Spilka | Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka, Room 511-C, State House | Boston, MA 02133

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