"the need for the housing outweighs the local concerns"

The Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday, April 21, 2016 opened the hearing on Madalene Village. After hearing the comments and concerns from several neighbors the ZBA authorized the hiring of a traffic study and an attorney to help them process the proposal.

The ZBA attorney just hired to assist with the Madalene Village proposals, turned to the audience and provided an overview of the regulations around the 40B legislation. One key concept is 

"the need for the housing outweighs the local concerns"

------

The following letter was submitted to the ZBA and summarizes the multiple concerns of the neighbors:

"The abutter community has many concerns with the Madalene Village development proposed for the 3.87 acre parcel of land abutting Cottage and Peck Street. As we have spoken to town officials and neighbors and reviewed the documentation provide by the developer, we have uncovered grave concerns with the proposal that would adversely impact the current residents of our neighborhood and also negatively affect the interests of the greater Franklin community. 

Our concerns fall into the broad categories of environmental and conservation, safety of current residents, safety of future residents, health issues and matters of integration into the existing neighborhood. They are as follows:"

a view of the 'intermittent drainage ditch' or stream from Peck St.

Continue reading the full set of arguments in the embedded document:



The 40B resources on the MA.gov site can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/hed/community/40b-plan/

The Zoning Board of Appeals page on the official Town of Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBA/index

FHS girls lacrosse tops Medfield 17-6

Girls Lacrosse

• Franklin, 17 vs. Medfield, 6 – Final 

– Franklin raced out to a 9-0 lead in the first half and never looked back against D2 powerhouse Medfield. Kendall Reardon led Franklin with three goals and two assists while Kenzie Pleshaw and Diana Griffin had three goals apiece. Julia Jette and Halle Atkinson each had two goals for the Panthers. Head coach Kristin Igoe said Dana Lewandowski played well on defense, causing three turnovers.

For other results around the Hockomock League on Friday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-042216/

FHS Panthers

LiveARTS: Jan Müller-Szeraws, cello and Sally Pinkas, piano - Apr 24

"Continuing in a tradition of “spotlighting” the members of the LiveARTS String Quartet as solo artists as well as ensemble players, LiveARTS is pleased to shine the spotlight on the LiveARTS String Quartet’s cellist, Jan Müller-Szeraws, in a recital all his own. 

When our new friend Jan joined the Quartet last year, we were deeply impressed by the ease with which he slid into the cellist’s chair and the immediate seamlessness of his collegial participation in the ensemble’s work. In actuality, that he was able to do so should have come as no surprise, given the depth and breadth of his career. 

Now as soloist--with the support of his collaborator, pianist Sally Pinkas, a highly acclaimed musician widely known in New England and returning to LiveARTS for a third appearance--the spotlight will fall upon Jan and his cello, lighting the way into an exploration of works especially for that instrument whose musical voice is universally loved, a voice that has inspired an enormously satisfying and broad musical literature. "

Jan Müller-Szeraws and Sally Pinkas

All Concerts on Sundays, 3:30 pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street 

Doors open at 3 pm. Open Seating. Handicapped accessible

• Adults $20
• Seniors (60+) $15
• Students $10
• Children 6-12 Free

What better note on which to close this lovely season of LiveARTS friends?

Rotary Soap Drive for the Franklin Food Pantry

The Rotary Soap Drive will take place April 25th - May 15th and is aimed at collecting specific soap products that are not available on public assistance.

Did you know? Assistance is available for food purchases but does not cover every day, basic essentials like hand soap, dish soap and laundry detergent. Together we can help our food pantry offer support to friends and neighbors in need.

• NEEDED: HAND SOAP, DISH SOAP, LAUNDRY DETERGENT

The bins will be located at the 

Rotary International

• YMCA lobby
• Rockland Trust Bank 
• Bristol County Bank 
• Dr Jeff Morrill's office
• Attorney Julie Rogeau's office
• Honeydew Donuts

and at several other Rotarian's businesses in Franklin.

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 4/22/16 - THU 4/28/16

SATURDAY 4/23/16
8-11am   1st Annual Clean Up at Del Carte (Pleasant Street)
12pm   3rd Annual Dean Dash 5K at Dean College
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Forever Young (Neil Young Tribute Band) at the FUSF

SUNDAY 4/24/16
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast at Franklin Rod and Gun Club
3:30pm   LiveARTS Concert: Jan Müller-Szeraws, cello and Adam Golka, piano at the FUSF

MONDAY 4/25/16
7:00 PM   Speaker Series: Fixing the MBTA, Senator Jamie Eldridge; Alumni Bar and Grill, Hosted by the Franklin Democratic Town Committee

WEDNESDAY 4/27/16
6-8pm   1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner Fundraiser at the Franklin HS

For additional April Break kid's activities in Franklin area go HERE.

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

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

Tired of poor service and increasing fares?

Learn about the push for action. Senator Jamie Eldridge, Chair of the Legislative MBTA Caucus will be the guest speaker at 7:00 PM on Monday, April 25 at Alumni Bar and Grill. 

Hosted by the Franklin Democratic Town Committee, the monthly business meeting will follow the speaker.

For additional info, check out the event page on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/1592212457736802/

Keep it simple on Sat-Sun --- Use Franklin Dean Station, don't go to Forge Park

Due to railroad tie replacement, service will be suspended between Franklin and Forge Park/495 Stations in both directions on the following dates:

• Saturday, April 23, 2016
• Sunday, April 24, 2016

Outbound Franklin Line service will terminate at Franklin Station where passengers can connect with a shuttle bus to Forge Park/495 Station. Passengers desiring Inbound Franklin Line service from Forge Park/495 Station must board a shuttle bus to Franklin Station for Commuter Rail connection. Passengers are urged to park at Franklin Station if possible. Passengers should also allow additional travel time anticipating delays of approximately ten minutes.

Trains affected:

• Saturday, April 23, 2016 - All
• Sunday, April 24, 2016 - All

Affected stops:

• Franklin
• Forge Park / 495

From an alert posted on the MBTA.com

http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/?ttype=cr&route=Franklin+Line

Franklin train heading to Forge Park,which is what it won't do this Sat-Sun due to track work