"too late for homeowners to protect their trees"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The MetroWest area is one of several across the state that has been hit hard by the gypsy moth caterpillar and local arborists say there is little homeowners can do now to protect their trees from the insect. 

Throughout the past few years – and particularly this year – the gypsy moth caterpillar population has been on the rise, likely due to dry springs the past few years. The dry weather has repressed the growth of entomophaga maimaiga, a soil-based fungus that kills gypsy moth larvae. 

“We’ve seen a lot more the past five to 10 years,” said Eric Taylor, consulting arborist with Lynch Plant Health Care in Sudbury."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160619/metrowest-hit-hard-by-gypsy-moth-caterpillar

tree on the Franklin Town Common whose leaves are being decimated by the gypsy moth (or something else?)

Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry of Deeds Internet Research

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry of Deeds Internet Research Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell is providing a friendly reminder to consumers that you don't have to spend time and money to drive to the Registry to view land records since they are available online via the Registry's internet-based document research system at www.norfolkdeeds.org. "Consumers can see up to 5,000,000 scanned land document images dating back to the founding of Norfolk County in 1793. These documents are available via our internet-based document research system. "Providing secure, accurate and accessible land record information, coupled with our on-site customer service center, is critical to our success at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds," said Register O'Donnell. Elaborating on the Registry's research capabilities, O'Donnell said, "Land record information can be researched by multiple options, including the name of the property owner and property address. Consumers can access our internet-based document research system for many endeavors, to determine property ownership, to research land titles, to review land plans (not plot plans which are not recorded at the Registry) and finally to confirm that documents affecting a person's property - such as mortgage discharges - have been duly recorded." The Registry's website also provides information on how to obtain copies of land documents. The Registry copy charges are $1.00 per page plus an additional $1.00 per document for postage. In conclusion, O'Donnell stated, "Providing first-class customer service is a core objective of the Registry. Norfolk County residents and businesses deserve a Registry of Deeds that provides them with access to land record information in an easily accessible and consumer friendly manner. The Registry website www.norfolkdeeds.org does that by bringing the Registry records into your homes and businesses." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - June 22, 2016

The agenda for the Town Council meeting Wednesday, June 22 has been released with the associated documents.

• The annual committee appointments was tabled from last meeting and is up for vote at this one
• Thomas Lynch gets sworn in as Police Chief, James Mills gets sworn in as Deputy Chief
• The plan for parking downtown is up for discussion

The PDF file here contains links to the supporting documents:

parking spots by the Bank of America building along Emmons St that are part of the
easement agreement up for approval on this agenda

Franklin Recreation Department Introduces Pickleball

The Franklin Recreation Department is excited to announce that this summer we will be introducing a new program for the sport of Pickleball. According to USAPA (USA Pickleball Association) it is one of the quickest growing sports being played all across the country. Pickleball is a fast paced paddle sport that combines elements from tennis, badminton, and ping pong.

This program will be open to anyone ages 10 and up! Join us as we have open court time at the Franklin High School tennis courts on Tuesdays starting on June 28th and continuing until August 9th from 7-9 PM. Take this time to learn the rules and master the skills of the game or if you are already familiar with the sport use the time to compete against your friends in doubles matches each week. All necessary equipment will be provided, including nets, paddles, balls, etc. Registration is now open, free of charge and can be completed online, by visiting the Recreation Department at 275 Beaver Street in Franklin or by calling us at 508-613-1666.

• To register online

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Recreation/online

USA Pickleball Association

• For more info on starting pickleball

http://www.usapa.org/what-is-pickleball/

• From YouTube pickleball video tips for players

Downtown Parking Proposal - for discussion at the Town Council meeting June 22

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting writes to the Town Council:

"The goal of parking management in the downtown is to provide for turnover of spaces for customers at reasonable time intervals. The parking “problem” has several issues including:

1. Keeping MBTA commuters from using spaces reserved for customers
2. Parking for some downtown employees
3. Parking close to business establishments
4. Underutilization of some spaces

After several meetings with the business community and discussion with staff and the police department I offer for discussion the following suggested changes to the downtown parking:

1. Streets - Generally the colored lines are as follows: 

a. Red – No Parking. 

b. Purple – 2 hour parking enforced Monday – Friday from 8 AM - 2 PM. This is generally the immediate down town area. 

c. Blue – 2 hour parking enforced Monday –Friday from 6 AM – 10 AM. These areas are currently a mixed bag of 2 hour parking with various restrictions or residential parking. The intent is to prevent commuter parking in these spaces in the AM. 

d. Green – Merchant Parking enforced Monday – Friday 6 AM – 2 PM If there are no colors than parking is allowed 24/7 except for snow and ice or other events.

2. Downtown Parking Lots - 

a. Commuter Parking 

–i. Currently there are 53 spaces in the Depot Street lot and 17 Spaces in the West Central Street Lot. 

ii. Hours = I propose that we sell commuter spaces Monday-Friday 6 AM – Noon. 

iii. If spaces are available after noon anyone can park in the space. The current fee is$480 per year ($125 per quarter) or about $2 per day. 

b. Merchant Permits 

–i. Currently 22 spaces – I propose to sell merchant parking.

ii. Hours = Monday – Friday 6 AM- 2PM. After 2 PM anyone can park in the spaces. 

iii. The current fee is $360 per year ($180 for six months) or about $1.35 per day.Currently one business uses 16 spaces, one uses 5 spaces and 1 uses 1 space. I suggest the Council consider increasing the fee to match the Commuter space fee of $480 per year. The spaces have the same value and cost the same to maintain. 

iv. Add an HP spot in the Ferrara lot. 

v. Keep 5 spaces for customers and continue to sell the rest for commuter rail. 

vi. Adjust the number of customer spaces as may be required by reducing commuter spaces in demand dictates a change.

Once the Town Council adopts a plan it should be reviewed the plan in six months."


For the full text and map visit the Franklin page here
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0242A573-000F8513

Or view the document here




Yes, there were parking meters downtown. They were covered in burlap for the holidays and removed in early January. In front of Rockland Trust, the parking meetings have been removed but there is still one on the other side in front of the Post Office.

January 10, 2016

a little further along Main St but in front of Rockland Trust, Saturday, June 18

Summer Food Service Program Kicks Off in Milford

A collaborative project with the Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition,

the Milford Public Schools Food Services and the Hockomock Area YMCA

The Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition is presenting the Milford Summer Food Service Program, sponsored by the Hockomock Area YMCA in collaboration with the Milford Public Schools Food Services team. The program begins on Thursday, June 23rd and will end on Tuesday, August 30th.

The program is being offered at three locations in Milford, MA including Memorial Elementary School located at 12 Walnut Street; The Milford Youth Center located at 24 Pearl Street; and the Trinity Episcopal Church located at 17 Congress Street.

The Summer Food Service Program in Milford will be serving nutritious lunches for all children who would like to participate (ages 18 and under) Monday through Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Participants must remain onsite while eating and enjoying the meal. Each site will also offer fun, interactive activities after the lunch each weekday. This program is free and open to all. No advanced sign-up or paperwork required. In addition to the free lunch, an afternoon snack is available at the Milford Youth Center from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. each week day.

“We are proud that our Y is a place where community comes together to make a difference when we engage in initiatives like the Milford Summer Food Service Program,” said Ed Hurley, president of the Hockomock Area YMCA. “Our partnership with the Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition and the Milford Public Schools will positively impact hundreds of Milford children and families. Collectively we are working to ensure that more kids have the nourishment they need to grow and thrive this summer.”

A pilot program was launched last summer in Milford by the Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition (MAHC). The program served 2,200 meals to children over the course of the summer. "Last summer’s lunch program was a huge success. We used private funding to test out the pilot program. The good news is that every child who comes to one of the three lunch sites will be fed each week day this summer. We anticipate 300 to 500 kids a day. The bad news is that there are over 1,400 children in the Milford school system who depend on the school for their meals (reduced price and free) over the course of the school year. Let’s make sure that no child goes to bed hungry this summer,” said Rev. William MacDonald Murray, who is also the rector at Trinity Episcopal Church and leads the Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition.

Kevin McIntyre, incoming Superintendent of Milford Public Schools said, "We are very excited to partner with the Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition and the Hockomock Area YMCA for the Summer Food Service Program. This supports a clear need in the community and will provide meals to our students throughout the summer. I look forward to this being an annual partnership because of the vital need this fills when school is out of session."

For more information or to be a program volunteer, email mealprograms@hockymca.org. Information can also be found on Facebook (Milford Summer Food Service Program) and Twitter (@Milford_SFSP). As well as on the website: hockymca.org.

Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or ability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

Thank you to the following sponsors who have supported this program with grants or donations of over $250 dollars: The Walmart Foundation, The Episcopal Churches of Central and Western Massachusetts, The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, CHNA 6, Project Bread, Unibank, Bright Insurance, Trinity Episcopal Church, First Congregational Church, Milford Federal Saving and Loan, Milford National Bank and Trust, Partners by Design, Commission on Disability, Imperial Ford, Law Offices of Michael M. Kaplan P.C., Harold and Marcia Rhodes, and the Milford Rotary Club.

Milford Summer Food Service Program, sponsored by the Hockomock Area YMCA

In the News Rail trail spring clean up; pedestrian killed on tracks

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A contingent of volunteers walked the local portion of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail Saturday morning, picking up trash and clearing brush. 

The cleanup, organized by the Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, is part of an ongoing effort to keep the path clear of obstructions. 

"We try to have a cleanup about three times a year," said Edward Barth, the committee's president. "We work to time it with when the (state Department of Conservation and Recreation) is available. Usually, our fall cleanup is the big one."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160618/making-some-happy-trails

From the FBRTC Facebook page:

Ready for walk and work (FBRTC photo)

For additional photos of the clean up on Saturday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=ms.c.eJxFzMENwDAIQ9GNKgMJxvsvVok09Pr0bUOIRqazUl6PHSho7djCwDrFD2wwXpD3hPOh3QU0UAfygwLSHB4c8FP4QH~_U7kcFewK86HIl8g~-~-.bps.a.1039714256120612.1073741843.185258844899495&type=3

"A pedestrian was struck and killed by an MBTA commuter rail train Saturday afternoon. 

The incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. between Fisher and Union streets."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160618/franklin-person-struck-by-commuter-rail-train