All electronic tolling is here and the tool booth demolitions begins (video)

MassDOT has prepared a slick video (embedded below) showing the steps in removing the toll booths now that all electronic tolling is in place as of Oct 28, 10:00 PM.

• Do you have your transponder yet?

http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TrafficTravelResources/EZPassMAProgram.aspx





Additional info 

• on the demolition project

http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/TollPlazaDemolitionProject.aspx

• on all electronic tolling (AET)

https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TollInformation/AllElectronicTolling

• The information alert on the MA.gov site

http://www.mass.gov/alert/alertlanding.html#2232432

Franklin Rotary sidewalk chalkfest challenge a success

Wrentham Factory Outlet customers were treated to a display of talented chalk artists as they shopped last Saturday. 

The show was sponsored by the Franklin Rotary Club and Simon Properties, owners of the Wrentham Outlet, with cash and trophies awarded to the winners in the adult and children's categories. 

Overall winner was Kerry St.Pierre who won both the judges' award and the people's award divisions. Other adult cash prizes went to Lee Ball (2nd) and Sarah Anzalone (3rd). 

This was the first time this was done at the Wrentham Outlets and should become even more impressive next year--Cambridge and Providence Rotary Clubs have excellent shows at their local Simon Properties

Event photos submitted by the Rotary Club:

Franklin Rotary sidewalk chalk challenge a success

Franklin Rotary sidewalk chalk challenge a success 1

Franklin Rotary sidewalk chalk challenge a success 2

Franklin Rotary sidewalk chalk challenge a success 3

In the News: Police hosting Halloween party, EPA visits DPW in outreach on superfund site

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

"After being gone for several years, the Franklin Police Department's Halloween party will be rising from the grave this weekend. 

The free event - intended to provide thrills and entertainment for preschoolers through fifth-graders - will run on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the station on Panther Way. 

Detective Eric Copeland, one of the officers organizing the party, said the event itself will feature officers dressed up as superheroes, a bounce house, face painting and pumpkin painting. A "spooky trail" will run along the walking path next to the station. 

There will also, Copeland said, be a variety of food, including popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161028/franklin-police-hosting-halloween-haunting

Franklin Police Station, 911 Panther Way

"The federal Environmental Protection Agency will be returning to town to continue its outreach efforts on a local Superfund site. 

Representatives from the agency will be at the Fisher Street Department of Public Works building on Monday, to get public comment on the BJAT, LLC property, which is also on Fisher Street. 

"We will be there all day," said Marilyn St. Fleur, a community involvement coordinator for the EPA. "We'll have an availability session for individuals who are interested in the site as well." 

Agency representatives came to Franklin earlier this month and held a series of appointments to determine the best way to inform the public of developments. St. Fleur said Monday's visit would feature scheduled meetings as well, but that there would be an open session (from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.) for those who simply wish to know more."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161028/epa-continuing-outreach-on-franklin-superfund-site

FHS football and soccer results from Friday

From Hockomock Sports we share the FHS fall sports results from Friday, Oct 28

*** Football = Playoffs = Division 1 South

#8 Franklin, 0 @ #1 Xaverian, 42 – Final

FHS Panthers

*** Boys Soccer = Franklin, 0 @ King Philip, 2 – Final

– King Philip scored a pair of second half goals to finish the regular season with a win. Mike Rowe scored the game-winner, pouncing on a loose ball inside the area. Tyler Mann doubled the lead, taking a pass from Jason Florio and finishing alone against the keeper.


For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-102816/

EPA Staff Will be in Franklin Monday, Oct. 31 to Discuss BJAT Site with Community Members

EPA will host an availability session for Franklin residents interested to discuss the BJAT Superfund Site. The session will be held on Monday, October 31, 2016 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM at the Franklin Department of Public Works located at 257 Fisher Street, Franklin, Mass.

On Sept. 30, 2015, EPA add the BJAT site, located at 300 Fisher Street in Franklin, to the "National Priorities List" of Superfund sites. The Superfund program, a federal program established by Congress in 1980, investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country and converts them into productive local resources by eliminating or reducing health risks and environmental contamination associated with hazardous waste sites.

Beginning in the late 1800s, the BJAT LLC site, was used for industrial operations including the manufacturing of rubber and plastic products. The property, inactive since 1985, contains areas of process waste and debris. Further, soil, sediment and ground water are contaminated with lead, mercury and zinc as well as semi-volatile organic compounds.

More information on the BJAT Superfund Site: www.epa.gov/superfund/bjat

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England (https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-1-new-england)

Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)

Connect with EPA New England on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EPARegion1)

Related links from the Franklin Matters archives

• Live reporting from the Town Council meeting July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-epa-300-fisher-st.html

• DEP and EPA presentation to Town Council, July 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-ma-dep-epa-presentation.html

• Map showing property location within Franklin

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/300-fisher-st-map.html

Franklin Art Association: Meeting and demonstration - Nov 2

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 from 6:30 to 9:00PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street in Franklin. 

Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30 followed by a short business meeting and a demonstration by internationally acclaimed pastel painter Michelle Poirier-Mozzone of Rehoboth.

Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information log on to www.franklinart.org.

"Insight", a pastel painting by November demonstrator Michelle Poirier-Mozzone of Rehoboth

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 10/28/16 - THU 11/3/16

FRIDAY 10/28/16
8am   FYHA Golf Tournament @ Maplegate Country Club, Bellingham
10:30am   Knitting Circle for Adults @ Franklin Public Library (all skill levels welcome)
12-6pm   *LAST* Franklin Farmers Market of the season @ The Town Common
4pm   Teen Paint @ Franklin Art Center
6:30pm   Family Paint Night @ Franklin Art Center
7-10pm   Middle School Halloween Dance (grades 5-8) @ Tri-County HS
7pm   SAFE Coalition presents: Four Legs To Stand On @ The Black Box

SATURDAY 10/29/16
10-4pm   November Colors Art Exhibition Opening presented by Franklin Art Association @ Norfolk Public Library (runs through 11/29 during Library Hours)
6-8pm   Pumpkins in the Park @ Sculpture Park

SUNDAY 10/30/16
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast returns to Franklin Rod and Gun Club - open to public
3-7pm   Franklin Police Halloween Party (pre-K to grade 5) @ Franklin Police Station

MONDAY 10/31/16
4pm   Krafty Mondays (ages 6-12) @ Franklin Public Library

TUESDAY 11/2/16
7pm   Pots with Pizzazz Talk @ Jefferson-Remington School presented by Franklin, Norfolk and MIllis Garden Clubs

WEDNESDAY 11/3/16
7:30pm   Laughter Yoga @ FUSF

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