In the News: Pleasant St neighborhood; Library taking shape

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

"With Dean College, the Franklin Town Common, and a train station within walking distance of the Pleasant Street neighborhood, local residents are offered a unique front row experience to things happening in town. 

“We walk down to the town green all the time for farmers markets, festivals, and carnivals,” said Elise Stokes, 38. “For those types of events, they usually shut down the main roads.” 

Stokes said she noticed a lot of her neighbors are either parents of young children in their 30s, or grandparents. She said her neighborhood is so friendly, planning play dates for her children is not difficult at all, and all of the neighbors help each other out whenever they can."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170611/neighborhood-series-franklins-pleasant-street

"The new addition to the Franklin Public Library has begun to take shape, reminding local leaders of a tree house amid the greenery of downtown Franklin. 

The Main Street building - completed in 1904 - is now well into an extensive, $10 million renovation and addition project, aimed at expanding the spaces within and upgrading its systems. 

There are evident signs of progress inside the building - new lighting has been installed, and the building’s frescoes, which were previously covered, can now be seen in their original state. The change is most striking in the new portions of the building - what had been a shell of steel beams is now enclosed, with new windows bathing the space in sunlight. 

Town Councilor Judith Pfeffer, chairwoman of the Library Building Committee, said Friday that the addition’s windows allowed for an excellent view of the trees around the library. She predicted that the west-facing windows - which will eventually have seats and tables along them - would be a popular spot on winter afternoons."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170611/franklin-library-renovation-taking-shape

windows are being installed in the new wing of the Library

Pond St - 140 foot buffer or ??? (video)

I took a walk along the frontage of the former Franklin land on Pond St to record a video on Sunday, June 11. It was just after noon time and the traffic speed and noise adds to the video.

Trees are being cut as the land is prepared for construction. It looks like a new access road is being added to the property. This accounts for the most open section of the tree cutting.

You can see through to i495 and BJ's across the way from several points along Pond St.

What it will look like when finished remains to be seen. There are several threads of comments on Facebook about whether the developer is remaining within the 150' buffer the Town Council had agreed to with the neighbors.

Stay tuned for more on this as the story and details are revealed.

markings for what appears to be a new access road to the development

Town Council Recap - June 7, 2017

The bylaw providing for brewery, distillery and wine making tasting rooms moved to a second reading at the Town Council meeting on June 7. The Electric Youth performed a song as part of the annual visit before heading off to tour Europe. The change in manager of Elks Lodge was approved. The agenda did change from what was posted as Fire Fighters listed for swearing in and a presentation by the SAFE Coalition were rescheduled.

One of the interesting discussions occurred during a rewrite of the bylaw creating the Library Board of Directors where the phrase: 

"Elected officials or library employees of the Town of Franklin will not be appointed as members of the Board."

The phrasing is open for discussion as the measure was moved to a second reading without amendment. Councilors were encouraged to provide feedback to Town Administrator Jeff Nutting.

Editorial Comment on this: The Councilors would be better off spending time on other items. Respectfully, they are charged with

2-4-1 Except as otherwise may be provided by this Charter, all general, corporate, legislative and appropriations powers of the Town shall be vested in the Town Council. 

2-4-2 The Council may enact bylaws, rules, regulations, and other orders, not inconsistent with this Charter, governing its own proceedings, town functions, and all matters bearing on the exercise of its powers and duties.

They recently approved the $120M operating budget of which the Library accounted for less than 1%. There are better opportunities for the Council to find out what is going on within the Library than by having a member sit on the Board of Directors. 

• The Council can get a periodic update from the Library (as they do with the annual snow and water updates from the DPW). 
• They could spending more time on the actual budget review. Some will recall the budget hearings used to provide an opportunity for each department to present on their operations and cost drivers. 
• There are likely other practical considerations to be made as well.

What do you think about this matter? Feel free to comment or send me an email.

The full listing of Actions Taken by the Council can be found here:
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_june_7_2017.pdf

My notes taken live during the meeting can be found here:

• Live reporting: Action items to Closing
• Live Reporting: Appointments, Hearing
• Live Reporting: Town Council - June 7, 2017

The Electric Youth being introduced to the Town Council before their song performance

FHS Hall of Famer Maurica (Carlucci) Powell

Good news submitted by one of the Franklin Matters readers:

"Oregon Assistant Coach Maurica (Carlucci) Powell is an FHS Hall of Fame track athlete. She coaches the women's distance runners and set Oregon on this path by leading the women to the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championship. Over the years she has coached many of the top American female distance runners. Arguably one of the most successful female track/cross country coaches of all time."

"The University of Oregon women became the first women's program in NCAA Division I history to complete the triple crown of DI cross country, indoor track and outdoor track team titles in one school year. 

Though widely considered to be the best overall team in NCAA history, the Ducks have had their share of ups and downs. Star sprinter Hannah Cunliffe, the 2017 NCAA 60m champion, withdrew from West Prelims due to injury. Their NCAA record holding 4x100m relay was disqualified. On day one, several top women -- including defending NCAA 100m/200m champion Ariana Washington -- did not automatically advance to finals. In the 200m, NCAA leader and 2016 Olympian Deajah Stevens fell to the ground just meters from the finish line and was disqualified. "

http://www.flotrack.org/article/57435-it-took-a-collegiate-record-but-oregon-wins-first-ever-ncaa-triple-crown#.WT0pwJDyvIU

OH MY OREGON DUCKS. Raevyn Rogers puts the team on her BACK and wins the 4x4 and the women's team title! #NCAATF

NEW COLLEGIATE RECORD pic.twitter.com/kgPZxWDTox

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 11, 2017

https://twitter.com/FloTrack/status/873759195333513216

Franklin Library: Teen Book Brunch - Sunday June 11

Teens are welcome to join us for breakfast food and a conversation about your favorite reads! Share what books you’re loving lately, and get great book recommendations from others!

Sunday, June 11 at 11:30 AM

The Franklin Public Library is operating from its temporary location at 25 Kenwood Circle until the renovations at the Main St location are completed later this year.

renovations under construction on the Main St build of the Franklin Library

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule: Saturday, July 29, 2017

THE BLACK BOX

12:00 – 7:30 PM, Inside THE BLACK BOX (TBB)
Art Exhibit, Franklin Art Association

Franklin Restaurants will be selling food throughout the afternoon.

12:00 – 6:00 PM, Inside TBB
• Heath Nisbett
• Emma Newton
• Universal Singers
• LiveARTS
• Kaye Kelly

12:00 – 8:00 PM, Outside TBB
• Jamie Barrett
• Michele Kelly
• Stelfilia’s Stone
• Victims of Gravity

8:30 PM – Spamalot – FPAC (free ticketed event)

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule: Saturday, July 29, 2017

The full schedule is available on the Cultural Festival page http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/

* note the schedule is subject to change, follow @artshappenhere for updates

FHS girls lacrosse take D1 East Championship

Ryan Lanigan, Editor in Chief of Hockomock Sports .Com provides the game recap for the FHS girls lacrosse victory over Concord-Carlisle in the D1 East final.

"For the second straight year, and third time in the last four seasons, the Division 1 East section runs through the Franklin girls lacrosse team. 

After an overtime thriller in 2014, and one-goal win exactly one year ago, the top-seeded Panthers left the dramatics behind, cruising to a 16-7 win over second-seeded Concord-Carlisle on the turf of Milford High School. 

“It wasn’t easy, Concord is an awesome team, they’re well coached, they have really good players but I think we were just prepared and peaking at the right time,” said Franklin head coach Kristin Igoe Guarino. “It was definitely nice to have a big lead though.”

Continue reading a recap of the game
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-girls-lacrosse-handles-concord-carlisle-to-earn-another-d1-east-crown/

Follow the link below for a photo gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20162017/Spring-2017/Franklin-Concord-Carlisle-Girls-Lacrosse-06-09-17/

Franklin players celebrate with the D1 East Championship trophy after beating Concord-Carlisle.
 (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

"Franklin girls lacrosse (22-1) advances to the D1 State Semifinal and will take on the winner of Westboro (18-0) and Longmeadow (21-1) at Babson College. The game is schedule for either Monday or Tuesday night."

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule: Friday, July 28, 2017

FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
FPS Student Music Concert Band, Orchestra, Chorus students

FRANKLIN TOWN COMMON

12:00 to 6:00: Farmers’ Market
3:00 to 4:30: Attleboro School of Rock Show Team (music performance)
5:00 to 6:00: Let’s Laugh Today Laughter Yoga
6:30 to 8:00: Kevin Wolfe (music performance)

THE BLACK BOX

8:00 PM – Spamalot - FPAC (free ticketed event)

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule: Friday, July 28, 2017

The full schedule is available on the Cultural Festival page http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/

* note the schedule is subject to change, follow @artshappenhere for updates

In the News: 300 Fisher plan drafted; summer meals gap

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

"The federal Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward in its efforts to clean up a Superfund site on Fisher Street. 

The agency has drafted a “Community Involvement Plan” and is beginning its preliminary investigation of the BJAT, LLC property. 

Marilyn St. Fleur, a community involvement coordinator with the EPA, said the agency wants to learn more about the town, as a way to better inform the community as the process advances. 

“It’s about providing access to accurate and timely information, and provide opportunities for the public to be actively involved,” she said. “We did the Community Involvement Plan early on in the process - we usually do it a bit later."

http://twitter.com/epanewengland

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170609/franklin-epa-progresses-on-superfund-property

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

A copy of the draft Community Involvement Plan can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczOFpiTURCd2hBNjFudm5tUDYzeXRtcVY5eVU4/view?usp=sharing

Low-income children face summer meals gap

"While nearly 300,000 Massachusetts students get free or reduced-price lunches at school, it’s often a challenge to reach them during the summer. 

“Low-income children are really at risk for hunger and malnutrition during the summer months,” said Jordan Smith, community relations coordinator for Project Bread’s Child Nutrition Outreach Team. 

Last year, federally funded free summer meals programs provided an average of 53,000 lunches per day to children statewide. That represents about 18 percent of students who received free or reduced-price lunch during the school year. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides reimbursements to organizations that serve breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks through the federal Summer Food Service Program. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education oversees the programs in Massachusetts, and receives technical assistance from Project Bread, the nonprofit that organizes the annual Boston Walk for Hunger."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170609/low-income-children-face-summer-meals-gap

Franklin resident Ethan McCarthy Earls graduates from Massachusetts Virtual Academy

Ethan Robert McCarthy Earls of Franklin, Massachusetts graduated with the Massachusetts Virtual Academy Class of 2017 on Friday, June 9. The commencement ceremony was held at Greenfield Middle School, in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Virtual Academy (MAVA) is the state's first virtual K-12 public school of choice. As a Commonwealth Virtual School, MAVA delivers a transformative education with unique strengths and flexibility perfectly suited for the modern world.

MAVA's approach encourages critical thinking and an independent learning style that meets the key needs of diverse learners by providing educational resources that cultivate curiosity, exploration and inquiry.

As a public school of choice, MAVA is open to all students in Massachusetts.

For more information on MAVA, visit massvirtualacademy.org.

Massachusetts Virtual Academy (MAVA)

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse tickets for Sep-Oct-Nov Shows now on sale

View this email in your browser Phil Ochs Song Night September 16th, $25 featuring Greg Greenway, Pat Wictor, Reggie Harris, and Tom Prasada-Rao April Verch October 14th, $25

Visit the Circle of Friends webpage to purchase your tickets  http://circlefolk.org/

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 6/9/17 - THU 6/15/17

FRIDAY 6/9/17
9-10:30am   Franklin School Committee Coffee Hour @ Franklin Senior Center
12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market @ Town Common
4:30pm   Yoga on the Town Common
8pm   Dean College Presents: Call of Kairos @ Dean College Main Stage

SATURDAY 6/10/17
9:30-11am   Family Yoga Adventure @ Franklin Public Library
10-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
1-2pm   Mad Hatter's Tea Party @ Franklin Public Library
2:30pm   Dean College Presents: Call of Kairos @ Dean College Main Stage
6:30pm   Mystery Dinner Theatre @ Franklin Federated Church
7:30pm   Dean College Presents: Call of Kairos @ Dean College Main Stage
8pm   The Reminisants @ The Black Box

SUNDAY 6/11/17
8am-12pm   PMC Franklin Kids Ride @ Jefferson Elementary School
2:30pm   Dean College Presents: Call of Kairos @ Dean College Main Stage
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
7:30pm   Dean College Presents: Call of Kairos @ Dean College Main Stage

MONDAY 6/12/17
4pm   WordPlay @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Learn to Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

TUESDAY 6/13/17
2:30-5pm   Community Open House for Supt Sabolinski @ Franklin High School
7pm   Yankee Quilters Guild Meeting @ St. John Episcopal Church
7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Monthly Meeting @ Franklin YMCA (public welcome)

WEDNESDAY 6/14/17
5pm   Lego Club @ Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   Teen Advisory Board @ Franklin Public Library
7:30pm   Franklin Newcomers and Friends Meeting @ 3 Restaurant
7:30pm   Let’s Laugh Today: Laughter Yoga @ FUSF (week later then usual schedule)

THURSDAY 6/15/17
3pm   Memory Cafe for Caregivers and their Loved Ones @ Franklin Senior Center (free, please call to register)
4pm   Family Coloring Book Club @ Franklin Public Library
5-8pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
7pm   Franklin Cultural District Formation Meeting @ 355 East Central Street
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA
7:30pm   Stony Brook Camera Club @ Anglican Church of the Redeemer (31 Hayward St)

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

For all other events and Franklin happenings click HERE.

*To submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this FORM

BJAT LLC superfund Site (300 Fisher Street) Community Involvement Plan.- Comments due today

BJAT LLC superfund Site (300 Fisher Street, Franklin, MA) Community Involvement Plan.

The Community Involvement Plan is a dynamic document that can be updated, when necessary, throughout the cleanup process. Attached, please find a draft copy of the plan. Please review and send me any comments you have by Friday, June 9, 2017. Comments we receive will be carefully considered prior to the plan being made publicly available.

Marilyn St. Fleur, MPH
Public Affairs Specialist
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of the Regional Administrator

US EPA, Region 1
5 Post Office Sq. Suite 100
Mail Code ORA01-3
Boston, MA 02109-3912
Telephone: 617-918-1617
Fax: 617-918-0617
Email: stfleur.marilyn@epa.gov

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/126593





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

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule: Thursday, July 27, 2017

FRANKLIN TOWN COMMON

5:00 to 6:15: Encore Music
6:45 to 8:00: Jamie Barrett

FRANKLIN HISTORICAL MUSEUM

5:00 – 8:00 = Display of bridal gowns; speaker on history of wedding gowns.

FRANKLIN METHODIST CHURCH

5:00 – 8:00 = Kinetic Robots and Space Creations With Mr. Markee

THE BLACK BOX

8:00: The 24-hour Play

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule: Thursday, July 27, 2017

The full schedule is available on the Cultural Festival page http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/

* note the schedule is subject to change, follow @artshappenhere for updates

“Independent voices are a good thing”

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

"Members of the Town Council debated this week whether the town’s elected officials should be allowed to serve on appointed boards. 

The matter came up at the council meeting on Wednesday, when a measure updating the bylaw regarding the Library Board of Directors arose. Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the change was to update rules first passed in the 1990s. 

Council Chairman Matthew Kelly, though, noted that the bylaw prevented elected officials from sitting on the board. He asked why, adding that he believed council participation on such boards would help town organizations adhere to the master plan. 

Nutting said the library had been running smooth before without council members on its board."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170608/council-mulls-membership-rules-for-appointed-boards