Franklin MAtters Weekly

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Week ending Sep 18, 2011

There is a lot happening on the election front in preparation for November 8. The last day to take out papers to run for one of the many open positions was Friday, Sep 16 and the last day to return the papers is Monday, Sep 19. After the signatures have been counted and the nomination papers certified we will know what the line up looks like.

After Town Clerk Deb Pellegri spoke at the Town Council meeting letting people know that there were openings still, there was a rush of business. (Video segment available here) If all the papers get turned in and certified, we could have some competition for Town Council and School Committee. We should have a choice. Folks who care about Franklin should volunteer to help the community. Running for a local government position is one of the many ways to give back.

Sunday - 9/18

The Franklin Downtown Partnership networking lunch scheduled for Fri, 9/23 and the possibility f the Blackstone River Valley becoming a national park provide some balance for the other two posts related to bicycles. One Milford turned out to clean their bike path in advance of a formal ribbon cutting next weekend and the REcycle club at Franklin High gathered 65 bikes and over $200 for Bikes Not Bombs on Saturday.

Sat - 9/17

A couple of photos from local contributors from the Back to Football Friday event at Parmenter, Berry Insurance is collecting Halloween costumes and the Milford Daily News has articles on Dean College, Ellis Paul and the FPAC season that was just announced.

Fri - 9/16

The Kennedy Community Playground announces 2 fund raising events, Chief Steve Williams discusses retirement, a reminder on the Framer's Market, Cultural Council and Women's Club were in the Milford Daily News.

Thu - 9/15

The Town Council meeting accounts for most of the postings as I did get to attend in person and it was a good meeting to catch. Chief Steve Williams resignation was announced. Joe McGann will let the voters decide if he should be on the Town Council (with only a 54% attendance record since Nov 2009). Four liquor license suspensions were discussed and approved for those caught selling liquor to minors.

Wed - 9/14

Mount St Mary's Abbey announces their Open House of their new candy building. Census data is released revealing updates on health care and poverty data. Office hours for Rep Vallee. Kennedy School announces a bottle and can fund raiser.

Tue - 9/13

The School Committee published their agenda including their District Improvement Plan. The Citizens Rail Trail Committee was also meeting Tuesday night. Mower N More announced a preseason tune up special for snow blowers.

Mon - 9/12

The Kennedy Community Playground can use your help. We'll hear more from this group as their fund raising efforts are scheduled.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Week ending Sep 11, 2011

Sunday - Sep 11

Construction at the former Piccadilly Pub in preparation of the new Ichigo Ichie opening in October, athletes from FHS were around the neighborhood on Saturday doing some fund raising and the Town Council agenda for their meeting on Wednesday. The School Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday and their agenda is not yet available.

Saturday - Sep 10

Announcements on the upcoming Circle of Friends Coffeehouse schedule and a seminar on sustainability by the United Regional Chamber of Commerce

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Ellis Paul

SEMINAR ON BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY

Friday - Sep 9

The weekly reminder about the Farmer's Market, an update on the taxes for photography services, the Democratic Town Committee schedules a presentation on Clean Air, Judith Pond-Pfeiffer writes a 'letter to the editor' and Sen Karen Spilka gets into long range planning for transportation

Thursday - Sep 8

The last day to take out papers to run in the Franklin election is Friday, Sep 16. The last day to turn them in is Monday, Sep 19. After the papers have been verified, we'll know who is running for what positions.

Election line up still uncertain

Wednesday - Sep 7

The Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee is considering re-doing their mission statement and shared some samples prior to their next meeting Sep 13. Sen Richard Ross has emergency surgery, former football coach Leone was to be honored on Friday and the DPW updated the Beaver St recycling center hours to handle the yard waste from the storm.

Tuesday - Sep 6

The Newcomers Club kicks off their new calendar year, Dean College is opening their cafeteria for Sunday brunch, the high school will collect bikes to recycle them and a video from TED on the cost of attention.

Monday - Sep 5

A thoughtful post from Seth Godin and a TED video on the magic of truth and lies. Good viewing!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Week ending - Sep 4, 2011

Everyone is probably happy to say goodbye Irene! The Hurricane made its way up the east coast, hit Manhattan and Vermont head on. The damage to Vermont is going to take a long time to recover from. Western MA was also hit significantly with flood damage. Most of our area sustained wind damage and lasting electricity outages.

Sunday - Sep 4

Geoffrey Zub is improving Franklin's entries on Google maps. With the lingering water, mosquitoes are now around. What is the labor situation as we head into Labor Day?

"improving the map for all users"

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY: mosquito alert

In the News: SNAP benefits, Irene update

Jobs and the Massachusetts Economy on Labor Day 2011

Saturday - Sep 3

Chris Clay was a fount of info during the garden walkabout. Sustainable fishing and updates on the MOMS Club and important info on SNAP benefits.

Friday - Sep 2

Parents of boys should view the short video. Mass Budget has and update on school funding. Franklin, Bellingham and Milford continue to push back on the proposed EPA regulations to control phosphorus in the Charles River basin.

Thursday - Sep 1

For those looking for work, there was a good event on Friday (recap here), an update on the electrical restoration process and another Mass Budget report.

Wednesday - August 31

Multiple updates on events post-Irene, Beaver St expands hours, school start is delayed and the YMCA is running a membership promotion.

Tuesday - August 30

Photos from the walk around Franklin on Monday, the YMCA opens its doors to those without electricity and some school announcements.

Monday - August 29

Without electricity, I was conserving my laptop battery power so there was only one item published.

Powerless and lucky

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Week ending Aug 28, 2011

Looking back on the week in Franklin, MA:

Monday - 8/22

Articles on the expansion of farmers' markets, use of local produce in school lunches, talk of a waiver for MA from the NCLB requirements, and update from the FTC on product warranties and the Y announces some races for Sep 10.

Tuesday - 8/23

High PCC meeting schedule is published, a recap of the Planning Board meeting, updates on Downtown Partnership events, the agenda for the School Committee meeting and a good video from TED on listening.

Wednesday - 8/24

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce announces a sustainability seminar, info from the Red Cross to prepare for a hurricane, info on the upcoming Job Search Jam Session (do you know someone out of work? this is for them!) and another good video this time from the ImprovEverywhere group in NYC.

Thursday - 8/25

The bus routes have been published, an update from our neighbors in Wrentham on a mapping project they have underway, local officials are pushing back on the proposed EPA Stormwater regulations and a new sign found at the end of the northbound Exit 16 onto King St that recognizes the Wrestling Team.

Friday - 8/26

A little word fun today with the repetitive use of "making" to announce a can and bottle drive, recognize a girls efforts to create a dog park, an update on the candidates for Franklin's town election in November, a new survey says Franklin is not a good community for walking, and a reminder about the farmers' market.

Making a purchase!

Making strides - yes or no?

Making a race!

Making the way for dogs!

Making a drop off (for the can drive slated on Sept. 10)

Saturday - 8/27

Sen Spilka and Congressman McGovern got the word out on hurricane preparations, a last minute notice for a walkabout in the community garden and a photo of the Big Y taking a step forward (finally).

Sunday - 8/28

More hurricane related items, an electronics recycling event in Providence, info on my preparations for the Franklin election in November and finally some changes to the website to be aware of.