Franklin MAtters Weekly

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Turning the page to the new year

I trust you and your family had a pleasant time with family and friends over the holidays. Now that we are well rested, it is time to get back to work.

Christmas trees get picked up this week. Leave them on the curb for your normal trash pick up day.

Christmas tree ready for pick up

The Planning Board meets on Monday. Among the agenda items are review of the plans for

Stop and Shop gas station
Franklin TV
Hoffman Farm
Robin's Nest Childrens Center

The Finance Committee meets on Tuesday to discuss the Capital Budget and start discussion on the FY 2014 Operational Budget.

The Town Council meets on Wednesday. The proposed changes to the site review plan process that were before the Council look like they will indeed be removed for now while the subcommittee discussed in their last meeting in December takes some time to adjust the changes to make them more agreeable.

You can tour the Parmenter School on Thursday evening. Outside the school, you can see solar panels and rain gardens. What can you see inside? Come along and find out. It is free. It just takes about an hour of your time. You gain access to the facility tour lead by the Central Office School Administration, the Parmenter Principal and members of the School Committee.

Learn more about the history and many stories of Franklin at the Historical Museum next Sunday. Eamon Earls will be there to sign and talk about his new book about Franklin.

Jan 6

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 9, 2013

School Tour: Parmenter

Jan 5

Jan 4

Jan 3

Jan 2

Jan 1

Dec 31

Annual Report 2012: Health Department

"The $10.5 million effort will begin in 2016"

Monday, December 24, 2012

Elf on the shelf

Some Facebook updates over the past couple of weeks talked about moving or forgetting to move the 'elf on the shelf'. This is a vehicle for some families to help reinforce good behavior in advance of Christmas. It helps to set expectations. Do something wrong, the elf will know. Do something right, the elf will know.

Some may quibble about the silliness of the elf, while others are living by it. Either way, setting expectations and consequences for behavior is good. Whether it is the elf or some higher power watching over us, there is a sense of right and wrong that I believe is inherent in humanity.

Christmas is one of many opportunities during the year to pause and reflect on what has happened, good and bad. There are consequences for both. Some of the consequences are immediate, some will play out over time.

In this holiday season, this time of darkness, find a light, even if it is a glimmer of light. I do believe that there is a light and that light will bring hope and love. Hope that neighbors will help neighbors. That the neighbors will become a community, and live in a community of love and respect for one another.

This will be the last weekly summary for 2012.

Except for December, I have summarized the major event of each month as we progressed though the "12 Days of Donating." If you missed those updates you can find them here: http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/12-days-of-donating-day-12.html

May you and your family have a great holiday season, and may the New Year bring goodness to Franklin!

12/23

Markham Nolan: How to separate fact and fiction online
What is ALiCE?

12/22

12/21

12/20

12/19

12/18

12/17

Monday, December 17, 2012

Roller coaster ride

The rising high from the successful 12 Days of Donating, the performance of "A Christmas Carol" on Thursday was brought back to earth suddenly on Friday with the school shooting in CT.

Flag at half mast on the Franklin Town Common

The School Department has been busy coordinating with the Police and Fire Departments over this weekend. They provided a couple of timely updates. Chief Semerjian published his comments on Saturday. There was a joint release by Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, Police Chief Stephen Semerjian, Fire Chief Gary McCarraher and School Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski on the preparations for the normal opening of schools on Monday.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/joint-statement-on-franklin-schools.html

Looking ahead to the meetings of this week, the Planning Board continues their discussion on the proposed Stop & Shop gas station among the many items on their agenda. The Town Council recognizes former Rep Jim Vallee with a Citizenship Award. There is a public hearing on the proposed revamping of the site plan review procedures as well as approval of the purchase agreement for the solar energy 'farm' being established at Mount St Mary's among the items on the agenda for the meeting. You can attend in person or view via local cable or web broadcast.

We will survive the roller coaster ride. The spirit of caring and giving in Franklin is alive and well.

12/16

12/15

12/14

12/13

12/12

12/11

12/10

Monday, December 10, 2012

Slowing to the end of the year

The School Committee meeting has a light schedule for its agenda on Tuesday. The Town Council meets again on the 19th. The Planning Board meeting on the 17th may get some attention with the Stop and Shop gas station (among other items) on the agenda.

simple sign of the holiday season along Forest St in Franklin

The Franklin Food Elves will be closing out the 12 Days of Donating this week. The performance of A Christmas Carol to benefit the Food Pantry will be held on Thursday Dec 13. Arranged by the Historical Commission and hosted at the Franklin United Methodist Church, this should be a fun evening.

Folks will be taking time off from work to spend with family around the holidays. For those traveling, please be safe.

As I complete this weekly wrap up, let me remind you that

If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don’t like something, please tell me

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Dec 9

Dec 8

Dec 7

Dec 6