Property lines, permits, and erroneous enrollment numbers were key topics Wednesday

The quick summary of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday is as follows:

1. The Council approved acceptance of several roads that have a a defined road plan and property lines. Some of the early developments had property lines where the ownership went to the middle of the road. In those cases, for the town to take responsibility for the road, it would need to reach agreement with all the home owners; which can be a tedious if not almost impossible task. There are several developments where these road plans are being worked and these tonight were the latest in the series where progress has reached a good point.
2. Ownership and property lines also arose from a citizen comment. The resident had purchased a home 40+ years ago, had water problems reportedly from the street which the Town at the time corrected with a pump and drainage. Turns out the land never really should have been built upon, the town workers then should not have spent public money for a private benefit. The pump recently failed which the town did replace but also said that this was the last time they were doing anything about it, leaving the homeowner in a real quandary. Fortunately, all parties will work together to see if they can reach a satisfactory conclusion.
3. Gus Brown, the Building Inspector, provided an overview on the work of his department. The presentation doc can be viewed below.
4. The School Budget got some good news this week. What had been a $600K shortage due to the Charter School funding and reimbursement process turns out to not be the case as some erroneous enrollment numbers were used which caused the problem in the first place. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will be reworking the numbers to use the proper set of enrollment and this situation should be resolved. 
5. The Town is still awaiting the arbitrators decision on the fire fighter union. This decision would affect the budget as the union has not had a contract for 3 years. The decision has been planned for by putting away some funds to cover but how much will be covered will be dependent upon the decision and then whether the Town Council accepts the decision. Hence, the overall FY 16 budget process is starting real slow this year. One thing is sure, there will be a balanced budget before June 30, 2015. Stay tuned for further developments in this space.

Franklin Building and Zoning Department from Franklin Matters

Magnolia Heights, a 140 unit development at Chestnut Ridge, RT 140

For additional info on Magnolia Heights, one of the developments underway that the Building Inspector is visiting regularly, check their webpage
http://www.seniorlivinginstyle.com/p/independent_living/amenities_11072/franklin-ma-02038/magnolia-heights-gracious-retirement-living-11072



You can find all my notes reporting live during the meeting here:

• Live reporting: Legislation through to closing

• Live reporting: Presentations

• Live reporting: License Transactions

• Live reporting: Public Hearing on street acceptanc...

• Live reporting: Town Council - March 18, 2015

Economic Development Committee meeting on Pond Street traffic study

Sharing an email from Town Administrator Jeff Nutting:

Good Morning 

The chair of the ED committee has asked to post an economic development meeting next Wednesday at 6 pm prior to the planning workshop to discuss the attached daft traffic report prepared by BETA about potential development of the Pond street site. The Traffic engineer Greg Lucas will be in attendance to explain the report and answer questions.

Call with Questions 

Thanks 

Jeff

Franklin Municipal Building

A key quote from the report attached below

"As can be seen in the above table, operational concerns for the movements to and from Old West Central Street are further exacerbated by the addition of trips from the theoretical Pond Street development. Although overall intersection LOS remains at an acceptable level, the development will further degrade existing areas of concern."

Fortunately, there are some recommendations that can work to alleviate the traffic concerns. They will require further study before MassDOT accepts and funds the work.

Tri-County Children’s Center To Host Open House And Registration

The Tri-County Regional Children’s Center, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, will host an Open House and Registration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 27.

Parents are encouraged to bring their children so that they can participate in many of the same activities they’ll enjoy as preschool students. Each child will be given the opportunity to select a prize.

The Children Center's Preschool Program is open to children who are three years old by September 15, 2015 and no older than four years, 9 months by December 15, 2015. Sessions are held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:50 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. The cost is $36 per week.

The Toddler Program is open to children who are between 18 months and 30 months by October 1, 2015. Sessions are held on Mondays from 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Parents or caregivers are required to stay during the toddler session. The cost of the Toddler Program is $8 per week.

High school junior Corrinne Lombardi, of Wrentham, works with 

a preschooler in the Tri-County Children’s Center

Tuition is subject to change. A $25 non-refundable fee is due at the time of registration. Parents or caregivers must bring their child's birth certificate to registration.

Enrollment is limited to residents of the 11 towns within the Tri-County district, which includes Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham. A random drawing of names will be held to determine enrollment.

Under the direction of three instructors, Michelle Tilden, Lisa Oxford and Dina Taylor, each of whom possesses extensive training and experience, high school students in Tri-County’s Early Education Program plan and implement curriculum for the center’s preschool and toddler programs.

On a typical day in the center, the children are given the opportunity to participate in a variety of open-ended art projects and scientific inquiry that embraces their natural sense of curiosity and wonder. They also participate in language activities, play board games that support mathematical and language concepts, browse the center’s extensive library, and simply enjoy playing with their peers. Children have the opportunity to enjoy the center’s natural outdoor play space, which is an extension of the indoor classroom.

“Our program is based on years of sound research regarding developmentally appropriate practice,” instructor Michelle Tilden explained. “What we offer for children encompasses the whole child’s developmental needs: physical, cognitive, social, and emotional. It is not just academics. Will they learn those foundational academic skills? Absolutely! But not at the cost of their natural joy, wonder and curiosity.”

To learn more, please call the school at 508-528-5400 or visit the center’s website, tcchildrenscenter.com

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

Greater Boston Food Bank Update: Meet Lyn, Client and Volunteer

The Franklin Food Pantry is proud to be a Strategic Partner of the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB).

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March 18, 2015
Follow GBFB on    The Greater Boston Food Bank's (GBFB) Brown Bag program provides supplemental groceries to more than 8,000 seniors every month, ensuring they don't miss meals and receive the nutritious food they need to stay healthy. Lyn, from Amesbury, regularly receives groceries from one of GBFB's Brown Bag programs. She's also a proud volunteer, helping others in need. Read more about Lyn on the GBFB blog. GBFB is committed to supporting healthy lives and communities through the food we distribute and the nutrition education programs our Registered Dieticians offer. Did you know that 81% of our 51 million pound distribution meets the highest nutritional rankings? Team GBFB also follows the same healthy lifestyle. During National Nutrition Month®, we're sharing some of our nutritious recipes and tips on staying active. Follow our National Nutrition Month® posts throughout March. Mike and Peter will be racing to End Hunger Here at the 2015 Boston Marathon. This is both Mike and Peter's first marathon and they are running to raise funds for the one in nine residents of eastern Massachusetts who struggle to have enough to eat. Learn more about Mike and Peter, their motivation to run for GBFB, and how you can help them reach their goals. Get Our Annual Report At GBFB, we strive to operate as efficiently as possible. During fiscal year 2014, we achieved some major milestones and want to share them with you in our annual report. Thanks to our supporters, we're on our way to making an even greater impact in 2015. Recipe of the Month A great shipment of green beans arrived this week! Green beans are full of vitamin A and can be served as a side or within a dish. Check out some of the green bean recipes we offer to clients.

The Greater Boston Food Bank  |  70 South Bay Ave. Boston, MA 02118-2700 Phone: (617) 427-5200  |  Email: info@gbfb.org  |  Privacy Policy  |
Copyright © 2015 The Greater Boston Food Bank

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 3/20/15 - 3/26/15

FRI 3/20   8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena 

SAT 3/21   9am   Softball Players Clinic at FHS, grades 1-6, registration required
SAT 3/21   9am  Franklin Library Book Sale until 4:00 PM
SAT 3/21   2pm   The Music Man at The Black Box
SAT 3/21   7:30pm   The Music Man at The Black Box
SAT 3/21   8pm   Jonathan Edwards Concert at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

SUN 3/22   9am   Franklin Library Books by the Bag Sale until noon
SUN 3/22   2pm   The Music Man at The Black Box

WED 3/25   12-2pm   Adult Painting at Franklin Art Center
WED 3/25   12-2pm   Dean College Opportunities Fair

THU 3/26   7pm   Computer Safety Class by PC Handyman, registration required at 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

MBTA Update: Starting Monday: Franklin Line schedule change

Franklin Line schedule changes begin Monday, March 23. See mbta.com/winter for full schedule information. Ten trips will be restored and one trip changed on the Franklin Line beginning March 23: Departing Forge Park/495 Train 702 (5:40 AM to Boston) Train 716 (12:05 PM to Boston) Train 726 (8:50 PM to Boston) Departing Walpole Train 732 (7:54 AM to Boston) Departing Norwood Central Train 736 (5:22 PM to Boston) Departing South Station Train 733 (6:55 AM to Walpole)  Train 709 (10:50 AM to Forge Park/495)  Train 737 (4:45 PM to Norwood Central)  Train 719 (5:10 PM to Forge Park/495) no longer stopping at Hyde Park or Endicott  Train 721 (5:40 PM to Forge Park/495)Train 725 (7:35 PM to Forge Park/495) Last updated: Mar 19 2015 05:11 PM Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/winter/severe_weather/ Sent by the MBTA. Manage subscriptions Manage account One-click unsubscribe Help when the snow recedes, you're not sure what you'll find (like this on the Franklin/Dean platform)

Franklin Library: Book Sale Mar 21 - 22

This is the weekend for the Library Book Sale. The standard schedule applies; books for sale on Saturday from 9:00 - 4:00 PM. Books by the bag for sale on Sunday from 9:00 AM to noon.

Music by Betty Kushner from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Saturday to help set the book buying spirit!

Library Book Sale - Mar 21 - 22

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/03/dont-miss-library-book-sale.html

Franklin Art Association - Monthly Meeting - April 1

The Franklin Art Association will meet Wednesday, April, 1st, from 6:30 -9:00 pm at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street. 

Refreshments and socialization will begin at 6:30. The program will feature an oil stick demonstration presented by artist Carol Letvin. 

Meetings are free and opened to the public 

For more information, please visit our web site at www.franklinart.org and www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc

Franklin Senior Center - how much snow will have melted by April 1?

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"Communication goes a long way"

As mentioned  in the FY 2016 update at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Franklin and the fire fighters union are waiting on a decision from the arbitrator.

Union president Bob Donovan said Thursday that an arbitration award was expected this month, but the panel has likely delayed its decision to April. 

When the award arrives, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said it will take time to figure out the financial implications for the town's budget. 

"This goes back four years," Nutting said Thursday. "You have to go employee by employee, year by year, to get a total. That’s not an easy task." 

The timing of the award creates an additional strain on the town, he said, because it is preparing to begin collective bargaining with the eight other unions.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150320/NEWS/150329600/1994/NEWS 

The latest from Mass Poetry

Poetry on the T Contest open for voting; Festival poet Stephen Burt; Workshops at the festival; Poem of the Moment; Charles Simic at Peabody Institute Library; U35 next Tuesday; Coming up on our statewide calendar; and more View this email in your browser Cast your vote! Public voting for our Poetry on the T Contest is open. Our Poetry Partners have helped us narrow down hundreds of Poetry on the T Contest entries and we have 15 wonderful finalists awaiting your votes. Which poems do you want to see on the T in May? Cast your vote by next Thursday, March 26 at 8 a.m. Winning poems debut on the T May 4. Festival Poet Stephen Burt: Suburbia Seasoned with Unease by Jacquelyn Malone Here are poems about babies and children, about shopping and Subarus, about the wedding of friends and the occasions of suburbia. The tenderness with which he views life in the town of Belmont, Massachusetts is both unexpected and captivating. And yet these poems about the commonplace of our lives are offset by a deep unease with both what is and the alternatives to what is. Continue reading. Festival Spotlight   Workshops galore! Everyone loves a good workshop, and at this year's festival, we've got 19 workshops on the docket.  How do the workshops work? A button to attend the festival readings and panels for all three days is $15, but if you are interested in attending workshops, there is an additional $10 flat fee. For that $10, you can take as many workshops as you like. We highly suggest you register for the workshops of your choice ASAP by creating a profile on our site and adding the session to your calendar. In workshops, seats are reserved for those who have registered. If the workshop registration is full, you'll be placed onto a waitlist. We also suggest that on the day of the workshop, even if you weren't able to register, you come to the door to see if you can get in. Sometimes people who register don't make it, and about five minutes after the session has started, those spots are fair game. Poem of the Moment Alan Albert: Essay on a Son I had this in a dream: Tom will marry once. He will have two children and be happy in his marriage and it will be a long one. This will come from me, his father, though I did not marry once and have a long and happy marriage. He will have children and be a good father. With his beloved wife he will have Continue reading. Getting to Know Karina Borowicz and Her New Book Proof Available now from Amazon.com  "Poems often come from something I've witnessed, read, or experienced. It's not an intellectual process for me, however. I like to say that something has to cease being an idea in my head and become a feeling in my gut before it becomes a poem." Continue reading. Next Tuesday March 24, 7 p.m. The Marliave Restaurant, Boston RSVP & Share U35 on Facebook. Featuring David DiSarro, Richard Shideler, and Denise Warren. Each poet will read for 15 minutes, with short breaks in between for mingling, drink refreshments, and food orders! David DiSarro From "I Used to Play In Bands" "The crowd, unaware, thinned, pushed through carved doors out into the chorus of sirens and car horns, and necked beneath the neon," Richard Shideler From "Note on a coffee table" "if I ever tell you I'm planning to move back, talk me out of it. My overcoat is underused and my trenchcoat has never seen the trenches." Denise Warren From "Please Take Care When Eating A Kiwi" "In the skin of the kiwi I have found four pinholes. I have found a child climbing high in a tree, a string quartet, a bicycle." Experiencing Poetry, This Time with Charles Simic: Peabody Institute Library by Kelley Rae Unger Opportunities to experience poetry are sought after by many, and the Peabody Institute Library strives to create opportunities for community members to do just that. Through writing workshops, discussion groups, classes, and author visits, the library reaches out to the poetry community of the North Shore, offering multiple events each year all free to the public. Continue reading. Coming up on our statewide poetry calendar: Tonight (Thursday, March 19) The 15th Annual Robert Creeley Award Night Andrea Cohen & Danielle Jones-Pruett Reading Saturday, March 21 Wake Up and Smell the Poetry Calliope Poetry Series, 'The Music of Syntax' Got Poetry? Open Mic Series Poesy Magazine 40th Issue Celebratory Reading Sunday, March 22 Love, Poetry, and the Things of the World More Money Than God - Publication Party Tuesday, March 24 U35 Reading Series John Hodgen and Fred Marchant Reading at Assumption College Reading: Martha Collins and Jeffrey Harrison Stephen Mitchell Poetry Reading Wednesday, March 25 Speak Up Spoken Word Open Mic On March 25, Mass Poetry is partnering with MASSCreative for Arts Matter Advocacy Day, to show our state political leaders that arts matter in Massachusetts. Beginning at the Citi Wang Theatre in downtown Boston, Arts Matter Advocacy Day will bring together the statewide creative community for a half-day event, featuring speakers, performers, connecting with colleagues, and an "Arts Matter March" to the State House to meet with our legislators. RSVP to attend Arts Matter Advocacy Day. Visit these presses and orgs at the Small Press Fair: Adastra Press • Bottle Rocket Press • Hedgerow Books • Human Error Publishing • Journal of the Month • Mock Orange Magazine • Perugia Press • Salamander • Slate Roof Press • Swamp Press • Tuesday: An Art Project • Tupelo Press • Zephyr Press Interested in having a table? Sign up or contact M.P. Carver at mp@masspoetry.org. The ad deadline for the festival program book is Sunday, March 22. Check out rates and book your ad space now! Partners & Small Press Fair exhibitors, ask about your discount when booking. Statewide Poetry Calendar • Participate • New Books by Massachusetts Poets • Massachusetts Poet Database • Poetry Partners • Sponsorship Opportunities

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