For Immediate Release

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: jessica@jgpr.net

Franklin to Update Its 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan

Officials Hold Public Meetings to Gather Community Input

FRANKLIN — Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting announces that the town is in the process of updating Franklin’s 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) and is inviting residents to be a part of the process.

The purpose of the OSRP is to create a document through a public input process that will guide Franklin in its efforts to maintain and enhance the community’s open space and recreation resources. Officials hope to have a new plan in place for 2016.

“A lot has happened over the last eight years. The town has grown and the needs for our open space and recreation areas have changed,” Town Administrator Nutting said. “It is time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and create a new plan that will guide us over the next several years. We encourage the public to be a part of this process and share their ideas so we can create the best product going forward.”

In order to complete a plan that represents the opinions, desires and needs of the community, the Department of Planning and Community Development is attempting to gather information in a variety of different ways, including:

Open Space & Recreation Public Meeting

When: Saturday, Nov. 14, at 9:30 a.m.

Where: Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St.

The Department of Planning and Community Development will hold a public meeting to facilitate dialogue and gauge public support for various open space and recreation priorities. Progress from the 2008 OSRP will be presented, and written and verbal comments from the community regarding future goals and suggested projects will be collected.

Conservation Commission Public Hearing

When: Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7:15 p.m.

Where: Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central St.

Conservation Commission members will discuss proposed goals and objectives to be included in the 2016 OSRP and ask for input from the public on all open space preservation and recreation issues.

Open Space & Recreation 2015 Citizen Participation Questionnaire

As part of the public input process, the Department of Planning and Community Development is conducting a survey to inform town officials on how residents feel about the preservation of open space and the adequacy of parks and recreation opportunities.

Completed surveys will be accepted until Dec. 4, at which time the department will assess the collected data and develop a summary report that will include an analysis of specific variables.

The questionnaire can be downloaded from the town’s website, or hard copies can be obtained at any of the following locations: Franklin Recreation Department, Franklin Town Library, Franklin Senior Center and Franklin Department of Planning and Community Development.

Completed surveys can be returned to the same locations or mailed, faxed, or scanned and emailed to the following:

Franklin Open Space & Recreation Planning Study

C/O Planning and Community Development

355 East Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038-1352

Fax: 508-520-4906

planning@franklin.ma.us.

Stakeholder Meetings

The Department of Planning and Community Development will hold meetings with nonprofit organizations, town personnel, and other stakeholders upon request. Please contact the department at 508-520-4907 or planning@franklin.ma.us for more information.

Written Comments

Written comments can be mailed or emailed to the Department of Planning and Community Development at the address listed above. To ensure your input is included in the 2016 OSRP , please provide written comments by Dec. 4.

Other Opportunities to Provide Input?

Once the draft 2016 OSRP is developed, the town will implement a month-long public comment period, which will include at least one public hearing to gather input regarding the draft plan.  The Department of Planning and Community Development expects a final plan will be submitted to the state for approval by February or March 2016.

Anyone with questions, or who would like more information, should contact the Department of Planning and Community Development at 508-520-4907 or planning@franklin.ma.us.

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