Environment
Franklin Tomorrow Goals and Strategies for Environment as identified in 2011 Vision Fair process:
GOAL: The environment is the totality of conditions that affect quality of life. The goal of this task force is to offer strategies that promote good health, water quality, energy efficiency and education.
Strategies:
1. Encourage continued development of connected greenways for walking and bicycling
2. Increase recycling by offering Blue bags for distribution by Grace Works or other private agencies into areas where cost of bags may be preventing participation
3. Encourage the City to include the development of reclaimed (gray) water distribution systems for commercial and community irrigation as they produce their combined potable water, storm water and sewer plans for the community
4. Work with public and private initiatives to develop and maintain specialty parks such as Botanical Gardens, Arboretums or Community Vegetable Gardens
5. Work with the City and Homeowner Associations to develop guidelines for solar collection systems that are aesthetically acceptable for residential and public installation
The Franklin Review Appeal, Jan. 25, 2012
Factory catches rays on the roof
Solar panels, EV stations add new layer to Factory's history
By Kevin Walters
Staff Writer
FRANKLIN — Once upon a time, stoves were made inside the walls of the massive Depression-era factory along Franklin Road.
The manufacturing days are long since over, and the factory was retrofitted and remade into The Factory at Franklin, a shopping mall, after businessman Calvin Lehew bought the 260,000-square-foot site in the late 1990s from the city for $1 million. Lehew didn’t want to see the place torn down and its remains carried away to a landfill.
“The cost of the trucks taking the debris to the landfill alone would have been tremendous,” said Lehew, 71.
As it just so happens, the factory’s production days aren’t entirely finished — and neither is Lehew’s focus on being environmentally conscious.
Newly installed solar panels on the roof of the complex will begin capturing sunlight and help generate electricity to offset the mall’s electric bills. Meanwhile, new electric- and hybrid-vehicle charging stations are being installed in the mall’s parking lot to allow shoppers to stop and charge their cars. Follow this link to read more about The Factory's innovations.
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Tennessee improves position in America's Health Rankings
Franklin Tomorrow to reconvene Healthier Communities group in January
The 2011 America's Health Rankings, produced by United Health Foundation, are out and Tennessee's ranking has improved to 39th. Follow this link to the rankings and from there, you can click on the core measures and supplemental measures to see additional details.
Earlier this year, Franklin Tomorrow convened a group of interested professionals and individuals to discuss building a healthier community because although Williamson County ranks as the healthiest county in the state of Tennessee, there is room for improvement. This group will reconvene in January and if you would like to be part of the solution, please contact Franklin Tomorrow Executive Director Mindy Tate at 794-0998.
Williamson Herald: City celebrates recycling success
Officials launch second year with new data
By Pam Horne
Staff Writer
Franklin residents considering participation in curbside recycling have an opportunity to join their neighbors and help cut the growing public cost associated with municipal waste.
The Blue Bag Recycling Program, which includes most household materials, except Styrofoam and glass, is moving into its second year.
City officials originally agreed to launch a three-year pilot program to gauge citizen response.
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Tennessean: Franklin's water supply violates state standards
Disinfectant byproduct levels still high
By Kevin Walters
Staff Writer
Even as Franklin and other cities wrestle with curbing the summer’s foul odors in their water supply, new test results show slightly higher annual average amounts of disinfectant byproducts in the city’s water for the second consecutive period.
Franklin’s water customers were notified that new quarterly tests show the city exceeded state maximum contaminant levels for haloacetic acids, which can occur when disinfectants such as chlorine come into contact with the organic and inorganic material found in the water.
City of Franklin apologizes for taste, odor in city's drinking supply
7/20/11-The City of Franklin is apologizing to customers who have to experience the unusual taste and odor in our water system recently.
This is a natural occurrence in Middle Tennessee as water utilities in Nashville and surrounding areas are experiencing similar problems during this extremely hot summer. Although the water may smell unpleasant, it is safe to consume.
The Franklin Water Management department has stepped up the carbon treatment to address the algae bloom causing the odor and taste. We have also been flushing lines throughout the system to help get the affected water out of the system. We appreciate your patience while we work to alleviate the problem, it does take some time. If you still feel your problem is unusual, please call our Water Management Department at 794-4554 to report your problem and exact location in the City so that we can concentrate our efforts in affected areas.
Franklin Water Management Department has two sources of treated water. These sources include the Franklin Water Treatment Plant and the Harpeth Valley Utility District (HVUD). Changes to taste and odor were originally detected in the southern part of the city which is served primarily from the Franklin Water Treatment Plant. Plant staff has adjusted treatment to address this issue and crews have been flushing lines to remove affected water.
There have also been reports over the last two days that a similar taste and odor is being experienced in the northern parts of the district, primarily served with water purchased from HVUD. Their water is treated from the Cumberland River. This is consistent with the presence of algal blooms in the Cumberland River and reports of taste and odor issues in Nashville and surrounding areas. The Franklin Treatment Plant and the HVUD have both stepped up treatment with carbon to remove taste and odor associated with algae.
Recent News Reports:
http://www.wkrn.com/story/15102348/franklin-works-to-get-rid-of-foul-smelling-water
http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wztv_vid_8580.shtml
