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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Franklin Public Schools: Afternoon/Evening Activities
Town Council Meeting - 03/06/13
The collection of posts by agenda section for the Town Council meeting Wednesday evening, March 6, 2013 can be found below.
Police Chief Stephan Semerjian presented an overview of the Police Dept spiced with some historical photos. He committed to sending the presentation copy to me so I can share it here.
The refinancing costs for the high school building project can be reduced by over $1,000 per homeowner. There are two years early in the life of the bond where the cost for the year is higher than initially projected but then the remaining years are all lower. This is with a project rate of 3.65% and the bonds may actually be able to be financed for less than that resulting in a further reduction overall. The Town Council was in consensus on this non-voting item. We'll get an update later this year as the bond deal is finalized.
The solid waste (trash and recycling rate) will increase from $204 to $212 for the next fiscal year (beginning in July). While this is an increase, the overall cost is still lower (with the increase) than with the previous system. The totters are paid off, the system is working well, trash collection is down and recycling is up.
The Town Council approved the second power purchase agreement for the solar energy 'farm' being put up on the Mount St Mary's property this year. This is the second of the two agreements signed. The combined worth of the two agreements is $6M over twenty years. This amount comes from the cost savings for the electricity purchased as well as the increased property taxes being collected.
The Public Library has a Facebook Page and a Twitter account! Yes, the Town is continuing to explore the use of these social media tools to help share information with Franklin residents.
You can find the Library on Facebook here http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPublicLibrary
and on Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrkPublicLib
Police Chief Stephan Semerjian presented an overview of the Police Dept spiced with some historical photos. He committed to sending the presentation copy to me so I can share it here.
The refinancing costs for the high school building project can be reduced by over $1,000 per homeowner. There are two years early in the life of the bond where the cost for the year is higher than initially projected but then the remaining years are all lower. This is with a project rate of 3.65% and the bonds may actually be able to be financed for less than that resulting in a further reduction overall. The Town Council was in consensus on this non-voting item. We'll get an update later this year as the bond deal is finalized.
The solid waste (trash and recycling rate) will increase from $204 to $212 for the next fiscal year (beginning in July). While this is an increase, the overall cost is still lower (with the increase) than with the previous system. The totters are paid off, the system is working well, trash collection is down and recycling is up.
The Town Council approved the second power purchase agreement for the solar energy 'farm' being put up on the Mount St Mary's property this year. This is the second of the two agreements signed. The combined worth of the two agreements is $6M over twenty years. This amount comes from the cost savings for the electricity purchased as well as the increased property taxes being collected.
The Public Library has a Facebook Page and a Twitter account! Yes, the Town is continuing to explore the use of these social media tools to help share information with Franklin residents.
You can find the Library on Facebook here http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPublicLibrary
and on Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrkPublicLib
- Live reporting - closing
- Live reporting - action items
- Live reporting - High School Building costs
- Live reporting - Police Presentation
- Live reporting - Town Council - Mar 6
The agenda and documentation as published by Franklin can be found here
Spring Garden Celebration!
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Growing In Franklin by Franklin Community Gardens on 3/6/13
Spring is just around the corner, and as Saint Patrick's Day approaches, so too does our first major garden event of the year.
Spring Garden Celebration 2013
@ King Street Memorial Community Garden
On Sunday March 17th, from 9am until Noon we'll be in the garden hosting some special events to kick off the growing season!
- Raised Bed Construction Demonstration - We'll be building four new raised beds in the garden. Come along to lend a hand and learn what you need to build one of your own for home.
- Seed Exchange - Bring your excess seeds and exchange them with other gardeners for those you need.
- Winter Sowing - Learn how to create your own mini-greenhouse out of a milk jug to give your seeds a head start on the season.
- Pea Planting - We'll be running a pea planting demonstration in the Food Pantry bed. Yes, you can plant seeds in March!
The Franklin Community Garden Committee has been hard at work preparing for the garden's third season as we work to add new beds, and bring in new members from the wait list. We're looking for some new committee members to help us to continue this great community project.
our page:
If you are interested in becoming a committee member please contact us via the gardenmail link on the sidebar for additional information.
See You At The Garden!
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Growing In Franklin using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
"Anytime we can save the taxpayers money, I would be in favor of it"
In the Milford Daily News recap of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, they report on only one agenda item, the proposed refinancing of the high school building project.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1433792874/Franklin-adopts-new-payment-plan-for-new-high-school#ixzz2MqewGDq7
For the full report on the entire agenda of the Town Council meeting, you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/town-council-meeting-030613.html
Homeowners residing in a property assessed at $353,000 will see a $71 increase on their tax bills in fiscal year 2014 — up from $45 in the prior plan — and a $212 increase in fiscal 2015, up from $85. They will pay $212 again in fiscal 2016, down from $216, and the same amount every year after that until the town covers its debt.
The preliminary payment method had residents paying an additional $260 in 2017.
With the plan Nutting presented on Wednesday, taxpayers would over the life of the project pay a total of $5,440, rather than $6,612.
"I’m very comfortable from where we’re sitting right now," said School Building Committee Chairman Tom Mercer, speaking remotely from China. "Although we have that ... spike, this is really a no brainer; it just saves everybody money."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1433792874/Franklin-adopts-new-payment-plan-for-new-high-school#ixzz2MqewGDq7
For the full report on the entire agenda of the Town Council meeting, you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/town-council-meeting-030613.html
Poetry Goes to Hollywood
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Franklin Library: Fun Club - Green Slime Time
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Franklin Public Library using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Live reporting - closing
J. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Congrats to Brustus for becoming a "roads scholar"
Library waiver was granted for this year
more programs will be announced via Facebook and Twitter
Thanks to DPW and public safety folks for work during the blizzard
Annual budget coming out the FinCom and Council this week
level service, no job loses
Schools coming in at 3%, hearing next week
budget hearings scheduled for Mar 13, 14 and 28. Apr 1, 2 at FinCom
Recreation plan for DelCarte property
public hearing Tues Mar 12, 6:30 at 3rd floor training room
Update for Apr 3 meeting on Downtown Project
K. OLD BUSINESS
Nutting - update on NationalGrid, pole hearings underway, for Partridge St and Maple St
M. NEW BUSINESS
Roy - an update from Franklin Housing Authority is requested
think and talk about a impact of a casino in Milford
Bissanti - Community Preservations Act could be beneficial, lot of exciting projects under this program
Vallee - lot at Union and Cottage owned by the railroad (CSX)
Nutting we had approached them before to see if they were interested in selling and were not
trying to get CSX to do anything is difficult
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Kelly - library events on Facebook, glad to join the masses
Powderly - wish the girls basketball team good luck!
Jones - Mar 9 - Thayer PCC - bid for the Kids auction, largest fund raiser
Economic Dev meeting Mar 13, 5:30 PM
Bissanti - loved a book reading at Davis Thayer, proud to be part of it
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0 via roll
Congrats to Brustus for becoming a "roads scholar"
Library waiver was granted for this year
more programs will be announced via Facebook and Twitter
Thanks to DPW and public safety folks for work during the blizzard
Annual budget coming out the FinCom and Council this week
level service, no job loses
Schools coming in at 3%, hearing next week
budget hearings scheduled for Mar 13, 14 and 28. Apr 1, 2 at FinCom
Recreation plan for DelCarte property
public hearing Tues Mar 12, 6:30 at 3rd floor training room
Update for Apr 3 meeting on Downtown Project
K. OLD BUSINESS
Nutting - update on NationalGrid, pole hearings underway, for Partridge St and Maple St
M. NEW BUSINESS
Roy - an update from Franklin Housing Authority is requested
think and talk about a impact of a casino in Milford
Bissanti - Community Preservations Act could be beneficial, lot of exciting projects under this program
Vallee - lot at Union and Cottage owned by the railroad (CSX)
Nutting we had approached them before to see if they were interested in selling and were not
trying to get CSX to do anything is difficult
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Kelly - library events on Facebook, glad to join the masses
Powderly - wish the girls basketball team good luck!
Jones - Mar 9 - Thayer PCC - bid for the Kids auction, largest fund raiser
Economic Dev meeting Mar 13, 5:30 PM
Bissanti - loved a book reading at Davis Thayer, proud to be part of it
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0 via roll
Live reporting - action items
I. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-08: Swahn Lane, A Private Way Acceptance of Covenant with Owner
motion to approve, 9-0 via roll call
2. Resolution 13-09: Transfer of Tax Title Possession Parcels to Different Municipal Purposes
motion to approve as amended, 9-0 via roll call
annual event, after tax title determine which use of the land is best
motion to amend striking item #3 from the proposal at this time, motion passed 9-0 via roll call
3. Resolution 13-10: Town of Franklin Net Metering Power Purchase Agreement Authorization
motion to approve, 9-0 via roll call
Phase 2 of the solar development discussed before. To be built at the St Mary's. Worth over $6M between cost saved for power and increased revenue from property taxes over 20 years
4. Resolution 13-11:Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations
motion to approve, 9-0 via roll call
standard request for coverage of the snow and ice during winter, likely to get to it spent approx $700K against the $900K budget
5. Bylaw Amendment 13-700: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading
motion to move to 2nd reading, 9-0 via roll call
trash fee currently $204 would rise to $212 for next fiscal year
Powderly - fee did drop earlier, totters paid off, even with the increase we are still paying less than we did before the system switched
Live reporting - High School Building costs
slide included in PDF for agenda
will be added for this later)
$6,612 vs. 5,440
projected to be individualized costs per household over the life of the funding required
for a couple of years up front, you pay slightly more but over the long term, the total payments are less by $1,172 (and it could be more)
Jeff made presentation, Tom Mercer participating via telephone conference call
Nutting - The under ground is done, the steel is rising. The only real unknown left is if when we take down the old school we find something we didn't expect.
Roy - Anytime we can save the taxpayers money it is a no-brainer
Nutting - projected to be about a 20% savings over the life of the bond
Mercer - yes, we have a year spike but otherwise it saves us money in the long term
Jones - many of the naysayers for the school were fearful that the school was going to be a taj mahal and be full of cost overruns. To that we have been under and continuing to reduce is good.
Powderly - I appreciate the diligence in looking to avoid surprises, saving money overall
Live reporting - Police Presentation
PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
1. Chief of Police, Stephan Semerjian
(Document to be added later)
5000 in 1904 to 33,000 in 2012, arrests rose from 33 to 400+ in those years
Some historical figures and anecdotes told along the way
picture of parking meters from back in the 1940"s
photo of the new building from 1991
map of the four sectors patrolled by the police
photo of firearms seized from one Franklin resident
photo of dispatch station with four monitors operated by a single person when a 911 call comes in
certificate as America's Safest City for 2013 (actually #2 in 2012)
Chief says I am very proud of the guys we have, they want to work, they make it easy for me
Dellorco, they help us so much, there are coaches at the high school, they are involved, they know the kids
There is only one female officer currently
We get what we need to do what we have to do, we're better educated and trained so that helps
Live reporting - Town Council - Mar 6
Present: Mercer (remote) Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy (late)
Absent:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 6, 2013
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Absent:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 6, 2013
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Franklin Public Schools: Update/Information
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Reminder: Tour of Keller and Sullivan - Mar 7 - 6:00 PM
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Bone Marrow Drive, Organ Donor Awareness - Mar 10
It is our hope to create awareness within families to talk about two very important Donor topics that are often difficult to discuss. We will have information available for you to consider this personal decision. We will also be able to add you to the marrow registry with a simple cheek swab (check out DKMS.org).
Pour Richards will have a wine/beer tasting during the event and we are selling tickets to it for $10. Proceeds from sales of wine/beer during our event will also be directed to our foundations. Join us for a fun afternoon and please share this information with your friends!
Share the event on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/events/351957668253710/
March Women's Success Network's Pure Networking
Spring is in the air - March Pure Networking
Come join the spring "Pure Networking" event hosted by Self Aesthetic and Therapeutic Specialists, Medical Spa, located at 37 East Central Street in Franklin
on Wednesday, March 20 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
Self Aesthetic and Therapeutic Specialists, Medical Spa is a beauty and wellness practice. They offer state of the art techniques in facial treatments, medical cosmetics, massage therapy, and holistic wellness services. Christine Dreier, WSN member and the owner and Aesthetics Director of Self, has been in the beauty industry for over 30 years. She is licensed as an aesthetician and cosmetologist; certified in skin tightening and chemical peels; and medically certified in several practices. To contact Christine Dreier or see a list of services visit www.self-therapeutics.com or call 508-541-7353.
If your business is in or around Franklin and you are a Women's Success Network member, take advantage of the sponsorship opportunity. For $50 you can be spotlighted before and during the meeting. Your business information will be included in all media communications. If you would like to be a sponsor or, perhaps, donate a door prize, email Sue Haley at networking@wsninc.org.
There are two ways to register for Pure Networking: online at https://www.wsninc.org or at the door. The $5 cost supports the WSN Founders Scholarship Fund. Door prizes are accepted. Don't forget to bring your name tag and plenty of business cards.
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In the News: Cross Walk, rail trail
Good Friday ‘Cross Walk’ planned in Franklin
by GateHouse Media, Inc.
St Mary’s teen ministry is organizing a “Cross Walk” procession on the Franklin Town Common beginning at 12 p.m. on Good Friday, March 29.
Officials talk Upper Charles Trail expansion in Milford
by Lindsay Corcoran/Daily News staff
A meeting was held in Milford on Tuesday night that included officials from the five communities through which the Upper Charles Trail is set to run. The main discussion involved overcoming obstacles, including financing and land acquisition, to complete the 27-mile loop.
Hockomock Playoff Schedule & Scoreboard - 3/5/13
FHS Girls basketball team beats Newton South by 1 point!
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Hockomock Sports - Blog on 3/5/13
Here are today's Hockomock playoff games.
Boys Basketball
#1 Mansfield, 68 vs. #12 Brookline, 50 - Final
#12 Sharon, 79 vs. #1 Scituate, 83 - Final - Sharon is eliminated from the post season.
Girls Basketball
#4 Franklin, 54 vs. #17 Newton South, 53 - Final
Boys Basketball
#1 Mansfield, 68 vs. #12 Brookline, 50 - Final
#12 Sharon, 79 vs. #1 Scituate, 83 - Final - Sharon is eliminated from the post season.
Girls Basketball
#4 Franklin, 54 vs. #17 Newton South, 53 - Final
Things you can do from here:
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Franklin Library: Teen Advisory Board Meeting
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
Things you can do from here:
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Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Healthy Future Franklin Seeks Community Sparkplugs, March 20, 6 – 8 PM
Join Healthy Futures Franklin to create sustainable change in our community. We believe that it takes a village (or community) to energize, inspire, and spark change. We are looking for sparkplugs (volunteers to serve on subcommittees) in Franklin who also believe that:
- Play is powerful – Access to parks, outdoor recreation, and sidewalks is a priority.
- Healthy eating is a right not a privilege – Access to healthy, affordable foods is possible.
- United voices create change – Increase awareness of programs, projects and polices underway.
Healthy Futures Franklin, a Mass in Motion Initiative sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is a community-driven coalition committed to promoting healthy eating and active living through programs, projects and policies, making the healthy choice the easy choice.
Healthy Futures Franklin |
Mass in Motion |
Subcommittees will be meeting for the first time on March 20th at the Franklin Food Pantry Conference Room to focus on developing time lines to implement high impact strategies and policies to improve the health of Franklin. Become part of the movement or attend to learn more. There is no obligation to stay involved, but please consider learning what this is all about and help be part of the solution.
Both Subcommittees are scheduled to meet Wednesday, March 20, at the Franklin Food Pantry back to back to accommodate community members who are interested in both areas of focus.
- Active Living Subcommittee – Wednesday, March 20, 6 – 7 PM
- Healthy Eating Subcommittee – Wednesday, March 20, 7 – 8 PM
Please contact Lauren Marciszyn at 774.235.2737 or via email at LaurenM@hockymca.org to become involved, join our mailing list or learn more about this coalition.
Calling all Foodies!
The Franklin Performing Arts Company is hosting the Culinary Cabaret this Friday, Mar 8th
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