First communities in Mass. to ban gas appliances get final state OK

"After years of deliberations, negotiations and regulatory rollout — and some well-publicized “agita” in the corner office — a handful of Massachusetts cities and towns can now significantly limit the use of fossil fuels in new building projects.

The state’s Department of Energy Resources gave seven communities the final green light to begin a groundbreaking experiment: they will require new construction and major renovation to embrace fossil fuel-free infrastructure for uses like heating and cooling.

They include Acton, Aquinnah, Brookline, Cambridge, Concord, Lincoln and Lexington, which can now effectively mandate that most construction or significant renovation projects within their borders abstain from oil and gas hookups.

Effective dates vary by community. In several cases, the rules will take effect within three months, though Lincoln’s will not kick in for roughly six months and Aquinnah’s appears to have already started on Jan. 1."

Continue reading the article at the Boston Globe (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/05/business/massachusetts-gas-bans/

New construction in Cambridge and at least six other cities and towns in Massachusetts will be largely free from fossil fuels under a new pilot program approved by state energy regulators last month.LANE TURNER/GLOBE STAFF

"Beyond slashing carbon emissions, the grant-funded work will make living in these renovated units more comfortable"

Miriam Wasser (@MiriamWasser) posted on Tue, Nov 21, 2023:

"The first installment of Massachusetts' $50m grant to decarbonize affordable housing developments went out today.

The money will be used to electrify and retrofit over 700 units across the state. "

Full article -> https://t.co/sypqvNKjgq

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/MiriamWasser/status/1727087328181751961

MASS.gov press release -> https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-awards-27-million-to-decarbonize-affordable-housing-across-massachusetts

Mass. awards $27 million to help ‘decarbonize’ hundreds of affordable housing units

Boston Globe: "Boston’s plan to ban fossil fuels in new buildings goes up in smoke"

"Wu’s decision not to apply for the program came as a surprise to environmental advocates and legislators who have been trying to move the state away from heating and cooling new structures with fossil fuels. Constructing buildings that are only powered by electricity is considered among the low-hanging fruit of plans to decarbonize. Buildings account for roughly 70 percent of Boston’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The decision marks an abrupt departure from the mayor’s recent statements, delivered in press conferences and radio interviews, that the city intended to participate in the program and lead by example.

Wu said, “it breaks my heart,” but that the city was not applying for the state program because it appears it was not actually intended for a city as complex as Boston, with its large population and already-strained electric grid. She said she had gotten “clear indications that Boston would not be chosen for the one available spot.”

Maria Hardiman, a spokesperson for the state Department of Energy Resources, said the challenge for Boston is that it’s “electrically similar” — meaning the age of the infrastructure and demands on the system are comparable — to several other cities or towns that have already been selected for the program, including Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, and Arlington. Those similarities “would have presented a challenge in the selection process” because the pilot program is aimed at getting data from a diverse group of communities."

Continue reading the article online ->    https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/11/13/science/boston-will-not-apply-to-ban-fossil-fuels/

Shared from Sabrina Shankman (@shankman)->    https://twitter.com/shankman/status/1723830814788518112

Boston Globe: "Boston’s plan to ban fossil fuels in new buildings goes up in smoke"

Sun Chronicle: "'It is falling apart': Supporters say new Tri-County building project sorely needed, vote scheduled for Oct. 24"

"Holes in walls. Leaky plumbing. Aging systems. Outdated educational facilities.

These are just a few of the issues supporters say plague the nearly 50-year-old Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, a facility tasked with training students in modern, high-tech vocational education.

Not only is the school district’s original building outdated for educational purposes, the facility and its systems are well beyond their life expectancy and need $165 million-plus in repairs, school officials say.

Voters in the 11 school district communities, including North Attleboro, Plainville, Wrentham, Norfolk, Seekonk and Franklin, will vote on a planned new $286 million school at a special election Oct. 24."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/it-is-falling-apart-supporters-say-new-tri-county-building-project-sorely-needed-vote-scheduled/article_33e86abb-b22f-5caa-91f7-d702884cf60b.html

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1713603503795368019

Tri-County Superintendent-Director Karen Maguire says the nearly 50-year-old Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School building is in need of replacement. “The facility is failing,” Maguire said.  MARK STOCKWELL/THE SUN CHRONICLE

Watch to the Tri-County New Building Information Session - 10/03/23 (video)

The Franklin TV recording of the information session held Tuesday, Oct 3 at the Franklin Public Library is available.

Tri-County School Committee members Peter Wiernicki and Jen D’Angelo presented, assisted by a Facilities Representative.

• The current school is 'broken', per the MSBA process the building did evaluate options to renovate, renovate & create an addition, or rebuild. The rebuild option was selected as the most viable 

• The cost today is shown as 284M, MSBA will reimburse 29%

• Oct 24, 2023 is scheduled date for approval of the Tri-County school replacement project approval by the 11 community members of the Tri-County district

• The October 24 vote will be conducted across the 11 communities at the same time, from 12 PM to 8 PM. The vote will be counted in aggregate and a 50% +1 is required for passage

• The 11 individual communities can make their own decision on how to fund the expense of the new building. Franklin has chosen to do a debt exclusion to raise the money separately from the operating budget. That vote is schedule for the Nov 7, 2023 election ballot

Watch the session -> https://youtu.be/SWhZxW8AtNo

or Listen to the audio of the info session, approx. 47 minutes

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1070-tri-county-rvths-new-blgd-info-session-10-03-23

  Jen D’Angelo and Peter Wiernicki 

Tri-County New Building Info Session - Oct 3 at Franklin Public Library

Town of Franklin: Municipal Building CLOSURE - October 9, 2023

The Town of Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, October 9th, 2023 in observance of Columbus Day. 

We will reopen on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-closure-october-9th-2023

Town of Franklin: Municipal Building CLOSURE - October 9, 2023

Informative video on Tri-County new building (5 mins, video)

Tri-County has a nice informative 5 minute video to help tell the story of the new building and the importance of the vote on Oct 24, 2023.

Video link -> https://vimeo.com/847193876/41be0a2981?share=copy

Informative video on Tri-County new building (5 mins, video)

Franklin Town Clerk releases Important Information on Tri-County Election - Oct 24

• Ballots Have Arrived For The Tri-County Election!! 
• Please Feel Free To Come Into The Clerk's Office During Regular Business Hours To Cast Your Vote!

For More Information

• Tri-County Election Announcement  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/important-news-tri-county-district-wide-election-10242023

• Memo from Town Administrator - Tri-County Election if approved: Estimated Cost Per Household   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/imce/u353/8b._1_-_memo_-_tri_county_school_financing.jpg

• Tri-County Election Warrant  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/tri-county-warrant

• Tri-County Sample Ballot  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/tri-county_10-24_sample_ballot.pdf

Franklin Town Clerk releases Important Information on Tri-County Election - Oct 24

Ballots Have Arrived For The Tri-County Election!! 

Please Feel Free To Come Into The Clerk's Office During Regular Business Hours To Cast Your Vote!

For More Information

• Tri-County Election Announcement  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/important-news-tri-county-district-wide-election-10242023

• Memo from Town Administrator - Tri-County Election if approved: Estimated Cost Per Household   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/imce/u353/8b._1_-_memo_-_tri_county_school_financing.jpg

• Tri-County Election Warrant  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/tri-county-warrant

• Tri-County Sample Ballot  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/tri-county_10-24_sample_ballot.pdf

Tri-County New Building Info Session - Oct 3 at Franklin Public Library

Listen to the Tri-County New Building Information Session - 10/03/23 (audio)

FM #1070 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1070 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Tri-County RVTHS new building information session held at the Franklin Public Library on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

Tri-County School Committee members Peter Wiernicki and Jen D’Angelo presented, assisted by a Facilities Representative.

• The current school is 'broken', per the MSBA process the building did evaluate options to renovate, renovate & create an addition, or rebuild. The rebuild option was selected as the most viable 

• The cost today is shown as 284M, MSBA will reimburse 29%

• Oct 24, 2023 is scheduled date for approval of the Tri-County school replacement project approval by the 11 community members of the Tri-County district

• The October 24 vote will be conducted across the 11 communities at the same time, from 12 PM to 8 PM. The vote will be counted in aggregate and a 50% +1 is required for passage

• The 11 individual communities can make their own decision on how to fund the expense of the new building. Franklin has chosen to do a debt exclusion to raise the money separately from the operating budget. That vote is schedule for the Nov 7, 2023 election ballot

Listen to the info session, approx. 47 minutes

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1070-tri-county-rvths-new-blgd-info-session-10-03-23

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Handout on building project (PDF) (also provided at Harvest Festival)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VHHl330ZVQbc_zKv1JIquvtWPkTh1B3f/view?usp=drive_link 

Photo album of those taken during the info session ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eajFL6pWVmn9ZP3t9 

Franklin TV did a live broadcast of the meeting June 15, 2023 from Tri-County and it is available for replay via YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/live/7SYEYsoyaAU 

Learn more about the project here: 

https://t.co/RZSVcuyv3t  or -> https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/communityoutreach 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

  Jen D’Angelo and Peter Wiernicki 

Tri-County New Building Info Session - Oct 3 at Franklin Public Library

Tri-County schedules a special election for Oct 24 to vote to approve new building project

IMPORTANT NEWS - DISTRICT WIDE ELECTION 10/24/2023 

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TRI COUNTY REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL

DISTRICT WIDE ELECTION – 10/24/2023 - Franklin High School Gym, 218 Oak St. (12 noon - 8pm)

The following are the eleven (11) communities that will be voting for the proposed construction of a new Tri-County Vocational High School.

Norfolk, Medway, Millis, Seekonk, Walpole, Franklin, Medfield, Plainville, N. Attleboro, Sherborn, Wrentham

Last day to register to vote is Saturday, October 14th - 9 AM to 5 PM in the Town Clerk's Office.

There will be NO extended hours for in person voting. Absentee voting will be held in Town Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Last day to absentee vote in person is 10/23 from 8AM to 12:00 (noon)

If requesting an absentee ballot be mailed you must do so by October 19th.

All ballots must be received by 8PM on election day.

For all information on the project please click on this link: https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/

For frequently asked questions: https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/faq

Shared from the Town Clerk's page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/important-news-district-wide-election-10242023

Tri-County schedules a special election for Oct 24 to vote to approve new building project

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the Sep 6 meeting including the migrant status update (audio)

FM #1057 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1057 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of September 6, 2023: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

APPOINTMENTS

a. Design Review Commission - i. Andrew Pratt

b. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - i. Jayaprabha Vijayaraghavan

c. Fire Department - New Employee - i. Jack Lennon: Firefighter/Paramedic

d. Fire Department - Promotions

• Thomas Konieczny: Battalion Chief

• Paul Molla: Captain

• Laurie Kaye: EMS Captain

• Matthew Kelly: Lieutenant

• Michael Berthiaume: Lieutenant

• Jonathan Chalk: Lieutenant

Dean College Update - Ken Elmore, President of Dean College

Tri-County Regional Vocational School Building project and expected votes to (1) approve and (2) approve of the financing for it

LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Second Reading 

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map - Second Reading 

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote) 

d. Resolution 23-49: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Plymouth for County of Plymouth to Provide Parking Ticket Computerization and Processing Services to Franklin 

e. Resolution 23-50: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Owner-Developer of Prospect Hills Estates with Access Road Off Prospect Street 

f. Resolution 23-51: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,525) 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT -  Migrant Housing Update

Our conversation runs about 49 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Sep 7, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1057-town-council-quarterbacking-09-07-23

--------------

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/lUOJJj5hec8?si=IUzMbo_9nNGYa59y&t=194 

My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeitng are collected in a single PDF for easier reading  -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Go0RhESjzP4F3KWutGqZ-kxO3-Fdn0l/view?usp=drive_link 

Town Council agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_9.6.23.pdf 

The Town Administrator Report audio segment of the meeting was shared separately. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the Sep 6 meeting including the migrant status update (audio)