Town of Franklin, MA: update for Tuesday, Dec 19

Good Morning folks:

The good news is National Grid restored almost 4,000 households over night. There are still about 2,000 without power and conditions look favorable today. Our hope is full restoration today, except some possible isolated areas with severe tree or wire issues that affect limited households.

Kennedy School is back with power and the Superintendent closed Parmenter today as there is no power there.

Town Hall had power all day yesterday, but does not have it this morning. I have delayed the opening of the Muni until at least 10:00AM and until further notice. (Updated 10:00 AM: Municipal Building is open for business with power.)

As we all know, the state got pounded quite hard from the last 48 hours and all crews are working to get everything up and going.

Jamie Hellen
Town Administrator

Town of Franklin, MA: update for Tuesday, Dec 19

Franklin Municipal Building Holiday Hours - November 23 & 24

The Franklin Municipal Building will close at 1pm on Wednesday, 11/22/23 and will be closed on Thursday, 11/23/23 & Friday 11/24/23.  We will reopen on Monday, 11/27/23.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-holiday-hours-november-22-23-24

Franklin Municipal Building Holiday Hours - November 23 & 24

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

Franklin Municipal Building CLOSURE - September 4, 2023

The Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, September 4th, 2023 in observance of Labor Day. 

We will reopen on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023.

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-closure-september-4th-2023

Franklin Municipal Building CLOSURE - September 4, 2023

Franklin Secures Stable Electricity Rate Through Renewal of Utility Relief Program

Program has saved ratepayers an estimated $11.5 million over three years.

The Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program (also referred to as Municipal Aggregation) has successfully saved ratepayers an estimated 11.5 million dollars in electricity costs throughout the previous three-year contract. In an effort to continue to stabilize electricity costs and lower carbon emissions, Franklin has signed a new 24-month contract with energy consultant Colonial Power Group and renewable electricity supplier Dynegy Energy Services to continue to manage and supply its electricity program for all residents in Franklin. 

Franklin Secures Stable Electricity Rate Through Renewal of Utility Relief Program

The new fixed rate is 15 cents per kilowatt-hours (kWh); which is an increase of $.043 cents per kWh over the current rate of 10.7 cents per kWh and is slated to begin with the November 2023 meter reads and end with the November 2025 meter reads. The change will be reflected in ratepayers' December 2023 bill.

Consumers actively enrolled in Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply Program will receive a postcard. It contains information regarding the new rate + term along with a notice regarding automatic enrollment. Check your mailbox for a postcard from the Town of Franklin c/o Colonial Power, which will be mailed (to existing participating Consumers only) late September 2023.

"In these challenging fiscal times, this new contract represents a continued commitment to help stabilize electricity bills for ratepayers during this period of high inflation for all residents and small businesses," said Jamie Hellen, Franklin Town Administrator. "Also, as a certified Green Community, I know many Franklin residents are concerned about our carbon footprint. This electricity program has allowed us to reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources and decrease our carbon emissions by securing a contract that relies on 100% wind renewable energy."

The Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program, is an electricity aggregation program that allows a municipality to purchase electricity in bulk on behalf of its residential and small business customers. The goal of municipal aggregation is to stabilize energy costs, achieve more affordable pricing and deliver savings over the life of the program against National Grid Basic Service, reduce the community's carbon footprint, and enhance local control in its energy purchasing. To date 10,260 meters are participating in the program and Franklin ratepayers have saved a combined $11.5 million through March 31, 2023. 

Franklin Community Choice Program customers currently enrolled in the program will not need to re-enroll or do anything to continue to participate. Residents and business owners are eligible to opt-in or opt-out of the program at will, and those currently not enrolled in the program will need to enroll if interested in participating. There are no fees for enrollment or cancellation, however, residents and business owners with a supplier block on their account must contact National Grid to request that the block be removed to participate in Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply program, and anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching. 

Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against National Grid Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

As a Green Community since 2018, the Town of Franklin aims to help displace fossil fuel generation and consumption. The Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program aligns well with the community's renewable energy program, which utilizes 100% National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

For questions regarding billing or enrollment status, residents and business owners must contact Dynegy Energy Services directly by calling (866) 220-5696 or by visiting colonialpowergroup.com/franklin.

Learn more about the Town of Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply Program at www.franklinma.gov/MunicipalAg.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-secures-stable-electricity-rate-through-renewal-utility-relief-program

Talk Franklin with Jamie & Amy recaps the Joint Budget Mtg and other topics (audio)

FM #1038 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1038 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" session with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti. We had our conversation in the Municipal Building on Thursday, August 10, 2023.  

Topics for this session

Joint Budget Subcommittee recap, OneFranklin

Davis Thayer Reuse Committee meeting

Town Council meeting, override do’s & don’ts

Municipal Aggregation contract renewal at $.15/kwh

The recording runs about 42 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Amy on Thursday, August 10, 2023. Audio file -> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Budget-Engagement--Community-Savings-e285vq5

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Town FY 2024 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Davis Thayer Reuse Committee agenda & links ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2023-08-15_davis-thayer_reuse_agenda_.pdf 

Town Council agenda for 08/16/23 meeting ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_aug_16_2023.pdf  

Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 

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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"

Talk Franklin with Jamie & Amy recaps the Joint Budget Mtg and other topics (audio)

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for July 19, 2023 at 7 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

July 19, 2023 -  7 PM

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. May 25, 2023

b. June 7, 2023

c. June 21, 2023

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Agricultural Commission

i. Nick Capoccia

b. Cultural District Committee

i. Sue Cass

ii. Patrick Conlan

c. Design Review Commission

i. Amy Adams

ii. Jim Bartro

d. Finance Committee

i. Lauren Nagel

e. Franklin Cultural Council

i. Carol Fletcher

ii. John Ristaino

iii. Jean Wolf

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled.

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. License Modification - Change of Officers/Directors/LLC Managers: Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc., d/b/a Shaw’s, Located at 255 East Central Street

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Discussion: Legislative Delegation: Senator Rebecca Rausch, Representative Jeffrey Roy

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Bylaw Amendment 23-900R: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Article IV, Stopping, Standing and Parking, §170-15 Parking Prohibitions and Limitations, D. Parking Prohibited, Downtown Parking Map Amendment - Second Reading   (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 23-900R - Majority Roll Call Vote)

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-894: To Amend Chapter 185, Section 3 of the Code of the Town of Franklin to add Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Definition - Second Reading  (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-894 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-895R (As Further Revised): To Amend Chapter 185, Attachment 8, Use Regulations Schedule Part VII: Accessory Uses of the Franklin Town Code to Add Accessory Dwelling Residential Units - Second Reading

(Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-895R - Majority Roll Call Vote)

d. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-896: To Amend Chapter 185, Section 19 of the Code of the Town of Franklin to Add on Accessory Dwelling Unit Setbacks - Second Reading  (Motion to Approve Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-896 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

e. Resolution 23-45: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Norfolk for County of Norfolk to Provide Sealer of Weights and Measures Services to Town of Franklin  (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-45 - Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 23-46: Acceptance of and Authorization for Town Administrator to Execute Conservation Restriction on Two Open Space Parcels at Brookview Condominium located off Pond Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-46 - Majority Vote)

g. Resolution 23-47: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($600), Fire Dept. ($300)  (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-47 - Majority Vote)

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. GATRA Advisory Board

e. Master Plan Committee

f. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

 

Note: 

Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda document contains remote participation info along with the documents released for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/july_19_2023_tc_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for July 19, 2023 at 7 PM

Franklin Municipal Building & Library CLOSURE - May 29, 2023 for Memorial Day

The Franklin Municipal Building and Library will be CLOSED on Monday, May 29, 2023 in observance of Memorial Day. They will reopen on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-closure-may-29th-2023  and -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/library-closed-memorial-day

Franklin Municipal Building  CLOSURE - May 29, 2023 for Memorial Day

Library closed for Memorial Day

Franklin Municipal Building CLOSURE - April 17, 2023

Franklin Municipal Building CLOSURE - April 17, 2023

In observance of Patriots Day

The Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, April 17, 2023 in observance of Patriots Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-closure-april-17th-2023

Franklin Municipal Building CLOSURE - April 17, 2023

Town of Franklin, MA: Affordable housing opportunity - 1st come, 1st serve

Affordable Housing Opportunity Alert! 

You can learn more about the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust here: https://t.co/mD62awSRBL  or  https://www.franklinma.gov/municipal-affordable-housing-trust

Details on the 67 Palomino Drive – Dover Farms – Franklin, MA - $310,500 – First Come, First Serve - Resale

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/flyer_1_0.pdf

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/TwqjPb9L4n  or https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1645435228742197249

Town of Franklin, MA: Affordable housing opportunity - 1st come, 1st serve

The Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, February 20, 2023

The Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, February 20th, 2023

The Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, February 20th, 2023 in observance of Presidents' Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, February 21st, 2023.

Shared from ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-will-be-closed-monday-february%C2%A020th-2023

The Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, February 20, 2023

Notice: Franklin Municipal Building & Franklin Public Library CLOSURE - January 16, 2023

Franklin Municipal Building CLOSURE 

Franklin Public Library CLOSURE

- January 16, 2023

The Franklin Municipal Building and Franklin Public Library will be CLOSED on Monday, January 16, 2023 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Both buildings will reopen on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-closure-january-16th-2023

and ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/franklin-public-library-closed-martin-luther-king-jr-day

Franklin Public Library Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Franklin Municipal Building CLOSURE - January 2, 2023

The Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, January 2nd, 2023 in observance of the New Year's Day Holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023.

Reminder: Curbside trash/recycling pickup will operate on a regular schedule during the week of the New Year's Day holiday (January 2nd - 3rd, 2023).

The Recycling Center Holiday hours are as follows:

• Saturday, December 31st: 8 AM - 1PM
• Sunday, January 1st: CLOSED

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-closure-january-2nd-2023

Franklin Municipal Building CLOSURE - January 2, 2023

Franklin Municipal Building & Franklin Public Library - CLOSED - December 26, 2022

The Franklin Municipal Building and the Public Library will be CLOSED on Monday, December 26, 2022 in observance of the Christmas Holiday. 

We will reopen on Tuesday, December 27, 2022.

 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-closure-december-26th-2022

CLOSED on Monday, December 26, 2022 in observance of the Christmas Holiday

Town of Franklin: Municipal Building - closing at Noon 11/23/22 & All Schools Closed 11/23/22

1 - Town of Franklin

The Franklin Municipal Building will CLOSE EARLY on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at 12:00 PM and remain closed through Friday, November 25, 2022 in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. 

We will reopen on Monday, November 28, 2022

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-closure-november-23rd-2022-1200pm 

Franklin Municipal Building CLOSURE - November 23, 2022 at 12:00 PM

2 - Franklin Public Schools

All Franklin Public Schools will be CLOSED Wednesday, November 23 - November 25 in observance of the holiday. We will reopen on Monday, November 28th, 2022. 

Shared from ->   https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1594774651691057152

All Schools Closed 11/23/22

 

Franklin Public Library & Municipal Building are both Closed Friday, November 11 for Veterans Day

Franklin Public Library & Municipal Building are both Closed Friday, November 11 for Veterans Day

 

• The Franklin Public Library will be closed Friday, November 11 for Veterans Day. The library will be open Saturday, November 12 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 13, 1:30-5:00 p.m.
• The Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Friday, November 11th, 2022 in observance of the Veterans Day. We will reopen on Monday, November 14th, 2022.

Ted & I talk microgrids and more in this 18th episode of Making Sense of Climate - 10/25/22 (audio)

FM #870 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 870 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Tuesday, October 25, 2022.  

In this episode our conversation covered the following topics: 

• Microgrids

• South Carolina residential building auto based

• DPU and municipal aggregation approval cycle

• Building code, stretch code revisions pending

• Offshore cable system

• Mother Jones says ‘microgrids’ are good

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted 

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-870-making-sense-of-climate-18-10-25-22

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microgrid - Merriam Webster added the word in September

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/10/merriam-webster-we-added-370-new-words.html   

teaser to come back to microgrids

 

South Carolina massive residential building underway in 'low country' outside of charleston. 

no mass transit, while 55 housing is being built, all are hostage to the automobiles

not sustainable for net zero, or for those 55+ who as they age are going to be standed out there

 

municipal aggregation, we have it, others can't get it

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/10/16/science/these-communities-want-lower-residents-electric-bills-carbon-emissions-heres-whats-stopping-them/

 

public ownership of utilities I don't think it the answer, we need to ensure appropriate board and oversight of the utilities doesn't create/continue the fossil fuel domination

https://www.repmikeconnolly.org/public_ownership_of_public_utilities

 

Hard to find a good contractor.--- this will be important as we go forward in MA>

https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2022/10/8/23387530/home-electrification-heat-pumps-gas-furnace-contractors

 

offshore cable system, rather than extending electric grid above ground

https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/10/18/offshore-wind-transmission-lines-grid

 

microgrids, Mother Jones article

https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2022/10/tool-surviving-extreme-weather-mircogrids-distributed-power-batteries/

 

Eversource/Framingham pilot construction updates https://www.eversource.com/content/ema-c/residential/about/transmission-distribution/projects/massachusetts-projects/geothermal-pilot-project

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

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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"

Eversource/Framingham pilot construction update