Franklin Art Association - Liz Haywood Sullivan - Jan 6

Friendly reminder:

The Franklin Art Association will meet Wednesday Jan. 6th from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street.

Refreshments and socialization will begin at 6:30.

Liz Haywood Sullivan - digital photo

The program will feature well known pastel painter Liz Haywood Sullivan as the demonstrating artist.

Meetings are free and opened to the public.

For more information please visit our web site at www.franklinart.org
and Facebook at www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc

For additional info on Liz, you can visit her webpage  http://www.lizhaywoodsullivan.com

"anyone prescribing them should know the person's history"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, said it was clear that many voices were sought in drafting the bill, and said it was a comprehensive attempt to address the issue on multiple fronts. 

State Rep. John Fernandes, D-Milford, said the bill is a step in the right direction, but would not completely solve the continuing opioid problem. 

"Do I think we have a silver bullet? No," he said. "What we have done is look at incremental ways to create opportunities for people who are vulnerable to addiction to avoid it." 

Among the key provisions in all the proposals is a limit on initial prescriptions for opioid painkillers, Roy said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20151229/local-legislators-praise-opioid-bill

MBTA: Commuter Rail notice

Passengers are reminded to use caution while accessing platforms and stations due to icy conditions. Affected routes: Framingham/Worcester Line Needham Line Franklin Line Fairmount Line Providence/Stoughton Line Middleborough/Lakeville Line Kingston/Plymouth Line Greenbush Line Last updated: Dec 29 2015 07:37 PM

commuter rail on a a wet day at Franklin Dean Station

Annual Report - 2015: Insurance Advisory Committee

Each of the municipal and school unions, as well as retired employees has a seat on the Town of Franklin Insurance Advisory Committee. It provides recommendations to the Town Administrator on health and dental plans. Meetings are an opportunity for employees from the unions to learn about insurance products, industry trends, and to help identify ways to meet employee needs within the framework of the Affordable Care Act, Massachusetts General Law, and available financial resources.

With the further portions of the Affordable Care Act from the Federal Government on the horizon, we anticipate changes, administrative challenges, and premium increases in the coming years. The original quote for a renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield was in the double digits – an increase unacceptable to the Committee and the Town.

With the assistance of a consultant we requested quotes from other carriers, and received a very competitive quote for nearly an identical plan from Tufts Health Plan. The Committee verified that the match with current providers was very high and elected to make the change. We sponsored informational sessions at six locations so that all employees and retirees had an opportunity to talk with Tufts representatives in person.

The Town continued a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help offset hospital in patient costs. We are happy to report that few of our employees required in patient care. The Town provides dental benefits on a totally employee paid basis. The Committee again selected Guardian Life Insurance as the provider for its dental plan no increase to premiums. Approximately 300 employees have elected this benefit.

The Flexible Spending Account vendor was retained. This vendor provides debit cards for employees to use for immediately payment. Employees can avoid an additional out of pocket expense by using the cards. The plan runs on a September 1 through August 31 calendar to more closely coordinate with the Health Insurance Plan and with the school year. We hope the participation in this plan will grow as employees recognize the tax savings available to them, and become more experienced in planning for medical and dependent care costs. Since this program exists on a tax exempt basis, changes at the federal level may cause plan changes. We will monitor any activity about Sec. 125 of the Tax Code to ensure we remain in compliance.

Participants on the IAC brought good questions to the process and have been very effective in exploring alternatives, and making recommendations. The IAC plans to continue its work gaining knowledge about the full insurance program. In the coming year we hope we will be able to reach out through this committee to other employees so that there is greater understanding of benefit plans.

Respectfully Submitted

Stephanie Lutz
Human Resource Director

Franklin Municipal Building

Additional information can be found on the Town of Franklin - Human Resources page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Human/index

-----------

"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]

http://ecode360.com/10432729?highlight=annual%20report,reports,annual,report#10432729

Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2015report.pdf

Annual Report - 2015: Franklin Housing Authority

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

The following Officers were duly elected at the annual organizational meeting of the Franklin Housing Authority held on April 23, 2015.

• George A. Danello, Chairman
• Christopher K. Feeley, Vice Chairperson
• Mark A. Teehan, Treasurer
• Diane Padula-O’Neill, Commissioner
• Peter L. Brunelli, Commissioner

FHA STAFF

• Lisa M. Audette, Executive Director
• Candice Day, Administrative Assistant
• Carole Blanchard, Office Assistant
• Michael Gilligan, Maintenance Supervisor
• Frank McAvoy, Maintenance Laborer
• James Brunelli, Maintenance Groundskeeper
• Anne Ayotte, Service Coordinator

Lisa Audette, Executive Director was elected president of MassNAHRO (Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials) making her the lead advocate for public housing in Massachusetts. As president, she will lead an organization that represents more
than 240 local housing authorities in Massachusetts and will preside over major changes in the delivery of housing services as a new public housing reform law is implemented.

Modernization of the Franklin Housing Authority Properties

A Contract for Financial Assistance from the Department of Housing & Community Development for the purpose of repairing components of the aged agency for their fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 was awarded to the FHA. Several projects were completed using this very timely and important funding including roofs, appliance replacement, electric panel replacement, installation of GFCI outlets and tree removal. Also, Franklin Housing Authority was awarded $24,795 in Health and Safety funds for flooring replacement in the community building.

State Audit

The Auditor’s Office did an audit of the FHA for the period of April 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012. After 3 months of review, no findings were found. The Official Audit Report was issued on September 17, 2013 by the Office of the State Auditor, Suzanne M. Bump.

FHA Property

The Franklin Housing Authority manages 161 units of State Aided Elderly/Disabled Housing, 33 units of low income Family Housing and an 8-unit Group Home. Additionally, the Housing Authority is responsible for a four bedroom congregate facility. This program provides a shared living
environment for its residents who maintain private bedrooms. Congregate housing is a shared living environment and was established for residents who are self-reliant, however may need limited support.

Franklin Housing Authority also owns two single family homes and one duplex in Franklin. These properties are reserved for lease to low-income persons and afford these families the opportunity to reside in a residential neighborhood. Additionally, Franklin Housing Authority is developing
another Chapter 689 housing facility. This housing will be reserved for clients of the Department of Development Services and will be located on Plain Street. Franklin Housing Authority expects to begin construction in late 2015.

Special Events Noted with Appreciation

• Rotary Club members served their annual spaghetti dinner to FHA residents and area seniors complete with all the fixings. John R. Padula was the head Chef and also provided some entertainment along with his brother Tony Dale. Rotary members cooked, served, entertained and picked up after. Rotarians always comment that the smiles and the kind words of appreciation received make their time and efforts very rewarding.

Special Thanks
The Board of Commissioners, Staff and Residents of the Franklin Housing Authority wish to express their thanks and appreciation to the following:
• The Clergy, a continuous support and comfort in the time of need and always.
• Franklin Senior Association Members:

Suzanne Wade, President
Linda Doonan, Vice President
Joyce Hutchinson, Treasurer
Evelyn Pelletier, Secretary

This Association plans pizza parties, holiday gatherings, morning coffee and donuts, card parties and many more events for the enjoyment of all Franklin Seniors.
• Chairman Bob Vallee and all of the Franklin Town Council Members, Town Administrator, Jeffrey Nutting and his staff for their continued support and assistance.
• Council on Aging, Veterans Agent, SHINE Program and Food Pantry for assisting residents with health care concerns and working with the Authority to recognize needs and provide activities, nourishment and specialized services.
• Franklin Police Department, Chief Semerjian and the entire Franklin Police Department for continuous concern, attention and response to the needs of the Authority and its Residents.
• Franklin Fire and Rescue, Chief Gary McCarraher and his department are always professional and respectful.
• Senator Karen Spilka, Senator Richard Ross, Representative Jeffery Roy for their relentless support of the Housing Programs and Bills with the best interest of our residents at heart.
• Governor Baker for his support of Massachusetts public housing.
• Norfolk County Sherriff’s Department and Sheriff Michael Bellotti for including FHA in their inmate community service program.
• Dean Bank and its’ President and CEO Kevin R. Goffe for the generous donation to our Senior Community Hall for the benefit of our residents.

Through the years, the community and the housing authority are finding ways to improve the quality of life for our area seniors and low-income families. With the support of the Commissioners and the community the Franklin Housing Authority continues to be a great, safe and affordable community living opportunity.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa M. Audette, PHM, MCPPO, Executive Director
franklinhousing.org

Franklin Housing Authority

-----------

"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]

http://ecode360.com/10432729?highlight=annual%20report,reports,annual,report#10432729

Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2015report.pdf

Both FHS hockey teams post wins on Monday

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of the FHS hockey teams on Monday, Dec 28

Girls Hockey

• Franklin, 7 @ Dover-Sherborn/Hopkinton, 1 – Final

FHS Panthers

Boys Hockey

• Franklin, 4 vs. Bishop Guertin 1 – Final

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-122815/

Rep Roy: What's happening in the district - December 2015 newsletter

This is our regularly monthly newsletter. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can get on our email list by clicking here. View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website Email Happy New Year Please accept my best wishes to you and your family for a Happy New Year. It has been an honor and privilege to represent Franklin and Medway in the House of Representatives for the past three years, and I am grateful to you for your continued support and guidance. These monthly newsletters offer an opportunity to share what is happening in our communities and on Beacon Hill. I would love to hear your thoughts or ideas for items that you would like to see included in future issues. The easiest way to get information to me is by clicking here to send an email. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this latest issue of the State House Report. Again, I wish you the best in 2016 and urge you to stay in touch. Share Tweet Forward Our mailing address is: State Rep Jeff Roy State House Room 527A Boston, MA 02133 Add us to your address book

You can read the full news letter -->  View this email in your browser

MassBudget: Data on New Year's Increases to State Minimum Wage and EITC

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Data on New Year's Increases to State Minimum Wage and Earned Income Tax Credit  This January 1st, two laws will take effect that will significantly improve the wages and incomes of working people in the Commonwealth. While wages for low and middle-income workers have been stagnant for decades, in the last two years the State Legislature and the Governor--responding to people organizing across the state--enacted laws increasing the state minimum wage and the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). On January 1st, the minimum wage will increase to $10 an hour. This is part of a scheduled set of increases that will bring the minimum wage up to $11 an hour in 2017. Going to $10 an hour will raise the wages of about 450,000 working people in the Commonwealth. For more information, please see MassBudget's factsheet The Effects of a $10 Minimum Wage in 2016. The state Earned Income Tax Credit will also increase on January 1st (from 15 percent of the federal credit to 23 percent), raising the incomes of roughly 440,000 households in the Commonwealth. In 2016, the maximum value of the state EITC will increase to $1,442, a gain of $502 over what it would have been ($940) if the EITC hadn't been increased. MassBudget's factsheet Massachusetts's Earned Income Tax Credit provides data on the direct effects of this increase and on the long-term effects on lower-income children when their family income improves. Town-by-town data on the number of people claiming the EITC is provided HERE. For more info on the minimum wage: MassBudget factsheet: The Effects of a $10 Minimum Wage in 2016  MassBudget factsheet: The Minimum Wage in Massachusetts: Challenges & Opportunities  MassBudget factsheet: The Regional Impact of an $11/Hour Minimum Wage  For more info on the EITC: MassBudget factsheet: Massachusetts's Earned Income Tax Credit  MassBudget description of EITC on Children's Budget website  Center on Budget and Policy Priorities paper: EITC and Child Tax Credit Promote Work, Reduce Poverty, and Support Children's Development, Research Finds  And for a description on why the minimum wage and EITC work well in tandem, please see this factsheet from MassBudget: Rewarding Work: The Minimum Wage and Tax Credits The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

In the News: TIF deal agreed to, downtown construction, St Vincent DePaul collection

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"The state has approved a tax deal between the town and an area manufacturer aimed at moving that business - and 190 full-time jobs - to the Franklin Industrial Park. 

Town Planner Bryan Taberner said the state Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) had signed off on a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement between Franklin and Holliston business Cold Chain Technologies. Cold Chain manufactures equipment to ensure temperature-sensitive materials are shipped properly. 

A TIF agreement encourages businesses to make improvements to local facilities by offering tax discounts on the improved value of the property. The town, though, continues to collect the full taxes on the base value of the property."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20151228/deal-would-move-holliston-manufacturer-to-franklin

then the trees were gone

"Those driving through the downtown area recently may have seen a sight unusual for this time of year: roadwork. 

Work on the large-scale reconstruction of downtown roads has continued into the winter, as abnormally warm weather has made such efforts possible."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20151228/franklin-downtown-roadwork-continues

there were trees

"The St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Mary’s Parish will hold its monthly donation collection Jan. 2-3, 2016. 

The society asks for donations of personal hygiene items such as shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, bar soap and hand lotion. Society members will assemble personal care bags for those who call St. Mary’s for help."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151228/NEWS/151229824/1994/NEWS

MBTA: Commuter Rail notice

All Commuter Rail Lines will operate a regular weekday schedule on Tuesday 12/29. Please use care in parking lots and on platforms. Tuesday, 12/29, winter weather is forecasted for the Boston area. The commuter rail will be providing regularly scheduled weekday service.  Visit MBTA.com (http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/) or a Boston train station for a copy of the schedule. Conditions are expected to be slushy. Last updated: Dec 28 2015 04:54 PM MBTA train leaving Franklin-Dean headed to Forge Park

Annual Report - 2015: Fire Department

The Department

The Franklin Fire Department is divided into two divisions: Operations and Maintenance, which is the largest and responsible for dispatch, emergency medical services, fire suppression and hazardous materials response. Administration and Support Services is responsible for personnel, budget and finance, training, code compliance and coordinating the Town’s emergency preparedness.

Franklin (MA) Fire Dept

Our Mission

The mission of the Franklin Fire Department is to: 

• Have a positive impact in the lives of citizens and visitors of Franklin in their time of crisis by providing compassionate, contemporary, community driven services.
• Safeguard human life from the perils of fire, sudden illness, injury or other emergency medical condition, natural and man-made disasters as well as preserve the environment and property from ensuing destruction.
• Be responsible for a safe, productive and pleasant work environment for our employees, and provide them opportunities to gain new skills and advance their personal career goals.

Operational Objectives

• Initiating advanced life support to patients within 8 minutes of receiving the telephone call at our communications center.
• To access, extricate, treat and transport and transport trauma patients to a level one trauma medical facility within one hour of the occurrence of the injury.
• Interrupt the progression of fires in structures within 8 minutes of open flame ignition.
• To insure response readiness remains greater than 70%.
• Provide safety and survival skills for all school students in grade K through 5 consistent with the Student Awareness Fire Education (SAFE) initiative of the Commonwealth.
• Provide educational opportunities for department members to insure optimal performance and safety.
• To develop and maintain “best practice” to insure personnel and citizen safety.
• Insure fire safety through timely, consistent code compliance services to all external customers.
• Provide all department services in a manner that satisfies the needs of our customers.

Message from the Fire Chief

Fiscal Year 2015 ended as the busiest year in department history, with nearly 3,800 emergency responses. The department continued to enjoy the benefit of a Federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant that provided four replacement Firefighter/Paramedics positions that were lost in 2009. The SAFER Grant will expire in November of Fiscal Year 2016, and with the direction and assistance of the Town Administrator, the department will be able to maintain these positions through the balance of Fiscal Year 2016 and beyond.

This continued support is imperative given the response pattern the department has experienced over the past several years. Over that time, we have seen the number of calls for service that occur back-to-back or simultaneously grow steadily averaging nearly 380 calls per year over the past five years. Back-to-back or simultaneous calls are where the department receives another emergency call for service while managing a call for service (two at a time). Indeed the department, with the guidance of the Town Council has developed our resources to manage this scenario. What is concerning is the frequency of receiving three or more emergency calls simultaneously as we are quickly stripped of resources to respond and typically must rely on out of Town resources. Over the past five years the frequency of 3 or more simultaneous emergency responses has risen by 50%, totaling 360 events in Fiscal Year 2015.

The overwhelming majority of these responses involve requests for emergency medical services. In Fiscal Year 2015, this caused 138 ambulance responses from other Towns into Franklin. The increasing use of out-of-town resources causes delay in our ability to provide timely transport to the hospital emergency room. Franklin’s average response time is 5 minutes, 44 seconds; the average response time for an out-of town ambulance is 12 minutes, 33 seconds – this time difference can have a great impact on the quality of patient outcomes for people with medical emergencies.

This trend of call distribution is compounded by the increasing calls for services. As previously noted, the department responded to nearly 3,800 emergency responses in Fiscal Year 2015, an increase of more than 10% from Fiscal year 2014. We believe this trend is in response to an upturn in our economy. This year saw increased occupancy rates in the Town’s Industrial Parks as well as opening of new businesses and facilities. All of these combine to bring more people into the community and increase our demands for services. We will continue to monitor all of these trends and work with the community to develop strategies to maintain acceptable levels of emergency services within the Town.

The year we welcomed Michael Berthiaume to the department. Mike is a graduate of Franklin High School and comes to the department by way of the Bourne Fire Department – we look forward to his contributions.

Additionally, this year saw the promotion of Joseph Barbieri to the rank of Captain. Joe will be responsible for the department’s fire prevention and life safety operations and brings a great deal of energy and education to this position.

Firefighter Keith Darling has been appointed as the department’s SAFE Officer, responsible for safety training and education for the Town’s young and senior populations.

Congratulations to both!

In addition to emergency response, the department also continued to try to expand its fire prevention education activities, providing safety and survival education to the most vulnerable population to fire – our children and seniors. Through the dedicated efforts of SAFE Officer Keith Darling, the department continued to educate over 100 children per month as well as attend various activities at the Senior Center. This year the department began offering home visit for our senior citizens. The focus of these visits is to insure there are working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, remove trip hazards as well as provide safety education. Lieutenant Tom Carlucci with Firefighter Doug Perro, Paul Molla and Bill Blanchard provide dedicated assistance in completing this important service to our citizens.

Our employees continue to be the chief reason for maintaining our current the level of success and level of services we provide our citizens. They continue to work tirelessly to protect life and property within Franklin. In addition to their on-duty responses, our employees commit countless hours in continuing education and training targeted to maintain and improved upon their emergency skills. Additionally, they continue to press forward in attempt to provide the highest level of service to the community based upon advancement in the fire-rescue field and advancements in technology. These efforts have yielded significant and broad insight into the requirements necessary to maintain and improve upon the services we provide to the citizens of Franklin.

Respectfully Submitted,
Gary B. McCarraher, Fire Chief


-----

For additional information, visit the Fire Dept on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/index

Franklin Fire Station #1 - West Central St

Additional photos on the fire stations and equipment can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/stations

Quarterly Scorecard for 4Q - 2015 Franklin Fire Dept

additional performance scorecards can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/Quarterly%20Performance%20Scorecard

-----------

"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]

http://ecode360.com/10432729?highlight=annual%20report,reports,annual,report#10432729

Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2015report.pdf