Saturday, October 23, 2010

Franklin, MA: Election 2010 - Ballot Questions

The five ballot questions can be found here: the first three are state-wide ballot questions. The last two are specific to Franklin and the proposed changes to our Charter.


QUESTION 1
Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or House of Representatives before May 4, 2010?

*** This proposed law would remove the Massachusetts sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol, where the sale of such beverages and alcohol or their importation into the state is already subject to a separate excise tax under state law. The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2011.

A YES VOTE would remove the state sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol where their sale or importation into the state is subject to an excise tax under state law.

A NO VOTE would make no change in the state sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol.


QUESTION 2
Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or House of Representatives before May 4, 2010?

*** This proposed law would repeal an existing state law that allows a qualified organization wishing to build government-subsidized housing that includes low- or moderate-income units to apply for a single comprehensive permit from a city or town’s zoning board of appeals (ZBA), instead of separate permits from each local agency or official having jurisdiction over any aspect of the proposed housing. The repeal would take effect on January 1, 2011, but would not stop or otherwise affect any proposed housing that had already received both a comprehensive permit and a building permit for at least one unit. Under the existing law, the ZBA holds a public hearing on the application and considers the recommendations of local agencies and officials. The ZBA may grant a comprehensive permit that may include conditions or requirements concerning the height, site plan, size, shape, or building materials of the housing. Persons aggrieved by the ZBA’s decision to grant a permit may appeal it to a court. If the ZBA denies the permit or grants it with conditions or requirements that make the housing uneconomic to build or to operate, the applicant may appeal to the state Housing Appeals Committee (HAC). After a hearing, if the HAC rules that the ZBA’s denial of a comprehensive permit was unreasonable and not consistent with local needs, the HAC orders the ZBA to issue the permit. If the HAC rules that the ZBA’s decision issuing a comprehensive permit with conditions or requirements made the housing uneconomic to build or operate and was not consistent with local needs, the HAC orders the ZBA to modify or remove any such condition or requirement so as to make the proposal no longer uneconomic. The HAC cannot order the ZBA to issue any permit that would allow the housing to fall below minimum safety standards or site plan requirements. If the HAC rules that the ZBA’s action was consistent with local needs, the HAC must uphold it even if it made the housing uneconomic. The HAC’s decision is subject to review in the courts. A condition or requirement makes housing uneconomic if it would prevent a public agency or non-profit organization from building or operating the housing except at a financial loss, or it would prevent a limited dividend organization from building or operating the housing without a reasonable return on its investment. A ZBA’s decision is consistent with local needs if it applies requirements that are reasonable in view of the regional need for low- and moderate-income housing and the number of low-income persons in the city or town, as well as the need to protect health and safety, promote better site and building design, and preserve open space, if those requirements are applied as equally as possible to both subsidized and unsubsidized housing. Requirements are considered consistent with local needs if more than 10% of the city or town’s housing units are low- or moderate-income units or if such units are on sites making up at least 1.5% of the total private land zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial use in the city or town. Requirements are also considered consistent with local needs if the application would result, in any one calendar year, in beginning construction of low- or moderate-income housing on sites making up more than 0.3% of the total private land zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial use in the city or town, or on ten acres, whichever is larger. The proposed law states that if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.

A YES VOTE would repeal the state law allowing the issuance of a single comprehensive permit to build housing that includes low- or moderate-income units.

A NO VOTE would make no change in the state law allowing issuance of such a comprehensive permit.


QUESTION 3

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or House of Representatives before May 4, 2010?

*** "This proposed law would reduce the state sales and use tax rates (which were 6.25% as of September 2009) to 3% as of January 1, 2011. It would make the same reduction in the rate used to determine the amount to be deposited with the state Commissioner of Revenue by non-resident building contractors as security for the payment of sales and use tax on tangible personal property used in carrying out their contracts. The proposed law provides that if the 3% rates would not produce enough revenues to satisfy any lawful pledge of sales and use tax revenues in connection with any bond, note, or other contractual obligation, then the rates would instead be reduced to the lowest level allowed by law. The proposed law would not affect the collection of moneys due the Commonwealth for sales, storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property or services occurring before January 1, 2011. The proposed law states that if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect. "

A YES VOTE would reduce the state sales and use tax rates to 3%.

A NO VOTE would make no change in the state sales and use tax rates.

Franklin Charter Question 1

Shall sections 1 to 7, inclusive, sections 10 to 13, inclusive, and sections 15 to 25, inclusive, of an act passed by the General Court in the year 2010 entitled ‘An Act Relative to the Charter of the City known as the Town of Franklin’, be accepted?

*** The proposed changes to the Franklin Charter contained in Sections 1-7, 10-13, and 15-25 of the Home Rule legislation include updates to various provisions to comply with existing law or to reflect current municipal practice; they also include several technical corrections. The major changes are summarized as follows: redefining duties of Town Council Clerk to comply with Open Meeting and Public Records laws, providing the Town Council with the ability to reorganize itself and flexibility in scheduling meetings, clarifying the Town Administrator's authority and duties including his appointing authority, updating the listing of standing committees and appointed positions to eliminate obsolete ones, provision for both a temporary and acting town administrator if the town administrator is absent or the position is vacant, reduction of the finance committee from eleven to nine members and updating of the process for their appointment, updating of annual budget and financial planning processes, elimination of obsolete section governing personnel suspension and removals, and elimination of obsolete transitional provisions in connection with charter's original adoption and prior amendment.

Franklin Charter Question 2

Shall the Town Treasurer-Collector be appointed, as provided in Sections 8, 9, 14 and 26 of that act, rather than elected?

*** The proposed changes contained in Sections 8, 9, 14 and 26 of the Home Rule legislation eliminate Treasurer-Collector as an elected position and make it an appointed one; the appointment will be made by the Town Administrator and ratified by the Town Council as is presently the case for all other town officers except the Town Clerk. A transitional provision allows the incumbent Treasurer-Collector to continue in office until the end of his elected term.


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You can find the complete set of ballot questions and candidates for office on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's web site here:  http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php


You can put your Franklin address into this form and receive a full set of the candidates and ballot questions (3 state wide and 2 specific to Franklin).





Please Note: This is NOT a valid official ballot. Candidates for some local and county offices are not reflected in the ballot above. These offices may, however, appear on your ballot when voting.



Franklin, MA

Fund raiser for Franklin Food Pantry - Legacy Place

Support the Franklin Food Pantry by purchasing a $10 ticket to the Legacy of Giving event, and receive amazing one-time savings of up to 25% on your holiday shopping!

100% of the ticket price will go to support the Franklin Food Pantry. The Franklin Food Pantry was established in 1987 and is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our vision is healthy neighbors. Our mission is to engage the community in the cultivation of sustainable programs that provide resources needed to live a healthy life. We provide more than 8,000 lbs of food and non-food items to over 400 clients in the Franklin area each month.

Event Details:

A Legacy of Giving is being held at Legacy Place in Dedham, MA on Sunday, November 14, 2010 from 3- 8:00 p.m. Complete details can be found in the attached document.

Legacy of Giving

Note: the document was modified slightly to include the newly revised Vision of the Franklin Food Pantry.


How does the Legacy Place fund raiser work?
You buy a ticket for $10. This gets your name on the listing at Legacy Place. When you arrive on Sunday, Nov 14th. Check in to get a bracelet. You wear the bracelet during your shopping trip. The bracelet is an easy sign for the merchants to see that your part of the fund raising "Legacy of Giving" and you obtain the appropriate discount.

The $10 goes entirely to the Franklin Food Pantry. You gain by getting discounts on your purchases at participating vendors. A win-win!


Franklin, MA


Friday, October 22, 2010

Demystifying the Chapter 70 Formula: How the Massachusetts Education Funding System Works





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Demystifying the Chapter 70 Formula:
How the Massachusetts Education
Funding System Works

October 22, 2010

A new MassBudget fact sheet explains the basic structure of the state's Chapter 70 formula for distributing education aid to local school districts.

While understanding the formula may seem daunting, its underlying structure is actually quite simple, as demonstrated by the four steps outlined in the fact sheet.

Chapter 70 education aid is the Commonwealth's primary program for distributing its portion of K-12 public education funding to the state's 328 local and regional school districts.


The fact sheet, Demystifying the Chapter 70 Formula: How the Massachusetts Education Funding System Works, is available at www.massbudget.org or by clicking here.

See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present, as well as budget proposals offered by the Governor and the Legislature.

MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.




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

Fund raiser for Franklin Food Pantry - Bigelow Station and 3 Restaurant

Don't miss Franklin Food Pantry's first Benefit on Saturday, November 13th at 3 restaurant, thanks to Rich Brachold and Bigelow Station.

Tickets are $25/person and can be purchased before November 6th at Village Ski or the Food Pantry. We have 50 tickets available, first come first serve. A great night of appetizers, drinks and great music begins at 7pm. The band, Bigelow Station, will begin playing at 8:00pm. Tickets will include a chance to win a mid-week ski or "get-a-way" vacation at Sugarloaf in Maine.

We request ticket holders bring a food item on the attached list. If you cannot join us on November 13th, consider donating an item from our Holiday Needs list (pdf Needs Flyer here). Donations can be dropped off at the Food Pantry Tuesday - Friday between 9am and 1pm or placed in our collection bin on our front porch anytime.

If you prefer to write a check, remember our relationship with the Greater Boston Food Bank stretches monetary donations much further; one dollar may provide up to 7 meals! Every donation will help us support more than 400 clients during the holidays.



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Election Nov 2 - Franklin Question #2

Shall the Town Treasurer-Collector be appointed, as provided in Sections 8, 9, 14 and 26 of that act, rather than elected?


*** The proposed changes contained in Sections 8, 9, 14 and 26 of the Home Rule legislation eliminate Treasurer-Collector as an elected position and make it an appointed one; the appointment will be made by the Town Administrator and ratified by the Town Council as is presently the case for all other town officers except the Town Clerk. A transitional provision allows the incumbent Treasurer-Collector to continue in office until the end of his elected term.

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You can find the complete set of ballot questions and candidates for office on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's web site here:  http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php


You can put your Franklin address into this form and receive a full set of the candidates and ballot questions (3 state wide and 2 specific to Franklin).


Franklin, MA

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Town Council - 10/20/10

The collection of live reporting from the Town Council meeting on Weds Oct 20th can be found here:



Franklin, MA

5th Annual Casino Night - Nov 19

On Friday, November 19, 2010, the Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) will hold its 5th Annual Casino Night at the Franklin Elks from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. The event will feature Black Jack, Roulette and Money Wheel as well as raffles, a Silent Auction, cash bar and FREE hors d’oeuvres. The event is well known as a fun evening out with friends and neighbors, all while contributing to a worthwhile cause.

FEF is currently seeking table sponsors as well as auction donations. If you have an item to donate or if your company is interested in sponsoring, contact FEF. It’s a great way for local companies to show their commitment to education in Franklin.

Admission is $25. To avoid waiting in line at the door, advance ticket purchase is recommended. For ticket purchase, auction donation or sponsorship information, please contact Peter Minor at (508) 541-6700 or peter@peterminor.com. Cash only accepted for chip purchase. Checks and Visa/MC accepted for Silent Auction items. For more information visit www.franklined.org.

Since 1997, The Franklin Education Foundation events have raised well over $190,000 which has been distributed to Franklin public schools in the form of special grants. All Franklin Public School staff members are eligible to submit creative, innovative ideas for programs or activities that would not traditionally be funded by tax dollars. To see a list of programs FEF have funded over the years, visit www.franklined.org.


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Election Nov 2 - Franklin Question #1

Shall sections 1 to 7, inclusive, sections 10 to 13, inclusive, and sections 15 to 25, inclusive, of an act passed by the General Court in the year 2010 entitled ‘An Act Relative to the Charter of the City known as the Town of Franklin’, be accepted?

*** The proposed changes to the Franklin Charter contained in Sections 1-7, 10-13, and 15-25 of the Home Rule legislation include updates to various provisions to comply with existing law or to reflect current municipal practice; they also include several technical corrections. The major changes are summarized as follows: redefining duties of Town Council Clerk to comply with Open Meeting and Public Records laws, providing the Town Council with the ability to reorganize itself and flexibility in scheduling meetings, clarifying the Town Administrator's authority and duties including his appointing authority, updating the listing of standing committees and appointed positions to eliminate obsolete ones, provision for both a temporary and acting town administrator if the town administrator is absent or the position is vacant, reduction of the finance committee from eleven to nine members and updating of the process for their appointment, updating of annual budget and financial planning processes, elimination of obsolete section governing personnel suspension and removals, and elimination of obsolete transitional provisions in connection with charter's original adoption and prior amendment.


-----------

You can find the complete set of ballot questions and candidates for office on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's web site here:  http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php


You can put your Franklin address into this form and receive a full set of the candidates and ballot questions (3 state wide and 2 specific to Franklin).


Franklin, MA

In the News - EPA storm water

Engineer discusses stormwater runoff mandate with towns

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 



Franklin, MA

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Live reporting - Closing

L. OLD BUSINESS
Zollo - what about the bylaw for parking on your front law?

M. NEW BUSINESS
none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - Rose Terco's phone number

Zollo - Franklin has a record of low voter turnout in off year elections
it is possible to vote via absentee ballot up through noon time Nov 1

Whalen - Cafe Dolce is now open Mon- Sat up until 8:00 PM

Mason - sale tax repeal would reduce aid to Franklin in excess of $4 million dollars

motion to adjourn, passed 7-0


O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Legislation for Action

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Powderly -
1 - booklet completed by M Kinehart, to be distributed by local officials
2 - voluntary donation via checkbox, based upon experience of other towns (cost of administration versus revenue gained) cost outweighs the benefits
3 - Rose Terco (?) putting together a memorial for those killed in action in WWII, coinciding with Memorial Day - reaching out to members of the family ot have them participate


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
(#1 was already covered earlier in the meeting)

2. Resolution 10-62: Appropriation – Library Expense Account
For the library to meet the minimum for the State funding level, a transfer between funds now on a deadline to get it done

motion to approve, passed 7-0


3. Bylaw Amendment 10-650: Chapter 168, Vacant Properties: Registration and Maintenance – 2nd Reading

motion to waive reading, passed 7-0

Nutting - this is what you saw a couple of weeks ago. For safety of the fire fighters

McGann - is there any cost?
Nutting - not to the Town

Margret Ranieri - local Realtor
on a practical level, you are unlikely to reach the owners if they are outside the community
if that has occurred, you are not likely to get them to register

consider an exemption for locally owner properties
consider an extension to 6 or 9 months
it is not unlikely for a property to go vacant for 60-90 days
should make the property requirements no greater than that required by the regular home owners

roll call - passed 7-0

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Nutting read letter of recommendation for service by the fire department

Oct 27th Economic Summit (posted here previously)

Voter information guide - recommend to read the guide from the Sec of the Commonwealth
anticipate a large turnout
Don't stop at question 3, let your voice be heard on questions 4 and 5


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - DPW - Sewer extensions

Sewer System Discussion

Nutting - looking for some direction on the current sewer extension bylaw, intent to not extend it
Should the council decide to change it? More of a struggle when it is a sub-division but not for a single house

Mason - how long ago was the bylaw passed?
Nutting - I'd have to look at it, it has been amended a couple of times

Mason - maybe 15 or so times have is been used?
Nutting - yes

Mason - what is the issue, do we have some latitude?
Nutting/Cerel - #6 was added in 2005 to give the Council greater discretion

Pfeffer - this was put in to control the growth, and last time we had a seven unit sub-division and I was the only one to object. Should we continue to try to do this?

Mason - I am not opposed to way to try and tighten it up. Maybe we are not seeing the growth and it is not as big an issue.

Nutting - For a Town going to spend millions of dollars on storm water, a septic system is better for us

Pfeffer - I am not looking to change this, I am looking to enforce what we already have,

Vallee - you're not going to see uncontrolled growth for a long time. All we have to do is say no.

Powderly - the issue is what is the intent? Some of the environmental concerns were not discussed before but given the storm water situation, maybe we should look at it again

Cerel - #6 was given in the sense of the Council to provide some leeway for negotiation, you could eliminate #6 and not be in danger of anything else.

three minute recess



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - DPW - Solid Waste

Report on the new Solid Waste and Single Stream Recycling System

The presentation referenced:

Franklin, MA: DPW - Solid Waste Presentation


over 8800 regular carts
only 27 small (35 gallon) carts

There is a 2-day average for cart repair, between pick up and turn around

You do need to call Waste Management for pick up of the bulky items
287 bulk items per month

7 cart repairs to date (1 struck by a car)

estimated 90% reduction in service complaints

Trash (tonnage) going down, Recycling (tonnage) going up

Modifications to Chapter 151 to reflect changes to code

Whalen - on the slide entitled household average, is this good with the reduction of rain weight
Cantoreggi - we are cutting the outside trash, we have more paying customers in the system

Whalen - this has been a tremendous success, I think it is a home run all around
Pfeffer - it does work, it takes a knack to put the cart down so the covers come over, when it rains and snows, it should be taking the extra time to do so

Whalen - I think there is a size larger cart, do you have demands for it?
Cantoreggi - I don't think so, we can look at it. There has not been a big push for this.


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - DPW - Town Common Trees

Franklin Town Common Tree Report
David Anderson, certified arborist, consulted with the DPW


The presentation document:

Franklin, MA: DPW - Tree Presentation

Mostly Norway Maples on the Common,

the diameter of a tree is measured 4.5 feet off the ground

diversity of trees on Common, sugar maples,

A big beautiful tree can be gone in a day with weather or capable machinery
but it takes about 100 years to get the tree to look like it does

issues, no defined tree care maintenance budget, it has been reduced over time due to the issues with the budget

recommend hearing by public tree warden then remove 12 possibly hazardous trees ASAP
consider relocating the carnival so it saves the ground compacting issues

McGann - if we don't do the removal, the other trees will be impacted

Cantoreggi - We all love trees, some we should cut down but I don't want to do that without having done a presentation first.

Vallee - What would it cost to take down these trees?
Cantoreggi - I think we can do these in house as time permits

Pfeffer - there maybe tree person who would come in and do that work to gain the wood from it

Nutting - we should proceed with the hearing on the trees?
Mason - yes, check with the tree wardens schedule.


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - DPW - snow

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Department of Public Works:

Winter Road Treatments & Snow Removal

$41,000 for sand
$326,000 for salt
$72 , 62, 47 per ton for salt , price coming down over the last three years

using less sand and more salt with mixture
issue with the catch basin cleaning


Franklin, MA: DPW - Snow Presentation


Estimated cost of a six inch storm, approx. $100,000
36 trucks and employees = $900/hour total maintenance and salary

53 pieces and $7500 per hour for the contractors to supplement the Town employees

Storm priority

  1. Public roadways
  2. Schools
  3. Sidewalks


Whalen - follow up on sidewalks, with the Town employees on 'rest' and sidewalks not cleared with schools open. Is there alternative staffing to be explored/

Nutting - We are not in a position to change the collective bargaining agreement. The School Dept has stated that if it is not safe, then the parents have the option to not send their children to school

Whalen - I think safety should be a priority and not that the union can get first crack at overtime.



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Public Hearing - underground utilities

F. HEARINGS - Public Hearing to Consider Removal of Utility Poles, Overhead Wires & Associated Overhead Wires and Associated Overhead Structures in Downtown Area – 7:10 PM

cost to Town minimal for this section, left off the prior notice
property owner has option to come in from W Central St
and if he does, this would avoid going underground

Mason - there is precedence to do this, the remainder of Main St is already done
I am going to back this one

no citizens to make comments

Town Council in favor of this section to proceed
A future action item will come up as there are by-law changes required




Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Action items

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-59: Confirmatory Taking – Land at 459 Pleasant Street


This is the DelCarte property, confirming that the deed will be clear when we file for the purchase






Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Town Council

Present; Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Zollo, Powderly
Absent: Jones, Kelly

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 29, 2010 and October 6, 2010
motion to approve, passed 7-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS -Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded
Jim Dacey, Treasurer/Collector license renewed through 2015

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Larry Bennedetto, Paul Cheli
Reminder of ballot questions on Nov 2 election
Ballot question 4 - house keeping items
Ballot question 5 - recommend Treasurer/Collector to move to appointed position


15 years since last time of charter review, no major changes
suggest to review earlier than 15 years for next time


recommend for future changes to go the Charter Commission route
takes longer but gets more involvement from the public


Jim Dacey, Treasurer/Collector
how important that this election is, especially with question 5
Am I okay with appointment? Yes, I am okay with it. Should have been done 15 years ago
I plan on working for Franklin until I retire, a few years
This position should not be filled by election, should be done by 'world-wide' search
back ground check, experience with the package we use to keep our finances
The whole thing is not about me and job security, it is about who will replace me
In the past several years, a number of position have gone from elected to appointed, none have gone the other way



E. APPOINTMENTS
Design Review Commission - Chris Baryluk
motion to approve, passed 7-0



Franklin, MA


Franklin, MA: Election Nov 2 - State Question #3

QUESTION 3

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or House of Representatives before May 4, 2010?

*** "This proposed law would reduce the state sales and use tax rates (which were 6.25% as of September 2009) to 3% as of January 1, 2011. It would make the same reduction in the rate used to determine the amount to be deposited with the state Commissioner of Revenue by non-resident building contractors as security for the payment of sales and use tax on tangible personal property used in carrying out their contracts. The proposed law provides that if the 3% rates would not produce enough revenues to satisfy any lawful pledge of sales and use tax revenues in connection with any bond, note, or other contractual obligation, then the rates would instead be reduced to the lowest level allowed by law. The proposed law would not affect the collection of moneys due the Commonwealth for sales, storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property or services occurring before January 1, 2011. The proposed law states that if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect. "

A YES VOTE would reduce the state sales and use tax rates to 3%.

A NO VOTE would make no change in the state sales and use tax rates.

-----------

You can find the complete set of ballot questions and candidates for office on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's web site here:  http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php


You can put your Franklin address into this form and receive a full set of the candidates and ballot questions (3 state wide and 2 specific to Franklin).


Franklin, MA

In the News - EPA storm water

State gives $100,000 to help with runoff mandate

by 


Prior posts on the current EPA regulation pilot for Bellingham, Franklin and Milford can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/epa-storm-water-proposal-information.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/09/epa-to-help-towns-meet-run-off-rules.html



Franklin, MA

Evaluating Teacher Effectiveness

The Center for American Progress has published the following report on teacher effectiveness that I have not read yet but seems to be a good one to share.


Evaluating Teacher Effectiveness

What do you think of the report?


Franklin, MA

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Franklin, MA: Election Nov 2 - State Question #2

QUESTION 2

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or House of Representatives before May 4, 2010?

*** This proposed law would repeal an existing state law that allows a qualified organization wishing to build government-subsidized housing that includes low- or moderate-income units to apply for a single comprehensive permit from a city or town’s zoning board of appeals (ZBA), instead of separate permits from each local agency or official having jurisdiction over any aspect of the proposed housing. The repeal would take effect on January 1, 2011, but would not stop or otherwise affect any proposed housing that had already received both a comprehensive permit and a building permit for at least one unit. Under the existing law, the ZBA holds a public hearing on the application and considers the recommendations of local agencies and officials. The ZBA may grant a comprehensive permit that may include conditions or requirements concerning the height, site plan, size, shape, or building materials of the housing. Persons aggrieved by the ZBA’s decision to grant a permit may appeal it to a court. If the ZBA denies the permit or grants it with conditions or requirements that make the housing uneconomic to build or to operate, the applicant may appeal to the state Housing Appeals Committee (HAC). After a hearing, if the HAC rules that the ZBA’s denial of a comprehensive permit was unreasonable and not consistent with local needs, the HAC orders the ZBA to issue the permit. If the HAC rules that the ZBA’s decision issuing a comprehensive permit with conditions or requirements made the housing uneconomic to build or operate and was not consistent with local needs, the HAC orders the ZBA to modify or remove any such condition or requirement so as to make the proposal no longer uneconomic. The HAC cannot order the ZBA to issue any permit that would allow the housing to fall below minimum safety standards or site plan requirements. If the HAC rules that the ZBA’s action was consistent with local needs, the HAC must uphold it even if it made the housing uneconomic. The HAC’s decision is subject to review in the courts. A condition or requirement makes housing uneconomic if it would prevent a public agency or non-profit organization from building or operating the housing except at a financial loss, or it would prevent a limited dividend organization from building or operating the housing without a reasonable return on its investment. A ZBA’s decision is consistent with local needs if it applies requirements that are reasonable in view of the regional need for low- and moderate-income housing and the number of low-income persons in the city or town, as well as the need to protect health and safety, promote better site and building design, and preserve open space, if those requirements are applied as equally as possible to both subsidized and unsubsidized housing. Requirements are considered consistent with local needs if more than 10% of the city or town’s housing units are low- or moderate-income units or if such units are on sites making up at least 1.5% of the total private land zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial use in the city or town. Requirements are also considered consistent with local needs if the application would result, in any one calendar year, in beginning construction of low- or moderate-income housing on sites making up more than 0.3% of the total private land zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial use in the city or town, or on ten acres, whichever is larger. The proposed law states that if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.

A YES VOTE would repeal the state law allowing the issuance of a single comprehensive permit to build housing that includes low- or moderate-income units.

A NO VOTE would make no change in the state law allowing issuance of such a comprehensive permit.


-----------

You can find the complete set of ballot questions and candidates for office on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's web site here:  http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php


You can put your Franklin address into this form and receive a full set of the candidates and ballot questions (3 state wide and 2 specific to Franklin).


Franklin, MA

FM #74 Week Ending 10/17/10

Let's take about 10 minutes to catch up on what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends Oct 17th, 2010.

Time: 10 minutes, 49 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

Let's take less than 10 minutes to review the week ending Oct 17 here in Franklin, MA. So what should you know from the past week?

The School Committee met on Tuesday Most of the night was spent on the high school


Copies of the presentations are posted to Franklin Matters.

Of special interest is this segment of dialog between chair Jeff Roy and Principal Peter Light discussing the effects of the Rachel's challenge event recently held at the high school.

(here is the audio clip from the meeting)

What do we have coming up this week?

The Town Council meeting is Weds. The continuation of the public hearing on the underground utilities will be held. You may recall the initial hearing 9/29. The notice was incorrect in that it left out the section of Main St hence, part 2 this week. While the council did a straw vote last time indicating that they would likely not vote to proceed with putting the utilities underground, the official vote should be this week. The council did vote last time to endorse the change from 1-way to 2-way traffic, there will be additional votes required as there is a by-law change needed before that changes. Oh and the construction downtown will begin during 2011 and complete sometime 2012.

Of most interest this weds will be a series of updates from the DPW

  • Winter Road Treatments & Snow Removal
  • Franklin Town Common Tree Report
  • Report on the new Solid Waste and Single Stream Recycling System
  • Sewer System Discussion
A series of posts covering the state wide and two local questions that the Franklin voters will see on the Nov 2 ballot will be found this week on FM. The link to the Sec of the Commonwealth page where you can put in your home address and obtain a view of the full set of ballot questions. There is not a one ballot for all of Franklin as the MA legislative districts split Franklin. You may recall for example that the “Scott Brown seat' only covers precincts 2, 3 and 4 in Franklin, Karen Spilka covers the remainder of the Franklin precincts.

 As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
  • If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don’t like something, please tell me
Thank you for listening!

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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to listen to the audio podcast.



In the News - WWII, community garden


Franklin may honor World War II soldiers



Franklin, MA

Monday, October 18, 2010

Town Council - agenda and documents

The agenda and associated documents are available for the Town Council meeting on Weds, Oct 20. The layout and formatting makes some of this hard to read (unless you sacrifice a few trees first).

I'll try to obtain copies of the individual presentations but in the meantime, you can prepare for a series of updates from the DPW on

  • Winter Road Treatments & Snow Removal
  • Franklin Town Common Tree Report
  • Report on the new Solid Waste and Single Stream Recycling System
  • Sewer System Discussion

The DPW updates begin after the Public Hearing on the underground utilities for the Downtown Project.
(You may recall there was already a public hearing on 9/29/10 for the underground utilities but due to the original notice leaving out the Main St portion of the project, the public hearing needed to be re-posted (hence this part 2). The Council will be in a position to take a vote on the underground utilities. The straw poll taken at the 9/29 meeting indicated a resounding No vote. Council Jones will be missing this meeting as he is in Haiti. Will all the other councilors show up? Stay tuned to find out.)
Town Council 10/20/2010 Agenda



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Election Nov 2 - State Question #1

QUESTION 1

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or House of Representatives before May 4, 2010?

*** This proposed law would remove the Massachusetts sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol, where the sale of such beverages and alcohol or their importation into the state is already subject to a separate excise tax under state law. The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2011.

A YES VOTE would remove the state sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol where their sale or importation into the state is subject to an excise tax under state law.

A NO VOTE would make no change in the state sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol.

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You can find the complete set of ballot questions and candidates for office on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's web site here:  http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php


You can put your Franklin address into this form and receive a full set of the candidates and ballot questions (3 state wide and 2 specific to Franklin).


Franklin, MA

Comedy Night - Nov 12

Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC)
2010 Evening of Comedy Fundraiser!

Date: Friday November 12, 2010

Time: Doors at 6:30, show at 8

Location: Milford Doubletree Hotel Ballroom, 11 Beaver St. Milford, MA 01757


Ticket cost: $30 in advance/ $35 at door (includes show and appetizer buffet)

We are happy to announce our 3rd annual Comedy Night

Featuring:
Door prizes throughout the evening
AMAZING silent auction
Our infamous balloon raffle
And, of course, TONS OF LAUGHS


TICKETS ON SALE NOW:
Email Sarah Montani, SEPAC fundraising committee chair, at sarahmontani37@gmail.com.


Franklin, MA

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Do you have a Filene's Basement Story?

Dean College to premier “Voices From the Basement” documentary October 19
History of Filene’s Basement documentary by Milford Native Michael Bavaro

Franklin, MA – The premier of the documentary “Voices from the Basement” a history of Filene’s Basement, will be held at Dean College on Tuesday, October 19, 2010, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the College’s Multi Purpose Room (MPR) in the Campus Center, 135 Emmons Street.

The history of Filene’s Basement is captured through newsreels, archival footage, vintage photographs and audio recordings. Its founding brothers, Edwards and Lincoln Filene, were two of the great retail pioneers who helped shape many of the social and economic paradigms that made America great.

“This is the first time this documentary will be played to a large audience,” said Gerry Shaw, Ph.D., Interim Department Chair of Dean’s School of Business. “We are using this documentary across the curriculum in business , theatre , communications , sociology and history classes,” said Dr. Shaw. “We are especially grateful to Michael Bovaro who created this documentary and Susan Edbril who produced it for choosing to premier the film here,” he said.

“Almost everyone has a Filene’s Basement Story,” said Maureen Ridings, Director of Alumni Relations for Dean. “Whether you went there with a relative as a child, or shopped there for your first business suit, we all have great memories of the store in Downtown Crossing.”

Bovaro, a native of Milford, MA wrote, filmed and directed the 45-minute film. The program will be followed by a panel discussion with Bovaro, Ms. Edbril, Sociology professor Kristin Holster, and Brian Early, general manager of Patriot Place. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Shaw. Refreshments will be served.

The event is open to the public and free of charge but registration is requested. Please call 508-541-1612 to register.





Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 10/20/10

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 29, 2010 and October 6, 2010

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS -Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Design Review Commission - Chris Baryluk

F. HEARINGS - Public Hearing to Consider Removal of Utility Poles, Overhead Wires & Associated Overhead Wires and Associated Overhead Structures in Downtown Area – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Department of Public Works:

  • Winter Road Treatments & Snow Removal�Winter Road Treatments & Snow Removal
  • Franklin Town Common Tree Report
  • Report on the new Solid Waste and Single Stream Recycling System
  • Sewer System Discussion


I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-59: Confirmatory Taking – Land at 459 Pleasant Street
2. Resolution 10-62: Appropriation – Library Expense Account
3. Bylaw Amendment 10-650: Chapter 168, Vacant Properties: Registration and Maintenance – 2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN