Saturday, March 26, 2011

"something to help relieve their stress"

"I thought it was going to be really boring," said Fortey, a 12-year-old sixth-grader. "But, it turns out it was really fun." 
Now, Fortey plans to use some of the breathing techniques and stretches she learned during yesterday's workshop when she takes the math portion of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam in May. 
"It lets you relax and relieves all the stress," she said. 
Fortey and 21 other members of the fitness club gathered in the school's gym to learn yoga for an hour after school. The program was funded by a $1,500 grant from the Hockomock Area YMCA and Stop & Shop. 
Students sat on mats arranged in a circle in the middle of the gym while yoga instructor Meagan Krasner taught them to take long, slow breaths that use all parts of their lungs. 
"This has a real scientific reason behind it," said Krasner. "It helps to slow your nervous system down."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1664571752/Stress-test-Franklin-students-learn-to-relax-with-yoga-before-MCAS#ixzz1HhUtMu5D

Mrs Williams, a 4th grade teacher at the Kennedy School also has a yoga program.
http://kidskeepingup.blogspot.com/2011/03/rise-and-shine-yoga_21.html




Franklin, MA

Math standards approved for state college admissions

This announcement adds a new factor to the recent discussion on reducing the math requirement to graduate from Franklin High. An action item for the School Committee meeting on March 29th is scheduled to vote on reducing the requirement to three years of math and science.


Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 3/25/11

The state's Board of Higher Education on Thursday adopted a new standard that students applying to public colleges and universities in the state must complete four years of high school mathematics.

Things you can do from here:

Bay State Bike Week 2011

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 3/25/11

Bay State Bike Week 2011

Bike The 2nd annual Bay State Bike Week is set for May 14-20, a week of celebrating bicycle transportation across the Commonwealth. 

Last year was the first year that MassDOT and the State Bicycle Advocacy group MassBike partnered to make Bay State Bike Week a truly statewide celebration and as we learned unique in the country.

This year Bay State Bike Week will build on the successful 2010 effort and a long history of Bike Week celebrations across the Commonwealth, as MassDOT, MassBike, and MassRIDES, the statewide travel options program collaborate again on Bike Week rides and other events throughout Massachusetts.  This collaboration enables these organizations to work together to get the word out as widely as possible, and to broaden the scope of Bike Week events.

Biking as a mode of transportation is safe, economical, healthy, environmentally friendly, fast, and fun! Check out the Bike Week website at baystatebikeweek.org to find information for event organizers and participants. 

Event organizers are asked to submit your event for the website's statewide calendar!  In addition, watch for information on how to receive cool stuff for your event, including t-shirts, reflectors and posters while supplies last.  Organizers will also provide ideas and advice on organizing new events. 

May is fast approaching, so start planning now!  Mark May 14th to May 20th on your calendar for Bay State Bike Week and check the website for more information.

Things you can do from here:

Friday, March 25, 2011

Downtown Commercial Zoning Workshop - presentation documents

These two presentations were used during the workshop held on Monday, March 21, 2011.

The first presentation outlines the discussion format for the workshop and then steps through the components of the proposed changes to the zoning (minimum lot dimensions, setbacks, coverage, etc.)

The summary of items agreed to during the discussion can be found in the notes of the meeting

Downtown Proposed DC Zoning 3/21/11


The second presentation document was referenced to show design features from other community's downtown area.


DC Presentation Examples 3/21/11

Thanks to Beth Dahlstrom for providing the documents. These can also be found on the Planning and Community Development web page here and here.



Franklin, MA


"It's a huge issue for municipalities"

"It's so much cheaper if we can get rid of the sources by picking up maintenance practices" and reducing the use of fertilizer with phosphorus, Franklin's Public Works Director Robert Cantoreggi said at a workshop yesterday. 
About 35 municipal officials and representatives of engineering firms, environmental companies and other agencies met at the Franklin Municipal Building for the workshop, which was organized by the Charles River Watershed Association and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. 
The workshop came as Franklin, Bellingham and Milford town leaders worry about a federal Environmental Protection Agency pilot program that seeks to tighten stormwater regulations. The EPA has told those three towns that businesses with 2 or more acres of impervious surfaces could have to pay $6,000 to $120,000 per acre to purchase new systems to control runoff.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x617855290/Milford-Franklin-and-Bellingham-told-to-target-phosphorous-at-source-to-protect-Charles-River#ixzz1HbNfVydR


Prior posts on the proposed EPA Stormwater regulation:

From August 2010
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/epa-storm-water-proposal-information.html

From June 2010 (includes links to the May 12 meeting in Franklin)
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/epa-storm-water-proposal-information.html


Franklin, MA

Extension of the School Year Beyond June 30

For those inquiring minds - what if we did have to go beyond June 30th to complete the school year? The State has an answer.


Extension of the School Year Beyond June 30

DESE, in consultation with the Division of Local Services (DLS), issued the following guidance
regarding possible extension of the school year beyond June 30.


Q: If the school year is extended beyond June 30 in order to comply with the 180-day equirement, may the district pay salaries and costs incurred from the current year's budget?
A: The Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services has advised that the answer is yes. If the school year must be extended beyond June 30 to comply with state law on student learning time, that would extend the scope of the municipality's appropriation for the schools beyond June 30. See Mass. General Laws Chapter 71, Section 40, which provides that the compensation paid teachers is deemed "fully earned at the end of the school year, and proportionately earned during the school year" (emphasis added). Teachers, therefore, could teach school in early July to comply with the 180-day requirement, and any salaries paid would appear on warrants payable for the fiscal year that ended on June 30.

In short, state law permits the school year (and salary payments) to extend beyond June 30 in these circumstances. School officials still should consult with their own legal counsel to determine whether any provisions in collective bargaining agreements or local ordinances would affect the decision to schedule school days after June 30.

This information can be found on Page 2 of the bulletin located here

Franklin, MA

Bay State Greenway Northern Trail Advances

For those following the efforts of the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee, there is news on a similar rail trail development effort through Saugus, Lynn, and Methuen.

Bay State Greenway Northern Trail Advances

by 


Prior posts on the Franklin Rail Trail
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/franklin-rail-trail-committee-meeting.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/02/franklin-citizens-rail-trail-committee.html


Franklin, MA

In the News - electronics recycling, YMCA registration


Electronics, appliances recycle day planned in Wrentham on March 26





Hockomock YMCA registration starts next week





Franklin, MA

Preparing for I-495’s next boom

I am just catching up to this article from the Boston Globe West edition from Thursday. The article doesn't specifically mention Franklin but I would assume we are indeed one of the communities involved in the planning effort.
Planners in 37 communities along I-495 recently embarked on a $300,000 state-funded study organized by the quasi-public Metropolitan Area Planning Council to map out where residents might best channel new development, preserve open space, and build more on infrastructure. The study is due to be completed by the end of this year. 
The regional planning council is also working with the 495/MetroWest Partnership, a nonprofit public-private collaboration based in Westborough, and other local organizations on the effort. 
“This region is the state’s economic engine,’’ said Paul Matthews, the partnership’s executive director. “Because there is no central city, it tends to be overlooked a bit. Let’s make sure we have our ducks in a row as the economy picks up again in terms of development. What development do we want accomplished? Those are major questions for us to sort out."



via Boston Globe -- Globe West by John Dyer, Globe Correspondent on 3/24/11


Franklin, MA


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Citizens Against Waste: Substitute pay questions

How much total pay is made to substitute teachers?
$485,509 in FY10

Our teachers are invested in being in school to work with students. They are committed to providing an exceptional educational program and they understand that includes attendance. As per the contractual bargaining agreement, a teacher may be absent from work due to illness, family illness, or for a personal day. Also a teacher may be requested to participate in a professional development program as a requirement by the district administration which necessitates absence from the classroom. When teachers are not in the classroom, substitutes are required to provide instruction to students.
 
This budget provide compensation for substitutes who cover day to day absences and for teachers who are on long term leaves of absence ( e.g. medical leave, maternity leave)


I was surprised to see the number of substitute people and some of the amounts are pretty high. Are teachers paid straight salary?
Substitute teachers are not paid a salary and they do not accrue benefits.

Daily rates for sub teachers are: $60/day, college students; $80/day, non-certified; $100/day, certified; $125/day for long-term sub.


How is leave handled?
When a staff member is unable to work due to a medical condition, a paid leave of absence may be requested. The request is made to the superintendent and is accompanied by the appropriate medical documentation. If all documentation is in order a leave is granted in accordance with requirements outlined in the contractual bargaining agreement.


Is excessive teachers absence accounted for?
Absences for all school personnel are recorded and accounted for by Human Resources and the Payroll Office. Attendance data is recorded and updated on the pay stub for all employees.

My thanks to Maureen Sabolinski, Superintendent of Schools, for providing the answers to these questions.

If you have a question about Franklin's budget, please use the form to ask it. I'll get you a response.



The collection of Citizens Against Waste questions can be found here


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Express Line v2 #3-1

Franklin's Express Line newsletter has just been published.

Express Line Volume 2 - Issue 3-1

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to read the document.

You can subscribe to your own copy of the newsletter by signing up on the Franklin website here. You will have four choices:

  • News and Announcements
  • Police News and Announcements
  • Recycling News
  • The Franklin Connection

This newsletter is the first option "News and Announcements"



Franklin, MA

"You can't stop people from shopping on Memorial Day"

"The attendance is very sparse, and it's sad," Vallee, a former JAG officer who serves in the National Guard, said yesterday at a hearing on legislation that would ban retailers in Massachusetts from opening on Memorial Day. "It saddens me because it is a very important day in our history and our culture." 
The 44-year-old Franklin Democrat said after the hearing that he supports the bill, sponsored by Sen. Michael Knapik, R-Westfield, but is unsure about its prospects on the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee, of which he is co-chairman. 
He's expecting resistance from retailers, who see the ban as likely to boost tax-free holiday sales on the Internet.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1840140189/Veterans-legislators-back-ban-on-Memorial-Day-store-sales#ixzz1HVe5bm2o



Franklin, MA

In the News - all night party, Opera for kids


Franklin High All Night Party Committee fundraiser





Franklin Performing Arts Company Presents Opera for Kids


Franklin, MA

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Live reporting - Long Range Financial Planning Committee

Present: Doug Hardesty, Deb Bartlett, Graydon Smith, Sue Rohrbach, Orrin Bean, John Hogan,  Ken Harvey, Tina Powderly, Jeff Nutting (late)
Absent: Craig DiMarzio

Motion to approve minutes of Mar 9 meeting, second, passed 6-0

Discussion on the questions which were drafted offline since last meeting and compiled in one listing.

Town Council priority, we do it
if the committee needs to answer it to do the forecast, we do it
if the citizens feel they need this answered, we do it

discussion on how the questions are answered
the purpose of the Q&A is not just to provide the sentence or two, but to position the issue, break it down to the central issue for the forecast for the Town Council and peoples need

notion of deliverables - tossing out for discussion
trying to get to a point where we know what are focused on, what the output is, when it is expected.
instead of a massive deliverable, updated once a year or periodically
maybe put the questions on a website, clickable so they can see the answer and drill down as necessary on the issue
more able to 'live' publish as they are developed

forum last year was terrible, questions were not good, dialog was terrible
why was last year different from the prior year when more came out, more discussion was real
should consider separating the forum/discussion from the override

consideration on first time versus repeating, 'old news'
hold in a smaller venue, need to defend against 'old news'

perception created by the nature of the questions, getting the word out in a face-to-face way should be in a way that can engage in a meaningful dialog; not to be associated directly with an override to avoid that set of political overtones

clarification on the listing of questions, Town Council separated only in that if we do nothing else need to address those two. they are likely to be answered in the light of the larger issues

committee taking time to read through the compilation of questions
small print (8 pt font) and about 45 in total

anything striking or appealing?
any questions to add?

comment - we have answers to most of the questions, although maybe not in the best format
to add, pros and cons of split vs single tax rate
separating pension from OPEB, focus on the health care side of that from the Council perspective, the pension is already set at the State level; should be on our legislative wish list.

need to layout and understand the difference between the pensions and OPEB

SUTA = state unemployment tax

The committee could model into the forecast, if this were to happen, then what would happen, what effects would there be? That might be better in the context of projections but not addressed in a Q&A format

it is fair that we are getting a break, but how much would we raise if we were at the median rather than so low in relative tax burden? Could be a valid question to answer, if risky

in the prior committee we did look at the Arlington work, the five year plan that they did. Not really comparable to Franklin in terms of the growth flux that we can face. some folks fear the series of overrides could be perpetual. This could be a loaded question for a Q&A section and not likely in the best way to be presented. Need to consider the planning aspects of this and use it in the modeling

by starting to address the focal points (i.e. Town Council and citizens) this is getting to the point of addressing the questions in a manner relevant to the audience. You can answer a question in a factual way and satisfy one
group, answer the same question with a story and satisfy another segment of the audience.

need to layout the one time events where the money was 'found' to address 'always' finding the money
isolate and hone in on the increasing costs as the costs are rising faster than the revenue
the impact of the schools and their programs with the rising deficits

the correlation between home values and local real estate taxes
what is the percentage basis comparison to say Wellesley, Newton vs Franklin? does it help our story?
where could we get the data? Realtors. we could also Google to see if some white papers have already answered the question

what kinds of leading indicators are available are telling the story
what are the lottery numbers for the charter school year over year?
what are the number of students going to private schools?

----

clarification on updating Steve Whalen's numbers, still to be done and used as needed

for things we need changed at the State level, we need Jeff or the Council to address what is the plan, what is the process for recommending change, how does that happen? if it is not realistic, I will be reluctant to put in the time and effort

we did discuss this last time, we need the top 2-3 things, one to let people know how the hands are tied currently but that if this happens, etc.  then we can do more. But we need to explain what that is, and ensure that there is some action on it

the question for Vallee - what is it you need to get something done? is it citizen actions, is it a group of communities?

how are we going to get the information, the answers to these question, the reality is not enough people care to get out and vote? that is the problem

if we identify the right questions, maybe they are the ones you don't know the answers to. As much and as long as many people have been doing this, they have not been doing this with a long range view. There hasn't been a level of rigor focused on this.

Most of the questions have been answered, the flyer from last time has the answers. If you haven't seen this flyer, then there is an issue.

discussion around pay to ride numbers in the current budget and lack of information in the budget document  to explain the difference, individual working with School Committee to discuss the question and follow on questions

any new revenue sources? what are the sources? how are they used?
under cost containment, what regionalization efforts have been taken?

what do unfunded mandates do as percent for the budget, that increase is taking away from services to be provided.

the answer may not be highly controllable but at least get an understanding on what the reality is

we can investigate, advise but not plan. I tend to use the long range finance committee when I say what we are. A planning group would select and execute the decisions on which way to go. That is up to Jeff and the Town Council.

next meeting in 3 weeks.





Franklin, MA

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Franklin High School's spring musical, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, is a satire of big business with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. It centers on a young window-cleaner, J. Pierrepont Finch, who begins a meteoric rise from the mail room to Vice President of Advertising at the World-Wide Wicket Company. Finch's unorthodox and morally questionable business practices jeopardize not only his career but also his romance with Secretary Rosemary Pilkington.



The show will be performed Friday and Saturday April 1st and 2nd at the Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium, 224 Oak Street, at 7:30. 


Tickets are $10 available at the door, or can be purchased from the FHS Music Department (508-541-2100 x3098) or at the front desk at Franklin High School by cash or check made out to ‘Franklin Music Boosters’.




Franklin, MA

New Items at Franklin Public Library


New Items for February 2011

Browse a list of new books, dvds, music, games and audiobooks recently added to the collection.  Click the title link to check availability in the Minuteman Library Catalog.




New Children's Items Feb. 2011




Franklin, MA

Curbside Chronicle: Apr - Jun 2011

The Franklin DPW has published the Curbside Chronicle for Apr - Jun 2011.

Curbside Chronicle for Apr - Jun 2011




Franklin, MA

In the News - Private wells, child porn


Private wells may have high levels of arsenic, uranium





Former Millis man convicted of possessing child porn now out of jail and living in Franklin




Franklin, MA

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Public Health Advisory: Private drinking water wells

Mass DEP/USGS Arsenic and Uranium Bedrock Well Study, Public Health Advisory


The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Drinking Water Program released the results of a U.S. Geological Survey study regarding arsenic and uranium in private drinking water wells in Massachusetts on March 21, 2011.


The study suggests that naturally occurring arsenic and uranium levels in some private drinking water wells in Franklin may exceed recommended levels. Mass DEP has developed a comprehensive website to provide town residents with information regarding the details of the study, the resources for determining if one’s well may be impacted, as well as information on well testing and mitigation procedures.


At the current time, only private drinking water wells in a small area of southwest Franklin have been determined to be suspect based on maps provided by Mass DEP.


The Franklin Health Department urges residents in the suspect areas to carefully review all information on the Mass DEP website, and to have their drinking water wells tested and treated as necessary.


Residents who are served by the town’s public drinking water wells are not affected by this advisory.


Important Contacts:


For questions regarding the US Geological Survey report contact John Colman at USGS at (508)-490-5027.


For questions regarding health effects of arsenic and uranium contact Massachusetts Department of Public Health at (617)-624-5757 or (800)-240-4266.


For questions regarding arsenic mitigation contact Joe Cerutti, Mass DEP at (617) 292-5859.


For questions regarding uranium mitigation contact Steve Hallem, Mass DEP at (617)-292-5681.


You may also contact the Franklin Health Department at (508)-520-4905.


http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/au/aulocate.htm



Franklin, MA

Anthony Robles defines the impossible

I posted the other day about taking on the impossible. As impressive as Sarah Kay was with her words and delivery, Anthony is that much more impressive!




What is impossible?


Franklin, MA

"create a more pedestrian-friendly downtown"

"Downtown is a very unique area," Taberner told about 25 people who attended the meeting. "It is much different than a half-mile (away). It's perfect for transit-oriented, mixed-use (development)." 
That overall concept is still important to creating a vibrant downtown, but planning staff plan to soften some of the planned changes from downtown's current commercial zoning as a result of the meeting, he said. 
The proposal initially included parking mandates for residential and commercial space, but the new plan requires 1.5 spaces per residential unit and no commercial parking. Under current zoning, there are no parking requirements for residential or commercial projects allowed by right. 
That change pleased Diane Glass, who owns a commercial building on East Central Street. Glass worried that if property owners were required to add parking spaces for commercial space, they would limit the parking to their customers, creating empty spaces when those businesses were closed.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x617855042/Franklin-officials-to-soften-changes-in-downtown-zoning#ixzz1HJpjBFp7

My notes from the meeting can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/live-reporting-downtown-commercial.html


Note:  The sentence
"But several town councilors and downtown business and property owners worried the proposal would drive away businesses by making height, parking and other requirements too strict."

Would be more accurate if it read as follows:

"But several downtown business and property owners worried the proposal would drive away businesses by making height, parking and other requirements too strict." Only 1 Town Councilor was present at the meeting.


Franklin, MA

"expected to create 150 full- and part-time jobs"

Big Y representatives met with town officials last week, outlining a preliminary plan under which construction would begin in July, Planning Director Bryan Taberner said.
Representatives of the Springfield-based supermarket chain "came back to talk in general terms and figure out what steps they have to take," Taberner said.
 
One of the biggest hurdles will be coordinating with the state Department of Transportation to install a traffic light at the supermarket's entrance, he said. 
The Planning Board approved the 56,800-square-foot store in June. It will be built across the street from the Franklin Municipal Building, on the former site of the Franklin Buffet restaurant, 348 East Central St. 
"Any development there right now would be a good thing. In general, commercial development is needed" to expand the tax base and create jobs, Taberner said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1664571114/Construction-on-Big-Y-could-start-this-summer#ixzz1HJsCKrOJ


Future site of the Big Y. The Big Y celebrates their 75th anniversary as a MA company this year.



Franklin, MA

Monday, March 21, 2011

Live reporting - Downtown Commercial Zoning workshop

The room is collecting folks, there should be a good gathering tonight for the workshop. Over 20 total in the room thus far.

----

Bryan Taberner and Beth Dahlstrom leading meeting. Bryan will provide an overview then address an issue at a time to see if consensus can be reached before moving on. Not here to propose any way as the right way. What we come up with is what we determine is to be good for Franklin.


Downtown Proposed DC Zoning 3/21/11



sign bylaw would address areas distinctly, downtown different than the other C1 zoned areas.
zoning district would have its own requirements, there may be common items but it should be easier to change a single item where necessary.
proposed 7 amendments at Nov 17, 2010 meeting
came back in Dec with a phased approach

Phase 1 was proposed with four specific bylaw changes

Downtown is a unique area - Is a new Downtown Commercial Zoning District needed?

Stephen Pisini - raised issue of the proposal leaving out some of the uses that are already present, i.e. MBTA, government buildings, Dean College, etc. and the proposal requirements are rather restrictive to use.

Bryan - let's separate the creation of a downtown district unique and separate from the other proposal requirements. There is funding available for transit oriented development.

Jeff Nutting - one of the motivations of this goes back to the history of the Marini project. There is no mixed used development by right. There are no parking requirements. The uncertainty of  a two year process is inhibiting potential development. Do I like it the way it is? If I were to redevelopment my property, would I be willing to go with a two year process with so much uncertainty?

Announcement of audio recording by Franklin Matters
Round of introductions, many property owners
Calabrese and Halligan from the Planning Board; Pfeffer from Town Council; Roche, Building Commissioner

Franklin putting $7 million plus into improving the downtown area

currently don't have the right to put residential and commercial in the same building, Marini had to get a special permit. Would like to try and make that more easily understood and possible.

Should by-right mixed use development be allowed in Downtown core?

There is a misunderstanding around confirming or non-conforming. The zoning would allow continuation of pre-existing. Everything currently in downtown is allowed and would be allowed. Should there be more gas stations? More is the key word - no, there shouldn't be more. Should the existing ones remain and upgrade as required, yes.

-----

The second presentation with the examples of other downtown design features can be viewed here

DC Presentation Examples 3/21/11




-----

Some folks can not deal with this proposal one item at a time as they are stuck on the full proposal details which are not being addressed at this point. A better facilitator could make the presentation more easily understood.

-----

Downtown is worthy of being a separate district but there should be a more liberal allowance for what can be brought in than suggested.

Revisiting the arguments for the proposal (with specifics still to be determined) rather than eliciting the suggestions or questions from the property owners.

Jeff bringing Bryan back to the task at hand

Clarification on where this stands with the Town Council? The proposal was not officially submitted to the Council. The Council asked for the workshop to be held to gather and build some consensus before bring the proposal back to them.

Dimensional requirements - minimum lot dimension
keeping the current C1 zoning with the one change of depth from zero to 50.

Dimensional requirements - setbacks
possible to use a setback for first floor only to create room to move on the ground

What if one of the property owners rebuilt and put the 5 ft setback on the ground floor? Wouldn't that create some irregular look?

Is it fair to say that we are not meeting ADA and MA building requirements as it exists?

Wider sidewalks are actually a good thing, but there isn't sufficient parking.

If you don't want to build to the 5 ft setback, you can get a variance.

Some of the setback issues are misunderstood. There is a restriction today if they were to rebuild to have a 20 ft setback, with the proposal they could have a 5 ft setback. They actually can get a larger building with the proposal by right than they would by variance.

Rear setback not being changed, primarily for fire department access (where buildings are not being built next to each other). These setbacks are used for building access for other reasons, dumpsters, etc. Building codes do change, you don't always get to build exactly the same building that you had. Fire codes need to be addressed.

After discussion, keep the zero for side setback.

When you get to the coverage issues, the 5 ft side setback would help.

Dimensional Requirements - Coverage
proposing 80% for structure and structure plus paving 90%
biggest issue is with holding and treating the water due to EPA regulations

Realistically a developer would not be able to make a compelling case by reducing building area. increasing set backs, build at higher cost and have less square foot available for rent. Only if the building increases in height, or a couple of parcels are combined to make it more viable.

Clarifications on if these proposals were put through these changes would be 'by right' would special permit still be available - key word would be 'relief'.

no consensus on coverage requirements

Proposed Dimensional Requirements - Height
3-dimensional design diagram help make the case on what the downtown looks like today
what the downtown would look like with 4 floors 40 foot with today
what the downtown would look like with 5 stories 60 foot with the special permit proposal

public was not happy with 4 story never mind by 5 story during the meetings for the Marini project

-----


Proposed Parking Requirements

current requirements don't call for any parking

the proposed requirements would call for:
residential - 1.5 parking spaces per housing unit
non-residential - 3.5 parking spaces per 1,000 sf of gross floor area

if it is a change of use, and residential is proposed, then the parking requirements would come into play

keeping it simple, you could go higher on parking but for by-right proposal, this gives us more than we have today and fosters the transit oriented development

Discussion on the central area, the 67 parcels would be carved out of C1 and put into the new DC zone

It is the issue of by-right mixed development. Folks are not understanding the term and how it is being used.
It is actually the other way around, you could provide a minimal amount of parking for residential and not have to provide for the business.

The setback for the 4th floor is to help create some sunlight coming down to the street.
If you want sun go to Florida!

All this info will be gathered and sent out. The summary of tonight would come forward as a new proposal before Planning Board and Town Council for review and approvals.

Distribute within 2 weeks.

The meeting closes


Franklin, MA

Franklin had a Birthday Party!

Franklin held a party on Sunday to celebrate March 2 birthdays. March 2, 1778 is the birthday of Franklin and its birthday is shared by about 70 residents, more than 20 participated in the party. Friends and family members of the March 2 birthday folks filled up the museum.



I arrived too late to catch the 'real' celebration in action.


All the birthday participants received the following certificate.


The Historical Museum is a good place to visit even if it is not your birthday. It is open Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. and Sunday's from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.




Franklin, MA

In the News - FHS Hockey

A gallant effort left the FHS Hockey team short in the State Championships yesterday as they lost 2-1 in overtime.

The Milford Daily News has two articles:

http://www.milforddailynews.com/sports/local_sports/x1664570986/Power-plays-prove-critical-in-Franklins-loss

http://www.milforddailynews.com/sports/local_sports/x1664570988/Despite-disappointment-Panthers-relish-their-succes



Franklin, MA

Sunday, March 20, 2011

What can you do with impossible?

"What three things do you know to be true?"

"everyone has stories we can learn from"

Step 1 - "I can"
Step 2 - "I will"
Step 3 - "infuse the stories with the specific things that make you you"

"great stories start at intersections"

"What can you do with impossible?"

Spend 18 minutes with spoken word poet Sarah Kay:




If and when you find your voice, spend a few minutes to write a paragraph or two and email your result to share with the others here as part of "Voices of Franklin"


Sarah Kay will be coming to Salem in May.

May 13-14, 2011Phil and Sarah headline the Massachusets Poetry Festival in Salem, MAPhil and Sarah will be performing and teaching workshops at this incredible two-day celebration of poetry. Click here to register and for more info!



Franklin, MA

MA DEP Solid Waste Factsheet

MA Dept of Environmental Protection has updated the listing of items that can not be discarded through the normal trash or recycling process. The Solid Waste Factsheet was post to the Franklin website and shared here:


MA DEP Solid Waste Factsheet


Spend a few minutes on Franklin's Recycling and Solid Waste page

Did you know that the serial number listing for the trash and recycle carts is posted online?



Franklin, MA