Saturday, December 28, 2013

Where in Franklin? - 2013 05

The answer to yesterday's "Where in Franklin?" photo was correctly identified by Candi Lawrence Leeseberg on Facebook as Panther Way. Franklin signed an easement with Vendetti Motors earlier this year. The sidewalk is planned to be completed as part of the new high school project.

Panther Way - to get a new sidewalk as part of the high school project
Panther Way - to get a new sidewalk as part of the high school project

For today's photo - "Where in Franklin" would you be?

Where in Franklin? - 2013 05
Where in Franklin? - 2013 05


Send an email, or leave a comment with your answer. 
First correct answer is the winner. 
Complete guidelines for "Where in Franklin?" can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/2013-where-in-franklin.html


Annual Report 2013: Franklin TV

Continuing our series of sharing sections of the 2013 Annual Report of Franklin, MA we have Franklin TV

In November 2011 the town of Franklin incorporated Franklin Community Cable Access, Inc. (FCCA) d/b/a Franklin TV as an educational, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to run the community’s three local cable channels. In taking up the charter of the cable committee, we are submitting this report as a nongovernmental body that maintains a close working relationship with municipal agencies, other nonprofit organizations and civic groups.  
In February 2012 a seven member board of directors was elected to run the corporation. In March, 2012 the town funded FCCA through the licensing fees collected from Comcast and Verizon. No taxpayer dollars are used to maintain and operate the community cable access studios.  
In April 2012 the board hired Peter Fasciano as its executive director to run the day to day operations. The first order of business was to stabilize our technical operation and brand our three channels. 
Our channels are:
Franklin All Access TV,
Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26),
Franklin Pride,
Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28),
Franklin Town Hall TV,
Our Government Channel, (Comcast 11, Verizon 29). 
Throughout the past 16 months, Franklin TV has upgraded its equipment and broadcast signal. We continue to work with Comcast to have them carry our channels in a digital format. Our cameras are now recording programs in HD, waiting for Comcast and Verizon will provide HD channel support. 
Franklin.TV is our web site. Our weekly programming schedule is posted along with information about the station and contact information for posting messages to our Community Bulletin Board (CBB). 
In February 2013 we purchased the market building at 23 Hutchinson St to serve as our new home and broadcast studios. Construction will soon be underway to renovate the building and add a 1200 Sq Ft studio in the rear. The site will provide Franklin and its residents with a free, open access, state of the art Media and Arts Center. 
The Corporation is fully committed to serving the community. In April 2013 we entered into a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement with the town, becoming the first nonprofit organization to do so. We have also installed three small live TV facilities (video control systems and audio mixers with three cameras at each location) at two middle schools and at the high school. In June we awarded our $1,000 scholarship to Andrew Cyr, a deserving Franklin senior studying Communications. We are active members of the Downtown Partnership and Greater Attleboro Chamber of Commerce. We are working closely with other nonprofit and benevolent groups in Franklin to promote their mission goals and good works.  
We are very thankful to the cable committee and local officials for their prudent planning and foresight in managing the access studios in the years prior to our formation, thus insuring a bright future for both Franklin TV and the Franklin Community. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Ken Norman,
President, FCCA, Inc.
one of the three channels, Franklin Town Hall TV



The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2013report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at

Franklin Matters: Year in Review - June 2013

Strolling through the archives for 2013, we find ourselves in June

Tension did rise during the discussion about the Cook's Farm proposal
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/tensions-rise-over-cooks-farm-and.html




The Town Council put forward the question on whether we should have a mayor or not?
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/should-franklin-have-mayor.html

Construction on the new high school brought out the bricks!
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/yes-there-are-bricks.html

Across town there was construction on the solar farm at Mount St Mary's Abbey
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/mount-st-marys-solar-farm.html

BMAC's campaign to go down under caught a lot of attention
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/franklin-town-council-sends-bmac-down.html

An for the time being at least, anaerobic digestion was tabled
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/anaerobic-digestion-tabled-in-franklin.html

Franklin Matters: Year in Review - May 2013

Stepping back into the archives for Mary 2013 we find

Photos of the parade on Memorial Day
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/memorial-day-parade-photos.html

The new word added to our vocabulary was "anaerobic digestion"
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/anaerobic-digester-presentation-town-of.html

The Historical Museum had a good talk on the farming in Franklin
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/farming-in-franklin-then-and-now-photo.html

Construction on the new high school continued and the 'quality' wall was built
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/fhs-construction-update-and-quality.html



There were choices for road races to be run this month. The Elks 5K raised funds for the Franklin Food Pantry and the Wounded Warrior Project
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/franklin-elks-care-5k-road-race-results.html

This one action by you will reach 3800 people with disabilities


Hello
2013 is winding down, December 31st is just a few days away and you can make a dream come true for one or more of the 3800 children and adults with disabilities who are supported by 600+ caring and committed HMEA staff throughout the year. By taking any one or more of the actions below, you will be supporting individuals with autism and special needs and helping them realize their fullest potential at home, in school, at their job and in the community. 
How? Do any one of these. It only takes a minute….

  • Sponsor a Holiday Party at their home or program site
  • Purchase occupational or physical therapy equipment and supplies
  • Underwrite a community outing
  • Provide unrestricted funds to benefit programs throughout the year
  • Make a pledge to support HMEA by writing me (below) or responding to this email.

Thank you and here's to a healthy, prosperous an very Happy New Year!

Take care,
 
Doug MacPherson 
Vice President, Development and Public Relations
HMEA, 8 Forge Park East

Franklin, MA 02038


Friday, December 27, 2013

Where in Franklin? - 2013 04

The correct answer to yesterday's photo challenge was provided via Facebook by Karen Cauble-Pina. The marker is located at Fletcher Field.

Yesterday's photo:

Where in Franklin? 2013 03
Where in Franklin? 2013 03


The larger view of the marker and playground

Fletcher Field on a rainy day
Fletcher Field on a rainy day

And the new challenge - Where in Franklin would you find this?

Where in Franklin? - 2013 04
Where in Franklin? - 2013 04

You can get bonus points for identifying how this picture will change?

Annual Report 2013: Building Inspection Department

Continuing our series sharing sections from the Annual Report 2013 of Franklin, MA  we have the Building Inspection Department.

The Building Inspection Department is a multifunction office responsible for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair and occupancy of all residential, commercial, business and industrial uses for both existing and new construction in accordance with the Massachusetts Building Code. The department is responsible for the administration, interpretation and enforcement of the following codes:
  • Massachusetts State Building Code - 780CMR
  • Town of Franklin Code - Zoning – CH 185
  • Mass. Electrical Code – 527 CMR
  • Mass. Plumbing and Gas Code – 248 CMR
  • National Fuel Gas Code – NFPA 54-2002
  • Sealer of Weights and Measure – G.L. CH 98
  • Architectural Access Board – 521 CMR

Hours of OperationThe Building Inspection Department’s hours are
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m.,
Wednesday 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m. and Friday 8:00a.m.- 1:00p.m. 
For your convenience, you may visit our website: at www.franklin.ma.us/inspections. This site contains a series of forms easily accessible and available to download. The website provides permit applications, sample plot plans, sign regulations, swimming pool instruction manuals. Shed/barn instruction manuals, zoning criteria and other information necessary to process a permit or to simply provide information to the public.  
Building Department Staff
Building Commissioner/Zoning Officer: Lloyd Brown
Inspectors:
Inspector of Wires: Bernard Mullaney
Asst Wiring Inspector: James Laughlin
Plumbing/Gas Inspector: Richard Cornetta
Asst Plumb/Gas Inspector: Richard McCormick
Local Building Inspector: Stephen O’Neill
Sealer of Weights & Measurers
Comm. of Mass. /Div. of Standards
Staff Assistants
Barbara J. Curran
Nancy Danello/Zoning
Judy Demers 
Lloyd Brown, Commissioner of Buildings, is responsible for all construction trade inspectors, municipal maintenance and supervision of all construction, zoning interpretation and determination, pre-planning and review of all subdivisions and proposed construction and improvements and general input for all other municipal departments and construction-related inquiries.  
Fiscal Year 2013 brought many changes to the department. In August Stephen O’Neill was hired to the fill the Local Building Inspector position and Nancy Danello became the Zoning Board Administration Secretary and Building Department staff assistant in September.  
Building Permits
Fiscal year 2013 was a continuation of strong permit activity, with the new high school being at the top of large projects that we oversee. Agastini Construction is the contractor building the new high school and they are on schedule. New home construction was up by 10 units and alterations of homes and businesses also increased.  
This year the Building Department issued a total of 1257 building permits and the revenues collected were $449,987.00  
The following is a breakdown of the past years building permit activity:
Single Family Residence 35
Attached Town Houses 7
Apts. Or Stacked Condos 24
New Building Commercial 6
Building Misc. $671.00
Accessory Dwelling Units 5
Addition(s) 30
Alteration(s) 672
Amended Permit(s) 1
Deck 64
Swimming Pool(s) 23
Garage(s) 3
Shed(s) 13
Foundation(s) Only 2
Demolition(s) 11
Tent(s) 17
Sign(s) 55
Woodstove(s) 32
Carnival(s) 2
Fence 3
Earth Removal 2
Repair(s) Rehab 107

Certificates of Inspection
Inspection and certification of specified use groups shall be inspected annually in accordance with Table 110 of the Massachusetts State Building Code. This year the staff issued 82 certificates of inspection and the fees collected for the certifications amounted to $18,240.00. 
Certificates are issued for all public and private schools, churches, day care centers, nursing homes, funeral homes, bleachers, restaurants, alcoholic beverage establishments, multi-family dwellings (3or more units), movie theaters and other places of assembly. The Fire Department has assisted our department in assuring compliance with the Fire Prevention Code. The purpose of these inspections are to ensure the public safety and well being of the general public. 
Certificates of Occupancy
The Building Inspection Department issues a certificate of occupancy in accordance with the Massachusetts State Building Code. All buildings/structures shall not be used or occupied in whole or part until a certificate of occupancy is issued.  
This department has issued a total of 118 certificates of occupancy and the total fees collected amounted to $8,250.00
Electrical Permits
The total number of electrical permits issued was 963, the total fees collected and deposited amounted to $103,640.00. 
Plumbing Permits
The total number of plumbing permits issued was 859, the total fees collected and deposited
amounted to $109,439.00. 
Gas Permits
The total number of gas permits issued was 874 and the total fees collected and deposited amounted to $34,767.00 
Division of Weights and Standards
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations, Division of Standards provides this service on behalf of the Town of Franklin. The Department of Weights and Measures is responsible for providing the services of testing, adjusting, sealing and handling all complaints regarding commercial weighing and measuring devices within the Town of Franklin. The department investigates consumer complaints regarding unit pricing laws; spot-checking prepackaged items for compliance with all weights and measures laws.  
Inspections were conducted by the State and the total fees collected and deposited amounted to $8,393.00 Total Revenues Collected: $733,387.00  
This past fiscal year was my first as a building commissioner and the help from my staff, citizens and town workers made the transition a great experience. I look forward to continuing to serve the Town of Franklin. 
Respectfully, 
Lloyd Brown
Commissioner of Buildings
Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building


The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2013report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at


Franklin Matters: Year in Review - April 2013

Continuing our look back into the archives we step into April 2013 and find:


The tour of Franklin High School was the best attended of all the school tours thus far
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/franklin-high-school-tour-photo-essay.html

DPW Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi provided an update to the Town Council on work that would be occurring in and around Franklin being done or coordinated by the DPW
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/franklin-public-works-upcoming-projects.html




One of the DPW projects was work on in and around East, West and Nason Sts
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/franklin-street-construction-photo-essay.html

Work on the Sculpture Park was also one of the DPW projects
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/franklin-sculpture-park-imagine-future.html

April also was the running of the annual the Boston Marathon. Many Franklin runners, friends and relatives had anxious moments due to the plans that were disrupted that day. Our world was changed.


Franklin Matters: Year in Review - March 2013

Continuing to close out the calendar year, we step back into the archives to recall what happened in March 2013.


The sculpture park was announced
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/new-sculpture-park-opening-in-franklin.html

The Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) held its annual Trivia Bee
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/trivia-bee-photo-slide-show.html

The Community Garden prepared for its new planting season
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/spring-gardening-photo-essay.html

The Finance Committee got a preview of the proposal for the improvements to DelCarte
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/delcarte-recreation-proposal.html

Steel girders rose to start shaping the new Franklin High School building
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/fhs-construction-progress-photos.html





"delays in the release of Chapter 90 funds"


The Massachusetts Municipal Association is exhorting state lawmakers to pin millions of dollars in funding for road and bridge projects to the $12.1 billion transportation bond bill, aiming to prevent any delays in the release of the money. 
Earlier this month, the association, a nonprofit that advises Massachusetts cities and towns, pushed a legislative committee to attach a five-year Chapter 90 bond bill — providing $300 million per year — to the Patrick administration’s state transportation bill. 
Every year municipalities get a varying amount of Chapter 90 funds to pay for upgrades or repairs to infrastructure. For Bellingham and Franklin, which have a backlog of roads in need of repair, the money is critical.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915455878/Mass-Municipal-wants-Chapter-90-money-added-to-transportation-bill#ixzz2og6pSkgR

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Where in Franklin? 2013 - 03

The light in the last picture was correctly identified by Ken Norman as being on the small building at 44 Main St. between the FSPA and Rockland Trust.

located at 44 Main St

Where in Franklin where would you find this new picture?

Where in Franklin? 2013 - 03

Send an email, or leave a comment with your answer. First correct answer is the winner. Complete guidelines for "Where in Franklin?" can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/2013-where-in-franklin.html



Annual Report 2013: Zoning Board of Appeals

Continuing our series of sections from the Annual Report of 2013 for Franklin, MA we have the Zoning Board of Appeals


The Zoning Board of Appeals currently consists of three (3) members and two (2) associate members appointed by the Town Administrator, subject to the confirmation by the Town Council, for terms of such length and so arranged that the term of one member shall expire each year. There is currently one (1) opening for an associate member. The members would like to take this opportunity to thank Barbara Curran for her 13+ years of dedicated service and also welcome Sean Slater as an Associate Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals. 
The Board of Appeals holds Public Hearings, as advertised, for Variance(s), Special Permits (including gravel removal), Findings and Chapter 40B applications. The Board also renders determinations on land use and zoning issues. All necessary forms and applications may be obtained through the Building Inspection Department and via Board of Appeals website at http://www.franklin.ma.us
The Zoning Board of Appeals meets in Town Council Chambers at the Franklin Municipal Building on Thursday evenings usually twice a month, at 7:30pm. The calendar may be viewed via website at http://www.franklin.ma.us
All meetings are open to the public. The Board has been very active this fiscal year and the following agenda is a list of all applications filed, indexed and recorded with the Town Clerk.  
Respectfully submitted,
Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals 
Member Since
Bruce Hunchard, Chairman 1991
Robert Acevedo, Vice Chairman 2003
Timothy Twardowski, Clerk 2010
Philip Brunelli, Associate Member 2009
Sean Slater, Associate Member 2012
Nancy Danello, Administrative Secretary

Franklin (MA) Municipal Building
Franklin, MA Municipal Building



The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2013report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/


Franklin Matters: Year in Review -> February 2013

What happened in February?

On the business front, Pour Richard's relocated their liquor license to open at 14 Grove St
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/pour-richards-wine-and-spirits-photo.html

The Historical Museum hosted a talk on Franklin's rail history
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/franklin-junction-photo-essay.html

Nemo buried Franklin in lots of snow
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/after-nemo-photo-essay.html






Franklin Matters: Year In Review -> January 2013

What happened in January?

The argument for the Treasurer/Collector to make another try to go from elected to appointed was re-introduced.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/town-council-012313.html

Vera Meyer returned to the Franklin Historical Museum to help celebrates Benjamin Franklin's birthday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/the-glass-harmonica.html





creation of a bylaw to allow medical marijuana zoning is going to the Economic Development Committee before coming back to the Council and the Planning Board process.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/town-council-010913.html

The road condition report was published listing the roads from "worst to first" by condition ranking
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/franklin-road-conditions-from-worst-to.html

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Please enjoy the holiday with family and friends.

band stand in 2012
as we won't have a white Christmas this year, we'll step back in time to 2012


This will be the only posting today.



If you like what you read here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like what you read here, please tell me!



Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Where in Franklin? 2013-02

The answer to yesterday's Where in Franklin? photo was correctly provided by Geoffrey Zub. The photo was taken along the nature trail located behind the Parmenter School.

Additional photos from the trail can be viewed here:




There was also a story walk along the trail. Alas it was destroyed by vandals but is captured here to recall what it once was.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157625155278049/


For today's photo, where in Franklin are you?

Where in Franklin? 2013 - 02


Send an email, or leave a comment with your answer. First correct answer is the winner. Complete guidelines for "Where in Franklin?" can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/2013-where-in-franklin.html



Annual Report 2013: Town Administrator

Continuing the series from Franklin's Annual Report for 2013, we have the Town Administrator

Each year we try to improve the quality of life for our citizens. We are committed to providing great customer service and high ethical standards. We continue to live within our means. There will be challenges in coming years, but we will continue to meet those challenges the only way we know how, head on and with our goal of providing the best service we can. 
So, what have we done this year? 
On the Budget front, we had a very good year. We balanced the budget with no use of reserves or any layoffs. We maintained a single tax rate and we established an operating stabilization account. We settled all but one bargaining agreement. We authorized a Solar project that will provide the town with about 75% of its electricity use. 
Our day-to-day activities include: the continuation of the water main replacement program where we replace a defective water main and then replace the road and sidewalk. We accepted Lady Slipper, Pasture, Symmes, Ruby, Opal, Jade, Garnet, Tanglewood, Sierra, Mary Jane, Anna, Summer Heights, Autumn, Fall, and Dutchess Roads. We updated the flood plan district. The Council authorized the purchase of land at 37 Beaver Street to be used for additional parking at the Senior Center. The Council also transferred town owned land on Beaver Court to the Housing Trust to be used for affordable housing. We continued the
development of the Sculpture Park at the site of the old town pool on Panther Way. We worked on a Ballot question on whether to appoint the treasurer/collector. We adopted a Tax workoff program for Veterans similar to the senior tax workoff program. 
We also sought to spur economic activity with zoning changes. We rezoned land off of Exit 16 from Residential to Commercial. We initiated a zoning change to streamline the site plan process as well as a zoning change to improve the impervious coverage bylaw. We also adopted zoning for medical marijuana. 
We continued the review of our Town Bylaws to ensure they are fair and reasonable while protecting the interest of all of our citizens. This year we updated the Council on Aging, Dogs, and Transient Vendors bylaws. 
With Dams 3 and 4 nearly complete, The Town Council voted funds for the Recreation Park at the DelCarte Property. The property will include a recreation park and a boardwalk to enhance the existing trails. 
The Town Council voted to transfer the responsibility of Public Access Cable TV to a Cable Access Corporation. Franklin TV has entered into a PILOT tax agreement with the Town of Franklin. 
Probably most important of all, the new model high school project approved in March of 2012 by the voters is right on schedule. Construction that began in the fall of 2012 is on schedule to be completed in September of 2014. 
As always, I want to thank the employees of the Town of Franklin. It is my pleasure to come to work every day with such dedicated and hard working people who do their best for the citizens of Franklin. 
It is my pleasure to submit my annual report for your review, and please feel free to write, e-mail, or stop by with any questions, concerns, or comments.  
Respectfully submitted, 
Jeff Nutting
Town Administrator
Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin's Municipal Building

The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2013report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/



Franklin Library: Coffee and craft for adults

Hold the date - Saturday, Jan 4th at 1:30 PM

coffee and craft - for adults
coffee and craft - for adults

This was reposted from the Franklin Public Library
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2013/12/coffee-and-craft-for-adults.html

Monday, December 23, 2013

Where in Franklin? 2013 #1

Where would you be in Franklin to take this photo?

where in Franklin? 2013 #1

Send an email, or leave a comment with your answer. First correct answer is the winner. Complete guidelines for "Where in Franklin?" can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/2013-where-in-franklin.html

2013 - Where in Franklin?


When:
As you have seen, I have posted pictures of the local scenes in and around Franklin. As we close out the 2013 calendar year, I'll post a picture and ask for your help to identify where it is in Franklin.

Who can play:
Anyone can play but realistically, I understand that this will limit participation to those readers who are Franklin area residents (or at least local neighbors).

What kind of picture:
The picture will be of something seen from the sidewalk, trail, or road while walking, or riding a bike or car. All pictures will be found within the confines of geographical Franklin. The picture should be something of beauty, specialness, architectural, natural or the like that is found within Franklin.

How to play:
If you recognize the picture, send me an email or leave a comment on the post identifying where the picture is or what it is of. Cross streets, street addresses, or significant defining descriptions accepted. In case of a tie in identification, the time stamp on the entry (to indicate the first correct answer) will determine the winner.

Prize:
The glory and honor for identification of the picture. I'll publish as much of your name or identification as you will allow me to.

Why am I doing this?
To help us all explore the real beauty of what we have here. Sure there are great sites to see when we travel but "there is no place like home". If this effort does just a little to help us better see, understand, and appreciate our own Franklin area, then it will have succeeded. This will unite my desire for "life long learning", my passion for the good customer experience, and of course, where I live today: Franklin.

Disclaimer:
This is meant to be a fun thing to do.
If this gets to be not fun, well, I'll give notice and stop.

Oh, and the residents of my immediate household are not eligible to play.

Did I miss anything?
Please, let me know.

Annual Report 2013: Town Council

As we get into the end of the year, the news will be relatively quiet. There are no more scheduled meetings for the Town Council, School Committee, etc. I'll fill in with some section from the Annual Report for 2013. Note that the report is for the Fiscal Year 2013 which ran from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. The info is generally accurate for that time period but portions of the data may be out of date.


On behalf of the Franklin Town Council, it is my pleasure to submit our annual report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2013. 
On a positive note, on May 16, we passed a balanced budget that included no layoffs and no use of reserves. We have kept a busy schedule this past year and accomplished a lot with help from you, the citizens. The high school project began with shovel in the ground in the fall and is progressing on schedule for a September 2014 opening. 
The Franklin Garden Club once again did a magnificent job keeping the Town Common and the downtown area blooming. The Concerts on the Common Committee brought spectacular entertainment to liven your Wednesday nights during the summer months. On behalf of the Citizens, the Council thanks them for their efforts. 
The new Master Plan Committee presented their draft plan to the Council in July and had an open public comments period. The Master Plan Committee would like this action plan of goals, and objectives for the Planning Board and Town Council to use as a tool to be finally adopted in September. 
The Citizens Committee has provided valuable input to the Council on issues such as improving the quality of life of Franklin’s citizens, improving citizen participation, evaluating the permitting process and business development as a revenue stream. 
Remote Participation by a Council member remains a popular practice of the Council when travel/etc. keeps them away from a Council meeting. It works well and it assures the Citizen that they are getting the most representation possible. 
Franklin’s Government is supported by its many boards and committees that are largely staffed by volunteers. Let’s not forget our elected officials, as they are volunteers also. (Except Treasurer Collector position and Town Clerk position are not volunteer positions) Our volunteers are of the highest caliber. Everyone has talent to offer, whether serving on a board, council, or committee, weeding a garden, planning a concert, or chairing a meeting. Franklin is your town and this is your government and it needs your input. 
In closing, you can rest assured that the business of Franklin will continue. We will continue to work for you, the Citizen, and the Community that we all love. You can be assured that you have dedicated, competent, and professional individuals working and volunteering their time on your behalf. 
I want to thank our Town Administrator, Jeff Nutting, for his dedication and service and all of the Town employees who go to work every day and help to make this community a great place to live and work. 
On behalf of my fellow councilors, Andy Bissanti, Bob Dellorco, Glenn Jones, Matt Kelly, Tom Mercer, Judy Pfeffer, Tina Powderly, and Jeff Roy, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have given us to serve this great community. 
Respectfully Submitted, 
Robert Vallee
Chairman, Franklin Town Council

Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building


Closing note: The section above was composed as early as May for the report to reflect the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2013. The Master Plan was approved by the Town Council. At the November election, new councilors were elected to replace Councilors Dellorco, Powderly and Roy who all chose not to run for re-election. The Treasurer/Collector position was also approved to move to an appointed position with the expiration of the current term.


The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2013report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/


"there are a lot of people interested in this trail"

As an update to the story Milford Daily News has posted, there was a tunnel under Prospect St when the railroad operated. It was filled in years ago. The proposal being explored now would be to put a new tunnel in so the trail riders and walkers could go under Prospect St rather than over.
An underground tunnel is to be built at the section of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail that crosses Prospect Street, aiming to make the trek for bicyclists bound for Blackstone and beyond a little easier. 
The project has gotten a lot of attention recently from the state Department of Transportation and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, which owns the 22-mile trail, thanks to the efforts of three local legislators — state Rep. Kevin Kuros, R-Uxbridge, state Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge, and state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin. 
The former railway — one of the longest trails in southern Massachusetts — begins off Grove Street in Franklin State Forest on the east and extends through Bellingham, Uxbridge, Millville and Blackstone to Douglas State Forest on the west.




Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915455540/Tunnel-slated-for-Trunkline-Trail-in-Franklin#ixzz2oIapwS9Q

For additional information on the Franklin and Bellingham Citizens Rail Committee you can visit them on the internet at http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/
or on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Bellingham-Rail-Trail-Committee/185258844899495

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Franklin's 5 Year Forecast - early view


This will be a good document to download, print out and then absorb in detail over your choice of morning beverage. This is an early view on the 5 year plan update scheduled to be finalized in Jan/Feb for Franklin.

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting walked through how the calculations were estimated during the December Finance Committee meeting. The key major departmental budgets are calculated for 'standard' increases. The labor contracts are all known so the increases can be forecasted.




Franklin Schools Capacity Summary

One of the more interesting worksheets handed out at the December Finance Committee meeting is this one. It summarizes the school building capacity status. The document is a printed version of a spreadsheet and one of the entries partially obscured when printed indicates that the numbers apparently remain to be validated by the School Dept/School Committee. While this is a "draft", it is worthy of sharing and discussion.

new Franklin High School
new Franklin High School

The new high school will open in September and according to the numbers shown will open at capacity (1600 students).

With the modular spaces being removed from the elementary schools, the number show that there will need to be some adjustment among the district population to take advantage of the extra capacity at some of the schools and shift from the tightness of space at other schools.

Davis Thayer's renovation options were reviewed at a meeting in August and of the three options presented, it really doesn't make a whole lots of sense to do anyone of them. The money required doesn't provide what is really needed. Never mind that the real money needed is just not availble.


Concert: St Mary's - Prolatio Singers


If you like beautiful music and would like to take a break from all the holiday craziness, there's a concert for you this Sunday evening at the St. Mary's Church in Franklin.

"Prolatio Singers" is a Franklin based accapella group, which was established more than a decade ago and is specialized in classical choir music. The music selection of this time's concert if full of the spirit of the holiday season. This concert starts at 7 pm, is free to the public and suitable for kids 6 and older.

For additional information on the schedule of holiday masses and events at St Mary's  http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/

For additional information on the Prolatio Singers
https://www.facebook.com/events/185706444967729/

"This effort speaks to the spirit of our community"

The Milford Daily News reports on the Food Elves update:
The pantry has said that the students’ efforts serve as a learning experience for them and others: "It’s a nice way for them to start to understand that there’s a need out there, and that they are able to make a difference in addressing it," pantry director of development Erin Lynch told The Daily News in November. 
State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, told of the elves success on Friday, said, "I am thrilled to hear that the Food Elves exceeded expectations for the food drive. This effort speaks to the spirit of our community and the will to make a difference in the lives of others. 
"Unfortunately, we have a great deal of people in need of assistance, but it’s gratifying to know that the work of the over 60 elves will make the holiday a bit brighter for those families."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915455378/Franklin-students-to-give-local-pantry-a-hefty-gift#ixzz2oCbEdnuY


The status update was posted earlier this week to the Food Pantry and Downtown Partnership websites and share here



When the final tally of the food and money collected by the Food Elves is available in January, it will be shared in the same manner.

On behalf of our neighbors who will receive the benefits of this generosity, Thank you!