Saturday, December 31, 2016

FHS boys basketball and hockey teams posts wins

Via Hockomock Sports

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 76 vs. East Boston, 35 – Final
– Junior Paul Mahon scored a team-high 17 points as the Panthers cruised in their final game of the calendar year. James Hanlon added 11 points while sophomore Jalen Samuels recorded 10 points.

 Boys Hockey = Franklin, 5 vs. La Salle Academy 1 – Final

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-123016/


FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers


Via the Twitterverse


















Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

MBTA: Commuter Rail service for New Year's Eve

The Commuter Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule for New Year's Eve, with extra late night service.

 All Commuter Rail trains will be free after 8 pm on New Year's Eve.

 Bikes are not allowed on all inbound trains between 10 am and 6 pm and on all outbound trains from 4 pm until the end of service.
The Franklin Line operating at Franklin Dean Station

 Last updated: Dec 30 2016 10:55 AM

 Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/events
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Annual Report 2016: Franklin TV

Franklin TV is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. We operate the local access TV studios for Franklin. We produce local TV programs on three channels:
  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26).
  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28).
  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29).

We are Franklin’s local TV channels on Comcast and Verizon, but we do not provide cable TV service. 

 Background
The Town of Franklin is the Local Franchise Authority (LFA) that maintains agreements with Comcast and Verizon cable TV providers.

 Franklin TV’s funding comes from a 4.8% access fee on cable service that cable subscribers pay via these agreements.

 Franklin TV does not rely on government taxes. Franklin TV pays a PILOT fee (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) to the Town of Franklin by agreement. We are the first nonprofit organization that pays for town services.

 As an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization we also may receive grants and donations from contributors. 

 Local Programming Produced in 2015

 During our 2015 operating year we generated:
  • 217 Public Access Programs
  • 95 School/Sports Programs
  • 19 School/Civic Events Programs
  • 96 Government Meetings
  • 427 Locally Produced Programs

All of these programs were produced, recorded and edited by our staff on behalf of Franklin residents, organizations, agencies and local government. Our extensive production support reaches beyond the customary charter of other public access studios to lend equipment and provide technical training. This additional commitment of professional support enables us to provide a broader range of programs

 In addition to programming, Franklin TV offers free community announcements on our Bulletin Board for all three P/E/G channels. Nonprofit organizations who wish to promote their meetings, special events and activities are welcome to contact us.

 Our Studios and Offices
We have five thousand square feet that houses two video studios (a large drive-in access studio and an interview studio), two audio recording rooms, four digital video editing/effects systems, and our offices. 

 We also have general purpose Community Meeting Space available – free to qualified nonprofit groups and service organizations for occasional meetings. Our facility accommodates up to 30 people.

After some years of effort, we finally succeeded in arranging for Comcast to upgrade our PEG channels connection to digital fiber. We are now connected by our own private fiber directly to the Comcast Milford Network Operations Center (NOC). This noise and distortion free connection was installed in April at a cost to us of $30,000. This digital upgrade retires the obsolete Comcast analog RF iNet link that experienced regular signal outages and interference.

Our Interview Studio
Franklin TV has two studios. Our smaller studio is an excellent facility for staging and recording interview and discussion programs. In 2015 this room was transformed with five all-digital displays that provide fully animated backgrounds. This novel approach enables us to stage more programs very efficiently, with each enjoying customized graphic set design.

 Scholarships
In June, as part of our continuing commitment to Franklin students, Franklin TV awarded two $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors:

  • Tatyana Youssef of Franklin High
  • Emily Scannell of Tri-County High

Our congratulations and best wishes go out to them in their academic endeavors.
A Broadcasting Opportunity, WFPR-FM
In February of 2014, Franklin TV was awarded a construction permit by the FCC for a 100 Watt, noncommercial educational FM radio station. WFPR, (Franklin Public Radio) broadcasting on 102.9 FM. The FCC received 3,000 applications. Franklin.TV was among 81 Massachusetts applicants. 

 Of these, 19 permits were granted, with 8 going to P/E/G studios like Franklin TV. WFPR will be an extension of Franklin TV’s services to the community and surrounding towns. Our construction permit runs to February, 2017 to allow sufficient time to properly site and construct a broadcast antenna.

 FPR will also provide opportunities for local citizens to have a voice by producing their own programs or participating as volunteers to make our radio station successful as a local community resource.

Our Charter Operations
We continue to see increasing requests from various town agencies and civic organizations to provide TV coverage for local events. We cover Franklin events that are cultural or institutional in nature and of general interest.

 We are always interested in training volunteers who would like to learn the craft of video production. Trained volunteers and interns work alongside our roster of free-lance and staff professionals to shoot and edit the institutional programs that we cover.

 Citizen Access
Residents who produce their own access programs are the owners of these programs. As such, these producers hold their own copyright and may copy and distribute these programs freely, provided that the programs are cablecast on the Franklin system. 

 Per our Public Access charter, we do not provide equipment for covering private or personal events or for purposes other than generating Access Programs to be shown over the Franklin cable system Information about our weekly programming can be found on our web site: www.franklin.tv. 

 While visiting our website, also read our informative F.A.Q. on P/E/G TV studios, their operation, history and charter. We also recommend browsing our past newsletter archives to learn more about Franklin TV, our growth and development, and the civic events that we cover throughout the year.

 Finally, in closing, “Thanks for watching!”
Respectfully submitted,

 Franklin TV’s Board of Directors

 Ken Norman, President
Jay Horrigan, Vice President
Wesley Rea, Treasurer
John Milot, Clerk
Anne Bergen, Nick Remissong, Rose Turco
Peter Fasciano, Executive Director
Franklin Public Access Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street
Franklin Public Access Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street

Download and read the full Annual Report for the Town of Franklin FY 2016
Prior year annual reports can be found
http://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/annual-reports
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Christine Lavin and Don White - January 7



Peter Mulvey January 28th
View this email in your browser
Christine Lavin and Don White
Jan 7th 8PM $25

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is starting the year off right with two hilarious musicians, Christine Lavin and Don White on Saturday January 7th at 8PM. Christine's smart and funny songs nail our lives and foibles on the head! She is a comedienne whose delightfully skewed songs cover a lot of territory including relationships, politics, and life's injustices.  http://www.christinelavin.com/

  Don White is a Circle of Friends regular whose songs and stories about raising teenagers always have our crowds rolling in the aisles. Together they are a fabulously hilarious duo of comedy and song. This will be a night to remember.  http://www.donwhite.net/

 "...Christine Lavin and Don White, perhaps the two funniest performers on the folk circuit today." - Scott Alarik, The Boston Globe
http://www.donwhite.net/don-christine/

 Check out their video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLwRwZ7j3C4

 The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Tickets for this shows are $25.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.
Upcoming Shows
Jan 28       Peter Mulvey
Feb 11      Joe Crookston
Mar 4        Celtic Band RUNA
Mar 18      The Boxcar Lilies


Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp


Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Annual Report 2016: Building Inspection

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 - 780  CMR
  • 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 Operation
The 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.

 I would like to thank Nancy Danello our ZBA and Permit Clerk. Nancy accepted the position of Assistant Town Clerk in January of this year. Nancy will shine in this new position, be assured of that. Casey Thayer was hired to fill that vacant position. Casey has shown that she has what it takes to run all aspects of the Building and ZBA Clerk duties.

 Building Permits
This year the Building Department issued a total of 1670 building permits and the revenues collected totaled $699,133.00

 The following is a breakdown of the past years building permit activity:

  • Single Family Residence 40
  • Attached Senior Units 0
  • Commercial Building 4
  • Solar Panels 165
  • Accessory Dwelling Units 5
  • Addition(s) 32
  • Alteration(s) 1090
  • Amended Permit(s) 0
  • Deck 80
  • Swimming Pool(s) 29
  • Garage(s) 14
  • Shed(s) 4
  • Foundation(s) Only 0
  • Demolition(s) 9
  • Tent(s) 12
  • Sign(s) 53
  • Woodstove(s) 22
  • Carnival(s) 2
  • Fence 0
  • Earth Removal 0
  • Repair(s) Rehab 11
  • Sheet Metal 87


 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 137 certificates of inspection and the fees collected for the certifications amounted to $25,880.00. Certificates are issued for all public and private schools, churches, day care centers, nursing homes, funeral homes, bleachers, restaurants, alcoholic beverage establishments, multifamily 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 is 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 86 certificates of occupancy and the total fees collected amounted to $5,850.00

 Electrical Permits
The total number of electrical permits issued was 1276, the total fees collected and deposited amounted to $124,635.00.

 Plumbing Permits
The total number of plumbing permits issued was 661, the total fees collected and deposited amounted to $65,986.00.

 Gas Permits
The total number of gas permits issued was 830 and the total fees collected and deposited amounted to $47,171.00

 Vacant Property Registration
The State of Massachusetts has created the Abandoned Housing Initiative, this program has helped by using measures to appoint receivers to repair and then auction the vacant properties. The Town of Franklin still requires the registration of vacant properties. The total number of permits issued was 38 and the total fees collected and deposited amounted to $1520.00

 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 $9,433.00

 Total Revenues Collected: $979,608.00

 Respectfully submitted,

 Lloyd Brown
Commissioner of Buildings
Horace Mann Square - under construction on Emmons St
Horace Mann Square - under construction on Emmons St
Download and read the full Annual Report for the Town of Franklin FY 2016
Prior year annual reports can be found
http://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/annual-reports
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

3Q tax bills mailed - Due Feb 1, 2017

3rd Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Bills will be mailed out on Friday, December 30th. The due date for these bill is February 1, 2017.

 You can pay online at http://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/online-payments.

If you are mailing in your payment, please be sure to include the remittance copy with your check.

expanded parking lot at the Senior Center
expanded parking lot at the Senior Center

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

"return the river to a more natural, free-flowing state"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The town started removing the Pearl Street Mill dam this month - an effort that advocates claim will improve the health of the Charles River. 
State officials and river advocates believe that the project marks the first time an undamaged dam has been removed along the river's span. 
Alex Hackman, of the Division of Ecological Restoration, said the state office is supporting Bellingham in the project. Dams hurt a river's health by creating stagnant, warmer water, he said. 
"With most dams, you see consistent symptoms," he said. "They back up the water, creating an artificial pond, and tend to settle out sediment. Over time, the sediment causes the water to get shallower, warming the water."

 Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161230/setting-free-charles-river-in-bellingham




Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Meeting notes archive for 2016

2016

Economic Development Committee

Town Council


---------------------------------------- 

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Friday, December 30, 2016

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 12/30/16 - THU 1/5/17

FRIDAY 12/30/16 
10:30am   Knitting Circle for Adults @ Franklin Public Library
2pm   Come create a Box City @ Franklin Public Library

SATURDAY 12/31/16
11am-1pm   New Year’s Eve Party @ Franklin Public Library
5pm - 7pm    Labyrinth Walk @ First Universalist Society
7pm   New Year’s Eve Dinner and Comedy Show @ 3 Restaurant

 SUNDAY 1/1/17
Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to all!

MONDAY 1/2/17
7-8:30pm   Learn To Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

 WEDNESDAY 1/4/17
6:30pm   Franklin Art Association Meeting @ Franklin Senior Center
7:30pm   Laughter Yoga - Let’s Laugh Today @ FUSF

 THURSDAY 1/5/17
4pm   Family Coloring Book Club @ Franklin Public Library
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com and shersteve@gmail.com

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Annual Report 2016: Town Clerk

"I respectfully submit my 1st annual report as Town Clerk of Franklin for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016.

 With Franklin’s Town Clerk of 31 years retiring this year, I am honored and proud that the Office of the Town Clerk has been entrusted to me by the citizens of Franklin. My first official duty as Town Clerk was inspiring. I had the honor of swearing-in the aforementioned Town Clerk, Debbie Pellegri as a newly elected member of Franklin’s Town Council.

 Equally gratifying, I had the privileged of swearing in Franklin’s new Chief of Police Thomas J. Lynch and Deputy Chief James A. Mills.

 Since being elected in November, the following changes have been implemented. We now accept credit or debit card payment in the office for your
convenience. On our website (www.franklin.ma.us) the public may request certified copies of Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates, renew Business Certificates and dog licenses through Unipay.

 The Town Clerk’s Office Staff has changed, we are dedicated to provide friendly ,professional service to all citizens. I am extremely proud of how well my staff has performed and responded to the challenges in such a short period of time. Please stop by and say hello!

 Presiding over the State Primary after 3 months in office was challenging and exciting. I would like to thank all those that provided support. Especially Debbie Pellegri, Lois D’Amico, and Mona Ghiringhelli.

 Welcome to our New Residents
We continue with our welcome letters to all new residents. Along with a census form, we also send voter registration applications at this time to encourage voter participation: We invite all new residents to stop by the Clerk’s office… it’s a nice way to meet their Town officials and be introduced to the Municipal Building and the many services that are offered here in Town. If you’d like voter Registration form sent to you, just call 508-520-4900 or email (tburr@franklin.ma.us) you may also register on line at (www.registertovotema.com).

 Population
The total population for FY 2016 Census is now 33,926.

 The following are some past population figures that have been reported over the past years. This shows the rate of growth that Franklin has encountered over the past 31 years.

Year Population Year Population Year Population (As of January)
Year
Population
1981
17,304
1982
17,333
1983
17,187
1984
17,302
1985
17,500
1986
19,253
1987
20,105
1988
21,009
1989
22,045
1990
22,674
1991
23,982
1992
24,756
1993
24,963
1994
25,213
1995
26,721
1996
27,325
1997
28,594
1998
28,928
1999
29,306
2000
29,738
2001
29,897
2002
30,198
2003
30,522
2004
30,944
2005
31,274
2006
31,629
2007
32,003
2008
32,223
2009
32,878
2010
32,862
2011
32,810
2012
33,092
2013
33,186
2014
33,490
2015
33,590
2016
33,761


The population of Franklin seems to always go up even though the economy has had its ups and downs. There were more houses vacant and now they are beginning to become occupied. The new house market is increasing showing the residents are looking for new, along with affordable/deals on older homes. The Towns growth of senior/assisted living residents has also increased our population.

 I have continued to update our records on a daily basis, adding new residents as soon as we have taken off the previous residents in that household. Our office works to record those moving into vacant properties throughout the year.

 Financial Report
Money collected during FY16:

Collected/Marriage Intentions $2,775.00
Certified Copies$13,662.00
Business Certificates $5,640.00
Books $1,125.00
Dog Licenses $48,599.00
Non-Criminal Citations/Fines $3,715.00
Miscellaneous Receipts $7,085.00
Transfer stickers$3,790.00
Total Collected$86,391.00

Businesses
A total of 276 businesses were opened or renewed in Franklin during 2015. We wish them the best of luck. All non-incorporate/DBA businesses, according to MGL, shall register with the Town Clerk prior to commencing business. This certificate is valid for four years at a charge of $40.00. Banks will send their customers to us before allowing them to open a business account. This helps us to keep our records updated. We follow up with telephone calls as a reminder!

 Underground Storage Tanks/Hazardous Material
Underground storage of gasoline permits are the same as last year with a total of 23 and 13 hazardous material permits. No new certificates have been filed with this office by the Fire Department during 2015. 

 Planning /Appeal Board Applications
All applications and decisions are permanent record and may be researched at any time through the Town Clerk’s office. Elsewhere in this report you will find our index of applicants/decisions during the year 2015.

 Code of Franklin
The Town of Franklin Code Book is maintained and updated through this office, both in hard copy, computer and on the web at www.franklin.ma.us. This book contains all the rules, regulations, by-laws and acts of the Town. The code has been helpful, not only to department managers and councilors, but also to attorneys, engineers and contractors since it contains all information relating to their daily work.

 Town Clerk Directory
Our Directory of Town, State and County Officials booklet is available here in the Clerk’s office. This booklet has been a very useful tool to employers, committees, managers and residents. Other publications available in the Clerk’s office are Subdivision and Zoning Regulations and Maps, Resident Listing Books.

 Record Retention Schedule
I have continued to keep our records in the best possible order as mandated through the Secretary of State’s office. All of our books are bound, microfilmed and stored in the Town Clerk’s vault each year. This is the history of Franklin and its’ residents and I take pride in maintaining a filing system that continues the safety of each volume.

 Vital Records
Certified records of birth, deaths and marriage records are available through the Clerk’s office, They are copied on safety paper at a charge of $6.00 each. As a note, when you need a copy of your birth record, remember that it is always filed in the town where your mother was living at the time of your birth, the hospital community and the Office of Vital Records in Boston, MA. You can now order online on the town clerks web page through Unipay.

 Dog Licensing
We have over 3,843 dogs in Franklin. Dogs are licensed mainly to be sure that they are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Dogs should be licensed at 3 months and older. Licenses are $15.00 (altered) $20.00 (non altered) due by March 31st of each year with a late fine of $25.00 added to the tag fee after July 1st. Residents with (4) or more dogs need to acquire a kennel license through ZBA. 

 Conclusion 
I’m sure you will agree that our office is certainly a very busy one! We find so often that people will call our office first for information when needing assistance and we always welcome their calls and will try to set them in the right direction. It’s nice to know that people feel comfortable calling or visiting the Clerk’s office for assistance. 

 I would like to thank my staff, Nancy Danello, Assistant Town Clerk; Michelle Marek, Assistant Election Administrator; and Susan Merullo, Administrative Assistant for their dedication and commitment. I would also like to thank the department managers and their staff for their support throughout the past year. "

 Respectfully submitted, 

 Teresa M. Burr 
Town Clerk / Election Administrator 
Notary Public / Justice of the Peace



Town Clerk Teresa Burr swearing two new police officers in October 2016
Town Clerk Teresa Burr swearing two new police officers in October 2016

Download and read the full Annual Report for the Town of Franklin FY 2016
Prior year annual reports can be found
http://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/annual-reports
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)