Saturday, August 10, 2019

What should Franklin look like in 2028?

Why 2028? 

That would be the 250 year anniversary of the creation of Franklin separating from Wrentham. You likely recall the story that it was originally to be called Exeter but on the way to Boston, they changed the name to Franklin to honor the work of Benjamin Franklin. When the founding fathers asked Ben for a bell to toll in his name, he responded with a bunch of books and hence our library, the first public library in the nation was formed.

We have this legacy to live with and keep up. 

2028 is only 9 years away. It will be here before we know it. Hence, there is no time like the present to start thinking about what the town should look like. How it should operate?

School Superintendent Sara Ahern is working on "A Portrait of a Graduate". What should a graduate of FHS be prepared with to enter the working world? What skills and qualifications will they need that we need to develop during their educational years here. Input has been sought for this across many stakeholders and community members. I know because I was able to participate in a workshop earlier this year. 

The school start times planning has moved from the Advisory Committee to the Schools Central Office to continue to work out the details of a proposal. This will have a domino affect through out the community if the proposal is approved.

We also have significant budget challenges. The schools cut positions while raising and introducing fees to balance their side of the budget for this year (FY 2020). The town side cut road money (among other items) to bring the budget into balance for this year. 

Next year's budget (FY 2021) will be more challenging. There will need to be significant cuts on both sides unless the voters/residents step up to provide additional funding.
  • How are we going to repair our roads? 
  • How are we going to maintain or advance our fire, police, and DPW services?
  • How are we going to provide services to our growing community? 
  • And of course, how are we going to fund the schools to give our children the best they can get to prepare them for the world of 2028 and beyond?
We can do something now. The biennial Town Election is coming up November 5, we should make sure to select those with the vision and the willingness to work on where we need to be in 2028.

We need good people to help lead us forward. Who are they? Who will we select to lead us through the budget maze? Will they foster honest, and civil discussions on hard topics?

Talk to the candidates. 
They are your neighbors. Find out what they want to do. Find out how they are going to get us to 2028.

And then vote on November 5




Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 


This is an updated version of what was originally published in 2017
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/what-will-franklin-be-like-in-2028.html

What should Franklin look like in 2028?
What should Franklin look like in 2028?

Candidates taking papers, room for more on the Franklin Biennial ballot

The listing of the 17 candidates who have taken out papers to run for the open positions on the Franklin Biennial Election is provided via Town Clerk, Teresa Burr. There are 28 seats open so there is plenty of room for additional candidates. The listing will be updated weekly to provide the 'scorecard' of who's taken papers, who's turned them in, etc.

It is good to see new candidates appearing. I met one at the Farmers Market on Friday where he was gathering signatures. He had acquired over 50 by the time I met him so if other candidates are looking for signatures, the Market on the Town Common on Friday afternoons is a good place!

Download your copy from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1815QtLDoEKjeaACekubo667H8I4Yg3dv/view?usp=sharing

Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 




Farmers Market at the Town Common on a nice summer Friday afternoon
Farmers Market at the Town Common on a nice summer Friday afternoon

MBTA Commuter Rail: Franklin Line Weekend Shuttle Service Sep 7 through Nov 24, 2019

Weekends, Sept 7- Nov 24, Franklin Train service is replaced by free buses between Forge Park/495 and Readville for a Fairmount Line connection while PTC is installed. There will be no service at Back Bay, Ruggles, Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot.

Please visit https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork for more details about bus shuttle schedules. Visit MBTA.com/PTC for more information on how this project will improve commuter rail safety and travel.

There will be no Franklin line service at Back Bay and Ruggles stations on weekends. Please travel to South Station to reach a Franklin Line station. If you are travelling inbound, please board a Worcester/Framingham line Train for direct connection to Back Bay or a Providence/Stoughton line Train for a direct connection to Back Bay or Ruggles.

We also recommend the subway: board the Red Line at South Station and transfer to the Orange Line at Downtown Crossing to reach Back Bay or Ruggles.

Due to proximity of adjacent stations, bus shuttles will not serve Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot stations:
  • Endicott station customers, please use Readville or Dedham Corp stations.
  • Islington station customers, please use Dedham Corp station.
  • Norwood Depot customers, please use Norwood Central or Dedham Corp station.

8:40 PM and 10:40 PM departures from Forge Park as well as 11:20 PM departure from South Station will be accommodated by a bus for the entire trip between South Station and Forge Park (including the portion between South Station and Readville).

Additional weekends may be added to the train service suspension between Forge Park/495 and Readville as work progresses on the Franklin line.

Thank you for your patience while we improve the signal system on your Commuter Rail line.

For more information: https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork


Last Updated: Aug 09 2019 01:57 PM
https://mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts

MBTA Commuter Rail: Franklin Line Weekend Shuttle Service Sep 7 through November 24, 2019
MBTA Commuter Rail: Franklin Line Weekend Shuttle Service Sep 7 through November 24, 2019

"would ban virtually all hand-held electronic device use by drivers"

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

"Conference committee leaders remained tight-lipped about their private negotiations on distracted-driving legislation a week after an apparent deal fell apart.

In separate interviews with the News Service, both state Rep. William Straus, D-Mattapoisett, and state Sen. Joseph Boncore, D-Winthrop, who together chair the six-member conference committee, said they are still discussing the long-sought bill but declined to put a timeline on when their work may be complete.

“We’re going to continue to discuss it between the chairs,” Boncore said. He described himself as “confident” that a deal would be reached soon, but noted talks would last “as long as it takes.”

Straus said the conferees “have never stopped being in communication with each other,” despite the collapse of an apparent consensus last week."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190809/no-timeline-for-distracted-driving-deal


Friday, August 9, 2019

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Aug 9 to THU - Aug 15


For the interactive version, please visit
For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar
https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Aug 9 to THU - Aug 15
Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Aug 9 to THU - Aug 15

Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Health do?

From the Annual Report of 2018 is this brief section on the Board of Health:
"The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the Health Department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws and regulations, and review all site plans for compliance with local and state public health regulations. The board presides over administrative hearings in all matters concerning Health Department licensed and permitted activities. Board members are available for consultation on issues relative to the public health as well."
Two positions are up for election on November 5 for a 4 year term. The other position will be up for election in 2 years. This staggers the membership to maintain institutional knowledge.

What does the Health Department do?
"The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well-being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local public health laws and regulations. 
The Franklin Health Department's responsibilities include inspecting and permitting new and repaired/upgraded individual septic systems, witnessing percolation testing, biannual inspections of all food service and retail food establishments, investigating complaints of public health nuisances, enforcement of the state sanitary code relative to housing, licensing of children's recreational camps, inspection of semi-public swimming pools and spas, tanning salon and manicure/pedicure establishment inspections. The Health Department also issues permits for individual private drinking water and irrigation wells."

State Required Duties of the Board of Health can be found here 
http://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/pages/state-required-duties-board-health

The Board of Health can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department


Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 


Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Health do?
Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Health do?

“This vote represents a serious misinterpretation of FCC authority"

From the Mass Municipal Association we find the news about the recent FCC order. Exactly how this plays out and what it means for Franklin TV and to the Town of Franklin budget process remains to be seen.
"On Aug. 1, the Federal Communications Commission ruled, by a 3-2 vote, that cable-related, in-kind contributions required by local franchising authorities from cable operators are in fact franchise fees subject to the statutory 5% cap.

The FCC ruled that the definition of “in-kind, cable-related contributions” includes “any non-monetary contributions … including but not limited to free or discounted cable service to public buildings, costs in support of PEG [Public, Educational and Governmental] access other than capital costs, and costs attributable to the construction of I-Nets. It does not include the costs of complying with build-out and customer service requirements.”

The FCC’s Third Report and Order on Cable Franchising Fees largely adopts the tentative conclusions of the Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, issued last September. The decision runs counter to the flood of concerns the FCC received during the public comment period about its tentative conclusions.

The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors said the Aug. 1 ruling “provides a windfall to largely monopoly cable companies on the backs of local communities,” adding that the commission “decided to drastically rewrite federal law and wipe out 35 years of cable franchise agreements that had been negotiated based on mutual understanding of what the law meant.”
Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/fcc-order-preempts-terms-in-existing-cable-franchise-agreements/

“This vote represents a serious misinterpretation of FCC authority"
“This vote represents a serious misinterpretation of FCC authority"

Thursday, August 8, 2019

THE BLACK BOX Local Artist Series: The Delta Generators, The DayBreakers! - Aug 10

On Saturday, August 10 at 8 PM The Delta Generators return to THE BLACK BOX with opening act The DayBreakers.
 
Featuring Brian Templeton on vocals and harmonica, Charlie O’Neal on guitar, Rick O’Neal on bass, and Jeff Armstrong on drums, the Boston-based band blend the fine line between rhythm and blues and Americana in a way that makes them anything but average.

In 2017, the band recorded the audio for their sold out show at The Spire Center in Plymouth, MA, which they then used to release their first live album, “Delta Generators Live At The Spire.” This release followed in the footsteps of their four studio albums, “Devil In The Rhythm” (2008), “Hard River To Row” (2009), “Get On The Horse” (2014), and “Hipshakers and Heartbreakers” (2016).

“Delta Generators Live At The Spire” is the band’s first album with Templeton, who joined the group in 2016. The album features originals written by both Templeton and Delta Generators, as well as a few cover songs, and was recorded by Gary Sjolin and Kevin Marshall, mixed by David Minehan of Woolly Mammoth Studios and mastered by Dana White of Specialized Mastering.

Since forming in 2008, Delta Generators have won several awards including the Boston Blues Society Blues Challenge in 2008 and have placed in the top ten at The International Blues Challenge in 2009 (See more awards below). In the last few years, the band have shared the stage with such acts as Robert Cray, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Three Dog Night, Jimmie Vaughn, and Sonny Landreth, among others.

With Opening Act - The DayBreakers!

About The DayBreakers: Blending folk-rock melodies with blues guitar muscle and rock and roll grit, The DayBreakers have earned their stripes over four years of consistent gigging throughout New England. The band has played many of Boston and Cambridge's most revered rooms, sharing the stage with some of the region's best roots rockers, such as Entrain and The Silks. The band has also performed as an opener at Indian Ranch in Webster, MA for three years running, opening for Three Dog Night, The Beach Boys, and Bret Michaels.

For tickets and more information, visit www.theblackboxonline.com or call 508-528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin. 


Direct link to tickets  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1222

The Delta Generators return to THE BLACK BOX with opening act The DayBreakers
The Delta Generators return to THE BLACK BOX with opening act The DayBreakers

Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Assessors do?

While the Town Council votes to set the tax rate annually, the calculations on what the tax rate should be are based upon the valuations of all the commercial, industrial, residential, and personal property that Franklin has record of. These calculations are performed by the Assessors under the oversight of the elected Board of Assessors.

The state has changed the requirement for a property revaluation from every three years to every five years.

There are three members of the Board. Two positions are up for election this year. All three positions are four year terms of office and staggered to avoid a complete replacement and loss of institutional knowledge.

From the Town of Franklin Board of Assessors page
http://www.franklinma.gov/board-assessors
Mission
Establish and maintain valuations for all real and personal property within the community for purposes of generating tax revenues.

Services and Programs
Valuation, classification and assessment of all real and personal property for tax purposes. Conduct research of real estate market (including sales and ratio studies); prepare sales and other reports for state review and certification of values. Prepares and certifies abutters lists. Processes abatements, liens, and apportionment. Maintains assessors' maps, plans, property transfer records, and valuation data. Processes all real and personal property abatements and exemptions. Processes and abates motor vehicle excise. Prepares data for state approval of tax rate.

Inquiries regarding the valuation of residential property, industrial and commercial valuations, or questions about personal property valuations should be directed to Kevin W. Doyle, Peter Mooney or David Ruberti.

Questions regarding abatement and exemption applications, abutters lists, motor vehicle excise, ownership of real and personal property and general assessment data should be directed to the clerical support staff.

The Board of Assessors section in Franklin Annual Report for 2018 can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/02/franklin-annual-report-2018-board-of.html

Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 



Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Assessors do?
Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Assessors do?
  

“I have to earn their trust just as much as they have to earn mine”

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, writes on the hiring of Anthony Sarno as the FHS boys hockey coach:

"Franklin athletic director Tom Angelo announced that former Weymouth High assistant Anthony Sarno has been hired as the new boys hockey coach. Sarno will take over from Chris Spillane, who stepped down in April after two successful decades with the program that included a state championship and a Super 8 berth.

“I first heard about the opening and I was kind of shocked,” Sarno explained in a phone call on Wednesday. “Chris Spillane has been a legend there and to have the opportunity to even get an interview for the job is an honor. Ever since I was a kid and growing up and coaching at Weymouth the last five years you get to know a lot of different teams and Franklin High has always had a fantastic program.”

He added, “After meeting Tom Angelo and having the opportunity to interview for the job, it just felt right. It felt like a good fit.”

Sarno was with the Weymouth program for the past five years. He was the JV coach and the associate varsity coach. In 2017 he took over the program when head coach Patrick Kennedy was called up to active duty. Sarno held the head coaching job for the remainder of the 2017 season and stepped back to allow Kennedy to regain the position when he returned."

Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-names-anthony-sarno-as-new-boys-hockey-coach/

In case you missed it, the retirement of Coach Chris Spillane was shared here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/04/you-want-them-walking-away-saying-i.html

Former Weymouth assistant Anthony Sarno has been hired to be the new boys hockey coach at Franklin. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Former Weymouth assistant Anthony Sarno has been hired to be the new boys hockey coach at Franklin. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

"It’s good economic development”

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

"Local fans of The Chateau will no longer have to contemplate a longish drive to get their toasted ravioli fix, or to satisfy a craving for a plate of chicken Parm blanketed in the restaurant’s signature sauce.

The popular family-style Italian restaurant is making plans to open a new location -- its ninth -- at the corner of King and Union Streets in the building that was, until recently, occupied by Joe’s American Bar and Grill.

Unconfirmed rumors about the impending newcomer to the town’s restaurant scene have been circulating in Franklin’s social media circles for a few weeks. Those rumors are now confirmed with the filing of an application by The Chateau Restaurant of Franklin, Inc. seeking a common victualler’s and all alcoholic beverages license from the town.

The Town Council will hold a hearing on the license application at their next meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The council schedules its public hearings to begin at 7:10 p.m."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20190807/chateau-coming-to-franklin-license-hearing-set-for-aug-14


https://www.chateaurestaurant.com/
https://www.chateaurestaurant.com/

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Franklin Election 2019: What does the School Committee do?

While the Town Council approves the overall Franklin budget including the school district, the oversight of the school district is the sole responsibility of the School Committee. They hire the Superintendent, who in turn is ultimately responsible (1) for the hiring of all the other school personnel and (2) the day-to-day management of the district.

Under MA law, each school principal is granted responsibility for all that happens in their building. 

The School Committee raised sports and activity fees, added a parking fee for the high school, and cut a number of positions in order to balance the budget for fiscal year 2020. The forecast is for more cuts for FY 2021 unless the Town does something to increase the funding available for the school district.

The School Committee has recently revised the homework policy and will ultimately decide to change (or not) the schools start time. The details of the proposal were initially worked by a special advisory committee and are currently being worked by the Superintendent and the school district personnel with community involvement.

All seven positions of the school committee are up for election on November 5, 2019.

More information about the School Committee can be found on the Town of Franklin page:  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee

The School Committee section of the Franklin Annual Report for 2018
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/franklin-annual-report-2018-franklin.html


Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html


Franklin Election 2019: What does the School Committee do?
Franklin Election 2019: What does the School Committee do?
 

FSPA Summer Theater presents "Footloose" Aug 8-9

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts Summer Theater program will present an all-student production of Footloose on August 8 and 9 at 7:30 pm at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin.

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town's youth that he cannot command in his own home. 

When the reverend's rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind. 

Footloose will feature musical theatre students in grades 8‐12. The younger Summer Theater students will present a musical revue based on Footloose on August 9 at 5:00 pm.

The Summer Theater program at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts is an immersive experience in the production of a fully staged musical at THE BLACK BOX. Students work with FSPA’s music, drama, and dance faculty for two weeks on staging, character development, choreography, and singing culminating in public performances of their shows at THE BLACK BOX.

For tickets and more information, visit www.FSPAonline.com or call (508) 528-8668. Follow Franklin School for the Performing Arts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. 

FSPA Summer Theater presents "Footloose" Aug 8-9
FSPA Summer Theater presents "Footloose" Aug 8-9

In the News: Recycling company expands; MA schools top rated again

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"A national recycling center that has a presence in Franklin has moved to a larger location to meet increased demand in people recycling their old working refrigerators and freezers.

In June, Arca Recycling Inc moved from its approximately 15,000-square-foot facility at 40 Kenwood Circle to an approximately 22,000-square-foot facility at 20 Liberty Way, according to Regional Transportation Director Stefan Marszalek.

Many residents in the state are taking advantage of Mass Save’s appliance recycling program, which provides monetary incentives for eligible individuals who recycle their functional refrigerator and freezer. Mass Save is funded by the state’s major energy utilities, including Cape Light Compact, Eversource, National Grid and Unitil.

On Monday, the company hosted an open house at the Franklin location to give representatives from those utility companies a first-hand look at what goes on inside the facility, which includes taking apart and recycling the appliances."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190806/new-franklin-quarters-for-refrigerator-recycling-company

Arca Recycling  https://www.arcarecyclinginc.com/
Arca Recycling Inc
Arca Recycling Inc


"The state’s schools were the highest-ranked in both math and reading test scores, as well as the lowest percentage of threatened and injured high school students.

For the second year in a row, Massachusetts schools are tops in the nation.

At least that was the result of a recently released study from the personal finance website WalletHub.

The state’s schools were the highest-ranked in both math and reading test scores, as well as the lowest percentage of threatened and injured high school students. The state ranked in the top five in several other categories."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190806/report-says-massachusetts-schools-are-best-again

Read the report online  https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-schools/5335/

the highest-ranked in both math and reading test scores
the highest-ranked in both math and reading test scores

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Franklin Candidate Interview Questions Being Formulated

For the candidate interviews, I have dusted off questions from prior elections to bring them up to date for this 2019 Election.

My draft choices are shown below:


General question for candidates:
  1. What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? Or what do you bring to the table that helps to set you apart from the others?
  2. What do you see as your role's biggest challenge?
  3. Do you have any suggestions on how we should resolve it?


Town Council / School Committee:
  1. Franklin is facing a budget deficit next year, what do think we should do to resolve the deficit?


Town Council:
  1. Social media channels from time to time are full of comments like ‘stop the building’, how do you address those?

Do you have a question to ask a candidate? Use the form to submit a question for consideration. 

I'll publish the final set of questions to asked.





Franklin Election 2019: What does the Town Council do?

The Town Council approves the budget and authorizes all spending. One exception is that the School Committee is responsible for managing the school budget after the Town Council approves the amount as part of the overall Town budget. Hence, you'll often hear of the town side and the school side as the two groups provide separate oversight for their area.

The Town Council hires and reviews the Town Administrator. The Town Administrator (Jamie Hellen) is responsible for the daily operations of the Town departments (except as noted for the schools).

The Town Council is the legislative body to approve changes to the bylaws. Usually there is some controversy when the Town Council 'forgets' their legislative role and attempts to intervene in the day to day operations.

There are nine members of the Town Council all elected 'at large' (they represent all the voters of Franklin as opposed to the individual precincts). The Council chooses their Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk in the first session after each election.

All nine positions are up for election on November 5, 2019. Each position has a two year term.

Additional information on the Council, their process and procedures, fiscal policies, meeting agendas, minutes and a host of other information can be found on the Town of Franklin webpage https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council

"Welcome to the webpage of the Franklin Town Council. By the Town Charter, the 9-member Town Council serves as the legislative body who sets policy for the community. The Council serves as the Local Licensing Authority for Alcoholic Beverages Licenses. The Council also has several subcommittees, including Budget, Capital Budget and Economic Development. The Council also has two liaisons, one to the S.A.F.E Coalition and for Communications.

The Franklin Town Council has established high standards for customer service for the Town staff. If you have a question, concern, or need assistance, please feel free to email us directly using the email forms below, or you can email all nine members of the Council by using that option to the left of this message."

The Annual Report of the Town Council for 2018 can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/franklin-annual-report-2018-town-council.html


Franklin Election 2019: What does the Town Council do?
Franklin Election 2019: What does the Town Council do?