FM #223 - Stormwater Utility Fee Info Session 1 - March 6, 2020 (audio)

FM #223 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 223 in the series.

The Town Council Stormwater Utility Fee Subcommittee held the first of three information scheduled sessions to review the proposed stormwater utility fee as a response to the Federal mandate required by the EPA MS4 regulations.

Subcommittee Chair Melanie Hamblen presided over the presentation and discussion. Councilor Eamon Earls joined her. Councilors Dellorco and Jones are also reported to be on the subcommittee but were not present for this session.

Franklin Police dog Ben Franklin made a special appearance.

The presentation was led by DPW Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi, GIS Coordinator Kate Sjoberg, and consultant Jean Haggerty. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen was key among the other participants. Those who had questions or comments identified themselves for the broadcast.

The audio segment runs almost 2 hours, so let’s listen in to the presentation and discussion of the stormwater utility fee. https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyBRS1pX






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The handout can be found online at the new Stormwater Division page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/ms4_permit_-_quick_facts.pdf

Visit the Stormwater Division page to review the mitigation plan as well as the MS4 itself  https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division

Visit “Soak it up Franklin” https://www.soakitupfranklinma.org/

The presentation is not yet available on the Town of Franklin page. When it is, I’ll add the link here


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

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Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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Franklin Police dog Ben Franklin made a special appearance

In the News: State can't keep covering Federal cuts; FCC rule change threatens local cable access; Culinary Cabaret - Apr 5

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

State can't keep covering Federal cuts

"The Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker last week appropriated $38 million to offset federal spending cuts, but House Speaker Robert DeLeo says the state can’t keep replacing federal money. 

“We can’t continue to pick up all of the slack,” DeLeo told CBS-Boston’s Jon Keller during a TV interview Sunday morning. “So when we’re talking about funding, that’s something we have to keep in the back of our mind.” 

In the interview, DeLeo, a Winthrop Democrat who led the push in 2009 to raise the sales tax to 6.25 percent, seemed to show openness to further tax increases. 

“Looking at the needs of transportation, we’re going to probably have to take up, when I say everything and anything, I mean everything and anything,” he said. “I’m not ruling anything out.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190401/deleo-warns-of-further-tax-hikes-amid-federal-spending-cuts

FCC rule change threatens local cable access

"Blasting a proposed rule change as an “existential threat” to community television, Sen. Ed Markey on Monday urged other states to follow Massachusetts’ lead and push back against the Federal Communications Commission. 

“We’re the revolutionary state and this is where the revolution begins against the Federal Communications Commission,” Markey said after holding a public discussion in his Boston office with nearly 100 representatives of cable access channels across the state. 

The FCC, Markey said, is considering a plan allowing cable operators to assign a value to public, educational and governmental access channels, and then subtract that value and the value of other in-kind contributions from the franchise fees they pay cities and towns. 

Markey said local governments would be forced to decide between supporting cable access channels and schools and public."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190401/markey-rips-fcc-rule-seen-as-threat-to-community-access-tv

http://www.franklin.tv/

Culinary Cabaret - Apr 5

"The Franklin Performing Arts Company will present Culinary Cabaret 2019 from 7-10 p.m. on Friday at The Black Box, 15 W. Central St. 

The 8th annual food and wine event will showcase the culinary and performing arts, featuring creative dishes and gourmet specialties. The evening also includes a culinary-themed silent auction and entertainment by FPAC special guest artists and the international touring ensemble Electric Youth. 

Partners for this year’s event will include 3 Restaurant (Franklin), Tavolino (Foxborough), Intermission (Franklin), Alumni Restaurant (Franklin), JP Fuji Group (Quincy), The Curry House (Franklin), DAVIDs Tea (Wrentham), J & L Catering (Medway), The Gavel (Wrentham) and more."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190401/franklin-culinary-cabaret-features-food-music-auction

On this date: Mar 8, 2013: Downtown Project finally getting to bid

Stepping back into the archives for March 8, 2013 we find that the Downtown Project is about to go to bid in the fall. Yes, hard to believe is has already re-routed traffic for a couple of years now. It took a while to prepare for and really didn't take that long to complete once it started.

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The Downtown Project is making some planning progress as reported in the Milford Daily News:

"Almost ten years in the making, the project aims to bring business back to the heart of town, in part through several cosmetic and safety improvements. 

Construction — slated to begin next fall after the project goes out to bid in August — will include: converting one-way traffic on Main Street and West Central Street to two-way; fixing roadways and sidewalks; upgrading lighting; and installing interconnected traffic signals and calming devices. 

With a total length of more than a mile, the work, the bulk of which should wrap up in the spring of 2014, will encompass a large swath of the downtown."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1433793532/Franklin-plans-for-downtown-improvement-project#ixzz2MwW3XNm8

Additional information on the project can be found on the Downtown Partnership webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/downtown-project.html

The post from March 8, 2013
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/how-construction-would-affect-businesses.html

updated lane markings were part of the Downtown Project finish work

“The president doesn’t just walk in"

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

Teaching the government shutdown

"When U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested delaying the State of the Union amid a government shutdown in January, Massachusetts educators jumped at a teaching opportunity. 

“The shutdown highlights separation of powers that people don’t think about until an unusual moment like this occurs,” said Peter Ubertaccio, dean of the school of arts and sciences at Stonehill College in Easton. “Simple questions like, ‘How does this happen?’ suddenly become really relevant.” 

The longest shutdown in U.S. history, which ended on Jan. 25, left thousands of furloughed workers without pay checks for weeks, and put numerous federal programs at risk of losing resources. But it also created new opportunities for Americans to learn more about how government works and what it means when it doesn’t work."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190125/teaching-government-shutdown

"The practice arises from a duty of the President under the State of the Union Clause of the U.S. Constitution:^[5]

He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.

— Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution

Though the language of the clause is not specific, since the 1930s, the President has made this report annually in late January or early February. Between 1934 and 2013 the date has been as early as January 3,^[6] and as late as February 12.^[7]

While not required to deliver a speech, every president since Woodrow Wilson, with the notable exception of Herbert Hoover,^[8] has made at least one State of the Union report as a speech delivered before a joint session of Congress. Before that time, most presidents delivered the State of the Union as a written report.^[6]"

For more on the State of the Union
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_the_Union

A full copy of the US Constitution can be found online
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript

Page one of the original copy of the Constitution (via wikipedia)

Coast Guard Active Duty and Veterans Affected by Furlough

If you are a veteran employed by the Federal Government or active duty Coast Guard directly affected by the current federal furlough, contact the
Franklin Veterans Office 508-613-1315

Coast Guard web page - screen grab

Updated: 1/20/19 with corrected info

Franklin Food Pantry offers help to Federal Employees

January 18, 2019 Special Announcement  Pantry Opens Doors to Federal Employees    Dear Friends, We are opening our doors to offer food assistance to federal employees impacted by the government shutdown.  Special food shopping hours will be held for government workers from 5 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22 and Thursday, January 24.  After next week we will offer shopping appointments during regular Pantry hours of operation for those in need. If you or someone you know is in need, the Pantry is here to help. Please visit our website for more information, and share with others you know who might be impacted by the government shutdown.  Please Like our Facebook page  to receive future updates so that you can help us get the word out to others in our community who might need assistance. Thank you! Franklin Food Pantry       www.franklinfoodpantry.org Our facility is generously donated by Rockland Trust. We are located at 43 West Central Street, Franklin, MA, on Route 140 in the Rockland Trust parking lot,  across the street from the fire station.

Franklin Food Pantry, 43 West Central Street, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by erin@franklinfoodpantry.org in collaboration with Try it free today

MassBudget: Why the Count Counts

Federal Funds in Massachusetts at Direct Risk with a Census Undercount of Children

July 31, 2018 Why the Count Counts: Federal Funds in Massachusetts at Direct Risk with a Census Undercount of Children Counting all people in the state in the decennial Census plays an important role in determining federal funding for communities. An undercount in the upcoming 2020 Census could directly affect a range of federal funding sources essential for our schools, and for the health and social services that benefit every community in the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's new report, WHY THE COUNT COUNTS: Major Sources of Federal Funding for Massachusetts Affected by Census Counts, identifies some of the largest federal funding sources in Massachusetts that could be at direct risk if the Census does not complete an accurate count. These are federal funds that come to Massachusetts based specifically on Census population data. Not only does a Census undercount paint a distorted picture of the Commonwealth, it would have a direct impact on essential resources that affect the economic well-being of the people in the state. Read WHY THE COUNT COUNTS: Major Sources of Federal Funding for Massachusetts Affected by Census Counts for a discussion of these federal funds. http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Why-the-Count-Counts.html The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

MassBudget: What the federal tax law means for Massachusetts

And what the Commonwealth can do in response

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Study Finds Federal Tax Changes Primarily Benefit Massachusetts' Highest Income Households, Outlines Potential State Responses Rather than making the kinds of investments in people and communities that could strengthen the economy and expand opportunity, the federal government recently enacted a $1.5 trillion tax cut package that is tilted sharply towards very high income-households and corporations.  The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's new report finds that in 2019 the average tax cut - including the effects of corporate cuts that eventually flow through to individuals - for the highest-income one percent of Massachusetts households will be $84,720. These tax cuts will likely lead to deep cuts in federal programs that people in Massachusetts rely on, and will make it very unlikely that the federal government will be able to address issues like making higher education affordable, improving public schools, or strengthening our transportation infrastructure. The report also explores a number of specific provisions of the federal tax law that could directly affect state finances because of interactions between our state tax code and the federal code including the following: A gradual erosion of the value of the state Earned Income Tax Credit Extension of 529 college savings plans to subsidize private primary and secondary school tuition Various changes to corporate tax rules that could have positive and negative effects on state tax revenue Read the report here (LINK). The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

FTC Alert: Getting a call from 877-382-4357? Hang up.

Call from 877-382-4357? Hang up. by Andrew Johnson Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Scammers are using fake caller ID information to trick you into thinking they're someone who can be trusted. The practice is called caller ID spoofing, and scammers can fake anyone's phone number. Read more This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Federal Trade Commission · 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW · Washington, DC 20580 · 1-877-382-4357

Business License Scams: A Barrier for Reentrants

Business License Scams: A Barrier for Reentrants by Lisa Lake Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Many reentrants don't believe they will ever get a business license through the usual channels. That makes them vulnerable to scams. Some reentrants may find themselves frustrated by occupational licensing regulations that don't make sense. Maybe their trade is licensed in some states, but not others. That's confusing. If you're looking to get a professional or business license, here are three things you should do before you pay anyone money: Read more This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.