Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Cultural Council

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRANKLIN CULTURAL COUNCIL

The Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) is a grant-making body that allocates funds for projects and programs in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. The FCC has also chosen to conduct a number of arts-related programs and events throughout the year to support and encourage arts and culture within Franklin.

For FY2020, the FCC again successfully lobbied the Town of Franklin for an increased grant-disbursement budget, to support additional programming within the newly demarcated Franklin Cultural District. This additional funding was combined with state-allocated Mass Cultural Council funds—which also saw an increase—allowing the FCC to award a total of $19,598 in grants supporting 37 arts and cultural events for Franklin residents. 

These programs included many annual favorites such as performances at the schools and Senior Center, and Franklin High School's and the Franklin Food Pantry's Empty Bowls night. In addition, some new programming included a variety of art workshops, field trips for our elementary school students, and a project for the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail. Separate from the standard MCC 2020 Grant Recipients grant cycle, the FCC also awarded an additional $2,500 in grants for ArtWeek-specific programming, which included concerts, art workshops, a puppet show, and more. A Grantee Reception was held on February 27 at the Franklin Historical Museum to honor all 2020 grantees.
 
As was the case for everyone across the Commonwealth and indeed the country, the COVID-19 pandemic had a dramatic impact on the FCC’s programs and events for the spring of 2020. The Council’s 4th Annual Community Arts Advocacy Day to be presented in early spring with MASSCreative, a statewide arts advocacy organization, and in partnership with Dean College had to be indefinitely postponed. And ArtWeek, a statewide creative festival to be held May 1-10, 2020, was also cancelled. The FCC was to be the community partner for ArtWeek for the third year in a row and was excited about new programs and events planned as part of the festival, including a multi-business event in the Franklin Crossings area and an Indian Cultural Festival at the Senior Center.

As the schools closed in March and kids were stuck at home, the FCC sponsored an online arts contest for Franklin elementary and middle school students. Youth responded to prompts meant to spark creativity and art- making with materials found in nature and around the house, posting their creations to the FCC’s Facebook page. More than 250 kids participated over the week-long event and it was a bright spot of fun and levity in the early days of the pandemic. In April the FCC sponsored an online contest for Franklin High School students, challenging them to design a poster encouraging unity and hope during this difficult moment.

The FCC grew their social media presence significantly over the past year with regular posts to Facebook and by hosting popular online events like the art contests. Our Facebook page has 1,300 followers and we have worked hard to nurture an engaged audience.

The FCC is looking forward to FY21 and leveraging the momentum we have built over the past few years to serve the community in greater and new ways. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our lives, we are confirmed in our belief that the arts and culture offer a way through fear and anxiety and toward our shared humanity.

The full Annual Report for 2020 can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Cultural Council 

  

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Conservation Commission

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Franklin Conservation Commission is responsible for promoting and protecting the Town of Franklin’s natural resources, and protecting the Town’s wetlands resources.

The Commission is comprised of seven volunteer residents appointed for three year terms by the Town Administrator. Current Commission members have diverse professional experience related to environmental science, biology, engineering, and project management. Because of their different backgrounds, each commissioner is able to offer a different perspective during the review of applications for a wetland permit that ultimately benefits Franklin.

Franklin has continuously been represented at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions each March, with Commissioners attending classes and workshops and talking with other Commissioners from across the state as well as lawyers, ecologists and engineers active in conservation.

The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) provides administrative and technical support to the Commission.

Permitting of Work Within or Adjacent to Wetlands Resources
The majority of the Commission’s attention is directed to administering Massachusetts and Franklin wetland protection laws and regulations. Those laws and regulations require Conservation Commission permits to work in or within 100 feet of a wetland, in the 100 year flood hazard zone, or within 200 feet of a perennial stream.

During the first quarter of FY20 the Commission voted to accept fast tracking NOI/ANRAD peer review consultant services as recommended by the Conservation Agent and DPCD. This change has helped move big projects along the permitting process more quickly.

During FY20 the Conservation Agent reviewed and administratively approved 15 minor buffer zone applications.

During FY20 the Conservation Commission received 46 permit applications to work within areas under their permitting jurisdiction. In addition the Commission issued Certificates of Compliance for previously permitted projects, and granted permit extensions to allow projects to finish. The table below is a summary of Conservation Commission activity during the 2020 Fiscal Year.

Some of the more interesting project applications before the Commission during FY20 include construction of a marijuana cultivation and production facility at 160 Grove Street and the Town’s projects off Meadowlark Lane and Griffin Road to improve water quality and reduce pollutant loading in the Chicken Brook-Charles River sub-watershed.

DelCarte Conservation Area 
The Commission continues to work on the DelCarte Area (aka the Franklin Reservoirs) off of Pleasant Street. There are a series of seven “structures” (six dams that had been originally used for cranberry farming and a stone wall that beavers had dammed) along Miller brook thru the 100+ acre DelCarte Area.
 

The Commission retained the services of ESS, Inc. to undertake an ecological study to ascertain the flora and fauna viability in the pond and develop a long term management plan. This study, completed in 2015-2016 has given the Town a comprehensive understanding of exactly “what is there” and includes a management plan to help keep the area viable as a true recreational jewel. The first two phases of the plan’s recommendations, the treatment of invasive plant species, was undertaken in the spring/summer of 2017-2019. The Town appropriated Capital Improvement funds to help implement the next phases of this study in 2019-2020. The pond’s invasive species were treated again throughout the summer of 2020.

In addition the funds are being used to implement the ADA recommendations under the master plan developed for DelCarte. This plan, developed for the Town by Mass Audubon was presented to the Commission in the fall of 2017. The Commission began to undertake improvements to the DelCarte Recreation Area in the late summer/early fall of 2018 to bring access to the trails and the water bodies up to ADA standards and improve the overall aesthetics of the area. This portion of the improvements was completed in the spring/summer 2019.

Continue reading the report from the Conservation Commission

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Conservation Commission

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Charles River Pollution Control District

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHARLES RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT

During Fiscal Year 2020, the Charles River Pollution Control District’s (District) regional advanced wastewater treatment facility received and treated approximately 1,730 million gallons (4.74 million gallons per day) of raw wastewater, including 9.2 million gallons of septage from the District’s member and customer towns before discharge to the Charles River.

As part of the District’s infiltration and inflow program, the District will be inspecting the Mine Brook Interceptor Subsystem. The District will be inspecting 99 manholes, and performing closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) and multi-sensor inspections of 28,400 linear feet of pipe for signs of infiltration and inflow. This work is to be completed during FY 2021.

In late 2015, the District entered into a Power Purchase Agreement to receive net-metering credits from a solar array in Carver, Massachusetts. The array has been online since December 2015 and to-date the District has received over $350,000 in net-metering credits.

The District’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget is 1.9% lower than the previous years’ budget. The District’s FY 2021 budget for operations and maintenance is $3,743,860, while the capital projects budget is $2,217,930. Franklin’s share of the operation and maintenance and capital projects budgets are estimated to be $2,186,750 and $1,286,440, respectively.

more information on the District please check out our website at https://www.charlesriverpcd.org/.

submitted
Douglas M. Downing, Chairman (Medway) 

David Formato, Vice Chairman (Franklin) 

Mark Cataldo, Clerk (Franklin)
Michael Callahan (Medway) 

Richard Johnson (Franklin)

CRPCD Officers:
Elizabeth Taglieri, P.E., Executive Director 
John D. Foster, Treasurer
Barbara Maffeo, Executive Secretary 

The full Annual Report for 2020 can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Charles River Pollution Control District

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Building Inspection Department

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT

The Building Inspection Department is a multi-functional 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 & 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.franklinma.gov 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 Loughlin 

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
Judy Demers
Melissa Kiriacopoulos/Zoning Tyler Paslaski

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.
 
FY 2020 started off with the promise of moving into online permitting and it didn’t disappoint. In short, our permit module Viewpoint was as smooth a transition as you could ask for. Our ZBA clerk Leeanne Kerwin worked with Chrissy Welton and IT to bring a much anticipated tool to the table. Leeanne moved onto a Job in the Town of Dighton and is sorely missed, as she was an outstanding employee.

Barbara Curran also a long time ZBA clerk for us retired at the beginning of the year. Barbara was as good as they get with over 20 years of service to the town. Melissa Kiriacopoulos was hired in January as ZBA clerk and has excelled as permit clerk as has Tyler Paslaski our latest hire.

Continue reading about the Building Inspection Department

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020:  Building Inspection Department

 

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Board of Assessors

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS

Interim Revaluation
The interim revaluation of all real and personal property in the Town of Franklin was completed Fall 2019 in preparation for Actual Fiscal Year 2020 3rd quarter tax bills. Following is a brief review of that achievement.

Data Collection
Eighteen years have now passed since we installed the real estate valuation and assessment administration software developed by Patriot Properties, Inc. Because our start-up data was from a different form of valuation system and most of our data had not been refreshed in nearly ten years, it was necessary to complete a town- wide data recollection program prior to finalizing the FY 2005 valuations. Patriot Properties was hired for this task. Over the past 15 years, our appraisal staff has performed the on-going property exterior measuring and interior inspecting for all real estate classes. Such reviews are done for the Department of Revenue (DOR) required cyclical program, as well as for building permitted changes, pre-appraisal, abatement and sales verifications.

Field Review
In addition to individual property on-site review, field reviews are required periodically to check for obvious data accuracy and consistency. This drive-by review provides another level of assurance that when valuation schedules are applied, the results will be “Fair and Equitable”.

Commercial/Industrial/Apartment Valuations 

Annually there are analyses of sales data as well as income & expense market data. The Board contracted Patriot to work with our Director to establish an income approach to value for each property. All requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue were met through final approval of the FY 2020 valuations.

Sales Analysis
The majority of the sales analysis was completed by September 2019, and the interpretation of sales continued through the next two stages of valuation. The town-wide program resulted in a valuation system that was applied uniformly throughout the town, while reflecting all the adjustments warranted individually and by neighborhood, to result in “Full and Fair Cash Values” as per Massachusetts General Law.

Value Generation
A system of valuation was established based on valid property sales and where applicable the income approach to value. These schedules
concluded from the market were then uniformly applied to all taxable and exempt real property.
 
Final Value Review
Final reviews were completed in preparation for the DOR review. These include studies of various computer- generated reports to check for value consistency, final field checks required, and for DOR documentation and its analyses.

DOR Review & Final Approval
Any on-site and statistical reviews by the DOR took place from April to September 2019. The appraisal staff provided files, generated property records, answered questions and addressed any concerns. At the conclusion of the DOR review, we were granted approval authorizing public disclosure.

Public Disclosure
The DOR approved valuations were available for disclosure to the property owners. While the administrative staff provided property record cards and general data reviews, the appraisers conducted informal hearings on valuations.

Personal Property
Business assets and those of utilities are reviewed for valuation as taxable Personal Property. For nineteen fiscal years we have engaged the specialized services of Real Estate Research Consultants (RRC) in the discovery and valuation of these accounts. These services have served us well, resulting in DOR approval and consistently defendable valuations. Also, considerable new growth has been certified annually. Additionally, the RRC Personal Property Software installed in our office has benefited us. The personal property valuation formulas are very straightforward, and the administrative capabilities have met our needs.

Classification Hearing & Tax Commitment
Following some discussion and a few presentations relative to single versus split tax rates, the Council approved a single tax rate at $14.51 per $1,000 of taxable value as calculated by the Board for all property classes. The tax commitment and mailing were timely for an actual 3rd quarter tax bill.

Abatement Reviews
Upon mailing of the tax bills and on or before the due date of the first actual bill, property owners have an opportunity to file an Abatement Application on the basis of overvaluation or misclassification. 60 abatements applications were filed of 11,681 taxable accounts, or just over 1/2 of 1%. Generally those with merit were resolved through our conducting a complete on-site exterior measuring and interior inspection. Usually a valuation discrepancy is the result of a data error or as a result of an inspection appointment not being arranged and thus the property data having been “estimated”.

Continue reading about the Board of Assessors

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Board of Assessors 

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Agricultural Commission

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRANKLIN AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION

The Franklin Agricultural Commission was officially established in 2018 after a group of residents who were interested in promoting local agriculture organized a steering committee to find most effective way to promote and sustain our local agriculture and farms. Working with the Town Administration and Town Council the AgCom was formed with the mission to preserve, revitalize, and sustain the Franklin agricultural industry and its lands: encourage the pursuit of agriculture, promote agricultural- based economic opportunities, and protect farmland. The Agricultural Commission is a 5-person appointed commission with 2 associate members. In 2020 we welcomed new Associate Member CJ Koshivas from Fairmount Fruit Farm.

Although the Covid 19 Pandemic greatly curtailed our efforts in 2020, the AgCom has maintained an active presense in the community. We have kept our AgCom page on the Town of Franklin website up to date with information about our local farms and other initiatives. Our Facebook Page is also active in keeping the public aware of what is going on in our Franklin Farm Community.   On the Facebook page we feature videos and pictures of local farms and other agricultural events and keep the public aware of what is happening and how they can support our local agricultural community.

Early in the Pandemic we reached out to local farms to see if there was any way that we could offer them assistance. Our farm community banded together to support each other and the citizens of Franklin working to make healthy and local food easily available. Fairmount Fruit Farm brought in new local vendors and worked hard with a curbside pick up and delivery program. Local citizens were key in supporting these farms and we hope that these partnerships and local interest in farms will continue to grow stronger in the future.

The pandemic has paused the expansion of our Pollinator Pasture project, but we are ready to go when it is safe to work in groups again! With the wide and often discriminate use of pesticides in our society, bee populations have been declining. Pollinators are vital to our food supply and our Pollinator Pastures are a no spray, no mow area planted with native bee friendly plants where pollinators can feed without worry. The project has been very well received and we are excited to expand to additional sites, work with our schools on adding Pollinator Pastures to some of the school grounds, and to add a certification for private Pollinator Pastures so residents can help the bees at their homes too.

In an effort to educate the public and reduce the use of pesticides in the community we have also worked with the DPW to create an opt out list of sidewalk glyphosate spraying. We were excited to add additional properties to our original list of 180 properties that opted out of DPW glyphosate spraying. We will continue to work with the Town and DPW to find healthier and more environmentally friendly ways to keep the Town of Franklin looking nice in the coming year.
 
Saving our remaining Farmland and Open Space are important to the AgCom. We continue to work with the Town Administrator, members of the Town Council, SNETT, Metacomet Land Trust, and concerned citizens to find ways to conserve and preserve the open lands in Franklin. We are hopeful that the passing of the CPA will assist in this endeavor and look forward to working with the CPC committee to improve the Town of Franklin.

Members of the AgCom have been active in advocating for Agriculture both in town and statewide. We are a member of the Massachusetts Association of Agricultural Commissions (MAAC) and have attended MAAC annual meeting and Boot Camps on a variety of agriculture related issues. We have quarterly meetings with AgComs from surrounding towns and work with them to support and promote our agricultural industry regionally.

Although the Covid 19 Pandemic has made it more challenging to meet some of our goals, the Agricultural Commission is excited for the future. We have created some great programs that we will continue to build upon and grow and are grateful to have increased interest and awareness of our local farms. We have big plans and invite the citizens of Franklin to join us on our mission to keep our families and our environment healthy and to increase the visibility and viability of our local Franklin Farms and help us introduce farming to the next generation.

The full Annual Report for 2020 can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020:  Agricultural Commission 

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Clerk's Office

REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE
The Town Clerk’s Office is dedicated to providing friendly, professional service to all citizens. I am extremely proud of how well my staff performs and responds to the demands of the office.

HISTORY TOWN CLERK OFFICE
“The office of town clerk is probably one of the oldest in municipal government. It appears in the Bible in the Book of Acts, Chapter 19, and verse 35 written in A.D. 58. A search of other early written records would no doubt reveal other instances in which mention of this office appears. In Massachusetts, town clerk was one of the earliest offices established in colonial towns although the title itself may not appear in the earliest records. The settlers were well aware of the importance of keeping accurate written records of their agreements and actions including grants of land, regulations governing animals, the collection of taxes and the expenditure of town funds. If your town records date back to the first half of the 17th century, you will probably find that a person was given the specific duty of writing down town orders and will see many entries in the record which include the words “It is ordered by the inhabitants,” or some similar words. Indeed, in Massachusetts, the town clerk was one of the earliest offices established in colonial towns.”
 
NOTARY SERVICE
The Town Clerk’s office provides Notary services as a courtesy. Residents seeking Notary Services should call the Town Clerk’s office prior to their visit to ensure that the Notary is available. The following guidelines will be followed in the provision of Notary Service: - Notary Services are available during the normal business hours and are not available in the fifteen (15) minutes prior to the time of closing. - Notary Service is provided on a first-come, first service basis. A valid government-issued photo identification is required of any resident seeking Notary Service - The document(s) CANNOT already have been signed nor dated - All signers must be present at the time of notarizing - The Notary is stating they have witnessed the document being signed. Notary Service is not available for deeds, mortgages, wills, living wills, living trusts, codicils or depositions. Certain public documents cannot be copied and notarized. For more information please visit our website.

Continue reading the Town Clerk section of the Annual Report for 2020

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Clerk's Office

 

Franklin Food Pantry: Introducing our Annual Report

Learn more about The Pantry in 2020

Introducing our Annual Report We are very excited to share our 2020 Annual Report (https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Annual-report-final-1.pdf) with you. This snapshot of Franklin Food Pantry's revenues, expenses, programs, donors and neighbors provides an update on our operations and the impact of your support. We faced many challenges this past year and are pleased that The Food Pantry emerged from The Pandemic stronger than ever and continues our mission to serve our neighbors. If you have any questions about The Pantry, please do not hesitate to visit our website or reach out to me directly. With deepest appreciation, Tina Powderly Executive Director Franklin Food Pantry tpowderly@franklinfoodpantry.org Franklin Food Pantry | Website

Franklin Food Pantry | 43 WEST CENTRAL STREET, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by loften@franklinfoodpantry.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Administrator

The Town Administration works with the Town Council together to improve the quality of life of our residents. We are diligent in balancing the budget and keeping an eye on the Town’s future needs and maintaining its assets.

Accomplishments in FY20 include:
We continue to update our Town Budget webpage with helpful resources such as how the budget process works, operating and capital budgets, and fiscal forecasts. https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

A balanced operating budget was submitted to the Town Council and was approved. We have received five year Capital plans from all departments including the Water And Sewer Enterprise fund. Having long term Capital plans prevents more expensive costs down the road.

As part of our expansion of customer service we have expanded our Viewpoint Online Permitting System to the Health Department and will continue adding new applications throughout the year to make for a more convenient process.

We continue to update the Town’s website to make information easily accessible for the public. All Agendas and Minutes of all boards and committees are web-based and continuously updated. These can be found on the boards and committees’ pages on our website. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for News and Announcement as well as visiting our website at www.franklinma.gov.

Personnel
The Town Administration staff has worked diligently with the Board of Health to ensure the Town, our employees and residents stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to serve the Town and its residents while staying safe and following the guidelines and requirements set forth by the Governor of Massachusetts, DPH and the CDC.

To continue our efforts in keeping the Town informed of updates and alerts related to COVID-19 our Marketing and Communications Specialist, Anne Marie Tracey has created a user friendly Coronavirus Portal on our website and sends out important information frequently through our subscriber lists and social media.

The Town Administrative Assistant, Alecia Alleyne who has been here just a little over a year has worked with our Finance team to make sure we receive FEMA and Cares Act assistance during this pandemic. Alecia has applied for and received over $1 million of assistance for the town and anticipates another million in additional funds by year end.
 
Covid-19 Pandemic
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic all Town Buildings closed in mid March. However, due to our fantastic Technology staff we were able to quickly get most if not all of our staff up and running remotely. Working remote has had its challenges but we continue our efforts to improve the way we will be doing business for the unforeseeable future.

The Town Administration staff, Technology staff and Franklin TV worked together to make sure Town Council Meetings could continue and comply with Open Meeting Laws. These meetings currently are being recorded, streamed live through the website, Zoom and Cable TV.

Other
Assistant to the Town Administrator, Chrissy Whelton and Human Resources Director, Karen Bratt worked with the towns Safety Committee, representatives from each department and MIIA representatives and earned over $50,000 in insurance premium savings and was recognized by the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) as a leader in preventing risk in the workplace through employee training programs.

Franklin “Bends the Trend” by working with the Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC) to keep insurance rate increases for employees to a minimum, The Town continues to offer a Qualified High Deductible Health Care Plan.

Franklin signed agreements with three Solar Companies for a PILOT program. Kearsarge Upper Union LLC agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes for a period of twenty consecutive fiscal years totaling $124,495.00 . Maple Street Solar 1, LLC has agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes at an annual rate of $52,800 for 20 years. Spring Street Renewables, LLC ℅ Neexamp, Inc. agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes for 20 years totaling at $1,220,302.
The Town of Franklin also worked with Nexamp to ensure that a portion of their farm be reserved for Franklin residents. On a first-come, first-served basis residents were eligible to subscribe to receive credit on their Electric bill at a special rate of 15%. Due to a high interest from Franklin residents the farm is now filled however Nexamp is still offering their standard discount rate of 12.5%.

The Town has signed five (5) Host Community Agreements with proposed marijuana establishments. A total of $300,000 in revenue generated from these establishments will be earmarked for the SAFE Coalition ($25,000) and $275,000 will be used by the public school system to address mental health and substance abuse issues amongst our students. Revenue generated by these establishments will also help to offset certain tax burdens on residents.
Town Administration, Human Resources and all Municipal Unions successfully completed collective bargaining and settled through 2022.

The Town hired a new Fire Chief, James McLaughlin in July of 2019. The Chief was a former Fire Chief from Rhode Island. We have seen some major positive changes in the department since the hire. The Town also gained a new Conservation Agent, Jennifer Delmore in May of 2019 and has seen much progress in the department over the past year.

Long time Senior Center Director Karen Alves retired in September 2020 and Assistant Director Erin Rogers was promoted to Director and will continue with offering the highest quality of services to Franklin Seniors.

Our goal is to deliver high quality customer service while keeping costs under control. There will be difficult challenges to our budget in the coming year; but you can be assured that the Town Administration and Town Council will work together to solve budgetary issues.

It is my pleasure to submit an annual report of the Town Administrator for your review, and please feel free to write, email, or stop by with any questions, concerns, or comments.

Respectfully submitted, 

Jamie Hellen,

Town Administrator

The full Annual Report for 2020 can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Town Administrator 

Board of Health Recap - Sep 2, 2020

Recap: The Franklin, MA Board of Health discussed and approved a tiered penalty structure for violations of COVID-19 emergency order to be effective Sep 8, 2020.

The interns presented the plan for distribution of the flu shots and potentially for the coronavirus vaccine. Workflow, materiel order sheets, workstation supply sheets, etc. It seems comprehensive. Copy not available other than via screen captures during the meeting. 

Some other items of business were reviewed briefly before the meeting closed with kudos to the interns for their work on the planning.

----

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #boh0902
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh0902&src=typeahead_click
 

• Real time reporting underway for Board of Health meeting #boh0902  discussion on process for board to enforce the emergency order, warning and escalation of fine per offense proposed.
• Agenda for this meeting on the Town webpage #boh0902 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-9-2-20_2.pdf 
• Tiered penalty; written warning for first offense, $100 for next, $200 as next, $300 as next violation. Proposal being voted on to be effective 9/8/20 motion made, seconded, passed 3-0 #boh0902
• Interns presenting on emergency drive through service (EDS) #boh0902
• More slides from presentation Dec, not all included #boh0902
• Presentation covers process if and when Town would set up to distribute flu vaccine and later for the potential of a COVID Vaccine #boh0902
• Annual report section submitted for town annual report; EEE being watched, we are good so far. #boh0902 meeting adjourned

Photos captured during the live broadcast can be found on this online folder

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qc92AJ3sK3CLNK6r5

designs for signs to be used in the distribution process

Franklin (MA) voter totals for September Primary (2003-2018)

From the Town Clerk section of the Franklin Annual Report come the results of previous September primaries.

Year     Totals

2004 1415

2006 3315

2008 1442

2010 2261

2012 4826

2014 2325

2016 871

2018 4013

2020 ???

Franklin (MA) voter totals for September Primary (2003-2018)

Franklin Annual Report 2019: Human Resources Department

From the Franklin Annual Report 2019:

Fiscal Year 2019 was a very busy year for the Human Resources Department. The Town continued to experience our “retirement boom” with the departure of Fire Chief Gary McCarraher, former Deputy Fire Chief Paul Sharpe, and of course, the retirement of our fearless leader, Jeff Nutting, after 18 years as our Town Administrator! The show must go on, even without these valued employees, and we are lucky to have Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and new Fire Chief James McLaughlin and Deputy Chiefs Joseph Barbieri and James Klich stepping up to lead us for the foreseeable future.

The Police Department kept us very busy this year with a few retirements as well as the implementation of a new schedule in the Patrol Division. We are now one of a handful of communities in Massachusetts that offer a (“4&4” schedule. The schedule allows our officers to work four (4) ten (10) hour days and then take four (4) consecutive days off. Although the schedule officially started in FY20, we spent a significant portion of FY19 preparing for this adjustment, including adding additional Patrol Officers to the Police Department. As a result of the new schedule and a few other personnel changes, we hired 7 new Patrol Officers and promoted 2 Officers to Sergeant in just one fiscal year.

As a result of the retirements and other movement within the Fire Department, we appointed a new Chief, 2 Deputy Chiefs, 3 Captains, 2 Lieutenants and 5 new Firefighter/Paramedics in FY19 (and the first week of FY20 since Chief McLaughlin started on July 8, 2019).

Between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019, the Town also hired a Conservation Agent, an Archivist, an Administrative Assistant in the Town Administrator’s Office, a Clerk the Treasurer’s Office, a Clerk in the DPW, 2 Assistant Youth Services Librarians, 2 Library Assistants, a Town Electrician, 3 Custodians, and 2 Heavy Motor Equipment Operators at the Department of Public Works, and part-time employees in Recreation and the Senior Center. Like in years past, we hired about 30 students to work full-time at the DPW and in Facilities for the summer. These employees were instrumental in getting our schools and school grounds ready for the 2019-2020 school year.

As in years past, Jeff Nutting, Jamie Hellen and I worked closely with the Finance and HR teams from the Franklin

Public Schools and the Insurance Advisory Committee to try to contain the cost of health insurance. We currently provide health insurance to approximately 1200 employees and retirees from both the Town and Schools on our plan. Even a small increase in health insurance premiums can have a huge impact on the total budget.

For the second year in a row, the Town offered a qualified high deductible health insurance plan through Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to our active employees. If an employee moved from the traditional HMO to the high deductible HMO plan, they could save money on the monthly premium in exchange for a slightly higher deductible. This plan change saved the Town money, so we shared some of the savings with the employees by depositing money into each employee’s Health Savings Accounts (HSA). During the open enrollment period, we had 21 additional employees join the High Deductible Plan, bringing our numbers up to about 40 Town employees. These employees saved the Town an additional $19,000. This figure does not include the savings realized by people who joined the plan in FY18 or the additional savings achieved by the School Department. We have received very positive feedback from employees who have joined the high deductible plan and hope that we can continue to experience these savings in future years.

We worked closely with the Human Resources Department for Franklin Public Schools to offer a “Benefits Fair” during our open enrollment period in April. We invited representatives from Harvard Pilgrim and our other insurance vendors to set up tables to provide benefit information to our employees. We had a great turnout and employees were very pleased to have the opportunity to gather additional information and ask questions.

It was a very busy and challenging year, but HR Administrator Sandy Golebiewski and I both enjoyed it. It is very exciting to be part of the hiring team and it has been a pleasure getting to know our new employees and welcoming them to the Town. We look forward to another year of serving the employees and retirees of the Town of Franklin.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen M. Bratt
Human Resources Director


Download your copy of the Annual Report
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2019

Visit the Human Resources Dept online  https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources

Franklin Annual Report 2019: Human Resources Department

Franklin Annual Report 2019: Purchasing Office

From the 2019 Franklin Annual Report:

Over the past year, the Purchasing Office has made a concerted effort to modernize the Department while also assisting Department Heads with a number of significant projects. These projects include a continued focus on improving the Town’s overall utility based infrastructure.

PROCUREMENT CHANGES
The Purchasing Office continues to oversee the implementation of various improvements in the way vendors can access bid documentation. One of the more significant advancements is the change we made to the distribution of plans & specifications. Vendors no longer need to wait for the bid packages to be mailed, emailed, or picked in person. With the web based platform, vendors can download the entire bid package from the Town website, thus improving the accessibility of the documents while at the same time cutting municipal costs in a number of areas.

This change has been very well received, particularly by those doing business with the Town. The upgrades have also further reinforced our continued approach to modernizing the way procurement is handled.

FUNCTION AND OBJECTIVES
The function of the Purchasing Department is to assist other departments in obtaining the highest quality of services and supplies for the best price, all while remaining in compliance with applicable procurement laws. Our objective is to promote fair, prompt and courteous consideration to all suppliers; and observe the highest ethics in all transactions and correspondence.

Respectively submitted: 

John Bugbee
Chief Procurement Officer 
Town of Franklin

Download your copy of the 2019 Annual Report
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2019

Visit the Purchasing Dept online  https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing

Franklin Annual Report 2019: Purchasing Office

Franklin Annual Report 2019: Planning Board

From the Franklin Annual Report 2019

The Planning Board, as established by MGL. Ch. 41 sec.70, is responsible for 

“…making plans for the development of the municipality, with special reference to proper housing of its inhabitants.” 

The Board is charged with administering the State’s Subdivision Control Law (MGL. 41 Ch.81K) and the local subdivision rules and regulations (Chapter 300). The Board makes recommendations to the Town Council on Zoning By- Law amendments and may at its own discretion adopt new subdivision regulations. The Board is also designated as the permitting authority for various site plan and special permit submittals under the Town’s Zoning Bylaw (Ch. 185). The Board receives recommendations from the Design Review Commission on building design, elevation, and signage for commercial site plan permits, and from the Conservation Commission on wetland related issues, and works closely with the Planning & Community Development and Public Works Departments.

In FY2019, the Planning Board reviewed and issued decisions for several projects throughout the year. One major project the Planning Board approved was a Hotel located at 725 Union Street. The Site Plan and Special Permit proposes a major development, includes 5-story hotel with 100 rooms, indoor pool and associated paved access drive, landscaping, lighting, utilities and stormwater infrastructure.

The Planning Board reviewed and approved a 35,000 sq/ft Marijuana Cultivation building at 105 Constitution Blvd for the use of growing and processing of non-medical marijuana.

The Planning Board received a submittal of a 57-single family subdivision located on Prospect Street. There was also several large scale solar farms proposed on Spring Street, Upper Union Street and Summer Street. Solar farms are permitted through the Planning Board with a Special Permit and Site Plan application.

The Planning Board voted to endorse (5) five 81-P ANR plans, and accepted four (4) Form H - Certificate of Completions. Acceptance of a Form H indicates all work has been completed according to Site Plans or Subdivision Plans previously approved by the Planning Board. The Planning Board also approved (17) seventeen Special Permit applications including the Hotel, Marijuana Cultivation, Solar Farms, a Brewery with Tasting Room and a Distillery. The table below is a summary of Planning Board Activity during the 2019 Fiscal Year.

The Planning Board held public hearings on several proposed Zoning Bylaw changes including changing setbacks for poultry in residential zones and building height changes in the Commercial zone. The Planning Board has also reviewed and recommended a new zoning district, known as Mixed Business Innovation zoning district, which consisted of several properties near the downtown. The new zone allows for more mixed use business and retail, gearing towards the smaller business owners. The Board continues to help property owners make the desired changes and improvements to their properties while fostering responsible growth and development in the Town of Franklin.

The Planning Board typically meets twice a month on Mondays at 7:00 PM in the Municipal Building. All Board meetings are open to the public, and are televised via Community Cable Access.

Planning Board Membership
The Planning Board consists of five members and one associate member. The associate member participates in all hearings but only votes on Special Permits if one of the members is unable to act. The Board members are elected and serve 4-year terms. 

Below is a list of current Planning Board members:
Anthony Padula, Chairman 
Joseph Halligan, Vice Chairman 
John Carroll, Clerk
Gregory Rondeau 
William David, 
Rick Power, Associate Member

Respectfully submitted, 
Anthony Padula, Chairman


Download your copy of the Franklin Annual Report for 2019
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2019

Visit the Planning Board online  https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-board

Franklin Annual Report 2019: Planning Board