Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities for DPW, Facilities, Inspections, & Town administration

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works

Local Building Inspector - Building and Inspections Department

Deputy Town Administrator - Office of Town Administrator

Staff Engineer - Department of Public Works

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 03/07/2023

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities for DPW, Facilities, Inspections, & Town administration

Franklin Senior Center remains "partially open" for week of March 6 through 10, 2023 (audio)

"Franklin Senior Center continues to be partially open next wk! Varied programs and the Café open! 

Check out the website and social media for the programming schedule #seniorcenter" https://t.co/C6ZohcPqSM

"Hello Everyone!

It was great to see a lot of you in person this week. Next week, the Franklin Senior Center will continue to be open only partially. The Senior Center's Common Grounds Café and attached multipurpose room will be open and fully functional. Although the rest of the building will still be inaccessible, we are able to have breakfast and lunch daily, as well as varied programming throughout the week! Everyone will need to enter through the multi purpose room doors (to the left of the main entrance), as entrance into the lobby will be prohibited while construction is happening. 

The programming schedule will be posted on our website and social media, or you can give us a call at 508-520-4945 to see what programs are available to you if you do not have computer access.

Thanks for your understanding and patience!

-Danielle Hopkins, Franklin Senior Center Director"

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/franklin-ma-senior-center-building-status-for-week-of-mar-6-2023

Shared from Twitter - https://twitter.com/FranklinSrCntr/status/1631762308568342534  

Audio from voice message left to home phone 

Franklin Senior Center remains "partially open" for week of March 6 through 10, 2023 (audio)

Franklin Food Pantry provides new building updates and a friendly reminder that you too can contribute!

Quite a bit is happening with construction of the new Franklin Food Pantry at 341 West Central Street! 

"A lot of progress has been made and preparations for the big move are in motion! Here’s what we’ve been up to: 

Interior framing, electrical, and low voltage wiring for phones and computers are in process.

• Windows, doors, walk-in coolers and freezers are in process.
• A sliding shelf system that increases storage capacity for dried goods is being ordered. 
• The exterior loading dock is in process and will create a level surface for safely unloading our refrigerated truck directly into the warehouse.
• Weather protection over the loading dock is in process and will protect food and volunteers from the elements which will also support food safety.

We are so thankful for all those who have donated time and product."

Please reach out to Marsha Tait, Director of Fund Development (via email at mtait@franklinfoodpantry.org) if you are interested in making a donation of any kind, or make a contribution to the campaign online ->   https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E188424&id=32. 

Additional photos of construction progress can be found ->

https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building-updates/

Franklin Food Pantry provides new building updates

Finance Committee hears from the Town permitting departments and reviews the stormwater credit manual (audio)

FM #939 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 939 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 8, 2023. 

Five members of the Finance Committee participated (4 absent); present in the Council Chambers were M Hamilton, N Corbosiero, Chair G Conley, N Riley, T Hansen. 

The Finance Committee continued their 'deep dive' series to hear about the permit organizations within the Town of Franklin and their first view of the stormwater credit manual currently in draft. 

These departments account for the "local receipts" portion of the Town revenue stream. The departments in order of presentation were Building & Inspections, Community Planning and Development (including Conservation) and Health.

Interesting to note that while MA general law does not require us to have a police or fire department, it does mandate these other departments.

The meeting recording runs 1 hour and 56 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting Feb 8, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-939-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-02-08-23

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Meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_-_feb_8_2023.pdf 

Draft stormwater credit manual -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/draft_stormwater_utility_credit_manual_rev_3_10.24.22_watermark.pdf 

Franklin TV Video link ->  

https://www.youtube.com/live/cWmkflTkiMs?feature=share 

My notes in one PDF (including screen grabs of the presentations)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a-PEcRqSbqUS-9YEEv4tAgGBb32ksUOo/view?usp=share_link 

Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

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?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

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

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

multiple views of Derek Adams and Kate Sjoberg talking about storm water

Franklin TV video of Finance Committee meeting 2/08/23 is available for replay (video)

The Finance Committee met on Wednesday February 8, 2023 and continued their 'deep dive' series to hear about the permit organizations within the Town of Franklin and their first view of the storm water credit manual currently in draft. 

These departments account for the "local receipts" portion of the Town revenue stream. The departments in order of presentation were Building & Inspections, Community Planning and Development (including Conservation) and Health.

Interesting to note that while MA general law does not require us to have a police or fire department, it does mandate these other departments.

Meeting agenda ->

Franklin TV Video link ->  

https://www.youtube.com/live/cWmkflTkiMs?feature=share

My notes in one PDF (including screen grabs of the presentations)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a-PEcRqSbqUS-9YEEv4tAgGBb32ksUOo/view?usp=share_link

My recap and the meeting audio will be available in a couple of days.

multiple views of Derek Adams and Kate Sjoberg talking about storm water

Tri-County RVTHS proposing to replace their existing building, topic for Franklin Town Council Mtg - 2/1/23

Among the key items scheduled for the Town Council meeting on Wednesday February 1, 2023 is a presentation on the Tri County School Building Project by Karen Maguire, Tri County Superintendent.

This is the first time a regional vocational school has come to their communities to ask for a new building which if all things hold is scheduled for Oct 2023. Details on the project and alternatives are scheduled to be reviewed on Wednesday.

The presentation doc can be found online -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._tri_county_presentation.pdf

The Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Building Project Website

https://www.tri-countybuilding.com/

Full Town Council agenda for Feb 1, 2023 ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/feb_1_2023_town_council_agenda.pdf

Tri-County RVTHS proposing to replace their existing building

Franklin Food Pantry busy this season serving our neighbors and getting ready for the new building

We hope you are having a happy and healthy holiday season! The Pantry is very busy with Holiday Distributions, Turkey Trot, Food Elves and getting our new home ready for our neighbors!

While Franklin is considered an idyllic residential setting, it is not immune from food insecurity. Almost 10 percent of Franklin's residents aren't sure where their next meal will come from. This isn't happening to someone else in Franklin, 

it is happening to us. 

rendering of the New Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry distributed 26,292 bags of groceries last year to more than 1,100 people in more than 500 households. Many of our neighbors shopped more than twice per month in order to make ends meet. Demand for our services has grown from 150 households per week to more than 180 households per week in the last few months. Franklin Food Pantry's FY2022 statistics show just how much work there is to do and how prevalent food insecurity is in our area.

The Pantry has been fortunate to enjoy our current space for the last 13 years, thanks to the generosity of Rockland Trust. However, we have outgrown our space and cannot expand our programs and services to accommodate the increasing need. The Pantry purchased the Edwin's building at 341 West Central St. and you may be wondering exactly why we need this building.  

It's not about the building, 

it's about what we will do in the building! 

In our new space, we will: 

• Preserve human dignity with private client meeting rooms. 
• Expand programs and services through partnership and collaboration. 
• Create a warm and welcoming space that honors local history. 
• Increase the client shopping area offering more food and product choices. 
• Increase community engagement through workshops and trainings. 
• Ensure safety and ADA compliance with accessible walkways and interior lift 
• Grow our weekend backpack program and increase mobile pantry sites. 
• Save time and money with thoughtful and cost-effective design. 

We can't do this without support from YOU – please look for information about how you can contribute to The Pantry's Campaign in the coming months or contact Marsha Tait at mtait@franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

YOU have the power to create a better 

community for everyone by contributing to 

The Pantry's campaign: 

The New Franklin Food Pantry: 

Nourishing Neighbors, Building Community 

Updates for the new Franklin Food Pantry Building  can be found online ->

https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building-updates/

Annual Report Of The Building Inspection Department - FY 2021

Note: FY 2021 is last year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The report was prepared to cover the business for the FY 2021 period. This year’s report FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) is in preparation now and is normally available for distribution at the polls for the November election. Updated - 08/15/22

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 online forms and applications easily accessible and available to download and apply online. The website has 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: John “Jack” Giancola 

Local Building Inspector: Stephen O’Neill 

Sealer of Weights & Measurers - Comm. of Mass. /Div. of Standards

Staff Assistants

Judy Demers

Melissa Kiriacopoulos 

Tyler Paslaski

Casey Thayer

 

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 2021 saw an upward rise in the amount of building permits issued. No doubt a result of more folks staying home and taking less vacations. We appreciate the patience of all residents, town council members and fellow employees, without everyone’s help and understanding FY21 would have been challenging. To our commercial customer’s, we thanks you as well. We saw the passing of our longtime Assistant Plumbing and Gas Inspector, Richard McCormick. Mac was solid inspector and a great friend, he is missed. As always for the past several decades our town is growing and changing every day. New buildings replace older structures and remodeling keeps the older building up to code. A convenient permit process helps to apply for all of our permits with any electronic online device. It’s a pleasure to serve you all!

Building Permits

This year the Building Department issued a total of 1732 building permits and the revenues collected totaled $810.557.20

There is a whole lot more to the Building Inspection Department section of this annual report but the tables and other info were not easily copied for this format. 

Find the remainder of the Building Inspection Department report on page  116

The full Annual Report for 2021 can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2021_annual_report.pdf

The collection of Annual Reports can be found online

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

Annual Report Of The Town of Franklin - FY 2021

Boston Globe: "Should the state ban the use of fossil fuel systems in new commercial and residential construction?" (poll)

Via the Boston Globe: "Should the state ban the use of fossil fuel systems in new commercial and residential construction?"

Read the opposing views online and take the poll at the end of the article ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/07/metro/should-state-ban-use-fossil-fuel-systems-new-commercial-residential-construction/

The 'Yes' view comes from Lisa Cunningham, Architect; Director and co-founder, ZeroCarbonMA; Brookline resident. Lisa joined Ted and I for episode #10 in the Making Sense of Climate series. You can listen to her expand on her 'yes' view ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/in-this-making-sense-of-climate-episode.html

"Should the state ban the use of fossil fuel systems in new commercial and residential construction?"

Space Needs & Facilities Assessment Subcommittee - May 10 - 6 PM

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin School Committee

Space Needs & Facilities Assessment Subcommittee

May 10, 2022 = 6:00 P.M.

Municipal Building – 3rd Floor Training Room

Agenda

Call to Order

● Discussion of Data

o Current residential building projects in town

o Home and condo sales, year to date

o Specialized program space needs (current)

o Updated space utilization (K-8)

o Franklin district map layers

o Other

● Update on Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and

Davis Thayer Elementary School

● Adjourn

The agenda doc includes remote connection info

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/spaceneedssubcom-5_10_22.pdf

classroom at FHS when it opened

When are you moving into the new building?

The Franklin Food Pantry gets a frequently asked question these days: 

Q    When are you moving into the new building?

A   The short answer is "not yet." While the former Edwins is a beautiful building, we still have lots of work to do so make it afunctional Pantry to best serve our neighbors. Please watch our social media and website for updates about the building project. In the meantime, we are grateful to still be able to operate out of current location.

For more about the Edwins building visit the Food Pantry page ->
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/edwins-building-to-be-new-site-of-the-franklin-food-pantry/

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CcBFZJAryG5/

When are you moving into the new building?

DOER stretch building codes get comments from Attorney General Healey

The comment period on the proposed stretch goals for building codes closed on Friday, Mar 18, 2022. There had been news articles reporting that Attorney General Maura Healey's office had turned down some local legislation for Brookline because the State rules did not allow them to go that far. Her office issued comments on Friday that confirmed DOER had the right to continue with the stretch goals to allow a community to go all electric.

Reporter David Abel's article in Feb on the stretch goals

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/08/science/significant-step-reducing-emissions-state-proposes-new-building-codes-promote-energy-efficiency/

Reporter David Abel's tweet on the comments by Healey's office:

"Attorney General Maura Healey told state officials today they have the authority to create an energy code that allows municipalities to ban the use of oil and gas in future construction projects"

AG's office comments on stretch building code goals

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davabel/status/1504990705973972998

Article on the rejection of Brookline's local control 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/healey-again-rejects-brookline-anti-fossil-fuel-bylaws/

For more on climate issues, check out the Globe's new section (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/science/environment/climate/

Ted McIntyre helps me with Marking Sense of Climate - Part 5 - 03/15/22 (audio)

FM #753 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 753 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Mar 15, 2022.  

This is part 5 of a series on Marking Sense of Climate. Ted helps me “make sense of climate” and we hope this helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session 

The recording runs about 49 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Ted McIntyre as he helps me “make sense of climate.”

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-754-making-sense-of-climate-5-03-15-22

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Links that are our talking points for this episode

Transit system electrification
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/state-news-roundup-health-care-costs.html

NY Times article on induction cookers -> https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-induction-cooktop/ 

DOER Stretch goals (deadline extended to March 18 to submit input)

• Link to read the details ->  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stretch-energy-code-development-2022 
• Email to provide feedback  stretchcode@mass.gov 
• WBUR’s explainer ->  https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/03/17/massachusetts-energy-environmental-building-code-proposal-explainer

Good first step wind bill, but Baker objects over fees…
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/02/opinion/offshore-wind-is-future-massachusetts/?event=event12
https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/regional/2022/03/04/mass-house-offshore-wind-bill-faces-headwinds-baker/9373537002/
 
Municipal Light Plants (MLP) and the Peabody Peaker
New studies find cheaper to 'buy from market'
Hunger strikers oppose construction


Ukraine…
Debate No-fly zone etc….
Hundreds of millions to Russia every day for gas.
daily payment to Russia for EU gas
https://www.voanews.com/a/despite-sanctions-europe-continues-to-bankroll-russia-for-gas-oil/6465223.html

McKibben’s piece on “heat pumps for peace”   https://billmckibben.substack.com/p/heat-pumps-for-peace-and-freedom?s=r 

If you have a question to raise, you can use this form -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/ask-franklin-matters-you-ask-question.html
 
Original Climate link = The 13 point article we talk to -> From WBUR -> “What you need to know about the new MASS Climate law” https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/03/26/new-mass-climate-law-faq
 
Mass Climate Action Network -> https://www.massclimateaction.org/recs 
 
--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

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?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

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

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters" 

NY Times - Wirecutter - induction cook tops (Photo: Michael Murtaugh)

DOER has scheduled seminars to obtain feedback on stretch code proposal

 DOER Announces Public Hearings on New Stretch Code Proposal

Dear Building Energy Code Stakeholder,

DOER will hold five virtual public hearings to receive comment on its Straw Proposal for Stretch Code update and New Specialized Stretch Code released on February 8th. The following information can be reviewed in advance of the hearings at DOER's new Stretch Code Development webpage:

1.      The Straw Proposal     

2.      Recording of February 8 Webinar       (registration required to view)

3.      Summary of stretch code analysis informing straw proposal

 

Interpretation services will be provided at all hearings in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

 

Hearing Focus	Date
Western Region	March 2, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Metro Boston and Northeastern Region	March 3, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Environmental Justice Communities	March 4, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Central Region	March 7, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Southeastern Region	March 8, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

 

DOER will provide a brief presentation to respond to clarifying questions received in advance of the public hearing, however the majority of the time is reserved to hear public comments. Public comments will be limited to 3 minutes per person to ensure all participants have a chance to provide comment.

To submit questions or to sign up to give public comment at a hearing please send an email to stretchcode@mass.gov with the title ‘Comment for Public Hearing’ and include your name, organizational affiliation and municipality where you work or reside, as applicable. There will be four regional hearings and one additional hearing dedicated to Environmental Justice communities statewide. At each regional hearing, comments and questions from participants representing communities in the designated region will be prioritized. Visit the Green Communities webpage to find out which region your community is in.

REMINDER: DOER highly encourages written comments on the Straw Proposal for Stretch Code update and New Specialized Stretch Code to be submitted electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov with the subject line “Stretch Code Straw Proposal Comments”. Written comments will be accepted until 5 pm EST on March 9th, 2022

Thank you,

Maggie McCarey, Director - Energy Efficiency Division

Straw Proposal => https://www.mass.gov/doc/building-energy-code-straw-proposal-updated-stretch-code-specialized-opt-in-code-feb-2022/download

Summary of Stretch Code Guidance =>  https://www.mass.gov/doc/summary-of-stretch-code-study-energy-efficiency-analysis-feb-2022/download

DOER has scheduled seminars to obtain feedback on stretch code proposal