Roy appointed Chair of Joint Committee on Higher Education; Member of House Personnel and Administration Committee

State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D- Franklin) was appointed Chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education and was assigned to another committee in the Massachusetts House of Representatives by Speaker Robert A. DeLeo recently. In addition to his leadership role with the Joint Committee on Higher Education, he will serve as a member of the House Personnel and Administration Committee.

“I am honored to lead the Committee and continue my work in the education arena where Massachusetts continues to lead,” said Roy. “I am grateful to Speaker DeLeo for this opportunity and look forward to working with my colleagues to address affordability, student success, workforce development, student loans, and other ways to increase opportunities for advancement for our students.”

The Joint Committee on Higher Education is assigned bills on a wide variety of issues relating to public and private higher education institutions in the state, including bills directed at strengthening the state’s economy and the well-being of all its residents by increasing affordable, high quality higher education opportunities for all those who want to pursue them.

The House Committee on Personnel and Administration oversees the operations of the House of Representatives, institutes proper procedures and protocols in the House and its offices, and facilitates training for House members and staff. 

Additionally, to work with the House Business Office to develop, implement and make future changes in a plan providing for the allocation of office space for members and staffs of the various committees under the jurisdiction of the House. The Committee will establish a plan containing staffing levels for committees under the jurisdiction of the House together with a classification plan for employees.

Roy was first elected to represent Franklin and Medway in November 2012, and then reelected in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Rep Roy with Town Councilor Melanie Hamblen on the recognition of the Agricultural Commission

Live Reporting: Presentations - Goals, OPEB

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	None
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
8a. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	2018-2019 Goals Update
8b. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	OPEB Actuarial Presentation - Daniel Sherman
9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS	a. Capital Budget Subcommittee  b. Budget Subcommittee  c. Economic Development Subcommittee

OPEB - Other Post Employment Benefits

we have an account accumulating fund to meet the liability

how much is this going to cost us?

page 3 of the 2017 document

full pre-funding 7.5%

3.3M in assets

73.5M liabilities

70M net owed

at 114% of payroll, ahead of game as other communities are about 140%

normal cost = 2.4M

the normal payment for cost of coverage each year

3.6M amortized would pay off the 70M

3.7M is the additional funds that needs to be found, actually did fund 800K

single page doc, last page of doc (p20)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/opeb_actuarial_valuation_report.pdf

key assumptions drive the forecast over the 30 year period

employee count remains the same, health increase of 4.5%, etc.

if those assumptions changed, then the forecast would be high or low

as the Norfolk pension gets funded (for Franklin in 2031), then those pension payments could be diverted to fund the OPEB and we would be funded sooner

bottom of page 5 other report (page 26 of 41 on the PDF above)

back to the goals section at 7:45 PM

the Town Council goals document.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/2018-2019_town_council_goals.pdf

items in red are brief updates as to where they are
Jan 10, 2018 these were put together

what else should be added to this listing?
Are those items that remain still valid?

20-25M for renovation or expansion of the Police Station would require a debt exclusion sometime; still needs to get more formal work done, study funding in the capital budget request process coming up soon

DelCarte - capital subcommmittee met earlier, looking for 20K for invasive weed project; the invasive fish project is further out, would be additional cost

municipal aggregation goes to bid periodically, we need to get something of a penny or more to make the move, not getting the right bids to move yet

request for expressions of interest for Red Brick School
coming out soon, goal to get some interest by the end of March
looking for some substantial proposals for educational uses

NuStyle under P&S, owner working through the development process, Conservation, etc.
has a year to get the permits, etc. wants to remove the existing building and build a new showroom with parking spaces

Would it be worthwhile putting out an RFI for the Washington St meeting house (former museum); does have problems with zoning for re-use; might be good to do an RFI to see if something comes back
put it on a future agenda for a discussion, solicit the neighbors to weigh in
would it be far fetched to obtain the building next door, move the meeting house next door
to allow for the museum to use in a 'complex'

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee 
met this evening, more coming

b. Budget Subcommittee 

meeting Feb 13

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

Kelly not here, no meeting scheduled

Representative Roy Named to Harm Reduction Commission

Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) was named to the Harm Reduction Commission by House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Rep. Denise Garlick, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. The commission was included as part of Chapter 208 of the Acts of 2018, legislation which addresses prevention and access to appropriate care and treatment of addiction. The commission will review and make recommendations regarding harm reduction opportunities to address substance use disorder.

“Representative Roy is an innovative and thoughtful legislator with demonstrated, in-depth knowledge of both healthcare and the law. We’re proud that he was named to this commission as he will bring value to its work,” said Speaker DeLeo. “He has been a steadfast supporter of the recovery community and has focused on combatting the opioid crisis and improving our healthcare system to best meet the needs of patients. We appreciate his dedication and service to our Commonwealth.”

"I am excited to join the commission and continue working toward the goal of helping those with substance use disorders find a pathway to recovery,” said Representative Roy. "The findings from the commission’s report will be important in addressing this issue at the local and state level and will provide meaningful opportunities for our residents who are struggling with addiction."

“The harm reduction commission will take a closer look at how to engage people at all stages of substance use disorder and encourage recovery,” said State Representative Denise C. Garlick (D-Needham), Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. "Representative Roy is a member of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery and has been a dedicated, compassionate advocate for his district and a leader with experience and insight through the enactment of the opioid bill. Representative Roy is committed to helping individuals who are suffering, families who are struggling and communities straining to meet the many needs of people of all ages dealing with the issues of addiction. I believe his perspective will be invaluable to the people of his district and to the Commission’s work.”

The commission consists of 15 members, including the secretary of health and human services; the commissioner of public health; house and senate members of the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery or their designees; the mayor of the city of Boston or a designee; the mayor of the city of Cambridge or a designee; and representatives from the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, and the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. It also includes persons with a substance use disorder, a clinician with experience in mental health and substance use disorder, a person working in an established harm reduction program, an expert in relevant state and federal law and regulation, and a representative of local municipal boards of health. 

In its work, the Commission will consider:

• the feasibility of operating harm reduction sites in which (A) a person with a substance use disorder may consume pre-obtained controlled substances, (B) medical assistance by health care professionals is made immediately available to a person with a substance use disorder as necessary to prevent fatal overdose, and (C) counseling, referrals to treatment and other appropriate services are available on a voluntary basis;
• the potential public health and public safety benefits and risks of harm reduction sites;
• the potential federal, state and local legal issues involved with establishing harm reduction sites;
• appropriate guidance that would be necessary and required for professional licensure boards and any necessary changes to the regulations of such boards;
• existing harm reduction efforts in the commonwealth and whether there is potential for collaboration with existing public health harm reduction organizations;
• opportunities to maximize public health benefits, including educating persons utilizing the sites of the risks of contracting HIV and viral hepatitis and on proper disposal of hypodermic needles and syringes;
• ways to support persons utilizing the sites who express an interest in seeking substance use disorder treatment, including providing information on evidence-based treatment options and direct referral to treatment providers;
• other harm reduction opportunities, including but not limited to, broadening the availability of narcotic testing products, including fentanyl test strips;
• alternatives and recommendations to broaden the availability of naloxone without prescription; and
• other matters deemed appropriate by the commission.

The Commission will also review the experiences and results of other states and countries that have established supervised drug consumption sites and other harm reduction strategies and report on the impact of those harm reduction sites and strategies.

The Commission’s first meeting is scheduled for October 24, 2018 and its findings and recommendations are due to the legislature by February 1st, 2019.

Please contact the office of Representative Roy with any questions or concerns at (617) 722-2430 or Jeff.roy@mahouse.gov.

Representative Roy Named to Harm Reduction Commission

The New Franklin Agricultural Commission is now accepting member volunteer applications!

The Town of Franklin recently established a new committee called the Franklin Agricultural Commission. The Town encourages all residents who are interested in volunteering for the Agricultural Commission to apply now for the first round of committee appointments.

The Franklin Agricultural Commission has been created to promote, develop and foster agricultural resources in the Town of Franklin. The Committee will consist on 5 Members with 3-Year terms after the initial staggering of the appointments. 

To create staggered terms for the initial (first) appointments will be as follows:

• 2 members will be appointed for a 3-year term;
• 2 member will be appointed for a 2-year term (at annual re-appointments member can renew for a 3 year term); and
• 1 member will be appointed for a 1-year term (at annual re-appointments member can renew for a 3 year term).

To apply please visit the Town’s website and fill out the online volunteer form at:
http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php


The Application period will begin on Friday, December 22nd and the deadline for applying will be Friday, February 2nd by the close of business at 1:00 PM.


Any interested party may also apply in person in the Town Administrator’s Office in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street.


For more information or questions about a Board or Committee, please visit the Committee Website at: http://www.franklinma.gov/agricultural-commission
or contact the Town Administrator’s Office, at 508-520-4949

Shared from http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2017-12-21agriculturalcommissionvolunteer_0.pdf

at the Town Council meeting Weds Dec 20, Rep Jeff Roy presented Councilor Melanie Hamblen copies of the legislation signed by Governor Baker creating the Franklin Agricultural Commission

Reminder: 7 More days to apply for the new Cultural District Committee Volunteer Openings

7 More days to apply for the new Cultural District Committee Volunteer Openings!!

Read more: http://www.franklinma.gov/node/135003

This is an automatic message from Town of Franklin MA

-----------

The Town of Franklin recently established a new committee called the Franklin Cultural District Committee. The Town encourages all residents who are interested in volunteering for the Cultural District Committee to apply now for the first round of committee appointments. 

The Franklin Cultural District Committee has been created to attract artists and cultural enterprises, encourage business and job development, establish the district as a tourist destination, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values, and foster local cultural development. 

The Committee will consist on 7 Members with 3-Year terms after the initial staggering of the appointments. 

To create staggered terms for the initial (first) appointments will be as follows: 

• 3 members will be appointed for a 3-year term; 
• 2 members will be appointed for a 2-year term (at annual re-appointments member can renew for a 3 year term); and 
• 2 members will be appointed for a 1-year term (at annual re-appointments member can renew for a 3 year term). 

To apply please visit the Town’s website and fill out the online volunteer form at: http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php 

The Application period will begin on Monday, July 10th and the deadline for applying will be Monday, August 7th by the close of business at 4:00 PM. 

Any interested party may also apply in person in the Town Administrator’s Office at 355 East Central Street in the Municipal Building. 

For more information or questions about a Board or Committee, please visit the committeewebsite or contact the Town Administrator’s Office, at 508-520-4949. 

the 3rd Annual Cultural Festival will fill the stage with performances for three days July 26-29

Franklin Cultural District Committee Volunteer Openings Announcement

The Town of Franklin recently established a new committee called the Franklin Cultural District Committee. The Town encourages all residents who are interested in volunteering for the Cultural District Committee to apply now for the first round of committee appointments. 

The Franklin Cultural District Committee has been created to attract artists and cultural enterprises, encourage business and job development, establish the district as a tourist destination, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values, and foster local cultural development. 

The Committee will consist on 7 Members with 3-Year terms after the initial staggering of the appointments. 
To create staggered terms for the initial (first) appointments will be as follows: 

• 3 members will be appointed for a 3-year term; 
• 2 members will be appointed for a 2-year term (at annual re-appointments member can renew for a 3 year term); and 
• 2 members will be appointed for a 1-year term (at annual re-appointments member can renew for a 3 year term). 

To apply please visit the Town’s website and fill out the online volunteer form at: http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php 

The Application period will begin on Monday, July 10th and the deadline for applying will be Monday, August 7th by the close of business at 4:00 PM. 

Any interested party may also apply in person in the Town Administrator’s Office at 355 East Central Street in the Municipal Building. 

For more information or questions about a Board or Committee, please visit the committeewebsite or contact the Town Administrator’s Office, at 508-520-4949. 

the 3rd Annual Cultural Festival will fill the stage with performances for three days July 26-29

Note: if you would like additional info, please feel free to comment or send me an email. One or more of the Steering Committee would be happy to provide info.


This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2017-07-07culturaldistrictcommittevolunteer_0.pdf

“I want them to feel protected"

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

"Local farmers looking to form an agricultural commission in Franklin took their case to town officials last week. 

Members of the Town Council and Planning Board as well as the town administrator listened to a presentation on the matter Thursday evening. 

Melanie Hamblen, a co-owner of the Franklin Agway store, said that a number of farmers in town felt unwelcome at the municipal building, believed new regulations threatening their livelihoods could come up at any time and were worried for the future of farming."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170430/franklin-farmers-make-case-for-agricultural-commission

The presentation and discussion was to the Economic Development Subcommittee of the Town Council which includes a couple of members of the Planning Board as non-voting members.

The scheduled agenda for the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/04/agricultural-commission-discussion.html

Pick your own! In Franklin Ma — at Gianetti's U-Pick Blueberries.

Franklin Cultural Council Announces Logo Contest

The Franklin Cultural Council has announced a design contest for a new logo. Open to anyone, the contest encourages local talent to create a new, color logo for the Council that embodies its mission of supporting the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences through grant funding to local projects and programs. 

The contest will be open until March 12, 2017. The winner will be awarded a $50 cash prize and be recognized in a reception on March 23. 

Details, including contest rules and submission guidelines, can be found on the Cultural Council's website at www.franklinma.gov/cultural-council under the "Forms and Downloads" tab.

The mission of the Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) is to encourage participation and enhance opportunities for enrichment in the cultural arts and sciences throughout our community. 

Comprised of committed residents, the FCC meets monthly with the purpose of supporting events and programs through grants from the Town of Franklin, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

the current logo for the Franklin Cultural Council

Franklin can use your help!

The Town of Franklin encourages all residents who are interested in volunteering to apply now to any committee. If you have been curious or interested in giving your time, expertise or perspective on behalf of your community, now is an excellent time to get involved.

Current Committee Vacancies:

• Community Garden 2 Term 1 year
• Cultural Council 4 Term 3 years
• Finance 1 Term 1 year
• Council on Aging 1 Term 1 year

To apply for a volunteer position on a Town Committee, please visit the Town’s website and fill out the online volunteer form at:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf

Franklin can use your help in a number of volunteer committee positions

Interested parties may also visit the Town Administrator’s Office in the Municipal Building to fill out an application in person or call the office to have staff assist in applying.

If there are no current vacancies for a committee you are interested in, please apply and we will keep you application on file until one comes up.

For more information or questions about a Board or Committee, please visit the individual committee website or contact the Town Administrator’s Office, at 508-520-4949.


This was shared from the official Town of Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024C5CF1-000F8513

or find a copy here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczYWwzZ1JwQkJmdzQ/view?usp=sharing

Reminder: Franklin Dog Park Committee forming Weds, Jan 13

Haley is looking to start a Franklin Dog Park Committee. 

My name is Haley and I am starting up the Franklin Dog Park committee, I was wondering if you would be able to help me promote it by posting about it? 

The first meeting is January 13, 7:00 PM at the New England Chapel - any and all are welcome. If you have any questions or are thinking about attending yourself, my email is franklin.dogpark@gmail.com

-----------

There is a signup sheet available for those looking to attend the formation of the Franklin Dog Park Committee meeting on Wednesday, Jan 13.

@FranklinMatters Here is a sign up for the Dog Park Committee meeting this wednesday! https://t.co/9COXkE55Id

— FranklinDogPark (@FranklinDogPark) January 11, 2016

dog park at Dacey Field on a sunny summer day

You can find the signup sheet online here -> https://t.co/9COXkE55Id

Dog park gates missing; committee to form

The actions are related to the Franklin dog park but the attempt to start the committee was underway before the gates were reported missing.

The dog park at Dacey Field is missing its gates. Someone apparently took them in the week before Christmas. The gates missing status prompted a conversation on a Facebook group and ad hoc action to create a barrier in place of the gates. The gates will be replaced by the DPW.

Dacey Field dog park

Haley is looking to start a Franklin Dog Park Committee. 

My name is Haley and I am starting up the Franklin Dog Park committee, I was wondering if you would be able to help me promote it by posting about it? 

The first meeting is January 13, 7:00 PM at the New England Chapel - any and all are welcome. If you have any questions or are thinking about attending yourself, my email is franklin.dogpark@gmail.com

Franklin needs your help!

The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees. 

If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the form below and return to the Town Administrator's Office.

• Design Review Commission
• Disabilities Commission
• Zoning Board of Appeal (Associate)

Franklin Municipal Building

The committee volunteer form
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01E3B9EF-000F8513.0/TOWN%20OF%20FRANKLIN%20VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf

The Town of Franklin is looking for volunteers for committees/boards

Some committees are up for their annual re-appointment and some have openings for you to step up to help!

Town of Franklin header image

The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees: If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the attached form and return the Town Administrator's Office.

• Conservation    Conservation Commission
• Design Review Commission
• Disabilities Commission
• Municipal Affordable Housing Trust- Contact Maxine Kinhart 508-520-4949
• Zoning Board of Appeal

The volunteer form to fill out when you are interested can be found here

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01E3B9EF-000F8513.0/TOWN%20OF%20FRANKLIN%20VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf

In addition to those listed above, there is also an opening on the Finance Committee:

The Town of Franklin is looking for a new Member for the Finance Committee.  If you are interested,  please complete the attached form and send along with a resume and letter of interest to the Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting at jnutting@franklin.ma.us

You can fill out the same volunteer form (above) and contact Town Administrator Jeff Nutting

Franklin Needs You!

The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees: 

Conservation    Conservation Commission 

Design Review Commission 

Disabilities Commission 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Contact Maxine Kinhart 508-520-4949 

Zoning Board of Appeals - Associate Member      ZBA

If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete this form and return it the Town Administrator's Office.

You can volunteer to help run Franklin

The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees: If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the attached form and return the Town Administrator's Office.

Conservation    Conservation Commission 

Cultural Council        Cultural Council 

Disabilities Commission 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Contact Maxine Kinhart 508-520-4949 

Zoning Board of Appeals - Associate Member      ZBA

screen grab of Franklin webpage with town committee openings

The application form can be found here
http://www.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01E3B9EF-000F8513.0/TOWN%20OF%20FRANKLIN%20VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf

Franklin is not immune from hunger. You can help!

Do you have experience in Human Resources, Marketing and/or Public Relations, or Law?

Have you considered using these skills to help your Franklin neighbors?

How can you help?

Franklin is not immune from hunger. Real hunger. The kind where you don’t know where your next meal is coming from.

A variety of reasons bring people to the Franklin Food Pantry. A temporary job loss. Lingering financial hardship caused by the recession. Underemployment. A reduction in SNAP (food stamp) benefits.

This is an exciting time of growth for the Food Pantry. We have an amazing Executive Director, Erin Lynch, who has put together a dedicated team of part-time staff and volunteers. They are busy strengthening support and services for our Food Pantry clients while fostering new and exciting community partnerships.

The Food Pantry has an active Board of Directors who are fully committed to ensuring that Erin and her team have the resources and support they need. The Board Governance Committee is now developing a pool of interested individuals who are ready, willing, and able to help in this effort.

During the months of October and November, we will be accepting applications submitted by seasoned professionals in the fields of Human Resources, Marketing and/or Public Relations, and Law.

In December and January, the Governance Committee will be conducting interviews with selected applicants. The Board will review the vetted applicant pool at the January 27th Food Pantry Board meeting.

Successful new Board members are scheduled to complete the board orientation prior to attending their first meeting on February 24, 2015. Other candidates are scheduled to be notified of their status during February.

If you would like to learn more about what it means to volunteer for the Board, you can visit the Food Pantry website.

If you have the skills, desire, and time to volunteer we ask that you express your interest by completing this form and following the instructions to submit it to Mary Gianakis

Franklin Food Pantry

About the Franklin Food Pantry

We provide immediate hunger relief and healthy sustainable solutions by empowering our community through resources, education, and collaboration.

We are a registered not-for-profit organization that has served thousands in our community since 1987. As part of the Greater Boston Food Bank network, we depend entirely upon support and donations from volunteers, corporate partners, schools, churches and community members.

The Franklin Food Pantry is a 501©(3) non-profit organization FEIN# 04-3272663. FranklinFoodPantry.org/

current Committee openings

The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees: If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the attached form and return the Town Administrator's Office.

Conservation - Conservation Commission 

Council on aging - COA 

Cultural Council - Cultural Council 

Disabilities Commission 

Historical Commission - Historical Commission 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Contact Maxine Kinhart 508-520-4949 

Zoning Board of Appeals - Associate Member ZBA

Franklin Municipal Building

Town of Franklin volunteer form  can be found on the Franklin webpage here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01E3B9EF-000F8513.0/TOWN%20OF%20FRANKLIN%20VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf


This was re-shared from the official Franklin page here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01E3B9EF-000F8513

"Citizens Committee" statement

As read by Judith Pfeffer, Town Councilor and one of three councilors on the Citizens Committee (half the total committee membership).

As an appointed member of the Citizens Committee, I have a statement on behalf of the Citizens Committee as regards the 150 Emmons Street property. The Citizens committee was formed basically to "encourage quality, visually pleasing, financially enhancing economic development for the benefit of our community. Projects that the Citizens Committee, to date, have impacted include:

• Dump (recycling center) improvements

• Acquisition efforts in land purchase from state, property next to dump

• Dean College train station building improvements

• Cooks Farm building project

• Cleaning/maintenance of down town central business district 

The Citizen's Committee's position relative to the disposition of the old town hall are as follows: 

1. The site, bordered by two main arterial roadways, is better suited for commercial development, as part of an enhanced central business district and a revenue producing property than another town-owned, marginally/poorly maintained, economic drain on town resources 

2. The curb cuts should be done for the property while the road project is being done, so the openings will not have to be redone after the new road has been completed. 

3. Revenue from the sale of the site, could be used to construct a first class facility for the Recreation Department, and would allow for expansion of its' many programs, particularly those which have been downsized by the schools (arts, music, etc.) For years the Recreation Department has been moved from one site to another and is deserving of a facility that will serve Franklin, and its children, for years to come ... Rec dept. served 5700 kids in 2013, over 4000 in sports programs. 

4. The estimated cost alluded to in a prior meeting of one million dollars for retaining, re-constructing, and developing the old town hall site into a Cultural Center, not to mention the annual cost of maintaining said cultural center, in view of the anticipated costs of the new school, road improvement program and questionable economy makes no economic
sense. 

5. Suggestions that the site is appropriate for a park, although well intentioned, is not practical for the following reasons: (1) the town owns, and maintains an underutilized site less than a mile away (Town Common); (2) the loss of revenue from both the sale and future taxes is economically unsound; (3) the town's history of property maintenance is abysmal, at best, and unlikely to improve under this proposal; (4) it is likely that the use of any park at that site would serve, primarily, the students of the college that surround it.  

Economic Development at this site: (1) will provide revenue for a building for Recreation Dept.; (2) The town, through the permitting process, will have input into any proposed development at the site, assuring the development is aesthetically appropriate and contributes to the "gateway"
initiatives under discussion; (3) As alluded to above, the town's recent history of owning and maintaining property, does not lead one to think adding to the current burden is either logical or prudent; this is one of sites referred to as "seedy" in the Globe's description of Franklin! 

6. There needs to be an ongoing blending of public-private development. The reconstruction of the central business district roadways will be a huge contribution to any revitalizing effort; the private sector needs to be encouraged to participate.

7. The Citizens Committee strongly recommends that a "REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST" be initiated. Responses to this Request will be reviewed, discussed with and between the Council and brought before the Public. This will insure that this site will continue to
be on the forefront. The Request for Expression process will take months, and the follow-up RFP will take additional months. Waiting for the next few years to make a decision is not in the Town's best economic interest.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/Citizen%20Committee

Cultural District Committee - March 20th

Pursuant to expressed interest from the community, the Town of Franklin is currently working towards the creation of a state designated Cultural District. 

As is required, the Town is looking to form a Cultural District Committee to partner with interested organizations and institutions in order to identity all cultural facilities and activities as well as to shape concrete goals and objectives for the proposed Cultural District.

The Committee should consist of cultural organizations, specifically those that represent artists in the community, as well as historical and community organizations. Non-profits, private businesses, government agencies, educational and faith based institutions are all encouraged to participate in the partnership. 

Anyone interested in participating, or in need of additional information should contact the Town’s Department of Planning and Community Development.

The organizational/informational meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Mar 20th at the Library beginning at 7:00 PM

Additional information can be found in this flyer:

National Register Historic District marker on the Franklin Town Common