Franklin (MA) "has moved from normal conditions to a Level-1 Mild Drought"

"Today (9/9/25), Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared that drought in the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast Regions and Nantucket County has worsened to a Level-2 Significant Drought. The Southeast Region has moved from normal conditions to a Level-1 Mild Drought, while the Cape Cod Region remains at a Level-2 Significant Drought, and Dukes County still in Normal Conditions. 

Franklin (MA) "has moved from normal
conditions to a Level-1 Mild Drought"

Drought is a look back on conditions over a period of time. Although the spring and early summer months brought much-needed rainfall, which helped bring many regions out of drought, below normal rainfall over the last three months has quickly moved these regions back into a significant drought. August was notably dry in Massachusetts, with most areas observing 1 to 2 inches or more below normal rainfall. However, some areas of Central Massachusetts did experience near- to above-normal precipitation. Three-month precipitation deficits remain widespread, with much of the state seeing only 40-80% of normal rainfall. "

Per the map, Franklin is in the Southeast Region

Shared from -> https://www.mass.gov/news/significant-drought-conditions-declared-in-several-regions

Drought Update: MA remains at "Level 3-Critical Drought"

Drought Update: MA at "Level 3-Critical Drought"

Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) (@MassEcoRestore) posted  Fri, Dec 06, 2024:

Drought Update: Despite the recent rain and snow, most of Massachusetts remains in a Level 3-Critical Drought. The Cape and Islands Region have been raised to a Level 1 - Mild Drought.

Find water conservation tips here - https://t.co/cNHXAEdPFQ

 

Shared from -> https://t.co/Y1a9t0BqiY

Attention Franklin Residents and Businesses - Full Water Ban Effective Today! - Nov 20, 2024

Please see our website for more details on Water Conservation - https://www.franklinma.gov/water.../pages/water-conservation

Also, Customers can use WaterSmart to monitor total household water use for sudden increases, which often indicate leaks. - https://franklinma.watersmart.com/index.php/welcome

Attention Franklin Residents and Businesses - Full Water Ban Effective Today! - Nov 20, 2024

Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) - Level 3 - Critical Drought declared

Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) (@MassEcoRestore) posted  Tue, Nov 19, 2024:

Today, Secretary Tepper elevated the Western, Connecticut River Valley & SE regions to a Level 3 - Critical Drought, while a Level 3 - Critical Drought persists in the Central & NE regions.

Find water conservation & wildfire prevention tips here - https://t.co/cNHXAEdPFQ

Shared from -> https://x.com/MassEcoRestore/status/1858936226989957134

Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) - Level 3 - Critical Drought declared

Franklin Fire Department issues alert on Local Brush Fires

Via Franklin Fire Dept:

alert on Local Brush Fires

"Brush fires continue to burn across the Commonwealth, so please expect to experience the odor of smoke, and possibly a general haze, when outdoors.  While it is not necessary to call 911 to report these conditions, we do ask that should you directly see any new sources of smoke or fire, please call 911 immediately and provide us with the most specific location that you can.  

Please refrain from any unnecessary use of open flames outdoors, such as fire pits, and be cautious when using charcoal or gas grills.  

Lastly, remember that open burning of brush is prohibited until January 15, 2025.  

Thank you."

 For more about the Franklin Fire Dept, visit their page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/fire-department

Boston Globe: "Drought reaches ‘critical’ level in Massachusetts"

"The latest drought reports released Thursday show the severe drought in Massachusetts has reached a “critical” phase and is worsening, expanding beyond Greater Boston to now include central and western portions of the state, due to a lack of any significant rainfall. Rhode Island, Maine and Connecticut are also experiencing increased drought conditions.

“Severe drought” conditions now exist in eight counties or about 32 percent of the state, up from 14 percent just last week, according to the US Drought Monitor.

“Most stream flow rates across interior Southern New England are below normal or at their all-time lowest,” said Matthew Belk, lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norton."

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/11/07/metro/massachusetts-drought-worsens-new-england/ 

https://www.drought.gov/states/massachusetts

"The U.S. Drought Monitor depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. The map uses 5 classifications: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). The map is jointly produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,  U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Drought Mitigation Center. Authors from these agencies rotate creating the map each week, using both physical indicators and  input from local observers.

This map is used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to trigger some disaster declarations and loan eligibility. Individual states and water supply planning may use additional information to inform their declarations and actions. " 

Learn more -> 

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/About/WhatistheUSDM.aspx

Utah’s Great Salt Lake rings climate alarm bells over release of 4.1m tons of carbon dioxide | Climate crisis | The Guardian

Via The Guardian: 

For years, scientists and environmental leaders have been raising alarm that the Great Salt Lake is headed toward a catastrophic decline.

Now, new research points to the lake’s desiccating shores also becoming an increasingly significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists have calculated that dried out portions of the lakebed released about 4.1m tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in 2020, based on samples collected over seven months that year.

Their study, published last month in the journal One Earth, suggests that the Great Salt Lake – which is the largest saltwater lake in the western hemisphere – and other shrinking saline lakes across the world could become major contributors of climate-warming emissions. The research also adds to a dire list of environmental consequences brought on by the lake’s precipitous decline.

Last year, environmental and community groups sued Utah officials over failures to save the famous lake from irreversible collapse. In recent decades, as more and more water has been diverted away from the lake to irrigate farmland, feed industry and water lawns, a report last year estimated that the lake had lost 73% of its water and 60% of its surface area. Its decline was accelerated by global heating and a mega-drought in the US south-west.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/02/great-salt-lake-shrinking-greenhouse-gas-emissions

The Great Salt Lake, near Salt Lake City, Utah, has lost more than 70% of its water. Photograph: Rick Bowmer/AP

Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Drought Tolerant Plants - April 4 at 7 PM

The Franklin Garden Club will sponsor a program on “Gardening with Drought Tolerant Plants” on Tuesday, April 4 at 7:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA.  The program will be presented by Warren P. Leach, co-owner of Tranquil Lake Nursery, Inc.  in Rehoboth, MA.  The program is open to the public at no charge.  

A noted landscape horticulturist, Leach will discuss the types of plants that are most likely to do well in dry, hot summers, as have occurred recently in New England, due to climate change  He will also provide landscaping ideas as well as suggestions for maintaining and caring for these plants.  

Leach is a two-time award winner of the National Landscape Association’s Regional Merit Award for excellence in residential landscape design. Over the years, he has conducted programs for more than 30 organizations, including the Horticulture Magazine and New York Botanic Garden Design Symposium, Worcester County Horticultural Society, and Arnold Arboretum.  

Tranquil Lake Nursery is noted for its bearded iris and daylilies.  Leach has exhibited at the New England Spring Flower Show and earned numerous awards.  Among his published articles is “Some Like It Hot and Dry” that appeared in the June 15, 1996 edition of American Nurseryman.  

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, became a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts in 2015.       

Franklin Garden Club

"the combined pressure of drought and overconsumption is proving to be more than it can bear"

"Without dramatic cuts to water consumption, Utah’s Great Salt Lake is on track to disappear within five years, a dire new report warns, imperiling ecosystems and exposing millions of people to toxic dust from the drying lake bed.

The report, led by researchers at Brigham Young University and published this week, found that unsustainable water use has shrunk the lake to just 37 percent of its former volume. The West’s ongoing megadrought — a crisis made worse by climate change — has accelerated its decline to rates far faster than scientists had predicted.

But current conservation measures are critically insufficient to replace the roughly 40 billion gallons of water the lake has lost annually since 2020, the scientists said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/01/06/great-salt-lake-utah-drying-up/

Access the report directly at -> https://pws.byu.edu/great-salt-lake   

or this PDF ->  https://pws.byu.edu/GSL%20report%202023

Figure 5. Great Salt Lake water budget, including a breakdown of consumptive water use. The reported numbers represent estimates from 2020-2022, the period of accelerated decline1,3,25,60,62,66,67. Because of inadequate monitoring and data availability, many of these estimates are uncertain.

MAEnergy Environment upgrades drought status - still in drought but better than before

MAEnergy Environment (@MassEEA) tweeted on Fri, Oct 07, 2022:

most regions have been upgraded to lower drought levels, but drought still persists across the state

"With the majority of the state seeing improvements, @EEASecretary declared today (10/07/22) that most regions have been upgraded to lower drought levels, but drought still persists across the state. 

For the current drought status & water conservation tips: https://t.co/YA29WSXNDL   or https://www.mass.gov/news/majority-of-state-received-above-average-rainfall"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/MassEEA/status/1578504986949885952

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and I get to "Talk Franklin" - 09/09/22 (audio)

FM #842 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 842 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge.  

Topics for this session

• 9/11 thoughts

• Recap of Council meeting

• Drought & water status

• Work underway or pending 

• Economic Development Cmte, 9/21 at 6 PM

The conversation runs about 26 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Drought-Status-and-Downtown-Priorities-e1npd7i

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

Franklin for All webpage 

https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/

5 year fiscal outlook -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022-08-15_fy23_to_fy27_town_administartor_fiscal_forecast_1.pdf 

Town budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 

Community & Cultural District calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html 

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

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"

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and I get to "Talk Franklin" - 09/09/22 (audio)

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 09/07/22 meeting (audio)

FM #841 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 841 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of Sep 7, 2022: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Dean College President Kenneth Elmore J.D. and Chancellor Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

b. Discussion: Drought Conditions - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director & Doug Martin, Water/Sewer Superintendent

c. Discussion: Massachusetts State Seal & Motto  ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8c._state_seal_motto_-_google_docs.pdf

 

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Bylaw Amendment 22-883: Amendment to Water System Map, 2nd Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 22-883 - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._bylaw_amendment_22-883_water_map_0.pdf

b. Resolution 22-59: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-59 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._22-59_peg_verizon.pdf

c. Resolution 22-60: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($3,289), Senior Center ($250), Franklin Historical Museum ($200) (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-60 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._22-60_gift_acceptance.pdf

Our conversation runs about 27 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Sep 8, 2022

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-841-town-council-quarterbacking-09-08-22

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

Meeting agenda =>    

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/september_7_2022_town_council_agenda.pdf

My notes -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hu5l46PgJoXVhDVRme0VNqgxapTyakZC/view?usp=sharing 

The meeting video is also available for viewing on YouTube

https://youtu.be/2rg4JCAXD-M 

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

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"

DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi & Water Superintendent Doug Martin

Dean College President Kenneth Elmore J.D. and Chancellor Edward M. Augustus, Jr

Town Council - Sep 7, 2022 - video replay available via YouTube

The video replay of the Franklin Town Council meeting of Sep 7, 2022 is available

Video link -> https://youtu.be/2rg4JCAXD-M

The agenda and released documents for this meeting can be found ->

 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/september_7_2022_town_council_agenda.pdf

Current drought conditions for Franklin, update scheduled for Town Council meeting Sep 7

"The different categories of drought actually increased across the Northeast this week with the exception of the extreme drought area which did shrink thanks to those heavy rain showers south of Boston. #Drought2022"

One of the presentations scheduled for the Town Council meeting on Weds Sep 7 is an update on the Franklin water status per the drought. The presentation is not yet posted. The Town Council agenda can be found online ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/september_7_2022_town_council_agenda.pdf

Meteorologist Dave Epstein tweet shared from Twitter ->    https://twitter.com/growingwisdom/status/1565352398339465217

Additional maps and info can be found at Drought.gov/

The Franklin specific info can be found ->   https://www.drought.gov/location/02038%2C%20Franklin%2C%20Massachusetts

historical info for Norfolk County

Current drought conditions for Franklin, update scheduled for Town Council meeting Sep 7

Franklin, MA: Town Council - September 7 Meeting Agenda

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL
Agenda & Meeting Packet
September 7, 2022 - 7 PM

 

 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. July 20, 2022  -?   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/3a._july_20_2022_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled.

6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm - None Scheduled.

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Dean College President Kenneth Elmore J.D. and Chancellor Edward M. Augustus, Jr.
b. Discussion: Drought Conditions - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director & Doug Martin, Water/Sewer Superintendent
c. Discussion: Massachusetts State Seal & Motto  ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8c._state_seal_motto_-_google_docs.pdf
 

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Bylaw Amendment 22-883: Amendment to Water System Map, 2nd Reading (Motion to
Approve Bylaw Amendment 22-883 - Majority Roll Call Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._bylaw_amendment_22-883_water_map_0.pdf
b. Resolution 22-59: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-59 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._22-59_peg_verizon.pdf
c. Resolution 22-60: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($3,289), Senior Center ($250), Franklin Historical Museum ($200) (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-60 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._22-60_gift_acceptance.pdf
 

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
 

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
 

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
 

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
 

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.
 

15. ADJOURN
 

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc and remote connection info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/september_7_2022_town_council_agenda.pdf

Dean's mascot "Boomer" out on the lawn for major events

Attention Franklin: Phase IV of Water Ban Begins August 6, 2022 at 12 AM (audio)

Phase IV of Water Ban Begins 

August 6, 2022 at 12 AM

The Town of Franklin has entered Level 3 Critical Drought status which has triggered the phase IV water ban which will go into effect August 6th, 2022 at 12AM. 

Water Conservation Measures are needed to limit the daily demand on the water system in order to ensure that adequate water is available to meet the public health and safety needs of the Town. This measure is necessary to maintain the water levels in the tanks for fire protection and normal consumption.

The following is allowed under phase IV of the water ban...

- Watering gardens and ornamental plants by means of a hand held hose.

The following is NOT allowed under phase IV of the water ban...

- Irrigation of lawns and landscaping via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems.

- Washing of vehicles except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety.

- Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks.

Reminder: If you have a private well for irrigation, you must a sign posted that is visible from the street in accordance with Town bylaws 179-23

 

Learn more about Franklin's Water Conservation measures here:   https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/water-conservation?fbclid=IwAR1KokmHXP1NdxuQKcdBFvvd3GR6hWBAi_NrbH2WEjssiDhMDwl6m7_oMdA

Learn more about Massachusetts drought management here:   https://www.mass.gov/guides/drought-management-in-massachusetts

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/phase-iv-water-ban-begins-august-6th-2022-12am

 You can listen to the robocall message left by DPW Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/dpw-director-robert-brutus-cantoreggi-announces-the-phase-iv-water-ban-08-06-22

Attention Franklin: Phase IV of Water Ban Begins August 6, 2022 at 12 AM