Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
"Last week the Franklin Police Department completed joint tactics training with the Franklin Fire Department. Officers and Fire Fighters were trained in integrated rapid rescue and the formation of a rescue task force.
A rescue task force is the main team made up of police and fire charged with treating the wounded on-site and getting them to a collection point for victims. They will arrive on the scene of a critical incident and immediately begin assessing the severity of injuries and performing life-saving interventions."
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.
Due to the extensive damages from Saturday’s fire and the information we’ve gathered in the last 48 hours regarding the reopening process, the timeline to complete the necessary repairs would make it impossible to open our Family Pool Club in time for the 2023 summer season. We are deeply saddened by this fire and its devastation.
We are committed to the Club’s rebuild and creating the best member experience possible, opening in June 2024.
Family Pool Club members will receive full refunds on all fees paid by May 26th.
Thank you for your confidence in our YMCA – even in the face of adversity – to continue to deliver our mission to be here for our neighbors, serve our communities, and come back even stronger from this unfortunate incident.
The Finance Committee closed out their series of budget hearings on Thursday with insights from the public safety sector (police, fire, dispatch and inspections). Town Administrator Jamie Hellen closed the the session with an outline of how the Town can add to the School budget allocation approx. $800K to bring it to just above the average that the Town has provided, not counting all the other funds the School budget gets directly or indirectly.
He also provided the next steps for what the Town and School officials can do to address the systemic deficit that the school budget faces. Note the Town and School officials are the paid Town and School staff. The Town Council and School Committee members as non-paid volunteers are covered by the same restrictions in the event of an override vote that state law lays out for the paid employees.
The Finance Committee voted to approve the budget as proposed and discussed during the hearings. The Town Council will likely do the same at their May 24 & 25 hearings. During July/August, the additional funding can be added or shifted to the School budget to minimize the cuts the School District will need to make to bring their $3.3M request down to match the Town allocation of approx. $1.8M
Now while the attention may have been closing out on what to do with the school budget, the case for additional 4 police (first since increase in staff since 2000) was made in a compelling and convincing manner.
While this budget includes the additional 4 police officers, in the near future the case is already made for at least an additional 2, if not 4, to correct the scheduling impact.
On the Fire Dept side, they are adding an EMS captain and 1 fire fighter paramedic in a step toward adding a 3rd ambulance full time. This would allow for the 3rd ambulance to be staffed for the business hours five days a week. To fully staff the 3rd ambulance for all shifts would be an additional 8 (for a total of 10) which we currently can't afford.
Why do we need the 3rd ambulance? The call volume has been growing for years and exceeded 5,000 calls for the first time in 2022. 44% of the calls are medical and result in an ambulance transport of the patient to a hospital. The frequency of getting 2 calls at the same time has been increasing, the frequency of getting a 3rd call at the same time has also increased. Not a new issue but the time has come to take steps to address.
Jamie's slides with the plan for "next steps" for the School budget (presentation to be put on the Town page, in meantime, here are photo captures) -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/dMZ92X98eWdrABoS9
FM #933 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 933 in the series.
This session of the radio show is the audio recording of the Franklin, MA Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting conducted on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
Present:
All four members of the subcommittee were present: Chair Debbie Pellegri, Vice Chair Bob Dellorco, Ted Cormier-leger, Brian Chandler. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Comptroller Chris Sandinni, Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone, and Finance Committee Chair George Conley were also present in the 3rd Floor Training Room.
Recap:
This was the second meeting on the first round of capital budgeting. The first meeting was not recorded or reported on. This second meeting was well attended by members of the Fire Dept, Police Dept, and DPW whose budget items were up for discussion.
Beginning on Page 4, item #12, each line item in the meeting agenda was reviewed, some questions and discussions were more detailed and involved than others. After some clarifications on each item, they were each approved in turn by 4-0 voice votes to recommend to the Town Council.
It was acknowledged at the beginning of the session that there was a philosophical question (raised last meeting) and continuing this meeting on some items currently on the “capital” budget that at least a couple of members of the subcommittee believe should be in the operational budget. Jamie indicated a couple of times during this session that for the regular budget discussions coming later this year, those items would be included in the operational budget to clearly show the impact.
The recording runs an hour and xx minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio file ->
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"
Capital Budget Subcommittee takes time reviewing details, ultimately approves what's requested (audio)
With the Town's Adopt-A-Hydrant program, you can select a hydrant near you to clear following a snow storm! By adopting a hydrant you can...
◼️ Assist the Fire Department in the event of an emergency by alleviating time spent searching for a clearing hydrants buried in snow.
◼️ Support your neighbors by letting DPW know if a hydrant is located near a neighbor who is unable to clear a hydrant on their property and we will label them as "high priority" on our adopt a hydrant webpage.
◼️ Earn community service hours for your community service group or as an individual.
Check out this link to learn more about our Adopt-A-Hydrant program!
Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) tweeted on Fri, Oct 07, 2022:
"Our Community Service Unit will be at the Church of Latter Day Saints for car seat installations and a first responder touch a truck tomorrow morning.
This event is free to all but organizers are asking for donations of diapers of all sizes https://t.co/dX7PFSc4w9"
The Finance Committee meeting was broadcast, live steamed, and available via either of the cable channels (Comcast & Verizon), as well as broadcast to YouTube. The YouTube recording is now available for replay.
"The Franklin Police Department, the State Police homicide detectives assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, and investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal are currently investigating the fire in Franklin this morning and the single fatality associated with the incident.
The matter is currently being investigated as a homicide. Substantial additional information is expected to be released later this morning. Continue to follow the department’s social media pages for additional updates. There is no threat to the public at this time.
Twitter: @franklinpolice"
Boston Globe summary article:
"In a horrific case of domestic violence, a woman was allegedly murdered in her home Friday by her ex-husband, who then set fire to the house where the victim was living with her mother and the former couple’s two teenage children, according to authorities and court records.
Brendon J. Owen, 47, is charged with murdering Shirley Branco Owen, his wife of 11 years before she filed for divorce in 2014, citing years of verbal and physical abuse, police and prosecutors said.
He was ordered held without bail at his arraignment Friday afternoon in Wrentham District Court.
“The facts of this matter are incredibly egregious,” Norfolk Assistant District Attorney Anne Yas said during the brief hearing."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Firefighters from several towns along with police and SWAT members converged at Grace Lane in Franklin Friday morning after a fire.MARK STOCKWELL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
Two sets of recognitions: one for officer Mellor leaving to go to law school; second, for the multiple police and fire personnel from Franklin and Norfolk who responded to the Winter St fire
Two restaurant all alcohol licenses issued, one for Sierra Brick Over Pizza, the other for Proof to operate the second floor as a separate restaurant in the same building as Glen Pharma
Open meeting complaint received and acknowledged for not approving meeting minutes in the timely manner as required by law; changes being made to adjust process
Two transactions to help close out the FY 2021 finances, both about 200K in total and considering these are the adjustments on a over $100+ budget during a pandemic year, the Town did (and does) well managing their budget
Veterans Officer Dale Kurtz to retire, replacement to be hired
parking bylaw change referred to Planning Board for their review and decision before it comes back to the Council for 2 readings before final vote
----
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
Match entries on Saturday will be entered into a drawing for tickets to a Patriots game when #12 visits this season#tc0623 Citizen commenting on the condition of the Brick School. Unipay payments fee will be waived beginning in July (hurrah!) For bank transfer
Paperless payments coming to more payments, fee waivers at 35 cents vs. postage at 55 cents#tc0623 per Kerri Bertone the Treasurer/Collector
Recognitions
Officer Mellor leaving Police Dept to go to law school.#tc0623
Chair Mercer lists the fire and police personnel from Franklin and elsewhere who were involved in the Winter St fire#tc0623 2 min recess to allow for in person recognitions
Annual Appointments
Clerk Jones reads the listing of annual appointments to boards and committees#tc0623
Motion to approve appointments, second, passes (Kelly also not present during break) (although both are expected some time for the meeting)#tc0623 vote via roll call 7-0-2
Interesting stat from the 495/MetroWest partnership showed that the largest sector of employment in Franklin was restaurants#tc0623 a copy of the stat can be found in this doc
Presentations/Discussion
Next up, open meeting complaint about Town Council meetings not approved timely.#tc0623 well handled with response by Town Administrator Jamie Hellenhttps://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/
"This is petty, of all the things we do, and this is the worse thing to happen?"#tc0623 "I hope Mr Higgins isn't reading my thought bubbles" "A rule is a rule, a law is a law, and we must comply." Attny Cereal recommends an authorized response (vote by council) vote ->
Motion and second, via roll call 7-0-2 (2 absent) EDC met last Weds, two discussions, HPP and home based business;
TA report, will look at the red brick school house, was scheduled for historical tour for CPC#tc0623 job posting to replace Anne Marie Tracey was made, interviews hopefully in July. Looking to fill before Sep. Chrissy will be leaving and part of transition; Alysia ->
Will replace Chrissy, backfilling for Chrissy, job posted In council comments, cool story on the 2nd performance of Bright Stars during the storm Sat night.#tc0623 Chair Mercer recognizes that the police and fire personnel come out in good numbers in recognition of some ->
That the public may not always be aware of or see,
Executive Session
Motion to move to executive session (to return) via roll call 7-0-2#tc0623
They're supposed to come back to open session but that's all for me tonight, catch you next time! #tc0623
Note: I did not wait for their return. Per conversation with Chair Mercer the morning after, one of the two items for the session were in fact brought to a vote, the other was held due to the 2 absent councilors (Dellorco, Kelly)
Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days
The Winter St heroes, Franklin police and fire along with some Norfolk personnel
