Showing posts with label fleet management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fleet management. Show all posts

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Franklin Enhances Municipal Safety Measures with MIIA Grant

Funds will support town’s risk management efforts

The town of Franklin was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), the town’s property and casualty insurance provider, to support the installation of Samsara GPS modules that improve the town’s ability to track and manage fleet operations thereby enhancing the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of its public works operations.

With real-time GPS tracking, the town can monitor winter operations more closely and calculate salt and calcium usage with greater precision, ensuring materials are applied as economically and effectively as possible.

The technology also provides diagnostic information that enables faster identification and repair of town vehicle performance issues, reducing environmental impact and preventing more costly repairs. Additionally, integration with Franklin’s new fuel system enables more accurate fuel tracking and reporting, allowing the town to better understand and reduce its environmental footprint over time.
“This grant is helping us improve how we manage operations, respond to maintenance needs, and make informed decisions about future vehicle investments,” said Jay Stearns, Franklin’s Fleet Manager. “With these new tools, we’re better equipped to serve residents, operate efficiently, and reduce our environmental impact.”

For the 2025 fiscal year, MIIA awarded $1 million to fund over 150 grant requests from members for public safety activities and equipment. Municipalities were able to conduct HVAC evaluations, purchase confined space safety equipment, and conduct boiler and water loss prevention measures, among many other initiatives.
 
“This grant is about real-world impact – helping municipalities reduce claims, safeguard municipal assets, and protect workers,” said Stan Corcoran, MIIA Executive Vice President. “Helping our members build safer communities is central to MIIA’s mission, and we’re pleased to support Franklin as it strengthens efforts to prevent losses and protect both employees and residents.”

MIIA is a membership service of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. As a mission-driven, member-led nonprofit, MIIA focuses on providing Massachusetts municipalities and other governmental entities with insurance coverage alternatives, quality risk management, and wellness programs.

For over four decades, MIIA has proudly supported its members in their efforts to build stronger communities, foster safer work environments, and implement programs that promote the health and well-being of their employees. For more information, visit www.emiia.org and www.mma.org.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

In this Talk Franklin episode, we talk public works with the folks in the DPW (audio) - 02/22/24

"In this episode, we talk public works with the folks in the DPW who manage the infrastructure we don't usually see, and the roads/grounds we do see, and everything else in between! Plus a little fun with music and top hit songs about roads."

FM #1147 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1147 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares a new format for "Talk Franklin'' with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Administrator Amy Frigulietti. 


This episode features a conversation with many of the key folks from the Department of Public Works. We recorded our discussion in person in the 3rd floor Training Room on Thursday, February 22, 2024.


Topics for this session

Water & Sewer

Beaver Stream Interceptor

PFAS mitigations

Stormwater

New fee abatement cycle opens April 1

Trash & recycling

Composting coming

GIS (graphical information service)

The storymaps and the “data”

Fleet management

Over 200 registered vehicles

Another 80 unregistered devices (large & small)

Always looking for efficiencies

Engineering

Baron Road out to bid for work this year (ARPA funded)

Highway/ & Grounds

The most visible working section of the DPW


The recording runs about 96 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie, Amy & the DPW group on Thursday, February 22, 2024


Audio link -> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin--a-podcast-from-the-Town-Administrators-Office---February-22--2024-e2ga87e/a-ab0n2nm


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


Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator


Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 


DPW top page  https://www.franklinma.gov/public-works 

Water & Sewer  https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division 

Stormwater https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division 

GIS https://www.franklinma.gov/gis-department 

Engineering   https://www.franklinma.gov/engineering 

Highway & Grounds  https://www.franklinma.gov/highwaygrounds-division 


A new “Talk Franklin” version of “Family Feud” 

Sparked some discussion, laughter, and “why was that left out?”

https://drive.google.com/file/d/111umQfHbvRTcxCAQaLmjZhXMHIm6kYMR/view?usp=drive_link 



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

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"


In this Talk Franklin episode, we talk public works with the folks in the DPW (audio) - 02/22/24
In this Talk Franklin episode, we talk public works with the folks in the DPW (audio) - 02/22/24