Dean College: "When the Boston Celtics Played at Pieri: The Forgotten Story of How Dean Influenced the Start of a Dynasty"

Via Dean College:

"As the @celtics kick off their quest for their 18th championship, we retell the forgotten story of when the team brought eight basketball Hall of Famers to campus and kicked off a streak of eight consecutive world championships."

Learn more: https://t.co/LL5QDNTUkB

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/DeanCollege/status/1646875857649123330

 

"The photo showed two basketball giants: Bill Russell, a civil rights pioneer and the man who set the standard for winning in professional sports, and John Havlicek, like Russell a basketball Hall of Famer and the Celtics' all-time leading scorer.

Between Russell and Havlicek stood Red Auerbach, the Celtics coach and considered one of the best ever; former Dean President William Garner; Louis Pieri, class of 1916, Celtics co-owner and namesake of the College’s gym; and Joseph Martin, a former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives."

Franklin Panthers recognized, Historic Districts info shared, goals update provided and 4 committees authorized (audio)

FM #913 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 913 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. All 9 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers.

Quick recap:

• Franklin Panthers 4th grade football team recognized for winning the State Championship

• Video and info shared on the 2 National Register Historic Districts in Franklin that was prepared by Vicki Earls, Franklin Public Library

• Town Council Goals Update in the middle of this two year term was provided by Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

• Renewal of Municipal agreement with Tri-County for school resource officer

• Ratification of 3 contract adjustments with Police (2) and Fire (1)

• Authorize formation of four committees

• Arts & Culture

• Master Plan

• Police Station

• Davis Thayer reuse

The recording runs just over 2 hours. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on January 4, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-913-town-council-mtg-01-04-23

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

Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/franklin-ma-town-council-meeting-agenda.html

The National Register Historic Districts presentation ->   https://youtu.be/KdGHozDRa1E

Watch the Franklin.TV video replay on YouTube ->  https://youtu.be/N-WomocGBlc

My notes in one threaded PDF document -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iIH7JAlnlgN69HDkUYIS-3U44pUSUW15/view?usp=share_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"

Historic Districts info shared

Did you know the National Register of Historic Districts lists 2 in Franklin, MA? (video)

This narrated PowerPoint presentation reveals details on the two National Register Historic Districts located in Franklin, Massachusetts.  The narration is presented by Reference Librarian Vicki Earls.

Video link -> https://youtu.be/KdGHozDRa1E

The National Register of Historic Districts lists 2 in Franklin, MA (video)

Town Council to review and vote on the initial CPA funding plan

Due to lack of a quorum at their scheduled meeting of June 15, the Finance Committee did not get to review the Community Preservation Committee plan and outline for the initial funding proposal coming to the Town Council tonight at 7 PM.

Part of the funding plan is outlined as follows:

Purpose	Amount
Historic Preservation Reserve Town Clerk Vault Records Preservation	$15,000
Historic Preservation Reserve Historical Museum Cupola	70,000
Historic Preservation Reserve Red Brick School House - Exterior Preservation	200,000
Community Housing Reserve Franklin Ridge Affordable Housing Project	320,000
Budgeted Reserve Nason Street Tot Lot	300,000
Total	$905,000

The link to last Community Preservation Committee meeting recording ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/06/community-preservation-committee_02031190524.html

The Town Council action items for the initial CPA funding proposal:

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 22-36: FY23 CPA Budget & Reservations (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-36 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a.pdf

b. Resolution 22-37: FY23 CPC Appropriation of Capital Funds (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-37 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b.pdf

c. Resolution 22-38: CPC Appropriation of Funds - Debt Service Maple Hill Land (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-38 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - agenda - June 22, 2022

Community Preservation Committee approves plan for first authorization of CPA funds

FM #813 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 813 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting held in hybrid format on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. 

• Chair/membership: C Feeley, D McNeill (remote), M Doyle, J Livingstone, P Malcolm, M Giardino, W Simarian, L Oxford [R Power, absent]
• Town Administration: J Hellen, A Alleyne, K Bertone   

The meeting approved the minutes of the prior meeting via roll call vote (8-0-1; 8 for, 0 against, 1 absent). 

With some discussion on the overall plan, the committee then voted on each of the resolutions which passed with the same 8-0-1 vote via roll call.

a. Resolution 22-36: FY23 CPA Reservations (Budget) $1,887,000

b. Resolution 22-37: FY23 CPC Appropriation of Capital Funds (Project Recommendations) - $905,000

c. Resolution 33-38: CPC Appropriation of Funds - Debt Service Maple Hill Land - $271,489

There may not be a need to meet until September or later. With the new fiscal year, and the rolling project form, someone could propose something at any time. Once they did, it would be scheduled for a meeting.

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee discussion on June 7, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-813-community-preservation-cmte-mtg-06-07-22

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

Meeting agenda =>    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/06-07-2022_cpc_packet.pdf 

CPC Plan -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022_cpa_plan_v.2_3.pdf 

My notes -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1koc2S9_y8Ksz_Q5M9K0A1zvTi4VGTAfg/view?usp=sharing 

Purpose	Amount
Historic Preservation Reserve Town Clerk Vault Records Preservation	15,000
Historic Preservation Reserve Historical Museum Cupola	70,000
Historic Preservation Reserve Red Brick School House - Exterior Preservation	200,000
Community Housing Reserve Franklin Ridge Affordable Housing Project	320,000
Budgeted Reserve Nason Street Tot Lot	300,000
Total	905,000

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

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"

Community Preservation Committee approves plan for first authorization of CPA funds

Reminder: Community Preservation Committee - scheduled to review draft of initial project list

Community Preservation Committee 
Meeting April 5, 2022 - 7 PM

Agenda:
1. Approval of Minutes

a. January 4, 2022

b. January 18, 2022

2. Discussion: Community Preservation Master Plan Sketch Draft v. 1

Please find the agenda and links for the meeting here:     https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-06-05_cpc_meeting_agenda.pdf

From the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Project Recommendations (beginning page 18)

Open Space

Maple Hill purchase

Historic Preservation
Red Brick School House - Lead Paint Removal, Preservation and Paint

Affordable Housing
Franklin Ridge Affordable Housing Project

Budgeted Reserve

Town Clerk Vault Records Preservation 
Historical Museum Cupola
Nason Street Tot Lot

pickleball courts at King St Memorial Park

Community Preservation Committee Meeting April 5, 2022

Community Preservation Committee 
Meeting April 5, 2022

Agenda:
1. Approval of Minutes

a. January 4, 2022

b. January 18, 2022

2. Discussion: Community Preservation Master Plan Sketch Draft v. 1

Please find the agenda and links for the meeting here:     https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-06-05_cpc_meeting_agenda.pdf

pickleball courts at King St Memorial Park

Learn about zoning in Franklin! View the Forum March 7

Join the Town of Franklin and MAPC for our first public forum on Monday, March 7 at 7PM! This will be a hybrid meeting that takes place in the Council Chambers at Town Hall (please note the change in location) and over Zoom. Click the link below to register and tell us if you plan to attend in person or remotely.

Register for the March 7 Forum

History of Zoning in Franklin

Franklin Center's building stock is largely historic, with two-thirds of the buildings having been built before WWII, and many much earlier. Franklin Center was predominantly developed around the turn of the 20th century, in the late Victorian/early Edwardian period from 1860 until the stock market crash in 1929. Close to 60% of all buildings in Franklin Center were built during this time, although some date back to the mid 18th century.

 

Source: MA Land Parcel Database, Franklin Assessor

Zoning regulations throughout the United States, particularly in older communities, often result in conflicting goals between a zoning district's regulations and the existing development patterns of that area. Franklin's zoning code and associated districts were first adopted by the Town's Planning Board in 1930, after almost two-thirds of Franklin's current structures were built. As such, many of the most beloved buildings in Franklin Center could not be legally built today because of dimensional or use restrictions in the zoning regulations.

Prior to Franklin's zoning code being adopted, the primary modes of transportation for the average American would have been walking, bicycle, horseback, or using a streetcar transit system. In that year, there were roughly 217 cars per 1,000 people in the United States, a number that grew to 380 in 1955 and to around 800 in 2010. As family and individual car ownership continued to exponentially increase throughout the 20^th century, so did a greater focus on zoning regulations to cater to the experience of motorists above all other modes of transportation. The below photo shows Franklin's Main Street back when its streetcar system was in operation

 

 

This meant that the physical form for urban, suburban, and rural communities was altered to fit the needs of car owners. Parking minimums for developments were established. Roads were built, widened, and then widened again to satisfy induced demand. As the world became more car-friendly, car ownership felt less optional and more obligatory. Jobs, schools, and places where people chose to spend their free time were further and further away from people's homes. Today, if a resident in Franklin or in countless communities across the country wants to get from their home to a place of business, they are most likely taking a car.

Zoning's Impact on the Built Form

Impact of Dimensional Regulations The "look and feel" of a neighborhood depends on how a person traveling in the neighborhood is able to interact with their built environment. Zoning dimensional regulations dictate the size a buildable property can be, where building on that property can occur, and even the architectural design standards that dictate how those buildings must look. The diagram below shows the various dimensions that are regulated by Franklin's zoning code.

 

dimensions that are regulated by Franklin's zoning code

Two of the zoning regulations which dictate the size of a property are lot area and lot frontage (see the Zoning Glossary below for definitions). They are both usually regulated as a minimum amount whereby a property owner would need to obtain a variance to build on a lot that has a smaller lot area or frontage than zoning regulations for that district allow. As we consider what this means for people traveling on foot or cycling, properties with a larger lot area are likely going to have more frontage, and as a result, it will take more time to walk past that lot. Yards, also commonly known as setbacks, are a type of buffer that prevents a property owner from building anything too close to their front, rear, and side property lines and are also usually regulated as a minimum amount. Large front-yard setbacks can impede to access to a building by putting it farther away from the street. In commercial spaces, these setbacks are often reserved for parking lots. In residential spaces, it means larger front-yards. From the perspective of those who are interacting with their built environment, this means a longer walk across a parking lot to get to a store, or many long walks up and down driveways for trick-or-treaters come Halloween. Building height and number of stories are dimensional standards that regulate how tall a building can be. Taller buildings with multiple stories can better maximize limited available land than a single-story building and are generally easier to obtain financing for from a bank. On the other hand, buildings that are too high can also be unfriendly to pedestrians and cyclists, blocking natural light and creating a feeling of being lost in a "concrete jungle". The zoning code should strike a balance to allow for buildings to be built in a way that feels appropriate for someone who is interacting with them at street-level.

Source: Downtown Great Barrington Cultural District A streetwall occurs when you have higher-density, multi-story development lining one (or both) sides of the street with little, if any, setbacks in the front and side. This creates a wall of buildings that offer storefronts with visual entertainment for pedestrians and awnings that provide shelter from harsh rain or sun. See the following photo from Great Barrington, MA for an example of a vibrant streetwall. The streetwall creates an urban form that encourages people to want to spend their free time there and transforms the sidewalk from a place of transportation to a venue for both daily adventures and special events (such as winter ice sculpture displays or a cookoff). Creating an environment where people will want to interact with the surroundings helps to create an area that feels vibrant and active and will also support the local businesses. Impact of Use Regulations Zoning use regulations explicitly dictate what can be built where. For example, a factory of a big-box store cannot be built in a residential district, something most would support. Such a use, with its odors, noises, and inherent dangers, could affect the quality of life for residents in a negative way. Zoning regulations help keep these land uses separate, often with buffers and space between them, ensuring that quality of life and the value of one's home is not negatively impacted by other land uses. However, what we have learned in the one hundred years of enacting zoning regulations in the United States is that too much separation of land uses can have profoundly negative impacts on quality of life as well. As a society, we have used regulations to separate where we live from where we work, learn, and play, preventing the creation of vibrant neighborhoods and encouraging vehicle use. One of the things that we have learned is that a mix of uses in a downtown area, including residential, retail, office, and even light-industrial, helps to foster a wider variety of housing options and create a built-in customer base that will support local business. It is hard for downtown businesses anywhere to survive when there are no customers that live nearby. A mixture of uses combined with residents living near or above them helps to create downtown destinations, that in turn make a downtown more attractive to new businesses, shops, restaurants, and residents. The photo below is an example of a mixed-use development in Franklin with retail uses on the first floor and residential units on the floors above.   Source: Franklin Downtown Partnership   Impact of Regulations on Housing Costs Zoning regulations that unreasonably constrain what can be built on a site are directly tied to increases in housing costs. Setback regulations make the developable part of a property smaller than its area. Height limitations mean a person can only get so much usable space on their land since there is a literal ceiling as to how high a building can be built. Parking minimums mean valuable space is taken up that cannot be built on. All of these factors, combined with market forces related to supply and demand and personal preference on where people choose to live, inflate the cost of land and make development more expensive. Fact finding missions to de-mystify zoning codes fall in the hands of developers, who must spend time and money working with architects, planners, engineers, and attorneys who can help determine what can be built where, and what the stipulations are for building in a certain place. The local municipality is a part of this, who must review submitted plans with accompanying permit fees that pay for the municipality's staff time. These processes can add hundreds of dollars to a small project, and thousands of dollars for larger projects, while adding time and uncertainty to the development process. The longer a project takes to get built, the less likely it is that the project will ever be built, a situation that no property owner or financing organization wants to be a part of. Zoning Glossary Accessory Building: Any building on a property that is reasonably related to the principal building on that property, such as a shed. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU): A self-contained apartment on the same lot as a single-family residence, either attached to or detached from the principal building. Accessory Use: A secondary use of a property that is reasonably related to the principal use. A home-based business is an example of an accessory use. Building Height: The vertical height (in feet) from the street-side of a building to the highest point of that building. The building or roof type may determine how the height is calculated, however, any part of the structure that does not enclose habitable space (such as a chimney, TV antenna, etc.) is not considered when determining building height. Building Story: The portion of a building between the floor and either the roof or the floor above. District: An area on a zoning map with uniform regulations which specify how the land can be uses and what dimensions a new building must conform to. All parcels in Franklin are currently assigned to one of 17 base zoning districts that serve residential, commercial, and industrial uses of varying densities. Impervious Coverage: Anything covering the ground that surface water cannot penetrate, such as pavement. Lot Area: The total area (in square feet) within the lot lines of a property, excluding any street right-of-way. Lot Depth: The distance between the frontage line and the rear property line. Lot Frontage: The portion of a property where the front entrance faces the street, measured along the street from one edge of the property to another. Multifamily Building: A structure that contains three or more residential units, either for rent or condominium ownership. Mixed-Use Building: A structure that contains a mix of principal uses. Generally, it refers to commercial use on the first story with residential units on the stories above. Principal Use: What any property is primarily used for, such as residential, commercial, or industrial. Rezone: The public process by which a zoning district for a property or collection of properties is changed, culminating in a vote by the Franklin Town Council. Special Permit: A permit granted by a public board (usually the Planning Board) to allow for a use or increased density that is not guaranteed by right, but instead considered on a case-by-case basis.  Variance: A granted exception from the use or dimensional regulations for a property by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Not all regulations can be granted exception. www.mapc.org/franklin-for-all