FM #600 - Franklin's Health Director Cathleen Liberty - 08/31/21 (audio)

FM #600 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 600 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Health Director Cathleen Liberty on August 31, 2021. We had our conversation via virtual conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about the major topics of 

• Protocol set for COVID-19 exposure

• Public health nurse update

• Metacomet Shared Service grant update

• Tune it out program update

• New podcast coming - “The Topic”

The recording runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Cathleen

Audio file ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f09f57cc-916a-403b-9ba7-a04a3420c2bd

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

Health Dept. page https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

Board of Health page https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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 of Franklin Health Director Cathleen Liberty

FM #596 - Franklin, MA: Board of Health Mtg - 09/01/21 (audio)

FM #596 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 596 in the series.

This session shares the Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 1, 2021. The meeting was conducted in hybrid mode, most of the Board and Health Dept members in person at the Municipal Bldg and others via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Chair Bridget Sweet opened the meeting and reviewed the usual protocol for conduct of such remote meetings during this pandemic

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda, the Board of Health page, and my notes from the meeting. 

The meeting runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting.

Audio file =  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/30e18466-f7c9-40c4-a573-16c51b73946e

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

Meeting agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/boh_agenda_09012021.pdf 

Board of Health page  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department 

My meeting notes

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-franklin-ma-board-of-health.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/

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"

 

Tune it out program at a meeting in July

Recap: Franklin (MA) Board of Health Meeting - 09/01/21

Quick Recap:

• Minutes for Aug meeting accepted by 3-0 vote 
•  Update on Tune it Out program, open to all veterans who want to learn to play guitar
• Update on shared services grant and new inspector to work part-time (funded by grant)
• Update on new public health nurse to start in September (full time, funded by approved budget) 
• Update via Chair Sweet on interaction with School District and their meetings preparing for the policy for masks for personnel in schools as they planned to open this week (superseded by DESE decision for now)
• Intern to work on food rescue program 
• Intro by Roger Trahan (Chair of Agriculture Committee) and desire to work together with Board of Health/Health Dept 

----

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting although this time, reporting live from the 3rd floor training room.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #boh0901 

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh0901&src=typed_query 

 

Agenda doc (including connection info) ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/agenda/boh-agenda-56 

 

• Live reporting of Board of Health meeting underway. Minutes for Aug meeting accepted by 3-0 vote #boh0901
• Update on Tune it Out program, veteran training with guitars. #boh0901 all veterans all eligible, mirrored program that started in 2007 for vets with PTSD, this differs in that all vets are welcome
• Donations welcome via Veterans Services at the Senior Center #boh0901
• Motion to accept local upgrade request for 14 Hunters Road. #boh0901 motion second and passes 3-0
• Metacomet shared services grant allows for part time inspector, shared with Wrentham/Norfolk. Good step to regionalization of this service #boh0901
• Hired full time public health nurse to start in Sept, #boh0901 heart safe community opportunity, research required, would the Board consider? Update provided by Chair Sweet. Board consensus is for this, no action/vote for board at this time.
• Update via Chair Sweet on interaction with School District and their meetings preparing for masks for personnel in schools as it opened. #boh0901
• #boh0901 new platform for COVID vaccines request and registrations. ToF ready for delivery of booster shot delivery. CDC updating guidelines about availability for all who have had 1 or 2, want to get others their first. Breakthrough cases are a small %
• Intern to work on food rescue program to be developed for ToF. Food donations and food waste, misconception abounds, so gathering info and then the local area for opportunity #boh0901 EPA program '2 good to waste' and find ways to leverage for us, a la Elisha Project https://elishaproject.org/
• Roger Trajan, from Agriculture Commission provides his intro Meeting adjourns #boh0901

 

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/franklintv-time-for-ice-cream-3.html

 

Franklin Election 2021: What does the Board of Health do?

From the Annual Report of 2020 is this brief section on the Board of Health:

"The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the Health Department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws and regulations. The board also presides over administrative hearings concerning health department licensed and permitted activities. The board members are utilized for consultation on issues relative to public health as well."

One position is up for election on November 2 for a 4 year term. The other positions will be up for election in 2 years. This staggers the membership to maintain institutional knowledge. The Board of Health Chair, Bridget Sweet current holds the seat up for election this year.

What does the Health Department do?

"The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well-being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local public health laws and regulations. 

The Franklin Health Department's responsibilities include inspecting and permitting new and repaired/upgraded individual septic systems, witnessing percolation testing, biannual inspections of all food service and retail food establishments, investigating complaints of public health nuisances, enforcement of the state sanitary code relative to housing, licensing of children's recreational camps, inspection of semi-public swimming pools and spas, tanning salon and manicure/pedicure establishment inspections. The Health Department also issues permits for individual private drinking water and irrigation wells."

State Required Duties of the Board of Health can be found here 
http://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/pages/state-required-duties-board-health

The Board of Health can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department


Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 2, 2021 in the "election collection"  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html

Franklin Election 2021: What does the Board of Health do?

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Building Inspection Department

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT

The Building Inspection Department is a multi-functional office responsible for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair and occupancy of all residential, commercial, business and industrial uses for both existing and new construction in accordance with the Massachusetts Building Code. 

The department is responsible for the administration, interpretation and enforcement of the following codes:

• Massachusetts State Building Code - 780CMR 
• Town of Franklin Code - Zoning – CH 185 
• Mass. Electrical Code – 527 CMR
• Mass. Plumbing & Gas Code – 248 CMR 
• National Fuel Gas Code – NFPA 54-2002 
• Sealer of Weights and Measure – G.L. CH 98 
• Architectural Access Board – 521 CMR

Hours of Operation

The Building Inspection Department’s hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m., Wednesday 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m. and Friday 8:00a.m.- 1:00p.m.
For your convenience, you may visit our website: at www.franklinma.gov this site contains a series of forms easily accessible and available to download. The website provides permit applications, sample plot plans, sign regulations, swimming pool instruction manuals, shed/barn instruction manuals, zoning criteria and other information necessary to process a permit or to simply provide information to the public.

Building Department Staff
Building Commissioner/Zoning Officer: Lloyd Brown
Inspectors:
Inspector of Wires: Bernard Mullaney 

Asst Wiring Inspector: James Loughlin 

Plumbing/Gas Inspector: Richard Cornetta
Asst Plumb/Gas Inspector: Richard McCormick 

Local Building Inspector: Stephen O’Neill 

Sealer of Weights & Measurers: Comm. of Mass. /Div. of Standards

Staff Assistants
Judy Demers
Melissa Kiriacopoulos/Zoning Tyler Paslaski

Lloyd Brown, Commissioner of Buildings, is responsible for all construction trade inspectors, municipal maintenance and supervision of all construction, zoning interpretation and determination, pre-planning and review of all subdivisions and proposed construction and improvements and general input for all other municipal departments and construction-related inquiries.
 
FY 2020 started off with the promise of moving into online permitting and it didn’t disappoint. In short, our permit module Viewpoint was as smooth a transition as you could ask for. Our ZBA clerk Leeanne Kerwin worked with Chrissy Welton and IT to bring a much anticipated tool to the table. Leeanne moved onto a Job in the Town of Dighton and is sorely missed, as she was an outstanding employee.

Barbara Curran also a long time ZBA clerk for us retired at the beginning of the year. Barbara was as good as they get with over 20 years of service to the town. Melissa Kiriacopoulos was hired in January as ZBA clerk and has excelled as permit clerk as has Tyler Paslaski our latest hire.

Continue reading about the Building Inspection Department

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020:  Building Inspection Department

 

FM #527 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 (audio)

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Finance Committee, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder were remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this budget hearing on "Public Safety"

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/bf3786c3-b901-4478-8bba-2808a097615f

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

• April 28 Agenda = Public Safety (Police, Fire, Regional Dispatch)
 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-04-28_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf

• Town budget page for FY 2022

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy-22-budget-materials

• My notes from the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-fincomm-budget-hearing-2-042821.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 www.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"

FM #527 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 (audio)

Recap - FinComm Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 - Public safety

Quick Recap:

• Public safety up for review this evening; Police, Fire, Inspection, and Regional Dispatch
• Police still understaffed vs. FBI stats but at larger staff than in recent years. Takes a newbie a year to get trained and on the street. One reason transfers are preferred if available
• Fire awaiting grant status possible award in Jun/Jul. If awarded, those individuals would be in addition to staff. Only hire paramedic qualified individuals.
• MECC expanding by two more communities (Millis, Mendon) with room for one more (maybe after that).

----

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.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #fincom0428

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom0428&src=typed_query

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/6sggWUkqV9YYLy578

The agenda for this meeting can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-04-28_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf 

• Part 2 of the 4 part Budget Hearing by the Finance Committee about to begin at 6:30 PM. Connection info and agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-04-28_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf   #fincom0428
• Full budget doc to follow along on Police budget -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/budget_book_ta_level_fy22_with_page_numbers_v3.pdf  #fincom0428

Police

• P 52 and following covers the Police budget currently at 53 FTE would like to get more to be aligned with similar Community size #fincom0427 1 sargent aligned with 15 patrol personnel; span of control and additional administration would be desirable. Facing retirements
• Possible 2 this year, 4 in mid 2022, senior patrol person always badge #1; incentive to get 9 months notice of retirement, to avoid gap of hiring, training and actually getting to the streets to work #fincom0428 Q on jail diversion program covered by grant joint with Medway
• FBI stats say 1.9 patrol per 1000/population, would run out to about 70. Don't need to be that high just that 53 is light and with increase in population and buildings, the call volume is going up. #fincom0427 It takes a person about a year to get training to hit the streets
• The training and salary package has been an incentive to get transfers in which allows them to get to the streets quicker #fincom0428 chief advocated for parity in the salary package and it has worked well. Cost of body cameras and particularly the storage of the video
• He would prefer to have the body first, also with police reform there are 16 Committees looking at this so why start something now and have to change it out later. #fincom0428 we are not in civil service and happy not to be, able to recruit without it.
• #fincom0428 we are an attractive Community to work for, recent hires are good examples of what we can do. A job posting generates more applications than needed to fulfill a spot. A test is done every 3 years. I love self sponsors. That shows initiative for a job.
• Self sponsors wait for seats, dept sponsors get priority. #fincom0428 

Fire

• Now onto the Fire Dept, refer to pages 57-61. Ambulance billing rates now looked at annually, grant group being very productive. 180 days notice and 90 days actual date notice req'd for retirement
• Refresh the listing of hierarchy every two years, training and reorganization attractive to new hires. We do hire paramedics and prefer to not drop to EMT level #fincom0428 results of SAFER grant due around Jun/Jul. Likely would be additional staff, would have some time
• To start building a budget to support the hires after the grant ran out. The sun, moon and stars may align on this. #fincom0428 looking to stock the 3rd ambulance to be ready if needed. We are ready to go back for a look at ISO 1, not so much a staffing thing, equipment key
• All fee revenue goes into the general fund except for that supporting the enterprise funds #fincom0428 applied again for grant, setting aside approx $600k in case grant doesn't renew. Assume it does, the these funds go to the MECC stabilization fund. There is still room for 1

MECC

• Community to add to the regional dispatch, Millville and Medway Mendon coming on as planned this summer Moving to inspection, pages 64-65  #fincom0428 
• Moving to animal control, a regional agreement with Bellingham, we provide space, they run the program without complaints
• Motion to adjourn, seconded,  passes 9-0
• Back again Thursday for DPW and stormwater among other items! #fincom0428

 

Recap - FinComm Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 - Public safety