- All alcohol license approved for Sierra's Brick Oven Pizza
- Corporate record license changes for both Longhorn Restaurant and the 99 Restaurant were approved
- Financial Audit report for FY 2022reveals a clean report, no actions, no management letter, the Town maintains their AAA rating status
- Presentation from the Charles River Pollution Control District
- Update on the long awaited Beaver St interceptor, bids came in below expectations, sewer rates will rise and remain to pay for the 20 year borrowing costs of this major infrastructure project
- PFAS regulation increases proposed by EPA can cost us significantly. Well 7 is currently offline, more wells may be in jeopardy of shutdown due to increased monitoring. Yet, PFAS is still being made, is a forever chemical and is major concern for future water supply quality and cost thereof
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 *
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Town Council approves inclusionary zoning & first reading on sewer rate increase among items on a full meeting agenda (video)
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda for the May 3, 2023 Meeting
Sunday, January 1, 2023
Beaver St. Interceptor Rehabilitation/Replacement and New Beaver St. Pump Station - Invitation for Bids
Under MGL c. 30-39m, the Town of Franklin seeks bids for the Beaver Street Interceptor Rehabilitation/Replacement and New Beaver Street Pump Station. Pre-bid conference and site walk through on 1/12/2023 at 11:00 AM at the Franklin Municipal Building.
The project includes but is not limited to: - Installation of approximately 8,000 lf of 8" to 24" sanitary sewer using open-cut excavation and/or jack and bore; - Rehabilitation of approximately 6,000 lf of 16" to 24" sanitary sewer using cured-in-place pipe lining; - Installation of approximately 4,000 lf of 18" sanitary sewer force main by open-cut excavation and construction of associated sanitary sewer pump station; - Installation of approximately 900 lf of new water main; - Associated work including new manholes, manhole rehab., trench and roadway pavement, traffic controls, and utility abandonment and relocation.
Shared from Town of Franklin pages -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/beaver-st-interceptor-rehabilitationreplacement-and-new-beaver-st-pump-station
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Beaver St. Interceptor Rehabilitation/Replacement and New Beaver St. Pump Station - Invitation for Bids |
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
What is the Beaver St Interceptor? Why does it need to be replaced?
DPW presentations to the Town Council over the years as the replacement project is talked of and becomes a reality
November 2014 - Beaver St culvert
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/beaver_st_culvert_presentation_0.pdf
February 2015 - part of DPW update to Town Council
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/council_update_feb_14_2015.pdf
Oct 2021 - Town Council update (audio)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-372-town-council-mtg-102120-part-2.html
Oct 2021 Presentation doc https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/dpw_beaver_street_interceptor_10_21_2020.pdf
Oct 2021 “Talk Franklin” with Jamie Hellen part of this covers the Beaver St Interceptor
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-368-talk-franklin-102320-audio.html
Jan 2021 approval by Town Council of the Beaver St project, initial funding
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/fm-428-town-council-meeting-p1of2.html
June 2022 authorized updated cost to fund the Beaver St project
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/06/town-council-hears-of-way-to-proceed.html
hydraulic flow diagram of the Beaver St interceptor |
Saturday, July 9, 2022
Legal Notice: public hearing on Beaver St interceptor project - July 21, 2022
All records and files for this project can be viewed at the Conservation Office located on the first floor of the Franklin Municipal Building.
Patrick Gallagher
Chairman
Saturday, June 11, 2022
Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - a recap of the June 8, 2022 meeting (audio)
FM #816 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 816 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Town Council Quarterbacking session with Chair Tom Mercer on Thursday morning, June 9, 2022. The Town Council meeting was held on Wednesday, June 8.
· ok, what just happened?
· What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
a. Proclamation - Franklin Flyers Youth Hockey Team
b. Proclamation - Franklin High School Theatre Company
License Transactions
a. License Modification: Change of Hours - PH Franklin, Inc. d/b/a Raillery Public House, Located at 280 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin, MA 02038
b. New Farmer Winery-Farmers Market License - Crave Mead, LLC d/b/a Crave Mead, Located at 7 Main St., Unit 1, Blackstone, MA 01504
PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Presentation/Discussion: North Grove Priority Development Area Redevelopment Concept - Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel & MassDevelopment
LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 22-32: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Town Clerk
b. Resolution 22-30: FY22 Capital Plan Round 2
e. Resolution 22-39: Authorizing the Additional Borrowing of Money to Pay Additional Costs of the Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Project
The conversation runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-816-town-council-quarterbacking-w-tom-mercer-06-09-22--------------
Meeting agenda =>
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_6-8-22_0.pdf
Presentation on the Nu-Style property -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/franklin_presentation.pdf
My notes ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c3eKOj6mOCpr1fos7dvk_N4zcoh-DyO3/view?usp=sharing
My photos taken during the meeting are in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/6Rkh1UGK3MJ5Yz6S7
YouTube video of meeting -> https://youtu.be/xQgdpRxgGOU
Keep up with events in Franklin via the Community 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"
Friday, June 10, 2022
Town Council hears of way to proceed with Nu-Style property, approves Town Clerk salary, authorized updated cost for Beaver St interceptor (audio)
FM #815 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 815 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in hybrid format on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.
- Chair: T Mercer, M Hamblen, C Frongillo, G Jones (remote), P Sheridan, D Pellegri (clerk for meeting with Jones remote), R Dellorco, T Cormier-Leger, B Chandler
- Town Administration: J Hellen, A Alleyne, M Cerel, et al
The recording runs two hours and twenty minutes (excluding the recess), so let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on June 8, 2022.
--------------
Meeting agenda =>
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_6-8-22_0.pdf
Presentation on the Nu-Style property -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/franklin_presentation.pdf
My notes ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c3eKOj6mOCpr1fos7dvk_N4zcoh-DyO3/view?usp=sharing
My photos taken during the meeting are in one album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6Rkh1UGK3MJ5Yz6S7
YouTube video of meeting -> https://youtu.be/xQgdpRxgGOU
--------------
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"
Sunday, June 5, 2022
Franklin, MA: Town Council - agenda - June 8, 2022 at 7 PM
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.
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.
a. Proclamation - Franklin Flyers Youth Hockey Teamb. Proclamation - Franklin High School Theatre Company
a. License Modification: Change of Hours - PH Franklin, Inc. d/b/a Raillery Public House, Located at 280 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin, MA 02038 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._raillery_change_of_hours.pdfb. New Farmer Winery-Farmers Market License - Crave Mead, LLC d/b/a Crave Mead, Located at 7 Main St., Unit 1, Blackstone, MA 01504 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7b._farmers_market_license_-_crave.pdf
a. Exemption #6: To consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body and the chair so declares. i. Schmidt’s Farm, Prospect Street
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Franklin, MA: Town Council - agenda - June 8, 2022 at 7 PM |
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Public Works
1. Administration
2. Engineering
3. Highway and Grounds (including Highway Maintenance and Construction, Central Motors, Snow & Ice, Parks, Town and School Grounds Maintenance and Forestry/Insect Control)
4. Water (including ground water withdrawals, water treatment and distribution)
5. Sewer
6. Solid Waste and Recycling (including the operation of the Beaver St. Recycling Center)
7. Street Lighting
DPW ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
The major functions of the Administrative Division includes developing capital projects, long range planning, intergovernmental relations and compliance, grant writing, processing various private construction permits and drain layer licenses, purchasing, budgeting, accounting, payroll, and multiple forms of utility billing.
Capital Projects
The Administrative Division, in conjunction with Engineering and the operating divisions, develops major capital projects.
The DPW continues to design and construct long-range projects over three to four years. Progress on specific capital construction projects is outlined in subsequent portions of this report.
It is important to note that many of these projects are performed by existing staff members which saves significant amounts of money by avoiding the need to contract out these services. The process of planning, designing, permitting, and oversite of these projects is an arduous task that requires a great level of coordination and cooperation between DPW divisions and other state, municipal and federal departments.
Grant Writing
The Town continues to implement a grant of $119,000 to develop stormwater infiltration with a private developer on Dean Ave and at other various locations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Mass DEP. We will investigate approaches for Franklin and private parties to work together to meet the permit requirements and save money for all.
The Town once again partnered with the Great American Rain Barrel Company to offer the discounted purchase of rain barrels to Franklin residents. Along with the discount, residents were eligible to receive a $50 rebate through the water conservation rebate grant.
The Town also received over $100,000.00 in recycling grants for our innovative programs at the recycling center in the proper removal and recycling of mattresses and Styrofoam to name a few.
Permits and Long Range Planning
The Town of Franklin also continues to oppose the implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II and the pending Phase II Stormwater Permit for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) as required by the EPA. Phase I required the Town to highly regulate and monitor stormwater throughout the Town at a significantly increased cost. Phase II is projected to include increased regulatory requirements and cost even more. The Department will continue to refine and improve adopted regulations and practices to improve the stormwater in Franklin while minimizing the associated costs.
The Town of Franklin led a coalition of 16 other communities and challenged the EPA in Federal Court. Over the last year, the Town of Franklin has continued in mediation as directed by the Federal Court to try and work out disagreements and costs associated with the new MS4 storm water permit.
Long range planning is critical in the area of Public Works and must be accomplished consistently in order to ensure that the Town water, sewer and roadway infrastructure can support the needs of our residents. With the success of the 20/20 Plan, the Town Council authorized additional funding for waterline replacement and the improvement of roadways. Details on specific locations can be found in other parts of this report. With that funding already allocated, the Town Council continued with additional funding for the waterline replacement and road reconstruction of the Skyline Dr. neighborhood, Oak St Extension, Marvin Ave area and the Stanford Rd area. With the completion of the above mentioned projects we are looking at the next major waterlines and neighborhoods to be rehabilitated.
The DPW has continued to work with both the DEP and the Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation to facilitate the final closing and capping of the Beaver Street Landfill Site.
The Town of Franklin has continued to work with other area towns and conservation groups towards ensuring that regional water supplies are protected.
The DPW is also looking at repairs/replacement of the “Beaver Street Interceptor”, the Town’s primary pipe that conveys sewer to the Charles River Pollution Control District for processing.
Continue reading the DPW section in the Annual Report in the PDF version (page 132) or the print version (#126) https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020
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Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Public Works |
Saturday, July 24, 2021
"Massachusetts will need to make major investments in infrastructure"
"If the heavy rains of this summer are emblematic of our future normal as climate change progresses, then so, too, is this: Much of that rainwater overwhelms local sewers, triggering the release of hundreds of millions of gallons of raw, untreated sewage into Massachusetts waterways.
When the rain falls, as it has so many days this month, aging sewers can fill and overflow, spilling pathogen-laden sewage into the same places where people fish, swim, and boat. It’s a problem that plagues the state, even without the expected impact from climate change.
Despite billions of dollars that have been spent to repair and upgrade sewers around Boston Harbor, for example, sewage overflows from Quincy have remained a persistent problem. Quincy recently signed a settlement with the federal government, agreeing to spend $100 million to fix its sewers. And just this week, discharged sewage was pointed to as a possible cause of an oily sheen, dead fish, and putrid smells on a section of the upper Charles River."
The Finance Committee posted agenda for Nov 2020 including the interceptor project presentation document https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/franklin-ma-finance-committee-agenda_14.html
My notes of the meeting https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/finance-committee-meeting-recap-nov-17.html
The Oct 21, 2020 Town Council meeting segment with the Beaver St interceptor presentation and discussion https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-372-town-council-mtg-102120-part-2.html