Showing posts with label interceptor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interceptor. Show all posts

Friday, November 20, 2020

Finance Committee meeting recap - Nov 17, 2020

Quick Recap:

  • The Finance Committee gets an update on the Beaver St interceptor, effectively a shorter and concise review of what the Town Council received at their Oct 21, 2020 meeting.
  • The finance options are expected to be ready in January 2021. It is likely that the sewer rate payers will absorb the cost of the project as it is user based. A better understanding of how much is due in January.
  • The balance of the meeting was discussion on topics for future meetings.

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

The Finance Committee posted agenda including the interceptor project presentation document  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/franklin-ma-finance-committee-agenda_14.html

Photos of the meeting shared via Twitter can be found in one album

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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  #fincom1117

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Fincom1117&src=typeahead_click

  • #fincom1117 meeting starts on time
  • Town Administrator Jamie Hellen also remote for this meeting #fincom1117
  • Jamie provides an overview of the presentation and introduces Brutus who will get into the details. Finance plan desired for Town Council discussion on Jan 2021 #fincom1117
  • Interceptor over 100 years old, did well but is in need of repair/ replacement before something major happens. Couldn't have been built in a worse spot. I&I has overtime taken 1m gallons of flow out of the pipe. #fincom1117
  • Interesting slide depicts the flow high to low, all gravity fed. Also the brown on top shows how deep the pipe is, and an indication of the trouble to repair (i.e. access to it) #fincom1117
  • #fincom1117 three options/alternatives for work: attempting to do pro/con analysis for the options to develop a weighed average
  • Catching up to this meeting status, distracted by hearing about the #schcomm1117 workshop that was canceled and I did not find out about. Brutus did finish his overview, stay tuned for the real finance details sometime in Jan 2021. Now on discussion of future topics
  • Mention of SchComm budget workshop now scheduled for December 1. #schcomm1117 #fincom1117
  • #fincom1117 question for future SchComm update can cover; what are steps and lanes? also how are we keeping the three small schools when we have lost about 1200 students over the years? buildings are expensive, principals are also?
  • "This is must see TV" the tax rate hearing may generate interest. #fincom1117 discussion on getting interest, this is where it happens. Motion to adjourn, seconded, passed So that will be all for tonight folks. One full meeting and one partial wait for, catch you next time

key slide shows the gravity flow of the sewerage along with the depth of the service access points
key slide shows the gravity flow of the sewerage along with the depth of the service access points


Sunday, November 15, 2020

FM #390 Talk Franklin - 11/13/20 (audio)

FM #390 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 390 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about:

- Friday, Nov 13, 2020 being a special day for someone (yes, Anne Marie’s birthday)

- Economic Development
Listening session 11/16
#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards

- Election
Dec 5 to fill open Town Council seat
Vote by mail ballot, no ‘early voting’ only day of at FHS

- Budget FY 2021
Fincom 11/9 (‘minor’ adjustments to expense; add $1M back to revenue side i.e. new growth)
FinCom 11/17 (Beaver St interceptor)
Budget Subcomm 11/18 (6:00 PM)
Town Council 11/18 (7:00 PM)
Senior Center Coffee Hour 11/19
Tax rate hearing 12/2

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.   Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/cb1d8ba4-af70-45f6-8a7e-31c1da93d63a


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Town Clerk page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

Business listening session 11/16 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/business_listening_flyer_-_final_2_1_1.pdf

Finance Committee agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/finance_commitee_agenda_11-17-20.pdf

Budget Subcommittee agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/budget-subcommittee/events/307721

Town Council agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/events/246273

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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" 


Think Franklin First gift cards coming Nov 25
Think Franklin First gift cards coming Nov 25

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - Nov 17, 2020 - 6:30 PM

Finance Committee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
November 17th, 2020
6:30 PM

 

Agenda

1.    Call to Order
2.    Public Comments
3.    Approval of Minutes - None
4.    Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Update - DPW Director Robert Cantoreggi
5.    Future Agenda Items
6.    Adjourn
 

Connection info in Agenda document
 
Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Update
Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Update


Monday, October 26, 2020

FM #372 Town Council Mtg - 10/21/20 (part 2 of 3) (audio)

FM #372 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 372 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full three hour plus meeting into three segments:
- First - covers the opening through the appointments and pinning ceremonies, including the presentation/discussion on nationalGRID and their response to power outages during storms (1 hour and 20 minutes)
** Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Beaver St interceptor, which could become the largest public works project the Town has taken on other than building a school (50 mins)
- Third - covers Subcommittee reports through legislation for Action and ultimately to the close of the meeting (64 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to the presentation document.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Oct 21, 2020 (50 mins) (part 2 of 3)  Audio file =  
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-372-town-council-mtg-10-21-20


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Town Council agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/october-21-town-council-agenda

Beaver St Interceptor presentation
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._presentation_-_beaver_street_interceptor_.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/town-counil-meeting-recap-oct-21-2020.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"

screengrab from the Beaver St Interceptor portion of the meeting
screengrab from the Beaver St Interceptor portion of the meeting

Sunday, October 25, 2020

FM #368 Talk Franklin - 10/23/20 (audio)

FM #368 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 368 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about:

  • Re-opening/Pandemic status; Case counts at high since June
  • Election progress going well, turnout high
  • Listening sessions 2 down, more to come- Nov 16; #ThinkFranklinFirst
    • New grants available (up to 50 employees);  Micro grant program still available
  • Town Council Mtg
    • Fire Dept = 3 firefighter/paramedics sworn in
    • Police = 2 sworn in, recognized one retiree
  • Beaver St interceptor

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 43 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/10f0010f-7ad3-45a1-b122-71ab605177b6


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COVID-19 status  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/covid-19_case_counts_13.pdf

Town Clerk page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

Business listening sessions  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/business_listening_flyer_-_final_2_1_1.pdf

Business grants (newest one, up to 50 employees) https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/covid-19-response/covid-19-grants-massachusetts-small-businesses

Microgrants (small business, 5 employees or less) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/micro_enterprise_grants_3.pdf

Beaver Street interceptor  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._presentation_-_beaver_street_interceptor_.pdf


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

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" 

 

FM #368 Talk Franklin - 10/23/20 (audio)
FM #368 Talk Franklin - 10/23/20 (audio)


Town Council Meeting Recap - Oct 21, 2020

Quick Recap:

  • Update by Town Clerk on election processing and four confirmed candidates for Town Council special election on Dec 5
  • Update by Police Chief TJ Lynch on identity theft and unemployment claims. Cybercriminals are active especially in this time of uncertainty, please take precautions. If you have been affected please notify the police
  • Drought status worsens, we are over 10 inches of rainfall behind normal. THe recent rain events help but are not sufficient to make up the gap that remains
  • Committee appointments approved
  • Fire Department swore in three new firefighter paramedics (replacing retirements) and Police did two new officers (also replacing retirements) recognizing one of the retirees in the session
  • The project analysis on the Beaver St interceptor was presented. This will be the largest public works project outside of a school the town has faced Estimates for three scenarios range from $9 to $25M. Much more to come as this proposal develops, the work does need to be done and done well sooner rather than later.
  • Proposal for food trucks and other 3rd parties as an option for the farm license (67 Degrees, La Cantina, etc.) tabled after extensive discussion.


Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in the album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZQpcAz2ZNSgTUC2XA


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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  #tc1021
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc1021&src=typed_query

  • Getting ready for the Town Council meeting at 7 PM; agenda and connection info in agenda doc here https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/october-21-town-council-agenda #tc1021
  • Multiple options to watch/listen to meeting; Comcast channel 11 or Verizon channel 29, also live streamed from town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream as well as the Zoom info in doc linked earlier #tc1021 oh, and you can call in via phone as well!
  • Real time reporting underway for the Town Council meeting, #tc1021
  • Town clerk Nancy Danello updates to #tc1021 2600 early voters this far, another 7500 mail ballots received (12,000 sent out). Mail ballot processing in advance of Nov 3 scheduled and being done per schedule
  • Four candidates for special Town Council election on Dec 5 names to be provided later #tc1021 Chief Lunch provides update on unemployment claim filing being investigated and followed by FBI and other resources
  • 58,000 fraudulent claims filed as of July and caught at MA unemployment. Victims of identity theft find out after the fact, a second waive targeting Municipal employees Worcester has over 500 #tc1021 238 fraud related claims since march for Franklin alone.
  • Watch for unauthorized transactions, watch for pages mimicking official pages esp when asked to provide personal info. Don't give, if they were legit, they already had it #tc1021 call and claim with Franklin police in addition to the credit bureaus, etc.
  • DPW Cantoreggi introduce Doug Martin as water supervisor and drought update, down over 11 inches year to date even though we had some rain events. Using less now, a half million gallons more/day (folks are home, not going to work) #tc1021
  • #tc1021 additional slides on drought, one slide shows a Worcester reservoir down 80%, the other shows DPW Director Cantoreggi
  • Motion to approve minutes, second, passes 8-0 (pending confirmation of those present in room) #tc1021 Appointment to registrar, seconded passes 8-0.https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/gail_karner_1.pdf
  • Appointment to Finance Committee https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/fincom_natalie_riley.pdf #tc1021 motion to approve, seconded, passes 8-0
  • Catching up with 3 sworn in for fire department. 2 for police dept, and recognition for one retirement for Police. #tc1021 a batch of photos will be added to the website with the meeting notes.
  • Fire Department Pinnings: Joshua Impey, Joshua Sables, Kristopher Smith #tc1021 Police Department: i. Pinnings - Jonathan Giron, Nicholas Storelli ii. Retiree - Doug Nix
  • Moving to presentation/discussion section on emergency management for power outages #tc1021 Chief McLaughlin back up to provide overview and details on planning and execution during and event work on trees can't be done in wind over 30 mph for safety
  • During camera scan of chambers during the pinning ceremony (albeit socially distanced) was able to see all 8 councilors present (1 open spot to be filled with special election Dec 5) #tc1021
  • Town budget for trees is for maintenance of town owned property, trees in or interfering with a power line need to be done by nationalGrid. They have a plan and are working the circuits on a cycle to cut them back. #tc1021 northside of town is worse than rest, why?
  • Moving to the Beaver St interceptor #tc1021 collects about 70% of the sewerage in town and is over 106 years old. A huge asset but also a liability https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._presentation_-_beaver_street_interceptor_.pdf
  • It is not known if there is a worse location; a brook on one side, train track on other side, and then the plaza and i495 - has at least been cleaned, manholes rehabbed #tc1021 I&I infiltration and intrusion plan been executed for many years, approx 3M gals/day
  • Has reduced the flow where possible, batching flow via a holding tank to avoid peaks, water conservation is good for this, low flow toilet helps sewer flow, #tc1021 as much as we have done, still need to do more and it will cost money
  • Hydraulic model show here Cottage St is high end and it flows down along the tracks and then to 140 Franklin Village #tc1021
  • Three alternatives not just costed but also benefit analysis added across 8 factors. Alt 3 while expensive is better long term. #tc1021
  • Project sized for flows of 2070 so it does have growth built into this. Timing to move to actually save money is to go now, avoids failures sooner finances cheaper now that could be #tc1021 rather than digging 140, they'd do the hole like they used for East Central
  • #tc1021 alternative 1 and 2 keeps pipe in and along Mine Brook, if you get a failure on 1 or 2 you'd still need to do alt 3 Q on overflow along Cottage by Franklin Paint did see that in 2010. Alt 2 is effectively the baseline analysis.
  • Bissanti doesn't understand how to spend money to go first class with money we don't have. #tc1021 Jamie - financial model and impact to rate payers is not in this presentation, we do need to examine it. It is a question to be answered but we haven't yet
  • A 25 year bonded project but it could be paid off earlier. The Charles River assessment has been less because we did work to reduce the outflow to them. That can be a factor. #tc1021
  • Subcommittee reports, budget not meeting in Oct. EDC had another listening session on Monday, long lots of feedback, next one in November (Nov 16) #tc1021
  • Moving to action items: https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/20-61_food_truck.pdf Authorization for farm series license temporary for on premise food service provided by others. #tc1021. Similar to outdoor dining, expands food truck dining to 67 Degrees, La Cantina and Glen Pharma
  • SafeServe certificate could also be an alternative for catering here and other businesses, employee of site would need to be SafeServe certified. #tc1021 when state of emergency goes away, this does too. Glen Pharma has a restaurant may not need to use it
  • Board of health would be involved, $100 food vendor permit for a year. #tc1021 questions on how it work. Would also need to look at cater and regulations to see what can be done, folks have left here because the opportunity was elsewhere
  • Ice cream truck operations get CORI'd but food truck doesn't per state Legislation. Debate about food trucks vs regular restaurants is hard to quantify, it is a discussion point. What does the Town want to do? #tc1021 let's review other Communities with food truck bylaws
  • Would 3 or the Rome be interested in doing it via a food truck? #tc1021 Moonlight Chef owner speaks on business during COVID-19, why are we going to allow food trucks all if sudden, not a good move, reconsider please
  • This allows contracting for 3rd party whether restaurants or food trucks. Still issue with SafeServe and who has it. Motion to table res 20-61, seconded, passes 8-0
  • https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda-items/10b-legislation-action-39 motion to approve, second, passes 8-0
  • https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda-items/10c-legislation-action-33 motion to refer to planning board, second, passes 8-0
  • franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/20-862_longhill_and_pleasant.pdf Motion to move to planning board, second, passes 8-0
  • Town administrator report. Gov baker emergency order for outdoor dining extended. 33 active cases of COVID, largest increase since June. Firefighter memorial this Sunday at station #tc1021
  • The Town does not regulate Halloween. Schools are moving ahead with plan. #tc1021 white dots are on grass for demarcation. "Some of the worse advice I ever got was from legal counsel" need answers on the $522K, there could have been another way to do the grass
  • #tc1021 "this too will pass" thanks to both chiefs for bringing the pinning forward tonight, it has been awhile and good to do. We have to listen to our legal experts, we will bring something forward. Add the additional handicap spots right in the roadway
  • #tc1021 looking like we're going for a high turnout voting. Motion to adjourn, passed 8-0 So that does it for me tonight catch you next time 
 
Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides an update to the Council meeting
Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides an update to the Council meeting