In the News: Senior Center expansion nears completion; MassDOT seeks input; Franklin Man OUI

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The senior center's renovation project passed a milestone last week, and officials are preparing for a grand opening of its new space next month. 

Town Councilor Thomas Mercer, who serves as the chairman of the renovation's building committee, said the state inspected and signed off on the center's elevator on Jan. 18, one of the final steps in the $1 million project. 

"We're down to punch list items," he said on Friday. "In the next 10 days or two weeks, we're hoping to get an occupancy permit." 

Mercer said the elevator had been one of the factors delaying the project, as rock at the site forced a relocation of the elevator shaft."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170123/franklin-senior-center-work-nears-completion

the rear view of the Senior Center shows the new elevator shaft popping up above the roof line before the cupola

"Citing a successful input process last year, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will once again seek public comment and suggestions on its five-year capital investment plan, which lays out projects for the state's highways to rail lines and the roadways in between. 

According to Trey Wadsworth, manager of the capital planning group, state officials hope to collect ideas on current projects and on new potential ones to be included in the department's 2018 through 2022 fiscal years investment plan. 

"There is always a desire for new ideas," Wadsworth said Monday. "Every community and region has a particular need." 

---Those seeking to provide comment online for the 2018-2022 plan can do so at http://www.mass.gov/massdot/cip or by emailing masscip@state.ma.us. Comments will be accepted through March 17.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170123/massdot-seeking-comments-on-capital-investment-plan

screen grab of MassDOT Capital Investment Plan

"A Franklin man was passed out drunk behind the wheel of his car for more than a half hour on Sunday in the parking lot of a West Main Street convenience store, authorities said. 

Hopkinton Police arrested Michael J. Martin, 27, at the Cumberland Farms, 91 West Main St., at 1:53 a.m. 

According to a police report filed in Framingham District Court on Monday, a police officer encountered Martin in the parking lot of the store. He appeared to be asleep behind the wheel of a Toyota SUV that had been running for 35 minutes."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170123/franklin-man-charged-in-hopkinton-oui

All electronic tolling is here and the tool booth demolitions begins (video)

MassDOT has prepared a slick video (embedded below) showing the steps in removing the toll booths now that all electronic tolling is in place as of Oct 28, 10:00 PM.

• Do you have your transponder yet?

http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TrafficTravelResources/EZPassMAProgram.aspx





Additional info 

• on the demolition project

http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/TollPlazaDemolitionProject.aspx

• on all electronic tolling (AET)

https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TollInformation/AllElectronicTolling

• The information alert on the MA.gov site

http://www.mass.gov/alert/alertlanding.html#2232432

In the News: Council to consider charter, MassPike electronic tolling explained

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Town Council is scheduled to discuss the town charter, and may decide to formally review the document. 

The council, which is meeting Wednesday, Sept. 7, is slated to consider the results of previous charter revisions. 

Council members have suggested a commission go through the document and suggest changes, citing certain issues - like the terms and elections of councilors - that could cause problems in the future. Since all nine councilors are elected at the same time because the town does not stagger terms, officials have said they fear a council comprised of all new members."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160906/franklin-council-to-consider-charter-review

"According to the DOT, a trip from the New York border to Boston along the turnpike that currently costs $6.60 will go down to $6.15 under the proposed structure for a state-issued E-ZPass holder. 

But if fees the state proposes for drivers who don't travel the turnpike with an E-ZPass are approved by the board next month, motorists will pay a 60-cent mailing and processing fee after a camera captures their registration information from their license plate and sends them a bill. Additionally, drivers without E-Z Pass will pay an additional 30 cents per gantry for each gantry they pass under. 

Otto Lies of Holden said he often has relatives visit from out of state, and asked why they should have to pay what could amount to a few dollars more per trip for not going through the work of getting a free E-ZPass transponder. He said he didn't have a problem with the mailing fee, or perhaps even a single levy of the 30-cent gantry fee.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160906/automated-tolls-explained-at-worcester-hearing

Devices on new gantries above the Massachusetts Turnpike will soon collect tolls. For now, they’re capturing data on driving speeds.- ARAM BOGHOSIAN FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

"the toll structure may not meet the Legislative intent to ensure equitable tolling"

"State Sen. Karen Spilka is taking the lead in questioning the rates and privacy of the Mass. Pike's new All Electronic Tolling System by sending a letter to state transportation officials. 

The system is set to go live on Oct. 28. 

In the letter sent to Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack Friday, the Ashland Democrat says many in Legislature worry about the impact to drivers based on recent news reports. The letter is signed by 10 other senators."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160826/ashland-state-senator-takes-aim-at-tolls

• The text of the letter from Senator Spilka:

Dear Secretary Pollack,

Based on a series of articles over the past week related to the transition to an All Electronic Tolling System (AETS) on the Western Turnpike, Metropolitan Highway System, and the Tobin Bridge, we are concerned about the impact of changes to the toll structure and the privacy rights of those traveling on Massachusetts roads.

In particular, we are surprised to read about proposed changes to the toll rates on the Western Turnpike. According to these articles, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation noted that some drivers will see increases while others will see decreases depending on where they enter and exit the turnpike. As you know, the Legislature has long advocated for toll equity and we are deeply concerned about the impact of any toll increases either overall or individually on our constituents. In fact, the 2013 transportation finance law includes language prohibiting revenue collected from toll increases from counting toward the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's own source revenue benchmarks unless an equitable system is established to place tolls on other non-tolled roads. As currently proposed, the toll structure may not meet the Legislative intent to ensure equitable tolling on the Western Turnpike and other roads.

In order to get a better understanding of the proposal, please provide a response to the following questions:

1. What are the exact locations of the gantries as compared to the current toll plaza locations?
2. How do the toll rates compare based on the location of each current toll plaza and each gantry, including differences based on having a Massachusetts-issued transponder, an out of state transponder, and no transponder (including processing fees)?
3. Will there be a grace period to give travelers time to obtain E-ZPass transponders?
4. What is the proposed amount of the assessment, in addition to the toll, for drivers who do not obtain a transponder?
5. How will the new toll rates be conveyed to drivers? Will there be signs or other forms of notification posted at the gantries?
6. What was the methodology used to determine the location of the gantries, the number of gantries, and the amount each toll proposed at each gantry compared to the current toll plazas?
7. If the hearings result in significant feedback, will the timeline for the new toll structure be delayed or comments incorporated?
8. Will all current toll plazas be taken down at the same time? What is the cost of tearing the toll plazas down?
9. What is the expected cost of the early retirement incentive program for toll collectors?
10. What is the expected savings of the AETS broken down by fiscal year?
11. What is the expected toll revenue collected on the Western Turnpike under the AETS compared to the current toll revenue collected on the Western Turnpike?
12. When will the bond obligations be paid in full? If, in January 2017, the bonds are fully paid how much is expected to be required on a fiscal year basis to deem the turnpike in good condition and repair?
13. How much toll revenue was collected in fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2016? How much of that toll revenue was used to pay the bond obligations and how much was used for maintenance and repair on the turnpike? Was there any surplus from the toll revenue on the turnpike in any of the previous 5 years?
14. What region or district on 1-90 from the New York state border to mile marker 122.6 will face the greatest impact, either an increase or a decrease, as a result of the proposed changes to the toll structure?
15. What specific driver and vehicle information be maintained? 
16. How long will driver and vehicle information be maintained?
17. Will the data be maintained by a third party or by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation?
18. Who will have access to the data collected by the gantries?
19. How will gantry data collection differ from current data collection?

Following receipt of the above-referenced information, we request a meeting to discuss the proposal in detail. Thank you for your time and consideration in regard to this request. We look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Devices on new gantries above the Massachusetts Turnpike will soon collect tolls. For now, they’re capturing data on driving speeds.- ARAM BOGHOSIAN FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

A PDF copy of the letter including the ten signatures

All electronic tolling coming to MA Turnpike in October

"The state Department of Transportation has outlined its plans to demolish existing tollbooths once the state's new All-Electronic Tolling systems go into effect on the Massachusetts Turnpike in October. 

According to Highway Administrator Thomas Tinlin, toll plaza demolitions are set to begin at the same time the new system goes live on Oct. 28. Work crews will section off the center lanes of existing toll plazas, pushing traffic to the left and right as they tear down canopies and fill any underground tunnel systems beneath the structures. 

Initial work is expected to be completed by Nov. 22, after which traffic will flow through the open center as crews tear down the remaining plazas on the sides of each turnpike entrance and exit. Speed limits for the exits will be set at 15 mph. Signs will help guide traffic."

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160822/massdot-lays-out-toll-plaza-demolition-plans

• A better table on the proposed MA Turnpike fares can be found here

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/08/22/how-much-will-your-new-mass-pike-toll/RD6xNPzjNnlkB4mgBymgbN/story.html

• A related article on the data collected by the new systems and how it will be used

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/08/06/what-those-gantries-mass-pike-are-secretly-doing-and-why-you-should-care/YFtCYOjtSBufnBDUGh4khI/story.html

Devices on new gantries above the Massachusetts Turnpike will soon collect tolls. For now, they’re capturing data on driving speeds.- ARAM BOGHOSIAN FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

• For more information about the EZPass program visit the MA DOT site

http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TrafficTravelResources/EZPassMAProgram.aspx

Goodbye Exit 16, Hello Exit 41

i495

Yes, there is a change coming. 

The time line has yet to be determined. Reports appeared in The Attleboro Sun and Universal HUB about this. MassDOT has apparently put the work on hold as some folks who had not heard about the change as it went through the planning process including bids awarded in December 2015 are now raising issues.

It is fairly common as the Federal Highway system is encouraging a conversion to exit numbers aligned with the milage as opposed to the current simple numerical sequence. So Exit 16 on i495, Franklin would become Exit 41 and Exit 17 would become Exit 43.

The full listing of exit number changes on the major highways can be found here
http://www.gribblenation.net/mass21/intexits.html

The i495 list is found here
http://www.gribblenation.net/mass21/i495exits.html

MassDOT: Safety Awareness Campaign - "Drive as if your Mom worked here"

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts State Police launched a Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign calling attention to enhanced safety measures currently in place at toll plazas across the Commonwealth. 

This campaign was launched following the tragic death of a MassDOT toll
collector in July. The campaign includes public service announcements on message boards, posters at E-ZPass toll lanes, and the distribution of speed limit
reminder tear-sheets to commuters at the 'Cash Only' toll booths. The principal
focus of the campaign is to raise public awareness of the posted speed limit at
toll plazas, and the potential hazards faced by the toll collectors who staff the
toll plazas when speed restrictions are not followed. 

'Highway safety is our highest priority at MassDOT, both for drivers, but also
for the men and women who staff our toll plazas, 24-hours a day, year round,'
said MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin. 'This campaign highlights the need for drivers to pay careful attention to posted speed limit signs and other safety information when approaching and travelling through toll plazas. We encourage travelers to be vigilant when driving through these areas to ensure the well-being of those who work at these locations and members of the public.' 

MassDOT has implemented safety improvements such as the installation of
additional advanced 15 MPH speed limit signs strategically located before each
toll booth, and reduced speed limit signs at the toll booths. In addition,
pavement markings immediately before each location have been refreshed. The
agency has also conducted a review of the lighting to make sure all equipment
is fully operational in these areas. 

'Through this campaign, we hope to remind motorists that safety is paramount
when traveling through toll plazas on the Turnpike, as well as the Sumner and
Ted Williams tunnels,' said State Police Major Terry Hanson, Troop E Commander. 

'It is our goal that this campaign will prompt drivers to travel through toll
plazas with an extra measure of care, and to raise awareness that the toll
plazas are staffed 24/7.' 

As a component of the campaign, State Police have also increased speed
enforcement at toll plazas. From Sept. 26 through Oct. 12, approximately 294
citations (Civil, Warning, and Criminal) have been written for violations which
occurred in the E-ZPass lanes. More than 1,200 citations have now been issued
since Aug. 27. 

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website:
www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.

Downtown Project Update # 11

The contractor plans to delay paving on Emmons Street and Summer Street until next week due to the predicted rain. They will continue to install new curbs on West Central Street over the next 10 days.  

Their goal is to have the all the curbs, sidewalks and paving complete on West Central Street by the end of the construction season except a short section of paving between the Emmons Street and Union Street where a base coat will be applied for the winter. 

They will be digging up the sidewalk on the east side of East Central Street to install the conduit over the next two weeks. They will put back temporary pavement on both sidewalks of East Central Street until the new curb and sidewalks are installed next week. 

Please be reminded that the schedule can change due to weather or other delays. 

If anyone has a question please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

paving on Emmons Street and Summer Street will be delayed due to the weather forecast

Downtown Project Update #10

Note the dates added in parenthesis ( ) are my interpretation of the schedule. This was posted on Wed 9/17 and by the time this gets out and around the reference points can change.

Next Wednesday they will be setting the curbs on West Central Street (they were waiting on the subcontractor).  (9/24)

Mid to late next week they will be line striping the new top that they are putting down this week.  (approx 9/24)

At the end of next week or into the following week the landscapers will be spreading loam and seeding in the area that has been paved and completed.  (approx 9/25 through 10/2)

Starting tomorrow and into next week they will be finalizing walk ways between Moore Ave and Pleasant Street.  (9/18 through 9/25)

The week after next they will be paving Emmons Street and Summer Street, possibly at night.  (approx week of 9/28)

In about two weeks they will be working in front of the Fire Station entrance. 

They are not excavating any more sidewalks on West Central Street for now.The sidewalk widening on Main Street will be done when the subcontractor gets back, in the next few weeks. 

We are waiting on National Grid to move a few telephone poles. 

If anyone has a question please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator at 508-520-4949.

Main St when it was closed for paving

Important Traffic Notice for Interstate 495

From the Town of Franklin "news" section:

The MassDOT has notified us about upcoming work on 495 this weekend. 

They will be working on the Beaver Street Bridge deck on the southbound side. They will have reduced lanes on Interstate 495 and will be placing a temporary stop sign at the bottom of the southbound onramp (Exit 17) at Route 140. This may result in backups on the ramp, but they will have a local police detail on site as well. 

They will be doing the same on the northbound side in the next couple of weeks.

This was shared from the official Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/021674CA-000F8513

MassDOT

The MA DOT webpage has skimpy info on the project # 78213
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/ProjectInfo.aspx

Design Public Hearing will be held by MassDOT to discuss the proposed replacement of the West Central Street Bridge

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION - HIGHWAY DIVISION

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING

A Design Public Hearing will be held by MassDOT to discuss the proposed replacement of the West Central Street Bridge over CSX/MBTA Rail Road in the Town of Franklin, MA.

WHERE: 
Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
Municipal Building
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038

WHEN: 
Monday, April 6th, 2015, at 7:00 PM.

PURPOSE: 
The purpose of this hearing is to provide the public with the opportunity to become fully acquainted with the proposed Shared Use Bridge over CSX/MBTA Rail Road replacement project. All comments and opinions made at the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible. 

PROPOSAL: 
The proposed project consists of the replacement of the West Central Street Bridge, which crosses over CSX and MBTA Commuter Rail tracks. Originally constructed in 1922, and rebuilt in 1967, it provided two lanes of traffic with no sidewalks prior to being closed to all traffic in 2008. It is a three (3) span timber structure on stone masonry piers and abutments approximately 58 feet in length. 

The new bridge will be a single span, prefabricated truss structure, 78 feet in length with an exposed concrete deck intended to restore pedestrian and non-vehicular travel (shared
use) over the tracks. 

The existing timber superstructure and timber piers will be completely removed and the abutments will be demolished to below finished grade. The existing stone masonry walls adjacent to the tracks (which support the timber piers) will be removed to the extent possible so as to not cause significant disruption to rail traffic. 

The limits of reconstruction of the travel way approaching the bridge extend from the existing bridge approximately 210 feet to the south and 340 feet to the north. A 12 foot wide paved travel way is proposed with 3 foot wide gravel shoulders and pedestrian and bicycle fencing. 

Proposed curb placement, pavement markings and signage will deter vehicular access, however design allowances for periodic emergency and maintenance vehicles (up to AASHTO H10 live loading) will be provided. 

Since the existing structure is already closed to traffic, no detours or multiple construction phases are anticipated. The project will commence with the erection of temporary utility supports and the relocation of active utilities currently supported on the existing structure followed by the complete removal of the existing bridge. 

The new substructure elements will be constructed and the new prefabricated trusses will be delivered and moved into position. Finally, all active utilities will be relocated and supported by the new structure and the remaining existing and temporary utility supports will be removed. 

The new structure will provide greater vertical clearance over the existing tracks, increasing from approximately 17’-0” to 18’-3”.

No property takings or temporary easements are anticipated in the present design.

Written views received by MassDOT subsequent to the date of this notice and up to five (5) days prior to the date of the hearing shall be displayed for public inspection and copying at the time and date listed above. Plans will be on display one-half hour before the hearing begins, with an engineer will be in attendance to answer questions regarding this project.

A project handout is available on the MassDOT website listed below. Written statements and other exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the Public Hearing regarding the proposed undertaking are to be submitted to Patricia A. Leavenworth, P.E., Chief Engineer, Massachusetts Department of Transportation – Highway Division, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. 

Such submissions will also be accepted at the hearing. The final date of receipt of these
statements and exhibits for inclusion in the public hearing transcript will be ten (10) days after this Public Hearing. Project inquiries may be emailed to dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us 

This location is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille and large print), as available. 

For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer by phone (857-368-8580), fax (857-368-0602), TTD/TTY (857-368-0603) or by email (MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us). 

Requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten (10) business days before the meeting. 

In case of inclement weather, hearing cancellation announcements will be posted on the internet at: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/

THOMAS J. TINLIN, P.E. .
ACTING HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR 

PATRICIA A. LEAVENWORTH, P.E
CHIEF ENGINEER



This public hearing notice was share from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020289A8-000F8513

In the News: Dean goes energy efficient; MassDOT looks for potholes

Dean College took a break this week from celebrating its 150th anniversary to announce completion of a campus-wide energy efficiency project expected to save it nearly $700,000 over the next five years. 

- See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150225/NEWS/150228227/1994/NEWS#sthash.9ZiKvJ6q.dpuf

MassDOT is enlisting the public’s help reporting potholes on state roads. Drivers are encouraged to call  857-368-4636, toll-free at 877-623-6846 or online. 

- See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150224/NEWS/150228503/1994/NEWS#sthash.Q1hsAUWk.dpuf

Good reading from the MA.gov websites

A quick set of three recent postings on preparing for Thanksgiving travel, winter driving tips and preparing for winter overall.

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, meaning people across the country will gather together to celebrate with friends and relatives. While getting ready for your Thanksgiving festivities, it’s important to be mindful of safe practices when preparing your holiday meal and making travel plans. The Department of Public Health (DPH),Department of Fire Services (DFS), and the Department of Transportation (DOT) want to ensure that you have a fun and safe Thanksgiving. Taking a few minutes to read these tips can lead to a more enjoyable holiday.

Continue reading the article to find tips on traveling, food safety and more
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/holidays/thanksgiving-home-and-travel-safety/

screen grab of MA.gov webpage

• Given the news out of Buffalo, the article on snow preparedness is also a good read = http://blog.mass.gov/blog/safety/massachusetts-snowstorm-preparedness/

• And with the winter arriving soon, winter driving tips are a good thing to review  =  http://blog.mass.gov/blog/living-in-massachusetts/massachusetts-winter-driving-tips-and-safety/

Tobin Memorial Bridge Goes To All Electronic Tolls

In case you happen to use the Tobin Bridge in your travels, this notification from MassDOT on the implementation of E-ZPass is good to know. One difference about E-ZPass at the Tobin Bridge is that "customers will no longer see a traffic light indicator on the Tobin Memorial Bridge signaling the status of your account."

Beginning Monday, July 21, 2014 the Tobin Memorial Bridge will be going to All Electronic Tolls (AET). As an E-ZPass account holder, no new action is needed by you. You will however, see a difference in the traffic pattern on the Tobin Memorial Bridge and you will no longer need to slow down and pass through the toll booths. 

E-ZPass Massachusetts would like to remind our valued customers of the following important items that are needed in order to avoid violations: 

Be sure to mount your transponder properly. The arrows must be pointing up, it must be affixed to the front windshield (using the fastener strips provided), slightly to the right of your rearview mirror and below the tinted portion. 

MassDOT

With the Tobin Memorial Bridge going all electronic, customers will no longer see a traffic light indicator on the Tobin Memorial Bridge signaling the status of your account. Be sure that you always have money on your E-ZPass Account. Please refer to your E-ZPass MA account at www.mass.gov/ezpassma for all your account information and update credit/debit card and checking account information as necessary. If you make manual payments, be sure to make a payment to your account as soon as you see the middle yellow "Low Bal" (Low Balance) light in the toll lanes on MassDOT toll roads. 

Be sure that your license plate information is always accurate and up to date. If the transponder doesn't read, a picture is taken of the license plate and a video toll (v-toll) is posted to the account listing that license plate. If the license plate is not listed on your E-ZPass account, the registered owner of that vehicle will receive a PAY BY PLATE MA Invoice only for travel on the Tobin Memorial Bridge, or a violation for each unpaid toll transaction for travel on other toll roads. 

Thank you and drive safely this Summer 2014

Update: E-ZPass email phishing scam - sample email

I had shared the alert from MassDOT about the E-ZPass email phishing scam that was making the rounds. As I checked my email spam folder this morning, I found that I had one! How cool... This is what I got and how it looks in Gmail:

E-ZPass phishing email

While the Google spam filter has already identified this as spam, one of the key place to look is in the email address. The header of the email will look official (E-ZPass Service Center) but the actual email address will be something other than what it should be (support at dadomu.ru). The .ru in this case indicated the email is from a Russian domain.

The simple word on how to deal with suspicious emails? Delete.

Don't follow the link, you could pick up a virus or worse. Don't ever provide information if you do follow the link. They are looking for your account info and will take you for a ride if you give it to them.

Be safe!



For reference the post earlier this week can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/e-zpass-payment-for-driving-on-toll-road.html

E-ZPass "Payment for driving on toll road"

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) E-ZPass program today is alerting E-ZPass customers about an e-mail phishing scam. Some E-ZPass customers in Massachusetts and other states have received an e-mail from “E-ZPass Customer Service Center” with the subject, “Payment for driving on toll road.” 

Please be advised that this is NOT a communication from E-ZPass, but is likely a phishing scam. E-ZPass advises you not to open or respond to that message.

If you have any questions about the validity of any message received from E-ZPass, please contact the E-ZPass Customer Service Center for guidance at Telephone: 1-877-627-7745. 

As always, you may visit E-ZPass on the web to check your account: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TrafficTravelResources/EZPassMAProgram.aspx

 The scammers are always trying something new. The reason they try is they are successful enough times to make it worth while. Be alert. If the email is suspicious, don't open it. Delete it.

E-ZPass program scam alert page

BJ's Intersection

The improved signage for the intersection of Forge Parkway and West Central St has apparently reduced the number of traffic incidents. You may recall that for a period of time, the neighborhood was quite upset when  traffic signals were removed by the state. Several accidents occurred some of them with significant injury. Franklin worked with MassDOT to improve the stop signs at the intersection.

In my own use of the intersection, it seems much better behaved than the 'wild west' it used to be.

early warning stop sign ahead

stop sign has blinking lights all around the edge

the intersection is a wide one with good views

In the News: threats investigated, public input sought

Franklin officials investigated threat against middle school

School officials contacted police on Monday about "nonspecific" rumors regarding a threat of violence against Horace Mann Middle School.

MassDOT Highway Division seeking public input

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is seeking public input about  Highway Division performance and identifying priorities for services, MassDOT Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Richard Davey announced today.

MassDOT, AAA Promote E-ZPass

AAA members will be able to obtain E-ZPass transponders!

E-ZPass transponders are now available to AAA members at AAA branches across Massachusetts, including in: Auburn, Boston, Burlington, Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Newburyport, Newton, North Andover, Peabody, Plymouth, Rockland, Saugus, Waltham and Westwood.

E-ZPass users can forget about keeping cash and change on hand as they skip the line at the cash booths and travel, instead, through dedicated lanes without stopping. As residents begin to plan summer travel, it is important to note that E-ZPass is accepted on toll roads from Maine to Virginia and west to Illinois.

Indeed, the Franklin AAA office is not on the listing but at least the service is expanding. For additional information on the expansion with AAA, pleas visit
http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2013/05/massdot-aaa-promote-e-zpass.html?utm_source=feedly

MassDOT's farmers market opens May 17

MassDOT's annual Farmer’s Market Program will begin on Friday, May 17, and invites local farmers to take advantage of free space to sell their home grown produce and made-in-Massachusetts products at our 18 Service Plazas. Eleven plazas are located along the Massachusetts Turnpike and seven others along various Massachusetts highways. 

MassDOT Farmers Market

This year’s selling season kicks off at the I-90 Charlton Service Plazas, East and West, Friday, May 17, 10am-4pm, with Frank and Kay Magrone of Shaker Kitchen in Athol and Kevin Nimtz of Prairie Orchard’s at the Charlton eastbound Service Plaza and Joe Strong of East Brookfield selling his local fruits and vegetables at the Charlton West Service Plaza.

For additional information, click through to the Commonwealth Conversations Transportation webpage here
http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2013/05/massdot-farmers-markets-2013.html?utm_source=feedly