Talk Franklin with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen discusses parking, municipal aggregation, Schmidt's Farm and more (audio)

FM #864 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 864 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge.  

Topics for this session

• Municipal aggregation 

• Right of First Refusal – Schmidt’s Farm purchase recommended by CPC and public hearing held by Town Council;  CPA funding key

• Downtown parking bylaws pending 2nd reading (Nov 2 meeting)

• Dean student parking issues (Chancellor Augustus) did hold first neighborhood alliance meeting

• Election, vote by mail ballots being sent by Town Clerk’s office

The conversation runs about 34 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie

Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Schmidts-Farm--Downtown-Parking-and-Election-Information-e1phind/a-a8njdi0

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Municipal aggregation information

https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation 

Town Council meeting video ->  https://youtu.be/N6qHB7PJMq8

Town Council meeting audio -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/10/franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-100522.html 

Election collection for Nov 8, 2022 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/10/election-collection-2022-state-election.html 

Community & Cultural District calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html 

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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/ 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"

Talk Franklin with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen discusses parking

All Town of Franklin buildings will be CLOSED on Monday, October 10, 2022.

Franklin Municipal Building 

Franklin Senior Center

Franklin Public Library

All Franklin Public Schools

will be CLOSED on Monday, October 10, 2022.

The Franklin municipal & school  buildings will be CLOSED on Monday, October 10, 2022 in observance of the Indigenous People's Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

All Town of Franklin buildings will be CLOSED on Monday, October 10, 2022

Franklin's Municipal Aggregation will help avoid the major electric rate increase

"Residents who did not opt-out of our Municipal Aggregation program will NOT see an increase in their electricity rate. 

Take a peek at your energy bill. If you see a column labeled "Other Supplier Service" you're enrolled.  

View a sample bill comparison: https://buff.ly/3e7wTLp

Want to enroll? Visit https://buff.ly/3RA93W5 to OPT-IN or call Dynegy at (866)220-5696. 

Learn more about Franklin's municipal aggregation here: https://buff.ly/2RJoPli"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1577788250818740225

Franklin's Municipal Aggregation will help avoid the major electric rate increase

CommonWealth Magazine: ARPA funding for broadband expansion approved; is DPU proper agency for MBTA oversight; Sommerville's new municipal aggregation contract offers hope

"Massachusetts gets $145 million to expand broadband  
ARPA funding approved by White House"

"MASSACHUSETTS HAS BEEN awarded $145 million in federal money to expand broadband internet access, the White House announced Thursday. 

Jacob Leibenluft, US Treasury Chief Recovery Officer, said in a conference call with reporters that an estimated 16,000 Massachusetts locations, homes and businesses, will be connected to high-speed internet through these initiatives. That represents 27 percent of those in Massachusetts who still lack high-speed internet.  

Sen. Ed Markey, a longtime leader in Congress on telecommunications, said it is a “national tragedy” that people still lack access to high-speed internet, given how important connectivity is to modern life. “Massachusetts has cutting edge technological innovations, but we can still see the holes in the Berkshires, which is rural,” Markey said. “Black, brown, and immigrant families, they are left behind.” 

The money was allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act, part of a $10 billion Capital Projects Fund. The fund was intended to pay for projects that provide digital connectivity for people to participate in remote work, education, and health care, with a focus on broadband. "

Continue reading the article online -> 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/massachusetts-gets-145-million-to-expand-broadband/

Lawmakers question whether DPU is right for MBTA safety oversight

Agency officials blame most problems on difficulties in hiring

"TWO KEY Beacon Hill lawmakers on Thursday questioned whether the Department of Public Utilities is the right agency to hold the MBTA’s feet to the fire on safety issues.

At a legislative oversight hearing, the chair of the DPU and the head of the agency’s transportation oversight division acknowledged the arm of the agency that oversees the MBTA’s safety efforts is understaffed and has been understaffed for years.

The DPU, an agency known mostly for overseeing electric and gas utilities, is currently trying to double the size of the transportation division to roughly 14 people, and may need more employees. The Federal Transit Administration, in a recent safety inspection report, criticized the MBTA and the DPU’s transportation division.

“The division seems stuck,” said Sen. Michael Barrett of Lexington. “Safety seems to have been submerged, seriously, within the DPU.”

Continue reading the article online -> 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/lawmakers-question-whether-dpu-is-right-for-mbta-safety-oversight/

"Somerville’s new electricity contract offers some hope"

(for those residents using municipal aggregation)

"SOMERVILLE THIS WEEK offered some hope to those worried about the high cost of electricity ever since National Grid said its basic service rate would be jumping to a record 33.9 cents per kilowatt hour on November 1.

The city said it signed a contract starting November 1 with Direct Energy that will provide electricity to residents at a much lower price — 14.9 cents a kilowatt hour for basic service, 15.7 cents a kilowatt hour for power with 20 percent more renewable energy, and 18.6 cents a kilowatt hour for all-renewable electricity.

Somerville’s contract will last two years, while National Grid’s rate will remain in place for only six months. A lot can happen over the next two years in energy markets, so locking a price in for that length of time carries some risk. But Somerville’s new rates suggest municipalities and individuals may be able to find some relief for soaring electricity prices by shopping around."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/somervilles-new-electricity-contract-offers-some-hope-2/

Franklin's Municipal aggregation information

https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation

Franklin's Municipal Aggregation program

CommonWealth Magazine: Here are some ways to lower your electric bill

If you are in Franklin and not already with a contract for service, or with a solar system, you should be part of the municipal aggregation plan with National Grid.  

The plan began in Nov 2020 and the current contract extends through Nov 2023. The plan should remain in effective after that time, the contract renewal rate will be determined next year. 

How can you tell if you are part of municipal aggregation? Looks at your most recent NationalGrid invoice/statement. There are two sections, one for delivery and one for supply. The suppler for municipal aggregation is Dynegy (Franklin Agg) and the rate should show as 0.10725 cents/kwh.

A copy of my redacted September invoice is shared with the delivery and supply sections circled.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/102IZ-zrPhP0L_FmmJxBGbpBCCThSwGYW/view?usp=sharing

Here are some ways to lower your electric bill as shared by CommonWealth Magazine

"MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS HAVE some options to avoid – or at least sidestep for awhile — the sky-high electricity rates coming this winter.

National Grid provided a glimpse of what’s coming last week, when it announced its basic service rate would jump to a record 39 cents a kilowatt hour starting November 1. That’s nearly four times the current 11.5-cent rate and close to three times last winter’s 14.8-cent rate. The new winter rate, if approved by state regulators, will increase the typical customer’s utility bill by $114 a month, or 64 percent., for the next six months.

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/here-are-some-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill-2/

CommonWealth Magazine: Here are some ways to lower your electric bill

For more about Franklin's Municipal Aggregation program, visit the town page

https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation

State Rep Jeff Roy outlines help available for high energy costs this winter

State Representative Jeffrey Roy writes:

"I am sure you have been hearing and reading about increased energy costs. In summary, due to high natural gas and oil prices stemming from the Russia-Ukrainian war and other factors, heating and electricity utility bills will dramatically increase this winter.  To help you manage these steep increases, my office has compiled a list of resources that can help.  In addition, the Baker-Polito Administration is consulting with the federal government to create a winter heating plan, which we will share once available.   

It is important to keep in mind that our overreliance on natural gas to both heat our homes and serve as a fuel for electricity generation has made Massachusetts vulnerable to price swings.  In current and previous sessions, the Legislature has directed the state to contract and prepare the grid for large amounts of offshore wind and other clean energy resources in an effort to reduce this overreliance and mitigate climate change impacts.  While the benefits of these future projects will not impact this winter’s heating season, once online, they will help stabilize utility bill prices while also providing economic benefits and transitioning us to the Commonwealth’s clean energy future. 

The following resources are available, should you need them.   

Utility payment plans 

Massachusetts’ investor-owned utilities offer flexible payment plans, regardless of income, and potential balance forgiveness.  Enrolling in a payment plan can protect constituents against shutoffs for up to 12 months with most utility companies.  Please refer to the list at the bottom of this post for information to contact your utility.*   

Income-eligible assistance programs 

For customers with a household income not greater than 60 percent of the state median income, Massachusetts utilities offer a discount on a customer’s total utility bill as well as individualized payment plans known as arrearage management plans (AMPs) where a customer can have some or all of their outstanding balance forgiven.*  These customers can also apply at any time throughout the winter season for fuel assistance through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  Community action agencies can help walk constituents through the process of applying and answer any questions they may have.   

Constituents between 60 to 80 percent of the state median income are encouraged to see if they qualify for financial help from the Good Neighbor Energy Fund. 

Winter heating shutoff protections 

You are protected by Massachusetts law (MGL c.164, § 124F) from having your gas or electric utilities shutoff from November 15, 2022, to March 15, 2023 if those services are used for heating.  Constituents will still be responsible for any unpaid bills when the shutoff ends.  The Attorney General’s office encourages customers to enroll in a utility payment plan, which also provides shutoff protections, and avoids accumulating debt.  As stated above, most utilities offer payment plans for up to 12 months. 

Energy efficiency audit 

The nation-leading Mass Save energy efficiency programs run by the Massachusetts investor-owned utilities can provide constituents with information about how to reduce their energy use.  This should lead to lower bills over time.  In addition, income-eligible customers can participate in Mass Save’s low-income offering, known as the Low-Income Energy Affordability Network.*   

Municipal aggregation programs 

Constituents in communities with active municipal aggregation programs may consider switching from their electric company to the aggregation.  The long-term electricity contracts used in these programs, typically set for three years’ time, result in stabilized electricity costs that are not subject to the same short-term price fluctuations (although upon program renewal, prices may increase). We encourage all communities to consider whether municipal aggregation is a good fit for them moving forward.    

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns and stay safe and warm this winter season! "

For the utility information you can find that at https://jeffreyroy.com/2022/09/24/help-with-high-energy-costs-this-winter/

For the Franklin National Grid customers who are part of Municipal Aggregation, there is no increase. Our contract price is not affect by this rate change.

For more about Franklin's Municipal Aggregation program, visit the town page  https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation

Franklin's Municipal Aggregation program

National Grid electric rates to increase this winter but not for Franklin's Municipal Aggregation customers

"NATIONAL GRID said the price of electricity it supplies to customers in Massachusetts this winter is going to skyrocket to record levels because the cost of natural gas, the primary fuel used to generate power in New England, is soaring.

The utility said on Wednesday that the cost of electricity provided under its basic service plan will more than double on November 1, rising from 14.8 cents a kilowatt hour last winter to 33.9 cents this winter, the highest level ever."

Continue reading the article online -> 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/national-grid-says-electricity-prices-to-skyrocket/

For the Franklin National Grid customers who are part of Municipal Aggregation, there is no increase. Our contract price is not affect by this rate change.

For more about Franklin's Municipal Aggregation program, visit the town page

https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation

Franklin's Municipal Aggregation program

Other CommonWealth Mag coverage of the National Grid rate increase

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/healey-calls-national-grid-rate-hike-devastating/

Boston Globe (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/21/business/your-electric-bill-is-about-go-up-heres-why/

Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, September 5, 2022 for Labor Day

Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED 

on Monday, September 5, 2022.

The Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, September 5, 2022 in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.

This also applies to the Library, Senior Center, and all the Schools.

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-municipal-building-will-be-closed-monday-september-5th-2022

Franklin Municipal Building will be CLOSED on Monday, September 5, 2022 for Labor Day

Franklin State Primary voters: If you have a vote by mail ballot, drop it at the Municipal Building dropbox

"Have a mail-in ballot sitting on your kitchen table or tacked up on your refrigerator?

Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin advises that you fill it out and take it to a secure drop box, early voting site, or your local city or town hall before 8 p.m. on Sept. 6 if you want it to be counted for the state primary election.

Because of the Labor Day holiday and possible delays on the part of the Postal Service, Galvin said it’s safer to hand-deliver the ballot, as opposed to dropping it in the mail."

Continue reading the Boston Globe article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/29/metro/have-mail-ballot-sitting-home-heres-what-you-need-do-make-your-vote-count-mass-primary/

 

Franklin has a new option for your mail ballot. The key one being to drop it at the Municipal Building where a new dropbox has been installed in the Town Clerk's office.

If you have a vote by mail ballot, drop it at the Municipal Building dropbox

Annual Report Of The Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - FY 2021

Note: FY 2021 is last year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The report was prepared to cover the business for the FY 2021 period. This year’s report FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) is in preparation now and is normally available for distribution at the polls for the November election.

The Franklin Municipal Affordable Housing Trust fund was established on May 18, 2005 by Bylaw Amendment 05-567. The Trust Fund can receive, hold, invest or expend funds for the rehabilitation, renovation, construction, financing or refinancing of property within the Town of Franklin making these residential properties available to low and moderate income families looking for an affordable home.

The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) establishes the Median Income for the area annually (currently $120,800). Income limits are set at 80% of the Median Income based on household size. The “Affordable” sales price for a home is set assuming a household earning 80% of the median income can obtain a mortgage.

“Affordable” homes must have a “deed rider” attached to the deed of the home. The deed rider will preserve the resale value of the home so that it will remain as affordable in perpetuity. “Affordable“ homes must be purchased by income and asset qualified households.

Having the deed rider ensures that all the affordable units will be included on the “Subsidized Housing Inventory” (SHI). The goal is to have an affordable housing inventory of at least 10%. Franklin’s SHI is at 12%. This number allows the Town leeway to support only those developments that it feels benefit the community.

In FY2020, interest rates continued to be at historic lows and the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust processed 5 refinances and re-sold 1 home.

Progress is continuing on the Franklin Ridge senior housing project to be located off of Veterans Memorial Drive and behind Eaton Place. The project will include 60 new senior apartments that will be affordable to income and asset qualified seniors. The Trust has earmarked up to $550,000 in support of this project.

This year, as always, we look forward to pursuing innovative ways to produce affordable housing in the Town of Franklin. It is our pleasure to submit this annual report for your review.

Respectfully submitted,

Chris Vericker, Chairman 

Mary Anne Bertone 

Christopher Feeley

Jamie Hellen 

Maxine Kinhart 

Judith Pond Pfeffer

The full Annual Report for 2021 can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2021_annual_report.pdf

The collection of Annual Reports can be found online

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

Annual Report Of The Town of Franklin - FY 2021

Franklin's municipal aggregation saves $$ on your NationalGrid electric bill

"Massachusetts cities and towns with municipal aggregation are saving big $ and many have much more renewable energy than Eversource or National Grid."

Franklin residents can benefit from Municipal Aggregation with electricity from NationalGrid. It provides us a wind power generated electricity at a cheaper rate than NationalGrid provides.

Municipal Aggregation is easy. Unless you opted out, you likely already have it. For NationalGrid customers already with a provider contract or solar panels, opting out makes sense. For all others, being part of municipal aggregation saves money for no hassle.

Franklin's municipal aggregation

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/LarryChretien/status/1528910470484217857

Town of Franklin's municipal aggregation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation

mass.gov info on competitive electric supply  https://www.mass.gov/service-details/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-my-electric-supply-options-in-massachusetts

NationalGrid rate table -> https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Rates/Supply-Costs 

In this "Making Sense of Climate" episode - Brookline’s initiative, heat pumps, gas leaks, and the health and financial implications of these (audio)

FM #801 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 801 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Thursday, May 19, 2022.  

Ted and I are joined by Lisa Cunningham and Wendy Stahl. They are climate activists and co-founders of ZeroCarbonMA.org/ 

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  Wendy and Lisa are also happy to answer questions.

The recording runs about 50 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Ted, Lisa, and Wendy as we discuss Brookline’s initiative, heat pumps, gas leaks, and the health and financial implications of these.  

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-801-making-sense-of-climate-10-05-19-22 

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Contact information

* for Lisa or Wendy use  info@zerocarbonma.org  

* Conference committee members (3 from MA House & 3 from MA Senate)

House of Representatives: 

• Roy - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/JNR1 

• Chan - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/T_C1 

• Jones - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/BHJ1 

 MA Senate: 

• Barrett - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/MJB0 

• Creem - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/CSC0 

• Tarr - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/BET0 

Articles referenced

Stanford Study on gas leaks   

https://news.stanford.edu/press-releases/2022/03/24/methane-leaks-mues-fix-available/

and

https://woods.stanford.edu/news/stanford-scientists-find-climate-and-health-impacts-natural-gas-stoves-are-greater-previously

RMI article on gas stoves  https://rmi.org/insight/gas-stoves-pollution-health/ 

And to buy a low-cost induction cook plate to try induction cooking 

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-induction-cooktop/ 

We recommend the least expensive “no frills” – works great!  And cast iron pans are magnetic and low cost (Ikea and Amazon also have low-cost magnetic/induction cookware).  

Globe article on Senate Drive Forward act

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/07/science/senate-unveils-sweeping-climate-bill/

Electrify your home guide  https://www.rewiringamerica.org/electrify-home-guide 

IPCC report “Code Red”  “The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable."  

https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/08/1097362

Mass Clean Energy Center (MCEC) on heat pumps  https://www.masscec.com/blog/2021/09/13/masscec-pilot-showcases-success-whole-home-heat-pumps 

Talking Points on Section 65 of the Senate’s Drive Act (S. 2842)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XCxBnnmgBaGkDEsziqhzAgASJLCoOqxhUe5VZKF-9EY/edit 

Text of the MA Senate Drive Act 

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2819/BillHistory?pageNumber=2   or here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TDKb_6gw9HjE8q7ZPbU2hhM9ZS1mU6q9/view?usp=sharing 

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

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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/ 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"

ZeroCarbonMA.org/