On this date: Feb 23, 2011 - Long Range Financial Planning Committee meeting

I did live reporting from the Long Range Planning Committee meeting on Feb 23, 2011:

Live reporting - Long Range Financial Planning Committee

Present: Doug Hardesty, Deb Bartlett, Craig DiMarzio, Graydon Smith, Sue Rohrbach, Steve Whalen,
Absent: Jeff Nutting, Orrin Bean, John Hogan,  Ken Harvey, Tina Powderly

Approval of minutes - postponed to next meeting
Action items - none

Discussion:
Metrics and benchmarking - Steve Whalen (Vice Chair, Town Council)

background, research analyst for an investment banking firm
drawn in by a comment made by J Nutting at a meeting sometime ago; "a town's budget is a reflection of their values"
started collecting data, started with a map and filled in data for the communities around us
The DOR site is a tremendous source of info, so much data is available
came up with 30 communities
walking through the info on his comparison worksheet
color coded communities by single versus split tax rate
we have a low tax rate compared to other communities with either a split or single tax rate
we are 21st in comparison on the average tax bill (of the 30)
we are 26th on relative tax burden which is a comparison of tax rate to community wealth
we rank 28th in percent of local property tax contributing to the total community revenue
we rank 1st in the percent of state aid contributing to the total community revenue

Continue reading about the meeting and the introduction of the community comparison

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/02/live-reporting-long-range-financial_23.html

The five year forecast the Committee put together and completed (in 2012) has been updated and re-issued each year as part of the budget cycle.

The initial 2012 report:

https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/files/financial-plan-committee-report-2012

The FY 2018-2022 version can be found here

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/five_year_fiscal_forecast_fy18_-_fy22.pdf

On this date: Feb 23, 2011 - Long Range Financial Planning Committee meeting

MBTA's Rail Vision Update: Open House on Tuesday, March 5

The MBTA and MassDOT invite you to participate in a Rail Vision Open House.  It will take place on Tuesday, March 5, from 4:30 to 7:00 PM in the Transportation Board Room at 10 Park Plaza (2nd floor). The goal of the event is to provide information on the seven service alternatives we are considering in Rail Vision, while gathering input from riders and non-riders alike on these futures. The first hour will be an Open House format, where attendees can browse maps and boards describing the seven service alternatives and discuss questions and feedback with the study team. There will be a presentation at 5:30, followed by Q&A and then a return to the Open House format. Please share the meeting information as widely as you can with your organizations, communities, and contacts.  https://www.mbta.com/events/2019-03-05/rail-vision-open-house For more information about Rail Vision, please visit the study website at    https://www.mbta.com/projects/rail-vision The Rail Vision Team

nationalgrid: Storm Season Safety: Are You Prepared?

Storm Season Alert: Important safety information for our customers. As storm season approaches, severe weather could impact our service territory, causing damage and threatening your safety. National Grid is ready, and we want to ensure that you and your family are prepared before the next storm hits. To view this email as a web page, click here.

As storm season approaches, severe weather could impact our service territory, causing damage and threatening your safety. National Grid is ready, and we want to ensure that you and your family are prepared before the next storm hits. Storm Safety Tips: Never touch downed power lines, and always assume that any fallen lines are live electric wires. If you see one, report it immediately to National Grid or your local emergency response organization. It is a good idea to keep a number of working flashlights, at least one battery-operated radio and an extra supply of batteries in your home. It is also recommended to charge mobile devices prior to the storm so you can stay connected in the event of a power outage. Power problems can sometimes interrupt public water supply systems or disable well pumps, so it's an especially good idea to keep a supply of bottled drinking water handy, as well as some canned food. Stay Connected: Use your mobile device to track outage information, report outages and storm-related safety tips through National Grid's mobile site accessible at www.ngrid.com/mobile To receive text message alerts and updates from National Grid, text the word STORM to NGRID (64743). Other ways to stay in touch: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram; we post all the latest storm and restoration updates.

Attention Residents: Building/Zoning/Planning/Conservation/Board of Health Departments will be closed Wednesday, May 16th at 4:30 PM until Monday May 21

The Building, Zoning, Planning, Conservation and Board of Health Departments will be closing Wednesday at 4:30 PM for renovations and will reopen Monday, May 21 at 8 AM.

We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Building/Zoning/Planning/Conservation/Board of Health Departments will be closed
Wednesday, May 16 at 4:30 PM until Monday May 21

Lifelong Community Learning: Plan With Me Workshops Beginning May 8

Plan With Me Workshops Beginning May 8

Don't miss out
For Adults Tuesday, May 8
Teen Edition Tuesday, May 15

6:30 - 8:30 PM

$35 per class
Franklin High School

One-Night Workshops

Plan With Me = Jessica Instasi

Let's find your perfect Planning system.During our class we will discuss and review planner options. Some styles that will be mentioned include: Bullet Journaling, memory keeping, school agendas, planning ahead, and so much more!

Plan With Me - Teen Edition = Jessica Instasi

We will discuss and review planner options designed to address your busy schedules including after school clubs and activities, practices and games, homework and more!

Whether a beginner or a pro, there's something in this class for you.

NOTE: Have a planner? Bring it with you.



Franklin Public Schools - Lifelong Learning Institute
Lifelong Community Learning
218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA 02038
www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com
508-613-1480

Plan With Me Workshops Beginning May 8

Introduction to Estate Planning - Mar 5

Attorney David Scott will be presenting an Introduction to Estate Planning on Monday, March 5th at 7 PM. He will be giving practical tips and advice on the importance of having a will. 

This event is open to the public and absolutely free. It will be hosted at Crossway Church's building, at 282 Summer Street, in Franklin, MA. 

If you have questions, please contact tina@crosswayma.org or call us directly at (508) 838-3953.

Introduction to Estate Planning - Mar 5

Exit Interview with Town Treasurer-Collector Jim Dacey (video)

"Jim Dacey served as the elected Town Treasurer-Collector for 18 years, as well as a member of the Finance Committee for 10 years. 

Upon his retirement, Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen sat down with Jim to discuss some old memories, how he became Treasurer-Collector and some of his fondest accomplishments over the past three decades being involved in town finance. 

Jamie and Jim also sat down with his successor, Kerri Bertone, about how she got involved in public service and come of the challenges moving forward. 

We hope you enjoy this special episode of "Our Franklin""

For more about the Treasurer/Collector visit the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector

Annual Report - 2017 (Page 133)
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2017_tr-web_copy_0.pdf

From the 2015 Annual Report
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/annual-report-2015-treasurer-collector.html

Lessons from the Beloit Mindset List for the Class of 2021

An annual event is upon us again. As students (and educational professionals) return to school this September, thinking about how to approach this class and the opportunities they present will occupy some time for their reflection.

Three professors from Beloit College started this process 20 years ago by looking at what had happened during the life of the freshman class that they were faced with. Each August, the Mindset List is published. It is interesting to see what the world was for these college freshman as they grew up. The list is not meant to be the end all. It is meant to start the conversation.

"Teachers and counselors alike have used the Mindset List over the years, sometimes as the basis for one-on-one chats, and at other times for class discussions and even personal essays. This year’s List is no different. The annual Lists are wonderful icebreakers for counselors and professors and students. They stimulate intergenerational conversations."

What does the list look like? A sampling follows

• They are the last class to be born in the 1900s, the last of the Millennials -- enter next year, on cue, Generation Z!
• They are the first generation for whom a “phone” has been primarily a video game, direction finder, electronic telegraph, and research library.
• There have always been emojis to cheer us up.
• Donald Trump has always been a political figure, as a Democrat, an Independent, and a Republican.
• Zappos has always meant shoes on the Internet.

As Franklinites prepare for the biennial town election this November. Let's think about 

• Where we are? 
• How did we get here? 
• Where do we want to go? 
• What do we need to do to move forward?

To help with the conversation, the election collection has thus far presented the background info on each of the elected bodies (Town Council, School Committee, Board of Assessors, Board of Health and Planning Board).

The offer to candidates to share their background and info has been made. Several candidates have taken up the offer and that information will be posted when complete.

Several key posts from the archive of Franklin Matters will be shared to remind us of the budget and other items that should be worthy of discussion as we prepare to cast our ballots on November 7.

If you have a suggestion (or two) on what you would like to see to help you prepare, please let me know. You can use any of the following methods:

• send me an email (shersteve @ gmail dot com)
• leave a comment here on the Franklin Matters webpage
• leave a comment on the Franklin Matters Facebook page
• reply to one of the @FranklinMatters tweets

I would also recommend that if you haven't already, please consider subscribing to the Franklin Matters daily newsletter. It is one email per day with all that is posted. You don't need to wait for Facebook to filter the newsfeed for you. The newsletter is delivered daily (approx 10:00 AM) and then you can keep informed.

Note the subscription is a two-step process. (1) Enter your email address (2) Reply to confirm your email address.

the Town Common in the rain Sunday morning

The full listing of the Beloit Mindset list for the class of 2021
https://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2021/

The Franklin Election Collection 2017 can be found
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-collection-2017.html

Cultural District Meeting - 7:00 p.m. on May 18th at Franklin TV

Cultural District Planning Meeting at Franklin TV

All: Please mark your calendars for a very important and hopefully interesting meeting. The Town is making good progress in its efforts to create a cultural district in the Downtown area. 

On May 18th Franklin TV will host our next meeting at their studios at 23 Hutchinson Street. Franklin TV/Franklin Radio (Franklin Community Cable Access) has signed on as one of our Partners working to create, manage and enhance the cultural district. 

The main topic of discussion on May 18th is our Cultural District Marketing Plan, which is a cultural district application requirement. Steve Sherlock will provide an overview on the status of our Cultural District Web Site, Cultural Events Calendar, and Social Media. 

We'll also be discussing a possible Cultural Asset Catalog (or on-line listing), an on-line "Story Map" of the cultural district, collaborative marketing efforts, and Cultural District Branding and Signage. In addition to fairly short presentations, we'll all have opportunity to provide input. 

Please bring your ideas/suggestions. It is important for all of our partners to provide input into the required Marketing Plan and related issues. I hope we have a full house at Franklin TV.

Going forward. Please mark your calendars for our June meeting, which will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 15th at Dean College in the Campanella Board Room. We'll be discussing the cultural district application submittal and related required Town Council actions. As with the May meeting, it's extremely important that representatives from all our Partners attend.

Also, attached for your review is a map of the proposed Franklin Cultural District, which was recently submitted to the State for their review.

Thanks

Bryan

Bryan W. Taberner, AICP
Director of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-1352
Phone: 508-520-4907
Fax: 508-520-4906
Email: btaberner@franklin.ma.us

Please note the Town of Franklin is converting to a new email system. Effective July 1, 2017 my e-mail address will be btaberner@franklinma.gov.

Franklin TV studio with the 'cloud' antennas up

Franklin Residents/Taxpayers, you'll be tested on this

Aside from the budget, this is the single most important document that every Franklin resident and taxpayer should be familiar with. After the only operational override passed in 2007, there was another attempt in 2008 that failed. One of the outcomes of the failure was the establishment of the Long Range Financial Planning Committee. 

The committee began with representatives from the Town Council (3), School Committee (2), and Finance Committee (2). In December 2010, it was reformed as a committee completely made up of 'citizens' - that is residents with no other direct board membership.

Vision The Long Range Finance Committee is a citizen advisory group tasked with helping citizens and Town officials better understand Franklin’s long-term financial outlook and the various courses of action available to secure Franklin’s financial future. 

Mission The Committee will achieve this vision by (i) evaluating and reporting on the Town’s five-year financial projection, (ii) assessing the nature and potential magnitude of the Town’s significant financial risks, particularly those that give rise to a structural deficit, and (iii) recommending steps to close the gap between future expected revenues and expenditures in an effort ultimately to achieve fiscal sustainability.

The Committee produced their final report in June 2012. Since that time, the Town Administrator has been updating the long range financial plan each year.

The current report was just posted to the Town of Franklin webpage and is copied here for your reading pleasure.

The introduction from Town Administrator Jeff Nutting:

"Each year we look into the crystal ball and try to project the long term fiscal health of the community. We look at trends over the last five years, adjust for one time issues or "bumps" in the road and then try to predict the fiscal future. Looking ahead a couple of years is not that difficult while projecting five years ahead is a "best guess' of what may affect local government beyond the "normal revenue and expenses" We do not know today how the economy, Federal and State budgets, changing demographics, growing population, unknown mandates, health care, etc. will affect our fiscal health in the future. 

We do know that: 

• Our population has increased from 29,738 in 2001 to over 34,000 in 2017 and it will continue to increase. Currently there are over 800 potential housing units under construction, in the "pipeline or proposed by developers with more to come. 

• Health care costs continue to be a concern. 

• Our unfunded retiree health insurance obligation is $93,000,000 (2015). 

• Our unfunded pension liability is $41,346,000 (2016). 

• The FY 18 School budgets will use one time revenues to balance the budget and beyond that they will have few reserves left. 

Franklin is in generally good financial shape today but we will continue to struggle to maintain high quality school and municipal services given the fiscal constraints that we operate under.

I believe we can continue a "level service" budget in fiscal year FY 18. The trend suggests that in FY 19 we will need to use school and town reserves to maintain services. 

Starting in FY 20 the forecast strongly suggests we will face service cuts and/or a tax increase. 

While many departments would like to add employees to better serve the citizens the available revenues leave very few options for expanding the work force with recurring revenues. 

In order to have trne fiscal stability there would need to be a great deal of change in Federal and Sate laws and regulations that drive up the cost of doing business. I do not see any political will to make major changes for the foreseeable future. 

We will continue to do are very best on behalf of all the citizens of Franklin to maintain a high quality of life while trying to control costs to the taxpayers."

Long Range Financial Planning Committee Meeting notes for their 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 sessions can be found in the meeting archive
http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html

The 5 year financial plan published in 2012
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/report.pdf

Information provided to candiates for the Town election in Nov 2011
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/franklin-ma-long-range-financial.html

road sign on Pleasant St is rather appropriate for this posting, the financial plan contains many hazards

Live reporting: Land Use Planning Workshop - April 13

I took notes via Twitter for the workshop conducted by Town Council with participation by Town Administration, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and members of the community. Lots of discussions and viewpoints shared, some consensus seemed to have been reached on "inclusionary zoning". Work would be required to draft the bylaw language for further review and discussion through the Planning Board before the Town Council would make a decision.



(be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to review all the entries)

The poster boards referenced during the meeting

Franklin map with MultiFamily dwellings highlighted

Franklin map  where the area is 5 acres or more (parcels in purple)

Franklin map  showing the different zoning districts

view from the back of the Council Chamber

“Franklin is now at a crossroad again concerning proposed dwelling units”

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

"The town will be seeking opinions this week from various board members and feedback from the public about the best uses of land. 

Town officials announced this month that there will be a land use workshop Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the municipal building. 

“We’re interested in getting feedback on a number of land use initiatives,” said Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. 

According to Hellen, the meeting’s agenda includes an array of topics, including the proper use of land in the town’s various zones. He noted, by way of example, that some had suggested changing building height restrictions - adding another floor by right - in certain areas in order to maximize space."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170411/land-use-workshop-thursday-in-franklin

The agenda and associated documents for the workshop can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/04/land-use-workshop-thursday-april-13.html

Thompson Press building on Dean Ave - future site of 200+ condos

Land Use Workshop - Thursday, April 13

Land Use Workshop 

April 13, 2017 at 6:30 PM

355 East Central Street 

Council Chambers

Topics for Workshop

• COMMUNITY APPROACH TO HOUSING and Economic Development
1. Current Growth spurt? - see attached Memo
2. Residential VII ?
3. Commercial I
4. Commercial II
5. Height of issues in Cl, C2, Downtown and RS
6. Affordable housing

• lnclusionary Zoning - for affordable/or open space?

7. Open Space Acquisition Plan?


History
Master Plan Adopted by the Town Council in 2013 

Changes as a result of the Master Plan
• Change Industrial to R 5 at the end of Dean Ave (Thompson Press)
• Allow surface parking lots as primary use in Downtown
• Clean up zone lines in the Downtown
• Rural business (was Neighborhood Commercial) - Washington Street and Spring Street
• Change R4 to RS on West Central near Beaver Street

Zoning in Master Plan not addressed to date
• C-1 issues/options/location

Recent proposed changes not included in the Master Plan
1. Residential VII East Central Street - Citizen/Developer petition
2. Storage Facility moved from CII to industrial - In process
3. Medical Marijuana - State law passed - adopted
4. Recreation Marijuana - State law passed - adopted

Thompson Press building on Dean Ave - future site of 200+ condos

The original agenda document for the Land Use Workshop




The Master Plan can be found on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/pages/master-plan

The 5 part Special Report on the development of the Residential VII zoning proposal can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-5-full-residential-vii-timeline.html

Charles River Meadowlands Meeting - Feb 7, 2017

Greetings to All:

Please mark your calendar for Feb 7 – our next meeting. 

We have now posted our 2017 Planning Document at the home page (www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org). 

The document looks at achievable activities for the year ahead including signage, trail mapping, etc. as well as meeting with relevant officials. 

At our meeting (6:30 PM, Dean Rm, First Universalist Soc. 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA) we will discuss these goals and we will be looking for help, for example, identifying access points and existing trails and planning meetings with officials. Please try to attend.

​For further information, contact Alan Earls (alan.r.earls@gmail.com, 508 528 6930)​

image from Charles River Meadowlands webpage

For easy reference, the 2017 Planing document can also be found here

FUN One-Night Workshops In January

Your Winter Adventure

Franklin Public Schools ~ Lifelong Learning Institute The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning presents Your Winter Adventure Fun One-Night Workshops  Don't miss these ...... Easy Indian Cooking: Hands-on class Register Now Cooking authentic Indian food has never been so easy. In this 2-hour hands-on class, you will get the confidence to recreate your favorite Indian food, while also learning about the health benefits of various spices AND tasting some delicious dishes. Thursday, January 26 7:00 to 9:00 pm  Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street  Cost: $70 Keep the Memories Not the Stuff   Register Now  Learn how to downsize successfully by focusing on the memories not the stuff. During this class we'll discuss the difference between valid and invalid reasons for holding onto things. We will define what it means to keep the memories not the stuff, and we will discuss 10 different ways to hold onto the memories.     Thursday, January 26 Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm   Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street Cost: $25       Investing for Retirement  Register Now Learn what it takes to create a successful retirement for you and your family.  If you are just starting out, midway through your career or closing in on retirement, this 2 hour seminar will give you the tools and information you need to lay the foundation to accomplish your long term goals.Tuesday, January 31   6:30 to 8:30 pm Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street Cost:  $40 adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us     508-613-1480

FPS- Lifelong Learning, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us in collaboration with Try it free today

Important Cultural District Planning Meeting - Jan 19 - 7:00 PM

The Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning and Community Development invites you to attend a meeting at 7:00 p.m. on January 19, 2017 to hear an update on plans for a Cultural District in Downtown Franklin.

The Cultural District Steering Committee has worked hard for more than two years to draw attention to Franklin’s great cultural resources, advocate for creation of the Franklin Cultural District, and organize the annual Franklin Cultural Festival.

The Committee and Town staff are looking for your input regarding the creation of a state designated Cultural District and related management issues, as well as support for ongoing and potential cultural activities.

Input and ongoing involvement of all Franklin organizations and individuals is desired to develop a strong partnership consisting of cultural organizations, historical and community organizations, non-profits, private businesses, government agencies, educational and faith based institutions, and individual artists. All are encouraged to participate in this partnership.

Anyone in need of additional information should contact the Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning and Community Development.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Bryan W. Taberner, AICP

Director of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-1352
Phone: 508-520-4907
Fax: 508-520-4906
Email: btaberner@franklin.ma.us


When: 
Thursday January 19, 2017, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: 
Franklin Municipal Building
355 East Central Street, Town Council Chambers

Arts Happen Here in Franklin, MA!

Note: I am volunteering my time and effort as part of the Cultural District Steering Committee to make this happen for Franklin.