a. Public Safety:i. 210 Police Departmentii. 220 Fire Departmentiii. 225 Regional Dispatchiv. 240 Inspection Departmentv. 292 Animal Control
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Finance Committee - last of 3 budget hearings - May 11, 2023 at 7 PM
Saturday, January 7, 2023
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Residents are encouraged to subscribe to the Town's Regroup public safety notification system!
Visit the link to subscribe and become aware -> https://franklintown.regroup.com/login
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Finance Committee hears budgets for public safety & public works and good news on AAA bond rating achieved (audio)
FM #795 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 795 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee budget hearing #2 for the FY 2023 Town of Franklin budget held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: 7 members of the Finance Committee were in the Council Chambers along with some of the public, 1 member was announced as expecting to join via remote along with some members the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Chair Bill Dowd opens the Finance Committee, 7 members participating. This is the second of three sessions on the FY 2023 budget
This session covered public safety: police fire, and dispatch as well as public works the DPW divisions and the enterprise accounts for water, sewer, and solid waste
Each department was reviewed, some were straight forward, some had minor increases or adjustments. For example, 2 positions previously cut in last year's budget were restored in this year's budget for the DPW
The big news coming from the night was the announcement that the Town had achieved a AAA bond rating. This is a significant achievement and will help the Town save money on all future borrowing requirements
The recording runs about an hour and forty minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting May 11, 2022.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-795-finance-cmte-fy-2023-budget-hearing-2-05-11-22
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Meeting agenda => https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2022-05-11_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf
FY 2023 budget package => https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-23-budget-materials
Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee
My notes for the meeting => https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SERBrhfi0U1eOLfFR6GWHkcl07UiazpH/view?usp=sharing
YouTube recording => https://youtu.be/zqiyIdFy8ik
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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"
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Finance Committee hears budgets for public safety & public works and good news on AAA bond rating achieved (audio) |
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
JAMA: "State control over health outcomes shows no signs of waning"
"The COVID-19 pandemic removed any doubt that state policies can affect health outcomes. East Coast states (eg, New York, New Jersey) that responded to the first wave of the pandemic in the spring of 2020 with strict protective measures achieved relatively quick control of community spread within as much as 8 weeks,9 and they blunted subsequent surges by reinstating those policies.
In contrast, states that had spent decades opposing public health provisions were among the most resistant to COVID-19 guidelines and took active measures to resist restrictions. Some elected officials made a political issue out of challenging scientific evidence, embracing dubious theories, and labeling public health safeguards as infringements on personal freedom. Conservative governors used preemption to reverse efforts by mayors and school districts to control local transmission rates.
These policy choices may have been associated with increased COVID-19–related morbidity and mortality. States that rushed to curtail lockdowns in the spring of 2020 experienced more protracted surges in infections and disruptions to their economies.9 In 2021, excess deaths were disproportionately concentrated in states where resistance to COVID-19 vaccination was prevalent.
For example, excess death rates in Florida and Georgia (more than 200 deaths per 100 000) were much higher than in states with largely vaccinated populations such as New York (112 per 100 000), New Jersey (73 deaths per 100 000), and Massachusetts (50 per 100 000). States that resisted public health protections experienced higher numbers of excess deaths during the Delta variant surge in the fall of 2021 (Figure). Between August and December 2021, Florida experienced more than triple the number of excess deaths (29 252) as New York (8786), despite both states having similar population counts (21.7 million and 19.3 million, respectively).10"
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2790238
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Figure. Weekly Excess Death Rate (per 100 000) in Selected States, 2021 |
Monday, October 11, 2021
Mass. Public Health: DYK that 1 in 3 teens in MA vapes
"Did you know about 1 in 3 teens in Massachusetts vapes? That's why we're asking parents to Get Outraged about the tobacco and vaping industries.
Learn more at https://t.co/FTB7qi7p7f or https://www.mass.gov/get-outraged"Shared from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MassDPH/status/1446860505855893505?t=j13Eu0ioyUas-REjwf4DLw&s=03
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Oct 12, 2021
I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments
In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH
C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report
II. Guests/Presentations
A. Safety Presentation – Lucas Giguere, Asst. Supt.; Ryan Augusta, AP FHS
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/10_12_21_fps_school_safety_update.pdf
A. Superintendent’s Goals 2021-22
The Chair recommends approval of the Superintendent’s Goals for 2021-22 as detailed. https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_supt_goals.pdf and https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/superintendent_proposed_goals_2021-2022.pdf
I recommend adoption of the MASC Resolutions as follows:
1. Resolution 1: Dedicated Funding For Schoolbased Clinics And Services
2. Resolution 2: Homework Gap And Wifi/Internet Access
3. Resolution 3: IDEA Full Funding Act
4. Resolution 4: Recess
5. Resolution 5: Zero-Tolerance Policies
6. Resolution 6: Alternative To MCAS
7. Resolution 7: School Committees And Receivership
8. Resolution 8: Electric School Buses
9. Resolution 9: Prohibiting The Use Of Native American Mascots
C. Policy First Reading
I recommend moving policy GCF - Professional Staff Hiring to a second reading as discussed.
D. Policy Elimination
I recommend elimination of policy GCD - Professional Staff Vacations and Holidays as discussed.
IV. Discussion Only Items
A. Back to School Status Update – October 8, 2021
V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)
VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items
VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 28, 2021 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Athletics Gift
I recommend acceptance of the following Athletic Department gifts totaling
$6,669.82 as follows:
1. $328.12 All American Publishing (Supplemental Supplies)
2. $441.70 All American Publishing (Supplemental Supplies)
3. $5,900.00 MIAA, Inc. (Supplemental Supplies)
VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen
IX. Payroll Atty. Pond-Pfeffer
X. Executive Session
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares.
XI. Adjournment
Sunday, September 26, 2021
Franklin (MA) Police: Consider this lockup routine before you go to bed
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Franklin (MA) Police: Consider this lockup routine before you go to bed |
"LOCK YOUR CARS. LOCK YOUR CARS. LOCK YOUR CARS.
Not to sound like a broken record but over the last 2 weeks the department has taken 4 reports of stolen cars from neighborhoods overnight. Each of these incidents involved cars being left unlocked with keys left inside them. Cars were stolen from Southgate Road, A Street, Mary Anne Drive, and Mary Jane Road.
All 4 of these cars have been recovered and are being processed by Franklin Detectives. These cars are being found abandoned or unoccupied in Framingham and Providence. Don’t allow yourself to fall victim to these crimes. Never leave your keys unlocked in your cars overnight."
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Boston Globe: "Local officials say Baker is failing to invest in state’s broken public health system"
"Local public health officials were excited when the Baker administration recently announced a modest grant program to help beleaguered towns and cities be better prepared for the next pandemic. For the first time in decades, they said, the state was investing new money on the front lines of disease prevention.But then came Governor Charlie Baker’s announcement on Thursday that not a single dollar out of $2.8 billion in federal pandemic relief funding he plans to allocate would go toward public health programs. Instead, he said, the money would be used to ease the state’s housing crunch and other priorities.Now, some of the same leaders who were praising the administration days ago are lamenting what they say is Baker’s shortsightedness. They believe the governor is missing a historic opportunity to make a dramatic new investment in the state’s tattered public health system."
Sunday, May 2, 2021
FM #527 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 (audio)
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Finance Committee, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder were remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.
Let’s listen to this budget hearing on "Public Safety"
Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/bf3786c3-b901-4478-8bba-2808a097615f
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- April 28 Agenda = Public Safety (Police, Fire, Regional Dispatch) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-04-28_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf
- Town budget page for FY 2022
- My notes from the meeting
--------------
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 www.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"
![]() |
FM #527 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 (audio) |
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Recap - FinComm Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 - Public safety
Quick Recap:
- Public safety up for review this evening; Police, Fire, Inspection, and Regional Dispatch
- Police still understaffed vs. FBI stats but at larger staff than in recent years. Takes a newbie a year to get trained and on the street. One reason transfers are preferred if available
- Fire awaiting grant status possible award in Jun/Jul. If awarded, those individuals would be in addition to staff. Only hire paramedic qualified individuals.
- MECC expanding by two more communities (Millis, Mendon) with room for one more (maybe after that).
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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 #fincom0428
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom0428&src=typed_query
Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/6sggWUkqV9YYLy578
The agenda for this meeting can be found
- Part 2 of the 4 part Budget Hearing by the Finance Committee about to begin at 6:30 PM. Connection info and agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-04-28_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf #fincom0428
- Full budget doc to follow along on Police budget -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/budget_book_ta_level_fy22_with_page_numbers_v3.pdf #fincom0428
- P 52 and following covers the Police budget currently at 53 FTE would like to get more to be aligned with similar Community size #fincom0427 1 sargent aligned with 15 patrol personnel; span of control and additional administration would be desirable. Facing retirements
- Possible 2 this year, 4 in mid 2022, senior patrol person always badge #1; incentive to get 9 months notice of retirement, to avoid gap of hiring, training and actually getting to the streets to work #fincom0428 Q on jail diversion program covered by grant joint with Medway
- FBI stats say 1.9 patrol per 1000/population, would run out to about 70. Don't need to be that high just that 53 is light and with increase in population and buildings, the call volume is going up. #fincom0427 It takes a person about a year to get training to hit the streets
- The training and salary package has been an incentive to get transfers in which allows them to get to the streets quicker #fincom0428 chief advocated for parity in the salary package and it has worked well. Cost of body cameras and particularly the storage of the video
- He would prefer to have the body first, also with police reform there are 16 Committees looking at this so why start something now and have to change it out later. #fincom0428 we are not in civil service and happy not to be, able to recruit without it.
- #fincom0428 we are an attractive Community to work for, recent hires are good examples of what we can do. A job posting generates more applications than needed to fulfill a spot. A test is done every 3 years. I love self sponsors. That shows initiative for a job.
- Self sponsors wait for seats, dept sponsors get priority. #fincom0428
- Now onto the Fire Dept, refer to pages 57-61. Ambulance billing rates now looked at annually, grant group being very productive. 180 days notice and 90 days actual date notice req'd for retirement
- Refresh the listing of hierarchy every two years, training and reorganization attractive to new hires. We do hire paramedics and prefer to not drop to EMT level #fincom0428 results of SAFER grant due around Jun/Jul. Likely would be additional staff, would have some time
- To start building a budget to support the hires after the grant ran out. The sun, moon and stars may align on this. #fincom0428 looking to stock the 3rd ambulance to be ready if needed. We are ready to go back for a look at ISO 1, not so much a staffing thing, equipment key
- All fee revenue goes into the general fund except for that supporting the enterprise funds #fincom0428 applied again for grant, setting aside approx $600k in case grant doesn't renew. Assume it does, the these funds go to the MECC stabilization fund. There is still room for 1
- Community to add to the regional dispatch, Millville and
MedwayMendon coming on as planned this summer Moving to inspection, pages 64-65 #fincom0428 - Moving to animal control, a regional agreement with Bellingham, we provide space, they run the program without complaints
- Motion to adjourn, seconded, passes 9-0
- Back again Thursday for DPW and stormwater among other items! #fincom0428
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Recap - FinComm Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 - Public safety |
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
How does the Town of Franklin budget look displayed as a pie chart?
The budget hearings opened Tuesday night with General Government functions reviewed. Wednesday (6:30 PM) night is Public Safety (Police, Fire, Dispatch).
FY 2022 Budget | |
Police | $5,970,843 |
Fire | $6,428,747 |
DPW | $5,426,385 |
Library | $1,039,373 |
Facilities | $7,261,523 |
Other Municipal | $10,568,138 |
Fixed Costs (non-excl Debt-Benefits) | $16,964,310 |
School K-12 | $67,914,184 |
Regional | $2,486,887 |
Total Operating Budget | $124,060,390 |
- April 28 Agenda = Public Safety (Police, Fire, Regional Dispatch)
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School budget is up for review Tuesday, May 4 |
Prior posts
Executive summary by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/franklin-public-schools-fy-2022-annual.html
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/fy-2022-town-of-franklin-budget-proposal.html
Monday, March 8, 2021
Town of Franklin: Finance Committee - Agenda - March 10, 2021
Agenda & Meeting Packet
March 10, 2021 = 6:30 PM
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes
4. FY21 Capital Program Recommendations
5. Public Safety & MECC Discussion
a. Gary Premo - MECC Directorb. Chief TJ Lynch - Franklin Police Chiefc. Chief Jim McLaughlin - Franklin Fire Department
7. Future Agenda Items
8. Adjourn
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The Finance Committee Agenda includes an update from the MECC |