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| Have you seen the new Glen Pharmer sign ?? - another wonder from "Signs By Cam" |
FM #1350 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1350 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, January 9, 2024. Our conversation condenses the Council meeting of Wednesday night with a focus on two questions:
• ok, what just happened?
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
Topics for this session
a. Franklin Ridge Senior Affordable Housing Project Update - Bryan Taberner, Director of
Department of Planning and Community
Construction to commence later this summer, after Town finishes its infrastructure work
b. Residential Development & Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI, aka Chapter 40B) Update - Bryan Taberner, Director of Department of Planning and Community
At 10.86% (the guideline is more than 10%)
A summary of what’s approved and or in the planning process
Over 1,000 housing units, approx. 400 would be “Affordable”
"A 1% increase in new supply; i) lowers average rents by 0.19%, ii) effectively reduces rents of lower-quality units, & iii) disproportionately increases the number of second-hand units available for rent. Moreover, the impact on rents is equally strong in high-demand markets."
Institute for Employment Research, A German federal agency
A study on secondary housing, or the domino effect of what new housing does to existing stock and population movement within the existing stock
Legislation for action:
2 bylaws to enable to Town work on Franklin Ridge
2 bylaws to bring to compliance with State law on ADUs
2 bylaws on signs deferred to Jan 22
Resolution 25-01: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($1,672), Veterans Department ($3,125)
Town Administrator Report reveal the home rule piece was approved to exempt the Town from posting legal notices in print editions of the newspaper
The recording runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting held this week
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1350-town-council-quarterbacking-01-09-25/--------------
Franklin TV video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/7dQWhWlHRW0?&t=208
Agendas for Town Council meeting ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_1.8.25.pdf
Screen grabs of the presentation on housing (40b) -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/pR2DTs2eaifKxWFo9
My set of notes in one PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-qr25XiQvmFi_gBNBvjrwUaeoK2ZukH/view?usp=drive_link
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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
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do
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!
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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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| This Town Council quarterbacking session condenses the Council meeting of Weds, Jan 8, 2025 (audio) |
a. Design Revisions - Presentation & Discussion
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| Economic Development Subcommittee agenda for meeting Weds, Nov 13, 2024 |
The Economic Development Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday October 20, 2021 at 5:45 PM. Please find the agenda and links for the upcoming Economic Development Subcommittee meeting posted here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-10-20_edc_agenda_.pdf
Agenda:
1. Wayfinding signs update discussion
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| Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - October 20, 2021 - 5:45 PM |
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| screengrab of an example from North Adams and what they did |
"Regulations on signs in town are very loose, but that may soon change.
The bylaw, written in 2012, is up for a public hearing on Wednesday, during the next Town Council meeting.
Bryan Taberner, director of Planning and Community Development, said that the bylaw does not regulate how many signs can be in one plaza. For example, if a plaza in town had 10 businesses, there could be 10 different signs, one for each business.
That reason, he said, is why the pending bylaw is going to be important."
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| Sign Zoning Bylaw up for Town Council review/vote |
"Massachusetts residents are no strangers to expensive energy costs, especially during colder months.
A recent report by Move.org shows Massachusetts residents on average pay the eighth-highest utility costs in the country -- $469 per month -- and the fourth highest in New England.
What some residents don’t know, however, is that there are several ways to make changes -- big and small -- around any home or apartment that could help lower those costs.
“Becoming more energy efficient is the single-most important step a homeowner or renter can take to gain control of their energy use and energy costs,” said Bill Stack, energy efficiency manager for Eversource, one of the state’s largest utility companies."
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| Which states pay the most for utilities? |
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| subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes |
"New graffiti made its way onto at least three stop signs Saturday night according to neighbors, and one of the signs along with the pole is completely missing.
At three intersections on Southgate Road, three letters or numbers in green spray paint are tagged onto stop signs. The pole that’s missing was the recently replaced intersection sign between Parliament Drive and Southgate Road.
The culprit could face serious fines for the defacing of public property and possible jail time for the stolen sign. There are also serious safety concerns associated with a missing stop sign, agreed pedestrians and neighbors in the area. If an accident were to occur, the person responsible for removing the sign could face additional charges, according to Massachusetts State Law.
New signs on the road had recently been completed, apart from some cement work at the base of the poles. As of Tuesday afternoon, the sign had not yet been replaced and the graffiti remained unwashed."
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| Economic Development subcommittee meeting - Feb 21, 2018 |
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| example of temporary signs frequently seen at King and Summer Sts |
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| JPG image of the most central downtown region shown on the full map |
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| legend of parking zones for downtown Franklin |
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| as I read the new parking rules, these designated parking zones would go away |
"Shared Lane Markings (SLMs), or “sharrows,” are road markings used to indicate a shared lane environment for bicycles and automobiles. Among other benefits shared lane markings reinforce the legitimacy of bicycle traffic on the street, recommend proper bicyclist positioning, and may be configured to offer directional and wayfinding guidance.
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| the bicycle markings seem to be causing some confusion for drivers |
The shared lane marking is a pavement marking with a variety of uses to support a complete bikeway network; it is not a facility type and should not be considered a substitute for bike lanes, cycle tracks, or other separation treatments where these types of facilities are otherwise warranted or space permits. The MUTCD outlines guidance for shared lane markings in section 9C.07."
"On November 7, 2015, the 80th birthday of the MUTCD, and throughout the year when you see an easy-to-read sign, a bright edgeline marking on a foggy night, the countdown timer at a crosswalk, or a well-placed bike lane, take a moment to reflect on the eighty years of progress and innovation that the MUTCD embodies. This progress has resulted in safer, more efficient travel on our Nation's roads.
Over the years, the MUTCD has unknowingly become the traveler's best friend and silent companion, guiding us on our way along the streets, bikeways, back roads, and highways. As the direct means of communication with the traveler, traffic control devices speak to us softly, yet effectively and authoritatively. From glass “cat’s-eye” reflectors to glass beads to microprismatic sheeting, nighttime sign visibility has advanced significantly. Active devices at rail crossings save lives by giving us a positive message about train traffic. And countdown timers on pedestrian signals help us cross a busy street.
So the next time you hit the pavement, the path, or the pedals, you can be sure that the MUTCD, through our dedicated professionals who make complex decisions on what devices to install, will help you get where you want to go safely, efficiently, and comfortably! The MUTCD…it's all about you!"
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| screen grab from the presentation depicting the northbound view of the proposed sign |
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| The new FHS sign includes a digital sign that is off as it does not conform with the current bylaws |
"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]