Showing posts with label storm water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label storm water. Show all posts

Saturday, April 6, 2024

Now is the time to apply for Stormwater Credits for FY 2025

Stormwater Credits

  • Now is the time to apply for stormwater credits! 

Please visit our website https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division for more information and to learn why keeping stormwater clean is in everyone's best interest.

  • Need to order a rain barrel? 

The Franklin DPW has partnered with the Great American Rain Barrel Company to offer residents rain barrels at a discounted price. The Spring program is open until Sunday, April 7th. To order a rain barrel and for more information about this program, visit: https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater.../pages/rain-barrels

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/stormwater-credits

Now is the time to apply for Stormwater Credits for FY 2025
Now is the time to apply for Stormwater Credits for FY 2025

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

In this Talk Franklin episode, we talk public works with the folks in the DPW (audio) - 02/22/24

"In this episode, we talk public works with the folks in the DPW who manage the infrastructure we don't usually see, and the roads/grounds we do see, and everything else in between! Plus a little fun with music and top hit songs about roads."

FM #1147 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1147 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares a new format for "Talk Franklin'' with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Administrator Amy Frigulietti. 


This episode features a conversation with many of the key folks from the Department of Public Works. We recorded our discussion in person in the 3rd floor Training Room on Thursday, February 22, 2024.


Topics for this session

Water & Sewer

Beaver Stream Interceptor

PFAS mitigations

Stormwater

New fee abatement cycle opens April 1

Trash & recycling

Composting coming

GIS (graphical information service)

The storymaps and the “data”

Fleet management

Over 200 registered vehicles

Another 80 unregistered devices (large & small)

Always looking for efficiencies

Engineering

Baron Road out to bid for work this year (ARPA funded)

Highway/ & Grounds

The most visible working section of the DPW


The recording runs about 96 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie, Amy & the DPW group on Thursday, February 22, 2024


Audio link -> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin--a-podcast-from-the-Town-Administrators-Office---February-22--2024-e2ga87e/a-ab0n2nm


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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator


Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 


DPW top page  https://www.franklinma.gov/public-works 

Water & Sewer  https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division 

Stormwater https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division 

GIS https://www.franklinma.gov/gis-department 

Engineering   https://www.franklinma.gov/engineering 

Highway & Grounds  https://www.franklinma.gov/highwaygrounds-division 


A new “Talk Franklin” version of “Family Feud” 

Sparked some discussion, laughter, and “why was that left out?”

https://drive.google.com/file/d/111umQfHbvRTcxCAQaLmjZhXMHIm6kYMR/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


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"


In this Talk Franklin episode, we talk public works with the folks in the DPW (audio) - 02/22/24
In this Talk Franklin episode, we talk public works with the folks in the DPW (audio) - 02/22/24

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Stormwater utility fee credit timelines for 2024

Stormwater credits will be accepted from April 1 through May 31 (in advance of the updated billing effective July 1, 2024).

Stormwater credit timelines for 2024
Stormwater credit timelines for 2024



More about the stormwater fee can be found on the Town of Franklin page

Quick 4 min video providing overall view of stormwater utility fee ->

Video on the stormwater fee origin and Q&A -> 



Monday, December 25, 2023

Call for Water

  I

When thirsty, your body signals a call for water

A turn of the faucet, or a flush of the toilet, starts a call for water


The signal may require a long walk, to the well, or stream,

To return with a full yellow container to answer the call for water


The faucet at the sink will start the flow through the pipes

in the house, the street, pump, or water tower to answer the call for water


When the hot water faucet is turned, the water flows under pressure,

with a diversion through heating coils, to answer the call for water


When the toilet is flushed, the water flows carrying the refuse liquid

and, or solid, before refilling the device in the call for water


The refuse, liquid and solid, moves through gravity flow pipes

to get processed before returning to the stream to answer the call for water


  II


Science tells us human males are about 60% water, females about 55%,

which shows why we need to respond to the call for water


The earth's surface is about 70% water but 97% of that is salt water

requiring treatment before answering the call for water


We have to take care of the 3% fresh water, use it as needed,

conserve it to help with the call for water


Science can help determine a good economic process

for conversion of salt water to better answer the call for water


We need to foster those scientific efforts, and trust the science,

as it evolves to provide a solution to the call for water


There are those among us near and far, who need shorter walks,

or better access, to answer the call for water


So Sherlock, are you all wet yet? Or will you help Frank,

and Lynn when they initiate their call for water?


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originally shared at quietpoet.com/

https://www.quietpoet.com/2023/12/call-for-water.html



During 2021, I was able to record a three-part series on the Franklin water system. My conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent has aged well. Some of the numbers may change but the overall process we review doesn't change much.


The three-part audio series can be found here ->

three-part series on the Franklin water system
three-part series on the Franklin water system


During 2023, I was able to record a three-part series on the sewer side of the business. Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent, joined me again as we talked about the flushing side of the side handling our waste water.

Construction of the Beaver Street Interceptor. The houses in background are West Central Street, Panther Way area.
Construction of the Beaver Street Interceptor. The houses in background are West Central Street, Panther Way area.

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

DPW layouts the multi-year infrastructure project costs to the Town Council (audio)

FM #1043 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1043 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers; Jones was absent, Hamblen covered as clerk for the meeting.


Quick recap:

One appointment to the Agricultural Commission was approved. Daniel Morse moved from an associate role to a full seat. Likely a future appointment coming for a new associate.


Two PUBLIC HEARINGS were conducted. These previously were reviewed by the Economic Development Subcommittee and forwarded with unanimous approval. Both measures passed by 8-0-1 (8 for, 0 against, 1 absent)

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements  

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map  


Presentation: DPW Project Updates - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director

The presentation doc can be found here ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/pages/councl_update_aug_23.pdf 

i. Current Project Updates

ii. Pavement Management Program & Sidewalk Plan   

iii. Water Tank Master Plan


Discussion: Proposition 2 ½ Operating Override. As noted during the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting, Jamie provided an overview on the Prop 2 ½ process. Attorney Cerel provided an overview of the more pertinent nuances of what could be done, and importantly what can’t be done.

i. Process - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator  

ii. Campaign & Political Finance and Ethics Laws - Mark Cerel, Town Attorney 


The recording runs 3 hours and 8 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on July 19, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1043-town-council-mtg-08-16-23



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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_aug_16_2023.pdf


My notes in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17mCqfZ5ZEaL6jBcpFEFFOrqh8NrW6noP/view?usp=drive_link 


Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/this-town-council-quarterbacking.html


Franklin TV meeting video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/vlYIlCbc4hs 


--------------

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"


DPW team presenting to the Town Council 08/16/23
DPW team presenting to the Town Council 08/16/23

DPW layouts the multi-year infrastructure project costs to the Town Council
DPW layouts the multi-year infrastructure project costs to the Town Council