The Spring 2025 Rain Barrel Program is now open for Franklin residents

Interested in Purchasing a Rain Barrel?

Our Spring 2025 program is now open! Visit the

The Spring 2025 Rain Barrel Program

Great American Rain Barrel website to purchase your rain barrel.

Deadline for ordering is April 27th and pickup will be at the DPW Admin Building (257 Fisher St) on May 7th from 4-6 pm. 

Questions regarding the rain barrel program can be emailed to Kate Hinckley at khinckley@franklinma.gov.

https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/ (Select "Massachusetts" and then "Franklin" from the drop down menu)

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division/pages/rain-barrels

WEBINAR: Introducing the Property Owner Guide to Managing Stormwater on Commercial and Industrial Properties

WEBINAR: Introducing the Property Owner Guide to Managing Stormwater

Monday, September 30th 2024 1:00PM – 2:00 PM EDT

Join the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) for an informative presentation on the Property Owner Guide to Managing Stormwater on Commercial and Industrial Properties (aka, the Guide, scheduled for public release on September 30, 2024). 

The purpose of the Guide is to provide a high-level explanation of the problems associated with uncontrolled stormwater and what private property owners can do to reduce these impacts by improving site operations and making simple changes to the physical layout of their sites to reduce stormwater volume and pollutants.  The audience for the Guide is property owners and managers of commercial, industrial and institutional properties who are responsible for making decisions regarding site improvements to manage stormwater. 

 Entities (including consultants and state, regional and/or local agencies and organizations) who work with property owners in developing stormwater plans will also find the guide useful.  This guidance is timely in that it will help support compliance with stormwater permits issued under the Clean Water Act's Residual Designation Authority (RDA) affecting property owners having larger impervious surfaces including the anticipated permit in the Mashapaug Pond watershed in Rhode Island and permits in Massachusetts and New Hampshire coming in 2024, and one issued in Vermont in 2020. 

The impact of polluted stormwater from impervious surfaces on receiving water quality is well known, as are its contributions to localized flooding. Commercial, industrial and institutional properties have unique challenges, constraints and goals for their properties that must be considered for successfully incorporating pollutant reduction and stormwater treatment measures. 

The Guide builds upon the design guidance in the New England Stormwater Retrofit Manual but is customized to be more accessible to a non-technical audience by providing illustrative case examples of options for managing stormwater and presenting guidance that is easily understood by a non-technical reader. 

The Guide's focus is on operational best management practices and physical improvements known as Green Stormwater Infrastructure ("GSI") to manage and improve water quality at its source.  The guide was developed by VHB for the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Network with support from an ad hoc committee comprised of members from the University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center, the Rhode Island Stormwater Innovation Center, the New England Environmental Finance Center, and RIDEM's Office of Water Resources. 

Presenters:
Theresa McGovern, VHB 
Anna Keimel, VHB 

Online Webinar: Register Here!

<Text copied from "The SNEP Network">

Read more -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/webinar-introducing-property-owner-guide-managing-stormwater

Property Owner Guide to Managing Stormwater on Commercial and Industrial Properties

Town of Franklin: All about the water system, yes we have enough (audio)

Continuing to find and share golden nuggets from the archives, we have this 3-part audio series on the water system covering all aspects from the well head to your faucet.

You can also find the 3-part series on the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-matters-conversations-doug-martin-jake-standley

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FM #588 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 588 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent. 

We had our conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St. This is one of three in a series exploring the status and operations of the Franklin’s Water Dept. 

Part 1 - approx. 30 minutes

• A brief on Doug and Jake’s Franklin ‘story’

• New treatment plant, now operational, treating Wells 3 and 6; Well 6 is really a well field (of six separate wells)

• Difference between registration and permitted amount to draw

• Overall well status and supply (well summary on water report)

• Water conservation measures are a ‘forever’ thing right? (per the permit from DEP)

• Town wells draw from 40-50 feet where most private wells can draw from a 300-500 foot depth; if you have a private well, please put out a sign if you use it for irrigation

• Finances on water rate and sewer rate calculations, aside from private wells and septic systems, it is usage based billing

• Fire Dept working very closely with them on hydrant maintenance and water pressure opportunity areas to work towards an increase in the ISO certification for the Fire department; hydrant signage being added to help especially when out communities respond to help

• E-coli hit on well 2A, notification only discussed; test result was from the ‘raw’ side of the water, not the ‘treated side’ of the supply; “the ground is just a big old filter, and when you get 6-8 inches of rain the ground just can't handle it”

• The process worked, the testing and system ensures good water is being delivered all the time

• PFAS testing currently State funded; testing at parts per trillion, not million as with most other; PFAS is pervasive; Testers can’t use Teflon pans or Tupperware before taking test sample (to avoid contamination of the sample)

The show notes include links to the Franklin Water Dept. page and other references.

Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s water supply.

Audio File -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a7deabf6-08b9-41d8-820c-8bee1aa437db

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Part 2 - approx. 38 minutes

• Permit process 20 years, midway through this one

• Overall water usage per capita for Franklin is among the best in the state (~45-49gpp vs ~65gpp)

• Unaccounted for water and meter standards, Franklin is a model community for this

• Infiltration annual testing uses a “stethoscope for the road”

• Town owns from the water main to the curb stop (water service shut off from street); Town also owns the meter

• Meter read via radio today, may eventually get to an automatic send to a data collector; used to take 2 guys a month to read, now it takes one only a week to read the meters

• WaterSmart system data based upon readings monthly; billing readings are monthly

• Rebates available for high efficiency water use appliances

• Annual Water report - highlights by section

• Reference to working without the incredible asset of Dave Allard, now retired; 4 hours of a brain dump didn’t catch it all but he still answers the phone when they call

• Key items explained, testing process, negligible results are shown for 20 or so items, another 100+ are tested with no findings, PFAS testing added per state DEP regs

• Difference between water testing done by Town vs. Water bottles available in retail (FDA vs. DEP/EPA regulations)

• Thanks to the 61 residents for participating in the lead and copper special testing required (lead goose necks)

• WaterSmart website, Individual usage can be monitored, Leak detection service

The show notes include links to the Franklin Water Dept. page and other references.

Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s water supply.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a148dcea-1db5-49f2-b11c-e302009de27f

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Part 3 - approx. 28 minutes

• Water treatment process flow on last page of “Consumer Confidence Report”  CCR

• CCR only shows what was found when tested

• Programed with multiple fail safes, if deviation occurs outside of range, it shuts down

• Safe in that it is also closed, no internet access to system controls

• All of the water system is managed by four guys; Licenses required, continuing education required annually, training provided/supported by Town

• Water enterprise account, Usage based services, quarterly billing per usage

• Capital projects funded from ratepayers

• Work to prepare for water and sewer line replacements as part of rebuilding the roads

• Retained balance of $1M as a practice for “in case”

• Increase reliability of SCADA system by switching to fiber from radio wave

• Good to know; the water sewer world of infrastructure is a thing for consideration - job security and regular challenges; the industry is facing 60% of the workforce retiring in the next 10 years

The show notes include links to the Franklin Water Dept. page and other references.

Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s water supply.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3e921c80-30d7-4f9b-bd36-a8becc68be90

Town of Franklin: All about the water system, yes we have enough (audio)

Time to order rain barrels at a discount from Town of Franklin

Via the Town of Franklin Storm Water Division:

Our Fall 2024 program is open! Deadline for ordering is September 8th and pickup will be at the DPW Admin Building (257 Fisher St) on September 18th from 4-6 pm. 

For more information, please visit:  https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division/pages/rain-barrels  or go direct to the the Great American site to order    https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/

Time to order rain barrels at a discount from Town of Franklin

The Guardian: "Rising sea levels will disrupt millions of Americans’ lives by 2050, study finds"

"Floods could leave coastal communities in states like Florida and California unlivable in two decades

Sea level rise driven by global heating will disrupt the daily life of millions of Americans, as hundreds of homes, schools and government buildings face frequent and repeated flooding by 2050, a new study has found.

Almost 1,100 critical infrastructure assets that sustain coastal communities will be at risk of monthly flooding by 2050, according to the new research by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The vast majority of the assets – 934 of them – face the risk of flood disruption every other week, which could make some coastal neighborhoods unlivable within two to three decades.

Almost 3 million people currently live in the 703 US coastal communities with critical infrastructure at risk of monthly disruptive flooding by 2050, including affordable and subsidized housing, wastewater treatment facilities, toxic industrial sites, power plants, fire stations, schools, kindergartens and hospitals."

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required) 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/25/rising-sea-levels-flooding

The map that is part of this report ->  https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6ca511bc6cd14ce8a4a6e18b769fb802

The Guardian: "Rising sea levels will disrupt millions of Americans’ lives by 2050, study finds"

Town of Franklin: Town Council - Meeting Agenda for June 26, 2024

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 26, 2024 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. May 22, 2024  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3a._may_22_2024_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review_-_google_docs.pdf

b. May 23, 2024  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3b._may_23_2024_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review_-_google_docs.pdf

c. June 5, 2024  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/june_5_2024_tc_meeting_minutes_draft_1.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation: Gabrielle “Ellie” Dalton & Community Outreach Dog, “Officer” Ben Franklin

b. Proclamation: Rabbi Thomas Alpert

 

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Town Comptroller - Linda Darling

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM

a. Transfer, Change of Location, Pledge of Collateral and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: Rye's Wine Incorporated d/b/a Pour Richard’s Wine & Provisions Located at 835 West Central Street, Suite 2, Franklin, MA 02038

i. License Transaction #7a

b. Transfer, Change of Location and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License: Mormax Corporation d/b/a BJ’s Wholesale Club Located at 100 Corporate Drive, Franklin, MA 02038

i. License Transaction #7b

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Transfer, Change of Location, Pledge of Collateral and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: Rye's Wine Incorporated d/b/a Pour Richard’s Wine & Provisions Located at 835 West Central Street, Suite 2, Franklin, MA 02038

b. Transfer, Change of Location and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License: Mormax Corporation d/b/a BJ’s Wholesale Club Located at 100 Corporate Drive, Franklin, MA 02038

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. FY25 Budget Amendment

i. Legislation for Action #9a

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 24-44: General Funds Appropriations, Transfers and Adjustments FY25 (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-44 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 24-41: Statewide Opioid Settlement Fund Appropriation (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-41 - Majority Vote)

c. Resolution 24-45: Town Council Approval of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds ($2,975,000) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-45 - Majority Vote)

d. Resolution 24-48: Town Council Approval of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds ($8,304) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-48 - Majority Vote)

e. Resolution 24-46: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs Associated with the Constructing and Equipping the Hayward St. WTP Improvements Project (DWSRF 16730) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-46 - ⅔ Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 24-47: Authority for Town Administrator to File Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Application (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-47 - Majority Vote)

g. By-Law Amendment 24-910: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Water Usage Rates - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 24-910 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

h. By-Law Amendment 24-911: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Curbside Trash Fee - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 24-911 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

i. By-Law Amendment 24-912: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Stormwater Service Charge - Second Reading  (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 24-912 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

j. Resolution 24-43: Appropriation Transfers FY24  (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-43 - Majority Vote)

k. Bylaw Amendment 24-909: Chapter 139, Sewers (Grease Traps) - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 24-909 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

l. Resolution 24-40: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($120) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-40 - Majority Vote)

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. Pavement Management Plan

b. Town Finance Office Appointments

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. Master Plan Committee

e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee

f. Police Station Building Committee

g. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCILOR COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_26_2024.pdf

Town of Franklin: Town Council - Meeting Agenda for June 26, 2024

First night, multiple questions; Second night, multiple votes approved FY 2025 budget, sets fee increases for water, curbside, & stormwater to 2nd reading (audio)

FM #1211 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1211 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Franklin, MA Town Council FY 2025 Budget Hearing #1 conducted on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. All nine members of the Council were present.

Adoption of FY 2025 budget Moved, second, passes 9-0 

Resolution 24-29: MECC Stabilization Account Transfer to MECC Appropriation FY25 - Moved, second, passes 9-0

Resolution 24-30: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Moved, second, passes 9-0

Resolution 24-31: Expenditure Limits for FY2025 on Departmental Revolving Funds Established by Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, as Provided in MGL Chapter 44, §53E½, as Amended, Moved, second, passes 9-0

Resolution 24-32: Creation of Snow & Ice Stabilization Fund, as Authorized by G.L. Chapter 40, Section 5B and Transfer of Funds Thereto. 2/3 required, Moved, second, passes 9-0

Resolution 24-33: Creation of Property Acquisition Stabilization Fund, as Authorized by G.L. Chapter 40, Section 5B and Transfer of Funds Thereto - Moved, second, passes 9-0

 

Resolution 24-26: Community Preservation Fund: Annual Appropriations and Reservations  - Moved, second, passes 9-0; Admin account as an example could be used for appraisal if needed

Resolution 24-27: FY25 Community Preservation Appropriation of Funds-Capital - Discussion around the use of the CPA funds for the historical preservation for the Old South Church, some not so convinced of it ... Also discussion around the Pleasant St affordable housing … It is deed restricted, Moved, second, passes 9-0

Resolution 24-34: Rescission of Unissued Balances of Authorizations to Borrow Moved, second, discussion. Mostly a house cleaning resolution, to clear the books before reissuing new borrowing. Estimates are currently severely out of date and will be redone as needed. This is no "money" it is unexecuted borrowing authorizations, we did have an approval to do so but either grants covered or as estimates were outdated can't be done now - Moved, second, Passes 9-0

Resolution 24-35: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs of Various Renovations to Remington/Jefferson and Horace Mann Schools - Moved, second, discussion, Related to one of the earlier items, this is a current and more accurate funding request. Amendment to make modifications as discussed to add Middle School throughout, and change improve to approve in #2 moved, second, passes 9-0 for amendment, Moved, second as amended passes 9-0

By-Law Amendment 24-910: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Water Usage Rates - First Reading - Moved, second, discussion - Water rate increases needed for PFAS mitigations per EPA requirements at a 1.5% loan rate Moving to second reading, passes 9-0

By-Law Amendment 24-911: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Curbside Trash Fee - First Reading - Moved, second, discussion History of the curbside fees

"it is cheaper to burn trash than to recycle" tipping costs are likely to continue to increase, in negotiation for new contracts so there may be future increases Moving to second reading, Passes 9-0

By-Law Amendment 24-912: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Stormwater Service Charge - First Reading Moved, second, discussion - Moving to second reading, passes 9-0

Town Administrator report

• Shannon Nisbett certified by the state as a veteran services officers Award for safety training

• More artsy boxes being painted around town Carlos Rebelo awarded manager of the year

• Podcast talks about mental health with Kallie and Lt Riley

The recording runs about 4 hours and 7 minutes, so let’s listen to this FY 2025 budget hearing #1 of May 22.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1211-franklin-ma-town-council-fy2025-budget-hearing-2-05-23-24

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Agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_22_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

My notes via Twitter ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HVhORTXoOdWGOgZryo8tmzYdLkXDTBy1/view?usp=drive_link 

The Franklin TV recording is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRc-8mCAPws

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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"

First night, multiple questions; Second night, multiple votes approved FY 2025 budget, sets fee increases for water, curbside, & stormwater to 2nd reading (audio)