Showing posts with label strategic plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strategic plan. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Laura shares insights from The Pantry Strategic Plan with us (audio)

FM #1386 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1386 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Laura Doherty, Franklin Food Pantry Associate Director. We had our conversation at the Franklin Food Pantry at Edwin’s. 


The Pantry Strategic Plan
The Pantry Strategic Plan
Laura provides a brief story on her road to The Pantry then we get to talk about The Pantry Strategic Plan. It was funded by a grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation specifically for use in building capacity. The Pantry developed the strategic plan with involvement of multiple stakeholders groups and is now able to bring the plan to life.


The recent holiday meal distribution is one example of how the strategic plan led to the enhancements that resulted in almost 1,000 meals distributed during Nov & Dec 2024.


Disclosure: during the conversation you will hear that I was previously on the Food Pantry Board. I am currently volunteering on a couple of committees to help the Food Pantry mission. 


The recording runs about 39 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Laura

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1386-franklin-food-pantry-strategic-plan-02-06-25/


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


Franklin Food Pantry strategic plan -> 

https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Strategic-Plan-2024-to-2027.pdf 


Food Pantry current needs page -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/pantry-needs/ 


Amazon wish lists -> https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SIL7UR08ZZUC?ref_=wl_share 


Sign up for a public tour of the Pantry -> https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4baaa622a4f4c43-pantry#/ 


The Franklin Food Pantry is here for you. If you need us, we are here with not only food, but useful programs and resources for individuals, seniors and families struggling with food insecurity. If you can support us, we thank you - visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org  to explore volunteering, donating funds, donating food, or supporting our Capital Campaign to keep the lights on and the programs, from food elves to weekend backpack stuffing. It truly takes a village to keep our food pantry running and supporting the increasing demand, supporting our Franklin neighbors.


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


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 


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 out. 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 www.franklin.news or www.Franklinmatters.org/ 


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"

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Master Plan Update: Implementation Program: Strategies and Actions - Traffic, Community Services, & Housing

Over the next couple of days, sections of the Master Plan Update "final draft" will be shared to prepare for the Public Hearing scheduled for Thursday, Nov 14. 

The presentation and hearing will begin at 6:30 PM in the 3rd Floor Training Room of the Municipal Building. Franklin TV is scheduled to broadcast the event (and record for future viewing).

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

Key Issues and Opportunities

This document outlines the major challenges currently faced by the Town of Franklin. These key issues, along with potential opportunities, are instrumental in understanding and shaping the Town’s Master Plan update. Additionally, they contribute to the formulation of the town’s vision, goals, and strategies for the next ten to twenty years.


Implementation Program: Strategies and Actions

Master Plan Strategies are intended to inform decision-making and ensure that community development aligns with the goals of the master plan. These strategies are crafted through an assessment of current conditions, emerging trends, and future projections for the community. Once established, these strategies serve as a framework for decisions related to land use, zoning regulations, transportation infrastructure, and various elements of community development.

Master Plan Action Items represent specific tasks required to achieve the goals and objectives detailed in the master plan. They are individual steps necessary to implement the guiding strategies and achieve the desired outcomes.

Given the complex table structure of the detailed implementation plans, I have broken out each section in a single PDF for easier reading by topic.

Traffic

Community Services

Housing

The last 3 sections will be shared tomorrow


The full Master Plan Update final draft report can be found on the Town page ->

Master Plan Update: Implementation Program: Strategies and Actions - Traffic, Community Services, & Housing
Master Plan Update: Implementation Program: Strategies and Actions - Traffic, Community Services, & Housing


Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Master Plan Update: Community Mission Statement, Vision, & Goals

Over the next couple of days, sections of the Master Plan Update "final draft" will be shared to prepare for the Public Hearing scheduled for Thursday, Nov 14. The presentation and hearing will begin at 6:30 PM in the 3rd Floor Training Room of the Municipal Building. Franklin TV is scheduled to broadcast the event (and record for future viewing).

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

3. Community Vision and Goals

The Master Plan Mission Statement and Vision include the core values and goals that guide community development and decision-making.

Mission Statement

Franklin is an inclusive community that strives to support its citizens, land, and businesses in a sustainable, fiscally responsible manner. We value high quality education, the arts, cultural, historic, and agricultural resources, and the superb delivery of public services, now and into the future, for residents of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. 

We are committed to creating a sustainable community by protecting open spaces, recreation, and natural resources while promoting balanced growth that enhances the pluralism of our community. We work to promote various housing opportunities, as well as to attract and retain businesses, both profit and non- profit, that grow our economy, create jobs, and contribute to a vibrant downtown center and community. 

We continue to work to improve and enhance the safe, healthy, and efficient movement of people and goods within Franklin, and across the regional transportation network, by providing a range of integrated and sustainable transportation options.

Vision

Our vision of Franklin is to be a vibrant, inclusive, pluralistic, innovative, and sustainable community.

Pillar Goals

The six pillar goals, or overarching goals, of the Franklin Master Plan are:
Housing Diversity
Complete Neighborhoods
Neighborhood Connectivity
Vibrant Downtown
Natural/Historic Conservation and Accessibility
Resource Efficiency
 
Master Plan Goals

Master Plan Goals are the objectives that a community aims to achieve through implementation of a master plan. The goals are typically broad and long-term in nature, and they guide the implementation of policies and strategies that will help achieve them.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
1. Work to revitalize Franklin’s Downtown core and adjacent neighborhoods.
2. Support the creation of mixed-use Neighborhood districts throughout Town that integrate small commercial uses near residential areas.
3. Boost tourism by highlighting, enhancing, and expanding amenities, events, and attractions.
4. Build organizational capacity to support and strengthen the Town of Franklin’s business retention and attraction initiatives, activities, and strategies.
5. Encourage the redevelopment of underutilized properties and otherwise explore opportunities to expand Franklin’s commercial and industrial bases.
6. Adopt strategies that will promote workforce development, attract skilled workers to the region and increase employment options for the Town’s current residents.

HOUSING
1. Increase Housing Diversity to encompass a range of housing types, sizes, and price points to accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of residents, including Innovative housing solutions, such as tiny homes, co-housing communities, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and co-living arrangements, to offer housing options suited to specific needs or lifestyles within the community.
2. Expand and Enhance the Downtown and Neighborhoods by prioritizing them for housing development and investments in neighborhood character that include improving infrastructure, amenities, community engagement, and quality of life for residents.

LAND USE 

1. Preserve and enhance existing unprotected natural and open space resources in Franklin.
2. Encourage development of diverse housing options in areas of Town where property is underutilized or needs redevelopment, and where public transit is available.
3. Promote mixed-use development in appropriate areas.
4. Encourage expansion and retention of current businesses and attraction of new businesses in appropriate locations.
5. Provide guidelines on Franklin character and develop a more clearly defined review process.
6. Make the permitting process more transparent, streamlined and in alignment with overarching Town goals.
NATURAL, CULTURAL & HISTORIC RESOURCES
1. Protect, preserve, and enhance Franklin’s natural environment and biodiversity through land and water management, regulation, and public education.
2. Provide quality arts and cultural resources as a vital part of the creativity and growth of our community.
3. Preserve and protect community historic resources while respecting and planning for future growth.
4. Advocate for the preservation and protection of Franklin’s natural, cultural and historic resources.
5. Implement growth management, sustainable development and low impact development techniques to preserve, protect, and enhance the Town's natural, cultural, and historic resources.

OPEN SPACE & RECREATION
1. Increase public awareness of and access to open space and recreational resources.
2. Preserve and enhance existing unprotected natural and open space resources in Franklin.
3. Provide opportunities for inclusive and accessible passive and active recreation to meet the community’s evolving needs.
4. Implement sustainable practices in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of Franklin’s public parks and playgrounds.
5. Work to obtain the funding and other resources necessary to implement the open space and recreation goals, objectives and actions outlined above.

COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES
1. Regularly reference and use the Master Plan in developing annual budgets and prioritizing capital improvements, programs and services.
2. Obtain  sufficient  resources  to  implement  the  Master  Plan’s  priority  capital improvements, programs and services.
3. Maintain, update and expand the Town’s utilities, infrastructure and facilities to satisfy the demands of the Town into the future in alignment with previously established plans for conservation or preservation.
4. Superb delivery of public services.
5. Maintain the quality of Franklin’s municipal buildings, public school facilities, and all other town owned properties, and utilize facilities as effectively as possible.
6. Ensure the superb delivery of public education, from Pre-K through adult.

TRAFFIC & CIRCULATION
1. Make the Town increasingly more walk-able and bike-able by creating and maintaining safe interconnected pedestrian and bicycle routes between key destinations within Franklin, including residential areas, Downtown, employment centers, commuter rail stations, schools, parks and recreation facilities, and commercial areas.
2. Work to improve existing, and develop new, public transportation for the Town's residents and visitors, as well as the business community and their employees.
3. Improve and maintain the Town's public roadway system to assure adequate service, maximize public safety, accommodate desirable growth, and serve existing and future land use patterns.
4. Improve vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian circulation in the Downtown and neighborhood areas.
SUSTAINABILITY
1. Decarbonize all Town/school buildings and facilities.
2. Adopt and support sustainable development policies and practices.
3. Support and encourage sustainable practices among residents and businesses.
4. Strengthen resilience to climate change impacts.
5. Support programs to reduce waste.


Implementation Program: Strategies and Actions

Master Plan Strategies are intended to inform decision-making and ensure that community development aligns with the goals of the master plan. These strategies are crafted through an assessment of current conditions, emerging trends, and future projections for the community. Once established, these strategies serve as a framework for decisions related to land use, zoning regulations, transportation infrastructure, and various elements of community development.

Master Plan Action Items represent specific tasks required to achieve the goals and objectives detailed in the master plan. They are individual steps necessary to implement the guiding strategies and achieve the desired outcomes.

The next level - strategies and actions will be shared tomorrow. If you want, you can go directly to the full plan and review those sections

Master Plan Update: Community Mission Statement, Vision, & Goals
Master Plan Update: Community Mission Statement, Vision, & Goals


Sunday, September 8, 2024

September is Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about hunger and inspire action. Here at The Pantry, we are inspired every day by our clients and strive to provide an compassionate, dignified experience where they feel welcomed and heard. In fact, as part of our yearlong grant-funded strategic planning process, we recently surveyed clients to gain insight into their experience at The Pantry.  

We are very proud that our online survey, sent to 377 clients, was the first multilingual client survey in The Pantry’s history. Survey questions were both quantitative and qualitative and feedback was anonymous.  

Below are some key results from the survey: 
  • 93% of clients say we meet their needs very well or better 
  • 91% of clients shop twice a month or more  
  • 74% of clients said that The Pantry is their main source of food  
  • 80% of clients rely on us mostly for meat and produce  
  • 73% of clients prefer non weekend hours 
  • 55% of clients need more help connecting with other community resources  
  • Inside shopping with appointment is the preferred shopping method  
Hunger Action Month
Hunger Action Month
These results are being used to shape our programing and enhance our services. To date, we have implemented electronic appointment reminders and expanded the number of in-person shopping appointments. 

We are collaborating with and identifying additional partners to provide more dairy, proteins, prepared foods, and healthy produce. We are extremely grateful to our clients for their thoughtful suggestions and will continue to use their invaluable feedback to guide our future decisions. 

Continuing to improve our services is important to The Pantry’s mission of alleviating food insecurity and compassionately empowering our community. This Hunger Action Month, we invite you to help us meet our clients’ needs by making a monetary donation to The Pantry, or learning more about food waste and its impact on food insecurity at our special event with Spoonfuls, a food rescue organization, on September 12, 2024, at 7 PM. 

We hope that sharing our clients’ feedback will inspire you to act and help fight food insecurity in Franklin and beyond. 

With sincere gratitude for your ongoing support,  

Tina Powderly,  
Executive Director, Franklin Food Pantry 


For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry, visit   https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Mass Cultural Council's Strategic Plan FY24-26 (video)

Via Michael J. Bobbitt (@mbobbitt)
"So excited to launch Mass Cultural Council's Strategic Plan FY24-26 Launch Video created by Wesley Verge and a number of artists in Massachusetts.  
Pay no attention to my terrible acting!  LOL.

https://t.co/Fj03nqjlo8"

For more information on the Strategic Plan for FY 24-26

Friday, August 11, 2023

Smart Social Security Strategies for Women

Smart Social Security Strategies for Women
Smart Social Security Strategies for Women
"While many women plan to claim Social Security retirement benefits, they may not know about how various factors could impact their monthly payment.

More women are working than ever before, but their average benefits are lower than those for men because women typically earn less over their lifetime. In addition, falling marriage rates mean fewer women are in a position to claim spouse’s and survivor benefits.

Here are some important points for women to consider when planning to apply for Social Security benefits:  "
Continue reading the article online ->  


Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Town Council approves FY 24 budget after 9 hours over 2 nights, plan for schools to get $700K more (audio)

FM #1000 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1000 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Thursday, May 25, 2023. All 9 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers.


The first budget hearing did not complete on Wednesday evening, so Thursday's session opens to complete the first hearing and then starts the second hearing. When the second hearing completes, the legislation for action commences to record the various approvals as noted below.


Quick recap

  • Police to add to their staff to alleviate a scheduling issue that should help reduce the overtime cost and help moral by reducing the amount of forced overtime

  • Fire to add to their staff to help provide a third ambulance for coverage during four days of peak call volume. The staff increase is partially offset by additional ambulance revenues

  • Senior Center gets approval for a van driver for half the year as a step towards full time 

  • Town administration gets approval for a shift from an assistant town administrator to a Deputy Administrator along with a half year funding for an Arts & Culture Director

  • The Franklin school budget gets an increase of approximately $700K over the $1.1m initially allocated. These funds will be part of a two resolution vote being scheduled for the June 7 Council meeting. 24 school personnel positions were cut this week by the School District to meet their expected budget shortfall of over $2M. Some of those are due to the continued declining enrollment, some of those can be restored with the additional funds being allocated. As was made clear a few times during the hearings, the Town Council only provides a line item of funding to the Schools. The School district and School Committee have the full responsibility for choices on how that money is spent

  • The Joint Budget Subcommittee will begin meeting (schedule TBD) to work on a strategic plan to address the systemic issues across both the Town and Schools budget requirements. There was consensus on increasing the revenue. Some of the increase can come from a variety of measures (storm water fee, sewer rate increase, zoning changes to increase density, etc.) as well as consideration of a possible override ballot question. In order to get to the override question, the amount of increased revenue (i.e. property taxes revenue) needs to be explored and agreed to put before the taxpayers for their approval. There are already a number of increases planned (or expected) and that needs to be part of the consideration.

Planned

  • storm water begins July 1, 2023

  • sewer rate increase for next three years beginning July 1, 2023 to pay for the Beaver St interceptor replacement. Construction along RT 140 begins later this year

  • possible debt exclusion for Tri-County RVTHS building replacement (amount expected in Aug 2023, vote anticipated in Oct 2023)

Expected

  • water rate increase to pay for PFAS mitigations

  • potential debt exclusion for renovation of Davis Thayer (DT) for town use (to make it ADA accessible). Decision on potential use anticipated by Dec 2023 from subcommittee appointed to determine recommendations

  • potential debt exclusion for new Police station or renovation of existing, committee appointed and soon to begin work on this; their work will include the DT decision as applicable

  • potential operational override to address systemic revenue issues


The recording runs about 3 hours and 42 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on May 25, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1000-town-council-fy-24-budget-hearing-2-05-25-23



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


The full agenda and documents associated with it can be found online ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_25_2023_town_council_agenda_1.pdf


The Fy 2024 budget document folder ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 


The Franklin TV video replay for both sessions is available


My Twitter notes captured during the meetings can be found here


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

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"


Town Council approves FY 24 budget after 9 hours over 2 nights, plan for schools to get $700K more (audio)
Town Council approves FY 24 budget after 9 hours over 2 nights, plan for schools to get $700K more (audio)

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Joint Budget Subcommittee hears the Town is faced with resolving a $5.7M budget deficit (audio)

FM #956 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 956 in the series.

This session shares the Town of Franklin (MA) Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, Mar 8, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers. Remote participation was enabled for the public for this session. 


The Joint Budget Subcommittee is composed of the budget subcommittee of the Town Council, the Finance Committee and the School Committee.

  • Chair - Tom Mercer, Brian Chandler, Cobi Frongillo and Melanie Hamblen of the Town Council
  • George Conley, John Grace, Michael Hamilton, and Natalie Riley of the Finance Committee
  • David McNeill, David Callaghan and Meghan Whitmore (absent) of the School Committee

Quick recap

  • The Joint Budget Subcommittee met for almost 2 hours on Wednesday and has the task now of resolving the  $5.7M deficit between projected revenues and projected expenses for the FY 2024 budget. 

  • The recognition of the issue and some of the school budget cost drivers was where most of the time was spent. The next steps and strategy to resolve the deficit were not mentioned. 

  • Chair Mercer urged all present for this and future discussions to refrain from talking about 'sides'. We are one Franklin, we are all in this together. We can talk about the 'town part' or the 'school part' but it is our budget and needs to be worked collaboratively.

  • Councilor Frongillo did reference his rationale for increasing density with smart growth as one way to increase revenue without further burdening the expenses. The 'standard' option mentioned was reducing expenses (meaning reducing services) and since 70% of the budget is people would mean reductions somewhere.  There was also mention of 'finding other sources of revenue.' 

  • For those listening who have been through this before, there is no 'other source' of revenue to resolve such a deficit. There can be increases within the existing revenue streams and the key question is whether anyone is ready to have that discussion.

  • There was no 'next meeting' mentioned during the session to develop the strategy that is needed for the Town to have a sustainable budget.


The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.


The recording runs about 2 hours, so let’s listen to the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of Mar 8, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-956-tof-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-03-08-23


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


Town Administrator Jamie Hellen highlights the expected revenue and expense items and summarizes them in the budget narrative. The budget narrative can be found here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/fy-2024-budget-narrative-for-discussion.html 


The full agenda document and supporting docs can be found here ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/joint-budget-subcommittee-meeting.html 


Franklin TV/YouTube Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/5RqRcDQCNuI?feature=share 


My notes captured via Twitter are combined in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1buX_DBa5Jz6m9osdAhNjxIAM5yY5tk7T/view?usp=share_link 


Joint Budget Subcommittee page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee 



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

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"


Joint Budget Subcommittee hears the Town is faced with resolving a $5.7M budget deficit (audio)
Joint Budget Subcommittee hears the Town is faced with resolving a $5.7M budget deficit (audio)