Town Council hears of ISO Class 1 for Fire Dept, approves storm water fee, passport fee, and ARPA funding allocation (audio)

FM #769 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 769 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, April  6, 2022. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Quick recap:

• Fire department achieves ISO Class 1 rating, only one of 9 in MA and one of 15 in New England to do so. Contact your insurance company. Whether a business or residence, there could be a savings with this higher rating on insurance policies. Doc on Fire Department web page to send to company to support the potential savings.

• 2 new hires for Fire Dept sworn in. These are experienced firefighters coming from other areas to backfill open positions with the Fire Dept.

• Three alcohol license approvals were voted on. One to approve the move of Pour Richards, one to approve the permanent set up of outdoor dining at 3 Restaurant, and one to approve a license for the Birchwood Bakery & Café downtown. As a sign of how well Franklin has survived the pandemic, we now have more restaurant liquor licenses post pandemic than we did pre-pandemic.

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update on ARPA funds and how they would be allocated. Council approved the allocation which will now be submitted to the County for disbursement of the funds. Some of the $10M allocated to Franklin (approx. $2M) comes directly to the Town, some (approx. $6M) comes through the County.

• The second approval for the storm water utility fee was approved. The fee will first appear in July 2023 (FY 2024). There is time to confirm your impervious coverage area (see the town storm water page) and order a rain barrel to help with mitigation of storm water and save on the potential fee.

• Passport photo fee was approved so the Town when processing your passport application can now provide a ‘one-stop’ shop service. The photo fee is $10 per photo. The fee for the passport is set at the Federal level.

The recording runs under two hours (1:58). The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of April 6, 2022. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-769-town-council-meeting-04-06-22

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Agenda document ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/april_6_2022_town_council_agenda.pdf

My notes from the meeting  ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/14KnmcHPUOPMAUQ7TgXS8YMvDbUHTxTGa/view?usp=sharing 

Photos from the meeting can be found in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zr6wAJwNbr61Yhob6

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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 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"

 

Firefighter Michael Eaton getting pinned by his daughter

"Massachusetts residents should not settle for less than healthy rivers and harbors"

"The cleanup of Boston Harbor is incomplete

Largely unknown to the public, raw sewage is still dumped into the Mystic and Charles rivers, which empty directly into the harbor."

"The cleanup of Boston Harbor is considered one of the great environmental success stories of our time — and deservedly so. It has helped transform the quality of life in the metro Boston area as residents and businesses live, work, and play near the newly cleaned up harbor and the rivers that feed into it.

But sadly, and largely unknown to the public, raw sewage is still dumped into the Mystic and Charles rivers that empty right into the harbor. Depending on the volume of rainfall and snowmelt, up to 500 million gallons of sewage mixed with storm water are discharged into the harbor via the two rivers every year.

These discharges flow from old underground pipe networks known as combined sewer systems, engineering relics that were designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe leading to a treatment plant. But during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, the wastewater volume can exceed the pipe’s capacity, causing a combined sewer overflow, or CSO, that dumps the polluted contents directly into the rivers."

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/02/opinion/cleanup-boston-harbor-is-incomplete/ 

• The Charles River Watershed Association is working on river clean up as well. Visit the Storymap  "A River Interrupted" here ->   https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/62917edcb76c4e10868cbb7a79638282

For more about the CRWA -> https://www.crwa.org/

• The Town of Franklin (ToF) is also involved and recently passed the storm water utility fee (starting in Jan 2023) to help fund that effort and relieve pressure from the operating budget. For more about storm water visit the ToF page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division

Scientist Scott Smith and actor Mark Ruffalo work in the Charles River in 2014. The actor, in town to film the movie "Spotlight," helped with water testing near an outfall pipe into the river.SUZANNE KREITER/GLOBE STAFF

Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer - Storm water fee, capital budget, and the FY 2023 Budget process

This episode shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of March 16, 2022: 

• ok, what just happened? 
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Recognitions/promotions

• Police Department - Sergeant Connor Crosman
• Police Department - Detective Laura Canavan
• New Hire: Police Department - Derek Mackey

Storm water received 1st approval

Capital plan

Preliminary FY23 Budget Model

Our conversation runs about 37 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to Tom and I in this Town Council Quarterbacking session

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-756-town-council-quarterbacking-with-tom-mercer-03-18-22

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Town Council Agenda document -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-march.html  

Recording & Transcript -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/town-council-hears-about-storm-water.html 

My notes for the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HKbbsQfgbgIjPbUx7DbMGikfrXo2iI68/view?usp=sharing 

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

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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters" 

Town Council hears about the storm water utility fee and give first approval (audio & transcript)

FM #753 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 753 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The recording runs about two hours and thirty minutes (2:30 )

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of March 16, 2022

NEW: A transcript of the recording is available. The transcript is part of a pilot by Franklin Matters using the transcription service provided by Otter.ai https://otter.ai/ 

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-753-town-council-meeting-03-16-22

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Agenda document ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-march.html 

My notes from the meeting  ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HKbbsQfgbgIjPbUx7DbMGikfrXo2iI68/view?usp=sharing 

Meeting transcript ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YLEsQa-LOO7-erEyhrykMhilZUNpTMaI/view?usp=sharing

Photos captured during the meeting many shared via Twitter with my notes
https://photos.app.goo.gl/S3camznuYvK3wYL6A

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

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"

 

Kate Sjoberg, Derek Adams, and Brutus Cantoreggi presenting on storm water

Your time is needed (NOW) to pay attention to the storm water utility fee discussion

One of the recurring themes here is citizen engagement. And yes, while I attend many of the meetings and report on them so you don't need to, this week and this budget season, is THE time for you to be more engaged, period. 

Why?

The Town budget determines what services we get from the Town. No matter whether it is a pickleball court, or a ball field with nicely cut grass, books on the shelf at the library or the café reopening at the Senior Center. The Town of Franklin is a service organization providing for all our needs and "there ain't no such this as a free lunch" (the TANSAAFL principle). Everything costs something. 

If you paid attention last week, the School Committee got their first view of the school budget. The Finance Committee got a deep dive on the DPW and all it does. The Joint Budget Subcommittee got their first look at the overall town budget. (links to the meeting audio and transcripts are provided below.)

Surprise, the initial revenue projection doesn't meet the initial expense projections. So how do we figure that out? 

This is where YOU come in to the act. If you believe that what happens in Franklin matters to you, then follow along as the discussion takes place to resolve the budget deficit this year. 

1 - Find out how the storm water utility fee takes managing storm water expenses down a more fair approach. Everyone pays a little vs. the taxpayers bearing the full burden. 

2 - Watch, listen, or read what happens at the Town Council meeting Wednesday as the discussion/action item comes up for review.

Storm water information links

 - Storm water utility information flyer https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/utility_flyer_extended_version_reduced_size.pdf

 - EPA MS4 permit quick facts and takeaways  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/ms4_permit_-_quick_facts.pdf

 - Storm water items on the Wednesday Town Council agenda

Stormwater Presentation - Department of Public Works  - 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/stormwater_utility_fee_presentation_2022.pdf 

 

ii. Stormwater Management Plan:

● Year 2 Update, July 3, 2020 - 393-page Federal Stormwater Permit 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_swmp_year_2_update_7-3-20_for_town_with_appendicies.pdf

● July 2021 Update   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2021.06.29_franklin_py3_swmp_update.pdf 

 

iii. Department of Public Works:

● Stormwater Website  (https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division) 

& Parcel Level Impervious Surface Map   

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5

 

Last week's meeting links (audio and transcript) 

School Committee => https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/school-committee-hears-and-discusses.html

Finance Committee => https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/finance-committee-gets-deep-dive-into.html

Joint Budget Committee => https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/joint-budget-subcommittee-gets-first.html

TA Jamie Hellen, Miriam Goodman and Supt Sara Ahern presenting to the Joint Budget Subcommittee

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 16, 2022

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

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. February 2, 2022 - 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/february_2_2022_tc_meeting_minutes_-_draft_for_review_1.pdf

b. March 2, 2022 - 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/3b._march_2_2022_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Recognition / Promotion: Police Department - Sergeant Connor Crosman

b. Recognition / Promotion: Police Department - Detective Laura Canavan

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. New Hire: Police Department - Derek Mackey

6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm - None Scheduled
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS

a. Stormwater Utility - Brutus Cantoreggi, Department of Public Works 

 

i. Stormwater Presentation - Department of Public Works  - 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/stormwater_utility_fee_presentation_2022.pdf 

 

ii. Stormwater Management Plan:

● Year 2 Update, July 3, 2020 - 393-page Federal Stormwater Permit 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_swmp_year_2_update_7-3-20_for_town_with_appendicies.pdf

● July 2021 Update   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2021.06.29_franklin_py3_swmp_update.pdf 

 

iii. Department of Public Works:

● Stormwater Website  (https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division) 

& Parcel Level Impervious Surface Map   

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Bylaw Amendment 22-876: Chapter 153 Stormwater Management - Corrective Legislation, First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-876 to Second Reading- Majority Vote)
b. Bylaw Amendment 22-877: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees, Amended at Section 82-6 Schedule of Service Fees, Subsection A. Administration: Stormwater Utility Fee - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-877 to Second Reading- Majority Vote)
c. Bylaw Amendment 22-878: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees, Amended at Section 82-6 Schedule of Service Fees, Subsection A. Administration: Passport Photo Fee - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-878 to Second Reading- Majority Vote)
d. Resolution 22-19: Gift Acceptance - Fire Department ($1,050) (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-19 - Majority Vote)
e. Resolution 22-20: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,250) (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-20 - Majority Vote)
f. Resolution 22-21: FY22 Capital Improvement Plan (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-21 - Majority Vote)
g. Resolution 22-22: Free Cash to Stabilization Accounts Transfers (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-22 - Majority Vote)
h. Resolution 22-23: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs of Repairs for Horace Mann School (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-23 - Two Thirds Majority Vote)

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
a. Preliminary FY23 Budget Model - https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._preliminary_fy23_budget_model.pdf

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

15. ADJOURN

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc including released documents

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/march_16_2022_town_council_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 16, 2022

Finance Committee gets a deep dive into all things DPW - March 9, 2022 (audio & transcript)

FM #750 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 750 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held Wednesday, March 9, 2022. 

Most of the meeting was the presentation and discussion on the overview of the DPW presentation and discussion. While Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi did not present this time, his team: 

• Derek Adams - Environmental Supervisor

• Doug Martin - Water/Sewer Supervisor

• Kathy Mooradd - Admin & Budget Manager

did more than cover for him. They expertly presented and answered questions providing a level of detail (without notes in many cases) such that was clear they knew what they were doing. 

NEW: A transcript of the recording is available. The transcript is part of a pilot by Franklin Matters using the transcription service provided by Otter.ai https://otter.ai/ 

The meeting opened at 6:30 PM and ran an hour and 10 minutes.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-750-finance-committee-mtg-03-09-22

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Meeting agenda and presentation document ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/3-9-22_fin_com_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Meeting transcript -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XClkmA0iMWJtFkA6ca5McbuhoFLcK1V4/view?usp=sharing 

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

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"

 

Finance Committee Agenda - March 9, 2022