Inittation For Bid - Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrades - Town of Franklin

IFB - Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

The Town of Franklin, Massachusetts requests bids for construction of the Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Upgrades project.  General Contractors and filed Sub-Contractors must be pre-qualified to bid on the project.   Pre-qualifying was completed prior to public advertisement of this project and was conducted in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 193, Section 19 of the Acts of 2004.

Bid information available ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/Bids/PlanHolders/11?documentId=

Summary of bid information -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4447/Franklin-Fisher-Street-WTP-Upgrades---Invitation-to-Bid?bidId=

Inittation For Bid - Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrades - Town of Franklin

Town Council effectively conducts business before going to Executive Session on Feb 26, 2025 (audio)

FM #1391  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1391 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, February 26, 2025. 8 of the members participated in Council Chambers, 1 was absent (Dellorco). 

Quick recap:

• Going right to legislation for action

• Bylaw Amendment 25-924: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - Second Reading; Motion to waive reading, passes - Motion to approve, second, vote via roll call passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

• Resolution 25-05: Free Cash To Stabilization Accounts Transfers Motion to approve, second - Discussion had been part of the capital budget review by FinCom and Capital budget subcmte but not yet set here for approval - Passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

• Bylaw Amendment 25-925: Amendment to Sewer System Map (Raymond St.) - First Reading - Last parcel on the road to extend this to. Motion to move to second reading, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent) Related to the above

• Bylaw Amendment 25-926: Amendment to Water System Map (Raymond St.) - First Reading - Water to go along with the sewer as noted, motion to move to second reading, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

• Resolution 25-11: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44 §53F3/4 -  Motion to waive reading, passes 8-0-1; Motion to approve, second, passes 8-0-1 (1 absent)

• Town Administrator's Report

• March 5 preliminary FY 2026 budget update coming Traditional slide show, and updates

• Mirchi withdrew the alcohol liquor license application

• Did get confirmation from the Commonwealth, August 31, Best Western will be closed to the emergency shelter program; Jamie still gets emails etc. and blame us for the town role which was not our choice, it was totally a state decision and effort, thanks to the residents and organizations for handling this under the circumstances

• Motion to enter executive session, not to return to open meeting

• Motion, second, passes via roll 8-0-1 (1 Absent)

Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1391-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-02-26-25/

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My expanded notes -> https://docs.google.com/document/d/10yE_Dj5dIlYdzyYou4cZhh5AD4kJL0JZOGgg0BDuOfA/edit?usp=drive_link 

Franklin TV video is ready for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbkmz3G_q6Y 

The Agenda doc and most materials released for this session ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02262025-1602 

My notes captured during the meeting in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aFS-kA1Xy3rCoN2v-1H8-wbGw6nlI21m/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 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 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"

Franklin TV video is ready for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbkmz3G_q6Y

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for Feb 26 meeting

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

February 26, 2025 - 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. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. February 5, 2025   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4490/3a-1---February-5-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes--Draft-for-Reviewdocx---Google-Docs

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS  - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION - None Scheduled

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Bylaw Amendment 25-924: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - Second Reading

(Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 25-924 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4471/9a-25-924-Ch-82-Municipal-Service-Fees---Comstar-New-Rates

b. Resolution 25-05: Free Cash To Stabilization Accounts Transfers

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-05 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4492/9b-25-05-Free-Cash-Stabilization-Transfers

c. Bylaw Amendment 25-925: Amendment to Sewer System Map (Raymond St.) - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 25-925 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4501/9c-25-925-and-25-926---Raymond-St-Sewer-Extension

d. Bylaw Amendment 25-926: Amendment to Water System Map (Raymond St.) - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 25-926 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4502/9d---BYLAW-AMENDMENT-25-926---Water-System-Map---Raymond-St

e. Resolution 25-11: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44 §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-11 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4478/9e-24-11---PEG-Comcast-and-Verizon

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT     

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. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exemption: To review and approve minutes from Town Council Executive Sessions

b. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (all Municipal unions) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02262025-1602

Franklin, MA: Town Council Agenda for Feb 26 meeting

Attention Franklin Residents and Businesses - Full Water Ban Effective Today! - Nov 20, 2024

Please see our website for more details on Water Conservation - https://www.franklinma.gov/water.../pages/water-conservation

Also, Customers can use WaterSmart to monitor total household water use for sudden increases, which often indicate leaks. - https://franklinma.watersmart.com/index.php/welcome

Attention Franklin Residents and Businesses - Full Water Ban Effective Today! - Nov 20, 2024

Request for Qualifications - General Contractor and Subcontractor Prequalification for Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

The Town of Franklin, through the Purchasing Department, invites sealed responses for: General Contractor & Subcontractor Prequalification for the Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

Additional Information:  Request for Qualifications for General Contractor and Subcontractor Prequalification for the Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrades.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/request-qualifications-general-contractor-and-subcontractor-prequalification-fisher

 Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

Request for Qualifications - General Contractor and Subcontractor Prequalification for Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

The Town of Franklin, through the Purchasing Department, invites sealed responses for: General Contractor & Subcontractor Prequalification for the Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

Additional Information:  Request for Qualifications for General Contractor and Subcontractor Prequalification for the Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrades.

Read more -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/request-qualifications-general-contractor-and-subcontractor-prequalification-fisher

Request for Qualifications - General Contractor and Subcontractor Prequalification for Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

Did you receive a red or yellow notice from the Town of Franklin Water Department ??

DID YOU RECIEVE A RED OR YELLOW NOTICE FROM THE WATER DEPARTMENT?

The Franklin Public Works Department is undertaking a federally mandated survey of all customer service pipe materials. 

Following the submission of the Towns Water Service Line Inventory to DEP on October 16, the Water Dept. is now required to send notices to all addresses/ property owners who either have identified a service material that will require replacement, or are still an unknown pipe material.  If you received a red or yellow notice from the Town, please read it carefully and follow the links at the bottom of this page for more information.  

NOTE NOT ALL RESIDENTS WILL BE RECEIVING A NOTICE.

While there have been no identified instances of lead exceedances in Franklin, we are mandated to identify and address any potential sources of lead that may exist. Our goal is to proactively replace any existing lead service lines to ensure the quality of drinking water and protect the health of our residents. 

We maintain a strong commitment to continuous monitoring, rigorous testing, and targeted infrastructure improvements to minimize lead exposure and maintain the highest standards of water safety. We encourage our residence to stay informed about our ongoing efforts and collaborate with us to establish a lead-free water system.

Did you receive a red or yellow notice from the Town of Franklin Water Department ??

For more information please visit our website at: https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/water-service-line-inventory

If you did not receive the letter and would like to see what your service material is please visit our online map here:  https://lead-service-line-inventory-townoffranklin.hub.arcgis.com/ scroll down to the map and type your address in the top left of the map.  Click on the symbol over your house to view both the utility side and customer side material. 

If you have any questions please call the DPW office at 508-553-5500.

 #keepfranklinflowing  #franklinma  #LCRR

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1AroKRpsd6/

WaterSmart actually got smarter, will get better as data is collected

via the Water Department of the DPW: 

WaterSmart Update:

We have updated our water meter reading collection system and for about 50% of the Town we are now collecting hourly water readings. 

WaterSmart was updated last week with this hourly information causing high use water notifications to be sent out.  

The notifications are based on a comparison to prior usage and since there was no prior hourly usage before last week the system saw a big jump causing the notifications to be sent out.  As the data continues to be populated in WaterSmart you will be able to set your WaterSmart notifications based on this new data.  

Please track your usage over the next 2 weeks using WaterSmart and if you still have concerns after the 2 weeks please call the DPW Admin office (508-553-5500) to schedule a meter appointment. 

We encourage everyone to sign into WaterSmart, check your account, and update your notification settings. 

Go to WaterSmart to sign up or access your account ->

https://franklinma.watersmart.com/index.php/welcome?

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YY5VAy76Nd3bUFQ/

example report from our residence since we moved in

Charles River Water Quality Grades - per report card for 2023

Charles River Water Quality Grades

Charles River Water Quality Grades

Every year Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) works with the U.S. EPA to issue the Charles River Report Card to report on the recreational health of the Charles River. 

CRWA recently released the 2023 Water Quality Report Card grades for the Charles River in September, which showed a slight decrease from the last year. 

It was a wet year, and due to increased rainfall, CRWA observed a rise in stormwater pollution and combined sewer overflows. No section to the Charles River showed an improved grade from 2022. (Why are you hearing about 2023 now? Because the grades are based on water quality samples from 2021, 2022, and 2023.) 

These grades show that water quality is worse in areas with more development, paved surfaces, and impervious cover. Less developed, more green spaces boast better quality, with plants and soil acting as filters, cleaning the water of pollutants. 

This emphasizes the importance of wetlands, biodiversity, and nature-based solutions in nourishing a healthy river. Want to learn more about how you can help foster a healthy, biodiverse landscape or mitigate stormwater pollution on your property? Contact the Conservation Department today! 

Explore the Report Card StoryMap, which provides information on the watershed, how the grades are calculated, and what we expect to see as a result of climate change here

Translated 2023 Report Card Grades Map versions are available in Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Spanish.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/charles-river-water-quality-grades

Town of Franklin: Request for Qualifications - OPM for Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

Request for Qualifications - OPM for Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

In accordance with Chapter 149, Section 44A1/2 of the Massachusetts General Laws, it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of an Owner's Project Manager (OPM) for the Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrades project.

Additional Information:  RFQ for OPM for the Fisher Street Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/request-qualifications-opm-fisher-street-water-treatment-plant-upgrades

Franklin DPW building , 257 Fisher St

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)