2nd budget hearing confirms what happens if override fails for Police, Fire, DPW (video)

The Franklin, MA Finance Committee met as scheduled for their 2nd in the series of Budget hearings for the FY 2026 budget cycle. The meeting took oplace in the 3rd floor conference room and as usual was broadcast to Comcast/Verizon subscribers, as well as to Zoom & YouTube. All 8 members participated.

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFHPuafjzDg

The agenda doc for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1699

Quick recap:

• Police Chief TJ Lynch started his update. Basically the same as last year with some minor adjustments. If the override were to fail, he would loose 2 officers. He is hiring to backfill for retirees and transfers. When as ked to elaborate on that, he provided the details on the 5 recent departures, with one being sworn in at Council meeting and one still to be hired.
• Deputy Chiefs Klich & Barberi provided the update in lieu of Chief McLaughlin out this week on vacation. 
• Similar to the police update, very little change in totals. If the override fails, they would loose the staffing for the 3rd ambulance. The 3rd ambulance responded to over 100 calls last year and resulted in over 70 hospital trnasports during its 40 hours of weekly coverage. The community would notice the difference in slower response times as mutual aid would be providing more coverage than they do today
• Discussion on vehicle replacement both costs increasing and lead times lengthening. A new ambulance ordered in 2022 is scheduled for delivery on August. The Tower truck ordered in 2023 is scheduled for delivery this summer. The current tower would stay in the fleet and move to back up status, as would the oder of the ambulances when the new one arrives.
• Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW director and Kathy Mooradd, Administration and Budget manager presented initially. Doug Martin, Water/Sewer Superintendent stood up along the way to cover water and sewer updates.
• Similar to the police and fire updates, a level funded budget being presented. Note, not a level service budget. The dollar remains about the same but as the materials cost across the DPW departments account for 65% of the total budget (35% of the personnel cost). The same amount of money is getting less to work with. A failed override will also be noticeable but not right away. Water will still run, sewers will still operate, other maintenance and road repairs, ertc. will be delayed or take longer.
• There were other budget items discussed; Building & inspection, MECC dispatch. The meeting total only runs 90 minutes so it should be easy enough to catch up to. The audio and transcript will come out also (audio THursday, transcript on the weekend).

My notes captured during the meeting via Twitter

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ocIK4PjauaMMklMFVxkybmp4eTf5716K/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee Agenda for 2nd Budget hearing, Tue, Apr 29 (public works & public safety)

Finance Committee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 = 7 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building 3rd Floor, Training Room

Agenda

1.    Call to Order
 

2.    FY26 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing continued...
FY26 Town Administrator Budget Materials website   https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500

a.    Public Safety:

i.    210 Police Department
ii.    220 Fire Department
iii.    225 Regional Dispatch
iv.    240 Inspection Department
v.    292 Animal Control

b.    Department of Public Works (DPW):

i.    422 Public Works
ii.    Enterprise Funds: 434 Solid Waste, 440 Sewer, 450 Water, 460 Stormwater

3.    Adjourn

The full agenda doc (including remote participation info)  https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1699

 

Town Administrator Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget

Hydrant flushing begins next week

Hydrant flushing begins next week

Hydrant flushing starts next week...

Shared from -> 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18ELEFLm7y/

Franklin Town Council sets June 3 for date of Override vote on $3,862,672 to balance FY 2026 budget

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, March 19 in Council Chambers. 8 of the 9 members were present and participating, 1 absent (Dellorco - due todeath in family).

Franklin TV video for replay of meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoNPkBHRLzI

The agenda doc released for the meeting ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03192025-1639 

Quick recap

• after approval of 2 prior meeting minutes, the Council get to the key item and after a brief discussion took two votes;
• one to approve the amount and ballot question text
• the second to set the date, Tuesday, June 3, 2025 for the override
• both votes were 8-0-1 (1 absent)
• The School Committee had met earlier that evening and voted unanimously to support the override vote. Chair Dave Callaghan and Vice-Chair David McNeill stood up to make that announcement during the discussion
• Other legislation for action on the minimum item agenda for the evening; 2 items to extend the sewer and water lines to a new residence that had already been approved in the first vote both received the passing vote by the same 8-0-1 vote (1 absent) via roll call
• A resolution accepting gifts to the Veterans services was approved and thanks extended
• Town Administrator's Report
• Jamie acknowledged receipt of a letter from Archbishop Henning commending the work of the Fire Dept on the St Mary's Church fire. He had just recently attended the re-opening masses. The letter will be posted to the Town pages
• The lease for Town use of the Ferrara's parking lot was signed to extend the agreement for 5 years
• The final approvals on the deed and associated documents for the Old South Church were completed and to be handed over to Habitat for Humanity so the docs can be filed with the Registrar of Deeds, and work can begin to renovate the building for a residence
• After a round of Councilor comments, the meeting closed

My full set of notes taken during the meeting (in one PDF) -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TPEkxHcViPCNwOGHmiydPVt1rGW5Xy05/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin TV video for replay of meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoNPkBHRLzI

Fix your flapper

Via DPW Water & Sewer Division 

Fix your flapper

"Household leaks waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water per year on average, or the amount of water it takes to wash 300 loads of laundry!  

For Fix a Leak Week we will be posting five simple steps for five minutes per day to save water all year long!  

If you have questions about your usage, go to https://franklinma.watersmart.com/ to find your answers!"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1GVYzk7BUq/

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