Weekend Travel Tips

MassDOT encourages travelers to plan ahead and travel safely during the upcoming weekend, with heavy traffic expected due to Easter Sunday observances. 

The heaviest traffic congestion on I-90 during busy weekends is expected at the I-84 interchange at Exit 9 in Sturbridge and at Exit 11A, I-495.

For more travel tips and tricks, follow this link

http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2013/03/weekend-travel-tips.html

Live reporting - Finance Committee - Budget Hearing

Present: Smith, Dufur, Quinn, Roche, Dewsnap, Aparo
Absent: Goldsmith, Feldman, Huempfner

Susan Gagner, Jeff Nutting and Jim Dacey (from right to left as you watch the video broadcast)


Action Items 
Elections: $12,400 Source of Funds: Free Cash
Motion to approve, passed 6-0


Budget hearing

Debbie Pellegri, Town Clerk

Town Clerk A-33
Elections A-36
Historical F-11

simple budget expenses all the same, next year may go higher as expenses are increasing but not this year. salaries increase a little, otherwise not much of a change

Need to print hard copy for binding, and to microfilm the official copies
while the world seems to be going digital and web, the government hasn't

The Town election is completely funded by the town for November, no State help for this one

Traffic is increasing at the Museum
little league teams are celebrating 60 year anniversary 
the increases in budget due to needs for manikins, etc.

no admission, donations are accepted to the Friends of the Historical Commission

Tri-County School District
Stephen Dockray, Superintendent
John Roy, School Business Administrator

24% of the assessment is what Franklin contributes
could absorb the capital plan either in budget or decide to go with a debt exclusion to fund this

Bob Fahey, Veterans 
Veterans E-15

28 people on case load, 15 are widows, all but four are veterans in the 50+ age group
all medical costs are covered and reimbursed through the program, Medicare B

The State reimburses 75% of the expenses incurred

Are the pockets of people we are not reaching?
It is possible, we do a lot of out reach through the town, the cable channel, etc.

has been processing claims recently for Vietnam veterans for Agent Orange
had six lung cancer cases where they passed away during the past couple of years, their widows are now entitled to receive benefits

Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development
Planning A-40

Steady as we go
started rough with the loss of Nick Alferi the Conservation Agent who passed away last July.
Replaced with two part people instead of the one full-time 

Can you recap some of the projects you have worked on?

• NuStyle currently in work
• working with DPW on Downtown Project with easements for the work
• a lot of zoning work, biotech zoning district
• increase economic opportunity areas, Hamilton Tech took advantage of
• working on initiatives for retail downtown
• cultural economic travel with the MetroWest Region
• worked on the DelCarte project

Jeff Nutting will be attending a meeting on the Milford casino project
what is not said is that the above listing is all over and above the statutory requirements that are a priority
advertising is usually refundable to the Town as these are recovered by fees

Cindy Souza
Animal Control B-72

split arrangement with Bellingham
we pay for the dog pound and expenses, Bellingham pays the salaries
an increase of coyotes this year being seen this year

wildlife is attended to if is sick or injured

Stephanie Lutz, Director
Human Resources A-23

with state and federal changes, health insurance is becoming more and more complicated and time consuming
health insurance renewals for current employees, involved with the 9 labor unions
active safety committee to minimize risk and injuries
unemployment, health insurance for all the retirees
flexible spending, dental, life insurance claims

on the Joint Management committee for the State to help work other labor disputes

Benefits G-6
two vendors wouldn't quote as our rate is lower than the State GIC rate
have been leading among municipal governments for employee co-pays, and deductible changes
retired teachers were taken out of the State program 7 years ago, more subscribers and still $300,000 less than they were paying 7 years ago

Cindy Dobrzynski, Chair, Library Board of Directors
Felicia Oti, Director
Library F-1

increase in books to expand collection and replace some older books
a beautification committee now formed, looking at safety concerns
looking to improve services and make it a more inviting place
engaging community to solicit feedback
afternoon programs for 6-18
44 kids yesterday afternoon for arts and crafts, so Facebook and communications are helping

The book budget was $175,000 back when we were spending $900,000 on the library
Engineer looking at the interior of the Library to evaluate what can be done and for how much
may require some expense and possible borrowing to be handled under the debt plan

would really like to see the Library open on Sundays in addition to more more of this and that

Chief Gary McCarragher
Deputy Chief Paul Sharpe
Fire B-14
really should have 48 people, currently have 44 
to provide the full staffing with minimal overtime

while call volumes have remained steady, there are anticipated increase coming with the two new assisted living facilities coming online
increased work load has increased overtime and increased injuries which has then contributed to additional overtime, a vicious cycle

a one minute response time improvement can improve life by 13%

response time chart shows the performance vs the staffing levels

increasing reliance on overtime
# of lost time injuries continues to rise

in the next 5-7 years, approx 1/3 of the workforce will be lost due to retirements
institutional knowledge and experience will be lost

cost savings with regional savings can help fund personnel

working with HR to get a back training program
the difference between us and the Boston Celtics is we work 365x7x24 and our wins and losses are measured far differently
my personal belief is to right size the workforce
we have a 24 hour shift and a team sport, take one person out and the performance and the team suffers

Mike D'Angelo, Director
Facilities A-192

full coverage for all the facilities, construction, capital projects
decreases in budget due to better contracts for electricity, natural gas (out to bid now), 
materials and supplies, costs are continuing to increase, less than 1% increase for all of the facilities

more maintenance required as systems age account for fire alarm and monitoring systems increases

comparison of operating costs for new high school versus today's building
electricity will go up, gas will go down, water will decrease
not a lot of issues in first year as the warranty covers those items, after the first year we get to pick up those

There are a zillion little things that the average person doesn't see
looking to put LED lighting into the parking lots, cost to maintain, length of time between replacements will go up

Police Capt Stephen Semerjian
Police

coming back to add $35K for part-time dispatchers given the other moves on the regionalization efforts underway
it is very uncomfortable to be alone in the dispatch area

even if the Council approves this in May, it will take a couple of months to get folks on and trained

Jim Dacey
Debt G-1

will need to amend the budget once the money is actually funded in August
it was modeled at 4.25% and could be a lot less than 4%
it is a good time to do this, the overall school building budget is less and the current interest rates are low, when looked at over 25 years, it makes a difference

very important to maintain reinvestment, the approx $480,000 short of the 3.5% would need to come from some other budget. With debt at 3.5%, it is a small amount given the total budget

it would be equivalent of a $1750 mortgage payment for the whole year, not just monthly (on a $50,000 annual income)

pension blended with all the communities, with a new GASB ruling, they will have to decouple and tell each community its own share
we are the largest contributor to the Norfolk County system

no layoffs expected this year so unemployment insurance holding its own. The schools do layoff the new teachers that don't make it and are not rehired so they use the unemployment

8 of 9 collective bargaining agreements in place, the fire dept is the one outstanding

Liability Ins G-16


Memorial Day F-13
flags for veterans day that the Boy Scouts put on the graves

Cultural Council F15
local money plus State funding results in the grants

Norfolk Aggie C-3
20 students at $2,000 per student
based upon the number of students enrolled in October

this covers all the budget hearings, could cover all the documents now or cover these for our regular session on Apr 2

will cancel the 4/1 and 4/4 sessions

Kindergarten registration

Friendly reminder, no school on Friday, March 29th for Good Friday.

Kindergarten registration will be held on Monday, April 1 and Thursday, April 4 at the Horace Mann School from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Please use the following forms to complete your child's kindergarten registration.

Kindergarten Registration Directions

Residency Form

Kindergarten Registration Medical Form

Home Language Survey

Pupil Data Sheet

Kindergarten Information Night

Kindergarten Entrance Age

Vision Screening Guidelines

MA Department of Public Health Requirements

The forms can also be found on the School webpage here

http://franklinecdc.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinECDC_News/01A37A44-000F8513

"I do support the notion of having the job appointed"

The quote is from Jeff Roy in the Milford Daily News recap of the Town Council meeting. The article is short on detail and one of the reasons why I attend as many meetings as I can. I did miss last night and will catch the video replay to find out the full story around this and what else happened during the meeting. The agenda was full but this is the only item in the new today.

As the amendment reads now, the treasurer/collector would shift under the section of the charter that governs the town administrator’s power of appointment, joining such positions as fire chief, police chief and comptroller. 

However, the Town Council would have to ratify any candidate the town administrator brings before it. 

While Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said he would request guidance from councilors during the search process — given the importance of the job — the language in the amendment does not stipulate that future town administrator’s make the same gesture. 

By voting against the amendment rather than tabling it, the council sent a clear message that the appointment process needs to be reviewed. Councilors agreed to spend time doing so with Nutting before voting on the matter again next month.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x898156076/Franklin-council-votes-down-change-to-treasurer-collector-position#ixzz2OpIoBrY9

Reading between the lines, the Council will vote for an amendment to be put before the voters if the right process and language can be agreed to. While this had been discussed, the language brought before the Council last night was language some of them did not like. The article does mention that some of them will work with Jeff Nutting to draft better language to bring back to the Council.

Have you returned your census form?

URGENT RESPONSE REQUESTED

PLEASE RETURN YOUR CENSUS FORMS TODAY! OVER 3,000 HOUSEHOLDS HAVE NOT YET RETURNED THEIR FORMS. THE TOWN CLERK IS PREPARING THE VOTER LIST FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS AND WE WANT TO ASSURE THAT YOU ARE LISTED PROPERLY.

DEBORAH L. PELLEGRI, CMC TOWN CLERK/ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR

As posted to the Franklin news page
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01AA3EA0-000F8513


I found that my family's form had been misplaced within the house and I turned mine in a couple of weeks ago. Did you misplace yours?

In the News: Unsung heroines

Several local residents will be among the  "Unsung Heroines'' whose praises will be sung at the Statehouse next month.

....

Barbara Rondeau of Franklin volunteers in the town's "tax work-off program'' and leads Concerts on the Common and Santa Claus on the Common committees.

Read more: Spitz: Local women named 'Unsung Heroines' - News - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x2082721245/Spitz-Local-women-named-Unsung-Heroines#ixzz2OpKze7qY 

Finance Committee - Agenda - Mar 28, 2013

The Finance Committee continues the FY 2014 Budget hearing with a meeting scheduled for Thursday, Mar 28 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. (The Conservation Commission normally meets in this room on Thursdays, their meeting was re-located to the 3rd Floor Training Room).



Action Items 
Elections: $12,400 Source of Funds: Free Cash

Budget Hearing 
Tri County C-2
Veterans E-15
Planning A-40
Animal Control B-72
Human Resources A-23
Town Clerk A-33
Elections A-36
Historical F-11
Library F-1
Fire B-14
Facilities A-192
Debt G-1
Benefits G-6
Liability Ins G-16
Memorial Day F-13
Cultural Council F15
Norfolk Aggie C-3


The full agenda for this meeting can be found here




Notes from the first two budget hearings for FY 2014 can be found here

• Finance Committee - Budget hearing - 03/14/13
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing - 03/13/13

Summer Fun Dance Camps

Imagine tutus, tiara, castles and wands. Make edible jewelry and paint with chocolate. Watch your favorite story book come to life, all while dancing! Patti Eisenhauer Dance is offering a variety of themed dance camps for young dancers this summer. In addition, the Intensive Dance Camp for older dancers is also being offered. All are welcome to both camps.

Isabella Wenzel of Franklin loves her magic wand

There are several options for the Summer Fun Dance Camps. Following are the dates and times for Week 1: Princess Camp, Ages 2-6, Aug 5 to 9, 10am to 11:30am. Little Princess will enjoy a magical day of dance, crafts, games and fun. American Girl Doll Camp, Ages 5-12, Aug 5 – 9, 12:30 to 2pm. Enjoy a fun day of camp with your favorite doll. Bring your doll to dance camp and enjoy a day of dancing come home with lots of handmade mini crafts. Campers can bring any large doll. It does not have to be the American Girl brand.

The schedule for Week 2 is as follows: Story Book Camp, Ages 2-6, Aug 12 -16, 10am to 11:30am. Your child’s imagination will be swept away into their favorite stories as they dance at this special camp. Each day will focus on a different story including Fancy Nancy, Mary Poppins, Angelina Ballerina and Pinkalicious! Candy Dandy Dance Camp, Ages 5-12, Aug 12-16, 12:30 to 2pm. Girls just want to have fun and they will at this candylicious camp! Enjoy sweet crafts, dance to candy songs and make homemade treats.

For a special treat, join the Lunch Bunch Program! Any camper can take advantage of our Lunch Bunch program. You can bring your own lunch and have a picnic with the teachers and enjoy a dance, movie, game or craft. Time is 11:30-12:30 and the cost is $30 for the week.

Tuition for each camp Summer Fun session is $95. There is a 15% discount if you pay your full camp tuition by April 15. Also, a 10% discount is added if you register for the second week.

The Intensive Dance Camp for older dancers will take place July 29 to August 2, 2013. This camp is for the serious dancer that wants to improve technique, flexibility and learn new types of choreography with Master Teachers. There is a strong emphasis on ballet at this camp. Please contact the dance center for details, times and pricing at pedcnews@gmail.com.

Patti Eisenhauer Dance

In its 32nd year of dance education, Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center is a state-of the art Dance Center offering tap, ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop and gymnastics classes, as well as birthday parties. Classes are held for each age group from pre-school children through adult. Children are taught the discipline of tap, ballet and tumbling during their class each week. The center offers air conditioning and springboard flooring.

To register, please call or visit Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center, located at 31 Hayward Street in Franklin, MA. For more information, call 508-520-7873 or email: pedcnews@gmail.com Visit www.pedancecenter.com or become a fan on Facebook.

PMC Franklin Kids Ride

PMC Franklin Kids Ride is now open for registration. Kids 3-14, please join us to raise money for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The ride is Sunday, June 9th at Jefferson Elementary School. 

Please like the event page, PMC Franklin Kids Ride 

Register at: http://www.kids.pmc.org/franklin.aspx

In the News: nasty weather, Smart911

Meteorologists teach residents about nasty weather in Franklin

Nearly 40 people were certified as National Weather Service Skywarn spotters on Tuesday night at the library, learning how to spot the different cloud formations of a thunderstorm and the dangers, from lightning to hail, that they pose.

Milford becomes first in state to offer Smart911

Milford on Tuesday officially became the first town in the state to offer Smart 911, a system that allows residents to share personal information with public safety personnel ahead of time to speed responses and care.

Feet in Motion: Spring Fundraiser

Fundraiser to Support

the Dance Teams of

Feet In Motion!

Add extra benefit to your spring cleaning!!

Don’t throw those unwanted items away! Donate them!

FIM Studio thru 4/21/13

Donations also accepted at Hometown Paint parking lot April 28, 10 am to noon.

Items Needed:

(Please pack all items other than bikes or hard toys in well tied plastic bags.)

• Clothing and Shoes – useable and wearable, any season, size, or gender
• Accessories – purses, backpacks, briefcases, belts, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves, baby accessories, ties
• Household Items – (made of fabric!) – blankets, sheets, bedspreads, pillows, quilts, comforters, table clothes, draperies, curtains, towels, bath rugs
• Toys – Soft – stuffed animals, rag dolls, beanie babies
• Toys – hard – cars, trucks, airplanes, action figures, dolls, doll houses (hard toys must put in a 24” x 24” x 21” box)
• Bikes – please do not drop bikes at FIM until the pick up date.

Please Do NOT bring:

VCR tapes or CDs, books, porcelain or ceramic items, non-fabric household items, furniture, appliances or electronics.

*Volunteers needed to help with the Pick –Up Day. Contact Nikki.

Dance Boosters is a separate organization from Feet In Motion (FIM) that is focused on raising funds in support of enriching the dance education and experiences for the dancers of FIM.

Beautification Day-Volunteers and Sponsors

HAPPY SPRING!

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Beautification Day is right around the corner...  Saturday, May 18th at 9:00 AM
If you would like to volunteer please contact one of our Beautification Committee members:

Eileen Mason: emason11@verizon.net
Chris Bond: c.bond@murphybusiness.com
Jim Schultz: jims@fairwaymc.com

If you would like to be a sponsor for Beautification please contact the FDP office.


This year we will also be having a Special Fundraising Event to raise money for Downtown Beautification and FDP Events

Tuesday, May 7th
5:00-7:30 at Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits

More information coming soon!

You won't want to miss this fun Spring Event!
If you would like to be a sponsor of this event or like to donate a raffle item please contact the FDP office.



This was originally posted to the Franklin Downtown Partnership page

In the News: King St, casino standards, softball clinic, Republican scholarships

Speed still a problem on Franklin's King Street

The town is considering placing two traffic-calming devices at the corner of Wachusett and King streets to help curb rampant speeding in the Gerald M. Parmenter Elementary School zone.

State to set casino application standards

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission met Monday afternoon in Boston to discuss how it would judge casino applications, including the one for the proposed project in Milford.

Lady Panthers Softball Clinic will be held April 6

Franklin High School Lady Panthers Softball Clinic will be held Saturday, April 6 – rain or shine – from 9 a.m. to noon at Franklin High School Field House for grades one through six.

Franklin Republicans offering scholarships

Once again, the Franklin Republican Town Committee is providing a scholarship opportunity for students.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Mar 27, 2013

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 19, 2012, January 9, 23, 2013

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS
Town Council Proposal of Charter Amendment to Voters: Town Treasurer/Collector to be Changed from Elected to Appointed Position

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
YMCA – Healthy Futures/Mass in Motion

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-12: Grant of Utility Easement 218, 224 Oak Street (New High School)
2. Resolution 13-13: Appropriation: Pedestrian Safety Signal – Parmenter
3. Resolution 13-14: Appropriation: DelCarte Recreation Improvements
4. Resolution 13-15: Town Council Proposal of Charter Amendment To Voters: Treasurer/Collector to be Changed from Elected to Appointed Position
5. Resolution 13-16: Acceptance of Access Easement Over Property at 42 Hayward Street
6. Resolution 13-17: Acceptance of Access Easement Over Property at 31 Hayward Street
7. Resolution 13-18: Acceptance of Gift – Town of Franklin
8. Resolution 13-19: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Fire Dept.
9. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-701: Changes to Chapter 185-3. Definitions- Referral to Planning Board
10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-702: Changes to Chapter 185-36. Impervious Surfaces - Referral to Planning Board
11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-703: Changes to Chapter 185-40. Water Resource District – Referral to Planning Board
12. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-704: Changes to Chapter 185, Attachment 9. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements. – Referral to Planning Board
13. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-705: Changes to Chapter 185-5. Zoning Map, Single Family III to Business Zoning District – Referral to Planning Board

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O.EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

The full set of documents associated with this agenda as released can be found on the Franklin website here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/032713.pdf

Spread the word (video)

Spread the word - to end the R word!




http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2013/03/23/spread-the-word-to-end-the-r-word/

spread the word to end the R-word