A series of films on sustainable living called "The Green Reel" will be held Sunday evenings in North Attleboro. The films are presented free of charge. Some refreshments are available. Discussion about the film is encouraged.
Food, Inc. will be shown Jan 10th at 7:00 PM
The flyer for the full series can be seen here:
Friday, January 8, 2010
Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee Meeting
FRANKLIN CITIZENS RAIL TRAIL COMMITTEE MEETING
Agenda for January 14, 2010
I. Call to Order / Introductions of New Attendees
A. Introduction of new attendees
B. Volunteer to write minutes of the meeting
C. Motion to accept previous meeting minutes
II. Report from our representative from DCR
A. Gates at Spring St
B. Leveling of the Trail
C. Walking Trails
III. Membership Committee Report (Denison, McKeown, Sawyer)
A. Committee to report on membership activity
IV. Report from Finance Committee (Rossetti)
A. Report from Treasurer
VII. Report of Fund Raising Committee (Sawyer)
A. Report on fund raising activities
B. Bike Donation from Southbridge Bicycle. Need Volunteer to print raffle tickets & need sub committee
C. Spring fundraiser road race. Do we have a hosting facility? Can we pull a sub-committee together? Can we set the date?
VII. Unfinished Business:
A. Questions from members / attendees
VIII. New Business:
A.
Set Date for Next Meeting and Adjourn
The next meeting of the FCRTC will be held at the Franklin YMCA, Forge Hill Rd. Franklin. The meeting on January 14th will commence at 7:30 PM and conclude NLT 9:30 PM
Agenda for January 14, 2010
I. Call to Order / Introductions of New Attendees
A. Introduction of new attendees
B. Volunteer to write minutes of the meeting
C. Motion to accept previous meeting minutes
II. Report from our representative from DCR
A. Gates at Spring St
B. Leveling of the Trail
C. Walking Trails
III. Membership Committee Report (Denison, McKeown, Sawyer)
A. Committee to report on membership activity
IV. Report from Finance Committee (Rossetti)
A. Report from Treasurer
VII. Report of Fund Raising Committee (Sawyer)
A. Report on fund raising activities
B. Bike Donation from Southbridge Bicycle. Need Volunteer to print raffle tickets & need sub committee
C. Spring fundraiser road race. Do we have a hosting facility? Can we pull a sub-committee together? Can we set the date?
VII. Unfinished Business:
A. Questions from members / attendees
VIII. New Business:
A.
Set Date for Next Meeting and Adjourn
The next meeting of the FCRTC will be held at the Franklin YMCA, Forge Hill Rd. Franklin. The meeting on January 14th will commence at 7:30 PM and conclude NLT 9:30 PM
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Town Council Mtg Smry 01/06/10
The collection of live reported posts from the Town Council meeting of Jan 6, 2010 can be found here:
- Live reporting - Administrators report
- Live reporting - snow removal
- Live reporting - Biotech zoning changes proposed
- Live reporting - license transactions
- Live reporting - Town Council - 1/6/09
Franklin, MA: Public School Inclement Weather Notice
The standard policy for the Franklin Public Schools during inclement weather (i.e. snow storms at this time of year).
Note: subscribers via email will need to click through to the Franklin Matters website to review the document.
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Note: subscribers via email will need to click through to the Franklin Matters website to review the document.
Franklin Downtown Partnership looking for help
The text of an email from Lisa Piana is found here:
Happy New Year!
We are currently planning our events for 2010. In order to continue with our full schedule of festivals and special events this year we need to fill some key volunteer positions.
Please take a look at the following list and e-mail me by January 12th if you are interested in taking a more active roll in the Franklin Downtown Partnership. Thank you to all of you who have volunteered in past years!
- Harvest Festival Co-Chair -> Responsible for helping plan and run the event
- Strawberry Festival-Co-Chair -> Responsible for planning event
- Third Thursday-Co-Chair -> Responsible for planning events
- Holiday Stroll-Co-Chairs -> Responsible for planning event
- Website Coordinator -> Responsible for keeping website up to date
We really need some new members to step forward and take a more active role this year. Some of our current members have been running the events for over 5 years and need a break.
Please call or e-mail me with any questions you might have.
Lisa Piana
Franklin Downtown Partnership
(774)571-3109
MBTA going 'real-time"?
Yes, hard to believe but it just might work.
Apparently, the trains will be equipped with GPS devices and the status will be provided via a 'count-down' timer as the train approaches the station. Coming to the Franklin line sometime in February according to the write up here:
Will this replace the Clever Commute service that can be the T's own alerts?
Stay tuned!
Note: This was also posted to Steve's 2 Cents.
Apparently, the trains will be equipped with GPS devices and the status will be provided via a 'count-down' timer as the train approaches the station. Coming to the Franklin line sometime in February according to the write up here:
MBTA: Commuter Rail "Real-Time Arrival" Countdown
from Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen
Will this replace the Clever Commute service that can be the T's own alerts?
Stay tuned!
Note: This was also posted to Steve's 2 Cents.
In the News - snow removal from sidewalks
The snow discussion from Wednesday's Town Council meeting as captured by the Milford Daily News
Franklin sidewalk plowing debated
MBCR: For the safety and convenience of our employees
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Universal Hub by roadman on 1/6/10
Got this e-mail from MBCR regarding a change in policy about exiting trains.
Customer Service Notice
Control Coach Changes
Monday, January 11, 2010!
Effective January 11, 2010, except in the case of emergency, customers will no longer be allowed to enter or exit from the "operating end" of the control coach. The engineer operates the train from this location on inbound trips. Upon arrival into Boston, there are mandatory safety duties for engineers to perform which do not allow for foot traffic through the operating end of these coaches.
Signs will be placed on the coach door on that end of all control cars to remind customers of this rule.
read more
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Universal Hub using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Live reporting - Administrators report
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
none
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
As you know, I am working on a committee to look at regionalization, which is one thing we need to continue to explore. A great statistic from the meeting today was that all the growth in MA is projected to be amongst those over 60. Currently we have 4500 seniors in Franklin, we are projected to get to 7700 seniors. This has implications for the kinds of services we will offer as well as for how we will be able to pay for them.
L. OLD BUSINESS
Trash -single stream coming on the Jan 20th meeting
M. NEW BUSINESS
none
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - reminder to vote on 1/19 from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Flu clinic was packed today. Well run. Revisit the snow/ice - I am amazed by the job that the DPW does. Can we have DPW do more? Unfortunately, we have limited resources to work within that equation. It is valid to say we need to put more on the Schools and more on the parents.
Zollo - I agree with Tina.
Pfeffer - thanks to all the volunteers for packing the museum for the move.
Jones - Get out and vote Jan 19th. For the citizens that are capable, when they have the time, try an put a little back effort into trying to keep the sidewalks clear.
Whalen - I think this was a perfect example of balancing our resources and needs.
Mason - I had the opportunity to drive around several areas on Sunday and was very impressed that Franklin's roads were amongst the best of all that I saw.
motion to adjourn. motion passed 8-0
none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
none
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
As you know, I am working on a committee to look at regionalization, which is one thing we need to continue to explore. A great statistic from the meeting today was that all the growth in MA is projected to be amongst those over 60. Currently we have 4500 seniors in Franklin, we are projected to get to 7700 seniors. This has implications for the kinds of services we will offer as well as for how we will be able to pay for them.
L. OLD BUSINESS
Trash -single stream coming on the Jan 20th meeting
M. NEW BUSINESS
none
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - reminder to vote on 1/19 from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Flu clinic was packed today. Well run. Revisit the snow/ice - I am amazed by the job that the DPW does. Can we have DPW do more? Unfortunately, we have limited resources to work within that equation. It is valid to say we need to put more on the Schools and more on the parents.
Zollo - I agree with Tina.
Pfeffer - thanks to all the volunteers for packing the museum for the move.
Jones - Get out and vote Jan 19th. For the citizens that are capable, when they have the time, try an put a little back effort into trying to keep the sidewalks clear.
Whalen - I think this was a perfect example of balancing our resources and needs.
Mason - I had the opportunity to drive around several areas on Sunday and was very impressed that Franklin's roads were amongst the best of all that I saw.
motion to adjourn. motion passed 8-0
Live reporting - snow removal
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– DPW Snowplowing/Sidewalks
1st priority for roads for public safety (fire, police, etc.)
2nd priority public buildings/school buildings
3rd priority sidewalks
School policy on snow days posted to School website and Town website
There are snow blower type units for heavy snow removal from the sidewalks
There are plow oriented units for lesser amounts of snow removal
over 35 miles of sidewalks to clear
if less than 6 inches, with the plows, the sidewalks can be cleared in about one day
if more than 6 inches, with the snow blowers, it would take 2-3 days to clear the sidewalks
About $158,000 to cover one storm
Each machine would cost about $120,000 to purchase (snow blower type unit)
Deployment of staff (collective bargaining issues) - all in-house staff should be working at the same time with the contractors
You (Town Council) could require the residents to clear the snow in-front of their property.
Continue to educate the public on the snow removal plan, each year we go through this with the first storm.
Picture of Brook St with sidewalk cleared and student still walking on the road (12/22/09).
Mason - this came about as a result of a call from a resident on Lincoln St. There are guidelines put out by the schools that cover wavers. Beyond that, it doesn't seem like we have the manpower even if we had the equipment.
Nutting - It is parent responsibility to make the decision for their students. I don't think we have the money to go and by another machine. We are not going to be filling jobs anytime soon so I would change it.
Vallee - I have no criticism, you're doing a good job. What is your crew doing today?
Brutus - We're clearing the equipment, making repairs. We did some set up for the H1N1 flu.
Whalen - great presentation, good information. What percent of the snow removal is done by DPW vs. the contractors?
Brutus - DPW does about 30% of the road plowing for a major storm. For the longer period with less snow, we mix the staff over the phases of the snow. The DPW is always on before we call in the contractors.
Whalen - Is there a way to re-allocate some of the resources to get the sidewalks cleared? It maybe that we are doing too good a job plowing the roads.
Brutus - I understand what you're saying, the problem is with the timing. I can't really start clearing the sidewalks with snow falling. If you did the sidewalks and then the plows can by again, it would undo what we already did on the sidewalks.
Whalen - Did I hear that there is an impediment with the labor agreement?
Nutting - Everybody gets a fair bite of the apple on the overtime.
Pfeffer - The priority order is good, we don't have the capability to do it all. The schools have an opportunity to delay or cancel school.
Zollo - What routes do get covered and in what order?
Brutus - three routes shown on map, agreement reached and modified as necessary with the School Dept.
Zollo - the dilemma is how to create a balance? I am not saying we can eliminate all risk.
Kelly - Is there any priority put on the Town Common with the Sunday services?
Brutus - no there isn't any priority there. We clean up the downtown after the storm, during daylight hours.
Nutting - we used to do downtown during the night but we don't have the budget to pay the time and half. It disturbs some during the day but that is the way t is.
Jones - You do a great job. Question I have is with the hot zones.
Brutus - it is an issue, drainage needs to be handled. We are in a freeze right now so it is okay but when the thaw comes, we'll need to deal with it.
Jones - It was icy for some time.
Brutus - We really don't have a practice for salting the sidewalks. Some of the schools have salt available as necessary to use.
Powderly - you guys do a phenomenal jobs with limited resources. I am very uncomfortable with students who are walkers who would be punished in a way by not getting sidewalks cleared. I think we should revisit it. Re-allocation of the plowing resources.
Nutting - They used to have an inclement weather bus but that was cut years ago. I don't think stopping a bus to pick up students on the roads wouldn't work. The parents primary responsibility is the students safety. It is not the Town's responsibility.
Powderly - can GATRA be used? There must be some way.
Whalen - I am not the only one observing plows plowing on hardtop and reallocating that money to switch to start doing the sidewalks.
Whalen - It would be good to know if we are putting an exceptional amount of salt, etc. comparable to other communities.
Brutus - We are pretty much in the same neighborhood for salt amount per mile of road used. I take offense to running on dry roads. The center of the roads will get cleared more of course, but pushing back from the edges to widen the road takes multiple passes. We wait to call in our contractors until later than others.
Vallee - Norfolk has more than we, we need more snow blower units for the sidewalks.
Brutus - it doesn't happen often that we get a storm like that.
Pfeffer - There is no easy answer to this. The first time we don't clear the roads, then the police, fire and others would be in hear screaming. I think the Schools can do more by cnaceling when the snow gets higher.
Zollo - This is an issue because of our revenue problem. We don't have the resources to provide what we used to. This is a real life example of whether it is an override or not. With the resources that we have, we are getting a high level of service. Just understand the effects of not increasing resources.
– DPW Snowplowing/Sidewalks
1st priority for roads for public safety (fire, police, etc.)
2nd priority public buildings/school buildings
3rd priority sidewalks
School policy on snow days posted to School website and Town website
There are snow blower type units for heavy snow removal from the sidewalks
There are plow oriented units for lesser amounts of snow removal
over 35 miles of sidewalks to clear
if less than 6 inches, with the plows, the sidewalks can be cleared in about one day
if more than 6 inches, with the snow blowers, it would take 2-3 days to clear the sidewalks
About $158,000 to cover one storm
Each machine would cost about $120,000 to purchase (snow blower type unit)
Deployment of staff (collective bargaining issues) - all in-house staff should be working at the same time with the contractors
You (Town Council) could require the residents to clear the snow in-front of their property.
Continue to educate the public on the snow removal plan, each year we go through this with the first storm.
Picture of Brook St with sidewalk cleared and student still walking on the road (12/22/09).
Mason - this came about as a result of a call from a resident on Lincoln St. There are guidelines put out by the schools that cover wavers. Beyond that, it doesn't seem like we have the manpower even if we had the equipment.
Nutting - It is parent responsibility to make the decision for their students. I don't think we have the money to go and by another machine. We are not going to be filling jobs anytime soon so I would change it.
Vallee - I have no criticism, you're doing a good job. What is your crew doing today?
Brutus - We're clearing the equipment, making repairs. We did some set up for the H1N1 flu.
Whalen - great presentation, good information. What percent of the snow removal is done by DPW vs. the contractors?
Brutus - DPW does about 30% of the road plowing for a major storm. For the longer period with less snow, we mix the staff over the phases of the snow. The DPW is always on before we call in the contractors.
Whalen - Is there a way to re-allocate some of the resources to get the sidewalks cleared? It maybe that we are doing too good a job plowing the roads.
Brutus - I understand what you're saying, the problem is with the timing. I can't really start clearing the sidewalks with snow falling. If you did the sidewalks and then the plows can by again, it would undo what we already did on the sidewalks.
Whalen - Did I hear that there is an impediment with the labor agreement?
Nutting - Everybody gets a fair bite of the apple on the overtime.
Pfeffer - The priority order is good, we don't have the capability to do it all. The schools have an opportunity to delay or cancel school.
Zollo - What routes do get covered and in what order?
Brutus - three routes shown on map, agreement reached and modified as necessary with the School Dept.
Zollo - the dilemma is how to create a balance? I am not saying we can eliminate all risk.
Kelly - Is there any priority put on the Town Common with the Sunday services?
Brutus - no there isn't any priority there. We clean up the downtown after the storm, during daylight hours.
Nutting - we used to do downtown during the night but we don't have the budget to pay the time and half. It disturbs some during the day but that is the way t is.
Jones - You do a great job. Question I have is with the hot zones.
Brutus - it is an issue, drainage needs to be handled. We are in a freeze right now so it is okay but when the thaw comes, we'll need to deal with it.
Jones - It was icy for some time.
Brutus - We really don't have a practice for salting the sidewalks. Some of the schools have salt available as necessary to use.
Powderly - you guys do a phenomenal jobs with limited resources. I am very uncomfortable with students who are walkers who would be punished in a way by not getting sidewalks cleared. I think we should revisit it. Re-allocation of the plowing resources.
Nutting - They used to have an inclement weather bus but that was cut years ago. I don't think stopping a bus to pick up students on the roads wouldn't work. The parents primary responsibility is the students safety. It is not the Town's responsibility.
Powderly - can GATRA be used? There must be some way.
Whalen - I am not the only one observing plows plowing on hardtop and reallocating that money to switch to start doing the sidewalks.
Whalen - It would be good to know if we are putting an exceptional amount of salt, etc. comparable to other communities.
Brutus - We are pretty much in the same neighborhood for salt amount per mile of road used. I take offense to running on dry roads. The center of the roads will get cleared more of course, but pushing back from the edges to widen the road takes multiple passes. We wait to call in our contractors until later than others.
Vallee - Norfolk has more than we, we need more snow blower units for the sidewalks.
Brutus - it doesn't happen often that we get a storm like that.
Pfeffer - There is no easy answer to this. The first time we don't clear the roads, then the police, fire and others would be in hear screaming. I think the Schools can do more by cnaceling when the snow gets higher.
Zollo - This is an issue because of our revenue problem. We don't have the resources to provide what we used to. This is a real life example of whether it is an override or not. With the resources that we have, we are getting a high level of service. Just understand the effects of not increasing resources.
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