Saturday, September 17, 2011
In the News - Dean College, Ellis Paul, FPAC season
Dean named makes 'Best College' list
Ellis Paul plays Saturday night in Franklin
FPAC announces ‘11-’12 season
Friday, September 16, 2011
2 Kennedy Playground Fund Raisers
From the Kennedy Playground Committee comes word on two fund raisers:
#1
Dining for a Cause Customizable Organization Flyer
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this document
#2
Registration forms can be found here or online at the Kennedy Playground website
#1
We are having a day at the 99 Restaurant. David Camilleri, the Franklin's 99's general manager, has set it up that if a person or a group brings in the Kennedy Voucher, 15% of their bill will go toward the Kennedy Playground Fund. Usually they only do 4pm to 9pm but extended it to 11am to 10pm so people can come early for lunch or for a late dinner.
The details are
Location: 99 Restaurant, Franklin Ma
Date: Wednesday, Sept 28th
Time : 11am to 10pm
15% of a person's bill goes toward the Kennedy Playground Fund
Vouchers can be downloaded and printed from our website - www.KennedyPlayground.com
Dining for a Cause Customizable Organization Flyer
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this document
#2
Ladybug 5K Road Race/Walk and Fun Run
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Race/Walk - registration $20 (before Oct 24), $25 on race day
Fun Run - registration $5 (before Oct 24), $10 on race day
Registration forms can be found here or online at the Kennedy Playground website
"Do I have to do anything?"
The Milford Daily News has a follow up conversation with Police Chief Stephen Williams who is scheduled to retire in December:
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x948307078/Police-chief-looks-back-as-Franklin-prepares-to-fill-his-spot#ixzz1Y6gVwuyX
Chief William's retirement was announced during the Town Council meeting Wednesday night
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/09/live-reporting-door-to-door.html
Williams worked his way through the ranks exclusively in Franklin, an advantage he said he hopes his successor will have.
"It's an advantage for me to be a homegrown boy in that I know the people and the players - knowing what Franklin is, what it has been and what it will be," Williams said.
Williams said his replacement will most importantly have to be connected to and involved with the community, pointing to officers who pay attention to local government decisions, coach school sports, visit senior centers and care about downtown parking problems.
"Those are very key components of having a department that's well-entrenched in the community," Williams said. "The new chief will continue to build those bridges and friendships."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x948307078/Police-chief-looks-back-as-Franklin-prepares-to-fill-his-spot#ixzz1Y6gVwuyX
Chief William's retirement was announced during the Town Council meeting Wednesday night
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/09/live-reporting-door-to-door.html
Farmer's Market - Open - Noon to 6:00 PM
Franklin Farmers Market, Friday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Located on the Town Common
Reminder that the Farmers' Market now accepts SNAP dollars and can double your purchasing power.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/07/franklin-farmers-market-doubles-food.html
Visit the Food Pantry tent at the Farmers' Market for details.
Reminder: Bike Recycling
On Saturday, September 17th there will be a used bicycle collection at the Franklin High School parking lot, 218 Oak Street, to benefit charity. The collection runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is sponsored by the Franklin High School RE:Cycles Club to benefit a Boston based charity that provides used bicycles to people in need, in the US and overseas. We are looking for used bike donations as well as money donations to defray the cost of shipping overseas. Bikes Not Bombs, the beneficiaries of the drive, are a 501(c)3 charity, and donors can request a receipt for tax purposes. We are especially in need of adult bikes in reasonable or easily reparable condition. The event will be held, rain or shine.
For more information contact Eamon McCarthy Earls at re_cycles@yahoo.com.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
"I'm sad to see him go"
... councilors voted to raise sewer and water bills by 10 percent each in June of 2012, amounting to about $44 more in sewer bills to the average customer and $60 more in water bills to the average customer in the first year.
The additional money is expected to pay for planned capital improvements to those utilities. The Charles River Pollution Control District requires upgrades to the regional sewer treatment plant, of which Franklin owns 65 percent, said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting. On the water end, councilors authorized a $7.5 million bond to improve the water system last year.
Though two years of increases were on the budget for approval, councilors approved both years of sewer, and only the first year of higher water bills.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x948306558/Franklins-top-cop-to-retire-in-3-months#ixzz1Y0tpptLB
My summary of the Town Council meeting
- Four establishments get penalized for serving underage minors on July 29, 2011.
- A new restaurant to open in Franklin Village Plaza gets a liquor license
- Chief Williams will be retiring in December
- Chief McCarragher provided an update and lessons learned from the response to Irene
- Sewer rates are going up due to EPA requirements for the Charles River Pollution Control District of which we are responsible for 65% of the volume
- McGann will run for Town Council and let the voters decide if his attendance record matters (54% attendance)
The full set of notes can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/09/town-council-091411.html
"I'm going to let the voters decide"
"I'm really surprised that more people aren't interested in the Town Council and the School Committee," said Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri, a 27-year incumbent who does face a challenger, former Town Councilor Deborah Bartlett. "We've had so much going on. People have been blogging left and right, and I wish some of these people would come forward and run."
Every one of the nine Town Council seats and all seven School Committee seats are available every two years.
The Town Council has only eight candidates who have returned nomination papers so far. Incumbents Glenn Jones, Tina Powderly, Robert Vallee and Judith Pond Pfeffer are running. New hopefuls include School Committee Chairman Jeff Roy, School Building Committee Chairman Thomas Mercer, Robert Dellorco and Juan Ramon Rivera.
Councilors Joseph McGann and Matthew Kelly have taken out but not yet returned nomination papers. At last night's council, McGann, who would be running for his fifth term, said three councilors have asked him not to run because of missed meetings.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x227170085/Few-candidates-for-council-school-board-seats-in-Franklin-election#ixzz1Y0qI4tOS
The attendance records for Town Council and School Committee for the past two years are available here
Note: the School Committee records are not up to date but the attendance percent is high and their record is consistent. The Town Council has some folks with shady attendance records. The majority of those with poor records are not running for a new term. One will be. So if you want your voice to be represented half the time time (54%), that will be your choice.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Town Council 09/14/11
Highlights from the Town Council meeting:
- Four establishments get penalized for serving underage minors on July 29, 2011.
- A new restaurant to open in Franklin Village Plaza gets a liquor license
- Chief Williams will be retiring in December
- Chief McCarragher provided an update and lessons learned from the response to Irene
- Sewer rates are going up due to EPA requirements for the Charles River Pollution Control District of which we are responsible for 65% of the volume
- McGann will run for Town Council and let the voters decide if his attendance record matters (54% attendance)
The collection of reporting from the Town Council meeting can be found here.
- Live reporting - Closing
- Live reporting - Legislation for action
- Live reporting - Irene response
- Live reporting - door to door solicitations
- Live reporting - new liquor license
- Live reporting - Liquor license failures
- Live reporting - Town Council - 9/14/11
Live reporting - Closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT workshop for new councilors on 11/16tax hearing for Nov 30
L. OLD BUSINESS none
M. NEW BUSINESS meeting next week, rescheduled for Sep 28
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
McGann - three comments from councilors about not running again due to his missed meetings, doesn't think it is the council members decision, will let the voters make that decision, you have 12 good candidates to make a choice, my name will be on the ballot, it will be up to the voters to have their say
Kelly - thanks to all for help on Irene, thanks to the Y for opening their doors
Jones - what is the policy on the Kennedy fund raising?
Nutting - it is up to the Kennedy community to raise the money
Whalen - speaking to the cuts of personnel that is not getting to the other departments rather than the Schools and Library, can we get the department heads in periodically to have the folks hear about the effect of the cuts.
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
motion to go to executive session, passed 9-0
L. OLD BUSINESS none
M. NEW BUSINESS meeting next week, rescheduled for Sep 28
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
McGann - three comments from councilors about not running again due to his missed meetings, doesn't think it is the council members decision, will let the voters make that decision, you have 12 good candidates to make a choice, my name will be on the ballot, it will be up to the voters to have their say
Kelly - thanks to all for help on Irene, thanks to the Y for opening their doors
Jones - what is the policy on the Kennedy fund raising?
Nutting - it is up to the Kennedy community to raise the money
Whalen - speaking to the cuts of personnel that is not getting to the other departments rather than the Schools and Library, can we get the department heads in periodically to have the folks hear about the effect of the cuts.
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
motion to go to executive session, passed 9-0
Live reporting - Legislation for action
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 1. Resolution 11-10: Request for Legislation – Exempting the Deputy Fire Chief from Civil Service (Tabled on 8/10/2011) - tabled indefinitely, just not ready yet
2. Resolution 11-45: Chapter 61A-1st Refusal Option – Land on Spring Street
second time before the Council, owner has PSA, we have first right of refusal, has no value for the Town, recommended to let the sale proceed
motion to approve - passed 9-0
3. Resolution 11-47: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with Town of Medway for Shared Nursing Services
shared nurse through a grant program, looking to extend this for another year with receipt of another grant
motion to approve - passed 9-0
4. Resolution 11-48: Acceptance of Gift of Land at 1156 Pond Street (Lot #2)
donation of land in lieu of foreclosure
motion to approve - passed 9-0
5. Resolution 11-49: Grant of Sewer Easement on Property At 82 (Formerly 95) Park Rd
sewer line installed without easement being recorded previously, needed to move line and cover it all properly this time
motion to approve - passed 9-0
6. Bylaw Amendment 11-663: Sewer Rates-Appendix B- List of Service Rates - 2nd Reading
as a result of the Charles River Sewer Plant upgrade, rate increases should cover the requirements; $44 and then $88 the year after, plant is under an EPA order to remove phosphorus - ultimately a million dollars raised will cover our 65% of the total amount, timed for when the bond comes in - no further rate changes for 4-5 years, has been steady for 7 years
motion to approve - passed 9-0 (via roll call)
7. Bylaw Amendment 11-664: Water Rates-Appendix B-List of Service Rates- 2nd Reading
related to pay off the 7.5 million bond authorization as approved earlier. Not related to the sewer rate increases.
Powderly - having trouble approving at this time
Nutting - you will need this eventually, could it wait a year, I am trying to be proactive, will we need all of it next year
Nutting - either way it is coming, pay me now or pay me later
Whalen - under different circumstances, it would be a prudent way to proceed. Back to back, 10% when not necessary
Nutting - the surplus has varied year to year, we have used it for road repairs, water system needs improvements all the time, 160 miles of water system even at 2 miles per year it is 80 year project
Mason - no question of economy is still pour, it is a perception problem, if we can spend down it a little, it may more sense - if we can tighten our belt it may help
Nutting - only authorize a rate for 2012, and not for 2013
Powderly, motion to amend, to have only the 2012 rate increase of 10%
motion to approve amendment - passed 9-0
motion to approve bylaw - passed 9-0 (via roll call)
Live reporting - Irene response
2. Tropical Storm Irene – Gary McCarraher
Worked through conflicting info from the weather services until the National Weather service took priority with their accuracy
55 MPH winds marked at Fire Stations, 100 emergencies responded during Sunday
fortunately no injuries to workers or residents on Sunday
all roads were passable by 10:00 PM Sunday evening
National Grid did not show up on Sunday at all
multiple communications with National Grid with commitment to have someone on site Monday
priorities to restore power to key areas and water service
Central Park Terrace, senior housing, those with oxygen needs were dealt with as necessary
priority listing set up one day for action the next day
School St, Parmenter, etc were priority on Tuesday listing
South St, Summer, Beach priority for Weds due to primary lines down
Beach St, Elm, Indian Way for Thu
Police surveyed the town to cross check power outages
restoration of individual home services were addressed on Fri, Sat and Sun
maintained communications via CCTY, consolidated messages with schools
Lessons Learned:
market Ctty service, to cell phone service in addition to land lines
public cell phone charging area
improve power sign board options
additional learning will be reviewed in another meeting of the departments
Kelly - what about National Grid and their response? they did not get here until Tuesday
Nutting - requesting a meeting to discuss, one of their problems was trying to communicate with 27 communities, too confusing
McCarraher - One of our keys to success was getting someone into Franklin
13,000 electrical customers, about 10,000 were out initially
Nutting - it wasn't a good communication from the beginning, it was a multi-day event but they couldn't say how long - they had a corporate decision and lost hundreds of folks three weeks prior and simply were not prepared.
McGann - what did we get from a representative?
McCarragher - we wanted information, when we called it was like it was the first time, the representative was able to navigate their queue. I just needed reasonably accurate information so we could make our decisions. We were frequently getting lost in the mix, we got scheduling done with constant contact and making sure we didn't get lost in the shuffle. The guys on the street did a marvelous job, the problem was in the back room and getting the prioritization set up.
Vallee - following upon the comment
McCarragher - it is early, only first quarter to have data with the current staffing. I am concerned about it, it is not regular bu depending upon what can happen, it could be slower response.
Mason - thanks to your help, the operation was impressive
Nutting - our first obligation is to Franklin
Dick O'Connor (from Rep Vallee office)
Worked through conflicting info from the weather services until the National Weather service took priority with their accuracy
55 MPH winds marked at Fire Stations, 100 emergencies responded during Sunday
fortunately no injuries to workers or residents on Sunday
all roads were passable by 10:00 PM Sunday evening
National Grid did not show up on Sunday at all
multiple communications with National Grid with commitment to have someone on site Monday
priorities to restore power to key areas and water service
Central Park Terrace, senior housing, those with oxygen needs were dealt with as necessary
priority listing set up one day for action the next day
School St, Parmenter, etc were priority on Tuesday listing
South St, Summer, Beach priority for Weds due to primary lines down
Beach St, Elm, Indian Way for Thu
Police surveyed the town to cross check power outages
restoration of individual home services were addressed on Fri, Sat and Sun
maintained communications via CCTY, consolidated messages with schools
Lessons Learned:
market Ctty service, to cell phone service in addition to land lines
public cell phone charging area
improve power sign board options
additional learning will be reviewed in another meeting of the departments
Kelly - what about National Grid and their response? they did not get here until Tuesday
Nutting - requesting a meeting to discuss, one of their problems was trying to communicate with 27 communities, too confusing
McCarraher - One of our keys to success was getting someone into Franklin
13,000 electrical customers, about 10,000 were out initially
Nutting - it wasn't a good communication from the beginning, it was a multi-day event but they couldn't say how long - they had a corporate decision and lost hundreds of folks three weeks prior and simply were not prepared.
McGann - what did we get from a representative?
McCarragher - we wanted information, when we called it was like it was the first time, the representative was able to navigate their queue. I just needed reasonably accurate information so we could make our decisions. We were frequently getting lost in the mix, we got scheduling done with constant contact and making sure we didn't get lost in the shuffle. The guys on the street did a marvelous job, the problem was in the back room and getting the prioritization set up.
Vallee - following upon the comment
McCarragher - it is early, only first quarter to have data with the current staffing. I am concerned about it, it is not regular bu depending upon what can happen, it could be slower response.
Mason - thanks to your help, the operation was impressive
Nutting - our first obligation is to Franklin
Dick O'Connor (from Rep Vallee office)
Live reporting - door to door solicitations
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
1. Residential Soliciting – Stephen T. Williams
permit application required, backgrounds checked, will get out immediately upon call
you do not have to entertain a solicit
do not permit solicitations for advocacy and political groups
Jones - had requested this due to a young lady who had visited his home and other neighbors
Chief Williams - don't open the door, ask for credentials
Nutting -Williams has tendered his resignation effective 12/16/11 after 40 years of service
1. Residential Soliciting – Stephen T. Williams
permit application required, backgrounds checked, will get out immediately upon call
you do not have to entertain a solicit
do not permit solicitations for advocacy and political groups
Jones - had requested this due to a young lady who had visited his home and other neighbors
Chief Williams - don't open the door, ask for credentials
Nutting -Williams has tendered his resignation effective 12/16/11 after 40 years of service
Live reporting - new liquor license
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
New All Alcoholic Beverages License – Sakebom - 264 Franklin Village Drive
motion to approve, passed 9-0
New All Alcoholic Beverages License – Sakebom - 264 Franklin Village Drive
motion to approve, passed 9-0
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