Present: Smith, Goldsmith, Dufur, Quinn, Roche, Dewsnap, Feldman, Aparo, Huempfner
Absent: none
Happy New Year!
Jeff Nutting provides some background on the capital budget process and the phased approach is being put together for this year. DPW will present tonight on their capital needs. Other departments will come forward in future meetings.
Items 2, 3 8, 110
Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director
Carlos Rebelo, Laurie Ruszala, Deacon Perrota
1 - $500,000 for roads for crack sealing and overlays, attempting to more preventive maintenance
Jeff mentioned completion of the town wide survey on the road condition, to fix it all would be $48M
a rating and cost estimate for every street is available
cheaper to chip seal than to overlay than to complete rebuild
do more earlier and that helps avoid the major expenses
Reducing size of road to make it easier to both reduce the storm water runoff as well as provide less maintenance requirements going forward
Some roads don't make sense to narrow it but where it does make sense, let's do it. Also helps to slow traffic down, people tend to drive slower on a narrow road
2 - vehicles
currently past life expectancy, we do buy used equipment but in this case it is used so heavily we use it so much we really need a new one. A key piece of equipment, a priority
$7500 - update and fix an older Ford truck
- engineering staff vehicle, gotten away from re-using older police vehicles, moved to some smaller vehicles. Available for short money and provide good mileage
a trailer to move some equipment around, some funds out of highway, water and sewer for replacement of this trailer
based upon a case by case basis for each piece of equipment
saved $100,000 with a used 10-wheeler, that we should get a good number of years from
we have good mechanics and the folks respect the equipment, we do take care of them
they don't look too bad but they are just old
Water Dept
following water master plan, did East, West, etc. streets downtown this year
doing Lincoln from Brook to Daniels next year
will adjust schedule to make roads and water needs
water mains one year, street the next
Pine Circle and Highland Road done by DPW this year
other streets need to be contracted out
asbestos pipes need to be replaced as they tend to be leaky (otherwise safe)
get water line issue resolved and street paved at same time
the water rate has grown due to some of the capital work but the cost is also driven by the amount of water sold and with the efficiency and reductions in place, we are actually selling less water.
is there a way to get it done cheaper? if so, then we'll do it inhouse
Sewer Dept
muffin monster grinder to be installed at our Milliken Station
debrie clogs up the pumps to shut them down, these devices would allow the debrie to get chopped up and broken down so they won't clog the pumps
Swifters have overwhelmed the sewers, why? they can?
would reduce the maintenance from once a week to once a month
revenues really low, trying to avoid a rate increase which is already scheduled for 20% again later this year due to the Charles River plant cost
note to community on the switfers - to not through them into the sewer systems
it is not too swift to through a swifter in the sewer
$1.573,000 as total for capital plan this phase
motion to approve capital plan, seconded and approved unanimously
Water fund capital for $1,036,000
motion to approve capital plan, seconded and approved unanimously
Sewer capital for $163,000
motion to approve capital plan, seconded and approved unanimously
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - Jan 8, 2013
The agenda for the Finance Committee meeting Tuesday at 7:00 PM.
You can also view this document here:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczRlJjcWFTc0poejg
You can also view this document here:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczRlJjcWFTc0poejg
Annual Report 2012: Design Review Commission
The Design Review Commission (DRC) is a committee of Citizen Volunteers that has approval authority on signage and recommendation input to the Planning Board on Site Plans and building exterior materials. It meets twice monthly and has addressed numerous projects and sign applications this past fiscal year. The Commission is currently composed of Mark Fitzgerald, Chair, Chris Baryluk, Richard Tobin, Jr., Nancy Coleman, and Anna Moses, as well as associate member, Donald Grover. Associate Adrianna Kelly resigned at the end of this fiscal year due to a move out of Franklin. Jennifer Peters, former Chair and a valued member for ten years, resigned earlier in the year due to family and work commitments and was commended for her service to the Town. James Esterbrook also stepped down due to his heavy work load and commitments to other Town committees
This past year, the Commission reviewed and addressed several Site Plans as to landscaping and lighting and exterior Building Plans as to elevations, design, colors and materials. Reviews included projects such as a new Residence Hall at Dean College, Emeritus at Franklin, a senior living facility, Ichigo Ichie Restaurant, exterior changes to Vendetti Motors, exterior changes to two Dunkin Donuts (East and West Central Street), a new building design for Wendy’s, a new Taco Bell on West Central Street and renovations to Molloy’s Gas Station.
Sign applications were reviewed, addressed and approved for approximately forty (40) businesses throughout the fiscal year. In addition, the new Sign By-Law was completed and adopted by the Franklin Town Council on March 21, 2012.
Meetings are held at the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Room 205, at 7:00 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Meeting times, dates and agendas are posted at the Town Clerk’s Office.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Fitzgerald, Chair
The Design Review page on the Franklin website can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/design
Published by the Town Clerk, this comes from the 2012 Annual Report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/
Rail Trail Committee - Agenda - Jan 8, 2013
The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, January 8, 2013. The meeting will be held at the YMCA in Franklin and begin at 7:30 pm.
You can also view this agenda document here:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczM1RvSlNCWGllWDA
You can visit the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee on the web at
http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/
You can also view this agenda document here:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczM1RvSlNCWGllWDA
You can visit the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee on the web at
http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/
DEAN COLLEGE CHILDREN’S CENTER “PARENT SEMINAR: KINDERGARTEN, HERE I COME”
DEAN COLLEGE CHILDREN'S CENTER
"PARENT SEMINAR: KINDERGARTEN, HERE I COME"
Franklin, MA…Dean College Children's Center is sponsoring "Parent Seminar: Kindergarten, Here I Come," on Monday, February 25, 2013 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Dean College Campus Guidrey Center on Emmons Street, Franklin. Parking is at 89 West Central Street.
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| Dean College |
The panel seminar focuses developmental aspects of a child's growth – social, cognitive, emotional, fine motor, and gross motor skills. Questions concerning "What is readiness?", "What do Kindergarten teachers expect my child to know", and "How to know if my child needs a gift of another year in preschool?" will be addressed. The panel will examine which aspects are considered by parents and educators when gauging a child's "readiness" for Kindergarten.
Parents of young children and educators are encouraged to attend. This panel seminar is interactive and those attending are encouraged to bring questions. Panel members include fabulous Kindergarten teachers from the area, with insight from educators of Dean Children's Center. Admission for the public is $10 at the door.
Dean College Children's Center is a non-profit, NAEYC accredited preschool providing children with an initial school experience that reflects current research in child development and offers a hands-on experience for Early Childhood Education students preparing for careers in education.
For more information on this educational seminar, contact us at: 508-541-1598
Monday, January 7, 2013
Another #1 for Franklin
From the Neighborhood Scout:
You can view the full listing of 100 communities to find Franklin at #1
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/neighborhoods/crime-rates/top100safest/
The Franklin report can be found here http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ma/franklin/crime/
Make sure to read the Overview tab, interesting stuff!
Our research reveals the 100 safest cities in America with 25,000 or more people, based on the total number of property and violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, forcible rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Data used for this research are 1) the number of total crimes reported to the FBI to have occurred in each city, and 2) the population of each city. See our FAQ on how we rank the safest cities in America
You can view the full listing of 100 communities to find Franklin at #1
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/neighborhoods/crime-rates/top100safest/
The Franklin report can be found here http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ma/franklin/crime/
Make sure to read the Overview tab, interesting stuff!
Franklin, MA: Planning Board - Agenda - Jan 7, 2013
The published agenda for the Planning Board meeting Monday evening;
PlanningBoard_January07_ 2013
Among the items on the agenda are:
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| 23 Hutchinson St, proposed location for Franklin TV |
PlanningBoard_January07_ 2013
Among the items on the agenda are:
- Stop and Shop gas station
- Franklin TV
- Hoffman Farm
- Robin's Nest Childrens Center
Annual Report 2012: Charles River Pollution Control District
During Fiscal Year 2012, the Charles River Pollution Control District’s (District) regional advanced wastewater treatment facility received and treated approximately 1,740 million gallons (4.8 million gallons per day) of raw wastewater, including 6.1 million gallons of septage from the District’s member and customer towns before discharge to the Charles River. The volume of waste treated was higher than the previous year due to an increase in heavy precipitation.
The District is anticipating the renewal process to begin this fall for its National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for discharge of its treated wastewater to the Charles River. Under the preliminary draft NPDES permit, the District and the Towns of Franklin, Medway, Millis, and Bellingham will have to maintain an ongoing preventive maintenance program to prevent overflows and bypasses caused by malfunctions or failures of the sewer system and an infiltration and inflow reduction program.
CDM Smith and staff from the District prepared a 20-year capital improvement plan (CIP) to improve the wastewater treatment facility to meet more stringent NPDES permitting requirements and provide a more reliable wastewater treatment facility at its current capacity.
In July 2010, the District was informed of its acceptance on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) Bureau of Resource Protection Calendar Year 2010 Intended Use List for State Revolving Funding (SRF). In order to expedite the designs and proceed with the project in a timely manner,
the CIP was divided into three phases (A, B and C).
Phase A, which is scheduled for completion this October, includes the replacement of both primary clarifier
mechanisms, addition of two screenings washer/compactors in the wet well, primary scum handling improvements, and plant lighting and security improvements.
Phase B, the capping of the on-site residuals landfill, is scheduled for completion August 2012.
Phase C, focuses on reducing phosphorus, improving the disinfection system, and extending the life of the facility for an additional 20 years. This phase is currently in the early stages of design and is expected to be
complete in late 2013 with construction starting in early 2014. A District-wide Global Information
System was developed as part of this phase to assist with infiltration and inflow reduction requirements.
The District is scheduled to fund Phases A and B with a 20-year SRF loan of approximately $3.3M for costs associated with bidding, construction, and resident engineering. Costs for planning and design which are not eligible for SRF loans will be funded by a General Obligation Bond of approximately $1.5M. The total project cost is still under review and will become more detailed as design progresses.
The District is one of seven municipal wastewater treatment plants selected by the Mass DEP to participate in a pilot program that involves energy auditing, assessments for renewable and clean energy possibilities, and
support of implementation for energy related projects. The purpose of this pilot program is to reduce the amount of energy used at municipal wastewater treatment plants by 20%, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving municipalities money. The District was granted $847,583 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to install a 20 kW solar voltaic array and two turbo style blowers. The solar
panels will produce energy onsite whereas the turbo blowers will provide oxygen to the secondary treatment system using approximately 30% less power than the existing blowers. The District is anticipating a 20%
reduction in energy costs from these energy improvements. At this time, the solar voltaic array is producing energy which is used at the treatment plant and the turbo blowers are in place.
Peter SantaCaterina retired in March of 2012. He started his career as a Maintenance Mechanic and was later promoted to Maintenance Supervisor. The District wishes Pete a great retirement and sincere thanks for
25 years of service.
The District’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget is 2.5% higher than the previous years’ budget. The District’s FY 2013 budget for operations and maintenance is $3,414,100, while the capital projects budget is $594,160. Franklin’s share of the operation and maintenance and capital projects budgets are estimated to be
$2,298,070 and $356,810, respectively.
Respectively submitted
Douglas M. Downing, Chairman (Medway)
William J. Goode, Jr., Vice-Chairman (Franklin)
Alfred H. Wahlers, Clerk, (Franklin)
Paul J. DeSimone (Medway)
Gene Guidi, (Franklin)
CRPCD Officers:
Cheri R. Cousens, P.E., Executive Director
Emma J. Catalano, Treasurer
Barbara Maffeo, Executive Secretary
Cornetta, Ficco, Simmler, & Vallee, Legal Counsel
Note: the report was prepared after the FY 2012 fiscal year completed and published in November 2012. One sentence reads "scheduled for completion this October" - refers to October 2012.
Published by the Town Clerk, this comes from the 2012 Annual Report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/
“The local media has been restrained and responsible"
Franklin Matters contributor, Rich Aucoin has succeeded in getting media attention to how the media is covering the MA lab scandal with this article in the Milford Daily News.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x848528961/Opinions-vary-on-media-s-handling-of-Franklin-chemist-scandal#ixzz2HHgRDwkR
“It’s a strange case in terms of drawing analogies to because it’s not a violent crime,” Bayles said. “It’s not even so much a financial crime. And in some ways that may be why it was hard to get stuff out. I spent a lot of time thinking, ‘Who is this person?’ There was not a lot of detail about Dookhan.”
He said that realizing the scope of the scandal presented a challenge to everyone mired in it and that showed in the coverage.
“It was sort of a slow boil in terms of people, especially in the media, understanding the implications of the case,” he said.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x848528961/Opinions-vary-on-media-s-handling-of-Franklin-chemist-scandal#ixzz2HHgRDwkR
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 9, 2013
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 17, 2012
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
Library Board of Directors - Sandra Brandfonbrener
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Change of Manager – T.D. Beverage Inc.
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Medical Marijuana Zoning
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-695:Changes to § 185-31. Site Plan and Design Review- Remove from table - 1st Reading
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-696:Changes to § 185-20. H. Signs. Sign Approvals Remove from table - 1st Reading
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-697:Changes to § 185-45. N. Administration and Enforcement. Design Review Commission Remove from table - 1 st Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 13-699:Amendment of Service Fee Rates: Administration- 1st Reading
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 agenda and associated documents can be found on the Franklin web site
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/010913.pdf
School Tour: Parmenter
The next school on the tour of the facilities in the district comes up this Thursday, Jan 10. At 6:00 PM, the Parmenter School on Wachusett St will be open to all for a tour. The tour is conducted by Central Office School Administration, the School Principal, and members of the School Committee.
Parmenter is the only school with solar panels helping to supply their energy needs. You can check their status via this website
http://www.solrenview.com/cgi-bin/CGIhandler.cgi?&sort=pvi_IDs&cond=site_ID=803
A couple of rain gardens were added to Parmenter as part of the Wachusett St reconstruction project. The rain gardens assist in reducing phosphorus from getting into the ground water and streams that feed into the Charles River.
Come to the tour on Thursday, Jan 10th at 6:00 PM!
Parmenter is the only school with solar panels helping to supply their energy needs. You can check their status via this website
http://www.solrenview.com/cgi-bin/CGIhandler.cgi?&sort=pvi_IDs&cond=site_ID=803
A couple of rain gardens were added to Parmenter as part of the Wachusett St reconstruction project. The rain gardens assist in reducing phosphorus from getting into the ground water and streams that feed into the Charles River.
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| rain garden at Parmenter School |
Come to the tour on Thursday, Jan 10th at 6:00 PM!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
"It’s a humbling honor"
The Shire Book Shop is one of the featured photos in the new Franklin Calendar and gaining some well deserved recognition with this award as noted by the Milford Daily News.
Browse the book shelves and have a sit to explore the book in detail in comfort
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1896979594/Shire-Book-Shop-called-one-of-the-best#ixzz2H6EsWYOD
You can visit the Shire Book Shop on Union St (at the railroad crossing) or their website on line at http://www.shirebookshop.com/
In the regular "Best 5 in New England’’ column of the January/February issue, Richard Wright observed the Union Avenue store combines the soothing atmosphere of a friend’s private library with the eclectic pleasures of a devoted bibliophile’s extensive collection.
"After 30 years, the owners of the Shire Book Shop still offer to brew you a cup of tea, making your stroll among the 100,00 used and out-of-print books in this former mill building even more of a pleasure."
The author of "A Vacationer’s Guide to Rural New England Bookstores," Wright noted of the Shire: "Each purchased book is carefully protected with an archival dust jacket."
Browse the book shelves and have a sit to explore the book in detail in comfort
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1896979594/Shire-Book-Shop-called-one-of-the-best#ixzz2H6EsWYOD
You can visit the Shire Book Shop on Union St (at the railroad crossing) or their website on line at http://www.shirebookshop.com/
The Olivia Act
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Aubrey B Greene Photography Blog on 1/4/13
I have sort of avoided writing about what happened in Newtown, CT. Partly because the press was all over it and pushing it through my pores. But mostly because it really shook me up. Let's be real here. I cried for days. I cried in my bedroom, my kitchen, the grocery store parking lot and even in the produce section. It really hit me hard. There have been far to many other school shootings, even one in my hometown in Vermont, but this one was different for me. It was little, itty-bitty, helpless babies and I HAVE a little, itty-bitty, helpless baby. Even now as I try to write this I can't grasp all the reasoning behind why I have felt the way I have. But it makes me sad. I don't know anything about the heartbreak one must feel losing a child, but I do know about loving a child. I held Max extra tight that night and every night since. I stare deep in to his beautiful hazel eyes just a little longer when I say "bye-bye" and even "good morning". I am so blessed to have Max in my life and I cherish every day. I hope the families of those children, those babies, those teachers, cherished every day and know that they too are so blessed to of had them in their lives. 
This past September, we had our family pictures taken by my friend and colleague, Deb. I am so glad that we have that moment in our life captured forever. Years from now, we will look back on it and laugh and love and squeal (because Max was just too darn cute with that red balloon!). I truly believe in the importance of documenting life and from that I was put in touch with The Olivia Act. The Olivia Act was set up by a Connecticut photographer as a way to encourage other photographers to give back. We were asked to offer a free 30 minute session to a family in need who may not have gotten a professional photography session otherwise. The family is chosen through nominations written by their family, friends and neighbors within that family's town.
So, I am joining in and offering a free, 30 minute session to one family, along with a DVD of the images and an 8X10 print that they can frame and have in their home forever. If you would like to nominate a Franklin/Boston area family, please e-mail me personally at aubrey@aubreybgreene.com and tell me why this family should be the ones to receive this gift. I will be accepting nominations via e-mail until January 18, 2013.
Please spread the word however you can :) If you would like to find a participating photographer in your area, please check out The Olivia Act blog here.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Aubrey B Greene Photography Blog using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Historical Museum: Happy Birthday Ben!
Sunday 1/20/13 Happy Birthday Ben!
Celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday and hear Vera Meyer on the Glass Harmonica, and amazing musical instrument invented by Franklin himself.
Franklin Historical Museum is open from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday
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