A new edition of The Franklin Connection has been published on the Town of Franklin web site.
Click the link below to read the latest edition
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| Senior Center - Open House Mar 31 |
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Senior Center: A new edition of The Franklin Connection is available
Franklin Schools: Upcoming Events
A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Hello All
Happy Spring / Yea for no more snow !
Last day of school June 20 ½ day
A few activities that may be of interest:
Franklin Education Foundation Trivia Bee/ TonightCome to the FEF Trivia Bee- 7:00 p.m at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School. Music, snacks and healthy competition for Town-wide dominance.
PARCC Pilot Assessment Parent WorkshopMarch 20 at Horace Mann MS 6:30 p.m. - Panel presentation and hands on workshops with sample questions. Breakout sessions for K-5, 6-8 and 9-12.
Putting for Patients/ FHS Community Service ClubGet your golf skills ready for the good weather- participate in Putting for Patients, a town-wide fun-filled afternoon of mini-golf to benefit Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. Open to students and adults of all ages. Sponsored and organized by FHS students. Sunday, April 6 from 1:00-4:00 at FHS. For more information see flyer on FPS web site News You Can Use: http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_Webdocs/news/news or on the web: https://sites.google.com/site/franklinhighcsc/putting-for-patients-1
Best Buddies 2nd Annual Dodgeball TournamentThe Best Buddies and the Franklin Schools are pleased to announce that the tournament will be held on Sunday May 4th from 2-5 p.m. at Horace Mann Middle School. Teams can sign up in all age brackets and the games use safety "foam/sponge" balls. For more information see News You Can Use website: http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_Webdocs/news/news or www.facebook.com/mberthia or email Mark Berthiaume at mberthia09@gmail.com. Last year $15,000 was raised to support Best Buddies programs.
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| Franklin Municipal Building |
This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Town Council - 03/19/14
The collection of posts reported live during the Town Council meeting of March 19, 2014.
- Live reporting - Closing
- Live reporting: Legislation
- Live reporting - liquor license discussion
- Live reporting: DPW update - Initiative 2014
- Live reporting: DPW update - road projects
- Live Reporting: Town Council - Mar 19, 2014
The published agenda and documents as released for this meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-mar-19.html
Live reporting - Closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
affordable housing trust looking for housing to buy to turn around for affordable hosing
the medical marijuana is a grow only facility, it is not a dispensary
it was overwhelming approved by the Town voters, it was zoned appropriately with tight security
the permittee is going through the permitting process
L. OLD BUSINESS
4th of July report is spare in details
M. NEW BUSINESS
following up on the housing trust, we are a cash buyer
8 page application
we have $1.2 M to spend and use for affordable housing
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Jones - congratulate Thayer PCC, raised $17,000 last Saturday
FEF is hosting the trivia bee, good luck to them
Vallee - I will give this to the Citizens Committee to look at a hospital to open a triage center
Kelly - all the phone numbers are on the website, don't play to the rumor mill
don't be afraid to call us, we will talk through the discussion
Padula - I talked to Dr Rooney about the issue
we had an issue recently and the police and fire were really huge taking care of us
this council voted 5-4 last time, for peopple think the council will go one way, a 5-4 decision is not the case
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn
Live reporting: Legislation
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
meeting at a hospital, we transport over 1,000 a year to Milford. We may not get a hospital in town, I understand that but we may be able to get a clinic so they would be able to get some urgent care
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-14: Purchase of land at 92 Wachusett Street – Authorization and Appropriation – Requires 2/3 Vote
Padula recused himself to avoid a conflict
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 (via roll call)
2. Bylaw Amendment 14-731:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0
trash fee rate increase from 212 to 216 effective July 1
there is a cost of living increase in both the collection and disposal costs, use of reserves will avoid a further increase. This is the last year of the 5 year contract which we'll then re-bid for the next term
some folks have a second recycling bin, more have a second trash, the increase for the second is not double as the truck is already going there
Live reporting - liquor license discussion
Wine & Malt Package Store License
Kelly - I was looking to set up a protocol to so everyone would be aware and be able to respond if they so choose
Mercer - I'd like to see one policy for both liquor as well as the beer/wine
Cerel - most desirable licenses are the all alcohol and package, they can free up with sale of business or from the census update
Nutting - we'll work to get a policy drafted
Cerel - the licenses are structured so they are subject to the Town Council approval no matter the other terms of sale. There is a movement afoot on Beacon Hill for the legislature to get out of the business and leave it to the local authorities (i.e. Town Council)
Kelly - I was looking to set up a protocol to so everyone would be aware and be able to respond if they so choose
Mercer - I'd like to see one policy for both liquor as well as the beer/wine
Cerel - most desirable licenses are the all alcohol and package, they can free up with sale of business or from the census update
Nutting - we'll work to get a policy drafted
Cerel - the licenses are structured so they are subject to the Town Council approval no matter the other terms of sale. There is a movement afoot on Beacon Hill for the legislature to get out of the business and leave it to the local authorities (i.e. Town Council)
Live reporting: DPW update - Initiative 2014
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director – Presentation: Roads, Water, Trash, & Lincoln Street
Robert Cantoreggi, Director
Deacon Perrotta, Deputy Director
Mike Maglio, Town Engineer
Laurie Ruszula, Water and Sewer Superintendent
overall road rating is 76, was 77 when the first analysis was completed last year
lack funding for pavement presentation
Chap 90 funding varies from year to year
Council appropriations vary depending upon 'free cash' and other priorities
looking for $1.5 million for road improvements, pavement preservation
the total backlog is $42M for all the roads
Would like to add sidewalks where they don't exist
Q - Regent Circle?
A - this would be subject to the $7.5 M bond for the water bond
We don't have a consistent source of funding for the roads. We need to decide to do an dedicated override of something to obtain funding
Q - triage for the roads?
A - there are two programs, one is the water line replacement program and one is the maintenance. Some of the 'triage' would be crack seal, chip seal, overlay extends the life of the road. Ultimately we would need to replace the road.
Q - so the people in town understand what we are doing, short of replacement what are we doing?
A - chip seal on Chestnut will last but not as long as Longabardi which takes less traffic
Q - if we don't do the override, what do we do?
A - we present to the Council the best five year plan. The roads are just going to get worse. Think of Franklin like a wagon wheel, a hub with lots of spokes. We have done the main ones, but the lesser roads all the subdivisions are coming due at once.
A $1.5M would go a long way to handling the road problems. The price of asphalt affects things, this is a strong plan.
Q - if we were to do an override, we could have to do it every year?
A - no, if it is dedicated, it stays for the purpose unless the vote is changed.
$130 for the average taxpayer per year = the $1.5M
Q - if the $1.5M get us there, other wise the $42M... so Brutus floats out of here and doesn't need to come back
A - assuming the State doesn't change their funds
Q - we have an app that we have been using, can you tell us how it has been going?
A - rough figures, we have received 103 about potholes, 45 about street lights
10-15% come from the phone, the rest from the computer systems
Q - what is the policy for mailboxes?
A - the current policy if for reimbursement up to $40
Update on the holidays for trash collection
trash delayed one day for the major holidays, not the current 10
with one day, you can fall back on Saturday, if there are two delays, you are into the next week
it would help to reduce by eliminating the lesser holidays, would not be effective until next fiscal year (after July 2014)
We are building cool parks how many other communities are doing that?
We will be doing High St when we do the Main St work
The presentation doc can also be found here
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczMm9OLXRhTHBuUFk/edit
Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director – Presentation: Roads, Water, Trash, & Lincoln Street
Robert Cantoreggi, Director
Deacon Perrotta, Deputy Director
Mike Maglio, Town Engineer
Laurie Ruszula, Water and Sewer Superintendent
overall road rating is 76, was 77 when the first analysis was completed last year
lack funding for pavement presentation
Chap 90 funding varies from year to year
Council appropriations vary depending upon 'free cash' and other priorities
looking for $1.5 million for road improvements, pavement preservation
the total backlog is $42M for all the roads
Would like to add sidewalks where they don't exist
Q - Regent Circle?
A - this would be subject to the $7.5 M bond for the water bond
We don't have a consistent source of funding for the roads. We need to decide to do an dedicated override of something to obtain funding
Q - triage for the roads?
A - there are two programs, one is the water line replacement program and one is the maintenance. Some of the 'triage' would be crack seal, chip seal, overlay extends the life of the road. Ultimately we would need to replace the road.
Q - so the people in town understand what we are doing, short of replacement what are we doing?
A - chip seal on Chestnut will last but not as long as Longabardi which takes less traffic
Q - if we don't do the override, what do we do?
A - we present to the Council the best five year plan. The roads are just going to get worse. Think of Franklin like a wagon wheel, a hub with lots of spokes. We have done the main ones, but the lesser roads all the subdivisions are coming due at once.
A $1.5M would go a long way to handling the road problems. The price of asphalt affects things, this is a strong plan.
Q - if we were to do an override, we could have to do it every year?
A - no, if it is dedicated, it stays for the purpose unless the vote is changed.
$130 for the average taxpayer per year = the $1.5M
Q - if the $1.5M get us there, other wise the $42M... so Brutus floats out of here and doesn't need to come back
A - assuming the State doesn't change their funds
Q - we have an app that we have been using, can you tell us how it has been going?
A - rough figures, we have received 103 about potholes, 45 about street lights
10-15% come from the phone, the rest from the computer systems
Q - what is the policy for mailboxes?
A - the current policy if for reimbursement up to $40
Update on the holidays for trash collection
trash delayed one day for the major holidays, not the current 10
with one day, you can fall back on Saturday, if there are two delays, you are into the next week
it would help to reduce by eliminating the lesser holidays, would not be effective until next fiscal year (after July 2014)
We are building cool parks how many other communities are doing that?
We will be doing High St when we do the Main St work
The presentation doc can also be found here
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczMm9OLXRhTHBuUFk/edit
Live reporting: DPW update - road projects
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director – Presentation: Roads, Water, Trash, & Lincoln Street
Robert Cantoreggi, Director
Deacon Perrotta, Deputy Director
Mike Maglio, Town Engineer
Laurie Ruszula, Water and Sewer Superintendent
The presentation can also be found here
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczcERMZ3JqYVltV0E/edit
Live Reporting: Town Council - Mar 19, 2014
Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams
Absent: None
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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
– Hillside Nurseries
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none
E. APPOINTMENTS
»Historical Commission - Caitlin Coyne
motion to approve, passed 9-0
»Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Eric Buliung
motion to approve, passed 9-0
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
Absent: None
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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
– Hillside Nurseries
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none
E. APPOINTMENTS
»Historical Commission - Caitlin Coyne
motion to approve, passed 9-0
»Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Eric Buliung
motion to approve, passed 9-0
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #3
The Finance Committee has their next in the series of budget hearings scheduled for Thursday, Mar 20 at 7:00 PM.
The agenda is scheduled to review the budget for the Senior Center, the Library, the Police and Fire Dept as well as the regional dispatch function.
The agenda document can be viewed here
Additional information on the Finance Committee can be found on their webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Finance/index
The notes from the prior budget hearings can be found here
#1
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html
#2
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_13.html
The agenda is scheduled to review the budget for the Senior Center, the Library, the Police and Fire Dept as well as the regional dispatch function.
The agenda document can be viewed here
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| Franklin Municipal Building |
Additional information on the Finance Committee can be found on their webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Finance/index
The notes from the prior budget hearings can be found here
#1
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html
#2
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget_13.html
Senior Center - Open House - March 31
The Franklin Senior Center will hold an open house on Monday, March 31.
Call to sign up -> Phone: 508 520-4945
Additional details can be found in this flyer (see below) or on the Franklin Senior Center webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/openhouse14.pdf
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| Franklin Senior Center - Open House - March 31, 2014 |
Call to sign up -> Phone: 508 520-4945
Additional details can be found in this flyer (see below) or on the Franklin Senior Center webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/openhouse14.pdf
Save the Date: Heart Healthy Franklin - Apr 25
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| DCR Heart Healthy Trails - Franklin Kick off |
Hope you can join us there. Formal invite to follow.
Franklin Library: Saving Mr Banks
Saturday matinee for "Saving Mr Banks" at the Franklin Library. Saturday, Mar 22.
Additional information on the movie can be found here
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140373/
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/03/saving-mr-banks.html
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| Saving Mr Banks |
Additional information on the movie can be found here
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140373/
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/03/saving-mr-banks.html
Dog lovers: Meet the Author CATHY SYMONS
Meet the Author CATHY SYMONS
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| Blind Devotion |
“Blind dogs aren't broken and can live happy, well adjusted lives.” Cathy Symons
on March 30thwww.destinationdogfranklin.com
at 3:00pm
at Destination Dog
7 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA
BLIND DEVOTION will be available for $12.00
Cathy will be speaking about Living with Blind and Visually Impaired Dogs and would be happy to sign your book at the event.
Light Refreshments will be served.
Cathy F. Sutton
Happy Tails Doggy Daycare, Inc.
www.happytailsddc.com
508-541-8587
MassBudget: The Governor's FY 2015 Budget Proposal for MassHealth (Medicaid) and Health Reform Programs
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108
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