While running Tuesday morning (12/21/10), I stopped to record with my Android phone this video segment of traffic on RT 140 in front of the former KofC building.
Not a great time to sample the traffic as neither the Taco Bell nor Wendy's would be open at this time (about 8:30 AM). A better time would be around lunch or in the evening rush hour.
The traffic was also somewhat slower today due to the snowy road conditions. It would be quicker if the roads were dry.
Would MA Highway consider lowering the speed limit from 40 to 30? I figure that would help. Most folks tend to go over the speed posted limit anyway so if it is posted at 40 folks will go 45-50. If posted at 30, folks will go 35-40. Getting the traffic to go slower would allow more time for a decision on when to safely turn.
What do you think?
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Inside the chicken and egg story
Christopher L. Foote, a senior economist and policy advisor in the research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, currently serves as advisor to the Center for Behavioral Economics and Decisionmaking. Chris covers the "Great Recession" in a series of segments from one talk for the Boston Fed with good insights specifically for MA and New England.
The first of the series is available at this link. The remainder in the series can be found within the video player on the Boston Fed Reserve website. The player allows for linking but not embedding.
http://www.bos.frb.org/videos/index.htm?bcpid=645289453001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAGFYn89E~,aFDfVsMsQ7Xbd2TWIkONvAkTltKaGd6w&bclid=701977326001&bctid=704600475001
Franklin, MA
The first of the series is available at this link. The remainder in the series can be found within the video player on the Boston Fed Reserve website. The player allows for linking but not embedding.
http://www.bos.frb.org/videos/index.htm?bcpid=645289453001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAGFYn89E~,aFDfVsMsQ7Xbd2TWIkONvAkTltKaGd6w&bclid=701977326001&bctid=704600475001
Franklin, MA
"heroes need to be honored and remembered"
The signs, expected to cost $1,800, will be placed on Franklin streets where the soldiers were born or lived. The town's Rotary Clubhas pledged $1,000 toward the project and former Town Councilor Chris Feeley has offered to cover the remainder of the cost, said Town Councilor Tina Powderly.
"What this really allowed us to do is focus on the lives and legacy of these men rather than raising funds," Powderly said, adding she and lifelong Franklin resident Rose Turco have spent several months examining scrapbooks and newspaper clippings that reference the soldiers. "This community very, very much supports its veterans and that says a lot about the character of the residents."
Franklin WWII heroes sign project gets a big boost
from The Milford Daily News News RSSFranklin, MA
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Franklin, MA: Planning Board - 12/20/10 - Agenda
The agenda for the Planning Board meeting on Dec 20, 2010 is attached below. The hearing for the proposal to redo the Knights of Columbus property is scheduled to be continued.
Planning Board Agenda 12-20-10
Franklin, MA
Planning Board Agenda 12-20-10
Franklin, MA
In the News - road reparis
Joan Hallett, 69, who has lived in Franklin for 47 years, said she'd like to see smoother roads, but realizes the town also needs to fund emergency services and schools.
"There's not much you can do if you don't have the money," she said.
Read the full article here:
Franklin struggling to keep up with road repairs
Franklin, MA
Saturday, December 18, 2010
College information proposal
A lot of high school seniors are working on college applications. Many spent some time traveling this summer to make college campus visits. The college selection process can be challenging. All the schools tout their information in the best way they can. How do you make sense of it all? Dr. Bridget Terry Long, Professor of Education and Economics at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has an idea on how to make more information available and more easily understood.
Download the introduction and summary (pdf)
Download this report (pdf)
Franklin, MA
As an initial step, the federal government should continue as well as expand its activities to produce the types of information needed to help individuals with their college decisions. There should be information on cost and affordability. In addition to the total cost and net price estimates currently produced, potential students would be given information on aid for low-income students, the debt levels, and loan default rates of previous students. To reflect on the college experience, institutions would continue to report information on expenditures so that current and future students would know where their college is putting their money. Additionally, colleges would be required to give more detailed information on retention and graduation rates, which would then be listed relative to similar peer institutions.
Finally, and perhaps most important, information must be collected on the potential benefits and returns of an institution. Data should be collected on employment rates, salary information, and in acknowledgment that income is not a complete measure of a school’s return, alumni satisfaction rates. Figure 1 summarizes the key pieces of information that would make up a college’s scorecard.
Once the key facts have been collected, this information would then be packaged for families in more usable ways than current efforts. In this paper, I propose three main ways of presenting the college data, each increasing in the level of details given.You can read the remainder of the article here
Download the introduction and summary (pdf)
Download this report (pdf)
Franklin, MA
Friday, December 17, 2010
DOR will save the Commonwealth more than $120,000
A couple of updates on the tax filing changes coming in 2011:
Related post on tax filing dates for April 2011
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/mark-your-calendars-for-two-tax-filing.html
Franklin, MA
The growth of electronic tax filing has prompted DOR to make changes in the booklet of forms and schedules that are mailed to taxpayers. A minority of taxpayers, less than 300,000 out of 3.4 million tax filers, submitted state income tax returns on paper last year using the form DOR sent to them in the mail.
Those same taxpayers will receive a paper booklet in January, 2011, but it will be a slimmer version than in years past because it will not have printed instructions or duplicate copies of tax forms and related schedules......
It's worth noting that the federal Internal Revenue Service announced in October that it will no longer mail paper income tax packages to either businesses or individuals. In its press release, the IRS said it "was taking this step because of the continued growth in electronic filing and the availability of free options to taxpayers, as well as to help reduce costs."
Read the full post from the Commonwealth Conversations website here
Related post on tax filing dates for April 2011
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/mark-your-calendars-for-two-tax-filing.html
Franklin, MA
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Chapter 70 Funding (video)
The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center published a fact sheet on Chapter 70 funding earlier this year and has now provided a video summary of the formula:
BTW - did you catch the Globe editorial on the regionalization opportunity in Franklin County?
Franklin, MA
BTW - did you catch the Globe editorial on the regionalization opportunity in Franklin County?
Franklin, MA
Town Council - 12/15/10
The collection of posts from the Town Council meeting on Weds, Dec 15th can be found here
Franklin, MA
- Live reporting - Closing
- Live reporting - Legislation for Action
- Live reporting - Downtown zoning proposal
- Live reporting - license renewals
- Live reporting - Town Council
Franklin, MA
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Live reporting - Closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
vacancy at TriCounty, send an application to the Administrator
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Whalen - ask for a committee of some downtown business owners to work with Brian
Nutting - we have an economic subcommittee already in place and use them, add the business owners
yes, we can set it up for after the holidays
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - nominal wage increases for three years for the cafeteria workers, I appreciate their efforts.
A rash of highly vulgar and offensive comments from anonymous, I will not respond to those comments.
McGann - my son is going to
Pfeffer - received an email from P Cheli thanking the Police for delivering the dinner to the home of his mother who had fallen
McGann - thank you to the Police, merry Christmas to all
Pfeffer- Thanks to the Administrator for turning the trees back on down on the triangle
I heard we had a broken pipe at the Senior Center, shouldn't we have an alarm on that
Kelly- happy holidays
Jones - thanks to the Police Association for the lunch at the Senior Center
students from Davis Thayer were invited to do some caroling there
there are devices that can hep protect the systems,
Nutting - something can be an alarm and break at the same time
Whalen - happy holidays
Mason - I had a conversation with the editor last week as well as the level of negativism, to allow these comments to be published. It falls on the shoulders of the readers to report abuse. I feel it is the paper to police these comments. It is my hope that they will clean it up.
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed
Franklin, MA
vacancy at TriCounty, send an application to the Administrator
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Whalen - ask for a committee of some downtown business owners to work with Brian
Nutting - we have an economic subcommittee already in place and use them, add the business owners
yes, we can set it up for after the holidays
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - nominal wage increases for three years for the cafeteria workers, I appreciate their efforts.
A rash of highly vulgar and offensive comments from anonymous, I will not respond to those comments.
McGann - my son is going to
Pfeffer - received an email from P Cheli thanking the Police for delivering the dinner to the home of his mother who had fallen
McGann - thank you to the Police, merry Christmas to all
Pfeffer- Thanks to the Administrator for turning the trees back on down on the triangle
I heard we had a broken pipe at the Senior Center, shouldn't we have an alarm on that
Kelly- happy holidays
Jones - thanks to the Police Association for the lunch at the Senior Center
students from Davis Thayer were invited to do some caroling there
there are devices that can hep protect the systems,
Nutting - something can be an alarm and break at the same time
Whalen - happy holidays
Mason - I had a conversation with the editor last week as well as the level of negativism, to allow these comments to be published. It falls on the shoulders of the readers to report abuse. I feel it is the paper to police these comments. It is my hope that they will clean it up.
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Legislation for Action
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
group formed to work on Jeff Nutting's contract. He has been without a contract since June.
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-78: 1st Refusal Option on Chapter 61A Land on South Street
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0
Nutting - We were interest as the price was right until we did a walk through, We're concerned on a walk through about environmental issues, there are oil tanks, and other things in the ground, who knows what is really there.
2. Resolution 10-79: Legal Notices
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0
housekeeping
3. Resolution 10-80: 2011 Town Council Meeting Schedule
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0
4. Resolution 10-81: Request for Special Legislation, Re: Simplifying Procedure for Municipal Acceptance of Subdivision Roads
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0
Need to refile this as it had not passed, will work with Jim to try again.
If we can get it, this simplifies the process, other towns have done this
5. Resolution 10-82: Authorization for the Town Administrator to Execute Franklin High School Feasibility Study Agreement with Massachusetts School Building Authority
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0
We are meeting with them Thursday at 8:00 AM, for the feasibility phase only
Franklin, MA
group formed to work on Jeff Nutting's contract. He has been without a contract since June.
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-78: 1st Refusal Option on Chapter 61A Land on South Street
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0
Nutting - We were interest as the price was right until we did a walk through, We're concerned on a walk through about environmental issues, there are oil tanks, and other things in the ground, who knows what is really there.
2. Resolution 10-79: Legal Notices
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0
housekeeping
3. Resolution 10-80: 2011 Town Council Meeting Schedule
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0
4. Resolution 10-81: Request for Special Legislation, Re: Simplifying Procedure for Municipal Acceptance of Subdivision Roads
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0
Need to refile this as it had not passed, will work with Jim to try again.
If we can get it, this simplifies the process, other towns have done this
5. Resolution 10-82: Authorization for the Town Administrator to Execute Franklin High School Feasibility Study Agreement with Massachusetts School Building Authority
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0
We are meeting with them Thursday at 8:00 AM, for the feasibility phase only
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Downtown zoning proposal
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Creation of New Downtown Commercial Zoning District – Bryan Taberner
assisted by Nick Alferi (Conservation Agent) and Beth Dahlstrom (Planner)
The proposal document can be found here
Minor changes to the actual set of four bylaws from the first time here a couple of weeks ago
Changes based upon feedback from all parties
Attempting to make it easier to do business in downtown, that is to make it a 'by right' permitting process
this would reduce the uncertainty around a proposal due to the current 'special permit process'
Photo shown of downtown Franklin, taken from the Post Office corner and looking towards the Triangle area
McGann - question on definition of medical, professional use
Taberner - very general, some one licensed by the Commonwealth, the changes they are proposing would be split into three categories; medial/dental, professional, and 'other'.
They will look to define that and add that to the bylaw.
Proposing to reduce the front setback from 20 ft to 5 ft
add a side setback of 5 ft
this would allow for pedestrian navigation or green space
'by right' would allow a quicker permitting process
shown another picture of Main St looking from the triangle island towards the Post Office
two slides shown depicting a two story downtown and the shadows cast vs a five story build out and much more shadows (going up the buildings across the street)
Currently, there are no parking requirements for the C1 downtown
Under the proposal, there are minimal parking requirements
Also proposing a "Downtown Parking Trust Fund"
for those developments that don't put in parking, they could contribute to the fund
the accumulated funds would be used to improve and increase the number of Downtown public parking spaces
Nutting to summarize, eliminate what happened with Marini over the number of stories and parking spaces that took years to resolve. The rules are wishy-washy, the developers like to know what they are getting into. This is our attempt to get people to come in and say, "let's try this'
Kelly - Have you done a cost analysis on the 3 vs 4 story building for a developer
Taberner - no we have not, each lot size varies, so it would be hard to calculate. With mixed use development, your primary uses need to be revenue generators. With a downtown area, residential area would be a good choice. The T station is close by. It makes sense. We want to maintain the character of the downtown we have,
Pfeffer - I don't like this at all. Part of the viability is the mixed use, what doctor would come in downtown and go on the second floor. The whole downtown is going to be dug up with the traffic changes coming. I hope they can all stay, now they are all renters. If they leave, I hope we would be able to replace them with someone. If Simon's were to come in downtown, they would have to put up 600,000 to resolve their parking issue before they put a shovel in the ground. And the money would sit in a fund. I don't like this.
Taberner - is there a need to make any changes to the parking regulations?
Whether the amount of money is right or wrong, that is a council decision. The concept is something we should consider.
Whalen - this reminds me of the MCAS debate. I think this is a laudable goal. The goal of making it easy for a developer to understand what the rules are. Could we put together a committee with business owners to help work this into something.
McGann - this is first reading?
Nutting - this is just for discussion
McGann - does this trigger with a 30% change to the building?
Nutting - no, the renovations would have to come up to building code that is one thing. The bylaws would not be applicable.
Powderly - ??
Taberner - if a restaurant would go away and be replaced by a retail operation, they are both allowed so this would not change it.
Jones - Is this a major pressing issue?
Nutting - this is like the other action that the council has taken, better to take it and make the changes before the economy turns around. Is it pressing no, is it the right thing to do? Yes.
Taberner - with the downtown being redone, in a few years, some folks will look at the downtown and say, that is a place I want to be. If you don't like the parking fund, we need to address parking in some way. If you want mixed use allowed by right, then we should scrap this. If you do, then we need to address some of these issues.
Mason - I agree that we need some rules here.
Nutting - we can come back with some modificatins
Stephen Pisini - I participated in the earlier meeting and since then we have been talking with other property owners, the property owners feel the C1 works. The real glue that held the downtown together was the services. The banks, insurance agencies, dance lessons, pictures frames, rather than limit and exclude uses, keep the mix. On either side of the downtown, you can see chains. Downtown is the home of the local business owners.
Listing of owners who signed the letter (to be added later)
Whalen - there are two broad constituents that we are trying to work, the existing owners and the possible developers
Pisini - the downtown area grew primarily sprung up from the train, they pre-date the automobile. If one property owner did rebuild, then the others would be isolated. Going forward, an existing owner would have to acquire other properties to do something.
Whalen - I think if you collaborate with Brian and others, I think we can get to a happy middle.
Rainier - we can only comment on the drafts that we have received. It does say that a change to use would affect the parking requirements. I don't understand the requirement to prevent doctor and other offices from being in the front retail space. I think the parking schedule is over-reaching and unrealistic. I did a study and the fees would be six figures and those fees would be a deterrent.
(three minute recess)
Franklin, MA
Creation of New Downtown Commercial Zoning District – Bryan Taberner
assisted by Nick Alferi (Conservation Agent) and Beth Dahlstrom (Planner)
The proposal document can be found here
Minor changes to the actual set of four bylaws from the first time here a couple of weeks ago
Changes based upon feedback from all parties
Attempting to make it easier to do business in downtown, that is to make it a 'by right' permitting process
this would reduce the uncertainty around a proposal due to the current 'special permit process'
Photo shown of downtown Franklin, taken from the Post Office corner and looking towards the Triangle area
McGann - question on definition of medical, professional use
Taberner - very general, some one licensed by the Commonwealth, the changes they are proposing would be split into three categories; medial/dental, professional, and 'other'.
They will look to define that and add that to the bylaw.
Proposing to reduce the front setback from 20 ft to 5 ft
add a side setback of 5 ft
this would allow for pedestrian navigation or green space
'by right' would allow a quicker permitting process
shown another picture of Main St looking from the triangle island towards the Post Office
two slides shown depicting a two story downtown and the shadows cast vs a five story build out and much more shadows (going up the buildings across the street)
Currently, there are no parking requirements for the C1 downtown
Under the proposal, there are minimal parking requirements
- Residential - 1.5 spaces per housing unit
- Non-residential - 3.5 parking spaces per 1,000 sq ft of gross floor area
Also proposing a "Downtown Parking Trust Fund"
for those developments that don't put in parking, they could contribute to the fund
the accumulated funds would be used to improve and increase the number of Downtown public parking spaces
Nutting to summarize, eliminate what happened with Marini over the number of stories and parking spaces that took years to resolve. The rules are wishy-washy, the developers like to know what they are getting into. This is our attempt to get people to come in and say, "let's try this'
Kelly - Have you done a cost analysis on the 3 vs 4 story building for a developer
Taberner - no we have not, each lot size varies, so it would be hard to calculate. With mixed use development, your primary uses need to be revenue generators. With a downtown area, residential area would be a good choice. The T station is close by. It makes sense. We want to maintain the character of the downtown we have,
Pfeffer - I don't like this at all. Part of the viability is the mixed use, what doctor would come in downtown and go on the second floor. The whole downtown is going to be dug up with the traffic changes coming. I hope they can all stay, now they are all renters. If they leave, I hope we would be able to replace them with someone. If Simon's were to come in downtown, they would have to put up 600,000 to resolve their parking issue before they put a shovel in the ground. And the money would sit in a fund. I don't like this.
Taberner - is there a need to make any changes to the parking regulations?
Whether the amount of money is right or wrong, that is a council decision. The concept is something we should consider.
Whalen - this reminds me of the MCAS debate. I think this is a laudable goal. The goal of making it easy for a developer to understand what the rules are. Could we put together a committee with business owners to help work this into something.
McGann - this is first reading?
Nutting - this is just for discussion
McGann - does this trigger with a 30% change to the building?
Nutting - no, the renovations would have to come up to building code that is one thing. The bylaws would not be applicable.
Powderly - ??
Taberner - if a restaurant would go away and be replaced by a retail operation, they are both allowed so this would not change it.
Jones - Is this a major pressing issue?
Nutting - this is like the other action that the council has taken, better to take it and make the changes before the economy turns around. Is it pressing no, is it the right thing to do? Yes.
Taberner - with the downtown being redone, in a few years, some folks will look at the downtown and say, that is a place I want to be. If you don't like the parking fund, we need to address parking in some way. If you want mixed use allowed by right, then we should scrap this. If you do, then we need to address some of these issues.
Mason - I agree that we need some rules here.
Nutting - we can come back with some modificatins
Stephen Pisini - I participated in the earlier meeting and since then we have been talking with other property owners, the property owners feel the C1 works. The real glue that held the downtown together was the services. The banks, insurance agencies, dance lessons, pictures frames, rather than limit and exclude uses, keep the mix. On either side of the downtown, you can see chains. Downtown is the home of the local business owners.
Listing of owners who signed the letter (to be added later)
Whalen - there are two broad constituents that we are trying to work, the existing owners and the possible developers
Pisini - the downtown area grew primarily sprung up from the train, they pre-date the automobile. If one property owner did rebuild, then the others would be isolated. Going forward, an existing owner would have to acquire other properties to do something.
Whalen - I think if you collaborate with Brian and others, I think we can get to a happy middle.
Rainier - we can only comment on the drafts that we have received. It does say that a change to use would affect the parking requirements. I don't understand the requirement to prevent doctor and other offices from being in the front retail space. I think the parking schedule is over-reaching and unrealistic. I did a study and the fees would be six figures and those fees would be a deterrent.
(three minute recess)
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - license renewals
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Annual Alcoholic Beverages License Renewals
one business on the list has paid (Alumni) two remaining will be held until they have paid. This is normal procedure
motion to approve, passed 7-0
Franklin, MA
Annual Alcoholic Beverages License Renewals
one business on the list has paid (Alumni) two remaining will be held until they have paid. This is normal procedure
motion to approve, passed 7-0
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Town Council
Present: Kelly, Jones, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Powderly
Absent: Vallee, Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none -
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
Franklin, MA
Absent: Vallee, Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none -
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
Franklin, MA
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