Lifelong Learning: Sports, Exercise & Dance - All Winter Long

Franklin Public Schools          Lifelong Learning Institute The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning  at Franklin Presents Sports, Exercise and Dance All Winter Long Men's Basketball Have fun and work off those Holiday pounds Men's Basketball is a great way to burn calories and have fun at the same time. So shoot hoops for fun and health! The eight-week course begins Thursday, January 14. Register online now.  Just click here.  Yoga. Yoga. Yoga. Beginning January 12, Yoga is back and better than ever! On Tuesday and Wednesday you can take advantage of two different types of yoga.............and we know one is just right for you.  These eight week courses include Vinyasa Flow Yoga and Hatha Yoga.  Register online now. Just click here . Zumba and Zumba Basics A fusion of Latin and international music and dance Zumba is a fun and effective way to tone and sculpt the body with easy to follow dance steps and the principals of interval training! Zumba will make you smile!  Register online now Just click here.   Introducing Country Line Dancing Beginning Thursday, January 14 for 8 weeks  Country line dance is a popular style of dance in which a group of people performs a sequence of steps in unison while facing each other in rows. Line dancers usually form a series of rows in the middle of the dance floor. Country line dance incorporates many common dance moves into several different combinations. Many people enjoy the relaxed nature of country line dance. Because dancers move independently to the music, the sometimes stressful act of finding a partner does not exist. Register online now. Just click here               * * * * * * * * * * * * *   Adult Beginner Jazz Beginning Monday, January 11 for 8 weeks         This Adult Beginner Jazz Course will encompass components from jazz, modern, and ballet techniques. Students will warm up with stretching exercises, isolations, strengthening exercises, and "across the floor" exercises. The class ends with a combination that is usually fast-paced and danced to popular music. Jazz shoes are optional; socks or bare feet acceptable.  Register online now. Just click here   Contact Contact: Brenda Reed, Director Adult Education & Community Learning 508-613-1480 reedb@franklin.k12.ma.us www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com Adult Education Register Today "Instruction ends in the school-room, but education ends only with life." - Frederick W. Robertson

Forward this email FPS- Life Long Learning | 355 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Women's Success Network invites you - Feb 3

Women’s Success Network (WSN) invites you to join us for an evening of networking and connecting on Wednesday, February 3 from 6 – 9PM at Lake Pearl in Wrentham. The program is conducted by WSN’s own members and it consists of Table Topics: a selection of topics of expertise based on the women who are speaking. Come learn about everything from Health and Wellness to Investments and Real Estate, and Legal, from Mediation to Social Media and Blogging and many other topics.

screen grab of Women's Success Network webpage

WSN is one of the oldest and largest women’s networking group in Massachusetts. WSN offers a supportive environment for women to grow their businesses and build strong and lasting relationships. The monthly meetings feature networking, dinner and speakers related to business or personal growth. WSN members are fun, supportive, and energetic. The evening is geared for women to network with one another and we welcome guests to join our monthly meetings.

Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. To register for the next meeting and find out more details please visit https://www.wsninc.org by Tuesday, January 26th, 2016.

Senior Center: Memory Cafe for January

This month's Memory Cafe will be held as usual on the third Thursday of the month, January 21st at 3:00 at the Franklin Senior Center. 

The Memory Cafe is for Caregivers and their loved ones living with memory loss. It is a safe and supportive environment where families can socialize and feel at ease.

This month we are happy to have three or four Franklin middle and high school students who will be playing some older familiar tunes on the violin and viola. They will be led by Kathleen Woods Studio.

The Cafe is open to all in the community and free of charge. For more information please call Elaine Owens at 508-520-4945. We encourage you to sign up so that we have an idea as to how many we will have at each cafe. Refreshments are served!

Senior Center - Legislator feedback - Fri Jan 15th

Annual Report - 2015: Treasurer-Collector

Fiscal 2015 has been another very busy year in the Treasurer-Collector’s office.

The fiscal year began and ended with very low investment interest rates (MMDT – .20%). On the borrowing side, the low rates had a positive effect. In February of 2015 we refunded bonds from 2006 and 2007 for $6,920,000. The refinancing will generate total savings of $603,906 over the remaining life of the Bonds. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC was the winning bidder on the Bonds with an average interest rate of 1.931%.

Prior to the sale, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a municipal credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AA+ bond rating. The rating agency cited the Town’s very strong economy, strong management with good financial policies, strong budgetary flexibility, very strong liquidity, very strong debt and contingent liability position and strong institutional framework as positive credit factors.

In May of 2015 we issued a 1 year Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) for $3,250,000. It included $3 million for continued FHS construction and $250,000 for Library planning and design. TD Bank was the winning bidder on the BAN with a weighted average interest cost of .3747%.

During FY 2015, $152,140 was collected in back property taxes, interest and fees. Fourteen property owners paid off all outstanding taxes and redeemed their properties out of tax title. We continue to pursue delinquent taxes through the foreclosure process and there are currently 30 properties in Land Court. Since 2001 we have foreclosed on 55 properties. Some properties will eventually be auctioned off and the rest will remain as town property.

There were 899 Municipal Lien Certificates issued by the Treasurer-Collector’s office generating revenue of $44,950. Also collected was $2,856.00 in fees for duplicate bills and files that we supplied to tax services and escrow agents. During FY15, the Treasurer-Collector’s office printed and mailed 43,632 Real Estate Tax bills; 2,140 Personal Property Tax bills; 32,821 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax bills; and 39,359 Utility bills. The following Demands were also printed and mailed; 588 Real Estate Tax, 98 Personal Property Tax, and 4,422 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. There were 2,013 Motor Vehicle warrants issued in FY15. There were 14 Betterment releases (water, sewer and road) generating revenue of $56. We also collected $96,600 for backflow testing and $63,500 for Sprinkler/Hydrant charges.

The Treasurer also acts as the town’s parking clerk. Our deputy collector, Kelley and Ryan Associates of Hopedale, handles the billing and collection of parking tickets. During FY15 we collected $30,890 for parking violations.

I would like to thank all town departments for the timely and accurate turnover of fees to the Treasurer-Collector’s office. I also would like to thank the first-class staff of the Treasurer-Collector’s office for their continued hard work. Finally, I thank the citizens of Franklin for their continued support.

Respectfully submitted,

James P. Dacey
Treasurer-Collector

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"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]

http://ecode360.com/10432729?highlight=annual%20report,reports,annual,report#10432729

Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2015report.pdf

For additional information you can visit the Treasurer-Collector's page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Treasurer/index

screen grab of online bill payment service for Franklin

You can pay your water/sewer/trash bills online
https://unipaygold.unibank.com/Default.aspx?customerid=721

Radiolab - "The Fix" (audio)

Radiolab is one of the podcasts I have queued to listen to on the commute or when it is convenient. This episode is particularly catching as it discusses some hopeful advances on the addiction front.

"This episode we take a sober look at the throbbing, aching, craving desire states that return people (again and again) to the object of their addiction … and the pills that just might set them free. 

Reporter Amy O’Leary was fed up with her ex-boyfriend’s hard-drinking, when she discovered a French doctor’s memoir titled The End of My Addiction. The fix that he proposed seemed too good to be true. But her phone call with the doctor left her, and us, even more intrigued. Could this malady – so often seen as moral and spiritual - really be beaten back with a pill? 

We talk to addiction researcher Dr. Anna Rose Childress, addiction psychologist Dr. Mark Willenbring, journalist Gabrielle Glaser, The National Institute of Health’s Dr. Nora Volkow, and scores of people dealing with substance abuse as we try to figure out whether we're in the midst of a sea change in how we think about addiction."

via Radiolab - (Photo Credit: Jonathan Cohen/Flickr)

You can find additional reference link on the Radiolab webpage for this episode here
http://www.radiolab.org/story/addiction/

FHS basketball results; girls post win, boys lose tight game to Taunton

The FHS boys basketball team dropped a tight game against Taunton while the girls team won on Monday night. The results courtesy of Hockomock Sports.

Boys Basketball

Taunton, 57 @ Franklin, 53 – Final 

– Taunton outscored Franklin 20-10 in the final quarter to secure the win. Five different players scored in double figures for Taunton: Quan Roberson had 14 points, Tommy MacLean had 11 points, four rebounds and seven assists, Carlos Borrero had 11 points and five assists, Dominique Smith had 11 points and six rebounds and Jose Mercado had 10 points and eight rebounds. Franklin’s Tim Prunier had 15 points and four assists, sophomore Connor Peterson had 11 points and Kevin Gill had 10 points for the Panthers.

FHS Panthers

Girls Basketball

Franklin, 50 @ Taunton, 32 – Final 

– Lauren Rudolph was the top scorer for the Panthers with 15 points and Carli Koffinke added 11 for Franklin.

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-010416/



Ryan Lanigan, Editor-in-Chief of Hockomock Sports, provides an in-depth report on the boys game against Taunton:

With a two point lead and just under a minute to play, Taunton head coach Charlie Dacey called a timeout. With the inbounds coming just over half court, the Tigers tried to run a double screen to get junior Tommy MacLean an open look but Franklin covered it perfectly. 

Instead, senior point guard Carlos Borrero took off to the basket, drew a defender and used a perfect bounce pass to hit Dominique Smith for an easy bucket to extend the lead to four with just 40 seconds to play. 

Taunton’s defense held off Franklin’s ensuing chance and picked up a key 57-53 win on the road over the Panthers.

Continue reading the article online
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tauntons-late-push-earns-win-on-the-road-at-franklin/

"Porter Ranch Natural Gas Leak Spews 150 Million Pounds of Methane, Will Take Months to Fix" (video)

In light of the proposed expansion of the gas pipeline through Franklin, this story should see daylight. 

"In the nation’s biggest environmental disaster since the BP oil spill, a runaway natural gas leak above Los Angeles has emitted more than 150 million pounds of methane. Thousands of residents in the community of Porter Ranch, California, have been evacuated and put in temporary housing. The fumes have caused headaches and nosebleeds. The company responsible, Southern California Gas Company, says it could take 3 to 4 months to stop the breach. 

We are joined by two guests: renowned consumer advocate and legal researcher Erin Brockovich, who helped win the biggest class action lawsuit in American history and is now working to seek justice for victims of the Porter Ranch gas leak, and David Balen, president of Renaissance Homeowners Association, which is located just outside of the breached well site."

http://ecowatch.com/2016/01/04/porter-ranch-methane-leak/?utm_source=EcoWatch%20List&utm_campaign=c62da27979-Top_News_1_4_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-c62da27979-86023293





Other resources reporting on this story:

http://www.scpr.org/news/2015/11/23/55836/porter-ranch-methane-leak-increasing-california-s/

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/epa-probes-porter-ranch-natural-gas-leak/story?id=36052183

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0104-gas-leak-20160104-story.html

http://www.dailynews.com/business/20160104/socalgas-expanding-resource-center-dealing-with-porter-ranch-gas-leak

Electric Youth 2016 Debuts Two Shows At THE BLACK BOX

Electric Youth (EY) 2016, the international touring ensemble of talented singer-dancers trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), headlines at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin on Saturday, January 9, debuting two shows at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, Electric Youth delivers a fun, high-energy evening of family entertainment with an extensive range of contemporary pop, classic rock, Broadway and country hits for audiences all ages. The EY shows at THE BLACK BOX will feature fully choreographed performances of Adele, Pat Benatar, Beyonce, The Black Crowes, Gladys Night, Queen, Sugarland, Stevie Wonder and more.

Electric Youth - 2016

Selected annually by audition, the group is chosen for superior musicianship, stage presence, and “triple threat” accomplishments in voice, dance, and acting. This season’s ensemble of performers, ages 14-18, studies multiple dance disciplines, voice, and acting at FSPA. Electric Youth 2016 includes Madison Asgeirsson, Brooke Collins, Aaron Frongillo, Jocelyn Jones, Lauren Szczepanowski and Melissa Wyner of Franklin; Michael Fajardo of Hopkinton; Sam Evans and Colie Vancura of Medfield; Katie Gray of Milford; Kylee Rollins of North Attleboro; Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; and Jenna McDermott and Susauna Wickstrom of Wrentham.

The EY singer-dancers are backed by Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with music legends Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Van Morrison and many others.

“The band that tours with EY really raises the level of experience for our singer-dancers and audiences alike,” says Director Raye Lynn Mercer. “These musicians have performed with A-list entertainers, and the music is first-rate. The arranging team for Electric Youth, including several of the band members, writes custom arrangements for EY that allow the group to take classic songs and make them their own.”

EY’s show band features Kenny Hadley on drums, Arnie Krakowsky on tenor saxophone, Bill Miele on bass, Artie Montanaro on trombone, Walter Platt on trumpet, Ken Reid on baritone saxophone, Mark White on guitar and Mercer on piano. Under the direction of Mark Poniatowski, musical arrangers for Electric Youth are Rick Hammett, Jeff Perry, Walter Platt, Poniatowski, Mark White and Ben Whiting. Hallie Wetzell is Electric Youth’s Vocal Director. Choreographers include Mercer, Casey Andrade, Cheryl Madeux, Nick Paone and Kellie Stamp.

Electric Youth has released six professional albums and toured Europe 12 times, with performances at England’s Arundel Festival, Disneyland Paris, professional theaters in Bristol, London and Windsor, and such renowned venues as Sanremo’s Ariston Theatre and Vienna’s Konzerthaus, Musikverein and Schonbrunn Palace. 

EY has also headlined Fourth of July shows for U.S. troops and their families stationed in Italy at Camp Ederle, Camp Darby, and Aviano Air Force Base. The ensemble has performed on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, on Fox-TV and WBZ Radio, and at Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, Mechanics Hall, the Smithsonian Museum Theater and the United Nations. EY’s music, including the 2014 album Power Chord is available at amazon.com and iTunes. Electric Youth 2016 will tour Austria and Italy this summer.

Tickets for Electric Youth In Concert at THE BLACK BOX are $26, with $18 tickets available for children 12 and under at the first show only. To purchase tickets, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com, stop by the box office at 34 Main Street in Franklin, or call (508) 528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. Light pub fare and cash bar are available. For more information about Electric Youth, visit www.electricyouth.com.

Annual Report - 2015: Board of Assessors

Annual Revaluation Update

The revaluation of all real and personal property in the Town of Franklin was completed Fall 2014 in preparation for Actual Fiscal Year 2015 3rd quarter tax bills. Following is a brief review of that achievement.

Data Collection

Thirteen years have now passed since we installed the real estate valuation and assessment administration software developed by Patriot Properties, Inc. Because our start-up data was from a different form of valuation system and most of our data had not been refreshed in nearly ten years, it was necessary to complete a town-wide data recollection program prior to finalizing the FY 2005 valuations. Patriot Properties was hired for this task. Over the past 10 years, our appraisal staff has performed the on-going property exterior measuring and interior inspecting for all real estate classes. Such reviews are done for the Department of Revenue (DOR) required cyclical program, as well as for building permitted changes, pre-appraisal and abatement verifications.

Field Review

In addition to individual property on-site review, field reviews are required periodically to check for obvious data accuracy and consistency. This drive-by review provides another level of assurance that when valuation schedules are applied, the results will be “Fair and Equitable”. Commercial/Industrial/Apartment Valuations Annually there are analyses of sales data as well as income and expense market data. The Board contracted Patriot to work with our Director to establish an income approach to value for each property. All requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue were met through final approval of the FY 2015 valuations.

Sales Analysis

The majority of the sales analysis was completed by September 2014, and the interpretation of sales continued through the next two stages of valuation. The town-wide program resulted in a valuation system that was applied uniformly throughout the town, while reflecting all the adjustments warranted individually and by neighborhood, to result in “Full and Fair Cash Values” as per Massachusetts General Law.

Value Generation

A system of valuation was established based on valid property sales and where applicable the income approach to value. These schedules concluded from the market were then uniformly applied to all taxable and exempt real property.

Final Value Review

Final reviews were completed in preparation for the DOR review. These include studies of various computer generated reports to check for value consistency, final field checks required, and for DOR documentation and its analyses.

DOR Review and Final Approval

Any on-site and statistical reviews by the DOR took place from April to September 2014. The appraisal staff provided files, generated property records, answered questions and addressed any concerns. At the conclusion of the DOR review, we were granted approval authorizing public disclosure.

Public Disclosure

The DOR approved valuations were available for disclosure to the property owners. While the administrative staff provided property record cards and general data reviews, the appraisers conducted informal hearings on valuations.

Personal Property

Business assets and those of utilities are reviewed for valuation as taxable Personal Property. For fourteen fiscal years we have engaged the specialized services of Real Estate Research Consultants (RRC) in the discovery and valuation of these accounts. These services have served us well, resulting in DOR approval and consistently defendable valuations. Also, considerable new growth has been certified annually. Additionally, the RRC Personal Property Software installed in our office has benefited us. The personal property valuation formulas are very straightforward, and the administrative capabilities have met our needs.

Classification Hearing and Tax Commitment

Following some discussion and a few presentations relative to single versus split tax rates, the Council approved a single tax rate at $14.84 per $1,000 of taxable value as calculated by the Board for all property classes. The tax commitment and mailing were timely for an actual 3rd quarter tax bill.

Abatement Reviews

Upon mailing of the tax bills and on or before the due date of the first actual bill, property owners have an opportunity to file an Abatement Application on the basis of overvaluation or misclassification. 68 abatements applications were filed of 11,492 taxable accounts, or 6/10ths of 1%. Generally those with merit were resolved through our conducting a complete on-site exterior measuring and interior inspection. Usually a valuation discrepancy is the result of a data error or as a result of an inspection appointment not being arranged and thus the data having been “estimated”.

Technology Improvements

In addition to our state-of-the-art software for the valuation and administration of both real and personal property, Cartographic Associates, Inc. (CAI) of Littleton, NH has continued to maintain the digital/GIS-mapping program it first developed for us in FY 2005. Following aerial photography and planimetric (physical features) mapping, CAI constructed cadastral tax maps (depicting parcels) through the use of over 5,000 plans and over 15,000 deeds. These new maps are continuously in our process of reconciliation with our property records for consistency in both parcel inventory and land area. With the support of Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and the Town Council, we have capacity in our Patriot software to link and utilize the maps with our assessment file. In addition, for the past ten years we have provided our tax maps on the web for the benefit of both the Town staff and the general public.

Appraisal and Administrative Staffing

The use of automation has minimized the former heavy burden of traditional data processing. Due to this and numerous other office improvements, the Town approved our Staff Restructuring Plan. We have adjusted our administrative support staff to Board Secretary Anne Covell who is responsible for continuing to improve our service to the public at the counter and by phone. She focuses her efforts on providing and reviewing public records, Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitments and Abatements, Exemption Applications, the general and specific support to the Appraisal Staff and any other assignments as required. She continues to train in various administrative duties and computer applications. We thank Anne for her efforts in 35 years of service to the Board. The Appraisers have made special efforts in the development and implementation of usable written instructions for the assessing office procedures and for MUNIS financial software applications. These instructions were developed consistent with all Mass. General Law and DOR requirements.

Appraisers

We thank Kevin W. Doyle, Director of Assessing for his diligence especially as Director beginning following his first two years here. He has overseen the completion of all our work these past fourteen fiscal years, five full revaluations and nine interim years of market adjustments. We are also pleased with the support work of Appraiser Peter Mooney since August 2004 and of Appraiser David Ruberti since July 2005. Our Director received his Massachusetts Accredited Assessor (MAA) in 1990. Within the past eight years both Appraisers completed their designation required education and experience, being granted their MAA designations and maintaining the periodic recertification required.

Town Revenue Enhancements

In addition to meeting all state requirements as well as daily office oversight, the Director and Appraisers have achieved many additional improvements to benefit the Town taxpayers. One such is the efficiencies built into the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitment and Abatement processes in conjunction with the new MUNIS tax software installation. These excise taxes represent about 4.5 million dollars in locally raised annual revenue, or about 6.5% of locally raised tax revenue. We assure the citizens that like real and personal property, taxes on these are assessed and abated appropriately and uniformly for the maximum benefit of all. Registry of Motor Vehicles’ automation aided the Director and Appraisers to further enhance revenue in assessing dealer and repair plate registrations. As well, with the automation improvements of the Environmental Police, this professional staff successfully developed a new annual revenue stream in the identification and assessment of excise taxes on boats principally situated in the Town of Franklin.

On-site Periodic Property Reviews

Because we have initiated the cyclical property remeasurement and re-inspection program acceptable to the Massachusetts DOR, we continue to make various public information efforts to assure property owners have advance information about this on-going program. Briefly, please note that the purpose of these property visits is to verify that the correct data is being used in the determination of valuations to achieve “full and fair cash value” in accordance with Mass. General Law Chapter 59. The Board appreciates the general public’s cooperation in its efforts to serve all property owners in all property types to assure fair and uniform values.

Your Elected Board of Assessors

Before entering the performance of his/her duties, each Assessor upon election has taken the oath of office specific to assessors. Massachusetts General Law has provided that because the DOR Commissioner of Revenue has regulatory oversight of assessing in every city and town, the Commissioner likewise determines the training requirements for the assessors and any assistants. At this time, the Commissioner has determined Course 101, including the Classification Training Workshop, meets the minimum requirements. All three assessors have completed these and have been certified as such by the Commissioner of Revenue.

The Board looks forward to continuing education opportunities offered by the MA DOR and the professional associations, the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers (MAAO) and the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO). The assessors have attended
seminars and workshops to broaden and reinforce their understanding of property tax law.

In particular, the Board has focused on current and possible future tax relief and deferral options for Franklin’s elder citizens. To that goal following meetings of the Town Senior Outreach Committee, last fall the Board, its Staff and the Office of the Council on Aging continued a broad-based effort to reach seniors. This resulted in successfully providing tax relief (exemption) information to additional seniors who owned and occupied their homes.

Also, with the valued assistance of Veterans Agent Bob Fahey, special efforts were made to identify veterans and their surviving spouses entitled to state exemptions, much of it reimbursable to the Town. At the close of FY 2015, Bob retired as Veterans’ Agent; his dedication to veterans and his assistance to our Board and Staff in these matters is remembered and always appreciated.

All these efforts are consistent with the Board of Assessors commitment to meet its challenges as key Town Financial Team members to the benefit of all the citizens of the Town of Franklin.

The Board thanks John Neas for his service as a member. Regretfully, John resigned as a result of the demands on him as a new full-time assessing director for the Town of Hopkinton. The Board was fortunate to receive the interest of Franklin resident Town of Medway full-time assessing director Donna Greenwood who was appointed by the Town Council as an interim member until the Fall 2015 election. As we write, the Board of Assessors and its Staff are preparing to finalize the Real and Personal Property Appraisal files for Interim Fiscal Year 2016 subject to DOR review and Final Certification.

Respectfully submitted,

W. Ken Norman, Chairman
Christopher K. Feeley, Assessor
Donna Greenwood, Assessor
Franklin Board of Assessors

image from Board of Assessors page on Town of Franklin website

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"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]

http://ecode360.com/10432729?highlight=annual%20report,reports,annual,report#10432729

Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015 http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2015report.pdf

Additional information can be found on the Board of Assessors page

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Assessors/index

In the News: Franklin projects for 2016, deadly heroin batch

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The coming year should bring about several new initiatives for Franklin, including work on the senior center, library and roads. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said a variety of new projects would be taking shape in 2016. One of the largest, he said, would be the start of a one-year, $10.5 million renovation and expansion project at the Franklin Public Library. 

Nutting estimated the project - which would, among other things, add meeting space and update the buildings HVAC and sprinkler systems - would begin in late spring. The work will require the library building to close for a year, and library services to be housed in a temporary location, yet to be determined.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160103/library-senior-center-projects-due-in-2016

one of the architectural photos showing the addition to the Library

An especially lethal batch of heroin is believed to have caused multiple deaths in Western Massachusetts in the last five days, and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. issued a warning Sunday about heroin packaged with the label "Hollywood." 

Police in Chicopee and Holyoke as well as the Hampden County District Attorney's office alerted the public this weekend after police responded to overdoses and found bags of heroin with the "Hollywood" label.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160103/da-warns-of-lethal-heroin-batch

In the News: food drive a success, pipeline to be discussed by Town Council

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Though the donations have yet to be fully accounted for, organizers said the Franklin Food Elves drive was successful once again this year. 

The elves held their tenth "12 Days of Donating" drive throughout December, with local schoolchildren seeking donations from their neighbors and area businesses putting out bins to gather items for the Franklin Food Pantry. 

Organizers said donations - though yet to be formally weighed by the pantry - were probably at or over the three tons the drive has garnered in the past couple of years. The official tabulation will come after the pantry re-opens following the New Year's holiday.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160103/franklin-food-elves-campaign-success

The Town Council's first meeting of the new year is slated to feature a discussion on a proposed natural gas pipeline set to pass through town. 

The council on Wednesday is scheduled to hear a presentation by residents concerned with the 119-mile Spectra Energy gas pipeline. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said resident James Hill would be speaking in opposition to the pipeline, which is planned to run through such area towns as Franklin, Milford, Bellingham and Medway. 

Spectra Energy has sought approval for a pipeline to expand the area's natural gas infrastructure and alleviate shortages, though area activists have questioned whether the project is needed.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160103/franklin-council-to-hold-session-on-pipeline

one of the many signs against the pipeline around Franklin

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 6, 2016

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– December 16, 2015

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting is also being recorded by others.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
– Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- Spectra Pipeline – James Hill

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 16-01: G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C, Property Tax Exemption
2. Resolution 16-02: Amending the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-off Abatement Program
3. Resolution 16-03: Acceptance of Gift – Recreation Dept.
4. Resolution 16-04: Grant of Utility Easement – 275 Beaver Street

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
– Fiscal Forecast

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
- Pending or threatened litigation

1. Proposed Excelon expansion of Medway electric generating facility pending before Energy Facilities Siting Board.
2. Proposed Spectra gas transmission line through Franklin.

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Municipal Building

The documents released for this agenda can be found on the Town of Franklin webiste
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2016%20Complete/010616.pdf

Annual Report - 2015: Dept of Public Works (DPW)

The Department of Public Works provides a wide range of services to the residents of Franklin. It is organized into seven (7) Divisions:

1. Administration
2. Engineering
3. Highway and Grounds (including Highway Maintenance and Construction, Central Motors, Snow & Ice Control, Parks, Town and School Grounds Maintenance and Forestry/Insect Control)
4. Water (including ground water withdrawals, water treatment and distribution)
5. Sewer
6. Solid Waste and Recycling (including the operation of the Beaver St. Recycling Center)
7. Street Lighting

DPW ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

The major functions of the Administrative Division includes developing capital projects, long range planning, intergovernmental relations and compliance, grant writing, processing various private construction permits, drain layer licenses, purchasing, budgeting, accounting and payroll, and multiple forms of utility billing.

Capital Projects
The Administrative Division, in conjunction with Engineering and the operating divisions, develop major capital projects.

• The HPP reconstruction of the downtown corridor continued throughout the year. The object of this work is to improve traffic flow through the downtown area and create an area that expands pedestrian access and is business friendly. This project will provide two-way traffic on Route 140 and will include the burying of utilities, period lighting, planters, sidewalks, brickwork, curbing and parking improvements in addition to an improved transition with Dean College.

The DPW continues to design and construct long-range projects over the next three to four years. Progress on specific capital construction projects is outlined in subsequent portions of this report.

It is important to note that many of these projects are performed by existing staff members and save significant amounts of money by avoiding the need to contract out these services. The process of planning, designing, permitting and constructing these projects is an arduous task that requires a great level of coordination and cooperation between DPW divisions and other state, municipal and federal departments.

Grant Writing

The Town received an EPA 319 grant for stormwater improvements valued at over $100,000.00 The Town received an $118,000.00 grant to improve stormwater water infiltration at various locations. The Town partnered with the Charles River Watershed Association, which received a $30,000 grant to conduct rain garden trainings for the residents of Franklin. The Town received a $20,000.00 grant to offset the cost associated with the purchase of compactors to increase the recycling rate at the Beaver Street Recycling Center.

Permits and Long Range Planning

The Town of Franklin, along with the towns of Bellingham and Milford, were the only three communities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts placed under a Residual Designation Authority (RDA) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to mitigate phosphorus loading into the Charles River Basin. It is estimated the Town of Franklin may need to spend upwards of $135 million to implement all the measures that EPA feels would be
required to meet phosphorus reductions. DPW staff members have been working with the Towns of Bellingham and Milford, and State and Federal officials in conjunction with private land owners and business representatives to oppose this action based upon the unnecessary economic hardship it would create for the community. The EPA has acknowledged our concerns and we continue to wait for a final permit.

The Town of Franklin also continues to oppose the implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II and pending Phase III Stormwater Permit for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) as required by the EPA. Phase II required the Town to highly regulate and monitor stormwater throughout the Town at a significantly increased cost. Phase III is projected to include increased regulatory requirements and cost even more. The Department will continue to refine and improve adopted regulations and practices to improve the stormwater in Franklin while minimizing the associated costs.

Long range planning is critical in the area of Public Works and must be accomplished consistently in order to ensure that the Town water, sewer and roadway infrastructure can support the needs of our residents. With the success of the 20/20 Plan, the Town Council authorized additional funding for waterline replacement and the improvement of roadways on sections of Lincoln St, East St, West St, Daniels St, Summer St, Lewis St, Crescent St, Anthony Rd, Carmine Dr., and Conlyn Ave. This work has commenced and is expected to be completed within the next two years. With that funding already allocated, the Town Council continued with additional funding for the waterline replacement and road reconstruction of the Northgate Rd neighborhood, Cleveland Ave neighborhood, Cottage St area, Squire St areas, sections of Maple St, Ruggles St area, sections of Partridge & Elm Streets, Skyline Dr. neighborhood, Oak St Extension, Marvin Ave area and the Stanford Rd area. The DPW has continued to work with both the DEP and the Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation to facilitate the final closing and capping of the Beaver Street Landfill Site.

The Town of Franklin has continued to work with other area Towns and conservation groups towards insuring that regional water supplies are protected.

Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Program

The single stream automated solid waste and recycling program continues to be a very successful program in reducing costs, improving recycling rates and providing greater convenience for users. Additional landscaping improvements have been made to the Beaver St. Recycling Center to make the facility more attractive and customer friendly.

Hails and Farewells

With all the losses of the previous year, the DPW was able to hire some new employees. This included: Mr. Justin Pothier on the highway crew, Mr. Michael Ciallella on the highway crew, Mr. Scott Mathews on the grounds crew, Mr. Kevin Bariteau on the water crew and Mr. Stephen Freiberg as a new mechanic.

With gains, there are always losses

Ms. Linda Feeley, DPW office manager, a long time dedicated employee who worked for the department for over 23 years! She was an extremely talented and knowledgeable employee with a great sense of humor and smile to match that will be missed by all. Mr. David Seale, an excellent mechanic retired. Mr. Philip Vondras, a member of the grounds crew also left to pursue other ventures.

Thanks

As the Director, I owe many thanks to my entire staff as they make this whole department work and serve all residents in a timely manner. Everyone is committed to providing extraordinary service to the Town in the most cost-effective manner possible.

The Town Engineer Mr. Mike Maglio, Budget & Administration Manager Ms. Kathy Mooradd, Director of Operations Mr. Deacon Perrotta, Highway and Grounds Superintendent Mr. Carlos Rebelo, and Water and Sewer Superintendent Laurie Ruszala are all dedicated professionals that put in so much extra time and effort to make this Department a success. The Town and I are very fortunate to have such talented individuals to work with.

I would also like to thank, Paula Juarez, Sandy Wedge, and Lynne Marchand who support the Administration Division. Additionally, a big thanks to our part-time staffers Pam Vickery and Kim Leonard in the Administration Division. These individuals respond quickly and with courtesy to thousands of requests for assistance and information throughout the year.

Continued thanks go to Mr. Christopher White, the Town’s Solid Waste Coordinator. Even though his position is a part time one, he gives his heart and soul and spends much of his personal time to insure that the solid waste and recycling program is a success.

I would especially like to thank the “Crew” and the mechanics that work out of the DPW garage. These are the gentlemen that are not always seen, but provide the day-today services that are all too often taken for granted. They pump, treat and deliver safe drinking water; they care for parks and ball fields, and they maintain the roadways, repair and sustain all Town and school vehicles and handle all our waste. They are always available, day and night, and work long hours to assist in any emergency situation whether it is snow removal, water breaks, sewer backups, wind, lightning storms and flooding, among many others. They are all extremely professional and dedicated to their jobs. I cannot thank them enough.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert A. Cantoreggi II
Director of Public Works

Kathy Mooradd
Budget and Admin Manager

Note - there are additional sections on the DPW in the Annual Report. For brevity sake, I have only included this on the Administrative Division. You can find the remainder in the full report (PDF) beginning on Page 135

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"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]

http://ecode360.com/10432729?highlight=annual%20report,reports,annual,report#10432729

Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2015report.pdf

DPW headquarters on Fisher St

Visit the DPW page for additional information across their operational units

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PublicWorks/index

Economic Development Commmittee - Jan 6, 2016 - 6:00 PM

From Andrew Bissanti, Chair - Economic Development Committee

"Our first meeting of the year will be 1/6/16 at 6:00pm. Training room on the third floor of town hall. Pond Street discussion and update, zoning discussion on neighborhood business , and general residential 5 . 

Also an electronic sign company will be on the agenda ... we only have an hour as town council will convene at 7pm. so if we need more time we can continue till next meetings."

Thompson Press Building - recently rezoned for residential use

FHS winter sports teams were back in action on Saturday, Jan 2

The FHS winter sports teams were back in action on Saturday, January 2. The wrestling team went to West Springfield for four matches and split winning two, dropping two. The boys indoor track team lost to Mansfield while the girls team beat Mansfield. On ice, the girls hockey team beat Scituate. All the results from Hockomock Sports.

FHS Panthers

Wrestling

Franklin @ West Springfield 

– Franklin broke even on the day, beating West Springfield (48-21) and Chicopee (42-21) but suffered losses to New Milford (CT) (51-21) and to Springfield Central (42-26).

Indoor Track (@ Reggie Lewis Center)

Boys

• Franklin, 28 vs. Mansfield, 72 – Final 

– The Hornets had first place finishes from Nick Graham in the 55M dash (6.97), Devin Maughn in the 300M (37.88), Kyle Amerantes in the 600M (1:29.37), Jake Affanato in the 1 Mile (4:43.74) and in the 2 Mile (league best 10:21.71), Jake Morrill in the 55M hurdles (8.61) and the long jump (18-04.50) and Conor Cline in the shot put (35-03.25). Franklin’s Ryan Spelman won the 1000M race in 2:46.49 and Luke Gordon won the high jump at 5-10.00.

Girls

• Franklin, 56 vs. Mansfield, 44 – Final 

– Franklin’s Jessica Kroushl posted a league best time of 7.63 in the 55M dash, Meghan Doherty had a league best time in the 600M (1:43.91), Brittany Robinson had the best time of all 12 schools in the 1 Mile (5:29.54), Carly Rondeau won the 2 Mile (13:24.72), Beth Neal won the 55M hurdles (9.67) and the high jump (4-08.00) and Sarah Goodermuth won the shot put (30-08.00). Mansfield’s Kelly Crawford had a league best time of 42.34 in the 300M and won the long jump (15-02.00) and Caitlin Whitman had the league’s top time in the 1000M (3:11.86).

Girls Hockey

• Franklin, 6 @ Scituate, 0 – Final

For the remainder of the action around the Hockomock League

http://www.hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-010216/

“You’re not in control when you’re in this business”

FHS graduate April M Crehan has the byline on this story from the Milford Daily News on what the farmers do during the winter.

“Everything gets probably three times as hard” in the winter, said Nick Hoffman, who chuckled as he identified himself as “the owner, the manager and the mechanic” of Hoffman Farm in Franklin. Toward the end of 2015, Hoffman started selling milk in addition to produce, eggs and firewood. 

Animal welfare becomes top priority in winter for farms that have livestock in addition to fields.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160103/farmers-winter-just-as-busy-as-sowing-harvest-seasons