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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Monday, April 19, 2021
50+ Job Seekers Group - this week's events
No trash/recycle pick up delay until Memorial Day
Yes, it is Patriots Day. While Town offices, the Library, etc. are closed today, there is no one day delay for trash/recycle this week. There is no delay on the calendar until May when Memorial Day rolls around.
CommonWealth Magazine: real work begins on climate change; legislative fixes possible for essential worker problems
"The real work begins now on climate change"
"THIS SPRING, as flowers and trees begin to bloom in New England, our clean energy industry is also ready to blossom after decades of delays and setbacks.
Last month Gov. Charlie Baker signed one of the strongest climate bills in the nation, committing to reduce emissions 50 percent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Boston, Massachusetts’ largest city, launched a municipal energy program to expand access to renewable energy for residents, including low-income families, and is considering nation-leading regulations to address carbon emissions from our biggest source – large buildings. Worcester has committed to 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. Even smaller towns across the Commonwealth, like Arlington, Melrose, and Natick, are developing plans for net-zero emissions by 2050."
"ESSENTIAL WORKERS have always played a significant role in our society, but their roles were especially amplified since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elected officials, the public, and many business owners continue to praise the critical work these essential workers do. They had the difficult task of keeping our society afloat by being on the frontline of many services including healthcare, groceries, and mail delivery. But still, the workforce has been suffering from a lack of government support. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts has faced a 4.4 percentage point increase, with 165,423 more workers unemployed compared to March 2020.Just as COVID-19 laid bare the racial and economic disparities present in sectors from education to healthcare, the deep inequities that create an uneven playing field for workers and working conditions have become more visible and severe."
Sunday, April 18, 2021
FY 2022 - Town of Franklin budget proposal
The Town of Franklin FY22 Town Administrator's Proposed Budget materials are available on our website.
Find all of the Proposed Budget information posted here
https://franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy-22-budget-materials
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FY 2022 - Town of Franklin budget |
This will be the first of a series on the FY 22 budget. Each part of the series will focus on a part of the process or an aspect of the budget. All in preparation of the Finance Committee budget hearings Apr 27-28-29 and May 4; as well as the Town Council budget hearings May 26-27. The final vote on the budget is scheduled for the May 27 meeting.
Joe Landry shares "town pool" memories
FHS football drops game to Milton 14-7 on Saturday
From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:
1st Quarter: (M) Milton 5-yard pass, XP good.
2nd Quarter: (M) Milton 15-yard pass, XP good.
3rd Quarter: No scoring.
4th Quarter: (F) Will Tracey 5-yard rush, Parker Cheuvront XP good.
Recap: Town Council Mtg- Apr 14, 2021 - Sheriff McDermott, OPEB update, GATRA, zoning for parking, etc.
Four presentations and resulting discussions dominated the meeting
- Sheriff McDermott highlighted services his organization provides
- The OPEB funding status was updated; the actuarial funding requirements are required every 2 years, this is the 'off year'
- The new Executive Director of GATRA appeared to provide updates on changes and answer questions on the service problems seen by the community
- Downtown parking zoning requirements were reviewed, a revision to the current bylaw is expected to come through the Economic Development Subcommittee in the future
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #tc0414
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc0414&src=typed_query
- Last meeting tonight, real time reporting for the Town Council meeting about to begin #tc0414
- Agenda doc with connection info https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-14-town-council-agenda #tc0414
- Meeting opens late 7:04 PM #tc0414
- Chair Mercer reads the standard protocol message and phone call number for those who need it #tc0414
- Dale Kurtz speaks to the VA vaccine clinic at the Senior Center on Saturday from 10 to 1. https://franklinmatters.org/2021/04/covid-19-vaccine-clinic-in-franklin-for.html?m=1 #tc0414
- Jane Tripp speaks against the storm water fees. #tc0414 wants a paper trail showing the demand for this. Shouldn't be raised at this time during the pandemic.
- Victoria raising questions on paperwork provided with the vaccine, what is it isn't provided. Is it being provided to Franklin? https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-information #tc0414
- Minutes, none - Proclamation for Dr. Diane D'addario Cathy Liberty, Director of Public Health, along with Chief McLaughlin to recognize her for the support processing the vaccine clinics. #tc0414 Councilor Frongillo reads proclamation
- License transaction, Shaw's change of Manager for wine/malt license. #tc0414 motion and second, simple paperwork to acknowledge, Attny and manager present via Zoom; experienced but not previously manager of record. ServeSafe certified. Vote via roll call, 9-0
- Sheriff Mcdermott https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-14-town-council-agenda #tc0414 Role of sheriff has evolved over the years https://norfolksheriff.com/about/sheriff-pmcdermott chief public safety officer for the county of Norfolk
- "Yellow dot" program indicates the file for life, can save lives. #tc0414 https://norfolksheriff.com/divisions/senior/yellow-dot-program "Are you ok" program? https://norfolksheriff.com/divisions/senior/areyouok all free programs, need to get information out
- #tc0414 youth leadership program to be piloted at Dean College this summer. Dan Manning, Dir of internal affairs, leading outreach Q women's programs for incarceration? We are working on it, complicated but working to meet needs within budget
- Reentry programs a priority, when they get out, they come back into the community and need to fit in #tc0414 use email to reach out and then we'll allocate the proper person or group to respond. Will be hiring correction officers in the fall. https://norfolksheriff.com/employment
- Next up, the OPEB update. #tc0414 Dan Sherman provides the details
- A great spot at about 10% funded level for OPEB #tc0414
- Were at 7.7 last year not at 8.5% funded, a good position. #tc0414
- We are chipping away at this, and being in the top 10% top 25% and that is good. Only one Community funded, Wellesley but they funded via prop 2.5 so they are still paying it off so he doesn't count that. #tc0414 OPEB board page for ToF https://www.franklinma.gov/opeb-board-trustees
- There is no law requiring funding by a date, once Norfolk pension is funded then those funding amount can be shifted to OPEB and make greater inroads. #tc0414
- Next item, GATRA leadership team. Mark Souza started Feb 2020 so his first year is likely a story. #tc0414 Mark has an issue with the audio connection, retrying.
- Mark connected via the "old fashioned way" via phone #tc0414
- Micro-transit; call on demand via an app like Uber or Lyft. Senior dispatch can still call the same number. Transportation opened up. Started in Dec with 489, reached 2000 in March. #tc0414 pilot allows to build the data to expand the program.
- Not at full service; phone numbers haven't changed so they can still call. #tc0414 could go from Franklin to Gillette and then to Mansfield with two trips. Micro transit is on demand via an app, picking up one or two COVID, each ride is $2. It is public transportation
- Oh, and there was mention of a radio show with Franklin Matters. No, not me. Did share the press release they made in Dec but that was about it. #tc0414 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/gatra-launches-innovative-on-demand.html
- COVID money revamped office operations, added barriers for drivers and passengers on buses, upgraded ventilation on buses, etc. #tc0414 there were federal guidelines for how used, and they stuck to it. We have the inventory to handle those trips.
- #tc0414 Rep Roy asked about the other questions from the office hour meeting that hadn't been addressed yet in this session. Advisory board, there is a member they have been notified, email to member, posting to Town Clerk. Standard process for all 28 towns we represent
- Some times before COVID we couldn't get a quorum for a board meeting, since COVID attendance has improved remarkably #tc0414 let me know of any issues, I will address them. We will figure that out to get rides to the senior center and advertise that.
- Next discussion item: downtown commercial zoning C1 parking #tc0414 there had been no parking requirements previously, a bit ago it was changed and may have gone too far. https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8d._web_downtown.pdf
- Restrictions on sidelines and parking will hurt developers, would like to see the old C1 come back to the downtown to help. Per Bissanti #tc0414 is there something can explain what zoning is? Zoning is complicated, one of the most important decisions this body deals with
- It is ok to spend time on these issues. Parking is in the driver's seat. If you can't find one, you need it. If you find one, you don't need more. We haven't nailed it yet, it will require work. Parking will always be an issue anywhere. It has to be a balance. #tc0414
- Parking is one area where the Planning Board can waive it down as opposed to other areas. There does need to be some parking downtown. Transit oriented development is good but there will still be need for parking #tc0414
- Zoning also available on the website, perhaps the Clerk can provide a copy of the zoning book (with a map) #tc0414 there was no zoning parking requirement and it was changed 3 years ago. We did have meters downtown not too long ago.
- There is limited parking downtown. We are the only commuter rail stop on the Franklin line that doesn't have housing associated with it. There is room to expand parking, we need to be the Council to do so. #tc0414 we don't have an affordable housing stock
- The only thing we can do is manage it to the best if our ability. A developer will only put in the parking that is feasible to make it work. They won't rely on the gratitude of the planning board. #tc0414 we're trying to make sure there is business downtown
- Request to consider revision to parking bylaw, and take to EDC before coming back to the Council. The downtown parking is available after hours. Attny Cerel is using the whole hand to raise his notice. If there is a 0 requirement, the Planning Board would not be able …
- Joint budget Subcommittee did meet on Monday, spoke about the Davis Thayer building, Supt not ready to declare surplus at this time will be done during the transition plan to Keller. Next meeting to be posted soon. #tc0414 EDC did meet before this meeting, discussed ...
- The Community grant program, and NuStyle. Possibly meeting twice in May to begin housing plan #tc0414
- (09:47PM) https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._web_foxborough_ima.pdf motion and second, "where the sun, moon and stars align once in a while"; passes via roll call 9-0
- Side discussion on how we could do this service internally? Foxboro has firefighters who are certified to service the engine equipment. Drive through window closed two days for the window work and their floor soon to follow. Contact the Board of Health if question on vaccines
- It is clear there is misinformation on stormwater fee out there. I offer to meet with you to discuss further $1.9m state grants only, four and half years $10m; that is a lot! Small amounts and large amounts add up #tc0414
- #tc0414 Bissanti heard about opportunity zoning, a fictional example of carrying forward a capital gain (my assessment) Could the Police chief show something in the use of force training?
- Story walk downtown Main Street, enjoyed work by Councilor Frongillo Senior coffee hour Thursday AM, rail trail race virtually this year. #tc0414 school vacation week next please be careful. Light needed at the crosswalk where Dean students cross
- #tc0414 water conservation measures coming with level 2 drought announcement. Apologies for a late meeting, good discussion tonight. Motion to adjourn, second, passes 9-0 via roll call That's all for tonight (finally), catch you next time!
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zoning map of downtown for parking discussion |
FM #513 - Board of Health Meeting - 04/14/21 (audio)
This session of the radio show shares the Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the Board of Health members were in the Municipal Bldg, other members joined the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Quick Recap:
- Homebound individuals were provided vaccines coordinating with the Fire Dept. Additional to be done on hold due to J&J 'pause'. VA Clinic to be held at Senior Center on Apr 17 for veterans and family
- Grant application submitted for some services to be delivered regionally
- Home on Winter St now bank owned, home on Jordan Rd now being demolished by owner (which is also creating another problem)
Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 20 minutes, so let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting for April.
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Board of Health agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-4-14-21.pdf
My notes captured from the meeting recording
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-board-of-health-meeting-apr-14.html
- If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
- If you don't like something here, please let me know
Masterclass: The Life & Artwork of William Wegman!! - Mon, April 19
You won't want to miss this one! It's Free to the public (on and off Facebook) via Eventbrite!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-life-and-artwork-of-william-wegman-tickets-150996323067
MONDAY AT 7:30 PM EDT – 9 PM EDT
FCC Masterclass: The Life and Artwork of William Wegman
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Masterclass: The Life & Artwork of William Wegman!! - Mon, April 19 |
This class will provide information on the artist, his personality, style and technique. With this as background, each participant will have the opportunity to create his/her own do-it-yourself art project at home with materials easily found in your home or in the local supermarket, or local art/general stores. A list of necessary supplies will be posted on Ms. Volpe's website: https://www.thecreativitycurator.com. No special skills or art experience is required!
William Wegman is a photographer and painter, whose unique compositions feature dogs, most notably his own Weimaraners, in costumes and poses.
FM #514 - Economic Development SubComm Mtg - 04/14/14 (audio)
FM #514 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 514 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: two of the Economic Development subcommittee members, Town Administrator and key personnel, were in the Council Chambers; two Subcommittee members joined the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Quick Recap:
- A couple of agenda items from meeting Apr 7 not covered in time allotted, so this session was added also in a meeting slot before the Town Council meeting. Discussion was healthy and in the time allotted
- Grants submitted for a variety of work desired, what can or should get done with or without grant discussed
- NuStyle back in discussion as the prior agreement to sell ultimately fell through; who will buy (and how) is best case scenario as the Town would spend more than a private party would to clean up the 'brown field' and we don't have the money to start the clean up with
Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 63 minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting.
Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/65d06bea-41c3-478d-ba94-f025f0481e66
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https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2021-4-14_edc_agenda_.pdf
My notes captured from the meeting recording
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-economic-development-subcomm.html
- If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
- If you don't like something here, please let me know
Honey Dew Donuts selling special scholarship donuts
"For a limited time, the two Franklin Honey Dew Donuts locations are selling special scholarship donuts sporting Franklin's school colors!"Shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership tweet:
#fdp
#honeydew
#scholarshipdonuts https://t.co/5KgZW0vfFz
(https://twitter.com/FranklinDowntwn/status/1383475360667365384?s=03)
Honey Dew Donuts selling special scholarship donuts |
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - April 2021
"Please find the April Edition of the FPS District newsletter posted here! https://conta.cc/2RF65Xg
We hope everyone enjoys a fun and safe April Break week!"
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1383139582921834497
Recap - Board of Health Meeting - Apr 14, 2021
- Homebound individuals were provided vaccine coordinating with Fire Dept. Additional to be done on hold due to J&J 'pause'. VA Clinic to be held at Senior Center on Apr 17 for veterans and family
- Grant application submitted for some services to be delivered regionally
- Home on Winter St now bank owned, home on Jordan Rd now being demolished by owner (which is also creating another problem)
----
As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #boh0414
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh0414&src=typed_query
- Board of health meeting underway, real time reporting via Twitter #boh0414
- Home bound distribution via Fire Dept covered some folks, some others identified later. Currently on hold due to the 'pause' with J&J vaccine #boh0414
- Regional approach vs shared services, grant submitted for shared service approach. Less than 10 days to turn grant proposal around. Pending grant approval #boh0414 VA clinic for veterans and spouses at Senior Center; VA run on Sat Apt 17. Comms through social channels
- #boh0414 recommendation of a proclamation in thanks for services of one of Franklin's doctors who supported the clinics tirelessly. Homeowner doing the demo of the home on Jordan Road, half down and all in backyard. (Another problem).
- Bank to take ownership of Winter St property #boh0414 Motion to adjourn, seconded, passes 3-0 via roll call. A pause between meetings, Economic Development subcommittee up next at 5:45 PM.
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Recap - Board of Health Meeting - Apr 14, 2021 |
Earth day Lecture Apr 22 - preregister before Tuesday, Apr 20
Recap - Economic Development SubComm Meeting - Apr 14, 2021
Quick Recap:
- A couple of agenda items from meeting Apr 7 not covered in time allotted, so this session was added also in a meeting slot before the Town Council meeting. Discussion was healthy and in the time allotted
- Grants submitted for a variety of work desired, what can or should get done with or without grant discussed
- NuStyle back in discussion as the prior agreement to sell ultimately fell through; who will buy (and how) is best case scenario as the Town would spend more than a private party would to clean up the 'brown field' and we don't have the money to start the clean up with
----
As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #edc0414
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edc0414&src=typed_query
Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VYYiLMPgyGuf7xtx5
- Economic development subcommittee meeting underway, real time reporting commences #edc0414 Jones, Bissanti in Chambers; Hamblen, Frongillo remote.
- Community planning grant opportunity, state has been changing grant process overtime, expression of interest applied earlier; MassWorks grant submitted for Grove St/Washington intersection among other items. #edc0414
- State hasn't provided guidance yet on the downtown project before making any zoning changes to avoid missing out on incentives #edc0414 we need to take a comprehensive approach to zoning, hoping for MAPC to help us with this.
- "Incremental changes don't scare me, if they can be beneficial, then we should consider it. Having alignment in the long term approach is great". #edc0414 did mention the Beaver St interceptor, in case, down the road, there may be a grant for something like that
- #edc0414 June 2 is a deadline for certain grants, other grants are due later this year (Sep). Top complete streets possible projects in Jun $1.9M year to date, $10m over past years. Shared listing of a current report from treasurer.
- #edc0414 how does zoning tie to grant money? Best to get a 3rd party assessment of zoning to bring about proposals to gain better consensus. MAPC has specialist that can do this and help us. Can cover the multiple issues (complete streets, affordable housing, parking, etc.)
- There are a lot of options to incentivize development, someone coming in could help us with all of that. #edc0414 moving to agenda item 2; NuStyle property highlighted on map
- Did have a deal with an adjacent landowner with conditions, summer/fall of 2019 visited owner to confirm conditions, it didn't work out and deal fell through. #edc0414 was on list of things to do for 2020 and then COVID-19 hit. So we have time for a discussion on this
- Did apply through EPA for grants on clean up, once you start, you're in it. Where did this fit in the finance ladder? #edc0414 if you can see past the clean up, it good land and heck of a location. Is a liability, not increasing but not reducing either. Needs $s and imagination
- NuStyle was put on as an issue that is a long term problem to be addressed. #edc0414 need to assess contamination on property and adjacent, and confirm costs to remediate. Land use study may help to provide a set of options
- "let's just get rid of it" Jones #edc0414 "it is a waste of a property that could be worth something" "giving it or selling doesn't absolve us of responsibility" for the location, likely upwards of $1.5M per Bissanti Hellen - There is specialized stuff in this arena
- A private entity could redo the site cheaper than the Town could. #edc0414 a delicate issue. Motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0 via roll call Another pause between meetings, Town Council up at 7
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Recap - Economic Development SubComm Meeting - Apr 14, 2021 |
FHS volleyball tops KP to take first Hockomock Cup title
Volleyball = Hockomock Cup Final
"After splitting two regular season matchups and sharing the Kelley-Rex division title for the second year in a row, it was fitting that the final game of the volleyball season would see Franklin and King Philip battle it out, not just for the bragging rights, or to win the season series, but also to being home the first Hockomock Cup title.
After jumping in front by winning the opening two sets, Franklin was nearly forced to a decisive fifth set but the Panthers rallied in the fourth, winning six of the final seven points, capped off by a cross-court spike by senior Ally Bonnet-Eymard that snuck inside the line, to seal a 3-1 (25-15, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21) victory.
“The girls never took a single day for granted,” said Franklin coach Samantha Elliott. “They have been 100 percent committed to play, so for them this wasn’t just the first Hock Cup, this was their championship and they’ve been working that way all season.”
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The Franklin volleyball team poses for a picture after beating King Philip in the Hockomock Cup Final. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com) |