On Earth Day, Coalition Renews Calls for Safe Drinking Water Protections for Private Well Owners

Private Well Owners

In observance of Earth Day, the Coalition for Safe Drinking Water is urging lawmakers to advance legislation that would, for the first time, establish statewide water quality standards for over half a million Massachusetts residents who rely on private wells.

The Coalition, a grassroots group led by RCAP Solutions and supported by The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, has been advocating for the legislation, which would expand a financial assistance program to remediate wells affected by harmful contaminants in drinking water supplies such as “forever chemicals” like PFAS, as well as arsenic, uranium and other harmful substances.

Many people who discover contaminants in their wells resort to drinking bottled water, which is expensive and harmful to the environment as a large amount of this plastic waste ends up in landfills.

“Earth Day is about honoring the beauty and power of nature as well about protecting people from the damage that has already been done to our environment,” said Brian Scales, President & CEO of RCAP Solutions.  “We cannot ignore that thousands of families in Massachusetts may be drinking contaminated water that can cause both short- and long-term health impacts.  Pending legislation supports a path to learning what is in their water and remediating where needed.”

The bills (H.900 and S.585) are co-sponsored by Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough), Rep. Natalie Blais (D-Sunderland) and Rep. Meg Kilcoyne (D-Clinton), and have drawn support from nearly 20 legislators.  The legislation would address a regional equity issue because areas with public water systems have access to water that is regularly tested, treated and maintained.

“Every resident in Massachusetts deserves access to safe and clean drinking water, regardless of where they live or how their water is sourced,” said Rep. Kilcoyne.  “Establishing statewide standards for private wells is a crucial step toward health equity, environmental protection, and supporting our rural communities.  I’m proud to support this legislation and to stand with the Coalition for Safe Drinking Water in advocating for this long-overdue public health safeguard.”

RCAP Solutions’ Private Well Program to Protect Public Health, funded by The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, conducted over 500 water quality tests of private wells across several Massachusetts communities from 2020 to 2022, finding that about a third of the wells contained levels of contaminants higher than state health standards or suggesting potential health risks.

“I own a private drinking water well and benefited greatly from participating in the Private Well Program to Protect Public Health,” said Arthur Allen, who lives in the Town of Princeton.  “Our water test and well inspection found contaminants in the water and deficiencies in the well that we had to have corrected.  I fully support this legislation and hope it becomes law in Massachusetts.”

A study by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is underway to make recommendations for a statewide program to ensure that drinking water from private wells is safe to consume.  It is expected to be completed this summer.

For more information about the legislation and the Coalition for Safe Drinking Water, please visit
www.whatsinyourwellwater.org.


About RCAP Solutions

RCAP Solutions is an integrated community development corporation working with a multi-faceted suite of services in communities throughout the northeastern part of the U.S. and the Caribbean.  Established in 1969 (as Rural Housing Improvement), RCAP Solutions has supported the power and potential of communities for over half a century as strategists of community-wide well-being.  Our mission is to foster personal and public self-reliance and improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and the communities in which they live.  For more information, visit: www.rcapsolutions.org.

About The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts

The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts is dedicated to improving the health of those who live or work in Central Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and unmet needs.  Through its unique and impactful approach to grantmaking, The Health Foundation supports community-identified health issues, with health defined broadly to include social determinants of health and with a focus on promoting health equity.  As a health conversion foundation launched in 1999 following the sale of the not-for-profit HMO Central Massachusetts Health Care Inc.  The Health Foundation’s grants have totaled over $59 million to more than 230 unique organizations over its history.  For more information, visit www.thfcm.org.

Children's Museum at La Cantina Wednesday from 4:30 PM TO 10:00 PM

Children's Museum at La Cantina Wednesday

Make plans with family or friends at La Cantina this Wednesday and 10% of sales will go to Children’s Museum of Franklin! 

 

Together, we can open the doors to discovery and joy for children and families across our region.

 

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1Kbq1VBxTq/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Randy Jay about the Disability Expo, Saturday, April 26 at the Senior Center

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/talking-about-3rd-annual-disability.html 

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

Mark & Kim share their Interview with Randy Caparoso

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, April 23, 2025

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:30 am     Mental Health: Joanne Spillane
8:30 am     FPAC: Hamlet
10:00 am     Millis Berfield Band
11:30 am     Cooking Thyme: Sweet Corn Risotto
12:00 pm     Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad
12:30 pm     Cooking with Linda: Shepherd's Pie
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta
2:00 pm     New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 5
3:00 pm     Candlepin New Generation: Spring 2019 Show 2
3:30 pm     Metrowest Boston Annual Meet Pt. 1
7:30 pm     Concerts on the Common: Heather Deary & Carolyn Rae

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am     FHS Winter Jazz 01-29-25
8:30 am     All-Town Concert: Band 2025
10:00 am     SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins
11:00 am     FHS Concert Hour 02-26-25
12:30 pm     FHS Varsity Softball v St. Paul Diocesan 04-19-25
3:00 pm     FHS Track and Field: v North Attleboro 05-09-23
8:00 pm     FHS Varsity Baseball v North Attleboro 04-14-25

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am     Town Council 04-16-25
2:00 pm     Town Council 04-16-25

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events

Tuesday, April 22

** Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit (Norfolk Public Library)

10:30am Local Hero Storytime! (Franklin Public Library)
11am  Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)
1pm Dean Vocal Ensemble "Folk Princess" (Franklin Public Library)
6:30pm “Ancient Lore with Modern Applications”: How Digitization is Transforming Cultural Heritage (Franklin Public Library)
7pm Musical Bingo (Raillery Public House)

 

 

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

Design Review Meeting - Cancelled

Tuesday, April 22 Time: 7:00 PM

no agenda for this cancelled meeting

 

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Town Administrator Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget - Revenue & Expense Assumptions

The first part of the Executive Summary was shared on Monday. This section layouts the revenue and expense assumptions driving the budget as presented.

 

Town Administrator Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget

 

Here are the assumptions incorporated into the FY26 budget:

Revenues Highlights

●    The proposed FY26 budget does not include any revenues from the Budget Stabilization “Rainy Day'' Fund. The fund currently has a balance of $3,310,416. It is vital for the Town to continue to maintain and grow/stabilize the Rainy Day Fund rather than deplete it. Budget Stabilization reserves set the town up to be prepared in the event of an emergency, but equally as important, these reserves illustrate to bond rating agencies and financial institutions sound financial policy and execution. Well founded financial annual audits, an effective OPEB policy, passage of the Community Preservation Act, the implementation of a stormwater utility and increasing emergency reserves put the town in a healthy financial position to maintain a stable AAA bond rating and quell interest rates in an era of record high inflation.

●    The Property Tax Levy and “New Growth” revenue forecast will decrease a cumulative $71,097 from FY25. Traditionally, the Town has used a ten-year average model for the new growth figure. However, the Town’s New Growth has plateaued and is now at the decreasing end of the arc from the front end of the pandemic years.

●    State Aid is assumed at the Governor’s FY26 budget levels. Currently, the Town stands to realize a net increase of $493,534 in local aid from FY25. A final state budget is expected to be complete in July and we will readjust the final local aid numbers at the November budget hearing .

●    The Town’s Local Receipts look to rebound past pre-pandemic numbers, while also recognizing that hotel tax revenue and cannabis excise sales taxes are both now in this revenue category. Staff assume an additional $1,681,052 in local receipts over FY25. The preliminary budget model was level service, but in evaluating the forecast, we believe FY26 will show an uptick due to several additional factors. A majority of local receipts are fees collected for Town services (e.g. licensing, building permits, ambulance receipts, recreation fees). Motor vehicle excise tax is slightly less than half of the revenue.

Expenditures Highlights

The main cost drivers in this budget are:

●    The budget includes a 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all municipal personnel, including collective bargaining agreement commitments, which amounts to $610,000. School salaries are located in the school budget in Appendix B.

●    The Benefits Budget (910) increased by $1,817,961 (almost 12%) from FY25 to FY26. The Benefits Budget has a number of different line items, including health insurance for active Town employees and retirees and School retirees as well as Worker’s Compensation and Unemployment Compensation for both the Town and the Schools.

○    Our original health insurance quote for our active employees and retirees under age 65 came in with an 18.3% increase. We worked closely with the Massachusetts Strategic Health Group and our Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC) this spring and made changes to bring the premium down. One of the changes included increasing the deductible on the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). These changes brought the increase down to 14.5% on the EPO and PPO plans and only 11% on the HDHP. These percentages are very competitive in the current municipal health insurance market, as we saw many Towns experience increases ranging from 10% to as high as 30%. For additional information, please see the narrative for the Benefits Budget.

The Benefits Budget has a number of different health insurance lines which have increased a total of $1,066,000 over FY25.

○    The Norfolk County Retirement Assessment continues to increase each year at greater than a 7% increase. State law requires the pension system to be fully funded by 2040, which may change. However, we expect over 10% annual increases in pension assessments in future years.

●    The Franklin Public School District will see an increase in their budget of $2,925,148 over FY25, Further analysis is in the Future Trends section below. 

 

 * denotes the two pandemic impacted budget years (does not include federal stimulus funds)
** denotes a use of $1.8 million in Budget Stabilization funds in FY19; one-time free cash in FY25
*** assumes a successful override on June 3, 2025.

Future Trends

The constant pressure on local government to fund all of the work that needs to get done is continuing to be unsustainable. The Massachusetts Municipal Association continues to advocate for greater investment in infrastructure from the state and to relieve the many unfunded mandates the state is placing on local governments. Staff also work closely with our state and federal legislative delegation who have always been responsive to the town's financial needs. Regardless, there is only so much supply for the demand, which has strained local services and budgets across Massachusetts.

The federal budget looms large and will likely have an impact on FY27, but more likely a significant impact on FY28 for Franklin. Approximately $15-16 billion of the state's budget is based on the federal budget. If federal uncertainty affects the state budget, it will inevitably put pressure on the Town’s budget. We will need to keep these realities front and center in FY26 and beyond. The current federal budget is funded through September 30, 2025.

Throughout the summer and early fall, the major federal discussion will likely be around the federal budget going into next fiscal year. For local and state governments, FY26 will already be one-quarter of the way through before federal budget deliberations are concluded.

I would expect a five-year fiscal forecast to be available as we head into the fall, after the state budget is finalized, and we have better information on the federal budget. The federal budget year begins October 1, 2025.

Major cost or policy decisions heading into FY27 and beyond, include:

●    Federal austerity and the uncertain financial impacts on the state budget that trickles down to local budgets from federal budget cuts.

●    Continued health care cost increases in a state where 15% annual increases are now the norm.

●    Norfolk County Pension assessments anticipate a 10% increase annually in future years.

●    Affordability of the community. Housing and cost of living expenses are a major concern for many residents in Franklin.

 

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The Executive Summary can be found ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5322/FY26-Budget-Narrative

Sections of the Summary will continue to be shared in advance of the Finance Committee budget hearings scheduled for April 28, April 29, and May 1.

The FY 2026 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500

The FY 2026 Override info for the June 3 vote -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information

Liana Warnakulasooriya awarded the FoFL Scholarship in Memory of Wilma Winters

Liana Warnakulasooriya has won the Friends of the Franklin Library Scholarship in Memory of Wilma Winters. A 2024 graduate of Franklin High School, Liana recently received $1,000 from The Friends toward the cost of a college education.

Liana's winning entry was about how she found her voice through public speaking. "When speaking on stage, on trial, or in front of an audience, my deep tone turns into a blessing, allowing me to capture the attention of audience members and reach the back of every room."

David Djerf, president of Friends of the Franklin Library's board, recently presented Liana Warnakulasooriya with a check for winning the Friends' annual essay contest

Liana wrote about how her younger self was reluctant to speak up, but she later participated in organized debates and taught others about public speaking. "My eighth-grade voice was full of sheepish insecurity, while my current voice is filled with confidence," Liana wrote.

 

A second-semester student at Northeastern University, Liana studies computer science and business.

Friends of the Franklin Library, an independent, non-profit organization committed to supporting the Franklin Public Library, established its scholarship program in 2014. The annual scholarship is part of several efforts undertaken to honor the late Wilma Winters, a longtime Franklin resident and library supporter. Winters, who had a long career in higher education, worked for many years as a librarian, including at Boston University Medical School and Harvard's School of Public Health. She spent her retirement years volunteering at the Franklin Public Library.

Friends of the Franklin Library has a long tradition of raising money to supplement library programs. In recent years, the group has purchased items for the Library of Things, tables and chairs for the main Reading Room, coordinated the creation of the brick patio at the School Street entrance, and provided funding for various library programs for adults, teens, children, and families. 

Town Council starts with recognitions before conducting business (audio)

FM #1433  This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1433 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, April 16, 2025. All 9 of the members participated in Council Chambers.   

 

Approx. 10-15 minutes of the recess for photos is excluded from the audio and replaced by a few seconds of music to mark the spot.

Quick recap:

School Committee Chair D Callaghan provided an update on recent meeting updates including the potential naming of the "Horace Mann Campus"

per Town Clerk, notification of election coming via mail re: the override election June 3. Postcard with QR code to register to vote, also includes a vote by mail application. Only one card to head of household not one per every voter

Proclamations and recognition for

•   the FHS Cheerleaders

•   the FHS boys basketball team

•   members of the Dean College Athletic Training first responders who saved the life of an individual at a recent athletic event

Appointment of the 2025 election workers was approved by unanimous vote

Public hearing conducted on 2 related bylaw changes to allow Shared-Use Commercial Kitchens in commercial zones. The Planning Board had approved also, these measures were moved to a second reading (at a future meeting)

Presentation and update on work being done by  Franklin Police Department Mental Health Clinician Division - Kallie Montagano, Clinician Program Manager

Followed by an update on the Franklin Crisis Action Team by Deputy Administrator Amy Friguiletti. Housing and temp shelter the top issue the FCAT group sees

Resolution 25-18: June 3, 2025 Election Early & Mail in Voting was approved unanimously. The scheduled early voting dates will be added to the Community calendar

A Zoning Bylaw to Amend Chapter 185, Section 24, Floodplain District - Referral to the Planning Board was approved unanimously. Apparently, the Town slipped in knowing that this had a 5 year life expectancy and was due to be updated. Only minor changes required but the due process is being initiated now with this referral

Approval for acceptance of gifts from the Robert Catalano family and estate was unanimous. It also led to a discussion on how the funds such as these are used. Mostly for programs but if there is something specifically funded, the Council would like to be notified.

Let’s listen to the meeting recording which runs about 2 hours and 53 minutes.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1433-town-council-mtg-04-16-25/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/C9jXhRmTTlI?&t=94 

The agenda and released documents can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04162025-1682

My full set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nIb72BBNqBkuEgMCgS9ggo5T5UR8A7BD/view?usp=drive_link 

Photo albums of the recognitions ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/NFs8QPA39vzy5tzn8

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• 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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Rep Roy brought in 2 ancient lanterns for "2 Lights for Tomorrow"

FHS sports live streaming schedule for week of 4/22 - 4/26/25

week of 4/22 - 4/26/25

 

 

Schedule for sports this week!

 

Checkout Franklin Pride TV on YouTube for Live streams!

 

** Franklin Pride TV ** on YouTube -> https://bit.ly/FTV-Schools 

 

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/15uLT8KsPL/