Tuesday, August 4, 2009

"the full attention it deserves"

It was only due to a series of one-time, non-recurring revenue sources, like stimulus funding and voluntary salary freezes, that Franklin did not suffer severe cuts in services this fiscal year, Whalen said.

"Given the severity of the challenges we are going to face, I'm leaning toward throwing my hat in the ring for the citizens' consideration for one more term, but I haven't decided for sure," Whalen said.

Read the full article on the status of the councilors up for re-election this fall in the Milford Daily News here

For a complete listing of open positions and the paperwork schedule to run for election, you can check here


Concerts on the Common - Frank Padula Band

The Frank Padula Band will be appearing Wednesday, August 5 for Concerts on the Common from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

Wally, the Green Monster will perform for the Children's Concert from 6:00 Pm to 6:30 PM.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Franklin: Walgreens Conveyor

Quite busy at the Walgreens (former Four Corners Bldg) site. The foundation appears to be nearing completion.


Franklin_WalgreensConveyor, originally uploaded by shersteve.

I was caught by this arrangement of machines. The bucket loader (far right) drops a load of dirt into the first blue machine. This appears to filter the material and transfer it to another similar machine which may have a different filter setting to process before it drops it off the last conveyor in a pile to be used on the site.

How many men would have been required to provide the same filtering function in the days when the Four Corners Bldg went up (or earlier)?

Anyone know the answer?


PMC - Nutting quoted

Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting was amongst the thousands who participated in the PMC Challenge this year. Jeff rode as part of the Phils Phriends Team. He finished in Wellesley and was part of the Team NECN recap of the event. You can view the video here

Photos from the activity on Saturday morning at the PMC Franklin water stop can be found here

Town Council - Agenda - 8/5/09

A - APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 1, July 15 Regular, July 15 Executive Session

B - ANNOUNCEMENTS

C - PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
* Pearce Murphy, Retiring Member of Conservation Commission

D - CITIZEN COMMENTS

E - APPOINTMENTS
* Conservation Commission

F - HEARINGS

G - LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H - PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I - SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J - LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 09-54: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17E
2. Resolution 09-55: Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41D

K - TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L - OLD BUSINESS

M - NEW BUSINESS

N - COUNCIL COMMENTS

O - EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P - ADJOURN

"an issue for the new council to work on"

Nutting said he will wait to see the cost before deciding whether he feels as strongly as Vallee about burying the utilities.

Town Council filed special legislation months ago that will allow them to borrow money for the work, and Nutting said he expects the special legislation to be voted on by year's end.

Read the full article about this aspect of the planned improvements for downtown Franklin in the Milford Daily News here.

Picking up from the headline this is just one of many items that the "new" council will work on. The "new" council is one that will be elected on November 3rd. Who of the current council is running and who else will be on the ballot remains to be seen. As noted here previously, papers will be available from the Town Clerk next week (Aug 10th) and are due back to the Town Clerk by Sep 15th.

Please stay current with what is happening in Franklin. We will need to cast an informed vote in November to handle the major items that are facing Franklin.


Sunday, August 2, 2009

"It's just a matter of economics"

"I certainly understand the struggle the state is having to make ends meet. We at the association adamantly opposed the change," Nutting said.

Franklin's allotment was cut from $183,000 to $33,000, he said. The town is is only legally obligated to match that $33,000, Nutting said, so the Police Department's total Quinn Bill budget of $366,000 may become $66,000
Read the full article on the Quinn Bill in the Milford Daily News here