Town Council - Recycling Committee Report

Reported on via the on-demand video from the Council meeting of 5/19/10
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634104006582854787&indexSessionSKU=LipBejLy3Ekw0Fr8MHD//g%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D

Original goals:
Increase curbside recycling
100% recycling in schools
Recycling on Town Common/Fields
Investigate automated trash system

Increase curbside recycling increase by 3.6% (goal was to increase 2%)
Recycling increase on common and fields but work remains to be done

Need to keep oversight on automated trash process to ensure recycling increases

Both trash and recycling have a fixed cost for the pickup
The more recycling we save on the cost to burn the trash (i.e. less trash).

Recommendations
1 - subcommittee to do an annual review of solid waste (due to contract dependence upon recycling rates)
2 - follow up on indoor facilities to ensure recycling on what should be recycled is being done at Town facilities (schools, etc.)
3 - continue to work on public spaces (Town Common and fields)
4 - Beaver St, to maximize breakdown of refrigerators into resalable items

Recycling charter committee expires on June 30, 2010


Franklin, MA

Franklin Facts: High performing school district

High performing school district: Franklin has always been a community with high expectations for its schools – in academics, in athletics, in the arts and in community service. Our focus on the classroom delivers a consistently high‐performing school district. Students and parents here have enjoyed a high return with minimal investment. Our children face an increasingly competitive and demanding world. We must continue to invest in their future.

-------------


The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

• Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut) 

Or

• Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!


Additional information on the override can be found here:
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/index.html

http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html



Franklin, MA

"It's an investment not just in our town, but in our kids"

In a forum to discuss the town's finances and the June 8 override vote, some residents asked what the cuts will really mean if a Proposition 2 1/2 tax override is not passed.

"It's cutting down to the bone. If the override fails, the (harm) will start (to show). If we want the (standards) to be maintained, we're going to have to invest more," said Town Councilor Shannon Zollo.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x88774700/Case-made-for-Franklin-tax-override


Franklin, MA

Charles River Watershed Assoc - Live broadcast

The live broadcast of the presentation and discussion began at 7:00 PM and ended a little after 8:00 PM. Unfortunately due to some technical difficulty, it is not available for rebroadcast.

Free live streaming by Ustream


Franklin, MA

follow the money

Remember that today you get to make a choice between water and money

1 - The open forum on the Franklin override vote for $3 million dollars will be held at the Horace Mann/Thomas Mercer Auditorium at 7:00 PM. Members of Town Council, and School Committee amongst others will be available for questions and discussion on the budget details.

2 - Also that same night at the same time in the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Bldg, the Charles River Watershed Association will make a presentation on a storm water management plan to reduce phosphorus from the Spruce Pond Brook sub-basin.

As much as water is important, I had planned to "follow the money".
I just received an email that the cable folks are broadcasting the Town Forum at Horace Mann and I have been asked to broadcast the CRWA presentation at the Council Chambers. I really would like to be part of the Horace Mann discussion but Franklin would benefit more from having both available.

Stay tuned for a live broadcast of the CRWA presentation!


Franklin, MA

Franklin Facts: tax burden

Tax burden: Your property taxes fund less than half the Town budget – the rest comes from state aid and other sources. Our tax burden, defined as average property tax bill divided by median family income, ranks 26th out of 30 comparable towns. This means that in only four of those 30 peer towns do the residents contribute less of their income in the form of property taxes to support their town than do the residents of Franklin.

---------------

The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

• Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut) 

Or

• Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!



Additional information on the override can be found here:
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/index.html

http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html


Franklin, MA

HMEA: 5K, Walk and Family Fun day!

HMEA held their 9th Annual Independence 5K Run/Walk in the Park on the ground of EMC in Franklin on Sunday, May 23. 297 runners completed the 5K and hundreds of walkers came out for the event where the sun gradually brought thought the clouds.


Many volunteers came out early to set up for the family fun day. The mysterious Mr Cone Head Man even made an appearance:

Once the set up was complete the volunteers were busy distributing race day packages and t-shirts. The opening ceremonies were held on the main field then everyone moved out to the balloon arch for the start of the 5K and walk. Gene Lavanchy was master of ceremonies:

After the race and walk finished, the clouds looked like they were going to rain on the festivities. Franklin Fire Dept's Tower 1 unit was sent up to check out the situation.

Many kids were attracted to the fire truck as it reached great heights. They lined up to get a view from the tower platform when the unit returned to ground level.

The kids race on the field awarded lollipops to the finishers. Soon the full set of 5K Race age category winners were announced.

WalMart presented a donation. Derek Bergeron of the Plainville Redemption Center program was recognized as the winner of this year’s Kelly Mendall Spirit award.

All those who participated in Franklin on Sunday had a great day. Why?

"We believe in the power of dreams and not the limitations of disability."

If you have not made a contribution to HMEA yet, there is plenty of time.


If you'd like to contribute as part of my fund raising, follow this link:  http://www.firstgiving.com/stephensherlock



Or go directly to the HMEA website here HMEA.org.




Franklin, MA