Lincoln Street Construction - Closed Sat 10/2

On Saturday, October 2, 2010, the Franklin Water Department will be working in the roadway near 603 Lincoln Street. The road will be detoured from Brook Street to Daniels Street. Work will begin at 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Police Details will be on site.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause and thank you in advance for you understanding and cooperation.

The Department of Public Works


Franklin, MA

Town Council - 09/29/10

The live reporting posts from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Sep 29 2010 can be found here:

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting - traffic, continued
• Live reporting - presentation on traffic flow
• Live reporting - Public Hearing - underground util...
• Live reporting - Town Council

Franklin, MA

Dean College hosts first program of business lecture series October 6

Dean College will host the first in a series of presentations by regional and national business leaders called "Leadership in Action, "  on October 6 at 4 p.m. in the College's Campus Center Atrium. 

The first speaker in this series is Irina Simmons, Senior Vice President and Treasurer of EMC Corporation on October 6, 2010 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm in  the Campus Center Atrium.  

Ms. Simmons will discuss "Leadership & Career Services - A Personal Journey".  Immediately following the lecture, a Women's Networking Reception will be held from 5:00 to 6:00 pm in the Campus Center Atrium.  

The event is free and open to the public.

For other events on the Dean calendar visit  http://www.dean.edu/events/index.cfm

In the News - traffic flow, bake sale, Lincoln St

Franklin to make downtown roads two-way

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

St. Mary’s women’s club of Franklin sets bake sale

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin road closed Saturday

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
work on the grant for green underway

L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

Powderly - there was an authorization for money on traffic signals, it is not cash, the authorization was rescinded and it is not available

McGann - We should be looking at our own people first before hiring some person from outside

Nutting - you are not getting all the information, qualifications, past experience, etc. It is a personnel matter and we shouldn't be discussing it.

McGann - if we don't hire from within, it demoralizes the workers here.

Vallee - how long do we wait before a skim coat?

Nutting - every road we do , we let the trench sit at least a winter and then the top coat goes on so it gives the street more integrity

Pfeffer - Stella has a show on Franklin, a series on former selectmen and their decisions

Nutting - it was turned over to the Historical Commission for final painting

Mason - happy birthday to Catherine, who is 16 and I want to embarrass her sufficiently

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

motion to go into executive session, collective bargaining

passed 8-0 (via roll call)

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - traffic, continued

Nutting - the south bound RT 140 traffic will still be a backup, today and the future, everything else will be better

Jones - Safety is the number one issue for me

Vallee - nothing is perfect, the folks were against the change when we went from 2 way to 1 way in the 70's

2. Resolution 10-56: Endorsement of Plan for Two-Way Vehicular Traffic on Emmons, West Central and Main Streets as Element of Downtown Revitalization Project


motion to waive the reading, passed 8-0
motion to approve, passed 8-0



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - presentation on traffic flow

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS – Downtown Franklin Enhancement Project Proposed Traffic Circulation – Westin & Sampson
Gene Bollinger, Bill Paley (spelling?)

We have been accumulating the grant money since it was awarded in 2004.
A public hearing for the 25% design position, then another for the 75% design, with the hope of getting a shovel in the ground for 2012.
Town Council would have to change the bylaws to change the traffic flow
Intent is to gain the Council endorsement for the traffic changes
This is less intensive than what was done previously
Some property taking is anticipated but nothing major, just strips here and there to enable the crossings and turnings

Interest is to come away with your comments and submit the 25% design to MassDOT
Continue to interact with the public, various department heads, Dean College, Downtown Partnership, etc.

The first board identifies the section of the various projects (HPP and PWED)
The PWED can go sooner as it does not require MassDOT approval.
Utility work already underway to try and compress the overall construction schedule and minimize disruption.
End of curb to end of curb, new or re-surfaced roadways, expanded sidewalks for ADA access.
Light pole, street furnishings, etc.

Traffic circulation would stay as is with the exception of the 1-way to 2-way change on Main St

Emmons, West Central - This intersection offers a level of service B, (A is the top, F is the bottom)
Triangle - This intersection offers a level of service C
all the traffic numbers are based upon the peak period.
Summer St is currently rated an F, it would improve to an A with the light and synchronized with the others
Main St/Emmons - Main would be free flow, Emmons would be stop signed

There are raised tables downtown and near Dean, an elongated speed bump to help the walkers

Signalizing the intersections creates gaps in the traffic where there are no gaps with no signals today

Multiple questions and answers.  This part of the meeting will definitely be better to listen/watch to

3 minute recess


Franklin, MA