Friday, January 14, 2011

"one budget item that communities can overspend"

After this week's bills are tallied, Franklin Department of Public Works Director Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi said he expects the town to have spent $500,000 to $550,000 of its $750,000 snow removal budget.
"I am concerned," he said. "It hasn't been a good winter to save money. ... We've had over 43 inches of snow in Franklin, and that's what we normally get in a year."
Cantoreggi experimented with only applying salt to main streets and hills earlier in the season to reduce costs. But 50 residents called with complaints about slippery patches in other areas. Public works crews then salted those stretches, he said.
The entire town needed to be salted for Wednesday's storm because the snow was heavy, making it difficult to scrape the roads clear with plows, he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

The DPW provided an update on their snow removal process and budget allocation to the Town Council in October. You can find that information here


Franklin, MA


In the News - Rotary poker


Franklin Rotary plans poker tournament




Franklin, MA

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Town Council - 01/12/11

The collection of live reporting from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan 12 can be found here




Why was the meeting held?
The liquor license application needed to be processed. If the meeting had been rescheduled, it would have created a delay for the applicant and an additional cost as the notifications to abutters, etc as part of the application process would have had to be redone all over again.

The 'easy' way out was to hold the meeting. The roads were clear. The parking lot of the municipal building was clear. 8 of the 9 councilors showed up for the less than 15 minutes that it took to conduct business. The business applicant was happy. He is on schedule to open (hopefully) in mid-February in the former KFC building on RT 140.



Franklin, MA

Pancake Breakfast - Sat, Jan 15th 8:00 - 11:00 AM

The 8th graders at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School are hosting a pancake breakfast to raise funds for their annual trip to Washington D.C.

The pancake breakfast will be held at the Franklin Elks hall on Pond Street in Franklin on Saturday, Jan. 15th from 8am - 11am.

Pancakes, toppings, juice, milk, coffee, and hot chocolate available. All are welcome. Cost is $5 per person (children under age 3 are free).


Franklin, MA

In the News - health lessons, Circle of Friends, women's club


Franklin to add health lessons at elementary schools




Circle of Friends presents the Slambovian Circus of Dreams




St. Mary Catholic Women's Club meeting Jan. 20


Franklin, MA

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Snow angels

Mary Olsson contributes this snow angel!



After clearing the driveway of the major snow, I went back for the minor clean up and took the opportunity to do my snow angel. If you can't do a snow angel, it isn't really snow.



Did you have fun in the snow? Will you have more fun on Thursday?

Feel free to share your photos here or on our Facebook page.



Franklin, MA


Live reporting - Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

FHS Renovation project did get the feasibility agreement signed, so we are eligible for 53% reimbursement. This can be increased during the planning process up to 55%.

L. OLD BUSINESS - none

M. NEW BUSINESS
Whalen - question on the SJC snow decision
Cerel - difference between natural and unnatural causes caused some problems, the court has been moving in this direction to remove the distinctions between natural and unnatural causes. Some communities are getting aggressive in revenue generation by enforcing sidewalk clearing within a specified time after the storm.


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Best wishes to Jean Hunchard (sic) recovering from heart surgery

Best wishes to Zollo on his birthday and Kelly's daughter, they ar enot the same age.



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

P. ADJOURN


Franklin, MA