Davis Thayer is growing grass

On the walk Saturday morning, the sprinklers were out to water the newly seeded lawn. The modular units as reported were removed. New loam was added and leveled. The sidewalk sections needed to be placed but the work to restore the area at the corner of Davis Thayer is well underway.

newly seeded

included the sign to confirm the location

a 'new' look

sidewalk is planned to be completed

sprinklers in action

The modulars (photos from July 2015)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/07/davis-thayer-modular-units-to-be-removed.html

Offer to candidates for the Franklin Election Nov 3, 2015

To the citizens and potential candidates for Franklin's election this November 3

I extend an offer to conduct and post an interview with you here on Franklin Matters and on the corresponding Facebook page. The interview can be either text or audio.

You are running for a position to conduct business on behalf of Franklin. Together, we can share your views, your objectives, and help to spread the word to create an informed voter.

Send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com) and we can arrange a mutually convenient time.

Be aware that this is my public service effort conducted solely to enable informed voters here in Franklin.

Franklin Town Common

I do this for fun and education. If this stops being fun, I will stop.


This is not an advertising site. This is an information sharing site.

My disclosure statement can be found here.
My comment/editorial policy can be found here.

A similar offer was made for the Franklin, MA elections in 2013, 2011, 2009 and 2007.



The interviews for the candidates in the prior elections can be found in the archives

2013 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/franklin-election-2013.html

2011 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html

2009 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/10/2009-election-collection.html

2007 - http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/11/franklin-election-2007.html

5 Reasons You Should Check Your Credit Report Right Now

From the MA Consumer Affairs Blog they have a recent post on why you should get one of your free annual credit reports.

1. "Spot Identity Theft
2. Correct Inaccuracies
3. Know Your Credit History
4. Plan For Your Future
5. You Can Get It For Free"

You can read the full posting here
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/5-reasons-you-should-check-your-credit-report-right-now/

MA Consumer Affairs Blog

You can get your credit report free once per year from each of the three major credit reporting companies at www.annualcreditreport.com. If you are a victim of identity theft, get a second free copy by contacting the credit reporting companies.

Consider this:

There are three credit report companies and you can get a free report every year from each. One way to manage your credit is to request one per quarter. 

January 1 - request from Experian
April 1 - request from TransUnion
July 1 -  request from Equifax

So for a few minutes each quarter, three times a year, you know what is up and you can take timely action. Alternatively, you could request all three at once and then wait a full year to request the free one again.

FHA's Audette named president of Mass. housing association

Lisa Audette of Cumberland, executive director of the Franklin Housing Authority (FHA), has been elected president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, making her the lead advocate for public housing in Massachusetts. 

As president, she will lead an organization that represents more than 240 local housing authorities across Massachusetts, and she will preside over major changes in the delivery of housing services as last year's public housing reform law is implemented. 

Audette, who has served as executive director of the Franklin Housing Authority since 1995, has made significant contributions to MassNAHRO as a member of the board of directors, as treasurer, and as a member of several committees.

Continue reading about Lisa here
http://www.valleybreeze.com/2015-08-05/cumberland-lincoln-area/cumberlands-audette-named-president-mass-housing-association#.VcarMPlViko


For more about the Franklin Housing Authority visit their page here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/housing

or read their entry in the Annual Report for 2013 here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/annual-report-2013-housing-authority.html

or find their entry for 2014 here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2014report.pdf

Franklin Housing Authority

“To prevent measles from spreading with herd immunity, you need 90-95 percent of people vaccinated"

"After a Disneyland measles outbreak last year sickened people with a disease typically associated with years long gone, the California legislature put a stop to the personal belief vaccine exemption that allowed parents to refuse immunization for their children on the grounds they disagreed with the requirement or questioned the need or safety of the vaccine. 

With the return of a disease once thought eradicated in the U.S., a Massachusetts bill is now moving to bring in what California just ruled out. 

Federal and state laws mandate all children must be vaccinated to enter school, with some exceptions. In Massachusetts, parents can opt their children out or delay vaccination for only medical or religious reasons. A bill proposed by Joan Lovely, D-Salem, on behalf of a constituent, would add personal belief exemptions to state law."

Continue reading the article here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150808/NEWS/150807168/1994/NEWS

Franklin Lions Club

Lions meet the needs of local communities and the world every day because they share a core belief - to serve their community. 

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization. We have 1.35 million members in more than 45,000 clubs in more than 206 countries and geographic areas. 

Lions have a dynamic history. Founded in 1917, we are best known for fighting blindness, but we also volunteer for many different kinds of community projects - including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled. 

Lions give sight. By conducting vision screenings, equipping hospitals and clinics, distributing medicine and raising awareness of eye disease, Lions work toward their mission of providing vision for all. We have extended our commitment to sight conservation through countless local efforts and through our international SightFirst Program, which works to eradicate blindness. 

Lions serve youth. Our community projects often support local children and schools through scholarships, recreation and mentoring. Internationally, we offer many programs, including the Peace Poster Contest, Youth Camps and Exchange and Lions Quest.

Our Leo Program provides the youth of the world with an opportunity for personal development through volunteering. There are approximately 144,000 Leos and 5,700 Leo clubs in more than 140 countries worldwide. 

Franklin Lions

Lions award grants. Since 1968, the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) has awarded more than US$700 million in grants to support Lions humanitarian projects around the world. LCIF was also ranked the number one nongovernmental organization in a 2007 study by The Financial Times. 

Lions help during disasters. Together, our Foundation and Lions are helping communities following natural disasters by providing for immediate needs such as food, water, clothing and medical supplies – and aiding in long-term reconstruction. 

Lions are active. Our motto is "We Serve." Lions are part of a global service network, doing whatever is necessary to help our local communities. 

For more about Lions Clubs, go to  http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/franklinma/

Pond St community takes exception to Councilor comments

Several members of the Pond St community took the opportunity to make their presence and feelings known at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday. During the Citizen Comment portion of the meeting, they made and reiterated several points that they believe some of the Councilors continue to forget.

Why take this action? As reported, the recent Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting was conducted on Monday, July 27th beginning at 5:00 PM which is not exactly a convenient time for most working folks. To have some of the EDC members state something to the effect that 'since the community didn't bother to show up, they must not be too concerned about what's happening.'

As this comment has been made previously, and objected to as well, the Pond St community members took turns stating their case: 

• They are united in objection to any development that will increase traffic. 
• The traffic in that area is already a problem (text notes from 3/25/15 meeting or audio recording of same meeting). 
• They understand and appreciate the need for revenue but also want to keep the neighborhood family friendly.
• When one or two of the group show up, they are representing the group. Not all of the group can show up for all of the meetings.
• They are willing to work with the condo proposal and would not want to see a new RFP for a hotel.

The EDC committee contributes to the problem by not being explicit about their intentions. They don't publish minutes of their meetings. They don't spend a few minutes explaining the process which would save them time in the long run (not everyone knows their process). Further, to have a Town Councilor state that the Town Council is not aware of the RFP responses (while technically correct) is stretching it as the EDC is officially made up of four Town Councilors and other Councilors tend to participate in the meetings. 

The EDC is a subcommittee of the Town Council. It will review and make a recommendation to the Council. The Town Council then as a whole will have an opportunity to discuss the matter before making a decision. Depending upon the nature of the discussion and decision to be made a public hearing made be required, or it may simply be an agenda item on a regular Council meeting. If the public hearing is required, there are notification requirements to be met.

Is the EDC really going back out with a new RFP? Was one of the developers asked to redo their proposal? It would be good to know. We'll find out some day if and when the minutes of the meeting are published. I do know experience that if it is the intent to go back out with a new RFP, that would require both an EDC vote and a Town Council vote. The Council met for the only time in August this Wednesday which means if there is to be a return, it won't happen anytime soon. 

The timing of the discussion and potential decisions also makes it highly likely that this sitting Council will not have the final say on the Pond St property. That would fall to the new Council decided on by the voters in the November election.

In other matters covered during the Wednesday meeting:

• The rezoning for Dean Ave had its first public hearing. This seems to be a good move despite the convoluted and confusing answer I received about the potential tax revenue implications of the change from commercial to residential. I'll need to watch the video recording when it is posted (as of Saturday morning (8/8/15 - 7:00 AM), it was not yet made available).
• The manager of the liquor license for Incontro  was acknowledged as changed. 
• The Town Council approved a measure that will be on the November ballot asking the Franklin voters to approve NOT taxing farm animals and equipment. Apparently, the Town has neglected to do so for 25 years and in order to be compliant and officially not tax, they need the voters approval. If we fail to approve, it will cost more to implement the tax than the revenue would be received from it.
• There was an update on the Community Opportunity Grant which will enable some funds for refurbishment of homes for folks who meet the income qualifications.
• Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri provided an update on the timeline and process running up to the Town Election on November 3rd.
• The purchase of the building and land at 275 Beaver was completed. An eminent domain process was also initiated to ensure the town has full and clear rights to the land for the records. Renovation of the building has begun. The funds for the sale of the building were the proceeds from the sale of Emmons St and other 'open space' funds available to Franklin.

The Thompson Press building - proposed to be rezoned from commercial to residential

For the full set of notes as I was reporting live from the meeting:

• Live reporting: Legislation for action through to ...
• Live reporting: Community Opportunities Grant
• Live reporting: Public Hearing - Dean Ave rezoning...
• Live reporting: Town Council - Aug 5, 2015