State to call for water ban due to drought conditions

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online #tc0624
https://twitter.com/hashtag/tc0624?src=hashtag_click

• Real time reporting underway for Town Council meeting 6/24/20 #tc0624
• Roll call and protocol of meeting by Chair Tom Mercer run through #tc0624
• 32 folks present to start. #tc0624 citizen comments - for items not on agenda. None stepped up to do so. Next up, appointments, some had not responded as of last time. 2 for this time; motion to approve, second, vote via roll call 9-0
• Next up expenditure limits https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/5a._20-33_revolving_funds.pdf #tc0624 for revolving funds, this caps the max amount for the fund to hold/spend. Generally based upon nature of account (i.e. volume) vote via roll call passed 9-0
• Next up new revolving fund for treasurer for tax title, https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/5b._20-38_tax_title_revolving_fund.pdf #tc0624 to handle tax title collections effect July 1. Passed via roll call 9-0 also removes $32K from ops budget eventually
• Next up MECC stabilization fund, sets aside money for several years in lieu of the assessment currently not needed but will be in the future.https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/5c._20-39_mecc_stabilization_fund.pdf #tc0624 was discussed during FinCom and TC budget hearings on detail
• MECC stabilization fund discussion, some ops money moved to this and will be out aside for the future use when free assessment expires in FY 25 and FY 26 #tc0624 also for use of fire and police capital costs passed 9-0 via roll call
• Next up first of two readings for water fee increase https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/5d._20-855_water_fees.pdf #tc0624 assuming pass tonight, gets a second reading to take effect 9/01/20, an increase of 10% motion to move to second reading, passes 9-0
• Mostly for $13M water treatment plant underway some grants and low costs loans helping to pay for this to bring wells 3 and 6 back online (currently offline due to high iron and manganese counts) Q are we looking at a water ban re: drought status? #tc0624
• Drought coming due to lack of rain, #tc0624 slides to be added later, these are screen captures from the meeting
• Discussion and clarification around water ban, which we don't have annually (except for prior drought and well fire last year), we have supply but our permit restricts pumping volume. #tc0624 3 and 6 solve volume issues next year when complete
• If you water your lawn you are paying water and sewer fees (but nothing actually goes to the sewer) #tc0624 could you separate a meter for lawn watering? Garelick is also an open item as it is a large user and not completely out of bankruptcy yet
• Private wells can use water under drought as we don't regulate them, they do come from the same aquifer. Should have sign to indicate #tc0624 Q on quarterly increase? Approx $10/q or $40/year. Wells 1, 2, 4 are the biggest producer. There will be a water conservation plan!
• Ball fields will be reduced to once per week watering, #tc0624 if we stopped completely it would cost so much to restore, town buildings are turned off. Coffees to be set up to answer questions on water and supply, vs. permit especially with drought level 2 happening
• What about the pandemic effective of water? Slide shows some volume increase, hand watering is still available, #tc0624 personal well use still uses town aquifer water there is a Community assistance program with income guidelines, call DPW
• Could increase awareness of the program given 4.4% of low income folks in Franklin per some stats as only about 70 folks take advantage of program #tc0624 finally vote to move to 2nd reading, passed 9-0
• Next up salary schedule for Town Clerk, only elected official who earns a salary from the Town. All TC, SchCom, and other board committee members are volunteer. #tc0624 motion to approve, passes 9-0
• Next up police assoc contract for approval https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/5f._20-41_police_association_contract.pdf #tc0624 final collective bargaining agreement on municipal side to reach deal. Motion to approve, passed 9-0 via roll call
• Next up capital plan round 2; recall round 1 done in Jan, rest set aside until after winter and snow/ice confirmed. This these amounts can be used for one time purchases (not operations) #tc0624 FinCom and capital subcomm both approved, vote via roll call, passed 9-0
• Next up, fiscal year transfers, balance accounts within the budget, https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/5h._20-32_fy20_appropriation_transfers.pdf #tc0624 good news overall, given pandemic and revenue lost, this is living within the FY20 budget, passes via roll call 9-0
• Next up, town administrator temp authorization for outdoor dining, https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/5i._20-34_authoroze_ta_to_grant_temp._expansion_licenses.pdf #tc0624 discussed in prior meeting this formalizes the process underway. Passed 9-0 via roll call
• Thanks to Chrissy for her work on the licenses, 3 active cases, 1 increase in week. Good work by all to do this! Keep at it! #tc0624 future items, nothing at this time all around. Comments: thanks for turning out for the budget hearings. Have a great 4th!
• Thanks for folks signing in tonight, thanks to Mike dangelo, Pete fasciano and Franklin TV crew for their work. Motion to adjourn, passed 9-0 via roll call, real time reporting ending now, catch you all next time! #tc0624

screen capture of TC meeting water update #1

screen capture of TC meeting water update #2

screen capture of TC meeting water update #3

screen capture of TC meeting water update #4

screen capture of TC meeting water update #5

screen capture of TC meeting water update #6

screen capture of TC meeting water update #7

DPW update doc on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/water_use_update_june_2020.pdf

Franklin, MA: Water Use Update - June 2020 from Franklin Matters

Franklin Community Garden: Maintenance Day - June 28

MAINTENANCE DAY! Sunday, June 28 from 9-12

The plan is to: Paint the shed (thinking the same color that the wood guardrail at King Street is painted), paint the picnic benches with clear polyurethane, grass will need to be mowed again, and Bed 53 will need to be filled with soil.

That will be it for Maintenance Day/Build Days until the fall! So, please turn up!

REMINDERS:

1. Please drain hoses when done watering your garden bed. When draining, fill the water can that is at that spigot. This way the water is not wasted.
2. Throw away all veggie id tags in the garbage and not on the ground.
3. Please help in filling bed 53 with soil.
4. Please help in spreading the soil next to bed 52 where the demo bed was.
5. If anyone hasn't planted in their bed and have decided not to use the bed this year, kindly contact the Rec Department.

my garden bed is growing nicely this year

In the News: “This report lays out in heartbreaking detail the terrible failures that unfolded"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The leadership of a home for aging veterans in Massachusetts where nearly 80 residents sickened with the coronavirus have died made “substantial errors and failures” as the disease began to spread, likely contributing to the high death toll, according to an independent investigation released Wednesday.

The superintendent of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home was not qualified to manage a long-term care facility and he and his leadership team made decisions that were “utterly baffling from an infection-control perspective,” the report said. Among them was a decision to move veterans from one dementia unit into another, both of which housed veterans who already had the virus.

“Rather than isolating those with the disease from those who were asymptomatic — a basic tenet of infection control — the consolidation of these two units resulted in more than 40 veterans crowded into a space designed to hold 25. This overcrowding was the opposite of infection control; instead, it put those who were asymptomatic at even greater risk of contracting COVID-19,” the report said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200624/report-leadership-failed-to-control-outbreak-at-vets-home

Press release on report  = https://www.mass.gov/news/independent-investigation-examining-the-tragedy-at-the-holyoke-soldiers-home-released

Report itself = https://www.mass.gov/doc/report-to-governor-baker-re-holyoke-soldiers-home/download

Video update = https://youtu.be/zYcmyapiQjU

Franklin's own Carly Alston participates in this video

"Members of the New England Revolution's Special Olympics Unified Team congratulate veteran defender and longtime SOMA partner Andrew Farrell on signing a new contract with the Revs."

Franklin's own Carly Alston participates in this video

MBTA: Commuter Rail notice for schedule on July 3

On Friday, July 3rd the Commuter Rail will run on a regular Saturday schedule in observance of the July 4th Independence Day holiday.

For more information please visit https://www.mbta.com/holidays.

Last Updated: Jun 24 2020 05:01 PM

Franklin's Forge Park Station platform

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Update Your Business Info

The Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) is publicizing changes to Franklin business during the pandemic. 

If you have an update your business would like to share with the community, please complete this online form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdiqm09_ToizP-tpx80CUZ2pJWrl2LaTzm8IRZzzWroquyKfg/viewform). 

If you have already completed the form once, remember to update the submission as needed.

View the updates on the FDP website!

Find other updates from the Downtown Partnership in their newsletter
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/FDP-Newsletter--What-s-Happening-Late-June-2020.html?soid=1120641810412&aid=56B_KrP-bpA

https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

In the News: "Union says 2,000 educators received layoff notices at the end of this school year"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"In 47 school districts where staff are represented by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, layoff and non-renewal notices were sent recently to more than 2,000 teachers and education support professionals, the union announced Tuesday.

The list of 2,030 notices only includes districts where local union officials reported that 10 or more educators received notices that haven’t been rescinded. The union said some notices are issued annually due to enrollment and program changes, but there’s a “spike” this year due to government funding issues.

State officials, in the face of historic revenue declines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, are continuing fiscal 2020 local aid levels through July and August but have not made decisions about full fiscal 2021 local aid levels, which supplement property taxes to form the basis of K-12 education budgets."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200624/union-says-2000-educators-received-layoff-notices-at-end-of-this-school-year

While Franklin did give notices to over 100, approx 54 have not yet been returned to work status. The School Committee just voted on Tuesday to approve the budget acknowledging 19.5 cuts so the situation is still fluid.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/school-committee-relutantly-approves.html

In the News: "Union says 2,000 educators received layoff notices at the end of this school year"