Saturday, May 10, 2008

Franklin Center - opening September 2008


"Single level living"

Seems to me to mean that each condo will be located within one floor as the building will be three stories tall (at least that is what it appears to be now).

That is a good advantage for a condo compared to other layouts where you have your space spread amongst a smaller foot print and you use multiple floors for your living space.

Way to go!

Franklin Center grows


Franklin Center grows, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Almost missed this as it is tucked away behind the completed buildings along Main St. They have moved aggressively and have a second floor almost complete with a third floor coming.

Way to go!

Parmenter School: Car Wash/Bottle Drive 5/17/08


On our walk today, found this to spread the good news about!

Attention Franklin Train Riders

Franklin Line Necessary Track Work ~ Bussing Monday through Friday

Beginning Thursday May 8 and continuing until further notice Monday through Friday, passengers on trains operating between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM will be bussed between Norwood Central and Walpole and vice-versa.

All passengers at the Windsor Gardens stop will be dropped off and picked up on Route 1A in front of the Windsor Gardens complex, not at the station.

Delays of up to 30 minutes may occur to the following trains as a result of the bussing: Outbound: 707, 709 and 711 Inbound: 714, 716 and 718

We apologize for any inconvenience that may result from this necessary track work. Thank you for riding Commuter Rail.

From the MBTA web site


Note:
After the work on this particular section, there will be bussing around the Norfolk and then Franklin/Dean and Franklin/Forge Park stations. This is due to the required track work and that there is only a single track between Franklin and Walpole.

This is part of the notice made back in April.

In the News - Water/Sewer rates

GHS
Posted May 09, 2008 @ 11:36 PM

FRANKLIN —

Residents will start paying more for water, and less on sewer this July.

Thanks to conservation, the town is not selling as much water as it has in years past, and will bump up the rate 15 percent at the start of fiscal 2009, and another 15 percent in fiscal 2010, as voted 6-2 by Town Council on May 7.

The council also agreed to lower sewer charges by 10 percent, as recommended by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.

The dual changes will result an a net increase of about $23 for the average rate payer, Nutting estimated.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

Read my notes written during the during meeting here.

Listen to this segment of the meeting to hear what was said by whom.


DPW Open House 5/31/08 (audio)

From the Town Council meeting on 5/7/08, reminder that the water conservation restrictions will begin the Tuesday after Memorial day.

There is also an announcement of the Open House at the Dept of Public Works. Focused for the kids and families.

Time: 2 minutes, 20 seconds



MP3 File

My notes from the meeting can be found here.

Water/Sewer Rate Changes (audio)

From the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, the discussion and eventual vote approving the water rate increase of 15% and sewer rate decrease 10%. The water rate will also increase in FY 2010 another 15% to help provide the funding necessary to continue the water line repairs at about 1-2 miles per year.

Admendment moved to second reading on personnel classification adjustments.

Amendment moved to second reading on an adjustment to the water map.

Time: 10 minutes, 47 seconds



MP3 File

My notes from the meeting can be found here.

Town Common sign placement (audio)

From the Town Council meeting on 5/7/08, there was less discussion than the first time this came up (which caused it to go away for rework).

It is a sign touting the historical signifcance of the town to be positioned on the Town Common. It can be moved if necessary.

Time: 11 minutes, 34 seconds



MP3 File

Other action items (audio)

From the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, a series of resolutions were discussed briefly and voted on to approve funding for the following:
  • balance the snow/ice account now that winters passed
  • zoning board advertising budget
  • override election funding
  • veterans budget adjustment
  • comptroller budget adjustment

Time: 5 minutes, 37 seconds




MP3 File

My notes taken during the meeting can be found here.

Ladder Truck paydown plan (audio)

From the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, the discussion and vote on the paydown plan for the new ladder truck. The truck costs $869,000. This resolution approves the payment of $169,000 this year and $175,000 for each of the next 4 years.

Time: 3 minutes, 45 seconds



MP3 File

My notes taken during the meeting can be found here.

4th of July (audio)

The new 4th of July coalition gets the same town backing (capped at $15,000) as when the town ran the recent 4th celebrations (approx 2002-2007).

There is no parade this year. The group was cautioned that this should be considered seed money. They should expect to become self-sustaining in future years as the town funds are tight.

Time: 17 minutes, 48 seconds



MP3 File

The notes from the meeting can be found here.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Franklin School Department positions lost 2003-2009


If the override does not get passed, the school department would lose 46.5 positions. The reduction this year (FY 2009) would come primarily from teachers in the classroom this year that would leave in June and not return to help Franklin's students continue their education in September.

A more complete picture of the reductions in the education budget can be found in the slide presentation found here.

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Learn all you can by visiting here frequently.

Visit the School Committee override page for the schedule of information sessions

You can find all the override related information here


Be informed to cast your vote on June 10th

Election date - June 10th

Election Date

Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Time: 6:00am - 8:00pm

Place: Franklin High School Fieldhouse

Question #1: Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to assess an additional $2,800,000.00 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of the operating budget for which monies from this assessment will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008? Yes No


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Learn as much as you can by visiting here frequently.

Visit the School Committee override page for the schedule of information sessions

Be informed to cast your vote on June 10th

Four Corners Potential Sale to Walgreens (audio)

from the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, the presentation and discussion on the potential sale of the Four Corners building and land to Walgreens. This item will return to the agenda in two weeks for a formal vote.

Time: 24 minutes, 10 seconds



MP3 File

My notes taken during the meeting can be found here.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Councilor McGann during Citizens Comment (audio)

From the Town Council meeting on 5/7/08, Councilor McGann uses the Citizens Comment portion of the meeting to complain about his not getting notified of the meeting at 6:00 PM the week before to vote on the override question. He arrived at 6:50 and was surprised to find the meeting over.

Time: 5 minutes, 4 seconds



MP3 File

My notes taken during the comments by Councilor McGann can be found here.