Nutting - the contract for the downtown project have been received here, signed and returned to the state. We are waiting now for the authorization to proceed. It will take a lot of input from a number of folks to do this project.
We did get the million dollar PWAT (sic) grant to aid in the downtown effort.
The work at King St/RT 140 was completed to help the turn across the from the new Walgreens
Jeff read a letter of thanks for the TIF from a business that did receive one for his relocation to Forge Park.
Initial meeting with Bellingham, Milford on storm water management to ensure that the regulations have a similar standard. We are concerned about the financial implications for local businesses. We have asked to meet with our state representatives. All Town property would be subject to this. Huge cost and implications that we will work for over the next many years.
We were approved for our third Economic Development site.
Q - How much does a plan cost, not even the work itself?
A - This is being developed from the EPA, etc. to reduce the amount of phosphorous input to the Charles River. If your business is sitting on ledge that is one thing as opposed to another sitting on sand. It will be expensive. It is a difficult take to take 50% of the phosphorous out.
Q - What can we learn from Milford's water problem.
A - It can happen anywhere. We can prevent it but try to mitigate it. We get all of our water from wells not surface water. We can isolate water or sections within the town. We have experience. We do have fencing and locks around all of our water points. We have major improvements to our infrastructure with pipe replacement. we do perform inspections everyday of the year. We have a computerize monitoring system, 24 hours a day an alarm will go off if something is not right in the system. We treat all ground water as it comes in. At the end of the day, you're 24-36 hours. We can use the reverse 911 to communicate to all 10,000 households within 30 minutes.
Tom Doak arrived during Jeff's update.
Counselors comments:
Bartlett is not running again for Town Council. She struggled with decision but her schedule won't allow her to commit to deliver 100% of what she thinks she would need. If you think you can contribute to a town position, please consider doing so.
Motion to executive session, not to return to open session
motion passed 7-0
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Live reporting - Action items
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
- Resolution 09-57: Dissolution of Franklin Housing Partnership motion to pass, approved 6-0
- Resolution 09-58: Change of Name, Franklin Commission for Persons with Disabilities motion to pass, approved 6-0
Live reporting - H1N1 Update
Board of Health - David E. McKearney, R.S.
over 1100 confirmed cases, with 11 fatalities in MA
shows an affinity for younger population, those 18 and younger
Have 2 viruses to worry about, (1) the regular seasonal flu and (2) the H1N1 virus
The seasonal flu vaccine will be made available earlier this year
Projecting to have initial does of the H1N1 vaccine here in MA in later October/early November
There will be designated distribution sites for the vaccine
The information available is fluid and changing, as soon as it is updated, it will be spread.
Some of the models for combating the virus are to vacinate the target population, the target population is itself changing. It usually includes the young, pregnant mothers, EMT's etc.
It currently does not include the Police Dept and that has raised some concerns.
Franklin has compiled a listing of medical professionals (over 40 thus far).
If we qualify, we could become a designated distribution site at no cost to the community.
Need to formulate the plan in detail (fire dept, school nurses, medical volunteers, etc.)
To hit the targeted school population (over 8000 including Tri-County and the Charter school). We could have a capacity of doing about 400 per hour. The one item we may not be able to control is the actual amount of vaccine we will receive.
Q - Since there have been very few deaths with this versus others, is there something they are not telling us?
A - I share your concern. The numbers don't tell much. However, mixing this virus into a larger population, along with the seasonal flu could mutate in ways we have not seen. There is a great deal of preparation on this. There is a lot of literature on this. We have been preparing for a pandemic for some time.
Q - Is there some place that medical professionals that they should register with.
A - We got a listing from the State a while ago, we sent out a mailing to all the known professionals. We did it a second time a couple of months ago. We yielded more in the second pass. They can reach out to us at the Board of Health. The information is available on the web site.
Q - Are you reaching out to the other Town departments to coordinate the effort.
A - Yes, we have been reaching out to all the departments with regular meetings. The Superintendent of Schools has been participating regularly. All the standard procedures (covering your cough, basic hand hygine, etc.)
Nutting - We have an emergency management team meeting regularly. We had discussed different items, hurricanes, other storms,and recently have been dealing with the H1N1. Maureen and her folks are all over this.
Q - Where do we actually get the vaccine?
A - The State gets it from the Federal level, then the State will distribute it locally. We are supposed to get plenty but if the distribution supply is interrupted, then things could change. We take direction from the Department of Public Health. It is a bit daunting but when you break it into bits, it becomes more manageable.
The vaccine is strictly voluntary. We are not mandating anything.
Q - How much testing is there being done? Is it safe?
A - I cdon't have a definite answer to that. It has been fast tracked. It is getting pilot studies with humans.
Q - If MA gets 2 million by November, will they use the one million and save the other one for the second round.
A - No, at this point they have been told to utilize the vaccine and not to hold it for the second pass.
over 1100 confirmed cases, with 11 fatalities in MA
shows an affinity for younger population, those 18 and younger
Have 2 viruses to worry about, (1) the regular seasonal flu and (2) the H1N1 virus
The seasonal flu vaccine will be made available earlier this year
Projecting to have initial does of the H1N1 vaccine here in MA in later October/early November
There will be designated distribution sites for the vaccine
The information available is fluid and changing, as soon as it is updated, it will be spread.
Some of the models for combating the virus are to vacinate the target population, the target population is itself changing. It usually includes the young, pregnant mothers, EMT's etc.
It currently does not include the Police Dept and that has raised some concerns.
Franklin has compiled a listing of medical professionals (over 40 thus far).
If we qualify, we could become a designated distribution site at no cost to the community.
Need to formulate the plan in detail (fire dept, school nurses, medical volunteers, etc.)
To hit the targeted school population (over 8000 including Tri-County and the Charter school). We could have a capacity of doing about 400 per hour. The one item we may not be able to control is the actual amount of vaccine we will receive.
Q - Since there have been very few deaths with this versus others, is there something they are not telling us?
A - I share your concern. The numbers don't tell much. However, mixing this virus into a larger population, along with the seasonal flu could mutate in ways we have not seen. There is a great deal of preparation on this. There is a lot of literature on this. We have been preparing for a pandemic for some time.
Q - Is there some place that medical professionals that they should register with.
A - We got a listing from the State a while ago, we sent out a mailing to all the known professionals. We did it a second time a couple of months ago. We yielded more in the second pass. They can reach out to us at the Board of Health. The information is available on the web site.
Q - Are you reaching out to the other Town departments to coordinate the effort.
A - Yes, we have been reaching out to all the departments with regular meetings. The Superintendent of Schools has been participating regularly. All the standard procedures (covering your cough, basic hand hygine, etc.)
Nutting - We have an emergency management team meeting regularly. We had discussed different items, hurricanes, other storms,and recently have been dealing with the H1N1. Maureen and her folks are all over this.
Q - Where do we actually get the vaccine?
A - The State gets it from the Federal level, then the State will distribute it locally. We are supposed to get plenty but if the distribution supply is interrupted, then things could change. We take direction from the Department of Public Health. It is a bit daunting but when you break it into bits, it becomes more manageable.
The vaccine is strictly voluntary. We are not mandating anything.
Q - How much testing is there being done? Is it safe?
A - I cdon't have a definite answer to that. It has been fast tracked. It is getting pilot studies with humans.
Q - If MA gets 2 million by November, will they use the one million and save the other one for the second round.
A - No, at this point they have been told to utilize the vaccine and not to hold it for the second pass.
Live reporting - License transactions
F. HEARINGS none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- Change of Manager – Joe’s American Bar & Grill - motion to approve, passed 6-0
Live reporting - Appointments
E. APPOINTMENTS
- Election Workers 2009-2010 motion to approve, passed 6-0
- Finance Committee (Linda Poole Huempfner) motion to approve, passed 6-0
Live reporting - Town Council Mtg
Attending: Whalen, Mason, Vallee, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak (Doak arrived just before executive session)
Missing: McGann, Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
Missing: McGann, Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
Demographics help explain
There are a significant number of residents under 18 years old living in Franklin. Between 1990 and 2003, Franklin’s total population increased by 33.8%; during the same time, the number of residents under 18 increased by 58.3%9....In 2007, nearly 970 students enrolled in the Franklin Public Schools had a disability, of which, nearly 7% had physical disabilities.11 Franklin recognized the need to provide accessible areas to individuals of all ability levels and over the past several years, has been successful in upgrading all the Public School playgrounds to meet ADA compliancy requirements....Another population of interest in Franklin is its elderly residents. Census 2000 indicates 8.2% of Franklins 2000 population was age 65 years or older. As Franklin’s population ages, it is important for the Town to ensure the needs of priority populations are met. In 2008 the Town opened the newly constructed Senior Center. The Center provides Franklin’s seniors with a location to gather and programs geared towards this population’s recreation needs.
When one wonders why the School Budget has become such an item, the demographics of the Town can provide some insights. Read more in the Open Space and Recreation Plan on the Town web site here (PDF)
Citizens Rail Trail presentation added to meeting notes
This was the presentation developed for and viewed at the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee meeting on 8/19/09. The presentation was developed by Bill DiSantis.
The presentation was added to the meeting notes of 8/19/09 and here to save clicking back into the August files.
Franklin Rail Trail
View more presentations from Steve Sherlock.
The presentation was added to the meeting notes of 8/19/09 and here to save clicking back into the August files.
Take a ride on the Franklin Area Bus
Did you know that you can have it stop for you along the route?
This September, why not take some time to ride the bus. For $1, it can be a real bargain.
One of the buses on the Franklin Area route has been wrapped to help advertise for Dean College. The bus (pictured below) was recently seen on its route along King St.
For more information (and schedule) on the Franklin Area Bus follow this link (PDF).
This September, why not take some time to ride the bus. For $1, it can be a real bargain.
One of the buses on the Franklin Area route has been wrapped to help advertise for Dean College. The bus (pictured below) was recently seen on its route along King St.
For more information (and schedule) on the Franklin Area Bus follow this link (PDF).
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Live reporting - Public Land Use Committee
Attending: Liz Fester, Mark Anderson, Tim Twardowski
Missing: Jim Estabrook, Ray Willis
Beth Dahlstrom, Town Planner
Brian Taberner, Director, Planning and Community Development
Members of the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee
Dave Dennison, Allan Sawyer, David Labonte, Karl Svendsen
Ron Clough, DCR
Franklin Rail Trail - part of the Titanic Trail
This presentation was based upon the one prepared by Bill DiSantis and edited by Carl Svendsen for this meeting.
Wadsworth Village, near Spring Street crossing, a historical site
How the trail would be finished off is somewhat dependent upon the requirements for the funding organization. Hard pack would be desirable.
Bellingham has a subcommittee to their Conservation Committee doing the same thing that the FCRTC is doing.
FCRTC is a grass roots organization coordinating with DCR.
Meeting with the Rotary Club to look for additional funding.
Dan O'Brian, a trail planner on the DCR staff
It is a feasible project. What you need is creation of a management plan. The plan would be two-fold, (1) development of the trail and (2) the on-going maintenance.
If you can avoid the MassHighway process which requires multiple dollars and multiple years. If you go with a fully engineered 12 foot way, that's one thing. If you are agreeable to go with the lesser option, then maybe the Town can provide some assistance.
The Town Planner and others within the Town can help the FCRT Committee
Ultimately looking at a 10 foot paved section with a yellow line down the middle and an adjacent 5 foot section hard pack for horse or jogger traffic.
Look into the ATT easement for an opportunity for sponsorship or opportunity for maintenance that could be leveraged.
Beth Dhalstrom and Dave Labonte to compare dates to find an acceptable meeting time in September to continue this discussion.
Election "Line up card"
Table below shows the positions available for election this November. Check for the updated version here
The Candidates column initially showed just the incumbents.
Those who have confirmed taking out papers are marked with a * and bold.
New candidates have their name in bold with -new.
The existing position holders who have not yet taken out papers are listed for reference to keep track of the "line up card"
So what does this tell us?
We need more candidates! The only election competition is for the Board of Health position.
The Candidates column initially showed just the incumbents.
Those who have confirmed taking out papers are marked with a * and bold.
New candidates have their name in bold with -new.
The existing position holders who have not yet taken out papers are listed for reference to keep track of the "line up card"
So what does this tell us?
We need more candidates! The only election competition is for the Board of Health position.
| Name | # of Openings | Candidates | Term of Office |
| Board of Assessors | 1 Position (For 4 years) | Robert Avakian* | 2009 to 2013 |
| Board of Health | 1 Position (For 4 years) | Bruce Hunchard* Koren Kanadanian-new | 2009 to 2013 |
| Planning Board | 2 Position (For 4 years) | Anthony Padula* | 2009 to 2013 |
| * 1Vacant | Joseph Halligan-new | 2009 to 2013 | |
| Planning Board (Associate) | * 1 vacant position (For 4 Years) | 2009 to 2013 | |
| Town Council | 9 Positions (For 2 Years) | Joseph McGann | 2009 to 2011 |
| Deborah Bartlett | |||
| R. Scott Mason* | |||
| Christopher Feeley | |||
| Judith Pond Pfeffer* | |||
| Thomas Doak - not running again | |||
| Shannon Zollo* | |||
| Robert Vallee* | |||
| Stephen Whalen | |||
| Glenn Jones- new Daniel Ballinger-new | |||
| School Committee | 7 Positions (For 2 Years) | Cora Armenio | 2009 to 2011 |
| Susan Rohrbach* | |||
| Paula Mullen* | |||
| Edward Cafasso* | |||
| Roberta Trahan | |||
| Matthew Kelly | |||
| Jeffrey Roy* |
Did you know that development of the rail trail is an objecitve?
Two public hearings that included mapping activities were held at the Franklin Town Hall on March 13 and 20, 2008. Although no requests were made, translation services and assistance to disabled populations would have been provided to ensure all populations could participate in the OSRP planning process. See Appendix E for minutes of these Public Hearings. Among the thoughts expressed by the Franklin citizen attendees were their desire to acquire chapter 61B land in the north end of town if it becomes available, as well as Mt. St. Mary's Abby and the Schmidt Farm. They felt town-owned land could be used for alternative uses such as low income housing, and the public should be educated on CPA prior to presenting it on a future ballot. Citizens expressed a desire to increase the number of bike paths and trails in town, increase access to the SNETT and State Forest, identify and preserve priority habitats, as well as implement "Smart Development" concepts and initiatives.
Read more from the Open Space and Recreation Plan on the Town web site here (PDF)
Members of the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee will be participating in the Public Land Use Committee meeting Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM in Room 205 in the Municipal Building.
In the News: some candidates, police grant
On the election front:
Franklin candidates starting to take out papers
from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Angel Roy/Daily News staff
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An update on the grant that the Police just received:
Franklin crosswalks to become safer through grant
Limited - bicycle/skateboard safety helmets available
The Franklin Police Department Safety Division has a limited number of bicycle/skateboard safety helmets available.
Various sizes, no charge, first come first served.
If interested, contact CSO Sergeant Spillane by clicking here.
Franklin Police Department Receives Grant
Franklin Police Department Receives Pedestrian, Bicycle and Moped-Type Safety Enforcement and Equipment Grant Award
Franklin, MA -The Franklin Police Department was awarded $7,490.52 in federal grant funding as part of the 2009-2010 Pedestrian, Bicycle and Moped-Type Safety Enforcement and Equipment Grant Program from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). This program provides overtime funds for targeted enforcement of pedestrian, bicycle, and moped laws, equipment, and materials. The EOPSS awarded 16 of these grants totaling $100,000 in federal highway safety fundsJ
"We are pleased to receive these funds to enhance our pedestrian, bicycle and mopedtype enforcement activities in Franklin" said Sgt. Chris Spillane of the Franklin Police Department. "Any loss on our roadways is one too many and this program will help to reduce the instances of pedestrian, bicycle and moped crashes with motor vehicles."
According to the Massachusetts Crash Data System, in 2007 there were 66 pedestrian fatalities and 1,273 non-fatal injuries along with 11 pedalcyclist fatalities and 800 nonfatal injuries on Massachusetts roadways. Additionally, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2007, pedestrians made up 15% of motor vehicle-related fatalities in Massachusetts, compared to the national average of 11 % in
2007. Similarly, in 2007, pedalcyclists made up 2.5% of all motor vehicle-related fatalities in Massachusetts, compared to the national average of 1.7%.
For more information on this program go to wvvw.mass.gov/highwaysafety and click on 2009-2010 Pedestrian, Bicycle and Moped-Type Safety Enforcement and Equipment Grant.
----
For additional information you can also contact Sgt. Chris Spillane at 508-528-1212
Franklin, MA -The Franklin Police Department was awarded $7,490.52 in federal grant funding as part of the 2009-2010 Pedestrian, Bicycle and Moped-Type Safety Enforcement and Equipment Grant Program from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). This program provides overtime funds for targeted enforcement of pedestrian, bicycle, and moped laws, equipment, and materials. The EOPSS awarded 16 of these grants totaling $100,000 in federal highway safety fundsJ
"We are pleased to receive these funds to enhance our pedestrian, bicycle and mopedtype enforcement activities in Franklin" said Sgt. Chris Spillane of the Franklin Police Department. "Any loss on our roadways is one too many and this program will help to reduce the instances of pedestrian, bicycle and moped crashes with motor vehicles."
According to the Massachusetts Crash Data System, in 2007 there were 66 pedestrian fatalities and 1,273 non-fatal injuries along with 11 pedalcyclist fatalities and 800 nonfatal injuries on Massachusetts roadways. Additionally, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2007, pedestrians made up 15% of motor vehicle-related fatalities in Massachusetts, compared to the national average of 11 % in
2007. Similarly, in 2007, pedalcyclists made up 2.5% of all motor vehicle-related fatalities in Massachusetts, compared to the national average of 1.7%.
For more information on this program go to wvvw.mass.gov/highwaysafety and click on 2009-2010 Pedestrian, Bicycle and Moped-Type Safety Enforcement and Equipment Grant.
----
For additional information you can also contact Sgt. Chris Spillane at 508-528-1212
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