Friday, April 9, 2010

What does the health care bill have for MA?

I like the presentation. Input your state and the data from the state then fills out the script to make it your (state) story.

They don't provide the code to embed it here but you can follow this link to view it.

Don't get too distracted by it and forget to come back here though!



Franklin, MA

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Town Council Mtg Smry 04/07/10

The collection of posts reported live from the Town Council meeting on Weds April 7th can be found here





Franklin, MA

2nd Fund Raising Event for Abbey Candy House





FRIENDS of the ABBEY
In 
SPORTS AND SONG







Come join with us in Sports


MATT LIGHT

PATRIOTS Offensive Tackle
(Six Division Championships, Four Conference Titles,
Three Super Bowl Championships)
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING –  PATRIOTS MEMORABILIA


Come join with us in Song

AYLA BROWN
– former American Idol finalist from season 5:
(Boston College Eagles Basketball)



SILENT AUCTIONS, RAFFLES, DOOR PRIZE
ADMISSION: ADULTS $10.00
Children Free - Cash/Checks only



Where: Lake Pearl Luciano’s
When: April 11, 2010
2:00 to 4:00 P.M.
Creek St., Wrentham, Ma.

Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey – 300 Arnold St. – Wrentham, Ma. 02093
Phone: 508 528 1282 Web www.msmabbey.org


In the News - Graci, Downtown Partnership, NECPA

Kristin Graci remembered as vivacious friend, softball player

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 



Downtown Partnership holding membership drive


Franklin, MA

Parmenter 5K Race/Walk - May 16th

The Parmenter Elementary School will be the start and finish for their 2nd Annual 5K Race/Walk on Sunday, May 16th.

You can visit the event website for detailed information here
http://parmenter5k.weebly.com/index.html

You can also register at Active.com here
http://www.active.com/running/franklin-ma/2nd-annual-parmenter-5k-for-all-ages-2010



Franklin, MA

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Live reporting - Adminstrator, closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Online payments, coming next week
note the passing of Clara Lodi

L. OLD BUSINESS - none

M. NEW BUSINESS -
Kelly -Can we get a briefing on the sewer system for the new councilors?

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - precincts 2, 3, 4 special election on Apr 13th
Franklin Food Pantry running low on donations at this time
Based upon the budget discussion, try to get information, read the long range financial report
the more informed, the better we will be

Zollo - I would hope that the parties would be able to reach an agreement
it seems to be in the Town's interest to resolve this
on the budget issue, I supported the capital plan
you can suffer disproportionate consequences
for the same reasons that I supported the capital plan, I will look to support the human capital

Pfeffer - it is a great thing to visit the Senior Center, it is not limited to Tina, Scott and I

Jones - I'd like to apologize for my absence, I was in Haiti.

Whalen - the long range committee is projecting a deficit of about 6 million for FY 12 and we are also looking at a debt exclusion for the high school renovation

Mason - my condolences to the Lodi family
congratulations to Jones for returning safely

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
motion to go into executive session, not to return, passed 8-0



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - legislation

 I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION –

1. Resolution 10-12: Request for Special Legislation, RE: Amendment of Town of Franklin Home Rule Charter
motion to approve, passed 6-2 (Jones, Zollo voted no)
effectively two questions would come back to Franklin voters for approval in a future (Nov 2010?) election; one, to approve the technical changes; two, to approve the Treasure/Collector as appointed rather than elected.

Paul Cheli - I thought there would be a part for this to include the Clerk as well, did I miss a meeting?
Nutting - there wasn't a consensus


2. Resolution 10-13: Appropriation: FY 10 Capital Plan
motion to approve, passed 8-0
Discussion:
Pfeffer - the Capital subcommittee had qualms about spending money under the circumstances but if you don't take care of things now, it gets worse later. There are monies identified for this to help the roads. The Cable Commission has also contributed money to convert to a fiber network which will save the Town 50,000 annually.
Kelly - we worked hard to do the needs rather than the wants.
Whalen - I think we need to continue to do these routine maintenance, it gets worse if we don't. The amount of what is funded is about 10-15% of what is actually requested.
Nutting - from cable we receive money as part of their licenses from both Comcast and Verizon, it is a joint use of fiber and provides us a payback of about 50,000 per year. A win-win for the cable folks and for the town as well.
Whalen - what is the employee benefits encumbered account?
Nutting - it was money set aside for a bargaining agreement that has not come to fruition and not likely to in the near future.

Jones - as a member of the subcommittee, I agree with Judy and Matt. We need to take care of these now rather than pay more later.
Mason - this isn't anybody's Christmas list, these are real needs. The total of what they really need, it is far more. Not counting the Davis Thayer school we have 3 million dollars of need. We need to keep doing this.

3. Resolution 10-14: Appropriation: Capital FY 10 – Fire Truck
motion to approve, passed 8-0
Discussion:
Nutting: We have a replacement plan for police and fire vehicles, we don't have one for a fire truck so this gets us started on one.
Mason: If we don't buy a truck for the DPW, we don't get a road paved, if we don't buy a fire truck maybe we don't get a life saved. I'd like to see a presentation on the cost of a new truck.
Nutting: there is a lease purchase option, we looked at it for the Tower and can look at it again.

Chief McCarragher - we have two vehicles, one at 10 years and one at 20 years, we are trying to make the best of a bad situation
4. Resolution 10-15: Appropriation: Parmenter School Solar Panels
motion to approve: passed 8-0
Nutting - applied for and received grant for 100,000 with a ten percent match, this is the 10,000. Yes, there is an energy savings but that is a Mike D'Angelo question, I don't know the answer.
Jones - I think this is a great program, this is an exciting thing for the town

5. Resolution 10-16: Appropriation: Triennial Property Revaluation
Kevin Doyle, Assessor
motion to approve, passed 8-0
Discussion:
Board of Assessors have requested outside help for re-valuations this year for Commercial/Industrial
There are still monies in Fiscal 2008, 2009, to be further evaluated
Pfeffer - how much is left in 2008?
Doyle - About 100,000
Pfeffer - how much is left in 2009?
Doyle - about the same amount
Nutting - any amount released would go into the general overlay surplus and subject to Council approval

6. Resolution 10-17: Appropriation: Personal Property Revaluation
Kevin Doyle, Assessor
motion to approve, passed 8-0
Discussion:
We do this on a regular basis, we usually gain more in revenue than we expend in this manner
7. Bylaw Amendment 10-642: Amendment to Chapter 181-6:Wetlands Protection; Notice and Hearings – 2nd Reading
Moved to waive reading, passed 8-0
motion to approve, (requires roll call vote) passed 8-0
suggested changes to make things simplier
8. Bylaw Amendment 10-644: Amendment to the Code, Sewer Map Extension- 1st Reading
Mason, McGann - recuse themselves

Paul Cheli, John Collela
Don Neilsen

This bylaw is a very difficult bylaw, it is well crafted, one size does not fit all.
The Board of Health has condemned the property, Mr Dacey has it in tax title
Mr Collela is proposing to demolish the building and put in two single family homes, in a nice neighborhood

148 Washington St - located within 200 Ft of i495 overpass, looking to take one lot and subdivide it to two lots

The sewer extension begins towards Union St, requires two man holes would come up the side of the street, would not be near other utilities. 258 feet of sewer pipe

Bill Yadisernia

I did approve other extension because the sewer capacity was available for it
I don't have approval for this area. This could not be put in a worse area.
We have capacity problems with the Beaver St intercept. This is a 100 year old system. A new sewer system would be 10-15 million dollars
We have computer model simulations that show this system area will backup. Statistically in a 17 year event, sewer backing up into someones house is a health hazard.
I think what we are talking about here, when we have high ground water and rainfall, you don't want to put anymore water in it. The glass is already full. You run the risk of causing backups. 440 gallons a day.
We have spent a lot of money to reduce inflows, we have to limit residential development especially that is not needed.
I think they can still develop these lots and do onsite septic systems. If they can demonstrate otherwise, I'll consider it. I don't see a hardship here.

Pfeffer - Did Penny Lane meet the requirements?
Yadisernia - Penny Lane did meet the requirements by adding additional remediation to their property and paying additional I&I fees.

Zollo - Are we claiming hardship here?
Cheli - yes, there is a hardship, try buying a brand new house with a raised septic system in the backyard. Yes, we spend too much time testing and repairing. Mr Collela knows what he is doing, he knows this market. The septic system will fail it is a question of when.

Zollo - why is this the worst area of town to put this in?
Yadisernia - this area has a very steep sloop. It is discharging right into the bad area. The sewer system is really flat and doesn't flow well.

Zollo - I am sensitive to the issue of the raised septic. It is not insignificant. Are there any other things that can be done to make it more acceptable?
Yadisernia - I&I would be an alternative but effectively you don't get one here. The cost to the Town would be how to take the flow out.

Nutting - traditionally, those items are worked out in advance with the developer. The Town and DPW is opposed to the Board of Health position on septic systems.

Mark Cerel - clarifications on the bylaw, effectively this does not meet the hardship requirement, it would only be for a single house, not this set.

Yadisernia - I don't recommend any extension in this case, the glass is full.

Powderly - Are there mitigations that can be done?
Yadisernia - We have been working on this as a high priority, we have problems because we have put things into this system that we shouldn't have. We are far ahead of any other town in this area. That is the I&I that I would be looking for, it is not extortion.

Whalen - I couldn't be more in disagreement that there is extortion here.
Cheli - I spoke out of turn, I withdraw that comment.

motion to move to second reading, passed 6-0




Franklin, MA

Live reporting - budget update

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
1. Legislative Update by Representative James E. Vallee & State Senator Karen Spilka - unable to participate tonight

2. FY 2011 Budget Discussion

Jeff Nutting updates that
  • Property tax will normally allow an increase of 1.8 million
  • State Aid is currently expected to decline 1.2 million
  • Therefore, net revenue would increase 600,000

Tri-County assessment is expected to increase about 550,000 due to an increase in Franklin student enrollment

Some numbers are still being developed before presenting to the Council not a level service budget but a level funded budget.

Over the years the Town and Schools have already cut their expense budgets, further cuts would come from personnel, the Town likely would loose 5-10 positions.

Whalen - what would be the level service budget deficit?
Nutting - about 3 million, the real request was in the neighborhood of 4 million, the schools have almost another 1 million of stimulus funds to offset this for one year.

Whalen - if we want a level services budget, we would have to cut 3 million to get to the balanced budget

Zollo - how many years have we cut?
Nutting - from 305 to 255 positions from 2001 to 2011, about 50 positions

Zollo - how many on the school side?
Sabolinski - we have been cutting since 2001, in excess of 100 positions
Mason - what has been the student growth in the same period?

Sabolinski - we are over 6100 students now
Nutting - we are paying for the rapid growth in the 90's, the overall population has grown but the school population has grown more
FY 11 may be tough, but FY 12 may be even tougher as the stimulus funds dry up. We are not unique, we will do the best we can with the funds available.

Powderly - The projections do not look at any rosier for the future. There are pieces of our budget that grow beyond our control.

Nutting -comparative numbers for Police, doing double the work with less folks. With folks retiring or leaving, we have not filled positions anticipating the budget problem.

Mason - I am very concerned of the trend. At least for every year, I have been on the Council your projections have been on the money. I am asking that we place an override discussion on the agenda for Apr 28th. I think we should have a decision on an amount to be determined.

3 minute recess


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Community Health Council

 H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS


3. Presentation by The Community Health Council
Michelle Kingsland-Smith
Bart Pinchuck
Lisa Keohane

Council formed in 2008 to address the Metrowest Community Health Survey results
Still looking for additional members and funding to become a sustaining organization
All activities posted on the Schools website
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/CHC/default.htm

All activities speak to healthy choices for the children in the community

Carolyn Bomiller, MIAA
W.A.S.T.E.D program returns Tuesday April 27th at Franklin High School

Lisa Keohane, volunteer coordinator for Teenangels

Allie, Katie, Abbie, Kate, Sammy, Justin

created 4 public service announcements for broadcast through the schools


starting to get around to the middle schools and elementary schools

a presentation next week to incoming parents and students for the Annie Sullivan Middle School.

campaign to speak up and tell


prior posts on teenangels
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-reporting-teen-angels.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/teen-angels-pledge-text-think-send.html

Bart - YMCA healthy futures initiatives
One in three are expected to develop Type II Diabetes
started work with UMass Boston in 2005, pilot program
10 week program to develop better eating habits, working with the student and family
developed the healthy futures to address their 15 service communities
have hired a registered dietitian to help
enlisting help across the community, parents, businesses, etc.

community wide assessment, survey of lunches
Metrowest Community Health Foundation is funding their continued efforts in this
raised garden beds are coming to the community



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - license transaction

F. HEARINGS - none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – New Officer & Director Change for Longhorn Steakhouse
all paperwork is in order, motion to approve, passed 8-0


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Town Council - Apr 7, 2010

Present: Kelly, Jones, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Zollo, Powderly
Absent: Vallee,

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 10, Special Meeting & March 17, 2010, Regular & Executive Session
With one modification on S Whalen as member of but not chair of subcommittee on Charter


B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

next Council breakfast at Senior Ctr - June 10

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

Long Range Financial Planning Committee - Brendan Morrison  motion to approve, passed 8-0
Cultural Council - Helen Reebenacker  motion to approve, passed 8-0



Franklin, MA

HMEA Recycling Center - ribbon cutting

HMEA opened their Recycling Center in Plainville, MA today. The United Regional Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony to help celebrate the special event.



Enjoy!

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video link

Franklin, MA

Curbside Pickup Demonstration Scheduled April 17 - 9:00 AM - Noon

A new Automated Waste Management truck will be on site and doing demonstrations at the Beaver St. Field for Earth Day, April 17th from 9-12.  DPW and Waste Management personnel can explain the program and show residents how to use the new carts.  See what others are talking about.

Please attend the event to learn about the program and get your questions answered.


You can subscribe to receive the "Recycle News" directly to your email
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news


Prior information on the new curbside pickup system beginning July 1:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/franklin-ma-trash-collection.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/trash-pickup-in-action.html (video)


Franklin, MA

In the News - Laura Dombroski, Big Y

Boston Marathon runner of the day: Laura Dombroski

from The Milford Daily News News RSS

---------


Neighbors not happy as Big Y gets favorable recommendation

from The Milford Daily News News RSS



Franklin, MA

Hold the date for the Charles River Watershed Cleanup!

Are you looking to make a real difference in your community? If so, join a group or form your own to clean up trash throughout the Charles River Upper Watershed. You will be helping us improve the appearance and health of the waterways in our region.
If you live in the Upper Watershed please consider volunteering a few hours of your time to help us protect this unique and valuable natural resource. The large majority of our the cleanup sites are land-based, but we have a few on-water sites for experienced paddlers who can supply their own canoe or kayak. 
Did you know? The Charles River stretches for more than 80 miles from Hopkinton to Boston. It originates and flows for nearly 37 miles here in the Upper Watershed. In our region alone the Charles is fed by 45+ miles of waterways including seven major tributary rivers, brooks, and streams.

WHEN: Saturday, April 24, 2010
TIME:  9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon


WHERE: Charles River Upper Watershed - Ashland, Bellingham, Dover, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Norfolk, Sherborn, Wrentham.


The volunteer check-in site will be located in front of Whole Foods Market in Bellingham, MA. Stop by to get directions to your assigned site, collect your cleanup supplies and receive a free t-shirt. We encourage you to sign up in advance by using the contact information below.


CONTACT: David Dobrzynski
Upper Watershed Volunteer Coordinator


EMAIL: CRWAvolunteer@gmail.com

You can view the flyer for this event here: