Sunday, May 9, 2010

In the News - downtown feedback sought

Franklin looking for comments on downtown changes

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 

"The project is expected to be completed by 2012, and is being funded through state and federal grants. The town is now working to submit its 25-percent plan stage to the state for approval." 


Franklin, MA

Beaver Pond - concession stand under construction

Inquiring minds could speculate that Franklin is spending big bucks to build a new concession stand with rest rooms at Beaver Pond. But they would be incorrect.


Folks may recall that when Beaver Pond was re-done, the old building came down. There were several tries to put it out to bid but the bids were too expensive.

Franklin has gotten creative in the solution to this desire of getting a building for nominal cost. The answer?
Tri-County Regional Vocational High School.

The labor will be provided by the students under the guidance of their teachers (all qualified and certified). The students will get practical school experience.

Franklin will obtain a building for the cost of the materials required.


It will take some time to complete. The foundation has been laid but school gets out soon, so the work likely will resume in the fall.

It will be good quality work, reasonably done with an educational benefit! A real win-win.



This information was brought to light during the budget hearing on Thursday, May 6 and my notes can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/live-reporting-recreation.html

The on demand video link to this portion of the budget hearing can be found here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=MX%2f3xEExA55iC3tjGSCaeQ%3d%3d


Franklin, MA

Saturday, May 8, 2010

New England Dental - 233 West Central St

Inquiring minds were wondering what is going on at the former Franklin Baptist Church on West Central St. Construction is underway, finally.

Digging into the Planning Board meeting archives, reveals that in the minutes for the Jan 25, 2010 meeting, a site plan extension was granted for one year.


One view above, second view below

By the size of the hole in the ground, there is an addition being made to the existing building.



Hurrah, more tax revenue for Franklin!


Franklin, MA


Curbside Yard Waste Collection

Franklin’s Curbside Yard Waste Collection will be held on Saturday May 15th

Be sure to have all material in paper bags, trash barrels or cardboard boxes.  

Brush must be bundled and shall not be more than 4 feet in length and 6–inches in diameter.  

DO NOT USE PLASTIC BAGS THEY WILL BE REJECTED



Franklin, MA

Reminder: Dean College commencement - street closures

Franklin, MA – Dean College will be holding its Commencement exercises today - Saturday, May 8, 2010 on Grant Field.

As a result,  the section of Main Street between School and Emmons Street will be closed to traffic from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. (during the procession to and from the Campus Center).

In addition, School Street will be closed (School to Hillside) from 10:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Public Safety officers will be standing by at the intersection of School and Main, Garfield, Martin Ave. and Hillside to ensure emergency vehicles will have access at all times.



View Larger Map


HMEA 5K Race/Walk - May 23rd

The Horace Mann Education Associates - HMEA, Inc. is located here in Franklin, MA but their effective service delivery is to over 100 communities in MA.

HMEA has a long history of providing innovative services in school, at work, at home and in the community and now serve over 2400 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Services include: Residential, Day and Family supports, and services for children.

HMEA's Employment Programs provides people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue meaningful employment either on a full- or part-time basis. For people in the Employment Program who work part-time, HMEA encourages volunteering for community organizations, or leisure and recreation activities to supplement their day.

HMEA's Employment Programs serve people 22 years of age and older who live within the commuting distance of program locations in the following cities and towns: Bellingham, Clinton, Hopedale, Plainville and Worcester

The annual fund raiser for HMEA is the 5K Race/Walk and Family Fun Day scheduled for May 23, 2010.
SAVE THE DATE...Sunday, May 23, 2010 HMEA's 9th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run in the Park - MARK YOUR CALENDARS and grab your sneakers to participate in this "Fun-filled Family Day fundraising event...
This event, which is hosted by our good friends at EMC2 Corporation in Franklin, MA gathers 2,000 or more people to help HMEA continue its mission to make a difference in people's lives. AND, all the money raised is returned to the many programs at HMEA, which supports 2,400 children and adults with intellectual challenges and developmental disabilities.
Once again we have Gene Lavanchy from Fox News25 and tentatively Gail Huff from WCVB-TV Channel performing hosting duties for us. And our great friends and inspiration to many, "TEAM HOYT", Dick and Rick will be on hand again this year -- plus we're pretty sure there will be a few other celebrities and mascots on hand as well!
So come on down and participate in the fun...there's raffle prizes, food, tee shirts for participants (while they last), prizes, a Kids Corner filled with games and activities, a Kids "FUN RUN" and so much more... 


In addition to working the road race registration table (and providing splits at the 2 mile mark), I have decided to help HMEA do some fund raising this year.

I love the quote from Horace Mann that they use on their History page:
"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity"

You can help the HMEA make a difference with a donation. I have a widget in the center column of this and my other blogs, should you choose to donate an amount within your means.

I will appreciate it.
The HMEA clients you help will too!

-----

If you would like to register for the race you can do so here
http://www.hmea.org/events.html

If you'd like you can contribute in one of several options directly through the HMEA website here
http://www.hmea.org/donations.html



WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES - effective 6/1/10

MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES
TAKE EFFECT ON TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2010

Lawn watering is restricted to ONE-DAY PER WEEK BY TRASH DAY.

Lawn watering not permitted between 9:00 AM thru 5:00 PM.  

No holiday delays for watering.

NO LAWN WATERING IS PERMITTED ON OTHER DAYS OF THE WEEK.


During the summer months, the Town experiences excessively high demands for water due to lawn watering. There have been 24-hour periods during which water consumption has been more than twice our average daily water usage for the year. Because of the tremendous increase in the demand for water and state restrictions on the amount of water that can be pumped daily, the Town of Franklin must place mandatory water conservation measures in effect for lawn watering during the summer months.

The summer Water Conservation Measures are needed to limit the daily demand on the water system in order to ensure that adequate water is available to meet the public health and safety needs of the Town. This measure is necessary to maintain the water levels in the tanks for fire protection and normal consumption use.  A total of 1-inch of water once per week from rain and watering promotes the healthiest lawns.  Non-compliance with these regulations could adversely affect public health and safety. Violators are subject to fines up to $200.



Originally posted on the Franklin, MA website here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/Water_Conservation/Mandatory_Water_Conserv_2010

Friday, May 7, 2010

Young Professionals Organization

"You help me, I'll help you"


Kaitlyn and Chris Pintarich of Berry Insurance found sufficient writing space to complete their survey forms.


The initial gathering for those young professionals looking for a "Chamber of Commerce" business and networking opportunity took place Thursday evening at Preservation Framer in North Attleboro.

A survey was asked of the participants to help gather information on how they would like the group to operate. An incentive to fill out the survey was provided by entering the complete surveys into a raffle.

Mixing business and social networking is a win/win. Some activities would be more enticing to a younger crowd than to the more established chamber group. Expansion to the younger group is a wise idea for the Chamber. The group will operate under the umbrella of the Chamber this year and then separately next year. Membership in the Chamber will cover both organizations this year but require a separate membership next year.

While there is the separation, there will be opportunities for connections between the two groups. One key area is in mentoring. For the young professionals looking to start their own business, obtaining advice in specific business matters.

If this sounds like something you'd like to take part in, you won't have to bend over backwards. Stay tuned to notification of future events here, on the Facebook fan page of the YPO, or contact any of the offices of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce.


Franklin, MA

Franklin Food Pantry

Some of the output from the raised garden beds put in around Franklin on Earth Day is destined for the Franklin Food Pantry.

The Food Pantry has its own raised bed. It was also installed on Earth Day. I remembered when running by this week to take a picture. (Yes, sometime if you see this tall guy running, then stop to take a picture with his phone, it might be me :-)

The Stamp Out Hunger campaign will have the postal carriers collect bags of food on their rounds Saturday May 8th and deliver them to the Franklin Food Pantry for distribution to the Franklin area families.

Prior posts on the raised garden bed project can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/franklin-raises-garden.html

and here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/franklin-ma-raised-garden-beds-in.html


Franklin, MA

Finance Committee 05/06/10

The live reporting from the Finance Committee budget hearing on the Fiscal Year 2011 conducted Thursday, May 6th can be found here:



Discussion on other portions of the budget can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-050410.html


Franklin, MA

In the News - parking meters, Pulaski Blvd, bottle/can drive


Franklin may do away with parking meters




Bottle and can drive sponsored by Franklin High party committee


Franklin, MA

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Live reporting - animal control, Tri-County

Nutting
we have a long standing relationship with Bellingham
we get use of an employee and a vehicle, we have the pound
they get busy with beavers, coyotes, deer, etc

occasionally we have a capital expense to replace the vehicle

motion to approve, passed 9-0


Nutting
Tri-County is an assessment
one of eleven communities that comprise the regional
how many students come from the community determine the allocation to the community
it varies depending upon how many students we send them

They have run a tight ship up there, they can come and speak with you if needed
If our assessment is to be changed, the other communities would have to agree to it

have been able to maintain budget from time to time with cuts in materials which is one key area of their expense

Teixeira
what percent of the increase is the increase is students vs the overall increase in their budget
Nutting
the percent of the students drove the budget

Nutting
I don't have the student enrollment numbers with me
I'll have the numbers for you on Monday

Quinn
question on the school committee line
Gagner
like to be their supplies and expenses

motion to approve, passed 9-0

motion to adjourn

Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Recreation

Ryan Jette

Nutting overview
registration fees help make this a self supporting budget


80% of the registrations done online
seasonal staff added due to the Medway expansion
additional clerical help with the

Tri-County work at Beaver St
putting in a concession stand and rest rooms with handicap access
there were old bathrooms there and when we renovated the fields, they came out
we tried to go through the public bidding process and it was way to much money
with Tri-County, we buy the parts and materials, the students do all the work
it will take a little longer to do the work but it is a win-win

Roche
Jeff says you are self-sustaining, it looks like you are making money about $16,000 this year
you have grown so large that you can use a revolving account anymore per State regulations

Jette
The relationship with Medway is going well
We are bringing their folks into ours where our don't sell out
we don't have flag football here, so we do it there

Girls lacrosse has really taken off
it is the largest program in the state
all the female sports have taken off

Flag football has actually surpassed the Pop Warner program
We have a chess club, there is something for everyone

motion to approve, passed 9-0


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Library

Felicia Oti

Nutting overview
Felicia is shared with Medway, we also provide some cleaning services to Medway
regionalization is a way to go, it takes energy and effort
Franklin is just bigger than all of our neighbors, sometimes that doesn't help
Friends of Library is very active, there is a book sale at the DPW this weekend

My budget is very small, I can take questions
Down $200,000 in four years

Cameron
is it good with Medway
Oti
I see it is a great thing as a work in progress
Nutting
most of the struggle is, concerned it is new, different, changed
building a relationship with the Medway Trustees
slowly and surely are coming to understand what we are trying to accomplish
they will let us know in the next month if they will continue

Oti
last year we did one book, one community
this year we did one book, two communities

Cameron
how is the state minimum requirement
Oti
we are not out of line in other cuts with the Town
Nutting

Oti
hours open offset the budget items to some extent
the Friends book sale can help us from a State perspective

Nutting
Slow steady erosion, days open from seven now only five

Oti
closing on Friday and Saturday becomes a very busy Monday

Sherlock
Spoke for the library services
being utilized by the under and unemployed
Similar to the school cuts, the less advantage student get affected first, the library cuts would affect those needing access to the library databases and resources, as well as the internet access

motion to approve, passed 9-0





Franklin, MA

Live reporting - parking meters

About $10,000-15,000 revenue generated from the meters
additional amount generated from parking fines

harder to track manually than with the meters, the meters keep track

Sherlock raised an issue with the parking for the train station, commuters would take the free spots instead of the $4 charge at the MBTA lot

motion to approve, passed 9-0


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Police

Chief Williams, Kevin Ryan

Jeff Nutting overview
budget is less than prior with the proposed cuts of the three dispatchers
statistics are continuing to climb so it is getting challenge

Williams
Dispatchers are very busy people
they watch over the visitors to the station
handle the radio transmissions and calls for service
105,000 calls per year
double dispatch was 16 hours a day, 7 days a week

with the cuts, there is now a single dispatch for most of the day
in those times where there is a lot going on, you may catch the voice recording
it is not what we want but times are tough

budget has been cut over the years
we never did get to the 55 officers that at one time we were allocated

over 41,000 incidents
over 4,000 motor vehicle citations
over 400 major motor vehicle accidents
I don't have to tell you about the traffic in our town, 140 and other streets
70,000 people come through the town every day

over a $250,000 less this year than last year

Franklin demographically, we are over $500,000 less than comparable towns
We do more with less, we are lower in manpower
FBI stats show we should have 62 officers, we have 45

grants have upgraded technology so we can get things out very fast
as a result of using the technology, we have been able to make arrests in the two recent armed robberies
what we have lacked in manpower we have made up in technology

grant money from enhanced 911 system will allow us to keep another dispatcher on duty
so instead of cutting three we should have cut four

we do a lot with the money we are looking for tonight

Teixeira
can you tell us about the detail work around town?
Williams
Details are not reflected in this budget, this is outside of our operations and paid for by the contractors and utilities who need the service, it does give us additional feet on the street, an extra set of eyes and ears
Teixeira
so from a tax payer perspective, it is neutral
Williams
Well actually we make a little, not a whole lot but we do get some
Cameron
what if it is a Town detail
Nutting
We charge at the Town rate, not the outside rate
Cameron
my son just finished the DARE program and he loved it
Williams
we love the program, we have four officers in the schools, you can't put a price tag on what we head off by getting into the relationships very early in the youth, guys are coaching football, hockey and lacrosse.

Williams
we are also loosing the parking control officer, the downtown area will not see the presence there
we will provide some coverage but it won't be the same

Cameron
How about regionalization with dispatch
Williams
we have been looking at it, there are things we can do and look at that will help
MA is unique in having so many communities and local control
We are one of the largest groups in the area, I am willing to take on additional but you can see the budget
I need people to do that

Roche
What is the safety equipment needed?
Williams
we took the bullet proof vest out of the operating budget and put into to capital budget
occasionally when we get into a scuffle, something gets cut or damage

Nutting
we appropriated $36,000 for safety vests for all officers

Roche
What about the Quinn bill impact
Williams
right now that is up in the air
10% to 20% above the base for earning a degree
the State has stopped paying, there are court cases reviewing this, it is a mess at the moment
an educated officer is the best one Franklin can get
less issues as a result of an educated officer? No, we don't want to go back

Nutting
it is also a matter of collective bargaining, and we'll be getting into it in the next couple of months

motion to approve, passed 8-1 (Roche, dangerously low)


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Senior Center

Karen Alves

Senior Center substantially funded by volunteers and grants
service awards were recognized

Oral history project, taping seniors who are willing to tell their story
The family receives a CD with the recording

Grants amounting to $78,000 provide the funding for several personnel

One grant is a per capita grant, amount varies depending upon legislative process

Number of people over 60 will increase from 4,000 to over 7,000 in next ten years
age population has a wide range, i.e. from early sixties to over 100

There is a process now to be certified as a "Senior Center Director"
Work is underway to accomplish that, as well as get the center certified as well

Dial-a-ride saves the Town $40-50,000 a year

motion to approve, passed 9-0



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Finance Committee (Veterans)

Present: Messere, Huempfner, Cataldo, Cameron, Roche, Quinn, Goldsmith, Teixeira, Feldman
Absent: Maire, Rivera


Veterans - Bob Fahey
The processing of veterans services are unique to MA
Franklin provides the services up front, the State reimburses later at a 75% rate
veterans services are in place when all other resources for help have been exhausted

12 veterans (11 widows of veterans)
can not have more than $1,600 in assets to qualify
9 are seniors, 3 are in their fifties
Per Dept of Veterans Affairs, all applicants must apply for the other benefits offered
265 veterans and dependents receive benefits directly from the VA
$2.3 million dollars annually received as benefits

service connected disability amounts
50% $770
100% $2,673 plus amounts for wife and dependents

Chapter 115 - expended $120,000 of $150,000 allocated
Franklin receives a 75% reimbursement from the State for this service
MA is the only state with a program like this.
MA treats its veterans better than any other state in the US

in 2001, only 8 people were receiving benefits
now there are the 265 plus

motion to approve, passed 9-0

Franklin, MA

Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday, May 8th

Help to Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday, May 8th — the nation's largest annual single-day food drive!


Letter carriers in more than 10,000 communities will collect food items and deliver them to local food banks to help some of the millions of Americans, including an estimated 16.7 million children, who face hunger every day.

Simply place bags filled with nonperishable food items like canned meats, canned fish, broths, baked beans, mixed vegetables, rice and soups next to your mailbox on Saturday, May 8th.

Your Franklin letter carrier will pick up the bags and deliver them to the Franklin Food Pantry.


If you are interested in volunteering at the pantry on May 8th to help sort donations, please email annemarie@franklinfoodpantry.org or visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org.


Note: the picture was taken of the post card delivered with the mail this week to the Sherlock household.

Portions of this was originally posted on the Franklin, MA website here

Franklin, MA

Finance Committee - 05/06/10 - Agenda

The Finance Committee continues it annual budget hearings this evening at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers.

On Tuesday they reviewed the budgets of the Town Clerk, Board of Health, Board of Assessors, Information Technology, Facilities, and School Department.

You can find a detail summary of the discussion here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/finance-committee-050410.html


This evening the following departments are scheduled for review:


Department Code Page
Veterans 543 E-21
Council on Aging 541 E-11
Police/Parking Meters 210/2951 B-1, B-87
Library 610 F-1
Recreation 630 F-10

Code refers to the financial entry line for the budget
Page refers to the page of the budget book that the department can be found on


Wouldn't it be nice to have a copy of the same document that they are looking at?
I'd take a PDF version of the document if one is available.


Franklin, MA