Trash/Recycle Facts: cart ownership

Cart (bins, totters, etc.) ownership

Carts (bins, totters, etc.) are the property of the Franklin DPW and must stay at the delivered destination

Each cart includes a serial number and imbedded RFID tag to identify owner and location. Each resident is responsible for their carts. Make sure all carts stay at the delivered location.

Note: the bar coded serial number for each cart appears in the photo above. The RFID chip is reported to be contained in the handle.

Waste and recycling collection

There will be no changes to your regular collection days. Solid waste will continue to be collected weekly. Recycling will continue to be collected every week, however it will now be collected in a single stream, with paper, cardboard and commingled materials placed in the same container. Sorting of recyclables is no longer necessary!


Contact DPW for any lost, stolen or misplaced carts. A Police report will be filed for missing carts.

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Q - Why are the carts identified?
A - The RFID chip is read when each pick up occurs. This can help address timely service issues. This also enables easier billing. If you are going to be away for some time, the tracking can confirm that the trash/recycling were not used for the away period.


This information was found on the Franklin Solid Waste website here (PDF)

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/FranklinAutomation2010FINAL.pdf

here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/index

and from the multiple Town Council meetings where this was discussed and approved.


The collection of Franklin Matters posts on the new process can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/franklin-ma-trash-collection.html


Franklin, MA

In the News - downtown consignment

Updated 5/17/11 - sometime in the past couple of months, Downtown Consignment moved to an unknown location in Plainville. The Franklin Art Association now has a gallery in this location.

Downtown Consignment a new deal in Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley, Daily News staff

Downtown Consignment in Franklin Matters
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/downtown-consignment.html


Franklin, MA

In the Globe - music at the core

While athletic and academic prowess usually get the most attention, music provides a different method of learning — fostering creativity, innovation, and teamwork toward a common goal, supporters say.


“It’s through music and the arts that we tell the human story,’’ said Bill Pappazisis, the fine and performing arts director for the Belmont schools.


The National Association of Music Merchants surveyed teachers and administrators to distinguish 174 districts and schools in 30 states. Each school was selected based on criteria including funding, the amount of staff and their credentials, student participation and career paths, curriculum, facilities, and public support.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe West Section here
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2010/06/27/applause_for_schools_keeping_music_at_core/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Globe+West

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School was named.


Franklin, MA

pay more taxes, voluntary? right!

The functions of these programs differ widely, but they all share one remarkable feature. The taxpayer dollars were not wrenched from the pockets of the Commonwealth’s residents. Instead, thousands of Bay Staters checked off boxes on their income tax returns opting to contribute to the funds. These people paid, in other words, what sounds like the ultimate oxymoron: voluntary taxes.

Though voluntary tax programs could never generate enough money to run a state, more people chip in than you might expect (more, that is, than none). And according to some enthusiasts, we could be doing more to capitalize on this surprising willingness to give. Voluntary taxes, these thinkers say, offer a politically palatable way to raise additional revenue and perhaps even to strengthen Americans’ sense of patriotism and citizenship. And in the current political and fiscal climate, lawmakers are frankly desperate for creative solutions.

and this from a study referenced by the article

The authors concluded that dislike of taxes may be not just a matter of reluctance to part with our money, or mistrust of the government: It may be largely about the lack of control over where exactly our money goes.

I think too little is paid to this particular aspect of control. Several of the comments on the Milford Daily News pages mentioned this lack of specifics as to where the money was to be used. Even though the authorization from the Town Council was for the $3 million to be divided with $1.8 M for the schools, $300,000 for the Town and $900,000 for road repair, the question on the ballot per state guidelines was phrased as:

Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to assess an additional $3,000,000.00 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, two thousand and ten?

Indeed, the article does go on to say

... it seems that giving taxpayers some control over the funds is key. The University of Texas economists found that when subjects were permitted to earmark their donations, contributions more than doubled. 

Read the full article in the Boston Globe Ideas section here:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/06/27/voluntary_taxes/?page=1


Franklin, MA

Trash/Recycle Facts: frequently asked questions

Q - Should I continue to bag my trash?


A - YES. Bagging your trash will help to keep the cart clean and sanitary, and prevent litter on windy days. All bags must be placed curbside in the solid green 65-gallon cart only.

Q - What do I do with leaves and yard waste?

A - Leaves and brush will continue to be collected curbside or accepted at the Beaver Street Recycling Facility. Dates for curbside waste collection will be published in the Municipal Guide and on the DPW website.

Q - I am moving or cleaning out the garage and have a lot of refuse to get rid of right away; where will I be able to dispose of it?

A - The automated refuse collection program is not intended to provide this type of service. For large projects you may contact Waste Management for information at 1-800-972-4545.

Q - Will my collection day change?

A - NO, there will be no changes in the collection schedule. Please continue to place your containers to the curb by 7am, as there may be some changes in the time of day during which your trash and recycling is collected.

Q - What should I do if I have a problem with the new cart?

A - Your carts are made of durable plastic and should give you years of maintenance free use. For cart issues please call the DPW at 508-553-5500 to schedule a repair.

Q - What can be recycled at the Beaver St. Recycling Facility?

A - The Recycling Center is open: Tuesdays 12-3 (April thru Nov.) Fridays and Saturdays: 8-3

Q - What can I do with my old refuse and recycling containers?

A - If you wish to dispose of old refuse barrels or recycling bins, they may be dropped off empty and clean at the Beaver Street Recycling Facility, they will be recycled once collected.

Q - How do I have an appliance, grill, TV or other large metal item picked up?

Call Waste Management at 800-972-4545 by Tuesday at 3:00 for a pickup on Thursday. You can pay by credit card over the phone or by check.

Q - What about a large non- recyclable item such as a sofa?

Included in the current fee, you are allowed one large item such as a sofa to be picked up at no additional charge. Call Waste Management at 800-972-4545 by Tuesday at 3:00 for a pickup on Thursday.

Q - I have more trash than can fit in the large cart; what should I do?

A - Experience in a range of communities has shown that the 65-gallon cart is more than adequate for most homes, presuming you remove all paper, glass, plastic and other recyclable materials from your trash. If after recycling everything possible, you find you consistently have more trash than the cart will hold, you may request a second cart from the DPW for $150 per year. Overflow bags are available for $3 each at
the DPW office.

Q - What about street parking on collection day?

A - At the present time there are no parking restrictions. Remember, however, that automated collection requires that the cart be accessible to the collection vehicle, so any cars you park at the curb should be at least 5 feet from the cart.

Q - What is the Large Item fee schedule?


TV up to 25" -> $ 25.00
TV 26" and up -> $ 35.00
Freon Appliance - > $ 30.00
Appliance -> $ 25.00
Grills/Lawn Mower/Metal -> $ 25.00
Microwave -> $ 25.00



This information comes from the Franklin Solid Waste website here (PDF):
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/FranklinAutomation2010FINAL.pdf

and here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/index


The collection of Franklin Matters posts on the new process can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/franklin-ma-trash-collection.html

Franklin, MA

Use Trash/Recycle bins on July 1

New Trash and Recycling Carts

Your new trash and recycling carts are currently being

delivered to your homes.

PLEASE DO NOT USE THE NEW TRASH AND RECYCLING CARTS UNTIL JULY 1

Thank you.

Franklin, MA

In the News: Open Meeting rules

Boards required to take note of new meeting rules

by Kendall Hatch/Daily News staff

Franklin Town Council discussion on the new rules

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/live-reporting-open-meeting-law.html

Franklin Attorney Mark Cerel's analysis of the new rules

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/mark-cerel-analysis-of-open-meeting-law.html

Franklin, MA