In the News - new trash/recycle service begins

Solid Waste Coordinator Chris White said he's heard similar complaints regarding the size of the bins.

"If someone puts out a lot of trash, they're going to pay more. The people who can live within 65 gallons will pay less," White said. "If you recycle more and put out less trash, the rate goes down. If you don't, it goes up."

Read the full article here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x2071996709/Franklin-residents-anxious-as-new-trash-system-starts

View the video the Chris white refers to here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/video-on-franklins-new-automated-trash.html


Franklin, MA

Video on Franklin's New Automated Trash and Recycling Process

The DPW has posted their own video of the trash/recycling system in action



Enjoy!

Franklin, MA

Chamber Holds Small Manufacturers' Summit

Local Manufacturers Attend Summit Featuring U.S Manufacturing Czar and Congressman                   Jack Lank and the Senior Counselor to the U.S.              President for Manufacturing Policy Ron Bloom  The United Regional Chamber of Commerce proudly sponsored the June 28 Small Manufacturers' Summit at Living Waters Conference Center in North Attleborough. The event featured keynote speakers U.S. Congressman James McGovern and the Senior Counselor to the U.S. President for Manufacturing Policy Ron Bloom. In addition to a private meeting and tour held at Cookson Precious Metals and Bell's Powder Coating, they addressed issues facing small business manufacturers in the Northeast during the Summit. Other event sponsors include for the event included Bell's Powder Coating, Inc., Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Cookson Precious Metals, Stern-Leach and Living Waters Conference Center.                                                                                      Jack Lank with U.S. Congressman James McGovern                                   Eric Nakajima                                                                                                                                     Senior Innovation Policy Advisor                                                                                                                              for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Trash/Recycle Facts: cart placement

Proper Cart Placement

The placement of your cart is important since the collection vehicle’s lifting arm requires clearance: 3 feet on both sides, and 12 feet overhead. The cart should be no more than 3 feet away from the curb or road edge, and the arrows on the lid must be pointing toward the street. Please leave 3 feet between your recycling and trash container when placing them curbside.

Thanks to Jim Robinson, a fan of the Facebook Franklin Matters page for prompting the search of YouTube for a video of the trash truck in action.

Thanks to Parker, for getting his parents to make this video because he likes the trash truck to come and take the trash.

This process would be similar to that beginning July 1. We have two containers, one for trash and one for recycling.



Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view this video of the trash truck making a pickup.

Additional information can be found on the Franklin Solid Waste website 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

In the News - 4th July, trash/recycle

Franklin Fourth fete has fresh features

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

and looking to get an early jump on the success of the program

Do you like Franklin's new trash program?

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

Franklin, MA

Trash/Recycle Facts: what goes, what doesn't

All regular household trash should be bagged and placed in the 65-gallon trash cart for collection. Items outside of the cart will NOT be collected except 33G DPW overflow bags.

Do not place the following items in the trash cart:
• Recyclables
• Yard Waste
• Dirt, sod, concrete or rock
• Construction/demolition debris
• Household hazardous waste
• Hot ashes or flammable materials such as oil, gas or paint

NOTE: Latex paint cans must be dried out and contents bagged and disposed of in municipal trash. Put completely dried latex paint cans (no oil based paints) in the trash. Oil based paints should be safely stored and can be disposed of at the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day, October 2, 2010.

Preparing your solid waste:
• Bag your trash before placing it in the cart.
• Bagging your trash will help to keep the cart clean and sanitary, and prevent litter on windy days.
• All trash must fit in the cart so that the lid is closed. No material may be sticking out of the cart.



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


Franklin, MA

In the News - Ruchira Parikh, fitness, Blackstone Valley

Franklin girl wins awards

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

Mass. residents among the fittest in U.S.

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff

National Park Service meeting seeks comment on Blackstone Valley

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

Franklin, MA

Attn: Franklin commuters -> MBTA: Faster, Easier Parking

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

MBTA: Faster, Easier Parking

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 6/28/10

The MBTA today announced a simpler system for parking lot payments that will allow everyone from daily commuters to visitors to use their mobile phones and an online account to pay for parking at MBTA lots.

Beginning July 23rd, customers parking in MBTA-owned and operated lots with existing cash honor boxes will be able to pay for parking online or via phone while in their cars or once they board a train, bus, or commuter boat. 

As part of a new partnership with Parkmobile USA, customers can visit www.parkmobile.com and enroll in the new program for free, and have access to their on-line accounts 24 hours a day/7 days a week. T riders can also download a mobile app.

Once registered, customers can use the mobile app, the internet, a text message or a phone call to pay for parking. TTY service is also available. The phone number will be displayed on signs at MBTA parking facilities.

The new service will be available for 23,733 parking spaces at nearly 70 MBTA-owned lots with existing cash honor boxes. In the weeks and months to follow, the T will work to expand the new system to lots that are not operated by the MBTA.  Only two U.S. transit systems offer more parking spaces than the MBTA.  Informational signs will be posted over the next few weeks to inform T customers about the change in service. For MBTA news and updates visit MBTA on the web.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

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.

-----------

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