HOUSING STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS - 3

3. Increase housing opportunities for low, moderate, and middle-income households.

• Continue to support zoning incentives to encourage low, moderate, and middle-income housing in multi-family developments and residential subdivisions.
• Continue to support the work of the Housing Trust to identify and develop affordable housing opportunities for a variety of different income levels.
• Assist affordable housing goals by supporting programs and policies that directly seek related funding and programs.
• Provide financial incentives through grants from the Housing Trust to encourage reuse of existing housing stock.
• Pursue funding programs available for assisting with housing efforts.
• Utilize Town owned tax-title properties for development of low, moderate, and middle-income housing units.

The full Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan can be found on the Franklin, MA website

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/housingplan/ahp.pdf

HOUSING STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS - 2

2. Ensure that the Town continues to meet and exceed the Chapter 40B goal for subsidized housing.
The Town will explore innovative ways to increase the supply of affordable housing development through the Chapter 40B process to not only maintain the 10% threshold, but to also, exceed the state’s goal of 10% subsidized housing.

A. Methods to be utilized include:

• Monitor and track all housing projects.
• Explore a variety of housing opportunities to increase affordable housing units.
• Update housing plan every 5 years.
• Support lower cost housing that is affordable in perpetuity.
• Explore methods for preventing the expiration of affordable units.

B. The Town will work through the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust to ensure the creation of a variety of housing options to reflect the needs of the community. The Trust will prioritize types of development, units, numbers of bedrooms, and locations.

The full Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan can be found on the Franklin, MA website

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/housingplan/ahp.pdf

HOUSING STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS - 1

HOUSING STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS

The housing strategy was designed to increase affordable housing opportunities with increases in production, retention of existing units, and programs and policies that support these goals. These recommendations were developed through an analysis of available housing data and statistics, current housing issues facing the community and from the applicable goals of the Housing Element of Franklin’s Community Development Plan and “Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Action Plan” (2004).

1. Establish a housing task force.
The most important step that the Town of Franklin can take to improve housing is to establish a group of committed local people to lead the housing program – a housing task force. The task force would help solve housing issues with locally administered input and programs and would examine housing supply and
policies. It would be responsible for the following actions:

• Coordinate goals and efforts,
• Seek funding opportunities,
• Provide outreach for tenants,
• Establish supply and demand for housing,
• Identify target areas for housing development, and
• Maximize utilization of resources.

The Town Council should appoint members. It should include a broad range of housing groups such as the Franklin Housing Authority, developers, and the Franklin Downtown Partnership.

In order to successfully implement actions, the task force will need to identify all stakeholders and coordinate goals and objectives as well as focus on implementation strategies. From a functional standpoint, the task force will need to have a budget, expenses, and seek housing funds and grants to support its operation and actions.

The full Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan can be found on the Franklin, MA website

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/housingplan/ahp.pdf

In the News - house fire, stormwater

Fan starts house fire in Franklin

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

Towns won't get grant for stormwater study

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Melanie Graham/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan: Conclusion of Existing Conditions

g. Conclusion of Existing Conditions

The Town of Franklin has a unique history of development that has shaped, molded, and influenced the growth of this Massachusetts town. From this synopsis of information, several issues are recognized which will be important in Franklin’s future housing programs and overall planning.

• Although overall population growth has continued, the most significant population growth has been in middle-age cohorts. These are typically the age groups that have the largest family sizes and live in single-family homes.
• The gap between the median costs of home ownership and the median, moderate, and low-income levels is very significant. For middle-income buyers, the cost differential is not considered highly significant at this time, so long as the higher income jobs remain available for residents.
• The amount of buildable land is decreasing while the housing stock is aging. As the Town approaches build-out, the ability to control housing costs by new production will be very limited. Moreover, the potential for future reconstruction and redevelopment pressures suggests that renovation, updating, and infill development policies will be important to the future character of the residential areas, in particular the areas with older housing stock such as the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
• With new Census data expected in 2010, the Town anticipates possibly being under the state’s subsidized housing goal of 10% in the next few years. This has important implications for the Town’s housing strategies by providing opportunity to focus new housing development into areas that meet specific local goals and regulations as well as general state mandates in order to meet state subsidized housing goals.
• The existing water and sewer infrastructure and planned projects appear to adequately support existing and projected population growth and housing development. Recent and planned school facilities also appear to support the future educational needs of the Town's residents.

The full Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan can be found on the Franklin, MA website

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/housingplan/ahp.pdf

Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan: Executive Summary

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


A Town’s housing stock is a primary element fundamental to defining a community; it is where the citizens that make-up the heart of each neighborhood reside. The quality and affordability of, as well as the accessibility to housing in a town are often factors that will determine where a person chooses to live. Analyzing historic housing data, current housing trends and projecting future housing needs is a way for a community to plan for the housing needs of its residents. By proactively planning through the development of an Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Action Plan, Franklin can assure that the housing needs of its residents are met for all income and ability levels of the community.


The collection and analysis of housing data and statistics revealed the need to improve housing affordability in Franklin, in particular for low, moderate, and middle-income households (both seniors and families). Analysis also revealed, Franklin is in need of a mix of housing types, such as senior and family rental and condominium units, and special needs housing (both physically and mentally challenged individuals). The information collected for this study shows Franklin is approaching its ‘build-out’ of residential sites, and there are several issues that need to be considered:

• Growth in Franklin is slowing, allowing for a proactive approach to planning for Franklin’s future housing related needs and the residentially zoned areas still available for development; 
• Growth of single-family homes has slowed; however, there has been steady growth of two-bedroom condominium developments including Over-55 Senior Villages as well as non-age restricted developments.There is also growth noted in larger developments of apartment rental units.
• Housing is dependent on the types of services a community provides. A quality public school system or private school choices are important. Public transportation is an important factor to potential future residents. Food supplies, shopping facilities and recreation opportunities are also important. The best locations for low- and moderate-income households as well as for the elderly are dependent on where and how these services can be delivered.

The full Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan can be found on the Franklin, MA website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/housingplan/ahp.pdf

In the News - housing plan, snowy walkways, vandalism

Franklin to encourage affordable, senior housing

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

Mass. court: Owners must clear snowy walkways

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Denise Lavoie/Associated Press

Rash of vandalism hits area

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

Franklin, MA

Note of distinction

For some readers it may matter to note that

"real time" reporting is when I am able to report in 'real time' via the cable feed or via the Town streamed video

"live" reporting is when I am in the physical room where the meeting is being conducted.

If I report on the meeting from the video archive after the meeting has been conducted, it will just be a meeting recap.


Franklin, MA

real time reporting - Planning Board

I tuned in to the broadcast via the Town website late to find a discussion already underway about a previously approved special permit for 59 units that was looking for advice on how to come back before the board to increase the 59 units by 1. Coincidently, the 60th unit was on the original plans and as part of some deal (not revealed during the discussion) came out of the final special permit that was approved. The development is progressing, triple units authorized have been built and sold. They are looking to make an existing planned (not built) duplex a triplex (as mention restoring one cut from the original plans).

This was interesting in that the Chair while recognizing that the advice was being looked for realized that since it was a special permit issued, the special permit process would have to be followed. The bylaw doesn't allow for modifications of an exiting special permit.

Some of the committee were interested in finding out how willing the developer would be in working with the Board to obtain an agreement. This persisted despite the Chair mentioning a couple of times that this type of discussion was not what we should be doing.

Really all the developer was asking is: "Hey, we have been here before, provided a whole passel of paperwork, now want to add one unit back to the plan. What paperwork do you need?"

All that needed to be said was "Whatever is required for the special permit."

Question: why was the unit cut from the original plans?
Question: why is the developer coming back for the 60th unit now?

Opened hearing for the Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan.
Beth Dahlstrom spoke that this is an update from the 2004 plan and required to be updated every five years by the state. (So it seems we are a year late? or does the clock run from the approval date not submittal date of the last one?)

She is looking for the Planning Board to recommend the plan.
The Board voted to approve the plan with no questions asked about the plan.

One of the members of the Board reminded the Chair that the hearing needed to be closed before voting. The Chair acknowledged that there were no members of the community present (TV camera panning of the Council Chambers revealed only the Milford Daily News reporter) so that there would be no questions from the audience. He asked for a motion to close the hearing. It was moved, second and passed unanimously.

The Chair asked for a motion to vote on the planning document, it was moved, seconded and voted upon unanimously.

The meeting moved to adjourn immediately after.

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Traffic Alert (updated)

Main Street and Lincoln Street Construction

Main Street and Lincoln Street from Emmons Street to Moore Avenue will be under construction starting July 15, 2010 to October 2010 for the construction of a new water main. Motorists should expect delays and detours during this time.

UPDATE 07/26/2010

Motorists should avoid Church Square, seeking alternate routes.

Franklin, MA: Planning Board - 07/26/10 - Agenda

Key item on the Planning Board will be the first hearing of the Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Action Plan. The Town Council received this 34-page document last week and deferred discussion on it until their next meeting as they did not have time to read it.

The document can be found here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/ahs

The agenda for the Planning Board:

Franklin MA Planning Board Agenda 7-26-10





Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.

Chestnut St curbing

A recent run down Chestnut St revealed work to install some curbing along the road before the final layer of asphalt is laid.





Franklin, MA

Native Plants of Franklin

Hello Franklin! My name is Michelle Clay, and you could call me a bit of a garden geek. Here in Franklin, we have a lot of lovely suburban gardens, but most of the plants in a typical suburban yard come from other parts of the world. We have many fascinating and beautiful plants that are native to the Franklin area that most people don’t know about. Each week I will feature one native plant here, and the following week, I will identify what it is, and tell you a bit about where it can be seen.



Can you guess what this one is? I’ll give you a hint: this is a very unusual plant. It has no chlorophyll, so it never turns green. Post your guesses in the comments, and happy sleuthing to you!


Franklin, MA

Let's Welcome Michelle Clay

You may recall that I had highlighted Michelle's blog The Clueless Gardner earlier this month as I posted on the Franklin Area Blogs that I have found.

You may also recall that I started the "What's your name?" series last week and she expressed interest in highlighting some native plants. She is much stronger in that area so I thought why not combine efforts? She graciously accepted and I am honored to have her posting here. She will showcase a native plant each week and we can all will learn together!

Stay tuned for her first post!


Franklin, MA

Lowell Folk Festival

The Saturday schedule at Boarding House Park in Lowell for the annual Lowell Folk Festival. The largest free folk festival in the US and it is in our backyard (so to speak).

Saturday, July 24	Boarding House Park	STEEP CANYON RANGERS	12:00 noon
Saturday, July 24	Boarding House Park	JOSHUA NELSON	1:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 24	Boarding House Park	MARIA DE BARROS	2:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 24	Boarding House Park	BUA	3:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 24	Boarding House Park	DE TEMPS ANTAN	4:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 24	Boarding House Park	THE BRUCE DAIGREPONT CAJUN BAND	5:00 p.m.

The Steep Canyon Rangers play bluegrass, Joshua Nelson sings kosher gospel, Maria De Barros sings Cape Verdian, the BUA group is Irish, De Temps Antan plays Quebecois, and Bruce Daigrepont is a Cajun Band.

Six different kinds of folk music over six hours in one place!

Follow them on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/LowellFolkFest



Franklin, MA

United Regional Chamber’s Young Professional Organization

The United Regional Chamber’s Young Professional Organization (YPO) has organized several upcoming events.

On Aug. 10, the YPO will have a social from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at LA. Roberts, 120 Chestnut St., North Attleborough. A signature drink will be featured and the cost is $5 at the door.

The YPO is putting together teams for the Butterfly 5K on Aug. 22 to benefit The Julia Cekala Charitable Foundation. The cost to participate is $25.

The YPO is organizing its First Annual Chowder & Chili Cookoff at the Boston Sports Club in Franklin. Restaurants that want to showcase their chili or chowder can participate for no cost. The winner of the cookoff will earn bragging rights for a year and a tacky trophy! Space is very limited.   Updated 8/19/10 - The Cookoff has been canceled for 9/1/10 and will be rescheduled for another time.


Finally, the YPO is raffling off an 8 ½’ kayak donated by City Spirits of Attleboro and North Attleborough. Raffle tickets cost $5 each or 5 for $20 and can be purchased at any of The United Regional Chamber of Commerce offices: 42 Union St., Attleboro; 620 Old W. Central St., Ste. 202, Franklin; or 31 N. Washington St., North Attleborough. The winning ticket will be drawn Aug. 2.

The YPO is comprised of 20- and 30-something business professionals who have an interest in social and business networking, community involvement, and professional development. YPO participants must be at least 21 years old. For more information on any of the YPO events, visit the YPO’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/unitedregionalypo or call Jen at 508-695-6011.




Mike Foster, owner of City Spirits (left), and Jack Lank, president of The United Regional Chamber of Commerce, stand with the kayak being raffled by the Chamber’s Young Professional Organization. The kayak was donated by City Spirits.


Franklin, MA

Hold the date - Aug 3rd - Sit & Chat

Bill Glynn, School Committee member, will hold a "Sit & Chat" on the Franklin Town Common (near the Bandstand, in the Bandstand if it rains) on Tuesday August 3rd from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. There is no agenda, it’s just an opportunity to share your thoughts, ask questions, engage in discussion on different topics, etc. The discussion is open to all.

Bring a chair, your thoughts, and perhaps a question or two to the Common near the Bandstand.



Franklin, MA

United Chamber Ribbon Cutting

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new branch office of Rockland Trust at 490 Pleasant St in Attleboro, MA. 

There is another one planned to celebrate the relocation of Vicario Studio, 31 Hayward St., Suite B3, Franklin. The ribbon cutting will be held on Fri., July 23 at 11:30 a.m. Vicario Studio is owned by Photographer Paul Vicario.

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Town committee and board openings - Updated

The following Boards have vacancies.  

If you are interested please complete a committee appointment request form which can be obtained from the Town Clerk’s office located on the first floor of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street or downloaded from the Town Clerk’s web page.

Click here for form

Board	Regular Member
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund	1
Cable Advisory Board	1
Design Review Committee	1
Franklin Disability Commission	2
Library Board of Directors	1
Public Land Use Committee	2
Recreation Advisory Board	1
Zoning Board of Appeals	1

Franklin, MA

School Committee 7/20/10

Note: this reporting was done from the video archive of the meeting available on the Franklin, MA website here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=musuxcGQ9m%2bWe2MfA9h%2bYQ%3d%3d



Present: Douglas, Cafasso, Rohrbach, Roy, Trahan, Glynn
Absent: Mullen

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none
Review of Agenda - no adjustments
Minutes: I recommend approval of the Open and Executive Session minutes from the June 22, 2010 School Committee Meetings. - motion to accept, passed 6-0
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn  - motion to accept, passed 6-0Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives - none

Correspondence:
FSC letter to the FEA
This is in regard to the shortened school day. There will NOT be a shortened day. Parents will be notified on teacher assignments in August. Class size will increase. Additional info can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/07/franklin-ma-no-shortened-day-for.html


2. Guests/Presentations
Summer Update

Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski provides the update
There were several small Federal grant reductions, programs were adjusted downward accordingly

• Title 2A (teacher quality) - reduced by $2,000
• Safe and drug free - reduced by $5,000
• IDEA Special ed - reduced by $14,000
• Title 1 - $17,000

All the grant reductions amount to $38,000.


Additional grants have been obtained from
Stop & Shop / Hockomock Area Y Grant for Jefferson Elementary School - funds to help with health education.

ELL Grant / Curriculum Development - awarded $5,000 by State. This resulted from DESE coordinated program review discussed earlier this year. Christmas in June! Working with the state to develop curriculum to meet this need.


Verizon Affinity Grant - grant submitted to obtain netbooks for English Language Learners.


Accommodation plan to meet the ELL requirements was accepted by the DESE.
The report was discussed at the meeting in May
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/live-reporting-dese-report.html


Staff heavily engaged in professional development:

• 24 teachers participated in mentor training during the summer.
• A course conducted by two teachers for 30 others on closing the achievement gap was held last week. Becky Mardy (?), Brian Wilderman (?)
• Two teachers were published this year. Both articles were published in the Choice Literacy Journal. Ann Williams (Kennedy), Brian Kelly (Keller). Ann has a reading blog on literacy.

An active summer of hiring/staff changes. 

• Hired a young English teacher from Brown for Horace Mann. 
• Deb Goss retired recently. 
• Physic teacher for the high school. He really is a rocket scientist for the physics dept to replace a retirement. 
• Three teachers moving to administration positions in other districts (Wareham, Westwood, and Shrewsbury).  A tribute to the training and opportunities offered here, sorry not to have an opportunity to keep them here.

Bully task force about to begin, middle school principals working on a bullying handbook to be shared at a future meeting. Innovative and user friendly.


On the facilities side: 

• Relocating alternative learning program from Emmons St to the High School in H wing. 
• Richard Gaskin's office on the loading doc will be relocated to the DPW and that space will be used for teachers work space.
• Some machine/maintenance shop will be used for Art space for the Arts Academy at the High School.
• Installation of security is underway at Keller Sullivan
• Remington security getting additional cameras
• A couple of sound proofing projects due to needs of students is underway
• Carpeting and paving at Parmenter are scheduled to be completed before school starts.

The architect selected to proceed with the Franklin High School renovation is continuing . Four finalists will present on July 27th to select the finalist. Contact the School Administration office for details. It will be held at the MSBA office in Boston at 8:30 AM. They are public meetings anyone interested is invited to attend. One of the questions concerns their partnership in selling the project to the community.


Pay-to-ride :
The deadline ended July 9th, 1420 are enrolled. On target with last year, final number from last year was 1520. 75 families are on the wait list, they did not submit in time. The dept is starting the routing/re-routing the last week of July. Re-routing and changing the bus stops due to the three buses cut is underway. 


MASBO is offering a transportation study. They will examine all aspects of transportation. Some of the data would help to build in efficiencies and help reduce costs. Likely to come out in August or September. Miriam Goodman will be leading this effort. There is no free lunch, the service itself is not free but there should be some beneficial offset to consider.


Q - Does Holmes offer this service? 
A - We have never asked them to see if they provide it.


Q - Will we get some updates on enrollment and bus routes?
A - There is a lot of fluctation. We will get an update on numbers in August. There have been moves in/out, 10 in alone at Davis Thayer.


Technology
Wireless at Kennedy is installed.
Smart boards are being installed.
Further updates are scheduled for the fall.


Food service
Miriam is moving some cheese.
A survey of students, parents and staff will be held in the fall
A salad bar at Annie Sullivan will be piloted. A wrap bar will be at the High School. If it works at Sullivan (where there already is space and equipment) then it will be expanded to the other schools. We need to make sure it is profitable before expanding. 


Miriam has been attending the Tuft Community Leadership for Childhood Obesity Institute in conjunction with the YMCA.  It is a community effort. Need to partner with other organizations within the community. Speaker today was Mark Fenton on transportation via foot, bike or vehicle.  A study in Somerville schools in transforming the program preparing more fresh fruits and vegetables. Returning Weds to continue.


Summer School is underway. FHS Experience registration is still open. It starts August 9th. 
School lunch will be provided for a couple of days to pilot some new things. 175 enrolled to date. A very good number.


Football camp has good enrollment.


School Dept will have a table at the Harvest Fest on Sept 26th. to help meet the community and help market the schools.


3. Discussion Only Items
None

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $2,655.00 from the Annie Sullivan PCC to pay for buses as detailed.  motion to accept, passed 6-0

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $721.39 from Stop and Shop for FHS Scholarships.  motion to accept, passed 6-0

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,200.00 from SEPAC for the supplemental curriculum materials.  motion to accept, passed 6-0

d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $252.00 from Wells Fargo for FHS In House Enrichment.  motion to accept, passed 6-0

e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $200.00 from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Doyle for in house enrichment at the FHS.  motion to accept, passed 6-0


A public acknowledgement to the Doyle's. They were disappointed in the override vote and decided to contribute the difference in their taxes to help the schools.

f. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($1377.00 & $3031.00) totaling $4408.00 from Parmenter PCC for field trips and supplies.  motion to accept, passed 6-0


5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report  (all covered in the summer update above)
a. Stop & Shop / Hockomock Area Y Grant for Jefferson Elementary School
b. ELL Grant / Curriculum Development
c. Verizon Affinity Grant

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
From Ed Cafasso - Advertising subcommittee; memo from Brad Sidwell, pursuing advertising interested for the football field. There is now interest in advertising on the scoreboards. There is space available on the existing scoreboard and some businesses may help purchase scoreboards for other fields where they don't exist.  Trying to keep it simple. The fence along the field by the flag pole is off limits. More to come on this item.


School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

Bill Glynn - resolution moving forward for discussion, very similar to the one that Franklin had endorsed. A small difference in the monetary number but it is moving forward. 



7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

Motion to move into executive session, not to return to open forum. Passed 6-0 (assuming this was so, the video actually ends as the roll call is conducted.)




Franklin, MA