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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108
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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108
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A Hopkinton manufacturer of storage systems for life sciences and laboratory companies is constructing a new 51,000-square-foot facility in Franklin, where it expects to house 55 jobs and add more in the coming years.
Hamilton Storage Technologies recently received approval from the state for a tax increment financing plan, or TIF, worth $190,000 that the Town of Franklin had previously approved in September.
The company expects to spend $16 million to construct the facility on Forge Parkway.
"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?"http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/five_man_electrical_band/signs.html
Changes from Previous Bylaw
Enforcement and Pre-existing Signs
The proposed Sign Bylaw now clearly defines the Building Commissioner as the entity who will
permit all signs, oversee installation, ensure compliance and remove non-compliant signs,
regulate their maintenance, and initiate penalties. Pre-existing signs are grandfathered unless
they were being displayed in violation of the existing Sign Bylaw. Pre-existing signs will remain
as such until a new sign is displayed or any modification to the existing signage is made, then it
must conform to the new Sign Bylaw.
The proposed Bylaw also addresses many issues that the previous Bylaw left unaddressed.
One such issue the Bylaw now clearly defines is the role and responsibilities of the Design
Review Commission. In addition, the proposed Sign Bylaw now address a more defined
process for appeal of Design Review Commission decisions or appeals of a decision issued by
the Building Commissioner.
Temporary Signs
The current Sign Bylaw addresses several types of temporary signs and the extent to which
they are allowed. The proposed Bylaw clearly prohibits most temporary signs except real estate signs, political signs and non-profits if displayed in Municipal sign displays located throughout the Town. New business owners would be permitted to display one temporary sign for up to 30 days during the opening of the business.
Very pleasant & quite warm, ground & pond clear of frost.My cold or grip is about the same. I do my chores & not much more. E. Simonds here.
Vallee said he would like to see the town explore more economic development opportunities, especially on town-owned land between Interstate 495 and Pond Street.
The land is zoned for industry but Vallee said condominiums may be a more viable option. If built out with condominiums, the land could bring in $800,000 in tax revenue without adding many children to the schools, he said.
Vallee said he’s also glad to see development occurring along Rte. 140 at the former Knights of Columbus Hall and Franklin Buffet restaurant.
“A lot of little things are happening,” he said.
Sue Barbour, program coordinator for the Franklin Senior Center, warns seniors of the consequences of remaining immobile.
“If you don’t use it, you lose it,” she said Friday. “It’s the truth. I tell them all the time, get up and move.”
In Franklin, Barbour said line dancing and other classes have had a good turnout for years, but hopefully, even more will join in the New Year.
New Year New You!!!
6:30-8pm, Thursday January 12th- $10 fee Come see us at The Fitness Asylum in Shrewsbury 56 Summer Street, Shrewsbury MA for a Healthy Eating cooking class! Join Karen and Terri our Healthy Eating Specialists to learn how to prepare food following... our 4 Healthy Eating Pillars: Plant Strong™, Whole Foods, Healthy Fats and Nutrient Dense. This fun filled Cooking Class will demonstrate how to master the art of healthy cooking by preparing foods to be lighter in calories, more nutrient dense and packed with flavor! See how to prepare vegetables to peak flavor while maximizing vitamins and minerals. Get great tips on portion control. Raw-Vegan techniques will be highlighted to save time and ultimately get you to eat more vegetables! Three will be plenty of samples to go around so bring your appetite! Please call The Fitness Asylum to sign up and reserve your spot: 617-967-0042 www.fitness-asylum.com |
Purpose
The Historical Commission provides for the preservation, protection, and development of the historic and archaeological assets of Franklin. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Library Room of the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St.
The activities of the commission encompass many areas including: research on places of historical or architectural value, working with the State Archaeologist in conducting surveys and reporting on sites, supporting educational activities, establishing historic districts, providing information for genealogical searches, and operating and maintaining the Franklin Historical Museum.
Membership
The Commission consists of seven members who are appointed for three-year terms. Additionally, Associate memberships are available for anyone interested in town history by contacting the Town Clerk's office or any member of the Historical Commission.Additional information on the Historical Commission can be found on the Franklin website
Pleasant & cool. Have done but little besides the chores, but feel a little better than I did yesterday. Elmer came home to night. He rode over with Arthur Miller.
Vision
The Long Range Finance Committee is a citizen advisory group tasked with helping citizens and Town officials better understand Franklin’s long-term financial outlook and the various courses of action available to secure Franklin’s financial future.
Mission
The Committee will achieve this vision by (i) evaluating and reporting on the Town’s five-year financial projection, (ii) assessing the nature and potential magnitude of the Town’s significant financial risks, particularly those that give rise to a structural deficit, and (iii) recommending steps to close the gap between future expected revenues and expenditures in an effort ultimately to achieve fiscal sustainability.
Introduction
As we approach the 2011 Town election cycle, candidates and voters alike have an opportunity to discuss the issues that matter most to residents of Franklin. Understandably, the pre-election dialogue gravitates toward timely matters that are likely to be voted upon in the near term or simple topics that can be answered in a few sentences. The downside of this dynamic, however,is that we often overlook the more complex challenges the Town of Franklin is facing. The purpose of this document is to help candidates and voters appreciate the nature and magnitude of Franklin’s growing financial challenges. We summarize the key issues and highlight resources that will help inform public debate.
Summary of Key Issues
In October 2009, the Long Range Finance Committee issued a report on Franklin’s financial outlook for the period from FY 2010 to 2014, finding that Town and School services are declining steadily because costs are rising faster than revenues (a “structural deficit”) and warning that this trend would continue indefinitely if not addressed. The Committee recommended that town leaders: (i) agree on the problem; (ii) develop a comprehensive, multi-
year plan for achieving a services neutral budget, and (iii) improve transparency and accessibility of financial information.
Over the past two years, the economic recession has compounded the problem, and the financial outlook for Franklin, along with cities and towns across the Commonwealth, has deteriorated. Preliminary estimates show that expenses for existing Town and School services are on track to outpace revenue by 8-10% of the Town’s total operating budget over the next 5 years. This projection does not include additional expenses that will be required to address the Town’s aging infrastructure and begin funding its significant OPEB (other post-employment benefit) obligation. The residents of Franklin, together with Town officials, determine when and how these complex financial issues are to be confronted. The 2011 election cycle is the ideal time to move this discussion to center stage.
How to Prepare for Discussions about Franklin’s Long Term Financial Outlook?
1. Read the “Five Year Financial Outlook” prepared by the Long Range Finance Committee in October 2009. An Executive Summary and mid year update are also available. These materials can be found on the Town of Franklin website. Reports
2. Learn about OPEB. The Town currently follows a “pay as you go” approach for its OPEB obligation, which means it pays the minimum costs incurred in that year even though this minimum is insufficient to meet the future obligation. Across the Commonwealth, municipalities are assessing whether to continue “pay as you go” or to move towards fully funding the future obligations. In Franklin, the FY 2010 funding shortfall was approximately $5M or 5% of the operating budget, based on an $80M unfunded obligation. White papers and other general information can be found on the web. We have not recommended any specific resources in order to avoid linking ourselves with any particular political point of view that may be associated with the authors or sponsoring organizations.
3. Compare Franklin with other towns. The Committee’s “Five Year Financial Outlook” compares Franklin to neighboring and peer towns across a wide range of relevant categories, including sources of revenue, municipal spending and school spending. If you prefer to do your own comparisons, considerable data is available on the web as follows:
a. Massachusetts Department of Revenue Mass DOR
b. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Department of Education
4. Follow the activities of the Long Range Finance Committee. The Committee is currently focused on four topics: (i) long-term infrastructure requirements, (ii) post-employment benefit obligations, (iii) legislative impediments to addressing the structural deficit, and (iv) benchmarking the residential tax burden. The Committee’s meeting schedule is also available on the Town’s web page and posted in Town Hall.
Mission Statement:
The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well-being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local public health laws and regulations. The Franklin Health Department's responsibilities include inspecting and permitting new and repaired/upgraded individual septic systems, witnessing percolation testing, biannual inspections of all food service and retail food establishments, investigating complaints of public health nuisances, enforcement of the state sanitary code relative to housing, licensing of children's recreational camps, inspection of semi-public swimming pools and spas, tanning salon and manicure/pedicure establishment inspections. The Health Department also issues permits for individual private drinking water and irrigation wells.Additional information on the Health Dept and the Board of Health can be found on the Franklin website