MBTA: Fare and Service Proposals, Public Outreach

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

MBTA: Fare and Service Proposals, Public Outreach

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 1/3/12

MassDOT today released proposed fare increase and service reduction plans for the MBTA aimed at closing a projected $161 million budget gap for fiscal year 2013.

Earlier estimates projected the gap would total approximately $185 million for FY13.  The MBTA has taken aggressive steps to reduce that deficit: reducing energy purchase costs, planned introduction of single person train operation on the Red Line, encouraging MBTA employees to enroll in more affordable health insurance plans and other operating and administrative efficiencies.  However, growing debt service costs associated with capital projects, significant increases in maintenance costs for an aging fleet and higher costs for the RIDE mean additional solutions are necessary.

The proposed fare increases and service reductions released today are aimed at closing the FY13 deficit.


"While the MBTA continues to identify and adopt strict measures to close the budget gap, less costly ways of doing business and additional revenue-generating measures are necessary," said MassDOT Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey. "I am confident with the public's involvement in this process we can review the study, propose recommendations, and together generate new revenue to continue the progress the MBTA has made in serving its customers."

In order to fully engage transit users in the process, the MBTA will host more than 20 public hearings over the next several months. A final fare increase and service reduction recommendation will be made to the MBTA's Board of Directors this Spring and changes will be implemented on July 1, 2012.

In addition to rising operating costs, annual revenues continue to be insufficient to fund the system.  Sales tax revenue allocated to the MBTA has increased by only 0.08% annually since fiscal year 2001, resulting in growing budget gaps since the orginal projections were made with the expectation of forward funding. While the MBTA was a beneficiary of the 2009 sales tax increase, the annual growth in sales tax revenues is not enough to address continuing increases in the cost of service on all modes.

"With MBTA ridership at record levels, the demand for the services we deliver is unquestionable,"   said Acting MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis.  "I look forward to an open and transparent public process that will lead to recommendations on how we can continue to satisfy demand while addressing the T's financial crisis."

As only one of two transit properties in North America that has not raised fares over the last five years, the MBTA has worked hard to identify ways to save money and reduce costs, while improving customer service.  From investments in accessibility improvements to use of modern technology to improved transparency, the MBTA is committed to responding to the needs of its customers.

The Fare Increase and Service Reductions Study will be available on Wednesday, January 4 at www.mbta.com.

The MBTA's public outreach process begins immediately with the acceptance of public comment through March 1, 2012 electronically at mbta.com, by email at fareproposal@mbta.com, via mail to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, Ma  02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee, and by phone at 617-222-3200/ TTY (617) 222-5146.  20 Public meetings including one hearing will be held beginning January 17 through March 6.  A complete list of meetings times and locations is now available at www.mbta.com.

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"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign"

"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


One proposed by-law change starting to work through the process this week will affect what we see all around Franklin. The Planning and Community Development Dept has already reworked the regulations and updated the definitions to help the discussions around what it will mean.

The Town Council will refer it to the Planning Board where they will review, take input during a public hearing and after making potential adjustments send it back to the Town Council. Back at the Town Council, there will be two readings (and associated discussions) before it is voted on.

The section from the Town Council agenda highlighting changes:

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.

Where did those lyrics come from? Enjoy!




The proposed bylaw can be found on beginning on page 10 of the document here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/011812.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 4, 2012

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
- Master Plan Committee
David Dobrzynski
Christine Apicella
Gregory Rondeau
Norm Ristaino
amended during meeting to add Gene Grella and Nathan Carlucci
It was also noted that Steve Whalen resigned from this group

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-01: Acceptance of Gift – Red Brick School
2. Resolution 12-02: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 11-666: Amendment to Chapter 185-5, Zoning Map, Biotechnology Uses Overlay Zoning District –
2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

Wadsworth Diary: Jan 3, 1892

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.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.


From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html

“It’s always the money"

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.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x987652853/Budgeting-the-big-challenge-for-area-towns-this-year#ixzz1iOGbLx7g

“Staying fit and active"

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.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1896000094/Area-centers-want-to-keep-seniors-active#ixzz1iOIICWmC

Healthy Eating Cooking class!!

Hey all another Healthy Eating class is coming up!! Hope to see some of you there ;)

Thursday, January 12, 2012 6:30pm until 8:00pm

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

--
Karen M Ring
CPT / Health Coach / AADP

www.karenmring.com
karenmring@gmail.com

Franklin, MA: Historical Commission

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
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Historical/historical

Heralding in the New Gardening Year

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Heralding in the New Gardening Year

via Growing In Franklin by Franklin Community Gardens on 1/1/12

A visit to the King Street Garden today in short sleeves, 55 degrees and sunny!

***

Happy New Year, Gardeners!

***

Are you getting your seed catalogs yet?

Making resolutions?

To-do lists?

Sketching out garden plot plans?

The real spring will be here before we know it.

***

If to-do lists are your thing, Listen Up:

The Franklin Community Garden Committee is seeking additional members.

Prove your Passion. 

Get Involved!

(Once a month, sometimes twice, usually a Monday evening, 6:30, at the Town Hall.)

Next meeting slated for Monday, Jan 9th at 6:30 

Resolve to be there!

Dig In!

It's going to be another great year.

(Just like last year, only better.)

***

Thanks in advance for your help!

***

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Wadsworth Diary: Jan 1, 1892

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.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale.

From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html

Franklin, MA: Long Range Financial Planning Committee

The Long Range Financial Planning Committee is one that has changed considerably in the last 14 months. It started as a committee with representatives from the Town Council (3), School Committee (2), and Finance Committee (2). In December 2010, it was reformed as a committee completely made up of 'citizens' - that is residents with no other direct board membership. 

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.

Additional information and links to the reports issued by the committee can be found on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/Long%20Range%20Financial%20Planning%20Committee



One of the papers made available to candidates for office in the Franklin November 2011 election was as follows:

Financial Challenges in Franklin:

Informing Public Debate in Advance of the 2011 Town Elections

Prepared by the Long Range Finance Committee

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.

Franklin, MA: Health Department

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
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Health/index

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee

The Finance Committee shall be concerned with all matters involving the finances and financial procedures of the Town of Franklin, as required by Massachusetts General Laws and the Town Charter. The Committee makes recommendations to the Town Council on all financial matters. 

Its goals are to:
1. Understand department responsibilities and performance.
2. Analyze department budgets and look toward future needs.
3. Simplify the budget process.
4. Recommend a balanced budget for the delivery of town services to the Town Council.

Additional information on the Finance Committee (or FinCom) can be found on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Finance/index

Page 134 (printed version) or Page 140 (or the following PDF version) also have info on the Finance Committee
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/Desktop/FRANKLIN%202001%20TR-WEB%20COPY.pdf

Franklin, MA: Design Review Commission

As Franklin continues to grow, many signs, buildings and new developments are constantly being constructed. But, do all of them add to the beauty and charm of our town? Sometimes the initial designs are not what the town needs. 

How does the town help guide people to a better solution for the town? The Design Review Commission advises applicants on their submissions, encouraging applicants to revise their designs to enhance the New England character of our Town, in addition to approving signage.

Additional information on the Design Review Commission and it role can be found on the Franklin website here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/design

The 2011 Annual Report also provides some info on page 132 (of the printed version or Page 138 for the PDF)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/Desktop/FRANKLIN%202001%20TR-WEB%20COPY.pdf

Corporate tax rate drops to 8.0 percent effective January 1

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Corporate tax rate drops to 8.0 percent effective January 1

via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 12/30/11

DOR announced earlier this month a drop in the personal income tax rate effective for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1 from 5.3 percent to 5.25. This reduction extends to gains from investments held for more than a year (gains on investments held for less than a year are still taxable at 12 percent).

A second tax reduction also kicks in on Jan. 1, when the corporate tax rate drops from 8.25 percent to 8.0 percent.

And, as was the case with the personal income tax reduction, there is a backstory to the drop in the corporate tax rate.

Gov. Deval Patrick in his first year in office, in 2007, proposed to change the way the Commonwealth levies the corporate income tax with the introduction of a proposal to adopt combined reporting, a system that is now in place in about half the states. The idea was to come up with a corporate tax system that made it harder for corporations to shift taxable profits earned in Massachusetts to low-tax or no-tax states.

The Legislature rebuffed the governor's initial effort, but agreed to the appointment of a special commission to look at corporate taxation. In December 2007, the commission issued its report, and on the basis of recommendations in the report, the governor filed legislation to implement combined reporting.

In July of 2008, the governor and legislative leadership signed into law combined reporting. Importantly, the law included a gradual reduction in the corporate tax rate, which at the time was 9.5 percent. The rate was to be gradually lowered, to 8.75 percent effective for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2010; to 8.25 percent effective for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2011, and to 8.0 percent effective for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2012.

Combined reporting, in tandem with the rate cut, meant that the big multi-state or multi-national corporations would often pay more, while the in-state corporations in would in certain cases pay less, with the net effect producing a fairer corporate tax system.

In a press release issued yesterday, the Patrick Administration noted that the 2008 tax reform law meant that "Massachusetts-based businesses are paying a lower corporate tax rate while several thousand multi-state or multi-national companies are also paying at a lower rate, but reporting more in taxable income because they can no longer shift taxable profits to low-tax or no-tax jurisdictions."

The corporate tax reform law of 2008 also gradually reduced the financial institution tax rate from 10.5 in FY08 percent down to 9.0 percent effective Jan. 1, 2012.

The rate for S corporations with more than $9 million in annual receipts was modified so that the corporate rate (for a business corporation or financial institution as applicable) for the year minus the personal income tax rate for the year equalled the rate for the large S corporations.
The rate for S corporations with between $6 and $9 million in annual receipts was modified to 2/3 of the rate applicable to larger S corporations.

Corporate and business tax collections have risen and fallen with the economy since enactment of the law. In FY07, before the law took effect, corporate tax collection was $2.476 billion. In FY08, corporate tax collection hit $2.549 billion, but dropped to $2.099 billion in FY09 as revenues overall crashed. Since then, corporate revenues have recovered modestly, in line with the overall economy, to $2.119 billion in FY10 and $2.228 billion in FY11.

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In the News - Crime Updates

Home invasion 

Police Chief Stephan Semerjian said his department has solid leads and is close to an arrest in the case of a November home invasion.
Authorities say two young men zip-tied an elderly woman to her bed before taking her credit card and other valuables.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1895999942/Crime-was-a-top-story-in-2011#ixzz1i7UeggVC

Meeting notes archive for 2011

 2011

• High School Project - Building Committee Forum 11/17/11 (audio)

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/high-school-project-nov-17-2011-audio.html

• Election 2011 (Nov 8, 2011) Summary

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html

• Budget information for fiscal year 2012

Note the fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30th. We are currently in the budget year FY 2012.

• Finance Committee 10/11/11

• Joint Budget Subcommittee 10/17/11 and here

• 
  
• Long Range Financial Planning Committee 03/23/11
• Long Range Financial Planning Committee 03/09/11
• Long Range Financial Planning Committee 02/23/11
• Long Range Financial Planning Committee 02/09/11
• Long Range Financial Planning Committee 01/05/11

• 
  
• Planning Board 03/14/11

• 
  
• School Committee 03/15/11
• School Committee 02/15/11
• Meeting canceled due to snow on 02/01/11
• School Budget Workshop 01/29/11
• Meeting video available for 01/25/11 meeting
• School Committee 01/11/11

• School Building Committee meeting 3/30/11

• Downtown Commercial Zoning Workshop March 21, 2011

• 
  
• Town Council 12/07/11
• Town Council 11/30/11
• Town Council 11/16/11
• Town Council workshop 11/09/11
• Town Council 10/26/11
• Town Council 10/05/11
• Town Council 09/28/11
• Town Council 09/14/11
• Town Council 03/16/11
• Town Council 03/02/11
• Town Council 02/16/11
• Town Council 020/2/11
• Town Council 01/12/11

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Franklin, MA: Inspections and Building Dept

Department's Mission:
All the functions of a Building or Inspection Department can really be summarized as a simple seven (7) part process. While the amount of information is sometimes overwhelming and there are hundreds and hundreds of pieces to our work, the overall process is simply seven (7) steps:

The Department:
1. Receives information (permit applications, plans, specs, complaints, etc.);
2. Reviews the information for compliance with a legal standard (Building, Plumbing, Electrical, Zoning Codes, etc.);
3. Issues approvals or list of corrections (permits, notice of deficiencies, cease & desist orders, etc.);
4. Inspects in the field for compliance with the approvals;
5. Signs off or issues corrections notices;
6. Stores, and makes available upon request, all of the foregoing as public records, and lastly;
7. Follows the State and Local financial processes for the Department.


Additional information on the work of this department can be found on their page within the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Inspections/index


Page 129 of the 2011 Franklin Annual Report lists the activity for the prior year
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/Desktop/FRANKLIN%202001%20TR-WEB%20COPY.pdf (Note the page reference is to the PDF version, Page 124 would be printed version)

Franklin, MA: Cable Advisory Commission

Page 131-133 of the Franklin Annual Report for 2011 covers the Cable Advisory Commission.
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/Desktop/FRANKLIN%202001%20TR-WEB%20COPY.pdf (Note the page references are to the PDF version, the printed version would be Page 125-127)

Town Council, School Committee and many other committee meetings along with some special events are available via live broadcast or replay via cable. The Commission is also looking into creation of a non-profit entity by which the cable operations would be run instead of by Franklin. Stay tuned for developments in this area.

In the News - out of control

Car hits Franklin restaurant

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Christmas Tree Pickup Schedule

Natural Christmas trees will be picked up curbside the week of January 9th on your normal trash and recycling pick up day. Make sure they are within 3 feet of the curb and out the day before. Artificial trees and/or trees with decorations, tinsel, lights or other ornaments will NOT be picked up.

This was originally posted to the Franklin, MA website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/018053E5-000F8513

Winter Storm Overnight Parking Ban

Winter Storm Overnight Parking Ban is effective from October 15 to April 15.

The purpose of the winter storm overnight parking ban shall be to provide for the safe movement
of police, fire and emergency medical service vehicles during snow and ice storms and otherwise
provide for public safety during winter weather conditions. The parking ban shall also serve to
enhance the capability of the Public Works Department to remove snow and ice from the
roadways effectively and efficiently. 

A winter storm overnight parking ban shall automatically take effect upon occurrence of any of
the following: Snow, sleet, or freezing rain has fallen, or is imminent.

The National Weather Service and/or local television and/or radio stations or other media are
reporting commencement of snow, sleet, or freezing rain within the local area or are predicting
that snow, sleet, or freezing rain will begin in Franklin within 12 hours. 

The parking of any motor vehicle within the layout or right-of-way of any public street or any
roadway open to the public is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. while a
winter storm parking ban is in effect. 

The Franklin Police Department shall enforce the provisions of this article and shall be solely
responsible for issuance of tickets and authorization of towing.

This was originally posted to the Franklin, MA website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Police/WinterStormOvernightParkingBan2011.pdf

“It was so important to take an active role"

The Kennedy Playground Committee’s fundraising goal was $85,000, but through individual, family and local business donations, car washes, bake sales, snack tables and several grants, the group has raised $95,000 so far. 

Arffa said the project will continue to raise money because the initial estimate left out pieces of equipment that the committee didn’t feel were completely necessary — like ladybug statues (the school’s mascot) and seats. The initial number also didn’t include the price of demolition or preparing the current space for new structures. 

“You want the parents to help,” said mom Karen Kerns. “Especially when you talk about raising this much money ... It’s really been a grassroots effort.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x2023107415/Moms-at-work-in-Franklin#ixzz1hpT4kgal


Related posts on the Kennedy Playground Committee:

September
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/09/kennedy-community-playground-can-use.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/09/2-kennedy-playground-fund-raisers.html

November
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/action-j-f-kennedy-playground-and-pepsi.html

December
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/kennedy-elementary-4th-grades-help.html

Did you know?

Did you know?

No one shall commence to remove, fill, dredge, build upon, degrade or discharge into or otherwise alter the following resource areas: 

Any freshwater wetlands;, marshes; wet meadows; bogs; swamps; vernal pools; banks; reservoirs; lakes; ponds of any size; beaches; intermittent stream; lands under water bodies; lands within 100 feet of any aforesaid wetland or flood plain areas; lands subject to flooding or inundation by ground water or surface water; rivers and streams and lands within 200 feet of the mean annual  high-water line of any river or stream.

Before starting to do any of the above, it would be good to contact the Franklin Conservation Office. More information on the Conservation Commission can be found on the Franklin website here.


Conservation Commission Rules and Regulations (PDF):

On January 27, 2011, the following members of the Franklin Conservation Commission voted to accept these Rules and Regulations as they apply to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Wetlands Protection Bylaw, Franklin Code at Chapter 181 

Jeffrey Senterman Chair
Andrew Tolland, Vice Chair
Christopher Botchis
Monique Allen
Ray Willis
Jon Fournier
Jeff Livingstone
Regan Harrold. Associate Member

In the News - tree pickup, auditions, copper wire

Tree pick up in Franklin next week

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Performing Arts Company auditions

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

$20K in copper wires recovered

by Norman Miller/Daily News staff