Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Live reporting - closing


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 
capital budget coming forward on next agenda
bylaw changes coming forward on future meetings

L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
- running out of battery storage will update post meeting -

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

P. ADJOURN



Live reporting - action items


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-05:Appropriation: Franklin High School
motion to approve, passed 8-0 via roll call 


2. Resolution 12-06:Setting Date of Debt Exclusion Ballot
motion to approve, passed 8-0 via roll call


sets date for March 27, 2012 for ballot question vote


3. Resolution 12-07:Ballot Question
motion to approve, passed 8-0 via roll call


five minute recess


4. Resolution 12-08:Refunding Bond Order
Jim Dacey - Treasure/Collector
motion to approve, passed 8-0 via roll call


Nutting we will have saved over a million dollars with what we did recently and this


Saved 698,000 in Sep
When we did the analysis these didn't qualify but with the rates continuing to change, this is now an option to save another $500,000


Thanks to former Councilor Steve Whalen for instigating the first one


5. Resolution 12-09:Appropriation: Debt - Principal
motion to approve, passed 8-0
a book keeping transaction due to the refinancing above


6. Bylaw Amendment 12-673:Amendment to Sewer System Map - 1st Reading
Motion to move to second reading, passed 8-0


Bill Yadisernia recommends approval
this is a connection not an extension of the sewer main itself





Live reporting - School Building Committee Q & A

Q - how has the floor plan changed from the model?
A - It has changed significantly due to the local requirements, the rooms are clustered in four areas on each floor

Q - ADA compliance
A - all fully handicap accessible, everything in the building is fully compliant

Dellorco - When I first got on the council I wasn't sure about what to do but now that I have seen the insides I think it is a good deal. If I were to build a house and have someone pay 60% of it, I can't see how I couldn't take that offer.

Bissanti - Some have questioned whether Franklin can afford this, I think this is a project that Franklin can not afford not to do

Kelly - People worrying about exploding cost overruns, they could not be more misinformed. Cost overruns will not be a concern. The second thing I have heard is now is not the time. If we do not do it now, Franklin will loose this reimbursement. This are not facts to scare, this is a reality. Look at the example of Uxbridge. They lost 30% of home value and surrounding towns lost about 20%. Do you want this to happen to your home in Franklin too?

Pfeffer - sometimes the decision you have to make is the hardest or the most costly, when the state is going to give us 60%, this is the right decision

Jones - Will existing technology be reused from the high school?
Mercer - yes
Nutting - planning starting to see what can be reused from the building and fields

Apr - Jun = pre-qualifying the contractors
Aug - bids open
Oct - construction should start
Fall of 2014 should open
demolition and field construction should start after opening

Roy - article in Atlantic Monthly this month helps to put the issue in focus, historical charts for manufacturing in the US. About 6 million manufacturing jobs disappeared. Factory floors look completely different from years ago. This has a lot to do with what we need today. Better buildings make better students. Horace Mann would be proud of what we have done. We are also home to the first public library.

Powderly - three resolutions are before us, one ballot question doesn't include the dollar amount, but another resolution does provide the cap.

Sch Comm Chair - Paula Mullen
asks for endorsement of this project

Finance Committee Chair - Jim Roche
unanimous recommendation from the committee

  1. contractors are hungry, prices will below
  2. borrowing costs will be low
  3. paying back starts 4 years out

From every aspect in Town, it is the right time to do this

Long Range Financial Committee Chair - Doug Hardesty
is the plan that is before us going to get Franklin into a better place
Monday the committee voted unanimously
a no-brainer with the 60% reimbursement
cost efficient facility with a track record of being successful
explored the MSBA reimbursement process, credit analysts report from Moody's - got  AA1 rating

Craig Haba
excited to be here, representing Citizens for a New Franklin High School
about 700 registered supporter and 100 volunteers currently

Powderly - this opportunity is nothing less than historic, there are many positives - record low costs, record high reimbursement, improves educational opportunities, a media center, supports integrated learning, easy first floor access to public spaces, directly improves property values






Live reporting - School Building Committee presentation


H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - Model High School
Sean Fennell, Jim Jordan, Tom Mercer


meeting since the fall of 2008


2005 NEASC - accrediting agency cited failures and put on warning status


ADA compliance
safety concerns with science labs
lack of a sprinkler system


Fall of 2006, study on feasibility of renovation of the high school completed. Moratorium on school building projects by state in effect from 2003 until 2007  


Oct 2008 - appointed the current School Building Committee


Sean had worked on Keller Sullivan, Fire Station, DPW, the Senior Center and the Horace Mann complex


3 members of the Franklin Committee went with the MSBA committee to select the architect for the feasibility and schematic design


Castle Boos was the 3rd choice and ultimately came under contract after the other two choices could not reach an agreement. Savings of over $500K by signing this contract (compared to the prior two).


Worked to develop 3 options for presentation to the MSBA with one recommended.


Option 1 - Limited renovation and addition
Option 2 - Gut renovation
Option 3 - A new design and built school


Option 1 - $86M
Option 2 - $96M
Option 3 - $97M


At this time, the model school program was raised but it was by invitation only (from the MSBA)


Presented all 3 options without a recommendation and attempt to see if they could get an invitation
Requested to meet with facilities assessment subcommittee of MSBA


June 29 - MSBA Executive Director, Catherine Craven came to tour FHS
after the tour, the invitation to the model school program came


August 2011 - toured all four of the model school samples
interviewed all four architects in Sep 2011
after the interview process, Ai3 was chosen for the Whitman-Hanson model


design cost for a new building run 10% of the total project
for the model school, the design costs are between 4 and 4.5%, a substantial savings for the community


Space summary voted on in Nov 2011 and presented to the MSBA in Dec 2011


FHS is unique as it is the single largest model school project
the most exciting project he has worked on in his years


The Whitman-Hanson building and design was selected as a "model" after it was built and evaluated
The top performing high school in energy savings and water reuse
less than one half of one percent of change orders during the building process


Display of key points of the Ray Memorial Library features of Greek Revival 


Discussion of how those elements were incorporated into the design of the new building, very well done!


The rounded corner is the administration area of the school
The tower sticks out to provide a distinct target for how to get in to the building, come here it says


20% more sq feet of educational in the new building MORE than in the current building


Existing field house is 27,000 sq ft - a square foot print with a slopped wall. Some of the space is not usable due to the slope. The new gym is 17,000 with another 6,000 of waling track for a total of 23,000 sq ft of usable space


Enrollment designed for 1650 students


Reimbursement rate before incentive points = 50.79%
Incentive points = 8.73%
Total reimbursement = 59.52%


reimbursement rate started at between 30-35% in 2008


MSBA chosen the total enrollment number from our data (cohort studies, birth rates, etc.)


8 additional classroom, each 200 sq ft bigger


Additional 1.73% granted at Jan 4, 2012 meeting. This increase came from the performance of our current building maintenance. The norm is .9%, we received 1.73%  Hence, our building maintenance process gained us additional savings


Choosing to go with a 2% LEAD Silver rating, no financial gain in going higher (i.e. gold)


4.5% contingency on the $100M project - already built into the budget to account for some issues encountered along the way.


There is an additional $2,688,274 contingency also built into the total
This is a 'turn key' total, includes all the furnishings, new fields, site prep, demolition, etc


The $47 million number for Franklin cost is the high cost, it could be as low as $45 million


What is not reimbursable?
The State favors money being used for the building and leaves out the site work from their reimbursement factoring


Debt exclusions retiring in FY16 Remington Jefferson $15, FY 24 Keller Sullivan $50, FY 25 Horace Mann $50


The amount even with an approval this year, construction this year, and opening according to schedule in the Fall of 2014 would not really hit the tax bills into FY17


Proposed date March 27th


Wording of the ballot question is set by State law, in the case of a debt exclusion the dollar amount is not listed.









Live reporting - License transactions


F. HEARINGS 
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS 
1. Change of Manager – 99 Restaurant & Pub
motion to approve, passed 8-0


2. Transfer of License – Diavolo, Inc. d/b/a Bellino’s
motion to approve, passed 8-0

Live reporting - Town Council - 2/1/12

Present: Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: Vallee


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast and Franklin Matters

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
Master Plan Committee - Christopher Vericker, Jay Duncan
motion to approve, passed 8-0

Franklin Community Garden Committee - Richard Clause
motion to approve, passed 8-0


Wadsworth Diary - Feb 1, 1858


Very Pleasant & Cold, at sunrise 8 above zero grew much warmer towards noon. Commenced and split 5 ½ hours 1 ½ cds and cut part of Mrs. Wrights wood Jos went to Mr. Cooks & in afternoon, he helped Wm Miller draw lumber from the mill. Went to the sing at Mr. Deans with Sarah & Mrs. Richardson in eve.

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  





Note: The vote to continue was close but positive for continuing: 13 for, 10 against. The diary skips Feb 1892 and picks up again in April. What I have done to keep with the February period is go back to one of the earlier years in the diary, 1858. 

"scheduled to decide tonight"


School Building Committee Chairman Thomas Mercer and Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting gave a presentation about the high school building project to Finance Committee members last night. The Long Range Finance Committee also unanimously endorsed the plan to replace the school at its Monday night meeting. 
When asked what would happen should voters not approve the debt exclusion, Nutting said, “The problem doesn’t go away; the costs go up.” 
The high school’s accreditation status could drop from “warning” to “on probation” without a new building, and any plan to renovate or rebuild the existing facility using state money would have to start from scratch, Mercer added.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1192852660/Franklin-Finance-Committee-gives-thumbs-up-to-new-high-school#ixzz1l7rPzncL

Related posts on the Town Council meeting agenda for Feb 1, 2012



The latest design photos for the new high school
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/fhs-updated-design-photos.html

Budget Monitor: Analyzing the Governor's FY 2013 Budget



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BUDGET MONITOR:
The Governor's FY 2013 Budget
Last week, the Governor filed his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2013. Today, MassBudget releases our Budget Monitor, which tracks the impact of the Governor's proposals on each major area of state government, from health care and education to public safety and the environment--including information on tax revenues.

With the Commonwealth facing a preliminary budget gap of approximately $1.3 billion, the Governor proposes balancing the budget with three strategies:
  • Cuts and savings of about $550 million  
  • Modest tax reforms and other revenue initiatives that generate about $215 million in ongoing revenue
  • The use of about $545 million in temporary revenues, mostly from the state stabilization fund (the "rainy day fund").
Our Budget Monitor shows the impact on every line-item in the budget, comparing proposed funding for FY 13 with recent funding history.




* Regular readers may note that we have redesigned the Budget Monitor. We are very interested in your feedback. Click here to send an email telling us what you like and what you think we might improve.

MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies--with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.


This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by nberger@massbudget.org |  
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Wadsworth Diary - Jan 31, 1892


Very pleasant, but cool & windy. About home all day. 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   

FHS: Updated Design Photos

Here is a slideshow of the updated design photos for the model school proposed to replace Franklin High School.

Many of these photos are now available in the Town Hall and entrance of each school.




The Town Council will vote at their February 1 meeting on the language for a ballot question and the date for Franklin voters to have their say. The State has approved the 104.5 million dollar plan and Franklin voters now have 120 days to approve the deal.

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

Additional info on the high school project is collected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

The Citizens for a New Franklin High have put together a website with additional info here
http://www.newfhs.com/


Community Gardens: Renewals & Wait List Info is Here!

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Growing In Franklin by Franklin Community Gardens on 1/30/12

Hello Friends!
Here's the news you have been waiting for:


The Franklin Community Garden Committee
Opens 2012 Garden Bed Renewals and Waiting List
For King Street Memorial Community Garden

Renewals:

  • Beginning Wednesday, February 1st, gardeners who maintained a raised bed at the King Street Memorial Community Garden may begin to renew for the 2012 season.
  • Gardeners have until Friday, March 2nd to complete the renewal application and submit payment. 
  • Gardeners in good standing have already been contacted by the committee.
  • The season fee is $40 and is payable to The Town of Franklin. The application will be processed through the Franklin Recreation Department, 150 Emmons Street (Old Town Hall)
  • There is no online registration for renewals.  Gardeners must call Franklin Recreation at 508-520-4909 or visit during office hours.
  • Garden beds not renewed by Friday, March 2nd will be assigned to the next person on the wait list.  
  • Gardeners may not reassign their plot to anyone else.

Wait List:

  • The Community Garden Committee will also open a rolling waiting list for the garden beginning February 1st
  • Available gardens will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis and assignments will begin Monday, March 5th pending available space at the garden.
  • Sign up for the waiting list ONLINE at http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Recreation/online by following the links to "Online Registration", then "Register for Activities" then select "Community Garden"
  • There is no fee to join the wait list; the $40 fee will only be charged when a garden is assigned.


If you have any questions, please contact the Franklin Community Garden Committee at franklincommunitygardens@gmail.com


Quick! Grab your calendar (or open your calendar app!) and write this down:


Save the Date:
Saturday, March 17
(peas and thank you)


Spring Celebration and Pea Planting Demonstration
 at 
the King Street Garden! 

Weather permitting; more info to follow.  

The public is invited!

oh, yes, FREE SEEDS!!! (while supplies last)




~In Spring We Trust~








Things you can do from here:

"a very good opportunity"


A new high school would cost the town $47 million of the estimated total cost of $104.5 million, thanks to a state reimbursement option called the model school. 
Under the model school program, town officials choose a state-approved high school design, hire the architect who created it and then get to work modifying the design to fit local needs, such as enrollment. 
Franklin officials chose the model used by Whitman-Hanson and Plymouth North high schools, created by architect Ai3. 
Last week, the Massachusetts School Building Authority approved the initial design plans for Franklin, giving the town’s voters 120 days to approve their end of the funding. 
“We’ve got to get that school soon, that’s the bottom line,” Town Council Chairman Robert Vallee said, apologizing that he won’t be there to vote Wednesday. “Educate our children. You’ve got to give them the tools to compete in the world market.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x739238366/Franklin-Town-Council-to-decide-on-proposed-high-school-tomorrow#ixzz1l1zWgggn

Monday, January 30, 2012

Goodbye Cafe Dolce!

Sad to say but Cafe Dolce is no longer operating. It closed today. This was confirmed via email with owner BJ Carlucci, "Unfortunately I had to close the cafe. It was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make."


For the memories and good times, you can also review photos from the archives







Historical Museum - Photo essay - Jan 29, 2012

A glorious day for Franklin to celebrate Ben's birthday

Franklin Historical Museum - 1

Vera Meyer returned to play many tunes on the Glass Harmonica

Franklin Historical Museum - 2

Hey look, there are the Wadsworth Diaries!

Franklin Historical Museum - 3

Can it be a birthday party without cake? Heck no!

Franklin Historical Museum - 4

One of the interactive pieces of the Historical Museum is the on-going outreach to help identify folks in the pictures they have.

Franklin Historical Museum - 5

Do you know someone in the photo? Let one of the Museum volunteers know!

Have you been to the Museum yet?

If not, you are missing out on a good deal!

Wadsworth Diary - Jan 30, 1892


Pleasant, but windy & cold. Chored about. looked after trains & c. for Willie. Fixed saw for ice, baked beans & brown bread & c.

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   






Sunday, January 29, 2012

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Feb 1, 2012


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Master Plan Committee - Christopher Vericker, Jay Dunca
Franklin Community Garden Committee - Richard Clause

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
1. Change of Manager – 99 Restaurant & Pub
2. Transfer of License – Diavolo, Inc. d/b/a Bellino’s

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - Model High School

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-05:Appropriation: Franklin High School
2. Resolution 12-06:Setting Date of Debt Exclusion Ballot
3. Resolution 12-07:Ballot Question
4. Resolution 12-08:Refunding Bond Order
5. Resolution 12-09:Appropriation: Debt - Principal
6. Bylaw Amendment 12-673:Amendment to Sewer System Map - 1st 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

The full set of documents for this agenda can be found on the Franklin website here (PDF)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/020112b.pdf

Proposed Ballot Question for Debt Exclusion

The proposed ballot question language.

Resolution 12 - 07
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition two-and-one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to construct a new high school, to be located at 218 Oak Street, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto?

Compared to the language of the ballot questions for the prior debt exclusions:

Oct 10, 2000

Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal and interest on the bonds to be issued in order to finance the construction and equipping of renovation and an addition to the Horace Mann School, in the principal amount not to exceed $29,900,000, a portion of which may be reimbursed to the Town through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Nov 2, 1999
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal and interest on the bonds to be issued in order to finance the construction and original equipping of a new combination elementary/middle school, the total cost of which is estimated by the School Building Committee to be $25,500,000 excluding land acquisition costs.

June 20, 1998
Shall the sum of $26,700,000 be appropriated for the construction and original equipping of a new school, which appropriation is in addition to the $300,000 appropriated for the planning costs related to the project by Resolution No. 98-25R and which appropriation bring the total amount appropriated for the project to $27,000,000; and, to meet this additional appropriation shall the Treasurer-Collector with the approval of the Town Administrator be authorized to borrow $26,700,000 in addition to the $300,000 authorized under resolution No. 98-25R, under G.L. c.44, sec 7 and or Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1945 as amended, provided, however, that no debt, except for up to an aggregate of $1,205,000 for planning and other preliminary expenses, may be incurred under this appropriation and Resolution No. 98-25R for the project until the State Department of Education has included the Town's application for a State School Construction grant for the project on its list of completed project applications, showing the priority assigned?

May 2, 1998
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal and interest on the bonds to be issued in order to finance the construction and original equipping of a new school, in the principal amount  of $27,000,000, 60% of the eligible cost of which may be reimbursed to the Town through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education?

March 14, 1998
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal and interest on the bonds to be issued in order to finance the construction and original equipping of a new school , in the principal amount  of $49,000,000, a portion of which may be reimbursed to the Town through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education?.

April 4, 1995
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal and interest on bonds, in the principal amount of $2,000,000, in order to finance the acquisition of land, or interests in land, for any purpose for which a city or town is or may hereafter be authorized to acquire land or interest therein, including but not limited to open space, public parks, or playgrounds, municipal outdoor recreational and athletic facilities, or school or municipal facilities?

Jan 31, 1995
Q1 - Shall the vote of the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District Committee passed on December 23, 1994 authorizing the incurring of debt in the amount of $2,362,364 for the purposes of financing costs of reconstructing, remodeling, making extraordinary repairs and equipping the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, including costs of design service consultants to prepare studies, final architectural and engineering plans, bid specifications and contractual documents and cost estimates including costs incidental and related thereto pursuant to chapter 71 of the General Laws, as amended, be approved?

Jan 31, 1995
Q2 - Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to finance the construction and remodeling, making extraordinary repairs and equipping the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, including cost of design service consultants to prepare studies, final architectural and engineering plans, bid specifications and contractual documents and cost estimates including costs incidental and related thereto?

Feb 12, 1994
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds, issued in order to finance the construction and equipping of a new school in the principal amount of $18,500,000, a portion of which may be reimbursed to the Town through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education?

June 16, 1992
Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provision of proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to replace the high school roof in the amount of $1,290,000, a portion of which may be reimbursed to the Town through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education?


The full details for these debt exclusions and the override votes can be found here
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdDVWaFU0N2ZsTEE2TUVuWHk5NURvQWc&hl=en_US#gid=0

This listing was compiled from both the official State records and official Town Clerk records. Those sources take precedence over this listing.

Resolution 12-05

The text of the resolution for the Town Council to authorize the funding of the high school building project.

Resolution 12-05
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Franklin: appropriates the sum of one hundred four million, six hundred forty-nine thousand, eight hundred seventy-six dollars ($104,649,876) for the construction of a new Franklin High School to be located at 218 Oak Street, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto which school facility shall have an anticipated useful life as an educational facility for the instruction of school children for at least 50 years, said sum to be expended under the direction of the School Building Committee, and to meet said appropriation the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Town Administrator is authorized to borrow said sum under M.G.L. Chapter 44, or any other enabling authority; that the Town of Franklin acknowledges that the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (“MSBA”) grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any project costs the Town of Franklin incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town of Franklin; provided further that any grant that the Town of Franklin may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed the lesser of (1) fifty-nine point fifty-two hundredths percent ( 59.52%) of eligible, approved project costs, as determined by the MSBA, or (2) the total maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA; provided that any appropriation hereunder shall be subject to and contingent upon an affirmative vote of the Town to exempt the amounts required for the payment of interest and principal on said borrowing from the limitations on taxes imposed by M.G.L. 59, Section 21C (Proposition 2½); and that the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the Town of Franklin and the MSBA.



Weight Watchers to open an office


Maybe you noticed the addition to the sign at the Horace Mann Plaza?

Franklin, MA: Weight Watchers

Yes, Weight Watchers is opening an office in the Plaza. You won't need to go to the Hampton Inn for a specific scheduled time to weigh in or participate in a meeting.

Franklin, MA: Weight Watchers

The sign says Weight Watchers will be opening soon.

Weight Watchers - coming to Franklin, MA

It will be open 7 days a week with drop in and a meeting schedule.

Updated 3/18/12 
The schedule is available here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/03/weight-watchers-schedule-of-hours.html

Wadsworth Diary - Jan 29, 1892


Pleasant & warm, thawed some. Chored about. See to the trains & c for Willie. Put up 2 bbls apples & carried to Franklin, 1 to N. McGrory, & 1 to Chs. Bassett. Got 4 bus. meal.


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   



Commuter rail could soon be a costly ticket to ride

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Laura Krantz/Daily News staff on 1/28/12

MBTA1
MetroWest residents might soon think twice about taking a Friday night trip to Fenway Park on the commuter rail, or even about accepting a job in Boston.    That's because as part of its plan to get out of the red, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said it will likely raise commuter rail fares about 40 percent and eliminate weekend and late night service.

Things you can do from here:



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