This year's 4th Annual Parmenter Fun Run for All Ages will be held on Sunday, June 10th at 10am. More details will follow soon, including registration. For specific questions, one can email parmenter5k@gmail.com
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Parmenter 5K - June 10th
This year's 4th Annual Parmenter Fun Run for All Ages will be held on Sunday, June 10th at 10am. More details will follow soon, including registration. For specific questions, one can email parmenter5k@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Franklin Votes - March 27th (video)
A video to summarize the pros and cons of the vote on the debt exclusion for the new Franklin High School is now available. The video features appearances by School Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, and Town Councilors Jeff Roy and Bob Vallee. Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri provides some insights to help the voting process on March 27th.
Get out to vote on March 27th!
Get out to vote on March 27th!
495/MetroWest Development Compact Plan
Local, state and regional priorities for development and preservation are identified.
Prime sites to develop include Milford’s Bear Hill area, Northborough Crossing, the Golden Triangle in Framingham and Draper Mill in Hopedale, which would all have strong regional significance.
The state also wants to see companies move to the Forge Industrial Park and North Grove Street in Franklin, Framingham’s downtown and Tech Park and 9/90 crossing, Legacy Farm and South Street in Hopkinton and Tower Street Mill in Hudson.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x299890263/Development-plan-puts-focus-on-future-of-region#ixzz1peILKVB3
The full plan can be found here (PDF)
http://www.mass.gov/hed/economic/eohed/pro/planning/metrowest/
Monday, March 19, 2012
Congratulations to the Hockey Team
It is an accomplishment to have made it to the State Finals two years in a row!
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1569575760/Heartbreak-hocked-for-Franklin-Medway#ixzz1pYOzARMa
For Franklin, it was March redux. Last year at this time the Panthers came within a goal of winning the state title. Yesterday, the differential — and the outcome — was the same at TD Garden.
Wilmington’s 3-2 victory left the Panthers a goal shy of their goal. Again.
“It’s tough, two years in a row,” said Franklin coach Chris Spillane, who was on Franklin’s last championship team, in 1983.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1569575760/Heartbreak-hocked-for-Franklin-Medway#ixzz1pYOzARMa
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Community Garden: A grey day for green thumbs!
It may have been a grey day for green thumbs but about 30 folks gathered to "Give Peas a Chance" at the Franklin Community Garden on Saturday. Some had plots in the garden some gardened in their own space. All came together to hear Chris Clay share some tips on peas and other things to plant early.
There was a line briefly to get peas
One plot has been stringed off in grid fashion to help with their planting this year
Amy Acevedo watched as Leo O'Brien planted his peas in a starter cup
Jack Barry observes as Chris sinks his round of green wire mesh as a support for the peas
As Chris explains, his son Gabe plants the peas around the wire mesh
Jack lends a hand as Chris ties off the bamboo sticks in a teepee shape which is another way to support your peas
This was the first of a series of sessions to talk about gardening and share gardening tips
Where is the Community Garden?
Located in the King St Memorial Park
View Larger Map
There was a line briefly to get peas
One plot has been stringed off in grid fashion to help with their planting this year
Amy Acevedo watched as Leo O'Brien planted his peas in a starter cup
Jack Barry observes as Chris sinks his round of green wire mesh as a support for the peas
As Chris explains, his son Gabe plants the peas around the wire mesh
Jack lends a hand as Chris ties off the bamboo sticks in a teepee shape which is another way to support your peas
This was the first of a series of sessions to talk about gardening and share gardening tips
Where is the Community Garden?
Located in the King St Memorial Park
View Larger Map
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 3/21/12
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 7, 2011
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS – This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast, and Franklin Matters
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Franklin Disabilities Commission - Anthony J. Molinaro
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Letter to the Editor
Bryan Taberner – Director, Community Planning & Development
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-20: Adoption of Amendment to Town Council Procedures Manual
2. Resolution 12-21: Amendment to Creation of A Citizen Committee
3. Bylaw Amendment 12-674: Amendment to Chapter 48, Tobacco Products – 1st Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 12-675: Amendment to Chapter 63, Numbering of Buildings – 1st Reading
5. Bylaw Amendment 12-676: Amendment to Chapter 84, Fire Alarms - 1st Reading
6. Bylaw Amendment 12-677: Amendment to Chapter 86, Fire Lanes – 1st Reading
7. Bylaw Amendment 12-678: Amendment to Chapter 95, Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse – 1st Reading
8. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-669:Amendment to Chapter 185-45. Administration and Enforcement – 2nd Reading
9. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-670: Amendment to Chapter 185-3. Definitions – 2nd Reading
10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-671: Amendment to Chapter 185-4. Districts Enumerated – 2nd Reading
11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-672: Amendment to Chapter 185-20. Signs- 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
The documents for this agenda can be found on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/032112.pdf
Weight Watchers: Schedule of hours
In January, I found that Weight Watchers would be opening an office in the Horace Mann Plaza. I stopped by on Saturday to confirm that they were open (yes) and picked up a copy of their schedule (see below).
Weight Watchers Franklin
Grease is the word!
FHS production of Grease. March 23 & 24, 2012 at the Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin starting at 7pm. Tickets are $10 at the door.
495/MetroWest Development Compact Plan
In addition to assessing the area’s demographics, the report lists zones that cities and towns would like to see either developed or preserved, a tally then whittled down when accounting for regional and state interests and priorities.
Cities and towns identified 497 areas for preservation and 800 spots for development, including the majority of the commuter rail stations, downtown Framingham, South Street in Hopkinton and the Rte. 9 interchanges with both the Turnpike and Interstate 495. Large tracts of vacant land were featured in 30 of the development zones.
Infrastructure was singled out as a key need and a potential barrier in the report, including water, sewage treatment and some particular components: the bridge for routes 9 and 20 in Northborough, the Washington Street bridge in Hudson, and rail crossings in downtown Ashland and Framingham.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1612628130/Report-looks-at-I-495-area-s-needs#ixzz1pSqSR22m
In a marked improvement, the report itself is available and linked to from the story above.
http://www.495partnership.org/assets/Compact/FinalPlan/finalcompactplansmall.pdf
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Voices of Franklin: David Brennan - Vote No
This was posted earlier on Saturday as a comment on the Comment Policy posting posted in Dec 2007 and hence buried in the archives. I have re-posted it here rather than leave it buried.
David Brennan - Mar 17, 2012 11:06 AM
My son will be attending Franklin High School in the fall and I will be voting no to a new building.
I recently toured the High School at an open house and found it to be perfectly fine. In fact it is much nicer than the Franklin Charter School my son has attended for 8 years which was built in 1955.
The Parmenter School was built in 1951,Davis Thayer was built in 1924, Kennedy and Horace Mann in the sixties, Tri County was built in the 70's.
All these schools are still going strong and there is no reason the High School which is only forty years old can't do the same for decades to come.
The tax payers of Franklin have been very generous over the past few years - approving monies for both reasonable updates to existing schools and building new ones.
Franklin High may need some sprucing up but everything I have read about and seen in person is cosmetic and can be done at a far lower cost than tearing down the school and building a completely new one.
Of course you would have to want to keep spending down in order to do that. Instead town officials have chosen to take the bait from the state where the incentive is to make the project as expensive as possible.
Nobody knows what the final cost will be. The Ballot question gives no definite amount of money that we are being asked to approve. It does not say a debt exclussion of $47 Million - it is completley open ended.
It would be foolish for tax payers to give a blank check to town officials who along with the state have thus far demonstrated every proclivity to spend as much money as possible.
We have only been presented with one choice and it is by far the most extravagant and expensive one and it could in the end be even more extravagant and expensive than we now know.
If we give them open ended approval does anyone doubt that they will not go for broke with a once in a lifetime opportunity to throw in as many expensive extras and pet projects as they can possibly tag on. They could throw in an Olympic Pool and Ice Arena if they like.
I'll be voting no because:
Spending $100 Million + on a new school to address cosmetic issues with the existing one is extravagant and wasteful.
The ballot is worded in such a way that it is simply a blank check and gives free reign for even more money to be spent.
Finally there is the common good to consider. These days many working families and especially our senior citizens are in no position to have taxes increased even more than they already go each year. They simply can't afford to build a fancy new school just because some folks find the existing one to be a little drab.
Editorial Note: There are two factual errors in the above that are corrected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/03/two-additional-points-for-david-brennan.html
Two Additional Points for David Brennan
Editorial Note: David Brennan took time to post a comment but it ended up buried. I have brought it forward here. There are two factual points that should be made about David's post.
David wrote
Nobody knows what the final cost will be. The Ballot question gives no definite amount of money that we are being asked to approve. It does not say a debt exclussion of $47 Million - it is completely open ended.1 - The final cost is very well known. The details are available here
http://newfhs.com/images/Franklin%20HS%20Total%20Project%20Budget%20011812.pdf
2 - The ballot question wording is the product of a state mandate. This was discussed in the Town Council meeting on February 1 when the ballot question was discussed and approved. You can find the notes from the Town Council meeting here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/02/town-council-020112.html
While the ballot question is open ended, the actual binding resolution is very explicit:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/resolution-12-05.html
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.
The text of the Ballot Question:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/proposed-ballot-question-for-debt.html
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?
Voices of Franklin: Jonathan Herndon - Vote Yes
Steve – I see that you have posted a comment posted by someone against the new high school. As it appears that your website is dedicated to all things that matter to Franklin, it is important that you have both points of view for people to read. The problem I see with Ms. Breenan’s comments are that they do not even contain any facts. She described scenarios that are meant to over exaggerate what is being proposed and will only mislead your readers. This is the first time since I have lived in Franklin (10 years) that I have seen a vote to increase my taxes as important as this one.
To be honest, in the past I have voted against some of the overrides because I felt that the town did not give me enough information of how the funds will be spent to make the right decision. The proponents of the new high school have put together a very clear, concise, and to the point presentation that outlines all the important facts and allows the voter to make sure they are making an informed choice. Even the comparisons for those that feel it would be much cheaper to just refurbish the current school. I want to highlight some of the key numbers:
The three original options had an estimated cost as follows (all
numbers rounded to nearest million):
Renovation #1 $86,000,000
Renovation #2 $96,000,000
New Custom School $98,000,000
The great news about the school project is that the MSBA will pay a large share of the cost depending on which option the Town chooses. The final cost of the school and the exact
reimbursement amount cannot be determined until the proposed school is approved by the MSBA and the town has received bids. However for planning purposes the following estimates were used based on assumed reimbursement from the MSBA for eligible costs.
If we look at the same three options after the estimated MSBA reimbursement amount the cost to the town would be approximately as follows:
Renovation #1 $38,000,000
Renovation #2 $43,000,000
New Custom School $47,000,000
Here is the link to their report and website:
http://www.newfhs.com/images/FAQcampaign.pdf
http://www.newfhs.com/facts.php
In my opinion, it is very simple math. We can either have a state of the art school that will continue to allow Franklin to thrive, and for those that need to hear it, increase our property values, then this is an opportunity that we cannot waste. If this does not pass, you can guarantee that we will face continued budget overrides, lower property values and lower government services.
The high school is in dire need of repair. If the concern is that the new high school is not affordable, I would think that only paying 50% of the costs is much more affordable then paying 100%.
Jonathan Herndon
41 Mary Jane Road
508-520-7974
-----
To be honest, in the past I have voted against some of the overrides because I felt that the town did not give me enough information of how the funds will be spent to make the right decision. The proponents of the new high school have put together a very clear, concise, and to the point presentation that outlines all the important facts and allows the voter to make sure they are making an informed choice. Even the comparisons for those that feel it would be much cheaper to just refurbish the current school. I want to highlight some of the key numbers:
The three original options had an estimated cost as follows (all
numbers rounded to nearest million):
Renovation #1 $86,000,000
Renovation #2 $96,000,000
New Custom School $98,000,000
The great news about the school project is that the MSBA will pay a large share of the cost depending on which option the Town chooses. The final cost of the school and the exact
reimbursement amount cannot be determined until the proposed school is approved by the MSBA and the town has received bids. However for planning purposes the following estimates were used based on assumed reimbursement from the MSBA for eligible costs.
If we look at the same three options after the estimated MSBA reimbursement amount the cost to the town would be approximately as follows:
Renovation #1 $38,000,000
Renovation #2 $43,000,000
New Custom School $47,000,000
Here is the link to their report and website:
http://www.newfhs.com/images/FAQcampaign.pdf
http://www.newfhs.com/facts.php
In my opinion, it is very simple math. We can either have a state of the art school that will continue to allow Franklin to thrive, and for those that need to hear it, increase our property values, then this is an opportunity that we cannot waste. If this does not pass, you can guarantee that we will face continued budget overrides, lower property values and lower government services.
The high school is in dire need of repair. If the concern is that the new high school is not affordable, I would think that only paying 50% of the costs is much more affordable then paying 100%.
Jonathan Herndon
41 Mary Jane Road
508-520-7974
-----
If you have something you'd like to submit for 'Voices of Franklin', please follow these instructions:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)