Monday, December 31, 2012
Annual Report 2012: 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. To fulfill this responsibility, the Franklin Health Department enforces a multitude of public health laws and regulations, and administers a comprehensive inspection program.
Inspections
The following list identifies the primary components of the department’s inspection program, and the total number of inspections and re-inspections conducted for each component.
* Food Service/Retail Food Inspection .......... 345
* Title V Septic System Plan Review and Installation/Repair,
Total Applications ......................................... 30
17 New, 13 Repairs, 12 Minor Repairs and
Approximately 125 Field Inspections Conducted.
* Chapter II Housing Code Inspection/
Re-inspections .............................................. 25
* Public Health Nuisance/Odor/Noise/Animal
Complaint Investigation................................. 55
* Semi-Public Pool/Spa Testing/Inspection
and Public Beach Testing ............................. 30
* Inspection and Licensing of Children’s
Recreational Camps ..................................... 10
* Tanning Salon Inspection ............................... 3
* Manicure/Pedicure Establishment .................. 6
Communicable Disease
As mandated by the State Department of Public Health, local health departments must report, investigate and track all communicable disease occurrences in their jurisdictions. The Franklin Health Department has had a long-term contract with the Milford Area Visiting Nurses to investigate and follow up reportable communicable diseases that occur in the community.
The following list depicts the reportable illness activity for fiscal year 2011-2012 in number of official cases:
Malaria ................................................................ 1
Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ................... 1
Calicvirus/Norovirus ........................................... 2
Babesiosis .......................................................... 0
Campylobacter ................................................... 5
Hepatitis A .......................................................... 1
Hepatitis B .......................................................... 0
Hepatitis C ........................................................ 12
Lyme Disease, Confirmed ................................. 4
Meningitis ........................................................... 0
Streptococcus, Group A/B ................................. 2
E. Coli ................................................................ 0
Ehrlichiosis ......................................................... 0
Giardiasis ........................................................... 2
Salmonella Enteritis ......................................... 11
Bacterial Infection, Avium, Vibrio ....................... 0
Encephalitis ........................................................ 0
Cryptosporidiosis ............................................... 1
Legionellosis ...................................................... 2
Pulmonary TB .................................................... 0
Chicken Pox ....................................................... 6
Pertussis ............................................................ 4
Influenza A ......................................................... 0
Influenza B ......................................................... 0
Dog Bites ......................................................... 12
Cat Bites ............................................................ 4
Shigellosis .......................................................... 0
TB related .......................................................... 0
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ............................... 3
Yersinia .............................................................. 1
Dengue Fever .................................................... 0
Flu Clinics
In fiscal year 2011-2012, the Milford VNA held three seasonal flu clinics immunizing 117 residents. In addition, the VNA provided TB screening/ testing and case follow-up for a number of residents.
Licenses and Permits
The following is a comprehensive list of all permits/licenses issued by the Franklin Health Department during fiscal year 2011-2012. Most licensed/permitted activities require at least annual inspections as part of the permitting process.
Beaver Permits .................................................. 5
Burial Permits ................................................... 54
Bakery ................................................................ 4
Bottling ............................................................... 1
Catering ............................................................. 1
Cleaners/Laundromats ...................................... 1
Recreational Camps .......................................... 9
Demolition ........................................................ 10
Septic Installers ................................................ 47
Disposal of Offal ............................................... 33
Food Establishment ....................................... 105
Funeral Directors ............................................... 3
Infectious Waste ................................................ 1
Keeping of Animals .......................................... 15
Frozen Desserts/Ice Cream ............................... 7
Milk and Cream ................................................ 39
Milk and Cream Vehicles ................................... 5
Mobile Food ....................................................... 4
137
Pasteurization .................................................... 1
Private Wells (potable) ...................................... 3
Irrigation Wells ................................................... 2
Recycling ............................................................ 1
Retail Food ....................................................... 33
Stables ............................................................. 19
Manicure Establishment ................................... 16
Tanning Establishment ....................................... 4
Temporary Food ............................................... 15
Trench Permits ................................................. 23
Semi-Public Pools/Spas ................................... 27
Staff
The current Health Department staff is as follows:
David E. McKearney, R.S. Public Health Director
Virginia M. McNeil, Health Agent.
The Franklin Health Department wishes to thank all department heads and staff for their efforts in supporting and assisting the Health Department throughout the year.
Board of Health
The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the Health Department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws, and review all site plans for compliance with local and state public health regulations. The board presides over administrative hearings in all matters concerning Health Department licensed and permitted activities. Board members are available for consultation on issues relative to the public health as well.
Bruce Hunchard, Board of Health Chairman
Donald Ranieri, Jr. Vice Chairman
Philip Brunelli, Board Clerk.
Hours of Operation
The Franklin Health Department office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00am to 4:00pm, Wednesday from 8:00am to 6:00pm and Friday from 8:00 to 1:00pm. Health Department personnel are available to meet with customers from 8-9:15AM and again from 3:15-4PM each day, or by appointment as
necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
David E. McKearney, R.S.
Public Health Director
Franklin Health Department
from the Town Clerk Annual Report page, this comes from the 2012 Annual Report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/
"The $10.5 million effort will begin in 2016"
I find it interesting that the Milford Daily News has an article on road work for the i495 section in Franklin. The work planned will include the bridges, road surfaces as well as the on/off ramps. The interesting part is that the work is not scheduled to begin until 2016! It is good that MassDOT is planning ahead. What the road conditions will be like when they finally get started remains to be seen.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1783189586/Big-changes-to-be-made-on-I-495-in-Franklin#ixzz2GdR14fjr
Any work done to I-495 benefits the town, said Department of Public Works Director Robert Cantoreggi.
Cantoreggi believes that the state rarely does this level of work, saying it’s high time the town's section of I-495 — going from the Wrentham town line to Beaver Street — received improvements.
"A lot of times, we get calls about the conditions of the ramps because people think they’re under the control of the town," he said. "The ramps have been in awful condition and I’ve called the state about it many times."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1783189586/Big-changes-to-be-made-on-I-495-in-Franklin#ixzz2GdR14fjr
Meeting notes archive for 2012
2012
Election results - 11/06/12
Master Plan Public Meeting - May 19, 2012
Finance Committee - Budget hearings FY 2013
High School Building Project collection
- Finance Committee - 11/06/12
- Finance Committee - 06/05/12
- Finance Committee - 04/26/12
- Finance Committee - 04/25/12 and here
- Town Council - 12/05/12
- Town Council - 11/28/12
- Town Council - 11/07/12
- Town Council - 10/17/12
- Town Council - 10/03/12
- Town Council - 09/19/12
- Town Council - 06/06/12
- Town Council - 05/24/12 (Budget hearing)
- Town Council - 05/16/12
- Town Council - 04/18/12
- Town Council - 03/07/12
- Town Council - 02/01/12
- Town Council - 01/18/2012
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Sunday, December 30, 2012
Snow places to go
The family has been to Oak St School to sled. I have heard of Dacey Field on Lincoln St. Are there other good sledding spots in Franklin?
Please email or add your suggestion in the comments.
Please email or add your suggestion in the comments.
"reimagining their senior centers"
The MetroWest Daily News has an article on the growing senior population and the attempts of the local senior centers to serve this community.
Read more: A senior dilemma - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/features/x1631898497/A-senior-dilemma#ixzz2GXVbupmG
Information about the Franklin Senior Center can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index
You can find their current Newsletter here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/Jan13connection.pdf
Directors have found that to reach new seniors, they’ll need new marketing techniques, ones incorporating social media and the Internet.
Inside their senior centers, they are taking pains to stay fresh and appealing, setting up cafés and computer classrooms.
"We expect that they (baby boomers) want much more high-tech resources than we currently offer," said Karen Alves, director of the Franklin Senior Center.
Outside, they’re offering trips beyond doctor’s visits, to cultural or educational hot spots.
Read more: A senior dilemma - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/features/x1631898497/A-senior-dilemma#ixzz2GXVbupmG
Information about the Franklin Senior Center can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index
You can find their current Newsletter here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/Jan13connection.pdf
Annual Report 2012: Building Inspection
The Building Inspection Department is a multi-function office responsible for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair and occupancy of all residential, commercial, business and industrial uses for both existing and new construction in accordance with the Massachusetts Building Code. The department is responsible for the administration, interpretation and enforcement of the following codes:
Massachusetts State Building Code - 780CMR
Town of Franklin Code - Zoning – CH 185
Mass. Electrical Code – 527 CMR
Mass. Plumbing & Gas Code – 248 CMR
National Fuel Gas Code – NFPA 54-2002
Sealer of Weights and Measure – G.L. CH 98
Architectural Access Board – 521 CMR
Hours of Operation
The Building Inspection Department’s hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m., Wednesday 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m. and Friday 8:00a.m.- 1:00p.m. For your convenience, you may visit our website: at www.franklin.ma.us/inspections. This site contains a series of forms easily accessible and available to download. The website provides permit applications, sample plot plans, sign regulations, swimming pool instruction manuals. Shed/barn instruction manuals, complaint forms, zoning criteria and other information necessary to process a permit or to simply provide information to the public.
Building Department Staff
Building Commissioner/Zoning Officer: Lloyd Brown
Inspectors:
Inspector of Wires: Bernard Mullaney
Asst Wiring Inspector: James Laughlin
Plumbing/Gas Inspector: Richard Cornetta
Asst Plumb/Gas Inspector: Richard McCormick
Sealer of Weights & Measurers: Comm. of Mass. /Div. of Standards
Staff Assistants
Barbara J. Curran/Zoning
Eileen A. DiGiacomo
Judy Demers
Lloyd Brown, Commissioner of Buildings, is responsible for all construction trade inspectors, municipal maintenance and supervision of all construction, zoning interpretation and determination, pre-planning and review of all subdivisions and proposed construction and improvements and general input for all other municipal departments and construction-related inquiries. Inspectors and staff continue to be trained on the changes with the new codes. David Roche has left the Department and is now working for the Town of Needham. We thanked David for his 14 years of service and all that he did for the town. The remainder of the staff continues to take on additional work load and responsibilities while still maintaining normal business hours open to the public. I also thank all of them for the continued excellent work they perform every day for the Department and the Town of Franklin.
Building Permits
Remodeling construction remained steady for the year with new home starts closer to normal, and subdivisions continue to be constructed. Commercial construction and tenant fit-up of existing buildings remain strong. This year the Building Department issued a total of 1185 building permits and the revenues
collected were $471,395.96
The following is a breakdown of the past years building permit activity:
Single Family Residence(s) 25
Attached Town House(s) 9
Apts. Or Stacked Condo(s) 2
New Building Commercial 6
Building Misc. 6
Accessory Dwelling Unit(s) 5
Addition(s) 42
Alteration(s) 463
Amended Permit(s) 1
Deck 48
Swimming Pool(s) 35
Garage(s) 3
Shed(s) 7
Foundation(s) Only 9
Demolition(s) 17
Tent(s) 13
Sign(s) 31
Woodstove(s) 24
Carnival(s) 1
Fence 0
Earth Removal 2
Repair(s) Rehab 384
Certificates of Inspection
Inspection and certification of specified use groups shall be inspected annually in accordance with Table 106 of the Massachusetts State Building Code. This year the staff issued 82 certificates of inspection and the fees collected for the certifications amounted to $18,240.00. Certificates are issued for all public and private schools, churches, day care centers, nursing homes, funeral homes, bleachers, restaurants, alcoholic beverage establishments, multi-family dwellings (3or more units), movie theaters and other places of
assembly. The Fire Department has assisted our department in assuring compliance with the Fire Prevention Code. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure the public safety and well being of the general public.
Certificates of Occupancy
The Building Inspection Department issues a certificate of occupancy in accordance with the Massachusetts State Building Code. All buildings/structures shall not be used or occupied in whole or part until a certificate of occupancy is issued. This department has issued a total of 76 certificates of occupancy and the total fees collected amounted to $5,500.00.
Electrical Permits
The total number of electrical permits issued was 998 and the total fees collected and deposited amounted to $94,224.00
Plumbing Permits
The total number of plumbing permits issued was 589 and the total fees collected and deposited Amounted to $61,529.00
Gas Permits
The total number of gas permits issued was 600 and the total fees collected and deposited amounted to
$28,004.00
Division of Weights and Standards
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations, Division of Standards provides this service on behalf of the Town of Franklin. The Department of Weights and Measures is responsible for providing the services of testing, adjusting, sealing and handling all complaints regarding commercial weighing and measuring devices within the Town of Franklin. The department investigates consumer complaints regarding unit pricing laws; spot-checking prepackaged items for compliance with all weights and measures laws. Inspections were conducted by the State and the total fees collected and deposited amounted to $12,023.50
Total Revenues Collected: $655,152.96
The Building Commissioner would like to thank his staff, the various town departments, boards
and officials for their support and assistance throughout the year.
Respectfully,
Lloyd Brown
Commissioner of Buildings
From the Town clerk page on annual reports. This comes from the 2012 report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/
Franklin Art Center: January 2013 updates
We hope everyone is enjoying the holidays
We have new classes and workshops coming in January.
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| Franklin Art Center |
Preschool art classes and After school art classes have some openings ..check the website and give us a call if you are interested.
NEW Watercolor for teens- Adults begins Jan 7
Mondays 7-9 6 weeks $180 supply list will be distributed
New Saturday morning painting for teens- adults
11-12:30 6 weeks $180 starts Jan 5
Drawing for teens -adults
Wednesdays 6:30-8 $180 begins Jan 9
DSLR workshop Saturday Jan 26 1:30-5 $45
Kids cupcake workshops Jan 12 & 19 $60
2-4 pm for both days includes matted painting and clay cupcake to be displayed at the cake bar
We look forward to a new year and new classes and workshops
If you are interested in a new class ...let us know!
Have a Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Annual Report 2012: Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals currently consists of three (3) members and one (1) associate member appointed by the Town Administrator, subject to the confirmation by the Town Council, for terms of such length and so arranged that the term of one member shall expire each year. There are currently two (2) openings for an associate member.
The Board of Appeals holds Public Hearings, as advertised, for Variance(s), Special Permits (including gravel removal), Findings and Chapter 40B applications. The Board also renders determinations on land use and zoning issues. All necessary forms and applications may be obtained through the Building Inspection Department and via Board of Appeals website at http://www.franklin.ma.us.
The Zoning Board of Appeals meets in Town Council Chambers at the Franklin Municipal Building on Thursday evenings usually twice a month, at 7:30pm. The calendar may be viewed via website at http://www.franklin.ma.us. All meetings are open to the public.
The Board has been very active this fiscal year and the following agenda is a list of all applications filed, indexed and recorded with the Town Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals (Member Since)
Bruce Hunchard, Chairman (1991)
Robert Acevedo, Vice Chairman (2003)
Timothy Twardowski, Clerk (2010)
Philip Brunelli, Associate Member (2009)
Barbara Curran Administrative Secretary
From the Town clerk page on annual reports. This comes from the 2012 report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/
Registration: Y World of Tots Preschool
Registration for the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Y World of Tots Preschool at the Bernon Family Branch in Franklin begins Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m.
The preschool is designed to provide a positive learning environment for children aged 2.9 to 5 years. The school is holding an open house for parents on Jan. 16 from 1-2:30 p.m. and provides an opportunity to view the classroom environment, meet the staff, and learn about the program’s philosophy.
“Our program offers a preschool experience where children learn, thrive, and explore. We look forward to meeting and welcoming new students for the 2013-2014 school year. Preschool is a great opportunity to introduce young children to a lifetime of learning,” said teacher Lisa Peters. The preschool program offers two, three, and five-day options for both morning or extended day options. The Y World of Tots is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Social, motor, and academic development is promoted through fun hands-on learning activities in science, math, language, listening and verbal skills. Enrichment activities are included in the curriculum and is an added benefit as the school is located inside a full facility YMCA. Activities include gymnastics, swimming & sports classes. Nutrition education is also included.
The program is run by intensively screened and trained caring, licensed staff.
For more information contact Deborah Ela or Lisa Peters at 774-235-2725 or yworldoftots@hockymca.org.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Annual Report 2012: Town Attorney
The Town has an in-house attorney, Mark G. Cerel. Attorney Cerel has an office in the Town Administration offices and works three days a week. In addition, he attends regular Council sessions and meetings of town boards and commissions on an as-needed basis. His responsibilities include providing legal advice to
the Town Administrator and other town officials, review and drafting of legal documents, and representation of the town in negotiations and litigation other than labor-related matters. Having an in-house attorney has enabled town officials to obtain prompt legal review and advice; it has also expedited various town projects which require legal input.
During the past year, Attorney Cerel has continued to be successful not only in resolving actual litigation but also in resolving disputes prior to litigation on terms favorable to the Town; he has also continued to draft proposed legislation and to be involved in contract and real estate negotiations. In addition, he has continued to work with the staff to review and update the Town's zoning and general bylaws.
An in-house attorney plays an essential role in limiting the town’s legal exposure. He assists in resolving matters before they result in legal action and he provides the town with a strong legal presence that discourages people from filing frivolous lawsuits.
The Town Attorney represents the town and is only available to consult with individual residents if the Town Administrator’s prior approval is obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Cerel
Town Attorney
From the Town clerk page on annual reports. This comes from the 2012 report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/
Congressman McGovern: Office Closings due to redistricting
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Franklin police: Man stole jewelry, clothes from parents' house
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Matt Tota/Daily News Staff on 12/27/12
After ascending a ladder, a Franklin man on Wednesday broke into his parents' Oak Street home and then stole jewelry and clothing, authorities allege.Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Annual Report 2012: Town Administrator
Each year we try to improve the quality of life for our citizens. During tough economic times we have to scale back our goals but we all remain committed to customer service and high ethical standards.
We continue to live within our means. This year we passed a budget with no layoffs for the first time in several years. There will be challenges in coming years, but we will continue to meet those challenges the only way we know how, head on and with our goal of providing the best service we can.
So, what have we done this year?
Downtown Improvements to Emmons, Ray, Dean, and Depot Street Parking Lot, funded by a $1,000,000 PWED Grant, were completed this past fall.
Franklin has its own dog park thanks to the ingenuity of 13 year old Hayley Goulet and her Cap Stone Project for school. Hayley had help from the Franklin DPW, Random Smile Projects, friends and relatives and many donors to get the project done but the final home is at Dacey field on Lincoln street and is a great asset to the Town of Franklin and a very busy place.
The Solid Waste and Single Stream Recycling System continues to be a huge success. In fact this year we reduced the curbside collection fee from $220 to $204 for a 65 gallon container and added the option of using a smaller 35 gallon container and paid off the Totters three years ahead of schedule.
I was proud to appoint Stephan H. Semerjian to serve as Police Chief of the Town of Franklin. Stephan was the Town’s former Deputy Chief and a lifelong resident of Franklin.
On the economic development front, our Planning and Community Development Department held its 2nd Economic Development Summit titled “Business Expansion and Retention through Workforce Development”
Hosted by Tegra Medical.
We also sought to spur economic activity by declaring “Biotechnology Uses Overlay Zoning Districts” in the Pond St. Grove Street and Financial Way Areas. These are areas where certain businesses will be encouraged and will be allowed “by right” and therefore entitled to a speedier permitting process.
We continue to review our Town Bylaws to ensure they are fair and reasonable while protecting the interest of all of our citizens.
The Town Council voted funds to make repairs to Dams 3 and 4 at the DelCarte Property. Staff is working on submitting a grant application for the property that the house sat on for a recreation park.
With help from our citizens we formed a Master Plan Committee to explore the current Master Plan last adopted in 1997 and to develop an action plan for future development and to come up with goals and objectives for the Town Council and the Planning Board as we face a different future in 2013 and beyond and to identify the key issues that the Town will be facing.
The Town Council voted to transfer the responsibility of Public Access Cable TV to a Cable Access Corporations formed by a group of volunteers. We can look forward to expanded services in the near future.
Probably most important of all, the citizens voted to approve a Debt Exclusion for a new model high school in March of 2012. This came after hours and hours, months, and months of work from the School Building Committee, the School Committee, the Town Council and many, many volunteers who took the time to get the word out to educate the public and anyone who would listen on the merits of the project. Congratulations to all involved.
As always I want to thank the employees of the Town of Franklin, it is my pleasure to come to work every day with such dedicated and hard working people who do their best for the citizens of Franklin.
It is my pleasure to submit my annual report for your review, and please feel free to write, e-mail, or stop by with any questions, concerns, or comments.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeff Nutting
Town Administrator
from the Town Clerk Annual Report page, this comes from the 2012 Annual Report
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/
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