Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Live reporting - Treasurer/Collector
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Jim Dacey, Treasurer Collector
overview of the duties of the office
showed the ledger used in 1877 and used in 2000 when he first came into the office
(will post presentation copy later)
lock box implemented in 2003
online bill pay started in 2009
collection rate over 99% consistently
electronic bill pay hopefully within the next several months, potential postage savings
multiple retirements coming over the next 5 years
opportunities for new staff
currently, a resident of Franklin and 18 years old is minimum requirement to win the election
time to put the measure on the ballot again in November to move it to an appointed position
"the position is really too important for politics"
Moddy's rating comes every year, important to have a strong team, helps the bond ratings
Jeff Nutting adds that Jim left out the transition to an electronic payment for all the employees, moved from a paper weekly system to an every two week, electronic deposit, web based payroll statement
Powderly - this doesn't question the integrity of any voter, it recognizes the specific tasks that are required
Cerel - as long it has been at least a year, it can come back to vote, it is considered a minor change, the council can take the vote to propose it, would go to the Attorney General for review and then to the ballot
Dellorco - who would appoint and approve?
Nutting - If we were consistent with other positions, I would say appoint by Town Administrator and review by Town Council. The Council can decide how to put it together on the ballot but it needs to be defined.
Bissanti - Do folks really check out the resumes of the candidates?
Dacey - I can't speak for all the voters, some do, based upon some of the comments I think the prior vote was misunderstood. This isn't about appointing me as the Treasurer/Collector, it is about appointing the next person.
Roy - one of the other things you didn't mention, you provided some input to the new Representative on some bills, I wan to publicly thank you for that
Live reporting - Town Council - Jan 23, 2013
Present: Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 7, 2012
approved 8-0 (Roy arrived right after the vote)
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Steve Sherlock - Franklin resident on Lawrence Dr, I am usually here reporting for Franklin Matters but for this evening I'd like to spend a couple of minutes wearing another hat.
I am the Chair for the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry and our 3rd annual phone-a-thon is approaching. We are getting the word out through the newspaper and other outlets and wanted to use this time as well.
This is an all volunteer effort. We are looking for volunteers to help on Sat Feb 9th and Sat Feb 16th. Looking for 2 hour time slots, if your schedule permits, we will welcome your help.
Additional information can be found on the Food Pantry webpage
You can send an email to Bob at Franklinfoodpantry.org or call the Pantry, option 5 for the Phone-a-thon
We are grateful to Dean College for letting us use their facilities for this effort and for providing for lunch for our volunteers on both days.
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/01/franklin-food-pantry-phone-thon.html
E. APPOINTMENTS
Appointment to the Historical Commission - Connie Lawson
approved 9-0
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 7, 2012
approved 8-0 (Roy arrived right after the vote)
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Steve Sherlock - Franklin resident on Lawrence Dr, I am usually here reporting for Franklin Matters but for this evening I'd like to spend a couple of minutes wearing another hat.
I am the Chair for the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry and our 3rd annual phone-a-thon is approaching. We are getting the word out through the newspaper and other outlets and wanted to use this time as well.
This is an all volunteer effort. We are looking for volunteers to help on Sat Feb 9th and Sat Feb 16th. Looking for 2 hour time slots, if your schedule permits, we will welcome your help.
Additional information can be found on the Food Pantry webpage
You can send an email to Bob at Franklinfoodpantry.org or call the Pantry, option 5 for the Phone-a-thon
We are grateful to Dean College for letting us use their facilities for this effort and for providing for lunch for our volunteers on both days.
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/01/franklin-food-pantry-phone-thon.html
E. APPOINTMENTS
Appointment to the Historical Commission - Connie Lawson
approved 9-0
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
The Glass Harmonica
Vera Meyer returned to the Franklin Historical Museum to help celebrates Benjamin Franklin's birthday on Sunday. His birthday actually is Jan 17th.
The standing room only crowd listened, made suggestions, and asked good questions about the glass harmonica.
The instrument is turned by hand or in this case with an electric motor. It is played by holding ones fingers along the edge of the glass. Both the glass and the fingers need to be wet to make good sounds.
When trying to play a piece with high notes, Vera remarked after that she usually brings her own water with her. The instrument plays better with hard water than soft water.
The instrument is more likely to play music with slower tempos like church hymns or waltzes. She did have a request for a polka and that type of music is too much uptempo to do well with this.
For Vera's prior visits to the Historical Museum for Ben's Birthday visit this link for 2012 and this for 2011
For additional info on Ben visit this wikipedia page
For additional information on the glass harmonica this page on wikipedia can get you started
And if you missed stopping by, but would like to hear what the glass harmonica sounds like, skip ahead in this recording to about the 9 minute mark to listen and enjoy (of course, if you want to step back in time to 2011, don't skip just listen).
The standing room only crowd listened, made suggestions, and asked good questions about the glass harmonica.
The instrument is turned by hand or in this case with an electric motor. It is played by holding ones fingers along the edge of the glass. Both the glass and the fingers need to be wet to make good sounds.
When trying to play a piece with high notes, Vera remarked after that she usually brings her own water with her. The instrument plays better with hard water than soft water.
The instrument is more likely to play music with slower tempos like church hymns or waltzes. She did have a request for a polka and that type of music is too much uptempo to do well with this.
For Vera's prior visits to the Historical Museum for Ben's Birthday visit this link for 2012 and this for 2011
For additional info on Ben visit this wikipedia page
For additional information on the glass harmonica this page on wikipedia can get you started
And if you missed stopping by, but would like to hear what the glass harmonica sounds like, skip ahead in this recording to about the 9 minute mark to listen and enjoy (of course, if you want to step back in time to 2011, don't skip just listen).
Jan 30, 2011
Those who came by were able to learn from Vera Meyer about the glass harmonica that Ben invented while listening to her play. I hope she is able to come back to the museum in the future. The instrument is special and her ...http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
Franklin High School Construction
Lots of trucks have been in and out of the new high school construction site. As I walked by on Monday, there was a series of cement trucks making deliveries too!
Not much to see just yet. Once the foundation is all poured and set, the steel frame will start to rise and then it will begin to look like something more than an organized mess.
Not much to see just yet. Once the foundation is all poured and set, the steel frame will start to rise and then it will begin to look like something more than an organized mess.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Voices of Franklin: What to do about the conditions on Ledge St?
Rob Crummet lives on Ledge St. Yes Ledge St, you might recognize it if you have seen the recently published road condition report. It is #2 on the list.
Scroll through his letter and view the pictures of the #2 road in Franklin.
When will Ledge St be fixed? Rob would like to know.
Scroll through his letter and view the pictures of the #2 road in Franklin.
When will Ledge St be fixed? Rob would like to know.
Franklin Senior Center: AARP Drivers Safety Class - Jan 26
Reporting by walking around Franklin, I found this and several other photos worth sharing.
For additional info visit the Senior Center webpage http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index
To register, call the Senior Center 508-520-4945
For additional info visit the Senior Center webpage http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index
To register, call the Senior Center 508-520-4945
Sam Adams Beer Dinner at 3
Good beer, good food, and likely to be a gathering of folks who like those things as well; sounds like a great combination!
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