Annual Report 2013: Zoning Board of Appeals

Continuing our series of sections from the Annual Report of 2013 for Franklin, MA we have the Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals currently consists of three (3) members and two (2) associate members 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 is currently one (1) opening for an associate member. The members would like to take this opportunity to thank Barbara Curran for her 13+ years of dedicated service and also welcome Sean Slater as an Associate Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals. 

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
Sean Slater, Associate Member 2012
Nancy Danello, Administrative Secretary

Franklin, MA Municipal Building

The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2013report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

Franklin Matters: Year in Review -> February 2013

What happened in February?

On the business front, Pour Richard's relocated their liquor license to open at 14 Grove St
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/pour-richards-wine-and-spirits-photo.html

The Historical Museum hosted a talk on Franklin's rail history
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/franklin-junction-photo-essay.html

Nemo buried Franklin in lots of snow
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/after-nemo-photo-essay.html

Franklin Matters: Year In Review -> January 2013

What happened in January?

The argument for the Treasurer/Collector to make another try to go from elected to appointed was re-introduced.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/town-council-012313.html

Vera Meyer returned to the Franklin Historical Museum to help celebrates Benjamin Franklin's birthday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/the-glass-harmonica.html





creation of a bylaw to allow medical marijuana zoning is going to the Economic Development Committee before coming back to the Council and the Planning Board process.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/town-council-010913.html

The road condition report was published listing the roads from "worst to first" by condition ranking
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/franklin-road-conditions-from-worst-to.html

Merry Christmas

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Please enjoy the holiday with family and friends.

as we won't have a white Christmas this year, we'll step back in time to 2012

This will be the only posting today.



If you like what you read here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like what you read here, please tell me!

Where in Franklin? 2013-02

The answer to yesterday's Where in Franklin? photo was correctly provided by Geoffrey Zub. The photo was taken along the nature trail located behind the Parmenter School.

Additional photos from the trail can be viewed here:




There was also a story walk along the trail. Alas it was destroyed by vandals but is captured here to recall what it once was.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157625155278049/


For today's photo, where in Franklin are you?

Where in Franklin? 2013 - 02

Send an email, or leave a comment with your answer. First correct answer is the winner. Complete guidelines for "Where in Franklin?" can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/2013-where-in-franklin.html

Annual Report 2013: Town Administrator

Continuing the series from Franklin's Annual Report for 2013, we have the Town Administrator

Each year we try to improve the quality of life for our citizens. We are committed to providing great customer service and high ethical standards. We continue to live within our means. 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? 

On the Budget front, we had a very good year. We balanced the budget with no use of reserves or any layoffs. We maintained a single tax rate and we established an operating stabilization account. We settled all but one bargaining agreement. We authorized a Solar project that will provide the town with about 75% of its electricity use. 

Our day-to-day activities include: the continuation of the water main replacement program where we replace a defective water main and then replace the road and sidewalk. We accepted Lady Slipper, Pasture, Symmes, Ruby, Opal, Jade, Garnet, Tanglewood, Sierra, Mary Jane, Anna, Summer Heights, Autumn, Fall, and Dutchess Roads. We updated the flood plan district. The Council authorized the purchase of land at 37 Beaver Street to be used for additional parking at the Senior Center. The Council also transferred town owned land on Beaver Court to the Housing Trust to be used for affordable housing. We continued the
development of the Sculpture Park at the site of the old town pool on Panther Way. We worked on a Ballot question on whether to appoint the treasurer/collector. We adopted a Tax workoff program for Veterans similar to the senior tax workoff program. 

We also sought to spur economic activity with zoning changes. We rezoned land off of Exit 16 from Residential to Commercial. We initiated a zoning change to streamline the site plan process as well as a zoning change to improve the impervious coverage bylaw. We also adopted zoning for medical marijuana. 

We continued the review of our Town Bylaws to ensure they are fair and reasonable while protecting the interest of all of our citizens. This year we updated the Council on Aging, Dogs, and Transient Vendors bylaws. 

With Dams 3 and 4 nearly complete, The Town Council voted funds for the Recreation Park at the DelCarte Property. The property will include a recreation park and a boardwalk to enhance the existing trails. 

The Town Council voted to transfer the responsibility of Public Access Cable TV to a Cable Access Corporation. Franklin TV has entered into a PILOT tax agreement with the Town of Franklin. 

Probably most important of all, the new model high school project approved in March of 2012 by the voters is right on schedule. Construction that began in the fall of 2012 is on schedule to be completed in September of 2014. 

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

Franklin's Municipal Building

The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2013report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

Franklin Library: Coffee and craft for adults

Hold the date - Saturday, Jan 4th at 1:30 PM

coffee and craft - for adults

This was reposted from the Franklin Public Library
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2013/12/coffee-and-craft-for-adults.html

Where in Franklin? 2013 #1

Where would you be in Franklin to take this photo?

where in Franklin? 2013 #1

Send an email, or leave a comment with your answer. First correct answer is the winner. Complete guidelines for "Where in Franklin?" can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/2013-where-in-franklin.html

2013 - Where in Franklin?

When:
As you have seen, I have posted pictures of the local scenes in and around Franklin. As we close out the 2013 calendar year, I'll post a picture and ask for your help to identify where it is in Franklin.

Who can play:
Anyone can play but realistically, I understand that this will limit participation to those readers who are Franklin area residents (or at least local neighbors).

What kind of picture:
The picture will be of something seen from the sidewalk, trail, or road while walking, or riding a bike or car. All pictures will be found within the confines of geographical Franklin. The picture should be something of beauty, specialness, architectural, natural or the like that is found within Franklin.

How to play:
If you recognize the picture, send me an email or leave a comment on the post identifying where the picture is or what it is of. Cross streets, street addresses, or significant defining descriptions accepted. In case of a tie in identification, the time stamp on the entry (to indicate the first correct answer) will determine the winner.

Prize:
The glory and honor for identification of the picture. I'll publish as much of your name or identification as you will allow me to.

Why am I doing this?
To help us all explore the real beauty of what we have here. Sure there are great sites to see when we travel but "there is no place like home". If this effort does just a little to help us better see, understand, and appreciate our own Franklin area, then it will have succeeded. This will unite my desire for "life long learning", my passion for the good customer experience, and of course, where I live today: Franklin.

Disclaimer:
This is meant to be a fun thing to do.
If this gets to be not fun, well, I'll give notice and stop.

Oh, and the residents of my immediate household are not eligible to play.

Did I miss anything?
Please, let me know.

Annual Report 2013: Town Council

As we get into the end of the year, the news will be relatively quiet. There are no more scheduled meetings for the Town Council, School Committee, etc. I'll fill in with some section from the Annual Report for 2013. Note that the report is for the Fiscal Year 2013 which ran from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. The info is generally accurate for that time period but portions of the data may be out of date.

On behalf of the Franklin Town Council, it is my pleasure to submit our annual report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2013. 

On a positive note, on May 16, we passed a balanced budget that included no layoffs and no use of reserves. We have kept a busy schedule this past year and accomplished a lot with help from you, the citizens. The high school project began with shovel in the ground in the fall and is progressing on schedule for a September 2014 opening. 

The Franklin Garden Club once again did a magnificent job keeping the Town Common and the downtown area blooming. The Concerts on the Common Committee brought spectacular entertainment to liven your Wednesday nights during the summer months. On behalf of the Citizens, the Council thanks them for their efforts. 

The new Master Plan Committee presented their draft plan to the Council in July and had an open public comments period. The Master Plan Committee would like this action plan of goals, and objectives for the Planning Board and Town Council to use as a tool to be finally adopted in September. 

The Citizens Committee has provided valuable input to the Council on issues such as improving the quality of life of Franklin’s citizens, improving citizen participation, evaluating the permitting process and business development as a revenue stream. 

Remote Participation by a Council member remains a popular practice of the Council when travel/etc. keeps them away from a Council meeting. It works well and it assures the Citizen that they are getting the most representation possible. 

Franklin’s Government is supported by its many boards and committees that are largely staffed by volunteers. Let’s not forget our elected officials, as they are volunteers also. (Except Treasurer Collector position and Town Clerk position are not volunteer positions) Our volunteers are of the highest caliber. Everyone has talent to offer, whether serving on a board, council, or committee, weeding a garden, planning a concert, or chairing a meeting. Franklin is your town and this is your government and it needs your input. 

In closing, you can rest assured that the business of Franklin will continue. We will continue to work for you, the Citizen, and the Community that we all love. You can be assured that you have dedicated, competent, and professional individuals working and volunteering their time on your behalf. 

I want to thank our Town Administrator, Jeff Nutting, for his dedication and service and all of the Town employees who go to work every day and help to make this community a great place to live and work. 

On behalf of my fellow councilors, Andy Bissanti, Bob Dellorco, Glenn Jones, Matt Kelly, Tom Mercer, Judy Pfeffer, Tina Powderly, and Jeff Roy, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have given us to serve this great community. 

Respectfully Submitted, 

Robert Vallee
Chairman, Franklin Town Council

Franklin Municipal Building

Closing note: The section above was composed as early as May for the report to reflect the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2013. The Master Plan was approved by the Town Council. At the November election, new councilors were elected to replace Councilors Dellorco, Powderly and Roy who all chose not to run for re-election. The Treasurer/Collector position was also approved to move to an appointed position with the expiration of the current term.


The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2013report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

"there are a lot of people interested in this trail"

As an update to the story Milford Daily News has posted, there was a tunnel under Prospect St when the railroad operated. It was filled in years ago. The proposal being explored now would be to put a new tunnel in so the trail riders and walkers could go under Prospect St rather than over.

An underground tunnel is to be built at the section of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail that crosses Prospect Street, aiming to make the trek for bicyclists bound for Blackstone and beyond a little easier. 

The project has gotten a lot of attention recently from the state Department of Transportation and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, which owns the 22-mile trail, thanks to the efforts of three local legislators — state Rep. Kevin Kuros, R-Uxbridge, state Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge, and state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin. 

The former railway — one of the longest trails in southern Massachusetts — begins off Grove Street in Franklin State Forest on the east and extends through Bellingham, Uxbridge, Millville and Blackstone to Douglas State Forest on the west.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915455540/Tunnel-slated-for-Trunkline-Trail-in-Franklin#ixzz2oIapwS9Q

For additional information on the Franklin and Bellingham Citizens Rail Committee you can visit them on the internet at http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/
or on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Bellingham-Rail-Trail-Committee/185258844899495

Franklin's 5 Year Forecast - early view

This will be a good document to download, print out and then absorb in detail over your choice of morning beverage. This is an early view on the 5 year plan update scheduled to be finalized in Jan/Feb for Franklin.

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting walked through how the calculations were estimated during the December Finance Committee meeting. The key major departmental budgets are calculated for 'standard' increases. The labor contracts are all known so the increases can be forecasted.

Franklin Schools Capacity Summary

One of the more interesting worksheets handed out at the December Finance Committee meeting is this one. It summarizes the school building capacity status. The document is a printed version of a spreadsheet and one of the entries partially obscured when printed indicates that the numbers apparently remain to be validated by the School Dept/School Committee. While this is a "draft", it is worthy of sharing and discussion.

new Franklin High School

The new high school will open in September and according to the numbers shown will open at capacity (1600 students).

With the modular spaces being removed from the elementary schools, the number show that there will need to be some adjustment among the district population to take advantage of the extra capacity at some of the schools and shift from the tightness of space at other schools.

Davis Thayer's renovation options were reviewed at a meeting in August and of the three options presented, it really doesn't make a whole lots of sense to do anyone of them. The money required doesn't provide what is really needed. Never mind that the real money needed is just not availble.

Concert: St Mary's - Prolatio Singers

If you like beautiful music and would like to take a break from all the holiday craziness, there's a concert for you this Sunday evening at the St. Mary's Church in Franklin.

"Prolatio Singers" is a Franklin based accapella group, which was established more than a decade ago and is specialized in classical choir music. The music selection of this time's concert if full of the spirit of the holiday season. This concert starts at 7 pm, is free to the public and suitable for kids 6 and older.

For additional information on the schedule of holiday masses and events at St Mary's  http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/

For additional information on the Prolatio Singers
https://www.facebook.com/events/185706444967729/

"This effort speaks to the spirit of our community"

The Milford Daily News reports on the Food Elves update:

The pantry has said that the students’ efforts serve as a learning experience for them and others: "It’s a nice way for them to start to understand that there’s a need out there, and that they are able to make a difference in addressing it," pantry director of development Erin Lynch told The Daily News in November. 

State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, told of the elves success on Friday, said, "I am thrilled to hear that the Food Elves exceeded expectations for the food drive. This effort speaks to the spirit of our community and the will to make a difference in the lives of others. 

"Unfortunately, we have a great deal of people in need of assistance, but it’s gratifying to know that the work of the over 60 elves will make the holiday a bit brighter for those families."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915455378/Franklin-students-to-give-local-pantry-a-hefty-gift#ixzz2oCbEdnuY


The status update was posted earlier this week to the Food Pantry and Downtown Partnership websites and share here

• http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/12/franklin-food-elves-campaign-update.html
• http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2013/12/record-breaking-12-days-wraps-up-this.html
• http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/franklin-food-elves-campaign-update.html

When the final tally of the food and money collected by the Food Elves is available in January, it will be shared in the same manner.

On behalf of our neighbors who will receive the benefits of this generosity, Thank you!