Franklin Matters

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Standard & Poor's gives Franklin the best grade yet!

As initially reported during the Town Council meeting on Wednesday evening, Standard and Poor's Rating Services has given the Town of Franklin the highest rating yet: AA+

In summary they wrote:

The stable outlook reflects what we view as the town's very strong liquidity position and strong budgetary flexibility. In addition, we believe Franklin's very strong economy and access to the Boston Metrolpoitan Statistical Area (MSA) ledns stability to the town's tax base. Consequently, we do not expect to change the rating with the outlook's two-year time frame. While unlikely, if management is unable to maintain structural balance resulting in what we view as weak budgetary performance and flexibility, we could lower the rating.

Congratulations, Franklin!

Additional details from the live reporting at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday can be found here:

Live reporting - Legislation, Closing

Live reporting - Housing

Live reporting - Ladybug project

Live reporting - Town Council - Jan 22, 2014

Franklin Municipal Building

cows on parade, now ladybugs!

The cows went on parade in Chicago in 1999. The cow parade came to Boston in 2006.

The MBTA Map Cow

The cows have been on parade in many major cities around the world. For other photos, you can visit the website here http://www.cowparade.com/ and here http://cowparade.phanfare.com/9999/

And now ladybugs will come to Franklin!

Do you know the story of the ladybug? if not then you should read this
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/ciskid/kidlbs/lbsidx2.htm

Ladybugs Spots from Franklin Matters

Note: Franklin's ladybugs will be about 2 foot in size, not as large as the cows shown on parade in Boston

Senior Center: Conversations about Dementia - Feb 4

The Senior Center is holding a "Conversations about Dementia" on Tuesday, Feb 4th

conversations on dementia

You need to call the Senior Center to register: 508-520-4945

For more information about the Senior Center and the programs they offer, visit they page on the official Franklin website http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

In the News: bond rating

Standard & Poor's has upgraded the town’s long-term bond rating to AA+ from AA, citing its strong local economy and adept budgeting.

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting announced the new rating — the highest Franklin has ever received — on Wednesday night at a Town Council meeting.

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140123/NEWS/140128729/1994/NEWS#sthash.y4LfHfVS.dpuf

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Live reporting - Legislation, Closing

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-05: Appropriation: Fire Detail Account
tabled until April 1, approved 9-0

2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-726: Amendment to §185, Attachment 9. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard, and Height Requirements – 2nd Reading- Requires 2/3 Vote
Mercer and Bissanti recused themselves

motion to approve, seconded, 7-0 (via roll call)
a correction to the original bylaw

3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728: Changes to §185-5 Zoning Map- Referral to Planning Board
motion to table until after the workshop, until first week of April
approved 9-0

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
thanks to DPW for the work on the snow storm, job well done

received notification on bond rating increase, good news, highest level ever

zoning workshop next Wednesday, open to all, 7:00 PM, 3rd Fl Training Room

several stabilization accounts, recap from FinCom meeting totals
these accounts and overall fiscal prudence have helped to get the rating increase

Financially we are good shape, yes because we have made the difficult decisions, you still have reserves

Vallee - I am impressed with the way you are doing things, good job

L. OLD BUSINESS
Kelly - what is snow budget?
Nutting - we were at 485K and we'll now later this week what this one did

training session for all town officials?
Nutting to send draft agenda
Cerel going to Planning Board for how to properly hold a public hearing, Feb 10th

Jones - What about the Remington Jefferson issue?
I'll have an update next week

Bissanti - do we have a bylaw on blight properties
Nutting - we have a vacant property bylaw in the town code

M. NEW BUSINESS
Feldman - local aid numbers?
Nutting - The governors budget was just released, it was within the ballpark expected (about 18K off)
what will the legislature do with the totals? Not sure. We'll go with the governors total for now

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Padula - good show of support from the community for the Monroe family
great news on the bond rating, that is why you get the big bucks
great follow up today with the notice and reminder on the trash pickups

Kelly - great work on the bond rating

Jones - echo Councilor Padula's comments on the Lexi and Sean wake/funeral

Bissanti - I reserved the first three foot ladybug, I know where I am going to put it
I see the roads deteriorating, that is something we are going to have to face

Nutting - I want to thank Jennifer for organizing the candle light vigil

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Collective Bargaining – Fire Union
motion to go into executive session, passed 9-0 (via roll call)

Live reporting - Housing

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

• Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, Christopher Vericker
info on new project starting to buy and sell housing for affordable buyers

mini team together, something formal being prepared
alert the realtors of this option
the Town would be a cash buyer to help sellers

Nutting - funding source for affordable housing Trust, from two developers who didn't want to develop affordable housing as part of their plan
payments from one of them still coming
formula set by Government based upon members of the household and income
it should be cheaper than otherwise

Bissanti - revitalization?
Nutting - we would prefer not to get into that aspect because then it becomes a construction project

Padula - deed restrictions forever?
Cerel - yes, as long as you apply with the process when it is set up

Live reporting - Ladybug project

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
• Franklin Cultural Council, Claire Griffin

~~to be added~~

Ladybugs Spots from Franklin Matters

Live reporting - Town Council - Jan 22, 2014

Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams
Absent: none

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 11, 2014
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

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
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
Library Board of Directors - Doug Newton
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 (Feldman arrived)

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

Munroe Family fundraiser - Sunday, Feb 9th - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Yard sale at the Franklin VFW, Sunday, Feb 9th

Monroe Family Fund raiser - Yard Sale

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 22, 2014

Assuming the meeting doesn't get canceled due to the snow storm, this would be the scheduled agenda

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 11, 2014

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

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Library Board of Directors - Doug Newton

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
• Franklin Cultural Council, Claire Griffin
• Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, Christopher Vericker

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-05: Appropriation: Fire Detail Account
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-726: Amendment to §185, Attachment 9. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard, and Height Requirements – 2nd Reading- Requires 2/3 Vote
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728: Changes to §185-5 Zoning Map- Referral to Planning Board

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Collective Bargaining – Fire Union

P. ADJOURN

The set of documents released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/012214.pdf

One Book, One Community: "In the Heart of the Sea"

The Franklin Public Library is pleased to announce the One Book, One Community town-wide read for 2014, In the Heart of the Sea, the Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick. The 2014 One Book, One Community Franklin Kids Read is Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whaleship Essex, adapted for younger readers from the National Book Award winner In the Heart of the Sea.

In the Heart of the Sea

More info on the book from the wikipedia page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Heart_of_the_Sea

There is a movie based upon the book directed by Ron Howard scheduled for release in March
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Heart_of_the_Sea_(film)

Read more on the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/01/one-book-one-community.html

Lifelong Learning: Music programs

Lifelong Learning offers several music programs that complement and supplement instruction during the traditional school day. These programs include the Private Music Lesson program, The String School of Franklin, the After School 4th/5th Grade Band and the 4th/5th Grade Honors Chorus. On Tuesday, January 28, the strings, band and chorus programs will host their mid-year recital.

Horace Mann Middle School Band from Memorial Day parade 2013

For more information on the music programs available from Lifelong Learning
http://lifelonglearningfps.blogspot.com/2014/01/january-21-2014.html

and to register on the Lifelong Learning page here
http://cfweb.smartedu.net/lll/

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Franklin Schools Closed - Wed Jan 22

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello

All Franklin Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday due to the storm. All offices are closed as well.

Stay Safe

Maureen Sabolinski

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.

Franklin Municipal Building

NationalGrid: Winter Storm Warning

To view this email as a web page, click here.

Winter Storm Warning

National Grid is preparing for yet another winter storm that is expected to bring freezing temperatures to our regions. Our crews and personnel are ready to respond should there be any outages. If you experience a power outage, you can report it by visiting our website or by calling 1-800-465-1212.

While storm preparations are important, so too is the safety of our customers and employees. We would like to advise customers to be prepared as high winds, heavy snow and ice can pose a serious safety risk. With driving conditions expected to be potentially treacherous, we also urge particular caution when driving around crew work locations, especially where visibility might be limited by blowing snow.

To ensure your safety, please make note of the following tips:

Never touch downed power lines, and always assume that any fallen lines are live electric wires. If you see one, report it immediately to National Grid or your local emergency response organization.
People who depend on electric-powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should let National Grid know. To register as a life support customer, call the company's Customer Service Center at 1-800-322-3223.
If you use a generator to supply power during an outage, be sure to operate it outdoors. Before operating generators, disconnect from National Grid's system by shutting off the main breaker located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could jeopardize the safety of line crews and the public.
Power outages can sometimes interrupt public water supply systems or disable well pumps, so it's an especially good idea to keep a supply of bottled drinking water handy, as well as some canned food.
Check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period.

We expect the extreme cold to linger over the next several days and want our customers to be aware of the dangers of cold stress or hypothermia. Cold stress, or hypothermia, occurs when exposure to extreme cold temperatures causes the body's temperature to fall below 95 degrees. Seek medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

Skin that is cool to the touch
Violent shivering
Difficulty in speaking or moving
Slowed breathing
Drowsiness
Sudden change in appearance or behavior
- Puffy or swollen face
Trembling in arm, leg or one side of body
Cold and stiff muscles
Difficulty with coordination and balance

The following tips help to minimize potential cold stress:

Dress properly
- Layer loose-fitting clothing
- Wear mittens instead of gloves
- Wear a hat and a scarf
- Avoid alcohol — it can increase your body's heat loss
- Remember that certain drugs can increase risk by affecting the body's ability to regulate its temperature

Stay connected

In addition to email alerts, National Grid offers a variety of ways to stay informed during the storm:

Receive text message alerts and updates when you text the word STORM to NGRID (64743).
Download the National Grid app which can be found in the Apple and GooglePlay stores. The app will allow you to report and check the status of your outage, view outage maps, access important safety tips and more.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram; we post all the latest storm and restoration updates.

National Grid
Here with you. Here for you.