Thursday, May 15, 2014
Town Council summary 05/14/14
The collection of posts reporting from the Town Council meeting of May 14 can be found here
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Live reporting - Closing
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-05: Appropriation: Fire Detail Account
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
Listing of delinquent accounts found on page 6 of this file
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/051414.pdf
2. Resolution 14-36: Issuing Alcoholic Beverages (Package Store) Licenses Policy
motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 8-1 (Pfeffer cast the 'no' vote)
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
3. Bylaw Amendment 14-736:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0
The Board of Health is currently understaffed, looking for a part-timer to be supported via modest increase in fees; fees are comparable with the surrounding towns
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Thanks to MassDOT for their response to a signal issue on King St/i494
they will take care of potholes on RT 140
Memorial Day parade coming up
4th of July program to be developed, starting the Weds before the 4th
L. OLD BUSINESS
appraisal for Pond St?
Yes, it has been ordered
Bids came in for Lincoln St, any idea on timeline?
Might start on Daniels before getting to Lincoln before schools get out
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Pfeffer - Veterans Breakfast, free breakfast, call for reservation
Thanks to Ben Waters for doing his speech
1030 AM start, service at the Town Common memorials at noon
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn
Live reporting - Recreation Dept
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Ryan Jette, Director Recreation Department
(copy to be added later) The presentation copy can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/05/recreation-dept-presentation-copy.html
coordinate programs and field usage
over 5,000 children in the various activities over the year
self funding with over $500,000 in revenue
listing of programs year round, programs by season
not just youth sports
basketball largest program, over 1400 kids in grades K-8
expanded to run in spring as well as winter
T-ball = 4, 5, and 6 year olds in this program the FYBO covers the older kids
flag football - over 450 kids in the fall
girls lacrosse - largest program in the state, helping the high school become one of the better programs in high school
summer programs - King St, Choate Park and Chilson Beach
new listing of art classes, they are selling out quickly
Earth Day
cleaning litter and debris from streets and roadways
also use community service kids to help with special clean up areas
Disc golf course operating with an all volunteer build team
Community Garden (at King St) $40/per year per plot
4th of July road race about 100 runners for the 5K, also a 1.2 mile kids race
Chilson Beach normally open from end of June to last week in August
kid care babysitting class offer, nutrition, diapering, safety
program on 'stage your home to sell'
music therapy for children with special needs on Weds nights
45% of the salary budget is seasonal
the tax work-off program, 19 seniors help to make the department function
Recreation in charge of permitting use of all playgrounds and fields
twice annual application process for organizational use
proud to say Franklin has good playgrounds
turf fields at the high school and Beaver St
DelCarte coming online June 4th
Provided over 1,000 hours of community service
Future of Franklin Recreation, from less than 10 to over 100 programs
Spray park coming to Fletcher Field
DelCarte with hiking trails and a canoe/kayak launch
Thank you for supporting this program
Mercer - this was great, you came well prepared
one of the issues you touched on, the Franklin-Medway relationship
can you expand on that?
Ryan - offering programming in Medway
they had some existing programs, their need was summer programs and summer camp
we offer programs here open to Medway residents, able to fill up some programs
programs that are already filling up they can't get in, but for those others, they can help
Program is heavily Franklin residents, probably 95%
Padula - my kids have all been through the program
which turf field will go first?
Ryan - they added the logo to the Beaver Pond fields and some stretches along the side to help extend the life
Nutting - we have a stabilization account already putting money aside to replace them in 2016 or 17
Bissanti - I want to commend you, it is well run
what do you see as the need for development?
Ryan - indoor space is a need, we are stuck with renting space from the schools
if we had our own space that would help, in a perfect world that would be it
Nutting - we'll need to look at the tot lots as they will need replacements to stay within standards
what you don't see is what the DPW does, there has been an expansion of fields and no increase in employees
Ryan - we work closely with the DPW and Dean College
Nutting - we don't have any turf battles
Jones - thanks for the work and especially for all the volunteer efforts
Ryan Jette, Director Recreation Department
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/05/recreation-dept-presentation-copy.html
coordinate programs and field usage
over 5,000 children in the various activities over the year
self funding with over $500,000 in revenue
listing of programs year round, programs by season
not just youth sports
basketball largest program, over 1400 kids in grades K-8
expanded to run in spring as well as winter
T-ball = 4, 5, and 6 year olds in this program the FYBO covers the older kids
flag football - over 450 kids in the fall
girls lacrosse - largest program in the state, helping the high school become one of the better programs in high school
summer programs - King St, Choate Park and Chilson Beach
new listing of art classes, they are selling out quickly
Earth Day
cleaning litter and debris from streets and roadways
also use community service kids to help with special clean up areas
Disc golf course operating with an all volunteer build team
Community Garden (at King St) $40/per year per plot
4th of July road race about 100 runners for the 5K, also a 1.2 mile kids race
Chilson Beach normally open from end of June to last week in August
kid care babysitting class offer, nutrition, diapering, safety
program on 'stage your home to sell'
music therapy for children with special needs on Weds nights
45% of the salary budget is seasonal
the tax work-off program, 19 seniors help to make the department function
Recreation in charge of permitting use of all playgrounds and fields
twice annual application process for organizational use
proud to say Franklin has good playgrounds
turf fields at the high school and Beaver St
DelCarte coming online June 4th
Provided over 1,000 hours of community service
Future of Franklin Recreation, from less than 10 to over 100 programs
Spray park coming to Fletcher Field
DelCarte with hiking trails and a canoe/kayak launch
Thank you for supporting this program
Mercer - this was great, you came well prepared
one of the issues you touched on, the Franklin-Medway relationship
can you expand on that?
Ryan - offering programming in Medway
they had some existing programs, their need was summer programs and summer camp
we offer programs here open to Medway residents, able to fill up some programs
programs that are already filling up they can't get in, but for those others, they can help
Program is heavily Franklin residents, probably 95%
Padula - my kids have all been through the program
which turf field will go first?
Ryan - they added the logo to the Beaver Pond fields and some stretches along the side to help extend the life
Nutting - we have a stabilization account already putting money aside to replace them in 2016 or 17
Bissanti - I want to commend you, it is well run
what do you see as the need for development?
Ryan - indoor space is a need, we are stuck with renting space from the schools
if we had our own space that would help, in a perfect world that would be it
Nutting - we'll need to look at the tot lots as they will need replacements to stay within standards
what you don't see is what the DPW does, there has been an expansion of fields and no increase in employees
Ryan - we work closely with the DPW and Dean College
Nutting - we don't have any turf battles
Jones - thanks for the work and especially for all the volunteer efforts
Live reporting: Town Council - May 14, 2014
Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams
Absent:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none
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
Ben Waters
sophomore at FHS, giving speech for public speaker class
speaking on renewable energy
coal, gas, oil will become more scarce
will need to rely more on solar and wind power
Mt St Mary's Abbey solar farm a good example
generation of the energy can be sold back to the 'grid'
current infrastructure is mostly on the delivery side, not capturing energy to bring it back to the grid
billed as a family friendly town
a safe town, with good schools, and more energy efficient
keep this in mind as the Town Council manages going into the future
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
Absent:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none
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
Ben Waters
sophomore at FHS, giving speech for public speaker class
speaking on renewable energy
coal, gas, oil will become more scarce
will need to rely more on solar and wind power
Mt St Mary's Abbey solar farm a good example
generation of the energy can be sold back to the 'grid'
current infrastructure is mostly on the delivery side, not capturing energy to bring it back to the grid
billed as a family friendly town
a safe town, with good schools, and more energy efficient
keep this in mind as the Town Council manages going into the future
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
More than 2 tons collected to help 'Stamp Out Hunger'
The Franklin postal carriers drove their trucks by the Franklin Food Pantry before completing their rounds on Saturday.
Each truck as it arrived was greeted by volunteers who unloaded the truck, weighed the bags, sorted the items for date and damage, and then either filled the appropriate shelves or stacked the items for future use.
When the last truck had pulled away and the last item sorted the tally came out to net more than 4500 pounds or 2 1/4 tons of food and non-food items.
Thank you
Photos from the 'Stamp Out Hunger' food drive processing on Saturday
You may also drop your donations off at the Franklin Food Pantry (located at 43 West Central Street) on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or during regular Pantry hours, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Non-perishables may also be dropped off anytime in the bin that is located outside of the Food Pantry's main entrance.
If you would prefer to make a financial contribution you can do so securely online:
Each truck as it arrived was greeted by volunteers who unloaded the truck, weighed the bags, sorted the items for date and damage, and then either filled the appropriate shelves or stacked the items for future use.
When the last truck had pulled away and the last item sorted the tally came out to net more than 4500 pounds or 2 1/4 tons of food and non-food items.
Thank you
- Franklin neighbors for taking the time to leave a donation
- postal carriers for making the rounds to gather the donations
- volunteers for handling the goods and for helping to stock the shelves!
Photos from the 'Stamp Out Hunger' food drive processing on Saturday
 |
| truck before unloading |
 |
| volunteers unloading the truck |
 |
| staging prior to weighing in |
 |
| weighing in the bags and containers |
 | ||
date checking the goods after weighing in
|
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| stocking the shelves |
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| thank you notes and candy for the postal carriers |
You may also drop your donations off at the Franklin Food Pantry (located at 43 West Central Street) on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or during regular Pantry hours, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Non-perishables may also be dropped off anytime in the bin that is located outside of the Food Pantry's main entrance.
If you would prefer to make a financial contribution you can do so securely online:
 |
| Make a donation to the Food Pantry |
Ten Ways to be Mindful of Mental Health Month
For more than 65 years, May has been recognized as Mental Health Month by local and national organizations alike. This is a time when, as a nation, we discuss mental health issues and work to improve the overall wellness of our communities.
Regardless of your background, you or someone you know may be dealing with the effects of poor mental health. Thankfully, there is a wide range of resources available to help you maintain a healthy, happy mind this month and throughout the year:
- Download a Mind Your Health calendar for daily tips to boost your mood and physical wellness. Organizations can encourage healthy changes by using the resources in this Mental Health Month Toolkit.
- Discover ways to improve your mental health such as staying connected with others, keeping a healthy diet, and establishing effective stress-coping techniques.
 |
| mental health |
Continue reading this article to find out more about mental health on the MA.gov page here
Beautification Day; This Saturday and Adopt-a-Block
Saturday, May 17th is Beautification Day
Please join our group of volunteers to help beautify the Downtown Center.
We will be meeting at the center island at 9:00 am
If you are available earlier please consider meeting at 7:30AM at Fairmount Farms to pick up and deliver the plants to downtown.or at 8:00AM at the Town Common to assist with planning on the Common.
Bring gloves, trowels and dress appropriately for the weather. If you have questions please contact Eileen at 508-330-4234emason11@verizon.net
 |
| Franklin Downtown Partnership |
Adopt-a-Block
Special Invitation to all DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS
Hello,
My name is Devin Gray and I've volunteered to help develop an Adopt-a-Block program for the Franklin Downtown area.
The goal of Adopt-a-Block is to encourage business owners to pitch in and help keep the downtown clean & presentable for all.
I'm currently brainstorming the best way to accomplish this task. I'll be walking around the downtown and speaking with business owners. In the meantime, please feel free to e-mail me at devin@devingrayfitness.com with any opinions, requests, or just to say hello.
Thank you,
Devin Gray"
---- ----- -----
Franklin Beautification Day to be May 17
Brush off your garden gloves and dig in the dirt with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club on Saturday, May 17. The 11th annual Beautification Day will run from 9 a.m. to Noon, rain or shine. Volunteers and donations are needed to help make this project a success.
This year organizers were extra thoughtful when planning the plantings, choosing flowers and a blue & pink color scheme with recent community events and the streetscape construction project in mind.
"We were thinking about children, in the wake of losing several young adults and children in town this year," says Eileen Mason, Beautification Day chairperson. "Our hope is that everyone who sees these flowers will think of their children and embrace their individuality, creativity and zest for life."
Pink and white petunias and blue and white Lobelia, provided by Fairmount Fruit Farm in Franklin, are colorful and hardy plants that should last all season in full sunlight and a harsh construction environment.
The flowers will be displayed in boxes on the bridges and in front of some downtown businesses, but not in planter barrels on the center island this year due to road construction. Volunteers will also plant flowers and mulch the memorial gardens on the Town Common.
Residents, especially students in need of community service hours, who are interested in volunteering should contact Eileen Mason at emason11@verizon.net. Volunteers will meet at 9:00 a.m. on the center island in front of the Rome Restaurant. Anyone with a pickup truck is asked to help transport plants from Fairmount Farm at 8:00 a.m. Each year, Franklin Ford donates the use of their truck, which is a huge help to volunteers.
"We're fortunate to have the help of the Franklin High School hockey teams and a great group of volunteers from the YMCA helping again this year. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to create a welcoming image," Mason adds.
Sponsors and donations are needed to help offset the costs of the Beautification Day committee's year-round planning, growing, planting and maintenance efforts. For as little as $150 businesses or residents can be a bronze sponsor. Watering help will also be needed in the greenspace garden across from the Mega Bites Deli.
Gold and platinum-level sponsors will have their names prominently displayed on signs for the 2014 season. Silver sponsors will have their name displayed on a group sign for the remainder of the year. Details about sponsorship can be found at franklindowntownpartnership.org/.
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