In the News: Franklin projects for 2016, deadly heroin batch

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The coming year should bring about several new initiatives for Franklin, including work on the senior center, library and roads. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said a variety of new projects would be taking shape in 2016. One of the largest, he said, would be the start of a one-year, $10.5 million renovation and expansion project at the Franklin Public Library. 

Nutting estimated the project - which would, among other things, add meeting space and update the buildings HVAC and sprinkler systems - would begin in late spring. The work will require the library building to close for a year, and library services to be housed in a temporary location, yet to be determined.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160103/library-senior-center-projects-due-in-2016

one of the architectural photos showing the addition to the Library

An especially lethal batch of heroin is believed to have caused multiple deaths in Western Massachusetts in the last five days, and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. issued a warning Sunday about heroin packaged with the label "Hollywood." 

Police in Chicopee and Holyoke as well as the Hampden County District Attorney's office alerted the public this weekend after police responded to overdoses and found bags of heroin with the "Hollywood" label.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160103/da-warns-of-lethal-heroin-batch

In the News: food drive a success, pipeline to be discussed by Town Council

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Though the donations have yet to be fully accounted for, organizers said the Franklin Food Elves drive was successful once again this year. 

The elves held their tenth "12 Days of Donating" drive throughout December, with local schoolchildren seeking donations from their neighbors and area businesses putting out bins to gather items for the Franklin Food Pantry. 

Organizers said donations - though yet to be formally weighed by the pantry - were probably at or over the three tons the drive has garnered in the past couple of years. The official tabulation will come after the pantry re-opens following the New Year's holiday.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160103/franklin-food-elves-campaign-success

The Town Council's first meeting of the new year is slated to feature a discussion on a proposed natural gas pipeline set to pass through town. 

The council on Wednesday is scheduled to hear a presentation by residents concerned with the 119-mile Spectra Energy gas pipeline. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said resident James Hill would be speaking in opposition to the pipeline, which is planned to run through such area towns as Franklin, Milford, Bellingham and Medway. 

Spectra Energy has sought approval for a pipeline to expand the area's natural gas infrastructure and alleviate shortages, though area activists have questioned whether the project is needed.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160103/franklin-council-to-hold-session-on-pipeline

one of the many signs against the pipeline around Franklin

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 6, 2016

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– December 16, 2015

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting is also being recorded by others.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
– Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- Spectra Pipeline – James Hill

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 16-01: G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C, Property Tax Exemption
2. Resolution 16-02: Amending the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-off Abatement Program
3. Resolution 16-03: Acceptance of Gift – Recreation Dept.
4. Resolution 16-04: Grant of Utility Easement – 275 Beaver Street

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
– Fiscal Forecast

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
- Pending or threatened litigation

1. Proposed Excelon expansion of Medway electric generating facility pending before Energy Facilities Siting Board.
2. Proposed Spectra gas transmission line through Franklin.

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Municipal Building

The documents released for this agenda can be found on the Town of Franklin webiste
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2016%20Complete/010616.pdf

Annual Report - 2015: Dept of Public Works (DPW)

The Department of Public Works provides a wide range of services to the residents of Franklin. It is organized into seven (7) Divisions:

1. Administration
2. Engineering
3. Highway and Grounds (including Highway Maintenance and Construction, Central Motors, Snow & Ice Control, Parks, Town and School Grounds Maintenance and Forestry/Insect Control)
4. Water (including ground water withdrawals, water treatment and distribution)
5. Sewer
6. Solid Waste and Recycling (including the operation of the Beaver St. Recycling Center)
7. Street Lighting

DPW ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

The major functions of the Administrative Division includes developing capital projects, long range planning, intergovernmental relations and compliance, grant writing, processing various private construction permits, drain layer licenses, purchasing, budgeting, accounting and payroll, and multiple forms of utility billing.

Capital Projects
The Administrative Division, in conjunction with Engineering and the operating divisions, develop major capital projects.

• The HPP reconstruction of the downtown corridor continued throughout the year. The object of this work is to improve traffic flow through the downtown area and create an area that expands pedestrian access and is business friendly. This project will provide two-way traffic on Route 140 and will include the burying of utilities, period lighting, planters, sidewalks, brickwork, curbing and parking improvements in addition to an improved transition with Dean College.

The DPW continues to design and construct long-range projects over the next three to four years. Progress on specific capital construction projects is outlined in subsequent portions of this report.

It is important to note that many of these projects are performed by existing staff members and save significant amounts of money by avoiding the need to contract out these services. The process of planning, designing, permitting and constructing these projects is an arduous task that requires a great level of coordination and cooperation between DPW divisions and other state, municipal and federal departments.

Grant Writing

The Town received an EPA 319 grant for stormwater improvements valued at over $100,000.00 The Town received an $118,000.00 grant to improve stormwater water infiltration at various locations. The Town partnered with the Charles River Watershed Association, which received a $30,000 grant to conduct rain garden trainings for the residents of Franklin. The Town received a $20,000.00 grant to offset the cost associated with the purchase of compactors to increase the recycling rate at the Beaver Street Recycling Center.

Permits and Long Range Planning

The Town of Franklin, along with the towns of Bellingham and Milford, were the only three communities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts placed under a Residual Designation Authority (RDA) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to mitigate phosphorus loading into the Charles River Basin. It is estimated the Town of Franklin may need to spend upwards of $135 million to implement all the measures that EPA feels would be
required to meet phosphorus reductions. DPW staff members have been working with the Towns of Bellingham and Milford, and State and Federal officials in conjunction with private land owners and business representatives to oppose this action based upon the unnecessary economic hardship it would create for the community. The EPA has acknowledged our concerns and we continue to wait for a final permit.

The Town of Franklin also continues to oppose the implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II and pending Phase III Stormwater Permit for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) as required by the EPA. Phase II required the Town to highly regulate and monitor stormwater throughout the Town at a significantly increased cost. Phase III is projected to include increased regulatory requirements and cost even more. The Department will continue to refine and improve adopted regulations and practices to improve the stormwater in Franklin while minimizing the associated costs.

Long range planning is critical in the area of Public Works and must be accomplished consistently in order to ensure that the Town water, sewer and roadway infrastructure can support the needs of our residents. With the success of the 20/20 Plan, the Town Council authorized additional funding for waterline replacement and the improvement of roadways on sections of Lincoln St, East St, West St, Daniels St, Summer St, Lewis St, Crescent St, Anthony Rd, Carmine Dr., and Conlyn Ave. This work has commenced and is expected to be completed within the next two years. With that funding already allocated, the Town Council continued with additional funding for the waterline replacement and road reconstruction of the Northgate Rd neighborhood, Cleveland Ave neighborhood, Cottage St area, Squire St areas, sections of Maple St, Ruggles St area, sections of Partridge & Elm Streets, Skyline Dr. neighborhood, Oak St Extension, Marvin Ave area and the Stanford Rd area. The DPW has continued to work with both the DEP and the Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation to facilitate the final closing and capping of the Beaver Street Landfill Site.

The Town of Franklin has continued to work with other area Towns and conservation groups towards insuring that regional water supplies are protected.

Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Program

The single stream automated solid waste and recycling program continues to be a very successful program in reducing costs, improving recycling rates and providing greater convenience for users. Additional landscaping improvements have been made to the Beaver St. Recycling Center to make the facility more attractive and customer friendly.

Hails and Farewells

With all the losses of the previous year, the DPW was able to hire some new employees. This included: Mr. Justin Pothier on the highway crew, Mr. Michael Ciallella on the highway crew, Mr. Scott Mathews on the grounds crew, Mr. Kevin Bariteau on the water crew and Mr. Stephen Freiberg as a new mechanic.

With gains, there are always losses

Ms. Linda Feeley, DPW office manager, a long time dedicated employee who worked for the department for over 23 years! She was an extremely talented and knowledgeable employee with a great sense of humor and smile to match that will be missed by all. Mr. David Seale, an excellent mechanic retired. Mr. Philip Vondras, a member of the grounds crew also left to pursue other ventures.

Thanks

As the Director, I owe many thanks to my entire staff as they make this whole department work and serve all residents in a timely manner. Everyone is committed to providing extraordinary service to the Town in the most cost-effective manner possible.

The Town Engineer Mr. Mike Maglio, Budget & Administration Manager Ms. Kathy Mooradd, Director of Operations Mr. Deacon Perrotta, Highway and Grounds Superintendent Mr. Carlos Rebelo, and Water and Sewer Superintendent Laurie Ruszala are all dedicated professionals that put in so much extra time and effort to make this Department a success. The Town and I are very fortunate to have such talented individuals to work with.

I would also like to thank, Paula Juarez, Sandy Wedge, and Lynne Marchand who support the Administration Division. Additionally, a big thanks to our part-time staffers Pam Vickery and Kim Leonard in the Administration Division. These individuals respond quickly and with courtesy to thousands of requests for assistance and information throughout the year.

Continued thanks go to Mr. Christopher White, the Town’s Solid Waste Coordinator. Even though his position is a part time one, he gives his heart and soul and spends much of his personal time to insure that the solid waste and recycling program is a success.

I would especially like to thank the “Crew” and the mechanics that work out of the DPW garage. These are the gentlemen that are not always seen, but provide the day-today services that are all too often taken for granted. They pump, treat and deliver safe drinking water; they care for parks and ball fields, and they maintain the roadways, repair and sustain all Town and school vehicles and handle all our waste. They are always available, day and night, and work long hours to assist in any emergency situation whether it is snow removal, water breaks, sewer backups, wind, lightning storms and flooding, among many others. They are all extremely professional and dedicated to their jobs. I cannot thank them enough.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert A. Cantoreggi II
Director of Public Works

Kathy Mooradd
Budget and Admin Manager

Note - there are additional sections on the DPW in the Annual Report. For brevity sake, I have only included this on the Administrative Division. You can find the remainder in the full report (PDF) beginning on Page 135

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"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]

http://ecode360.com/10432729?highlight=annual%20report,reports,annual,report#10432729

Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2015report.pdf

DPW headquarters on Fisher St

Visit the DPW page for additional information across their operational units

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PublicWorks/index

Economic Development Commmittee - Jan 6, 2016 - 6:00 PM

From Andrew Bissanti, Chair - Economic Development Committee

"Our first meeting of the year will be 1/6/16 at 6:00pm. Training room on the third floor of town hall. Pond Street discussion and update, zoning discussion on neighborhood business , and general residential 5 . 

Also an electronic sign company will be on the agenda ... we only have an hour as town council will convene at 7pm. so if we need more time we can continue till next meetings."

Thompson Press Building - recently rezoned for residential use

FHS winter sports teams were back in action on Saturday, Jan 2

The FHS winter sports teams were back in action on Saturday, January 2. The wrestling team went to West Springfield for four matches and split winning two, dropping two. The boys indoor track team lost to Mansfield while the girls team beat Mansfield. On ice, the girls hockey team beat Scituate. All the results from Hockomock Sports.

FHS Panthers

Wrestling

Franklin @ West Springfield 

– Franklin broke even on the day, beating West Springfield (48-21) and Chicopee (42-21) but suffered losses to New Milford (CT) (51-21) and to Springfield Central (42-26).

Indoor Track (@ Reggie Lewis Center)

Boys

• Franklin, 28 vs. Mansfield, 72 – Final 

– The Hornets had first place finishes from Nick Graham in the 55M dash (6.97), Devin Maughn in the 300M (37.88), Kyle Amerantes in the 600M (1:29.37), Jake Affanato in the 1 Mile (4:43.74) and in the 2 Mile (league best 10:21.71), Jake Morrill in the 55M hurdles (8.61) and the long jump (18-04.50) and Conor Cline in the shot put (35-03.25). Franklin’s Ryan Spelman won the 1000M race in 2:46.49 and Luke Gordon won the high jump at 5-10.00.

Girls

• Franklin, 56 vs. Mansfield, 44 – Final 

– Franklin’s Jessica Kroushl posted a league best time of 7.63 in the 55M dash, Meghan Doherty had a league best time in the 600M (1:43.91), Brittany Robinson had the best time of all 12 schools in the 1 Mile (5:29.54), Carly Rondeau won the 2 Mile (13:24.72), Beth Neal won the 55M hurdles (9.67) and the high jump (4-08.00) and Sarah Goodermuth won the shot put (30-08.00). Mansfield’s Kelly Crawford had a league best time of 42.34 in the 300M and won the long jump (15-02.00) and Caitlin Whitman had the league’s top time in the 1000M (3:11.86).

Girls Hockey

• Franklin, 6 @ Scituate, 0 – Final

For the remainder of the action around the Hockomock League

http://www.hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-010216/

“You’re not in control when you’re in this business”

FHS graduate April M Crehan has the byline on this story from the Milford Daily News on what the farmers do during the winter.

“Everything gets probably three times as hard” in the winter, said Nick Hoffman, who chuckled as he identified himself as “the owner, the manager and the mechanic” of Hoffman Farm in Franklin. Toward the end of 2015, Hoffman started selling milk in addition to produce, eggs and firewood. 

Animal welfare becomes top priority in winter for farms that have livestock in addition to fields.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160103/farmers-winter-just-as-busy-as-sowing-harvest-seasons