Monday, December 24, 2018

In the News: NationalGrid negotiations resume Dec 26; vehicles sold in MA required to be electric by 2040

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The calendar for the next two weeks is creating some interesting interplay between a benefit bill for locked-out workers, Christmas and the end of the 2017-2018 session, and contract talks between National Grid and its 1,200 locked-out natural gas workers. 
Lawmakers on Friday agreed to the details of a bill extending unemployment benefits for locked-out workers and it appears they may take enactment votes to send that bill to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk on Monday, Christmas Eve. 
Meantime, National Grid has been saying for days that it hoped to strike a deal with two employee unions by Christmas. However, a company spokeswoman on Saturday confirmed to the News Service that after seven consecutive weekdays of bargaining, the next session won’t be held until Wednesday, Dec. 26. 
And in another new wrinkle, the unions and the company issued a rare joint statement Friday night that suggested some optimism about a potential deal and markedly contrasted with the snippy statements that both sides have regularly issued after unsuccessful talks."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181223/national-grid-union-hope-to-end-impasse-by-friday


"Ready or not, Massachusetts is speeding headlong into a brave new transportation world. 
It may not include flying cars, but state leaders are looking to help pave the way for self-driving cars, an all-electric car future, a transportation grid resilient to climate change and a planned “reinvention” of the commuter rail system serving metropolitan Boston. 
Among the recommendations laid out in a hefty, two-volume report released this month by a state commission on the future of transportation in Massachusetts is for the state to set a goal “that all new cars, light duty trucks, and buses sold in Massachusetts will be electric by 2040.” 
It’s part of a wider blueprint to create what the commission called “a 21st-century mobility infrastructure” that will help the state and its cities and towns both manage and make the most of emerging changes in transportation technology and behavior."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181223/brave-new-world-for-mass-transportation

In case you missed the post shared here last week:
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/focused-on-big-picture-on-what-and-why.html

Visit the Commission page  
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/commission-on-the-future-of-transportation

Report - Volume 1:
Choices for Stewardship: Recommendations to Meet the Transportation Future
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/12/14/FOTCVolume1_1.pdf 

Report - Volume 2:
Choices for Stewardship: Background Books – Facts, Trends, and Issues 
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/12/14/FOTCVolume2.pdf

Commission on the Future of Transportation, recommends 18 ways the state should prepare for potential changes in transportation
Commission on the Future of Transportation, recommends 18 ways the state
should prepare for potential changes in transportation

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Trash-Recycle Schedule offset this week due to Christmas

Along with the Town office closures for Christmas, only Monday's trash/recycling will be picked up as normal. Tuesday, there is no pickup so you can imagine DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi calling with the message. "Tuesday will be picked up Wednesday. Wednesday on Thursday, and so forth."

The most recent solid waste flyer with the schedule for trash/recycling pickup
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/franklin_2018_2019.pdf

Franklin trash and recycle bins or totters
Franklin trash and recycle bins or totters

*** Closure Schedule ***

Town Offices
  • Monday, December 24
  • Tuesday, December 25
  • Tuesday, January 1

Senior Center
  • Monday, December 24
  • Tuesday, December 25
  • Monday, December 31
  • Tuesday, January 1

Library
  • Monday, December 24
  • Tuesday, December 25
  • Closing at 5 PM, Monday, December 31
  • Tuesday, January 1

Recreation
  • Monday, December 24
  • Tuesday, December 25
  • Tuesday, January 1

Holiday Hours for Franklin Town Offices, Library, Senior Center and Recreation
Holiday Hours for Franklin Town Offices, Library, Senior Center and Recreation

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page

Register your dog, enter the Top Dog Contest!

CONTEST RULES

License Your Dog During Dog Registration Period January 1—April 1 2019

Send Us Your Pup’s Photo

You may drop off your photo, or send picture to: tburr@franklinma.gov

or

Teresa Burr Franklin Town Clerk
355 East Central Street Franklin, MA 02038
(Include Pet’s name, Owner’s name and contact information with photo!)

Winners will be drawn on Tuesday, April 2nd

Please Note: photos will NOT be returned



  • Spayed Female: $20.00 / Neutered Male: $20.00
  • Unaltered Female: $30.00 / Unaltered Male: $30.00

After April 1st A Late Fee Of $30.00 Is Applied To Licensing Fee


Download the Top Dog Contest flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tqZeijepVbLWQz8a4YQuv_tdw2GWwDl_/view?usp=sharing




Register your dog, enter the Top Dog Contest!
Register your dog, enter the Top Dog Contest!


Town Council summary - Dec 19, 2018

The recap of the Town Council meeting held Wednesday, Dec 19, 2018.

Liquor license renewals
The annual liquor license renewals came up for approval. Those businesses with outstanding bills will have their license held until the outstanding items are completed. 
The listing of the current liquor licenses can be found online

Technology Update
Tim Raposa, Technology Director, provided an update on the work of the department. "There isn’t a department in here that doesn’t need technology" was aptly quoted in the MDN article on his presentation. I took several photos of his presentation and will share the deck when it is available (not yet posted to Town page).

Photos captured of the presentation can be found online
https://photos.app.goo.gl/z9aGETegsyeeCEZJ8


Mixed Business Innovation
The package of 6 zoning bylaw amendments came before the Town Council for potential referral to the Planning Board. They had been reviewed at the Economic Development Committee and came forward with a 3-1 vote (Kelly the lone 'no' vote).

Kelly clearly wants something in the bylaw to allow for residential use but exactly what would meet that requirement was not discussed explicitly or agreed to during the meeting. While some other councilors agree that residential use would make sense, it doesn't for the building that is currently on site. The bylaw amendments did get referred to the Planning Board. Kelly voted against one of the amendments but voted for all the others.

The Planning Board will hold two public hearings and make a recommendation on the measures to send back to the Council. The Council will also hold two public hearings and either make adjustments to the language or leave it as is. The timing on all of this would bring a 'final' decision sometime as early as mid-February or March 2019.

The formal "Actions Taken" document was not yet published. When it is, it will be linked to here.

one of the Technology slides depicts the town school split for the technology personnel
one of the Technology slides depicts the town school split for the technology personnel


My detailed notes taken during the meeting can be found in the links below:

  • Live reporting: from Town Administrators Report to...
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-from-town-administrators.html
  • Live reporting: Legislation for Action
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html
  • Live Reporting: Technology Dept
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-technology-dept.html
  • Live Reporting: Town Council - Dec 19, 2019
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-town-council-dec-19-2019.html

FHS wrestling, gymnastics, and girls hockey teams post wins on Saturday

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the results of the FHS sports action on Saturday, Dec 22, 2018


Girls Basketball = Franklin, 43 @ Coyle and Cassidy, 51 – Final

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ Newburyport, 3 – Final

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 4 vs. Algonquin, 1 – Final 
– Cassi Ronan scored two goals for the second straight game to help Franklin stay unbeaten on the season and hand the T-hawks their first loss. Gina Vignone and Amanda Lewandowski also scored for the Panthers, while sophomore Gabby Colace returned from injury to pick up her first win in net.

Wrestling = Franklin, 51 @ Ashland, 17 – Final

Gymnastics = Franklin, 136 @ King Philip, 131.6 – Final
– Franklin’s Mia Lizotte won the all-around with a score of 36.35. Lizotte finished with scores of 9.35 on the bar, 9.2 on the vault and the floor exercise, and 8.6 on the beam. Sophomore Emma Owens (8.9), freshman Kate Rudolph (8.85), and sophomore Lexi Lupien (8.5) also had high scores on the vault. On the floor, Franklin got an 8.8 from Rudolph and 8.5 from her classmate Caroline Woelfel, as well as scores of 8.4 from Owens and senior Sadie Rondeau.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-22-18/

Via the Twitterverse
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports


FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

























"an all-day operation, opening in the morning to serve coffee and the brewery serving beer later"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Owners of Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting Company outlined their proposed coffee roasting operation to city councilors this week, and expressed excitement about bringing their concept to the city. 
J.P. and Melynda Gallagher – who have already received approval to open a brewery at the former Speakers nightclub on Weed Street – are seeking a special permit to operate a coffee roaster at the same location. 
A zoning amendment approved by city councilors this fall permitted coffee roasters to operate in the Marlborough Village district downtown, business, industrial and limited industrial zones. Coffee roasting – a manufacturing operation – was previously not allowed in those areas. 
Prospective roasters are required to apply for a special permit, in part, due to odors that emanate during the operation. Requiring roasters to go through the special permit process provides a layer of security for the city if an odor problem arises."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181222/marlborough-lost-shoe-brewing-seeks-permit-for-roaster

Marlboro business opens brewing coffee and beer
Marlboro business opens brewing coffee and beer

Related post from January 2018

More info on Lost Shoe at their web page  https://lostshoebrews.com/

In the News: tax deal on short term rental units; House hires a HR director

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"With the clock ticking on the end of the two-year session, House and Senate leaders finalized a deal Thursday to tax and regulate short-term housing rentals through websites like Airbnb, reviving a bill that passed in July but was imperiled by concerns raised by Gov. Charlie Baker. 
The new version still would apply the 5.7 percent hotel and motel room tax to units rented on a short-term basis. Legislative leaders, however, agreed to a change proposed by Baker that would exempt homeowners who rent out their units for 14 or fewer days a year from having to collect the tax. 
The House and Senate also agreed to postpone an extra Boston Convention and Exhibition Center financing fee on short-term units rented in Boston, Cambridge, Worcester, Springfield, West Springfield and Chicopee for about 10 years, or until the bonds on the BCEC are paid. 
“We’re excited that we were able to accomplish this before the end of the year because there were a lot of twists and turns throughout the process, but we got it done,” said state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, the co-chair of the Committee on Financial Services."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181222/house-senate-agrees-to-baker-proposals-on-short-term-rental-tax

AirBnB screen grab
AirBnB screen grab


"The Massachusetts House has hired a woman with experience running human relations for Raytheon Co. and Bright Horizons Family Solutions to serve as the House’s human resources director, a new position created as the branch works to update its policies dealing with harassment reporting and prevention. 
The House Committee on Rules announced on Thursday that it has appointed Katherine Palmer, who has most recently worked as a human resources consultant, to serve as the House’s chief of human resources for a two-year term. The committee said Palmer specializes in “employee relations, workforce planning, employment law and establishing governance and compliance practices.” 
In March, the House adopted a package of new rules -- recommended by the House counsel and a team of attorneys hired to study the House’s policies around workplace sexual harassment -- that included a new investigation process for harassment claims and new human resources employees, including a director of human resources."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181222/house-hires-hr-director