Franklin Matters

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Town Council

The Town Council is the holder of all general, corporate, legislative, and appropriations powers of the Town of Franklin. On behalf of the Town Council I submit our annual report for the FY18.

Economic Development
The Town Council adopted GL Chapter 64N Section 3 authorizing the imposition of a local sales tax on the sale or transfer of marijuana or marijuana products by a marijuana retailer and establishes the tax rate at the max of 3%. The Town council approved a Zoning Bylaw amendment the poultry set back to a minimum of 25 feet.

Facilities
The New construction and renovation of the Franklin Public Library was completed and a Ribbon Cutting was held in Fall of 2017. New Turf Fields were installed at the High School and Beaver Street Field along with a new track around the High School field. A proposal for a new bathroom facility and storage and concession building at Pisini Field near the High school was submitted and approved.

Recreation and Open Space
We are continuing to clean up the weed and fish issues at the DelCarte as part of the restoration and preservation of this recreation area. The Town recorded and deeded two unimproved vacant parcels on Grove Street from the land of low value auction that the Town Treasurer/Collector held.

Downtown
The Downtown Revitalization project is still underway with continued efforts to improve the roadways in the Alpine Place neighborhood.

Other
Approved a balanced budget and worked with the Town Administration on obtaining a five year capital plan for all departments including the Water and Sewer Enterprise funds.

The Town Council voted to transfer two town owned parcels of vacant land (244-040-000-000 .182 acres on Brook Street and 266-073-000-000 7.582 acres off Mill Street) to the care, custody, control and management of the Conservation Commission.

The Council appropriated:
● $160,000 for a new snow plow for the Public Works.
● $550,000 for Roadway Improvements for the Public Works.
● $18,000 for Police Radio Improvements.
● $20,000 for a Town Wide Operational Risk Assessment of all Town and School operations from a fiscal management perspective to outline any weaknesses to be addressed

The Town Council approved a Bylaw Amendment to raise the Water and Sewer Usage Rates. The expansion and construction of the existing Veterans War Memorial on the Town Common was approved.

Franklin was designated as a Green Community. With a new Fuel Efficient policy and Energy Reduction plan in place. More than 90% of electricity used by the town is generated through solar energy.

The Town receives a donation of a parcel of land on Grove street that abuts two of the town owned wells and the future Treatment Plan Site.

It is a pleasure to serve my fellow citizens and to submit this annual report on behalf of the Franklin Town Council for your review.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew T. Kelly
Chairman, Franklin Town Council

You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Town Council

Franklin Cultural Festival 2016

Photos from the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival held in Franklin, MA in July 2016

or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157676824880036/

On this date: Mar 7, 2012: 15th Trivia Bee to be held

Stepping into the archive for March 7, 2012 we find that the FEF 15th Annual Triva Bee was being announced to be held on March 15.

How cool is that! the 15th event coincidentally on the 15th!

The FEF has turned from the Trivia Bee to the Harlem Wizards and other fund raising activities

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/03/15th-annual-trivia-bee-march-15.html

So set the date for No 22 and the next visit of the Harlem Wizards

set the date for No 22 and the next visit of the Harlem Wizards

Franklin Education Foundation

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Franklin School Committee

The Franklin School Committee utilizes a number of subcommittees to initially review, propose and consider policies and issues that come before the Committee. We are committed to two-way communication with the citizens of Franklin, listening to concerns and sharing information in the true spirit of democracy.

The subcommittees and their functions are outlined below:

Budget: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to the school budget. Participates with the town-wide Joint Budget Subcommittee. Committed to educating the public about the budget process in an open and transparent way.
Community Relations: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to communication with the community about school policies, issues and programs. Meets on a monthly basis throughout the community at various locations including the Harvest Festival, The Farmer’s Market, The Senior Center, The Public Library, Franklin Cable TV Station, etc. in order to share information and address citizens’ concerns.
Policy: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to policies and procedures in the Franklin Public Schools. This subcommittee also maintains the Policy Manual.
Public Schools Advocacy: Keeps the committee and the community informed on legislative matters at the federal, state and local levels. Promotes the importance of public schools in a democratic society. In February a Legislative Forum was held for the public. State Senators Ross and Spilka along with State Representative, Jeff Roy shared legislative updates relative to funding education and answered questions from interested citizens.
Transportation: Recommends and reviews policies regarding transportation. The subcommittee also develops bids for transportation services.

In addition to the work of these subcommittees, members participate on advisory councils and as liaisons to the Joint Parent Communication Councils and Mass Association of School Committees (MASC).

The responsibilities of these members are outlined below:

School Wellness Advisory Council: Establishes annual wellness goals for the district. Reviews data, conducts data collection and sponsors professional development programs for students, faculty, parents and the community. Meets monthly throughout the school year.
Parent Communication Council Liaisons: Joining the Superintendent and other central office administrators, school committee liaisons share important information relative to policies and issues before the school committee. This is another opportunity to gain feedback, insights as to the issues/ concerns of the community. Meets every month during the school year.
MASC Liaison: Advocates at the state level for issues relative to public schools.
School Start Times Advisory Council: A committee comprised of representatives from the School Committee, teachers, administrative team, parents and interested community leaders with the purpose of objectively analyzing the data and issues relative to school start times. This committee is organized into subcommittees which are meeting throughout the entire year. Recommendations will made to the School Committee at the conclusion of this study.
Summer Workshop: The School Committee also meets at a one-day summer workshop with the Superintendent to provide input relative to the District Improvement Plan and to plan pertinent School Committee presentations and workshops for the following school year.

Throughout the year, the School Committee works with a facilitator from MASC to strengthen our skills and effectiveness as an elected body so that we may better serve the public.

Respectfully submitted,

Anne Bergen,
Chair, Franklin School Committee

You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

For more about the School Committee
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee