Happy New Year Franklin, MA - What's happening this week ?? Dec 30, 2024 to Jan 5, 2025

• No school until Thursday, Jan 2
• very limited Town meetings
• lots of closures for the holiday period
• trash and recycle pickup delays one day from regular schedule for the holiday, etc.

Check out the Noon Year's Eve Party at Franklin Public Library for families and young at heart on Tuesday, Dec 31. Fun things to do and then the balloon drop happens at noon time for yes, noon year's eve.  The Library closes at 2 for the holiday

Take in the Polar Plunge on New Year's Day. 10 AM at Beaver Pond. The weather seems to be forecast to be rather warm for this time of year so it might be a good intro to this event.

Electric Youth 2025 give their debut concert on Friday, Jan 3 at THE BLACK BOX. Tickets are on sale (this usually sells out). https://theblackboxonline.com/

Looking BACK

The last 2 significant meetings were the Town Council on Dec 18 and the Joint Budget Subcommittee on Dec 17.

The Recap (including links to the audio & video for each)  

Town Council on Dec 18

• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/town-council-recognizes-youth-football_23.html

Joint Budget Subcommittee on Dec 17

• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/joint-budget-gets-updates-sets_20.html

Check out the meeting archives for other meetings during 2024 (all the way back to 2008)  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html

** Check the Community Calendar for updates ->      https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

Happy New Year Franklin, MA - What's happening this week ??

FM #70 - Week Ending 6/20/10

This is #70 in the series on what matters in Franklin, MA. As the week closes, Father's Day, June 20th, let's take about ten minutes to review the week behind and look ahead.

Time: 8 minutes, 50 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

This internet radio show or podcast, number 70 in the series for Franklin Matters.

Let's take about ten minutes to review what matters this week as it comes to a close with Father's Day here in Franklin, MA on June 20th.

Last week instead of doing a new session, I re-published the analysis I had done on the split versus single tax rate in December 2009. The topic had come up again during the override discussion. With so many new readers/listening I thought it would be appropriate to bring that piece forward.

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/refreshed-tax-rate-and-split-tax.html

The Town Council held their two budget hearings (Jun 9 and 10) after the override results were finalized. The budget with all the cuts as discussed was accepted.

Weds 6/9
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/live-reporting-town-council-fy-2011.html
Thur 6/10
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/live-reporting-town-council-fy-2011_10.html


The Town Council met on the 16th and approved a transfer of $100,000 from free cash was approved to cover for the additional unemployment expenses the town will encounter due to the layoffs of 15 teachers and 3 police dispatchers. The other personnel cuts were from positions that opened due to retirements or folks leaving and while the positions went unfilled, they have now been removed from the roster.

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/town-council-061610.html

Of interest was the analysis on the Open Meeting law changes that are scheduled to take effect July 1. Some of the details remain to be determined so it will be interesting to see which way the state proceeds. The intent is to make the town business meetings more accessible and open.

The document Mark Cerel shared with the Town Council can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/mark-cerel-analysis-of-open-meeting-law.html

A great deal of misinformation is still prevalent in the conversations particularly in the comment stream for the Franklin articles in the Milford Daily News.

The task remains to continue to share accurate information and encourage its spread. The PEW Internet and American Life Project published a study that showed:

In a poll conducted at the end of last year, we asked about online connections to communities and neighbors and found that in the twelve months preceding our survey:

• 22% of all adults (representing 28% of internet users) signed up to receive alerts about local issues (such as traffic, school events, weather warnings or crime alerts) via email or text messaging.
• 20% of all adults (27% of internet users) used digital tools to talk to their neighbors and keep informed about community issues.

What becomes relevant for our actions here is their finding that the largest single source of local information was obtained by talking face-to-face.

Overall, physical personal encounters remain the primary way people stay informed about community issues. In the twelve months preceding our survey:

• 46% of Americans talked face-to-face with neighbors about community issues
• 21% discussed community issues over the telephone
• 11% read a blog dealing with community issues
• 9% exchanged emails with neighbors about community issues and 5% say they belong to a community email listserv
• 4% communicated with neighbors by text messaging on cell phones
• 4% joined a social network site group connected to community issues
• 2% followed neighbors using Twitter

The full study document can be found here:
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Neighbors-Online.aspx

Given the majority of information is shared in personal conversations, the opportunity is to continue to share accurate information on what matters in Franklin and encourage you to talk with your neighbors.

The battle of accurate information versus misinformation will be won, one conversation at a time.

What does the week look like?

The distribution of the new trash and recycle bins is scheduled to complete this week. As I ran down Chestnut st Sunday morning, I saw a few houses where they had been delivered but not yet pulled into the yard from street side.

The Planning Board meets on Monday, June 21. Of interest is the continuation of the hearing on the special permit for the Price Chopper proposal as well as opening a new hearing for the same property. I anticipate that what is happening is the original plans are being changed so they will close that hearing (and proposal) and open a new one. We'll find out if this analysis is correct.

The School Committee meets on Tuesday. They will formally accept their budget which will require the reduction in 15 teachers and then approve the increase in sports and activity fees as presented during the override discussion.

The EPA will hold a brief information session on Tuesday at Tri-County regarding the storm water treatment regulation changes they are proposing and then immediately following open a public hearing to take comments on the proposed changes.

The Financial Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday. No agenda is available for this meeting at this time.

A friendly reminder also that there is a poll question open until June 25th. It arose from the discussions amongst the comments on the Milford Daily News. The question can be found on the front page of FM. The story behind the question can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/what-if-poll-fixed.html

As I close the session this week, let me remind you that

• If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don’t like something, please tell me

Thank you for listening!


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters Weekly to listen to the audio podcast.

FM #66 - Week Ending 5/2/10

Let's take about 10 minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends May 2, 2010.

Time: 10:02



MP3 File

Session Notes:

This internet radio show or podcast
Number 66 in the series for Franklin Matters.

Let's take about 10 minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as this week comes to a close on Sunday May 2nd.

In this session I'll the School Committee meeting as they presented their budget Tuesday, and the Town Council meeting on Wednesday where they got an update on the overall budget and voted to put an override question to the voters on June 8th – and a brief outlook at the week ahead

First
The School Committee meeting discussed options on bringing the budget into balance with a number of measures:

• cutting 7 elementary teachers
• cutting 8 middle school
• an increase athletic fees
• doubling extra curricular activity fees
• cutting 3 buses
• an early release of elementary schools one day to reduce another 4 positions

The School Committee meeting can be viewed on the Franklin website here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634084755480134220&indexSessionSKU=kWJQA+d4DkqLdYNtc39VcA%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D


The committee also spent time discussing full vs half day, free vs pay kindergarten
The arguments have already summarized in a post that I worked with Maureen Sabolinski, Karen Seyfried, and Miriam Goodman to prepare. You can find that report here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/full-day-kindergarten-free-or-tuition.html

Second
From the The Town council meeting on Wednesday:
Financial Planing Committee report, summary review of forecast and updates to the outlook
no questions from the Council

You can and should spent some time to review the meeting via the video on demand link on the Franklin website. You can go directly to the discussion here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=PZze5i0pKVPUM62zGqWI7A%3d%3d


Jeff Nutting provided the update on the overall budget, before he did so, we did get some good news on the High School Renovation project

• 50 percent reimbursement expected from the State
• vote likely required in Nov 2011
• construction to begin in 2013
• which would put the main portion of the debt increase into the tax bills for FY 2015

Overall shortage 3M
1.1 M from Town side of budget
1.8 M from School side of budget

You can and should spent some time to review the meeting via the video on demand link on the Franklin website. You can go directly to the discussion here:
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=gUqYEwtCQQIavJRj7F%2bNeA%3d%3d

and to include the Finance Committee, Jim Roche took a couple of minutes to add their endorsement of the override
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=fOCjsPPvFGgyKenrDbrNMA%3d%3d

The Council voted unanimously to set the date for the override election to be held on June 8th
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=7mT4fjE8qx5emElxBOKa0Q%3d%3d

The Council then got into a lengthy discussion on the amount and ended up amending the original motion for 2.1 M to increase the amount to 3 M.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=cqgfiEy%2fNL98slaVgWggDg%3d%3d


Closing out some old business from the last meeting, the sewer extension on Washington St that was controversial in the last meeting was resolved before coming to this meeting.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=cL6b7iGtXlCAx98kfQInXQ%3d%3d


Opening some new business was a proposal for a modification to the bylaw on Junk, 2nd Hand and Antique dealers which came up for a first reading.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=9HmNY7guZiQ%2fH4E63hmBMA%3d%3d


I'd normally send you to the Franklin website to view the link but for some reason the link is not available today. I have posted a copy of the Town Council agenda document to Drop.IO and you can view beginning on Pages 28-31 the bylaw itself. Exactly what it changed from is not shown in this document but if this reading is okay with your understanding, then it should be okay. If not, please reach out to Jeff Nutting, Maxine Kinheart and get your questions answered soon.

http://drop.io/FranklinMatters/asset/tc-20100428-agenda-pdf


Separate from the major discussion on override, the Conservation Commission heard the proposals for securing the dams on the DelCarte property along Pleasant St. I need to do more to understand the proposals and implications but be aware that something with dollars associated is being discussed. You can view the meeting and proposal options here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=ei0gDcRTz2DPBC%2frEypYuQ%3d%3d

and here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=mAIQuRUs434FliYRix1Hjg%3d%3d

To summarize:

The school and town budget problems will lead to an override vote on June 8th. There will be a town forum on May 24th and likely other opportunities for discussion on the numbers, pros/cons, etc.

The good news on the high school renovation is the state will reimburse 50%, a vote won't come until Nov 2011, construction won't begin until 2013 and the tax implications of these wouldn't hit out pockets until 2015

The DelCarte property dam remediation will become part of the active discussion.

The Big Y and Dr Van Roon proposals are both scheduled before the planning board on  Monday, the 3rd
The Town Council meets again on weds the 5th,
There is another walk to school morning on Wednesday

So there is a whole lot happening in and around Franklin, let's keep a positive and respectful discussion going and we can all work our way through this.

As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don’t like something, please tell me
Thank you for listening!

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!



Note: email subscribers will need to click through to listen to the audio recording

FM #64 - Week ending 4/11/10

This is #64 in the series on what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends April 11, 2010.

Time: 8 minutes, 11 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:


This internet radio show or podcast is number 64 in the series for Franklin Matters.

Let's take about 10 minutes to review what matters in Franklin, MA as the week ends Sunday April 11th.

In this session I'll cover the Town Council meeting on April 7th and look ahead to the School Committee  meeting on April 13th.

The Town Council meeting on April 7th was interesting on a number of fronts.

1 – Before the Council got into the money items, the Community Health Council provided an update on the teenangels and other activities that the group has been working on since it was created in 2008.

Live reporting - Community Health Council

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=3%2bGOvPeeUt7st8YYQ%2bAj7A%3d%3d


2 – Rep Vallee and Sen Spilka were scheduled to provide a legislative update on the Chapter 70 and other state aid coming to Franklin. Due to key work at the State House, they were unable to attend. Due to their schedules they may not be able to participate until some time in May.

Jeff Nutting did take the opportunity to provide an update on current Town Budget. Effectively, with $1.8 million expected as a revenue increase within the Prop 2 ½ limits, State Aid dropping about $1.2 million, the net available ($600,000) is just about wiped out by the increase in Franklin's portion of the Tri-Country Regional assessment ($550,000).

After some discussion, the override word was broached. It will be a topic for the April 28th meeting agenda.

Live reporting - budget update

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=acp9hQto1Evo3UgpBvTlEA%3d%3d

Budget workshop
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/budget-workshop-collection-12510.html

Long term or 5 Year Plan
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/financial%20planning%20committee%20report/

3 – Several items on the Legislation for action created conversations. One item in particular had  minimal discussion (had they already talked it out in the prior two meetings?) the Council voted 6-2 to approve the Charter Changes. Vallee was absent and Jones and Zollo voted no.

In the grand scheme of things, the real vote will come in November. Hopefully, the documentation that will be provided to the voters will be more detailed and clear about what the changes are and why the changes should be made so we can all make an informed vote.

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=KNpCzsOI59gV07XYPOcaAg%3d%3d

$2 m from 'free cash” from FY 2009 was approved to spend on capital requirements. The Council also approved setting aside $100,000 to start a fund for a fire engine replacement. This is a small step towards a “real” capital budget.

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=uka1H3JJJ8DSkcg1NVdVJQ%3d%3d

• The Town share for the Parmenter Solar Project was approved. \
• Two transactions to fund assistance for the Board of Assessors annual real estate property evaluation were approved. 
• The by-law amendment to simplify the process for wetlands approvals passed.

Then the sewer extension request for 148 Washington St got real interesting. In my reading of the prepared materials, the situation seemed simple enough. A property currently in tax/title hold would be purchased and then split into two single family residences. As the location is up on the high side just before i495, they were requesting to extend the sewer line 258' to provide service. Unfortunately the Town Engineer had not received some key information, this would be adding service at the wrong point in the sewer system and potentially cause a backup to the system for those residents down stream. The attorney accused the Council of extortion, then retracted the comment. The whole thing should really have been worked out better before hand. Hopefully they will have time to work out the details before it gets to the second reading on April 28th.

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=S9FKcnM4ylrouWnQZmQqrg%3d%3d


Thanks to Ken Norman alerting me to a meeting on the raised garden beds being constructed around Franklin on Saturday the 17th. I was able to create the report that has been a big hit this past weekend. Thanks also to Lauren Marciszyn and Amy Cornwall for their contributions to the report.

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/franklin-raises-garden.html

There are quite a few healthy activities this week.
What's on your plate is shown Tuesday night.
The Rail Trail committee also meets Tuesday night.
So instead of the watching or attending School Committee meeting you now have some choices.

Walk to School on Weds, Earth Day on Saturday,

You can check the calendar on Franklin Matters for details on these meetings and events. For the full schedule of Franklin Meetings, check out the town website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_MeetingsCal/?formid=158

On the food front, Gerry's Place at Tri-County is open to the public from 10:45 AM to 12:30 and offers discounts Tue-Fri through May 28th.

If you haven't stopped by Cafe Dolce yet, congratulate BJ, Dave, and the whole gang there. This week marks the one year anniversary of their grand opening! My how time flies!

As I close this session this week, let me remind you that
If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don’t like something, please tell me
Thank you for listening!

For additional information, please visitFranklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!



Note: email subscribers will need to click through to listen to the audio recording