Franklin MAtters Weekly

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Week ending - Feb 5, 2012

It is not easy doing business here in Franklin. We were reminded of that this week with the closing of Cafe Dolce. Was it their inconsistent service that some have talked about on Facebook or was their rent too high? It may have been a combination of the two. In any case, they have closed their doors. Folks looking for a good coffee downtown will need to go elsewhere. It may not be a coincidence that the chains (both Dunkin Donuts and Honey Dew) are located along RT 140 outside of the immediate downtown area. Easier parking and more space for drive through are available there.

The high school proposal was approved by the Town Council on Wednesday night. March 27 will be the date that the voters have their say on this important matter. The arguments for the new school are rather convincing; paying 40 cents on a dollar to gain a brand new high school. Who wouldn't do that? Bottom line, the taxes we all pay will need to increase although not in a significant way for the high school until 2017.

In the meantime, we need to address the operational needs of Franklin. What level of service do we want? The Library has just been excluded from the state inter-library network likely due to the under-funding of their operation that has happened over the recent years. Franklin had applied for waiver and as we go to press this week, the specific details around this remain to be determined. However, it should not be a surprise. It has been threatened before and was one of the key arguments for the successful operational override that passed in 2007 (the only one that did!).

What Franklin needs to do is leverage the hundreds of volunteers that are gathering to promote the discussion for the new high school, to also talk about our operational needs. The two discussions go hand-in-hand. While yes, strictly speaking there is a capital budget and an operational budget, to the average Franklin taxpayer, there is one tax bill.

Should we go all out to build a new high school at such a good deal (given the state reimbursement) and not appropriately fund our regular operational requirements, we'll end up with a nice new school and insufficient teachers, administrators and other staff to support it. Those extra classrooms that are being touted may very well go unused if we don't support our operational requirements. The School budget has already cut over 100 teachers in the last several years. Will there be enough left at the high school to use the new school?

The discussion needs to be had. We can no longer ignore the 'elephant in the room'. The time and opportunity is now. What services will the Franklin taxpayers support?

Feb 5

Feb 4

Feb 3

Feb 2

Feb 1

Jan 31

Jan 30

Historical Museum - Photo essay - Jan 29, 2012
Wadsworth Diary - Jan 30, 1892

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Week ending - Jan 29, 2012

The week between the Patriots win in the AFC Championship game and their taking the field against the NY Giants in the Super Bowl. Lots of reflection on past matches, past history, interviews with the players and what it means to be in the big game. If you are a die-hard fan, this is the time you live for. If you are a player, this is what you have trained for. The chance. The big show!

After many years of discussion, meetings, proposals, and revisions the MSBA has approved the plan and amount as proposed for Franklin to use the model school program to replace Franklin High School. Franklin stands to gain a 104.5 million dollar school for the outlay of 47 million by the Franklin taxpayers. The Commonwealth of MA has determined to provide the rest. This is no small deal. This is a big and good deal. Where in this day and age of tight money can you get a 2 dollar return for the dollar you put down?

Some fly-by-night internet scam may catch your eye promising such a return. They won't deliver. They can't. Once you turn over your dollar, they are gone! Not so with this deal. The Commonwealth has been good to Franklin over the years. They are very good to us now.

This is an opportunity of a life time. Your children's life time perhaps. Maybe they will get to go to this new school. Mine are through FHS and college, and into the working world.

And no, the building alone does not provide a good education. It is the stage upon which the education can be conducted. It is a worthy stage for the highly qualified teachers, principals and other staff to provide the best we can for our children.

This is the start of the big show. Wednesday night's Town Council meeting will determine the date and the text for the ballot question that the Franklin taxpayers can vote upon to either approve this deal, or say no.

Stay tuned into this. This is the big deal!

For additional details on the Town Council agenda and action items, follow the links below.

Jan 29

Jan 28

Jan 27

Jan 26

Jan 25

Jan 24

Jan 23

Wadsworth Diary - Jan 23, 1892
In the News: library, mock trial

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Week ending - Jan 22, 2012

This could be a pivotal week for Franklin. The School Building Committee meets with the MSBA on Wednesday to see what the 'final' word is on the new high school proposal. Assuming the MSBA accepts the proposal, Franklin voters will have 120 days to approve funding for the project via a debt exclusion.

A debt exclusion is an increase in taxes for a specific period of time. In this case, it would be for 20 years. The debt exclusion differs from an override which while it is also an increase in taxes, has no end period. It becomes a permanent increase to the tax revenue.

Franklin has only approved one override (of 8 total offered to the voters) and has generally approved each debt exclusion although it has taken a couple of tries for some of the debt exclusions to pass. The more recent debt exclusions for the school buildings have all passed on the first try.

You can review the history of debt exclusions and override votes here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkwjbnXDBhczdDVWaFU0N2ZsTEE2TUVuWHk5NURvQWc&hl=en_US#gid=0

This was compiled from the official Franklin records and confirmed with the Commonwealth of MA records.

Back to the high school proposal. Assuming it passes the MBSA on Weds, then the School Building Committee is scheduled to come before the Town Council on their agenda of Feb 1. The agenda discussion will be around the election date and the ballot question. The election date currently targeted is March 27.

Stay tuned here for developments on this story. Franklin stands to gain a $104.5 M high school building for only $47 M (our portion). This is a good deal. You can find additional information at the new website put together by the "Citizens for a new Franklin High" http://www.newfhs.com/

Jan 22

Jan 21

Jan 20

Jan 19

Jan 18

STOP SOPA

Jan 17

Jan 16

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Week ending - Jan 15, 2012

"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?"

Showing my age a bit but the Sign Bylaw coming to the Town Council this week to start the formal approval process reminds me of the song. The Council will refer the Sign Bylaw to the Planning Board. The Planning Board will take input during a public hearing and ultimately send it back to the Town Council for approval. The Town Council will have two readings of the Sign Bylaw before they vote on it (usually at the same time as their second reading).

The section that covers for the transition from the old bylaw to the new says:

Enforcement and Pre-existing Signs

The proposed Sign Bylaw now clearly defines the Building Commissioner as the entity who will permit all signs, oversee installation, ensure compliance and remove non-compliant signs, regulate their maintenance, and initiate penalties. Pre-existing signs are grandfathered unless they were being displayed in violation of the existing Sign Bylaw. Pre-existing signs will remain as such until a new sign is displayed or any modification to the existing signage is made, then it must conform to the new Sign Bylaw.

The proposed Bylaw also addresses many issues that the previous Bylaw left unaddressed. One such issue the Bylaw now clearly defines is the role and responsibilities of the Design Review Commission. In addition, the proposed Sign Bylaw now address a more defined process for appeal of Design Review Commission decisions or appeals of a decision issued by the Building Commissioner.

Temporary Signs

The current Sign Bylaw addresses several types of temporary signs and the extent to which they are allowed. The proposed Bylaw clearly prohibits most temporary signs except real estate signs, political signs and non-profits if displayed in Municipal sign displays located throughout the Town. New business owners would be permitted to display one temporary sign for up to 30 days during the opening of the business.

You can read the full set of documents pertaining to the Sign bylaw with the Town Council Agenda document for the meeting Jan 18, 2012. The bylaw section begins on page 10.
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/011812.pdf

And for music to listen to while you cruise through last week's posts, here is Tesla with their version of "Signs":