In Other News

Another Kingsbury Pond Bill Filed

The long-running saga of Kingsbury Pond, just over the border into Norfolk, which abutters claim began shrinking years ago when Franklin began taking water from nearby Well #4, is back.   Norfolk Rep. Marcus Vaughn has refiled H1061 – An Act to Establish a Study of Kingsbury
Pond in the Town of Norfolk in the current legislative session. This
bill aims to assess the pond’s water levels and the impact of
surrounding wells. The bill will be up for a public
hearing today, April 8th, from 1:00–5:00 PM at the State House, Room
A-1. Both written and oral testimony will be accepted.
Written
testimony: Email your letter to
jointcommittee.environment@malegislature.gov.
Oral
testimony (in-person or remote): To sign up, email Jacob Newman at
Jacob.Newman@mahouse.gov.  
"As
Norfolk's State Representative, I am proud to have filed legislation
to address the longstanding concerns surrounding Kingsbury Pond.," said Vaughn. "This
bill reflects the voices of Norfolk residents who have consistently
advocated for responsible stewardship of our natural resources and
for solutions that preserve the environmental health, safety, and
accessibility of the pond."

It's Lt. Gov. Driscoll

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll will chair a meeting of the Local Government Advisory Commission Meeting, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 E Central St, Rm 219, Franklin, MA 02038.

Mandated Boating Skills Classes Offered

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Tri-State Flotilla, Massachusetts will be instructing
three upcoming boating safety classes that meet current state mandated educational requirements.
The BOAT AMERICA COURSE is offered in a one-day format developed to provide the skills
and confidence needed to explore the coast and inland waters by boat. Basic knowledge and
skills are needed to have safe and enjoyable boating experiences. This course is perfect for
families that have just purchased any type of boat or are planning to in the future, and for the
boater keeping up with changes to boating regulations and laws. Basic marlinespike seamanship
(knots etc.) will also be included. Successful completion of the course will certify any minor,
from 12 to 16 years of age, to operate a powerboat, including a Personal Water Craft / Jet Ski (for
16 & 17-year-old operators), on all Massachusetts waters; in conjunction with the Mass.
Environmental Police. Approved by National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
(NASBLA) it will also cover the requirements to operate a vessel in most other states & many
countries where boating safety education is mandatory including RI and CT.
The Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act, signed into Mass. Law January 8, will now require ALL
Mass. motorboat operators to complete an approved Safe Boating Certificate course before April
1, 2026 for anyone born after 1/1/1998, and by April 1, 2028 for boaters born before 1/1/1998.
Enforcement of the new law will begin on September 1, 2026. This course meets the future
Mass. requirement. Most boating insurance companies offer a discount on premiums for
successful completion of this course.
Participants 16 years old and under must be accompanied, in person, by a registered
parent/guardian. SPACE IS LIMITED so register soon:

Milford High School – Saturdays – May 3 and June 7 - 9 AM to 5 PM
Milford High School courses offered at 31 West Fountain Street, Milford, MA.
Registration is managed through the Milford Community School Use Program,

https://milfordcommunityprogram.activityreg.com/ss_t2.wcs
Adult-Winter-2024/2025 and Spring 2025 – Educational - Boat America Certificate Class
or call Laura Farrell (508) 478-1119, email lfarrell@milfordma.com;
The registration deadline is six days prior to course,
For additional USCGAux. information: phil.uscgaux@verizon.net or (508) 478-3778.
Webster Fire Department - Saturday May 17 – 9 AM to 5 PM
Webster Fire Department Classroom 55 Thompson Road, Webster, MA
Contact our Public Education Officer Phil Kubat for registration or additional
information: email phil.uscgaux@verizon.net or call (508) 478-3778.

To locate these and other USCG Auxiliary courses (BA and BS&S) that will meet
certification requirements go to: https://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/class_finder/index.php

State Tax Burdens Calculated

With Tax Day approaching on April 15, the personal-finance website WalletHub has released its 2025 Tax Burden by State report, as well as expert commentary. In order to determine which states tax their residents most aggressively, WalletHub compared the 50 states based on the three components of state tax burden — property taxes, individual income taxes, and sales and excise taxes — as a share of total personal income.  Unsurprisingly, New Hampshire was the third from the lowest in total tax burden while the Bay State managed to avoid "top ten" most burdensome status, but did come in at #13.

About that Safe Harbor Letter

An informed source tells us that the Chair of the Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals, solicited the views of all key town departments several months ago regarding whether to apply the Safe Harbor option to the Stobbart 40B project and supposedly got no response.