Franklin Today

Trails Committee receives WISDOT grant

It is a huge positive for Franklin residents that the Trails Committee received a Walking Workshop grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WISDOT). This grant will be used by the committee as a precursor to applying for the Safe Routes to School Program, which will connect students with their schools via other means than a car or minivan. A huge thank you to Alderwoman Kristen Wilhelm for bringing forward this grant, which will now benefit our community.

The committee's success is also commendable due to its relative "newness" in Franklin; the committee's first meeting was in October. Within just two months of kick-off, the committee has moved forward in great distances and is helping Franklin be a better place for residents to live, work, and play. Hopefully the continued success of this committee with their work on areas surrounding Pleasant View Elementary School and Franklin High School will open new doors for other schools to be looked at as well.

With all of that said, committee member John Michlig noted that there is still "dissent" coming from one member. Based on past observations by me, I can't help but think that the dissenter is none other than member Randy Ritter, who also sits on the Plan Commission. I've mentioned previously that the residents at this time do not need wrenches thrown into a project and committee like this one. The goal of working towards a positive result needs to continue, and it still confuses me as to why some instead promote the negatives.

As far as I'm concerned, the desire by residents to put Franklin First hasn't disappeared.

Trails Committee & the Franklin School District - this will be interesting!

Last week Thursday I attended, as always, the Franklin Trails Committee meeting. As I've said before, I believe this committee has a good mix of individuals who want to be involved and create/facilitate something positive for the community. So far, they've been making significant strides in their 3-months of operation, which is truly impressive given the lack of movement on several Franklin commissions, such as the Economic Development Commission.

The Trails Committee, as you know, is looking right now at providing pedestrian access for the students at Pleasant View Elementary School, and recently expanded the range of focus to include Franklin High School. This was thanks to a smaller, initial grant that allowed the committee to be a little more broad and receive funds to do so.

The spirit of the aquatics center petition lives on

Just under two weeks ago, I ended the online petition drive that collected nearly 220 signatures from residents in Franklin and surrounding suburbs that asked for an aquatics center to be located in our community. While the county budget this year was a dog to contend with, and still has several hurdles before final approval, hope lives on and many elected leaders got an awakening.

Trails Committee to expand first priority of network to include FHS

I was among three residents in attendance at last Thursday's Trails Committee meeting. Personally, I'm glad the number of residents was more than just me! It was a good evening for the committee, which is currently riding on a wave of support from Franklin residents to better connect the schools with their neighborhoods.

An open letter to the Common Council regarding FHS sidewalk

Many residents in Franklin have been concerned about the lack of pedestrian accessibility in their neighborhoods and especially near the schools where their children attend. I'm glad that the council is continuing to make steps forward in providing taxpayers and their children a needed, safer, alternative way to get to and from school...even with the opposition by my alderman, Steve Olson.

An issue I'm concerned about was the approval of concrete sidewalks in front of Franklin High School (Item G.6). Being an individual who frequently visits other suburbs and has been rather on-the-go as of late, I’ve noticed that many surrounding communities have asphalt when they constructed their trails or even sidewalks. I believe Alderwoman Wilhelm noted that the Oak Leaf Trail in Franklin also has an asphalt walk. It also seemed to me that asphalt was cheaper upfront and more flexible, meaning an asphalt walk doesn’t necessarily have to be in a straight line.

I can easily see students attending FHS from the south more than likely not using the sidewalk the moment the homes pass them and all they see is the football practice field. Therefore, the sidewalk that will be in front of the high school from the edge of the homes all the way north to the edge of the parking lots and the baseball diamond will not be utilized by students. Students will simply cut across the field, or across the parking lot, to get to school. Therefore, since a concrete sidewalk option is being used rather than a more flexible asphalt trail along 51st Street, I believe that at least 1/3 (or even 1/2) of that sidewalk won’t even be utilized by students. This lack of usage will likely be claimed by some aldermen as "tax waste" and unfortunately could be used as an example of not expanding on a sidewalk/trail program in the community. This is my concern, since if the facilities are provided in the proper format, they will be used to the maximum potential. However, it looks like the lack of deeper thought could have eliminated a productive discussion.

It's disappointing that the city couldn't work with the school district further and spend the tax dollars allotted for the walk on a trail that could have been curved and shaped in a fashion that will be utilized by residents and students 100%, rather than just 66% or even 50%.

Trails Committee receives council blessing on grant applications

Last night, the Common Council opened the doors for the Trails Committee to begin applying for grants. One particular grant, Safe Routes to Schools, looks to be at the top of the list for the committee due to the general idea of having more accessibility to schools.

Residents remind us of the human factor

When I spoke during the 10/15 Trails Committee meeting, I mentioned one key aspect that many either ignore or don't remember. That aspect is the human factor. How can the people of Franklin be safe and get from one area of the community to the other without the fear of being clobbered by a vehicle? How can developments being proposed in our community have a greater impact for residents other than forcing people to park their cars and go to a store, only to come back to the car upon finishing there and having to drive several hundred feet to the other stores on their list?

Recap of 10/15 Franklin Trails Committee meeting

Since I've been interested in alternative forms of transportation throughout the community, the Trails Committee meetings have been the place for me to be. The topic of expanding the community's trail network is always a plus, since it connects neighborhoods with public facilities, shopping centers, and other points of interest. I have the intent of attending every one of these meetings and providing my input when asked.

Here is a recap of last night's meeting, of which I believe all of you should read and perhaps provide some input. From what I observed and wrote down, a key issue to the success of this committee is public participation. Just seeing the numbers of residents reading this blog and contacting me personally, I think having public input will be readily available.

You have a say on the CMP

I figured it would serve you better to post two separate entries on the Comprehensive Master Plan. The first post was regarding what the CMP recommended to the council. This piece is about what YOU, the residents of Franklin, want and what PDI/Graef (the consultants who worked on the CMP) felt about it.

Comprehensive Master Plan approval delayed

Last night, the Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP) for the City of Franklin was not approved by the Common Council. Instead, thanks to the efforts of several aldermen, the CMP will be furthered reviewed, modified, and then will approved no later than early November.