Live reporting - Legislation for Action

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14:06: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library

Maria Lucier - President of Friends of Franklin Library
Established a scholarship in name of Wilma Winters
$1000 to FHS senior, part of consideration is an essay
now part of the MA Association of Friends of the Library
$184,000 donated since 2005; covering areas for where the budget is not covered

motion to approve, seconded - passed 8-0


2. Resolution 14-07: Revoke Civil Service – Fire Department
motion to approve, seconded

since 1975 various groups have been exempted from civil service
the long exception currently is the Fire Dept
we do have a legal obligation to negotiate with the Fire Union
The union had said they did not want to negotiate until the Council revokes
it is a difficult and tedious human resources process
over 200 folks took the test recently
every grandfathered who exists, would only affect future hires

Mercer - proud of men and women that work for the Fire Dept
all of the other unions have changed, I don't see a downside to this
the system is over 100 years old
directed to negotiate sustainable contracts, we don;'t want to eliminate positions
new contracts needed to contain different structures for new employees, the others have agreed to this
we are waiting for the fire union to make this agreement
as the last union
I would respectfully request that both sides return to the bargaining table to resolve this

Donovan - I disagree with de-valuing our job
I don't see someone coming on the job and being paid less than someone next to you on the line
everyone who has done this, causes problems done the road
whether you like unions or not, that is not the issue
mandatory overtime, short staffed
next 6-7 years three-quarters of the department would be gone
I don't see the few jobs that are out there will make the difference
we have to depend on each other
I think it is unfortunate that they made that choice
the nuts and bolts of each contract is different

Kelly - If it is hose that you need or equipment, I'd be first to get it for you

Pfeffer - do we have coverage?
McCarragher - we are at nine tonight, no one was taken off to come here tonight

Bissanti - Question on the process, it doesn't fall on deaf ears. Maybe special consideration should be made?
Nutting - we bargain how to implement the decision, there is no right to bargain over the civil service itself
Bissanti - I heard a compelling argument to keep it but then things change, it is not costing us anything. This should not be stopping our fire fighters from going forward. I haven't heard a compelling argument has been made. I can't see it

Jones - Councilor Mercer has stated all the facts, I concur with Councilors Kelly and Bissanti. My own union has been facing changes like this and we have overcome them. It is my hope that we can get over this and get to negotiation to resolve this. I think you do a great job.

Passed 8-0 via roll call


3. Resolution 14-08: The Woodlands-Approval of Modification (Amendment) to Regulatory Agreement
motion to waive reading, seconded
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

this was to resolve the legal matters around a bankruptcy


4. Bylaw Amendment 14-727: Amendment to Chapter 47, Alcoholic Beverages – 2nd Reading
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

formalize a past practice for treating liquor violations in a fair and consistent fashion
typically see compliance checks not the course of business violations
those are taken care of in a different section here
The ABC is not thrilled with compliance checks
in the course of the last appeal,the ABC was looking for written guidelines

good to see, can provide to the license owners so they will know
if adopted, this will be sent to all licenses holders

good to have a baseline to start with, does not change the Councils ability to deviate as necessary

Passed 8-0 via roll call


5. Bylaw Amendment 14-729: Amendment to Chapter 179-9.1, Exhibit A, Water System Map - 2nd Reading
motion to approve, seconded,
amended to include the memo from the Town Engineer for what the developer has agreed to for compliance

Passed 8-0 via roll call

6. Bylaw Amendment 14-730: Amendment to Chapter 139-14, Exhibit A, Sewer System Map – 2nd Reading

Passed 8-0 via roll call