Franklin, MA: Town Council - March 15, 2023 - Agenda

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

March 15, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. March 1, 2023   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/3a_minutes_0.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Swearing In: Marciano Silva - Police Department

b. Swearing In: Christopher Gulla - Police Department

c. Swearing In: Michael LaCure - Police Department

d. Swearing In: Kevin Quinn - Police Department

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Master Plan Update Committee   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5a._master_plan_update_committee.pdf

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled.

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Discussion: FLOCK Cameras - Chief of Police Thomas J. Lynch

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a_flock_cams.pdf

b. Discussion & Project Presentation: 121 Grove Street, a “Friendly 40B” - Fairfield

i. Legislation for Action #9a

1. Staff Memo (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._1_-_memo_-_121_grove_street_a_friendly_40b2.pdf)  

,    Chapter 40B PowerPoint Presentation   (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/friendly_40b_presentation-pp_only.pdf)

; Friendly 40B process    (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2a._-_friendly_40b_process.pdf)

 & State Median Income Qualifications   (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2b._-_median_income_qualifications.pdf)

2. Proposed 121 Grove Street Application  (

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2c._-_121_grove_st._application_redacted.pdf) 

 & 121 Grove Street Site Plan    (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2d._-_121_grove_st._site_plan.pdf)

3. Planning Board comment letter  (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2e._-_planning_board_letter.pdf) 

& Conservation Commission comment letter  (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2f._conservation_commission_letter.pdf)

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 23-26: Franklin Town Council Support for Proposed GL Chapter 40B Affordable Housing Project at 121 Grove Street Pursuant to DHCD’s Local Initiative Program (LIP): Friendly 40B (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-26 - Majority Vote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._resolution_23-26_-_121_grove_st._friendly_40b.pdf

b. Resolution 23-27: Acceptance of an Additional 2% COLA for Retirees, as Authorized by Chapter 269 of the Legislative Acts of 2022 (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-27 - Majority Vote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._23-27_-_2_cola_for_retirees.pdf

c. Bylaw Amendment 23-893: Amendment to Sewer System Map - Second Reading

(Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 23-893 - Majority Roll Call Vote)   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._23-893_-_grove_st._sewer.pdf

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda doc also contains info on remote participation ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_march_15_2023_0.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - March 15, 2023 - Agenda

Boston Camera Club: The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views

Experience The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views A 250-ft Long Photo Exhibition at Fan Pier

The Boston Camera Club invites the public to view 88 large-scale photographs displayed in a series along an entire city block at Fan Pier on the Public Green in Boston's Seaport District

Free and open to the public from Memorial Day weekend through November 2021

May 17, 2021 – BOSTON, MA – The Boston Camera Club this week announced The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views, an outdoor photography exhibition on the Public Green at Fan Pier in Boston's bustling Seaport District. Spanning an entire city block at Northern Avenue and Marina Park Drive, the photo banner exhibition will run from Memorial Day weekend through November 2021. 

For the first time in the club's history, the imagery of BCC members will be on display outdoors in an immersive exhibition featuring 88 images printed on a large-scale banner, 5-feet high and 250-feet long. One image from each participating member's submissions was selected, and expertly sequenced by curator Emily Belz. Each image speaks to the next by subject, color, composition or use of light to form a bridge, creating a compelling visual experience, honoring each individual's view as well as that of the collective whole.

"It's a joyful experience for me to curate connections between photographs, pulling out what are sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden, and sometimes even humorous, parallels between pictures," said Belz. "Indeed, in this installation each photographer presents a Unique View and a meaningful contribution to this collective public art project," she added.

This project has a companion website, www.BostonCameraClub.photos, featuring an artist statement from each photographer and creative contributions from community groups from across the greater Boston area, including: Actors' Shakespeare Project; Boston Latin Academy Photography Club; Boston Latin Academy 7th Grade English Language Arts class; Mission Hill Women's Writing Group; Never Too Late to be a Poet; Rehearsal for Life; and Zumix. Participants from these organizations contributed poems, prose, audio, video, and artwork in response to the exhibition's photographs. All viewers of the banner and website are encouraged to share their own reactions on social media using the hashtag #BCCPHOTOBANNER.

"The community partner collaborations enhance the viewing of the individual images as does the professional sequencing of photographs on the banner," said Boston Camera Club President Tom Hill, who noted that the project was entirely conceived and developed by club members. "Collaboration with these community groups has built bridges among artists of all ages who would not otherwise have had opportunities to connect within the greater-Boston community. The timing of the exhibition could not be better and will supplement the diversity of outdoor art in Boston at a time when residents, workers, and visitors are breaking out of their pandemic cocoons." 

The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views is generously funded by Tufts Medical Center, Blue Hour Photo Ventures and two anonymous gifts. The Boston Camera Club is especially thankful to the owners of Fan Pier for warmly welcoming the photo exhibition to the Public Green.

About the Boston Camera Club

Founded in 1881, the Boston Camera Club is dedicated to the advancement of photography as an art and a science. The club currently has over 150 members, ranging in experience from novice to professional, from all over the greater Boston metropolitan area. Meetings are held weekly and include photo competitions, critiques, educational lectures, and studio portrait sessions. Additionally, the club sponsors exhibitions, field trips to local points of interest, and special events and workshops led by well-known photographers. For more information on club activities and membership, visit www.bostoncameraclub.org or connect with the BCC on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

 

The Focused Eye: Our Unique Views 

Franklin TV: "Owl-cam Sees All! Necessity is the mother of invention."

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 04/25/2021

We have all been reprogrammed by ‘Le Virus’. What was is no more, and we are headed toward our new normal, whatever that might be. The term ‘new normal’ has become part of our viral lexicon. We say it, but what is it? No one can fully know. That said, we are already living some part of it in our day-to-day. Specifically, we have changed the way we connect and communicate, and IMHO, some of that change is here to stay. I’ve opined in past scribblings on this page that Zoom is here to stay. I still believe that.

Before: Me? On a video? OMG! No way! My hair! My house! I’m a mess.
After: Zoom?  Yeh, fine.  Let’s hang out. Casual athleisure attire is de rigueur.

While laptop cams are pretty good for one-on-ones, they fall short for whole family shots and groups. Enter Owl-cam. It’s a smart camera. It’s wikkid soopa-smaht!

Owl-cam Sees All!

The Meeting Owl is a webcam. Like a webcam, it sees you; it also hears your voice. It has a built-in speaker system. Camera-microphone-speaker, all-in-one, and all connect to your computer with one standard USB cable. No fuss. No muss.

Owl-cam knows who is speaking in a group and shows only that person or persons to the other participants at the far end of the Zoom meeting. What is Owl-cam, and how does it work this magic? It has not 1, but 8 built-in directional microphones arranged in a circle inside its vaguely owl-like casing. Hence, its round shape.

The dome camera is actually at the top, but looks sideways for a 360-degree panorama view. The microphones inform the camera where the person speaking is seated. The camera pulls that person from the panorama image.  When two people speak, it does a side-by-side split-screen image of both.

You’ll see Owl-cams in action in the days ahead. We’re installing some in Town Hall, the Senior Center, our own community room, and wherever future groups gather to conduct hybrid Zoom meets in our new normal.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.

 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online

http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  or for archive purposes

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EDxLKpRhX5qRnUkh_l2g5gEkUXyfKICF/view?usp=sharing

"technologies are not perfect and they are never going to be perfect"

The Boston Globe has the following:

"Massachusetts public safety officials have halted use of a controversial license plate surveillance system on roadways across the state after finding a glitch with the technology that caused it to record inaccurate data for more than five years, according to a memo obtained by the Globe.

The inaccuracies were found within a network of high-speed cameras installed by the State Police that automatically photograph the license plates of passing vehicles. The data, including location, date, and time, is compiled in a massive database and used for criminal investigations and even finding suspects in real time — all without obtaining warrants or court orders.

The breadth of the newfound problem — and the impact it will have on an untold number of criminal cases — was not immediately clear Wednesday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/23/metro/after-finding-glitch-massachusetts-suspends-use-controversial-camera-system-that-lets-police-track-cars/

 

As I read this, the 'glitch; is in the date/time stamp and not the photo. Have you ever turned off a digital device to replace a battery and then, when turning it on, needed to reset the date and time? Apparently, that is what is happening with the cameras here. Something in the power goes out, when starting up again, the date/time is not accurate. It may default to "01/01/1900"  as some devices do.

"Military-grade camera shows risks of airborne coronavirus spread"

From the Washington Post, an article of interest to Franklin:

"As winter approaches, the United States is grappling with a jaw-dropping surge in the number of novel coronavirus infections. More than 288,000 Americans have been killed by a virus that public health officials now say can be spread through airborne transmission.

The virus spreads most commonly through close contact, scientists say. But under certain conditions, people farther than six feet apart can become infected by exposure to tiny droplets and particles exhaled by an infected person, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in October. Those droplets and particles can linger in the air for minutes to hours.

To visually illustrate the risk of airborne transmission in real time, The Washington Post used an infrared camera made by the company FLIR Systems that is capable of detecting exhaled breath. Numerous experts — epidemiologists, virologists and engineers — supported the notion of using exhalation as a conservative proxy to show potential transmission risk in various settings.

“The images are very, very telling,” said Rajat Mittal, a professor of mechanical engineering in Johns Hopkins University’s medical and engineering schools and an expert on virus transmission. “Getting two people and actually visualizing what’s happening between them, that’s very invaluable.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2020/12/11/coronavirus-airborne-video-infrared-spread/?arc404=true

image from an Infrared video of a woman wearing an unfitted surgical mask

In the News: Taste of MetroWest scheduled; red light camera ticketing proposed

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The 10th annual Taste of MetroWest is set for March 17, offering attendees a culinary “taste” of the region’s many restaurants, breweries and unique cuisines.

Samples of foods and beverages from throughout MetroWest will be available to enjoy during the event, said Jim Giammarinaro, president and CEO of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s an opportunity for people to get together and try out foods and drinks from across the community,” he told the Daily News in a recent phone interview.

Guests can expect to find offerings from an array of local restaurants and breweries, such as the Coach Grille in Wayland, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in Natick, and Jack’s Abby in Framingham."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200219/prime-your-palates-taste-of-metrowest-set-for-march-17

For more info and to purchase tickets:  http://www.metrowest.org/taste-of-metrowest

10th annual Taste of MetroWest

"Drivers might think twice about gunning it through an intersection when the light has just turned red if a bill the Massachusetts Senate plans to debate next week becomes law.

Under a bill (S 2553) scheduled for a vote next Thursday when the Senate meets in its next formal session, cities and towns across Massachusetts could decide to install automated road safety camera systems to identify and then photograph vehicles that commit any number of traffic law violations at intersections.

The camera systems could look for vehicles that fail to stop at a red light, cars traveling at least five miles an hour above the posted speed limit, vehicles making a right turn at a red light where prohibited, and cars blocking an intersection or bus lane. Drivers who put the pedal down when they see a yellow light, however, would be are safe -- the bill declares that it would not be a violation “if any part of the vehicle was over the stop line when the light was yellow.”

If caught by a camera, the vehicle owner could be hit with a fine of up to $25 under the bill, which was originally filed by Sen. William Brownsberger and redrafted by the Ways and Means Committee."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200220/red-light-cameras-could-get-green-light-from-senate/1

The text of the proposed legislation can be found
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2553

camera systems could look for vehicles that fail to stop at a red light

"It’s a problem with invasion of privacy”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Sudbury Police Chief Scott Nix said officers try to do the best they can in difficult environments, and body cameras alone do not necessarily capture every angle in police interactions.

Many area police chiefs acknowledge that body cameras are an opportunity to improve transparency between law enforcement and the public. But they say the benefits of such high-tech improvements come with additional costs.

Other than Sherborn, no community police department in the MetroWest region currently wears police body cameras when responding to suspected crimes.

“There’s much more to it than the monetary cost,” said Sudbury Police Chief Scott Nix. “It also includes the cost of retention of the footage and the ability to reproduce it in different formats. We want to be educated and informed on the best route for the town.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190727/metrowest-chiefs-cite-cost-as-key-deterrent-to-implementing-body-cams

“The question is not what you look at, but what you see”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Stony Brook Camera Club will present “The Art of Landscape Photography” with Ron Wilson on Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. 

The presentation will show that subject matter provides the building blocks while composition acts as the glue holding it all together and lighting sets the stage for capturing a moment able to convey a sense of being there. 

Topics covered will include: How to think visually through use of the elements of color, shape, line, texture and pattern, how to use light in a way that best reveals the subject, and how to frame an image around an effective compositional base."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180130/stony-brook-camera-club-to-present-landscape-photography-program

“The question is not what you look at, but what you see”

In the News: Stony Brook Camera Club; minimum wage; now what for recreational marijuana

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Stony Brook Camera Club of Franklin will present the program "Fine Art Photography and Mixed Media: Creative Inspiration" by Stephen Sheffield at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Anglican Church of the Redeemer, 31 Hayward St., Franklin. 

Sheffield, a native of the Boston area, is an alumnus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and mixed media. He went on to receive his Master of Fine Arts in photography and mixed media from the California College of the Arts in Oakland, studying directly under and working as assistant to Larry Sultan, as well as studying under Jean Finley, Jim Goldberg and others."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161222/stony-brook-camera-club-to-present-stephen-sheffield

"When the Massachusetts minimum wage increases to $11 per hour on Jan. 1, it will be among the highest in the nation, but that won't last long. 

"California and New York State have passed bills to raise their minimum wage to $15," said Andrew Farnitano, a spokesman for Raise Up Massachusetts, a coalition of labor unions, community organizations and religious groups advocating for a $15 minimum wage. "This is something where Massachusetts has historically been at or near the front of the country, and I think we're in danger of falling behind again if we don't continue to raise wages." 

Seven other states have plans to raise their minimum wages to even higher levels in the coming years, including New York, which will raise the hourly minimum wage for New York City to $13 next December, then to $15 effective Dec. 31, 2018. California's minimum wage will go to $11 in January 2018, then increase by $1 each year until hitting $15 in 2022."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161222/state-minimum-wage-increasing-to-11-in-new-year

"Voters in Massachusetts have legalized marijuana, but it will likely be more than a year before the first pot shops open in the state. 

In the meantime, there's a long to-do list for lawmakers and government officials and local officials. Following the Nov. 8 vote, policymakers will soon begin the process of implementing and regulating pot sales in the commonwealth, a process that could potentially see legislators alter the new law by enacting higher marijuana tax rates and adding regulations. On the local level communities like Marblehead are just beginning to wrap their heads around what legalization means for them. 

"It's not going to be a free for all," said Town Administrator John McGinn."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161222/marijuanas-legal-in-massachusetts-so-now-what

In the News: Bellingham Harvest Fest, camera club to share photoshop tips

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Two local churches will be looking to carry on an annual tradition this Saturday, when they host a harvest festival on the Town Common. 

The First Baptist Church of Bellingham and the Bellingham Bible Baptist Church will be holding their "Harvest Fest" starting at 11 a.m. and running to 3 p.m.
Pastor Baron Rodrigues of the First Baptist Church said the event dates back to around 2012. 

"At the time, businesses were struggling and people were struggling," he said. "Money was tight, which is why everything's free at the festival - there's no selling of anything."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160928/bellingham-harvest-fest-set-for-saturday

"The Stony Brook Camera Club will present a program, “Photoshop Tips for Quick Fixes” by Rick Cloran, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Anglican Church of the Redeemer, 31 Hayward St., Franklin. 

Cloran has been a member of the Greater Lynn Photographic Association since 1975, and a member of the Photographic Society of America since 1976. During that time, he participated in workshops with such noted photographers as George Lepp, John Shaw and John Gerlach as he developed his own photographic style. 

Since 1986, Cloran has lectured and judged photographic exhibitions throughout the United States and Canada. In recognition of his work in support of local, regional and national photographic organizations, Cloran has been awarded the honors of fellow of the Photographic Society of America, and is an honorary member of the New England Camera Club Council."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160929/stony-brook-camera-club-to-host-program-by-rick-cloran

autumn colors appearing in Franklin

Franklin Historical Museum Event At Almont Gallery In Medway - Aug 28

A unique event allowing a rare opportunity to view selected vintage photographs from the collection of the Franklin Historical Museum will be held at Almont Gallery and Studios August 28th. The public is invited to view classic vintage photos from the museum’s collection which have been digitized for clearer and closer viewing. The images will be shown on giant poster size digital display units hung throughout this one-of-a-kind gallery. 

This is a unique chance to see Franklin’s historic photographs like you’ve never seen them before. Many of the photos are labeled with dates and information, but guests will have the opportunity to name people, locations and events not previously identified. The images date from the early 1900s through the 1950s and include photos of FHS Athletic teams, police and fire department photos, factory and mill images, family photos and many more.

If you love Franklin, love history, love photography and love unique social events, you won’t want to miss this chance to see these vintage photographs come to life. If you find a favorite image, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase the photo.

Almont Gallery is located at Medway Mills, 161 Main Street, across from Choate Park. The event starts at 3:00PM and runs to 6:30PM, light refreshments will be served. 

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing our collection. Admission is free of charge.

Almont Gallery and Studios

Franklin Photo Day - Sat, Sep 11

1. Take your camera
2. Walk Main St
3. Take some photos
4. Share them on http://www.mappingmainstreet.org/

Unlike last weekend, Labor Day weekend complicated by the remains of Earl, the weather this weekend looks to be much better.

Spend sometime with your camera walking along Main St (or your street) and take some photos of the environment around you.

What do you see?
How long has it been there?
Will it, could it change?

Share them on the Mapping Main St link. There are currently no entries for Franklin, MA.

Will you be the first?

And while you are walking around, if you see someone else with a camera, stop and introduce yourself.



Franklin, MA

Kodak Digital Camera Found

A Kodak digital camera with a red case was found in the driveway to the Parmenter Elementary School on Wachusetts St on Saturday morning.

It looks like it has been run over. The screen is cracked but it powers on. There are pictures stored on the card.

The camera was left with the Franklin Police Dept on Panther Way and can be claimed there.

"How Can I Become Part of this ReadWriteWeb Revolution?"

In our continuing series on Web 2.0, the K12 Online Conference is underway. The video clip here is one of the two keynote addresses that opened the conference. It is being conducted virtually, that is, totally online.

The keynote presenters in this clip are all from Maine. They creatively used Flip cameras to video their conversation to share with the world.

Note: this presentation is geared for teachers and urges them to get involved in the ReadWriteWeb Revolution, but you can put yourself in this position too! How are you going to continue learning to keep up with the changes in this world?

The steps they outline are easy enough to pick up and use. The online tools are mostly free. Digital cameras or camera phones are reasonably priced. The bar for entry is set low. All you need is desire.




Click through to the web site for the conference to find additional information (i.e links) for the tools and articles they referenced.

Enjoy!

------

Why put this here?

There is great potential in expanding learning at a very reasonable cost (small dollars if not free) with the Web 2.0 tools. With an economic future like schools in MA in particular have facing them, this is an avenue to consider.