Town Council Recap - June 7, 2017

The bylaw providing for brewery, distillery and wine making tasting rooms moved to a second reading at the Town Council meeting on June 7. The Electric Youth performed a song as part of the annual visit before heading off to tour Europe. The change in manager of Elks Lodge was approved. The agenda did change from what was posted as Fire Fighters listed for swearing in and a presentation by the SAFE Coalition were rescheduled.

One of the interesting discussions occurred during a rewrite of the bylaw creating the Library Board of Directors where the phrase: 

"Elected officials or library employees of the Town of Franklin will not be appointed as members of the Board."

The phrasing is open for discussion as the measure was moved to a second reading without amendment. Councilors were encouraged to provide feedback to Town Administrator Jeff Nutting.

Editorial Comment on this: The Councilors would be better off spending time on other items. Respectfully, they are charged with

2-4-1 Except as otherwise may be provided by this Charter, all general, corporate, legislative and appropriations powers of the Town shall be vested in the Town Council. 

2-4-2 The Council may enact bylaws, rules, regulations, and other orders, not inconsistent with this Charter, governing its own proceedings, town functions, and all matters bearing on the exercise of its powers and duties.

They recently approved the $120M operating budget of which the Library accounted for less than 1%. There are better opportunities for the Council to find out what is going on within the Library than by having a member sit on the Board of Directors. 

• The Council can get a periodic update from the Library (as they do with the annual snow and water updates from the DPW). 
• They could spending more time on the actual budget review. Some will recall the budget hearings used to provide an opportunity for each department to present on their operations and cost drivers. 
• There are likely other practical considerations to be made as well.

What do you think about this matter? Feel free to comment or send me an email.

The full listing of Actions Taken by the Council can be found here:
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_june_7_2017.pdf

My notes taken live during the meeting can be found here:

• Live reporting: Action items to Closing
• Live Reporting: Appointments, Hearing
• Live Reporting: Town Council - June 7, 2017

The Electric Youth being introduced to the Town Council before their song performance