Franklin Matters: Recap: Introduction, retirement, promotion, and two presentations highlight the Town Council meeting

Friday, September 17, 2021

Recap: Introduction, retirement, promotion, and two presentations highlight the Town Council meeting

Quick Recap:

Less than polite discourse around comments regarding the Senator Warren visit to the Town Common continue among multiple parties. Edgy tone continues in a long set of 'facts' ultimately leaving one citizen confused about the zoning bylaw proposal reviewed in the public hearing at last meeting and then put aside.
Brief introduction of new Veterans Service agent - Shannon Nisbett and Debra Martin now a Town employee (previously funded by Norfolk County).
One retirement and one promotion recognized with state and local proclamations including swearing in for promotion
New all alcohol license approved for the Franklin Shed, a new restaurant slated to open in early to mid-2022 next to the Big Y
Presentation from Jen Knight-Levine touting the services and development of SAFE Coalition also closed with the staggering fact on the potency of THC in the vap cartridges today vs. the marijuana of several years ago
Jen Delmore, Conservation Agent, provided an update on the progress to mitigating the invasive plant growth on the DelCarte ponds. Much accomplished, more to be done before fishing can be restored
Formal passage of the trash/recycling fee with the second vote to approve. An increase of $8/year for the normal containers, no change for the smaller containers. This still leaves the town residents paying less than the $300/year we paid before the single stream system was implemented.

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting although this time, reporting live from the Council Chambers.

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/3y3gZiaavkP78m6A6

The Twitter hashtag can be found online #tc0915
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc0915&src=typed_query

Agenda doc (including connection info) ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf

getting ready for the Town Council meeting at 7 PM - agenda can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf #TC0915
All 8 councilors present this evening (1 spot open due to resignation, to be filled with the Nov 2, 2021 election) #tc0915
Chair Mercer opens meeting; multiple access to meeting reminder - in person, Zoom access, live stream via Town page, or cable via Verizon/Comcast #tc0915
brief intro of Shannon Nisbett, new Veterans Service Officer (replacing Dale Kurtz who retired); Debra Martin, assistant to the VSO now a ToF employee for veterans service #tc0915
Nancy Danello, acting Town Clerk, with an update on the local election - Sep 30 last day to withdraw; Oct 13 last day to register to vote; Oct 14 candidates night; Oct 20 machine testing; early voting during business hours once ballots arrive #tc0915
Sat Oct 23, and Sun Oct 24; from 10 AM to 1:00 PM for early voting in the Town Clerk's office #tc0915
J Callaway-Tripp making comment against Pellegri's comments from the Sep 1 meeting; slander, violation of resolution 20-14. #tc0915
C Cass commending Pellegri for her comments; #tc0915 some of the heckling occurred during a requested moment of silence; showed lack of decency by those participating
J Maciel (?) re: comments on the research she did regarding the zoning discussion; what is the cost? What are the qualifications of the MAPC? Confused by the actions and notes of the discussion around downtown parking #tc0915
D Bardsley - sad about the blurred lines of opinions; #tc0915
approval of mins from Aug 28 meeting; second, passes 8-0 #tc0915
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS a.Police Department: i.Sergeant Lee Drake - Retirement #tc0915 ( photos to be added )
Sergeant Drake with Chief Lynch and State Rep Roy #tc0915
Not to be out done, the Town Council also has a proclamation of recognition #tc0915 Chair Mercer presenting
Sergeant Louis Marguerite - Promotion Chief Lynch provides intro, N Danello swears Sgt in to office; pinned by family members (photos to be added) #tc0915
Promotion photos as referenced #tc0915
5.APPOINTMENTS a. Janice Prentice - Associate member, Historical Commission https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5a._appointment_-_prentice.pdf… motion to approve, second, passes 8-0 #tc0915
b. Chuna Keophannga - Finance Committee https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5b._appointment_-_keophannga.pdf… motion to approve, second, passes 8-0
c. Tyrel Hansen - Finance Committee https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5c._appointment_-_hansen.pdf… motion to approve, second, passes 8-0
next up -> a. Franklin Shed, LLC d/b/a Franklin Shed, New Section 12 Restaurant, All Alcoholic Beverages, and approval of manager, located at 340 East Central Street, Franklin, MA. https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._web_franklin_shed.pdf… #tc0915 motion to approve, second, passes 8-0 via roll call
two roll call votes, one to approve license, second to approve the pledge of license as collateral for loan from bank - both pass 8-0 #tc0915
next up - SAFE Coalition, Jennifer Knight-Levine, Executive Director #tc0915
Slides being talked to about SAFE #tc0915
AWESOME, Jen Knight-Levine and SAFE are an incredible resource for this community and the surrounding coverage area #tc0915
host community agreements are a complex mix but we do allocate funds for SAFE and will do more so as they become available. #tc0915
Dellorco with great heartwarming story, Mercer in a short time (5 years) the development and the breadth of services is awesome #tc0915
Next up Jen Delmore, Conservation Agent with an update on the weeds at DelCarte #tc0915 presentation copy https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._delcarte_weeds_pres.pdf
part way there with milfoil getting resolved;; chestnut still to be monitored and treated #tc0915 long term plan to clear the plants first, then get the invasive fish species, and settle it, before stocking with game and native fish
subcommittee reports: EDC met this evening, next meeting Oct 20, discussion on town branding and wayfinding #tc0915
a. Resolution 21-53: Gift Acceptance, Franklin Public Library $5,890, Veterans’ Service Department $300, Fire Department $200 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-53 - Majority Vote) motion to approve, second, passes 8-0 #tc0915
b. Bylaw Amendment 21-875: Chapter 82, Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - 2nd Reading (Motion to adopt Bylaw Amendment 21-875 - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10b._21-875_trash.pdf… motion to approve, second, passes (via roll call) 8-0
no Town Administrator report tonight, future agenda items - Oct 6, School District to provide an update to Council on their Davis Thayer plans and timeline #tc0915 there will be an open house but no date available at this time
councilor comments; Chandler - thanks for the increased participating; Hamblen, thanks for the presenters tonight, thanks for the zucchini racers; thanks for the Cultural Festival - Harvest Festival - Oct 2 (rain date Oct 3) #tc0915
bike racks on Common, complete streets - Sep 22, 6:00 PM, at Farmers Mkt this Friday to gather info on improvements re: complete streets; #tc0915 incredible event, kudos to those who put this on - Kaye Kelly, Chair of Cultural Council
MAPC is the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, they are highly professional and experienced in doing this kind of work #tc0915 MAPC will have a booth at the Harvest Festival Oct 2 to introduce new websites for feedback;
pancake breakfast every 2nd Sunday at the Rod & Gun club - #tc0915 Cultural Festival, also at the Historical Museum for the speaker there, impressive, was recorded will be available for replay.
Thanks to the Fire/Police Chiefs to come in to recognize the retirements and new hires; SAFE doing great things for our community. #tc0915 motion to adjourn, second, passes 8-0