Town Council approves initial funding of CPA funds (video)

The Town Council meeting of June 22, 2022 as broadcast is available for replay via YouTube.  Video link -> https://youtu.be/J0rn18f6aiM

My notes taken via Twitter are captured in this PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hfMfgMowj-Vh04MroSUgrEwK1qzVTLWm/view?usp=sharing

Photos captured during the meeting ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/h52SdtFSfb6gxofZA

Town of Franklin: Finance Committee - Agenda - June 15, 2022

Finance Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

Wednesday, June 15, 2022 - 6:30 PM

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

a. May 9, 2022

b. May 11, 2022

c. May 12, 2022

4. Community Preservation Act:

a. CPA Master Plan Version 2

i. Resolution 22-36: FY23 CPA Reservations (Budget)

ii. Resolution 22-37: FY23 CPC Appropriation of Capital Funds (Project Recommendations)

iii. Resolution 22-38: CPC Appropriation of Funds - Debt Service Maple Hill Land

5. Stabilization Fund Balances - 3 Year Comparison

6. Future Agenda Items

7. Reorganization for July 1st, 2022

8. Adjourn

Agenda doc contains remote connection information

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/06-15-2022_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

Town of Franklin: Finance Committee - Agenda - June 15, 2022

Community Preservation Committee approves plan for first authorization of CPA funds

FM #813 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 813 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting held in hybrid format on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. 

• Chair/membership: C Feeley, D McNeill (remote), M Doyle, J Livingstone, P Malcolm, M Giardino, W Simarian, L Oxford [R Power, absent]
• Town Administration: J Hellen, A Alleyne, K Bertone   

The meeting approved the minutes of the prior meeting via roll call vote (8-0-1; 8 for, 0 against, 1 absent). 

With some discussion on the overall plan, the committee then voted on each of the resolutions which passed with the same 8-0-1 vote via roll call.

a. Resolution 22-36: FY23 CPA Reservations (Budget) $1,887,000

b. Resolution 22-37: FY23 CPC Appropriation of Capital Funds (Project Recommendations) - $905,000

c. Resolution 33-38: CPC Appropriation of Funds - Debt Service Maple Hill Land - $271,489

There may not be a need to meet until September or later. With the new fiscal year, and the rolling project form, someone could propose something at any time. Once they did, it would be scheduled for a meeting.

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee discussion on June 7, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-813-community-preservation-cmte-mtg-06-07-22

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Meeting agenda =>    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/06-07-2022_cpc_packet.pdf 

CPC Plan -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022_cpa_plan_v.2_3.pdf 

My notes -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1koc2S9_y8Ksz_Q5M9K0A1zvTi4VGTAfg/view?usp=sharing 

Purpose	Amount
Historic Preservation Reserve Town Clerk Vault Records Preservation	15,000
Historic Preservation Reserve Historical Museum Cupola	70,000
Historic Preservation Reserve Red Brick School House - Exterior Preservation	200,000
Community Housing Reserve Franklin Ridge Affordable Housing Project	320,000
Budgeted Reserve Nason Street Tot Lot	300,000
Total	905,000

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Community Preservation Committee approves plan for first authorization of CPA funds

Town of Franklin, MA: Community Preservation Committee - Jan 4, 2022

The Community Preservation Committee will be holding a public hearing on January 4th, 2022 at 7:00pm regarding the use of Community Preservation Act funds as it pertains to our community needs. 

Please find the agenda and links for the meeting here: https://t.co/RpxOIrPkRY

Shared from Twitter here -> https://t.co/3tla8m1SAo

Town of Franklin, MA: Community Preservation Committee - Jan 4, 2022

Community Preservation Coalition: CPA funds can be used to buy a Christmas tree farm

Community Preservation Coalition (@CPA_Coalition) tweeted on Fri, Dec 24, 2021:

Who knew the #CommunityPreservationAct could be used to buy a Christmas tree farm? The Town @DuxburyGov did exactly that, forever preserving the Jaycox Christmas Tree Farm. 

Shared from Twitter => https://t.co/yMbcWjpBrc

More about the required membership of the Community Preservation Committee

https://www.communitypreservation.org/CPCs

Community Preservation Coalition: CPA funds can be used to buy a Christmas tree farm

Community Preservation Act Public Hearings Set to Begin in January 2022

The new portal to accept ideas or applications for funding for Community Preservation is now open. As required by law, the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is required to have one public hearing per year to hear input on how to allocate Community Preservation funds. The Franklin CPC has decided on two public sessions in January. 

The committee legal notice can be found HERE ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad_.pdf

The public hearing dates are:
1. January 4, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street  Agenda = https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-04_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_1.pdf
2. January 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street   Agenda =   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-18_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_2.pdf

Citizens may attend in person, through Zoom, offer comments and opinions, ask questions or submit ideas for consideration in our new online portal. Hard copy applications are also available by contacting Alecia Alleyne in the Town Administrator's Office at 508-520-4949 or by emailing aalleyne@franklinma.gov.

The Online application can be found HERE or by copying this link into your internet browser: https://franklinma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1097

The Application for Funding for the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) beginning July 1, 2022 must be received by 4:00 PM on Monday, February 28, 2022. After the first year of CPA funding, applications will be then taken on a rolling basis. 

Applicants should review the State CPA legislation prior to submitting any applications for CPA Funding. Please keep in mind that there are legal limitations on the use of CPA funds. 

Additional information regarding the CPC & CPA can be found at the following links:

1.  Community Preservation Coalition -> https://www.communitypreservation.org/about
2.  MA State Legislator - Community Preservation ->   https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter44B
3.  Secretary of State Page - Accepting the CPA ->   https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elecpa/cpaidx.htm

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) was passed in 2000 to help communities empower themselves to raise a dedicated revenue source for the purposes of open space preservation, historic preservation, affordable housing and recreation. 

The Town of Franklin approved the Community Preservation Act by local ballot November 2020. 

Please bookmark the Franklin CPC website: https://www.franklinma.gov/community-preservation-committee

Commonwealth of MA  CPA legislation ->   https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter44B

Shared from the Town of Franklin page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/2022-cpa-funding-application-now-live

Community Preservation Act

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 12/16/21 (audio)

FM #681 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 681 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of December 15, 2021: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Appointments

Franklin Cultural District Committee: Katherine Botelho

Franklin Cultural District Committee: Patrick Timmons

Community Preservation Committee: Richard (Rick) Power

 

2022 Annual Alcohol License Renewals

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._license_renewal_memo_list_motion.pdf

 

Presentation - Human Resources: Karen Bratt, Human Resources Director

The recording runs about 27 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to this recording of Town Council Quarterbacking Dec 16, 2021

** Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-681-town-council-quarterbacking-with-chair-tom-mercer-12-15-21

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Town Council Agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/december_15_town_council_agenda.pdf

 

My notes from the meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/recap-town-council-hears-update-on.html

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 12/16/21 (audio) 

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #1 - Jan 4, 2022

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #1

The Franklin Community Preservation Committee will hold two public hearings, Hearing #1 on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 7:10 P.M. and Hearing #2, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:10pm. These informational hearings will involve a discussion of Franklin’s needs, possibilities and resources regarding community preservation and the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to address these issues, as permitted by the CPA.

This meeting will be held in person in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street and remotely via the “ZOOM” platform.  Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. If you have any questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.

Submitted by,
Alecia Alleyne
Licensing Administrator

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad_.pdf

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #1 - Jan 4, 2022

Recap: Community Preservation Committee approves meeting schedule, reviews sample plans/applications, sets Jan 4 and 18 as public hearings

Quick Recap:

• A short 21 minute meeting saw the introduction of new member Rick Power. He will represent the Planning Board and was unable to vote until formally approved by the Town Council.
• The proposed schedule of meetings for 2022 mostly Tuesday nights to avoid conflict with School Committee and other meetings in the Council Chambers was approved by 8-0 vote.
• Discussion on sample plans and applications used by other communities. Watertown's plan and Concord's application were touted and generally received agreement to be used as the 'template' for the Franklin version
• Public hearings scheduled for Jan 4 and Jan 18 to allow the community to provide input and suggestions to develop the 'wish list' for how the CPA funds can be used.

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers. 

 

The Twitter hashtag #CPC1207 can be found online The thread begins with  

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1468368023450968065 

• getting ready for the Community Preservation Committee meeting tonight - agenda doc -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-07_cpc_packet.pdf…  #cpc1207
• meeting opens, motion to approve minutes of Oct 2021, passes 8-0 - new member representing the planning board is here listening/observing, can't officially vote yet (requires Town Council approval). #cpc1207
• discussion on proposed scheduled for meetings for 2022; motion to approve, passes 8-0 #cpc1207  (BTW - Rick Power is the representative from the Planning Board)
• discussion on CPC application and sample plans from other communities - see links in the agenda doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-07_cpc_packet.pdf…  #cpc1207
• two public hearings scheduled for Jan 4 and 18 to enable community input for the 'wish list' for which to use the CPA funds available in Nov/Dec 2022 #cpc1207
• Watertown plan touted as a good sample (side note, Watertown leveraged our charter once upon a time) #cpc1207 Concord application touted as a good one for consideration as a guide for Franklin's development
• The Town does have their own items for the 'wish list' one can look to the capital requests and see what of those make sense to use with CPA vs. remaining on the list for use with capital funds (i.e. free cash) #ccp1207
• consideration of applications as 'rolling' but have some level of 'cutoff' to enable the due diligence and prioritization to being before CPC for approval and then the Town Council #cpc1207
• expectation of the 4th and 18th is to open the listening session for ideas of possible use of the CPA funds #cpc1207
• motion to adjourn, passes 8-0 #cpc1207

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2c5102d4-6125-4beb-8e01-6732cdff24de

Recap: Community Preservation Committee

Finance Committee Meeting - Agenda - Dec 8, 2021

Finance Committee Meeting on December 8, 2021

Agenda
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes:

a. October 13, 2021

b. November 10, 2021

4. 2022 Finance Committee Calendar
5. Community Preservation Act

a. Sample CPA Plans

b. Sample CPA Applications

6. Open Meeting Law discussion
7. Future Agenda Items
8. Adjourn

Please find the agenda and links for the upcoming Finance Committee meeting posted here: https://www.franklinma.gov/node/51/agenda/2021

Agenda doc (PDF) (including remote connection info) ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_12.8.21.pdf

Finance Committee Meeting - Agenda - Dec 8, 2021

Recap: Finance Committee "unequivocally" approves Maple Hill purchase plan

Quick Recap:

• After reviewing the Maple Hill proposal, asking some clarification questions, the Finance Committee 'unequivocally' approved of executing the right of first refusal for Option 1.
• The Committee also approved two other financial transactions scheduled to come to the Town Council. 1 - for some transfers to fund the zoning study and 2 - utilization of some of the Fletcher funds for a bunch of recreation improvements
• Interesting question on the housing authority and what could be done after the second fire (first at Central Park Terrace, second at Winter St). Both properties and their funding is under State control, the Town has no control.

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #fincom0616
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom0616&src=typeahead_click 

• Getting ready for the Finance Committee meeting, back in the Municipal Bldg for this meeting first time in almost forever https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/6-16-21_fincom_agenda.pdf #fincom0616
• Chair Dowd opens meeting #fincom0616
• Motion to accept prior meeting may 19, seconded, passes 9-0 #fincom0616
• TA Jamie Hellen provides a recap of the proposal sharing the summary doc from the Town Council meeting last week. #fincom0616
• 5 years ago ToF had no money for open space, had to turn down two first refusal in 2017, and now have the funding with options available to make a decision. #fincom0616
• Multiple wins with the proposal; sold sewer beds to buy good forest, can use the 1.5m from sale as down payment, finance the balance with CPA funds of about $200k/year. #fincom0616
• Right of first refusal applies to chap 60/61 property classifications. Owner gets a break on the tax rate each year of ownership, in return Town gets the right of first refusal with a action time of 120 days. #fincom0616
• Q on rollback doesn't apply to Town, would apply to another purchaser if using as nonfarm. Maintenance costs would be minimal and not included in this purchase. Those potentially could be funded from future CPA projects #fincom0616 could Franklin do it's own ->
• Emerald necklace and connect properties together. #fincom0616 with the low interest rate, it makes the town standing more flexible IF something else came along. If we did use open space funds, then what would we have?
• #fincom0616 to "unequivocally" endorse the right of first refusal as proposed, seconded, passes 9-0
• Proposal for debt stabilization fund, to have a target of 2% and not use more than 50% in any one time of use; simple proposal, only a target and a use cap. #fincom0616 passes 9-0
• Fletcher fund proposed to be used for approx $90k, looking for financial support to move to the Town Council for approval. Youth sports orgs would use and benefits from these expenses, for expenses on town property #fincom0616 motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0
• FY 2021 budget adjustments, transfer req'd for town council approval, #fincom0616 to recommend $71k transfers in first case, and $130k for rezoning analysis. Using the capital approach for a financial perspective to allow flexibility on transactions
• Motion to approve 2134, seconded, passes 9-0 #fincom0616 Motion to approve 2135, seconded, passes 9-0 Future agenda items housing authority is not under Town authority, nominations for Board but that all. Comm of MA is responsible
• Motion to adjourn, passes 9-0 Staying here for the Economic Development subcommittee meeting at 7 PM. #fincom0616

Recap: Finance Committee approves Maple Hill purchase plan