Showing posts with label OCPF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OCPF. Show all posts

Sunday, August 20, 2023

This Town Council Quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer covers the Aug 16, 2023 Council meeting (audio)

FM #1042 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1042 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 August 16, 2023


  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


We cover the following key topics

APPOINTMENTS a. Agricultural Commission   i. Daniel Morse  


PUBLIC HEARINGS 

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements  

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map  


Presentation: DPW Project Updates - Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director

i. Current Project Updates

ii. Pavement Management Program & Sidewalk Plan   

iii. Water Tank Master Plan


Discussion: Proposition 2 ½ Operating Override

i. Process - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator  

ii. Campaign & Political Finance and Ethics Laws - Mark Cerel, Town Attorney  


Near Future outlook

  • Police Station Building Committee meeting – 8/23 – 6 PM  (Council Chamber)

  • Master Plan Committee – 8/23 6:30 PM (3rd floor)

  • Dean College President Ken Elmore will provide an update at next session


Our conversation runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Aug 17, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1042-town-council-quarterbacking-08-17-23



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The complete agenda doc  ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_aug_16_2023.pdf

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/vlYIlCbc4hs 

The PDF with my Twitter thread of notes is available here https://drive.google.com/file/d/17mCqfZ5ZEaL6jBcpFEFFOrqh8NrW6noP/view?usp=drive_link 


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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!

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


This Town Council Quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer covers the Aug 16, 2023 Council meeting (audio)
This Town Council Quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer covers the Aug 16, 2023 Council meeting (audio)

Saturday, August 19, 2023

State Ethics Commission Feedback Shared by One Franklin

Hello One Franklin!!! 

I wanted to forward the email below to you all regarding the question that came up at last nights TC meeting. I sent the email to Nancy Danello, Town Clerk and copied Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator, Tom Mercer, Town Council Chair, and Denise Spencer, School Committee Chair. 

Thank you everyone, have a great weekend!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ruthann OSullivan 
Date: Fri, Aug 18, 2023 at 3:45 PM
Subject: State Ethics Commission Feedback
To: Nancy Danello 
Cc: Jamie Hellen, Tom Mercer, Denise Spencer, 
Kenneth Ojukwi

Hello Nancy (and friends)!!

I wanted to let you know that I spoke to the State Ethics Commission, Attorney John Macdonald specifically. I told him about the One Franklin Ballot Question Committee, as well as the fact that I am running for School Committee.

He verified what the OCPF had said, which is that I can run for School Committee without it being a conflict. Once elected, I will have the same restrictions as other members. However, I plan to contact his office once again if elected and get specific clarity as to my limitations working with One Franklin, which appear to be around fundraising and using municipal resources as expected. 

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions for me. Have a great weekend!!!

Ruthann O'Sullivan 
508-397-7785

 

State Ethics Commission Feedback Shared by One Franklin
State Ethics Commission Feedback Shared by One Franklin

Saturday, July 15, 2023

School officials likely violated campaign finance laws, Town Counsel says - Brookline.News

One key reason for being aware of the campaign finance rules and regs ... 

I would expect to see similar training in advance of the possible override being talked of for next year especially given the news from Brookline ->  
"Several Brookline school officials likely violated campaign finance law by sending out emails to parents with information about ballot questions ahead of the May election, according to Brookline town counsel Joseph Callanan.

By sending “unsolicited” emails to various school email lists about the operating override and Pierce school rebuild ballot questions, Superintendent Linus Guillory and four principals improperly used public resources, Callanan wrote in a report published July 7.

Callanan was investigating because a Brookline resident, Joslin Murphy, filed a complaint to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance after the election. Callanan sent his report to the state agency, which does not publicly comment on investigations."

public employees can take a position on a campaign but not advocate for it on official time
public employees can take a position on a campaign but not advocate for it on official time

The Office of Campaign and Political Finance webpage ->   https://www.ocpf.us/home

Sunday, January 23, 2022

OCPF Reports: Notice of Public Hearing on proposed Regulation Changes

OCPF Reports (@OCPFReports) tweeted on Thu, Jan 20, 2022:
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

E-mail jtait@cpf.state.ma.us for an invite to the hearing via Zoom. https://t.co/4i5TzDE4GG
 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/OCPFReports/status/1484274264559738883


OCPF Reports: Notice of Public Hearing on proposed Regulation Changes
OCPF Reports: Notice of Public Hearing on proposed Regulation Changes

Friday, December 4, 2020

OCPF Reports: FAQ on campaign treasurer role (video)

via The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance  https://www.ocpf.us/
 
"FAQ: I'm running for office. Can a family member be my campaign treasurer? #mapoli "

Shared fromTwitter:https://twitter.com/OCPFReports/status/1334455154310049794?s=03
 
Direct video link -> https://youtu.be/w0vkEUQgviQ