Quick Recap:
- Acting Town Clerk Nancy Danello reminds folks of the election Dec 5
- Discussion on election 'rules' raised during citizen comments - debunked in Council discussion later, there are MA MGL and US voting rights statues but not the '30 page or rules doc mentioned'
- tax rate hearing was held. rate set at 14.65, a .14 cent increase of last year. The rate is a calculation that allows only a decision on a single rate or dual. Franklin is not in a position to use a dual rate so the Council voted for a single rate. The rest is a math exercise. I'll simplify the analysis later.
- Comcast cable contract came up for renewal, new one has a ten year term (good for us) as it enables Franklin to chose between Verizon or Comcast (or 'cut the cord'). Almost 5,000 user for Comcast in Franklin. One of the cable fees on both the Verizon and Comcast bill is what funds the Franklin TV cable operations (and coincidently an item on the agenda Weds was the quarterly transfer of funds from Verizon through Town of Franklin to Franklin TV - purely a pass through for accounting purposes)
- The bylaw to provide a reduction in license renewals for restaurants was approved at this second reading. It costs the Town approx. $13K in 'lost revenue' but will help each of the business in this pandemic period.
- Insights on the cyber theft incident were provided (finally) as the investigation (still ongoing) had developed enough info to be able to share. It was a target attack to the Treasurer/Collector over two months of email that led to a change in the processing of a payment that resulted in the diversion of funds. It was discovered in Sept when the real legitimate vendor came looking for their promised payment that had not been received.
- The individual was suspended, salary reduced and will maintain position as this (while a significant mistake) was the only blemish on her work
- At one point in the meeting she stood up to apologize publicly (well done)
- The investigation continues. The Town has obtained $200K from insurance to cover the loss.
- The balance will come from the emergency fund within the water enterprise account (already set aside for emergencies - usually for broken water mains)
- There is a possibility of recovery of the funds.
- There is no need to raise rates to cover for the loss
- Procedures were in place for creation of a wire transfer. Procedures will be modified to cover a change in a payment process.
- Additional training on cyber awareness will be conducted. All Town side personnel and School department central office personnel are currently part of this regular training (oddly, teachers (the largest segment of Town employees are not yet covered))
- After the presentation, a combined effort from Technology Director Tim Raposa, Police Chief TJ Lynch, and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, the Council took a 3 minutes recess before getting into their Q&S and statements
- The presentation doc was posted to the Town page after the meeting. Future updates can be found on the same page https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/spear-phishing
Photos captured and shared via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/gpptq8gBudNDT8dx6
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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 #TC1202
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc1202&src=typed_query
- Real time reporting underway for the Town Council meeting #tc1202
- New tagline for those connecting via cable and wanting the Zoom info #tc1202 visible on screen
- Town clerk provides updates on election Dec 5 #tc1202 wheel chair available if necessary. All voting in FHS gym or via mail to the dropbox at municipal building before Saturday
- TC candidate Alan Earls in citizen comment about election law and practices. Is there really a set of rules around the election? Other than the state MGL #tc1202
- Moving to tax classification hearing #tc1202 house values increased 2.8% tax rate increase proposed for .14 cents. Doc with details https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._20-68_0.pdf… TA Jamie Hellen introduces Assessor Kevin Doyle and Board of assessor present
- Annual tax rate setting formally closes out the budget year FY 2021. #tc1202 really only (1) an approval of what the tax calculation comes out as and (2) a decision on single rate. Runs 80/20 residential vs commercial/industrial properties. To move $1 from residents …
- As the pie grows (property values increase) the rate increase is less when the pie shrinks (property values decrease) the tax rate increases #tc1202 this slide shows the option if a dual rate was chosen
- The actual math to support the $1 vs $4 example mentioned earlier
- Council discussion adding clarification around the tax rate. This is an automatic calculation. Based upon the state law and prop 2 1/2 regulations there isn't much choice (aside from the dual tax rate). #tc1202 it is not an arbitrary number
- Motion to close tax classification hearing. Approved 8-0 moving to Legislation on tax rates to close out this portion of the topic. #tc1202 https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._20-68.pdf…. Motion to approve res 20-68, passes 8-0 https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._20-69_resolution_-_tax_classification_open_space_exemption.pdf… same vote to pass res 20-69
- https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10c._20-70_resolution_-_tax_classification_small_business_exemption.pdf… motion passes by 8-0 vote; https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10d._20-71_resolution_-_tax_classification_residential_property_exemption.pdf…
- Motion passes by 8-0 vote #tc1202
- Next up public hearing on Comcast cable license, renewal for 10 year period, https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda-items/10e-legislation-action-28… 4219 customers, 5% allowed for cable access, quarterly payments to help support Franklin TV operations; senior discount available, #tc1202
- TA Jamie Hellen provides overview #tc1202 do we need to commit for 10 year contract? Yes, there are other developments, there are almost 5000 customers here to serve. It is a reflection of the marketplace. It is in our interest to get longest contract.
- Cable attorney provides insights and argument for the long term contract, it is a win-win for Franklin, this meeting and broadcast of it is funded by the contract. If folks aren't happy they can shift to Verizon or cut the service. Enforcing the license is the easy part #tc1202
- The hard part is getting terms that work with both sides. Comcast has committed to a side letter on providing an electric program guide for Community TV. #tc1202 we provide the options Verizon and Comcast are here, competition, and if you cut cable go internet
- Motion to close hearing on cable, 7-1 vote to close hearing (Bissanti?) (Hard to tell who voted no) #tc1202 https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/summary_of_franklin_comcast_cable_license_renewal_draft_from_atty_wm_solomon_11.30.20_pdf_2.pdf… res 20-72 vote passes 7-1
- Moving to adjustment to service fees for restaurants, and alcohol license for season 2021 only https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10f._20-863_fees.pdf… to help the business survive the pandemic. Costs the town approx $13k, second reading. Listing of business impacted in doc link above
- Opened public hearing on bylaw, no comments other than Councilor Hamblen endorsing the move. Hearing closed, motion to approve #tc1202 via roll call 8-0
- Picking back to the agenda, cyber incident now up. #tc1202 there is still an active situation with investigation underway. Resist speculation. Don't make up your own stories of what happen. Personnel matters can not be disclosed
- Tim Raposa, technology director, starting with definitions. As much of what has been mentioned in social media is inaccurate. #tc1202
- #tc1202 slides on definitions
- #tc1202 segmented network with virtual lab areas, a key for security access. You can't get where you shouldn't. Anti-malware is not 100% perfect
- Cyber security training for all users regularly #tc1202 key definition page as we get to phishing and spear phishing
- #tc1202 funds were for the water treatment plant construction underway off Grove St. Town has taken several steps
- Implementation of recovery and prevention started simultaneously in September #tc1202
- #tc1202 we need to tell the agencies about what happened so that they can possibly solve this down the road. Insufficient evidence to pursue a case
- Bonds are not insurance #tc1202
- #tc1202 option to pursue the bond is too expensive. Need 'willful conduct' to pursue.
- Chief Lynch comes to update and give Jamie a water break #tc1202 FPD needs helps as their jurisdiction is Franklin bound. Subpoena and search warrants take time to execute and hindered by court reduction due to COVID-19
- #tc1202 procedure changes and training (certificate based)
- #tc1202 impressive statement by treasurer collector apologizing for the incident.
- 3 minute recess before getting to council questions and continue the meeting #tc1202
- #tc1202 meeting resumes
- #tc1202 are there chances to get the money back? The investigation is ongoing, I don't want to give a false sense of confidence. Likely not to get it back. We should resist temptation until the case is fully resolved.
- #tc1202 we need to make these trainings stick like the way sexual harassment training sticks.
- #tc1202 new webpage off the Town Administrator page for presentation doc and docs related to this going forward. https://franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/spear-phishing
- #tc1202 how will training change to accommodate the changes in outside and technology to avoid further phishing events? The training is such that it is part of normal business email.
- #tc1202 there was a lot of info and I'll go back and re-read, was there a comment on the water rate payers vs well water users? Yes, private well not part of enterprise funds. It could be approx. $30. There is no need to raise rates to cover.
- #tc1202 Mercer "I apologize that it took so long to get to the point where we could share what we have tonight"
- Good to see the lights out around town, would be good to get a list of the houses that are festively decorated. Motion to adjourn, passes 8-0. That is all for tonight catch you next time #tc1202
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| Town Administrator Jamie Hellen |
