The Town Council meeting of Oct 16, 2024 condensed to 30 minutes in this Quarterbacking session (audio)

FM #1291 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1291 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, October 17, 2023.  

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact.

APPOINTMENTS

a. 2024 Election Workers

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS

a. Presentation: Franklin Branding Project - AJ Rebecchi 

LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 24-61: Local Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 40, Section 8J (Disability Commission) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-61 - Majority Vote)  

b. Bylaw Amendment 24-914: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 24-914 - Majority Roll Call Vote)  

c. Bylaw Amendment 24-915: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 139, Sewers - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 24-915 - Majority Roll Call Vote)  

d. Bylaw Amendment 24-916: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 147, Snow and Ice, Removal Of - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 24-916 - Majority Roll Call Vote)  

e. Resolution 24-60: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($2,125), Senior Center ($275) (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-60 - Majority Vote)  

The recording runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1291-town-council-quarterbacking-10-17-24/

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

Town Council agenda Oct 16, 2024

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_10.16.24.pdf

Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0-31yEe5Lk   

Photos of the branding presentation ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/hAFLbh9iGmNCZM819

My notes captured during the meeting and now in one PDF file ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WfDsPHUko2WK1i-xRMQFP24JZDvYI8rN/view?usp=drive_link

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

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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"

The Town Council meeting of Oct 16, 2024 condensed to 30 minutes in this Quarterbacking session (audio)

Voices of Franklin: Sue Dewsnap's comments on "Franklin’s Financial Stability and Future Planning"

As a taxpayer, I have significant concerns for Franklin’s financial stability and the lack of conversations and planning at the Town Council level on the topic.  After the failed override in June 2024, there was no municipal contingency spending plan available until 2 weeks after the vote.  It is now 15 weeks into FY 2025, and we do not have a published five-year projection.  The last quantified five-year projection was published on May 7, 2019 (link below). Without this information, how have you been making financial decisions?  

I attended the September 11 Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting.  After the discussion, I left with an estimate of $4.0 - $5.0 million budget shortfall for FY 2026.  Let’s see how close I am when the Joint Budget Subcommittee reconvenes on October 23, which will be almost 4 months into FY 2025.  If my estimate is correct, a $4.0 - $5.0 million budget shortfall will result in town reductions of 40 – 50 employees.  Where are we going to reduce 40-50 employees?  Are you prepared for those difficult decisions?  How are you going to do collective bargaining with our employees?

I’m most concerned about the lack of interest, urgency and commitment from this Council to solving our Town’s financial challenges.  At the September 11 Joint Budget Subcommittee, we were told that the process to develop a projection and identify cuts to services “will take some time”.  I respectfully challenge this, as our finances are not that difficult to predict.  Next step would be to decide which departments absorb the cuts and the resulting service impacts to the community.  I see no reason why this information cannot be available for Council review by Thanksgiving.

It’s time to start elevating this topic and requiring accurate financial information from our Town Administration on a regular basis.  A $4.0 - $5.0 million shortfall will have significant implications to our town services and further erode our school programs.  Franklin will look less attractive to new families and our property values will decline.  That is not the Franklin that I want to see.  I ask you to put Franklin’s future financial stability at the top of your priority list.

Respectfully,

Susan Dewsnap

Link to May 7, 2019 five year fiscal forecast:  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/fy20_-_fy24_five_year_fiscal_forecast_document.pdf

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Sue Dewsnap's comments on "Franklin’s Financial Stability and Future Planning"

Town Council gets update on branding efforts, approves additional election workers, after 30 minutes of citizen comments (video)

The Franklin MA Town Council met on Wednesday, Oct 16, 2024 in the Council Chambers with all nine members present. 

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0-31yEe5Lk

Agenda doc  -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_10.16.24.pdf

Photos of the branding presentation ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/hAFLbh9iGmNCZM819

The Council approved the following bylaw changes all via roll call by 9-0 votes

● Bylaw Amendment 24-914 will amend the town code relative to fees. The updates reflect increases, decreases, additions, deletions or corrections to existing fees due to changes in state law or state code, changes in market conditions for municipal fees and/or calculations to the costs of service.

● Bylaw Amendment 24-915 will remove old pipe materials (i.e. asbestos-cement pipe) as acceptable as well as clean up language for the drain layers license to conform with the fee schedule and current practice.

● Bylaw Amendment 24-916 will authorize the DPW Director to waive compliance with the bylaw, as well as the associated noncompliance fine, based on a determination of undue hardship of private residential property owner(s).

While the citizen comment instructions included a slight wording change, it wasn't applicable to the 40 minutes of various comments.

"The First of Many' a new tag line proposed for Town marketing efforts

My notes captured during the meeting ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WfDsPHUko2WK1i-xRMQFP24JZDvYI8rN/view?usp=drive_link

Town Council approves additional $1M for schools, starts process for override, turns down King St parcel zoning change (audio)

FM #1249 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1249 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, June 17, 2024.  7 members were present in Council Chambers, one participated remotely (Cormier-Leger), one was absent (Hamblen). For the time when Cormier-Leger participated all votes were recorded via roll call.

Quick summary

• A number of citizens comments accounted for approx. 30 minutes of the meeting before the Council began its business.

• The zoning change for the parcel on King St while forwarded to second reading by a 5-4 vote was roundly defeated by an 8-0-1 (1 absent) vote.

• The override and budget discussion resulted in two actions. 

• One - consensus to begin with a Joint Budget series of meetings to work on determining the future (assuming yes, when?), and getting consensus among the 3 committees (Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee) on an amount for an earlier spring vote.

• Two - the Council did vote to take $1M from the debt stabilization account to provide for additional funding for the School budget. The School Committee will vote to accept the funding at their next scheduled August meeting (Aug 13). (After this vote Cormier-Leger left the session)

• A set of 3 bylaws to change downtown commercial zoning to bring the Town into compliance with the MBTA regulations were approved and moved to second reading. The second reading will be a Council meeting in August.

• The zoning change for the mill store property on Union St was approved and moved to second reading (also at a meeting in August)

• The Council also voted to approve the land swap deal with the state. This work started approx. 11 years ago and finally getting to the changing of the deeds stage to complete. This will set up for future renovation & enhancements to the Beaver St recycling Center.

The recording runs about 3 hours, so let’s listen to Town Council meeting of June 17, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1249-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-07-17-24/

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

The Franklin TV video of the 3 hour session can be found ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/dvI5kTzZqP0?si=Od24AGR5njNiF99I&t=67 

Agenda document for this session: 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_july_17_2024.pdf

My notes as captured during the session can be found in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rUWE6iK-G1T7xnVsjgXiGj2-l2P9S9Kg/view?usp=drive_link

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

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"

Franklin, MA: Town Council -Agenda for Meeting July 17, 2024 at 7 PM

Master Plan Testimony Outline by Max Morrongiello

Below is a copy of an outline of my testimony from last night.

Best,

Maxwell Morrongiello

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

"My Name Is Maxwell Morrongiello. I live at 127 Central Park Terrace

Imagine a not too distant future, where you are in an area with bustling storefronts, a vibrant local economy, and transit oriented housing near a commuter rail and easy access to the highway. 

This, in fact, is not Franklin's downtown, but a revitalized and completely reimagined Forge Park 2 Miles to the west. This Master Plan Committee can lay the groundwork to make this future a reality.

Forge Park should be reimagined to have the following features:

·      Transit Oriented Mixed Use Development with easy access to 495 and the commuter rail

o  Think Assembly Row in Somerville

o  Limited traffic disruption to the rest of town

·      Connection to the Rail Trail

·      The Town should explore private and public bus options including

o  Implementing a Logan Express Bus Service

o  Direct Bus service to Worcester

o  Direct Bus Service to Providence

o  A joint agreement with RIPTA and MASSDOT to provide connection to RIPTA in exchange for increased commuter rail service

o  GATRA Fixed Route service

·      Zipcar and other car rental options

o  Would be utilized by reverse commuters from Boston,

o   Utilized by Franklin residents who don't often need a vehicle

During the Master Plan process Franklin Downtown has received a bulk of the attention. Don't neglect implementing a bright and bold vision for Forge Park!"

The Franklin TV link should bring you directly to Max's comments -> https://www.youtube.com/live/qK0miWgTjaU?si=SdA9QWEeoy3VD3U-&t=2547

Comment period open until May 31 for the MassDOT "Beyond mobility" plan

Thank you for your interest in Beyond Mobility, MassDOT's next Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan. This email provides an update on the plan progress and new information available on the Plan website.

 

Extension of Public Comment Period

Thank you for the comments you have provided on the Beyond Mobility plan so far. Since the start of the comment period, we have already received many comments. This feedback will be reviewed and incorporated into the final plan as appropriate.

 

Comment period open until May 31

With this update, we are sharing that the public comment period is being extended to 60 days and will now end on May 31^st, 2024. With this extension, we hope to provide you with more time to review the plan and provide feedback.

 

The press release on the extension of the comment period is available on the MassDOT website.  Secretary Tibbits-Nutt's quote in the press release states that “We have extended the public comment period from 30 to 60 days to make sure people have ample opportunity to review this incredibly comprehensive but very important document.”

 

The full Beyond Mobility plan and the executive summary are available for review on the plan website.

 

How to Provide Feedback

Comments on any part of the document will be accepted during the comment period through the online comment form. You may also email any comments to BeyondMobility@dot.state.ma.us.  

"Beyond Mobility is the next Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan. The plan is structured by six Priority Areas: Safety, Reliability, Supporting Clean Transportation, Destination Connectivity, Resiliency, and Travel Experience. These Priority Areas, informed directly by over 5,000 pieces of unique public feedback received as part of the development of the plan, serve as the backbone of Beyond Mobility.

 

Over 100 action items across these priorities have been identified within the plan for MassDOT and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to take to achieve a safer and more equitable, reliable, and resilient network.

For more information on Beyond Mobility please visit the Plan website. 

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C6JnAcfNoap/

Callaghan & McNeill joint statement made during Citizen Comment at the Town Council Mtg - Apr 10, 2024

Text of the Citizen Comment statement jointly made by Dave Callaghan, School Committee Chair, and Dave McNeill, School Committee Vice-chair at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday April 10, 2024.

Dear Chair Mercer, Vice Chair Dellorco and Members of the Franklin Town Council,

Thank you for your time and dedication to our wonderful community. As we collectively face the financial challenges ahead, it's imperative to recognize the stark reality: The Town of Franklin is grappling with a $10.1 million shortfall, and the School Department will need a $9.3 million increase in Fiscal Year 2025 - $7.3 million just to maintain current service levels and an additional $2.1 million to stabilize and partially restore from cuts that were made last year. 

In an effort to fund the school budget, there's been a reliance on temporary measures such as one-time investments, deferred projects, and depletion of reserve accounts. However, these strategies obscure the reality: the annual cost of educating students has risen far beyond what a 2.5% increase can accommodate.

On April 9th, 2024, the School Committee voted to approve the FY25 School Budget in the amount of $81,319,261. We are asking for the Town Council’s support to fully fund this budget that addresses the $9.3 million increase, up to and including initiating an operational override for the community to vote upon as a ballot question in time to fund the FY25 budget. 

We recognize the economic impact of this request for our community, and it is not a decision taken lightly; however, there are also consequences of inaction. Without intervention, we can anticipate a future of continued layoffs, overcrowded classrooms, rising user fees, a "pay-to-play" system for athletics, and a general decline in services across the board.

Fully funding the School Committee’s approved FY25 School Budget will stabilize our budget moving forward, allowing the school district to maintain appropriate class sizes, provide much-needed mental health support, keep up with rising cost drivers and obligations, and continue to provide the host of educational services this community has come to expect. Moreover, the School Department can transition from a reactive budgeting approach to one that enables them to proactively implement meaningful changes which would result in a sustainable budget, fostering agility and efficiency in delivering education for years to come.

Thank you once again for your dedicated service to the residents of Franklin and the betterment of our community. We look forward to our open dialogue and collaboration with you toward our common goal of making Franklin the most vibrant community it can be.

Sincerely,

Dave Callaghan                  Dave McNeill

 

School Committee joint statement made during Citizen Comment at the Town Council Mtg - Apr 10, 2024

Citizens Comment: Gretchen Donohue

Gretchen Donohue submitted this via email after the Tuesday meeting:

"Teachers, by their very nature, will not allow things to fall through the cracks.  I work in another district, but I don’t need to work in Franklin to know - the Franklin teachers cover that extra duty, attend that unexpected meeting, work with students through their lunch and after school, make that extra phone call to a family, and somehow get the supplies they need.  That’s just what teachers do.  

The dark side of our inherent desire to do what is best for students is that our efforts often hide serious deficits; teachers’ inability to let students’ needs fall through the cracks often masks just how close to the edge they are operating.   

In this case, appearances are deceiving; as they are often praised for doing, the FPS teachers are doing so much, with so little.  I personally don’t consider this a point of praise; I consider this an indictment of our inability to fully support our schools.  

I believe we need to reconsider our town tax structure to fully fund our schools.  A budget is a moral document, and we fund what we value.  I ask everyone to consider- what do we value? 

Thank you for your time. "

Gretchen Donohue

—————-

My comments delivered later during citizens comments: 

I am here to ask for a Facilities Master Plan and to urge caution in redistricting, especially of former DT families. 

To start, we needed a Facilities Master Plan when we closed DT two years ago, and we still need one now.  How can we be operating in a fiscally responsible way when every decision is made to get the district two or three years down the road? If option 2 moves forward, and about 20% of our students are redistricted, then what happens a few years down the road when the current facilities are either too small or too old to continue to operate? All three options mention a Master Facilities Plan, and, up until yesterday’s Space Needs meeting, we had been led to believe that this was part of the Town’s Master Plan and thus an 18-24 month process.  At yesterday’s meeting we heard that a Master Facilities Plan is a 6+ year process.  It is unclear to me not only WHERE this time frame came from, but also, more concerning is WHEN this time frame is being shared.  If a Master Facilities Plan would not be available until 2030, then why was this detail not included in the language of all of the survey options? 

Beyond the need for a Master Plan, we have the immediate issue of Keller overcrowding.  As a public school educator and a Keller mom, if teachers say a school is “bursting at the seams,” then I take them at their word.  Keller is at 109% utilization, and I know the teachers and staff have been dealing with the innumerable issues that are created when a building is over capacity.  We must do something, and we must do it now. 

Hence Option 3- in the absence of a much needed Masters Plan, option 3 offers an immediate short-term solution by using Sullivan space, while concurrently honoring the social emotional health of the DT students AND is in keeping with the words of Dr. Ahern about avoiding re-redistricting DT students. 

Of course it’s not just about emotions, geography, using space creatively and honoring the words of former superintendents, bottom line- the schools need to be concerned with costs.  Even though one of the guiding principles of the story maps was fiscal responsibility, the summary for each of the options does not mention any cost savings.  This is deja vu for me vis-a-vis the promised by never realized cost savings from closing DT. 

In closing, I hate to be such a downer, but in a world where so much trauma is unexpected, unwelcomed and inflicted upon our children, why would we choose to inflict potential distress on the former DT students?  Any impact on a group of students has the potential to impact any classroom, regardless of location.  I am asking that you please reconsider Option 3, or at least consider making some exceptions for DT families under Option 2.  

And for the district as a whole, please do not make the mistake of choosing another short-term solution that does not have data to support its efficacy or its cost savings. 

Gretchen Donohue

Citizens Comment: Gretchen Donohue