Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Feb 12, 2020

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- None

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Firefighter/Paramedic: Michael McConaghy

5. APPOINTMENTS
- None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm
Zoning Changes:
20-849: Changes to Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System Use Regulations and Use Regulations Schedule Updates
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-849_hearing.pdf

20-850: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-850_hearing.pdf

20-851: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Oak Street and Dailey Drive
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-851_hearing.pdf

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Housing Authority - Lisa Audette, Executive Director, Franklin Housing Authority
b. Transitional Assistance Discussion - Franklin Senior Center

Transitional Assistance from Franklin Matters

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw 20-847 As Amended: New Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-847 As Amended: Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-852: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-852: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-12: Gift Acceptance Franklin Police Department - $10,000 (Motion to approve Resolution 20-12 - Majority Vote)

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-13: Gift Acceptance Franklin Fire Department - $10,000 (Motion to approve Resolution 20-13 - Majority Vote)

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-Law Amendment 20-849: Changes to Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System Use Regulations, And Use Regulations Schedule Updates- First Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-849 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-850: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets- First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-850 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-851: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Oak Street and Dailey Drive - First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-851 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-14: The Town of Franklin Civil Discourse Pledge (Motion to approve Resolution 20-14 - Majority Vote)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-14_franklin_web.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
- None Scheduled

ADJOURN

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda and docs released for this meeting can be found in one PDF
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-02-12_tc_agenda_web.pdf

Individual docs may be available on the Town of Franklin agenda page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/february-12-town-council-agenda

beaver damage at DelCarte observed recently

Franklin Issue on the 2020 'Watch List': Citizen Engagement

The four issues on the watch list recently posted really boil down to two general buckets of issues: 

1 - the Town budget - facing a possible override along with increases in both water/sewer rates and trash/recycling along with intro of another fee for stormwater (with PFAS as a 'sleeper' cost to be addressed)
2 - the multiple school district issues covered in the two posts; the school budget, Davis Thayer, and the 'paused' school start time issue

The third issue I'll raise is also one of the possible solution areas.

The Town Administration and School District can proceed working with the Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee and other departments in the Franklin government on our behalf, as we elected them to do, or we, the residents and voters, can step away from Facebook, and truly get involved to do something.

As part of the Town Council goals and objectives, there are proposals for Civic Engagement efforts. 

Civic Engagement (NEW) 

● Research the potential for a “Citizen’s Academy” course for citizens
● Research the ICMA Citizen Satisfaction Survey through the National Citizen Survey and National Research Council
● Continue to update and reinvent the Town website, social media accounts, consider implementing a TOF podcast (Soundcloud/ Anchor) and develop consistent best practices organization-wide
● Expand E-Permitting and online payment options

Some of these are more 'service' related than 'engagement' related and hence while this is good, I do not think it goes far enough. I also understand, and fully respect, that the Town as a government entity can only do so much. We, as residents and voters, need to step up to make this "government of the people, by the people, for the people" work for us.

I also will not claim to have all the answers. I have learned and continue to learn more about Franklin and its government every day. How we can successfully reach the voters to get them to take action on their civic duties (i.e. vote for one, but that is only one duty) is an answer I am still looking for.

If you have ideas, I am open to listen. My contact info is available; reach out, let me know you want to talk, and I'll make time to do so.

In the Town Council goals and objective doc is a listing of key presentations scheduled or being scheduled for future Town Council meetings. If one or more of these topics interests you, put a mark on your calendar accordingly.

Presentations/Discussions (tentatively/confirmed scheduled dates) 

● Community Preservation Act - February 5 (scheduled)
● Housing Authority w/ Lisa Audette - February 12th (confirmed)
● Transitional Assistance - February 12th (confirmed)
● Economic Profile Study -- March/April (pending delivery of final report)
● MECC Regional Dispatch -- May 6th 2020 (confirmed)
● Department Presentations: Land Use & Permitting Departments -- June 2020
● Master Plan midway Update -- June/July 2020
● Charter Review Discussion - Late 2020

What can you do in the meantime? 

Action

• Get to a meeting, or watch via Comcast/Verizon, or the streaming feed via Franklin TV
• Talk with our Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee, School Superintendent Sara Ahern, and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
• Have a civil conversation about one or more of these issues; together we can, and must, find a solution that works for us

The full goals and objectives doc can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8b._town_council_2020-2021_goals_memo.pdf

Franklin Issues on the 2020 'Watch List'

• School District Issues

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-issue-on-2020-watch-list_7.html

• Multiple Fiscal Challenges

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-issue-on-2020-watch-list_6.html

• School Start Time

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-issue-on-2020-watch-list.html

• New PFAS Regulations Proposed

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-issue-on-2020-watch-list-new.html

the future of Franklin remains with the Franklin voters who can become active or remain passive

"We no longer are a nation of joiners, we are a nation of shoppers"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

Seeking to boost to civics education

"Policymakers want to enhance civics education from kindergarten to college, and educators say civic engagement by students could be a way to learn by doing. 

A 2017 national report by Tufts University found that high school civics education has been stagnant since the 1990s. Test scores for eighth grade National Assessment of Education Progress in U.S. history and civics have either increased moderately or stayed the same since 1998. The proportion of students taking AP courses on American history has declined, although the proportion of students studying government and politics has increased, the study found. 

But test scores are not the only indicators of declining civics education. The Tufts report says Americans have become increasingly isolated and less likely to participate in churches, unions and political parties, which have historically encouraged civic engagement. 

A more alarming phenomenon, indicated by the title of the report, is “civic deserts” — communities where people have no opportunities for civic engagement."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190105/state-policymakers-seek-boost-to-civics-education

The direct link to the report
https://www.ncoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017CHIUpdate-FINAL-small.pdf

direct link to the report

In the News: civics education bill signed; teenagers don't see doctors alone

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts lawmakers are hopeful civics-based education will improve civic engagement among young people. 

The challenge for administration, schools and teachers, however, will be whether they can check politics at the door when encouraging young people to participate in American democracy. 

“The last thing we need in a school or district is to create something that seems partisan-based,” said Thomas Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents in Lexington. 

Civics education, the study of the rights and duties of citizenship, was once an integral facet of American education. But it started disappearing from schools in the 1960s, and the trend accelerated when more standardized testing was required under the No Child Left Behind Act, according to the National Education Association."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181125/how-to-separate-politics-from-civics-in-massachusetts-schools

Governor Baker's press release on the bill signing
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-bill-to-promote-civic-education-for-students

"About half of American teenagers have never visited doctors without a parent or guardian present, despite recommendations that such visits begin about age 13, a study led by a Chicago researcher shows. 

Dr. Jon Klein wanted find whether the American Medical Association’s 1992 recommendation had any effect on teenagers taking an active role in their health care. The study showed that little has changed in 25 years. 

“When we launched, we really were going back to that question of has it gotten any better,” said Klein, head of pediatrics at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. “It’s still only about half who have had private one-on-ones with a clinician.” 

The study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, surveyed adolescents and their parents, exploring at what age they think children and teenagers should begin to meet privately with doctors. He realized early on that key to a parent’s understanding of why doctors want to speak with teenagers alone is explaining that it’s so teenagers can take some ownership of their health."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20181124/about-half-of-teenagers-have-never-talked-to-doctor-alone-study-finds

Library of Congress Launches New Set of Educational Apps

The Library of Congress, in collaboration with educational organizations, today announced the launch of two new web- and mobile-based applications related to Congress and civics for use in K-12 classrooms. The two new civics interactives are: DBQuest, developed by iCivics. DBQuest teaches history and civics through the use of primary source documents and evidence-based learning. It offers a platform, accessible on mobile devices, that reinforces evidence-based reasoning and document-based questioning by teaching students to identify and evaluate evidence, contextualize information and write sound supporting arguments. Case Maker, developed by Bean Creative. Case Maker is a customizable system for inquiry-based learning for K-12 students using primary sources from the Library of Congress. Modeled after the “observe, reflect, question” framework, developed under the Teaching with Primary Sources program, Case Maker guides students to challenge a question, collect evidence and make a case. For more information: https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-18-112/?loclr=ealn Library of Congress: New Educational Apps

In the News: Storytime Fiesta at the Library; civics day in Medway

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The library will add a linguistic twist to storytime later this month when students from the Spanish National Honor Society read books and lead activities about Spanish culture. 

The first of the three events will take place on March 31, when there will be singing, dancing, cultural snacks and arts and crafts. The effort is being led by Franklin High School senior and Spanish National Honor Society member Letticia Pierre-Louis. 

She thought it would be a good idea to combine her work at the library with her honor society volunteer requirement to create an event that would benefit and educate the younger generation. 

The Storytime Fiesta isn’t just about learning a bit of Spanish, Pierre-Louis said, it’s about appreciating the culture surrounding the language around the world."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180318/franklin-high-senior-letticia-pierre-louis-brings-spanish-twist-to-library-storytime

Storytime Fiesta - March 31

"State and local officials described Medway High School’s inaugural Civics Day as a time to begin passing the torch to the leaders of tomorrow. 

Students got a chance to interact with local leaders during the Friday morning event and State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, gave a speech about the importance of community engagement. 

The event also had a competitive component – a quiz competition to determine who had the best grasp of local issues. 

Teacher Aubrie Rojee, who organized the event, has a passion for civics and wants to teach students about the responsibility of being good citizens in a democracy."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180318/medway-civics-day-debuts-at-high-school

"civics education is a rather limited offering for students"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"According to Michael Walsh, a history, government and politics teacher at Franklin High School, students often struggle with answering sample questions from the U.S. citizenship test. 

A general understanding of the material only goes so far. 

“They may know there are three branches (of government) but do they know they’re supposed to be equal branches?” Walsh asked in a recent interview."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170824/students-push-for-education-about-government

The full text of the US Constitution can be found online
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/constitution

The charter is the document that determines how Franklin governs itself
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/revised_2013.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building

"so many people don’t understand the way government works"

As Franklin gets to prepare for the town election this November, Franklin Matters will be sharing some of the basic information to help you cast informed votes. Interviews with the candidates are being scheduled. The results of those will be published here. Information on each of the committee and boards will be shared: what is their scope of operation? what do they do?

And coincidentally, in this article from the Milford Daily News (MDN), there is a movement afoot to have more education on civics. How does our government work? What does the Federal government do that the State doesn't? How does the State affect directly or indirectly Franklin?

"Recent studies show many Americans would struggle to pass a U.S. citizenship test, an exam that many states are adopting as a high school graduation requirement. 

Civics in the classroom 

High school students in 23 states need to pass a civics test before graduating, and there’s a proposal to bring the same requirement to Massachusetts. 

The Civics Education Initiative, a project of the Arizona-based nonprofit Joe Foss Institute, calls for high schools to require that students pass a test on 100 basic facts of U.S. history and civics taken directly from the United States Citizenship Civics Test, the exam that immigrants must pass when applying for American citizenship."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170818/could-you-pass-us-citizenship-test

There is also a sample US Citizenship test linked to in the MDN article 

The Downtown Improvement Project was the result of Federal fund administered by the State
and designed in collaboration with Franklin government and community participation

Live reporting: Communications and Civic Engagement

presentation at the Town Council, Jan 18, 2017.

Communications and Civic Engagement Update from Franklin Matters

overview of the challenges of the information world today

more news sources today presents a challenge

the "Google" problem, how do you get answers right away

staff have time constraints, do not have the budget of an Amazon to meet the needs of the Town

March 2016 drafted a communications "master plan" and worked to make it happen to "tell the story"

expanded Twitter and Facebook followers, from 600 to 2200
still a long way to go
set up a YouTube account to share video
may not use LinkedIn, too expensive for what it provides
developed social media policy

council agendas, meeting notes, actions taken
shared via Franklin Matters

new webpage, franklinma.gov

new monthly news magazine "Almanac"

town webpage can't post 3rd party info so the Community Bulletin Board fills that need

e-permitting online for dog licences

all call system for emergency alerts

2017 goals

Town Council welcome letter

on the ground outreach via Police, Fire and Library

continue to work on the website, use analytics to help refine the page

transition to Google, a 12-18 month process of learning to optimize

demo of licensing center for Town Clerk's office
create an online account, need a permit, add to your cart

census mailing coming out this week

try out the suggestion box!

Meet me in Franklin - check out the link

Peter Facsiano - Franklin TV
new radio station coming

Sarah Mabardy - representing local business interests, #shopFranklin
Jim Schultz - representing the local non-profits

Polixsani Manxhari, new producers

WFPR  102.9

Q - what are you doing to reach the seniors?
A - working through the print media as well as social media still works

The radio station will provide an opportunity to broadcast 24x7
they are looking for content producers, have an 8 mile radius

no plans yet for live broadcasting but can broadcast via cable
the quality of the application and details to support it help

Mercer
Yes, there will be a TV for the Senior Center being added for the 2nd floor
there already is one
there are 20 computers available
there are monitors available, could be able to run the signal through them

Padula
this is good work the stuff they do is incredibly good

Dellorco
you are doing good work, I did a show on the SAFE Coalition and it was great

Peter
looking to deepening the bench with free lancers

Jones
we are doing our best but it does take a 2-way communication
we can provide, if no one uses it, doesn't do much good
if any idea, let us know

Take the civics quiz

Are you more knowledgeable than the average citizen? The average score for all 2,508 Americans taking the following test was 49%; college educators scored 55%. Can you do better? Questions were drawn from past ISI surveys, as well as other nationally recognized exams.

The 35 question quiz can be found here

Let me know how you did and we can compare scores.

Send an email to me (shersteve at gmail dot com) or leave a comment.