Grove-Washington Street Shared Use Path - Notice of Intent - Conservation

Town of Franklin - Conservation Commission

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Protection Act) Franklin Conservation Commission will hold a Hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 7:01 PM on a Notice of Intent filed by Elyse Tripp, of BETA Group, Inc. on behalf of the Franklin Department of Public Works. The project proposes roadway improvements along Grove Street as part of the second phase of a two-phase project to improve use by motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, including upgrades to stormwater management infrastructure, with work taking place within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW) and the 200-foot Buffer Zone to Perennial Streams.

The Project is located along Grove Street from its intersection with Tobacco Road to its intersection with Kenwood Circle, in the Rural Residential 1 and Industrial Zones. The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion. This meeting will be done remotely via the “ZOOM” platform and “In-person” in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street. 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.

All records and files for this project can be viewed at the Conservation Office located on the first floor of the Franklin Municipal Building.

Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. The hearing location is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If you require a translator or accommodations for a hearing impairment, contact the Conservation Department at the Municipal Building or by calling (508) 520-4929.

Patrick Gallagher

Chairman 

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/grove_street_dpw_noi_public_hearing_notice.pdf

Grove-Washington Street Shared Use Path - Notice of Intent - Conservation

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Municipal Recreation Facilities and Parks (ADA Compliance Included) - Thursday Jan 26

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Municipal Recreation Facilities and Parks (ADA Compliance Included) 

- Thursday Jan 26 - 6 PM

The Conservation Commission will hold its second Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) focus group meeting this Thursday, January 26 at 6 PM. 

In case you'll miss the meeting or would like further discussion, you are also invited to attend OSRP Office Hours Friday, January 27 between 10 and 11 AM in the third floor training room at Town Hall. 

Bring your ideas and see you there!

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/2023-osrp-focus-group-meeting-municipal-recreation-facilities-and-parks-ada

Town of Franklin begins planning to update the Open Space and Recreation Plan

Intro to the Town of Franklin Conservation Agent: Breeka Li Goodlander (audio)

FM #920 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 920 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my introductory conversation with the Town of Franklin Conservation Agent Breeka Li Goodlander, CWS, PWS. We had our conversation via conference bridge.  

Topics for this session

• Background on Breeka Li’s road to Franklin

• Role of a Conservation Agent; protection of wetlands, etc.

• Beaver institute training underway

• Liaison for community on potential issues with management of open space & wetlands, invasive species, 100-200 foot guidelines

• Typical day of an agent: office work, field work & lots of liaison work

The conversation runs about 13 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Breeka Li

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-920-town-of-franklin-intro-to-our-conservation-agent-01-12-23

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Conservation page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation 

Contact info ->  Conservation Agent/Natural Resource Protection Manager

(508) 520-4847

Open Space & Recreation plan update  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/2023-open-space-and-recreation-plan-update 

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

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 of Franklin Conservation Agent: Breeka Li Goodlander (LinkedIn profile photo)

Town of Franklin: Conservation Commission - Request for Determination of Applicability - Jan 26, 2023

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Protection Act) Franklin Conservation Commission will hold a Hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, January 26, 2022 at 7:05 PM on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by JNJuhl & Associates, LLC of Franklin, MA to develop a 6.5 acre portion of site into Affordable Senior Housing in the Buffer Zone of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW). This project is located on Veterans Memorial Drive.

The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion. This meeting will be done remotely via the “ZOOM” platform and “In-person” in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street. 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. 

All records and files for this project can be viewed at the Conservation Office located on the first floor of the Franklin Municipal Building.

Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. The hearing location is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If you require a translator or accommodations for a hearing impairment, contact the Conservation Department at the Municipal Building or by calling (508) 520-4929.

Patrick Gallagher

Chairman

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/franklin_ridge_2023_rda_public_hearing_notice.pdf

Franklin Ridge senior housing expansion proposed for near Eaton Place (May 8, 2019)

DelCarte Fall Gathering scheduled for Saturday, October 22 from 9 AM to noon

Come join us for Fall fun at DelCarte Park in Franklin!

This Saturday, October 22nd from 9 AM - 12 PM join the Franklin Conservation Commission to celebrate the start of Autumn!

There will be fun for the whole family, so don’t miss out!

*Community service hours validated for students and scout groups.

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj5JIkeNWGZ/

DelCarte Fall Gathering scheduled for Saturday, October 22 from 9 AM to noon

Annual Report Of The Conservation Commission - FY 2021

Note: FY 2021 is last year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The report was prepared to cover the business for the FY 2021 period. This year’s report FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) is in preparation now and is normally available for distribution at the polls for the November election. Updated - 08/15/22

Franklin Conservation Commission is responsible for promoting and protecting the Town of Franklin’s natural resources, and protecting the Town’s wetlands resources.

The Commission is comprised of seven volunteer residents appointed for three year terms by the Town

 

Administrator. Current Commission members have diverse professional experience related to environmental science, biology, engineering, and project management. Because of their different backgrounds, each commissioner is able to offer a different perspective during the review of applications for a wetland permit that ultimately benefits Franklin.

Franklin has continuously been represented at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions each March, with Commissioners attending classes and workshops and talking with other Commissioners from across the state as well as lawyers, ecologists and engineers active in conservation.

The Department of Planning and Community Development provides administrative and technical support to the Commission.

Permitting of Work within or Adjacent to Wetlands Resources

The majority of the Commission’s attention is directed to administering Massachusetts and Franklin wetland protection laws and regulations. Those laws and regulations require Conservation Commission permits to work in or within 100 feet of a wetland, in the 100 year flood hazard zone, or within 200 feet of a perennial stream.

During FY21 the Conservation Agent reviewed and administratively approved 16 minor buffer zone applications.

During FY21 the Conservation Commission received 32 permit applications to work within areas under their permitting jurisdiction. In addition the Commission issued Certificates of Compliance for previously permitted projects, and granted permit extensions to allow projects to finish. 

Some of the more interesting project applications before the Commission during FY21 include the Maple Hill Subdivision that was approved, the Chilson Park Playground Expansion project that was approved, and the Cottage Street/Cottage Court/Peck Street affordable housing and stream relocation project, which was denied.

DelCarte Conservation Area

The Commission continues to work on the DelCarte Area (aka the Franklin Reservoirs) off of Pleasant Street. There are a series of seven “structures” (six dams that had been originally used for cranberry farming and a stone wall that beavers had dammed) along Miller brook thru the 100+ acre DelCarte Area.

The Commission retained the services of ESS, Inc. to undertake an ecological study to ascertain the flora and fauna viability in the pond and develop a long term management plan. This study, completed in 2015-2016 has given the Town a comprehensive understanding of exactly “what is there” and includes a management plan to help keep the area viable as a true recreational jewel. The first two phases of the plan’s recommendations, the treatment of invasive plant species was undertaken in the spring/summer of 2017-2019. The Town appropriated Capital improvement funds to help implement the next phases of this study in 2019-2020. The pond’s invasive species were treated again throughout the summer of 2021.

The Commission is currently in the process of working with a local boy scout who is proposing adding informational and directional kiosks to the DelCarte area to help hikers better navigate the trails.

The Commission collects application fees for all permits that come before them. These fees paid for, among other things, the studies on the DelCarte recreation area and thus allowed the Commission to truly understand the issues facing the town in maintaining this area for quality recreation.

The Commission plans on holding an Earth Day celebration and clean up at DelCarte on October 16, 2021.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, public hearings are being held in the Council Chambers in a hybrid meeting style that residents and applicants can attend in person, or virtually, via Zoom.

There is a whole lot more to the Conservation Commission section of this annual report but the tables and other info were not easily copied for this format. 

Find the remainder of the Conservation Commission report on page  119

The full Annual Report for 2021 can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2021_annual_report.pdf

The collection of Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/town-franklin-annual-reports

Annual Report Of The Town of Franklin - FY 2021

Legal Notice: public hearing on Beaver St interceptor project - July 21, 2022

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Protection Act) Franklin Conservation Commission will hold a Hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 7:02 PM on a Notice of Intent filed by Amy Anderson of Arcadis on behalf of Franklin Department of Public Works for the rehabilitation, replacement, and general improvements to the interceptor, as well as a new pump station on the property at 275 Beaver Street. The work will impact the Riverfront Area, Bordering Vegetated Wetlands, the 100-foot Bordering Vegetated Wetlands Buffer and the 200-foot Riverfront Area Buffer.

The Project begins at the end of an existing sewer line northwest of Franklin Village Mall and follows the line under West Central Street until Beaver Street; then along Beaver Street to Hayward Street and ends on Cottage Street. The work also involves a sewer line that runs from Beaver Street to Grove Street and along West Central Street until the intersection of Forge Parkway.

The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion. This meeting will be done remotely via the “ZOOM” platform and “In-person” in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street. 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.

All records and files for this project can be viewed at the Conservation Office located on the first floor of the Franklin Municipal Building.

Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. The hearing location is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If you require a translator or accommodations for a hearing impairment, contact the Conservation Department at the Municipal Building or by calling (508) 520-4929.

Patrick Gallagher
Chairman

Shared from Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/275_beaver_street_public_hearing_notice.pdf

Additional info on the interceptor project ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9._beaver_street_materials.pdf

Legal Notice: public hearing on Beaver St interceptor project - July 21, 2022

Legal Notice: Conservation Commission - public Hearing July 21 concerning Mass Electric request for pole replacements/tree removal

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Protection Act) Franklin Conservation Commission will hold a Hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 7:03 PM on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by BSC Group, Inc. on behalf of Massachusetts Electric Company for the installation of a stub pole and replacement of a utility pole, along with the removal of 15 trees within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands, as well as replacing a utility pole and removing a push brace within Bordering Vegetated Wetlands.

The Project is located along Maple Street, Map 242 between the intersections of Kimberlee Ave and Laurinda Lane, in the Rural Residential 2 Zone.

The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion. This meeting will be done remotely via the “ZOOM” platform and “In-person” in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street. 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.

All records and files for this project can be viewed at the Conservation Office located on the first floor of the Franklin Municipal Building.

Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. The hearing location is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If you require a translator or accommodations for a hearing impairment, contact the Conservation Department at the Municipal Building or by calling (508) 520-4929.

Patrick Gallagher

Chairman

Shared from the Town of Franklin page

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/ngrid_rda_public_hearing_notice.pdf

Legal Notice: Conservation Commission - public Hearing July 21

Reminder: 3 live broadcasts Thursday evening - Town Council Budget Hearing, Conservation Commission, FHS Senior Awards night

Quick reminder of three live Franklin TV broadcasts scheduled for this evening all beginning at 7 PM from different locations. Yes, assuming the gremlins are kept away, it will happen.

• Part 2 of the Town Council budget hearing is scheduled for Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. It’s a continuation of Part 1 which happened Wednesday evening (and is available for replay on YouTube). You can watch this meeting on Town Hall TV, Comcast 11, Verizon 29.
• The regularly scheduled Conservation Commission’s meeting, also 7:00 PM, will be on the Franklin TV All-Access channel, Comcast 8, Verizon 26.
• Last but not least, the FHS Senior Awards Night, live from the FHS Auditorium, also at 7:00 PM is scheduled for the Franklin Pride EDU channel, Comcast 96, Verizon 28.

Franklin TV has three channels so this evening maximizes the capacity for live video broadcast.

If you don't have cable, 

(1) the broadcast can also be viewed via Franklin TV live stream. Go to the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream  Choose "Live" and select the channel (Public TV, School TV, Townhall TV).

(2) or go to  Franklin TV's page -> https://franklin.tv/ 

and select the icon (image) for the channel you want to watch.

Reminder: 3 live broadcasts Thursday evening - Town Council Budget Hearing, Conservation Commission, FHS Senior Awards night

(3) or directly to one of these links

Public TV =   https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/franklintv/video/61d5c54e17292700083e39c1?page=LIVE&type=live

School TV =   https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/franklintv/video/61d5c56c98c2200008a35d58?page=HOME&type=live

Townhall TV =   https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/franklintv/video/61d5c594f3d5b900084c92ad?page=HOME&type=live

Conservation Commission schedules clean up for DelCarte on Saturday, Oct 16

"A reminder the clean up of DelCarte is scheduled for this Saturday from 9:00 AM thru Noon. 

Refreshments, gloves, trash bags, masks (if needed) plus credits for clubs and schools …. Community Service 3 hours. 

We look forward to seeing folks there."

 

Franklin Conservation Commission

Shared from Facebook ->

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3010317889238217/

 clean up for DelCarte on Saturday, Oct 16

Franklin, MA Town Council Meeting - Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - Three Part Audio Segments

FM #605-606-607 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 605-606-607 in the series. 

This shares the three part audio segments of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel, the Police retirement and promotion individuals, along with their guest and family members were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just about two hours and forty-five minutes ( 2:45 total elapsed time) into three (3) logical segments:

• First (#605) - covers the opening, citizen comments, Police retirement and promotions. The break after the police ceremonies was excluded from this audio.  (~40 mins)

• Second (#606) - covers three appointments, one license transaction and the SAFE Coalition presentation by Jennifer Knight-Levine (~ 58 minutes) 

• Third (#607) - covers the DelCarte invasive species update by Conservation Agent Jennifer Delmore, Legislation for Action, Council Comments and meeting close. (~ 58 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Sep 15, 2021

Part 1 (#605) -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5563727f-a24f-4aa8-b4e2-9901951bd693

Part 2 (#606) -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ab9ec365-5692-4151-883f-04fe5e8014cd

Part 3 (#607) -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c0a7f4f2-5afb-4d2d-9daf-64422c92b1f1

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Agenda document 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-15-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf 

My notes from the meeting  -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html 

Town Council Quarterbacking session (a short recap with Council Chair Tom Mercer) -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm604-town-council-quarterbacking.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 www.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"

 

Slide from the SAFE Coalition presentation by Jennifer Knight-Levine

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Conservation Commission

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Franklin Conservation Commission is responsible for promoting and protecting the Town of Franklin’s natural resources, and protecting the Town’s wetlands resources.

The Commission is comprised of seven volunteer residents appointed for three year terms by the Town Administrator. Current Commission members have diverse professional experience related to environmental science, biology, engineering, and project management. Because of their different backgrounds, each commissioner is able to offer a different perspective during the review of applications for a wetland permit that ultimately benefits Franklin.

Franklin has continuously been represented at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions each March, with Commissioners attending classes and workshops and talking with other Commissioners from across the state as well as lawyers, ecologists and engineers active in conservation.

The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) provides administrative and technical support to the Commission.

Permitting of Work Within or Adjacent to Wetlands Resources
The majority of the Commission’s attention is directed to administering Massachusetts and Franklin wetland protection laws and regulations. Those laws and regulations require Conservation Commission permits to work in or within 100 feet of a wetland, in the 100 year flood hazard zone, or within 200 feet of a perennial stream.

During the first quarter of FY20 the Commission voted to accept fast tracking NOI/ANRAD peer review consultant services as recommended by the Conservation Agent and DPCD. This change has helped move big projects along the permitting process more quickly.

During FY20 the Conservation Agent reviewed and administratively approved 15 minor buffer zone applications.

During FY20 the Conservation Commission received 46 permit applications to work within areas under their permitting jurisdiction. In addition the Commission issued Certificates of Compliance for previously permitted projects, and granted permit extensions to allow projects to finish. The table below is a summary of Conservation Commission activity during the 2020 Fiscal Year.

Some of the more interesting project applications before the Commission during FY20 include construction of a marijuana cultivation and production facility at 160 Grove Street and the Town’s projects off Meadowlark Lane and Griffin Road to improve water quality and reduce pollutant loading in the Chicken Brook-Charles River sub-watershed.

DelCarte Conservation Area 
The Commission continues to work on the DelCarte Area (aka the Franklin Reservoirs) off of Pleasant Street. There are a series of seven “structures” (six dams that had been originally used for cranberry farming and a stone wall that beavers had dammed) along Miller brook thru the 100+ acre DelCarte Area.
 

The Commission retained the services of ESS, Inc. to undertake an ecological study to ascertain the flora and fauna viability in the pond and develop a long term management plan. This study, completed in 2015-2016 has given the Town a comprehensive understanding of exactly “what is there” and includes a management plan to help keep the area viable as a true recreational jewel. The first two phases of the plan’s recommendations, the treatment of invasive plant species, was undertaken in the spring/summer of 2017-2019. The Town appropriated Capital Improvement funds to help implement the next phases of this study in 2019-2020. The pond’s invasive species were treated again throughout the summer of 2020.

In addition the funds are being used to implement the ADA recommendations under the master plan developed for DelCarte. This plan, developed for the Town by Mass Audubon was presented to the Commission in the fall of 2017. The Commission began to undertake improvements to the DelCarte Recreation Area in the late summer/early fall of 2018 to bring access to the trails and the water bodies up to ADA standards and improve the overall aesthetics of the area. This portion of the improvements was completed in the spring/summer 2019.

Continue reading the report from the Conservation Commission

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Conservation Commission

Recap of Town Council meeting Mar 3, 2021 - train station discussed, appt to ConComm approved, ambulance fees approved

Quick Recap:

• appointment to Conservation Commission approved, all committees/board now with full compliment of appointments
• Erin Rogers of Senior Center talks about the tax work off programs available from the State and from Franklin
• discussion on the condition and future of the downtown MBTA train station and exercise in futility. parking an issue downtown, apparently due to zoning changes made that can be/should be reviewed again
• vaccine not available for local clinic per State, teachers were added to eligibility as of Mar 11, 2021

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/gN3Z5Y2wUxdXqBNa6

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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  #TC0303

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc0303&src=recent_search_click 

• Real time reporting about to begin for Town Council meeting #tc0303 https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-3-town-council-agenda 
• Meeting opens, Chair runs thru the standard protocol statement on meeting conduct #edc0303 a small group at opening.
• #edc0303 meeting is announced for phone callers  One (member) remote, other 8 in Chambers
• #tc0303 (yup, 2nd time tonight used prior meeting to tag a tweet, oops) no citizen comments
• Motion to approve Jan 3 minutes, second, Chandler announces that the minutes are in great order, compliments to Judy L for doing them. Passes 9-0 via roll call. Motion on Feb 17 minutes
• Second, passes via roll call 9-0, #edc0303 appointment to conservation commission, Bissanti recuses, motion and second, after tonight, all vacancies are now full. Passes 8-0-1 1 recused (Bissanti)
• No hearings, no license transactions; moving to presentations, Erin Rogers from Senior Center on the tax work off program, if taxes are more than 10% of income, if renter and taxes more than 25% of income. Need to file with state, meet income guidelines. #tc0303
• #tc0303 anything we can do to help residents with their taxes, talk to their accountants and to the senior center for the form. If people qualify for this, they should also apply for the DPW for a credit against the water, sewer, etc. Storm water if it comes, may would need to
• Suggestion for something on the webpage for assistance available. #tc0303 clarification, you can do both it is not double dipping. State program is one and there is also the Franklin program.
• Other than web page, send elsewhere (i.e. newsletter) as some seniors don't go to the website. #tc0303 legal ads we spend 40K annually with Milford Daily News, also appearing as PSA with Franklin TV. http://Ma.gov webpage takes you right to DOR page and info
• #TC0303 moving to downtown Franklin MBTA station and parking lot. Was on evaluation and goals, a paper trail was included in the meeting docs. Kudos to Frank Falvey who has been a persistent advocate for addressing this item see page 17 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/3-3-21_town_council_agenda.pdf 
• Maps of the station from package  #tc0303
• Continuing discussion on the station, a frustrating situation. This is a T issue and with pandemic they are in lots of trouble with revenue. #tc0303
• They are extending the line double track and going around the station. Also would need to take care of the bridge
• If you're in for a penny, you're in for more than a pound. #tc0303 we offered to but it from them, and they turned us down. Zoning changes recently increased parking requirements downtown and there is no space available. "This like beating a dead horse"
• #tc0303 lighting is brutal, and the bike racks are always full, can't they add some?
• Best opportunity may be the transit oriented development the Legislation that was recently passed called for.
• Let's think of the downtown and consider changing the zoning when the guidance Jamie mentions comes out. #tc0303 
• Budget meeting 3/17 at 6 PM, EDC just met tonight. Some things coming to council for consideration. Draft of business guide reviewed. Coming soon
• Moving to legislation for action, second reading https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._als_bls_web.pdf #tc0303 for ambulance service fee adjustments for this year.  Motion and second, vote via roll call (BLS basic life support, ALS advanced life support.) 9-0
• #tc0303 next up Quarterly PEG funds, the flow through of cable fees to Franklin TV per MGL, as an approved transaction  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._peg_-_web.pdf motion, second, passes via roll call 9-0 (Bissanti not going to yell at cable tonight)
• #tc0303 St Patrick's day serving dinner to seniors via the curbside cafe. Make reservations! Phase IV part 1 the library will be opening March 22, incredible innovation, popular curbside pickup; COVID school staff eligible as of Mar 11, schedule via portal
• No local clinic anytime soon, legislative delegates advocated but we're not getting supply. #tc0303 insufficient doses available in March to meet requirements. Per Gov Baker's press release. Happy to answer questions.
• Moving on. #tc0303 consensus on addressing downtown zoning now
• Kudos to the sports teams, great work! Great to hear of the town's work on a national podcast. Buses moved from former Kegan space to use King St until the Panther Way property is ready, helping the schools
• Yesterday was Franklin's birthday, and it wasn't noticed. 3/2 is the birthday. 243 years young. 
• Agendas and packets for CPC will be online #tc0303 excited that the library will be open. Don't let the guard down, we are almost there.
• Thanks to the community for doing what it takes, numbers are down, keep it that way. #tc0303 motion to adjourn, second, passes 9-0 
• That is all for tonight, thanks for following, catch you next time!

train station discussed