Showing posts with label debt exclusion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label debt exclusion. Show all posts

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Town Council receives Elks donations, approves debt exclusion question for Tri-County school (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2023. There was a full and varied agenda accomplished in the 2 hour 16 minute meeting. All nine members were present in Council Chambers.

The Franklin TV video replay is available ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/bF13Dgn_6qs

Quick recap:
  • Three appointments to individual committees were unanimously approved.  a. Council on Aging - Collette Ferguson  b. Finance Committee - Heather Sanscoucy   c. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Kimberly Mu-Chow 
  • Franklin Elks Riders presented a donation of $1k, the Franklin Elks Bingo donated $10k to the Town of Franklin veterans services
  • Council goals review, a long list of accomplishments, a list to be proud of
  • The funds previously allocated for purchase of a new ambulance were authorized to be paid to the vendor to hold the contract and avoid a price increase - Resolution 23-54: Ambulance Transfer & Appropriation
  • The Council discussed and approved placement of the debt exclusion to fund the Franklin portion of the Tri-County RVTHS new building. The question language approved was as follows: 
"Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay the Town’s allocable share of the bonds issued by the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District to pay costs of designing constructing and equipping a new high school to be located at 147 Pond Street, in Franklin, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto?"

  • The Open Space & Recreation Plan developed over the course of 15 months, muti[;e meetings and 3 public hearings was approved by the Council. IT will be submitted to the State and assuming their acceptance will also be part of the Master Plan Update now underway
  • Town Administrators report provided updates on the migrant housing situation, the demolition delay report and a report on decommissioning a section of Spring Street.

The Council agenda doc including supporting documents

My notes captured during the meeting in one PDF for easy reading

Mark Ellis presenting the $10,000 check from bingo
Mark Ellis presenting the $10,000 check from bingo

Elks riders presenting the check for $1000
Elks riders presenting the check for $1000



Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Town Council asked to approve ballot question to authorize funding for new Tri-County school for the Nov 7 election

Among the key items on the Town Council agenda Wednesday, Sep 20 is the proposed ballot question to fund the Tri-County new school building. The proposed ballot question is part 2 of the school building approval. Part 1 of the approval is the 11 community vote on October 24, a simple yes or no answer required to build the school. Assuming the school is authorized by a 50% plus 1 margin, then this question is required to authorize Franklin to fund its portion. The proposed ballot question is before the Council to get on the Nov 7, 2023 election ballots.
"Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provisions of
proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay the
Town’s allocable share of the bonds issued by the Tri-County Regional
Vocational Technical School District to pay costs of designing, constructing
and equipping a new high school to be located at 147 Pond Street, in
Franklin, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto?"

Agenda doc includes supporting docs as well as remote participation info  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_sept_20_2023.pdf 

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Franklin, MA: Town Council - agenda for meeting scheduled Weds, Sep 20 at 7 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL
Agenda & Meeting Packet
September 20, 2023 at 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers
355 East Central Street

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three 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
4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.

5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Council on Aging
b. Finance Committee
c. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled.
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
    i. Legislation for Action #9a
    i. Legislation for Action #9a
9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 23-53: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department
b. Resolution 23-54: Ambulance Transfer & Appropriation
c. Resolution 23-55: Authorizing the Placement of a Debt Exclusion Ballot Question Relating to the Town’s Allocable Share of Debt Service on Debt of the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District on the Ballot for the Town Election to be Held on November 7, 2023
d. Resolution 23-56: A Resolution Adopting the Town of Franklin 2023 Open Space and Recreation Plan (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-56 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/9d._23-56_-_osrp.pdf
10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
a. Migrant Housing update
11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Budget Subcommittee
d. Master Plan Committee
e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee
f. Police Station Building Committee
g. GATRA Advisory Board
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

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

Agenda doc includes supporting docs as well as remote participation info

Tri-County building project update provided, some questions remain but the date to vote is set as Oct 24, 2023
Tri-County building project update provided, some questions remain but the date to vote is set as Oct 24, 2023

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Town Council hears about Dean College, views Fire promotions, gets updates on Tri-County & migrant status (audio)

FM #1060 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1060 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers; Frongillo participated remotely, hence all votes were via roll call. 


Quick recap:

APPOINTMENTS

a. Design Review Commission - i. Andrew Pratt


b. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - i. Jayaprabha Vijayaraghavan 

Both appointments were approved via 9-0 votes 


c. Fire Department - New Employee - i. Jack Lennon: Firefighter/Paramedic

d. Fire Department - Promotions

Thomas Konieczny: Battalion Chief

Paul Molla: Captain

Laurie Kaye: EMS Captain

Matthew Kelly: Lieutenant

Michael Berthiaume: Lieutenant

Jonathan Chalk: Lieutenant 

The Fire Dept had a bunch of promotions and one new hire to swear in and recognize. The promotions are competitive and occurred over time as other members left or retired creating a domino effect, hence they were batched to be all done at once. Photo album of the ceremony can be found ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/j98XmZmpzjsg5vGZ6 


Dean College Update - Ken Elmore, President of Dean College 

President Elmore provided a brief update with highlights from the past year, work underway, and still working on better integration of the college within the community and the community within the college. 


Tri-County Regional Vocational School Financing

The MSBA provided formal approval of the building project committing about $90M towards the $283M total cost, leaving approx. $200M to be funded by the 11 communities sending students. The 11 communities will vote as one entity n Oct 24 to approve the project. A 50+1 percent is required for approval. The funding for the Franklin portion of the project is likely to be $2.1M per year for 30 years, so it will likely be a separate vote for a debt exclusion, possibly as early as the November election. Stay tuned for additional info. The Tri-County School Committee will be sharing info on the project advocating for it's passage.


LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

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 - Second Reading 

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 - Second Reading 

Both the second readings of the above bylaws were approved with 9-0 votes 


c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map 

This measure was referred to the Planning Board and will come back to the Council for further action at a future meeting


d. Resolution 23-49: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Plymouth for County of Plymouth to Provide Parking Ticket Computerization and Processing Services to Franklin 

The intermunicipal agreement was approved by a 9-0 vote. An interesting way to combine services and save money in so doing. 


e. Resolution 23-50: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Owner-Developer of Prospect Hills Estates with Access Road Off Prospect Street 

The private road covenant was approved by a 9-0 vote. This means the Town of Franklin will not maintain the road. 


f. Resolution 23-51: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,525) 


TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT -  Migrant Housing Update 



The recording runs 2 hours and 30 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on Sep  6, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1060-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-09-06-23



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Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update. This audio segment of the meeting was shared separately. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/lUOJJj5hec8?si=IUzMbo_9nNGYa59y&t=194


My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeting are collected in a single PDF for easier reading  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Go0RhESjzP4F3KWutGqZ-kxO3-Fdn0l/view?usp=drive_link


Town Council agenda doc ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_9.6.23.pdf


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

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"


Ken Elmore, President of Dean College
Ken Elmore, President of Dean College

Sunday, September 10, 2023

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the Sep 6 meeting including the migrant status update (audio)

FM #1057 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1057 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 September 6, 2023


  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


We cover the following key topics

APPOINTMENTS

a. Design Review Commission - i. Andrew Pratt

b. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - i. Jayaprabha Vijayaraghavan

c. Fire Department - New Employee - i. Jack Lennon: Firefighter/Paramedic

d. Fire Department - Promotions

Thomas Konieczny: Battalion Chief

Paul Molla: Captain

Laurie Kaye: EMS Captain

Matthew Kelly: Lieutenant

Michael Berthiaume: Lieutenant

Jonathan Chalk: Lieutenant


Dean College Update - Ken Elmore, President of Dean College


Tri-County Regional Vocational School Building project and expected votes to (1) approve and (2) approve of the financing for it


LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

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 - Second Reading 

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 - Second Reading 

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote) 

d. Resolution 23-49: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Plymouth for County of Plymouth to Provide Parking Ticket Computerization and Processing Services to Franklin 

e. Resolution 23-50: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Owner-Developer of Prospect Hills Estates with Access Road Off Prospect Street 

f. Resolution 23-51: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,525) 


TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT -  Migrant Housing Update


Our conversation runs about 49 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Sep 7, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1057-town-council-quarterbacking-09-07-23



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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/lUOJJj5hec8?si=IUzMbo_9nNGYa59y&t=194 

My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeitng are collected in a single PDF for easier reading  -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Go0RhESjzP4F3KWutGqZ-kxO3-Fdn0l/view?usp=drive_link 

Town Council agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_9.6.23.pdf 

The Town Administrator Report audio segment of the meeting was shared separately. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.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 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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the Sep 6 meeting including the migrant status update (audio)
This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the Sep 6 meeting including the migrant status update (audio)