Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda, Feb 15, 2017

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, 2017

(Note: where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

A. Approval of Minutes	February 1, 2017
B. Announcements	This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.
C. Proclamations/Recognitions
D. Citizen Comments	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.
E. Appointments	Design Review Appointment
F. Hearings	Public Hearing - 7:10 PM Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-786: Storage Facility Bylaw
G. License Transactions
H. Presentations/Discussions	1. Water Presentation - Brutus Cantoreggi
H. Presentations/Discussions	2. Discussion - Chapter 179: Water, Article VI Water Use Restriction and Ban
I. Subcommittee Reports	(To be provided during meeting if available)
J. Legislation for Action	1. Resolution 17-06: Appropriation: Animal Control - Prior Year's Bill (Motion to Move Resolution 17-06: appropriation Animal Control - 4/5 vote)
J. Legislation for Action	2. Resolution 17-07: Local acceptance of Amended Provisions of G.L. Chapter 40, Sections 22A, 22B, and 22C (Motion to Move Resolution 17-07: Local Acceptance of Amended Provisions of G.L. Chapter 40, Sections 22A, 22B, and 22C - Majority vote (5))
J. Legislation for Action	3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-779: Changes to Chapter 185 Section 3 Definitions - 2nd Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-779 - Roll Call - 2/3 majority vote (6))
J. Legislation for Action	4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-780: Changes to Chapter 185 Section 4 Districts Enumerated - 2nd Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-780 - Roll Call - 2/3 majority vote (6))
J. Legislation for Action	5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-781: Changes to Chapter 185 Section 5 Zoning Map - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-781 - Roll Call - 2/3 majority vote (6))
J. Legislation for Action	6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-782 Changes to Chapter 185 Section 7 Compliance required - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-782 - Roll Call - 2/3 majority vote (6))
J. Legislation for Action	7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-783: Amendment to Chapter 185 Section 49 Marijuana Use Overlay District - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-783 - Roll Call - 2/3 majority vote (6))
J. Legislation for Action	8. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-786: Storage Facility Bylaw - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 16-786 to a 2nd Reading (majority vote))
K. Town Administrator's Report	(To be provided during meeting)
L. Future Agenda Items	(To be provided during meeting if required)
M. Council Comments	(To be provided during meeting)
N. Executive Session	Potential Purchase of Land at 0 Washington Street (Exercise of Town's Right of First Refusal - Discussion Only)
O. Adjourn

Some folks with wells are continuing to let their sprinkler systems water the grass last year, that could change this year if the Town Council adds private wells to the water restrictions as proposed

"water levels have been declining all year"

"Many fear the impending cold weather will accompany dreaded snowfall, but this winter, many are actually hoping that the white stuff will replenish water sources depleted by the several-month-long drought. 

While some towns are beginning to recover from this year's detrimental drought, others are still facing declining water supply triggered by a lack of rain. 

Every region in the state, with the exception of the Cape and the Islands remains in a drought warning, according to a state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs statement released Friday. 

Although many areas of the state experienced some rain and snow this past month, year-long averages are still well below normal."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161210/as-winter-looms-many-reservoirs-still-dangerously-low

U.S. Drought Monitor Map Archive - MA 12/06/16

"one downside to that forecast is no drought-busting rainfall"

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

"While many in New England are probably relieved that Hurricane Matthew will not be making a trek north and swamping the region with heavy rain and wind, one downside to that forecast is no drought-busting rainfall. 

For the fourth consecutive week, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows 52 percent of the state still gripped in an extreme drought. Nearly 90 percent of the state is in at least severe drought. Those statistics released Thursday morning are unchanged from previous weeks despite a wet and dreary weekend and cooler than average temperatures in the past week. Unfortunately, there was actually not much widespread significant rainfall. Last weekend, Boston had .74 inches of rain but Worcester only saw .16. 

According to the National Weather Service, Boston is 10.31 inches below normal for rainfall this year. Only 2.12 inches of rain has fallen since Sept. 1 which is 1.95 inches below normal. Worcester is only slightly better with an annual rainfall deficit of 9.24 inches. Since Sept. 1, 3.43 inches of rain has fallen which is 1.28 inches below normal for Worcester."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161006/extreme-drought-unchanged-in-massachusetts

US Drought Monitor Map; Massachusetts 10/6/16