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| Recycling Center Permit Expiration Extended To July 31, 2020 |
Showing posts with label fees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fees. Show all posts
Thursday, July 2, 2020
FY 20 Recycling Center Permit Expiration Extended To July 31, 2020
FY 20 Recycling Center Permit Expiration Extended To July 31, 2020
Friday, March 20, 2020
Stormwater Information Session Recordings
The Town of Franklin held two storm water information sessions to share information with residents on the facts of storm water and the financial impact.
Due to the pandemic and social distancing policies being enforced, the event scheduled for Saturday (March 21) at the Library is NOT happening.
As soon as a new date is determined it will be shared.
You can listen to each of the first two session recordings
FM #223 - Stormwater Utility Fee Info Session 1 - March 6, 2020 (audio)
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-223-stormwater-session-1-3-5-20
Due to the pandemic and social distancing policies being enforced, the event scheduled for Saturday (March 21) at the Library is NOT happening.
As soon as a new date is determined it will be shared.
You can listen to each of the first two session recordings
FM #223 - Stormwater Utility Fee Info Session 1 - March 6, 2020 (audio)
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-223-stormwater-session-1-3-5-20
FM #225 Stormwater Utility Session 2 - March, 11, 2020 (audio)
The presentation doc was updated for the second session and available here.
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/town-of-franklin-stormwater-info-session-2
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| The second session was held at the Franklin TV studio |
Monday, March 16, 2020
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 18, 2020
Agenda Meeting Date - March 18, 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
February 12, 2020
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
- None Scheduled
5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Agricultural Commission Associate Member: Charles J. Koshiva
b. Planning Board Associate Vacancy: Joint Meeting with the Planning Board
i. Town Administrator Memo & Candidates
6. HEARINGS
- 7:10 PM - - None Scheduled
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- None Scheduled
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Animal Control Department
b. S.A.F.E Coalition Update
c. Purchasing Department Presentation on Procurement
9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-854: Changes to §185-40. Water Resource District - First Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-854 to a second reading - Majority Vote)
10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-17: Acceptance of Conservation Restriction to Protect Well 3A (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-17 - Majority Vote)
10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-855: Chapter 82, Water Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-855 to a second reading - Majority Vote)
10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-856: Chapter 82, Sewer Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-856 to a second reading - Majority Vote)
10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-857: Chapter 82, Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-857 to a second reading - Majority Vote)
11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
a. Coronavirus Update
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 meeting agenda and associated documents can be found
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N3bRsizwge7IW-Ks_U-JGM503kYs4FRA/view?usp=sharing
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| https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ |
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Reminder: Stormwater Information Session - March 11
The Town of Franklin is holding three storm water information sessions to educate residents on the facts of storm water and the financial impact. Come meet Ben Franklin and learn more! Ben will be at all 3 events.
- Wednesday, March 11, 6 - 8 PM at Franklin TV
- Saturday, March 21, 11 AM - 1 PM at Franklin Library
And yes, it is true that Ben will provide the ruff overview! (sorry, that was too good to pass on!)
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| Franklin Residents: Stormwater Information Sessions Scheduled |
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Franklin Residents: January Brings a Record Month of Clothing Recycling
January Brings a Record Month of Clothing Recycling
In January 2020 simplerecycling.com picked up 20,437 pounds of clothing for reuse/recycling!
What could be easier than using the pink bags and take it to the curb.
This saves material form ending up in the trash and recycling carts and the residual money ($20/ton) received goes into the curbside solid waste program to reduce fees.
Please spread the word and go to simplerecycling.com for more bags and information.
This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/news/january-brings-record-month-clothing-recycling
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| Franklin Residents: January Brings a Record Month of Clothing Recycling |
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Dec 4, 2019
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
- None
5. APPOINTMENTS
- None
6. HEARINGS
Franklin Tax Classification Hearing
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/12-4-19_memo_tax_rate_hearing.pdf
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. 99 Restaurants of Boston, change of Officers/Directors/LLC Managers & Change of Ownership Interest, 847 West Central Street
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- None
9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-80: Tax Classification Residential Factor (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-80 - Majority Vote (5))
10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-81: Tax Classification - Open Space Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-81 - Majority Vote (5))
10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-82: Tax Classification Small Business Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-82 - Majority Vote (5))
10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-83: Tax Classification Residential Property Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-83 - Majority Vote (5))
10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-84: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Public Library, $10,500 (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-84 - Majority Vote (5))
10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-85: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Senior Center, $250 (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-85 - Majority Vote (5))
10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-86: Town Council 2020 Meeting Calendar (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-86 - Majority Vote (5))
10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-87: Appropriation of Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per M.G.L Ch.44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-87 - Majority Vote (5))
10i. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-88: Ad Hoc Stormwater Utility Fee Study Committee (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-88 - Majority Vote (5))
10j. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 19-846: Chapter 153 Stormwater Management - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw 19-846 to a 2nd Reading - Majority Vote (5))
11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
- None Scheduled
ADJOURN
The full set of documents released for this agenda can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/december-4-town-council-meeting
in PDF form
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/12-4-19_tc_full_agenda.pdf
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| rain garden at Parmenter managing the storm water when it rains |
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
In the News: Franklin curbside pickup fees to rise; Fall construction alert - Rtes. 16 and 140 near Milford Regional Medical
Franklin curbside pickup fees to rise
"Trash and recycling fees are going up due to international struggles with plastic disposal.
Town councilors approved a rate hike of $32 on March 20, raising the average annual cost for curbside trash and recycle pickup to $240. The council also voted to raise the price of stickers in 2020 from $25 to $35 for the transfer station on Beaver Street.
Franklin recycles about 3,600 tons of waste a year. The cost will rise to $55 a ton in 2020, $20 more a ton than the town currently pays. The town sold around 240 stickers last year, but is considering either eliminating the option or increasing the 10-day fee to $25.
In the last year, China has been sent massive amounts of plastic waste for recycling purposes. According to NPR, about 106 million metric tons, or roughly 45 percent of the world’s plastic ready for recycling, was exported to China. Inundated with the waste, the country decided at the start of last year to decline any more shipments."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190326/franklin-trash-recycling-fees-increasing
Note: The first of two votes to approve the rate increase was held on March 20. The second vote is scheduled for a future Town Council meeting before becoming effective July 1. While the fee is increasing, we are still below where the fee was in 2005.
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| Due to global market issues for recycling, proposal to increase curbside fee |
Construction alert: Rtes. 16 and 140 near Milford Regional Medical Center
"The planned facelift for one of Milford’s most heavily traveled roads remains on track to begin this fall.
The half-mile stretch of Rte. 16 from just past the Milford police headquarters to the Hopedale town border will receive a long-awaited upgrade. The project will focus on the intersection of Rtes. 16 and 140 near Milford Regional Medical Center. The intersection is a regular spot for traffic backups and will be widened to make way for dedicated turning lanes, which should ease the turning radius for large trucks and tractor-trailers.
“You cannot get through that intersection if someone is taking a left turn,” said Highway Surveyor Scott Crisafulli. “It’s too small.”
New modern traffic signals with preemptive control for emergency vehicles approaching the intersection are part of the project."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190325/milford-rte-16140-intersection-project-includes-new-signals-bike-lanes
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
MBTA Parking fee changes were effective Sep 1
Not sure how I missed picking it up on the radar but I was surprised last week to find the parking fee at Franklin/Dean Station increased from $4 to $6. The parking fee at Forge Park did not increase (it remains at $4).
Come to find out it is part of the plan to adjust prices throughout the MBTA arena.
The good news: weekend parking went down from $4 to $2 at both Franklin/Dean and Forge Park Stations.
More about the parking rate changes overall
https://www.mbta.com/projects/parking-prices-update
Note: the listed price is for customers who use PayByPhone (the mobile app, the website, or their phone system). Mailed invoices are subject to a $1 fee per day of parking
Come to find out it is part of the plan to adjust prices throughout the MBTA arena.
The good news: weekend parking went down from $4 to $2 at both Franklin/Dean and Forge Park Stations.
More about the parking rate changes overall
https://www.mbta.com/projects/parking-prices-update
Note: the listed price is for customers who use PayByPhone (the mobile app, the website, or their phone system). Mailed invoices are subject to a $1 fee per day of parking
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| MBTA Parking fee changes were effective Sep 1 |
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Town Council - May 9, 2018 - Recap
Quick summary of the key items from the Town Council meeting of May 9, 2018
The Actions Taken summary as published by the Town of Franklin can be found here http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_may_9_2018.pdf
and here
- The trash/recycling fees were formally passed. The rate rises from 204 to $208 effective July 1.
- Four zoning bylaw changes were moved by the Council to a second reading. Several more were referred to the Planning Board to start the process.
The Actions Taken summary as published by the Town of Franklin can be found here http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_may_9_2018.pdf
and here
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| Proposed increase of $4 in trash/recycling rate effective 7/1/18 |
Monday, April 16, 2018
Town Council Recap - 4/11/18
The Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, April 11 was a short session with a juggled agenda. Franklin's State House legislators, Representative Jeff Roy, Senator Karen Spilka and Senator Richard Ross were listed as providing their update to the Council.
Rep Roy was present with Senator Ross in transit and due by 7:30ish with Senator Spilka under the weather and not able to participate this night. The Council Chair juggled the agenda order to cover the other items on the agenda to allow for Ross to arrive.
The remainder of the agenda was dispatched quickly. One gift to the Cultural Council was accepted. The first reading to raise the trash fees from the current rate of $204 to $208 was discussed and moved to a second reading.
The increase of $4 effective July 1, 2018 still leaves the rate under the peak of $244 that was effective in 2009 and 2010. The new single stream system has been working well. The trash receptacles, "totters", are all paid for. Some repairs are made to them as needed. The amount of trash collected has fallen while the amount of recycling has increased.
In the Administrator's update, it was revealed that use of the budget stabilization fund was planned to balance the FY 2019 budget. The budget hearings are scheduled for April 17, 18 and 24 with the Finance Committee.
The Town Council is scheduled for May 17 and 18 for their budget hearings. Based upon recent experience with the budget hearing process. Residents are better off getting real and valid information from the Finance Committee meetings. The Town Council has done only a cursory reading of the budget with selective holds and minimal discussion.
With the use of the stabilization funds this year, combined with the use of the revolving funds to balance the school side of the budget, the can has been kicked down the road (so to speak) to address the real funding issues for Franklin. If there will be need for an override, the current informational aspects of the Council meetings will need to change.
The Council will need to spend more time sharing valid and appropriate information and less time trying to get the meeting over if they are going to be successful in addressing Franklin's financial needs.
Unable to delay any longer, Rep Roy began his update without Senator Ross. He provided highlights on the collaboration and cooperation among the legislative team and with Franklin's administration, Town Council and School Committee.
As Roy was finishing, Senator Ross arrived. While catching his breath, Ross checked to see how much Roy had covered and as they revealed a couple of items not covered, those updates were provided. These last updates were interspersed with teasing from the Council Chair and others before finishing with a motion to adjourn.
The official "Actions Taken" document can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_april_11_2018.pdf
My notes recorded live from the meeting can be found here
Rep Roy was present with Senator Ross in transit and due by 7:30ish with Senator Spilka under the weather and not able to participate this night. The Council Chair juggled the agenda order to cover the other items on the agenda to allow for Ross to arrive.
The remainder of the agenda was dispatched quickly. One gift to the Cultural Council was accepted. The first reading to raise the trash fees from the current rate of $204 to $208 was discussed and moved to a second reading.
The increase of $4 effective July 1, 2018 still leaves the rate under the peak of $244 that was effective in 2009 and 2010. The new single stream system has been working well. The trash receptacles, "totters", are all paid for. Some repairs are made to them as needed. The amount of trash collected has fallen while the amount of recycling has increased.
In the Administrator's update, it was revealed that use of the budget stabilization fund was planned to balance the FY 2019 budget. The budget hearings are scheduled for April 17, 18 and 24 with the Finance Committee.
The Town Council is scheduled for May 17 and 18 for their budget hearings. Based upon recent experience with the budget hearing process. Residents are better off getting real and valid information from the Finance Committee meetings. The Town Council has done only a cursory reading of the budget with selective holds and minimal discussion.
With the use of the stabilization funds this year, combined with the use of the revolving funds to balance the school side of the budget, the can has been kicked down the road (so to speak) to address the real funding issues for Franklin. If there will be need for an override, the current informational aspects of the Council meetings will need to change.
The Council will need to spend more time sharing valid and appropriate information and less time trying to get the meeting over if they are going to be successful in addressing Franklin's financial needs.
Unable to delay any longer, Rep Roy began his update without Senator Ross. He provided highlights on the collaboration and cooperation among the legislative team and with Franklin's administration, Town Council and School Committee.
As Roy was finishing, Senator Ross arrived. While catching his breath, Ross checked to see how much Roy had covered and as they revealed a couple of items not covered, those updates were provided. These last updates were interspersed with teasing from the Council Chair and others before finishing with a motion to adjourn.
The official "Actions Taken" document can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_april_11_2018.pdf
My notes recorded live from the meeting can be found here
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| Rep Roy highlighted a section of the House budget during his update to the Town Council |
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Real time Reporting: District Current Needs
coordinator for social emotional learning
STEM coordinator for pre-K to 12 levels
a district of this size would have layers of curriculum people, we don't have an entire layer that others have
department heads currently teaching 2-3 classes, other districts usually teach only one so the time can be spent on curriculum development
need a technology support person full time, currently share with the Town and the needs can not be met
1 digital integration specialist at the high school, technical support for each school but that is limited
approx 1,000 special education students in the district. approx 17% of the population
professional development adds days to the school year and is rather expensive
extend school year for teachers to not affect the 180 day requirement
adds approx $200K per day
looking at about $400K to add the line item for textbooks and Chrome books to the budget; currently using capital budget process for this recurring expense
school fees are one item they would like to do away with.
(school fees are one reason why I got started doing this reporting. The fees came in and then went up and up. I went to meetings to find out why and try and make sense of it.)
advertising on the buses? we don't own the buses so it would not be possible to generate revenue that way
(left off at 8:00 for a work meeting; returned to meeting at 9 PM)
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Updated fee schedule - dog license renewals coming via online transaction in January 2017
"Effective January 1, 2017, the Town of Franklin will update its fee schedule for all service fees. Please see the attached fee schedule for details. If you have any questions, please call the Administrator's Office at 508-520-4949.
The Town of Franklin had not done a comprehensive analysis of the fee schedule in almost twenty years. Based off customer and staff feedback, the Town has streamlined the fee system and accurately capture the cost of doing business. Overall, we have eliminated 116 fee's or fee categories that were outdated, unnecessary, duplicative or just simply needed to be updated to reflect current day laws and town operations.
The Town is also investing in new software and technology to assist in better customer service. Beginning on January 1, 2017, a pilot program will begin in the Town Clerk's Office for dog licensing. The Town has invested in a cloud based company, Viewpoint, to allow residents to establish an online account with the Town to register their dogs, submit rabies certificates, veterinary information and receive email notifications for renewal dates and deadlines. We hope this new software is a better convenience to our residents.
Please visit www.franklinma.gov in January to license your dog. You will receive your dog tags in the mail. No trips to Town Hall are necessary. If this software is successful, we will begin expanding the services to other town departments in the coming years for building permits, conservation permits, liquor licenses, tax payments and much more. Our goal is to allow residents to establish an online account, like and Amazon.com, to be able to conduct your business with town government 24-7-365 at your convenience, during your busy schedules. We welcome any feedback!
We have also updated and modernized the Community Assistance Program to assist qualifying residents of certain incomes to apply for discounts on their water, sewer, and trash bills. Discounts are also available for Recreation Department programs. Please contact the DPW or Recreation Department for specific details on their programs and offerings. We hope these programs can offer modest assistance to allow everyone to thrive in Franklin and participate in our vast Recreation programs."
The new listing of Municipal Service fees can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/municipal_service_fees_list_2016.pdf
This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage:
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/updated-law-chapter-82town-service-fee-schedule
The Town of Franklin had not done a comprehensive analysis of the fee schedule in almost twenty years. Based off customer and staff feedback, the Town has streamlined the fee system and accurately capture the cost of doing business. Overall, we have eliminated 116 fee's or fee categories that were outdated, unnecessary, duplicative or just simply needed to be updated to reflect current day laws and town operations.
The Town is also investing in new software and technology to assist in better customer service. Beginning on January 1, 2017, a pilot program will begin in the Town Clerk's Office for dog licensing. The Town has invested in a cloud based company, Viewpoint, to allow residents to establish an online account with the Town to register their dogs, submit rabies certificates, veterinary information and receive email notifications for renewal dates and deadlines. We hope this new software is a better convenience to our residents.
Please visit www.franklinma.gov in January to license your dog. You will receive your dog tags in the mail. No trips to Town Hall are necessary. If this software is successful, we will begin expanding the services to other town departments in the coming years for building permits, conservation permits, liquor licenses, tax payments and much more. Our goal is to allow residents to establish an online account, like and Amazon.com, to be able to conduct your business with town government 24-7-365 at your convenience, during your busy schedules. We welcome any feedback!
We have also updated and modernized the Community Assistance Program to assist qualifying residents of certain incomes to apply for discounts on their water, sewer, and trash bills. Discounts are also available for Recreation Department programs. Please contact the DPW or Recreation Department for specific details on their programs and offerings. We hope these programs can offer modest assistance to allow everyone to thrive in Franklin and participate in our vast Recreation programs."
The new listing of Municipal Service fees can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/municipal_service_fees_list_2016.pdf
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| The current link to forms will be replaced in January with an online transaction for dog license renewals |
This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage:
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/updated-law-chapter-82town-service-fee-schedule
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Town Council Recap: Contentious public hearing on zoning map change
The Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Dec 21, 2016 was contentious as it seemed like most of the existing residents along Summer St spoke against the proposal to change the map to add high density Residential Zoning 7 to a single parcel. The map change would enable the one parcel to be developed for 34 residences instead of the approx 7-8 that the current zoning required.
A few councilors spoke raising questions about the proposal but the measure did move to a second reading with an 8-0 vote. (One Councilor recused himself - Bissanti). The crowd was upset with the vote as even the councilors speaking against the measure (or raising questions about it) voted to move the measure forward to a second reading in January.
After the crowd left the meeting, the Council meeting seemed disorganized as the repercussions of the zoning bylaw map change seemed to have had lingering effects.
The Council needed to redo one vote to record it via roll call. They had previously voted via voice vote. The discussion then got testy as there was disagreement on the bylaw numbering convention. Normally, the bylaws are numbered in two parts the first digits referring to the year of passage, the second set increasing sequentially. Some of the bylaw amendments were numbered as 16 (this year) and some as 17 (next year). Further adding confusion to this, some of the paperwork in the hands of the councilors also differed. Some councilors had a set with paperwork for 16, others for 17.
The set of bylaws to enable recreational marijuana in the industrial zones as well as implement a 2% sale tax moved to the Planning Board for their action. The measures will return to the Town Council for 2 readings before the final vote and enactment in 2017.
Not to be overshadowed by the contentious zoning hearing, the new Lieutenant for the Fire Dept. Keith Darling was sworn in to open the meeting.
PDF for the zoning map change
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/rr7_16-775_rr7_public_hearing.pdf
GIS Map entry for 496 Summer St
http://franklin.patriotproperties.com/Summary.asp?AccountNumber=1637
My full set of notes taking during the meeting remotely can be found here. Note: I did catch up to the portion of the meeting that I missed due to work and added/updated the notes accordingly.
The video replay of the Town Council meeting is available
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=419
A few councilors spoke raising questions about the proposal but the measure did move to a second reading with an 8-0 vote. (One Councilor recused himself - Bissanti). The crowd was upset with the vote as even the councilors speaking against the measure (or raising questions about it) voted to move the measure forward to a second reading in January.
After the crowd left the meeting, the Council meeting seemed disorganized as the repercussions of the zoning bylaw map change seemed to have had lingering effects.
The Council needed to redo one vote to record it via roll call. They had previously voted via voice vote. The discussion then got testy as there was disagreement on the bylaw numbering convention. Normally, the bylaws are numbered in two parts the first digits referring to the year of passage, the second set increasing sequentially. Some of the bylaw amendments were numbered as 16 (this year) and some as 17 (next year). Further adding confusion to this, some of the paperwork in the hands of the councilors also differed. Some councilors had a set with paperwork for 16, others for 17.
The set of bylaws to enable recreational marijuana in the industrial zones as well as implement a 2% sale tax moved to the Planning Board for their action. The measures will return to the Town Council for 2 readings before the final vote and enactment in 2017.
Not to be overshadowed by the contentious zoning hearing, the new Lieutenant for the Fire Dept. Keith Darling was sworn in to open the meeting.
Lt Keith Darling being sworn in tonight at Town Council meeting. Fm-TC1221 pic.twitter.com/tXtQFp9t78— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 22, 2016
Attorney Cornetta and representative of Grandise Homes the developer of the proposal for Summer St #fm-tc1221 pic.twitter.com/AHXW5gw6dH— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) December 22, 2016
PDF for the zoning map change
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/rr7_16-775_rr7_public_hearing.pdf
GIS Map entry for 496 Summer St
http://franklin.patriotproperties.com/Summary.asp?AccountNumber=1637
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| On Summer St, at the entrance to the Town Forest. Some of the land where the trees are would be were the development in question would be positioned. |
My full set of notes taking during the meeting remotely can be found here. Note: I did catch up to the portion of the meeting that I missed due to work and added/updated the notes accordingly.
The video replay of the Town Council meeting is available
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=419
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 12/21/16
The agenda can also be viewed in this PDF
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/agenda_12-21-16.pdf
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| downtown Franklin in snow |
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