Franklin, MA: Town Council - agenda - June 8, 2022 at 7 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 8, 2022 - 7 PM

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

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.

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

a. April 13, 2022  ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/april_13_2022_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf

b. May 4, 2022 ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/3b._may_4_2022_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation - Franklin Flyers Youth Hockey Team

b. Proclamation - Franklin High School Theatre Company

 

5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled.

6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm - None Scheduled.

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. License Modification: Change of Hours - PH Franklin, Inc. d/b/a Raillery Public House, Located at 280 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin, MA 02038  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._raillery_change_of_hours.pdf

b. New Farmer Winery-Farmers Market License - Crave Mead, LLC d/b/a Crave Mead, Located at 7 Main St., Unit 1, Blackstone, MA 01504  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7b._farmers_market_license_-_crave.pdf

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Presentation/Discussion: North Grove Priority Development Area Redevelopment Concept -

Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel & MassDevelopment   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._memo_town_council_letter_-_north_grove_pda_-_uli_tap_-_06022022.pdf

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 22-32: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Town Clerk (Motion to Approve

Resolution 22-32 - Majority Roll Call Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._clerks_salary.pdf

b. Resolution 22-30: FY22 Capital Plan Round 2 (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-30 -

Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._22-30_capital_round_2.pdf

c. Resolution 22-34: Gift Acceptance - Senior Center ($100), Fire Department ($50) (Motion to

Approve Resolution 22-34 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._22-34_gift_acceptance_sr._ctr._fd.pdf

d. Resolution 22-35: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44,

§53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-35 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9d._22-35_peg_comcast_verizon.pdf

e. Resolution 22-39: Authorizing the Additional Borrowing of Money to Pay Additional Costs of the

Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Project (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-39 - Two

Thirds Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9e._beaver_streeet_interceptor.pdf

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - None Scheduled.

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exemption #6: To consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body and the chair so declares.  i. Schmidt’s Farm, Prospect Street

15. ADJOURN

Note:

Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc and remote participation information -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/06-08-2022_town_council_agenda_packet.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - agenda - June 8, 2022 at 7 PM

Capital Budget Subcommittee approved Round 2 of capital requests to send to Town Council (audio)

FM #804 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 804 in the series. 

This session of the radio show is the audio recording of the Franklin, MA Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting conducted on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. All four members of the subcommittee were present. 

This was the second round of capital budgeting. Three items were up for approval

• Snow and Ice - $229,169
• Roads, Infrastructure & Sidewalk maintenance & SNETT Trail - $510,237
• Technology (Desktops, Docking Stations & Computers) - $90,000

After some clarifications on each item, they were each approved in turn by 4-0 votes to recommend to the Town Council. 

The recording runs about 20 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio file =>  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-804-capital-budget-subcmte-mtg-05-25-22

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Agenda document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022-05-25_capital_round_2_memo.pdf 

My notes via Twitter -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mKplYJoURMvhhUa5XU8XzlsZk3f6Fmz6/view?usp=sharing 

Capital budget first pass -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/capital-budget-subcmte-mtg-completes.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 iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

The Grove St to Pleasant St section is the target of this SNETT capital request

Capital Budget Subcmte Mtg: completes review, approves to refer to Town Council

FM #746 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 746 in the series. 

This shares the Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting that was held on Thursday, March 3, 2022.

The meeting was held in the 3rd floor training room. It started late as they were waiting for a quorum (their 3rd member to arrive); the fourth subcommittee member arrived shortly after the third. 

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. 

This recording runs about 1 hour 17 minutes.  Let’s listen to the Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting for Mar 3, 2022. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-746-capital-budget-subcommittee-mtg-03-03-22

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Meeting agenda 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/3-3-22_cap_budget_agenda.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-q6EIGdJW0yAddrzh0AFsAn7b8FJcLzS/view?usp=sharing 

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

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"

Capital Budget Subcmte Mtg: completes review, approves to refer to Town Council

"all heavily qualified with discussions of uncertainty"

"Despite a persistent public health emergency, the Commonwealth’s fiscal outlook for the remainder of fiscal 2022 and looking ahead to fiscal 2023 remains strong, but not without some uncertainty. 

Tax collections far exceeded benchmarks in fiscal 2021, leading to a substantial state surplus, and they are on track to do the same in fiscal 2022. 

Still, during the annual Consensus Revenue Hearing convened today by the House and Senate Ways and Means committees and the governor’s budget office, the Department of Revenue and other fiscal experts and economists offered cautious outlooks for the economy and state revenues over the second half of fiscal 2022 and for fiscal 2023."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/budget-outlook-for-fy23-is-a-balance-of-strong-revenue-and-uncertainty/ 

We enter the FY 2023 budget season. The Town of Franklin departments are working on their department level operational and capital requests. The capital budget will be first reviewed via the Finance Committee before going to the Town Council capital budget subcommittee and eventually to the full Council for approval. As with prior years, the capital budget is likely to be addressed in two phases: the first utilizes the available free cash less some amount held to cover additional snow/ice expenses this winter; after the winter expenses are finalized, then the second portion of free cash is utilized for the capital budget.

The Town budget process and documents can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

The School budget follows a similar timeline

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget

"all heavily qualified with discussions of uncertainty"

FM #535 - Capital Budget SubComm Mtg - 05/05/21 (audio)

FM #535 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 535 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Capital Budget SubCommittee members, Town Administrator and key personnel, were in the Council Chambers; the public was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Quick Recap:

• The capital budget round two was reviewed, questions answered and vote conducted on each item along the way. At the there was another vote on the grand total which effectively recorded a second vote of approval for the items.
• Funding for a study of the police station options was approved. Long a discussion item, now the growth of the department is forcing the issue be faced as the space doesn't meet the needs of the staffing. The options of renovate, build new, including where, all need to be sorted out before a decision can be made. Good timing to study now with School also looking at their facility master plan along with updated population numbers to help with the planning.

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 50 minutes, so let’s listen to the Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting. 

Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/778d2959-c06c-4a05-ac9a-14efc4a252be

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Capital Budget agenda  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/5-5-2021_capital_subcommittee_meeting_agenda_1.pdf 

Town of Franklin budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 
Franklin Schools budget page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget 

My notes captured during the meeting 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-town-council-capital-budget.html 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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"

FM #535 - Capital Budget SubComm Mtg - 05/05/21 (audio)

FM #504 -Town Council - Capital Budget SubComm - 03/31/21 (audio)

FM #504 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 504 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Subcommittee members, Town Administrator and key personnel, were in the Council Chambers; the public was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 78 minutes, so let’s listen to the Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting.   Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4bfe56e1-5469-43da-a665-d573497a9237

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Capital Budget agenda  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/capital-budget-subcommittee-meeting-mar.html 

Town of Franklin budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 
Franklin Schools budget page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget 

My FinComm capital budget meeting 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/finance-committee-meeting-recap-topics.html 

Audio recording of FinComm mtg (capital budget segment)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/fm-488-finance-committee-meeting-031021.html 

My notes captured during the meeting 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-of-capital-budget-subcommittee.html 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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"

 

FM #504 -Town Council - Capital Budget SubComm - 03/31/21 (audio)

 

FM #488 - Finance Committee Meeting - 03/10/21 - P1 of 3 - capital budget (audio)

FM #488 = Welcome. This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 488 in the series. 

This session shares part 1 of the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Finance Committee members, Town Administrator and key personnel, were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just almost three hour meeting into three logical segments:

• *** First *** covers the capital budget discussion and vote to approve (approx. 75 minutes)
• Second - covers the public safety presentations and discussion; the MECC, Fire Dept and Police Dept. (approx. 67 mins)
• Third - and last but not least a look at the estimate for revenues for the FY 2022 budget. More to come on this as the budget cycle begins in earnest now meeting (approx. 30 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Finance Committee meeting of Mar 10, 2021

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4e92b9c1-e766-4516-b458-c44837dd8c2d

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Agenda doc   
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/revised_fin_com_agenda_complete_1.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/finance-committee-meeting-recap-topics.html 
 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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"

Franklin uses 'free cash' for its capital budget

Town Council approves $692K of free cash for projects

Another source for timely news about Franklin is MyFM 103. Given the total of the $692 was approved, it included the $24K for study and analysis the old South Meeting House. We'll need to wait for the Actions Taken document to be published to confirm.

"The Franklin Town Council unanimously approved a resolution to transfer $692,000 in freecash Wednesday evening, left over money from the town's snow and ice account that will be used for several projects. Most of the free cash $448,000 will be used for roads and infrastructure it’s estimated Franklin has a $40 million backlog of road work. Two appropriations of $100,000 is earmarked for improving public safety radio communications and for the wage settlement account, to pay for some unanticipated contractual obligations."

Continue reading the article online
https://myfm1013.com/news/franklin-town-council-approves-resolution-transfer-of-692000

Capital Budget Subcommittee agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/06/capital-budget-subcommittee-meeting.html

Town Council agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/06/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-june-26.html

funds for a study of the old South Meeting House on Washington St were approved as part of the free cash allocation

Town Council Recap - June 6, 2018

The recap of the Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 is as follows:

• Special recognition for James Pentikis, a student at FHS, for his work helping to prepare the FY 2019 budget documents.
• The annual committee and board appointments for the new fiscal year was approved after an amendment to remove the appoint of the ZBA member. A new assessment of candidates for this position will be taken before bringing the appointment back to the Council.
• The 4th of July Committee provided an update on the schedule for the coming event. It will be bigger and better than last year as the committee has had additional time to plan. Fireworks will return this year. The police and fire departments are still working out details for crowd control as the launching site will be one of the new softball fields at FHS. A mailer is about to be sent to all residents with info on the schedule and a request for donations.  https://www.franklin4th.com/
• A long listing of legislation was approved, some for final approval and some for referral to the Planning Board. The complete listing can be found in the notes and Actions Taken document below.
• The final approvals for the remaining free cash allocations will be on the next agenda. Approx. $500,000 remains after the snow/ice shortfall was covered. This remaining money would likely be used for other items on the Capital budget not funded in the first round earlier this year.
• The proposal to address the parking problem caused by the Dean College students is also supposed to be on the scheduled for the next meeting.

The official Actions Taken document can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R3ytQvC7HOqvpmLPuBvFnB4zq0-squNu/view?usp=sharing

My notes reported live from the meeting can be found here

• Live reporting: To Closing
• Live Reporting: Legislation for Action
• Live reporting: 4th July Update
• Live Reporting: Town Council - June 6, 2018

Special recognition for James Pentikis by Councilor Padula

Live reporting: Legislation for Action

J. Legislation for Action

J. Legislation for Action 1. Resolution 18-04 - Appropriation - Street Lighting (Motion to Move Resolution 18-04 - Majority Vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 funding repairs for existing street lights requests for new ones being held until new LEDs are installed and can be evaluated in that 'light' 1a. FY 18 Capital Plan Proposal 1b. Capital Plan FY 19- FY 22 2. Resolution 18-05 - Appropriation - General Fund Capital FY 18 (Motion to Move Resolution 18-05 - Majority Vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 $1.866,500  for a variety of capital expenses 3. Resolution 18-06 - Appropriation - Fire Truck Stabilization Fund FY 18 (Motion to Move Resolution 18-06 - Majority Vote(5)) part of 7 year plan by savings some each year for future purchase of a new fire truck to maintain the rotation of new vehicles motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 4. Resolution 18-07 - Appropriation - Turf Field Stabilization Fund FY 18 (Motion to Move Resolution 18-07 - Majority Vote (5))  year 1 of a ten year replacement plan motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 5. Resolution 18-08 - Appropriation - Enterprise Fund Capital FY 18 (Motion to Move Resolution 18-08 - Majority Vote (5)) $405000 total for various vehicle uses motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 6. Resolution 18-09 - Appropriation - OPEB Trust Fund FY 18 (Motion to Move Resolution 18-09 - Majority Vote (5)) $280,000 from free cash to the funding account to offset the outstanding liability of OPEB motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 7. Resolution 18-10 - Dissolution of the Senior Center Building Committee (Motion to Move Resolution 18-10 - Majority Vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 8. Resolution 18-11 - Dissolution of the Library Building Committee (Motion to Move Resolution 18-11 - Majority Vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 9. Resolution 18-12 - Dissolution 18-12 - Dissolution of the Franklin Advisory Committee (Motion to Move Resolution 18-12 - Majority vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 10. Bylaw Amendment 18-798R - Chapter 155, Streets and Sidewalks - 1st Reading(Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 18-798R to a 2nd  Reading - Majority Vote (5)) due to substantial changes, added an R to bring it through a second reading (actually a full cycle) motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0 11. Bylaw Amendment 18-799 - Chapter 82, Fees, Appendix B - Sewer Rates - 2nd Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 18-799 - Majority Roll Call Vote (5)) sewer rates ave increased state wide 14% in 3 years, state average is $816/vs. Franklin average of $440 effective for bills after June 30, 2018 motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 (via roll call) 12. Bylaw Amendment 18-800 - Chapter 82, Fees, Appendix B - Water Rates - 2nd Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 18-800 - Majority Roll Call Vote (5)) effective for bills after June 30, 2018 avg $595/year vs $470 in Franklin, last rate change was 6 years ago motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 (via roll call)