Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - insights on the meeting of Aug 17, 2022 (audio)

FM #837 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 837 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council Quarterbacking session with Chair Tom Mercer on Thursday morning, September 1, 2022.  The Town Council meeting was held on Wednesday, August 17. Our combined schedules delayed us getting together for this the only Town Council meeting in August.

·        ok, what just happened? 

·        What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following agenda items

5. APPOINTMENTS 

a. Cultural Council - Brianna Cummings 

b. Cultural Council - Lauren Sanford 

c. Design Review - Cassandra Bethoney 

d. Design Review - Paul Lopez 

e. Finance Committee - Stephanie Koke 

f. Historical Commission - Scott Mason 

g. Historical Commission - Janice Prentice 

h. Historical Commission - William Lee - Associate 

i. Housing Authority Tenant Seat - Christopher Lennon

 

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS 

a. Transfer of Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Arthur Tgibedes as the Manager - ACT Hospitality, Inc. d/b/a Box Seats, Located at 391 East Central Street 

 

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION 

a. Discussion: Franklin Cultural Council - Kaye Kelly, Chair, Franklin Cultural Council https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._fcc_presentation.pdf

 

b. Presentation: Green Community Status - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator & Alecia Alleyne, Assistant to the Town Administrator   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._green_community_presentation_0.pdf 

 

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 

a. Bylaw Amendment 22-881: Chapter 7 Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Add Vice Chair and Clerk Positions, 2nd Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 22-881 - Majority Roll Call Vote) 

 

b. Bylaw Amendment 22-882: Chapter 4 Admin. of Govt.: Authorize Town Clerk to Make Format Changes, 2nd Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 22-882 - Majority Roll Call Vote) 

 

c. Bylaw Amendment 22-883: Amendment to Water System Map, 1st reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-883 to Second Reading - Majority Vote) 

The conversation runs about 34 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-837-town-council-quarterbacking-with-chair-tom-mercer-09-01-22

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Meeting agenda =>    

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/august_17_2022_agenda.pdf

YouTube video of meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqNx065s430 

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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"

YouTube video of meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqNx065s430

Talk Franklin: Jamie Hellen and I talk the 5 year fiscal forecast and #1 complaint to the Town (speeding) (audio)

FM #836 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 836 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge.  

Topics for this session

• EDC prioritized their ‘short list’ at Aug 10 meeting

• Green community & Cultural Council presentations at August 17 Town Council meeting

• Dean College President/Chancellor scheduled for the Sep 7 Council meeting

• 5 year fiscal outlook published 

• #1 complaint to the Town - speeding

The conversation runs about 33 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Franklins-Forecast-e1n7023

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Franklin for All webpage https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/

Cultural Council presentation -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._fcc_presentation.pdf 

Green Community presentation -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._green_community_presentation_0.pdf 

Green Community story map https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/green-community 

5 year fiscal outlook ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022-08-15_fy23_to_fy27_town_administartor_fiscal_forecast_1.pdf 

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

Community & Cultural District calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.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"

Talk Franklin: Jamie Hellen and I talk the 5 year fiscal forecast and #1 complaint to the Town (speeding) (audio)

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Aug 17, 2022

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

August 17, 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 - None Scheduled. 

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS 

5. APPOINTMENTS 

a. Cultural Council - Brianna Cummings 

b. Cultural Council - Lauren Sanford 

c. Design Review - Cassandra Bethoney 

d. Design Review - Paul Lopez 

e. Finance Committee - Stephanie Koke 

f. Historical Commission - Scott Mason 

g. Historical Commission - Janice Prentice 

h. Historical Commission - William Lee - Associate 

i. Housing Authority Tenant Seat - Christopher Lennon

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

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS 

a. Transfer of Section 12 Restaurant Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Arthur Tgibedes as the Manager - ACT Hospitality, Inc. d/b/a Box Seats, Located at 391 East Central Street 

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION 

a. Discussion: Franklin Cultural Council - Kaye Kelly, Chair, Franklin Cultural Council 

b. Presentation: Green Community Status - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator & Alecia Alleyne, Assistant to the Town Administrator 

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 

a. Bylaw Amendment 22-881: Chapter 7 Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Add Vice Chair and Clerk Positions, 2nd Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 22-881 - Majority Roll Call Vote) 

b. Bylaw Amendment 22-882: Chapter 4 Admin. of Govt.: Authorize Town Clerk to Make Format Changes, 2nd Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 22-882 - Majority Roll Call Vote) 

c. Bylaw Amendment 22-883: Amendment to Water System Map, 1st reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-883 to Second Reading - Majority Vote) 

d. Resolution 22-56: Gift Acceptance - Police Department (Equipment Donation, 3 Drones and Related Equipment) (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-56 - Majority Vote) 

e. 22-57: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($800), Fire Dept. ($100), Police Dept. ($100) (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-57 - Majority Vote) 

f. Resolution 22-58: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-58 - Majority Vote) 

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 

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 

15. ADJOURN 

Note: 

Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes 

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting 

Documents released for this agenda can be found online ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_aug_17_2022_0.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Aug 17, 2022

From the heat to the proposed 'friendly 40b' process, to the 5 year fiscal outlook, we cover these and more in this Talk Franklin episode - 07/26/22

FM #832 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 832 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing & Communications Specialist Lily Rivera. We had our conversation at the Municipal Building in Jamie’s office. 

Topics for this session

• This heat wave broke, the drought is continuing 

• Weekly Farmers Market, Concert on the Common, food trucks, movie nights

• Hydrant painting contest by DPW, applications due Aug 12, winner announcement in October

• Friendly 40b

• EDC to do their ‘short list’ for the MAPC recommendations at Aug 10 meeting

• Green community presentation at August Town Council meeting

• 5 year fiscal outlook (not published yet but highlights covered)

• Old South Meeting House

• Davis Thayer deed processing underway, discussion in Fall on how best to use it

The conversation runs about 45 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lily. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/The-End-of-the-Heat-Wave--Hydrant-Painting--and-the-New-Friendly-40b-Process-e1lrjsg/a-a8ak6mi

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Hydrant painting contest  https://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/news/hydrant-painting-starts-today

40b collection

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/what-is-40b-why-is-town-of-franklin.html

Beaver St collection

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/what-is-beaver-st-interceptor-why-does.html

Franklin for All webpage 

https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/

Green Community story map https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/green-community 

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

Community & Cultural District calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.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"

From the heat to the proposed 'friendly 40b' process, to the 5 year fiscal outlook, we cover these and more in this Talk Franklin episode - 07/26/22

Town of Franklin Awarded 150k by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Communities Division

The Town of Franklin has been approved for an award of $150,902 by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Communities Division. The funding will support the following projects proposed in the Town of Franklin’s Green Communities Competitive grant application.

• $15,000: Town — Electric vehicles (2)
• $49,514: Horace Mann School — Smart LED lighting
• $24,895: Horace Mann School — Transformer
• $12,194: Remington Jefferson School — Transformer
• $49,299: Keller Sullivan School — Transformer

All of these projects are currently underway and the Town hopes to have all projects completed by December of 2022. 

For more information on our Green Communities status and previous grant awards, please view our green communities page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/green-community

Town of Franklin Awarded 150k by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) 

Franklin awarded $150K in green community grant for "energy conservation measures, EV vehicles, LED lighting, etc."

During an event yesterday in Lawrence, the administration awarded $8.3 million in Green Communities competitive grants to 64 municipalities.

The competitive grants support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the designated communities’ clean energy goals. The grants are awarded to Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards.

According to the Department of Energy Resources, the grants will help to fund a range of projects, from ventilation system upgrades to the installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal buildings and facilities. Projects also include installations of air-source heat pumps, hybrid police cruisers, and electric vehicle charging stations. (Click here for details of the project awards.)

Continue reading the MMA article

https://www.mma.org/administration-awards-8-3m-in-green-communities-grants/

Franklin's award for $150,902 was summarized as:

"to fund energy conservation measures, EV vehicles, LED lighting, and transformers, in municipal facilities including vehicle fleet, Horace Mann, Remington, and Keller Sullivan Schools"

The complete listing of awards can be found -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/competitive-grant-awards-2021-block-2/download

For more about Green Communities

Earth Day conversation starters for Franklin

Via Cobi Frongillo: 

"Some thoughts on this Earth Day to get our brain's turning on opportunities for local advocacy..."

Shared from Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GreaterFranklin350Mass/permalink/4217769938274226/

What's currently being done?

Possible next steps

Do you drink bottled water?

"For years, the debate has raged on: which is better, bottled water, or tap?

Despite its ever-growing popularity in the US, bottled water is atrocious for the environment. To quote Harvard University’s Office for Sustainability, “The entire life cycle of bottled water uses fossil fuels, contributes to global warming, and causes pollution.”

Although water bottles are recyclable, Americans throw away about 80% of the bottles they use – and, by some estimates, Americans use 1,500 plastic bottles of water every second. Plastic bottles contribute immensely to global environmental crises, in part due to the fact that they disintegrate into microplastics, the presence of which are so ubiquitous researchers recently discovered them in the placentas of unborn babies. Bottled water takes 2,000 times the energy to produce and ship than its tap equivalent. The extraction and manufacturing processes used by bottled water corporations can also have negative environmental and economic effects, and amount to the privatization and commodification of a limited and invaluable resource to which all should have a universal right."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/28/do-you-drink-bottled-water-read-this

Franklin receives $30K Green Communities Grant Award

The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a $30,000 grant towards the purchase of electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Division. 

$15,000 is earmarked for the purchase of two electric vehicles and $15,000 is earmarked for the purchase of electric vehicle charging stations, which will be installed at the Municipal Building and Franklin Public Library.

Shared from Twitter

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1299391724079415298

Franklin receives Green Communities Grant Award

Climate Crisis: 350 Mass Road to a MA Green New Deal presentation & workshop - Jun 4

Dear climate activist friend,

The climate crisis is not in the future--it's here--and the solutions have to be on the same massive scale as the problem. 350 Mass, a statewide network of climate activists, proposes the Massachusetts Green New Deal as the answer. 

We need to vigorously ramp up these next two years using the Road to a Massachusetts Green New Deal as a guide, so we can tackle the crisis head on in 2020. We cannot wait for the federal government to take the lead; we must forge ahead at the state and local levels.

The Greater Franklin Node of 350 Mass is making a presentation in which you learn what you can do to help ramp up the effort through the Massachusetts Road to a Green New Deal and then split off to work in local groups to make it happen! Join us!

When registering for the event, please include your town so you will be appropriately grouped with other local folks.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-crisis-350-mass-road-to-a-ma-green-new-deal-tickets-62451430911


Carolyn Barthel
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
508-473-3305 H

Climate Crisis: 350 Mass Road to a MA Green New Deal presentation & workshop - Jun 4

"now we qualify for grants for up to $250,000 a year"

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

"Saving the world, one light bulb at a time, are the newest communities that were welcomed as Massachusetts Green Communities on Thursday at the Franklin municipal building. 

Judith Judson, commissioner of the state Department of Energy Resources, said 210 towns and cities in Massachusetts are now considered “Green Communities.” They encompass more than 72 percent of the state’s population. 

“It’s providing a lot of benefits for our commonwealth,” she said. “It enables energy savings for the cities and towns that become Green Communities, and we provide grant funding in order to make energy improvements.” 

These efforts, she said, are visible to residents who see reductions in their towns’ energy use, emissions and their associated costs. The money saved, she said, might find its way into the schools or into public safety, strengthening those services."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180608/franklin-named-green-community

Many Thanks to MassDOER Commissioner Judith Judson for coming to Franklin today to officially declare Franklin A “Green Community” and give us our grant award! A huge thank you to our Town staff for a great job well done!

Franklin Green Community recognition event - Jun 7

Please join

DOER Commissioner Judith Judson

to recognize

Franklin’s designation

as a Green Community

Where: Franklin Municipal Building
Town Council Chambers
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038

When: 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 7, 2018

RSVP to: Kelly Brown, Regional Coordinator
Tel: 508-767-2703
E-mail: Kelly.Brown@state.ma.us

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRmJkUm5nZEU5Z1otUnlwSTF3SFZ4QTU0N2Jv/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Green Community recognition event - Jun 7