Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda & Documents for Dec 14, 2022 7:00 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 14, 2022 - 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 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. November 2, 2022

b. November 16, 2022 

 

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Mark LePage - Conservation Commission

b. Alison Rheaume - Disability Commission

c. Francesca Ricci - Disability Commission

d. Lloyd (Gus) Brown - Sealer of Weights and Measures

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

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. 2023 Annual Alcohol License Renewals - See attached 2023 Town of Franklin Alcohol Licenses Renewals   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a_licenses.pdf

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Library Association Presentation of Gift - Scott Nolan, President, FLA

b. Snow Removal Presentation: Robert “Brutus” Cantoreggi, Director of Public Works  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._snow_presentation.pdf

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 22-86: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Public Library ($70,000)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-86 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._gift_acceptance_fla.pdf

b. Resolution 22-87: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($565)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-87 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._gift.pdf

c. Bylaw Amendment 22-888: Chapter 170, Vehicles And Traffic, Section 170-22, Subsection A, Location of Stop Signs - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-888 to a second reading - Majority Roll Call Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._22-888_stop_signs.pdf

d. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 22-889: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Attachment 7. Part VI, Use Regulations Schedule: Residential Uses

(Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 22-889 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9d_1.pdf

e. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 22-890: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Section 51.  (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 22-890 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9e._22-890.pdf

f. Resolution 22-88: Local Acceptance of MGL Ch40, Section 5B, Fourth Paragraph

(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-88 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9f._22-88.pdf

g. Resolution 22-89: Creation of the Massachusetts Statewide Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund, as Authorized b GL Chapter 40, Section 5B (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-89 - Two-Thirds Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9g._1_-_resolution_22-89_-_town_council_creation_of_the_opiod_settlement_stabilization_fund.pdf

h. Resolution 22-90: Authorization of and Appropriation for Purchase of Three Parcels of Unimproved Land (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-90 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9h.pdf

i. Resolution 22-91: Authorization for Town Administrator to Submit American Rescue Plan Act Applications to Norfolk County (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-91 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/91._22-91.pdf

j. Resolution 22-92: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-92 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9j._22-92.pdf

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exception #2: Contract negotiations with non-union personnel, namely: Town Administrator

b. Exception #3: Strategy with respect to collective bargaining: Police Patrol, Police Sergeants and Fire Department unions

15. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

a. Vote on approving Administrator contract, subject to Executive Session outcome

i. Legislation for action:

1. Resolution 22-93: Approval of Town Administrator’s Contract (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-93 Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 22-94: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Town Clerk (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-94 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

16. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The full agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/12-14-22_town_council_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda & Documents for Dec 14, 2022 7:00 PM

Franklin TV: Renewal – Everywhere!

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 04/24/2022

Through all of last week Primavera, that first hint of greening has been living up to expectations. Trees and bushes have been waking and doing their Spring thing. Another week or two, and Winter will be a memory.

Other forms of renewal have taken place. Our radio station, wfpr●fm filed for and received its FCC broadcast license renewal for 8 years. While we expected no less, it’s a nice nod to know that we are in good standing. Radio station license renewal actually requires about 5 months of FCC filings and posted legal notifications.

We (Franklin Community Cable Access, Inc., dba Franklin●TV, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization) also renewed our agreement with the Town of Franklin to provide local television services on Franklin’s three P, E, G cable channels. Comcast and Verizon provide the channels under their own agreements and we provide the local programming for citizens, civic and school events and government meetings.
For us, these renewals mean business as usual. All good.

All of these renewals – Spring greening, our licensing and so on, are underscored with optimism as we slowly, cautiously begin to regard covid19 in the past tense. 19! Now 4 months into 22, was it really that long ago?

During all this Spring greening we should all undertake some Spring cleaning. Not just the usual tidying up of homes and workplaces, but a renewal of our personal outlook on life. The lingering after-effects of COVID on the supply chain and our economy are an ongoing inconvenience, and maintaining a positive outlook takes a bit of mental discipline. All in all, life is pretty good across our fair zip code.

That said, considering the renewed horrors of war in Ukraine, we need a renewed commitment to peace – through strength and some necessary sacrifice. The cost of war will touch us all, but not so deeply and dearly as it does the people of Ukraine. Moving beyond our lingering local fatigue over COVID, masking, our economy, we can renew our resolve to make a better world by asking the simplest question.

“What can I do, great or small, to help?”

Freedom is not free. There is a renewal cost – to enjoy business as usual. 

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.

 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

Franklin TV: Renewal – Everywhere!

Reminder: wfpr.fm – FCC License Renewal

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director

On December 27, 2021 Franklin Community Cable Access, Inc., dba Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio as the licensee of wfpr-lp, on 102.9 FM in Franklin, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to renew its broadcast license.  Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit the FCC’s website: www.fcc.gov/stationsearch, to find wfpr-lp’s filed application.  For more information, please email info@wfpr.fm  or call
508-541-4118.

Pending license renewal, the public may participate either by filing a Petition to Deny or an informal objection against a renewal. Positive comments about a broadcaster's service may also be submitted.  Persons may respond via the FCC’s database, LMS on the web.  Alternatively,  persons may submit paper copies to the Commission.  For paper copies, please include an original and two copies of any filing.  An additional copy of any filing may also be mailed to:

Franklin.TV

23 Hutchinson St.

Franklin, MA 02038

All USPS First Class Mail, Express Mail and Priority Mail should be addressed to:

Office of the Secretary

Federal Communications Commission

445 12th Street, SW,

Washington, DC 20554

Attn:  Audio Division, License Renewal Processing Team

Additional Suggestions for Filing.  To help the staff expeditiously associate a Petition to Deny, informal objection, or positive comment with the proper license renewal application, the pleading should prominently identify:

The radio station's call sign:       WFPR-LP

The station's facility ID number:  194829

The license renewal application:   0000177961

This information is available in the LMS Public Search on the Commission's Web site, and should be listed on the first page of your submission.  The filing must also state whether it is a Petition to Deny, Informal Objection, or a Comment.   If a cover sheet is used, it should be attached to each copy of the pleading. Failure to include this information may delay associating a pleading with a renewal application.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching 

 Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf     

wfpr.fm – License Renewal

wfpr.fm – FCC License Renewal

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director

On December 27, 2021 Franklin Community Cable Access, Inc., dba Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio as the licensee of wfpr-lp, on 102.9 FM in Franklin, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to renew its broadcast license.  Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit the FCC’s website: www.fcc.gov/stationsearch, to find wfpr-lp’s filed application.  For more information, please email info@wfpr.fm  or call
508-541-4118.

Pending license renewal, the public may participate either by filing a Petition to Deny or an informal objection against a renewal. Positive comments about a broadcaster's service may also be submitted.  Persons may respond via the FCC’s database, LMS on the web.  Alternatively,  persons may submit paper copies to the Commission.  For paper copies, please include an original and two copies of any filing.  An additional copy of any filing may also be mailed to:

Franklin.TV

23 Hutchinson St.

Franklin, MA 02038

All USPS First Class Mail, Express Mail and Priority Mail should be addressed to:

Office of the Secretary

Federal Communications Commission

445 12th Street, SW,

Washington, DC 20554

Attn:  Audio Division, License Renewal Processing Team

Additional Suggestions for Filing.  To help the staff expeditiously associate a Petition to Deny, informal objection, or positive comment with the proper license renewal application, the pleading should prominently identify:

The radio station's call sign:       WFPR-LP

The station's facility ID number:  194829

The license renewal application:   0000177961

This information is available in the LMS Public Search on the Commission's Web site, and should be listed on the first page of your submission.  The filing must also state whether it is a Petition to Deny, Informal Objection, or a Comment.   If a cover sheet is used, it should be attached to each copy of the pleading. Failure to include this information may delay associating a pleading with a renewal application.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf     

wfpr.fm – License Renewal

FM #683 - Town Council Meeting - 12/15/21 (audio)

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The recording runs about one hour and twenty minutes (1:20 )

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of Dec 15, 2021

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-683-town-council-meeting-12-15-21

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

Agenda document ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/december_15_town_council_agenda.pdf 

My notes from the meeting  ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/recap-town-council-hears-update-on.html 

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/town-council-quarterbacking-with-chair.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 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"

Town Council hears update on Human Resources from Director Karen Bratt

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 12/16/21 (audio)

FM #681 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 681 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 December 15, 2021: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Appointments

Franklin Cultural District Committee: Katherine Botelho

Franklin Cultural District Committee: Patrick Timmons

Community Preservation Committee: Richard (Rick) Power

 

2022 Annual Alcohol License Renewals

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._license_renewal_memo_list_motion.pdf

 

Presentation - Human Resources: Karen Bratt, Human Resources Director

The recording runs about 27 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to this recording of Town Council Quarterbacking Dec 16, 2021

** Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-681-town-council-quarterbacking-with-chair-tom-mercer-12-15-21

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

Town Council Agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/december_15_town_council_agenda.pdf

 

My notes from the meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/recap-town-council-hears-update-on.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"

 

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - 12/16/21 (audio) 

Recap: Town Council hears update on Human Resources, appoints three to committees, approves annual license renewals

Quick Recap:

• The annual alcohol license renewals were approved. Some were held for completion of outstanding payments, etc. A smaller number than previous times per recollection (but not verified by actual count). Also 4 licenses were approved for businesses that actually haven't started operating yet. In tough economic times, these are good indicators
• Three appointments were approved; two to the Cultural District (now at full strength) and one to the Community Preservation Committee (adding a Planning Board representative as the prior rep did not get re-elected in November)
• HR Director Karen Bratt provided the update on what her department does that she had previewed to the Finance Committee in October. A wealth of information was shared. Primary driver is the demographic change the Town is seeing as folks retire (half the department managers positions turned over in last 4 years) and one third of total Town employment changed in same period
• Insights on the health and pension plans planning process were shared. The Town working with the bargaining units does manage to hold health increases to a minimum. The Norfolk County pension liability will be paid up by approx. FY 2030 when those funds will shift to add to the outstanding OPEB liabilities. This one move revealed a couple of years ago will alleviate the giant albatross that the OPEB liability had been. The other silver lining in the meantime is that the Town is ahead of other communities facing the same challenge in funding their liabilities
• Goal setting session for the 'new' Council will be scheduled for one of their January meetings. The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is scheduled for two public hearings in January 2022 (Jan 4 and Jan 18). The public hearings will gather community input on how the forthcoming CPA funds should be used? What projects should be on the 'wish list'? and in what priority order? The input is a step to help the CPC development of the allocation of the CPA funds for eventual Town Council approval during 2022

-------

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers. 

 

The Twitter hashtag #TC1215 can be found online The thread begins with  

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1471269121560035336 

• getting ready for the Town Council meeting at 7, shift of location to the Chambers, agenda doc -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/december_15_town_council_agenda.pdf…  #tc1215
• Chair Mercer opens meeting; at just after 7 PM #tc1215
• standard protocol statement being read by Chair #tc1215 reading phone # for access to the Zoom session, also available via Comcast and Verizon cable or Live streamed from the http://Franklinma.gov webpage

Citizens comment

• Citizens comment: #tc1215 resident comment on Hillside Road not being plowed due to change in ownership of 1 Summit Rd; no success via DPW, paperwork provided to show it is a public way
• next up, approval of minutes of Nov 10, 2021, motion, seconded, passes 9-0 voice vote #tc1215

Appointments

• appointments; 3 up - Franklin Cultural District Committee: Katherine Botelho moved, seconded, passes 9-0 #tc1215
• 2 appt:  - b. Franklin Cultural District Committee: Patrick Timmons moved, seconded passes 9-0  #tc1215
• 3 - appt: https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5c._appointment_-_power.pdf…  Rick Power for CPC moved, second, passes 9-0  (replaces Halligan who was previous representative for the Planning Board)  #tc1215

License transactions

• license transactions - renewal of the outstanding liquor and all-alcohol licenses, an annual approval process;  listing - > https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/7a._license_renewal_memo_list_motion.pdf… #tc1215 - some held per payment of outstanding fees (also a normal business process) moved, seconded, passes8-0-1(Mercer abstained)
• Q on prior motion for the chief in regards to status at Dean, no issues; compliance checks - not yet done, short staffed and unable to find staff for the OT to conduct these checks. #tc1215

HR Director presentation

• next up - Karen Bratt, HR Director presentation previously shared with Finance Committee in October 2021 ->  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/fincomm-presentation-october142021.pdf…  #tc1215
• succession planning could require additional staff for HR; #tc1215 new hire candidates testing etc. covered under HR budget; expensive to use web ads for openings; Mass Municipal is a good source for others in municipal government arena; comp plan being reviewed
• HR files are still paper based, will try to update to electronic in future (sooner than later); Norfolk County pension funding will increase thru FY 30 and then decrease, allowing for shift of funds to cover the OPEB deficit  #tc1215
• OPEB funding has been growing gradually each year via budget and 'free cash' #tc1215
• Police/Fire covered by separate MA General Law; separate from the other Town/school employees #tc1215 compensation reserve - money set aside for unexpected for salary costs, i.e. full vacation balance or collective bargaining anticipation of increases
• 11 new department heads since Jan 2016, approx. 55% of the leadership; city/towns exempt from minimum wage but it is being implemented here gradually; equal pay law of 2016 an item to watch; collective bargaining agreements cycle will come up again next Jun/Jul #tc1215
• contract docs formatted for better consistency across the agreements, all but one (Police) completed thus far; benefits fairs not held during COVID hopeful to bring them back next year. #tc1215 assist with tracking of the COVID quarantine and testing protocols
• planning for succession and working to fulfill the positions required; #tc1215 Employee assistance program available for those who need it; provided by Town insurer; drug testing assistance for CDL drivers in DPW for failures; fortunately not a frequent event here
• Franklin fortunate to have a good reputation so folks are generally eager to come here; niche positions are harder to fill; #tc1215 contractual benefits to get advance notice of retirement plans, helps us for a win/win i.e. police/fire

Subcommittees 

• EDC, Jan 5th meeting - Planning Board and MAPC 5:45 PM start #tc1215 no legislation for action tonight

Town Admin report 

• Town Admin report - ARPA funding approved through Gov Baker and now coming to us; free rides to Senior Center, via GATRA also covered with this funding; thanks to the legislative delegation; happy holidays, hard to believe that in a couple of weeks it is 2022 #tc1215
• future agenda items; #tc1215 nothing at this time; thanks to the neighbors who helped the Santa Foundation, Q on generators still at the DPW, specs designed for the generators; variety of smaller projects coming back from the burner to more front awareness;

Council Comments

• Thanks to Nancy for putting the annual report together; happy holidays, happy new year; looking forward to 2022! no word yet on complete streets or housing plan from State approval; FBRTC looking for new members; #tc1215 open mic night last Wednesday, fantastic night
• "please treat everyone with as much respect as you can"; thinking of the tornado victims; 800K lies lost to COVID, be peaceful, stay safe; #tc1215 Ohio missionaries still held captive in Haiti (more than 2 months); do due diligence to manage COVID;
• get into the season (after prayers), reinforce to do our due diligence; let's get 2022 to look forward to Jan, goal setting session coming; #tc1215 motion to adjourn, passe 9-0

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

The Human Resources presentation document was the same used for the update to the Finance Committee in October. It can be viewed below or found on the Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/fincomm-presentation-october142021.pdf

Town of Franklin: Human Resources Update - 10/13/21 from Franklin Matters

Recap: Town Council hears update on Human Resources