Showing posts with label liquor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label liquor. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Town Council observes Police new hires, hears of SAFE Coalition updates & migrant housing updates (audio)

FM #1086 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1086 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. All 9 members  of the Council participated, 1 remotely (Frongillo). 


Quick recap:

(1) Town Clerk provided updates on the upcoming Oct 24 election for the new Tri-County school building and the Biennial Town election on Nov 7. Both votes will take place at the High School. Folks can vote early in the Town Clerk's office during business hours


(2) the swearing in of the new round of hires (backfill replacements) for the Police Dept. along with the introduction of Kallie Montagano who returns to the Dept in a new role as the Co-Response Program continues to grow. And last but not least, the introduction of Frankie, the departments new therapy dog


(3) approval of the license changes to enable Bob Vozzella to expand into his new space and operate with his farmers licenses for wine and beer


(4) impactful and moving update from Jennifer Knight-Levine, CEO and cofounder of the SAFE Coalition on their work. The audio segment of her presentation along with the Q&A with the Council is shared separately. Her update includes the expansion of their work in meeting the needs of our community into handling the migrant housing needs  -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/jen-knight-levine-updates-council-on.html


(5) Town Administrator Jamie Hellen's update on the migrant status will also be shared separately as an audio segment


5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Police Department - Swearing In of New Patrol Officers

i. Officer Parker Luther

ii. Officer Joseph Medina

iii. Officer Robert Young

iv. Officer Martin Zimei

b. Police Department - Introductions

i. Kallie Montagano, Co-Response Program Manager

ii. Frankie, Therapy Dog


The recording runs 1 hour and 47 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on Oct 18, 2023.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1086-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-10-18-23



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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-7D1fTJLhY 

  

Town Council agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_10.18.23.pdf 


Photo album of the police introductions and swearing in ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qanQvXdNFAvbQQN76


Jen Knight-Levine's update for the SAFE Coalition was shared separately as an audio  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/jen-knight-levine-updates-council-on.html

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen's report including the migrant housing update was shared separately  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/town-council-segment-migrant-housing.html


My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeting are collected in a single PDF for easier reading  -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x70Z0z2GHI0n98J3Ybgu_Thk_TTo4Ese/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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 expansion of La Cantina Winery is progressing
The expansion of La Cantina Winery is progressing & the license transfers were approved at this session

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Pour Richards Celebrates 11 years - Thank you!

spot - (noun) 1. a small round or roundish mark. 2. a particular place or point

eleven - (noun) one more than ten
A little over eleven years ago, I re-arranged my life to prioritize two things: sleeping in my own bed, and selling products I actually liked. Ergo, no more working for distributors and importers. No more constant travel. No more selling 'priority brands'. I would buy a store and sell the wines, spirits, and beer I thought were exceptional. And so Pour Richard's came to be, marking a particular spot in time.

I cannot believe it has been eleven years, but the calendar doesn't lie. And eleven years of a great community is worth celebrating. So mark your calendars! The Eleventh Anniversary Celebration will be Saturday, November 18 from 2-5 PM. Many of my favorite wine and spirits people will be there: Mad River's Maura Conolly, Plus Mike Brehart, Matt Brooks, Matt Bellanger, John Avery, Roger Warner. And more. It will be a superb time to stock up for Thanksgiving. But also just a superb time. Please celebrate with us!

Until then, keep your eyes peeled for other 'spots', specifically spot sales. We'll be posting lots of limited offers via email and social media as a reward for our very fabulous customers.

Thank you for eleven years of patronage. Thank you for trusting us with your beverage needs. Thank you for being part of our community. 

Thank you.

Friday, April 14, 2023

Notice of Public Hearing - Transfer of Section 15 Wine & Malt Beverages Package Store License

The Franklin Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on an application by Marlboro Food, Inc. d/b/a 7-Eleven 37380B, located at 400 King Street, Franklin, MA for a transfer to it of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License presently held by TM1 Solutions, Inc. d/b/a 7-Eleven Store Number 37380A to be exercised at the same location. 

This hearing will be held on April 26, 2023 at 7:00 PM and will provide an open forum for discussion. Location: Municipal Building, 2nd floor Council Chambers, 355 E. Central St., Franklin and will also be available via the “ZOOM” platform. Residents can visit the Town website (Franklinma.gov) calendar on and after April 21, 2023
for updated meeting information. 

For questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.

Submitted by,
Julie McCann


Notice of Public Hearing - Transfer of Section 15 Wine & Malt Beverages Package Store License
Notice of Public Hearing - Transfer of Section 15 Wine & Malt Beverages Package Store License

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Nov 2, 2022



1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS – Town Council Chair, Vice-Chair & Clerk

2. 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.
c. Franklin Police Department Accreditation

3. 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.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None Scheduled.
5. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.

6. APPOINTMENTS
a. Cultural Council - Swati Rao

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

8. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. License Modification - Change of Manager: Let’s Eat Franklin, LLC d/b/a 3 Restaurant, Located at 461 West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

b. License Modification - Change of Manager: Table & Vine, Inc., Located at 348 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

c. Transfer of License & Change of Location: Table & Vine, Inc., Located at 348 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

9. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. National Register Historic Districts in Franklin - Vicki Earls, Franklin Public Library

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 22-69: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs Associated with the Creation of the Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan and Authorizing the Town Administrator to File State Revolving Fund Loan Application and to Take Other Action as Needed (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-69 - Two-Thirds Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 22-70: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,845), Fire Dept. ($486)  (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-70 - Majority Vote)

c. Bylaw Amendment 22-884, as Amended: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Article IV, Stopping, Standing and Parking, §170-15 Parking Prohibitions and Limitations, D. Parking Prohibited, Downtown Parking Map - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 22-884, as Amended - Majority Roll Call Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._22-884_parking_map.pdf

d. Bylaw Amendment 22-885: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, §170-20, Additional regulations; violations and penalties. - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 22-885 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

e. Bylaw Amendment 22-886: Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service, § 82-6, Subsection K. Police - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 22-886 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

f. Bylaw Amendment 22-879: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Appendix A, Fines, Parking Violations - Second Reading (Motion to Approve Bylaw Amendment 22-879 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

12. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Budget Subcommittee
d. GATRA Advisory Board

13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

14. COUNCIL COMMENTS

15. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

16. ADJOURN

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting


Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Nov 2, 2022
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Nov 2, 2022

Monday, October 24, 2022

Voices of Franklin: Mark and Mike Lenzi on the proposed Transfer of an all alcoholic license to Table & Vine (Big Y)

333 East Central St,
Franklin, MA 02038

October 23, 2022

Town of Franklin
Municipal Building
355 E Central St, 
Franklin, MA 02038

RE: Transfer for all alcoholic license to Table & Vine (Big Y) at 348 East Central St hearing


Hello, 

This is regarding the liquor license upgrade/transfer request and hearing on November 2nd 2022.

Introduction:

Franklin Liquors, located at 333 East Central St, has been family owned since 1978.  Mark and Mike Lenzi are the owners, full time employees, and lifelong Franklin residents. 

History:

In the past we fought Table & Vine (Big Y) in getting a beer and wine license.  At that time, we were told a business can’t use competition, distance, or public need for a town to deny a license, and it was approved.

Table & Vine (Big Y) Request:

Please consider the points we make in this letter to you.  Table & Vine (Big Y) will tell you they want an upgrade to a full liquor license, as their customers are asking for it.  In our opinion, this request is because they can’t compete without it.  You may recall, recently the council received a request from Dacey’s Market to also upgrade to a full liquor license. The market is changing; if Franklin Liquors cannot object to a license on grounds of competition, how can Table & Vine (Big Y) be approved for saying they can’t compete without it? 

Exposure and control of alcohol:

This transfer request from Village Mall Liquors to Table & Vine (Big Y) would take control from an alcohol-only store to a supermarket.  You may ask, why does this matter?  For that you must think of the safety of the community. People that don’t drink, those affected by alcoholism, and those who don’t want to expose their children to alcohol don’t need to, and won’t go into a liquor store such as Franklin Liquors.  Those same people must go into a supermarket to purchase essential daily supplies. This will increase exposure. Please also think about workers in these stores- many underage employees will now be exposed significantly more. 

Articles on Exposure:

Consumer alcohol exposure in supermarkets: legislatively adherent, but a societal problem

“Alcohol misuse is a well-known public health problem. Supermarkets provide relatively easy access to alcohol for consumers; this is linked to an increase in alcohol misuse”

Children's exposure to alcohol marketing within supermarkets: An objective analysis using GPS technology and wearable cameras

“One mechanism by which on-site alcohol marketing influences child non-drinkers to consume alcohol is by its conflation with everyday consumer goods sold at supermarkets,”

Effects of Alcohol Advertising Exposure on Drinking Among Youth

“Youth who saw more alcohol advertisements on average drank more”

Young people and under-age exposure

“Further, alcohol was found to be located near staple foods such as bread and milk, reinforcing the perception of alcohol as just another ordinary food stuff.”

Call to ban alcohol in supermarkets after cameras reveal over-exposure to children

“The over-exposure of alcohol to children put it on par with everyday products such as bread and milk, causing children to drink alcohol earlier in their life”

Note: This study also noticed by the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

The relationship between exposure to alcohol advertising in stores, owning alcohol promotional items, and adolescent alcohol use

“This study provides clear evidence of an association of adolescent drinking with weekly exposure to alcohol advertising in stores and with ownership of alcohol promotional items. Given their potential influence on adolescent drinking behavior, retail ads, and promotional items for alcohol deserve further study.”

Alcohol exposure in NZ supermarkets 'like advertising candy' to children, researcher says
“Children grow up seeing it offered every Friday, every Saturday, samples being given to adults," 

Note On Exposure: 

Many town residents and councilors have made comments about alcohol miniatures (nips) on our streets.  That is an example of overexposure to our community through the form of trash and waste. People are already being inundated with the sight of alcohol in their daily lives. Take a walk into Shaw's, BJ’s, or Table & Vine (Big Y)- seeing alcohol line the shelf in a big box is even greater exposure to the community, and our youth, who have no choice to avoid these stores, either for work or purchasing supplies.

The town CAN say no:
Table & Vine (Big Y) currently sells beer and wine, so this will not prevent the sale of alcohol at the store.  You will prevent them from increasing exposure by not allowing a full alcohol license.  As a corporation they also have the option to pursue this request in many of their other stores in Massachusetts: this isn’t their only store to expand in.  Here are some resources for you to see other towns who have denied supermarkets, even one that regrets giving a beer and wine license to Table & Vine (Big Y).

Stop And Shop Denied
A transfer request denied in Harwich

And follow up after denial
Stop & Shop withdraws alcohol license request
“He added that the town and its residents clearly didn't want the supermarket to be able to sell liquor, and that the store, which already sells liquor in three of its other stores across the state, should look elsewhere.”

As selectboard airs concerns about Big Y, Price Chopper liquor license denied

“That members of the sober community might be unnecessarily tempted by the alcoholic offerings,”

“Board member Ed Abrahams added that he had voted to give Big Y the all-alcohol license a few years ago and now regrets it. “

Distance And Public Need:

In the past Franklin Liquors brought to the attention of the council the number of licenses on East Central Street.  Currently, Table & Vine (Big Y), Franklin Liquors, Shaw's, And Devita's all occupy the same area, less than one mile.  Devita's and Franklin Liquors sell full alcohol.  Here is a CDC study that is a guide to measuring “density” for alcohol.

Guide for Measuring Alcohol Outlet Density

“High alcohol outlet density, defined as a high concentration of retail alcohol outlets in a small area, is known to be an environmental risk factor for excessive drinking. To prevent excessive drinking, the Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends “limiting alcohol outlet density through the use of regulatory authority (e.g., licensing and zoning),” which is based on strong scientific evidence of intervention effectiveness.”

“There is strong scientific evidence that regulating alcohol outlet density is one of the most effective strategies for reducing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms.”

Section 16C: Licenses for premises located near schools or churches:

We know the applicant has done all the steps to notify abutters and the church within 100 and 500 feet.  Other town departments will also sign off on this request. Many don’t know that New England Chapel hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Do town council members ever follow up with the community or research impact after getting license request?. How does adding additional alcohol exposure impact these community programs in previous safe spaces? Other organizations, such as the Safe Coalition, would be skeptical of this increase. 


Conclusion:

Franklin Liquors would like the Town Council to consider denying this transfer request based on:

Great Exposure and Limited Control of Alcohol
Distance And Public Need
The Use of Can’t Compete Requests
Other Towns Having Denied OR Regretted These Transfer Requests
Table & Vine (Big Y) Already Has Beer/Wine-Not Preventing them from selling alcohol
This would be the first Table & Vine (Big Y) Full Liquor in Eastern MA
Table & Vine (Big Y) Has MANY other Store in State in Can Do This In 
Franklin Already Has Alcohol Exposure In 3 of 4 Big Box Stores- IF you approve this Table & Vine (Big Y) gives up their Beer/Wine. If Village Mall closes, chances are Stop & Shop will then apply for that. 
Support of the growing “shop small” movement in Franklin

Thank you for your time in reviewing these details.  We hope you think of all the information provided and choose to deny this transfer. 

Mark And Mike Lenzi
Franklin Liquors 
Vintage 1978 

Voices of Franklin:  Mark and Mike Lenzi
Voices of Franklin:  Mark and Mike Lenzi 


Monday, October 17, 2022

Town Council Quarterbacking with Council Chair Tom Mercer - Recap of the Oct 5, 2022 meeting (audio)

FM #863 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 863 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 Oct 5, 2022


  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


We cover the following key topics

Right of first refusal – Schmidt’s Farm

Norfolk County Commission Update

Special liquor license for Dacey’s Market

4 bylaws for parking changes downtown

How to address habitual offenders for Dean parking/Neighborhood Alliance

Gift acceptance to Police/Fire


Our conversation runs about 30 minutes:


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


Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Oct 13, 2022

Audio file ->  
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-864-town-council-quarterbacking-10-13-22


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Agenda and documents released for this meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10.05.22_town_council_agenda.pdf


My notes -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LS8OhA3BKWQuqto4tv82cb4YmvRRz5Dk/view?usp=sharing

 

The meeting video is also available for viewing on YouTube   https://youtu.be/N6qHB7PJMq8



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


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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 
The Town Council held a public hearing on the right of first refusal to purchase the Schmidt Farm property with CPA funding
The Town Council held a public hearing on the right of first refusal to purchase the Schmidt Farm property with CPA funding

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Town Council holds hearing on purchase of Schmidt Farm using CPA funds, moves parking bylaws to 2nd reading; hears from Norfolk County, and more in 3 hour plus session (video)

The Town Council meeting went over 3 hours long on Wednesday, Oct 5, 2022 in the process of reviewing multiple topics. 

Norfolk County Commissioners provided some updates on what they do and how they do it. Some councilors appear stuck on the Federal decision to award the ARPA funds to the county and not directly to the Town but that is neither in control of the Town nor the County. The 3% management fee the County collects they are working for in managing the funds and they clearly stated the case during the evening. 

The best Council move was to approve The Town Council held a pubic hearing on the right of first refusal to purchase the Schmidt Farm property with CPA funding. There was no vote on the purchase. Several Councilors acknowledged they approved but the vote will come at a future meeting.  A number of residents in person and via Zoom spoke in favor of this move as it is perfectly was the CPA funds were meant to be used for.  The presentation doc (shared at the CPC meeting on Tuesday is now on the Town page)   (updated 10/13/22)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/schmidt_farm_61a_presentation.pdf

A passionate discussion raised issues that are mostly still to be resolved on parking. The set of 4 bylaws did all move forward to a second reading; one only by a 5-4 vote, the others by 9-0. Open question on should the Council allow the Town Administrator to set the rate. On what the rate should be? (It should be at least equal to the MBTA parking rate, otherwise the MBTA commuters albeit less of them, will park in these spaces and save money - which won't provide the spaces for what they were provided for - to enable shoppers downtown).

A 6-3 vote approved a request to obtain the 'authority' to issue an all liquor license to replace a beer/wine license already held which would put two all liquor license establishments within .3 mile of each other and near the Keller Sullivan schools. The legislation if approved by the State would still require a formal hearing and vote by the Council to actually approve the license. Tonight is only a step in the process.


Franklin TV - YouTube Video link -> https://youtu.be/N6qHB7PJMq8 

My notes taken during the meeting via Twitter can be found in one PDF ->

The best Council move was to approve the right of first refusal to purchase the Schmidt Farm property with CPA funding
The best Council move was to approve the right of first refusal to purchase the Schmidt Farm property with CPA funding


Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Liquor/All Alcohol licenses up for changes and/or approval for next Town Council meeting

One of the ways my informational radar works is with alerts. The Town of Franklin has a number of alerts that can be set up for you to receive an email with an update. Monday morning, was busy as three public hearings were announced for the next Town Council meeting April 6, 2022.

To set up an alert, visit this page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

This works for some aspects of Town business. Alerts and notifications are a work in progress and I will continue to advocate for additional alerts. 

In the meantime, you can also subscribe to the calendar so when an item gets added to the calendar you get notified. An RSS reader is needed for this however.   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar  (Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the RSS icon, click it and subscribe with your RSS Reader).

Sign up for alert notifications here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe
Sign up for alert notifications here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe