Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Friday, April 14, 2023
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
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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)
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--------------
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
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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
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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!
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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.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/10/franklin-ma-town-council-meeting-agenda.html
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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.
- Birchwood Bakery is applying for a new all alcohol license for their restaurant https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-03-21_legal_ad_-_birchwood_bakery_legal_ad_-_web.pdf
- Pour Richard's is looking to move from their current location to a suite in the building where Green Mountain Chocolate was https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-03-21_legal_ad_-_pour_richards_-_web_1.pdf
- 3 Restaurant is looking to make their outdoor dining permanent https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-03-21_legal_ad_-_3_restaurant_alteration_of_premises_-_web.pdf
Sign up for alert notifications here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe |
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Recycle Your Beer Carriers And Corks at Franklin Liquors
"It’s estimated* that at least 10 million new plastic can carriers are used annually by breweries in Massachusetts, with just 10% of them being collected and re-used, and less than 2% of them ever getting recycled. As a result, the amount of plastic beer packaging waste ending up in landfills each year is enough to fill any of the state’s largest breweries with discarded carriers rather than beer.
Now you can bring them to Franklin Liquors to be reused by local breweries!"
Yes, a local answer to the issue raised in 2021. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/did-you-know-that-plastic-beer-carriers.html
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Recycle Your Beer Carriers at Franklin Liquors |
And Franklin Liquors will also recycle natural wine corks!
We also want your corks!!Bring your natural wine corks to Franklin Liquors to be recycled!Recycling your natural wine corks helps replace environmentally harmful, petroleum-based materials in consumer products with a natural, sustainable alternative.Find out which wines use natural cork and which ones don’t. When you reach for a bottle, look for those with natural corks. https://recork.com/corkwatch
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Recycle Your Natural Corks at Franklin Liquors |
Shared from Franklin Liquors page -> https://franklinliquors.wordpress.com/2022/01/18/recycle-your-corks-and-beer-carriers/
Monday, November 22, 2021
Wonderful World of Wine: "Thanksgiving Food And Wine - What To Serve With The Bird 2021"
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"Thanksgiving Food And Wine - What To Serve With The Bird 2021" |
Friday, July 23, 2021
Recap: Town Council approves Dean alcohol license and executes right of first refusal for Maple Hill open space
- The Town Council recognized two retirees Patti Wyllie, Treasurer-Collector's Department and Tommy Grundstrom, DPW and Ndoumbe Ndoye, Franklin High School, Commonwealth Heroines Award
- Reconsideration of the alcohol license for Dean College per their ABCC appeal resulted in approval by a 7-2 vote
- The right of first refusal for the Maple Hill property was funded and approved by a unanimous 9-0 vote (via roll call). This is the first time the time has accepted its right of first refusal as it was in position to do so with the funds from the Pond St sale ($1.6M) and use of the Community Preservation Act funds now available. It will take time to complete the purchase, then the planning for trails, access parking, etc. can begin. Funding for this improvement work remains to be determined.
- Town Administrator contract approved with minor revisions to extend for 5 years (from 3), increase aligned with that of other town employee commitments, and formalized the annual review with an ad-hoc subcommittee to provide a report to the full Town Council.
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The Twitter hashtag can be found online #tc0721
https://twitter.com/hashtag/tc0721?src=hashtag_click
Agenda doc (including connection info) ->
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-07-21_town_council_agenda_2.pdf
Agenda folder ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/july-21-town-council-agenda
- Getting ready for the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting at 7 PM. The agenda doc can be found https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-07-21_town_council_agenda_2.pdf #tc0721
- Real time reporting underway for the Town Council meeting, connection info in image #tc0721
- Citizens comments, Dale Kurtz announcement of purple heart day, Aug 7, recognition of 18 recipients. Contact veterans office to confirm participation. Monument repair project starting.
- Kerri Bertone treasurer collector announcing paperless billing option, also waiving ACH charge for electronic payments. #tc0721
- Motion to approve mins of 5/26 meeting; 5/27 minutes approved also by voice vote; June 9 meeting mins, Jun 23 minutes, approved also via voice vote - 2 abstentions for last vote #tc0721
- Patti Wyllie recognized at retirement after 33 years of service to Town of Franklin #tc0721
- Tommy Grundstrom, DPW sewer dept now retiring after 26 years, #tc0721
- Ndumbe Ndoye, recognition for her selection as a commonwealth heroine. #tc0721
- Public hearing opened for bylaw amendment on tasting rooms, no Public step to comment, EDC subcommittee chair Hamblen speaks for, hearing closes ... up for vote later in meeting #tc0721
- Next up, dean college alcohol license up for approval after denial last year by council. ABCC determined no legal reason for denial. Back for approval... #tc0721 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/7a._dean_college.pdf
- If TC does deny again, the applicant could appeal, would be heard by superior court which would review the hearing by the Council. Not a public hearing, applicants can respond to questions clarification on points. Students would not be tending bar, only Sodexo employees #tc0721
- Councilor Chandler pulled records of last 4 years of police incidents. College may not notify of all incidents, can be handled internally, major ones or per student request do get reported. Alcohol events are well managed by college personnel and Sodexo tip certified #tc0721
- Chandler concerned with 'capricious' comment by ABCC. Council does have broad authority, the applicant does have broad authority. "It is not that simple" #tc0721
- Bissanti Council should not be bullied by ABCC or threat of lawsuit. Dellorco how much have we spent? Just over $2k to defend the community for the prior decision. Jones adds that this is a simplification of the 30 one day licenses with this they did have no incidents #tc0721
- Mercer important to clarify the license for events, no a pub open in the campus center, faculty, college business. #tc0721 Cerel "do you want to take their advice or not?" Hellen State ABCC acts to provide guidance and oversight on the legality of the process.
- Events only license not a liquor license? Kelly - Dean needs to do better community outreach on any number of the other issues, parking etc. #tc0721 a further amendment to add a condition of req 21+ to serve at the events. Bissanti calls this a recipe for disaster
- Exception made for citizen comment which is not part of the public hearing. Another citizen complaining about the student behavior as neighbors. #tc0721
- Confusion between what is allowed per license for the special events vs. general alcohol already on campus from other Franklin establishments. This license doesn't allow for those type purchases. #tc0721
- Roll call vote: Chandler, Bissanti no, all other 7 Councilors voted to approve. 7-2 vote, it passes. #tc0721
- Next up, gift resolution. https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10a._21-40_library_gift.pdf #tc0721 vote passes 9-0
- Gift acceptance https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10b._vets_gift.pdf Vote to approve, 9-0 passes #tc0721 Gift acceptance, police dept https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10c._pd_gift.pdf vote to approve, passes 9-0
- Gift acceptance, fire dept #tc0721 https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10d._21-43_fd_gift.pdf vote to approve, passes 9-0 Bylaw amendment, stop signs https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10e._21-870_stop_signs.pdf vote to pass after second reading, passes 9-0 via roll call
- Zoning bylaw amendment, tasting room #tc0721 https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10f._21-872_tasting_room_0.pdf removes the 25% required per feedback via EDC listening sessions After second reading, vote to approve, passes 9-0 via roll call
- Appropriate funds for Maple Hill right of first refusal #tc0721 https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10g_maple_hill.pdf FinCom and CPC gave prior approval, CPC specifically for the use of CPA funds for this vote to approve, passes 9-0 via roll call (for purpose of record)
- Approval of acceptance of first refusal option https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10g_maple_hill_0.pdf. #tc0721 While the prior provides the fund, this applies the funds to the purchase the land as outlined with CPA funds (inspite of what bond counsel reqmts called for) passes 9-0 via roll call
- Many happy people out there voted for this historic vote. #tc0721 TA Hellen report, grant for $20k for complete streets for chairs, lighting, barriers for outdoor dining downtown. Thanks to the 4th of July committee for their work. Quiet zone study money rec'd.
- Thanks to Chrissy Welton for her work, she is moving to FL, best wishes. #tc0721 Dean Ave parking for future agenda. Thanks to those who voted for CPA, put us position to make the purchase of Maple Hill. Last word "awesome" for Chrissy. Dean relationship does need to improve
- #tc0721 thanks to prior Councils for identifying the Maple Hill space and helping to work towards the purchase today. Executive session, will return to open session, subject to what happens for final adjournment. Negotiate with TA, motion and 2nd passes via roll 9-0
Return to open session
- Council returns to open session, contract for Jamie, FY 22 same salary (2% COLA) no new financial commitments, removes auto increases, replaced by increase inline with other municipal employees, also reqs ad hoc sub comm to do review and bring to full council. #tc0721
- No comments on new contract, motion to approve, passes 9-0 Motion to adjourn, passes 9-0 #tc0721
Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days
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Dean College officials answering questions during the alcohol license discussion |