Economic Development Committee to take up plastic bag bylaw and recreational marijuana zoning

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

"The town will again be taking up the matter of a ban on plastic shopping bags later this month. 

Town Council member Andrew Bissanti has announced that the economic development subcommittee, of which he is chairman, has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, Nov. 30 to resume discussion on the matter. 

The meeting - set to take place at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the town's municipal building - will consider the ban and feedback from local merchants."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161125/franklin-bag-ban-meeting-scheduled

cover page of presentation to Town Council on reducing plastic bags for retail

• The presentation made to the Town Council

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TvMM2CLtm0PkZU3FZYXYtb1m6LtD2kPkgFc5EZ9phcs/edit?usp=sharing

• The proposed bylaw text

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/proposal-to-ban-plastic-bags-for-retail.html

• Recap of efforts in MA to reduce use of plastic bags for retail

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/we-dont-need-to-put-each-piece-of.html


The EDC meeting agenda

1. Plastic Bag Ban Legislation 
2. Recreational Marijuana Zoning 

A full copy of the agenda can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/edc_agenda_november_30_2016.pdf

In the News: marijuana passed, now what? ; Charter vote reflections

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

"Voters in Massachusetts have legalized marijuana, but it will likely be more than a year before the first pot shops open in the state. 

In the meantime, there’s a long to-do list for lawmakers and government officials. Following Tuesday’s vote, policymakers will soon begin the process of implementing and regulating pot sales in the commonwealth, a process that could potentially see legislators alter the new law by enacting higher marijuana tax rates and adding regulations. 

“I think there’s a general agreement that we need to respect the will of the voters and implement this, implement it in a reasonable amount of time and also resolve some issues that are not addressed in ballot question and some that were addressed but were not best practices based on the experiences in Colorado and Washington state,” said Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, one of the most prominent elected officials to support the pot legalization ballot question.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161109/marijuanas-legal-in-massachusetts-so-now-what

"While local public school officials are thrilled that a ballot question to expand charter schools failed, charter school officials are feeling regretful that more students will not be able to reap the benefits of a charter school education. 

Ballot Question No. 2, which would have lifted the cap on charter schools, allowing 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions of existing schools across the state per year, was defeated 63 percent to 37 percent by Massachusetts voters Tuesday. 

Question 2 supporters argued that lifting the cap would provide under-served students in poorly performing school districts an opportunity to attend a charter school."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161109/local-public-charter-school-officials-reflect-on-question-2-results

the sidewalk on Oak St at the schools complex

"a direct prohibition would not be allowable"

"The Town Council may take a position against the legalization of recreation marijuana, a matter on the ballot in November. 

Council member Judith Pfeffer requested at the council's meeting last week that a resolution in opposition to ballot Question 4 be placed on the agenda for the group's next meeting. She also suggested, in the event the question does pass, that the town re-examine its zoning laws to ensure that the town has a say where facilities selling the drug are placed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161013/franklin-council-to-consider-anti-marijuana-resolution


It is worthy to note that the concerns of some of the councilors quoted in the article were refuted during the Town Council meeting by Franklin's attorney, Mark Cerel. The concern expressed was that the Ballot Question would override a town agreement. Unlike other MA communities, Franklin does not have an agreement with the current firm growing marijuana. The firm's operation is governed by a zoning bylaw which would not be overturned by the passage of the ballot question. Franklin officials did agree to relook at the bylaw to see what also would be needed (if anything) to address the sale of marijuana in the downtown area.

You can check my notes for the Closing of the meeting on Oct 5.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/live-reporting-legislation-through-to.html

For a more definitive replay we'll need to wait for the video of the meeting to be posted for replay by Franklin TV (as of Friday morning , Oct 14) it was not yet available. Meeting through Sep 27 are available for replay

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Webdocs/videoarchive


For more info on Ballot Question 4, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth page
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele16/ballot_questions_16/quest_4.htm

• A YES VOTE would allow persons 21 and older to possess, use, and transfer marijuana and products containing marijuana concentrate (including edible products) and to cultivate marijuana, all in limited amounts, and would provide for the regulation and taxation of commercial sale of marijuana and marijuana products.
• A NO VOTE would make no change in current laws relative to marijuana.

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/IFV_2016.pdf

In the News: taxing marijuana stalled, recycling grant received

The town’s plan to charge a local sales tax on medical marijuana has become a pipe dream, at least until the next Legislative session. 

Franklin officials had petitioned legislation to allow the town to impose a 5 percent local sales tax on the retail and wholesale sale of medical marijuana. 

But lawmakers effectively killed the bill late last month along with a similar version filed by the town of Dennis, deciding to put both on hold for further study. A bill petitioned by Fairhaven met the same fate in July. 

The three failed attempts by the towns to tax medical marijuana indicate that the Legislature is not ready to take on the potentially contentious issue.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141017/NEWS/141017037/1994/NEWS

Franklin received $7,500 to expand its existing recycling program to collect carpet materials at municipal recycling stations. Franklin also received a $1,000 grant for outreach and educational materials for the town’s drop-off recycling program. 

The grants, funded through the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Sustainable Materials Recovery Program, are intended for recycling, composting and reuse activities to limit the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141016/NEWS/141017097/1994/NEWS

In the News: testing equipment, Sunday sales, FHS performance

ProVerde has purchased most of its testing equipment from Waters. The Franklin location, while not ideal, has given DesLauriers and Hudalla a place to refine the many procedures, from testing for heavy metals to creating profiles for different strains. 

The marijuana they have used as samples came from licensed caregivers or people with permission from their doctor to use it, such as DesLauriers, because their staff cannot legally handle the drug. The state Department of Health has not released guidelines yet for the laboratories.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140311/NEWS/140319564/1994/NEWS

On voice vote and without debate, the House last Wednesday approved a bill (H 228) that would legalize Sunday morning alcohol sales starting at 10 a.m. - two hours earlier than allowed under current law.
...
The bill, also sponsored by Rep. Kevin Kuros (R-Uxbridge) and Rep. Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk), is now before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules, chaired by Sen. Stanley Rosenberg of Amherst.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140310/NEWS/140319683/1994/NEWS

Franklin High School students will perform "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" on March 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. at the Horace Mann auditorium, Oak Street. 

Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140311/NEWS/140319568/1994/NEWS

"state regulations include a long list of security measures"

A tall fence equipped with motion sensors will encircle the massive building in Franklin where New England Treatment Access Inc. plans to grow its supply of medical cannabis. 

Twenty-four hours a day, six security guards will patrol the Forge Parkway premises, also monitored by infrared cameras. 

Employees will pass through a secure checkpoint before beginning the workday. And all of the leftover plant waste they dispose of is to be mixed with rock, wool and paper, then ground to a pulp, making it useless should anyone gain access to the Dumpsters. 

"It’s not just for keeping criminals out, but keeping the employees who work for us honest, as well," said the company's executive director Kevin Fisher of the site's layered security.

You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140302/NEWS/140309584


Related articles on the medical marijuana facility to be located in Forge Park
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/in-news-medical-marijuana-tri-county.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/02/heavenly-haze-and-grapefruit-diesel.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/live-reporting-medical-marijuana-zoning.html
(Note the Town Council did pass the overlay for medical marijuana zoning)

In the News: community meal, BAA Marathon, medical marijuana

Articles of interest in today's Milford Daily News

Reverend William MacDonald Murray said Trinity and the other churches in the community have been coordinating to try and provide free meals every day during what is often a difficult week for those in need. 

“There is a need for support at the end of the month, when food stamps are running low and there are less opportunities for a nutritious meal,” Murray said. 

The people who attend the dinners vary from those on food stamps or other types of assistance to those who don’t have access to a kitchen where they live and to those who are simply lonely.

Read the full article here;
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140227/NEWS/140226968/1994/NEWS

The Boston Athletic Association is imposing stricter regulations for Marathon participants and spectators this year. 

No bags will be allowed on buses from Boston to Hopkinton on Race Day, according to the BAA website. Bags will also be banned from certain areas near the starting and finish lines and along the course. 

Runners will be allowed to check their gear at Boston Common on the morning of the race.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140226/NEWS/140227073/1994/NEWS

New England Treatment Access Inc., which received two provisional licenses to dispense in Braintree and Northampton and grow at 5 Forge Parkway in Franklin, produced two letters of support from Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting and Town Council Chairman Robert Vallee. It also claimed to have presented its plans to the town’s building commissioner, fire chief, health director, police chief, attorney and engineer. 

When it finishes verifying the applications, the state will issue provisional registration certificates, giving companies the nod to start the local permitting process and set their plans in motion. However, it has made clear that the certificates won’t allow them to actually open their dispensaries.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140226/NEWS/140227576

"Heavenly Haze" and "Grapefruit Diesel"

What is the headline? Two of the types of marijuana proposed for cultivation in the new facility here in Franklin.

The unassuming building at 5 Forge Parkway looks as if it could house any sort of large-scale industrial operation. 

Soon, though, the employees inside, watched over by a six-person security team, will begin growing thousands of pounds of marijuana, to be shipped by a fleet of three vehicles to dispensaries in Brookline and Northampton. 

New England Treatment Access Inc., one of 22 budding non-profit companies awarded licenses to sell medical marijuana last month, is now in the process of obtaining the necessary permits from the town of Franklin so it can start production at the 70,000-square-foot facility, leased through 2024.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140219/NEWS/140215841

In the News: medical marijuana, Franklin actress

Milford site approved for medical marijuana dispensary

Milford made the cut for one of the first licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in the state on Friday, but five applicants from Framingham, one from Shrewsbury and a pair from Franklin came up stone cold. 

The state Department of Public Health, through the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program, on Friday granted 20 provisional licenses to non-profit companies chosen during a competitive selection process that began last summer. They were chosen from a pool of 100 applicants

Franklin actress returns to local stage in 'Fox on the Fairway'

When the Walpole Footlighters open the comedy, "Fox on the Fairway", on Feb. 7, Franklin's Anne-Marie Weaver will be returning to their stage after a 12-ear hiatus. 

The comedy is by the master of farce, Ken Ludwig, author of "Moon Over Buffalo" and "Lend Me a Tenor." This laugh-filled romp will run weekends until Feb. 23 at The Footlighters Playhouse on 2 Scout Rd., East Walpole.

In the News: medical marijuana, Tri-County robots

Medical marijuana license hopefuls will hear today

Rina Cametti will be biting her nails today as she waits to learn if her new company will be one of the winners out of 180 other competitors vying for one of the state's new medical marijuana distribution licenses. 

"I'm anxious to see the final decision," said Cametti, who started Baystate Medical Enterprises in Franklin to take advantage of the new law allowing limited distribution of medical pot. "I'm trying to be positive, but there are a lot of great applicants."

Franklin: Tri-County robotics team wins grant

The robotics team at Tri-County Vocational Technical High School has received a needed injection of funds to help propel its work on a robot designed to throw and catch a ball. 

TE Connectivity, a Norwood manufacturer, has awarded Tri-County's team, founded in 2009, $13,750 through a corporate grant program. The company's manager of manufacturing, Bob Vozella, of Franklin, is a Tri-County graduate.

"comply with city and town ordinances, regulations and bylaws"

The medical marijuana application process is moving along at the state level and Franklin prepared by defining an overlay zone for medical marijuana in the industrial park areas of town.

Bio-Care Collaborative Inc. has met with various town officials, including the police and fire chiefs, over its proposal for a dispensary at 122 Grove St., within an area sited to allow for the cultivation and sale of medical marijuana. 

"Good luck with your Phase II application," wrote Health Director David McKearney and Board of Health Chairman Bruce Hunchard, "and we look forward to having Bio-Care join our business community." 

According to a letter dated Nov. 19, Bio-Care would grow the medical marijuana sold at the Franklin facility in another community. However, the town indicated that it would have "no objection" to the nonprofit also opening a cultivation center here, as long as it meets the zoning restrictions.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x348811421/Franklin-supports-medical-marijuana-vendor#ixzz2lZ0Gs1tT

zoning discussion in Jan 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/live-reporting-medical-marijuana-zoning.html