"This is a first step"

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

"The Town Council held a public hearing on new recreational marijuana zoning rules, and opted to move the matter forward to another reading. 

The council at its Wednesday night meeting considered a series of five zoning bylaw amendments, meant to govern where recreational marijuana buildings and businesses could be placed in town. It approved a first reading of the changes that night, with a final vote to come at a subsequent council meeting. 

If approved, the amendments would keep such facilities in the local industrial parks, at least temporarily. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said recreational marijuana facilities would be allowed in the same areas where medicinal operations can exist. The changes, he said, also require a special permit for both medicinal and recreational buildings."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170201/franklin-council-moves-forward-on-marijuana-regs


My notes from this section of the Town Council meeting recorded no citizens comments and very little discussion among the Council during the public hearing for this first reading. At this point, this is a non-controversial item.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/live-reporting-public-hearing-on.html

The Council did take action to move the five items together to a second reading
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

Police Chief Lynch introducing the five police department members that were recognized with
promotions during the Town Council meeting Feb 1, 2017

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - February 1, 2017

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town COuncil meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 1, 2017

(Note where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	January 18, 2017
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS	This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	(Swearing in of unnamed police officers)
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS	Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comments 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.
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - 7:10 PM	JOE'S AMERICAN BAR and; GRILL - CHANGE OF MANAGER
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS	(To be provided during the meeting)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	1. RESOLUTION 17-04: ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT OF UTILITY (DRAINAGE) EASEMENTS (MAJORITY VOTE (5))
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	2. RESOLUTION 17-05: REQUEST FOR SPECIAL LEGISLATION, RE: AUTHORIZATION FOR STATE TO CONVEY ARTICLE 97 LAND TO TOWN (MAJORITY VOTE (5))
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	3. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-779: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 3 DEFINITIONS - 1ST READING ( MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-779 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	4. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-780: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 4 DISTRICTS ENUMERATED - 1ST READING (mOTION FOR MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-780 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	5. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-781: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 5 ZONING MAP - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-781 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	6. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 7 COMPLIANCE REQUIRED - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	7. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-783: AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 49 MARIJUANA USE OVERLAY DISTRICT - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	8. BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-784: REPEAL SIGN RESTRICTIONS BYLAW - 2ND READING ( MOTION TO MOVE BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-784 - MAJORITY ROLL CALL VOTE (5))
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	9. BYLAW AMENDMENT 170785: REPEAL OF SIDEWALK SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL BYLAW - 2ND READING (MOTION TO MOVE BYLAW AMENDMENT 170785 - MAJORITY ROLL CALL VOTE (5))
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT	(To be provided during the meeting)
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS	(To be provided during the meeting)
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS	(To be provided during the meeting)
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION	(If necessary but not indicated for this meeting)
O. ADJOURN

Joe's American Bar and Grill

You can find the interactive version on the Town of Franklin webpage

http://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/town-council-meeting-agenda-1

or the PDF version on the Town of Franklin webpage

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/february_1_agenda.pdf

The change of manager at Joe's American Bar and Grill is likely to cause some conversation as under the previous manager there was an underage sale violation as part of the annual police sting operation.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/recap-of-town-council-meeting-sep-7-2016.html

"It's just a defensive move"

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

"A series of proposed recreational marijuana bylaws will come before the Town Council this week as the town coordinates its response to November's ballot initiative. 

The council will consider the regulations - which would govern the location of recreational marijuana facilities - in a public hearing during its Wednesday night meeting. 

The set of five bylaw amendments - which look to limit such businesses and buildings to certain areas, primarily the local industrial parks - first came in front of the council in late December."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170127/franklin-council-to-consider-marijuana-bylaws


The set of 5 bylaw amendments covering this proposal can be found here (links take you to the PDF files for each bylaw amendment)

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	3. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-779: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 3 DEFINITIONS - 1ST READING ( MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-779 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	4. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-780: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 4 DISTRICTS ENUMERATED - 1ST READING (mOTION FOR MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-780 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	5. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-781: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 5 ZONING MAP - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-781 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	6. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 7 COMPLIANCE REQUIRED - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	7. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-783: AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 49 MARIJUANA USE OVERLAY DISTRICT - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE)

The full agenda for the Town Council meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/town-council-meeting-agenda-1

screen grab of Town Council agenda page

"some in the Legislature want to see the law curtailed"

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

"Voters on Election Day chose to legalize recreational marijuana by a seven-point majority. But now the ultimate fate of the vote is in the Legislature's hands. 

Given some of the bills filed by the deadline last Friday, it could change dramatically. 

Over the next two years, legislators will have the option of signing into law more than 30 bills related to legal pot. The proposals range wildly, from repealing the law entirely to expunging every offense related to the drug. 

Fifteen bills filed by state Sen. Jason Lewis dominated the news cycle on the Friday filing deadline. But the breadth of proposals introduced for this next legislative session suggest that the law voters ratified and the one we end up following could be very different."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170125/medical-marijuana-changes-could-be-coming

In the News: recreational marijuana sale rules moved along; dangerousness hearing rescheduled

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

"The Town Council progressed this week with a new set of rules to govern the sale of recreational marijuana in town. 

The council considered - and gave preliminary approval to - a set of bylaw changes at its Wednesday night meeting. The changes include a local tax on marijuana sales, and regulations as to where a marijuana facility might be housed. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the changes reflected a desire to be proactive in regulating recreational use in town. Under the terms of the ballot question, marijuana sales will not be allowed until January 2018. 

"This is step one in addressing what I think will be a lot of issues that not only Franklin but communities across the commonwealth will be dealing with in the coming years," he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161222/franklin-council-considers-marijuana-rules

"A dangerousness hearing for a Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School student accused of threatening to "shoot up" the school has been pushed back as attorneys continue negotiations. 

The hearing, which had been scheduled to take place Thursday in Wrentham District Court, would have considered whether Julius Willis, 18, of 503 Ellis Road in North Attleborough, should continue to be held without bail. The defense and prosecution, however, asked Judge Steven Thomas to push the case back a week, saying they had nearly reached an agreement on possible conditions of release. 

Thomas set a new hearing date for Dec. 29. Willis will continue to be held until at least that date."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161222/hearing-for-tri-county-student-delayed

In the News: Stony Brook Camera Club; minimum wage; now what for recreational marijuana

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

"The Stony Brook Camera Club of Franklin will present the program "Fine Art Photography and Mixed Media: Creative Inspiration" by Stephen Sheffield at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Anglican Church of the Redeemer, 31 Hayward St., Franklin. 

Sheffield, a native of the Boston area, is an alumnus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and mixed media. He went on to receive his Master of Fine Arts in photography and mixed media from the California College of the Arts in Oakland, studying directly under and working as assistant to Larry Sultan, as well as studying under Jean Finley, Jim Goldberg and others."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161222/stony-brook-camera-club-to-present-stephen-sheffield

"When the Massachusetts minimum wage increases to $11 per hour on Jan. 1, it will be among the highest in the nation, but that won't last long. 

"California and New York State have passed bills to raise their minimum wage to $15," said Andrew Farnitano, a spokesman for Raise Up Massachusetts, a coalition of labor unions, community organizations and religious groups advocating for a $15 minimum wage. "This is something where Massachusetts has historically been at or near the front of the country, and I think we're in danger of falling behind again if we don't continue to raise wages." 

Seven other states have plans to raise their minimum wages to even higher levels in the coming years, including New York, which will raise the hourly minimum wage for New York City to $13 next December, then to $15 effective Dec. 31, 2018. California's minimum wage will go to $11 in January 2018, then increase by $1 each year until hitting $15 in 2022."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161222/state-minimum-wage-increasing-to-11-in-new-year

"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 and local officials. Following the Nov. 8 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. On the local level communities like Marblehead are just beginning to wrap their heads around what legalization means for them. 

"It's not going to be a free for all," said Town Administrator John McGinn."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161222/marijuanas-legal-in-massachusetts-so-now-what

Real time reporting: Legislation

(resuming reporting after my work meeting)

3. Zoning bylaw Amendment 16-775: Amendment to Chapter 185, Section 5 Zoning Map

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0

5. Bylaw Amendment 16-777: Amendment to Chapter 151, Solid Waste and Recycling this is procedural to clean up the fees, all the fees were moved to the other bylaw and this isn't needed any more it was not calculated on what the economic impact this would have. It was not the intent to use this as a fund raiser ambulance fees did go up but they are covered by insurance ** motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)
6. Resolution 16-75: Adoption of G.L. Chapter 64N Section 3 Local Tax on Marijuana Retail Sales and Establishment of Tax Rate proposal to add the local sales tax option of 2% ** motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-779: Changes to Chapter 185 Section 3 Definitions move to referral to planning board, seconded, passed 9-0 next set of bylaws, place zoning for recreational marijuana to the Industrial Park area along Forge Park and Grove St; initially putting with medical marijuana zoning some legislation may still be pending at the state. This is a starting point and a conservative approach. Jones - I think these are logical as the State hasn't made their final definitions. We don't need this downtown. Cerel - district name being changed to Marijuana use, make all applications by special permit Pfeffer - discussion on prefix, should be 16 not 17, going to planning board anyway and coming back
8. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-780: Changes to chapter 185 Section 4 Districts Enumerated - Referral to Planning Board move to referral to planning board, seconded, passed 9-0
9. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-781: Changes to Chapter 185 Section 5 Zoning Map - Referral to Planning Board (majority vote) move to referral to planning board, seconded, passed 9-0
10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-782: Changes to Chapter 185-Section 7 Compliance - Referral to Planning Board (majority vote) move to referral to planning board, seconded, passed 9-0
11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-783: Amendment to Chapter 185 Section 49 Marijuana Use Overlay District - Referral to Planning board (majority vote) move to referral to planning board, seconded, passed 9-0

In the News: Franklin's Liberatore on top team; Governor will let Legislature deal with marijuana sales tax

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

"A student cybersecurity team from MassBay Community College placed fourth at the National Cyber League 2016 Competition. The seven-member student team from MassBay, called the Segfault, was ranked fourth out of 144 teams nationwide, and included a Franklin resident. 

The team consisted of Andrew Liberatore, of Franklin, as well as Paul Buonopane, David Dew, Chester Moses, Timothy Ferguson, Corey Skinner and Fred Dolan. 

The students have been working together since the beginning of the fall 2016 semester and have competed in the preseason, regular season and postseason of the National Cyber League competition. The competition is held online in a cloud-based environment, where students compete to solve real problems. The MassBay team was given problems to solve that replicate what it might face in the real world if its company fell victim to hackers. The team dissected the problems to find solutions, which included downloading files, decryption to view passwords and analyzing information on the attack."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161220/massbay-community-college-places-fourth-in-cyber-league-competition

http://www.massbay.edu/

"Gov. Charlie Baker couldn't quite bring himself on Monday to say he would support a higher tax rate on retail marijuana sales, but he didn't rule it out either. 

"I'm going to let the Legislature kick this one around a little, " Baker said during his monthly appearance on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio" show. "No, no, no, no," he added as clarification when host Jim Braude brought up a possible veto threat. 

Several prominent Democrats, including Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, have been open with their belief that the 3.75 percent retail sales tax on pot is too low, and will be up for debate when the Legislature considers changes in the new year to the legalization law that went into effect last Thursday. 

The ballot law stipulated a 3.75 percent excise tax on marijuana that would be added to the state's 6.25 percent sales tax, effectively taxing pot at 10 percent to start. Cities and towns have the ability to add an additional sales tax of up to 2 percent on top of that."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161220/baker-leaving-pot-tax-debate-to-legislature-for-now

Note: The Franklin Town Council takes up the measure that would add 2% for the local portion of the tax at the meeting scheduled for Weds, Dec 21.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-122116.html

"we at least have a baseline"

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

"In response to the statewide vote to legalize recreational marijuana, the Economic Development Committee voted in favor of new rules regarding any dispensaries in town. 

The committee, meeting Wednesday afternoon, voted to recommend that any facilities be located in the same zones that allow medical marijuana - the town's two industrial parks and a portion of Grove Street. It also was in favor of a 2 percent local option tax on sales. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said it would be best if the town was prepared for January 2018, when recreational sales facilities could open under the ballot question's provisions. 

"Under the law, you can't prohibit the activity," he said. "The idea - in the short run, at least until we know more - is to implement rules and zoning to keep it out of downtown."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161202/franklin-committee-recommends-marijuana-rules

Halligan, Vallee, Bissanti (chair), Pfeffer, and Padula left to right across the front 

Follow this link to listen to the audio recording of the full Economic Development Committee meeting from Wednesday evening, Nov 30.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/fm122-economic-development-committee.html

FM#122 - Economic Development Committee pans the bag bylaw proposal

The audio recording of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) here in Franklin, MA. at their meeting on Wednesday, November 30, 2016.

FHS students making the presentation at the EDC meeting

This internet radio show or podcast is number 122 in the series for Franklin Matters. This captured the audio recording of the Economic Development Committee meeting held on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2016.

My notes from the meeting have been posted to the Franklin Matters webpage. The meeting agenda is also available and links are provided. I did use Twitter to record some of my notes from the meeting and then used Storify to summarize the meeting.

Plastic Bag Bylaw

After some contentious discussion and nitpicking, the plastic bag measure was declined to move forward by a unanimous vote. Additional work was acknowledged as required to be done. To the students credit, they took this in stride and are prepared to do the work and bring the measure back.

Recreational marijuana zoning

The Committee also voted to bring forward a measure to allow Franklin to implement a 2% tax on the sale of recreational marijuana and to adjust the zoning to use the existing adult and medical marijuana overlays to also include recreational marijuana. Both of these actions are in advance of the first sale sometime in 2018 with additional State level regulations to be announced before then. The Town Council should see this at one of their meetings in December.

There will be a brief pause in the recording when the first discussion finishes, there was a 2 minute break. I did remove that section of the recording and picked up when the meeting resumed to cover the second topic.

Without further ado, here is the recording of the meeting


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

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?

• If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors.
• If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.

Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!


The Storify reporting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/plastic-bag-bylaw-put-aside.html

The agenda post
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/economic-development-committee-to-take.html


You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Plastic bag bylaw put aside; recreational marijuana zoning proposal moves forward

I used Twitter to record some of my notes from the Economic Development Committee meeting on Wednesday. I used Storify to summarize the meeting.

• Plastic Bag Bylaw

After some contentious discussion and nitpicking the plastic bag measure was declined to move forward by a unanimous vote. Additional work was acknowledged to be done. To the students credit, they took this in stride and are prepared to do the work and bring the measure back.

• Recreational marijuana zoning

The Committee also voted to bring forward a measure to allow Franklin to implement a 2% tax on the sale of recreational marijuana and to adjust the zoning to use the existing adult and medical marijuana overlays to also include recreational marijuana. Both of these actions are in advance of the first sale sometime in 2018 with additional State level regulations to be announced before then. The Town Council should see this at one of their meetings in December.


I will post the audio recording of the meeting to share that for your listening pleasure.

FHS students leading the discussion on the proposal to ban plastic bags for retail

(be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to review all the entries)

"It's not really something we have to worry about until 2018"

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

"After a state vote in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, a town committee is scheduled to discuss the potential impacts at a meeting this week. 

The matter is one of the items on the agenda for the Town Council's economic development subcommittee meeting, which will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Franklin Municipal Building's council chambers. 

Subcommittee Chairman Andrew Bissanti said the town had, in its zoning bylaws, already considered recreational marijuana. Those bylaws, he said, consign such facilities to industrial parks."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161128/franklin-committee-may-take-up-marijuana-rules


The full agenda for the Economic Development Committee (EDC) is

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

Additional info on the plastic bag bylaw can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/economic-development-committee-to-take.html

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