Listening Sessions start on Weds, Sep 30 - How can we help Franklin determine its future?

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"FITCHBURG MAYOR Stephen DiNatale’s office bears all the markings of the workspace of a small-city Massachusetts leader working hard to pull up his community, a place that has struggled for years following the exodus of industries that once made mill towns like this hum with economic vigor.

There are sketches of planned development projects, a big photograph showing downtown Fitchburg back in its pre-World War II heyday, and in one corner a group of shiny ceremonial shovels standing against the wall, mementos from recent groundbreaking celebrations that DiNatale is anxious to replicate. The affable 68-year-old former state representative is laser-focused on economic development, and in a hurry for it to happen. “I’m not a patient guy,” said DiNatale. 

It’s easy to see why. Median household income is $55,000 in Fitchburg, $22,000 below the statewide average. Meanwhile, the pandemic has hit the city hard, with its 15.5 percent unemployment rate in August the eighth highest in the state."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/arts-and-culture/fitchburg-pinning-revival-hopes-on-arts-and-culture/ 

 

Is there something Fitchburg is doing, that we should also consider?

 

Franklin starts listening sessions next week. The first one on Weds, Sep 30. The agenda for the September 30th Listening Session, which will focus on Downtown Franklin, the Crossing and the Franklin Cultural District, can be found here  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2020-09-30_edc_listening_session_1_agenda.pdf
 
For reference here are links to the MAPC Town of Franklin Market Study 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._final_town_of_franklin_market_study_1.pdf

 

a Demographic & Economic Profile of the 495/MetroWest Region; details specific to Franklin can be found on pages 57 and 58

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/495_metrowest_profile_2020.pdf

 

To sign up for one of more of the series of listening sessions, register here

https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development

 

Listening Sessions start on Weds, Sep 30 - How can we help Franklin determine its future?

Planning Board: Public Hearing - Mixed Business Innovation Zone - 5 Fisher, 29 Hayward Sts

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a Remote Public on Monday, August 10, 2020 at 7:10 PM, for a Site Plan application at 5 Fisher Street and 29 Hayward St in Franklin, MA prepared by Farland Corporation, New Bedford, MA, Inc. and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development by K Fisher RE Services, LLC, 69 Milk St, Westborough, MA 01581.

The property is located in the MBI Zoning District (Assessors Map 278 Lot 016) on Fisher and Hayward Streets. The purpose of the Site Plan modification is to allow non- woven materials be produced at 29 Hayward Street.

Please note: This will be your only written notice of this public hearing. All future Public Hearings on this matter, will be posted on the Planning Board’s website under Agendas.

This meeting will be done remotely via “ZOOM” platform. Residents can view the Town Website and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on access to the meeting.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520- 4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Anthony Padula, Chairman

Planning Board: Public Hearing - Mixed Business Innovation Zone - 5 Fisher, 29 Hayward Sts

Town of Franklin: Market Study

The Market Study is on the listing of Presentations scheduled for the Town Council meeting on July 22, 2020. Link to the full agenda can be found below. 

From the MAPC Market Analysis 
for the Town of Franklin:

"The Town of Franklin, its community partners, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, through research, outreach, and analysis, have worked to create the following Market Study. Within this study, the input of residents, businesses, and students and staff from Dean College were incorporated. The three focus areas of the study were Downtown Franklin, the Mixed Business Innovation District, and the Crossing, as well as the Franklin Cultural District. 

Research included demographic, housing, transportation, and business data, with consumer spending habits, and market potential, and expenditures incorporated within the study. Additionally, the Town of Franklin Market Study held multiple community engagement sessions, with a town-wide open house, a Business Roundtable, a Dean College Roundtable consisting of students and staff, and a town-wide survey, in addition to the Cultural District Roundtable already mentioned. Furthermore, a town Economic Development Survey was provided, with over 700 responses. 

Through research, interviews, and public outreach, a list of eleven recommendations were created in ranked order. These recommendations build upon the strengths of Franklin’s history, its arts and culture community, its active boards and committees, its inspiring college, and its distinctive neighborhood businesses. A full breakdown these recommendations can be found at the end of the study.

...
Based on results from the market study, along with input from the community (through the Open House, Business Roundtable, Arts & Culture Roundtable, Dean College Roundtable and Economic Development Survey), a set of recommended goals, strategies and actions were developed. Recommended goals, strategies and actions focus on marketing Franklin’s existing and potential future amenities to attract more business activity; concentrating development in the existing economic corridors of Franklin Center, The Crossing, and the Mixed Business Innovation District; and growing industry sectors identified in the market study as holding the potential for growth."

Read the full report on the Town of Franklin page or the copy below
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/town-franklin-market-study

Agenda and documents released for the Town Council meeting July 22, 2020
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/july-22-town-council-meeting

Town of Franklin: Market Study

“The biggest thing is that they’re cost-effective”

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

“Cutter #2” - the 81-year-old die-cutter inside the Contollo Mass Manufacturing factory in Franklin - has been churning out roughly 2,500 medical gowns a week less than a month after previously collecting dust for four years. The new operators of the previously-vacant facility, which reopened in the middle of May, said there are 40-50 institutions in Massachusetts alone that are interested in placing orders for the gowns, with the smallest order received requesting 500,000 of them.

The largest order requested – by the Defense Logistics Agency – was 110 million.

The factory, housed in the building once operated by the Clark-Cutler-McDermott company at 5 Fisher St., has bid on about 14.2 million of those gowns, said Contollo Mass Manufacturing CEO Peter Berzin.

“Our phones have been ringing off the hook,” said the Pennsylvania resident, who joined forces with Chief Engineer Norb Jankowski, a former Michigan resident, and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Bob Vozzella, a Franklin resident and business owner, to run the operation. They’ve received constant calls for gowns from institutions across the state, including from the Seven Hills Pediatric Center in Groton, Boston EMS, the Boston Medical Center, local Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitals, and intuitions in New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Maine and California.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200611/franklin-factory-churning-out-2500-medical-gowns-week-plans-to-expand-operation

 

“The biggest thing is that they’re cost-effective”

"factory plans to produce three levels of medical gowns"

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

"The previously-vacant Clark-Cutler-McDermott Company building in Franklin will be brought back to life next week when it starts producing its first round of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“It’s coming along - they’re getting very close (to starting production),” said Town Council Chairman Tom Mercer of the factory building on Fisher Street, which will begin production of medical gowns on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The facility, which has the potential to make more than 100,000 gowns weekly for first responders and hospital workers throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, will deliver its first batch of gowns to Milford Regional Medical Center.

The factory expects to receive its last materials on Monday to begin production, but likely won’t start operating at full capacity immediately, said Mercer."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200502/franklin-factory-to-begin-producing-ppe-next-week

The scale house in the rear of the Clark Cutler McDermott site

 

Part of Clark Cutler McDermott coming to life to save lives

From State Rep Jeff Roy's YouTube channel, he shares a segment from the Boston Fox station. The text I have seen on Facebook attributed to Town Council Chair Tom Mercer who is also part of the video segment. Tom and I have also been in contact to schedule an wfpr.fm/Franklin Matters radio show on this topic.

"The former Clark Cutler McDermott Plant is trying to be brought back to life to help in the growing need for PPE’s. This project started just one week ago when I received a call from a gentleman inquiring about current ownership of the former Clark Cutler McDermott Company as he was a former employee of CCM years ago but was familiar with the equipment that was once in the building. He explained to me what he was looking to do (Make PPE's).

Our Town Administrator and I were able to connect him with the current owners of the property Rick Kaplan and Casey Killam. After this connection was made I called Representative Jeffrey Roy who is not only our State Representative, but the House Chair of the Manufacturing Caucus which encourages “Making it in Massachusetts.” Jeff was able to connect them with the right people at the State Level to get the ball rolling there. He enlisted the support of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Partnership (MassMEP) to help navigate the process.

As of this post the group led by Norb Jankowski who now lives in Michigan and Peter Berzin from Pennsylvania both arrived in Franklin earlier this week. We have met as a group on Tuesday and again yesterday. In the last few days they formed an LLC with the help of Franklin attorney Michael Doherty. They have identified a material supplier in Rhode Island and are now reaching out to a stitchery so that once these PPE’s are die cut at the CCM plant, they would go to a stitching plant and then initially right out to our Massachusetts & Rhode Island front line first responders and Hospitals.

They feel they will be able to produce over 100,000 PPE’s weekly from Franklin’s CCM facility. There still are a few more steps to be made before this project comes to fruition. They are keeping the Town updated on their progress daily. This is a wonderful opportunity for our great community to help in this worldwide crisis.

Two very special “Thank You’s” need to go to Rick Kaplan & Casey Killam of Remax Real Estate who have made their property available to this group and to Representative Jeff Roy for once again jumping in and making the State connections necessary to help get this entity up and running hopefully in record time.

https://youtu.be/TXrtEyLhR70



https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1250095036194271234?s=20

Franklin Downtown Partnership: General Meeting - Feb 6

FDP General Meeting in February

The next general meeting of the Franklin Downtown Partnership will be held on Thursday, February 6 at 8:30 AM at the Dean College Campus Center. See details about our guest speaker below and see the agenda below. We look forward to seeing you!

What's Next for the Former Clark-Cutler-McDermott Property?

Please join the Franklin Downtown Partnership at our next general meeting at 8:30 AM on February 6 for a long awaited discussion on the future of the Former Clark-Cutler-McDermott (CCMcD) Property. Rick Kaplan, president of RE/MAX Executive Realty's Commercial Division, will provide a short presentation on preliminary plans for the property.

Downtown Partnership meeting agenda
https://files.constantcontact.com/ceff47be401/2ce056b2-7816-4d4a-bc9c-b5204617070c.pdf

Franklin Downtown Partnership: General Meeting - Feb 6

The scale booth at the former Clark-Cutler-McDermott (CCMcD) property

Franklin Downtown Partnership: General Meeting - Feb 6

The next general meeting of the Franklin Downtown Partnership will be held on Thursday, February 6 at 8:30 AM at the Dean College Campus Center. 

What’s Next for the Former Clark-Cutler-McDermott Property?
One of the topics for the next general meeting (February 6) will be an update on the future of the Former Clark-Cutler-McDermott (CCMcD) Property. Rick Kaplan, president of RE/MAX Executive Realty’s Commercial Division, will provide a short presentation on preliminary plans for the property.

We look forward to seeing you!

For other info on the Franklin Downtown Partnership visit their page
https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

The scale booth at the former Clark-Cutler-McDermott (CCMcD) property

Business Roundtable - November 14

Good Morning: As you hopefully already know, the Town of Franklin has scheduled a Business Roundtable for November 14th at Dean College. (See embedded file below.) The workshop is in support of an economic development study focused on three of Franklin's older commercial areas:

• The Downtown Franklin Commercial District;
• The Crossing, a smaller commercial village near Union and Cottage Streets; and
• The Mixed Business Innovation District (Hayward & Fisher Streets Priority Development Area), an industrial neighborhood recently rezoned to increase the number and type businesses.

I hope you are able to attend. It doesn't matter if your business is in one of the three commercial districts mentioned above. Among other things, we'll be discussing how the Town can better support and grow local businesses, so any business owner or manager, property owner, organization, or individual interested in Franklin's economic future are invited to attend. If you can think of an individual or business that should be at the event please contact them directly or let me know and I'll send an invite.

If you know for sure you'll be attending please RSVP by email to me (btaberner@franklinma.gov), or Raul Gonzalez of MAPC (RGonzalez@mapc.org). I'm trying to get a rough number of probable attendees for planning purposes. Whether you RSVP or not I hope to see you at the Business Roundtable. Let me know if you have questions. 

Thank you. 
Bryan.

Bryan W. Taberner, AICP
Director of Planning and Community Development
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-1352

Phone: 508-520-4907
Fax: 508-520-4906
Email: btaberner@franklinma.gov

Business Roundtable - November 14

Get your copy of the flyer shown here as a reminder
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczQjJTaDBtZlNrTG84RWJEbzFrTTBCQVVuWTRR/view?usp=sharing

Town Council - Summary - Video Link - Feb 13, 2019

The Town Council met on Feb 13, 2019. I was able to participate remotely for a bit as I had a work conference call scheduled for 8 PM.

The video replay of the meeting is available
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=618

The official actions taken document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_council_actions_taken_for_february_13_2019.pdf

The agenda and docs released for the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/02/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-feb-13.html

Dept of planning/community development Director Bryan Taberner does overview of
proposed mixed business innovation zone

Returned to session; public hearings opening for the mixed business innovation zoning change, Planning Board recommends approval as proposed #tc0213 Dept of planning/community development Director Bryan Taberner does overview pic.twitter.com/WEkkeGiJNZ

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 14, 2019

Pandora back up to speak for the Franklin Downtown Partnership in favor of the MBI zoning proposal #tc0213 pic.twitter.com/lI0FvklkMR

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 14, 2019

Breaking away for work meeting, tune into the live stream on the Franklin website or via cable to see the Franklin TV broadcast #tc0213

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 14, 2019

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Feb 13, 2019

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 13, 2019

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

You can also find the full set of documents in one PDF

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_for_february_13_2019.pdf

Agenda Item	Summary
Town Council Meeting Agenda	Meeting of February 13, 2019
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS	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.
2. CITIZENS COMMENTS	a. 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 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	None
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	None
5. APPOINTMENTS	a. Franklin Cultural District- Pandora Carlucci
6. HEARINGS
6a. HEARINGS	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-829: District Enumerated-Creation of Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District
6b. HEARINGS	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-830: Use Regulations- Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District
6c. HEARINGS	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-831: Mixed Business Innovation Zone Dimensional Regulations
6d. HEARINGS	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-832: Changes to §185-20. Signs, Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District
6e. HEARINGS	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-833: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to Mixed Business Innovation on Area on or near Fisher and Hayward Streets
6f. HEARINGS	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-834: Changes to Sign District Overlay Map, Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	None
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	Police Department
9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS	a. Capital Budget Subcommittee b. Budget Subcommittee c. Economic Development Subcommittee
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-20: Adoption of Fiscal Policies (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-20 Majority Vote (5))
10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-829: District Enumerated-Creation of Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District-1st Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-829 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-830: Use Regulations- Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District- 1st Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-830 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-831: Mixed Business Innovation Zone Dimensional Regulations- 1st Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-831 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-832: Changes to §185-20. Signs, Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District- 1st Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-832 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-833: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to Mixed Business Innovation on Area on or near Fisher and Hayward Streets -1st Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-833 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-834: Changes to Sign District Overlay Map, Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District -1st Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-834 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Bylaw Amendment 19-836: Amendment to the Town Code to Add New Chapter 108 Library Board of Directors- 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 19-836 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
11. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION	None Scheduled
15. ADJOURN

public hearing for the Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District scheduled for this meeting

Planning Board meeting starting at 6:00 PM tonight Feb 4

Two important public hearings at the Planning Board on Monday evening, Feb 4. Note the starting time is 6:00 PM (not the normal 7:00 PM start).

First up is the Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District proposed for the Clark, Cutler, McDermott area. The key change is to remove some of the more industrial and hazardous uses allowed currently while enabling the site for 'mixed business innovation'.

Second is a continuation on the 50+ unit development proposed for open space (former farm land) on Prospect St. 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/february_4_2019.pdf


The letter to the Clark Cutler neighbors:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczQ2NGRExKNFRGTUF1Q3NLRmQ4YXF0Si1YalpF/view?usp=sharing

"proposed new zone called Mixed Business Innovation (MBI)"

Town Council summary - Dec 19, 2018

The recap of the Town Council meeting held Wednesday, Dec 19, 2018.

Liquor license renewals
The annual liquor license renewals came up for approval. Those businesses with outstanding bills will have their license held until the outstanding items are completed. 
The listing of the current liquor licenses can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/2019_alcohol_renewals.pdf

Technology Update
Tim Raposa, Technology Director, provided an update on the work of the department. "There isn’t a department in here that doesn’t need technology" was aptly quoted in the MDN article on his presentation. I took several photos of his presentation and will share the deck when it is available (not yet posted to Town page).

Photos captured of the presentation can be found online
https://photos.app.goo.gl/z9aGETegsyeeCEZJ8


Mixed Business Innovation
The package of 6 zoning bylaw amendments came before the Town Council for potential referral to the Planning Board. They had been reviewed at the Economic Development Committee and came forward with a 3-1 vote (Kelly the lone 'no' vote).

Kelly clearly wants something in the bylaw to allow for residential use but exactly what would meet that requirement was not discussed explicitly or agreed to during the meeting. While some other councilors agree that residential use would make sense, it doesn't for the building that is currently on site. The bylaw amendments did get referred to the Planning Board. Kelly voted against one of the amendments but voted for all the others.

The Planning Board will hold two public hearings and make a recommendation on the measures to send back to the Council. The Council will also hold two public hearings and either make adjustments to the language or leave it as is. The timing on all of this would bring a 'final' decision sometime as early as mid-February or March 2019.

The formal "Actions Taken" document was not yet published. When it is, it will be linked to here.

one of the Technology slides depicts the town school split for the technology personnel

My detailed notes taken during the meeting can be found in the links below:

• Live reporting: from Town Administrators Report to...

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-from-town-administrators.html

• Live reporting: Legislation for Action

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

• Live Reporting: Technology Dept

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-technology-dept.html

• Live Reporting: Town Council - Dec 19, 2019

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/live-reporting-town-council-dec-19-2019.html