Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting Nov 1, 2023 at 7 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

November 1, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. 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.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. September 20, 2023  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3a._september_20_2023_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf

b. October 11, 2023  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/3b._october_11_2023_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. 2023 Election Workers

i. See Exhibit 1 of Appointment Transaction in agenda packet for list of names  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._appointments_-_election_workers.pdf

b. Conservation Commission

i. Roger Trahan  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._con_com_appointment_roger_trahan.pdf

c. Fire Department - Swearing In of New Firefighters/Paramedics

i. Kenneth Cotnoir

ii. Douglas Jasper

iii. Christopher Rose

iv. Ovidiu Ticlea

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled.

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Town Charter Presentation - Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator & Mark Cerel, Town Attorney  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8a._charter_presentation.pdf

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION - None Scheduled.

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. Migrant Housing Update

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Budget Subcommittee

d. Master Plan Committee

e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee

f. Police Station Building Committee

g. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

15. ADJOURN

Note: 

Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_nov_1_2023.pdf

ribbon cutting at Schmidt Farm to acknowledge the open space purchase with CPA funds

Jonathan Butler Joins Franklin Police Dept.

Jonathan Butler

"Welcome Officer Jonathan Butler to the Franklin Police Department. Officer Butler joined us this week as our most recent new hire.   

Officer Butler is a recent graduate of the Fitchburg State University Police Program/Police Academy. 

After a 13-week field training program he’ll join the patrol division!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy5hFQ7uwo0/

This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the Oct 18 Council meeting for you (audio)

FM #1088 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1088 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 October 18, 2023: 

• ok, what just happened? 
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

(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 at La Cantina Winery

(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

Our conversation runs about 27 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Oct 23, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1088-town-council-quarterbacking-10-23-23

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

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 

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

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"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the Oct 18 Council meeting for you (audio)

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

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

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 license transfers were approved at this session

3 New police graduates from academy join Franklin Police

"Yesterday (09/15/23) was an exciting day as we welcomed 3 new officers to the Franklin Police Department. The 3 officers graduated from the Fitchburg State University Police Program/Police Academy.  

This is a 5-year program through FSU. Recruits attend a traditional 4-year university and then another year of classes and the police academy. Upon graduation, recruits graduate with a master's degree in criminal justice and their full-time police academy certificate.

The 3 new FPD Officers are Officer Parker Luther, Officer Martin Zimei, and Officer Jonathan Butler. All 3 will begin a full 12-week field training program where they’ll be paired with veteran officers to learn the job.  

Welcome to Franklin!"

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/100064353536794/posts/pfbid02DJ9HYyopbPhkSLU1opASdXiDizULUyAAfhCp2pf8516hbuTrQ2GQwMMtLRAR1uHyl/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Officer Parker Luther, Officer Martin Zimei, and Officer Jonathan Butler

Town Council hears of ISO Class 1 for Fire Dept, approves storm water fee, passport fee, and ARPA funding allocation (audio)

FM #769 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 769 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, April  6, 2022. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Quick recap:

• Fire department achieves ISO Class 1 rating, only one of 9 in MA and one of 15 in New England to do so. Contact your insurance company. Whether a business or residence, there could be a savings with this higher rating on insurance policies. Doc on Fire Department web page to send to company to support the potential savings.

• 2 new hires for Fire Dept sworn in. These are experienced firefighters coming from other areas to backfill open positions with the Fire Dept.

• Three alcohol license approvals were voted on. One to approve the move of Pour Richards, one to approve the permanent set up of outdoor dining at 3 Restaurant, and one to approve a license for the Birchwood Bakery & Café downtown. As a sign of how well Franklin has survived the pandemic, we now have more restaurant liquor licenses post pandemic than we did pre-pandemic.

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update on ARPA funds and how they would be allocated. Council approved the allocation which will now be submitted to the County for disbursement of the funds. Some of the $10M allocated to Franklin (approx. $2M) comes directly to the Town, some (approx. $6M) comes through the County.

• The second approval for the storm water utility fee was approved. The fee will first appear in July 2023 (FY 2024). There is time to confirm your impervious coverage area (see the town storm water page) and order a rain barrel to help with mitigation of storm water and save on the potential fee.

• Passport photo fee was approved so the Town when processing your passport application can now provide a ‘one-stop’ shop service. The photo fee is $10 per photo. The fee for the passport is set at the Federal level.

The recording runs under two hours (1:58). The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of April 6, 2022. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-769-town-council-meeting-04-06-22

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

Agenda document ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/april_6_2022_town_council_agenda.pdf

My notes from the meeting  ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/14KnmcHPUOPMAUQ7TgXS8YMvDbUHTxTGa/view?usp=sharing 

Photos from the meeting can be found in one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zr6wAJwNbr61Yhob6

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

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 www.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"

 

Firefighter Michael Eaton getting pinned by his daughter

Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer - Storm water fee, capital budget, and the FY 2023 Budget process

This episode 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 March 16, 2022: 

• ok, what just happened? 
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

Recognitions/promotions

• Police Department - Sergeant Connor Crosman
• Police Department - Detective Laura Canavan
• New Hire: Police Department - Derek Mackey

Storm water received 1st approval

Capital plan

Preliminary FY23 Budget Model

Our conversation runs about 37 minutes:

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

Let’s listen to Tom and I in this Town Council Quarterbacking session

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-756-town-council-quarterbacking-with-tom-mercer-03-18-22

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

Town Council Agenda document -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-march.html  

Recording & Transcript -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/town-council-hears-about-storm-water.html 

My notes for the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HKbbsQfgbgIjPbUx7DbMGikfrXo2iI68/view?usp=sharing 

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

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" 

Town Council hears about the storm water utility fee and give first approval (audio & transcript)

FM #753 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 753 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The recording runs about two hours and thirty minutes (2:30 )

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of March 16, 2022

NEW: A transcript of the recording is available. The transcript is part of a pilot by Franklin Matters using the transcription service provided by Otter.ai https://otter.ai/ 

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-753-town-council-meeting-03-16-22

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

Agenda document ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-march.html 

My notes from the meeting  ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HKbbsQfgbgIjPbUx7DbMGikfrXo2iI68/view?usp=sharing 

Meeting transcript ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YLEsQa-LOO7-erEyhrykMhilZUNpTMaI/view?usp=sharing

Photos captured during the meeting many shared via Twitter with my notes
https://photos.app.goo.gl/S3camznuYvK3wYL6A

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

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 www.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"

 

Kate Sjoberg, Derek Adams, and Brutus Cantoreggi presenting on storm water