Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - Aug 14

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Municipal Building

355 East Central Street, 3rd Floor Training Room

Franklin, MA

August 14, 2019 - 5:30 PM
REVISED

Announcements: This meeting may be recorded by audio or video.

Discussion:
1.Plastic Bag Ban Proposal
2.Potential project at the former Keigan’s dealership - East Central Street



The agenda can be found at the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2019-08-14_edc_agenda.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - Aug 14

Free Your Recyclables - Importance of Paying Attention

Free Your Recyclables - Importance of Paying Attention

From the Town of Franklin page:
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/recycling_news_bulletin_q3_volume_viii_final.pdf

please keep plastic bags out of the Franklin recycle bins

"called the use of such bags 'an inordinate amount of waste'"

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

As of Aug. 1, if you don’t bring your own bags to Big Y supermarkets in Massachusetts and Connecticut, prepare to break out your coin purse.

Big Y Foods, Inc. announced Thursday afternoon that it moved up its planned elimination of single-use plastic bags at check-out counters, from 2020 to August 2019. Customers without their own bags can pay for paper bags at checkout at 10 cents a pop.

The company owns 80 supermarkets and specialty stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including one each in Franklin and Milford.

“Big Y has been complying with single-use plastic bag bans in several Massachusetts communities since 2014,” a press release announcing the change said. “Coming off of recent changes to laws in various towns across the New England region, Big Y has moved up its 2020 timeline to eliminate single-use plastic at checkouts in all of its locations in order to streamline operations and to do its part to support sustainability.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190711/big-y-moves-up-plastic-bag-ban-to-aug-1

The MDN article referenced this brief video released by Big Y on how to clean the re-usable bags.



I'll need to re-think about where I keep my supply of bags (curretnly in the car).

 

"Humans have made 8.3bn tons of plastic since 1950"

The Guardian continues their series on The United States of Plastic:

"This is the illustrated story of where it's gone

‘There was this moment I realized ... I can account for all humanity’s plastic.’ Illustration: Susie Cagle/The Guardian

Until recently we didn’t know how much plastic was piling up around us. When we found out, the picture wasn’t pretty"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/23/all-the-plastic-ever-made-study-comic

Humans have made 8.3bn tons of plastic since 1950

Economic Development Meeting: recap - June 12, 2019

The Economic Development Subcommittee of the Town Council met on Wednesday evening, June 12. There were two items on the agenda (see link below).

Updates on three grants in progress. One already mentioned during the recent water/sewer proposal will save Franklin a half percentage point on the loan interest for work on the pump station repairs.

Another grant (valued about $48,000) is a joint effort with Bellingham on vulnerability planning.

The discussion moved to the plastic bag ban proposal brought forward by a group of FHS students (mostly sophomores and juniors).

Live reporting from EDC meeting. #EDC0612 5 FHS students well prepared with new proposal for bag ban, includes waiting period and temporary harm waivers; 28 of 31 surveyed businesses were in favor, 2 no opinion, one opposed

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) June 12, 2019

#EDC0612 why bags? A good place to start. From volume and change aspects, this should be easier to get changed. Tackling other plastics (drink cups for example) would be possible in another phase

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) June 12, 2019

The students will come back with their formal presentation and a revision to the bylaw language as proposed last time with modifications as outlined (see link for proposal). Timeline was not fully resolved it could be later this summer or in September.

The audio recording was captured and should be ready in day or so.


Meeting agenda and links to prior discussions on bag ban: 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/06/economic-development-subcommittee-jun.html

Economic Development Meeting: recap  - June 12, 2019

Economic Development Subcommittee: Jun 12 - Agenda

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Municipal Building

355 East Central Street, 

3rd Floor Training Room Franklin, MA

June 12, 2018 - 6:00 PM

REVISED

Announcements:
This meeting may be recorded by audio or video.


1. Grants Update

• a. DLTA Economic Profile analysis
• b. Municipal Vulnerability Grant w/ Bellingham
• c. Housing Choice Designation

2. Plastic Bag Ban Proposal


The Agenda can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/edc_agenda_-_revised_6-12-19.pdf

The summary of the FHS student proposal for the plastic bag ban
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczTzdEaHFyZWdaYUEtYmRuMWwxR2xIS29pNnRB/view?usp=sharing





From the archives:

• online petition in May 2016

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/petition-to-franklin-town-council.html

• FHS Student presentation to Town Council Sep 2016

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/in-news-plastic-bag-ban-proposed-sen.html

and
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/town-council-recognizes-helen-huang-and.html

• FHS students present to Economic Development Committee in Dec 2016

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/this-thing-got-to-us-as-council-when-it.html

some of the FHS students making the plastic bag ban proposal to the Town Council in 2016

In the News: Supermarket group backs plastic bag ban

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

"A group representing supermarkets and other food stores offered its conditional support Tuesday to a bill that if approved would make Massachusetts the latest U.S. state to outlaw single-use plastic shopping bags viewed by environmentalists as a major source of pollution and a grave threat to marine wildlife. 

The proposal would prohibit retailers from providing customers with single-use carryout bags at the point of purchase. Stores would be required to make recyclable paper bags available to customers for a charge of 10 cents, and food stores would have the option of making reusable grocery bags available for 10 cents or more. 

Nearly 100 cities and towns, including Boston, already have local plastic bag ordinances in place, though the specifics of those bans vary among communities. 

In testimony prepared for the Legislature’s Natural Resources, Environment and Agriculture Committee, the Massachusetts Food Association said it could support a statewide ban on plastic bags to replace the patchwork of local rules and create an “even playing field” for supermarkets and grocery stores."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190402/supermarket-group-backs-plastic-bag-ban

FHS students discussing the proposal with the EDC Nov 30, 2016

From the archives

A petition online had been created in May 2016
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/petition-to-franklin-town-council.html

FHS students brought their plastic bag proposal to the Town Council in Sep 2016
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/town-council-recognizes-helen-huang-and.html

After the Town Council presentation in September, the Economic Development Committee picked up the matter for their meeting Nov 30, 2016 (audio file of the meeting available)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/fm122-economic-development-committee.html

In the News: plastic bags eliminated by BIG Y; breathalyzer tests require validation

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

Plastic bags being eliminated by BIG Y

"In a decision affecting all 70 Big Y supermarket locations across Massachusetts and Connecticut, Big Y Foods, Inc. this week announced it will eliminate plastic bags from checkout counters. 

That includes the store in Milford, off Rte. 109 and one in Franklin on Rte. 140.
The company uses 100 million plastic bags at checkout counters each year. 

“Single-use plastic bags create an inordinate amount of waste,” a press release from the company says. “Big Y recognizes its responsibility to cut down on unnecessary plastic waste that contributes to litter, harms the environment and can endanger wildlife.” 

The change won’t happen until 2020, allowing employees and customers to get used to the idea, and make the switch to reusable bags."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190111/milford-franklin-big-ys-to-eliminate-plastic-bags-in-2020

Recall that some FHS students in 2016 had created an online petition, brought forward a proposal, worked their way through the local legislative process before ultimately getting dismissed by the Economic Development Committee of the Town Council in one of their lesser highlight moments. The students can be happy now.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/nearly-60-massachusetts-municipalities.html

FHS students discussing the proposal with the EDC Nov 30, 2016

Balance of power plays out

"Prosecutors trying to get convictions for people suspected of driving drunk have seen their jobs get much more difficult after a Massachusetts judge ruled this week that Breathalyzer tests cannot be used as evidence in court. 

Judge Robert Brennan, who was hearing a consolidated test case that involved more than 400 Breathalyzer exams throughout the state, ruled the tests can’t be used until the Office of Alcohol Testing proves it results are accurate. 

Brennan’s ruling is being hailed by MetroWest defense attorneys as fair. 

“I think it’s the right decision,” said David Levinson, a Framingham lawyer. “There have been so many issues with the various testing devices. There has to be some kind of accountability.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190111/breathalyzer-court-ruling-roils-prosecutors-police

Interesting that many of the Google provided links to the MA Office of Alcohol Testing all end up at the District Attorneys page. There is also this reference but no page link. The office must truly being being rebuilt.  https://www.mass.gov/service-details/forensic-chemistry-sections

In the News: Cannabis Control Commission timeline discussion; Boston Herald sold; Hopkinton waiting on plastic bag ban

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

"With the chorus of critics calling for the Cannabis Control Commission to pump the brakes on its rollout of an expansive legal marijuana industry growing louder, the top marijuana regulator said Tuesday the agency will debate later this month whether it should license only certain types of marijuana businesses to open July 1 and wait to license others. 

Gov. Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and others have called on the CCC to scale back the industry envisioned in its draft regulations -- which includes marijuana cafes, delivery-only marijuana businesses, and the ability for establishments like cinemas and massage parlors to offer limited marijuana products -- at least until an initial retail market takes hold. 

“We’re absolutely going to talk about that and if we do decide to not issue certain categories of licenses on day one we’re not going to leave them open-ended, we’ll say ‘here’s our timeline for subsequent rollout,’ ” CCC Chairman Steven Hoffman said Tuesday when asked if the commission would consider a phased rollout of legal cannabis businesses. “But we have not made that decision, we are going to have that conversation.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180213/official-pot-licenses-could-be-rolled-out-on-timeline

"The second biggest newspaper in Boston is on track to be sold for $11.9 million. 

A subsidiary of Digital First, owner of the Denver Post and hundreds of other publications across the country, made the winning bid for the Boston Herald at a closed-door auction held at the downtown Boston offices of the Herald’s bankruptcy attorney, Brown Rudnick, which confirmed the bid selection to The Patriot Ledger on Tuesday night. The Boston Herald reported that the bid was for $11.9 million. 

Digital First was one of three companies to submit bids for the paper before a deadline Friday, including GateHouse Media, the owner of The Patriot Ledger. The company also owns the Lowell Sun and the Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise in Massachusetts.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180213/digital-first-media-wins-auction-for-boston-herald

"The town is waiting to see how a statewide plastic bag ban take shape before taking its own action. 

Board of Health member Jennifer Flanagan brought up the idea to ban plastic bags at stores in town about a year ago after hearing about such a ban passed in Natick. Last week, the board brought the discussion back up. 

“We are still in the research and review stage,” said Shaun McAuliffe, health director."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180213/hopkinton-waits-on-statewide-plastic-bag-ban

"Nearly 60 Massachusetts municipalities have passed plastic bag measures"

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

"Soon more businesses around the region will be unable to give out single-use plastic bags at checkout counters. Buoyed by a desire to reduce littering and improve the environment, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Sudbury and Wayland are among communities that have adopted regulations on plastic bags through Town Meeting or the Board of Health. Some of the rules have yet to take effect. 

Franklin town councilors considered a measure, but worried about how businesses would be affected. The council has not adopted the proposal, Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said. 

Rules differ from community to community. In general, the regulations prohibit businesses from offering thin-film, single-use plastic bags at checkout counters and allow paper and reusable bags that meet certain requirements. Businesses can use plastic bags for products such as dry cleaning and produce as well as ones that meet other stipulations."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171119/more-communities-move-to-ban-plastic-bags

From the archives

A petition online had been created in May 2016
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/petition-to-franklin-town-council.html

FHS students brought their plastic bag proposal to the Town Council in Sep 2016
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/town-council-recognizes-helen-huang-and.html

After the Town Council presentation in September, the Economic Development Committee picked up the matter for their meeting Nov 30, 2016 (audio file of the meeting available)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/fm122-economic-development-committee.html

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.

The text of the proposed bylaw can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczb0FXRTBuSUNBamc/view

FHS students discussing the proposal with the EDC Nov 30, 2016

Boston may follow Franklin on plastic bags

The Boston City Council meets today to take up a measure to reduce plastic bags for retail use. This is similar to the efforts in Franklin and other communities in MA.

• Boston City Council full agenda

http://meetingrecords.cityofboston.gov/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=344&doctype=AGENDA


The proposed ordinance regarding the reduction of plastic bags in Boston




Coincidentally, the Franklin proposed bylaw is up for discussion at the Economic Development Committee meeting on Wednesday at 5:30 PM

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

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

“We don’t need to put each piece of produce in a separate plastic bag”

The Boston Globe MetroWest section of Sunday's paper recapped the community efforts to ban plastic bags.

"Industry lobbying may have helped block a state legislative effort to limit use of disposable shopping bags earlier this year, but local environmental advocates see victory in the growing numbers of cities and towns that banned the bag. 

At least 18 communities this year passed rules regulating or outright banning retailers from using disposable plastic bags at checkout, including Framingham, Watertown, Wellesley, Bridgewater, and Shrewsbury. 

“We’re basically living in this disposable society that was invented in the 1970s, and we have to change this,” said Ken Weiss, a Framingham man who successfully petitioned his town to adopt rules limiting plastic bags. 

Ban regulations are being considered in Boston, Springfield, Franklin, and Easthampton, while Brookline could tighten its existing bag rules, and officials are expected to enact their own in Natick."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2016/10/27/more-towns-are-tossing-out-plastic-shopping-bags/Yi7XgnNpXh1vUzK1IR4jZL/story.html?event=event25

The Franklin proposal has been assigned to the Economic Development Committee for review. The Committee does not yet have a meeting scheduled for the remainder of 2016. 

The Franklin November calendar
http://www.franklinma.gov/calendar/month/2016-11

image from the proposal presentation by the FHS students

The petition circulated in May 2016
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/petition-to-franklin-town-council.html

The recap of the September 25, 2016 Town Council meeting where the presentation was made by the FHS students
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/town-council-recognizes-helen-huang-and.html

Proposal to ban plastic bags for retail sales scheduled for 1st review by Town Council - Oct 19

The plastic bag proposal is up for the Town Council consideration on Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016.

You can review the full bylaw language here (PDF embedded)

Note: there are two hearing in the bylaw approval process. This is the first scheduled hearing. The motion would be to move this to a second hearing or to make changes and move it. At the second hearing, the voting would be for the final approval or rejection.





The proposal was presented by FHS students at the Sep 27, 2016 meeting. You can find the meeting summary and a link to their presentation document here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/town-council-recognizes-helen-huang-and.html

some of the FHS students making the plastic bag ban proposal to the Town Council

In the News: EPA superfund site prep, plastic bag ban bylaw drafted for review

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

"The federal Environmental Protection Agency has begun seeking community input regarding a Superfund site in town - an early step in the cleanup process. 

EPA representatives were in Franklin on Thursday and Friday last week, looking for ways to better inform residents about the Fisher Street site and future efforts there. 

The agency placed the BJAT, LLC property at 300 Fisher St. on its National Priorities List (NPL) in September 2015. That land, according to officials, has been used for industrial purposes since the late 1800s, and was last used for rubber and plastic manufacture. The facility there has been inactive since 1985."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161010/franklin-epa-reaching-out-on-superfund-site

some of the FHS students making the plastic bag ban proposal to the Town Council Sep 21

"A group of Franklin High School students has asked the town to consider a ban on "single use" plastic shopping bags in an effort to make Franklin more environmentally friendly. 

The group - comprised of mostly seniors and some juniors - spoke before the Town Council in September, and a bylaw will be on a future meeting's agenda. 

Alycia Felli, one of the group's organizers, said this week that the impetus for the ban came from a class at the high school. 

"All of us are enrolled in an AP environmental science course, and our teacher really opened our eyes about tiny solutions that could ameliorate environmental degradation," Felli said, noting that the course brought up a bag ban. "I saw that and went, 'Oh my gosh, this is something I could even do.'"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161010/franklin-students-seek-bag-ban

• A copy of the proposed bylaw can be found here

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024F3878-000F8513

• or here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczb0FXRTBuSUNBamc/view?usp=sharing

Town Council recognizes Helen Huang and hears the proposal to ban plastic bags

The recap of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday is as follows:

Helen Huang, a senior at FHS was recognized by both the Town Council and the MA Legislature for winning the Distinguished Young Women competition earlier this year. The meeting schedule adjusted slightly to allow some business to be conducted awaiting the arrival of Representative Jeff Roy to make the presentation on behalf of Senators Karen Spilka and Richard Ross.

Helen Huang was recognized by Rep Roy and Town Council Chair Matt Kelly

The Town Council approved the liquor license transfer for the 7-11 Store which is replacing the Tedeschi's operating at 664 King St.

A group of FHS students lead by Alicia Felli presented a proposal to create a ban on the plastic bags used by most retail stores. An online petition had about 700 supporters at the time of the meeting. The proposal was well thought out and presented jointly with each of the students taking turns.

some of the FHS students making the plastic bag ban proposal to the Town Council

A copy of the presentation is linked to here
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TvMM2CLtm0PkZU3FZYXYtb1m6LtD2kPkgFc5EZ9phcs/edit?usp=sharing

The Town Council will take up the bylaw at a future meeting. As with all bylaws, there are two public readings, a public hearing, and a vote to move to second reading before the vote to move to enact the measure.

The Town Council voted to allocate an additional $162,000 for the school budget. The kindergarten grant had been budgeted at the State level but did not make it through the final budget signed by the governor and then the reinstatements by the Legislature. 

A plot of land along Lincoln St was accepted by the Town Council as part of a deal negotiated by the developer with the Planning Board. Some of the councilors objected to the deal with one (Bissanti) going on record voting against it. There was an accompanying measure to create an easement and a private road for access to the land/development.

The Town Council approved an easement for Mass Electric on the land at the Public Library so the work on the renovations could continue.

the concrete foundation is complete and steel girders should start appearing in the next week or so

The video of the meeting can be viewed anytime via Franklin TV here
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=394

The Actions Taken document as published by the Town Council

My notes as reported live during the meeting

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Legislation
• Live reporting: Plastic Bag Presentation
• Live reporting: Helen Huang - Distinguished Young ...
• Live reporting: Town Council - Sep 21, 2016

• Helen Huang announcement from August, 2016

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/helen-huang-of-franklin-was-named.html

In the News: plastic bag ban proposed, Sen Ross perfect record, Community Relations meeting scheduled

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

"A group of Franklin High School seniors asked the Town Council to support a ban on plastic shopping bags in town. 

The seniors gave a presentation at Wednesday's council meeting detailing issues with the bags and answering common questions about such a bylaw. 

Student Alycia Felli said the group started working on the matter last May, and put up a change.org petition that had thus far garnered 727 supporters.
"We believe we can have a much greener Franklin - not only looking at today, but tomorrow as well," she said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160921/franklin-council-discusses-plastic-bag-ban

many of the FHS students presenting to the Town Council to propose a ban on the use of plastic bag for retail establishments

"State Sen. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, was recently recognized by Beacon Hill Roll Call for his 100 percent voting attendance record in the Massachusetts Senate in 2016. This marks the fifth year in a row Ross has received a perfect attendance record. 

In 2016, the Senate held 469 roll call votes, more than double those held in 2015. The near 500 votes pertained to legislation including topics such as the fiscal year 2017 budget, pay equity, economic development, energy diversity and MBTA fare increases. Throughout the remainder of the year, the Senate is continuing to hold informal sessions and will return to formal sessions in January 2016."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160921/state-sen-richard-ross-recognized-for-voting-record

"The Community Relations Subcommittee of the Franklin School Committee will host another series of coffee hours throughout the school year, starting at 9 a.m. Sept. 24 at Franklin Cable Access Studio, 23 Hutchinson St. 

The role of the school committee is to hire the superintendent of schools, develop the budget, create school policy and make sure that community members are encouraged to and given the opportunity to provide feedback on all of the above. 

Concerns brought forward from previous coffee events are currently being discussed with principals at all levels in a series of meetings arranged by Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160921/community-relations-subcommittee-to-hold-coffee-hours

Live reporting: Plastic Bag Presentation

About a dozen FHS students participated in making the presentation

Plastic Bag Presentation

The presentation document can be found here
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TvMM2CLtm0PkZU3FZYXYtb1m6LtD2kPkgFc5EZ9phcs/edit?usp=sharing

(presentation view to be added)

if there were to be a bylaw, it would be part of the public hearing process (2 public hearings) for local and larger businesses to come and present their issues (if any)

What kind of data has been gathered from the towns that have passed this?
Will the corporations deal with this? They have been able to adjust. We have talked with a number of small businesses in Franklin. The transition period has been crucial for the success

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Sep 21, 2016 - Agenda

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 
– September 7, 2016

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 
- Distinguished Young Woman of Massachusetts

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 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.

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS 
- TM1 Solutions d/b/a 7-Eleven Store Number 37380A – Transfer of License, Change of Manager, Alteration of Description of Premises

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS 
- Plastic Checkout Bag Bylaw

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 16-54: Appropriation: FY 17 School Budget (Majority Vote)
2. Resolution 16-55: Acceptance of Deed of Land and Grant of Access Easements off Lincoln Street (Majority Vote)
3. Resolution 16-56: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Developer of Rolling Brook Estates off Lincoln Street (Majority Vote)
4. Resolution 16-57: Grant of Utility Easement Town-Owned Land at 118 Main Street (Franklin Public Library)( 2/3 (6) Majority vote)

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

M. COUNCIL COMMENTS

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION

O. ADJOURN

Franklin Library under construction to add a wing and renovate some of the interior sections

The PDF version with links to the supporting documents can be found here
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024D6A1C-000F8513

• The plastic bag ban proposal

• 
  

Petition to the Franklin Town Council: Plastic Bag Ban for the Town of Franklin, MA

"A single use plastic bag takes 20-1,000 years to decompose. This means that a plastic bag used once can remain in the environment for up to 1,000 years. As the bag decomposes, the chemicals from the manufacturing process, such as high density polyethylene (also known as HDPE), leach into various environments such as land and sea. On land, HDPE clogs soil and prevents aeration, causing poor absorption of water and nutrients. In marine environments, animals often mistake these bags as food. Once these organisms consume the bags, they often clog the digestive system and lead to a slow, painful death. 

In Franklin, if improperly disposed, the bags contribute to visual pollution and accumulate in nearby landfills- contributing to the startling statistic that only .25%- 1/4 of 1%- of plastic bags get recycled per year in the US. The US uses over 100 billion plastic bags per year. 

Although it might seem like a small, insignificant step for one town to ban plastic bags, no step is too small in protecting our planet. An average consumer family goes through 1,500 of these single use plastic bags per year. We have upwards of 32,000 people living in Franklin. Evidently, this is a large number of bags NOT contributing to the startling national statistics of plastic bag usage. 

This is where YOU come in. By signing this petition, not only are you pledging your support to our cause, but you are also promoting global sustainability. Your actions can make a difference- so start by signing this petition."

You can sign the petition here:

https://www.change.org/p/franklin-town-council-plastic-bag-ban-for-the-town-of-franklin-ma?recruiter=22322018&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=mob-xs-share_petition-no_msg

screen grab of petition to ban plastic bags in Franklin, MA