Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 18 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)

FM #1472 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1472 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Friday, June 20, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of June 18, 2025.

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Discussion items: 

• Fire Chief McLaughlin reads his statement announcing his retirement on or before Oct 1, 2025. 

• Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number fittingly "Time of my Life" from the Dirty Dancing movie

• Appointment to the Council on Aging: Elizabeth Sawyer, approved

• Appointment to the Disability Commission: Cheryl Fisher, approved

• Motion made and approved to create the Franklin 250 Celebration Committee

• La Cantina was approved for their Farmers Market license

• The Community Survey results were released and explained. Results can be compared with over 500 communities. Good response rate, among the best at 20%, effectively a better representation of the sense of the community with the random sample selection. Paid via Federal grant money as a pilot program. No definitive timeline for a next survey. Likely a discussion later this year on what the results can be used for

• Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers. Balancing the books better before they close out June 30. Out of $150m budget balancing on $40k is amazing

• Council enters Executive Session shortly after to discuss contract negotiation.  They returned approx. 15 minutes later to approve 7 motions certifying the contract with Town side bargaining units. All received the same 2.5% COLA that the School teachers agreed to, for a 3 year term

The conversation runs about 30 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1472-town-council-quarterbacking-06-18-25/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188 

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788 

Community Survey results

Report ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report 

Presentation doc ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025

Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 1
8 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)

Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCSPresentation

All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page ->   https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey

My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUOaCgv7a1pv5MHGIqweTwmKy2MkAEjW/view?usp=drive_link

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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

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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!

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Franklin, MA: Agenda for Town Council meeting - Weds, June 18, 2025 at 7 PM

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

June 18, 2025 - 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

c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events

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. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. May 22, 2025 https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5939/3a-May-22-2025-TC-Meeting-Minutes

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation & Performance: Electric Youth

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Council on Aging - Elizabeth Sawyer  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5912/5a-Appointments---Elizabeth-Sawyer

b. Disability Commission - Cheryl Fisher  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5913/5b-APPOINTMENT---Disability-Commission---Cheryl-Fisher

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

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - La Cantina Winery   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5943/7a-LICENSE-TRANSACTION---La-Cantina

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS

a. Presentation: Polco National Community Survey Results - Sonya Wytinck, Executive 

Polco National Community Survey Results

Vice-President of Data & Insights with Polco/National Research Center with Kate Hinckley, Director of GIS and Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 25-38: Establishment of Franklin’s 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-38 - Majority Vote)   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5957/9a-25-38---250th-Anniversary-Celebration-Committee

b. Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-39 - Majority Vote)   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5936/9b-25-39---FY25-Budget-Transfers

c. Resolution 25-40: Increased Expenditure Limits For FY2026 on Certain Departmental Revolving Funds Established By Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, As Provided in MGL Chapter 44, Section 53 1/2, As Amended (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-40 - Majority Vote)   https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5942/9c-25-40---Increased-Expenditure-Limits-FY26

d. Resolution 25-41: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($95)

(Motion to Approve Resolution 25-41 - Majority Vote)  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5935/9d-1---25-41---Gift-Acceptance---Sr-Ctr

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Economic Development Subcommittee

c. Joint Budget Subcommittee

d. Police Station Building Committee

e. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (all Town unions) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the Chair so declares.

15. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

a. Resolution 25-42: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Library Union - Franklin Public Library Staff Association, Massachusetts Library Staff Association (MLSA), Local 4298, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT Massachusetts (AFL-CIO)

(Motion to approve Resolution 25-42 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 25-43: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the DPW Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Department of Public Works (Motion to approve Resolution 25-43 - Majority Vote)

c. Resolution 25-44: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Custodians Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Custodians (Motion to approve Resolution 25-44 - Majority Vote)

d. Resolution 25-45: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Public Facilities Union - AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 1298, Public Facilities Employees

(Motion to approve Resolution 25-45 - Majority Vote)

e. Resolution 25-46: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Professional Firefighters of Franklin - International Association of Firefighters, Local 2637

(Motion to approve Resolution 25-46 - Majority Vote)

f. Resolution 25-47: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Police Association

(Motion to approve Resolution 25-47 - Majority Vote)

g. Resolution 25-48: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Police Sergeants Union

(Motion to approve Resolution 25-48 - Majority Vote)

16. ADJOURN

Note: 

Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788

PFFM: "Vote YES on the override to support Franklin Fire and EMS!"

PFFM: "Vote YES on the override to support Franklin Fire and EMS!"

Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts

"On June 3rd vote to keep Franklin safe. Vote YES on the override to support Franklin Fire and EMS!"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15uZrU8TRP/

Professional Firefighters Of Franklin Local statement on Town of Franklin FY 2026 Budget

Professional Firefighters Of Franklin

IAFF Local 2637

P.O. Box 161

Franklin, Ma 02038

508-528-2323x1962

Professional Firefighters Of Franklin Local

Brian Hamann, President

Joshua Impey. Vice President

David Ogilvie, Treasurer

Michael Mcconaghy. Secretary

To the Residents of Franklin:

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, a Town Council meeting was held where Town Administrator Hellen outlined the proposed FY 2026 budget for the Town of Franklin. This budget model reflects a S3.8 million structural budget deficit. In this proposed budget, a S250,000.00 cut was highlighted for the Franklin Fire Department. These budget cuts will directly result in a reduction of staffing for the Franklin Fire Department. 

Over the past 6 years, the Town Administrator, Town Council, and the residents of Franklin have made great strides to improve and invest in the Fire Department so that we are able to respond to the increased demand for service in our community. These budget cuts would be detrimental to our organization and to all of the residents, businesses, and visitors to our town. These cuts mean that the Yd ambulance is no longer staffed and therefore unable to respond to emergencies in the community. These cuts could result in a delay in service and decrease the availability of the Tower Ladder to respond to incidents. 

We cannot afford to go backwards. The Town's population is growing, our call volume is increasing, and the demand for Fire Department services is higher than ever. These cuts would undo years of progress and take our department back to a time where our resources were  stretched far too thin. The fire department has been responsible and transparent with its budget. 

We have never asked for more than what is needed to keep the community safe.

If an override does not happen and cuts move forward, public safety will suffer.

This is your town. 

Your tax dollars. 

Your Safety:

Professional Firefighters of Franklin

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DG3sIc9SAzN/

For additional information on the FY 2026 Town budget visit the Town page ->  https://franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500

MA Attorney General: "If you're enjoying Labor Day Weekend, thank a union"

Andrea Joy Campbell (@MassAGO) posted Sun, Sep 01, 2024:

MA Attorney General: "If you're enjoying Labor Day Weekend, thank a union"

Shared from -> https://x.com/MassAGO/status/1830243205406663023

More about the origins of Labor Day -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day

CommonWealth Magazine: The future of work; transmission site info sought

"EVERY LABOR DAY working people celebrate the countless contributions the labor movement has made to improve the lives of working people. We reflect on the past and present to organize a better future for all.

Right now, working people are frustrated. Many are struggling to afford the basics, much less save for college or retirement. Amidst this, corporate special interests are lining their pockets off the backs of working people. In 2021, the CEO pay at S&P 500 companies rose 18.2 percent, faster than the US inflation rate of 7.1 percent. In contrast, US workers’ wages fell behind inflation, with worker wages rising only 4.7 percent in 2021. This is not “inflation.” It is “greedflation” — when companies take advantage of consumers by using their market dominance to increase prices and boost corporate profits. We’ve seen this with Uber surge pricing during times when people are most desperate for a ride, little of which goes to the actual drivers."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/the-future-of-work-is-not-for-sale/ 

"FIVE OF THE SIX New England states have launched an effort to better coordinate the process of bringing ashore electricity produced by offshore wind farms and feeding the power into the regional grid.

Currently, states contract with offshore wind developers and the developers select where they want to bring their power ashore and are responsible for all transmission system upgrades needed to make that happen.

The process has gone fairly smoothly so far, with developers picking interconnection points on Cape Cod, in Somerset, and in Rhode Island."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/5-new-england-states-seek-info-on-transmission-issues/

"5 New England states seek info on transmission issues"

Beacon Hill Round up: likely tax rebate coming in some amount/form; MA Senate union debate goes forward

"In a surprise, Baker says taxpayers could receive ‘north of $2.5 billion’ in tax relief under little-known law" 

"With state coffers overflowing, Massachusetts taxpayers could receive nearly $3 billion in tax relief under an obscure 36-year-old law, Governor Charlie Baker’s administration said Thursday, surprising lawmakers just as separate tax relief talks seemed to be reaching a crescendo.

The likelihood of a decades-old law forcing the state to give back billions to taxpayers quickly shook Beacon Hill on the same day data showed the economy had edged closer to, if not officially in, a recession.

It also complicated legislators’ negotiations over a $1 billion package of tax breaks and rebates — a mammoth proposal lawmakers pursued to help ease the pinch of ballooning inflation but were still scrambling to complete before their legislative session ends Sunday night.

How much the state could ultimately hand back to taxpayers is unclear. But Baker said Thursday that the state appears poised to trigger a 1986 voter-passed law that seeks to limit state tax revenue growth to the growth of total wages and salaries in the state."

Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscriptions may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/28/metro/surprise-baker-says-taxpayers-could-receive-north-25-billion-tax-relief-under-little-known-law/ 

CommonWealth Magazine coverage

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/cap-to-give-north-of-2-5b-in-excess-tax-revenue-back-to-taxpayers/

Mass. Senate president won’t voluntarily recognize staff union effort, doesn’t ‘see a path forward’

Nearly four months after legislative staff in the Massachusetts Senate formally asked President Karen E. Spilka to recognize them as an employee union, Spilka rejected the effort.

“The Senate does not at this time see a path forward for a traditional employer-union relationship in the Senate as we are currently structured,” she wrote in a staff email on Thursday evening.

Staffers expressed dismay at her decision.

Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscriptions may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/28/metro/mass-senate-president-wont-voluntarily-recognize-staff-union-effort-doesnt-see-path-forward/

The union responded Senate President Spilka's statement with their own:

MA State House Employee Union (MSHEU) statement

The Guardian: "What if the most important election of the year is happening right now in Alabama?"

 

"This month, 5,800 Amazon warehouse employees in Bessemer, Alabama, will be voting on whether or not to unionize with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union in what could turn out to be the most important election of the year.

While the Bessemer fulfillment center itself is a drop in the bucket when compared to Amazon’s roughly 500 facilities around the country, this could be the ballot heard around the world. If successful, this election would mark the first unionized Amazon facility in the US.

Over the past 26 years, Jeff Bezos has built himself a private empire. Amazon is now the second largest employer in the US, after Walmart, and the fifth largest in the world. The more than 800,000 Amazon employees across the country represent a population between the size of Maine and Montana. Globally, the company employs more than 1 million workers."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/11/amazon-bessemer-alabama-union-election

In the News: MA DPU lifts moratorium on NationalGrid; relief for locked-out workers sought

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

"State regulators on Wednesday lifted their moratorium on National Grid gas work, infuriating locked-out gas workers, but ordered the utility to adhere to what officials called “an unprecedentedly high standard,” including a new requirement to have work plans approved by a certified professional engineer. 

The order from the Department of Public Utilities would essentially apply the parameters of Gov. Charlie Baker’s gas safety bill and other new safety protocols to National Grid while also easing the moratorium on all non-emergency and non-compliance work across the utility’s service territory, an administration official said. 

Commercial real estate industry officials have said the moratorium was having a “huge impact” by preventing properties from obtaining needed gas hookups."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181219/baker-decision-to-lift-moratorium-irks-national-grid-workers

"Unable since Nov. 1 to shake his popular bill out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Senate Rules Committee Chairman Mark Montigny on Tuesday has taken his case directly to Senate President Karen Spilka, urging her to help advance legislation ensuring benefits to workers locked out by their employers. 

A New Bedford Democrat, Montigny asked Spilka in a letter Tuesday to force action on a bill providing extended unemployment benefits to locked-out workers, such as the more than 1,200 gas workers who have been engaged in a labor dispute with National Grid since June. Gas workers lost their health insurance and paychecks and have turned to public insurance programs and unemployment benefits to get by during the lockout. 

Montigny said the Senate should pass a bill expanding the scope of a House bill approved Dec. 6 and correcting a portion of the House bill."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181219/new-bedford-democrat-presses-spilka-on-lockout-bill

"The state Department of Public Utilities on Wednesday lifted a moratorium on gas work by National Grid, but a series of new regulations means it’s unlikely development projects that have been stalled for months will be able to resume any time soon. 

Quincy is one of a handful of cities and towns that imposed its own local moratorium on all non-emergency gas work by National Grid after the company locked out 1,200 workers in June when contract negotiations broke down. It’s also a city in the midst of a massive development boom that is suffering as developers wait to finish projects that require gas connections. 

The state followed suit with its own moratorium on Oct. 8 after state regulators were spooked by an incident in Woburn in which gas lines were over-pressurized. A series of explosions in the Merrimack Valley a month earlier were also blamed on excessive pressure."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181219/state-move-on-national-grid-work-moratorium-unlikely-to-help-quincy-development

Live Reporting: Fire Dept civil service discussion

1. Resolution 16-58: Request for Legislation

Exempting all positions in the Fire Department from Civil Service Law

The formal document can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/civil_service_0.pdf

Chief McCarragher

The civil service has provided us valuable employees, it is flawed with regards to hiring and promoting. The discussion is to get people into positions quicker. It has cost us 20 weeks to bring people in. It is time to move on from the system and move to a system that will allow us to be more timely.

We don't agree with leaving civil service, we have negotiated the promotion side. It doesn't fix the hiring process. There are a lot of things that it does well and some it doesn't do well. It is not apples and oranges. Hiring would be more difficult

Nutting: I sent everybody a memo, it takes months to get people hired. How can we do this quicker. The Police as an example. They had a test in November, they'll have someone in December, 30 days. It is really up to the Council to make the decision

3 completing physical ability test, 3 other open spots

Dellorco: I took the civil service test in Boston years ago. I called other departments how is taking so long? I don't know where civil service is the problem. Fall River came out 2 years ago, and went back. Would we have preference for children of members?

Nutting: No, not by law

Kelly: we do not proctor our exams

Dellorco: Hopkinton got 35 applications and hired one

Nutting: we could use the civil service list along with this. We struggle with the process as the first person on the list is not the one we want. It does take time to do the background checks, etc. 

Pellegri: why are you so adamant to get rid of civil service?

McCarragher: I don not know that we are adamant, we want an efficient and quicker process. We are trying to do the process better. We think we can do that better outside of civil service than in. It is your decision, we will work with what we have

Nutting: there is not enough people to take the exam, so we are going to wait another year to get a captain. The proof is in the pudding, look at the Police dept. as a good example

Pfeffer: would we get someone from Franklin?

Nutting: any existing list would be honored until it expired. That was always part of the deal. Since 1950, approximately.

Pfeffer: I have been in Franklin all my life, my relatives were fire fighters and I see no reason why we would remove it

Jones: as a member of the two largest unions I am glad for the ability for the two parties. Apparently, there hasn't been enough discussion to reach a solution. I think there needs to be more discussion. There needs to be a reasonable solution to this problem.  

Bissanti: candidly, I see both sides. These are our first responders, I think they should be happy. I haven't been given enough info on going away from it. If they feel comfortable with it, I am comfortable.

Padula: Both sides have compelling arguments. This is not going to be a 9-0 vote. My decision is not going to be based on the morale of the fire dept. I don't feel it is the same as the police. At the end of the day it is based upon significant vetting. A lot of time has been spent on this. They are still talking and that is a good thing. When my head hits the pillow, I will sleep well.

Mercer: I have gone back and forth. I am trying to look at the logic picture, there are compelling arguments at both sides. When civil service came in in the 1950's, there were 15 groups, over the years the other 14 groups have moved away from civil service for one reason or another. Over the time, I have not heard of any mistakes in making those moves away from civil service. Civil service for the existing doesn't change, wheat does change is the new hires coming on board. This is one of the more difficult decisions I have had to make. They are not easy discussions. There needs to be ongoing discussions to make this better.

Kelly: I feel like since I got on the Council that this has been a pending decision. I hope that we can do that tonight and move on. The union and the fire fighters have been great and we'll work together

Yes would send the petition to the legislator

6 no (Pellegri, Padula, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones)
3 yes (Mercer, Vallee, Kelly)

Civil Service will stay

Franklin DPW: Memorandum of Agreement 2015-2018

Side Letter - Attachment B

Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance at the Franklin High and Horace Mann Middle Schools

Not withstanding the settlement of the parties' 2015 to 2018 collective bargaining agreement, the parties shall have continuing discussions about the impacts of the Franklin High School outside grounds, court yard and new athletic playing fields.

The expected impacts and costs to maintain these new areas with current staffing levels of DPW personal are unknown. ·

Specifically, the costs associated with the man power, equipment and materials needed to maintain the school grounds can only be estimated. It is anticipated with the burden of maintaining these new areas at the High School, man power and resources will be drained from other areas of the DPW. The current overall "high maintenance level" at the Town and School departments will suffer not only at the High School, but at other Town and School facilities.

From July 1, 2015 through November 2018 the Town will have the right to outsource the following work to determine the cost of labor and resources at the High School and Horace Mann Middle School:

• Mowing and trimming of all "passive grass areas" i.e.: lawns around school buildings, lawns around parking areas, islands in parking areas, MS4·green spaces, and any area that is not used for athletics.
• Providing and installing Mulch to all planting beds.
• The picking up of litter in all passive grass areas mulched planting beds.
• Spring and Fall clean-ups, which may include mowing, weeding, leaf pick-ups for all "passive grass areas" outlined above and planting beds.

Due to the skill set of present DPW personnel and equipment already owned by DPW, DPW will continue to maintain all "active grass areas" i.e. sports fields at the High School and Horace Mann Middle School, which will include mowing and trimming of grass areas, litter pick up, and emptying of all trash containers. It also may include limited fertilization and line painting as determined by Director.

The Town has the right to outsource such work, subject to three conditions:

1. No member of the bargaining unit will be laid off solely as a result of such outsourcing.
2. The Town will bargain with the union about any demonstrable impacts on conditions of employment.
3. The Town will provide a copy of the bid documents for the out sourcing of said work, all costs associated with said work for future discussions.

This was part of the set of documents released for the Town Council agenda 2/24/16 (page 43 of 45)

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2016%20Complete/02242016.pdf

Or a copy of the single page here:

one of the new ball fields at Franklin High School

"Communication goes a long way"

As mentioned  in the FY 2016 update at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Franklin and the fire fighters union are waiting on a decision from the arbitrator.

Union president Bob Donovan said Thursday that an arbitration award was expected this month, but the panel has likely delayed its decision to April. 

When the award arrives, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said it will take time to figure out the financial implications for the town's budget. 

"This goes back four years," Nutting said Thursday. "You have to go employee by employee, year by year, to get a total. That’s not an easy task." 

The timing of the award creates an additional strain on the town, he said, because it is preparing to begin collective bargaining with the eight other unions.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150320/NEWS/150329600/1994/NEWS 

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 7, 2015

Note: The meeting has a scheduled start of 6:00 PM. They will open the meeting, go to Executive Session with a return to open meeting after their discussion on the Fire Fighters Union contract.  


A. EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Collective Bargaining with Fire Fighters Union

The Town Council needs to meet in executive session for the purpose to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with fire fighters’ Union; I declare that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body. 

The open session will reconvene at the conclusion of the executive session.

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- December 17, 2014

C. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin Matters.

D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

E. CITIZEN COMMENTS

F. APPOINTMENTS
- Historical Commission: Phyllis Messere Malcom

G. HEARINGS
- Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15-745: Amendment to Chapter 185, Attachment 7, Part VI, Use Regulation Schedule, Residential Uses, Office Zoning District – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- Artistry Kitchen – Change of Manager

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

• Community Opportunity Group – Community Development Block Grant 
• 150 Emmons Street 
• Town Administrator’s Annual Update, Five Year Fiscal Forecast, Master Plan Update

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 15-01: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging 

2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15-745: Amendment to Chapter 185, Attachment 7, Part VI, Use Regulation Schedule, Residential Uses, Office Zoning District – 1ST Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. ADJOURN


The full set of documents released for this meeting can be found here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/010715.pdf

150 Emmons St, Franklin, MA