Live reporting: Legislation for Action

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS	a. Capital Budget Subcommittee b. Budget Subcommittee c. Economic Development Subcommittee
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-21: Acceptance of Gift to the Franklin Fire Department from the Singleton Family Foundation (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-21 - Majority Vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-22: Appropriation of Cable Funds (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-22 - Majority Vote (5)) quarterly process of allocation from the Town to Franklin TV for the cable fees - per DOR requirement motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-23: Authority for Town Administrator to Settle Pending Litigation Against Town and Payment Appropriation (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-23 - Majority Vote (5)) to deal with a solar farm bankruptcy, vote required of Town Council in any claim amount exceeding 5,000 (in this case the settlement is $27,000) motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-24: Norfolk Aggie Supplemental Appropriation FY19 (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-24 - Majority Vote (5)) estimate funded, 2 additional students appeared and not the amount is increased motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-829: District Enumerated-Creation of Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District-2nd Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-829 - Two Thirds Majority Vote (5)) final reading of this proposal, next four items related to this item attempting to change the existing zoning and eliminate some of the 'dirty' uses; citizen who owns the two properties questioned last time had not responded to reach out attempts until stepping up during the meeting. motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0 (via roll call (Padula, Pellegri absent))
10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-830: Use Regulations- Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District- 2nd Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-830 - Two Thirds Majority Vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0 (via roll call (Padula, Pellegri absent))
10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-831: Mixed Business Innovation Zone Dimensional Regulations- 2nd Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-831 to a 2nd Reading- Two Thirds Majority Vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0 (via roll call (Padula, Pellegri absent))
10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-832: Changes to §185-20. Signs, Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District- 2nd Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-832 to a 2nd Reading- Two Thirds Majority Vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0 (via roll call (Padula, Pellegri absent))
10i. 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 -2nd Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-833 - Two Thirds Majority Vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0 (via roll call (Padula, Pellegri absent))
10j. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-834: Changes to Sign District Overlay Map, Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District -2nd Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-834 - Two Thirds Majority Vote (5)) motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0 (via roll call (Padula, Pellegri absent))
10k. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Bylaw Amendment 19-836: Amendment to the Town Code to Add New Chapter 108 Library Board of Directors- 2nd Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 19-836 - Majority Roll Call Vote (5)) this codifies what is the the charter change, effectively now only 5 members (per the charter) where there has been in the prior resolution 6; otherwise the items are the same as had been operational motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0 (via roll call (Padula, Pellegri absent))
10l. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-837: Zoning Map Changes from General Residential V to Single Family Residential IV, an area on or near West Central Street- Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-837 to the Planning Board- Majority Vote (5)) Joel D'Errico with story on the proposal for the property Attny Cerel alerted the Council that there is a suit against the Planning Board and they should be cautious in their response to Mr D'Errico Mr Marguerite speaks in favor of the R5, he has a deal with Mr D'Errico motion to approve, seconded, passes 4-3 (simple majority due to the presence of 7) Hamblen, n Dellorco, n Kelly, n Casey, Jones, Mercer, Earls all yes

Live reporting: FY 2020 Budget Fiscal Forecast

6. HEARINGS	None
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	None
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	FY 2020 Budget Fiscal Forecast

Town would be soon facing a structural budget deficit, and now we are facing the facts, a multi-year problem facing us

we are soon facing and need to have a dialog with the community on our future. The Town Administrator's memo is available on the Town web page, and copies here tonight

increased demands at all levels, fixed costs that all businesses face

pension burden for next 10-12 years but until then a problem

we don't control our own destiny, increased demand and increased cost

charter school also affects us this year as the funding formula is adjusted and as they increase, we see a decrease in compensation

98 Franklin students chosen in the charter school lottery

state aid expected to decline about a million dollars

State has not faced the issue of fairness in the formula

State aid was cut by 3.5 million after we passed the override in 2007, and that amount has not ever recovered

we are not the only community looking for more educational aid

we are about $2M short for a level service budget

for FY 2021 it will be worse, if you want an ambulance and police, you need to provide some funding, you see some effects and it could only get worse

it will be at least double ($4M in FY 2021)

do you like the services? do you want to protect the services you have?

We can scrap by on the Town side with some road funding

FY 2021 is really where the challenge will be

Senior Center is running on a budget of $200K

The Library is seeing increased demand for services in the new building and that needs funding

No one calls to say leave my road a little covered with snow, and they shouldn't

where do they want our departments to be

record breaking call volume each year for Police/Fire

snow plow drivers are an issue in meeting and hiring what we need as costs are rising. We have looked at economies of scale and no one has done more than we have

overall we are in a good economic climate, maybe not every family sees it, and that is understood

Dr Ahern, recaps the budget development this year, and over the past several years - programs built in-house to avoid out of district tuition, also have used revolving fund and they are not available this time around

enrollment is has been going down, but that is not the only factor of demand. Reduced lunches have increased over the past years; mental health concerns that are arriving and going untreated that we need to deal with

the school day is the school day and more pressures are creating problems as seen with the comments on recess mentioned earlier

all a midst a world that is rapidly changing with technology

need to focus on the whole child, their Social emotional health and well being

schools are being seen as broader than schools also as social services delivery

supporting 88 students with weekend backpack meals in coordination with Franklin Food Pantry

highly competitive complex, i.e. families do have choices with private schools and charter school. We need to remain competitive

School Committee has been advocating at the State House

shifted to fee for service, athletic fees, transportation fees, etc.

it pains me to say that we would need to have a discussion to review budget cuts when what we have brought forward is insufficient to begin with

Dr Bergen, School Committee Chair; Denise Schultz, Vice Chair School Committee

being as transparent as possible as there is no money to 'find'

to truly understand the demands that are being forced upon the schools

civics curriculum is new, training for it, implementing it will be a challenge

we are part of the community, it isn't schools vs police or fire

what do we want to do, do we want to loose something? or do we want to work together to solve this

Denise - this is the 4th budget I have worked on in my time, we have been working through the requirements, if we make cuts for this budget where it is not where it needs to be, it hurts so much, I feel as I have failed as a school committee member

Nutting - audit update next meeting, fine finance program, risk assessment completed; other than meals tax or hotel tax, we only can raise property taxes; hotel tax may be good as it usually hits those coming from outside Franklin. We have a great team but it in an of itself is not enough

Mercer - people need to know these issues now; we know it is inevitable down the road. It will go to the community as one voice. The FinCom is here, School Committee is here

Jones -as an educator myself, I completely understand the challenges of running the schools; prior overrides were seen as scare tactic; I was fearful that these things were going to be lost. Would it actually benefit us? Now ten years later we are back in the same boat. We need to do this in a positive manner, not about we could loose, this is what we are going to continue to enjoy, we need to invest in this. we need to approach is the educational approach. this is what we really want the community to be.

Nutting - we may be at all time high for excise tax and new housing permits, those revenues would decline; it would be foolish to ask for one year only, it would be better to ask for more than one year if possible

Kelly - if I was sitting home, I see we hired five new police officers and hear the word override, what is going on? We are fortunate to have our Chief of Police and he has made changes, they changed the way they do business and we were able to bring in the five officers with savings to their budget. I don't know that any one knows or feels the pain enough to buy into an override.

I am most upset with the State for their unfunded mandates. I don't believe we push our representation hard enough to get the changes we need. We have gone to the well. I didn't hear SchCom talk about redistricting but that might be an option. We all need to figure this out. I don't know where we go from here. It is a scary situation.

We're going to lose things no matter what, but let's come back with Plan B.

Mercer - "No one is saying there is an override tomorrow, as that is not happening." we need to look at things and come up with a plan to explain what we need to do

Dollorco - we are in the process, we are not along in this process, Boston is facing this as well. to the override, we need to get together. Fire is working on something similar, i don't know where they are at

Mercer - I hope that the community

George Conley - FinCom - shameless plug for examining every line of the budget, many of the meetings have no citizens (Shameless plug in that I do participate as a citizen to record and report for Franklin Matters. It is cool to think  that I am considered part of the 'administration')

Max Moringello - speaking to the avg cost of per pupil expenditure, a difference of 15.7% below the state average

lots of building apartments coming online, when are we going to slow things down, that is causing a problem.

Nutting - one of the dilemmas is that people have property rights and they can build what they want within our zoning guidelines; how are we going to stop growth? it is really not possible. The only constraint is running out of water (but we have capacity)

Twice the town voted against the community preservation act where we could have had the funding to buy land. Controlling growth in our vibrant community is a challenge.

This Council has bought land for the exact purpose you describe. I spend a half hour a day looking at that map. We spend time trying to get land but we don't get many sellers.

Kelly - credit to Jeff, it probably spends an hour or 2. It is suburban sprawl, it is nothing we can do about it. We talk about it all the time, we'd like to do something but there is really little we can do. We are going to grow, that is a given; the real question is how can we raise sufficient funding to continue to provide funding to meet our needs. The community doesn't know how much we bandaid all the the time. We have to find a solution to permanently fix and not bandaid

Jamie - last year we drained 1.5M from the budget stabilization fund and there is nothing left in it, what was there is being used this year.

the budget hearings are starting next week (3/18, 3/19, 3/25, 3/26).
** updated post meeting - hearing schedule changed from 4 to 2 meetings; 3/18 and 3/25

Renewable energy in place, lower rate contracts obtained, there is no fat. Council budget hearings 5/22 -5/24

The town budget page is available, the bond rating, budget histories, documents are there that can help explain what is going on. Some of the work we do is statutory (i.e. mandated)  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Mercer - I urge the community to come out to the FinCom, Town Council and School Committee meetings to understand the issues.

Live reporting: Appointments

5 minute recess ((to allow the Police and family member to leave the Chambers)

meeting resumes

5. APPOINTMENTS
5a. APPOINTMENTS	Conservation Commission, Alan Wallach motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
5b. APPOINTMENTS	Conservation Commission, Braden Rosenberg motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
5c. APPOINTMENTS	Historical Commission, Brock Leiendecker motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

Live Reporting: Town Council - Mar 13, 2019

Present:  Hamblen, Casey, Dellorco, Mercer, Jones, Earls
Absent: Pellegri, Padula

Agenda Item	Summary
Town Council Meeting Agenda	Meeting of March 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. mail box replacement cost not fair for actual replacement, only $45/each Town supporting vandalism, should be reviewed for the $45/cost what kind of guidelines are supposed to be followed. plows recklessly acting, good thing it wasn't a child or a pet parent speaking for more recess in elementary school children, also asking for more lunch time; children coming home from school with most of their lunch uneaten, 20-30 minutes of sit down time required per Pediatric society; have been giving evidence to the schools for over 6 years and is disappointing with the response; Franklin is dead last on the listing of 20+ surrounding towns; also looked at all of MA, we fall so far below what the others are doing; 32 minutes avg for recess. 26 minutes for lunch 'because we don't have it in the budget..."
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	January 30,2019 motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
3b. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	February 13, 2019 motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	Swearing in of five new Police Officers

photos to be added later

Tri-County Announces Class of 2019 Valedictorian & Salutatorian

The Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School District is pleased to announce the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2019. Nathaniel Clarke, of North Attleboro, has been named Valedictorian, and Maia Lavigne, of North Attleboro, has been named Salutatorian.

Nathaniel, a student in Tri-County’s Engineering Technology program, has achieved the highest cumulative GPA of 4.32 by mastering a rigorous academic schedule. The Engineering Technology student maintains several professional certifications and is committed to expanding his knowledge in the field as he will be studying Engineering while attending college.

During his four years at Tri-County, Nathaniel participated in NASA’s HUNCH Program and SkillsUSA. The Engineering Technology student has acquired several certifications including Certified SolidWorks Associate, MACWIC Level 1 and Level 2 Manufacturing, AutoCAD Certified User, Inventor HSM (CAM), RoboCell (Robotic Automation), and a 10 Hour OSHA certification. Nathaniel has also achieved Perfect Attendance throughout his high school career.

In addition to being an excellent student, Nathaniel is also a gifted athlete. He is champion bowler in his community, has won several tournaments, and even earned a scholarship. He recently won the 2018 Bristol-Plymouth Youth Championship. His love of bowling includes working part-time at North Bowl Lanes in North Attleboro.

When not involved in competing in bowling tournaments or working, Nathaniel volunteers in the North Attleboro community as a youth media leader, game tower leader, and a group leader at his church. He also volunteers at Friend’s Helping Friends: Cancer Sucks, a foundation that has events during the summer until October, in which all proceeds go to cancer patients and research to help cure cancer.

Tri-County’s Salutatorian, Maia Lavigne, maintains a 4.43 GPA having an arduous academic schedule that includes Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, Statistics, World History Honors, and Anatomy & Physiology Honors. Maia is a student in the Medical Careers program and has earned certifications including Certified Nursing Assistant, Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Certification 30-Hour, American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR/AED (adult, child and infant), OSHA 10 Hour Certification, Dean Vaughn Medical Terminology, and Medical Office Assisting. Maia plans on majoring in General Sonography in college. She is a member of SkillsUSA.

Along with maintaining her academic and vocational achievements, Maia participates in a plethora of other academic initiatives including the Project Lead The Way Biomedical Science curriculum. Maia is also currently taking college courses at Bristol Community College. She is employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Cornerstone at Milford Assisted Living and Memory Support. She also volunteers her time at her church.

Nathaniel Clarke, of North Attleboro - Valedictorian, and Maia Lavigne, of North Attleboro - Salutatorian

Both Nathaniel and Maia are recipients of the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship.

“It is a pleasure to recognize our two top scholars for their academic and vocational achievements,” said Stephen Dockray. “Their diligence and commitment to excellence exemplifies the Tri-County philosophy of working hard every day to strive for vocational, academic and personal growth. Congratulations to Nathaniel and Maia. We’re proud of them and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.”

As Valedictorian and Salutatorian, Nathaniel and Maia will lead the graduation procession and are scheduled to address their classmates at the Commencement Ceremony scheduled for Sunday, June 2, 2019.

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Patty Larkin - March 23

Award winning Boston-based singer-songwriter and guitarist Patty Larkin returns

Patty Larkin March 23 View this email in your browser An Evening with Patty Larkin March 23  8 PM $25 Award winning Boston-based singer-songwriter and guitarist Patty Larkin returns to the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse on Saturday, March 23, at 8 PM. She redefines the boundaries of folk-urban pop music with her inventive guitar wizardry and uncompromising vocals and lyrics. Rolling Stone praises her "evocative and sonic shading." She has been described as "riveting" (Chicago Tribune), "hypnotic" (Entertainment Weekly) and a "drop-dead brilliant" performer (Performing Songwriter). Larkin's new release Still Green, her 13th recording, plays out in Technicolor sound images, a kaleidoscope of sun and sea traveling from the fluorescent-lit hallways of grief to the warm pull of love, family and nature. Much of it written in a primitive dune shack on the Outer Banks of Cape Cod's National Seashore, Still Green is a fresh approach to sound and life from a legendary songwriter who continues to amaze. Patty's previous release, 25, celebrated a quarter century of music making with a 25-song, career retrospective reworked with voice and guitar and 25 friends.  Among them, Grammy winners (Rosanne Cash, Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, Janis Ian), and a veritable who's-who of singer songwriters (Bruce Cockburn, Martin Sexton, Dar Williams, Greg Brown, Mary Chapin Carpenter), and others. Patty is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music, where she is now an Artist in Residence. She has earned eleven Boston Music Awards and has been honored by Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino for her philanthropic contributions to non-profit organizations. "A virtuoso guitar player and mood-shaper...She is also a superb slide guitarist whose mature work is comparable to the best of Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams."  NY Times "Patty Larkin transmits eccentric magic." Joel Brown (The Boston Globe) The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows Mar 30       Celtic Band RUNA Apr 13       Tracy Grammer May 11       Ordinary Elephant

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

“They went further than any other Franklin girls team has ever gone"

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the recap of the FHS girls basketball loss in OT to Springfield Central in the D1 Semifinals.

"Springfield Central is headed back to the MIAA D1 State Championship for the third straight year, but it wasn’t without a hell of a fight from the Franklin girls basketball team first. 

The Panthers went toe-to-toe with the three-time West sectional champions, forcing overtime with a late bucket before bowing out of the tournament with a 64-57 loss at the hands of the Golden Eagles in the D1 State Semifinals. 

“When you’re this close, you’re a game away, they are definitely disappointed,” said Franklin head coach John Leighton. “For the girls, I think in the next 24 hours, the sense of accomplishment will come back, but right now, it stinks. It’s raw because it just happened and was overtime. It’s one thing if you lose by 20, you know the season is done. But not here when you’re battling until the last 12 seconds. It’ll hurt tonight, but it’ll get better.” 

For the second straight game, junior Megan O’Connell scored in the final seconds, this time a layup with 6.1 seconds left to tie the game at 48-48 to force overtime."

Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-girls-basketball-overtime-state-semifinals/

Click here for a photo gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Winter-2018-2019/Franklin-Springfield-Central-Girls-Basketball-03-12-19/

Franklin’s Megan O’Connell drives to the basket against Springfield Central in the D1 State Semifinal. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

HockomockSports.com Player of the Week: Megan O’Connell, FHS Basketball

Via HockomockSports, we share the news of the Player of the Week selection of Megan O'Connell

"Franklin junior Megan O’Connell has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for March 3 through March 9. O’Connell is the 23rd player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2018-19 school year and the 13th player in the winter season. 

O’Connell has been an important part of Franklin’s league championship season, but that went to a new level on Friday night at Worcester State when she hit arguably the biggest shot in the program’s history (to this point). With the Panthers down one to undefeated top seed Wachusett in the Div. 1 Central final, O’Connell grabbed an offensive rebound and hit an off-balance putback at the buzzer to secure the program’s first-ever sectional title."

Continue reading about Megan online
https://hockomocksports.com/player-of-the-week-megan-oconnell-franklin-basketball/

HockomockSports.com Player of the Week:
Megan O’Connell, FHS Basketball 

Franklin SEPAC: When Friends Don't Come Easy...Supporting Children Who Struggle Socially - Mar 21

When Friends Don't Come Easy...Supporting Children Who Struggle Socially

Please join us for a presentation on friendship. While making friends comes naturally to many children, for others it is a skill that must be learned and practiced. Child therapist, Alison Ratner Mayer, will lead parents in activities to increase understanding of the social challenges children face daily, and will discuss how parents can support their child’s social development.

When: Thursday, March 21 at 7:00 PM
Where: Third floor Training Room of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA.

This event is free and open to the public.

Follow the event on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/365062414221183/

Franklin SEPAC: When Friends Don't Come Easy ...
Supporting Children Who Struggle Socially - Mar 21