Pond St
- After several tries over many years, the Pond St property was finally approved for sale. The developer can build up to condominium 99 units, 60 x 2 bedroom and 30 x 3 bedroom. This was part of the contention on the vote that resulted in 6-3 for. At least one councilor was against the sale period, the other two seemed to be more concerned about the mix of units looking for less 3 bedroom units which should bring in less children. Pfeffer, Jones and Mercer voted 'no'.
Intermunicipal Support Agreement
- The Town Council approved setting up this agreement with the neighboring communities. This will further enable collaborative actions by the local police force when something occurs and the incident begins to cross the town boundaries.
Zoning bylaw changes
- Two bylaws were approved at their second reading. One to enforce the snow storm parking restrictions on public lots. One to enable the DPW to gain access to a residence to change the water meters.
- The first reading on the bylaw to enforce alcohol training for all those who serve was also the subject of a contentious vote. The measure as discussed in the prior meeting was to have an effective date of 9/1/16 to allow for sufficient time to implement this without posing too much of a burden upon the establishments. Jones moved to amend to change the date to July 1. It was voted down 2-7. The bylaw was moved to second reading on a 9-0 vote.
- One bylaw was referred to the Planning Board for their action before it could come back to the Council for a public hearing, two readings, and a final vote. This was to rezone some parcels along West Central St to residential. This was moved on a 8-0 vote (Bissanti abstaining).
- Other recent bylaw changes also resulted in some relatively quick action to bring forward a proposal. No mention was made in this case as to who stands to benefit. It was not worthy that Councilor Bissanti recused himself from the discussion for this item.
Library temporary location announced
The other interesting update occurred during the Town Administrator's update when it was announced that the temporary location for the Library would be 25 Kenwood Circle. An agreement to obtain the space was to be signed on Thursday. The Library would close on Apr 8th to begin the move of the circulation items, books, etc. The Library would re-open in May and operate from this location until the construction/renovations completed some time in 2017.
Ben Franklin will still read outside the Library, but everyone else will need to get their books at a new location beginning in May, 2016 as the renovations close this building |
The Town Council "actions taken" as published by Franklin:
Town Council meeting available for video replay
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=339
Franklin Matters live reported notes during the meeting:
- Live reporting: Closing
- LIve reporting: Legislation for Action
- Live reporting: Town Council - March 23, 2016