Franklin Matters

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Town Council Mtg Summary 10/15/08

School Committee Meeting 10/14/08

This is the collection of live reporting and other posts related to the meeting 10/14/08

Transportation Update - 10/14/08

Here is the promised slide that was shared during the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, 10/14/08.

town council - closing items

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Nutting's statement on Question 1 - numbers for the actual impact vary

Bartlett - when are the road projects done for the winter?
Temporary patch before the winter

L. OLD BUSINESS
Pfeffer - what up with Walgreen's?
Nutting - Walgreen's P&S was signed in August

Whalen - we should check in with them?
Nutting - we met with them today, they asked for a 2 week extension to prepare to file for the next steps

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

Pfeffer - thanks to the Animal Control for finding one dumb dog

live reporting - zoning bylaw

13. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-625: Chapter 185-5, Town Code: Zoning Map – Business to Commercial II – 2nd Reading (Tabled on 10/1/08)

moved to Nov 5th

14. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-628: Chapter 185-18. Nonconforming Uses and Structures – Referral to Planning Board

approved referral to Planning Board, unanimous

live reporting - action items (continued)

9. Resolution 08-67: Acceptance of Sewer Pump Station- Franklin Farms
roll call; approved 7-0

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Senior Center study revealed 780 seniors with homes that are eligible for tax benefits

10. Resolution 08-68: Appropriation – Emergency Repairs - Lincoln St. Culvert

Robert Cantoreggio, Dir of Public Works
Limited Lincoln Street closure required to do the work, coordinated with Town CTS system for notifications,School Dept notified for bus routing, most of the time, there will be one lane open

roll call; approved 7-0

11. Resolution 08-69: Appropriation – DPW – Trench Repairs

extended discussion on the cost per square yard vs. the amount charged/held from the contractor

approved 7-0

12. Resolution 08-70: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging

approved 7-0

live reporting - action items

4. Resolution 08-62: Acceptance of Deed of Open Space- Franklin Chase
roll call; approved -> 7-0

5. Resolution 08-63: Acceptance of Deed of Open Space- Franklin Oaks
roll call; approved -> 7-0

6. Resolution 08-64: Order of Acceptance and Taking – Easements – Franklin Farms
roll call; approved -> 7-0

7. Resolution 08-65: Acceptance of Open Space and Access Strip- Franklin Farms
roll call; approved -> 7-0

8. Resolution 08-66: Acceptance of Deed of Detention Basin Parcels-Franklin Farms
roll call; approved -> 7-0

Live reporting - legislation for action

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 08-59: Dissolution of Fire Station Building Committee (Tabled on 10/1/08) moved to a future meeting

2. Resolution 08-60: Designation of Municipal Officer to Issue Trench Excavation Permits
McGann - will there be a fee required?
Nutting - yes, but that remains to be determined

Bartlett - what is this for?
Cerel - we need to do this to enforce the current law

Bartlett - should they complain where do they go to?
Nutting - state legislature

Approved 7-0

3. Resolution 08-61: Red Brick School: Declaration as Surplus and Available/Authorization to Lease

Vallee - what is the amount of the lease? people have a right to know, it is not ours it is theirs.
Nutting - we have not sat down yet to discuss. I am asking for 10 years. They have indicated one year to trial.

Vallee - let's put everything on the table before we vote on it.

Whalen - are they any other instances that the Town has currently?
Nutting - not right now.

Whalen - my inclination is that this is something that should be handed over to Jeff to handle

Doak - I am not in favor of the Town acting as a landlord but under the circumstances, this is a good thing to do

Feeley - does this need a 2/3 vote?
Cerel - yes, it is a change of status on the assets

Vallee - the Town is leasing for no profit?
Nutting - there is no market value for this building, it will cost us more while it is vacant.

Doak - can we get a report back on what the deal was?
Nutting - yes

Pfeffer - we are not doing this to make money, the Charter School is not a profit making operation

Herb Hunter, Paula Sandman - Brick School Association
We are committed to fund utilities and associated repairs for the next three years and solicit grants for continuation, if it requires after that.

Whalen - Brick has been an emotional issue for the Town, this make absolute perfect sense to me

Roll call vote passed 7-0

Live reporting - Town Council 10/15/08

Councilors attending: Whalen (late), Vallee, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, McGann,
Not present: Mason, Zollo

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 1, 2008-Executive Session - approved 6-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - Library book fair, Saturday, 10/18 at Public Works Dept, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

Library Board of Directors

Susan Rittenhouse
Cynthia Dobroynski
Andrea Burke
these were approved 6-0

Finance Committee

Robert Teixeira
Juan Riveria
Tina Powderly
these were approved 6-0

Disability Commission

Dennis Groleau
This was approved 6-0

"strong public schools are a cornerstone of a democratic society"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Oct 15, 2008 @ 12:03 AM

FRANKLIN —

Assistant Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, the only candidate for the district's superintendent job, told the School Committee last night she is ready to take the reins from Wayne Ogden.

The School Committee will vote whether to appoint Sabolinski at its next meeting Oct. 28, said Vice Chairwoman Paula Mullen, who acted as chairwoman in Jeffrey Roy's absence last night.

"We know a lot about her," Mullen said, calling her work ethic and talent "amazing" just before inviting Sabolinski to speak to the committee about her background and vision for the district.

Sabolinski described an extensive background in special education that began in her home state of New York, where she worked with inner-city children.

When she and her husband decided to come to Massachusetts in 1992, they focused on Sharon, Mansfield and Franklin, she said, and it was immediately clear that Franklin was the right community.

"One draw to Franklin was, when we came here, we were able to walk into the schools and were welcomed. We had never gotten that reception in any of the other towns. Franklin was really welcoming, and that spoke highly of the teachers," she said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL - Agenda - 10/15/08

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL
October 15, 2008
7:00 PM

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 1, 2008-Executive Session

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

Library Board of Directors
Finance Committee
Disability Commission

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 08-59: Dissolution of Fire Station Building Committee (Tabled on 10/1/08)
2. Resolution 08-60: Designation of Municipal Officer to Issue Trench Excavation Permits
3. Resolution 08-61: Red Brick School: Declaration as Surplus and Available/Authorization to Lease
4. Resolution 08-62: Acceptance of Deed of Open Space- Franklin Chase
5. Resolution 08-63:Acceptance of Deed of Open Space- Franklin Oaks
6. Resolution 08-64: Order of Acceptance and Taking – Easements – Franklin Farms
7. Resolution 08-65:Acceptance of Open Space and Access Strip- Franklin Farms
8. Resolution 08-66: Acceptance of Deed of Detention Basin Parcels-Franklin Farms
9. Resolution 08-67: Acceptance of Sewer Pump Station- Franklin Farms
10. Resolution 08-68: Appropriation – Emergency Repairs-Lincoln St. Culvert
11. Resolution 08-69: Appropriation – DPW – Trench Repairs
12. Resolution 08-70: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging
13. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-625: Chapter 185-5, Town Code: Zoning Map – Business to Commercial II – 2nd Reading (Tabled on 10/1/08)
14. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-628: Chapter 185-18. Nonconforming Uses and Structures – Referral to Planning Board

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

"this is a solution that puts it back in use"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Oct 14, 2008 @ 10:14 PM

FRANKLIN —

Town Council tonight will vote on leasing the historic Red Brick School to the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School.

Earlier this month, the charter school's board of trustees agreed to rent the Red Brick School from the town for one year, according to its board president, John Neas, a Franklin resident.

Trustees primarily want to use the Brick School, Neas said, because there is a "critical need of space" at the charter school, which is an estimated 35,000 square feet.

The charter school's student population is 416, Neas said, and there is a waiting list of 200 students the school cannot accommodate.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Live reporting - new business

Rohrbach - put together a summary of the status of our schools to use as a point of discussion with our legislators when they come to visit

motion go to executive session

Live reporting - subcommittee/liaison reports

• School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

space needs report to be prepared to go to the school committee for further action
walk through of modulars scheduled for Friday morning

Building Committee, couple of meetings, impressive credentials
organizational meetings, what data is needed
re-applying to state to get on list in Mid-November
touring FHS and Davis Thayer to determine space needs
scheduled to review all building capital needs
(1) FHS, (2) modular, (3) need and funding improvements at Parmenter, Thayer, Kennedy

Advertising subcommittee with a proposal for advertising inside the field house within a meeting or two

• School Committee Liaison Reports

Live reporting - Superintendents report

5. Information Matters
• Superintendent’s Report

Enrollment Comparison (9-28-07 to 9-26-08)
MCAS- Davis Thayer 4th grade in Top 5 in state
Art Gallery - teacher art show received attention from Rep McGovern
Special Ed. Tuition Increases - example of increases received during the year
Revolving Account - question legality of returning money from a gift account, what I recommended and you approved was to turn it over to the Town as they are now managing the building