Live reporting - Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
thanks to all who came out for Earth day

Jun 4th ribbon cutting at DelCarte
Parade Mon May 26th


L. OLD BUSINESS
Kelly - Lincoln St project has seemed to come to a halt
Nutting - contract out for culvert repair at Winterberry
contracts out for reconstruction after school is out

Bissanti - see houses in a continued state of disrepair, is there anything else we can do?
Nutting - he checks on them monthly and updates the list

M. NEW BUSINESS
Jones - will we add the licenses to a future agenda?
Nutting - yes

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Jones - announcing Downtown Partnership events

Kelly - Memorial Day parade May 26th 10:30 regular route
Franklin Rotary Club sponsoring the parade

Feldman - my daughter enjoyed the work and the certificate
try to create awareness on the Solarize Franklin

Padula - we have a diverse opinions, we may not always agree but we are not disagreeable

Pfeffer - 236 unit complex coming in


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

motion to go to executive session, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)


The documents released for this meeting can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050714.pdf

Live reporting - Legislation

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Available Alcoholic Beverages(Package Store) Licenses
could be used as a resolution and guide for future issuance of licenses

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-32: Appropriation: Wachusett/Upper Union House Demolitions
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0-1 (Padula recuses himself from the decision)

there are funds remaining from the Beaver St home that we can use for the Wachusett and see if we need any more, transfers from existing fund

2. Resolution 14-33: Appropriation: Recreation – Expenses
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 (Mercer stepped out briefly)

participation has increased and expenses did also


3. Resolution 14-34: Appropriation: Postage
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

increase in postage, and an increase in volume of mailings

4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728-R: Industrial to Single-Family III-1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0

see notes on public hearing for tonight

5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732: Amendment to the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Section 21. Parking, Loading, and driveway requirements- 1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0

see notes on public hearing for tonight

6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-733: Zoning Map changes from Commercial I to Downtown Commercial District in an Area on or Near Alpine Row-1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0

see notes on public hearing for tonight

several questions to clarify the zoning change
Bissanti not for it, believe someone is trying to do away with C1 which he believes is more beneficial

Taberner - the reason for downtown commercial is to promote mixed use by right
Nutting - C1 came to pass in 2004 after how to develop the downtown
no parking requirement, maybe we went a little too far, so stepping back to create more opportunity as a matter of 'right' rather than 'special permit'


7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-734: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Josephine Street-1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0

see notes on public hearing for tonight


8. Resolution 14-35: Compensation Plan
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

we have a wage table, raising wage scale by 2.5%, changes the scale not the actual pay

Live reporting - Hearings on bylaw changes

E. APPOINTMENTS
– Disabilities Commission - Martha Murray
motion to appoint, seconded, passed 9-0


F. HEARINGS – 7:10 PM
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728-R: Industrial to Single-Family III

rezoning 6 parcels on Washington St left over from industrial area


2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732: Amendment to the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Section 21. Parking, Loading, and driveway requirements

2 proposed changes to site plans, to use a different standard rather than a fixed length
makes sense to have sight required based upon speed of vehicles (MA DOT)

zoning board currently has authority, but they are already in front of the Planning Board, switch to Planning Board to ease process


3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-733: Zoning Map changes from Commercial I to Downtown Commercial District in an Area on or Near Alpine Row

proposal came out of the Master Plan and the zoning workshop last year
not a big area but trying to clean up the map

4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-734: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Josephine Street

proposal came out of the Master Plan and the zoning workshop last year
not a big area but trying to clean up the map, 5 of the parcels are town owned and swamp


5. Bylaw Amendment 14-735: Chapter, 25, Personnel Regulations, Appendix A and Appendix B
removed from revised agenda listed on 5/6/14

Live reporting: Town Council - 5/7/14

Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams
Absent:  


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

Presentation
Karen Alves, Erin Rodgers

Franklin Senior Center (presentation to be added later)
"Independence, information and connections"

4400 residents 60+ per 2010 census
projected to increase to 6600 by 2020 and 9200 by 2030

1200 active participants in Senior Center
General Fund covers 54%
revolving accounts, grants and Friends of Franklin Elders provide the balance

30% males, 70% females - compared to other seniors centers that never see a male, this is good

multiple programs offered (see listing)

liaison with Gatra for transportation

nutrition
based upon cafe with breakfast and lunch
some folks say that the Senior Center meal is the only one freshly cooked

happy to have the police present, the seniors feel more comfortable making the call when necessary

health and wellness is a huge component of the services provided
evidenced based programs, reducing hospital and doctor visits
"A Matter of Balance" offered frequently and well utilized

volunteer installed grab bars for seniors at home, bath rooms, etc.

support groups for specific areas (eye health, weight loss, etc.)

Senior Expo in Sept (Sep 26th)

Caregiver support programs added, providing increasing support to community
"The Sunshine Club"
in home respite for care givers
caregivingmetrowest.org/ being launched May 16th as a internet based resource

legal help, tax preparation assistance,
Social Service Coordinator (Erin)

housing, transportation, government assistance guidance, etc.

socialization - key reason for the Senior Center

recreation - closely aligned with socialization

computer training for about 10 years, added phone and tablet training as the demand for that has been rising

lecture series with Dean College to be formalized to recognize Stella Jeon

volunteers are such a valuable resource, provided 11,190 hours of service to help the center's operation
students volunteered 1,130 hours as well

$67,960 recovered via the tax workoff program by 93 seniors
department heads appreciate the work

Free medical equipment and supplies available at the Senior Center

Franklin Connection Newsletter sent out monthly available in the mail or via online at the Senior Center page

Advocacy

• affordable and accessible housing
• transportation (evening and weekends)
• tax relief

Kelly - you both do a wonderful job, the question on the tax workoff came from me?
Alves - we have 95 slots, used 93 last year, have them filled this year, there is some change during the year

Jones - the Senior Center does a great job, thank you and to all the volunteers

Feldman - I did have to utilize the equipment for a family member, thank you
Alves - we probably should be doing better advertising that

Bissanti - chess team?
Alves - Weds at 2:00

Pfeffer - councilors will resume visiting on the second Tuesday of the month for breakfast

These buds are for you

The photos from several weeks ago showed trees in all their bareness. The trees these past two weeks are beginning to bud. The buds are opening. Soon the world will be more green as the leaves open.

budding tree - 1

forsythia

budding tree - 2

budding tree - 3

Do you have photos of buds to share?

Book Drive: Milford 99 - May 17-18

Book Drive - Milford 99 - May 17-18

Stop by the 99 in Milford on May 17th and 18th from 11am-4pm and check out our Book Drive to benefit The Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Jimmy Fund.

Lots of amazing books available to get you ready for your Memorial Day Trip reading pleasure!

Stock up on our summer reading material!

Toddler books, Children's books, teenage reading, Novels, books on travel, ...self-help books...the list goes on!

Wonderful author's such as:

• James Patterson
• Steven King
• John Grisham
• Danielle Steel to just name a few.

Stock up for summer! Find summer reading material for your students. Come check us out! We have LOADS of books!

We will also be collecting returnable cans and bottles at this time.

All proceeds from the Book Drive & Bottle and Can collection will be donated to The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Jimmy Fund.

Last year we raised $7,000. Help us reach our goal of $10,000 this year.

Via  https://www.facebook.com/events/671104832957396/

Analyzing the House Budget for FY 2015

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The House Budget for FY 2015: Analysis of Amendments Adopted During Debate   During three days of budget debate the House made only modest changes to the budget put forward by the Ways and Means Committee. These changes are detailed in our full Budget Monitor. Overall, the House added $143.9 million in amendments, about a third of one percent of the budget. The final House budget, like the Governor's proposal, makes incremental efforts to address major challenges, but does not make the type of substantial progress in expanding opportunity in all of our communities that could be achieved with new revenue invested effectively. The House adopted amendments affecting most areas of the budget, including the following:  Child Welfare received an additional $7.7 million in funding, mostly to support the hiring of additional social workers. This should allow reductions in the number of cases each worker needs to manage and therefore increase the department's capacity to protect vulnerable children. This is a step forward. But it is only one of many steps that would be needed to support all of our families in crisis, protect all of our vulnerable children, and give them the opportunity to thrive. The final funding level in the House is essentially the same as that proposed by the Governor in January.   Youth Jobs and related programs received $6.2 million in increased funding during floor debate. The total funding level for these programs in the final House budget, however, remains $7.7 million below current funding levels.   MassHealth received an additional $44 million during floor debate, directed to increasing reimbursement for the state's safety net hospitals that serve large numbers of low-income patients, and for nursing homes. The federal government will reimburse Massachusetts for half of this total.  For detail on the most significant changes between the Ways and Means budget proposal and the final House version, please read our full Budget Monitor HERE.   The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

What are you doing June 16? Join the United Chamber on the links!

The United Regional  Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament  ************************************************************************************************************************************ June 16 - Franklin Country Club  672 E. Central St., Franklin   What's Included: 18-holes of Golf, Cart, Lunch, Dinner, Raffles and More Important Times: 11 a.m. Registration 11:30 a.m. Putting Contest, Rules & Cart Pick-Up  Noon Shotgun Start 5 p.m. Dinner, Awards & Raffles     Cost:  $185, or $210 with player passport before June 3                                          Download the Registration Form or Call: 508-222-0801 or 508-528-2800     Thank You to These Generous Sponsors:        More Sponsorships are Available. ************************************************************************************************************************************

Forward email The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703

Live reporting: Finance Committee - May 6, 2014

Present: Dowd, Conley, Fleming, Dufour, Aparo, Heumpher, Quinn
Absent: Dewsnap, Smith


motion to accept meeting minutes from prior meetings, seconded and passed 7-0


Items for Action:
Snow and Ice Transfer

• motion to appropriate $280,000 from free cash for this; seconded, passed 7-0

Recreation Transfer
need some fund to balance the expense side of the budget, increased revenue is coming due to increase participation; this amount finishes this fiscal year

• motion to appropriate $7,000 from free cash; seconded, passed 7-0 

Wachusett/Upper Union St. house demolition transfer
transfer of funds from account previously set for the Beaver St house demolition

• motion to transfer $15,000 from the Beaver St account, seconded, passed 7-0

Central Services Transfer
postage increase in January, and increased notifications via certified mail to abutters for Zoning Board, etc.

motion to appropriate $10,000 from free cash; seconded, passed 7-0


Old Business
thanks for the work on the budget, it passed successfully


New Business
1 - Oct 18th annual Finance meetings

2 - Looking to go to the Town Council in June for $1M for the project manger and start up of the Library project; right now everyone is out straight with the high school building

Conversations around town asking why add space to the library when with the advent of ebooks books may not be around for ever

Intent to bring the Library folks here for the June meeting to answer all the questions around what the proposals

bathrooms, meeting space, conceptual design, the building committee would put together the actual plan
undersized and over utilized, the Library Board can come to review all the details
these are good questions

libraries are evolving, programs and education, museum passes, etc. are also there

3 - also to ask the Town Council to consider putting on a dedicated override for the road in the November election. would also be on the June agenda

4 - Franklin is now officially on Twitter (as of last week)
another channel for communications

5 - downtown project contracts sent out to the contractor, hopefully in June... received the money in 2009 but haven't spent it yet.

Tentative ribbon cutting for DelCarte Jun 4th at 5:00 PM
No date yet for the Sculpture Park

Construction - Lincoln street should start after school gets out

Sep 20 - tours, Sep 21 - grand opening
Sometime in June final walk through for old high school

old school starts coming down after school gets out in June
whole school should be down by Labor Day, then the fields and roadway gets to the completion



Adjournment
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 7-0

Healthy Kids Day - Stuff the Truck

The Franklin Food Pantry participated in the Healthy Kids Day at Patriot Place on Saturday, May 3

Healthy Kids Day

Coordinated by the Hockomock YMCA as part of Healthy Futures, the event had activities for kids of all ages. Displays from multiple companies and organizations shared information and more about health.

Panorama of the Healthy Kids Day

The Franklin Food Pantry was visible in a prime location.

Panorama 2 of Healthy Kids Day

 The folks with Stop and Shop helped to fill the truck by donating about 40 cases of water and several cases of snack bars.

Left to right: Marissa Garofano, Bob Hamilton, Patty Hartnett, Kristy Brousseau, Stephanie Joyce,
Mark Lavallee, David and Susan Strittmatter

Healthy Futures Coordinator Marissa Garofano posed with Food Pantry Board Members Bob Hamilton and Mark Lavallee, Stop and Shop volunteers Kristy Brousseau and Stephanie Joyce, along with Food Pantry volunteers Patty Hartnett, David and Susan Strittmatter with the almost stuffed Food Pantry truck.

Stamp Out Hunger - May 10

Now's the time to fill your food donation bag and get ready for the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 10. Just leave your bag of non-perishables by your mailbox on May 10 and the Franklin letter carriers will pick it up and deliver it to the Franklin Food Pantry. For more information, including a list of items most needed by the Food Pantry, visit here.

Show your support for the Franklin Food Pantry and the Franklin letter carriers in the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive by changing your Facebook profile photo this week to the campaign’s logo!

Stamp Out Hunger - May 10

The current needs of the Franklin Food Pantry
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/04/franklin-letter-carriers-help-franklin.html

Additional info on the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive   http://www.helpstampouthunger.com/

All Night Party: Bottle/Can Drive - May 10th

Bottle and Can drive to be held THIS Saturday, May 10^th, at the Franklin High School from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM (rain or shine – in the parking lot). 

The bottle/can drive will help raise funds for the All Night Party. This is the final fundraising event for this year's party. 

Just in case you aren't entirely familiar with the All Night Party, it is a substance-free party that is hosted by parents at the high school for the graduating seniors. There are activities from 11:00 pm - 5:00 a.m. 

This event provides the graduates with non-stop activities, unlimited food and drinks, and they have the opportunity to win fantastic prizes. 

This is such a wonderful event of which 90+% of the students attend and thanks to approximately 500-700 volunteers and lots of fundraising we are able to pull it off!

the new Franklin High School under construction

Representative Roy Announces Office Hours

State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced today that constituent office hours will be held in Medway & Franklin for the Month of May on the following days:

Medway – Saturday May 24th, 10:00-11:00AM, Medway Public Library, Cole Room A – 26 High Street, Medway, MA 02053 

Franklin – Thursday May 29th, 4:00-5:00PM, Spruce Pond Creamery – 370 King Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Christopher Yancich, his legislative aide, will be accompanying him. 

Representative Roy stated that all office hours are open to any residents of Franklin and Medway who may have questions or concerns that they wish to bring to his attention. Walk-ins are welcome; no appointment necessary. He looks forward to hearing from you. 

He also invites all constituents to call him at his State House office at (617) 722-2400, stop by Room 134 in the State House, or email him at Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov.

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - May 6, 2014

The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers.


Call to Order
Citizens Comments
Approval of Minutes


Items for Action:

Snow and Ice Transfer
Recreation Transfer
Wachusett/Upper Union St. house demolition transfer
Central Services Transfer

Old Business
New Business
Adjournment




You can also find this agenda on the FinCom page of the Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/

Franklin Municipal Building

SNETT 5K road race start (video)

The race results were shared on Sunday. Here is video showing the start of the 5K race funding raising for the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee.

runners just before the start of the race

For the results posted here on Sunday follow this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/05/snett-5k-race-and-walk-results.html


For photos of the finishers as they approached the finish line, check out this set of photos on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157644097625247/

These photos are all licensed under Creative Commons, they are available for download, for non-commercial use with attribution.