Real time Reporting: Town Council Meeting - Dec 21, 2016

Present: Pellegri, Padula, Mercer, Vallee (late), Kelly, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones
Absent: none

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. Announcements
D. Citizens Comments
E. APPOINTMENTS	None

Lt Keith Darling sworn in this evening (photo added later)

filling in with some action items while waiting for the 7:10 PM public hearing to commence

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 16-80: Appropriation Public Safety antennas (majority vote) motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
2. RESOLUTION 16-82: ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT - FIRE DEPARTMENT Motion to accept, seconded, passed 9-0

skipped #3 to cover later in meeting

4. Bylaw Amendment to Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees

Motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0  via roll call

this is the second reading, reduced by over 100 fees the current fee structure for the Town

FHS Drama Club to perform 2 one-act plays, “The Giver” and “Gathering Blue”

From Pantherbook we share:

"On Wednesday December 21st and Thursday December 22nd, FHS drama club will be performing two one-act plays, “The Giver” and “Gathering Blue”. Both plays are set in dystopian societies with “Gathering Blue” being the sequel to “The Giver”. This week I spoke to the cast to get their insight on both plays. 

When asked about her experience in “The Giver”, Riley Halliday, who plays Fiona, said, “it has been an all around great experience, I love working with a smaller cast because we have all become very close”. Melissa Reinerston who plays Kira in “Gathering Blue” described the two separate plays as being “…especially challenging…because rehearsals felt divided, but both shows have come together really well”.

The shows are $5 dollars for students and $12 for adults and will be performed in the FHS auditorium at 7 o’clock.

Continue reading the article online
http://franklinpanthers.us/student-life/2016/12/19/drama-club-to-put-on-shows/

FHS Drama Club

Tri-County posts 401 students for the 2016-17 Q1 Honor Roll

Here is the tally by community

Here is the listing of names by community

Tri-County RVTHS 

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda updated - Dec 21, 2016

The Town of Franklin updated the agenda document for the Town Council meeting on Weds, Dec 21, 2016. As near as I can tell, the line items of the agenda did not change. What did change was the inclusion of all the supporting documents into the single PDF format shown below.

You can also find the doc on the Town of Franklin site here
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/town-council-meeting-agenda-december-21-2016

Downtown Franklin in the snow

FHS Boys Basketball posts win over Foxboro

Boys Basketball = Foxboro, 55 @ Franklin, 67 – Final

– Franklin turned a seven point lead (27-20) at the halftime break into a double-digit advantage (50-37) by the end of third quarter. Franklin’s Connor Peterson led all scorers with 19 points while Josh Macchi added 14 points and Paul Mahon chipped in with 12 points for the Panthers. Foxboro’s Andrew Block had a team-high 14 points while Mark Clagg scored 12 points, Joe Morrison had 10 points and Joe Bartucca finished with eight points.

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 31 @ Foxboro, 52- Final

– Ashley Sampson reached the 20-point mark for the second game in a row, leading the Warriors with 22. Lily Sykes chipped in with 17 for the Warriors.

Gymnastics = Attleboro, 136.6 @ Franklin, 126 – Final

– Attleboro’s Emma Humphrey (36.7) scored a 9.4 on bars, a 9.4 on floor, 9.0 on the vault and 8.9 on beam to lead the Bombardiers to the win. Franklin sophomore Mia Lizotte was not far behind at 36.3, scoring 9.2 on floor, vault and beam and 8.7 on bars.

For all the results around the Hockomock League 
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-122016/

FHS Panthers

And confirmations via Twitter:

Tough meet you girls really hung in there. Attleboro won 136.6 - 126. Sophomore Mia Lizotte took second in All Around with a 36.3. #fhsgym pic.twitter.com/7pyYwM9e8m

— FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) December 21, 2016

Lost to a great Foxboro team 31-52. Congratulations to our Freshman team for a great win. Back to work tomorrow

— Franklin Girls Bball (@fhsgvbasketball) December 21, 2016

Boy V BB: Final. Franklin 67 Foxboro 55 @HockomockSports #PantherPride

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) December 21, 2016

Sign up for the French Wine Scholar Certification program!

French Wine Scholar (FWS)

Vinitas WineWorks LLC, Tri-County Adult Education, and Franklin Liquors are excited to announce the next session of the French Wine Scholar Certification program!

French Wine Scholar Certification

Now you don't have to go to Boston for this world-class French wine course! Set yourself apart from your peers and specialize in the wines of France. Gain the confidence to taste, sell, and speak meaningfully about all aspects of French wine, from Champagne to Bordeaux and everything in between. Pass the exam and earn the title French Wine Scholar and FWS post-nominal.

Developed by the Wine Scholar Guild with the support of the French Ministry of Agriculture, this specialization program is designed for advanced students of wine, whether professionals or serious wine hobbyists. 

This is NOT an introductory wine class; students should have professional wine experience or previous classroom study. Students must be familiar with the concepts of viticulture and vinification, major grape varieties, wine regions, and wine styles from across the globe, and have experience tasting wine in a formal setting.

Our next session and will run on nine consecutive Tuesday evenings.

• 9 Tuesdays: February 28 - May 30, 2017 
• Review: May 16, 2017 
• Exam date: May 30, 2017

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Location: Franklin Liquors, 363 E. Central Street, Franklin MA
Tuition: $999

http://www.tri-county.tc/wine-scholar-program

In the News: Franklin's Liberatore on top team; Governor will let Legislature deal with marijuana sales tax

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

"A student cybersecurity team from MassBay Community College placed fourth at the National Cyber League 2016 Competition. The seven-member student team from MassBay, called the Segfault, was ranked fourth out of 144 teams nationwide, and included a Franklin resident. 

The team consisted of Andrew Liberatore, of Franklin, as well as Paul Buonopane, David Dew, Chester Moses, Timothy Ferguson, Corey Skinner and Fred Dolan. 

The students have been working together since the beginning of the fall 2016 semester and have competed in the preseason, regular season and postseason of the National Cyber League competition. The competition is held online in a cloud-based environment, where students compete to solve real problems. The MassBay team was given problems to solve that replicate what it might face in the real world if its company fell victim to hackers. The team dissected the problems to find solutions, which included downloading files, decryption to view passwords and analyzing information on the attack."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161220/massbay-community-college-places-fourth-in-cyber-league-competition

http://www.massbay.edu/

"Gov. Charlie Baker couldn't quite bring himself on Monday to say he would support a higher tax rate on retail marijuana sales, but he didn't rule it out either. 

"I'm going to let the Legislature kick this one around a little, " Baker said during his monthly appearance on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio" show. "No, no, no, no," he added as clarification when host Jim Braude brought up a possible veto threat. 

Several prominent Democrats, including Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, have been open with their belief that the 3.75 percent retail sales tax on pot is too low, and will be up for debate when the Legislature considers changes in the new year to the legalization law that went into effect last Thursday. 

The ballot law stipulated a 3.75 percent excise tax on marijuana that would be added to the state's 6.25 percent sales tax, effectively taxing pot at 10 percent to start. Cities and towns have the ability to add an additional sales tax of up to 2 percent on top of that."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161220/baker-leaving-pot-tax-debate-to-legislature-for-now

Note: The Franklin Town Council takes up the measure that would add 2% for the local portion of the tax at the meeting scheduled for Weds, Dec 21.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-122116.html

In the News: Medway peaker plant approved; new assistant executive director at MIAA

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

"The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued its final air quality permits for Exelon's Medway power plant - the last set of state approvals the company sought in its project to expand the facility. 

The department's official sign-off on Exelon's Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permit and the Air Quality Plan this week comes after state officials issued a draft approval in October. 

A public hearing regarding both was held last month in Medway. 

Mark Rodgers, a company spokesman, said in a statement Tuesday the DEP's final decision marked an "important milestone" in the project."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161220/medway-dep-gives-exelon-final-permit-approval

"Ann Trytko, retired educator and athletic director from Hampshire Regional High School, has joined the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association as a part-time assistant executive director. 

Trytko retired at the end of last school year after a 35-year career in education that started in 1975 as a physical education teacher and concluded this past year as athletic director. She also spent several of these years coaching both middle school and high school varsity sports. 

Trytko remains an active MIAA coaches' education instructor and served several years on the MIAA tournament management and gymnastic committees, as well as the past six years as chair of gymnastics."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161220/massachusetts-interscholastic-athletic-association-announces-addition

"a free solar system for a local nonprofit organization"

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

"This is the time of year when the Santa Foundation is giving presents - last Tuesday, its office was full of wrapped gifts ready for distribution to needy families in town. 

That day, though, the local charity received a gift of its own: a 5.4-kilowatt solar array on the roof of its Joy Street headquarters. 

The donation - made by Ashland firm SolarFlair Energy - was the result of the successful completion of the Franklin Solar Challenge campaign in 2015. The challenge, based on the state's Solarize Massachusetts program, offered increasing tiers of savings for residents who agree to put solar systems on their properties. SolarFlair administered that campaign."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161219/franklin-local-charity-receives-solar-system

new solar system installed at Santa Foundation as a result of the successful Solar Challenge held in Franklin

For the background on the Franklin Solar Challenge
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/franklin-solar-challenge-reached-tier-4.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/the-franklin-solar-challenge-can-help.html

BFCCPS Enrollment Applications Now Available

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Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School If you need this document translated, please contact the front office. The Benjamin Franklin Classical   Charter Public School BFCCPS is a regional public school for students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight located in Franklin, Massachusetts. Our school mission is based on supporting our parents as the Primary Educators of their children, infusing Character Education into our daily curriculum, and encouraging students to plan, implement and participate in Community Service activities.     Central to our commitment to the education of the whole child, BFCCPS offers strong programs in the visual and performing arts as well as foreign languages. Our students are offered rich, meaningful technological experiences within their classrooms, all while offering a vigorous Classical Education Curriculum. BFCCPS offers a full range of Special Education and ELL Services. Academic Support including homework club and lunchtime tutoring is available. For additional information provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for English Language Learners and students with disabilities in public charter schools, please read our official Right to Attend Notice.       Transportation for families that reside in Franklin is provided by the Franklin Transportation Department. Access to a regional transportation program is available to all students who reside outside of Franklin but still within our region. Stops are currently available in Bellingham, Medway, Milford, Norfolk, Plainville, Walpole and Wrentham. Applications Now Available! Applications for the 2017-2018 school year are now available. You can apply online, download an application or pick up a copy in the front office.  We are also more than happy to mail an application to your home, please contact us for assistance at 508-541-3434. Our complete enrollment policy can be found here. Please note that applications are due by no later than 4pm on February 14th, 2017. Late applications will not be accepted. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. Joanne Basile BFCCPS Marketing Coordintor jbasile@bfccps.org    Four information Sessions will be held this year. Interested families are invited to join us at one of these events to learn more about BFCCPS. Building tours will be offered at the conclusion of the two events which will be held at our school.  Attendance at these events is purely optional and no RSVP is required to attend. January 18, 2017 Walpole Public Library 143 School Street 6:30 - 8:30 PM January 21, 2017 BFCCPS 10AM - noon February 4, 2017 Milford Town Library 80 Spruce Street 10-11 AM February 11, 2017 BFCCPS 10AM - noon

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, 201 Main Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by jbasile@bfccps.org in collaboration with Try it free today

WMRC-First Class Radio Launches New FM Radio Station

WMRC-First Class Radio announced today that it will launch a new FM radio station, My FM 101.3, in early January 2017, to serve the Greater Milford area. The FM signal will provide a stronger signal, larger coverage area, and will remain at full power throughout the evening and overnight. The multi-media company will be re-branded as My FM Media. It will include radio stations MyFM 101.3 and WMRC 1490 AM; programming website www.myfm1013.com and marketing website www.MyFMMedia.com; and mobile device app MyFM 101.3 Live for live streaming worldwide.

http://myfmmedia.com/stations/

“Traditional radio is as strong as ever with a weekly reach of 93%. With these new media platforms, we can inform, engage, and entertain more people than ever before, more often than ever before and in more ways than ever before,” said President Tom McAuliffe II. “We understand that people expect to access what they want, where they want, when they want it. The new FM radio station and mobile device app allow us to continue to serve our community in today’s rapidly changing world.”

WMRC has long been known for its commitment to the community. From covering breaking news and weather, to tirelessly fundraising for local charities and organizations, the station has been recognized for its commitment by winning Station of the Year in three of the last five years from the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association. “We recognize the responsibility and embrace the opportunity we have as a local broadcaster, and we’re grateful to leverage the power of localism to make a difference in the communities we serve,” said McAuliffe II.

Established in 1956, WMRC-First Class Radio is one of the oldest locally owned and operated broadcast stations in Massachusetts. The company was purchased in 1990 by Tom McAuliffe, Sr. who was committed to the philosophy that a strong local radio station makes a strong connection to the community. His son, Tom McAuliffe II, took over as President in 2008 making the radio station the area’s first choice for local news, weather, sports, traffic and community events.

S.A.F.E. Community Coalition Update - December 2016

This is an update on SAFE Coalition activities and upcoming events. View this email in your browser S.A.F.E. updates for December 2016 It has been a busy Fall season and the S.A.F.E. Coalition has been quite active since the last newsletter.  In this issue, we report on: S.A.F.E.'s Support Line (508)-488-8105 S.A.F.E. Resource Manual presented at Chiefs' Meeting in Wrentham S.A.F.E. Sponsored COAAST Production of "Four Legs to Stand On" AmazonSmiles on the S.A.F.E. Coalition MA Social Media Ambassador Program Upcoming S.A.F.E. Events Dr. Ruth Potee's talk on the Adolescent Brain & Physiology of Addiction 2nd Annual S.A.F.E. Golf Tournament We thank you for your continued support of our efforts to find a cure to substance use disorder and look forward to working with you over the next several months and years. Meeting Schedule January 10, 2017 6-7:00 p.m. - Marketing and Communications Committee, Franklin Municipal Building January 24, 2017 6:15 - 7:00 p.m., Board of Directors Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building, 3rd floor meeting room 7-8:30 p.m., Advisory Council Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building February 14, 2017 6-7:00 p.m. - Marketing and Communications Committee, Franklin Municipal Building February 28, 2017 6:15 - 7:00 p.m. - Board of Directors Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building 7-8:30 p.m. - Advisory Council Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building March 10, 2017 9-11 a.m., CHNA 6 meeting, Ruth Anne Bleakney Senior Center, 60 North Bow Street, Milford, MA 01757 March 14, 2017 6-7:00 p.m. - Marketing and Communications Committee, Franklin Municipal Building March 16, 2017 Dr. Ruth Potee to speak at next S.A.F.E. forum March 28, 2017 6:15-7:00 p.m. - Board of Directors Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building 7-8:30 p.m. - Advisory Council Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building. S.A.F.E. is a coalition of community partners who have come together to provide support, education, treatment options, and coping mechanisms for those affected by substance abuse disorder. We do so by empowering those affected, including their families, with the tools necessary to succeed on their journey to recovery. We understand that while I can't, we can.   The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the complete newsletter View this link in your browser

...

"something clicked around week four and the dynamic started to change"

Part 3 of the fire fighter training series continues

"Inside a building, up in an attic, down in a basement, on a patio or in an open field - fires can happen anywhere and the recruits must train for multiple scenarios. 

When not performing search and rescue drills or sitting in a classroom, the recruits from Class 249 completed successively larger drills called burn evolutions in the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's four-level, concrete burn building. 

Between each evolution, instructors set up bales of straw as the recruits sat in a circle and reviewed their progress with an instructor. The doors would be closed, the bales set on fire and the recruits would start the next evolution. Sometimes they went through a ground floor door, or climb a ladder to vent a higher window or to access the attic. Other times, they plunged into the smoky depths of a basement, one of the more dangerous places to be in a real fire because homeowners tend to store boxes and other items there."

Continue reading Part 3 (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161219/50-days-to-be-firefighter---part-3

If you missed Parts 1 and 2 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/its-better-than-9-to-5-job-more.html

Reporting by Walking Around: What a difference a day makes

Sharing some photos from my walks around Franklin on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.





Wonderful sun catchers available at Agway. Hand crafted by a Franklin resident!

Wonderful sun catchers available at Agway. Hand crafted by a Franklin resident!

"e-permitting could create some efficiencies within town"

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

"As part of an ongoing effort to make its website more convenient, the town will be adding e-permitting services in the beginning of 2017. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the Town Council had approved a pilot program - at $35,000 - earlier this month, though the process did not begin there.

"Over the summer, we had a huge group of department heads and staff interview (e-permitting) companies to determine the best way forward," he said. "This is cloud-based technology that will enable citizens to set up an online account, with their email and information, and be able to do business with the town."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161218/franklin-town-website-to-add-e-permitting

Town of Franklin: Town Clerk webpage where there will soon be a link to renew dog licenses online

In the Franklin Matters notes from the Town Council meeting on Dec 7, dog licenses were targeted to start in the Town Clerk's office and hence the 'rush' for the approval to get the software ready for the renewals to begin in January. It would expand to other Town Clerk services and then to other departments over time assuming successful.

For the complete summary of the Town Council meeting Dec 7
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/2-police-officers-sworn-in-tax-rate-set.html