Senator Ross: January 2017 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, January 2017 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email: richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, The legislature is back for the 2017-2018 session. Each respective office has filed their bills for the year and the State House is busy as legislators look for co-sponsorship on their proposed legislation. In this month's newsletter you can find information regarding the recreation marijuana six-month delay, a brief overview of Governor Baker's proposed FY18 budget and updates pertaining to local grants. I am once again hosting Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Seminars across the district. The full schedule can be found below. As always, do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. It's an honor to serve you. Sincerely, Goals for the 2017-2018 Legislative Session January 4th marked the beginning of the 2017-2018 Legislative Session where my colleagues and I were sworn in to the Massachusetts State Senate. This is my fourth consecutive term in which I have had the privilege of serving the people of the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District. During this legislative session, I will continue to focus on the priorities of my district such as local aid, education funding, public safety, and economic development, while striving to maintain a cost effective and transparent government. The first thing my colleagues and I will be working to fix is the new recreational marijuana law. It is important that we carry out this process properly and address the serious public health and safety issues that were not sufficiently covered in the ballot language. One of the new issues that I plan to spearhead this term will be legislation to stop the act of patent trolling, which has had an extremely detrimental effect on many businesses in my district and across the Commonwealth. Because the voice of my constituents is so important to doing my job, I encourage you to reach out to my office and attend district office hours so that I can better understand the areas of our state government that need attention. As always, it is a pleasure to serve you. Copyright © 2017 State Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, All rights reserved. This newsletter is a service to the people of the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District and for Informational Purposes only. Our mailing address is: Massachusetts State House 24 Beacon Street, Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email: richard.ross@masenate.gov

The newsletter was shortened for publication here, to read the full copy follow this link  View this email in your browser

"This is a first step"

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

"The Town Council held a public hearing on new recreational marijuana zoning rules, and opted to move the matter forward to another reading. 

The council at its Wednesday night meeting considered a series of five zoning bylaw amendments, meant to govern where recreational marijuana buildings and businesses could be placed in town. It approved a first reading of the changes that night, with a final vote to come at a subsequent council meeting. 

If approved, the amendments would keep such facilities in the local industrial parks, at least temporarily. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said recreational marijuana facilities would be allowed in the same areas where medicinal operations can exist. The changes, he said, also require a special permit for both medicinal and recreational buildings."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170201/franklin-council-moves-forward-on-marijuana-regs


My notes from this section of the Town Council meeting recorded no citizens comments and very little discussion among the Council during the public hearing for this first reading. At this point, this is a non-controversial item.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/live-reporting-public-hearing-on.html

The Council did take action to move the five items together to a second reading
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

Police Chief Lynch introducing the five police department members that were recognized with
promotions during the Town Council meeting Feb 1, 2017

Live reporting: to closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT	condolences for D Baker family
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS	Dellorco - SAFE Colation would like to make an update on programs done and planned Feb 28 for future work shop
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS	Pellegri - condolences for D Baker family also for Rappa family, was prior Treasurer Horace Mann Status unveiling - May 7 Padula - same Mercer - same grand re-opening of Senior Center 2/26, 11-2PM Vallee - same Jones - same Franklin Radio starts broadcasting a limited schedule Dellorco - condolences for Baker and Rappa families Bissanti - same Pfeffer - same Franklin Police Dept - list of ovedoses in 2016, 2017 on the website; 58 overdoes, 9 deaths, epidemic still going on something should be done to help the couple living in their car in Franklin Kelly - same condolences revisions being requested for Council schedule
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION	not required
O. ADJOURN     - motion to adjourn, seconded, pass 9-0

Live Reporting: Legislation for Action

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	1. RESOLUTION 17-04: ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT OF UTILITY (DRAINAGE) EASEMENTS (MAJORITY VOTE (5)) this resolves the prior pump station issue built on private property that was raised a year or so ago Mercer - thanks for bringing this to a resolution Bissanti - seconded to Mercer, thanks to the Lippett's for their patience Pellegri - I am happy it was resolved, he was gentleman through the whole thing motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	2. RESOLUTION 17-05: REQUEST FOR SPECIAL LEGISLATION, RE: AUTHORIZATION FOR STATE TO CONVEY ARTICLE 97 LAND TO TOWN (MAJORITY VOTE (5)) next step in the process in acquiring the land near the transfer station that needs to be fixed and capped, swapping Town owned land that abuts the State forest for this to allow us to do so possibly 2-3 years will need money to cap landfill and do the recycling center properly Kelly - thanks to L Benedetto for his work keeping this going motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	3. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-779: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 3 DEFINITIONS - 1ST READING ( MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-779 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE) related to the public hearing we just had motion to move to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 9-0
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	4. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-780: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 4 DISTRICTS ENUMERATED - 1ST READING (MOTION FOR MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-780 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE) motion to move to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 9-0
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	5. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-781: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 5 ZONING MAP - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-781 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE) motion to move to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 9-0
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	6. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782: CHANGES TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 7 COMPLIANCE REQUIRED - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE) motion to waive the reading, seconded, passed 9-0 motion to move to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 9-0
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	7. ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-783: AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 185 SECTION 49 MARIJUANA USE OVERLAY DISTRICT - 1ST READING (MOTION TO MOVE ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-782 TO A 2ND READING - MAJORITY VOTE) motion to waive the reading, seconded, passed 9-0 motion to move to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 9-0
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	8. BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-784: REPEAL SIGN RESTRICTIONS BYLAW - 2ND READING ( MOTION TO MOVE BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-784 - MAJORITY ROLL CALL VOTE (5)) the new sign bylaws passed previously render this duplicate and it can be removed motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	9. BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-785: REPEAL OF SIDEWALK SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL BYLAW - 2ND READING (MOTION TO MOVE BYLAW AMENDMENT 17-785 - MAJORITY ROLL CALL VOTE (5)) as currently written it is not enforced, nor is it practical to be enforced should be eliminated  motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

Live reporting: License transfer - Joe's American Bar and Grill

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - 7:10 PM

JOE'S AMERICAN BAR and; GRILL - CHANGE OF MANAGER

both serve safe and Tip Trained

full week of training for new waitresses and bar tenders

trained in bars program used by the restaurant, an outside firms audits monthly

installed after the issue last year

the machine that checks IDs delays things so it is not being used at the restaurant; they do use an ID checking guide and any questions are verified by the manager

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

Live reporting: Public hearing on recreational marijuana zoning

Public hearing opens for 5 bylaws on recreational marijuana

per Jeff Nutting, in absence of further guidance from the State this zoning makes sense

adds recreational marijuana to the industrial zones
also changes the medical use from by right to by special permit

no citizens for comment on these bylaws

Q - on how are we prepared for a challenge
A - we are handling both together, fair treatment

motion to close the hearings, seconded, passed 9-0

Live reporting: Town Council - Feb 1, 2017

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

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	January 18, 2017 motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS	This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	Chief Lynch introduces the following individuals for promotions and specialty positions Daniel Smith - Sargent Paul Guarino - Community Service Officer Jonathan Bussey - Detective Richard Grover - Detective Lt Jim West - Operations Division Commander (details to be added later)
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS	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 comments 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.
E. APPOINTMENTS

brief recess while crowd leaves the chambers

resumes at 7:17 PM

Downtown Partnership: General Meeting Agenda - Feb 2, 2017

Franklin Downtown Partnership  9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA  02038 (774) 571-3109   downtown.franklin@yahoo.com FDP General Meeting Agenda We have a lot of great information to share with you at our first General Meeting for 2017. Join us Thursday morning in the Campanella Board Room, on the first floor of the Dean College Campus Center. Franklin Downtown Partnership  General Meeting Agenda  Thursday, February 2, 2017 Dean College Campus Center @ 8:30 am Campanella Board Room Open Meeting 8:30 Adoption of Agenda 8:32  Member Introductions 8:33  Town Update - Jeff Nutting 8:40 Gala DVD 8:45  2017 Events -Lisa Piana 8:55 - Committee sign-up - Membership Drive - Retail space update and communication - Website and member updates Horace Mann Sculpture Ceremony 9:05 - Lisa Piana/Jeff Roy - Sunday, May 7th, 11:00 a.m. FDP Open House at Franklin TV - Peter Fasciano 9:10 - Wednesday-March 8th, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.   WMRC - New FM Station - Tom McAuliffe  9:15 New Business  9:20 Adjourn 9:30 FDP Open House - Wednesday, March 8th Horace Mann Sculpture Ceremony - Sunday, May 7th Beautification Day - Saturday, May 20th Progressive Dinner - Sunday, May 21st Franklin Downtown Partnership | downtown.franklin@yahoo.com | 774-571-3109 | franklindowntownpartnership.org

Sent by downtown.franklin@yahoo.com in collaboration with Try it free today

Franklin School Committee Coffee Hours: Feb 1 - 7:00 PM

In our goal to engage the community as a partner in improvement of our school system, the Community Relations Subcommittee of the Franklin School Committee will be hosting monthly coffee hours. 

Please join us as we work through the 2017 budget process, discuss policy and bring a new superintendent on board. We welcome your input, ideas and suggestions.

Upcoming meeting dates are:

• Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, March 4 at 9 a.m.

All meetings are held in the conference room at the Franklin Cable Access TV Studio at 23 Hutchinson Street.

Any questions contact Anne Bergen: bergena@franklin.k12.ma.us

Franklin TV at 23 Hutchinson St at night