Recap: Economic Development Subcommittee - discussion on housing plan and requirements for home based businesses

Quick Recap:

• The housing production plan was reviewed and discussed. Key among the actions is to further obtain any and all citizen input/comment by June 25 and update this draft. The revised plan would then be approved by Planning Board and Town Council before being submitted to the State for acceptance.
• Key to specific items to address the housing would be the zoning assessment. This analysis would provide an objective 3rd party view on what we have and what we could do to allow for appropriate and affordable housing
• Discussion on home based businesses. Good to boot strap a concept, Health Dept is ok with food production as long as the ServeSafe and other related food prep requirements are adhered to. The wrinkle comes with handling the sewer waste and implementation of a grease trap which can be expensive.
• The Town is not prepared for how to address this opportunity. More research is required which they will conduct during the next couple of months and bring back to Subcommittee for further discussion.

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #edc0616
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Edc0616&src=typed_query 

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/AayFgpTfmSzB3Y2w9

• EDC meeting to begin soon, awaiting quorum #edc0616
  
• Without quorum, may at least open meeting and have a discussion. #fincom0616
  
• Quorum achieved (with virtual participation of Frongillo and Bissanti), EDC meeting opens at 7:09 PM. #edc0616
  
• Chair Hamblen opens meeting, reads protocol statement, #fincom0616 First item, housing production plan for discussion if needed, plan can be found https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf 
  
• Feedback sought as part of the draft review process. #fincom0616
  
• Cool to be back in Municipal Bldg, Planner Amy Love provides an overview of the plan, similar to what was presented earlier in Housing Trust meeting #edc0616
  
• My notes from that (Municipal Affordable Housing Trust) meeting, for the record, can be found https://franklinmatters.org/2021/06/recap-municipal-affordable-housing.html?m=1 #edc0616
  
• Difference in accounting between apartment and residential units, all apartments count if only a smaller # are affordable; for owned residential units only the # affordable apply to the housing rate (i.e. 6 of 30, only the 6 - if apartments, 6 of 30 all 30 count) condos ->
• Condos count as owned units so only the # would count (like other owned residential, not like apartments). #edc0616 What is considered affordable for Franklin? Major issue
  
• Development costs are hire, art zoning would need to have incentives to allow the developers to make the money back that they give up making some of the units affordable. #edc0616
  
• Multiple discussion points on affordable and how to tackle it, the new housing behind Eaton Place will help but it won't be online soon (still needs funding) #edc0616
  
• Motion to move housing plan forward to planning board and to Council for approval incorporating the changes and comments #edc0616 passes 4-0 via roll call.
  
• Moving to home occupied businesses for next part of discussion. #edc0616
  
• How do you permit a bootstrap business from a home, some i.e. kitchens can pose health concerns, others may have traffic/delivery issues for neighbors. #edc0616 permit some level of production up to which they're good, beyond that next level up. ZBA may be an option
  
• In commercial areas, need to protect the sewer system, with grease traps, when blockages occur it stops things and that is not good. Title 5 systems are built for 3 or 4 bedrooms not commercial industry business. #edc0616 who acts the agent for volume?
  
• We can't use the ZBA or planning board and their temporary benevolence, if something is good, let's make it right. #edc0616 strict guidelines on food prep, zoning is the issue in the case of chocolate bars (as the talking point example)
  
• let's provide some time to research, see what others are doing, Boston is a whole different system. #edc0616 what might work, what would be some controls, there is no capacity at Charles River. we do need to consider the big picture of affordability
  
• Motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0 via roll call #fincom0616 

Audio file to be available in a couple of days

discussion on housing plan and requirements for home based businesses

People with ALS Can Get Social Security Disability Benefits Sooner

May was Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month. ALS is a progressive disease with no known cure. It advances rapidly and attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. On average, 1,000 people with ALS apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits every year.

The ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019 eliminates the required five-month SSDI waiting period for ALS applicants approved for benefits on or after July 23, 2020. The new law, however, does not affect our disability application or determination process.

This past month, we made the ALS claims processing even faster. Our system now automatically eliminates the five-month waiting period for ALS disability insurance claims. Previously, we had to prepare manual awards and send them to our Processing Centers for action—which took much more time. Now, we can help people with this debilitating disease in just a matter of days.

To give a real life example, a claimant with ALS recently submitted to us an online disability application. Using an electronic health exchange, we were able to collect sufficient medical evidence for the claimant and processed the claim in just two days. To learn more about how this process works, please visit our Disability Benefits Approval page (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/approval.html) . 

People with ALS Can Get Social Security Disability Benefits Sooner

Recap: Finance Committee "unequivocally" approves Maple Hill purchase plan

Quick Recap:

• After reviewing the Maple Hill proposal, asking some clarification questions, the Finance Committee 'unequivocally' approved of executing the right of first refusal for Option 1.
• The Committee also approved two other financial transactions scheduled to come to the Town Council. 1 - for some transfers to fund the zoning study and 2 - utilization of some of the Fletcher funds for a bunch of recreation improvements
• Interesting question on the housing authority and what could be done after the second fire (first at Central Park Terrace, second at Winter St). Both properties and their funding is under State control, the Town has no control.

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #fincom0616
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom0616&src=typeahead_click 

• Getting ready for the Finance Committee meeting, back in the Municipal Bldg for this meeting first time in almost forever https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/6-16-21_fincom_agenda.pdf #fincom0616
• Chair Dowd opens meeting #fincom0616
• Motion to accept prior meeting may 19, seconded, passes 9-0 #fincom0616
• TA Jamie Hellen provides a recap of the proposal sharing the summary doc from the Town Council meeting last week. #fincom0616
• 5 years ago ToF had no money for open space, had to turn down two first refusal in 2017, and now have the funding with options available to make a decision. #fincom0616
• Multiple wins with the proposal; sold sewer beds to buy good forest, can use the 1.5m from sale as down payment, finance the balance with CPA funds of about $200k/year. #fincom0616
• Right of first refusal applies to chap 60/61 property classifications. Owner gets a break on the tax rate each year of ownership, in return Town gets the right of first refusal with a action time of 120 days. #fincom0616
• Q on rollback doesn't apply to Town, would apply to another purchaser if using as nonfarm. Maintenance costs would be minimal and not included in this purchase. Those potentially could be funded from future CPA projects #fincom0616 could Franklin do it's own ->
• Emerald necklace and connect properties together. #fincom0616 with the low interest rate, it makes the town standing more flexible IF something else came along. If we did use open space funds, then what would we have?
• #fincom0616 to "unequivocally" endorse the right of first refusal as proposed, seconded, passes 9-0
• Proposal for debt stabilization fund, to have a target of 2% and not use more than 50% in any one time of use; simple proposal, only a target and a use cap. #fincom0616 passes 9-0
• Fletcher fund proposed to be used for approx $90k, looking for financial support to move to the Town Council for approval. Youth sports orgs would use and benefits from these expenses, for expenses on town property #fincom0616 motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0
• FY 2021 budget adjustments, transfer req'd for town council approval, #fincom0616 to recommend $71k transfers in first case, and $130k for rezoning analysis. Using the capital approach for a financial perspective to allow flexibility on transactions
• Motion to approve 2134, seconded, passes 9-0 #fincom0616 Motion to approve 2135, seconded, passes 9-0 Future agenda items housing authority is not under Town authority, nominations for Board but that all. Comm of MA is responsible
• Motion to adjourn, passes 9-0 Staying here for the Economic Development subcommittee meeting at 7 PM. #fincom0616

Recap: Finance Committee approves Maple Hill purchase plan

Franklin Historical Museum announces re-opening celebration - July 15

The Franklin Historical Museum is excited to announce the re-opening of the museum to its regular pre-pandemic operating schedule, Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons now that all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in the state.

The museum will host a re-opening celebration on Thursday afternoon, July 15 at 5:00 PM. With a ribbon cutting, new exhibits and refreshments.

We are working on an exhibit celebrating the History of the Davis Thayer School. The building of course, was opened in 1924 as Franklin High School, and has served Franklin students for 97 years. Sadly, for many, it has closed its doors as of the end of this school year.  

Join us for a look back at the building, the students, faculty, athletic teams, stories and memories. 

• Do you have a special memory of the school? 
• Did you spend your High School years there? 
• Attend double sessions in the 70’s when it served as a Jr. High School? 
• Attend Davis Thayer Elementary? 

Many families had generations of students attend that school. We’d love to hear from you. Visit our Facebook page and share a memory, or email us at franklinmuseum1778@gmail.com. The exhibit will run from mid-July through the end of the summer.

We also have a new permanent exhibit on display, The Federal Parlor Room, from the Oliver Pond Home, generously donated by James C. Johnston in memory of his mother Clara J. Foss Johnston. The elegant pieces of furniture, from the Federal and Empire periods, are made of mahogany and were collected by the Johnston family over a period of many years. The room is beautifully appointed with fashionable décor from the family collection.

We will also be resuming our popular Second Sunday Speaker Series in August. The first event on the schedule, Sunday August 8, is a first look at the private collection of glass plate negatives from Franklin photographer Nathan Wales (1886-1969). These priceless images, purchased at auction, depict everyday life in Franklin from approximately 1910-1915. A selection of the now digitized photos will be presented and discussed. Join us and see how early 20th Century Franklin residents once lived. Their beautiful homes, their clothing styles, their cars, their pets and their daily lives were all captured for us to view.

Visit our newly refurbished Gift Shop with many Franklin related items.  We welcome back our regular patrons and new visitors alike. Thursdays 5 PM - 7 PM; Saturdays 10 AM - 1 PM; Sundays 1 PM - 4 PM. Admission is always free and we are ADA compliant. We’re always looking for volunteers to host, so let us know if you are interested in joining our volunteer team that keeps Franklin history alive.

Come in and find your history! We look forward to seeing you soon. 

Franklin Historical Museum announces re-opening celebration - July 15

FHS girls outdoor track team takes first in Hockomock League Meet

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS spring sports results for Outdoor Track:

Boys results
400M
1. Jovan Joseph, King Philip – 50.6
5. Tyler Powderly, Franklin – 52.27
6. Alec Hanley, Franklin – 53.21

1 Mile
1. Nicholas Calitri, Franklin – 4:31.02
5. Joseph Zercie, Franklin – 4:47.43

4x100 Relay
1. Taunton (Nathan Candido, Almonroe Leaman, GJ Mualis, Gavin Weldon) – 43.78
7. Franklin (Cullen Pek, Grady Ellis, Karl Gruseck, Colman Flynn) – 45.96

4×400 Relay
1. Taunton (Edward Paiva, Conal Scully, Aidden Fitting, Steven Westgate) – 3:34.06
5. Franklin (Alec Hanley, Tyler Powderly, Ashton McLean, Joshua Anderson) – 3:40.33

4×400 Relay
1. Taunton (Edward Paiva, Conal Scully, Aidden Fitting, Steven Westgate) – 3:34.06
5. Franklin (Alec Hanley, Tyler Powderly, Ashton McLean, Joshua Anderson) – 3:40.33

4×800 Relay
1. Franklin (Nicholas Calitri, Joseph Zercie, Griffin Sieckiewicz, Connor Kucich) – 8:34.77

High Jump
1. Elisha Teneus-Claude, Stoughton – 6-07.00
5. Declan Walmsley, Franklin – 5-10.00

BOYS TEAM RESULTS
1. Stoughton – 108
2. Mansfield – 82
T3. Taunton – 71
T3. North Attleboro – 71
5. Attleboro – 65
6. Oliver Ames – 47
7. King Philip – 46
8. Canton – 42
T9. Sharon – 41
T9. Franklin – 41
11. Milford – 33
12. Foxboro – 16

Girls results

400M
1. Jillian Fenerty, Franklin – 58.33

1 Mile
1. Katie Sobieraj, Oliver Ames – 5:15.33
6. Charlene Peng, Franklin – 5:37.38

2 Mile
1. Tessa Lancaster, Mansfield – 11:50.57
5. Angelina Perez, Franklin – 12:15.35
7. Vivienne Loukota, Franklin – 12:24.65

100M Hurdles
1. Madison Rousseau, Canton – 14.79
4. Lindsey Morse, Franklin – 16.47

400M Hurdles
1. Kerry O’Connor, Milford – 1:05.03
4. Anna Cliff, Franklin – 1:10.92
6. Madison Gaughran, Franklin – 1:12.55

4×100 Relay
1. Foxboro (Aislinn Servaes, Camryn Collins, Rebecca Foley, Jordyn Collins) – 50.30
4. Franklin (Ava Fraulo, Jillian Fenerty, Barra Pfluke, Anna Cliff) – 51.46

4×400 Relay
1. Milford (Kerry O’Connor, Emma Lawrence, Dani Atherton, Julia Gonzalez) – 4:00.13
3. Franklin (Jillian Fenerty, Anna Cliff, Sarah Dumas, Olivia Costa) – 4:13.10

4×800 Relay
1. Oliver Ames (Taegen Hodges, Emily Meyers, Katie Sobieraj, Jenna Gilman) – 9:59.93
2. Franklin (Angelina Perez, Charlene Peng, Emma Nelson, Liliana Duffy) – 10:31.44

Shot Put
1. Katelynn Taylor, Franklin – 35-11.00
3. Lily DeForge, Franklin – 30-09.50
6. Darby Nicholson, Franklin – 29-11.00

Discus
1. Katelynn Taylor, Franklin – 108-05.00
3. Lily DeForge, Franklin – 90-06.00

Javelin
1. Hannah McEntee, Taunton – 125-06.00
5. Lily DeForge, Franklin – 91-10.00

High Jump
1. Olivia Etienvre, North Attleboro – 5-02.00
2. Lindsey Morse, Franklin – 5-00.00
3. Ava Fraulo, Franklin – 5-00.00
T7. Sarah Brogioli, Milford – 4-10.00
T7. Abigail Griffith, Franklin – 4-10.00

Triple Jump
1. Simone Dunbar, Sharon – 37-02.00
7. Katelyn Guidi, Franklin – 33-03.25

GIRLS TEAM RESULTS
1. Franklin – 107
2. Mansfield – 83
3. Milford – 75.5
4. North Attleboro – 62.5
T5. Sharon – 50
T5. Taunton – 50
7. Foxboro – 48
8. Oliver Ames – 47
9. King Philip – 44
10. Canton – 42
11. Stoughton – 29
12. Attleboro – 25

For the Hockomock League top results

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-league-outdoor-track-championships-2021/

FHS Panthers

FHS softball, baseball, lacrosse, and tennis playoff seeds

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS spring sports playoff seeds:

 
Softball - D1 South = #23 Franklin (6-8) will travel to #10 Hopkinton (11-4) on Friday, 6/18 at 4:00.

Baseball - D1 South = #1 Franklin (13-1) will host the winner of #16 Durfee (5-7)/#17 Needham (6-10) on Monday, 6/21 at 4:00.

Boys Lacrosse - D1 South = #1 Franklin (15-0) will play the winner of #16 Mansfield (5-8)/#17 Weymouth (4-10), time and date TBD.

Girls Lacrosse -D1 East =  #1 Franklin (14-0) will play the winner of #8 North Middlesex (8-4)/#9 Acton-Boxboro (7-4) on Monday, 6/21 at time TBD.

Boys Tennis - D1 South = #1 Franklin (14-0) will host the winner of #8 Needham (10-4)/#9 Mansfield (10-5) on Monday, 6/21 at a time to be announced.

Girls Tennis - D1 South = #14 Franklin (5-9) will travel to #3 Wellesley (14-2) on Friday, 6/18 at 3:00.


Softball = https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-softball-playoff-seeds-matchups/
Lacrosse = https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-lacrosse-playoff-seeds-matchups/
Tennis = https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-tennis-playoff-seeds-matchups-2021/
Baseball = https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-baseball-playoff-seeds-matchups/

FHS Panthers

Watch "The Impact of Rising Sea Levels in Massachusetts" on YouTube

Cape Cod is a special place. Climate change has already wrought changes and will continue to do so.  Well done Amanda!

Direct video link ->  https://youtu.be/PvmODX_7QzM

The Beatles are Back to Rock Out for HMEA! - June 26

Join us June 26, 2021 for Studio Two: Under the Stars

Get Your Tickets Before They Sell Out! You're invited to a Live, In-person, Outdoor Concert Under the Stars! Saturday, June 26, 2021  Doors at 6 PM | Music at 7 PM The Black Box | 15 West Central Street | Franklin, MA Raffles | Door Prize | Complimentary Dessert Bar | Full Cash Bar Get your Tickets Here! This event sells out every year, so don't miss your chance to be part of this fun, outdoor* event! Tickets are $20 each, or reserve a table near the stage, including tickets for 5 people, for $120! From the band: Studio Two is a headlining Beatles tribute band, comprised of Berklee Alumni who focus on the most exciting, energetic period of The Beatles: the early years (1962 - 1966). Choosing from a catalog of songs from their club and touring performances, Studio Two captures all of the excitement and danceable 50's and 60's Rock 'n' Roll songs The Beatles helped popularize. All of this is done in period correct attire and equipment. You will be transported in time!  *The event is scheduled to take place outdoors; if weather does not permit this, the show will proceed as scheduled, at the same time and location, but indoors. Please park in the adjacent Rockland Trust lot. Those arriving in wheelchairs should locate the "wheelchair drop-off" sign near the building entrance for better accessibility. Thanks to Philip Lippolis Plumbing & Heating in Walpole for, once again, generously sponsoring this event! Proceeds from this event benefit the programs of HMEA, which support more than 5,000 children, adults, and families throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island impacted by intellectual and developmental disability. We appreciate the generosity of our sponsor and you, the attendees! Get Your Tickets Before They Sell Out!

HMEA | 8 Forge Park East, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by hmea@hmea.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Update: Empty Bowls virtual auction ends -> June 21, 2021 at 10 PM

If you haven't got a bid in for one or more of the fabulous ceramic works of art, please make the time to do so.

"Good news! We are extending the deadline for the Empty Bowls auction until Monday, June 21 !!!!!! Get your bids in and don't miss your chance to own a one of a kind ceramic piece AND help The Pantry! "

Auction web page -> https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls6/home

Listen to "Inside the Empty Bowls 2021 preparations"

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/06/fm-561-inside-empty-bowls-2021-060821.html 

All this to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. You can donate directly to the Pantry on the Empty Bowls page or at the Pantry page  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/ 

Come bid on these one of a kind hand-made items. #emptybowls

Franklin Matters Q & A Thursday at 1:30 PM

Franklin Matters Q & A Thursday at 1:30 PM

click below to join Franklin Matters Q & A Thursday, June 17th at 1:30
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84638337281?pwd=a0ZZUFA4RWRROTF5Q294a3VVcmJvUT09

Meeting ID: 846 3833 7281
Passcode: 540127

One tap mobile
+13126266799,,84638337281#,,,,*540127# US (Chicago)
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--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

Supportive Day Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Veterans History Project Hosts Panel on Post-Traumatic Stress and Music

Veterans History Project Hosts Panel on Post-Traumatic Stress and Healing Power of Music The Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP) will observe Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month with a panel discussion on Wednesday, June 23, as part of a virtual program titled "Post Traumatic Stress & Music: The Healing Power of Song." The discussion will debut at 8 PM ET through the Veterans History Project Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/vetshistoryproject) where panelists and a moderator will be available to answer questions and address remarks in the comments section. Click here for more information. (https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-21-031/veterans-history-project-hosts-june-panel-on-post-traumatic-stress-and-the-healing-power-of-song/2021-06-16/)

MA Attorney General: Update on the Open Meeting Law

Guidance from the Division of Open Government

View this email in your browser   Update from the Division of Open Government On June 16, 2021, Governor Baker signed into law An Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency.  This Act includes an extension, until April 1, 2022, of the remote meeting provisions of his March 12, 2020, Executive Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law. The new law has two major parts.   First, the new law allows public bodies to continue providing live "adequate, alternative means" of public access to the deliberations of the public body, instead of holding meetings in a public place that is open and physically accessible to the public. "Adequate, alternative means" may include, without limitation, providing public access through telephone, internet, or satellite enabled audio or video conferencing or any other technology that enables the public to clearly follow the proceedings of the public body in real time.   Second, the new law authorizes all members of a public body to continue participating in meetings remotely; the Open Meeting Law's requirement that a quorum of the body and the chair be physically present at the meeting location remains suspended.   The new law provides that a municipal public body that, for reasons of economic hardship and despite best efforts, is unable to provide alternative means of public access that will enable the public to follow the proceedings in real time, may instead post a full and complete transcript, recording, or other comprehensive record on its website as soon as practicable after the meeting.  In light of the various free and low-cost technologies that could be used to provide the public with real time access, the Division of Open Government strongly recommends that a municipal public body consult with our office before determining that it is unable to provide the public with real time access to a meeting. Furthermore, this provision is not available for meetings when another general or special law, regulation or a local ordinance or by-law requires allowance for active participation by members of the public, such as in the case of certain public hearings.   All other provisions of the Open Meeting Law and regulations, such as the requirements regarding posting notice of meetings and creating and maintaining accurate meeting minutes, remain in effect. Public bodies are reminded that notice of all meetings must be posted at least 48 hours in advance, not including weekends and holidays, and the meeting notice must clearly specify how the public may access the meeting, whether in-person, remote or both.   NOTE: Due to a typographical error in the final draft of the legislation, three paragraphs in Section 20(b) were compressed into one paragraph. Based on the legislative history of the new law and the Legislature's clearly-demonstrated intent, the Attorney General interprets the sentence "This paragraph shall not apply to proceedings that are conducted pursuant to a general or special law, regulation or a local ordinance or by-law that requires allowance for active participation by members of the public" as only applying to the economic hardship exception in the prior sentence, not to the entire paragraph of subsection (b).   In partnership, The Attorney General's Division of Open Government Copyright © 2021 Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Massachusetts Attorney General's Office Division of Open Government 1 Ashburton Place, 20th Floor Boston, MA 02108

Empty Bowls silent/virtual auction ends June 21, 2021 at 10 PM

If you haven't got a bid in for one or more of the fabulous ceramic works of art, please make the time to do so before the auction closes out Thursday, Jun 17 at 10 PM.

"Good news! We are extending the deadline for the Empty Bowls auction until Monday, June 21!!!!!! Get your bids in and don't miss your chance to own a one of a kind ceramic piece AND help The Pantry! "

Auction web page -> https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls6/home

Listen to "Inside the Empty Bowls 2021 preparations"

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/06/fm-561-inside-empty-bowls-2021-060821.html 

All this to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. You can donate directly to the Pantry on the Empty Bowls page or at the Pantry page  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/ 

Come bid on these one of a kind hand-made items. #emptybowls