Franklin Library: Norfolk County Sheriff's Office

Norfolk County Sheriff's Office

Norfolk County Sheriff's Office

Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

Live reporting - closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
letter from a citizen regarding work by fire and police dept

wishing Jim Roche well, he is stepping down from the FinCom after many years
if anyone is interested, there is an opening, send information to the Town Administrator

Strawberry Stroll - next Thursday

Thanks to Bob Jarvis, all his neighbors will reap the benefits of his hard work
the work redoing the streets around East, West is finished

Work put out to bid came in under bid, avoid Lincoln/Daniels street during the work water line this year and road next year


L. OLD BUSINESS
Pfeffer - status, condition and maintenance of the town buildings
Nutting- all you were sent were closed work orders, we'll be happy to give you the open ones as of a certain date

Vallee - work around Beaver St?
Nutting - trees won't be until the fall, we'll do the guard rail when the paving guy will be here
we got them to admit that they actually own the property, whether he has actually gone there yet is open
Roy - now that we know he knows and acknowledges ownership, we'll continue to follow up
Nutting - CSX owns the property, not MBTA

Vallee - what is up with the depot?
Nutting- the roof is out to bid, the bids are back, processing the paperwork will take time. they'll do something one at a time

M. NEW BUSINESS
Kelly - could we get Brutus in with what he has done and what his plans are?
Nutting - there are no plans, it will remain as is, until DEP decides. We can do a presentation

Vallee - what is the status of the street near the town common?
Nutting - it is on the schedule for the HPP project along main st, it really needs to be re-done totally

Vallee - tress on the common, we could cut a few more that shouldn't be there
Nutting - I'd suggest putting a subcommmittee together with the Tree warden and the outside study

Jones - there was supposed to be an annual review of the trees

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Roy - thank you for acknowledging Brittany tonight, one of 3 out of 600,000
She leaves for Australia on the 10th and she'll find out the 20th

Jones- thanks to everyone who came out to the Planning Board and tonight

Pfeffer - there has been a lot of buzz and discussion about the flag pole, it was rotten and replaced
it is wooden and still functioning,

Powderly - there is a lot of work here and I'd like to recognize those efforts. Thanks to Jim for all his efforts, I worked on the FinCom and learned a lot from him. He will  be missed

Kelly - it is sad that the fireworks were canceled, it is sad that while the question as asked in Mar, they didn't find out until May that it was canceled. We need to do better

Mercer - building committee walk through of the new high school, Monday night at 6:00
State Treasurer visit at 6/20 at 4:00 Pm

P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed

Live reporting - legislation continued (medical marijuana zoning)

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT:
20.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-706: Changes to Chapter 185-5. Zoning Map, Adult Use Overlay District – 2nd Reading
notion to waive reading, motion to move amendment, passed 9-0 via roll call

21.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-707: Changes to Chapter 185-47. Adult Entertainment Establishment Districts – 2nd Reading
notion to waive reading, motion to move amendment, passed 9-0 via roll call


MEDICAL MARIJUANA:
22.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-708: Changes to Chapter 185-3. Definitions – 2nd Reading
notion to waive reading, motion to move amendment, passed 9-0 via roll call

23.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-709: Changes to Chapter 185-4. Districts Enumerated – 2nd Reading
notion to waive reading, motion to move amendment, passed 9-0 via roll call

24.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-710: Changes to Chapter 185-5. Zoning Map, Medical Marijuana Use Overlay District – 2nd Reading
notion to waive reading, motion to move amendment, passed 9-0 via roll call

25.Zoning Amendment 13-711: Changes to Chapter 185-7. Compliance Required – 2nd Reading
notion to waive reading, motion to move amendment, passed 9-0 via roll call

26.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-712: Changes to Chapter 185-49. Medical Marijuana Use Overlay District – 2nd Reading
notion to waive reading, motion to move amendment, passed 9-0 via roll call

Live reporting - Legislation continued (anaerobic digestion dies a quick death)

IMPERVIOUS SURFACES:
14.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-702: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 36. Impervious Surfaces – 1st Reading
motion to waive reading, motion to move to second reading
both passed 9-0

15.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-703: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 40. Water Resource District – 1st Reading
motion to waive reading, motion to move to second reading
both passed 9-0

16.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-716: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 3. Definitions – 1st Reading
motion to waive reading, motion to move to second reading
both passed 9-0

17.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-717: Changes to Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements – 1st Reading
motion to waive reading, motion to move to second reading
both passed 9-0



POND STREET CHANGE OF ZONING:
18.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-714: Changes to Chapter 185-3. Definitions – 1st Reading
motion to table, not debatable, passed 9-0

19.Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-715: Changes to Chapter 185-7. Compliance Required – 1st Reading
motion to table, not debatable, passed 9-0

Live reporting - Legislation

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-38: Acceptance of Grant of Right of Access Over Land at 828 West Central Street
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

2. Resolution 13-39: Appropriation: Appraiser for Downtown HPP Project and Compensation for Permanent and Temporary Easements
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

background provided at Finance Committee meeting Tues 6/4/13
150 total easements required, 75% have been achieved, some permanent easements around Dean and other areas, but we haven't gotten them back

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 
Citizens committee meeting next week
means approx $1.4M, about $500K more than last year


3. Resolution 13-40: Appropriation: 37 Beaver Street
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

also as reviewed during FinCom meeting 6/4/13
property next to the Senior Center, available for purchase from bank, property is empty, to purchase and demolish the property, would come back later to do the work to expand the parking lot


4. Resolution 13-41: Appropriation: Fire Department Salaries
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

also as reviewed during FinCom meeting 6/4/13
to cover overtime at the Fire Dept due to injuries and training, up to almost a full compliment during June


5. Resolution 13-42: Appropriation: Capital FY 2013
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

also as reviewed during FinCom meeting 6/4/13
part 2 of the capital budget

6. Resolution 13-43: Appropriation: Other Post-Employment Benefits Stabilization Fund
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

also as reviewed during FinCom meeting 6/4/13
requires a 2/3 vote to put funds into the stabilization fund as well as a 2/3 vote to take the funds out
essentially an accounting move to increase return on investment while it is being saved

7. Resolution 13-44: Appropriation: Senior Center Capital Improvement
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

also as reviewed during FinCom meeting 6/4/13
essentially an accounting move to increase return on investment while it is being saved
Roy - I have been a frequent visitor to the Senior Center, it is heavily used
Jones - I think this is a great thing to do for the seniors

8. Resolution 13-45: Appropriation: Fire Truck Stabilization Fund
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

also as reviewed during FinCom meeting 6/4/13
continues putting money aside for replacement of a fire truck and maintain the truck rotation process

9. Resolution 13-46: Appropriation: Athletic Fields Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

also as reviewed during FinCom meeting 6/4/13
to put money aside to eventually replace the turf fields at Beaver St and the high school

10.Resolution 13-47: Appropriation: Operating Budget Stabilization Fund
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

also as reviewed during FinCom meeting 6/4/13
another fiscal planning tool, have $750K there, this would add $250K to bring it to  $1M

11.Resolution 13-48: Appropriation: Other Post-Employment Benefits Stabilization Fund
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

also as reviewed during FinCom meeting 6/4/13
in Franklin case, we should be putting away $3M per year to fund this, we only have about $2M income which doesn't cover our operations, this is a good faith effort

Kelly - we could use this elsewhere is something magic happened?
Nutting - wellsely did pass an override to fund their requirements, and yes we could

12.Resolution 13-49: Appropriation: Other Post-Employment Benefits Stabilization Fund
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

also as reviewed during FinCom meeting 6/4/13
similar to above already appropriated, just moving it into the fund

PERSONNEL BYLAW:
13.Bylaw Amendment 13-713: Amendment to Chapter 25, Appendix A - Classification Plan and Appendix B-Compensation Plan – 2nd Reading

doesn't affect individual salaries but sets the scale which would be used as needed.

Live reporting - mayor question

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- Form of Non-Binding Ballot Question, re: Adoption of Mayoral Form of Government

discussion on which question is favored

Powderly - have as much detail as necessary. Most cities that have mayor lose other officials, they sit ex-offico on the School Committee and that would change that dynamic. It needs to be thought about.

Dellorco - Wayne changed in 1999, Weymouth recently changed, we could talk to them.

Nutting - there are many forms of government in MA at the local level, if we did we should go via a Charter Commission

Pfeffer - if the answer is no, it simply stops, the question should be as simple as possible

Vallee - it is a very simple question, floating around town for years, let's ask

Roy - I am looking for a little more direction that we are asking of the voters

Bissanti - candidly

Jones - the current form of government has been very progressive and forward thinking, I have an will support asking the citizens what they want

Pfeffer - we haven't always had this form of government, we had selectmen at one point, and a council with 17 members

Kelly - we should keep it simple, it is an important decision for the community to make. And if necessary form the charter commission to do the real work.

Mercer - I'll go on record as the current form of government is the right form of government. It is my concern as well (akin to what (Councilor Roy) was asking. If you are not specific enough, you won't get the true feeling of the town.

Nutting- this is for discussion, you can put it on the agenda for the next election

Carel - only has to be before the Town Clerk 45 days before the election

Live reporting: anaerobic digestion plant presentation

F. HEARINGS - 7:10 PM
the four zoning bylaws for impervious surfaces are being heard together


IMPERVIOUS SURFACES:

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-702: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 36. Impervious Surfaces – Continued from May 15th
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-703: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 40. Water Resource District – Continued from May 15
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-716: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 3. Definitions
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-717: Amendment to Chapter 185, Attachment 9. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements

no audience comments

hearing closed

POND STREET CHANGE OF ZONING:

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-714: Changes to Chapter 185-3. Definitions
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-715: Changes to Chapter 185-7. Compliance Required.

The presentation was initially posted here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/anaerobic-digestion-presentation.html



Income to the town potential of $500K to $1M depending upon the amount of power generated.

State mandate coming for large food waste producers (i.e institutions, schools, etc.) would be targeted

Buffer would be maintained around property to help insulate the neighbors from seeing much if anything. That the land slopes down toward i495 also helps to reduce the building or towers from view from other than i495.

Did have smell issues with initial start-up and those were resolved and not reappearing since then.

50 mile radius for food waste draw in MI, anticipated to be less, likely 35 miles or so due to the density of the area around Franklin.

The DEP presentation was not covered in detail as DEP representatives were not present to cover questions. Many communities are looking at the same technology.

What the town is looking to do is to ask the Council for issuance of an RFP to see if there is interest and proceed from there?

There are economic benefits. Issues we see certainly would be with truck traffic coming through the interchange. Other than the general truck traffic, I don't see a real traffic issue.

Compliance with air quality will be EPA and DEP arena

Anthony Dibello, resident, engineer workings for a medical company
I didn't hear about the by-products, I didn't hear about the mitigation for this. I don't want it in my backyard.

Bryan Taberner, while you are producing an RFP you'll be doing additional research to put the protection in place. If you decide to stop the process, you can do so at anytime. Did air quality testing at Edwards Air Force base and the air quality testing and permitting process is intensive.

When things work well they are probably fine, when they don't work well that is a problem

Sandy Rohagen, resident about 3 blocks away
a zoning change would leave us unprotected
Tri-County has 20 buses going in and out of that area, adding trucks to the traffic would not improve the situation
The pre-school right next door would likely go out of business as parents would not want to trust leaving their kids in such a situation.

Selena Cousin, resident on Beech St
had an uncle with the EPA research where the brownfields were and avoided
do the research in this area, with the experts in the field
I am all for the environment and recylcing, I don't think we need to known as the anaerobic power plant
what happens in the case of a fire, in case of an explosion
what will we find years down the road?
The money is not worth the risk

Gail Ward
will be voting tonight?

Nutting
it is a two step process, zoning bylaw requires two votes
if it is positive tonight, then it would come back

permit going for would only allow for processing the food waste

Rob Baylow, echoing sentiment of my neighbors
we can do better than 11 jobs, especially with putting the day care center out of work
what about the smell? can you put that in the RFP?
if the air quality is fine according to the standard, how do you enforce that?

Nutting
There isn't a smell, the negative air pressure keeps out the smell, anaerobic means without 'air'

Rob if the visit to MI was in the winter, maybe the smell would be more noticeable if it was summer
what about the trucks?

Nutting
this was addressed the other night, we can't guarantee it but we can control the quality of the vehicles when they arrive

Tony Padula
I voted not to recommend this, we just changed zoning to make more business in this area, we are already watching more businesses coming into the area. With another 80 trips coming in and out, you're likely to get 4-5 cars through now

do we have a fire dept that can take care of this? can we handle the hazards? we have a day care center, a school? I am on the Planning Board, I think we can do better

Glenn Jones
I have sat through the Planning Board meeting and everything here tonight
I didn;t want having an unattractive commercial business in our backyard
as Chair of the Economic Development Committee, we want to find places and companies to increase revenues. This was proposed as a specific use for this property. It gains revenue for the town/ We are going to be entering into a new age where food waste will be taken out of the landfills, and into something like this. The corner is a tough one, it is a residential neighborhood.
We had been looking forward to getting citizen input for this process.

Taberner - it could be allowed in an industrial zone as a light industrial use
Jones - I think I would move this back to the Economic Development Committee for further review

Bissanti - I grew u playing near the sewer beds, I had no idea this would be coming here. I don't think the money would be right for a sophisticated community like Franklin. I am not totally convinced about air quality. Hydrogen sulfide sounds awfully scary to me. The technology sounds great. We are behind on this development compared to other countries. All the garbage of the Metro areas coming to Franklin. One of the things we would face is the perception of that

Powderly - there are too many unanswered questions in my mind to move forward with this. I support the technology idea but because the property is inconvenient it shouldn't be shoe horned into this space. I am not in favor of this

Mercer - I think there are too many unanswered questions, I would support Councilor Jones efforts to move this back to the EDC

Dellorco - Coming to Franklin would be turn at the silos? No, I don't like the sounds of that.

Roy - there are unanswered questions, my concern is how will we go about getting the answers. My understanding was this vote would get us to the RFP process to explore further. We would visit the question whether we would move forward. I am not in favor of a project of this magnitude. I am in favor of more exploration, whatever advances getting answers to the questions I am in favor.

Kelly - I agree with sending this back to the EDC, I commend Councilor Jones for bringing this forward as we need new sources of revenue.

hearing closed

Live Reporting - Town Council - June 5, 2013

Present: Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent:  none


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– April 3, 2013 Regular and Executive Session and April 24, 2013
motion to approve minutes, 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 be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Brittany McLoed received a proclamation wishing her luck in her quest to be appointed for the Best Job In Australia, the Chief Funster.

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none

E. APPOINTMENTS
looking to add a citizen to the citizens committee so they can participate in the next meeting
motion to add item to the agenda, passed.
motion to approve, passed

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS 
– New All Alcoholic Beverages Hotel License – Residence Inn by Marriott-Franklin

Anaerobic digestion - presentation document

The presentation document as used for the Planning Board meeting on Monday.



The presentation is likely similar if not the same as will be reviewed with the Town Council this evening.

Important Downtown Parking Updates

Dear FDP Members:

As many of you know Parking Downtown is always a hot topic.

Jeff Nutting and I are setting up a parking sub-committee to discuss parking

in more detail and to come up with solutions prior to the Streetscape project.

Some of the discussions will include a decision on whether to keep metered parking

downtown or possibly change to "chalking".  Also, we need to decide on the

length of time for the meters in different areas of the downtown.

We invite you to join the discussion. We would like to have 5-6 people on this

sub-committee and we especially would like to hear from downtown businesses.

Please contact the FDP office no later than June 14th if you are interested

in being a part of these important discussions.  Thank you to those who have already contacted us. 

We will be setting up a meeting in a few weeks.

Attention Downtown Business and Building Owners:

Also, Jeff Nutting will be making some limited permit parking available in

the town's West Central lot (next to 7-11) for business owners and their employees.

Please contact Jeff or the FDP office by June 14th if you think you may be interested

in reserving a space or would like more information.  This is a good solution for those

building owners who have tenants with limited or no parking.

Any Franklin resident can join the Downtown Partnership for only $25/year. A great way to get involved and stay informed!  visit the Downtown Partnership webpage for the membership form
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

3: Introducing Lobster Twin Tuesdays! And join us for Italian Wednesdays!

Lobster Twin Tuesdays & Italian Wednesdays! 3 461 W Central Street (Rt.140), Franklin, MA 02038 • 508.528.6333 • www.3-restaurant.com Please visit our other Let's Eat, Inc. restaurant in Norwood: SKY

Forward email Let's Eat, Inc. | 461 Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

In the News: Elks 5K, downtown parking

Franklin's first Elks 5K a success

The inaugural Elks Care Elks Share 5K Run and Walk held on May 11 was a smashing success, organizers say, raising more than $15,000 that will go to the Franklin Food Pantry, the Wounded Warriors Project and the One Fund Boston.

Sub-committee aims to fix downtown Franklin parking problems

Ever since the town brought back a parking control officer to patrol downtown, business owners there have debated, as tickets piled up, whether the renewed enforcement has helped or hurt.

Live reporting: Finance Committee - June 4, 2013

Present: Goldsmith, Dufur, Quinn, Roche, Dewsnap, Aparo, Huempfner
Absent: Smith, Feldman

Susan Gagner, Jeff Nutting, Jim Dacey


motion to approve minutes from Apr 2 meeting
motion made, seconded, and voted unanimously 7-0


Action Items

Jeff talked about the first transfer item, still no agreement with the Union, so we can use the money currently set aside for that. This adjustment will cover and balance the budget for the remainder of the fiscal year.

• FY 2013 Fire salaries 100,000 Emp. Benefits -Encumbrance

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


Transfering the two amounts covered together

• OPEB Stabilization Fund 100,000 FY2013 Budget
• OPEB Stabilization Fund 298,000 FY 2014 Budget

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


These remaining items come from free cash. The operating budget stabilization separate from the general stabilization which is kept at the 5% level (approx. 5M).

• Operating Budget Stabilization fund 225,000 free cash

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


These are capital budget items known to be needed sooner than later and setting aside some money now for when. Senior Center would be to complete the second floor, would need about 1M to do the work. at this rate maybe 3 more years we could start the work. A new fire truck is needed about every 6-7 years, so putting money aside every year allows the fleet rotation program to continue so the life of a truck would really go to about 25 years. Athletic fields will need turf replacements in another 3-5 years so starting now to save money aside for the replacement will make it easier when needed. Fields at Beaver St and FHS.

• Senior Center Stabilization Fund 200,000 free cash
• Fire Truck Stabilization Fund 100,000 free cash
• Athletic Fields Stabilization Fund 200,000 free cash

A study is being done at the Library for interior work, likely would come back to the FinCom and Council  for decision when that is ready. Would prefer to use the debt capacity this capacity for the Library and also for Davis Thayer renovations which are also being studied. The Senior Center is not an immediate need so we can afford to save and wait for it. There is another item later to buy a house so we can expand the parking lot for when we do finish out the second floor.

three individual motions to approve, each seconded, and passed 7-0


Really would like to put 3M into the account yearly but can't do that. This number was backed into and at least helps us say we are doing somehting to meet the eventual obligation. The game plan is to put a 100,000 more into the budget and then rachet it up with free cash as available.

• OPEB Stabilization Fund 150,000 free cash

Health insurance was a blip on the radar for years. If we had more money, we'd put more money into it.

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


If you remember we had an earlier round of capital. I recommend that if we come back we'd take a look at additional items. more money for fire dept radios, had held 50,000 back from the school's request earlier. So these are not new items, these are just coming back

• FY 13 Capital Round 2 162,000 free cash

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


A house immediately abutting the Senior Center, where the driveway is not used. Offer made, would like to complete the purchase, demolition the home and eventually expand the parking lot. The cost of the lot itself would come back in the future.

• Beaver St Land Purchase/Demo 150,000 free cash

This covers the purchase and demolition. If the purchase doesn't go through, then the Council might have other options. If the money isn't used, then the money could be used elsewhere. The money for the parking lot could come out of free cash next year.

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

In the final planning stages for revitalization of the downtown, with State and Federal requirements, we need to get temporary easements for the construction to be done. The vast majority of the abutters are working with us nicely and are glad the project is going forward. Ultimately, if we can get their signature and they do want compensation, this money would be for the appraiser and some of the fair value compensation.

• Downtown HPP Project-appraisal/easement 75,000 free cash

Mostly street widening and some corner adjustments to prepare the work and eventual new ways.
If more than 1,000 sq ft, we are supposed to get an outside appraiser. The value of the individual property shouldn't be changing much.  I have personally visited a dozen homes to get the signatures.

If the person did refuse, the Town Council would take it by eminent domain for the temporary period, or if necessary, for the permanent easement.

Old Business - none

New Business
Jim Roche will not be returning for another three years to the FinCom
One of the roles for the Chairman is to interview the candidates, I would like nominate Chris Quinn for Chairman pro-tem

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

Only one vacancy for the next term

Nutting - If you think of Franklin in 2001 and again today, there has been a lot of improvement and growth and you have been a part of that. Lowest per capita cost, lowest tax bill, thanks for your volunteer time.

if interested in joining the Finance Committee, send an email to the Town Administrator

Anaerobic digestion is 'not recommended' by the Planning Board

The Planning Board heard the joint presentation by Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator and MassDEP representatives, had questions and still wants to learn more about the proposal for the anaerobic digestion plant. They did move the two zoning bylaws to the Town Council with votes of "not to recommend".

Bryan Taberner, Beth Dahlstrom, Mike Magilo, Jeff Nutting, James  Doucett, Martin Souberg

The Town Council will have a public hearing on Wednesday for the zoning bylaw changes. The presentation will likely be repeated in whole or at least in part for the audience at that meeting. The zoning bylaw change is the first step to this proposal.

With the change in zoning accepted, the Town could open a Request for a Proposal (RFP) to see what companies would step up to offer to lease the land and operate the anaerobic digestion plant. If the RFP brought in sufficient dollars for the Town Council to accept, then the contract negotiations would commence along with the permitting process.

one driver for anaerobic digestion is to remove food waste from solid waste

The permitting process would be multi-level with permits required from MassDEP. The Planning Board would come back into action when the company and/or developer would cone with their site plan.

Handling the truck traffic through the interchange at Franklin Village to get to Pond St would be just one of many issues to be addressed. Adding 50-80 trips through the interchange doesn't sound like much but these trips would be trucks, rather large tankers the likes of which we see going to Garelick Farms. Add one or two of those to the line of cars heading east on RT 140 attempting the left turn onto Pond St and see how far the traffic extends its back up. The traffic already backs up sufficiently that the cars in the left turn lane prevent the through traffic from making further progress east on RT 140.


The collection of posts reported live from the Planning Board meeting Monday, June 3 can be found here

• Live reporting - anaerobic disgestion

• Live reporting - impervious surfaces

• Live reporting: Planning Board - June 3, 2013

Representative Roy's June Office hours

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

Medway – June 8th, 10:00-11:00 AM, Coffee Sensations - 116 Main Street Medway, MA 

Franklin – June 11th, 8:30-9:00 AM, Franklin Senior Center - 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 

Franklin – June 22nd, 9:30-10:30 AM, The Cake Bar - 17 E Central Street Franklin, MA 

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.

In the News: no fireworks, crash death, regional dispatch, national trails day

Franklin cancels fireworks for Fourth of July

The traditional fireworks spectacle for the town’s Fourth of July celebrations will not take place this year because construction for the new high school has left no room for a launch site.

Franklin man killed in I-495 crash

A Franklin man has died after an accident on I-495 on Sunday, the Massachusetts State Police have said.

Bill for Franklin's regional dispatch finds support in House

With help from the town’s freshman representative, legislation filed last year to establish a district for a regional dispatch center with Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham has moved closer to the House floor.

Taking a hike on National Trails Day

Despite the sweltering heat, advocates for the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) were out in full force on Saturday to commemorate the American Hiking Society’s 21st annual National Trails Day.

Live reporting - anaerobic disgestion

(copy of presentation to be added later) Added 6/4/13

Jeff Nutting presenting, there will be a further update at the Town Council meeting on Weds.



2 changes to allow the single use for this property
would put out an Request For Proposal (RFP)
Franklin would maintain ownership and lease the land
maintain a large buffer area, visited a similar plant and there is no noise
potentially allow for installation of solar panels
did visit one in Rutland, MA, more of a dairy operation not what we want to use here
did also visit Fremont, MI which is more like the use planned for here
possible permit process to commence by Jan 2014 with construction completed late 2016

33 acres the site of the sewer beds until 1978
the digester is not a sewer plant, negative air pressure to control

income to the town for the lease
est between $500,000 to $1M per year

21e assessment was performed to ensure a clean bill of health for the property
no environmental issues to be concerned with currently on the property

buildings are 40 foot tall, sited along Pond St, would effectively be hidden on the lot

Fremont 3 megawatt operation, compared to the proposal talked of about 6-8 megawatts

decibel level could not exceed 45 which is the talking voice sound

food waste creates methane gas which burns to create electricity to send out to the grid

lab operates to maintain proper pH levels

Fremont MI is the home of Gerber Baby food, so bad batches and other waste comes to the plant
the company operates in about a 50 mile radius, they operate their own trucks
approx 30-50 trucks per day


James Doucett, Deputy Director Business Compliance Division, BWP, MassDEP
Martin Souberg, Deputy Commissioner, MassDep

an important element in the solid waste master plan, take as much as can be recycled out of the stream
attempting to reduce 355 solid tons per year of solid food waste
banning disposal of food waste from large food operations, to encourage recycling
diversion from land fills, reduction of green house gases
taken steps to stream line permitting, state also looking to develop capacity at state owned site to promote the process

food waste = 15-20% of the disposal totals

could include other yard and agricultural waste with the food waste

publicly owned treatment works (POTW)

4 farm-based digesters in development, Germany has thousands of these units

two types of systems, wet or dry
Franklin's would be a dry system

dry means operating into a negative air pressure to maintain the smells within the facility
28 day batch cycle

"what would happen in case of an upset condition"

Michelle, Beech St
all the input sounds lovely, I want to know what all the exports will do
Franklin is not the place to be doing this in a residential area

Matt Young, Eldon Drive
concerned about the trucks, $1M is not that much money
I think the risk and reward is not that great, whose going to pay for the roads
I am sure there are many more issues, I think this is a bad choice

Nutting - the power plant would fit inside this room
maybe the travel for the trucks wouldn't be so far as we are more dense

Glenn Jones, Town Councilor
Chair of Economic Development Committee
was a sewer bed, an office park fell through, the particular property is a good fit for this use
one of the issues the town faces is balancing the budget, the $1M would help towards fixing fixing our roads and other things, to generate revenue
the power plants in our area communities dump out more than this plant would
this plant has been used throughout Europe, very few reports of incidents

Judy Pfeffer, Town Councilor
waste ban regulation has not yet gone out for comment

James - what we are hoping to provide is an incentive for creating additional waste uses

Judy - if it isn't built yet, how do we know it is going to get here? Who owns the trucks to bring it here? What about the truck traffic in a residential area?

While the ban is not yet out, it is coming.
The state is also identifying its own sites, including Norfolk, MA

Andy Bissanti, we as Councilors still have questions and reserve the right to make our comments and decisions

"The issue is the same as with a natural gas fired furnace"

"The methane would go up into the air, it is lighter than air"

If a truck spilled,  it would be containing food waste

Halligan - There will be traffic whatever goes there, I am not so concerned about that. Do we have a fire department trained for this, or special equipment for this?

Nutting - Franklin belongs to a regional hazmat unit, I don't see us investing anything in this

Halligan - will the delivery trucks be sealed delivery trucks? If they can be guaranteed to be enclosed, that would be good. The main thing is the revenue, I would like to see something where we have a guaranteed fixed lease.

Nutting - the proposed zoning change allows the Town Council to have an RFP. The real dollar answers will come with the RFP's, this is no different for an RFP to sell the land. I can't sit here today and guarantee a price. There are lots of checks and balances along the way. The zoning, the site plan, the Council RFP process, the intent is to allow the plan to continue so the Council can have their say. This is only the beginning of a long process.

Halligan - my main concern is for safety

Nutting - if it is a tanker it is sealed, I don't see why that couldn't be included in the RFP.

Halligan - the towns out west are getting these as a right from their farm, we want to avoid that here

Halligan - as a resident and property owner, I would donate $5000 to get an independent appraisal for this to be explained to both Board.

Rondeau - what is the typical life expectancy?
Nutting - 30-40 years, other than replacing part, there not alot to do

Rondeau - when the facility is up and done, are we going to be stuck with another NuStyle?
Nutting - that would have to be part of the process

Rondeau - what size would the tanks be?

David - Would traffic studies be done?
Nutting - I think you would be looking at that, you usually look at peak hours. You could have a traffic study. That would be a planning board issue.

David - wet land?
Nutting - 20 plus acres of upland, some wetlands, we would have to remove the sewer things

David - what about adding a ramp of i495
Nutting - given the federal government, that would be a 10 year process

Town of Bourne did an RFP process and they are farther along, they have thought about and have worked into the process

Nutting - we have a copy of the Bourne RFP and one from Lexington. There are not going to be three dozen of these in the Commonwealth. Once several of these are built, that would take the food waste off the capacity proposed

Halligan - why is Franklin so site specific?
Nutting - we are looking for use for the site, investigating all the things that may or may not happen. The power plant went up in Bellingham, and other than seeing the steam in the air in winter, how many know it is really there?

Haven't heard of any exposures to any of the gases? Why haven't we heard of any answers?

Town of Fairhaven put in two digesters at their waste water facility

here to make a vote to recommend or not for the zoning change, whatever we do the Town Council still has their say

Padula - the town has a revenue issue, we have tried before to utilize this land, the residential folks will be required to separate the food waste in about 2016-17 to help serve these type systems

Martin (MassDEP) We think this is where we are going to get a large benefit from the institutional approach
We are encouraging this, we also have a permitting role to ensure they meet the standard for air quality. A number of agencies are looking for this

Nutting - there are seven more steps along this process, before the Town ultimately making this decision, we have to ensure for the health and welfare of the residents. I am not a scientist so I can not answer those questions.

Nutting - if the company didn't own the trucks, we can still set the standards on what can be used, we have a right to work with the contractor to determine what type the vehicles are

Padula - for $500,000 annually, for the quality of life that would change? That intersection will be a disaster with 80 trips a day and it is already bad today.

Dahlstrom - definition of anaerobic digestion bylaw (see copy of bylaws as proposed) and change to 185-7 with an allowed by right

Nutting - if that property ever gets developed, 40 vehicle trips will be minuscule. Sequencing the intersection will be needed under any circumstances, traffic will be an issue no matter what happens there..

Halligan - I don't think I am for the project or against the project, I just am not educated on this enough. It is all too new for me.

motion to recommend, not seconded
motion to not recommend, seconded, approved with one no

motion to not recommend, seconded, approved with one no

This does go to the Town Council for discussion but the Planning Board did NOT recommend it

Live reporting - impervious surfaces

open public hearing for changes to the bylaws on impervious surfaces

changes to bring language into agreement with Mass General Law

motion to close public hearing, approved
motion to recommend to Town Council, approved (separate motions and approvals for the four separate line items)


5 minute recess until 7:30 to allow for set up