Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Nov 20, 2013

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

November 20, 2013

7:00 PM

AGENDA


A. ANNOUNCEMENTS

B. DISCUSSIONS

• Council 2014/2015 Goals

C. ADJOURN

Neighbor Brigade: November News

Newsletter - November 2013

Pam's Run, October 5th, 2013
Neighborhood News
Why We Fundraise
Contact Us

Pam's Run, October 5th, 2013

To honor the memory of our founder Pam Washek and support the "neighbors helping neighbors" mission she ignited, 575 participants, aged 8 to 88, joined in our first annual Pam's Run, a fundraising road race through Wayland, Mass. Walkers and runners from as far away as Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey honored Pam's legacy while raising $70,000 to support her dream of the organization's continued growth.

Formally incorporated just three years ago, Neighbor Brigade has expanded to a current 40 chapters and 4,600 volunteers! We are in the midst of launching our newest chapter in Littleton, Massachusetts, with other future chapters pending. Pam's Run funds will allow us to hire our first Program Director in order to better support our growing numbers of chapter leaders and volunteers and assist in the community network necessary for a successful chapter launch and ongoing service delivery.

In this season of giving thanks, we express our gratitude to Run participants, planning committee members, event day volunteers, and corporate and family sponsors. We can't wait to join together and celebrate with you again next October. Thank you for joining us in partnership as we move forward toward fulfilling Pam's goal of a nationwide Neighbor Brigade presence.

To view more photos from the event, please visit Samatha Melanson Photography.

Neighborhood News

We take pride in Neighbor Brigade's ability to be creative and flexible in the type and length of delivery of our services. Earlier this year our Franklin chapter performed house cleaning for a family that required a germ free environment during a member's recuperation following a stem cell transplant. The patient's mother-in-law shared these words of thanks with her town's chapter:

"Earlier this year my beautiful daughter-in-law was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of cancer... Determined to keep life as normal and stress free for her, my son and their children we did our best to rise to the challenge. Thanks to the help of wonderful friends and neighbors we were able to accomplish our task and then the hardest stage of her treatment arrived- a stem cell transplant. This mandated a clean, germ free environment to return to for months of isolation at home - not an easy task when there are children and pets and your "team" is already exhausted in every way. That's when my faith in fellow man was renewed as the Franklin (chapter of) Neighbor Brigade entered our lives. Angels. The burden that they took from our shoulders makes me cry to this day. Thanks to them, the cleaning was covered and the rest of us could focus on the ever changing daily needs. Words can never express our gratitude for this amazing gift from this team of strangers…"

Why We Fundraise

"If all food and services are provided by volunteers, why does Neighbor Brigade need to fundraise?"

This a question we are occasionally asked and we are always happy to answer. Yes, we are an extremely cost-efficient organization. We effectively harness the power of social capital and acts of compassion to provide free services and immediate relief to those in need. However, our organization does require an investment in outreach materials, web based services, and staff in order to administer and maintain a high quality program.

Our virtual Neighbor Brigade communities are a means to strengthening our actual communities, and the organization incurs technology expenses associated with the hosting and support of our website. We also incur expenses associated with the liability issues we face as a volunteer service delivery program. We are subject to a fee for each volunteer's background check that is conducted. Additionally, it is imperative that we carry insurance that is critical to the safety of our volunteers and recipients.

Funds are also necessary for marketing and community outreach materials. We provide these to referring and partnering organizations so that teachers, social workers, patient navigators, physicians and community residents themselves are made aware and take advantage of Neighbor Brigade's services.

Our staff provides the skills and experience in nonprofit management, community-based health and human services, volunteer leadership and technology necessary to coordinate, drive and grow this innovative program. Neighbor Brigade's staff works in tandem with our chapter leaders and referring partner organizations, and as a result of this joint effort we are successfully expanding beyond our origin as a grassroots organization.

Contact Us

Do you have any feedback or suggestions for the new year? Please share your thoughts with us by sending an email to info@neighborbrigade.org or phoning us at 781.325.8580. We love to hear from our community members.

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neighbor brigade | p.o. box 248 | lexington, ma 02420 | 781.325.8580
 www.neighborbrigade.org | info@neighborbrigade.org
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In the News: 2-alarm fire

Cat killed, homeowner displaced by 2-alarm Franklin fire

A pet perished and a homeowner was displaced by a two-alarm fire on Pond Street Saturday evening.

Downtown Improvement Project - Presentation

The document used by DPW Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi to provide the update on the Downtown Improvement Project to the Town Council on Weds, Nov 13 can be viewed here:



This doc was available as part of the Town Council meeting doc and is not available separately.

For the all the notes taken during the presentation and discussion on Weds, you can find them here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/new-town-council-new-promises.html

Reminder: Winter Storm Parking Ban

The Winter Storm Parking Ban is effective Oct 15 through Apr 15

The purpose of the winter storm overnight parking ban shall be to provide for the safe movement of police, fire and emergency medical service vehicles during snow and ice storms and otherwise provide for public safety during winter weather conditions. The parking ban shall also serve to enhance the capability of the Public Works Department to remove snow and ice from the roadways effectively and efficiently. 

A winter storm overnight parking ban shall automatically take effect upon occurrence of any of the following:

• Snow, sleet, or freezing rain has fallen, or is imminent.

The National Weather Service and/or local television and/or radio stations or other media are reporting commencement of snow, sleet, or freezing rain within the local area or are predicting that snow, sleet, or freezing rain will begin in Franklin within 12 hours. 

The parking of any motor vehicle within the layout or right-of-way of any public street or any roadway open to the public is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. while a winter storm parking ban is in effect. 

The Franklin Police Department shall enforce the provisions of this article and shall be solely responsible for issuance of tickets and authorization of towing.

This was originally posted to the Franklin, MA webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01C0BC6B-000F8513

Voices of Franklin: Kristen Parker - Tri-County teachers working without contract

Dear Parent(s), Contractors, Members and Friends,

I’m not sure if you are aware that Tri-County Tech Voc teachers are working without a contract right now. Our teachers’ association has historically always bargained in good faith with the school committee. Our negotiations team has been working since January to settle the contract and even with a mediator from the state, we are not making progress. We continue to do what is best for our students, and we want to settle the contract so that we can continue to do just that. We are asking for your support and to join us on either November 20th @ 5:30 in the lobby of TC, November 22nd from 3pm-5pm (Three different locations, Franklin, Wrentham or Millis) or December 3rd @ 5pm in Lobby of TC. Please feel free to ask others to join in our fight. Can we count on your support? 

Please email me at tgjparker@yahoo.com if you have any questions or if you would like to volunteer at any times mentioned above and I will get you in contact with someone from Tri-County. We could really use your support to show the school committee members that the public is behind us.

Thank You,
Kristen

"they are able to make a difference"

The Franklin Food Elves will make their return in December for the "12 Days of Donating" campaign in support of the Franklin Food Pantry. 

The High School and Middle School student-run group, which has more than 60 members, will collect food donations through the first 12 days of December. 

Residents simply place bags of goods at their mailboxes on the designated pickup day for the students to gather. Collection dates will be Saturday, Dec. 7, Sunday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 14.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x825431789/Franklin-Food-Elves-return-this-holiday-season#ixzz2koMdF0Gz

Food Elves gathered at the Franklin Food Pantry in 2012

The Franklin Food Pantry can be found on the web at http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/
and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFoodPantry


Photo form the Franklin Downtown Partnership webpage here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2013/10/fdp-food-elves-team-up-for-12-days-of.html

In the News: Chamber choices, Class of 1964, school custodian

MetroWest Chamber expands service area

The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce announced at its annual meeting Thursday night that it is more than doubling the number of towns it considers part of its coverage area in the region.

FHS Class of 1964 invited to graduation ceremonies

Members of Franklin High School, Class of 1964, are invited to celebrate their 50th anniversary at graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2014 on Friday, June 6.

Tip led to arrest of Franklin school custodian

A Taunton man, employed as a school custodian in Franklin and arraigned Wednesday for child-pornography possession, had previously uploaded hundreds of images of young girls, some of them pre-pubescent and some of whom were depicted engaging in sex with grown men, police said.

Weekend events in Franklin

There are shopping opportunities with two craft fairs and an art show this weekend.

Start Friday night with some wine tasting and fund raising for the Electric Youth at Pour Richard's
Details can be found here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/electric-youth-fundraiser.html or on Facebook here  https://www.facebook.com/events/291075441031070/


Saturday

Craft Show and Franklin Art Association show
The craft show at the VFW will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Info on the Art Association show can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/franklin-art-association-nov-2013.html


Sunday

Craft Show and Franklin Art Association show
Info on the craft show at the Elks can be found here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/change-of-seasons.html

The Franklin Art Association show closes on Sunday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/franklin-art-association-fall-show-nov.html


Did I miss something? Please leave a comment or send me an email

FPAC announces new venue

The Franklin Performing Arts Company will open a roughly 250-seat theater at 15 West Central St. in the spring, providing a venue to host its productions, from musicals to well-known plays, and contributing to the growth of the town’s burgeoning arts community. 

And the theater, to be named "THE BLACK BOX," will play an important role in the ongoing effort to revitalize the downtown, the company’s executive director, Raye Lynn Mercer, said Thursday. 

"Our hopes are that we can provide many new opportunities for performers and not only produce our own shows, but also present music on a regular basis along with all types of live entertainment," Mercer said. "And with a vibrant calendar of events, we hope that both our theater and our organization will be an economic driver for downtown Franklin."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915444459/Downtown-Franklin-theater-no-longer-a-dream#ixzz2ki5ktsDm

One of the performing groups "Electric Youth" has a fund raiser Friday evening at Pour Richard's. Details on the event can be found here  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/electric-youth-fundraiser.html or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/291075441031070/

Six One Seven Studios: November Newsletter - Check Out Our New Website!

Six One Seven Studios November Newsletter Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. November 2013 • Why Video is Important for Your Website • Facts About Video Check out our new website. Click here! Facebook Twitter Video has always been a powerful form of communication. In recent years online videos have seen massive growth. In fact, in just one day, 89 million people in the United States are going to watch 4 billion videos on YouTube alone (Mashable). On our website www.sixonesevenstudios.com we work to capture our visitors' attention as soon as they arrive at our page. We give our visitors' a choice of multiple videos to watch. Having video on our website has a positive impact on our website's search results. According to several sources, a website with video is 50 times more likely to rank on the first page of Google search results. That can have a significant impact on your business. Studies have shown that video not only makes it easier for people to find you online, it also helps you convert "browsing" customers to "buying" customers. Video provides visitors with an extra way of assessing the product. It allows them to see how it moves, sounds, or works and gives them the extra information they want when purchasing online or when learning about your service. It can show your potential clients what you do and how you can help them. According to Internet Retailer, 90% of online shoppers find videos useful when deciding to make a purchase. Not only is it helpful, it actually makes visitors more comfortable purchasing. Ariat, a sport supplier experienced a 160% higher conversion rate when a product video was viewed and online . The bottom line is that web video is not out of your reach, but it is moving at an amazingly fast rate. If there ever was the perfect time to get involved, that time is now. If video is not part of your online presence, you're missing out on an opportunity to stay on the top of your customers mind and staying ahead of your competition. Six One Seven Studios can help you with all of your video and motion graphic projects, and get you where you want to be. 65% of people watch online videos to the very end (less than 10% will read a text-only site to the very end). And the longer you can keep people seeing your message, the better your message will stick. The average length of time, per visitor, spent on text-only sites is 60 seconds for sites with video it's 6 minutes. 50% of people who watch a quality video will take whatever action that video asks them to do. It could be filing out a form, clicking on a link or simply reading the text below the video. For those of us with text-only web sites, we know that getting 50% of visitors to do anything…is nearly impossible. You use video to grab the viewers attention, state your benefits, build credibility and urge them to take action. Six One Seven Studios, provides complete video and motion graphic services to help get your project from start to finish. Although, if you asked us what we really do, we help people tell their story. We help them tell it well. We help them tell it powerfully. We help them be noticed. We capture the highest quality images and concepts to make your story stand out. We ensure that every project captures and communicates the right message and gets the right results. www.sixonesevenstudios.com 888-234-0405 hello@sixonesevenstudios.com

Copyright © 2013 Six One Seven Studios, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have contacted Six One Seven Studios in the past. Our mailing address is: Six One Seven Studios 430 Franklin Village Drive Box 120 Franklin, MA 02038 Add us to your address book

Franklin Library: Book Sale - Nov 23

The Library has announced another book sale for Nov 23.

In the News: proactive council, downtown project, town hall fate, custodian arrested

Vallee promises more proactive council in Franklin

They were remarks that brought to mind those immortalized in the 1982 film "48 Hrs."

Downtown Franklin work to start in spring

Construction will start in the spring on a long-awaited project designed to bring downtown back to life, the town's public works director told the Town Council Wednesday night.

Franklin officials to decide former Town Hall’s fate in January

The Town Council is planning to hold a public discussion in January to decide the fate of the former Town Hall on Emmons Street, though it has not scheduled a date.

Franklin custodian arrested on possession of child pornography

A custodian who has been an employee of the town and school system for roughly a decade was arrested Wednesday by Taunton police on a warrant charging possession of child pornography.

New Town Council, new promises

The newly elected Franklin Town Council was sworn in on Wednesday evening. The Council was elected by the lowest percent voter turnout in recent history (11.5%).

Town Clerk Deb Pellegri with the new Franklin Town Council; left to right - Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams

After being sworn in by Town Clerk Deb Pellegri, they elected their officers with simple single nominations and no discussion. The officers were selected as

Chair - Bob Vallee
Vice-Chair - Matt Kelly
Clerk - Judy Pfeffer

The first order of business was to approve the prior meeting minutes. The three new members were not allowed to vote on the prior minutes as they had not been part at that time so all three votes for were 6-0.

The Council then recognized Ken Norman for his long history of volunteering for various committee roles with a Citizenship Award.

Council Chair Bob Vallee, Ken Norman, Council Vice-chair Matt Kelly

The major item on the agenda was a presentation updating the Council on the Downtown Project. The project which started discussion in 2002 is finally going to bid early next year with construction to begin in the spring of 2014. The project will be managed by the MassDOT although the Franklin DPW will be a liaison and assist with communications to the community and businesses downtown.

The presentation document is scheduled to be updated to the DPW webage on Thursday. The link will be added as soon as it is available.

There were two items of legislative business on the agenda. One to add a fee for limited use of the recycling facility. Currently a one time fee of $25 gets a pass for the full year.The proposal was for a $10 fee for 7 days and during the discussion amended to 10 days. The item was moved to a second reading and will come up again before becoming effective.

The second item on the agenda was the adoption of the Town Council Procedures Manual. This document was put together and revised by prior Councils and accepted at the beginning of each Council term. There was some hesitancy to accept this document as some of the new Council had not yet read or understood the document. As explained by Mark Cerel, the town attorney, this document effectively provides the detailed procedures on how the Council conducts business. Where matters are not expressly defined Roberts Rules of Order becomes the guide. The Town Bylaws and Charter support these procedures but are do not effectively provide the guidance needed. 

After some discussion, the measure was deferred to the next full meeting. During Council Comments later in the meeting the item came up again and after some discussion on whether it should be accepted at this meeting because it was already deferred, it will be added to the 'workshop' meeting agenda. The next meeting (Nov 20th) is apparently going to be more of a 'workshop meeting' than a regular Council agenda.

The Council Comments brought up a recurring theme that this council would be 'more proactive, less reactive' and provide more direction to what is going on in Franklin. 

The notes taken during the meeting can be found here

• Live reporting - Legislation for action, closing

• Live reporting - Downtown Project

• Live reporting - Appointments

• Live reporting: Town Council - 11/13/13

The DPW presentation on the Downtown Improvement Project was updated to share the document separately from the full agenda. You can find that doc here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/downtown-improvement-project.html

Fallen Hero: Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard

Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard was born on July 1, 1947 the son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren A. Willard. Alan lived at 529 Pleasant St. with his parents, three brothers and one sister. Sergeant Willard lived most of his life here in Franklin. He was graduated from Franklin High School in 1965 and enlisted in the Air Force in August of that year. Sergeant Willard served for two years with his tour in Vietnam beginning on February 20, 1967. 

Sergeant Willard died on February 18, 1968 of ground causality wounds as a result of a hostile artillery attack when his barracks at Tan Son Nhut Air Base inGia Dihh province, South Vietnam, was struck by rocket or mortar shell fire. He was a member of the 6250th Combat Support Group serving as a radar specialist. 

Sergeant Alan Willard was 20 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.

Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard

Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard, street sign

Office Hours for November - Rep Jeffrey Roy

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

• Medway – Monday November 18th, 7:30-8:30AM, Galantes Restaurant– 320 Village Street, Medway, MA
• Franklin – Tuesday November 26th, 3:30-4:30, Rick’s restaurant– 28 West Central Street, Franklin, MA
• Franklin – Friday November 29th, 10:00-11:00AM, Franklin Housing Authority–45 Winter Street, Common Room, 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.

Youth Basketball League – A Tradition for Local Youth – Now Enrolling

This winter, the Hockomock Area YMCA will continue a tradition that roots back to the Y’s history. Youth basketball league (YBL) for ages 3 and up begins in the YMCA gyms on Saturday, December 7. With short, cold days inherent to the region, winter hoops is a great way to stay active and connected with others interested in healthy competition, reaching goals, and staying healthy.

“Things will heat up at the Y this winter,” says Branch Executive Director Dan Brennock, who anticipates the Hockomock Area YMCA will welcome 1,000 participants to its youth basketball league. With a focus on youth development, it is a hallmark YMCA organized sports programs that they be developmentally appropriate. “We focus on the fundamentals of dribbling, passing and shooting, as well as the basics of defense, while emphasizing team work, fair play and learning to love and play the game of basketball.” 

YMCA - Youth Basketball League

According to Brennock, basketball is the Y’s most popular league. Fostering a lifetime appreciation for basketball is important to the YMCA, who has a special connection to the origins of the game. In December, 1891, Physical education teacher James Naismith invented basketball at the International YMCA Training School. During that long winter, students wanted an activity unlike traditional indoor activities offered; the story goes that Naismith had two weeks to come up with something. He chose a game physically demanding but simple to understand. To prevent injuries, no contact would be allowed. The ball would be passed but not carried. Elevating the goals at each end of the court would add challenge. The height of the goals, 10 feet, was determined solely by the height of the Y’s elevated indoor running track.

Although there are differences in the game today (it was originally played with a soccer ball and peach basket-goals), YBL participants have this in common with the students in Springfield: they love the game! And they stay engaged.

Coaches at the Y emphasize reaching goals together and stress abilities and teamwork over winning at any cost while infusing the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into every meeting.
Spots are available now for this 8 week season, with league costs going up after November 26. Stay warm this winter and register today:

• Bernon Family Branch - 45 Forge Hill Rd, Franklin; 508.528.8708
• Invensys Foxboro Branch – 67 Mechanic St, Foxboro; 508.543.2523
• North Attleboro Branch - 300 Elmwood St, No. Attleboro; 508.695.7001

Online registration is offered to full members: hockymca.org. All are invited to participate, regardless of whether a Y member or not and confidential financial assistance is available.

For more information, contact YMCA Sports:
Kailynn Bateman, kailynnb@hockymca.org, 774.235.2720 (in Franklin); Shelly Jacobsen, shellyj@hockymca.org, 508.772.1354 (in Foxboro); Michelle Burke, michelleb@hockymca.org, 508.643.5215 (in North Attleboro)

About the Hockomock Area YMCA:
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn and grow.

In the News: custodian arrested, office hours, fiscal policies

Franklin custodian arrested on possession of child pornography

A custodian employed by the town of Franklin was arrested yesterday by Taunton police on a warrant charging possession of child pornography.

State Rep. Roy announces office hours in Franklin, Medway

State Rep. Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) will hold office hours in Medway and Franklin during November.

Franklin FinCom to review new fiscal policies

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting on Tuesday gave the Finance Committee an overview of newly drafted fiscal policies, which he hopes officials can use as a guide as they tackle, one by one, looming budget challenges.