Live Reporting: Tax Hearing

. CITIZEN COMMENTS	Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments.  The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. no comments
E. APPOINTMENTS	(No appointments listed)

F. HEARINGS

Public Hearing - 7:10 pm

tax rate would increase from $14.50 to $14.58 assuming passage

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/tax_classification.pdf

2. Resolution 16-67: Classification Tax Allocation - Residential Factor motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
3. Resolution 16-68: Classification Tax Allocation - Open Space Exemption motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 no exemption
4. Resolution 16-69: Classification Tax Allocation - Small Business Exemption motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 no exemption
5. Resolution 16-70: Classification Tax Allocation - Residential Property Exemption motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 no exemption

Live reporting: Town Council - Dec 7, 2016

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

Agenda Item	Summary
A. Approval of Minutes	A. November 16, 2016 Minutes motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS	Town Council Announcements
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	Swearing in of Police Officers Chief Lynch introduces two new officers Jack Flynn Tara Sousa

Chief Lynch introduces Jack Flynn and Tara Souza as new police officers.

Town Clerk Teresa Burr conducts the official swearing in

Chief Lynch retells the story of the police officer who racked the front yard while the two other workers took care of the leaves in the back yard. Over 300,000 views on Facebook.

"Just Louie being Lou"

David Down - recognized with a proclamation
(photo added later)

Councilor Bissanti reading the proclamation with Down family members

FHS Skidmore, Kuzio, McGrath recognized for Hockomock Volleyball

HockomockSports.com has announced the awards for the 2016 Hockomock League Volleyball. The Franklin High School students recognized are shown here. The link at the bottom will take you to the full listing of awards.

Volleyball First Team

"Erin Skidmore – Franklin – Outside Hitter 

Erin Skidmore – Franklin – Outside Hitter

Franklin senior Erin Skidmore made plays all over the court for the Panthers in 2016. Not only was Skidmore a top attacking option at the net, she made plays defensively and serving. Skidmore led the Panthers with 180 kills and tied for the team-high in aces with 46. The senior was second on the team with 206 digs and added 15 blocks for the Panthers. “Erin worked hard in the offseason to improve her all around skills and that hard work paid off as she was our go-to player this year,” Franklin head coach Kate Horsmann said."

Volleyball Second Team

"Maddie Kuzio – Franklin – Defensive Specialist 

Maddie Kuzio – Franklin – Defensive Specialist

Franklin senior Maddie Kuzio anchored the Panthers defense from the libero position. In 2016, Kuzio was a reliable option for Franklin’s defense. The senior led Franklin with 473 serve receptions and 342 digs. She was second on the team with 43 assists and finished with 147 service points. “Maddie was a great anchor for our defense this season because she reads the ball really well and is fearless in keeping the ball in play,” Franklin head coach Kate Horsmann said."

Volleyball Underclassman of the Year

"Franklin sophomore Lauren McGrath has been selected as the 2016 HockomockSports.com Volleyball Underclassman of the Year. McGrath was the starting setter for the Panthers and helped guide Franklin back to the postseason. 

As a setter, McGrath was responsible for getting the Panthers’ offense in motion. As just a sophomore, McGrath impressed at accomplishing that as Franklin finished with an overall record of 13-7. 

“Lauren has good skills and is a terrific athlete; that makes for a good volleyball player,” Franklin head coach Kate Horsmann said. “What sets her apart is the energy and enthusiasm she brings to everything she does. She was the heartbeat of our team this year.” 

McGrath finished with 359 assists to lead the Panthers. The sophomore also tied for a team-high in aces with 46. She also chipped in with 79 digs and 11 kills. 

McGrath is the first Franklin volleyball player to win the HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year award and eighth Franklin player of any sport to win it (Victoria Stowell, girls soccer; Annie Walsh, field hockey; Jay Dieterle, boys basketball; Nick Santucci, baseball; Michael Sullivan and Eric Civetti; boys lacrosse; Kendall Reardon, girls lacrosse)."

Franklin sophomore Lauren McGrath: the 2016 HockomockSports.com Volleyball Underclassman of the Year

Honorable Mention: Kat Kmetz (King Philip), Molly Turner (Stoughton), Kayli Fagan (Taunton)

For the complete listing of Hockomock Volleyball Awards
https://hockomocksports.com/awards/volleyball/2016-2/

Update on Make Change for Change - 100 backpacks ready to roll

"I wanted to update you on our charity news so that maybe you could share.... I think its a good thing to pass along and hopefully more people will make an effort to make the world a better place for ourselves and our children. 

We are rolling out a "Backpack Brigade" which will deliver 100 comfort/survival backpacks to those in need this Christmas Eve. The backpacks have been filled with donations from the community and we have been working diligently to get these ready for delivery to Rosie's Place in Boston, local shelters, and to those individuals living on the streets this cold winter (this experience will be video taped for documentary purposes). 

We are no longer in need of items for this year however we are accepting financial donations to reach our goal at our GoFundMe page: http://www.gofundme.com/makechange4change"

https://www.facebook.com/MakeChange4Change/posts/1247350031978133

https://www.gofundme.com/makechange4change

Courtney Nappa, Founder
Make Change for Change Corp.
(TAX ID 47-5594566)
Cell: 774-270-0925
www.makechangeforchange.org

Finance Committee approves funding

In a preview of the funding measures coming before the Town Council on Wednesday, the Finance Committee heard the updates from Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and Deputy Administrator Jamie Hellen before voting to approve all three.

The three funding items

• Technology – E Permitting Purchase
• Technology – Google Applications Purchase
• Turf Field Design and Development

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and Deputy Administrator Jamie Hellen

(be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to review all the entries)

Additional info on the Finance Committee can be found on their page in the Town of Franklin website   http://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, December, 7

Trade all your holiday stress for laughter on Wednesday, December 7th from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at he Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. 

Come and enjoy this unique exercise of guided laughter exercises combined with gentle breathing that brings more oxygen to the body's cells. This oxygen boost gives enhanced vitality, energy and a feeling of real well-being. Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! 

New laughers are always welcomed! $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle because laughing is dehydrating. 


Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. www.letslaughtoday.com. 

If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com.

#shopFranklin: Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center (video)

#shopFranklin - supporting small business speaks with Cyndi Rich of Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center located in the heart of Franklin, MA. 

Find out how Cyndi started the business and learn how to make a simple FOUR seam project that works for any holiday and takes just a few minutes!

one of the storefront windows at Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center

Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center

MIAA App provides the FHS Sports Schedule on your smartphone!

If you want to follow the FHS Panthers boys basketball team, or any other FHS team, you can download the MIAA app to your smart phone and get the season schedule.

I had heard of the app from the Facebook posting by the FHS boys team.



It does install quickly

in the Google Playstore

It is also available for iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/miaa/id987574520?mt=8

Prompts you to select a favorite (FHS was my choice!)

the installed app prompts to select a favorite school

FHS winter sports selected as favorites for now

You can also get the schedules at HockomockSports.Com. This is the source of most of the sports results that I share.

Franklin Recycling Center operates on new Winter Schedule

There is a new seasonal and holiday schedule for Franklin Recycling Center this week. November 29th was the last Tuesday that the Recycling Center is open. 
Tuesday operations will resume on April 4th, 2017.

• Christmas Eve hours: 8am - noon
• New Years Eve hours: 8am - noon

This was shared from the Franklin DPW Facebook posting:

Recyclopedia: What do I do with?

Have you seen the Recyclopedia?

It answers your questions on what to do with each item: trash or recycle!

• The recyclopedia can be found online

http://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/pages/recyclopedia-what-do-i-do

“Is the fuel delivery infrastructure as constrained as it may appear or not? Prices may suggest it’s not.”

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

"New England has undergone a profound shift in how it produces electricity over the past decade and a half, phasing out coal and oil plants while becoming more reliant on natural gas. 

Following passage of a state energy law this summer, Massachusetts will see wind, solar and imported hydropower become increasingly important sources of energy in the coming years, but many in the energy industry expect natural gas to remain a crucial resource for the foreseeable future. 

“We’re not going to likely see any new coal built in the region,” said Anne George, vice president of external affairs and corporate communications for grid operator ISO New England. “Oil is very limited in this region … There’s unlikely to be any new nuclear in the region. So you’re left with natural gas, and we do see the increasing desire to develop renewables.” 

Back in 2000, just 15 percent of New England’s power was produced by burning natural gas. Last year, natural gas accounted for 49 percent of all electricity generated in the region."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161205/energy-landscape-undergoes-major-changes

About us page for ISO New England

ISO New England - screen grab of real time chart showing fuel mix (non-renewables)

ISO New England - screen grab of real time chart showing fuel mix (renewables)

Download these brief explanation documents from ISO New England:

• A summary of power grid facts and figures (PDF)
• An overview of the region’s wholesale electricity marketplace (PDF)
• A rundown of ISO New England’s latest high-tech initiatives (PDF)
• 
  

Jane's Frames: A quick note from us

Holiday Hours

For the busy Holiday Season  we have extended the hours at  Jane's Frames We are now Open: Monday from 12:00 Noon-5:00 p.m. Tuesday,  and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m-6:00 p.m. Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 pm Friday from 9:30 a.m-6:00 p.m. Saturday from 10:0 0 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hopefully this will make it easier for you to take advantage of our many services, such as: Custom Picture Framing Photo Restoration Custom Mirrors High Quality Photo Printing Unique Original Art  Antique Map Reproductions Tabletop Photo Frames Handmade Artisan Crafts (Handmade cards, Unique Jewelry, Handmade Ceramic items, Holiday Home Decorations, Handmade Quilts and More) We thank you for your continued Business!

Jane's Frames | 11 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by janeframe@verizon.net in collaboration with Try it free today

Jane Curran at Jane's Frames, website photo

Public Hearing: EPA Brownfields Grant - Dec 6 - 5:00 PM

The Department of Planning and Community Development will be a holding Public Hearing on Tuesday, December 6th at 5:00PM for an EPA Brownfields Grant in regards to the former Nu-Style site at 87 Grove Street. 

The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at the Town Hall.

Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St

Related posts on the NuStyle property

• A similar hearing was held almost one year ago

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/12/public-hearing-notice-for-87-grove-st.html

• From the 2015 Annual Report:

"Also during 2015 DPCD continued to work with other Town staff, consultants, and the EPA to move forward redevelopment of the Town’s “Nu-Style” Property. The Nu-Style Property at 87 Grove Street consists of two parcels totaling 1.2 acres. The property is contaminated with a variety of hazardous materials. Demolition of the main NuStyle building was completed within FY13; demolition was required in order to access and analyze soil and water under the building to assure that the full extent of soil and water contamination is known.  

Preparing the site for redevelopment is expensive, and DPCD has sought funding and technical assistance from a variety of sources in recent years. DPCD secured EPA technical assistance to assess the quality of ground water at the Nu-Style site; several monitoring wells were drilled and two rounds of water samples were analyzed. In addition, the EPA performed indoor air quality assessment activities in an adjacent privately held building to assure contaminated soil and ground water on the Nu-Style property is not negatively impacting adjacent properties. Building II, a smaller dilapidated mill building on the back of the Nu-Style property became the focus of DPCD efforts during the second half of FY15."

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/12/annual-report-2015-department-of.html

Finance Committee - Agenda - Dec 6, 2016

The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Dec 6 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The full agenda document is attached below with the key items highlighted here:

• Technology – E Permitting Purchase
• Technology – Google Applications Purchase
• Turf Field Design and Development

Items for Discussion:

Town Administrator Updates 

• FY 17 Capital/FY 18 Budget, 
• Multi-units development in Town

the new artificial turf field at FHS has good softness with its new infill although it is 
crumb rubber and is controversial

Worthy of note is the balance of the budgetary savings accounts. These accounts are used to plan for actual or emergency expenses.

The "Rec Fields Stab" is money set aside to replace the FHS and Beaver St artificial turf fields. Coincidentally, one of the action items on this agenda is to use some money from the "Free Cash" to fund the design for those fields. The design is needed to put the work out to bid with an expectation to have the fields replaced during the period June-July 2017.

Balances update 09/30/16

• Gen Stab 4,987,740
• PW Stab -0- 
• Rec Fields Stab 870,105
• Traffic Stab 4,611 
• Fire Truck Stab 486,407
• Property Acquis Stab 255,527 
• Open Space 1,085,668
• Budget Stab 1,345,759 
• OPEB Trust 2,262,251
• Free Cash 3,516,586

OPEB Obligation: Pay as you go 93,975,598 as of 6/30/15

S.A.F.E. Coalition Members presents Certificate of Appreciation to Franklin Resident Sam Pfeiffer for his Fundraising Efforts

Sam Pfeiffer, an 8th grade student at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (BFCCPS), raised $280 for the S.A.F.E. Coalition as part of his Capstone project. The project aimed to help educate middle school students at his school about the ongoing opioid crisis, and raise funds to support those affected by Substance Use Disorder in the greater Franklin area. 

Sam raised the money by organizing two separate events: a popsicle sale at BFCCPS in the spring and a lemonade stand sale at the school's annual back-to-school picnic, during which he handed out brochures and other supporting information provided by the S.A.F.E. Coalition to help increase awareness in the community.

The presentation was made November 22, 2016 during the S.A.F.E. Coalition Meeting at the Franklin Municipal Building. 

Shown in the picture are S.A.F.E. Board of Directors members Megan Lazarek (Member), Jennifer Knight (Vice President), Jim Derick (President), Sam Pfeiffer, Jordan Warnick (Secretary) and Steve Spiewakowski (Member)

In acknowledging the enormous action on Sam's part Jim Derick (President) said: 

• 'If there were more Sam's involved, we would be able to bring the crisis under control…’ and … 'it brings in a new generation into the fight [sic against Substance Use Disorder].'
• 'It [sic, these funds alone] will support S.A.F.E. phone services for more than a year.’

Sam also received a letter of congratulations from Rep. Jeff Roy, who could not be present.

S.A.F.E. is a coalition of community partners who have come together to provide support, education, treatment options, and coping mechanisms for those affected by substance abuse disorder. We do so by empowering those affected, including their families, with the tools necessary to succeed on their journey to recovery. We understand that while I can't, we can.

For further information about the S.A.F.E. Coalition of MA please visit us on the Web (http://safecoalitionma.com) of on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/safecoalitionma/)

Did you hear about photos with Santa?

Did you hear about photos with Santa?

"Come and have your picture taken with Santa!

Santa Claus himself will be here at the Police Department from 9am-1pm. 

We will be collecting toys for our annual toy drive, so please bring in a new unwrapped gift. Thank you!"

You can follow the event on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/858818804253532/

Franklin Police Dept event photo on Facebook

Franklin Police Station - post Halloween

Boston school starting times

In the Saturday edition of the Boston Globe:

"Boston school officials have decided against changing the start times for elementary, middle, and K-8 schools for next fall, saying they need more time to conduct an analysis and consult with the community, officials announced Friday night. 

“There are no plans at this time to make changes to start and end times for the upcoming school year as it’s important that we take the time to work with the entire school community through this process,” the School Department said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/12/02/boston-puts-brakes-changing-school-start-times-least-for-now/DFxNyhH5zCj3n27a4Xv1ZO/story.html

This is a follow up to an earlier story
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/12/01/boston-considers-changing-school-start-times-save-busing-costs/hkB7hYljDz8eh561bGzuYO/story.html


Boston has three times for bus routes; 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30. They were looking to save money by switch some of the school star times so that more busses could run the three time slots. More planning and communication is needed before making any change.

Percent Franklin Voter Turnout 2003 - 2016 (updated with official results from Nov 8, 2016)

The "official" results from the November 8th were posted to the Town of Franklin webpage and as I updated my chart with the final numbers, I also realized that i had left out a key election in the last chart. I'll attribute that to a version control issue, I had updated an earlier version rather than the proper version. 

Here is the most recent chart with the percent Franklin voter turnout for elections from 2003 - 2016.

percent Franklin voter turnout for elections from 2003 - 2016 (color coded by election)

• The official results from Nov 8 were posted to the Town of Franklin page here

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/copy_of_official_results_state_election_nov_8_2016.pdf

• The prior posting in November can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/franklin-voter-turnout-from-2003-2016.html

Registration is now open for the 2017 Winter Session

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

"Registration is now open for the 2017 winter session at The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning, 9 E. Central St., 218 Oak St, Franklin. 

This winter participants can exercise, dance and paint, or play sports — badminton, basketball and volleyball. They can also enjoy food and wine demonstrations and tastings and explore the Italian language. 

Classes in digital photography and financial planning will be offered. 

The Kids’ Corner program will also expand. This program is a unique collection of afterschool activities for children with the goal of making learning fun. Classes are small, relaxed and designed to encourage children’s creativity. Children can explore art, cooking, science and yoga."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161204/registration-open-for-adult-ed-classes

• To view the catalog online 

http://cms5.revize.com/revize/franklinlifelong/Winter%20for%20print%20brochure%2011%2015%20final%20no%20links.pdf

Community Entrance at Franklin High School, also to the Lifelong Learning offices