Quick Recap:
- Council Chair Tom Mercer announced the subcommittee appointments also including a vice-chair for each committee to help with scheduling. An ad-hoc subcommittee to look at the Rules and Procedures was also announced. The calendar of Council meetings for the upcoming year was formally approved
- The Council heard the presentation from Kevin Doyle and Chris Feeley then voted to approve the single tax rate at 14.05 for FY 2022
- DPW Director Cantoreggi provided the annual update on the snow removal plans. Coordination with School Superintendent and Police Chief Lynch is an early morning discussion to decide school opening status. Snow plow contractors are still in short supply and the cost of salt has increased over last year
- Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update on NationalGrids work on their infrastructure to help mitigate the potential of and recovery from power outages.
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers.
The Twitter hashtag #TC1201 can be found online The thread begins with
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1466194849766559744
Photos from the event can be found in one album:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tz6ekHkG7iH7Nqhb9
- getting ready for live reporting on the Town Council meeting coming up at 7 PM - agenda and connection info -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_dec_1_2021.pdf… #tc1201
- Chair Mercer opens meeting, reads the standard message on access, etc. #tc1201
- Council subcommittees announced, details to be added later: vice-chairs added to the subcomms to enable better subcommittee operations #tc1201 Rules and Procedures subcomm added; Pellegri to serve as member of GATRA board (replacing Dellorco)
- no citizen comments either in person or remote; #tc1201 next up, 3 mins early for public hearing - to fill in skipping to cable fund transfers https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10g._peg_3rd_qrtr.pdf… motion to approve, second, passes 9-0
- next resolution -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10h._memo_and_resolution_gifts.pdf… on gift acceptances #tc1201 motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0 Municipal Veterans Assistance fund, folks have been generous, thanks to all contributing
- next up - public hearing on tax classification -> documentation for the hearing, rate to drop to $14.05/thousand (dropping from 14.65 due to overall real estate valuations rising) https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6._tax_classification.pdf… Kevin Doyle, Assessor; Chris Feeley, Chair of Board of Assessors
- in the documentation, both the memo, overview, as well as a slide set can be used to follow along https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6._tax_classification.pdf… #tc1201
- note the median value of the single family home ($470800) is exactly that, in the listing of values, this is the middle number, not the average. #tc1201
- change in local valuation of some utility infrastructure used to be net book value, now at a higher valuation process - also being used across the state for the first time; a use value #tc1201
- a shift of a $1 from the residential rate would raise the commercial industrial personal property results in an increase of $4 #tc1201
- citizen question on appraisal vs. possible sale amount, trying to figure out how this work? #tc1201 Board would have someone visit to evaluate the individual household and property.
- the Board of assessors form for an property tax evaluation https://mass.gov/files/documents/2017/09/25/form128.pdf… #tc1201
- Chandler speaks for the single tax rate given the 80/20 split we have currently - Dellorco, thanks for explaining the single tax rate, it is a question I get all the time - Jones, always believed in the single rate, less discriminatory than split #tc1201
- Jones - continues on Prop 2.5 set in 1980, inflation rate since then is closer to 3%, we have not been able to keep up with expenses. #tc1201 Frongillo would have made the point on 2.5; adds that the downtown business pay the most for the resources received
- Pellegri adds that while we (residents) could see the decrease on the taxes but see the increase reflected in other costs as the services provided by the businesses would increase to cover for their increase #tc1201
- https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10a._21-74_resolution_-_tax_classification_residential_factor.pdf… #tc1201 motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0
- franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10b._21-75_resolution_-_tax_classification_open_space_exemption.pdf… #tc1201 motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0
- https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10c._21-76_resolution_-_tax_classification_small_business_exemption_.pdf… motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0
- https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10d._21-77_resolution_-_tax_classification_residential_property_exemption_.pdf… motion, seconded, citizen comment on reconsideration of this measure - passes 9-0
- franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10e._21-78_resolution_-_tax_classification_senior_means_tested_exemption_.pdf… motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0 #tc1201
- Next up, last legislation item, calendar of meetings for Town Council https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10f._21-79_memo_w_backup_resolution_-_2022_tc_schedule_office_hours_fin_com_cpc_sched.pdf… #tc1201 motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0
- next up the annual snow removal presentation https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._presentation_-_snow_brutus.pdf… #tc1201 special night doing taxes and snow on same night Director "Brutus" Cantoreggi providing insights on the presentation doc (in link)
- goal to have road with some asphalt and less than inch of ice snow in four hours after the storm finishes #tc1201 58.5" inches last year, about $1M using 5200 tons of salt (est $100K more for salt alone this year)
- about 35 pieces of equipment on road for storm, approx. $1600/hour plus contractors at about $10K per hour of storm; contractor shortage with multiple reasons driving it #tc1201
- check out slide in the presentation on effects of all the issues outlined #tc1201
- for schools, easier to delay opening, hardest to send home early (parents/guardians aren't ready) #tc1201
- be aware of the winter storm parking ban called as needed (once upon a time, used to be all winter)
- fire hydrant clearing program https://franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/adopt-hydrant… #tc1201 volunteer to clear a hydrant in your neighborhood
- check out the top 10 complaints received during snow storms #tc1201 will use GIS records to determine where fences and irrigation systems are located, if on Town property, not allowed no compensation
- Question on doing all roads before all sidewalks? it would be another expense, more personnel and equipment would be required; consider that during the road clearing, where does the snow go? to the sidewalks, then you'd have to clear them 2 or 3 times #tc1201
- remote work actually has increased local traffic, not decreased it; DOT and other looking at the models to adjust accordingly; also did buy salt to finish out the funding last year and leave us this year with full stock to start #tc1201
- parts and breakage an issue; DPW has trucks on order from last capital that haven't arrived yet likely won't be available for this year #tc1201 CDL is a Federal license not State; hence marijuana testing is a key factor, ok local, but not Federal
- Chandler likes the change from all winter parking ban to the storm based one; also glad to hear that it is working well; Police coordination helps; usually an issue with first storm but not ones after; #tc1201
- TA Hellen, thanks to the DPW and staff or all the good work they do; thanks to the residents for your patience #tc1201
- TA Report - pole position request recently handled to help NationalGrid for the infrastructure to help detect power outages, one key piece in final phase of their committed improvements; there are have been improvements recently, hopefully noticed #tc1201
- no future agenda items around; councilor comments - Cormier-Leger, could be saving with municipal aggregation check your bill, thanks to youth hockey and DPW for the common decorations; #tc1201 plug for the FANN directory - https://franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/p/area-non-profits.html
- Q on Red Brick School, evaluation to est/plan removal of lead paint as well as basic restorations, should be coming to CPC sometime for prioritization, may not fit some folks timelines but it is what it is #tc1201
- ability to get a contractor onsite is an issue; no matter how it is funded remains to be a problem with getting this kind of special contract services #tc1201
- Pellegri thanks to the Concerts on the Common for their work on Santa; ornaments available at Historical Museum; invite to seniors for GATRA feedback, at the Senior Center council hours 3rd Thursday at 8:30 AM #tc1201
- Open Mic night - "Love Franklin" at THE BLACK BOX on 12/08/21 link shared earlier https://franklinmatters.org/2021/12/franklin-freedom-team-announces-events.html… sign up to read
- #thinkFranklinFirst gift cards still around (never left) https://franklingiftcard.com #tc1201
- Hamblen to represent Franklin at MMA training; winter farmer market this Saturday; #tc1201 condolences to the Michigan families of the high school shooting;
- motion to enter executive session on property purchase and not to reconvene in open session passes 9-0 via roll
Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days
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| snow removal plans and issues |
