Friday, May 9, 2008

Four Corners Potential Sale to Walgreens (audio)

from the Town Council meeting 5/7/08, the presentation and discussion on the potential sale of the Four Corners building and land to Walgreens. This item will return to the agenda in two weeks for a formal vote.

Time: 24 minutes, 10 seconds



MP3 File

My notes taken during the meeting can be found here.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Councilor McGann during Citizens Comment (audio)

From the Town Council meeting on 5/7/08, Councilor McGann uses the Citizens Comment portion of the meeting to complain about his not getting notified of the meeting at 6:00 PM the week before to vote on the override question. He arrived at 6:50 and was surprised to find the meeting over.

Time: 5 minutes, 4 seconds



MP3 File

My notes taken during the comments by Councilor McGann can be found here.

"Franklin voters will be able to start trusting again"

Yes, I did say that.

During the Town Council meeting 5/7/08 when Chairman Chris Feeley proposed a committee to prepare a long range projection for Town finances.

I'll have the complete audio file up some time this week. In the mean time, you can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

My "live blogging" recap of the meeting can be found here.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

5 Year Plan committee to be formed

During the New Business portion, Chairman Chris Feeley put forth a proposal to name a committee to develop a five year projection. The group would be comprised of
  • 2 School Committee representatives
  • 2 Finance committee representatives
  • 3 Town Councilors

I stepped forward to make the suggestion to add two citizens to the panel. In so doing, this would allow the community to take part in this critical activity. This would be a compelling step to helping restore trust in the administration and elected officials. There is some distrust in the community.

The motion was amended to include two citizens and approved unanimously.

Town Administrator Report

moved discussion on Peace & Good Order amendments to June 4th meeting

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meeting in Boston, tip sheet the downtown funding should be okay

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new business

proposal to put together a group to come up with a five year projection, comprised of
2 School
2 Finance
3 Councilors

suggestion by myself to add two citizens to the panel

motion approved

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Zollo participated at Davis Thayer PCC today to answer questions on override

McGann condolences to Mrs Mullen on the loss of her husband

Feeley to address McGann on meeting moved to 6:00 PM
he will show the email with his name on it
he was not aware of the meeting at 6:00, he did show up early for the 7:00 PM meeting
Feeley will take the heat for it

Water conservation starting

Tuesday after Memorial Day

start lawns before then, after that Tuesday you'll need to abide by the restrictions

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DPW Open House

10:00 to 1:00 PM on May 31st

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Action items

Resolution passed to grant an easement 5 years after the fact

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Franklin 4th of July

resolution to allow town resources to work on the events for the celebration

Mike Kelly, co-chair
Warren Revell, paperwork submitted for 501C
Frank Falvey

Feeley confirms that their attorney has been applied for the necessary paperwork for both

amendment to limit the Town expense at $15K - passed unanimously

net expense of 10K to be reimbursed

approx 2002 town took over the 4th of July
transitioned from no cost to town cost to capped cost

Fire overtime was cut from budget so this would need to be added back
All-night party is paid for by a grant and not town money

partly good will, partly good public safety to have someone at the event

Bartlett advises to start thinking for obtaining their own funding for next year

Revell - "precedent set, town should show some support"
Bartlett - "needs to be equitable"

Vallee will support it, McGann echoes Vallee
with fuel cost rising, the crowd this year will potentially be larger

Kelly wants to keep the tradition going
meeting weekly to lay out the ground work for this event

Falvey - citizens may not have been aware of the town support
please contact if you would lke to make a donation
PO Box 152, Franklin, MA

there is no parade this year
there will be fireworks

there are two open booths currently

resolution passed as amended

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ladder truck pay down
Finance Committee approved 9-0

discussion on value of the equipment and how frequently it would be used
how to you value a life? the safety of the firefighters is significantly improved

unanimously approved

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resolution on snow/ice

approved unanimously

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resolution on zoning board advertising budget adjustment

question on where the money is coming from, insurance claims varies
budget for FY 09 is less in that account

approved unanimously

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resolution on override election funding

approved unanimously

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resolution on veterans expenses

approved unanimously

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resolution on comptroller budget adjustment for advertising expense

approved unanimously

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resolution on Town Common sign placement

signs for historic walking trail which starts at Brick School House

Zollo speaking for, thanks for work

a permanent sign with historic significance
funding for the sign is from the grant from the Downtown Development

discussion on placement, does it denigrate?

approved 7-2 vote

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amendment on water rate/sewer rate

Vallee on the record opposing this by-law

roll
McGann no, Vallee no, Whalen absent

passed 6-2

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amendment personnel regulations

moving to second reading, adds positions to salary scale
raising scale by 3%, due to cost of living actually 4.3% which is raising it less than the cost of living

this doesn't cost the town anything by itself, it just provides the scale by which the positions are hired at

adding positions in anticipation of resolving the facilities issue

more discussion coming at second reading

approved unanimously

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by-law amendment to adjust water map

Pfeffer expressed desire to vote against

developer looking for town water extension
wells did go dry in that area 3-4 years ago
subdivision is in vicinity of well 10

no cost to the town but does bring a benefit to the town

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