Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Live reporting - Old/New Business
Nutting - The Quinn bill hasn't been finally decided yet
Nutting - if it is cut, we can have an executive session to review compensation
Live reporting - Administrator update
Third Thursday tomorrow night. Music at Cafe Dolce, other businesses will be participating with arts/crafts, etc.
Marini working with Planning Board to remove fence downtown, put some greenery and benches there
Live reporting - Action items
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
- Resolution 09-30: Appropriations Amended motion to accept - passed 7-0
- Bylaw Amendment 09-633: Amendment to Sewer Rates motion to move to second reading - passed 7-0
Notes: 1 - a house keeping approval to clean up for old bonds, there is no cash involved.
Notes: 2 - this wasn't expected a year ago when you voted to reduce the rates. Water usage down 14%, which reduces sewer rates. Charles River rate increased. Vacancies consume less water. This would be the first rate increase since 2003. We cut the rate 10%, this would actually add that back plus 5%. If consumption doesn't increase, we may still need to adjust again for 2011.
Live reporting - FY 2010 update
The local revenue options were passed but the timing of obtaining that would prevent us from benefiting it for next year.
No indication that the budget will be adopted until late June
We'll need to use the Governor's number which is probably high to begin with.
Bartlett - Hw would we estimate the meals tax?
Nutting - The DOR estimated sometime ago for us. We haven't done anything yet as it isn't real. You couldn't use 100% in the first year to be fiscally prudent. There are all kinds of estimates. The Senate and the House have two different telecom versions which all leads to no definitive answer.
Picture won;t be clear on the Senate side until the end of this week, or next week.
Nutting - the telecom is pretty straight forward as it is a property tax, we have the data.
Live reporting - Charter Commission
Larry Benedetto - Vice-Chair
Michael Walker-Jones
Review of prior Charter Commission from 1995
Discussion on how to handle the presentation and questions, resolved to present tonight, allow for review by the Council, the Council can accumulate questions and the committee will return to discuss in more detail at a future time.
Live reporting - Town Council Mtg 5/20/09
Missing: McGann, Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 15 & May 6, 2009
Motion to approve - Approved 7-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS - Dedication of new monument, directly after the parade (approx 11:00 AM). Rain date, 5/31/09
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none
E. APPOINTMENTS none
F. HEARINGS none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS none
"town offers expedited permitting"
The state has given Franklin the green light to designate Forge Park, Franklin Industrial Park and Pond Street as economic development sites, said Bryan W. Taberner, Franklin's director of planning and community development.
"With the sluggish economy, the town of Franklin needs to utilize all economic development incentives available to it in order to assist companies looking to settle or expand in the area," Taberner said.
"One of the most attractive incentives that a Massachusetts community can offer businesses is a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) agreement," he said.
Read the full article about the economic development plan in the Milford Daily News here