Thursday, October 22, 2009

Town Council Mtg Smry 10/21/09

The collection of posts that were "live reported" from the Council meeting of Wednesday October 21 are here:




Congressman McGovern on Healthcare Reform


On Monday October 26th, the United Regional Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a Legislative Breakfast at Highland Country Club in Attleboro and we would like to invite you to join us. The keynote speaker will be Congressman James McGovern and the topic will be Healthcare Reform.

Registration begins at 7:30am and the program will begin at 8:15am.

The cost to attend is $20. 

Please RSVP by e-mail or call the North Attleboro office at 508-695-6011 



Downtown Partnership Networking Luncheon

Come join the Franklin Downtown Partnership Networking Luncheon

meet new members, learn new ideas and share your business or organization with others.
 

What:

Downtown Partnership Networking Luncheon
 

When:

Friday, November 6th
12:00 noon 

Where: 

Dean College Campus Center
Golder Room-2nd Floor
(Parking is near the campus tennis courts due to construction)

How much:
$5.00 for a delicious lunch and great conversation!

Please RSVP Joel Carrara at jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com

Any questions please call the FDP office at (774)571-3109




In the News - Vietnam War Heroes

Rose Turco formally invited the Town of Franklin and members of the Council to the dedication ceremony to e held on Nov 8th. Additional info from the Town Council meeting can be found here.

Vietnam vets to be honored in Franklin

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS


 If you click through to read the story on the Milford Daily News page, you'll perhaps recognize the photo. I did provide the photo and permission for it to be used by the paper.



In the News - and then there were 12

From the Town Council meeting Wednesday evening, one of the key items was the withdrawal of Bryce Kuchs from the race for council. Due to increased work responsibilities, he would be unable to fulfill the time requirements for serving on the Town Council. He let it be known that if elected, he would not be able to serve.

He is not actively campaigning for the election. His name remains on the ballot. The deadline to withdrawn from the election and ballot was earlier this month. The ballots are printed and ready to go. Absentee ballots are already available.

The second key item is the two individual who choose to abstain on the vote to endorse the Financial Planning Committee report. Pfeffer and Vallee are part of the current council who chartered the committee to prepare the report. They know (or should know) more about the contents of the report than those who may be new to the Council after the election Nov 3rd. If they can't make a decision to say that these numbers are correct, then there is something wrong with their logic. The incoming council members would have less a chance to know as much as they currently do. At worse, it would take precious time to get up to speed. Time that could be better spent taking action to avoid the financial problems facing Franklin.

Franklin council endorses long-range fiscal plan

from The Milford Daily News News RSS


If you click through to read the article online, you'll notice a familiar picture. I did provide and authorize the use of the photos I took at the Council meeting last night.


Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Live reporting - Administrator, Councilor comments, closing

Fire Dept Halloween Fest coming

old business
new business

Councilor Comments
Zollo - commends the three of the departing members for their service
The election coming up could be one of the most important one for Franklin. Encourages everyone to study the issues, the candidates and their positions, and cast your ballot for those who would best represent your views on the council.

McGann - commends the three departing along with Zollo
I have been asked "Joe why I have you missed so many meetings." I have some personal issues. I have had some financial issues. I have lost family members recently and am about to lose two more within a few days."

Doak - thanks for the nice and personal thanks for what he had been able to contribute. It is hard to believe it has been six years on the Council. It has been a pleasure to serve. I want to acknowledge Carlo Geromini for his help. The Council has been relatively boring. We have had some humor from Councilor McGann from time to time. We have had quite a few improvements and established some credibility, including the first ever override that was passed. Jeff thanks for your help.
  • Have to be patient, can't solve them all at once.
  • Listen to the people around you.
  • Keep things going, if you can leave things a little better than when you arrived you did a good thing.
Pfeffer -
1 - Two trees at corner of Cottage were taken down
2 - The plants taken in front of the new Walgreens, were those saved, are they coming back?

Whalen - Encourage community service, it is a learning experience and rewarding. It feels like the turnout might be extremely light. I would encourage a turnout.

Mason - I share the sentiments that have already been spoken. Chris and I have been friends since we were six. Thanks to Deb and Tom for working together and being friends.

Vallee - I echo the others sentiments.

Bartlett - Your community is what you make of it. It can be at whatever level you can do, there are a million different ways. There are going to be tough times where people will need to come together. It has been an honor to work for this Town. It has been a privilege.

Feeley - I would like to thank you.  While I am not running for re-election this year, this is not to say that I won't run again.


The three leaving the Town Council posed for a photo: (left to right) Deb Bartlett, Chris Feeley, and Tom Doak.

TownCouncil_Bartlett_Feeley_Doak

My thanks to them their service to Franklin. I hope they thoroughly enjoy their new "free" time.




live reporting - legislation

J.  LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1.  Resolution 09-67: Acceptance of Covenant-Lakeview Terrace
motion to approve - passed 9-0


2.  Resolution 09-68: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Senior Center
motion to approve - passed 9-0 

If I heard this correctly, in a time of uncertain revenues, a self-imposed hiring freeze at the Municipal Bldg for Town employees, and facing some undefined reduction in State revenue fort this current year which depending upon the amount could result in further cuts in service or personnel, the Town Council just authorized a part-time hiring based upon a donation (which may or may not be sustaining).

It may be for a good cause (i.e supposedly a cook at the Senior Center) but this is indeed puzzling.

This would be a good question to ask of the candidates on Monday evening at the Town Council Debate.