Franklin Matters

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Live reporting - Biotech zoning changes proposed

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Bryan Taberner – Bio-Tech Zoning

Recognizing efforts to attract bio-tech business to the industrial areas of the town, there are two proposed changes (1) to remove the requirement for a permit by the Town Council (this is an extra level in comparison to other communities). (2) adjusting the parcels covered by the existing zoning, adding several parcels, removing one (actually recently added to the Town Forest).

What examples of bio-tech does this cover?
Very comprehensive way to handle and dispose of materials. Level 2 slightly infectious agents. Level 4 would cover anthrax (which would not be permitted in this zoning).

Level 2 and Level 3 are the busy areas with the majority of the research being done.
We would be catching up with other communities with these changes.

Worcester requires a Board of Health permit and nothing else. Cambridge has substantial amounts of special permitting required but has been home to several operations and is recognized. Multiple levels of safety plans are required before getting a permit there.

If we were to go that far, we would need an additional consultant to assist the Board of Health with the application and review process.

We have the overlay districts which other communities doesn't do.
We were given a bronze rating as a "bio-tech' ready community. This is the lowest of the four level of ratings. Eliminating the special permit will get us to the "silver" rating.

Zollo - What would enable us to go from silver to gold?
Brian - To get a higher rating is a marketing effort itself. Press releases will help. Changes to the website to help say we welcome bio-tech. Getting into a real-estate magazine would help. The State is assisting us in marketing.

Pfeffer - By removing the one parcel, this will alleviate some fears amongst the residents that had come up previously.

Nutting - this will be coming back for a formal vote. We would like this evening to solicit questions and can come back with detailed answers.

Jones - What kind of complaints are you getting?
Brian - I have been doing research and heard of one from several years ago. But it was before my time and I don't know the name of the company.

Live reporting - license transactions

E. APPOINTMENTS
none

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
– 99 Restaurant – New Officer & Director

motion to approve,
A formality, everything is order

Passed 8-0

Live reporting - Town Council - 1/6/09

Attending: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, Zollo, Powderly

Missing: McGann

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 2, 2009 Regular & Executive Session
motion to approve,
amended to read "vaccination sessions" not "information sessions"
Passed 8-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trivia Bee sponsored by FEF

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

Christmas trees will be picked up January 9th

Yes, remember to put your tree out to be picked up for Saturday the 9th.

Additional information from the Fall/Winter Curbside Chronicle can be found here:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the Curbside Chronicle document

Franklin, MA: Planning Board

The Planning Board (Board), as established by MGL. Ch. 41 sec.70, is responsible for “…making plans for the development of the municipality, with special reference to proper housing of its inhabitants.” The Board is charged with administering the State’s Subdivision Control Law (MGL. 41 Ch.81K) and the local subdivision rules and regulations (Chapter 300). The Board makes recommendations to the Town Council on Zoning By-Law amendments and may at its own discretion adopt new subdivision regulations. The Board is also designated as the permitting authority for various site plan and special permit submittals under the local Zoning By-Laws (Ch. 185).

The Board works together with the Department of Planning and Community Development, the Department of Public Works, and Town Administration. In addition, the Board receives recommendations from the Design Review Committee on building design, elevation, and signage for commercial site plan permits and from the Conservation Commission on wetland related issues. Two notable projects permitted this year were for a Walgreens Pharmacy, currently under construction at the former location of the “Four Corners School” at the intersection of East Central, King and Cross Streets, and a new performance center/dining hall at the Dean College campus intended to improve and expand its dance and theatre curriculum. The Franklin Center Commons project continued to move forward this year. Construction was completed on the 15 Summer Street building in the fall of 2008. Plans for the demolition and new construction of the front building (12-36 East Central Street) are currently on hold. The town is working closely with the developer to help produce the best possible result for the final phase of this important project in the downtown.

The Board has, and will continue to focus on updating the existing zoning by-laws to more accurately define the needs and goals of the town. This year, the Board reviewed and made recommendations for amending the non-conforming buildings, structures, and uses by-law, which was subsequently approved by the Town Council in December 2008. The Board will also continue to help property owners make the desired changes and improvements to their properties while fostering responsible growth and development in the Town of Franklin.

The Planning Board typically meets twice a month on Mondays at 7:00PM in the Town Hall. All Board meetings are open to the public, and are televised via Community Cable Access.

This year, the Planning Board saw a significant decrease in the number of applications presented.

Planning Board Activity
(July 2008 through June 2009)
Definitive Subdivisions and
Modifications- 1
Preliminary Subdivisions 0
81P Plans 5
Site Plans 5
Limited Site Plan Modifications 14
Special Permits 6

Planning Board Membership
The Planning Board consists of five members and one associate member. The associate member participates in all hearings but only votes on Special Permits if one of the members is unable to act. The Board members are elected and serve 4-year terms. Two seats will be up for election in November 2009.

Current Planning Board members:

Tony Padula, Chairman
Board member since November, 1999

Ron Calabrese, Vice Chairman
Board member since November, 2005

Joseph Gill, Clerk
Board member since January, 2008

Mark Denommee
Board member since November, 2007

Gregory Ballarino
Board member since November, 2007

Joseph Halligan
Associate Member since January, 2008

Please visit our website for additional information including application forms, and regularly posted agendas and meeting minutes at:

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Bcomm/planning

Respectfully submitted,
Anthony Padula, Chairman

In the November 2009 Town election, Padula and Halligan were elected to the full member spots. John Carroll was also elected as an associate member. Effectively, Halligan moved from associate to full member to replace Joe Gill and Carroll replaced Halligan as the associate member.

From the 2009 Town of Franklin Annual Report. This is available in a printed version at the Municipal Building or online at the Town website here.

The association, an accreditation service that sets standards for more than 2,000 schools, evaluates schools every 10 years. In its last full review, the association gave Franklin High School a warning in 2005 because of its limited handicapped access, which does not meet state and federal law.

"The warning status is really only about the facility," said Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski. "It has nothing to do with education."

Read the full article about the FHS accreditation in the Milford Daily News here

The accreditation was disclosed at the Dec 8, 2009 School Committee meeting