Town Council - Agenda - 2/10/10

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
 - Design Review Commission

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
  – Senior Outreach- Update

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 10-06: Acceptance of Gift- Franklin Library

2. Bylaw Amendment 10-641: Chapter 82; Appendix A: List of Service Fee Rates, Solid Waste and Recycling Fees – 2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

In the News - benefits for Vietnam veterans

Franklin Veterans Agent Bob Fahey said 709 Franklin residents served in Vietnam between 1965 and 1975, and recently several have approached him about whether their illnesses could be connected to their service.

``What I want to do as a veterans agent is make people aware of these circumstances war creates,'' Fahey said.

He said vets must file an application proving their service in Vietnam, and provide documentation of the disease to determine whether they qualify for benefits.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Vets now qualify for Agent Orange-related illness benefits

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin High School plans winter carnival and silent auction

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Franklin High School plans winter carnival and silent auction

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 2/6/10

Franklin High School 2010 Winter Carnival and silent auction will be held on Sunday, Feb. 28, 12-4 p.m., at the Franklin High School Field House.

The event for all ages will include a silent auction, featuring floor seat Celtic tickets, Red Sox tickets and more.

For information visit fhsstudentgovernmetn@yahoo.com

All proceeds to benefit Shriners Burn Hospital, in Boston.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Wicked Local Franklin News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

In the News - drum studio, solar costs

Definitely marching to his own drummer Kris Russell, has opened his own studio to share his passion for drumming:

Drumming to his own beat

by Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

------------

The cost of going solar is manageable and Mike Kelly can help you figure out how it can work for you

Is the cost of going solar getting lighter?

by David Riley/Daily News staff

Businesses opening

1 - As pictured here earlier, Cafe Dolce is expanding to the former Choo Choo shop at the downtown Franklin/Dean College station. Conversation with BJ and his father reveals they are looking to open next week. The place has been freshly painted, tables and chairs cleaned and painted. Additional works and final permits are required but with a little luck they intend to open next week.

A better outside photo than the one in the early morning light on Thursday:

The coffee will be brewing soon:

2 - And Maguro House, a Japanese restaurant, will opening this month at the corner of the building opposite from Cafe Dolce.

Updated 2/25/10
The Grand Opening Party is scheduled for Sunday, February 28th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

These are good signs for downtown!

In the News - lawsuit

Alleging they were victims of what their lawyer called an outrageous display of excessive force by a police officer, one current and three former students at Dean College have filed suit in federal court.

The four are seeking $1 million in damages, and have named two Franklin officers and the town as defendants.

The plaintiffs claim their constitutional rights were violated when Officer Douglas Nix drew his gun and aimed at them after pulling over their SUV on Feb. 28, 2009.

Read the remainder of the article here:

Lawsuit claims police brutality

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff

really going to change how the DCR does business

“The DCR forest vision draft, if ever adopted, would represent a major improvement in the state’s practices and policies for cutting on forest lands, because it would much more emphasize stewardship, habitat, recreation, and scenic values, with less emphasis on timber cutting,’’ said Gregor McGregor, a member of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, which advises local boards in communities around the state.

The draft plan represents “a paradigm shift,’’ he said, in moving land use away from timbering and toward ecosystem values.

This caught my eye although the Franklin Forest is not specifically mentioned in the article. There is a wealth of additional reading available on the DCR website here:
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/tsc_draft_recommendations.htm


Last night there was a forum in Westborough, the next closest forum will be on the 11th in Taunton:
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/forestryfvpupcoming.htm


Feedback can be provided by attending one of the forums, via email or an online survey. Of course,  there is no restriction against providing feedback in all three methods.

You can read the full article in the Boston Globe West edition from Thursday
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2010/02/04/some_state_owned_parkland_being_reclassified_to_minimize_tree_cutting_other_damage/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Globe+West