For some readers it may matter to note that
"real time" reporting is when I am able to report in 'real time' via the cable feed or via the Town streamed video
"live" reporting is when I am in the physical room where the meeting is being conducted.
If I report on the meeting from the video archive after the meeting has been conducted, it will just be a meeting recap.
Franklin, MA
Monday, July 26, 2010
real time reporting - Planning Board
I tuned in to the broadcast via the Town website late to find a discussion already underway about a previously approved special permit for 59 units that was looking for advice on how to come back before the board to increase the 59 units by 1. Coincidently, the 60th unit was on the original plans and as part of some deal (not revealed during the discussion) came out of the final special permit that was approved. The development is progressing, triple units authorized have been built and sold. They are looking to make an existing planned (not built) duplex a triplex (as mention restoring one cut from the original plans).
This was interesting in that the Chair while recognizing that the advice was being looked for realized that since it was a special permit issued, the special permit process would have to be followed. The bylaw doesn't allow for modifications of an exiting special permit.
Some of the committee were interested in finding out how willing the developer would be in working with the Board to obtain an agreement. This persisted despite the Chair mentioning a couple of times that this type of discussion was not what we should be doing.
Really all the developer was asking is: "Hey, we have been here before, provided a whole passel of paperwork, now want to add one unit back to the plan. What paperwork do you need?"
All that needed to be said was "Whatever is required for the special permit."
Question: why was the unit cut from the original plans?
Question: why is the developer coming back for the 60th unit now?
Opened hearing for the Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan.
Beth Dahlstrom spoke that this is an update from the 2004 plan and required to be updated every five years by the state. (So it seems we are a year late? or does the clock run from the approval date not submittal date of the last one?)
She is looking for the Planning Board to recommend the plan.
The Board voted to approve the plan with no questions asked about the plan.
One of the members of the Board reminded the Chair that the hearing needed to be closed before voting. The Chair acknowledged that there were no members of the community present (TV camera panning of the Council Chambers revealed only the Milford Daily News reporter) so that there would be no questions from the audience. He asked for a motion to close the hearing. It was moved, second and passed unanimously.
The Chair asked for a motion to vote on the planning document, it was moved, seconded and voted upon unanimously.
The meeting moved to adjourn immediately after.
Franklin, MA
This was interesting in that the Chair while recognizing that the advice was being looked for realized that since it was a special permit issued, the special permit process would have to be followed. The bylaw doesn't allow for modifications of an exiting special permit.
Some of the committee were interested in finding out how willing the developer would be in working with the Board to obtain an agreement. This persisted despite the Chair mentioning a couple of times that this type of discussion was not what we should be doing.
Really all the developer was asking is: "Hey, we have been here before, provided a whole passel of paperwork, now want to add one unit back to the plan. What paperwork do you need?"
All that needed to be said was "Whatever is required for the special permit."
Question: why was the unit cut from the original plans?
Question: why is the developer coming back for the 60th unit now?
Opened hearing for the Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Plan.
Beth Dahlstrom spoke that this is an update from the 2004 plan and required to be updated every five years by the state. (So it seems we are a year late? or does the clock run from the approval date not submittal date of the last one?)
She is looking for the Planning Board to recommend the plan.
The Board voted to approve the plan with no questions asked about the plan.
One of the members of the Board reminded the Chair that the hearing needed to be closed before voting. The Chair acknowledged that there were no members of the community present (TV camera panning of the Council Chambers revealed only the Milford Daily News reporter) so that there would be no questions from the audience. He asked for a motion to close the hearing. It was moved, second and passed unanimously.
The Chair asked for a motion to vote on the planning document, it was moved, seconded and voted upon unanimously.
The meeting moved to adjourn immediately after.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: Traffic Alert (updated)
Main Street and Lincoln Street Construction
Main Street and Lincoln Street from Emmons Street to Moore Avenue will be under construction starting July 15, 2010 to October 2010 for the construction of a new water main. Motorists should expect delays and detours during this time.
UPDATE 07/26/2010
Motorists should avoid Church Square, seeking alternate routes.
Franklin, MA: Planning Board - 07/26/10 - Agenda
Key item on the Planning Board will be the first hearing of the Affordable Housing Strategy and Development Action Plan. The Town Council received this 34-page document last week and deferred discussion on it until their next meeting as they did not have time to read it.
The document can be found here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/ahs
The agenda for the Planning Board:
Franklin MA Planning Board Agenda 7-26-10
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
The document can be found here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/ahs
The agenda for the Planning Board:
Franklin MA Planning Board Agenda 7-26-10
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Chestnut St curbing
A recent run down Chestnut St revealed work to install some curbing along the road before the final layer of asphalt is laid.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Native Plants of Franklin
Hello Franklin! My name is Michelle Clay, and you could call me a bit of a garden geek. Here in Franklin, we have a lot of lovely suburban gardens, but most of the plants in a typical suburban yard come from other parts of the world. We have many fascinating and beautiful plants that are native to the Franklin area that most people don’t know about. Each week I will feature one native plant here, and the following week, I will identify what it is, and tell you a bit about where it can be seen.
Can you guess what this one is? I’ll give you a hint: this is a very unusual plant. It has no chlorophyll, so it never turns green. Post your guesses in the comments, and happy sleuthing to you!
Franklin, MA
Can you guess what this one is? I’ll give you a hint: this is a very unusual plant. It has no chlorophyll, so it never turns green. Post your guesses in the comments, and happy sleuthing to you!
Franklin, MA
Let's Welcome Michelle Clay
You may recall that I had highlighted Michelle's blog The Clueless Gardner earlier this month as I posted on the Franklin Area Blogs that I have found.
You may also recall that I started the "What's your name?" series last week and she expressed interest in highlighting some native plants. She is much stronger in that area so I thought why not combine efforts? She graciously accepted and I am honored to have her posting here. She will showcase a native plant each week and we can all will learn together!
Stay tuned for her first post!
Franklin, MA
You may also recall that I started the "What's your name?" series last week and she expressed interest in highlighting some native plants. She is much stronger in that area so I thought why not combine efforts? She graciously accepted and I am honored to have her posting here. She will showcase a native plant each week and we can all will learn together!
Stay tuned for her first post!
Franklin, MA
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