Snow angels

Mary Olsson contributes this snow angel!

After clearing the driveway of the major snow, I went back for the minor clean up and took the opportunity to do my snow angel. If you can't do a snow angel, it isn't really snow.

Did you have fun in the snow? Will you have more fun on Thursday?

Feel free to share your photos here or on our Facebook page.



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

FHS Renovation project did get the feasibility agreement signed, so we are eligible for 53% reimbursement. This can be increased during the planning process up to 55%.

L. OLD BUSINESS - none

M. NEW BUSINESS
Whalen - question on the SJC snow decision
Cerel - difference between natural and unnatural causes caused some problems, the court has been moving in this direction to remove the distinctions between natural and unnatural causes. Some communities are getting aggressive in revenue generation by enforcing sidewalk clearing within a specified time after the storm.


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Best wishes to Jean Hunchard (sic) recovering from heart surgery

Best wishes to Zollo on his birthday and Kelly's daughter, they ar enot the same age.



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

P. ADJOURN


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Action items

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Franklin Café & Grill – New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License
motion to approve, passed 8-0

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - none

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-01: Acceptance of Gifts –Fallen Heroes Signs
motion to approve, passed 8-0
thanks to Rose Turco for putting this together, to Chris Feeley and the Rotary Club for their contributions

2. Resolution 11-02: Acceptance of Gifts – Council on Aging
motion to approve, passed 8-0


3. Resolution 11-03: Acceptance of Gift – Recreation
motion to approve, passed 8-0


4. Resolution 11-04: Acceptance and Grant of Easements: Franklin Center Commons I and Abutting Town-Owned Land  motion to approve, passed 8-0



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Town Council

Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, Zollo, Powderly
Absent: McGann

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 1, 2010 and December 8, 2010
motion to approve, passed 8-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The meeting is recorded by Verizon, Comcast and Franklin Matters

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none

E. APPOINTMENTS
Franklin Recycling Committee, Amanda Costa
Motion to approve, passed 8-0



Franklin, MA

Calling all snowmen!

Mary Olsson sent this to me to share with you.

Thanks Mary! I am looking forward to doing a snow angel. I haven't done one yet this season.

If you get to do a snow angel, take a photo and send the photo to shersteve at gmail dot com. I'll collect the photos of snow angels or snow men and post them here.


Franklin, MA

"half-day or tuition-based program would not save the district money"

"The impact of going to a half-day program would ... lead to a reduction in our foundation budget, which would significantly impact our Chapter 70 money," Goodman said, adding the district's foundation budget for kindergarten is $3.4 million for this school year.

Goodman said it is too early in the budget process to determine exactly how much money Franklin would lose by switching programs.

The district might save money in fiscal 2012 because next year's state aid is determined using October 2010 enrollment, but Franklin would likely lose money in subsequent years, Goodman said.

"This analysis really shows, at least from my perspective, that over the long run financially it's a loser," School Committee member Ed Cafasso said. "The financial evidence is fairly overwhelming that one year of savings would be wiped out every other year." 

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Review the notes from the full School Committee meeting (including the presentation document on kindergarten) here


Franklin, MA

"It's too dense"

Joel D'Errico proposed 10 single-bedroom apartments for the building in November, but told the Planning Board Monday he plans to build eight apartments instead. The new building would supplement an existing 10-apartment building.

The reduction may not appease many neighbors who said the building is still too large for the lot at the corner of Summer and Winter streets.

"It's inappropriate for the neighborhood," said Robert Landry, who has lived on Summer Street for 65 years. "There'd be too many cars. It's too big of a building, and it's not conforming with the neighborhood."

D'Errico said his development is a good fit since 21 of 31 residential lots in the area have multifamily buildings. One of those properties has 28 apartments, he said.

"The neighborhood character is 2-to-1 multifamily," he said. "It's changed. It's not what it was 50 years ago."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Franklin, MA