Thursday, September 15, 2011
In the News - golf tournament, Gerry's Place, diabetes walk
Franklin arts center golf tournament Sept. 26
Tri-County School restaurant open to public
Franklin walk to raise money to cure diabetes
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Town Council 09/14/11
Highlights from the Town Council meeting:
- Four establishments get penalized for serving underage minors on July 29, 2011.
- A new restaurant to open in Franklin Village Plaza gets a liquor license
- Chief Williams will be retiring in December
- Chief McCarragher provided an update and lessons learned from the response to Irene
- Sewer rates are going up due to EPA requirements for the Charles River Pollution Control District of which we are responsible for 65% of the volume
- McGann will run for Town Council and let the voters decide if his attendance record matters (54% attendance)
The collection of reporting from the Town Council meeting can be found here.
- Live reporting - Closing
- Live reporting - Legislation for action
- Live reporting - Irene response
- Live reporting - door to door solicitations
- Live reporting - new liquor license
- Live reporting - Liquor license failures
- Live reporting - Town Council - 9/14/11
Live reporting - Closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT workshop for new councilors on 11/16tax hearing for Nov 30
L. OLD BUSINESS none
M. NEW BUSINESS meeting next week, rescheduled for Sep 28
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
McGann - three comments from councilors about not running again due to his missed meetings, doesn't think it is the council members decision, will let the voters make that decision, you have 12 good candidates to make a choice, my name will be on the ballot, it will be up to the voters to have their say
Kelly - thanks to all for help on Irene, thanks to the Y for opening their doors
Jones - what is the policy on the Kennedy fund raising?
Nutting - it is up to the Kennedy community to raise the money
Whalen - speaking to the cuts of personnel that is not getting to the other departments rather than the Schools and Library, can we get the department heads in periodically to have the folks hear about the effect of the cuts.
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
motion to go to executive session, passed 9-0
L. OLD BUSINESS none
M. NEW BUSINESS meeting next week, rescheduled for Sep 28
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
McGann - three comments from councilors about not running again due to his missed meetings, doesn't think it is the council members decision, will let the voters make that decision, you have 12 good candidates to make a choice, my name will be on the ballot, it will be up to the voters to have their say
Kelly - thanks to all for help on Irene, thanks to the Y for opening their doors
Jones - what is the policy on the Kennedy fund raising?
Nutting - it is up to the Kennedy community to raise the money
Whalen - speaking to the cuts of personnel that is not getting to the other departments rather than the Schools and Library, can we get the department heads in periodically to have the folks hear about the effect of the cuts.
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
motion to go to executive session, passed 9-0
Live reporting - Legislation for action
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 1. Resolution 11-10: Request for Legislation – Exempting the Deputy Fire Chief from Civil Service (Tabled on 8/10/2011) - tabled indefinitely, just not ready yet
2. Resolution 11-45: Chapter 61A-1st Refusal Option – Land on Spring Street
second time before the Council, owner has PSA, we have first right of refusal, has no value for the Town, recommended to let the sale proceed
motion to approve - passed 9-0
3. Resolution 11-47: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with Town of Medway for Shared Nursing Services
shared nurse through a grant program, looking to extend this for another year with receipt of another grant
motion to approve - passed 9-0
4. Resolution 11-48: Acceptance of Gift of Land at 1156 Pond Street (Lot #2)
donation of land in lieu of foreclosure
motion to approve - passed 9-0
5. Resolution 11-49: Grant of Sewer Easement on Property At 82 (Formerly 95) Park Rd
sewer line installed without easement being recorded previously, needed to move line and cover it all properly this time
motion to approve - passed 9-0
6. Bylaw Amendment 11-663: Sewer Rates-Appendix B- List of Service Rates - 2nd Reading
as a result of the Charles River Sewer Plant upgrade, rate increases should cover the requirements; $44 and then $88 the year after, plant is under an EPA order to remove phosphorus - ultimately a million dollars raised will cover our 65% of the total amount, timed for when the bond comes in - no further rate changes for 4-5 years, has been steady for 7 years
motion to approve - passed 9-0 (via roll call)
7. Bylaw Amendment 11-664: Water Rates-Appendix B-List of Service Rates- 2nd Reading
related to pay off the 7.5 million bond authorization as approved earlier. Not related to the sewer rate increases.
Powderly - having trouble approving at this time
Nutting - you will need this eventually, could it wait a year, I am trying to be proactive, will we need all of it next year
Nutting - either way it is coming, pay me now or pay me later
Whalen - under different circumstances, it would be a prudent way to proceed. Back to back, 10% when not necessary
Nutting - the surplus has varied year to year, we have used it for road repairs, water system needs improvements all the time, 160 miles of water system even at 2 miles per year it is 80 year project
Mason - no question of economy is still pour, it is a perception problem, if we can spend down it a little, it may more sense - if we can tighten our belt it may help
Nutting - only authorize a rate for 2012, and not for 2013
Powderly, motion to amend, to have only the 2012 rate increase of 10%
motion to approve amendment - passed 9-0
motion to approve bylaw - passed 9-0 (via roll call)
Live reporting - Irene response
2. Tropical Storm Irene – Gary McCarraher
Worked through conflicting info from the weather services until the National Weather service took priority with their accuracy
55 MPH winds marked at Fire Stations, 100 emergencies responded during Sunday
fortunately no injuries to workers or residents on Sunday
all roads were passable by 10:00 PM Sunday evening
National Grid did not show up on Sunday at all
multiple communications with National Grid with commitment to have someone on site Monday
priorities to restore power to key areas and water service
Central Park Terrace, senior housing, those with oxygen needs were dealt with as necessary
priority listing set up one day for action the next day
School St, Parmenter, etc were priority on Tuesday listing
South St, Summer, Beach priority for Weds due to primary lines down
Beach St, Elm, Indian Way for Thu
Police surveyed the town to cross check power outages
restoration of individual home services were addressed on Fri, Sat and Sun
maintained communications via CCTY, consolidated messages with schools
Lessons Learned:
market Ctty service, to cell phone service in addition to land lines
public cell phone charging area
improve power sign board options
additional learning will be reviewed in another meeting of the departments
Kelly - what about National Grid and their response? they did not get here until Tuesday
Nutting - requesting a meeting to discuss, one of their problems was trying to communicate with 27 communities, too confusing
McCarraher - One of our keys to success was getting someone into Franklin
13,000 electrical customers, about 10,000 were out initially
Nutting - it wasn't a good communication from the beginning, it was a multi-day event but they couldn't say how long - they had a corporate decision and lost hundreds of folks three weeks prior and simply were not prepared.
McGann - what did we get from a representative?
McCarragher - we wanted information, when we called it was like it was the first time, the representative was able to navigate their queue. I just needed reasonably accurate information so we could make our decisions. We were frequently getting lost in the mix, we got scheduling done with constant contact and making sure we didn't get lost in the shuffle. The guys on the street did a marvelous job, the problem was in the back room and getting the prioritization set up.
Vallee - following upon the comment
McCarragher - it is early, only first quarter to have data with the current staffing. I am concerned about it, it is not regular bu depending upon what can happen, it could be slower response.
Mason - thanks to your help, the operation was impressive
Nutting - our first obligation is to Franklin
Dick O'Connor (from Rep Vallee office)
Worked through conflicting info from the weather services until the National Weather service took priority with their accuracy
55 MPH winds marked at Fire Stations, 100 emergencies responded during Sunday
fortunately no injuries to workers or residents on Sunday
all roads were passable by 10:00 PM Sunday evening
National Grid did not show up on Sunday at all
multiple communications with National Grid with commitment to have someone on site Monday
priorities to restore power to key areas and water service
Central Park Terrace, senior housing, those with oxygen needs were dealt with as necessary
priority listing set up one day for action the next day
School St, Parmenter, etc were priority on Tuesday listing
South St, Summer, Beach priority for Weds due to primary lines down
Beach St, Elm, Indian Way for Thu
Police surveyed the town to cross check power outages
restoration of individual home services were addressed on Fri, Sat and Sun
maintained communications via CCTY, consolidated messages with schools
Lessons Learned:
market Ctty service, to cell phone service in addition to land lines
public cell phone charging area
improve power sign board options
additional learning will be reviewed in another meeting of the departments
Kelly - what about National Grid and their response? they did not get here until Tuesday
Nutting - requesting a meeting to discuss, one of their problems was trying to communicate with 27 communities, too confusing
McCarraher - One of our keys to success was getting someone into Franklin
13,000 electrical customers, about 10,000 were out initially
Nutting - it wasn't a good communication from the beginning, it was a multi-day event but they couldn't say how long - they had a corporate decision and lost hundreds of folks three weeks prior and simply were not prepared.
McGann - what did we get from a representative?
McCarragher - we wanted information, when we called it was like it was the first time, the representative was able to navigate their queue. I just needed reasonably accurate information so we could make our decisions. We were frequently getting lost in the mix, we got scheduling done with constant contact and making sure we didn't get lost in the shuffle. The guys on the street did a marvelous job, the problem was in the back room and getting the prioritization set up.
Vallee - following upon the comment
McCarragher - it is early, only first quarter to have data with the current staffing. I am concerned about it, it is not regular bu depending upon what can happen, it could be slower response.
Mason - thanks to your help, the operation was impressive
Nutting - our first obligation is to Franklin
Dick O'Connor (from Rep Vallee office)
Live reporting - door to door solicitations
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
1. Residential Soliciting – Stephen T. Williams
permit application required, backgrounds checked, will get out immediately upon call
you do not have to entertain a solicit
do not permit solicitations for advocacy and political groups
Jones - had requested this due to a young lady who had visited his home and other neighbors
Chief Williams - don't open the door, ask for credentials
Nutting -Williams has tendered his resignation effective 12/16/11 after 40 years of service
1. Residential Soliciting – Stephen T. Williams
permit application required, backgrounds checked, will get out immediately upon call
you do not have to entertain a solicit
do not permit solicitations for advocacy and political groups
Jones - had requested this due to a young lady who had visited his home and other neighbors
Chief Williams - don't open the door, ask for credentials
Nutting -Williams has tendered his resignation effective 12/16/11 after 40 years of service
Live reporting - new liquor license
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
New All Alcoholic Beverages License – Sakebom - 264 Franklin Village Drive
motion to approve, passed 9-0
New All Alcoholic Beverages License – Sakebom - 264 Franklin Village Drive
motion to approve, passed 9-0
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