Town Council - Agenda - Dec, 7, 2011

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– October 5, 2011, October 26, 2011, Executive Session - November 16, 2011

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Verizon, Comcast, and Franklin Matters

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS


D. CITIZEN COMMENTS


E. APPOINTMENTS
- Design Review: Adrianna Kelly
- Swearing in of Chief of Police, Stephan Semerjian

F. HEARINGS


G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
– Annual Alcoholic Beverages Licenses Renewal

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Elements of Master Plan

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-69: Appropriation – Norfolk County Agricultural High School – FY 2012
2. Resolution 11-70: 2012 Town Council Meeting Schedule
3. Bylaw Amendment 11-667: Amendment to Chapter 139-14, Sewer System Map -2nd Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 11-668: Amendment to Chapter 179-9.1, Water System Map -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




The full set of documents for this meeting agenda as published are available here (PDF)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/12-07-2011genda.pdf

"a transparent process based on real budget limitations"

"It really is the way of the future," Franklin Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said of interest-based, or collaborative, bargaining. "It really is the way to negotiate for the 21st century, especially in times of minimal resources." 

Interest-based bargaining requires training, and forces both teacher unions and a town's school officials to decide which issues to address during negotiations together, rather than coming to a negotiating table with set lists of demands. 

The result, said Boston-based negotiations trainer Mary Ellen Shea, is better relationships between towns and unions, and significant and even money-saving changes to contracts.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/education/x1560337199/Towns-teachers-learn-to-negotiate-better#ixzz1fZEUdiUk


In October, the Boston Foundation released a report on interest-based bargaining:

The report, Toward a New Grand Bargain: Collaborative Approaches to Labor-Management Reform in Massachusetts, presents a new, collaborative approach to the bargaining process in place of the current, adversarial tone of contract negotiations. This latest report in the Understanding Boston series was released at an Understanding Boston Forum at the Boston Foundation on Oct. 19, and featured a panel discussion by  labor union, school and Patrick Administration leaders.

Click through to this page to download the report and view a video panel discussion of the report findings.

Mall Santa Musical (video)

Sunday. Likely you have some shopping scheduled

Maybe to the Mall?

Maybe there'll be a Santa!




Way to go ImprovEverywhere!

Whole Foods - 5% day benefits Hockomock Area YMCA

Whole Foods Market Bellingham has selected the YMCA Healthy Futures Initiative for their Community Giving or 5% day, on Monday December 5th from 8 AM – 9 PM. Five percent of the day’s net sales will be donated to the Hockomock Area YMCA Healthy Futures Initiative to reduce inactivity and poor nutrition in the fifteen communities served. 

In Massachusetts 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese and 3 in 5 adults fall into those categories. Research now is showing numbers are rising in our youngest kids too. It is imperative that we partner together to improve the health of our children such as through this upcoming Whole Foods Market 5% Day, helping ensure that we can meet all the needs within our communities.

“Our YMCA is committed to improving the health of kids and families by making the healthy choice the easy choice. The Healthy Futures Initiative strives to support the community through the development of programs, projects and policies that create sustainable change,” says Lauren Marciszyn, Youth and Community Wellness Director.

We hope many people will show their support by saving their shopping for Monday, December 5th and participate in the various activities scheduled throughout the day.  

Activities include free classes for youth ages 1 – 4 years old between 10 AM – 12 PM, shopping while you dine from 12 – 2 PM for all who provide a shopping list (lunch must be purchased), and an Elegant Evening with Ming Tsai from 6 :30 – 8 PM. The Elegant Evening features massage therapists, hears, make-overs, tastings and an appearance by Ming Tsai.

More information can be found at www.Hockymca.org special events or directed to LaurenM@hockymca.org.

Finance Committee - Agenda - Dec 6, 2011

The agenda for the Finance Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Dec 6, 2011.

FinCom Agenda 20111206

"the change will be good for Franklin"

"The site work is starting - obviously, you see some of that," Big Y spokeswoman Claire D'Amour-Daley said. "We've been really wanting to expand our eastern stores for quite some time." 

Contractors knocked down the empty building two weeks ago, where the Franklin Buffet restaurant last stood, but D'Amour-Daley said it could take nine months to a year before the project is finished. 

"It's good for property values around here," said Town Councilor Andrew Bissanti, whose realty business is also near the land leased by Big Y. "It's going to be fantastic. It's just a matter of time before Rte. 140 gets built up nice and clean. Now is as good a time as any." 

But other local business owners and residents have mixed feelings on the grocery chain coming to Franklin, with some happy to see development but many worried about traffic.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/business/x1178219312/Resolution-far-off-as-work-begins-at-Big-Y-in-Franklin#ixzz1fTFqfWUr


What once was:




What now is:

You're Invited - Healthy Kids Summit - Tues 12/6 @ Patriots Place

An email from the YMCA:

We hope you can be part of the Healthy Kids Summit on Tuesday December 6^th 4 – 5:30 PM at Patriots Place featuring a panel of experts and family activities. This is free event for families. As leaders in our communities Healthy Futures work, we want to make sure you are aware of great resource sharing events in our area, such as this one by Stop and Shop. We know that you will gain a lot of beneficial information and resources you can put into practice as well as have the opportunity to speak with experts in the field. Please consider joining us. We hope to see you there. Supporting Healthy Living,Lauren

 Lauren A. Marciszyn, RD, LDNDirector of Youth & Community WellnessHockomock Area YMCA774.235.2737