- The creation of a bylaw to allow medical marijuana zoning is going to the Economic Development Committee before coming back to the Council and the Planning Board process.
- The bylaws clarifying the process of whether you need a full site plan or limited site plan when considering modifications moved on to the second reading. The Planning Board had already approved of the changes. There was some misunderstanding of terminology that eventually was worked out in a special workshop to review the changes and how they would be implemented.
- The addition of a license fee for a hotel to add a liquor license was approved for a second reading.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Town Council - 01/09/13
The collection of posts reported live from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan 9 can be found below. The major highlights of the meeting were as follows:
Voices of Franklin: Boston Globe Headline Misleads Public in Dookhan Case
The Boston Globe published an article on January 9th titled Ex-chemist's Husband Warned She Was a Liar.
What is the factual basis for such a defamatory headline?
Let us examine closely.
Notice the missing words "government claims" or "allegedly" in the headline. For it is well-established that a large percentage of news consumers will scan headlines quickly to get the gist of a given day's news. And the Boston Globe surely knows this.
Now let's dig a bit deeper. What, exactly, is the source of the information being relied upon by the Globe in reporting Mr. Dookhan's opinion of his wife? Answer: a purported interview that was allegedly given to Dookhan's accusers by a former assistant DA, one George Papachristos, who resigned his position in October despite his insistence -- and the insistence of all his superiors up the entire chain -- that he had done nothing wrong.
Papachristos reportedly claimed that the reason for his October resignation had been merely that he did not want to be a distraction to the investigation. Sorry, George; the distraction horse left the barn the moment the Boston Globe printed your name three months ago, as evidenced now by its being trotted out again and again in the Globe's ongoing conviction of Ms Dookhan in the court of public opinion. Question: Who of any integrity resigns from a career that he reportedly cherished despite having done nothing wrong? And what boss accepts such a resignation? Surely any reasonable observer can see that such a resignation might, itself, raise more than a few eyebrows.
So here we have yet another biased headline about "rogue chemist" Annie Dookhan which relies on the testimony of a demonstrably questionable witness who "believes" that a few texts sent to his cell phone in 2009 "appeared" to have been sent by Mr. Dookhan, all while ignoring a first-hand public statement by Mr. Dookhan himself.
But here's where things get interesting. Another former assistant DA publicly scolded the Globe in October for portraying Papachristos's and Dookhan's purported friendship as inappropriate. Former Norfolk County Deputy District Attorney Matt Connolly wrote in his blog on October 18th:
"There is not one scintilla of evidence that Papachristos did anything wrong that I have seen. I don't know where the Globe gets off labeling his activities as 'unauthorized.' I wonder, unauthorized by whom? It would be nice if the Globe was more specific."
Okay, so, according to expert witness Connolly, such relationships are not only routine but essential, provided of course that no inappropriate favors are being exchanged between prosecutor and witness. Thus, in light of Connolly's informed insights, it appears that the state is trying to have it both ways with Papachristos: By absolving him of any wrongdoing on one hand while accepting his resignation on the other, prosecutors, politicians and the media can simultaneously perpetuate the public myth that Dookhan somehow behaved unethically with Papachristos while also shielding him from any legal liability of his own. Heads, the state wins; tails, Annie Dookhan loses.
The Boston Globe's pattern of wheeling out Papachristos's "unauthorized" friendship with Dookhan, rather than highlighting and questioning the uber-convenience of the state's two-faced handling of his weird resignation, frankly smacks of an agenda. Particularly given the timing of Ballou's erroneous story, dropping coincidentally on the same day that Dookhan was to be arraigned for obstruction of justice in two additional counties.
Sadly, it is becoming clearer every day that justice is indeed being obstructed in this case. And the media's flagrant bias and sloppy reportage is a major part of it.
Bottom line: we can either base our understanding of Mr Dookhan's opinion of his wife on his obvious devotion to her and by taking him at his word. Or we can rely on demonstrably false and shamelessly unfair media coverage that relies exclusively on the state's made-for-TV propaganda and the third-hand account of a dubious character whose own behavior raises serious questions.
Rich Aucoin
Franklin
What is the factual basis for such a defamatory headline?
Let us examine closely.
Notice the missing words "government claims" or "allegedly" in the headline. For it is well-established that a large percentage of news consumers will scan headlines quickly to get the gist of a given day's news. And the Boston Globe surely knows this.
More importantly, notice the glaring error within the article itself.
Globe reporter Adrian Ballou states, incorrectly, that Surren Dookhan "has not spoken publicly" about his wife's legal problems.
In fact, Mr. Dookhan has spoken publicly. On August 30th he told Fox 25 that he and his wife maintain her innocence and that they fear she is being scapegoated:
Globe reporter Adrian Ballou states, incorrectly, that Surren Dookhan "has not spoken publicly" about his wife's legal problems.
In fact, Mr. Dookhan has spoken publicly. On August 30th he told Fox 25 that he and his wife maintain her innocence and that they fear she is being scapegoated:
So, rather than relying on an easily searchable first-hand public statement by Mr Dookhan about his wife's situation, the Boston Globe is relying instead on third-hand hearsay provided by Annie Dookhan's accusers.
To demonstrate the corrupting effect of Ballou's reporting error, on the same morning's Fox 25 edition of "Let It Rip," several anchor-pundits were discussing Ballou's article and puzzled hard over why Mr. Dookhan would be sticking by his wife even after telling a prosecutor that she is a chronic liar. It never occurred to any of the Fox 25 newscasters that perhaps the reason why Mr Dookhan is sticking by his wife is because of what he had previously told their very own news station: he believes she is being scapegoated!
Now let's dig a bit deeper. What, exactly, is the source of the information being relied upon by the Globe in reporting Mr. Dookhan's opinion of his wife? Answer: a purported interview that was allegedly given to Dookhan's accusers by a former assistant DA, one George Papachristos, who resigned his position in October despite his insistence -- and the insistence of all his superiors up the entire chain -- that he had done nothing wrong.
Papachristos reportedly claimed that the reason for his October resignation had been merely that he did not want to be a distraction to the investigation. Sorry, George; the distraction horse left the barn the moment the Boston Globe printed your name three months ago, as evidenced now by its being trotted out again and again in the Globe's ongoing conviction of Ms Dookhan in the court of public opinion. Question: Who of any integrity resigns from a career that he reportedly cherished despite having done nothing wrong? And what boss accepts such a resignation? Surely any reasonable observer can see that such a resignation might, itself, raise more than a few eyebrows.
So here we have yet another biased headline about "rogue chemist" Annie Dookhan which relies on the testimony of a demonstrably questionable witness who "believes" that a few texts sent to his cell phone in 2009 "appeared" to have been sent by Mr. Dookhan, all while ignoring a first-hand public statement by Mr. Dookhan himself.
But here's where things get interesting. Another former assistant DA publicly scolded the Globe in October for portraying Papachristos's and Dookhan's purported friendship as inappropriate. Former Norfolk County Deputy District Attorney Matt Connolly wrote in his blog on October 18th:
"There is not one scintilla of evidence that Papachristos did anything wrong that I have seen. I don't know where the Globe gets off labeling his activities as 'unauthorized.' I wonder, unauthorized by whom? It would be nice if the Globe was more specific."
http://thetrialofwhiteybulger.com/off-topic-whitey-bulger/annie-dookhan-claims-another-victim-norfolk-ada-leaves-job-is-it-right/
Indeed.
Connolly continued:
Indeed.
Connolly continued:
"There is nothing wrong with a prosecutor being friendly or having a relationship with a witness. It is quite common for prosecutors to socialize with witnesses who will testify... It is the nature of the job to develop these friendships..."
Okay, so, according to expert witness Connolly, such relationships are not only routine but essential, provided of course that no inappropriate favors are being exchanged between prosecutor and witness. Thus, in light of Connolly's informed insights, it appears that the state is trying to have it both ways with Papachristos: By absolving him of any wrongdoing on one hand while accepting his resignation on the other, prosecutors, politicians and the media can simultaneously perpetuate the public myth that Dookhan somehow behaved unethically with Papachristos while also shielding him from any legal liability of his own. Heads, the state wins; tails, Annie Dookhan loses.
The Boston Globe's pattern of wheeling out Papachristos's "unauthorized" friendship with Dookhan, rather than highlighting and questioning the uber-convenience of the state's two-faced handling of his weird resignation, frankly smacks of an agenda. Particularly given the timing of Ballou's erroneous story, dropping coincidentally on the same day that Dookhan was to be arraigned for obstruction of justice in two additional counties.
Sadly, it is becoming clearer every day that justice is indeed being obstructed in this case. And the media's flagrant bias and sloppy reportage is a major part of it.
Bottom line: we can either base our understanding of Mr Dookhan's opinion of his wife on his obvious devotion to her and by taking him at his word. Or we can rely on demonstrably false and shamelessly unfair media coverage that relies exclusively on the state's made-for-TV propaganda and the third-hand account of a dubious character whose own behavior raises serious questions.
Rich Aucoin
Franklin
Franklin's Dookhan pleads not guilty to five counts of obstruction of justice
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Matt Tota/Daily News staff on 1/9/13
The former chemist accused of tampering with drug evidence at a Massachusetts crime lab, sparking one of the largest state scandals in recent memory, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to obstruction of justice charges inside two separate superior courtrooms.
Things you can do from here:
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Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Live reporting - closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
meeting about speeding on King St creating a concern at Parmenter
coming back with a proposal sometime
Governor's numbers due in about 3 weeks,
OPEB obligation is a concern
the goal to get through FY 14 is to not lose any jobs
health insurance will be going up
$48M backlog in roads
will give a monthly report on what's going on with the budget
Calendar year 12, despite a challenging year, much was accomplished
8-9 have collective bargaining agreements (Firefighters)
refunding of old bonds
updating bylaws
Town Common looks a lot better
continue to update roads
regional dispatch underway
getting close on the Nu-Style after 34 years
did the solar deal, established an operating stabilization account
on the school issue, we see an issue in the morning from 7 - 9 for the school year, half the year
looking at signage as a solution
don't see speed bumps on public ways, downtown's yes
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
Dellorco requesting a presentation on DPW for snow removal
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mercer - quick update on the high school project, foundations and footings being poured possibly erecting first steel end of Jan
Powderly - looking at the traffic issues, a note of appreciation, you do a great job of keeping us on point
Pfeffer - Shire Book Shop - congrats to them for being one of 5 in New England
Bissanti - thanks to the Planning Board and Planning Dept, these workshops are great, I saw the exemptions and I saw the clarity, it is good
Roy - congrats to the Council when you look at the annual report, there is a whole lot accomplished
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0
Live reporting - Legislation
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-695:Changes to § 185-31. Site Plan and Design Review- Remove from table - 1st Reading
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-696:Changes to § 185-20. H. Signs. Sign Approvals Remove from table - 1st Reading
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-697:Changes to § 185-45. N. Administration and Enforcement. Design Review Commission Remove from table - 1 st Reading
motion to remove these three bylaws, passed 9-0
Motion to amend bylaw,
Pfeffer speaks to a better understanding of the language and difference between that used by the Planning Dept and the common folk. The bylaw as amended is better now; not perfect but far better. Meeting held as requested during last Council session with Town Administrator, Planning, etc.
motion to amend to add 'exterior' in three places
passed 9-0
Q - why the selection of 600 sq ft?
Jeff takes first pass on this. What is the amount of area that makes sense to do diminimis, but not to allow to double the size of it without going through the whole process. So what is the nature of a small change? No secret to allowing an addition of 400 ft also requires another parking spot, hence also 200 ft for the total of 600
Q - scenario C, looking for clarification on
A - they have an existing site plan, not creating additional parking, not resulting in an increase in impervious surface, not resulting in a change of use, not resulting in a zoning board of appeals exception, hence a limited site plans
Roy thanks for the clarifcation, this is better
Bissanti - think the workshop was great, I am support of this
motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-695 to second reading as amended
motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-696 to second reading, passed 9-0
motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-697 to second reading, passed 9-0
4. Bylaw Amendment 13-699:Amendment of Service Fee Rates: Administration- 1st Reading
Nutting - hotel would like to apply for an inholders license, we currently don't have a rate for it
there is not a down side for a license for an established business here in Franklin
What happens when everybody else comes in?
What is the downside? They still have to meet the standard, hotel taxes are huge for us.
The in-room license that currently exists came in from somewhere, sometime, no one has it
motion to move to second reading, passed 9-0
Live reporting - medical marijuana zoning
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Change of Manager – T.D. Beverage Inc.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Medical Marijuana Zoning
a number of permits are required to be allowed per county
we are part of Norfolk County which stretches quite a distance
proposing to put it into the Industrial park area, would avoid locations near schools
some communities are looking to put it into their hospital zone
Mark Cerel recommends a new use line rather than putting it into another district
there are two considerations; one the use table, and two the zoned location
Q - We don't have anyone asking for this yet?
A - there have been requests in other towns
Q - put it into an overlay district?
A - Yes, it would make sense to do so
Cerel there are some towns considering what Jeff has mentioned, there are towns saying no, period
There is authority to grow there, not just distribution
Out in Colorado, they are doing this in huge facilities
Powderly - we need to respect the will of the voters, so many open questions, keeps the safety of the residence in mind. What are you proposing to do with this in the Economic Development? I would like to see something sooner than later
Nutting - meeting being put together on the 22nd, would give another sounding board before coming to the Council. I don't see it slowing down the process. We could come to the Council in Feb
Cerel - Wakefield and Reading did go down the no path, the Attorney General needs to weigh in
Live reporting - Town Council - Jan 9, 2013
Present: Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 17, 2012
motion to accept, seconded, passed 9-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29.This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none
E. APPOINTMENTS
Library Board of Directors - Sandra Brandfonbrener
motion to appoint, seconded, passed 9-0
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