Franklin Matters

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Live reporting - action items

I. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-08: Swahn Lane, A Private Way Acceptance of Covenant with Owner
motion to approve, 9-0 via roll call

2. Resolution 13-09: Transfer of Tax Title Possession Parcels to Different Municipal Purposes
motion to approve as amended, 9-0 via roll call

annual event, after tax title determine which use of the land is best
motion to amend striking item #3 from the proposal at this time, motion passed 9-0 via roll call

3. Resolution 13-10: Town of Franklin Net Metering Power Purchase Agreement Authorization
motion to approve, 9-0 via roll call

Phase 2 of the solar development discussed before. To be built at the St Mary's. Worth over $6M between cost saved for power and increased revenue from property taxes over 20 years

4. Resolution 13-11:Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations
motion to approve, 9-0 via roll call

standard request for coverage of the snow and ice during winter, likely to get to it spent approx $700K against the $900K budget

5. Bylaw Amendment 13-700: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading
motion to move to 2nd reading, 9-0 via roll call

trash fee currently $204 would rise to $212 for next fiscal year

Powderly - fee did drop earlier, totters paid off, even with the increase we are still paying less than we did before the system switched

Live reporting - High School Building costs

slide included in PDF for agenda
will be added for this later)

$6,612 vs. 5,440
projected to be individualized costs per household over the life of the funding required

for a couple of years up front, you pay slightly more but over the long term, the total payments are less by $1,172 (and it could be more)

Jeff made presentation, Tom Mercer participating via telephone conference call

Nutting - The under ground is done, the steel is rising. The only real unknown left is if when we take down the old school we find something we didn't expect.

Roy - Anytime we can save the taxpayers money it is a no-brainer

Nutting - projected to be about a 20% savings over the life of the bond

Mercer - yes, we have a year spike but otherwise it saves us money in the long term

Jones - many of the naysayers for the school were fearful that the school was going to be a taj mahal and be full of cost overruns. To that we have been under and continuing to reduce is good.

Powderly - I appreciate the diligence in looking to avoid surprises, saving money overall

Live reporting - Police Presentation

PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

1. Chief of Police, Stephan Semerjian

(Document to be added later)

5000 in 1904 to 33,000 in 2012, arrests rose from 33 to 400+ in those years

Some historical figures and anecdotes told along the way

picture of parking meters from back in the 1940"s

photo of the new building from 1991

map of the four sectors patrolled by the police

photo of firearms seized from one Franklin resident

photo of dispatch station with four monitors operated by a single person when a 911 call comes in

certificate as America's Safest City for 2013 (actually #2 in 2012)

Chief says I am very proud of the guys we have, they want to work, they make it easy for me

Dellorco, they help us so much, there are coaches at the high school, they are involved, they know the kids

There is only one female officer currently

We get what we need to do what we have to do, we're better educated and trained so that helps

Live reporting - Town Council - Mar 6

Present: Mercer (remote) Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy (late)
Absent:

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 6, 2013

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

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

Franklin Public Schools: Update/Information

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello:

Weather Update
Many parents/guardians have called or emailed today concerning the status of school. At this time there is no data to make a decision. We will work closely with the Franklin DPW, Police and Fire to make the safest decision. We will not make a decision until tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

Many in our community have inquired as to the last day of school - June 24. As per MA General Law we must be in session for 180 days and we cannot extend the school year beyond June 28.

FHS Winter Carnival
Fun Event for Preschool and Elementary Children
Date/Time: Sunday March 10 12:00-4:00
FHS Field House
Games, snacks and prizes

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

Reminder: Tour of Keller and Sullivan - Mar 7 - 6:00 PM

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello

Please join the administration and School Committee for a tour of the Helen Keller Elementary School and Annie Sullivan Middle School.

Thursday, March 7, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

All community members invited - please meet in Keller lobby (on the left).
Address: 500 Lincoln Street.

If school is closed due to inclement weather, the tour will be rescheduled.

Bone Marrow Drive, Organ Donor Awareness - Mar 10

It is our hope to create awareness within families to talk about two very important Donor topics that are often difficult to discuss. We will have information available for you to consider this personal decision. We will also be able to add you to the marrow registry with a simple cheek swab (check out DKMS.org).

Pour Richards will have a wine/beer tasting during the event and we are selling tickets to it for $10. Proceeds from sales of wine/beer during our event will also be directed to our foundations. Join us for a fun afternoon and please share this information with your friends!

Share the event on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/events/351957668253710/