Thursday, May 16, 2013

Town Council meeting summary - May 15, 2013

The Town Council had a busy session on Wednesday. If you turned aside for a moment you could easily get confused. There was a series of public hearings scheduled include the major one for next year's budget. Before getting into the budget, let's cover the zoning bylaw changes.

There were several sets of hearings covering different groups of bylaw changes.

1 - The first set was around impervious surfaces. A couple of these bylaws are still with the Planning Board for modification so it seemed confusing but all together the set will come forward eventually. There will be a hearing on June 5th to continue the discussion on this topic.

2 - The next set was some minor modifications to the adult entertainment zoning. These are being modified because the next set on medical marijuana is built upon the adult entertainment zoning. This set was officially the first reading of two readings by the Town Council. Hopefully, no one in the audience really wanted to speak on this and the next topic as the hearing were closed summarily without looking up to the audience at all.

3 - Next up was the set for the medical marijuana zoning. This would be provisioning the Town to handle a permit for a medical marijuana dispensary as approved by the voters in the last Statewide election. There are no current proposals but this prepares Franklin should one come forward. These were officially the first of two readings before being voted on by the Town Council.

Not covered by a public hearing were two items that were referred to the Planning Board. They are zoning adjustments and targeted to handle a possible RFP and proposal to utilize the long unused property on Pond St for an anaerobic digestion facility. What the heck is anaerobic digestion? Check out the wikipedia entry here to get some background info on this process.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaerobic_digestion

The Planning Board is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, June 3rd to review this. Per the meeting tonight, a bunch of information will be forthcoming so we need to wait for the hearing and pay attention to that one. Sitting the facility near the Tri-County Regional Voc Tech and in the middle of a neighborhood will generate some discussion for sure.

Having participated in the Finance Committee budget hearings there was nothing really new in this presentation by Jeff Nutting. You can find the detailed he shared in the full agenda document here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/051513.pdf

Jeff Nutting at the budget hearing
Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting

The school budget was also the subject of a brief presentation and then the Town Council went into the reading line item by line item were some were held for further discussion on Thursday night.

I caught the Police and Fire budgets as the major ones held for discussion. I think I missed one or two others. We'll see for sure on Thursday.

There was significant discussion on the resolution to approve salary increases for the Town Clerk and Treasurer/Collector. They normally get the equivalent percent increase that everyone else gets. This year (and the first time in several years but the exact last time was not confirmed during the meeting)  there was a proposal to provide more of an increase to help make the salaries competitive. With the increase the salaries are 13,000 and 8,000 less than the average respectfully per the analysis done. The measure was approved by a roll call vote 8-1 with Judith Pfeffer the lone dissenting vote.

Under new business, there was discussion and we should see sometime in the future a presentation to consider funding options on how to get the roads into a better condition. There was also discussion on how to get a medical emergency facility located here in Franklin to better serve our community. More on this topic as it develops.

The full set of notes taken live during the meeting can be found here


Freshman Nets Hat Trick to Lead Panthers Past KP


The Kelley-Rex division champion Panthers have not been a free-scoring team this season, but every game it seems as though someone new steps up to grab the goals that they need to get the victory. On Wednesday night at King Philip it was Mackenzie Pleshaw. 
The freshman attacker buried a hat trick to lead Franklin to convincing 9-3 victory over its league rivals, ruining the Warriors Senior Night celebrations and continuing its perfect run through the Hockomock under first-year head coach Kristen Igoe. 
“That’s just confidence,” said the coach about Pleshaw’s performance. “She’s not afraid to go to net and start ripping corners. This is the perfect time for her to be coming on, so good for her.”
Read the full article on HockomockSports.com here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/05/freshman-nets-hat-trick-to-lead-panthers-past-kp.html?utm_source=feedly

Kennedy: Fund raising Recycle Day - reminder



J. F. Kennedy Elementary School PCC and Cub Scout Pack 126 Recycling Day Fundraiser - The J. F. Kennedy Parent Communication Council (PCC) and Cub Scout Pack 126 have joined together to sponsor a Recycling Day Fundraiser on Saturday, May 18 from 9 am -12 pm at the Kennedy Elementary School Parking lot at 551 Pond St., Franklin.



Please bring clean redeemable soda, seltzer, beer bottles and cans. Please, no water bottles, trash or regular recyclables.

A vendor will be on-site to accept computers, electronics and appliances for recycling. The vendor will erase all hard drives.

Fees for recycling, CASH payment only. $5 for Cameras – Photo and Video, Computer Mice, Computer Accessories and Keyboards, Phones, Walkmans, CD Players; $10 for Computer Monitors, CPU’S, Servers, Drives and Disks, Laptops, Fax Machines, Printers, Scanners, UPS Systems, DVD and VCR Players, Home Stereo Equipment; $15 for Microwaves, Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, Freezers, Dehumidifiers, Hot Water Heaters, Heaters and Stoves, Washers and Dryers, Dishwashers. Special Pricing for TV’s: in plastic cases under 27” - $17, in plastic cases over 27” - $25, in wood cases - $25, projection TV’s - $30.

Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used by the Kennedy PCC for educational programs for the J. F. Kennedy Elementary School students and by Cub Scout Pack 126 for programs for their members. For more information, contact Lisa Lipson at lisalipson@comcast.net.



In the News: budget woes, mosquito control


Franklin town administrator portends budget woes


All along, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting has presented the $95.1 million proposed fiscal year 2014 budget as a calculated step toward shoring up Franklin for greater fiscal challenges on the horizon.




Area residents are advised that he Norfolk County Mosquito Control District will begin the 2013 late evening ULV aerosol applications for mosquito control on or about May 28, weather permitting.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Live reporting: closing


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
nothing tonight

L. OLD BUSINESS
nothing tonight

M. NEW BUSINESS
Vallee - discussion on road repairs
Nutting - discussion on amount for an ongoing repairs, how much could be done per year. Should be a dedicated override vs a bond issue. Payback on the bond issue would require 2M a year on a 5M bond
under the law now, you can earmark amount for an override with only a change due to another vote by the general public

Roy - I would an enjoy a presentation on the options that can be consider
what roads would be consider, what returns would be covered

Bissanti - frankly the road situation is not good, we have to address it, the citizens have been concerned and have been participatory, we have to address it. I don't like spending money but we need to review it

Mercer - not only the roads but the water and sewer are underneath it

Nutting - we can put something together

Nutting -  we have a road and sidewalk plan, and a water/sewer plan, we are putting them together to have a simple 'master plan'

Dellorco - if we are going to present it we have to do it right, otherwise they won't approve

Nutting - the good news is we would present the plan, the council would approve each year

Vallee - we can be reactive, we need to be more proactive

Vallee - the time the ambulance takes to drive to Milford or Norwood, why can't we get a small hospital in town? urgent care, to stabilize a victim before travel

Nutting - to site a hospital is likely a decade of work with permits, etc.

Powderly - it would be a long process, we could talk with the area facilities and see if they would consider opening a satellite facility here

Nutting - this is a business decision, not a charitable operation

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
none tonight

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

P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 9-0

Live reporting: legislation for action

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS 

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Impervious Surfaces
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-716: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 3. Definitions – Referral to Planning Board
referral to planning board, approved 8-0

2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-717: Amendment to Chapter 185, Attachment 9. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements – Referral to Planning Board
referral to planning board, approved 8-0

Zoning Map:Old West Central Street
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-705: Amendment to Chapter 185, Section 5. Zoning Map – 1st Reading (this is actually the second reading) 1st reading was at meeting on 4/24/13
motion to approve, approved 8-0 (via roll call)
Economic development committee worked to make this change


Adult Entertainment
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-706: Changes to Chapter 185-5. Zoning Map, Adult Use Overlay District- 1st Reading
motion to move to 2nd reading, approved 8-0
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-707: Changes to Chapter 185-47. Adult Entertainment Establishment Districts – 1st Reading
motion to move to 2nd reading, approved 8-0


Medical Marijuana
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-708: Changes to Chapter 185-3. Definitions – 1st Reading
motion to move to 2nd reading, approved 8-0
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-709: Changes to Chapter 185-4. Districts Enumerated – 1st Reading 
motion to move to 2nd reading, approved 8-0
8. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-710: Changes to Chapter 185-5. Zoning Map, Medical Marijuana Use Overlay District – 1st Reading
motion to move to 2nd reading, approved 8-0
9. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-711: Changes to Chapter 185-7. Compliance Required – 1st Reading
motion to move to 2nd reading, approved 8-0
10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-712: Changes to Chapter 185-49. Medical Marijuana Use Overlay District – 1st Reading
motion to move to 2nd reading, approved 8-0

Pond Street Change of Zoning
11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-714:Changes to Chapter 185-3. Definitions – Referral to Planning Board
motion to refer to Planning Board, approved 8-0
12. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-715: Changes to Chapter 185-7. Compliance Required – Referral to Planning Board.
motion to refer to Planning Board, approved 8-0

- Councilor Roy arrives -

public hearing being scheduled for Jun 3rd at Planning Board meeting
would allow Town Council to seek requests for proposals
look for a full explanation on Monday Jun 3rd, 7:30 PM

difference between lease and ownership options, if land is still owned by Franklin, they would maintain control over the details
also discourages private competition

big questions but current zoning limits this opportunity to only this spot
there is a boat load of information to be had during the public hearing
if this is desired to be repeated at the council meeting, it can be

if this goes forward, there would be an RFP for companies to put forward a proposal
the amount of revenue would be dependent upon the amount of electricity generated to the grid


13. Resolution 13-31: Appropriation- Remington Jefferson School
to fund repairs to the roof of the school
Asking for $500,000 for repairs during the summer

Will this correct the current leaks at the school?
Yes

affects 40% of the backside of the roof near the playground area
5 yr contractor warranty, 20 product warranty
(copy of plan to be added later)

14. Resolution 13-32: Salary Schedule Full Time Elected Officials
move resolution,  voted 8-1 (Pfeffer only no, via roll call)

needs to be voted separately as these are the elected officials
constantly adjusting and evaluating to maintain competitive salary
closer to the average both still well below the average salary
an effort to bring some parity to the positions

all collective bargaining agreements have gotten 2%

Pfeffer
for the 1st time, giving a raise of 4.6 and 5.3 percent and the others have not gotten this, I will not support this

Roy
if you do not offer a competitive salary, the move to making them more so is laudable, we do that for others. I would urge the Councilors to support this

Bissanti
I see the level of complexity we have vs some of the bedroom communities, the increases are justified based upon the work we do vs other communities


The next four resolutions are made annually to approve the establishment of such accounts

15. Resolution 13-33: Establishment of a Use of Facilities Account for Fiscal Year 2014
motion to approve, passed 9-0

16. Resolution 13-34: Establishment of a Fire Department Fire Rescue Training Revolving Account for Fiscal Year 2014
motion to approve, passed 9-0

17. Resolution 13-35: Establishment of a Council on Aging Supportive Day Program Revolving Account for Fiscal Year 2014
motion to approve, passed 9-0

18. Resolution 13-36: Establishment of a Council on Aging Senior Center Activities Program Revolving Account for Fiscal Year 2014 
motion to approve, passed 9-0


Live reporting: public hearing - zoning bylaws


F. HEARINGS - 7:10 PM
Impervious Surfaces
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-701: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 3. Definitions
hearing opened and closed,

2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-702: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 36. Impervious Surfaces – To be Continued to June 5 at 7:10 pm.
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-703: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 40. Water Resource District – To be Continued to June 5 at 7:10 pm.

motion to continue to Jun 5th, 2nd, approved 8-0

4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-704: Changes to Chapter 185, Attachment 9. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements
hearing opened and closed, 

Zoning Map Amendment: Old West Central Street Zoning
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-705: Changes to Chapter 185, Section 5. Zoning Map 
hearing closed, 2nd, approved 8-0


Adult Entertainment:
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-706: Changes to Chapter 185-5. Zoning Map, Adult Use Overlay District 
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-707: Changes to Chapter 185-47. Adult Entertainment Establishment Districts 
hearing closed, 2nd, approved 8-0

Medical Marijuana
8. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-708: Changes to Chapter 185-3. Definitions 
9. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-709: Changes to Chapter 185-4. Districts Enumerated 
10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-710: Changes to Chapter 185-5. Zoning Map, Medical Marijuana Use Overlay District 
11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-711: Changes to Chapter 185-7. Compliance Required 
12. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-712: Changes to Chapter 185-49. Medical Marijuana Use Overlay District
hearing closed, 2nd, approved 8-0