in the News: Depot Plaza fire, new FinCom member, medical marijuana applicants

Fire at Franklin's Depot Plaza caught at right time

Firefighters early Thursday morning battled a fire inside Depot Plaza that was caught before it could inflict any major damage. 

The fire originated from an exhaust fan in one of the building’s bathrooms, Chief Gary McCarraher said, and flames spread to the ceiling and burned for some time. 

A piece from the roof fell to the floor, causing another fire that activated the buildings alarms at about 2:47 a.m., he said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1655342027/Fire-at-Franklins-Depot-Plaza-caught-at-right-time#ixzz2g5KBgWvM

New member appointed to Franklin finance committee

William Dowd, of Pine Ridge Road, will occupy James Roche’s empty seat. Roche, previously the board’s chairman, decided against seeking reappointment this year. 

"I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to contributing," Dowd said Thursday. "I’m looking to make sure the town gets the biggest bang for its buck."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868843933/New-member-appointed-to-Franklin-finance-committee#ixzz2g5Jpsaeo



3 area towns listed in applications for medical marijuana dispensaries

Three communities are listed as possible locations for medical marijuana facilities, according to a review of the applications by the Massachusetts Municipal Association. 

In Norfolk County, four applicants are eyeing Franklin — Baystate Medical Enterprises Inc., Commonwealth Biopharm Inc., Mass. Compassionate Patient Care Corp. and Mass Relief Inc. — and one, Growing Health Wellness Center Inc., has identified Bellingham as a potential town to set up shop.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1655342015/3-area-towns-listed-in-applications-for-medical-marijuana-dispensaries#ixzz2g5JB71nv

Divided Council moves zoning bylaw changes to second reading

In my reporting on this current Council, there have been very few instances where a vote was less than unanimous. On Wednesday, the zoning bylaw changes put forward to allow development of the Cook's Farm property ultimately passed by a 5-2 vote. There were only seven of the nine Councilors voting as two recused themselves for connections to the property or family in some way.

It is telling that the two 'No' votes rose from Tina Powderly (who has approached everything she has done with professional integrity and intelligence) and Glenn Jones (the subcommittee chair of the Economic Development Committee). One of the key arguments against the proposal as outlined by Councilor Powderly was how this proposal did not fit with anything in the Master Plan which had been also presented on Wednesday and approved unanimously by the Council. Primarily it allows for higher density development when Franklin has been operating since the 1990's to managed its growth.

The population grew rapidly due to development of the farms, increasing the need for schools which we were fortunate to build with much State help while we were growing. That help (read funds) has dried up and instead of increasing to meet our current needs has flatten out and started to decline. Franklin is dependent upon State funds to operate. We do need to grow to expand our tax base. That is the only way we can get help. But putting in additional homes may not be the best way at this time to do so.

There are additional problems with this proposal. The Planning Board will re-do their vote on the changes. Apparently during the meeting on Monday, the motion to approve the bylaws was made before the hearing closed, comments on the measure were not properly solicited, and while the vote did pass, one member has retracted their vote due to the situation. Planning Board Chair Tony Padula explained these 'house keeping' steps were needed. He expects to be able to re-do the vote properly during their next meeting October 7th. This is still before the Town Council can take the measures up for their second reading on Oct 16th.

There was also discussion around the dead end calculation and how it should be handled. Why the fuss over this? A safety issue. If the streets are too narrow emergency vehicles can not get in and turn around to deal with an emergency. If the road in is also the only road out, it could create a situation where an emergency vehicle needing to leave to transport patients to the hospital can not get out of the development. This situation would be created by allowing higher density development in a smaller space allowing for profit to the property owners and developer but putting the residents at risk in case of an emergency.

I agree with the 'No' vote caste by Councilors Powderly and Jones. Rushing into this change in zoning bylaws can have a lasting effect on Franklin. The Master Plan was just approved. We should spend time putting those recommendations into place so that Franklin can be a place to live safely in the future, not just now.

Additional links with the "live reporting" from the Town Council meeting can be found here:

• Live reporting - Closing
• Live reporting - Legislation
• Live reporting - Master Plan
• Live reporting - license transaction, zoning bylaw...
• live reporting - Town Council meeting - Sep 25, 20...
• 
  

Pumpkin Carving Contest - Franklin Historical Museum

Here's a chance to get into the spirit of the season! The Franklin Historical Museum will be holding a carved pumpkin contest in conjunction with the Harvest Festival, October 6th. A flyer is attached. 

The contest is for school age children grades 2 through 8. Carved pumpkins should be delivered to the museum between 11:00am and Noon on the 6th. Judging will be at 2:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded. Cookies and Apple Cider will be served.

Join us for a fun afternoon, see how creative the kids can be, and have a look around at some of Franklin's History.The Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, just two doors from the Fire Station, in the old Town Hall and former Senior Center Location.

For additional information about the Franklin Historical Museum visit their webpage
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/

or the Museum Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038


For additional information on the Harvest Festival stay tuned here or visit the Downtown Partnership webpage  http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Flu Clinic - Oct 17th

The VNA and Hospice of Greater Milford, in cooperation with the Franklin Board of Health is sponsoring the following seasonal flu immunization clinic for the residents of Franklin. These clinics are for town residents over 6 months of age.

Thursday, October 17, 2013, 1:00 - 3:00 P.M. 

at the Franklin Senior Center

10 Daniel McCahill Street

"The process is over"

What happened to the teacher in the incident reported at the opening of schools? The update from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday as reported by the Milford Daily News is:

The Franklin High School teacher accused in August of serious misconduct was fired last week following an internal investigation. 

The school district’s attorney found that the instructor showed "conduct unbecoming of a teacher," said Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, who would not go into further detail. 

"The teacher was represented and had due process," she said on Tuesday.

You can read the full article in the MDN here:

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868843410/Franklin-teacher-accused-of-misconduct-fired?rssfeed=true

Related posts:
School Opening Update
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-public-schools-school-opening.html

Monday's announcement
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-public-schools.html

It all about an allegation
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/lets-note-that-this-is-all-about.html

When the video replay of the School Committee meeting is available you can view it here

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewCalendar.aspx?siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin%2fr3Z0jcDVCNw%3d%3d

"voted to repeal the new technology tax"

The Milford Daily News reports on the House action in Boston on Wednesday:

The House voted 156-1 on legislation geared toward repealing the tax. The Senate will likely take up the bill during its session Thursday. 

“To say I’m pleased is an understatement,” said Jay Fredkin, CEO of Cabem Technologies, a company with offices in Franklin and Newton. 

In calling for the tax’s repeal, Fredkin said, tech businesses throughout the state felt "blindsided." 

“They passed the law and days later it was implemented; no one had a clue what to do. Blindsided is exactly what happened,” the Franklin resident said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868843408/House-repeals-tech-tax-local-businessmen-pleased#ixzz2fzVvcD7F

Live reporting - Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Harvest Festival - Sunday, Oct 6th - come on downtown to see everything, there will be lots going on
Senior Center Expo on Friday
Thanks to Beth and Bryan for their work on the Master Plan

L. OLD BUSINESS
none

M. NEW BUSINESS
Kelly - review all the facilities in town; can we review the 600 ft discussion to know more about it

Roy - I know the tour of the eleven schools take 5-6 hours

Mercer - tour of the new high school coming on the 7th of Oct at 5:00PM, time moved up due to daylight savings



N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Kelly - hope everybody goes to the Harvest Festival

P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn