"This is just a discussion"

The Council Chamber was full Wednesday evening. Many folks attended the Economic Development Committee meeting at 5:30 and moved to the Chamber for the Council meeting at 7:00.
Councilor Matt Kelly add his comment just as the discussion was getting underway on Wednesday evening.

"This is just a discussion, just so everyone understands that. It is not on our agenda to be voted on."

An hour later, after more than a dozen speakers raised points primarily to slow down and take some time to discuss the project pros and cons for what to do with 150 Emmons St, Councilor Kelly did make a motion to add a resolution to the next Town Council meeting agenda. The resolution was voted on and passed unanimously (via roll call as Councilor Mercer was participating remotely).

The resolution would be authorize the administration to issue an "Expression of Interest" where for 90 days it would be open to received proposals. At the end of the 90 day period, the Economic Development Committee would review the proposals and make a final report to the Town Council scheduled for the first meeting in Sep 2014.

The intent of this request for proposals is to gather interest and ideas in order to better focus and craft the proposal to sell the building (more likely). How it would be used remains open at this time. The consensus of the Council seems to be revenue generation (which Franklin needs), something to recognize Horace Mann, and some portion of the lot for 'greenspace'.

All those looking to do something special whether for non-profits or cultural purposes will have 90 days to put the proposal together and submit it.

Some of the folks walking away from the meeting last night would be upset that after being heard, the Council went ahead and did what they apparently had planned to do. The vote on this by the way was unanimous, 9-0 via roll call.

There is time to further the discussion, combine or re-do ideas, make the ideas more real than a few words. It will also take time for the next steps to happen. In Sep, the Council (and all of Franklin) will find out what the Economic Development Committee recommendation will be. The RFP would still require another Council vote. Once that is decided, the bid process would result in a decision to be made by the Council.

The bid winner then would work through the normal planning process with hearings before the Planning Board and other bodies as needed. Whatever happens will certainly not happen overnight.

What should happen as this goes forward is for the Town Council to be transparent in their words and deeds. They have been less than transparent thus far, hence the concern on the citizens part is justly placed.

150 Emmons St - the building under discussion

The full set of notes reported live during the meeting Wednesday evening can be found here

• live reporting - closing
• Live reporting - Legislation for action
• Live reporting - 150 Emmons St
• Live reporting: Spilka, Ross, Roy
• Live reporting: Town Council - Apr 2, 2014
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Franklin Library: author Ted Reinstein speaks at 7:00 PM

Ted Reinstein, author of the New England Notebook will speak Thursday evening Apr 3, at 7:00 PM at the Franklin Public Library.

Ted Reinstein, author of New England Notebook

For additional information on Ted you can visit his website http://tedreinstein.com/ or view this brief video as he tells one of the stories from the New England Notebook

"Citizens Committee" statement

As read by Judith Pfeffer, Town Councilor and one of three councilors on the Citizens Committee (half the total committee membership).

As an appointed member of the Citizens Committee, I have a statement on behalf of the Citizens Committee as regards the 150 Emmons Street property. The Citizens committee was formed basically to "encourage quality, visually pleasing, financially enhancing economic development for the benefit of our community. Projects that the Citizens Committee, to date, have impacted include:

• Dump (recycling center) improvements

• Acquisition efforts in land purchase from state, property next to dump

• Dean College train station building improvements

• Cooks Farm building project

• Cleaning/maintenance of down town central business district 

The Citizen's Committee's position relative to the disposition of the old town hall are as follows: 

1. The site, bordered by two main arterial roadways, is better suited for commercial development, as part of an enhanced central business district and a revenue producing property than another town-owned, marginally/poorly maintained, economic drain on town resources 

2. The curb cuts should be done for the property while the road project is being done, so the openings will not have to be redone after the new road has been completed. 

3. Revenue from the sale of the site, could be used to construct a first class facility for the Recreation Department, and would allow for expansion of its' many programs, particularly those which have been downsized by the schools (arts, music, etc.) For years the Recreation Department has been moved from one site to another and is deserving of a facility that will serve Franklin, and its children, for years to come ... Rec dept. served 5700 kids in 2013, over 4000 in sports programs. 

4. The estimated cost alluded to in a prior meeting of one million dollars for retaining, re-constructing, and developing the old town hall site into a Cultural Center, not to mention the annual cost of maintaining said cultural center, in view of the anticipated costs of the new school, road improvement program and questionable economy makes no economic
sense. 

5. Suggestions that the site is appropriate for a park, although well intentioned, is not practical for the following reasons: (1) the town owns, and maintains an underutilized site less than a mile away (Town Common); (2) the loss of revenue from both the sale and future taxes is economically unsound; (3) the town's history of property maintenance is abysmal, at best, and unlikely to improve under this proposal; (4) it is likely that the use of any park at that site would serve, primarily, the students of the college that surround it.  

Economic Development at this site: (1) will provide revenue for a building for Recreation Dept.; (2) The town, through the permitting process, will have input into any proposed development at the site, assuring the development is aesthetically appropriate and contributes to the "gateway"
initiatives under discussion; (3) As alluded to above, the town's recent history of owning and maintaining property, does not lead one to think adding to the current burden is either logical or prudent; this is one of sites referred to as "seedy" in the Globe's description of Franklin! 

6. There needs to be an ongoing blending of public-private development. The reconstruction of the central business district roadways will be a huge contribution to any revitalizing effort; the private sector needs to be encouraged to participate.

7. The Citizens Committee strongly recommends that a "REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST" be initiated. Responses to this Request will be reviewed, discussed with and between the Council and brought before the Public. This will insure that this site will continue to
be on the forefront. The Request for Expression process will take months, and the follow-up RFP will take additional months. Waiting for the next few years to make a decision is not in the Town's best economic interest.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/Citizen%20Committee

Mass Governor Declares Public Health Emergency

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Executive Update    Massachusetts Governor declares Public Health Emergency 60-Day Action Plan to address Opioid Epidemic April 2, 2014 Quick Links Contact us by email! Dear Steve,  We have an epidemic of opiate abuse in Massachusetts...," March 27, 2014 Deval Patrick Governor Commonwealth of Massachusetts  How Bad is the Epidemic?   More than two people die from opioid overdoses every day in Massachusetts. It is estimated that for every person who dies from an overdose, over 50 are saved. In the last few months alone, 140 people have died from overdose.   Despite Massachusetts taking this extraordinary action, many other states are experiencing the same trends or worse.  According to Kentucky Executive Office of Drug Control Policy, heroin overdose deaths exploded 550% (2011 to 2012).  In Vermont, heroin deaths rose over 88% from 2012 to 2013.  What is the 60-Day Action Plan? The 60-day plan grants EMERGENCY POWERS to the Public Health Commissioner to begin the following actions: Universally permit first responders to carry and administer Naloxone (Narcan)...an opioid antagonist to reverse an overdose. Immediately prohibit the prescribing and dispensing of the hydrocodone-only drug formulation (commonly known as Zohydro). Mandate the use of the previous voluntary program Prescription Dispensing Monitoring Program (PDMP). Re-task state government with better coordinated services and divert non-violent criminal defendants to addiction programs. An "ACT TO BAN ZOHYDRO" Both the United States Senate (S.2134) and the House of Representatives (HR 4241) have introduced bills to withdrawal approval of Zohydro(R) and prohibit the FDA from approving such drugs in the future unless reformulated to prevent abuse.  Your WorkersComp Plan of Action Employers/Carriers must employ ROBUST predictive models to identify at-risk injured employees as early as possible in the claim process.  A machine learning approach using transaction level detail, claim notes and the like is the optimal approach. (Cautionary note: the number of variables used is NOT a proxy for a robustness measure of a model.) Typically, insurance operations can identify upwards of 15% of non-CAT high risk claims between the 90 and 120 day mark.  As we are seeing from the epidemic statistics, this is ID is far too late. Models should identify between Day 1 and Day 30 with significantly higher accuracy rates. Utilize a data warehouse to capture data and help understand patterns of potential abuse.  Key Performance Indicators (KPI) can be deployed for continuous alerts. Measure - Monitor - Act Call us now to help implement your Action Plan to Positively Impact Claim Outcomes.  Cordially, Jim Paugh President WorkersComp Analytics LLC (  617-410-6561    Data Warehoused in the USA POSITIVELY IMPACTING CLAIM OUTCOMES

Forward email WorkersComp Analytics | 65 Commodore Rd | Worcester | MA | 01602

FHS Lacrosse scores

In Hockomock League lacrosse action on Weds, for the boys:

FHS Panthers

Franklin, 13 @ Oliver Ames, 2 - Final - Jack Vail picked up six points in the win via two goals and four assists and Austin Kent added four goals for the Panthers.

In Hockomock League lacrosse action on Weds, for the girls:

Oliver Ames, 3 @ Franklin, 17 - Final - Emily Jeffries scored five goals, Marta Vesprille had two goals and six draw controls and Julia Bireley had a goal and three draw controls.

The full slate of results across the Hockomock League can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/04/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-040214.html

live reporting - closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 
Apr 30, May 1 - budget hearing

send best wishes to Stella


L. OLD BUSINESS 
none

M. NEW BUSINESS 
create new committee to explore a hospital opening an emergency care center
recommend assigning the folks to explore

when the bond bill passes, we'll be out to talk to you
Jeff met with Transportation Committee today, when he has info, let me know


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS 
Bissanti - I am very proud of the townspeople for their out pouring for their opinions
we just don't represent 40-50 people in the room, I think we did the right thing tonight

Kelly - it was not my intention to be harsh with my comments
I apologize, if someone took it that way

Padula - thanks for your input, we need more


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

P. ADJOURN 
motion to adjourn, 9-0 via roll call


The documents released with this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/04022014.pdf

Live reporting - Legislation for action

return from 5 minute break

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-05: Appropriation: Fire Detail Account – Continue until May
moved to second meeting in May; 7-0 vote by roll, (Padula, Feldman out of room at the time)


2. Resolution 14-15: Request for Special Legislation, Re: Local Sales Tax on Sale of Medical Marijuana
motion to approve, seconded, vote 9-0 via roll call


3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-728R: Changes to Chapter 185 – 5, Zoning Map: Industrial to Single Family III(Washington St.)-Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive reading, seconded, vote 9-0 via roll call
motion to amend, seconded, vote 9-0 via roll call
motion to refer to Planning Board, seconded, vote 9-0 via roll call


4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-732: Changes to Chapter 185-21, Parking, Loading, and Driveway Requirements – Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive reading, seconded, vote 9-0 via roll call
motion to refer to Planning Board, seconded, vote 9-0 via roll call

changing sight distance from a set distance to a variation due to speed and other local factors
shifted also from Zoning Board to Planning Board