Franklin Wine Club events

If you are interested in trying new wines or Sake, these might be the events for you. You can sign up for one or both events via the Meetup links provided.


Friday February 13th 7-9PM

Franklin Wine Club

Gay Callon from Chatom Vineyards

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/events/220117182/




Saturday February 21st   5-7PM
SAKE 101

Join us as we welcome Sake Sommelier Nancy Cushman for a Sake 101 event.

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/events/220276704/

FHS boys hockey win; double header basketball vs. KP on tap for Friday night

From Hockomock Sports we find the result of the boys hockey game (they won) and that the FHS basketball teams play a double header tonight at KP.

FHS Panthers

Boys Hockey

Franklin, 3 vs. St. John’s (Shrewsbury), 1 - Final - Alec Borkowski scored the game-winner in the third period and Matt Daly and DJ Shea also scored for the Panthers.

For other results from Thursday's action in the Hockomock League, check this link http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-020515

Basketball vs. KP

There is a basketball double header at King Phillip tonight. The FHS girls tip off at 6:00 followed by the boys game at 7:30 PM

http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-020615

Beaver St connector, recycling and snow removal updates provided

It was a quieter and shorter meeting than the past two for the Town Council. The Emmons St building has been sold, the RFP for Pond St is being re-worked so the large public participation was not in attendence.

DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi assisted by Recycling Coordinator Chris White provides updates on three major topics.

This document was used last night.

Franklin (MA) Town Council: DPW Update 20150204 from Franklin Matters

Pictures of the Beaver St connector and the repairs performed at great savings in December were impressive. The repairs had been estimated to cost $400,000 and came in at $122,000.

The DEP is working with the trash and recycling vendors to start implementing an enforcement of the restrictions around mixing trash with recycling and recycling with trash.

There are cameras on the truck to record what comes out of the totters as they are picked up. If you do put something you are not supposed to in either the trash or recycling, it is recorded and could result in a warning. Multiple infractions could result in individual fines.

There was talk of someone trying to 'recycle' a small TV in with their recycling. This is not permitted.

WasteManagement will be implementing spot studies where for a week, all the recycling will be held until the collection is complete. It will be weighed, processed and that which shouldn't be part weighed to provide a net 'good' weight. Franklin will then pay based upon the amount of 'clean' recycling on a scale where the poorer the amount of 'clean' the more we'd need to pay.

This program is effective July 1, 2015. There will be adidtional communications and information to the community between now and then to help prepare for this.

King St at Wachusett St

On the snow front, Franklin has spent almost $800,000 with snow removal so far. Approximately $268,000 of that total is for the salt. The remainder is for labor and contract resources. 

The 43 inches of snow cleared in the last week is about what the DPW normally clears in a full season.

For the complete set of notes taken live during the meeting you can review these links:

Live reporting: Legislation through to closing
Live reporting: DPW update
Live reporting: Town Council - Feb 4, 2015

Delegate Ladybug about to Land in New Home

After a summer of touring and festivals, the ladybug sponsored by Franklin's State Legislative delegation has found a new home. And where better than the home of Franklin's government. 

On Tuesday, February 10, 2015, Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) and Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) will be hosting a ceremony delivering the delegation's ladybug to town officials. They will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the class project that successfully traversed the legislative process and made the Ladybug the official bug of the Commonwealth. 

The "Proclamation Bug" as shown on the Town Common lawn in Aug 2014

In 1974 Ms. Pamela Johnson's second grade class from the Kennedy School in Franklin was learning about the Legislative process when they decided that they would like to make a difference and try their hand at legislating. Since Massachusetts already had an official state bird, tree and fish, they decided that the State needed an official bug. Ms. Johnson's class pooled its resources and with the direction of their State Representative worked through the committee process, visited legislators, lobbied on the bill's behalf and ultimately passed the bill that made the Ladybug the official Bug of the Commonwealth. 

"Forty years ago, that second grade class got the ultimate civics lesson and had a direct hand in legislating," said Representative Jeffrey Roy. "For one of the students in the class -- former Rep James Vallee -- it sowed the seeds for a 19 year run on Beacon Hill. I am thrilled to honor and recognize that class today, and hope that this ladybug will be a reminder to everyone who visits Town Hall that they can play a direct role in their government." 

"The ladybug story is a shining example of how an idea can be translated into law," said Senator Spilka. "I hope that the Franklin delegation's ladybug will be a constant symbol of the power of civic engagement, encouraging more people in our community to get involved in the political process and make their voices heard." 

"We truly live in a remarkable state when citizens, no matter what age, have the ability to impact the legislative process," said Senator Ross. "Forty years later, this testament remains true, and it is a privilege to recognize the success of the Kennedy School with this ladybug that will reside in Franklin Town Hall for generations to come."

The brief ceremony will take place on February 10 at 6 p.m. at the Franklin Municipal Building. 355 East Central Street Franklin, MA 02038. Any questions can be directed to Christopher Yancich at 617-722-2400 or by email at Christopher.Yancich@MAhouse.gov

The collection of Ladybugs shown on the Town Common lawn in August 2014 can be found here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645935226828

Economic Development Committee - meeting notes - Feb 3, 2015

Committee Present: Mr. Bissanti, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Vallee,
Committee Absent: Mr Padula

Town Representatives participating in meeting:  Mr. Nutting, Mr. Taberner, Mrs. Wierling

Also in attendance: Mr. Mercer, Mrs. Pfeffer

Notably missing: Anyone from the Planning Board

1. Mr. Nutting put together a package with information on the Pond Street background which was distributed to attendees

2. General protocol of EDC meeting was included in the packet

3. Mr. Nutting presented financial estimates based on 2014 proposal (same as presented at the Dec. 17th EDC meeting.) Estimates a hotel, business building and 50 condominiums would generate approximately $613,250 in tax revenue for the Town of Franklin

4. Comments were accepted in regards to the RFP. Comments or requests to include in RFP:

a. Limit on residential componentb. Why are we trying to sell?

•  Answer given: Economic reason only.

c. Can we put in buffers?

• 40 vs. 200 ft buffers
• Fuss and O’Neill report recommend 200-foot “no cut” buffer

d. Idea of solar panels was brought up again.

• Mr. Kelly suggested this be included as a possible use in the RFP

e. Can we include incentives for developers to build an attractive area that includes sustainable buildings, roof top gardens, open space for greater community.

5. Mr. Kelly called for a vote to table the discussion until the next ECD meeting. Meeting date TBD.


Thanks to Sandra Verhaegen for preparing these notes to share

Franklin Municipal Building

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School: info session

Please save the date for the BFCCPS Information Morning to be held on Saturday February 7th from 10am to noon.

BFCCPS Info session Feb 7th

Please note that in the event of inclement weather, the event will be held on Sunday February 8th from 7-9pm.

Additional information on the Charter School can be found on their webpage  http://bfccps.org/

Live reporting: Legislation through to closing

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 15-06:Approval of Extension of Intermunicipal Agreement for Regional Public Safety Communications and Dispatch Center

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

need a lease on the new building in Norfolk, to go along with the agreement
the lease is from the district not the Town of Franklin

2. Resolution 15-07:Acceptance of Gift – Town of Franklin
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

3. Resolution 15-08:Appropriation – Zoning Board of Appeals
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

(amount of $2,000 to be added to the budget)
more requests for variances and special permits, need the money up front and then reimbursed


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
thanks to DPW for their work on the storms

vacancy for Board of Assessors

draft of the capital budget contingent upon the snow and ice budget

issue of RFP to find space for the Recreation Dept
will save money for the expenses on maintaining the Emmons building
probably Mar or Apr to come back to the Council

next week will ask to over extend the snow/ice budget

L. OLD BUSINESS
none


M. NEW BUSINESS
Pfeffer - letter on old church

Nutting - an engineering firm looking at the structural integrity
letter removes the dead restriction that might have been applicable
we'll deal with Historical Commission on potential use
this opens up an easy way to maintain the historical value of the building


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
none


P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn