Live reporting: Town Council - Agenda - May 6, 2015

Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Williams, Dellorco
Absent:  none


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– April 1, 2015, April 15, 2015
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


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 others.


C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
– Conservation Commission - William Batchelor
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

F. HEARINGS
none

Legislation for action:

1. Resolution 15-17: Amending the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

2. Resolution 15-18: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

3. Resolution 15-19: Appropriation - Fire Truck Stabilization Fund

$100,000 from free cash this year towards a future expense

Chief McCarragher, the next truck is scheduled for replacement in 2017

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)


4. Resolution 15-20: Appropriation – Athletic Fields Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund

$200,000 from free cash this year towards a future expense
fund set aside to replace the artificial fields in 2016-2017, so when the time comes, there will be funds in the account

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)


Presentation

• Culture District

Alan Mercer
part of steering committee to form a Cultural District
Jul 29- Aug 2, first annual Cultural Festival
11 organizations with 30 events over the time period

Taming of the Shrew - Dean College before the event
St Rocco Festival occurs after the Festival

locations throughout downtown
celebrate culinary arts, performing arts

family friendly and focused children events as well

Saturday mostly on the Town Common
Sunday mostly around the BLACK BOX parking lot

kick off event on May 16th
no pay for performers, nor admission to events
keeping cost down to under $2,000
fund raising event at the BLACK BOX on the 16th
tickets available for $18
via Facebook, website and through the BLACK BOX online
(link to be included)

Pandora Carlucci, Roberta Trahan, Jim Schultz, Sue Sheridan

Tom Mercer - the difference in the events is fantastic

2015 Memorial Day Parade Information

Updated from Matt Kelly (copied from his comment on Facebook to answer questions about the changes)

"as the coordinator of the parade I take offense to that. The route was changed because after almost 10 years of coordinating this parade both the marching veterans, the police and the I have had numerous discussions on the parade. The parade route was getting to long for the veterans that coordinate the parade with me, the police have concerns for safety of the children that march on Rt 140. 

Chris Nasuti Maguire the visit to both Union St and St Mary's cemeteries have not been removed from the ceremony. The American Legion and VFW are deciding if this will happen during the parade or on Sunday. As these are their brother and sisters I have left it up to them to decided when they want to pay their tributes to them. 

John Ristaino I am sorry for the people that won't see the parade pass in front of their house but my first concern is the veterans who walk each year and refuse to take a ride in donated cars, but instead walk, and the safety of our scouting groups. 

This is not a town sponsored event. For background information the VFW came to the Franklin Rotary Club almost 10 years ago and asked for help. At that time myself and several Rotarians stepped up and coordinated and planned the parade so it would not come to an end. We have operated the parade since we got involved using our own money and not any town or outside donations. We do this out of respect and devotion to our veterans. 

Before you cast your opinions, throw your stones and sign your petitions please stop and think that this is something that was done out of necessity and requests from the participants. 

Also, as the parade organizer feel free to ask a veteran to participate in the parade. Many of our marchers are elderly and very few veterans March out of pride. I beg and plead each year and very few show. So if you see a vet ask and encourage them to march. 

If you have additional questions, comments, constructive ideas please feel free to message me (on Facebook).

Participant Drop Off

If your group is participating in this year’s parade please see the attached drop off and muster location map. DO NOT HAVE ANYONE IN YOUR GROUP STOP ON RT140 AND DROP KIDS OFF. This is very dangerous and the last few years we have had some close calls with kids almost getting hit. Drop off should be done on West and East Streets and all people can walk to their muster location. This includes scouting troops and bands.

honor guard from 2014 parade

Parade Route:

The 2015 Parade route will begin at the Franklin Fire Station and proceed up Main St to Church St. We will no longer go down School St, Union St, or Beaver St. The parade will also no longer stop at Union St or St Mary's Cemetery's. Please see the attached update Parade Route Sheet.

Parade Information:

Date: Monday, May 25, 2015

Muster: 10am -10:15am - Group leaders must check in at the Franklin Historical Museum statue

Parade: 10:45 am

Ceremony: 12noon at the Franklin Town Common

What We Need From You:

Reply to this email with your~Troop, Group, Band information, contact person and ~estimated~ amount of participants in your group.

ALL participants must reply by May 15th

Forward this information to anyone who may need it in your Group, Troop, Band, or Organization
Email Matt@KellyColomboGroup.com with any questions.


Parade muster stations -  http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020C066C-000F8513.1/Parade%20Muster%20Stations.pdf

Parade map -  http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020C066C-000F8513.0/Parade%20Map.pdf

14th Annual Independence 5k Run and Walk - May 17 (video)

The spring road race series continues.

The Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail road race is behind us. The Elks Care Elks Share road race is May 9th.

And then Sunday, May 17th a full family day on the EMC grounds in Franklin's Industrial Park (behind fire station #2 off King St)

The Cardi brothers join Doug MacPherson and Ron Barnes to do this video promo for the event:

HMEA 5K - May 17th

Rwgister for the run or walk here
http://hmea.org/get-involved/2015-5k-run-walk/


BTW - I'll be busy but you should see me at the road race Registration Desk. I have been helping this organization (a great cause) for the past several years.

Don’t Miss the Mother’s Day Jewelry Sale at the Franklin Food Pantry May 7

Please be sure to stop by the Mother’s Day Jewelry Sale at the Franklin Food Pantry this Thursday, May 7 (12:30 – 2:30 pm or 6 – 9 pm) to buy your Mother’s Day gifts. 

Representatives from esbe Designs will have a variety of merchandise available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds from every sale will go directly to the Food Pantry. 

Sara Blaine Bianca cuff and earring set

Raffle tickets (one for $5 and three for $10) will be on sale for a gorgeous retired Sara Blaine Bianca cuff and earring set. A $330 value! 100% of ticket sales go to the Pantry. You do not need to be present to win. 


Your purchases will pay it forward to other moms in our community who struggle to provide enough food for their families. See you there!

Representative Roy Announces May Office Hours

State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced Tuesday that constituent office hours will be held in Medway and Franklin for the Month of May on the following days:

Franklin – Friday May 22^rd, 8:00-9:00AM, Elizabeth's Bagels, Franklin Plaza Shopping Center, 456 W Central St, Franklin 

Medway – Saturday May 30, 9:00-10:00AM, Muffin House Café, 116 Main St, Medway

Christopher Yancich, his legislative aide, will be accompanying him.

Representative Roy stated that all office hours are open to any residents of Franklin and Medway who may have questions or concerns that they wish to bring to his attention.  Walk-ins are welcome; no appointment necessary. He looks forward to hearing from you.

He also invites all constituents to call him at his State House office at (617) 722-2020, stop by Room 527A in the State House, or email him at Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov.

FHS tops Stoughton in baseball, softball

The sports diamonds were good to FHS on Tuesday as both the baseball and softball teams posted wins versus Stoughton. The results are shared from Hockomock Sports.

FHS Panthers

Baseball

Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 2 - Final

- Franklin senior Zane Byrne had a no-hitter through 6.2 innings and finished with a complete game shutout and allowed just one hit to pick up the win. Byrne helped himself at the plate, going 2-3 with a two-run double in the third inning for Franklin's only runs. Andrew Parent and Nick Santucci each had a hit and a run scored. For Stoughton, sophomore Ryan Sullivan pitched a complete game allowing just the two runs and six total hits and one walk, while striking out four.

Softball

Stoughton, 1 @ Franklin, 8 - Final 

- Erin Hanley went 3-4 with an RBI, Christine Harvey went 2-3, Olivia DiGiacomo had a pair of RBIs and head coach Kate Fallon-Comeau said Alicia Donovan played outstanding defense at shortstop. Sabrina LoMonaco struck out eight to pick up the win in five innings of work and Caroline D'Aprile struck out four in two innings of relief.

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-050515

MBTA: A Textbook Case of Dysfunction at the Taxpayers’ Expense

MBTA: A Textbook Case of Dysfunction at the Taxpayers’ Expense

Speaker: Mary Z. Connaughton: Director of Government Transparency; Pioneer Institute

Alumni Restaraunt
391 East Central St
Franklin, MA
Thursday, May7th, 2015
7:00pm to 10:00 pm

Free Event: Open to the public

For questions contact Sean @ 401.585.5213