Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - June 24, 2015

A. EXECUTIVE SESSION 
– Strategy with Respect to Pending Litigation and Collective Bargaining re Fire Fighter’s Union


B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 7:00 PM

C. 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.

D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

E. CITIZEN COMMENTS

F. APPOINTMENTS – 2015 Annual Committee Appointments

G. HEARINGS

H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

I. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

J. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

K. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 15-43: Appropriation – FY15 Fire Wages (Arbitration Award)
2. Resolution 15-44: Appropriation – Other Post Employment Stabilization Fund
3. Resolution 15-45: Appropriation – Roads/Sidewalks/Drainage/Storm water/ Infrastructure

L. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

M. OLD BUSINESS

N. NEW BUSINESS

O. COUNCIL COMMENTS

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Municipal Building

The documents associated with this published agenda be found on the Franklin webpage here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/062415.pdf

What if… we can each help turn the tide of Addiction one share at a time?

From Patricia Byrne writing at Stop The Silence

The response to Stop the Silence has been staggering. The speed at which it was shared speaks to the size of the Epidemic of Addiction slithering through our neighborhoods and stealing our loved ones. 

Many have asked how they can help, others have asked how to get help. Much needs to change for the tide of Addiction to turn. Gloucester MA is at the front of the charge. They have created an Angel Program to help addicts instead of jailing them. 

We must admit this Epidemic is hiding in our communities. We need to recognize that families from all walks of life are re-enacting the same play behind different doors in cities, suburbs and small towns alike. We plead, sob, and scream to our addicts and to each other from a battle-worn script as we live our shared nightmare. Addiction is stealing the future of so many and decimating the lives of everyone who loves them. We need to step out from behind the doors and come together to help one another.

Continue reading Patricia here
https://stopthesilencespeakthetruth.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/what-if/

You can read more about Gloucester's Angel Program here -->
http://jgpr.net/2015/05/05/gloucester-police-chief-announces-major-drug-policy-changes/

As resources become available, Patricia will be posting them to this "Resources" page --> 
https://stopthesilencespeakthetruth.wordpress.com/local-resources-by-state/

The Addict's Mom

Community Coalition - June 30th - 7:00 PM

Franklin can come out from behind closed doors to the High School Auditorium on 7:00 PM Tuesday, June 30. The meeting will introduce the formation of a Community Coalition to help with our own problem.

Fight Hunger Paintball Challenge – July 12, 2015

"In memory of Quinton Buehrens"

Proceeds to support The Franklin Food Pantry

Come spend the day “FIGHTING HUNGER”

No family should ever go hungry and the Franklin Food Pantry works miracles every day supporting those families in Franklin that are in dire need of Food and other supplies.

• Time: 8:30 am to 5:00pm
• Registration: 9:00am
• Games start at 10pm and ends at 4pm

Fight Hunger Paintball Challenge

In the News: Community Coalition, South Meeting House

State legislators, medical experts and officials from the town’s school district and police department will meet later this month to garner local solutions to the state’s opioid epidemic. 

State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, has arranged the June 30 meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in the Franklin High School auditorium, 218 Oak St. 

The public session will establish a direction for the new community coalition that aims to create a support network for residents struggling with addiction. And Roy has invited medical and law enforcement experts to shed light on the opioid crisis in Massachusetts.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150620/NEWS/150629622/1994/NEWS

Related posts on the community coalition and opioid problem can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/what-if-we-can-each-help-turn-tide-of.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/representative-roy-announces-community.html

When first constructed in 1861, the South Franklin Congregational Meeting House on Washington Street served a need of convenience for its flock. 

The Congregationalist community in that area, known as Wadsworth then, had to trek several miles to reach their only church in the center of town, and in inclement weather or harvest seasons, traveling there could prove difficult, according to town historical records. 

So, to allow them to practice their faith without taking the burdensome trip, the South Franklin Congregationalists erected a church in their part of town. The historic wood building still stands today — only that niche it met 154 years ago no longer applies. 

Yet the town’s oldest religious structure may not sit vacant for much longer.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150621/NEWS/150629621

"this hasn't been done before, so it can't be done"

Via Ann Williams writing on the Pour Richard's Facebook page

Inertia-noun 

A tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged.

"Inertia, or maintaining the status quo, can be a good thing. If you're hiking up the side of a mountain, you want the rocks to stay put. But business is different; if you are standing still, there are 5 other businesses that aren't. By standing still, you're actually losing ground.

At Pour Richard's, we take the path less traveled. Instead of selling the heavily advertised brands you find in the big box stores, we feature wines, beers, and spirits from small producers. The best part of my job is finding exciting new products- a new nanobrewery in Northampton, a better version of an Irish Cream- and then translating that excitement to our customers.

We do that by tasting, by talking, and hopefully, occasionally by pairing the wine (beer, cocktail) with the food that it was meant to accompany. It's a great way to introduce our customers to something new. It's also fun.

Our customers-wonderful, adventurous, fun people-have embraced this approach. Franklin has been an absolutely awesome place to do business-with one small exception: food.

When we have a product or an event that we feel would be enhanced by food, we'd like to do it legitimately: file a food safety plan, pay the town $50, and post a limited license to serve samples. Recently, we tried to do just that. I received my Servesafe food safety certification, filed an extensive food safety plan, and applied for permission to serve samples of Brazilian BBQ with caipirinhas. But Franklin does not currently allow non-food businesses to apply for these one-day permits. After several mostly cordial conversations with the town's health inspector, the only discernible reason for this seems to be inertia: this hasn't been done before, so it can't be done.

sometimes it just feels like this....

We understand that resisting inertia can be uncomfortable. But progress and growth don't happen without stepping out of the comfort box. If we've complied with all of the safety codes, why can't we receive a permit? Is inertia a good reason to say no?"

#shopFranklin

No fireworks? No parade? No matter, Franklin will still celebrate the 4th of July.

The schedule of events is available on the 4th of July Coalition webpage and shared here.

2015 Franklin 4th of July Celebration

2015 Franklin 4th of July Celebration 

Laser Light Show 

July 3rd 10PM  @ Town Common

Wednesday, July 1st:

• 6pm-10pm Food Booths and Amusements Open
• 7pm-9pm Phantom Band with Tyler Zajac

Thursday, July 2nd:

• 6pm-10pm Food Booths and Amusements Open
• 7pm-10pm ZOD Band (local youths with Matt Zajac)

Friday, July 3rd:

• 12pm-10pm Food Booths and Amusements Open
• 3pm-5pm Tyler Zajac Solo
• 7pm-10pm Corvairs (oldies band)
• 10pm LASER LIGHT SHOW (with sound and 3D glasses)

Saturday, July 4th:

Children's Day

• 12pm-10pm Food Booths and Amusements Open
• 12 noon Children's Parade
• 1pm-5pm Children's Entertainment

• Anna and Elsa from FROZEN

• Jamie Barrett (Franklin's own)

• Flippo the Clown

• 7pm-10pm Groove Doctors Band (local musicians)

Sunday, July 5th:

• 1pm-7pm Food Booths and Amusements Open
• 2pm-5pm BATTLE of the BANDS (prizes will be awarded)

* * * * * NO PARADE THIS YEAR, SORRY! * * * * *

Note: This is one of the many great events happening in Franklin that is put together by an private/volunteer organization and not the Town. You can contribute to the cause here
http://july4thfranklinma.com/donations.asp

You can volunteer for the cause here  http://july4thfranklinma.com/volunteers.asp

Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival is TODAY!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE 5th annual BRT SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL? WE ARE! More than 50 incredible volunteers have  transformed a beautiful but underused park in Cumberland into a world class festival space... FIVE stages, a session tent, and 40 food and craft vendors are set up, ready for YOU to enjoy an amazing day of music, dance and culture! PLEASE JOIN US  TODAY!  FOOD VENDORS  Mickey G's Clam Shack, GottaQ BBQ, The Salad Man & Juice Bar, Del's Lemonade, and the Ice Cream Machine. CRAFT VENDORS Tom and Alices Apiaries, Scentsy, Doodle Paintings, Thirty-One Gifts, K&T Jewelery Accessories, Reclectic Design, Bonnie Lee's Creations, Renewal by Andersen, Silver 'N Such, La Wren's Nest, Starlite Jewelry Design, Tupperware, Celtic Beat, SilverLeaf Studios,  mpic studios, Tir Na Nog Irish Dance, Pocasset Wampanoag Creations, Boyd Holms, Rusted Goat Soaps, Silpada Designs, R.I. Home Improvement, Premier Water Systems, Sandra-Lynn Custom Jewelry Designs, Daren Rathbun Photography, Queen of Everyday, Celtic Revival, Mommie's Hobbie Designs, The Glass Heron, Sassy Classy Clay Creations, Massage Envy, Havana Banana, Fibi and Clo, Head Designs by N'Italia, Usborne Books & More, Hills Home Market, Yarina Threads, Jewels by Crissy B IT'S SOLSTICE FESTIVAL TIME! We have an amazing time planned for you! Full details can be found at: www.riverfolk.org/brtssf We have an almost perfect day weather-wise...not too hot, not too cold, lots of sun but not too much! Definitely too cool for the beach... Nothing left to say but we promise you an incredible day for the whole family! Hope to see YOU today! * Satellite parking will be provided two minutes away at Mercymount Country Day School * We have a 14-passenger shuttle working between 1-6 p.m. travelling to Mercymount AND to the farther parking lots at Diamond Hill Park The After-Festival session at BRT is COMPLETELY SOLD OUT as of Thursday! THANK YOU!    Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday! Russell Gusetti, Executive Director   5th annual BRT Summer Solstice Festival Looking for a great family-friendly outdoor music festival without having to travel hours to find it? Blackstone River Theatre has your solution as we move our programming outside to present the 5th annual Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival at Diamond Hill Park, Rte. 114, Cumberland, on Saturday, June 20. The Summer Solstice Festival will run from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with five stages that focus on Celtic and world music, dance and culture. There will also be more than 40 craft and food vendors and a new session tent area where attendees are encouraged to bring instruments to play with some of the festival musicians. NOTE: The Welsh band Calan will NOT be appearing due to visa problems in London. However, Pendragon will perform for one of their spots and Matt & Shannon Heaton will perform at the other!   Festival performers include Eastern Medicine Singers, The Gnomes, The Gothard Sisters, Cassie & Maggie MacDonald, Robbie O'Connell & Dan Milner, Pendragon, RUNA, The Vox Hunters with Torrin Ryan, and Will Woodson and Joey Abarta. There will also be nonstop Irish step dance featuring 50 dancers from Tir Na Nog Irish Dance. A children's stage will feature Irish magic shows with Debbie O'Carroll, Mary King & Phil Edmonds, Art on the Spot Face Painting and henna, and Marvelous Marvin's Circus Arts.  Admission is only $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 children ages 6-15, children under 5 free. Festival sponsors include the Town of Cumberland, Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc., Navigant Credit Union, Valley Breeze, Tir Na Nog Irish Dance, Open MRI of New England, Ocean State Urgent Care and Angelo's Palace Pizza.

Forward email to a friend! Blackstone River Theatre | 549 Broad Street | Cumberland | RI | 02864