Live reporting: Town Council - June 24, 2015

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


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
Raye Lynn Mercer
introduces Electric Youth for a performance before they leave for France and England

Electric Youth introduces themselves before performing "I bet my Life"

a song by Imagine Dragons "I bet my Life"
http://www.directlyrics.com/imagine-dragons-bet-my-life-lyrics.html


K. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 15-43: Appropriation – FY15 Fire Wages (Arbitration Award)

taking the agenda out of order due to the crowd gathered, 
motion to approve, seconded, 

9 municipal bargaining units, 6% agreement over the four years
had not settled with the Fire Fighters
went to arbitration with the Fire Fighters
award runs concurrent with other union agreements
would need to start into a successor contract for the new period
Council had been putting money aside in anticipation of the award
final deal to allocate the funds to meet the deal
so we have enough money to cover the funding required

so Jeff Nutting is looking to settle this issue
strongly suggesting an affirmative vote

Chuck Allen, Vice President Fire Fighters local union
fire fighters lag behind in comparative salaries
don't want to let the fire dept become the dept of last resort
the report the arbitrator has outlined the summaries

the Council (and other before us) have done much for Franklin
new school, updates to the Library, etc.
however, Franklin is more than just bricks and mortar
without the best people, Franklin would not be the best place in the Commonwealth
voting no would only hurt our families and our community
voting yes would allow us to go forward

vote via roll call - passed 8-1 (Pfeffer)
objecting as she thinks the other unions should get the same increases

Needle Safety Public Service Announcement (video)

Franklin collaborating again.

The Police, Fire, and Public Schools (Panther TV) got together to produce this public service announcement on what to do when you find a needle.





Used needles can be safely disposed of at the kiosk located at the Police Station on Panther Way
http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Health/needles.pdf

Remember that prescription drugs can be safely disposed of at the Police Station
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PoliceNews/DrugSafe.pdf

FHS Emily Jeffries named All American

Via the Twitter feed:

Congrats to Emily Jeffries on being named an All-American!! 🇺🇸 #proudcoach https://t.co/EhQEUwpJGK

— FHS Girls Lacrosse (@Fhsglax) June 23, 2015

Emily Jeffries scored four of Franklin's 20 goals on Wednesday against Mansfield. Julia Jette added four of her own and Emily Spath had a hat trick. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Downtown Project: Update #5

The binder course (base coat) will be put down on Summer Street on July 1 or 2 depending on the weather. 

The binder course will be put down on High Street and Main Street from Pleasant to School Street during the same time period. 

They will begin replacing the Emmons Street sidewalk at the end of this week or next week. 

Work at the corner of Emmons and West Central Street (old municipal building) will commence next week, including the installation of the traffic light bases. 

The period lighting bases installation will continue over the summer at several locations. 

The sidewalk reconstruction of West Central Street will begin mid to late July. 

If anyone has a question, please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or my office at 508-520-4949.

Main St under construction

Pollinator Talk in the King St. Community Garden June 28th at 11AM

Ed Szymanski will be giving at a talk at the King St. Community Garden this Sunday, June 28th, at 1PM. Please join us to learn about the role that pollinators play in making the community garden a success each year.

bee on flower

​Updated 6/25 - 8:00 PM - > Note: We've moved the time of the pollinator event to coincide with that morning's workday. The workday will run from 9am until 11am. At 11am the pollinator event will start and will run until approximately noon.

If you plan on attending please RSVP to franklincommunitygardens@gmail.com so we have a rough head count as there will be handouts.

Sincerely,

The Franklin Community Garden Committee

In the News: Online voter registration, social media for cold cases, teacher award at Tri-County

Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin announced today that the state has implemented online voter registration which allows an applicant to apply to register, change party status or change address for voter registration purposes. 

“In a way, this represents the start of the 2016 presidential election here,” said Galvin in a press release. “The 2016 presidential primary is just eight months away, and this system will make it easier for residents to register to vote.” 

Galvin said that voter registration normally peaks in presidential election years.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150623/NEWS/150628899/1994/NEWS

Police hope the social media blast will bring new light to the cases. 

“We have to keep the fire going,” said Chief Stephan Semerjian. “Someone out there knows information helpful to police.” 

In many area communities, police departments have taken to social media to connect with the community. It’s the fastest, easiest way to get information out, said Semerjian. 

“It’s just the way it is with society. Everyone is high speed now,” he said.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150623/NEWS/150628629/1994/NEWS

The Paul Revere Chapter of the Air Force Association named Kristen Magas, an engineering technology instructor at Tri-County Regional, its 2015 Teacher of the Year. 

Paul Zauner, president of the AFA Paul Revere Chapter, visited the school on June 18 to present Magas with the award. School Committee Chairman Robert Wilkinson, Principal Jean Mallon, and several of Magas' engineering technology students also attended the presentation. 

Magas was named a runner-up for the State Teacher of the Year Award.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150623/NEWS/150628714/1994/NEWS

Live reporting: Closing

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
Kristen Circe received an MIAA award

modulars coming down next week at Davis Thayer

new assistant principals to be joining the high school
3 promoting from within the district

anyone interested in substance abuse task force, meeting Jun 30th at FHS
will be a lot of work for anyone who wants to be part of it


School Committee Sub
finished policies, will continue work on the rest of the book

budget subcommittee working on lunch prices

Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

Reminder on FEF fund raiser for Harlem Wizards coming in November

Trahan mentioned it was good to see efforts to support the local businesses while downtown is undergoing construction - #shopFranklin



8. Adjourn
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed

citizen who did not get to speak earlier asked about when he could do so before the meeting officially closed. "Next meeting or via correspondence" was the reply. (not sure when he had arrived but he might have missed the citizens comments section)