Franklin Matters

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Live reporting: Franklin Advisory Committee

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Franklin Advisory Committee

Larry Benedetto
town headed in proper direction,
no complaints mostly compliments about the helpfulness of the employees

cul-de-sac issue, we are consistent with our neighbors, whether it can be raised to 800' is still open

much discussion with the Master Plan and how to proceed with it
idea of creating new mixed used development
South Franklin, Washington St (among others) would benefit from this possible development

the mom-pop stores that many grew up with will not return
can provide a convenience, create employment and revenue

parking should be left to the determination of the owners
the owner should have some freedom to make their own determination
the developer has the knowledge to make a good decision

South Meeting House
there will be a debate in the coming months about the use of it for future
need to preserve our historical assets
we are encouraged by the report and encourage all to be familiar with the details

site plan review/limited site plan review
decision to allow the Planning Board to proceed seems to have resolved the issue
complaints on 'fast tracking' are problematic, usually it is the applicant who is slowing things down

removal of modulars will enhance and compliment the entrance to the town

the train station
we have a new roof and a paint job, the myriad problems that the T faces will hinder further
possibility of the developer of the Thompson property is a consideration

Council should retain the right to rezone a property
RT 140 rezoning caused an uproar but when all was said and done those impacted profited from the change

property owners should maintain their property

urgent care facility coming in across the street (i.e. new development replacing Ficco's et al)

Amendment to Chapter 185-18
applies to construction of non-conforming properties
coming in future meetings

need to expand the relationship with Dean College

housing
we have a very active housing partnership
we keep seeing 'workforce housing' popping up
our position is that there are adequate measures in place
we need to work on commercial revenue

MBTA property
took property by eminent domain
will be a valuable property, I think we really need to start ringing that bell
I think they can find another place to put a salt barn and some old trailers

Padula
I am in favor of working with Dean, so what do they do for us?
Benedetto
They used to do some free classes, not sure what they are doing now

Live reporting: Town Council - July 8, 2015

Present: Feldman, Padula, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Williams, Dellorco
Absent: Mercer

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 10, 2015, June 11, 2015 Budget Hearings, June 24, 2015
motion to approve, passed 8-0

includes one adjustment to reflect that the motion for the Fire Fighters was made by Padula and seconded by Kelly

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
Cultural Council = Gia Podobinski; Justin Haslett
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

Charles River Pollution Control District = Joseph V. Cameron
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

Registrar of Voters = Lois D’Amico
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

2015 HockomockSports.com Softball Awards feature 3 players from FHS

The Franklin High School Softball team put three players on the 2015 HockomockSports.com Softball Awards

FHS Panthers

Outfield - Erin Hanley, Franklin

Franklin's senior centerfielder was one of the Panthers most consistent performers over the course of the season. At the top of the Franklin lineup, Hanley hit .333 with a team-high of 81 plate appearances. She scored 17 runs, drove in seven and showed some pop to go along with her speed by hitting six doubles and two triples this season. Hanley was also a solid defensive outfielder who reads the game well. She helped Franklin reach the second round of the D1 South tournament.

Bench - Brie Flaherty, Franklin

Flaherty, who was also recognized as a top catcher last year, was a source of power in the Franklin lineup and a leader from behind the plate for the Panthers. The senior hit .314 this season with six doubles, three homers, and 19 RBI. The UMass Dartmouth-commit is one of the top players at arguably the league's deepest position and was chosen as an All-Star by the league's coaches while helping the Panthers reach the second round of the tournament.

Pitching Rotation - Sabrina LoMonaco, Franklin

The Franklin senior had another solid spring in the circle for the Panthers. As Franklin's ace, LoMonaco threw more than 115 innings this season and finished with an 11-8 record and a 1.64 ERA. LoMonaco struck out 106 batters whie walking only 38 and she finished with an imppresive WHIP of 1.16. She was named a league All-Star by the coaches and helped lead the Panthers into the second round of the D1 South sectional.

The full set of Hockomock Awards for softball can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/softball-awards.html

Downtown Project Update # 6

Work will continue with sidewalks and curbing from School to Pleasant Street over the next few weeks.

They anticipate repaving the roadway from the Church to Moore Avenue starting in a few weeks.

Following that they will mill and overlaying portions on Emmons street. Following that work will begin on West Central Street. More information will be available for the next update.

In the meanwhile they will be installing the mast arms for the traffic control at Emmons and West Central and at the Bridge. Further they will continue to install the bases of the street lights.

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

curbing work underway along Main St

Franklin's Concerts on the Common - 2015

July 8 –

Storyteller Elaine Kessler (children’s program 6-6:30 PM),
Frank Padula (6:30-8:30 PM)

July 15 –

Rob Peters the Bubble Music Man (children’s program 6-6:30 PM),
Sharon Band (6:30-8:30 PM)

July 22 –

Kizzy the Clown (children’s program 6-6:30 PM),
Forever Fab (6:30-8:30 PM)

July 29 –

Electric Youth (6:30-8:30 PM) (Officially opens the Franklin Cultural Festival)

August 5 –

DJ Mike Rutkowski (6:30-8:30 PM)

August 12 –

Storyteller Elaine Kessler (children’s program 6-6:30 PM),
Westwood Swing Band (6:30-8:30 PM)

stage at the Town Common

Senior Center: Memory Cafe on July 16, 2015

On Thursday July 16th from 3:00-4:30 at the Franklin Senior Center we will be hosting a TEA PARTY for this month's Memory Cafe.

All are invited to attend and it is free of charge.

The memory cafe is a place for those with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia to come and socialize with others in a safe and supportive environment. Please wear a straw hat if you have one ladies!

We look forward to seeing you and discussing etiquette from the 1950's and today!

Elaine M. Owens
Companion Caregiver Program Supervisor
Franklin Senior Center
10 Daniel McCahill Highway
Franklin, Mass. 02038
508-520-4945

"It is possible at any age to discover a lifelong desire you never knew you had". ~Robert Brault.