Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Live reporting: Legislation for action through to closing
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 15-48: Voter Approval – Farm Equipment, Farm Animals
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 (via roll call)
we have not enforced it and would like to get away from it, we'd like to get the vote to NOT do this
it would cause more to collect the tax than it would bring in
Padula - speaking for the proposal, had visited Hoffman Farm and wasn't aware of the CSA program
Dellorco - had stopped down by Akin Bak, they don't have much time to make money
Cerel - I have had comments about the stilted way this is written, it follows the statue itself and thus it is the way it needs to be. We'll just need to educate the community accordingly.
2. Resolution 15-49: Confirmatory Order of Taking – Land at 275 Beaver Street
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0 (via roll call)
formal notice on the land transfer for the new Recreation Dept building/land
land transaction had already been sold, this is to ensure that we really do have a clear title for the future
Dellorco - I am on the Recreation Committee and we have great plans for this property
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15-750: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Dean Ave – 1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0
the second hearing would be held in Sep
4. Bylaw Amendment 15-751: Changes to Chapter 181, Wetlands Protection – 1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0
simplifies the process per the Conservation Commission, sending to the ConCom and DPW only required, all other distribution requirements will be handled internally
5. Resolution 15-50: Ratification Franklin Police Association Contract
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
substitute page 25 was added, motion needs to include the substitute page
motion made 'as amended"
2% cost of living for 3 years
it is a win-win for all concerned
6. Resolution 15-51: Ratification Franklin Police Sergeants Association Contract
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
page 18 was amended to correct the same typo referenced in the prior notice
motion was amended
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
meeting every other Tuesday on downtown
low and behold, Main St was closed today without notice to anyone
including those at the meeting yesterday
paving Main St north of Emmons
milling Emmons soon
don't have a permit from the T to do the work on the bridge yet
light poles are being re-positioned
48" required for ADA, 60" was requested to enable cleaning of the sidewalks in the winter
re-using the older granite curbing on High St instead of the new granite
Rec building goal to be out by Nov
get office relocated
if you missed the demo of the portables at Davis Thayer
landscaping and sidewalks are being worked
a resident commented about drainage from the play ground
in about 4 weeks the bells will ring and schools will be open
drive carefully
L. OLD BUSINESS
DelCarte - supposed to start last week, should start the week of the 17th
issuing an RFP for an aquatic study through the Conservation Commission to ensure that if it was stocked, it would be successful. The Conservation Commission will be requested to bring info to the Council
Fire Marshall says there should be space to do so, would need to see the actual fireworks plan
other communities raise 20-25,000 to fund it
M. NEW BUSINESS
Bissanti - thanks for participating, it is on going process
we''ll make sure the notice gets out to you
Pfeffer - the Town Council hasn't seen the RFP's yet, it is still with the EDC
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Pfeffer - letter from Bob Fahey
Pfeffer - I don;t know who takes care of the bridge with the flags
Mercer - taking down the portable, great job to the DPW
thank the Franklin Cultural Festival Committee for the 1st event
there were great things at multiple locations
at the Sculpture park, the Common, the high school, the BLACK BOX
it was a great five days, we learned a lot, some things to do and not to do
looking forward to the future
Feldman -
kudos to the participants in the PMC
Challenge has reached the top level of pricing, the program will end in Sep
Dellorco - Coaltion meeting Weds the 12
couple of support groups already started, we're the fastest that it has ever happen
Chief Howell passed away, heard late this afternoon
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 8-0
Clarification on the Pfeffer comments, the RFP s and decision is still with the EDC
Live reporting: Community Opportunities Grant
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- Bridge Restaurant Group d/b/a Incontro Restaurant & Lounge – Change of Manager
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Community Opportunities Group-Housing Grant
Paula Stewart, Community Opportunities Group
Franklin, Bellingham, Hopedale
one of two awards by the State, expect to move forward with the work etc.
one is housing rehabilitation program
due to cut backs at Federal level
$894,0000 available for the three towns
- 35,000 per unit to rehab, owned and/or occupied by low income
- supplemental fuel assistance, will provide some additional resources after the basic coverage expires
can assist folks not previously covered by fuel assistance program
Nutting - we'll do more public outreach as things get ready
we're happy that the three towns collaborated and we were able to put it in
Stewart - there will be a lottery for the housing rehab program, applications will be posted to the town webpage
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Bissanti - three proposals were received, one was asked for a resubmittal to take out the retail space
the point about only the two people in the room, there have been some flip remarks about that and we understand we are not going to get 35,000
Live reporting: Public Hearing - Dean Ave rezoning, Election Presentation
F. HEARINGS
– Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15-750: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Dean Ave. – 7:10 PM
Pfeffer - read explanation letter (as noted in released agenda documents)
Nutting - this is a follow up from the 2013 Master Plan
it would for apartments or condos, the theory would be that it would be ideal for commuters
Q - on whether the land revenue would decrease with the change to residential from commercial industrial?
A - it is complicated, but not really. The revenue is embedded in the tax levy. The delta could be spread amongst the other tax payers. Realistically, the land is underutilized so it would like generate more 'new growth'
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Town Clerk – Election Process
Debbie Pellegri
nomination papers available as of Monday and through Sep 14th
last day to submit paper is Sep 16
100 signatures for Council, 50 for all other positions
can sign for multiple people on that position
Note: the timeline is available on the Town Clerks webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/Nov.%203,%202015%20Town%20Election%20News.pdf
If someone signs but is not registered to vote, the signature won't be counted
2 - for Assessors2 - Board of Health2 - Constables3 - Planning Board9 - Town Council7 - School Committee1 - for Town Clerk
2016 will be a busy year as it will lead to the Presidential election in Nov 2016
signs can go up anytime, size does matter - 'temporary signs'
Live reporting: Town Council - Aug 5, 2015
Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco
Absent: Williams
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 8, 2015
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
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
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Ken Norman - Board of Directors, Franklin TV
invite to potential candidates to have info session before the camera to be packaged for broadcast
Call for appointment: 508 541 4118
Gail Irwin - 3 RFP's received, and talk about going back out for a hotel RFP
you are not listening to the constituents
those who do attend are made to feel unimportant and that not approriate
Sandy Verhagen
this is 'ideal' commercial land'
while it has potential, it is land and the residents have expressed their displeasure
the traffic is a problem, the State grade is a F
the paid information did prove that the study confirms the traffic intersection is bad
forest land and proximity to wet lands
to think it is commercial shows a lack of due diligence
we have completely spoken out against this
the solar panels are good but not ideal on the revenue
we did also get a proposal for condos, it would be less impactful
it would bring in revenue, as compromise
hope that you will maybe think about those views
the town can grow for progress or grow for growth
Stephanie Pazniokas
speaking also for the Pond St residents
for the record and for future meetings
there are comments that if we are not all, then the comments do not count
for this record and for any future meetings
I agree that is not ideal for commercial for a hotel
having looked at all three proposals, my husband did bring the info back home
while we were not in favor of a commercial, we are willing to compromise
we are all trying to work in toward the common good of franklin
everything past the Kindcare is residential, to put anything else there is detrimental
John Pazniokas
I want to talk about the Pond St traffic
well, I don't really, I do want to talk about the eye roll you all just did
when presentations were made for the proposals
it was mentioned during the conversations last week, there was no concern about traffic
if we need to pack each meeting, while not practical we'll do so
we're being spoken down to each time
I want to go on record I am not in agreement with everything goes down
we don't all represent just one person
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
Absent: Williams
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 8, 2015
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0
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
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Ken Norman - Board of Directors, Franklin TV
invite to potential candidates to have info session before the camera to be packaged for broadcast
Call for appointment: 508 541 4118
Gail Irwin - 3 RFP's received, and talk about going back out for a hotel RFP
you are not listening to the constituents
those who do attend are made to feel unimportant and that not approriate
Sandy Verhagen
this is 'ideal' commercial land'
while it has potential, it is land and the residents have expressed their displeasure
the traffic is a problem, the State grade is a F
the paid information did prove that the study confirms the traffic intersection is bad
forest land and proximity to wet lands
to think it is commercial shows a lack of due diligence
we have completely spoken out against this
the solar panels are good but not ideal on the revenue
we did also get a proposal for condos, it would be less impactful
it would bring in revenue, as compromise
hope that you will maybe think about those views
the town can grow for progress or grow for growth
Stephanie Pazniokas
speaking also for the Pond St residents
for the record and for future meetings
there are comments that if we are not all, then the comments do not count
for this record and for any future meetings
I agree that is not ideal for commercial for a hotel
having looked at all three proposals, my husband did bring the info back home
while we were not in favor of a commercial, we are willing to compromise
we are all trying to work in toward the common good of franklin
everything past the Kindcare is residential, to put anything else there is detrimental
John Pazniokas
I want to talk about the Pond St traffic
well, I don't really, I do want to talk about the eye roll you all just did
when presentations were made for the proposals
it was mentioned during the conversations last week, there was no concern about traffic
if we need to pack each meeting, while not practical we'll do so
we're being spoken down to each time
I want to go on record I am not in agreement with everything goes down
we don't all represent just one person
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
Addressing an Epidemic: Addiction, Stigma, and Recovery - August 12
Sponsored by S.A.F.E. (Support for Addicts and Families by Empowerment), the Community Coalition recently formed in Franklin, this event will feature a talk by Dr. John Kelly, the director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service at Mass General Hospital.
It will be followed by a panel discussion and questions from the audience.
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| Addressing an Epidemic: Addiction, Stigma, and Recovery - August 12 |
Wednesday, August 12 at 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak St
You can follow the event on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/events/466145200232846/
Franklin Downtown Partnership: Mark your calendar for upcoming FDP events!
Mark your calendars!
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| Franklin Downtown Partnership |
For additional info on the Franklin Downtown Partnership visit their websiteNetworking LuncheonFriday, August 14th, 1:00Dean College-Dining CenterGeneral MeetingThursday, September 3rd, 8:30 a.m.Dean College Campus Center-Golder RoomFranklin Downtown PartnershipFundraiser DinnerTuesday, November 10thCongressman Joe Kennedy-Guest SpeakerReserve a table for your business.More details to come!Winter Beautification DaySunday, November 22ndVolunteers NeededHoliday StrollThursday, December 3rdSponsors Needed
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/
"Drug Addiction: What parents need to know"
Patricia Byrne is the creator of the blog Heroin. Stop the Silence. Speak the Truth. She has three children including her son, age 29, who is a recovering
heroin addict.
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| Patricia Byrne |
We have already shared a couple of her writings here. She has written a new post "Drug Addiction: What parents need to know" on another site called "Grown and Flown"
It will be a site you'll want to check out and consider subscribing to. A small window will pop up while you read the article asking you to consider subscribing to receive email updates.
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| drug paraphernalia |
"When my oldest was about a week old I remember looking down into his beautiful eyes and being struck by an overwhelming sense of fear. Icy terror washed over me as I realized the full weight of my responsibility for this tiny human. How was I going to do this right? What was I going to do wrong? I knew I’d do something wrong, would it scar him for life? I was the one who would have to teach him to navigate a world I was not sure I fully understood myself.
We are parents. We have all had this moment, and the fear stays with us……forever. These tiny beings may grow taller than us, they may move across the country and have tiny beings of their own someday – but they will always remain our innocent, irreplaceable miracles, and we will always be their parents."
Continue reading Patricia's article here
http://grownandflown.com/drug-addiction-what-parents-need-to-know/
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