Live reporting: Economic Development Committee - Jan 6, 2016

Wednesday night was a rush as the Economic Development Committee met in the 3rd floor training room at 6:00 PM and ran until just before the Town Council meeting scheduled for the Council Chambers at 7:00 PM.

I chose to take my notes both on paper and tweet the highlights. I did make an audio recording of the meeting and assuming the quality is good, I'll share that soon.

Note: be sure to scroll within the Storify window to read the full set of notes

image shared from Eileen Mason

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In the News: senior assistance approved, recycling business fined, feedback from seniors sought

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Town Council considered - and ultimately accepted - two initiatives intended to make it easier for local seniors to pay their property taxes. 

The council unanimously approved a higher tax exemption for seniors older than 70 who make less than $19,000 a year and a higher ceiling for the senior tax work-off program. 

Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said an increase in the state's minimum wage at the beginning of the year - from $9 to $10 an hour - allowed the town to bolster its work-off program, in which seniors volunteer at town departments in exchange for credit on their tax bills. The town is only allowed to pay seniors up to the minimum wage.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160107/franklin-council-approves-senior-tax-measures

A Kenwood Circle glass recycling business has been fined by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for violations of state air quality and wetlands rules, the department announced Thursday. 

The company - Houston-based Strategic Materials, Inc. - was fined $17,200 by the department after staff discovered violations in 2014, according to the announcement.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160107/franklin-facility-fined-by-dep

Franklin Senior Center

State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy, D-Franklin, will host a community conversation with senior citizens to discuss issues that impact their lives and to provide information on the various state programs available to them. Area seniors, their loved ones, and caregivers are invited to the event that will take place at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 15 at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St. 

Roy’s special guest for the event is State Rep. Denise C. Garlick, D-Needham, the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs. Garlick, who is also a registered nurse, will speak about the $3.5 billion dollars allocated to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and MassHealth for senior programs. Aside from MassHealth, Garlick will address other funded initiatives including homecare and nursing homes, prescription drug assistance, Council on Aging funding, protective services, elder housing and nutrition programs.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160107/state-rep-roy-to-host-conversation-with-franklin-medway-seniors

FHS track and swimming teams split meets, both hockey teams win

The results from Hockomock League action on Wednesday show the FHS teams split the track meets against Taunton (boys losing, girls winning), also split the swim meets against Taunton (boys losing, girls winning), while both hockey teams won (girls vs KP, boys vs OA). All the details from Hockomock Sports.

Indoor Track (@ Reggie Lewis Center)

Boys 

• Franklin 32 vs. Taunton 68 – Final

Girls 

• Franklin 72 vs. Taunton 28 – Final

Swimming

Boys

• Franklin, 36 @ Taunton, 58 – Final

Girls

• Franklin, 60 @ Taunton, 34 – Final

Girls Hockey

• King Philip, 2 @ Franklin, 5 – Final

Boys Hockey

• Oliver Ames, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final

– Jake Downie and Jeremy Miller had two goals and an assist apiece to lead the Panthers. Brendan O’Reilly had the other goal for Franklin and Nick Jasinski recorded 15 saves for the shutout. OA goalie Zach Walsh made 30 saves in the loss.

http://www.hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-010616/

Jake Downie (9) and Jeremy Miller (5) each scored a pair of goals for the Panthers in a 5-0 victory over OA. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Josh Perry, Managing Editor writes in detail on the game:

Heading into their first Hockomock game of the season, the Panthers seem to have solidified the blue line, but there are still question marks about who will provide the goals for the defending league champs. 

On Wednesday night at Pirelli Veterans Arena, senior Jake Downie and sophomore Jeremy Miller provided the offensive punch. The second line forwards contributed four goals and two assists to propel the Panthers to a 5-0 victory over visiting Oliver Ames.

http://www.hockomocksports.com/downie-and-miller-spark-panthers-against-oa/

"They want us to pay for their pipeline so they can export their gas"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Area residents at Wednesday's Town Council meeting said a proposed natural-gas pipeline that would run through Franklin - as well as other nearby towns - was unnecessary and environmentally unfriendly. 

A group of concerned citizens gave a presentation to the council, saying the local demand does not justify the 119-mile Spectra Energy pipeline. 

Mendon residents Rand and Carolyn Barthel narrated a slideshow presentation in which they made their case against the project. 

"This is a regional issue, a national issue and an international issue," Carolyn said, noting that such area towns as Milford, Bellingham, Medway, Franklin, Millis, Norfolk and Walpole would be affected by the pipeline.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160106/franklin-residents-decry-pipeline-project

screen grab of one of the presentation slides

Live reporting from the meeting including a copy of the presentation document used can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/live-reporting-presentation-on-spectra.html


Also on the Spectra pipeline from Upton
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160106/upton-residents-seem-unconcerned-by-pipeline-proposal

Lifelong Learning: Fitness For Active Older Americans AND Meditation, Too

Franklin Public Schools - Lifelong Learning Institute The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning  at Franklin Presents Fitness For Active Older Adults AND Meditation, Too Fitness For Active Older Adults Beginning Tuesday, January 12 for 8 weeks     It's never too late to feel great! Our new Active Older Adult (AOA) class is for men and women in their 50's, 60's, and 70's! This exercise class is designed to help active older adults like you, not athletes, interested in improving their life through exercise. Class combines three key components of fitness: Strength Training, Flexibility, and Cardio Conditioning and is taught by a certified instructor. Each class is a full hour, held indoors once each week, given in a fun environment making it the fitness choice for Active Older Adults. Note: Bring your favorite free weights with you...2 lbs. to 8 lbs., your choice.  Register online now. Just click here                                                   Meditation Workshop   A Sunday morning session at Tranquil Souls Yoga on January 17  Join us for a blissful 75 minutes of relaxation and mediation that will leave you refreshed and revitalized. We will start with a group discussion on mediation, then move though some relaxing yoga and breath work that will transition into a guided mediation and finally an optional individual mediation. You will leave feeling ready to start your own mediation practice at home or expand your existing practice. Returning students welcome. Register online now.Just click here. Contact Contact: Brenda Reed, Director Adult Education & Community Learning 508-613-1480 reedb@franklin.k12.ma.us www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com Adult Education Register Today "Instruction ends in the school-room, but education ends only with life." - Frederick W. Robertson

Forward this email FPS- Life Long Learning | 355 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Live reporting: to closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
– Fiscal Forecast
to be posted to webpage this week (is as part of agenda doc now)
state aid is always an unknown, there are variations within the components
the charter school is looking to expand the school with a new facility, this could affect the reimbursement

when we saw the 17 and 18 numbers, it makes 19 look a little better
do have collective bargaining agreement with all the locals
teachers union remains to be worked by Schools

will be used by the Finance Committee as part of the budget process

change in harassment policy - for review by Council

L. OLD BUSINESS
Bissanti - alcohol awareness
Cerel - looking into this, no litigation to provide guidance
can provide before license is issued or if there is a problem

Jeff - survey sent to all the license holder, if they require training of their staff
Kelly - waiting for them to get their info together so we can put it on the agenda

draft report on DelCarte in couple of weeks (an update on an old item for Padula)

M. NEW BUSINESS
none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Jones - happy new year, looking forward to goal setting session next Tuesday

Dellorco - Coalition, next meeting Feb 2, begins at 7 at FHS auditorium

Bissanti - happy new year, EDc has a lot of things going on

Pfeffer - happy new year

Vallee - rumors about the FHS football team with nasty remarks about
can someone enlighten me on how come we can't produce a winning team?

Mercer - open bids on Senior Center project last week, all 9 bids came in under budget, vetting low bidder; taking extra step to go to DECAM and vet the bidder their, looking to vote to award the contract. Beaver St possible entrance still under discussion

Padula - I had the privilige to be coached by Leone, it is a serious issue, the kids are affected by it, we are watching it and will weigh in on it

Pellegri - congrats to Alexis for MA Teen
can we keep the lights on through January?
Betty Noble, election worker and teacher for many years passed away this past week

Kelly - happy new year

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
- Pending or threatened litigation

Proposed Excelon expansion of Medway electric generating facility pending before Energy Facilities Siting Board.
Proposed Spectra gas transmission line through Franklin.

motion to go to executive session, seconded, passed 9-0

Live reporting: Legislation for action

(resumed after break)


I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
EDC meeting

filled agenda,
discussed neighborhood business
residential 5
Pond St again on Jan 20th
light signs on i495 coming to a future agenda

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 16-01: G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C, Property Tax Exemption
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

in 2010, the Council increased from 500 to 700, about 30 residents meet the requirements


Resolution 16-02: Amending the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-off Abatement Program
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

increase in minimum wage
very successful program, 88 people worked last year
increased to maximum amount 10/hr, $1000/year

Pfeffer, have to apply each year
more women than men
we can only take care of 88 seniors

Karen Alves sent a note to all the department heads to see what the opportunity will be
library may not need many with the relocation (they usually take 16)

we should be able to help more than 88 people!

what is the qualified senior citizens
first come first served, no means test, never hit the max of 100 people


Resolution 16-03: Acceptance of Gift – Recreation Dept.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


Resolution 16-04: Grant of Utility Easement – 275 Beaver Street
motion to waive the reading, seconded, passed 9-0
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

need to put a hole to add power to the Recreation building, utility company ready to go