"We want to improve communication with our residents"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Police Chief Thomas Lynch updated the Town Council on department activities since he assumed leadership earlier this summer. 

Since Lynch was sworn in at a late June council meeting, there has been a whirlwind of activity, he said. 

"We've been meeting with all our staff regularly," he said. "We had a department-wide meeting - that was the second in my 20 years with the department - and, after that, we had a cookout." 

Lynch said there had been good feedback from department members."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160810/new-frankllin-police-chief-communication-is-key

Asst Town Clerk Danello swears in Detective MacLean and Sargent Zimmerman

family members place the new badges on Detective MacLean and Sargent Zimmerman

Patrolman Paul Fiorio gets badge #1 as the longest serving officer

In the News: Budd to Supreme Judicial Court, FHS experience week

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Governor's Council on Wednesday confirmed Kimberly Budd to a seat on the Supreme Judicial Court. 

Budd has served as a Superior Court judge since 2009 and had been overseeing all criminal courts in Middlesex County. 

Budd on Wednesday is the third of Gov. Charlie Baker's nominees to the state's highest court to be confirmed unanimously in recent weeks. 

"She has been a law and order judge on the Superior Court, and she will continue to be a law and order judge on the Massachusetts Supreme Court," Councilor Jennie Caissie said"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160810/kimberly-budd-confirmed-to-state-supreme-court

"More than 350 incoming are getting their first glimpse of life at Franklin High School this week.

The school is running its ninth annual "High School Experience" program, a multi-day introductory event. 

"It acclimates students to the school," said Kristin Cerce, the director of the program. "They get to meet their teachers and their peer mentors; they get a tour of the building; and they get a taste of high school academics." 

They also get their Google Chromebooks, she said, bringing them into the school's 1:1 technology initiative."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160810/freshmen-get-oriented-at-franklin-high-school

Franklin High School

Climate Emergency Coalition looks for petition signatures

Hello,
I am a volunteer with Climate Emergency Coalition (CEC).

Please help Declare a Climate State of Emergency-

With the presidential nominating conventions over, what we do next is crucial. Thanks to Bernie's historic, heroic efforts, recognition of the climate change emergency and the need for a mobilization response is solidly planted in the Democratic Party platform. But, we must not permit it to languish there. We need far more than the promise of a climate summit in the first 100 days of the next Administration. Please Sign the petition—help bring the climate emergency into the public discourse, so we can take effective action.

Over 5400 signatures thus far—let's keep the ball rolling!

http://www.cecoalition.org/emergency_petition

Thank you,

Michelle

http://www.cecoalition.org/emergency_petition

Live reporting: Council meeting closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
6 more weeks of work, 
water trough coming back to center island
lots of things remain to do

water ban still underway
use has dropped with ban and diligence has been good

comment on ambulance response to nursing homes
one facility has obtained a private ambulance for non-emergency responses
would alleviate the demand from our resources


L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
charter review discussion scheduled for next meeting

M. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Pellegri - deputy treasurer collector decision questioned
are not the appointing authority but questions on what role they should have

2 - recent raises by the School Dept
school folks getting 2, 2.5 and 3, but the municipal folks are not getting that
would love to get the contracts re-opened but not sure if that can be done

Padula - 
parking meter issue, hopeful that the signs are not burdensome
if the meters are unpleasing, to be replaced by ugly signs??

Mercer
thanks for getting the chief on the ambulance alternatives

Vallee
caskets mistakenly delivered downtown

Jones
disappointed in outside hires when inside folks are available
congratulations to the Police officers for their promotions and for their good work

Dellorco
it's a bad hire and that is one of the reasons why I want the charter change

Pfeffer
the School Committee makes the contract decision, it is totally theirs
the Town Administrator has hiring responbsilities
the Council should be part of the process but not directly involved

Kelly
expressed concerns to the School Committee about the choice they made
all employees work hard, we are proud of what you do
the decision to alter what was done is their issue


N. EXECUTIVE SESSION
none

O. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, accepted

Live reporting: Open Space plan and Legislation

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

Resolution 16-51: Endorsement of 2016 Open Space and Recreation Plan
Bryan Taberner, Director Planing and Community Development

Note the plan can be found online
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Council/August%2010,%202016/TC%20Submittal.pdf

Conservation Commission developed and update to the plan
goals similar to Master Plan of 2013
Council looked to endorse the plan so it can be submitted to the State

question on the 15 recommendations from a MA official
the updates and others were included in this version

acceptance of plan allows the Town to apply for grants

• add the Town Council to the acknowledgments
• geographical survey for historic purposes
• page 5-8, lists the public open space that is protected
• over 35 open space locations on the following pages

important to take care of preserving open space

acceptance of 20 acres of land near the Sullivan School coming forward as a donation


I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 16-51: Endorsement of 2016 Open Space and Recreation Plan
motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0

2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment: 16-762: Amendment to Chapter 185, Section 31 Site Plan and Design Review- 2nd Reading (Motion to adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-762 – Roll Call Vote – 2/3 Vote – (6))
motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0 (via roll call)
effective updates language to current language

3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-764R: Amendment to Chapter 185, Section 31, Site Plan and Design Review- 2nd Reading (Motion to adopt Bylaw Amendment 16-764R - Roll Call Vote 2/3 Vote (6))
motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0 (via roll call)


4. Bylaw Amendment 16-765: Amendment to Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Article III, Traffic Signs, Signals, Markings and Zones, §170-10 Authority of Highway Foreman and §170-12 Interference Prohibited, Violations and Penalties. – 2nd Reading ( Motion to adopt Bylaw Amendment 16-765 – Roll Call Vote – Majority Vote of Full Council (5))
motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0 (via roll call)


5. Bylaw Amendment 16-766: Amendment to Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, at Article IV, Stopping, Standing and Parking, §170-15 Parking Prohibitions and Limitations and §170—17 “Resident Only” Parking – 2nd Reading (Motion to adopt Bylaw Amendment 16-766 – Roll Call Vote – Majority Vote of the Full Council (5))
motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0 (via roll call)

provides for 2 hour parking enforced from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM
effects from the Town Common to Summer St

lots of signs to be posted


6. Bylaw Amendment 16-767: Amendment to Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic at Article V, Parking Meter Zones, §170-19 Establishment and §170-20 Additional Regulations; Violations and Penalties – 2nd Reading (Motion to adopt Bylaw Amendment 16-767 – Roll Call Vote – Majority Vote of the Full Council (5))
motion to accept, seconded, passed 6-2 (via roll call) (Pellegri and Padula voted no)

letter from Downtown Partnership on parking changes since the meters have been removed

bylaw would eliminate the meters, would need to purchase new ones to handle credit cards and coins

Live reporting: Town Council - Wednesday, Aug 10, 2016

Present: Pellegri, Padula, Mercer, Vallee, Kelly, Pfeffer, Dellorco, Jones
Absent: Bissanti


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– July 13, 2016
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 also be recorded by others.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Proclamation for Frank Liotta
recognition for long time Franklin resident and major contributor to the Franklin Elks

Town Council Chair Matt Kelly recognizes Frank Liotta for his long service

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
– Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

no comments

E. APPOINTMENTS

Board of Registrars
- Jeannette Gianotti
- Christine Manns
- Helen Reebenacker
motion to approve appointment, seconded passed 8-0
Election Workers
- Listing not available (broken link)
motion to approve appointment, seconded passed 8-0

Zoning Board of Appeals - Associate
- Ian Luke
motion to approve appointment, seconded passed 8-0

– Swearing in of Police Officers
Eric J Zimmeran, promoted to Sargent
Joseph F McLain, promoted to Detective

Paul Fiorio,  longest serving policemen, wears badge #1

Asst Town Clerk Danello swears in Detective MacLean and Sargent Zimmerman

family members place the new badges on Detective MacLean and Sargent Zimmerman

Patrolman Paul Fiorio gets badge #1 as the longest serving officer

Chief Thomas Lynch
provides an update to the Council

recognition of Police Dept has seen many forms
a small group of families came down as well
it means a lot to the officers

last 6 weeks it has been a whirlwind of activity
department meeting, cook-out behind station

mission, value and vision statements created (see website)
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Police/index

5 Sargents signed up for lieutenants exam

entry police officer exam scheduled for Nov 5th
graduation soon, budgeted level of 47
one position open with retirement of Chief Semerjian
may be able to bring a transfer on in mid-September

improve communications with residents
establish relationship with local print media

increased used of social media

increase hours available to obtain fire arms permits
use of internet to schedule appointments

creation of domestic violence unit

reconstruction of evidence room
regional communications underway

multiple comments thanking the Chief and the department for great work

Rides and food booths for St Rocco's open Thursday, Aug 11 for the 38th Annual event

The rides and food booths for the 38th Annual Feast of St Rocco's open Thursday, August 11 and run through Sunday, August 14, 2016.

Ride and Food booth Schedule

overall ride and food booth schedule for 8/11 through 8/14

Entertainment Schedule

2016 Entertainment Schedule

Additional info on the schedule can be found on the St Mary's Parish webpage
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/93