Live reporting: School Dude and Charter discussion

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS -
• Preventive Maintenance
Josh from School Dude
most of the Hockomock league is covered
simple work order system and expanded
cool technology to control temp for example in a building especially effective for events

preventive maintenance
executive summary report sample provided
will populate the data against the national averages
only thing wrong in this building is one light bulb in this room
you are doing something right

getting the actual tasks into the system is a challenge
schools and towns are underfunded

can you put the schedule in for 2 schools
if you don't capture the data, you don't really know how much it really will take
expand from the 2 pilot buildings to all
what do you need to look forward to over the next 5, 10, 15 years
the software does this

did about 56 projects with this company to do the facility assessments year to date

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" report to be provided

integrated with Grainger to populate the work order system automatically

Marko has spoken with the principals at both Kennedy and Davis Thayer to make them aware of the program

"just dude it" teachers can enter work orders

Mercer - big proponent of School Dude watching it as it developed
this is a great product, taking pieces at a time to fulfill a great need

"you got your first price increase in 12 years"



• Charter Review
1995
2010

Jim Dacey chair of the 1995 Charter Commission
originally a council with a split of councilors at large and by precinct
the size of the council was the driver at the time as the council was projected to continue to grow
mayor discussion was a minute or 2 as the primary focus was the size of the Council
brought the election to November with the city form of government
first nine member council in 1995

Paul Cheli, Larry Benedetto
co-chairs of the Charter Commission
fear of loss of institutional knowledge with all getting turned over at a single election only two had occurred in history; there has not been an issue since 2009; did focus on the treasurer-collector and on the minority report focused on the town clerk
staggered terms is extremely difficult to implement
was able to move the treasurer-collector to an appointed position

there wasn't a lot broken, what seemed to have been an issue turned out to not be. if there are interaction changes with the Town Administrator those can be done via other means, not necessary for the Charter

Larry Benedetto
not a proponent of mayor, a concern with the change in a mayor would cause some intellectual knowledge lost as department heads would change
sense of TA being too powerful, actually not so powerful
the lesser positions are and should be within the purview of the TA
Council as a legislative body should not be part of the interview process of specific positions 
I will never do it again, it was that much work

Pellegri
only one left from the minority report at that time
TA was not a concern
i am interested in what is being looked at to change

Dellorco
TA has his team, if you do go to a mayor, they he/she will want their team
I don't think we need a mayor

Bissanti
I don't want to abandon the idea of a mayor
everyone works together, what was your final verdict on appointed boards vs elected

Cheli
can get people trained and with background not just a popularity contest
the open meetings were sometime contentious as there are many opinions

Benedetto
the Planning Board has shifted from elected to appointed to elected
there should be joint meetings between the Council and Planning board
that is germane to keeping the train on the track
work together with the existing orgs and get people to run

Jones
if it ain't broke, don't fix it
we can do more with better communication than by changing the doc
we like to keep things within the Town, we don't have enough input on that and we'd like to keep things focused on the Town of Franklin

Cheli
we would like to have that input but to cross over that line it becomes politicized
the most qualified is really what we need

Pfeffer
we as the Council get the phone calls and we know nothing about them
why couldn't there be a simple way to have some councilors on the committee'
it is not a major big thing, we just need a little input
we never know what it is going on until after it happens

Benedetto
the worst part of the job is to do the hard part and hire and fire someone

Cheli
I think there is a compromise on that, it is not a charter change

Mercer
I am a proponent of it is isn't broken don't fix it
Councilor Jones put it eloquently, improving the communication, more and better would solve the whole problem

Pellegri
difference between CEO as chief elected officer or chief executive officer

Cheli
there are different forms of government, strong form of TA/Mayor

Pellegri
the council doesn't want to get into the hiring process
exempt vs. non-exempt

Dacey
there are probably 50 or more
where do you cut that off

Nutting
I do not interview anyone with in the departments
I only do that for the people that you ratify
I don't get involved in what you are talking about
that is up to the respective department heads

Benedetto
the institutional knowledge doesn't get lost with the Council
it stays with the people actually working for the town

Kelly
if we were to move to a mayor we would also have to find about $175K in the budget

Bissanti
I don't want this or any council to be a wasted resource
I just would like to know what is going on in the halls

Cerel
it is extremely important to know and understand your role as a legislative body you are immune from personal liability, when you start performing other functions, you lose that liability

Nutting
you don't give yourself enough credit given the fiscal constraints we have
is it perfect, we are doing the library, we are doing the Senior Center

Live reporting: License transfers

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
License Hearings - 7:10

• Rare Hospitality d/b/a LongHorn Steakhouse – Change of Manager

certified as corporate trainer for Chili's in prior role

strictly in the management role

training, etc.

responsible for the management team currently

approx 50-60 hours on site

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

• 99 Restaurant – Change of Manager

with 99 for 14 years, last 10 years, carried liquor license in 3 different state

TIP certified with 99 and ServiceSafe

last failure was in 2014, have not had a violation in all her license holding periods, make sure they are trained, make sure they card, we are stricter but that makes us a better company

as manager get overview of each employee's test results

training is updated periodically, monitored regularly

out of state requires a second ID, the manager has to check the ID

guests do get discouraged, and we don't serve them

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

Live reporting: License Compliance Check Violations

F. HEARINGS
Alcoholic Beverages Licensees – Failure to Pass Compliance Check – 7:10

• Acapulco’s

Chief Lynch provides background on the compliance checks on illegal serving of underage drinkers on Aug 3 and Aug 4

attempt to buy without ID, was not asked his age, was not asked for ID

Attny Scott Nathan representing Acapulco's

per Acapulco's there was confusion between the two bartenders as to who had asked for ID (when it had not been)

it is a first time, we would ask for a 3 day suspension, 2 days held in abeyance for 2 years, serving the 1 day on the day (of the week of the incident)

Bissanti - clarification on what if anything is heard on the street

Lynch - nothing bad

Jones - we take compliance checks seriously

retraining in the plan for the bartender in question

Mercer - new training required as of Sep 1

motion to proceed with the Chief's recommendation

the ID scan device is being installed tomorrow

• New hearing on Joe's Bar and Grill

2nd half of check done on Thursday, Aug 4

was served at the bar without providing ID or age check

Leslie St Germain, representing the establishment

we take this incident seriously, extremely important

apology for the incident, do not dispute the overview

mitigating steps outlined

Tips certification completing

40 or younger now requiring ID check, had been 30 or younger

bar service is now enabled

a secret shopper program is now being used to do their own stings internally

with all the best measures, human errors do occur

Chap 138 does not require it, has experienced negative experiences with carding everyone, does not normally attract underage drinkers

if we have further issues, that would be a next step

Jones

in 2011, there was also an incident with Joe's

so this is the second offense in 5 years

St Germain

prior instance was claimed to be associated with the transition of new business

with servers trained by the former business, by the end of the 2011 year, the servers had been completely trained

bartender had been suspended for one week and re-trained

future offense will get zero tolerance

we have seen the machines take accountability out of the process and it should be the bartender making the decision

Bissanti - pushing for the Advanced ID system, it is endorsed by the ABCC locally

Pfeffer - glad to see that the bartender did not get fired, the first time offense should be sufficient

Chief Lynch - there was a prior incident, but the time has lapsed, would recommend that this be considered a first offense; 

motion to approve the recommendation as stated

Padula - be aware you caught a break this time but don't expect it next time

hearings closed

Live reporting: Legislation for Action

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 16-52: Appropriation: Plain Street Legal Settlement
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

2. Resolution 16-53: Settlement of Claim Relating to Town-Owned Tax Title Land on Plain Street – Exhibit 1 
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

complicated situation around a tx tile taking of a property many years ago where the process was deemed to be unlawful and a heir of the original property owner has come forward to make the claim of restitution

Live reporting: Town Council - Sep 7, 2016

Present: Pellegri, Padula, Mercer, Vallee, Kelly, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones
Absent:  none



A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
August 10, 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.

Pellegri arrives ***

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

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.

E. APPOINTMENTS
Conservation Commission
Nicolas Schuler
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

Franklin Advisory Committee
Diane Jardine
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

FHS girls soccer outlook, boys soccer players to watch

With the return to school, the fall sports season resumes and Hockomock Sports has posted their Kelly-Rex Division outlook for girls soccer and the top players to watch for boys soccer.

FRANKLIN

2015 Record: 17-1-2 (Kelley-Rex Division Champions)
2015 Finish: Reached D1 South Quarterfinal
Coach: Tom Geysen

"The Class of 2016 won a state title, two Div. 1 South titles, went to three straight South finals, and won the Kelley-Rex division four times. That is quite a legacy for the program and, while he has a number of new faces to try and incorporate into the lineup, head coach Tom Geysen is confident that this year’s Panthers will be team to contend with by the end of the season. 

One reason for optimism is the combination of sophomore Halle Atkinson and junior Jess Krouschl up front (once Kroushl comes back from a niggling injury). Both players saw time in the attack last season and showed the potential to be a strong pairing with one as the forward or playing as the wings. The forwards will be helped by energetic midfielders Molly Duncan and Ellie Teixeira, two more players who saw plenty of playing time down the stretch in 2015. 

Defensively, Franklin returns one half of its back four. Nadia Havens will continue as an outside back, while Abby Gibson, who stepped in to have a strong season on the outside last fall, will move in as one of the centerbacks. Junior Kat Robbins will take over from Dani Lonati between the pipes. 

Geysen said, “We’re thin and we’re green…It’s a work in progress. But, by the end of the season I think we’ll give people a test.”

Find out about all the other teams in the Kelly-Rex girls division
https://hockomocksports.com/2016-kelley-rex-girls-soccer-preview/

FHS Panthers

HATIM BRAHIMI, SENIOR – FRANKLIN

"The Panthers have a lot of new pieces in the lineup this season but Hatim Brahimi’s presence in the midfield will help make that transition easier. Speaking of transition, Brahimi is one of the best in helping a team move from defense into an attack. He’s solid with the ball at his feet and is able to spring teammates into open space. If a teammate is making a run into the final third, expect Brahimi to be able to deliver, whether it be on the ground or in the air, and even in the tightest of spaces. He’s confident with the ball at his feet and takes his time in the midfield, without forcing things. In the final third, Brahimi can be a tough to deal with because of his ability to find teammates or finish himself."

Read about the other players to watch for boys soccer
https://hockomocksports.com/boys-soccer-ten-players-to-watch-in-2016/

In the News: Council to consider charter, MassPike electronic tolling explained

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

"The Town Council is scheduled to discuss the town charter, and may decide to formally review the document. 

The council, which is meeting Wednesday, Sept. 7, is slated to consider the results of previous charter revisions. 

Council members have suggested a commission go through the document and suggest changes, citing certain issues - like the terms and elections of councilors - that could cause problems in the future. Since all nine councilors are elected at the same time because the town does not stagger terms, officials have said they fear a council comprised of all new members."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160906/franklin-council-to-consider-charter-review

"According to the DOT, a trip from the New York border to Boston along the turnpike that currently costs $6.60 will go down to $6.15 under the proposed structure for a state-issued E-ZPass holder. 

But if fees the state proposes for drivers who don't travel the turnpike with an E-ZPass are approved by the board next month, motorists will pay a 60-cent mailing and processing fee after a camera captures their registration information from their license plate and sends them a bill. Additionally, drivers without E-Z Pass will pay an additional 30 cents per gantry for each gantry they pass under. 

Otto Lies of Holden said he often has relatives visit from out of state, and asked why they should have to pay what could amount to a few dollars more per trip for not going through the work of getting a free E-ZPass transponder. He said he didn't have a problem with the mailing fee, or perhaps even a single levy of the 30-cent gantry fee.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160906/automated-tolls-explained-at-worcester-hearing

Devices on new gantries above the Massachusetts Turnpike will soon collect tolls. For now, they’re capturing data on driving speeds.- ARAM BOGHOSIAN FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE