Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 4, 2017

(Note the links should take you to the Town of Franklin page with the associated documents)

Agenda Item	Summary
A. Approval of Minutes
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
1. Discussion on Joint Town Council/Planning Board meetings
2. Master Plan Update
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Bylaw Amendment 16-778: Chapter 160, Taxpayers, Delinquent- 2nd Reading (majority vote)
2. Bylaw Amendment 17-784: Repeal Sign Restrictions Bylaw- 1st Reading (majority vote)
3. Bylaw Amendment 17-785: Repeal of Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Bylaw -1st Reading (majority vote)
4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-786: Storage Facility Bylaw (Referral to the Planning Board)
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION
O. ADJOURN
O. Adjourn

You can also view the single PDF with all the supporting documents here

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/tc_agenda_1-4-17.pdf

expanded parking lot at the Senior Center

Franklin Police: Training Exercise Advisory

Training Exercise Advisory: 

The Franklin Police Department, the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council and Dean College will participate in a law enforcement related training exercise throughout the campus of Dean College on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 from 8am - 2pm. 

There will be several law enforcement vehicles participating in the scenario to include mobile command posts, armored personnel carriers, etc. 

The entirety of the exercise will occur on the Dean College campus and we do not expect any road closures or other issues that will affect the downtown district.

Dean College, Main St, Franklin, MA

Franklin Police: Training Exercise Advisory

"He’s the heart and soul of our team"

By KEN HAMWEY, Staff Sports Writer for localtownpages - Franklin

"Some may think that Franklin High basketball coach CJ Neely is overly effusive in describing junior captain Paul Mahon. 

The Panthers’ coach, who directed his squad to the Sectional finals last year and a co-championship in the Kelly-Rex Division of the Hockomock League, is extremely bullish on his off-guard, calling him “a coach’s dream, one of the best defensive players in the league, the ultimate competitor and a good person, on and off the court.’’ 

Mahon, a 5-foot-10, 155-pound off-guard, is indeed special. He’s humble in his role as Franklin’s only captain, and he’s willing to learn what he doesn’t know. He’s also encouraging when teammates need an emotional lift, and he’s quick to offer assistance and friendship to the less fortunate. 

Consider this situation — his best friend since early childhood is a Down syndrome youth, and Mahon often shoots jump shots with him in their back yards or in Franklin High’s gym. The 17-year-old Mahon also attends his friend’s Special Olympics events. “I always try to encourage him,’’ Mahon said."

Continue reading the article online
http://www.localtownpages.com/content/mahon-classy-captain-franklin-hoop-squad

FHS Boys Basketball Captain Paul Mahon

"I just wanted to make Franklin competitive"

By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer for localtownpages - Franklin

"On April 29, in a ceremony taking place at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, the Franklin Wrestling Program, under the guidance of Coach Carmine Colace, will be inducted into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as the Team of the Decade for the 1990’s. 

Throughout the 90’s the Panther grapplers were able to win seven state championships (1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1998, 1999 and 2000), finished second twice; won eight Hockomock League Titles (including six in a row from 1990-95) had two undefeated seasons and averaged 20 wins per season with Colace at the helm. What’s even more impressive is throughout his coaching career, Colace’s teams have collected 10 State Titles, finished second five times and during his 25 year run have never finished lower than fifth once they reached the Sectionals. 

“Wrestling in the state of Massachusetts had some dominant teams in the 60’s, but nothing like the team we had here at Franklin,” Colace said. “The 1999 team was probably the best team that we have ever had here, and we actually lost a game that year. During the State Tournament, we had already wrapped up the title after the first day of competition and really didn’t need to wrestle on day two. That’s how impressive they were.”

Continue reading the article online
http://www.localtownpages.com/content/franklin-wrestling-makes-history-thanks-coach-colace

Franklin Wrestling Makes History Thanks to Coach Colace

Master Plan Update

An update to the Master Plan is on the agenda for the Town Council meeting Wednesday, Jan 4,2017.

You can find the update document embedded here:






You can also find the document on the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/h2_master_plan.pdf

The full 2013 Master Plan can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/pages/master-plan-2013

The Master Plan webpage can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/pages/master-plan

new sidewalks on Pleasant St provide access to DelCarte

The full agenda for Jan 4, 2017
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/town-council-meeting-agenda

In the News: Local legislator priorities for 2017

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

"Beacon Hill will likely be a busy place in 2017. 

Local lawmakers have identified a range of priorities for the new year, including criminal justice reform, budgeting and continuing to support the communities they serve. 

Here's a look at some priorities for several local incumbent lawmakers:

State Sen. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham:

• Marijuana law: Ross says the new recreational marijuana law needs to be improved. "It is imperative that we do it the right way, and address the serious public health and safety issues that were not properly outlined in the ballot language," he said in a statement.
• Patent trolls: These are people or companies that falsely allege patent infringement and seek payment from victims. Ross plans to pursue legislation to stop patent trolling, which "has had an extremely detrimental effect on many businesses in my district and across the commonwealth," he said.
• Ross said he also plans to focus on district priorities "such as local aid, education funding, public safety, and economic development, while striving to maintain a cost effective and transparent government."

State Rep. Jeff Roy, D-Franklin:

• Teen sexting: Roy plans to again pursue legislation to give police a new tool for handling teen sexting incidents. Police currently can only charge a minor who sent or received an inappropriate picture with a felony child pornography charge. Roy would like to see a new misdemeanor charge available for police to charge youth 17 and younger. Education is also important, he said.
• Explosive gas detectors: These devices detect highly volatile gases such as propane and should be required in homes where these gases are present, Roy said. They are similar to smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, he said.
• Education: Roy wants to increase the study of civics and genocide in schools and improve protection of student data.

State Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland:

• Budget: Spilka, the Senate Ways and Means chairwoman, said she will focus on developing a responsible fiscal 2018 budget, which should support people in need and cities and towns while helping stimulate the economy. Officials also need to find ways to reign in increasing health care costs, she said.
• Spilka supports the paid family and medical leave bill, which passed the Senate in 2016 but did not become law. Reducing income inequality should also be a focus. People who work 40 hours per week should not be living in poverty, she said.
• Criminal justice reform: Officials need to look at alternatives to jail for adults and juveniles and consider raising the ages the juvenile justice system serves. Research shows people's brains are not fully developed until they are in their mid-20s. And, putting someone as young as 7 years old in the juvenile system is not solving what is likely a problem with the child's family, she said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170101/metrowest-lawmakers-outline-2017-priorities

Davis Thayer Elementary School sign "Happy New Year, school starts Jan 3"

2017 Dog Licensing Season Begins!

"When the ball drops to ring in a New Year, it is also a reminder that annual dog licensing season also begins.

This year, I am very excited to announce a pilot initiative to allow residents to license your dog online.

We hope you find the new cloud-based software easy to use. You can license your dog at your convenience, 24-7, without ever making a trip to the Municipal Building. Simply register online and our office will send you your loved one’s dog tags in the mail.

Please visit our new site to register you dog:
https://franklinma.viewpointcloud.com/

Residents may also find the registration center on the Online Payments section of the Town’s website at www.franklinma.gov

Our office reminds dog owners that licensing your dog is due by April 1st. After April 1st, a late fee will be assessed. In addition to the late fee, if your dog is found to have not been registered at all, there is a $100 fine, per state law.

You are also required to send a rabies certificate and to provide your Vet's information to allow us to communicate better with them on rabies information and expiration.

2017 Fee Schedule:

Dog Licensing Registration:

• Before April 1st (spayed/neutered) = $20.00
• Before April 1st (not spayed/neutered) = $30.00
• After April 1st (Late dog registration fee, spayed/neutered) = $50.00
• After April 1st (Late dog registration fee, not spayed/neutered) = $60.00

By using this online service, we will also email you notification of next year's dog licensing as well. 

Let us do most of the work for you so you can spend more time with your pets. Register today!
Please call the office at (508) 520-4900 with any questions.

And, yes, the Town Clerk still accepts applications via mail and personally in the office. Forms will be sent out in the upcoming census mailing in January. Do not hesitate to stop in to register your dog.

I wish everyone a very happy and safe New Year’s weekend."

Teresa M. Burr
Town Clerk

Online service page for Franklin Town Clerk

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2016-12-30_2017_dog_licensing_season_begins_0.pdf