Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Aug 9, 2017

The published agenda and documents released for the only Town Council scheduled for August can be found here. The Council meets once in July and August and resumes the twice a month schedule in September.

A. Approval of Minutes	A. Approval of Minutes June 28 July 2
B. Announcements
C. Proclamations/Recognitions	C. Proclamations/Recognitions 1. Swearing in of Police Officer - Leeanne Baker 2. Recognition of Gary Premo
D. Citizen Comments	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 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 theTown Administrator to review the matter.
E. Appointments	E. Appointments 1. Design Review Commission
F. Hearings	F. Hearings
G. License Transactions	G. License Transactions - 1. New Farmer-Winery Pouring License - La Cantina Winery - 7:10 PM
H. Presentations/Discussions	H. Presentations/Discussions - School Superintendent - Dr Sara Ahern
I. Subcommittee Reports	I. Subcommittee Reports
J. Legislation for Action	J. Legislation for Action 1. Resolution 17-50: Acceptance of Gift - Town of Franklin Police Dept. (Motion to Move Resolution 17-50 - majority vote (5)) 2. Resolution 17-51: Town Clerk Prior Year Bills (Motion to Move Resolution 17-51 - 2/3 majority vote (6)) 3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-795: Zoning Map Changes from Business and Commercial II to Single Family Residential IV and Commercial I, in an Area on or Near Union, Cottage and Saxon Streets - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 17-795 to the Planning Board - majority vote (5))
K. Town Administrator's Report	K. Town Administrator's Report
L. Future Agenda Items	L. Future Agenda Items
M. Council Comments	M. Council Comments
N. Executive Session - Non-scheduled	N. Executive Session - Non-scheduled
O. Adjourn	O. Adjourn

You can also view the documents released for this agenda in one PDF file on the Town of Franklin webpage

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/august_9_2017.pdf

turf fields are being replaced with new surface and a different infill both at the High School and Beaver St

"first responders are unknowingly succumbing to an overdose from airborne opioid"

How dangerous are the drugs that are prevalent in the opioid epidemic? 

This Facebook posting from the SAFE Coalition highlights a recent news article where first responders needed to be treated after they arrived to deal with three overdose victims.




For more about the SAFE Coalition and what they are doing to help the substance abuse problem we have visit their webpage  http://safecoalitionma.com/

http://safecoalitionma.com/

Proposed change to the MA Open Meeting Law

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

"The comment period on proposed changes to the state’s Open Meeting Law closed Thursday at 5 p.m., after a public hearing that afternoon hosted by the Division of Open Government. 

In late July, Attorney General Maura Healey proposed a handful of changes to the law that dictates how public boards of committees should behave. Here’s a breakdown of some of the changes, should they remain as currently proposed. 

- If a board chooses to post meeting notices to the town’s website, and the websites crashes, the board has four hours to fix the problem during business hours. If that doesn’t happen, the meeting must be canceled and the notice re-posted for a new date."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170806/changes-to-open-meeting-law-proposed


Additional information on the proposed changes and request for comments can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/ago/government-resources/open-meeting-law/request-for-comment-open-meeting-law-amendments.html

Explanation of Proposed Changes
http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/government/oml/proposed-regulations-statement-v2.pdf

Proposed regulations (Clean version)
http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/government/oml/dog-regs-2017-review-v2-clean.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building site of most of the Board and Committee meetings

Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) Announce Revised 2017-18 Grant Award Program

A recent Facebook post by the Franklin Education Foundation announces that the grant applications are due Oct 27, 2017. While this targeted to the school district teachers and staff, there is also a reminder that you can help contribute to the FEF via one of their fund raising events or directly online.

"The Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) is pleased to announce the revised 2017-18 grant award program. 

This is an exciting opportunity for faculty, administration and staff to obtain funds that will support stimulating and innovative projects. 

Founded in 1997, FEF consists of a diverse group of individuals from many segments of the Franklin community. Members include community leaders, local organizations, educational institutions, business and industry, and families.
Each member of FEF supports the Foundation’s fundamental goal of providing a forum and means of achieving academic excellence for the school students of Franklin, MA.  

We made changes to the grant program for next year in response to our surveying Franklin Public Schools (FPS) teachers and administration. These changes will provide applicants more time to construct a innovative proposal and allow for a more rapid project funding/implementation schedule. Next year, grant proposals will be reviewed and funded within the school year. This is a change from previous years when proposals were submitted for projects to start the following school year."

You can donate directly via PayPal  http://www.franklined.org/donate

For additional information on the FEF and the grant process, visit their webpage
http://www.franklined.org/grants

Planning Board : Public Hearing Notice - Aug 21

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, August 21, 2017 at 7:10 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Site Plan Modification application titled "Franklin Innovation Center, Site Plan Modification, Franklin, MA 02038" prepared by Guerriere & Halnon, Inc. and submitted to the Franklin Department of Planning and Community Development on July 25, 2017 by Moseley Realty, LLC, Franklin, MA 02038.

The site is located at 31 Hayward Street in the Industrial Zoning District (Assessors Map 278, Lots 024 and 24.1). The applicant is proposing to construct 22 additional parking spaces and modification to their existing storm water management system.

Please note: This will be your only written notice of this public hearing. Should the Planning Board vote to continue this Public Hearing, the date and time will be posted on the Planning Board's website under Agendas.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning and Community Development during regular office hours .

Please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Anthony Padula, Chairman

Franklin Innovation Center, Site Plan Modification

This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/franklin_innovation_center_public_hearing_notice.pdf

or http://www.franklinma.gov/node/134853

“She learned a lot from it. Just to see how the process goes”

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

"With an eye on the 2018 and 2020 ballots, 17 groups filed more than two dozen initiative petitions for proposed laws and constitutional amendments in time to be considered for certification by Attorney General Maura Healey. 

Wednesday’s 5 p.m. petition deadline is the first step in the process to get a question on the statewide ballot. Petitioners filed 26 proposed laws that could show up on the 2018 ballot and two constitutional amendments that would appear on the 2020 ballot if successful, the attorney general’s office said. 

Lawmakers largely departed the State House late last week for summer recess, and August marks a time for citizens to try their hands at crafting policy."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170803/26-questions-propsed-for-2018-2020-ballots


On MA.GOV, you can find information on the Initiatives and Other Types of Ballot Questions
http://www.mass.gov/ago/government-resources/initiatives-and-other-ballot-questions/

You can find info on the Voting Process
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elevotingprocess/votingprocessidx.htm

screen grab of MA.GOV home page

Blackstone Valley: Our Volunteers are Going Places!

Paddle, Pedal, Recycle and Volunteer!

Blackstone Heritage Corridor Volunteer-led Events August 4 - August 13 Saturday, August 6th - Go Green at the Daniels Farmstead Farmers Market.  Electronics Recycling and More!  Tuesday, August 8th - Join the Paddle Club in the Slatersville Reservoir.  Tuesday, August 8th - Imagine the Possibilities as a Volunteer for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor! Wednesday, August 9th - Pedal from the Blackstone River State Park Visitor Center to Pratt Dam during this week's Ride of Discovery. Don't Forget! - The deadline for submissions to the 2018 Calendar Contest is coming up!  Monday, August 14th, 2017 will be the last day to submit your photo entries. For a complete list of our volunteer-led events and other events  throughout the Blackstone Heritage Corridor,  Visit the events page on our website. BHC's online events calendar is updated faster than we can say  "Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor"  so check back often to see what's happening. * Afraid that weather is a factor? Check out BHC's Facebook Page for any updates!

Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, 670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA 01588 Sent by mail@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org in collaboration with Try it free today