In the News: non-binary gender for state licenses; MA House votes to ban flavored cigarettes

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

"Massachusetts residents can now have a non-binary gender designation on state driver’s licenses. 

The state’s Registry of Motor Vehicles says it now recognizes three gender designations: “male,” “female” and “non-binary.” 

The change took effect Tuesday. 

According to the state Department of Transportation, those designations are available for new credentials, renewals and amendments of licenses and IDs."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191113/non-binary-gender-designation-now-available-in-mass

"The Massachusetts House voted Wednesday to ban the sale of flavored vaping and tobacco products -- including mint and menthol cigarettes -- and to impose an excise tax on e-cigarettes. 

Rep. Danielle Gregoire, D-Marlborough, a main proponent of flavor ban legislation, said the vote marked “a chance to put an unprecedented nail in the coffin of Big Tobacco.” The bill passed on a vote of 126-31. 

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said the bill would make Massachusetts the first state to restrict the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. House Speaker Robert DeLeo described Wednesday’s vote as “a nation-leading step ... to modernize our laws that regulate tobacco.” 

The action in the House came almost 16 months after Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law raising the tobacco-buying age from 18 to 21 in an effort to curb youth smoking. Spurred by high rates of youth e-cigarette use, anti-tobacco advocates have been pushing to go further by banning all flavored tobacco products, which they say are designed to appeal to children and, in the case of mint and menthol, mitigate the harsh effects of smoking traditional cigarettes."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191113/house-votes-to-make-mass-first-to-ban-menthol-cigarettes

Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) Explorer

A cool tool to help determine what the future income of certain degree programs would be in the years after graduation. Only 4 states currently have data in this tool. For the state institutions in Colorado, Texas, Michigan, and Wisconsin the data query is easy to use and insightful. Someday, MA will be available (along with more states)!

"The U.S. Census Bureau released an update to Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) Explorer, a data visualization tool providing easy access to employment and earnings outcomes for college graduates based on the industries they enter after receiving their degrees. The PSEO pilot research program is being conducted in cooperation with higher education institutional systems to examine labor market outcomes of post-secondary graduates.

PSEO Explorer now features employment flows tabulations, which explore flows from institutions and degrees to the industries and geographies where graduates are employed. Tabulations on earnings outcomes compare data for different degree types by institution and years postgrad using grouped bar charts. Statistics will be updated for future graduation cohorts as they become available.

The Census Bureau is working to add higher education institution systems to the database."

For Univ Wisconsin-Madison, these five degree majors are shown

You can find the tool at https://lehd.ces.census.gov/

A helpful video tutorial can be viewed on YouTube
https://youtu.be/bMThWNyhbe4

Live reporting: Legislation through to Closing

11. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Capital Budget Subcommittee b. Budget Subcommittee c. Economic Development Subcommittee


12. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

• a. Resolution 19-75: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Police Department, $300 (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-75 - Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

• b. Resolution 19-76: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Police Department, $15 (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-76 - Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

• c. Resolution 19-77: Adopt the Town Council Procedures Manual (Motion to Adopt Resolution 19-77 - Majority Vote (5))

annual exercise is appropriate, other discussion on line item for budget and meeting notifications not applicable to this doc; being handled elsewhere

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

• d. Resolution 19-78: Establish Town Council Standing Subcommittees (Motion to approve Resolution 19-78- Majority Vote (5))

annual procedure to reauthorize these standard subcommittee

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

16. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Collective Bargaining

i. I request a motion that the Board vote to convene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Board.

motion to move to executive session, to return to open meeting
motion made, seconded, passed 9-0 (via role call)


Council back in order 9:44 PM

• e. Resolution 19-79: Ratification of Public Library Staff Association Contract (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-79 - Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

13. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
blue bottles; councilor Kelly came up with idea saving money instead of buying water for the folks to use at each meeting

first week of clothing recycling, 3,000 lbs recycled in first

14. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Bissanti - to explore zoning issues going forward
there is concern on water quality, another way to help with storm water

Kelly - we have EDC but we have nothing on residential, consider a fourth for residential zoning, let's set the policy (we already do) but monitor and watch and encourage

Pellegri - let's discuss getting the CPA for a consideration to bring to the voters

Dellorco - charter review possible to start


15. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Bissanti - thanks for restoring me to the Council, I listened and they listened to me too. My views are changed on housing, I am glad Councilor Kelly said what he did. I am all for us slowing growth, inclusionary growth, 
condolences to the Chilson family

Earl - thanks for all those who did come out to vote

Kelly - condolences to the Chilson family as well
congratulations to our Chair and ViceChair
Veterans Day celebration was fantastic, thanks to Dale and his help for what they do
can we get an update on those roads with raised casting that need to get done

Chandler - thank you to all family, friends and all the voters who came out
I was quiet tonight and I am get my feet wet
my heart goes out to the Worcester fire fighters for loosing one of their own

Hamblen - echo my fellow councilors thanking the voters, thanks to Brutus Kate and Jean, I am sure we will see them again
a winters farmers market coming once a month; Fairmount Fruit Farm celebrates 100 years

Pellegri - if you have anything to help us get the voters out, let me know
thanks to the Rod and Gun club, breakfast once a month
Distinguished Young Women meeting at YMCA on Monday

Jones - echoing thanks to the voters, we held our ground on the weather
it is a big deal to cast your vote
one of my hopes we could consider putting together a committee on communications, we need to have a clear focus to address this, pair with the School Committee and our new comms person

Dellorco - thanks to the voters for coming out
thanks for the opportunity to be ViceChair

Mercer - I would be remiss if I didn't thank the voters for coming out, I am not sure i would call it a fun day, it was a long day
thanks to Councilor Kelly for those years as chair and vice char, we have a lot of work to do
I see this group as equal to the task

Thanks to the veterans group and lodge of Elks for their support
condolences to the CHilson family


17. ADJOURN

motion to adjourn


Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

LIve reporting: Presentations - Open Meeting; Storm water

10. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

• a. Town Attorney Mark Cerel Presentation

• Open Meeting Law, Public Records, Public Hearings, and Ethics Presentation

remote participation must be of "unreasonable nature"
majority need to be present, all votes via role call

phone calls excluded from record keeping (as no technology can currently provide sufficient coverage)

segregate town from personal business

Ethics
criminal statue
if you ask the ethics office for adivce, they can render a decision and assuming all facts are stated, it can be a safe harbor
if after the fact someone comes up with a incident, and you had not pre notified, then the Ethics commission acts as an investigatory body
applies to individual and ti immediate family members, a fairly broad group

conversation between individual and Ethics commission are confidential
conversation between Mark and individual are not necessarily

mandatory online training

self identify early on if a conflict, or potential


https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/10a._presentations_discussions_cerel.pdf

• b. Stormwater Presentation and Discussion

• i. Town Administrator Introduction Memo

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/town_administrator_introduction_memo.pdf

• ii. Public Works PowerPoint Presentation

Franklin Dept Public Works -storm water from Franklin Matters

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/public_works_powerpoint_presentation.pdf

• iii. Stormwater Management Plan (393 Page document; 8MB PDF)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/stormwater_management_plan.pdf

• iv. Stormwater Brochures History

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/stormwater_brochures_history.pdf

suit against EPA in mediation right now, not much can be said about it

no other community outside of Boston has gotten more grant money than Franklin

study was funded in 2007 to develop the utility 

$800K over and above standard DPW budget required to meet EPA permit for storm water management

10 million sq ft of impervious coverage added since 2011; an indicator of the growth we have

"I suggested that we should rake the state forest, and the EPA liked that" 

Q what is noncompliance with the EPA?
still early yet, more consent decrees now; usually need to do it faster than it had been planned for; only 2nd year of the new permit

Q - why us?
it is based upon the watershed, only 2% goes off to the Blackstone, 98% goers to the Charles

a little bit every year helps, the memo outlines other communities implementing this as well.

well or septic doesn't matter for this new utility fee

Q - road and sidewalk reduction was also in regards to reducing the impervious coverage, yes we are doing that

we should be focusing on getting with other communities (i.e. Cambridge) to work out the details of cross credits

Dellorco - all the rivers in MA are polluted, they built factories on them, that the problem

send out the bill with $0, that is the best way to start the education; a great way to get the attention; we started in 2007, now it is 2019

I'd rather get ahead of the EPA and a consent order. Well it is a bill but it is zero, why? it is a start

the toxic bloom has only happened once in four years, how do we sell that?

Live reporting: License transactions

9. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

• a. Mormax Corporation d/b/a Bj’s Wholesale Club, Change of Manager, 100 Corporate Drive.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/9a._license_transactions_bjs_0.pdf

change of manager, otherwise things remain the same
with BJ for 5 years, at Franklin for 2 months

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

• b. JDJ Ichigo Ichie, Inc., New All Alcohol License, 837 West Central Street.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/9b._license_transactions_ichigo_ichie_redacted.pdf

change of ownership

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

• c. Little Shop of Olive Oils, Inc. New Wine and Malt Retail Package Store License, 5 Main Street.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/9c._license_transactions_lsevoo_redacted.pdf

for take home sales only, not for sale/drink on site
take home to pair with vinegar and oil gift baskets

Ferrari's owner speaks against the license
Franklin Liquor speaks for the license

motion to close hearing, seconded, passed 9-0

motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-3

• d. JAC Restaurant, LLC d/b/a Joe Allen's Casual Dining and Bar, New All Alcohol License, 14 East Central Street.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/9d._license_transactions_jac.pdf
 
application withdrawn, no action required




The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, 2019.

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/november-13-town-council-agenda  

Live reporting: Town Council - Nov 13, 2019

Present: Chandler, Hamblen, Pellegri, Dellorco, Mercer, Jones, Kelly, Earls, Bissanti
Absent: none


1. SWEARING IN OF TOWN COUNCIL AND TOWN CLERK
slightly out of order but the two swearing in events did happen
Asst Clerk was supposed to swear in Teresa Burr who would then swear in the council


2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS – Chair, Vice-Chair, Clerk
motion by Jones to nominate Mercer, seconded, passed 9-0
motion by Pellegri to nominate Dellorco, seconded, passed 9-0
motion by Earls to nominate Jones, seconded, passed 9-0

< break - 3 minute recess>

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and show on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

4. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. 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.

none

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

• a. September 18, 2019 - motion to approve, seconded passed, 9-0 
• b. October 16, 2019 - motion to approve, seconded passed, 9-0

6. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

7. APPOINTMENTS

• a. Cultural District Committee: Evan Chelman

motion to approve, seconded passed, 9-0

  8. HEARINGS
 none


The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, 2019.

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/november-13-town-council-agenda  

Help the Franklin Turkey Trot support the Franklin Food Pantry

Franklin Turkey Trot Registration is OPEN and waiting for you! Running or walking (I will be walking) gives you a worthy excuse to have that extra piece of pie later Thanksgiving Day.

Please visit www.franklinturkeytrot.org for race information and registration.

If you have any questions, please email franklinturkeytrot@gmail.com.

See you at the race! If you can't run or walk, you can donate to the Franklin Food Pantry online at  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

Franklin TURKEY TROT Registration Open