"We need more age-appropriate remedies"

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

"Supporters of bills that would change the consequences teenagers face for sharing explicit images described the current penalties as “draconian,” and urged lawmakers to adopt an approach that focuses on education.

The Judiciary Committee on Tuesday heard testimony on similar bills filed by Gov. Charlie Baker and Franklin Rep. Jeffrey Roy that each propose to change how state law handles cases involving minors sending and receiving sexually explicit messages. Baker’s bill (H 67) would also make it a felony offense for adults to share a sexually explicit image without consent from the person depicted, a practice sometimes referred to as revenge porn.

Under current law, minors who share sexually explicit images among their peers are subject to felony child pornography charges.

Elizabeth Englander, the founder and director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center, said the threat of a felony and its associated consequences can discourage young victims of sexual harassment from seeking an adult’s help if a peer is pressuring them to send nude or explicit photos."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191204/franklin-lawmaker-jeffrey-roy-proposes-bill-to-change-consequences-teenagers-who-share-explicit-images


The full text of Rep Roy's proposal can be found online  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1550   I could not find the text in reference to Gov Baler's proposal. If anyone has the link, please share it.

Live reporting: Town Administrator's Report through to closing

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 

David McKearnery retiring, Cathy Liberty, new Board of Health Director

Cindy Souza, of Animal Control is also retiring 

turf fields - letter from DEP stating no wetlands violation
no requirement to do PFAS testing in that area
no concentration found of concern
considering this issue closed
round of applause to Superintendent Ruszela and Cantoreggi for the testing and work done by the DPW
"there is something not right in this system"

one off meeting on Open Meeting Law Dec 10

thanks to the DPW for the look of the Town Common
thanks to all the DPW staff on the first storm

special permit does include paving Spring St
issues should be corrected by that project
16 car parking lot to provide access to the State Forest
decommissioning the length of Spring St through to RT 140 will be an objective for discussion


12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 

Bissanti - 2 folks were sleeping on the sidewalk due to a fire, they are no better situated
Pharma actions and awards being given, do we have a status

Earls - looking at zoning regulations to cover the storm water situation

Chandler - regional dispatch, how is it going?

Hamblen - looking for a discussion on community preservation act

Pellegri - looking for homeless resources; so many people need housing

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS 

Chandler - Chris Kearney passed away, thanks for the work he had done with groups
really impressive to see the Station on Hutchenson

Hamblen - thanks for the updates; thanks for the first Winter Farmers Market
thanks for the work on decorating
thanks for those who came out to the Turkey Trot

Pellegri - oldest Franklin resident passed away, Mary Bennet wake on Thursday
Federated Church on Friday - 109 years old
presenting the Boston Post Cane

Bissanti - rod and gun club breakfast this Sunday

Earls - thanks to the DPW for the work on the first and extended snow storm
library - doors remotely open 2 hours earlier than employees arrived
read up on the bag ban issue coming up at a future meeting

Jones - thanks to the DPW for the work on the first and extended snow storm

Dellorco - thanks for your work, I feel your pain



14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
discuss strategy to discuss litigation re: Dean food bankruptcy, will not reconvene in open session

motion to approve, second, passed 8-0 via roll call


ADJOURN


The full set of documents released for this agenda can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/december-4-town-council-meeting

in PDF form
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/12-4-19_tc_full_agenda.pdf

Live reporting: Legislation for Action

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. 99 Restaurants of Boston, change of Officers/Directors/LLC Managers & Change of Ownership Interest, 847 West Central Street

ABCC attempting to streamline this change for every community where a 99 Restaurant resides

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0


8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- None


9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
no meeting yet

b. Budget Subcommittee
no meeting yet

c. Economic Development Subcommittee
met earlier this evening on the "plastic waste reduction plan"
next meeting for EDC could be Jan 8 (assuming other meeting schedule approved)


10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 

(first four covered in earlier section of this meeting)

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-84: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Public Library, $10,500 (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-84 - Majority Vote (5))

thanks to the Friends of the Library for their consistent dedication and raising this for the residents

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-85: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Senior Center, $250 (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-85 - Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0


10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-86: Town Council 2020 Meeting Calendar (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-86 - Majority Vote (5))

question on Nov 11 (Veterans Day, although not celebrated that day)
will pass as is and check to see if an adjustment needs to be made

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0


10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-87: Appropriation of Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per M.G.L Ch.44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-87 - Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0


10i. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-88: Ad Hoc Stormwater Utility Fee Study Committee (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-88 - Majority Vote (5))

another step in the direction of pro-action in preparing for the future
question on resources to be available for the subcommittee

long discussion on this item, the motion is to start the process to resolve the issue which the Town has been working for since 2009 yet the discussion going round and round

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0


10j. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 19-846: Chapter 153 Stormwater Management - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw 19-846 to a 2nd Reading - Majority Vote (5))

motion to waive the reading, seconded, passed 8-0

essentially establishes a stormwater utility structure, shows the EPA commitment on our part towards compliance

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0

Live reporting: Tax Classification Hearing

6. HEARINGS
Franklin Tax Classification Hearing
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/12-4-19_memo_tax_rate_hearing.pdf


Chris Sandini, Kevin Doyle, Chris Feeley

factor of 1 = uniform rate across the property classes

no land classified as open space per State Land use 

calculated increase of approx $178 for avg residence with reduction in rate of 15 cents from prior year

new growth of $127M for this tax year
almost 2.5% growth (which helps establish the tax base)

Chandler - clarification questions on exemptions and forms
to be found on the Board of Assessors page
https://www.franklinma.gov/board-assessors

Jones - impressed with the 5B valuation of the Town
For the single tax rate

Bissanti - I don't remember addressing a dual tax rate
C Feeley - about 14 years ago there was a Councilor who did propose a dual tax rate; it was not passed

Pellegri - do we know if we have everyone who would be eligible?
Doyle - we did a mailing some years ago, that didn't urn up much; we work closely with the Senior Center and Veterans Agent to ensure we cover all we hear of; we work with Karen Alves to prepare a summary flyer

Hellen - we'll coordinate an update and social media blast to make sure folks are aware of it

Dellorco - once applied do they need to re-apply?
Feeley - re-apply yes, but once they have, we notify them of what they need to do

Mercer - I support the single tax rate, one of our strengths in attracting business

hearing closed

moving to first of the four resolutions


10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-80: Tax Classification Residential Factor (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-80 - Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-81: Tax Classification - Open Space Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-81 - Majority Vote (5))
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-82: Tax Classification Small Business Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-82 - Majority Vote (5))
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-83: Tax Classification Residential Property Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-83 - Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

( 2 min recess )
short break to allow for signature of the docs as approved

Live reporting: Town Council - Dec 4, 2019

Present: Chandler, Hamblen, Pellegri, Dellorco, Mercer, Jones, Earls, Bissanti
Absent: Kelly


1. ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

2. 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.

Harry Cochran, 30 Spring St
last 900 feet still dirt, trying to get pavement after 47 years
street needs finishing, 16 space parking lot apparently being put in for trail use


3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- None

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
- None

5. APPOINTMENTS
- None

Franklin Public Schools: Annual Winter Art Showcase opens Dec 4 at 4:30 PM

The Franklin Public Schools (FPS) Annual Winter Art Showcase is set to open Wednesday evening, Dec 4! Selected works for across the District will be on view in the FHS Community Lobby from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. 

Work will remain up through Dec. 10

FPS Annual Winter Art Showcase opens Dec 4 at 4:30 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Public Schools Art Dept Twitter account
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSart/status/1202020745301430273

Dean College's annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Dec 5

Celebrate the season at Dean College's annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 4 PM to 5 PM! 

Enjoy free hot chocolate and special appearances by Santa and Boomer.

Dean College's annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Dec 5

This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership twitter account
https://twitter.com/FranklinDowntwn/status/1201890148952223745 
 
For more holiday happenings, check the listing
https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2019/11/holiday-happenings-in-franklin.html

#DeanCollege
#treelighting
#fdp
#tofranklinma