Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Dec 18, 2019

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 18, 2019.

You can also find the full set of documents in one PDF

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/12-18-19_full_agenda_web_1.pdf

 

(Note: where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/december-18-town-council-meeting

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.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	a. October 2, 2019 b. November 13, 2019
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	- None Scheduled
5. APPOINTMENTS	a. Historical Commission, Associate Member: Alan Earls
6. HEARINGS	- None Scheduled
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	- 7:10 PM
7a. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	a. La Cantina Winery Company, Farmer Winery, Farmers Market
7b. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	b. The Chateau Restaurant of Franklin, Change of Hours, 466 King Street.
7c. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	c. Acapulcos Mexican Restaurant, License Modification, Change of Location, 371 Union Street
7d. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	d. GlenPharmer Distillery, LLC, New Farmer Series Pouring Permit for a Farmer-Distillery, 860 West Central Street
7e. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	e. 2020 Annual Alcoholic Beverages License Renewals
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	a. Plastic Bag Waste Reduction b. Town Administrator Annual Evaluation
9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS	a. Capital Budget Subcommittee b. Budget Subcommittee c. Economic Development Subcommittee
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-89: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Veteran’s Services Department, $1,480 (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-89 - Majority Vote (5))
11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION	- Purpose #6: to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property (majority roll call vote)
ADJOURN

GlenPharmer Distillery, LLC, New Farmer Series Pouring Permit for a Farmer-Distillery

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - Dec 17, 2019

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING =Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 6:30 PM

Franklin Senior Center, Conference Room
10 Daniel Mccahill Street, Franklin; MA 0203.8

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes of 12/10/19 Meeting
3. Public Comments
4. Capital Budget Presentations:
a. Department of Public Works
5. Final Recommendations and Vote
6. Storm water Presentation
7. Adjournment


Balance Update
• General Stabilization $6,137,866
• Recreation Fields $304,951
• Open Space Acquisition $1,121,867
• Budget Stabilization $396,332
• Free Cash $3,482,875
• OPEB $5,852,978
• Property Acquisition $269,781
• Fire Truck Stabilization $209,595

OPEB Obligation as of 6/30/18 (PAYGO): $68,554,870

The full agenda and documents released for this meeting can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/fincom_agenda_12-17-19.pdf

rain garden at Parmenter, one of several around Franklin part of the storm water mitigation plan

FHS girls hockey win big, wrestling goes 3-1 in Quad meet, girls swim post win vs Canton

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Saturday.

Girls Hockey = Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 7 – Final
– Franklin opened the season with a big win at home over visiting Stoughton. Freshman Lyndsey Atkinson had a big debut, scoring her first goal while adding a pair of assists to lead the way. Sophomore Maggie McCaffrey, freshman Shaw Downing, and freshman Molly Hurley also scored their first career goals for the Panthers win the win. Gabby Colace had a 12-save shutout for the win.


Wrestling = Mount Hope (R.I.) Quad (Franklin, Stoughton), 10:00AM

Beat East Providence and Lincoln a lot to a little. Carlucci, Sauer, Sackly, Jacoby, and Walker went undefeated on the day. The teams record was 3-1 today.

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) December 14, 2019

Huge win 34-32 win over Mt Hope. Pins by Sauer and Walker.

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) December 14, 2019

Tough loss to Hope high school 39-23. Mt Hope up next.

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) December 14, 2019

Boys Swimming = Canton @ Franklin, 10:30 (@ Milford)

Girls Swimming = Canton @ Franklin, 10:30 (@ Milford)

Great team win today against Canton! Dory goes to @alyssalapuma24 @madisonnlawlor , and Katie Houlihan!!! All 3 stepped up today to help another team mate and try races they have never done before!!! Onto OA!!!! @CoachP_FHSswim @mrsjpridham pic.twitter.com/mm0ke9JcvV

— FHSGVSWIM! (@fhsgvswim1) December 14, 2019

Boys Indoor Track vs Taunton on Friday

Loss to Taunton 39-61. Not a bad starting point but lots of work to be done

Firsts places by: Grady E, Cam H, Nick C, Tyler B, 4x4#backtowork pic.twitter.com/aoheHsAeAu

— FHS Boys XC+TF (@FHSPanthersTF) December 14, 2019

Girls Indoor Track vs. Taunton on Friday

Tough loss yesterday against a talented Taunton team 46-54. Good work for the first meet of the season including Jill, Sydney, Caitlin and Lindsey with first place finishes!! Back to work at practice on Monday!

— Franklin Girls T&F (@FHS_girlsXC) December 14, 2019

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-14-19/


Boys Hockey = Canton, 3 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the boys hockey game recap:

"Canton was on its heels for large portions of Saturday night’s season opener at Pirelli Veterans Arena, struggling with the speed of the Franklin forwards and struggling to find the outlet passes that would send the Bulldogs racing forward into the offensive zone.

Still, the Bulldogs know how to find ways to win games. Senior forward Shane Marshall took advantage of a fortuitous bounce off a skate to score a power play goal with 11:27 to play and it turned out to be the difference in a 3-2 victory that extends Canton’s unbeaten run to 27 games and makes it four straight wins against the Panthers.

“It was probably not as tightly played as we’re used to, but that’s a really good team,” Canton coach Brian Shuman said. “They’re a very skilled, high-flying team this year. They were doing some stuff that we hadn’t seen them do in the past. I was very impressed with them, they played very well, and they took it to us.”

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/marshall-nets-winner-to-lift-canton-boys-hockey-past-franklin/

For a photo gallery by Josh Perry
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-Canton-Boys-Hockey-12-14-19/

Declan Lovett ready for a face off (HockomockSports.com photo)

Pantherbook: "Toxic Turf at Beaver Pond?"

Via Pantherbook:

"Have you ever played on the field at Beaver Pond in Franklin, MA? Many kids have. Little do they know, discarded turf from the field has been decomposing in the pond’s wetlands for over two years."

Continue reading the Pantherbook article online
https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2019/12/11/toxic-turf-at-beaver-pond/

The Pantherbook posting was prescient as the Boston Globe published this:

"Amid growing concerns about toxic chemicals in the water supply, state regulators Friday announced significant new limits on the human-made compounds in drinking water and approved new requirements ordering polluters to clean up contaminated soil and ground water. 

The long-awaited rules come as environmental officials acknowledge that the per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, known as PFAS, have been found in a growing number of communities across the state. 

The chemicals, which have been linked to cancer, low infant birth weights, and a range of diseases, have been found so far in 28 of 37 municipal water systems that have provided test results to the state Department of Environmental Protection, officials said this week. Of those, 12 found that the amounts exceed the proposed standards for drinking water."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/12/13/massachusetts-issues-new-standards-for-forever-chemicals-water-supply/dz25i9Sk92QfiDl5TeSJFL/story.html

And as an update to the previously shared listing on the "turf issue":

What we know:

• The prior conversations around the field replacements (completed in 2017) were centered around the crumb rubber infill. The Town spent more for an acrylic coated infill (which apparently was installed), the issue now is NOT with the infill but the with chemicals used to treat the carpet itself.
• A third party filed a complaint with DEP about the old turf stored at the Beaver St fields
• Article in TheIntercept about PFAS found in the turf itself  https://theintercept.com/2019/10/08/pfas-chemicals-artificial-turf-soccer/
• Article in the Boston Globe alleging potential issues with the water supply and shared via Franklin Matters  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/we-will-work-with-dep-to-resolve-matter.html
• The Franklin community on Facebook reacts in the conversation around the article and issue
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen makes statement at Town Council meeting 10/16/19 https://drive.google.com/open?id=14VSvuZvTifTbeHO4bWFtIy2YxVdjRF4O
• Updated 12/5/19 - Town Administrator Jamie Hellen makes statement at Town Council meeting 12/4/19 referring to the DEP letter https://drive.google.com/file/d/15WMp_zZiMXs_7MfpUQJd5hgtaVbrlkY_/view?usp=sharing
• Updated 12/13/19 - While PFAS in the water supply was tested by Town of Franklin once in 2018, is PFAS still being tested by ToF now? No, nor are they required to do so (although as the final testing standards issued 12/27/19 are evaluated, this may change).
• Updated 12/13/19 - What will the State do with PFAS and the recent revelations (if anything)? The State just issued new testing standards to be finalized by 12/27/19  https://www.mass.gov/lists/preview-of-the-final-pfas-related-revisions-to-the-mcp-2019

What we don’t know:

• What happened to the Conservation Commission mitigation measures from when the field was first installed (in 2004?)?
• Where was the old carpet and bags of unused infill taken?
• What will the Federal agencies do with PFAS and the recent revelations (if anything)?

bags of the acrylic coated infill ready for install at FHS in August 2017

new turf carpet being installed at Beaver St field in August 2017

In the News: tax cut will reduce state tax revenues; La Salette opens for 65th year

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

"In 2000, Massachusetts voters handily approved a ballot question meant to reduce the state’s income tax rate to 5%.

Two decades later, they’re finally getting their wish.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker announced last week that on Jan. 1, the income tax rate will be cut from 5.05% to 5%.

The tax cut marks the end of a process that began in 2002 following passage of the ballot question two years earlier."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191215/mass-taxpayers-to-see-tax-cut-okd-back-in-2000

"For 65 years, the Christmas Festival of Lights at La Salette has helped illuminate the reason for the season while providing delight and beauty for countless visitors.

The Rev. Flavio Gillio loves to light up the night. After all, that’s his job; he is the director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro. Each year, he is responsible for making sure the 300,000 lights and scores of holiday displays at the religious site shine brightly. As you might imagine, it’s a lot of work.

“Tis the season! ’Tis the season! Yes, we are very busy!” chuckles Father Flavio in a soft Italian accent. The priest in the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette was born in a small town near Turin in Italy, across the valley from the village in France where Mary was said to have appeared to two young children in 1846."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191211/lighting-up-night-christmas-festival-of-lights-at-la-salette-is-welcoming-place

Office of Campaign and Political Finance - presentation deck

The presentation copy for the Office of Campaign and Political Finance discussion and Q&A at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Dec 11, 2019 is contained here.

My thanks to Director Jason Tait for sending it along promptly!

Office of Campaign and Political Finance - Presentation 20191211 from Franklin Matters

Jason also sent along this video tutorial link that looks good. Note: I have not completely viewed all the segments.




The audio recording of the presentation and discussion on Weds can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/fm-187-office-of-campaign-and-political.html

the Anderson case set the precedent for not using town resources in a campaign

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities in DPW, Zoning Board of Appeals, Facilities, Fire Dept

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.  

• ON CALL SNOW SHOVELERS - Come work on an on call basis for the DPW and help us keep school and town sidewalks clean!

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/shoveler-posting.pdf
 

• Clerk 2 - Zoning Board of Appeals (Building & Inspections, Health, Planning and Conservation Offices) 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/clerk2-buildingandinspections-zba-jobposting-nov2019.pdf

• Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/hmeo-external-posting-october252019.pdf

• Part-Time and Substitute Custodian positions - Facilities Department 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/part-time.and-substitute-custodians-oct252019.pdf

• Firefighter/Paramedics - The Town of Franklin's Fire Department is in the Massachusetts Civil Service system. 
  • If you are currently a Firefighter/Paramedic in a Civil Service community and are interested in working for Franklin, send a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov. 
  • Please note: new hires must have and maintain a paramedic certification and complete an Associate's Degree within 5 years of the date they are hired.   

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/application_for_employment_-_town_of_franklin.pdf

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here
https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities in DPW, Zoning Board of Appeals, Facilities, Fire Dept