Live reporting: Town Council - December 18, 2019

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


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

motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0

• b. November 13, 2019

motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0


4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
- None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Historical Commission, Associate Member: Alan R Earls
Eamon Earls recused himself as Alan is father

discussion on appointment not being reviewed by commission itself
everybody is correct, not every appointment has gone through the review process, TA admits an end run on this one. Done in this case as it is an 'associate member', some were aware
it is what you want to do as a body


motion to approve, seconded, passes 8-0-1 (Earls abstain)


6. HEARINGS
- None Scheduled

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

FM #188 - Finance Committee - Capital Plan for FY 2020 (audio)

FM #188

This internet radio show or podcast is number 188 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at the Senior Center beginning at 6:30 PM.

This is the second of two sessions to review the Capital Plan for FY 2020. This session covers the DPW and the enterprise Water and Sewer accounts.

The documents for the meetings are available on the Town of Franklin page as well as Franklin Matters. The links are contained here so you can follow along.

Agenda doc - 12/17/19
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/fincom_agenda_12-17-19.pdf

The Finance Committee approved the three recommendations that the Town Council will take up at a January/February 2020 meeting

• 20-01 Recommends Capital FY 2020 of $1,640,579 (as detailed on page 20 of the agenda document)
• 20-02 Recommends transfer of $348,000 for the OPEB Trust Fund (page 22)
• 20-03 Recommends transfer of $570,000 from Free Cash to the appropriate stabilization accounts (as detailed on page 24 of the agenda document)

The meeting runs about 50 minutes so without further ado here is the Finance Committee meeting of Dec 17.

https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HN2yBvXX



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Audio File - 12/10/19 meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/fm-186-finance-committee-capital-budget.html

FY 2020 Capital Budget document
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/files/fy20-capital-budget

FinCom Agenda doc
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2019-12-10_finance_committee_agenda_fy20_capital_plan_1.pdf

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

Overall:

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
• If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

sidewalks have been part of the plan but not this year

 

ALERT: Support HS students' Plastic Bag Ban at Franklin Town Council vote WED DEC 18!

"Wednesday, Dec 18, the Franklin Town Council will be voting on a bylaw for Plastic Bag Reduction. The meeting starts at 7 pm at the Town Hall, 2nd floor.

The students from Franklin High School have been working with the subcommittee of the Town Council, the Economic Development Committee, for about a year trying to get this bylaw ready. The students will be presenting, the result of all their work, the bylaw, to the Town Council.

It would be wonderful to have as many residents of Franklin as possible to attend the meeting to support the high school students and to encourage the council members to finally pass this bylaw.

Can you please show support your support of the students' efforts by attending the meeting?"

Thank you!

Carolyn Barthel
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
508-473-3305 H

image from the proposal presentation by the FHS students in Oct 2016

From 2016
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/we-dont-need-to-put-each-piece-of.html


Economic Development Meeting 12/4/19
https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyrcVWxX

Economic Development Meeting 10/23/19
https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H1gfBHQX

Girls Hockey: Players to Watch - FHS' Gabby Colace and Amanda Lewandowski

FHS juniors Gabby Colace and Amanda Lewandowski were named to the list of the Girls Hockey: Ten Players to Watch in 2019-2020 by HockomockSports.com.

Gabby Colace, Junior – Franklin

After missing time at the beginning of last season, Colace returned to solidify the goaltending position for the Panthers (after an admirable job filling in by Gianna Cornetta), helping to bring home the program’s first Hockomock League title. Colace finished the year with a 1.77 goals against average, which was second in the Hock, and stopped 91 percent of the shots that she faced. She made 242 saves and recorded a pair of shutouts for the Panthers, who went unbeaten (7-0-1) in the Hock and won 17 games overall. 

Athletic and quick, Colace covers a lot of ground in net and is capable of making highlight-reel stops, while rarely giving up soft goals. Her communication with the experienced defensive corps in front of her will also be crucial to Franklin’s attempt to repeat as Hock champs and make another run in the state tournament.
Amanda Lewandowski, Junior – Franklin

Lewandowski was part of a dynamic first line for the Panthers last season, but she will be counted on even more this winter after the graduation of top scorers Regan Paterson and Cassie Ronan. She scored eight goals and added 10 assists from the wing, but those numbers could take a jump this year as she will be one of the team’s primary puck handlers and will be expected to play a role in power play and penalty kill situations as well. A strong player with the puck on her stick, Lewandowski won’t shy away from contact in the corners to keep the puck moving and has the extra burst of speed to find space in the transition game. 

While Franklin has an experienced defensive group coming back, Lewandowski will also be expected to start defending from the front and provide cover through the center of the ice. It is always difficult to repeat as league champion and Franklin will be hoping that Lewandowski can provide the scoring punch to get the Panthers back on top this winter.


For the other players to watch in girls hockey
https://hockomocksports.com/girls-hockey-ten-players-to-watch-in-2019-2020/

Franklin junior goalie Gabby Colace is back after an impressive sophomore season. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Boys Hockey : Players to Watch - FHS' Tom Tasker

FHS senior Tom Tasker was named one of the Boys Hockey: Ten Players to Watch in 2019-2020 by HockomockSports.com.
 


Tom Tasker, Senior – Franklin

Tom Tasker (HockomockSports.com photo)

There is a lot of change around the Franklin program this season, with a new coaching staff taking over after the retirement of Chris Spillane. The Panthers have become one of the top public school programs in the state and Tasker will be one of the players that the new staff relies on to keep that consistency this season. The senior defenseman is a strong, aggressive player who is tough to beat in the corners but is also capable of stepping up into the attack and has one of the league’s hardest shots from the blue line. 

He scored three goals and had 10 assists last year and showed the ability to play different brands of hockey depending on the opponent. He can race up and down the ice or he can sit back in the defensive zone and be the physical presence that the Panthers needed. In a season where there is a lot of changes, Tasker’s return for a third year on varsity gives some much-needed stability to the defensive pairings.


For the nine other boys hockey players to watch
https://hockomocksports.com/boys-hockey-ten-players-to-watch-in-2019-2020/

HockomockSports.com Football awards for FHS' Gasbarro, Davis, Nally, Jordan, Wertz, Cheuvront

Here are the FHS athletes selected for the HockomockSports.com Awards for Football 2019.

HockomockSports Editor’s Note: The HockomockSports.com Awards are selected strictly by our staff and have no affiliation to the official Hockomock League all stars

HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Quarterbacks

Thomas Gasbarro (HockomockSports.com photo)

Thomas Gasbarro – Franklin – Senior
Franklin senior quarterback Thomas Gasbarro stepped in this fall and had a record-breaking season for the Panthers, helping them improve upon last year’s finish by reaching the Div. 1 South final. Gasbarro set school records for completions (180) and yards (2,236) this season, while completing 65 percent of his throws. He also led the league with 23 touchdown passes, including 12 to classmate Jake Davis. He was selected as an all-star by Hockomock League coaches. Franklin coach Eian Bain said, “Thomas proved to be one of the toughest quarterbacks we have had the privilege to coach. His leadership and execution in the big moment helped lead our team to the D1 South Sectional Final.”

HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Jake Davis (HockomockSports.com photo)

Jake Davis – Franklin – Senior
Franklin senior Jake Davis had one of the top statistical seasons for any receiver in the league. The UMass-Lowell lacrosse commit led the Hockomock with 12 touchdown receptions, quickly becoming the favorite target for quarterback Thomas Gasbarro. Davis caught 53 passes this season, for 833 yards, and was a constant threat to go the distance on any completion. His talents extended to defense as well (see below), as he also became one of the top defensive backs in the league this year. He was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches. Franklin coach Eian Bain said, “At nearly 16 yards per receptions, Jake became an explosive playmaker for us and one of Tommy’s most trusted targets.”

HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Athletes

Jack Nally (HockomockSports.com photo)

Jack Nally – Franklin – Senior
Franklin senior Jack Nally was a major contributor in all three phases for the Panthers this season, helping Franklin reach the Div. 1 South final. He accumulated more than 1,000 all-purpose yards this fall, including 97 on the ground (with two scores), 676 as a receiver (with eight touchdowns), and 312 as a returner. He was also a standout at corner, recording 55 tackles, eight pass break-ups, and an interception. He was one of five Panthers to be selected as an all-star by Hockomock League coaches. Franklin coach Eian Bain said, “Jack contributed as an all-purpose athlete. Always a focal point of an opposing defense, his football IQ allowed the team to move him around to create the best match-up for our offense.”

HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Defensive Line

Austin Jordan (HockomockSports.com photo)

Austin Jordan – Franklin – Senior
Franklin senior Austin Jordan emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the league this fall, pressuring opposing quarterbacks from his defensive end position and helping the Panthers make a run to the Div. 1 South final. Jordan led the team with an impressive 9-1/2 sacks and also had 14 tackles for loss, but he was also a solid player against the run, using his speed and athleticism to make plays across the line of scrimmage. He finished with 80 total tackles and was selected as an all-star by Hockomock League coaches for the first time. Franklin coach Eian Bain said, “Austin emerged as a disruptive influence on defense in 2019. Austin made his biggest impact on third down, pressuring opposing quarterbacks.”

HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Linebackers

Evan Wertz (HockomockSports.com photo)

Evan Wertz – Franklin – Senior
Franklin senior Evan Wertz has been one of the program’s best ever linebackers, spending three years as one of the leading tacklers in the league and the leader of the Panthers defense. He made 129 tackles this fall, including 15 for loss, and was one of the reasons that the Panthers earned the No. 2 seed in Div. 1 and made a trip to the D1 South final this year. A quick, hard-hitting linebacker, who seemed to be in the middle of every play, Wertz was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches for the first time. Franklin coach Eian Bain said, “A three-year starter at Mike linebacker, Evan accumulated over 300 tackles as well as being our defensive leader on the gridiron.”

HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Defensive Backs
Jake Davis – Franklin – Senior
Franklin senior Jake Davis was more than just one of the top receivers in the league (see above), but also one of the toughest defensive backs to try and throw against. Davis was a key to the Panthers’ defensive effort, picking off three passes this season, helping them make a run to the Div. 1 South final to face Catholic Memorial. Davis also stepped up to protect against the run, making 37 tackles from his corner position, breaking up seven passes, and making one tackle for loss. His athleticism in the secondary allowed the Panthers to be aggressive in the pass rush and made it difficult for teams to exploit Franklin with deep passes or with passes to either sideline.

HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Special Teams

Parker Cheuvront (HockomockSports.com photo)

Parker Cheuvront – Franklin – Junior
Franklin junior kicker Parker Cheuvront has been one of the most consistent kickers in the league for the past two seasons, helping add a different dimension to the Franklin offense and ensuring that the Panthers get seven points for almost all touchdowns. Cheuvront made 28-of-30 extra points this season and also kicked a pair of field goals, with his longest kick coming from 34 yards against Mansfield. The lefty has plenty of power to kick from distance and showed remarkable accuracy as well, meaning the Panthers had a strong likelihood of getting something out of any drive inside the opposition 30. Franklin coach Eian Bain said, “Parker has been as reliable of a kicker as there has been in the league.”

For the complete listing of HockomockSports Football Awards
https://hockomocksports.com/awards/football/2019-2/

Franklin School Committee - Budget Workshop - Jan 14, 2020

Franklin School Committee 

Budget Workshop

Municipal Building 

3rd floor Training Room

6:00 PM

Agenda Document:
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/agendas/scagenda_1-14-20-budgetwkshop.pdf

Franklin School Committee - Budget Workshop - Jan 14, 2020