Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Live reporting: License Transaction - Presentation

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - 7:10 PM a. Franklin Brewing Company, LLC d/b/a 67 Degrees, New Farmer Series Pouring Permit for a Farmer-Brewery, located at 158 Grove Street

bylaws changed to encourage breweries, wineries, and distilleries
this is the fourth before us for approval

open, family friendly and have a good pint
purpose of the pouring permit, get a permit, or a flight of 4 oz samples

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

skipped to complete the legislation for action
then came back here to do the goals
 

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Town Council 2020-2021 Legislative Session Goals
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8b._town_council_2020-2021_goals_memo.pdf


Jamie reads the listing section by section
*** Finances
loan package for water treatment plant approved

Beaver St interceptor analysis underway, will be back mid-year with results

contract year for trash/recycling
recycling industry in major transition mode, likely policy review for curbside recycling

OPEB discussion coming, liability has gone down

small amounts of new revenue coming during budget discussions

*** Economic development section
EDC doing some of the work already, more to be review

economic plan coming from MAPC

NuStyle project, new bold ideas coming to EDC

affordable housing plan, over due and needed
Franklin Crossing neighborhood district, an opportunity for discussion

commuter rail parking

marijuana overlap district needs to be reviewed for adjustments/corrections

MBTA downtown parking a low priority but on the listing

add Fisher St EPA site to listing
recycling center land swap?
it is in motion, nature of working with state agencies; easy to check off it it happens

current zoning bylaw review, 
well survey, demolition delay bylaw

Spur by MBTA add to SNETT improvements

monitor the mixed development and property changes

*** Facilities
possible new police station for a debt exclusion, need to discuss before we fund the study

burn building for fire dept, 'cheap' amount and would be good for crossing and training and morale

possible building committee for Police, not quite there yet but when closer, yes

*** DPW
longer range for sidewalk master plan; need to look at say, every 5 years
did a parking lot management plan

vehicle equipment process

*** Rec Open Space
Franklin greenway network, how to connect with sidewalks or bikeways, etc.
Concerts on the Common, possibly coming to Recl incorporate more on 

Prospect St tunnel, opening bid, Friday morning

adding affordable, accessible open space to EDC

lights at King St soccer field. was an issue with neighbors before

*** Community
fleet vehicles and maybe go electric

decommission old Spring st extension between 140 and Washington
State supports the road, instead provide access to trails

installation of 5G; protecting public property
implement electric aggregation, just not getting rates we should be getting

emergency plans for individual building/depts
review of Town's emergency plan (Fire Dept does this, already done...)

historical, architectural homes
a listing of the 1000 oldest homes provided by assessors a couple of years ago

anti bullying hate speech pledge for employees and elected official do?

*** Civic engagement
a new section, not done before

adding Board of Health items to e-permitting

*** Presentations/discussions
see listing for items and dates

affordable housing? a complicated issue, some of this is scheduled with some of the presentations but there will also be touch points in Master Plan and add something to Planning

could do outreach to Congressman Kennedy

Live reporting: Legislation for Action (updated)

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
meeting the 15th, 6:00 PM
capital plan, all departments including school in one meeting

b. Budget Subcommittee
not yet

c. Economic Development Subcommittee
met before this meeting
lot line changes coming
solar changes

coming to the meeting Jan 22, for referral to the Planning Board for hearings and then back to Town Council

next EDC meeting - Feb 5, 5:30 start time


10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION Bylaw Amendment 20-847: New Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 20-847: New Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition, to a Second Reading - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/10a._20-847_plastic_bag_web.pdf

due to the prior discussion, this is the redrafted proposal
added definition on biodegradable bag
has been approved by Attorney General in other communities, effective date July 1, 2020
with extension possible

adjustment to language, approved for next version
adjustment to add a fee, disallowed as local authorities do not have the ability to do so

motion to amend wording, seconded, passed 9-0

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-1 (Earls?)

had jumped to 10b to use time before the 7:10 scheduled start for the pouring license
when returning began with 10A then continued to 10C

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION Bylaw Amendment 20-848: Chapter 147, Snow and Ice Removal - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 20-848: Chapter 147, Snow and Ice Removal, to a Second Reading - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/10b._snow_ice_web.pdf

return of snow removal to bylaw active status, had been changed in 2017 as 'unenforceable'
first violation, written warning, second a 450 fee, third a increase in fee to $200
more educational than revenue producing 
could be a 20% relief from DPW doing the sidewalks

question on definition of business vs residential

Question on notification to businesses, i.e Downtown Partnership
was this vetted by EDC? no, it should be before coming back to Town Council

feedback on not explicit enough, business areas highlighted but need to be more explicit about who does what where

people walking to the train station were the ones who had called to complain about the sidewalks

DPW primary change for actual for letter and enforcement before ticketing
other agencies are there for assistance in enforcement

withdrawn motion, seconded
motion to send draft to EDC for further review/discussion

skipped back to License for pouring 67 Degrees (then returned to pick up Legislation for Action)

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION Bylaw 19-846: Chapter 153, Stormwater Management - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 19-846: Chapter 153, Stormwater Management - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda-items/10c-legislation-action-20

establishes the stormwater bylaw

request to have ad-hoc committee review turned back

motion to approve, seconded, 9-0 via roll call


10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION Resolution 20-01: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Police Department, $2,675 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-01 - Majority Vote)

motion to approve, seconded, 9-0

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION Resolution 20-02: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Council on Aging, $1,500 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-02 - Majority Vote)

motion to approve, seconded, 9-0

Live reporting: Town Council - Jan 8, 2020

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.
Colin Cass, Longhill
microphone

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. December 4, 2019  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/3a._12-4-19_web.pdf

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


b. December 11, 2019   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/3b._12-11-19_web.pdf

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
- None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS
- None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS
- None Scheduled

Franklin Issue on the 2020 'Watch List': Citizen Engagement

The four issues on the watch list recently posted really boil down to two general buckets of issues: 

1 - the Town budget - facing a possible override along with increases in both water/sewer rates and trash/recycling along with intro of another fee for stormwater (with PFAS as a 'sleeper' cost to be addressed)
2 - the multiple school district issues covered in the two posts; the school budget, Davis Thayer, and the 'paused' school start time issue

The third issue I'll raise is also one of the possible solution areas.

The Town Administration and School District can proceed working with the Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee and other departments in the Franklin government on our behalf, as we elected them to do, or we, the residents and voters, can step away from Facebook, and truly get involved to do something.

As part of the Town Council goals and objectives, there are proposals for Civic Engagement efforts. 
Civic Engagement (NEW) 
● Research the potential for a “Citizen’s Academy” course for citizens
● Research the ICMA Citizen Satisfaction Survey through the National Citizen Survey and National Research Council
● Continue to update and reinvent the Town website, social media accounts, consider implementing a TOF podcast (Soundcloud/ Anchor) and develop consistent best practices organization-wide
● Expand E-Permitting and online payment options
Some of these are more 'service' related than 'engagement' related and hence while this is good, I do not think it goes far enough. I also understand, and fully respect, that the Town as a government entity can only do so much. We, as residents and voters, need to step up to make this "government of the people, by the people, for the people" work for us.

I also will not claim to have all the answers. I have learned and continue to learn more about Franklin and its government every day. How we can successfully reach the voters to get them to take action on their civic duties (i.e. vote for one, but that is only one duty) is an answer I am still looking for.

If you have ideas, I am open to listen. My contact info is available; reach out, let me know you want to talk, and I'll make time to do so.

In the Town Council goals and objective doc is a listing of key presentations scheduled or being scheduled for future Town Council meetings. If one or more of these topics interests you, put a mark on your calendar accordingly.

Presentations/Discussions (tentatively/confirmed scheduled dates) 
● Community Preservation Act - February 5 (scheduled)
● Housing Authority w/ Lisa Audette - February 12th (confirmed)
● Transitional Assistance - February 12th (confirmed)
● Economic Profile Study -- March/April (pending delivery of final report)
● MECC Regional Dispatch -- May 6th 2020 (confirmed)
● Department Presentations: Land Use & Permitting Departments -- June 2020
● Master Plan midway Update -- June/July 2020
● Charter Review Discussion - Late 2020

What can you do in the meantime? 

Action
  • Get to a meeting, or watch via Comcast/Verizon, or the streaming feed via Franklin TV
  • Talk with our Town Council, School Committee, Finance Committee, School Superintendent Sara Ahern, and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
  • Have a civil conversation about one or more of these issues; together we can, and must, find a solution that works for us
The full goals and objectives doc can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8b._town_council_2020-2021_goals_memo.pdf

Franklin Issues on the 2020 'Watch List'
  • School District Issues
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-issue-on-2020-watch-list_7.html
  • Multiple Fiscal Challenges
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-issue-on-2020-watch-list_6.html
  • School Start Time
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-issue-on-2020-watch-list.html
  • New PFAS Regulations Proposed
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-issue-on-2020-watch-list-new.html

the future of Franklin remains with the Franklin voters who can be active or passive
the future of Franklin remains with the Franklin voters who can become active or remain passive

THE BLACK BOX Tribute Series: No Static - Jan 11

No Static, one of the few Steely Dan tribute bands in the country, is made up of 10 musicians from around the Boston area. They specialize in expertly performing the music of Steely Dan. 

Re-creating that bluesy jazz-rock sound that sprung from the fertile imaginations of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker is no small feat. As Dan-Fans know, the tunes are convoluted and complex, spanning many genres; very precise, with time changes and key changes popping up where sometimes least expected. 

Vocally and musically challenging, this is not an easy band to pay tribute to. No Static has been doing it for over 10 years now and their sold-out shows tell the tale. They work at it and they get it right.

Tickets are available at www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com, by calling the box office at 508-528-3370, or at the door. The venue features a full bar. 


THE BLACK BOX Tribute Series: No Static - Jan 11
THE BLACK BOX Tribute Series: No Static - Jan 11

Tri-County Preschool Registration and Open House - Jan 30-31

Registration and Open House for the Tri-County Children’s Center preschool program for 2020– 2021 will be held on Thursday, January 30, from 12:15 PM to 1:45 PM and Friday, January 31, from 9 AM to 10:30 AM at the Tri-County Regional High School in Franklin at 147 Pond Street. Parents will be able to view the laboratory preschool while children engage in developmentally appropriate activities. For more information, please visit https://www.tri-county.us/tri-county-childrens-center/

Placement is limited to residents of the 11 towns within the Tri-County District, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole and Wrentham. Admission is decided through a lottery system. Registration will be made open to other towns if spaces are not filled by residents within the district.

The random drawing to determine which of the children registered will be enrolled will take place on Friday, March 6, 2020. The number of children registered has traditionally far exceeded the number of spaces available so the random drawing was established. Those names not selected in the drawing are placed on a waiting list.

Birth certificates for children being registered must accompany all registration forms. Registration is limited to those children who are at least age 3 years by September 15, 2020 for the three-day program. A $25.00 non-refundable registration fee is due at registration time. Enrollment is limited to two years or part of two years for the preschool program, as long as the child is age eligible.

Preschool sessions are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:50 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. for the three-day program. Tuition is $36.00* per week. Class size is limited to 30 children.

Three teachers in the Tri-County Early Education Program supervise the programs, and are assisted by students in the Early Education Major.

*Subject to change

Download a copy of this info as a reminder:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczSDFZMlV5N0Q4Z3dEQzl6ZFFxZ2doaTdXVEFn/view?usp=sharing

Tri-County Preschool Registration and Open House - Jan 30-31
Tri-County Preschool Registration and Open House - Jan 30-31

FHS girls and boys basketball teams top Stoughton on Tuesday

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

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 56 @ Stoughton, 53 – Final
– Trailing 40-29 after three quarters, Stoughton rallied to get within one possession but the Black Knights couldn’t find the tying bucket before the buzzer. Senior Obinna Ugwuakazi scored nine of his team-high 20 points in the third while Ahmad Jahed (eight points), Jake Queeney (seven points) and Brett Pendenza all hit threes in the fourth to give the Black Knights a chance at the upset. Franklin senior Chris Edgehill scored eight of his 12 points in the final quarter to help keep the Panthers ahead. Stoughton grabbed the offensive rebound after missing the mark on a shot to tie the game but the buzzer sounded before their second shot was released. Jack Rudolph scored 12 of his team-high 15 points in the first half as Franklin led 35-24 at the break.

Girls Basketball = Stoughton, 31 @ Franklin, 77 – Final
– Franklin continued its unbeaten season with a big win over a shorthanded Black Knights squad. Ali Brigham and Olivia Quinn each scored 16 points to lead the Panthers and Kaliegh Houlihan chipped in with 11. Shyanne Trinh was the top scorer for Stoughton with 12.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-07-20/


And via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports







Sydney Garilli dribbles for FHS girls basketball vs. Stoughton (@kstone06 photo via Twitter)
Sydney Garilli dribbles for FHS girls basketball vs. Stoughton (@kstone06 photo via Twitter)