Purim Carnival - March 8

Purim Carnival is scheduled for March 8 from 10 - 11:30 AM.  Please RSVP to directorofeducation@temple-etzchaim.org for location information for the Purim Carnival

Purim Carnival - March 8

For more information about Temple Etz Chaim visit their page
https://temple-etzchaim.org/

FYI - Purim commemorates the day Esther, Queen of Persia, saved the Jewish people from execution by Haman, the advisor to the Persian king

Live reporting: Town Administrators Report to Closing

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 

helpful portal on coronavirus

storm water live in the Chamber 8-10 on Friday

add PSA for coronavirus and stormwater to cable


12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
question on what is a violation that constitutes an appropriate response for the Police


Kelly - frustrates me that we are not working on some issues, housing subcommittee needed


13. COUNCIL COMMENTS 
Earls - thanks for everyone who came out

Kelly - great conversation tonight, we are all adults, you have the right to walk away

Chandler - since we received our bills, we want to remember the seniors and those on fixed incomes

Hamblen - thanks for the condolences for my mother's passing; thanks to all who came
think about the storm water meeting on Friday

Jones - 97 year old step father passed away, shares birthday with, will be missed

Dellorco - shout out to the FHS boys and girls basketball playing in DI finals on Friday night
Bruins donated $75K for the street hockey court on Fletcher Field, new logo

Mercer - birthday was March 2, 224 years young



14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Collective Bargaining

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 executive session, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call to return




15. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION: LEGISLATION FOR ACTION, CONTINUED

a. Resolution 20-16: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the AFSCME Local 1298, Council 93, Public Facilities Maintenance Employees and the Town of Franklin (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-16 - Majority Vote)

commensurate with all other COLA for FY 2020

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 
 

ADJOURN 

motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 9-0 
 



The agenda and associated documents can be found at the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-4-town-council-meeting

The agenda can also be found in a single PDF file
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-03-04_town_council_meeting_packet_final_0.pdf

Live reporting: Legislation for action

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-15: Appropriation of Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per M.G.L Ch.44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-15 - Majority Vote)

motion to approve, seconded,  9-0

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-853: Zoning Map Changes on or Near Pleasant, Chestnut, and Brook Streets - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-853 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)

Dellorco, BIssanti recuses himself
motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 7-0-2 (2 recuse)

Kelly question on changing one neighborhood to a single zone at the same time
A - not part of this process, could be done but as part of another effort

motion to refer to planning board, seconded, 7-0-2


10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-Law Amendment 20-849: Changes to Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System Use Regulations, And Use Regulations Schedule Updates- Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-849 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

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


10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-850: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets- Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-850 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

motion to waive the rest of the reading, seconded, passed 9-0
 
motion to approve, seconded, 9-0 via roll call
 

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-851: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Oak Street and Dailey Drive - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-851 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

motion to waive the rest of the reading, seconded, passed 9-0

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

Live reporting: Civil Discourse Discussion

resuming from recess at 8:21

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Capital Budget Subcommittee
no meeting

B. Budget Subcommittee
met earlier, meeting recording to be made available in couple of days

C. Economic Development Subcommittee
March 18 meeting scheduled


10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-14: The Town of Franklin Civil Discourse Pledge (Motion to approve Resolution 20-14 - Majority Vote)

motion, after long delay seconded by Chair (for purposes of discussion)
(if there had not been a second, then the item would have stop there)

this resolution follows a series of actions as outlined in the memo and supported documents
training session set for March 10 for all department heads
later this year for all employees
mirroring the ethics laws with re-upping every 2 years

was part of the Council's goal list from January

Hamblen - misunderstanding
a statememt for the council as a whole
does not take away anyone's rights
does not attack anyone
is asks for respect for all opinions
it is a statement to the community that we serve
if you think of life in Franklin as perfect, then you are missing the point
these are things that happen in Franklin, they are not made up
that folks are afraid is not okay
this pledge can help people feel at ease
I could bow to pressure and go back to the community
but I can not, I will stand with them

Dellorco - if I want to talk with someone at the DPW does this change that?
Cerel - no, this does nothing to that, those are already cover by what is and has been in place
for years

Pellegri - read through this so many times
we are all brought up with these things
I think we have been welcoming
What did we possibly do? Come to me and tell me what I haven't done

Bissanti - thank you Melanie for your statements, you clarified things
I don't need to be told how to behave
I consulted with my own attorney
"I appreciate the world according to Melanie"
I got on the Council to help people

Earls - thank all my fellow councilors for some excellent remarks
while many view it as a nice thing, it suggests there is a line in the sand

Kelly - between SchCom and TC for last 11 years, I am upset at the way this played out
social media lite up when it 'was pushed down the road'
I want to remind everyone of the oath of office we took in November
"to serve with respect and integrity"
this is how I live and serve
we have a 3.5M budget gap. the CPA will cost us more
potential increase on water/sewer rates, storm water fee coming
there are employees here concerned about their jobs, and the $3.5M gap
at the end of the day, I always do my best, it doesn't add up to what I believe in
I don't think the need for the pledge is here and yet, I have been bullied more getting me to vote for or against this

Jones - I am not, nor will I label myself as a victim, it is a restraint that I don't want
story of kickback when he was young, best decision was to stay quite until the boss signed off on the hours required for his license; if had known some of us had reported him, he was irate, I was held at gunpoint in Haiti
honor, dignity, respect - three key words
I don't have to make because they are core parts 
last thing anyone should do is look for an excuse to be divisive

Chandler - I'll be quick, some many have made good points
who would be against it?
this is all redundant, I follow this every day

Mercer - I guess the only one who hasn't spoken is me
there is nothing that I don't live by
I have not slept for the past 48 hours trying to think about how to run this meeting
everybody lives by these
this was drafted  by own Town Administrator, town counsel and administrative help
it is disappointing to me and my fellow councilors that it has come to this
we are doing the best we can do, we do respect each other
there has been so much misinformation about this legislation since day one
Section 3 - everybody had a problem with "possible"
Section 4 - I would add if 5 councilors commented, then it is a violation of open meeting law
I did meet with every councilor one at a time, to go through this
without fail, only one councilor needed to review it more
I looked at this as a global statement of global issues facing society todfay
times have changed since I grew up as a kid
what are we doing with this, we are re-emphasizing statements we live by
I find it disheartening that there was so much disinformation out there about this
nothing in here is not already in Charter, rules, etc
I did meet with the interfaith council per previously scheduled coincidentally
a lot of the help (homeless, shelters, etc.) and for sure this resolution came up
there are tough times, tough votes to make but it is important

I think it was drafted well, it is misunderstood a lot
please come to every meeting
we want you to have the facts, not fiction

Pellegri - that is for all of us to consider, my note said vote no, but after all that was said I get to change my vote

Dale Kurtz Bald Hill Drive
I am conflicted by what I was hearing
everyone said they live by this, this is asperational
are you going to be here 5 years from now, our community is changing
it should be tweaked, but is should be how we lead our departments, how we lead our community
one of our clients moved from here to another town, she moved because she could not get along with her neighbors due to her accent
this is for us, to set the example aspirationally
I would be willing to assist with this
I am disappointed Councilors did not second this for discussion

Lisa Camuso, Forge Hill Road
I have see your social media and if this passes you'd have trouble
your fearing a mute point, it is called the Constitution
I am not here to complain about it, I am here because it made me a beast
yes, I will come to meetings



John Currier, Elm St
recently employeed with DPW, it blows me away that we are spending so much time on this
you can spend your time so much better on other things

Maura Fields, Pine St
Troop 126 leader
part of the Eagle requirement had scouts this evening
this has been the best meeting ever to talk with them about

Ted Cormier-Ledger, Ashbury Dr
thanks for all the remarks tonight
it was very reassuring that we want to protect all our citizens
we saw the no place for hate signs, the cultural district
many people have brought forth problem and nothing is being done about it
we want to set this standard so it will not be tolerated any longer
about decency and civility

Kaye Kelly, Conestoga Way
I appreciate all the training that Jamie is bringing forward
I am happy that folks want to live this day to day
some of the disconnect is online, Facebook is an ugly place to be in Franklin
it is welcoming for our town
Franklin has garnered a lot of interest

Carol O'Neil, Coles Road
there is something else that we need share tonight
Ted's 9 year old was crying and worry that his father would be hurt coming tonight, he came anyway, but not without some security
his son is doing better now

Teresa Shea
sorry to use the phrase 'snowflakes'
don't say I am not accepting, we have the no place for hate meetings
we have people in this town who are hurting
So I was offended that you would be expected to sign something that you are doing already

amendment to the motion offered by Mercer
Sec 3 add "if 5 councilors were to comment on a post, it would be a violation"
Sec 4, city boards, committee, departments ...
motion and second, vote 8-0-1 (1 abstention)

vote on motion as amended, 6-2-1
earls, bissant no, kelly abstain

thanks to all for coming tonight
 

Live reporting: FY 2021 Budget Update

B. FY21 Budget Update
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8b._fy21_budget_update.pdf

The town can not afford to fund the level of service requested 
review the details in the doc linked to above
it includes a schedule for Finance Committee budget hearings
School Committee budget hearings are provided as well

approx $500K over last year allocation
additional funding from a dedicated revenue source (municipal agreement on cannabis)

this is the start of the budget process

Kelly - Budget Subcommittee met this evening
no fluff in this, to be truthful
we came last year knowing we were going to be short
Police, Fire re-did contracts and came up with a plan
need School Committee to do something similar

~$71M for Schools, ~$51M for all other town services in total budget
recording of meeting to be available via Franklin Matters

Mercer - comments on past experience in SchComm to get what they can advocate for. As Council, they need to be fiduciary responsible to the town
salary and benefits are 85% of the school budget

Michael Doherty, Bridle Path
I agree with Kelly that there is no fluff in the budget
the memo is illuminating
you must be masocists
you have sued Bellingham, that money is gone
the town has been aggressive in doing more with less
we are going to solve it tonight
if filling the existing gap with existing funding, God willing
it is not just what we might not have, we have lost programs
my three children all benefited from programs that don't exist today
you are not alone, we are all in this together
make the case for us, and we will raise the revenues we need
we are here to help you, when the case is made, you will find support if you ask

Donna Grady, union leader
people move here for the schools
we are at a point where lack of funding will change things
we can't keep good people
hourly employees need second or third jobs to make ends meet
many of these folks are your friends and neighbors
why not ask the community to consider paying a living wage?
if we do not pull together, we will not be known for what we did
the children are the future, aren't they worth the money

Anne Bergen, Peters Lane, Chair of School Committee
not the oldest person
funding for schools, not just for schools, we have to come together
what is the vision for what we should be
we need to address the scurge of mental illness
how can we keep our schools competitive
we need to retain good people of all services within Franklin
we have to fund the gaps
informing the public with one voice of the needs
Portrait of a Graduate developed, what resources do we need to support that vision
to suggest that the schools have plenty of money
Franklin last on list of surrounding communities that spend less per pupil
we need to conversations to create vision, we can't wait any longer

Susan Dewsnap, Garden St, Fiance Committee for 8 years
spent a lot of time on budget
very compitent admin
we need some metrics and history for going forward
what is the history of Chapter 70 funding
how have we been getting through with the Stabilization accounts
let's look at the last 10 years, look at the health expense
call volume history
OPEB and pension history, district retirement history

Jones -reiterate a point in the memo
one of the largest audiences we have had in years
not the dates and inject yourself in the process, it is early in the process
it is a fluid process, no alarm needed at this time
4-8 weeks to spend working on finalizing numbers, coordinating with the State info

Dellorco - kudos to the teachers, we have to stay together, divided we will fall



3 minute recess

Live reporting: Municipal Aggregation

called back to session after recess


8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS 

A. Municipal Aggregation
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/8a._municipal_aggregation.pdf

Mark Capadona, Colonial Power Group
overview of the municipal aggregation
residential cost savings on electricity rates

mailing coming in Sep/Oct, no fees to join or leave
very competitive price
effective Nov 1 meter reads

everyone gets a mailing, if you do nothing, you are in
you can opt out

https://colonialpowergroup.com/franklin/

Live reporting: Town Council - March 4, 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.

• resident 126 Cottage, parking on Cottage

not notified of parking changes
no parking both sides of Cottage from Peck to the Crossing
all residential
Easter and other holiday gatherings for the family will be an issue with no parking available

• O'Neil, Colt Road

re: civil discourse

• Teresa Shea, Kristen Ave

spent over 50 years making things better for Franklin
quote from former Chair Bob Vallee
referencing letters of no confidence in Town Council

• Lisa Caruso, Forge Hill road

working in Providence, out of the loop of what politics are here
blew the whistle on the State of RI
how about the building in Franklin?
how about the water bans?
father was a retired general, learned lessons the hard way
'get the gist of how things go'
volunteer as a peace keeper at rallies
was at the Aug 2017 rally in Boston
you'll see a lot more of me, silence is consent

'couldn't catch name'
talking about Q
mainstream media is lying to us
we have a watch dog

• Linda Noel, Lincoln St

think you are doing a great job
some of my relatives have been treated badly
Franklin does have a problem in some corners
relatives mentioned on the Common
drawing lines in the sand and throwing mud is not the way





3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. February 5, 2020

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
 

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
a. Boston Post Cane Award

102 year old receives the Boston Post Cane
Walter Zinchuck

WWII veteran with a Silver Star
born in 1917 in Haverill, moved to Franklin in 1958

2 minute recess to allow for congratulations for Walter
 



5. APPOINTMENTS
- None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS 
- None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- None Scheduled