Reminder - Commuter Rail notice: Reduced Service Schedule begins today

All Commuter Rail lines will operate on the Reduced Service Schedule on weekdays beginning Monday, December 14th and for at least 2 weeks, due to Covid-19 impact in communities and in the workforce. Weekend trains will operate on regular schedule.

Reduced Service Schedule is now available from MBTA.com/cr and at South Station, North Station and Back Bay.

Bikes will be allowed on board all trains.

On Friday, January 1st, The Commuter Rail will operate on a regular Sunday Schedule.

We will be reviewing staff numbers on a weekly basis to determine when we can be confident of being able to restore the full service.

Last Updated: Dec 14 2020 05:09 AM 

Reduced Service Schedule begins today

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Dec 16, 2020

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

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

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

November 18, 2020   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/3a._november_18_2020_tc_meeting_minutes_-_draft_for_review.docx.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS

None Scheduled 

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-861: Zoning Map Changes on or near Oak Street 

Legislation for Action Item: 10a.  

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-862: Zoning Map Changes on or near Longhill Rd. & Pleasant St.

Legislation for Action Item: 10b.    

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._20-861_oak_1.pdf

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

2021 Annual Alcoholic Beverages License Renewals

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/7._2021_license_renewals.pdf

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

None Scheduled

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-861: Zoning Map Changes on or near Oak Street - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-861 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._20-861_oak_0.pdf

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-862: Zoning Map Changes on or near Longhill Road and Pleasant Street - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-862 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._20-862_longhillpleasant_0.pdf

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Bylaw Amendment 20-864 As Amended: To Amend The Code of the Town of Franklin to Add A New Chapter 16 Community Preservation Committee (CPC) - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-864 - Majority Roll Call Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10c._20-864_cpc_1.pdf

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 20-75: Authorization For Town Administrator To Enter Into Lease Purchase Financing Agreement To Fund Upgrade Of DPW G.P.S. System Devices (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-75 - Two Thirds Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10d._20-75_gps_lease.pdf

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 20-76: Appropriation Transfer To Water Treatment Plant Fund Authorized Under Resolution 19-27 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-76 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10d._20-75_gps_lease.pdf

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 20-77: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-77 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10f._20-77_peg.pdf

10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 20-78: Town Council 2021 Meeting Calendar (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-78 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10g._20-78_2020_council_schedule_-_memo_resolution_office_hours.pdf

10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 20-79: Gift acceptance - Police Department, $100 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-79 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10h._20-29_police_gift.pdf

10i. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 20-80: Gift acceptance - Franklin Library, $51,624 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-80 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10i._library_gift.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

COVID-19 Update

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

None Scheduled 

ADJOURN

Note: 

• Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
• Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Connection info can be found on the agenda document folder

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/december-16-town-council-agenda

Rudolph gets in the spirit of the season at Four Corners (East Central - King St - Chestnut St)

Work begins on the State FY 2022 budget

With the FY 2021 state budget finally approved, work begins on FY 2022

"Next Tuesday, Dec. 15, the House and Senate Ways and Means committees and the governor’s budget office will convene the annual “consensus” revenue hearing, where the Department of Revenue and other fiscal experts and economists will discuss the prospects for the economy and state revenues over the second half of fiscal 2021 and for fiscal 2022.

The virtual hearing will start at 11:30 a.m., with streaming for the public and press available through the Hearing & Events section of Legislature’s website. The event will be closed to the public, and the participants in State House Hearing Room A-2 will be practicing social distancing."

Continue reading the article online 
https://www.mma.org/consensus-revenue-hearing-on-dec-15-to-kick-off-fy22-budget-season/
 

How to listen in to the hearing  https://malegislature.gov/Events

Work begins on the State FY 2022 budget

Town Administrator Performance Review & Evaluation Part II - Dec 16

Town Administrator 
Performance Review & Evaluation 
Part II - Dec 16 = 5:30 PM

1. CALL TO ORDER
2. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATION - Continued from 12/02/2020 meeting

a. Overview of “Town Administrators Contract - Section 6 - Performance Review”

b. Town Administrator Goals

c. Thoughts, Questions, and Ideas from the Town Council

d. COVID - 19 Response/Protocols

3. ADJOURN

Shared from the Town of Franklin page - agenda doc includes connection info
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/12-16-20_ta_review_agenda_1.pdf

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen at a recent meeting

Massachusetts - Electoral College Proceedings - Dec 14 - 3:00 PM

Electors of President and Vice President for Massachusetts convene to cast their votes in the Electoral College, with Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin presiding.

https://malegislature.gov/Events/SpecialEvents/Detail/371

Massachusetts - Electoral College Proceedings - Dec 14 - 3:00 PM

Register for volleyball training at Downtown Sports

Did you know that Franklin is home to one of the few middle school volleyball programs in the region? Downtown Sports on Cottage Street hosts the newly established Franklin Volleyball Club, which offers competitive teams, beginner clinics, and advanced skill training throughout the year.

We are currently accepting registrations for our beginner / intermediate clinics starting January 6th. If your 5th - 8th grade daughter would like to learn the game, click here to register (https://www.downtownsports.net/programs/volleyball) or contact us at volleyball@downtownsports.net for more information. 

Volleyball training at Downtown Sports

If you missed my conversation with Rich Frongillo, you can listen here to get the story on the development of Downtown Sports

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/fm-353-rich-frongillo-growing.html

Davis Thayer Facility Analysis Subcommittee - Recap -Dec 9, 2020

Quick Recap:

• Meeting discussion jumped right into a dressing down of the KBA representative for some errors discovered in the presentation that were suspected to invalidate the report and conclusions. He admitted and apologized for the copy/paste errors in the presentation doc but the errors in no way changed/affected the conclusion. One of the inconsistencies was around the use of various capacity terms (functional capacity, building capacity, etc.) which were all defined in the appendix
• Brief update on the demographics forecast. Ultimately very close to what was forecasted and Franklin is doing better in retaining students that have left other districts due to concerns over COVID-19
• Reviewed the survey results (doc not shared yet - some photos of the results captured during the meeting) 
  
• Budget info required is nearing completion and will be ready for the January meeting (Date TBD)

Photos captured during the remote meeting and shared with Twitter can be found in one album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/pyTYQy6KW4zy3VyTA

----
As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #dtfa1209
https://twitter.com/hashtag/dtfa1209?src=hashtag_click 

Meeting agenda
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda_dt_subcom_12.9.2020.docx.pdf

 

Updated facility analysis report

https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis/files/facilities-assessment-report

• Davis Thayer Facility Analysis subcommittee meeting begins, Real time reporting underway. Page 11 graph a duplicate band doesn't affect final results, some other numbers were transpositions and don't affect the overall modeling or conclusions #dtfa1209
• Concerns about accuracy missed in final report, not material to overall conclusion. Committee expected not to have to go over it with a fine tooth comb. #dtfa1209 central office focused on the qualitative factors in their review. Superintendent embarrassed by miss too
• Formal apology made by KBA, a parent had done the discovery. Definitions for capacity differences found in appendix; school vs functional, vs building,  did share the calculation models separately so the calculation could be seen. Page 48-52 when schools are combined #dtfa1209
• Difference on capacity calculation between middle vs elementary schools; Keller and Sullivan, Jefferson and Remington, Oak and Horace Mann; capacity changes in the combination. #dtfa1209
• Also due to the schedule difference between middle/elementary; elementary generally in a home base, and when they go to their special it leaves behind and empty room, hence a calculation difference. Think of rooms being occupied and it may help. #dtfa1209
• Moving to McKibbens update, #dtfa1209 basically a lower number of students most change in pre K and K, a situation across MA due to COVID. Other districts seeing 3.5 - 7 point loss (we are only 2.2%) housing sales 278 single family this year, actually assumed 275 annually
• The real estate makes sense under the pandemic as well with the reported move from urban to suburban areas. #dtfa1209 hence a validation of forecast and assumptions. Moving to survey results, agreement on using responses as submitted
• #dtfa1209 next up, timeline on budgetary info. Why can't we be faster about the numbers? (Getting ready for FinComm mtg next week). Could amend charter of this Committee to include Parmenter, or defer it to the full Committee (and separate team/policy study)
• Special programs not considered in the KBA report, Parmenter houses a program that has been growing and a space requirement to be considered. #dtfa1209 data is about 80-90% done just not ready for presentation tonight. Set next date to meet, early January.
• Motion to adjourn #dtfa1209 passes 3-0 via roll call

screen grab of one of the pages of survey results being analyzed by the subcommittee