Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 20, 2021

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   
a. December 2, 2020

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS   
a. Bill Murphy

5. APPOINTMENTS    
None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm   
    a. PH Franklin d/b/a Public House - New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License, 480 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin MA 02038
    b. Street Acceptances - Crystal Drive, Woodhaven Drive, Dena Drive, Skyline Drive, Charles Drive, Baron Road, Cobblestone Drive, and Woodstock Circle

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS   
PH Franklin d/b/a Public House - 480 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin MA 02038, New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS    
None Scheduled

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS   

• a. Capital Budget Subcommitte
• b. Budget Subcommittee
• c. Economic Development Subcommittee
• d. Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report
• e. Stormwater Ad Hoc Committee Report
  

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION    

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION  

Resolution 21-06: Order of Acceptance of Skyline Drive and Charles Drive as Public Ways and Related Drainage and Utility Easements (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-06 - Majority Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 21-07: Order of Acceptance of Baron Road, Cobblestone Drive and Woodstock Circle as Public Ways and Related Drainage Easements (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-07 - Majority Vote)

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 21-08: Order of Acceptance or Crystal Drive, Woodhaven Drive, and Dena Drive as Public Ways, and Lot 21, Detention Area Lot (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-08 - Majority Vote)

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Bylaw Amendment 21-865: Chapter 153, Stormwater Management Article I, General Provisions - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 21-865 to a second reading - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Bylaw Amendment 21-866: Chapter 153, Stormwater Management Article II, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 21-866 to a second reading - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION  
Bylaw Amendment 21-867: Chapter 153, Stormwater Management Article III, Post Construction Stormwater Management - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 21-867 to a second reading - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Bylaw Amendment 21-868: Chapter 185, Zoning Article V, Special Regulations - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 21-868 to the Planning Board - Majority Roll Call Vote)

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

Agenda folder https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/january-20-town-council-agenda

 Agenda doc (PDF) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-20-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf

 

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 20, 2021

FM #436 EDC Listening Session5 - 01/13/21 (audio)

FM #436 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 436 in the series.

This shares the Economic Development Committee Business Listening Session #5 that was held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the Chair Melanie Hamblen led the meeting remotely along with many others via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The recording runs just over two hour and thirteen minutes (~2:13)  Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HXzHpwwS

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Meeting agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee/agenda/edc-business-listening-session-5-revised

Housing Summary (not yet available - view the photos captured for some of the pages)

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/edc-listening-session-jan-13-2021-recap.html

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I 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!

------------------

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

 

FM #436 EDC Listening Session5 - 01/13/21 (audio)

FM #435 Finance Committee Mtg - 01/13/21 (audio)

FM #435 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 435 in the series.

 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021.

 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the remainder participated virtually via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

 

Storm water utility fee update was provided to the FinComm which included an overview of the formal utility fee program as it was developed during 2020. It is scheduled to come before the Town Council for further discussion.

 

The recording runs an hour and thirty minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting of Jan 13, 2021  Audio file:  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDFLNlwS

 

 

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Meeting agenda and related files

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-13-2021_fincom_agenda.pdf

 

Stormwater Utility fee recommendations

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/stormwater-utility-fee-recommendations.html

 

My notes: https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/finance-committee-jan-13-2021-meeting.html

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I 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!

------------------

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

FM #435 Finance Committee Mtg - 01/13/21 (audio)

 

FHS girls hockey drop game to King Philip on Saturday

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:

Girls Hockey = King Philip, 5 @ Franklin, 1 – Final 

– Jen Daniels scored twice and three Warriors each scored once as King Philip avenged its loss to Franklin to split the seasons series. Kara McWhinnie, Sydney O’Shea, and Kelly Holmes also scored for KP.  

 

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-16-21/

 

"Tough 5-1 loss to KP. Goal by Carter. 3 stars of the game are Lindsay A, Libby, and Gabby. Let’s regroup and get ready for Boston Latin tomorrow!!  "

https://twitter.com/fhsvgockey/status/1350623050266513411

 

FHS girls hockey drop game to King Philip on Saturday

Franklin Music Booster Calendar Raffle Tickets for sale!

Mrs. Plouffe (@FranklinHSOrch) tweeted on Fri, Jan 15, 2021:

"Please consider buying a Franklin Music Booster Calendar Raffle Ticket and support local business. https://t.co/3Px47etuju @FranklinHSMusic @FHSPantherbook @FranklinMatters @MrHanna_FHS"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinHSOrch/status/1350172125102034944

Franklin Music Booster Calendar Raffle Tickets for sale!

Senior Center Office Hour - Jan 21, 2021

The next Senior Center Coffee Hour will be held Jan 21, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada).

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpd-6vqTIiGdHKcpU3SMZ7pGqIZwCiW_Dv

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

Rep Jeff Roy writes:

"This is a great way to connect and talk about the issues of the day. Hope you can join us"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1350113541727154178

 

Senior Center Office Hour - Jan 21, 2021

 

School Committee: DavisThayer Facility Analysis Recap - Jan 14, 2021

Quick Recap:

• The financial and other school closing considerations revealed in this session. Document talked to during meeting linked to below. It is not surprising that there would be some financial savings, remove duplicate administration, realize some efficiencies in classrooms and other staffing support. Finally got to see the numbers and quantification for such. 'Estimates' but well developed
• Meeting next week (Jan 20, 2021 - 5:30 PM) for additional public comments and then the Subcommittee would get to work on their recommendation and how to present the 'story' to the full School Committee and community before the School Committee vote (timeline TBD)
  
• The School Committee makes their decision on the education of the Davis Thayer (DT) students and whether to the use the existing DT building or move the students to Keller (pros/cons elsewhere) but at a savings to the District of about $1M. 
• Assume the School Committee declares the DT building not fit for District educational use then the Town (and Town Council possibly) would get involved in determining the future disposition of the DT facility. The School Committee would remain focused on the education and appropriate transition of DT students and some faculty into the Keller building and newly enlarged Keller educational community 
• While this subcommittee is focused only on DT, the full committee must still address the longer term facility needs. They have not yet set up a group to begin to follow the remainder of the facility analysis recommendations that the District could close three school buildings and restructure to better  provide education to the students in the Franklin community and be more
  cost effective doing so. How much remains to be seen. That would be part of the work of this 'new' subcommittee
  

 

Financial Analysis doc shared during meeting:  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/davis_thayer_facilities_analysis-_financial_data.pdf

Davis Thayer Facility Analysis page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/i9fYWE2ewLJdJhkQA

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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  

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23dtfa0114&src=typeahead_click

• Next up, Davis Thayer Facility Analysis subcommittee meeting #dtfa0114 agenda and connection info in doc linked here https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda_dt_subcom_1.14.21.pdf
• #dtfa0114 awaiting a member to arrive before beginning.
• Meeting called to order at 5:37 #dtfa0114 Dec 9 minutes, moved to approve, passed 3-0 via roll call Review of timeline to confirm where they are in the process.
• Audio connection difficulty with one member, #dtfa0114 hard stop at 6:45 tonight to allow for others to attend the webinar on pool testing announced at the SchComm meeting
• Miriam and Erica worked the details on this analysis, assumes DT students would be served by Keller, based upon forecasted enrollment combined could change from 28 classrooms to 25. #dtfa0114
• The class sizes would be within SchComm guidelines #dtfa0114 this is a larger view of the prior share.
• Early best guess estimates could see staff reductions in the new combined school #dtfa0114 many service providers would need to follow the students. Projections not set in stone, would require discussion with FEA. 3 classroom teachers prior but the 6.8 here is more than ...
• #dtfa0114 there are nuances in some of the support where some folks travel from school to school, some better efficiency possible to still provide support as needed. Small reduction in subs a guesstimate due to overall reduction in classes across the district and allocated ..
• To Keller (taking DT out of the equation) some busing changes due to the distance between home and school, to the new school, in some cases a bus fee, for those over 2 miles, free bus ... Uses last year's busing numbers due to pandemic this year #dtfa0114
• Cost for building actually in the town side of the budget, not in school budget, the town had anticipated DT closure prematurely for the FY 21 budget, they may need to adjust accordingly but overall the one school closure would be about $130k savings for the Town #dtfa0114
• Likely to recommend to turn the building over the town for other purposes assuming no educational related capacity. #dtfa0114 overall savings just under $1m
• Title I funds could 'follow' DT students to Keller because the combined population would still be above Oak, if socio-economic status stays the same, no real change but reevaluate would be required to confirm #dtfa0114
• Consideration of physical distance in case pandemic requires, could require hybrid but better fit at Keller. Community culture piece at DT important to consider. #dtfa0114
• Q on Solutions, would need to check with Lifelong Learning to confirm. Limits are depending upon space and staffing for revenue justification. Q would they be DT kids at Keller or all kids at Keller, would be steps to assist process of one new larger unit. #dtfa0114
• There is an impact for Annie Sullivan to use some of their space for Keller, primarily classroom space; as noted in the Facility Analysis. #dtfa0114 BICO does use 2 classrooms (at $31k revenue/yr) do they relocate within district or what?? On radar.
• Will need to make another meeting, may not have time in what is left to address all the citizens comments #dtfa0114 first citizen comment claims 'blinded sided' by decision ... Oops found this was not sent. Meeting adjourned at 6:45, not enuf time for more discussion
• Meeting TBD for next week for additional comments and then Committee planning on recommendation and how to present the 'story' to the full Committee and Community for SchComm vote. #dtfa0114
• SchComm makes decision on the education of the DT students and whether to the use the existing DR building or move the students to Keller (pros/cons) elsewhere but at a savings to the District of about $1m. Assume SchComm declares building not fit for District use then…
• Town (and Town Council possibly) would get involved in future use of DT facility. SchComm would remain focused on the education and appropriate transition of DT students and some faculty into the Keller building and newly enlarged Keller Community #dtfa0114
• Stay tuned for further developments. Meeting sometime next week. That's all for tonight, catch you next time #dtfa0114 (Subcommittee will update this slide to show they are in Stage 2)

Subcommittee will update this slide to show they are in Stage 2)