From the Town Council meeting on 5/7/08, Councilor McGann uses the Citizens Comment portion of the meeting to complain about his not getting notified of the meeting at 6:00 PM the week before to vote on the override question. He arrived at 6:50 and was surprised to find the meeting over.
Time: 5 minutes, 4 seconds
MP3 File
My notes taken during the comments by Councilor McGann can be found here.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
"Franklin voters will be able to start trusting again"
Yes, I did say that.
During the Town Council meeting 5/7/08 when Chairman Chris Feeley proposed a committee to prepare a long range projection for Town finances.
I'll have the complete audio file up some time this week. In the mean time, you can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
My "live blogging" recap of the meeting can be found here.
During the Town Council meeting 5/7/08 when Chairman Chris Feeley proposed a committee to prepare a long range projection for Town finances.
I'll have the complete audio file up some time this week. In the mean time, you can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
My "live blogging" recap of the meeting can be found here.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
5 Year Plan committee to be formed
During the New Business portion, Chairman Chris Feeley put forth a proposal to name a committee to develop a five year projection. The group would be comprised of
I stepped forward to make the suggestion to add two citizens to the panel. In so doing, this would allow the community to take part in this critical activity. This would be a compelling step to helping restore trust in the administration and elected officials. There is some distrust in the community.
The motion was amended to include two citizens and approved unanimously.
- 2 School Committee representatives
- 2 Finance committee representatives
- 3 Town Councilors
I stepped forward to make the suggestion to add two citizens to the panel. In so doing, this would allow the community to take part in this critical activity. This would be a compelling step to helping restore trust in the administration and elected officials. There is some distrust in the community.
The motion was amended to include two citizens and approved unanimously.
Town Administrator Report
moved discussion on Peace & Good Order amendments to June 4th meeting
-------------
meeting in Boston, tip sheet the downtown funding should be okay
-------------
new business
proposal to put together a group to come up with a five year projection, comprised of
2 School
2 Finance
3 Councilors
suggestion by myself to add two citizens to the panel
motion approved
-----------------
Zollo participated at Davis Thayer PCC today to answer questions on override
McGann condolences to Mrs Mullen on the loss of her husband
Feeley to address McGann on meeting moved to 6:00 PM
he will show the email with his name on it
he was not aware of the meeting at 6:00, he did show up early for the 7:00 PM meeting
Feeley will take the heat for it
-------------
meeting in Boston, tip sheet the downtown funding should be okay
-------------
new business
proposal to put together a group to come up with a five year projection, comprised of
2 School
2 Finance
3 Councilors
suggestion by myself to add two citizens to the panel
motion approved
-----------------
Zollo participated at Davis Thayer PCC today to answer questions on override
McGann condolences to Mrs Mullen on the loss of her husband
Feeley to address McGann on meeting moved to 6:00 PM
he will show the email with his name on it
he was not aware of the meeting at 6:00, he did show up early for the 7:00 PM meeting
Feeley will take the heat for it
Water conservation starting
Tuesday after Memorial Day
start lawns before then, after that Tuesday you'll need to abide by the restrictions
---------------
DPW Open House
10:00 to 1:00 PM on May 31st
---------------
start lawns before then, after that Tuesday you'll need to abide by the restrictions
---------------
DPW Open House
10:00 to 1:00 PM on May 31st
---------------
Action items
Resolution passed to grant an easement 5 years after the fact
------------------
Franklin 4th of July
resolution to allow town resources to work on the events for the celebration
Mike Kelly, co-chair
Warren Revell, paperwork submitted for 501C
Frank Falvey
Feeley confirms that their attorney has been applied for the necessary paperwork for both
amendment to limit the Town expense at $15K - passed unanimously
net expense of 10K to be reimbursed
approx 2002 town took over the 4th of July
transitioned from no cost to town cost to capped cost
Fire overtime was cut from budget so this would need to be added back
All-night party is paid for by a grant and not town money
partly good will, partly good public safety to have someone at the event
Bartlett advises to start thinking for obtaining their own funding for next year
Revell - "precedent set, town should show some support"
Bartlett - "needs to be equitable"
Vallee will support it, McGann echoes Vallee
with fuel cost rising, the crowd this year will potentially be larger
Kelly wants to keep the tradition going
meeting weekly to lay out the ground work for this event
Falvey - citizens may not have been aware of the town support
please contact if you would lke to make a donation
PO Box 152, Franklin, MA
there is no parade this year
there will be fireworks
there are two open booths currently
resolution passed as amended
------------------
ladder truck pay down
Finance Committee approved 9-0
discussion on value of the equipment and how frequently it would be used
how to you value a life? the safety of the firefighters is significantly improved
unanimously approved
----------------
resolution on snow/ice
approved unanimously
--------------
resolution on zoning board advertising budget adjustment
question on where the money is coming from, insurance claims varies
budget for FY 09 is less in that account
approved unanimously
--------------
resolution on override election funding
approved unanimously
---------------
resolution on veterans expenses
approved unanimously
---------------
resolution on comptroller budget adjustment for advertising expense
approved unanimously
---------------
resolution on Town Common sign placement
signs for historic walking trail which starts at Brick School House
Zollo speaking for, thanks for work
a permanent sign with historic significance
funding for the sign is from the grant from the Downtown Development
discussion on placement, does it denigrate?
approved 7-2 vote
--------------
amendment on water rate/sewer rate
Vallee on the record opposing this by-law
roll
McGann no, Vallee no, Whalen absent
passed 6-2
--------------
amendment personnel regulations
moving to second reading, adds positions to salary scale
raising scale by 3%, due to cost of living actually 4.3% which is raising it less than the cost of living
this doesn't cost the town anything by itself, it just provides the scale by which the positions are hired at
adding positions in anticipation of resolving the facilities issue
more discussion coming at second reading
approved unanimously
----------------
by-law amendment to adjust water map
Pfeffer expressed desire to vote against
developer looking for town water extension
wells did go dry in that area 3-4 years ago
subdivision is in vicinity of well 10
no cost to the town but does bring a benefit to the town
----------------
------------------
Franklin 4th of July
resolution to allow town resources to work on the events for the celebration
Mike Kelly, co-chair
Warren Revell, paperwork submitted for 501C
Frank Falvey
Feeley confirms that their attorney has been applied for the necessary paperwork for both
amendment to limit the Town expense at $15K - passed unanimously
net expense of 10K to be reimbursed
approx 2002 town took over the 4th of July
transitioned from no cost to town cost to capped cost
Fire overtime was cut from budget so this would need to be added back
All-night party is paid for by a grant and not town money
partly good will, partly good public safety to have someone at the event
Bartlett advises to start thinking for obtaining their own funding for next year
Revell - "precedent set, town should show some support"
Bartlett - "needs to be equitable"
Vallee will support it, McGann echoes Vallee
with fuel cost rising, the crowd this year will potentially be larger
Kelly wants to keep the tradition going
meeting weekly to lay out the ground work for this event
Falvey - citizens may not have been aware of the town support
please contact if you would lke to make a donation
PO Box 152, Franklin, MA
there is no parade this year
there will be fireworks
there are two open booths currently
resolution passed as amended
------------------
ladder truck pay down
Finance Committee approved 9-0
discussion on value of the equipment and how frequently it would be used
how to you value a life? the safety of the firefighters is significantly improved
unanimously approved
----------------
resolution on snow/ice
approved unanimously
--------------
resolution on zoning board advertising budget adjustment
question on where the money is coming from, insurance claims varies
budget for FY 09 is less in that account
approved unanimously
--------------
resolution on override election funding
approved unanimously
---------------
resolution on veterans expenses
approved unanimously
---------------
resolution on comptroller budget adjustment for advertising expense
approved unanimously
---------------
resolution on Town Common sign placement
signs for historic walking trail which starts at Brick School House
Zollo speaking for, thanks for work
a permanent sign with historic significance
funding for the sign is from the grant from the Downtown Development
discussion on placement, does it denigrate?
approved 7-2 vote
--------------
amendment on water rate/sewer rate
Vallee on the record opposing this by-law
roll
McGann no, Vallee no, Whalen absent
passed 6-2
--------------
amendment personnel regulations
moving to second reading, adds positions to salary scale
raising scale by 3%, due to cost of living actually 4.3% which is raising it less than the cost of living
this doesn't cost the town anything by itself, it just provides the scale by which the positions are hired at
adding positions in anticipation of resolving the facilities issue
more discussion coming at second reading
approved unanimously
----------------
by-law amendment to adjust water map
Pfeffer expressed desire to vote against
developer looking for town water extension
wells did go dry in that area 3-4 years ago
subdivision is in vicinity of well 10
no cost to the town but does bring a benefit to the town
----------------
Four Corners Building
Four Corners School - Proposal for purchase from Walgreens
Richard Cornetta, attorney
Scott Weymouth, principle for Arista, LLC
Walgreen by this group is already in Bellingham at intersection of RT 126/140
provided a couple of plans to the council
site plan does include a couple of other private residences already under contract to Arista
envisions set back requirements due to proximity to residences, ready for planning board approval processes
14,500 sq
no more than 2 stories tall
60 parking spaces
single entrance, double exit from King St
single entrance, single exit on Cross St
does envision a drive-up for pharmacy, not like fast food drive-ups
extreme corner at King/140 would be green space
recognizes importance of location as approach to town
$2.5 million
approx 40K annual real-estate taxes, a number of jobs created
20 permanent positions once operational
construction positions created for the building
P/S by June 08, permits by Dec 08
projected closing date for Feb 09
shovels in the ground potential for Mar 09
------------------
Feeley answers a question about has this already been sold?
No, it has not. This is a proposal.
The economic development group has approved this unanimously
-----------------
Pfeffer with proposal for moving one of the existing to another space within the town and have Habitant for Humanity work to bring in two units
----------------
discussion on the willingness to work with the town
could consider moving the house, could consider renovating
one was planned to remove
----------------
less than 25% mezzanine level on the second floor to move some of the operational space up there and leave the lower level for the retail space
would do a full traffic study, did a brief analysis to prepare the draft plans
their estimate of tax revenue is in the ball park per Jeff Nutting
construction if started in Mar could be done by October to be open in time for the holidays
---------------
McGann question on the restrictions with the 24 hour drive through and neighbors comments
was written into the RFP specifying the restriction
how does it effect the developer?
there is an impact, a competitive disadvantage
---------------
Vallee complaining again about restrictions
---------------
did design to meet the requirements
minimum should be 59 parking spots
---------------
will be on agenda two weeks from tonight for a vote
Richard Cornetta, attorney
Scott Weymouth, principle for Arista, LLC
Walgreen by this group is already in Bellingham at intersection of RT 126/140
provided a couple of plans to the council
site plan does include a couple of other private residences already under contract to Arista
envisions set back requirements due to proximity to residences, ready for planning board approval processes
14,500 sq
no more than 2 stories tall
60 parking spaces
single entrance, double exit from King St
single entrance, single exit on Cross St
does envision a drive-up for pharmacy, not like fast food drive-ups
extreme corner at King/140 would be green space
recognizes importance of location as approach to town
$2.5 million
approx 40K annual real-estate taxes, a number of jobs created
20 permanent positions once operational
construction positions created for the building
P/S by June 08, permits by Dec 08
projected closing date for Feb 09
shovels in the ground potential for Mar 09
------------------
Feeley answers a question about has this already been sold?
No, it has not. This is a proposal.
The economic development group has approved this unanimously
-----------------
Pfeffer with proposal for moving one of the existing to another space within the town and have Habitant for Humanity work to bring in two units
----------------
discussion on the willingness to work with the town
could consider moving the house, could consider renovating
one was planned to remove
----------------
less than 25% mezzanine level on the second floor to move some of the operational space up there and leave the lower level for the retail space
would do a full traffic study, did a brief analysis to prepare the draft plans
their estimate of tax revenue is in the ball park per Jeff Nutting
construction if started in Mar could be done by October to be open in time for the holidays
---------------
McGann question on the restrictions with the 24 hour drive through and neighbors comments
was written into the RFP specifying the restriction
how does it effect the developer?
there is an impact, a competitive disadvantage
---------------
Vallee complaining again about restrictions
---------------
did design to meet the requirements
minimum should be 59 parking spots
---------------
will be on agenda two weeks from tonight for a vote
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