Live reporting - Zoning bylaw amendment

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment to Chapter 185-18. Nonconforming Uses and Structures- Dept of Planning & Community Development

Presentation lead by:

David Roche - Building Commissioner
Nick Alfieri - Conservation Agent
Brian Taberner, Director, Downtown Planning and Community Development

Alfieri - As an example, 450 Maple St, built about 28 feet from the road, therefore it is pre-existing as non-confirming, to put a deck on that would be completely compliant still had to go through the Zoning Board of Approvals (ZBA) to get the approval. It will save time and money. This streamlines the ZBA process.

Vallee - this is an excellent amendment

Whalen - sounds good, what would be an example of something more controversial or how it could not be abused?

Alfieri - Speaks directly to single and two-family houses only. Others would still need to go through the ZBA. If the alteration itself is non-conforming, it would still go through the ZBA process.

Doak - how did this change from prior

Alfieri - They split non-conforming structures from non-conforming uses into two separate sections

Cerel - Nick and I worked closely on this, the section is obtuse, in the absence of a local bylaw you had to go through the rigmarole.

Doak - this seems to fall in the category of common sense

Feeley - what would you like us to do with this?

Nutting - put this on the next agenda to put through the process to get to the planning board

Live reporting - late bus approved

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
no citizens for comment


E. APPOINTMENTS
motion to add item for election day poll workers, passed 7-0
motion approved, passed 7-0

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

• Funding School Late Bus

Nutting speaking for the Late Bus, the bus company has come back with a reduction to $10,000 for the one year. If the Council would like to pursue funding this, the town has a gift of $40,000 for transportation or other public purposes as a negotiated settlement from Gatehouse in lieu of further litigation after the town lost a court decision. Council could move to transfer the gift.

Feeley moves to fund the Late Bus, authorized expenditure of $10,000 from the comprehensive agreement

Pfeffer disagrees with use of this for 3 middle schools as not being in the "public interest". Three PCC's have volunteered to fund this, let them. Why is not the School Committee here to support this.

Feeley I'll take that one. They offered to be here, I did not think it would be necessary.

Vallee references a letter received this afternoon from Paula Sandham and speaks in favor of the late bus.

Whalen has heard lots of feedback for not funding the late bus, he disagrees with that and explains why. School Dept made their decision based upon a set of circumstances at that time. We are now under a different set of circumstances have changed. Does meet the definition of "public purpose" in his view. This is perfectly appropriate.

Doak was surprised to hear about this funding sitting there for awhile. It is not recurring revenue, it can legitimately be used for this. The PCC's fund a lot of extra things that the school department does not fund.

Mason, my concern is that a number of people will read the paper and say, the override failed, the late bus should not be here. The opportunity is here because of the generosity of the bus company. At the end of the day, you need to side on the needs of the children.

Zollo, if anyone were to think that they were misled, that is not true, the circumstances changed, this money is available, lets use it, it is both legal and appropriate.

Stacy Bower - we were told that the late bus was lost if the override lost. If the PCC wants to fund it, let them. The Fire Dept and Police Dept were also looking for funding. The late bus is not required by the State. Doesn't feel that the Town should use this generous gift. The late bus is a luxury in town. When is the town going to say "enough"?

Feeley regardless of what happened in the past, I am supporting this as a good thing to do.

Approved 6-1 (Pfeffer no).

Live reporting - town council meeting 10/1/08

Councilors present: Whalen, Mason, Vallee, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, Zollo

Councilors not present: Bartlett, McGann
-------------


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 3, 2008
moved to approve - approved 7-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
no

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - Thelma Pullen Knowlton
Resident for over 90 years, only remaining graduate of Dean Class of 1948

"I get more out of it now"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Sep 30, 2008 @ 11:22 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

For the first time since its Franklin inception 40 years ago, the Junior Miss program is bowing out.

Organizers canceled the show, which is part of the America's Junior Miss Scholarship Program, this year due to a lack of funds and sponsors, but hope to bring it back next year by appealing to former donors and attracting new ones, said Becky Lavergne, chairwoman of Franklin Junior Miss.

"We have no choice - we have no money to give away. Our committee's gone over this a lot. ... We knew it was probably coming since last November. No one wanted to do this, but it was either give it up completely, or raise as much money as possible and come back next year," Lavergne said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In the News - cats, alumni, walk/run, art, fair

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Sep 30, 2008 @ 01:20 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

People at odds over a feral cat colony at Highwood Condominiums may get a resolution tonight.

The condominium complex's board of trustees will discuss the matter and possibly decide to take action at a meeting open only to condo owners, said property manager Roy Blanchard.

Blanchard declined to talk about the controversy.

"This doesn't need to be in the press anymore. We can take care of our own issues," he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

All the remaining items can be found in this article on Franklin Notes

Town Council Agenda - 10/1/08

October 1, 2008
7:00 PM

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 3, 2008
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - Thelma Pullen Knowlton
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

• Funding School Late Bus
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment to Chapter 185-18. Nonconforming Uses and Structures- Dept of Planning & Community Development

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

• Resolution 08-53 – Order of Layout, Acceptance and Taking Newell Drive, Dover Circle, Cohasset Way, Sherborn Lane and Related Easements
• Resolution 08-54 – Order of Layout, Acceptance and Taking of Hancock Road, Winthrop Road, Corey Way and Lantern Road and Related Easements
• Resolution 08-59: Dissolution of Fire Station Building Committee
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 08-625: Chapter 185-5, Town Code: Zoning Map – Business to Commercial II – 2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN

late bus on tap for Town Council

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted Sep 27, 2008 @ 11:12 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Town Council on Wednesday will discuss whether to fund the school district's popular late bus at a steeply discounted rate.

Parent Communication Councils were willing to fund the bus at $10,000 after School Superintendent Wayne Ogden announced the district did not have funds for it this year, but the district is turning to the town instead, said Chairman Jeffrey Roy, after Council Chairman Christopher Feeley and Vice Chairwoman Deborah Bartlett offered their support.

The late bus has been a hot issue since administrators first warned the district it would have to eliminate it without additional money from the Proposition 2 1/2 tax override that was voted down in June. Concerned about the children of working parents, who would miss out on after-school activities and getting extra help with academics, School Committee member Ed Cafasso pushed the School Committee to find a way to keep the service.

read the remainder of the article in the Milford Daily News here