- Live reporting - Closing
- Live reporting - traffic, continued
- Live reporting - presentation on traffic flow
- Live reporting - Public Hearing - underground util...
- Live reporting - Town Council
Franklin, MA
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Town Council - 09/29/10
The live reporting posts from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Sep 29 2010 can be found here:
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA
Dean College hosts first program of business lecture series October 6
Dean College will host the first in a series of presentations by regional and national business leaders called "Leadership in Action, " on October 6 at 4 p.m. in the College's Campus Center Atrium.
The first speaker in this series is Irina Simmons, Senior Vice President and Treasurer of EMC Corporation on October 6, 2010 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm in the Campus Center Atrium.
Ms. Simmons will discuss "Leadership & Career Services - A Personal Journey". Immediately following the lecture, a Women's Networking Reception will be held from 5:00 to 6:00 pm in the Campus Center Atrium.
The event is free and open to the public.For other events on the Dean calendar visit http://www.dean.edu/events/index.cfm
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Live reporting - Closing
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
work on the grant for green underway
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
none
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Franklin, MA
work on the grant for green underway
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
none
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Powderly - there was an authorization for money on traffic signals, it is not cash, the authorization was rescinded and it is not available
McGann - We should be looking at our own people first before hiring some person from outside
Nutting - you are not getting all the information, qualifications, past experience, etc. It is a personnel matter and we shouldn't be discussing it.
McGann - if we don't hire from within, it demoralizes the workers here.
Vallee - how long do we wait before a skim coat?
Nutting - every road we do , we let the trench sit at least a winter and then the top coat goes on so it gives the street more integrity
Pfeffer - Stella has a show on Franklin, a series on former selectmen and their decisions
Nutting - it was turned over to the Historical Commission for final painting
Mason - happy birthday to Catherine, who is 16 and I want to embarrass her sufficiently
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
motion to go into executive session, collective bargaining
passed 8-0 (via roll call)
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - traffic, continued
Nutting - the south bound RT 140 traffic will still be a backup, today and the future, everything else will be better
Jones - Safety is the number one issue for me
Vallee - nothing is perfect, the folks were against the change when we went from 2 way to 1 way in the 70's
2. Resolution 10-56: Endorsement of Plan for Two-Way Vehicular Traffic on Emmons, West Central and Main Streets as Element of Downtown Revitalization Project
motion to waive the reading, passed 8-0
motion to approve, passed 8-0
Franklin, MA
Jones - Safety is the number one issue for me
Vallee - nothing is perfect, the folks were against the change when we went from 2 way to 1 way in the 70's
2. Resolution 10-56: Endorsement of Plan for Two-Way Vehicular Traffic on Emmons, West Central and Main Streets as Element of Downtown Revitalization Project
motion to waive the reading, passed 8-0
motion to approve, passed 8-0
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - presentation on traffic flow
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS – Downtown Franklin Enhancement Project Proposed Traffic Circulation – Westin & Sampson
Gene Bollinger, Bill Paley (spelling?)
We have been accumulating the grant money since it was awarded in 2004.
A public hearing for the 25% design position, then another for the 75% design, with the hope of getting a shovel in the ground for 2012.
Town Council would have to change the bylaws to change the traffic flow
Intent is to gain the Council endorsement for the traffic changes
This is less intensive than what was done previously
Some property taking is anticipated but nothing major, just strips here and there to enable the crossings and turnings
Interest is to come away with your comments and submit the 25% design to MassDOT
Continue to interact with the public, various department heads, Dean College, Downtown Partnership, etc.
The first board identifies the section of the various projects (HPP and PWED)
The PWED can go sooner as it does not require MassDOT approval.
Utility work already underway to try and compress the overall construction schedule and minimize disruption.
End of curb to end of curb, new or re-surfaced roadways, expanded sidewalks for ADA access.
Light pole, street furnishings, etc.
Traffic circulation would stay as is with the exception of the 1-way to 2-way change on Main St
Emmons, West Central - This intersection offers a level of service B, (A is the top, F is the bottom)
Triangle - This intersection offers a level of service C
all the traffic numbers are based upon the peak period.
Summer St is currently rated an F, it would improve to an A with the light and synchronized with the others
Main St/Emmons - Main would be free flow, Emmons would be stop signed
There are raised tables downtown and near Dean, an elongated speed bump to help the walkers
Signalizing the intersections creates gaps in the traffic where there are no gaps with no signals today
Multiple questions and answers. This part of the meeting will definitely be better to listen/watch to
3 minute recess
Franklin, MA
Gene Bollinger, Bill Paley (spelling?)
We have been accumulating the grant money since it was awarded in 2004.
A public hearing for the 25% design position, then another for the 75% design, with the hope of getting a shovel in the ground for 2012.
Town Council would have to change the bylaws to change the traffic flow
Intent is to gain the Council endorsement for the traffic changes
This is less intensive than what was done previously
Some property taking is anticipated but nothing major, just strips here and there to enable the crossings and turnings
Interest is to come away with your comments and submit the 25% design to MassDOT
Continue to interact with the public, various department heads, Dean College, Downtown Partnership, etc.
The first board identifies the section of the various projects (HPP and PWED)
The PWED can go sooner as it does not require MassDOT approval.
Utility work already underway to try and compress the overall construction schedule and minimize disruption.
End of curb to end of curb, new or re-surfaced roadways, expanded sidewalks for ADA access.
Light pole, street furnishings, etc.
Traffic circulation would stay as is with the exception of the 1-way to 2-way change on Main St
Emmons, West Central - This intersection offers a level of service B, (A is the top, F is the bottom)
Triangle - This intersection offers a level of service C
all the traffic numbers are based upon the peak period.
Summer St is currently rated an F, it would improve to an A with the light and synchronized with the others
Main St/Emmons - Main would be free flow, Emmons would be stop signed
There are raised tables downtown and near Dean, an elongated speed bump to help the walkers
Signalizing the intersections creates gaps in the traffic where there are no gaps with no signals today
Multiple questions and answers. This part of the meeting will definitely be better to listen/watch to
3 minute recess
Franklin, MA
Live reporting - Public Hearing - underground utilities
F. HEARINGS - Public Hearing to Consider Removal of Utility Poles, Overhead Wires & Associated Overhead Wires and Associated Overhead Structures in Downtown Area – 7:10 PM
Due to the clerical error, this is part of the hearing. No council vote tonight. The council has another public hearing on Oct 20th and after that, then they will be in a position to vote.
They walked the property doing a sidewalk survey to estimate the potential electrical cost to re-do the feed from the street to the house. Most were in the range of 0-$4,000.
Those numbers sound rather conservative, once you get inside, the electrical code and updates.
The Town Council has an option to pay none, some or all of it.
The Town should not absorb a penny of this . Why should the tax payers pay for an improvement to their building.
G Smith -
Nutting - Verizon charge is only on the land line, Comcast is only on the cable bill not on the phone, so it is confusing but the statute was done many years ago. The amounts are projected for the customer base.
G Smith - If the customer has both Verizon and Comcast would pay about $112. If you only have electric, you only would pay $12. There is inequity in this fee schedule. Considering the results of the last override election, it would be a charge against the will of the people
McCarraher - consider that the overhead wires are a hazard to the firefighters. It is a small part, but please look at it from the firefighters safety perspective.
Piana - Downtown Partnership sent letter encouraging this being done now as it is the only opportunity to do so. It is important to the esthetics's of the downtown appearance.
Piana - the majority of the membership do agree, of course, not all do.
Mason - we are trying to get a consensus. Is there anyone who would like to speak. Any thoughts from the Councilors?
Kelly - The voters did vote down the override, I don't think I would support it at this time.
Jones - the major issue I have with this is the unknown costs for the property owners for what I have counted as a dozen telephone poles.
Vallee - I have mixed feelings about this, I am concerned about the looks, I am concerned about passing the costs to the citizens
Powderly - I am usually for investing in the town but I have a number of concerns about the unknown costs. We have to look at this project in with the other capital needs, we have the high school coming down the road, a large operating deficit, so at this time I don't think I can support putting this on the citizens.
Pfeffer - It was many years ago the Boston Magazine said we were 'seedy'. Since then we have been voted top town to live and top to retire. I don't think we can do it for only a part of the downtown.
Mason - We are always seeking the help of the voters, since there was the vote expressed three months ago with the failed override, I can see how we can do so at this time.
Whalen - the likelihood of needing an overrider for operations next year is good.
Motion to close the hearing - passed 8-0
Franklin, MA
Due to the clerical error, this is part of the hearing. No council vote tonight. The council has another public hearing on Oct 20th and after that, then they will be in a position to vote.
They walked the property doing a sidewalk survey to estimate the potential electrical cost to re-do the feed from the street to the house. Most were in the range of 0-$4,000.
Those numbers sound rather conservative, once you get inside, the electrical code and updates.
The Town Council has an option to pay none, some or all of it.
The Town should not absorb a penny of this . Why should the tax payers pay for an improvement to their building.
G Smith -
Nutting - Verizon charge is only on the land line, Comcast is only on the cable bill not on the phone, so it is confusing but the statute was done many years ago. The amounts are projected for the customer base.
G Smith - If the customer has both Verizon and Comcast would pay about $112. If you only have electric, you only would pay $12. There is inequity in this fee schedule. Considering the results of the last override election, it would be a charge against the will of the people
McCarraher - consider that the overhead wires are a hazard to the firefighters. It is a small part, but please look at it from the firefighters safety perspective.
Piana - Downtown Partnership sent letter encouraging this being done now as it is the only opportunity to do so. It is important to the esthetics's of the downtown appearance.
Piana - the majority of the membership do agree, of course, not all do.
Mason - we are trying to get a consensus. Is there anyone who would like to speak. Any thoughts from the Councilors?
Kelly - The voters did vote down the override, I don't think I would support it at this time.
Jones - the major issue I have with this is the unknown costs for the property owners for what I have counted as a dozen telephone poles.
Vallee - I have mixed feelings about this, I am concerned about the looks, I am concerned about passing the costs to the citizens
Powderly - I am usually for investing in the town but I have a number of concerns about the unknown costs. We have to look at this project in with the other capital needs, we have the high school coming down the road, a large operating deficit, so at this time I don't think I can support putting this on the citizens.
Pfeffer - It was many years ago the Boston Magazine said we were 'seedy'. Since then we have been voted top town to live and top to retire. I don't think we can do it for only a part of the downtown.
Mason - We are always seeking the help of the voters, since there was the vote expressed three months ago with the failed override, I can see how we can do so at this time.
Whalen - the likelihood of needing an overrider for operations next year is good.
Motion to close the hearing - passed 8-0
Franklin, MA
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