Live reporting - Legislation for action

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION 1. Resolution 11-10: Request for Legislation – Exempting the Deputy Fire Chief from Civil Service (Tabled on 8/10/2011) - tabled indefinitely, just not ready yet

2. Resolution 11-45: Chapter 61A-1st Refusal Option – Land on Spring Street
second time before the Council, owner has PSA, we have first right of refusal, has no value for the Town, recommended to let the sale proceed
motion to approve - passed 9-0


3. Resolution 11-47: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with Town of Medway for Shared Nursing Services
shared nurse through a grant program, looking to extend this for another year with receipt of another grant
motion to approve - passed 9-0


4. Resolution 11-48: Acceptance of Gift of Land at 1156 Pond Street (Lot #2)
donation of land in lieu of foreclosure
 motion to approve - passed 9-0


5. Resolution 11-49: Grant of Sewer Easement on Property At 82 (Formerly 95) Park Rd
sewer line installed without easement being recorded previously, needed to move line and cover it all properly this time
motion to approve - passed 9-0


6. Bylaw Amendment 11-663: Sewer Rates-Appendix B- List of Service Rates - 2nd Reading

as a result of the Charles River Sewer Plant upgrade, rate increases should cover the requirements; $44 and then $88 the year after, plant is under an EPA order to remove phosphorus - ultimately a million dollars raised will cover our 65% of the total amount, timed for when the bond comes in - no further rate changes for 4-5 years, has been steady for 7 years


motion to approve - passed 9-0 (via roll call)


7. Bylaw Amendment 11-664: Water Rates-Appendix B-List of Service Rates- 2nd Reading




related to pay off the 7.5 million bond authorization as approved earlier. Not related to the sewer rate increases.


Powderly - having trouble approving at this time
Nutting - you will need this eventually, could it wait a year, I am trying to be proactive, will we need all of it next year
Nutting - either way it is coming, pay me now or pay me later
Whalen - under different circumstances, it would be a prudent way to proceed. Back to back, 10% when not necessary


Nutting - the surplus has varied year to year, we have used it for road repairs, water system needs improvements all the time, 160 miles of water system even at 2 miles per year it is 80 year project


Mason - no question of economy is still pour, it is a perception problem, if we can spend down it a little, it may more sense - if we can tighten our belt it may help


Nutting - only authorize a rate for 2012, and not for 2013


Powderly, motion to amend, to have only the 2012 rate increase of 10% 


motion to approve amendment - passed 9-0 
motion to approve bylaw - passed 9-0 (via roll call)

Live reporting - Irene response

2. Tropical Storm Irene – Gary McCarraher

Worked through conflicting info from the weather services until the National Weather service took priority with their accuracy

55 MPH winds marked at Fire Stations, 100 emergencies responded during Sunday
fortunately no injuries to workers or residents on Sunday
all roads were passable by 10:00 PM Sunday evening
National Grid did not show up on Sunday at all

multiple communications with National Grid with commitment to have someone on site Monday
priorities to restore power to key areas and water service
Central Park Terrace, senior housing, those with oxygen needs were dealt with as necessary
priority listing set up one day for action the next day

School St, Parmenter, etc were priority on Tuesday listing

South St, Summer, Beach priority for Weds due to primary lines down

Beach St, Elm, Indian Way for Thu

Police surveyed the town to cross check power outages

restoration of individual home services were addressed on Fri, Sat and Sun
maintained communications via CCTY, consolidated messages with schools

Lessons Learned:
market Ctty service, to cell phone service in addition to land lines
public cell phone charging area
improve power sign board options

additional learning will be reviewed in another meeting of the departments

Kelly - what about National Grid and their response? they did not get here until Tuesday

Nutting - requesting a meeting to discuss, one of their problems was trying to communicate with 27 communities, too confusing

McCarraher - One of our keys to success was getting someone into Franklin
13,000 electrical customers, about 10,000 were out initially

Nutting - it wasn't a good communication from the beginning, it was a multi-day event but they couldn't say how long - they had a corporate decision and lost hundreds of folks three weeks prior and simply were not prepared.

McGann - what did we get from a representative?
McCarragher - we wanted information, when we called it was like it was the first time, the representative was able to navigate their queue. I just needed reasonably accurate information so we could make our decisions. We were frequently getting lost in the mix, we got scheduling done with constant contact and making sure we didn't get lost in the shuffle. The guys on the street did a marvelous job, the problem was in the back room and getting the prioritization set up.

Vallee - following upon the comment
McCarragher - it is early, only first quarter to have data with the current staffing. I am concerned about it, it is not regular bu depending upon what can happen, it could be slower response.

Mason - thanks to your help, the operation was impressive

Nutting - our first obligation is to Franklin

Dick O'Connor (from Rep Vallee office)

Live reporting - door to door solicitations

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
1. Residential Soliciting – Stephen T. Williams

permit application required, backgrounds checked, will get out immediately upon call
you do not have to entertain a solicit

do not permit solicitations for advocacy and political groups

Jones - had requested this due to a young lady who had visited his home and other neighbors

Chief Williams - don't open the door, ask for credentials

Nutting -Williams has tendered his resignation effective 12/16/11 after 40 years of service

 

Live reporting - new liquor license

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
New All Alcoholic Beverages License – Sakebom - 264 Franklin Village Drive

motion to approve, passed 9-0

Live reporting - Liquor license failures

F. HEARINGS
Alcoholic Beverages Licensees – Failure to Pass Compliance Check – 7:10

all events took place on Friday July 29, 2011


Devita’s Market
purchase without question for asking for an ID, second offense, 5 days suspension, hold two days in abeyance, and have them serve the three days

no excuses, embarrassed by this matter

need to have one of three days on the day that they were in violation
letter sent in February to alert license holders of grant received and tests to come

discussion on days, three days in a row starting Friday, or three Fridays?
not done three Fridays before - going with Wed, Thu, Fri
9/21, 22, 23
motion to approve, passed 9-0

Joe’s American Bar and Grill
license asked for but did not get caught as underage
MA license is different orientation for underage drivers

1st suspense, recommended 3 days, with 2 days in abeyance

1st violation in multiple restaurants, staff is trained internally as well as TIPS training
model employee with them 13 years and simply blew it

agreeable to one day served this Friday, remaining open but no alcohol

motion to approve, passed 9-0

Tedeschi Food Shop
1st offense, similar to Joe's

they can't afford to have this to happen but it can, TIPS training
outside company used to check compliance as well
registers prompt for ID, but it all comes down to the person
suspended immediately upon violation and review of prior experience
busy, distracted, didn't card, no excuses, we failed, won't happen again

motion to approve for one night (9/16), passed 9-0

Uptowne Pub
1st offense

incident happened just before the doorman came on duty
aware of and staff for this
was not asked in this case, clarified by Chief's detailed report

motion to approve, one day (9/16), passed 9-0

Live reporting - Town Council - 9/14/11

Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann, Zollo, Powderly
Absent:

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 20, 2011motion to approve, passed 8-0 (Whalen came in after this vote)


B. ANNOUNCEMENTS all meetings are recorded by Verizon, Comcast and Franklin Matters


C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONSnone


D. CITIZEN COMMENTS 



Deb Pellgri - with a reminder on papers for election can still be taken out by Fri 9/16 and returned by Monday, 9/19


Bob Donavan - citizens comment added during the middle of the appointments. Raising the issue with the fire dept budget cuts, the ambulance previously placed at Station 2 is now running from downtown and increasing response times, no hiring in last five years, a five doubles every thirty seconds, without proper manpower the fire can quickly get out of hand. 44% of the time one ambulance goes out, the second one will go out. With only 9 to staff, it is getting difficult. Basic point, it is a struggle. Thanks for allowing me to make this point.


E. APPOINTMENTS
2011 Election Workers
motion to approve, passed 9-0


Registrar of Voters
motion to approve, passed 9-0


Conservation Commission 
motion to approve, passed 9-0


Finance Committee 
motion to approve, passed 9-0
Listing of names to be added later

Mount St Mary's new Candy House

Mount St Mary's Abbey is holding a ribbon cutting and Open House on Saturday October 1, 2011 to celebrate their new candy house. Details are contained in the flyer.

Abbey Open House - Oct 1, 2011


Related posts about the Abbey:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/2nd-fund-raising-event-for-abbey-candy.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/mount-saint-marys-abbey-fund-raising.html

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/12/abbey-turbine-gets-wings.html



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