Monday, December 17, 2012

Franklin, MA: Planning Board - Agenda - Dec 17, 2012

The Planning Board has a full agenda on tap for Monday night. From the proposal for the Franklin TV studio on Hutchinson St, to the Stop & Shop gas station, there are quite a few proposal for review and discussion. The full agenda document can be viewed here:





You can also find the document on the Franklin web page here

Free holiday parking downtown

There is free parking (2 hour limit) downtown to help with your holiday shopping.



This was discussed at the recent Town Council meetings and quickly implemented (hence the plastic bags and writing in markers).



From the Nov 28th meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/live-reporting-closing.html

From the Dec 5th meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/live-reporting-legislation-closing.html

In the News: veterans, charities



Finding veterans to help can be tough

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Joint Statement on Franklin Schools opening Monday

To the Franklin Community,

In the midst of the overwhelming sadness brought on by the tragic incident in Newtown, CT public safety officials, school personnel and Town of Franklin officials are more committed than ever to the safety of all students, teachers, administrators, and support staff that occupy our schools and public facilities. All parents should feel secure and comfortable in the fact that the schools and public safety are vigilant in our pledge to prepare, train, and if necessary, carry out all functions necessary to counter any threat to the well- being of anyone associated with the schools in our community.

Each school has a comprehensive safety and emergency response plan that has been developed in collaboration with the Police Department, Fire Department, Facilities staff and the administration of the School Department. Our practice drills are monitored by the police and we continually refine our procedures based on the feedback we receive form our public safety officials. Our emergency plans are reviewed with all school personnel annually. In October, the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent met with Police officials to review our building based plans and to review current research on handling these violent situations. As part of our on- going collaboration we will review/revise our plans according to best practices. On November 15, the Franklin Police Department and the Office of the District Attorney sponsored a crisis drill at Franklin HS. Based on the training we are refining our procedures within the context of the most up to date research from national law enforcement leaders.

As school opens on Monday, each school leadership team developed a plan to address any issues that impact students as they arrive at school. We requested the police have a presence on each campus to assure students and parents that our commitment to a safe educational environment is a community priority. We encouraged our school administrators and teachers to engage in the typical day to day programs that have been scheduled and follow the normal routines. Using Open Circle, Middle School Advisory and our trained counseling professionals, we are able to support and meet the emotional needs of our children.

As we move forward we want to assure all parents and concerned residents of our combined dedication to providing an environment where all those at the schools feel protected and secure, where they know that school and public safety professionals are alert to possible threats, where they have confidence in public safety’s readiness for any incident that may threaten that security, and where there can be no doubt in our ability to engage in what we see as integral part of our duty to protect and serve. Please feel free to contact any or all of us if you have any questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Jeff Nutting                                      Stephan Semerjian
Town Administrator                         Chief, Franklin Police Department

Gary McCarraher                            Maureen Sabolinski
Chief, Franklin Fire Department       Superintendent of Schools

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Dec 19, 2012


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 11, 2012 Budget Workshop

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Citizenship Award – James E. Vallee

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS – 7:10 PM
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-695:Changes to § 185-31. Site Plan and Design Review
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-696:Changes to § 185-20. H. Signs. Sign Approvals
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-697:Changes to § 185-45. N. Administration and Enforcement. Design Review Commission

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Citizens Committee

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-75-R: Town of Franklin Net Metering Power Purchase Agreement Authorization
2. Resolution 12-85: Appropriation - Technology-Consulting
3. Resolution 12-86: Appropriation - Health Insurance Payroll Withholdings Account
4. Resolution 12-87: Appropriation – Kensington Estates
5. Resolution 12-88: Acceptance of Gift - Recreation
6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-695:Changes to § 185-31. Site Plan and Design
Review- 1st Reading
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-696:Changes to § 185-20. H. Signs. Sign Approvals-
1st Reading
8. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-697:Changes to § 185-45. N. Administration and
Enforcement. Design Review Commission- 1st 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

The full agenda and associated documents as released for this meeting can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/121912.pdf


"I think we need to be open with our children"

The Milford Daily News article with local reaction to the tragedy in Newtown, CT quotes from Chief Semerjian's letter.
Although many schools will likely look to tighten security, Franklin Police Chief Stephan H. Semerjian believes society needs a fundamental change. 
"The underlying issue as I see it is our society’s mental health," Semerjian wrote Friday in a letter to the community. "The inability of us as a people to help those in crisis before violence becomes the answer; before the anger boils over." 
Semerjian said he believes people need to act to stop cycles of family violence — something he said often leads to children learning responses of anger and violence. 
"We lose care and respect for one another and those closest to us," he said. "Moreover, we have no respect in ourselves or our lives and begin to believe that life is cheap, worth nothing."

Read more: Parents grapple to describe the unthinkable - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/features/x719507046/Parents-grapple-to-describe-the-unthinkable#ixzz2FDdNupLV

The full text of Franklin Police Chief Semerjian's letter can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/a-word-from-chief-sandy-hook-tragedy.html

"We don't know as much as we need to know"

The Milford Daily News has an article on the new electronic cigarette and how there is a gap in the coverage by local bylaws.
Jack Patel said he has been selling a lot of flavored electronic cigarettes at his shop, Cigars & More in Franklin. 
"I see a lot of people into this," Patel said. "They like it," he added. "It helps them to quit cigarettes and, plus, it’s cheaper than regular cigarettes." 
Kiklas said the number of users has shot up from 50,000 in 2008 to 3.5 million, and that number is expected to double by the end of next year. 
"I have heard projections that in five years, 20 percent of smokers in the U.S. will transition to our technology," he said. 
Unless prohibited by local law, people in Massachusetts are free to use the devices anywhere - and that can cause problems.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x719507194/Local-bylaws-cloud-future-use-of-electronic-cigarettes#ixzz2FDbS9Lwz

Where is Cigars & More?