Dean College Quarterback Signs Letter of Intent to Play for Elon University

Trevor Vasey studying at Dean College

2012 freshman starting quarterback Trevor Vasey (Cumberland, RI) expects to compete for starting job at NCAA Division 1 Elon University

Franklin, MA (December 19, 2012) – Freshman Trevor Vasey, starting quarterback for the 2012 Dean College Bulldogs football team, today signed a letter of intent to play for National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 (Southern Conference) Elon University.

In 2012, Vasey led the Bulldogs to a winning record in the Northeast Football Conference of the National Junion College Athletic Association.  Vasey earned the starting quarterback job as a freshman, easily leading the conference in passing yards with 1,848 and passing touchdowns with 15.  Vasey completed 51% of his passes, averaging 231 yard per game. Vasey also rushed for one touchdown in the season.

Trevor Vasey in action on the football field

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In the News: Site plan, Tri-County award

Former Rep Vallee honored during meeting as well.

Franklin bylaw change planned

by Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Jacqueline Tedesco gains for academic excellence!

Tri-County student wins award

by Staff reports

Plan Ahead for Holiday Travel

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Plan Ahead for Holiday Travel

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 12/19/12

MassDOT encourages residents and visitors to drive safely and use public transportation where possible during the upcoming holidays.

As always, I-90 Exit 9 connecting I-84 to Connecticut and New York experiences heavy traffic on peak holiday travel days. Drivers are encouraged to consider travel during the early morning or after 8 p.m.  Traffic congestion is also typical at the I-95 and I-495 Turnpike interchanges along with I-495 and I-93 northbound leading into New Hampshire.
To avoid cash tolls, EZPass on the Go transponders are available at all 11 I-90 Service Plazas.  

MassDOT's Traffic and Travel Resources page includes links to all MassDOT travel resources.
Visit MassDOT's online traffic camera webpage with more than 90 live traffic cameras throughout the highway system. The cameras refresh every 10 seconds to provide real time traffic views.  The 511 traffic alert system alerts customers to traffic conditions throughout the holiday weekend.

Free coffee will be served at all 18 MassDOT service plazas courtesy of McDonalds, Burger King, and Gulf between 10 p.m. on Christmas night, Tuesday, December 25, until 5 a.m. on Wednesday, December 26, and between 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve, Monday, December 31, until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, January 1, 2013.

In case of wintry travel weather, motorists should drive with headlights on, observe posted speed limits, never drink and drive, make sure everyone is using a seatbelt and be on the lookout for changing weather conditions. More information on safe winter driving is available at the MassDOT website.

The MBTA Christmas Day through New Year's Day holiday service schedule includes a Sunday service schedule for Tuesday, December 25 and Tuesday, January 1, 2013.  The T provides additional trains and FREE service after 8:00pm on New Year's Eve, December 31.  Check out the full T schedule at www.mbta.com.

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• Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

live reporting - Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
I would like to echo the comments for having a top notch School Administration, they made several updates over the weekend to

Vallee - you're going to meet with those three people (Jones, Pfeffer, Bissanti) and the Planners
Nutting - yes, that's why I wanted some time to do so


L. OLD BUSINESS
Roy - meeting with NationalGrid, making progress
Bissanti - and interesting meeting, my first, communication was fleshed out as the problem, they know that now.
Nnutting - the Union loop feeds six towns, they are putting together a 1-4 year plan to upgrade that, they are also looking to site more equipment in the town which will help. The DPU will assist us in keeping on eye on this

M. NEW BUSINESS
Powderly - possibility of online banking to improve the online payment options
Nutting - Jim Dacey is looking at and RFP for this, perhaps we'd have something for next fiscal year

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Roy - thanks to Jeff and Tina for putting together that notice, it was a mind boggling event. It is important to ensure our community that their children are safe. It is a frequent topic of concern. i get sworn in and will be attending a meeting shortly thereafter.

Bissanti - I want to echo what Jeff Nutting said, the schools, teacher, principals did a great job handling this. I am getting good comments back from others who go to the schools. I can't understand how these things occur. We may not understand. It is a tragedy.

Jones - I appreciate the letter as read tonight. I was emotionally effected by the event esp with five children of my own. I do feel comforted by the fact that the Schools, teachers, principals, Administration go out of their way to take care of the children.  Merry Christmas, enjoy the holidays.

Pfeffer - tonight we celebrated a former Rep, it was a great tribute to him and his family.

Powderly - any update on the fuel assistance money?
Nutting - Bob Fahey and the Food Pantry

I was able to take part in the Friends of Franklin wrapping party, gifts were wrapped within 45 minutes.
happy holidays and happy new year to everyone

Dellorco - Our staff does a great job, there are alot of folks that do a great job looking out for the safety of the children.

Mercer - I echo the comments of my fellow councilors, happy holidays to all


O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
approve via roll call vote, 8-0

Live reporting - Legislation

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-75-R: Town of Franklin Net Metering Power Purchase Agreement Authorization
motion to approve, passed 8-0

2. Resolution 12-85: Appropriation - Technology-Consulting
motion to approve, passed 8-0

Nutting - due to requirements for state level reporting, request to outsource some services and to hire someone to backfill the position to cover what we need. The world is becoming more technical not less. A new technology can bring us to a complete standstill. It is short money for a big bang.

3. Resolution 12-86: Appropriation - Health Insurance Payroll Withholdings Account
motion to approve, passed 8-0

Susan Gagner - in FY 12, some money was charged to the employee account in error. The Town had a surplus closed out to Free Cash. Looking to take the money back to cover the account. If found earlier, it could have been done with an accounting transfer

4. Resolution 12-87: Appropriation – Kensington Estates
motion to approve, passed 8-0

Nutting -a four lot subdivision was proposed off Beach St, one developer sold it to another who didn't finish the road. This amount will cover the work, the DPW will cover the work in the summer of 2013

5. Resolution 12-88: Acceptance of Gift - Recreation
motion to approve, passed 8-0

Nutting - a small donation, we'll send a thank you

6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 12-695:Changes to § 185-31. Site Plan and Design Review- 1st Reading
motion to table 12-695, 12-696, 12-697 to next meeting , passed 8-0

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

Live reporting - Citizens Committee update

Larry Bennedetto

the committee was going to have a final report tonight but the committee has decided to stay in business as there are some things remaining to do

We have been working with the T on the train station, it is a mess down there and we are trying to do something with it.

I heard tonight that Jim Vallee is willing to work on the committee, so we may come back to change the membership

Live reporting: Public Hearing - Site Plan and Design Review

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
none

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

Overview from Jeff Nutting
how do we make this process simpler? If an existing space and not changing much, how do we make it easier; no site plan or limited site plan. We think it is a fair proposal to streamline the process. Currently all have to go through the full process. If there are tweaks required, we can do so between the 1st and 2nd reading.

Bryan Taberner, Director Planning and Community Development
Beth Dahstrom, Town Planner
Gus Brown, Building Inspector

Currently only one process in place, the Planning Board is stuck forcing all proposals to follow the same way.

12-695 a complete re-write of the site plan and design review bylaw
12-696 removes sign sections from this and puts them into one place as opposed to across documents
12-697 administration and enforcement information on the Design Review Commission

Economic Development committee has recommended this as well as the Planning Board
I also recommend looking at the comparison chart

Pfeffer - this makes no sense to me, hasn't from the beginning, doesn't now

Roy - why 500 sq ft the rule for exemption, just curious for the amount to make this the exemption
Taberner - we did struggle with this figure, we needed a simple number to go with a relatively small change. It is up for discussion on what is appropriate.
Nutting - for every 1,000 sq ft, you need a parking space; this is less so to make the smaller change easier; it may not be a magic number but that is how we did it.

Bissanti - I'd like to speak to my concerns on a broader manner, if there is not a site plan on a property regardless of size needs a full blown plan. If there is not one already, Even a small developer can not be put through the full plan. There is discretion now, a limited site plan is a misnomer.

Taberner - as it is today, if there is no site plan on the property, and want to make a change small or large, wording is so specific. We can leave it the way it is, we need to make it fair to each developer coming in. Silly things could happen, not that they do, they could. It is a mess, not only at a Planning Board meeting, maybe this or maybe that is not the way to deal with an applicant. Reality is it needs to be fixed. It is hard on the planning board, developer, and staff.

Nutting - we made a proposal, if we have to tweak it, we can.

Dahlstrom - Did you have a chance to read the scenarios? i hope you did. Each scenario has occurred in the office. We can not answer the question on whether it is limited or full, there is no way to say.

Vallee - the majority of the Council have an issue with the bylaw. I wan to appoint a subcommittee of three to meet and review this before it comes back to us.