Present: Mercer, Dellorco, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– May 8, 2013, May 15, 16, 2013 Budget Hearings
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.
motion to add to hearing
seconded, approved 9-0
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Larry Bennedetto -
Town assuming ownership of train station, Stoughton doing this, want to talk with them first
acquiring 21 acres adjanct to the Recylcing center, Rep Jeff Roy will be working
Richard Cornetta introduced
Motion to allow non-residents to speak, seconded, passed 9-0
Roy McDowell, Todd McDowell
working Legacy Farms in Hopkinton
interest in Pond Street property
looking to work with whomever to do an RFP to sell the property
not a good idea yet but wanted to see interest from Town before pursuing
have looked atr previous plans and can work within those comments
can't be discussed under citizens comments but if they stick around, it can be discussed later
E. APPOINTMENTS
Conservation Commission: Paul Harrington
motion to approve appointment, seconded, passed 9-0
Cultural Council: Rev. Bob Johnnene
motion to approve appointment, seconded, passed 9-0
Election Workers: (see listing in agenda doc)
motion to approve appointment, seconded, passed 9-0
one name to remove Jorgenson(?) as they are no longer a resident
F. HEARINGS
- Violation of M.G.L. 138 §34: Sale, Delivery of Furnishing of an Alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21 – Postponed to September 4, 2013- 7:10 PM (Ichigo Ichie and Village Mall Liquors)
hearing added to be continued to Sep 4th
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Master Plan: Zoning
The draft Master Plan 2013 for Franklin is chock full of great information. Zoning plans an important role in how Franklin operates and grows. Look around town, there are commercial zones and residential areas. These are all by design. The design can be changed via the zoning process and the overall guidelines to the design come from the Master Plan. The full plan document runs over 90 pages but should be required summer reading for each Franklin resident and voter.
You can participate in the Public Hearing on this draft on Saturday at the Library at 10:00 AM
The overview section on zoning is shared here:
Zoning
A municipality’s authority to create zoning laws comes from Chapter 40A of the Massachusetts General Laws and Article 89 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution. Zoning plays an important role in the character of the town and the spatial distribution of land uses. This distribution of land uses has social, environmental, and economic consequences on the Town. These consequences can have positive and negative impacts. For example, increased economic development can help support the Town’s tax base and provide local jobs, but it can also lead to increased traffic congestion. Also, the ways in which development occurs impacts how stormwater is managed, and therefore affects the quality and supply of the Town’s water. Since zoning regulations affect where specific types of development are allowed, it plays a crucial role in the livability of the Town.
In the past sixty years land use theory on zoning has changed considerably. During the mid-20th century single-use zoning became the norm. The developed areas of most communities increased substantially and spread out as residential, commercial, and industrial areas were built far apart from each other. Franklin experienced this pattern of development, commonly known as sprawl, to some extent in the mid twentieth century, but by the 1980s and 1990s residential sprawl had occurred throughout Town, substantial industrial development was occurring on industrially zoned lands west of I-495, and commercial development was
increasing along Route 140.
There are both benefits and advantages, and costs and disadvantages, to this type of development. Some of the benefits and advantages include: ease of permitting; segregated residential areas are thought of as safe; and homes segregated away from commercial and industrial uses often have higher values. Some of the disadvantages and negative consequences of sprawl include increased traffic congestion and time commuting, loss of open spaces, damaged natural resources and wildlife habitat, and loss of a rural New England character. Furthermore, low-density, sprawling development tends not to pay for itself due to the higher infrastructure costs. The Town has recognized the advantages and disadvantages of single-use development and has worked to minimize these issues by amending the Town’s Zoning Bylaws.
Description of Zones
Franklin’s zoning code is documented in Chapter 185 of the Town Code for the purpose of promoting the:
You can view the full document online on the Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/pages/master-plan
You can participate in the Public Hearing on this draft on Saturday at the Library at 10:00 AM
The overview section on zoning is shared here:
Zoning
A municipality’s authority to create zoning laws comes from Chapter 40A of the Massachusetts General Laws and Article 89 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution. Zoning plays an important role in the character of the town and the spatial distribution of land uses. This distribution of land uses has social, environmental, and economic consequences on the Town. These consequences can have positive and negative impacts. For example, increased economic development can help support the Town’s tax base and provide local jobs, but it can also lead to increased traffic congestion. Also, the ways in which development occurs impacts how stormwater is managed, and therefore affects the quality and supply of the Town’s water. Since zoning regulations affect where specific types of development are allowed, it plays a crucial role in the livability of the Town.
In the past sixty years land use theory on zoning has changed considerably. During the mid-20th century single-use zoning became the norm. The developed areas of most communities increased substantially and spread out as residential, commercial, and industrial areas were built far apart from each other. Franklin experienced this pattern of development, commonly known as sprawl, to some extent in the mid twentieth century, but by the 1980s and 1990s residential sprawl had occurred throughout Town, substantial industrial development was occurring on industrially zoned lands west of I-495, and commercial development was
increasing along Route 140.
There are both benefits and advantages, and costs and disadvantages, to this type of development. Some of the benefits and advantages include: ease of permitting; segregated residential areas are thought of as safe; and homes segregated away from commercial and industrial uses often have higher values. Some of the disadvantages and negative consequences of sprawl include increased traffic congestion and time commuting, loss of open spaces, damaged natural resources and wildlife habitat, and loss of a rural New England character. Furthermore, low-density, sprawling development tends not to pay for itself due to the higher infrastructure costs. The Town has recognized the advantages and disadvantages of single-use development and has worked to minimize these issues by amending the Town’s Zoning Bylaws.
Description of Zones
Franklin’s zoning code is documented in Chapter 185 of the Town Code for the purpose of promoting the:
“health, safety, convenience, morals and welfare of the inhabitants of the Town of Franklin, to lessen the danger from fire and congestion, to encourage the most appropriate use of land and to improve the Town under the provisions of Chapter 40A of the General Laws, and of Article 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution. For this purpose, the use, construction, repair, alteration, height, area and the location of buildings and structures and the use of premises in the Town of Franklin are regulated as hereinafter provided.”The zoning code is regularly modified to reflect the current needs of the Town. At present, the Town Code divides Franklin into 14 Zoning Districts. It should be noted however, that while Zoning Districts have been established within Chapter 185 Section 4 for Limited Industrial and Neighborhood Commercial, no parcels have formally been designated to those zoning districts, and thus are not shown on the Town’s Zoning Map (see Map LU-1: Zoning Map).
You can view the full document online on the Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/pages/master-plan
DelCarte Property: summer time!
I was overdue for a run out by the DelCarte Property and covered that with a visit on Sunday. A gorgeous weather day for running and a wonderful time to view the repaired dam.
A brief video with a panorama view
Going back to December 2012 for a comparison view
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video_20.html
 |
| shadowed approach to the dam |
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| the reconstructed dam |
A brief video with a panorama view
Going back to December 2012 for a comparison view
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video_20.html
In the News: General Cable accident, nomination papers available
Man injured in accident at General Cable in Franklin
An employee of General Cable in Franklin suffered serious injuries after he was caught in a piece of machinery, said Deputy Fire Chief Paul J. Sharpe Jr.
Nomination papers available for Franklin elections
Nomination papers for the fall election - in which all seats on the Town Council and School Committee will be on the ballot - were made available this week.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Master Plan: Mission and Vision Statements
Leading up to the public hearing Saturday, Aug 10th on the Master Plan, I'll share sections of the draft document to help foster discussion. The hearing will take place at the Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St at 10:00 AM.
From the Master Plan draft document -
The Master Plan Committee (MPC) developed the following Master Plan Mission Statement, which it used as a guide throughout the Plan development process:
The MPC also developed a vision statement for Franklin:
You can find the whole master plan document here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/pages/FranklinMA_Planning/masterplandoc/doc
The presentation and notes from the Town Council meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/the-master-plan-is-here-master-plan-is.html
From the Master Plan draft document -
The Master Plan Committee (MPC) developed the following Master Plan Mission Statement, which it used as a guide throughout the Plan development process:
“Franklin is a community committed to high quality education and the superb delivery of public services. We strive to attract and retain businesses, both profit and non-profit, that grow our economy, create jobs, and contribute to a vibrant downtown center. We are committed to cultivating accessible open space, a sense of neighborhood, and a desire to preserve the character of our New England town. We support the safe and efficient movement of people and goods within the Town of Franklin, and across the regional transportation network, by
providing a range of integrated transportation options. We are a community dedicated to effective planning, responsible land use, balanced growth, responsive government, racial, religious and economic diversity, and care and concern for its citizens and the environment. We value our arts, cultural and natural resources, heritage, and history, in order to foster a well-balanced community.”
The MPC also developed a vision statement for Franklin:
“To be a vibrant community that supports the arts, non-profit organizations, higher education and businesses in an atmosphere that allows growth and prosperity while at the same time conserving our heritage, natural resources, and history. We will build on and celebrate our uniqueness as a community and maintain the quality of life that is a strength and competitive advantage.”
You can find the whole master plan document here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/pages/FranklinMA_Planning/masterplandoc/doc
The presentation and notes from the Town Council meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/the-master-plan-is-here-master-plan-is.html
Franklin Library: Pumpernickel Puppets, Aug 7 - 1:00 PM
The Library program for Wednesday, August 7th is shown in this flyer
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| Pumpernickel Puppets |
For more about Pumpernickel Puppets you can visit their webpage
http://www.pumpernickelpuppets.com/shows.html
"6.25 percent charge on various IT activities"
Technical help is going to get a little harder to provide in MA due to a new tax law that became effective on July 31.
Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x853699007/Local-business-owners-speak-out-against-IT-tax#ixzz2bBP2NjeB
Cara Mulcahy, who owns the Franklin web site design firm Avenir Services, said the tax does not affect the services she currently offers. She said, though, it would discourage her from providing new services.
"My concern is that it's so vague that it could affect me down the road," she said. "It's prohibiting me from expanding my services."
Mulcahy, of Wrentham, said she feared that if she were to send her customers a bill with a "tax" line item, they could take their business to New Hampshire firms, which do not have to charge a tax.
Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x853699007/Local-business-owners-speak-out-against-IT-tax#ixzz2bBP2NjeB
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