"We take responsibility for what happened that night"

The two liquor license hearings were conducted during the Town Council meeting on Weds. Village Mall Liquors has their license suspended for one day and they will close this Friday, Sep 13 to serve their penalty.

Ichigo Ichie will serve their 5 day penalty beginning Fri Sep 20th.They will be allowed to serve liquor again on Wednesday Sep 25.

Semerjian recommended a five-day suspension, which includes two days that were put aside from the restaurant’s first violation in July 2012. Typically, he noted, second offenders receive a three-day suspension with two put on hold for two years unless there is another incident. 

The restaurant requested a lighter sentence, however, saying the suspension hurts business. Since June, Brazilian said, Cheng has spent about $20,000 on preventing further violations, such as purchasing an electronic ID scanner.\ 

Councilors commended those efforts. But the stiffer penalty, they all agreed, should stand.

Ichigo Ichie may appeal their suspension contending the mitigating circumstance as reported but it is their second violation in the two years they have operated.

Read the full MDN article: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868837330/Franklin-council-strips-Ichigo-Ichie-of-liquor-license#ixzz2effuAuUM

Read the full detailed reporting as it occurred on Weds
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/live-reporting-hearings-liquor-licenses.html

Live reporting - closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
condolences to D Netto's family on his passing
best wishes to B Yadersaria who fell and is hospitalized

thanks to the DPW for the light at King St, getting good feedback from it

thanks to the school building workers for preparation of the schools in a short summer

thanks to the Council for working to make his job easier and to work well as a team

L. OLD BUSINESS

question on work with the lot next to the Post Office
owner claims to be making a site plan proposal and it has been delayed
will ask the Town Attorney to take a second look at it

Both Jeffs are tag teaming working with CSX to get a resolution

M. NEW BUSINESS
Pfeffer - initiate discussions on exploring acquistion of MBTA stationa nd parking lot downtown

Bissanti - would like to explore acquiring the small lot next to the town dump


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

Mercer - acknowledge the contractor for getting accomplished what needed to be done during the summer, all was done as scheduled and required
invite the council to a walk through Oct 7th 5::30 PM at the trailers

Kelly - I'd like to remind Mr Grillo that these positions are volunteer and that while I have missed a meeting, I have made many. And encourage him to take out papers for the Council if he thinks he can do a better job

Vallee - how come we are not listed in the Top 50?
Multiple answers to that question

Roy - there are so many numbers, it is purely a numbers game, we are still a high performing district
there is always room for improvement, there is an

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn

Live reporting - legislation

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Residence Inn by Marriott-Franklin: Change of Manager
motion to approve, passed 8-0

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
none

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Economic Development Committee scheduled for Oct 6 at 6:00 PM

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Bylaw Amendment 13-719: Changes to Chapter 185. Attachment 9. Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements – Referral to Planning Board
Bissanti and Mercer recused themselves
motion to waive the reading, passed
motion to move amendment to planning board, approved 6-0

2. Bylaw Amendment 13-720:Changes to Chapter 185-4. Districts Enumerated. – Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive the reading, passed
motion to move amendment to planning board, approved 6-0

3. Bylaw Amendment 13-721: Changes to Chapter 185-5. Zoning Map. - Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive the reading, passed
motion to move amendment to planning board, approved 6-0

4. Bylaw Amendment 13-722: Changes to Chapter 185-50. Residential VII Zoning District – Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive the reading, passed
will have some minor language changes to be brought forward at the time of approval
motion to move amendment to planning board, approved 6-0

5. Bylaw Amendment 13-723: Changes to Chapter 185 Use Regulation Schedule, Parts I through Parts VII. - Referral to Planning Board
motion to waive the reading, passed
motion to move amendment to planning board, approved 6-0

6. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-718: Changes to Chapter 185-7. Compliance Required - 1st Reading
motion to waive the reading, passed
motion to move to a second reading, passed 8-0 (Mercer and Bissanti returned)

7. Resolution 13-61: Acceptance of Relocated Water Easement and Release (Abandonment) of Original Water Easement on Property at 34 Longfellow Drive
motion to waive the reading, passed
the original easement was granted but the pipe was built outside the easement
motion to approve, passed 8-0

8. Resolution 13-62: Local Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 60A, Section 1, Paragraph 8
unanimous recommendation to Council by Senior Subcommittee
motion to approve, 8-0

9. Resolution 13-63: Local Acceptance of G.L. Chapter 60A, Section 9
unanimous recommendation to Council by Senior Subcommittee
motion to approve, 8-0

10. Resolution 13-64: Council on Aging – Outreach Coordinator
Amount requested $4,000 voted by FinCom (5-0) on 9/3/13 to approve
Bob Fahey had been outreach coordinator, was asked to serve as veterans agent
nitially served 6 cases for veterans, now has 30 cases and can't do both
a grant will fund most of this position, this is money well spent

also recommended by Senior Subcommittee, had been desired didn't have the opportunity, now we have the option to do so

motion to approve, passed 8-0

11. Resolution 13-65: Ratification of Town Administrator’s Contract
change date to Sep 4, 2013 from Feb date as shown, also needs to reflect date on contract as well
motion to approve, passed 8-0


12. Resolution 13-66: Authorization for Disposition (Sale) of Town-Owned Land (Vacant Parcel Between Old West Central and West Central Streets)
motion to waive the reading, passed

did post the land for sale, accepted bid as just over the minimum
motion to approve, passed 8-0

13. Resolution 13-67: Order of Taking – Downtown Roadway Improvements
motion to waive the reading, passed
motion to approve, passed 8-0 (via roll)

over 90 easements obtained, most are temporary to expire after construction
small amount will require compensation, required as part of the project bid
requires 2/3 vote

14. Resolution 13-68: Citizen Committee
motion to approve, passed 8-0

Live reporting - Citizens comment

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

Dennis Grillo
has 5 minutes to talk, normally 3

how are we going to handle the traffic, do we have sufficient shelter space, sufficient signage to indicate shelters
concerned about the combination of the various permits available for Franklin and the neighboring towns
some of the towns are getting together for a traffic study, I don;t see Franklin getting into that

complains to Kelly and Bissanti about their lack of participation in the hearings

issue with going green, which made the papers
administration took taxpayers money without guarantees, the businesses failed

he looks at numbers and it bothers him that his unborn grandson is burdened 
time expired

advised to return for the Master Plan hearing before the Town Council 9/25 (had been announced as 9/18)

live reporting - hearings - liquor licenses

F. HEARINGS

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 13-718: Changes to §185-7. Compliance Required
hearing opened, no comments from audience, no comments/question from Councilors

This would remove the restriction on putting a parking facility in the downtown area, it already is zoned that way for the residential area - which is backwards.

Hearing closed

awaiting time for start of next hearing



• 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 11, 2013- 7:10 PM

Village Mall Liquors

Chief Semerjian provides an update of the operations on June 25th that failed the compliance check

Village Mall Liquors is a first offence
Acknowledge offence, have instituted new procedures since
good cashier/clerk didn't check admittedly

3 days, one day immediate, 2 days held in abeyance
when a package store is penalized, the store closes 
agreed to be Fri Sep 13th


Ichigo Ichie
Jeff Roy recused himself from the hearing

potential dispute at least from the representing attorney, that additional details made present a different picture

as this is the second offense, and potentially disputed Mark Cerel advised to proceed with more formality than the prior hearing

Chief Semerjian restates the report, basically a simple operation, if the drink is given and the operative is able to control 

for purposes for the record, he was asked for the ID, he presented it and was still served

Attorney wanted to clarify on the expiration of the minor license, it does not expire on the date of the birth date

brief video to be shown on an iPad, apologizes for not bringing it on a more viewable format

owner had watched individual enter, fallowed the individual to the bar and talked to the bar tenders to alert them to the under age individuals

no dispute on the service, the owner did have a conversation immediately after the individual left; the bartender was fired, all the employees were re-certified on the license check

there was a violation last year, there was a red-alert for the individual, the only thing the manager didn't do was to check the id himself.

The restaurant took the first violation seriously, and are taking this one seriously
Under the circumstance, asking for consideration, asking for one day

Q - on how many checks have there been since the first one?
A - likely this is the fourth, we have done shoulder taps

Pfeffer - advises going with the 5 days

situation is different in that the second offense within the 2 years so the 2 days held in abeyance need to be considered; would be 5 days now, with two days held in abeyance

If the client challenges, or appeals to the ABC Board it could come back to the Council for  a new hearing

Jones, Mercer, Kelly similar comments on incident, good intentions don't always make for good results. Have a problem with changing precedent

Powderly - steps taken are necessary and thank you for them

motion to move penalty as 5 days served, 2 additional held in abeyance, to commence Sep 20th

Live reporting - Town Council - Sep 11, 2013

Present: Mercer, Kelly, Powderly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Roy
Absent: Dellorco

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– June 5, 2013, June 19, 2013
motion to approve meeting minutes, passed 8-0


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.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
– Robert R. Dean

Robert Dean, Council Chair Robert Vallee and Vice-Chair Tina Powderly

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Design Review Commission
Claudine Silverman
Robert J. Tobin Jr
motion to approve, passed 8-0

Conservation Commission
Dayna Gill
Ravi Pendkar
motion to approve, passed 8-0

Anything, anytime!

There is an old adage in the help desk support world:

If you don't tell them what you support, you support everything.
If you don't tell them how you support it, you support it their way.
And so forth ... you get the idea.

So when I find this sign seemingly failing to say what it prohibits, does it prohibit everything? or is everything fair game?

anything anytime

Fortunately, the sign is not on a high traffic street and thereby with little real impact.

Sign seems to be oddly placed

This "Do not enter" sign is oddly placed. There is a curb along the road. A utility pole, a tree, and a support line for the utility pole. Why would any one think this is a space to drive?

oddly placed sign

Is there a special reason for the placement of this sign?

Do you have a library card?

September is National Library Card Sign up Month and the Franklin Library is taking part. Do you have a library card?

Library card sign up month

Visit the Franklin Library page to find out what the library card can do for you.
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/index

Visit the American Library Association webpage for more on this month
http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/card

"We are moving along"

As shown with photos shared here, the solar farm up at the Mount St Mary's Abbey is making progress and part of it should go live in October.

National Grid, the town’s primary electricity provider, still has to perform some final safety and security checks, he said. 

The town will purchase the energy generated by the farm at a reduced rate. 

Kearsarge will begin work on the remaining 3 megawatts in the next 60 days. The complete farm will power about 70 percent of the town’s municipal and school buildings, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868836759/Portion-of-Franklins-solar-farm-nears-completion#ixzz2eZn13qA3

solar farm in July 2013

More photos from July 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/mount-st-marys-solar-farm-update.html

Photos from June 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/mount-st-marys-solar-farm.html

"best fit for the museum"

What to do with the former historical museum is an open question.

When the commission moved into its current museum on West Central Street three years ago, the South Franklin Congregational Meeting House no longer had a use and now stands perpetually empty. 

Recently, commissioners have been discussing with town officials potential uses for the old church — such as leasing or selling it — but have hit hurdle after hurdle. 

While the town has maintained the more than 150-year-old building to a certain extent, it will still require an extensive amount of work before it can be sold or repurposed, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868836740/Franklins-former-historical-museum-center-of-quandary#ixzz2eZldSpiC

Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Meeting - Sep 10

The Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee will have a meeting on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. The meeting will be held at the YMCA in Franklin and begin at 7:30 pm. Attached is an agenda, and the meeting is open to any one who wants to participate and help develop the trail.





Also, if you are interested in helping with the annual SNETT Benefit Road Race, please contact David Labonte at david.labonte@verizon.net or Terri Tomaino at territom2@comcast.net.

Re-routing the approach to the DPW Garage

Earlier this year, Franklin realized that the location of the approach to the DPW Garage off Hayward St was encroaching upon private property. Franklin was granted a formal easement and re-located the approach to the DPW Garage. The re-location is not finished but functional as shown in the photos taken recently.

Approaching the DPW Garage along Hayward St from RT 140

Re-routing Hayward St

closer view of the re-route

new approach to DPW Garage

full view of the approach to the DPW Garage

the approach from the other direction

Harmony from the Heart is scheduled for Saturday, Sep 21

What is Harmony from the Heart?

Its time for our annual Concert for Platelet Research. Entertainment by: PT 73, Kai Olsson, Abbi Elizabeth Butler, Jamie Barrett, Toby Olsson, Patrick Dreier. Guest Hosts former Major League Baseball Centerfielder Brett Butler and his wife Eveline. Tickets $25.00 in advance $30.00 the night of the event. Silent Auction and Raffles, good eats, great music. Join us for a night of fun, friends and fundraising. Tickets can be purchased and/or direct donations can be made online at http://tinyurl.com/HFTH2013. If purchasing tickets, just indicate how many in the 'special note' section of the donation page and your name will be added to our guest list. All proceeds benefit The Center for Platelet Research Studies at Boston Children's Hospital. It's a great night out for a great cause. Join us and thanks so much for your support!

You can also find information about this event on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/536548363083792/

Citizen's Committee scope creep?

The Town Council meeting scheduled for Weds Sep 11th has an item to add the responsibility for watching over the condition of the Franklin/Dean Train Station to the Citizens Committee

RESOLUTION 13-68 

CITIZEN COMMITTEE 

WHEREAS, the Citizen Committee was created by the Town Council to allow for participation by the citizens to provide valuable input in critical areas; and 

WHEREAS, the Citizen Committee has expressed concern with the current condition of the Downtown train station where the train station is a gateway to our community. 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town Council of the Town of Franklin requests the Citizen Committee and Town Administrator investigate what steps are needed to ensure that the station and the surrounding parking lot are kept in good repair. 

This resolution shall become effective according to the provisions of the Town of Franklin Home Rule Charter.

I don't follow this one.

Milford Daily News had an article in August where the Chair of the Citizens Committee referred to the work being done on the station as it "looks like the South Bronx".
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/we-have-long-way-to-go.html

The work was completed and now the train station looks pretty good

new roof on the downtown train station

new roof, copper trim, on the recently repair train station