Union St brick crosswalk status

When Union St was redone, there was discussion on how long the brick cross walks would last. On a recent photo walk around town, I took these photos that show signs of deterioration.

At the intersection of Union and Washington, going up Washington

Washington St at Union St

Also at the intersection but on the Union St side

Union St at Washington St

On Union St near the corner of Cottage St

Union St at Cottage St

For the Franklin road condition report published earlier this year visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/franklin-road-conditions-from-worst-to.html

The Franklin DPW road plan as introduced in August
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/it-just-needs-extra-million-bucks-year.html

Franklin Library - "get organized'

The craft activity scheduled for Monday at the Franklin Public Library is themed "Get Organized". Targeted for 6 to 12 year old children, they can put together their own school organizer.

get organized

This was re-posted from the Franklin Public Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2013/09/krafty-monday-get-organized.html

For other activities and events at the Library follow them on Facebook too
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinPublicLibrary

Parent Letter on Pediculosis (head lice)

The recent letter to Oak St parents that is causing some conversation




You can find this letter on the Oak St School webpage
http://oakelementary.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinOak_News/01BA4B18-000F8513.0/Parent%20Letter%20Pediculosis%20Protocol.pdf

WMRC Senior Expo Sep 27

WMRC Expo Sep 27

Sign up for the Expo on Friday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. featuring:
• Senior Fashion Show sponsored by TJ Maxx
• Cabaret singer, Carol O’Shaughnessy performs - don’t miss it!
• Over 30 exhibitors with information about senior programs and services
• Flu and pneumonia vaccines, health screenings, GATRA ID’s and Charlie Cards will be available
• Silver Spirit Award for a senior who has shown the most community spirit - nomination forms are at the Senior Center, must be submitted by 9/12
• Free Box Lunches to the first 250 attendees; get lunch tickets at the Center
• Great raffle prizes, including a $50 gift card raffled off each half hour!
• Overflow parking at the Early Child Development Center at 224 Oak St., next to the Senior Center, with shuttle service every half hour.

PLEASE NOTE: PLEASE NOTE: The Senior Center will not open unti l 10:00 a.m. on Expo Day!!

Read the full copy of September's Franklin Connections newsletter

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/Sept13connection.pdf

Farmers Market - Town Common - noon to 6:00 PM

The Farmers Market is still open every Friday through October.

farmers market sign downtown

Stop by to get fresh produce!

farmers market on a sunny day

"It is rewarding"

As reported live during the Town Council meeting on Wednesday evening, Jeff Nutting received a good review and his contract was renewed for another 5 years.

With little pomp, Town Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to extend Nutting’s town administrator contract, which expired on June 30, another five years. Nutting will take home a salary of $165,000 with a 2-and-a-half percent raise next year. He earned $144,700 in 2011, according to the 2012 Town Report. 

He thanked the councilors for being "progressive" and for trusting his decisions. 

"They always keep the town’s interest at heart, show strong leadership and allow me to do my job for them," Nutting said after the meeting. "They don’t micromanage; they give us a task and we do it." 

Looking ahead, he wants to focus on maintaining and perhaps adding to the town’s workforce, particularly emergency services.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1655336303/Franklins-Nutting-inked-to-new-deal#ixzz2elTUWs3O

My summary of the Council meeting and the links with the live reporting details can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/09/liquor-license-suspensions-to-be-served.html

In the News: girl is found, 1993 plans reunion

Medfield girl found; suspected man in custody

A Medfield teenager missing since Monday was found safe Thursday morning in Rhode Island.

Franklin High Class of 1993 plans for 20th reunion

The Franklin High School Class of 1993 will hold its 20^th reunion at CBS Scene in Patriots Place on Saturday, Oct. 12th  at 7 p.m. in the lower level.

2 warehouses in Franklin sold

The Boston Business Journal reports on the sale of two warehouses in Franklin

Novaya Real Estate Ventures, a real estate investment firm based in Woburn, Mass. has purchased two industrial buildings in Franklin, Mass from TA Associates. 

Novaya declined to disclose the terms. The building at 176 Grove St., a 169,968-square-foot warehouse, was purchased for $7.27 million and the second property, a 59,970-square-foot distribution facility at 130 Constitution Boulevard, sold for $3.87 million, according to the Norfolk Registry of Deeds.

Read the rest of the article here
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/real_estate/2013/09/two-franklin-warehouses-sell-for-11m.html

Liquor license suspensions to be served

The Village Mall Liquor Store near Stop & Shop will be closed on Friday, Sep 13th to serve its one day liquor license suspension. 2 additional days suspension will be held in abeyance for two years as this is their first violation.

Ichigo Ichie, the Japanese themed restaurant will be open for business but unable to serve liquor from Sep 20 through Sep 24 as currently scheduled. This is their second offense and they have only been open for 2 years. The second offense usually is 3 days suspension with 2 held in abeyance for two years. As this is their second offense in two years, the 2 days held in abeyance from last year apply here to make it a 5 days suspension of liquor sales. They have a food license which is not affected this, they can remain open and serve food and drink as long as the drinks are NOT alcohol.

Bob Dean, was recognized for his work in multiple capacities over the years for Franklin.

Several zoning bylaw changes were referred to the Planning Board for action. Assuming the Planning Board approves, they'll come back to the Council for 2 hearings before the final vote.

Jeff Nutting's contract was renewed for 5 years.

Additional details from the full Town Council meeting can be found in these links

• Live reporting - closing
• Live reporting - legislation
• Live reporting - Citizens comment
• live reporting - hearings - liquor licenses
• Live reporting - Town Council - Sep 11, 2013

Franklin's Dacey Field

On a beautiful sunny day in July, I stopped by Dacey Fields to take some photos. It is great recreational space. There are multiple soccer fields and two youth baseball fields. The playground lacking any shade cover was unused while the dog park with good shade cover was being used.

I did not venture into the field disc golf course to take photos there as the work to complete that is not done and the town doesn't really want to advertise it until it is complete.

The photos I took are in this slide show:

"Special attention in the Medfield and South Eastern Massachusetts area."

Brittany, who attends Tri-County Regional Vocational High School in Franklin, is developmentally delayed and police say they have reason to believe she is in danger. 

When last seen, Brittany was wearing a red sleeveless shirt, blue jeans, and flip flops. She has braces on her teeth and typically wears her sunglasses on her head. Brittany is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 140 pounds, police said. 

The man she was seen leaving with had on a "Sons of Anarchy" T-shirt and has slicked back hair. He is described as white and heavy-set, police said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1655335876/Police-seek-help-in-locating-missing-Tri-County-student#ixzz2efiUfxym

"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)