Franklin Downtown Holiday Stroll today
The Franklin Downtown Partnership will offer a treat to revelers this evening with its annual Holiday Stoll.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
In the News: Holiday Stroll
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Live reporting: Town Council - Dec 4, 2013
Present: Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams,
Absent: Feldman
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 16, 2013
motion to accept, seconded, 8-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
skipped right by me so I get to say something later
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-82 : Adoption of Town Council Procedures Manual
motion to accept, second, passed 8-0
2. Resolution 13-83: 505 West Central Street – A Private Way Acceptance of Covenant with Owner
motion to accept, second, passed 8-0
Nutting - this is an agreement to not have a public way where Wendy's is located
3. Resolution 13-84: Confirmatory Order of Taking – Land at 37 Beaver Street
motion to accept, second, passed 8-0
Nutting - bought land, house will be torn down, eventually the parking lot will be expanded for the Senior Center
4. Bylaw Amendment 13-725: Amendment to Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic – 1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, second, passed 8-0
putting into place the bylaw to cover the two way traffic on Main St as part of the Downtown Project
5. Bylaw Amendment 13-724: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates- 2nd Reading
Nutting - this is follow up
Padula - didn't we decide 2 weeks?
Kelly - doesn't really matter 10 days of 2 weeks,
Nutting - calendar days from time of purchase
motion to amend to 14 days, seconded, passed 8-0
motion to accept, second, passed 8-0 via roll call
Citizens Comment
I mentioned The Christmas Carol performance on Dec 12
tickets $10 and available at the Food Pantry and online.
Held at the Franklin United Methodist Church, the performance benefits the Franklin Food Pantry
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Holiday Stroll on Dec 5th
Item on next agenda to address bylaw regarding the impervious coverage for the Cook's Farm property, and a referral to the Planning Board
L. OLD BUSINESS
Bissanti - flag situation, spoke to Mark Ellis, Chair of the Elks
would be contact for the flags putting them up down, etc.
Butting - just come talk with me
Pfeffer - some discussion on the lighting poles regarding the flag holder
Nutting - there is the whole parking issue with downtown, my goal was to come back in Jan/Feb
I am leaning towards keeping the meters and replace them with newer meters that take credit cards
Let me layout all the options so you can make a decision
Nutting - liquor second offence coming up on the next agenda
minutes from the workshop coming 2 weeks at the latest
M. NEW BUSINESS
Padula - preparations on bylaws for the boards and committees
Cerel - your a legislative body, they are mostly an administrative body, their biggest business is holding and conducting public hearing
Padula - can we get copies?
Cerel - largely your talking about the Planning Board, Zoning Board, Conservation Committee
Padula - if there is protocol in place, what I'd like to see is what we have in place
Cerel - Planning Board has special permit and sub-division coding
Nutting - they are separate entities, you can direct what they do
Some of them are not subject to litigation that some other Boards are, the committee chair will call us from time to time for advice. He will be doing it with the Conservation Commission and it is being scheduled.
Padula - I'll meet with them separately rather than taking more time here. I don't want to get into areas that I shouldn't or we shouldn't
Mercer - budget subcommittee had its first meeting, Jeff got us up to speed and we started the long range plan update; OPEB is the issue that we are facing and will face for some time
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Bissnati - hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving
Jones - thanks to EMC for putting on a great event for economic development, lots of info to absorb; taking the info to the EDC meeting next week
Padula - thanks to the hard work for the preparation, they are great talents and good to work with
Nutting - our doors are always open
Tree lighting ceremony at Dean at 4:00 PM
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 8-0
Absent: Feldman
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 16, 2013
motion to accept, seconded, 8-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
skipped right by me so I get to say something later
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-82 : Adoption of Town Council Procedures Manual
motion to accept, second, passed 8-0
2. Resolution 13-83: 505 West Central Street – A Private Way Acceptance of Covenant with Owner
motion to accept, second, passed 8-0
Nutting - this is an agreement to not have a public way where Wendy's is located
3. Resolution 13-84: Confirmatory Order of Taking – Land at 37 Beaver Street
motion to accept, second, passed 8-0
Nutting - bought land, house will be torn down, eventually the parking lot will be expanded for the Senior Center
4. Bylaw Amendment 13-725: Amendment to Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic – 1st Reading
motion to move to second reading, second, passed 8-0
putting into place the bylaw to cover the two way traffic on Main St as part of the Downtown Project
5. Bylaw Amendment 13-724: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates- 2nd Reading
Nutting - this is follow up
Padula - didn't we decide 2 weeks?
Kelly - doesn't really matter 10 days of 2 weeks,
Nutting - calendar days from time of purchase
motion to amend to 14 days, seconded, passed 8-0
motion to accept, second, passed 8-0 via roll call
Citizens Comment
I mentioned The Christmas Carol performance on Dec 12
tickets $10 and available at the Food Pantry and online.
Held at the Franklin United Methodist Church, the performance benefits the Franklin Food Pantry
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Holiday Stroll on Dec 5th
Item on next agenda to address bylaw regarding the impervious coverage for the Cook's Farm property, and a referral to the Planning Board
L. OLD BUSINESS
Bissanti - flag situation, spoke to Mark Ellis, Chair of the Elks
would be contact for the flags putting them up down, etc.
Butting - just come talk with me
Pfeffer - some discussion on the lighting poles regarding the flag holder
Nutting - there is the whole parking issue with downtown, my goal was to come back in Jan/Feb
I am leaning towards keeping the meters and replace them with newer meters that take credit cards
Let me layout all the options so you can make a decision
Nutting - liquor second offence coming up on the next agenda
minutes from the workshop coming 2 weeks at the latest
M. NEW BUSINESS
Padula - preparations on bylaws for the boards and committees
Cerel - your a legislative body, they are mostly an administrative body, their biggest business is holding and conducting public hearing
Padula - can we get copies?
Cerel - largely your talking about the Planning Board, Zoning Board, Conservation Committee
Padula - if there is protocol in place, what I'd like to see is what we have in place
Cerel - Planning Board has special permit and sub-division coding
Nutting - they are separate entities, you can direct what they do
Some of them are not subject to litigation that some other Boards are, the committee chair will call us from time to time for advice. He will be doing it with the Conservation Commission and it is being scheduled.
Padula - I'll meet with them separately rather than taking more time here. I don't want to get into areas that I shouldn't or we shouldn't
Mercer - budget subcommittee had its first meeting, Jeff got us up to speed and we started the long range plan update; OPEB is the issue that we are facing and will face for some time
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Bissnati - hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving
Jones - thanks to EMC for putting on a great event for economic development, lots of info to absorb; taking the info to the EDC meeting next week
Padula - thanks to the hard work for the preparation, they are great talents and good to work with
Nutting - our doors are always open
Tree lighting ceremony at Dean at 4:00 PM
P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 8-0
FHS Boys Basketball Preview
The Monday after Thanksgiving marks the first day high school winter sports are allowed to begin practice for their approaching season and Coach Dean O'Connor and the Franklin boy's basketball team took to the courts to prepare for their first game on December 13 at Oliver Ames.
Last season the team ended with a 16-8 overall record and 12-4 in the Hockomock League earning second place in the Kelly Rex Division. This year, O'Connor is hoping to see a league championship and a state tournament run.
The team will be led by senior captains Chris Rodgers and Pat O'Reilly. Rodgers, a 6'2 guard, is a returning all-league player who has "improved tremendously" since last season. O'Reilly, a 6'3 forward, saw a lot of court time as a junior and is coming into this year bigger, stronger and more skilled. Also watch for junior Marcus Giese. The 6'7 center was voted last season's most improved player and has worked hard to improve his play in the off season.
The players aren't the only ones working hard for the start of the season, "I prepare for the season by reviewing last season's game films, attending clinics, reading newsletter and books and talking to other coaches," says O'Connor, "The hope is to find ways in which we can improve as a team and program."
The team is faced with a 22 game schedule including two tournaments. Mansfield, Taunton, Attleboro and Sharon are expected to be tough league opponents and Catholic Memorial, Cardinal Spellman, Newton North, Brookline and Christian Brothers Academy from New Jersey will be non-league challenges. The first home game is December 17th against school rivals King Phillip. All varsity games start at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
O'Connor is in his 15th year coaching the boys basketball team at Franklin High School and is eager to get started, "I am excited about the challenge this season will bring," he says, "We have an excellent group of student-athletes who will compete very hard to represent their school and community."
Contributed by Elyse Brightman
Friends Of Franklin Library: Meeting Agenda for Wednesday December 4, 2013
FOFL Meeting Agenda for Wednesday December 4, 2013
Meeting time: 7PM
Meeting place: Franklin Library, Community Room
• Welcome and introductions (Maria)
• Library Director’s report, and request(s) for funds (Felicia)
• Comments and updates from the Library Board of Directors
• Acceptance of minutes from last (November 6) meeting (Vidya)
• Treasurer’s report (Jan)
Vote on library funds requested, if applicable
• Publicity
• Committee updates
o Membership (Joe)• Continuing items
o Outreach – Facebook/Twitter (Phil)
o Downtown Partnership (Barbara)
o Massachusetts Friends of Libraries (MFOL) membership (Maria)
o Memorial Scholarship
o MBLC meeting
• New Items
o FoFL Bulletin board content
o Session with MFOL representative
o Other (open forum)
Franklin Girls Soccer Team takes top 3 awards
The Franklin High School girls soccer team took the top three awards announced by HockomockSports.com.
Alexis Stowell, Jane Scafati, Nicole Ellin, and Dani Lonati also received recognition for Franklin as members of the 2nd 11
You can find the full write up of the soccer awards here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/12/hockomocksportscom-2013-girls-soccer-awards.html
"Franklin junior forward Taylor Cogliano has been named the second annual HockomockSports.com Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Cogliano was also voted the Hockomock League MVP by the coaches and was named an All-New England player by the Eastern Massachusetts Soccer Coaches Association. She finished the season with 10 goals and five assists for the Kelley-Rex champion Panthers."
"Franklin sophomore midfielder Victoria Stowell has been named the second annual HockomockSports.com Girls Soccer Underclassman of the Year. The award is given out to the top freshman or sophomore player from the past season. Stowell was an integral part of the Panthers run to back-to-back Kelley-Rex division titles and consecutive Division 1 South titles".
"Franklin head coach Tom Geysen has been selected as the 2013 HockomockSports.com Girls Soccer Coach of the Year. It's the second year in a row that Geysen has been selected for this award."
Alexis Stowell, Jane Scafati, Nicole Ellin, and Dani Lonati also received recognition for Franklin as members of the 2nd 11
You can find the full write up of the soccer awards here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/12/hockomocksportscom-2013-girls-soccer-awards.html
In the News: running mates, treasurer appointment
Polito will be Baker's running mate
Former Shrewsbury state Rep. Karyn Polito today announced her candidacy for the office of lieutenant governor and officially joined Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker's campaign as his running mate.
Milford treasurer position ratified to become appointed
The state Legislature has approved a bill that will officially allow the Milford Town Treasurer position to move from an elected to an appointed one, ratifying a decision the Town Meeting made in October.
Given that timeline, with the election results from November Franklin should hear either later this month of sometime in January (assuming the same time line would apply). If you missed it, Franklin did vote to appoint their Treasurer in the November 2013 election when only 11.5% of the voters turned out to cast their ballots.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/precinct-totals-for-nov-5th-election.html
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
FHS Hockey Season Preview
With the cold weather already here, Franklin High School is turning their attention indoors to the winter sports with teams starting practice this week in preparation for the new season.
Coach Chris Spillane and the boy's hockey team are one to watch for after coming off Hockomock League and Division 2 South championships last year. This year the team will face new challenges, "we were moved up to the Division 1 level and will be challenged in our non-league schedule," says Spillane.
Try-outs started Monday morning and after coming off a successful season and with all the new challenges they face, there will be no time to rest. Along with tryouts, the next two weeks see four scrimmages and opening night on December 18 at Canton.
"Our coaching staff relies on the players to train pre-season and show up for tryouts ready to go," says Spillane.
Canton and Mansfield will be two league rivals to watch out for along with Malden Catholic and Springfield Cathedral on the schedule who pose "extreme challenges". Despite a tough schedule, Coach Spillane is confident in his group of returning goaltenders, who will all be playing their fourth year on the team.
Their first home game is December 20 at 5 p.m. against Malden Catholic.
Contributed by Elyse Brightman
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