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| Bocce Club meeting - Apr 22, 10:00 AM |
1. Improvement to recycling site on Beaver Street (ongoing).
2. Acquisition of land adjacent to recycling site (ongoing).
3. Improvements at train station (ongoing).
4. Cook's Farm/Country Club/Gateway initiative (ongoing)
5. Davis Thayer/temp classrooms/Gateway initiative (ongoing).
6. RFPs for Pond Street , old town hall, other potential town-owned properties (ongoing)
7. Enhancing the cbd (central business district) aesthetically and commercially. PRIORITY
8. Seeking a developer to consider a public/private venture for a major cbd redevelopment. PRIORITY
9. Consideration of an "unkempt property" by-law for both commercial and certain residential properties (bank-owned, foreclosed, abandoned, etc.).
10. Maintaining/Improving/enhancing the town's properties, roadways and facilities; (ongoing and PRIORITY).
11. Review and reconsider adoption of R6 zoning as initially written by the town prior to changes made to restrict/discourage development.
12. Inclusion of Dean College as a potential partner in certain town initiatives.
The Committee, with regular attendance and input from the Planning Board and ZBA chairs, is supportive of rezoning on many (if not all) our arterial roadways, and particularly #140 in its entirety. Rezoning major roadways to accommodate certain commercial and retail development in residential areas, consistent with the Master Plan, and cognizant of the town's history in which neighborhoods frequently had mixed uses, and "mom and pop" stores to serve their needs, would reduce extensive travel for small purchases (milk, bread, etc.) and decrease traffic congestion. This is particularly true for North and South Franklin residents. (note: the issue of rezoning, too often an emotional issue, impacting property values does not appear, in most cases, to be accurate. We could not identify any properties devalued as a result of rezoning. In reality, the opposite resulted with properties on #140 that were residential, particularly in the area of 3 Restaurant, greatly increased in value once designated commercial/retail).
It was offered at one of our meetings that Franklin was comprised of 80% residential property and 20% comprising all other classifications. If so, it is obvious that our financial position is not likely to improve if our revenue stream is driven, primarily, by residential taxation.
The Committee is supportive of expanding regional services and efforts whenever possible or beneficial. It also believes the permitting process in Franklin, although somewhat improved, needs further improving if we are to compete with our neighbors.
Housing, almost always in demand, should seek creative and alternative development as suggested in the Master Plan. Allowing market forces to determine housing is preferred and there appears to be a large inventory of existing affordable housing in the community (as well proposed); a small percentage of luxury housing; senior housing appears to be a likely issue in the near future and will require consideration. A review of R6 to allow for certain condominium development, eliminating the restrictions imposed to curtail development, is recommended. The recent R7 zoning requires "stand alone" units and precludes duplex or quads as constructed in desirable developments as Chestnut Ridge, Spruce Pond, etc. The fear of multiple condo development proposals, as alluded to in the R7 debate, has not materialized and is unlikely to materialize as history tells us development is market driven.
Those items above identified as "ongoing" indicate Council action, monitoring or participation as necessary.
The use of sub-committees, and a more aggressive agenda by the Economic Development Committee, are encouraged and necessary to complete the issues/topics noted above. Simply, Council participation enhances projects and proposals toward completion. Topics identified as PRIORITY, most of which are relative to the aesthetics of the community, cannot be too strongly emphasized. Characterizing Franklin 's cbd as "seedy" (Boston Globe) is a negative difficult to overcome. Every major developer or investor inspects our downtown before considering Franklin as a potential site; there has been some improvement, and the blending of the downtown reconstruction along with the depot site is encouraging, but more needs to be done and should be a priority of the Council.
As suggested by the Town Administrator, there needs to be a "Team Franklin" approach to conducting the town's business. Workshops for all those, elected, appointed and/or volunteering should be ongoing to educate and encourage for a unified response to the town's problems and initiatives. Historically, Franklin has been most productive and successful when the Council actively participates in moving the agenda and issues forward. Assuming the town administrator, well qualified and energetic, can accomplish all these objectives alone is unrealistic. The use of sub- committees is both recommended and essential and, in the past, served the community well in meeting its' needs.
Lastly, there needs to be an enhancement of the relationship between Dean College , one of the town's largest landowners, and the community at large, particularly in the greater cbd development. Dean is the elephant in the room; we need to recognize and appreciate the symbiotic potential and aggressively move to enhance it; it is in our mutual interest to do so.
These are mostly the issues, subjects and topics we discussed in 2013 and shall continue to monitor in 2014, along with new or emerging proposals.
On behalf of the Committee, Robert Avakian, Andrew Bissanti, Paul Cheli, Matt Kelly, Judith Pfeffer and Robert Ficco, Esq.,
I am, yours truly,
L.P. Benedetto,
January 19, 2014.
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| Franklin Municipal Building |
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| Franklin Heights |
To ensure safety, fairness and for mutual protection of all patrons of the Town’s Facilities, the Town of Franklin maintains certain operating rules and regulations. The following rules and regulations have been developed to be in the best interests of the Town, its residents and the public who use the facilities. These rules and regulations are designed to assist the public in understanding their responsibilities and to ensure a safe environment for all persons using Town facilities. The rules and regulations are, as follows:
1. Persons shall not enter or be upon town property under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Persons shall not consume or possess any alcohol, illegal drugs, or marijuana on Town property.
2. Persons shall not use any tobacco product within any municipal building or upon the property on which any municipal building is located, except in designated areas.
3. Persons shall not possess, use, or store any explosive, incendiary device or weapon on Town property.
4. Persons shall not present a false or altered identification that may be required as part of using a facility. No person shall defraud the Town in any manner.
5. Persons shall not assault, threaten, harass or abuse any employee or a member of the public, either physically or verbally.
6. Persons shall not engage in any form of disruptive conduct while on Town property.
7. Persons shall not use skateboards or operate dirt bikes, ATV’s, motorized bicycles, motorized scooters or other motorized vehicles on Town property. This prohibition shall not apply to a person who, as a result of a handicap or disability, requires the use of a motorized wheelchair or similar equipment.
8. Persons shall comply with all posted safety rules and regulations.
9. Persons shall not misuse, abuse, damage or tamper with the property of the Town or property of any employee or member of the public.
10. Persons shall not use Town property or enter Town offices without first obtaining proper authorization, except during normal business hours or when the property or offices are open to the general public. No person shall enter or remain in a Town building or facility outside of regular business hours without authority or permission to do so. No person shall enter or remain in any portion of a Town building or facility to which the general public does not have regular access without authority or permission to do so.
11. No animals (except those needed by the physically handicapped are allowed within Town buildings. All persons with an animal on Town property must properly remove and dispose of any animal feces.
12. The Town assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged personal property.
13. No solicitation or sales of goods or services is permitted on Town property, except those fundraising activities that directly support the Town's facilities or programs.
14. No person shall enter or remain in a Town building or facility unless properly clothed and shod: street clothes and footwear are required at all times; no bathing suits are allowed.
15. No person shall enter or remain in a Town building or facility who emits an offensive odor because of poor personal hygiene.
16. No person shall use any Town building or facility other than for its intended, authorized or permitted purpose or use.
17. Persons shall promptly report all accidents or incidents which result in either personal injury or damage to the property of the Town, an employee, or member of the public, regardless of who is responsible for the damage
18. Persons shall immediately report defective equipment or unsafe conditions of any equipment or facilities that may endanger anyone to the Town employee in charge of the facility or to the Town Administrator.
Persons that fail to follow the rules and regulations of the Town or other rules or regulations established by each Department may be subject to a fine and/or loss of privilege to use the Town facilities. Depending on the severity of the offense or the frequency of other offenses the Town may initiate legal action.
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| Franklin Municipal Building (and yes, I'll need to update the photo to show no snow) |
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| New England Notebook |
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| Ted Reinstein during his presentation at the Library |
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| Ginley Funeral Home at night |
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| Ted in the center of the Franklin book buyers! |
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| Ted prepares for the 'selfie' |
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| my signed copy of New England Notebook |
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Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits | 14 Grove Street | Franklin | MA | 02038
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