Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Live reporting - Citizens Committee
Larry Benedetto
Citizens Committee
we'll be back in July (July 9th) to do some house keeping
I am going to have the whole the committee here
the citizens committee seems to be defined to represent the whole community
we don't want to slight anyone
recent debate about whether we should be related to the Council or not
complaining about the open meeting laws and meeting notifications
also consideration of associate members, to help maintain the quorum
would like to involved in the 'fast tracking' zoning initiative
we'd like to get involved in the Davis Thayer removal of the modular units
we'd like to get into the Downtown train station
hopefully have an update on the land swap with the State about the land next to the recycling center
we are on the cusp of some good things
our experience is this, when Mr Nutting is involved in the project, it moves smoothly
Jones - can you see if the Committee would be interested in addressing parking downtown
Nutting - I have spent the past 6 months working with the Downtown Partnership on parking, and will be coming before the Council with an update
Live reporting - Dept of Planning and Community Development
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Director Bryan Taberner
(presentation copy to be added later)
summary of department operation and staffing
12 zoning bylaw amendments approved during 2014 thus far
working on re-consideration of requirements for special permits
Projects currently underway
Business attraction and retainage
recent press release on Platinum level for BioTech
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/05/franklin-is-bioreadyr-franklin-now.html
Downtown revitalization
multiple efforts underway
150 Emmons St, proposed Cultural District, downtown project (road construction)
Pfeffer - question on goal for creating economic development
Taberner - we are working quickly and effectively, we have developed the bylaws and changes in record time. The decisions are in the Planning Board hands, it was always known that there would be a special permit required.
Kelly - You're good as you are meeting the criteria. If it doesn't then it drags on and on
Taberner - I have one senior and no interns at the moment
No submissions of interest at this time
Padula - question on the possible push back from Town Council on the Cook's Farm issue
Nutting - this is a very complex project, it is always the Town's fault and that is not the case
Vallee - Mr Nutting is following the project, the developer is not aware of how to request demolition of building on site, that is another problem
Bissanti - if you were more sympatheic, you would direct your people to be more helpful
I don't care what you and Jeff say, developers are vilified in this town
Would you say that there is an anti-growth rhetoric in this town?
Taberner - absolutely not
In other communities, there is more madness than what happens here
If the project is thought out and well designed, meeting all the requirements, regulations and laws, you will get through very quickly
Director Bryan Taberner
(presentation copy to be added later)
summary of department operation and staffing
12 zoning bylaw amendments approved during 2014 thus far
working on re-consideration of requirements for special permits
Projects currently underway
- Solarize Franklin (about 14 families interested thus far, looking for more)
- 150 Emmons St (requests due at end of July)
- Pond St property (appraisal being done)
- Nu-Style property (building #2 demolition and ongoing environmental assessment)
Business attraction and retainage
- looking to attract the 'right' business mix
recent press release on Platinum level for BioTech
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/05/franklin-is-bioreadyr-franklin-now.html
Downtown revitalization
multiple efforts underway
150 Emmons St, proposed Cultural District, downtown project (road construction)
Pfeffer - question on goal for creating economic development
Taberner - we are working quickly and effectively, we have developed the bylaws and changes in record time. The decisions are in the Planning Board hands, it was always known that there would be a special permit required.
Kelly - You're good as you are meeting the criteria. If it doesn't then it drags on and on
Taberner - I have one senior and no interns at the moment
No submissions of interest at this time
Padula - question on the possible push back from Town Council on the Cook's Farm issue
Nutting - this is a very complex project, it is always the Town's fault and that is not the case
Vallee - Mr Nutting is following the project, the developer is not aware of how to request demolition of building on site, that is another problem
Bissanti - if you were more sympatheic, you would direct your people to be more helpful
I don't care what you and Jeff say, developers are vilified in this town
Would you say that there is an anti-growth rhetoric in this town?
Taberner - absolutely not
In other communities, there is more madness than what happens here
If the project is thought out and well designed, meeting all the requirements, regulations and laws, you will get through very quickly
Live Reporting - opening of meeting
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
none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
two
one about the opening hours of the Lincoln St market
second - a member of the Cook family concerned about the delays in processing for permits and approvals for Cooks Farm development
E. APPOINTMENTS
– Annual Committee Re-appointments
See listing of appointees in published agenda
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/061814.pdf
F. HEARINGS
none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none
Live Reporting: Town Council - June 18, 2014
Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Jones, Bissanti, Williams
Absent: none
Skipping ahead in the agenda to the Electric Youth performance
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Franklin School for the Performing Arts
Absent: none
Skipping ahead in the agenda to the Electric Youth performance
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Franklin School for the Performing Arts
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| Rae Lynn Mercer introduces Electric Youth |
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| Electric Youth performing before the Town Council |
Easy Walks in Franklin - SNETT
We are fortunate to be able to share a few excerpts from "Easy Walks in Massachusetts: Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Milford, Millis, Uxbridge, Wrentham, and Woonsocket, RI" recently published byMarjorie Turner Hollman.
Notable: This section of the SNETT (Southern New England Trunkline Trail) railtrail is mostly graded and cleared, and still being developed. Stone retaining walls, steep slopes to woods below the trail.
Trail Map: Available from Mass.gov website—Division of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
GPS Coordinates: 42°3'43.06"N, 71°25'42.55"W
Directions: Rt. 495 exit 17, Rt. 140, Franklin, head toward Bellingham, Grove St is immediately past interchange, turn left at light. Follow Grove St. 2 miles, look for SNETT signs, parking on left, trailhead on right.
Cost: None.
Bathrooms: None.
Best time to visit: Year round. Cross-country skiing in winter.
Trail conditions: Wide, flat, unimproved former railbed. Steep climb up and over Prospect St. where trail is obstructed. Moguls created by dirt bikes. Graded from Grove St. to Spring St.
Distance: About 1.5 miles from Grove St. to Bellingham line.
You can obtain your own copy of this book via this Amazon link
Other easy walks in Franklin:
Beaver Pond/Chilson Beach
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/easy-walks-in-franklin-beaver-pond.html
Dacey Fields
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/easy-walks-in-franklin-dacey-fields.html
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| The entrance to the SNETT in winter |
Notable: This section of the SNETT (Southern New England Trunkline Trail) railtrail is mostly graded and cleared, and still being developed. Stone retaining walls, steep slopes to woods below the trail.
Trail Map: Available from Mass.gov website—Division of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
GPS Coordinates: 42°3'43.06"N, 71°25'42.55"W
Directions: Rt. 495 exit 17, Rt. 140, Franklin, head toward Bellingham, Grove St is immediately past interchange, turn left at light. Follow Grove St. 2 miles, look for SNETT signs, parking on left, trailhead on right.
Cost: None.
Bathrooms: None.
Best time to visit: Year round. Cross-country skiing in winter.
Trail conditions: Wide, flat, unimproved former railbed. Steep climb up and over Prospect St. where trail is obstructed. Moguls created by dirt bikes. Graded from Grove St. to Spring St.
Distance: About 1.5 miles from Grove St. to Bellingham line.
 |
| Easy guide - SNETT |
This mostly unimproved former rail bed/right of way is owned by the Mass. Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), extending from Franklin through Bellingham, Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge, and into Douglas. Poor drainage due to removal of the original rail ballast, and “humps” caused by prohibited off-track vehicles poses both minor and major challenges in various sections.
The easternmost section in Franklin is graded (2013) but is otherwise unimproved. Proceeding west, the trail crosses Spring St and open farmland in just over half a mile. Watch for poison ivy. At about the 1-mile mark the trail is blocked by a 20-foot high infill where Prospect St crosses the trail. Stay off residential property and driveways.
From Prospect St. there is a .5 mile unimproved but passable stretch to the Lake St. Bellingham parking area. This section of the path offers 20-foot high rock cuts with original drill marks. The boundary between the Bellingham and Franklin sections of the trail is unmarked.
You can obtain your own copy of this book via this Amazon link
Other easy walks in Franklin:
Beaver Pond/Chilson Beach
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/easy-walks-in-franklin-beaver-pond.html
Dacey Fields
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/easy-walks-in-franklin-dacey-fields.html
WMRC First Class Radio Sports to broadcast the Patriots and Bruins
WMRC Daily News | 258 Main Street | Milford | MA | 01757
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New Bedford Folk Fest July 5-6
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Physical inquiries can be sent to: 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA, 02038, US
If our email is in your Spam/Junk Folder, please add circlefolk@gmail.com to your address book.
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