Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Live reporting: Action Items
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Appointed Bissanti to Economic Development Council Chair
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-742:Changes to Chapter 185-§4. Districts Enumerated – 1st Reading
motion to move to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 8-0
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-743:Changes to Chapter 185-§20. Signs – 1st Reading
motion to move to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 8-0
3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-744:Changes to Chapter 185 - §31. Site Plan and Design Review - 1st Reading
motion to move to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 8-0
4. Resolution 14-65: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant With Developer of Village At Cooks Farm
Bissanit, Mercer, Padula all recused themselves
motion to approve, seconded, passed 5-0
5. Resolution 14-66: Authorization to Grant Utility (sewer) Easement – 2/3 Vote
discussion on requirement for 6 votes, with the three recusal, 6 votes is not mathematically possible
The developer is asking for help as everything is on hold
Attny Cerel says that the prior decision should be sufficient for the Planning Board
this item will be tabled until 7:50 PM
motion to approve, seconded, passed 5-0
6. Resolution 14-67: Appropriation - NuStyle Project
amount requested $40,000
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
more about testing and information, than remediation
this has been a total money pit
taken years ago for $400,000 and penalties in back taxes
the EPA has it in the radar, we are now required to pay to fix it
7. Resolution 14-68: Appropriation – Senior Center Capital Project – 2/3 Vote
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
moves the money from the stabilization account to the operating account for the committee
amount should be $912,895 (motion to amend, passed)
8. Resolution 14-69: Appropriation – Open Space
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
$250,000 bought two properties, starts to replenish account in case something else comes up
9. Resolution 14-71: Appropriation – Elections Budget
$10,000 for the special election, Dec 16, 2014
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
the volunteers do a fantastic job
need to stagger the lunch break
used the new voting booths for the first time
saved money by buying the booths as used
picking back up the item 14-66
Attny Cerel determines that the permit should not be held up at the Planning Board
tabling the item 14-66 until Nov 19th
motion, seconded, passed 5-0
10. Resolution 14-72: Establishment of a Property Acquisition, Projects and Facilities Maintenance Stabilization Fund
motion, seconded, passed 7-0 (Padula left for the recusal and has not returned)
opening a new stabilization account to save for future uses
Pfeffer has a problem with the 'maintenance' aspects of this
Nutting - the Council has control of what goes into and out of this account
the Council has floated 8 million in bonds for buildings
11. Resolution 14-73: Appropriation - Property Acquisition, Projects and Facilities Maintenance Stabilization Fund - 2/3 Vote
motion, seconded, passed 7-0
amount requested $250,000
12. Resolution 14-74: Appropriation – Wage Settlement
motion, seconded, passed 7-0
amount requested $215,000 in anticipation of arbitration settlement
13. Resolution 14-75: Amendment of FY 2015 Budget
balance adjustments to the existing budget for the FY 2015 year
Purchaser left, new person in at higher salary
legal expenses for the Fire Dept negotiations
Recreation needing more part-time help, will be covered by fees but need the up front coverage
brings the budget up to date
motion, seconded, passed 7-0
Live reporting - Presentations
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Executive Director since July
reviewing the foundations and services that the Pantry provides
volunteers are being trained, sustain operation
Thanks to Steve Sherlock who has been the Chair of the Food Pantry
Chris Feeley will be assuming that role
over 600 families use the services of the Food Pantry
some will always use our services
some are transitional, how to best help them
physical access. mobile pantry three Mondays a month
Winter St, Central Park Terrace, Senior Center
Clients coming weekly for produce and bread
separate room aranged to handle this without interferring with the normal monthly flow
shifting flow to empowerment
learning how to teach folks to fish, rather than just providing fish
we are creating a healthy community
more fruits and vegetables
Food Pantry Raffle
Turkey Trot on Thanskgiving morning
shampoo, cereal, peanut butter
help us keep shifting the culture, we are a centralized resource to connect all the resources
Traveled with a group from the Hockomock YMCA to Washington, DC
Healthy Futures market, fresh produce on Tuesday's
thanks to his staff, all veterans, been with the Town for 12-16 years
Treasurer and Collector are two separate positions
bill and collect all water/sewer trash bills
personal property bills
collect all parking ticket fines, hearing officer for parking ticket appeals
process tax liens
170 delinquent properties, down 50 from a year ago
down $150,000 from last year
on Treasurer's side, responsible for all investments
maintain a cash book using Excel, had been an actual book when he started
looking at a new software system that could merge with Munis
track all bonds and prepare annual debt budgets
there are 2 bonds that are ripe for re-funding, could save us about $430,000 in interest costs
will be coming back for approval to do that change
we are not interested in owning property, want to get the tax bills paid
periodically report to a variety of agencies payroll reports, etc.
epayable, payments to vendors via virtual credit cards
received a cash back bonus using this service
paying vendors by doing electronic funds transfers
pay all debt by wire transfers
story on WBZ news on people with back taxes
folks claiming back taxes to Worcester attempted to swindle folks from the money
there is no company that can settle the debt that any individual owes to Franklin
Q - how many employees are still getting a paper check
about 10 or so remain, all others electronic deposit
• Erin Lynch, Food Pantrywith the pantry for two years
Executive Director since July
reviewing the foundations and services that the Pantry provides
volunteers are being trained, sustain operation
Thanks to Steve Sherlock who has been the Chair of the Food Pantry
Chris Feeley will be assuming that role
over 600 families use the services of the Food Pantry
some will always use our services
some are transitional, how to best help them
physical access. mobile pantry three Mondays a month
Winter St, Central Park Terrace, Senior Center
Clients coming weekly for produce and bread
separate room aranged to handle this without interferring with the normal monthly flow
shifting flow to empowerment
learning how to teach folks to fish, rather than just providing fish
we are creating a healthy community
more fruits and vegetables
Food Pantry Raffle
Turkey Trot on Thanskgiving morning
shampoo, cereal, peanut butter
help us keep shifting the culture, we are a centralized resource to connect all the resources
Traveled with a group from the Hockomock YMCA to Washington, DC
Healthy Futures market, fresh produce on Tuesday's
• James Dacey, Treasurer Collector
thanks to his staff, all veterans, been with the Town for 12-16 years
Treasurer and Collector are two separate positions
bill and collect all water/sewer trash bills
personal property bills
collect all parking ticket fines, hearing officer for parking ticket appeals
process tax liens
170 delinquent properties, down 50 from a year ago
down $150,000 from last year
on Treasurer's side, responsible for all investments
maintain a cash book using Excel, had been an actual book when he started
looking at a new software system that could merge with Munis
track all bonds and prepare annual debt budgets
there are 2 bonds that are ripe for re-funding, could save us about $430,000 in interest costs
will be coming back for approval to do that change
we are not interested in owning property, want to get the tax bills paid
periodically report to a variety of agencies payroll reports, etc.
epayable, payments to vendors via virtual credit cards
received a cash back bonus using this service
paying vendors by doing electronic funds transfers
pay all debt by wire transfers
story on WBZ news on people with back taxes
folks claiming back taxes to Worcester attempted to swindle folks from the money
there is no company that can settle the debt that any individual owes to Franklin
Q - how many employees are still getting a paper check
about 10 or so remain, all others electronic deposit
Live reporting: Town Council - Nov 5, 2014
Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Williams
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none
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
Frank Tedesco, 409 King St
owner of the snapped tree as posted earlier to the Franklin Matters Facebook page
leaning against two surviving trees
State had mishandled the tree markings when King St was done
Beth Simon, Claire Griffin
Ladybugs Art Project
update on the progress of the 25 ladybugs
all sold, painted and shown around town at different events
have raised enough money to do a statue to recognize Palmer Johnson
presenting a copy of the poster developed
they will also make an appearance at the Holiday Stroll
The ladybug hat was presented to Chair Bob Vallee
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
Public Hearing 7:10 PM
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-742:Changes to Chapter 185 - §4. Districts Enumerated
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-743:Changes to Chapter 185 - §20. Signs
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-744:Changes to Chapter 185 - §31. Site Plan and Design Review
technical corrections to align wording in the sections
no actual change in the voting
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none
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
Frank Tedesco, 409 King St
owner of the snapped tree as posted earlier to the Franklin Matters Facebook page
leaning against two surviving trees
State had mishandled the tree markings when King St was done
 |
| the tree on King St as discussed |
Beth Simon, Claire Griffin
Ladybugs Art Project
update on the progress of the 25 ladybugs
all sold, painted and shown around town at different events
have raised enough money to do a statue to recognize Palmer Johnson
presenting a copy of the poster developed
they will also make an appearance at the Holiday Stroll
The ladybug hat was presented to Chair Bob Vallee
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
F. HEARINGS
Public Hearing 7:10 PM
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-742:Changes to Chapter 185 - §4. Districts Enumerated
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-743:Changes to Chapter 185 - §20. Signs
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 14-744:Changes to Chapter 185 - §31. Site Plan and Design Review
technical corrections to align wording in the sections
no actual change in the voting
Friends of Franklin Library: Meeting Agenda for Wednesday, Nov 5, 2014
FOFL Meeting Agenda for Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Meeting time: 7PM
Meeting place: Franklin Library, Community Room
Welcome and introductions
Public Comments
Library Director
Library Board of Directors
Acceptance of minutes from last (October) meeting
Treasurer's report
Committee updates
o Membership
o Outreach – Facebook/Twitter
- Content for next newsletter
o Downtown Partnership
- Harvest Festival
- Review of October 5 event
- Holiday Stroll participation?
o Neal Sanders event held on October 7 at Alumni
o Friends Sharing with Friends networking event (MFOL) on October 25 at the Middleborough Public Library
Continuing items
o Scholarship 2015 – subcommittee
- Suggestions for a new essay question
o FoFL Bulletin board content, monthly themes
o Presenting/sponsoring programs in conjunction with other town groups
- Newcomers is interested
o Memorandum of Understanding
o By-Laws review and update – subcommittee (need volunteers)
New Items
o Fundraising 2014-2015
o Creating a read-only "minutes" book to keep on file at the library
o Supporting other town groups
- Newcomers Craft Fair November 8 at Tri-County, 9-4, Admission is $3, and they are collecting donations for the Food Pantry
- Franklin Art Association Fall Show November 15 & 16 at Tri-County. Free admission
- St Vincent DePaul Thanksgiving food drive, November 22 & 23, leave donations at St. Mary's
o Other
 |
| Franklin Public Library |
Newcomers Craft Fair - Nov 8th
From Terri Attinello:
For additional information on the Newcomers & Friends, you can visit their website
http://franklinnewcomers.com/
Hello!
I was wondering if you might be able help us to publicize our craft fair on your facebook page or anywhere else? In addition to collecting donations for the food pantry at the craft fair, we also donate funds in the spring to many organizations.
As the craft fair is our only fundraiser, the more successful it is, the more we will be able to donate. Last year we donated $4,500 to local charitable organizations, most based in Franklin, with the Food Pantry receiving the largest amount (based upon member voting).
I've attached a flyer that can be emailed or posted to Facebook.
Thank you for your help!
 |
| Newcomers & Friends Craft Fair |
For additional information on the Newcomers & Friends, you can visit their website
http://franklinnewcomers.com/
Franklin Art Association: "Art Exhibit: Enhanced"
The Franklin Art Association is pleased to present "Art Exhibit: Enhanced" at the Tri-County High School, 147 Pond Street, Franklin, MA on Saturday, November 15th, 12:00-8:00 pm and Sunday, November 16th, 12:00-3:00 pm
Original Fine Art, small works, scholarship raffle, refreshments
Free and opened to the public
For more information visit our web site at www.franklinart.org and www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc
We are sponsored in part by the Franklin Cultural Council
 |
| Franklin Art Association |
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Franklin election results - 11/4/2014
Election results
Question 5
dedicated override failed to pass N=8289 Y=3583Question 6
non binding for overturning Citizens United passed handily Y = 7778 N = 3237 |
| new handicap voter booth at the high school |
My thanks to Town Clerk Deb Pellgri and her team for preparing the results to share here
All the other candidate results can be viewed in the three page PDF file
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczd09KczlKYk9FUFE/view?usp=share_link&resourcekey=0-Zs26d1a5vsL5AliPXMd5Lw
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