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Friday, January 9, 2015
The latest from Mass Poetry
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Questions were raised, answers sought and opinions stated amid some tension
There was a full house in the Council Chambers on Wednesday evening. The meeting had officially opened at 6:00 PM and the Council went into Executive Session to discuss the negotiations on the fire fighter contract. Their meeting was held in the small conference room next to the Council Chambers to allow those arriving for the main meeting to enter the chambers. The Councilors filed in to the Chamber about 6:55 and got ready for the meeting.
The normal pledge of allegiance and moment of silence was skipped by Chairman Vallee as they "had already opened the meeting at 6:00".
The agenda was adjusted to include a motion by Councilor Kelly to officially vote on the Chairman. (Recall that the vote at the organization meeting in November was actually skipped at that time.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/the-town-council-reorganizes-sort-of.html)
The minutes were approved from the Dec 17th session.
The change of manager for the liquor license for Artistry Kitchen was approved. As the use of the facility will be changing to a private function room until the new direction of the restaurant is ready to be re-opened, there needs to be an approval by the Planning Board. The use is different from that already approved. It is a minor deviation but does need to follow the process for approvals.
Former FinCom member Phyllis Messere Malcom was appointed to the Historical Commission.
There were some tense moments during the discussion as some of the answers to the community were not appropriate and some of the community objected (rightly so) to the body language of some of the members of the Council. Councilor Kelly addressed this during the Councilor Comments at the end of the meeting but long after much of the crowd had dispersed.
The Town Council did approve to move the zoning change to a second reading.
The audio recording for the Pond St discussion can be found here https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hc9V86zk
How the change will really look as the 'final' negotiations take place remains to be seen. The deal will come back before the Council to require a 2/3 vote. We'll be able to see how well the legalese is drafted to meet the community desires and the need for the town to obtain additional revenue.
The audio recording for the Emmons St segment of the meeting can be found here https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyDbqXQk
The forecast says FY 2016 should be ok but FY 2017 is another budget year where balancing the budget will present some problems.
This financial reason is the driving factor behind the moves to sell both the Pond St and Emmons St properties. The town needs to expand its taxable base to bring in additional revenue. The link to the agenda for the financial forecast can be found here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/property-taxes-will-continue-to-be.html
The set of notes recorded live during the Town Council meeting can be found here:
The normal pledge of allegiance and moment of silence was skipped by Chairman Vallee as they "had already opened the meeting at 6:00".
The agenda was adjusted to include a motion by Councilor Kelly to officially vote on the Chairman. (Recall that the vote at the organization meeting in November was actually skipped at that time.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/the-town-council-reorganizes-sort-of.html)
The minutes were approved from the Dec 17th session.
The change of manager for the liquor license for Artistry Kitchen was approved. As the use of the facility will be changing to a private function room until the new direction of the restaurant is ready to be re-opened, there needs to be an approval by the Planning Board. The use is different from that already approved. It is a minor deviation but does need to follow the process for approvals.
Former FinCom member Phyllis Messere Malcom was appointed to the Historical Commission.
"Community Development Grant"
There was a brief discussion on the possibility for Franklin to join in a "Community Development Grant" application. Bellingham is the lead community handling the paperwork and administration. Franklin and Hopedale are also possible partners. The measure will return to the Town Council in two weeks for approval.Pond St zoning public hearing
The Pond St zoning public hearing opened. My notes from the long discussion are linked to. In brief, many of the questions and concerns raised were to gain assurances on what would be done. Right now, with the zoning change only, it is too early to say. Many folks don't understand the full process and the Council along with Jeff did not do a great job of explaining the process. My attempt at an overview would look like this:- There is a second hearing for the zoning change.
- If approved, the Economic Development Committee would then meet to draft the revisions to the new Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFP is the official offer by the town of the property for sale. It would specify what could be done (within the zoning for the property) and what additional restrictions the Town may make to the purchaser.
- The RFP would be posted for a period of time.
- Responses, if any would be reviewed at the end of the period
- Depending upon the responses, there would be additional meetings at the EDC to make a recommendation to the Town Council to proceed with the sale or not
- If proceeding with the sale, then the Town Council would still hold meeting or meetings to decide (as done with the Emmons St property)
- All that before the developer would go before the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and other town organizations to obtain the necessary permits and approvals.
There were some tense moments during the discussion as some of the answers to the community were not appropriate and some of the community objected (rightly so) to the body language of some of the members of the Council. Councilor Kelly addressed this during the Councilor Comments at the end of the meeting but long after much of the crowd had dispersed.
The Town Council did approve to move the zoning change to a second reading.
The audio recording for the Pond St discussion can be found here https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hc9V86zk
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| Emmons St |
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| former councilor Glen Jones and Town Administrator Jeff Nutting |
Emmons St discussion
The Emmons St discussion took a surprising turn. It was anticipated to be perhaps a more contentious discussion as the drive through option seemed to be a 'done deal'. However, as revealed by Jeff Nutting. A meeting by the developer, Mr Calarese took place on Monday morning and the proposal was changed to removed the food drive through. He would like to retain rights to a bank drive through. That revelation took the wind out of most of the sails and those that spoke appreciated the change in face of significant community objection.How the change will really look as the 'final' negotiations take place remains to be seen. The deal will come back before the Council to require a 2/3 vote. We'll be able to see how well the legalese is drafted to meet the community desires and the need for the town to obtain additional revenue.
The audio recording for the Emmons St segment of the meeting can be found here https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyDbqXQk
Town Administrator Reports
Almost lost within the events of the evening were the real drivers to the selling of the town property at both the Emmons St and Pond St locations. Jeff Nutting provides updates on the overall town goals and objectives for 2015, showing much progress and accomplishments. He also laid out the objectives for this year. He provided updates on the Master Plan and the Five Year Financial Forecast.The forecast says FY 2016 should be ok but FY 2017 is another budget year where balancing the budget will present some problems.
This financial reason is the driving factor behind the moves to sell both the Pond St and Emmons St properties. The town needs to expand its taxable base to bring in additional revenue. The link to the agenda for the financial forecast can be found here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/property-taxes-will-continue-to-be.html
The set of notes recorded live during the Town Council meeting can be found here:
"We're happy to that the food drive-through is now no longer on the table"
The local developer seeking to purchase a downtown property has changed his proposal to only include retail space after concerns were raised about the possibility for a drive-through restaurant at the site.
Roger Calarese, developer of the Franklin Village Mall, submitted a proposal to raze the current building at 150 Emmons St. and replace it with a 5,300-square-foot commercial property. He had considered building a drive-through on the property, but cut it from the proposal in response to complaints from downtown business owners and residents.
Calarese, who bid $500,000 for the property, has since taken the prospect of a restaurant drive-through off the table. However, he could still have a drive-through business there, such as a bank. His negotiations with a possible bank tenant, though, had fallen through. And it is unclear what type of retail business he now has in mind.Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150108/NEWS/150107578/1994/NEWS#sthash.lSTkeHrx.dpuf
FHS Winter Sports Results for Wednesday
From Hockomock Sports we find that many of the Franklin High School winter teams were in action on Wednesday. Here are the results.
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-010715
Boys Hockey
Franklin, 3 @ Oliver Ames, 1 - Final - Connor Anderson, Ryan Spillane and Joe Bourque scored the goals for the Panthers and Ryan Shea played strong in net, according to coach Chris Spillane. Tim Doherty had the goal for the Tigers in the second period that tied the game at 1-1, but Franklin added two goals, including an empty net goal, in the third period for the win.
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| FHS Panthers |
Girls Hockey
Franklin, 1 vs. Medfield, 7 - Final
Wrestling
Franklin, 57 @ Taunton, 22 - Final - In the loss, Taunton had wins from Reilly Powell (106), Cullen Machado (152), Nuno Camara (170) and captain Santiago Lopez (195).
Indoor Track - Boys
Franklin, 48 vs. Taunton, 52 - Final - Damion Theodule has been one of the top 55M dash runners this season and he continued that on Wednesday. Theodule clocked in at 6.89, tied for the top finish among Hockomock teams, and Brian Cherenfant clocked in at 37.09 in the 300M race - the second best finish on the day. Terrence Gibson also had a big showing, registering a 5-11.00 in the high jump. Franklin's Luke Gordon also registered a 5-11.00 in the high jump and finished the 300M race in 37.54.
Indoor Track - Girls
Franklin, 55 vs. Taunton, 45 - Final - In a close matchup, all results mattered. Freshman Jessica Kroushl had arguably her best day of the season, clocking in at 7.69 in the 55M dash, which was the second best time of all 12 Hockomock schools. Sophomore Meghan Doherty (1:42.52) did well in the 600M race while Brittany Robinson dominated the 1000M race in 3:11.75, the top time on the day. Taunton was able to keep it close because of Jessica Maki's finish in the 300M race (42.76) and three of the top five finishes in the long jump: Jillian Purtell (16-03.75, first), Mariah O'Gara (15-07.50, fourth) and Leishnaly Rosado (15-05.00, fifth).
Swimming - Boys
Franklin, 29 @ Taunton, 61 - Final
Swimming - Girls
Franklin, 55 @ Taunton, 39 - FinalFor the remainder of the Hockomock league results you can find them here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-010715
Good Energy Newsletter: January 2015
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Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Live reporting - Closing
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 15-01: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging
motion to accept, seconded, passed 9-0
2. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15-745: Amendment to Chapter 185, Attachment 7, Part VI, Use Regulation Schedule, Residential Uses, Office Zoning District – 1ST Reading
motion to accept, seconded, passed 9-0
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
nothing more at this time
L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS
Bissanti - we need to vet the multi-family zoning, we don't have something
we need to reticfy the office zone on the west central corridor
we have a neighborhood area and we don't
discussion on the 140; better to have a discussion at a workshop on this
Nutting - I don't see the road being widened
there never was a concencous to have a rezoning there
Rep Roy organized a meeting with Biotech folks and business owners, etc.
an opportunity has an opprtunity to help market Franklin at tradeshows
will look at a new brochure for more aggresive marketing of the industrial areas in Franklin
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Kelly - I noticed the lady who had commented on rolling our eyes, we have to know some of the ins and out, there is no black and white, I apologize if you feel we were being rude. It is finding out a point of order on how to handle something. You elected us to represent all of us
89 million debt for OPEB. I appreciate that we are called out on it, we are not being sly. we are thinking of the best ways to answer your questions.
I watch the Facebook blogs, we are not paid. Come on down, we are not paid to do this. We work very hard for you.
I think you should have said that with the larger group.
Bissanti - I think part of the problem is understanding the process. Once they go out, we don't have a crystal ball as to what can come in. Mr Calarese changing plans just didn't happen, he heard and made the changes.
Feldman - thanks to everyone who came out today, 21 residents signed contracts,
O. ADJOURN
Live reporting - Town Administrator annual report
- Town Administrator’s Annual Update, Five Year Fiscal Forecast, Master Plan Update
still working on a fire fighters setllement, hopefully will resolve in a couple of months, and then get into negotiation with all the unions again
review and highlights of past accomplishment
portables to be removed at Davis Thayer this summer
a lot got accomplished, some things are still in progress
Pfeffer - hat would happen with the Charter School?
Nutting -it depends upon where they move, we could absorb some of the population but it depends upon where they move. if they stay close, we would get fewer, if they go farther, we would get more. The elementary population here is continuing to decline hence we could absorb some of them.
Feldman - do you see any changes with the new administration?
Nutting - they have huge debt issues, they need to resolve. it will be interestign to see what casinos will do with the lottery revenues. The Federal government will send less, as they have their own issues
Master Plan
zoning made changes, open 3 parks this year
will update every year
something will never get accomplished but many will
Pfeffer - is there any way to get rid of 'workforce housing'?
Nutting - no it is in the original and we have just carried it forward
Nutting -it depends upon where they move, we could absorb some of the population but it depends upon where they move. if they stay close, we would get fewer, if they go farther, we would get more. The elementary population here is continuing to decline hence we could absorb some of them.
Feldman - do you see any changes with the new administration?
Nutting - they have huge debt issues, they need to resolve. it will be interestign to see what casinos will do with the lottery revenues. The Federal government will send less, as they have their own issues
Master Plan
zoning made changes, open 3 parks this year
will update every year
something will never get accomplished but many will
Pfeffer - is there any way to get rid of 'workforce housing'?
Nutting - no it is in the original and we have just carried it forward
Franklin Public Schools: 90 Minute School Delay
A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Good Evening-
Based on current weather conditions and the concern for student safety school will open 90 minutes later on Thursday.
FYI Bus drivers are prepared to pick up student walkers. Also any parent/guardian may choose to not send child(children)- please call the school and let personnel know.
Absence will be excused.
All morning preschool programs are canceled.
All school offices will open at the regular time.
Thank You and stay safe.
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| community entrance to FHS |
This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message.
Live reporting: Emmons St discussion
Kelly recused himself from the discussion (but did not leave the room) (edited 1/8/15 based upon communication with a participant from the back of the room - Thanks!).
- 150 Emmons Street
nutting - providing overview/summary
we did get one proposal, offered to change the proposal to just retail space
we did get one proposal, offered to change the proposal to just retail space
removing the drive through, it might still get altered a little in the Planning Board process; there would be no fast food drive through, he did reserve right to a bank drive thru
i would recommend that the Council move forward with that
Attnorney Cornetta, Mr Calarese regrets he could not attend
one of the biggest concerns was with a special permit for the drive through from the Planning Board, it would be a burden to the area, he has considered that, would like retain the rights to considered an acceptable drive through for the area
Steve Sherlock - spoke of the Franklin Matters survey results made available to the Council and to the public just before the meeting
Lisa Piana - Downtown Partnership
happy to see that Mr Calarese has heard the concerns of the residents, we would prefer to have no drive through but are happy to see no food drive through
Glen Jones - former councilor, former chair of EDC
this particular piece of property is to be a gateway, I am not found of drive through as I live two blocks from it. All the walking traffic for Dean will be re-routed to this intersection, any drive through would clog this area immensely. I am pleased to see that the monument is kept and the drive through is removed.
Dennis - I came prepared to argue against the proposal but I am glad to see that the proposal has changed. The downtown is over represented by banks, and not a draw for enough diversity
Cindy Rich - clarification on the drive through specification
Nutting - the doc would be signed as they go through the purchasing and permitting process. It will absolutely be in writting
Lisa Buccella - I try to keep up and it is almost a full time job. I read Steve's Franklin Matters, I try to keep up. Just because we are not here, this doesn't always represent us. How did I miss this change?
Nutting- most of the council had heard long and hard that the folks don't want the drive through, Mr Calarese came to my office Monday morning and said it would change the deal. Please talk about the entrances and exits. it is very dangerous. It has to go through the Planning Board, get a traffic study, the entrances don't make sense to put anywhere else
Greg Chalk - Dean College
we are pleased with the plan that has come forward, we are opposed to any vehicle drive through or with a food drive through as a safety concern for our students.
we are pleased with the plan that has come forward, we are opposed to any vehicle drive through or with a food drive through as a safety concern for our students.
Nutting - the good news about moving the cross walk, Dean has designed their campus to force everyone down to the corner instead of the middle. Over on Main St there will be a raised table to slow traffic and make it traffic friendly
Jane Curran - I want to thank the Councilors for your hard work. I am excited to see the food drive through has been removed. My one concern is the entrance for two way traffic on 140
Nutting - this is a conceptual desgin, just because it shows this way, it does not guarantee it. It has to go through the site plan process.
Jim Schultz - want the opportunity to have my comments on the record, this is not a good place for drive through in this space. We don't need more development that encourages drive through, stop and go, we need to engage and bring folks to stay
Nutting - for the folks from Pond St, this should show that the Council does weigh the concerns, they took long and hard look at the matter.
Mercer - I was not in favor of a drive though for this property. I am concerned about the traffic at that intersection, that is the only way to get to Main St from that end of town. jeff stole a little bit of what I was going to say. You can see what the Council did to get the green space. Mr Calarese has increased the green space from 20% to 30%.
Padula - although I moved for this, in my conscience, if it could go to a drive through, I am not pleased with it and could not vote for it.
Nutting - vehicle service establishment is reasllythe term for a drive through
What are the requirements?
Nutting - part of the planning board process, the traffic studies are used. Dunkin would be different traffic pattern than that from a bank, need a by pass lane, etc. stack lane is shorter at a bank than it is at a fast food. Council can put a restriction on it for 30 years, but that is as long as it goes
Elaine Murphy - I am glad I stayed, this is very illustrative. It is on your own time and we do appreciate it. it would end up as some sort of collaboration and compromise. I have been here 41 years. The horse trough is unique but not esthetic. if this can't be the gateway? What would it be?
Nutting - the green space and the Horace Mann statue will be more presentable, that was kind of the compromise to get to the gateway
Elaine - I did remember my discussion, is there something that applies to Pond St
Cornetta - I will convery the comments to Mr Calarese, mr Calarese does want to reserve his right to have a drive through as a bank
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