Norfolk County Registry of Deeds - Jun 4

Franklin Office Hours
Thursday, June 4, 2015
10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

Council Chamber
Municipal Building
355 East Central Street

The Register and members of his staff will be available to help answer questions or concerns about any Registry of Deeds matter.

Information will be available concerning the Massachusetts Homestead Act. Internet ready computer terminals will be on hand to print a Registry recorded deed, confirm the status of a mortgage discharge or check on any other recordings.

No appointment is needed.

For further information call 781-461-6104, email registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org, Or visit the Registry’s website at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

In the News: Big Y gets the license, 2 more arrested at the clothing bin

After listening to arguments for and against the request, the Town Council Wednesday granted a liquor license to the Big Y supermarket. 

The family-owned chain, which has a location on East Central Street, applied for the town’s only available malt and wine license to open one of its Table & Vine shops. 

Big Y’s application met with some opposition from residents, including the owners of a decades-old local business, who argued that the area did not need another beer and wine merchant.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150507/NEWS/150507362/1994/NEWS

My notes from the meeting and discussion Wednesday can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/live-reporting-license-transactions.html

For a second time in two weeks, police say they thwarted a pair of thieves who were stealing clothing donations, finding one hiding in the locked donation bin. 

Kevin Santos, 22, of Brockton, and Valdir Barros, 27, of Central Falls, Rhode Island, were charged Monday with breaking into a depository and trespassing, as well as larceny over $250 after allegedly stealing from a Society of St. Vincent de Paul donation bin kept in a parking lot on Main Street. 

Two Brockton men targeted the same donation bin last week, police said, leaving with more than 50 trash bags of clothing.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150506/NEWS/150507402/1994/NEWS

Last week's article can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/in-news-2-men-in-van-arrested.html

Live reporting: Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Bob Fahey retired recently

May 16th beautification day, help out downtown
bi-weekly meetings with the developer on the downtown construction
concerns again about not going in a timely fashion
meeting next week to address

potential gas line hearing on May 14th
Hawthorne Suites welcome to attend and be heard
controlled by Federal Government

if this moves ahaed, they go through this again

Confirm that Jun 10-11 for the budget hearing

L. OLD BUSINESS
DelCarte update?
waiting for the engineer to come out
it will take time

where are we at with the property on Beaver St
P/S signed today, 21e submitted


M. NEW BUSINESS


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Kelly - Jeff Roy, Nutting met with folks on Taft Road about the power line cutting
great meeting to get an understanding on what is being done
glad to be part of the community where this happens

sad to see Bob Fahey retired, good for him

downtown work after hours?
no, once the drainage and light posts they should be out

Pond St, Chestnut St came out, supporting the liquor license
we really appreciate that
we try to do the best we can

Bissanti -
Wycoff family, husband in hospice for next 6 weeks
condolences to the B Hunchard for his mother's passing

comment on the Council supporting small business
the downtown work should speak for itself
we are definitely a small business oriented council, it is what is best for Franklin



O EXECUTIVE SESSION

P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed

Live reporting: Legislation for action

one minute recess 

some of the crowd dispersed

The Cable TV presentation will be rescheduled

-----

5. Resolution 15-21: Appropriation – Capital FY 15
listing of capital budget items read totaling $1,752,000
typically use 'free cash' for capital improvements

departments heads are here to answer any specific questions

The street have a problem with the intersection of Miller
also want to do Oak St in front of the high school
$100,000 for design work, phase 1 
next winter and spring would hear more details for doing sidewalks

Kelly - this takes us a while to get through, thanks to Pfeffer, Dellorco and Nutting for their work in getting this done
getting each department what they need, hope they are happy

Donna Grant, Longfellow Dr
residents off Chestnut St, concerned about walking on the Street
signed a petition and sent it to Nutting

Chestnut St will be included in the design?
Yes, it will. There will be another vote next year when we know how much it will cost

Clarification question on how much of Chestnut St would be done

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
just spent 1.7M dollars, 


6. Resolution 15-22: Appropriation - Sewer Enterprise Capital FY 15
$295,000
will help with the capacity on the sewer line for Cooks Farm
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 

7. Resolution 15-23: Appropriation – Water Enterprise Capital FY 15
$610,000
water system improvements, Hill St, Lewis, and the streets in the neighborhood
will be coming to Council to extend the public way, so the whole project can be completed

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

8. Resolution 15-24: Authorization to Issue Request for Proposals – Pond Street Property
lease of parcel for solar, recommendation from the EDC for two RFPs, if either or both are approved, would run for 6 weeks, see if there is a revenue stream available; the second one is more traditional development

Bissanti - thanks for the input, solar was a compromise for the neighbors
so we can put both out, see what comes back with for the Council to review

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

9. Resolution 15-25: Authorization to Issue Request for Proposals – Pond Street Property
for the parcel to be sold and developed

this RFP would allow anything but exclude apartments 
does have a minimum of price, minimum set backs included in both RFPs

advertise, proposals submitted, reviewed by EDC, interview developers, brought before the Council for sale and requires a 2/3 vote, step one of about an 8 step process

Bissanti - thanks to Bryan (Taberner) for his work on this, worked hard to appease the neighbors and be good for the town

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


10. Bylaw Amendment 15-747:Amendment of Service Fee Rates – Solid Waste and Recycling – 1st Reading

$216 -> 200

forgot when we discussed a few weeks ago that the rates will be going down due to the new negotiation with WasteManagement

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0

Live reporting: License transactions

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS 

• British Beer Company – Change of Manager- 7:10 pm tabled to next meeting

• Gill N Sidhu, LLC – Chinese Mirch - Change of DBA- 7:10 pm

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

Chinese food with Indian spices

• Table & Vine, Inc. – Annual Wine & Malt Package Store - New License – 7:10 pm

process to advertise, posted, advertised MDN, etc.

only one applicant came in at the deadline

paying approx $100,000 in taxes

payed additional dollars to fix up the road

employee about 100 

privately owner company

James Wilson, store manager

in 2012 constructed, construction, widening of the roadway, signal added

development of the commercial sector on the eastern part

all the ABC documents are contained in your package

Michael Gold, VP Legal Affairs of BIG Y

MA corporation, based in Springfield area

in business 80 years, owned and operated by the family

3rd generation of the family

we are a great neighbor in the community, support numerous local organizations

Table & Vine essentially the liquor business for Big Y

currently has 4 liquor licenses

1 strandalone, 3 within stores

would be the smallest liquor dept in MA

loyal customers have been asking for it since they opened

well trained, talented and educated, 

experts in wine, food and craft beers

hoping to bring that expertise here

take obligations to sell alcohol seriously

Point of sale systems do require a valid birth date entered in the system

serve the public need, in search of a common good

MA case law has identified several factors

• proximity to school, no schools in immediate area
• number of existing dispensaries, there is an available license
• competition among existing license holders should not be made in determination, DaVitas and Franklin Liquor have full license, this would only be beer/wine as a convenience for the customers; not looking to put anyone out of the business; there is a distinction between the licenses and the nature of the operations
• submitted letters in support of the license; received a resounding yes
• reputation of the applicant, over 50 years of experience, can bring expertise to the area with craft beer and specialty wines
• wines - always a concern, the state of the art development, a completely different facade, the traffic is not a deterrent in this case, the traffic improvements are allowing negotiations with other developments proposed next door to utilize the entrance

Feldman - quantified?

customers come in frequently, asking for beer/wine

we were careful about where to use the last license

Padula - how does the sale work?

there is a point of sale system that is required with a valid date in order to process the transaction; there are also 32 locations in CT as well

Padula - how many times?

never in MA? in CT? one issue among the 32 stores in 9 years

DaVitas issue won the full license and when they got it, they turned in the beer/wine 

The Council last year voted against the Cottage/Union, and developed the process we have used here

Kelly - how do you handle the situation when a cashier is underage?

if a minor would try to scan an alcohol transaction, it would lock the system until a supervisor came over

Mark Lenzi - Franklin Liquors, across from the BIG Y

in 1978 purchased Jimmies Penny Candy Liquor Store

this is the oldest liquor license in town

family all work there

please consider the decision from last year, in consideration 

there was one license last year

there are three licenses this time

consider the legal precedence set in MA

the laws are changing, it used to be three, it will be 7 in 2016

what does it mean for the town?

it may mean more corporations coming

I am a BIG Y customer, and I did not get asked

consider the support for the small business movement in town

in closing, I am not sure they showed a public need, just because they are the only application doesn't demonstrate the public need

Cerel - can only take into consideration material presented at the meeting and not in other ways

Michael Rourke - Franklin resident

chose Franklin for a variety of reasons for the family

voted best town for families, affordable homes, top rated jobs, good schools, etc.

local were proud to call Franklin, discourage to see the charm decline in the past several years

now some of those small business are out of business

too much of our hard earned dollars are going to corporation

Mark and his family are a true proponent

in the spirit of national small business that started this week

the main reason was due to the saturation in the area, 

there are others around, a saturation

I urge you to deny this application

"Industry need not wish, there is no need here"

Karen Mullen, a Big Y customer

I feel strongly that BIG Y supports the small town

I don't think it would take away their business

I don't see the competition here 

MA case law doesn't support the need

I would request that this license be approved

Sandra Verhagen, town resident

there is a movement to support small business

we are all in it together

this being small business week, we are spending our money to keep them operating

ask you to look at this and deny the license

I don't understand how there is public need

Laurie Blake - Norfolk resident

BIG Y customer, I do think it would be convenient

The other liquor stores that are in town, I would still good to them for other things; if I am looking for hard alcohol, I would go elsewhere

if they are the oldest they are survivors

I am on both sides, I think having BIG Y and their regulations would be a strong contender on this town

motion to close the hearing, seconded, 9-0

additional comment from BIG Y

focus is on the craft brews and unique wines, not the regular stuff you see

I advocate for small business and for family business, that is where we came from, our core business is food, and proper pairings is what we are looking to do

Feldman - I appreciate the comments on both side, the situation last year was between two small businesses, any time we take on a license, some one will oppose it, the government should not impede competition

motion to approve, seconded, 8-1 via roll call (Dellorco - no)

Live reporting: Town Council - Agenda - May 6, 2015

Present: Feldman, Padula, Mercer, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Williams, Dellorco
Absent:  none


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– April 1, 2015, April 15, 2015
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0


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 others.


C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
– Conservation Commission - William Batchelor
motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

F. HEARINGS
none

Legislation for action:

1. Resolution 15-17: Amending the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

2. Resolution 15-18: Acceptance of Gift – Council on Aging

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

3. Resolution 15-19: Appropriation - Fire Truck Stabilization Fund

$100,000 from free cash this year towards a future expense

Chief McCarragher, the next truck is scheduled for replacement in 2017

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)


4. Resolution 15-20: Appropriation – Athletic Fields Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund

$200,000 from free cash this year towards a future expense
fund set aside to replace the artificial fields in 2016-2017, so when the time comes, there will be funds in the account

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)


Presentation

• Culture District

Alan Mercer
part of steering committee to form a Cultural District
Jul 29- Aug 2, first annual Cultural Festival
11 organizations with 30 events over the time period

Taming of the Shrew - Dean College before the event
St Rocco Festival occurs after the Festival

locations throughout downtown
celebrate culinary arts, performing arts

family friendly and focused children events as well

Saturday mostly on the Town Common
Sunday mostly around the BLACK BOX parking lot

kick off event on May 16th
no pay for performers, nor admission to events
keeping cost down to under $2,000
fund raising event at the BLACK BOX on the 16th
tickets available for $18
via Facebook, website and through the BLACK BOX online
(link to be included)

Pandora Carlucci, Roberta Trahan, Jim Schultz, Sue Sheridan

Tom Mercer - the difference in the events is fantastic

2015 Memorial Day Parade Information

Updated from Matt Kelly (copied from his comment on Facebook to answer questions about the changes)

"as the coordinator of the parade I take offense to that. The route was changed because after almost 10 years of coordinating this parade both the marching veterans, the police and the I have had numerous discussions on the parade. The parade route was getting to long for the veterans that coordinate the parade with me, the police have concerns for safety of the children that march on Rt 140. 

Chris Nasuti Maguire the visit to both Union St and St Mary's cemeteries have not been removed from the ceremony. The American Legion and VFW are deciding if this will happen during the parade or on Sunday. As these are their brother and sisters I have left it up to them to decided when they want to pay their tributes to them. 

John Ristaino I am sorry for the people that won't see the parade pass in front of their house but my first concern is the veterans who walk each year and refuse to take a ride in donated cars, but instead walk, and the safety of our scouting groups. 

This is not a town sponsored event. For background information the VFW came to the Franklin Rotary Club almost 10 years ago and asked for help. At that time myself and several Rotarians stepped up and coordinated and planned the parade so it would not come to an end. We have operated the parade since we got involved using our own money and not any town or outside donations. We do this out of respect and devotion to our veterans. 

Before you cast your opinions, throw your stones and sign your petitions please stop and think that this is something that was done out of necessity and requests from the participants. 

Also, as the parade organizer feel free to ask a veteran to participate in the parade. Many of our marchers are elderly and very few veterans March out of pride. I beg and plead each year and very few show. So if you see a vet ask and encourage them to march. 

If you have additional questions, comments, constructive ideas please feel free to message me (on Facebook).

Participant Drop Off

If your group is participating in this year’s parade please see the attached drop off and muster location map. DO NOT HAVE ANYONE IN YOUR GROUP STOP ON RT140 AND DROP KIDS OFF. This is very dangerous and the last few years we have had some close calls with kids almost getting hit. Drop off should be done on West and East Streets and all people can walk to their muster location. This includes scouting troops and bands.

honor guard from 2014 parade

Parade Route:

The 2015 Parade route will begin at the Franklin Fire Station and proceed up Main St to Church St. We will no longer go down School St, Union St, or Beaver St. The parade will also no longer stop at Union St or St Mary's Cemetery's. Please see the attached update Parade Route Sheet.

Parade Information:

Date: Monday, May 25, 2015

Muster: 10am -10:15am - Group leaders must check in at the Franklin Historical Museum statue

Parade: 10:45 am

Ceremony: 12noon at the Franklin Town Common

What We Need From You:

Reply to this email with your~Troop, Group, Band information, contact person and ~estimated~ amount of participants in your group.

ALL participants must reply by May 15th

Forward this information to anyone who may need it in your Group, Troop, Band, or Organization
Email Matt@KellyColomboGroup.com with any questions.


Parade muster stations -  http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020C066C-000F8513.1/Parade%20Muster%20Stations.pdf

Parade map -  http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020C066C-000F8513.0/Parade%20Map.pdf