Franklin Community Coalition on Opioid Abuse Update

The next meeting of the coalition is Tuesday, August 12 at 7 p.m. at a location TBD. For now, please save the date. View this email in your browser First meeting starts conversation Last Tuesday night's meeting was a great start to a community conversation on opioid abuse. Over 200 people joined in the conversation. Click here to view the newspaper report about the evening. We are planning our next coalition meeting for Tuesday, August 12 at a location to be determined. Please save the date and we will let you know as soon as the details are finalized. In the meantime, we will be working on an organizational structure for the coalition, our website and social media resources, establishing a support group in Franklin, and developing other community resources. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please pass them along by replying to this email. Today we are in the midst of a health crisis in the fight against heroin and opiate addiction. It's taking the lives of our community members. Earlier this month, TIME magazine noted that powerful painkillers are creating the worst addiction crisis America has ever seen. Massachusetts' opioid addiction problem was declared a public health emergency more than a year ago. Since then it has gotten worse. The state saw more than 1,000 opioid-related deaths in 2014 – three times as many as in 2000. We've seen the devastation of addiction right here in our backyards and neighborhoods. Last week the Governor's Opioid Task Force released its report and recommendations. It identifies addiction as a public health challenge, not a law enforcement issue. It recognizes Substance Use Disorder as a chronic medical condition, calling on the medical community to treat it as such. And it calls on everyone to reduce the stigma that prevents those suffering from Substance Use Disorder from getting the help they need. A continued open and frank discussion is what we need to generate new ideas and new approaches. This crisis is not going to be solved in a day with one meeting. We started this coalition because we know that the cost of turning our backs on this problem is simply too high. And a community that can have this type of conversation is a strong one. I'm happy to see that this conversation has begun and humbled to see that so many people showed up to join in. I'm glad we got together last Tuesday, but the conversation must continue. We have legislators, law enforcement personnel (including our district attorney), firefighters, local officials, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, school officials, counselors, family members, friends and neighbors – all committed to eradicating harmful opiates and saving lives. Thank you for your commitment to this effort and I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, August 12 for our next meeting. Do you have an idea for a coalition name? So far we have received the following: Franklin SAFE (Support for Addicts and Families by Empowerment) Healing Hearts Franklin Against Drugs Franklin Against Opioids Please continue to pass along any ideas or suggestions. Subscribe to email list Vowing to change the way the Commonwealth treats and even thinks about substance addiction, Governor Charlie Baker released the findings of his Opioid Working Group, a comprehensive report detailing 65 actionable steps to curb the deadly opioid epidemic. You can view the report by clicking here. The findings by the 18-member Working Group include short and long term action items to be implemented between now and the next three years, some requiring legislative action and funding and some will be achieved through partnerships with private industry and federal leaders. The announcement comes just days after the launch of a statewide public service campaign to alert parents about the dangers of prescription opioid misuse by their kids. You can link to the campaign by clicking here. Did you know? By 2009, drug overdose deaths outnumbered deaths due to motor vehicle crashes for the first time in the U.S. Prescription drugs, especially opioid analgesics, have been increasingly involved in drug overdose deaths. Click here and here for more details. Karen Courtemanche shared this great information for the coalition: I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone that spoke at our first of many meetings of the Opioid Abuse Coalition. We have a great team of resources that seems to keep growing. I feel very committed to this coalition and I also feel that our voices were heard last Tuesday night loud and clear. We have a long road ahead of us but we are off to a great start. Here is a great group to join on Facebook for support TAM Massachusetts State Chapter ~ "The Addicts Mom". It's resourceful and comforting! Naloxone (Narcan) is available at any pharmacy; you don't need a prescription any more (I personally went to CVS in Franklin and purchased one and had no problem). Get the Nasal one it is covered under insurance, if you don't have insurance it's only $20.00. Here is a video to show you how to use it and when: Emergency Rooms...if you have a loved one, and you feel they are not safe, that they may go out and use that one more time (which we all know~ that isn't good) bring them to the emergency room (again I have done this many many times) The ER will assess and keep them. Be persistent! Reinhard Straub, LICSW, LCDCS was one of the speakers I asked to come Tuesday night. He's a recovering addict himself that has turned his life around in order to help people like us. He told me to give his number to you. He is happy to help in anyway he can and can be reached by phone at 401-949-2220 and fax at 401-949-2262. He has 5 - 6 people that he works closely with to find the right treatments and help. Currently, they are putting together packets for us; as soon as I get them I'll post them. Meanwhile please feel free to contact Reinhard, he is a GREAT resource. He helped me immensely. If you need help reach out! We will make changes for the good, we need to stick together and stay strong. a quote that I thought very appropriate from Derek Getchell...."I CAN'T WE CAN"..... it takes a village. Copyright © 2015 Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in joining the fight against obioid abuse in our community. Our mailing address is: Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov State House - Room 527A Boston, MA 02133 Add us to your address book

Click here it read my Storify summary of the meeting

Senator Spilka: Legislature Passes Balanced FY16 Budget

Updates Massachusetts' Tax Structure to Support Residents without Raising Taxes or Fees; Reforms the MBTA

The Massachusetts Legislature today enacted a $­­­­­­­­­38.145 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) which emphasizes economic growth, support for residents most in need, and reform of the state's transportation system. The spending plan makes investments in local aid, education, and human services including an acute focus on behavioral health and substance abuse.

Building on a responsible yet proactive approach to bolstering the state's economy, this year's budget increases the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) while maintaining a voter-mandated tax reduction and without implementing new taxes or fees. For low-to-moderate households, EITC will increase to 23 percent on January 1, 2016. Increasing this credit is an effective way to fight stagnant wages and lift working families out of poverty.

"This year's budget features a long-overdue increase of the Earned Income Tax Credit, and I'm thrilled we have taken this substantial step towards addressing income inequality by helping working families in Massachusetts," said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst). "We've also ensured that taxpayers won't be left on the hook for funding the Olympics, and MBTA riders won't have to pick up the tab for T mismanagement. I want to commend Senator Spilka for a successful first budget which maintains our fiscal health, continues our economic growth, and lifts all families."

"As is customary, the House budget contained a myriad of policy matters, anyone of which could have been debated and voted on during the debate in April," said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D – Winthrop). "The budget passed overwhelmingly as did the conference committee report today."

"These budget line items are more than just numbers. They represent values, priorities and meaningful tools for people across the Commonwealth," said Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "We invest in the future, strengthening pathways to educational opportunity from early education through college and workforce training. We provide assistance for those struggling with opioid addiction and help people find stable housing solutions. The Earned Income Tax Credit increase is a big step to address rising income inequality and put more money in the pockets of hard-working families. Thank you to Senate President Rosenberg, Senator DiDomenico and Senator deMacedo for your hard work and assistance and to my House counterpart Chairman Dempsey for his partnership throughout this process. My goal when I became Chair of Senate Ways and Means this year was to create a budget to lift all families. This final budget accomplishes that goal."

"This budget takes significant steps to begin to deliver meaningful reform to the MBTA to ensure that the system does not have the shut-downs and delays that were experienced this past winter," said Representative Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. "I am proud that this budget maintains fiscal discipline by slowing spending growth but still makes targeted investments to deliver tax relief, combat opioid abuse, prevent homelessness and preserve services for the most vulnerable populations in our state."

"This year's budget makes strategic investments in some of the Commonwealth's most critical services and programs, while still remaining financially responsible," said Senate Committee on Ways and Means Vice Chair Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett).  "The impact of this budget will be far reaching in providing support for the state's working families by expanding vital initiatives, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, and making crucial investments in early education.  I would like to thank Chairwoman Karen Spilka, Chairman Brian Dempsey, and my fellow colleagues on the conference committee for their hard work and contributions to produce a comprehensive final budget that will continue to move our Commonwealth forward."

"In a challenging budget year, the House and Senate have crafted a balanced and responsible spending plan that invests in local schools and communities, addresses the growing crisis in opioid addiction, and brings much needed reforms to the state's management of public transportation," said Representative Stephen Kulik (D- South Deerfield), House Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means. "Our Commonwealth is moving forward to support working families and a stronger economic future, and this budget reflects these priorities."

"Today we've enacted a Fiscal Year 2016 state budget produced in a bi-partisan and collaborative way that invests in important priories without resorting to an income tax increase, and which incorporates the products of Republican Caucus initiatives such as a strong MBTA control board, legislative control over Olympic Games funding, and the elimination of a burdensome financial surcharge for motorists not using headlight in inclement weather," said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).

"The Fiscal Year 2016 budget reaffirms the state's commitment to our cities and towns by providing significant increases in local aid, while also protecting the state's hard-working taxpayers by not imposing any new taxes or drawing down from the Stabilization Fund," said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading).  "The budget also takes many important steps towards reforming the MBTA by providing greater oversight and accountability of the authority's finances and operations, which should result in improved fiscal stability and service reliability at the agency moving forward."

The budget takes immediate steps to address systemic management problems at the MBTA by including a series of reform tools including 3-year suspension of the statute governing the procurement of private services at the MBTA and:

• An MBTA fiscal management and control board within MassDOT that will have the power to implement measures to ensure financial, operational and managerial stability at the MBTA while operating within a unified state transportation network;

• An internal special audit unit within MassDOT to monitor quality, efficiency and integrity of the departments operating and capital programs;

• Streamlined accountability at the MBTA, including providing the Secretary of Transportation authority to appoint a General Manager for the MBTA.

To bolster accountability and transparency within the state's transportation system, the law also increases the size of the MassDOT Board and makes the Secretary of Transportation chair of the Board. These updates follow two transportation reform plans accompanied by major funding increases the Legislature passed in 2009 and in 2013.

The FY16 budget targets the opioid crisis, strengthening behavioral health efforts enacted in last year's budget and the landmark substance addiction law through several targeted investments. Many of the programs focus on co-occurring disorders and finding sustainable ways to aid in both prevention and recovery including:

• $3 million for new clinical stabilization beds to provide for treatment after detoxification;

• A municipal Naloxone bulk purchasing program to authorize the Department of Public Health to buy and distribute this critical intervention to first responders;

• A task force to study the feasibility of a prescription drug disposal program;

• $2.5 million to expand patient access to Vivitrol, a non-narcotic drug that blocks the effect of opiates or alcohol for a period of 30 days;

• $1.5 million to expand opioid prevention grants;

• $3.1 million for a new line item for Recovery High Schools, including $1 million to establish two new programs;

• More than $375 million for Adult Community Mental Health Services, $87 million for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and an additional $4 million for the Department of Mental Health to annualize and expand community placements to free up beds in the DMH pipeline.

This budget enhances the Commonwealth's partnerships with cities and towns through numerous funding streams including almost $980 million to Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), a $34 million increase from FY15 and $4.5 billion for Chapter 70 (education funding). The spending plan fully funds Special Education Circuit Breaker in order to help districts meet the cost of educating students with disabilities, and provides $59 million to reimburse municipalities for Regional School Transportation costs.

In addition to educational investments through local aid, this year's budget extends Massachusetts ongoing commitment to supporting and strengthening its educational systems to foster equality and provide residents with a competitive edge, including:

• $4 million to increase access to high-quality early education and care (EEC) for the Commonwealth's youngest children through EEC program quality improvements, including support for workforce development and training opportunities for early educators;

• $12 million to serve an additional 2,000+ children on the income-eligible EEC waitlist and support working families;

• $95.6 million for the state's Higher Education Scholarship to help eligible Massachusetts residents cover the cost of college;

• $750,000 for the Community College Workforce Training Incentive Grant Program to expand vocationally-oriented course offerings and support the work of Community Colleges in developing tomorrow's workforce.

This year's budget emphasizes the importance of enhanced fiscal predictability and sustainable investments, a practice that has raised Massachusetts bond rating to AA+, the highest in the state's history. For the first time since 2007, the budget does not withdraw any funds from the Commonwealth's stabilization fund, leaving the balance in excess of $1 billion.

Additional economic development measures include:

• MassCAN: $1.7 million to establish widespread, progressive computer science curriculum in public school through a public-private matching program;

• Talent Pipeline: $1.5 million to encourage young innovators to get a head start on their futures by matching stipends for interns at innovation start-ups, and to provide mentoring opportunities for new entrepreneurs;

• STEM Starter Academy: $4.75 million to promote STEM careers at the Commonwealth's community colleges.

• $2 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership to address the shortfall of skilled workers and aid small and mid-sized manufacturing companies though technical assistance and consultant support;

• $1.5 million for a Precision Manufacturing Program, designed to increase the skill set of middle-skilled workers;

• $600,000 for Regional Economic Development Grants;

• $2.2 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to train unemployed and low-wage workers for high-demand industries like health care, construction, and education;

• $1.2 million for a new Training Resources and Internship Networks (TRAIN) grant program, a partnership with community colleges to specifically target the long-term unemployed and provide them with training and internship opportunities and the chance to fill resume gaps.

Included in the budget is a provision that protects taxpayer dollars from being spent on the 2024 Olympics, which also includes tax incentives, for the Games if they come to Massachusetts.  The provision requires Boston 2024 to formally request funding from the Legislature for any specific project and make their case during a formal hearing.

The budget now goes to the Governor.

Live reporting: Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Diane Blancchard retiring

thanks to the 4th of July Coalition

downtown project updates coming every two weeks
don't be shy to ask questions

Algonquin Gas has resubmitted a new application

Company coming out from MN to work on the DelCarte Playground


L. OLD BUSINESS
anything on the State budget, any surprise there we need to know about
waiting on the Governor to approve or veto in next 10 days
then House has 10 days to override

Pond St closes the 9th
Economic Dev Com scheduled for 6:00 PM next Weds

Pfeffer
- 16 buried by Fr Manning
finding inconsistency in Police reporting

Forever Home Fund Raiser for dogs
Sgt Homes from Stoughton has a drug dog that is also a rescue dog

some one should be suggesting what we should be doing
proposal for funding a dog for the Police

Williams
Franklin does have a dog cross trained in drug and other services
we are also part of the Metro organization with dogs to come at any time

Bissanti
this isn't a knee jerk reaction, this is not a new problem
we need to keep talking about it as it won't go away


M. NEW BUSINESS
awaiting on the RFP responses, have one solar proposal, hoping for some good responses

4th of July fireworks
every year we are the only ones without
got reaction is that it is not a legal expenditure

did have the State fire marshall out and they ruled out all the places where we would have space

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Kelly
downtown construction, Walsh and DPW see of they can better coordinate their plans
the detour was detoured to a detour

thanks to Sgt Riley for stepping up

499 people over a week ago went to the landfill/recycling center

opioid public meeting Aug 12th

Emmons, West and East Central this year - Main St next year



O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Collective Bargaining Police, Police Sergeants, and Library
motion to move to executive session, via roll call 8-0

Live reporting: Legislation for action

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 15-46: Appropriation: Water Enterprise – Prior Year Bill – 9/10 Vote
T failed to bill Franklin for two years
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

2. Resolution 15-47: Appropriation: Other Post Employment Trust Fund – 2/3 Vote
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

a trust fund has now been established, and voted to invest the funds with the State, this would take the money from the Stabilization Fund, move it to the Trust and increase the return opportunity


3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 15-750: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to General Residential V District in an Area on or Near Dean Ave – Referral to Planning
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

this rezones the last piece of Industrial zone property in downtown Franklin
would start the public process, hearing, etc.
smart growth near the train station
go to the Planning Board and will come back here for a public hearing

Residential 5 abuts the property so it really expands it rather than leaping over


4. Bylaw Amendment 15-748: Amendment to Chapter 128 Peddling and Soliciting – 2nd Reading
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

modification of hours for solicitation, limits to 7:00 PM or half hour prior to sunset
effectively to daylight hours

Live reporting: Dacey's Market

F. HEARINGS
– Violation of M.G.L. 138 §34: Sale, Delivery or furnishing of an Alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21 – 7:10 PM

• Dacey’s Market

Chief Semerjian reads the report as found in the agenda document

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/07082015.pdf


Cerel questions Sargent Jason Riley
who was sworn to tell the truth

Riley recaps the story in his own words

Owner disputes the license check as the machine passed the license
they are dependent upon the license

Chief - an out of state license is not valid for those under 30

Cerel puts into the record, the incident of May 23, 2011 where an underage was confirmed

had been the owner at the time in 2011

purchased the scanner after the incident in 2011

what is the use of the false ID? it is a violation

ABCC says you can sell if the machine passes

In 2011, they brought the individual right away
this time we did not hear until 3 days later

Officer Hamilton - sworn in
actually a CT license not a RI, attached to the incident
a fake ID, was not used to purchase

Pfeffer - you get many RI purchases, you don't you think it is odd to get so many, as you are out of the way

Williams - MA licenses, liquor ID or military IDs are the only defense

Cerel - it is only those IDs that are in the statues, there is no defense provided for other licenses

Pfeffer - what was the penalty days held for?
Cerel - not marked, usually 2 years

Bissanti - they put us in a difficult position, the shopkeeper has a stack of fake IDs. I am not advocating underage drinking. The Council has a no tolerance policy

Kelly - this was not a sting
Riley - this was 'the wrong place at the wrong time'

sting operation has very specific bylaw regulations
the second operation is more open for the case by case basis

7 days, 3 to be served with 4 held for 2 years
amend, 4 days, 3 to be held for 2 years

Kelly - he could have brought the employee in, he could have brought additional evidence in, this is not passing the smell test for me

motion to amend to enforce beginning July 16 for 4 days
opportunity to appeal via the ABCC

Live reporting: Sewer Extension

5. Bylaw Amendment 15-749: Amendment to Chapter 139-14 Sewer System Map – 2nd Reading

Don Neilson, representing landowner
spent time with Board of Health agent
property is mostly ledge, and not available for septic
looking to extend force main to Crocker Ave
exact routing to be determined

being recommended by the Town, single family, it is the right thing to do

Live reporting: Franklin Advisory Committee

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Franklin Advisory Committee

Larry Benedetto
town headed in proper direction,
no complaints mostly compliments about the helpfulness of the employees

cul-de-sac issue, we are consistent with our neighbors, whether it can be raised to 800' is still open

much discussion with the Master Plan and how to proceed with it
idea of creating new mixed used development
South Franklin, Washington St (among others) would benefit from this possible development

the mom-pop stores that many grew up with will not return
can provide a convenience, create employment and revenue

parking should be left to the determination of the owners
the owner should have some freedom to make their own determination
the developer has the knowledge to make a good decision

South Meeting House
there will be a debate in the coming months about the use of it for future
need to preserve our historical assets
we are encouraged by the report and encourage all to be familiar with the details

site plan review/limited site plan review
decision to allow the Planning Board to proceed seems to have resolved the issue
complaints on 'fast tracking' are problematic, usually it  is the applicant who is slowing things down

removal of modulars will enhance and compliment the entrance to the town

the train station
we have a new roof and a paint job, the myriad problems that the T faces will hinder further
possibility of the developer of the Thompson property is a consideration

Council should retain the right to rezone a property
RT 140 rezoning caused an uproar but when all was said and done those impacted profited from the change

property owners should maintain their property

urgent care facility coming in across the street (i.e. new development replacing Ficco's et al)

Amendment to Chapter 185-18
applies to construction of non-conforming properties
coming in future meetings

need to expand the relationship with Dean College

housing
we have a very active housing partnership
we keep seeing 'workforce housing' popping up
our position is that there are adequate measures in place
we need to work on commercial revenue

MBTA property
took property by eminent domain
will be a valuable property, I think we really need to start ringing that bell
I think they can find another place to put a salt barn and some old trailers

Padula
I am in favor of working with Dean, so what do they do for us?
Benedetto
They used to do some free classes, not sure what they are doing now