Dacey's Market liquor sales restricted by Town Council

The Town Council had a busy meeting on Wednesday. They approved the sewer extension for a single family home on Crocker Ave and penalized Dacey's Market for liquor sales to an underage person. They sent a zoning bylaw change to the Planning Board for the area around the current Thompson Printing facility. They also authorized the funding of the trust fund to help resolve the OPEB issue.

Sewer Extension

The single family home owner will pay for the sewer extension and repaving the road where the sewer line is laid. The land is mostly ledge and won't support a septic system per Franklin's Health Dept inspector. The vote was 8-0 for this item at the second reading. Members of the Council had objected to the absence of the home owner for the first reading of the bylaw change. The home owner was present on Wednesday.

Dacey's Market

Dacey's Market was handed a 7 day penalty, 4 days to be served beginning July 16th and 3 days held in abeyance for 2 years. This is the second instance for underage liquor sales. The first took place in 2011. 

The underage sale was discovered when an off duty sargent was making a personal purchase and observed the individual making his purchase. A vehicle license check confirmed the underage status. An officer on duty happened to be in the area, he was contacted. Confirmed the underage status and made a vehicle stop to confirm the liquor purchase. He confiscated a CT license. The individual claimed to not have used it as the store employees regularly did not check for licenses.

The owner of Dacey's Market was present. He had purchased the license validation machine after the 2011 incident to prevent underage sales. If the machine says the license is good, he makes the sale. The license itself may be good but it may still not match the individual. Dacay's has 5 days to appeal the Council decision by going directly to the ABCC, otherwise the penalty will take effect as agreed to.

Zoning Bylaw

A zoning bylaw change was referred to the Planning Board to begin the process of changing the last industrial zone in downtown to residential. This was an outcome of a prior zoning workshop the Council, Planning Board and other Town official held March 25, 2015. (My meeting notes can be found here)

The area around the location of the current Thompson Building is the target for the change. It already abuts another similarly zoned parcel. The proposed change is hoped to provide additional residential space near the downtown area. The Planning Board will do their public hearing process and bring the bylaw back to the Council where there will be a public hearing and two readings before a vote. 

Franklin Municipal Building

OPEB Trust Fund

Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) account is underfunded by the Town of Franklin to the tune of about $80M. An actuarial study currently underway will confirm the current requirement. Franklin had established a trust fund to help manage the money being put aside. The primary purpose for such would be to increase the rate of return on the funds invested. Current regulations impose a more conservative return opportunity for the money in 'stabilization' funds but allow for more aggressive funding opportunities in a managed trust fund.

The trust fund was established previously. The management committee had been meeting to discuss investment options and finally reached their decision. The Council's action was to approve the transfer of $1,875,334.64 (plus accrued interest) to the Trust Fund.  


The complete set of notes recorded live during the meeting can be found here

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Legislation for action
• Live reporting: Dacey's Market
• Live reporting: Sewer Extension
• Live reporting: Franklin Advisory Committee
• Live reporting: Town Council - July 8, 2015

Important Traffic Notice for Interstate 495

From the Town of Franklin "news" section:

The MassDOT has notified us about upcoming work on 495 this weekend. 

They will be working on the Beaver Street Bridge deck on the southbound side. They will have reduced lanes on Interstate 495 and will be placing a temporary stop sign at the bottom of the southbound onramp (Exit 17) at Route 140. This may result in backups on the ramp, but they will have a local police detail on site as well. 

They will be doing the same on the northbound side in the next couple of weeks.

This was shared from the official Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/021674CA-000F8513

MassDOT

The MA DOT webpage has skimpy info on the project # 78213
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/ProjectInfo.aspx

In the News: Fight Hunger paintball fund raiser, butterfly aviary in Holliston

This is the fourth year Jones has organized the event. The way it works is, everyone who shows up that day pays an additional $5 cover, which goes straight to the pantry. Typically, the event raises about $500. 

“It’s not a lot of money but it’s something,” said Jones. “The food pantry is always in need of monetary support.” 

Fox 4 will also raffle off a paintball gun and other items in a 50/50 drawing. 

For Jones, the event is a convergence of two interests. As a former town counselor and now as a civilian, the Franklin Food Pantry has always been a focal point.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150709/NEWS/150706729/1994/NEWS


additional info on the Paintball Challenge can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/fight-hunger-paintball-challenge-july.html

The average lifespan of a butterfly is between two and three weeks. The commission plans to harvest the eggs and create kits to give to youth groups to make the aviary self-sufficient. 

The commission also hopes to set up a reserve over the winter to pay for the aviary. Plant material is the biggest expense, said Kilkelly. 

The aviary will be open to the public during the day until November. Saturday’s grand opening will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at the golf course on 212 Prentice St.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150709/NEWS/150706713/1994/NEWS

2015 HockomockSports.com boys lacrosse Awards features the "Player of the Year" and 7 from FHS

The Hockomock League awards for boys lacrosse named several athletes from Franklin High School including the Player of the Year, Jack Vail and Coach of the Year - Lou Verrochi.

Franklin senior attacker Jack Vail has been chosen as the 2015 HockomockSports.com Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year. Vail led the Panthers to a third straight Kelley-Rex Division title and was chosen as the Hockomock MVP by the league coaches. This is the second year in a row that Vail has been named Player of the Year.

“Jack was the best player on the best team in the league and an easy choice to be Player of the Year,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “Whether he got the ball behind the cage, in transition, or at the ‘X’ Vail was capable of scoring. He also had one of the most accurate shots that I saw all year and was capable of great goals.”

FHS Panthers

Defense - Alec Borkowski, Franklin

One of the Catholic Memorial players remarked that he had never seen a player force as many turnovers as Franklin senior Alec Borkowski. He was one of the driving forces behind the outstanding Panthers defense that led to a league title and the program's first trip to the sectional semifinal. Borkowski was named an all-star by the league's coaches and was also selected as a second team Eastern Mass. All-American after an impressive senior campaign that drew rave reviews from opposing coaches.

Defense - Sean Lockhart, Franklin

Another member of the relentless Franklin defensive core, junior pole Sean Lockhart was a tenacious on the ball defender and his ability to guard high up the field allowed the Panthers to pressure the ball and transition quickly. Lockhart is one of the returning Panthers that will be looking to build on the program's best season that included wins over perennial powers Xaverian and Wellesley. Lockhart was also selected as a league all-star by Hockomock coaches.

LSM - Michael Sullivan, Franklin

Franklin senior LSM Michael Sullivan combines speed and tenacity and was capable of making plays that could change a game, as he did with a diving save/assist against Xaverian in the playoffs. The Siena College-commit showed that he was capable of taking over a game. Sullivan, who was the 2013 HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year, was named a league all-star and was selected to play in the BostonLax All American Game.

Midfield - Austin Kent, Franklin

Franklin junior Austin Kent emerged last season as the 2014 HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year and continued his stellar attacking play for the Panthers this spring. Kent scored 36 goals and added 16 assists as part of Franklin's powerful attack, but he also showed the ability to be a factor on the defensive side especially in transition. His speed and his ability to dodge opened space for his laser of a shot. Kent was chosen as a Hockomock all-star by the league's coaches.

• Goalie - DJ Shea, Franklin
• LSM - Matt Pleshaw, Franklin
• Midfield - Kyle Lundgren, Franklin
• Attack - Eric Civetti, Franklin

Coach of the Year - Lou Verrochi, Franklin

Franklin head coach Lou Verrochi has been named the third annual HockomockSports.com Boys Lacrosse Coach of the Year. Verrochi led the Panthers to a third straight Kelley-Rex Division title and to the program’s first ever Div. 1 South semifinal. 

“Coach Verrochi kept the Panthers focused as the playoffs began and inspired his team to compete with some of the state’s best,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “With the Xaverian game going against his team, he called timeout to rally the troops and prevented a collapse. With a team that has as many personalities as Franklin had this spring, Verrochi worked hard to keep everyone working towards a common goal.”

For the full listing of boys lacrosse from Hockomock Sports
http://www.hockomocksports.com/boys-lacrosse-awards.html

Franklin Community Coalition on Opioid Abuse (Video)

The video recording from the June 30th meeting to start the Community Coalition addressing opioid epidemic is now available for viewing.





My notes from the meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/07/live-reporting-community-coalition-june.html

The next meeting is scheduled for August 12 location remains to be determined

Franklin DPW: Water Meter Replacement Program

The Franklin Water Department has begun its water meter replacement program and you may be receiving a postcard in the mail from our installer.  

The installations will be done by a private contractor called USI Services.  Please keep an eye out for a postcard from USI which is a division of Thielsch Engineering.  The program will start with residents who have the oldest meters, so not all residents will receive a postcard. 

If you do receive a post card, please follow the instructions on the card and set up an appointment at your earliest convenience.  All installers will have uniforms, photo ID badges, and will be driving clearly marked vehicles.  

If you have any questions, please contact the DPW at 508-520-4910.  Thank you and have a great week.

This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

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