Present: Feldman, Padula, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Williams, Dellorco, Mercer (via phone)
Absent: none
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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.
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none
E. APPOINTMENTS
none
Legislation for Action
- Resolution 15-70: Authorizing Tax Increment Financing, Cole Chain Technologies, Inc. And Knickerbocker Properties, Inc. XLIII
EDC Chair -Bissanti, the committee recommends this as a win-win
Nutting - the TIF financing has been used a couple of times, they are looking to expand to Forge Park moving 180 jobs and expand. The TIF allows for collection of the base taxes, some of the increase in taxes based upon the improvements is collected some is a tax advantage for the company to maintain the manufacturing in MA
Larry Gordon, CEO Cole Chain, 47 years in business
small insulated shipping company for seafood, now thermal packaging for health products, shipping at proper temperature is a requirement. Located elsewhere. 140 employees and 40 contractors, 135 Constitution Blvd would fit the company.
Roger Nelson, consultant to the company
started discussion a couple of weeks ago, the team has done well in making us feel welcome
Nutting - our ability to move quickly and be proactive is needed in this competitive environment
Gordon - we have anticipation of hiring and would look to hire local where possible
passed 9-0 via roll call
F. HEARINGS
15-52: Whether public safety, necessity and convenience requires laying out and acceptance of a portion of Lewis Street currently private, as a public way. 7:10 PM- 2nd Reading
opened as public hearing, no public comments
property owners have signed the paperwork
this is the end of Lewis St which had not been previously accepted as a public way, about 8 from Crocker to the end of Lewis
roll call to close hearing - 9-0
- Resolution 15-52:Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of a Portion of Lewis Street, Currently a Private Way -2/3 vote
motion to approve waive of reading, passed via 9-0
motion to approve, passed 9-0 via roll call
Other legislation
- Resolution 15-66: Reconstructing, Adding to, Equipping and Furnishing the Franklin Public Library-2/3 vote
access for handicap
meeting room with movable wall
more computer space
reading hall returned to its glory
constrained with technology and storage
collections up 68%
programs up 117%
sprinkler system upgrade, plumbing, heating upgraded
tween space, teen space
Library Board of Directors, Friends of the Library
Library will be closed for 1 year, if not the construction would be 18-24 months
old paper records needs to be digitized
Drayton, with LLB Architects
children's are more than doubles in to the new area
rest rooms on first floor
main entrance for access to meeting rooms, can be shut off from the rest of the building
original building will have the interior utilities updated and other interior areas will be restored
additional staffing will be required, we are understaffed now
likely an additional 2-3 part-timers
staffing costs would likely be part of the FY 2018 or so budget
the building can only be the building and infrastructure work
attempted to make use of maximum space by minimal staff with proper positioning of the service stations
about 14 years ago, adopted a fiscal policy of 3.5% of the budget as debt
the debt schedule as old debt gets paid off, the new debt will be used to other infrastructure
we worked with the Treasurer to set out a plan and we have a plan to use the capacity within the plan
the tax bill doesn't go up as a result of this, it will go up anyway for other reasons
either modulars or rental spaces could be utilized for temporary space to provide some operation while the construction is underway
vote to approve, seconded, via roll call 9-0
