Clarion Farm - Open House - Saturday, May 21

Come see the farm, meet the horses, and talk to our instructors. Watch riding demos from our students, participate in a horsey craft, and get a pony ride!

• From noon to 4:00 PM

Clarion Farm Open House - May 21

Where is Clarion Farm?

• 444 Lincoln St, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038

Visit their webpage  http://www.clarionfarm.com/

In the News: discussion on private way, February school vacation remains

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"Members of the Town Council said that Franklin should continue maintenance on a private way, despite town officials expressing concern about the legality of doing so. 

Department of Public Works Director Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi said Wednesday the matter arose after he conducted research last year and discovered that, though the town had been grading and plowing Cottage Court, the road is a private way."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160511/franklin-debates-upkeep-of-private-way

"After study and debate, the School Committee decided this week to keep February vacation in future years. 

The board made its unanimous decision Tuesday night. It had been considering the question of school calendars for some time before that, though, convening a subcommittee to study the matter and draft proposals."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160511/franklin-school-committee-retains-february-vacation

Volunteers are asked to bring gardening gloves

"Two local groups are hosting a volunteer project later this month to spruce up the downtown area. 

The Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club will hold the annual Downtown Beautification Day on Saturday, May 21. The event has been held for the past 13 years. 

The effort works to spread mulch and replace flowers in the plant boxes downtown and at the town common. Eileen Mason, one of the organizers of the event, said the flower colors for this year would be blue and white."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160508/franklin-beautification-day-set-for-may-21

volunteers from a prior year

Live reporting: Legislation through Closing

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
EDC meeting explored farm related events, farmers market to do wine tastings
coming up for a future meeting

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1 - Resolution 16-31: DPW – Road Construction and Maintenance – Simple majority vote
motion to approve, seconded, passed via roll call 9-0

proposal for chip sealing and crack sealing

using rubber chip seal which is not as dirty as prior, been used for 3 years

2 - Bylaw Amendment 16-759: Amendment of Service Fees: Solid Waste and Recycling – 1st Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 16-759 to a 2nd Reading, Simple Majority)

motion to move to second reading as amended, seconded, approved via roll call 9-0

small increase in trash due to recycling cost increase

going back to 204 which it was in 2013

it could go back up unless the recycling rates change

without use of surplus, the increase could be 14

we used to get paid for recycling, now we are paying for recycling

motion to amend the rate for the smaller cart to keep at $180

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

3 - Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-753: Zoning Map Changes from Single Family Residential IV to General Residential V in an Area on or near West Central Street – Continued 1st Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-753 to a 2nd Reading, Simple Majority vote)
motion to move to 2nd reading, seconded, approved via roll call 7-1-1  (Bissanti recused; Padula - no)

• Councilor Bissanti recuses himself

Pellegri asked questions on why the Planning Board disapproved this measure and could not find out why

spot zoning is difficult to prove but this would not necessarily apply in this case

this issue has gone back and forth, someone has come forward to develop this as multifamily and it would be better than commercial

Planning Board did oppose this because of the sight distance and traffic implications for commercial, but residential would mitigate that issue

Pfeffer - RT 140 can't be commercial because of the road, I am not for multiunit but in this space it is the best use

Is this the D'Errico project, there is nothing official?

He did come to the EDC to discuss possible future plans

4 - Resolution 16-32: Compensation Plan – FY 2017 – Simple majority vote
motion to continue to next meeting, seconded, passed via roll call 9-0


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
acknowledge letter from Norfolk Fire in appreciation of our assistance a couple of weeks ago
EMS week next week

DelCarte should re-open next Monday, pour concrete today
it rained all last week which delayed this

2-way traffic to come end of June or July
grind roadway and then begin paving in early June


L. OLD BUSINESS
none
M. NEW BUSINESS

• Discussion on Recommendation to amend the Council Procedures Manual

Director of Open Government (DOG, yes really!)

captions of old and new business do not put citizens on reasonable notice of what will be discussed, sample from AG's office to make modification for the procedures manual and to the agenda notification

recommendation to put on a future agenda

4th of July celebration, what is the story on the fireworks, there are no fireworks at the high school

School Committee hosting coffee hours, we should be able to do something like that

would like to see a resolution on providing services to Cottage Court, if we did a resolution, it would be once and for all

the reason is why we can't do the fireworks at the FHS fields, we do not yet have ownership back from the contractor yet

the fire marshall was out here a few years ago and we looked all over there was something wrong with all the other areas

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Pfeffer - contractor for the library in place and working
meeting with all the subcontractors
some trees are going to come down
2000 books, etc have been inventoried, now stored via Excel
fence to go up around the Library


O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
To discuss strategy with respect to litigation relative to the Plain Street Tax Title land

P. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, via roll call 9-0

Live reporting: Town Council - May 11, 2016

Present: Pellegri, Padula, Mercer, Vallee, Kelly, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones (via remote phone connection)
Absent: none



A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
none for approval
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

• This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others. 
• FY 2017 Budget Hearings will be held on Wednesday 5/25/16 and Thursday 5/26/16 at 7:00 pm.
• Memorial Day Parade will be Monday, May 30th at 10:30  am
• 4th of July Parade, July 3  2:00 pm

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

• Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the Agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
• Dale Kurt, Veterans Officer, memorial breakfast 9:00 AM at the Elks, call the Senior Center to register for this

E. APPOINTMENTS
none

F. HEARINGS
none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
none

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

• FISH of Franklin – Barbara Steele

all volunteer non-profit organization that volunteers to drive folks to appointments. PRoviding this service for 43 years, number of rides has doubled over the past couple of years. Radius of about 20 miles but some do go to Boston, Providence etc.

508-528-2121

"we do ourselves the most good by doing something for others"

• Council on Aging, Karen Alves, Director

upcoming initiatives on mental health, online course on aging and mental health

older adults are reticent to talk about this, physicians are also sometimes not trained to talk about this; substance abuse is also a 'silent epidemic'

regional grant on Elder Affairs, to provide interventions through the Senior Center

coordinate the resource though Police, Fire, etc.

working with Roadside Community Help

cognitive behavioral therapy and yoga

collaboration with the SAFE Coalition in the works

efforts to make Franklin 'dementia friendly community'

training to be available for how to deal with the disability

a process of education

excited to be able to move upstairs to the new space in Sep/Oct timeframe

programing to be expanded with the new space, survey coming this summer

thank you for your support

we are the envy of all the Senior Centers in the area

a conference room, a card room, gift shop expanded (downstairs)

large multipurpose room

elevator upstairs

lending library in honor of Stella Jeon

• Discussion on Cottage Court

it is not a public way, in some sections it is ten feet wide

we will fix the street one last time, no water, sewer, drainage there

cant make a public way with those dimensions

it is like a driveway, they would do it on their own

'spaghetti service' 

no town water goes down the road

the residents do pay property taxes, with meter on the house

readings can be obtained from Cottage remotely

Lupian Way found in the deed that it was to remain a private way

similar to condominium locations, our services run up to the property

if it was ever attended to be a public way we can work with it

it reverts back to 3 Cottage Court which is the listed owner

if you want to take the property, it would need to take care of the storm water

it doesn't meet standards, it would take a minimum of $200,000 or so

they are taxpayers, they are not getting services

there are other private roads in town similar

no sewer, all septic systems

the town has always maintained the stone dust covering and plowing

we'll look at our legal options

• Water Conservation – Brutus Cantoreggi

toilet replacements can qualify for a water rebate

$800/avg year, Could be up to 200/rebate

clothes washer machine, or 2 toilets per household

max amount for Town to use is up to $7500

which had been received from a developer

bring receipt to DPW, would start program on JUne 1

links on website to show what is eligible

do it within 90 days of purchase

Downtown Project Update #28

As many residents have probably noticed, the downtown revitalization project has hit its stride. For the upcoming two weeks, continue to expect frequent, short detours around downtown, while the contractors finalize installation of new sidewalks up East Central to the center and up Main Street. This section of work should conclude within the next two weeks, weather permitting. The contractors are also going to begin milling the street and getting the roadway network ready for paving.

This update will be the first in many to educate the public of when the downtown will become two-way traffic pattern. Please share with your friends and family that downtown will have two-way traffic. The Town will be placing electronic boards around the area to alert drivers of the new two-way traffic pattern. We expect this could occur as early as the end of June, weather permitting. Everything is weather permitting in New England, right?

Given the progress being made to date, the project looks to be on schedule for completion toward early August.

new curbing in advance of the new sidewalks being installed downtown

This was shared from the Official Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/023DDC0C-000F8513

"Our revenues are pretty much constrained to tax increases"

Local officials released a $116 million fiscal year 2017 budget proposal this week - a measure the Town Council will deliberate upon later this month. 

The $116,417,305 total operating budget would represent about a 2.5 percent increase over the $113,608,899 fiscal year 2016 budget. Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the budget essentially provides level services without reducing staff or seeking an override. 

"I am asking the council to increase firefighter staffing by one," he said. "I'm also asking for a deputy treasurer/collector in advance of retirements."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160510/franklin-releases-budget-proposal

The full budget document can be found here  http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/023DBE49-000F8513

Franklin Municipal Building

Dean College 2016 Commencement Exercises - Saturday, May 14th @ 11a.m.

Dean College 2016 Commencement

WHEN: 

Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.


WHERE: 

Awpie Way (Front Lawn of Dean Hall) Dean College, 99 Main Street, Franklin, MA 02038


WHAT: 

Dean College will be celebrating its 150th commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 14th at 11:00 a.m. Commencement speakers include Dr. Paula M. Rooney, Dean College President, Mark D. Boyce, Chairman of the Dean College Board of Trustees, Candice Coco Lam, Associate Degree student speaker, Jaclyn Coutoumas, Bachelor's Degree student speaker, and Allison Clarke, School of Continuing Studies speaker.

Founded in 1865, Dean College is a private, residential college located in Franklin Massachusetts, 45 minutes from Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. Dean College offers baccalaureate degrees, associate degree programs, as well as a robust schedule of part-time continuing and professional education credit and certificate programs throughout the calendar year.

Dean College

Summer STAR Class - Accessorize Yourself! - for entering grades 3. 4. 5

Franklin Public Schools ~ Lifelong Learning Institute Accessorize Yourself ! Summer STAR Class July 11 to 15, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm for entering grades 3, 4, 5 If you are looking to add a little "blink" to your daily wardrobe, look no further.  We will be creating many wonderful projects during the week.   T-shirt Transformations We will take an ordinary t-shirt and turn it into a new accessory such as a scarf or hand bag. Duct Tape  Duct tape comes in so many colors and patterns that we can create interesting bracelets and lanyards. Summer Accessories We don't want to forget about our sunglasses and flip flops.  Just adding a few jewels, beads and flowers and we have just created a new item to wear this summer! Register Today FPS, Lifelong Learning - lifelong@franklin.k12.ma.us - 508.553-4814

"oppose this misguided, unnecessary, dangerous and costly project"

"Residents from Walpole, Sharon, Canton and other surrounding towns filled the front end of the Walpole High School auditorium Monday night to speak out against the proposed Spectra pipeline. 

"I urge you to take every step possible as a member of MEFS (Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board) and the human race to oppose this misguided, unnecessary, dangerous and costly project," said Bri McAlevey of Sharon. 

On Monday night, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board held one in a series of public hearings on the proposed 10.1-mile Atlantic Bridge Project, known colloquially as the Spectra Energy pipeline project. Four miles of the project would run through Walpole, with other sections running through Milford, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Franklin, Norfolk, Sharon, Stoughton and Canton."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160510/state-board-hears-spectra-pipeline-opposition

No Spectra sign on Franklin lawn

Environmental Merit Award for Regency Transportation

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"Sixteen winners from Massachusetts were recognized Tuesday at the 2016 Environmental Merit Awards ceremony of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s New England regional office. The environmental leaders were among three dozen recipients across New England honored for helping to improve New England’s environment. 

Each year EPA New England recognizes individuals and groups in the six New England states who have worked to protect or improve the region’s environment in distinct ways. The merit awards, given out since 1970, honor individuals and groups who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160510/epa-recognizes-franklin-hopedale-companies

Regency Transportation

Regency Transportation can be found on the web at http://regencytrans.com/

Live reporting: to Closing

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report

• unified track meet rescheduled to Wed, May 11, 3:30 PM
• up coming events with the summer program; band, art, chorus, high school experience and many other opportunities are available
• 1966 reunion class to participate at the FHS graduation
• Transportation letters went out last week, if no letter, call the Central Office; K-6 over 2 miles eligible; middle and high school busses will be filling up
• May 25th School Budget hearing at Town Council; how do you measure adequacy? It is usually not adaquite

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

• Policy Sub Committee
• more policies coming up for update next meeting

School Committee Liaison Reports
Coffee hours scheduled for various times and places



6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Motion to Adjourn 

• Dr. O’Malley

meeting closed