Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Live Reporting: to closing


K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
tax bills are out, the 1st 2 in each year are estimate
the second two are higher as they catch up
the first two use the prior rate

per Council action, a note was included in the bills asking for contributions to the Veterans fund. if any questions, check with the Veterans Agent

L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Pellegri - John Tully, a former election worker, passed away this week
meals on wheels needs help to deliver meals, contact the Senior Center

Jones - Franklin Food Pantry in need of supplies and donations

Pfeffer - happy new year to all

Kelly - I got my tax bill and called Jeff to complain
we do act in the best interests in Franklin, what we do up here affects us as much as it affects everyone
when they send us an email about something they don't like, remember that we are neighbors too

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION
none tonight

O. ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, passed 

Live Reporting: Subcommittee reports, Legislation


I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

Bissanti - EDC just met

Jones - presentation coming on the Town website for next meeting

Mercer - delays with Senior Center, biggest hold up is the elevator, need to get the State
inspection, once they inspect, then we can utilize the second floor

High school project - while open for a couple of years, it has not ended yet. The fields will be up and operating in the spring. Finalizing the last invoice with the contractor. Setting up the audit process with the MSBA to get signed off

gym floor being re-done this summer, a glass door issue to be taken care of before we sign off

Pfeffer - new addition should be all closed in by now, roof being worked on. Temporary heat there. it will be gorgeous to see what it will look like when done. Stop by 25 Kenwood to see the displays.

the Benjamin Franklin books will be on display in a much better showcase for viewing by all. It may not open in July
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Bylaw Amendment 16-778: Chapter 160, Taxpayers, Delinquent- 2nd Reading (majority vote - via roll call)
need to revise to bring into compliance with current MA requirements

passed 8-0
2. Bylaw Amendment 17-784: Repeal Sign Restrictions Bylaw- 1st Reading (majority vote)
motion to move to second reading, passed 8-0
removing the second reading

the billboards across the street are 'pre-existing and non-conforming' they will come down with the new development

3. Bylaw Amendment 17-785: Repeal of Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Bylaw -1st Reading (majority vote)
looking for a discussion and decision on either remove or decide to enforce
not practical for for some sections

passed 8-0

4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-786: Storage Facility Bylaw (Referral to the Planning Board)

this was the item that was discussed at the EDC meeting earlier
currently the storage facilities are only zoned for CII
they are in an industrial area and have been grandfathered, someone putting a new one in couldn't do so

recommended by EDC to proceed
vote on referral to Planning Board, passed 8-0

CII property is a valuable property in Franklin, storage is not a good use (for revenue)

Live Reporting: Master Plan Update


H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

2. Master Plan Update

multiple items have been covered, the outline of what has been done is summarized by Bryan

Can someone please describe: "compact neighborhood district"?

Taberner: a state term, we have done what we needed to there so nothing more at this time
work force housing, also a state term referring to affordable housing

Pfeffer - we should pick where 40Bs should go rather than having developers come and tell us

Bissanti - we did get a lot of heat for the term 'work force housing',  we should not discard the idea, anything under the $500K should be in that category

Kelly - work force housing is a starter home, we need to have that available, we need to be cognizant of the concept and the variable pricing

Jones - do we have the power to determine where our 40Bs could go?
Nutting - no



Live Reporting: Town Council - Jan 4, 2017

Present: Pellegri, Padula, Mercer, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Jones
Absent: Dellorco


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

none for approval tonight
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

none tonight
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

none tonight
E. APPOINTMENTS

none tonight
F. HEARINGS

none tonight
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

none tonight
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
1. Discussion on Joint Town Council/Planning Board meetings
Jeff Nutting presents an overview on the possibility of creating a joint meeting for public hearing purposes. Technically it can be done but it is a requirement that the Planning Board provide a report to the Council before the Council would vote

Pellegri - recall having done this before, thinks it would be beneficial to help the process, who would sit where?

Pfeffer - not in favor of the joint meeting, the Planning Board needs a separate vote and the Council needs a separate meeting, 

Bissanti - refer to the memo from Mark Cerel, while it is legal it is not prudent. I will weigh in with Mark on this. The Planning Board folks I have talked with have issues with the possibility of repercussion with some of the discussions and decisions

Kelly - I can tell you we would be in charge (sorry Tony)
it has worked fine while I have been here

Cerel - you both serve different functions in your capacity. You would still need to have separate meetings to make decisions. How would you take minutes? lots of logistics issues to discuss

no sense of the Council to move forward with this item

summary - proposal for joint meetings not going anywhere (joint workshops are a separate item and they can happen with less issues)



High School and Middle School Mountain Bike Racing Team - Information Night - Jan 19

Do you love riding your bike? Having fun and riding bikes is what we are all about!

Join us for an introduction to the New England High School Cycling Association (NEHSCA) and hear details about our racing season coming in the spring of 2017.

This will be the 2nd season for our regional team from Franklin, Medway, Millis,
Norfolk Bellingham and Wrentham to compete against other New England teams.

Boys and girls in grades 5-12 are eligible, no experience necessary. Our coaches will teach you all the skills you need.

What: Info Night with the Charles River Rats
When: Thursday, January 19th, 2017

Where: Franklin Recreation Department
275 Beaver Street Franklin, MA 02038

Time: 6:00PM – 7:30 PM

Contact: Rob Rood
Phone: 774-302-9883
Email: overthesummitcoaching@gmail.com
Web: www.nehsca.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nehsca

image from http://www.nehsca.com/
image from http://www.nehsca.com/



Franklin School Committee Coffee Hours: Jan 12, Feb 1, Mar 4

In our goal to engage the community as a partner in improvement of our school system, the Community Relations Subcommittee of the Franklin School Committee will be hosting monthly coffee hours. 

Please join us as we work through the 2017 budget process, discuss policy and bring a new superintendent on board. We welcome your input, ideas and suggestions.

Upcoming meeting dates are:

  • Thursday, January 12 at 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 4 at 9 a.m.

All meetings are held in the conference room at the Franklin Cable Access TV Studio at 23 Hutchinson Street.

Any questions contact Anne Bergen: bergena@franklin.k12.ma.us

Franklin TV at 23 Hutchinson St at night
Franklin TV at 23 Hutchinson St at night

FHS boys basketball beaten at buzzer by Catholic Memorial

Via Twitter






FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-010317/