MassBudget: Providing trusted information with YOUR help

As the year end approaches, I will share appeals from the different organizations that I help to spread the word on the work that they do. If you can consider contributing, that is a good thing!

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State policies that give everyone the opportunity to succeed may be more important now than ever

State policies that give everyone the opportunity to succeed may be more important now than ever.  With YOU and people across the state, MassBudget looks to the year ahead with resolve and commitment to continue providing trusted, non-partisan research that is a crucial resource as we work together to build a better future. In our very own laboratory of democracy here in Massachusetts, we can show the way to good and decent policy solutions that build broadly shared prosperity. Our state led on universal free public education almost two hundred years ago, and on universal access to health care and marriage equality a decade ago.  In the last few years, Massachusetts enacted a significant increase in the minimum wage and one of the most effective state laws on earned paid sick days in the country. People across the state got involved and worked together to get those things done - and make life better for all of us. MassBudget is proud to provide the reliable, accurate information that can help everyone participate - and lead - effectively in our democracy. With YOUR support, that's what we will continue to do: on issues like raising wages for working people, policies that make it easier for parents to balance work and family, strategies for great public education in all of our communities, and systems that help lower income working parents to be able to care for their children and succeed in the workforce. Please support us, so we can provide the research and analysis relied on by active citizens across our Commonwealth working for a better and brighter future for everyone. With best wishes for the holiday season,   Noah Berger President P.S. Give today! It's fast and easy.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. Follow us on social media:

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Friendly reminder to catch the new Franklin Almanac

Friendly reminder to catch the new Franklin Almanac on Franklin TV. I caught the broadcast at noon on Wednesday. I knew there was a segment about Franklin Matters but I had not known that the #shopFranklin Small Business Showcase was also featured. The Holiday Stroll and the plastic bag ban discussion also get covered in this format. Very well done!

Franklin TV journalist Polikseni Manxhari

"There’s a new program in town. In fact, it’s all about the town. At Franklin TV we’ve launched our very own news-magazine program, Franklin Almanac. Like an actual almanac of information, it’s a compendium– of life in Franklin, produced and hosted (and written and edited) by our TV journalist Polikseni Manxhari.


See Almanac this week on All-Access TV.  Almanac also has an introductory run weekdays at noon on our TownHall TV channel, Comcast11/Verizon29."


You can read the full article posted on Sunday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/franklin-almanac-arrives-at-franklin-tv.html

FHS wrestling and swim teams post wins on Wednesday

Via HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS winter sports actions on Wednesday

Wrestling = Franklin, 61 @ Milford, 10 – Final

@FHSSports photo via Twitter

Swimming - Boys = Sharon, 66 @ Franklin, 87 – Final

– Roy Wang and Jack Cashin each won a pair of events to pace the Panthers. Wang won the 500 (5:22.31) and the 100 breaststroke (1:08.50). Cashin took the 200 IM (2:15.06) and the 100 backstroke (1:03.32).

Swimming - Girls = Sharon, 67 @ Franklin, 101 – Final

– Franklin finished first in every single relay event on its way to a big win over visiting Sharon. Freshman Katie McGuire was a double winner, taking first in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events. Senior Megan Lazarek was also a double winner, finishing first in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ Westwood, 7 – Final

For the remainder of the Hockomock League results on Wednesday
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-122116/

Congrats Panther swimmers! Both Boys & Girls teams were victorious tonight over Sharon. #HardWork #PantherPride

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) December 22, 2016

Great 61-10 win against Milford with pins from Sauer, Racca, Farrell, MacLean, Cropper, Cogavin, Polito, and Hernandez #FHSWrestle

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) December 22, 2016

FHS Grapplers getting after it in Milford. Dylan w another 30 sec pin for the Panthers, followed up w a pin by Eddie. #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/e7ClBBPFBS

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) December 22, 2016

Sign up for the American Wine Specialist Program (AWS)!

American Wine Specialist Program (AWS)

Franklin Liquors along with Vinitas Wineworks and Wine Empire are proud to host the North American Sommelier Association for an American Wine Specialist (AWS) Class.

American Wine Specialist Program (AWS)

The AMERICAN WINE SPECIALIST® covers each of the 50 American states. Classic wine regions of Napa Valley and Sonoma will be covered, in addition to all other California American Viticultural Areas. Oregon's Willamette Valley and Washington's Columbia Valley - both home to significant investment by Old World wine families - will be explored at length. 

We will study the rapidly upcoming regions of New York's Finger Lakes, Texas Hill Country, and Virginia's Piedmont. We will also taste a number of native and hybrid varieties from all over the country ... this will be an enlightening experience with depth of information and diversity of American wines.

The course consists of 24 hours (4 full days) of class time and tasting, with a final written exam (5th day) required to achieve the official AMERICAN WINE SPECIALIST® certification and pin, issued by the North American Sommelier Association and recognized internationally by the Worldwide Sommelier Association.

WHEN: 
MAR 25th, 26th, APR 1st and 2nd, 2017 = 9:00AM to 4:00pm (with break)
Exam: 2017 MAY 7th (9:00am - 1 hour)

WHERE: 
Franklin Liquors - 363 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038
Cost $650

Details And Sign Up Here:
https://www.nasommelier.com/american-wine-specialist-aws

"an open door for future such developments"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Despite strong opposition from neighboring residents, the Town Council gave preliminary approval to a move that would allow for a dense residential development along Summer Street. 

The council at its meeting Wednesday night held a public hearing to consider whether the 11-acre parcel at 496 Summer St. should be rezoned from rural residential to a zone that allows denser development. Councilors voted to move the matter to a second reading. 

Representatives from Medway-based developer Grandis Homes said they were hoping to put in 34 single-family townhouses there. Attorney Richard Cornetta said the parcel was about one acre from Franklin's downtown, and was near an exit for Interstate 495. He said the project would generate about $270,000 in one-time permit fees for the town, as well as about $250,000 in additional tax revenue a year. 

A number of residents, though, expressed opposition with the project, citing traffic, a loss of privacy and a change to the character of the neighborhood as concerns."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161221/franklin-rezoning-considered-in-contentious-hearing

Attorney Richard Cornetta and a representative from the developer making their case to the Town Council

For my notes recorded during the first hour
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/real-time-reporting-public-hearing-on.html

I left the broadcast of the meeting to participate in a work conference call and when I was able to return, the Town Council voted 9-0 to move the measure to a second reading. Likely for the second meeting in January (Jan 18, 2017). 

The Council needed to move the measure forward with a minimum of a 5-4 vote. For the second reading to move to a law, the measure needs to pass by a 2/3 vote (meaning 6 of the 9 need to vote for). As the vote was 9-0, this seems certain for passage despite the neighbors points of contention.

Real time Reporting: Closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT congratulations to Lt letter from Chief of Wrentham, thanking the police Dept for
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS light on Main St, near Rockland allows only 3 cars to go through they will be adjusting it, to lengthen it Mercer - great to have the swearing in ceremonies at the Council Jones - new TV show called Franklin Almanac, covers all things Franklin Bissanti - condolences to the Curran family, missed the wake, etc. Pfeffer - time was taken for marijuana use name, Kelly - Town of Franklin received a placque for the Franklin Solar Challenge. The system was installed at the Santa Foundation. 51 homes did take up the challenge
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION none required
O. ADJOURN motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 9-0

Real time reporting: Legislation

(resuming reporting after my work meeting)

3. Zoning bylaw Amendment 16-775: Amendment to Chapter 185, Section 5 Zoning Map

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 9-0

5. Bylaw Amendment 16-777: Amendment to Chapter 151, Solid Waste and Recycling this is procedural to clean up the fees, all the fees were moved to the other bylaw and this isn't needed any more it was not calculated on what the economic impact this would have. It was not the intent to use this as a fund raiser ambulance fees did go up but they are covered by insurance ** motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 (via roll call)
6. Resolution 16-75: Adoption of G.L. Chapter 64N Section 3 Local Tax on Marijuana Retail Sales and Establishment of Tax Rate proposal to add the local sales tax option of 2% ** motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
7. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-779: Changes to Chapter 185 Section 3 Definitions move to referral to planning board, seconded, passed 9-0 next set of bylaws, place zoning for recreational marijuana to the Industrial Park area along Forge Park and Grove St; initially putting with medical marijuana zoning some legislation may still be pending at the state. This is a starting point and a conservative approach. Jones - I think these are logical as the State hasn't made their final definitions. We don't need this downtown. Cerel - district name being changed to Marijuana use, make all applications by special permit Pfeffer - discussion on prefix, should be 16 not 17, going to planning board anyway and coming back
8. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-780: Changes to chapter 185 Section 4 Districts Enumerated - Referral to Planning Board move to referral to planning board, seconded, passed 9-0
9. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-781: Changes to Chapter 185 Section 5 Zoning Map - Referral to Planning Board (majority vote) move to referral to planning board, seconded, passed 9-0
10. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-782: Changes to Chapter 185-Section 7 Compliance - Referral to Planning Board (majority vote) move to referral to planning board, seconded, passed 9-0
11. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-783: Amendment to Chapter 185 Section 49 Marijuana Use Overlay District - Referral to Planning board (majority vote) move to referral to planning board, seconded, passed 9-0

Real-time Reporting: Public Hearing on Zoning Map Change

Councilor Bissanti recused himself from the discussion

Kelly acknowledged receipt of letter from Franklin Advisory Committee endorsing the project.


Added: Franklin TV video replay is available
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=419

Note: added citizen names and additional info as the meeting continues beyond where I had left off initially on Weds night

F. HEARINGS

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-775: Amendment - Zoning Map Changes from Rural Residential I to Residential VII an Area on Summer Street - 7:10 pm

Proposal to rezone from Residential I to Residential VII

Planning Board did approve the measure

11 acre parcel on the western side of Summer St

approx. 1 mile from downtown Franklin

close proximity to i495 and train station

Summer St is a hodge podge of uses

single family residences, outdoor recreational uses

multi-family (Palladini Village - actually off King St)

has pretty good views, on a clear day you are reported to be able to see Boston

Residential VII - more dense location of residences, smaller yard, larger decks and patio areas

targeting a different market place

Cooks Farm, building off 140, has sold 15 units and another 10 in line for sale

hence there is a market here for this type of home

no sidewalk along Summer St, (add sidewalk from King St) and small parking area (proposed for expansion) at the Franklin Town Forest as a benefit of the proposal

Attny Cornetta referencing the "Master Plan" and how this development proposal will meet all the objectives of the plan

making argument for increasing.improving downtown by increasing housing that is walkable to the area

attempting to create a vibrant area adjacent to the downtown area

spot zoning - referenced frequently in some zoning proposals

rulings from case law are clear, the benefits are for a 'well considered plan for the public benefit"

there are several uses already in the area so the change in zoning would not make it stand out

The decision of the Planning Board is key to this, while an advisory body, their unanimous approval is key to the overall benefits

approx. $271,000 in 1 time fees

approx. $250,000 in net tax revenue to the town (no maintenance of the roadways, would be covered by a homeowners association)

Kelly acknowledged receipt of letter from Lawrence Benedetto endorsing the proposal

Citizen 1 - Dave Nichols, 486 Summer St
"I am going to call it spot zoning as that it exactly what it is"
the character of the neighborhood doesn't fit, the road is already too fast and dangerous
"the only thing I can do is to appeal the zoning change"

homeowners are supposed to be notified via certified letter, that did not happen
"I am at a loss, I can believe that this is due process"

Citizen 2 - Sally French Winters, 486 Summer St
complaining about living in a construction zone abutting their property after living in the home for 33 years in a quiet neighborhood. This is an invasion of my privacy

Citizen 3 - Kurt Lovell, 711 Summer St
the Town Forest abuts this property and it is very well used. The traffic on the road is fast, it will be very dangerous

Citizen 4 - Anna Marie Bailey, 715 Summer St
the road leads to Sheldonville, a country road with 2 acre zoning. Take a step back and ask, do we want this type of zoning? We are trying to maintain our community. Talk to others about Cook's Farm, that looks horrific coming into Franklin. We don't need to be developing every pocket that we can. To add additional traffic to that road, you are asking for trouble

Citizen 5 - Deborah Lovell, 711 Summer St
If this was your neighborhood, would you be approving this? Would you want 34 houses in that little area. Franklin is one of the safest town in MA, are we going to change that? We have had faith in our Council and in the Town, so please consider that.

Citizen 6 - Eric Bearce, 493 Summer St
My concern is traffic, it is proposed for the peak of the hill and cars will be coming out into the traffic. You mentioned an urbanized development, but that is not the right place for it. It doesn't fit with the neighborhood

Citizen 7 - Kim Spellman, 6 Great Pond Road
If the Council accepts that this will benefit the downtown, it will be taking a risk. How will it affect the neighbors? My main reason is the density. In order to go outside the master plan, there needs to be some overriding interest. It can't be the $250,000 a year this will bring. Revenue is already contemplated as part of the plan. That can't be enough.

Citizen 8 - Alan Nelson, 479 Summer St
I'll be across the street from this development, traffic will be atrocious. This would double the amount of single family houses on the street now. There are not 34 houses on the street now. We brought in sewer for 5 houses several years ago and it was limited to that due to the sewer capacity. If they are putting in 34 houses, how is that going to affect the sewer system. There are wetlands, and you are close to Uncas Pond.

Citizen 9 - Brian Concannon, 15 Summer Heights Drive
it is by right to develop that as one acre lots, they have not demonstrated that there is a hardship if they don't do this. It does not fit with the neighborhood, it does not fit with the overall plan

Citizen 10 - Cynthia Honcharuk, 403 Summer St
Palladini Village affect my property with the water runoff. It is all ledge there. I have wildlife, deer woodchucks, and other wildlife. I don't know what taking 11 acres away from the wildlife is going to do? What is going to happen to them? To build this and overload the street with more houses is wrong, wrong, wrong.

Citizens 11 - Adam Sanders, 483 Summer St 
I too have had run off effects from the Palladini Village in back of my property. I have two little kids. It is bothersome to watch the traffic on the road. To put more cars on the street, to put cluster homes in both the front of my home and in the back (i.e. Palladini)

Citizen 12 - Michael Gavrilles 8 Squibnocket Road
I have walked from Squibnocket Road to downtown for 17 years, it is dangerous. Without sidewalks, it doesn't make the development work

Citizen 13 - Paige Duncan, 35 Gallison St
reading letter from two practicing planners, requesting to NOT rezone for the following reasons. Rather than haphazardly approving projects to avoid 40B, they should be taking leadership should be addressing 40B compliance. 
(leaving session for work conference call; picked up via replay of meeting)

Housing plan expired as it is only valid for 5 years. It should be updated before this project goes forward. Adding non-affordable units to inventory only increases the requirements to meet the 40B standard.

"This project is not consistent with smart goals. It is unlikely that the proposal would include 40B units."

Does the Council want to maintain the Master Plan? or make changes. It is not near downtown. 1.3 miles. There is no affordability. It is spot zoning. It will benefit the property owner.

"How does this impact affect the greater good of the town?"

Citizen 14 - James Giannotti, 2 Woodchester Road
I am wondering why we even have a Master Plan. Every month, you are making changes with amendments. Does it conform to the Master Plan, it doesn't. No evidence was provided. Is this the legacy that you really want to leave as your children?

Pellegri - I agree with much of what has been said. We as councilors are elected to look out for the best interests of the town and not just for an application. The 7 houses by vs. the 34, why would we ever do that? I am embarrassed when I see the houses on the left coming in from Wrentham. The pros? I came up with one, for the applicant. I really as my fellow councilors to think twice about this?

Dellorco - What would be the sewer?
Nutting - the applicant would have to have that extended, both sewer and water. They would have to pave curb to curb?

Dellorco - we don't need to notify?
Cerel - there is no requirement for a notification for a re-zoning.

Dellorco - has anyone done a traffic study?
Kelly - that would come after

Dellorco - What is our 40B?
Pfeffer - 9.35%

Nutting - 8 would have to be affordable if it were to be 40B
We did have discussions about about the sidewalk but not all the way down to Summer St.

Representative of Grandise Homes
Cerel - there is a rezoning issue and not a discussion of a particular project

Padula - What about the sidewalks?
Cornetta -we have had preliminary discussions on the sidewalk and some mitigations for no affordable housing. This would be a first step. We would be required to come back to the Planning Board and this board for special permits.

Pfeffer - I have a number of comments. We have a number of considerations. I am all in favor of affordable. We could have 120 affordable units there. The state would make us connect the water and sewer. The Glen Meadow units dropped off. I don't believe we will ever get to 10%. "The devil you know is better than the one you don't know." You don't like the look of Cook's Farm because it is the backside being built first.

Mercer - I have similar concerns that Council Padula spoke to. I'd like to go on record when they do come back, the bites of the apple, 2 and 3 bedroom will be issues that I will be looking at.

Padula - the Planning Board did approve this unanimously. This is cluster housing. I don't see this as post zoning.

Motion to close the hearing
Seconded, passed 8-0

Added: Franklin TV video replay is available

http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=419

Real time Reporting: Town Council Meeting - Dec 21, 2016

Present: Pellegri, Padula, Mercer, Vallee (late), Kelly, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones
Absent: none

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. Announcements
D. Citizens Comments
E. APPOINTMENTS	None

Lt Keith Darling sworn in this evening (photo added later)

filling in with some action items while waiting for the 7:10 PM public hearing to commence

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 16-80: Appropriation Public Safety antennas (majority vote) motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
2. RESOLUTION 16-82: ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT - FIRE DEPARTMENT Motion to accept, seconded, passed 9-0

skipped #3 to cover later in meeting

4. Bylaw Amendment to Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees

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

this is the second reading, reduced by over 100 fees the current fee structure for the Town

FHS Drama Club to perform 2 one-act plays, “The Giver” and “Gathering Blue”

From Pantherbook we share:

"On Wednesday December 21st and Thursday December 22nd, FHS drama club will be performing two one-act plays, “The Giver” and “Gathering Blue”. Both plays are set in dystopian societies with “Gathering Blue” being the sequel to “The Giver”. This week I spoke to the cast to get their insight on both plays. 

When asked about her experience in “The Giver”, Riley Halliday, who plays Fiona, said, “it has been an all around great experience, I love working with a smaller cast because we have all become very close”. Melissa Reinerston who plays Kira in “Gathering Blue” described the two separate plays as being “…especially challenging…because rehearsals felt divided, but both shows have come together really well”.

The shows are $5 dollars for students and $12 for adults and will be performed in the FHS auditorium at 7 o’clock.

Continue reading the article online
http://franklinpanthers.us/student-life/2016/12/19/drama-club-to-put-on-shows/

FHS Drama Club

Tri-County posts 401 students for the 2016-17 Q1 Honor Roll

Here is the tally by community

Here is the listing of names by community

Tri-County RVTHS 

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda updated - Dec 21, 2016

The Town of Franklin updated the agenda document for the Town Council meeting on Weds, Dec 21, 2016. As near as I can tell, the line items of the agenda did not change. What did change was the inclusion of all the supporting documents into the single PDF format shown below.

You can also find the doc on the Town of Franklin site here
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/town-council-meeting-agenda-december-21-2016

Downtown Franklin in the snow

FHS Boys Basketball posts win over Foxboro

Boys Basketball = Foxboro, 55 @ Franklin, 67 – Final

– Franklin turned a seven point lead (27-20) at the halftime break into a double-digit advantage (50-37) by the end of third quarter. Franklin’s Connor Peterson led all scorers with 19 points while Josh Macchi added 14 points and Paul Mahon chipped in with 12 points for the Panthers. Foxboro’s Andrew Block had a team-high 14 points while Mark Clagg scored 12 points, Joe Morrison had 10 points and Joe Bartucca finished with eight points.

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 31 @ Foxboro, 52- Final

– Ashley Sampson reached the 20-point mark for the second game in a row, leading the Warriors with 22. Lily Sykes chipped in with 17 for the Warriors.

Gymnastics = Attleboro, 136.6 @ Franklin, 126 – Final

– Attleboro’s Emma Humphrey (36.7) scored a 9.4 on bars, a 9.4 on floor, 9.0 on the vault and 8.9 on beam to lead the Bombardiers to the win. Franklin sophomore Mia Lizotte was not far behind at 36.3, scoring 9.2 on floor, vault and beam and 8.7 on bars.

For all the results around the Hockomock League 
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-122016/

FHS Panthers

And confirmations via Twitter:

Tough meet you girls really hung in there. Attleboro won 136.6 - 126. Sophomore Mia Lizotte took second in All Around with a 36.3. #fhsgym pic.twitter.com/7pyYwM9e8m

— FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) December 21, 2016

Lost to a great Foxboro team 31-52. Congratulations to our Freshman team for a great win. Back to work tomorrow

— Franklin Girls Bball (@fhsgvbasketball) December 21, 2016

Boy V BB: Final. Franklin 67 Foxboro 55 @HockomockSports #PantherPride

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) December 21, 2016