Downtown Partnership: Networking Luncheon Dates, Dean Leadership Institute Speaker

A correction and 1 more member announcement

Franklin Downtown Partnership  9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA  02038 (774) 571-3109   downtown.franklin@yahoo.com 2017 Networking Luncheon Dates Set: ***  February Date Correction  *** Join us for our 2017 Networking Luncheons:   February 14  March 14 April 11 May 2 These luncheons happen from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dean College Dining Center, first floor of the Campus Center.  A delicious lunch and excellent conversation all for the low, low price of $6.55!  RSVP to Matt Lechter, mlechter@dean.edu, or Gary Donelan, gary.donelan@middlesexbank.com.  Member Announcements Dean Leadership Institute Executive Lecture: Angela McKay Franklin Downtown Partnership | downtown.franklin@yahoo.com | 774-571-3109 | franklindowntownpartnership.org

Franklin Downtown Partnership, 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by downtown.franklin@yahoo.com in collaboration with Try it free today

Live reporting: closing

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT	difficult budgets coming state numbers due soon but don't look good
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS	Pfeffer - shoudl re-look at zoning VII a workshop is coming Old museum - to discuss use for it
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS	Mercer Senior Center elevator approved today Dellorco condolences to long time Franklin people they will be missed
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION	(if required)
O. ADJOURN

motion to adjourn, passed 9-0

Live reporting: Legislation for action

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 17-01: Acceptance of Gift to the Library (majority) motion to accept, seconded passed 9-0 2. Resolution 17-02: Acceptance of Gift to the Council on Aging (majority) motion to accept, seconded passed 9-0 3. Resolution 17-03: Appropriation, Administration: GASB 4575 Actuary Study (majority) required to do a study every 2 years motion to accept, seconded passed 9-0 4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-775: Zoning Map Changes from Rural Residential I to Residential VII an Area on Summer Street - 2nd Reading (2/3 majority Roll Call Vote) motion to accept, seconded

Bissanti recuses himself

if this about the construction, this is not the meeting for it

if this is about the rezoning, please be respectful of others

Sally Winters 

her house is 50 feet from the lot line, the well is 35 feet from the line

no basis for the re-zoning

Cook's Farm was a different situation

the country club sold their driving range for that to happen

I have 250 signatures, everybody is opposed to this

it affects me more than anybody else

850 Summer

intentionally chose to live there on Summer St to enjoy the quite and quality of life

development has been astronomical 

what was rural is now an ugly eyesore on Upper Union St

one of the only remain untouched area in Franklin

reviewed the Master Plan update published recently by Jeff Nutting

we have forgone sidewalks in an attempt to maintain our way of life

why would you allow this only remaining swath of land?

If educating our children is not important, how are we

Kimberly Bears, 493 Summer St

bought 7 years ago, were on Grove St

moved to this 'dream home' as it was much quieter than Grove St

our children want to never leave, however if the re-zoning takes place that may change

if you add another 34 units, what will happen to the traffic

we have had fox in our yard, if this is rezoned, what is that going to do to the wild life

please think about your decision, what is best for the residents and not for the benefit of one or two people

would you want this happening in your neighborhood?

this is not what you would want

Kurt Lovell, 711 Summer St

I have spoken to many of you

we are not at 10 percent for 40B, so we are moving in fear

I'd like you to vote no tonight, do we want to have spot zoning all over Franklin

Eileen Mason, 62 Beaver St

where is the need?

why 34 units on 11 acres when they are allowed to put 8-9 houses on 11 acres?

no reason to do so, other than financial gain

I have not heard of other reason to do so

I request that you vote no on this

James Giannoti

can we get clarifications on what can be done if the developer wants to do 40B

the overwhelming majority come out with no decision, the town and the developer work it out

this is putting a black eye on the Town Council

you are in conflict of interest if you are a realtor as you are getting an increase

of 4x the market

maybe there is someone else to take up the mantle for the little guy

this is not about politics, or investments, all my father wanted to do was to go home, the way it was

Beth Wierling

basically what I would like to say is that the 40B is inevitable

the argument is not good, it will happen sometime some where, the master plan is not addressing this

you need to think of the greater good of the town

you have so many people here because they do not want this to pass

Attorney Cornetta, attorney representing Grandise Homes and potential developer of the property

we have been listening to the comments

we have had a subsequent meeting with the town administrator

we have talked about the sidewalk

we have committed to extend the sidewalk from the entrance to King St

(objection to this is not relative to the zoning)

project would enhance one of your main tenants of the Master Plan, the downtown area

the sidewalk would greatly improve the neighborhood

could walk or bike downtown

it would be a significant improvement to the area

(exceeding the 3 minutes provided to the citizens)

(someone offers to let him continue with their 3 minutes)

this will never become the responsibility of the town

meets a market requirement

the fiscal benefits, including the 5,000 foot sidewalk

we would also need to come back before you with water and sewer amendments

this is the first step to undertake that

Kim Spellman, Great Pond Road

250,000 that is a none issue

that was already taken into consideration when the master plan was calculated

shouldn't even be an issue

711 Summer St

please think about the residents in Summer St

please think about us

don not let us down

483 Summer St

less than 3 years, we moved there because it was amazing

Summer St was the perfect place

we don't need more places, it is a disappearing commodity

we have deer living there, it doesn't need to be concrete

Rondeau, 5 Squidnocket Rd

several years ago, a redistricting affected 

it was our job to get our children to get to school safely

but when the developer comes up, there are sidewalks considered

744 Summer St

every summer there is a water shortage

how are you going to put in 34 units where there isn;t enough

Pellegri

I agree with what is said, they are compasionate

we would not gain one thing by passing this

I am not against the applicant building there, they can do 11 houses

Dellorco

it has been a long week, I have been up and down

I think Res VII sucks, we either need to change it or re-do it

can you answer the question about 40B's?

are we going to get the water?

Nutting

the 40B question, the town doesn't have the 10% the developer can usurp all zoning until we get to 10%

if done right and done proper they can be an asset to the town

as far as the water, that is the straw that broke the camels back

we have water restictions that I don't see going away

we are looking at a $6M project for a couple of wells to provide good water

I don't control the weather, if it comes we can deliver

the state won't let us put more straws in the ground

it depends upon the density of the development

Cerel

there are other considerations that can limit the 40B including developers as their profits are capped at 20%

Padula

they can go anywhere

Nutting

if there is water available, it is extensible

Dellorco

it is Bruce's property, he can develop it

I did talk with the other direct abutters and they have no problem with it

I am not happy with the situation

If I get greedy, I can break up Maplegate Country Club to 5 acre lots

and then what are you going to do about that?

Via roll call

• Dellorco - No
• Jones - No
• Vallee - Yes
• Pfeffer - Yes
• Mercer - Yes
• Padula - Yes
• Pellegri - No
• Kelly - yes

vote was 5 yes, 3 no, the measure fails to pass as it need 6 votes for

Hence it failed to pass

Live reporting: Communications and Civic Engagement

presentation at the Town Council, Jan 18, 2017.

Communications and Civic Engagement Update from Franklin Matters

overview of the challenges of the information world today

more news sources today presents a challenge

the "Google" problem, how do you get answers right away

staff have time constraints, do not have the budget of an Amazon to meet the needs of the Town

March 2016 drafted a communications "master plan" and worked to make it happen to "tell the story"

expanded Twitter and Facebook followers, from 600 to 2200
still a long way to go
set up a YouTube account to share video
may not use LinkedIn, too expensive for what it provides
developed social media policy

council agendas, meeting notes, actions taken
shared via Franklin Matters

new webpage, franklinma.gov

new monthly news magazine "Almanac"

town webpage can't post 3rd party info so the Community Bulletin Board fills that need

e-permitting online for dog licences

all call system for emergency alerts

2017 goals

Town Council welcome letter

on the ground outreach via Police, Fire and Library

continue to work on the website, use analytics to help refine the page

transition to Google, a 12-18 month process of learning to optimize

demo of licensing center for Town Clerk's office
create an online account, need a permit, add to your cart

census mailing coming out this week

try out the suggestion box!

Meet me in Franklin - check out the link

Peter Facsiano - Franklin TV
new radio station coming

Sarah Mabardy - representing local business interests, #shopFranklin
Jim Schultz - representing the local non-profits

Polixsani Manxhari, new producers

WFPR  102.9

Q - what are you doing to reach the seniors?
A - working through the print media as well as social media still works

The radio station will provide an opportunity to broadcast 24x7
they are looking for content producers, have an 8 mile radius

no plans yet for live broadcasting but can broadcast via cable
the quality of the application and details to support it help

Mercer
Yes, there will be a TV for the Senior Center being added for the 2nd floor
there already is one
there are 20 computers available
there are monitors available, could be able to run the signal through them

Padula
this is good work the stuff they do is incredibly good

Dellorco
you are doing good work, I did a show on the SAFE Coalition and it was great

Peter
looking to deepening the bench with free lancers

Jones
we are doing our best but it does take a 2-way communication
we can provide, if no one uses it, doesn't do much good
if any idea, let us know

Live reporting: Appointments, License Change of Manager

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.
E. APPOINTMENTS	Finance Committee - David Wiech motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
F. HEARINGS	(none scheduled for this agenda)
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	99 Restaurant Change of Manager Transition - 7:10 PM Q on the prior holding of a license, she had held one' motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

Live reporting: Town Council - Jan 18, 2017

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

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	December 7, 2016 Meeting Minutes motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0  December 21, 2016 Meeting Minutes motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0  January 4, 2017 Meeting Minutes motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	Swearing in of Fire Fighters Becki Carlone Andrew Morris Katherine Forrest

there are four more fire fighters to be hired and sworn in to get to full staff

Part 5 - The full Residential VII timeline and lessons learned

This is Part 5 of the series to collect the development of the Residential VII Zoning history in one place. The Residential VII zoning bylaw was discussed, written, approved in 2013 and then applied to Cook's Farm in 2014. 

The Town Council meeting Wednesday January 18, 2017 has the agenda item to decide if this zoning bylaw should be applied to the Summer St parcel. 

The Cook's Farm timeline and the creation of the Residential VII

• 2013
• The developer was a consultant in a meeting with the Economic Development Committee (EDC) as they discussed the Pond St property Oct 2012.
• The developer wanted to come back to the EDC with his proposal for Cook's Farm.
• He didn't get notification of being on the agenda and reached out to the Town Administrator at the end of January 2013.
• The Town Administrator advised the developer to put something together on what the bylaw change would look like so they (Planning) could review it.
• The developer did put his proposal together and sent it in March 2013.
• The Town Administrator replied in March 2013 with issues raised (incorporating feedback from Planning).
• The developer continues meeting with different groups within Franklin eventually with the Citizens Committee, and then the Master Plan committee, before coming to the Council meeting June 19, 2013. (audio recording now available)
• The Town Council, Planning, and Community Development Dept, Planning Board met for a bylaw workshop on July 31, 2013.
• The drafted bylaws came to the Town Council at the Sep 11, 2013 meeting to be referred to the Planning Board. (audio recording now available)
• The Planning Board reviewed the bylaws and due to a procedural error, needed to re-do their vote at the Sep 23, 2013 meeting.
• The Town Council held the first public hearing and qst reading of the bylaws on Sep 25, 2013. The bylaws moved to a second reading by a 5-2 vote (with 2 recused). (audio recording now available)
• The Town Council had the 2nd reading at the Oct 16, 2013 meeting and passed the bylaws by a 6-1 vote (2 recused). (audio recording now available)
• 2014
• At June 18, 2014 Town Council meeting, a Cook family member acknowledged meeting with the developer beginning in 2012 in the process of complaining that this was "taking too long".
• At the Nov 5, 2014 Town Council meeting the math challenge was with three councilors recusing themselves (and one open position - due to a resignation) were the five remaining councilors sufficient to vote on the measure before them? They voted 5-0 and it did pass.
• 2016
• With short notification, the neighbors along Summer St find out about the proposed zoning map change to enable a single family residence on approx 11 acres to be re-zoned to allow approx 34 single family units instead of the approx 6-7 that it would be currently zoned for.
• The neighbors turned out in good numbers but were apparently ignored as the Council moved the item to a 2nd reading by a 8-0 vote (one recused).
• 2017
• The Town Council is scheduled for the 2nd reading for the zoning bylaw map change for the Summer St property at their Jan 18, 2017 meeting.

Are there some lessons to be learned from this?

1. The bylaw notification process should be looked at. Some bylaws call for notification of abutters, some don't. It is inconsistent and unfair to the abutters.
2. The Town Council should develop guidelines on what factors should be considered for the next Residential VII zoning change to be approved? With out this, it is an open field for anyone that meets the requirements to come forward and get theirs approved.

Part 1

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-1-residential-vii-area-on-summer.html

Part 2

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-2-residential-vii-proposal-for.html

Part 3
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-3-residential-vii-processing.html

Part 4
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-4-following-residential-vii-bylaw.html

the dip in the outfield of the new softball field is being 'fixed' by
 moving the fences in and shortening the outfield