Thursday, March 23, 2017

"This is helping to solidify future needs"

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

"The town council opted to purchase land along Washington Street. 
The council voted unanimously on Wednesday evening to buy the 12-acre parcel, which abuts land currently owned by the town, for $212,500. Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said that as the landowner had been paying a reduced rate on the property as forest land, the town had a first right of refusal to purchase it. 
According to Nutting, the land is near the Bellingham town line and the town already owns three nearby parcels. 
"We thought it made sense for the town to acquire the land to make sure nothing shuts off access (to those parcels)," he said. "I think it's short money to preserve, for future generations, options for the land."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170322/franklin-town-buys-washington-street-land

map of land being purchased by Franklin, the block of land in the lower left corner would  connect to the other green (Town owned) land lots
map of land being purchased by Franklin, the block of land in the lower left corner would
connect to the other green (Town owned) land lots

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Live reporting: Closing


K. Town Administrator's Report
Town Administrator's Report

over snow/ice budget by about 90,000 to date

new compensation plan to Council in advance

application received for 40+ units for 40B appartments behind Ford

will need executive session

April 1 is around the corner, register your dog with the online application

L. Future Agenda Items
Future Agenda Items

something on the Ethic Commission to provide a presentation

M. Council Comments
Council Comments

Pellegri - May 7 - Horace Mann statue dedication
Vallee - reinforce comments on our leadership for financial audit
Jones - thanks to all who came out for the Police/Fire 5K fund raisers
belated birthday to our chairman

Dellorco - shout out to the FHS basketball team for getting to the finals, toguh loss to a good team

Bissanti - compliments to the FHS team

Pfeffer - need to talk about the Milford Newpaper
Country Gazette is a reiteration of the MDN, Clark Cutler McDermott closed months ago,
Franklin Senior Center was grand opening, no show
meth lab in Franklin, every news station from Boston was parked there but nothing in MDN
these are our news, they should be covered, bring him in, ask him why we are not covered

we need to get someone to explain

4th episode of Franklin Almanac is available

N. Executive Session
Executive Session - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining -  all Municipal units

vote to go to executive session, passed via roll call 9-0



Live reporting: Legislation for action


I. Subcommittee ReportsEconomic Development met to review the brewery, distillery and wine manufacturing and tasting rooms for commercial zoned areas; will be brought before the Council for formal action
J. Legislation for Action
1. Resolution 17-17 Acceptance of Access Easement Over Property at 121 Longhill Road
1. Resolution 17-17: Acceptance of Access Easement Over Property at 121 Longhill Road (Motion to Move Resolution 17-17: Majority vote (5))

easement to cover actual usage, covers the legal right, should have a small cost coming in the future to cover the cost of some of the equipment move

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

2. Resolution 17-18: Order of Franklin Town Council, Exercising Town's G.L. Chapter 61, Section 8 First Refusal Option, Re: Land of William C. Roode and Jeanne M. Roode, Containing Approximately 12.5 Acres on Washing STreet...
2. Resolution 17-18: Order of Franklin Town Council, Exercising Town's G.L. Chapter 61, Section 8 First Refusal Option, RE: Land of William C. Roode and Jeanne M. Roode, Containing Approximately 12.5 Acres on Washington Street, Title Reference: Norfolk Registry of Deeds Book 5501, Page 521 (Motion to Move Resolution 17-18: 2/3/Majority vote (6))

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

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


3. Resolution 17-19: Redirect Bond Proceeds
3. Resolution 17-19: Redirect Bond Proceeds (Motion to Move Resolution 17-19: Majority vote (5))

new rules on use of funds from old accounts, need to go to use of equal length

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

4. Bylaw Amendment 17-787: Chapter 179, Water - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-787 to a 2nd Reading: Majority vote (5))
4. Bylaw Amendment 17-787: Chapter 179, Water - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-787 to a 2nd Reading: Majority vote (5))

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call

removes the private wells from the prior wells other than they have to put a sign up

there is a penalty for falsely posting

the once a week watering is in the permit from EPA

Bissanti - doesn't like the way the bylaws written

this is a substantial improvement over what is in place right now

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




Live reporting: Hearings


F. Hearings
Hearing on Whether to Exercise the Town's First Refusal Option to Purchase Land on Washington Street - 7:10 pm

hearing opened at 7:25 PM
town has first option of refusal (map to be added)

purchasing the land would add to land already owned
future use could be open space or hiking
at least closes off access to the land

utility easement cuts through the land (power and gas)
town can meet a legitimate offer which they have

cost would be $212,000

would be purchased with 'free cash' and no limits to used from that 
if that was purchased via Conservation funds, then there could be restrictions

match the 3rd party offer or decline

would have approx 50 acres all connected for future use

hearing declared closed

G. License Transactions
British Beer Company - Change of Manager - 7:10 pm

Ryan Patrick Potter new manager of license
manager has been tipped trained
has been acting in the role
had changed manager last year

had an incident 3 years ago, Ryan was in Falmouth at the time

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



Live Reporting: Town Council - March 22, 2017

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


A. Approval of Minutes
Approval of March 1, 2017 Meeting Minutes

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

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.
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.

none
E. Appointmentsnone
F. Hearings
Hearing on Whether to Exercise the Town's First Refusal Option to Purchase Land on Washington Street - 7:10 pm
G. License Transactions
British Beer Company - Change of Manager - 7:10 pm
H. Presentations/Discussions
 Auditors

Melanson Heath provides an overview of the audit report
a good report (see the management letter for details)

OPEB accounting rules are changing and will be reflected in the annual statements more accurately to show the overall liability
 
town doing a good job of collecting taxes in a timely manner

about 10% in unassigned funds, usually about 9-10% and hence in a strong financial position

budget versus actual, the difference is the 'free cash'

revenue side of the budget came in higher than forecasted
expenses came in lower than what was budget
(the $3M difference is the 'free cash' amount used in the capital budget. The mount varies each year but the process is the same.)

OPEB Trust set up
contributions of $600,000


The financial statements are strong, the bond rating agencies look favorably on this
at high end of the range and consistent for several years which is also good

enterprise funds used for water, sewer and solid waste, all with positive balances

the better bond rating, the lower interest rate you end up paying

you were able to put $600K into the fund but it is not much, you are not alone in that deficit, many other communities are also struggling with that. They would like to see more or at least consistently do something in that end. Franklin is on the higher end of addressing the OPEB requirements

not many doing what we are doing right now

(note - video feed problems being worked by Franklin TV) will be available for rebroadcast

No material weaknesses or deficiencies

recommendation on a more formal risk assessment process
FYI - statement #75 on the OPEB accounting changes coming
FYI - reauthorizing the OPEB Trust under new legislation

Nutting - when our legislators coming this Spring, we need to request help again on the OPEB matter

Pellegri - the residents should be pleased with the reports and the way we are doing business
Melanson - thanks for all the help and preparedness, it made it easy to do


Live reporting: Economic Development Committee Meeting - Mar 22, 2017

Present: Bissanti, Padula, Pfeffer, Vallee, Padula, Halligan
Kelly, Jones, Pellegri, Vozella, Gleason and 2 others


overview of proposal on brewery, distillery, or winery production with a tasting room

the innovation is in the manufacturing of the alcohol for sale; couldn't open something and serve Sam Adams

Bob Vozella, speaks to his operation along Union St
about 6,000 bottles produced by La Cantina thus far
quality grapes and care in the process, monitoring
sharing and seeing how it is made helps

Federal permit required for brewery, State effectively acknowledges the Fed license receipt

production license by ABCC
pouring license by Town Council

Tips training, manager of record would all be the same as other liquor license applications

Would this be standard hours or advertised for specific periods?

Would be required by Special Permit to address all the other zoning type issues, parking etc.

The tasting rooms start out 1-2 days four to five hours operation
the targeted audience for this doesn't stay late

the license would be site specific, it would be an overlay for several of the commercial districts
not for any of the residential districts

the special permit requirement is key for a number of reasons
you could have trucking for the manufacturing and for the retail (tasting) would require parking

the liquid could be made one place and sold elsewhere, but not by the manufacturer

motion made to recommend to Town COuncil to start the process

FHS representatives on Hockomock All-Stars for gymnastics and wrestling

Hockomock Sports has published the All-Stars voted on by the coaches for wrestling and gymnastics.

Gymnastics

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP = Ali Kleinebreil, Attleboro

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS = Liz Traphagen, Franklin

HONORABLE MENTIONS = Chloe Barac, Franklin


Wrestling

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP = Matt Kelley, Foxboro

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

  • Ian Bakalars, Franklin
  • Jordan Carlucci, Franklin
  • Mike Racca, Franklin
  • Dylan Maclean, Franklin


HONORABLE MENTIONS = Ed Cropper, Franklin



For the complete listing of All-Stars across the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/2017-hockomock-league-gymnastics-all-stars/

https://hockomocksports.com/2017-hockomock-league-wrestling-all-stars/