Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Live reporting: Closing


Bissanti - ask for

Pellegri - Ethic Commission update

Mercer - get together on a review of rules and procedures


Councilor Comments -
Pellegri - dedication of Horace Mann statue, May 7
refreshments available before hand, light lunch available after
some of the corner will be closed to allow for viewing
limited edition, 200 only, mugs for sale, a continuing series of mugs for sale as a fund raiser, $10/per

PAdula - thanks for the legislative update

Mercer - congrats to the basketball team

Jones - congrats to the basketball team

Bissanti - now that the Res VII, we do not have the right zoning in this town, the 40B is going to be the answer for folks coming to town; the most that any work can be done is by the ZBA. there is nothing affordable about the 40B units

Pfeffer - bricks for the Library, patio on the School St side, entrance to the Library, 5400 bricks to be sued

Kelly - on a more serious note.,. I am ashamed of the Town and the 50 emails I received for the zoning issue. I moved into this town and I don't want to see anymore, is not right Profanity, inappropriate for citizens of Franklin, we do not get a pay check

You might agree with what we say, we don't always agree, we work together to bring the best for Franklin

if you think you can do a better job, here is the gavel, come on up
we do it because we care about Franklin, we are also doing something else for Franklin

you are sending an email to a neighbor and a friend

I hope everybody just thinks a little harder, I have been ashamed to be called a citizen of Franklin

motion to adjourn


Live reporting: Legislation


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 17-20: Chapter 61A. Non-Exercise of First Refusal Option -Property located at 4 Mount Street (Motion to Move Resolution 17-20: Majority Vote (5))
1. Resolution 17-20: Chapter 61A. Non-Exercise of First Refusal Option -Property located at 4 Mount Street (Motion to Move Resolution 17-20: Majority Vote (5))

Bissanti - recused himself

motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

10 acres not of great value, not connected to other property;it would cost us more

new owner would have to cover for the back taxes for change of use


2. Resolution 17-21: Compenation Plan, FY 2018 (Motion to Move Resolution 17-21: Majority vote (5))
2. Resolution 17-21: Compensation Plan, FY 2018 (Motion to Move Resolution 17-21: Majority vote (5))

motion to approve as amended, seconded, passed 9-0

each year to adjust wage scales when required; recommending 2% increase, won't affect individuals, just the scale overall

minimum wage doesn't not apply to Town employees

discussion on minimum vs. summer help, etc.

point of order, amendment to bring G1 to minimum wages (to remain at 10 and 11.62)
* passed 8-1 on amendment




3. Resolution 17-22:Town Council Apprval of the Resubmittal of Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-775: Zoning Map Changes from Rural Residential I to Residential VII of an Area on Summer Street ( Motion to Move Resolution 17-22: Majority vote (5))
3. Resolution 17-22:Town Council Approval of the Resubmittal of Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-775: Zoning Map Changes from Rural Residential I to Residential VII of an Area on Summer Street ( Motion to Move Resolution 17-22: Majority vote (5))

Bissanti - recuses himself

letter received from B HUnchard, property owner, request a continuation of this matter, placed on an agenda during June 28th, exploring alternative

motion to postpone, via roll
dellorco N
jones N
mercer N
padula Y
pfeffer N
vallee Y
pellegri N
kelly Y
** failed 5-3

move resolution, seconded
mercer 
difference in rules and procedures vs Roberts Rules of Order

Padula - don't see it as an ethical issue
it is properly before us, it is highly likely that a 40B will go there

Pfeffer - I agree with Padula to see 40 condos vs 40B and and hundred units, the town has nothing to do with it

dellorco N
jones N
mercer N
padula Y
pfeffer N
vallee N
pellegri N
kelly  Y
** failed 6-2



4. Bylaw Amendment 17-787: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 179, Water - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-787: Majority Roll Call vote (5))
4. Bylaw Amendment 17-787: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 179, Water - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-787: Majority Roll Call vote (5))

motion to waive reading, seconded passed 9-0

dellorco y
jones y
mercer y
padula y
pfeffer y
vallee y
pellegri y
kelly - y
** failed 9-0 
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-788: Definitions. Brewery, Distillery, or Winery with Tasting Room - Referral to Planning Board (Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 17-788 to the Planning Board (Majority Vote (5))
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-788: Definitions. Brewery, Distillery, or Winery with Tasting Room - Referral to Planning Board (Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 17-788 to the Planning Board (Majority Vote (5))

motion to refer, seconded, passed 9-0



6. Bylaw Amendment 17-789: Amendment to Water System Map - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-789 to a 2nd Reading- Majority vote(5))
6. Bylaw Amendment 17-789: Amendment to Water System Map - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-789 to a 2nd Reading- Majority vote(5))

motion to more to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 8-0

Bissanti recused himself

would extend water lines to 8 existing homes but no further
school would relocate from Attleboro to Franklin and grow by 25 students, 50 students currently

sewer/water extension specified in the resolution

discussion on adding a covenant to the property 

discussion on water irrigation rather than using the water extention
7. Bylaw Amendment 17-790: Amendment to Sewer System Map-1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-790 to a 2nd Reading- Majority vote(5))
7. Bylaw Amendment 17-790: Amendment to Sewer System Map-1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-790 to a 2nd Reading- Majority vote(5))

motion to waive reading, second, passed 8-0

motion to more to 2nd reading, seconded, passed 9-0

Bissanti recused himself



Live Reporting: Spilka, Ross, Roy update from State Legislatture


H. Presentations/Discussions
H. Presentations/Discussions: Ligislative Delegation: Senator Karen Spilka, Senator Richard Ross, Representative Jeffrey Roy

Seantor Spilka

revenue collections down, $220M down from benchmark
similar to what happened last year, resulting in cuts of overall $150M from budget in the process
hoping not to do this again
meeting with the experts to find out why when economy seems to be doing well, confidence is high, where are the revenue flows?

volatile income stream, economy has shifted, maybe due to more part time workers the tax flows are adjusted?

Governor's budget was submitted in January
House budget just submitted on Monday

revenue increase expected at just over 4%
take out the built in increases only leaves approx $600 in adjustable funds 

employer assessment made by Governor to raise funds
looking to equalize the playing field to afford giving increases to local aid
will try to be as reasonable as possible
 
some increases are targeted as to when the sales tax for example is collected

desire to start implementing the foundation budget recovery to help with school funding; phasing it in would help all the communities

rising health care is an issue, substance abuse and mental health issues need to be addressed, along with transportation and infrastructure
housing is another issue that communities need help with

Chapter 90 House and Senate passed with different amounts and different terms, now need to discuss and review in conference committee

Senator Ross


acknowledge letter received on budget priorities, including OPEB accounting resolution

Fire Dept requests still in process and may have funds in June, other requests were put aside with the Governor cuts

land transfer? related to the state forest and recycling


Representative Roy

US News and World Report recognizes MA as number in the economy

MA #1 in testing on a national level, 72 countries participated in the testing, MA wanted to be considered separately, no one outdid MA in reading, only Singapore beat us in science, and in 10th in Math

working with strategic collaborative to move in manufacturing

House budget released on Monday
41% consist of health care and MA Health reform
15% goes to health and human services
three categories account for 71% of the overall budget

recommending $30 per pupil in educational aid
Chapter 70 funding has increased 833M since 2011, also being increased this year

heard from many small businesses about the health assessment; asking the department of revenue to find out who are the real culprits causing the increases; there had been a gate that if a company offered a plan, their employees could not get MA Health, this check was removed with the affordable care act

did file $50K allotment to help fight the substance abuse disorder

author claims private industry create the substance abuse mess; now government and communities are coming together to fight the problem

this team works well together, we are all on speed dial

thank you for everything you do

Ross - Tri-County is amazing, they don't get enough credit, especially in manufacturing

Pfeffer - 40B - there has to be something needs to be available to say now, something needs to be considered when you are close to the 10%

Spilka - it is good to hear, it makes sense
  
Roy - affordable housing is important, some stock of housing doesnt count towards the 10% goal, it may provide some relief

Nutting - should also get some sort of time out, or reasonable plan
Hellen - this community has done a lot, been proactive for year; Brookline received a one year moratorium

Kelly - we are forced to take them, it is not in our decision, we need an answer, we look like the bad guys when the state is making us do stuff

Mercer - we just built a brand new high school, the State told us how many we could build for, and it was not considering the outlook of the potential coming at us. We had to beg for 1650 and we opened at 1725

Bissanti - we don't have the kind of zoning that makes it easy for builders to come in, they look for the density and don't have to cover any amenities

Dellorco - pick a percent between 8 and 10 so it can slow down and allow us to work with it

Padula - in the NUtting letter, well written, shows the quality of our administration

Nutting - thanks to Jeff Roy and we testified a couple of weeks ago on the land swap, hopefully to get settled and signed off

Jones - economic development, if we could get back 10 Grove St, the MA DOT area at the end of Grove St and 140

Roy - a few of us are working with them on the train station and when we next meet with them, we can add that

Dellorco - I know the 9C cuts are tough, really fight for the $50K

Spilka -we were looking to see if the revenue hadn't dropped so, we would have been able to restore some of the 9C cuts; many communities are suffering in the same way; it is pennywise and pound foolish, we will try to restore for next year

Spilka - 9C cuts, if Governor vetos, then the funds need to be overridden by both the House and Senate, 9C refers to the section of law, where if revenue is not sufficient to cover the expenses; the governor is given that to balance the budget

Bissanti - thank you for your great work; $90M if it doesn't get paid?

Nutting - maybe future employees don't get that benefit, or some of that; our assets are going to be less than our liabilities (and the state is in the same boat)
there needs to be some way to start the discussion and come to a resolution

3 minute recess



Live Reporting: Town Council - April 12, 2017

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

Absent: 


A. Approval of Minutes
A. Approval of Minutes - March 22, 2017

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

B. Announcements
B. Announcements: This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be also recorded by others.
C. Proclamations/Recognition
C. Proclamations/Recognition

recognition of FHS boys basketball team
for 1st appearance in MA State championship

D. Citizen Comments
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.

1 - Mr Mullins - Friends of the Franklin Library
proposing to sell brick in patio of the library at $50

view on the FOFL02038@gmail.com, mailer coming

2 - John Perry, 12 Pleasant St
tulip tree on corner
partially on public property, public shade tree
received notice to trim and remove hazards in the public way

the roots and trunk infringe in the public way
biil of services for trmining done by DPW

asking for clarification on own should remove the tree

E. Appointments - Franklin Cultural Council
E. Appointments - Franklin Cultural Council

Tamara Perry
being appointed now to fulfill a staggered term and then again in JUne for 3 years

F. Hearings
F. Hearings
G. License Transactions
G. License Transactions

MA House Committee Proposes Deep Funding Cuts for Arts, Humanities & Sciences



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House Committee Proposes Deep Funding Cuts for Arts, Humanities & Sciences
Supporters Seek Increase through Budget Amendment
(Boston, MA) - The House Committee on Ways and Means today released a state budget proposal that recommends $10 million for the arts, humanities, and sciences through the Massachusetts Cultural Council for the coming fiscal year.

The Council's current state appropriation is $14 million. The Baker-Polito Administration proposed a modest, two percent increase in its FY18 budget released in January.

The House Ways & Means proposed cut of 28 percent would thus force significant reductions to grants for nonprofit cultural organizations, local cultural councils, artists, education, and youth programs.

Combined with expected funding reductions from the National Endowments for the Arts & Humanities, state budget cuts could dramatically reverse years of hard-won increases in public support for the cultural sector.

"We consistently see new evidence of the public benefits of investing in our cultural life," said Anita Walker, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. "We should be debating how to strengthen those investments—for our economy, our communities, and our youth—instead of eliminating them."

State Representative Cory Atkins of Concord, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development, filed Amendment # 6 to the House Ways & Means budget to increase funding for the Mass Cultural Council to $16 million for FY18, which begins July 1. This amendment would allow the Council to continue to support core grant programs for nonprofits, communities, schools, and artists. The case for $16 million in state funding next year is online: our Fiscal Year 2018 State Budget Request and Case Statement for Increased Public Investment in Arts & Culture.

The Council will work with MASSCreative, Mass Humanities, Mass Artists Leaders Coalition, and others to build support for this amendment by urging House members to sign on as cosponsors to Amendment #6. The full House will take up the FY18 state budget starting the week of April 24.

The House process is one key step in the annual state budget process. The Senate will release its own budget proposal in May. The two chambers must then agree on a tax and spending plan before sending it back to the Governor, who may veto or approve the budget and/or specific line items.

See our Advocacy Action Center for updates on the budget process and for the latest data on the nonprofit cultural sector's contributions to the Massachusetts economy and quality of life.

About the MCC

The MCC is a state agency supporting the arts, sciences, and humanities, to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts and its communities. It pursues its mission through a combination of grants, services, and advocacy for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists. The MCC also runs the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund in partnership with MassDevelopment.
Copyright © 2017, All rights reserved.
This e-mail was sent from Massachusetts Cultural Council


Our mailing address is:
Massachusetts Cultural Council • 10 St. James Ave., 3rd floor • Boston, MA 02116 • 617-858-2700



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FHS spring sports team results for Tuesday

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of the spring sports action on Tuesday, April 11.


Baseball = Franklin, 2 @ Taunton, 5 – Final
– Taunton jumped out to an early lead, scoring four runs in the first inning and never looking back. The Tigers added another run in the fourth inning. Sophomore Jack Moynihan tossed a complete game, striking out six without issuing a single walk. He allowed seven hits with just one earned run. At the plate, Moynihan went 2-for-3 with an RBI while Matt Machado added two hits, Joe Manchester had a double and an RBI and Christian Simoes hit a home run.

Boys Tennis = Franklin, 2 vs. Hopedale, 3 – Final

Girls Tennis = Franklin, 1 @ Taunton, 4 – Final


For all the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-041117/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Via the Twitterverse