Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Live reporting: Action items

returning from break

I. Subcommittee Reports
no reports tonight

J. Legislation for Action
1. Resolution 17-32: Salary Schedule, Full-Time Elected Official
1. Resolution 17-32: Salary Schedule, Full-time Elected Official (Motion to Move Resolution 17-32 - Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

2. Resolution 17-34: Request for Special Legislation Re: Authorization for Town to Establish a Local Agricultural Commission with Limited Authority
2. Resolution 17-34: Request for Special Legislation Re: Authorization for Town to Establish a Local Agricultural Commission with Limited Authority (Motion to Move Resolution 17-34 - Majority Vote (5))


motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

thanks to Jamie and Jeff for being on top of this


3. Resolution 17-36: Upgrading Street Lighting System
3. Resolution 17-36: Upgrading Street Lighting System (Motion to Move Resolution 17-36 (Majority Vote - (5))

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

anticipated $70K savings per year on electric costs
may not actually need to ban the money to generate long term savings
the payback was 9-10 years, the grant program in this years budget at State is 30% recovery
NationalGrid also provides a rebate
borrowing is actually a requirement of the grant program


4. Resolution 17-37: Appropriation - Town Administration - Water BAN Interest
4. Resolution 17-37: Appropriation - Town Administration - Water BAN Interest (Motion to Move Resolution 17-37 - Majority Vote (5))

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

not a water ban, a Band Anticipation Note


5. Bylaw Amendment 17-793: Amendment to Water System Map - 1st Reading
5. Bylaw Amendment 17-793: Amendment to Water System Map - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-793 to a 2nd Reading - Majority Vote (5))

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

for an extension in to Acorn Place

the developer will cover curb to curb paving to cover the work




Live reporting: Budget Hearing #1


F. Hearings
FY 2018 Budget Hearing

status quo budget but doesn't address needs of growing community
schools also use $2.8M funds that are one-time so that will need to be address for the FY 2019 budget
police down 4 policemen
DPW still now up to where they had been
the EPA stormwater rules were appealed but that is hung up and will eventually need to be addressed

the Clerk will read the Town Council to vote numbers
if you want to hold, call it out, and they'll address those at the end

holds
HR salaries, Mercer
replacement working for less, also including part timer ro help cover

Technology expenses, Mercer
why 25% increase?
all the licensing fees increased (Google email, etc.), e-permiting, etc
increased fees to cover the increase in
was in capital program earlier, now in regular budget
.
Public Property Buildings, Dellorco
why no increases? actually an increase of 150,000
actually water and sewer was part of the increases, water for the town fields

Police expenses, Dellorco
do you have everything yo need?
we are 4 short and in anticipation of more residents, we do need more officers
how many on the midnight shift?
I'd rather not put that out there, it is down from where it was

Nutting, we'll need to come up with a game plan for how to address FY 2019
if we don't get some more revenue we are not even going to keep what we have for 19

Padula, part of that is luck to be a safe community, this isn't going to be something we'll address by talking
I can ask, but the real question is how are we going to pay for it
we did get overtime to help keep the shifts operational

Fire, Kelly
ambulances?
we would need to add about 12 to 16 FTE to staff a third ambulance
last year was the busiest call year, I'll beat that next week
when we are out of resources, we are luck to not get another call
part of what we are asking for it additional management support for the call volume
for 2-3 times per day, for 2-3 hours we are out of resources
the complexity of our world is changing things
who would ever think we had a meth lab in Franklin?
we are making headway on the assisted living facilities, some are holding, some are down
if you don't get me resources, then the only thing I can do is reduce the calls we get 

central dispatch contracts signed, construction will start soon and take about 14 months
Gary Premo is the executive (formerly with the Police Dept)
Plainville, Wrentham, Norfolk and Franklin are the four regional participants

when you call 911 on a cell phone you get State police, that should change when we get the regional center

Regional Dispatch, Padula
this is for training of the new regional center 
the inter-municipal agreement is based upon call volume
there are technical options for remote support
there are issues with safe havens
folks are working on the game plan for next years budget

Schools, Mercer
Town Council doesn't have control over the line items of the school budget
using reserve funds to help maintain programs, the end of these funds must be nearing
$2,8 M in revolving funds as one time use
refer to the budget presentation for the details
keeping the same level of service, no additional positions
we are using $6.3 million from recurring, $2.8 is one time funding

one of the big unknowns is special education, could you share some of those concerns
15% special ed enrollment, it is not about numbers but about the intensity of needs
79 are not kept in our schools, these are served elsewhere; $5M this year but 6+ next year; some funding is reimbursed from the State but it doesn't cover the expense
Federal funding is at risk and that would force decisions locally, i.e development of training of teachers among other items

there are Federal mandates and State mandates, but not funded
it is recognized that the Council needs to advocate for the funding of the mandates 

enrollment, what is the current projections
the high school is at about 1800, it was built for 1600
families are moving here for the high school
declining at the elementary, middle school growing, students coming back from Charter
apartments up by Garelick Farms, we'll be looking at their residential impact

students in the apartments are tending to be more high cost, i.e. 

did build some accounts in anticipation of these needs
(similar to the enterprise accounts - water, sewer)

redistricting can't be a knee jerk reaction, you need to see where the students are
even if is done well, no one is happy
the last one worked out well as we have not had to make changes to it

7 years later we are getting less funding from the State
we have worked hard to control our costs
the FEA has been an amazing partner, have been using interest based bargaining the last several years and it is a more sustainable contract with lower growth

Regional, Kelly
Councilor Jones will be refraining from voting on the regional high budget

Library, Kelly, Mercer, Dellorco
31 libraries needed a waiver this year, Franklin was one of them
if it opens in Sept/Oct it would only be funded for part of the year
we are funding at 85% and next year could be at 100% and not need a waiver
once open, there might be additional requests but they'll need to evaluate based upon the operations

11 currently
adding 3 part time, in wait and see move

Library expenses, Mercer
any of these expenses to be incorporated in the Library project?
no, these were for circulation items and operational costs

the Capital requests were not part of the Town Budget, part of the building project

Recreation, Jette
100% are self funded, but we need the start up funding and it is recovered in the fees


Live reporting: Town Council - May 24, 2017

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



A. Approval of Minutes
A. Approval of Minutes
none for approval tonight

B. Announcements
B. Announcements:
1. 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
C. Proclamations/Recognitions:
Swearing in - Police Department - Nick Palmieri

3rd in class of 700 at NYPD when he started
worked in Upton before coming to Franklin
Franklin resident for 11 years, with wife and 2 children

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 give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
E. Appointments
E. Appointments
none tonight
F. Hearings
FY 2018 Budget Hearing
G. License Transactions
Sreefarminghamma Inc.: New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License - 7:10 PM

motion to approve, seconded,

did open last week, will operate upstairs in restaurant
downstairs will be only a test kitchen and not open to the public

operates 10 restaurants around the country

approval conditional upon receipt of paperwork for outdoor seating/diagram

H. Presentations/Discussions
Veteran's Agent - Dale Kurtz

slight change in agenda order, as hearing starts at 7:10

Veteran Memorial Day breakfast
6 Korean War veterans to be honored
will also participate in the parade on Monday




Mindfulness in Nature: a Guided Meditation Walk

a free mindful walk at the DelCarte Conservation Area on June 7 at 6:00 PM



Shared from the Franklin Cultural Council Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/photos/a.399579373729229.1073741828.399575860396247/452894465064386/?type=3&theater

"What an AMAZING Day! Franklin Unified Track - South Sectional Champions!"

From Hockomock Sports, we share the results of the FHS spring sports action on Tuesday, May 23. And from the Twitterverse, we share photos from the Unified Track meet hosted at FHS with about a dozen school districts participating.



Softball = Franklin, 0 @ Bishop Feehan, 1 – Final
– Franklin junior Jackie Cherry and sophomore Ally Shea both played well for the Panthers according to FHS coach Kate Fallon-Comeau.

Boys Tennis = King Philip, 3 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
– King Philip’s second doubles pairing of Aidan Ignatius and Marco DiStefano rolled to a straight set win over Franklin just this past Friday. Trailing 1-4 in the second set against a new Franklin duo, the pair rallied and earned a 6-2, 6-4 win and clinching the Warriors at least a share of the Kelley-Rex title. It marks KP’s first league title since 2013. Cole Ginter (first singles, 6-4, 6-1) and Martin Matous (third singles, 6-2, 6-0) also picked up wins for KP. Franklin’s Eli Brooks won 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 at second singles and James Johnston and Derek Wu earned a 6-2, 6-0 win at first doubles.

Girls Tennis = Franklin, 1 @ King Philip, 4 – Final
– King Philip didn’t drop a game at second or third singles and swept doubles play to earn the win and set up a winner-take-all situation on Wednesday against Taunton for the Kelley-Rex title. KP’s Erin Regnier (second) and Meghan Sepich (third) won 6-0, 6-0 in their respective singles matches. The team of Megan Davenport and Carly Adams won 6-2, 6-2 at first doubles and Corinne Palumbo and Lucy Barnard won 6-1, 6-0 at second doubles. Franklin senior Hannah Sweeney earned a 6-0, 6-1 win at first singles.


https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-052317/

What an AMAZING Day! Franklin Unified Track - South Sectional Champions! @fhs_unified #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/7eQJRPizE3
What an AMAZING Day! Franklin Unified Track - South Sectional Champions! @fhs_unified #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/7eQJRPizE3

Via the Twitterverse

















Petition to nip the nip bottles


"Empty "nip" bottles are littered across the Massachusetts landscape. Take a walk along any roadside or sidewalk, and the problem is easy to see. 
In the past, nips were found primarily on airplanes. Today, they are sold at liquor stores virtually everywhere and as a result, nips are one of the most highly littered items in Massachusetts. 
State House Representative Randy Hunt of Sandwich has filed a Bill (House Bill H3528) that would add a 5-cent deposit on the sale of “nips.” The Bill will give consumers an incentive to return empty nip bottles for the 5 cent deposit, rather than toss them onto the streets. 
The Bill defines a nip as “any sealable bottle, can, jar or carton which is primarily composed of glass, metal, plastic or any combination of those materials that has a capacity of not more than 100 milliliters and is produced for the purpose of containing an alcoholic beverage.” 
If you are tired of seeing empty nip bottles littering our landscape, please sign this petition and let Massachusetts legislators know you support this common sense solution.
The petition and additional info can be found online
https://www.change.org/p/massachusetts-legislature-let-s-nip-the-nip-bottles-in-massachusetts

In my walks around Franklin, I see dozens of nips. Including these on a fence along Washington St.

dozens of nips including these on a fence along Washington St
dozens of nips including these on a fence along Washington St

In the News: LED lighting proposal; review of foundation budget urged

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The Town Council may give its approval this week to a plan that would convert local streetlights to LED, improving energy efficiency and possibly saving the town money. 
A measure, which would authorize $650,000 in borrowing for the project, is on the council’s agenda Wednesday. 
The move, said Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, is being brought forth after the state Department of Energy Resources (DOER) began offering a 30-percent grant on labor and materials costs for such a project. 
If approved, Hellen said, the $650,000 amount would start several processes."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170523/led-streetlights-possible-for-franklin



"The School Committee passed a resolution urging the state to change the way it calculates the foundation budget for school districts. 
The committee voted unanimously Tuesday night in favor of the resolution. 
The foundation budget is set by the state based on a formula, and determines the minimum amount a school district can spend on education. 
Committee member Denise Schultz brought the resolution to the committee’s attention."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170523/franklin-school-committee-urges-budget-review

The link to the resolution text can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczbVpCVVNxc3lxUk9OTGNWcFNUSGtWY2NENmJ3/view?usp=sharing

flowers added to the downtown areas from the weekend effort to beautify  Franklin by the Downtown Partnership and dozens of volunteers
flowers added to the downtown areas from the weekend effort to beautify
Franklin by the Downtown Partnership and dozens of volunteers

Wine Tour, Tasting & Classic Oldies - June 9



Just for you
Or call us at [508-613-1480]
FPS- Lifelong Learning | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

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Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Live reporting: Information Matters to Closing, with Executive Session in between

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
called attention to the 2 new donations
from the class of 1967 and the Newcomers Club
to help support kids who could use it but would not necessarily qualify for financial support

Unified arts track meet, approx 10 school districts hosted today at FHS
thanks to the high school administration to come to support kids and adults in the neighborhood

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

  • Budget Sub Committee – Dr. O’Malley
  • Community Relations Sub Committee – Ms. Schultz
next coffee Fri Jun 9th, at Senior Center 9 AM
newsletter coming

School Committee Liaison Reports

  • JPCC (Joint Parent Communication Council) – Dr. Bergen
discussion on multiple events at recent meeting lead to a discussion of the Community Calendar

  • SWAC (School Wellness Advisory Council) – Ms. Douglas
end of year reporting coming together rather than a presentation to the Committee


6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.


7. Executive Session
Motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss contractual bargaining with FEA
Motion: ___________ Second: _____________
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Bilello, Ms. Scofield, Ms. Douglas, Dr. Bergen, Dr. O’Malley, Ms. Schultz, Dr. Jewell.

vote 7-0


8. Return to Open Session

motion to return, seconded, passed 7-0
 9. Discussion ratification of Educational Support Professional Memorandum of Understanding
reviewed the contract and unaniously accepted

10. Action Item N 
– I recommend ratification of the MOU for the ESP contract.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


11. Motion to Adjourn 
– Dr. O’Malley
seconded, passed 7-0

Live reporting: Action Items


4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $357.00 from Annie Sullivan Middle School for
an FHS Scholarship as detailed.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $650.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Mike and Maureen Sabolinski for
the Donald Sabolinski Scholarship.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

e. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $1,500.00 from the Class of 1967 for in-house
enrichment.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

f. I recommend appointing Dr. Sara Ahern to the Accept Collaborative Board for the 2017-2018 school year.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

g. I recommend appointing Dr. Sara Ahern to the Bi-County Collaborative Board for the 2017-2018 school year.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $350.00 from the Franklin Newcomers and Friends for the FHS schoolwide student activity account.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

i. I recommend acceptance of donations totaling $2,100.00 for FHS Scholarships as follows:

  1. $1,000.00 from Fidelity Charitable for Fernando P. Baglioni Scholarship
  2. $1,000.00 from Vanguard Charitable for Andrew Coppola Scholarship
  3. $100.00 from Bethiah Beale Crane for the Robert Lima Scholarship

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

j. I recommend increasing School Lunch Prices as detailed.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

k. I recommend adoption of Finance Resolution supporting the recommendations made by The Foundation Budget Review Commission.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

l. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $812.00 from the Class of 1967 for in-house
enrichment.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

m.I recommend acceptance of a check for $693.00 from the Oak St. PCC for field trips.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

Live Reporting: Discussion Only Items


3. Discussion Only Items

looking to provide more environmentally sustainable trays
food department covers all the costs except for the health care, however an increase of lunch prices can start making a contribution towards that

middle school pricing will stay the same but an increase of $.25 at elementary and high school levels is proposed

approx 8% district wide have reduced or free lunch, has grown from 3 to 8% over the past 3-4 years

want to work towards composting food waste and include the new trays; no change immediately but would be coming down the pike

 

new resolution (link above) that some School Committee's are endorsing to ask for an increase in the Foundation Budget from the State

we are historically below the state average, we will vote ont his coming up during the actions


Live Reporting: K12 Art Program and Franklin Arts Academy Updates

The document for presentation and discussion scheduled for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting May 23, 2017.





The full agenda for the School Committee meeting is found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/05/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-may_23.html


  1. come away with an understanding of the depth and rigor of the program
  2. significant changes at the high school
  3. FAA now in its 7th year


the slides showing the progression from grade to grade through K to 12 are stunning displays

video samples too, check them out

collaborative learning at 2nd grade working on a project as part of the social emotional learning lesson

check out the step by step page for the mosaic creation at Remington Middle School

the final installation will be a 7x7 exhibit with 49 panels as a permanent installation at the school

12 yr change in the art class offerings reflects the state of the world as it has changed over the years (also due to the new FHS building)

art is an elective at FHS but almost 1600 student classes will be required for the 2017-2018 year
81% of the FHS students too an art class, they averaged 3 course

130 students in FAA at the high school, approx 10% of the total FHS population choosing this as a pathway; available for grades 10, 11, 12

"Thank you so much for your leadership in bringing the FAA to the high school, to have created the special unique environment is a model

music mentors are always there, it is heartening to see some many of them comeback"

capacity for FAA is built within the budget of the high school

limited by multiples of the teacher student ratio and class size (approx 25 students)

the key is the teachers and their interests, that passion is hard to replicate


Live Reporting: Franklin Music Department Update

The document for presentation and discussion scheduled for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting May 23, 2017.






The full agenda for the School Committee meeting is found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/05/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-may_23.html


Joyce Edwards introduced Dianne Plouffe

will add video of ukulele performance later




52% of students do not get any music education after grade 5
21% nationally participate in music, 48% in Franklin

Keys to Literacy (KTL)

big band came in to work with middle school students, teaching and improvising



will add video of high school performance

"resources of the district being what they are, the students deserve better"

"we need to focus and bring back what we can when we can"

"after school programs can limit participation, that is a an issue" "the idea that studetns will need to make choices between incrediably powerful and important areas"

scholarships are available but transportation is still an issue

5 minute recess