Thursday, June 8, 2017

“I’m looking forward to just riding”

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

"The “Neuroblastoma Ninjas” will be one team vying to raise money for cancer research at this weekend’s Pan Mass Challenge Kids Ride at Jefferson Elementary School. 
This Sunday will feature the 11th annual running of the Franklin kids ride, an event that has raised more than $370,000 over the course of its existence. 
The Ninjas team, which first rode in the event four years ago, was started in honor of local resident Noah Smith. Graydon Smith, Noah’s father, said the team was first known as “Noah’s Ninjas.” 
“When (Noah) was first diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at age 10, his sister created and led the team,” he said. “Noah was in no condition to ride the first year but, in the second year, he did ride six miles - he had to take stops to get oxygen.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170607/franklin-pmc-kids-ride-includes-ninjas


PMC Franklin Kids Ride - Sunday, June 11
PMC Franklin Kids Ride - Sunday, June 11

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Live reporting: Action items to Closing


LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 17-31: Transfer of Tax Title Possession Parcels to Different Municipal Purposes (Motion to Move Resolution 17-31 - 2/3 majority (6) vote)

general municipal use doesn't have restrictions where if put to Conservation, then future use would be limited

first step is to transfer the title from tax title to public use

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

2. Resolution 17-38: Acceptance of Gift - Council on Aging (Motion to Move Resolution 17-38 - majority (5) vote)

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-788: Definitions. Brewery, Distillery or Winery with Tasting Room - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-788 to a 2nd Reading - majority (5) vote)

discussed during public hearing earlier

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

4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-792: Use Regulations for Brewery, Distillery, or Winery with a Tasting Room - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-792 to a 2nd Reading - majority (5) vote)

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

5.Bylaw Amendment 17-791: New Chapter 73, Departmental Revolving Funds - 2nd Reading (Motion to Move 17-791 - Roll Call - majority (5) vote)

motion to waive the reading, seconded, passed 9-0

motion to move to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

6. Resolution 17-35: Expenditure Limits for FY 2018 on Departmental Revolving Funds Established by Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, As Provided in G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2, As Amended (Motion to Move Resolution 17-35 - majority (5) vote )

this will need to be done yearly, the prior is a one time move

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

7. Bylaw Amendment 17-794: A Bylaw to amend the Code of the Town of Franklin by Adding a New Chapter: Chapter 108 Library Board of Directors - 1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 17-794 to a 2nd Reading - majority (5) vote)

bringing the current board bylaw up to date and replace the prior measure

discussion on whether to allow a Councilor to be part of the Library Board, trending to modify to be included for second reading

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

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Town Administrator's Report (provided during meeting)
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Future Agenda Items  (provided during meeting)

Bissanti -look to get a good understanding of the committee being proposed, meeting to be scheduled
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Comments
(provided during meeting)

Jones - congratulations to FHS and Tri-County class of 2017
wish them the best

Dellorco - congratulations to Class of 2017

Bissanti - congratulations to Class of 2017

Pfeffer - an honor to drive the veterans on Memorial Day
there was a show on PBS, there was a voice over (Mr Belicheck)

Pellegri - thank you to those stepping up to take over the 4th of July Committee.  
Playground on Pleasant St, wonderful, so many folks there, more are using it (actual congrats to Ryan Jette)
Recognition of Jarvis with a porketta dinner
I have a white car, and it is all black dots due to the catepillars

Nutting - not on anyone's radar, no calls on it
 
Padula - Pleasant St is a wonderful set up, always an overflow there
congratulations to Class of 2017

Mercer - work being done at gym at FHS where the gym floor is being re-done, known from the beginning, repairs earlier did not work, month of June was set aside to re-sand the floor and reseal it

thanks for bringing in Electric Youth

congratulations to Class of 2017

a good thing for the 50th year class to be honored at the same time; 204 in the graduation class over 50 came to the reunion

Vallee - embarrassing to have a city of 35,000 and we can have fireworks

Kelly - DelCarte possibly a second parking lot, Conservation Commission owns the majority of the land
thanks to Councilor Mercer and other for getting the FHS building done



N. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive Session
O. Adjourn
Meeting Adjourned

Live Reporting: Appointments, Hearing


E. APPOINTMENTS
FY 18 Annual Appointments - Boards and Committees

(see listing of annual appointments)

still vacancies, will provide update link to website for application and process

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

F. HEARINGS
Public Hearings - 7:10 PM

motion to open public hearings, seconded, passed 9-0

craft brewery, spirits and wine tasking rooms proposal
space available for tasting room modified to reduce from 33% to 25% of sq footage; should be sufficient, other communities do similar sizing

Bissanti - a good stepping stone to help grow business, could be looking to use the Class B empty spaces filled

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Franklin Lodge of Elks - Change of Manager

motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Safe Coalition
couldn't make it tonight to be rescheduled
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS


Live Reporting: Town Council - June 7, 2017

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


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes - May 10, 2017 (Motion to approve minutes of May 10, 2017 - majority (5) vote)

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
1. Electric Youth

brief introduction and a song to perform


Citizen comments

Briget Stall (sic)

Franklin community Pride proposal

Judy Derosario

resident, volunteer for many organization
vision for Franklin Pride Committee, support for first responders

Susan Burns
30 year resident, raised 2 children here
experience in IT marketing and sales
looking to further discuss proposal



Strawberry Festival or Stroll, the weather seems like it will be sunny for Thursday PM

Attention: MBTA parking lot users - getting out of the Franklin/Dean Station with Main St closed will present a challenge Thursday evening. 


The forecasters are saying the SUN will come out on Thursday!

Just in time for the Downtown Partnership Strawberry Stroll Thursday afternoon from 4 to 7 p.m.

Police will close down Main Street for the event, so plan accordingly.





Strawberry Festival or Stroll, the weather seems like it will be sunny for Thursday PM
Strawberry Festival or Stroll, the weather seems like it will be sunny for Thursday PM

This was shared from the Downtown Partnership page

Franklin Community Leaders Recognized At Hockomock Area YMCA Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Hockomock Area YMCA was held on May 17th at Lake Pearl in Wrentham. The organization gave special recognition to several members of the community, including Hailey DeMello and Jeff Nutting.

The Youth of the Year Award was awarded to Hailey DeMello of Franklin. The award recognizes youth members of the Hockomock Area YMCA who, as a result of their commitment and dedication, make a positive impact on the YMCA and the community. DeMello, a senior at Franklin High School, is a camp counselor at the Bernon Family Branch in Franklin, a member on the executive board of the Leaders Club, as well as this year’s captain of the Relay for Life team. 
Hailey DeMello
Hailey DeMello

She attributes her work at a local women’s shelter to the confidence instilled in her during her time at the Y’s Bernon Family Branch, also emphasizing the importance of the work done at the YMCA. “A lot of the work the Y does goes unnoticed,” said DeMello. “But we do it anyway. Because it’s helping people who need it.” Following her high school graduation, DeMello intends to pursue a double major in history and communications at the University of New Hampshire, with the goal to work in either public relations or secondary education.

Jeff Nutting received the Red Triangle Award for the Bernon Family Branch in Franklin – an award which recognizes individuals for their partnership and support of the programs and activities of the YMCA, which meet the changing needs of the community. Nutting has served as the Town Administrator for Franklin since 2001, and from the beginning has been invaluable in providing important services such as clean air, clean water, and well-maintained roads to the town to which he is so dedicated. 
Rep Jeff Roy presents to Jeff Nutting
Representative Jeff Roy presents to Jeff Nutting

In the words of Jeff Roy, who presented the award to Nutting, “Jeff Nutting exemplifies all of the actions that are demonstrated by the Red Triangle Award, and I think he epitomizes the notion of where cause meets community.” Nutting himself believes wholeheartedly in the importance of the Bernon Family Branch to local families, saying that “in a difficult world, the Y offers opportunities for so many people whether it is a respite for those who might be struggling emotionally or financially, or a supportive place for people and families to exercise and be active.”

The Dean College YMCA Scholarship Award, which is awarded to one deserving high school graduate, was given to Oliva Wilcox at this year’s annual meeting.

Olivia Wilcox pictured with Dean College Dean Gerry Shaw and Dean College President Paula Rooney
Olivia Wilcox pictured with Dean College Dean Gerry Shaw and Dean College President Paula Rooney

Other awards given at the annual meeting included the Chairman’s Award given to The Spier family of Foxborough and the Character Counts Award given to Father David Costa of North Attleboro.


About Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

FHS boys tennis playoff run ends, girls lacrosse rescheduled

From Hockomock Sports, we share the results of the FHS spring sports action on Tuesday, June 6.


Boys Tennis = D1 South

#7 Franklin, 0 @ #2 Brookline, 5 – Final


Girls Lacrosse = D1 East

#12 King Philip @ #1 Franklin – Postponed to Wednesday, 6/7 at 5:00.




For the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-060617/
FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on the second Wednesday this month - Wednesday, June 14


Bring more laughter into your life by attending Let’s Laugh Today on Wednesday, June 14th (second Wednesday this month) from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. 

Laughter Yoga is a body/mind practice for well-being that involves deep breathing and a few stretches, playful laughter exercises (no jokes or comedy), clapping and deep relaxation. It has many benefits besides the joy of laughter. It can strengthen the immune system, combat the negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. 

Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! They do not meet in Franklin in July and August, so be sure to get your laughs in this month! 
 
www.letslaughtoday.com
www.letslaughtoday.com

$5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle because laughing is dehydrating. 

Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. See www.letslaughtoday.com for opportunities to laugh in other towns. If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com.

MassBudget: Conference Preview - Differences between House and Senate Budgets for FY 2018




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Conference Preview: 
Differences  between House and Senate Budgets for FY 2018
With a Conference Committee of three Representatives and three Senators meeting to meld the proposals of the two branches into a final budget to present to the Governor, we are entering the final stages of the annual budget debate. As MassBudget's new Budget Monitor describes,the House and Senate proposals have a lot in common: both modestly increase funding for K-12 education and both make new investments in early education (although in different ways); both take steps to address the cost increases borne by the state as the result of fewer employees getting health care coverage from their employers; and both increase funding for affordable housing to help reduce homelessness. Both branches also incorporate revenue from the Governor's initiatives to require larger on-line retailers to collect state sales taxes.
There are also significant differences that will need to be worked out in conference: the Senate provides more funding for higher education and raises modest amounts of additional revenue by taxing on-line rentals through services such as Airbnb and by changing the way taxes are calculated on hotel rooms booked on-line; the House funding levels are higher than the Senate in several areas including MassHealth and the Municipal Regionalization and Efficiencies Incentive. The Senate also included a proposal that was not in the House budget to begin a process of examining the costs and benefits of tax expenditures. The state loses over a billion dollars a year in revenue as a result of various special business tax breaks that are part of our tax code and not regularly evaluated. In the links below, this Budget Monitor describes all of the major differences between the House and Senate budget proposals in each section of the budget.
While the May tax revenue numbers came in a little above projections, overall tax revenue for the year is $439 million below projections with one month to go. The good news is that revenue from income tax withholding has been reasonably strong - and that is a good measure of current economic circumstances. The big drop we saw in April was due mostly to payments with returns when people filed their 2016 taxes. Part of that drop may have been due to taxpayers with significant business and investment income anticipating federal income tax cuts in 2017 and shifting income from 2016 to 2017 (such as by waiting to sell stocks that had increased in value). But while there are some positive signs, tax revenue this year is below projections and there is always the danger that our national economy will weaken. It will be important for the 2018 budget to be as structurally balanced as possible.

The budgets enacted by the two branches of the Legislature both rely on over $500 million in temporary solutions. This is considerably more than the amount relied on in the Governor's budget because he had proposed addressing the state costs of fewer employees getting health care coverage from their employers by enacting a permanent assessment on employers who don't meet certain benchmarks for providing coverage. That plan would have raised $300 million in FY 2018 and more in future years. The House and Senate plans would raise only $180 million in FY 2018 and nothing after two years.
MassBudget's new Budget Monitor describes the major amendments adopted during the Senate budget debate and examines the differences between the House and Senate proposals. The links below also allow readers to jump quickly to specific sections.


Individual sections: 
Revenue (tax and non-tax)



The 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.

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MassBudget: Conference Preview
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