Live reporting: Town Council - June 28, 2017

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

Agenda Item	Summary
A. Executive Session	A. Executive Session - Real Property Acquisition/Value The Council opened the meeting at 6:45 PM, went into executive session and then returned (approx 6:50) to re-open the meeting at the normal time of 7:00 PM
B. Approval of Minutes	May 24, 2017 motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 May 25, 2017 motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 June 7, 2017 motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0
C. 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.
D. Proclamations/Recognitions	Swearing in of Firefighters James Polito  Dean College recognition of the annual scholarship award to a resident valued at 20K per year for the 4 years, hence a total of 80K proclamation read by Councilor Padula, photo to be added later
E. 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 tonight
F. Appointments	Cultural Council Lillian Gould motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 Election Workers listing of workers in agenda package motion to approve, seconded, passed 9-0 Citizens Committee listing of names in agenda package motion to approve,seconded, passed 9-0

Please donate to help the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival

The Franklin Cultural District Committee is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival July 26 to 29, 2017.

The Committee will supervise and facilitate the performances, fine arts, and culinary arts events during the Festival in and around downtown Franklin, MA.

Individuals, businesses, and organizations may participate by contributing to help support the events/performances for the Festival.

Every bit that you can contribute will help to make the 3rd Annual Festival a success!  https://www.gofundme.com/FCF2017   

Help spread the word!

https://www.gofundme.com/FCF2017

The current schedule for the Festival can be found in this trifold brochure
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing


If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out webpage http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/ or follow the Festival on Twitter https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

Come Support A Dough Rai$er to benefit Make Change for Change!

Eat and drink to raise money. Uno Pizzeria and Grill in Bellingham will donate up to 20% of your check to the charity. 

Dine In or Take Out!

WHEN: Thursday, June 29, 2017
WHERE: Uno 205 Hartford Ave, Bellingham
TIME: All day, dine in any time or order take out any time

Present the attached coupon to your server at time of payment.

Thank you for your support!

Come Support A Dough Rai$er to benefit Make Change for Change!

Town of Franklin exceeds the 10% affordable housing threshold

In a letter to the Town Council, the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals, Jeff Nutting announced that Franklin had risen back above the critical 10% for Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI).

1. The 288 Glen Meadow apartments were recently purchased by a new investor. He was successful in obtaining funding from MassHousing to do some updates to the property. The purchase was recently completed; hence, all of the Glen Meadow apartments were added back into the SHI. 

2. As you will see, the Town has 11.89% of its housing stock as affordable by the state. until this number drops below 10% again, the Town will not be susceptible to proposals that seek to override local zoning. 

3. It is important to note any 40B proposal that has already been filed previous to Friday, June 23, 2017 will continue to through the process. 

As many of you know, the Town has bumped up and down over the 10% line for many years. Today's announcement is a compliment to the Town, including the hard, proactive work of the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust and the town's overall receptiveness to having a diverse housing stock for families of all incomes. 

Jamie and I are available for any questions you may have.

the stage on the Town Common in the rain

You can find the full memo and inventory listing on the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2017-06-26_franklin_shi_update_and_memo.pdf

“This is long overdue”

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

"With shovels in hand, representatives from Franklin, Norfolk, Wrentham and Plainville officially broke ground on the Metacomet Regional Dispatch Center Tuesday morning in Norfolk, the host community. 

“This regional center means politics were put aside and this was done because it’s what’s best for our communities,” said Norfolk Selectmen Vice Chairman Jim Lehan. “It was recognizing it’s the right thing to do ... we’re all going to be in a better position for it.” 

The state is contributing nearly $5 million in grant money to establish the dispatch operation, which will combine services for the four towns out of the new building, said Town Administrator Jeff Nutting. 

“We’re excited,” Nutting said. “It’s in a great location and will offer better services to the citizens and better response times for the safety folks.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170627/ground-broken-on-metacomet-regional-dispatch-center

Franklin Liquor: July 4th Specials

Check out the Franklin Liquors 4th of July specials in their email newsletter
http://ow.ly/PXtN30cYQZy

Franklin Liquor: July 4th Specials

Live reporting: Discussion only to Closing

3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – First Reading

1. IKB – Homework Policy
2. JICH – Substance Abuse Policy

Dr Ahern came to last policy subcommittee meeting, and will be coming to the next one
what it does not say is that there will not be any homework
extraordinarily diverse views on homework

• articulate what the value of homework is and why it is used
• there is a balance between school work and home life
• encourage collaboration on larger projects among the teachers at a school

included research on best practices as well as what other districts are doing

a ripe opportunity to have a rich conversation on the topic, the conversation to be continued

communication on what the homework is intended to accomplish seems to be a cause of some of the problems

This is a revision but not the end of the discussion

reminder of addressing issues at the teacher/principal level before raising beyond

how will the homework policy be reflected in the school improvement plans?

O'Malley wants last sentence of proposed policy removed (it had been as written in prior versions)
likely will be more of a discussion item as well as a vote when it comes to the final reading

-------  need to leave to participate in a work meeting

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $375.00 from the Remington PCC for field trips.
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $4,880.00 from the Oak Street PCC for inhouse enrichment and supplemental supplies.
d. I recommend moving the following Policies to a second reading:

1. IKB – Homework Policy
2. JICH – Substance Abuse Policy

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

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

7. Motion to Adjourn 
Dr. O’Malley